Figures surged like a tide, charging into the grand formation through the breach torn open by the wind columns.
On the battlefield, Qingjun and the other cultivators controlling the formation tools did not move; they continued channeling the wind with all their might, launching a frenzied assault against the sky lake to tear at the fabric of space.
The influx of Two Domains Alliance cultivators could truly be described as a deluge.
Though those charging inside appeared somewhat chaotic at first glance, every squad maintained its formation and order. Tempered by countless battles, every cultivator understood that on the battlefield, disarray meant death.
Clutching a wooden plaque in one hand while twirling the Qilin Hairpin in the other, Qin Sang drifted gracefully into the sky lake.
Through the torn waters of the lake, the true contours of Mount Shuangjing were faintly visible.
Snow capped the mountain in pure white. The Sin Abyss cultivators stood in neat arrays, their expressions grim and resolute. At the sight of the invading foes, they swooped downward amid battle cries, unleashing a dazzling flurry of treasure light.
The ruptures across the sky lake were uneven, carving up the conflict into smaller, isolated battlefields.
Rippling waters and mist mingled together here as both sides drew upon the power of their grand formations to slaughter their foes. Thunder and fire splattered across heaven and earth, an incessant barrage of strikes erupting in every direction.
Both sides had come fully prepared, employing every trick at their disposal—evading, defending...
Amidst this maelstrom, cultivators clashed in bloody melee.
Qin Sang darted between the formations. He released the Qilin Hairpin; whenever an opportunity presented itself, he showed no mercy, even if his opponents were merely in the Core Formation or Foundation Establishment stage.
Adhering to Madame Luo's habits, Qin Sang kept the Qilin Hairpin hovering before his chest. Now and then, several hairpin silhouettes would shoot forth like sharp swords; at other times, it manifested as a ferocious qilin, pouncing viciously toward the enemy and striking terror into their hearts.
He silently observed his surroundings, waiting for enemies to seek him out.
After reaping a few lives, Qin Sang sensed something. His delicate brows knit slightly as he turned his gaze toward another pocket of the battlefield. After a brief hesitation, he quietly drifted in that direction.
In that direction, several Two Domains Alliance squads were putting on a conspicuous display.
These squads contained not only Core Formation cultivators but also Demon Core stage demon beasts, tearing through the enemy ranks with wild abandon and leaving their opponents battered and reeling.
They were none other than Li Yufu, Meigu, Fat Chicken, and their companions.
Now that the grand battle had commenced, no one could remain aloof. Qin Sang had intentionally sent them out for tempering, ordering them each to lead a squad grouped together so they could look out for one another.
Qin Sang knew all too well the fate of those who stuck out their heads on the battlefield, yet these juniors seemed not to have grasped that lesson.
And among them, who was more flamboyantly reckless than Fat Chicken?
Lately, Fat Chicken had been riding high on pride and high spirits—successfully breaking through to the late Demon Core stage, slaying his sworn enemy with his own claws, and rescuing his birth mother had left him in soaring spirits.
Jingyu was already on her way, though she could not arrive in time to take part in this battle.
Before parting, however, she had prepared several protective treasures for Fat Chicken.
Boasting a formidable bloodline, Fat Chicken was already a standout among cultivators and demon beasts of the same tier. Now, with wings bolstered by new treasures, he was virtually unmatched, unleashing formidable might.
Swept up in the thrill of the slaughter, Fat Chicken and his partner in mischief, Baihe, hooted and hollered at the top of their lungs.
Though Li Yufu and the others managed to keep their cool, their strength fell short of Fat Chicken's, leaving them barely able to keep up and desperately pleading with him to rein it in whenever they caught up.
Just then, several squads of Sin Abyss cultivators charged from ahead, aggressive and menacing, clearly gunning for them. It was too late to withdraw; the group had no choice but to engage them head-on.
"Go!"
Beside himself with triumph, Fat Chicken unleashed the Thunder Rosary, sweeping a wing forward in grand, dashing fashion. Baihe, always eager for chaos, cheered loudly, paying no heed even as Yue'er tried to restrain him.
A Thunder-Devouring Falcon forged of lightning bolted straight into the enemy ranks, with attacks from Li Yufu and the others closely following behind.
Sensing the danger, the Sin Abyss cultivators' faces hardened. They clustered together, drawing upon the grand formation's power for protection while activating their respective magic treasures and magic tools to mount a defense.
Boom!
The moment the thunder falcon met resistance, it detonated.
Refined anew by Jingyu before being returned to Fat Chicken, the Thunder Rosary was far more formidable than before. Coupled with Fat Chicken's exceptional prowess, its power was truly extraordinary.
Within the blinding lightning, countless electric serpents danced outward, accompanied by bursts of gasps and agonizing shrieks.
Fat Chicken cackled wildly, bathed in lightning as he led the charge forward.
Unfortunately, the Sin Abyss cultivators were not so easily defeated. Having witnessed Fat Chicken's display earlier, they had not been caught entirely unprepared. Though looking battered, they were not gravely injured, and quickly mounted a counterattack.
Darkness suddenly fell before Fat Chicken and his comrades. Earthen spikes materialized out of thin air, their sharp tips aimed straight at them before shooting forward in a concentrated barrage.
Startled, everyone halted their flight and activated their magic tools and magic treasures to blast apart the earthen spikes.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The earthen spikes shattered into fragments, showering gravel and stone everywhere.
Taking advantage of the pause, the Sin Abyss cultivators reformed their ranks and swept in for the kill. Several pairs of covetous eyes locked onto the Thunder Rosary, clearly enticed by the treasure.
Furious, Fat Chicken pulverized an earthen spike with a swipe of his talons and ordered an all-out assault.
The high-stage Sin Abyss cultivators exchanged glances, subtly altering their tactical formation to entangle Fat Chicken's side in a war of attrition.
Soon, both sides were locked in fierce combat, colorful flashes of light streaking back and forth in a furious melee.
Fat Chicken failed to gain any real advantage. With Sin Abyss specifically assigning several cultivators to keep him checked, he felt constrained at every turn. His head gradually cleared, and he finally realized that no matter how strong he was, he could not run rampant as he pleased like a true Transformation stage great demon.
Just as a sobered Fat Chicken moved to rectify the situation, an anxious shout from Li Yufu rang out behind him:
"Junior Sister, watch out!"
The junior sister in question was none other than Meigu, Qin Sang's newly accepted disciple.
Li Yufu cared even more deeply for Qingyang Temple than Qin Sang did. Aside from himself, Meigu was the sect's only other Core Formation disciple, and the two had always shared a close bond.
As it turned out, their formation had fractured unnoticed in the thick of battle, and Meigu had fallen behind.
At that precise moment, a shadow materialized on the ground, twisting with an eerie, sickening contortion before lunging viciously toward Meigu.
Having clashed with Sin Abyss for so long, how could they fail to recognize it? This was a monstrosity manifested by the Nether Crystal Pagoda—someone was manipulating the pagoda from the shadows to hunt!
At this juncture, the Nascent Soul cultivators in the Mount Shuangjing stronghold were no more numerous than those of the Two Domains Alliance. Every Nascent Soul bore heavy responsibilities and tremendous pressure.
Engaged against the Two Domains Alliance, it was difficult for them to divert their attention or oversee the low-stage cultivators' battlefield.
Yet the moment one did intervene, it bared bloodthirsty fangs!
In a panic, everyone rushed back to help, but the Sin Abyss cultivators had long anticipated this moment. Unwilling to let them mount a rescue, they launched a ferocious counteroffensive.
Having led a sect through arduous struggle, Meigu was actually far more experienced than Fat Chicken and Li Yufu. Finding herself isolated, she showed not the slightest panic. She struck head-on at the beast with the Seven Yang Ruler, while a precious mirror hovered before her chest, shooting a ray of white light straight at the monster.
However, neither of these two strikes succeeded in killing the beast.
She managed to buy a brief moment as Fat Chicken and Li Yufu fought desperately to drive back their opponents. Just then, a streak of light flashed through the air, resolving into a ferocious auspicious beast—a qilin—which tore the monstrosity to shreds in mere moments.
Drenched in cold sweat, everyone looked up to see a graceful young woman gliding toward them.
Chapter 1282