Chapter 149

Chapter 149: Qiu Yao’s Purpose

Lin Feng formed hand seals to stop the loss of spiritual energy but found it useless. The surrounding white light intensified as many tried to charge out, only to be swallowed by its radiance. Trapped and helpless, he supported his junior disciple while shouting toward Feng Rong, "Elder Feng! The formation’s sealed us in—we can’t escape!"

"Hmph! A mere Immortal Stage formation!" Feng Rong’s face darkened. Without holding back, his body shimmered and transformed into a colossal fire phoenix. Flames erupted, engulfing the celestial energy-filled formation above.

Just as the formation seemed to melt under the inferno, the right-side arrays trapping the celestial maidens flared brighter. The maidens suddenly collapsed under crushing pressure, blood spilling from their lips as their cultivation and spiritual energy drained violently. Even Wu Yue crumpled to the ground.

"Wu Yue…" You You caught her, then urgently called to Feng Rong below, "Stop now!"

Feng Rong halted mid-strike, reverting to human form as he studied the twin formations. "A Twin Formation!"

"Correct!" Qiu Yao’s voice rang out as he materialized above, his earlier courtesy replaced by icy mockery. "Who knew the Divine Clan would meddle in this petty Immortal Sect Competition? Thankfully, I prepared this Twin Annihilation Formation. Struggle all you want—the harder you fight, the faster your maidens die."

Horror swept through the crowd. Breaking one formation would accelerate the other’s lethal drain. Yet inaction meant slow death for all.

Qin Hong, the Celestial Maiden of Wuyun Sect, glared upward. "Qiu Yao! You control Ming Xin Sect yet crave more? Must you slaughter every immortal sect?"

"Qin Hong." Qiu Yao sneered. "I spared Wuyun Sect out of respect for my sect master. Yet you chose death by attending."

"You’ve betrayed Qin Yan’s ideals!" Qin Hong shouted. "Where is she? What have you done?"

"My sect master…" Qiu Yao’s gaze softened momentarily before hardening. "She’ll awaken soon—though you’ll never see it. Why do you think I gathered celestial maidens here?"

He spread his arms, madness gleaming in his eyes. "Your vitality will sustain her! Commoners’ life force failed, but yours… you should rejoice to die for her!"

"You’re insane!"

"Insane?" Qiu Yao laughed bitterly. "The Heavenly Dao condemned her to endless slumber while you thrive? Unjust!" He waved his hand, and the formations shrieked to life.

Wu Yue convulsed, blood staining her robes. You You cast the Revitalizing Technique futilely—vitality loss couldn’t be healed. Long Xi crawled over, transferring his dwindling cultivation to stabilize her.

"You You!" Feng Rong called desperately from below, unable to intervene without worsening the drain.

"I’m… fine?" You You realized the vitality siphon didn’t affect her—perhaps her otherworldly origin granted immunity. But others weren’t so fortunate. Wu Yue’s breaths grew shallow, weaker maidens already unconscious.

Desperation surged through You You. Destroying either formation doomed the other group. They needed momentary protection—just seconds for Feng Rong to act.

Memory sparked—an invincibility skill shielding allies for eight seconds. It might work.

"Long Xi! Your sword!" she demanded.

"What?"

"Now!"

He summoned his spell sword. She seized it, praying eight seconds would be enough.