"Is it possible to do this?" Qiu Pingcheng, who had only been studying array barriers for a few days, asked doubtfully.
"Of course itâs possible. As long as oneâs strength reaches a certain realm and they utilize some mysterious techniques that resonate with the array, one can forcefully enter the array. However, breaking the array is absolutely impossible. You must know, the Heavenly Sword Seven Killings Array is meant to be a deadly array. Even the elite swordsmen of Western Qin Country, along with several Sword Saint Realm masters trapped inside, canât escape, let alone anyone else," Tian Wenliang said disdainfully.
"So, Mu Hanyan can enter but not exit, meaning heâs as good as dead?" Qiu Pingchengâs face was filled with barely concealed delight.
"Naturally." Tian Wenliang also showed a hint of a smile, but quickly realized that as a tutor, he shouldnât say such things carelessly. He coughed and then amended his statement, "However, as a tutor, I canât watch the Academy Disciples lose their lives in vain; I will definitely do my best to rescue him."
"Of course, of course." Qiu Pingcheng and the other person nodded in agreement, though a sly smile appeared at the corners of their mouths.
After speaking, Tian Wenliang walked toward the array. Even though he wished Mu Hanyan would die in the Heavenly Sword Seven Killings Array, he still had to pretend to try rescuing him. Else, what explanation could he give to the Academy, and most importantly, to Gong Hongru?
...
Mu Hanyan suddenly felt the scenery before him blur and found himself within the Heavenly Sword Seven Killings Array.
Before him, countless sword lights flickered by, swiftly flying toward a figure. The fierce killing intent among them was enough to make Mu Hanyanâs heart pound.
There was no doubt about it, that figure was Jiang Yuzhe.
At this moment, Jiang Yuzhe was covered in blood, yet still constantly swinging his longsword, sending incoming sword lights flying in opposite directions.
Each slash from his sword sent it howling through the air. Under the powerful sword energy of a Sword Master Realm, the sword lights struck by his sword burst apart like soap bubbles, creating a dazzling display of lights.
Fortunately, although the sword intent within the array felt sharply murderous from the outside, the power greatly diminished once the sword lights divided, or else Jiang Yuzhe could never have persisted this long.
However, although each sword lightâs power wasnât very great, at least not beyond Jiang Yuzheâs cultivation limit, each burst quickly regrouped into new sword lights, their power surpassing those prior.
The thousands upon thousands of sword lights regenerated incessantly, seeming to endlessly fly toward them with increasing power. Itâs not just Jiang Yuzhe, even steel and iron bones wouldnât be able to withstand this.
Mu Hanyan had just assessed the situation within the array when Jiang Yuzhe was struck in the thigh by a sword shadow, causing him to let out a muffled groan and almost collapse to the ground.
"Yuzhe!" Mu Hanyan didnât dare to hesitate. He swiftly flew up, positioning himself in front of Jiang Yuzhe, letting loose the Cold Sky Sword to scatter a frost and snow mist that turned the incoming sword lights into dazzling streamers.
"My lord, why have you come?" Seeing Mu Hanyan, Jiang Yuzhe was initially joyful, then quickly concerned as he asked.
"Do you think you could hold on any longer if I didnât come?" Mu Hanyan retorted.
"But now that you are here, how long can you hold out? I can still fend them off for a while. How did you get in here? Hurry up and figure out how to get out," Jiang Yuzhe said anxiously.
"Donât rush. Did you accidentally activate the array? Whatâs going on?" Taking advantage of the sword lights not yet reorganized, Mu Hanyan quickly inquired of Jiang Yuzhe.
It wasnât that she wanted to blame him, but she didnât know how to get out either. If it really was a mistake of Jiang Yuzhe, then knowing the details might give them a better chance at escape.
"Who told you that? I now understand, it must be that crafty Tian Wenliang. I just entered the array when it suddenly activated. I hadnât even sorted out the directions and hadnât dared to move. It wasnât until you suggested it that I realized it must be that bastard surnamed Tian who tampered with it," Jiang Yuzhe swore.
Mu Hanyanâs heart sank; Ling Baobao was right, it was indeed Tian Wenliang who tampered with the array.
It was unexpected that such a deceitful and malicious person could be an Academy tutor. Though Nie Fangsheng was also shameless, he only made things difficult for her, never intended to take her life, and didnât sabotage the sword casting furnace, which could have caused a significant disaster in the event of an explosion during sword casting. Compared to that, Tian Wenliang is utterly beastly.
Quietly cursing in her heart, Mu Hanyan quickly refocused on the array.
If it really was Jiang Yuzheâs own mistake that triggered the array, it would be easier to handle. Now that itâs confirmed Tian Wenliangâs handiwork, things are more complicated. Mu Hanyan canât find a point to start breaking the array and escaping.
"My lord, how did you get in here?" After cursing Tian Wenliang a few more times, Jiang Yuzhe asked again.
"Ling Baobao gave me a strange treasure, allowing me to enter the array with its help," Mu Hanyan replied.
"Thatâs good, thatâs good," Jiang Yuzhe finally relaxed.
As Mu Hanyan entered with the strange treasure given by Ling Baobao, leaving should naturally be possible, and he felt reassured.
After speaking, Jiang Yuzheâs legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground. Despite possessing Sword Master First Rank strength to hold on until now, he had already exhausted himself, only holding on through sheer willpower. Now, with his mental state relaxed, he had no strength left to even bandage his wounds.
"But that strange treasure was destroyed when it sent me in, so weâll have to rely on ourselves to get out," Mu Hanyan added.
She originally didnât intend to worry Jiang Yuzhe, but seeing him relax and lay down, she had to speak truthfully.
"What!" Jiang Yuzheâs eyes widened in shock, as he asked Mu Hanyan, "You can only enter but canât exit. Isnât that harming you? Didnât he inform you?"
"He did," Mu Hanyan replied.
"Then why did you come?" Jiang Yuzhe asked bluntly.
"If I didnât come, Zirong or Tang Bufan might have come instead. Hence, I came," Mu Hanyan said calmly.
Jiang Yuzhe gazed at Mu Hanyan, momentarily speechless.
"I understand." Mist formed in Jiang Yuzheâs eyes, his voice choking slightly.
As they conversed, the shattered sword lights regrouped once more. Amidst the cries of intertwining swords, thousands upon thousands of sword lights aimed at the pair, their chilling killing intent causing one to shiver all over.
"Iâll protect you, find a way to break the array!" The previously exhausted Jiang Yuzhe suddenly leapt up, shielding Mu Hanyan.
His once dried-up meridians now surged with qi, his entire form exuding a formidable presence.
Mu Hanyan noticed Jiang Yuzheâs transformation with subtle surprise.
No wonder he could become one of Anyunâs Three Great Demons. Though Jiang Yuzheâs strength might not match Huayueâs, nor his adaptability match Zirongâs, his resoluteness is certainly on par with them both.