Chapter 1647: Move Mountains and Change Positions

Mortal Realm

This token was the last of the Five Phase Tokens: the Fire Phase Token.

The white-robed Daoist took out the Fire Phase Token and ascended the steps.

After a long journey, the mountain gate came into view.

It was another tall jade gate, but the inscription on it read 'Regaining Bodhi'.

The Kun Dao stared at the inscription on the jade gate, wondering why a Buddhist term was carved there.

"Emperor-granted Mountain holds a supreme position in the Formless Immortal Sect," the white-robed Daoist explained. "It began as the founder's cultivation ground. Later, it evolved to serve various purposes, though its symbolic meaning became more prominent. While there are myriad methods in the world, times change, and heaven and earth transform. Among the various cultivation methods, very few people in the present era can cultivate to the Soul Transformation stage. These jade gates are said to commemorate the ancestors within the Formless Immortal Sect who dared to try new methods and diligently advanced, each possessing the qualifications to establish their own sect! They succeeded in new methods and achieved Soul Transformation, essentially forging a new path for future generations. Therefore, a climbing path and a jade gate were left on Emperor-granted Mountain…"

The white-robed Daoist scrutinized the four characters 'Regaining Bodhi'.

Without a doubt, the senior commemorated by the jade gate practiced Buddhism. However, 'Bodhi' holds extraordinary significance in Buddhism, and its use here was certainly an exaggeration, perhaps even an overstep.

Of course, the Formless Immortal Sect cared little for external criticism.

"Did this senior fall from the Soul Transformation realm, or did they switch to cultivating Buddhist methods and re-enter Soul Transformation?"

The white-robed Daoist did not delve deeper. His attention was on the sea of mist behind the jade gate. He motioned for the Kun Dao to come closer, and then they passed through the jade gate.

They experienced the same situation as Qin Sang.

As the mist surged, the Fire Phase Token glowed red, enveloping them both and guiding them to a jade pavilion.

The entire jade pavilion was made of a spiritual jade material. It had no runes or inscriptions, appearing exceptionally pure.

The white-robed Daoist shook the Fire Phase Token in his hand, but the jade pavilion showed no change, its large door remaining tightly shut.

He looked at the Fire Phase Token again.

The token had guided them to the jade pavilion, but it was not responding now.

The Kun Dao was somewhat surprised. "Isn't this the key to open the jade pavilion?"

"The experts of the Formless Immortal Sect activated the grand formation and sealed themselves within the mountain," the white-robed Daoist explained, stroking his beard and examining the jade pavilion's door as he pondered. "This token was forged then, divided into five elemental types. Since there's no reaction, it must be because ten thousand years have passed, the Formless Immortal Sect experts have long since ascended, and there's no one inside to receive us. However, this also has its advantages. The grand formation is not being manipulated by anyone; it will only operate automatically according to its inherent rules. With the Fire Phase Token in hand, we don't have to worry about being obliterated by the formation. We can gradually figure out its patterns."

Then, he motioned for the Kun Dao to retreat nine meters. With a slight flick of his wrist, the Crimson Fire Sword flew out of his hand.

*Swish!*

A crimson sword shadow thrust directly at the jade pavilion's large door.

When the spirit sword struck, there was no sound of impact, but a red halo burst forth, instantly sweeping towards them. Its momentum was not great, but within the halo lay astonishing power.

The white-robed Daoist's expression was solemn, and without hesitation, he held the Fire Phase Token horizontally across his chest.

*Puff!*

Upon contact with the Fire Phase Token, the halo silently dissipated.

Seeing this, the white-robed Daoist's expression relaxed slightly. He continued to strike with his sword, thrusting it onto the jade gate repeatedly.

Watching his actions, the Kun Dao grew increasingly puzzled. She knew her senior brother's strength well; the sword strikes shouldn't have been so light, and the speed of his attacks was growing slower and slower.

What she didn't see was that as the white-robed Daoist struck, his eyes gleamed with an unusual light, as he deduced something.

Before long, the white-robed Daoist finally gained insight. He let out a laugh, and with a flick of his palm, recalled the Crimson Fire Sword. He slid two fingers along the sword's body, channeling energy directly into it.

Wherever his fingers passed, crimson fire flared brightly, and the sword hummed vigorously.

"Go!"

The white-robed Daoist pointed at a specific spot on the jade pavilion's large door.

The next moment, sword energy surged like a rainbow.

*Boom!*

A dazzling, unprecedented halo suddenly erupted. Although it was also neutralized by the Fire Phase Token when it reached them, its other residual waves continued to surge deeper into the mist, raising countless ripples.

The white-robed Daoist moved like lightning, holding the Fire Phase Token, and pressed it onto the center where the halo had erupted. To his surprise, there was no resistance, and it sank into the door!

*Boom!*

The jade pavilion gently trembled.

The white-robed Daoist quickly retreated. Looking back at the jade pavilion, he saw a token had appeared, and it had moved on its own to the position of the jade pavilion's lintel.

The Fire Phase Token had merged with the jade pavilion, becoming one with it!

With a creak, the tightly closed door of the jade pavilion opened a tiny crack.

The two exchanged a glance.

The white-robed Daoist used his sword to push the door. He found there was no resistance, and with a gentle push, it swung open. Unexpectedly, behind the door was an expanse of dark nothingness.

A single movement in the grand formation would affect the whole.

The Kun Dao dared not move rashly, watching the white-robed Daoist.

The white-robed Daoist stepped into the jade pavilion. The Kun Dao quickly followed, but unexpectedly, the white-robed Daoist suddenly froze in place, seemingly sensing something, his expression changing abruptly.

Meanwhile, Qin Sang had already entered the jade pavilion.

Like the white-robed Daoist, he utilized the protective properties of the Wood Phase Token, constantly probing the changes in the jade pavilion door's restrictions.

Although he did not know the secrets of Emperor-granted Mountain, by perceiving the changes in the restrictions through the Wood Phase Token, coupled with his accumulated knowledge of restrictions and the assistance of the Heavenly Eye Butterfly, he also discovered the profound principles. He used the Wood Phase Token to open the jade pavilion door, entering the jade pavilion earlier than the two from the Jade Platform Sect.

However, the sight inside the jade pavilion greatly exceeded his expectations.

From the outside, the jade pavilion did not appear large.

But behind the door was not a hall, but an expanse of void.

Qin Sang felt as though he was drifting in empty space. This space seemed boundless, deathly silent, devoid of sound and material objects.

The only thing he could sense was the entrance to the space—the jade pavilion door—which remained consistently in one place.

Certain that he could return at any time, Qin Sang boldly began to explore. Using the jade pavilion door as a landmark, he headed directly towards the deepest part of the space, comprehending the spatial changes as he flew.

Gradually, Qin Sang gained understanding.

He could confirm this was not a real space, but one formed by the power of a formation. Although he seemed to be moving within the space, he was actually being invisibly displaced by restrictions, which was why he could never reach the exit.

The spirit formation used this method to prevent people from entering Emperor-granted Mountain.

If someone were guiding him, he could easily find the way out. Now, he could only rely on himself to find the patterns.

However, as long as he found the key point, there would be a way to break it.

For Qin Sang, this was not difficult; it only required some time.

"Crow flies, rabbit runs."

In front of a jade gate.

Zhu Wudao, Su Zinan, Mo Xingdao, and Old Demon Fan arrived here. Looking at the inscription on the jade gate, Su Zinan softly recited it, not understanding its meaning.

This phrase describes the passage of time, but its meaning here was unclear.

Old Demon Fan lingered outside, making his own marks. He saw the conspicuous white jade steps behind the jade gate, leading directly into the sea of mist. He grumbled, "Junior Brother Zhu, it's clearly a straightforward path behind the door. Are you perhaps exaggerating to scare us?"

Zhu Wudao replied with a smile, "Without the Five Phase Tokens, the white jade steps appear real. With the Five Phase Tokens, one knows it's an illusion! If Senior Brother doesn't believe it, feel free to go in and try."

Although Old Demon Fan was suspicious, he wouldn't fall for it. He snorted, "Since that's the case, there's no rush to enter. We'll wait for my helpers to arrive, then enter the mountain together."

Zhu Wudao said helplessly, "I assure you, I'm not speaking falsely. It's enough if Senior Brother guides them here. Once you help me break the grand formation and shift the mountain's position, the mountain path will naturally appear, and they'll quickly catch up. Senior Brother, don't forget, two groups have already gone ahead of us, and Old Daoist Purple Lightning is among them!"

A sharp glint flashed in Su Zinan's eyes. He feigned confusion, "We're already here, Elder Fan, why the suspense? I wonder which esteemed figures those two fellow Daoists are. If the anomalies in the Fire Phase Hall were caused by them, they might not escape so easily. We can't just keep waiting here."

Observing Old Demon Fan's solemn demeanor throughout the journey, it didn't seem like a pretense.

Yet, his helpers were still nowhere to be seen.

Su Zinan had probed several times, eager to deduce the identities of the others.

"Heh heh," Old Demon Fan chuckled. "Once they arrive, Fellow Daoist Su will naturally know. Fellow Daoist, rest assured, their cultivation is no less than ours. A mere remnant formation cannot trap them."

Old Demon Fan knew that Zhu Wudao had gathered many experts.

Among those entering the mountain, besides Su Zinan and Mo Xingdao who were present, there was also the Crying Spirit Cave Lord on another path. Counting Zhu Wudao, that made at least five Grand Cultivators.

The Daoist sect also had three Grand Cultivators.

Old Demon Fan felt greatly outnumbered. He preferred to bring in Poison King and Master Huaiyin as well, to further muddy the waters.

Before his words had fully fallen, they suddenly saw mist waves rising from the west side of Emperor-granted Mountain, with spiritual light flickering.

Such anomalies were common on Emperor-granted Mountain. Su Zinan and the other two merely glanced at it, paying no mind. Only Zhu Wudao's expression changed. He performed a quick calculation with his fingers and repeatedly muttered that it was bad.

"What happened?" Su Zinan asked curiously.

"Someone else has entered the mountain," Zhu Wudao said, his expression grave, "and they hold a Five Phase Token!" None of them noticed a hint of delight flashing in his eyes.

"The Earth Phase Token is in the Daoist sect's hands," Su Zinan murmured thoughtfully. "The Crying Spirit Cave Lord and his companion hold the Wood Phase Token. The Water and Fire tokens haven't appeared yet."

Only he knew the Water Phase Token was in his hands!

As expected, Zhu Wudao shook his head. "It's not the Water Phase Token! Based on my deduction from the formation, that location corresponds to the Fire Phase Token!"

His understanding of Emperor-granted Mountain far surpassed others; he could deduce parts of the grand formation's patterns from outside.

"The Fire Phase inheritor!"

Su Zinan and Mo Xingdao exchanged a glance, both simultaneously thinking of the Fire Demon.

They had suspected this for a while; now they could confirm it.

Su Zinan was somewhat unsure whether the Fire Rhino Pendant was taken by the Fire Phase inheritor or fell into the hands of Old Demon Fan's helpers.

However, it was certain that the Ice Ritual Divine Plate was in the Fire Demon's hands!

"Senior Brother Fan, are you sure you still want to wait?" Zhu Wudao frowned, looking at Old Demon Fan.

Old Demon Fan sneered inwardly. But seeing Zhu Wudao's genuine expression, he couldn't help but waver. Three groups had already entered the mountain, not lacking descendants of the Formless Immortal Sect. If they waited any longer, the opportunities might very well be seized.

Seeing his hesitation, Su Zinan cursed Old Demon Fan's indecisiveness inwardly. He wondered why Zhu Wudao insisted on involving this person. Had he known this, he would have shaken them off and acted alone.

Finally, Old Demon Fan nodded. The four entered in single file, arriving at the jade pavilion.

There were three jade pavilions, identical in appearance.

Zhu Wudao's approach, however, differed from Qin Sang's.

He stood directly in front of the jade pavilion's large door. Initially, he also probed, but he did not allow the Golden Phase Token in his hand to merge with the jade pavilion. Instead, after some exploration, he ordered Su Zinan and the other two to attack the jade pavilion.

The Golden Phase Token was controlled by Zhu Wudao. The others could not precisely sense the changes in the jade pavilion's restrictions, so they had no choice but to follow his instructions.

Su Zinan and Mo Xingdao were to Zhu Wudao's left, and Old Demon Fan was to his right.

The four unleashed their respective divine abilities.

Under Zhu Wudao's guidance, spirit treasures and Daoist techniques continuously bombarded the jade pavilion, and strange lights flickered constantly. The jade pavilion initially remained unmoving, but under the continuous attacks of the four Grand Cultivators, the tremors grew increasingly intense.

The halos released by the jade pavilion were all blocked by the Golden Phase Token, so they did not have to worry about backlash and could attack freely.

However, Su Zinan and the other two were astute individuals. Seeing Zhu Wudao single-mindedly making them attack the jade pavilion, they all began to doubt Zhu Wudao's true intentions.

"Junior Brother Zhu," Old Demon Fan said, "it takes four of us Grand Cultivators to barely shake this jade pavilion. Among the other groups, perhaps only the Daoist sect's methods might be stronger. The others will likely be held up by the jade pavilion for a long time. Given this, do we still need to worry about others getting ahead?"

Old Demon Fan's eyes narrowed slightly, and the might of the demonic artifact in his hand sharply decreased.

Zhu Wudao's expression remained unchanged. He raised the Golden Phase Token and said gravely, "As expected, I can't hide it from Senior Brother! Indeed, there's another way: we could use the Five Phase Tokens to open the jade pavilions, figure out the patterns of the restrictions within them, and slowly find the correct path. They're surely all using this method. But we're already behind. If we follow their pace, we'll certainly be left behind. Doing as I say and destroying the jade pavilion may seem reckless, but it will actually save us a lot of trouble. We can go directly into the mountain!"

Su Zinan frowned. "Fellow Daoist Zhu," he said, "Emperor-granted Mountain is a sacred site of the Five Phase co-rulers, a crucial ancestral dwelling. The power of its spirit formation can be felt even from the foot of the mountain. Are you sure you can destroy the jade pavilion with brute force?"

"Fellow Daoist, rest assured," Zhu Wudao said with complete confidence. "This old man dares to do this because I am confident. If it were ten thousand years ago, or if this formation were being manipulated, it would be absolutely impossible to destroy the jade pavilion. The Formless Immortal Sect has been sealed for ten thousand years, and the earth's meridians have shifted. That's why there's an opportunity. Furthermore, the more Five Phase Tokens are returned to their places, the more advantageous it is for us. As Fellow Daoist can see, the jade pavilion is already loosening."

Seeing this situation, the others ceased their questioning and increased their efforts.

While they attacked the jade pavilion,

Poison King, Master Huaiyin, and Qin Sang's avatar also ascended Emperor-granted Mountain one after another.

The avatar arrived at the jade gate, seeing the secret mark left by the main body, instructing him to wait there.

Knowing the spiritual formation behind the jade gate was dangerous, the avatar sat down then and there to meditate and regulate his breath. He took out the lotus platform and examined it. Judging by the size, the Ruyi Treasure Orb could fit perfectly into the lotus platform, snugly.

But whether the two treasures formed a set, he would only know after reuniting with the main body.

"The Ruyi Treasure Orb is a defensive treasure," the avatar mused. "If it merges with the lotus platform, will the power of the protective barrier increase?"

The avatar thought to himself. His divine sense probed into the lotus platform, but he could not sense any spiritual essence. It shouldn't be a spiritual treasure.

Poison King and Master Huaiyin were also blocked outside the door.

"Old Demon Fan told us to wait outside, to jointly seize the Soul Transformation opportunity," Poison King sneered, having found Old Demon Fan's mark. "When did this old demon become so kind that he would share opportunities with outsiders? Is he putting on an act, or has he encountered an opponent and wants to divert trouble?"

Their agreement with Old Demon Fan had no binding force.

Master Huaiyin gazed at the sea of mist and said, "One must not rashly trespass here."

"Very well," Poison King said, looking around. He had just collected some fire poison and was in a very good mood. He decided to trust Old Demon Fan this once and wait.

After some thought, he flicked his sleeve, and a black light flew out.

A faint red glow emanated from the black light, appearing quite eerie.

Poison King pricked his fingertip, forced out a drop of essence blood, and merged it into the black light, which instantly swallowed it completely.

At the same time, Poison King's face suddenly turned ashen white, as if he had paid a great price. His exquisite features now held a touch of pitiful vulnerability.

The black light was seen wriggling, then suddenly turned and darted towards the mountain, emitting a whirring sound.

"That person indeed went in!" Poison King said coldly.