Chapter 327

After entering the ancient tree, Yunhe and the others felt their vision shift, and they found themselves in a vast hall.

The hall stood five zhang tall and spanned dozens of zhang wide; its walls were inlaid with sparkling green gems that gave off a faint fragrance, making one feel as if in a tranquil forest, while the ceiling was paved with luminous moonstones, bathing the whole hall in daylight-like brightness.

Seeing this, Yunhe clicked his tongue in amazement.

Only then did he finally understand why Zhen Zhu, upon first entering his cultivated abode, had admired the simplicity of his hall.

Compared to the abode of Fu Yun Shang Ren, it was like the difference between a palace and an outhouse.

Simply prying off a random green gem from the hall's wall could fetch plenty of spirit stones, enough to make Foundation Establishment and even Golden Core cultivators covetous.

"I didn't expect that Fu Yun Shang Ren would also be one who enjoys indulgence," Xue Wuhun sighed.

"We cultivators, whether we suffer or enjoy, ultimately seek only an enlightened mind; a fondness for luxury is hardly a bad thing," Bai Mei Dao Ren said, stroking his white beard, offering his own view.

He and his dao companion, Hong Ling Xianzi, likewise enjoyed this path.

Although luxurious, this place held little allure in the eyes of Yunhe and the other Yuan Ying Cultivators.

For example, Yunhe's Beast Soul Banner.

Upon hearing Xue Wuhun's explosive shout, the axe humming with accumulated power suddenly swelled, and he fiercely chopped at the hall's formation.

But Guang Chengzi laughed, saying, "If the Five Directions Breaking Formation Flag outside the cavern is retracted, the formation broken outside will recover; then, although breaking it from within would be somewhat easier, it would still take considerable time. What do you all think, fellow Daoists?"

Naturally, such magic treasures are immensely powerful, yet their weaknesses are equally obvious.

"This place also has a formation blocking it." Guang Chengzi said slowly, looking at Yunhe and asking: "Yun Daoist, what do you think?"

"Bloodstained axe?" The white-browed Daoist's long eyebrows twitched slightly, and he exclaimed in surprise.

But the result was the same.

Looking at him, it seems this axe still has considerable fame.

"Since that's the case, let's break the formation." Xue Wuchen stepped forward, and as he spoke, a surging blood qi rose from his body.

Just feeling the aura on the axe is enough to know that refining this treasure must have slaughtered countless living beings, and many of them died with heavy resentment.

The materials needed to refine the Beast Soul Banner are far easier to gather compared to his other magical treasures, but if enough beast souls are summoned into it, this banner can unleash power comparable to his other treasures.

Upon hearing this, Yunhe also did not hide anything, nodding and saying:

"Indeed. However, the formation here should be considerably weaker than outside—at least much weaker—unlike outside where not a hint can be seen; here I can discover some traces of the formation."

Yet, the formation shows no sign of breaking.

Sometimes, one would rather not obtain the treasure, but must first ensure one's own safety.

Yunhe and the others involuntarily stepped back a few paces.

Seeing this, Xue Wuchen furrowed his brows.

Then his expression turned solemn, and as his wide sleeves billowed, an axe that looked stained with blood flew out from beneath his robe.

The remaining few, including Yunhe, all remained silent.

After taking a deep breath, he raised his hand and summoned the bloodstained axe back into his sleeve.

Upon hearing those words, the Scarlet Ling Fairy's complexion shifted, and she then fell silent.

And Xue Wuchen paid no heed to the crowd's changing expressions; after brandishing the axe, his deathly pale visage grew solemn, his hand seals shifted rapidly, and he chanted an incantation.

They were all seasoned veterans; how could they watch their retreat vanish?

As soon as the axe appeared, a foul, corrupting qi instantly permeated the hall, causing everyone to involuntarily frown.

They found nothing.

"Why doesn't Daoist Guang Chengzi use the 'Five Directions Breaking Formation Banner' again?" the Scarlet Ling Fairy asked.

Magical artifacts forged from living beings, blood, souls, and essence not only use relatively simple materials, but their power is also quite formidable.

In an instant, the axe's foul qi surged again, and the surrounding walls and floor emitted a hissing sound, giving rise to numerous blackened pits.

He shook his head and walked to the side.

"Open!!"

Similarly to the Beast Soul Banner are the Thousand Soul Banner, Myriad Soul Banner, and the like.

Although what Guang Chengzi said—that breaking the formation from within would be much simpler—is true, if any among them were to develop a conflict inside the cavern, especially a clash with the two from Hundred Dawn Tower that led to fighting, then even their escape route would be cut off, and they would likely all become Guang Chengzi's spoils.

Apart from a sigh, no one had dared to covet those emerald gems—except Yunhe.

He then violently spat out a mouthful of essence blood onto the axe.

This is a commonly used method among many demonic cultivators for forging treasures.

Dong!!!

Like a heavy object striking a heavy shield, a deep, muffled boom suddenly burst forth, causing the entire cavern to tremble, and the formation's barrier rippled with shimmering waves.

This was actually an unspoken understanding among Yunhe and his six companions.

"'Such strong corrosive power, it seems even divine sense can be corroded.'"

Suddenly.

But it is precisely because of this that demonic cultivators are so despised.

And while everyone was astonished by the hall's luxury, they did not cease scanning it with their divine sense, trying to find any clues.

Likewise, they are relatively simple to refine, and their power depends on the amount and strength of the souls contained within.

Before they set out, it had been agreed that, aside from Guang Chengzi, whoever contributed the most during the exploration would gain limited rights to choose treasures.

Guang Chengzi and Yunhe clearly both understood formations; if they solved this one, Yunhe would become the person second only to Guang Chengzi in priority for choosing treasures.

That is why Xue Wuchen rushed to try breaking the formation first.

After he stepped aside, the White-browed Daoist and the Scarlet Ling Fairy likewise stepped forward without hesitation to attempt breaking the formation.

However.

Although they were skilled in joint attack techniques, it was easy to tell from the Scarlet Ling Fairy's earlier words that they were not well versed in formations, and lacking Xue Wuchen's corruptive, corrosive methods, they only managed to create a sizable commotion but still failed to break the formation.

"Yun Daoist, would you like to give it a try?" Ji Liuyun asked.

"Yun Mou has made a fool of himself." Yunhe also didn't decline; after clasping his fists toward everyone, he walked up to the formation.

With his back to the crowd, a faint glow again appeared in his eyes.

"Indeed."

After observing closely, Yunhe silently muttered to himself.

"Almost every formation master's formation has its own characteristics; the weak point found in the outer formation of the cave dwelling also appears similarly in this formation."

Earlier, the forceful breaking of the formation by Xue Wuchen and that pair of dao friends known as "Red and White" also wasn't without some benefit; at least it gave him a better understanding of this formation.

Yunhe maintained the posture of having his hand resting on the formation for a long time.

But no one urged him to hurry.

After all, they had all experienced the strength of this formation.

About three or four hours later.

Yunhe's eyes suddenly flashed, then he closed them.

"Break!"

Only hearing his low shout, a surge of overbearing magical power suddenly burst from his body, and the formation blocking them shattered like a mirror at his cry.

"So fast?"

Bai Mei Dao Ren was somewhat taken aback.

Not only him, the others also felt somewhat incredulous, because they didn't even see Yunhe use anything or any method.

This person's attainment in formation dao is actually so high?

Little did they know.

Earlier, the weakness revealed in the stronger formation outside the cave dwelling, and the disturbance of the formation lines caused by Xue Wuchen and others' forceful assault on the formation, had played a rather crucial role, but most importantly

After the formation was broken, Yunhe swiftly withdrew and shouted:

"Be careful!"

Click click click.

Sounds like the clashing and friction of machinery gears came from the dark passage revealed after the formation shattered.

Then appearing in everyone's sight were actually puppet after puppet!

Their bodies were pitch black, with what looked like wood grain patterns on them, but the material seemed to have a keratinous layer like that of some special creature.

"Fourth-level puppets?!" Hong Ling Xianzi's pupils constricted as she exclaimed.

But as these puppets appeared, people's earlier surprise that Yunhe could break the formation so quickly faded by more than half.

In their view, Yunhe probably didn't solve the formation; instead, he triggered these puppets inside the cave dwelling and broke it from within.

Although this method may seem like a trick, the fact that the formation was broken is undeniable, and the means used cannot be blamed.

"There are actually two Fourth Level puppets." Xue Wuheng's eyes glowed with fervor.

Earlier we knew that Floating Cloud Senior was skilled not only in formation arts but also in puppet mastery; yet we never imagined his puppet prowess had reached such a degree, even possessing two Fourth Level puppets.

To reach Fourth Level, aside from the skill of making puppets, the materials on these puppets are certainly not simple.

Not to mention the core that drives these Fourth Level puppets.

It's no wonder Xue Wuheng's eyes burned with fervor.

If one could obtain a Fourth Level puppet and become proficient in controlling it, it would be a tremendous aid even for a Yuan Ying Cultivator.

However, besides those two Fourth Level puppets emerging from there, there are also many Third Level puppets!

Moreover.

As they appeared, intricate and strange orange patterns emerged on their bodies.

The patterns on each puppet are different, yet they seem to be connected in some way.

"Oh no, it's a formation!"

Seeing this, Guang Chengzi and Yunhe's expressions simultaneously tightened, and they both immediately sprang into action.

Guang Chengzi fiercely flicked his horsetail whisk, which lashed out like a white silk ribbon, sweeping with great force toward several Third Level puppets.

Yunhe also without hesitation raised his hand, and an ice-crystal spear suddenly condensed in his palm, which he hurled forth, instantly transforming into dozens of spears that smashed into the dense puppets.

"These puppets are inscribed with formation patterns; don't let them complete the formation!"

Guang Chengzi, having reacted, explained a beat late.

As soon as he said that,

Xue Wuheng and the others also grasped the seriousness of the situation.

If so many puppets plus those two Fourth Level ones form a formation, even though they have six Yuan Ying Cultivators, if they don't cooperate well, they might suffer heavy losses.

Therefore.

Although Fourth Level puppets are extremely valuable and everyone's heart is tempted, compared to their own safety they seem less important.

Moreover, those who still harbored a sliver of hope all unleashed their treasures, attacking the Third Level puppets, intending to keep the Fourth Level ones for last to see if they could control them.

Clatter——

For a moment.

The six Yuan Ying Cultivators all unleashed their divine abilities and treasures, and the Third Level puppets collapsed like straw in swaths, turning into countless scattered parts and broken limbs; soon the hall was littered with them.

However.

As more and more puppets fell, the orange patterns on those still active not only did not fade, but grew increasingly bright.

Seeing this, Yunhe and Guang Chengzi instinctively glanced at each other, each seeing a hint of shock in the other's eyes.

"Hold! Deal with those two Fourth Level puppets first; this is the ancient formation 'Lonely Offering Formation'!"

In the Lonely Offering Formation, the more the puppets bearing formation marks are destroyed, the stronger the remaining ones become!

(End of chapter)