Chapter 1622: The Battle to Seize the Formation

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**Main Text**

As Qin Sang moved, the divine markings on his left arm gradually faded.

The power of the divine markings was fully unleashed.

Eventually, only a crescent blood moon remained on the back of Qin Sang's left hand.

Qin Sang stared at the blood moon, sensing intently.

Gradually, the blood moon's luster receded, until only a blood moon-shaped imprint remained. That peculiar aura was sealed within the imprint.

"No reaction…" Qin Sang murmured.

The lack of feedback from the blood moon indicated that the Nascent Soul cultivator's remains were not nearby.

Qin Sang wasn't sure of the imprint's sensing range, and the Ghost Mother's description had been vague, so he could only proceed one step at a time.

The imprint on his hand had no adverse effects.

Qin Sang shook his hand, ignoring it, and looked up at the cliff top. With a thought, his Second Nascent Soul flew out from the top of his head, summoning his external avatar.

He intended to send the avatar ahead to scout the terrain of the depths of the Immaterial Immortal Sect.

The avatar conjured the Snow Treading Divine Blade and was about to depart.

Qin Sang remembered something. His Qianjun Ring flashed, and a crocodile bone wrapped in a bloodied hand flew out.

This was the Blood Crocodile Bone Hand that Qin Sang had refined earlier.

The crocodile bone possessed extraordinary power and needed to be controlled by a bloodied hand. Giving it to the avatar would provide an additional means of defense in critical situations.

Before this, the avatar had already refined the Blood Crocodile Bone Hand. It took the bloodied gauntlet, put it on, put away the crocodile bone, and then stealthily headed deeper into the Immaterial Immortal Sect from the shadows.

Qin Sang watched his external avatar disappear into the mountain forest before emerging from his hiding spot.

By this time, Zhu Wudao and the others had already broken through the red mist and ascended the cliff top. They used the crystal stele to summon the ethereal ancient palace on the cliff top.

From the cliff base, the shimmering clear light emanating from the top was visible.

Qin Sang no longer hesitated, ascending along the stone path that Zhu Wudao and the others had opened.

The stone path was winding.

Qin Sang maintained a steady pace, instructing his Sky-Eyed Butterfly to closely monitor the changes in the anomaly at the cliff top.

Through the Sky-Eyed Butterfly, he saw faint spatial fluctuations emanating from the pavilion where True Lord Zilei and Yue Lingtian were hidden. The two finally emerged from the stone pavilion, but stopped again just before reaching the mountain peak.

True Lord Zilei sensed something, his expression shifting, and he suddenly glanced down the mountain.

Qin Sang reacted swiftly, flashing to the edge of the stone path and using the remaining restrictions to conceal himself.

Yue Lingtian noticed True Lord Zilei's action and transmitted a message, inquiring.

True Lord Zilei thoughtfully remarked, "Counting you, only four people have reached the cliff top."

"A ragtag bunch!" Yue Lingtian scoffed. "Some enter the immortal hall to seek fortune, while others covet the Immaterial Immortal Sect's treasures. They're not working together. The Heavenly Accord Hall's teleportation array is definitely inside the ancient palace. The overall situation is decided; no matter how many small-time opportunists there are, they won't be able to stir up any trouble!"

The cloud-carved dragon blocking the path into the Immaterial Immortal Sect had its pros and cons. Although Hua Chenzi hadn't been able to enter in time, most of the Immaterial Immortal Sect remnants were also kept out.

With him, True Lord Zilei, and True Lord Hegao working together, who would dare to stop them?

True Lord Zilei nodded slightly, also believing that even if someone was hiding below, it wouldn't affect the overall situation. To avoid further complications, he retracted his gaze.

On the cliff top.

The divine statue in Zhu Wudao's sleeve was scalding hot.

He calmly raised his hand and placed it on the ancient palace door.

The palace door was sealed by restrictions, but due to the damaged state of the hall, the restrictions also had many flaws. Zhu Wudao's eyes gleamed with divine light as he focused on deducing.

Crying Spirit Cave Master and the other two also arrived at the door, dividing tasks to break the restrictions.

Before long, Zhu Wudao formed a hand seal with one hand and sharply struck it out. A golden handprint landed precisely in the center of the palace door.

Despite no verbal communication, Crying Spirit Cave Master and the other two cooperated with remarkable synergy.

Crying Spirit Cave Master conjured a wooden thorn-like treasure, holding it between two fingers. With true essence injected, the thorn shot out a black thread that directly pierced into the restriction's interior, clearly a treasure specialized in breaking seals.

The Sword-Bearer relied on a single powerful move.

He used sword techniques with a blade, but unlike his previous wide, sweeping strikes, his blade aura was now subtle and flowing, silently楔ing itself into the restrictions, demonstrating exceptionally refined blade mastery.

Mo Xingdao couldn't help but glance over. He also conjured a silver bell-shaped artifact. The silver bell was small, and Mo Xingdao gently shook it in his hand.

No bell sound was heard, but visible ripples shot out, drifting towards the palace door.

With the four working together to unleash their divine abilities, the palace door's restrictions finally reached their breaking point. The palace door shook violently, emitting dazzling clear light, but it quickly dimmed.

*Creak!*

Zhu Wudao forcefully pushed open the palace door, and the scene inside the hall came into view.

Surprisingly, despite the hall's vastness, its furnishings were so simple they could be described as crude.

It was grand, yet empty!

Inside the hall, only four jade pillars stood, carved with dragons and painted with phoenixes, depicting various immortal birds and divine beasts. They were exquisitely beautiful, as if truly imbued with a trace of divine charm from the beasts, capable of stepping down from the jade pillars at any moment.

This was clearly not the work of ordinary individuals.

The jade pillars supported the grand hall.

Besides these, a ball of green light floated in the center of the four pillars.

Within the green light was precisely a teleportation array!

Two futons were placed at the edge of the teleportation array, suggesting that there must have been cultivators guarding the array in the past, but now it was empty.

Seeing the teleportation array, the four's eyes lit up. They didn't delve into why the place was so simple, their gazes firmly attracted to the teleportation array.

Crying Spirit Cave Master hesitated, stopping outside the door, observing Zhu Wudao's actions.

"There shouldn't be any traps inside the ancient hall…" Zhu Wudao said, flashing into the hall and directly moving to the teleportation array. Indeed, he met no resistance.

Only when he got closer did he realize how ingenious this teleportation array truly was.

The teleportation array floated in mid-air, connected to the earth's energy. Its restrictions were exceptionally complex, no less intricate than those rare ancient teleportation arrays—a masterpiece almost impossible for contemporary cultivators to create.

This array could pass through the immortal restrictions outside the immortal hall, directly entering the hall from the Southern Border.

Even the Daoist and Buddhist sects, who controlled the immortal hall, couldn't achieve this to this day.

Zhu Wudao and the others watched, entranced and amazed. They wondered if the Immaterial Immortal Sect had perhaps moved an ancient teleportation array here, thoroughly studied it, and then modified it.

Even so, the difficulty involved was unimaginable.

With the teleportation array before them, the immortal hall was just one step away.

The four's expressions, however, became even more solemn.

Zhu Wudao walked two circles around the teleportation array, then nodded under everyone's eager gazes. "Heaven smiles upon us; the teleportation array is completely intact!"

Upon hearing this, Crying Spirit Cave Master and the other two all breathed a sigh of relief. They could discern some clues themselves, but needed Zhu Wudao's personal confirmation to be sure.

Until now, Zhu Wudao still hadn't tried to drive others away or monopolize the immortal hall.

The three silently allowed Zhu Wudao to fly above the teleportation array.

Zhu Wudao continuously cast hand seals. After a flurry of activity, the teleportation array slowly began to rotate, its vital energy pulling on the already damaged ancient hall, causing it to shake so violently that one worried it might collapse.

At this moment.

Streaks of light burst out from Zhu Wudao's Mustard Seed Bag, all of them high-grade spirit stones.

The South Sea wasn't large, and the distance between the Southern Border and the Immortal Hall wasn't very far. To be safe, Zhu Wudao used only high-grade spirit stones.

*Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…*

The spirit stones embedded themselves into the array's orifices.

In an instant, the teleportation array vibrated, and a thick beam of green light suddenly erupted, almost piercing through the hall.

While Crying Spirit Cave Master and Mo Xingdao were still observing, the Sword-Bearer suddenly leaped up, flying above the teleportation array, directly facing Zhu Wudao.

At the same time, two streaks of light landed before the ancient palace door.

True Lord Zilei and Yue Lingtian finally appeared!

"Eight Scenes Palace!"

Hearing the rush of air, Crying Spirit Cave Master and Mo Xingdao turned their heads to see True Lord Zilei, their expressions drastically changing. They swiftly dodged to the other side of the teleportation array, exchanged glances, and then simultaneously looked towards the Sword-Bearer.

This person's identity was now evident!

The Sword-Bearer stared at Zhu Wudao, no longer concealing himself. His bones crackled internally, and he rapidly thinned, his appearance undergoing a drastic transformation.

Light flashed, and the Sword-Bearer transformed into a gaunt Daoist, none other than True Lord Hegao!

"Master Zhu, long time no see." True Lord Hegao greeted.

Zhu Wudao was the Headmaster of the Qu Yangshan lineage in the Sky-High Tower, renowned in the Central Continent. True Lord Hegao had dealt with him several times and was quite familiar with him.

Before Zhu Wudao's exposure, it was unimaginable that this person was actually a remnant of the Immaterial Immortal Sect!

*Thump! Thump!*

Footsteps echoed within the hall.

True Lord Zilei slowly approached, not conjuring any divine abilities or artifacts. He was looking at the teleportation array.

Crying Spirit Cave Master and Mo Xingdao, however, subconsciously held their breath, their faces solemn.

Eight Scenes Palace and Mount Taiyue, three great cultivators arriving together, two of whom were sect master-level grandmasters.

Zhu Wudao remained calm in the face of danger. He narrowed his eyes, then suddenly smiled with relief. "No wonder it was so smooth. This old man hadn't even used all his preparations, and the Immortal Sect's hidden mansion was successfully opened. I always felt there was a force lurking in the shadows, faintly present. I thought it was another group of Immaterial Immortal Sect descendants, but it was you! What, are the two immortal halls and the Daoist lineage still not enough to satisfy the Palace Master's appetite, so you've set your sights on the Immaterial Immortal Sect's hidden mansion?"

His tone became increasingly relaxed as he looked behind True Lord Zilei. "Where is that old bald monk?"

As he spoke.

The teleportation array's anomaly grew more intense.

The ancient hall, under the impact, began to shake violently again.

Dense green light burst out of the ancient hall.

Before the ancient hall door, another figure was illuminated by the array's spiritual light. It was Qin Sang, who had sensed the spatial fluctuations and rushed over.

On the cliff.

Seven grand cultivators were finally gathered!

Everyone was very surprised.

They had expected the arrivals to be Su Zinan and the others who had left earlier, but it was an unfamiliar face, and he seemed to be independent of True Lord Zilei.

"Take him down!" True Lord Zilei ordered without turning his head, his gaze suddenly fixing on Zhu Wudao.

True Lord Hegao had long been eager to act. Because his sect master brother was present, he dared not act presumptuously. Upon receiving the command, he immediately conjured his Natal Artifact, the Jade Mist Flowing Stream.

Yaoguang Thousand Illusions.

The light mist instantly transformed into a surging torrent, a white silk-like streak rushing towards Zhu Wudao's face.

"Are you still going to watch the show, thinking that Eight Scenes Palace will share the immortal hall's fortune with you?" Zhu Wudao roared sharply at the same time True Lord Zilei gave his order.

This was not only for Crying Spirit Cave Master and Mo Xingdao but also for Qin Sang, who had just entered. As long as they weren't Daoist allies, they could be used!

*Whoosh!*

True Lord Zilei's figure moved like lightning, directly rushing towards the teleportation array.

Midway, he raised his right hand, fingers slightly bent, purple light swirling. The sound of thunder echoed through the ancient hall, deafening, as five bolts of purple lightning suddenly shot out.

The purple lightning, as thick as thunder pythons, complemented the white streak, streaking through the air.

In reality, capturing Zhu Wudao was a pretense; seizing the initiative was the true goal.

Yue Lingtian's movements were also swift. He stomped heavily on the ground with both feet, and profound yellow energy seeped out from the ground, forming a mysterious array diagram beneath the teleportation array.

*Puff! Puff! Puff!*

Over a dozen profound yellow light pillars burst forth.

The light pillars were heavy and thick, encircling the teleportation array like a cage, attempting to seal the array within them.

From Zhu Wudao activating the teleportation array to True Lord Zilei, Yue Lingtian, and Qin Sang appearing, and then to True Lord Zilei's attack—it all happened in a flash.

However, everyone present had cultivated for many years. Even though they suddenly faced a sudden change, it didn't affect their judgment.

Although the three's divine abilities were sharp, Crying Spirit Cave Master and the others' counterattack was no less impressive.

Zhu Wudao's life or death had nothing to do with them, but his words were correct.

After Eight Scenes Palace and Sweet Dew Temple occupied the Immortal Hall, they had never been heard to share their fortunes with others. Their domineering actions were well-known, and today would certainly be no exception.

Even Qin Sang made a move.

He entered the ancient hall, flashed to one side, and his Golden Sinking Sword pierced the air, its light faster than a meteor. It suddenly disappeared mid-air, forming a sword array, but intentionally bypassed True Lord Zilei or Yue Lingtian, targeting the teleportation array directly.

Eight Scenes Palace and Sweet Dew Temple monopolizing the Immortal Hall was no secret. The two major sects had other ways to enter the Immortal Hall, but they were different; the teleportation array was their only path!

Qin Sang and the others didn't know the full story, only assuming True Lord Zilei wanted to eliminate potential threats by destroying the teleportation array, thus easily cutting off their chance to enter the Immortal Hall.

Undoubtedly, protecting the teleportation array was the top priority!

"Fellow Daoists, why bother with such a drastic measure? Let's sit down and talk," Qin Sang sincerely appealed.

In the void, sword threads surged, sweeping down furiously.

Precisely at this moment, the profound yellow light driven by Yue Lingtian erupted.

*Boom!*

The profound light, halfway to its target, suddenly dimmed, enveloped by the sword array.

For a moment, the profound yellow light pillars encountered enormous resistance. Their surfaces became mottled and riddled with holes, being forcibly suppressed by the sword array.

Qin Sang and Yue Lingtian, meeting for the first time, exchanged a long-distance strike.

Yue Lingtian's expression slightly changed. He flipped his hand and conjured a three-legged round cauldron. It spun around and crashed into the sword array.

Needless to say, not only Qin Sang, but Crying Spirit Cave Master and Mo Xingdao adopted the same approach.

Crying Spirit Cave Master's red flower artifact remained close to him. With a mental command, the artifact transformed into a rainbow and flew above the teleportation array. Its corolla inverted like a canopy, pouring out violent spiritual energy, sweeping away all forces attempting to approach the teleportation array.

Mo Xingdao secretly formed a spiritual seal, hesitated for a moment, then changed it to another seal. His throat bobbed, and he opened his mouth, spitting out a stream of white profound energy.

This profound energy was surprisingly sharp, swift as a sword's gleam, daring to directly strike the purple lightning unleashed by True Lord Zilei.

While striking, everyone unanimously rushed towards the teleportation array.

For a time, various strange lights erupted within the ancient hall, intertwining and creating a chaotic scene.

Zhu Wudao was at the center of the storm; his every move influenced the situation.

At this crucial moment.

The relaxed expression on Zhu Wudao's face was gone. The Jade Mist Flowing Stream was inches away, but he neither dodged nor avoided it. He straightened his upper body, and in an instant, golden light blazed forth.

The golden light enveloped his body, containing countless runes within.

The light refracted, and the runes reorganized. After a dazzling series of transformations, Zhu Wudao was clad in a golden battle armor!

The armor's luster flowed across his entire body; it wasn't an illusion but a real object.

Just by its appearance, no one would doubt the armor's durability.

Zhu Wudao still felt it wasn't enough. He spoke with a thunderous voice, intending to use other divine abilities or treasures.

The battle for the array was about to begin.

At this very moment.

As the teleportation array absorbed the spiritual energy from the spirit stones, the spatial fluctuations became increasingly apparent, and the light of teleportation brightened to its extreme.

Suddenly, it extinguished!