Coffin

Ouyang Li couldn't help but agree with her. Now, that he was connected to the formation, he could clearly sense six raging auras nearing the sect.

Although these people were still an extremely long distance away, their pressure could be easily felt here. It seemed that they purposefully targeted Misty Mountains, where his Gentle Wind Valley was located.

However, fortunately for Ouyang Li, he didn't have to worry about them too much. After all, even if the sky falls, there is someone stronger to support it.

His job was to use his divine consciousness and gently guide it to support the formation. This was enough of a contribution, especially considering that his reserves of Shen were quickly drying up.

In other words, Ouyang Li's Spirit was diminishing! As a result, his attention was becoming more and more scattered too.

It came to the point where he even lost his sense of time. Occasionally sounding voices of his fellow cultivators blended together. It was the arrival of the Demon Tao's Nascent Soul powerhouses that shook him awake. It also caused him to realize how reckless he was to give the array his all!

However, certain suspicions emerged in his heart. Could it be that the Great Formation was designed to confuse and exploit its low-level attendants, such as himself? He had higher cultivation than most, but he still fell for it!

'No matter! It's good that I brought some Spirit Stones with me. This way, I can at least replenish my Qi.' Although it wouldn't help him in the long term, he should be able to quickly utilize his essence and forcefully nourish some Shen. 'The aftereffects, though…'

Ouyang Li didn't have time to seriously think about these matters. As soon as he threw away a few stones, his attention was once again captured by the array.

That's right! It was almost forcefully captured!

Fortunately, the newly arrived Heavenly Lords didn't target the Great Formation itself. Otherwise, Ouyang Li would experience a lot more suffering.

Instead, as soon as they appeared, the enemies joined the battle. Together with Taoist Fiery Thorn, the six of them quickly suppressed Gentle Wind Valley patriarchs.

'Don't let the battle distract you!' Elder Yu cautioned. Noticing the fluctuations in the array, she quickly projected her voice to other Immortal Foundation cultivators supporting the Great Formation. 'And have some faith in your seniors. The situation might not be what it looks like…'

It seemed that her words managed to convince the majority from this section of the array. As for Ouyang Li, he also decided to follow her lead. That is… as long as it didn't threaten his little life!

However, it didn't take long till the situation took a turn for worse. But of course! How could it be any different?

It seemed that the patriarchs were being overwhelmed by the enemy. Additionally, the pressure on the Great Formation was quickly getting heavier and heavier.

It came to a point where a few weaker Immortal Foundation cultivators decided to give up. They only stood with the formation and rested by their nodes, close enough to stay under the protection of the array! It could be felt by others. It was because the Great Formation was being maintained by many collectives.

In turn, other cultivators also began to hesitate. After all, they had to struggle even more because of these freeloaders' burden.

'Hmph!' Elder Yu could barely contain her rage. 'Everyone, ignore these fools, and continue to do your duty! The sect will sure as hell deal with those traitors sooner or later!'

Just as Ouyang Li was also considering quitting, a few chilling sounds could be heard.

"Plum, plum, plum." With each sound, their burden seemingly decreased. Then, Elder Yu's evil laugh resounded.

'Hehe! Meanwhile, I have revoked those deserters' authority. Let's see where you will seek protection next!'

Ouyang Li shuddered, once again cursing the sect in his heart. Was it really a righteous sect? How come did it sound like it didn't care about its members? He was an Immortal Foundation cultivator for Heavens' sake, not a disposable Outer Disciple!

He didn't even realize it, but his thinking changed since he arrived in this world. Or maybe these were just a few words spluttered in anger?

'Boom! Bang, bang!' Many explosive sounds could be heard at this moment. The four Gentle Wind Valley Patriarchs were actually knocked back!

One of them spitted blood that corroded stones and trees. The other one emitted unstable fluctuations that flattened a nearby hill.

However, just as it looked like they were being defeated, a strange silence suddenly descended onto the Misty Mountains. The air thickened, the last remnants of flora on the surface froze, and the enemy seemed to have become petrified.

That's right! Seven foreign Heavenly Lords actually became immobile. Two of them even heaved and barely kept themselves from falling down from the sky!

Ouyang Li became perplexed. It was because he didn't feel anything strange around him! However, he just assumed that his cultivation base wasn't enough. Or maybe…

'Could it be… that the sect hasn't forsaken as? Are we… are we still being protected?' Others' questioning and disbelieving exclamations in the formation seemed to confirm his thoughts.

The battle in the sky temporarily stopped, and so did the pressure they were all under. Then, a simple and unadorned stone coffin rose up to the sky. It completely ignored all the formations covering Gentle Wind Valley's various mountains. Ouyang Li wasn't able to tell from which peak it emerged.

At once, everything below the Heavens centered on the newly appeared casket. A weave of incomparably powerful Divine Senses shot up from within. At once, it covered the mountains, transforming into some sort of a... domain.

Noting could change without the permission of this domain's master. Nothing could move within it. Nothing, but the lowly cultivators cowering under the Great Formation Array. These were spared by the great existence hidden within the casket.

'A peak Nascent Soul Realm cultivator! Perhaps… perhaps even half a step into the Transformation Realm!' Terrified Divine Consciousness screeches were heard above as Heavenly Lords of the Demonic Tao attempted to flee.

So, the Gentle Wind Valley finally disclosed their hidden card! Ouyang Li could help but feel some relief. However, why was this ancestor in a half-dead state? He wondered.

Suddenly, multiple incomprehensible symbols lit up on the coffin's surface. Then, there was a short pause. It was as if its owner was hesitating whether to make a move. Still, everything was within his control!

Finally, after what seemed like ages, the lid opened. It only moved a little. It was just enough for a small, withered hand to emerge from within.

Instantly, a rotting stench assaulted the air, and the surrounding flora started to quickly dry up. What's more, a mass of dark clouds gathered on the horizon, and strong winds started blowing.

Looking at this scene, Ouyang Li felt dizzy. Before his divine consciousness suddenly became cut off, he could see a white, bone-like index finger pointing at the foreign Nascent Soul Realm Cultivators.

Ouyang Li then heaved and lost his vision. He could only hear at this moment.

It was impossible not to, as multiple explosions were coming from above. It was because Heavenly Lords of the Demonic Tao started to blow up one by one! As a result, extremely strange phenomena covered the sky. A rain of blood fell on the ground, and only the Great Formation Array protected the Gentle Wind Valley from the terrible curses.

Actually, Ouyang Li couldn't tell whether the curses came from the coffin's owner, the blowing Nascent Soul cultivators, or the Heavenly Tao itself. Evidently, all those happenings were something that he couldn't possibly see-through.

However, even though everything seemed to be within the domain master's control, the world wasn't satisfied with these arrangements. Not at all at!

Here, Ouyang Li had a unique advantage to see further than others.

That's right. Through the Mysterious Bead, the boy could clearly sense that, once again, a terrifying eye opened somewhere up above. It was angry, and it was seeking them. It was quickly focusing on their continent!

In fact, the phenomenon was eerily similar to what happened after he broke through to the 9th stage of the Qi Gathering Realm. He felt as if there was no escape.

However, it seemed that no one else noticed it yet. No one but Ouyang Li and the coffin's owner.

At this moment, as demonic cultivators were becoming a bloody misty, one mighty screech managed to resound within the domain of the withered powerhouse!

'This is impossible!' Taoist Fiery Thorn screeched unbecomingly. 'You… you even have… This senior, please stay your hand. Have some mercy, and let me go! I promise that we will stop bothering you! We didn't know that your esteemed self was residing in this sect!

'Silence!' A strong voice emerged from the coffin. 'Is my Gentle Wind Valley a place where you can come and go as you wish? It's not the first time your Demonic Tao crossed me. Since you've already come, there is no need for you to leave!