Chapter 344

The white-haired youth silently injected magic patterns into Chen Xiyuan’s body, using the precarious grand formation of the museum.

Li Zhuiyuan was busy stepping on the grid, paving the way for Chen Xiyuan’s escape at the time. He only discovered it later when he examined Chen Xiyuan’s body.

However stealthy the white-haired youth’s action was, it couldn't escape one person’s notice: Zhao Yi. Zhao Yi had personally set up the museum’s grand formation and controlled its core.

Therefore, Li Zhuiyuan knew that Zhao Yi would definitely follow tonight.

As for how he would follow or what methods he would use—whether through a deal for mutual benefit, a genuine display of emotion, or forming a small faction—it didn't matter.

Zhao Yi knew he had saved Chen Xiyuan and had personally witnessed himself being carried away by her.

If he didn't come tonight, it would mean that all their past understanding and trust would be reset to zero.

What use are you if, while riding the same wave in the same city, you know someone else is in danger but take no action?

Even if it was clear that the youth could resolve the danger, if he didn't come, it would be a matter of attitude.

And when Zhao Yi appeared as expected, it signaled a reversal of roles in tonight's "siege."

This was also the reason the two had deliberately set up this scheme, operating on "both sides of the law"—wasn't it to facilitate "profiting from both sides"?

Zhao Yi's lips curved into a sneer as his peripheral vision swept over Lu Xuan, who stood beside him.

After the museum's grand formation collapsed, the other party had told him that the Yu family had seemingly sent a powerful formation master, and even with two formation artifacts in hand, he still couldn't stop them from destroying the formation.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yi knew that Lu Xuan was finished.

Formation artifacts were already rare items in the martial world. High-quality, inherited artifacts were almost exclusively held by major powers.

You let someone named Li see these two treasures in your hands—how could you still have a way to live?

Others might not know, but Zhao Yi had seen it with his own eyes.

Truly,

Outsiders simply couldn't imagine how poor someone named Li truly was!

However, although Li Zhuiyuan had asked, "What are you still standing there for?" and Zhao Yi had implicitly called him a "fool who doesn't know his place," Zhao Yi still didn't move.

Li Zhuiyuan received the message.

This indicated that the Lu Xuan standing in front of him and speaking to him was not the real Lu Xuan.

But Zhao Yi was here, which meant the real Lu Xuan must also be here.

"Lu Xuan" stood at the very front, with three shadowy figures, his subordinates, behind him.

The one in the middle of the three shadowy figures was perfectly shielded behind "Lu Xuan." This was a standard protective formation, indicating where a team's formation master should be.

They were truly cautious.

Li Zhuiyuan knew this caution wasn't directed at him, but at Chen Xiyuan.

The Chen family's daughter, even severely injured, still commanded respect.

The real Lu Xuan was protected in the middle by three people. Even Zhao Yi, who was on their side, had no absolute certainty of a successful sneak attack.

For Li Zhuiyuan then, what he needed to do next was to create a suitable opportunity for Zhao Yi to stab them in the back.

Even with an advantage, the opponent was still a tough nut to crack. If he could find a way to deliver a precisely timed strike to break them, it would be better than grinding down his own strength.

This wave had only just begun, and it was crucial to preserve their own condition as much as possible.

Chen Xiyuan looked at the fake Lu Xuan and said, "Lu family of Four Profound Gates."

At the museum, Chen Xiyuan was initially busy beating someone up, then busy being beaten up by a group of people.

Unlike Li Zhuiyuan, she didn't have the energy or the formation expertise to wipe the grid glass and look outside.

Therefore, this was her first encounter with Lu Xuan since arriving in Luoyang.

The fake Lu Xuan said, "Greetings, Miss Chen."

The Four Profound Gates is a highly respected sect in the martial world, comprising four great families: Lu, Shi, Bian, and Man.

Hence, it can also be regarded as an alliance formed by these four families.

These four families specialize in: formations, puppets, geomancy, and numerology, respectively.

The martial world was turbulent, and inheritance was difficult. It was hard for these four families to produce strong practitioners skilled in direct combat. Their ancestors recognized this, which is why they merged into one sect, supporting each other and sharing a common spirit.

It is said that the Four Profound Gates has a unique evaluation system.

In each generation, the four great families first select their most outstanding members internally. Then, they are collectively assessed. The one with the highest aptitude and talent is "lit up" (chosen as leader), and the other three assist him.

Although the Four Profound Gates has never produced a Dragon King in its history, its unique nature gives it a status far surpassing that of the former Nine Rivers Zhao.

Some say it's because each generation's "lit up" team within the Four Profound Gates is too self-serving. Though they belong to the same sect, they still strongly identify with their own family within the sect. If one family produced a Dragon King, it could change the structure of the Four Profound Gates, making one family dominant and the other three subordinate. This is why they lacked the final push in historical competitions and couldn't reach the end.

Others say it's because each generation of the Four Profound Gates only seeks "river merits" to sustain and develop their family's inheritance. Whenever they perceive an increase in the difficulty of the "waves" or intensifying competition, they would decisively "light up" a second time (meaning: withdraw or step back) to preserve themselves, which is considered a wise long-term strategy.

Still others say the Four Profound Gates' model is too opportunistic, displeasing to the Heavenly Dao, and thus suppressed.

Li Zhuiyuan believed the latter was the main reason.

Once this model became fixed, its nature changed.

If such a model could produce a Dragon King, why wouldn't the few Dragon King sects just gather around a table themselves, form a team each generation, establish a sequence—"this generation you, next generation me, the generation after him"—and completely monopolize the position of Dragon King?

Chen Xiyuan said, "I can understand why you want to kill me, but I can't understand why you want to kill me secretly."

The fake Lu Xuan replied, "Colluding with the Yu family and assisting evil makes you unforgivable."

After speaking, the fake Lu Xuan waved his hand forward:

"Brother Yi, I've put you to trouble."

Zhao Yi replied, "No problem, just watch."

Evidently, Lu Xuan's group didn't even intend to act themselves, but rather used Zhao Yi as their enforcer.

It seemed that Zhao Yi had indeed "lowered himself" to be able to follow them tonight.

Zhao Yi took two steps forward, fixing his gaze on Chen Xiyuan, and said:

"Miss Chen, forgive me. Please do not blame me in the future."

Chen Xiyuan said coldly, "Zhao Yi of Nine Rivers, who slaughtered countless people in Lijiang, willingly served as a dog under the Bodhisattva, and even destroyed his own family. A person with such a disposition—why act hypocritically now?"

As she spoke, Chen Xiyuan lowered her head, gazing softly at the youth in front of her, and continued:

"Promise me one thing: since your target is me, let him go."

Zhao Yi chuckled.

The fake Lu Xuan said, "Brother Yi, what do you think?"

Zhao Yi replied, "How could that be? The fight from yesterday will simply continue today. We'll settle this account all at once."

The fake Lu Xuan said, "I'll support Brother Yi with the formation."

Zhao Yi commanded, "Attack!"

The Liang sisters moved. Their figures resembled bolts of silk, first fanning out, then encircling.

Chen Xiyuan placed her hand on the youth's shoulder.

Li Zhuiyuan spread his arms and said, "Don't interfere with me using your pitiful domain."

Chen Xiyuan stopped her action.

In fact, Li Zhuiyuan hadn't concealed anything from her, nor hidden his strength. He had repeatedly told her several times that he could resolve the problems of tonight.

But upon seeing that the newcomers were from the Four Profound Gates and that Zhao Yi of Nine Rivers was also present, the flame of hope that had just ignited in Chen Xiyuan's heart was extinguished.

She didn't know where the youth's confidence came from.

Then, she saw.

To the right, Liang Yan's soft sword darted like a silver serpent, with intimidating sword energy.

The youth lightly waved his right hand.

"Buzz!"

Lin Shuyou, with his vertical pupils opened, descended, blocking Liang Yan.

To the left, Liang Li's dagger traced a crescent arc, sharp and precise.

The youth lightly pressed his left hand downwards.

"Pop."

Like a blossoming blood flower.

Tan Wenbin appeared, blocking Liang Li.

Zhao Yi took a deep breath.

He knew what he was about to face, so he felt a little pain in his heart. He also knew that he would feel even more pain in his body soon.

But he still took the central path, rushing towards the youth.

"Boom!"

Runsheng crashed down. Along with him came a powerful, heavy Yellow River Shovel strike.

Zhao Yi's figure stopped quickly, even hastily retreating some distance.

Looking at the deep pit that appeared before him and Runsheng standing in front of the youth, Zhao Yi felt a pang of painful realization: this one would truly disregard everything and smash him to death.

After Li Zhuiyuan was carried away by Chen Xiyuan, Tan Wenbin and the others, led by Zhao Yi through a back entrance, naturally left smoothly.

They began searching for Little Yuan Ge.

However, since they had a base, they would definitely send someone to wait near Yao Ji Inn.

When Li Zhuiyuan returned with Chen Xiyuan through the massage alley, Tan Wenbin was watching from a nearby rooftop.

Tan Wenbin immediately picked up his old mobile phone, notified Runsheng and Lin Shuyou, and after they returned, prevented them from going back to the inn. All three of them dispersed to the outer perimeter to stand guard.

Tan Wenbin didn't know why he did this. He just felt it was the right thing to do.

It turned out that Little Yuan Ge must have discovered them long ago but hadn't told them to show themselves.

The fake Lu Xuan tilted his head back slightly and said, "Indeed, these three are here too. I didn't expect him, at such a young age, to be the leader."

Chen Xiyuan looked at the appearing Lin Shuyou, Tan Wenbin, and Runsheng.

She had seen all three of them yesterday at the soup house.

It was just that at that time, the youth had finished his soup and left the table early to sit by the door, and they didn't seem to be together.

Chen Xiyuan, both nervous and excited, asked the youth in front of her:

"Are they all from your husband's family?"

Li Zhuiyuan didn't respond to her, but merely connected his companions with red threads and said calmly:

"Kill."

Lin Shuyou rapidly swung his two golden maces. Liang Yan was forced to shift from offense to defense. She could have relied on her movement techniques and sword forms to parry and defend, but when Lin Shuyou's first wave came, there was only one pair of golden maces. With the second wave, two illusory arms appeared behind him, wielding tridents, joining the attack. By the third wave, there were four illusory arms.

This was impossible to fight. Liang Yan's sword forms were quickly broken. Lin Shuyou's mace swept across her chest, immediately sending Liang Yan flying backward.

Liang Li's dagger was extremely sharp, but Tan Wenbin's evasions were even more timely. Liang Li could tell it wasn't prediction, but terrifying reaction speed.

After a round of exchanges, Tan Wenbin's face became stern, and his features exuded a terrifying aura!

Liang Li's figure froze, and her eyes showed confusion. By the time she quickly regained her senses, Tan Wenbin was already in front of her, with the power of the blood ape condensed in his fist, and he punched her.

"Thud!"

Liang Li was sent flying.

Zhao Yi's movements were agile, almost impossible to catch. But just as he was about to bypass Runsheng from above and unleash killing intent towards the youth behind him, Runsheng caught him.

His Qi gates opened, and Qi swirls condensed. Although Zhao Yi was clearly in the air, it was as if he had entered an invisible swamp.

After being forcibly pulled down, Zhao Yi powerfully kicked downwards with one leg, while Runsheng threw a punch.

"Thump!"

"Hiss~"

Zhao Yi gasped in a cold breath, his entire body continuously flipping backward in the air.

As these three engagements took place simultaneously, Li Zhuiyuan was also in action.

The youth's eyes widened slightly, staring at the fake Lu Xuan, and brazenly began to forcefully deduce the opponent's destiny.

The fake Lu Xuan's facial paint immediately peeled off, revealing another face underneath.

Ordinary disguises couldn't fool the vision of experienced River travelers, unless he also temporarily replicated the destiny of the disguised target.

The fake Lu Xuan, surnamed Man, was from the Man family, specialists in numerology.

The Man family member, whose facial disguise had half peeled off, seemed provoked and began deducing the youth's destiny in return. This kind of reciprocal deduction was dangerous for both parties and could easily lead to backlash.

However, as Li Zhuiyuan was deducing, invisible red threads wrapped around the youth's front.

The red threads collectively tightened, then loosened, emitting a vibrating sound.

Li Zhuiyuan's chest tightened, and a tearing pain came from his eyes.

Blood, meanwhile, overflowed from the Man family member's eyes, and he instinctively covered his eyes.

Chen Xiyuan: "Numerology..."

The shadowy figure on the left was revealed, a pale face. With a wave of his sleeves, eight paper figures appeared before him, transforming into human forms.

He should be surnamed Shi, from the Shi family, skilled in puppets.

Moreover, caution was this team's style. After these eight paper figures appeared, they immediately began forming a defensive array rather than launching an offensive.

The youth's left hand, which had been pressing down earlier, flicked upwards.

Also from his sleeve, cards flew out, landing among the eight paper figures before their formation was fully set.

"Evil Ghost!"

"Slay, not Convert!"

"Slay, not Convert!"

Three talismanic armors, and two "Gain and Loss" generals.

They specialized in combat. As soon as they appeared, they immediately slashed towards the paper figures beside them.

Li Zhuiyuan clenched his left fist and felt a burning sensation in his palm.

The Shi family member's arms were paralyzed, as if cramping.

Chen Xiyuan: "Puppets..."

The shadowy figure on the right appeared. It was a woman who, though not old, exuded an air of aged wisdom.

As soon as she appeared, strong fluctuations of geomantic aura emanated from all directions.

She was from the Bian family, skilled in geomancy.

The woman pointed her left hand nearby, and the geomantic energy formed a vortex. The two "Gain and Loss" generals felt their divine power continuously being drained. Immediately, the woman pointed her other hand towards the youth's location.

Invisible waves pulsed towards the youth.

This was a fierce geomancy killing move, capable of scattering the youth's spirit and making all his magical techniques impossible to execute.

However, the scene that followed filled the woman's face with astonishment.

The turbulent waves she unleashed, upon touching the youth, seemed to be suppressed and tamed by another invisible force, instantly becoming calm and still.

Li Zhuiyuan's gaze was calm and unperturbed.

The Bian family's geomancy secret techniques were indeed very good. But when it came to the Dao of Geomancy, who could compare to Dragon King Liu?

The youth gritted his teeth. A cliff appeared behind him, and the previously calm waves instantly accelerated, transforming into a cascading waterfall.

This waterfall was drawn from the Bian family woman. She immediately became disoriented due to losing too much.

Chen Xiyuan: "Geomancy..."

The pressure Li Zhuiyuan was currently under was immense.

He was significantly stronger than his opponents in every aspect. But this didn't mean he could take on everyone simultaneously.

This was an opportunity he used during their first encounter, making them suffer a hidden loss while they didn't understand him.

In a normal battle, this would only be considered a minor setback.

They would quickly adjust and recover.

Moreover, the four of them definitely had sophisticated team combat coordination methods. After all, they had accumulated experience from generations of the Four Profound Gates "walking the River."

If it came to a serious fight, the four of them would certainly be extremely difficult to deal with. Furthermore, they could find ways to notify others in Luoyang.

Upon sensing real life-threatening danger, Lu Xuan would definitely abandon his plan to monopolize the spoils.

But what Li Zhuiyuan was currently aiming for was precisely this brief moment of collective weakness.

To deal with them at the lowest cost, he had to seize an opportunity for perfect coordination at the start.

The real Lu Xuan, protected by three people, holding a purple-gold compass in his left hand and a luminous pearl in his right, stepped forward.

Although he stood motionless, his three companions beside him had suffered losses and "gone down," making him appear to "stand out" in contrast.

Lu Xuan said, "I underestimated you, but that's all you amount to. My formation is already set. What about yours?"

A dense aura of formation descended, and a powerful suppressing effect emerged.

In the palm of Li Zhuiyuan's open right hand, the spirit of a black flood dragon appeared, transforming into a formation flag.

The youth tightly gripped the formation flag, raised it upwards, and said in a deep voice:

"I was a little earlier than you!"

A giant eye appeared beneath everyone's feet. The center of the eyeball was Lu Xuan's location.

Lu Xuan's formation was from top to bottom, while the youth's formation was from bottom to top. But it was clear that even while dealing with the other three families, Li Zhuiyuan was still faster!

The instant-cast formations that Zhen Shaoan had researched at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain had long been thoroughly understood by Li Zhuiyuan. Not to mention that the youth had also independently developed blood porcelain, flood dragon spirits, and other such things, which had repeatedly enhanced his formation-laying abilities.

In the end, it was in the museum grid that the youth's "rice-planting formation deployment" left a fixed impression on Lu Xuan.

Furthermore, Lu Xuan hadn't expected that the youth could, in an instant, while simultaneously engaging all four of them, not fall behind and even collectively suppress them.

The giant eye on the ground quickly closed, directly trapping Lu Xuan's body.

Lu Xuan finally realized something and said with a look of horror:

"The one who broke the formation yesterday was actually you!"

At this moment, Liang Yan, Liang Li, and Zhao Yi were all sent flying, appearing directly above Lu Xuan and his three companions.

Everything was calculated perfectly.

Liang Yan's palm stroked her soft sword, which was now stained with blood. Its sword energy erupted with several times its previous intensity!

Liang Li's daggers crossed, emitting a piercing resonant sound, and sparks flew everywhere!

A flood dragon's roar emanated from Zhao Yi's throat. The bones in his body crackled. His eyes turned black and white. The "Gate of Life and Death" at his heart rapidly rotated, as if bringing the dead flood dragon back to the human world!

At this moment, Zhao Yi and the Liang sisters no longer concealed anything, revealing their true strength.

Below, the Man family member's eyes were bleeding. The Shi family member's arms were cramping. The Bian family member was disoriented. And Lu Xuan stood completely immobilized.

This was simply the most wonderful opportunity!

Fear showed in Lu Xuan's eyes, and he shouted in disbelief:

"No, Brother Yi, you can't do this! We are sworn brothers!"

Zhao Yi:

"But over there is my only remaining Little Ancestor."