Ninth In the World

The natural restrictions were situated quite close to the Chaotic Law Zone. Di Jiu and the rest of the crowd arrived at their destination in just over four hours.

There were over a hundred people present by the time they arrived, reaching a total of 130 to 140 people, including the over 30 people with Di Jiu.

Di Jiu was a level-eight Array Supremacy. With a sweep of his Spiritual Force, he knew that there was indeed a top-notch natural restriction here. Outside this restriction was a ravine that was several hundred feet wide, which had been created by the attacks of the various Dharma treasures.

Di Jiu knew that the leader was an Immortal King without even having to use his Spiritual Force to scan him. This cultivator should possess a cultivation around the fifth-stage Immortal King Realm. The aura surrounding him was heavy and contained a powerful bloodlust. Based on his almost-materialized killing aura, Di Jiu could tell that this fella was someone who usually was out exploring the world.

This Immortal King stopped attacking after the 30 plus people with Di Jiu arrived. He turned and declared, “Everyone, the item within this natural restriction is definitely extraordinary. We have enough people here, so don’t call any more people over. I, Wu Hong, would not be courteous if anyone sent out more messages.”

No one dared to rebut Wu Hong’s words. There was indeed more than one Immortal King here, but Wu Hong was evidently the strongest one around.

Upon seeing that everyone remained silent, Wu Hong said in a gentler tone, “I believe that when this natural restriction was attacked just now, a faint treasure aura leaked out. Therefore, we must now cut the Gordian Knot. Such a top-notch natural restriction would be very hard to quickly break open through brute force alone. I am a little learned in the Array Dao. When the time comes, let us split into two teams and attack following the lead of my array flags.”

Di Jiu did not speak up. He had already sensed that there was some treasure here, for he would not have come otherwise.

Then, another cultivator with a cultivation at the early-stage Immortal King Realm cupped his fists. “Daoist Wu, we do not know what lies within the natural restriction. How will we split the loot after the restriction is broken, given that everyone here has contributed to the attacks?”

Wu Hong replied coolly, “You’re right. No one here knows what kind of treasure is inside. There could only be one treasure, or perhaps many or none, when we open the restriction. I think that everyone should attack together. After the restriction breaks open, it will be finders keepers.”

“Alright, we agree.” Most of the cultivators agreed to this loot-splitting method.

Some cultivators, who had low cultivation levels, prayed that there were many treasures inside when the restriction was broken.

“In that case, everyone should follow the lead of my array flags.” As Wu Hong threw two array flags out, he shouted, “Attack!”

The presence of the restriction made it hard for Di Jiu to sense the location of the array foundation. Di Jiu had felt dubious when Wu Hong had claimed that he was somewhat knowledgeable in the Array Dao and could use the array flags to guide everyone’s attacks. Upon seeing Wu Hong throw out two array flags, Di Jiu instantly came to the realization that Wu Hong had been spouting nonsense.

After throwing out the array flags, the numerous Dharma treasures landed on the two array flags at the same time. Then, Wu Hong threw two more array flags.

Wu Hong repeated this motion without a pause. The restriction protested loudly under the combined and continuous attacks of more than 100 cultivators. The aura of a top-notch treasure became increasingly distinct.

Di Jiu participated in the attacks as well, although he was silently viewing Wu Hong with disdain. Given the power and the continuity of the attacks, a lot of Immortal Essence would be expended, regardless of whether the cultivator was attacking with all his might. Wu Hong would then possess the fullest Immortal Essence out of all of them when the restriction was broken.

Moreover, Wu Hong possessed the highest cultivation level here. If there was truly only one treasure, Wu Hong would definitely be the first to seize it without much effort.

Di Jiu heard a soft sound and then captured the dense Immortal Spirit aura. He saw the position of the real array foundation at the same time, which made him sigh. If Wu Hong’s method was followed, it would take at least one more day before the restriction was broken open, for it could heal automatically. The real array foundation needed to be attacked.

He was full of anticipation to discover what the treasure was. Although he had yet to see it, based simply on this faintly discernible aura, Di Jiu had the vague notion that this treasure possessed the ability to split open all nomological things.

There was no way he would give such a treasure up. Should he speak up so that the restriction could be broken open sooner?

Just as Di Jiu was contemplating whether to point out where the real array foundation was, Wu Hong suddenly stared at a skinny Grand Zenith Immortal and interrogated him sternly. “Why aren’t you attacking?”

The problem was not that the Grand Zenith Immortal wasn’t attacking, but that he was continuously staring at a spot. Di Jiu recognized the spot as one of the two array foundations that should be attacked.

The Grand Zenith Immortal hastily replied upon hearing Wu Hong’s question, “Senior Wu, I believe that it will take one more day at the rate we are attacking with. I just sensed the position of the real array foundation. We might need to only spend two hours if we attack that instead…”

Di Jiu’s eyes lit up. His guess was accurate. This Grand Zenith Immortal had to be a level-six Immortal Array Great-Master or higher if he was able to identify this. Di Jiu himself had become a level-eight Immortal Array Supremacy in a short time due to the aid of the Ninth Dao Law.

Evidently, there were many people other than Di Jiu who were also formidable.

Wu Hong’s tone turned frosty. “So you mean that my Array Dao is no match for yours?”

The Grand Zenith Immortal, who was oppressed by Wu Hong’s voice and killing intent, immediately turned pale. “No, that’s not it…”

“If that’s not the case, scram!” With that, Wu Hong lifted his hand and slapped at the Grand Zenith Immortal.

Di Jiu punched out without hesitation. A violent fist wind slammed along with Wu Hong’s slap, the resulting collision creating a massive deep hole.

Di Jiu felt confident after sensing that the Immortal Essence aura within his punch was no weaker than his opponent’s. He knew that Wu Hong had not used his full strength for the slap, but neither had Di Jiu. Di Jiu was not afraid.

Before Wu Hong could speak, Di Jiu said coolly, “He is right. Your Array Dao is indeed inferior to his. Or rather, I suspect that you know nothing about the Array Dao. Previously, when you commanded everyone to attack, you were simply randomly throwing out array flags at two different spots and preserving your Immortal Essence and strength. I believe that there are more people, other than myself and this Grand Zenith Immortal, who sensed that. However, I do not condone such behavior, which is why I am the first to step up and say it.”

Wu Hong’s expression turned frosty. He had vaguely sensed that Di Jiu was no weaker than him through the punch Di Jiu had thrown. Furthermore, he could not see through Di Jiu’s cultivation level. There were some treasures he needed to compete for. Otherwise, he would have launched an attack.

“So you are saying that your Array Dao is more powerful than mine?” asked Wu Hong coolly, his tone filled with killing intent.

“Indeed. Your method was basically to let everyone attack randomly. It had nothing to do with one’s understanding of Dharma Arrays,” sneered Di Jiu.

Wu Hong answered in a calm tone, “Take over me if your Array Dao is more powerful than mine.”

Di Jiu would not stay courteous while such an offer was made, as he did not intend to waste too much time here. That was why he had spoken up. After all, too much time would have been wasted if he had remained silent and followed Wu Hong’s method. In addition, he needed to show his strength off so that no one would dare to intercept him in the process of seizing the items within.

“Attack based on where my array flags are, everyone. I believe that we will only need at most one more hour before this natural restriction breaks open.” Di Jiu cupped his fist. The estimated duration stated was less than that of the Grand Zenith Immortal by one hour.

“Go ahead and we will follow your lead,” piped an early-stage Immortal King. His Array Dao was average, yet he believed Di Jiu’s words.

Di Jiu took out an array flag and threw it at one of the array foundations. “Everyone, attack this spot. Go!”

Upon seeing where Di Jiu had thrown the array flag, the Grand Zenith Immortal’s eyes lit up. He immediately told Di Jiu respectfully, “Thank you, sir. Your Array Dao is much stronger than mine. My choice of which array foundation to attack was inferior to yours.”

“You’re not bad yourself. You will definitely become an Array Dao expert in the future.” Di Jiu nodded at the Grand Zenith Immortal, holding on to the belief that his supposition was right.

This Grand Zenith Immortal was about to speak when a resounding cracking sound was heard. A crack appeared on the natural restriction and extremely dense Immortal Spirit Qi was exuded.

Everyone knew where to attack, so Di Jiu didn’t need to say it out loud.

The sound of numerous Dharma treasures colliding failed to cease. In merely half an hour, the restriction let out a sound akin to glass breaking and broke apart.

More than 10 immortal spirit meridians were exposed to the crowd, the light emitted forming a sea of white. All cultivators rushed over in a frenzy.

Di Jiu took no heed of these immortal spirit meridians as he cast the Spiritual Force escape technique and headed into the innermost region directly. Through his Spiritual Force, he saw an ancient tree several hundred feet tall. There was only one fruit hanging from its branches. The treasure aura he had sensed previously had been emitted by this fruit.

He could sense the aura of the spiritual fruit more distinctively after entering the restriction. This aura, which seemed to be able to see through all the secrets of the universe, emitted indescribable traces of Dao aura.

Di Jiu decided to obtain it first, regardless of what this immortal spiritual fruit was.