In his field of vision, White Cloud Mountain's location was concealed by dense fog and formations. To cultivators unaware of the truth, White Cloud Mountain had long since ceased to exist.
All they could see was a sunken valley.
Even if they stepped inside, the illusion and bewildering formations would cause them to pass straight through without noticing White Cloud Mountain's existence.
Su Shi'er had arranged this formation by drawing inspiration from the formations surrounding Heaven's Gate Mountain.
Its purpose was to make full preparations for his quiet departure after refining White Cloud Mountain.
Just as Su Shi'er arrived near White Cloud Mountain and prepared to enter the formation and return to his cave dwelling,
suddenly, from a distant peak, a vast surge of Dao Qi shot into the heavens.
Terrifying energy coiled through the sky, while an astonishing spiritual source churned within it, vaguely taking the shape of a plump humanoid phantom.
The phantom wore a peaceful expression. The moment it appeared, the spiritual source around it began to dissipate without end.
Before the spiritual source could fully disperse, however, the humanoid phantom suddenly shuddered violently and vanished on the spot.
The remaining energy condensed into a mass and, like a meteor, tore across the sky, passed through the inner sect's Sect Protecting Grand Formation, and shot toward the valley behind the sect's main peak.
The vast Dao Qi was like an epiphyllum blooming for but an instant—appearing swiftly and vanishing just as swiftly.
The next moment.
Four bell chimes rang out in succession, both within and beyond the Phantom Star Sect.
The bells boomed like thunder, yet carried a heavy, mournful wail. They resounded through heaven and earth, echoing amid the mountains and forests without fading for a long time.
"Hmm? The Phantom Star Sect's Mourning Bell rang