Chapter 454: Little North Star Yuan Formation

"Old Priest, the time has come, and the outcome remains undecided. It seems we'll have to proceed according to the old rules again."

Several figures, faintly visible, hovered in the air, divided into two opposing sides. Two of them were positioned to the north: a burly, red-haired elder and a mysterious figure completely shrouded in swirling demonic energy. Only the latter's silhouette was visible; their true appearance remained obscure. The red-haired elder stood on the clouds, exuding an extraordinary aura. His face was radiant, and his fierce, tiger-like eyes, filled with world-devouring power, were incredibly imposing. His spiritual energy was incredibly contained; there was not the slightest ripple of it around his body. Unbeknownst to many, the red-haired elder was actually the Sect Master of the Pure Yang Sect. He was not only the leader of the righteous path but also widely acknowledged as the greatest master in the Lesser Cold Domain. The same was true for the other figures present.

Facing them were three people suspended in the air. In the center was a lean old Taoist priest, dressed in a green robe and holding a horsetail whisk. He exuded an immortal-like demeanor, and his aura was in no way inferior to that of the red-haired elder. However, his expression was very solemn as he silently watched the two battlefields below. Behind the old Taoist stood two warriors side by side. They not only resembled each other but also wielded identical weapons and wore identical armor, appearing to be a pair of twin brothers.

All five individuals were Nascent Soul masters. Five Nascent Soul Grandmasters, usually as elusive as dragons, had appeared at the same time!

It was the red-haired elder who spoke. The old Taoist priest withdrew his gaze and turned to the red-haired elder, pointing his horsetail whisk at the Core Formation battlefield. He said coldly, "It's only been five hours, and you've already been driven back so far! Give us a few more hours, and our side will surely wipe you out!"

The red-haired elder burst into boisterous laughter, his voice exceptionally loud and clear, directly challenging the old Taoist. "Old Priest, you're becoming increasingly shameless! Do you truly believe our Lesser Cold Domain has so few people? If you're not afraid of the Sin Abyss exploiting this vulnerability and severing your lineage, then by all means, bring it on! This old man will fight you to the bitter end! When that time comes, I'd like to see if you, Old Priest, left as a solitary figure, still have the leisure to enter the Ziwei Palace to seek treasures!"

"You!""How dare you!" The two warriors roared in unison, stepping forward abruptly and pointing their halberds at the red-haired elder, their fighting spirit soaring to the heavens.

The next moment, a long roar echoed as the red-haired elder's aura surged dramatically. A dense crimson energy suddenly erupted from his body, radiating an aura of supreme yang and unyielding strength. His red hair danced wildly, and he seemed like a god descended to the mortal world. The mysterious figure seemed to be merely observing. Without needing assistance from the mysterious figure, the red-haired elder single-handedly withstood the two Nascent Soul cultivators. His crimson energy surged forth, and he surprisingly held his own. In contrast, the two warriors gripped their halberds tightly, their expressions exceptionally solemn, as if bearing immense pressure.

The tall red-haired elder looked down at the two warriors, his tone contemptuous. "Where did these arrogant youngsters come from, daring to yell in this old man's face? What? Do you wish to fight me first and decide the outcome?"

"Red-haired old devil," the old Taoist priest sighed softly, waving his horsetail whisk as specks of stardust fell upon the two warriors. He then gave the red-haired elder a deep look and said, "I didn't expect your power to have advanced further after decades! You two, come back! It's still the same rule as last time: Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, and Nascent Soul stages, best of three."

As the crimson energy pressing upon the two warriors vanished, they breathed a sigh of relief, exchanged shocked glances, and silently retreated behind the old Taoist priest. The red-haired elder retracted his aura, nodded, and said, "Indeed! The old rules, best of three. The wager will be the spiritual materials for forming arrays. The first match will be at Zhǐtiān Peak. Old Priest, you'd best prepare in advance, lest you lack spiritual materials and have an incomplete spiritual array, thus missing the optimal time to open the Ziwei Palace."

"No need to trouble yourself. No matter how poor the Heaven's Path Alliance might be, a mere small North Star Origin Array is still within our means to set up! Let's go!" Before he finished speaking, the old Taoist priest and the two warriors vanished from their positions. Simultaneously, the Heaven's Path Alliance's forces on both the Foundation Establishment and Core Formation battlefields received orders. After a brief commotion, they began an orderly retreat.

Upon realizing the Heaven's Path Alliance was retreating, Qin Sang finally felt completely relieved, though his entire body was exceptionally weary. He disregarded his appearance and sat cross-legged on the water to recover, as did the others.

As he regulated his breath, Qin Sang's gaze stretched towards the figures in the sky. Although no one had introduced them, he could guess they were undoubtedly the Nascent Soul masters from both sides. "I wonder if the two Nascent Soul cultivators I saw in Boundless Valley are among them?" After the three Heaven's Path Alliance Nascent Soul cultivators departed, Qin Sang gazed at the two remaining figures, muttering to himself. He didn't recognize any of the Nascent Soul masters. Despite being in the sect for so long, he hadn't even met his own sect's Grand Ancestor, Uncle Dongyang. What were the identities of these two individuals? For three years of standoff, Nascent Soul cultivators from both sides had never shown themselves. Why had they suddenly gathered here this time? Could it be due to that beam of light? Qin Sang's gaze shifted to the beam of light, which seemed slightly stronger than last night, though the mirror surface at its end remained unchanged. He hoped no major upheaval would occur. At least, not until he broke through to the Pseudo-Core Formation stage. Qin Sang prayed silently. The more formidable cultivators he witnessed, the more powerless he felt, and his desire to improve his cultivation became increasingly urgent. At that moment, he felt like rootless duckweed, struggling helplessly as he was swept along by the overwhelming tide. One stroke of bad luck, and he would be utterly shattered. Only by possessing sufficient strength could he transcend the mundane and control his own destiny!

After the old Taoist priest and the others departed, the mysterious figure suddenly snorted coldly. "It seems Old Priest is still not convinced! In my opinion, we should have used all our power early on to blockade the Cloudmist Great Marsh, find Zhǐtiān Peak, and monopolize the Star Origin Stones. I'd like to see how they enter the Ziwei Palace without them!" The red-haired elder slowly shook his head. "Fellow Daoist Tongyou, you may not know, but I've heard that the Sin Abyss's activities are becoming increasingly frequent and aggressive. We shouldn't push the old Taoist too hard; we must prevent them from becoming desperate and inviting a greater threat, or we too will suffer." The mysterious figure was none other than Demonic Lord Tongyou, a Saint Lord of the Demonic Sect. One, a leader of the righteous path, and the other, a Demonic Sect Saint Lord. From their conversation, it was clear that not only were they not at odds, but they seemed to share a considerable acquaintance.

"The Sin Abyss..." Demonic Lord Tongyou murmured something, and then his figure flashed and vanished. The red-haired elder glanced downwards, his lips moving silently. A moment later, he too vanished.

The blood had long since been completely absorbed by the vast lake. After the all-night battle, it seemed no traces were left behind, save for the wounds on the participants.

Qin Sang, not yet fully recovered, finally heard the command for retreat. He dragged his weary body back to the True Water Thousand Illusions Array. After entering the Chaotic Isle Water Domain, Qin Sang disbanded his team and was about to return to his cave dwelling to rest. However, he suddenly noticed that the Core Formation masters had not dispersed; instead, they had all headed towards Stargazing Island. "Is there something else going on?" Remembering the strange beam of light, Qin Sang felt certain that the situation wouldn't simply end here. Unfortunately, no one could provide him with an answer. Carrying his doubts and worries, he rode the clouds back to his cave dwelling, activated the protective restrictions, and entered seclusion to cultivate, awaiting the next battle.