"Fellow Daoist Li Xuan, what are your plans?" As Qiu Jiuqian departed, Gong Hanfeng turned to Li Xuan and asked.
Having witnessed Li Xuan's strength and learned that Qiu Jiuqian had also been defeated by him, Gong Hanfeng was now completely deferential to Li Xuan. With the imminent task of slaying the Earth Spirits, Gong Hanfeng naturally placed his trust in Li Xuan.
"You previously mentioned that the Earth Spirits dwell underground, meaning they are likely adept at earth遁 (earth escape). What we need to do is set up formations to prevent the Earth Spirits from escaping. Apart from that, our only recourse is to join forces and annihilate them."
"This assessment has a time limit of one hour, so we must make haste," Li Xuan stated.
"I am somewhat skilled in the art of spatial sealing. However, I fear I am incapable of arranging formations underground," Gong Hanfeng replied with a hint of apology.
"The underground seals need to be meticulously arranged. Firstly, they must be undetectable by the Earth Spirits, and secondly, they must form quickly once the Earth Spirits arrive. Since Brother Gong is skilled in spatial sealing, I shall entrust you with the surface arrangements," Li Xuan said with a slight smile.
"Agreed!" Gong Hanfeng immediately nodded in response. He then glanced towards the mountain range and chose a flat area to begin his work.
As Gong Hanfeng channeled several hand seals into the void, Li Xuan immediately sensed a subtle change. Were it not for knowing Gong Hanfeng's arrangements beforehand, Li Xuan himself might not have detected them. Upon confirming Gong Hanfeng's setup, Li Xuan also began his own preparations.
Li Xuan unleashed four consecutive hand seals, which instantly vanished into the earth. Four beams of light shot into the sky before swiftly receding into the void. Observing Li Xuan's deployment, Gong Hanfeng was somewhat astonished.
These four beams of light, concealed within the void, perfectly integrated with the anti-flight formation Gong Hanfeng had established. Beneath the earth, Li Xuan had arranged dense, hidden lightning traps. Gong Hanfeng felt that even he would have been instantly and severely injured.
"Alright, all is ready, we just await the opportune moment," Li Xuan exhaled a breath of stale air, his gaze then turning towards the mountain range. Gong Hanfeng's expression grew excited as he followed Li Xuan's gaze towards the mountains.
Time passed gradually. After more than ten minutes, Qiu Jiuqian had not sent any message. If Li Xuan hadn't been able to sense Qiu Jiuqian's presence, he would have begun to worry that Qiu Jiuqian had been discovered by the Earth Spirit in the mountain range.
"They're here!"
Five minutes later, Li Xuan's heart stirred, and he spoke softly. With a swift movement, he plunged into the void and disappeared.
Hearing this, Gong Hanfeng immediately concealed his presence in the void and waited.
Whoosh!
As soon as Li Xuan and Gong Hanfeng vanished, a whistling sound echoed through the air. The next moment, Qiu Jiuqian's figure appeared on the vast expanse of the land. Behind him, the earth and soil erupted, and a chasm shot towards Qiu Jiuqian.
Li Xuan, in the void, transmitted a message and simultaneously circulated the spiritual energy in his dantian, ready to attack.
"Attack!"
Qiu Jiuqian was already aware of the restrictions set by Li Xuan and Gong Hanfeng, having been informed by Li Xuan's telepathic message during the luring process.
As Li Xuan and Gong Hanfeng, hidden in the void, watched Qiu Jiuqian fly over the restrictions, they both unleashed their attacks simultaneously.
The next instant, four golden beams of light and the aerial formation above flickered to life. The chasm trailing Qiu Jiuqian abruptly halted.
"Brother Li, we cannot give it a moment's respite!" Qiu Jiuqian, who had already stopped and returned, shouted loudly at Li Xuan and Gong Hanfeng as they emerged from the void.
Chirp!
As soon as Qiu Jiuqian finished speaking, a sharp, piercing shriek rang out. Immediately afterward, a writhing creature, its color akin to soil, burst forth from the earth.
Li Xuan's brow furrowed slightly upon seeing it. This Earth Spirit bore a striking resemblance to the loaches he had seen on Earth!
The only difference was that this Earth Spirit was three meters long. At its head, sharp, black teeth, set in an inward-facing maw, gleamed with an eerie light.
"Attack together!" Hearing Qiu Jiuqian's words, Li Xuan realized the Earth Spirit seemed to sense danger. In just this short span of time, the surrounding formations and restrictions were nearly breached by its collisions.
If they delayed any longer, the Earth Spirit might break through the restrictions and escape. As Li Xuan finished speaking, Qiu Jiuqian and Gong Hanfeng launched their full might without restraint.
Bang bang bang!
Although Li Xuan and the other two had not yet reached the Divine Transformation realm, their strength was not to be underestimated. With their full power unleashed, coupled with the Tai Xu Hidden Lightning traps Li Xuan had laid beneath the earth, it took only a dozen breaths for the Earth Spirit, lured by Qiu Jiuqian, to be heavily injured.
It now lay on the ground, gasping for its last breaths.
"Brother Qiu, you took the risk to lure this first Earth Spirit. The danger involved was significant. This one will be yours to finish," Li Xuan said as they ceased their attacks, glancing at the injured Earth Spirit on the ground before looking at Qiu Jiuqian.
"Fellow Daoist Li Xuan..." Gong Hanfeng interjected, a hint of worry in his expression. However, Li Xuan ignored him, instead nodding to Qiu Jiuqian.
"Since Brother Li trusts me so much, I shall yield this Earth Spirit to him," Qiu Jiuqian, fully aware of Gong Hanfeng's concerns, smiled and shook his head.
In fact, before Li Xuan had spoken, Qiu Jiuqian had been contemplating how to allocate the Earth Spirit to avoid creating discord among the three of them.
However, Li Xuan's words earned Qiu Jiuqian's admiration. At the very least, Li Xuan's actions gained Qiu Jiuqian's approval. While yielding it to Li Xuan himself was also a possibility he had considered, it might raise concerns. But allocating it to Gong Hanfeng seemed like the best solution.
"Yield to me?" Gong Hanfeng blinked in surprise, then looked at Li Xuan.
"Brother Qiu's contribution has been immense. Since Brother Qiu has arranged it this way, we shall follow his lead. Brother Gong, go ahead," Li Xuan said with a smile, then looked at Gong Hanfeng.
"Uh... Brother Qiu, if I had any impolite demeanor earlier, please forgive me. Brother Li, Brother Qiu, thank you." Gong Hanfeng's heart was filled with complex emotions. He then cupped his hands and bowed respectfully to both Li Xuan and Qiu Jiuqian.
Gong Hanfeng had naturally harbored some concerns about the distribution of the Earth Spirits. Furthermore, given his previous disagreements with Qiu Jiuqian, he worried that if Qiu Jiuqian obtained it, he might leave.
Li Xuan and Qiu Jiuqian's decision now made Gong Hanfeng feel somewhat ashamed.
"A grown man, stop dawdling. Time is pressing, hurry up," Li Xuan said with a smile, patting Gong Hanfeng on the shoulder.
"En!" Gong Hanfeng nodded, then waved his left hand, sending a spiritual sword shooting towards the Earth Spirit. With a flash of spiritual light, the Earth Spirit's head was severed.
Hum!
Simultaneously, a humming sound arose, and a beam of white light descended from the sky, striking Gong Hanfeng.
"Slew severely injured Earth Spirit, Grade: C+. Inject spiritual energy into the jade pendant to end this assessment." A deep, resonant voice declared. A jade pendant fell into Gong Hanfeng's hand.
"Brother Li, Brother Qiu, let's continue," Gong Hanfeng said to Li Xuan and Qiu Jiuqian after the white light faded, having pocketed the jade pendant.
"En," Li Xuan replied with a smile. This first Earth Spirit had only taken half an hour, leaving ample time.
"Brother Li, I have already gone once, so I have some experience now. I will continue to act as bait," Qiu Jiuqian said to Li Xuan, his expression now more placid after glancing at Gong Hanfeng.
"Then I shall trouble Brother Qiu," Li Xuan said, nodding.
Time passed again. Twenty minutes later, Qiu Jiuqian's telepathic message arrived. Following the same method, the three of them once again joined forces to heavily wound an Earth Spirit.
After yielding this Earth Spirit to Qiu Jiuqian, Li Xuan's gaze turned towards the mountain range.
"Next, there is only one final opportunity."