Yin Hanmei snorted coldly, not only not withdrawing her strength, but also controlling the three corpse puppets to raise their hands simultaneously, injecting the cold corpse energy into the torrent of attacks.
Qin Hao was completely unaware of this.
Seeing Chu Yunfei retreat, he immediately concluded that the other party was wary of the aftershocks of the formation and dared not approach further.
"Cowardly as a mouse."
Qin Hao sneered, "You dared to spout such arrogant words just now, but now that you really need to contribute, you're hiding at the back. Once the formation is broken, I, the Holy Son, will see what face you have to compete for the treasure!"
Chu Yunfei didn't even glance at him.
The next moment, the cracks on the main hall's light screen lit up simultaneously.
The light curtain did not shatter.
The cracks, like silver eyes that suddenly opened, swallowed up the torrent of spiritual energy that had gathered.
The entire main hall fell into a brief, deathly silence.
The joy on everyone's faces froze.
Zhao Manshan's hand gripping the knife suddenly tightened.
What happened?
Xiao Yihan's pupils contracted slightly as he finally saw the reverse-flowing spiritual patterns deep within the formation.
"Retreat!"
He only had time to utter one word.
The silver light curtain suddenly bulged outwards.
All the power that everyone had just poured into the formation was swept up by an even more violent formation spiritual power and poured out in all directions.
Boom!
A silvery-white tide swept across the ruins.
The dozen or so Rogue Cultivator standing at the forefront didn't even have time to scream before their protective spiritual energy was torn apart on the spot.
Zhao Manshan plunged his heavy sword into the ground, but was still shaken so badly that he coughed up blood, and his feet dragged two deep furrows into the stone slab.
The formations of the Cangyun Sect and the Puppet Sect disciples were thrown into chaos.
Several war puppets were blown away by the wave of light, smashing through the outer broken wall.
Qin Hao's expression changed drastically, and he hastily erected the Cangyun Body-Protecting Sword Screen.
However, he had exerted the most effort just now, and the azure Sword Qi that rebounded from the formation was also the most intense.
The sword barrier lasted only two breaths before it shattered with a deafening roar.
Qin Hao was sent flying, his shoulder slamming into a stone pillar, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.
If He Yang hadn't intervened in time to block the remaining force, he would have broken at least several ribs.
Yin Hanmei also let out a muffled groan.
The ancient black wooden coffin lay across his body, its surface trembling violently from the force of the impact.
Before the suspense from her earlier statement had even completely dissipated, the formation slapped her in the face in the most direct way.
In contrast, consider the Heavenly Edict Sect and the Divine Martial Sect.
Xiao Yihan had already formed Mind-Guarding Formation, and although the seven disciples were repelled, none of them suffered serious injuries.
Wu Changge withstood most of the aftershocks with his bare body, causing the ground beneath his feet to collapse, while Wu Mingyue behind him only suffered minor injuries.
Situ Shuang'er took precautions in advance. Although the Frost Sword Curtain was shattered, she used the momentum to retreat a hundred feet away.
Chu Yunfei, who was the first to speak up, remained standing in the same spot the entire time.
The Abyss-Devouring Sword was held horizontally in front of him.
The oncoming tide of light parted on its own before the sword's edge, sweeping past his sides without even lifting the hem of his clothes.
The ruins gradually quieted down.
Dozens of injured cultivators lay sprawled on the ground.
Those on the periphery who hadn't participated in breaking the formation were filled with lingering fear.
If they had been closer to the main hall, they would probably be corpses by now.
Xiao Yihan dispelled the Mind-Guarding Formation, turned to look at Chu Yunfei, and for the first time, his eyes showed genuine seriousness.
"Brother Chu, you have excellent eyesight. If you hadn't warned us beforehand, many of my Heavenly Edict Sect disciples would probably have suffered heavy losses."
Chu Yunfei sheathed his sword and said calmly, "This formation uses surface cracks to lure people into increasing their strength, and then uses the second layer of formation patterns to counteract the force. The person who set up the formation calculated that the intruders were greedy for the treasures in the main hall, and the more they felt the formation was about to break, the less likely they were to stop."
Si Yunshu followed his gaze to the dragon-carved stone pillar.
The so-called weak point in the formation has been completely restored.
Not even a crack remained.
"So, the place we just attacked wasn't a weak point in the formation at all?"
"It was indeed a weakness at first."
Chu Yunfei raised his hand and pointed to the base of the stone pillar, then traced a line along the ground towards the right side of the main hall.
"Once the attack lands, the second layer of array patterns will shift the core of the array. If the attack continues at the original location, it will only accumulate power for the counter-attack array."
Xiao Yihan frowned.
Where is the true core of the formation now?
Chu Yunfei did not answer immediately.
His divine sense slowly advanced along the direction of the array patterns, eventually landing on a broken stone beast on the right side of the main hall.
The stone beast was missing half its head, and its belly was covered with weeds, making it look no different from an ordinary decoration.
However, every time the array's spiritual energy completes a cycle, a faint silver light flashes from the stone beast's eye socket.
"The core of the formation has been moved beneath that stone beast."
Chu Yunfei spoke calmly.
"However, before breaking the formation, it would be good to let Holy Son Qin and Holy Maiden Yin try one more time. After all, in their eyes, I am just cowardly and retreating, and perhaps the backlash just now was just a coincidence."
The nearby Rogue Cultivator immediately burst into suppressed laughter.
Qin Hao had just gotten up from the ground when he heard these words, and his face immediately turned ashen.
He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, wishing he could draw his sword immediately.
But the result of the formation's backlash was right before their eyes.
Chu Yunfei retreated in advance, and the Heavenly Edict Sect and Divine Martial Sect heeded the warning and were almost unharmed.
On the contrary, it was he and Yin Hanmei who forced their way in and ended up being among the most disheveled.
This can no longer be explained by coincidence.
Yin Hanmei's expression was equally cold.
In her gaze toward Chu Yunfei, besides murderous intent, there was also a hint of fear.
This person's strength is unknown, but he is also proficient in formations.
Once inside the main hall, it will undoubtedly become the greatest threat.
Yue Chenzhou asked in a deep voice, "Since you saw through the true core of the formation, why didn't you explain it beforehand?"
Chu Yunfei glanced at him.
"You're planning to ambush me, and you want me to remind you? Yue Chenzhou, is your brain as damaged as Qin Hao's?"
Yue Chenzhou's face darkened, but he couldn't refute it.
Xiao Yihan stepped forward to examine the stone beast, and after a moment, a look of joy appeared in his eyes.
"There is indeed a spiritual energy node beneath the stone beast, and this node has not yet fully stabilized after the recoil. If we concentrate our forces to attack now, there is a great chance of breaking through the first layer of the formation."
He was referring to the first floor.
The main hall has a complex array formation, and no one can guarantee that there are other restrictions inside after the outer light barrier is broken.
However, having learned their lesson, those present were noticeably more cautious.
Xiao Yihan reorganized the group.
This time, the Cangyun Sect and the Puppet Sect no longer competed for the initiative, and the surrounding Rogue Cultivator also took the initiative to retreat, leaving enough space for defense.
Chu Yunfei did not remain a bystander.
He needs the seventh-grade divine soul elixir from the main hall.
If the formation cannot be broken in time, it will also waste his time.
Attacks from all sides converged once again.
This time, all power fell to the broken stone beast.
The silver light screen shook violently, and just as the internal anti-vibration array patterns lit up, Chu Yunfei unleashed a sword strike.
The dark gold sword light cut in along the intersection of the array patterns.
Click!
Before the counter-force could take shape, it was severed from the center by the sword light.
The entire main hall emitted a deep rumble.
The stone beast exploded with a deafening roar.
The silver light curtain covering the main hall dimmed considerably, and a real crack about ten feet long appeared in the center.
Dense Spiritual Qi emanated from the crack inside the main hall.
It also contained a pure soul force.
Chu Yunfei's soul in his sea of consciousness was drawn in and trembled slightly.
"It really is a seventh-grade soul-refining elixir."
A glint of shrewdness flashed in his eyes.
Obtaining this item would further increase his chances of survival after leaving the secret realm.
Xiao Yihan looked at the crack in the light barrier and said in a deep voice, "The formation has weakened. Two more rounds of attacks will break it completely. Everyone, take a moment to recover your spiritual energy before continuing."
Everyone took the pills and meditated on the spot.
Meanwhile, outside the secret realm.
The commotion in the central square has gradually subsided.
Nangong Hai still clutched the shattered life tablet tightly, his bloodshot eyes fixed on the secret realm's array gate, his killing intent never fading.
Wen Jiao sat on the high platform of the Pill Pavilion, but her gaze suddenly fell to the side beside her.
Yao Yue's expression was unusual.
She had been lounging in her chair, but now she sat ramrod straight, her purple eyes fixed on a quiet, secluded street in the distance.
That usually alluring and flamboyant face was now faintly pale.
Wen Jiao was puzzled and followed her gaze, but only saw passersby and a few ordinary stalls.
" Princess Yao Yue, what's wrong?"
Yao Yue seemed to be startled awake from a nightmare, her body trembling slightly.
"Ah?"
She quickly looked away, forcing a smile.
"It's nothing, I just suddenly remembered something."
But that smile was even uglier than a grimace.
Wen Jiao felt increasingly uneasy.
After hesitating for a few moments, Yao Yue suddenly leaned closer, looking somewhat nervous.
" Pavilion Master Wen, if—and I mean if... if this secret realm were suddenly devoured, do you think Chu Yunfei would still be alive?"