438: Yan Xiao: I will not participate in the war.

The Formation Master of the Qingling Sect was named Xiao Lingfeng.

He wore a simple blue and white Daoist robe; every inch of it—the cross-collar, the lapels, the large sleeves, the body, the waist-seam, and even the ties—was covered in Formation patterns.

Usually, these patterns remained hidden and dim, but in times of trouble, they would suddenly flare up. Combined with Formation Flags and Formation maps, they could instantly deploy a Rank Five Grand Array that an ordinary Golden Core could not break.

Thus, while Xiao Lingfeng appeared loose and elegant, looking like a frail old man in the wind who might collapse at any moment, he actually possessed immense combat power and was a top-tier existence even among the player community.

More uniquely, he was not a Cultivator specialized in combat like a Sword Cultivator or a spear Cultivator, but a Formation Master specialized in Formations.

Cultivators who practiced the hundred arts often possessed broader knowledge, and their perspective on problems was slightly different from that of ordinary Cultivators.

While there was no inherent superiority—and indeed, the Dao Cultivation of powerful Cultivators was broad enough to encompass everything—at this moment, at least, Xiao Lingfeng sensed something was wrong.

True Lord Feng Chuan's behavior was somewhat abnormal.

The players didn't know and weren't used to it, but a native Cultivator like Xiao Lingfeng was very clear on the matter.

What Nascent Soul True Lord would rush into close-quarters combat?

Never mind a Nascent Soul; anyone who had achieved the Golden Core would engage enemies from thousands of miles away. Only a few Cultivators with powerful Physical Bodies and superb combat skills would seek close combat.

Feng Chuan was clearly not that type of Cultivator, and neither was Xiao Lingfeng. Or rather, it was impossible for a Nascent Soul Cultivator of the Immortal Foundation Dao Lineage to enjoy close-quarters combat.

Cultivators of the Immortal Foundation Dao Lineage were accustomed to testing their opponents from extreme distances, using the distance to increase their margin for error in battle.

This was because after achieving the Immortal Foundation, one would practice Divine Abilities step by step, eventually resonating with heaven and earth. Every battle involved using Divine Abilities to stir the world; the larger the combat area, the stronger the power they could exert. Close combat was instead a self-imposed restriction.

Only players, who were unaccustomed to this beyond-visual-range combat style, still loved to run up to people with swords, staves, and clubs for close-quarters brawling, only to be blasted into nothingness by Divine Abilities and techniques.

Even if their Physical Body could withstand it, getting close meant constantly leaving their safe zone and stepping into the Domain controlled by the enemy.

What Formations would be triggered? What Talismans would be there? Were there hidden Magic Treasures? Or even outside reinforcements?

All of these were uncontrollable variables.

Xiao Lingfeng also knew from ancient records that Rank Two Cultivators—the Void Refinement experts of the Immortal Foundation Dao Lineage—could even form an independent space around themselves similar to the Great Void, known as a 'Domain'.

Once an enemy stepped into their Domain, they were like meat on a chopping block, to be handled at will.

In short, True Lord Feng Chuan inexplicably choosing to launch a close-range attack on the opponent's Grand Array was utterly inconceivable in Xiao Lingfeng's eyes.

"Is the True Lord's mind..."

As soon as the thought surfaced, Xiao Lingfeng quickly shook it off.

But his tightly furrowed brows still betrayed his thoughts.

He felt like Feng Chuan's brain had broken, as if his intelligence had been lowered.

'This is the territory of the Yao Race. Who knows if there's some Yao Old Ancestor waiting? Who knows if the mastermind behind these players will appear?'

"For the True Lord to act so rashly, this... this..."

The more Xiao Lingfeng thought about it, the more terrifying it seemed. Breaking into a cold sweat, he wanted to step forward and warn Feng Chuan.

But just then, over a dozen players suddenly appeared in the distance, all wielding various weapons as they charged toward him. These were the Golden Core Playerss who had been waiting for a long time... About three thousand miles outside Sacred Emperor Mountain, at a Yao Race settlement.

It could barely be called a city; the walls had long since fallen into ruin, and most of the dwellings inside had collapsed. Only a few palaces in the center, adapted to the various sizes of the Yao Race, still stood.

In an era where Yao offspring were scarce and the Great Wall provided protection, the Great Yao didn't bother to maintain the outward appearance of their cities.

Ma Dun, Yan Xiao, and the other "honored guests" who had been invited actually preferred this rugged yet classical architectural style and were not picky.

Days of banqueting had left Ma Dun feeling quite lightheaded.

As a Yao player, the Demon Race Outside the Wall treated him even better than they treated Wan Lin or Li Changfeng, almost hoping he could lead the Yao Race to create new glory.

At this moment, Ma Dun, having drunk his fill of fine wine, sat slumped in his chair, somewhat tipsy.

Beside him, Yan Xiao glanced at him but said nothing. He simply turned his head slightly and looked toward Sacred Emperor Mountain.

He felt it—a great battle was taking place over there. The spiritual energy between heaven and earth was dancing wildly, and the ground was vibrating continuously.

Given Yan Xiao's habits, if a great battle occurred nearby, he would certainly go to take a look.

Then, he would invariably gain some benefit from it, becoming the hidden ultimate winner.

But this time, the situation was different. The teacher inside him cautioned him:

"It is best not to go over. This is very likely a trap set by the 'players'.

"Although I don't know what's going on with them, their fate and Luck are far too inconceivable, and their style of doing things is quite strange.

"There's no problem with ordinary social interactions, but if you rashly interject yourself into their great battle... I fear something eerie will happen."

Yan Xiao listened and nodded slightly.

"Since you've said so, Teacher, I won't intervene this time. I'll just wait here and see how the battle ultimately ends."

The players called Yan Xiao the child of destiny, believing that all sorts of strange things would happen around him.

Either they wanted to pull Yan Xiao into some grand scheme like Ma Dun, or they were so terrified of him that they only wanted to stay far away like Murong Shusu.

When Li Changfeng and the others plotted against Feng Chuan, they specifically discussed Yan Xiao, wary of his influence.

Even though Yan Xiao did not participate, his "Intelligence-lowering aura" still took effect.

This terrifying influence caused the players to have a love-hate relationship with Yan Xiao; their attitude was very peculiar.

But from Yan Xiao's perspective,

His attitude toward the players had similar nuances.

The players themselves couldn't see it and didn't think it was ridiculous, but a native like Yan Xiao only found the players bizarre.

The various privileges of the players simply defied logic.

The players' style of doing things was practically without any rhyme or reason.

To the point that the name 'Extraterrestrial Demon' often suited the players better than 'player'.

They truly possessed a demonic nature.

Dealing with players made it hard to say what would happen next; it was uncontrollable, unknowable, and unpredictable.

Ordinary social interactions were still relatively stable; players wouldn't suddenly turn violent for no reason.

But once major events were involved, especially what the players called "big events" or "big quests," there was no telling what the players might do.

Therefore, Yan Xiao didn't really want to get involved in the players' schemes.

It was a bit like a man with a hemp stalk trying to hit a wolf—both sides were afraid.

It was precisely because of this wariness that Yan Xiao remained in the Yao Race's territory and did not participate in the gambit over at Sacred Emperor Mountain.

Although his "Intelligence-lowering aura" was still in effect and indeed played a key role,

Since the fall of the Green Emerald Heaven and the slaughter in the Mingshui Heaven, the players had once again become the absolute protagonists of a major event.