Ch. 981Breaking the Formation on Two Fronts!
Chapter Summary: “Breaking the Formation on Two Fronts!”
Key Plot Points and Events
- Immortal Emperor Xuan Mo reveals that the alliance did not previously know an Emperor-level powerhouse was stationed inside Soul-Severing Valley, possibly Great Emperor Sloth. His forces had been unable to approach the altar’s core, and everyone sent inside had disappeared.
- Luo Yiyi and Ye Chuxue agree that a direct assault would be too costly because of the valley’s narrow terrain, defensive lines, Blood Sacrifice Formation, and the aura of sloth.
- Luo Yiyi devises a two-pronged infiltration plan:
- She will lead a team through the eastern secret route to eliminate sentries and destroy the eastern Blood Sacrifice Sub-Formation.
- Ye Chuxue will lead another team down the western cliff to destroy the western subsidiary formation.
- Once both sub-formations are destroyed, the alliance will regroup and attack the weakened main altar.
- Xuan Mo is assigned to lead the main army in a noisy frontal feint, drawing the strange creatures’ attention away from the infiltrating forces. He is specifically warned not to launch a real assault or waste his troops.
- The operation is scheduled for midnight, with the frontal diversion beginning thirty minutes earlier.
- After nightfall, the two infiltration teams secretly leave Black Iron City and move toward Soul-Severing Valley.
- Luo Yiyi uses her Primordial Illusory World Foxfire to conceal the eastern force from Spiritual Sense and hide its aura. Ye Chuxue’s Primordial Yin Cold Qi provides similar concealment for the western team.
- Luo Yiyi’s thousand cultivators pass unnoticed through three patrols and reach an eastern sentry post guarded by roughly fifty strange soldiers and protected by a Warning Formation.
- Taking advantage of the enemies’ sluggishness under the aura of sloth, Luo Yiyi divides her team into groups of ten. They launch a simultaneous silent attack and kill all fifty guards within moments, without allowing a single alarm to sound.
Character Developments
- Luo Yiyi demonstrates strong leadership, strategic judgment, and confidence. Rather than risking a reckless frontal assault, she develops a precise plan that makes use of stealth and the enemy’s weaknesses.
- Ye Chuxue is established as Luo Yiyi’s capable counterpart. Her Primordial Yin Cold Qi makes her ideally suited for the western infiltration route, and she accepts her role without hesitation.
- Immortal Emperor Xuan Mo acknowledges his limitations after learning of the hidden Emperor-level threat. He lowers his stance and entrusts the operation to Luo Yiyi and Ye Chuxue, while enthusiastically accepting the safer role of creating a diversion.
- The alliance’s elite cultivators show discipline and coordination, following commands silently and executing the ambush with precision.
Significant Themes
- Strategy over brute force: The heroes recognize that superior planning is necessary when facing a fortified position and a vastly more powerful enemy.
- Cooperation and trust: Success depends on each leader fulfilling a distinct role—Xuan Mo distracting the enemy while Luo Yiyi and Ye Chuxue attack from opposite sides.
- Stealth and surprise: Concealment, timing, and simultaneous attacks allow the alliance to overcome defenses without suffering immediate casualties.
- The danger of overwhelming power: The possible presence of Great Emperor Sloth forces the characters to act cautiously and avoid direct confrontation until the Blood Sacrifice Formation is weakened.
- Exploiting the enemy’s weakness: The aura of sloth dulls the strange soldiers’ vigilance, turning their own defensive environment against them.
Character Interactions
- Xuan Mo openly seeks guidance from Luo Yiyi and Ye Chuxue, admitting that the operation depends on them.
- Luo Yiyi and Ye Chuxue exchange a determined glance, silently affirming their willingness to fight and cooperate.
- Luo Yiyi explains the infiltration strategy to Xuan Mo and assigns him the diversionary role, which he accepts eagerly.
- Luo Yiyi directs her scouts and infiltration squads with calm authority, while the cultivators respond through quiet signals and coordinated movement.
- The chapter ends with Luo Yiyi’s force successfully eliminating the first eastern sentry post, marking the beginning of the assault on the Blood Sacrifice Formation.