Chapter 1053: Killed by Me

They had always feared a power capable of destroying an area spanning thousands of miles, and now they realized it came from here!

What was most crucial was that it was unleashed by the Otherworldly Demons attempting to break the seal.

No wonder the external restrictions hadn't budged before, but a change occurred a few days ago... It was likely these very creatures that started it then.

This, combined with the information Master Mu and Master Wu had shared earlier—that some Otherworldly Demons had secretly arrived and intentionally allowed the Transcendent Mortal realm guardians to discover them...

It had seemed strange before, but now, it surely related to the current situation.

They likely knew that breaking the seal would cause a huge commotion and bring unknown dangers. Therefore, they deliberately sent individuals to appear and be noticed by the Master Teacher Pavilion, before launching their attacks below.

This way, when the Master Teacher Pavilion members realized the restrictions would collapse, they would very likely intervene to resolve it. Though it would be to save all living beings, it would actually be helping the demons immensely.

This could also explain why the released power, though occurring every ten minutes, was not precisely regular.

When breaking a seal, they would attack whenever power was available. Like swinging a large hammer to forge iron, there might be intervals, but it's impossible for each strike to be exactly the same.

“If this is truly the case,” Zhang Xuan mused, “the Otherworldly Demons must be able to communicate with the outside world…”

His expression turned serious, as Zhang Xuan speculated.

If so, their current entry would be truly dangerous. It was clear the Otherworldly Demons had far more information than they did.

“If they don’t attack the seal,” Zhang Xuan realized, “the immense power emanating from the gateway would, over time, form an energy storm above the lava. Within the accumulated restrictions, it would certainly push aside the overlying magma, creating a natural passage. Elder Dean and the others could then use this storm to enter here…”

After observing for a while, Zhang Xuan finally understood, a wry smile on his face.

So, after all this, the reason they couldn't reach the relic now wasn't because they had the wrong location, but because he, with idle hands, had used a formation flag and released all the power within...

In other words, if he hadn't acted a few days ago, the Otherworldly Demons below, fearing being blown up themselves, would certainly not have dared to continue their attacks...

Similarly, after they arrived here, they could still have used the storm to smoothly enter it, without so much trouble...

His good intentions had truly backfired.

What a mess!

“First, I’ll go back and set up a formation,” he decided. “Then we can enter. Firstly, it will stop these creatures, and secondly, it will ease everyone’s worries…”

Having understood the situation and knowing there was no point in staying here any longer, Zhang Xuan’s soul stirred, and he headed back in the direction he came from.

He had been cultivating in the lava for almost two hours; the others above must already be anxious.

Returning to his original spot, he called out to his clone and re-entered the Golden Origin Cauldron.

This time, the clone was very obedient and didn't cause any trouble. He stored it inside the Thousand Ant Beehive before letting the cauldron fly out.

Just as he had guessed, everyone outside was anxious, and upon seeing him emerge, they simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief.

“I have thoroughly explored the terrain below,” Zhang Xuan said. “Now, I will begin setting up the formation. Everyone get ready. Please all enter the Golden Origin Cauldron and wait. Once it’s successful, we will depart immediately!”

“Alright!”

Knowing the matter was critical, everyone nodded in unison.

Upon hearing the command, the Golden Origin Cauldron let out a roar, and its size immediately increased tenfold, reaching a height of twenty to thirty meters. The crowd filed in.

“I won’t go in,” Luo Ruoxi said. “I’ll stay with you.”

Luo Ruoxi did not follow the others into the cauldron, but approached Zhang Xuan instead.

“It will be safer inside the cauldron, I fear it might be dangerous if you follow behind…” Zhang Xuan frowned.

No matter what, it was relatively safer inside the cauldron. Outside, if one couldn’t keep up with the speed and the lava closed in, it would be very dangerous.

“Don’t worry, I do have some means of self-preservation…” With a faint smile, Luo Ruoxi offered no further explanation.

“Alright!”

Seeing her confidence, and remembering that she was very likely a descendant of the Sage Clan Luo, Zhang Xuan immediately relaxed and nodded.

“Golden Origin Cauldron,” Zhang Xuan instructed, “listen to my command. Once I tell you to go, move immediately without delay!”

After giving the instructions, Zhang Xuan’s body flickered, and he appeared above the gushing power.

Seven or eight minutes had passed since the last power surge, and it was about to erupt again.

With a flick of his wrist, he took out over a hundred formation flags, which floated before him. His Eye of Insight opened, and he stared intently at the lava below.

Boom!

Moments later, he immediately felt the magma below beginning to boil. Zhang Xuan raised an eyebrow, and with a swift grab of his hand, numerous formation flags shot out from in front of him, flying straight downwards, landing precisely at each designated spot for the Heaven’s Reversal Formation.

“Rise!”

While in mid-air, he stomped his foot, and a wave of qi spread outwards, like ripples in water.

The previously stable formation flags were activated in the blink of an eye, and a colossal formation began to operate.

At the exact moment the formation activated, the lava below finally gave way, forced open by the power. Like torn silk, a massive fissure appeared, and power gushed out, surging towards the formation he had set up.

Boom!

As the two met, the power immediately accumulated, being gathered by the formation.

The Heaven’s Reversal Formation was a powerful formation used in combat to defend against enemy attacks and counter them. When used skillfully, it could completely absorb an opponent’s attack and reflect it back unharmed, like a mirror.

In other words, this formation not only defended, but could also rebound an opponent’s attack.

Of course, like all things, it had two sides. This formation demanded extremely high proficiency from its caster. Furthermore, if it couldn’t withstand the force, not only would those within the formation be harmed, but the caster would bear the brunt, potentially dying on the spot.

Watching the power converge, and seeing no signs of the formation breaking, Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief, and couldn't help but wipe the cold sweat from his forehead.

He hadn't been 100% sure the formation could block the power from below. Fortunately, he had learned the Heavenly Dao Formation of the seven-star level; otherwise, even if President Han had set it up, it would likely have crumbled with a single strike under the intense impact, unable to withstand it.

“Principal Zhang… his comprehension of formations is incredible!”

Inside the Golden Origin Cauldron, everyone released their divine consciousness, witnessing everything. President Han’s pupils constricted.

Originally, he had some reservations about Zhang Xuan telling him to hide while he set up the formation himself. It was only after seeing this scene that he understood. Fortunately, he had obeyed the instructions; if he had insisted on doing it himself, not only might they not have entered the relic, but he might have been blown to death on the spot.

Although this Heaven’s Reversal Formation was a peak seven-star formation, in Zhang Xuan’s hands, it displayed the effect of an eight-star formation. Every part of it was perfectly coordinated; it not only incorporated the terrain, but also used the heat from the lava below to maintain its operation, unleashing unimaginable power.

Amidst the shock, the power surge finally concluded, and the accumulation within the formation was complete. Zhang Xuan raised an eyebrow, and another formation flag appeared in his hand. He threw it straight forward.

Swish!

Just as when he dealt with the restrictions before, it seemed to pierce a weak point in the formation. A surging force, following the direction of the formation flag, fiercely shot out.

Rip!

The magma below, having received this power, was immediately torn open, creating a fissure.

“Quickly!”

Knowing the time was right, Zhang Xuan let out a shout. The Golden Origin Cauldron didn’t hesitate and shot straight towards the fissure.

Glancing at Luo Ruoxi, Zhang Xuan also followed behind, entering it.

Knowing time was short, and that the lava would only be open for an instant, he circulated his true qi, activated his Heavenly Dao Movement Art, and moved at his fastest possible speed.

During this period of cultivation, he had also continuously experimented. Now, he had finally perfectly integrated the Heavenly Dao Movement Art and the Mortal World Stepping Heaven Steps. Combined, their speed was as swift as lightning, no slower than the Golden Origin Cauldron at Saint 4-dan pinnacle.

“Master Luo…”

Fearing the girl might not keep up, he turned to look, only to see her right behind him, only three or four meters away. No matter how fast he went, he couldn't widen the gap by even an inch.

“As expected of someone from a major clan…” Zhang Xuan thought. “Her speed is terrifying!”

Zhang Xuan nodded secretly.

Truthfully, he still hadn’t discerned the girl’s exact strength. However, judging by her speed, she was in no way inferior to him when he fully utilized his Heavenly Dao Movement Art. And judging by her composed demeanor, she would likely be even faster if she went all out.

Boom!

Hundreds of meters of lava passed by the Golden Origin Cauldron and Zhang Xuan in the blink of an eye. With a thunderous roar, they all landed within the relic.

“Everyone, quickly come out!” Zhang Xuan roared. “There are Otherworldly Demons, be careful…”

With a roar, Zhang Xuan moved in front of the girl and quickly retreated.

He had seen clearly just now: there were at least dozens of Otherworldly Demons below. Although most were only Saint 1-dan, their sheer numbers made them formidable.

If they launched a sneak attack, it would be impossible to resist.

“Otherworldly Demons?”

Everyone who had just flown out of the cauldron assumed defensive postures and cautiously looked around. However, after just one glance, they all couldn't help but stare blankly.

“Master Zhang, is this the relic you spoke of?” Master Wu asked, looking over. “Didn’t you say it was full of grand pavilions? How… how is it all ruins?”

“Ruins?”

Zhang Xuan was stunned.

He looked around, and indeed saw that the previously exquisite and luxurious buildings had now all collapsed into rubble, piles of which were emitting white smoke, as if they had only recently fallen.

“Could it be… that those Otherworldly Demons knew we were coming and deliberately destroyed the relic?” Zhang Xuan’s eyebrows shot up, and he couldn't help but say.

“Cough, cough… they didn’t destroy it,” President Han said, seeing Zhang Xuan’s angry expression. “It was… the immense power from just now that surged through. Not only did it tear open the lava, but it also shook this place into this state…”

The power Zhang Xuan had unleashed using the formation just now was so immense that it not only tore open the lava, but also completely destroyed this place.

“Me?” His lips twitched, and Zhang Xuan was filled with embarrassment. He had just been thinking that his clone had been obedient this time and hadn't caused any destruction. He hadn't expected to be the one to cause this situation...

What a mess!

“By the way, where are those Otherworldly Demons? Did they run away?”

Just as he was looking around, searching for the creatures he had seen earlier, he heard the Golden Origin Cauldron’s slightly abashed voice.

“Master, they… seem to have all been… crushed by me.”