Chapter 369

Chapter 369: Third Level Formation

Before the giant stone gate, Song Zhan’s body radiated spiritual light. The white jade formation disk in his hand shone with flowing brilliance as wisps of energy threads channeled onto the stone gate.

Reaching the level where formations could be applied directly to physical objects required at least a Second Level Formation Master.

The formation etched onto the stone gate immediately erupted with dazzling brilliance upon sensing the invading energy.

Boom—

The entire stone gate trembled violently, and once-dormant golden array patterns began releasing fearsome power.

The white jade formation disk in Song Zhan’s hand vibrated wildly as its unleashed energy clashed against the stone gate’s formation, radiating ferocious pressure.

His expression turned serious. He clenched a technique with his left hand, murmured under his breath, then gathered his full strength. Mighty power surged from within him, flowing through his palm into the formation disk.

His right hand moved swiftly, fingers dancing over the levitating disk with intricate maneuvers that drew bright admiration in Zhou Luo’s eyes.

These methods surpassed any he’d previously known—unbelievably swift in deduction yet flawlessly precise.

Indeed, the First Level and Second Level held fundamental differences.

Particularly in formation-laying techniques. Such profound artistry proved near impossible to master without specialized inheritance or personal instruction.

That explained why Second Level Pill Masters could exist among loose cultivators while Second Level Formation Masters could not.

Zhou Luo, however, felt no concern.

With the system, enough lucky draws could someday grant him Second Level Formation Master status.

As the skill offering the most significant enhancement among the four major skills, reaching the Second Level would bring immense personal benefit.

At this moment, Song Zhan deciphered the stone gate’s formation.

Fortunately, it wasn’t formidable. Though strained, his hands maintained steady precision during the meticulous dismantling.

The others watched in silence.

Roughly half an hour later, sweat beaded Song Zhan’s forehead. His movements slowed.

Crash—

Deafening thunder sounded as the gate’s array dimmed and shuddered violently.

Slowly, ponderously, the stone gate parted down the middle, revealing a growing fissure.

The gap widened just enough for one person to slip through.

Beyond lay impenetrable darkness, hiding whatever lay within.

When the four attempted to probe with mental strength, they met only emptiness.

Not one dared move yet.

Song Zhan stowed his disk, swallowed a potion, and began his recovery.

"Dao Friends," he stated gravely, "proceed ahead. I must replenish this formation’s energy—lest latecomers reap undeserved rewards."

With the formation shattered, leaving it open would permit easy passage. A justified concern.

"Understood. Dao Friend Qianxue, let us go." Zhou Luo said to Shangguan Qianxue beside him.

Who knew what lay behind the stone door? What if it was a trap set by that Golden Core master?

Therefore, at times like this, acting as the bird that sticks its head out was sure to bring more losses than gains.

The other party must have thought similarly, hence this excuse.

Song Zhan’s expression shifted slightly, realizing they still didn’t trust him.

He immediately said, "I’ve just expended significant mental effort. Junior Sister, you should stay and act as my Guardian first."

But Zhou Luo swiftly added, "Brother Song has exerted so much mental strength. Why don’t we all wait together? After all, you’re a Second Level Formation Master. We’ll likely need to rely on you next."

With the matter pressed this firmly, Song Zhan momentarily found no good reason to refuse.

Thus, the four of them remained deadlocked at the entrance.

They only moved toward the stone door after Song Zhan had recovered.

Naturally, Song Zhan entered the stone door first.

Amidst Zhou Luo’s flattery, he was now the publicly acknowledged strongest among them.

Being the strongest, walking first was expected.

Song Zhan, despite his reluctance, could only take out his formation disk to scout the path.

Inside the pitch-black environment, not a single finger could be seen stretching out. Utter silence surrounded them.

Song Zhan walked alone at the forefront, the two women in the middle, and Zhou Luo brought up the rear.

This peculiar darkness also blocked mental strength, leaving the four able to sense only the area within a foot ahead as they advanced.

Expressions serious, they slowly moved their feet, cautiously scanning their surroundings.

Swoosh, swoosh—

At that moment, two sounds of cutting through the air echoed from the darkness.

All four instantly became alert. Song Zhan reacted first, his right hand flickering rapidly over the formation disk.

The next instant, numerous formation patterns manifested around him, centered on his position, and swiftly coalesced into a powerful formation.

The formation simultaneously encased all four. Though the dazzling radiance was suppressed by the gloom, it appeared brilliantly bright within their sight.

Thump, thump—

The attacks struck the formation, emitting crisp collision sounds.

The bright light barrier rippled like water. All four keenly perceived a kind of black substance.

The substance dispersed upon contact with the luminous shield, yet simultaneously left dark traces on the formation.

Immediately, those black spots began to spread at a visible speed. In the blink of an eye, they corroded parts of the formation, opening gaping holes.

"What fiendish thing is this?" Song Zhan frowned.

This black substance differed from the poisonous matter he’d encountered before. When it appeared, he’d even sensed a trace of vitality implying it was alive.

This darkness was very likely a formation itself. The ability to conceal living creatures within a formation belonged, at minimum, to a Second Level top-level formation master.

Hence Song Zhan’s shock.

He himself was only Second Level high-quality, still some distance from becoming a top-level formation master.

If this darkness was a Second Level top-grade formation, or even Third Level, escaping might prove difficult.

The other two women also failed to recognize the thing.

But Zhou Luo knew the black substance was a kind of First Level top-tier Gu insect named Black Abyss Gu.

As a First Level top-grade Gu master, he possessed knowledge of all First Level Gu insects.

He recognized its origin at a glance.

What surprised him was the method of integrating Gu insects with formations.

This unexpectedly opened new pathways for Zhou Luo’s thoughts.

Presently, he was both a First Level Gu master and a First Level Formation Master. Combining both could create vastly stronger formations.

Seemed worth trying once they escaped this place.

For now, he withheld revealing its identity.

Because speaking it would expose his identity as a Gu Master – something he wished to avoid.

No one answered Song Zhan’s confusion.

Yet more Black Abyss Gu surged from the darkness. Though individually weak, their self-destruction unleashed fearsome corrosive power.

As they crashed against the formation’s light barrier, relentless explosions also began to dim the spiritual glow.

Song Zhan’s face darkened.

"We must quicken our pace."