Chapter 3

  The Valley's Soul-Slaying Array was indeed broken. Many of the array's guardians died on the spot, and many of the giant energy stones that powered the array exploded, tearing through space and leaving massive craters in the ground outside the valley. The air was filled with a pungent smell. One of the mountain peaks connected to the array at the entrance of the valley had been sheared off, with half of it toppling over, leaving the remaining peak shaped like a sharp knife, jutting into the sky. However, both sides' combatants had already withdrawn from view, retreating from their positions. It was clear that the first round of attacks had ended, and both sides were shocked by each other's strength, momentarily hesitant.

  In the great hall of the Heavenly Pivot Island in the valley, the Patriarch of the Great Clan, Shi Ren, sat with the other four elders and his two sons to discuss their strategy for attack and defense.

  "Father, it seems that the enemy's forces are strong and their intentions are not good! Why don't we send a few people to ask for help from both the Orthodox and Evil sects?" Shi Yisheng asked cautiously.

  "Who says there's no one sent?! Let's not talk about whether the person sent can arrive at each place, even if they did, would they just lend a hand for no reason?"

  Lao San turned his head and said to Yisheng.

  "Indeed! Not to mention pushing someone into a well and then throwing stones at them, it's already not bad to take advantage of the fire to loot. Which of these so-called prestigious sects isn't coveting others' skills, treasures, and sacred places for cultivation?"

  Lao Wu said with a stern expression.

  "Everyone, don't make noise, listen to the arrangement of the elder."

  Lao Er Shiyu raised his voice. Everyone fell silent and looked at Shi Ren. In front of everyone, Shi Ren was the eternal patriarch of the great family. He coldly scanned the crowd with a glance, then slowly said:

  "It's no longer necessary to investigate who the enemy is. The enemy has already appeared and is openly attacking us. As for seeking help, given the enemy's thorough preparations, it's likely impossible. For now, there are three options: one, die defending; two, break through the enemy's lines and escape; three, bring out all the family heirlooms to defend against the enemy. In this crisis of life and death for our family, as long as we can ensure the survival of our clan members and continue our legacy, we will not hesitate to pay any price. Four, if I die in battle, my third brother Shi Li will take charge of the overall situation. Everything else will be handled according to the rules of war."

  "Big brother! I... I will definitely use all my strength!"

  Shi Lei responded solemnly in a loud voice.

  "Big brother, I have no way to teach my son, and in the end, he has brought great disaster. I am willing to accept punishment!"

  Lao Wu Shi wailed loudly and cried, kneeling on the floor of the main hall.

  "The fifth brother, due to the mysterious and unpredictable nature of cause and effect. One clear thing is just one of the inducing factors. When things happen, can human power violate it? Get up!"

  Shi Xin wept and rose, and all the others sighed.

  "Big brother, all brothers and nephews, my Shi family has been passed down for nearly 10,000 years through hundreds of generations. Since our ancestors' time, when have we ever feared anyone? We'd rather die than retreat! I, Shi Zhong, will fight to the death against our enemies, absolutely no surrender!"

  Shi Zhi said loudly. Everyone's heroic emotions were suddenly stirred up, and they had no intention of turning back.

  "Good! Prepare for battle! Second brother, your magical power is low, so don't go to the front line, just support from behind."

  "Big brother, all brothers are fighting together, how can I be at ease alone! It is often said that 'brothers unite and their strength can cut through metal', I will absolutely not retreat!"

  "This is known to you, brother, but afterwards it really needs a meticulous person to arrange the items one by one, don't argue about it."

  Everyone came out together, but Lao Er and Shi Yi stood still, looking at their big brother Shi Ren.

  "Second brother, after today, I don't know if you and I will meet again in this mortal world. And I also don't know if we can still be brothers."

  "Big brother.........."

  Lao Da Shi Ren waved his hand and continued:

  "I have thought about this repeatedly, and can only entrust it to your hands. Remember that you must escape alive, and pass on the legacy of our family."

  The boss spoke and took out a hairpin from the crown on his head. Then, with a chant in his mouth, a five-colored halo flashed in the hairpin, and a small, unobtrusive stone coffin of cyan gray color suddenly appeared.

  Three dots...

  Shi Yi was shocked and suddenly stopped talking, looking around nervously, saying to his older brother Shi Ren Dao:

  "Big brother! This..."

  The boss waved his hand and said:

  "You are humble and lowly, other families won't pay much attention to you. Moreover, I observe that you and Yifei are steady, studious, and will surely be of great use in the future. The clan's great array is being transferred to your residence, this array can only be used once, it can ensure that you and Yifei will escape safely, but afterwards it will be destroyed."

  "Big brother, let's just let him and his son escape, this child was born with..."

  "My lineage has long been tightly watched by others, and yet I am not one to flaunt myself in the slightest, so few people recognize me, which is perfect for hiding and cultivating!"

  "Big brother!"

  Shi Yi wailed and rushed out.

  Kokuto Tatewaki looked out at the great array of warriors outside, where Shiren and Shichi stood with their lifelong sworn brothers, as well as other sons and nephews of the Kokuto clan who had remained behind to guard the castle, along with several high-ranking disciples. Shiren stepped forward, his voice ringing out loud and clear:

  "Gentlemen immortals, for thousands of years, I, the historian, have never quarreled with anyone. Now that you've come, can you show yourselves and let us know where this grudge comes from?"

  "Hahaha...... Hahahahaha.........."

  A loud and shrill laughter echoed through the empty space above, causing the valley to tremble. Everyone was shocked. This person's magical power must be immeasurable.

  "It's not that I'm unwilling to speak out, but rather you people are just like ants, unable to perceive."

  Its sound was like a great bell, only shaking the ears of everyone present. Those with slightly higher magical powers felt as if they had been struck in the chest by a heavy hammer, and were having trouble breathing. Those with lower magical powers were sweating profusely, and collapsed to the ground.

  "Immortal friend......"

  "Shut up! The wolf wants to eat the sheep, what's the cause and effect? Kill!"

  As soon as he killed the word, dark clouds suddenly appeared in the sky and spread out. Its width was thousands of feet, with a majestic momentum. The blackness of the cloud head made people's hearts tremble, and the rolling ones coming from afar looked like a single-horned beast head, opening hundreds of feet of giant dark mouth to swallow and come. Upon closer inspection, there were thousands of cultivators clearly visible, but it was unknown how many cultivators were in the clouds, only hearing the sound of loud roars like thunder. In an instant, lightning flashed and thunder rumbled, dark clouds rolled, and tens of millions of fireballs fell from the sky, rushing towards the great formation of the Ghost Valley Shi family.

  "Launch the main array, engage in battle!"

  Shi Ren gave a low command. The mouths of the people in the Three Star Array chanted incantations, raised their magic tools and welcomed them into the air. At the same time, the Seven Star Wishing Moon Array was also launched, assisting in attacking the enemy. A white misty cloud formed between the two arrays, suddenly bursting with a loud noise, the cloud dispersed and then galloped like ten thousand horses, rushing towards the dark clouds in the sky. In an instant, fireballs, lightning, fierce winds and various magic tools clashed in mid-air, their sounds shaking the nine heavens, the cries of killing shook the earth. The cultivators were all like demons with red lights in their eyes, directing countless magic tools, hundreds of magic arrays attacking each other, vowing to defeat the opponent and turn them into ashes.

  Inside the Ghost Valley, a red light wildly flashed across the sky. The three-layered Forbidden Sky Grand Array trembled under the shocking attack of the Heaven-shaking Voice. The Seven Stars Wishing Moon Grand Array was fully activated, supporting the Three Stars Grand Array outside the valley while reinforcing the three-layered Forbidden Sky Grand Array, which was already on the verge of collapse. Despite being a descendant of an ancient and renowned cultivation family, Shi Jia did not disappoint. Amidst the intense battle, he remained calm and composed, operating each array as usual. His disciples and nephews followed their designated positions, advancing and retreating in an orderly manner.

  Above the sky, a white cloud floated with a three-colored light lotus platform on top. A refined and benevolent-looking person sat at the end of the platform, gazing down at the battlefield below without any surprise, joy, or worry, truly a transcendent being! With just a slight movement of their lips, a massive ship suddenly appeared in mid-air below them, charging towards the Ghost Valley's Forbidden Sky Great Array. The ship treated the great array as if it were nothing and silently passed through the three layers of the powerful forbidden sky great array, landing in the valley. Thousands of cultivators poured out of the ship, forming tens of teams that attacked and killed their way to various key locations in the valley.

  The historian Shi Li, who was in charge of the large formation in the valley, had received news early and sent out a response team to intercept. However, the calm situation in the valley was suddenly disrupted, and chaos erupted. The opposing sides clashed loudly. Women and children from the Shi family fled in panic, but where could they escape from the attacks of these skilled fighters? Those who encountered them were doomed, and there were no survivors.

  Shi Yi, the second son, commanded a pair of disciples to attack the giant ship with all their might. Countless magical artifacts flew towards the ship, causing the divine energy in the surrounding area to become chaotic. However, the ship remained calm, only flashing a white light before a loud explosion occurred, and most of the magical artifacts detonated. The remaining artifacts flew back like arrows, striking their owners with a speed several times faster than the initial attack.

  Caught off guard, nearly half of the disciples were killed in an instant. Shi Yi managed to react quickly, using his incantation to avoid the backlash of the artifacts. Although he opened up his protective divine light, he was still severely injured and retreated. He then ordered his son, Shi Yifei, to find Shi Yisheng's son, Dafu.

  Shi Yi himself stood alone, clutching his chest with one arm, coughing up blood nonstop. His wife, Liu Shi, who was pregnant and nearing her due date, stood beside him, her face filled with worry, but she had no other options.

  The three-star array at the mouth of the valley has been broken. Many historians were killed. Those who attempted to break through after the formation was broken were also intercepted and killed, with no one escaping. Shi Ren had no choice but to lead the remaining tribesmen back to Qixing Island, intending to defend it with the Seven Stars Reflecting Moon Array.

  The troops gathered in one place, and the situation seemed slightly better. However, a larger wave of enemy attacks had arrived. The historians and others who were repairing the city walls did not dare to rest, and rose again to meet the enemy. In the midst of the battle, Shi Zhi was surrounded, and the crowd's response was blocked. Zhi loudly called out to attack the enemy.

  "Historians of future generations, avenge me!"

  He then self-destructed his body. This was the initial stage of the Small Round Fulfillment, with powerful magical strength. When his body exploded, the massive energy turned even flesh and blood into gas, forming a fireball that blasted open in an area of dozens of meters, taking down over ten enemy cultivators along with him. The sudden explosion stunned both sides, but soon the bloody battle intensified, with both sides' cultivators charging forward fearlessly, not afraid to die.

  The Seven Star Array was finally broken. When the array broke, the valley shook and the mountains moved, the great hall exploded into flight, the cultivators' corpses flew and their bodies were scattered, a terrible sight to behold. The remaining members of the Shi family surrounded Shi Ren and retreated to the secret cave mansion in the depths of the Ghost Valley Mountains.

  Above the high sky, in the lotus platform of the immortals, with both hands pinching the tactics, and eyes slightly closed, then lips slightly moving, another group of cultivators disappeared into the ground. Shi Ren and his remaining dozen or so tribesmen were intercepted by the enemy cultivator who had disappeared when they approached the mountain cave mansion. At that time, Shi Ren and others were rushing forward in the underground passage, suddenly the front surface and wall of the cave flashed wildly, and in an instant, more than a dozen enemy cultivators appeared out of nowhere, shouting and charging over. Shi Ren let out a loud roar

  "Kill him!"

  The historians all rushed out like beasts, howling and killing each other. After a tragic cry, the underground passage was left with only a few heavy gasps, and the rest were silent. The walls of the passage were splattered with blood and flesh, broken limbs, and severed heads were discarded on the ground. The fragments of the law enforcement instruments were scattered all over the place, either embedded in the stone walls or inserted into the broken bodies. The fragmented corpses of the opposing parties were mixed together, making it impossible to distinguish between them. It was as if death had redeemed their past enmity, but this bloody scene still reminded the survivors who were gasping for breath that life and death were right before their eyes.

  This time, only four people, Shi Ren, Shi Li, Shi Xin and Shi Yisheng, were left to struggle on, but they were all seriously injured and unable to move. It seemed that their strength was almost exhausted.

  In the secret palace, on the White Fog Spring, the nine-grade lotus platform was in full bloom as if it had just begun. On top of it, the white jade coffin was calm and undamaged.

  "Third brother, activate the Clan Annihilation Formation! It seems our fate is sealed!"

  Shi Ren leaned against the altar and said to Shi Li.

  "Big brother, once the great formation is activated, it can't be stopped!"

  "Now that it's come to this, can they still make amends?"

  "Alright, alright! Let's settle this with them!"

  "Big brother, third brother, let's place the magical instruments and treasures at the focal point of the formation to enhance its power. If we're going to die, then let's die more decisively, how about that?"

  His body was covered in blood, and his voice was hoarse. Shi sat down beside his father after carefully placing the family heirlooms and treasures of several elders. Shi made a hand seal, recited an incantation, and let out a clear cry, activating the secret chamber's formation. Shi Ren glanced at a few people, also made a seal and recited an incantation, and suddenly a loud humming noise came from the white jade coffin. A nine-tiered lotus platform with five-colored clouds appeared, and as the incantation grew louder, the clouds thickened and eventually condensed into a lotus flower that flew upwards, piercing through the mountain rocks and disappearing outside. Meanwhile, a green aura emanated from the coffin, transforming into a person who seemed to have a physical body. The person's eyes were like the starry sky, deep and vast, without any worldly color. He simply opened his eyes slightly, and then didn't move his mouth again, but let out a low sigh that dissipated and disappeared. At the same time, Shi Ren and others knelt down in front of him, wailing loudly and chanting...

  "Disobedient descendants kowtowing to our ancestors, from now on, the Shi family will no longer exist!"

  "May the essence of confusion disperse! Hahaha......"

  Before the words had fallen, a person sitting on the lotus platform appeared. His eyes scanned the nine-grade lotus platform and the jade coffin, and suddenly his expression changed as he was about to fly away.

  "Too late, boom!"

  As Shili let out a loud roar, the lotus platform burst into flames and exploded along with the jade coffin. A blinding flame gathered and then scattered, suddenly surging outward to devour everything in its path. All objects that came into contact with it turned to smoke and dust, disappearing like the wind. As the earth shook and mountains trembled, half of a mountain peak vanished in an instant. Only after a while did the sound of thunder rise up, fire clouds shooting straight up to the heavens, the sound echoing for thousands of miles. The ground was shrouded in smoke and dust, flames rising everywhere, the force of the explosion spreading far and wide. The entire Ghost Valley's divine energy was thrown into chaos, houses collapsing, temples bursting into flames. Afterwards, a thick layer of yellow dust filled the air, covering the entire Ghost Valley.

  In an instant, the inside of the valley was filled with smoke, fog and dust rising up, amidst which lightning flashed wildly, flames scattered everywhere, and a huge red fireball rose slowly, its light visible from hundreds of miles away. The mountains shook as if they were about to collapse, their power striking fear into people's hearts.

  Alas, Kikoku!

  Alas, historians of ten thousand years!