Breakthrough: Second-Tier Low-Grade Array Master

Song Changsheng darted left and right, evading every attack while his mind raced at top speed.

Based on the formation's operating patterns when it attacked, he had already recognized it as a Second-Tier Low-Grade Earth-Wood Universe Formation. This formation could blend perfectly into the mountains and forests, constantly drawing Earth-Wood Spiritual Energy to strengthen itself.

Though this formation was the sort found everywhere, its strength lay in the earth-wood cycle. Through relentless attacks, it could slowly wear down and exhaust anyone trapped within.

Yet Song Changsheng was not flustered. Although the formation had reached the Second-Tier, that meant its creator's cultivation could not have surpassed Qi Condensation. Otherwise, the other party would not have needed to set up a grand formation to ambush him.

So long as it was not a Foundation Establishment Cultivator making a move, he still had a ray of hope with the Second-Tier Low-Grade Talismans in his hand.

"Water Dragon's Roar!"

Song Changsheng spread his arms, and vast Water Spiritual Energy gathered beneath his feet. Before long, it formed a lifelike water dragon behind him, which let out a soaring dragon roar.

The overwhelming vines rushing toward him were instantly shattered inch by inch by the dragon roar, yet countless earth spikes emerged from the ground immediately afterward.

Song Changsheng frowned slightly. This would not do. Sooner or later, he would be worn to death within the formation.

"The only path now is to break through the formation. But the formation covers too wide an area and changes endlessly—how am I supposed to find it?"

He was, after all, merely a First-Tier Peak-Grade Array Master. Breaking through this Second-Tier formation was exceedingly difficult.

"I must calm my mind and comprehend the formation patterns if I am to have any chance of breaking this formation. But the grand formation's attacks are unceasing, so I must first make sure I am not disturbed.

Right—Lu Wu Bell!"

A flash of inspiration crossed Song Changsheng's mind. He took out the Lu Wu Bell, which resembled a small bell, and said softly, "Now, only you can lend me a hand."

With a sweep of his arm, the bronze bell instantly expanded and enveloped Song Changsheng, blocking all attacks outside.

A Spirit Artifact was a Spirit Artifact, after all. Although Song Changsheng's cultivation was still insufficient to unleash its full power, its spirituality allowed it to cooperate with some simple operations.

With the Lu Wu Bell protecting him, Song Changsheng finally had the chance to properly study the grand formation.

He drew a simple formation pattern on his palm and pressed it against the earth before him. The formation patterns that had originally been hidden were all exposed at this moment.

Song Changsheng extended his Divine Sense and began deducing the paths of the remaining formation patterns from those before his eyes. It was a challenge for him, but also an opportunity...

Outside the grand formation, an old man dressed in Earth Fire Sect robes frowned slightly. He had a complete view of the situation within the formation. He had originally believed killing Song Changsheng would merely be a matter of time, but he had not expected him to bring out such a treasure. This was rather troublesome.

"You lot, enter the formation at once and strip that turtle shell off him for this old man!" The old man looked at the Earth Fire Sect Disciples standing around him and said coldly.

"Yes!"

The four Earth Fire Sect Disciples answered in unison, then leaped into the formation and began attacking the Lu Wu Bell...

On the distant battlefield, Wang Wanzhou held the Seven-Colored Glazed Mirror in his left hand and the Fufeng Sword in his right, facing two opponents alone without falling into the slightest disadvantage.

Cheng Yufei and Du Huating had no intention of fighting him to the death either. They merely entangled him, preventing him from leaving the battlefield.

Suddenly, a streak of light silently shot into the battlefield from the horizon, striking directly at Cheng Yufei's face. Cheng Yufei was greatly alarmed. "Soul-Breaking Awl?"

He hastily brought out a small round shield and placed it over his chest, barely blocking the fatal strike.

A foot-long black metal awl flashed and disappeared at the corner of his eye.

"Song Luyao?" Du Huating's expression turned grave.

The sudden turn of events caused all three people to temporarily pull apart, watching the east warily. Two imposing figures were rapidly approaching from that direction.

Wang Wanzhou suddenly threw back his head and laughed. "Your time of death has come! Die for this old man!"

With that, he lunged at the two of them once more.

The people rushing over from afar revealed themselves at that moment. They were Third Elder Song Luyao and Fourth Elder Song Lu Huai. Fury filled their faces as they directly and forcefully joined the battle.

The situation instantly changed from one against two to three against two. Cheng Yufei and Du Huating were hard-pressed on every side and gradually fell into a disadvantage.

"Damn it, what are the Chou Clan people good for? They could not even stop them!" Cheng Yufei was both shocked and furious. He had long anticipated that the Song Clan would notice something, so before the operation, he had informed the Chou Clan to intervene and block them.

They had originally agreed to hold them off until sunrise, yet they had been broken through after such a short while. The situation had truly become passive now.

Cheng Yufei no longer had any thought of killing Song Changsheng. What he needed to consider now was how to flee for his life at the smallest possible cost!

Song Changsheng within the formation still did not know that he alone had triggered a fierce clash among several Foundation Establishment Cultivators from the four major Foundation Establishment Forces.

His deduction of the grand formation had now reached an extremely crucial stage.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

Outside the bronze bell, the grand formation's attacks and those of several Earth Fire Sect Disciples fell continuously upon the Lu Wu Bell, causing violent tremors.

As the saying went, a long defense was bound to fail. The spiritual light on the Lu Wu Bell's surface gradually dimmed until it was finally shattered beneath a wave of attacks, reverting to the size of a small bell.

The Earth Fire Sect Disciples were overjoyed and were just about to take Song Changsheng's life when the cross-legged Song Changsheng suddenly opened his eyes and flung out a yellowed talisman.

The talisman rapidly burned in the air, transforming into an illusory giant palm print that descended upon the four Earth Fire Sect Disciples.

"Second-Tier Low-Grade Talisman, Giant Spirit Palm?"

Their souls nearly fled from their bodies in terror, and they scattered in every direction. But how could an all-out strike equivalent to that of a Foundation Establishment Early Stage Cultivator be so easily avoided?

Two Qi Condensation Ninth Layer Cultivators were instantly smashed into pulp by the palm print. The remaining two at Qi Condensation Great Perfection did not fare much better. One slap broke their bones and tore their tendons; they would need at least several years to recover.

After succeeding with a single strike, Song Changsheng tapped the ground with his toes and lunged to the left. Spiritual light flashed from his right foot as he kicked at an inconspicuous stone like a whirlwind.

This was the formation eye of the grand formation!

"Bang!"

The stone instantly turned to powder. Song Changsheng suddenly felt as though heaven and earth had both brightened. Dense formation patterns appeared beneath his feet, then immediately crumbled apart.

Second-Tier Low-Grade Earth-Wood Universe Formation, broken!

"Puh—"

The Earth Fire Sect Array Master suffered a backlash and immediately spat out a great mouthful of blood mist. His aura abruptly withered as he stared at Song Changsheng in disbelief. "So... y-you are a Second-Tier Array Master?"

Song Changsheng calmly shook his head. "Before entering the formation, I was merely First-Tier Peak Grade. But I must thank you for allowing me to take that step ahead of time at the brink of life and death."

"Heh heh heh. No wonder Elder Cheng and the others set up a scheme to eliminate you. As expected... as expected, you are a young talent of exceptional brilliance. It is only a pity that this old man's skills were lacking, and I failed to remove this major hidden danger for the sect."

Deep unwillingness showed in the old man's eyes as he gritted his teeth and spoke.

"You almost succeeded. If not for the Lu Wu Bell, I would already be a dead soul within your formation. Go in peace. In your next life, do not become enemies with the Song Clan again."

Song Changsheng sighed faintly and flicked out a stream of spiritual force, piercing through his head. The old man's pupils immediately lost focus...