After thinking for a long time, William Thompson still couldn’t come up with a good solution. The opponent was simply too fast—his own attacks couldn’t even come close to touching it. Maybe the only way to catch it was to trap it first.

At this thought, William Thompson’s eyes lit up. Back when he was learning formations from the Celestial Envoy, he had learned an attack formation called the “Swift Fire Heavenly Array.” Because it was a fire-based attack formation, he hadn’t inscribed it into his sword when refining the Cold Light Sword that day. If not for this sudden flash of inspiration, he probably would have forgotten about this formation entirely.

Although this was an attack formation, compared to others, the “Swift Fire Heavenly Array” could also slightly confuse the enemy’s mind. It was perfect for trapping an opponent.

William Thompson gave a sinister smile and took out six Heavenly Mechanism Stones from his ring. He placed them on the ground in order, then used the Cold Light Sword to infuse spiritual power and carve the formation diagram of the “Swift Fire Heavenly Array” onto the ground. Only then did he leisurely sit at the formation’s core and summon Samadhi True Fire, filling the entire array.

Now everything was ready—he just had to wait for the flying thief to take the bait. To put the thief at ease, William Thompson closed his eyes and pretended to nap, but his mind, through his Nascent Soul, kept a constant watch on the outside.

The little spirit beast, having eaten three Heavenly Mechanism Stones, still didn’t feel satisfied. Suddenly, it caught another whiff of a tempting aroma and couldn’t help but swallow, poking its head out to look outside the tree hollow.

At a glance, it was overjoyed—there were actually six pieces of food laid out at its doorstep! Excitedly squeaking, it bent its hind legs and shot out with a whoosh.

Hearing this faint sound, William Thompson didn’t hesitate any longer. He immediately opened his eyes wide and shouted, “I’ve been waiting for you!” With that, he waved his hands, activating the entire “Swift Fire Heavenly Array.”

Within the area surrounded by the six Heavenly Mechanism Stones, a great fire blazed up, and the whole formation flickered in and out of sight.

The little spirit beast hadn’t expected flames to suddenly erupt around it. Startled, it no longer cared about the food in front of it and retreated rapidly.

“Where do you think you’re going!” Only now did William Thompson get a good look at the flying thief—it was basically a giant version of that little mouse from the other day. He felt a pang of shame, thinking he’d really embarrassed his master. No longer holding back, he shouted, “Freeze for me!” A golden light shot from William Thompson’s hand—the same “Bind” technique he’d used before.

Seeing the golden light about to hit the little spirit beast, William Thompson couldn’t help but smile with delight, thinking he’d finally caught it.

Trapped in the array with nowhere to run, the little spirit beast suddenly leapt up to meet the golden light, opened its mouth, and chomped it down in one bite.

“Damn!” William Thompson stared wide-eyed in disbelief at the mouse before him.

“Squeak…”

“Beast!”

“Squeak squeak!”

William Thompson was furious—damn thing even dared to talk back! He gripped the Cold Light Sword and strode forward, making as if to strike.

But the little spirit beast wrinkled its nose and sniffed carefully. Just as the sword was about to hit, it darted away, heading straight for one of the Heavenly Mechanism Stones in the “Swift Fire Heavenly Array.”

Startled, William Thompson didn’t dare underestimate it anymore. He bit his tongue hard, spat a jet of blood onto the Cold Light Sword, and with a forceful swing, sent a foot-long streak of immortal sword energy shooting straight at the little spirit beast’s back.

The little spirit beast, running at full speed, quickly turned as if it had eyes on its back, opened its mouth, and swallowed the sword energy infused with William Thompson’s spiritual power. Without stopping, and ignoring the burning Samadhi True Fire in the array, it dashed in a straight line to a Heavenly Mechanism Stone, grabbed it with both paws, and sped back to the tree hollow like the wind.

With one of the formation stones gone, the “Swift Fire Heavenly Array” could no longer function. The Samadhi True Fire on the ground vanished in an instant. William Thompson stood there, mouth agape, dumbfounded by what he’d just witnessed.

A falling leaf spun past William Thompson’s eyes…

The little spirit beast shot out of the tree hollow again, trailing a long afterimage, came up to William Thompson, scooped up another Heavenly Mechanism Stone, hugged it like a treasure, and dashed back toward the tree hollow.

William Thompson was speechless, staring blankly at the fleeting gray shadow. Suddenly, the shadow stopped, turned around, and for the third time rushed up to William Thompson, snatching a third Heavenly Mechanism Stone. It stacked the two stones in its arms, pressed them to its chest with one forepaw, and with the other paw gestured wildly at William Thompson, squeaking noisily.

William Thompson stood there with a frosty expression, watching the little spirit beast return to the tree hollow before finally remembering to put the remaining three Heavenly Mechanism Stones into his storage ring.

Thinking of that arrogant little mouse, William Thompson was furious. His anger emboldened him, and grabbing the Cold Light Sword, he leapt up to the tree hollow in a few quick steps.

“Rodent, prepare to die!” William Thompson declared righteously, shouting as he went.

The little spirit beast had just snatched three Heavenly Mechanism Stones and hadn’t even had time to enjoy them when the owner came knocking. It quickly shielded the three stones behind itself and stood its ground, refusing to back down from William Thompson.

Looking at the little spirit beast, William Thompson gave a lecherous grin. “You’ve got guts, little thing, haven’t you?”

“Squeak!”

“Spit out what you took, or else… hmph!”

“Squeak squeak!”

“Hm? Still talking back?”

“Squeak squeak!”