Start of the Formation Battle

Start of the Formation Battle . . .

In the heart of the Immorseize Residence, an undercurrent of tension pulsed through the air as the formidable young man named Xie Yu stepped into the spotlight. Han Luo, his gaze laced with cold disdain, couldn't resist a pointed jab at the sinister-looking figure.

"Xie Yu, my friend, this is the Immorseize Residence, not your personal fiefdom. Why bother with pretenses? Why not just demand they hand over the Sky Demon Oracle Bone to you directly?" Han Luo's words dripped with icy sarcasm, his sharp retort echoing through the hall.

Xie Yu, the sole offspring of the city's formidable female lord, was no stranger to wielding power. His father, hailing from a hegemonic force in a particle world, had ascended to the ranks of an immortal foundation expert—an entity of demonic beast origin, notorious for his ruthless nature. Upon breaking free from his earthly bindings and stepping into the immortal realms, he had swiftly brought the city's lord under his subjugation, fathering none other than Xie Yu himself. The duo spared no effort in shielding their progeny from harm, creating an aura of invincibility around him that discouraged any from crossing his path.

Furthermore, Xie Yu had inherited the formidable talents of his illustrious parents, wielding formidable combat prowess and exceptional aptitude. Only those belonging to immortal-ranked factions dared to challenge him, such as Zhao Yuyan's Golden Armor Clan. These factions, blessed with immortals in their ranks, held unrivaled influence within the city.

Then there was Jiang Feng, tirelessly courting Zhao Yuyan as the young master of the Fall Kill Sect. He, too, commanded considerable strength.

Amidst this complex web of power dynamics, Han Luo, the son of the city's commanding officer, stood as yet another potent figure. Han Luo and Xie Yu, in particular, had locked horns on numerous occasions, harboring a mutual disdain that was palpable to all.

"Han Luo, I'm simply inquiring who dares to challenge me. If you're so inclined, feel free to step up," Xie Yu responded with an unsettling grin, his eyes gleaming with malevolence. His lineage traced back to a savage demon immortal, and his very blood bore the mark of that violent legacy.

As his words hung in the air, Xie Yu's gaze swept across the assembly. When it landed on Zhao Yuyan, a sinister glint danced in his eyes, eliciting a disapproving frown from her.

"Xie Yu, enough," a commanding voice reverberated through the hall, instantly silencing Xie Yu. The interruption came from a representative of the Immorseize Residence, a figure of authority. "Ladies and gentlemen, it is time to submit your Yuan Meteor Stones or equivalent treasures. The formation battle is set to commence in three days."

The gambling match would unfold in the vast expanse above the Immorseize Residence, open for the citizens of Worryfree City to spectate if they so desired.

Han Luo, wasting no time, took the lead in stepping forward. Zhao Yuyan, Jiang Feng, and others swiftly followed suit. Xie Yu's ominous threat had its intended effect, convincing many who had hesitated to participate. In the end, hundreds had the resolve to enter the formation battle, their determination unshaken. Among them was Qin Wentian, his unwavering goal to acquire the Sky Demon Oracle Bone burning in his heart.

Having completed his registration, Qin Wentian discreetly retreated from the crowd. In this unfamiliar realm of the immortal realms, he remained an enigmatic presence, his youthful visage belying his extraordinary aura. Han Luo, curious for a moment, cast a casual glance in his direction, acknowledging the young man's existence before moving on.

Back at the Qin Clan's residence, Qin Feng leaned in close to his sister, Qin Qing, noticing Qin Wentian's return. "Qin Qing, it seems that Big Brother Qin is quite occupied."

"Big Brother Qin has his own responsibilities. Crossing over from a particle world to the immortal realms is no easy feat. He's dedicated to his cultivation," Qin Qing replied softly. Qin Wentian exchanged greetings with them before withdrawing to his quarters, where he would immerse himself in the pursuit of greater power.

In the days that followed, Qin Wentian's comings and goings grew ever more frequent, leaving Qin Feng and Qin Qing to wonder about the nature of his mysterious pursuits. He seemed preoccupied, and the siblings found themselves increasingly estranged from his activities.

On a particular day, as Qin Wentian embarked on yet another journey beyond their home, Qin Feng and Qin Qing engaged in a casual conversation. Qin Feng broached an intriguing topic that had caught his ear from the outside world.

"I've heard some interesting news from outside," Qin Feng began, his eyes alight with curiosity. "The Immorseize Residence is gearing up for a momentous gambling match, and they've put forth a Sky Demon Oracle Bone as the grand prize. Among the participants are renowned figures like Xie Yu, Han Luo, Zhao Yuyan, Jiang Feng, and others. I'd love to witness such an event, but the Immorseize Residence is quite a distance from here."

The mention of Zhao Yuyan caught Qin Qing's attention. Worryfree City, vast as it was, had a limited number of immortal-ranked powers, and they were held in the highest regard. Their geniuses were well-known throughout the city, and Zhao Yuyan, with her exceptional talent in weapon forging, had become a celebrated figure among the youth, including Qin Qing herself.

"I see," Qin Qing responded, acknowledging the significance of Zhao Yuyan's participation. Worryfree City's immortal-ranked powers commanded unwavering attention, and for the standout talents within these factions, their names were etched into the collective consciousness.

"Yes, Zhao Yuyan is indeed taking part. Xie Yu and Han Luo are poised for a clash, and I wonder who will ultimately claim the Sky Demon Oracle Bone," Qin Feng lamented with a hint of disappointment. The discrepancy in speed between Yuanfu cultivators and Celestial Phenomenon Ascendants made travel across the vast city a formidable challenge. To Qin Feng, the journey to the Immorseize Residence felt like an insurmountable distance.

...

Meanwhile, at the Immorseize Residence, eager spectators had gathered in anticipation of the impending gambling match. Suspended in the air, a formidable immortal-ranked treasure took center stage—a formation diagram capable of transforming into a separate dimension.

The term "formation battle" alluded to combat within the confines of this unique dimension.

Within this spatial realm, countless wonders awaited exploration. Seekers could stumble upon treasures and formations that amplified their combat prowess, thus giving them an edge. The formation battle's connection to the coveted prize, the Sky Demon Oracle Bone, hinted at its intricacy. This rare celestial material was a precious resource for forging weapons, and for artisans skilled in divine inscriptions—like Zhao Yuyan—it held particular significance. Even those lacking in pure combat prowess could potentially level the playing field through their mastery of formations.

At the forefront of the participants stood Xie Yu, Han Luo, Jiang Feng, and Zhao Yuyan. All eyes were fixed on these four, hailed as the favorites for victory. Zhao Yuyan, in particular, possessed a multifaceted skill set that extended beyond combat prowess.

"To each of you, we offer an escape talisman. Should it be shattered, it will trigger a surge of energy to transport you safely outside the dimension. However, in dire circumstances, if you fail to activate the escape talisman swiftly, you will bear the consequences alone. Additionally, in the interest of fair play, the use of divine weapons is strictly prohibited within the dimension," declared the Immorseize Residence's representative as he distributed the talismans to the participants, scrutinizing their identities with meticulous care.

"Alright, everyone, it's time to enter the dimension. You'll each start from different points," announced the Immorseize Residence's expert as he distributed the escape talismans. With a wave of his hand, he initiated the activation of the formation diagram. Participants converged toward the diagram's epicenter, enveloped in its radiant glow. In an instant, they vanished, transported into the heart of the formation diagram.

As the formation's magic unfolded, Qin Wentian found himself within the dimension, standing on solid ground. He immediately extended his senses, detecting several figures darting in different directions, not directly engaging their opponents.

Qin Wentian had meticulously researched the strategies and methods for self-augmentation within this formation dimension. Instead of charging headlong into battle, he, too, opted to seek enhancement sources within the dimension.

A whirlwind of gusts howled around him, and in no time, Qin Wentian reached a designated location. A brilliant cone of light surrounded his form, with intricate divine inscriptions circulating around it. It resembled a genuine suit of armor, significantly boosting his strength.

"This thing immobilizes me? Useless," Qin Wentian mused, swiftly discarding the cumbersome armor and resuming his search. Moments later, he spotted a gleaming silver bow suspended in the sky.

"That bow looks promising," Qin Wentian thought, dashing toward it at breakneck speed. Yet, from another direction, another participant raced toward the same target—an elderly man, a fifth-level Celestial Phenomenon cultivator, significantly surpassing Qin Wentian in cultivation.

"Bzzz!"

Golden light erupted as ethereal wings materialized behind Qin Wentian. He transformed into a radiant streak, soaring toward the bow.

"IMPUDENT!" The elderly man bellowed, stretching out his arm, which expanded to a monstrous thousand-meter length, propelling a palm strike toward Qin Wentian.

In response, Qin Wentian's body swerved nimbly. Demonic energy surged, evoking the image of a primordial roc. He darted through the air with incredible speed, avoiding a head-on confrontation with his adversary even after securing the bow.

"BOOM!"

The elderly man pursued Qin Wentian as if a shooting star. Qin Wentian, however, notched an arrow and infused it with potent streams of true intent. In a swift pivot, he unleashed the arrow directly at his relentless pursuer.

A thunderous roar, like celestial thunderbolts shattering the firmament, echoed through the dimension. The old man's thousand-meter-long arm trembled violently, buckling under the sheer force of Qin Wentian's arrow. Stricken with shock, his features contorted helplessly as he watched Qin Wentian slip away, powerless to give chase.

Not stopping for a moment, Qin Wentian continued his relentless sprint through the dimension. He encountered other participants but chose evasion over confrontation. After all, with only one victor in the end, there was no need to rush into battle now.

Among the participants, he was undeniably one of the weakest, merely at the second level of Celestial Phenomenon. Remaining inconspicuous was a sensible strategy. In formation battles, treasures that appeared toward the end granted greater augmentation, which would be a boon for lower-level participants.

Qin Wentian's approach, however, differed markedly from the rest. Upon entering the formation dimension, Xie Yu had unleashed a tyrannical onslaught, slaughtering his rivals without mercy. He swiftly acquired a speed-enhancing treasure in the form of feathered wings, granting him the agility of an eagle, enabling him to swiftly eliminate his weaker foes.

"Xie Yu and Han Luo are both fifth-level Celestial Phenomenon cultivators with formidable techniques. They're virtually unstoppable. Even ordinary sixth and seventh-level cultivators would struggle against them. Unfortunately, there are very few seventh-level cultivators among the participants this time."

"That black-robed elder is incredibly powerful, a seventh-level Celestial Phenomenon cultivator. No one can obstruct his path."

"Jiang Feng and Zhao Yuyan are also formidable contenders. If they persist until the end, Zhao Yuyan's advantage will only grow."

"Who's that individual? Why does he evade encounters with others? It's quite shameful that someone like him wasted their Yuan Meteor Stones on this competition." An observant participant noticed Qin Wentian's behavior and voiced their skepticism. It seemed like a futile effort since only one could emerge victorious; dodging fights wouldn't secure victory.

"He's still dodging, what a master dodger," remarked another spectator, bemused by Qin Wentian's evasive tactics.

As the participants dwindled to just over forty, Qin Wentian's reputation grew even more. Each time he avoided a confrontation, he drew more attention from onlookers.

"Jiang Feng. That dodger has entered Jiang Feng's territory; he's done for." Many in the crowd took pleasure in the dodger's predicament. Jiang Feng had discovered a treasure zone that boosted one's attacks within a certain radius, and Qin Wentian had inadvertently entered that area.

However, just as it seemed Qin Wentian was cornered, he abruptly halted on a mountain peak, refusing to flee any farther.