Her exclamation made Qi Haoyang suspicious. "Where shall we find the eye of the formation?"
"The ferocious beast can't move, but does it mean we can't? The formation will gradually shrink and will surely subdue Taowu. When it can't move, that's when we start looking for the eye of the formation."
Ji Yunxi's words enlightened the others, and they instantly understood the mechanism.
"I suppose this formation is not meant to trap us, but rather the ferocious beast!" Qi Haoyang said excitedly.
Feng Xingzhi shook his head. "No. I'm afraid the formation is indeed meant to trap the ferocious beast, but they didn't expect us to enter. So they didn't take our presence into account."
Qi Haoyang's eyes were filled with dissatisfaction, as if he disagreed with Feng Xingzhi. "Your Highness has such brilliant insights. I'm truly impressed," he said with a hint of sarcasm.
Even Qing Xuan noticed the sarcasm in his tone. "This guy talks so unpleasantly. Who is he?"
Qing Xuan had just emerged from the divine sea, so it was normal that he hadn't met Qi Haoyang.
"An unimportant person," Ji Yunxi said calmly, but she had already made up her mind. She would surely tell the emperor about Qi Haoyang's actions today.
No one was allowed to gossip about her man.
The formation gradually stopped and completely immobilized Taowu.
Taowu was enraged that it couldn't move and let out angry roars.
Ji Yunxi whispered, "Let's run along the edge of the formation. If anyone spots the eye of the formation, don't act rashly. Taowu can't lower its head now, so as long as we avoid its feet, we'll be safe."
Qing Xuan nodded. "Okay. Master can break the formation. We need to seize the opportunity. Master, you and His Highness go left. I'll go right with... this guy."
Qi Haoyang didn't know Qing Xuan's capabilities, but now was not the time to argue. So they immediately set off.
Taowu keenly sensed their movements, but being trapped by the formation, it couldn't move at all. It wanted to stomp on them but couldn't see where they had gone.
Just then, the eye of the formation appeared near the ferocious beast's tail.
Ji Yunxi saw it from afar and immediately sent a voice transmission to Qing Xuan. "Stop Qi Haoyang. Be careful that he might act rashly. This guy is eager for credit and likes to fight. Don't provoke Taowu!"
Hearing this, Qing Xuan's eyes turned cold, and he stared intently at Qi Haoyang's hands.
Sure enough, as soon as Qi Haoyang saw the formation, he wanted to slash it open with his sword. Fortunately, Qing Xuan was quick - witted and stopped him.
Caught off guard, Qi Haoyang was stopped by Qing Xuan. He looked terrified. "What are you doing!"
"Your rash action will kill us all!"
Ji Yunxi had already reached Taowu's tail. She immediately mobilized her spiritual energy, and Feng Xingzhi guarded her. One hand seal after another was formed, and gradually, the light of the formation dimmed.
Ji Yunxi opened her eyes. "All of you go to the side. Once the formation is broken, run far away immediately!"
Li Jiuge and Ji Yunyi were also very smart. They turned around and ran deep into the dense forest.
"… Break!"
With Ji Yunxi's shout, the formation dissipated, and Taowu's roars echoed throughout the illusion.
The group had run far enough and were finally able to catch their breath.
Li Jiuge was full of excitement. "Yunxi, you're amazing!"
Qi Haoyang's face was pale, but his eyes were filled with admiration. "Miss Ji, I was too reckless just now. I almost caused a big mistake."
Ji Yunxi just smiled faintly. "It doesn't matter."
Her cold response made Qi Haoyang feel a bit embarrassed, so he turned around and walked away.
Ji Yunxi ignored him and turned to discuss the previous events with Feng Xingzhi and the others. "It's really strange. Why is Taowu here? Is this really the assessment for new disciples?"
Hua Siyun had witnessed the horror of Taowu and was still breathing heavily after the near - death experience. "I've never heard that the test on the twenty - ninth level is about dealing with Taowu. If it is, I'm afraid no one can reach the thirtieth level."
Feng Xingzhi nodded. "It is indeed strange. When we ran around Taowu just now, I noticed that there is no key to the next level on this Taowu. Moreover, its spiritual energy field is different from all the previous ferocious beasts. It doesn't seem to belong here."
Hua Siyun was incredulous. "Brother Xingzhi, what do you mean? Could it be that someone deliberately placed this thing here? What are they up to? Who would go through so much trouble to capture an ancient ferocious beast and place it here just to harm us?"
Hearing this, Ji Yunxi and Feng Xingzhi suddenly glanced at each other. They had a hunch in their hearts.
It seemed that there was a mastermind behind all the events they had experienced recently - the Moon - watching Pavilion.
If there was any force in the world that could release a ferocious beast like Taowu and specifically target them, only the Moon - watching Pavilion, which had a deep grudge against them, met the criteria.
As they were talking, roars came from afar.
Taowu was completely enraged.
Everyone's faces turned grim. Ji Yunxi grabbed Feng Xingzhi's hand and said seriously, "Azhi, this journey is full of dangers. We may not be able to go back. I'm sorry for involving you all. I don't know if there will be a next life. If there is, this time I'll come and find you."
Her words, like a last will, startled Feng Xingzhi. "Xixi! You mustn't let me leave no matter what!"
Ji Yunyi put aside his usual playful nature and protected Li Jiuge and Hua Siyun behind him. "Stay close."
Hua Siyun was a bit stunned, both because Feng Xingzhi only had eyes for Ji Yunxi and because Ji Yunyi, who didn't seem to like her, still protected her.
In contrast, Qi Haoyang, who seemed powerful, only cared about saving himself. The difference was obvious.
"I won't...," Ji Yunxi looked up with a determined expression. "Even if we can't escape this life, I won't leave you alone!"
The footsteps of the ferocious beast were approaching.
Feng Xingzhi turned around and drew his sword. "Don't worry, Xixi. We'll survive. You haven't become my princess yet. I won't let anything happen to you."
"Pfft!" Qi Haoyang laughed from afar and mocked, "Do you think you're worthy of protecting her? How can you protect her? Everyone knows that the Prince Feng of Southern Yan is a useless man!"
Li Jiuge was furious. "Can you just shut up? He can not only protect Yunxi but also save your sorry life. You'll be waiting to kowtow and thank him!"
Hua Siyun also changed her previous attitude and mocked, "You're so capable. Now that the ferocious beast is coming, you're hiding so far away?"
Qi Haoyang's face turned ugly. He slowly walked to Ji Yunyi's side and joined them in protecting the two girls.
"Yunxi..."
"Let's play a few rounds with it first. Taowu is huge, so it must not be as agile as us."
Qing Xuan came to Ji Yunxi's side and, together with Feng Xingzhi, firmly protected their master. "Yes, we must stay calm. Since we can't escape now, we might as well fight. No matter how powerful the Four Ferocious Beasts are, it's just an ugly brute!"