156: Spirit Beast Mountain has betrayed us! Crisis!

Chapter 156: Spirit Beast Mountain Backstabs! Crisis!

Time flew by, and another two months passed.

Inside the stone chamber, Lu Qiu was discussing the variations of a complex Ancient Restriction with the phantom manifestation of the True Person Ling Yun.

After absorbing the soul nurturing liquid, the Remnant Spirit of Ling Yunzi had clearly become more solid. Although he was still weak, his spirits were much higher, and he was in the mood for conversation.

As a former Nascent Soul expert, the True Person Ling Yun not only possessed profound attainments in the Dao of Alchemy but also dabbled in Formations, Talismans, Artifact Refining, and many niche subjects of the cultivation world. His insights were unique and often struck at the core of the matter.

To thank Lu Qiu for providing the soul nurturing liquid, he had been unreservedly teaching his insights and realizations on the Dao of Formations during this period.

“Look, little friend. If we follow the basic theory of the Heavenly Derivation Array Codex, the connection of the runes at this ‘Lihuo Kun Position’ should be based on ‘linking.’ However, if we consult the fragments of the ancient ‘Heavenly Stellar Seal’ and combine it with the environment here, which is heavy with Evil Qi, we should change it to emphasize both ‘nesting’ and ‘diversion.’ Although it takes more effort during setup, the stability of the Formation and its resistance to sinister energy can be improved by more than thirty percent...” The phantom of the True Person Ling Yun sketched spiritual light runes in the air, explaining in simple terms.

Lu Qiu listened intently, occasionally asking questions or reflecting. He felt that many Formation problems that were previously obscure or understood only on the surface were suddenly resolved under the guidance of this “experienced predecessor.” His attainments in the Dao of Formations improved at a visible rate, benefiting him immensely.

“Senior’s mastery of Formations and depth of insight truly command my admiration.”

After some discussion, Lu Qiu praised him sincerely: “When there is an Opportunity in the future, I must have my Dao Companion seek advice from Senior. She is exceptionally gifted in the Dao of Formations, far surpassing me.”

As he spoke, he took out two sets of Formation tools—specifically the core Formation Plates of the Inverting Five Elements Array and the Four Symbols Demon Slaying Array crafted by Xin Ruyin—to show their exquisite design to the True Person Ling Yun.

The True Person Ling Yun carefully “observed” the rune structures and spiritual power circuits on the Formation Plates. His phantom spirit flickered slightly, and his tone carried unconcealed surprise: “This Inverting Five Elements Array is ingeniously conceived; it has already captured seventy to eighty percent of the essence of ancient Formations! And this Four Symbols Demon Slaying Array... it actually integrates the true intent of the Four Symbols Sacred Beasts with Demon-Slaying Lightning Runes? Although there is room for optimization, its concept and framework already possess the style of an ancient killing array! For your Dao Companion to master such Formations while only at the Qi Refining Stage, and even innovate upon them... such talent in Formations is something I have rarely seen in my life! Even among the chosen geniuses of the Great Jin famous for their Formation paths, few can compare to this woman!”

Receiving such high praise from a Nascent Soul expert made Lu Qiu feel quite proud. He smiled and said, “Ruyin is indeed obsessed with the Dao of Formations and possesses extraordinary talent.”

Just then, Lu Qiu’s mind stirred slightly. He sensed a strong wave of Soul energy, full of joy and power, coming from the gray spatial bead.

He sank his consciousness inside and saw that beside the spirit eye spring, the miniature Bloodline Flood Dragon was raising its head and swaying its tail. Its body was radiating a brilliant blood-red light, and it unreservedly released an aura that was far more solid, vast, and filled with violent dragon prestige than before!

Its crimson vertical pupils shone with spiritual light, showing no further signs of lethargy or injury!

The Primordial Spirit trauma of the Bloodline Flood Dragon had finally fully recovered after continuously taking multiple soul replenishing pills and long-term nourishment from the spirit eye spring!

Its strength had also completely returned to its Peak—Level Five Peak!

Lu Qiu was overjoyed and immediately summoned the Bloodline Flood Dragon.

The foot-long crimson flood dragon appeared in the stone chamber. Although it deliberately shrunk its size, the surging blood vitality and faint dragon prestige belonging to a Level Five Peak Yao Beast still caused the air in the room to freeze!

It coiled affectionately around Lu Qiu’s arm, letting out low hisses filled with filial devotion.

“This is... a Level Five Yao Beast?! And of the flood dragon species?!” Beside him, the phantom of the Remnant Spirit of Ling Yunzi shook again, his tone even more surprised than when he saw the Formations!

He had already seen that Lu Qiu had a fierce Level Five demon mantis by his side.

Now there was another Level Five Peak flood dragon spirit pet?

Furthermore, looking at this flood dragon’s pure aura and extraordinary Bloodline, it was by no means comparable to ordinary Yao Beasts!

A False Core Cultivator could actually subdue and command two Level Five Yao Beasts?

This simply overturned the common knowledge of the cultivation world!

Even the Core Disciples of the top Sects in the Great Jin might not have such fortune and means!

The gaze with which the True Person Ling Yun looked at Lu Qiu became increasingly deep and curious.

The secrets on this little friend were likely much more numerous than he had imagined.

“Indeed, this is my other spirit pet, the Bloodline Flood Dragon. Its Primordial Spirit was damaged before and has only recently recovered.” Lu Qiu lightly stroked the cold scales of the Bloodline Flood Dragon, feeling the terrifying power contained within, and felt extremely reassured.

With the two powerful guardians, the Golden-Backed Demonic Mantis and the Bloodline Flood Dragon, as long as he didn’t actively provoke Nascent Soul old monsters or fall into a carefully prepared killing array, this Golden Drum Plain battlefield was already safe for him!

He could attack when advancing and defend when retreating, coming and going as he pleased!

However, this newly established sense of security was instantly shattered the next morning when he checked the Opportunity intelligence by a piece of cold silver information!

[white information]: In the corner of an abandoned warehouse on the east side of the camp, several low-grade Magical Artifact fragments left by a fallen Cultivator are buried.

[white information]: ... [silver information]: Yu Hua, an Early Core Formation Cultivator of Tianque Fortress, was suddenly ambushed by the Spirit Beast Mountain Core Formation Cultivator ‘Zhong Wu’ of the same Seven Sects alliance while patrolling near the ‘Soul Departure Gorge’ in the northern Golden Drum Plain tonight at midnight. He is critically injured and on the verge of death, with only a damaged Primordial Spirit narrowly escaping.

“A Spirit Beast Mountain Core Formation Cultivator ambushed a Tianque Fortress Core Formation Cultivator?!”

Lu Qiu’s pupils suddenly contracted, and his heart jolted!

Immediately, a chill rushed from the soles of his feet to the top of his head!

He reacted instantly.

In the original story, the key turning point that led to the complete collapse and crushing defeat of the Yue Country Seven Sects on the Golden Drum Plain front was precisely Spirit Beast Mountain’s defection—a fatal backstab from within!

“It’s tonight! Spirit Beast Mountain... is finally going to tear off its disguise!” Lu Qiu’s expression became extremely grave.

What did this mean?

It meant that the seemingly solid Seven Sects alliance defense line would be torn apart from the inside!

It meant that the fragile ‘tacit understanding’ between Core Formation Cultivators would be completely broken, and a large-scale, unreserved Core Formation melee was about to break out!

It meant that the entire Golden Drum Plain battlefield would instantly escalate from a previously ‘limited’ war of attrition to a life-and-death, meat-grinder-like total decisive battle!

For the Foundation Establishment Cultivators on the front lines, this was undoubtedly a disaster!

In a melee where Core Formation Cultivators fought with all their might, those at the Foundation Establishment Stage weren’t even considered cannon fodder!

“I absolutely cannot stay here any longer!” Lu Qiu acted decisively, having already made the decision to evacuate.

Staying here would mean not only facing pressure from the Six Demonic Sects but also guarding against hidden arrows from the ‘ally’ Spirit Beast Mountain!

The situation would become incredibly chaotic and dangerous. Even with two Level Five Yao Beast guardians, it was hard to guarantee he wouldn’t encounter a siege by multiple Core Formation Cultivators in the chaos.

He had to leave immediately!

Before Spirit Beast Mountain officially launched its attack and the great war fully erupted!

However, before leaving, there were still some things to handle.

Li Huayuan had treated him, this Disciple, quite well. Although there were considerations of utility, he had also provided protection and certain resources.

As master and Disciple, revealing the news of Spirit Beast Mountain’s imminent backstab to him before leaving so he could be prepared would be a way to repay that kindness.

And then there was Nangong Wan... thinking of the great teleportation talisman and token she gave him, and those complex yet ultimately well-intentioned actions.

Fine, I might as well inform the Yanyue Sect too. As for whether she believes it or how she responds, that is not something I can control.

Lu Qiu acted quickly.

He first found an honest-looking Yellow Maple Valley Disciple in the camp whose cultivation was only at the Qi Refining Stage. He handed him a Jade Slip with a Restriction Talisman labeled “Urgent,” stuffed a few Spirit Stones into his hand, and whispered instructions: “In half an hour, you must personally deliver this Jade Slip to Senior Martial Uncle Yu. It concerns the safety of the Sect, remember!”

Seeing that Lu Qiu was a Foundation Establishment Senior and receiving Spirit Stones, the Disciple did not dare to be negligent and repeatedly promised to get it done.

In the Jade Slip, Lu Qiu used coded language to briefly explain the warning that Spirit Beast Mountain might defect and that there would be unusual movements tonight, mentioning the ambush of Yu Hua at ‘Soul Departure Gorge’ as evidence.

He believed that with the strategic minds of Li Huayuan and the Yellow Maple Valley higher-ups, after receiving the warning and combining it with the events that might occur tonight, they would naturally heighten their vigilance and respond.

Afterward, Lu Qiu quietly arrived near the Yanyue Sect’s station within the camp.

He took out the identity token given by Nangong Wan, found a Yanyue Sect Qi Refining Disciple on guard duty at the perimeter, and handed him another Jade Slip, also restricted and labeled “For Senior Nangong’s Eyes Only,” while showing the token.

Seeing that the token did not look fake and sensing Lu Qiu’s obscure yet powerful aura, the Disciple did not dare to ask questions and respectfully took the Jade Slip, indicating he would deliver it immediately.

The content of this Jade Slip was similar to the one for Yellow Maple Valley, but the tone was more indirect, only mentioning that “there may be a great upheaval tonight, beware of Spirit Beast Mountain,” and emphasizing that the source of the information was inconvenient to disclose, leaving it up to her whether to believe it.

Having finished these two tasks, Lu Qiu did not linger for a moment longer.

He returned to the stone chamber, quickly packed his important belongings, erased traces of his personal residence, and then silently left the stone house where he had lived for several months.