The Cultivators were somewhat at a loss regarding the grand Formation before them.
"Array Master Ke, is there a way to break the Formation?" Bian Chongzong immediately looked at the Formation Master, Ke Xiangtian, and asked for guidance.
Ke Xiangtian was recognized as the Formation expert in the team. This Formation was extremely powerful. If he couldn't break it, the only option was to force their way through, and the resulting casualties would be inestimable.
Ke Xiangtian didn't respond. His eyes, like deep abysses, were fixed on the Formation ahead, as if he wanted to see through the layers of Yin Qi to discern the essence of the Formation. His hands traced the outline of the Formation in the air, as if he were analyzing a complex puzzle.
After a long while, Ke Xiangtian took a deep breath, then slowly began, "This Formation is indeed extraordinary. It's a composite Formation, and the person who laid it is quite skilled, cleverly fusing several Formations together. At the same time, it also utilizes the underground Yin Qi, greatly enhancing the Formation's power. Breaking such a Formation is indeed quite difficult. I need some time to study it carefully."
Refining Void cultivator Xie Ben looked surprised upon hearing this and quickly asked, "Array Master Ke, do you mean that this Formation before us is not a Restriction of the Secret Realm itself, but was laid later?"
"Exactly!" Ke Xiangtian lightly stroked his long beard, nodding in affirmation, "The Secret Realm ahead originally contained a vast ancient Formation, which can be clearly seen from the ancient array patterns left on both sides of the passage. However, this new Formation before us is incompatible with the power of the ancient Formation, clearly indicating that someone utilized the geographical advantages of this place to lay a new one."
"It must be that Qian Wantong fellow's doing!" A Cultivator angrily interjected.
"That scoundrel! He's doing this to block us so he can have everything to himself!" Another Refining Void cultivator cursed through gritted teeth.
Everyone discussed animatedly, their anger evident.
Refining Void cultivator Xie Ben raised his hand, signaling everyone to calm down, and looked at Ke Xiangtian, asking with concern, "Since it's a new Formation, Great Master, do you have a method to break it?"
"Since it's a newly laid Formation, as long as I find its origin, I naturally have a method to break it. But this will take time, and it also requires the cooperation of all of us. Please give me some time, and I will definitely find a way to break this Formation." Ke Xiangtian nodded in response.
Ke Xiangtian's words calmed the crowd somewhat. They all expressed their willingness to fully cooperate with Ke Xiangtian to break this newly laid Formation.
In the corner of the passage, Wu Tian Demon Ancestor and the Nine Demon Sect Cultivators, all centered around Hongshan, stayed at the back of the passage, silently observing the scene before them.
"The Sealed Land should be ahead, but this Formation won't be so easy to break. That Formation Master probably can't handle it."
A moment later, Hongshan transmitted a response to Wu Tian Demon Ancestor's question.
Upon hearing this, Wu Tian Demon Ancestor's expression became even more solemn. Hongshan's cultivation was not only profound, but he also had extremely deep attainments in Formation and Restriction, and his judgment was rarely wrong.
"Demon Lord, what should we do then? Will you personally make a move?" Wu Tian Demon Ancestor looked at Hongshan, asking with concern.
A trace of blood-red flashed in Hongshan's eyes. He said in a deep voice, "This Formation is unusual. Let that group of Cultivators test the waters first. We'll bide our time."
"Yes!" Wu Tian Demon Ancestor nodded in agreement, completely trusting Hongshan's judgment.
Time flew by, and in a blink of an eye, several hours passed. Formation Master Ke Xiangtian seemed to have found some methods to break the Formation and instructed three Refining Void cultivators to enter the Formation and attempt to break it.
The grand Formation ahead began to change. Yin Qi churned and surged, as if drawn by some force, and began to rotate rhythmically. A fierce Yin wind blew, Yin mist obscured vision, and black whirlpools rapidly gathered.
Within the grand Formation, the three Refining Void cultivators, guided by Ke Xiangtian, cautiously moved through the Formation, each step proving extremely difficult.
Before long, nine black whirlpools slowly rotated in the air, like nine deep eyes, watching the three Refining Void cultivators below. Suddenly, a gloomy light burst forth from the center of each whirlpool. Immediately after, nine smaller Yin Demon Dragons roared, their Dragon roars deafening, as they fiercely launched a concerted attack on the three Refining Void cultivators.
These three Refining Void cultivators were all battle-hardened experts, but facing this sudden change, their expressions immediately shifted slightly. Their figures were agile, swiftly dodging the attacks of the Yin Demon Dragons. At the same time, they continuously cast Spells to counterattack. For a moment, lights flickered in the air, and Spells and Dragon roars intertwined into a spectacular scene.
However, these Yin Demon Dragons were not to be underestimated. They had an endless supply of Yin power from the grand Formation, making them fearless of death. What was even more troublesome was that the nine Yin Demon Dragons seemed to have a mysterious connection. They formed a Formation, cooperating tacitly. Whenever a Cultivator attacked and paused for a moment, the other Yin Dragons would seize the opportunity to counterattack, making it impossible to guard against.
Within the grand Formation, a massive amount of Yin Qi also permeated, making the battle extremely difficult. Although the three Refining Void cultivators were powerful, they couldn't withstand the combined attacks of the nine Yin Demon Dragons. They gradually felt their strength failing and began to seek an opportunity to break through.
Outside the grand Formation, the Cultivators watching the scene felt a chill run down their spines.
Ke Xiangtian watched all of this nervously from outside the Formation. He knew this was a critical moment for breaking the Formation. Although these Yin Demon Dragons were fierce, they were also the Formation's weakness. As long as they could defeat them, it might be possible to break this grand Formation.
Just as everyone was holding their breath for the three Refining Void cultivators, Ke Xiangtian suddenly pulled out a handful of golden Talismans from his sleeve. He quickly formed hand seals, muttering incantations, and instantly, those Talismans, as if imbued with life, swiftly rushed into the grand Formation.
The Talismans burned in the air, transforming into streaks of golden light. These lights converged into a powerful force, soaring skyward. The nine Yin Demon Dragons were startled by this sudden golden light and were momentarily flustered.
The three Refining Void cultivators seized this opportunity, quickly adjusted their state, and launched their final counterattack. They jointly unleashed powerful Spells, which merged with the golden light, and together struck the nine Yin Demon Dragons.
Under the double assault of the golden light and Spells, the nine Yin Demon Dragons finally could not resist and dissipated into bursts of Yin Qi in the air.
However, at this very moment, the concentration of Yin Qi within the grand Formation increased again, and the nine black whirlpools grew a circle larger, as if something was about to be birthed from them.
"Fellow Daoist Bian, Fellow Daoist Qiu, Fellow Daoist Chen, quickly exit the Formation! This Formation cannot be taken by force!"
Seeing the constantly expanding nine black whirlpools within the Formation, Ke Xiangtian immediately realized the seriousness of the situation and hastily warned the three Refining Void cultivators who were still in the Formation.
The three heard Ke Xiangtian's shout and dared not delay. They immediately flashed their figures, flying out towards the outside of the grand Formation. Behind them, the nine black whirlpools had already expanded to a certain extent, as if they could burst at any moment.
Just as the three were about to escape the grand Formation, the nine black whirlpools suddenly burst simultaneously. A vast surge of Yin Qi surged out, instantly filling the entire passage. Nine even fiercer and larger Yin Demon Dragons occupied everyone's vision, releasing an even more terrifying Dragon might.
Although the three Refining Void cultivators escaped the grand Formation in time, they were still affected by the surge of Yin Qi, and their figures swayed. They hastily circulated their Qi to resist, while secretly thanking Ke Xiangtian for his timely warning, which allowed them to escape the grand Formation in advance.
"Array Master Ke, how could this happen?" Bian Chongzong's tone was filled with anxiety and confusion. He suddenly turned his head, staring at Ke Xiangtian, and demanded, "Didn't you say that as long as those nine Yin Demon Dragons were eliminated, this Formation would be easily broken? Why are there now even more powerful Yin Demon Dragons?"
Recalling the thrilling experience in the Formation just now, where the three of them almost lost their lives, Bian Chongzong's words couldn't help but reveal a hint of blame.
Ke Xiangtian did not avoid Bian Chongzong's gaze. He furrowed his brows, his eyes fixed on the nine incomparably fierce Yin Demon Dragons within the Formation. At this moment, nine new Yin whirlpools were slowly forming behind them, as if foreshadowing the gathering of the next wave of Yin Formation power.
A bitter smile appeared on Ke Xiangtian's face, and he responded heavily, "I was mistaken. I originally thought this grand Formation was merely a composite Formation of the Yin Evolution Formation and the Nine Dragons Trapping Formation, utilizing the Yin Qi of the ancient Restriction here. But now it seems, things are far from that simple."
Ke Xiangtian's eyes showed admiration. He paused and continued to explain, "The complexity of this Formation exceeded my imagination. Those nine Yin Demon Dragons are not the end of the Formation, but the beginning of nine waves of Yin Demon Dragons. Each wave of Demon Dragons gradually strengthens their power by relying on an endless supply of Yin Qi. What we are facing is a constantly evolving, self-strengthening Formation. If we force our way through this Formation, we must defeat nine waves of Yin Demon Dragons at once to finally break the Formation!"
"What kind of Formation is this!" Ke Xiangtian paused for a moment and couldn't help but exclaim, "I, Ke, pride myself on being knowledgeable and have seen countless Formations, but the Formation I see today, its subtlety and complexity, is truly unheard of. It cleverly combines the principles of Yin and Yang with the power of the Nine Dragons, forming a unique and powerful defensive system that is truly astonishing."
Ke Xiangtian's words echoed in the empty passage. Upon hearing this, the Cultivators present felt their hearts sink. Their originally hopeful mood suddenly became heavy. They had seen a glimmer of hope for breaking the Formation, but unexpectedly encountered such a change.
The nine Yin Demon Dragons circled wantonly in the air. Their deafening Dragon roars, like thunder, boomed in everyone's ears, proclaiming their power and invincibility. Their majestic and terrifying aura seemed to mock everyone's powerlessness and despair without mercy.
"Nine waves of Yin Dragons, each one stronger than the last, how can we defeat them!" A Refining Void cultivator shouted unwillingly.
"That's right! The Secret Realm is so close, but we didn't expect this Formation to be so powerful." Another Refining Void cultivator echoed, his face filled with frustration.
"Forcing our way in is definitely not an option. We need to find another way." Bian Chongzong's gaze turned to Ke Xiangtian, and he asked with concern, "Array Master Ke, besides forcing our way in, is there no other way to break this Formation?"
Everyone's gaze focused on Ke Xiangtian, expecting him to provide a solution.
Ke Xiangtian's brows were tightly furrowed, lost in thought.
After hearing Ke Xiangtian's words, the atmosphere among the Nine Demon Sect group in the corner of the passage also became solemn.
"Demon Lord, do you recognize this Formation?"
Wu Tian Demon Ancestor quickly looked at Hongshan, asking for guidance through a mental message.
In Hongshan's eyes, a crimson light flashed quickly, then instantly disappeared, as if he had fallen into distant memories. After a long while, he slowly came back to his senses and responded to Wu Tian Demon Ancestor with a sigh, "This is the legendary Nine Dragons Immortal Slaughtering Formation. I never thought I would see such an ancient and powerful Formation here again. What's even more surprising is that the person who laid the Formation not only cleverly fused the Nine Dragons Immortal Slaughtering Formation with the Yin Yang Heavenly Evolution Formation, but also fully utilized the geographical advantages of this place. This person is not only a master of Formation layout, but also a rare genius! Someone who can lay such a Formation can absolutely be called a grandmaster of Formations!"
"Demon Lord, if you personally make a move, are you confident in breaking this Formation?"
A trace of solemnity flashed in Wu Tian Demon Ancestor's eyes as he asked with concern.
"A bit difficult!" Hongshan responded cautiously, "This Formation is no small matter. It fuses the Nine Dragons Immortal Slaughtering Formation and the Yin Yang Heavenly Evolution Formation, doubling its power. Even if I personally make a move, I don't have full confidence in breaking the Formation alone. It's better to wait and see."
Upon hearing this, Wu Tian Demon Ancestor said no more and silently watched Ke Xiangtian.
At this moment, Ke Xiangtian's mind was churning, his gaze wandering within the Formation, trying to find a weakness.
Ke Xiangtian suddenly broke the silence, saying resolutely, "It's not that there's no way. I have a method we can try, but it requires entering the Formation and is quite dangerous. It needs our tacit cooperation to succeed."
Upon hearing this, everyone's spirits lifted.
Bian Chongzong asked eagerly, "What method? Great Master, please tell us."
Whether they could break through this Formation concerned the existence of a Dao Lord's Cave and an ancient Secret Realm. All the Cultivators focused on Ke Xiangtian.
Ke Xiangtian took a deep breath and explained, "The core of this Formation lies in the endless supply of Yin Qi, which causes the Nine Dragons to constantly undergo Rebirth. By utilizing the characteristics of the Formation, we can guide the Yin Qi and Yang Qi to collide with each other, thereby breaking the balance of the Formation. Once the balance is broken, the Formation will naturally collapse on its own."
Ke Xiangtian paused, then continued, "In my early years, I accidentally discovered a Formation in an ancient text. This method is called the 'Yin Yang Reversal Within Formation'. Its core idea is to use the principle of Yin and Yang generating and overcoming each other to lay a smaller Formation within the existing grand Formation. By reversing Yin and Yang, it interferes with the operation of the grand Formation, thereby seeking an opportunity to break the Formation."
"However," Ke Xiangtian changed his tone and added solemnly, "the process of laying a Formation within a Formation is extremely dangerous. A slight mistake could cost all of us our lives within the Formation. Therefore, we must strictly follow my instructions and not make any mistakes."
Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions became solemn, and some hesitated. The method Ke Xiangtian proposed was too dangerous.
But this method of breaking the Formation was their only chance to enter the Secret Realm. After some discussion, the Cultivators agreed to Ke Xiangtian's proposal.
Soon, under Ke Xiangtian's guidance, everyone began to practice the layout of the Yin Yang Reversal Within Formation. (End of this chapter)
