241: Only death, one battle!

The person who arrived was none other than True Person Tianxing!

However, True Person Tianxing's condition was far from ideal at the moment.

His Aura was incredibly unstable, indicating that his injuries had not fully recovered!

"As a venerable Golden Core Cultivator, don't you think it's beneath you to attack a Junior?" True Person Tianxing coldly looked at the two.

"Heh heh, Old Ghost Tianxing, you finally decided to emerge from your tortoise shell?" Ji Ruge did not answer, instead scoffing.

"Are the two of you truly determined to fight my Immortal City to the death?"

True Person Tianxing's face also darkened at this moment, and he spoke in a cold voice.

"The fish may die, but the net might not break!" Shen Yuan's face was still somewhat displeased from having his attack blocked, but seeing True Person Tianxing's appearance, he sneered.

"You were struck by my Heart-Corroding Demonic Seal and forcibly burned your Golden Core Origin. Your injuries haven't even fully healed yet. How much strength can you truly exert?"

"Since that's the case, then let's see who is truly stronger in battle."

True Person Tianxing knew that things would not end well today, so he no longer held onto any wishful thinking.

He glanced at Kang Hongci and the others, not saying anything about letting them escape first.

Because he knew that if he were to fall today, no one would escape death.

Immediately, his Dharma Eyes opened, looking towards Li Guanqi, who had been standing silently beside the two from beginning to end, head bowed.

With just one glance, he saw through the trick.

"Bewitchment?"

Li Guanqi's current state was extremely unusual; although there was still vitality within him, he resembled a walking corpse, clearly having had his mind controlled.

"When did this happen..."

True Person Tianxing's mind was filled with doubts; he couldn't understand it at all.

The inner city was protected by a Third-Rank Grand Array, so how did they manage to bewitch someone's mind without anyone noticing?

"Hahaha! Old Ghost Tianxing, you're quite sharp-eyed!" Seeing True Person Tianxing's reaction, Ji Ruge laughed triumphantly.

"Ultimately, this is all your fault! Your Disciple's Dao Foundation was damaged, yet you paid no heed, which only benefited this old man!

Let me tell you, he Cultivated a secret method I imparted, and by now, he has already been refined by me into an Outer Dao Incarnation!"

A long time ago, Ji Ruge had learned from spies planted in Heavenly Star Immortal City that Li Guanqi had been severely injured during an outdoor mission.

Moreover, his Dao Foundation was severely damaged, to the point where his future Dao path was almost hopeless.

At this moment, Ji Ruge knew that his chance had arrived!

So he secretly plotted, allowing Li Guanqi to 'accidentally' obtain a secret method called the Blood-Drawing Foundation-Seizing Method.

This secret method was extremely insidious and domineering, involving devouring the Dao Foundation of other Cultivators to supplement one's own deficiencies.

For the disheartened Li Guanqi, this secret method was tantamount to giving him hope of re-entering the Immortal Dao once more!

Even if he knew there was a trap behind it, he had no choice but to step into it!

This was an overt scheme!

Of course, Ji Ruge didn't actually intend to overthrow Heavenly Star Immortal City solely by relying on Li Guanqi.

This was merely a casual move.

But what he hadn't expected was that this unnoticed young pawn would secretly grow robustly, eventually becoming the person who broke the Formation at a crucial moment.

However, while it sounded easy, the process was actually quite troublesome.

True Person Tianxing was right; with the Third-Rank Grand Array blocking, it wasn't that easy to control others.

Ji Ruge also activated the contingency he had left in the Blood-Drawing Foundation-Seizing Method and spent several years to subtly refine Li Guanqi into an Outer Dao Incarnation.

Later, through Li Guanqi, he secretly controlled and lured several Disciples of Heavenly Star Immortal City, thus disintegrating it from within and opening the Formation!

This matter brought together the right time, place, and people, so he was extremely proud now, feeling as if destiny was on his side!

Now that the overall situation was settled, he didn't mind showing off a bit; otherwise, his world-shaking plan would go unappreciated, which would be truly boring!

After listening to Old Ancestor Ji's narration, True Person Tianxing also fell silent.

He wasn't actually ignoring Li Guanqi; in fact, he had secretly summoned alchemists, intending to refine the 'Solid Origin Foundation-Mending Pill' to heal him and reshape his Immortal Dao Foundation.

However, the beast tide suddenly erupted, causing numerous distractions, and before he could act, Ji Ruge seized the opportunity.

Thinking of this, a trace of sadness flashed in his eyes, and his straightened back hunched a bit, revealing a sense of despondency.

However, since things had come to this, whether for the sake of the Disciples behind him or for himself.

Now, only by fighting to the death was there a glimmer of hope.

He raised his hand and beckoned, and the main Formation flag in Kang Hongci's hand flew into his palm.

Then, with a flick of his sleeve, he withdrew the city-protecting grand Formation; since the enemies had already entered, maintaining the Formation no longer had any meaning.

Subsequently, his gaze swept towards Ji Ruge and Shen Yuan not far away, his eyes as cold as lightning.

No words were needed; the moment their eyes met, killing intent had already locked onto the opponent!

Ji Ruge was the first to attack, his Dharma Sword trembling, its sword light surging like a streak of white silk tearing through the sky, slashing directly at True Person Tianxing's glabella.

Almost simultaneously, Shen Yuan's Soul-Devouring Banner grew with the wind, transforming into a deep, dark giant gate standing high in the sky.

Black mist churned and surged within it, and as a sinister wind howled, tens of thousands of ghosts poured out, shrieking and transforming into distorted ghostly figures, pouncing towards True Person Tianxing.

The two cooperated perfectly, sealing off all his escape routes.

True Person Tianxing's expression was as calm as an ancient well; behind him, the All-Heaven Stars Dharma Ring shone brightly, countless tiny stars circulating endlessly, condensing into a thick Star Light Shield, which forcefully withstood the sword's slash.

"Buzz—"

The light shield vibrated violently, and starlight scattered!

But True Person Tianxing's movements did not stop; he drew with his left hand, conjuring several illusory meteor shadows, which whistled down towards the surging ghost tide.

Countless vengeful spirits howled as they turned into a sky full of black mist under this attack, then were re-swallowed by the Soul-Devouring Banner.

However, True Person Tianxing's old injuries had not yet healed, and forcibly mobilizing his magical power caused sharp pain in his Dantian and Meridians.

A trace of crimson immediately overflowed from the corner of his mouth, and his surrounding Aura also stagnated, becoming unstable.

Upon seeing this, Ji Ruge's face showed an even stronger look of mockery.

"Old Ghost Tianxing, why struggle so hard? If you are willing to bind your magical power and become a servant of my Ji Family, I can spare your dog life!"

"Only death, one battle!"

True Person Tianxing's hair stood on end, and he roared in response, his voice like piercing metal and cracking stone, directly penetrating people's hearts!

He had Cultivated for hundreds of years, his Dao Heart as firm as a rock; he would rather die and have his Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering than kneel and live ignobly!

Immediately, the battle resumed, the roar of colliding magical power incessant, starlight and ghost mist, sword light interwoven and clashing, turning this battlefield upside down.

However, after several head-on clashes, True Person Tianxing was already at the end of his tether, his protective starlight growing dimmer.

Just as he barely fended off another fierce sword light from Ji Ruge, a faint light flashed in Shen Yuan's eyes, and he abruptly formed a spell seal.

The Heart-Corroding Demonic Seal, already hidden within True Person Tianxing's body, was suddenly triggered at this moment!

"Pfft—"

True Person Tianxing's body shook violently, a mouthful of fresh blood spurted out, and his surrounding magical power dissipated like a tide; he could no longer support himself and crashed down from mid-air.

With a successful strike, Shen Yuan's face showed joy; he raised his hand and beckoned, and the Soul-Devouring Banner transformed back into a banner and fell into his hand.

Immediately, he flew closer, intending to extract True Person Tianxing's soul and incorporate it into the Soul-Devouring Banner.

This was a Golden Core stage soul; once he refined it, his combat power would undergo a qualitative transformation, which was also his main purpose for coming to Heavenly Star Immortal City!

Just as everyone thought True Person Tianxing was doomed and showed despair, just as Shen Yuan's hand was about to touch True Person Tianxing's glabella, just as a cruel, sinister smile appeared on Ji Ruge's lips.

"Rip—"

A crimson-gold arrow light, without any warning, tore through the Void Realm, carrying the momentum to burn down all directions, and descended with overwhelming force!

An overt scheme!