Chapter 2099: Six Transformations of Divine Power

Mount Shenmu.

Sacred Lake.

Min Shu and the clan elders activated a grand formation, encircling the Sacred Lake with azure waterfalls. The water curtain separated the inside from the outside, and the water within flowed upwards towards the sky. The patriarch's and elders' relatives, along with high-ranking members of the Changyou clan, had all taken refuge inside the Sacred Lake.

The Sacred Lake could not accommodate many people; as for the clan members outside, they were left to fend for themselves.

Outside the waterfall, a blurry figure quietly appeared – it was Qin Sang's dharma body. Qin Sang's dharma body had arrived to probe the true nature of the sacred land, and then witnessed this scene.

On his shoulder, colorful light flickered, taking the form of a butterfly shadow – it was the Heaven's Eye Butterfly.

The man and the butterfly watched the waterfall. The Heaven's Eye Butterfly spread its wings, and the Heaven's Eye patterns on its wingtips shimmered with vibrant light, gradually deepening in intensity.

They attempted to penetrate the water curtain, peering into the Sacred Lake's interior and the intricate workings of its grand formation.

Under the Heaven's Eye divine ability, the scene within their vision gradually became clear. Their gaze pierced through the water curtain, revealing numerous palaces and pavilions built along the Sacred Lake's banks, filled with many Changyou clan members.

Due to a long-standing respect and awe for the Sacred Lake, no one dared to step even half a pace into it. They remained active only on the shore, fearing they might desecrate their ancestors.

Qin Sang's gaze shifted, noting the stone statues on the Sacred Lake's shore. After gazing at them for a moment, he continued to look towards the Changyou Clan Ancestral Temple at the center of the Sacred Lake.

Qin Sang did not find any top Changyou clan experts on the shore. They were likely all in the Ancestral Temple, where the core of the Sacred Lake's grand formation must be located.

Without breaching the grand formation, it would be impossible to target the Ancestral Temple. His gaze then returned to the stone statues on the Sacred Lake's shore.

These stone statues depicted individual Changyou clan members, possibly past powerhouses or heroes. However, they were certainly not merely for worship. The aura emanating from these statues was very unusual, connected to the grand formation. Even if they weren't the core of the formation, they were a crucial part, and perhaps a point from which to attack.

Qin Sang was very patient, gradually unraveling the intricacies of the Sacred Lake's grand formation. At the same time, he had another advantage.

After the Heaven's Eye Butterfly broke through to the Sixth Transformation, it did not manifest divine abilities like the Heaven's Eye Divine Light or Separation-Reunion Divine Light from before. Qin Sang initially thought this was related to the Heaven's Eye Butterfly's past mutation.

After breaking through to the Sixth Transformation, the Heaven's Eye Butterfly's ability to absorb tribulation lightning significantly strengthened. It might have embarked on a path entirely different from a normal Heaven's Eye Butterfly, thus preventing it from manifesting normal Heaven's Eye Butterfly divine abilities.

Qin Sang was not too disappointed by this. For cultivators, realm advancement was paramount, as it brought about changes in one's life essence. As long as the Heaven's Eye Butterfly could continue to improve, he would be willing even if it didn't manifest any new divine abilities.

Gradually, however, Qin Sang discovered that this was not the case. The Heaven's Eye Butterfly had indeed manifested a new divine ability, but its manifestation was not obvious.

The Heaven's Eye Butterfly cooperated with him in some experiments, and Qin Sang found that its ability to decipher formations, seals, barriers, and so on, had become stronger, and it wasn't merely a simple increase in power.

Previously, to break a formation, it relied on the Heaven's Eye divine ability to see through hidden secrets, find weaknesses concealed by the formation master, unravel the formation's intricacies, and then deduce a method to break it.

Now, for certain formations, the Heaven's Eye Butterfly could directly pass through them, as if it could vanish into nothingness, traverse space, and reappear directly inside, without the arduous effort of deciphering. Thus, barriers in the current world were no longer barriers.

Qin Sang recalled the scene when the Heaven's Eye Butterfly underwent its Sixth Transformation lightning tribulation: its figure appeared and disappeared intermittently, as if constantly shifting between reality and void.

Ghost Mother once said that the Seventh Transformation Heaven's Eye Butterfly was named Void Butterfly, leading Qin Sang to surmise that its abilities were related to its name.

Could it be that the Sixth Transformation Heaven's Eye Butterfly already possessed the ability to traverse space, or had it prematurely grasped this divine ability due to its mutation?

However, in subsequent experiments, Qin Sang discovered that this ability of the Heaven's Eye Butterfly was only effective against some simple formations and prohibitions. It could not traverse complex or intricate grand formations, leading him to suspect that its cultivation was insufficient. Furthermore, the Heaven's Eye Butterfly could not yet fully control its divine ability; it was unstable, succeeding sometimes and failing others.

It was still unclear whether the Heaven's Eye Butterfly transformed itself into nothingness or simply traversed between the void and reality. Once it broke through to the mid-stage of the Sixth Transformation, its divine ability would surely improve, and only then could he verify it in detail.

Nevertheless, with the Heaven's Eye Butterfly's help, Qin Sang found it easier to break formations and seals than before.

As he observed the stone statues one by one, Qin Sang gradually noticed some clues and then fell into deep thought.

These statues appeared in his mind, forming a formation of statues. Then, one after another, they seemed to leap from their pedestals, exchanging positions and changing their formation.

Before long, Qin Sang grasped several key points. Using these as clues, he continued his deductions and achieved results.

Qin Sang discovered that the Changyou clan's Sacred Lake grand formation was indeed quite profound, but its power was also limited. Given more time, he would certainly be able to deduce a method to break the formation.

Merely breaking the formation wouldn't be enough; he needed to act swiftly and decisively. He also had to seize control of the Ancestral Temple before they could send for aid from the Zhu Yan clan.

Qin Sang continued his deductions, feeling that there was indeed a chance.

Yet, for some unknown reason, whenever Qin Sang considered acting against the Sacred Lake's grand formation, he felt a sense of unease.

At his level of cultivation, illusions were impossible. There must be something he had overlooked. Qin Sang frowned, continuing to scrutinize the Sacred Lake, his gaze finally settling on the Changyou Clan Ancestral Temple.

Suddenly, Qin Sang's gaze sharpened, and he finally spotted an anomaly.

The Ancestral Temple's aura was connected to the Sacred Lake's grand formation, emitting a pure, lake-blue light. However, every so often, at the deepest point of the blue light, a fleeting dark blue light shadow would flash and disappear.

The dark blue light shadow appeared for an extremely brief moment and was very subtle, easily overlooked.

Qin Sang didn't know what the dark blue light shadow was, but whenever he focused on it, an instinctive warning sign would emerge within him.

It could be something left behind by a powerful Changyou clan ancestor, or a hidden trap from when the Ancestral Temple was built in ancient times.

Regardless, the dark blue light shadow was extremely dangerous. Qin Sang recalled what Silu had once said: the Ancestral Temples of all the alien tribes were far from simple.

Even if he could forcefully break open the Sacred Lake's grand formation, it would be meaningless if he couldn't control the Ancestral Temple and prevent them from sending out warnings.

The path of breaking the formation seemed to be a dead end...

Qin Sang did not lose heart and continued to think calmly. Just then, he realized another problem he had overlooked.

Had the Changyou clan kept the grand formation and Ancestral Temple activated all this time?

The purpose of the Sacred Lake's grand formation was to protect the sacred land, so keeping it constantly activated was understandable. However, the Ancestral Temple was a symbol of their ancestors; even with the patriarch's esteemed status, he couldn't stay in the Ancestral Temple at all times, as it would be considered blasphemous.

The Changyou clan experts, as if with foresight, had activated the sacred temple in advance. Who were they guarding against?

Besides him, who else could threaten the Changyou clan's sacred land?

If they were guarding against the Storm Realm, it would mean the Changyou clan had known all along that there was a Void Refinement stage expert in the Storm Realm!

Qin Sang's previous attention had been entirely on breaking the formation. Upon discovering the dark blue light shadow, he realized this problem. If this was the truth, was the Changyou clan patriarch's massive slaughter in the Canglang Sea a deliberate attempt to lure him out?

This could not possibly be a trap set by the Changyou clan patriarch alone. What exactly was their purpose?

Thinking of these points, Qin Sang's dharma body immediately contacted his true body and, without hesitation, left the Sacred Lake, flying eastward on his sword.

Canglang Sea.

Qin Sang's true body remained hidden in the shadows, combining the dharma body's discoveries with Silu's observations to conclude that there was likely a conspiracy behind the Changyou clan patriarch.

The question was, how were they exposed?

Qin Sang guessed that the news of his fight with Yuan Miao had leaked. A powerful demon cultivator appearing in the alien tribes' territory was indeed quite conspicuous and might have been noticed by observant individuals. The Changyou clan might have learned the news through unknown channels, or perhaps someone had warned them.

Throughout the territory of the Zhu Yan clan and its subordinate tribes, only the demon cultivators of the Storm Realm were truly formidable. If the Changyou clan patriarch became suspicious because of this, it made sense.

Knowing that he possessed the strength to defeat Yuan Miao and had helpers by his side, yet the Changyou clan patriarch still dared to confront them, there must certainly be an accomplice behind him.

Perhaps the Changyou clan patriarch, realizing he could no longer conquer the Storm Realm alone, changed his strategy and actively sought external assistance. Another reason was that he had also entered the second stage of the Void Realm, already possessing the strength to cooperate with other powerful clans without fear of being overshadowed.

The Changyou clan patriarch's actions had revealed the existence of the Storm Realm to other tribes, undoubtedly making the situation more complex.

With the situation unclear, Qin Sang could not think of a good countermeasure. He could only force the accomplice behind the Changyou clan patriarch to reveal themselves first, and then adapt to their moves.

Only Qin Sang's dharma manifestation and Silu's companion beast were currently visible. If the Changyou clan patriarch's accomplice proved too powerful, they would still be able to escape.

On the battlefield, Zai Zhen appeared from behind the scenes. He sighed, regretting that Min Zhuo was too weak and had shown signs of defeat without even forcing out the opponent's true strength. He also sighed at Qin Sang's decisiveness; a disagreement meant immediate action, rendering their prepared arguments useless.

The appearance of Min Zhuo's accomplice came as no surprise to Qin Sang and Silu, and they showed no intention of stopping.

The Scarlet Feathered Demonic Bird plunged into the jade bowl, which still held half a bowl of water, turning it into the bird's bathing tub, leaving Min Zhuo dumbfounded.

Every scarlet feather erupted into fierce flames. Within the jade bowl, crimson fire shot skyward, streams of fire spreading rapidly along the surging torrent, immediately overwhelming its momentum.

Although Silu had broken through only slightly earlier than Min Zhuo, the legacies behind them were incomparable. Merely employing a companion beast, Silu already showed a tendency to suppress Min Zhuo.

Of course, this was also because Min Zhuo's greatest fear was actually Qin Sang, dedicating most of his energy to defending against the Azure Luan dharma manifestation.

As expected, after the jade bowl was entangled by Silu, the Azure Luan dharma manifestation effortlessly pierced through the torrent, its intense azure light stinging Min Zhuo's eyes.

In fact, the Changyou clan also possessed inherited treasures, but Min Zhuo had been cultivating them for a short time and had not fully comprehended them. Even if he had mastery, he didn't have much confidence facing the Azure Luan dharma manifestation.

Fortunately, Zai Zhen did not continue watching and finally revealed himself.

Zai Zhen opened his mouth to speak, but seeing the immense destructive power of the Azure Luan dharma manifestation, he realized that if he didn't intervene, Min Zhuo would likely face a grim fate. Helplessly, he clenched and then released his hand, sending out three golden lights.

Within the golden lights were three golden rings, tearing through the air towards the Azure Luan dharma manifestation with fierce momentum, attacking its two claws and bird head respectively.

This treasure was called the Three Suffering Rings, capable of ensnaring. If an enemy was bound by the Three Suffering Rings, it was akin to having three shackles, causing torment and making escape exceedingly difficult, hence the name 'Suffering'.

To Zai Zhen's surprise, upon seeing the Three Suffering Rings, the Azure Luan dharma manifestation showed a scornful look and fiercely flapped its phoenix wings.

Its wings erupted with dense azure light, and unusual lightning threads flickered between its azure feathers. Unlike the Azure Luan dharma manifestation's original lightning, these threads were deeper in color, giving a heavier, more profound sensation.

This was precisely the Azure Luan True Lightning that Qin Sang had infused into the Azure Luan dharma manifestation beforehand. With the might of the Azure Luan True Lightning, even without relying on any spirit treasures, the Azure Luan dharma manifestation's strength was far beyond ordinary.

Now, with the Azure Luan True Lightning activated, the Azure Luan dharma manifestation glowed with dazzling lightning. Min Zhuo and Zai Zhen only saw a streak of azure lightning pass through the three golden rings, a feat of exquisite precision.

The lightning's speed far surpassed their imagination. The three golden rings had no time to intercept and were easily bypassed. The distance between the Azure Luan dharma manifestation and Min Zhuo was suddenly reduced significantly, and the lightning's speed showed no decrease whatsoever.

At this moment, Min Zhuo felt as if the Azure Luan dharma manifestation had already arrived directly before him, filled with terror.

He had never expected that with Zai Zhen's appearance, his situation would actually become even more perilous.

The treasure bracelet on Min Zhuo's wrist flashed with spiritual light, sending out eight white rays that transformed into eight jade screens. The patterns carved on each screen were largely similar, depicting scenes of rivers, lakes, and seas.

He manifested these screens, intending to block the Azure Luan dharma manifestation, but he overlooked another enemy.

At this moment, the void had already turned into a sea of fire. Deep within the flames, a white ferret poked its head out, staring at Min Zhuo. Seizing an opportunity, it suddenly leaped out, its figure splitting into two, then four, eventually totaling sixty-four ferrets, completely surrounding Min Zhuo before pouncing on him simultaneously.

Their positioning was meticulously arranged, forming a certain formation. Min Zhuo, trapped within the formation, immediately felt his body grow heavy and his consciousness become somewhat sluggish.

The Azure Luan dharma manifestation was already close at hand, which, for Min Zhuo, was adding insult to injury.

"I'll stop the demon bird!"

Zai Zhen finally realized the gravity of the situation, hurriedly sent a sound transmission, and hastily threw out another treasure.

This object was neither wood nor metal, resembling a square, dark piece of tree bark. It bore deep, knife-like etchings, simple in design yet profound in meaning.

Upon seeing this object, Qin Sang immediately felt a sense of familiarity and instantly understood its nature: it should be something akin to a human race spirit talisman.

'Poof!'

The tree bark spontaneously combusted without a flame, yet the fire produced was abnormal. Streams of golden liquid splattered out, containing a certain pattern, forming a circular golden design in the air.

The golden design covered the sky, like a vast formation diagram. In its center was a gigantic, gleaming golden arm, with five fingers outstretched, reaching for the Azure Luan dharma manifestation.

Compared to this hand, the Azure Luan dharma manifestation appeared surprisingly small.

A fierce wind assailed it, but the Azure Luan dharma manifestation showed no fear. It let out a long cry, and the lightning threads on its body suddenly surged into its claws, transforming them into lightning claws!

'Boom!'

Zai Zhen watched as the golden hand was actually blasted with a hole by terrifying lightning, and the Azure Luan dharma manifestation passed through it. Min Zhuo was in grave danger!

At this critical moment, the sea surface surged with waves, and a dark golden short spear shot forth.

'Clang!'

The short spear collided with the lightning claw, finally blocking the Azure Luan dharma manifestation's attack.

As expected, there was still another person!

The Azure Luan dharma manifestation looked up towards the horizon, its gaze sharp, and did not continue its attack.

Zai Zhen could finally breathe a sigh of relief. He said sinisterly, "Brother Min sought my help, and I initially didn't believe outsiders would dare to cause trouble here. I never expected it to be true!"