172: Chapter 172 The Great Zhou Tian Formation, Stars as a Prison

Star Peak Main Hall.

The atmosphere was as heavy as iron.

On the three-dimensional sand table in the center of the hall, the red light dots representing the demon beast army were scattering.

However, the dark red light pillar representing the Burial Dragon Abyss rift had expanded by another three feet compared to three hours ago.

"The rift is still expanding."

Heavenly Craftsman stared at the sand table, his voice hoarse: "Although Sect Master Lin killed three generals and temporarily thwarted the demon beast offensive, the core of the Seal... is accelerating its collapse."

He raised his hand, and the light and shadow on the sand table changed, revealing the scene deep within the Burial Dragon Abyss.

At the edge of the thirty-foot-wide rift, dark red evil qi poured out like a waterfall.

And in the deepest part of the rift, a huge altar's phantom could vaguely be seen, along with... five terrifying auras even stronger than the three generals from before!

"Star Track Pavilion Master has already deduced it."

Sect Master Mo Chen's face was pale—his left shoulder had been reattached with Spirit Medicine, but his Origin Qi was severely damaged: "Those five auras are all Peak Late Nascent Soul Stage. And the one in the center of the altar... is very likely Soul Transformation-level."

Soul Transformation!

Inside the hall, everyone gasped.

"Moreover, this is just the vanguard."

Immortal Master Qingluan sat on a chair, half her body wrapped in bandages, her voice weak: "The White Bone Demon Venerable's memory fragments mentioned that the true Spirit Devouring Clan's Commander-level powerhouses are at least Mid stage Soul Transformation."

"What we are facing now... might just be the lowest-level 'generals'."

The lowest-level generals were Late Nascent Soul Stage.

How strong would the true Commanders be?

"Therefore, we can't wait any longer."

Lin Yue spoke.

He stood up from the main seat and walked to the sand table: "Senior Tiangong, can the simplified Zhou Tian Xing Dou Great Array be activated now?"

"Yes."

Heavenly Craftsman nodded: "But there are two problems."

"First, the primary formation eye, the 'void ancient tree seed', is only 80% purified. If forcibly used, the Great Formation's power can only be exerted to 70%, and for every hour it operates, it will consume one first-tier Spiritual Vein."

"Second, eighteen of the seventy-two Earth Fiend auxiliary formation eyes are not yet complete. If forcibly activated, these eighteen points will become weak points of the Great Formation and may beKey breakthrough by demon beasts."

"The first problem is easy to solve."

Lin Yue looked at Lin Cang: "How many first-tier Spiritual Vein reserves are left in the Sect's treasury?"

"Reporting to Sect Master, there are currently fifty-seven complete first-tier Spiritual Veins, of which thirty-five have been implanted deep within the Sect, and the remaining twenty-two are in reserve."

Lin Cang quickly replied: "If we include support from allies, we can mobilize about thirty more."

"Fifty-seven in reserve... plus thirty from allies, that's eighty-seven."

Lin Yue calculated: "The simplified Great Formation consumes one per hour, so eighty-seven Spiritual Veins can sustain it for three and a half days."

He paused: "But this is not a long-term solution. Therefore, we must find an alternative energy source, or... completely solve the problem before the Great Formation runs out."

"As for the second problem..."

Lin Yue looked at Heavenly Craftsman: "Can the eighteen weak points be temporarily reinforced with other Materials?"

"Yes."

Heavenly Craftsman took out a list: "It requires ten catties of 'star core crystal', three drops of 'dragon vein jade marrow', and one 'heart of the earth'. These three items can temporarily replace those eighteen formation eyes, but can only last for twelve hours."

"Twelve hours is enough."

Lin Yue immediately ordered: "Lin Cang, allocate twelve catties of star core crystal from the Sect's storeroom—prepare two extra catties just in case. As for dragon vein jade marrow, I have reserves in my grotto-heaven. As for the heart of the earth..."

He looked at Sect Master Mo Chen: "Sect Master Mo, does Qinglan Sect still have any in stock?"

"Yes!"

Sect Master Mo Chen did not hesitate: "In my Qinglan Sect's treasury, there are still three Hearts of the Earth, which can all be used!"

"Good."

Lin Yue nodded: "Then, the only problem now is—time."

He looked at the five terrifying auras on the sand table.

"The Spirit Devouring Clan won't give us much time. I killed three generals, and they will definitely speed up their actions."

"So, my plan is—"

Lin Yue pointed a finger at the sand table.

"Tonight at midnight, activate the Zhou Tian Xing Dou Great Array to Seal off a hundred-li radius of the Burial Dragon Abyss."

"Then, I will lead the elites to infiltrate the core of the Seal and destroy that altar."

"As long as we can destroy the altar, we can delay the arrival of the Spirit Transformation Commander, buying us at least... a month!"

A month outside meant three and a half years in his grotto-heaven.

Enough for him to push towards Peak Late Nascent Soul Stage, or even... touch the threshold of Soul Transformation!

"Too risky."

Star Track Pavilion Master frowned: "Those five generals are all near the altar. You infiltrating alone is like walking into a trap."

"Not alone."

Lin Yue looked at everyone in the hall: "The Lin Family's Seven Star Guards will accompany me."

"Seven Star Guards?"

Everyone was startled.

Lin Mo, Lin Qing, and the other seven walked in from outside the hall.

All seven were clad in dark golden battle armor, swords at their waists, and their auras were clearly all Late Golden Core Stage!

"The Seven Star Demon Slaying Formation has been cultivated to Minor Achievement. The seven of us working together can trap and kill a Mid Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator."

Lin Mo cupped his fists: "We are willing to die with the family head!"

"No need to die."

Lin Yue smiled: "But it is indeed dangerous. So, I still need the cooperation of two Seniors."

He looked at Star Track Pavilion Master and Heavenly Craftsman: "After the Great Formation is activated, I ask the two Seniors to preside over the central hub and be ready to provide support at any time. If the situation is unfavorable, immediately activate the Great Formation's 'banishment' function—even if the seed is not fully purified, forcibly banishing them can buy us time."

"...Alright."

Star Track Pavilion Master finally nodded.

"Then, everyone prepare."

Lin Yue waved his hand: "At midnight, the Formation rises!"

Night, midnight.

Above the Burial Dragon Abyss, starlight shone brightly.

Thirty-six Heavenly Dipper formation eyes, fifty-four Earth Fiend formation eyes, and two hundred forty Zhou Tian formation eyes lit up simultaneously!

Heavenly Craftsman floated in the center of the Great Formation, forming hand Seals.

"Zhou Tian Xing Dou—Formation, rise!"

Boom—!!!

The sky within a hundred-li radius was instantly enveloped by a layer of silver light curtain.

On the light curtain, three hundred sixty stellar phantoms slowly rotated, casting down countless starlight chains, firmly sealing the Burial Dragon Abyss.

The demon beast army discovered in horror that their power... was suppressed by thirty percent!

Meanwhile, the Human Race Cultivators' combat power surged under the enhancement of starlight!

"It succeeded!"

The Cultivators on the defensive line cheered.

But Heavenly Craftsman's face showed no joy.

He stared at the Formation Plate in his hand—the scale representing Spiritual Vein consumption was decreasing at a visible rate.

"One per hour... this consumption is too terrifying."

He murmured.

Even more terrifying was that the eighteen weak points on the Formation Plate were constantly transmitting tremors from being impacted.

The demon beasts... were trying to break through!

"Report—!"

A Formation Master rushed into the central hub: "formation eyes C-7, E-3, and G-9 are simultaneously under fierce attack from demon beasts! The defending Cultivators request support!"

"They found the weak points so quickly?"

Heavenly Craftsman's face darkened: "It seems there are demon beasts skilled in Formation in their ranks."

He immediately issued an order: "Dispatch three Golden Core squads to assist in defending these three formation eyes. Remember, hold your ground! Absolutely do not let the demon beasts destroy the formation eyes!"

"Yes!"

The messenger Cultivator left in a hurry.

But the unease in Heavenly Craftsman's heart grew stronger and stronger.

Because the Formation Plate showed that the five terrifying auras... were moving in the same direction.

And that direction was the core primary formation eye of the Great Formation—the 'Tian Shu position' temporarily guarded by the void ancient tree seed!

"They want to... contaminate the seed?!"

Heavenly Craftsman's pupils constricted.

If the seed were contaminated, the Great Formation would not only fail, but might even backfire!

Must stop them!

He was about to send a Communication Talisman to Lin Yue.

But just then—

Deep within the Burial Dragon Abyss, the phantom of that altar suddenly solidified!

Five figures walked out from the altar.

It was precisely those five Peak Late Nascent Soul Stage generals!

And in their center, on the altar, a dark red light pillar shot up into the sky.

Within the light pillar, countless strange runes circulated, emitting a heart-palpitating evil qi.

These evil qi extended like tentacles, spreading towards the Tian Shu position!

"Spirit Devourer Altar... they are summoning higher-level evil creatures to forcibly contaminate the formation eye!"

Heavenly Craftsman gritted his teeth.

He looked at the Communication Talisman in his hand—Lin Yue had already led the Seven Star Guards deep into the Burial Dragon Abyss, and was probably near the altar by now.

If he sent a message now, it might alert the enemy.

But if he didn't send a message... once the seed was contaminated, the consequences would be unimaginable!

A dilemma!

"Damn it..."

Heavenly Craftsman gripped the Formation Plate, a look of determination flashing in his eyes.

"In that case..."

He took a deep breath, and his hands once again formed Seals.

"Then... I'll take a gamble!"

On the Formation Plate, the light dots representing the eighteen weak points suddenly shone brightly!

Heavenly Craftsman actually actively channeled the Great Formation's power towards those eighteen weak points!

This would reduce the Great Formation's overall defense by ten percent.

But those eighteen weak points would temporarily become impregnable!

"Young Friend Lin..."

Heavenly Craftsman looked deep into the Burial Dragon Abyss, mumbling: "I can only buy you one hour."

"Within one hour, you must destroy the altar."

"Otherwise..."

He looked at the rapidly decreasing Spiritual Vein scale on the Formation Plate.

"Otherwise, the Great Formation will collapse, and we will all die."

In the night sky, starlight chains fiercely collided with dark red evil qi.

The hundred-li battlefield had become a cage.

And the life-and-death struggle within the cage... had just begun.