Having taken control of the Crimson Flame Peak Grand Formation, Zhang Yu did not stop.
Based on the Earth Vein features of Crimson Flame Peak, he first strengthened the Crimson Flame Peak Formation.
Then, following the Nine Palaces pattern, with the Crimson Flame Peak Grand Formation as the core, he refined the high-grade materials he had purchased one by one and set them up at the key nodes of the Crimson Flame Peak 'Earth Vein, quietly setting up the Eight-Gate Sub-formation.
Each Sub-formation subtly corresponds to the eight gates of change. "Rest, Life, Injury, Block, View, Death, Shock, and Open." It can operate independently or resonate with the main formation. When they are linked together, their power is more than doubled!
More importantly, these Eight-Gate Sub-formation are all centered around Zhang Yu's Divine Soul imprint, completely breaking away from the original Grand Formation system of Crimson Flame Peak, becoming "Dark Formation" independently controlled by him.
When the formation was completed, no unusual phenomena were observed; only the Earth Vein's spiritual energy flowed quietly, with faint sounds of dragon roars and tiger howls.
It's done.
Zhang Yu let out a long sigh, his eyes gleaming.
Using the power of these nine interconnected formations, he was able to briefly condense a Divine Soul Clone.
Although this clone has no Combat Power, it can travel through the Earth Vein like a ghost, explore all directions, and control various Formation at the same time.
"Perfect timing! Let's take this opportunity to thoroughly investigate the location of the Soul Refining Sect's underground Spirit Vein!"
With a thought, his Void Divine Soul Clone silently disappeared into the ground, moving like a fish, following the direction of the flowing Spirit Vein.
The Soul Refining Sect has 108 Peaks, each connected by Spirit Vein.
The underground workings are like converging rivers, crisscrossing and incredibly complex.
Without a foundation of God-level Formation, ordinary Array Masters simply cannot understand the intricacies involved.
Zhang Yu's Divine Soul Clone stealthily traveled along the way, imprinting the Spirit Vein nodes and Earth Vein hubs of each peak into his mind.
As he approached the highest Soul Refining Main Peak, a sudden chill ran through him.
Here, the Earth Vein and Spirit Vein converge, and the Spiritual Qi is so concentrated that it almost becomes liquid, turning into spiritual mist that swirls around the mountain.
Furthermore, a vast and powerful Soul Power, so strong it was terrifying, faintly emanated from the depths of the mountain, like a slumbering Primordial World beast whose breath could cause the heavens and earth to change color.
"This place... is the Main Peak of the Soul Refining Sect, the place where the Sect Master and the Grand Elder cultivate in seclusion."
Zhang Yu dared not linger for a moment. His Divine Soul Clone retreated quietly, like a startled fish, and circled around to a great distance.
True Immortal being is someone he cannot afford to provoke at this moment.
The True Immortal Combat Power displayed by Zhu Lunbin and Helian Jue still haunts him.
He memorized the location of the Main Peak and had already made up his mind.
This will be left for last.
It's not too late to plot against this peak once he has laid out enough "spies" and completely controlled the outer Grand Formation of the Soul Refining Sect.
Having completed the investigation, Zhang Yu no longer hesitated.
With the Nine Sub-formation as its core, his Divine Soul quietly spread out like a spider web, beginning to "invade" the Mountain-Guarding Grand Formation each peak of the Soul Refining Sect.
He acted with extreme caution, each time using only the finest threads of his Divine Soul, like the bite of a mosquito, to probe into the nodes of the Formation, quickly analyze the structure, leave a hidden door, and then retreat, never lingering for even a moment longer.
The Soul Refining Sect has a history of tens of thousands of years, and the Array Masters on each peak are no ordinary people.
"Um?
The Formation seemed to have changed just now...
"I felt it too; my train of thought quickened slightly, but then instantly returned to normal."
"Could it be a fluctuation in the Earth Vein?"
The Array Masters on many mountain peaks all vaguely sensed something unusual the moment Zhang Yu invaded.
However, Zhang Yu's mastery of Formation far surpassed theirs, and his movements were too swift and stealthy.
When they examined it carefully, the Formation had returned to its original state and was functioning normally, with no flaws to be found.
"Perhaps it's just my imagination..."
"Recently, the Heavenly Dao have changed, and the Spirit Vein have occasionally fluctuated, which is normal."
Most people shook their heads, attributing the matter to "natural fluctuations in the Spirit Vein" and no longer investigating it further.
However, a few people who are cautious by nature or who are exceptionally sensitive to Formation have difficulty dispelling their doubts and repeatedly analyze and investigate.
However, the "hidden door" left by Zhang Yu was too well concealed, blending seamlessly with the original structure of the Formation.
Unless one uses a mastery of Formation surpassing even divine levels to deduce the truth, it would be impossible to detect.
They investigated and investigated, but ultimately found nothing and had to give up.
"Never mind, perhaps I've been too restless and overly sensitive lately."
Zhang Yu's Divine Soul moved like a shadow through the various peak Grand Formation, leaving behind insignificant yet mysterious imprints.
Of the 108 Peaks, he has quietly taken control of 107.
Only the final main Main Peak remains.
Zhang Yu didn't stop, striking while the iron was hot.
He quietly gathered the Divine Soul energy of the Earth Vein of each peak, which he had already secretly controlled, and like hundreds of rivers flowing into the sea, they surged silently underground and slowly converged towards the Main Peak.
He intends to use the power of the Spirit Vein of these 107 peaks to forcefully attack, erode, and ultimately control the Main Peak Grand Formation!
"What a powerful Formation..."
Zhang Yu felt a chill run down his spine as his Divine Soul descended into the depths of the Main Peak.
The Grand Formation Main Peak is a hundred times more complex and formidable than that of the surrounding peaks.
The Formation Runes coiled like dragons and snakes, layer upon layer, subtly echoing the Spirit Vein beneath the earth and the celestial phenomena above, radiating a vast and powerful pressure capable of suppressing True Immortal.
If he hadn't secretly taken control of the Earth Vein's Soul Refining Sect and identified the key points in the Grand Formation's flow, approaching rashly at this moment would likely have resulted in an instant backlash from the Formation, annihilating his Divine Soul and spirit!
"Invading the Main Peak won't be so easy, and... there's a high chance it will be discovered."
Zhang Yu hesitated for a moment.
But then, an almost arrogant confidence welled up inside him—
So what if you notice?
Once I have fully mastered the Main Peak Grand Formation, the formation of 108 Peaks Grand Formation will be connected as one, and its power will be enough to crush even True Immortal!
At that time, even if the Sect Master and the Grand Elder arrive in person, what do I have to fear?
Without further hesitation, his Divine Soul surged like a tide, carrying the power of the Hundred Peaks Spirit Vein, and quietly probed the outermost Protective Formation patterns of the Main Peak's Grand Formation.
And at this moment--
Deep within the Earth Vein, on the Main Peak the Soul Refining Sect, lies a naturally formed Spirit Vein cave abode.
A dark chain, neither gold nor jade, of unknown material, floated silently above the Spirit Vein spring, emitting a pale, eerie green light.
At each end of the chain was a grotesque scythe with a curved blade, its blades covered with intricate demonic Runes, from which the faint wails of ten thousand souls could be heard.
It is the Soul Refining Sect - Soul Snatching Chain, the sect's most treasured Divine Artifact left behind by the Founding Patriarch of the Soul Refining Sect!
Beneath the scythe, on either side of the Spirit Vein, sat a person sitting cross-legged, eyes closed and mind focused.
The two continuously formed profound hand seals, pouring boundless, ocean-like true Immortal Method into the chains.
The person on the left has white hair and beard, a withered face, and wears a simple gray robe.
Yet his aura was as deep and unfathomable as a mountain—he was none other than Xia Hongjue, the Grand Elder of the Soul Refining Sect.
The person on the right appears to be middle-aged, with refined features, wearing a dark gold robe, and exuding an air of elegance.
It was Zhou Wentao, the current Sect Master of the Soul Refining Sect.
The two appeared to be forging weapons side by side, but the atmosphere inside the cave abode was as heavy as iron, with undercurrents surging beneath the surface.
Hundreds of years ago, they were the same generation of outstanding talents, known as the "Soul Refining Twin Gems," and were also close friends.
However, the struggle for the position of Sect Master completely tore this friendship apart.
Xia Hongjue made a crucial mistake, losing to Zhou Wentao and relinquishing his position as Sect Master. He was forced to retreat into the background, becoming Grand Elder no longer concerned himself with worldly affairs.
However, the resentment in his heart never dissipated.
For hundreds of years, he secluded himself in seclusion, cultivating his power in secret.
All he wanted was to "surpass Zhou Wentao" and reclaim the glory and power that rightfully belonged to him.
This refinement of the Soul Snatching Chain will be the final showdown between the two.
Whoever first fully masters this Divine Artifact left behind by the Founding Patriarch will be able to borrow Divine Artifact power and possess unparalleled Combat Power throughout the entire sect.
From that moment on, he truly took control of the Soul Refining Sect, becoming the sole and undisputed supreme ruler!
"Buzz--!"
Xia Hongjue's fingertips surged with black light, and a "Soul Refining True Seal" refined to its extreme was injected into the chains. The chains trembled instantly, and the scythe on the left side shone with a bright, eerie light, faintly tilting towards him.
"Snort."
Zhou Wentao remained calm, his right hand forming a sword shape with his fingers together. A dark gold Runes struck first, accurately hitting the center of the chain.
The chains hummed again, trembling slightly as they were pulled by the two people's Law Power, as if struggling.
Their eyes met briefly in the air, and both saw undisguised sharpness and an unwavering determination in each other's eyes.
"Senior Brother, your Soul Refining Seal seems to have improved by three points since it was a hundred years ago."
Zhou Wentao spoke, his voice gentle, but his words carried a probing, confrontational tone.
"Sect Master, you flatter me."
However, your 'Spirit-Controlling True Art' has already captured seven-tenths of the patriarch's essence, which is truly admirable."
Xia Hongjue's tone was calm, but he pronounced the words "Sect Master" with exceptional clarity, carrying a hint of sarcasm.
Unable to find common ground, the two ceased their conversation and focused all their attention on the Soul-Snatching Lock before them. Their Law Power clashed and collided, creating fine crackling electricity on the chains.
At that moment, none of them expected --
A Divine Soul from an "ant" is quietly approaching the Main Peak's Grand Formation, carrying the power of the Hundred Peaks Spirit Vein, and is about to become the biggest variable in this "battle for supremacy".