The Four Seasons Flower Screen is an array artifact crafted by Hidden Moth Sect's Supreme Elder Guo Qianhuai, primarily used for self-defense, which, when used protectively, conjures four screens to surround oneself.
If used conversely, not to encircle oneself but to trap the opponent, it becomes an enemy-confining array. Back then, four elders were able to annihilate Master Dan Qiu and his disciple in the Immortal Pot Grotto Heaven using this method.
The Four Seasons Flower Screen has four array positions but can also be controlled by just one person.
Considering He Kao's cultivation level, even if the array is pre-set, it would be quite challenging to trap Harriman.
He Kao didn't expect Yi Ji to handle Harriman alone but instructed him to deploy the formation to isolate inside and outside, while He Kao himself entered the array for magical combat, leaving Harriman too occupied to break the formation.
Lan Jiwan could also rely on the array for harassment; the goal tonight was to ensure Harriman couldn't escape the Four Seasons Flowering Array.
Concerning Harriman's side, he was startled to find himself trapped by the array; the surroundings were chaotic, someone emerged opposite him, their face indiscernible, yet winged scales spread from their sides, immediately prompting him to attack, sensing danger.
As soon as He Kao entered the array, he saw Harriman wield a short staff, transforming into sharp thousands of strands attacking... He activated the Moth Wings, using one pair to shield himself, while the other pair vibrated, emitting spinning gleams in response.
The gleams from the moth wings resembled countless blades, also flickering with unpredictable scaled colors.
Outside the array, no sounds of combat could be heard, nor could the situation inside be seen. Lan Jiwan, who arrived afterward, was somewhat worried, communicated with Yi Ji, who stood at an array position and discovered the Sect Leader Senior Brother was in magical combat with Harriman.
Following He Kao's prior instructions, Yi Ji's task was solely to stabilize the array.
Lan Jiwan's tasks were twofold: if Harriman tried to break the formation, she would disrupt; if He Kao intended to withdraw from the array, she would provide support, otherwise, no other actions were required.
The scene before her was somewhat surprising, the Sect Leader Senior Brother was engaged in direct magical combat with the opponent, this was raw skill clash without tricks, focusing solely on each party's confrontation tactics.
Having made such cautious arrangements, there was actually no need for such direct and forceful combat. Not only Lan Jiwan, but He Kao also hadn't expected this beforehand.
This came as a spur-of-the-moment decision, to both weigh Harriman's prowess and assess his own strength.
He Kao, as Hidden Moth, mostly relied on various bizarre methods in previous engagements; this face-to-face and direct combat was probably his first, it's rare he could act without worry.
But upon engaging, He Kao was even more surprised than Lan Jiwan.
According to intelligence, Harriman is a Tier Five Heart Stealer deeply cultivated in Xiao Alliance, recently even attempted to attain the Supreme Council seat, although unsuccessful, nonetheless proved he's one of the top experts within Xiao Alliance.
An expert... just this?
Under the spun scaled gleams from Moth Wings, Harriman struggled merely to resist, with no strength left to break the array and escape.
He Kao couldn't help but silently ponder if this person had hidden endgame tactics yet to be unleashed, potentially delivering a major blow in the final desperate moments?
But for Harriman, this was a matter of life and death, any hidden tactics should be used now, otherwise, he'd be trapped and killed in the array.
He Kao had doubts, but Harriman was utterly terrified, unknowingly having provoked such a person today, his various techniques were nearly exhausted!
The Sorcerers from Xingshen Sect excel in discerning hearts, at high tiers, they particularly excel in illusion transformations, avoiding misfortune, concealing traces and escaping, often sensing danger early, even if disadvantaged, they usually escape.
Yet at this moment, all skilled methods were futile, trapped within the array, even detection of intent was useless, illusion transformations even more so, and Xingshen Sorcerers are least proficient in face-to-face confrontations.
Originally, Harriman carried a protective magical artifact, the Celestial Net Umbrella, which was that handkerchief; during a daytime sword rain assault, it saved him, but he had to abandon it for concealing and escape, otherwise, it might have helped some.
Currently, he only held a mundane Sharp Qi Shuttle, although an assault artifact, lacked much mysterious utility, relying solely on his cultivation for confrontation, leaving no room for variation.
Moreover, he was injured during the daytime attack, the injury wasn't severe but hadn't had time to treat it, and upon breaking the Array of Ten Thousand Woods Rejuvenation earlier, he sustained further injuries, hanging by a thread, how could he resist He Kao's methods?
He Kao worried Harriman still had desperate tactics, the spun scaled gleams akin to incessant sudden rain, yet held back by three parts, otherwise Harriman would've been taken down on the spot.
Sharp Qi eroded the scaled gleams, which turned into dim shadows, sporadically falling upon Harriman's form, devoid of blood yet permeating chilling cold, endlessly eroding divine qi.
Harriman knew he wasn't a match, hurriedly spoke, "I'm just a passing cultivator, I have no grievances or enmity with any renowned person here, is there any misunderstanding?"
If accidentally offended in some way, there's no need for such forceful actions, at least clarify the matter at hand!"
After speaking, seeing no reaction from the other side, he realized he had spoken in his native tongue, promptly reiterating in Eastern Country's language. He Kao remained silent, seemingly ignoring it.
Helpless, Harriman spoke again, "If there were past offenses, I ask the esteemed one to make it clear. Cultivation isn't easy, why struggle to the death, as long as you relent today and make peace, I'm willing to atone with all I can..."
Today, He Kao was determined to kill and depended on his wariness towards Xingshen Sect's deceptive means, which highly disturbed the mind, so no matter what Harriman said, he didn't respond.
In the end, Hilary even spoke words of pleading, willing to make a vow of allegiance and serve him, yet He Kao remained unmoved; the Moth Wings continued their sharp onslaught, wearing down the opponent's Divine Qi.
He Kao has not been cultivating for long, but the endurance of his Divine Power is unmatched; he once cast spells every night to illuminate the world map, something Hilary had never experienced in her life.
Moreover, Hilary was already severely injured; how could she possibly outlast He Kao in this battle of endurance?
This attrition seemed prolonged, but Hilary had gone all out, and it lasted only a quarter of an hour. Erji steadily maintained the array, and Lan Jiwan never had the chance to intervene again.
The distant mountain village was silent. By the time Erji put away the array, He Kao had retracted the changes of the Moth Wings and stood with his hands behind his back, coinciding with the silent fall of moonlight through the clouds.
Hilary had been slain, with not even a trace remaining, more thorough than cremation. Her belongings, clothes, backpack, were all gone, leaving only a short staff on the empty ground.
There was no particular joy or sorrow on He Kao's face; his eyes cast down as if lost in thought, pondering something unknown, and neither Erji nor Lan Jiwan spoke to disturb him.
The gains from this battle were significant for He Kao, not just in verifying his cultivation, but more in the sublimation of his mindset.
He Kao had long realized that even though he had rebuilt the Hidden Moth Sect and his cultivation was nearing Tier Five Perfection, he still lacked the mentality of a strong warrior.
Cultivation is primarily about mindset, which is often the hardest aspect. Even if one realizes something, rectifying it is another matter. There are things that are simply impossible, like persuading a heartbroken person to just move on, as if they can genuinely feel happy again.
Many in high positions, even if inherently humble and gentle, can unwittingly develop a certain imposing aura. But He Kao was different; working as an ordinary employee, he only received some attention from leaders at all levels.
Moreover, his parents were gone when he was young, and he grew up with his grandfather. His aunt didn't abuse him, but her naturally bitter disposition meant there was little to hope for.
Thus, he had long developed cautious and obedient habits, instinctively placing himself in a weak position as a survival strategy, which at times led to overreactions.
Compared to Huang Xiaopang's somewhat reckless nature, he was indeed more suited to be the Hidden Moth. But being a Hidden Moth doesn't equate to being weak; reaching this level of cultivation, his mindset was indeed lagging behind.
This battle was akin to measuring weights, and He Kao realized that Hilary was not his match. As long as he could restrict her means of escape, he had no fear in direct magical combat.
Although the Divine Awakener sorcerers aren't skilled in direct confrontations, in terms of other tactics like stealth and unpredictability, who could surpass the Hidden Moth?
Today he was driven by a surge of murderous intent, which led to this setup, ultimately resulting in him personally concluding the battle with his skills, using only the Moth Wings as his Magical Treasure.
Under the moonlight, He Kao was reflective, gaining new insights.
When he finally let out a long breath and turned around, Lan Jiwan, who had the longest and closest relationship with him, instinctively sensed a newfound weight to his presence, as if their Sect Leader Senior Brother had gained an unwitting impose.
He Kao spoke, "Jiwan, go to the village and erase any traces, pretend we were never here, and that person left without notice due to some emergency. Clean up the aftermath... and in a few days, accompany me to Qi Yuan."
Lan Jiwan accepted the order and left, while He Kao and Erji used various means to erase the traces of the recent magical combat on the barren slope.
...
In the early morning before dawn, Gao Xue'e suddenly sensed movement in the living room, but showed no signs of fear. She intuitively knew who had arrived.
She lifted the thin blanket, and He Kao immediately pushed the door open, leaning down towards her. She naturally extended her arms to embrace him, the movement perfectly fluid...
Amidst an intense moment, Gao Xue'e gasped and softly asked, "Did you engage with someone?"
He Kao whispered in her ear, "Yes."
Gao Xue'e's body instantly tensed, her legs clasping him tightly, "Did you kill someone again?"
He Kao didn't answer, instead, he stopped her words with his lips. Her tense body suddenly softened, melting like white snow meeting red-hot iron.
Gao Xue'e's sensitivity was akin to that of a master from the Lingxi Sect, though it was really just intuition.
She had witnessed He Kao killing before, exactly two years ago at this time, after a series of terrifying life-and-death experiences that severely tormented both their bodies and minds.
Later, they developed a relationship, as if the repressed emotions were finally released in the strongest way, and Gao Xue'e knew what that felt like.
Though He Kao had encountered danger and killed several more times, he was no mad killer. The feelings were hard to resolve, but he would then come to Gao Xue'e, with an especially strong and impulsive desire.
Even though He Kao never spoke of it, and Gao Xue'e couldn't quite explain it, she just knew.
Today's reaction was unprecedentedly intense, making one's soul almost ascend, a familiar yet subtly different sensation, not merely a venting or resolving but naturally occurring, striking deep within.
**
