Dongfang Feixing was known for his cunning in the cultivation world, and he had a high level of expertise in formations. As soon as the formation activated, he recognized that they had fallen into the Kanli Killing Formation, one of the three legendary killing formations. Dongfang Feixing had conducted some research on this formation and understood its principles, knowing how formidable it could be. However, he had only studied fragments of it and had no complete knowledge of the formation, making it impossible for him to break free. Nevertheless, relying on his understanding and his own skills in formations, he was capable of defending against the formation for some time, even if he couldn't break it.
He turned to Lin Jian and said, "Brother Lin, we're trapped in the Kanli Killing Formation. It looks like things are not looking good; we need to use our last resort." Lin Jian did not hesitate and replied, "Alright, you organize everyone to withstand the formation's attacks while I send a message." Dongfang Feixing wasted no time, quickly directing the disoriented cultivators who were suffering under the formation's onslaught to gather together and form a five-element formation to counter the Kanli Killing Formation's assaults. This strategy proved to be somewhat effective; although the formation's attacks remained fierce, the experts were no longer as passively battered as before. While they couldn't break the formation, they could hold their ground for a while. However, this was merely a temporary measure, as the cultivators' spiritual energy was limited. Although they could take turns resting, prolonged engagement without a way to break the formation would eventually lead to their demise.
Guo Xingyue stood beside the Dongxu Elder and continuously performed a series of hand seals. The scene before them underwent a significant transformation; the ocean beneath their feet vanished, revealing the Sword Heart Sect struggling within the formation. The onlookers were excited, watching intently and occasionally sharing jokes, all in high spirits. However, the Dongxu Elder and Lin De furrowed their brows, exchanged glances, and simultaneously settled on the ground. Each pulled out a jade token and a half-immortal artifact, beginning to mobilize their spiritual energy and casting a series of hand seals to send messages. Guo Xingyue realized that these two were calling for help from the immortals and felt a twinge of confusion: they clearly held the upper hand, so why call for aid?
Observing the situation in the formation closely, he suddenly noticed that the leader of the Sword Heart Sect, Lin Jian, was also seated and sending messages, which made him understand: the Sword Heart Sect was also appealing for help. Guo thought to himself, "It seems the Sword Heart Sect has already sent out their message. Whichever immortal arrives first could tip the scales. I need to accelerate the formation's operation and eliminate the enemy before the immortals descend."
Guo Xingyue swiftly unleashed a series of hand seals, first sending beams of golden light towards the formation's eye, and then channeling the energy of the lightning ball towards it as well. The Sword Heart Sect, already struggling within the formation, suddenly felt immense pressure. Not only did the elemental forces within the Kanli Killing Formation become more powerful, but lightning also manifested within the elemental powers, ruthlessly striking the five-element formation. The assault turned chaotic, and it looked as if the five-element formation established by the Sword Heart Sect was about to collapse. If that happened, those trapped inside would face a massacre.
Desperate, Dongfang Feixing realized that if the five-element formation were to collapse, none would survive. He rallied three other experts at the initial Dividing Spirit stage to leap from the five-element formation and form a Four Symbols Formation above it. Each of the four experts released their Nascent Souls, using them to manipulate their artifacts, desperately resisting the formation's power to alleviate some of the pressure on the five-element formation, managing to stabilize their positions for now.
However, the assault from the formation was relentless, and even though they held on, the golden Nascent Souls of Dongfang Feixing and the others began to dim as they exerted themselves. After a powerful lightning strike, the Four Symbols Formation collapsed, and the four experts spat out mouthfuls of blood, hurriedly retracting their exhausted Nascent Souls and crashing to the ground, pale and barely able to stand.
With their four strongest experts incapacitated, the Sword Heart Sect could no longer withstand the onslaught of the Kanli Killing Formation. The five-element formation quickly crumbled, throwing the trapped experts into chaos. Within moments, every expert was injured, struggling to maintain their footing. The remaining cultivators formed a protective circle around the severely injured, making a final stand.
Guo Xingyue was preparing to launch a final assault to eliminate the opponent when he suddenly sensed a terrifyingly powerful figure approaching swiftly from outside the formation. With his advanced perception at the later Dividing Spirit stage, he recognized this presence immediately. He had encountered strong beings before, but this one was significantly stronger. Guo realized he could not withstand an attack from this figure and hastily withdrew his spiritual energy, severing his connection to the formation. He did not wish to perish alongside it if it were to collapse.
Sure enough, just as Guo severed his ties to the formation, the Kanli Killing Formation shattered under a tremendous impact. The half-immortal artifact at the formation's eye emitted a cracking sound before shattering into pieces. The ensuing shockwave knocked everyone within the formation—both the Sword Heart Sect and the Jinshi Sect—off their feet. The members of the Sword Heart Sect, already injured, were sent sprawling, while only a handful remained standing.
A young man dressed in white stood on the sand, coldly surveying the scene. His overwhelming aura enveloped the many experts from the Jinshi Sect, who, despite their own Dividing Spirit stage cultivation, struggled to breathe under the pressure. Each of them frantically circulated their spiritual energy, trying to resist this immense force. Guo Xingyue compared this newcomer to the demonic ruler he had encountered before and realized this individual was even stronger than that demonic figure—definitely an immortal above the Golden Immortal level. This situation had turned dire.
At this moment, Lin Jian, the Sword Heart Sect leader, mustered his strength to stand and approached the white-clad figure, kneeling respectfully. "The current leader of the Sword Heart Sect, Lin Jian, pays his respects to the Ancestor Master." The white-clad figure glanced at Lin Jian and said, "Waste! You've embarrassed the Sword Heart Sect; get out of my sight! I'll settle accounts with you later." He then turned his icy gaze toward the members of the Jinshi Sect and said, "You may as well kill yourselves to spare me the trouble."
The Dongxu Elder and Lin De remained seated, facing the oppressive atmosphere without a leader, unsure how to handle the situation as they silently resisted the pressure from the immortal. The immortal, seeing that no one was responding, briefly flashed anger across his face, slowly raising a hand, preparing to eliminate the Jinshi Sect members with a single stroke.