An Alchemist's Path to Eternity-Chapter 578: Stand with the Victor, Break the Formation, A Life-and-Death Struggle (II)

Chapter 578: Stand with the Victor, Break the Formation, A Life-and-Death Struggle (II)
Boom!
A deafening roar shook the air once more. The sound came from five hundred Qi Refinement cultivators, who joined forces with five Initiates to unleash a grand spell.
Ordinarily, such a vast and majestic attack would have drawn countless cries of awe. But by now, people had grown tired of the sight. Some cultivators even began to lose faith in the coalition.
"It's been five days already!" one of them exclaimed.
"The Luo Tian Society has held firm, and Zheng Xian and the grand cultivators still haven't broken the Danxia Formation. It looks like we might see a repeat of when the Min family was besieged for a year."
Another voice spoke with certainty. "But the Luo Tian Society isn't isolated like the Min family was. They have the Ruthless Lineage of the Ice Fortress behind them. If this drags on, the Ice Fortress will never remain idle."
A mocking laugh followed. "By then, Zheng Xian and his people will be the ones left humiliated."
The scattered discussions spread across the watching crowd. Zheng Xian, who had been the subject of so much doubt, now carried a heavy, brooding expression. He watched as the five hundred Qi Refinement cultivators withdrew into the spirit-gathering formation to sit and recover their strength.
He muttered, "We can't drag this out any longer."
The longer this dragged on, the harder it would be for the Flame Alliance to recover its lost reputation. If the Ice Fortress sent reinforcements, their hastily assembled coalition would be in serious trouble. When that happened, the Flame Alliance's Golden Core Adepts might not even bother to protect him. After all, he was not a disciple of the Flame Alliance; he was merely a discarded failure. Yet even an expelled disciple did not wish to be treated as a pawn.
Beside him, Xiahou Kun's face was equally grim. Over the past few days, he had already learned what had befallen the Wei family of Xuchen Mountain and the Chang family of Changliu Gorge. Rogue cultivators had seized the opportunity to raid their sects. They had looted, burned, and killed before swaggering away, showing no concern for any ties or alliances. Hence, the longer the delay dragged on, the more dangerous the situation became for the Xiahou family as well.
Xiahou Kun stepped closer to Zheng Xian. "Fellow Daoist, whatever methods you have kept hidden, it is time to bring them out."
Zheng Xian did indeed have his methods, yet his eyes first swept across the other grand cultivators.
Song Fengzi gave a faint smile. "This has dragged on long enough. I possess something that can unleash the full strike of a Golden Core Adept. Why not let me go ahead and spearhead the attack?"
He had resolved to risk everything for the sake of the Core Formation secret arts.
A satisfied look crossed Zheng Xian's face. "Since that is the case, let us stop holding back. Everyone, prepare your best methods. In the coming days, we must break the formation and storm Danxia Peak!"
***
At the summit of Danxia Peak. The stone chamber's doors creaked open as a man and a woman stepped inside.
"Master!"
"Master!"
Min Longyu opened his eyes, his face pale. "How is the formation holding up?"
His two disciples immediately bowed and answered, "The formation bases have suffered severe damage, and the spirit stones have been consumed far too quickly."
This was bad news. Obviously, formations did not just pop out of the ground by themselves. They required countless components: carved formation patterns, carefully designed bases, the alignment of mountains and spirit veins, and energy sources to drive them.
Min Longyu had employed powerful methods, burying twenty-one enchanted-treasure flying swords deep within the mountain as anchors to stabilize the formation's foundation. Yet even that only served to stabilize it and extract a fraction of sword intent. With his cultivation, he certainly could not fully wield those twenty-one swords. In fact, if the formation base collapsed, the chain reaction would cause those enchanted swords to interfere with his control of the formation.
"What did Palace Leader Duan Feng say?" he asked again.
The disciples exchanged a glance before the male disciple answered softly. "The brothers of the Artifact Palace are doing everything they can to repair the formation. But Palace Leader Duan said that with the materials the Luo Tian Society has accumulated, it can last at most four more days."
Four days…
Min Longyu repeated the number under his breath. His gaze dropped to the gray-white powder of spent spirit stones scattered beneath him, and worry clouded his eyes.
The crisis came not only from within, but also from outside. He could sense that the Seven-Colored Danxia Formation was drawing less and less spirit energy from heaven and earth, to the point where it now relied almost entirely on the Luo Tian Society's reserves of spirit stones to maintain operation.
The cause was clear enough. The coalition had forcibly erected a third-tier spirit-gathering formation outside. Their actions were not only draining the Luo Tian Society's foundation but also cutting off its source of energy at the root.
A pang of doubt struck Min Longyu. Had he been too arrogant? In the end, the ten days he had spoken of were impossible to achieve.
At that moment, his expression changed sharply. His head snapped up as his gaze turned toward the outside world.
Beyond Danxia Peak, fierce winds swept through the land, and the roar of countless pines rose and fell. From within the storm of sound, a colossal azure trunk a hundred zhang long slowly took form. The massive wood gleamed with a deep green hue,and its head was shaped like a spike, as though carved by axe and plane. To the naked eye, it resembled a simple battering ram. Yet the overwhelming spirit pressure radiating from it left no one in doubt of its power.
Min Longyu's eyes blazed with fury as the sight filled his vision. "Go, to the Director at once! Send people to hold the formation at all costs!"
The two disciples dared not delay and immediately rushed down the mountain. But even before their message could be delivered, Sima Huiniang had already sensed the threat. Her expression turned grave as she gazed at the massive tree looming beyond the mountain. Behind her, Gu Caiyi and Murong Qinglian also turned pale with shock.
Could the Seven-Colored Danxia Formation possibly withstand such an attack?
"Block what we can!" a deep and steady voice came from her side.
The next moment, Wang Yuan stepped out of the Grand Hall. With a wave of his hand, a massive bow landed in his grasp. It was no ordinary weapon, but an enchanted-treasure longbow. Three black arrows jutted upright from the hardened ground before him. This mystical enchanted treasure had once been Chu Kui's spoil of war, and it now happened to be perfectly suited for Wang Yuan's use.
As he nocked an arrow and drew the bow, blood and qi surged violently through his body. Wang Yuan's expression tightened with strain. He had possessed the weapon for only a few months, far too little time to properly refine it. Yet some actions had to be taken, even when success was uncertain.
The bowstring reached only halfway before his arm trembled and his strength faltered. He refused to push himself further and released the string.
"Go!"
A streak of light pierced the clouds and shot toward Song Fengzi, who stood outside channeling the massive battering ram. The sudden arrow startled those outside for a brief instant. But Song Fengzi, who was activating the talisman, remained utterly unconcerned. He knew someone would step in to block it.
As expected, Zheng Xian stepped out from the crowd. With a wave of his hand, a tide of flames erupted before him. The arrow plunged into the fire, twisting and writhing like a fish swimming through water. After a moment, it broke free from the blaze, but the blood qi that had enveloped it was nearly gone.
Zheng Xian snorted coldly and snatched out with one hand.
Buzz!
The black-feathered arrow landed in his hand. It struggled fiercely, yet it no longer posed any threat. Fiery light burst from his palm, and within moments the arrow melted into molten iron, dripping onto the ground.
"You dare flaunt these empty tricks before me? Please," he said with contempt.
Just then, Song Fengzi's voice came from behind him. "It is ready! Fellow Daoist, stand aside!"
Zheng Xian stepped back without hesitation.
The massive trunk rumbled forward the next moment, crashing down upon the seven-colored barrier with unstoppable force. At the point of impact, the two held for a fleeting instant. But in the next heartbeat, the barrier tore apart like cloth. The battering ram drove onward, its momentum undiminished, and hurtled straight toward Danxia Peak.
Before all eyes, a figure suddenly soared into the sky. A massive handprint burst forth from his strike, colliding against the ram to halt its advance.
Boom!
The massive palm print landed squarely against the battering ram. The massive trunk shuddered and its advance slowed, yet its momentum did not cease. The man's expression darkened as he unleashed two more palm strikes in quick succession.
Boom!
Boom!
After three consecutive palm strikes, the battering ram's momentum finally came to a halt.
Outside Danxia Peak, a triumphant smile spread across Song Fengzi's face.
"But this isn't enough!" he declared. "Once this strike smashes into the mountain itself, the formation tied to the earth veins will be shaken. By then…"
The smug grin vanished from his face in the very next instant. A massive staff erupted from within Danxia Peak, bursting forth with overwhelming force. It pierced through the barrier and braced itself firmly against the battering ram.
"Break!"
With a low shout, the ram finally shattered, scattering into countless motes of spirit light that dissolved into Danxia Peak. Only then, through the massive hole ten zhang wide in the barrier, did the onlookers see the two figures who had joined forces to block the strike.
One wore plain hemp robes, and his black hair was billowing despite the still air. His presence stood like a mountain, steady and unyielding, the bearing of a grandmaster. The other stood tall, gripping a gold-and-black Heaven-Equaling Staff. His face radiated a domineering aura, as if the world had no place for any but him.
"Blood Devil Wang Yuan!"
"Tian Kuizi, Chu Kui!"
At the sight of them, countless voices cried out their names.
Song Fengzi's expression tightened, and he quietly retreated into the crowd to avoid their gaze. Both men were far too powerful, and he had no wish to draw the attention of either one.
But Zheng Xian showed no fear. He stared across at them and grinned viciously. "Excellent! Fellow Daoist Song Fengzi's method has forced three of the Luo Tian Society's top experts to reveal themselves. Truly worthy of a famed rogue cultivator of the Medicine King Domain and the current leader of Iron Sword Hall!"
Song Fengzi froze where he stood among the crowd. His face went pale, then flushed red, and for a moment, he nearly cursed aloud. In the end, he forced the words back down.
"My battering ram talisman can only be activated once at a time; it needs a long time to recharge before I can use it again. From here, it's up to your methods," he said coldly.
He spat the words with resentment, then turned without another glance and stepped into the third-tier spirit-gathering formation to recover his strength.
Zheng Xian sneered, unconcerned with his displeasure. He could see clearly that the Seven-Colored Formation had suffered heavy damage from the strike. Yet since it had not collapsed entirely, storming it headlong would still be unwise. Fortunately, they had more tricks to play.
"Fellow Daoist Xiahou, it's your turn," Zheng Xian called.
Xiahou Kun gave a low grunt as he stepped forward. His expression carried unease as he said, "Our family's joint secret art does have considerable power, but its range is limited. If the Luo Tian Society's experts intercept us, we'll need your protection."
Zheng Xian waved dismissively. "Rest assured, I'll protect you."
Xiahou Kun let out a breath of relief, then turned and nodded to the four Initiates of the Xiahou family behind him.
The five moved together and stopped five li outside Danxia Peak. Four sat cross-legged and began weaving spirit incantations with their hands. Xiahou Kun took the central position, his robe fluttering although no wind stirred. A great sword floated before him, radiating a biting chill.
As the five joined forces, the sword slowly rose into the sky. A vast beam of sword light began to take shape above them.
Zheng Xian raised an eyebrow at the sight.
A kindred bloodline secret art?
Ordinary Initiates could never hope to fully unleash the power of an enchanted treasure. Such feats demanded mastery over divine consciousness and formidable spirit power. Yet it was clear that the Xiahou family had their own unique method. By combining the strength of Initiates from the same bloodline, they were able to channel everything into an ancestral flying sword that had been refined for generations. Once fully unleashed, the strike would likely rival the force of an early-stage Adept.
Time passed slowly as the ritual continued. The four Initiates of the Xiahou family poured every drop of their spirit power into Xiahou Kun. Strain etched itself across their faces as exhaustion set in.
Zheng Xian's focus remained fixed on Danxia Peak. Through the massive hole in the barrier, he saw Wang Yuan once again raising his bow, preparing to intercept the strike.
When the arrow shot out like a meteor, Zheng Xian let out a booming laugh. "The same trick again? It won't work!"
Fiery light flared once more, and as before, he easily caught the black-feathered arrow. Yet before he could melt it away, his expression suddenly changed.
"No!"
Shock filled his eyes as he looked toward Danxia Peak. Wang Yuan and Chu Kui had joined hands, using their powerful physiques to pull the string nearly to full draw. This strike was unstoppable!
Zheng Xian hastily unleashed waves of flame while scurrying back to safety. But with him gone, nothing stood between the arrow and the Xiahou family's five-man formation.
"All of you, strike together and block it!" Zheng Xian's command rang in Xiahou Kun's ears.
The order came too late.
In the one eye Xiahou Kun had left, there was only the arrow descending from the heavens. Rage tore at him as he abandoned the sword strike he had been preparing and shifted several zhang aside in desperation.
Even so, the impact came.
Boom!
The black streak slammed into the ground where he had just stood. The violent burst of spirit energy blasted him dozens of zhang away.
He ignored the turbulence surging in his blood and qi as he scrambled back to the site, his voice breaking into a frantic cry.
"Second Brother! Third Brother! Seventeenth Brother…"
There was no reply. Only shattered limbs and broken bones lay scattered across the ground. That single arrow had not only interrupted the Xiahou family's bloodline secret art but also slain four Initiates on the spot.
Xiahou Kun trembled as he staggered to his feet, his single eye fixed on Zheng Xian in disbelief. "You promised to shield us from interruption!"
Zheng Xian's face showed feigned remorse. "Forgive me. I never expected that enchanted treasure could be drawn by two working together."
"Never expected?" Xiahou Kun let out a wretched laugh. Four of his family's Initiates had died. How could those words absolve anyone of blame?
Zheng Xian's expression grew firm. "Even with their death, this battle will count as great merit for you."
"Hm?" Xiahou Kun's eye flickered with confusion.
The answer came soon enough.
Tuoba Lingfei, Xiang Zhonghe, and another of the Zheng family's grand cultivators rose into the air together. All three extended their hands in unison, releasing a torrent of black light. The surge carried a stench so foul it made those nearby gag.
As the black radiance spread, the seven-colored barrier over Danxia Peak darkened with a creeping stain. It was faint at first, but as the barrier shuddered in resistance, the blackness deepened and spread. Gradually, the seven-colored barrier weakened.
Xiahou Kun's mouth fell open as realization struck. He had been nothing more than bait. The true spearhead of the assault lay with Tuoba Lingfei and his companions.
Zheng Xian's face gleamed with excitement as he watched the black taint spread across the barrier.
"With the Flame Alliance's Withered Fire True Fiend, this formation will vanish within three days!" Zheng Xian's voice rang with certainty.
The thousand cultivators below him erupted in cheers, their voices surging like a tide. Cries of "Break Danxia Peak, destroy the Luo Tian Society!" rang through the air.
Zheng Xian looked down at Xiahou Kun and offered false comfort. "It was Wang Yuan and Chu Kui who slew your family. Once we break the formation, we will avenge them for you. And if we seize the Core Formation secret art, you may be the first to read it."
Xiahou Kun let out a hollow laugh, but Zheng Xian's words left him no room to argue.
He turned and walked back into the spirit-gathering formation, greeted by the grief and unease of the Xiahou family's Qi Refinement cultivators. His departing figure stood apart from the rest, weighed down with desolation.