Chapter 1503: Distant Fragrance on an Ancient Path

But this time, even though the nine major powers had been plotting for a long time, and their overall strength was superior, and their counterattack was gaining momentum and pressing ever closer to the Soul-Suppression Palace, the fact remained that the Soul-Suppression Palace had dominated the Earth-True Domain for far too long. Their foundation was simply too deep.

Even though they were at a disadvantage in terms of the number of Void Refining Realm cultivators, they had still managed to leave hidden measures within many of the surrounding sects and powers.

These hidden measures were unknown even to many of the high-ranking members of those sects themselves. The Soul-Suppression Palace had secretly laid down layers of defensive formations in the periphery.

When not in use, they remained hidden. But now that they were activated, the sects’ own Sect-Protecting Grand Formations had become the very foundations for these new defenses.

Their sudden activation immediately inflicted considerable casualties on the counterattacking forces of the nine major powers. The speed and pace of their advance were halted again and again.

What the nine major powers worried about most was the Soul-Suppression Palace’s own Sect-Protecting Grand Formation. That had been laid down by a Body Integration Realm cultivator.

They knew full well that even if they managed to fight their way to the heart of the Soul-Suppression Palace, they had no idea how much time it would take, nor how many lives would be lost, to break it.

Their original plan to have Xiong Tianba and the others act as inside agents was primarily aimed at sabotaging this very Sect-Protecting Grand Formation. As for assassinating other Void Refining cultivators, that was far less feasible.

First, every Void Refining cultivator possessed incredibly powerful trump cards. It was very difficult to kill one in a single blow. Without a surefire plan, a failed attempt could easily result in being killed in return.

Second, if they were to use assassination, it would have to be carried out simultaneously in multiple locations to be effective. Otherwise, the moment a Void Refining cultivator’s soul lamp was extinguished, it would immediately alert the entire sect.

To lose one or more of their own experts just to kill a single Void Refining cultivator was simply not worth the price.

Unfortunately, the Soul-Suppression Palace was already keenly aware of its own weaknesses. They were constantly on guard and had not let their guard down simply because they had dominated the Earth-True Domain for millennia.

In the end, the meticulously crafted plan of the nine major powers only resulted in them suffering heavy casualties in exchange for taking a few of the enemy’s Void Refining cultivators down with them.

Time passed, day by day, amidst the great war. And during this conflict, names streaked across the sky, illuminating the world.

They erupted with a strength that left people breathless, their brilliance and talent forever seared into the memories of many.

Among these figures, there were cultivators of the older generation who fought as if they were gods and demons descending upon the world.

In particular, Xue Tieyi, who had long since been overshadowed by generations of new experts, shone with a dazzling light once more, so piercing that it was impossible to look at directly. He finally showed the world what a slumbering lion was capable of.

With his strength alone, he suppressed several of the enemy’s Void Refining cultivators, who, even when joining forces, were unable to gain the upper hand. And each time, he was able to retreat unscathed. This was what made Xue Tieyi truly terrifying.

Xue Tieyi’s masterful maneuvers, coming and going as he pleased between heaven and earth, made him the focus of everyone’s attention. This greatly boosted the morale of the Soul-Suppression Palace’s cultivators, and their combat strength did not wane.

Even knowing that their Supreme Elders’ return was uncertain, there was no collapse in morale. Instead, their fighting spirit soared like a rainbow.

Of course, everyone understood that soaring morale didn’t mean there would be no casualties. If the Soul-Suppression Palace lost too many disciples, they would slowly be worn down until they were nothing but an arrow at the end of its flight…

…

Seven months later, inside the Civil and Martial Hall of the Soul-Suppression Palace, no one had entered since Tang Feng’s last visit.

Every day, only a solitary figure could be seen sitting here in meditation.

Within the grand hall, Li Yan’s eyes were slightly closed. Several layers of formations were laid out in a ten-zhang radius around him. Within these formations were over a hundred Gu-insects of various sizes.

These Gu-insects were either suspended in the air or lying dormant on the ground, all of them motionless, as if in hibernation.

At this moment, seven black figures were silently floating around the cross-legged Li Yan.

Among these seven figures, two were relatively clear, their bodies appearing somewhat solid. Though their features were still indistinct, upon closer inspection, they resembled Li Yan.

The other five black figures were semi-transparent, their features veiled in mist, appearing much more illusory compared to the other two.

These were the seven po souls that Li Yan had manifested outside his body. As Li Yan breathed, the fluctuations of po power on their surfaces would strengthen and weaken in unison, their bodies shifting between blurriness and clarity, as if they too were breathing.

At a certain moment, the seven floating black figures suddenly began to revolve around Li Yan. Their rotation grew stronger and faster.

In the end, they formed a continuous black ring of light, circling the meditating Li Yan.

As the black ring of light spun rapidly, streams of black qi began to pour from Li Yan’s seven orifices. In an instant, his head was wreathed in smoke.

The black smoke that billowed from his seven orifices made him appear incredibly eerie.

The moment the black qi emerged, before it could disperse, it was swept into the surrounding ring of light, which grew more solid as a result.

As the black qi continued to pour from his seven orifices, the veins on Li Yan’s forehead became increasingly prominent, a clear sign of immense strain.

But Li Yan’s eyes remained tightly shut. The black qi flowing from his seven orifices seemed endless, billowing out in ever-thicker streams.

Soon, Li Yan’s entire body was enveloped by the thick, black ring of light, his figure obscured within.

This continued for a hundred breaths before three streaks of red light suddenly erupted from the crown of Li Yan’s head.

Amidst the crimson glow, three red figures flashed out from his Celestial Crown—his Heaven, Earth, and Human Huns.

The moment the three huns appeared, they immediately rose into the air, taking up positions in three separate locations. They stood in the formation of the Three Talents of Heaven, Earth, and Man, echoing one another from a distance.

Once the three red figures were in position, they simultaneously extended their arms, one pointing to the sky, the other towards the black ring of light below.

At once, three pillars of red light shot out from their downward-pointing fingers, striking the rotating black ring of light in unison.

As the three pillars of red light poured into the black ring, its rotation immediately slowed. Three bands of red light appeared within the ring, rotating along with it.

As the black ring continued to turn, the three red figures in the sky grew fainter and fainter, as if their very substance was being drained away.

In contrast, the three red bands of light within the black ring grew more vibrant with each rotation.

It was as if a great vortex below was generating an infinite force, continuously siphoning the essence blood from the three figures above.

In just forty-nine breaths, the three red figures in the sky had completely vanished, transforming into wisps of red light that were fully absorbed into the rotating black ring below.

By this time, the black ring’s rotation had become extremely slow, as if it had grown thick and viscous, losing its former agility.

The seven black figures had also vanished, no longer visible as the rotation slowed. They had merged to form a black and red mist that swirled around Li Yan.

The moment he sensed the three red huns in the air disappear, the meditating Li Yan’s hands suddenly formed a strange seal.

As his hand seal settled, a dark light flashed at its center, and a black water bead the size of a pigeon’s egg instantly appeared.

Then, the seated Li Yan extended his right hand, touched his thumb and middle finger together, and flicked.

The black water bead shot out, spinning as it flew, and instantly plunged into the black and red mist before him.