The Steward Demonic Emperor

When speaking of a sect's power, experts were valued, granted, but a formation, a combination of forces resulting in power beyond the sum of its part, was even more sought after.

Thus Double Dragon Gathering came with an exception, the formation took priority, to observe its pros and cons.

Double Dragon Gathering had a formation as well, Four Scheming Demons and Impermanence Five all practiced such types of arts. A pity they did not make the cut for Double Dragon Gathering.

And this was Mystical Heaven Sect's sole chance for a comeback, a formation.

"Declare your formation!" The judge turned to Elder Yun.

Elder Yun bowed and presented a jade slip. "This is the Four Elements Cycle Array the Sect Leader had worked with hundreds of elders and venerable to create. It harnesses the power of the world, drawing on the elements to form a flawless domain in all directions. It requires four maidens of special and different constitutions to practice it, to harness the primal chaos, and combine yin and yang. When they join hands, nothing can stop them."

"I await your orders, Exalted!"

The judge vanished and reappeared high above on the stands, presenting the jade slip with a bow.

Exalted Hei Ran inspected it first then gave it to Exalted Bai Mei with a smile, "How curious, it's worth a look."

"If the might of the formation is adequate, it will be western lands' fortune." Exalted Bai Mei nodded.

The judge returned to the arena and flicked his hand, "Mystical Heaven Sect is to prepare the formation. Demon Scheming Sect present your fighters!"

Chu Qingcheng stepped on the stage with Permafrost. Shui Ruohua took Dan'er and a girl in blue after her, all holding swords glinting in a different light.

Fiend Yang's eyes shook, gnashing his teeth and turning around, to Tie Ying, Kui Gang, and Yue'er.

[What a blunder. It never occurred to me they'd have a formation. Double Dragon Gathering is the most susceptible to formations that can boost one's power. As long as a sect comes up with one, the Exalted will allow it.]

While the drawing of numbers determined the formation's opponents, coming forward to test it out.

This was like a four-on-four battle. But unlike a disorganized team of four, a formation would crush the opposition.

Especially since they had Lu Xie as the sole fighter in the Ethereal Stage, while the rest were in the Radiant Stage. Even a sole battle would be uncertain of success, now even more so.

If the other side won this, they'd get 8 points, placing them right next to them, at a tie.

[Ol' Yun, has this been your plan all along?]

Fiend Yang flared his nostrils and spat, "Lu Xie, it's all on you now. Show no mercy!"

"No worry, going easy isn't in my vocabulary, hi-hi-hi…" Lu Xie's eyes glinted an eerie green, taking the other three Radiant Stage teammates on the stage.

Cupping her hands, Shui Ruohua stepped out, "It was our fault last time and I understand your resentment. But you killed two of our fellow disciples-"

"Now you're begging for mercy, ingrates? It's a little late for that." Lu Xie cut her off with little care.

Shui Ruohua was about to continue when Chu Qingcheng said, "Senior sister Ruohua, it's fine. In any case, fighting in the Double Dragon Gathering is unavoidable, regardless of grudges."

"Ha-ha-ha, you're not Steward Zhuo's old friend for nothing. So you do get it. Though can I not go easy on you as well?" Lu Xie mocked.

Watching Zhuo Fan from afar, with his stern and unphased expression, Chu Qingcheng chuckled, "You're afraid of him? It's fine, we already decided that we each have our own life and live with no remorse."

Lu Xie peeked at Zhuo Fan and eased up seeing his uncaring attitude.

[Doesn't look like he gives much damn about this chick; that suits me just fine.]

Lu Xie snickered, "Hope you won't hold it against me for striking the fairer sex."

Lu Xie's aura exploded with the might of the 3rd layer Ethereal Stage as a light green miasma shot for the girls.

"It's his soul attack. Get in formation!"

Shui Ruohua cried, then Chu Qingcheng and the rest gathered around, holding their blades pointing downward as their edges flicked in a bizarre light show. With a humming sound, a barrier formed on the spot.

The relentless force slammed into the barrier, yet it was akin to a breeze caressing a still lake, merely causing it to ripple.

Lu Xie was bug-eyed, not expecting a formation so simple to take on a soul attack.

The crowd was just as astonished. It was common knowledge a Radiant Stage expert was nothing to an Ethereal Stage expert, yet to still fight back was more than a little bizarre.

Exalted Double Dragons were impressed. [This combination art has some value.]

Amidst all the shock the people felt, they failed to notice Zhuo's face tensing the instant Lu Xie's soul attack struck. He leaned forward and a golden halo flashed in his right eye, ready to come to the rescue.

The instant he saw them fine and Chu Qingcheng bore the same calmness, he eased up.

No matter what he said before Double Dragon Manor, that he and Chu Qingcheng had broken all ties, his heart could not bear it to see her suffer.

The dissonance had his mind in a serious battle, to follow his lone path, or…

[Damn Lu Xie, he went for the kill!]

Zhuo Fan's thoughts switched to Lu Xie, glaring at him.

"Change formation to Sword Cycle!"

The four girls split up, now standing in four positions and their swords shining. Strange energy came from around them, linking them together.

Chu Qingcheng was the first to attack, going after Lu Xie, ten meters away. The coldness of her Permafrost thickened with every step.

Lu Xie's heart tense, feeling increasing danger, overwhelmed from shock.

[The four of them together are a threat to me?]

[No way!] He was in the Ethereal Stage, the fack the girls could take on a soul attack in the Radiant Stage even with the formation, it was already praiseworthy. But threaten him?

His instinct could not have been lying to him though, as his brow got more sweaty with the increasing danger.

"Profound ranked martial art, Blight!"

Lu Xie struck a palm at the four girls, unleashing an all-encompassing thick green cloud in the form of a tornado as it made its way for them. It also contained his soul power. If it hit, the girls were done for.

Zhuo Fan tensed once again, but Chu Qingcheng's icy eyes restored his peace of mind.

[This attack won't work on them.]

Chu Qingcheng shouted and the other girls pointed their swords at her. Three rays of light shot into her body and her Permafrost's shine grew many times over.

"Elements combine, Moon Cutting Cold Edge!"

Whoosh!

Chu Qingcheng's slash released all its frigid power into the green tornado.

With a resounding explosion, the green tornado was split apart, the frigid wave continuing unmarred for Lu Xie.

Lu Xie was stumped that the four girls could attack him. He was so caught up in the moment, that all he could do was resist the sword strike.

Bam!

Lu Xie was flying, blood trailing behind him and his hands now had a layer of ice on them.

On impact, the frigid strike exploded around as well, damaging his three teammates. They had no chance as they got flung out of the stage and out of the fight.

Fiend Yang held his head in helplessness.

They knew the trio was useless, but there had to be a limit as to how much that was. It was fine even if they ended up as mere bystanders to Lu Xie and the girls' fight, but get taken out by the aftershock? Talk about humiliation.

This just proved the formation was deadly, bridging the gap between the Radiant Stage and the Ethereal Stage.

Fiend Yang patted Zhuo Fan's shoulder, "It would've been best if you were there."

"Thank god I am not." Zhuo Fan glanced at Chu Qingcheng and chuckled.

Fiend Yang picked up on it and his face fell. He pressed hard on his shoulder while cursing, "You infatuated brat, now I see it is best you didn't go up there, or you'd thrown in the match by now."

The audience witnessed this impressive display with a gaped mouth. Exalted Double Dragon nodded as well, intrigued.

The Double Dragon Manor's candidates list came out once more.

Only Lu Xie picked himself off the floor with a pissed look…