Chapter 150: Four Symbols Black Tortoise Formation
Half a month later.
In the depths of the Cloudmist Mountain Range, where poison miasma filled the air.
“The sensing talisman is just ahead, and it’s still showing a reaction.”
Looking into the distance, white mist shrouded everything. Only the silence of death remained, without the slightest movement.
This made Lin Chang’an and Yun Yao, who had rushed all the way here, wear slightly grave expressions.
The sensing talisman still glowed, proof that some cultivator was circulating mana. Yet in the distance, there was nothing at all.
“This place is saturated with poison miasma. Even Foundation Establishment cultivators dare not circulate mana here for long.”
Lin Chang’an’s voice was heavy as the two secretly transmitted their words.
But neither dared to take another step forward.
Something was wrong!
“Divine sense is restricted. Even my Spiritual Eye cannot detect anything abnormal. For us to sense nothing at all, it can only mean a formation of Second-rank or higher.”
【First-rank Premium-grade Formation Master (Grandmaster 4898/5000)】
For even him, a First-rank Premium-grade Formation Master, to detect no abnormalities at all—it could only mean the formation ahead far surpassed his level.
“Daoist Yun, how far is this place from the relic cave abode?”
From the current situation, it seemed unlikely this was the relic cave abode. A faint thought of retreat had already arisen in Lin Chang’an’s heart.
A quasi-Third-rank formation—this was not something ordinary great clans could bring out. He had no need to risk himself.
Hearing this, Yun Yao gazed into the distance for a long while, unable to detect anything, before finally shaking her head helplessly.
“This place is still a hundred li away from the relic cave abode, in that distant mountain hollow.”
Since they had already come this far, Yun Yao saw no need to conceal it anymore. After all, they had trusted each other for years, and unless something unexpected happened—
Ten years later, the two of them would still have to join hands to break the formation.
Following the direction Yun Yao pointed, Lin Chang’an looked and fell speechless.
A hundred li!
But it was no wonder Yun Yao was tense. If it were him, he too would have been this cautious.
After all, this was about a Core Formation opportunity.
Though they exchanged messages through voice transmission, Yun Yao still felt unwilling. If it were a hundred li away, what if someone else seized the chance first? Wouldn’t her years of preparation all be wasted?
But a formation of Second-rank or higher was already beyond what they could touch.
“Brother Lin, let’s go!”
Though reluctant, Yun Yao was decisive, someone who could pick up and let go. With a cold snort, she resolutely decided not to take the risk.
Seeing this, Lin Chang’an also secretly nodded.
Knowing when to advance and retreat, without being blinded by desire—that was the way to go far.
Opportunities were good, but one had to live to enjoy them.
“Daoist Yun, just as you said, that relic cave abode is guarded by a Third-rank formation, far from what we can casually break.
In the whole Yue Kingdom, how many Core Formation cultivators are there? Even if other Foundation Establishment cultivators discover it, they may not be able to seize the chance.”
Lin Chang’an comforted her, and what he said was indeed true.
The Core Formation cultivators of Yue Kingdom could be counted on one’s fingers. As long as the relic cave abode’s news did not leak, what were the odds of such coincidence?
Just as the two nodded, preparing to withdraw, Lin Chang’an’s Spiritual Eye seemed to catch something. His face changed instantly, and he quickly pulled Yun Yao to hide deeper within the forest.
“There’s something in the sky!”
…
Whoosh!
In the heavens, an enormous invisible object descended. The clouds below churned and rolled under the impact.
Under the grave stares of Lin Chang’an and Yun Yao, the colossal entity, invisible to the naked eye and undetectable by divine sense, slowly revealed its true form as flowing light rotated around it.
“The Divine Vessel of Blazing Fire!”
Upon seeing this beast-like flying vessel, Yun Yao blurted out its origin in shock.
“From the Palace of Blazing Fire?”
“Brother Lin, do not underestimate this vessel. Even within the Palace of Blazing Fire, there are only two such ships. It is equipped for both attack and defense, inscribed with concealment, defensive, and offensive formations.
It can be called a moving fortress of war. If it launched a full attack, its power would rival a strike from a Core Formation cultivator…”
Yet before Yun Yao could finish transmitting, a terrifying gust swept from behind. Both turned sharply, pupils shrinking violently.
“There’s another one!”
Lin Chang’an’s eyes widened in disbelief. Before coming, he had comforted himself that there were only so many Core Formation cultivators in Yue Kingdom. But no Core Formation cultivator appeared.
Instead, another vessel with the power of a Core Formation strike appeared!
Another monstrous warship slowly revealed its form above their heads. Unlike the first, but the sect insignia carved upon it was one Lin Chang’an knew all too well.
“The Shensword Sect has come too!”
Two of the three major sects of Yue Kingdom—the Palace of Blazing Fire and the Shensword Sect—had both brought their divine vessels here.
“Something’s wrong!”
Lin Chang’an immediately grew vigilant. If the two sects had merely discovered a cave abode relic, there was no need to mobilize such forces.
For him, a Core Formation cultivator’s cave abode required decades of preparation.
But for the three great sects, sending one or two Core Formation cultivators would suffice to start breaking the abode.
“Brother Lin, don’t act rashly. These flying divine vessels all have detection and sensing capabilities.”
At this moment, Yun Yao’s scalp went numb. She had no idea what was happening here, only that she had stumbled into something terrifying.
Could it be a Third-rank beast cub? Or a Third-rank spiritual treasure?
What else could drive two great sects to mobilize like this?
The poison miasma that blocked divine sense was dispersed by the formations of these war vessels, the white mist rolling back like a sea of clouds.
“We cannot stay here!”
Who knew what earth-shaking secret lay here? If discovered, let alone his Talisman Treasure that could only be used twice—
Even ten Talisman Treasures would not hold out today.
Though Yun Yao worried about being found, Lin Chang’an’s expression hardened. He raised his hand, summoning the Phantom Mask, which instantly transformed into a Bloodthirsty Poison Vine.
Before Yun Yao’s shocked gaze, Lin Chang’an took out serpent meat and fresh blood of the Azure-scaled Python from his storage pouch.
The Bloodthirsty Poison Vine greedily absorbed them.
After devouring the vast essence of demon beast blood and flesh, the vine slowly exuded the aura of the Azure-scaled Python.
In the next instant, under Yun Yao’s gaze, the vine coiled around Lin Chang’an, masking him with the python’s aura.
“Go!”
Without hesitation, Lin Chang’an led Yun Yao in retreat.
Meanwhile, aboard the Blazing Fire Palace’s vessel, Huang Tianxiao sneered as he sensed the countless terrified demon beasts and poisonous insects fleeing the Cloudmist Mountain Range.
Now, under their sect’s war fortress, all could only scatter in panic.
Among them was Lin Chang’an, cloaked by the Bloodthirsty Poison Vine.
…
At the sudden appearance of the two divine vessels, the cultivators within the formation inside Tianxuan City all revealed expressions of shock.
“Damn it, someone among us leaked the news!”
“For the Palace of Blazing Fire and the Shensword Sect to even bring out their bottom-pressing war vessels—there must be a traitor!”
“Senior Brother Song! Senior Sister Su!”
Within the formation, the eight panicked and looked toward their Senior Brother Song.
Some looked toward Su Miaoyin, who sat at the formation’s core.
“Don’t panic!”
As the third disciple of Master Lu, Song Tingfeng barked coldly, his chilling gaze sweeping across the eight, unable to discern who the spy was.
But for the Palace of Blazing Fire and Shensword Sect to arrive, there had to be a traitor among them.
“The Palace of Blazing Fire and the Shensword Sect are indeed bold. But unfortunately, all they have is show. We have a Third-rank formation here. Two mere war vessels are nothing.”
Song Tingfeng’s mocking roar calmed the others somewhat.
After all, their Third-rank formation was connected to a spiritual vein beneath this land. It would not be so easily broken.
At that moment, a wild, arrogant laugh echoed from aboard the war vessel.
“Junior Sister Su, my Palace of Blazing Fire invites you to return as our guest. Let us not harm our harmony.”
On the Blazing Fire Palace’s divine vessel, Huang Tianxiao stood high above with a broad smile, his expression full of absolute confidence.
Meanwhile, aboard the Shensword Sect’s vessel, a burly man in white robes, cradling a massive sword in his arms, sneered disdainfully at the Palace of Blazing Fire’s hypocrisy before turning his gaze toward the formation below.
“Daoist Su, let’s not beat around the bush. Hand over the Core Formation spirit item, and my Shensword Sect has no intention of making things difficult for Master Lu.”
His unrestrained voice echoed, and even Lin Chang’an, who was secretly fleeing, could hear it.
“Su Miaoyin!”
At that moment, Lin Chang’an finally understood why cultivators of two great sects had appeared here.
In his arms, Yun Yao, not daring to release the slightest trace of mana, transmitted gravely,
“This place is saturated with spiritual energy, with a spiritual vein suitable for Core Formation. As for the relic cave abode a hundred li away, it is where the spiritual energy is most concentrated. It is only because of the formation’s concealment that it has not been discovered.”
Listening to Yun Yao, Lin Chang’an felt secretly shocked. Most likely Su Miaoyin and the others simply hadn’t had time to investigate carefully.
At the same time, both thought of something and couldn’t help but marvel at Master Lu’s audacity.
He had actually used Tianxuan City as bait, so that Su Miaoyin could hide deep within the Cloudmist Mountain Range to form her core.
By the time it was discovered, it was already too late to stop it.
Unfortunately, somehow the news had been leaked.
“Let’s go!”
As for that so-called Core Formation spirit item, not to mention Lin Chang’an—even Yun Yao showed no hesitation.
A Core Formation spirit item was only worth risking one’s life for if there was real hope.
Though Yun Yao dared to fight desperately, she was no fool. To try and play the oriole here was just seeking death.
Yet the two still breathed a sigh of relief inwardly.
It seemed the relic cave abode they had discovered had not been exposed.
As the two fled farther, a deafening tremor shook behind them.
The battle had begun!
…
The two colossal divine vessels unleashed terrifying might.
The Blazing Fire Palace’s vessel gathered a monstrous fireball and hurled it down from the heavens.
The Shensword Sect’s vessel unleashed a massive sword-light.
With the fusion of their formations, each attack erupted with the power of a Core Formation cultivator.
And under their assault, the hidden Third-rank formation slowly revealed its true form.
Golden light flickered faintly as four colossal Black Tortoise phantoms circled and coiled, sustaining this fearsome Third-rank formation.
【Four Symbols Black Tortoise Formation】
Gazing back from afar, Lin Chang’an was shaken as he uttered the name of the formation.
“So Daoist Su truly is a Third-rank Formation Grandmaster!”
Such talent moved Lin Chang’an. Before, it had only been rumor, and he had merely suspected she might be a quasi-Third-rank Formation Master.
He never imagined she was actually a true Third-rank Formation Master.
In their previous discussions, Su Miaoyin had also spoken of terrifying formations.
The Four Symbols Black Tortoise Formation was not quasi-Third-rank, but truly Third-rank.
Its defense was unmatched—even Core Formation cultivators would find it impossible to break easily.
“Good, good, good! Daoist Lu truly has borne a good daughter. Though her spiritual root aptitude is somewhat inferior, in her comprehension of the formation path—forget Yue Kingdom!
Even across the Seven Kingdoms, no one can surpass this girl by half a step.”
As arrogant laughter echoed, the pressure became even more overwhelming. From the Shensword Sect’s vessel, a sword aura shot skyward.
“Little Friend Su, my Shensword Sect has countless prodigies. If you are willing, you may choose any among them. I will even swear upon my Dao Heart that in the future, together with Master Lu, we shall safeguard your Core Formation!”
Su Miaoyin was a prize both the Blazing Fire Palace and the Shensword Sect dared not offend.
If they could bring her into their camp—not only was she a Third-rank Formation Grandmaster, but also a Core Formation prospect. Together with the inheritance of the foremost rogue cultivator—
It could be said that whoever gained Su Miaoyin would instantly rise to become Yue Kingdom’s foremost sect.
Amidst this terrifying clash of auras, the two sects had each dispatched a False Core cultivator.
And then, as a beastly roar rang out, the Four Symbols Black Tortoise Formation, which had grown dim, suddenly flared brightly with golden light.
At the formation’s core appeared a Third-rank Golden Tortoise phantom.
Such terrifying might made even the two Core Formation cultivators of the Blazing Fire Palace and Shensword Sect change expressions.
Master Lu had truly been willing—even using a Third-rank demon core to empower the formation and protect his daughter.
But this only further confirmed one thing—this was no falsehood.
According to transmitted reports, their Grand Elder was already holding Master Lu back in Tianxuan City.
There were even people sent to stall from Xuanyin Pavilion’s direction.
The two sects had only one goal: to seize Su Miaoyin!
Of course, they never planned to harm her, but to use her to claim Master Lu’s legacy.
Otherwise, if they truly killed her, the foremost rogue cultivator—his lifespan nearly at its end, with a late-Third-rank spirit pet—would unleash a mad revenge none could endure.
“Attack with full force!”
The earth-shaking roars were so violent that even Lin Chang’an and Yun Yao, fleeing far away, could clearly feel the terror behind them.
“Core Formation cultivators… we actually ran into them!”
Lin Chang’an cursed his misfortune inwardly. Luckily they had fled quickly. Otherwise, if the Blazing Fire Palace discovered his Talisman Treasure, they would go mad.
…
“Daoist Miao! You’ve betrayed our master!”
Within the impregnable Four Symbols Black Tortoise Formation, just at the critical moment, one of the cultivators suddenly ambushed a companion.
He seized a formation flag and tried to flee.
Facing Song Tingfeng’s furious roar, the middle-aged Daoist Miao bellowed in return,
“Daoist Song, Master Lu has dominated the cultivation world for centuries. His era is finished. I refuse to die pointlessly with him!”
“Why should we sell our lives for his illegitimate daughter, when there are those with far greater spiritual root talent like Daoist Wu?”
Though Daoist Miao was deeply afraid of betraying Master Lu, as he saw himself escaping, his face lit up with joy.
“Daoist Song, with your talent, do you truly intend to help this bastard child with mid-grade spiritual roots form her core?”
At the provocation, Song Tingfeng roared,
“Traitor Miao! Your entire family is in Tianxuan City!”
“Don’t try to threaten me with my kin! As long as I live, I can sire more!”
“Hahaha! Besides, Daoist Song, did you really think I was the only traitor?”
His crazed laughter made the other cultivators within the formation begin to eye each other warily.
With betrayal revealed, a formation flag was destroyed, dimming the Four Symbols Black Tortoise Formation.
“Senior Sister Su, this Miao is shameless.”
The female cultivator who had been ambushed staggered back into the formation, grievously wounded and returning to heal.
Su Miaoyin frowned slightly, yet still supported this junior.
“Junior Sister Fan, are you alright…”
But then, a sudden stabbing pain lanced through her arm. With a cry, her arm turned pitch black.
The wounded Junior Sister Fan transformed like a ghostly phantom, darting away unscathed.
“Bitch! How dare you harm Senior Sister Su! Have you forgotten she was the one who brought you back in the first place!”
Song Tingfeng’s eyes nearly split with fury as he unleashed a terrifying flying sword strike.
But golden light flared before Fan, offsetting the attack. She hastily fled the formation, and before leaving, she destroyed her own formation flag as well.
The sudden betrayal happened too quickly. In mere moments, two turned traitor, shattering flags and crippling the Third-rank Four Symbols Black Tortoise Formation.
Su Miaoyin, gazing at her betraying Junior Sister Fan, was filled with disbelief, though her voice was calm.
“Junior Sister Fan, why?”
She could understand others betraying her, but this Junior Sister Fan had been with her all along.
“Senior Sister Su, I’m sorry.”
The fleeing Fan finally spoke hoarsely, her words revealing the truth that made Su Miaoyin laugh in bitter mockery.
“When Master Lu allied with the Palace of Blazing Fire, I had already taken a Dao companion. That person… is a disciple of the Blazing Fire Palace…”
And on the Blazing Fire Palace’s vessel, Huang Tianxiao wore an ever-broader smile. Today, they would surely take Tianxuan City.