Hu Shu stood in front of the altar, Qi Luck Fire in Bronze Cauldron reflected his solemn face. Three months - this number hit his heart like a heavy hammer. He looked up at the night sky, the stars were sparse and the moonlight was pale, as if even the heaven and earth were silent for the coming disaster. The bonfires in the camp in the distance were clearly extinguished, and the wounded soldiers groaned. The moans came with the wind, carrying the smell of blood and pain. He opened his palms, and the blood on his palms was warm and sticky. It was warm and sticky. The blood reminded him that the price had been paid, and a greater price was still ahead. He had to act, he had to do it faster, and he had to do it before the rain fell... He closed his eyes, and his mind began to deduce the best route and plan to destroy Demon Altar.
However, time was more cruel than he expected.
Just three days later.
In the early morning, when the first ray of sunlight should have shone on the earth, the Primordial World sky was replaced by another kind of light. It was not the golden red of the rising sun, but clouds as thick as lead, glowing with a strange dark red and golden halo. The clouds hung low, as if they were about to press down on the ground, shrouding the entire Primordial World in an oppressive shadow.
ZhaoGe City, Star Gazing Platform.
Hu Shu stood on the edge of the high platform, his robes were rolled up by the sudden strong wind, making a sound. He looked up at the sky, his pupils contracted. In the clouds, countless fine runes could be vaguely seen, and dark red magic patterns and golden Buddha seals were intertwined to form A palpitating balance. What's even more terrifying is the sound - bursts of Sanskrit chanting are heard from deep in the clouds, solemn and sacred, but mixed with sharp demonic howls, crazy and chaotic. The two completely opposite sounds are mixed together to form a strange harmony, which penetrates into the ears and makes people's minds sway.
"Master."
Wu Zetian quickly boarded Star Gazing Platform. Her face was still pale, but her eyes had returned to sharpness. Behind her was Fu Xi. The son of Human Emperor was frowning at the moment. He was holding a simple compass in his hand. The compass needle was spinning wildly and making a harsh buzzing sound.
"You saw it too." Hu Shu didn't look back, his voice was low.
"Every Primordial World can see it." Wu Zetian walked to him and looked at the sky, "In ZhaoGe City, mortals have begun to behave strangely. Some people knelt down to chant sutras, and their eyes glowed with golden light; others held their heads and cried, and magic patterns appeared on their bodies. Although they are only a few, but..."
"This is just a precursor." Fu Xi said in a deep voice. The compass in his hand suddenly "clicked" and the pointer broke. "Demonic Rain, it is really coming. And... it's faster than we expected."
Hu Shu took a deep breath, and the air was filled with an indescribable smell - the smell of sandalwood and sulfur, which was sweet and corrosive, and caused a dull pain in the lungs after inhaling it. He turned and looked inside Star Gazing Platform, which had been temporarily transformed into an emergency headquarters. Dozens of Human Race Factions leaders, generals, and monks gathered here. Everyone looked solemn, and the air was filled with oppressive silence.
"Everyone is here." Hu Shu walked into the room, his voice echoing in the empty stone room, "Time is tight, I will keep the story short."
He raised his hand and waved, and a curtain of light unfolded in the air, which was the memory fragment extracted from the remnant soul of Buddha-Demon Venerable. In the picture, more than two hundred locations of Demon Altar were marked, scattered throughout Primordial World, some of the marks flickered, and some were dim.
"Demonic Rain, based on the three hundred and sixty Demon Altar, activates the two qi of Buddha and Demon between heaven and earth, and turns into Curse Rain." Hu Shu pointed at the light curtain, "Where the rain falls, mortals are contaminated, and Either he is eroded by the power of Buddha and becomes Buddha Slave, loses himself, and only knows how to chant sutras and worship Buddha; or he is polluted by demonic energy and turns into a monster, bloodthirsty and crazy. When a practitioner Dao Heart is polluted, his cultivation will regress at least, and Qi Deviation at worst."
There was a sound of gasping for air in the stone room.
A Human Tribe leader asked in a trembling voice, "Senior Hu Shu, can your Invincible Domain... be able to protect the entire Human Race territory?"
All eyes are focused on Hu Shu.
Hu Shu was silent for a moment and slowly shook his head. "My domain can currently cover a radius of thousands of miles. And Human Race's territory is more than hundreds of millions of miles. Even if I can expand the domain to the limit, I can only protect Chaoge and the surrounding core areas. Countless Human Race settlements, tribes, and cities on Primordial Great Land... I can't protect them."
Despair began to spread among the crowd.
An old monk murmured, "Could it be that...Human Race's billions of years of inheritance are really going to be destroyed in one day?"
"Not necessarily."
A clear voice sounded.
Everyone looked around and saw Fu Xi walking forward. Unexpectedly, there was a simple picture scroll in his hand. The picture scroll was unfolded and what was drawn on it was not text, but the course of Primordial World's mountains and rivers. The lines flowed as if they were alive.
"This is..." Hu Shu's eyes narrowed.
"<Mountain River Society Diagram> Fragmentary Scroll." Fu Xi said, "In the past, when Goddess Nüwa Mending the Heavens created humans, he observed the trend of Primordial World's earth veins and drew this map. Although the map was later lost and this is only a fragment in my hand, the core nodes of the mountains and rivers and earth veins recorded in it are still accurate."
He walked to the light curtain and moved his fingers on the light curtain. The positions marked Demon Altar corresponded one-to-one with Earth Vein Node on Mountain River Society Diagram.
"Look." Fu Xi raised his voice, "The location selection of Demon Altar is not arbitrary. They are all built on top of Earth Vein Node, using Earth Vein Power to gather the two energies of Buddha and Demon. In this case, why can't we do the opposite?"
Hu Shu's eyes flashed. "You mean..."
"Use the other's way to repay the other's body." Fu Xi pointed to the picture scroll, "Combined with Earthly Dao Power, based on Primordial World mountains and rivers; then stimulate the destiny of humanity, and use Human Race belief is the guide. Deploy 'Great Mountain River Society Formation' to connect Earth Vein Node in the entire Human Race territory to form a defense network covering the entire territory."
He paused and continued, "Once this array is set up, Earth Vein Power can be used to purify the energy of Buddhas and demons, and convert Demonic Rain into ordinary spiritual rain. Even if it cannot be completely purified, its power can be greatly weakened, buying time for Human Race."
There was silence in the stone room, and then heated discussions broke out.
"Is it feasible?"
"How many resources are needed?"
"Do you have enough time?"
Hu Shu raised his hand and the discussion stopped abruptly. He looked at Fu Xi: "Tell me in detail."
Fu Xi took a deep breath. "Great Mountain River Society Formation, three hundred and sixty-five core array eyes need to be deployed, corresponding to Number of Zhou Tian. Each array eye must be built on top of Earth Vein Node and be led by at least one Golden Immortal-level strong men guard the formation. Between the formation's eyes, the earth's veins are used as lines, and the human destiny is used as a guide to connect each other. In addition, a large number of heavenly materials and earthly treasures are needed as the base of the formation - at least 3,600 pieces of Innate Spirit Material and 99,999 pieces of Houtian Spirit Item are needed."
The numbers were announced, and the stone room fell into dead silence again.
A Human Race general smiled bitterly and said, "Golden Immortal level powerhouse... I, Human Race, now, counting the retired seniors, Golden Immortal only has more than a hundred people. There are 365 formations. Where can we find so many strong men to guard them?"
"There are still resources." Another tribe leader shook his head, "Thirty-six hundred pieces of Innate Spirit Material? The total number of Innate Spirit Material in our tribe's inventory is less than three hundred pieces. We can make up 90,000 Houtian Spirit Item, but it will take time to mobilize..."
"Time." Wu Zetian spoke slowly. She looked out the window at the strange sky. "What we lack most is time."
Hu Shu Close your eyes.
Countless information circulated rapidly in his mind. Demon Altar location, Earth Vein Node, Human Race distribution of powerful people, resource inventory, strength of allies... like a huge network, unfolding in his consciousness. Every node, every connection, every possibility.
After three breaths, he opened his eyes.
There was no hesitation in his eyes, only determination.
"Fu Xi." Hu Shu's voice was calm, but with unquestionable power, "You are responsible for deducing the complete formation Formation Diagram, marking the positions, layout methods, and operating principles of all formation eyes. You will be given six hours."
Fu Xi saluted solemnly. "Take orders."
"Martial Emperor." Hu Shu looked at Wu Zetian, "In the name of Human Emperor, issue three edicts."
Every time he said something, Wu Zetian nodded and took notes.
"First, the entire territory of Human Race has entered a state of war. All monks, warriors, and Qigong practitioners, regardless of sect, tribe, or origin, will immediately assemble to Chaoge. Anyone who resists the order and disobeys it will be punished as a treason."
"Second, open all the treasure houses, secret realms, and inheritance places of Human Race. All Innate Spirit Material and Houtian Spirit Item should be registered and distributed uniformly. Anyone who hides and hides secrets will be killed without mercy."
"Third, summon Primordial World to all the forces, races, and Rogue Cultivator who have good relations with Human Race. Inform Demonic Rain of the calamity and ask for help. Anyone who is willing to help, Human Race will remember the great kindness, and there will be a generous reward after measuring the calamity."
Wu Zetian's eyes were filled with golden light, and Human Emperor Fortune condensed around her. "Disciple understands."
Hu Shu turned around and looked at the people in the stone room. "Everyone, Human Race's survival depends on this. I know there are not enough resources, I know there are not enough strong people, and I know time is tight. But because of this, we must do it - because if we don't do it, it will be annihilation."
He paused and his voice became deeper. "I will personally contact several key allies. But before that, I need you to take action immediately. Mobilize resources, assemble manpower, and appease the people. In six hours, I will see the preliminary plan and list of available forces."
"Yes!"
Everyone agreed in unison and quickly dispersed.
Only three people, Hu Shu, Wu Zetian and Fu Xi, were left in the stone room.
Fu Xi had sat down cross-legged, and the fragment of <Mountain River Society Diagram> was suspended in front of him. He formed seals with his hands, and countless phantoms of mountains and rivers appeared in his eyes, and he began to deduce it with all his strength.
Wu Zetian walked to the edge of Star Gazing Platform and raised her hands. Human Emperor Jade Seal flew out of her sleeves and suspended in the air, emitting vast golden light. She bit her fingertips and used blood as ink to write the edict in the air. Every word that fell caused Human Race Fortune to tremble, and golden clouds began to gather above ZhaoGe City.
Hu Shu walked to the center of the stone room.
He closed his eyes and his consciousness sank into the depths of the sea of consciousness. There, the core of Invincible Domain System was suspended quietly, exuding a faint silver light. He reached out to touch the core and began to construct three spiritual messages.
First pass, target: Golden Ao Island, Biyou Palace.
The divine thought contains all the information about Demonic Rain, the idea of Great Mountain River Society Formation, the desperate situation faced by Human Race, and a plea. "Tongtian Cult Master, Interception Sect advocates All-Encompassing Education to benefit the common people. Now that Human Race has suffered such a catastrophe, we implore Sect Master to lend a helping hand. Hu Shu pays your respects."
Second lane, target: Nine Nether Underworld, Pingxin Hall.
The spiritual thought was shorter, but it went straight to the core. "Houtu, fellow Daoist, Demon Altar borrows Earth Vein Power to get involved in Root of Reincarnation. Great Mountain River Society Formation needs authentic support to stabilize Earth Vein Node. This battle is related to Primordial Great Land's peace, and we sincerely ask fellow Daoist to help."
Third path, targets: several Hidden Human Senior scattered throughout Primordial World, Rogue Cultivator Great Expert who have had friendships with Hu Shu, and even some racial leaders who remain neutral but have good intentions.
The contents of the spiritual thoughts have different emphases, but the core is the same: Human Race needs help.
The summons was sent, and Hu Shu opened his eyes.
Next, it's all about waiting.
Time passes minute by minute.
Outside Star Gazing Platform, the strange clouds were getting thicker and thicker, with dark red and golden lights flashing alternately. The sounds of Sanskrit chants and demonic howls gradually became clearer, and inside ZhaoGe City, sporadic raindrops began to fall. It was not ordinary rain, but a liquid with a light golden red luster, which fell on the roof and made a "sizzling" corrosion sound.
An hour later, the first reply arrived.
From Golden Ao Island.
The message Jade Slip exploded in the air, and Tongtian Cult Master's voice resounded through the stone room, with his usual free and easy and domineering voice. "Hu Shu, little friend, Jie Sect Disciple has assembled three thousand, led by Duobao, and will arrive within three hours. Reach Chaoge. In addition, the Biyou Palace treasure house was opened, and Innate Spirit Material five hundred pieces and Houtian Spirit Item thirty thousand pieces were sent with the army. This disaster concerns Primordial World all living beings, and Interception Sect is obligated to do so."
Hu Shu is certain in his heart.
Two hours later, the second reply arrived.
From Nine Nether Underworld.
Houtu's voice was gentle but firm. "Underworld Ghost Immortal Eight hundred, led by Ten Palace Yama Kings, rushed to Yang World. Diagram Earth Vein Node has been received, and the underworld will do its best to help stabilize the earth line. In addition, I can mobilize Power of Reincarnation to purify the evil energy, but it will take time to prepare. In five days, I can come to Chaoge in person."
The third lane, the fourth lane...
Rogue Cultivator Great Expert "Yun Zhongzi" replied, "Although I am a registered disciple of the Chan Sect, I dare not sit back and watch such a catastrophe of genocide. I have contacted thirty-six fellow Daoists Rogue Cultivator and are leaving immediately."
Hidden Human Senior "Sui Ren Shi" replied, "Human Race Descendants, don't panic. Although I am old, I can still fight. Seventy-two sleeping sages have been awakened and they will arrive in three days."
East Sea Dragon King replied, "The dragon clan controls the Primordial World waters, and Underwater Demonic Altar is left to the dragon clan to handle. Yan Zhi has led three thousand dragon clan elites to set off to clean up the four seas Demon Altar. In addition, the Dragon Palace treasure house has been opened, supporting Innate Spirit Material with three hundred pieces."
The replies one after another are like lights in the darkness, gradually lighting up hope.
But Hu Shu's face did not relax.
Because the clouds in the sky have begun to rotate. A huge vortex formed over ZhaoGe City. In the center of the vortex, golden and red light condensed, and there was a faint roar of thunder. That was a sign that Demonic Rain was about to explode.
"Master." Wu Zetian finished writing the last edict, his face became paler and his breath was unstable, "In the territory of Human Race, eight thousand monks, thirty thousand warriors, and five hundred Qi Refiners have been gathered. There are only ninety-seven strong ones above level Golden Immortal..."
Fu Xi also opened his eyes at this moment.
In front of him, the fragment of <Mountain River Society Diagram> had unfolded into a huge light curtain, with 365 formation eye positions and complex formation patterns densely marked on it.
"Formation Diagram has completed the deduction." Fu Xi's voice was hoarse and he obviously spent a lot of energy. "But there is a problem - it will take at least ten days to deploy a complete formation. And for Demonic Rain to fully erupt, it will take at most... three days."
Three days versus ten days.
Desperate numbers.
Hu Shu walked to the edge of Star Gazing Platform and looked up at the vortex that was getting lower and lower. The raindrops began to fall intensively, hitting the protective cover of Star Gazing Platform, making a dense "pop" sound. On the surface of the protective cover, golden and red light circulated and was slowly being eroded.
He could feel the fear, despair, and prayer of countless creatures throughout the Human Race territory... These emotions came in like a tide, converging into the fluctuations of human destiny, and vibrating in his perception.
Suddenly, something moved in his heart.
"Fu Xi." Hu Shu turned around, "What if... we don't pursue a complete formation?"
Fu Xi was stunned. "What do you mean?"
"Great Mountain River Society Formation, three hundred and sixty-five array eyes, corresponding to Number of Zhou Tian, is indeed perfect." Hu Shu said quickly, "But if there is not enough time, can we... Deploy the core array first? Protect the Human Race's most important settlements and the most densely populated areas first? Even if it only covers 30% or 50% of the territory, it can still save hundreds of millions of Human Race."
Fu Xi's eyes shone brightly. "It's feasible! The formation can be deployed in stages. We can first lay out 108 core formation eyes to form 'Heavenly Dipper Earthly Fiend Formation', covering the main cities and tribes of Human Race. Although the protection range is only 30% of the complete formation, at least the foundation of Human Race can be preserved!"
"Then let's do it." Hu Shu made a decision immediately, "Martial Emperor, adjust the edict and prioritize the deployment of these 108 formation eyes. Fu Xi, re-mark the position of the formation eyes, I want the highest priority list."
"Yes!"
The two took action immediately.
Hu Shu closed his eyes again, and his consciousness sank into Domain System.
"System." He muttered silently in his mind, "With my current authority, can I temporarily increase the scope of the domain? Even if it's only for one day, even if I have to pay a price."
The cold mechanical sound of the system sounded, "It has been detected that the host is facing a race survival crisis and an emergency protocol has been triggered. 'Domain Expansion Module' can be temporarily unlocked to increase the domain range to a radius of 30,000 miles. Duration: twelve hours. Price: 90% of the domain core energy is consumed, and then it needs to sleep and recover for thirty days."
Twelve hours, thirty thousand miles.
Hu Shu did not hesitate. "Unlock."
"Confirm. Domain Expansion Module starts. Countdown: eleven hours, fifty-nine minutes and fifty-nine seconds..."
A vast force surged out from the core of the system and was injected into Hu Shu's body. He felt that his control over the surrounding space was expanding at an alarming rate. Three thousand miles, six thousand miles, ten thousand miles... Finally, it stabilized at a radius of thirty thousand miles.
This range is enough to cover Chaoge and seventeen large Human Race cities in the surrounding areas.
But the price is that he can clearly sense that the energy in the core of the domain is flowing away rapidly. It is like an oil lamp whose wick is forcibly turned on. The light shines brightly, but the oil in the lamp is also consumed at an accelerating rate.
After twelve hours, the domain will shrink back to its original range, and the core will enter dormancy, unable to expand again for thirty days.
This means that he only has one day to help set up the most critical core formation.
"That's enough." Hu Shu opened his eyes, silver light flowing in them.
He walked out of the Star Gazing Platform and came to the edge of the high platform. Below, inside the ZhaoGe City, countless Human Race were mobilizing urgently. The monks lifted their swords into the air, the warriors gathered in formation, and ordinary people moved to designated shelters under the command of officials. Shouts, orders, cries, prayers... were mixed together, forming a tragic and grand symphony.
In the sky, the vortex has expanded to cover half of the sky. Golden-red light pours down from the center of the vortex like a waterfall, flowing in the clouds. The sound of Sanskrit chants and demon howls is deafening, as if countless Buddhas and demons are fighting in the clouds.
The first wave of real Demonic Rain is about to fall.
Hu Shu raised his hand, and Invincible Domain spread it out with all his strength.
The silver light centered on him and spread in all directions like a tide. Wherever the light passed, the falling golden-red raindrops were forcibly evaporated and turned into pure spiritual energy. At the edge of the field, the silver light collided fiercely with the golden-red light in the clouds, making a "chichi" sound, and the space was slightly distorted.
He turned back and looked inside Star Gazing Platform.
Fu Xi has marked the location of First Batch of Thirty-Six Core Array Eyes. These array eyes are distributed within a range of 30,000 miles centered on Chaoge, which is exactly the area that his field can cover.
Wu Zetian has issued a new edict, and Human Race strong men have begun to gather at these formation positions.
Jie Sect Disciple sent by Tongtian Cult Master has arrived at Outside ZhaoGe City, and Daoist Duobao personally leads the team.
Underworld Ghost Immortal, dispatched by Houtu, is traveling through Yin-Yang Boundary.
The Dragon Clan, Rogue Cultivator, Hidden Ancient Sages... are all on their way.
Resources are being mobilized, strong people are gathering, and Formation Diagram is passing on.
Everything is racing against time.
Hu Shu looked at the sky, the vortex getting lower and lower, and the World-Ending Rain that was about to pour down.
Three days.
They only have three days to set up this barrier to protect Human Race.
The layout of Great Mountain River Society Formation has just begun.