The Empty Fort Strategy

The black smoke formed by the group of people, under the cover of the night, silently crossed the massive martial arts arena and finally arrived at the Celestial Master Tower in the back mountain.

The black smoke slowly dissipated a portion of itself a hundred meters in front of the tower, revealing over twenty figures, each wearing various bizarre masks.

The leader, Ghost Face, stood in the center of the crowd. He turned his head to look at the black smoke behind him that had not yet fully dispersed.

"Once we make our move here, it will likely attract most of Dragon Tiger Mountain's attention. After you succeed on your end, send the signal to retreat immediately."

"If you die here, we won't have time to collect your corpses," a harsh and shrill voice echoed from the black smoke, causing many to secretly frown.

Blind Bear in the group, however, was a reckless fellow. He shouted toward the black smoke in a muffled, booming voice:

"Cut the damn crap! We had a deal. We're risking our lives here to draw all their fire. When it's time to divide the pill aura, we get an extra half share!"

There was a moment of silence in the black smoke before a gentle voice sounded. It was Buddha Face.

"Amitabha, Benefactor Bear is right. Isn't the whole point of our Mask Society gathering together for the sake of fairness? This old monk guarantees that those who work more get more. Monks do not lie."

These words acted like a reassurance. Blind Bear snorted and said no more.

With the final distribution plan confirmed, the cloud of black smoke condensed once again, sweeping up the remaining half of the people and gliding silently toward the Pill Tower like ghosts.

Only twenty-seven people remained in place.

Among the twenty-seven who stayed, fifteen were responsible for blocking reinforcements and stalling for time.

The rest formed a twelve-man assassination squad.

Ghost Face clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white. Without any hesitation, his figure flashed as he took the lead and dashed toward the Celestial Master Tower.

The night was as dark as ink, making his figure almost invisible within it.

However, his absolute certainty of success was destined to fall through.

The entire Celestial Master Tower was as dead silent as a tomb.

Twelve dark shadows rushed into the tower like phantoms. Their movements were swift and highly coordinated, instantly scattering to various corners.

As long as one of them found the target, they could summon the rest and attack together.

But the result was nothing.

Let alone a person, they didn't even see a mouse.

The entire building was filled with the mixed scent of old sandalwood and wood, so quiet that it made one's heart palpitate.

"Damn it! Are they playing us?"

Blind Bear had the most explosive temper. Having searched around without finding a single hair, he had nowhere to vent the foul anger in his chest. He raised his massive, fan-like hand and slammed it toward a quaint wooden table nearby.

He wanted to smash this table into dust!

However, before his palm could land, a gentle yet irresistible force rose from the wooden table, forming a pale golden light curtain.

"Bang!"

A muffled sound echoed.

Blind Bear's palm felt as if it had struck a piece of ten-thousand-year-old profound iron. His entire thick arm was knocked high into the air, and his wrist went numb.

"Fuck!"

Blind Bear had suffered a hidden loss, couldn't save face, and became even more furious.

He roared, his muscles bulging, and actually channeled his true energy, preparing to deliver another ruthless strike.

He didn't believe in the supernatural. Could a broken table really turn the world upside down?

"Wait!"

Ghost Face's cold voice rang out just in time. His figure flashed, and he stood in front of Blind Bear.

"Do you want to trigger the array formation of this tower?"

Ghost Face's cold eyes swept over the seemingly ordinary wooden table. "Every single item in the Celestial Master Tower has been nourished by the spiritual energy of past Celestial Masters. They are no longer mortal objects.

Every table, every chair, and even a speck of dust here could be part of the formation."

The implication was that if they moved recklessly again, everyone might encounter some sort of trouble.

Although Blind Bear was brutish, he wasn't stupid. He instantly realized the situation, and a layer of cold sweat seeped from his forehead.

If he had struck again just now, it probably wouldn't have been as simple as a numb hand.

He resentfully withdrew his hand and asked in a muffled voice, "Then what do we do? That little Celestial Master Zhang Gonglian isn't here. Where could he hide?"

Ghost Face didn't answer immediately. He looked around the empty hall, his nose twitching slightly as if trying to distinguish the lingering scents in the air.

A moment later, a cold glint flashed in his eyes, as if he had caught a crucial clue.

"I was thinking the wrong way."

Ghost Face snorted coldly, his tone carrying a hint of self-mockery. "When one's power is sealed, what do they need the most? Is it to find a place to hide? No, it's to break the seal!"

Blind Bear froze for a moment, failing to follow the train of thought.

Ghost Face didn't keep him in suspense any longer. His voice suddenly turned chilling: "Naturally, he went to find the Nine Heavens Divine Pill! Aside from the Pill Tower, he has nowhere else to go!"

As his words fell, he didn't linger. He turned around and led his men rushing out of the Celestial Master Mansion.

The other dozen or so people lying in ambush outside saw them come out so quickly and completely unharmed. Their hearts tightened, and they immediately surrounded them.

"What happened? Did you fail?"

"Is there no one inside?"

Ghost Face didn't waste words and directly ordered: "Zhang Gonglian isn't in the Celestial Master Tower, but the monk can run while the temple stays!"

Murderous intent was fully revealed in his eyes, and his voice reached everyone's ears.

"Everyone, target the Pill Tower!"

"Seize the pill, kill the target! We do both at once!"

Ghost Face's voice was decisive, carrying an unquestionable attitude.

A Celestial Master with sealed powers? Isn't that just a lamb waiting to be slaughtered!

Taking advantage of the fact that they hadn't alerted the enemy yet, it was better to push forward in one vigorous effort.

They only needed to follow the footsteps of Buddha Face and the others heading to the Pill Tower.

They all charged toward the Pill Tower.

At this time, outside the Pill Tower, there were also no guards.

The black smoke dispersed at the entrance of the Pill Tower. Because everyone was wearing masks, no one could see each other's expressions.

"Let's go in." Buddha Face's voice was peaceful, carrying a bewitching flavor.

The others had no objections. They bypassed Buddha Face and charged toward the Pill Tower at the first opportunity.

However, just as they rushed to the main doors of the Pill Tower.

Streaks of golden light talismans appeared in the air, ruthlessly sending the group flying backward.

Beneath his mask, Buddha Face grinned and began to laugh.

"A protective array?"

Buddha Face raised his hands, and two strings of prayer beads flew from his grasp.

The string holding the prayer beads together suddenly snapped, and the orange beads shot toward the main doors one by one.

The golden light talismans similarly blocked the incoming prayer beads.

"Damn it! It actually blocked them?!"

One of the men shouted unwillingly.

"Of course not. This is just the beginning," Buddha Face said calmly, and then abruptly clenched his fists.

The prayer beads that had originally been emitting orange light suddenly turned pitch black, and streams of black mist diffused outward from within them.

Within the mist, things resembling human facial features flickered past.

They looked like some kind of vicious spirits.

These vicious spirits, having lost their reason, frantically assaulted the array formation.

The others weren't just watching the show either; they all made their moves, unleashing various abilities and spells.

This commotion was by no means small, yet no one else appeared in the surroundings for a long time.