121: Chapter 121 Earth Core Array Deployment, Undercurrents Approaching

At the border between the Central Plains and the Eastern Wasteland, the depths of the mountain range where the entrance to the Earth's Core was located had already been sealed off layer by layer by the Alliance army.

High above, several towering floating warships hovered, their rune-inscribed cannons flashing with cold light, aimed directly at the Void Rift below.

On the ground, tens of thousands of elite Alliance Cultivators formed battle Formations, their murderous aura soaring into the sky, sealing off the surrounding thousand miles completely.

Venerable Earth Vein, along with several of the Alliance's top Formation Grandmasters and sealing experts, had already been busy here for many days.

At this moment, they were conducting final inspections around the entrance to the Void Rift, which had been reinforced and shrunk to allow only a few people to pass through.

Lin Wan, Fairy Yaoxi, Elder Tianji, as well as core Alliance leaders such as Venerable Dan, Jian Wuya, Ancestor Qingmu, and Elder Xingshu, had all gathered here.

In addition to them, there were three reclusive old monsters with deep, steady auras, all of whom had reached the Late Stage of Void Refining; they had also broken their rules to come out of seclusion to assist.

Clearly, the Alliance had poured immense importance and resources into this "Purification" plan.

"Little Friend Lin Wan, the foundation of the 'Purification' Formation has been set up according to the star map, utilizing the Earth's Core fire veins and the Earth Vein network. It is divided into nine layers, nested one within another, corresponding to the Zhou Tian Star Array above and the flow of the Earth Veins below. The central eye of the Formation is set at the core of the Earth's Core, directly above that 'the end' mark."

Venerable Earth Vein stepped forward, holding a shimmering Formation Plate, and quickly introduced it to Lin Wan, "This Formation Plate is the main hub of the Formation. After you enter the Formation, you must use this Formation Plate as a medium to connect your 'Chaos Samsara Dao Fruit' and 'Purification' power with the entire Formation, guiding the power of the Earth's Core fire veins and the Earth Veins to converge at the eye of the Formation to purify and Seal that mark."

Lin Wan took the Formation Plate; it was heavy in his hand, neither gold nor jade, with a warm and smooth texture. It contained incredibly complex Formation patterns, as well as a pulse that faintly connected to the earth beneath his feet.

He took a deep breath and said solemnly, "This Junior understands and will certainly not fail the trust of you Seniors."

"The environment at the Earth's Core is harsh, with fire toxins, terrestrial evil Qi, and the erosive Qi of 'the end' all mixed together. Although you have the 'Earth Core Spirit Jade' and the protection of the Formation, you must still be extremely careful. Especially when you get close to that 'the end' mark, the ancient consciousness within it could be awakened and strike back at any moment."

Venerable Dan cautioned with a grave expression, "Once you sense something is wrong, do not force yourself; retreat immediately. As long as the green hills remain, there is no need to worry about firewood."

"Rest assured, Little Friend. With us old bones guarding the outside, we will absolutely not let any scum from the 'Void Church' interfere with you in the slightest!"

Jian Wuya's voice was like a booming bell, and his Sword Qi soared into the sky, demonstrating his determination to guard the dharma to the death.

"It is about time." Fairy Yaoxi looked up at the sky and then at the deep rift entrance, from which dark red firelight and ominous black Qi were faintly overflowing. She said to Lin Wan, "Lin Wan, after you go down, prioritize your own safety above all else. If things become impossible, send a signal immediately, and we will receive you."

"Yes, Seniors. This Junior is going." Lin Wan bowed deeply to everyone, hesitated no longer, and holding the Formation Plate, his figure flashed as he plunged into the Void Rift leading to the Earth's Core world.

The light and shadows before his eyes shifted, and a familiar, scorching hot aura rushed towards him.

All around were endless churning dark red magma and Earth's Core fire veins. The air was filled with a thick smell of sulfur, violent Fire Spiritual Qi, and that extremely uncomfortable, cold, and decaying erosive Qi of 'the end'.

Compared to last time, the aura of the Earth's Core world was even more chaotic and violent.

Clearly, although Venerable Earth Vein and the others had tried their best to be discreet while setting up the 'Purification' Formation, it had inevitably caused a certain disturbance to the Earth's Core environment and might have also stimulated that 'the end' mark.

Lin Wan dared not delay and immediately activated the Formation Plate in his hand.

The Formation Plate shone brightly, projecting a soft path of light that guided him as he flew towards the depths of the Earth's Core, to the location of the Formation's core eye.

Along the way, he could see countless complex and profound Formation patterns inscribed deep within the magma and on the rock walls. These patterns were interconnected, faintly forming the outline of a colossal Formation, which was slowly extracting and guiding the power of the Earth's Core fire veins and Earth Veins to converge towards the core.

The entire Formation had not yet been fully activated, but it was already emitting a majestic, heavy, and terrifying pressure that seemed to have merged with the entire earth.

Following the guidance of the light path, Lin Wan continued to descend.

The temperature became higher and higher, the pressure grew, and the erosive Qi of 'the end' in the air became increasingly dense.

If not for the protective light of the Formation Plate and the constant cleansing of his body and mind by the 'Chaos Samsara Dao Fruit' and the 'Purification Fragment', even a Void Refining Cultivator would find it difficult to stay here for long.

Finally, after passing through a lake of dark red magma that was as viscous as a solid, the view before him suddenly opened up.

This was a huge, relatively "empty" space at the Earth's Core.

In the center of the space was that familiar, massive mark—the Earth's Core 'the end' mark—which was dozens of zhang wide, pitch-black as ink, covered in strange blood-colored patterns, and constantly emitting heart-palpitating erosive fluctuations of 'the end'.

Compared to last time, this mark seemed even more "active"; the blood-colored patterns on its surface were slowly squirming like living creatures, and the ominous aura it emitted was even denser. Faint, low whispers that seemed to come from the Nine Nether Hells echoed within the space.

Above the mark, that ancient 'samsara mirror' fragment still floated quietly, emitting a soft, clear light, opposing and balancing the mark's pitch-black evil light, maintaining a fragile equilibrium.

And directly above the mark, about a hundred zhang high, a circular platform, several zhang in diameter and constructed entirely of crystalline 'Earth Core Spirit Jade', had already been built.

On the platform, the most complex and core Formation patterns were inscribed, connecting it to the entire 'Purification' Formation.

This was the location of the core eye of the entire 'Purification' Formation.

Lin Wan flew and landed on the 'Earth Core Spirit Jade' platform and sat down cross-legged.

The platform felt cool to the touch and radiated pure Earth Vein Spiritual Qi, effectively isolating the scorching heat and the erosion of 'the end' from below.

He placed the Formation Plate in front of him, formed hand Seals with both hands, and slowly extended his Divine Sense to establish a connection with the Formation Plate, the platform beneath him, and the entire 'Purification' Formation.

"Hum—!"

As Lin Wan's Divine Sense connected, the entire 'Purification' Formation seemed to awaken from its slumber.

Deep in the Earth's Core, countless Formation patterns lit up one by one, emitting a faint golden light.

From all directions, the majestic power of the Earth's Core fire veins and the vast power of the Earth Veins began to surge and converge towards the Formation eye platform where Lin Wan was, like a hundred rivers returning to the sea!

The 'the end' mark beneath the platform seemed to sense the threat and suddenly erupted with an even denser pitch-black evil light, attempting to impact and interfere with the operation of the Formation.

Deep within the mark, that ancient, cold, and endlessly malicious consciousness also began to stir, emitting waves of silent roars that assaulted Lin Wan's mind.

"Hmph!" Lin Wan groaned, but he had been prepared.

The 'Chaos Samsara Dao Fruit' appeared above his head, rotating slowly and shedding streams of Chaos Qi to protect himself.

The 'Purification Fragment' shone brilliantly, and pure white light spread like a tide, clashing against the impact of the pitch-black evil light and the ancient consciousness, emitting a "chi-chi" sound.

"Formation Activate, Spirit Gather!"

Lin Wan changed his hand Seals, and the 'Earth Core Spirit Jade' platform beneath him shone brightly. Under the guidance of his 'Chaos Samsara Dao Fruit', the gathered power of the Earth's Core fire veins and Earth Veins began to slowly pour into the Formation Plate.

The light from the Formation Plate grew brighter and brighter, and countless golden phantom Formation patterns rose from the Formation Plate, spreading in all directions with Lin Wan as the center, completely connecting with the entire 'Purification' Formation!

Rumble—!

The entire Earth's Core world seemed to tremble.

An immensely thick golden pillar of light, connecting heaven and earth, erupted from the Formation eye platform where Lin Wan was, shooting straight up through the Earth's Core, piercing through the thick rock layers, and faintly resonating with the 'Zhou Tian Star Array' in the sky above!

The majestic, pure energy, containing the heaviness of the earth and the power of the stars, was transformed by the 'Purification' Formation into a golden radiance filled with the intent of Purification, sealing, and suppression. Like a giant inverted bowl, it firmly enveloped the 'the end' mark!

"Purification Power, Command!"

Lin Wan shouted lowly, and the light from the 'Purification Fragment' between his brows surged. A wisp of the purest 'Purification' Origin merged into the golden pillar of light.

Immediately, the color of the golden pillar of light took on a touch of sacred milky white, and the power of Purification increased explosively!

"Chi-chi-chi—!"

The golden pillar of light shone upon the 'the end' mark, and it was like hot oil poured onto snow, triggering a violent reaction!

The pitch-black Qi of 'the end' was rapidly purified and dissolved. The blood-colored patterns on the surface of the mark squirmed and struggled frantically, emitting shrill shrieks that seemed to come from the depths of the Soul!

Deep within the mark, that ancient consciousness seemed to be completely enraged, erupting with even more terrifying malice and impact, frantically assaulting the golden light shield formed by the Formation, and also assaulting Lin Wan's mind!

"Suppress for me!"

Lin Wan gritted his teeth, fully activating the 'Chaos Samsara Dao Fruit', and mobilized the power of the entire 'Purification' Formation to firmly suppress and refine that 'the end' mark.

At the same time, with a thought, the newly refined 'Chaos Nirvana Reincarnation Flame' roared out, turning into a torrent of purple-gold flames that merged into the golden pillar of light, beginning to burn and refine the Qi of 'the end' that had been weakened and stripped away by the power of 'Purification'.

Wherever the purple-gold flames passed, the Qi of 'the end' was like encountering its nemesis, quickly burned to nothingness, and even conversely refined into wisps of pure energy that replenished the Formation.

The flames, infused with the power of 'Nirvana' rebirth, had an unexpectedly good restraining effect on the pure power of destruction and termination that was 'the end'!

"It's effective!" Lin Wan's spirits lifted, and he activated the 'Chaos Nirvana Reincarnation Flame' even harder.

Under the triple blow of the 'Purification' Formation, the Purification Origin, and the 'Chaos Nirvana Reincarnation Flame', the 'the end' mark began to dim and shrink at a speed visible to the naked eye, and the squirming blood-colored patterns on its surface gradually calmed down and dissipated.

The impact emitted by the ancient consciousness within, while still terrifying, was gradually suppressed under the suppression of the Formation and the steadfast protection of Lin Wan's mind.

"Good! Young friend Lin Wan has truly lived up to expectations! The Formation is running smoothly, and the Purification effect far exceeds expectations!" Outside the entrance to the earth's core, Venerable Earth Vein sensed the situation in the core through special means, an expression of excitement appearing on his aged face.

"That purple-gold flame... how formidable! It can actually reverse the process and refine the aura of 'the end'! This child's Opportunity is truly Heaven-Defying!" Elder Tianji also stroked his beard in admiration.

Fairy Yaoxi, Venerable Dan, Jian Wuya, and the others also wore expressions of joy. The first step of the "Purification of the World" plan seemed to be going even more smoothly than expected.

However, just as everyone breathed a slight sigh of relief, a sudden change occurred!

"Roar——!"

A terrifying roar, filled with tyranny, destruction, and seemingly capable of inciting all the calamities in the world, erupted from deeper within the earth's core, from the Void Rift that connected to the source of "the end"! Immediately following, an aura of pressure, several times more terrifying than when the "King of Shadows" had descended, filled with the aura of endless calamity, decay, and ruin, shot up from the rift like a volcanic eruption!

The rift expanded frantically, and thick, filthy, pitch-black liquid gushed out like a bursting flood, instantly polluting a large area of the earth's core magma! A terrifying giant claw, covered in rotting scales, oozing pus and blood, and wreathed in the aura of endless calamity, suddenly reached out from the rift and ferociously clawed at the golden light barrier shrouding the mark of "the end"!

It was none other than the "King of Calamity"! Its true form had finally descended once again! Moreover, the momentum of this descent far exceeded the last time; it was clearly well-prepared and might even have brought some kind of special power!

At the same time, from all directions in the earth's core world, within the scorching, churning magma, countless twisted, deformed black shadows suddenly emerged! These shadows, some resembling rotting giant beasts, others looking like twisted human figures, without exception, all radiated a dense aura of "the end," emitting silent roars as they frantically lunged toward the various Formation base nodes of the "Purification of the World" array, beginning their frenzied attacks and destruction!

They were monsters spawned from the erosion of "the end"! And their numbers were far beyond imagination! Clearly, the "Void Church" had long premeditated this; not only had the "King of Calamity" descended in its true form again, but they had also hidden and cultivated such a massive army of monsters deep in the earth's core, just waiting for the critical moment when the "Purification of the World" array was activated to attack from both inside and outside and destroy it in one fell swoop!

"Not good! It's the true form of the 'King of Calamity'! And an army of monsters!" Venerable Earth Vein's expression changed drastically.

"There really was an ambush! Attack! We must not let them destroy the Formation and interfere with Lin Wan!" Fairy Yaoxi's willow-leaf brows stood upright as she let out a sharp cry. Her Moon Brilliance Domain instantly expanded, and the cold moonlight surged toward the earth's core like a tide. Wherever it passed, those monsters of "the end" froze and shattered one after another.

"Set up the Zhou Tian Star Array to assist Fellow Daoist Earth Vein and stabilize the Formation's foundation! Everyone else, follow me to slay the monsters and hold back the 'King of Calamity'!" Elder Tianji's hair and beard stood on end. Holding his star plate, endless starlight descended, transforming into sharp strands of Star Sword Qi that slashed toward the swarming monsters.

Venerable Dan, Jian Wuya, Ancestor Qingmu, Elder Xingshu, and the three reclusive old monsters at the Late Stage of Void Refining all took action, each unleashing their Divine Abilities, clashing with the tidal wave of monsters and those attempting to attack the foundation of the "Purification of the World" array.

Outside the entrance to the earth's core, the Alliance army had long been waiting in battle Formation. Now, under the command of their respective generals, they formed battle arrays and activated the pre-arranged defensive Restrictions and attack Formations, firmly sealing the entrance to prevent more monsters from pouring out of the rift and to guard against any possible attacks from the outside.

However, the goal of the "King of Calamity" was clearly not to entangle with Fairy Yaoxi and the others. Its terrifying giant claw, carrying endless calamity and decay, slammed fiercely onto the golden light barrier shrouding the mark of "the end"!

"Boom——!!!"

With an earth-shattering roar, the entire earth's core world shook violently! The golden light barrier vibrated intensely, its light flickering uncertainly, and cracks appeared on its surface! Lin Wan, who was presiding over the core of the Formation, felt as if he had been struck hard; his face turned pale, and he nearly spat out a mouthful of blood! The operation of the entire "Purification of the World" array stalled for a moment!

"Not good! The Formation eye is under attack!" Venerable Earth Vein's anxious voice came through. "Young friend Lin Wan, steady your mind and concentrate on maintaining the operation of the Formation! We will buy you time!"

Seeing this, Fairy Yaoxi, Elder Tianji, and the others were shocked and furious. They unleashed their strongest methods, trying to force back the "King of Calamity," but the "King of Calamity" did not engage them in a hard fight at all. Its massive body was unnervingly agile, constantly dodging attacks, while its giant claw struck the golden light barrier again and again. Its goal was clear—to destroy the Formation eye and interrupt the Purification!

"Ants, you think you can purify the Holy Master's mark? Delusional! This place shall be your burial ground!" The King of Calamity let out a deafening roar. Pus and blood dripped from its giant claw, turning into hideous curse runes that attached themselves to the golden light barrier, constantly eroding and weakening the barrier's defense.

Under the fierce onslaught of the "King of Calamity" and the interference of countless monsters, the golden light barrier began to develop cracks, and its light dimmed rapidly. Lin Wan, on the Formation eye platform, was under immense pressure. Not only did he have to maintain the operation of the Formation and guide the power of Purification, but he also had to divide his attention to resist the backlash from the "King of Calamity's" attacks, as well as the increasingly powerful impact of that ancient will.

"This cannot go on! The Formation won't hold for long, and Lin Wan will also be in danger!" Fairy Yaoxi slashed dozens of monsters with her sword and looked at Elder Tianji, speaking urgently.

"Someone must go and restrain the 'King of Calamity'! To buy time for Lin Wan!" Elder Tianji gritted his teeth and looked at Venerable Dan and the others. "Fellow Daoists, who is willing to join me and Fairy Yaoxi in entangling this beast?"

"Count me in!" Jian Wuya's Sword Intent soared to the heavens as he was the first to respond.

"I will go too!" Venerable Dan also stepped forward. Although he was not skilled in direct combat, the methods of an Alchemy Grandmaster were often unexpected.

"And me!" Ancestor Qingmu tapped his bamboo staff, and an aura intertwined with life and death spread out.

The three reclusive old monsters at the Late Stage of Void Refining also nodded silently, indicating their willingness to go.

"Good! Fellow Daoist Earth Vein, you and Fellow Daoist Xingshu stay behind to stabilize the Formation's foundation and clear out the monsters! Everyone else, follow me to stop this beast!" With Elder Tianji's command, he, along with Fairy Yaoxi, Jian Wuya, Venerable Dan, Ancestor Qingmu, and the three reclusive old monsters—a total of eight Void Refining stage powerhouses—transformed into eight streams of light and charged toward the "King of Calamity," which was frenziedly attacking the golden light barrier!

Eight Void Refining experts, including top-tier existences like Fairy Yaoxi and Elder Tianji; the power of their combined effort was enough to shake the heavens and move the earth! For a time, the light of various Divine Abilities and Magic Treasures illuminated the entire earth's core world as if it were daylight, and the terrifying power engulfed the massive body of the "King of Calamity."

"Roar! Ants, you seek death!" The King of Calamity roared, forced to temporarily abandon its attack on the golden light barrier and turn to fight the eight Void Refining experts. Its aura of calamity churned around its body, and pus and blood transformed into various hideous cursed monsters, engaging in a fierce battle with the eight Void Refining experts. For a moment, the earth shook and mountains swayed, the magma surged backward, and the battle was intense to the extreme.

Taking this Opportunity, Lin Wan's pressure was greatly reduced. He hurriedly swallowed several Medicinal Pills to stabilize his churning Qi and blood, then fully activated the "Purification of the World" array to repair the golden light barrier while increasing the intensity of the Purification of the mark of "the end."

However, just as Lin Wan breathed a sigh of relief, thinking the situation had eased slightly, another sudden change occurred!

Near a relatively remote Formation base node of the "Purification of the World" array, a crack silently and soundlessly opened in the Void Realm. Three figures, shrouded in black robes with strange and powerful auras, slipped out like ghosts! These three had actually been hiding in the Void Realm of the earth's core all along, and only now, when the Formation was running at full capacity and everyone's attention was drawn by the "King of Calamity" and the army of monsters, did they suddenly appear!

Their target was none other than Lin Wan on the Formation eye platform! Moreover, the auras radiating from the three of them were all at the Void Refining stage! The one in the lead had an aura so strong it even reached the Late Stage of Void Refining! Even more terrifyingly, they all carried a strong aura of "the end," which was of the same Origin as the "King of Calamity"!

They were sleeper agents of the "Void Church"! And they were extremely powerful sleeper agents at that! They had been hiding in the shadows, waiting for this Opportunity for a fatal strike!

"Lin Wan! Die!" The leading black-robed person's voice was hoarse and cold. Raising a hand, a chain as black as ink, wreathed in the wails of countless vengeful spirits, pierced through the Void Realm and struck directly at the center of Lin Wan's brow! This strike was ruthless and tricky, with timing grasped to the peak of perfection—it was the very moment when Lin Wan was maintaining the Formation with all his might, his mind most focused, and most unable to divide his attention elsewhere!

The other two black-robed figures also attacked simultaneously. One unleashed a small blood-colored banner; as it unfurled, countless hideous blood-colored Devil Heads whistled out and lunged at Lin Wan. The other formed hand Seals, and strange gray ripples spread out. Wherever they passed, even the earth's core fire veins seemed to lose their vitality, and the radiance of the Formation dimmed slightly—it was a vicious Divine Ability capable of eroding and dissolving energy and life force!

The sneak attack by the three Void Refining stage sleeper agents had a clear goal: to kill in one blow and eliminate Lin Wan, the core of the "Purification of the World" plan!

"Lin Wan, look out!"

"How dare you, you scoundrels!"

In the distance, Fairy Yaoxi, Elder Tianji, and the others, who were fiercely battling the "King of Calamity," also discovered this sudden turn of events. Shocked and furious, they wanted to return to assist, but how would the "King of Calamity" let them have their way? Its offensive immediately became even more violent, entangling them tightly.

Venerable Earth Vein, Elder Xingshu, and other powerhouses guarding the Formation base were also held back by the army of monsters and the monsters destroying the Formation base, making it difficult for them to break away for the moment.

Lin Wan was instantly plunged into an unprecedented desperate situation! Ahead, the impact of the mark of "the end" and the ancient will; below, the fatal sneak attack by three Void Refining sleeper agents; and his reinforcements were being held back tightly!

Life and death hung by a thread!