Chapter 76: Breaking the Formation

Given Zhong Shan's current circumstances, finding the Nine Dragons Heavenly Jade on his own was a near-impossible dream. However, with this group's involvement, there might be a chance. He just needed to follow them, and perhaps he could find it too.

But it wasn't dark yet, and his hidden form couldn't follow them just now. He would have to wait.

Tonight was the agreed time for the joint assault. Once the full moon appeared, the attack would undoubtedly commence. In front of each of the eight gates—Rest, Life, Injury, Obstruction, View, Death, Shock, and Open—stood various forces. Mr. Water Mirror had already left with his subordinates and the Tian Sha group.

On the mountain where Zhong Shan was located, there were Zhong Shan, Tian Ling'er, Ying Lan, Bei Qingsi, Princess Qianyou, Gu Lin, and ten of Princess Qianyou's subordinates.

Of course, around the Injury Gate, there were also other forces, but they did not catch Princess Qianyou's eye.

Princess Qianyou stared at the Injury Gate, then looked at Zhong Shan and said, "Entering the formation is dangerous. You can stay here if you prefer."

This was a subconscious warning from Princess Qianyou. The last time they had surrounded Hao San, Zhong Shan had risked his life to save Tian Ling'er, which had greatly impressed Princess Qianyou. Over the past few days, she had also discovered that the black-robed woman who understood the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation was Zhong Shan's grandaunt, which surprised her even more.

Looking at Princess Qianyou, Zhong Shan knew there was still a vast difference between them. Her casual offer was just out of politeness.

"Thank you for your concern, Princess. We will still follow you into the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation," Zhong Shan replied softly.

On one hand, Zhong Shan wanted to see the inside of the formation; on the other hand, staying outside wasn't necessarily safe either. Inside the formation, with Princess Qianyou's presence, he at least had Bei Qingsi by his side. Though his relationship with Bei Qingsi was ordinary, Zhong Shan was certain that if the three of them were in danger, Bei Qingsi would not stand by and watch them die.

"Ha, with your cultivation level, you dare to think about the formation spirit?" Gu Lin sneered from the side.

Zhong Shan was not angered by this. Instead, Gu Lin's words provided him with a convenient excuse.

"Indeed, as the Princess mentioned earlier, finding the formation spirit relies on one's luck," Zhong Shan responded smoothly.

Gu Lin let out a cold laugh.

With her sharp intellect, Princess Qianyou quickly understood Zhong Shan's true intentions. Naturally, she didn't believe he was after the formation spirit. She nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

"Ada, take these three with you," Princess Qianyou instructed one of her followers, evidently aware that Zhong Shan could not fly and needed assistance.

"Yes," the swordsman who always accompanied Princess Qianyou immediately replied.

"Thank you," Zhong Shan said in a serious tone.

Princess Qianyou merely nodded, saying no more as she turned her attention back to the Injury Gate in front of them.

In the distance, before the Death Gate, Mr. Corpse stood, frowning slightly as he examined the grand formation.

"Mr. Corpse, why choose the Death Gate?" one of the people beside him asked.

"Death leads to life, and life leads to death. If His Majesty were after the formation spirit, we wouldn't go through the Death Gate. However, to find the Nine Dragons Heavenly Jade, we must enter through the Death Gate. Only within the Death Gate lies a slim chance of survival. Through this slim chance, we can trace the exact location of the Nine Dragons Heavenly Jade," Mr. Corpse explained, lightly stroking the small beard on his chin.

"Then we won't pursue the formation spirit?" the person asked again.

"Listen to Mr. Corpse," commanded another person with a more authoritative tone.

"Yes, Your Majesty," the respectful subordinate responded.

Mr. Corpse glanced at this person, his eyes flashing with confidence. Though his cultivation level was not as high as theirs, his knowledge extended far beyond their reach.

As night fell, the sun set, and a full moon began to rise in the east. In front of the Injury Gate, Mr. Water Mirror continuously calculated the timing, fingers moving in intricate patterns. Behind him stood over a dozen subordinates, including Tian Sha and others.

Mid-calculation, Mr. Water Mirror's eyes narrowed, and he ceased his movements, focusing intently on the grand formation before him. He gently shook his feather fan, about to issue a command when—

"Chirrrrrrrrrrrrrrrp!"

A piercing, melodious sound suddenly echoed from the sky, as if breaking through clouds and mist.

The sound was so pleasant that it made everyone feel an unexpected sense of comfort and clarity. At this sound, nearly everyone paused in their actions.

Whether it was Mr. Corpse's group, Mr. Water Mirror's group, Princess Qianyou's group, or the various forces from all directions, almost everyone furrowed their brows and looked up at the sky.

Zhong Shan also looked up, and there, soaring high above, even higher than the Sandstorm Formation, was a large bird. It circled in the distant sky for a moment.

A Qingluan? Could it be a Qingluan?（the legendary blue bird）Though Zhong Shan had never seen a Qingluan before, he recognized it instantly. After all, he had seen depictions of the mythical bird on earthly totems—wasn't it one of the legendary phoenixes?

Zhong Shan even noticed what appeared to be a figure on the Qingluan's back, though it was too far away to discern clearly.

After circling above the grand formation for a while, the Qingluan suddenly turned its head and flew off towards the northwest. It seemed as if it had merely passed by out of curiosity and lingered for a moment. In the blink of an eye, it disappeared from sight, piercing through the clouds and mist.

"The Qingluan flew towards the northwest," Tian Ling'er remarked curiously. "Isn't that the direction of our Kaiyang Sect? Could it be heading there?"

"Wait, you know the direction of the Kaiyang Sect?" Zhong Shan looked at Tian Ling'er in surprise.

"Of course, I never get directions wrong," Tian Ling'er said confidently.

Princess Qianyou furrowed her brows as she watched the sky, a hint of puzzlement crossing her eyes. But she quickly turned her attention back to the grand formation and spoke, "It's almost time. Let's prepare to depart."

"Yes," everyone responded.

"Let's go!" Mr. Water Mirror waved his feather fan towards the grand formation in the distance, and everyone followed suit. Some flew on the wind, some rode on treasures, heading towards the formation. Meanwhile, some cultivators at the innate realm ran towards the formation on foot.

The departure of Mr. Water Mirror and his group seemed to trigger a chain reaction. From all directions, people near the gates didn't want to be left behind, and they hurried towards the grand formation.

Zhong Shan stood behind Princess Qianyou, patiently waiting. Instead of leading the charge, Princess Qianyou waited patiently, observing as many individuals breached the Injury Gate. Despite many having already entered, Princess Qianyou lingered, as if waiting for a specific moment or opportunity.

As Zhong Shan's figure subtly retreated, a shadow suddenly appeared at the foot of the mountain where Zhong Shan stood. In the darkness, the shadow was barely visible.

It was Hidden Body. Hidden Body had already headed towards the Death Gate, in the direction where Mr. Corpse was located.

Hidden Body's speed was terrifying, like an arrow, disappearing from sight in an instant. Even when faced with tall mountains, Hidden Body could pass through them as long as there was a gap in the earth, just like Mr. Corpse's Earth-Transcending Gold Corpse and Silver Corpse technique.

Meanwhile, Mr. Corpse and his group didn't rush to enter the formation. Instead, they waited patiently.

It didn't take long for Hidden Body to arrive nearby, lurking in the distance, patiently waiting to join forces with this group in their search for the Nine Dragons Heavenly Jade.

As the army entered the sandstorm-like grand formation, the entire formation seemed to suddenly erupt into a frenzy. Sandstorms burst forth from within, expanding the grand formation as if to engulf everything in its path. The assault had begun.

In the blink of an eye, most of the people outside the formation had already left, leaving only a few forces able to withstand the temptation to enter and still observing from a distance.

Zhong Shan stood behind Princess Qianyou, waiting patiently.

"Let's go, into the formation," Princess Qianyou suddenly spoke up.

"Yes," everyone responded simultaneously.

Then, with a step from Princess Qianyou, she rose on the wind, while the person previously referred to as Ada conjured a white cloud, lifting Zhong Shan, Ying Lan, and Tian Ling'er.

Flying on the wind was another person, the one who had always guarded Princess Qianyou. This person carried Gu Lin on a white cloud, flying towards the grand formation and slowly descending towards the ground. The rest of the group rode on flying swords.

Instead of flying into the formation, Princess Qianyou walked to the edge of the sandstorm-like grand formation with her entourage and stepped into it step by step.

As they approached, they felt a massive gust of wind and sand sweeping towards them. The group released their true energy, forming protective barriers that shielded them from harm. Even Zhong Shan, who formed a layer of Qi around his body, could block the fierce winds and sands.

The raging winds and sands posed little threat. Though Ying Lan couldn't release her true energy, her black robe provided ample protection.

Zhong Shan gently held Ying Lan's hand with one hand and Tian Ling'er's with the other, following Princess Qianyou closely. Holding their hands ensured they wouldn't get separated in the low visibility within the storm of sand and wind.

However, when Zhong Shan grabbed Tian Ling'er's hand again, she trembled slightly, her face blushing faintly. She didn't resist, allowing Zhong Shan to lead her inside. Ying Lan, hidden beneath her black robe, showed no expression.

Bei Qingsi frowned at Zhong Shan's actions but stayed close to his side, seemingly protecting him from any danger.