Chapter 172: Breaking the Formation

The primary reason Wang Huashan offered his assistance was the formidable alliance of nine sects from the Tang and Song nations. This alliance allowed them to launch a pincer attack against the Wei nation, giving them a significant numerical advantage of nine against five, and thus a very high probability of victory.

For over two centuries, the Wei and Tang nations had been old adversaries, having clashed numerous times. The four sects of Song had no reason to suspect the Tang nation, as Tang stood to gain the most from conquering Wei.

From both a historical and a strategic interest perspective, there was no logical reason for Tang to cooperate with Wei. Naturally, the Song nation had also prepared a contingency: should the war not proceed as planned, they would seek assistance from their neighboring nation, Chu.

"If that's the case, then there's nothing more to discuss."

Sun Junyan turned his hand, retrieving a palm-sized red command flag. With a gentle flick, the flag expanded dramatically, growing to over two *zhang* in length with a surface half a *zhang* wide. A lifelike red giant python, seemingly alive, was embroidered on its surface, weaving through a cloud of fire.

Grasping the red banner with both hands, he vigorously shook it. A profusion of red light erupted, forming a vast crimson fire cloud that radiated intense heat waves.

The crimson fire cloud churned and transformed into a crimson fire python over thirty *zhang* long. Its eyes flickered, making it appear remarkably lifelike.

The crimson fire python shook its head and tail, then opened its gaping maw and lunged at Wang Huashan.

Wang Huashan raised his hand, and a palm-sized blue porcelain vase flew from his sleeve. It spun and grew rapidly to over two *chi* in height.

A luminous blue moon was painted on the surface of the blue porcelain vase, shimmering with spiritual energy.

Wang Huashan chanted an incantation, and a torrent of clear water surged from the blue porcelain vase, rapidly transforming into a massive blue flood dragon. It bared its fangs and claws as it lunged towards the crimson fire python.

Both the blue flood dragon and the crimson fire python were not physical beings but rather manifestations of spiritual energy.

The blue flood dragon was considerably larger than the crimson fire python. Within a few exchanges, the blue flood dragon tore the crimson fire python in two.

"Boom!"

A thunderous explosion echoed as the crimson fire python burst apart, dissolving into a vast expanse of crimson flames that engulfed the blue flood dragon.

Three breaths later, the flames dispersed, and the blue flood dragon also vanished.

This initial exchange was a simple test of strength from both sides, ending in a draw.

"Madam Feng, you proceed to breach the formation; I will keep him occupied."

Sun Junyan transmitted this message to Feng Yue.

Feng Yue nodded, and just as she prepared to fly towards the yellow light barrier, a streak of green escape light arrived; it was Li Yang.

Sun Junyan's brow furrowed slightly. He raised a hand, and a watermelon-sized golden sphere flew from his sleeve. The sphere was covered in intricate spiritual patterns and exuded an imposing spiritual aura.

Following a series of mechanical sounds, the golden sphere transformed into a golden armored warrior, roughly a *zhang* tall, wielding a *zhang*-long golden greatsword. It too radiated a formidable spiritual presence.

This was a low-grade Tier 3 puppet, equivalent in power to a Core Formation Stage Level 3 cultivator. It required ten mid-grade spirit stones to operate and could unleash the advanced spell, Golden Sun Blazing Fire, which had the power of a Tier 1 magic treasure's strike. However, casting such advanced spells consumed a vast amount of spiritual energy, meaning the spirit stones would need to be replaced after only a few uses.

"A Tier 3 puppet beast, indeed. This old man happens to possess one as well."

Li Yang shook his sleeve, and a green sphere adorned with spiritual patterns flew out. Amidst a series of mechanical sounds, it transformed into a three-*zhang* green giant eagle. This eagle possessed two heads and two pairs of green talons. Judging by the powerful spiritual energy emanating from it, it too was a low-grade Tier 3 puppet beast.

With a clear cry, the green giant eagle spread its wings and swooped towards the golden armored warrior.

Sun Junyan's brow furrowed slightly as he commanded the golden armored warrior to meet the assault.

A series of dull clangs of metal resounded. The golden greatsword in the golden armored warrior's hand struck the green giant eagle, leaving only shallow white marks. Similarly, the green giant eagle's talons scraped against the golden armored warrior, leaving faint white traces.

Sun Junyan frowned and violently shook the crimson banner in his hand. A vast expanse of crimson fire cloud surged forth, transforming into two colossal crimson fire pythons that lunged at Li Yang and Wang Huashan respectively.

Seizing this opportunity, Feng Yue transformed into a streak of escape light and surged towards the yellow light barrier.

Just then, a multitude of green light motes appeared above her head, coalescing into a green giant hand several *zhang* in size, which swiftly reached out to grasp Feng Yue.

Feng Yue's brow furrowed. She hastily conjured a red jade ruler, about a *chi* long, and with a gentle flick, a gigantic, house-sized fireball shot forth to intercept the green giant hand.

Continuous "boom" sounds erupted as the green giant hand shattered the colossal fireball. Feng Yue seized this chance to retreat to a distance.

At this moment, the two crimson fire pythons also reached Li Yang and Wang Huashan.

Witnessing this, a hint of mockery appeared at the corner of Sun Junyan's mouth.

Li Yang gently shook the whisk in his hand, sending forth a dense volley of green threads. Simultaneously, Wang Huashan performed an incantation, releasing a large volume of clear water from the blue porcelain vase, which transformed into a blue flood dragon to meet the threat.

The dense green threads pierced through the crimson fire python, causing it to dissipate into a vast expanse of crimson flames. From within these flames, a shimmering red talisman flew out without warning, appearing before Li Yang in an instant.

Li Yang cursed inwardly. He spat out a green bronze lamp, then exhaled a stream of green alchemical fire to ignite it. Large swathes of green flames erupted from the wick, forming a protective green wall of fire before him.

As the red talisman reached the green fire wall, it instantly flared with dazzling red spiritual light.

With a tremendous crash, a crimson full moon, over ten *zhang* in diameter, appeared in the sky, completely engulfing Li Yang.

Perceiving the dire situation, Wang Huashan promptly retrieved his blue porcelain vase and hastily retreated to the market, completely disregarding Li Yang's fate.

A streak of golden light ascended from the ground, soaring towards the crimson full moon.

"No, Fellow Daoist Li, get away quickly!"

Li Shixian's expression changed dramatically as he felt the astonishing aura emanating from the golden light, prompting him to shout urgently.

"Boom!"

With a deafening explosion, the crimson full moon shattered, revealing Li Yang's figure.

His Taoist robe was tattered, his face appeared somewhat pale, and he was enveloped by a dim green light barrier.

Seeing the golden light rushing towards him, Li Yang was about to dodge when, suddenly, a profound bell toll resonated.

Upon hearing the sound, Li Yang's head felt heavy, and his mind went blank. By the time he regained his senses, the golden light was already upon him.

With a dull thud, the golden light pierced through the green light barrier, cleaving Li Yang in two. His corpse swiftly plummeted to the ground.

A golden light emerged from the ground; it was Li Haifeng, holding a gleaming golden bell that exuded a formidable spiritual aura.

With Li Yang's death and Li Haifeng's appearance, the expressions of Li Shixian and the other two changed dramatically.

"Li Haifeng is actually spearheading the attack; this is bad."

Seizing the opportunity, Feng Yue produced a shimmering golden talisman, covered with rice-grain-sized runes, and hurled it towards the yellow light barrier.

With a soft *clink*, the golden talisman burst open, transforming into a dazzling golden light that struck the yellow light barrier.

The ground trembled violently, and the yellow light barrier's radiance dimmed.

"Boom!"

With an earth-shattering crash, the yellow light barrier shattered, and Guangdong Ren was the first to break through the formation.

With only two Core Formation cultivators operating the formation, it could not unleash its full power. The formation-breaking talisman further weakened its defenses, allowing Guangdong Ren to seize the opportunity and break through.

Guangdong Ren was somewhat surprised by Li Haifeng's arrival, but he said nothing more. With the red cleaver in his hand, he swung it at the void in the direction of Ziyue City.

A flash of red light, and a vast expanse of crimson flames erupted from the red cleaver, rapidly transforming into a colossal crimson fire dragon. It bared its fangs and claws as it lunged towards Ziyue City.

"Attack together. Those who resist will be shown no mercy."

Li Haifeng and the other four cultivators each unleashed their magic treasures, initiating an assault on Ziyue City.

Although Ziyue City was protected by the strong defensive capabilities of a mid-grade Tier 3 Purple Moon Profound Light Formation, with Li Haifeng, a Core Formation Stage Level 9 cultivator, leading the charge alongside four other Core Formation cultivators, breaching the formation was merely a matter of time.

Li Shixian and Zhao Yunxiao were remarkably decisive, abandoning the city and fleeing directly. Wang Huashan fled even faster, crushing a Tier 3 spirit talisman to make his escape.

"Boom!"

A series of thunderous explosions rang out. The buildings within Ziyue City were obliterated by the magic treasures, and hundreds of cultivators perished under their onslaught.

"Remove your storage bags. Those who surrender will be spared; those who resist will be killed without mercy."

Li Haifeng hovered above the shattered market and spoke chillingly.

Orders from above had specified that Core Formation cultivators should not suffer excessive casualties. Thus, they did not pursue Li Shixian and the other two; even a cornered rabbit will bite. Their objective was merely to seize territory and gain control over more people, not to annihilate them entirely.

Several Foundation Establishment cultivators attempted to escape using Tier 2 escape talismans. However, before they could crush their talismans, they were spotted by Li Haifeng and tragically fell victim to his sword qi.

After consecutively slaying over a dozen cultivators who attempted to flee, the remaining cultivators no longer dared to make any reckless moves.

"I surrender."

"I surrender as well."

Once someone took the lead, a large number of cultivators removed their storage bags and surrendered.

Of course, a few fortunate individuals managed to escape using escape talismans the instant the market's grand formation collapsed, but their numbers were small.

Disciples from the Wei nation's five sects flew in from a distance, apprehending all the cultivators within the market. They fitted them with spirit-binding locks, knowing that without their spiritual power, these individuals would be far easier to manage.

"Continue forward. Before the Song nation's four sects can react, seize as much territory as possible."