Chapter 1653: Chapter 857: Pupil Skill Slaughter Such a multitude of Second Grade High-Level Formations, hidden in the dark, linked together, exploding layer by layer, even Supervisor Xiao of the Golden Core Realm found it somewhat unbearable for a moment. When the smoke cleared, Xiao Zhenhai, full of injuries and in a sorry state, appeared, clearly not lightly wounded. He was a Golden Core; even if he suppressed his cultivation, his foundation remained. If not for this, so many Second Grade High-Level Formations would have been enough to kill him several times over. Xiao Zhenhai spat out a mouthful of blood, his face trembling. "I fell into a trap..." Someone had ambushed him with formations, calculating against him. This greatly exceeded his expectations. The study of formations is extremely difficult. Even some Formation Masters with exceptional talent usually find their formation level lagging behind their cultivation realm. Formations with eighteen or nineteen patterns, other than those truly brilliant in formations, generally require at least someone at the level of Golden Core, or an old array master at the peak of Foundation Establishment, with over a hundred years of immersion. Moreover, these formations were not there prior; they were clearly just laid out. In this Dragon King Temple, who had the ability to lay down so many Second Grade High-Level Formations in such a short time, right under everyone’s nose, without leaving a trace? His mind raced, considering everyone, but he couldn’t guess who the hidden hand was. Gu Changhuai and Xia Canonical Official had sufficient cultivation, but they didn’t have the time. Xiao Tianquan, his dear nephew indeed had Foundation Establishment Peak cultivation, but he was far from having this level of formation skill. The remaining few, not worth mentioning. "Something’s wrong!" Xiao Zhenhai suddenly remembered there was one person who had always remained invisible. If anyone was scheming behind the scenes, it could only be... "Mo Hua?!" Xiao Zhenhai’s pupils contracted in disbelief. That kid, with just Foundation Building Middle Stage cultivation and only twenty years of cultivation age, how could he lay down a Second Grade Nineteen-Pattern Formation approaching Foundation Establishment Peak?! Never mind the Twelve Streams and Eight Great Gates; even within the Four Great Sects, it’s afraid there hasn’t been such an extraordinary Array Demon for nearly a thousand years. Yet, when all impossibilities are ruled out, the only remaining possibility must be the truth. The image of Mo Hua once again surfaced in Xiao Zhenhai’s mind. The casual yet adept manner when Mo Hua waved his hand and said, "Just getting by..." now sent chills down Xiao Zhenhai’s spine. "Such an insidious kid, concealing his means so deeply..." Xiao Zhenhai gritted his teeth. Just at this moment, Gu Changhuai’s azure Wind Blade, and Xia Canonical Official’s icy blue sword light, interlaced and came to kill. To strike while he’s weak and take his life. Xiao Zhenhai, now wounded by the explosion of formations and lacking Qi Power, was at the perfect juncture for taking his life. Gu Changhuai certainly wouldn’t miss this opportunity. Xiao Zhenhai’s face darkened, cursing lowly, dodged one Wind Blade, raised his sword, and unleashed Gui Water Sword Qi, engaging Xia Canonical Official once again. However, bearing injuries, whereas previously he could hold the upper hand in hard combat, now engaging in this clash, he only felt a burning pain in his viscera, with signs of his Spiritual Power waning. The icy Spiritual Power of Xia Canonical Official was also corroding his meridians. In just an instant, Xiao Zhenhai realized the precariousness of his situation. If this continued, doom was certain! "I cannot hold back, swift battle decisive!" Xiao Zhenhai’s gaze became sinister. Gu Changhuai and Xia Canonical Official seemed to also know Xiao Zhenhai was going to make a desperate struggle, making their assaults increasingly fierce, offering no respite for Xiao Zhenhai. But Xiao Zhenhai still had the advantage in inheritance; after exchanging blows for a dozen rounds, he seized an opportunity to perform Water Shadow Step, confusing Gu Changhuai and the others. By the time Gu Changhuai discerned the truth and falsehood of the Water Shadow, Xiao Zhenhai had already withdrawn several zhang away. Retreating several zhang, Xiao Zhenhai first crushed a talisman, enveloped himself in a mass of golden light, then his entire body surged with Gui Water Spiritual Power, making for an imposing presence, as strings of water-colored Spiritual Locks condensed around him. Using Gold Body for protection, with Water Prison to subdue the enemy. Xiao Zhenhai crushed a Golden Body Talisman, intending to rely on its protection to forcibly cast the superior control spell, Water Prison Skill. When first using Water Prison Skill, element of surprise was crucial, hence he refrained from using the Golden Body Talisman then, lest Gu Changhuai become aware. But having already employed Water Prison Skill once, Gu Changhuai, having been hit once, would surely be wary. Hence, wanting to use it again required the most comprehensive preparation; taking chances was not an option, the Golden Body was essential. With Gold Body’s protection, he only needed to withstand the Sword Energy Skill from Gu Changhuai and Xia Canonical Official to manifest Water Prison Skill and determine victory in one strike. Golden light enveloped, spiritual power flowed, and Water Prison Skill was forming. Xiao Zhenhai’s body teemed with spiritual power, the deep blue water force transforming into endless chains, layer upon layer, hovering around him... Yet Gu Changhuai seemed to have anticipated this. He did not retreat, instead using his Spiritual Power to unleash more fine Wind Blades, attacking Xiao Zhenhai with full force. The Wind Blades slowly eroded Xiao Zhenhai’s Golden Body. Xiao Zhenhai’s expression was indifferent. Before Gu Changhuai could penetrate the Golden Body, he would have time to solidify the Water Prison Skill. But just at this moment, Xia Canonical Official also produced a Jade Talisman, which she crushed with her delicate hands, and with a flick of her fingers, a blinding red light shot straight at Xiao Zhenhai. This red light made Xiao Zhenhai’s expression greatly change. "A Gold-breaking Talisman of this grade?!" Before the words were finished, the red light had arrived, and the Golden Body, consumed by Gu Changhuai’s Wind Blades, shattered instantly. With the Golden Body Talisman broken, Gu Changhuai’s eyes flashed with a sharp light, immediately transforming into several more ferocious Wind Blades, directing them at Xiao Zhenhai. With Xiao Zhenhai’s Gold Body Technique broken and the Water Prison Skill only half formed, there was no time to dodge, leaving him to watch as Gu Changhuai’s ferocious Wind Blades tore through the air, directly striking his shoulder.