Chapter 53: Bold Claims
Under the guidance of Xu Long, Xu Yang arrived at the entrance of a cave.
After walking down a steep staircase of stone steps, they entered an underground cave.
Inside, a faint yellow mist filled the air, and the temperature was incredibly high.
The ground was littered with stones that had become sticky and almost melting due to the extreme heat.
The cave extended further downward, and as they descended, the temperature rose, and the yellow mist became denser.
"Young friend, the sealing formation is just ahead," Xu Long said as they walked for about ten minutes, eventually reaching a large clearing.
The clearing was paved with cyan stones, and from the gaps between the stones, a radiant blue light emanated, dazzling to the eye.
Xu Yang approached the edge of the formation and began examining the sealing array.
"Are you sure this is a sealing formation?" After observing for a while, Xu Yang suddenly asked.
"Of course! If this isn't a sealing formation, then what is it?" Xu Long asked, bewildered and unresponsive at first.
"This is no longer a sealing formation. It has been modified into a labyrinth formation," Xu Yang said calmly, having confirmed that someone had altered the formation and that the ferocious beast had already escaped.
Labyrinth formations and sealing formations share similarities but serve very different purposes.
A labyrinth formation can trap people inside, but as long as they follow a specific pattern, they can walk out of it.
The function of such a formation is akin to a door in a room—the owner holds the key, making entry and exit effortless.
However, to those without a key, the door might as well be a wall.
Because of the similarities between sealing formations and labyrinth formations, the process of converting one into the other is not overly complex.
"You mean the ferocious beast has escaped?" Xu Long asked in a trembling voice, unable to believe what he was hearing.
"If you don't believe me, you can probe for its presence yourself and confirm," Xu Yang replied calmly.
Xu Long's expression darkened as he sent out a strand of spiritual sense, only to find no trace of the Mad Flood Dragon.
"This... this..." Xu Long was too shocked to speak, his face turning crimson as if he might choke from excessive emotion.
Xu Yang stepped into the formation and examined it further.
"So, this is the Seven Fiends Labyrinth Formation," Xu Yang murmured to himself.
"When did someone last visit this place?" Xu Yang turned to ask Xu Long.
The formation hadn't been breached; it had merely been altered.
The one who modified it couldn't have been the beast—it must have been a human.
"Half a month ago, we invited all the major powers in Tianwu County to observe this formation. Many people attended that event," Xu Long explained.
"At that time, the beast was still trapped in the formation, but in just a few days, it managed to escape," Xu Long said angrily, his face turning livid with rage.
Even a fool could deduce that someone had tampered with the formation during that event.
"If this beast escapes, it will be a disaster for all of Tianwu County! Who on earth did this?" Xu Long roared, his voice shaking the entire mountain.
Xu Yang idly toyed with his fingers, waiting for Xu Long to vent his emotions before speaking calmly.
"Actually, this matter isn't difficult to resolve. Tell me who attended that event, and which factions were present. I'll investigate them one by one," Xu Yang said.
To Xu Yang, the matter seemed that simple.
It must have been someone from one of the major factions who secretly tampered with the formation, changing the sealing array into a labyrinth array in a short time. Only the experts from powerful forces could pull this off.
Xu Long was utterly bewildered. Had he just heard Xu Yang say he would question each faction one by one?
While that sounded like a possible way to solve the issue, what difference would it make even if the culprit was found? The ferocious beast's terrifying strength was such that even if the entire Tianyang Sect was mobilized, it would be futile.
Even if all the cultivators in Tianwu County joined forces, it might not be enough.
It seemed likely that the tragedy from a millennium ago would repeat itself in Tianwu County.
Noticing Xu Long's shifting expressions, Xu Yang realized he was dreading the beast's power. Smiling slightly, he said:
"You're overthinking it. Once I locate the beast, I can crush it with just one finger. Don't worry."
Xu Long stared at Xu Yang, dumbfounded. While he had heard some rumors about Xu Yang's feats, at this moment, he felt Xu Yang was utterly clueless about the enormity of the situation.
That ferocious beast had been sealed a thousand years ago only through the combined sacrifice of more than a dozen late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators and a stroke of luck.
And now Xu Yang claimed he could kill it with just one finger? That was sheer nonsense.
"Young friend, I'm not sure if I should say this…" Xu Long said awkwardly.
"Then don't," Xu Yang replied indifferently.
Xu Yang already knew the major factions in Tianwu County—there were only a handful of them.
"Since the beast is no longer here, I'll go check elsewhere," Xu Yang said calmly. Without waiting for Xu Long's response, he turned and walked out.
Watching Xu Yang's fading silhouette, Xu Long shook his head and ignored him.
Gazing at the now-empty sealing formation, Xu Long grew increasingly despondent, nearly succumbing to the urge to take his own life beside the formation to atone for his failure.
Xu Yang swiftly arrived at the gates of Tianyang Sect, where he saw Zhao Tianyu about to leave aboard a spirit vessel.
Xu Yang approached and said, "Give me a ride."
Zhao Tianyu, startled, stiffened as if bracing for an invisible pressure. He asked nervously, "Lord Xu, what's the matter?"
"The beast is no longer here. I need to visit a few places," Xu Yang stated plainly.
Zhao Tianyu froze for a few seconds before pretending he hadn't heard that.
"Where would you like to go, Lord Xu?" he asked.
"The Lingbao Auction House," Xu Yang replied nonchalantly.
Although Zhao Tianyu had no idea why Xu Yang wanted to go to the Lingbao Auction House, he didn't dare refuse and could only comply.
After a while, Xu Yang arrived at the Lingbao Auction House.
As expected, the Tianwu County branch of the auction house was far grander than the one in Qi State.
Behind the auction hall was a large courtyard, complete with artificial mountains and streams, filled with vibrant flowers and lush trees.
"This, my lord, is the residence of Lord Zhang Tianjun," Zhao Tianyu explained.
Xu Yang nodded and walked toward the courtyard.
"Stop! Who are you?"
"This is the residence of the Tianwu County branch president of the Lingbao Auction House. Outsiders are not allowed to enter!"
Just as Xu Yang stepped through the front gate, two guards approached him aggressively, shouting in reprimand.