Asura Mad Emperor

In the center of the Ancient Realm.

Ever since that burst of the Ghost Emperor's will surged into the sky in the eastern part of the Ancient Realm, Ghost Ci had been kneeling here, facing the east, without rising.

After a long while, Ghost Ci suddenly lifted his head, fiercely looking towards the east, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"How... how is this possible?"

"How could the aura of the Ancestor's will suddenly weaken and then completely vanish?"

"Could something unexpected have happened?"

The expression on Ghost Ci's ugly, pitch-black face kept changing unpredictably.

"No, I must go and investigate personally."

With this thought, Ghost Ci hesitated no longer, his body shot up into the sky, wrapped in a surge of ghostly Qi, heading toward the nearest transmission point.

...

Ever since news of the mysterious formation in the east spread.

Whether it was Upper Realm beings like Jiang Bing, Bai Yunran, and the Qinghui Holy Maiden, or native cultivators of the Divine Wilderness Continent like Yan Zhu, all headed towards the Daoist complex near the Divine Peaks, hoping to find an opportunity.

On the second day after the world went through the strange changes, the area outside the Five Elements Great Formation's Daoist grounds was already surrounded by cultivators.

The many cultivators who arrived initially were skeptical, trying to forcibly enter through the five major pathways.

However, the skeptics were all ultimately suppressed and killed by the five pathways.

Even among them, five fearless cultivators entered the five major pathways at the same time, triggering the Five Elements strange phenomenon simultaneously, causing an immense disturbance in the entire Daoist grounds, nearly affecting many cultivators outside.

After more than ten cultivators died, the many cultivators temporarily set aside their greed.

While these many cultivators each displayed their Divine Skills, trying to forcefully breach the five major paths, powerhouses from the Upper Realm like Jiang Bing had then clearly perceived the terrifying energy and Five Elements contained within the formation.

"Netherworld Strange Fire, Innate Departure Water, Flowing Spirit Holy Gold, Returning Origin Wood, and one more, the Evil Heart Gu Sand! These are all supreme holy items that could only be seen at the very beginning of heaven and earth's creation, and now they have all been gathered here!"

Bai Yunran spoke dumbfoundedly.

"What! There are actually so many heavenly treasures!"

Despite being from the Upper Realm themselves, both Jiang Bing and Zi Tong only recognized the Netherworld Strange Fire and the Flowing Spirit Holy Gold, and they were shocked when Bai Yunran mentioned the other three elements of the Five Elements.

"I have only seen records of them in the ancient texts of the Sect; I never thought I'd get to witness them in my lifetime!"

The Tianji Sect had a long-standing foundation, being a super-sect that coexisted with the likes of the Western Sect and the Divine Court, with a depth of resources naturally much greater than a branch of the Jiang Family or the newly emerging Zi Family; that's how he could fully recognize the elements in the Five Elements pathways.

"So how can we enter it now?"

Now, Jiang Bing and Zi Tong and the others had a dilemma.

"These heavenly treasures from ancient times are not something one can just barge into recklessly."

At this moment, stroking his beard, Bai Yunran said, "I remember the Heavenly Secret Ancient Tome recorded several methods to tame Strange Fire, it might be worth a try!"

"Taming Strange Fire! Ancient Strange Fire has always sought its own master autonomously, how can it be tamed?"

The two exchanged glances, their eyes flashing with a thread of brilliance.

But immediately afterward, Bai Yunran continued, "However, this Strange Fire complements the Five Elements Formation, and it is certainly not so easily subdued. A single misstep could lead to being incinerated by the Strange Fire!"

Upon hearing this, the fervor in the eyes of the two men vanished instantly. They realized the risk must be substantial, otherwise Bai Yunran would have taken the initiative to subdue the Strange Fire himself.

With the risk of being devoured by the Strange Fire, Bai Yunran, Jiang Bing, and Zi Tong naturally would not be willing to actively try to subdue the Strange Fire.

At that moment, the three of them resorted to the same strategy that the fake Qinchuan once used—finding someone to be the sacrificial pawn!

The three immediately announced in public that they had a method capable of subduing the Strange Fire.

In their greed, several cultivators hesitated momentarily before stepping forward. They began to circulate the Ancient Scripture Heart Method provided by Bai Yunran, attempting to subdue the Strange Fire.

But just as Bai Yunran had said, the Netherworld Strange Fire had already become one with the Five Elements Formation, rendering all methods of subdual ineffective. These cultivators all perished under the backlash of the Netherworld Strange Fire.

One after another, cultivators were burned to death by the Strange Fire, and before long, there were no more who were willing to step forward.

The three repeatedly asked, but still, no cultivator dared to come forward.

"Enough, we'll just guard the periphery of the Array, those inside will have to come out sooner or later," Bai Yunran sighed. Unable to enter the Array to seek opportunities was indeed a great regret, but there was no better solution for now.

And just at that moment, several arcs of rainbow light shot over from the distance.

Zi Tong looked toward the newcomers, her eyes flashing with a grim light, and coldly said, "Since no one comes forth voluntarily, we'll simply designate others to undertake the Formation Breaking."

Bai Yunran and Jiang Bing followed Zi Tong's gaze and saw several familiar figures.

"Aren't those the useless ones who followed Qinchuan? Their master is dead, what are they doing here?

Could it be they've come to retrieve their master's body? Unfortunately, that boy Qinchuan has long been burned to ash by the Strange Fire."

A look of contempt and disdain appeared on Jiang Bing's face.

"Who cares why they're here, as long as they can scout the way for us!" Zi Tong coldly stated.

Zi Tong was beautiful and enchanting, but her heart was incredibly dark and vicious; she clearly intended to force Ji Huo'er and the others to charge into the Five Elements Formation.

"This, indeed, is a good idea!" Jiang Bing instantly understood Zi Tong's thoughts and nodded in agreement.

Only Bai Yunran hesitated for a moment. As a member of the Tianji Sect, which had a prestigious reputation in the Upper Realm, he disdained certain actions.

But seeing the resolute looks from Zi Tong and the others, he subsequently cast aside his reservations. To enter the Array, any sacrifice would be worthwhile.

As Zi Tong and the others were about to take action, a rough voice suddenly erupted.

"Old thing, you managed to escape the battle that day, and yet you dare to come here!"

As the voice spoke, several figures rushed skyward from among the crowd of cultivators, encircling Ji Huo'er and her companions who were arriving.

Those who intercepted Ji Huo'er and the others were none other than Yan Zhu, Su Yun, Xie Tingyun, and a series of Sect Families from the Nanchi Continent.

"Gentlemen, what is your intention? I bear no grudge against any of you. Why do you trouble me again and again?"

Li Kaitian halted, coldly looking toward Yan Zhu and the others. He did not recognize them, but when he had entered the Ancient Realm previously, he had been inexplicably attacked by Yan Zhu and the others, resulting in a baffling fight.

To his surprise, upon just arriving at the periphery of the Array, it was these people again.

"Humph, bear no grudges? You make it sound so simple. The Tianyuan Nation has already struck at our doorsteps.

Presumably, the next move of your Tianyuan Nation will be to act against our major Sect Families! You and I will eventually be mortal enemies, so why not take this opportunity to eliminate you?"

Several powerful individuals sealed off the area and after trapping the few of them inside, Yan Zhu stepped forward with a rolling aura, menacingly speaking.