Chapter 1278: The Image Crumbles

In front of a sand tent.

Yi Feng sheathed his great sword, glancing at the scattered corpses around him with a look of exasperation.

"Damn it..."

"I waited so seriously for so long, thinking some powerful figure would show up, but it's just another bunch of trash. What a waste of my time!"

"What the hell is this so-called Falling God Palace? They talk a big game, but all they send are these weaklings. Can't they send some real experts?"

After cursing a few more times, Yi Feng plopped down on a bench.

Only after sitting did he notice that the earlier fight had left several craters around him. The sand had been blasted away, revealing red clay beneath, which gave him a slight pleasant surprise.

"Well, well, look at this!"

Though it wasn't exactly striking gold in the desert, finding red clay in this place was rare. Having been stuck in this sandy wasteland for a while, Yi Feng had started to feel the dryness. Even with enough food and water, his face had begun to feel rough.

Looking up, the sky was unusually bright, as if it was a rare good day.

Yi Feng quickly dug up some of the clay, mixed it with the water he had, and soon crafted a handmade mask. Applying it to his face, he felt a refreshing coolness and smoothness. Lying back on the bench, he enjoyed the sunbath, his mood lifting.

Since he was stuck waiting here anyway, he might as well make the best of it and enjoy some comfort.

Watching this bizarre scene from above, Liu Runan and his son finally let out a sigh of relief.

Liu Changfeng's soul flame flickered gently in the wind, his face filled with excitement at the turn of events.

"Great, the heavens are truly on our side!"

"This fool has no idea he's walking to his death. After killing several of our Falling God Palace's outer sect elders, he still dares to wait here so arrogantly. Once my father's divine formation is complete, he'll have no way to escape!"

"If it weren't for his arrogance, I wouldn't have had the chance to step into the Desolate Realm!"

Liu Runan also stroked his beard, a rare glint of joy in his eyes.

He never expected that sending a group of half-step Desolate Realm experts to stall Yi Feng would fail, yet the man himself would stay put here.

"Truly, the heavens are aiding my son."

"This man is indeed overconfident, relying on his Desolate Realm cultivation to look down on everything. Such strength is worthy of pride, but it doesn't give him the right to disregard all. He will pay the price for this!"

"Fortunately, it's also thanks to his arrogance that I've had the time to complete the Heaven-Sealing Formation. It's fate!"

"Changfeng, you must remember this lesson. Never be arrogant in the future."

Liu Changfeng quickly nodded, his excitement barely contained.

"I will remember, Father!"

Before he could say more, Liu Runan swiftly activated the formation with a series of hand seals. In an instant, countless streams of light and runes appeared in the sky, forming an overwhelming net that covered the entire desert.

As the golden light gradually merged with the heavens and earth, becoming an invisible force of nature, Liu Runan finally stopped, wiping the sweat from his brow.

With a satisfied look, he gazed around the sky and earth, standing proudly with his hands behind his back.

"It's done!"

"The Heaven-Sealing Formation is complete. Soon, I will draw upon the power of heaven and earth to continuously drain this man's strength until he is utterly weakened. Then, I will personally take action, and you can seize the opportunity to possess his body and step into the Desolate Realm!"

Liu Changfeng was overjoyed, his soul flame flickering eagerly.

"Father, please activate the formation quickly!"

Though his impatience was understandable, it was only natural. Faced with the opportunity to step into the Desolate Realm, few in the world could remain calm.

This opportunity was finally within reach!

Liu Runan formed a final hand seal with his fingers, and with a flick, the last incantation was cast.

Boom!

Golden light spread across the sky, and the invisible runes seemed to come alive. The entire desert lost its color as a terrifying force swept through the heavens and earth.

Liu Changfeng watched in awe, his admiration for his father growing.

"This Heaven-Sealing Formation is truly terrifying!"

"Even a fearsome Desolate Realm expert cannot escape this formation. Only today have I realized that there are realms beyond realms. Father's methods have truly opened my eyes!"

As he was about to gain a significant opportunity and hearing his son's flattery, Liu Runan couldn't help but smile slightly, clearly pleased.

"Hmph."

"This outsider does have remarkable talent, and his comprehension of the sword is astonishing. But within this Heaven-Sealing Formation, he has no chance of escape. Even among our inner sect experts, few could break free!"

"Once this formation is activated, no living being can escape!"

Father and son exchanged smiles, confident that everything was under control.

At this moment, they were riding high on their success.

But just as the words left their mouths...

A shadow suddenly shot up from the desert, soaring into the endless sky!

"Whoosh!"

The shadow moved like lightning, too fast to see clearly, but the distinct sound was unmistakable.

Liu Changfeng was stunned, muttering in disbelief.

"Father..."

"Did... did something just fly out of the desert?"

At this question, Liu Runan didn't respond immediately. Instead, he wore a look of confusion, frozen in mid-air, as if doubting his own eyes.

"Impossible..."

"Absolutely impossible."

"How could any living being escape the Heaven-Sealing Formation..."

Though he tried to reassure himself, the unease on his aged face grew stronger.

He had also vaguely seen something shoot into the sky and heard a sound. If it were just his son hallucinating due to the excitement of stepping into the Desolate Realm, that would be understandable. But if he also saw it, then something was wrong...

Despite his age, Liu Runan's senses were sharp.

The more he thought about it, the more suspicious he became. He quickly formed hand seals to inspect the formation.

After checking several times and finding no flaws, Liu Runan grew even more puzzled.

"This shouldn't be..."

"The Heaven-Sealing Formation is flawless. Could it really have been an illusion? But the sensation was so clear..."

As his muttering grew more anxious, Liu Changfeng's heart began to race.

"Father, is it possible... just a possibility... that he escaped?"

Liu Runan turned sharply at the question.

Out of pride, he almost dismissed the idea outright.

But the words struck a chord, and a sinking feeling grew in his chest.

Without another word, Liu Runan quickly spread his divine sense to search for Yi Feng's presence.

As he did so...

His eyes widened, his cloudy pupils trembling, and his entire body began to shake violently.

"Ah..."

A cold shiver ran down his spine.

Liu Runan's eyes bulged as he suddenly exclaimed, "He's gone!"

At these words, Liu Changfeng felt as if he had been struck by lightning.

"What?!"

"He really escaped?"

Faced with his son's question, Liu Runan's face twisted in confusion. His usual confidence vanished, replaced by endless doubt. It was as if the image of the wise, powerful father had crumbled in that moment.

Only his bewildered muttering echoed in the air.

"Impossible..."

"The Heaven-Sealing Formation is flawless. Its power draws upon the forces of heaven and earth. Even if that man's sword skills are extraordinary, he's only at the Desolate Realm. I couldn't escape this formation, so how could he..."