One strike
Sam is having trouble with the formation. Not because it is a high-level formation, rather it is pretty basic, the problem is that it is extremely layered and all the layers are made with many nodes. Even if there are some nodes missing, the formation will shift to a different form with almost the same output.
The formation destruction is not exactly difficult but it is time taking and persistent. Particularly in a battle, he would need to find that one point that would destroy the formation. As for the core of the formation, he couldn't find it. This is one of the coreless formations.
If not for the fact that he made the move while the formation is still activating, the temperature in the formation would have been far worse than what it is now.
The core disciple went after Sam without giving up and the rest of the people are being kept busy by the team.
The sect leader was stunned by the display of power from Sam's team.