"Sword embryo?" Mu Xi exclaimed, astonished by the incredible power possessed by a mere sword embryo.
If this sword embryo were truly forged into a weapon, how terrifying would its power be?
"It's truly unexpected that the old demon Hua Liuye could refine such a treasure," Mu Xi murmured.
Su Yi shook his head and said, "With his meager abilities, it's impossible for him to refine such a divine weapon. If my deduction is correct, the owner of this sword embryo is the powerful individual who arranged these 108 altars."
Everyone was taken aback.
Upon careful consideration, this deduction seemed logical and reasonable.
Because just a moment ago, everyone witnessed how Hua Liuye was able to utilize the power of the forbidden formation thanks to this sword embryo.
Unable to restrain herself, Ning Yehua asked, "Has the friend figured out who the powerful individual behind this formation is?"
Su Yi pondered for a moment and replied, "If we consider the might of the array formations, this forbidden formation alone is capable of suppressing Spiritual Dao cultivators. Therefore, the person who arranged this formation must possess cultivation at least at the level of Spiritual Dao."
Spiritual Dao!
Ning Yehua and Mu Xi's pupils contracted slightly.
Shen Jiusong also took in a sharp breath. On their previous journey, Su Yi and Ning Yehua had discussed the path of Spiritual Dao, so he was well aware of how terrifying the existence known as "Spiritual Dao cultivators" could be!
On the other hand, Pu Yi, Jiang Tanyun, and Lu Changfeng were puzzled.
However, when they saw the astonishment on Ning Yehua and Mu Xi's faces, they also realized that the individual who arranged the formation was likely an unimaginably powerful existence.
For a young man like Su Yi to observe all this with such keen insight only deepened the awe in Pu Yi and the others' hearts.
Su Yi no longer explained further. He swept his gaze around and immediately took action, his figure flickering as he moved between different altars.
When he returned, he held nine blood-colored flags in his hand.
These were array flags, each the size of a palm, with flagpoles as thin as bamboo chopsticks, and the flags were engraved with eerie and twisted symbols and cloud patterns.
The "Nine Palace Locking Spirit Formation" previously used by the Necromancer was arranged using these nine blood-colored flags.
The foundation of this formation was integrated with the 108 altars, so when the formation operated, it effectively "stole" the forbidden formation power of these 108 altars.
Like the nine giant blood-colored lotuses that appeared in the sky just now, they were manifestations of the power of this formation.
In Su Yi's eyes, this so-called "Nine Palace Locking Spirit Formation" could only be considered an ordinary large-scale formation in the realm of array formations.
However, in the secular world, being able to refine such a large-scale formation was already extremely rare.
"With a little refinement, these nine formation flags can be arranged into the 'Nine Palace Milky Way Formation.' By then, with the preparation of a foundation that sustains the operation of the formation's power, it will be enough to cover a range of thousands of feet, trapping Martial Ancestors at the Innate realm within it..." Su Yi secretly thought to himself.
This set of formation flags is made of exceptional materials, all of which are rare fourth-grade spiritual materials rarely found in the mortal world.
Without a doubt, within the Yin Sha Sect, this set of formation flags would be considered a valuable treasure.
However, now they naturally belonged to Su Yi.
Of course, for Su Yi, the biggest gain this time was undoubtedly the sword embryo.
The sword embryo measured three feet four inches in length and was three fingers wide. The blade was thick and simple, and the sword body was as black as ink. Its material was none other than the "Mysterious Wusu Divine Wood."
The Mysterious Wusu Divine Wood was rumored to be born beneath the Nine Abyss and was an extraordinary divine material found on the path to the Yellow Springs.
Every thousand years, the Mysterious Wusu Divine Wood would be struck by the "Yin Ming Sha Lei" thunder. Only the Mysterious Wusu Divine Wood that survived the thunder tribulation could grow a circle of natural dao patterns.
Every ten thousand years, the Mysterious Wusu Divine Wood would undergo the "Xuan Ming Fire Tribulation." If it could survive, it would give birth to an "Innate Wood Spirit"!
At that time, the Mysterious Wusu Divine Wood would truly be considered an extraordinary divine material, a heavenly treasure that even Imperial Realm experts could not resist.
Unfortunately, the Mysterious Wusu Divine Wood used to refine this sword embryo clearly lacked the thousand years of tempering, and it was destined to be unable to undergo the burning of the "Xuan Ming Fire Tribulation." It was still far from being a "worldly divine material."
At best, it could only be considered a rare divine material.
However, Su Yi was already very satisfied because such a sword embryo was far beyond the comparison of other grades of spiritual materials.
In the mortal realm, it could undoubtedly be called an elusive treasure.
For Su Yi, he was preparing to forge another sword and had already gathered many sword-refining materials.
Now with this sword embryo, it ignited inspiration and gave him a direction for sword forging!
At this moment, Mu Xi hesitated and asked, "Master Su, now that you can harness the power of these 108 altars, is there a way to determine what exactly is hidden in the depths of this crevice?"
The gazes of others also turned towards Su Yi.
All of them had come to the Bloodthorn Demon Mountain this time to seek opportunities.
Now, everyone realized that the root cause of the strange occurrences in the Bloodthorn Demon Mountain was located in the depths of this enormous and unknown mysterious crevice!
"Underneath this crevice, there is a sealed mysterious and unknown power. Whether it brings fortune or calamity, it's hard to say for now," Su Yi put away the sword embryo and formation flags.
"A sealed power?" Mu Xi was astonished.
Ning Yehua explained, "On the way here, Su Fellow Daoist made a deduction. The forbidden formation formed by these 108 altars is meant to seal a mysterious power in the depths below. Do you all remember the tremors we felt earlier?"
The hearts of the crowd trembled, their expressions changing, and they vaguely understood.
The intense shaking and trembling that occurred in the Bloodthorn Demon Mountain earlier were most likely caused by the mysterious power sealed within this crevice!
"So, you mean the previous members of the Yin Sha Sect, such as Hua Liu Ye, were attempting to break the seal and release the mysterious power suppressed underground?" Shen Jiusong questioned with astonishment.
The others couldn't help but gasp in surprise.
If that mysterious power was something fortuitous, then it would be a tremendous stroke of luck.
But if it turned out to be a calamity, once the seal was broken, it would be akin to opening the gates of disaster.
"Whether it brings fortune or calamity, we'll find out when we go and take a look," Mu Xi's eyes flickered with determination.
"This place is extremely dangerous for all of you. I advise you to stop here if you're not confident. It's for your own safety," Su Yi cautioned, standing with his hands behind his back at the edge of the vast and narrow crevice, overlooking it.
Mu Xi immediately nodded, scanning Pu Yi and the others before saying, "Here's the plan: you all stay here and wait while Su and I venture into the depths below."
Naturally, Pu Yi and the others had no objections.
"I'm going too," Ning Yehua said.
Su Yi didn't oppose and stated, "Let's make it clear first: the depths below might conceal unknown dangers. If you want to join me, you must follow my orders in everything."
Ning Yehua readily agreed.
Mu Xi smiled faintly and said, "Rest assured, Su, I won't be a burden."
Her voice exuded confidence.
Su Yi didn't say much more; he flicked his finger.
Swoosh!
A sharp finger force shot out and struck one of the altars dozens of zhang away.
Immediately, a thunderous sound rang out as the 108 altars emitted obscure and mysterious fluctuations, forming a terrifying oppressive force that surged toward the depths of the crevice.
Visible to the naked eye, the bloodthorn qi that continuously spewed out from the depths of the crevice was gradually suppressed!
"Let's go," Su Yi took the lead and swiftly dashed into the canyon.
Ning Yehua and Mu Xi followed closely behind.
Soon, the three of them disappeared into the darkness deep within the canyon.
"Everyone, let's wait here," Shen Jiusong swept his gaze over the others and then approached one of the altars, sitting cross-legged.
Kongshan Academy's Elder Jiang Tanyun hesitated for a moment before stepping forward and respectfully bowing, "Lord Yun Guang, may I take this opportunity to have a conversation about Su Yi, the young master?"
Shen Jiusong inwardly chuckled. Previously, on the way here, Jiang Tanyun was acting all high and mighty, reprimanding Su Yi. Yet now, he was voluntarily lowering his posture?
"When it comes to Su Yi, Pu has also been extremely curious. If Lord Yun Guang can enlighten us, it would be greatly appreciated," Pu Yi joined in, bowing along with Lu Changfeng, the elder of the Star Cliff Academy.
Seeing these old fellows, who used to be so arrogant, now approaching him with a humble attitude, Shen Jiusong felt greatly satisfied in his heart.
He cleared his throat and said, "Gentlemen, I am not an unreasonable person. I can only promise to tell you what should be said. As for what shouldn't be said, I kindly request that you don't put me in a difficult position."
Jiang Tanyun and the others nodded repeatedly, saying, "Of course, of course."
Next, Shen Jiusong began to narrate various events related to Su Yi one by one.
Just as he had promised earlier, he only spoke about what needed to be said and didn't mention anything that shouldn't be said.
However, even so, it left Jiang Tanyun and the others amazed and occasionally unable to help but sigh and marvel.
Especially when they learned that even Qin Changshan, the 27th-ranked master on the Master List, was casually annihilated by Su Yi, it shook Jiang Tanyun and the others to the core, leaving a bitter taste in their mouths.
If they had known about these things, how could they have dared to underestimate Su Yi on their previous journey?
However, what puzzled them was that Su Yi was undoubtedly a member of the Su family in the Jade Capital City, but he had a tense relationship with the Su family, as if they were enemies!
What astonished them even more was that Su Yi's unpredictable and mysterious abilities seemed not to have been inherited from the Su family of Jade Capital City...
Unfortunately, Shen Jiusong didn't mention a single word about these matters and remained tight-lipped.
It left them with an appetite for more, itching with curiosity, but helpless, they could only force a wry smile and shake their heads.
Meanwhile...
Deep underground, about three thousand zhang below.
Bang!
Su Yi exerted force on the tip of his foot, tapping several times on the side of a steep cliff, and then his figure gracefully descended onto a solid ground.
The first thing that caught his eye was a crimson light. As his vision became clearer, Su Yi was able to see the surroundings of the place he was in.
This deep crevice turned out to be an underground world!
Strange and bizarre rock formations and stone forests filled the area, while a crimson mist lingered and pervaded, making it impossible to discern the true size of this underground world.
Rushing sounds, resembling the surging tide, came from the distant blood-colored mist, indicating that there might be an underground river in the far distance.
However, when Su Yi heard the rushing sound akin to a tidal wave, his pupils suddenly contracted.