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Chapter 84: Astonishing Reversal

With a deafening roar, Zhongshan spewed a mouthful of blood and was sent flying backward.

Thud!

He crashed heavily into the crystal wall, the Undying Sword falling to the ground beside him. Though caught off guard, Zhongshan knew the fight was over. His strategy of mutual destruction, including Chu Jiu in the equation, had served its purpose.

With both of them critically injured, it was inevitable that Chu Jiu would intervene.

Sure enough, just as they were about to sever each other's arms, Chu Jiu rushed into the fray, delivering a palm strike that sent Zhongshan hurtling into the crystal wall.

Immediately, Chu Jiu supported the youth, who glanced at him with some annoyance but refrained from reproaching him. At that moment, Chu Jiu had no choice but to act.

After lightly tending to his wounds, the youth turned to Zhongshan.

"You're strong. The strongest opponent I've encountered at the same level. Today's battle was a draw, but let's fight again tomorrow. I hope you won't disappoint me," the youth said, sheathing his sword.

Zhongshan rose to his feet, a faint smile touching his bloodied lips. "I won't."

"I'm Jian Ao. I believe you'll make a name for yourself in the Divine Land sooner or later. Until we meet again," the youth said earnestly, a rare solemnity in his voice as he revealed his name.

"Farewell," Zhongshan nodded before stepping through a door and exiting.

Once outside, Zhongshan, still nursing his injured shoulder, entered another empty room. The spirit stones had been taken, indicating that it had already been visited. Unconcerned, Zhongshan pressed his shoulder and, with a flicker, transformed into a shadow, sinking into the ground and disappearing.

As Zhongshan left, Jian Ao and Chu Jiu remained behind. Chu Jiu stood guard while Jian Ao took a moment to recuperate before slowly opening his eyes.

Frowning, Jian Ao turned to Chu Jiu. "What sword technique did Zhongshan use?"

"I don't know. But his comprehension might surpass the confines of any known sword technique. He, like the young master, has integrated self-creation, making it impossible to classify his technique under any specific school," Chu Jiu speculated.

"There are sword techniques in this world that you don't know," Jian Ao remarked, his tone grave.

"Indeed, his footwork was equally mysterious. No, it was ghostly. I believe the young master would have a deeper understanding of it," Chu Jiu furrowed his brows.

"Yes, that ghostly footwork... too..." Jian Ao pondered for a moment, unable to find a suitable term.

"Young master, would you like me to investigate his background?" Chu Jiu suggested.

"No need. With such extraordinary talent, he will surely make a name for himself in the future. Today's victory is uncertain; tomorrow, I will invite him to spar again and witness his growth," Jian Ao decided.

"Understood," Chu Jiu nodded in agreement.

On the peak of the mountain, Princess Qianyou surveyed her surroundings. Although A'er hadn't noticed anything unusual yet, Qianyou herself felt a sense of unease. As Zhongshan emerged from a door, clutching his shoulder, Qianyou's unease intensified.

Something wasn't right—a peculiar sensation.

Suddenly, Qianyou remembered: Where were the three women who were with Zhongshan? When they first entered the door of the mysterious hall, Zhongshan had made sure not to let go of their hands to avoid separation. But just now, what happened? Did Zhongshan abandon the two women?

No, it wasn't abandonment. Since entering that door, the three women hadn't reappeared from any other door. Disappeared? Why? How could they have disappeared? Why was Zhongshan the only one who emerged within sight?

Qianyou's heart skipped a beat. With her intelligence, she quickly pieced together the situation after sensing something was amiss.

"Oh no, run!" Qianyou suddenly shouted, taking flight, with Water Mirror, Gulin, and the others following closely behind, heading towards a distant door.

"Uncle," Bei Qingsi said with a hint of sadness.

"It's alright, don't worry. Hurry and take my token, head to the location for the second piece of evidence. As you said, it might be dangerous, and I'm not sure if it's still there. Go quickly. My old bones are satisfied with the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation," Taixu Zi said to Bei Qingsi.

"Yes," Bei Qingsi nodded.

Tianling'er remained silent beside them, looking at Yinglan together with Zhongshan.

Yinglan appeared to be in a trance, or perhaps she was in a deep sleep, nestled in Zhongshan's embrace.

Taixu Zi turned to look at Yinglan. "She just integrated with the Soul Formation and needs time to assimilate. She'll wake up in two hours."

"Thank you, Senior," Zhongshan said solemnly.

"Alright," Taixu Zi nodded.

At that moment, Taixu Zi waved his hand lightly, and suddenly, another door appeared in front of him. Beyond this door lay what seemed to be a forest, bathed in the moonlight, exuding an eerie tranquility.

"Go on, this door leads directly out of the formation," Taixu Zi said to the group.

"Thank you," Zhongshan nodded.

Holding Yinglan and leading Ling'er, Zhongshan quickly walked towards the door, with Bei Qingsi following closely behind.

In that moment, Princess Qianyou and her group suddenly barged in.

The instant she entered, Princess Qianyou exclaimed, "Zhongshan!"

Her cry held an incredulous tone, along with a strong sense of resentment.

Others, too, looked at Zhongshan and the three women emerging from the door with disbelief written all over their faces. How could this happen?

With a wave of his hand, Taixu Zi made the door disappear into thin air.

Zhongshan and the three women vanished right before their eyes?

At this moment, except for Mister Shuijing, everyone was seething with hatred.

"That Zhongshan, was he deceiving us all along?" Gu Lin fumed.

Mister Shuijing shook his head with a sigh. "I've always said it's all luck, anyone could find the Soul Formation."

Princess Qianyou was now furious. She had developed feelings for Zhongshan and even had A'er take care of him along the way. But this seemingly weak individual, whom she had cared for, had actually deceived everyone.

This shocking reversal seemed like a mockery of Princess Qianyou's intelligence.

"Mr. Shuijing, I have seen Taixu Zi," Mister Shuijing immediately greeted Taixu Zi.

At this moment, the map of the formation around them had been put away by Taixu Zi, so they couldn't see where Zhongshan and his group had gone.

"Mr. Shuijing, the Soul Formation has been passed down, so I'm sorry, but the opportunity has passed," Taixu Zi said with a shake of his head.

"Old man, why did you give them the Soul Formation?" Gu Lin immediately became angry.

Hearing Gu Lin's rudeness, Taixu Zi frowned, a flash of annoyance in his eyes.

"Silence!" Princess Qianyou immediately scolded Gu Lin.

Initially filled with hatred towards Zhongshan, she quickly suppressed it. Although everyone wasn't afraid of Taixu Zi, he was the master of the formation. Knowing that he would die, causing you to die with him was not something Princess Qianyou wanted to see.

"Mr. Shuijing, please forgive us. Since the Soul Formation has been passed down, we won't disturb you any longer," Princess Qianyou said.

"Alright," Taixu Zi nodded with closed eyes.

Turning around, Princess Qianyou led the group out of the door in a hurry.

Princess Qianyou was feeling extremely frustrated. For the first time ever, she had suffered such a defeat. No one had dared to make her suffer such a huge loss before, nor had anyone been able to do so.

Zhongshan? Zhongshan!

At this moment, Mister Shuijing, from the group, understood the situation that had just happened and shook his feather fan as he walked.

"Mr. Shuijing, you said that Zhongshan didn't understand the formation as well as you do. How could he find Taixu Zi's location on his first attempt? Was he just lucky?" Gu Lin cursed as they walked.

"No, this man is meticulous in his thinking. It's not that he doesn't understand the formation as well as I do; in fact, he might understand it even better. It's just that he didn't dare to reveal it because of his low strength. Moreover, appearing at different doors later on also shows his extraordinary intelligence. Faced with the temptation of the Soul Formation, he was able to handle it calmly in front of everyone's eyes..." Mister Shuijing sighed as he shook his head.

Mister Shuijing didn't finish his sentence, because he had seen Princess Qianyou's unfriendly expression. It was the first time he had seen it.

Leaving the formation, they flew to the top of a mountain, looking at the sandstorm formation in front of them, then at the mountains, rivers, and streams under the moonlight.

"Princess, there's no need to look anymore. This man is meticulous in his actions, and it's impossible to find him now," Mister Shuijing shook his head.

"Qianyou, that kid is from the Kaiyang Sect. Let's go to their doorstep and drag him out. I'll tear him apart to vent your anger," Gu Lin immediately tried to please her.

"Shut up. Can you even handle the Kaiyang Sect? If something happens, your father won't be able to save you. Also, forget about this matter. Don't think about Zhongshan anymore," Princess Qianyou said.