NOVEL NEXT Chapter 41: Mr. 2 Panics
"Therefore, I hope to personally go and take a look, confirm their condition, and ideally find a way to clear the mind control power on them."
After listening to what Mr. Cui said, the original guess had become reality. It was very likely that the other fourteen "Human Pillars" were already under Daoist Zi Ying's control.
At this moment, Chen Yi couldn't help but feel a bit regretful — earlier, when he activated the [Deceiving Mask], he was only focused on looking at those few ancestors and didn't deliberately look towards the others among the miscellaneous sects and Buddhist great power.
Most of those great powers came from Earth Flame City. Had he discovered something earlier, he wouldn't be realizing the issues with Daoist Zi Ying and the "Human Pillars" only now.
"This... damn it, this is really trouble."
Mr. Cui also understood at this point, his heart equally chaotic, unable to hold back curses despite the Vast Energy cultivated from hundreds of years of reading.
Even at the Martial Arts Arena earlier, when he was repeatedly targeted by Daoist Zi Ying, he never suspected the other's intentions.
Looking back now, his thoughts were the same as Chen Yi — the words Daoist Zi Ying spoke several times seemed to intentionally or unintentionally slow down the Human Race's steps against the Demon Court's schemes.
Moreover, the worst... the worst thing is Earth Flame City and the surrounding guard cities.
Obviously, he had thought of the same thing as Chen Yi again.
"Let's go and see Master Daoist Zeyang."
Soon, the two arrived at the north of Sky Dome City.
Mr. Cui pointed to a distant, expansive Daoist temple, "That is the palace where Master Daoist Zeyang resides, and inside is the core array of Sky Dome City."
Chen Yi raised his hand and tapped on the [Deceiving Mask] on his face, using Heart God Perception to detect it.
Scanning around, he shook his head, "No anomalies found, let's go in and meet Master Daoist Zeyang."
Mr. Cui raised his hand to stop him, pondering, "I'll take the lead later; I have a suitable reason in mind."
Chen Yi nodded, took a deep breath, calmed his Heart Spirit, and said naturally and calmly:
"I understand Mr. Cui's intention. This time, I'm merely following Mr. Cui to understand the situation inside Sky Dome City, hoping that when Mr. Cui leaves to patrol the various cities, he can better guard Sky Dome City."
Mr. Cui forced a smile and nodded along:
"No wonder you're the Azure Dragon Sword Immortal who claimed the title of 'Human Pillar' as soon as you arrived at the Taizhou Mountain Battlefield. Such humble and cautious attitude is truly rare."
The two of them stood outside the palace, putting on a show, only then did the people around seem to realize their arrival.
Several soldiers guarding the palace door saw them and immediately showed excitement.
The leading soldier stepped forward, bowed, and saluted, "Mr. Cui, General Chen Yi."
Chen Yi is now a "Human Pillar," and after White Mountain Ancestor announced it, the news quickly spread to Sky Dome City. It's believed that other city generals will know about it soon.
Mr. Cui nodded slightly and asked, "Is Master Daoist Zeyang here?"
The palace guards replied respectfully, "General Zeyang happened to exit retreat today. He originally planned to go to the Martial Arts Arena, but due to unusual movement at a formation node, he didn't go."
"Lead us there, please."
"Please follow me, great sirs."
Mr. Cui gestured to Chen Yi and walked behind the soldiers into the palace.
The style of this palace is entirely different from the outside world, as if it has been deliberately remodeled. Once through the enormous iron door, there stood a shadow wall, carved with several reliefs of Human Race and demons fighting.
After passing the shadow wall, there was a spacious square paved with golden jade, more imposing than even outside the Imperial Palace of Wei Dynasty.
However, upon entering.
Chen Yi's Heart God Perception was instantly suppressed, unable to probe the situation inside the palace, nor even the area outside the palace.
Mr. Cui seemed aware of his situation and explained with a smile, "This is the core formation node of Sky Dome City. Every brick and tile is protected by an array. We can't extend our Divine Will here."
Chen Yi nodded and relied solely on the [Deceiving Mask] to explore the surroundings.
After a quick scan, he frowned secretly—
[46 years old, Heavenly Human Realm Perfection, using [Deceiving Mask] to see through the God He Magnetic Array, counterattack points +10.]
[Note: Since your counterattack mission is incomplete, counterattack points will be converted into cultivation technique advancements.]
Is there a God He Magnetic Array here too?
Chen Yi walked forward, simultaneously transmitting a sound inquiry, "Mr. Cui, when the Human Race formations were built earlier, were they crafted by Daoist Zi Ying?"
Mr. Cui's heart sank, silently transmitting sound, "Indeed, the initial array was mainly by our predecessors. Later, Daoist Zi Ying, accomplished in the Qimen Lineage, advocated for further fortification, thus re-arranging a new set of formations outside the existing ones."
"For many years, the big formations against the Demon Court have been under Daoist Zi Ying's control, rarely using the thousand-year-old formation."
"But that array is truly effective. Many Human Race soldiers are sheltered by its array, many soldiers are..."
Mr. Cui stopped speaking.
Suspicion is awful in everything.
Once suspicion arises, many originally reasonable things become extremely unreasonable.
It seems that the new array shelters the lives of Human Race soldiers, but could Daoist Zi Ying be using the opportunity of array control to secretly eliminate great powers who threaten her?
Mr. Cui was unsure.
Every day, Human Race soldiers are sacrificed, most being of low cultivation, a few high cultivation great powers.
In the ever-changing battlefield slaughter, it doesn't require much influence, just slightly reducing the big formation's power can allow more demons to breach the city.
Thinking of this, Mr. Cui was silent for a moment, biting his lip, transmitting sound, "Later, I entrust the task to you, my little friend."
He knew Daoist Zi Ying had been hiding for years without detection, undoubtedly possessing some kind of elusive Secret Technique.
He couldn't comprehend this Secret Technique's heritage, but since Chen Yi could detect problems with the "Human Pillar" Token, he reasonably had a way to see if Master Daoist Zeyang is abnormal.
Chen Yi nodded slightly in agreement, then asked the soldier ahead, "It's my first time at this palace, could you introduce it to me?"
"Certainly."
The soldier in the red Scale Armor sidestepped, leading the way while explaining:
"This palace was constructed under Master Daoist Zeyang's supervision, divided into different areas. For instance, on the right is the cave mansion where Daoist Zeyang retreats and cultivates, equipped with formations to enhance the absorption speed of nature's spiritual energy."
"On the left is the book collection pavilion, where the Secret Techniques of Sky Dome City are housed. Copies are stored here too. Not only Daoist Zeyang, sometimes the soldiers guarding here can also come and view."
"Ahead is the core of this palace, which is also the core of Sky Dome City's formation node..."
After hearing this, Chen Yi understood — the place arranged with the God He Magnetic Array was precisely Master Daoist Zeyang's retreat.
It seems this ancient array that subtly influences the Heart Spirit has certain harsh conditions for usage, causing Daoist Zi Ying to deliberately arrange an additional array here apart from the Token.
Soon, the three bypassed the formation node and saw not far away, outside the majestic Daoist temple, a Daoist of immortal-spirited demeanor was already waiting there.
[46 years old, Heavenly Human Realm Perfection, using [Deceiving Mask] to see through those under God He Magnetic Array's power control in the Divine Power Realm, counterattack points +20.]
[Note: Creatures under a long-term God He Magnetic Array are controlled by the array creator, living as if in a dream, thoughts directed by heart's will, incapable of self-awareness, needs external force to break free.]
External force...
Looking at Master Daoist Zeyang, tall and clad in blue and white Daoist robe, Chen Yi pondered what kind of external force could break such an array's influence.
Before he could think of a solution, Master Daoist Zeyang approached them with a smile:
"I didn't know esteemed guests would visit; I apologize for not coming to greet you from a distance. Please forgive me."
Mr. Cui glanced at Chen Yi, laughing, said: "You might not know since you didn't go to the Martial Arts Arena earlier to discuss matters with the Demon Court, that I will soon visit various cities."
"Today's visit is not for anything else but to help Chen Yi understand the situation inside Sky Dome City and allow you two 'Human Pillars' to exchange insights."
While exchanging polite words, he simultaneously transmitted sound to Chen Yi: "Can you see it?"
"He is indeed under the control of the formation!"