CHAPTER 376: CHAPTER 317: THE 7 LAYERED MOUNTAINS! [VOTE FOR MONTHLY TICKETS!]

"If I can master this formation, it will suffice even up to the fifth order!"

In the Central Continent World, Chen Jichuan obtained many high-level Cultivation Techniques and Magic Skills, and quite a few pill recipes that he previously couldn’t refine.

But formations—there weren’t many.

Cultivation Techniques, Magic Skills, and pill recipes can at least be memorized by rote.

But formations—

"Formations are endlessly variable. If you grasp it, you grasp it. If you don’t, then you don’t."

"Theoretical knowledge can be written down."

"But high-level formation diagrams—"

Chen Jichuan shook his head.

Complex formations simply cannot be memorized by rote.

Over the years, he relied on various theoretical books he had once recorded to study formations.

The various formations he came to understand were derived from the Dao Fruits of ten Formation Masters.

These Formation Masters, limited by their cultivation, could each at most master one third-order formation, and even then, it was one of the least variable and relatively less powerful types.

Ten Formation Masters.

Ten third-order formations.

This was the sum total of Chen Jichuan’s accumulation in the art of formations.

But that wasn’t all.

Because of the particular nature of formations, there had been a complete rupture in the development of formation mastery across the entire Central Continent.

No one could study high-level formations.

Gradually, they faded into obscurity.

Now, before Chen Jichuan was a vivid and dynamic fifth-order formation, hailed as the "greatest formation under the vast starry sky," and his heart trembled with excitement.

"If I can carefully comprehend this formation, the benefit to my formation mastery would be immeasurable!"

To study formations,

one must have a solid foundation and be well-versed in various basic formations.

All formations under the heavens evolve from these basic formations.

Apart from the basics, delving into high-level formations, analyzing and mastering them bit by bit, is also a pathway to rapid improvement in formation mastery.

If there were a ready-made formation that allowed a Formation Master to personally experience its many transformations, that would be ideal!

...

"I’ve been stuck, unable to progress in my formation mastery."

"Now it seems I’ve struck gold!"

Chen Jichuan was overjoyed.

Leveraging this ’Small Sumeru Right and Left Nine Palace Immortal Formation’ to elevate his formation mastery was one objective,

while using it to lay out Wuhe Star or other celestial bodies, painstakingly building them up to enhance his ability to protect himself in the starry realm was another important purpose.

No matter how it was used, this formation was of extraordinary significance.

Nearby,

Xiao Lan had no idea what thoughts ran through Chen Jichuan’s mind as he entered the grand formation.

She landed on one of the continents of the "Four Heavenly Worlds" and said to Chen Jichuan beside her, "This formation has been here for far too long and is now barely holding together, so the outer regions of the formation are relatively safe. But within the Seven-layered Mountains, there is ’Stone Fire.’ And within the Seven Seas, there is ’Sea Heart Flame.’ Without resolving these two Exotic Fires, it will be exceedingly difficult to break through the formation and reach the core of the mountain."

Though Xiao Lan didn’t know the exact origins of the formation, she could tell it was extraordinary.

That such a formation had fallen into such disrepair.

This also led her to suspect that the "Sumeru Immortal Sect" had become obscure over time due to the passage of countless years.

From the ruins of the sect gate to the midst of the formation, Chen Jichuan could feel the weight and desolation of time pressing upon him.

No matter how glorious,

no matter how powerful,

in the face of the vast flow of time, everything proves equally fragile.

"If you cannot ascend to immortality,"

"if you cannot achieve longevity,"

"you are ultimately nothing but an ant."

Chen Jichuan sighed inwardly.

While feeling emotional, he scanned his surroundings.

At the same time, he followed Xiao Lan towards the deeper regions of the formation, heading in the direction of Sumeru Mountain.

They crossed one continent.

They passed over the Great Salty Sea.

The journey was indeed uneventful, and the two smoothly arrived at the Seven-layered Mountains.

...

As soon as they reached the foot of the mountains,

they were assailed by waves of scorching heat, unbearable to most.

The Seven-layered Mountains stretched endlessly, barren and devoid of vegetation. Each mountain was aflame, and the flames were intensely hot and terrifying. To forcefully climb over them would melt even bronze heads and iron bodies into liquid.

Even formidable Magical Treasures, talismans, or Spirit Pills could only carry one so far.

The issue lies in their duration.

The former in Mana capacity.

"The flames of the Seven-layered Mountains are extraordinary, born of the rocks themselves, impervious to water and resistant to Fire Suppressing Spells."

"The first time I attempted, I was forced back after seven days."

"The second time, borrowing a third-order ’Fire Suppressing Pearl,’ I managed to cross one mountain. But the flames were so ferocious that even with the Fire Suppressing Pearl shielding me, the strain on my Mana and mind was immense. Coupled with the unending Small Sumeru Realms appearing along the way, I was physically and mentally exhausted, unable to endure."

"After crossing one mountain, I dared not proceed further."

Xiao Lan looked at the Seven-layered Mountains before them, her lingering fear evident.

Ever since she stumbled upon this ruin, she had been obstructed by these mountains. In her attempts to push forward, she even caught glimpses of another Exotic Fire within the Seven Seas beyond: the ’Sea Heart Flame.’

She attempted to find methods or treasures to resist the flames and subdue the Exotic Fires from the Magic Sound Mountain.

But, constrained by her cultivation and her primary body’s lack of proficiency with Fire Skills, and with her Human Clan Avatar only just beginning her studies of the Nine Revolutions Gang Flame, Xiao Lan couldn’t locate the ’Stone Fire’ within the mountains.

Contemplating her options,

she realized she could either wait several hundred or thousands of years for her cultivation to reach the second or third realm and for more treasures to accumulate before trying again,

or she could seek outside help.

The former was risky with unpredictable delays.

In the starry realm, there was no shortage of powerful cultivators in the Divinity Transformation Stage. Given that this site was thirteen light-years away from Magic Sound Mountain—neither far nor near—once exposed, it could easily attract others.

If third or fourth realm Great Powers were drawn here, someone of Xiao Lan’s cultivation might not even get a sip of soup, let alone the treasure. She could even lose her life.

After much deliberation,

she decided speed was key; conquering this place early was imperative. Waiting hundreds or thousands of years was far too uncertain.

Incidentally, she needed to deal with the Moyun Demon Emperor.

So she decided to enlist the help of Chen Jichuan, planning to kill two birds with one stone.

One bird was already in her grasp.

Now, it was up to Chen Jichuan to see if he could quickly seize the second.

...

"The Four Heavenly Worlds,"

"The Great Salty Sea,"

"Due to the long passage of time and formation decay, these areas are no longer dangerous."

"But starting from the regions of the Seven-layered Mountains, not only are there flames everywhere, but the formation’s intricacies also begin to manifest. Small Sumeru Realms will suddenly and intermittently appear, each containing tests set up by Divinity Transformation Stage cultivators of the Sumeru Immortal Sect."

"These realms house various treasures and inheritances of the Sumeru Immortal Sect."

Standing before the Seven-layered Mountains, Chen Jichuan listened as Xiao Lan continued her explanation: "However, nothing in this world is eternal. Even matter itself dissipates over time. As the universe evolves and the years flow by, the medicinal potency of Spirit Pills fades, the power of Magical Treasures diminishes, and the Cultivation Techniques and Magic Skills recorded in Jade Scrolls become incomplete."

The power of time is all but unbeatable.

"Spirit Pills."

"Magical Treasures."

"Inheritances."

"The treasures hidden within each of the Small Sumeru Realms, while valuable in some cases, are nothing compared to what lies within Sumeru Mountain."

"This time, all will rely on you, Fellow Daoist, to locate and quell the ’Stone Fire’ wreaking havoc within the Seven-layered Mountains. Once done, I have my methods to subdue it."

Xiao Lan explained the stakes to Chen Jichuan.

She was afraid that he might be swayed by the modest treasures within the Small Sumeru Realms and deliberately hold back, thereby sacrificing the greater goal for lesser rewards.

"Be at ease, Fairy."

Chen Jichuan smiled faintly.

Xiao Lan was decisive in her actions, and he was no short-sighted fool. He knew well the relative worth of Sumeru Mountain’s ultimate treasures versus the lesser baubles in the Small Sumeru Realms.

Hearing this, Xiao Lan said no more. She summoned a Fire Suppressing Pearl and stepped into the Seven-layered Mountains.

The magical prowess of the treasure pushed the flames apart.

For a time, the fire could not touch her.

Chen Jichuan promptly followed, also summoning a Fire Suppressing Pearl. This was something Xiao Lan provided in advance. Not knowing the circumstances here, she had prepared accordingly.

Moving through the Seven-layered Mountains with the Fire Suppressing Pearl in hand,

rolling waves of heat still seeped through the protective aura, causing sweat to pour from his body instantly.

"Stone Fire!"

Chen Jichuan extended his Divine Sense slightly, enduring the scorching flames as he searched for the whereabouts of the Stone Fire. Meanwhile, Daluo Heavenly Fire encased his body, fanning out over dozens of miles, blending with the raging flames as it detected its target.

On top of that, he activated the Insight Skill, piercing through the Seven-layered Mountains with a glance.

The ’Stone Fire’ was instantly laid bare, unable to hide.

"Though the ’Small Sumeru Right and Left Nine Palace Immortal Formation’ is a fifth-order formation, it is partially incomplete and long-neglected. In terms of power, it is only equivalent to a particularly advanced third-order formation."

"Its intricacies and transformations are exceptional, making it difficult for an average third-order Formation Master to decipher."

"I cannot fully unravel it in a short time, but perceiving its partial mysteries poses no problem."

"The ’Stone Fire’ is confined within the Seven-layered Mountains and is not difficult to pinpoint."

Leading Xiao Lan, Chen Jichuan swept straight toward the location of the Stone Fire.

RUMBLE! RUMBLE! RUMBLE!

Moving at great speed, their passage whipped the flames into dragon-like spirals.

Suddenly,

a ripple spread within the mountain, and Xiao Lan, who had been beside Chen Jichuan, vanished without warning.

"Hmm?"

Chen Jichuan halted, pondering Xiao Lan’s earlier explanations, and realized she had likely fallen into a Small Sumeru Realm.

He looked around.

The Insight Skill scanned in all directions, but surprisingly, he couldn’t pinpoint the location of the Small Sumeru Realm she had entered.

"Truly a fifth-order formation!"

He was in no rush, choosing instead to stay where he was to both wait and search.

As he surveyed his surroundings,

another ripple occurred, and Chen Jichuan himself disappeared.

...

"This place—"

Space shifted, and Chen Jichuan steadied himself, finding himself on a mountain.

Within the mountain was a Daoist temple, inside which an old Daoist was teaching a group of young Daoist disciples.

When Chen Jichuan looked down at himself,

he found he had somehow transformed into a small Daoist child, with tiny arms and legs, looking innocent and endearing.

"An illusion."

Activating the Insight Skill, he dispelled the illusions in a single glance, revealing the truth.

Breaking the entire ’Small Sumeru Right and Left Nine Palace Immortal Formation’ in one go was beyond him, but within a mere Small Sumeru Realm, breaking free was trivial.

"Break!"

Chen Jichuan channeled his Mana and raised his hand, unleashing thousands of Sword Qis that swept forth—

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

The Sword Qi resounded, obliterating the green mountain.

The temple.

The Daoist.

The disciples.

Everything before him collapsed into nothingness, leaving only barren ruins.

The Small Sumeru Realm that had confounded Xiao Lan was shattered in mere breaths by Chen Jichuan.

With the Small Sumeru Realm destroyed,

Chen Jichuan returned to the Seven-layered Mountains, where an ancient jade ruler fell from the air—

[Magical Treasure: Asura Law Ruler]

[Level: Third-order]

[Description: Once the treasure of the Sumeru Immortal Sect’s Divinity Transformation Stage cultivator ’Zhu Ying.’ Originally a fourth-order treasure, it degraded to third-order due to the erosion of time. When this treasure is unleashed, if struck, one will immediately suffer raging fire and thunder within their body, shattering bones, tearing flesh, and dying a miserable death.]

...

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