Chapter 20: Breaking the Formation, Grave

You learned from the disciples of the Body-Refining Sect that three of the five spirit springs on the fifth level had already dried up, leaving only the last two still usable.

For the right to use these two spirit springs, the disciples of the other four sects had paired up, each pair claiming one spring.

Though the Body-Refining Sect disciples were powerful, fighting two against one was still a struggle.

Just as everyone was about to give up on the fifth level's spirit springs and prepare to step into the sixth level, you arrived.

"Senior Brother, lead us to take back the spirit springs!"

"That's right, Senior Brother, we can't swallow this insult!"

"With Senior Brother here, even two against one, we have nothing to fear!"

Under everyone's expectant gazes, you decisively refused.

A mere spirit spring was nothing. It held little use for you now — after all, within the Trial Battlefield, breaking through to the Golden Core stage was simply impossible.

Besides, you understood in your heart that these people had only taken a fancy to the five peak Foundation Establishment cultivators responsible for protecting you.

The moment you joined in, those five peak Foundation Establishment cultivators would have no choice but to act in order to protect your safety.

"Apologies, Junior Brothers. I have little interest in this spirit spring. See you on the sixth level!" With that, you turned and departed with the five Foundation Establishment cultivators.

As you passed a seventh-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, the man sneered, "Tch, you don't dare, and that's all there is to it. 'Not interested,' he says. I think you're just a coward!"

Boom!

You struck suddenly, your physical strength alone exploding a man's skull with a single punch. The erupting blood splattered all over you.

Face streaked with blood, you glanced back at the crowd. That terrifying gaze made everyone too afraid to lift their heads.

A flash of spiritual power swept over you, cleaning the blood from your body, and you led the group toward the passage to the sixth level.

"Holy shit, Senior Brother, you were so badass just now!" Li Changsheng, who was following you to the sixth level, could not help but exclaim, "One punch, and you instantly killed a seventh-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator. That's just monstrous!"

Beside you, one of the peak Foundation Establishment cultivators tasked with protecting you could not help but speak up. "Senior Brother's physical strength is probably already comparable to peak Foundation Establishment!"

"Body and law dual cultivation — does he really need our protection?"

"Junior Brothers, do not belittle yourselves. Your strength is not to be underestimated either." You were exceedingly modest. To be favored by a Nascent Soul stage Sect Master was itself a testament to strength.

After all, within the Body-Refining Sect, there were so many peak Foundation Establishment cultivators. Why had these five been chosen?

Passing two spirit springs, the disciples of the four great sects watched you warily, not relaxing until you stepped into the passage to the sixth level.

Upon arriving at the sixth level, what appeared before you were formations, one after another!

To pass, one either had to forcibly break the formation, or have a formation master unravel it!

Knowing nothing of formations, you looked toward your five bodyguards beside you. You believed they surely had a way.

"A mere formation. Leave it to me to unravel. Senior Brothers, guard me!" said a handsome young cultivator dressed in white. A compass immediately appeared in his hand.

This person was one of the five Foundation Establishment experts Ouyang Xiu had arranged by your side.

"Junior Brother Qingfeng, then we leave it to you." Someone in your group recognized him.

Qingfeng nodded and began unraveling the formation.

Only after learning this person's name did you come to know Qingfeng's origins.

Within the Body-Refining Sect, there was only one Elder proficient in formations. It was said that this Elder's formations could even trap Nascent Soul stage cultivators!

And Qingfeng was this person's disciple.

With Qingfeng here, you knew this level was secure!

Three days later, all forty-nine formations of the sixth level were unraveled by Qingfeng, one by one.

When the final formation was unraveled, a book appeared, titled The Secret Tome of Five Elements Formations.

The group examined it. In the end, Qingfeng spoke first. "Senior Brothers, this Secret Tome of Five Elements Formations is very important to me. I hope you will grant me some face."

"Once we return to the sect, I will surely present generous gifts to each Senior Brother!" Qingfeng added.

"Ahem, formations and such have nothing to do with me."

"This level was cleared by Junior Brother. The final reward naturally belongs to Junior Brother."

"I have no objections."

Qingfeng looked toward you. Of the group, only you and Li Changsheng had yet to speak.

"This is what you deserve, Junior Brother. Hurry and take it." You waved your hand, and the Secret Tome of Five Elements Formations flew directly into Qingfeng's grasp.

"Many thanks, Senior Brothers!" Qingfeng put away the Secret Tome of Five Elements Formations, a breath of relief in his heart.

For the sake of small fortunes, many fellow disciples turned against one another. To obtain the Secret Tome of Five Elements Formations without souring relations, Qingfeng was overjoyed.

The group headed for the seventh level. This was the final destination of your journey!

Gazing at the rows of graves ahead, you were deeply shaken.

"Spirit Transformation cultivator Sun Youcai, cultivated for one thousand five hundred years, died in the great war against the alien races!"

"Void Return cultivator Cao Dewang, cultivated for two thousand years, died in the great war against the alien races!"

"Integration cultivator Zhang Defu, cultivated for four thousand years, died in the great war against the alien races!"

The tombstones bore the records of the dead from when they were alive. On this battlefield, the starting point was the Spirit Transformation stage!

A Nascent Soul stage Ancestor capable of leading a sect did not even count as cannon fodder here.

You were deeply shaken. It was hard to imagine just how brutal that great war had been back then, to cause so many mighty beings to fall. And how powerful must the enemy have been?

Everyone gazed at the graves before them, silent for a long time.

In the end, someone spoke up, breaking the atmosphere. "Let's go. On to our destination."

Following Ouyang Xiu's information, you searched the whole way, finally arriving at the largest grave.

Upon it was written: "Army Commander, Tribulation Transcendence cultivator Zhang Chao, cultivated for seven thousand years, died in the great war against the alien races!"

"Even a Tribulation Transcendence cultivator..." Beside you, Li Changsheng's face was filled with disbelief.

"Sigh, we cultivators — without becoming Immortals, we are ultimately nothing but ants!" someone lamented.

"Changsheng, go take a look outside. See if you can run into any fortunes." You patted Li Changsheng's shoulder, signaling for him to leave.

"Oh, okay. Then good luck, Senior Brothers!" Li Changsheng understood and turned to leave.

Once Li Changsheng had gone, you looked at the five people beside you, then drew a deep breath and pressed the switch on the tombstone.

The switch was triggered. Your vision went black. When you opened your eyes again, you found you were no longer in the same place.

"Roar!"

Before you could grasp the situation, five demonic beasts at the Foundation Establishment level launched an attack on you!