Cultivation Begins From The Desert-Chapter 701 - 685: Breaking the Array and Slaying the Crocodile!

Zhouyang guessed the outcome correctly, but not the process.

The two Fire Wolves were indeed the key to breaking the array, but to break the "space cycle" of the Realm Space, it wasn't as simple as just killing the two Fire Wolves; rather, it required killing them both at the same time after they reformed three times.

He had judged correctly before that after the third reformation, the aura of the Fire Wolves indeed reached the Mid-Stage Nascent Soul.

Therefore, this array was nearly impossible for Early-Stage Nascent Soul cultivators to break; they simply couldn't simultaneously kill two Fire Wolves with strength comparable to Mid-Stage Nascent Soul cultivators.

Even for Zhouyang, unless he used a few trump cards, he couldn't achieve this either.

So, he didn't rely on himself to leave the array; it was Zhao Yuanpu who came to help him break the array, and it was Zhao Yuanpu who told him about the method of killing both Fire Wolves simultaneously to exit the array.

For Zhao Yuanpu, who had Late-Stage Nascent Soul cultivation, killing two Fire Wolves equivalent to Mid-Stage Nascent Soul wasn't easy, but it wasn't too difficult either.

After all, although these Fire Wolves had the power of Nascent Soul stage cultivators, they didn't have the wisdom of Nascent Soul stage cultivators, nor the plethora of methods; their true strength was not even as good as a puppet of the same tier.

Zhouyang was also fortunate that Zhao Yuanpu was the closest to him. After exiting the array, he found him by following the sensing of the Unity Pendant and helped him break the array.

Then the two of them followed the sensing towards another piece of the Unity Pendant and found the trapped Master Fire Dragon, helping him escape as well.

"If not for the two fellow daoists coming to aid, I'm afraid Sun would have been trapped to death in this array. For the lifesaving grace, Sun here first thanks the two fellow daoists!"

When Master Fire Dragon learned the method of breaking the array from Zhao Yuanpu, his face changed drastically, and he quickly bowed earnestly to the two as a sign of gratitude.

If Zhouyang had a way to kill both Fire Wolves simultaneously, he indeed didn't have that capability. His Exotic Treasure Fire Dragon Shield was only strong in defense, capable of making him not fear the attack of the two Fire Wolves, but he didn't have the ability to kill both at the same time.

"Fellow Daoist Sun is too kind; as we three are breaking the array together, it is natural to support each other and advance and retreat together."

Zhao Yuanpu smiled slightly and did not claim credit.

This attitude, on the contrary, made Master Fire Dragon feel more grateful to him.

People are sometimes like this; when someone shows you kindness, you feel very grateful to them.

But if they boast of their achievements before you and keep mentioning it, it might instead cause your resentment, making you start to suspect they have other motives.

At this moment, Master Fire Dragon looked at Zhao Yuanpu with full gratitude and said in a deep voice: "Fellow Daoist Zhao is noble, Sun admires you. If there's any place where Sun can be of use in the future, feel free to command; Sun will not refuse where he can help!"

"Naturally, should there truly be a need for Fellow Daoist Sun's help, Zhao will definitely not refuse it."

Zhao Yuanpu nodded slightly, agreeing without any formality.

Master Fire Dragon, hearing his words, finally showed a relieved smile and cupped his hands again in gratitude.

Zhouyang had not interrupted their pleasantries, but now that he saw them finish, he finally spoke.

"Fellow Daoist Zhao, how should we proceed next? Have you thought it through?"

He stared directly at Zhao Yuanpu, his gaze calm as water, making it hard to discern his thoughts.

Zhao Yuanpu, hearing this, looked around at the surrounding environment and pondered.

All around there was still the Realm Space filled with Red Lotus Earth Fire. What was different now was that there were nine array platforms appearing in nine directions.

There were nine array platforms, but only five of them had treasures suppressing the array. The other four were empty.

A Tier Five Array can use treasure suppression to enhance its power, but this array in the cave was obviously a Tier Six Array, likely a Tier Six Top-Grade Array.

Such a high-grade array, with nine treasures as suppressing objects, while unattended, still held significant power.

"Those four empty array platforms were probably emptied by Ancestor Zhen Nan when he broke the array back in the day, taking the suppressing objects. From what Zhao knows, Ancestor Zhen Nan wasn't highly accomplished in array techniques."

"Although it's disrespectful to criticize a senior ancestor, Zhao still believes that Ancestor Zhen Nan couldn't have broken the array on his own array skills!"

"Hence, the method he used back then to enter must have been by removing those suppressing items to weaken the array's power, thereby finding a flaw to enter the true location of the cave!"

After a long period of contemplation, Zhao Yuanpu, with a flash of strange light in his eyes, softly expressed his opinion.

"I, too, think the same way," Zhouyang nodded first, agreeing with Zhao Yuanpu's words, then shook his head slightly and said, "However, as I see it, the reason your sect's ancestor managed to make the array show flaws by collecting four suppressing treasures and thus entered the true abode was probably due to the special nature of a particular treasure he obtained, or perhaps he was just lucky to encounter a flaw in the array."

"If we wish to emulate him, I'm afraid we can only start by retrieving all five suppressing treasures to reduce the array's power to its lowest point, and then see how we can break the array to enter the true abode."

Zhouyang was, in fact, an array master, a fact unknown to both Zhao Yuanpu and Master Fire Dragon.

Upon hearing his words, the two naturally inquired about his basis for judgment.

After learning he was indeed a Tier Five Array Master, Zhao Yuanpu couldn't help but exchange a glance with Master Fire Dragon and then nodded slightly, saying, "Since Fellow Daoist Zhou is an array master, I trust his judgment is right. How to break the array next is up to you to command, Fellow Zhou; I and Fellow Daoist Sun are willing to follow your instructions."

Zhouyang originally had this intention as well.

Seeing Zhao Yuanpu being so tactful, he readily responded, "Thank you both for your trust. I will certainly do my utmost."

After speaking, he immediately pointed his finger towards one of the array platforms and said, "Let us first join forces to retrieve the suppressing treasure from that array platform."

Following the direction of his finger, Zhao Yuanpu and the other looked over to see a human head-sized fiery red crystal stone atop the array platform.

Due to external interference, the three of them couldn't discern what type of Fire Attribute Spiritual Object it was, but since it was used as a suppressing treasure for a Tier Six Top-Grade Array, it must definitely be an invaluable Tier Six Spiritual Object.

All three of them couldn't help but feel a little excited and thrilled.

They all cultivated Fire Attribute Techniques, and since the five suppressing treasures used here could potentially be used by them.

According to their predetermined distribution method, apart from the exotic treasure of Ancestor Zhen Nan from the Divine Fire Palace, which was to be entirely allocated to Zhao Yuanpu, the rest of the treasures were to be distributed fairly among the three, with whoever contributes the most getting the first pick of treasure.

With five suppressing treasures here, it meant they could each acquire at least a Tier Six Spiritual Object, and how could they not be delighted.

However, collecting these suppressing treasures wasn't easy.

After Zhouyang made his choice, Zhao Yuanpu immediately led the charge towards the array platform.

But as soon as the three moved, it was like stirring a hornet's nest, instantly triggering the ultimate killing move of the array.

The fastest among them, Zhao Yuanpu, suddenly found the sea of flames beneath him surging like an erupting volcano, instantly engulfing him in terrifying Flame Sun Firelight.

At the same time, a sharp sword whistle suddenly echoed throughout the realm space, and a scarlet Flying Sword carved with purple fire serpents shot out from the flames, slashing straight towards Master Fire Dragon, who was some distance behind Zhao Yuanpu.

Even Zhouyang, who was at the back, was intercepted by a Flame Flood Dragon whose strength was comparable to that of a Fifth-Layer Nascent Soul Cultivator.

It was at this moment that the relative strengths of the three became evident.

As for Zhao Yuanpu, let's not mention that; despite the intense power of the erupting Extreme Yang Firelight, Zhouyang believed it couldn't take his life.

Master Fire Dragon faced a Flying Sword that, although without anyone controlling it, couldn't display sophisticated sword techniques, but under the array's power boost was as powerful as a Late-Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator personally using Sword Control to attack.

Under its attack, Master Fire Dragon could only fully activate his protective exotic treasure, the Fire Dragon Shield, thus allowing Zhouyang a glimpse of the true prowess of this exotic treasure.

On the translucent Glazed Fire Shield protecting Master Fire Dragon, dragon shadows flickered one, two, three... consecutively appearing until nine dragon shadows.

Every time that Flying Sword struck the shield, it extinguished several dragon shadows, but as long as Master Fire Dragon provided the spiritual artifact with enough magic power, the nine dragon shadows quickly recovered.

As long as the nine dragon shadows weren't simultaneously obliterated, the defense of the Fire Dragon Shield remained unbreakable.

Furthermore, Zhouyang noticed that the Fire Dragon Shield could even absorb external Fire Attribute Spiritual Qi to enhance its strength, and though Master Fire Dragon seemed intent on concealing this fact, Zhouyang's Divine Sense, strong enough to rival that of a Late-Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator, picked up on it.

Upon discovering this, Zhouyang seemingly understood why Zhao Yuanpu chose to travel with this particular person and no one else.

However, since it was their private affair, Zhouyang, despite seeing through it, wasn't foolish enough to speak out.

Facing the attack of the Flame Flood Dragon, he deployed several magical artifacts in a frenzy, quickly dispersing the flaming serpentine form that spanned hundreds of feet.

By this time, Zhao Yuanpu had already escaped from the eruption of Extreme Yang Firelight and was fiercely assaulting the array's protective shield guarding that array platform.

Perhaps the pressure he exerted on the array platform was too great, resulting in the rebirth of the Flame Flood Dragon Zhouyang had dispersed, change direction swiftly attacking him.

Seeing this, Zhouyang decisively joined the fray, deploying the Thick Earth Heaven-Sealing Seal to assault the array platform's protective shield.

Under the joint attack of the two, the protective shield around the array platform visibly weakened rapidly, and it seemed that it would be broken soon.

But just then, something unexpected happened.

At that moment, Zhouyang was focusing most of his mind on attacking the protective shield of the array platform when he suddenly sensed an unusual aura emerging not far behind him.

Without thinking, he immediately jumped into the Qianyang Golden Tower suspended above his head.

This was his life-saving measure for unexpected emergencies. With the strong defense of the Qianyang Golden Tower itself, it was enough to ensure that even if he was ambushed by a Late-Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator, he could withstand it safely.

Of course, doing so was not without its drawbacks. Once inside the tower, he became a fixed target, easily concentrated on by attacks.

But compared to this flaw that wasn't really a flaw, the benefits of doing this were undoubtedly greater.

This time was no exception.

The moment Zhouyang entered the Golden Treasure Tower, a pillar of black and red molten fire struck the seven-layered golden tower suspended in mid-air, blasting the Golden Treasure Tower deep into the array on the spot.

And from the direction where that molten fire column erupted, the exotic beast Poison Fire Crocodile Shark that had secretly followed Zhouyang and his two companions into the array, suddenly charged out of the sea of fire, heading directly towards Master Fire Dragon who was still fighting fiercely with the crimson flying sword.

"How dare you, foul creature!"

Zhao Yuanpu's face twitched as he shouted angrily, decisively abandoning the attack on the protective shield of the array platform, and directly swinging his Lifebound Spiritual Artifact, the Six Yang Divine Fire Banner, to condense a crimson fire pillar which he blasted at the Poison Fire Crocodile Shark.

His reaction speed was undoubtedly quick, his response undoubtedly decisive, yet he still couldn't match the swiftness of the Poison Fire Crocodile Shark that broke out suddenly.

This beast had clearly been lurking and waiting for an opportunity for a long time, and the timing of its action was spot on.

The Master Fire Dragon, who was originally about to take down the crimson flying sword, was rammed by the red triangular horn on its head. The nine dragon shadows on his protective treasure, the Fire Dragon Shield, were instantly all extinguished, and his entire being was shattered into countless pieces!

Only then did Zhao Yuanpu's attack hit the Poison Fire Crocodile Shark.

Roar!

The gigantic beast roared with excitement as the crimson fire pillar struck its body.

It paid no mind to the injuries on its body, only turning its head to stare at Zhao Yuanpu with fiery red eyes full of violent ferocity.

"Foul creature, I must kill you today to avenge Fellow Daoist Sun!"

With eyes nearly popping out in wrath, Zhao Yuanpu shouted angrily. He fiercely spat out a mass of silver-purple flame, feeding it into the mouth of the Three-legged Fire Crow, which was the transformation of the Golden Crow Divine Fire Order.

Boom!

After devouring this mass of Three Flavors Divine Flame, the Three-legged Fire Crow's originally burning red-gold flame suddenly turned silver-purple, with silver-purple fiery feathers sprouting from its body.

Then, with an upward cry of its head, it flew straight at the Poison Fire Crocodile Shark.

The Poison Fire Crocodile Shark seemed to have suffered from Zhao Yuanpu's move previously and was unwilling to let the Three-legged Fire Crow get near. It immediately roared, causing a boundless blaze to erupt from its body, forming a huge net of flames that enveloped the Three-legged Fire Crow.

At the same time, as if it knew that the flame net couldn't trap the Three-legged Fire Crow, after the fire net was cast, it opened its mouth to spew massive black and red flames, transforming into fireballs that shot towards Zhao Yuanpu.

The black and red flames spewed by the Poison Fire Crocodile Shark not only had incredibly high temperatures but also contained the terrifying poisonous fire evil qi it had absorbed from the earth fire lava. If one accidentally got it on themselves, even the body of a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator would quickly be eroded by the poisonous fire evil qi.

Zhao Yuanpu had faced the Poison Fire Crocodile Shark more than once or twice and naturally knew its dangers well. He quickly swung the crimson banner in his hand, instantly setting up a thick barrier of firelight in front of him, keeping all the shooting black and red fireballs outside.

Both were old opponents, well aware of each other's methods, and in a short time, neither could possibly take down the other.

However, it must not be forgotten that Zhao Yuanpu was not fighting alone this time.

While he was entangled with the Poison Fire Crocodile Shark, Zhouyang, who had been blasted away by a surprise attack from the Poison Fire Crocodile Shark, finally returned to the fray.

Uncertain of what array restriction had been triggered, a Flaming Giant Rhinoceros came charging with Zhouyang, and the aura emanating from its body was nothing less than that of the previously scattered Flame Flood Dragon.

Like the Flame Flood Dragon, this Flaming Giant Rhinoceros was something formed by the array's power, and once it manifested, it would attack all living beings intruding into the array.

Naturally, the Poison Fire Crocodile Shark was also included in this.

And quite unfortunately, because its aura was the strongest among the intruders, the Flaming Giant Rhinoceros, after chasing Zhouyang, quickly adjusted its target to the Poison Fire Crocodile Shark.

Although the Flaming Giant Rhinoceros couldn't pose much of a threat to the Poison Fire Crocodile Shark, the result still made Zhouyang quite satisfied.

He no longer needed to deal with the Flaming Giant Rhinoceros's attacks and spiritedly joined Zhao Yuanpu in laying siege to the Poison Fire Crocodile Shark.

In fact, the environment within this formation space was very detrimental to the Poison Fire Crocodile Shark. Here, it couldn't harness the power of the earth fire magma, nor could it recover from its injuries by absorbing the magma's power, making it impossible to retreat and flee as easily as it could in the sea of magma.

Once Zhouyang and Zhao Yuanpu joined forces, wounds quickly spread across its body, no longer retaining its former might.

However, a cornered beast still fights back. Although the injured Poison Fire Crocodile Shark's power decreased, it became even more frenzied and fierce, keeping the two cautious and alert.

"The two fellow Daoists can drive this brute towards those array platforms and use the array power to kill it!"

Just as Zhouyang and Zhao Yuanpu were engrossed in their fierce battle with the Poison Fire Crocodile Shark, a somewhat weak voice suddenly reached their ears.

Hearing this familiar voice, both were delighted and quickly turned their attention toward the direction from which it came.

They saw Master Fire Dragon Sun Yucheng's Nascent Soul flying towards them from within the sea of fire, protected by the Fire Dragon Shield.

"That's great, Fellow Daoist Sun, it's truly wonderful that you're still alive!"

Zhao Yuanpu exclaimed joyfully, genuinely glad that Master Fire Dragon had survived.

"I'm ashamed! I've dragged the two Daoists down once again!"

Master Fire Dragon's Nascent Soul flashed a bitter expression on his small face, without the slightest hint of joy.

A destroyed body is a severe trauma for a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator, virtually ending future Dao pursuits.

So how could he be happy?

"If Fellow Daoist Sun is worried about the matter of the body, there's no need for excessive worry. I still have a Tier Six Middle Grade Spirit Pill, the Blood Lotus Rebirth Pill. When Jade Dragon Zhenren of Yuqing Daoist Sect helped me kill my enemy, his body was destroyed, but it was with this pill that he was able to restore it. Once we return, I will give this pill to you, ensuring you can rebuild a perfect body!"

Zhouyang took a moment to interject, and his words immediately turned Master Fire Dragon's worry into joy, making him ecstatic.

"Are you serious, Fellow Daoist Zhou?"

He exclaimed with great excitement, for fear Zhouyang might misunderstand, quickly adding, "I have no intention of doubting you, but if you truly are willing to part with such a spirit pill for me, you can take any treasure I have!"

Hearing this, Zhouyang shook his head slightly and said, "It's just a spirit pill, Fellow Daoist Sun. There's no need for that. Let's first eliminate this beast, and we can discuss this matter later!"

"Yes, let's kill this beast first!"

Speaking of the Poison Fire Crocodile Shark, Master Fire Dragon's Nascent Soul's face suddenly showed deep-seated hatred. He glared resentfully at the exotic beast and said with hatred, "You two fellow Daoists might as well try what I just suggested. Once the array's killing move is triggered, this beast is more likely than us to attract the array's attacks!"

"Since Fellow Daoist Sun is so confident, let's test it out!"

Zhao Yuanpu, who had been listening to the conversation, finally chimed in.

After speaking, he suddenly waved his hand, took out a glowing Tier Six Spirit Talisman, and threw it out, transforming into a ten-zhang long indigo-blue spear that shot towards the Poison Fire Crocodile Shark.

This indigo-blue spear was formed from a Tier Six Lower Grade Wind Attribute single-target attack magic with unparalleled piercing ability. Zhao Yuanpu specifically sought this talisman to use against the Poison Fire Crocodile Shark.

Its power did not disappoint Zhao Yuanpu, as it directly pierced and tore a half-zhang wide bloody hole in the Poison Fire Crocodile Shark's head, nearly penetrating its entire head.

This strike caused damage to the Poison Fire Crocodile Shark, almost surpassing the combined damage of the previous attacks by the two, instantly making the beast howl in pain and flee frantically.

Zhouyang and Zhao Yuanpu immediately pursued it, continuing their relentless attacks, forcing it towards the array platform with the suppressing objects, thus triggering the array's killing move.

The situation unfolded just as Master Fire Dragon said; once the array's killing move was activated by the Poison Fire Crocodile Shark, it prioritized targeting the enormous beast.

Thus, the Poison Fire Crocodile Shark became their mine-clearing tool, driven by them to trample over the remaining four array platforms with suppressive objects, allowing them to know in advance what dangers lay there.

After the four platforms were trampled, the Poison Fire Crocodile Shark's body was covered with wounds all over half its body, and its breath weakened significantly compared to its peak.

At this moment, Zhouyang finally unleashed his ultimate killing move to land the final blow on the beast.

In a transformed state, he let out a roar, and the cyan and gold Dragon Head Giant Blade that once severed Zhao Yuanpu's arm appeared again, slicing directly through the side of the Poison Fire Crocodile Shark's head, cutting it off entirely!