Ninth In the World

The eight-trigram array pattern previously had indeed been broken open by Di Jiu. Also, Ji Hongsen had promised that Di Jiu would not have to exert any effort in the journey afterward.

Di Jiu did not participate, so the remaining nine people split into two waves of offense to attack this Defense Array.

The first wave consisted of Ji Hongsen, Wu Luo, one mid-stage Primordial Chaos cultivator, and one early-stage Primordial Chaos cultivator. On the other hand, the second wave consisted of Fan Yuan, three mid-stage Primordial Chaos cultivators, and one early-stage Primordial Chaos cultivator.

When the assignment of the two groups was done, Ji Hongsen was the first person to step forward and attack the Defense Array.

The other three people took out their Dharma treasures as well and attacked.

The attack made by four Primordial Chaos Sacred Emperors was certainly formidable. When their Dharma treasures landed on the Defense Array, the entire surrounding space shook vigorously.

Boom! Following the sound of the explosion, a terrifying flame shot out in the direction of the attacking Dharma treasures. Even Ji Hongsen, who was a late-stage Primordial Chaos cultivator, failed to escape from the retaliating flame.

Dao Chuanxun, who was at the mid-stage Primordial Chaos Realm, let out a blood-curdling shriek. He suffered the most severe injuries out of everyone, probably because his strength was the lowest.

“Retreat!” hollered Ji Hongsen. Before they could do so, the flame had already returned to the Defense Array.

Di Jiu was standing at the very back. Upon witnessing this, he believed that he would similarly not have been able to escape if he had participated in this wave of offense. While he would not have sustained any injuries, the fact that he possessed a Sacred Body would have been exposed.

With its appearance, the flame seemed to seal the space of the four attackers of the Defense Array. Di Jiu suspected that the four of them, including Ji Hongsen, might not have been able to escape if the flame had not retreated so fast.

This was a terrifying major array. Di Jiu felt goosebumps all over his body.

The few Primordial Chaos Sacred Emperors quickly recovered from their injuries. Ji Hongsen did not continue to attack this Defense Array. Instead, he intoned solemnly, “It is most likely extremely difficult to open this major array. This should be a top-notch Offensive Flaming Divine Defense Array…”

Everyone fell silent. Such a frightening major array could not possibly be forced open even if more Primordial Chaos Sacred Emperors arrived.

Fan Yuan sighed and said, “I finally understand why no one took the Chaos Green Lotus away despite the sheer number of people who discovered the lotus.”

Everyone fell silent. They would most likely not have been able to take the Chaos Green Lotus away, even if they had been at the Primordial Chaos Realm, no matter how many of them there were. It seemed that their cultivation needed to be at or above the Dao Integration Realm before they could take the Chaos Green Lotus away.

“I have an idea. However, it would require Daoist Di’s Five-Element Flags…” Gou Zibi’s slit-like eyes opened widely as they darted toward Di Jiu. “We only need three Five-Element Flags to block that flame so that we can continue attacking. A Defense Array, no matter how strong, cannot possibly withstand the attacks of so many of us.”

He had been quite badly burned just now, so he was very unwilling to let the Chaos Green Lotus go. Also, Di Jiu was a thorn in his side. Even if he could not obtain the Chaos Green Lotus, he had to sabotage Di Jiu a little.

This was indeed a great plan, as the Five-Element Flags should be able to block the flame. The rest of the Primordial Chaos Sacred Emperors looked at Di Jiu as well. Wu Luo looked murderous and ready to attack at a moment’s notice.

He had intended to wait till they obtained the Chaos Green Lotus before settling the score with Di Jiu. Now that they would not be getting the lotus so fast, his patience was running thin.

Fan Yuan from the Demon Clan and Ma Jujia from the Sea Clan blocked Di Jiu’s escape routes. Di Jiu’s heart sank, as he knew that everyone would collectively attack him if he did not surrender the Five-Element Flags. He believed that he could escape but he did not want to.

How could he possibly leave when the Chaos Green Lotus was right before his eyes?

“What do you think, Daoist Di?” demanded Ji Hongsen coldly as he stared at Di Jiu sinisterly. When he spoke, the domain aura surrounding him intensified.

Di Jiu sighed, took out two Five-Element Flags, and replied, “Using two Five-Element Flags should be sufficient to block the attack. However, I need some compensation since I will surrender the Five-Element Flags. Otherwise, I will lose more than anyone.”

“Ha ha! Who do you think you are, punk? You have no choice in this matter,” said Wu Luo with a laugh as his domain surged at Di Jiu.

Di Jiu remained unperturbed as he retorted, “I will leave immediately if you dare to use your domain again. Let’s see if I can escape or not then.”

Fan Yuan pulled Wu Luo back, cupped his fists before Di Jiu, and said, “We agree to your demands, Daoist Di. Take out your two Five-Element Flags and we will offer some items in exchange.”

He was certain that Di Jiu could leave if he wished. Otherwise, he would not have dared to come here. If Di Jiu left, they would lose the opportunity to open this Defense Array with the Five-Element Flags.

Ji Hongsen did not speak. He just frowned instead. He knew one method they could use: They could offer up several Primordial Chaos Sacred Emperors as a sacrifice before obtaining the Chaos Green Lotus.

He had brought so many Primordial Chaos Sacred Emperors here for two purposes: to open this Defense Array and to sacrifice them later on. After the Defense Array opened, he was confident that he could ensure no one would escape. However, this trump card was something he needed to continue hiding in his sleeve. There was nothing he could do if Di Jiu really possessed a technique to escape.

How possible could that be? Who would dare to say that Di Jiu did not possess any escape techniques since he was in possession of the Five-Element escape technique?

“Everyone, give me one supreme-grade Dao meridian and five Primordial Dao fruits,” Di Jiu stated without hesitation.

“Do you think that supreme-grade divine spirit meridians are commodities?” said Wu Luo mockingly. He dared not do anything, however, for it was highly likely that no one else possessed a treasure like the Five-Element Flags.

“In that case, I shall take my leave.” Di Jiu’s body flickered as he prepared to escape.

“Hold on!” called Fan Yuan anxiously. “I offer five Primordial Dao fruits and one supreme-grade divine spirit meridian. Daoist Wu is not wrong in saying that not everyone can offer up a supreme-grade divine spirit meridian.”

Di Jiu knew that the divine spirit meridians here referred to the Dao meridians. After some hesitation, he amended. “In that case, I will need at least a total of five supreme-grade divine spirit meridians. The rest can give me five high-grade divine spirit meridians. The sum of the Primordial Dao fruits offered should not be less than 30.”

The 18 Primordial Dao fruits he had obtained previously would barely suffice to help him break through and become a Primordial Dao Alchemy Saint. The addition of several dozens of Primordial Dao fruits would increase his confidence to achieve the breakthrough.

“Alright, I agree.” Ji Hongsen agreed before speaking to the others. “The Green Lotus has a total of 12 petals, and we shall split the loot according to how much we contributed. Contribution points can be obtained by attacking and through the items we give Daoist Di.”

No one hesitated. The value of the two Five-Element Flags, let alone the value of the Green Lotus, was significantly higher than the value of any items they offered up.

Di Jiu exchanged two Five-Element Flags for 30 Primordial Dao fruits, five supreme-grade divine spirit meridians, and four high-grade divine spirit meridians.

He resented how wealthy they had been when he had received these items. Ji Hongsen, in particular, contributed nearly two-thirds of the Dao fruits.

Di Jiu activated the two Five-Element Flags, which transformed into a defense wall. Ji Hongsen instantly grabbed hold of the flags and left some Spiritual Force imprints on them.

Di Jiu sneered but did nothing to stop Ji Hongsen. Given Di Jiu’s Array Dao standards, it was wishful thinking on the man’s part to try to keep his Five-Element Flags by implanting a few Spiritual Force imprints. That is, unless Ji Hongsen took the time to refine those flags.

After placing those imprints, Ji Hongsen and company took out their Dharma treasures once again and attacked the Defense Array. The violent flame that shot out was indeed blocked by the two Five-Element Flags, thus harming no one.

At that moment, everyone put in their all to attack without a break. As the Dharma treasures landed on the array, the surrounding space shook as well. No one thought that Di Jiu would still be able to recall the two flags.

Di Jiu did not participate in this attack. Instead, he circled to the other side of the white lake before taking out his Dao fire and slowly fusing it with the Defense Array.

Boom! Di Jiu did not attack the array at all, but the terrifying flame shot out and immediately engulfed him.

He hastily put away his Dao fire and the Defense Array’s flame instantly retreated.

It was so formidable. That flame would have severely injured him if he had not had the Sacred Body.

This flame would upgrade the Dao fire. However, Di Jiu knew that he couldn’t control this flame to allow his Dao fire to consume it given his current strength.

The nine Primordial Chaos Sacred Emperors, who had gathered a fair distance away, sneered when they saw Di Jiu get attacked by the flame. There was no way they would not know what Di Jiu was planning. Everyone knew that Di Jiu possessed a high-level flame. It was wishful thinking to want to upgrade his flame by using this flame.

Numerous attacks landed on the Defense Array, causing the surrounding space and the array to continuously vibrate vigorously. Di Jiu opened his Dao eye. Then, he sat down beside the array to sense the Heaven Earth Laws in the area.

Two hours later, Di Jiu stood up and took several steps back. He had not entered the Defense Array, but he had already comprehended the laws there.

There was no way they could obtain the Chaos Green Lotus even if this Defense Array was opened. This was because no one could enter the white lake, where only death awaited. The Search Lake was nothing compared to this white lake.

Moreover, the Green Lotus would escape before everyone entered the white lake, even if the Defense Array was successfully opened.

Di Jiu reached the conclusion that there was a 100% probability that no one could obtain the Chaos Green Lotus.