Breaking through the illusion of the mortal world

Chapter 101 Fiendish Qi Suppresses the Abyss

Stepping out of the star array corridor, a solidified, chilling aura greeted me.

Startled by this aura, Lu Ming and Ning Qingxue instinctively began to gather their magical power.

"Don't be nervous, this is just the overflowing aura of the great formation, there is no danger," the old man reassured the two.

Lu Ming immediately felt relieved and began to carefully examine the second layer of the formation.

A pale gray aura of malevolent energy, carrying immense pressure, slowly circulated between heaven and earth.

The malevolent energy is the evil energy of heaven and earth, something that most cultivators avoid.

The fact that the Heavenly Pivot Holy Land could condense such a thick layer of malevolent energy to suppress the power of nothingness shows how tragic it was.

Looking around, the scattered bones were even denser than those in the first star array, and various broken magical artifacts were stuck among the rubble, while tattered array flags were half-buried in the baleful aura.

The corpses of many cultivators were piled up on top of each other on the array's core, remaining in their fighting postures until their deaths.

The ancient heroes have passed away, but their steadfastness in upholding the Way remains eternal, standing silently amidst this malevolent aura.

This is the second layer of the Nine-Layer Suppressing Void Array, the Array of Suppressing Abyss with Killing Qi.

The gray-robed old man paused at the edge of the malevolent aura, his weathered eyes sweeping over the corpses scattered on the ground, his voice deep and slow: "Nine layers of Void Suppression, one realm per layer, one guardian per layer."

"The first layer of the star array serves as the guide, with the celestial constellations forming the base of the array."

"This second layer of malevolent energy serves as a shield, using the malevolent energy of heaven and earth to block the illusory tide."

"Back then, Venerable Void led his followers to attack the great formation. My disciples from Tian Shu defended this place for thirteen days, filling the formation with our corpses and burning our souls with fire, before the formation was finally completed."

Ning Qingxue stood beside Lu Ming, and even she felt a deep respect for him.

She was so caught up in her own emotional state that she didn't even realize it herself.

She cultivated the Seven Emotions and Separation from Hatred, which allowed her to confront her true self most directly and rarely be swayed by emotions, but at this moment she was also moved by this magnificent atmosphere.

Seeing this scene, Lu Ming was filled with even greater respect.

"Senior, we've only passed two levels of the nine-layered formation. We're still far from the core, and the journey is fraught with danger. I'm afraid we'll be a burden to you," Lu Ming said, cupping his hands in a sincere tone.

The old man smiled gently and waved his hand lightly: "Don't worry, the nine-layered formation is progressively deeper, but the danger decreases with each layer."

"The further in you go, the stronger the power of the formation becomes, the weaker the void dissipates, and the fewer the shadow soldiers and generals there are."

"The real danger has already been blocked by our predecessor, Tian Shu, beyond the first three levels."

He raised his hand and pointed to the depths of the malevolent energy, where pale golden array patterns, like giant dragons, coiled and surged ceaselessly underground:

"The third layer of the earth vein supports the cauldron, using the energy of the earth veins of the Divine Land as its power."

"The fourth spiritual vein converges, drawing its energy from the sacred mountain's spiritual veins."

"The fifth layer of the Myriad Laws Locking Spirit uses the laws of heaven and earth as its weapon."

"The sixth layer of fierce winds severs the void, separated by the fierce winds of the nine heavens."

"The seventh level, the Myriad Souls Shattering Thoughts, uses the thoughts of countless living beings as its blade."

"The eighth layer of Dao pattern lock is sealed with the Dao intent passed down through ten thousand years of Tian Shu."

"Only at the ninth level is the core of the great formation—the Cauldron that suppresses the void. The Divine Continent Cauldron has been sitting there for thousands of years, suppressing the remains of the Void Venerable."

Each word and phrase is clearly organized and logically structured.

"I see, I was just being naive," Lu Ming said with an apologetic smile.

"It's alright, just follow me. Remember to follow my route and don't change routes arbitrarily to avoid triggering the power of the formation." The old man didn't care and turned to step into the baleful aura.

"I will use the array to clear the way, so that the evil energy will not harm you and the void will not disturb you. Just follow me." The old man stepped into the evil energy array and called out to the two of them.

As soon as he finished speaking, the old man recited an ancient and long incantation, the pale gray remnant soul power merging with the baleful aura.

In an instant, the malevolent energy of heaven and earth slowly ceased its operation and a path was created.

Lu Ming felt the chilling aura in the world suddenly dissipate, and he felt much more relaxed.

Lu Ming then followed the old man and saw that the ethereal shadow soldiers and hidden ethereal warriors lingering in the murderous aura all stopped.

As if controlled, they all retreated to both sides, leaving nothing obstructing the road.

Ning Qingxue's eyes flickered slightly as she watched.

She had been through many trials and tribulations, and had even experienced the power of nothingness in the Land of Immortal Remnants, but she had never seen anyone command nothingness to take form so casually.

The two followed the old man into the malevolent energy array, gradually venturing deeper.

The old man walked slowly, occasionally pointing out details of the formation: "This is the 'Eye of Evil,' which can suppress the unconscious; that is the 'Ears of the Formation,' which can hear the movement of the ethereal currents... If your breathing is unstable, you can adjust your breath here for a while."

As he spoke, he raised his hand and channeled a wisp of pure array power into the two of them.

Lu Ming's spiritual power recovered to full at a speed visible to the naked eye, and the soul-piercing pain caused by Ning Qingxue's secret technique backlash also dissipated rapidly, restoring his cultivation to more than 70%.

"Senior actually used the power of his own remnant soul to activate the array energy to help us heal." Ning Qingxue spoke softly, her voice unusually respectful.

The old man smiled faintly: "If you want to reach the core of the ninth level and stabilize your foundation, you naturally need to be in perfect condition. My remnant soul power is useless; if it can help you even a little, then it is a little."

Such selflessness, such openness, and such mastery of the formations as if they were his own limbs.

The last trace of doubt in Ning Qingxue's heart vanished completely.

As they walked along, the old man would occasionally point to a broken pillar and recount amusing anecdotes from his time there with his fellow disciples.

Sometimes he would stroke a slash mark and recount the details of his ancestors' bloody battles.

The events described are vivid and detailed, all reflecting the past of Tian Shu, and filled with deep nostalgia.

Ning Qingxue listened and suddenly said softly, "Senior, you must be very lonely, guarding the past for thousands of years alone."

The old man paused slightly, gazing at the murderous aura filling the sky, and sighed softly, "I'm used to it."

"With fellow disciples by my side and a powerful formation protecting me, I'm not lonely."

"We had only hoped to find someone who could stabilize the seal, and now, we have finally found that person. Our long-cherished wish of a thousand years can finally be fulfilled."

His gaze fell on Lu Ming, solemn and expectant: "Young friend, your Dao foundation is naturally able to restrain the void, making you the only one in the Divine Continent Cauldron to respond to it."

"Once we reach the ninth core, we only need to use the Dao Foundation as a guide to awaken the cauldron's energy, strengthen the formation, and completely lock down the Void Venerable."

"I will certainly not fail you." Lu Ming nodded emphatically, his eyes resolute.

Before long, the three passed through the Fiend Qi Suppressing Abyss Formation. The ground in front of them rose slightly, and the powerful earth vein energy surged like a river, condensing into thick, dark yellow array patterns on the ground.

Countless tiny springs seeped from between the rocks, nourishing the foundation of the great formation.

This is the third layer of the Earth Vein Supporting Array.

The old man raised his hand and pointed to the continuous array patterns in front of him, his tone calm: "Beyond this place lies the fourth level of the Spirit Vein Convergence Array."

"The road to the ninth level is still long. With me here, you can proceed with peace of mind and have no worries whatsoever."

Lu Ming and Ning Qingxue nodded in unison, feeling a sense of peace in their hearts.

In this ancient ruin, the old man has unknowingly become their direction, their reliance, and their only hope for survival.

The two followed the old man into the earth vein array. The ground beneath their feet was stable, and the power of the earth veins slowly nourished them. There was no more danger along the way.