Chapter 402: with translation of chapter title

Seeing the black formation broken, Sang Qing's expression changed.

Translation: Seeing the Black Formation broken, Sang Qing's expression changed.

We need to keep it single line.

He knew that relying solely on this ruined holy mountain black formation could not possibly block those elite human cultivators, but he didn't expect the enemy's formation-breaking speed to be so fast.

Translation: He knew that relying solely on this damaged Holy Mountain Black Formation could not possibly block the elite among the human elites outside, but he hadn't expected the enemy's formation-breaking speed to be so fast.

Check: "the elite among the human elites" = "the elite among the human elites". We'll translate as "the elite among the human elites". Could be "the cream of the human crop". We'll keep literal.

No wonder Sang Wu said breaking the formation here was simple, but wanting to infiltrate and control it was far more difficult.

Translation: No wonder Sang Wu earlier said breaking this place's formation was simple, but wanting to infiltrate and control it was a whole different level of difficulty.

We need to keep meaning: "No wonder Sang Wu said breaking the formation here was simple, but wanting to infiltrate and control it was far more difficult." Means: No wonder Sang Wu said breaking the formation here was simple, but wanting to infiltrate and control it was far more difficult. We'll translate: "No wonder Sang Wu said breaking this place's formation was simple, but wanting to infiltrate and control it was a whole different level of difficulty."

He immediately prepared to directly self-destruct this place's formation, thereby creating the final obstacle for those few human cultivators.

Translation: He immediately prepared to directly self-destruct this place's formation, thereby creating the final obstacle for those few human cultivators.

"Ha!"

Translation: "Ha!"

With a low shout, he flung out the black beast fragment; his body suddenly swelled, and a stream of black mist surged from within him into the fragment.

Translation: With a low shout, he flung out the black beast fragment, his body suddenly swelling as a black mist surged from within him into the fragment.

Note: "Black Beast Fragment" we translate as Black Beast Fragment.

In an instant, the black beast fragment immediately emitted a 'crack-crack' sound.

Translation: In an instant, the black beast fragment emitted a "crack-crack" sound.

But just then, a surging wave of yellow sand rushed forth.

Translation: But just then, a surging wave of yellow sand rushed toward him.

The sand appeared ordinary, but it was not; each grain was unusually hard and sharp, like tiny blades, and the yellow sand was also permeated with a thick aura of death.

Translation: The sand seemed ordinary, but it was not; not only was each grain unusually hard and sharp, like tiny blades, but the yellow sand also permeated with a thick deathly aura.

It seemed that at any moment, corpses corroded down to mere skeletons could crawl out of the swirling sand.

Translation: It seemed that at any moment, corroded corpses reduced to mere bones could crawl out from the pervasive sandstorm.

"Black formation? Is it a formation unique to the Abyss tribe? There's actually a bit of a trick to it."

Translation: "Black Formation? A formation unique to the Abyss Clan? There's actually some trick to it."

Yunhe's eyes, glowing with a faint light, seemed to have discovered something as he reached out his hand to grasp into the spreading black mist.

Translation: Yunhe's faintly glowing eyes seemed to have discovered something as he reached out to grab into the spreading black mist.

Aside from the Old Sand Monster, the others all prepared to dodge.

Translation: Besides Huang Sha Lao Guai, the others all prepared to dodge.

"Abyssal Mist?"

Translation: "Black Abyss Mist?"

She is not a formation master, so naturally she doesn't understand anything about formations.

Translation: She isn't a formation master, so she naturally doesn't know anything about formations.

"Formation implement?"

Translation: "Formation Device?"

"Hmm?"

Translation: "Huh?"

"This is the Yellow Spring's sand!"

Translation: This is Yellow Spring Sand!

Seeing this, Sang Qing hesitated briefly, his gaze sharpened, and he silently shouted:

Translation: Seeing this, Sang Qing hesitated briefly, his eyes narrowing as he silently shouted:

"Explode!"

Translation: "Explode!"

"Thank you."

Translation: "Thanks."

"Boom!!"

Translation: Boom!!

However, because of his action, he could no longer avoid the impact of the formation's self-destruction.

Translation: However, because of his action, he could no longer avoid the impact of the formation's self-detonation.

But before he could unleash the 'Qilin Yao Armor' to defend, the Purple-robed True Lord flashed to his side.

Translation: But before he could unleash the Monster-Holding Armor for defense, the Purple Robe True Lord flashed to his side.

The Purple-robed True Lord shook her head, since she had previously told Yunhe to relax and break the formation, entrusting safety to her, she naturally had to take full responsibility.

Translation: The Purple Robe True Lord shook her head, since she had previously told Yunhe to rest assured breaking the formation, leaving safety to her, she naturally had to take full responsibility.

"Suddenly."

Translation: Suddenly.

He raised his gaze.

Translation: He looked up.

And within that yellow sand, the Old Sand Monster's handsome face bore a sinister smile; he gave a low laugh and lunged to engulf Sang Qing.

Translation: And within that yellow sand, Huang Sha Lao Guai's handsome face bore a sinister smile as he let out a low laugh and lunged to engulf Sang Qing.

He immediately recognized that the Abyss tribe's priests' staffs always bear similar black plaques, and the higher the priest's rank, the more plaques they have; thus it must be something quite important.

Translation: He immediately recognized that the Abyss Clan priests' staffs always bore similar black shards, and the higher the priest's rank, the more shards on the staff—so it must be something important.

Yunhe did not answer right away, lowering his head to look at the black fragment in his hand.

Translation: Yunhe didn't answer right away, lowering his head to look at the black shard fragments in his hand.

As his spiritual power pulled, several broken black shards the size of a fingernail cap flew out of the black mist, their texture like that of an Abyss beast's shell.

Translation: As his mana pulled, several broken black shards the size of a fingernail cap flew out from the black mist, their texture like that of an abyss beast's carapace.

He swept his divine sense over these black shards and quickly discovered their clue.

Translation: He swept his divine sense over these black shards, quickly discovering their clue.

In an instant, the already shattered black formation let out its final wail, exploding with a booming sound that spread everywhere, rolling black mist sweeping forth, carrying a considerable impact.

Translation: In an instant, the already damaged Black Formation burst forth with a final wail, a booming sound erupting outward as rolling black mist swept forth, carrying a formidable impact.

"Be careful!"

Translation: "Watch out!"

At that moment, Yunhe realized that as the black formation was destroyed, they were now enveloped in a thick black mist, visibility extremely low; even though they were only a few meters apart, as Nascent Soul cultivators they could barely see anything.

Translation: At this moment Yunhe realized that, with the Black Formation destroyed, they were now enveloped by a thick black mist, visibility extremely low; even though they were only a few meters apart, as Yuan Ying Cultivators they could barely make out anything.

"Brother Yun, have you discovered something?"

Translation: "Yunhe Dao Friend, have you discovered something?"

The Purple-robed True Lord stared blankly, then soon stopped asking further.

Translation: The Purple Robe True Lord blinked, then stopped asking further.

Daoist Fushan and the Secluded Orchid Hermit flew over, interrupting Yunhe's thoughts.

Translation: Fu Shan Dao Ren and You Lan Ju Shi flew over, interrupting Yunhe's train of thought.

Meanwhile, Yunhe, who was toying with these black fragments, showed a thoughtful expression.

Translation: Yet Yunhe, toying with those black fragments, showed a thoughtful expression.

Whether it is the Abyss tribe's formation or the human cultivators' formation, in reality all variations share the same essence; ultimately they converge, and with his formation attainment, plus the patterns he saw while breaking the formation earlier, he naturally gained some insight or realization.

Translation: Whether it was the Abyss Clan's formation or the human cultivators' formation, in reality all variations share the same essence, ultimately converging; given his formation attainment, plus the formation patterns he'd seen while breaking it earlier, he naturally had some insight—or rather, some realization.

As for this, Yunhe also had a certain degree of confidence.

Translation: As for this, Yunhe also had a certain confidence.

One hand gripping his sword, the other placed before Yunhe, his beautiful eyes solemn, he retreated while swinging his sword.

Translation: One hand gripping a sword, the other blocking in front of Yunhe, her beautiful eyes stern, she retreated with him while swinging her sword.

"This should be an Abyss tribe's formation implement."

Translation: She said slowly, "This should be the Abyss Clan's Formation Device."

The fierce sword qi, as if it could cleave heaven and earth, collided with the black mist's impact.

Translation: Her piercing sword qi, as if it could cleave heaven and earth, collided with the impact of the black mist.

More importantly, their divine sense was also suppressed by this black mist, greatly reducing its coverage.

Translation: More importantly, their divine sense was also suppressed by this black mist, its coverage range greatly reduced.

Sensing the formation's anomaly, Yunhe guessed the opponent's intent and had already given a warning.

Translation: Sensing the formation's anomaly, Yunhe guessed the opponent's intent and had already given a warning.

After the impact subsided, Yunhe sincerely said:

Translation: After the impact subsided, Yunhe sincerely said:

"Daoist Purple Robe, Daoist Yun, how are you?"

Translation: "Purple Robe Dao Friend, Yunhe Dao Friend, how are you?"

However, the impact of the formation's self-destruction was indeed formidable; she only recovered after a brief rest, then looked at Yunhe and asked:

Translation: However, the impact of the formation's self-detonation was indeed formidable; she only recovered after a brief rest, then looked at Yunhe and asked:

"Soul-destroying and bone-piercing; even Nascent Soul cultivators dare not touch it clearly."

Translation: Soul-extracting bone-piercing—even a Yuan Ying Cultivator would not dare touch it directly.

"Bang!!"

Translation: Bang!!

"Isn't this black mist exactly the same as the Abyssal Mist that emanates from the Black Abyss?"

Translation: This black mist is exactly the same as the Black Abyss Mist that seeps out from within the Black Abyss, isn't it?

"Indeed." Daoist Fushan nodded solemnly, "It seems this is one of the foundations for the Abyss tribe and us humans to 'set up chariots and horses' in this secret realm."

Translation: "Indeed." Fu Shan Dao Ren nodded solemnly, "I suppose this is one of the foundations for the Abyss Clan and us humans to 'set up chariots and horses' in this secret realm."

In such an environment, the advantage for Abyss cultivators is obviously enormous.

Translation: In such an environment, the advantage for Abyss Clan cultivators is obviously enormous.

Although logically the Abyss cultivators' divine sense should also be suppressed by the Abyssal Mist, having long been accustomed to it, theirs is actually much greater than Yunhe's and the others'.

Translation: Although logically the Abyss Clan cultivators' divine sense should also be suppressed by the Black Abyss Mist, those long accustomed to it are actually far stronger than Yunhe and the others.

It is precisely because of this environment of the Abyssal Mist that the Abyss cultivators' divine sense is mostly far stronger than that of human cultivators.

Translation: It is precisely because of this Black Abyss Mist environment that the Abyss Clan cultivators' divine sense is mostly far greater than that of human cultivators.

"No matter what, we still need to go in and investigate." The Purple-robed True Lord said calmly.

Translation: "No matter what, we still need to go in and investigate." The Purple Robe True Lord said calmly.

"What about Fellow Daoist Yellow Sand?" The Secluded Orchid Hermit noticed that the Old Sand Monster was not here.

Translation: "What about Huang Sha Dao Friend?" You Lan Ju Shi noticed that Huang Sha Lao Guai wasn't here.

"He went to pursue the Abyss cultivator who was maintaining the formation." Yunhe said, his expression unchanged.

Translation: "He went to chase down the Abyss Clan cultivator who was maintaining the formation." Yunhe said without changing his expression.

Fu Shan Dao Ren furrowed his brow.

Under such circumstances, acting alone is clearly very disadvantageous for them.

However, Youlan Jushi said: "Only one Abyssal Clan cultivator is maintaining the formation; given Huangsha Dao You's cultivation base and divine abilities, even if he cannot defeat the enemy, self-preservation should be safe."

The implication is that they don't need to wait here or spend time searching; they have more important things to do now.

Fushan Dao Ren's eyes flickered, he nodded and said: "Alright. With Huangsha Dao You's divine abilities, safety should be assured; indeed, it is not easy to find someone in the Black Abyss Mist. I don't know how long those Abyssal Clan cultivators entered this place ahead of us; no matter what their purpose is, we cannot let them succeed."

Nobody raised an objection.

Actually, given the previous situation, Huangsha Lao Guai could completely retreat to join Yunhe and the others, but since he chose to pursue, he naturally has his own confidence and assurance, or rather his own purpose.

Although I don't know the specific situation here, heading toward the center is surely correct.

Yunhe and the four of them activated their evasion technique, moving slowly and close to the ground toward the central area.

"How many are still alive? Release them all."

Lingya and the five of them are currently inside an ancient, huge but somewhat crude hall; he stands before a stone wall black as ink, speaking in a hoarse voice.

"After so many years, probably not much remains."

Sang Wu said a sentence, yet also did not go against Lingya's meaning.

He stepped forward, one hand pressed against the wall, the other shaking his staff, closed his eyes and chanted the obscure, tortuous words; accompanied by the sound 'bang bang bang', strange ripples surged across his body.

Click, click-click!

Immediately after, thin dense cracks burst forth on the black stone wall; the cracks grew larger and larger, and chunks of stone fell off one after another.

However, when these stone chunks touched the ground or Sang Wu, they instantly scattered like smoke and dust, merging into the surrounding Black Abyss Mist, making the mist even thicker.

"Roar!!"

And after the stone wall peeled off, low, hoarse cries emanated from within.

Under the gaze of Lingya and the others, Abyssal Beasts clad in black armor walked out, numbering no less than dozens; the weakest were Third-Level Abyssal Beasts, while the strongest even included Early Fourth-Level Abyssal Beasts!

These Abyssal Beasts, which looked quite fierce and vicious, upon seeing Lingya, had their ferocity instantly dissipate; they even became extremely obedient, walking up to him and lowering their heads.

But upon seeing these Abyssal Beasts, Lingya furrowed his brow.

"Are there only this few left?"

He let out a light sigh, waved his hand, and said: "Send them all out."

Sang Wu remained silent, black light flickered in his eye sockets, and the speed of shaking his staff increased.

Only then did the Abyssal Beasts head outward.

The ferocious aura also became fully apparent once again.

But after the stone wall completely shattered and the Abyssal Beasts surged out, what appeared before Lingya and the others was an endless passageway, as if leading deep into this towering mountain.

After the Abyssal Beasts left, Lingya said: "You stay here."

"Yes."

Sang Wu, Sang Wan, and Sang Xun responded, their figures slowly retreating, merging into the thick black mist of this place.

And the person who still wore a hood and carried a huge object remained silent, merely watching Lingya walk into the passage.

Bang!!

Yunhe, wielding the Five Elements Heavenly Thunder Sword, struck down a Third-Level Late-Stage Abyssal Beast with one sword; amidst the crushing force of golden heavenly thunder, the beast's body suddenly disintegrated, leaving only a Third-Level "Black Soul Crystal", which he grasped in his hand.

As his palm slowly writhed, the "Black Soul Crystal" vanished, replaced by the cheerful emotion of the "Corpse Soul Worm".

"I never expected that after such a long time, Abyssal Beasts would still survive here."

Not only Yunhe suffered Abyssal Beast attacks; their group of four all faced assaults from Abyssal Beasts within the Black Abyss Mist.

However, these Abyssal Beasts are not particularly strong, but relying on the concealment of the Black Abyss Mist, they are rather troublesome.

"Leave these to me and Ziyi Dao You; Yun Dao You and Youlan Dao You, quickly break the formation." Fushan Dao Ren, driving his flying ruler to repel an Abyssal Beast, made the suggestion.

Before them stood a huge, crude hall, with an identical formation layer outside.

Clearly, this hall is the center of this secret realm.

Yunhe and Youlan Jushi exchanged glances, and also did not decline.

The two cooperated tacitly as before: Youlan Jushi unleashed a formation to attack the formation, while Yunhe was responsible for finding its weak point.

This formation seems considerably worse preserved than the outer one; as Youlan Jushi's formation attacked it, the black formation's turmoil became extremely great.

While Yunhe watched the flickering formation patterns, his heart stirred slightly, and those black fragments once again emerged.

"Indeed, the Abyssal Clan's formations share many common points; if that is the case,"

He took out the Floating Cloud Eight Trigrams Disk, after a little thought, cast the spell, and rings of the compass on the disk began to spin.

Not long after.

"Found it."

Yunhe's eyes brightened slightly.

He was not delighted about breaking the formation, but delighted about having found the common point of the Abyssal Clan's black formation.

He also did not know from when he began to clearly sense his own "innate talent" gradually manifesting in the way of formations.

But "innate talent" is usually innate, can be acquired later, yet certainly not this easy.

"Probably. From when I started studying the Twelve Heavenly Stars Grand Formation."

He quickly thought of its key point.

The profundity and complexity of the Twelve Heavenly Stars Grand Formation far exceed the formations he currently encounters; learning it is naturally extremely difficult.

This is somewhat like doing homework problems; although some problems are very hard, after learning a bit, doing similar types of problems later feels much easier.

The way of formations is deep and broad; the Twelve Heavenly Stars Grand Formation can almost be said to be one of the most difficult formations in this cultivation world, possibly even without "among them"; frequently studying this formation, Yunhe's formation proficiency improves subtly.

Yunhe even suspects that, after fully mastering the Twelve Heavenly Stars Grand Formation, formations below Fifth Level will pose no difficulty for him; he could even use his Nascent Soul cultivation to contend with a Spirit Transformation cultivator by relying on this formation.

Of course, these are merely his speculations.

A thought flashed through his mind and vanished; Yunhe returned his attention to the formation before him.

He pressed his index and middle fingers together, forming a sword, and lightly tapped the formation before him.

"Break!"

Pop!

Just like a bubble being poked and popped, it gave out a crisp sound; the black formation covering the hall vanished into thin air, turning into clumps of black mist that merged into the black abyss mist.

This made Youlan Jushi's face show deep surprise; she looked at Yunhe, seemingly not expecting his formation-breaking speed to be so fast.

Yunhe just smiled, offering no explanation.

"Youlan Dao Friend and Yun Dao Friend are indeed formidable."

Seeing the formation broken so quickly, Fushan Daoren was also quite surprised.

"Let's go."

The four entered in single file.

Upon entering the hall,

One could clearly feel that inside this hall, the black abyss mist was denser than outside, and its suppression of sight and divine sense for Yunhe and the others was even more exaggerated.

This also forced Yunhe and his companions to heighten their vigilance once again.

Fortunately.

They encountered no mishaps; even the abyss beasts that had previously entangled them seemed to have disappeared.

Going deeper into the hall, they saw a huge passage that seemed endless, like a gaping bloody maw that would devour anything entering it.

"This should be the place," said Fushan Daoren.

Their first reactions were roughly the same.

"Then let's go in."

As Youlan Jushi finished speaking, her expression suddenly changed and she darted sharply to one side.

Pff!!

Immediately afterward, they saw.

A barrier of illusory white light condensed on her body, likely triggered by some protective talisman.

But that barrier shattered in an instant.

An arm flew up along with a gushing column of blood!

(End of chapter)