Chapter 37: [Xuanyang Tiangang]

Seeing Song Changsheng's expression turn unfriendly, Zhu Yiqun immediately knew better and shut his mouth, though his small eyes continued to scrutinize him incessantly.

Song Changsheng couldn't help but press a hand to his forehead; it seemed explaining things to this fellow was futile, as it would only make matters worse.

He simply stopped paying attention to Zhu Yiqun and accelerated toward the dense forest ahead.

In less than half an hour, the group arrived at the rendezvous point as scheduled. After confirming everything was in order, they began to advance toward the ruins...

The ruins were quite a distance from the market town. Even after galloping all the way, it still took them a day and a night to reach the outskirts of their destination.

On a desolate hillside, Zhu Yiqun pointed to the dense forest below and said, "The ruins are down there. There are still a few days left until the Winter Solstice. Let us rest for a while before we begin our preparations."

Having traveled continuously, everyone was indeed somewhat fatigued. They sat on the ground one after another to recuperate...

"Fellow Daoist Song, come over and take a look." A gentle voice sounded in Song Changsheng's ear.

He looked up and saw that Xu Yun, who was also a formation master, was waving to him.

Xu Yun was approximately thirty years old, and her cultivation level was roughly the lowest among the group, but she was a Tier 1 peak-grade formation master. When it came to breaking formations, she and Song Changsheng were the primary forces.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, is something the matter?"

"A Tier 2 high-grade [Xuan Yang Heavenly Astral Formation]. Does Fellow Daoist have no interest in witnessing it?" Xu Yun said with a slight smile.

Song Changsheng walked to her side and found that the range of the ruins' formation was not far in front of her. A thick concentration of Yang energy gathered here, causing a slight sense of discomfort.

"It has actually reached Tier 2 high-grade. If it weren't for the approaching Winter Solstice, we wouldn't be able to shake this permanent grand formation on our own."

To launch a forced assault on a Tier 2 high-grade formation, at least several Foundation Establishment cultivators would need to act together; their current strength was simply insufficient.

"Indeed, we are quite lucky. Although this [Xuan Yang Heavenly Astral Formation] is powerful, it is a magic-refining formation and will not actively attack us righteous cultivators, giving us a chance to comprehend a Tier 2 formation from a close distance."

Xu Yun smiled faintly, then sat cross-legged at the edge of the grand formation and began to contemplate the formation patterns.

Song Changsheng naturally would not pass up this rare opportunity. He found a spot not far from Xu Yun and began his own contemplation.

As he delved in, Song Changsheng immediately discovered a clue. This was his first time encountering the [Xuan Yang Heavenly Astral Formation], yet for some reason, the process felt entirely natural, without any sense of unfamiliarity.

As he went deeper, Song Changsheng finally understood why. The patterns of this [Xuan Yang Heavenly Astral Formation] shared a profound similarity with the patterns on the broken formation base he had previously scavenged from the market town's central plaza.

Although there were many differences in detail, it was clear they originated from the same source. Song Changsheng had already completely mastered the patterns on that formation base, which was why his comprehension was so smooth.

This was good news for him. The patterns on the formation base had advanced his understanding of the Dao of formations, but since a portion was missing, many mysteries remained.

Now, he might be able to use this [Xuan Yang Heavenly Astral Formation] to complete that missing piece...

Time passed quietly. Over the past few days, Song Changsheng had essentially fully comprehended this formation. His gains were immense, and he had already vaguely touched upon the next threshold.

Beside him, Xu Yun had also clearly gained much, a charming smile playing on her lips.

"Changsheng, how is it? Are you confident?" Zhu Yiqun hurriedly approached.

"I have some confidence now. The time has come; let us prepare to break the formation," Song Changsheng said with composure.

"Great! Fellow Daoists, everyone to your positions. Prepare to break the formation!" Zhu Yiqun slapped his thigh in excitement and immediately called for everyone to begin moving.

"Fellow Daoist Song, to break this formation, we have prepared a large amount of [Cold Nether Stones] and three [Formation-Breaking Talismans]. What method do you think would be most appropriate?"

Xu Yun placed the decision-making power in Song Changsheng's hands.

"In that case, I shall offer my humble suggestion. My idea is this: the two of us will use the [Cold Nether Stones] to set up formations at these two points to continuously diminish the Yang energy.

Once it reaches a certain level, we will use the [Formation-Breaking Talismans] to open two gaps. The rest of our fellow Daoists will remain outside to maintain the stability of the gaps, while the two of us enter the formation to find the formation eye and wait for the opportunity to break it," Song Changsheng said slowly.

Xu Yun remained noncommittal, but Xu Yunhe spoke up instead: "Fellow Daoist Song, what are your chances of finding the formation eye? We only have one chance."

"At least seventy percent," Song Changsheng said conservatively.

"Seventy percent? Then let's do it!" Li Hu roared boisterously.

"I think it's fine," the others nodded one after another. On the path of cultivation, there were rarely any absolute certainties; seventy percent was already very high.

"Very well. Fellow Daoist Xu, we shall act separately."

Song Changsheng and Xu Yun each went to the weak points they had observed, then took out their formation flags and [Cold Nether Stones] to begin the deployment.

Although both were Tier 1 peak-grade formation masters, the gap between them was remarkably obvious; Xu Yun was a full half-hour slower than Song Changsheng.

Once the formations were ready, the two activated them simultaneously.

In an instant, a massive surge of Cold Nether Qi erupted from the formations. Under the guidance of the two, the cold energy lunged toward the [Xuan Yang Heavenly Astral Formation].

*Buzz!*

In an instant, the collision between the cold energy and the shield of Yang energy sounded like cold water being poured onto a red-hot iron, producing a loud "sizzling" noise.

During the Winter Solstice, Yang energy is naturally insufficient, so the rate of consumption far exceeded the rate of replenishment, and soon the energy began to falter.

Just as the [Cold Nether Stones] within the formations were about to be exhausted, Song Changsheng shouted, "[Formation-Breaking Talismans], prepare!"

Li Hu and Zhuang Yuechan immediately stepped out from the crowd, each holding a yellowish talisman.

Song Changsheng finally understood why Zhu Yiqun had specifically waited for Zhuang Yuechan; it turned out she also held a [Formation-Breaking Talisman].

"Release!"

The two activated their talismans simultaneously. Two dazzling streaks of black light shot straight toward the two weak points. Accompanied by a massive boom, the light shield was instantly torn open into two vortex-like gaps.

"Enter the formation!"

Seeing the two enter the grand formation, Zhu Yiqun and the others immediately channeled their spiritual energy to maintain the stability of the entrances; this was the two men's only way out.

If the entrances closed before the formation was broken, the two would become lost within the grand formation and eventually be trapped and die inside!

Once inside the grand formation, the danger increased exponentially. A single wrong step could lead to being shredded by the astral winds and baleful energies within. Extreme caution was mandatory.

Song Changsheng recalled the formation patterns in his mind, constantly deducing the laws of the formation's operation. With every step he took, he had to re-deduce.

This was an extreme test of one's mastery of formations. If his deduction was wrong, he would likely be dragged into the abyss of death.

But this was also the fastest way to break the formation. As long as his deductions were correct, he would be able to swiftly locate the formation eye hidden deep within the grand formation...

(End of Chapter)