“The Five Suns Converging into a Moon! Counting the days, it indeed coincides with this once-in-a-century celestial phenomenon two months from now. But how could this be related to your city’s guardian formation?” The Silverlight Fairy’s eyes flickered with surprise as she spoke.
“On the day of the Five Suns Converging into a Moon, the scorching yang energy of heaven and earth will diminish by more than half. Could it be that your city’s grand formation is deeply connected to this celestial yang energy?” Han Li, being well-versed in formations himself, asked with a hint of realization.
“Fellow Daoist Han is correct. Our four great sects have set up the Nine Yang Solar Radiance Formation in Yitian City. The more celestial yang energy this formation absorbs, the more formidable its power becomes! At its peak, if the full might of this formation is unleashed, even slaying a Demon Race Venerable is not impossible. It is precisely because of this formation that our city has been able to deter the demon army from launching an all-out assault. However, this grand formation can only be established in a land with nine earth-fire veins, and the materials required nearly exhausted the resources of our four sects. Moreover, it has one critical flaw—it must constantly absorb vast amounts of celestial yang energy to activate its defensive capabilities. Under normal circumstances, this poses no issue, but on the day of the Five Suns Converging into a Moon, when celestial yang energy is severely lacking, the formation becomes utterly ineffective.” Lin Luan Fairy frowned deeply as she replied.
“The Nine Yang Solar Radiance Formation? With such immense power, how come I’ve never heard of it before?” The Silverlight Fairy’s expression remained puzzled as she asked.
“It’s no surprise you haven’t heard of it, Sister Silverlight. This formation was developed by over a dozen formation masters from our four sects, taking nearly a millennium to perfect. Its power is no less than those legendary ancient formations.” Lin Luan Fairy explained with a hint of pride in her voice.
Though Han Li’s expression remained unchanged, he was inwardly astonished. Only a major force like theirs could muster the resources and manpower to create such a terrifying new formation. It seemed these four sects were far more formidable than they appeared, having prepared for the demon calamity long in advance. Not only had they gathered four Harmonious Spirit cultivators, but they also possessed such a miraculous formation as their trump card.
However, after a moment of contemplation, Han Li suddenly smiled and spoke:
“Fellow Daoists, while the Nine Yang Solar Radiance Formation is indeed powerful, given that the demon army is led by four Demon Venerables and consists of elite forces, I doubt this formation alone could deter them so effectively.”
“Indeed, while the formation’s power is extraordinary, its activation is too slow to effectively counter four Demon Venerables. Moreover, among these high-ranking demons is a late-stage Great Completion Demon Venerable, which makes it even less likely that a single formation could intimidate them.” The Silverlight Fairy pondered briefly before adding her thoughts.
“Aside from the Nine Yang Solar Radiance Formation, our city originally had other formidable means to threaten the Demon Venerables. However, these methods are highly restricted and limited in use. By now, very few remain operational. The Demon Venerables have been sending forces to attack every few days, deliberately exhausting our remaining trump cards. The specifics will be explained to you two shortly.” The Green Flood Dragon Venerable sighed bitterly.
“Indeed. These Demon Venerables are utterly despicable. Each assault depletes our city’s defenses further. On several occasions, we were forced to engage them outside the city, only to be ambushed. Had we not resorted to our trump cards, we might have met the same fate as our two fallen comrades.” Lin Luan Fairy’s face twisted with hatred as she spoke.
“It seems your city’s situation is indeed dire. In that case, I’ll first hear the details from these fellow Daoists.” Han Li said calmly.
“Yes, it’s best to understand the situation first.” The Silverlight Fairy, seeing her friend’s transparency, relaxed slightly and nodded in agreement.
“Fellow Daoist Shi, please brief our two guests on the general state of Yitian City.” The Green Flood Dragon Venerable instructed without hesitation.
“As you command, Grand Elder!” A gray-robed elder stepped forward respectfully. After bowing to Han Li and the Silverlight Fairy, he began solemnly:
“Honored Seniors, the plight of Yitian City is indeed grave. The ten thousand auxiliary fortresses supporting our city were razed by the demons months ago. Of the thirteen layers of city defenses, five have already been destroyed in recent demon assaults. Restoring these barriers would require at least a month. Our copper-armored puppet army, once numbering a hundred thousand, has dwindled to seventy thousand, with the remaining heavily damaged and in urgent need of repair. Without immediate attention, their numbers will decline even faster. Most critically, the treasures serving as the cores of several guardian formations were recently destroyed by a surprise attack from the Karma Wheel War Demons, reducing our defensive capabilities by another third. As for the spirit beasts nurtured by the Yitian Sect and the Heavenly Emperor Sect…” Before the elder could finish, the Silverlight Fairy’s expression darkened again.
Han Li’s brow furrowed as he listened. After a moment, he interjected: “All I’ve heard so far are dire reports. Are there no positive developments?”
“Honored Senior Han, there is some good news! Our manpower has suffered minimal losses—less than ten percent of our mid-to-low-rank cultivators and warriors have perished. However, morale is low after prolonged battles and the loss of two Harmonious Spirit seniors. On the bright side, our reserves of spirit stones and supplies remain ample, enough to sustain us for decades…” The elder quickly shifted to more encouraging updates.
“With sufficient resources and reinforcements like us, holding Yitian City should still be feasible.” The Silverlight Fairy exhaled in relief.
“Brother Green Flood Dragon and I share that optimism. With your assistance, we need not fear the Demon Venerables’ combined might. As for the Myriad Illusion Demon Cavalry and Karma Wheel War Demons—while troublesome—they can be dealt with. Demonstrating our strength a few times should restore morale.” The Green Flood Dragon Venerable said cheerfully.
“Indeed. Next time the demons attack, if we four can pin down the Demon Venerables while activating the Nine Yang Solar Radiance Formation, we might even severely wound one or two of them.” Lin Luan Fairy added eagerly.
“I doubt it will be so straightforward. Those two Demon Venerables witnessed our entry into the city. They’ll surely prepare countermeasures against the formation or simply wait until the Five Suns Converging into a Moon renders it useless before launching their full assault.” Han Li shook his head.
“Heh, they might indeed. But this would grant us time to recover. By then, we could restore the city’s defenses, repair the puppet army, and deploy other hidden trump cards. Even without the Nine Yang Formation, holding the city isn’t impossible—though we’ll need your full support.” The Green Flood Dragon Venerable’s eyes gleamed coldly.
“For now, this seems our only course. Should those Demon Venerables appear, I’ll do my utmost to assist.” Han Li nodded after a pause.
“Sister Lin, rest assured—I came here to help you overcome this crisis.” The Silverlight Fairy smiled warmly.
“Thank you both deeply.” Lin Luan Fairy beamed with gratitude, echoed by the Green Flood Dragon Venerable’s profuse thanks.
Han Li and the Silverlight Fairy then queried the other Void Refinement cultivators for further defensive details. Satisfied, they excused themselves to rest under the guidance of attendants outside the hall. After their long journey, recuperation was essential before the impending battle.
Before departing, the Green Flood Dragon Venerable handed them jade slips containing intelligence on the demon forces, allowing them to study their enemies during their respite.
Once Han Li and the Silverlight Fairy had left, the remaining Void Refinement cultivators bowed out. The Green Flood Dragon Venerable gazed at the hall’s entrance and heaved a long sigh.
“Still troubled, Venerable?” Lin Luan Fairy asked lightly.
“How could I not be? You witnessed how Fellow Daoists Huang and Lie fell. Those two Demon Venerables are far deadlier than we imagined. Even with Han and Silverlight’s aid, our chances remain slim.” The Green Flood Dragon Venerable clenched his fist inside his sleeve, his voice somber.
“But we haven’t deceived them. If we use *that*, victory isn’t entirely out of reach.” Lin Luan Fairy’s expression darkened momentarily before hardening into resolve.
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