The array's core revived, and the Shadow Demon was startled.

Nightmare focused intensely, his Chaos Dao Foundation rotating slowly, adjusting his own power to the frequency most compatible with the Formation base node stone in his hand. That pure Dao rhyme of protection, like an awakened stream, followed his guidance and slowly poured into the nearest cyan stone pillar.

At first, the stone pillar showed no reaction, as if it had been dead for eons. But Nightmare was calm and steady, continuously and stably outputting the power of the Dao rhyme, while simultaneously simulating the energy structure analyzed by the primal cube, attempting to establish resonance with the remaining Formation patterns inside the stone pillar.

Time passed bit by bit, and the valley was silent, save for the corpse of the injured Eclipse Moon member gradually growing cold.

Suddenly—hum!

A faint sound, yet one that seemed to originate from the depths of the earth, rang out!

The stone pillar touched by Nightmare had its weathered patterns and runes light up one by one with a faint cyan glow, as if injected with life! Although the light was dim, it carried a sense of reviving vitality and a heavy, powerful presence!

Immediately after, the other two stone pillars seemed to be drawn in, successively emitting a low resonance as the runes on their surfaces flickered slightly, echoing the first pillar from afar. Between the three stone pillars, an invisible force field reconnected, becoming more stable and orderly. Although the repulsive and restrictive power did not increase, it became more concentrated, as if it now possessed a clear identification mechanism.

The node stone in Nightmare's hand also became scalding hot, its light restrained, and the Dao rhyme of protection contained within it seemed to have established a deeper connection with this Formation Hub. In his perception, the flow of the three earth vein energy channels beneath his feet became smoother and more powerful, as wisps of pure earth and wood elemental power were drawn up, nourishing the stone pillars and the entire Formation Hub.

Success! He had initially activated this Formation Hub!

Although it was far from its prime, the revival of this Formation Hub undoubtedly strengthened the power of the Seal on the periphery of the Forbidden Ground, forming a greater obstacle for the Eshi Yue Organization attempting to destroy the Seal.

What surprised Nightmare even more was that the moment the Formation Hub was activated, he received an extremely blurry and incomplete 'map' through the node stone in his hand! It was a partial projection of the entire Forbidden Ground's Seal network! It clearly marked several other shimmering light spots, representing the locations of other existing or potentially repairable Formation base nodes! One of the light spots was particularly bright and located deep in the center of the map; that was likely the location of the core Seal — the 'demon ancestor origin pact'!

'With this, finding other nodes and the core Seal will be much more convenient!' Nightmare was invigorated. This was undoubtedly a timely help in a moment of need!

However, just as the Formation Hub was activated and the energy fluctuations spread—deep in the Forbidden Ground, inside a hidden cave temporarily carved out by dark power.

A Cultivator wearing a dark purple robe and a hideous ghost mask, with an aura as obscure and cold as an abyss, suddenly opened his eyes! Floating in front of him was a black compass that was constantly spinning, its needle vibrating violently. It was none other than the captain of the Eclipse Moon squad, Shadow Fiend!

'What is going on?!' Shadow Fiend's voice was hoarse, filled with a hint of shock and anger, 'The energy fluctuation of the third outer Formation Hub... strengthened?! Someone is repairing the Seal? Is it those damned remnants of the Pact Keepers? Or... that variable that suddenly appeared (referring to Nightmare)?'

He stood up abruptly, his body radiating a heart-palpitating murderous intent. The plan had deviated unexpectedly! He had originally intended to gradually weaken the outer Seal and then strike directly at the core, but now someone had started repairing it before him!

'We cannot wait any longer!' Cold light flashed in Shadow Fiend's eyes as he swept his gaze over the other two subordinates in the cave who were currently adjusting their breath (originally a five-man squad, one had been killed by Nightmare using someone else's blade, and one had just died to a stone statue guardian), and said coldly, 'Plan change! Depart immediately, head straight for the Core Zone! We must obtain the origin pact before the Seal is completely reinforced!'

'Yes! Captain!' The two subordinates immediately obeyed, their faces revealing bloodthirsty excitement.

Shadow Fiend locked onto the direction indicated by the compass needle, a trace of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes: 'No matter who you are, if you dare to ruin the good deeds of the Eclipse Moon, I will surely make you suffer total destruction of your Divine Soul!'

Three dark figures rushed out of the cave like ghosts, speeding towards the direction of the Forbidden Ground's core at an extremely fast pace! They seemed to possess some kind of path to avoid dangerous areas, moving much faster than Nightmare had while groping his way forward earlier!

In the valley, Nightmare stirred slightly, also vaguely capturing that intense malice and energy fluctuation that had flashed and vanished from deep within the Forbidden Ground.

'Discovered... and they have increased their speed.' Nightmare understood instantly. The leader of the Eclipse Moon must have sensed the revival of the Formation Hub.

He glanced at the blurry 'map' in his hand, locking onto the nearest Formation base node light spot, as well as the location of the Core Zone.

'Must get there before them, repair more nodes, and reinforce the Seal! At the very least, stop them from succeeding easily!'

Time had become even more urgent!

Nightmare did not linger, invoking the Chaos Dao Foundation, his figure turning into a stream of light as he sped towards the next Formation base node along the relatively safe path indicated by the 'map'! He had to engage in a race against time and opportunity with the Eclipse Moon squad, and perhaps even the possibly existing remnants of the Pact Keepers!

Deep in the Forbidden Ground, the situation suddenly tightened! A final competition surrounding the ancient Seal and the demon ancestor origin pact had officially begun!