The sword seller, dressed in red, deserves applause for the prankster.

Countless rays of spiritual energy formed intricate lines, rising several centimeters into a light screen, seemingly appearing only in the instant when time stood still.

Moreover, it wasn't just on the soles of her feet, but on the ground as far as the eye could see!

"This...this is...runes?!"

"Could it be... a formation?!"

Runes and formations are actually the same thing. So-called talismans are just formations drawn on talisman paper using special spiritual objects. Although their power is far less terrifying and powerful than formations, they are convenient and quick.

To verify his guess, Chi Miao quickly used his soul power to continuously expand his detection range, observing the rune's trajectory as if he had a god's-eye view.

It is certain that it is indeed a formation.

But... what the hell is this formation? It's so complicated, and the units are so large?

But when she realized that the detection range had expanded once again, she couldn't help but shudder, feeling a chill run down her spine.

Because she saw... the patterns of the array covered the entire territory of the Heavenly Sword Sect!

Moreover, this is not a simple array, but a super complex array. This huge array contains at least a dozen small and medium-sized arrays!

Among them... there were several formations she recognized, all of which were extremely powerful explosive formations.

If all goes well, this massive formation is currently in the process of activating, and after it is officially activated...

Its power is enough to destroy the entire Heavenly Sword Sect! It's also enough to... kill everyone here!

"No? Are you alright? If you're alright, go eat some plums!!!"

Chi Miao immediately knew who was behind the formation.

Such a complex and massive formation could not be completed in a day or two; it required years of accumulated experience, as well as extensive knowledge of formations and extremely high cultivation.

There are fewer than five people in the cultivation world who can meet this condition!

And Wenren Yin... was one of them!

That madman actually prepared a destructive formation for the Heavenly Sword Sect well in advance!

He had no idea he would end up like this, nor did he ever think he would!

Under these circumstances, why would he set up a destructive formation?!

Whatever the reason, how could he be so ruthless as to destroy the sect he had spent almost his entire life building as a price?

The reason behind this is definitely not a good thing!

His current trial has accelerated his activation of the formation.

He wanted to drag everyone present down with him and the Heavenly Sword Sect!

"That shady, despicable old man, Harden!"

"I should have chopped his head off first!!"

Chi Miao couldn't help but curse, then kept telling himself that he needed to calm down, that time had been paused, and that there was still time to make amends.

Oh, right! Time stop!

Chi Miao looked at Judge Zhong: "Uncle Zhong?"

Trial Bell: "?"

I have a bad feeling.

"Who's your Uncle Chung? Don't try to claim any connection!"

Chi Miao grinned and leaned closer: "Uncle Zhong~ Tell me, if you know me from my past life, then we're practically friends for lifetimes. In novels and TV dramas, we could be acting out a melodramatic fantasy romance. Someone as strong and powerful as you would definitely go to great lengths to protect me, right?"

Trial Bell: "?"

If it had a mouth, it would definitely open it very wide.

What kind of nonsense is this?!

Just as it was about to speak, Chi Miao added, "However, I'm not some shameless, immoral person. I certainly wouldn't think of annihilating all living beings, would I?"

"Why don't you help me clear this formation? This is a life-saving job; saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-story pagoda!"

"You can do it, right? Help me sort this out, and I'll put you on our Nine Swords Mountain's pedestal as a sacred artifact, okay?!"

Judgment Bell couldn't help but sigh, "You've got a real scheme going on, trying to take advantage of me? You want me to help you fix this devastating formation, and then you want me to be the guardian artifact of Nine Swords Mountain? You're quite the thinker, aren't you?"

Chi Miao scratched his head: "It's because I see we have a deep friendship. You're capable of doing it, aren't you?"

Judge Zhong: "Yes."

It is a divine artifact, so of course it has the power to do it.

Chi Miao: "Then..."

Trial speaker: "I refuse."

Chi Miao's gaze instantly turned cold: "Why?"

Trial Bell: "..."

Wait, sis, is this bag a face-changing charm? It changes so fast! He almost didn't even realize it!

The judge spoke: "It's not that I'm unwilling, but that I can't do it. Everything develops according to its own laws, cause and effect, and retribution. This is a calamity and destiny belonging to your Miaohua Continent, and I am not a part of Miaohua Continent. My direct interference may solve this urgent problem."

"But... at the same time, it will also bring about a more terrifying and dangerous butterfly effect. The calamities that are destined can never be avoided. Defying fate is not such an easy thing."

Chi Miao: "What is the butterfly effect?"

The judgment bell said: "Heaven was angered by my interference in this world beyond my authority and personally sent down divine punishment to shatter half of Miaohua Continent."

Chi Miao exclaimed in horror, "No... what good does this do for him?!"

Judge Zhong gave a cold laugh.

"There are benefits to nature. If a person doesn't look out for themselves, they'll be punished by heaven and earth... This applies to any sentient being."

He couldn't say anything more detailed.

On this chessboard laid out by countless people, Chi Miao will soon know what he means, but the one who gave this information... will not be him, the chess piece.

"While I cannot directly intervene, I can still provide you with some information to help you overcome this calamity."

Chi Miao's eyes lit up: "Go ahead."

The judge said, "For example, five seconds after my time ends and time stops, the formation will be activated, and the Heavenly Sword Sect and everyone in the Heavenly Sword Sect at this moment will die."

Chi Miao almost spat out a mouthful of blood with a "poof".

"Five seconds?"

"I'd risk my life for those five seconds?!"

Judge Zhong: "Well, there's nothing I can do about it. It wasn't me who set up the formation."

Chi Miao took a deep breath, clenched his fist, and scanned his surroundings.

This place is almost filled with the core members of all ten major sects of Miaohua Continent. If they were to die, the blow to Miaohua Continent would be absolutely fatal.

"Five seconds..."

She gritted her teeth, sweat began to bead on her beautiful face, and she racked her brains, trying to figure out how to break this seemingly hopeless situation.

Judge Zhong: "By the way, just a reminder, you don't have much time to think."

"Because my time freeze is about to end."

Chi Miao: "???"

No!

"Uncle! Please give me a little more time, Uncle!"

The trial bell made a mysterious "clang clang clang" sound.

Yes, it's that doting laughter.

Then came a sound:

"Go with the flow. Think about it, evil deeds last a thousand years. You're not going to die so easily."

"Please pray to the gods and Buddhas for protection, time... is running out."

As she spoke, Chi Miao cursed, "Damn it! What kind of magic weapon is this?! Who the hell are you going to use to break the deadlock in five seconds? Pray to gods and Buddhas? I'm a goddess worshipped in a temple!"

"Useless Chung! Useless Chung!!!"

Trial Bell: "Clang clang clang~~"

As soon as she finished speaking, she felt time begin to flow around her.

Fuck!

Chi Miao immediately used her spiritual power to surge upwards, shouting as she did so:

"Wenren Yin's corpse still lingers in the sky! Don't try to take it from me!!"