Kunwu Secret Realm, Sky-Pillaring Square.
Han Li hid in the shadows at the edge of the square, coldly watching the brief clash that had erupted between the Righteous and Demonic Paths as they fought to seize the initiative. The Taiyi Sect Master and the Heavenly Demon Sect's Grand Elder were evenly matched, their surging spiritual power tearing several bluestone slabs from the square's paving.
"Heh heh, the Taiyi Sect's 'Taiji Duality Array' amounts to nothing more than this!" The Heavenly Demon Sect's Grand Elder gave a vicious laugh and flicked his sleeve, unleashing an ink-black Ten-Thousand-Soul Banner. It instantly transformed into ghostly shadows that filled the sky, shrieking miserably as they lunged at the righteous cultivators.
"Evil fiends, you dare run rampant here!" The Taiyi Sect Master remained composed. With a sweep of his fly whisk, countless silver threads shot out, each imbued with pure vast righteous qi. In an instant, they shredded more than half of the ghostly shadows filling the sky!
The two sides traded blows, neither able to break the deadlock. Meanwhile, the rogue cultivators and members of small and medium-sized sects formed a distant ring around them, hoping to scoop up whatever slipped through the cracks but unwilling to risk themselves lightly.
Han Li paid no heed to their fighting. His gaze remained fixed on the twelve sky-pillaring stone columns surrounding the square, each a thousand feet tall and carved with countless archaic runes.
These twelve stone columns aren't mere decorations. They're the nodes of an enormous array. Understanding dawned on Han Li. His spiritual sense extended in fine strands, silently probing the nearest column. A wisp of Chaos Sword Qi flickered at his fingertips, ready to break through its restrictions at any moment.
Just then, an abrupt change occurred!
Boom!
A tremendous crash came from