Translator: CinderTL
"I obtained this formation after killing a Robber Cultivator. As for where that Robber Cultivator acquired it, I have no idea."
Not a single word Song Wen spoke was true, yet he feigned a look of recollection on his face.
In reality, he mused inwardly, all of Xuan Chengzi's changes seem to be related to the Devouring Soul Array.
"Could it be that Xuan Chengzi has gleaned something extraordinary from the Devouring Soul Array?" Song Wen wondered.
Having gained nothing from his inquiries, Xuan Chengzi appeared somewhat disappointed.
"Is that so?" he asked. "Fellow Daoist Xuan Chengzi, is there something wrong with this Devouring Soul Array? Although I've never attempted to set it up myself, I can see that the formation seems perfectly functional and should indeed aid in prolonging life."
"There's nothing wrong with the formation. I was just asking out of curiosity," Xuan Chengzi replied evasively.
Neither man had obtained the answers they sought. After exchanging a few more insincere pleasantries, Song Wen took his leave.
Gazing at Xingling Island receding beneath his feet, Song Wen addressed Xu Geng in his Sea of Consciousness.
"These Frost Ice Nails are incomplete. Is there any way to repair them?"
Xu Geng replied, "The Frost Ice Nails are particularly effective against the Blood of Fallen Immortal, not because of their inherent power, but because each nail is crafted from Frost Crystal, imbued with a trace of extreme cold energy. By driving these nails into the Blood of Fallen Immortal's tentacles, you can stiffen its movements, giving you an opportunity to sever them."
Song Wen asked, "So, the fact that two nails are missing shouldn't make much difference?"
Xu Geng replied uncertainly, "That should be the case. Moreover, Frost Crystal is a material from the Upper Realm, so you won't be able to repair this treasure."
Hearing this, Song Wen gave up on the idea and changed the subject. "Does the Devouring Soul Array have any secrets?"
Xu Geng replied, "As far as I know, the Devouring Soul Array exists in several different-tiered versions. While each tier corresponds to a different lifespan extension, aside from stealing life force, it has no other secrets."
Song Wen frowned, puzzled.
"I have Third-Tier and Fourth-Tier Devouring Soul Arrays," Song Wen said. "But the Third-Tier array explicitly states that it can help cultivators break through a minor realm within the Golden Core Stage. It's not just about extending lifespan, as you claimed."
Xu Geng replied, "That's merely a side effect of the Devouring Soul Array. The cultivation boost it provides is extremely limited. It might offer a slight benefit to Golden Core cultivators, but for those at the Nascent Soul stage or higher, the cultivation boost is negligible. Take a closer look at the Fourth-Tier Devouring Soul Array you have. Does it mention anything about enhancing cultivation?"
"No," Song Wen admitted.
"Exactly," Xu Geng said.
After hearing Xu Geng's explanation, Song Wen became even more puzzled. What exactly had Xuan Chengzi gained from the Devouring Soul Array? Or was it possible that Xuan Chengzi's transformation had nothing to do with the array at all?
Unable to unravel the mystery, Song Wen stopped dwelling on it. His mission was complete, so he returned directly to the Wu Ji Sect.
After spending nearly a month at the Wu Ji Sect, waiting for his subordinates to gather all the array formation materials Lan Chen and Mo Yexue had requested, Song Wen used the Teleportation Array to return to the Tianyuan Continent.
Half a year later.
Three Giant Flying Ships, each as massive as a mountain, sailed over East Huafang Market.
Countless rogue cultivators sensed an unusual aura of danger.
Chaos erupted throughout the market.
Some fled in panic.
Others seized the opportunity to loot and pillage.
Still others wailed in grief, their families fallen victim to the turmoil.
If these were ordinary flying ships, such widespread panic wouldn't have ensued.
What set these three apart was the banners they flew: those of the Profound Heaven Sword Sect, the He Huan Sect, and the Asura Sect.
The rogue cultivators in the market had already sensed something amiss.
Half an hour earlier, the Beastmaster Sect had withdrawn all its forces from East Huafang Market.
Fearing the Beastmaster Sect's long-established dominance, the rogue cultivators hadn't dared to act immediately.
The moment the three sect ships appeared, many instinctively guessed: the Three Great Sects had come to settle old scores, to punish Yang Yu for his past transgressions against them.
The Beastmaster Sect's Sect Protection Array had long been activated.
Mi He stood suspended in mid-air within the sect's mountain gates, her expression grim as she watched the three ships draw closer.
Behind her stood several Golden Core Stage elders of the Beastmaster Sect, all core figures of the sect, holding positions of great authority.
"Back then, Yang Yu personally led the attack to kill Ji Yin, the Sect Leader of the Asura Sect. Later, he repeatedly sent disciples to harass the secret realms of the He Huan Sect and the Profound Heaven Sword Sect. Now, with all three sects gathered here, their intentions are clearly hostile," an elderly Golden Core Stage cultivator said, his expression troubled.
"Could they be planning to slaughter our entire sect?" a middle-aged, beautiful woman asked anxiously.
"Enough!"
Mi He suddenly roared, cutting off their discussion.
"Why are you panicking? The Three Great Sects' intentions are still unclear. How can you let your Formation Nodes fall into disarray? If anyone dares to spread rumors and disturb the disciples' morale, I'll kill them first!"
Feeling the coldness radiating from Mi He, the Golden Core cultivators immediately fell silent.
Then Mi He spoke again.
"You all go down and reinforce the Sect Protection Array. Also, send someone to Fallen Sunset Valley to activate the Blood Shadow Formless Formation. If the Three Great Sects truly intend to destroy the Beastmaster Sect, we'll awaken our Guardian Divine Beast and ensure they never return."
"Yes!"
The Golden Core cultivators' expressions eased slightly as they turned and departed.
A moment later, three Giant Flying Ships hovered ten miles outside the Beastmaster Sect's mountain gate.
Song Wen, Mo Yexue, and Lan Chen emerged from their Giant Flying Ship and stood before the Beastmaster Sect's mountain gate, facing Mi He across the Sect Protection Array.
"Fellow Daoists, what brings you and your forces to the Beastmaster Sect?" Mi He asked.
"The Beastmaster Sect colluded with the Profound Yin Sect, repeatedly attacking the He Huan Sect and the Profound Heaven Sword Sect, leading to the deaths of countless disciples from our two sects. While the ringleader, Yang Yu, has been executed, many murderers still roam free. To bring peace to the spirits of our fallen disciples, the Beastmaster Sect must surrender all those who participated in the attacks. Otherwise, our three sects will flatten your entire sect."
Mo Yexue's voice was as cold as a sword's edge, seemingly imbued with supreme Sword Intent that resonated across hundreds of miles.
Those who heard her were deeply shaken, overwhelmed by the palpable killing intent in her words.
Disciples of the Three Great Sects were naturally invigorated by her declaration.
Within the Sect Protection Array, however, the disciples of the Beastmaster Sect couldn't help but feel fear.
Those who had participated in the attacks were especially terrified. They even noticed that those who hadn't participated were looking at them with veiled hostility, as if eager to hand them over to appease the Three Great Sects' wrath.
(End of the Chapter)
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