Chapter 1248: Soaring in the Air, Descending into the Ground

After breaking free from the formation, the Thousand-Faced Fox did not leave immediately.
For after escaping, the momentum of the thousands of Sword Sect disciples changed drastically. The Great Thousand Sword Formation stirred the winds and clouds, altering the colors of heaven and earth. Devastating sword energies swept across the realm, causing even this experienced fighter to gasp in shock and worry about Kaixin’s situation.
Watching Kaixin dart around amid the countless fierce sword energies, though many Sword Sect disciples were constantly blown aside and had to be carried away, the Thousand-Faced Fox noticed carefully that Kaixin’s condition was worsening, with his vital energy field on the verge of collapse.
Just then…
Suddenly, a swift sword energy sliced through the sky, cutting down countless trees, and rushed toward the Thousand-Faced Fox like lightning.
!!
Startled, the Thousand-Faced Fox reflexively darted several meters to the side.
Boom!!
A sword energy several meters wide slammed into the spot where he had just stood, creating a shocking half-meter-deep trench.
Next to the trench, a tattered piece of clothing slowly drifted down.
A faint, slightly surprised exclamation came from the air:
“Who would have thought that one of Kaixin’s followers could possess such remarkable lightness skills…”
The Sword Sect Master!!
Without looking, the Thousand-Faced Fox knew he had almost been split in two like that piece of clothing. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead. Not daring to stay put, he transformed into a wisp of gray smoke and dashed away dozens of meters.
Even though he ran a hundred meters in one go, the Sword Sect Master’s voice still reached his ears clearly:
“I wondered why Kaixin had such a powerful follower by his side. It turns out he’s wearing a human mask. Hmph. Anyway, Kaixin is doomed to die today. Today, our sect will uncover who this elusive person really is.”
The Sword Sect Master’s words made the Thousand-Faced Fox even more anxious.
He must muster all his strength to flee…
If a master of the Heavenly Dao decided to pursue him, he truly wouldn’t be able to escape…
Thinking that his reputation as one of the Four Great Thieves would be ruined by the Sword Sect Master, the Thousand-Faced Fox became even more tense and dared not pause for even a moment.
Yet!
Just then, another surprised exclamation came from the air—still the Sword Sect Master’s voice, but now with more surprise and seriousness, as if something very urgent had happened.
The Thousand-Faced Fox quickly realized that the powerful pressure and the sense of being tracked that had surrounded him vanished without a trace.
“Hm?”

The Face-Shifting Fox realized that this was because the Sword Sect’s leader’s attention and focus had been diverted by something else. What could be more important than itself? The Face-Shifting Fox immediately guessed that there must be trouble with the Great Thousand Sword Array. Delighted, it swiftly flew hundreds of meters, circled around, and sneaked back near the Great Thousand Sword Array from another direction. Upon returning, it was astonished to find that Happy, who had been growing weaker and more strained by the array, had once again regained immense strength: not only was his true energy field abundant and powerful, allowing him to strike with a palm strike after another while moving swiftly and evading attacks, but his movements also revealed an overwhelming dominance. Moreover, by observing Happy’s patterns of movement, the shrewd Face-Shifting Fox quickly realized that Happy wasn’t incapable of breaking free—he seemed to be deliberately staying inside the array… Realizing this, the Face-Shifting Fox felt relieved!

…

By the time the third drop of Fire Qilin blood was used, the “Supreme Skill of Ruling Heaven and Earth” had reached the later stage of the fifth level. By then, Happy had completely calmed down. He no longer cared about the rarity and cost of the Fire Qilin blood; determined to seize this opportunity to advance the skill as quickly as possible, he ignored its value and focused entirely on navigating the Great Thousand Sword Array. As the skill improved, the domineering aura once displayed by the leader of the Heaven and Earth Alliance gradually emerged in Happy as well!

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

From knocking out thirteen people in one go at first to slaying sixteen in a single burst now! Both his speed and power had improved significantly. This was still because there were too few enemies in the vicinity; if he used his full strength, the number would be even higher. Yet Happy didn’t waste his time or opportunity… He killed the nearby Sword Sect disciples in one go, sending several palm strikes through the air that effortlessly shattered the sword energies attacking from all sides, reducing the pressure on his true energy field. When the “Supreme Skill of Ruling Heaven and Earth” reached the sixth level—a true mastery level—his palm strikes were accompanied by smooth flow of dark energy, moving as he wished. The dark energy embedded in his palm strikes increased his combat power by 30%! Any expert in the Wuwei realm hit by these strikes would have their chest collapse instantly, deprived of even a chance to gasp before their life force was utterly drained…

“Hahaha! Great! The sixth level!”

“Jian Ao, if you don’t come out now, not many of your disciples will be left!” Suddenly, Happy burst into hearty laughter!

Under the astonished gazes of countless Sword Sect disciples, Kai Xin stepped forward with extreme arrogance, shooting like an arrow released from a bow toward the crowd. With both feet off the ground, he flew through the air straight toward the denser area of Sword Sect disciples… Along the way! “Hiss… Hiss…” Countless sword auras, accompanied by the sound of tearing through the air, formed a complex web of swords to block his path ahead; at the same time, countless more sword auras pursued from behind! Hundreds of sword auras surrounded him, trapping him from both sides! As Kai Xin was about to fall into the most terrifying onslaught of the Great Thousand Sword Formation, he remained calm and drew a dazzlingly bright Heavenly Crystal Divine Weapon from his Qiankun Bag with one hand… Whoa! The astonishingly powerful sword beams were instantly shattered by the force of the trembling space. Countless sword auras burst apart on the spot! Unimpeded, Kai Xin continued at full speed, rushing above the group of Sword Sect disciples… Clang! Another group was sent flying, their swords falling to the ground with a mournful sound; dozens of Sword Sect disciples tumbled to the ground in disarray. Yet, just a few dozen disciples couldn’t affect the operation of the Great Thousand Sword Formation. As soon as the formation changed, the gap was filled immediately, with more people rushing in from outside to strengthen it! Whoosh… More swords rose into the air, carrying a chilling coldness, forming another wave of attacks. Faced with hundreds of sharp sword auras coming from all directions, Kai Xin didn’t immediately use any tactics to dodge this time… Instead, he spun upward into the sky! Suddenly, a roar erupted from the ground around him!! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! It was as if countless explosives were buried there—the ground exploded almost simultaneously, scattering the sword auras flying from all sides due to the force of the shockwaves. Seizing the opportunity, Kai Xin penetrated deeper into the sword formation. Taking advantage of the dust and debris in the air, he mercilessly killed one after another of the Sword Sect disciples. “Go!” “Keep going!” “Don’t let this demon escape!” The Sword Sect disciples were clearly enraged. Although some of their comrades were carried out of the formation, more rushed out from the woods, filling in the gaps as soon as the formation shifted to maintain the Great Thousand Sword Formation. Kai Xin watched this all with joy in his heart. In fact, when he reached the sixth level of the “Heaven and Earth Supreme Art,” a special ability inherent in this technique manifested itself—flying through the air! Hidden energy was stored in his feet, being exchanged at an imperceptible frequency, allowing him to stay airborne while also enhancing his light-footedness. Increased movement speed and damage from the hidden energy were just two aspects of it. After reaching the sixth level, the first technique, “Enter the Ground,” was discovered…

It is also a ultimate technique that unleashes hidden energy, capable of dealing massive damage to all targets within a 100-meter radius, with a lethality of 60% that of a normal attack. Although not as terrifying as “Fierce Battle in All Directions,” it is actually more effective at this moment. Taking advantage of the dust-filled air, he gained a few seconds. Hundreds of Sword Sect disciples were blasted away! Despite the slower progress in leveling up as his cultivation advanced, he still managed to rise two levels at once—filled with joy. He knew that even if the Sword Sect’s sect master watched in shock, he wouldn’t dare enter the battle arena to fight him. So, after swallowing the small pill, he prepared to continue… Even if he couldn’t perfect “Supreme Art of Heaven and Earth” today, he would at least strive to reach the ninth or tenth level! “Master!” As he rejoiced, suddenly the voice of the Face-Shifting Fox appeared in his ears. The Face-Shifting Fox? So this kid really hadn’t been killed by the Sword Sect’s sect master! He was delighted once again. “Are you okay?” “I’m fine. Thanks to you, Master, for drawing the Sword Sect’s sect master’s attention. Otherwise, I’d probably have met my end at his hands,” the Face-Shifting Fox replied, somewhat lucky. “Your old bones? Do you really think you’re old?” Happy teased him in a mocking tone. The Face-Shifting Fox coughed nervously, “Ah… Hearing you say that, I’m completely relieved… When do you plan to break out of the formation?” “No rush!” “Then should I wait here or go down the mountain?” “Down the mountain…” Happy replied instinctively, but before he could finish, an idea struck him: “No!” “…” The Face-Shifting Fox stood frozen, not knowing whether to leave or stay. … The Face-Shifting Fox’s words reminded Happy. Realizing that most of the Sword Sect disciples had been drawn here and that the sect master was hiding in the shadows, not daring to slack off, Happy suddenly came up with a brilliant idea. “The Sword Sect’s sect master only called for me and not you—that’s a bit unfair…” “Ah…” “Idiot, why go down the mountain? Didn’t I tell you to take care of the Sword Sect’s stronghold and empty it out?” “Oh! Right!” The Face-Shifting Fox blushed and said, “I was worried about your safety earlier, and then that guy, the Sword Sect’s sect master, chased me for a while. I got so scared I forgot. Don’t worry, Master. I’ll go right away!” With that, the Face-Shifting Fox vanished into the woods in a flash, never sending another message. Taking a deep breath, Happy calmed down and continued to restore his internal energy, rushing to cultivate “Supreme Art of Heaven and Earth” to reach the seventh level.