104: Chapter 104 A Cunning Plan, Trapping a Turtle in a Jar

"Supreme Elder Tianxuan, Elder Liu, immediately summon the most core and trustworthy Formation Masters and Elder Disciples. They must be absolutely reliable!" Lin Ye ordered quickly, his gaze sharp as a knife. "We need to set up a 'trap' at the 'Geng Metal Sharpness Formation Eye' that 'looks' destroyed but is actually... hidden with killing intent!"

"The traitor must use some secret and rapid method to destroy the Formation eye, and must send a signal (black smoke) after destroying it. When they act, we need to ensure the core of the Formation eye is not truly damaged, while making the 'appearance' of destruction enough to deceive the traitor and the external demonic army. We must also be able to instantly control or capture the traitor!"

"Additionally, deploy the 'Nine Palaces Spirit-Locking Formation' and 'Reverse Five Elements Annihilation Thunder' around the Formation eye. Once the demonic army rushes in from the 'Kan' position that has been 'destroyed', activate it immediately to give them a 'surprise'! Chu Yun, Gui Li, Ye Xiao, the three of you are responsible for lurking on the side. Once the traitor acts or the demonic army rushes in, act according to the situation, snipe the leaders, and create chaos."

"Elder Li, Elder Kumu, you two, follow me and Supreme Elder Tianxuan to the 'Zhen' position of the Sword Tomb immediately. There is an ancient one-way teleportation Formation there that can lead directly to the periphery of the 'Nine Nether Demon-Suppressing Platform'. We need to teleport away immediately when the trap is triggered and the demonic army is in chaos, and head to the Demon-Suppressing Platform. The ritual must begin within one and a half hours, no matter what!"

Lin Ye spoke very quickly and clearly, arranging every link, personnel division, and time node of "turning the tables" clearly. This composure and ability to strategize in a crisis allowed Supreme Elder Tianxuan and the others, who were originally a bit panicked, to quickly find their backbone.

"Yes!" everyone responded in unison, Battle Intent igniting in their eyes. In a desperate situation, only a brilliant strategy could fight for a glimmer of survival!

Time was tight, and everyone immediately took action.

Supreme Elder Tianxuan and Elder Liu personally selected the personnel to set up the Formation eye trap. They were all trusted aides who had followed them for many years, knew the roots and bottom, and swore by their Dao Heart. The Formation process was extremely secret, and to the outside world, it was claimed to be an emergency reinforcement of the Formation eye's defense.

Lin Ye, along with Elder Li and Elder Kumu, led by Ye Xiao, quietly arrived at an extremely hidden corner of the Sword Tomb, covered in dust and cobwebs. Ye Xiao used special methods to trigger several inconspicuous mechanisms. A giant rock on the ground slid open silently, revealing a narrow stone staircase leading downwards that could only accommodate one person. At the end of the stone steps, faint spatial fluctuations could be felt.

"This is it. This teleportation Formation is old and in disrepair, and it is one-way. There is very little energy left, and it can only teleport at most three times, with a maximum of four people each time," Ye Xiao whispered. "The other end is in the 'Soul-Guiding Corridor' on the periphery of the 'Nine Nether Demon-Suppressing Platform'. The location is relatively hidden, but it is still some distance from the core of the Demon-Suppressing Platform, and there may be dormant ancient Restrictions along the way."

"That's enough." Lin Ye nodded. He entered the passage with Elder Li and Elder Kumu, carefully checking the ancient, simple teleportation Formation patterns carved on the rock wall. He confirmed that it was basically intact and that the few Mid-Grade Spirit Stones embedded as energy sources still had Spiritual Qi. "We will wait here for the signal. Once the trap outside is triggered and chaos ensues, we will teleport immediately."

The three of them concealed their auras and waited quietly in this dark passage. Time ticked by, every breath seeming exceptionally long. Outside the Sword Tomb, Devilish Qi churned, and the sounds of shouting could be vaguely heard. The oppressive feeling of an imminent great battle permeated the air.

Meanwhile, at the "Geng Metal Sharpness Formation Eye".

This was an important hub of the ancient Sword Tomb Formation, located in an area with craggy rocks. In the center was a three-zhang-high stone pillar, dark gold in color, as if condensed from countless sharp sword rays. The surface of the stone pillar was shimmering, emitting an incomparably sharp and fierce Qi, faintly resonating with the Ten Thousand Sword Intent of the entire Sword Tomb.

At this moment, seven or eight "Formation Masters" and Disciples were "busy" around the stone pillar. Some were checking Formation patterns, some were replacing Spirit Stones, and some were whispering about something. Supreme Elder Tianxuan and Elder Liu were also "personally" sitting in command, directing with "solemn" expressions. Everything seemed so normal, as if they were just doing final pre-war reinforcements.

However, if someone with extremely high attainments in Formations were to observe carefully, they would find that although the techniques of these "Formation Masters" were professional, their standing positions faintly formed a peculiar encirclement, vaguely protecting the core area of the stone pillar in the middle. Several key Formation patterns at the bottom of the stone pillar looked normal, but in fact, they had been "disguised" and "replaced" with extremely brilliant techniques. Once damaged in a specific way, the surface would immediately present a false appearance of "collapse," even simulating the effects of Spiritual Qi rampaging and black smoke rising. However, the core Formation connections and energy circulation had long been secretly guided to the pre-set "Reverse Five Elements Annihilation Thunder" Formation Plate buried underground!

Chu Yun, Gui Li, and Ye Xiao were like three of the most patient leopards, lurking in the shadows of the three giant rocks nearby that were most suitable for observation and surprise attacks. Their auras were restrained to the extreme, blending in with the surrounding environment. Their weapons were gripped in their hands, just waiting for the prey to appear.

Time slowly approached one hour.

The atmosphere in the Sword Tomb became increasingly heavy and murderous. Many Disciples gripped their swords tightly, looking nervously at the entrances to each defense line. Everyone knew that the moment deciding the life and death of the Sect was about to come.

At the "Geng Metal Sharpness Formation Eye", it was still "calm".

Suddenly!

A seemingly ordinary and inconspicuous Middle Stage Foundation Establishment Disciple who was "checking" the Formation patterns at the stone pillar, seemed to inadvertently wipe his finger across an extremely hidden groove at the bottom of the stone pillar. His movements were natural and smooth, no different from those around him, and did not even attract the slightest attention from his companions nearby.

However, the moment his finger left the groove—a wisp of black Spiritual Qi, so faint it was almost imperceptible, carrying a thick, cold, and filthy aura, like a tiny poisonous snake, silently burrowed into the depths of the groove, triggering an extremely small "Erosion Formation Yin Talisman" refined from the bones of some Yao Beast that had been placed there long ago!

Hum!

The stone pillar shook violently! The dark gold radiance flowing on the surface suddenly flickered violently and unsteadily! Immediately afterwards, a low "crack" sound, as if metal was breaking, sounded from inside the stone pillar! On the surface of the stone pillar, with that groove as the center, countless dense, spiderweb-like black cracks instantly appeared! From within the cracks, large amounts of thick, ink-like, foul-smelling black smoke spewed out, rushing into the sky!

"Not good! The Formation eye has been destroyed!" The Disciple who "acted" was the first to shout in "terror", his voice even carrying a trace of well-timed trembling and disbelief.

"There is a traitor! Quick! Protect the Formation eye!" Supreme Elder Tianxuan, "both shocked and angry", shouted sternly, and simultaneously "pounced" towards the stone pillar with Elder Liu, as if trying to save it.

Other "Formation Masters" and Disciples around also "panicked" one after another, some trying to urge their Spiritual Qi to stabilize the Formation eye, while others looked around vigilantly, searching for the "traitor".

The black smoke rushing into the sky was exceptionally eye-catching above the Sword Tomb, instantly attracting the attention of everyone inside and outside!

It worked! The traitor had acted! The signal had been sent!

Almost at the same time the black smoke rose!

On the periphery of the Sword Tomb, in the direction of the "Kan" position, the already surging Devilish Qi suddenly became several times more violent! Like a black flood that had breached a dam, accompanied by earth-shaking roars and howls, it launched an unprecedented fierce attack towards the Sword Tomb's defense line! The Soul-Eating Old Monster had been captured, and the Demonic Lord was clearly truly angry, or perhaps, believed that the internal response had succeeded and the time for a full-scale attack had arrived!

The defenders of the "Kan" position defense line suddenly felt their pressure increase dramatically, and the sounds of shouting, explosions, and screams instantly rang out in a chorus!

And at the "Geng Metal Sharpness Formation Eye".

Just as the traitorous Disciple was quietly retreating in the chaos, the corner of his mouth even curling into an imperceptible, smug sneer, preparing to blend into the crowd and wait for an opportunity to go to the next target or contact the outside world—a sudden change occurred!

The stone pillar that seemed to be "collapsing" and rolling with black smoke suddenly erupted with a brilliant golden light from its base that was ten times stronger than before! Countless incomparably sharp golden Sword Qi, like a blooming lotus, shot out from the disguised Formation patterns at the base of the stone pillar, instantly interweaving into an airtight sword net, enveloping the ten-zhang space around the stone pillar, along with that traitorous Disciple, and two other Disciples who were standing slightly closer and also seemed to be "panicking" and retreating!

"Spirit-Locking Sword Domain! Activate!"

Supreme Elder Tianxuan and Elder Liu shouted in a low voice simultaneously, forming seals with both hands. The spewing black smoke suddenly twisted, turning into chains of pitch-black, cooperating with the golden sword net, winding towards the three locked Disciples! This black smoke was actually also part of the trap, containing vicious magic power that imprisoned the Divine Soul!

"What?!" The sneer on the traitorous Disciple's face instantly solidified, turning into horror. He reacted extremely quickly, a layer of thick ghost Qi instantly rising from his body, his figure twisting like a ghost, and he managed to dodge several golden Sword Qi and black smoke chains by a hair's breadth. At the same time, a poisoned short sword slid out of his sleeve, and he stabbed back at a "panicked" companion beside him—that person was also an internal respondent!

However, he was fast, but someone was faster!

"I've been waiting for you for a long time!"

Three figures burst out from the shadows in three directions like ghosts! Chu Yun's red dragon sword was like a fire dragon coming out of a cave, with a scorching Sword Intent that burned everything, stabbing straight at the traitorous Disciple's back! Gui Li's figure was like smoke, his five fingers formed claws, wrapped in gloomy ghost Qi (using the ghost path against the ghost path), grabbing at his neck! Ye Xiao appeared silently on his flank, a thin-as-cicada-wing short blade in his hand, slashing at his sword-wielding wrist! The three of them cooperated tacitly, their attacks tricky and ruthless, sealing all his evasion space!

"You..." The traitorous Disciple was shocked and angry. In his haste, he swung his short sword to block Chu Yun's red dragon sword, while twisting his body violently, trying to avoid the attacks of Gui Li and Ye Xiao.

Clang! Puchi!

The red dragon sword collided with the short sword, sparks flying everywhere. Gui Li's ghost claw tore through his protective ghost Qi, leaving five bloodstains deep enough to see the bone on his shoulder. Ye Xiao's short blade accurately cut his wrist, and the short sword flew out of his hand!

"Ah!" The traitorous Disciple screamed and retreated, his eyes full of unbelievable horror. He didn't expect that his actions were within the other party's calculations, and that they had an ambush set up early!

"Take him down!" Supreme Elder Tianxuan shouted coldly. The golden sword net and black smoke chains tightened violently, trapping him completely. The other two internal respondents were also subdued in an instant by the "Formation Masters" who had been prepared and suddenly burst out.

The three were quickly sealed of their cultivation and taken away. From the start to the end, it was only a few breaths of time, and the traitor had been caught, while the "Geng Metal Sharpness Formation Eye", except for the black smoke that was still "rolling" and rising as a bait, was actually intact.

Almost at the same moment the traitor was captured!

At the "Kan" position defense line of the Sword Tomb, the defensive light shield that seemed to have a trace of "sluggishness" and "disorder" because the "Formation eye was broken", at the moment the vanguard of the demonic army rushed in—Hum!

The "Reverse Five Elements Annihilation Thunder" Formation Plate buried underground was remotely detonated by Elder Liu!

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Five thunder lights of different colors, but equally containing terrifying destructive aura, rushed into the sky from underground. They were not indiscriminate bombings, but precisely covered the most dense charging area of the demonic army's vanguard, and intertwined with each other, forming a small-scale, five-element chaotic annihilation force field!

"Not good! It's a trap!"

"Retreat quickly!"

Several Golden Core demonic generals charging at the front, as well as hundreds of Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining demonic soldiers, were caught off guard and were instantly swallowed by this terrifying Five Elements Annihilation thunder light! Within the thunder light, the Five Elements Spiritual Qi rampaged, collided, and annihilated, producing destructive power that destroyed heaven and earth. Those demonic soldiers and generals couldn't even make a sound before they were shattered, their Devilish Qi dissolved, and they turned into fly ash in the brilliant and deadly thunder light!

Just this one blow caused heavy losses to the vanguard of the demonic army, their charging momentum stagnated, and their Formation was in chaos!

"Kill!" The Lingyun Sword Sect Disciples waiting behind the defense line, under the command of Elder Liu, took the opportunity to launch a counter-charge. Various sword lights and Spells poured down like a rainstorm, killing the chaotic demonic army until they were thrown into disarray, and for a time, they firmly held the "Kan" position defense line!

"The traitors have been eliminated! The Formation eye is safe! The demonic army has fallen into a trap! All Disciples, follow me to kill the enemy!" Supreme Elder Tianxuan's loud voice, containing Nascent Soul magic power, spread throughout the Sword Tomb, greatly boosting the morale of the defenders!

Outside the Sword Tomb, among the main force of the demonic army, a roar of extreme anger came. Obviously, the Demonic Lord or their commander had realized that they had fallen into a scheme, and the offensive slowed down, seemingly readjusting their deployment.

"This is the time!"

In the underground teleportation passage, Lin Ye, who had been closely watching the outside world with his Divine Sense, had a flash of light in his eyes.

"Teleport!"

He, Supreme Elder Tianxuan, Elder Li, and Elder Kumu immediately stood on the ancient teleportation Formation, and Lin Ye quickly cast a Spell to activate the Formation patterns.

Hum!

A white light flashed, and the figures of the four disappeared from the passage instantly. Almost at the same time they disappeared, the Spirit Stones on the teleportation Formation "clicked" and completely turned into powder, and the Formation patterns dimmed, unable to be used again for a short time.

The next second, Lin Ye and the other three felt a slight dizziness and appeared in a dim, deep, long corridor that seemed to be built of some kind of black metal. The walls on both sides of the corridor were carved with ancient murals and runes related to "Reincarnation", "Suppression", and "Seal Demon". The air was filled with pure and cold Spiritual Qi, and there was a grand pressure originating from the depths of the underground that made people's hearts palpitate.

This was the "Soul-Guiding Corridor" on the periphery of the "Nine Nether Demon-Suppressing Platform"! They had finally successfully infiltrated this final Forbidden Ground!

However, before they could catch their breath and carefully examine the surrounding environment.

In the depths of the "Soul-Guiding Corridor", in that eternal darkness, two scarlet lights suddenly lit up, like the eyes of a sleeping giant beast opening.

Immediately afterwards, a low, hoarse voice, like the friction of two rusty iron sheets, neither male nor female, sounded slowly in the corridor with endless indifference and dead silence:

"Trespassers... of the Demon-Suppressing Forbidden Ground..."

"Sentenced... to enter Reincarnation... forever... guard..."