Chapter 607: Breaking the Formation

Ink and Brush Literature, the Xuanjian Immortal Clan!

“Oh?”

Yu Jiang’s face was completely different from when he had just faced the Li family. His skin was light brown, typical of a South Sea cultivator. Already aware of Xuwang’s schemes, he now sat down in his seat, one hand resting casually on the armrest, and said offhandedly, “Grudges are grudges, but there’s no such thing as getting something for nothing.”

The situation in Anhuai Heaven was unknown, and the various Purple Mansions and Mahas might emerge. Abbot Xuwang, though smiling outwardly, was utterly anxious inwardly. “If those few happen to emerge,” he thought, “everything before us will revert to a high-level cultivator’s game, and that would be troublesome! There must be no more delays... If this person doesn't make any excessive demands, then I will grant it...”

Xuwang’s current actions were ostensibly aligned with higher intentions, but they could also be self-initiated. He had been a Master for over a hundred years, lacking only one crucial opportunity. Once he captured Bianyan Mountain, not only would a breakthrough be imminent, but he would also gain great merit, effectively seizing every advantage. However, if he failed to capture the mountain, or if someone emerged from Anhuai Heaven midway, he would be roasted alive. Positions in the northern Buddhist sects were already fiercely competitive. Regardless of the Qingchi Purple Mansions' stance, the various Merciful Ones would be quick to kick him while he was down, certainly not protecting an ambitious junior who sought a share.

“Only by standing out, catching the eye of a Maha, and obtaining a position of Mercy,” he mused, “who would dare not offer me a smile?”

His strength was actually much greater than that of his peers, and he had long since made his calculations. “Li Xuanfeng, riding the Huaijiang Map, is not someone a single person can defeat,” he thought. “If he isn’t besieged by all the cultivators, who can take his life? Even Tuoba Chongyuan, if he were revived, would have to die several more times! If all the cultivators besiege him, how much fate would I get? That's no fun!”

He was ambitious. Since heading south was not feasible, and he wouldn't contend for Li Xuanfeng’s life, capturing Bianyan Mountain was as crucial as his own. He immediately said, “Time is short, Daoist friend. State your demands.”

Yu Jiang looked serious and replied, “I have a way to break through Bianyan Mountain. I only need one Shaoshang Phase Fire.”

As soon as the name of the item was mentioned, the man in the python robe sitting beside them slowly raised an eyebrow. Xuwang, naturally recognizing the item, quickly walked over and whispered, “This Shaoyang-attribute item was acquired in abundance by Great Zhao when they conquered Liang. The Imperial lineage is weak, but the Chamberlain should have seen it. Please lend a hand...”

He spoke softly and gently, exhaustively using persuasive words. The man in the python robe finally spoke, his voice sharp and thin: “The item is given, as per the Immortal Master’s intent. Daoist Friend Xuwang, you must understand your path clearly from now on!”

The situation was pressing, and Xuwang could only meekly assent. He took a stone bottle and handed it to Yu Jiang. The others also understood that if something was to be done, it had to be decisive and ruthless. Without another word, they swiftly soared away on the wind together.

This place was only a few hundred miles from Bianyan Mountain. They passed through billowing demonic smoke and arrived before the formation, where countless Buddhist and demonic cultivators had already surrounded it, fiercely attacking.

The grand formation appeared light green, its interior unclear. Yet it was extremely sturdy and reliable. Despite being besieged for so long, it remained brightly luminous, showing no sign of wavering, like a green lotus in a surging demonic abyss, unstained by a speck of dust.

A circle of cultivators had already gathered around the grand formation, and a continuous stream of cultivators, unable to proceed south, gathered there. All three turned their gaze to Yu Jiang. Xuwang’s heart was in his throat, and he whispered, “Everything depends on your skill now, Daoist friend.”

“Bring the jade talisman!” Yu Jiang asked, and the monk quickly handed him one. It was the very charm for entering and exiting the grand formation before them, taken from an immortal cultivator. However, this grand formation was extremely sophisticated; one could only enter if both the person and the talisman were recorded within, so it was of little use.

Yu Jiang took the jade talisman and, without haste, used his hand like a knife, lightly drawing a line across his chest, opening his own body. He reached inside, fumbled twice, and then retrieved talismans one by one.

These talismans varied in shape, smooth and pristine. From them, he took out three long beast-tooth tablets, picked one, and placed it in front of him.

“Respectfully welcoming Upper Shaman Three-Nine.”

He then placed one tablet on each side and chanted: “Respectfully inviting Jade True Six-Nine.” “Praying to and bowing before Bingxiu One-Nine.”

These three tooth tablets glowed together. He then took a white talisman from his sleeve, closed it between his palms. Then he pressed the web of his thumb and index finger against his lips, exhaled twice, and murmured: “Sacrifice the complete talisman, combine ancient methods, changes unfathomable... Here is a person, giving me an arrow, first lost then returned, this is borrowing. When he comes, I go; I also borrow from him...”

His words were indistinct, mixed with many incantations, making them hard for the others to understand. Strange sounds of bones cracking emanated from his body. His eyebrows became longer and sharper, and his eyes turned light gray. An imposing aura, radiating authority without anger, emanated from between his brows, sweeping over those beside him.

“Li Xuanfeng!”

That single glance thoroughly startled Xuwang beside him. He hastily stepped back. The man in the python robe even manifested a long whip in his palm. Xuwang immediately reacted, exclaiming in horror, “Daoist friend, what a marvelous transformation art! This, this, this...”

Yu Jiang’s appearance as Li Xuanfeng was not merely a change of face; even his aura was identical. Their spiritual senses repeatedly confirmed it; by all accounts, it was Li Xuanfeng himself! If not for the absence of his distinctive Gānga energy, they would have likely believed Li Xuanfeng had arrived in person!

Xuwang immediately clapped his hands, enlightened, and exclaimed with a sigh, “I wondered why Daoist friend specifically wanted to meet Li Xuanfeng! So you used the appearance of a South Sea cultivator to approach him, just for this moment to cast your spell... Daoist friend had this planned all along... but you misled us so terribly!”

“Daoist friend is truly perceptive!” Yu Jiang nodded, showing approval, but secretly thought, “If I were truly borrowing his appearance, why would I need anything? It was merely to dispel their suspicions...”

He coldly glanced at the others, and seeing all three involuntarily avert their gaze, he then picked up the jade talisman, rose into the wind, and said softly, “I will enter the formation. While Chi Zhiyan is unable to react, I will open the gate. All of you, stay alert! Don't miss this opportunity!”

Speaking with that face, his words carried an added sense of majesty. The others felt strange but nodded in agreement.

Yu Jiang entered the formation, and after just three breaths, the grand formation, like a green lotus, began to flash brilliantly, flickering on and off. Several openings appeared, and a furious roar erupted from within: “Who!” “Kill!”

The shouts of demonic and Buddhist cultivators instantly shook the heavens. Countless black clouds surged through the openings. Xuwang burst into laughter, exclaiming with a booming voice, “My opportunity for enlightenment has arrived!”

The green lotus in Jiangbei gradually dimmed, but the bright light in Jiangnan became even more dazzling. The sky was already enveloped in various Buddhist lights. The sharp aura of spears, staffs, swords, and blades crisscrossed. Rushing lake water poured from bottles, surging and raging in the air.

The various Masters appeared simultaneously. Li Xuanfeng remained as hard as iron. With one hand, he seized a Master’s crescent shovel, a brilliant light coiling upwards and locking the Master’s body. His other hand pierced straight through, blasting the Master’s head with a thunderous boom.

A splash! The brawny Master’s blood transformed into fragrant lotuses filling the sky. His headless body, covered in cracks, abandoned even his magical artifact and hastily descended on the wind, only thankful that Li Xuanfeng had struck with a fist rather than an arrow.

These two minor Masters, used as bait, both lost their spiritual bodies cultivated over a hundred years and fled in disarray. The fourteen Masters in the sky who had been specifically targeting him finally seized the opportunity to advance, their faces filled with rage, and shouted, “Audacious demon! How dare you be so impudent!” A boom!

Numerous magical artifacts descended together, emitting a violent roar. Blades, spears, axes, and staffs struck in one place, flashing with dazzling light that made one see stars. The sharp metallic aura intertwined with the colorful Buddhist lights, all blocked by a single golden bow.

“Hoo...” Li Xuanfeng’s figure sank, his breath finally faltered, and a trace of blood appeared at the corner of his mouth. The bright light beneath his feet surged, and the Huaijiang Map subtly operated. He had already escaped from the encirclement of more than a dozen people, reappearing at another pass, his immortal bow glowing with a sharp edge.

Clang! Below, a flash of sword light suddenly surged upwards as Si Yuanli unleashed his sword essence. However, two Masters specifically broke away from the group, each holding bottles designed to absorb sharp energy, and suppressed him.

These two bottles had peculiar shapes; they were not for spraying but for containment. Clearly designed for sword cultivators like him, they swallowed all sword energy in a breath, emitting a metallic grinding sound.

“Pine White Complete Essence Sword Art!” Si Yuanli’s green sword rotated in his hand, dancing out ethereal sword gleams. Although the two in front of him were clearly targeting sword cultivators, he was no ordinary person and showed no fear. From his hand, countless ethereal sword lights manifested, vast and mighty.

He drew the two Golden Body Masters before him, his expression calm. His swordplay became more inspired and fluid, and he took the opportunity to observe the situation along the entire riverbank.

There were many Foundation Establishment cultivators from the North below. Li Qinghong seized thunder and lightning, being the most dazzling. Li Ximing held the Mingguan, suppressing several people. Li Xizhi’s spells were agile, toying with the cultivators in his palm. All showed impressive methods, secretly startling him. “Now the Li family possesses the might of the former Xiao family,” he mused. “Li Ximing is comparable to Xiao Yuansi, while Li Qinghong is a figure on the level of Yuan Chengdu. Li Xizhi, also within the sect, is even more ruthless in his methods and schemes than Xiao Yuansi...”

Having grown up amidst sectarian struggles, he always viewed matters through the lens of factional conflict. His first reaction now was still along these lines, and the more he thought, the more astonished he became, secretly saying, “I wonder if Bu Zi has fallen. Now that my family has carried out this scheme, we will certainly offend the Chi family in the future. Since we have already taken this step, the Li family will surely be drawn in as an ally...”

While all other cultivators had to deal with their enemies, only he had the opportunity to come and assist Li Xuanfeng. He observed more closely, though most of his attention remained on Li Xuanfeng.

“Brother Xuanfeng...” The man in platinum armor had circles of bright light spreading out behind him, pushing away the surging water from the spirit bottles. His long bow was drawn to full moon, and golden light flickered on and off.

The Buddhist light at the other end seemed to dye the sky in vibrant colors. Twelve Buddhist Masters sat down in their respective positions, their voices harmonious, humming in the air: “The Huixu Demon-Subduing Grand Formation!”

As an ethereal and distant bell rang out, deep golden patterns, accompanied by colorful lights, coalesced in the air into a colossal grand formation. The Masters each took their corresponding positions in the formation, their magical artifacts shining even brighter, exuding terrifying might.

The twelve Buddhist cultivators, majestic and radiating a clear fragrance, were like World Honored Ones saving the world, subduing demons and devils: “Audacious fiend! Now, let us show you the demon-subduing methods of our righteous sect!”

Aside from the two who initially targeted Si Yuanli, the twelve Buddhist Masters before them formed a grand array, standing in confrontation with Li Xuanfeng. Seeing the golden bow in Li Xuanfeng’s hand glowing brightly, all the cultivators shouted in unison, “Command!”

Thereupon, the six Masters in the odd positions simultaneously trembled, each holding their magical artifacts. Whether bottles or rings, mirrors or pagodas, they all emitted light together.

The golden-veined bottle poured out lake water, which surged rapidly from its mouth, gushing forth. The golden mirror’s light could burn gold and turn stone, shining fiercely into his eyes. The tall pagoda stood erect in the void, blocking the bright light of the Huaijiang Map. The remaining three golden rings stacked themselves in the air, standing ready to receive his arrows.

The patterns on Li Xuanfeng’s face were bright and majestic. The bright light on his body directly blocked the river water in front of him. He decisively closed his eyes, and the Sky Gold Helmet climbed onto his face, blocking the oncoming mirror light, then he loosened his grip.

Clang! This violent sound was like a mountain collapsing and earth rending, spreading across the entire riverbank. A profound arrow was tightly trapped within the three golden rings, emitting a piercing sound that could rupture ordinary people’s eardrums.

Before the profound arrow could be worn down or the golden rings shattered and diminished, another furious shout immediately followed. It was the six Masters in the even positions, who stepped forward with their blades, spears, staffs, and clubs, shouting, “Hah!”

Their explosive shout spread through the air like waves. The six wielded their magical artifacts in unison; swords and blades were sharp, spears and halberds gleamed, staffs and clubs swept forth. They traversed the void, striking fiercely at Li Xuanfeng.

Clang! These three sounds silenced the entire riverbank simultaneously. Li Qinghong, whose purple lightning was dancing, merely paused her thunder. The demonic cultivators in front of her were directly shaken by the thunder, almost falling from their escaping lights.

Li Ximing, who was using Mingguan to smash people, didn’t really need to focus much, so he was relatively fine. Instead, the few cultivators he was suppressing found it even harder to bear. Li Xizhi, however, stumbled, his spell interrupted, and after taking a magical light from the demonic cultivator in front of him, he quietly spat out blood.

Foundation Establishment cultivators were still manageable, merely pausing their breath simultaneously. Qi Refining and Fetal Breath cultivators experienced bleeding in their ears, nearly half of them becoming deaf. A smaller portion even fell down, rolling about repeatedly.

For a moment, both sides of the riverbank were in extreme chaos. An unknown number of magical artifacts fell from mid-air. Looking at each other, the masses could only steel themselves, pick up their magical artifacts again, and continue fighting.

Boom! Blood blossoms fell like rain, floating in the dark, heavy smoke.

On this dark, bloody ground, one small figure after another fell. Yet, a pair of eyes lifted fiercely, filled with bloodshot veins, staring fixedly at the sky.

This person had an elegant and refined appearance, yet his clothes were utterly disheveled. His hair had turned white prematurely, showing a decadent old age. He did not look at the twelve dazzling Buddhist cultivators, nor did he look at Li Xuanfeng, who resembled a god descended from heaven; instead, he looked directly at a certain spot in the sky.

His bloodshot eyes bulged, as if about to pop out of their sockets, completely ruining his noble and refined demeanor. He stared unmoving at the elegant and otherworldly sword-wielder in the sky.

Even though the transmitted Buddhist incantations made blood spurt from his ears, and the bright lights seemed to melt his eyes, he still stared at Si Yuanli, his lips and teeth, missing half a set of teeth, trembling as if a cuckoo crying blood: “It’s you... So it was you!”