Chapter 294: Breaking the Formation Together
Chapter 294: Breaking the Formation Together
The four deceased came from Heavenly Fire Sect, Jiu Yang Sacred Palace, Tianlei Sacred Church, and Shanhua Alliance.
Currently, aside from Shui Yingyue, Ye Anlan, and Yunxiu, Jiu Yang Sacred Palace had two remaining members: Yang Zhenghong and Chen Zhaodong.
Tianlei Sacred Church also retained two: Ning Zhengyang and Dongfang Hong.
From Shanhua Alliance, Bloodwing King and Xiang San Shao survived, while Heavenly Fire Sect only had Azure Sky Dragon and Bai Ruomei left.
Only the three experts from Heavenly Palace remained unharmed—Yu Feilong and Li Moru sustained minor injuries, while Hua Yuehong was completely untouched.
Hu Yuer stood alone, appearing vulnerable, but everyone ignored her. All eyes focused on the island’s center, where a cave entrance pulsed with red-white divine light, rhythmically swelling like breathing mist.
The mirror above Shui Yingyue’s head vibrated intensely, buzzing with powerful ripples as if sensing something.
Similar reactions occurred with Ye Anlan and Yunxiu—their Holy Artifacts awakened spontaneously, projecting ethereal figures of three female saints who stared down at the cave.
Divine light streamed from the cave entrance alongside swirling runes, guarded by a deadly formation emitting unnerving energy.
Gazing at the three saintly figures mid-air, Hu Yuer murmured, “Could Xuan Star Saint’s relics lie within that cave?”
Her words reminded the crowd: outside Xuan Star Palace, these same saints had manifested, proving their connection to Xuan Star Saint.
Later, Xuan Star Palace’s teleportation sending everyone here had been suspicious. Now the saints’ reappearance clearly signaled clues left by Xuan Star Saint.
Bloodwing King frowned, “Why abandon Xuan Star Palace for this cursed place?”
The question lingered—if clues existed here, why had Xuan Star Saint come? The blood lake’s dangers were undeniable. What had he sought in this horror, and what became of him?
Yang Zhenghong declared, “Break this formation, and we’ll find answers inside.”
Shanhua Alliance’s expertise in dismantling formations was well-known.
Bloodwing King scoffed, “This saint-level formation’s too advanced. We can only brute-force through.”
Dongfang Hong countered, “Notice its power’s weaker than expected? This formation’s ancient—thousands of years old. Time eroded its strength.”
Azure Sky Dragon nodded, “True. A fresh saint-made formation would’ve killed us all.”
Xiang San Shao proposed, “If weakened, combined efforts might shatter it. Agreed?”
Li Moru questioned, “What’s your confidence level? How trust your plan?”
At this critical stage, no risks could be taken.
Ning Zhengyang suggested, “Ask Three Saints Palace’s heirs instead.”
Among fifteen island survivors, isolated Hu Yuer stood farthest from the cave.
Shui Yingyue, Ye Anlan, and Yunxiu hovered nearest, faces alight with suppressed excitement—obviously withholding knowledge.
Under collective scrutiny, the trio stayed silent, eyes locked on the cave.
Xiang San Shao pressed, “Without breaking the formation, only Holy Artifact bearers dare approach. After such hardships, will we retreat now?”
Bai Ruomei said, “This seems worth attempting. Even if Shanhua Alliance harbors ill intentions, they wouldn’t dare scheme openly now – they know the consequences.”
Her reasoning eased most doubts, sparking heated discussions among the group.
Hu Yuer remained silent, her attention fixed on the churning blood lake rather than the debate.
The rising lake waters had swallowed all stone pillars. Coiling strands of blood energy now wove across the surface, forming an immense formation that imprisoned the surrounding time and space.
“This ancient deadly formation’s been decaying over time.” Xiang San Shao rubbed his hands eagerly. “We’ll dismantle it layer by layer from the outskirts inward.”
As Blood Martial Realm experts, all present understood engraved formations to varying degrees. Hu Yuer stayed apart – her status insignificant before the five major forces. Shui Yingyue, Yunxiu, and Ye Anlan also held back, their gazes piercing the cave entrance’s shadows rather than joining the strategizing.
Eleven experts from the five factions soon coordinated their assault. Facing the island’s complex formation, they adopted Xiang San Shao’s brute-force approach – bombarding it with spirit artifacts.
Initial probes accidentally activated the formation, unleashing fresh slaughter. Though battered, the prepared group sustained no casualties while gathering crucial insights.
Through relentless teamwork, they eroded the formation’s outer defenses. By dusk, one-third of the perimeter lay shattered, spiritual patterns flickering across the island like dying embers.
Nightfall brought the rising Blood Moon. Crimson waves submerged the island as blood energy solidified into blade storms. Hu Yuer’s Heavenly Wolf Claw projected a Defensive Light Barrier while others deployed artifacts against the onslaught.
At midnight, Shui Yingyue’s mirror blazed with Blood Moon energy, firing rune-inscribed light at the cave. Simultaneously, sacred artifacts from Ye Anlan and Yunxiu unleashed heaven-shaking auras, their divine beams clashing with the entrance’s defenses.
The three sacred artifacts’ combined assault raged through the night, divine lights shredding stone like celestial blades. Onlookers watched breathlessly, anticipating entry. Yet dawn revealed the intact cave formation.
“How?” Yang Zhenghong demanded.
Bloodwing King studied the pulsating runes. “This core formation operates independently. Destroying the periphery won’t breach it.”
Yu Feilong kicked debris. “All that work for nothing!”
Dongfang Hong crossed his arms. “This saint-made formation exceeds our skill. We must reveal our hidden cards.”
Tense silence followed. Hu Yuer’s eyes narrowed, wondering what reserves these experts still held. The three women sensed Xuan Star Saint’s aura emanating from the cave’s white light – perpetually opposed by a crimson glow.
Yu Feilong sneered at Dongfang Hong. “You propose this? Lead by example.”
“I merely voice options,” Dongfang Hong retorted. “Stay here admiring the scenery if you prefer.”
Ning Zhengyang of Tianlei Sacred Church broke the stalemate. “Our prolonged absence worries those outside. Messengers likely already race toward Blood Moon Wasteland’s exits.”
Li Moru shrugged. “What of it?”
“Reinforcements will come,” Ning Zhengyang pressed. “But traversing this cursed land? How many will arrive? If my sect’s experts come first…” He let the implication hang. “Control slips from our grasp daily. Shall we gamble our future on outsiders’ speed?”