Chapter 43

"Hand over the item to me."

Amidst the drizzle, Mu Chen's entire body was tense, his eyes fixed on the figure ahead, which gradually became clearer. It was a slender man holding an umbrella, his face unusually delicate, with thin lips that seemed to emit a cold aura.

Mu Chen stared at this unfamiliar, delicate man, a sense of extreme danger rising in his heart. He narrowed his eyes and said, "You're not from the Liu Domain, right? Why are you after me?"

"Hehe, indeed, I'm not from the Liu Domain. However, someone paid a hefty price for me to act," the delicate man smiled faintly, the umbrella in his hand spinning lightly. "You can call me Ji Zong."

"Ji Zong? Ji Zong of the Rain?!" Mu Chen's pupils constricted slightly. This name was no less famous in the Northern Spirit Realm than Xue Tu. Of course, this did not mean that Ji Zong was stronger than Xue Tu. His own strength was probably at the initial stage of the Spirit Wheel Realm. However, he had another identity that was quite formidable.

He was also a First-Class Spirit Array Master.

This vast world, where countless planes intersect, was so immense that even supreme-level superpowers could only sigh at their own insignificance. Therefore, this vast world was also diverse and dazzling, with myriad paths vying for supremacy.

Spirit Array Masters, Spirit Artisans... Apart from the orthodox cultivation of spiritual energy, these unique professions were also quite prominent. These professions required extremely strict talent, and even many people with outstanding talent in cultivation might not necessarily succeed in these fields. Instead, some so-called mediocre cultivators possessed astonishing talent in these areas. The saying "When God closes a door, He opens a window" was quite applicable in this vast world.

Overall, the Spirit Array Master was a highly esteemed profession because many forces needed the help of Spirit Array Masters, whether it was constructing defensive arrays, offensive arrays, or beneficial cultivation arrays. Therefore, in this vast world, a high-level Spirit Array Master was a highly sought-after commodity.

And some Spirit Array Masters, whose expertise in arrays reached a certain level, could almost construct arrays with a mere gesture, using the power of arrays to shake the heavens and the earth.

The reason Ji Zong had such a reputation in the Northern Spirit Realm had nothing to do with his initial stage of the Spirit Wheel Realm strength. It was entirely because he was a First-Class Spirit Array Master.

A First-Class Spirit Array Master, if within an array, could be as terrifying as a late-stage Spirit Wheel Realm powerhouse.

"I didn't expect that, although you are a student of the Northern Spirit Academy, you still know my title," Ji Zong said with a smile, his voice delicate like a woman's, but he was genuinely a man. This contrast made people extremely uncomfortable.

"If you dare to make a move in the Northern Spirit City, you will offend the Northern Spirit Academy. If they find out, your fate won't be good," Mu Chen said, his eyes flashing.

"That's why I went to great lengths to set up a 'Mystic God Array.' No one outside will know what happens here," Ji Zong pointed to the empty street.

"So, hand over the item to me obediently. I don't want to kill you, to avoid driving Mu Feng crazy. Let's be friendly, isn't that better for both of us?"

Mu Chen's eyes turned icy cold, and spiritual energy began to surge quietly within him. Although he was trapped in Ji Zong's array, he was not one to easily give in.

"It seems you are indeed not very obedient."

Ji Zong smiled faintly, then snapped his fingers. The spring rain in the sky suddenly became denser, and a powerful spiritual energy fluctuation quietly spread out.

"Being able to personally taste the power of my 'Spirit Rain Array' is also a blessing for you."

Ji Zong waved his sleeve, and the spring rain suddenly roared down, like a rain of knives, enveloping Mu Chen in a sweeping torrent.

Seeing such a shocking attack, Mu Chen was also startled. Spirit Array Masters were indeed formidable. Such an attack would force even a Spirit Wheel Realm powerhouse to be at a loss.

"Converge Spirit Light!"

Mu Chen retreated hastily, and dark spiritual energy quickly surged out of his body, forming a thin black light barrier in front of him, protecting him.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The spring rain continuously struck the black light barrier, causing it to tremble. Ripples spread rapidly, and it seemed on the verge of collapse.

Mu Chen's strength was only at the late-stage Spirit Movement Realm. It was extremely difficult for him to withstand Ji Zong's array attack.

"I can't let this drag on. I must break the array!"

Mu Chen watched the rapidly collapsing black light, his mind racing. With his current strength, he was not a match for Ji Zong in a direct confrontation. His only way out was to break the array. Once the array was broken, Ji Zong would be like a tiger with its teeth pulled, greatly reducing his threat. Without the array's cover, he would not dare to act in the Northern Spirit Realm.

But, breaking an array constructed by a First-Class Spirit Array Master was no easy task.

Mu Chen took a deep breath, and his mood gradually calmed in this dangerous moment. His eyes flashed. Ji Zong was only a First-Class Spirit Array Master, and the array he set up clearly did not reach the level of controlling it with his mind. This meant he still needed to rely on certain external objects to resonate with the array and control it.

And these external objects were the weaknesses of Spirit Array Masters, which they would place in the easiest places to protect.

Mu Chen's gaze quietly swept over Ji Zong's body. After a moment, it focused on the umbrella in his hand...

His strength was far inferior to Ji Zong's, especially when Ji Zong was controlling the array. However, fortunately, Ji Zong also knew this, so... his underestimation would be Mu Chen's best opportunity.

"Crack!"

The black light barrier formed by spiritual energy in front of Mu Chen finally shattered completely. The spring rain brushed past his face, leaving a trail of blood. At this moment, Mu Chen's eyebrows shot up like swords, and he stomped his foot, causing rainwater to splash. His body shot forward like a cheetah, directly aiming at Ji Zong.

"Quite an aggressive young man," Ji Zong said with a faint smile, then waved his hand. The spring rain condensed into a rain spear, fiercely stabbing at Mu Chen.

Mu Chen lunged forward, his hand touching the ground, and his body shot out like a nimble monkey, dodging the fierce rain spear.

"Quite a good move."

Ji Zong smiled in approval but became even more ruthless. He raised his hand, and several long spears condensed, drawing vicious arcs as they aimed at Mu Chen's vital points.

Mu Chen moved nimbly, but he was still grazed by a spear, tearing his clothes and leaving a bloody mark. Blood seeped through immediately.

However, he paid no attention to the blood on his chest, dashing forward and finally approaching Ji Zong. Seeing this, Ji Zong raised an eyebrow and said in a delicate voice, "You actually know to target the master of the array. You have some insight, but your idea is right, yet you overestimate your strength and underestimate the gap between us."

Ji Zong smiled faintly, clenched his hand, and the spring rain converged into his palm, forming a liquid-like rain sword, with powerful spiritual energy spreading from it.

Mu Chen clenched his fists, black light surging, and two black light seals appeared, carrying a powerful spiritual energy fluctuation. He hesitated not and fiercely struck at Ji Zong.

The seals whistled past, tearing through the rain, and the whistling wind made Ji Zong slightly startled, clearly not expecting Mu Chen to be able to launch such a fierce attack with his late-stage Spirit Movement Realm strength.

If he were not a Spirit Array Master but just an ordinary initial-stage Spirit Wheel Realm powerhouse, it would indeed be difficult to capture Mu Chen today. But...

"However, this is still not enough!"

Ji Zong's eyes turned icy cold, and the water sword in his hand trembled, emitting a buzzing sound. The water sword, like a water python, swept out and struck the two black light seals, unleashing a violent spiritual energy surge.

The spiritual energy surge forced Mu Chen to step back, and the two black light seals were gradually pushed back. Although Ji Zong was only at the initial stage of the Spirit Wheel Realm, with the power of the array, he could match a late-stage Spirit Wheel Realm powerhouse. It was clearly impossible for Mu Chen to gain the upper hand in a direct confrontation.

Mu Chen gritted his teeth, watching the two black light seals being pushed back and the sharp sword tip. The coldness pierced his heart, making his skin tingle.

"Roar!"

Threat enveloped his heart, and Mu Chen's eyes widened in anger. A roar echoed from deep within his heart, and the Great Floating Pagoda Technique also activated.

Through these trials, he had realized that there seemed to be some hidden power within him, but this power could only be activated in life-and-death situations.

And now... was the best opportunity.

"Come out!"

Mu Chen's roar echoed in his heart. As the sound buzzed, Mu Chen's body suddenly glowed with brilliant light. A faint, luminous tower appeared, penetrating his skin and faintly manifesting within him.

(New day, everyone! Have you got your recommendation tickets?!

Thank you!)