Chapter 168 Purgatory Array

The forest was very dangerous. It was home to many poisonous insects and savage, bloodthirsty beasts.

However, the area around the hut was strangely peaceful as if the ferocious beasts in the forests could sense a great danger within it and did not dare to approach.

This quiet and peaceful atmosphere lasted for seven days.

On a banana tree near the hut, densely packed sharp dark-gray leaves swayed in the wind.

A droplet of dew rolled down the tree. The droplet faintly trembled when it touched the ground and turned into mist. The mist silently spread, gradually taking the shape of a thin figure.

The entire process was completely noiseless and not a single sound was made.

The thin figure stood under the banana tree as he quietly observed the hut and its surroundings.

He was dressed in black and his figure was as thin as a blade’s edge, revealing only a pair of bewitching cold dark-blue eyes.

He was called Shui Ying and was from the water brute tribe.

A total of four water brute experts had been dispatched into Demon Cloud Ridge to assassinate Lin Xun. Two of them had died at Hu Long’s hands while another had been killed by Song Ran.

Shui Ying was the only remaining one.

He was a stealth expert and was the strongest among the four water brute experts. He had been watching Lin Xun for more than ten days.

However, due to the appearance of the empire's Spirit Dipper stage experts in Demon Cloud Ridge, Shui Ying had not dared to make his move.

He had carefully followed the target as he searched for an opportunity. If he failed, it would likely no longer be possible to take back the Heavenly Water Sacred Bead.

Hence, Shui Ying did not dare display any negligence even though his target was merely a True Martial ninth layer youngster.

However, Shui Ying was surprised by the sudden change in the target’s behavior seven days ago. The target had built a hut deep in the forest and had not taken a single step outside since then.

The strange behavior confused Shui Ying.

What is the target up to?

Shui Ying could not fathom the target’s motives but he did not dare to move carelessly. He continued observing in secret, hoping to eventually figure out the target’s aim.

However, the target did not take a single step out of the hut for a whole week. In the end, Shui Ying’s patience had been completely eroded.

As a result, he decided to make an assassination attempt today and would immediately withdraw the moment he sensed anything unusual.

Qi rippled like water around Shui Ying, perfectly melding his figure with the surrounding mist. It would be very difficult to detect his presence with only the naked eye.

Shui Ying cast aside his hesitation and unimportant thoughts and concentrated on the operation. He moved like a specter as he approached the hut at a strange angle.

From a distance, it looked as if mist was drifting towards the hut without making a single sound.

When he arrived in front of the hut, Shui Ying focused his senses on the hut but found that the interior was still completely silent.

This made him feel doubtful. Could the target have already left without him knowing?

In the end, a cold light flashed in Shui Ying’s eyes as he made his move.

He could not wait any longer. There must be an outcome today!

Boom!

The hut’s door was blown open, causing splinters to shoot inside as Shui Ying also dashed in at an inconceivable speed.

At the same time, the long-accumulated power around him was also unleashed. A long and narrow saw-blade had appeared in his hand and was swiftly swung in a wide arc, covering the entirety of the hut.

It was an attack with his full power behind it. Shui Ying was certain that even a Spirit Dipper stage expert would be hard-pressed to withstand this blow!

However, Shui Ying was surprised to find that the hut was empty. There was no trace of the target!

The interior of the hut was a small cramped space without any windows. There was nothing of note inside and only a few random bits of rubbish were scattered across the floor.

Had the target escaped?

Shui Ying suddenly heard a faint buzzing noise the moment this thought surfaced in his head. It sounded like a needle was gently scraping across a piece of paper.

However, the sound made Shui Ying’s heart shudder violently as his intuition, which had been honed by many years of battle, made him throw himself towards the exit.

Shui Ying’s response was remarkably quick. However, a peculiar change had already occurred on the wooden door that had been smashed when he entered.

It originated from a dark-gray compass-like object which was a similar color to the door. When it touched the ground, a strange rune array emerged on its surface.

Ohmm~

Like a chain reaction, strange runes also emerged on the four walls of the hut and its roof.

Although there seemed to be nothing special there, Shui Ying’s retreating figure was suddenly stopped by an invisible force at the edge of the entrance. The resulting collision created a terrifying boom.

Rumble~~~

Shui Ying’s expression changed drastically as he circulated all of his power in an attempt to break through the invisible barrier. However, flames suddenly began pouring down from the roof like rain as a frightening aura unfurled.

The full extent of Shui Ying’s abilities was being displayed at this moment. A wave of dark-blue light surged with a wave of his sleeve and extinguished the falling fire.

His figure flickered from spot to spot as he rapidly probed every corner of the hut. However, his expression swiftly darkened as he realized that the hut seemed to have transformed into a steel cage that would not break no matter what he did.

It’s a rune array!

Shui Ying instantly recognized that the many symbols on the walls and roof were a rune array that could only be constructed by the human rune masters.

A trap!

It finally dawned upon Shui Ying that he had stepped into a trap.

A powerful rune array had been secretly carved into this very ordinary hut.

It would never have crossed Shui Ying’s mind that a True Martial stage youngster would be capable of setting up a rune array like a rune master.

Was the target not only a Blood Kill Camp student but also a young rune master?

Without giving him more time to think, another barrage of attacks was released from the hut. There was dazzling fire rain, waterfall-like ice arrows, sinister vines bursting out from the ground…

Shui Ying’s figure was soon swallowed by the storm of attacks…

……

At a certain spot a hundred feet from the hut, the ground suddenly burst open to reveal Lin Xun’s figure. He immediately looked towards the hut.

Seven days ago, Lin Xun had built the hut for the sake of this very moment!

After entering Demon Cloud Ridge, Lin Xun had accumulated a giant hoard of resources from the many enemies he had killed.

He had originally planned to exchange it all for money. However, the lurking danger he sensed had made him change his plans.

At his current level, Lin Xun was well-aware that although he might succeed in gravely injuring a Brute Soldier with a sneak attack, it would be very difficult to kill the target.

If he was unable to kill his opponent, he would eventually be killed. This was an outcome Lin Xun absolutely did not wish for.

Under these circumstances, Lin Xun considered his other strong point―runes.

In the past, Lin Xun had not been able to construct a rune array because his spirit power and cultivation were insufficient.

After all, it was common knowledge that only Spirit Dipper stage rune masters could construct rune arrays!

Lin Xun’s cultivation had not reached the Spirit Dipper stage, nor did he have any experience in constructing rune arrays.

However, due to the circumstances, he had no choice but to do his best and try!

For the past few days, he had used all of the resources he had collected to craft a rune brush and rune ink, and focused all of his energy on constructing a rune array.

Rune arrays were no stranger to Lin Xun. In fact, he was extremely familiar with them and could instantly recall over a hundred different rune arrays when he closed his eyes.

He only lacked the experience of personally going through the process.

Despite giving his best effort and resolve, Lin Xun did not fancy his chances of success.

He was pretty much prepared for failure.

To his surprise, he ultimately succeeded in his first attempt at constructing a rune array!

It was like the first time he had crafted a Flame Blade in a single try. The only difference was that it was a rune array this time!

Even Lin Xun himself was in disbelief.

Regardless, he had succeeded in constructing a Little Five Elements Purgatory Array in the hut.

It was an array that encompassed the power of the five elements and was a basic rune array every experienced rune master knew.

Although it was not anything special, it was an extremely practical trap array.

Shui Ying currently being trapped in the hut and unable to escape was the best proof of the array’s power.

However, the happiness in Lin Xun’s heart gradually faded as a grave look surfaced between his brows.

Although the array’s attacks had not stopped, it was becoming increasingly apparent that the opponent would not be killed any time soon. Lin Xun was certain that the opponent this time was far stronger than any ordinary Brute Soldier.

It was because Lin Xun clearly understood that even an extremely formidable level one Brute Soldier would not be able to survive in a Little Five Elements Purgatory Array!

However, Lin Xun did not withdraw. He continued to observe the hut with cold calculating eyes as a plan formulated in his head.

Boom!

The hut suddenly exploded as a terrifying wave of qi soared into the sky and rippled the clouds.

Shui Ying’s figure walked out. His hair was a scattered mess and his clothes were in tatters, making him the very picture of misery.

Despite this, his dark-blue eyes were still calm and cold while an incomparably oppressive aura pulsed from his body. At this moment, he was akin to a fully enraged primeval beast.

“To think you were capable of constructing a Little Five Elements Purgatory Array with your True Martial stage cultivation. How remarkable. Such an outstanding young rune master like yourself must be very rare in your Ziyao Empire, right?

Horrifying killing intent surged around Shui Ying as he stepped forward and locked onto Lin Xun.