Ruins Entrance

Breaking through the ambush, the three flying boats continued their journey without slowing, venturing deeper into the heart of Burial Demon Valley.

The surrounding scenery grew increasingly bizarre. Wisps of ominous, blood-red mist began to mingle with the gray-black fog. The stench of blood in the air was so thick it was nauseating, and an ancient, chaotic pressure bore down on everyone's hearts as if it were tangible, causing even the flying boats' protective shields to ripple faintly.

The ground was no longer an endless expanse of barren wasteland and swamps. Large swathes of scorched earth appeared, as if ravaged by intense flames or corroded by some potent acid.

Scattered bones had also become larger and more twisted. Some even shimmered with an eerie phosphorescence, clearly not belonging to humans.

Even more chilling were the occasional ruins of dilapidated buildings, their styles vastly different from the current era. Giant stones were covered in incomprehensible, distorted runes, exuding an aura that could confuse the mind.

"We are approaching the core area of the ancient battlefield, the potential location of the ancient demon ruins."

The Formation Master Martial Uncle (Daoist name Qing Yun) had a grave expression, his formation disk's pointer spinning wildly. "The space here is extremely unstable. Divine sense probes must be handled with extreme caution to avoid being corrupted by these chaotic thoughts."

All the disciples tensed, focusing their minds, not daring to be careless in the slightest.

Mo Yuan could feel the Soul Cleansing Banner in his sea of consciousness continuously emitting a gentle, clear radiance, helping him resist the intangible mental pollution from the outside.

He cautiously extended a sliver of his divine sense and was immediately met by countless fragmented thoughts filled with violence, hatred, and madness, surging like a tide. If not for his divine sense far surpassing those of the same rank and the protection of the Soul Cleansing Banner, he would likely have been affected instantly.

"There's a strong energy reaction and spatial distortion ahead!" the Ge Zao Mountain Elder piloting the Flowing Cloud Boat suddenly called out.

Everyone looked ahead. Several miles away, the ground appeared to have been torn apart by a colossal claw, forming a bottomless, immense canyon.

At the canyon's edge, space warped and folded like shattered mirror glass, refracting bizarre and colorful scenes.

And at the entrance of the canyon, on a relatively flat clearing, stood several dark red totem poles, dozens of feet tall.

Thick black chains were wrapped around the poles, their other ends extending into the distorted space deep within the canyon.

Even more shocking was the sight of mountains of corpses piled up on the clearing.

There were humans, Yao Beasts, and even some strangely shaped demonic creatures.

Blood stained the earth, forming streams that flowed along specific channels towards the totem poles and were absorbed by them.

The poles consequently emitted an eerie bloody light, faintly echoing the chaotic pressure emanating from the depths of the canyon.

"Blood sacrifice! They've already begun the blood sacrifice!" Elder Qing Ming's face turned ashen.

"Look at the arrangement of the totem poles and the direction of the chains... They're trying to use the power of the blood sacrifice to forcefully stabilize and open the entrance to that unstable ruin!"

Martial Uncle Qing Yun's voice was low, tinged with horror. "What a grand undertaking! Such a scale of blood sacrifice must require the slaughter of countless lives!"

The three flying boats slowly landed behind a cluster of hidden rocks several miles from the canyon entrance.

The group disembarked, concealed their presence, and stealthily approached the edge of the rock formation to observe the situation at the canyon entrance.

Around the totem poles, hundreds of Black Fiend Sect members and dozens of assassins dressed in Netherworld attire were densely gathered.

They were clearly divided into tasks. Some were dragging new "sacrifices" to designated spots for slaughter, guiding the blood into the channels. Others sat around the totem poles, chanting incantations and injecting their evil energy into the poles. Still others patrolled vigilantly with various magical artifacts.

And atop the tallest totem poles, powerful figures stood.

The one in the center, clad in a Netherworld Elder's robe embroidered with dark gold ghost heads, had a withered face and sunken eye sockets where green soul fires flickered. His aura had reached the late Foundation Establishment stage.

To his left and right stood two mid-stage Foundation Establishment elders from the Black Fiend Sect, along with two early-stage Foundation Establishment assassins from the Netherworld organization, whose chilling auras were evident.

"One late-stage Foundation Establishment, four mid-stage Foundation Establishment, two early-stage Foundation Establishment... plus hundreds of cultists..." Martial Uncle Xuan Ji's expression was grim. "The enemy's strength far exceeds our estimations."

On the side of the Three Sect Alliance, the three leading elders were all late-stage Foundation Establishment. Including Mo Yuan, Zhang Tianyun, Luo Li, and several other true disciples in the early Foundation Establishment stage, their Foundation Establishment combat power numbered around ten, with over twenty Qi Refining disciples.

Their top-tier strength was roughly equal, but the gap in the lower and middle tiers was immense. Moreover, the enemy held the advantage of terrain and the support of the blood sacrifice formation.

"A frontal assault is definitely not the best course of action," Martial Uncle Qing Yun said gravely. "We must find a way to disrupt their blood sacrifice ritual, at least interrupt its progress. Otherwise, once the ruin's entrance is fully opened, the consequences would be unimaginable."

"Martial Uncle-Grandfather, can you discern the key points of the blood sacrifice formation?"

Mo Yuan focused on observing the totem poles and the flow of blood. Relying on the knowledge from his newly acquired Array Dao Primer and his extraordinary divine sense, he vaguely perceived several core points of the formation's energy flow.

Martial Uncle Qing Yun looked at Mo Yuan with some surprise, not expecting him to grasp anything.

He nodded. "Those seven main totem poles are the core, especially the central one, which connects to the spatial node of the ruin's entrance. The base of the poles connects to the earth's veins, absorbing the blood sacrifice power. If we can simultaneously destroy more than three main poles, or sever the connection between the central main pole and the earth's veins, the ritual can be interrupted."

"Simultaneously destroy three main poles..." Martial Uncle Xuan Ji frowned. "Each main pole is guarded by a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and there are many cultists around. It will be difficult to approach."

"Perhaps... we can create a diversion." Zhang Tianyun of Dragon Tiger Mountain suddenly spoke, his gaze sharp. "Send a portion of our forces to feign an attack from the front, drawing the enemy's main attention. Then, dispatch an elite team, using concealment techniques, to flank or approach from the rear and launch a surprise attack to destroy the totem poles."

"This method is feasible," Luo Li of Ge Zao Mountain also said softly. "I can set up a small concealment formation to cover the team's approach."

The elders quickly conferred and soon finalized their strategy.

Martial Uncle Xuan Ji and Elder Qing Ming would lead the majority of the disciples in a frontal assault, creating a significant disturbance to attract the enemy's main force. Martial Uncle Qing Yun would oversee the overall situation from the rear, preparing for any potential spatial anomalies.

The crucial task of destroying the totem poles would fall to Mo Yuan, Zhang Tianyun, Luo Li, and another early-stage Foundation Establishment senior brother from Mount Mao, skilled in assassination and sabotage, named Ying Wuhen.

"Nephew Disciple Mo Yuan, although you have just entered the Foundation Establishment stage, your strength is extraordinary. Your lightning techniques, in particular, have a great suppressing effect on evil creatures. You will be one of the main forces in this surprise attack." Martial Uncle Xuan Ji looked at Mo Yuan with trust and a charge in his eyes. "Martial Nephew Zhang's swordsmanship is sharp, Martial Nephew Luo's formations are exquisite, and Martial Nephew Ying's concealment is unparalleled. The four of you must cooperate sincerely and ensure success!"

"We will not fail you!" the four responded in unison.

With the plan set, everyone immediately took action. The frontal assault team began to gather spiritual energy, preparing to unleash a thunderous strike.

Under the cover of a faint, smoke-like concealment formation quickly set up by Luo Li, Mo Yuan and the other three moved like ghostly shadows, using the stone forest and the terrain's shadows to stealthily circle around to the rear of the canyon entrance.

Mo Yuan felt the surging Thunder True Essence within his body, along with the intangible majesty brought by that wisp of the Thunder Emperor's will, his eyes resolute.

He knew this surprise attack would be a crucial battle to test his true strength after reaching Foundation Establishment, and it was also vital to preventing a catastrophe that could sweep the world.

He gripped the Thunder Dragon Evil-Slaying Spear in his hand, feeling its familiar coolness and fighting spirit.

The blood-red light and evil energy ahead grew closer and closer. The battle was about to begin.