The Greenwood Formation was composed of two core array components: the Greenwood Divine Thunder Banner and the Elemental Earth Abyss Cauldron.
The Elemental Earth Abyss Cauldron was a mid-grade tier-two defensive artifact that drew upon the spiritual energy of the Spirit Apricot Mountain's vein to project a protective barrier, capable of withstanding enemy attacks.
The Greenwood Divine Thunder Banner, also a mid-grade tier-two artifact, absorbed the essence of ethereal wood energy from heaven and earth to unleash Greenwood Divine Thunder upon enemies.
The thunder's power was extraordinary, with each strike equivalent to the full power of a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. The banner could release six divine thunderbolts before exhausting its energy, requiring 36 years to fully recharge.
At this moment, Lin Baimin activated the Greenwood Divine Thunder Banner, and with a deafening thunderclap, a streak of green thunder shot toward Elian.
"Be careful!"
The elder patriarch's expression tightened as he warned. He hastily activated the Crimson Flame Spirit Blade, intercepting and dissipating the green thunderbolt. However, the thunderbolt's strength was formidable enough to sap the blade of its glow, sending it dimly retreating.
Seizing the opportunity, Lin Baimin sent another thunderbolt directly toward the Crimson Flame Spirit Blade, aiming to deal a heavy blow to it. A successful strike could render the artifact unusable for months, essentially crippling Chen Changxuan's combat ability.
The elder patriarch, suffering slight backlash from the damage to his spiritual artifact, briefly faltered in circulating his spiritual energy. At this critical juncture, Elian reacted swiftly, commanding the Fiery Void Sword to intercept the bolt. Though the sword was knocked back, it succeeded in neutralizing the threat.
Seeing his efforts thwarted, Lin Baimin gritted his teeth and pushed his spiritual energy to its limits, unleashing the remaining four thunderbolts from the Greenwood Divine Thunder Banner all at once.
The simultaneous release of these bolts was equivalent to an attack from four late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators. A weaker cultivator would have been severely injured, if not killed outright.
The elder patriarch, having steadied himself, immediately expanded the Blazing Fire Divine Flags to shield them and simultaneously deployed the Bronze Tower as an additional layer of defense.
"Boom!"
A deafening explosion of thunder rocked the surroundings, and the four thunderbolts clashed with the array, breaking through its first layer. However, the Bronze Tower held firm, its light barrier protecting the two from harm.
"Impossible!"
Lin Baimin's face twisted in despair as his final gambit failed. With the thunderbolts spent, the Greenwood Formation lost half of its effectiveness, leaving it vulnerable to continuous attacks.
Elian resumed his assault on the formation while the elder patriarch consumed a Vitality Pill to restore his spiritual energy. After half an hour, he had recovered about 70–80% of his strength and reactivated the Blazing Fire Divine Flags, intensifying the assault on the Greenwood Formation.
The Purple Sun Furnace, Fiery Void Sword, Heavenly Flame Sword Art, and Crimson Flame Spirit Blade were deployed in turn, bombarding the formation relentlessly. Under the combined might of their attacks, the array began to tremble violently.
Two hours later, the defenses finally gave way. The Purple Sun Furnace released its searing flames, penetrating the protective barrier and igniting the heart of the array.
"Fate has forsaken me!"
With the array shattered, Lin Baimin spat out a mouthful of blood as the backlash struck him. Desperate, he activated his sword artifact in an attempt to escape.
However, the Fiery Void Sword transformed into a six-zhang-long streak of blue light, slicing through his defensive artifact and beheading him mid-flight.
Knowing the enmity with Lin's family had reached an irreconcilable point, Elian showed no mercy, ending the Lin elder's life with precision.
Meanwhile, Chen Changxuan quickly ascended to the summit of Spirit Apricot Mountain, securing control over the spiritual spring and the ancient apricot tree.
When Elian finished collecting the spoils of battle, he found the elder patriarch dismantling the Greenwood Formation.
Frowning, Elian asked, "We worked so hard to conquer the mountain—why dismantle the formation?"
"This Greenwood Formation was set up by the Lin family. Who knows if they left hidden tricks?"
The elder patriarch shook his head and added, "I plan to replace it with the Blazing Fire Divine Array."
Seeing Elian's confusion, he elaborated, "Lin Mohes may have left behind contingencies for the Lin family. To be cautious, I will use the spiritual vein here to enhance the Blazing Fire Divine Array. The tier-two lower-grade vein can boost its power by 50%, giving us better odds."
Taking his advice seriously, Elian assisted the elder patriarch in setting up the new array. Little did they know, this prudence would prove life-saving.
The Lin family could not have anticipated that the mountain's defenses would fall in less than half a day. By typical standards, even with two or three late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, breaking the array should have taken two to three days.
With Greenwood Mountain six thousand li from Spirit Apricot Mountain, it would take the Lin family's reinforcements over a day to arrive.
By the time the Blazing Fire Divine Array was fully operational, and the pair had replenished their energy at the spiritual spring, it was already the morning of the second day when the Lin family's four Foundation Establishment cultivators finally arrived.
Seeing the situation, Lin Mocheng's face darkened, and he let out a furious roar, "Chen Changxuan, you old scoundrel!"
Roaring in anger, Lin Mocheng immediately launched his Thunder Demon Splitting Shuttle, aiming it at the array.
Chen Changxuan remained composed, calmly activating the Blazing Fire Divine Array. Fiery energy surged forth, engulfing the Thunder Demon Splitting Shuttle.
"Not good."
Lin Mocheng's expression changed as he realized the formidable power of the array. Bolstered by the spiritual vein, the array was significantly more potent, increasing its strength by 50%.
The other three Lin cultivators unleashed their artifacts in an attempt to suppress the array. Among them, Lin Moxin deployed a tier-two upper-grade Ice Essence True Water Talisman, one of the Lin family's most treasured assets. This talisman unleashed a freezing divine water, designed to counter fire-based arrays and artifacts.
Yet, despite its power, the water only fueled the flames, making the Blazing Fire Divine Array burn even brighter. Realizing the futility of their efforts, Lin Mocheng had no choice but to bring out their ultimate trump card: the Wind Severing Soul Sword Talisman.
Originally intended as a secret weapon to deal a decisive blow against Chen Changxuan, the talisman now had to be used prematurely.
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