Chapter 2417: The Core of the Formation

“However, what is your intention in having Yun Dan Yue Shu and that human boy guard those two Profound Heaven treasures? As far as I know, the Two Polarities Dust Annihilation Array is actually a celestial formation left behind by our ancestors, and its core doesn’t require any guardians. If that true immortal were to actually break through to that point, the formation would have already collapsed and dissipated.” The indistinct figure spoke again, curiosity evident in its tone.

“Heh, I have my reasons for doing this. Having them stay at the core of the formation might just save their lives in the end.” Ming Zun chuckled but did not directly answer the question.

“Fine. As the shadow of this alliance, I’ve never been interested in your sneaky schemes. But if we manage to obtain a True Soul Pill from this true immortal, it must be given to me. With this pill, I can truly master the Nine Tribulations Annihilation Art and finally ascend to the immortal realm. However, even if we succeed, the price our alliance will pay this time is far from trivial.” The indistinct figure replied indifferently.

“If we do find a True Soul Pill, you’ll certainly receive one. As for the cost, one must invest to gain. I believe the treasures carried by an immortal capable of descending to the mortal realm will more than compensate for our losses.” Ming Zun said calmly.

“I hope so. Well, they’ve already set off, so I’ll take my leave now. Ming Zun, don’t tell me you can’t even withstand the first wave of the true immortal’s attack. If the timing isn’t right, I absolutely won’t intervene to save you.” The indistinct figure let out a low laugh before twisting its body and vanishing into the void as if it had never been there.

From beginning to end, its face remained completely concealed.

“Won’t intervene to save me? The same applies to you. If you fail to strike decisively when the time comes, escaping might not be so easy.” Ming Zun murmured with a strange expression, his voice barely audible.

Meanwhile, Han Li, led by an armored guard, had already left the Celestial Expanse and plunged into the Two Polarities Dust Annihilation Array not far below.

According to Ming Zun’s earlier explanation, this formation had been painstakingly assembled using over thirty-six thousand formation flags and plates, with countless top-grade spirit stones embedded throughout, enveloping most of the Howling Abyss.

The two formation cores were located far apart, one to the north and the other to the south.

Following the armored guard, Han Li sped along and arrived near his assigned formation core after the time it took to finish a meal.

From a distance, the so-called formation core consisted of eight massive golden pillars encircling a towering altar.

The pillars shimmered with radiant light, surrounded by layers of faintly discernible restriction fluctuations, with rows of armored guards clustered around them.

The altar was triangular, smooth and milky-white like jade, its upper half veiled by a seven-colored light barrier. At its apex, something flickered faintly.

“Senior, this is the activation token for the formation core. These guards are all under your command. However, the altar has already been concealed with a stealth restriction to prevent premature detection, so you cannot ascend it.” The armored guard who had escorted Han Li immediately produced a silver token and presented it with both hands, speaking respectfully.

“That’s only natural. Though I’m quite interested in the Profound Heaven treasure above, I wouldn’t act so recklessly as to jeopardize the greater plan.” Han Li waved his hand, and with a whoosh, the token flew into his grasp. He spoke indifferently.

“Thank you for your understanding, Senior. I shall take my leave now.” The armored guard bowed slightly before soaring back the way he had come.

Han Li lowered his head to examine the silver token in his hand. It gleamed brilliantly, its surface inscribed with countless tiny runes arranged in an incredibly profound pattern that made one dizzy just by looking at it.

After fiddling with the token for a moment, he flicked his wrist and stored it away, striding toward the altar.

“Greetings, my lord!”

Nearly a thousand armored guards bowed in unison as Han Li approached.

“At ease. Since I’ve taken command here, my order is simple: disobey, and you die. Now, resume your posts.”

Han Li swept his spiritual sense over the guards, noting that most were at the Nascent Soul or Soul Formation stages, but eight were actually at the Body Integration stage, each leading a team guarding one of the golden pillars. After a brief thought, he spoke impassively.

“Yes, my lord!”

The guards shuddered inwardly but responded without hesitation, rising to stand motionless around the golden pillars once more.

Han Li’s figure blurred as he passed through the guards like an intangible specter, appearing directly beneath the milky-white altar at the center. After a brief glance upward, he sat down cross-legged.

“This seems to be the Two Polarities Dust Formation from the immortal realm.” The voice of Crab Daoist suddenly rang in Han Li’s mind, tinged with surprise.

“Two Polarities Dust Formation? Shouldn’t it be the Two Polarities Dust Annihilation Formation?” Han Li’s heart stirred as he responded telepathically.

“No. The Two Polarities Dust Annihilation Formation is indeed an immortal formation, but its effects are relatively simple, primarily used to annihilate enemies. Its profundity doesn’t even come close to one-tenth of the Two Polarities Dust Formation.” Crab Daoist replied without hesitation.

“Oh? What makes this Two Polarities Dust Formation so profound?” Han Li’s eyes flickered slightly as he asked slowly.

“The Two Polarities Dust Formation primarily possesses three functions: trapping enemies, weakening them, and self-destruction. Any one of these would give an ordinary immortal a major headache, especially the final self-destruction capability. If the sacrificial offerings at the formation core are powerful enough, even a high-ranking immortal could perish within it.” Crab Daoist explained.

“Sacrificial offerings? Self-destruction?” Han Li’s heart chilled at these words.

“Correct. The offerings at the formation core can be either rare treasures and materials or powerful living beings. Generally, once the sacrifice begins, everything within a hundred miles of the core will be incinerated by the formation’s power.” Crab Daoist said unhurriedly.

“I see. Now I understand why Ming Zun insisted on having me, Yun Dan Yue Shu, and the others guard the formation core without leaving.” Han Li’s expression remained unchanged, but his telepathic voice seethed with anger.

“However, logically speaking, even the Two Polarities Dust Annihilation Formation would be difficult to set up in the mortal realm, let alone the far more complex Two Polarities Dust Formation. Judging from this formation core, it seems slightly different from the Dust Formation I know.” Crab Daoist added.

“Materials in the mortal realm naturally can’t compare to those in the immortal realm. They probably had to substitute many components to barely assemble this immortal secret formation. That said, its effects and power must have been weakened or altered. Can you identify the differences?” Han Li mused before suddenly asking.

“As a combat-oriented pseudo-immortal puppet, not a formation-specialized one, recognizing certain immortal formations is already my limit. Pinpointing specific differences is beyond my capabilities.” Crab Daoist replied frankly.

“That’s troublesome. While I want to deal with that true immortal, I don’t want to perish as a sacrificial offering alongside him.” Han Li’s eyes flashed coldly.

“If you merely wish to ensure your own survival, I do have a method.” Crab Daoist said after a moment of silence.

“What method?” Han Li perked up at this.

“I can make slight adjustments to this formation core, ensuring that when the sacrificial function activates, your position will be exempted.” Crab Daoist stated calmly.

“Such a method exists? Is it reliable?” Han Li hesitated slightly.

“Very well, proceed.” After brief consideration, Han Li agreed decisively.

“Good, but I’ll need the Golden Devouring Beetle King to assist me. Only this beetle can accomplish this undetected.” Crab Daoist added.

“That’s no problem. Jin’er, from now on, follow Brother Crab’s instructions precisely without the slightest deviation.” Han Li immediately agreed and relayed the order telepathically to the Golden Devouring Beetle King in his spirit beast ring.

For the next while, Han Li appeared to sit motionless, but a finger hidden in his sleeve flicked slightly, sending a golden speck shooting out. It vanished into the void in a flash.

A moment later, near one of the golden pillars, a faint undetectable ripple appeared, and a golden beetle the size of a grain of rice materialized out of thin air.

The beetle blurred momentarily before attaching itself to the pillar, then began crawling silently, leaving behind nearly invisible tiny spirit patterns in its wake.

Simultaneously, the golden beetle’s mind echoed with Crab Daoist’s cold directives, while complete arrays of patterns continuously surfaced in its consciousness.

The armored guards surrounding the pillar remained completely oblivious to these subtle alterations.

Not just this one pillar—over time, the other seven pillars were similarly tampered with by the miniature Golden Devouring Beetle King.

…

Elsewhere in the Howling Abyss, high in the sky, Silver Armor Man, the bald giant, and other Great Ascension cultivators hid within a void, some standing straight, others sitting cross-legged, all solemn and silent.

Suddenly, the space nearby rippled, and Ming Zun materialized as if coalescing from nothingness.

“Brother Ming! You’re alone? Where are Fellow Daoist Han and Yun Dan Yue Shu?” Lady Wu Ling scanned Ming Zun and frowned.

The other Great Ascension cultivators also showed traces of surprise.

“Don’t worry, Lady Wu Ling. I’ve assigned Fellow Daoist Han and the other two to guard the cores of the Two Polarities Dust Annihilation Array. This way, as long as the formation holds, we can focus on dealing with that immortal without any concerns.” Ming Zun replied calmly.