The Vassal Tokens and the Blackflame Dragon

Dongzi Qi stood at the edge of the cloth banner, gazing into the distance. Mount Oxhorn lay ahead, serene and unchanged.

“Senior apprentice-brother Tongyu. Senior apprentice-brother Zidao.” Dongzi Qi called out hurriedly. “Ahead is Mount Oxhorn. As far as I can see, there’s nothing there.”

Immediately, a group of Zifu Disciples rose and walked over. Tongyu and Nong Zidao, flanked by the others, stepped onto the cloth banner and peered into the distance. Nong Zidao smiled faintly. “Just a simple illusion maze. Though nothing can be seen from outside, we’ll know the mountain’s true situation once we probe it.”

Whoosh!

The immense cloth banner swooped downward, landing in the wilderness not far from Mount Oxhorn. The Zifu Disciples descended one after another, looking up at the distant mountain.

“Esteemed cultivators of Snowdragon Mountain, the Ji Clan has been waiting here for some time.” A deep, powerful voice rang out from Mount Oxhorn.

“They really are on the mountain.” Dongzi Qi’s pupils contracted. He said, “That’s the voice of Ji Jiuhuo, the Ji Clan’s Patriarch. That old fox is cunning—skilled in formations and poison insects.”

Tongyu said coldly, “An old man. Killing him will be as easy as slaughtering a chicken.”

“Such bold words are rare,” Nong Zidao said with a smile.

“A grand formation has been set up around Mount Oxhorn; we have no idea what traps lie within,” a silver-haired Zifu Disciple said worriedly. “What should we do?”

A triangular-eyed cultivator snorted. “What else? If we want to break the formation, we have to test it first. Find out its mysteries.”

The Zifu Disciples discussed how to proceed.

“No need.”

Nong Zidao let out a soft laugh. “That illusion maze is quite crude. Just from the fluctuations of elemental energy on the periphery of Mount Oxhorn, I’ve already grasped its secrets. Crane, go break that maze.” Through a mental link, Nong Zidao instructed his mount, the immortal crane, on how to dismantle the formation.

The crane shimmered and transformed into a white-robed girl, appearing as fresh and lovely as a maiden of sixteen. “Master, wait a moment while I go break the formation.”

The white-robed girl transformed into a streak of light and flew directly to the foot of Mount Oxhorn. Without entering the formation, she raised a black whip in her hand. The whip lengthened rapidly, snaking straight into the grand formation, and with exquisite precision coiled around one of the formation flags inside. With a whoosh, she yanked it out.

“Excellent!”

“Senior apprentice-brother Zidao’s spirit beast is truly extraordinary.”

“Well done!” Everyone praised.

From their perspective, they only saw the whip vanish into the formation, and when it retracted, it had already coiled around a formation flag. As soon as that flag was pulled, the illusion maze was broken. The scenery of Mount Oxhorn shifted subtly, revealing a few figures standing atop the peak.

“It’s the Ji Clan.” Mu Si saw them at once, fixing his gaze on the youth among the six. “That’s the Ji Clan genius, Ji Ning.”

“Rise!”

From the peak of Mount Oxhorn, Ji Jiuhuo let out a thunderous shout. Immediately, vast amounts of mist rose from the mountain, thick black fog spreading everywhere, making it impossible to see inside.

“Master.” The white-robed girl flew back as a streak of light. “I was just a moment too slow. The moment I pulled that flag, another formation activated. I couldn’t pull the other flags.”

“That’s enough. With one flag pulled, that maze is broken.” Nong Zidao said calmly. “It seems the Ji Clan has prepared several formations… but unfortunately, none appear to be particularly sophisticated.”

Beside him, Tongyu said, “Junior apprentice-brother Zidao has studied formations extensively; how could he be compared to that old Ji Clan man? If he could set up a formation that you, junior apprentice-brother, consider sophisticated, that would be strange. The current situation is perfectly normal.”

“Senior apprentice-brother Zidao, how do we break this formation?”

“It’s hard to trace the mist array’s patterns.”

All the Zifu Disciples turned to Nong Zidao.

Nong Zidao shook his head. “The illusion maze was easy to break, but this current formation is more troublesome. Moreover, the Ji Clan likely has several layers of formations—formations within formations. How can we break it just by looking at the mist from outside? Only a Primal Daoist could see through the formation’s true nature at a glance.”

“Then what do we do?” Tongyu looked at Nong Zidao.

“We probe its depth!” Nong Zidao declared. “In my opinion, with nineteen Zifu Disciples, we should split into two groups. First, send twelve Zifu Disciples into the formation together. These twelve junior apprentice-brothers and sisters must stay together—don’t separate, or they’ll be picked off one by one. With twelve Zifu Disciples united, even if the Ji Clan wants to strike, they won’t have enough strength.”

Nong Zidao looked at Dongzi Qi. “Junior apprentice-brother Zioi, since this is the Yan Mountain branch’s invitation, you will lead the other eleven fellow disciples in first.”

“Understood.” Dongzi Qi agreed directly.

Nong Zidao quickly selected twelve Zifu Disciples, including Dongzi Qi.

“Twelve junior apprentice-brothers and sisters, go ahead.” Nong Zidao produced three jade talismans from his hand and handed them to Dongzi Qi and two others. “I refined these three talismans. As long as you’re not too far from me, I can sense your position. Enter the formation first. Senior apprentice-brother Tongyu and I will follow shortly… We’ll each probe the formation’s depth, and I’ll be able to sense your locations. It will be easy to regroup.”

“Good.”

“Senior apprentice-brother Zidao has thought of everything.”

No one objected.

They were extremely confident. As sect disciples, they all excelled in joint-formation arts! With just six fellow disciples, they could form a joint formation. Nine, ten, or twelve disciples could all set up a joint formation… This was the power of a sect. Tens of thousands of Zifu Disciples, working together through joint-formation arts, could still contend with a Primal Daoist!

The prerequisite was that everyone understood the mysteries of the joint formation. The larger the joint formation, the more complex it became. For example, forming a joint formation with several thousand Zifu Disciples required years of training and coordination.

On Mount Oxhorn.

Black fog covered everything. Ji Ning and the others flew to the edge of the fog and looked outward.

Their hearts were heavy.

The Zifu-level crane demon had not even entered the formation; it had simply waved its whip from outside and easily coiled a formation flag. Clearly, it had seen through the formation’s flaws. The fact that it could penetrate the illusion maze without entering… made the Ji Clan members’ hearts sink.

“The maze I set up at the outermost perimeter was the weakest one,” Ji Jiuhuo said. “First we show weakness to make them let their guard down.”

“Twelve Zifu Disciples are coming in first, apparently intending to enter the formation,” Ji Liuzhen said quickly.

“Split into two waves?” Ji Jiuhuo nodded slightly. “I suspect the second wave will be stronger. Earlier, from their conversations, it seemed those two Zifu Disciples were the leaders. But they’re in the second wave… not entering yet.”

“Let’s prepare the Blackflame Dragon Prison Formation,” Granny Shadow said hurriedly.

Ji Jiuhuo flipped his hand, revealing two ancient tokens bearing the character ‘Xia.’

“Vassal Tokens?” Ji Ning looked at them in surprise. “Two Vassal Tokens?”

“When we killed the He siblings earlier, we obtained one. That ownerless Vassal Token was theirs.” Ji Jiuhuo gazed at Ji Ning, his eyes filled with hope. “The other Vassal Token is our clan’s—the token for Ten Thousand Swords City. Ji Ning, I am entrusting both Vassal Tokens to you for safekeeping!”

Ji Jiuhuo held them out to Ji Ning.

“Me?” Ji Ning was taken aback.

“This tribulation is fraught with danger. If I am fortunate enough to survive, you may return the Ten Thousand Swords City token to me then. If I die, keep it.” Ji Jiuhuo said. “No matter what, these Vassal Tokens must not fall into Snowdragon Mountain’s hands. Once the situation becomes untenable, use the Ten-Thousand-Mile Trace-Away Talisman to flee immediately. Take the tokens with you… Even if they eventually break through the formation, they will find no tokens here. Then you will represent the Ji Clan in signing the contract with the Grand Xia Dynasty.”

Ji Ning nodded quietly, accepting the two Vassal Tokens. He sent a stream of Yuan power into them, easily refining them.

He vaguely sensed two distant summons—the calls of two cities.

“Good.”

Ji Jiuhuo, Granny Shadow, and the others all smiled. Their retreat was already arranged. They could fight this battle with peace of mind.

“Liuzhen.” Ji Jiuhuo said. “You will be the Dragon Head formation node. I will channel the formation’s power into you.”

“Understood.” Ji Liuzhen nodded.

“Ji Ying.” Ji Jiuhuo rarely used his sister’s full name. “You will be the Dragon Body formation node.”

“Mm.” Granny Shadow’s eyes blazed with determination.

“Liu Xing.” Ji Jiuhuo called out the name of his old servant, A Xing. “You will be the Dragon Claw node.”

The old servant nodded gently.

“Ji Ning.” Ji Jiuhuo looked at Ji Ning. “Of all of us, your personal strength is the greatest. Your Yuan power might be relatively thin now, but once it merges with the formation’s might… our combined Yuan power will boost your strength the most. Your power will far exceed ours. The Dragon Tail of the Blackflame Dragon Prison Formation is the most mysterious and flexible, able to assist from all directions. You will hold that node. You are our hidden trump card.”

Ji Ning nodded.

Once the Blackflame Dragon Prison Formation was deployed, it consisted of five sub-formations: Dragon Head, Dragon Claw, Dragon Body, Dragon Pearl, and Dragon Tail. The other nodes were relatively rigid, but the Dragon Tail was the most agile, able to sweep and appear anywhere.

“I will sit at the core and control the formation, supporting all of you.” Ji Jiuhuo looked at the others. “Be prepared. If any of us falls… we must have a backup.”

Everyone understood.

Ji Jiuhuo himself would have to use a forbidden art to maintain sufficient Zifu-level combat power.

“Everyone!” Ji Jiuhuo’s gaze swept across each face. “All for the sake of the Ji Clan.”

“For the Ji Clan.” Granny Shadow, old servant A Xing, Ji Liuzhen, Ji Ning, and Ji Jiuhuo all answered solemnly.

“Go, take your positions.” Ji Jiuhuo gave the order.

Immediately, Ji Liuzhen, Granny Shadow, old servant A Xing, and Ji Ning sped off in four directions.

At that moment.

Dongzi Qi and the other twelve Zifu Disciples of Snowdragon Mountain cautiously entered Mount Oxhorn, now shrouded in black fog. As the organizer of this expedition, Dongzi Qi naturally activated his Eight Trigrams Blood Dragon Formation! The enormous eight-trigram dragon diagram surrounded the twelve Zifu Disciples as a defensive perimeter, ensuring they would not be easily scattered.

“A black mist illusion array?” As soon as the twelve entered the dense black fog, they began probing carefully.

“Everyone beware of Ji Clan ambushes!” Dongzi Qi shouted.

Inside the black fog, the atmosphere grew heavy. They held their breath, cautious, afraid that a terrifying attack might suddenly erupt from the darkness. As cultivators, they all understood one truth: no matter how much you looked down on an opponent, when it came to a life-and-death struggle, you could never afford to be careless.