Chapter 111: Fortuitous Disaster

At the moment the formation was activated, a figure appeared beside Lu Jinqiu.

"Good job. Lu An is likely in serious trouble now."

Seeing this person, Lu Jinqiu quickly saluted. "Greetings, Young Master Zhuang. Rest assured, with the intensity of the Fiendish Qi and the souls here, and the activation of the Xuanming Grand Formation, it will be extremely fierce."

"He is only at the Foundation Establishment early stage. How can he handle so many Foundation Establishment souls?"

Young Master Zhuang nodded with satisfaction, praising, "This time, we owe it all to you. Otherwise, we wouldn't have been able to lure Lu An here. The agreed reward will be increased by twenty percent."

Lu Jinqiu was overjoyed and thanked him repeatedly. "Thank you, Young Master. Let's find a quiet place and wait for the formation to dissipate before collecting Lu An's body."

"However, you must keep a close watch on Xiao Qian. Just thinking about her makes me restless."

Lu Jinqiu patted his chest confidently. "Rest assured. After Lu An falls, I will use him as an excuse to lure Xiao Qian out. By then, won't she be at your mercy?"

Young Master Zhuang laughed heartily, seemingly already envisioning the outcome.

As the Xuanming Grand Formation was activated, Lu An immediately sensed something was wrong. But he did not move and allowed the formation to envelop him. The reason was that the Fiendish Qi in the valley became even denser the moment the formation was activated.

Even the scattered souls turned extremely ferocious, charging at him recklessly with a death-wishing appearance.

Lu An was not only unperturbed but showed a delighted expression. These souls were highly skilled in combat and were perfect for the Nine-turn Blood Soul Banner. Currently, there were three Foundation Establishment stage souls in the banner, and this number would likely increase significantly by the time he left the valley.

Watching the incoming souls, Lu An's lips curled into a cold smile. "Lu Jinqiu, you truly are my benefactor. I will reward you properly once I get out."

With a cold snort, he flipped his hand and took out a small banner. Holding it in one hand, the banner began to spin continuously in his palm. Each rotation caused it to expand slightly.

In just a moment, it transformed into a blood-red Soul Banner.

Lu An held the banner in one hand and swung it sharply forward. Suddenly, a terrifying suction force erupted from the Blood Soul Banner, drawing all the approaching Yin souls into it.

These Yin souls lacked intelligence, driven only by their instinctual bloodlust. They continued to charge at the banner without fear.

Lu An's lips curled into a faint smile. Previously, there had only been a few hundred Yin souls in the Blood Soul Banner, but after this foray into the valley, the number would likely become astonishingly large.

He ignored the Blood Soul Banner and maintained its function with his spell, allowing it to automatically absorb the Yin souls. Meanwhile, he took out the Soul Devouring Sword, brought his fingers together, and then thrust the sword into the ground.

The Soul Devouring Sword flashed with golden light, and the surrounding Fiendish Qi began to surge violently towards it.

Lu An stood at the center of this storm, becoming drenched in Fiendish Qi. His eyes turned blood-red, and his mind was filled with murderous intent. Fortunately, the Extreme True Intent within his body trembled slightly, allowing him to escape that state.

"Whew—"

"I was careless. The Fiendish Qi is too intense; even I can't resist it. It's better to stay further away."

He flew into the air and moved towards a spot not far away with weaker Fiendish Qi.

Time passed quickly, and soon it was the next day. The Xuanming Grand Formation suddenly shook violently before dissipating into the surroundings.

Young Master Zhuang and Lu Jinqiu were both startled and then overjoyed.

"It's time. Let's go see how Lu An is faring."

"Ha, he's probably left with nothing but bones now."

The two laughed heartily and sped towards the valley.

Not long after, Young Master Zhuang's brow furrowed. "Where is the Fiendish Qi in the valley? I don't sense any at all."

Lu Jinqiu, also puzzled, speculated, "Could it be that the Xuanming Grand Formation consumed it all?"

"How is that possible? The Xuanming Grand Formation only stimulates the Fiendish Qi. It should have increased, not decreased."

"Moreover, where are the tens of thousands of Yin souls in the valley?"

"They were secretly released from my uncle's Yin Gathering Gourd. If something went wrong, it would be disastrous!"

Young Master Zhuang's expression changed, and he felt an ominous premonition rising in his heart. Lu Jinqiu also sensed something was off and decided to retreat.

His face changed, and without even a word, he immediately fled back the way he came.

Young Master Zhuang was startled and shouted twice, but Lu Jinqiu ignored him, focusing solely on his escape, seemingly abandoning even the reward.

"Damn fool! Even if Lu An is still alive, he must be heavily exhausted by now. If we don't take his life now, when will we?"

But Lu Jinqiu was already far away, and there was no response.

"Hmph, I'll deal with you when I get back."

A fierce look flashed in his eyes, and he activated his magical treasure to head into the valley.

After a while, he stopped. Lu An was sitting cross-legged in the center of the valley, with a blood-red flag fluttering above his head. Beside him was a black treasure sword, and the ground around the sword was cracked with large fissures extending outward.

The valley, which should have been filled with the densest Fiendish Qi and the most Yin souls, was now calm and devoid of any signs of danger.

Although he sensed something strange, seeing that Lu An remained unmoved, Young Master Zhuang gritted his teeth, his eyes flashing with a fierce glint.

"Putting on airs. Today is your day to die!"

He brought his fingers together and pointed forward sharply. Three flying swords emerged from behind him, circling in the air before shooting towards Lu An from different angles.

Lu An remained motionless until the flying swords were close. Then, he slowly opened his eyes.

The Soul Devouring Sword, which was planted in the ground, suddenly hummed and rose into the air. A cold light flashed, and the three flying swords were all cut in half, falling to the ground.

"How is this possible?"

Young Master Zhuang's face turned pale with shock. This set of spiritual swords was a second-tier middle-grade magical treasure, and in battles at the Foundation Establishment early stage, it was invincible.

Now, encountering the Soul Devouring Sword, just a glance was enough to sever everything, leaving him somewhat incredulous for a moment.

"Didn't Lu Jinqiu say his Soul Devouring Sword was only a second-tier inferior magic weapon? How could it have such power? It's truly going to be my doom!"

He couldn't afford to think much about it and quickly turned to escape into the distance.

After years in Wànrèn City, he had never been so eager to leave a place.

But fate was against him; Lu An waved his hand, and the Nine-turn Blood Soul Banner suddenly emitted a brilliant blood-red light.

Then, a series of chilling winds arrived, and countless ghostly souls howled out.

Among them, one ghostly soul moved extremely quickly and soon blocked Young Master Zhuang's path.

Seeing the ghostly soul, Young Master Zhuang's soul was terrified, and he cried out in shock:

"A Foundation Establishment late-stage ghostly soul!"