A Fight for Life

Yes, in Guangyang before, no one was able to preside over the Mountain and Water Grand Formation.

This is also one of the reasons why Chanzhi Zhi was at ease.

No one can preside over the Mountain and Water Grand Formation; the only possible candidate is currently imprisoned within the Five-Level Pagoda.

Other Shaman, if they want to reach the point where they can preside over the mountain and water formation, must be at least among the best of the eighth rank, or even the seventh rank.

If such a powerful figure were to arrive, he would certainly be able to sense it; such an aura is not so easily concealed.

All things are formed from qi, and the qi of cultivators is even more magnificent and conspicuous.

Even if someone specializes in stealth and sneaks in, if they specialize in stealth, how can they specialize in rituals?

Presiding over a sacrificial ceremony is not a simple matter. All the taboos, precautions, coordination among all parties, and whether one can gain the trust of the Human-Ghost and spirits are all factors to consider.

Therefore, Chanzhi Zhi concluded that the Mountain and Water Grand Formation must be in an unusable state, and that apart from his own seventh-grade puppet, there was no other entity in Guangyang City that could forcibly activate the Mountain and Water Grand Formation.

Normally, this line of thinking is correct and it's hard to go wrong.

But the mistake lies in—

No one could have predicted that such a small place as Guangyang would have two young masters from Wushen Mountain standing there, and that they would even join forces.

Back then, after being summoned by Shen Shuibi and distracted.

The first thing Li Qi did was touch Shen Shuibi's tail, and even stretched it out to test its feel.

The second thing was to establish an alliance and summon those from afar. (See Chapter 197)

At that time, his alliance was a call to Bo Yue, with whom he had once made an alliance.

Both being ninth-rank officials and both sons of the Wushen Mountain, even though their expertise lies in divination, they still have no problem presiding over a large-scale mountain and water formation.

Therefore, Chanzhi Zhi was defeated.

Bo Yue stood a thousand miles away, in the center of the mountain and water formation, pulling the entire net with one hand.

Beside Bo Yue, a trembling little monster was biting its lip, terrified.

"Don't be afraid. You are Li Qi's man and you're even guiding me, so I won't make things difficult for you. Relax," Bo Yue said calmly from his position.

He changed his clothes and was now wearing an ordinary gray robe. He still looked like a young man, with his long hair tied up and hanging in front of him.

His expression was extremely indifferent, revealing nothing of his thoughts, yet he didn't seem cold; his demeanor was somewhat peculiar.

Because he now devotes most of his energy to presiding over sacrificial rites, he is less responsive to external stimuli.

A flood of information flashed before his eyes, as if the very essence of the world was drawing closer to him.

His mind was flooded with countless pieces of information. He could clearly perceive every detail around him, every mountain range and water vein in Guangyang, as well as the earth's energy and water vapor.

He could hear the sound of all the water veins, just like blood flowing in his veins.

He could hear the mountains throbbing, like a person's heart beating hard.

Just over a month ago, when Li Qi used the alliance to summon him, he wasn't prepared to come.

Why do I have to help him?

However, Li Qi told him that there was an unclaimed mountain and water formation here, waiting for him to use it.

So he came.

The allure of being able to preside over an unclaimed mountain and water formation was too great for him. It was a genuine opportunity to communicate with all the gods, to observe them all at once, and to understand the flow of energy in a region.

For the diviner, this means he has a large amount of data.

The art of divination, aside from metaphysics, is all about calculation.

Whether it's the Buddhist method of calculating the three lifetimes, the divination of Shaman Path, the Yin-Yang Numerology of Daoism, or the data statistics of Human Path, they are all like this.

Taking the Three Lives Deduction Method as an example, this method can observe the past life, then look at the present life, and finally find out what the next life will look like. It can calculate where a person will be reincarnated and what they will look like in the next life. It is an extremely clever method and is excellent for finding people.

It is precisely because of this method that Buddhism can play tricks like reincarnation and rebirth every day, because they can predict where one will be reborn in the next life.

This is no easy task.

Normally, to know where one will be reincarnated, one would need to find a fifth-rank official to escort them throughout the process, bribe the underworld officials, and establish connections with the Ten Kings of Hell and the judges. Otherwise, even a deity wouldn't know where one will be reincarnated.

Even the Ten Kings of Hell themselves don't know where they will be reincarnated. Only the fifth-rank official who escorts them and keeps a close watch on the journey can find out. Getting connections only means that you will go with the remaining true spirit.

Reincarnation doesn't mean being born into any particular world.

Instead, it encompasses the entire universe and countless worlds. Following it all the way is no easy task; one would need at least a fifth-rank cultivation level to keep up, and would also suffer the backlash of reincarnation.

Under normal circumstances, no one can follow along the whole way, as that would violate the rules of reincarnation.

However, as long as the consequences of breaking the rules are bearable, there are no rules to speak of.

Because of this cost issue, even powerful forces cannot mobilize so many Rank 5 individuals to protect them one by one. Therefore, apart from important figures, most people are left to their fate after death.

However, Buddhism, thanks to the Three Lives Deduction Method, can achieve this and continue to perform dramas such as Ten Lives Reincarnation or Nine Lives Reincarnation.

The reason why the Three-Life Deduction Method can achieve this is precisely because of the word 'deduction'.

Through some unknown method, one can observe the transformations of the three lifetimes and deduce future lives.

The most important thing is 'observation', to obtain enough data, and then to deduce and extrapolate, ultimately arriving at a conclusion that approximates reality.

Not to mention Yin-Yang Numerology, which has absolutely no metaphysical elements; it relies purely on algorithms and computing power to draw conclusions.

While the Art of Divination Shaman Path contain a great deal of metaphysics, they also involve a considerable amount of calculation.

Therefore, the ability to use the mountain and water formation of a province to observe the distribution of all gods and the veins of earth and water energy in that province was extremely tempting to Bo Yue. For him, this was equivalent to directly providing him with countless first-hand data.

Using this data, he can apply what he has learned to other situations and make connections with other cases, which will greatly increase his accuracy when he divines and calculates the earth's veins and water veins in the future.

Such opportunities are almost nonexistent under normal circumstances.

The Mountain and Water Formation is a strategic weapon in various places, and no one would activate it casually for fun. Even the young master of Wushen Mountain cannot act recklessly.

If he really acts arrogantly because of his status, the first person to deal with him will be his master.

Li Qi gave him this opportunity.

So he came without hesitation.

Upon arrival, he discovered that Li Qi had already prepared everything for him.

A mountain god, transformed from a butterfly, though not yet fully ranked, already possessed the rudiments of a golden body and came to personally greet him.

Then, the mountain god brought him here and presented him with the diagram of this great mountain and water formation.

I really don't know how he got his hands on it.

Since Li Qi had made such thorough preparations, he was happy to save himself the trouble.

It's good to work with smart people.

In any case, Li Qi only asked him to do one thing.

By connecting with all the gods and activating the Mountain and Water Array, a grand Blood Sacrifice will be held that can be seen throughout Guangyang Prefecture and even Hundred Forests Kingdom.

And the sacrificial offerings—

He is Chanzhi Zhi.

The deities who receive sacrifices are all the demon rats of the Rat Soil Tomb.

The grand formation of mountains and rivers is slowly activating.

This is not the same civilian-use formation used to regulate the earth's energy as before.

This was specifically built as a last Trump Card to resist the Swallowing Heaven Demon Nest.

Once the sacrifice is initiated, all the gods will join forces, and even a seventh-rank official will be instantly killed.

Thinking about this, Bo Yue suddenly realized something.

"Oh, right, Li... Li Zhufang, right?" Bo Yue looked at the twelve or thirteen-year-old girl behind him.

Although she looks twelve or thirteen years old, considering the lifespan of a butterfly fairy, she has probably only lived for four or five years.

In other words, they are still young children.

I don't know how Li Qi was tricked into coming here, but his talent is quite good. He's already on the path to godhood at this age, and I estimate he'll reach the ninth rank within a year or two.

Bo Yue remembers, this must be the characteristic of the insect demon, right?

Insect demons with poor talent are not qualified to Form Transformation. Their lifespan is only a few months, and some even die in the morning. If they are not talented, they don't even have the chance to become a demon.

"Indeed, what are your instructions, sir?" Li Zhufang quickly bowed and asked cautiously.

"It's nothing. Just stay away so you don't get caught up in it," Bo Yue waved his hand.

I had originally wanted this little monster to help me, but she's so young, I'd better not. Let her stay away.

"Stay away? There shouldn't be any aftershocks, right?" Li Zhufang, somewhat puzzled.

"Normally there shouldn't be any aftershocks." Bo Yue nodded. "However, if someone tries to take it from me, that's a different story."

"Retreat a mile, and a fight is about to break out." Bo Yue smiled, then devoted himself wholeheartedly to the mountain and water formation.

Just as Bo Yue was speaking.

The restoration of the Mountain and Water Formation suddenly came to a halt.

The intense call that could be felt throughout Guangyang suddenly stopped, leaving the area awkwardly in the center!

Another force intervened midway.

The gods of mountains and rivers could all sense that the one presiding over the sacrifice was no longer one person, but two!

How can there be two people?

They were all confused.

The originally arranged formation and the already connected pantheon of gods were all in disarray.

They didn't know whose advice to take.

The grand ritual of the mountain and water formation is a very serious matter, isn't it? This is a magnificent feat that requires all the gods to reach a consensus to complete, but now... why are the two leaders starting to quarrel?

Many deities did not know why.

However, Chanzhi Zhi and Bo Yue knew this.

Just as Bo Yue was performing the sacrificial ceremony, the Chanzhi finally tore off all his pretense.

He had realized that Li Qi wanted to kill him here.

Although it's unclear how a mere ninth-rank official managed to garner so much support, there's no doubt that the other party was very well-prepared.

However, Chanzhi Zhi discovered that Li Qi had overlooked one thing.

He also has a puppet.

Sima of Guangyang, who practiced witchcraft and sorcery.

This puppet can also preside over the Mountain and Water Grand Formation.

Therefore, Chanzhi immediately divided his attention between two tasks. On one hand, he manipulated Guangyang Sima to intervene in the Mountain and Water Formation to prevent it from activating. On the other hand, he went all out to confront the Rat King!

"Damn it!" Chanzhi Zhi cursed inwardly, furious!

Seizing control of the Mountain and Water Grand Array is not an easy task.

The reason he hasn't used it is because he doesn't know how!

As for presiding over sacrificial rites, he's a monk who performs rituals, which is fine with Buddhist rites, but he's completely clueless about these kinds of mountain and water sacrifices.

But if the other party were to take control of the mountain and water formation at this moment, we would probably be doomed here.

Therefore, even if it's a forced decision, we must stop them now.

They did not seek to control the mountain and water formation, but only to cause the opponent to fail.

This person must be stopped!

At the same time, he acted without hesitation.

Defeat the Rat King as quickly as possible, and kill everyone present! Then find the priest who suddenly appeared! Kill him!

This is the only chance we have right now.

Then, Li Qi can't be allowed to live either!

He's really asking for it! I've been extremely lenient with him. If he's truly grateful and we cooperate well for a year or two, I'll naturally set him free. It'll be a win-win situation for both sides.

But he insisted on courting death!

Once things are settled here, he'll burn Li Qi to a crisp, turning him into a sky lantern, slowly burning away his soul and body! He'll torment him in hell for a hundred years, burning him in flames!

This is the price for plotting against him!

Li Qi thought this would kill him?

Dream on!

He's only a ninth-rank rank, he has no idea how strong he is!

Chanzhi Zhi was consumed by rage, his killing intent surged, and his tyranny intensified. His body suddenly expanded a thousandfold, crushing mountains and collapsing rivers, transforming him directly into a great demon!

Upon seeing this, the Rat King, who had been dealing with Chanzhi, immediately retreated, its fur standing on end!

He knew Chanzhi Zhi very well, after all, they had traveled together from the Western Paradise all the way to Baiyue.

When Chanzhi Zhi exudes this aura, it means he is going to fight with all his might!

Then, he was seen holding a flower in one hand and raising his palm in the other, chanting loudly. "When all beings perish and die, the three evils of animals, hungry ghosts, Asura will appear in the world, devouring all beings without leaving anything behind. When all people are gone, this world will be corrupted and become a disaster!"

Upon hearing this, the three-inch demon kingdom exploded, transforming into a vortex.

From within the vortex, calamity surged forth.

The gates to the lower three realms of the Six Realms have been opened.

It is no longer the hellish image transformed from the Three-Inch Demon Kingdom.

The appearance of hell, to be honest, is nothing more than the illusion created by the souls of those killed and collected by the Chanzhi in the Three-Inch Demon Kingdom.

What is being opened now is real, real calamity.

From the three realms of reincarnation— the Animal Path, the Hungry Ghost Path Asura Path —sentient beings swarm out!

A Great Black Wind arose! Countless beasts, hungry ghosts, and blue-faced, fanged Asura rushed out, devouring the souls within the three-inch demon kingdom, and instantly, shrill screams filled the world.

Almost visibly, the souls within Chanzhi Zhi's three-inch demon kingdom began to dissipate. These souls were devoured by the swarming hungry ghosts, beasts, Asura, directly causing Chanzhi Zhi's cultivation to regress.

But it's worth it.

It only requires sacrificing some cultivation.

Wait a minute, there won't be a single living person left in the entire Guangyang Prefecture.

As long as we prevent the mountain and water formation from being stolen, we can make up for it!