Reduced to Ash

Over the last 3 months, while the formations covering Enlightenment Peak had increased dramatically, the sect's protection formations have also seen a massive upgrade. As James created more and more offensive and defensive, Faldon was forced to tell the Sect leader about his formation skills. While the excuse of finding a powerful formation from an opportunity could be used once or twice, Faldon was forced to tell the truth after James gave over 20 of both for the sect's use.

The Sect leader was shocked as was expected but he didn't ask too many questions. He already knew James was an oddity and decided that as long as he was working for the betterment of the sect he would respect his secrets.

The Elders and Supreme Elders of the sect were shocked to hear that the sect's protect formations had been given an overhaul. It had been many years since they set up those formations but as a Minor sect, they simply didn't have the resources to upgrade them as they wished. Now however, they will have defenses not only against other Nascent Soul powers but some Soul Formation ones as well.

——

Today was like any other day, James was continuing his practice of formations. Focusing on trying to learn how to create dedicated Detection formations.

All of a sudden he looked up, there he saw a massive golden shield that had deployed, surrounding all the sect's mountains within.

*Boom*

Muffled explosions were heard off in the distance and ripples spread across the barrier's surface.

'Are we being attacked?'

James rushed over to Liz's house, called her out and then headed over to ask their master together about what was happening.

Faldon was just as surprised but when he spread out his Divine Sense, which had strengthened along with his cultivation, his face turned pale. Off to the East, a group of 5 Soul Formation cultivators were floating jn the sky, bombarding the sect's protection formation.

——

"What the hell is this tiny sect dojng with such a strong protection formation?!"

"I know! This thing would usually only be found in much larger sects…"

"Just keep attacking, they only have cultivators in the Nascent Soul realm so once we break through the barrier they will be slaughtered."

"Right, if we leave now, that venerable will sneeze us to death before we get very far."

"Enough, let's just get this over with and get out if here."

The Soul Formation cultivators were originally from a relatively powerful demonic sect until a couple months ago when Valeria showed up. She annihilated every building and disciple, leaving only the 5 most powerful alive. She wanted to use them to force out the mysterious 'talent' that the Sect leader had mentioned.

'If that disciple were truly blessed by the heavens then they will be able to resolve this situation somehow. I'm looking forward to how this Minor sect will get out of this.'

——

"What do we do?"

"The enemies are in the Soul Formation realm and by the techniques they are using, they appear to be from some demonic cult…"

"Could they be here for revenge after we killed off that Minor demonic sect a few months ago?"

The Elders defending the border were freaking out. They were feeling despair at the sudden arrival of such powerful demonic cultivators. Though they were also thankful that the Sect leader had the forethough to upgrade their sect's protective formations as if they had to rely in the old ones, they would have already been killed.

"That's it, activate the new Lightning formations."

"But the Sect leader told us to only use them as a last resort…"

"Are you kidding me?! We're being attacked by Soul Formation cultivators, no matter what we throw at them, at our level it won't be more than a tickle!"

The Supreme Elder at the scene then reached into his pocket and took out a small stone. This was the key to activating the formations in this area. He then channeled his mana into the stone and activsted the offensive formations.

Suddenly, an aura as heavy as the world itself descended in the area. The Soul Formation cultivators all froze in place, unable to move due to the pressure. Valeria, obserbing from high above, was immenly shocked.

'Is that Tribulation aura?! What in heaven's name is it doing here?!'

At this time, golden lights lit up the sky outside of the barrier. The sounds of thunder striking at the chest of everyone present. Electric currents began to cascade along the barrier, converging at a dozen places.

After 3 seconds, bolt after bolt of lightning struck out, carrying an obliteration effect with them. The Soul Formstion cultivators could do nothing, they were drowned by the wave of Tribulation lightning, becoming reduced to nothing but ashes.

The scene returned to a quiet calm.

The Elders stood frozen.

The surrounding disciples stood frozen.

Noone could believe their eyes, one moment they were in a desperate situation, the next it was as if the Soul Formation cultivators were never there.

——

James stood proud, watching as the formations he'd created had done a magnificent job. He'd known they were powerful but it was entirely different to see it with his own eyes.

Faldon and Liz had blank expressions, clearly they were getting use to the unbelievable things that James did.

——

'Absolutely incredible! To believe there truly is a heavenly disciple in this small sect. Looks like it's time I officially talk to the Sect leader and take this disciple under my wing. Looking at how powerful their formations are, it won't be long before they are able to stand toe to toe with the Immortal sects. This is the type of individual that ascends to immortality and brings immense benefits to all those around them.'

Valeria decided to make her appearance a few days later once the chaos of the recent attack has passed. It would look too odd for her to show up right after their sect's attackers had been taken care of.