CHAPTER 678: CHAPTER 80: RETURNING DRAGON HIBERNATION FORMATION_2

Zhang Yan said in a clear voice, "Su Yiang, I might as well inform you that the matter of your clan’s betrayal and self-establishment has already been exposed. The sect intends to destroy them."

Su Yiang’s body trembled slightly, then he replied, "Master, allow me to explain. Ever since I lost my physical body, I’ve no longer considered myself a member of the Su Family."

Zhang Yan chuckled, "There’s no need for you to panic. It’s precisely for a matter concerning you that I’ve set out—to obtain a new body for you so you can once again become a disciple of the Su Family."

Su Yihong, quick to grasp Zhang Yan’s intentions, immediately followed his lead, saying, "I will obey Master’s orders without question."

Zhang Yan nodded subtly, tucked the Beautiful Jade into his sleeve, then soared into the sky, transforming into a streak of cloud-cutting light and flying straight towards Surging Wave Lake.

At the same time, Deep Pool within Su Yihong’s Cave Mansion was surrounded by over a thousand cultivators, rainbow lights scattering everywhere, with the area covered in luminous clouds exuding a misty haze.

Under Qi Yuntian’s meticulous arrangement, within an hour, numerous array flag restrictions were set all around the waters of this domain.

Knowing the five Nascent Soul True Masters of the Su Family were present, he placed three Nascent Soul True Masters at each direction to prevent their escape, enabling mutual assistance and support in case of an attack.

Once the array flags were properly placed, Qi Yuntian personally took the central position, shook the array flag in his hand, and in the southeastern, southwestern, northwestern, and northeastern corners, a loud sound erupted simultaneously. Yellow smoke surged upwards from all four corners, coalescing into dense clouds that shrouded the sky above.

Yet, Qi Yuntian did not stop there. He continued dispatching disciples to impose additional restrictions outside the array. At this rate, within a day and night, this area could be fortified like an iron fortress, rendering those within utterly trapped, like fish in a barrel. Even Nascent Soul True Masters would have no hope of breaking free.

If, at this moment, those five Nascent Soul True Masters chose to risk everything and break through the array with lives on the line, there might be a slim chance for one or two of them to escape and cling to life.

However, they had been refining prohibitions at the bottom of the lake for over twenty years without emerging, and no disciple dared disturb them. By the time it became evident something was wrong, the opportunity had already passed.

At this moment, within the underground palace of Deep Pool, Su Yihong sped like a comet along the deep, lengthy corridor.

The passage slanted nearly thirty miles into the earth, directly leading to the True Dragon Cave Mansion. In no time, he reached the end, striding into the inner hall, where several disciples on duty stared at him in astonishment. He loudly declared, "I request an audience with the five ancestors! You must report this immediately!"

The disciples on guard, however, remained unfazed, replying coldly, "Da Lang, the five ancestors are in seclusion. No matter the reason, they must not be disturbed."

Su Yihong’s eyes flashed with fierce determination. Stretching out his hand, he thrust them aside and then, with a thunderous shout, smashed open the heavy stone doors. As he stepped into the inner hall, his armor still shuddered from the impact. Just as he was about to proceed further, he looked up to find a Golden Light Talisman blocking his path, knowing he could go no further.

With a resonating thud, he knelt before the doors and shouted, "Five ancestors, the sect has changed! Qi Yuntian, leading over a thousand cultivators, has completely encircled Deep Pool. It seems the matter of the True Dragon Cave Mansion has already been exposed. What should your grandson do? I wholeheartedly seek your guidance!"

Patiently waiting for a moment, an aged voice eventually came from within, saying, "We are already aware of the situation outside. Do not worry. Simply hold them off for a day or two, and there will be an opportunity for reversal."

As the voice finished speaking, several beams of Treasure Light descended in front of him, and the voice continued, "These are our Dharma Treasures, which we now bestow upon you, along with a Dharma Seal. All disciples from mortal clans outside may be commanded by you, life or death inconsequential."

Su Yihong raised his head abruptly and declared with confidence, "If all that’s required is a day or two, what need is there for anyone else’s aid? Your grandson alone is sufficient!"

Outside the Deep Water Pool at this time, Qi Yuntian sat atop the Forbidden Formation Flag Platform as a white-haired Daoist approached him, saying, "Senior Brother, I’ve just made my rounds and discerned that this Forbidden Formation is called the ’Returning Dragon Hibernation Formation.’ It is a defensive array, containing countless minor formations within its loops. Additionally, array devices link the mountain water and Earth Qi, with disciples maintaining and operating it at the array pivot. As long as the Spiritual Energy remains inexhaustible and the array functions properly, one array gate broken will spawn a new one, unending and impossible to extinguish."

At this point, the old Daoist turned back and pointed toward the distant array, saying, "If we intend to break this formation, without an inside informant occupying the flag positions, we must rely on a Great Power Expert to stabilize the Qi Mechanism, then have disciples relentlessly bombard it day and night to deplete its Spiritual Energy, halting its operation. Finally, send disciples through the Life Gate to kill their way to the Flag Gate and break the formation."

Qi Yuntian nodded in understanding. Though the array was difficult to breach, its structure had clear traces and methodological strategies. It was merely a matter of expending additional effort.

The true challenge lay in those enigmatic ancient restrictions within, as calculating the array’s operation could consume an unpredictable amount of time.

Aside from the twelve Nascent Soul True Masters guarding the outer array, there were also four Nascent Soul Elders from noble families on standby. After issuing some instructions, he dispatched them to carry Dharma Treasures to the four corners to stabilize the array’s structure.

Within half an hour, the veil of mist above Deep Pool froze as though clutched tightly by an immense hand.

The white-haired Daoist’s face lit up with joy as he exclaimed, "Senior Brother, several of our brothers have halted the array’s operation. Now is the time to strike!"

Qi Yuntian narrowed his eyes, raising a Dharma Talisman with decisive intent. In an instant, a piercing howl traveled across the skies.

With the talisman’s activation, countless streams of golden light surged upward, raining incessantly, their cries roaring like waves, descending upon the external array surrounding Deep Pool.

This onslaught combined the strength of over a thousand cultivators in two waves, attacking in turns. For a time, the Forbidden Formation over Deep Pool appeared like a candle flickering in the wind, wavering precariously. After just two hours, a resounding boom echoed, and the northwest corner’s array gate burst open, revealing an entrance for passage.

Qi Yuntian, recognizing that the area within the Life Gate was likely fortified with traps, swept his gaze around and announced, "The Life Gate has been breached. Any disciple capable of destroying the Flag Gate will have their merit reported to the Sect Leader for commendation."

Upon hearing this, several noble Hua Dan disciples were tempted but feared the possibility of traps.

After observing for a while and seeing no movement within this gate, they grew confident in the protection provided by their Dharma Treasures. Unable to resist any longer, three of them stepped forward, bowing to Qi Yuntian before rushing toward the Life Gate, leading over ten Xuan Guang Practitioners in their eager charge.

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...(To Be Continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) and vote for it with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)