Translator: CinderTL
Li Chunjun waved his hand to the crowd.
"After today, there will be no more Great Shang, only Taixu Commerce State."
As soon as he finished speaking, he was the first to take flight on his sword, heading straight for the capital of Great Shang.
Upon hearing this, Zuo Tian, Jun Zhou, Yi Feng, Jiang Yuxue, and others nodded in agreement.
"The conflict between our Taixu Sword Sect and the Chiyang Sword Sect must come to an end."
Immediately, everyone took flight on their swords, closely following Li Chunjun towards the capital of Great Shang, a hundred miles away.
Dozens of sword lights streaked across the sky, resembling a small-scale meteor shower, dazzling and brilliant, leaving countless ordinary people below in awe.
Even those billionaires, gazing at the sword lights in the sky, were filled with reverence.
Their so-called million-dollar, even ten-million-dollar luxury cars were utterly insignificant in the face of these sword lights.
Through hard work and cunning, they could amass hundreds of millions, even billions of wealth, but to soar through the skies by their own power was a dream they dared not even contemplate in their lifetimes.
Above the capital of Great Shang, radiant lights swirled.
A series of fourth-order formations interlocked, making the entire capital as impregnable as a fortress.
During the time Li Chunjun was refining his flying sword, Zhou Wu Gou had already ordered people to work overtime to repair the formations, restoring their brilliance.
Although some areas still had unrepaired damage, causing slight flaws in the interlocking formations, the sheer number of fourth-order formations, backed by the Great Shang Earth Vein...
Even if a Nascent Soul True Lord were to arrive, they would find it difficult to make any headway for a while.
"The consumption required to fully activate the formations is considerable. I estimate that with the capital's internal reserves, they can last a month at most."
Jun Zhou glanced at the formations and then at Li Chunjun: "Sword Prodigy Li, we will guard outside the capital. Whether the Core Formation cultivators of the Chiyang Sword Sect try to break out or come to reinforce, we will kill them one by one, two by two, until they completely surrender!"
"One month."
Li Chunjun naturally would not wait a month.
He flew forward on his sword, his powerful divine sense spreading unreservedly over the entire capital.
Eighty-two miles, ninety miles, ninety-five miles, one hundred miles...
His divine sense rapidly expanded, reaching a hundred and eight miles.
To his astonishment, a hundred and eight miles was still not his limit.
The divine sense continued to spread until it reached a hundred and twenty-eight miles, where he finally felt a slight strain.
His divine sense had increased from eighty-two miles to a hundred and twenty-eight miles in one go.
A full forty-six-mile increase!?
This was far more than the slight improvement from his last life level advancement!
With such divine sense strength, he was no longer at the bottom among early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators.
As he pondered, he began to concentrate his divine sense, enveloping the entire capital's defensive formations, meticulously searching for flaws in their operation.
A fourth-order formation could theoretically kill a Nascent Soul True Lord.
But that was when a Nascent Soul True Lord was in control of the formation.
Core Formation...
No matter how exceptional, it was impossible to fully unleash the power of a fourth-order formation like a Nascent Soul True Lord.
This gave Li Chunjun an opportunity.
Moreover, besides having divine sense comparable to a Nascent Soul, Li Chunjun had also mastered the Great Sword Intent.
This gave his divine sense a sharp edge, allowing him to more precisely locate flaws in the formations.
Especially the comprehensive growth brought by the elevation of life level, apart from attributes like Essence Qi, reaction, and perception, even included a mysterious force akin to intuitive sensing.
When his Divine Sense swept over a certain part of the formation, although he didn't spot any issues at first glance, this intuition guided him to repeatedly search that area, eventually detecting flaws in the formation.
One or two minor flaws were nothing significant.
But when the number of flaws reached a certain level, and these formations were controlled by Core Formation Cultivators, it gave Li Chunjun considerable room to maneuver.
After a long while, he shifted his gaze directly to Zhou Yuechen: "I see from your profile that you are proficient in formations?"
"I do have some knowledge in the field of formations."
Zhou Yuechen spoke, but then turned his gaze to Jun Zhou: "However, among us, Elder Jun is the true master of formations. He has assisted the master of Nine Palaces Peak in setting up fourth-tier formations more than once."
Nine Palaces.
That is the master of Celestial Origin Peak among the Six Inheritance Peaks.
"Elder Zhou flatters me. Our skills in formations are merely on par with each other. I dare not claim the title of Great Master."
Jun Zhou modestly replied.
"Not long ago, I was trapped in a formation and used the Sky Sword Cloud Severing Talisman to forcefully confront these formations. Based on that experience and my current search, I've found some flaws in these formations. Take a look, and then work together to come up with a plan to break the formation!"
Li Chunjun said, concentrating his Divine Sense to directly transmit the flaws he had found to the two of them.
They also focused on digesting the information.
Attempting to directly break through several fourth-tier formations was an extremely valuable opportunity to enhance their skills in formations.
Jun Zhou and Zhou Yuechen quickly began studying these formations.
Soon after, they called in several other Core Formation Elders who had also studied formations, pooling their wisdom to discuss methods to break the formation.
Zuo Tian watched this scene with some surprise: "Sword Prodigy Li... truly intends to breach the royal capital's formation?"
"Naturally."
Li Chunjun calmly replied.
"Core places like the royal capital of Great Shang and the capital of East Province are theoretically non-combat zones."
Zuo Tian pointed out with implication: "When a faction has been suppressed to the point of being unable to break out of such core areas, it's often time to apply for a True Inheritor Battle."
He added: "After all, as members of the Immortal Alliance, it's impossible to truly fight to the death."
"The Immortal Alliance."
This wasn't the first time Li Chunjun had heard this name.
The current Nine Immortal Sects are all members of the Immortal Alliance.
Because of this, conflicts among the nine sects are limited to the Core Formation level and have not involved the Nascent Soul stage.
Otherwise, if True Fire were to be ignited, with Nascent Soul and Primordial Spirit cultivators joining the fray, it would no longer be competition but civil war, making a spectacle for others.
But...
"Don't tell me you're unaware of what recently happened in the royal capital of Great Shang."
Li Chunjun glanced at him.
Upon hearing this, Zuo Tian fell silent. In the end, he didn't say anything more.
Jun Zhou and Zhou Yuechen worked with great efficiency.
Before long, they approached Li Chunjun: "Based on the flaws you provided earlier, we've deduced three plans to break the formation. The best plan has a success rate of thirty percent... However, this plan requires you to exert your full strength, which might harm your Lifebound Flying Sword... Of course, as we continue to break formations and refine our plans, this probability will increase further."
As they spoke, they transmitted the plans to Li Chunjun.
Li Chunjun carefully observed for a moment and quickly made a decision: "Let's proceed with the best plan."
Both of their plans for breaking the formation were extremely conservative!
They clearly prioritized safety above all else.
Even the optimal plan, which might cause some damage to his Lifebound Flying Sword, ensured that the injuries could be healed within one or two months.
If his Lifebound Flying Sword exerted a bit more force...
No! His Lifebound Flying Sword had already refined the Starry Sky Profound Crystal, elevating its power to a new level.
Coupled with the comprehensive growth brought by his increased life level, the probability of breaking the formation wasn't 30%, but 90%!
Not claiming 100% was merely out of consideration for any hidden trump cards the Chiyang Sword Sect might have, not making an absolute guarantee.
With Li Chunjun's approval, Jun Zhou and Zhou Yuechen swiftly relayed the plan to break the formation to the dozens of Core Formation cultivators present.
The Core Formation cultivators, thrilled at the thought of fighting alongside Li Chunjun, the Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy, were filled with excitement.
Thirty years ago, Jiang Jianzi had led them in forming a sword formation, sweeping across the land, breaking mountains and temples, and forcing the eight great sects to bow in submission.
Now...
The emergence of the second Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy in the Taixu Sword Sect undoubtedly signaled a repeat of the sweeping dominance from thirty years ago! As everyone gradually adapted to their respective roles in breaking the formation, Li Chunjun led the group, and they soared into the sky, arriving directly above the Great Shang royal city.
Instantly, chaos erupted within the Great Shang royal city.
Countless nobles and wealthy individuals of the Great Shang Kingdom fled in panic, and explosions and flames erupted in some areas, as if looting and arson had already begun.
The twenty-plus Core Formation cultivators of the Chiyang Sword Sect, facing the overwhelming force of the Taixu Sword Sect's Core Formation cultivators, also turned pale with fear and anxiety.
However, at this moment, they could only pin their hopes on the city's defensive formation, determined to hold their ground.
At this time, Zhou Wu Gou soared into the air, arriving at the main formation tower.
"Li Chunjun, Zuo Tian, don't you want the Great Shang? I'll give you the chance! Our sect has applied for a True Inheritor Battle with the Taixu Sword Sect! Whichever of you can defeat me, the land of Great Shang is yours to take!"
He looked at Li Chunjun and Zuo Tian, who were at the forefront, and activated his Divine Sense, his voice shaking the heavens.
Zuo Tian glanced at Li Chunjun.
But Li Chunjun showed no intention of stopping: "Break the formation!"
With a wave of his hand, the Scarlet Sky Sword shot into the sky, its blazing flames filling the heavens, with a trace of black flame resembling the wings of the Flaming Phoenix, blotting out the sun.
Seeing this, the other Core Formation cultivators of the Taixu Sword Sect also acted without hesitation, unleashing their Arcane Arts and Flying Swords.
Amidst the swirling radiance, they followed the nodes discussed by Jun Zhou and Zhou Yuechen, launching their attack.
Instantly, dozens of streams of light, carrying sharp whistles that shook the void, surged like a tidal wave towards the formation.
"Damn it!"
Zhou Wu Gou's expression turned grim as he barked at the Core Formation cultivators maintaining the formation: "Hold steady!"
"Boom!"
In the next moment, a violent surge of energy crashed into the city's protective formation, causing the entire formation to tremble violently, with countless areas flickering with unstable light.
At this very moment, the Scarlet Sky Sword, embodying the endless flames of the Flaming Phoenix, suddenly moved, targeting the dimmest node, like an Undying Flaming Phoenix descending from the heavens, spreading its wings and diving straight towards that area.
The terrifying energy, along with a sharpness that seemed capable of slicing through the void and traversing the emptiness, erupted in full force the moment it collided with that area.
The flames of the Flaming Phoenix shook the formation.
However, a portion of the Sword Qi, imbued with the properties of the Starry Sky Profound Crystal, managed to penetrate the formation amidst the tremors, heading straight for one of the formation's nodes.
"Not good!"
Zhou Wu Gou's expression changed instantly, and he immediately moved to that node.
He unleashed all his Mystical Powers, nearly obliterating all the Sword Qi that had penetrated through.
Yet, one strand of Sword Qi, carrying a sharpness capable of cutting through mountains and rivers, fiercely struck the node formed by a three-hundred-meter-tall tower. "Boom!"
Metal shards scattered.
The three-hundred-meter-tall tower was directly severed diagonally, with the upper hundred meters, about thirty floors, sliding down and crashing to the ground.
In the midst of the deafening roar, a cloud of dust spread for several kilometers.
Although there were hundreds of similar nodes in the several major formations, Zhou Wu Gou's expression still turned extremely grim! Because...
If Li Chunjun could destroy one node, he could destroy a second, a third!
And once the destruction of the nodes exceeded ten percent, the power of the formation would plummet. At that point...
How could they withstand the dozens of Taixu Sword Sect disciples outside the formation, fierce as wolves and tigers!?
...
Compared to the heavy hearts of Zhou Wu Gou and the many Core Formation cultivators of the Chiyang Sword Sect, everyone on the Taixu Sword Sect's side was in high spirits.
Some even couldn't help but shout, "The Sword Prodigy is invincible!"
Even Jun Zhou, Zhou Yuechen, and Zuo Tian were deeply astonished by the strength Li Chunjun displayed at this moment.
They had already tried to estimate the strength of their Flaming Phoenix Sword Prodigy as highly as possible...
But now, it seemed he was even stronger than their highest estimates! "Continue!"
Li Chunjun ordered indifferently.
"Yes!"
Jun Zhou, Zhou Yuechen, and everyone else responded with equal enthusiasm.
With a single strike yielding results, everyone's morale soared.
At this moment, Zuo Tian seemed to receive some message.
After reading it, he was stunned for a moment, but eventually, he approached Li Chunjun: "Sword Prodigy, wait."
He transmitted his voice: "The Sect Leader has sent word. The Chiyang Sword Sect has applied for a True Inheritor battle, and we are to temporarily withdraw from Great Shang."
Li Chunjun glanced at him but didn't pause for even a second.
He continued to order Jun Zhou and the others: "Break the formation! After the formation is broken, leave no one alive, from Qi Refining and above!"
(End of the Chapter)
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