Chapter 139: The Deadly Formation For Graham Cole

Chapter 139: Chapter 139: The Deadly Formation For Graham Cole

The question echoed through the plaza. For several seconds, no one answered.

The Lindsay family’s experts stared at Lincoln’s corpse, struggling to accept what they had just witnessed.

They knew exactly how formidable the bearded man was.

His offensive capabilities might not have been exceptional, but when it came to enduring attacks, few among them could confidently claim to surpass him.

Even Reginald, who had reached the 4th-Star level of the Star Sea Realm, would not casually boast that his body was tougher than Lincoln’s.

Yet the man they had sent out to test Graham Cole had been killed in a single exchange.

The speed of the defeat was almost more frightening than the death itself.

"His strength is terrifying," someone finally broke the silence.

"No wonder Damon Veil died at his hands," another said. "We were far too careless in underestimating him."

"We need to summon the Grand Elder immediately! We can’t handle an enemy like this without him."

Fear began spreading through the assembled martial artists.

They had originally believed that the combined strength of the Lindsay family would be more than enough to deal with a single outsider.

Now, after witnessing Lincoln’s death, several of them were beginning to question that assumption.

A contemptuous snort suddenly cut through their discussion.

"Pathetic! Have you all forgotten who you are?" the speaker stepped out from the group.

"I can’t believe a single stranger has frightened the entire Lindsay family into losing its nerve. If none of you has the courage to fight him, then stand aside. I’ll deal with him myself!"

It was the Lindsay family’s Third Elder, Desmond Pryce.

"Third Elder, don’t act recklessly!" one of the men warned. "We should attack together instead of giving him another opportunity to pick us off!"

Desmond waved away the suggestion.

"I’ve already made my decision," he said, his gaze settling on Xavier, a confident smile appearing on his face.

"Lincoln’s defeat has revealed something important. Graham Cole’s greatest advantage is his speed. He must have awakened a supernatural ability that greatly enhances his movement." His expression became increasingly self assured.

"Fortunately for me, I possess the same type of ability. I want to see whether his speed is truly as extraordinary as you all seem to believe."

He had spent more than five years at the 5th-Star level of the Star Sea Realm.

With his cultivation, combat experience, and speed enhancing ability, he was convinced that he could accomplish what Lincoln had failed to do.

After all, if he could move as quickly as Graham Cole, the outsider would no longer be able to rely on his greatest advantage.

At least, that was what Desmond believed.

Xavier looked at the man who had stepped forward and recognized him immediately.

"Desmond Pryce, the Third Elder of the Lindsay family," he said.

Before travelling to Silver Lake City, Xavier had gathered information about the Lindsay family’s important members through the Extraordinary Division and the Hart family.

He had studied the identities and cultivation levels of several senior members, including the elders who formed the backbone of the clan.

Desmond was one of them.

Xavier’s smile widened slightly.

"Since you’re so confident, come and show me what you’ve got," he said, shifting his sword into a ready position, preparing to face the Third Elder.

But before the two could exchange blows, something unexpected happened.

Reginald, who had remained unusually quiet since arriving at the main entrance, suddenly raised his voice.

"Activate the Azure Lotus God-Slaying Formation!" he shouted.

The moment the words left his mouth, the space above the plaza began to distort.

A massive spatial rift opened in the sky, revealing the phantom image of an enormous azure lotus. Its petals spread majestically across the darkness, radiating an ancient and oppressive aura.

Then countless brilliant beams of light descended from the lotus. They converged on Xavier from every direction, forming a dazzling curtain that enveloped his entire body.

The formation had been activated!

"What formation is that? Its power is incredible!" one clansman exclaimed.

"Wait, isn’t that the Azure Lotus God-Slaying Formation?" another said. "I remember hearing that this was the very formation that earned Daoist Azure Lotus his reputation as a grandmaster! Patriarch, when did our Lindsay family acquire something this formidable?"

"Excellent! Absolutely excellent!" a third added. "Patriarch Lindsay, you’ve done us a tremendous favor. With Graham Cole trapped inside, we can finally put an end to this menace!"

The Lindsay family’s martial artists had been on edge ever since the battle began.

Now that they saw Graham Cole confined within the formation’s isolated space, their anxiety gradually gave way to relief and excitement.

They had every reason to fear him. Graham Cole had already demonstrated strength comparable to that of the most powerful figures in their world.

The fact that he had killed Damon Veil, the former leader of the Bloodshadow Cult, was proof enough that he was no ordinary opponent.

Yet the death of Lincoln Hale had driven that point home more forcefully than any rumor could.

Their fellow guest elder had barely exchanged a single blow with Graham Cole before losing his life.

The others had not even managed to intervene before it was over. If someone as powerful as Lincoln could be killed so effortlessly, what chance did the rest of them have?

Even Desmond Pryce, who had been confident enough to challenge Graham Cole himself, had prepared for the possibility of suffering severe injuries.

He had even considered that he might not survive the encounter.

Fortunately, their patriarch had acted at the perfect moment.

With Graham Cole sealed inside the Azure Lotus God-Slaying Formation, the Lindsay family finally had an opportunity to turn the situation around.

"About two and a half months ago, Daoist Azure Lotus happened to pass through the region," Reginald Lindsay said, watching the trapped intruder with undisguised satisfaction.

The tension that had weighed on him moments earlier was slowly disappearing. "I took the opportunity to pay him a considerable sum to establish this formation for our family."

"Daoist Azure Lotus earned his reputation as a formation grandmaster through this very technique," he continued.

"The version he left with us might not represent the pinnacle of his abilities, but it is still powerful enough to overwhelm even a peak Star Sea Realm expert like Victoria Quill."

He paused and pointed toward the formation.

"Look closely. It’s already attacking him," he said.

Everyone turned their attention to the isolated space. Unlike formations that created illusory environments or transported their targets into separate dimensions, the Azure Lotus God-Slaying Formation worked by carving out a portion of existing space and stabilizing it.

Anyone caught inside remained visible to those outside, even though the enclosed area had been separated from the surrounding world.

At that moment, an enormous, translucent blue lotus floated above Graham Cole’s head. Its petals revolved slowly, emitting a faint, milky white glow.

Without warning, several petals detached from the lotus and drifted toward him.

The moment they struck his protective energy, brilliant golden flashes erupted around his body.

The impact between the petals and his chaotic energy produced a dazzling spectacle, making it appear as though countless golden sparks were exploding around him.

More petals continued to descend. The blue lotus showed no sign of diminishing, however.

No matter how many petals it released, its size remained unchanged, as though its supply were inexhaustible.

Before long, the repeated golden flashes had completely swallowed Graham Cole’s figure.

Several members of the Lindsay family’s senior generation exchanged uncertain glances.

They could see the formation attacking him, but they did not understand why the petals were producing such an unusual reaction.

Reginald noticed their confusion and seized the opportunity to explain.

"The secret behind this formation lies in the word ’slaying,’" he said.

"Its petals aren’t ordinary weapons. Each one possesses a strange devouring ability that can drain the spiritual energy from anything it strikes."

He spoke with the confidence of someone who knew exactly how the battle would end. "Once a target’s spiritual energy is exhausted, the petals begin consuming their life force instead. They continue until nothing remains but a pile of bones."

He gestured toward the golden flashes surrounding Graham Cole.

"The reason those petals haven’t immediately drained him is that he possesses an energy far more powerful than ordinary spiritual energy," he said. "We don’t know what it is, but that doesn’t change the outcome."

Reginald’s expression grew even more confident as he continued.

"Under normal circumstances, the formation can operate for two and a half hours," he said. "Given the number of petals striking him, I doubt Graham Cole can endure that long. And even if he somehow manages to hold out until his mysterious energy is depleted, the formation won’t simply stop working. It will begin consuming his life force and automatically extend its duration until he is dead."

A wave of astonishment passed through the crowd. The Azure Lotus God-Slaying Formation was far more terrifying than they had imagined. The enclosed space was too small to offer any meaningful room for evasion. With the petals descending continuously, a person trapped inside would have nowhere to hide and no opportunity to rest. Even someone as powerful as Desmond could not confidently claim that he would survive such an attack unscathed.