Chapter 162
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Chapter 162: The Absolute Formation of Mist
The sky was as dark as ink, veiled in a dense mist. In the distance, the clamor of battle grew fiercer, and the acrid, metallic scent of blood was carried by the roaring wind to Ming He’s nostrils.
The woman clad in blue tightened her grip on her long sword, her gaze sharp and resolute as she watched Nineteen rise into the air. With a sudden motion, she drew her sword, her figure darting like a startled swan through the shadows. With a mere touch of her toes, she traversed hundreds of miles, landing squarely at the heart of the battlefield.
Ming He steadied herself, her right hand flashing with light as she hurled five swords, each exuding a chilling scent of blood, into the sky. As they descended, they were enveloped in a golden radiance, hovering in mid-air.
The Tian Yan Tribe’s army marched in unison, emerging numbly from the black fog, while in the distance, dozens of formidable auras pressed forward, ready to join the fray.
Ming He paid no heed to her surroundings, silently reciting the incantation of the Nine-Character True Words. The Ghostly Sword trembled slightly, its blade shooting forth like an arrow, landing beside the Xuanyuan Sword.
Everything was in place, and the powerful auras arrived as expected.
Ming He flipped her hand, sending a Shadow Strike into the center of the sword array. She closed her eyes, activating the Star Lock, which bathed her in a brilliant light.
Her blue robes fluttered in the wind as she stood within the sword array, unyielding as a mountain, blocking all enemies from advancing toward the central pavilion.
To halt the activation of the Ancient Formation of Heaven and to kill Nineteen, they would first have to pass through her.
They would have to overcome the Big Dipper Seven Star Sword Array.
"Then let us kill that Sword Cultivator in Blue first," declared a young man with a vertical pupil on his forehead, his handsome features exuding an air of arrogance. He commanded the powerful allies behind him to act.
"At your command, Third Prince," the figures behind him responded softly, their movements swift and silent as they encircled Ming He like a gentle breeze.
The Big Dipper Seven Star Sword Array glowed with a fierce light, its blades sharp and imbued with the mysteries of the Great Path, poised to unleash its full might.
Ming He closed her eyes, her hands moving in intricate patterns as she controlled the sword array, yet she remained acutely aware of her surroundings.
The Third Prince?
He was indeed a member of the Tian Yan royal family.
Unlike the low-tier Tian Yan tribe members who wandered the battlefield mindlessly, these Tian Yan warriors possessed intelligence and appeared almost indistinguishable from humans.
Their strength rivaled that of Earth Emperor Realm experts.
"Ming He, the young leader of the human race!" The young man with the vertical pupil fixed his gaze on her, his thoughts quickly confirming her identity. His voice grew more eager as he spoke: "If I kill you, what reason would my father have not to name me the young clan leader?"
"You brought this upon yourself," the young man sneered, his eyes blazing with ambition as he gazed at Ming He as though she were a stepping stone to his throne. He barked an order to his subordinates: "Kill her!"
"Yes," the Tian Yan warriors responded in unison, their hands sprouting sharp, black claws as they lunged toward Ming He in a coordinated assault.
Though their formation lacked the precision of a human battle formation, it was far from chaotic.
Their strength was on par with Earth Emperor Realm experts.
Could the Big Dipper Seven Star Sword Array hold its ground against them?
Ming He did not know.
There was only one way to find out.
The Tian Yan army continued to pour in from all directions, while human reinforcements raced toward the battlefield.
This battle was of utmost importance to the human race!
Ming He raised her brows, her dark eyes closing as she attuned herself to the cosmos. Seven swords, each unique in its power, encircled her, floating at their designated star positions.
The Tian Yan warriors’ attacks were already upon her.
Yet Ming He remained composed, her hands moving with deliberate slowness as she manipulated the sword techniques. The seven swords shifted slightly, their blades turning toward the enemies. The aura they emitted was overwhelming, capable of cleaving mountains, and with ease, they severed the long, black claws of the Tian Yan warriors.
The sword’s brilliance surged forth, carrying the power of starlight, relentlessly pressuring the Tian Yan Tribe warriors, showing no mercy as it aimed to capture them all.
It was only one strike!
The faces of the Tian Yan warriors changed dramatically. Although most were delayed by the golden light’s influence, they had indeed underestimated the blue-clothed human sword cultivator before them.
When had the human race produced such a figure?
They thought this in their hearts, then exchanged glances and nodded in unison, no longer hesitating. They let out a long howl towards the heavens, their auras rapidly rising, overwhelming Ming He and leaving her breathless.
What tactic is this?
Ming He felt a chill in her heart. As she extended her senses, she noticed the half-open, half-closed vertical pupils and muttered, "Not good." Her sword techniques grew even more profound and grand as she created several illusions in the air.
Spiritual energy surged forth as if it were boundless, wanting to quickly settle the matter by slaughtering these Tian Yan warriors cleanly.
But they were the Tian Yan Tribe.
The formation seals on the battlefield of the heavens were different from those on the Tianwu Continent; once their Tian Yan eyes opened, no one could withstand their sharpness.
In the dark night shrouded in black fog, dozens of fierce shadows, like lasers from the wilderness, swept across the battlefield. Any human cultivator who came into contact with these shadows was immediately left bloodied and on the brink of death.
Seeing Ming He standing still, they remained patient. Their primary goal was not to eliminate Ming He but to prevent the Ancient Formation of Heaven from being set up.
As the golden light flickered, several princes of the Tian Yan Tribe were discussing in the council hall, analyzing the battlefield situation. Suddenly, the Fifth Prince exclaimed that if the Sealing Sky Formation was completed, the Tian Yan Tribe might not be able to touch the Tianwu Continent for the next thousands of years.
How could that be?
The Tian Yan Tribe simply could not last another thousands of years.
Even the clan leader, who was in seclusion, sent out orders to stop the formation’s completion.
The Third Prince acted swiftly, taking the lead to rush over, while the other elite warriors of the Tian Yan Tribe followed behind.
If they could eliminate the one setting up the formation before the elite of the Tian Yan Tribe arrived, perhaps…
The Tian Yan warriors thought this, their gazes growing more fervent, as the laser-like shadows recklessly swept across the battlefield, slaughtering without concealment.
If they couldn’t kill Ming He and the person behind the formation, they could at least take out some human cultivators.
After all, there were many in the Tian Yan Tribe who could serve as vanguards; life and death were of little significance to them, but it was not the same for the human race.
They had heard that every human here had once been a powerful figure on the Tianwu Continent.
Such a weak race, how could they be worthy of occupying such a blessed land on the Tianwu Continent?
The Tian Yan warriors surrounding Ming He thought this, their eyes filled with disdain and contempt.
Upon seeing this, Ming He frowned. She could not just sit back and watch them slaughter the human cultivators. Thus, she stepped forward to confront the laser-like shadows, her eyes flashing with thunder, fury burning within.
"Rise!"
She spoke clearly, stepping forward as the sword array’s blades pointed outward, tearing apart the black fog, transforming the force of the wind into sword wind.
Ming He flipped her hand, her expression sharp. The seven long swords formed a circle as they soared into the air, crashing down like a mountain to sever the light beams formed by the shadows.
As their energies clashed, both sides suffered.
The Tian Yan warriors were forced to step back a few paces.
Ming He turned pale, lowering her head as she spat out a mouthful of blood.
The Ghostly Sword wavered, showing signs of dissipating, but Ming He pushed through the pain in her Sea of Souls to retrieve it forcefully. The Xuanyuan Sword and the six swords of the Shadow Strike Tribe also dimmed, and the brilliance of the Big Dipper Seven Star Sword Array came to a halt.
Yet it shattered the unstoppable momentum of the Tian Yan Tribe’s murderous assault beneath the shadows.
The Tian Yan warriors clutched their foreheads, their vertical pupils revealing pain, and their icy, murderous gazes locked onto Ming He. Without waiting for the Third Prince’s command, they charged forward once more.
How despicable it was for several Earth Emperor Realm experts to besiege Ming He, who was only at the seventh level of the Human King stage!
But on the battlefield of the heavens, the human cultivators had endured such trials for thousands of years.
The human race had few Earth Emperor Realm experts, as maintaining the formation seal required the power of the Earth Emperor. Thus, every cultivator who ascended to this realm had to infuse half of their spiritual energy into the formation seal, leaving them with only half their strength in battle.
At this moment, that powerful ally with half-Earth Emperor strength was needed to activate the formation seal, assisting Nineteen in setting up the Ancient Formation of Heaven.
Had the grand formation been completed, the human race’s Earth Emperor Realm experts could have intervened to aid Ming He.
But the Ancient Formation of Heaven had only just begun to take shape, its golden light, guided by Nineteen, barely spreading through the center of the ancient pavilion.
Now, no one could come to Ming He’s aid.
They had all known the plan was fraught with challenges, but none had anticipated the danger arriving so swiftly.
Or perhaps, they had never imagined that someone within the Tian Yan Tribe would recognize the power of the Ancient Formation of Heaven and swiftly rally the tribe’s elite forces to this place.
Ming He’s lips curled into a bitter smile. Her right hand tightened around the Jing Ying Sword, her expression resolute, embodying the spirit of breaking like jade rather than surviving as a shattered tile.
Just then, a dark mass surged in the distance, led by a figure cloaked in black.
"Boom!"
A deafening explosion tore through the heavens.
Ming He looked up, startled, and saw a spirited girl with blood staining her lips, her pale yet enchanting visage slightly at odds with Ming He’s memory.
"Are you unharmed, young leader?" the girl in black asked softly, her voice laced with concern.
Ming He lowered her gaze. "I’m fine."
After a pause, she tightened her grip on the Jing Ying Sword, her voice a mix of gratitude and confusion. "Thank you, Left Envoy of the Demon Race, for saving my life."
The girl in black, who had intervened at that critical moment, was Dream Sea, the Left Envoy of the Demon Race, once a loyal companion of Ji Wu Xu.
"After the Demon Lord ascended, all promises made remain valid," Dream Sea explained gently, sensing Ming He’s bewilderment.
Ji Wu Xu had once vowed to Ming He that, upon ascending to the position of Demon Lord, she would honor the agreement with the human race and grant Qu Lingyun her freedom.
Later, she learned that Qu Lingyun was the Master of the Nine Heavens Pavilion, rendering any promise of freedom unnecessary. Yet, the agreement itself endured.
The battlefield of the heavens had always seen the support of the Demon Race, the Mermaid Clan, and other factions. However, compared to the human race, reaching the Human King stage was even more arduous for them, resulting in fewer numbers.
"Young leader Ming, focus on your task. Leave the Tian Yan warriors and the Third Prince to us of the Demon Race," Dream Sea said, her clear eyes gleaming as silver threads coiled around her, radiating killing intent.
Ming He glanced at Dream Sea, aware of the unfathomable power of this Deep Sea creature, especially with the presence of other demon cultivators of varying strengths behind her. Trusting in this, she turned her gaze elsewhere.
Focus on her task.
Her task was to slay countless Tian Yan warriors, using their blood essence to condense within her heart and channel Star Power into the Ancient Formation of Heaven.
Ming He had no expertise in formation mastery, nor had she questioned Nineteen about the specifics. She simply followed Nineteen’s instructions.
They fought side by side, entrusting their lives to one another.
She trusted Nineteen.
Her right wrist trembled incessantly, still unsteady from the lingering impact of the Tian Yan warriors’ overwhelming presence.
Her meridians ached faintly, making it difficult to bear the sharp sword energy. Fortunately, she was not solely devoted to the path of Swordsmanship.
Ming He’s toes skimmed the ground, landing in the densest part of the Tian Yan Tribe’s army. She closed her eyes once more, allowing her aura to settle, her fingers forming intricate seals. The soul power within her mind surged fiercely, and the wind between heaven and earth momentarily stilled.
The woman in blue clothes lightly uttered her first word: "Arrive!"
The first word of the Nine-Character True Words!
An ancient method of the Soul Clan, emphasizing the dual cultivation of soul and spirit.
At the same time, her pale, blood-stained hands moved back and forth dozens of times, forming complex and ancient gestures. Her palms came together, exuding an immense pressure that was almost unbearable to behold, even without the support of spiritual energy.
Immovable Wisdom Seal!
A small palm stirred the currents of heaven and earth, crashing like raging waves against countless mountains and stones, heavily and irresistibly shrouding the Tian Yan Tribe’s army within, instantly giving rise to swirling black fog.
The battlefield, once filled with chaos, now resonated with the righteous and fierce energy of the human race’s cultivators.
Ming He raised her hand, maintaining her momentum. With every word she spoke, a hand seal surged forth, her complexion growing paler. Yet the faint light hidden in her eyes symbolized the sun, moon, and stars above the Nine Heavens, shining brightly without dimming.
"Soldiers!"
"Great Vajra Wheel Seal!"
"Fight!"
"Outer Lion Seal!"
…
After several more hand seals, Ming He finally found herself enveloped in black fog, the pure spiritual energy of her spiritual ocean and the murky blood essence each occupying half.
She concentrated deeply, slowly drawing the alien blood essence into her heart. The searing pain that pierced through her heart at that moment felt no different than the despair of having her tendons severed.
Even someone as determined and fierce as Ming He could not stop her body from trembling, her face turning pale, biting her lip until blood oozed out, the crimson droplets falling to the ground, merging into the sea of blood.
She stood there, her aura chaotic and fierce, resembling a primordial beast, making even the numb and indifferent Tian Yan Tribe army instinctively avoid her sharpness.
A beast as massive as a small mountain, Kuei, roamed the battlefield, dragging the Tian Yan Tribe’s bodies with glee. Sensing its master’s condition, it hurried back to her side, lowly roaring, unsure of what to do, its cries filled with helplessness.
It hurts so much!
The pain of a thousand arrows piercing the heart and a heart as if cut by knives was just like this.
The pungent, bloody essence of the alien race pressed against her heart, and the vast and endless connections of the ancient Tian Yan Tribe filled her nearly bursting head.
Ming He gritted her teeth, wishing she could roll around in pain. She clung to the last bit of brightness in her heart, reminding herself to use Star Power to wrap the alien blood essence and infuse it into Nineteen’s array flags.
Only in this way could the Ancient Formation of Heaven truly succeed.
But it was so difficult!
Ming He opened her eyes, blurred and dazed, watching the battlefield around her where others battled incessantly. They were all fighting, yet she stood alone in the center, feeling like an outsider.
An outsider.
She pondered those three words, her mind growing increasingly chaotic. Dazed, she wished to let her thoughts sink into the abyss, but she also remembered her mission, unwilling to simply close her eyes.
"Ming He!" A clear voice echoed across the battlefield.
Whose voice was that?
Ming He tilted her head, lost in thought, but no memories surfaced. A vague yearning to plunge into an endless abyss enveloped her.
“Ming He!” A warm and clear male voice called out.
Yet, she still couldn’t place who it belonged to.
“Ming He!”
“Young leader!”
“Roar!”
More voices followed.
But Ming He remained unable to recall anything.
She didn’t even know what she was supposed to do anymore.
What had she been meant to accomplish?
The alien blood essence continued to sear through Ming He’s heart, yet the Star Lock could not intervene in the devouring.
The Star Lock was powerless.
At this moment, perhaps the only one who could help Ming He was herself.
“Ming He!” The voice, cold yet clear, seemed to come from the battlefield of the heavens, carrying an ethereal, almost unreal quality, faint and distant as if it didn’t truly exist.
The Star Lock trembled slightly.
A coolness flowed through Ming He’s heart.
On the dark and gloomy battlefield, she suddenly shivered, feeling as though she was submerged in an icy sea, surrounded by that voice. Her heart remained calm, yet her entire body was filled with a fierce and pure energy.
Was that voice… Senior Sister?
Ming He’s eyes snapped open, clarity flooding her gaze.
That was unmistakably Senior Sister’s voice; she hadn’t misheard.
It couldn’t possibly be an illusion.
Ming He clenched her fist, glancing down at the Crescent Moon jade pendant hanging at her chest, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
Was it because of the Spirit Contract?
Senior Sister, you’ve helped me once again!
As she thought of that cold yet gentle figure, Ming He’s eyes softened with emotion, and the burning sensation from the alien blood essence vanished in an instant.
She formed hand seals once more, channeling Star Power to envelop the immense alien blood essence and draw it toward Nineteen’s black array flag.
Qin Huai Yuan, standing nearby with a long sword, guarding her safety, let out a sigh of relief. He then led the small team into a battle formation, charging toward the distance.
The black array flag, infused with the power of all things in heaven and earth, rose like a great bird spreading its wings, soaring high into the sky, almost ninety thousand miles upward.
Golden light burst forth, hanging high above everyone, illuminating the dark battlefield brighter than daylight.
Nineteen’s brows sparkled with starlight and joy. “Gather!”
Her commanding voice echoed across the entire battlefield of the heavens.
Ming He and all the human race cultivators couldn’t help but look up at the dark expanse known as the sky, their eyes filled with starlight that seemed capable of lighting up the heavens.
In that moment of focus, the woman’s graceful hand rose slightly, and like parting clouds to reveal the sun, a radiant light suddenly poured down. A brilliant golden sun hung high above, its rays shining brightly and filling the world with warmth.
The thick black fog retreated weakly, and even the fierce wind ceased its howling. In the ensuing silence, a sense of cherished tranquility filled the air.
Golden fireworks surged into the sky, but they no longer carried the meaning of a plea for help.
Warm sunlight fell upon their gruesome wounds, the pain searing deep into their bones, yet they felt no pain at all.
Hope glimmered brightly before them, and smiles bloomed on their faces, tears welling in their eyes. A single drop of crystal-clear tear fell, staining the sword tip with a blood-red hue, sparkling in the sunlight.
In such a moment of longing, Nineteen’s brow gradually furrowed, her heart sinking to the depths: “Absolute Formation of Mist!”
She whispered those four words, and under the weight of many eager gazes, her breath caught. She lowered her head, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
It was eerie and bright red.
A sight that struck deeply.
