Myriad Variations within the Formation

Myriad Variations within the Formation...

The experts of the Watermoon Mountain Villa had never displayed disrespect or hostility towards the Li Clan's trio. After all, the brothers shared amicable relationships with them and had been extended personal invitations to represent their faction.

Furthermore, given the Star-Seizing Manor's inclination to play the villain, why would the Watermoon Mountain Villa court further trouble by offending more people?

"Esteemed Grandmasters, what course of action would you suggest?" An individual from the Watermoon Mountain Villa inquired with due respect.

Elder First responded, "Navigating this formation is akin to maneuvering a boat through turbulent waters. Little Brother Qin's perception surpasses ours, which is why his path was smoother. We will follow in his footsteps."

The Li Clan's trio were also exceptionally skilled. With Qin Wentian leading the way, they all noted the distinctive rhythm in his movements.

However, because of the Star-Seizing Manor's stance, no other Divine Inscriptionists felt obliged to advise them. Instead, they chose to remain silent.

What did it matter if those from the Star-Seizing Manor met their demise? It held no relevance to them.

"Grandmaster Li, shall we proceed then?"

"Let's proceed. Everyone from the Demon Cult, let's collaborate. Greater numbers equate to more power, making it easier to quell the activations and fend off unforeseen assaults." Elder First directed his gaze towards the Demon Cult's experts. Naturally, they didn't decline, expressing agreement through nods.

Meanwhile, Zhao Lie was also observing the Inscriptionists invited by the Skyember Sect. "Respected Grandmasters, Zhao Lie offers his apologies for his prior rudeness. I hope you don't hold it against me. As long as we can reach the other side unharmed, I, Zhao, promise a generous reward."

The Divine Inscriptionists remained silent. They understood that Zhao Lie's demeanor was forced by the situation. Nonetheless, how could they decline?

The Zhao Lie of the past had been immensely domineering, casually taking the life of an elderly Inscriptionist. Should they decline now, their fate would likely mimic that old man's. Their objective was evident—to abandon the Skyember Sect members. Yet, it was evidently an infeasible endeavor.

Under Qin Wentian's leadership, the rest replicated his formation—a central line of Divine Inscriptionists flanked by defensive experts on either side. Despite these precautions, when they finally made their way through, the group suffered considerable casualties, and none could replicate Qin Wentian's triumph.

On this day, more than two hundred cultivators ventured into the secret realm. Yet, within a brief span, eighty had already met their demise. The death toll was staggeringly high, accentuating the peril of the trial.

This trial promised unparalleled fortune since the discovery of the trial grounds. However, the risk matched its potential reward. Even the survivors found no elation in their success, as the weight of their survival bore down on them heavily.

Upon crossing the transparent threshold, Qin Wentian realized that the verdant pine trees, the ancient mountains, and even the sculpture within the grand hall remained visible, yet unattainable. Furthermore, after passing through that door, he found himself in an altered realm. His companions from the White Deer Institute had vanished.

"Could we have triggered a space-type Inscription?" Qin Wentian contemplated aloud. As he crossed the threshold, a subtle sensation of spatial energy had brushed against him.

Spatial-type Inscriptions, as he had learned from the secret manuals passed on by Bailu Yi, delved into the enigmatic realm of space itself.

His heart raced as he surveyed his new surroundings. Before him sprawled a vast expanse—mountain peaks, rivers, and oceans stretched out. He grasped that he had entered another formation, and deduced that anyone stepping through the transparent door would share his fate.

Raising his gaze to the sky, he spotted the towering Ascendant statue. The statue seemed to cast its dominion wherever they traversed within the realm, imposing a gravitational constraint that hindered levitation.

"Although the entrance to the grand hall appears merely a footstep away, I wonder how distant it truly is," Qin Wentian pondered, a longing for fulfillment igniting within him.

This formation underscored the Ascendant's might during his lifetime—a master adept in spatial formations. The potency of Spatial-type Divine Inscriptions was an inestimable treasure.

The Ascendant had devised this trial for a purpose, that much was evident. There existed a strong likelihood that this intricate challenge was crafted to seek out an heir.

Stepping forward, Qin Wentian advanced. Yet, after traversing a mere hundred paces, he paused, a spark of intrigue flashing across his features. Studying the barrier before him, he imbued his finger with Astral Energy, causing it to thrust forward. Thunderous reverberations filled the air as his augmented digit cleaved through the barrier like a destructive blade of light. Satisfied, he continued his journey.

Throughout his passage, Qin Wentian encountered a myriad of perils—traps and barriers obstructing his path. Progress hinged on neutralizing these obstacles, a realization that dawned upon him.

In this trial, overcoming its "tests" necessitated either an exceptional mastery of the Dao of Divine Inscriptions or an imposing cultivation base that could brute-force through the traps. Naturally, the Ascendant's ideal heir would possess both attributes.

"The traps grow progressively more treacherous, packing enough power to slay peak-level Yuanfu cultivators," Qin Wentian mused. Seated on the ground, he took respite as the symbols he had conjured clashed against the traps. After a series of detonations, both his manifestations and the traps dissipated. Rising, he resumed his march, a heartfelt sigh escaping him involuntarily.

Despite his accomplished proficiency, the path ahead grew more perilous. Every step demanded vigilance, leaving no room for complacency.

Leveraging his expertise in Divine Inscriptions, Qin Wentian forged ahead until a figure materialized in the distance—a middle-aged man adorned with the emblem of the Hua Clan. Malice glinted in his eyes, a cold grin stretching across his face as he regarded Qin Wentian.

"Grandmaster Qin, how fortunate to meet you here. Care to join me for a stroll?" the man's tone dripped with sarcasm.

"From the Hua Clan, I presume," Qin Wentian responded, unswayed by the man's presence. He offered a nod and said, "Certainly."

"Then, after you," the middle-aged man chuckled, motioning for Qin Wentian to take the lead.

Qin Wentian assessed the man before him before politely suggesting, "Given your formidable strength, would you mind leading the way? I'd be happy to alert you of any traps we encounter."

The middle-aged man met his gaze, and after a brief pause, replied, "Very well, let's proceed."

"Grandmaster Qin's generosity knows no bounds. Your unparalleled insight and mastery of the Dao of Divine Inscriptions among third-ranked Inscriptionists should render these traps but a minor inconvenience. I humbly implore Grandmaster Qin to lead the way," the middle-aged man remarked, his smile belying a hidden agenda, a knife sheathed beneath politeness.

"I'll gladly take the lead then. But if I encounter any challenges that necessitate your assistance, Senior, I hope you'll be willing to offer your guidance," Qin Wentian responded with equal courtesy.

"Of course," the middle-aged man nodded, feigning cooperation. "Certainly."

Resuming their journey, Qin Wentian realized that, in the current circumstances, anyone bearing the title of a Divine Inscriptionist was deemed invaluable.

Agreeing to the middle-aged man's request was inevitable for Qin Wentian. The man's disheveled attire hinted at the arduous journey he had endured to this point. Having encountered Qin Wentian fortuitously, he had no intention of letting him go.

Over ten days elapsed as they traversed together. The goal—the evergreen pine trees, the ancient mountains, and the great hall—remained tantalizingly close, yet the path stretched ahead, endless.

"Grandmaster, why hasn't our destination arrived yet? Are you stalling for some reason?" the middle-aged man questioned, a note of suspicion in his tone.

"If Senior doubts my intentions, you're welcome to proceed alone," Qin Wentian replied nonchalantly.

"Only joking, please don't misunderstand," the middle-aged man quickly interjected, attempting to dispel the tension. Over these ten days, while Qin Wentian occasionally required the man's assistance to overcome obstacles, it was significantly easier than traversing the path alone.

The road ahead was shrouded in uncertainty and peril. How could he distance himself from such an exceptional Inscriptionist? There was little doubt that the other cultivators remained ensnared within this formation. While the traps were fewer than before, they were far more deviously concealed and lethal enough to fell even a peak-level Yuanfu cultivator.

...........

In the meantime, Bailu Yi's unease grew palpable as she encountered an expert from the Star-Seizing Manor.

Although Bailu Yi couldn't rival Qin Wentian's mastery, she remained a formidable Inscriptionist in her own right. Naturally, this didn't escape the notice of the expert who crossed paths with her. He wasted no time in coercing and manipulating her into accompanying him on their journey.

"Senior, the traps ahead possess a level of power that surpasses our capabilities, even if we combine forces," Bailu Yi stated wearily, addressing the black-robed elder trailing behind her.

The elder, however, was not one to engage in conversation. An aura of malevolence exuded from him. Instead of responding to Bailu Yi's concerns, he ogled her body with unsettling intent, sending shivers down her spine and draining color from her face.

Summoning her resolve, Bailu Yi pressed forward.

Unabated, the black-clad elder continued his lascivious gaze, igniting an unsettling fire in his eyes.

While Bailu Yi's misfortune was palpable, Bai Fei's situation fared no better.

Arriving with Zhan Chen, Bai Fei had been granted protection by the Pill Emperor Palace due to her master's influence. However, fate took an unexpected turn. After the initial formation, she found herself separated from her palace comrades, thrust into the company of an expert from the Skyember Sect instead.

Appearing youthful but being over thirty, the expert made no effort to conceal his unsavory intentions. He promptly compelled Bai Fei to lead the way through the treacherous terrain.

Yet Bai Fei's strength hardly qualified her for such a task. Relying largely on luck, she narrowly escaped her demise multiple times, always rescued by the young man accompanying her. His motives remained shrouded, and she remained oblivious to his true intentions.

With each step, Bai Fei's garments grew increasingly tattered, exposing her shoulders and patches of alabaster skin. This kind of semi-nudity often carried a more potent allure than complete nakedness.

"Miss Bai, shall we find a secluded spot to indulge ourselves? Surely you'd rather not meet your demise without experiencing a man's touch," the young man taunted Bai Fei with a wicked grin. Though she recognized the implied threat, Bai Fei found herself powerless to prevent his advances.

It was evident that the young man sought to prolong her utility as a "shield." Aware of this, Bai Fei was conscious that her options were dwindling—either succumb to the treacherous traps or become the young man's pawn. Neither outcome offered any semblance of solace; darkness loomed ominously over her heart.

The roster of Heavenly Fate Rankings elites—Zhan Chen, Zhao Lie, Hua Feng, Bailu Jing, and Zhu Sha—forged ahead through the labyrinthine formation with remarkable swiftness. Although their Inscription expertise was limited, their sheer might enabled them to bulldoze through obstacles with brute force. Yet, even amid their impressive velocity and strength, a handful of traps pushed them to the brink, subjecting each of them to agonizing trials.

As they grappled with the intricacies of the formation, it was becoming increasingly clear that their initial expectations were far from the mark.