On the other side, the golden talisman transformed into a golden auspicious light and flew above Kailandir's head, becoming a majestic golden palace over a hundred zhang tall, enveloping Kailandir within.
For a time, these two Sea Race Spirit Transformation Cultivators, who had forcibly boosted their strength, were trapped by the two items Ning Fa had conjured.
These two items were no simple things. The black chain was named the Spirit Trapping Lock, a replica of the Heaven-Piercing Spirit Treasure, the Heaven Sealing Lock.
This was a treasure of the Taichu Gate, given to Ning Fa by Venerable Jizhao for his use.
Furthermore, it had been super-activated beforehand, raising its power to about fifty percent of the full Heaven Sealing Lock's might.
The price for this was that after this use, the treasure would drop a major grade, from a Spirit Treasure to an ordinary Magic Treasure.
As for the golden talisman, it was a fifth-grade Spirit Talisman, the Illusion Palace Talisman, possessing extremely strong enemy-trapping capabilities and the ability to generate powerful illusions. This precious talisman was provided by the Nine Immortals Association.
Therefore, even though Kailandir and the Enchanting Woman, two Sea Race Spirit Transformation Cultivators, had forcibly raised their realms, these two items were sufficient to trap them for some time, enough time for the Six Paths Yuan Destruction Great Array to be completed.
Seeing their two ancestors trapped, the other third and fourth-tier Sea Race members' faces instantly changed drastically. For a moment, they didn't know whether to continue attacking Ning Fa or rescue their ancestors.
But at this moment, the Heavenly Treasure Immortal Merchant made his move. With his strength, dealing with these third and fourth-tier Sea Race members was naturally like using a butcher's knife to kill a chicken. In just a few dozen breaths, these Sea Race members were reduced to scattered corpses and shattered pieces.
The Heavenly Treasure Immortal Merchant returned to Ning Fa's side, flicked his right sleeve, and revealed twelve unconscious Sea Race Nascent Souls.
Ning Fa was naturally overjoyed, as among them were a fourth-tier late-stage and three fourth-tier mid-stage Sea Race Nascent Souls.
Ning Fa grabbed them with a sweep of his hand, and these Nascent Souls disappeared. But soon, he sighed.
At this moment, his Source-Crossing Heavenly Book's third-tier Origin Points had increased from the original eight hundred and sixty to two thousand and seventy. This meant these Nascent Souls had added approximately one thousand two hundred points.
However, logically speaking, these Sea Race Nascent Souls should have provided one thousand seven hundred points, a deficit of five hundred.
This situation had already occurred several years ago.
Back then, Ning Fa suddenly discovered that the Origin Points provided by Sea Race Nascent Souls had begun to be discounted.
Initially, the loss wasn't significant, only ten percent, but it gradually increased until it reached the current thirty percent discount.
As for the third-tier Origin Points obtained from Demonic Beast Nascent Souls, they remained unchanged for the time being.
Ning Fa speculated that this might be due to the Heavenly Book absorbing too many Sea Race Nascent Souls.
Just like how taking too much of a certain pill can lead to drug resistance, the Heavenly Book had developed a resistance to Sea Race Nascent Souls, thus providing fewer Origin Points.
Ning Fa estimated that if this continued, the Origin Points provided by Sea Race Nascent Souls might decrease further.
However, Ning Fa also guessed that this might only apply to fourth-tier Sea Race members. If they were Spirit Transformation stage Sea Race Nascent Souls, the Heavenly Book should not have a discount.
What confirmed this for him was that the Origin Points obtained from third-tier Sea Race crystal cores had not changed, clearly because the quantity had not reached a certain threshold.
But regardless, with this large batch of Origin Points, he now had enough to use True Form Imprint five more times, undoubtedly greatly enhancing his survivability.
Ning Fa didn't waste any time and continued to accelerate the deployment of the array.
Before long, a black trapezoidal platform several zhang in size appeared before him.
Its surface was covered with extremely complex array formation patterns, and in the center, a black crystal the size of a head, with countless facets, was suspended.
One could see wave-like black spiritual light slowly surging within it, appearing quite mysterious.
"Good, since everyone has finished setting up this array, let's activate it."
At this moment, Venerable Jizhao's spiritual sense transmission reached Ning Fa's ears.
Venerable Jizhao was currently at the very top of the Sea Heart Great Array, with the other five individuals positioned around him. This was because Venerable Jizhao was the main Array Eye of the Six Paths Yuan Destruction Great Array.
Ning Fa took a deep breath, moved his right hand, and ten top-grade spirit stones of various colors flew into the ten grooves of this trapezoidal platform.
He then took out a rhombic array disk and, under the activation of his mana, sent a hand seal towards it.
Instantly, a spiritual light spread from the array disk and merged into the trapezoidal platform.
The platform immediately let out a loud hum, and energy emitting terrifying spiritual light began to flow rapidly through the array formation patterns, with streaks of array light spreading out in all directions through the void.
At this moment, the other five trapezoidal platforms were doing the same. In the blink of an eye, the array light emitted by these platforms connected with each other, forming a super great array that covered a thousand miles.
While this array was not powered by a top-tier spirit vein, it used a full sixty top-grade spirit stones.
It could be said that almost all the top-grade spirit stones from the Human Race's immortal cultivation world had been brought out for this.
And the energy source for this array was not limited to this.
At this moment, Ning Fa and the other five looked at the black crystal before them with solemn expressions, and they all placed their hands on it in unison.
A special suction force immediately emanated from the crystal. After a few breaths, Ning Fa withdrew his hand, a look of relief on his face.
He could feel that his lifespan had been reduced by approximately one hundred and twenty years.
However, due to his Spring Thunder Innate Divine Ability, his lifespan was doubled, reaching a total of two thousand four hundred years, so this loss of one hundred and twenty years had almost no impact on him.
What reassured him was that this did not result in any unexpected consequences.
This was something he had been worried about before. He had also secretly consulted ancient texts and even found Huangfu Jin. This old monster, who had lived for over ten thousand years, had also indicated that there were no issues. Now, it seemed he had been overly concerned.
He looked at the black crystal named Mingsui Stone and couldn't help but marvel.
This peculiar spiritual ore could absorb a cultivator's lifespan and convert it into immense energy, which was simply inconceivable.
At this moment, the black crystal had turned reddish-gray, and the black-red spiritual light within was churning violently, like a volcano about to erupt, exuding astonishing spiritual pressure.
Ning Fa took a few steps back, his hand seals continuing to move as he further activated the rhombic array disk, issuing control hand seals to push the complete activation of this array eye.
At the same time, blinding spiritual lights erupted on the surface of the Six Paths Yuan Destruction Great Array, and the energy unleashed rapidly escalated to a level that made Ning Fa's heart pound.
Soon, with a crack, the Mingsui Stone directly exploded, and the surging black and red energy poured into the trapezoidal platform. It flowed rapidly along the array formation patterns, turning the great array itself black and red.
A rumbling roar echoed, the wind and clouds changed, looking like the end of the world was imminent.
Ning Fa's movements paused. His aura had dropped significantly; he had used about eighty percent of his mana and spiritual sense to activate this array eye.
His face was filled with astonishment. No wonder Venerable Jizhao and the others were so confident in the Six Paths Yuan Destruction Great Array.
The power it contained was truly unimaginable. Let alone a Mid Spirit Transformation Cultivator, even a great cultivator in the Late Spirit Transformation stage would likely be instantly annihilated here, Ning Fa suspected.
But now was not the time for amazement. The array formation was set up, and it was time to leave.
With that thought, Ning Fa's escape light flared, and he was about to fly off the trapezoidal platform.
But in the next moment, an accident occurred.
A layer of invisible black crystalline light shields appeared above the platform, slamming him back.
Ning Fa's face contorted in panic, his heart sinking. He knew something was terribly wrong.
He steadied his mind, flicked his right hand, and the Star Roaming Compass appeared in his palm. He had planted an anchor point before coming, but what made his pupils constrict was that the anchor teleportation of the Star Roaming Compass had no reaction!
The unfailingly effective Star Roaming Compass had failed!
Ning Fa clenched his fists, veins bulging. A tension he hadn't felt in a long time throbbed in his heart, along with indescribable anger.
He had been tricked.
This array formation wasn't just about absorbing the lifespan of the person controlling the array eye; it was intended to sacrifice the controller along with it.
Clearly, this wasn't a pure Six Paths Yuan Destruction Great Array, but one that had been modified.
Ning Fa's anger surged like an erupting volcano, but he knew this was not the time for anger. He had to figure out how to escape first, or he would perish here.
He swept his spiritual sense and discovered that black crystalline light shields had also appeared at the other five array eyes.
Except for Venerable Jizhao, who remained unfazed, the other four were also in shock and fury, trying to break free.
However, Ning Fa wasn't overly panicked because the Heavenly Treasure Immortal Merchant was nearby.
At this moment, the Heavenly Treasure Immortal Merchant had clearly sensed Ning Fa's abnormality and flashed towards him.
But in the next moment, a ring that seemed to be formed from emerald green branches descended from the sky, vanishing in an instant and encircling the Heavenly Treasure Immortal Merchant at the waist, immobilizing it.
The runes on the ring flashed wildly, emitting astonishing spiritual power fluctuations. The spiritual power was far stronger than that of ordinary Spirit Treasures; this was clearly a Heaven-Piercing Spirit Treasure!
The Heavenly Treasure Immortal Merchant's brows furrowed. Golden light immediately erupted around it, its eyes turning a brilliant pure gold. A vast, ocean-like spiritual pressure burst forth from within, attempting to break free from the Heaven-Piercing Spirit Treasure's restraint.
Simultaneously, a golden ruler was spat out from its mouth, releasing a sharp gleam and fiercely striking the Heaven-Piercing Spirit Treasure. For the moment, it was ineffective.
Outside this Six Paths Yuan Destruction Great Array, two figures were stationed.
One was Yuanzun, wearing a silver mask. Beside him stood a young man with a face as sharp and handsome as if carved by a knife.
This person had striking long black and white hair and a cold, indifferent expression. He was none other than Yan Jingchen, who had not appeared for many years—the reincarnation of Yan Yuan Daoist.
At this moment, the powerful spiritual pressure he exuded had reached the Spirit Transformation stage, clearly indicating his successful breakthrough.
He stared intently at Ning Fa's figure within the great array. Even his usually indifferent eyes now showed traces of excitement and anticipation.
"Daoist friend Yuanzun, aren't you going to act? That Yingxuan Ring alone can't hold the Heavenly Treasure Immortal Merchant," Yan Jingchen said calmly.
Yuanzun's lips curved into a faint smile, and he then tossed a yellow cloth bag into the array.
At the same time, he looked at Yan Jingchen, his eyes narrowing slightly.
This plan, which involved destroying the Sea Race's cross-border passage and simultaneously capturing the Heavenly Treasure Immortal Merchant and Ning Fa, was actually proposed by this Yan Jingchen.
Yuanzun still remembered a day two years ago when Yan Jingchen approached him and directly stated he had a way to help him capture the Heavenly Treasure Immortal Merchant.
At that moment, having his thoughts guessed, Yuanzun was filled with shock and even a desire to silence Yan Jingchen.
With his strength, he found he couldn't subdue Yan Jingchen.
After demonstrating his power, Yan Jingchen proposed cooperation: he would help Yuanzun capture the Heavenly Treasure Immortal Merchant, while his target would be Ning Fa.
Before this, Yan Jingchen and Gu Zun had already reached an agreement regarding dealing with Ning Fa and the Heavenly Treasure Immortal Merchant. The reason was simple.
Gu Ying wanted to become a Dao Companion with Ning Fa's never-before-seen daughter to cultivate the Qianyuan Merchant Alliance's treasured dual cultivation technique.
However, Ning Fa had sternly refused, and even Gu Zun's personal plea was directly and mercilessly rejected by Ning Fa.
Cultivating that dual cultivation technique held extraordinary significance for Gu Ying, so Gu Zun had never given up.
It was just that Ning Fa not only possessed extraordinary personal strength but also had the Heavenly Treasure Immortal Merchant as a bodyguard, which had made him hesitate to act.
Now, they could destroy the Sea Race's cross-border passage and seize the opportunity to eliminate Ning Fa and the Heavenly Treasure Immortal Merchant. Such a plan, killing several birds with one stone, was something Gu Zun would naturally not refuse.
As for the other major key force—the Tianshu Alliance—after both he and Gu Zun had intervened, they were naturally persuaded.
After all, Ning Fa's identity as a Zi Yin Clan member was something the Tianshu Alliance greatly feared. They also proposed including Huangfu Jin and the Ancestral Beast Huan Yu, thus leading to this operation.
The Tianwu, Great Qin, and Nine Dragons Sea, rarely united, had reached an agreement, each taking what they needed.
And the one who played a crucial role in facilitating this matter was the Yan Jingchen standing before them.
In fact, this Six Paths Yuan Destruction Great Array was actually provided by Yan Jingchen, not a treasure of the Qianyuan Merchant Alliance.
Furthermore, this array was specially modified by Yan Jingchen, which is why it has its current effect, allowing it to directly restrain cultivators within the array's eye, using them as sacrifices.
Upon thinking this, Yuanzun's eyes couldn't help but fill with renewed apprehension and killing intent towards Yan Jingchen.
This person was like a venomous snake, patient and hidden, but once he struck, it was a fatal blow.
He felt that if Yan Jingchen wasn't eliminated, he would likely become a disaster.
But Yan Jingchen merely glanced at him indifferently and sneered, "Could it be that fellow Daoist Yuanzun is harboring murderous thoughts towards me again?
I advise you to calm down. We are on the verge of reaping our rewards. Even if you want to kill me, you can wait until after the harvest."
Yuanzun's expression turned calm again, and he asked curiously, "Can you tell me why you are so concerned about Ning Fa? Why do you want to kill him at such a great cost? Is it because of his Five Elements Thunder Body? Or does he possess some special treasure that you covet?"
Yan Jingchen, however, smiled and retorted, "Why don't fellow Daoist Yuanzun tell Yan first what you are after by spending such a great price to deal with the Heavenly Treasure Immortal Merchant?"
Yuanzun's brow furrowed slightly. He turned away, saying no more.
Yan Jingchen's lips curved upwards as he looked at Ning Fa, who was struggling within the array's eye, a flicker of eagerness appearing in his eyes.
Based on his judgment, Ning Fa had very likely activated the Primordial Realm Pearl, causing it to advance past the Chaos Mustard Seed and become a Primordial Spirit Realm Embryo.
Moreover, Ning Fa was clearly following the path he had laid out, which was to use the Solar Essence Fire and Tai Yin True Fire.
This was because Yan Jingchen knew very well that the original Solar Essence Fire was only one step away from forming, which wouldn't be difficult for Ning Fa. The key was the Tai Yin True Fire.
In previous years, Ning Fa had been searching for high-grade Cold Flames, clearly with the purpose of cultivating the Tai Yin True Fire.
Later, Ning Fa apparently no longer needed high-grade Cold Flames as much, which undoubtedly indicated that he had successfully cultivated the Tai Yin True Fire.
This meant that the Primordial Realm Pearl had been transformed by the two origin true fires into Yin and Yang, and had truly begun to advance into a small realm.
In this way, as long as he captured Ning Fa's soul, he could use Ning Fa and the soul imprint of that small realm to locate it, thereby claiming it as his own and reaping the benefits.
Then, by finding a way to help this small realm grow further, there would be great hope of using it to sneak into the Immortal Realm.
Thinking of this, Yan Jingchen's blood began to boil.
He, a peerless genius, had made countless plans and arrangements in his past and present lives, all for the sake of ascension. Now, the dawn of victory was within sight. Even with his deep composure, he couldn't help but feel a sense of impatience.