Chapter 132: Havoc at the Alchemy Sect (Part 3)

"Do you mean to say that he is also a master of formations?" Jin Ming Zhenren gasped upon hearing this.

If this were true, Gu Shi would be a peerless high-level formation master. Jin Ming felt no confidence in his ability to break a formation set by such a master; even if another high-level formation master were to arrive, success would not be guaranteed. If the sect's seniors could not escape, the Dan Sect would face total annihilation. When that time came, not only would everyone else perish, but he himself would surely not be spared.

...

Meanwhile, in the place where the Dan Sect seniors were in seclusion, almost everyone within the sect had gathered. Only a few who were in closed-door life-or-death meditation remained. Everyone was at their wit's end. The lowest level of cultivation present was the Integration Stage, while the most powerful were in the Great Vehicle Stage.

"Grand Supreme Elder, what in the world is this thing? How can so many of us be unable to break it?" An Shan asked, his face full of astonishment.

Just moments ago, more than a dozen of them had pooled their strength, yet they couldn't even scratch the formation. One had to realize that their combined strike was equivalent to the power of a Celestial Immortal. And yet, the formation remained completely unscathed—it was simply inconceivable.

The group no longer dared to believe this was a mere formation. How could a formation possess such power? Did they think this was an Immortal Formation? Even if it were an Immortal Formation, it shouldn't exist in the Cultivation World. Compared to the Immortal Realm, this place was a desolate wasteland; who would come here to set up such a thing? They couldn't believe this formation was the work of someone from the lower realms.

But the facts were laid out before them, leaving them no choice but to believe. It was undeniably a formation, more authentic than pure gold.

"I don't know either. Theoretically, this is a formation, but has any of you ever seen such a bizarre one?" Sovereign Yuding shook his head, speaking with uncertainty.

Sovereign Yuding was the Grand Supreme Elder of the Dan Sect, a Great Vehicle Stage cultivator whose strength ranked among the top three in the entire Cultivation World. He was also the most powerful member of the Dan Sect.

In the Cultivation World, one who reached the Nascent Soul Stage was called an Ancestor, the Deity Transformation Stage earned the title of Daoist, the Integration Stage was known as Zhenren, and the Great Vehicle Stage was addressed as Sovereign. Each title was a supreme honor for a cultivator.

"To hell with what this thing is! I don't believe it. Let's try again. No matter how hard it is, our combined strength should be able to shatter it. The sect must be in grave danger right now; if we don't appear, this ten-thousand-year legacy will be destroyed in an instant!" Zhenren Changshan urged, and without another word, he began to hammer at the formation.

"Brother Changshan is right! Let's strike together!" Following his lead, the others also began to violently bombard the formation. They knew clearly that if they couldn't find a way out, the Dan Sect was doomed. The sect would never have broken the jade talisman unless they were truly at a life-or-death juncture.

*Bang, bang! Boom, boom!*

They bombarded it for a full incense stick's time, yet there was not the slightest sign of the formation breaking. Instead, they had exhausted most of their stamina.

"Everyone, stop! Continuing like this is a waste of time. We cannot break this formation with our current strength," Sovereign Yuding said helplessly.

"Grand Supreme Elder, are we just going to watch the sect's thousand-year foundation be destroyed?" Zhenren Changshan asked, his heart aching. Among those present, he had the deepest emotional attachment to the Dan Sect. Ever since he could remember, he had been in the sect; it had not only raised him but also shaped him. It could be said that without the Dan Sect, there would be no Zhenren Changshan.

"Alas, but if we continue like this, it will be in vain and only waste our true essence." Sovereign Yuding fell into deep thought. He, too, did not wish for the Dan Sect's legacy to vanish.

"Grand Supreme Elder, you must think of a way! The Dan Sect truly cannot be destroyed like this!" Zhenren Changshan cried out in agony, revealing his deep loyalty and devotion.

"The Dan Sect will not perish. As long as we old fellows are alive, the Dan Sect will endure," Sovereign Yuding said firmly. Suddenly, an idea struck him. "As for a way, I do have one, but the price to pay will be steep."

"What method?" Everyone's eyes lit up. Although they all pursued the Heavenly Dao, they could not ignore their sect. If there was a way, they had to try, no matter how difficult. Otherwise, how could they face the predecessors of the sect? Even if they successfully ascended in the future, they would have no face to meet their ancestors.

"This formation only restricts our physical bodies." Sovereign Yuding looked at the others. He had made it clear; surely they understood the method?

"Grand Supreme Elder, are you talking about spiritual projection?" An Shan asked cautiously, cold sweat breaking out on his body. While one could project their spirit after reaching the Deity Transformation Stage, it was usually only for a short time. The Void Refinement Stage following Deity Transformation was, in fact, the cultivation of the spiritual body. However, spiritual projection was far from simple; prolonged separation could lead to the loss of one's cultivation or even death. This was common knowledge.

If this were the case, no one present dared to attempt it—it was akin to gambling with their lives. Every one of them had endured immense hardships to reach this point; who would be willing to let all their efforts go to waste?

Sovereign Yuding nodded, looking at them. Upon receiving confirmation, the expressions of those present turned somber. Even Zhenren Changshan hesitated.

"This is our only way now. We cannot waste more time; if we drag this out, it will be too late."

Seeing that no one was willing, Zhenren Changshan gritted his teeth. *If I don't go to hell, who will?* He said, "I, Zhenren Changshan, was raised by the sect since childhood. It is no exaggeration to say that without the sect's cultivation, I would not be who I am today. Let me be the one to repay the sect."

"Changshan, you don't need to be so pessimistic. I only suggested this because I have already thought of a countermeasure." Sovereign Yuding looked at him with a pleased smile.

"What countermeasure?" Zhenren Changshan was overjoyed. He had already prepared himself for death, so hearing there was a turning point, he could not suppress his excitement.

"I have a secret technique that can channel the divine sense of everyone present into you. This way, you will not be in mortal danger. However, it all depends on whether your body can withstand the power of so many people. It could lead to severe injury or death—are you sure you want to consider this?" Sovereign Yuding asked.