From the day the formation’s core was established, Han Li and his two companions, fearing sneak attacks from high-ranking demons, ceased residing in the cloud-like structures and instead took to meditating beneath the towering sacred tree.
Since the formation’s core was anchored to this backup sacred tree, it would remain intact as long as the tree stood unharmed.
Meanwhile, the thousands of guards from various races who had accompanied them were evenly distributed across nearby mountain peaks, effectively encircling the valley where the formation’s core lay.
As for the Crab Daoist, Han Li had kept him hidden within one of the massive cloud structures. Given the golden crab’s cultivation level, mimicking the aura of a mid-tier human cultivator was effortless. Unless confronted by a Mahayana-level being, ordinary practitioners would never discern his true strength.
Thus, even though Cao Ji and Fei Xiaoxi had encountered the Crab Daoist several times by Han Li’s side, they paid him no mind, assuming he was merely one of Han Li’s attendants.
Once the grand formation took shape, daily reports on the clashes between the allied forces and the demon army at the frontlines began pouring in. Though stationed at the formation’s core, Han Li and the others remained well-informed of the unfolding events.
According to the latest intelligence, the allied forces and the demon army had engaged in seven brutal battles along the border. After both sides suffered nearly a fifth of their forces, the alliance began a calculated retreat.
This time, the demon side had deployed three true Saint Ancestors, over twenty Saint Ancestor avatars, and hundreds of Demon Venerables, decisively overpowering the alliance in high-tier combatants.
However, thanks to the alliance’s extensive deception tactics, their withdrawal did not arouse suspicion. Seizing what appeared to be a retreat, the demon forces aggressively pursued.
The alliance, rather than collapsing in disarray, fought a measured retreat, engaging in continuous skirmishes that gradually drew the demon army toward the Wood Realm Grand Formation.
As time passed, the frequency of updates increased from once a day to twice, then thrice daily.
The demon forces were steadily approaching the all-out defensive formation the Wood Clan had prepared.
—
Atop a towering peak within the Wood Realm Grand Formation’s domain, the Wood Clan’s acting Grand Elder stood rigidly on a hastily erected platform.
Before him, a small five-zhang-wide formation was encircled by eight elderly Wood Clan members, their faces deeply wrinkled. Each held a white wooden tray in one hand while rapidly gesturing with the other, sending beams of white light into the air above the formation. These beams coalesced into a shimmering screen.
The acting Grand Elder scrutinized the screen intently, where countless green and purple dots moved unpredictably—sometimes clashing, sometimes separating—like armies in battle.
Gradually, both sets of dots retreated toward a massive pattern before vanishing in a flash.
The eight elders opened their eyes, their trays dimming as the screen dissolved.
“Excellent. The divination remains favorable. My gratitude for your efforts, Masters,” the acting Grand Elder said with a slight bow.
One of the elders coughed lightly. “This battle determines our clan’s survival. As the Wood Spirit Eight, we must contribute our utmost. However, these results are based on current conditions. Any shift in the demon army’s movements could drastically alter the outcome.”
The acting Grand Elder nodded solemnly. “I understand. The coming days are critical. We must rely on your daily divinations to ensure the battle remains within our control.”
Another elder shook his head. “Though we possess some talent in divination, this war involves countless powerful entities and unpredictable variables. Our efforts can only serve as a reference for the Elder Council.”
“I am aware,” the acting Grand Elder replied with a bitter smile. “But your guidance offers some reassurance.”
While divination could not outright predict the outcome of a war involving millions, it could deduce trends and inform strategic decisions.
The Wood Spirit Eight were the clan’s most renowned diviners, having rendered countless services. Their excessive use of divination had drained their lifespans, leaving them frail.
Previously, the Wood Clan had kept them in reserve, fearing further depletion. But when the former Grand Elder fell into a demon trap—losing both his health and half the clan’s territory—the Elder Council had no choice but to summon them once more.
After the Wood Spirit Eight departed, other Wood Clan elders gathered urgently around the acting Grand Elder to discuss pressing matters.
—
Meanwhile, high above the former border between Wood Clan and demon territories, Mo Jianli had transformed into a silver silhouette, wreathed in a vast thundercloud. Countless arcs of lightning lashed out like arrows toward his opponent.
Ten li away, atop a mountain, a massive black sword stood embedded in the peak. On its hilt, a gaunt demon clad in a dark green cloak unleashed waves of icy sword energy, effortlessly deflecting the silver lightning.
Over a vast lake, two colossal wolf phantoms—one silver, one black—clashed violently. Their claws tore through the void, leaving white gashes, while their bites unleashed shockwaves that flattened everything within a hundred li.
Despite their brutal exchange, their wounds healed instantly with a ripple of light.
Deep within a mountain, Ao Xiao sat cross-legged in a temporary formation, his body glowing faintly silver.
Ten thousand li away, buried in a swamp, Yuan Sha remained motionless in a dark chamber, her body etched with pulsating purple-black demonic runes.
In a mysterious dimension, two towering figures faced each other across several li.
One stood ten zhang tall, with crimson skin, black horns, and golden pupils, his arms folded coldly. The other, a wild-looking giant with dark skin and golden-silver runes, wore only a loincloth, his fists clenched as he glared with bull-like eyes.
Between them, two blood-red, wolf-ape hybrids battled three golden tigers in a chaotic melee of blood mist and razor-sharp claws.
As planned, the three Saint Ancestor avatars had been pinned down by Mo Jianli and the other two Mahayana cultivators, preventing them from aiding their armies.
Meanwhile, millions of demons were being lured toward the Wood Realm Grand Formation. Without their Saint Ancestors, the demon forces would suffer catastrophic losses once trapped within the activated formation.
Yet, at the same time, a fleet of a thousand triangular demon chariots slithered along the battlefield’s edge, heading toward the alliance’s rear.
Gray-white and inscribed with mist-like runes, these chariots carried nearly ten thousand masked demons, their robes concealing everything but their cold, crimson eyes.
Strangely, not a sound escaped them as they advanced like ghosts.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage