Breaking the Formation

Lin Yang already had a plan in mind. He stepped out from the crowd, walked to the front, and reached for the treasured sword in Chu Yanran's hand. 

Clang—

The sword gleamed as Lin Yang threw it, aiming straight at the passage Mo Qingkuang had escaped through. 

Lin Yang had never trained in any sword techniques, but that didn't prevent him from being accurate. 

The sword's blade, as fast as lightning, struck precisely at a well-hidden green leaf among countless dry leaves. 

The green leaf was the eye of the formation. Hit by the sword, it was carried away and thunk—it nailed itself to a nearby wall. 

With the formation's eye destroyed, the dry leaves lost their magical power, fell to the ground, and their sharp sheen disappeared. 

The formation was broken! 

Everyone watched Lin Yang's actions in astonishment, especially the members of the Yuan Sword Sect, who were overjoyed. 

Lin Yang had already impressed the Yuan Sword Sect during the Tianxuan Martial Examination. Although he had unfortunately lost to Mo Qingkuang in the fight for the top spot, it wasn't due to lack of skill. His real strength was believed to be above Mo Qingkuang's. 

He also had the talent of a formation master, which he had demonstrated during the martial arts exam. Though some disciples were jealous, most recognized his abilities. 

Moreover, he was gradually showing his potential as an alchemist, making him a true prodigy who might one day lead all the disciples of the Yuan Sword Sect. 

However, for this trip to the Fallen Leaf King's Tomb, no one expected Lin Yang to play a significant role. The age limit for the tomb was twenty, and he had just turned sixteen. 

Compared to well-known young talents like Lu Feng, Chen Kong, and Situ Yu, there was an insurmountable gap. 

But no one expected that this young man they overlooked could break the formation that had troubled them so much. 

"Each entrance has a green leaf as the eye of the formation. Everyone, look carefully and find them. Destroying the green leaf will break the formation," Lin Yang announced loudly. 

If someone else were being hunted, or if he himself were, he wouldn't have revealed the method to break the formation. 

Regardless of whether they were from Tian Dao Sect or Yuan Sword Sect, they all seemed like allies but were actually potential competitors. 

With Lin Yang's nature, he would have delayed them as much as possible to ensure his own advantage. If he could benefit in the end, what did it matter if they were all blocked outside? 

But the one being hunted was Mo Qingkuang, the one who had defeated him multiple times and was his mortal enemy. 

Moreover, there was that mysterious figure, whose strength surpassed even his master, the Saint Alchemist. 

Lin Yang couldn't help but feel deeply threatened. 

He could forgo the treasures of the Fallen Leaf King's Tomb and even the Fallen Leaf Compendium, but Mo Qingkuang could not be allowed to have it easy. 

The more people who entered, the greater the danger for Mo Qingkuang. Ideally, they could kill him inside. 

Upon hearing Lin Yang reveal the formation's eye, everyone took action. Indeed, with just one person, they could easily break the formation. 

In no time, the obstacles in dozens of passages were all destroyed. 

Everyone looked at Lin Yang with admiration, and the members of Yuan Sword Sect felt proud. 

However, the people from the Imperial Academy looked at Lin Yang with deep hatred. 

During the martial arts exam, he had been the most disruptive, crippling several geniuses of the Tianxuan Empire. Now, he was causing trouble again. With the formations gone, members of the two great sects surged forward, along with some smaller sects and factions looking to take advantage. Mo Qingkuang was in grave danger. 

Chen Kong's dark pupils contracted sharply. He had long noticed Lin Yang hidden in the crowd. 

Lin Yang had crippled his brother, Chen Shi, who lost an arm and could no longer be considered a genius. Although he had barely kept his life, his future in cultivation was uncertain. 

Chen Kong's hatred for Lin Yang ran deeper than anyone else's present. 

However, he hadn't acted earlier because he believed that Lu Feng and Situ Yu were more challenging to deal with. He planned to seek revenge for his brother at a later opportunity. 

What he hadn't anticipated was Lin Yang stepping forward to help everyone break the formation blocking the passage, which infuriated him greatly. 

Chen Kong stepped forward, his aura as imposing as a mountain, and declared, "Lin Yang, you injured my brother. Now, pay with your life!" 

With that, he threw a powerful punch, a golden fist force rushing towards Lin Yang's chest in an instant. 

Boom— 

In a flash, Lu Feng appeared beside Lin Yang, his sword slicing upwards to clash with the fist force. 

The two forces collided, resulting in a violent explosion. 

Lu Feng grunted, taking a step back, his expression fluctuating, clearly having taken a minor hit. 

But he didn't retreat, a cold smile forming on his face. "Bullying the weak, Chen Kong? You're underestimating me, the great Lu Feng." 

"Hmph." Chen Kong ignored him, his cold gaze fixed on Lin Yang. 

Lu Feng had prepared, making another attack unlikely to succeed, especially with Situ Yu watching from the side. 

"Lin Yang, from now on, the disciples of Yuan Sword Sect will follow your command. If we manage to kill Mo Qingkuang, the credit is yours!" Lu Feng evidently recognized Lin Yang's expertise in formations, thus handing over command to him. 

With Lin Yang leading, the casualties among Yuan Sword Sect disciples should be reduced. 

As the senior disciple from the previous year, although Lu Feng had mixed feelings about Lin Yang's growing prominence, he felt obligated to protect his junior brothers. 

"Yes." Lin Yang nodded. 

He had revealed the method to break the formation for this exact purpose. 

It was a calculated move, knowing Lu Feng would hand over command to him to ensure higher survival rates. 

Situ Yu's eyes flickered. "Disciples of Tiandao Sect, proceed with caution. Those with knowledge of formations, observe carefully. Prioritize your safety!" 

Tiandao Sect also had disciples who studied formations, but none as gifted as Lin Yang, unable to spot formation weaknesses immediately. 

Situ Yu considered handing over command to Lin Yang but hesitated since Lin Yang wasn't from Tiandao Sect. Entrusting him with their team could increase their death toll. 

"Situ Yu, it's time we act!" Lu Feng stepped forward slowly, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Situ Yu. 

From their earlier clash, Lu Feng realized he was at a disadvantage against Chen Kong. Joining forces with Situ Yu increased their chances. 

As they advanced, Chen Kong remained unfazed. "Disciples of the Imperial Academy, proceed with caution. If the opportunity arises, kill Lin Yang!" 

With that, he threw himself into battle with Situ Yu and Lu Feng. 

"Lin Yang..." Chu Yanran approached Lin Yang, cautiously tugging at his sleeve. 

Chen Kong's sudden attack had frightened her. Thankfully, Lu Feng intervened in time, or Lin Yang might have been seriously injured. 

Of course, she didn't know that if it came down to it, with the Saint Alchemist's possession, no one here would be Lin Yang's match. 

"Don't worry, let's go." Lin Yang shook his head. 

Chen Kong's strength was beyond what he could contend with now. Without revealing the Saint Alchemist, he had no chance to fight back. 

Giving Chen Kong one last look, Lin Yang led the charge into the passage Mo Qingkuang had fled down.