Chapter 57: The Plot Unfolds

Page (1/3)

“It seems that the dark path’s ambitions this time are considerable, kept so secret that only Nascent Soul cultivators are aware. Yet we remain utterly uninformed and must face these formidable Nascent Soul veterans. Even with the protection of the ancient formation, if the righteous sect dispatches a formation master, wouldn’t we be sacrificing our lives in vain?” Elder Qingmu furrowed his brow and spoke solemnly.

“Indeed, after enduring countless hardships to reach Golden Core, now to perish so inexplicably—surely the sect owes us an explanation?” Elder Luo, who had remained silent until now, could no longer hold back.

“What my junior brothers say is true. Very well, I will use the Profound Light Mirror to contact our sect uncles. Since all of you are here, let us hear their response together,” Elder Meng declared.

As his words fell, Elder Meng twisted his wrist, and an ancient bronze mirror appeared in midair, its surface shimmering with a faint spiritual glow.

He gently formed hand seals and chanted softly. Suddenly, the mirror blazed with light, and a vague figure materialized—one of the Nascent Soul uncles from the Heavenly Star Wolf Sect.

“Disciple Meng Wuchang pays respects, uncle,” Elder Meng bowed respectfully.

The figure in the mirror nodded slightly, his voice carrying authority and gravitas: “Wuchang, why the urgent summons?”

Elder Meng promptly reported the current situation: the righteous path’s offensive, the defense of the ancient formation, and the doubts and unease weighing on everyone’s minds.

After listening, the uncle fell silent for a moment, seemingly pondering deeply. Then his voice resumed: “This matter concerns our dark path’s grand design. You need not worry excessively. The Eight Demon Chain Binding Immortal Formation and the Golden Lock Anti-Immortal Formation are formidable. Even if the righteous send a formation master, breaking them won’t be easy.”

“As for the Nascent Soul battles, our own Nascent Soul cultivators will handle them. You only need to hold your positions firmly and avoid giving the righteous any chance to exploit.”

“Furthermore, the sect has already arranged reinforcements, which will arrive shortly. You must simply await their arrival patiently.”

Elder Meng felt some relief and quickly responded, “Disciple obeys, and will not fail uncle’s trust.”

The image in the mirror nodded gently before fading away, leaving the bronze surface clear once more.

Page (2/3)

Elder Meng stored the Profound Light Mirror and turned to the others: “Uncle has given instructions. The ancient formation fears no formation master from the righteous sect. Our Nascent Soul fighters will manage the battles. We only need to hold our ground and wait for reinforcements.”

The elders and disciples nodded, their doubts and worries easing considerably, willing to follow the directions of both uncle and Elder Meng.

Even Cao Yun felt much more at ease. Having successfully established his Foundation, with a lifespan far longer than ordinary mortals, he naturally wished not to fall prematurely.

After finishing the discussions, Cao Yun returned to his quarters. Aware that his current cultivation level no longer progressed through mere meditation, he abandoned futile Qi refining and instead focused on refining the killing intent within him, condensing it into fine threads.

Time passed swiftly. Days later, a Nascent Soul elder from the Motuo Sect arrived in the capital, accompanied by one Core Formation cultivator and three Foundation Establishment cultivators. Their mission was to support the six dark path sects and guard the city.

They also brought startling news: the six dark sects had conquered over a dozen mortal kingdoms, with only the Great Jin Kingdom fiercely resisting. Nearly the entire Nascent Soul force was deployed, even late-stage Nascent Soul elites took part.

Yet no explanation was offered for why such a colossal price was paid to attack mortal cities.

With this Motuo elder’s arrival, the capital’s atmosphere turned strange. One by one, the Heavenly Star Wolf Sect’s Core Formation elders were summoned for talks. Those who returned seemed changed, retreating indoors and losing their previous vibrancy.

Suddenly, the capital’s state unsettled the Foundation Establishment cultivators like Cao Yun.

After all, in battles of this scale, the lives of Foundation Establishment cultivators often hang by a thread, leaving little room for resistance or maneuver.

Being effectively sidelined unsettled Cao Yun deeply.

Just as his doubts peaked, Nascent Soul cultivators from the righteous path attacked again. This time, only two Nascent Soul fighters came, bringing no lower-level disciples.

“Long Qianyu, you even brought along that old wind fiend from the Heavenly Artisan Sect. But tell me, how confident are you that you can break through my Eight Demon Chain Binding Immortal Formation and Golden Lock Anti-Immortal Formation?” The Motuo elder hovered within the grand formation, confronting Long Qianyu and the wind fiend outside.

“Heh, confidence? We’ll see once we try. Elder Mo, our old grudges remain unsettled. This time, I intend to end you here!” the wind fiend sneered coldly.

Page (3/3)

“Oh, Wind Fiend, you still remember what happened over three centuries ago? Just a few disciples died, so what? You and I both walk the path of cultivation; how narrow-minded can you be? Look at you, blowing your beard and glaring again…” Elder Mo teased.

“Seeking death!” Before he finished, the wind fiend hurled four formation flags colored green, white, blue, and yellow.

The flags soared and instantly transformed into massive spectral spirits—the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Black Tortoise, and Vermilion Bird—each dozens of feet tall. They roared thunderously and merged into the grand formation.

Within the luminous barrier, the four spirits circled, emitting fierce howls.

“The Four Sacred Spirits Formation, impressive! Wind Fiend, such a grand move. Very well, I shall no longer hold back,” Elder Mo said.

He flipped his hand, producing a magical plate. Gently tossing it to the ground, it expanded to over ten feet wide. With a cold snort, he entered a hand seal, and the plate glowed.

Suddenly, a surge of blood-red light erupted from the plate, filled with overwhelming killing intent, striking the luminous barrier.

The four spectral spirits screamed in agony, forced out of the barrier, reverting to their flag forms.

“This is…” Long Qianyu’s heart jolted, shaken by the potent killing energy.

The wind fiend waved his hand, and the four flags flew back into his grasp.

“I’ve never seen such a heavy killing intent formation. These old demons must be plotting something huge. It seems a great calamity truly approaches our righteous path!” The wind fiend looked up, seeing the entire luminous barrier over the Zhouwu Kingdom’s capital now stained with a thick blood-red hue.

At that moment, streams of killing-imbued light rose from the ground, shooting toward the skyward formation barrier.

Gradually, the entire Zhouwu Kingdom capital was enveloped by a colossal blood-red sphere tens of thousands of feet in diameter—an awe-inspiring scene.