Chapter 393 - 67: Three Talents

Three Talents!

Heaven, Earth, and Man.

When the Array is formed, it can manipulate the heavens’ timing, alter the earth’s advantages, and shift the positions of men. Such an Array appears simple, but its potential is exceedingly high.

"Hehehe..."

Muu Hai chuckled lowly.

"It seems we made the right choice teaming up with that bald donkey, Ling Xuan. With the Grotto Heaven Natives as guides, we can search for Treasures much faster. And this time, we even got a pleasant surprise."

He spoke to Zhu Ju.

"Fellow Daoist, leave your storage bags and Magical Treasures. For the sake of us all being from the outside world, we three brothers can spare your life."

Muu Tian and Muu Di revealed savage grins.

Letting him go... was, of course, impossible.

But it would certainly be better if he put up less of a fight.

"The Three Talents Array, triplet brothers." Zhu Ju’s eyes glinted.

"You are the Muu Family’s Three Fierce?"

The Ten Thousand Mountains are home to many Loose Cultivators, but few manage to make a name for themselves. The Muu Family’s Three Fierce were among them.

The three were triplet brothers, their minds linked. They also possessed an exceptionally profound Ancient Talisman, with which they had once fought a Golden Core Grandmaster to a standstill and even escaped his subsequent pursuit.

Such a combat record was nothing short of astonishing.

"That’s us."

Muu Di grinned wide.

"Since you know who we are, hurry up and hand over your things. Do you really have to see the coffin before you shed a tear?"

"An Array..." Zhu Ju looked up at the massive Spirit Talisman above.

"No, it should be a Talismanic Technique!"

In his perception, the Spirit Talisman above encompassed a radius of dozens of miles, sealing the area from the outside world.

Although the three brothers appeared to be standing nearby, their positions were not fixed. They were linked to the Three Talents positions and connected to the "Array," meaning they could borrow the Power of Heaven and Earth at any moment.

This was equivalent to three Dao Foundation Perfection Cultivators with limitless Magical Power!

Coupled with their linked minds and extraordinary heritage, it was no wonder they could stand up to a Golden Core.

He sighed.

Zhu Ju shook his head gently, a look of regret on his face.

He had always been the one to use Arrays to trap and kill others. He never thought the tables would one day be turned.

’The Investiture of the Gods is protecting the ten-thousand-acre medicinal garden, so it’s not on me. Otherwise, how could I have ended up in such a state?’

SHIIING...

A streak of light shot out from Muu Tian’s hand. If Zhu Ju hadn’t dodged in time, it would have struck his head.

"Enough talk!"

Having missed, Muu Tian called out to his two brothers.

"This guy has no intention of surrendering. Let’s end this quickly and move on to the next location. We don’t have time to waste."

"Big brother is right!"

Muu Hai laughed heartily and, with a gentle wave of his hand, sent a sky-blotting torrent of saber light rushing toward Zhu Ju.

Muu Di remained silent as a winding Longsword appeared before him, lunging forward like a Spiritual Snake.

CRACKLE!

A faint spark of electricity flashed, and the Longsword abruptly materialized at the nape of Zhu Ju’s neck, slashing down viciously.

Muu Tian raised one hand high, and a pillar of three-colored Spiritual Light enveloped him. A destructive aura began to stir.

The three brothers were all battle-hardened Late-Stage Dao Foundation Cultivators. Empowered by the "Array," they could unleash the might of the Dao Foundation Perfection Realm.

Their heritage was equally extraordinary; otherwise, they wouldn’t have earned such a reputation.

DING...

CLING CLANG!

A series of crisp, melodic clashes rang out.

The Ten Directions Cross Sword shot out from Zhu Ju’s Dantian, intercepting the incoming attacks with sublime precision.

The Sword Light moved unpredictably, as elusive as an antelope hanging by its horns and flowing as naturally as the Xiangxiangdu River—perfectly formed and unfathomable.

"What a fine Sword Technique!"

Muu Hai, who was also skilled with Flying Saber Spiritual Artifacts, couldn’t help but exclaim in praise.

"You’re the first person in the Dao Foundation Realm who can block the combined attacks of us three brothers with Sword Technique alone..."

BOOM!

Before he could finish, his expression changed drastically. Pulled by the Array, his body shot sideways several dozen feet.

At the same time,

A streak of Sword Light grazed past his shoulder, its sharp Sword Intent sending a chill down his spine.

"Sword Qi Thunder Sound!"

"This is impossible..."

Muu Hai shouted in shock, his eyes twitching.

"You’re Zhu Ju of the Bright Void Sect!"

Zhu Ju of the Bright Void Sect, a prodigy of the Sword Dao. Though merely a Dao Foundation Cultivator, he had comprehended the Sword Qi Thunder Sound Divine Technique.

In both the Righteous and Evil Dao, he was the only one!

"Third Brother, watch out!"

Muu Tian roared.

"He’s found your position!"

Under the cover of the Three Talents Array, their positions were constantly changing and shouldn’t have been seen through.

But now... for some reason, one of their positions had been exposed.

Kill!

Zhu Ju’s eyes lowered. The Ten Directions Cross Sword abruptly reversed direction and slashed toward Muu Hai once more.

CLANG...

A silver disc appeared before Muu Hai, its brilliant silver light forcibly blocking the incoming Flying Sword.

"So what if you have Sword Qi Thunder Sound?"

Muu Hai sneered.

"Big Brother’s Sumeru Ming King Disc is incredibly tough. Not even a High Grade Magical Treasure could necessarily break it. Within the range of the Ancient Talisman, we are effectively Fake Pill Cultivators, and our Magical Power will never be depleted."

"What do you have to fight us with?"

’Something’s wrong!’

As if sensing something, his brow twitched, and he whipped his head around to look toward his eldest brother, Muu Tian.

"Big Brother, watch out—"

WHOOSH!

A figure appeared behind Muu Tian, holding a short staff, and swung it with unadorned simplicity.

Outer Body Incarnation Wukong!

The Winding Dragon Staff!

The Physical Body of the Body Refining Fifth Realm and the mountain-heavy staff collided head-on with the three-colored Spiritual Light.

BOOM!

A deafening roar erupted.

PUFF!

Even though he was at a node of the Array and protected by a defensive Treasure, Wukong’s strike still made Muu Tian spit blood.

However, he had no time to recover before the next crisis arrived.

Soul-Suppressing Seal!

He formed a Spell with his hands, channeling vast Primordial Energy through his Divine Soul Consciousness Secret Technique, transforming it into a mysterious power that could shake the Divine Soul.

Ripples invisible to the naked eye emanated from Muu Tian, and a repulsive force sent Wukong flying.

This Secret Technique was one of the Muu Family’s Three Fierce’s trump cards.

WHOOSH!

Wukong’s figure flickered, reappearing by Muu Tian’s side while simultaneously avoiding the effects of the Soul-Suppressing Seal.

"Void Shifting!"

’Golden Core!’

The faces of the Muu Family’s Three Fierce changed drastically.

Muu Tian roared at the sky as the Ancient Talisman above once again sent down the three-colored Spiritual Light. Several more streaks of light emerged from his body.

In the next instant,

The Five-Colored Divine Light descended from the heavens.

Where the divine light fell, all the techniques Muu Tian had just deployed were frozen in place. Even the three-colored Spiritual Light wavered.

"Big Brother!"

"AHH!"

Muu Di and Muu Hai roared in fury.

One of them rushed toward Muu Tian, while the other commanded his Magical Artifact to slash straight at Zhu Ju’s neck.

"Hmph!"

Zhu Ju’s thoughts raced as he weighed the pros and cons in an instant.

He had been able to lock onto their positions for two reasons. First, he himself was a Tier Two Array Master and had studied the Three Talents Array.

Second... and most critically, the Muu Family’s Three Fierce had been careless in facing him, a mere Dao Foundation Cultivator. They hadn’t truly considered him a major threat.

If they had gone all out and pushed the Three Talents Array to its limit, it would have been impossible for Zhu Ju to find them so easily.

Therefore...

’This opportunity must not be lost; it won’t come again.’

His eyes narrowed. The Ten Directions Cross Sword erupted with the sound of thunder as he and Wukong unleashed a frantic barrage on Muu Tian.

At the same time, he raised his left hand, suppressing them with the Five-Colored Divine Light.

The Three Talents Array of Heaven, Earth, and Man could not function if even one element was missing.

As long as he could eliminate one of them, the other two would be fish on a chopping block, his to slaughter.

As for his own defense... he entrusted it entirely to his Wind and Thunder Blade Wings and his Physical Body.

"Kill!"

In an instant,

Killing intent shot to the heavens.

Four figures crossed paths frantically in the air. The Celestial Ancient Talisman in the sky burst forth with unprecedented Spiritual Light.

BOOM!

The roar echoed in all directions.

Muu Tian’s body was torn to pieces. Wukong, holding the Winding Dragon Staff, stood motionless in the void.

On the other side,

A huge gash had appeared on Zhu Ju’s body, stretching from his neck down to his waist.

It had almost sliced him diagonally in two.

"What a sharp Magical Treasure!"

Touching the gash on his neck, Zhu Ju shook his body slightly, and the gruesome wound began to heal at a visible rate.

"A pity..."

"...you failed to kill me in one strike!"

Muu Di and Muu Hai looked at each other, their eyes reflecting mutual despair.

*

*

*

"Six Paths—Hell Dao!"

Huike’s eyes were downcast. The bowl in his hand glowed with golden light as countless vicious ghosts leaped out, pouncing toward their opponent.

"Six Paths Reincarnation!"

Demon Monk Lingxuan’s eyes showed surprise.

"You actually managed to master this Secret Technique!"

The Six Paths Reincarnation was one of the most supreme legacies passed down in the Jade Void Cave Heaven.

Only a Cultivator with a powerful Divine Soul and unyielding will could practice it; otherwise, they would suffer a backlash.

Upon mastery, one’s Divine Soul Power could manifest the Six Paths Reincarnation, granting endless wondrous uses.

"As expected of Huike, the one with the highest Talent among the Three Sages."

Demon Monk Lingxuan’s eyes narrowed. The vertical eye on his forehead suddenly opened, and streams of ethereal light poured out from within.

"Hong... Ma... Mi..."

The strange syllables vibrated through the air. The surrounding fleeing commoners heard the sound and froze mid-motion.

The next moment,

They all charged toward Huike as if they had gone mad.

Soul-Hooking Demonic Sound!

Huike’s expression was grim. The vertical eye on his forehead also slowly opened, and one by one, Asuras materialized from thin air.

Six Paths—Asura Dao!

Using Divine Soul Power to manifest vicious ghosts and Asuras. In terms of Divine Soul Power alone, the Three Sages were already on par with Golden Core Grandmasters.

The numerous vicious ghosts and Asuras met the charging commoners, holding each of them down, but had little strength left to attack Ling Xuan.

"Huike."

Demon Monk Lingxuan wore a smile.

"My Talent is poor and my birth humble, yet I opened my Celestial Eye and have bested you in every Combat we’ve had."

"It is because my heart is free of distractions, solely focused on pursuing the Dao. Whereas you..."

"...are bound by so-called benevolence. You will never be stronger than me!"

"Go!"

With his command,

The Evil Dao followers and Tribulation Cultivators who followed the Demon Monk Lingxuan swarmed forward, pouncing on the master and disciple duo.

"Freeze!"

Zhishou shouted, thrusting a hand forward. Instantly, more than ten people were frozen in place.

"Oh?"

Ling Xuan raised an eyebrow.

"So young, yet his Divine Soul Power is so formidable. As expected of the disciple Huike chose."

"A pity!"

His eyes focused, and the Vajra Pestle in his hand abruptly flew out, transforming into a streak of golden light that shot straight for Zhishou.

Time seemed to stand still in that moment.

Zhishou’s eyes were wide open. He could clearly see the Buddha images and scripture patterns on the incoming Vajra Pestle.

The three-foot pestle was like the finger of a Buddha, shattering Divine Thought as it approached, seemingly slow but actually swift.

’Dodge!’

’Hurry up and dodge!’

He roared in his mind, but his body seemed to disobey him, frozen on the spot as he watched the Vajra Pestle approach.

The Vajra Pestle’s impact created ripples in the air. If it were to land on him, it would surely blast a huge hole through his body.

’It’s over!’

Despair filled his eyes.

Just then,

A palm, as translucent as jade with long, slender fingers, appeared before him and gently closed around the Vajra Pestle.

PENG!

The air trembled.

The incomparably mighty Vajra Pestle suddenly lost all its force, like a venomous snake whose weak spot had been seized.

"Are you alright?"

Zhu Ju, holding the Vajra Pestle, looked at the sweat-drenched Zhishou.

"It seems you’re mostly fine."