Chapter 332: Breaking the Formation

The clouds parted and the mist cleared; the sky became clear and the sun shone bright—

A long, melodious bell toll shook the myriad mountains and valleys, echoing solemnly above the Void Heavens, carrying an indescribable sense of grave majesty.

Upon hearing this sound, every Daoist present stirred, emerging one after another from their rooms, each lost in thought.

Meanwhile, within the Cloud Palace, that beautiful woman whose features bore a slight resemblance to Wei Wei Lingjiang, after pondering silently for a moment, also waved her fair hand to pluck the golden bells outside.

Following the emission of a crisp, tinkling sound.

Soon, a Bai Jin Guang rose like a surging river, vast and mighty, emitting bursts of explosive noise as it flooded over the hills and settled level with the Cloud Palace.

Looking up, one could see that within the Bai Jin Guang were eight divine heavenly steeds, their fur as white and pure as jade snow.

Their hooves spawned mist and warmth, their bodies were clad in flowing rosy clouds, and together they dragged a vermilion-wheeled carriage with a splendid canopy; swishing their tails and pounding their hooves, they appeared truly extraordinary.

A female attendant dressed in brocade stepped gracefully into the Cloud Palace and smiled, saying:

"Young Lady, shall we depart now? The procession for the journey is not yet fully prepared; since it is still quite early, why not wait the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before setting out? Would that be acceptable?"

Hearing this, the beautiful woman shook her head and said indifferently:

"I am going to engage in a Dharma battle, not attending a banquet; having too large a procession would only be a burden and invite criticism.

Moreover, I have heard that the arbiter for this Four Academies Grand Competition is Elder Zou from the Hall of Dao Records; this elder is an ascetic who dislikes Jin Yu and superficial splendor. If we incur his displeasure, it will inevitably cause some trouble when we later visit the Hall of Dao Records to study the scriptures."

Having spoken these words.

She said nothing more, merely nodding slightly to the female attendant before boarding the vermilion-wheeled precious-canopy carriage.

As the reins gave a loud snap.

The eight divine heavenly steeds, as if receiving a command, raised their heads to let out a spirited, prolonged neigh before moving all four hooves in unison.

In an instant, they leaped through the mist and clouds, treading upon the rosy clouds until they vanished from sight!

And just as these divine steeds broke through the clouds.

Within the Chen Qingyang Academy.

Shi You, dressed as a leisurely mountain dweller, also sensed something.

He smiled faintly but said nothing more, merely fixing his gaze on the chessboard before him with a calm expression.

He waited until the chess game had settled its dust.

Only after the outcome became clear.

Did Shi You rise unhurriedly, raise his sleeve, bow to the middle-aged Daoist playing against him, and say:

"Xiao Xiao Shixiong, then this junior brother shall take his leave."

The middle-aged Daoist wore a Hunyuan Crown, a water-patterned Daoist robe, a yellow silk sash, and square-toed shoes; his bearing was free and elegant, truly uncommon.

And upon hearing Shi You's words at this moment.

The middle-aged Daoist shook his head and could not help but laugh:

"Daoist Xiao Shixiong You, your words leave this poor Daoist unsure how to respond; although you have now taken refuge under our master's gate, making the title 'Xiao Xiao Shixiong' technically appropriate and something I could rightfully accept.

However, Daoist Brother's previous life was extraordinary, and you entered the Dao far earlier than I, possessing formidable supernatural powers.

To accept such a title as 'Xiao Xiao Shixiong' would truly make this poor Daoist feel unworthy..."

In the current Four Academies of the Yu Yuchen Sect.

It was nearly universally acknowledged by all cultivators of the four academies that Wei Wei Daofu, He He Lizi, and Shi You possessed the strongest methods and the greatest fame!

The champion of this Grand Competition would inevitably be decided among these three!

The champion of this grand competition will inevitably be decided among these three!

No other candidate was possible!

Yet compared to Wei Wei Daofu and He He Lizi, Shi You's origin was different.

This man was not a native of Xudu Heaven; in his early years, he had been a Great Arhat of the Extreme Bliss Heaven, a ruler of a Pure Land with nearly a thousand temples and a million monk-soldiers under his command!

He was once a prominent master of great supernatural powers, by no means an unknown figure!

It was only during a journey to an external heaven that Shi You accidentally encountered an Upper Truth of the Yu Yuchen Sect; after debating with him for three years and three months, he was finally convinced by that Upper Truth's profound words, thus abandoning Buddhism for Daoism, discarding his monk's robes, and donning a Daoist robe instead.

Later, through the travels and explanations of that Yu Yuchen Upper Truth, Shi You even reincarnated into Xudu Heaven to start anew, casting aside the spiritual fruits of his previous cultivation as if they were worn-out shoes.

By virtue of this decisive act, he successfully entered the Lower Academy of the Yu Yuchen Sect to cultivate the Dao and further became a disciple under that Yu Yuchen Upper Truth.

And the middle-aged Daoist playing chess with him now.

Was precisely the second disciple of that Yu Yuchen Upper Truth.

If judged by the years of cultivation since entering the sect, it was only natural for Shi You to address him as 'Xiao Xiao Shixiong.'

"Within the Dao there returns the Dao, within the Mystery there returns the Mystery; the Dharma wheel turns constantly, the rare sound cannot be heard..."

"Within the Dao lies yet another Dao, within the Profound lies yet another Profound. The Dharma Wheel turns eternally of its own accord; the rarefied sound cannot be heard..."

Hearing the middle-aged Daoist's words.

Shi You merely shook his head, smiled faintly, and spoke:

"All that is already dust and past events; why does Xiao Xiao Shixiong bring it up again? Here and now, I am only Shi You, the Dongxuan Refiner of Chen Qingyang Academy, not the master of the Huaning Pure Land in the Extreme Bliss Heaven.

This honorific title is something Xiao Xiao Shixiong can rightfully bear."

His voice paused slightly as he looked toward the distant green mountain peaks, that hazy expanse of verdant scenery, and he sighed with some melancholy, saying:

"Moreover, the Great Dao is hard to seek; today you ferry me, and tomorrow I shall ferry you; in the end, is it not all for the sake of attaining the Dao?

In the face of this... what do mere worldly rituals amount to?"

Upon hearing these words, the middle-aged Daoist seemed to recall something; his expression shifted slightly, and he let out a long sigh, remaining speechless.

"Dark currents surge between the myriad universes; the situation is growing increasingly intense; who exactly is the hand pushing events from behind the scenes..."

And as Shi You recalled the few secret words once spoken by that Yu Yuchen Upper Truth, who was now his master, he could not help but sigh melancholically in his heart:

"Fighting alone, no matter how high one's magic power, one will eventually exhaust oneself; a single palm cannot clap. Only by having a great power as a backing does one follow the principle of Lao Cheng Chi Zhong."

"In a one-on-one fight, no matter how great one's magic power, there will inevitably come a time when it is exhausted; with a single palm unable to clap, only having a major power as a backing constitutes the principle of Lao Cheng Chi Zhong."

"And this year's Four Halls Grand Competition shall be my, Shi You, first step into integrating with this ancient immortal sect!"

Thinking thus.

Suddenly, blazing brilliance shot from his eyes, sharp as needles and thorns, radiating a majestic aura that seized the soul of anyone who looked!

Then, after exchanging a few words with the middle-aged Daoist following a formal salute.

Shi You raised his hand to form a seal, his figure transforming into a wispy, misty vapor that curled upward into the clouds, vanishing in an instant.

……

Meanwhile, in another region.

Upon hearing the sound of the bell toll cease, He He Lizi's two long eyebrows lifted slightly, filled with interest.

He set down the tea cup in his hand, merely offering a faint bow to the person before him, then rose from his seat and said:

"Xiao Xiao Shixiong Cao Xi, let us discuss that so-called marriage arrangement later; with the Grand Competition imminent, I still have official matters to attend to, so I shall not keep you company."

"The Grand Competition..."

That Xiao Xiao Shixiong Cao Xi was one of the Top Ten Disciples from two competitions prior, and now was truly a disciple of Yu Yu Yuchen, cultivating within the Xiaoming Great Marsh.

Seeing He He Lizi's attitude neither cold nor warm, and now detecting even a hint of unmasked perfunctoriness in his eyes, he clearly understood that He He Lizi did not care much for that marriage proposal.

And although Cao Xi felt quite displeased in his heart, his deep cultivation in self-restraint meant his expression remained unchanged.

Instead, a faint smile floated onto his face as he nodded in agreement.

After all, He He Lizi was not comparable to ordinary people.

Not to mention that this youth's teacher, Gu Zhao, currently held a heavy post within the sect as a powerful Elder with real authority and formidable methods!

Even He He Lizi himself was by no means someone easy to deal with!

Before reaching sixty years of age, he had cultivated to the Fifth Realm of the Sword Dao, comprehending the two Fifth Realm transformations: "Sword Qi Thunder Sound" and "Sword Light Differentiation."

He had even, with a Dongxuan body, defied and slain a Jin Dan, killing Wang Shu, who was once renowned within the sect!

Facing such a illustrious figure.

Even though Cao Xi temporarily ranked higher than He He Lizi in status.

He dared not act arrogantly, fearing he might provoke He He Lizi's displeasure.

"Since the Grand Competition is beginning and Chen Chen Shidi still has official matters, this foolish elder will not disturb you further; I only hope Chen Chen Shidi achieves victory at the outset and claims the top name!"

At this moment, Cao Xi also rose to his feet.

He dared not show any negligence, returning a bow to He He Lizi before speaking:

"However, since Wei Wei Daofu and Shi You are said to share equal fame with Chen Chen Shidi, they must also be extraordinary existences; when facing these two, you must still exercise extra caution."

"Share equal fame with me?"

Hearing this, He He Lizi smiled slightly.

"Then after this Grand Competition concludes, they no longer will."

He slowly shook his head, stating calmly.

……

And where the bell waves passed.

Apart from Wei Wei Daofu, Shi You, and He He Lizi.

Within the four halls of Yu Yu Yuchen, all those intending to participate in the Grand Competition rose simultaneously, each employing their own methods to head straight toward the source of the bell sound.

For a moment, hundreds and thousands of escaping lights danced, piercing through layers of strong winds to soar across the clouded heavens.

Their dazzling and colorful forms were truly brilliant to behold, pleasing to the eye and delightful to the heart.

Jin Tingshan, Lingyin Peak.

Chen Heng, who had been sitting with eyes closed in meditation, heard this sound and suddenly opened his eyes.

Although the expression on his face remained unchanged, his pupils were deep black and clear, quiet as hidden fire, just as they had always been.

Yet deep within his heart, there was still a slight stir.

"Finally, this moment has arrived..."

Chen Heng sighed, his sleeve fluttering slightly as he rose and walked out of the room; after exchanging a few words with Tu Shan Ge, he leaped into the air, arriving in the mid-sky.

In merely an instant, his body transformed into a brilliant crimson rainbow, flashing and vanishing, suddenly smashing through patches of colored clouds and tearing apart the atmosphere.

With the momentum of a meteor chasing the moon, he disappeared from his original location!

……

……

Half an hour later.

Chen Heng saw from afar a divine mountain towering between heaven and earth, so he slowly retracted his sword light and halted amidst the clouds.

Raising his gaze, he saw green mountains layered in emerald, jade peaks shrouded in clouds, their many majestic cliff corners resembling a tiger crouching and a dragon coiling, while from all sides came the sounds of gibbons crying and cranes calling.

The myriad greens shared brilliance with the sun, while distant waters vied in blueness with the mountain light.

Bright, beautiful, and wondrous, it was truly a scene of magnificent scenery!

At this moment, Chen Heng saw that the entire Qingshan was covered by a layer of hazy colored mist; though extremely thin, it allowed the mountain scenery to be seen clearly.

Yet the human figures upon the various peaks were difficult to discern in detailed appearance.

Furthermore, upon arriving at this place, if an ordinary person wished to continue forward to ascend Qingshan.

From all directions, a massive resistance would spread forth, binding the body; the further one advanced, the greater this obstructing force became.

It possessed enough momentum to shake mountains and topple peaks, rendering even an inch of progress impossible!

Chen Heng knew there must be something unusual about this, so he shifted his gaze to look downward into the void.

Soon, he spotted on a earthen mound to the east a tall thatched pavilion, adorned with hanging flowers and knotted ribbons, filled with fragrant, misty aromas.

Dozens of Daoist pages in feather robes stood on the left and right, holding jade slips, seemingly waiting for someone.

At this moment, seeing Chen Heng lower his cloud head.

On the earthen mound, a Daoist youth in feathered robes wore a smiling face, actively stepped forward to meet him, bowed with clasped hands, and said:

"Is this senior brother intending to ascend Qiyun Mountain to participate in the Great Competition? Senior brother may not know, but the rules have changed this time; unlike the past few editions where it was merely questioning and answering, one must now expend some effort before being able to approach Qiyun Mountain."

"Oh? The rules have changed?"

Chen Heng's expression shifted slightly:

"I beg this Wusheng Wusheng Tongzi to enlighten me."

And seeing Chen Heng's amiable attitude, the youth in feathered robes was also delighted in his heart.

He did not waste words; between the movement of his lips, he spoke a series of words.

It turned out that during every past edition of this Four Academies Great Competition, before the opening, the senior elders of the Yu Yuchen Sect would deliberately set up certain trials.

This was to eliminate those who were passing themselves off as something they were not, preventing them from going on stage and making a fool of themselves.

It was far from the case that any disciple with the intention could casually come to this Qiyun Mountain to participate in the Great Competition, entering and exiting freely, coming and going without restriction.

However, during the Great Competitions of previous years, there was only one Yu Yuchen elder guarding the front of the mountain.

If disciples wished to ascend the mountain to engage in magical combat, they needed to correctly answer a Daoist doubt posed by that elder; only by answering properly and without error could they earn a qualification to ascend the mountain.

However, this time, the content of the trial has changed completely; it is no longer set and examined by a Yu Yuchen elder.

Instead, the disciples must personally enter the great formation and consecutively defeat three fellow disciples who appear randomly before them, who are likewise here to participate in the Great Competition.

Only by winning all three matches and then undergoing a trial of mental illusions can one exit the formation and enter into Qiyun Mountain.

But if one loses in the magical combat.

Even if one loses only a single match, one must start over from the beginning, entering the formation again to seek another opportunity.

A trial like this, compared to questioning and answering, has increased in difficulty by more than one level.

As for this, it requires proving oneself through actual combat...

And at this moment, after hearing the youth in feathered robes explain the regulations in detail.

Chen Heng offered a word of thanks, did not hesitate at all, simply walked his body into the formation, and vanished in an instant.

Before his eyes, there was merely a slight blur, and he had quietly changed to a different world.

"Quite interesting."

Seeing that all around was a vast mist where east, west, south, and north were indistinguishable, Chen Heng did not waste effort; he simply released his mind and moved according to the induction from the netherworld.

Before long, sure enough, the figure of a blue-clad youth appeared within his field of vision.

When their gazes met.

The blue-clad youth's cheek twitched, revealing a bitter expression.

"Chen... Chen Chen Shidi Chen? You have already cultivated to the Cave-Mystic Realm?"

He said helplessly:

"How could it be that I just had to meet you? It seems that this time, my fortune is truly unfavorable!"

"I wonder who this senior brother is?"

Chen Heng asked.

"I have heard of Chen Chen Shidi, but Chen Chen Shidi may not have heard of me... With the New Year's Evaluation plus being the top name from the Dragon Palace Purple Mansion, if I were to contend with Chen Chen Shidi, that would merely be inviting humiliation upon myself."

After a moment of silence, the blue-clad youth cupped his hands and said:

"Rather than that, it is better to preserve my useful body and try my luck against the fellow disciples breaking through the formation below."

With this single sentence, he actively took a step back, actually admitting defeat on his own and exiting the formation, intending to start over from the beginning.

Watching this scene, Chen Heng neither affirmed nor denied it, simply continuing forward.

In less than the time of a few breaths, he encountered a second young girl in a pink skirt.

After exchanging only a single move, that girl was also sensible; imitating the actions of the previous person, she likewise actively admitted defeat.

It was not until the third person that Chen Heng finally engaged in one fight, yet he did not expend much effort, easily securing victory in this round.

And after easily winning three consecutive rounds, suddenly before his eyes there was dim thunder and lightning, pouring heavy rain, spinning wheels of fire, and whirling gusts circling about.

All sorts of disastrous scenes rushed toward him as if pressing against his head, enveloping him within them, seeming capable of easily crushing his body into pieces!

Facing this final illusion, Chen Heng remained outwardly calm, simply sitting cross-legged on the ground, firmly stabilizing his divine intent without leaking the slightest bit.

Until after the passage of one double-hour, seeing that Chen Heng's consciousness remained as solid as before, impossible to shake in the slightest.

That illusion finally slowly dissipated, scattering completely.

At this moment, the world before his eyes returned to a bright and clear state; Chen Heng flicked his sleeve, stood up, took just one step forward, and shook away the mist before him, clearing away all obstructions, walking out of the scope covered by the formation, and revealing the clear features of Qiyun Mountain.

The moment he exited the formation gate, the formation relaxed, and the spiritual energy surrounding him inevitably surged roaring toward the sky, rumbling with echoes, like a sea or a tide.

This caused all the people at the peak to simultaneously turn their gaze over, their expressions complex and their reactions varied.

"Chen Heng?"

At the top of a peak.

Wei Wei Daofu looked at the young Daoist exiting the formation, a strange light flashing in his eyes, as he slowly thought in his heart.

End of Chapter

(End of this chapter)