Chapter 398 4 Symbols Flag Formation (Formation)

Watching Hugo (Person Name) depart, Eldrin (Person Name) and Lyra (Person Name) swiftly returned to their cave abode.

Upon entering the cave abode, Lyra frowned and said, "How utterly unreasonable! This person dares to demand a 30 percent premium for the Heavenly Crystal and even expects us to travel to the Dawnlight Continent for the transaction."

"That is not what concerns me."

Eldrin furrowed his brow and spoke gravely, "I fear this person has designs on the Heavenly Crystal in our possession."

"Does he possess such capability?"

Lyra shook her head, "At their level of cultivation, both combat prowess and life-preserving methods have reached truly astonishing heights."

Although Hugo (Person Name) was renowned as the top Golden Core expert of Tianming Province, and his clan boasted 5 Golden Core cultivators, their combined strength might still fall short against Eldrin (Person Name) and Lyra (Person Name).

At this point, initiating a conflict over some Heavenly Crystal (Spiritual Object) would be an utterly foolish act—1 that was highly unlikely to occur.

At this thought, Eldrin also nodded and said, "It benefits neither of us to make enemies, since neither side can completely crush the other."

"Not to mention he is not far from the Nascent Soul Realm. If he were to suffer a severe injury, it could very well sever his path of cultivation. I doubt he would be foolish enough to risk that."

"I thought as much."

Lyra (Person Name) paused in contemplation before continuing, "His previous failed attempt at breaking through to the Nascent Soul realm must have depleted over half of his clan's accumulated resources."

"So this time, he planned to exchange Heavenly Crystal (Spiritual Object) for spirit stones, aiming to profit from the 30% premium before converting them back to Heavenly Crystal (Spiritual Object) through his own channels, right?"

Now that the Clan Lord of the Ji Clan in Jizhou was on the verge of breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage, he had been employing every means possible to gather Heavenly Crystals (Spiritual Object).

Unlike the Ji Continent, the Golden Core clans on other major continents could leverage their connections to exchange for Heavenly Crystals (Spiritual Object) from Nascent Soul clans.

After all, refining a supreme demon-subduing treasure consumed an immense amount of 5 Elements essence, and the Eldrin Immortal Clan also required vast quantities of spirit stones to acquire precious artifacts.

Eldrin and Lyra knew little about the Nascent Soul immortal clans from other continents, and dared not risk exchanging Heavenly Crystals with them. However, this Hugo might possess the connections and networks to facilitate such dealings.

At this thought, Eldrin pondered for a moment before saying, "I shall make some inquiries first to see if Hugo holds any indirect grudges against us."

"If not, let us make a journey to the Tianming Continent."

"Hmm."

Lyra nodded. The Brightdawn Continent was already part of their planned route, so heading there would simply align with their original arrangements.

Soon, Eldrin inquired through a few acquaintances and returned to his cave abode.

Seeing him return, Lyra (Person Name) inquired, "How did it go?"

This individual holds a grudge against that old ghost Deng from the Yan Kingdom’s Deng clan. It is said that over 2 100 years ago, the 2 even clashed in battle, but the matter was ultimately dropped due to the great distance of the Ji Province.

Eldrin smiled faintly and said, "Since your grudge is solely with Old Ghost Deng and holds no other enmity toward us, there should be no major concerns."

"That's good." Lyra also smiled, speaking with full confidence. "In truth, we needn't be overcautious. With our strength combined with 2 Void-Piercing Talismans, even a Nascent Soul True Monarch might not be able to stop us from leaving."

"Indeed, in this realm, strength speaks the loudest."

Eldrin smiled faintly and acknowledged her words.

Just a mere Hugo (Person Name) was enough to warrant their serious attention, but certainly not their fear.

Early the next morning, the 2 of them found Hugo (Person Name).

Eldrin looked at him and said straightforwardly, "Brother Daoist Huo, we have decided to accompany you to the Dawnlight Continent."

"Good."

A look of delight crossed Hugo's face as he promptly rose to his feet. "Then we must not delay," he said urgently. "Let us depart at once."

The 3 of them wasted no time. After gathering their belongings, they flew straight toward the Daybreak Province.

They journeyed across the entire Tianhu Province before finally arriving at the legendary Qilian Mountain Range.

The Qilian Mountain Range was a renowned chain of majestic peaks. Though it couldn't compare to the Heaven's Spine Mountains—1 of the 30-6 sacred peaks of the Eastern Wastelands—it still stretched for over 10 million li in magnificent divine splendor.

Ancient legends whisper that the Qilian Mountains once served as sacred grounds where the demon race paid homage to their deities, with even supreme Demon Emperors having walked these peaks in ages past.

Approximately 8,000 years ago, the peerless Sword Immortal Lin Tianqi emerged abruptly, cleaving through 10 1000 miles of void with a single strike that utterly obliterated the Qilian Mountain Demon God Temple.

At that time, Lin Tianqi had merely stepped into the Nascent Soul realm, yet the sword intent he unleashed was still formidable enough to shake the heavens and earth.

Even to this day, the vast Qilian Mountain Range remains shrouded in boundless sword intent. Cultivators below the Golden Core Realm can hardly endure the pressure of this sword intent for extended periods, rendering them incapable of traversing such an expansive mountain range.

"What formidable sword intent."

Eldrin traversed the vast Qilian Mountains, feeling the sword intent within him seethe violently. The Heaven-Severing Twin Swords resonated with an unparalleled hum of blades.

As the sword intent within Eldrin’s body surged with increasing intensity, Hugo chuckled and said, “Fellow Daoist Chen, it seems you’ve chosen the path of the sword as your primary cultivation. No doubt you’ll reap considerable gains this time.”

Eldrin nodded slightly. He could feel that as he ventured deeper into the Qilian Mountains, the sword intent within him was being stirred by the mountainous aura, continuously honed to unprecedented sharpness.

Beside them, Lyra (Person Name) also gained considerable insights. Her Heaven's Ruin Immortal-Slaying Sword grew increasingly keen and formidable, showing clear signs of significant refinement.

The group continued their journey with heads bowed, pressing onward until they had completely traversed the Qilian Mountains. By then, Eldrin felt the sword intent within him had condensed by over 30 percent, and his strength had once again made significant strides.

After traversing the Qilian Mountains, Hugo chuckled, "Another 3 million li ahead lies the territory of our Huo Clan."

"Both of you, follow me quickly..."

After another month of flying, the group finally arrived at the Huo Family.

Hugo led the 2 toward the Guest Reception Peak, smiling as he remarked, "Please wait here at the Guest Reception Peak for a moment. I'll retrieve the origin Heavenly Crystals for you."

"Hold."

Eldrin halted his steps, gazing at the Guest Greeting Peak ahead as he remarked, "Your esteemed clan has laid down array formations upon the Guest Greeting Peak. Surely this isn't the proper way to receive guests, is it?"

"You have a keen eye, sir. Unfortunately, it is already too late."

Hugo suddenly let out a cold laugh. With a sweep of his hand, he summoned 4 life-bound array flags, instantly enveloping the entire expanse of heaven and earth.

The Western White Tiger Banner, the Eastern Azure Dragon Banner, the Southern Vermilion Bird Banner, and the Northern Black Tortoise Banner—could this be the 4 Symbols Flag Formation (Formation)?

Eldrin's pupils contracted slightly before he shook his head again. "No, this is merely a replica..."

"You truly have a discerning eye, sir." Hugo nodded, then said with a smile, "The legendary 4 Symbols Flag Formation is an innate numinous treasure from the immortal realms. What I possess is merely a paltry imitation—a paltry life-bound magic treasure at that."

"With cultivation at your pinnacle, ordinary means could never hope to confine you since you refuse to enter the formation. I have no choice but to deploy this set of soul-bound formation banners."

"Now that you are trapped within my 4 Symbols Flag Formation (Formation), you'd better surrender peacefully."

Hugo's words fell, a trace of cold mockery flashing in his eyes.

At the same time, 5 figures radiating majestic auras descended from the sky, while Foundation Establishment and Purple Mansion cultivators began closing in from all directions.