Immortals Step into Heaven

Zheng Yuan slowly turned his head, his eyes softening yet resolute. He looked at Ling'er and said, "Let's go to Liuyun Mountain too." His voice was low, but it carried undeniable determination, as if he had been planning this journey for a long time, waiting only for this moment to set off with Ling'er to wipe out these bandits and restore a peaceful Yunzhou to its people.

Ling'er's eyes flashed with nervousness, but it was quickly replaced by determination. She pursed her lips slightly, stepped forward, took Zheng Yuan's hand, and said softly, "Okay, I'll go with you." The little hand trembled slightly, but it carried the same determination.

Arriving near Liuyun Mountain, Zheng Yuan gazed into the distance, carefully observing the surrounding terrain. He saw a continuous, undulating mass of mountains, their steep slopes covered in lush vegetation, like a sleeping dragon lying across the earth. A crisscrossing ravines, like a hideous wound in the earth, shattered the peaks. The terrain was extremely steep and complex, and the ravines between the peaks formed a natural maze, providing perfect hiding places for the bandits. No wonder they had been able to entrench themselves here for so long, thwarting repeated attempts by bandit-suppressing forces. He mused to himself that if he wanted to wipe out these bandits in one fell swoop, he would need a comprehensive strategy. He must not let them escape during the chaos, otherwise they would continue to wreak havoc and bring suffering to the people.

The two men and the beast advanced deeper into the forest. The soft rustling of dead branches and leaves beneath their feet was remarkably clear in the stillness of the forest. Reaching a secluded valley, they found themselves in a bandit stronghold constructed of earth and wood. Its walls, constructed from tightly packed, thick logs, were crude yet sturdy. A faded flag hung above the gate, fluttering feebly in the breeze, as if a reminder of the bandits' former arrogance. From within the stronghold, a cacophony of voices and the cries of livestock emanated from the scene, and a faint, pungent aroma of meat and wine could be smelled, demonstrating the bandits' unguarded nature.

After a moment's deliberation, Zheng Yuan decided to deploy the Six-Star Formation nearby. This formation, a second-tier technique, was incredibly profound. Once activated, it unleashed a powerful surge of spiritual energy, creating an invisible confinement force that would render escape impossible for the bandits within Liuyun Mountain. With a keen eye, he searched the surroundings for a suitable location for the formation and quickly identified six key nodes, corresponding to the six points of heaven and earth.

Zheng Yuan moved nimbly between trees and boulders, his hands dancing swiftly, forming complex hand seals and muttering to himself. Following the incantations, he drew six spiritual flags from his bosom and threw them toward the chosen directions. Wherever the flags landed, the soil stirred, and they took root. The flags fluttered in the wind, emitting a faint blue light. Faint threads of spiritual energy connected them, gradually outlining the outline of a six-star formation.

After arranging the spiritual flags, Zheng Yuan pulled dozens of spiritual stones from his storage bag and embedded them around the array base, serving as the energy source for the core of the array, ensuring the long-term operation of the six-star array. With each spiritual stone inserted, the array pattern shone, and the spiritual energy fluctuations emitted became increasingly stronger, making the surrounding air seem compressed and heavy.

Xiao Hei seemed to sense this powerful spiritual energy as well, following closely behind Zheng Yuan, vigilantly observing his surroundings and occasionally letting out a low roar as if protecting him. Ling'er stood nearby, her eyes filled with admiration and trust. Although she wasn't familiar with this formation, she understood the significance of Zheng Yuan's move and secretly clenched her sword, ready to deal with any danger that might arise.

After the six-star formation was completely set up, Zheng Yuan wiped the sweat from his forehead and breathed a sigh of relief. He turned to look at Ling'er and Xiao Hei, his eyes firm and resolute: "Let's go, let's go meet these bandits. Today is the day they will be destroyed." After saying that, he walked towards the bandit camp first, with Ling'er and Xiao Hei following closely behind.

The bandits were reveling in the mountain stronghold, enjoying wine, meat, and a revelry when a sudden burst of bright light instantly shattered the boisterous atmosphere. For a moment, everyone was startled by the inexplicable light rising into the sky, and cries of terror echoed one after another. The eyes of those bandits, usually ferocious and murderous, were now filled with panic and fear. They dropped their wine bowls and pieces of meat, and the wine spilled onto the ground, mixing with the dust.

Someone was the first to react, shouting at the top of their lungs, "Brothers, a master might be out seeking revenge! Run to the stronghold's main gate!" This cry was like a spark, guiding the chaotic crowd in their direction. A huge crowd surged towards the stronghold's main gate. They pushed and shoved, their usual order completely lost. Some bandits were thrown to the ground, trampled by the incoming crowd before they could even get up. Their cries of pain were drowned out by the clatter of footsteps and screams.

At the stronghold's gate, the bandits frantically tugged at the bolt, but in their panic, they couldn't get the door, which normally opened and closed easily, to open. Someone, furious, drew his sword and slashed at the bolt, sending wood chips flying, but it was all in vain. The fear in the crowd grew stronger, and some began to search for other ways to escape, while others collapsed to the ground in despair, staring blankly at the glaring light.

Zheng Yuanjing stood in front of the stronghold, his eyes as cold as an eagle. Suddenly, he shouted softly, and a flash of light appeared, and the Flowing Light Sword suddenly appeared in his hand. With a wave of his sword finger, the Flowing Light Sword instantly shone brightly, transforming into dozens of dazzling sword shadows, carrying a cold murderous aura, and whistling towards the stronghold like a torrential rain. Hundreds of people were killed every time they whistled past.

Instantly, the stronghold erupted in howling, and a bloody odor quickly filled the air, as if a bloody demon had bared its fangs, devouring everything mercilessly. The bandits, their faces shrouded in terror, fled in all directions, their eyes filled with despair and madness, desperate to escape this mortal hell. However, a curtain of light loomed before them, mercilessly blocking their path. Several bandits swung their long swords, slashing at the curtain, but only sparks flew, and the curtain remained motionless, as if mocking their struggles and their futility. The indestructible light curtain crushed their hopes completely.

An incense stick of time passed slowly, a brief yet eternity. The cries of killing within the mountain stronghold gradually faded, until a stillness settled. The once bustling stronghold was now shrouded in a deathly silence. The ground was a dark pool of blood, and severed limbs were scattered everywhere, like a gruesome scene from the Asura hell. Those bandits, once so wicked and arrogant, now lay sprawled on the ground, lifeless.