"Huh?"
In the killing formation, Ren Qingtu's figure appeared. He stood in the void, looking down. Not far from him, Yang Qiu was wearing a black robe and was stand on the ground. He was holding a jade slip in one hand and touching the formation with other while murmuring to himself. He was obviously studying this killing formation.
Observing Yang Qiu's aura, Ren Qingtu noticed that he was still at the peak of the Holy Lord realm, yet to step into the realm of Saint.
"Is this another stroke of luck?" Ren Qingtu's eyes lit up, his mind becoming active. After entering this secret realm, Yang Qiu hadn't seized the opportunity to become a Saint first, but instead, he was leisurely studying the formation.
Since you're so engrossed in your research, then don't blame me!
Ren Qingtu concealed his entire aura and quietly circled around Yang Qiu, who was far away. Inside the killing formation, he couldn't afford to disturb Yang Qiu. Otherwise, if they fought here, both would end up dead. This killing formation didn't distinguish between friend and foe.
After a quarter of an hour, Ren Qingtu was the first to emerge from the formation. Before him was a mountain peak, and atop the peak, a huge light cluster floated, resembling a scorching sun, radiating countless rays of brilliance, filled with the aura of a Saint.
"Inheritance of the Saint!" Ren Qingtu's eyes were fiery. Even from this distance, he felt the bottleneck of his cultivation that had long troubled him starting to loosen. If he were to integrate it, there was no doubt he would immediately step into the realm of a Saint.
"Swoosh!" Ren Qingtu moved, his figure turning into a stream of light as he reached the summit of the mountain.
Standing at the peak, feeling the inheritance of the Saint, Ren Qingtu's aura gradually became stronger, and the bottleneck at the peak of the Holy Lord realm seemed to loosen even more. It seemed that with a little effort, he could break through.
"It's not the right time yet." Ren Qingtu scanned the surroundings, finally looking in the direction of the killing formation. Yang Qiu could come out at any time. If Yang Qiu came out and saw him breaking through, then the scene would be unimaginable.
The esteemed Sect Master of the Great Luo Sword Sect was killed by an elder of the Nine Nether Demon Sect during his cultivation—when this news spreads, it would be disastrous for the Great Luo Sword Sect.
After some contemplation, Ren Qingtu took out a formation plate from his storage ring. On it was a formation created by a formation master, and as long as he activated the formation on the plate, an immediate large-scale formation would be formed. The advantage was its portability, but the disadvantage was its limited power and coverage. However, in the current situation, covering the summit of the mountain and blocking Yang Qiu for a short time should be no problem.
Ren Qingtu confirmed the safety of the formation and sat beneath the light cluster, entering a state of cultivation. Above his head, the light cluster hovered, and strands of radiance poured into his limbs and bones. As more radiance descended, Ren Qingtu's aura became even more formidable.
…
After a period of time, Yang Qiu, who had been studying the formation for a long time, walked out of it, wearing a somewhat despondent expression.
"Alas." Yang Qiu sighed softly. "It is truly worthy of being a formation set up by a Saint. With my peak Holy Lord-level strength, I still can't fully comprehend it. It's almost impossible to completely replicate it. It seems that besides having the Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion give me some guidance, it's almost impossible with my personal abilities alone."
After taking another look at the formation, Yang Qiu shook his head slightly. Their Nine Nether Demon Sect had done considerable research on the path of formations. A core disciple could already set up a simplified version of the Five Demons Devouring Heaven Formation. This showed that, as an elder, his knowledge of formations was even more profound. However, even so, he still couldn't see through the true appearance of this ancient great formation.
"It seems that this demonic Saint also has a connection with me. His inheritance should be obtained by me. After I become a Saint, my path in the way of formations will probably go even further!" Yang Qiu thought to himself.
The person who set up such a formation must have been a master of formations during their lifetime. Just by observing the formation-setting technique, Yang Qiu felt a sense of deep connection, as if he had known this person for a long time. He regretted not having the chance to meet them in this lifetime.
"This Saint lived in ancient times. After countless years, under the guidance of the Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, I came here to obtain opportunities. Isn't this my destiny?" Yang Qiu felt that there was an invisible hand guiding him to this place. Various factors combined, and today, he should become a Saint!
Turning around, Yang Qiu looked into the distance. The only thing in sight was a towering peak, reaching thousands of feet high. At the top of the mountain, clouds and mist intertwined, creating an otherworldly fairyland. More than half of the mountain top was shrouded in thick fog.
"Oh?" Seeing this scene, a slight smile appeared on Yang Qiu's lips as he said, "I never thought that there would be a hidden paradise here."
He ascended step by step from the foot of the mountain until he reached the thick fog. Extending his hand, he sensed inside and then withdrew it.
"There's actually another formation here. How strange! Why is this formation so much weaker than the two outside? Could it be… That Saint thought that the two killing arrays were still not enough and finally set up this small test?"