Chapter 326: Five Directions Formation-Breaking Banner

After all, we're dealing with an abyssal beast that lacks much spiritual intellect, so we still cannot be overly complacent.

Gazing at the black abyss mist whose expansion had clearly shrunk considerably, Yunhe flew toward the direction of Falling Phoenix Slope.

Moreover, if one encounters a Yuan Ying cultivator who, knowing they cannot win, wishes only to flee and discards their fleshly body to escape via Yuan Ying evasion, I fear I would be unable to stop them.

The evasion speed of a Yuan Ying is extremely swift; even if it's merely because the opponent is an early-stage Yuan Ying cultivator, should they abandon everything and flee, even a mid-stage Yuan Ying cultivator exerting their full evasion technique might not necessarily be able to intercept them.

This is also why Yuan Ying cultivators are so hard to kill.

Thus, even when an early-stage Yuan Ying cultivator faces a mid-stage Yuan Ying cultivator and is clearly outmatched, they will not grovel.

Defeating a Yuan Ying is easy; killing a Yuan Ying is hard.

This has long been a saying circulated among cultivators who have reached the Yuan Ying realm.

If one could possess a binding-type, or sealing-type or prohibitive-type magical treasure, the outcome would be completely different.

Yunhe thought of his own 'Small Five Elements Inversion Array'.

This array is indeed a prohibitive array, but its prohibitive ability is limited to the Five Elements or related abilities; however, Yuan Ying evasion involves the power of the void, so relying solely on his current 'Small Five Elements Inversion Array' might fall short.

After all, it all comes down to my lacking follow-up cultivation method and spirit body secret technique.

If he were to find the follow-up cultivation method of the 'Great Longevity Great Five Elements True Classic,' obtain the means to condense a 'Five Elements Spirit Body' and even a 'Great Five Elements Spirit Body,' and successfully elevate his own 'Small Five Elements Spirit Body' to a 'Five Elements Spirit Body,' he would be confident in upgrading his 'Small Five Elements Inversion Array' to the true 'Five Elements Inversion Array'.

By then, perhaps even a Yuan Ying's evasion could be intercepted.

With that thought, Yunhe once again took out several mana-restoring elixirs, stuffed them into his mouth, and his evasion speed involuntarily increased a bit.

Whether he can find the follow-up cultivation method, this trip to the Floating Cloud Senior's cave dwelling, he harbors considerable anticipation.

The evasion light swiftly streaked across the sky, forming a long rainbow.

Three days later.

A vast expanse of interconnected mountains and rivers, where green trees grow thick and shady.

This place sees few visitors; occasionally, one or two cultivators cautiously pilot magical artifacts past its edge, as if afraid to disturb the local creatures.

Falling Wind Valley, every few decades produces a wisp of spirit wind that can aid cultivators in foundation establishment.

Yet this benefit is not really proportional to the valley's dangers.

For within this expansive mountain range dwell vast numbers of demonic beasts, making it a paradise for them, not much different from the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range.

Yet in this rarely visited place, a long rainbow sped swiftly in without much hesitation, hovered in the air above, and from the evasion light stepped out a youth clad in a green robe.

He furrowed his brows, his gaze sweeping over the mountains and rivers of this place.

His divine sense swept over, quickly locking onto a direction; he descended to a mountain stream, where he flicked a finger and released a strand of mana.

Soon his vision before him rippled like water and parted, revealing the true situation beneath.

He saw five cultivators seated beside a small lake: Guang Chengzi, Ji Liuyun, Bai Mei Dao Ren, Hong Ling Xianzi, and Xue Wuhen.

Looks like I arrived late.

Seeing the gazes of the five, Yunhe spoke with a smile.

Xue Wuhen has just arrived as well; not late at all.

Xue Wuhen swept aside his black robe, laughed heartily, stood up, and the others likewise rose from the ground.

They wouldn't complain about Yunhe being slightly late; to them, a few days are but a snap of the fingers.

But if they waited here four or five days and Yunhe still didn't come, they would have no choice but to abandon the plan of exploring the Floating Cloud Senior's cave dwelling together as a group of five.

"Looks like Fellow Daoist Yun's evasion technique is quite impressive," Hong Ling Xianzi, standing beside Bai Mei Dao Ren, glanced at Yunhe with some depth and praised him softly.

They indeed arrived at different times, especially Guang Chengzi and Ji Liuyun; however, when the pair of Hong Ling Xianzi arrived, one could still notice Guang Chengzi's breath slightly floating, evidently the expenditure from performing that evasion technique while also bringing Ji Liuyun was not small.

Likewise, the combined technique performed by the daoist couple Hong Ling Xianzi and Bai Mei Dao Ren also entailed considerable consumption.

Needless to say, Xue Wuhen, with his 'Blood-Burning Evasion Technique,' currently appears somewhat lacking in vigor and essence.

Although Yunhe arrived last, his condition appears the best among the group aside from Ji Liuyun, which naturally makes her value him.

After Hong Ling Xianzi's reminder, everyone also reacted, their gazes toward Yunhe becoming somewhat more solemn.

Yunhe couldn't help but curse inwardly, 'You talk too much,' yet he kept a smile and casually said, 'That's why I, Yun, arrived a bit later.'

Regardless, the group definitely now values Yunhe more.

Especially Ji Liuyun of the Bai Xiao Tower, for he can be said to be the only person present who understands Yunhe.

Originally thought to be merely someone who had just condensed a Nascent Soul and possibly not even prepared magical treasures or secret techniques, now it seems there may be some discrepancy.

"Since everyone's condition is not great, let's rest here another three days before acting; what do you all think, fellow daoists?" Ji Liuyun suggested.

"That is most appropriate."

Nobody raised any objections.

Anyway, this place poses no danger to them; the black abyss mist has already been avoided.

Three days later.

Yunhe and his party of six arrived before a waterfall that looked clear and lovely; the 'splashing' water flowed like a silver ribbon falling from the horizon, splashing into the lake and kicking up great spray while raising a misty vapor.

Gazing at the scene before him, Yunhe involuntarily nodded.

Indeed, it is an excellent treasure trove; if used merely as a place of leisure, it would be quite pleasant.

But could this be the location of the Floating Cloud Senior's cave dwelling?

Setting aside other matters, although the spiritual energy here is not bad, there is no distinct spirit vein, evidently unable to meet the cultivation needs of the Floating Cloud Senior as a late-stage Yuan Ying cultivator.

Moreover, their divine sense swept repeatedly, finding no trace whatsoever, aside from traces left by wild and demonic beasts; there was not a hint of cultivator activity.

"Guang Chengzi fellow daoist, could the Floating Cloud Senior's cave dwelling really be here? I, Xi, see this place's spiritual energy..." Bai Mei Dao Ren voiced the doubt in everyone's hearts.

Yet Guang Chengzi was seen dragging a compass different from before, upon which he placed a small block wrapped in red cloth, drawing sideways glances.

"Not bad, this is indeed the place."

But Guang Chengzi's answer was extremely resolute.

He smiled and explained: "The Floating Cloud Senior is extremely skilled in formations; it is said he once intercepted the spirit vein of a Yuan Ying sect, refined it into an artifact for his own cultivation needs; therefore, his choice of cultivation site, even if it be desolate mountains and wicked waters, poses no problem."

Upon hearing this, Yunhe silently clicked his tongue.

Good grief, this Fuyun Shangren not only plundered the technique manuals of all the major sects, but even seized their spirit veins to forge artifacts?

Actually, Yunhe had also once wondered whether he could seize a spirit vein for his own cultivation needs; if aided by a forbidden formation, there would still be a certain chance to accomplish it.

But later he thought it over and still gave up.

First, his attainment in formation arts had not yet reached that level; he lacked confidence, and the success rate was indeed relatively low.

Second, to satisfy his cultivation needs, he would likely have to seek a spirit vein of a Yuan Ying sect; forcefully taking such a sect's spirit vein would be no different from digging up someone else's ancestral grave.

Provoking a cultivator of the same realm for no reason would be a loss not worth the gain; the spirit vein of the Ice Immortal Pavilion together with the Condensed Fat Ice-Pure Lotus would already be enough to meet his cultivation needs.

But from this one can see how profound the Fuyun Shangren's attainment in formations is.

Not to say unrivaled in this realm, he is probably as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.

As that thought flashed through his mind, Yunhe gazed at the waterfall before him from the perspective of one who could barely be called a Fourth Level formation master.

A faint light glimmered in his eyes.

The Spirit Fox clan's spirit pupils, and the focused gaze derived from the Diamond Wrathful Eye.

Indeed, it allowed him to discern a few clues.

Beyond that waterfall, there seemed to be a special circulation of spiritual energy.

He had perceived some, but although others also employed various means, they seemed to gain nothing.

Seeing that everyone gained nothing, Guang Chengzi's smile grew even broader.

But he soon adopted a solemn expression and said in a low voice:

"Whether we can enter the Fuyun Shangren's cave dwelling this time depends on you all."

As he spoke, he lightly flicked his horsetail whisk, and the waterfall before Yunhe and the others was cleanly severed down the middle; the flowing water split to either side, revealing a damp rock face.

Immediately after, Guang Chengzi slapped his storage bag and produced five small flags of different colors, which fell into the hands of Yunhe and the four others.

"Five Directions Breaking Formation Flags?"

Seeing the black flag that had fallen into his hand, Yunhe showed a hint of surprise and said softly.

"Oh? Daoist Yun actually recognizes this flag? It seems you also have considerable skill in formations." Guang Chengzi also seemed surprised and said.

Yunhe gave an embarrassed laugh: "Daoist Guang Chengzi, you overpraise me; I merely saw this flag once in an ancient text."

But faced with his explanation, everyone clearly did not believe him.

But that doesn't matter now; just listen as Guang Chengzi directs: "Daoist Yun holds the Black Water Xuanwu flag, taking the northern position; Daoist Bai Mei holds the plain white Tiger flag, taking the western position; Immortal Hongling holds the Vermilion Bird Flaming flag, taking the southern position; Daoist Xue holds the Wood Lotus Azure Dragon flag, taking the eastern position; Liuyun holds the Apricot Yellow Qilin flag, positioned at the center."

After the five had taken their positions, Guang Chengzi, holding the formation plate, proclaimed loudly:

"Formation, rise!"

Hum—

As Yunhe and the others poured their magical power into the flags in their hands, a strange formation power rose up, suspended.

This is the combined magical power of five Yuan Ying cultivators, enough to move mountains and fill seas!

And Guang Chengzi, who controlled the core formation plate of the entire formation, with a solemn expression, kept flicking his horsetail whisk, continuously striking the rock face with bursts of magical power.

Accompanied by the "rumble" of falling stones, the true scene of this place gradually appeared before Yunhe and the others.

After the rock layers peeled away, an ancient tree planted within the mountain body was actually revealed!

The lush, towering giant tree reached a height of thirty to forty meters, requiring several or even dozens of people to encircle it.

Outside this ancient tree, a great formation enveloped it, opposing and wearing down the formation power that Yunhe and the others had invoked.

'This is at least a Fourth Level top-tier formation, right? Even after being weathered by time, it hasn't weakened much; it must also be related to the spirit vein that the Fuyun Shangren intercepted, for this formation is based upon the spirit vein, so it won't decline so quickly.'

'No wonder it's the Five Directions Breaking Formation Flag, touted as one of the top ten formation-breaking methods in this realm; only a foundation like the Hundred Dawn Tower could conceal such a means.'

Yunhe, while channeling power into the 'Black Water Xuanwu Flag', fixed his blazing gaze on the two formations constantly colliding before him.

Breaking a formation with formation power is a fairly common method, one that many formation masters favor.

And when the two formations clash against each other, it is also when they are at their weakest, allowing one to see many flaws and the core formation nodes that cannot be observed when the formations are intact.

Breaking formation with formation is not infallible; the key lies in seeking weak points when formations collide.

As a formation master who has barely reached Fourth Level, Yunhe feels he can still learn much from this.

At least, through this observation, he has already found some shortcomings in this formation caused by the passage of time.

This shortcoming is its weak point.

Furthermore, observing collisions of formations of this level also benefits his understanding of formation arts.

However, judging from Guang Chengzi's intention, he seems not prepared to do so, but rather wishes to break it outright with formation power.

'After all, it is a seized spirit vein, not a native one; this is the formation's greatest deficiency. Inside this formation, breaking it is difficult, but opening a gap seems not too hard. Moreover, this formation seems not easy to completely destroy.'

"Open!!"

Only hearing Guang Chengzi's low shout, the formation above the ancient tree was gradually squeezed open, creating a passage wide enough for three to walk abreast.

But such a passage is obviously not what they wanted.

However, the formation has already shown a breach, indicating that it is about to be broken.

"Everyone, let's give it one full push!"

In an instant, everyone's infusion of magical power into the formation flags surged.

Boom!!

Accompanied by a deep, muffled roar, the formation shattered like glass.

Seeing this, everyone immediately ceased their power output and flew toward the ancient tree.

Upon contact, they sank in as if touching a water surface.

(End of Chapter)