Chapter 171

Chapter 171: The Masks Have Been Torn Off

"What is this… Nie Zheng?!" Ning Rui hurried toward the Phantom, but the figure wavered as if about to dissolve.

"Merely a soul fragment." Feng Rong swiftly formed hand signs, stabilizing the fading Phantom. His voice turned grave, "Someone manipulated this fragment through spellcasting to create this illusion. Since it’s his actual soul essence, the original spirit matched perfectly." That’s why even he hadn’t detected the deception earlier.

"If Nie Zheng’s fragment is here, then he…" Ning Rui stared at the vacant Phantom, dread rising. When would a soul fragment separate? Only through grave injury or… He refused to finish the thought.

"This fragment’s been detached for days, hence the instability," Feng Rong scrutinized the figure. "But he hasn’t reached soul scattering yet. Still… we must locate him immediately!"

You You’s chest constricted with worry.

"Finding Nie Zheng matters, but we face greater urgency," Yuan Qi warned darkly, glancing at Feng Rong. "By breaking the illusion, you’ve alerted our enemies. They’ll strike soon."

As if summoned, the ground quaked violently. Blinding white light erupted around the guest hall, bleaching the interior stark.

Feng Rong whirled toward You You. "Use Nie Zheng’s Soul Token! Secure his fragment now!"

"Right!" You You produced the token. The transparent figure vanished into the jade plaque as tremors amplified.

Emerging outside, they faced a massive white formation caging their hall like a celestial prison.

Above the glowing patterns floated Heavenly Emperor Yongqing and his Immortal retinue, weapons gleaming as they gazed down coldly.

"Scam didn’t work, so you’re robbing us outright?" You You surveyed them incredulously.

"Impudent mortals!" An Immortal beside Yongqing thundered before his lord could speak. "His Majesty granted you upper realm access for your service, yet you repay kindness by assaulting Celestial Lord Nie Zheng! Such vileness defies heaven’s will!"

"Shifting Nie Zheng’s blame onto us?" You You’s laugh sliced through the hypocrisy. "What about that Phantom illusion? Too much effort maintaining this charade, isn’t it?"

"You… baseless lies…" The Immortal flushed mottled red.

"Lies your ancestors!" You You snapped. "Zhen Yan Sect’s worst actor outshines you lot! Drop the pretense – you want the divine artifact? Just admit it instead of this pathetic theater!"

"Enough!" Feng Rong stepped forward, flames wreathing his form. Heatwaves battered the formation, making its light flicker. "Here to fight? Come individually or all at once!"

Burning formations happened to be his specialty.

"Full activation!" Heavenly Emperor Yongqing commanded. Immortals swiftly took positions, channeling spiritual energy into the formation.

The trembling structure blazed anew, multiple concentric formations materializing – a sight bizarrely familiar.

"Zhu Xian Formation!" You You recognized it instantly from Ming Xin Sect’s ordeal. Even Feng Rong halted mid-air, memory flashing.

But this version differed – thicker celestial energy but simpler structure than Qiu Yao’s dual formation.

"Strike the formation’s core at due north!" Yuan Qi shouted, already moving to assist.

Feng Rong snarled, fury igniting. Mere common Zhu Xian Formation dared challenge him? Crimson flames exploded outward, devouring every visible formation segment.

Yuan Qi paused, bittersweetly recalling his own protective mountain formation’s fate.

Within seconds, layered formations shattered like glass under hammers.

"Impossible!" Panic whitened Immortal faces. Formations even high-ranking cultivators couldn’t breach, destroyed effortlessly? Weren’t Divine Clan remnants weakened by heavenly punishment?

Formation backlash struck before they could react. Blood sprayed as Immortals crumpled. Those too slow became human torches plummeting earthward.

Heavenly Emperor Yongqing’s composure finally cracked. Glaring at the Divine Clan members, he sneered, "Only divine artifacts purge your ilk." A familiar fan materialized in his grip – its surface lightning-scorched, as if recently chastised.

He flicked it open toward Feng Rong and Yuan Qi.

"He controls the artifact!" You You’s warning came too late. The fan swept downward.