Chapter 129: Activating the Formation

Chapter 129: Activating the Formation

Chu Ning and the others arrived at an empty area in the direction of the formation's location. He began to survey the group, estimating their numbers.

Back when they had entered this Spirit Domain from the dojo, there were slightly over four hundred people. Now, there were still more than three hundred.

It seemed that they hadn't suffered significant losses during their journey. Moreover, Chu Ning noticed that most of the missing individuals were from the batch of disciples who had broken through to the sixth layer of Qi Refinement with the help of the Breakthrough Pills, just like him.

Nearly half of the last group of over a hundred people were missing, probably due to unexpected incidents along the way.

Seeing this, Chu Ning couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

"Not everyone is as cautious and lucky as Shang Zhaoxiang, evading dangers and coincidentally running into me. For those who have just reached the sixth layer of Qi Refinement, encountering a high-level first-stage demonic beast means certain death. Even against a mid-level first-stage beast, one wrong move could easily cost their lives."

As he mused, Chu Ning frowned inwardly at the sect's approach.

With the insight and cultivation of the sect's Golden Core cultivators, they must have had a good understanding of the situation in the Spirit Domain. Despite this, they still made such a decision, all for the sake of the sect's interests.

Just as Chu Ning was thinking this, a group of ten cultivators at the peak of Qi Refinement appeared before the crowd.

The ten had varied appearances and ages. The youngest looked to be in his early twenties, while the oldest was a middle-aged man in his forties.

Chu Ning's heart skipped a beat as he sensed their auras—with the exception of three or four whose auras were slightly weaker than Shang Rui's, the rest were comparable to or even stronger than him.

"Greetings, fellow junior disciples. I am Meng Zhengong, the person in charge of the Spirit Domain appointed by the sect. You have all just entered the Spirit Domain, and I'm sure you've heard some information from your fellow disciples," the oldest and most powerful-looking cultivator among them said. "To prevent any misunderstandings, we will clarify everything today."

Meng Zhengong's words stirred the crowd below. After all, everyone had likely heard different snippets of information, and not everyone had Chu Ning's experience, allowing them to understand the situation so clearly. Thus, everyone was highly attentive to what Meng Zhengong had to say.

Even Chu Ning was curious, as the information he had received from Zhuang Yunde seemed incomplete.

"The reason this place is called the Spirit Domain is because a Spirit Seed was born here. Also known as the Heavenly Spirit Seed, it is formed from the purest spiritual energy of the heavens and earth and is highly spiritual. It is said that there is only one Spirit Seed for each attribute in this world. While the Spirit Seed cannot be refined, a cultivator who obtains it can absorb its spiritual energy and comprehend the Dao of the heavens and earth. If a Golden Core cultivator gains this insight, they have a high probability of advancing to the Nascent Soul stage. Furthermore, if a Nascent Soul cultivator were to obtain it, they could not only greatly enhance their cultivation but also have a chance at reaching the Divine Transformation stage."

Meng Zhengong's words caused an uproar, and Chu Ning couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

So, the Spirit Seed had such miraculous effects. No wonder both the Qingxi Sect and the Yin Demon Sect were so determined to obtain it. For the Sect Master and those elders, its allure was indeed irresistible.

As expected, Meng Zhengong continued, his voice filled with excitement:

"Among the seven major sects in the Qingxia Mountain Range, none currently possess a Nascent Soul cultivator. If our Qingxi Sect can obtain this Spirit Seed, we will produce a Nascent Soul cultivator and become the number one sect in the Qingxia Mountain Range! We will be remembered as heroes of the Qingxi Sect for eternity!"

"Wow!"

Meng Zhengong's words caused another stir in the crowd. Many faces wore looks of awe.

"Nascent Soul cultivator."

"Qingxi Sect as the number one sect."

...

Amidst the commotion, Meng Zhengong continued, "Moreover, as the ones driving the formation, we will not leave here empty-handed..."

Chu Ning knew he was referring to the Spirit Aura that Zhuang Yunde had mentioned.

Indeed, Meng Zhengong went on to describe the Spirit Aura in a highly enticing manner.

Although the Spirit Seed had attributes, the Spirit Aura did not. It was as if, during the burst of spiritual energy, the heavens and earth converged, benefiting cultivators of all types of cultivation techniques.

It could cleanse the marrow and change one's constitution, enhancing one's talent. Almost everyone who obtained the Spirit Aura would improve their cultivation and greatly increase their chances of successfully forming a foundation.

As Meng Zhengong spoke, Chu Ning turned his head slightly to observe the crowd. Some wore expressions of excitement and enthusiasm, while others looked confused or lost. However, most of their eyes shone with fervent desire.

Chu Ning watched coldly, and when he noticed that Meng Zhengong didn't mention the number of deaths that would result from the Spirit Aura's burst, he sneered inwardly.

However, Meng Zhengong's next words caused Chu Ning's expression to turn solemn.

"After years of continuously activating the formation, we finally forced the Spirit Seed to appear three months ago, and we confirmed it to be the Wood Spirit Seed. This time, the sect has arranged for all of you who cultivate wood-attribute techniques to enter the domain to force the Wood Spirit Seed to manifest once again. What we didn't tell you before is that, to prolong the activation, you will now enter the formation area and replace the others in driving the formation."

"So, do I not have to wait for three to five years at all? And there's no time to adapt and familiarize myself, we're going straight into driving the formation?"

Chu Ning was taken aback by Meng Zhengong's sudden arrangements. He wondered why they were rushing things so abruptly. Could it be because of the Yin Demon Sect?

Since they had already been here for a couple of days, Chu Ning believed that Tan Zhang should have found an opportunity to inform Meng Zhengong and the others responsible for this area about the infiltration of the Yin Demon Sect.

However, the sect didn't seem to have taken any action. Perhaps Meng Zhengong and his group didn't know how to identify the infiltrators, or maybe they had other plans.

Of course, these weren't matters that Chu Ning needed to worry about at the moment.

After explaining the situation to everyone, Meng Zhengong organized another group of people to join them.

This new group was larger than Chu Ning's, numbering nearly five hundred.

All of a sudden, there were close to eight hundred Qi Refinement disciples gathered in this place.

Most of the newcomers were strangers to Chu Ning, and he guessed that they were probably wood-attribute cultivators who had entered the Spirit Domain earlier.

As expected, the next moment, Chu Ning heard Meng Zhengong's voice ringing out again.

"Now that all the disciples cultivating wood-attribute techniques are gathered here, we will proceed to the location where the Cosmic Five Elements Formation is set up.

You will replace the others with different attribute techniques. This time, driving the formation is exceptionally crucial, and everyone must follow orders and exert their full power..."

As he spoke, Meng Zhengong's gaze swept across the 800-strong group.

"If anyone makes a mistake during this process, don't blame us for being impolite."

Meng Zhengong's tone turned cold as he delivered this warning.

The crowd exchanged uncertain glances, but it was mostly the newcomers who wore complicated expressions.

Those who had already been in the Spirit Domain for a while mostly maintained calm expressions, as if they had expected this.

"There's one more thing to emphasize," Meng Zhengong continued. "This time, two people will take turns driving the formation.

There will be no replacements for a short period, so the sect has specially prepared ample Recovery Pills for all of you.

If you feel that your spiritual power is about to be depleted, you must immediately switch with your partner and take a Recovery Pill to restore your spiritual power quickly to avoid any accidents due to spiritual power exhaustion."

As he finished speaking, Meng Zhengong took out a jade slip and said, "Next, I will call out your names for grouping. Once the groups are assigned, each of us ten people will lead a group into the formation grounds."

Meng Zhengong recited the names, dividing the 800 people into four groups.

There were also about thirty people whose names were not called, including some of the disciples who had temporarily broken through to the sixth layer.

However, there were also some Qi Refinement disciples at the seventh, eighth, ninth, and even tenth layers, as well as a few who had reached the pinnacle of Qi Refinement.

Chu Ning wondered why they had been excluded.

To Chu Ning's slight surprise, he was assigned to the third group, and Zhuang Yunde was in the same group as well.

However, their badge numbers were several places apart.

As they walked out, the two glanced at each other, exchanging a silent message through their eyes.

As for the other people Chu Ning knew, none of them were in his group.

Tan Zhang was in the first group, Mu Ling in the fourth, Shang Zhaoxiang and Lin Lan were both in the second group.

Shang Zhaoxiang had also just broken through to the sixth layer of Qi Refinement, and it seemed he could be considered lucky or unlucky to be chosen.

Chu Ning observed the composition of each group and found that the pairings were well-balanced in terms of cultivation levels.

Apparently, Meng Zhengong and the others were very familiar with everyone's cultivation levels.

Chu Ning followed the third group, led by two Full Circle Qi Refinement cultivators. One was a stern-looking man in his early thirties named Yan, who didn't talk much.

The other was a somewhat arrogant 26 or 27-year-old named Liu, who chatted with the group as they walked.

Along with a Qi Refinement ninth-layer disciple, the three of them checked everyone's identities before distributing large jade bottles containing pills, much bigger than the usual pill bottles.

When Chu Ning opened the bottle, he was surprised to find that it contained 100 Recovery Pills.

"Are they preparing for a prolonged battle of attrition?"

Chu Ning sighed inwardly but didn't say anything. He followed the group led by the cultivator named Yan, leaving the residential area and heading toward the formation grounds.

Taking this opportunity, Chu Ning transmitted his voice to Zhuang Yunde and asked, "Senior Brother Zhuang, if the Spirit Aura bursts, can we use artifacts or talismans to defend against it?"

This was a critical question that Chu Ning had intended to find out during his supposed stay here. However, he hadn't expected that they would be moving to the formation grounds so soon.

"Yes," Zhuang Yunde replied affirmatively, causing Chu Ning to breathe a sigh of relief.

Among the group, Chu Ning's defensive capabilities were quite good.

He followed the group in silence, his gaze falling on the lush surroundings.

"This spiritual energy concentration..."

As they walked toward the formation grounds, Chu Ning noticed that the spiritual energy was becoming increasingly dense, and he couldn't help but be astonished.

After walking for about a mile, when they reached a mountain peak, the spiritual energy concentration had more than doubled compared to when they had started.

The entire mountain peak was shrouded in white mist, making it difficult to see clearly.

Even with his exceptional spiritual sense, Chu Ning felt that he couldn't quite see through what lay ahead.

Chu Ning didn't try to probe with his spiritual sense and simply followed the group, his eyes fixed on the leader who had stopped walking.

Immediately, the mist parted, revealing a passage just wide enough for a single person.

"So, it's an array after all," Chu Ning murmured, finally realizing the truth.

The white mist hadn't been caused solely by the dense spiritual energy; it had been a concealment array, obscuring everyone's vision.

"Alright, go on in," Yan said.

The young cultivator named Liu took the lead and stepped into the passage.

Under Yan's watchful gaze, Chu Ning and the others followed suit, entering one by one.

As they passed through the misty passage, a surprising sight greeted them, causing everyone to marvel in awe.

They now stood atop a not-so-tall mountain peak. In front of them, two hundred figures were seated in meditation. Each figure sat beside a stone pillar, about as wide as a bowl.

Half of the figures were meditating with their legs crossed, while the other half had their hands placed on the stone pillars, channeling their spiritual power into them.

In front of these two hundred cultivators, five beams of light with distinct colors—red, blue, yellow, white, and gold—converged in the air.

The lights then shot towards a depression surrounded by five mountain peaks. Within the depression, faint streams of light flickered, but Chu Ning and the others couldn't see it clearly.

"From now on, listen carefully and remain silent. Don't disturb the fellow disciples up front who are driving the array," Liu instructed, turning to face Chu Ning and the rest.

"Many of you have already driven the wood-attribute array on another mountain peak, similar to the one you drove before.

Following the order, two people will take turns with one stone pillar. Just infuse your spiritual power into the pillar.

Newcomers, watch and learn from the side, and then you can imitate them later." Liu continued, his face solemn.

"Since we're switching directly from the five elements to pure wood-attribute, you must follow the unified command.

The fire-attribute cultivators driving the array earlier are doing the same. Don't stop channeling your spiritual power until you hear the command." Liu finished his instructions and asked if everyone understood.

After everyone nodded, he continued, "Alright, those who are meditating can withdraw now. Wood-attribute cultivators, first team, get ready to take over."

As Liu spoke, the hundred or so cultivators who had been meditating stood up and moved aside.

These people were like Zhuang Yunde and the others who had already entered the Spirit Domain and driven the array before.

However, Liu didn't immediately order them to take over.

They waited for about an incense stick's worth of time.

Suddenly, the stern-faced cultivator, Yan, spoke up, "Wood-attribute cultivators, get ready to take over on my command."

Following Yan's words, Zhuang Yunde and the others extended their palms towards the stone pillars.

After a few breaths, Yan gave a low shout, "Three, two, one, switch!"

With that, a hundred wood-attribute cultivators swiftly placed their palms on the stone pillars.

At the same time, the fire-attribute cultivators withdrew their hands.

In the next moment, the red beam of light in the air flickered and turned into a blue beam.

Simultaneously, the white, yellow, and golden beams also changed into the same blue color.

Only the first blue beam remained unchanged.

The five blue beams of light converged into a thick blue pillar that plunged deep into the ground.

Immediately, streams of light flickered from the ground.

However, there wasn't much movement, and the light seemed to be devoured by a black hole.

"The fire-attribute cultivators can withdraw. The remaining wood-attribute cultivators, get ready to take over," Liu instructed again.

The fire-attribute cultivators who had just retracted their spiritual power stepped back, their faces filled with surprise.

Soon, under the guidance of the ninth-layer Qi Refinement disciple, they withdrew from the array.

Chu Ning and the others, following the order, took their places beside the stone pillars and sat down cross-legged.

Chu Ning's partner was a ninth-layer Qi Refinement disciple named Wang Weizhong. He was short and had a dark complexion.

During their brief interaction earlier, Chu Ning learned that he was a disciple of the Spirit Beast Hall.

Seeing that Wang Weizhong's face remained relaxed even after channeling his spiritual power, Chu Ning had a rough estimate of the spiritual power consumption.

Then, Chu Ning's curious gaze shifted to the five blue beams of light that had converged together.

"This Five Elements Array can not only gather the power of the five elements but also merge the power of the same attribute. It's quite mysterious," Chu Ning thought.

He had always known that the array formations of the seven major sects in the Qingxia Mountain Range were inferior, but after seeing this array, he wondered if the Qingxi Sect had indeed set up the array.

If so, setting up a teleportation array shouldn't be difficult, but he didn't understand why they hadn't done so.

Chu Ning's gaze then landed unconsciously on the flickering streams of light beneath the thick blue beam.

"If nothing unexpected happens, the Wood Spirit Seed should be there.

Are they trying to force it to appear by continuously gathering spiritual power and energy?" Chu Ning guessed the purpose of the array, but he still had doubts. What would they do after the Spirit Seed appeared? How could they obtain it with just their group here?

The sect must have another plan, but he didn't know what it was.

Moreover...

Chu Ning's gaze inadvertently swept to the left.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end