Chapter 536: The Forbidden Ground of the Ancient Plain of All Beings' Karma

Outside the ancient pagoda, nine enormous wheels hung in the sky, each being the symbol of the Eight Great Sects: Revere Sin, Sink Wheel, Battle Seal, and Near God.

These wheels emanated an unusual aura, drawing power from myriad worldly evils—evil, malice, stagnation, miasma, greed, hatred, ignorance, lust, and doubt—and forged a massive Nine Wheels Karma Grand Formation in the sky above the ancient pagoda.

This formation draws its power from the boundless karma of all beings in the Tianji Shengyu, endlessly pouring down upon the ancient pagoda.

With the ancient pagoda as its center, the land within a radius of ten thousand li turned into scorched earth; countless Huanyu cultivators died unjust deaths, their corpses scattered across the ground, bearing witness to the horror here.

The cultivators gazed at this scene, their hearts filled with fury and helplessness.

They had just undergone the life-and-death trial inside the ancient pagoda, never expecting that upon emerging they would have to face such a terrifying karma grand formation.

The formation's power is overwhelming; it not only draws upon the karma of all beings but also transmutes that karma into destructive force, turning the entire region into a land of death.

Longling's face grew grave, knowing the terror of this Nine Wheels Karma Grand Formation.

He gazed at the nine wheels in the sky, understanding that this was not merely a simple formation; it also embodied the will and power of the Eight Great Sects.

These sects harness the karma of beings to strengthen their own power—an act that is undoubtedly a desecration of heavenly and earthly laws.

"We must find a way to break this formation, or else more will die unjust deaths." Longling's voice was firm and powerful, his eyes flashing with unyielding light.

The cultivators nodded, knowing Longling spoke the truth.

They began to observe the formation from all sides, hoping to find a way to break it; however, the Nine Wheels Karma Grand Formation's power was too great—it not only absorbs karma but also rebounds external attacks.

The cultivators' spells and treasures striking the formation were like a clay ox sinking into the sea, eliciting no reaction.

As time passed, the cultivators began to feel fatigue and despair.

They tried every method, yet none could dispel the formation; watching the karma continually pour down within it, seeing that karma turn the earth to scorched soil, their hearts filled with helplessness.

"Is it truly impossible to break this formation?" a young cultivator asked despairingly, voice trembling with tears. "Must we merely watch helplessly as more of our companions perish?"

Longling fell silent, his heart also heavy.

If they do not quickly find a way to break the formation, they will be unable to avert this disaster.

He began to recall his experiences inside the ancient pagoda, hoping to find clues there for breaking the formation.

Yet the Nine Wheels Karma Grand Formation's power is too great; it not only draws upon the karma of beings but also can affect the cultivators' resolve.

As time went on, the cultivators began to feel uneasy in mind and spirit, and wicked and corrupt thoughts began to sprout in their hearts, these thoughts like poisonous snakes eroding their souls.

"Everyone be careful, this formation not only absorbs karma but also influences our resolve," Longling shouted urgently, his voice tinged with anxiety. "We must keep our resolve clear and not be swayed by the formation's power."

The cultivators immediately began silently reciting their heart techniques, striving to keep their resolve clear.

Yet the formation's power is too great; their efforts seemed to have little effect.

Their hearts began to breed ever more wicked and corrupt thoughts, making them increasingly anxious and desperate.

Longling watched all this, his heart filled with helplessness.

He knew that if they did not quickly find a way to break the formation, they would be unable to withstand its power.

He began attempting to communicate with the formation, hoping to discover its weakness.

Yet the Nine Wheels Karma Grand Formation's power is too great; it not only absorbs karma but also rebounds external attacks.

Longling's attempts yielded no effect; instead, they impacted his resolve.

His heart began to spawn ever more wicked and corrupt thoughts, rendering him increasingly anxious and desperate.

In the end, Longling made a difficult decision.

He knew that if they did not retreat, the cultivators would be unable to resist the formation's power, would be worn down to death, and would be unable to protect more companions.

"Everyone, retreat; we can no longer fight here," Longling declared loudly.

Although the cultivators were unwilling to give up, they knew Longling was right.

They began an orderly withdrawal, leaving the area of the Nine Wheels Karma Grand Formation.

They watched as the formation continually poured down karma, saw that karma turn the earth to scorched soil, and their hearts filled with helplessness.

When they retreated to a safe place, his mood remained heavy.

Just as the cultivators stepped off the battlefield, hearts heavy, preparing to leave this land eroded by karma, a solemn voice suddenly rang out from the sky.

The voice rolled like heavenly thunder, shaking mind and spirit; it came from the Lord of the Nine Wheels, bearing the will of the Eight Great Sects' patriarchs, and issued a command to the Huanyu cultivators.

"The ancient pagoda's surroundings of three hundred thousand li shall henceforth be the Nine Wheels Ancient Plain.

No sentient being of the Nine Wheels Eight Great Sects may enter this place recklessly; whoever violates this order shall be slain without pardon!" This voice was filled with indisputable authority, as if it were the law of heaven and earth, allowing no transgression.

As the command was proclaimed, the mysterious ancient pagoda began to emanate stronger undulations.

These undulations spread like ripples in water to all directions, carrying ancient and mysterious power.

Suddenly, the ancient pagoda split into four tower shadows, which, as if substantive, respectively guarded the four sides of the pagoda.

These four tower shadows solidified in the air, rippling out a terrifying seal grand formation.

The formation's power was domineering and mighty, directly entrapping the Huanyu cultivators outside.

The cultivators felt unprecedented shock and anger; they could not accept such a command, nor could they accept such bondage.

"What does this mean? Why must we be restricted outside the ancient pagoda?" shouted a Huanyu cultivator angrily, his voice full of dissatisfaction and defiance.

"We just escaped from the ancient pagoda; must we now be trapped again by this seal grand formation?" Another cultivator's voice carried despair, his eyes flashing with unwillingness.

Longling stood before the crowd, his eyes deep and resolute.

He knew that the order of the Lord of the Nine Wheels and the patriarchs of the Eight Great Sects certainly concealed a deeper intention.

"Everyone, stay calm; leave first, then we'll talk."

Although the cultivators were angry, they knew Longling was right.

The power of that seal grand formation was too great; it not only rebounded external attacks but also absorbed the cultivators' mana, rendering their efforts futile.

The cultivators' anger gradually turned into resignation and despair; they could only depart in silence.

After parting ways with the cultivators of the various sects, Longling led the Earth cultivators back to History Tiger City.

History Tiger City is a city with a long history, gathering many powerful cultivators and sects.

When Longling's figure appeared at the city gate, whether it was the Tiger King, the Peng King, the Purple Yang True Person, the Flying Monk of Xiguangsi, or the Clear Void Daoist and others, all let out a sigh of relief.

In the council hall of Lihu City, the leaders of all sects gathered together, their gazes all focused on Longling, waiting for him to share his experience and insights from this great war.

Longling stood at the center of the hall, his eyes flashing with a determined light.

"Everyone, although this great war was difficult, we have learned much from it." Longling's voice echoed in the hall, his words carrying a hint of heaviness but more determination and hope. "We face an unprecedented challenge, but also an unprecedented opportunity."

Tiger King spoke first, his voice loud and powerful: "That's right, this great war let us see the potential of Earth cultivators; when facing powerful enemies, they displayed an unyielding spirit and formidable combat strength."

Peng King nodded in agreement, his eyes flashing with a sharp light: "Yes, Earth cultivators have grown greatly in this great war. They not only learned how to fight stronger foes, but also how to survive and develop in adversity."

Purple Yang True Person stroked his long beard, his voice full of wisdom: "For the later-generation Earth cultivators, this great war was a precious tempering. Through this battle, they not only enhanced their strength but also deepened their understanding of the laws of heaven and earth."

The monk clasped his hands together, his voice calm and deep: "War is cruel, but it is also part of cultivation. Earth cultivators underwent life-and-death trials in this great war; their temperament was tempered, which brings immeasurable benefit to their future cultivation."

Clear Void Daoist then pondered for a moment and slowly spoke: "We cannot overlook the new situation that arose in this great war. The power of the Lord of Nine Wheels and the Headmasters of the Eight Great Sects is too great; we need to reassess our strength and strategy."

Longling listened to the discussion, his heart filled with emotion.

He knew that this great war was a tremendous challenge for Earth cultivators, but also a tremendous opportunity.

Through this battle, they not only increased their strength but also deepened their understanding of the laws of heaven and earth, which brings immeasurable benefit to their future cultivation.

"Everyone, we must not lose heart because of this defeat." Longling's voice was firm and powerful, his eyes flashing with an unyielding light. "We need to draw lessons from this great war, enhance our strength, and prepare for the next battle."

Everyone listened to Longling's words, their hearts filled with resonance.

They knew that although this great war had been lost, they could not give up.

They needed to draw lessons from this defeat, enhance their strength, and prepare for the next battle.

"Longling is right, we need to reassess our strength and strategy." Tiger King's voice was loud and powerful, his eyes flashing with determined light. "We need to study more deeply the power of the Lord of Nine Wheels and the Headmasters of the Eight Great Sects, to find their weaknesses."

"Yes, we cannot fight blindly." Peng King's voice was sharp and resolute, his eyes flashing with a sharp light. "We need to understand the enemy more deeply and devise more effective tactics."

Purple Yang True Person stroked his long beard, his voice full of wisdom: "Earth cultivators need to study the laws of heaven and earth more deeply to enhance our strength. Only then can we achieve victory in future battles."

The monk clasped his hands together, his voice calm and deep: "We need to cultivate more deeply, elevate our temperament. Only then can we remain calm and resolute in future battles."

Clear Void Daoist pondered for a moment and then spoke slowly: "Lihu City needs to cooperate more deeply, unite our strength. Only then can we achieve victory in future battles."

Longling listened to the discussion, his heart filled with emotion.

Everyone's hearts filled with resonance, they began to devise new plans and strategies, deciding to strengthen cooperation among the sects, jointly study the power of the Lord of Nine Wheels and the Headmasters of the Eight Great Sects, and seek their weaknesses.

They studied the laws of heaven and earth more deeply, enhanced their strength, elevated their temperament, and united their strength.

As the plans were formulated, everyone's hearts filled with hope.

Longling stood among the crowd, his eyes flashing with a determined light.

In the council hall of Lihu City, the discussion grew ever deeper, and they began to realize a crucial fact.

In the Tianji Shengyu, the number of Earth cultivators is relatively small, while the most numerous are cultivators from various star domains, the Huanyu cultivators.

The greatest enemy of the Nine Wheels and Eight Great Sects is actually those vast, deeply rooted Huanyu Great Teachings, not the relatively weak Earth cultivators.

"We must recognize that the struggle between the Nine Wheels and Eight Great Sects and the Huanyu Great Teaching provides us with a rare opportunity." Longling's voice echoed in the hall, his eyes flashing with wise light. "In the course of their mutual conflict, we can seize the chance to rapidly develop ourselves, enhancing the strength and realm of Earth cultivators."

Tiger King nodded in agreement, his voice loud and powerful: "Longling is right; Earth cultivators should seize this opportunity, in the contest between the two great powers we can avoid direct conflict and focus on our own cultivation and enhancement."

Peng King's eyes flashed with a sharp light: "Although our cultivators are few in number in the Tianji Shengyu, our potential is not to be underestimated."

"Given sufficient time and resources, we are fully capable of catching up and even surpassing the Huanyu cultivators."

Purple Yang True Person stroked his long beard, his voice full of wisdom: "Formulate a detailed plan that not only enhances individual strength but also strengthens the cohesion of the entire Earth cultivator community. Only then can we establish a firm foothold in the Tianji Shengyu."

The monk clasped his hands together, his voice calm and deep: "Cultivation is not only the process of enhancing personal strength, but also the process of spiritual growth."

"We should guide Earth cultivators to find inner peace and strength in their cultivation."

Clear Void Daoist pondered for a moment and then spoke slowly: "We also need to form alliances with other minor forces to jointly resist the pressure of the Nine Wheels and Eight Great Sects and the Huanyu Great Teaching. Through cooperation, we can better protect the interests of Earth cultivators."

Longling listened to the discussion, his heart filled with resonance. For Earth cultivators to survive and develop in the Tianji Shengyu, they must seize this opportunity and rapidly develop themselves.

"Everyone already has a consensus." Longling's voice was firm and powerful, his eyes flashing with an unyielding light. "We need a detailed plan, a plan that can enable Earth cultivators to rapidly enhance their strength and realm."

Everyone began to discuss concrete measures.

First, they decided to establish a sharing mechanism for cultivation resources, so that all Earth cultivators could obtain the needed cultivation resources.

These resources include spirit stones, elixirs, magic treasures, cultivation methods, etc., all key to enhancing strength.

Second, they decided to establish a cultivation guidance system, with experienced cultivators serving as mentors to guide the cultivation of younger cultivators.

This ensures the efficiency and safety of cultivation, avoiding detours.

Third, strengthen communication and cooperation among Earth cultivators.