Chapter 1616: Who is the Mantis and Who is the Oriole?

The celestial phenomena above Taiyue Gate intensified. A large hole had appeared in the sky, and an immortal mansion was manifesting into reality. The storm within the passage showed no signs of stopping, though its expansion at the edges gradually slowed. According to Zhu Wudao, the passage was stabilizing.

However, the altar's vibrations were much stronger than before, and their intensity increased. Peripheral cultivators were shaken off, with only a few, like Mo Xingdao and the Crying Spirit Cave Master, managing to hold on. After some time, Zhu Wudao and the other four also began to breathe more rapidly. Zhu Wudao gritted his teeth, his expression grim, staring intently at the passage above without a word. Without his command, Su Zinan and the others dared not let go; they could only persevere.

Time slowly passed, feeling incredibly long to them. Finally, the passage stopped expanding and hovered above Taiyue Gate. The turbulence remained astonishing, but it was now possible to enter. Of course, intruders still needed to be extremely careful, as a single misstep could lead to eternal damnation.

With a command from Zhu Wudao, "Enter!" the altar vibrated, carrying everyone skyward. They plunged into the passage and were swallowed by the turbulence in an instant, vanishing without a trace.

The other inheritors of the Formless Immortal Sect split into two groups. Some, confident in their strength, grouped together and followed Zhu Wudao and the others into the passage. Others, prioritizing safety, withdrew from Taiyue Mountain with their disciples. Their reasons were twofold: to wait for the turbulence to weaken and to prevent retaliation from Taiyue Mountain. They would soon be glad of their decision.

Qin Sang stood at a distance, activating his vision to observe everything. As Su Zinan and the others entered the passage and the remnants of the Formless Immortal Sect withdrew, the passage entrance fell into a brief calm. Given the intensity of the turbulence, it probably wouldn't be easy to force entry, so there was no need to rush. Qin Sang was not in a hurry to move. He remained stationary, his gaze sweeping back and forth, searching for the Eight Sceneries. The ancient dwelling had appeared; wouldn't True Monarch Zilei show himself yet? His gaze swept across the mountain peaks, noting flashes of light at the edge of the Taiyue Mountain range. Nearby cultivators, alarmed by the celestial phenomena, were rushing towards the area, but there was no sign of the Eight Sceneries cultivators.

At this moment, Qin Sang's attention was drawn to Taiyue Mountain's main peak. When the celestial phenomena erupted, the Sky-Veiling Profound Array and Taiyue Mountain's protective array were broken through from within. However, the protective array was rooted in the ground and the main peak; its foundation was not destroyed and would not be difficult to repair.

On the main peak, spiritual array lights flickered, and several figures flew out. The one leading them was Hua Chenzi, the Grand Elder of Taiyue Mountain. The remnants of the Formless Immortal Sect hadn't gone far, but there was no time to settle scores with them now. Hua Chenzi looked around and channeled qi into talismans. Dozens of Profound Yellow Secret Talismans hovered before him. Then, Hua Chenzi repeatedly pointed his finger, and streaks of light shot out as the talismans embedded themselves into the various peaks of Taiyue Gate. The ground rumbled, and the mountain peaks trembled. The protective array restarted! No one stopped Hua Chenzi; this step was completed very smoothly.

Immediately after, an astonishing scene unfolded. Dust suddenly billowed from the ground. Under the array's influence, the main peak and several other crucial peaks of Taiyue Gate sank deep underground. A thick, profound yellow light shield enveloped the surface, then slowly contracted to the size of a mirror and also vanished underground. It was foreseeable that a fierce struggle would ensue around the Formless Immortal Sect for some time. It was unknown how many masters would be drawn here, unless someone relocated the Formless Immortal Sect. Taiyue Gate was close by, with its foundation rooted here. If they didn't find a way to protect it, there was a risk of the sect being shattered if it was affected.

"No one is allowed to leave a single step without the Sect Master's and my command!" Hua Chenzi's voice resonated underground.

At the same time, outside Taiyue Gate, a valley erupted with dazzling light. Qin Sang, from a distance, stirred slightly, thinking to himself that the true masters had finally appeared! The dazzling light, like cold moonlight, traced an arc in the void and landed before Hua Chenzi. Both parties were old acquaintances, so they dispensed with formalities, nodding to each other, their expressions varied as they looked at the empty passage. True Monarch Zilei was enveloped in moon-like essence, and behind each person's head, a bright moon hovered, their Qi connected. It turned out they were also preparing an array.

Gazing at the passage, True Monarch Zilei looked thoughtful. Yue Lingtian said in a deep voice, "The Formless Immortal Sect's grand array is even stronger than expected. The Five Phase Orders and that altar are keys to opening the ancient dwelling, and they should also provide protection and guidance within the turbulence. The remnants of the Formless Immortal Sect are numerous and powerful. If they get there first, Fellow Daoist Hegao alone might not be able to stop them."

"Indeed!" True Monarch Zilei remained calm. "Fortunately, we are also prepared, and their Five Phase Orders are incomplete, so the altar shouldn't last much longer." Saying this, True Monarch Zilei conjured a spiritual talisman and shattered it. The moonlight behind everyone's heads brightened significantly, enveloping Hua Chenzi and the others as well. Their figures blurred, and they entered the passage, controlling the array.

"Both sides are prepared, and there are many masters. I only have my avatar accompanying me, which feels a bit thin..." Qin Sang sighed inwardly. Once the cultivators from Eight Sceneries and Taiyue Gate disappeared, he finally made his move. Unexpectedly, just as Qin Sang and his avatar were about to depart, they abruptly halted. A wisp of black mist suddenly rose from the old site of Taiyue Gate, circled the passage entrance twice, observed clearly, and then flashed into the passage. Seeing this, Qin Sang's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of surprise in them. Although he did not approach, his spiritual sense detected a hint of threat from the black mist.

"Could it be another Grand Cultivator? Was he summoned by one of the factions, or did he just happen to be here? How many mysterious masters are there in Middle-Earth?" The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind it. How many mantises and how many orioles are there, exactly? The waters of the Formless Immortal Sect might be murkier than imagined!

Qin Sang no longer hesitated and flew with his avatar to below the passage. 'Rumble...' Closer, they could feel the power of the turbulence even more strongly. Inside the passage, it was hazy and filled with visible chaotic energy. It wasn't entirely without pattern; there were clear fluctuations from layers of restrictions and spiritual arrays. But this was not good news. It likely meant they would have to resist impacts while breaking arrays, making it much more difficult! The power and chaos here were no less than in the Hall of Unfetteredness. However, the interior of the Formless Immortal Sect was intact, so gray tides should not appear.

Qin Sang conjured the Golden Sinking Sword, using its light to clear the way. The avatar maintained a distance from the main body, wielding the Snow-Treading Divine Blade for vigilance. The Heaven-Eyed Butterfly focused intently on the depths of the passage, activating its Heaven-Eye power to the extreme, guiding him through the chaotic scene. Although Qin Sang came alone, he was not solitary.

Not long after Qin Sang entered, the first wave of cultivators drawn by the celestial phenomena arrived, most of whom were Golden Core cultivators. Upon arriving, they witnessed a sight more shocking than the celestial phenomena themselves. "Where is Taiyue Gate?" They stared at the empty ground, dumbfounded. Most of these people came from forces on the periphery of Taiyue Mountain, including small sects and cultivation families, all of whom had some connection to Taiyue Gate. Some had even visited Taiyue Gate just a few days prior. The less important outer peaks remained, but the main peak and other core areas had all vanished, flattened overnight, sending shivers down their spines!

"Was this caused by the celestial phenomena?" Someone swallowed hard, their voice trembling. "Who would dare to go in?"

"Didn't we just see someone enter? I don't know if it leads to a secret realm, but the storm should weaken. It won't stay this dangerous forever, there must be a way..." A man in a green shirt looked at the passage with some anticipation. Before he could finish speaking, a short, sharp scream was heard. It turned out that a cultivator, too close to the passage, was caught by the escaping turbulence. Before he could escape, he was swept in and utterly disintegrated. Everyone was horrified by this sight, scattering and lingering on the periphery, not daring to approach.

At this moment, a streak of light shot from the horizon, stopping before the passage, revealing a gaunt old man—the first Nascent Soul cultivator attracted by the celestial phenomena. "It's the Old Ancestor of Magpie Mountain!" someone whispered. The Magpie Mountain Old Ancestor gazed at the passage for a moment, then, after a brief ponder, he raised his right hand. A ring on his finger glowed, and a spiritual crow fluttered up, cawed twice, and darted into the passage. The Magpie Mountain Old Ancestor stared at his ring, seemingly lost in thought, but he was actually sensing the spiritual crow.

A short while later, the Magpie Mountain Old Ancestor's expression subtly changed. His right hand twitched, and the ring on his finger suddenly went dim.

"Haha..." A burst of laughter came from behind. The void twisted, and a short, stout cultivator with a squat build appeared next to the Magpie Mountain Old Ancestor. "It seems it's even messier inside than out, Old Fellow, you've suffered a hidden loss!"

The Magpie Mountain Old Ancestor's face fell slightly, and he snorted, "Old Ghost Qiu, feel free to try it yourself!"

"No need to try. Even if I forced my way in, I'd be spread thin. Why don't we wait for a few more fellow daoists and enter together?" Old Ghost Qiu said, glancing sideways.

The Magpie Mountain Old Ancestor did not refuse. He looked down at the ground. "Has Taiyue Gate truly been flattened?"

"Absolutely not!" Old Ghost Qiu said with certainty. "Yue Lingtian appears rough and unrefined, but he's actually very cunning. There's no way a sect like theirs would be so easily destroyed. Taiyue Mountain's secret technique, the 'Thick Earth Record,' is unparalleled in earth-element cultivation. He likely found a way to connect with the earth veins and conceal the sect's entrance. The celestial phenomena were most likely created by Yue Lingtian!"

The Magpie Mountain Old Ancestor nodded, gazing at the mirage in the depths of the passage. Old Ghost Qiu asked, "Did you remember something?"

"Didn't you think of it?" the Magpie Mountain Old Ancestor retorted.

The two waited for a while, and then several more Nascent Soul cultivators were drawn to the area. Old Ghost Qiu and the others attempted to enter once but found the passage too deep. As a loose group, fighting individually, they couldn't last long, so they retreated to discuss formation.

Just then, two figures drifted gracefully into view. "Fellow Daoists, please halt..." Old Ghost Qiu subconsciously invited them, but upon seeing their faces and cultivation levels, his expression instantly froze. He was filled with regret, wishing he could slap himself twice. The Magpie Mountain Old Ancestor and the others also drastically changed their expressions, as if facing a formidable enemy. The newcomers were none other than the Poison King and Master Huaiyin. Master Huaiyin was not well-known in Middle-Earth, but the Poison King was highly renowned.

The Poison King, with a half-smile, landed before the group. He looked at the passage, then at the old site of Taiyue Gate. "Fellow Daoists, could you tell me what happened to Taiyue Gate?"

Inside the passage, Zhu Wudao and the others continuously pushed forward, controlling the altar and the Five Phase Orders. The five-colored light could not extend too far in the turbulence; it was compressed into an elliptical light shield, enveloping them all. The Five Phase Orders truly lived up to their reputation as treasures from the Formless Immortal Sect. Protected by the light shield, their pressure significantly decreased. The passage's arrays and restrictions silently dissipated upon touching the light shield, offering no obstruction. The turbulence generated by the arrays' agitation was also weakened.

Unfortunately, this good fortune did not last. As time passed, the drawbacks of the imitation tokens became apparent. Previously, Zhu Wudao had used other methods to forcibly maintain the balance between the tokens, but he could no longer sustain it. 'Bang! Bang! Bang!' The altar shook violently from side to side, and the Five Phase Orders' light fluctuated intensely, their power unstable. Especially the two imitation tokens, which became the weakest points!

"Withdraw!" Seeing that the situation was untenable, Zhu Wudao gave the warning, withdrew his hands, and swiftly retreated. Su Zinan and the others were equally swift, instantly separating from the altar. With a deafening 'boom,' the altar exploded. Fragments flew everywhere, immediately swallowed by the turbulence and reduced to dust. The Five Phase Orders were simultaneously blasted away. Amidst the turbulence, five streaks of light were particularly conspicuous. Just as they were about to be swept away by the turbulence, golden light burst from Zhu Wudao's eyes, his gaze, almost tangible, shot towards the Golden Phase Order. The Golden Phase Order instantly froze in place, enveloped by a small golden sphere. Pulled by the golden light, it was retrieved by Zhu Wudao.

The strange-faced man and the sword-backed man performed similar actions. The sword-backed man's movements were even faster than Zhu Wudao's. While retreating, he casually unleashed a blade glow, disrupting the Earth Phase Order's flight path, and easily brought it into his possession. The strange-faced man, on the other hand, transformed his arm into a wooden vine, wrapped it around the Wood Phase Order, and brought it back to him.

However, the two imitation tokens were not so lucky. Zhu Wudao's crafting of these imitation tokens as keys to open the Formless Immortal Sect's ancient dwelling was already the limit of his abilities. Su Zinan and the white-robed man went to retrieve their respective tokens. Just as they were about to succeed, the imitation tokens exploded in front of them, perhaps due to being caught in the altar's destruction, or their power having been exhausted, or a combination of both. The white-robed man watched helplessly as the token fragments were swept away by the turbulence, an unwilling groan escaping from beneath his mask. Su Zinan managed to grab a handful of fragments, but it was clear restoration was impossible. His expression subtly darkened, then instantly returned to normal. He covertly glanced at Zhu Wudao, the strange-faced man, and the sword-backed man. Seeing that they had all put away their Five Phase Orders and thus couldn't rely solely on their power to break through the array, he gave up the idea.

Without the altar's protection, Zhu Wudao and his companions were fine, but the others found it challenging to cope. The passage was already open, and the Formless Immortal Sect's ancient dwelling lay ahead. With no external threats and the foundation of cooperation gone, it was inevitable that various thoughts would arise, making sincere collaboration difficult. Although they didn't completely disperse, Su Zinan and the others tacitly maintained a certain distance, each acting independently. Those with weaker cultivation could only continue to group together, gradually falling behind.

A similar situation occurred behind them. The Eight Sceneries and Taiyue Gate forces, united, moved forward controlling their array. Initially, they advanced with irresistible momentum, but their speed gradually slowed down further in. Although the spiritual array ensured their safety, it somewhat hindered the speed of True Monarch Zilei and Yue Lingtian.

"Junior Brothers, please escort this humble Daoist and Sect Master Yue for a while; you can catch up later!" Not seeing any trace of Zhu Wudao and the others for a long time, True Monarch Zilei couldn't hold back. As fellow disciples, sharing both glory and loss, the Nascent Soul cultivators naturally didn't object. They immediately changed their formation, surrounding True Monarch Zilei and Yue Lingtian, and jointly controlled the array to clear a path for them. The two's speed surged, their figures vanishing without a trace.