The instant the final star-pattern stone was embedded in the formation core-
"Boom!"
Above the cave abode, a river of stars hung upside down!
Three hundred and sixty-five points of starlight appeared out of thin air, spilling down watery radiance that merged with the four-colored barrier.
Starlight intertwined with bloodlight, while killing intent and spiritual qi surged in overlapping layers, leaving not a single gap.
Qing Chen looked up, sensing the formation's vast power, and only then let out a slight breath of relief.
The phenomenon lasted only a single breath before vanishing without a trace. The cave abode returned to normal, showing nothing unusual.
But if a cultivator probed it with divine sense now, they would discover that a faint, elusive power enveloped the entire cave abode. It looked ordinary, but murderous intent lurked on every side.
"Three sets of formations, layered upon one another."
He withdrew his gaze, his tone mild. "Even without anyone directing them, a great cultivator would have to expend considerable effort to break through."
But it still was not enough.
The lesson of the cunning hare with three burrows had been carved into his bones more than two hundred years ago.
The area covered by the formations was an enormous sphere. The cave abode at ground level was merely a visible decoy. His true place of cultivation still had to be underground. He had only one life; when he could play it safe, he would.
Several li underground.
A natural fissure looked as though it had been cleaved open by a giant axe. Extremely narrow and deep, it was barely half a foot wide. Looking down revealed nothing but pitch darkness, and cold winds poured from its depths with a bone-piercing chill.
Standing at the edge of the fissure, Qing Chen glanced down.