Chapter 237: Endless Battle within the Myriad Immortals Formation, Both Bright Pearl Jade Cauldron Suffer Defeats_2
"Uncle Yu Ding, do you dare to face me in the array?"
The brilliance dissipated, and once again Li Mingzhu and Yu Ding were evenly matched. Li Mingzhu knew that this alone would not defeat Yu Ding, so he intended to provoke Yu Ding into entering the array.
The array was there, but for it to unleash its true power, someone had to enter it. If Yu Ding refused to step into the great array, Li Mingzhu would be unable to fully utilize it.
It was precisely for this reason that Li Mingzhu sought to provoke Yu Ding.
"Why would I not dare!"
Yu Ding showed no hesitation and immediately pursued Li Mingzhu into the array. In his perspective, to back down now was tantamount to defeat.
In battle, retreat—even with the support of an array—was undoubtedly the path to failure.
Every peerless prodigy harbored an unshakable resolve to claim victory. Yu Ding was no exception and felt no fear in confronting the power of Li Mingzhu's array.
Moreover, the members of the Chan Sect watching from the sidelines did not stop Yu Ding, even though they clearly understood that entering the array would undoubtedly limit Yu Ding's strength.
"Good!"
To see Yu Ding actually dare to step into the Celestial Star Battle Formation surprised Li Mingzhu. But since he had entered, his fate was no longer his own. Li Mingzhu sneered coldly.
Li Mingzhu ascended the Eight Diagram Platform, raised his hand, and summoned thunder. At the same time, the River Map and Luo Book appeared—indispensable artifacts for invoking the Celestial Star Battle Formation.
Clouds of stars gathered, and 365 stars materialized. In an instant, the array transformed into the Primordial Starry Sky.
Of course, this Primordial Starry Sky could not compare to the true cosmos, but its Star Power was at Li Mingzhu's complete disposal.
This was the strength of the Celestial Star Battle Formation: harnessing the force of the stars as one's own. After all, no individual, regardless of their might, could compare to the vastness of the cosmos.
As Yu Ding entered the Celestial Star Battle Formation with sword in hand, he remained composed. Glaring at the turbulent Primordial Starry Sky, he neither retreated nor hesitated. Instead, he took the initiative and unleashed a sword strike aimed directly at the Taiyin and Taiyang stars at the center.
Although he could not pinpoint Li Mingzhu's exact location, targeting the Taiyin and Taiyang stars would not be a mistake, as they governed the myriad stars of the Primordial Sky.
This forward-charging Sword Intent carried Yu Ding's unyielding determination. This sword knew no compromise—it sought life or death!
Unlike Yang Jian, who lacked the qualifications to challenge Li Mingzhu for life and death, Yu Ding did.
This sword, though nameless, was mightier than any with a name!
Yu Ding was well aware that once within the array, failing to swiftly conclude the battle would guarantee his eventual defeat.
Rather than delay, he staked everything on a decisive blow!
This was a provocation.
Of course, Li Mingzhu could evade the strike instead of meeting it head-on. But such a notion was unthinkable—his character and the path he walked allowed no such retreat!
"Whoosh!"
A peerless spear strike suddenly shot forth from deep within the array, colliding head-on with Yu Ding's sword light. The impact resembled the catastrophic collision of two planets in the vast cosmos, fracturing the Celestial Star Battle Formation itself.
"Mingzhu!"
"Master!"
Two cries of alarm rang out from the camps of the Chan and Jie Sects—one from the Wudang Saint Mother and the other from Yang Jian, while Li Mingzhu and Yu Ding were both sent hurtling backward.
Their battered bodies were caught by the Wudang Saint Mother and Yang Jian, respectively. Both were gravely injured and temporarily incapacitated, leaving the duel unresolved.
In truth, however, this turn of events favored the Chan Sect. Not only had Li Mingzhu's Celestial Star Battle Formation been shattered, but Li Mingzhu himself had also been rendered powerless.
For the Chan Sect, this was undeniably welcome news. Otherwise, who could tell how many lives it would take to overcome just Li Mingzhu?
At that moment, the sound of a Buddhist hymn echoed, signaling the arrival of Daoist Jieyin with a song:
"Barefoot to the sacred trees, fragrant with jujubes and pears,
Stepping upon auspicious clouds, extraordinary beyond compare.
Twelve Lotus Platforms display mystical treasures,
Around the Eight Virtues Pond shines serene white light.
Life eternal as heaven and earth speaks no falsehood,
Blessings vast as flood tides hold no boast.
Through relic refinement, one attains embryonic breath,
In serene bliss lies the Western paradise."
Jieyin and Zhunti appeared together, treading upon a twelve-petaled Golden Lotus. Their faces were sallow and sunken, exuding an air of ever-present sorrow.
Although Jieyin's appearance seemed disarming, he was in truth the most advanced in cultivation among the saints, second only to Laozi.
Anyone who underestimated Jieyin would undoubtedly meet their end without even knowing how they perished. He was, after all, the most unfathomable schemer of all.
"Greetings, fellow Daoists. This humble Daoist has come a tad late!"
Jieyin laughed heartily, joining Laozi and Yuanshi.
"No matter, your timing is perfect. Let us break the Myriad Immortals Formation and see if Tongtian has anything left to say!"
Yuanshi said with a smile. Though he looked down on the Western duo—Jieyin and Zhunti—that disdain had to be set aside. To achieve their goal, borrowing their strength was unavoidable, albeit unpleasant.
Of the Three Pure Ones, Yuanshi was the most prideful. To seek the aid of the Western duo was bitter medicine for him, but there was no other choice.
"Patience, just a moment. This humble Daoist will first guide some destined individuals!"
Jieyin laughed as he vanished before everyone.
Laozi and Yuanshi, after a quick calculation, understood Jieyin's intentions but chose not to intervene.
Jieyin's endeavors to recruit Jie Sect members were none of their concern.
Within the Myriad Immortals Formation, the Gui Ling Saint Mother emerged, singing a song aimed directly at Guang Chengzi:
"Emperor Yan attained the Dao, his wisdom infinite,
Holding the myriad phenomena within his breast, wondrous and profound.
In the halls of Biyou, he transmits the true teachings,
Venturing into the mortal realm to quell the western strife."
The Gui Ling Saint Mother sought vengeance against Guang Chengzi. However, before she could act, Ju Liusun intercepted her with a furious cry: "Hold, foul creature!"
The three sect hierarchs—Laozi, Yuanshi, and Zhunti—watched with discerning eyes. Observing the Gui Ling Saint Mother's actions, Yuanshi sneered, "Fellow Daoists, to think such a thing should seek enlightenment and achieve proper fruition—what a joke! Do you even know its origins?"