Lin Feng watched with inner amazement. In just this short time, by tossing down a dozen or so flags, a formation had been laid out? And one that Zhao Qian claimed was a peak Third-Grade Killing Formation?
Lin Feng's knowledge of formations wasn't extensive, but he had dabbled slightly. Formations in the cultivation world were divided into nine grades, their power roughly corresponding to the nine major cultivation realms. Therefore, a Third-Grade formation could deal with Golden Core cultivators, but against a Nascent Soul cultivator, it wouldn't be easy; at best, it could only exert partial effects.
Formation Masters, like Artifact Refiners and Alchemists, were rare professions. A Third-Grade Formation Master could already be considered to have barely entered the hall of mastery. With Zhao Qian at the eighth layer of Golden Core and capable of setting up a peak Third-Grade Killing Formation, his attainments in formations were undoubtedly considerable.
Zhao Qian declared the formation ready, yet Lin Feng couldn't perceive anything different. Whether by sight or spiritual sense, the space looked identical to before. He knew this was because the formation hadn't been activated yet. He was intensely curious about what this Third-Grade Killing Formation truly looked like and what kind of power it possessed.
"Alright. Since preparations are complete, let us open the cave dwelling now," Lu Danxin said, his vigilance maintained while Zhao Qian worked, ensuring their activities hadn't been spied upon. Even if someone truly lurked beyond his detection, he was confident he would sense any spiritual sense probe attempting to scan the interior. Seeing Lu Danxin's gaze upon him, Lin Feng immediately handed over the formation disk. Lu Danxin took it and, with a flick of his hand, sent it flying towards the stone door. An invisible force carried it precisely into the empty circular socket.
"HUMMMMM..."
The moment the disk clicked into place, the entire stone door trembled violently. Both disks erupted with brilliant light, the intricate runes on their surfaces seeming to writhe and flow like living things. Then, to Lu Danxin and the others' astonishment, the massive door that had stubbornly resisted their combined assault earlier began to slowly swing inward of its own accord. Simultaneously, an incredibly rich and pure spiritual energy spilled out from the opening, invigorating everyone's spirits instantly.
Just sensing the spiritual energy emanating from within caused Lu Danxin and his group to light up with joy. Duan Chenglian exclaimed excitedly, "That's at least a Fourth-Grade Spirit Gathering Formation!! Even if this isn't Master Lanling's cave dwelling, it must be extraordinary!"
"Good. Then we..." Lu Danxin began, only to cut himself off abruptly. His eyes narrowed sharply. "Careful!!" A streak of golden light shot from his right hand, resolving into a small cauldron. This cauldron, however, expanded rapidly upon release, swelling instantly into a massive tripod vessel three meters tall, positioning itself protectively behind the group.
"WHOOSH... BOOM!!" Precisely as Lu Danxin acted, an overwhelming aura exploded from the entrance tunnel behind them. A beam of orange light lanced through the air with blinding speed. Lin Feng's spiritual sense completely failed to track its trajectory. By the time he registered its presence, the beam had already collided with the giant cauldron Lu Danxin had summoned. An earth-shattering detonation rocked the cavern, causing the entire mountain to shudder violently.
"Hahaha!! Truly, thank you for your hard work, Fellow Daoists!!"
The ringing in Lin Feng's ears hadn't even subsided before a voice filled with smug satisfaction echoed into the chamber. His spiritual sense instantly locked onto the source – the entrance tunnel entrance roughly thirty meters opposite them. Several powerful auras seemed to 'materialize' out of thin air. Focusing his gaze, Lin Feng saw six figures standing there, as if they had been there all along. The speaker was the leader, a white-haired old man clad in profound black robes adorned with mystical talismanic patterns. The pressure radiating from him was immense, not only matching Lu Danxin's but seemingly surpassing it by a fraction.
"It's Huang Yisong of Yunhuang Sect! Mid-stage Nascent Soul, third layer!!" Lu Su's pupils constricted the moment he recognized the man, a low exclamation filled with dread escaping him. Though mentally prepared, actually seeing Huang Yisong still caused his heart to sink. Lu Danxin was only at the first layer of Nascent Soul. Even with the aid of the Third-Grade Killing Formation, dealing with Huang Yisong wouldn't be easy. Moreover, the five cultivators behind Huang Yisong were all Golden Core cultivators – three late-stage and two mid-stage – significantly stronger than their own side (Lu Su and Zhao Qian at late Golden Core, Duan Chenglian at mid-stage, and Lin Feng only at the first layer).
Forcing himself to remain calm, Lu Su shouted coldly, "Fellow Daoist Huang! What is the meaning of this?! Does Yunhuang Sect intend to make an enemy of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion Merchant Association?!"
"Hmm? You know me?!" Huang Yisong's pupils contracted slightly, a flash of surprise in his eyes before it turned into a cold smirk. "So it's people from Myriad Treasures Pavilion? And this one... seems to be Sect Leader Lu of Lingyue Sect? Your reputation precedes you. I never expected the fortune of meeting you here today. A pleasure..." He offered a few words of hollow pleasantries, his smile not reaching his eyes, then turned his attention back to Lu Su. "Fellow Daoist, you jest. This time, you have all helped us find Master Lanling's cave dwelling. How could I possibly want to make an enemy of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion? Set your minds at ease. Once I have obtained Master Lanling's legacy, I will heavily reward you all!"
"..." Lu Danxin and the others were momentarily speechless, stunned by Huang Yisong's sheer audacity. He had outright declared Master Lanling's legacy as his own, framing their efforts as merely 'assisting' him in finding it. Of course, his words carried another implication: if they were 'sensible', they would obediently hand over the cave dwelling and leave immediately. If they did so, he might refrain from attacking and perhaps even 'owe them a favor'.
Sharing Master Lanling's cave dwelling had never been their intention, and even if it had been, Huang Yisong's stance made it clear he wouldn't allow it. A cold glint flashed in Lu Danxin's eyes. "Enough talk. Let's fight!!"
"CLANG!" Before the words fully left his mouth, Lu Danxin swept his right hand forward. A flash of fiery light erupted before him, coalescing into a blazing crimson flying sword. With a resonant hum, the sword shot forth like a fiery dragon, streaking directly towards Huang Yisong across the chamber.
Simultaneously, Zhao Qian, who had been poised for action, flicked his wrist. Another formation flag appeared in his hand, which he threw towards a specific point on the left side of the cavern. Surging his Yuan Power violently, he swiftly formed a series of complex formation seals with his hands, directing them towards the flag. A low shout echoed, "Activate!!"
"Hmph!! Refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit! Attack!!"
Facing them, Huang Yisong's eyes blazed with murderous fury upon seeing Lu Danxin dare to strike first. With a vicious sneer, he raised his right hand without retreating. An orange flying sword shot out to meet the incoming crimson one.
"CLANG!!"
A piercing metallic clangor rang out in the air midway between the two groups. As expected, the clash was even. However, as the swords recoiled, Huang Yisong's expression abruptly changed. "A formation!! Damn it! It's a trap!"
"HUMMMM..." Even as Huang Yisong cried out in alarm, the surrounding space began to resonate intensely. Pinpoints of golden light flickered into existence, forming what seemed like a shimmering golden barrier enclosing the entire cavern chamber. The surrounding rock walls appeared distorted and blurred. A palpable, razor-sharp aura filled the air, the density of Metal-attributed spiritual energy soaring to unprecedented levels.
"WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!" In that split second, golden light solidified violently in the air around Huang Yisong and his group. Multiple sharp blades of condensed golden energy materialized out of nowhere, slashing towards them from every conceivable direction!
The Yunhuang Sect members' faces paled dramatically. They scrambled to summon their defensive treasures. Huang Yisong managed to block most of the golden blades himself, while the others, though flustered and frantic, managed to parry the rest without immediate injury.
"It's a Metal-Predominant Killing Formation!! Peak Third-Grade!! Damn it! Fall back! Quickly!!" Shouted a middle-aged cultivator with a short beard standing to Huang Yisong's right, his voice laced with fear as he urged retreat. But before anyone could move, his expression contorted again. "Watch right flank!"
"WHOOSH!! BOOM!!" His warning came too late. The air to their right erupted in a blinding flash of gold. A blade of energy, vastly more potent than the previous ones, materialized. Fortunately, Huang Yisong reacted with incredible speed, instantly intercepting it with his flying sword.
This development caused Lu Danxin, Lu Su, and the others on their side to narrow their eyes sharply. Zhao Qian's expression turned grave. "That man is also a Formation Master! Eliminate him first!!" Even as he spoke, his hands never stopped moving. Seal after seal flew from his fingers into the air, causing fresh blades of golden light to coalesce instantly, relentlessly assaulting the Yunhuang Sect group.
"WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!..."
At the same moment, Lu Danxin, Lu Su, and Duan Chenglian launched their attacks. Three flying swords shot out, their trajectories converging unerringly on the short-bearded middle-aged cultivator who had just identified the formation.
Huang Yisong's face turned ashen, fury and shock warring within him. He hadn't anticipated the enemy laying such a formidable killing formation in advance. No wonder they showed no surprise at our arrival... they were expecting us! But how?! There was no time to ponder.
"KILL THEM!!" Huang Yisong roared, his voice thick with rage. His orange flying sword surged forward again to clash with Lu Danxin's crimson blade. Simultaneously, he raised his left hand. A large golden shield shimmered into existence, positioning itself protectively in front of the short-bearded Formation Master. "Break the formation!" he commanded the man.
In the same breath, the Golden Core cultivators of Yunhuang Sect summoned their own magical treasures. Not only did they block the flying swords aimed at them by Lu Su and Duan Chenglian, but they also launched fierce counterattacks towards their adversaries.
In the blink of an eye, a fierce, all-out battle erupted within the cavern!