C224 Ghosts Poisoning Array!
"Phew!"
Within the bright yellow light barrier, ribbons of colorful flames sprang to life.
At first glance, it seemed as if the barrier itself had caught fire, crackling and hissing as it produced even more smoke.
An unknown cultivator at the Penetrating Stage materialized within the bright yellow glow, his face contorted in sheer terror. Desperate, he bolted toward the valley's edge, heedless of the danger.
"Swoosh!"
Flames burst forth from the barrier, striking him squarely in the chest.
His clothing caught fire instantly.
From the other side of the barrier, Chen Qingyan and Yu Yuan watched as the man was reduced to a puddle of blood in mere moments under a flame no larger than a hand, his bones and organs dissolving in the fiery onslaught.
Chen Qingyan's eyelids fluttered as she called out, "Yu Yuan, don't be reckless!"
The toxic formation shrouding Chilly Wind Valley was dreadfully potent. With Yu Yuan's mere Spirit Accumulating Stage abilities, venturing further was tantamount to a death wish.
"It's okay." Yu Yuan even found a moment to turn back and offer her a reassuring smile.
His smile was the epitome of serenity and composure, leaving Chen Qingyan somewhat bewildered.
It was as though Yu Yuan wasn't marching towards certain death in Chilly Wind Valley, but rather visiting a friend's home.
"The formation guarding Chilly Wind Valley is at least Fourth Level. You don't have the knowledge to dismantle it; going there is a death sentence!" Chen Qingyan exclaimed.
Throughout the vast expanse of the Boundless Land, across its three continents, innumerable formations of all kinds existed.
From the upper echelons of the Primordial Yang Sect, Profound Sky Sect, and Sword Sect, down to the families of the Profound Sky Continent, and including the Demon Palace, Devil Palace, Red Devil Sect, and Blood God Cult—the so-called evil factions—all were deeply versed in the art of formations and actively employed them.
Formations served to shield sects, safeguard treasures, and repel formidable foes.
The myriad of formations included defensive, offensive, and those adept at both.
These formations were categorized into seven levels.
For instance, the grand formations painstakingly crafted by the likes of the Profound Sky Sect, Primordial Yang Sect, and Sword Sect, which bore the responsibility of protecting their sects for millennia, were often of the highest caliber—the Seventh Level.
These formations typically require an endless supply of Spirit Stones for sustenance, and periodic maintenance to retain their enigmatic and formidable power. Legend has it that the Seventh Level Great Formations, which even the mighty practitioners of the Yang God and Unrestrained Stages struggle to breach swiftly, can effectively block the penetration of soul thoughts and spiritual consciousness. Such formidable arrays are exceedingly rare across the vast expanse of the Boundless Land.
Next in line are the Sixth Level formations, like those painstakingly erected by the Seven Lower Sects of the Heavenly Source Continent. These formidable constructs pose a significant challenge to break, even for cultivators at the Soul Wandering and Yang God Stages.
For those at the Unrestrained Stage, finding an opportunity or flaw to silently infiltrate such an array might be possible only after fully grasping the principles of heaven and earth.
Below that are the Fifth Level formations, which Yang God Stage cultivators have a fair chance of shattering and forcefully entering, though they still present considerable difficulty for those at the Yin God and Soul Wandering Stages.
Fourth Level formations are mostly capable of restraining those at the Penetrating and Yin God Stages. However, for experts at the Soul Wandering Stage, slipping inside is not overly challenging.
Chen Qingyan, as a disciple of that particular master and having trained in the Sword Sect of the Heavenly Source Continent, possesses profound insights into the hierarchy of formations. Witnessing the demise of a Penetrating Stage cultivator, she quickly surmised that the array shrouding the Chilly Wind Valley must be of the Fourth Level. Such a formation spells grave peril for those at the Penetrating and Yin God Stages, with a high likelihood of fatality.
Only those who have attained the Soul Wandering Stage might navigate the formation with caution.
"Fourth Level?" Yu Yuan, standing before the Chilly Wind Valley, scoffed. "Aren't you underestimating the Ghosts Poisoning Array a bit too much?"
"Ghosts Poisoning Array?" Chen Qingyan's expression flickered with confusion before she abruptly came to a realization. "How do you know the name of this formation? Underestimate it? Exactly what level is this formation?"
"It's likely a Fifth Level," Yu Yuan replied quietly.
Chen Qingyan was visibly shaken. "On the Profound Sky Continent, Fifth Level formations are exceedingly rare! Even in my Luan Bird Empire, only my Chen family boasts the protection of a Fifth Level formation!"
The Chen family of the Luan Bird Empire was indeed of royal lineage.
Her Majesty, the Empress of the Luan Bird Empire, was recognized as the most powerful individual on the Profound Sky Continent!
The Chen family was also regarded as the mightiest clan across the entire continent!
Such prestige was why only the Chen family was safeguarded by a Fifth Level formation!
Despite the Medicine Sect's unique standing and widespread respect on the Profound Sky Continent, in the eyes of Chen Qingyan—and indeed, in the eyes of the world—the sect could not hold a candle to the Chen family.
Could it be true that a Fifth Level Great Array, deemed off-limits by the Medicine Sect, lay hidden within Chilly Wind Valley?
The thought was almost beyond her comprehension!
Only those who had ascended to the Yang God Stage could hope to breach such a formidable barrier and move through it with ease.
The resources required to construct a Fifth Level Great Array were immense—how many spiritual materials, Spirit Stones, and how much energy was necessary to sustain it?
How could the Medicine Sect hope to match the deep roots of the Chen's of the Luan Bird Empire? How could they possibly endure?
"The Ghost Poisoning Array, combined with the chilling winds, could very well transform this Chilly Wind Valley into a graveyard for the mighty," Yu Yuan murmured, his voice tinged with regret as he boldly stepped forward into the valley.
The bright yellow shield, adorned with intricate, colorful patterns and encircled by harmless flames, posed no threat to him.
Chen Qingyan watched in astonishment as Yu Yuan took a mere step and vanished within the valley, leaving no trace behind.
"Fifth Level, a Fifth Level Great Array... Only an expert at the Yang God Stage could navigate it safely..."
She whispered to herself, her eyes fixed on the snakeskin scabbard in her hands. Despite a lengthy hesitation, she couldn't muster the courage to venture into the valley as recklessly as Yu Yuan had done.
She resolved to wait just outside.
"Huh!"
During her vigil, she glanced back toward the path they had come.
"What a pity..."
Of those who had fled Chilly Wind Valley, only Lau Zaihe survived; the other four perished.
It seemed that all members of the Hu family and their guest elders had met their end.
Hu Hann and his companions had clearly distanced themselves from the valley, not daring to delve deeper, and had retreated at the first opportunity. Yet, in a cruel twist of fate, they still met their demise shortly thereafter.
After the poison infiltrated their bodies, they succumbed slowly to death.
Only Lau Zaihe remained. Perhaps his survival was due to his skills as an alchemist, or maybe it was the antidote pellet bestowed by the Mighty Spirit King to protect his descendants. Despite his lips turning blue, he struggled through and lived.
From a distance, Chen Qingyan observed Lau Zaihe. She paid no attention to the lifeless bodies of Hu Hann and the others, instead setting her sights on the Medicine Sect.
"The Ghosts Poisoning Array, Fifth Level, Ghosts Poison, Yin Wind..."
Chen Qingyan's brow furrowed, her gaze filled with perplexity. "I remember Master speaking of the Yin Wind in hushed tones, never revealing much. Master assured me I wouldn't encounter the Yin Wind anytime soon, claiming it couldn't possibly manifest in the Profound Sky Continent. As for the Ghosts Poison, Master might have mentioned it in passing during a conversation with someone. Regrettably, I was too young at the time, deep in meditation, and didn't listen closely."
She inwardly lamented her inability to multitask, regretting her lack of understanding of the Ghosts Poison's malevolent strength.
"Why does he know everything?"
...
Within Chilly Wind Valley.
Stepping through the Ghosts Poisoning Array, Yu Yuan felt as though he had entered a different realm, vastly distinct from the world outside the valley.
The valley wasn't entirely engulfed in the colorful miasma.
Only the valley's sky was densely layered with the miasma and vibrant smog, like a dome or clouds.
The valley's landscape was surprisingly clear, revealing a ground littered with corpses.
There were cultivators dressed in unique attire from various empires, sects, and families.
Among them were visitors from the Heavenly Source Continent and the Quietus Continent!
"Yu Yuan!"
Loong Tianxiao, with his human head and dragon body, was also present in the valley. Upon Yu Yuan's arrival, he let out a sudden roar.
In that moment, every surviving person in the valley turned their gaze toward him.
"It's you!"
Jin Fann of the Ghoul Glyph Sect, cowering in a corner, pointed at Yu Yuan with a venomous look, "This is the kid who thwarted our Ghoul Glyph Sect's plans!"
