Qin Changsheng was overjoyed and was about to step inside.
"Buzz—" Suddenly, a deep buzzing sound resounded throughout the heavens and earth.
Around the valley, countless runes that had been dormant for many years instantly lit up, golden spiritual light surging from them, weaving into a massive net of light that firmly enveloped the entire valley.
Within the spiritual light, ancient patterns rapidly flowed, radiating a solemn and heavy pressure, like a mountain crashing down on Qin Changsheng, making his body feel heavy, his blood surging slightly, and his steps involuntarily halting.
Qin Changsheng quickly composed himself, circulating his spiritual power to resist this pressure, his gaze fixed intently on the great formation before him, his expression gradually becoming solemn.
He could clearly sense that this great formation was no ordinary restriction, nor was it a common cultivator's formation; it was an ancient formation from a very long time ago, containing boundless power.
Qin Changsheng paced slowly around the valley, his gaze carefully examining the runes and spiritual light outside the formation, trying to deduce a way to break it.
However, no matter how he deduced, he couldn't find the key to breaking the formation.
This ancient formation was far too intricate. Rooted in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, intertwined with Daoist principles, its core was hidden and difficult to find, and it contained both trapping and killing restrictions. To break it, one needed not only superb array formation skills but also formidable strength, and perhaps even the aid of special array-breaking treasures.
Qin Changsheng knew in his heart that although he had the golden aura and his cultivation had reached the fourth level of Foundation Establishment, he was still powerless before this ancient formation.
After examining it for a full half hour, Qin Changsheng slowly stopped, a helpless expression on his face, and gently shook his head.
He had already made up his mind: with his current strength and array formation skills, it was impossible for him to break this ancient formation alone.
Now, he could only send his avatar, Hu Nan, to seek help from within the sect.
Thinking this, Qin Changsheng used his divine sense to contact Hu Nan.
At this moment, Hu Nan, in his avatar, was sitting cross-legged on a futon, meditating. Upon receiving Qin Changsheng's command, he immediately headed towards the Heavenly Sword Sect's main hall.
The Heavenly Sword Sect's main hall, situated atop the sect's main peak, was magnificent. Constructed of superior bluestone, its eaves soared, its beams carved and painted, and surrounded by a rich and pure spiritual energy, it resembled a fairyland from afar.
Outside the hall, two inner disciples stood solemnly, their expressions respectful. Their auras were refined, both at the late stage of Qi Refining, responsible for guarding the main hall and preventing unauthorized personnel from entering.
Hu Nan approached slowly, his expression calm, his steps steady, without the slightest hint of panic.
"I am Hu Nan, and I wish to request an audience with the Sect Leader!" Hu Nan cupped his hands in greeting.
One of the guards glanced at Hu Nan and walked into the hall.
"Sect Leader, you may enter!" A guard emerged shortly after.
Hu Nan nodded slightly to the two guards, then entered the main hall.
Inside the hall, bright light filled the air, and the fragrance of sandalwood wafted through the air. In the center sat an ancient jade table, where Sect Leader Xuan Yangzi and Fairy Qingling sat.
Before them was a formation plate.
At this moment, Fairy Qingling was pointing at the formation plate, speaking softly to Xuan Yangzi with a respectful expression and words full of inquiry. The two seemed to be discussing some profound art of formations.
Hearing footsteps, Xuan Yangzi and Qingling Fairy turned simultaneously, their gazes falling on Hu Nan.
Hu Nan stopped and bowed deeply to Xuan Yangzi and Qingling Fairy: "Disciple Hu Nan greets Sect Leader and Qingling Fairy."
Xuan Yangzi slightly raised his eyes: "Rise."
"Thank you, Sect Leader," Hu Nan said slowly, rising to his feet.
Xuan Yangzi nodded slightly, a hint of doubt in his eyes. "Hu Nan, why have you come to the Sect Leader's Hall today? Have you encountered some difficulty, or is there something you wish to ask me?"
Hu Nan took a deep breath and slowly replied, "Sect Leader, I have recently encountered a difficult problem while studying the Dao of Formations. Despite repeated deductions, I have been unable to find a solution, and I am deeply perplexed. I have heard that your mastery of formations is unfathomable, therefore I have dared to come and humbly request your guidance to resolve my confusion."
Hu Nan deliberately avoided mentioning the Qingfeng Ruins and the Ancient Trapping Dao Formation, only vaguely stating that it was a problem with formations.
Upon hearing this, Xuan Yangzi smiled slightly. "Oh? You also study the Dao of Formations? That's rare indeed. Since you have questions, please speak frankly. If I can offer guidance, I will certainly not hold back."
Qingling Fairy also nodded slightly and said softly, "Nephew Hu, there's no need to be so reserved. Our Sect Leader's attainments in formations are extremely high."
"Sect Leader, Fairy Qingling, the formation I encountered was an ancient, ancient one. When this formation is activated, the runes on the ground light up, and spiritual light intertwines into a net, firmly enveloping the entire area. It exudes a vast and ancient pressure that I, with my own strength, cannot withstand."
Hu Nan's tone was calm and his explanation clear. He described the pressure, restrictions, and spiritual energy characteristics of the ancient Dao-trapping formation, revealing no secrets while allowing Xuan Yangzi and Qingling Fairy to grasp the key information about the formation.
Xuan Yangzi's initially gentle expression gradually turned solemn after hearing Hu Nan's description. After Hu Nan finished speaking, he asked, "The formation you're describing, could it be the ancient trapping and killing formation within the Qingfeng Ruins?"
The five words "ancient trapping and killing formation" clearly entered Hu Nan's ears and were also transmitted to Qin Changsheng's mind, far away in the Qingfeng Ruins, through Hu Nan's divine sense.
Upon hearing these five words, Qin Changsheng's face showed astonishment, his eyes filled with disbelief.
He never expected that Xuan Yangzi could instantly decipher the formation based solely on Hu Nan's description, even pinpointing its exact location. Clearly, Xuan Yangzi already knew of the existence of this ancient formation.
At the same time, Qin Changsheng was also extremely relieved; he had definitely found the right person this time.
Suppressing his astonishment, Qin Changsheng's mind stirred, and he used his divine sense to send a command to Hu Nan, asking him to nod in confirmation.
Inside the main hall, Hu Nan bowed slightly to Xuan Yangzi and nodded respectfully, "Reporting to the Sect Leader, it is indeed this formation."
Xuan Yangzi nodded slightly upon hearing this and said, "It's quite a coincidence that you came to seek guidance today just as Junior Sister Qingling and I were discussing this ancient trapping and killing formation."
Qingling Fairy also nodded slightly and softly echoed, "This ancient trapping and killing formation is ancient, a defensive and killing formation passed down from ancient times. Its power is boundless. We were just discussing the origins of this formation and how to break it."
Xuan Yangzi gestured for Hu Nan to step forward: "Since you are also perplexed about how to break this great formation, and since you happen to be here at the right time, you may listen in. If you have any questions while Qingling and I discuss it, you may ask them at any time, and we will answer them for you."
Hu Nan was overjoyed and quickly bowed again, his tone respectful: "Thank you, Sect Leader! Thank you, Fairy Qingling!"
After speaking, Hu Nan slowly walked to the side of the jade table, stood with his eyes lowered, his expression respectful, not daring to overstep his bounds, quietly waiting for Xuan Yangzi and Fairy Qingling to discuss the method of breaking the formation.
Xuan Yangzi picked up the ancient text on formations from the table, slowly opened it, and said to Hu Nan, "Do you know that this ancient trapping and killing formation is actually not difficult to break?"
Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Hu Nan's eyes, and he quickly bowed and asked, "Please enlighten me, Sect Leader?"
Xuan Yangzi put down the ancient text and said, "The key to this ancient trapping and killing formation lies not in its immense power, but in the time required to break it. To break this formation, one must first find the hidden array eye, then use the corresponding spiritual energy to activate the breaking incantation, proceeding step by step. It will take at least three days to completely remove the formation's restrictions."