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Chapter 256: The Divine Lightning of Nine Heavens

"Exactly. What a wonderfully intricate formation!" Zhong Shan exclaimed in admiration.

"A city-wide formation?" Nian Youyou's eyes also flashed with surprise.

They looked up at the sky, both women frowning.

"Could it be the Nine Heavens Divine Lightning Extermination Array?" Princess Qianyou suddenly widened her eyes.

Hearing her words, Nian Youyou also widened her eyes, staring at the sky with a mix of shock and disbelief.

"What?" Zhong Shan asked, puzzled.

"Sir, I think our greatest threat isn't the Eight Extremes Skytail but the formation in the sky," Princess Qianyou said worriedly.

"Is it really the Nine Heavens Divine Lightning Extermination Array?" Nian Youyou, unable to believe it, dashed away as if to investigate the truth elsewhere.

"What kind of formation is that?" Zhong Shan asked in confusion.

"Sir, this is a formation specifically designed for the Eight Extremes Skytail. The person who set up this formation must be an exceptional master, both a top expert and a Feng Shui grandmaster. Setting up this formation is incredibly difficult. It's not just aligned with the surrounding mountains and natural principles; it also invokes heavenly mandates. The countless lightning bolts in the sky are a response to the immense evil emanating from the Eight Extremes Skytail. The more evil it creates, the more lightning gathers. Once it reaches a certain threshold, the lightning serves as a mere trigger to draw down the divine lightning from the stars, completely annihilating the Eight Extremes Skytail. However, when the Nine Heavens Divine Lightning strikes, the entire city will be obliterated," Princess Qianyou explained with growing concern.

"The more evil it creates, the more lightning gathers? That means the person who established the Fengling formation never intended for the people inside the city to escape. They wanted the Eight Extremes Skytail to commit more atrocities, devouring more people, to ensure its complete annihilation. What a ruthless scheme! This Feng Shui master intended to sacrifice the entire city to entomb the Eight Extremes Skytail?" Zhong Shan said in a grave tone.

"Yes, that Feng Shui master might have been driven to desperation. The Eight Extremes Skytail is so terrifying that if it escapes the city, wouldn't the entire world fall into chaos? He used the lives of everyone in the city to safeguard the peace of the world. But still..." Princess Qianyou said, frowning.

Indeed, using the lives of everyone in the city to ensure world peace would accumulate great virtue for the Feng Shui master, turning his act into a significant deed for the greater good. But then, what about their own situation inside the city?

"Logically, if the person who created this array decided to sacrifice the city, why did the Cold Absolute Crown Prince get wind of it and know about the Eight Extremes Skytail?" Zhong Shan asked, frowning.

"Sir, are you suggesting that the person who set up the formation thousands of years ago decided to sacrifice the city's inhabitants, but over time, his descendants, unable to bear the thought of innocent lives being lost, leaked the information to the Cold Absolute Crown Prince?" Princess Qianyou speculated.

"Who knows? But right now, our biggest threats are twofold: the Eight Extremes Skytail and the impending 'Nine Heavens Divine Lightning,'" Zhong Shan said with a furrowed brow.

Zhong Shan's frown was not just due to the two major threats but also because the red lotus mark on his forehead showed no reaction. Why? Why did the red lotus mark show no signs despite the perilous situation?

"It's truly the Nine Heavens Divine Lightning Extermination Array. This... this will obliterate everyone in the city?" Nian Youyou returned with a tightly furrowed brow, her eyes filled with uncertainty and disbelief, and then glanced at Zhong Shan.

At this moment, Zhong Shan calmly took out a tea set, used his magic to heat the tea, and poured a cup for each of the two women and himself, drinking with utmost composure.

Nian Youyou's eyes widened as she looked at Zhong Shan. How could he be so calm? Had he been scared silly?

"Princess, have some tea," Zhong Shan said.

Seeing Zhong Shan so composed, Princess Qianyou seemed to be influenced by his calm demeanor. She gradually began to forget about the two massive threats looming over them. She looked at Zhong Shan somewhat absentmindedly, only snapping back to reality when Zhong Shan handed her a cup of tea. Blushing, she responded, "Alright!"

Nian Youyou, however, couldn't calm down. This was a situation where death seemed certain! How could they have the leisure to drink tea at a time like this?

At that moment, Ah Da flew back from afar!

"Sir, there are more and more Tianwei in the city, and their strength is also increasing," Ah Da said worriedly.

"Oh? What's the situation in the city now?" Zhong Shan handed Ah Da a cup of tea to help him steady his nerves.

Looking at the cup of tea Zhong Shan handed him, Ah Da's initial worry suddenly seemed absurd. Drinking tea at a time like this? But since it was offered by Zhong Shan, Ah Da took the cup and drank.

"Currently, the city has split into several groups. People are banding together to fend off the increasing number of Tianwei. The strongest group is led by the Cold Absolute Crown Prince, commanding an army of 300,000. Many other groups have joined forces with him, but the Tianwei are too numerous and increasingly powerful. Each wave of Tianwei attacks results in countless deaths and injuries," Ah Da explained.

"Is it very grim?" Zhong Shan asked.

"Extremely grim. Any slight mistake and people are devoured by the Tianwei. Right now, the Cold Absolute Crown Prince is leading the army of 300,000 to encircle the Eight Extremes Skytail. Everyone believes that as long as the Eight Extremes Skytail is killed, they will be safe," Ah Da said.

"Mm." Zhong Shan nodded, somewhat agreeing with the people's perspective.

But could the Eight Extremes Skytail really be killed that easily?

"Sir, I'll go take another look," Ah Da said.

"Mm." Zhong Shan nodded gently.

Ah Da eagerly flew away.

Zhong Shan, however, remained calmly drinking his tea. Why was he unharmed? What was the reason? Zhong Shan couldn't figure it out. The future was truly unpredictable!

After Ah Da left, Ah Er returned as well.

When Ah Er arrived, there was a hint of cold sweat on his forehead, and his eyes were filled with terror.

"What happened?" Zhong Shan handed him a cup of tea as well.

With the same strange expression as Ah Da, Ah Er drank the tea and said, "Sir, the Eight Extremes Skytail has overcome its psychological barrier!"

"Huh?" Zhong Shan asked in confusion.

"It just ate a Feng Shui fish!" Ah Er said.

Hearing this, Nian Youyou frowned and said, "So, Feng Shui fish are no longer effective against it?"

"Yes, now there's thick fog rising throughout Fengling City. I didn't dare to get too close. The Eight Extremes Skytail has started eating floating islands. The fifty floating islands to the east were all devoured by the time I left. The Eight Extremes Skytail seems to have no limits. It eats everything, much like the mythical Taotie, but even more exaggerated. It devours everything: golden mountains, large lakes, floating islands? How could it eat these things?" Ah Er said, deeply agitated.

"Ah Er, your mind is in turmoil. You shouldn't go back. Sit down and have some tea," Zhong Shan said calmly.

Looking at Zhong Shan, Ah Er opened his mouth, then gently nodded. He moved a stone stool over and sat by the stone table, drinking tea with a heart full of doubt and anxiety.

He waited patiently with Zhong Shan. They discussed the situation in the city intermittently, but Zhong Shan remained still throughout.

Ah Er grew increasingly anxious, his frustration evident. Several times he opened his mouth to speak, but then hesitated.

"Sir, are we really just going to sit here?" Ah Er finally couldn't hold back any longer.

"What Can You Do?" Zhong Shan Said.

"You can't just sit here waiting for death," Ah Er said anxiously. "The lightning in the sky is growing more intense, covering every inch. If this continues, we're doomed!"

"I'm not just sitting here waiting to die. Don't worry; as long as we're here, we'll be safe," Zhong Shan assured him.

"But—" Ah Er started.

"Trust me. I've got this," Zhong Shan said with a smile.

"Understood!" Ah Er calmed down considerably.

Nian Youyou looked at Zhong Shan with astonishment. He said, "I've got this"? How could a mere Golden Core stage cultivator make such a bold claim? Yet Ah Er believed him? And not just Ah Er—Princess Qianyou, too, had been trusting Zhong Shan and remained calm. How was this possible? Zhong Shan was only at the Golden Core stage. Why did they all have such faith in him? Was Zhong Shan really that remarkable?

In a group, people are easily influenced by those around them. In a crowd filled with panic, emotions run high. But in a calm environment, even the most urgent concerns can be soothed.

Now, the same was happening here. Princess Qianyou and Ah Er had already calmed down, and Zhong Shan remained incredibly composed from the beginning. Even Nian Youyou, who had been extremely anxious, found herself becoming much more at ease.

"Sir, sir, something's wrong!" came Ah Da's urgent shout from a distance.

Everyone turned to see Ah Da approaching rapidly.

"Sir, we have to leave now! Quickly!" Ah Da urged, panic evident in his voice.

"What's going on? Speak slowly," Zhong Shan said.

"We don't have time. We need to get out of here," Ah Da said, urgency in every word.

"It's fine. Just tell me what's happening," Zhong Shan shook his head, refusing to leave.

"The Cold Absolute Crown Prince, with his 300,000-strong army and numerous cultivators, found the Eight Extremes Skytail, but they lost. They were completely defeated. The Eight Extremes Skytail opened its mouth and devoured 5,000 soldiers in one gulp, and digested them instantly. Then it took another breath and ate 8,000 more soldiers. The Soul-Piercing Arrows were useless; all 100,000 arrows were ineffective. It ate them all, and now the entire city is in chaos, filled with devouring Tianwei. The remaining army is in full retreat, fleeing in panic. The Cold Absolute Crown Prince's forces are defeated, and they're heading this way," Ah Da explained in a fluster.

"They're coming this way?" Nian Youyou asked urgently.

"Yes, and the Eight Extremes Skytail is chasing him relentlessly. Despite being a Royal Realm expert, the Cold Absolute Crown Prince is no match for the Eight Extremes Skytail. The Skytail is coming straight for us, determined to devour him," Ah Da said, panic gripping him.

Hearing Ah Da's account, Ah Er grew tense as well. Nian Youyou's expression flickered with uncertainty. She looked at Zhong Shan and Princess Qianyou. Princess Qianyou glanced at Zhong Shan, seeming to have unwavering confidence in him.

Zhong Shan, however, just raised an eyebrow and gently shook his head.