Chapter 324. Taiyi Heaven-Sealing Formation

The old clan leader pondered for a moment before saying thoughtfully, "The demon clan is supported by a fourth-order spirit vein for replenishment, while we merely occupy a few third-order spirit veins in the surrounding areas."

"The longer we drag this out, the more disadvantageous it becomes for us. In my view, it would be best to resolve this battle swiftly."

"Easier said than done to make it quick."

Xavier shook his head and objected, "But we might not be able to breach the Mountain Protection Array."

"We have 2 Tier-4 treasure ships, which should be sufficient to breach the mountain protection array."

Chen Changxuan’s brow twitched slightly as he weighed his words.

Beside them, Elara (Person Name) cast a glance at the group and shook her head. "That Heavenly Demon Blade can unleash 6 strikes. I fear even our treasure ship’s full-power attacks would be drained by its onslaught. After all, the combined might of our 7 Stars Demon-Slaying Sword Aura can only be deployed 3 times."

"Then let's use spirit stones to power it."

Lyra made the decision, fearing that further delay might invite unforeseen complications.

Fortunately, they had stockpiled a considerable amount of spirit stones for this battle, enabling the treasure ship's 7 Stars Demon-Slaying Sword Aura (Magic Treasure) to unleash its full power.

Early the next morning, the Heavenly Ruins Alliance marshaled their forces for another assault, deploying both the Sky Python and the Black Flood Dragon (Demon Beast) war treasure ships to the front lines.

The moment the battle commenced, everyone resolved to give their all. The Celestial Python Treasure Ship was the first to strike, as several 1000 cultivators joined forces to activate the formation, unleashing the 7 Slaughtering Stars Sword Aura.

This strike was comparable to a full-powered blow from a Golden Core Great Perfection expert. The moment it descended, the guardian formation of Earth Lion Ridge trembled violently, its radiance flickering like a guttering candle.

Although the guardian formation of Earth Lion Ridge could withstand 2 or 3 Golden Core, Late Stage cultivators, it still endured immense pressure under such an assault and would not survive many more attacks.

"7 Stars Demon-Slaying Sword Aura?"

"Hmph—"

Within the Earth Lion Ridge, the Earth Lion Demon King watched as the 7 Stars Demon-Slaying Sword Aura unleashed its might, his gaze turning slightly cold.

Seeing the Black Dragon Treasure Ship glowing once more, the Earth Lion Demon King hastily activated his formation and began to unleash the Heavenly Demon Blade in retaliation.

Although this Heavenly Demon Blade could not completely withstand the 7 Stars Demon-Slaying Sword Aura, it managed to erode over half of its power. After a series of clashes, it successfully blocked all 6 sword auras unleashed by the 2 treasure ships.

It is done.

Seeing that he had blocked the 6 sword auras, the Earth Lion Demon King let out a slight sigh of relief.

But in the very next instant, its expression shifted slightly as it hastily pushed the power of the Du'e Mystic Pearl to its absolute limit.

Yet the 2 treasure ships, disregarding all cost, used spirit stones to recharge the 7 Slayers Demon-Sundering Sword Aura and unleashed consecutive strikes of the demon-slaying blade energy.

The group expended a full million spirit stones, unleashing 10 successive Demon-Slaying Sword Auras that pushed the mountain-protecting array to its limits. As the final strike fell from the Sky Python Treasure Ark, the array shattered with a metallic shriek that echoed through the heavens.

As the mountain-protecting formation was on the verge of collapse, Lyra (Person Name) was the first to merge with her sword and charge into the Earth Lion Ridge.

"Let's move."

In an instant, several dozen Golden Core and Purple Mansion cultivators followed closely behind.

The tens of thousands of human cultivators aboard the treasure vessel seized the opportunity to charge forth, clashing with the demon tribes of Earthlion Ridge in fierce combat.

At this moment, high above the Lion Ridge, the Earth Lion Demon King and the Golden Lion Mastiff Demon King soared into the air, confronting Lyra (Person Name).

Less than 5 breaths had passed since the clash began when Elara (Person Name), Xavier (Person Name), and Eldrin (Person Name) swiftly arrived to reinforce Lyra (Person Name), joining forces to besiege the 2 Demon Kings.

Seeing the numerous opponents, the Earth Lion Demon King's expression abruptly changed. He swiftly seized the opportunity to retreat, then suddenly cried out.

"Fellow Daoists, if we do not strike now, when shall we?"

"Lion King, do not be hasty."

Just then, a voice echoed through the void.

Eldrin looked up and saw 3 black-robed men approaching from the left, while a massive Savage Bull emerged on the right.

Savage Bull Demon King.

"I never expected you would aid the Earthlion Demon King."

Lyra remarked impassively, "The Savage Ox Tribe is considered part of the Maned Lion Tribe's food chain—they might as well be natural predators. To call them mortal enemies wouldn't be an exaggeration."

The Savage Bull Plains of the Savage Bull Demon King had long been locked in a cycle of mutual predation with the Earth Lion Ridge. For him to come now in support of the Earth Lion Demon King was, to some extent, rather unexpected.

The Savage Bull Demon King strode forth, his voice rumbling like thunder: "This Sovereign was reluctant to intervene, but the Earth Lion Demon King promised me the Bull Demon Blood Jade."

The Bull Demon Blood Jade is an exceptionally rare treasure that aids the Barbarian Bull Tribe in awakening their Bull Demon bloodline. No wonder the Barbarian Bull Demon King has taken action.

Lyra nodded, her gaze shifting to the 3 black-robed figures on the other side. She remarked calmly, "You do seem to enjoy lurking in the shadows, but I suspect you aren't demonic cultivators."

"Heh heh heh..."

Among the 3, the leading voice let out a strange laugh.

He stared fixedly at Lyra (Person Name), letting out a cold sneer. "What does it matter whether it is or isn't?"

"Now that you're facing 6 of us against your 4, yet remain so composed, you must believe you have some means to escape."

The black-robed elder spoke as he raised his hand, channeling his magical power. 9 formation banners soared into the void, sealing off the heavens and earth for hundreds of miles in all directions.

After completing this final step, he sneered coldly and declared, "This formation is called the Taiyi Heaven-Sealing Formation (Formation), a peak sixth-grade array. It has sealed off a radius of several 100 li—you won’t be able to escape anytime soon."

"Not good!"

Xavier's expression turned grave as he cautiously probed the surroundings, confirming that a formation had indeed sealed off an area spanning several 100 miles. For the time being, breaching it would prove exceedingly difficult.

Lyra's expression remained serene as she raised her hand in a subtle gesture. Instantly, the Jitu Kunyuan Pan unleashed countless earthy yellow strands that once again enveloped the void.

Having completed this step, Lyra (Person Name) smiled faintly and said, "I had initially thought that the Earth-Suppressing Primordial Disk alone wouldn't be enough to restrain you all."

"Now with your Taiyi Heaven-Sealing Formation (Formation) complementing it, the 2 combined shall ensure none of you escape."

"Wrong."

The Earth Lion Demon King and the others’ expressions shifted, yet they sensed that Lyra seemed a tad too confident.

And at that very moment, from the distant void, an elder of transcendent demeanor came treading through the empty air: "Fellow Daoist Jiang, Fellow Daoist Chen, it seems your decision to invite this old man as your hidden trump card was indeed not misplaced."

Several demon tribesmen looked up, their expressions shifting subtly.

The newcomer turned out to be none other than Elder Taiwu. As the Grand Elder of the Verdant Azure Immortal Sect, he had originally formed a Mid-Grade Golden Core. Now that he had broken through to Golden Core, Mid Stage (Cultivation Realm), his power should rank among the formidable even within Golden Core, Mid Stage (Cultivation Realm) cultivators.

"How did he return?"

The Earth Lion Demon King’s expression darkened. The demon clan had long been secretly guarding against the Sky Vault Sword Sect and the Violet Abyss Sect, yet they never expected that the Azure Heaven Immortal Sect—now reduced to a single Golden Core cultivator—would intervene in this battle.

The expressions of the 3 Ancestors of the Deng Clan shifted slightly, and the Clan Leader spoke with an icy tone.

"Even with the addition of a Golden Core, Mid Stage (Cultivation Realm) expert, it would still be nigh impossible to defy the heavens and alter fate."

"Attack!"

In an instant, several Golden Core Elders from both sides soared into the sky, unleashing their full power the moment they made a move.

Patriarch Deng and the Earthlion Demon King immediately besieged Lyra (Person Name), intending to eliminate their most formidable foe first. Yet the moment they engaged, both found their techniques utterly restrained—every move anticipated and neutralized before it could fully manifest.

Chapter 1 The biting cold wind howled through the mountain pass, carrying with it the scent of blood and decay. A young man in tattered blue robes knelt amidst the snow, his breathing ragged. Crimson stained the pure white ground around him, a stark contrast to the pale complexion of his face. "Lin Ming (Person Name), hand over the Heavenly Crystal (Cultivation Resource), and I might grant you a swift death," a voice, cold and sharp as a dagger, echoed from the shadows of the towering pine trees. Lin Ming raised his head, a trace of defiance flickering in his eyes despite his grievous wounds. "Elder Bai (Person Name), you covet this treasure so much that you'd betray the sect and ambush your own disciple?" A gaunt, middle-aged man in grey robes stepped into the clearing. A cruel smile played on his lips. "Foolish boy. In the world of cultivation, strength is the only truth. That crystal is a treasure left by a Golden Core (Cultivation Realm) expert. What use is it in the hands of a mere Qi Refining (Cultivation Realm) fourth layer ant like you?" He raised a hand, spiritual light gathering around his palm, forming the phantom of a ferocious wolf. "Since you seek death, I shall oblige." Lin Ming's heart sank. The gap between the Qi Refining realm and the Foundation Establishment (Cultivation Realm) realm was like that between heaven and earth. He had just broken through to the fourth layer, while Elder Bai was at the early stage of Foundation Establishment. There was no chance of victory. *Is this the end?* He thought bitterly. *After all my struggles, after surviving countless dangers in the Abyssal Canyon (Location), to die here, betrayed by my own Elder...* His fingers, numb from the cold, brushed against a small, warm, crystalline object hidden within his robes – the very Heavenly Crystal that had caused this disaster. Suddenly, a strange warmth spread from the crystal throughout his body. The world seemed to slow down. The swirling snowflakes hung motionless in the air. The menacing spiritual pressure emanating from Elder Bai felt distant, like a far-off echo. A flood of alien memories and profound insights forcefully poured into his mind. A mysterious cultivation technique, its name materializing in his consciousness: [Primordial Chaos Genesis Sutra (Cultivation Method)]. "Impossible!" Elder Bai's eyes widened in shock and greed. "You... you actually managed to bond with it? To awaken its inherited memories? Such fortune should be mine!" He roared and unleashed his attack. "Savage Wolf Tearing Wind (Technique)!" The spiritual energy wolf phantom lunged at Lin Ming, its maw wide open, capable of shattering steel. But Lin Ming, his eyes now clear and deep like an ancient well, didn't retreat. He instinctively formed a hand seal with his fingers, circulating the newly acquired technique. A faint, chaotic, greyish energy enveloped his right fist. He threw a simple, straightforward punch forward. *Boom!* There was no flashy collision of lights. The ferocious wolf phantom shattered upon contact with the grey energy, dissipating into motes of light. The force of the impact did not stop; it continued forward, striking Elder Bai squarely in the chest. *Crack!* The sound of breaking bones was crisp and horrifying. Elder Bai was sent flying backward, crashing heavily against a giant rock dozens of meters away. Blood sprayed from his mouth, his face a mask of utter disbelief and terror. "You... you..." He couldn't form a complete sentence, his internal organs shattered by that single, unimaginable punch. Lin Ming stood up, looking at his own fist, equally astonished. He could feel that the energy he had just used was not his own meager spiritual power, but a trace of primordial chaos energy guided by the [Primordial Chaos Genesis Sutra (Cultivation Method)]. He walked slowly towards the dying Elder Bai. "Mercy... Senior Nephew Lin, have mercy!" Elder Bai pleaded desperately, his previous arrogance gone, replaced by the fear of death. "I was blinded! I have 50,000 spirit stones (Cultivation Resource) saved, and a mid-grade Profound Iron Sword (Magic Treasure). I'll give them all to you!" Lin Ming looked down at him coldly. "The path of cultivation is treacherous. You taught me that today." He raised his hand, gathering another wisp of that chaotic energy. "Wait! I have a secret!" Elder Bai screamed, "About the Mystic Frost Sect (Organization)! They are planning to..." His words were cut short. A grey light flashed, and Elder Bai's eyes lost their luster forever. Lin Ming took a deep breath of the icy air, the metallic scent of blood filling his lungs. He searched Elder Bai's body, finding a storage ring (Magic Treasure). After a quick inspection with his spiritual sense, he indeed found the 50,000 spirit stones and the Profound Iron Sword (Magic Treasure), along with several bottles of Qi Nourishing Pills (Consumable) and a dozen or so other miscellaneous items. He incinerated the corpse with a low-grade Fire Talisman (Consumable), leaving no trace. Standing alone in the vast, snow-covered mountains, Lin Ming knew his life had irrevocably changed. Possessing the Heavenly Crystal (Cultivation Resource) and the [Primordial Chaos Genesis Sutra (Cultivation Method)] meant unimaginable opportunities, but also dangers beyond measure. He looked towards the distant horizon, where the first light of dawn was breaking, painting the snow-capped peaks with a golden hue. "The Azure Cloud Sect (Organization) can no longer return to." He murmured to himself. "From today onward, I, Lin Ming, walk my own path." He turned and strode into the boundless snowy wilderness, his figure gradually disappearing among the swirling snowflakes, embarking on his solitary journey of cultivation. --- A genius remembers in 1 second: m.zibibi