Chapter 78

Qiduo shrugged her shoulders, but there was not a trace of triumph on her face. She complained, "Sigh, these two guys are just too weak. They can't even handle a little trap like this. Humph, compared to the pursuers we had before, they are worlds apart."

Rong Kaiyan was taken aback and asked casually, "Pursuers from before? Who were they?"

"They...," Qiduo's face rarely showed a hint of seriousness, "Some were Spirit Masters and Martial Masters, some were Innate Powerhouses, and a few were even Grandmasters."

Rong Kaiyan drew a sharp breath, feeling a chill run down his spine.

What kind of people are these? It sounds like all the experts in the world were out to kill them.

However, he then noticed a fleeting cunning smile on Qiduo's face. He glared at her fiercely, knowing he had been tricked again.

Given her and Lin Nainai's cultivation, if there were really such powerful pursuers, no matter how wise Qiduo was, she would have been captured without a doubt.

Seeing the annoyance and gloom in Rong Kaiyan's eyes, Qiduo laughed triumphantly. However, Rong Kaiyan turned his head away, so he didn't see the hint of helplessness in the little girl's eyes.

After a while, Rong Kaiyan said, "Duo, are you sure they can't get out?"

Qiduo said proudly, "Don't worry. Although there are no tools or materials here, the formation I set up is enough to trap any powerhouse below the Innate level. Humph, unless that Spirit Master can break my formation or suddenly advance to the Innate level, there's no way they can escape."

Rong Kaiyan hesitated and said, "What if he also knows the art of formations?"

Qiduo said irritably, "Do you think formations are something easy? Humph, it's a profound and vast path. Apart from geniuses like me, ordinary Spirit Masters, even after studying for decades, can only grasp a bit of the surface. That Spirit Master is at most forty years old, with ordinary talent, and has only reached the mid-level Spirit Master stage by using all resources and time. How could he possibly have the time to study formations?"

Rong Kaiyan nodded slowly and said solemnly, "Is Big Brother safe now?"

"You can rest assured," Qiduo made a helpless gesture, "Although Nainai can't use her true qi for the moment, she's not someone a small fry can bully. Humph, with her watching over, Big Brother will definitely be fine."

Rong Kaiyan finally felt truly relieved. However, seeing Qiduo's smug look, he felt a bit resentful and said, "Duo, don't forget, if you miscalculate and they get out... hehe, you'll have to follow me for the rest of your life."

Qiduo was taken aback and pouted, "What do you mean 'follow you for the rest of your life'..."

Rong Kaiyan scratched his head, looking surprised, "Didn't you say that if you miscalculate, you'll have to be my alchemist for free for the rest of your life?"

Qiduo bit her lower lip, her face turning slightly red, and she huffed, "You're just dreaming. This lady never makes mistakes."

※※※※

In the mist, Gu Wen and Gu Bin, the two brothers, wandered around like dazed flies.

After a full quarter of an hour, they still hadn't found any escape route. Looking around, it seemed as if the entire world was shrouded in this mist.

"Ah, Third Brother, let's stop and rest for a moment," Gu Wen said bitterly, "This is a formation. We can't get out."

Gu Bin didn't stop, shouting, "Big Brother, don't lose heart. I don't believe he can make the entire mountain range foggy. As long as we choose a direction and run fast enough, we'll definitely get out."

Gu Wen shook his head and suddenly shouted, "Stop."

Gu Bin was taken aback and finally dared not go against his Big Brother's wishes, so he stopped.

Gu Wen struggled to get off his back, sitting cross-legged on the ground. The wound on his buttocks was burning, but it couldn't alleviate the pain in his heart.

"Third Brother, we've been defeated," he shook his head, "The art of formations is profound and far from what you imagine. Haha, you may think you're running in one direction, but in fact, you're just circling within the formation, and you'll never get out."

Gu Bin was completely stunned, a hint of fear flashing in his eyes.

"Big Brother, what do we do?"

Gu Wen looked up at the dense and endless mist, saying sadly, "That Rong Kaiyan is truly a monster. He's not only a Spirit Gatherer who can create a large number of spirit warriors, but he's also skilled in making traps and understands the art of formations. Sigh, how did such a genius manage to do all this?"

Gu Bin rubbed his hands anxiously, thinking, "Is Big Brother confused? Why is he praising our enemy instead of thinking of a way to escape?"

Gu Wen sighed deeply, "An enemy who is already so terrifying before he fully grows up, if given the space to grow, might be beyond even the Young Master's ability to handle in the future."

Gu Bin raised his eyebrows, "Big Brother, the Young Master is an Innate Powerhouse and the third in line to inherit the Gu family, with access to vast resources. How can this little brat compare?"

Gu Wen shook his head slowly, "You don't understand. The path of the Spirit Practitioner is profound and mysterious. If Rong Kaiyan can advance to the Innate level, or even break through to become a Grandmaster, the Gu family would never be his enemy."

Gu Bin said dismissively, "Big Brother, becoming a Grandmaster isn't that easy. This little brat has no chance."

Gu Wen smiled bitterly, "Yes, becoming a Grandmaster isn't easy. Perhaps I'm overthinking it."

Gu Bin nodded heavily and said, "Big Brother, no matter how strong this kid's talent is, he killed Second Brother, making him our mortal enemy. We can't let this hatred go."

Gu Wen's expression changed, and after a long moment, he suddenly said, "Third Brother, we might have to let this hatred go."

Gu Bin's eyebrows shot up, "Absolutely not." He pointed to the surrounding white mist, "Big Brother, clear your head. Even if we can let go of this hatred, do you think he will let us go?"

Shaking his head slowly, Gu Wen said coldly, "Absolutely not."

"Then that's it," Gu Bin said loudly, "Since the enmity can't be resolved, Big Brother, find a way out, and we'll kill him to avenge Second Brother." At this moment, Gu Bin still had full confidence in his Big Brother.

Gu Wen pondered for a moment, and a determined look flashed in his eyes, "Third Brother, listen to me. I will soon use a spell. If it can't break the formation, then all is lost. But if it can break the formation..." He looked at Gu Bin, speaking slowly, "You must immediately escape and not try to kill Rong Kaiyan. Instead, go back and report everything to the Young Master in detail."

"What?" Gu Bin said in disbelief, "Big Brother, are we just giving up?"

Gu Wen nodded gently, "Yes, when you get back, immediately beg the Young Master to let you return home to rest." His voice was terrifyingly low, "From now on, get married, have children, and continue our lineage. Don't come out to fight anymore."

Gu Bin stared at his Big Brother, who seemed like a different person.

He muttered, "Big Brother, your tone... it sounds like you're making your final arrangements."

Gu Wen smiled bitterly, "Yes, I am making my final arrangements." He paused, "There are two ways to break a Spirit Practitioner's formation. One is to understand its mysteries and break it step by step. The other is to use force to destroy it directly." He looked at the surrounding mist, feeling a deep sense of despair, "Since I can't understand this formation, I have to take the second path."

Gu Bin was overjoyed, "Big Brother, this plan is good. Let's destroy it."

He stood up and threw a punch, the force surging and the true qi vibrating, producing a slight rumbling sound.

This was his all-out attack, with all his true qi condensed into one punch. However, after the punch, the white mist around him swirled but showed no signs of dissipating.

It was like throwing a stone into the sea, causing ripples but having no significant effect on the entire sea.

Gu Wen shook his head and smiled bitterly, "It's useless. This formation is too profound. A Master-level practitioner can't break it by force."

Gu Bin's face changed, "What do we do then?"

Gu Wen took out a jade bottle from his pocket, his eyes showing a complex expression, muttering, "Sigh, I thought I'd never need to use you, but now I have to." He turned to Gu Bin, "Third Brother, remember my words, don't let me and Second Brother down."

With that, he suddenly unscrewed the bottle cap and was about to drink its contents.

However, at that moment, the usually obedient Gu Bin, who was staring at him with a simple look, suddenly opened his eyes wide. He extended his hand lightning-fast and delivered a heavy slap.

"Slap..."

The slap hit Gu Wen's face hard.

Although Gu Wen was a powerful Master-level Spirit Practitioner, most of his cultivation was in the realm of spirit.

In the unguarded moment, how could he avoid his Martial Master brother's slap?

Instantly, he felt dizzy and almost fainted. But in his heart, there was a roar of disbelief.

What's going on?

How could his always obedient Third Brother hit him?

Before he could react, he vaguely saw Gu Bin move like lightning, snatching the bottle from his hand and gulping down its contents.

Gu Wen's eyes turned blood red instantly. He opened his mouth, and despite his still confused mind, he let out a heart-wrenching scream, "No..."