Chapter 208: Revelations about the Formation, Ji Mingxiu's Shock

"Ji Mingxiu, we're pressed for time, observe carefully."

The figure of Dong Yuanzheng surfaced in the mirror, a tall, lean, and aloof old man with raven hair.

Once Dong Yuanzheng had finished speaking, the display immediately morphed into intricate text.

These were fragments of formation-setting techniques and mnemonic incantations.

Swiftly thereafter, within the mirror, the scene altered once again, taking on a completely new appearance.

A disciple of the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Palace, who had been wholly warped into a demonic entity due to the extensive taint from the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi, was imprisoned within a petite formation emitting a soft white radiance.

The disciple from the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Palace bellowed in derangement, as an overwhelming amount of Nether Demon Spiritual Qi burst incessantly from his body.

However, the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi was encapsulated within the formation.

The spectacle was fleeting.

Shortly after, the mirror fragmented, morphing into specks of luminescence that scattered in the breeze.

"Jiang Chen, what's your assessment?"

Ji Mingxiu fixed his gaze squarely on Jiang Chen.

Simultaneously, the attention of everyone else gravitated towards Jiang Chen.

"Indeed, it's a formation specifically designed to isolate the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi."

Jiang Chen affirmed with a nod, "Moreover, it is a formation conceived and crafted by human cultivators themselves."

"A human-made formation?"

"Then, is the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Palace actually safe?"

Ji Mingxiu and his counterparts exchanged glances, "Could we have misinterpreted their motives?"

"It's possible we were in error."

Jiang Chen's countenance remained calm as he responded nonchalantly.

In actuality, he hadn't divulged the whole truth about the formation showcased by Dong Yuanzheng that isolated the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi — it wasn't of ancient origin!

The techniques and incantations of the formation all traced back to the past hundred thousand years.

Furthermore, Nangong Wan and Shangguan Ning had even identified some aspects that were somewhat familiar.

This implied that this formation was most certainly not native to the Immortal Martial Continent!

The claim made by the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Palace, insisting that this formation was a legacy of their forebears, was complete nonsense.

Even without much contemplation, it was obvious.

The provenance of this formation from the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Palace was undeniably dubious!

'It's highly probable it was bestowed by the Nether Demon Clan!'

'To avoid raising suspicions, they deliberately introduced a formation crafted by the human race, yet they still revealed themselves!'

'...'

A myriad of thoughts whirled in Jiang Chen's mind, his eyes flickering with an icy sneer.

Then, could it be that the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Palace possessed such a formation due to backing from a more advanced human civilization?

Absolutely not! Because they lacked the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets!

The Nether Qi Extraction Secrets was no prized secret art.

If a higher-tier cultivator power stood behind the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Palace, wouldn't they possess the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets?

Hence, Jiang Chen further affirmed his suspicion that the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Palace had conspired with the Nether Demon Clan!

However, he kept these thoughts to himself, for he was plotting a counteroffensive!

Given the current scenario, the Purple Heaven Holy Land held the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets, whereas the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Palace had offered a formation that isolated the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi.

The matter of altering the meeting location demanded further negotiation.

With the involvement of the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple, the Verdant Leaf Giant Peak remained a probable choice.

This was because the Verdant Leaf Giant Peak was the most favorable location for the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple.

Jiang Chen had already relinquished hope of modifying the meeting location.

So, he was brainstorming methods to break the impasse or to turn the tide!

At this point, Jiang Chen was certain about the collusion between the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Palace and the Nether Demon Clan.

Hence, their schemes of leading the unsuspecting into a trap, and luring the enemy away to strike two targets with one move, were almost certain to be set in motion.

What he needed to figure out now was, what was the prime objective of the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Palace?

Was it to assassinate the high-ranking figures of the Purple Heaven Holy Land and the Jade Lake Heavenly Palace attending the meeting, or was it to invade and corrupt the territories of the Purple Heaven Holy Land and the Jade Lake Heavenly Palace?

With these thoughts, Jiang Chen's gaze drifted towards Ji Mingxiu and the other Dao Palace realm powerhouses. He noted that they had assumed the status of bystanders, and their Fate Value had dipped!

Among them, Ji Mingxiu's decline in Fate Value was barely perceptible.

However, the Fate Values of Sha An, Si Zhangjian, and Yao Zong had plummeted to just over three hundred points.

This indicated that, without outside intervention, their lifelines wouldn't stretch much further.

Casting his eyes on Mo Yu, he saw his Fate Value too had significantly dropped, to just over four hundred points, barely better than the rest.

'Mo Yu is certainly going to remain at the Holy Land's headquarters.'

'Ji Mingxiu and the other three are set to attend the meeting.'

'Out of the five, the Fate Values of four individuals have plummeted to a perilously low level.'

'It appears that the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Palace and the Nether Demon Clan are indeed plotting to hit two targets with one shot. They aim to assassinate the high-ranking members of the Purple Heaven Holy Land and seize control of the Holy Land's headquarters!'

'Looking back at their Fate Values, it wasn't like this. Could Fang Yuan's demise have caused a ripple effect?'

'Yes, with Fang Yuan originally in the Purple Heaven Holy Land, it would have remained impregnable, and Ji Mingxiu along with the others, basking in the radiance of his Heavenly Fate Value, would have survived.'

'But now, the situation has altered, and things have taken a grave turn.'

'...'

Jiang Chen's thoughts whirred, his eyes flashing with speculative insight.

Time wore on at its own pace.

Seeing Jiang Chen lost in thought, Ji Mingxiu and the others shifted the conversation to different topics, casually negotiating with the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Palace and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple about the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets.

After some discussions, Ji Mingxiu managed to secure, on Jiang Chen's behalf, the carcasses of the demonic beasts slain by the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Palace and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple during the two demonic beast tides.

Regarding spiritual plants, there were some, but not in abundance.

Soon thereafter, this high-level assembly of the Holy Land reached its conclusion.

The meeting place of the three major powers remained unchanged, at the Verdant Leaf Giant Peak.

After Ji Mingxiu and the four Supreme Elders departed, the group of Elders at the Dao Comprehension realm also dispersed one by one to attend to their respective duties.

Given the uncertainty of when the next demonic beast tide might occur, or even the possibility of a Nether Demon Clan invasion, they had to urgently fortify the Holy Land's defenses.

Seeing everyone disperse, only then did Jiang Chen also depart from the Holy Land Grand Hall.

However, instead of retreating to his abode, he diverted his path towards Ji Mingxiu's residence, intending to visit him once more.

Time wore on at its own pace.

Seeing Jiang Chen lost in thought, Ji Mingxiu and the others shifted the conversation to different topics, casually negotiating with the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Palace and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple about the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets.

After some discussions, Ji Mingxiu managed to secure, on Jiang Chen's behalf, the carcasses of the demonic beasts slain by the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Palace and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple during the two demonic beast tides.

Regarding spiritual plants, there were some, but not in abundance.

Soon thereafter, this high-level assembly of the Holy Land reached its conclusion.

The meeting place of the three major powers remained unchanged, at the Verdant Leaf Giant Peak.

After Ji Mingxiu and the four Supreme Elders departed, the group of Elders at the Dao Comprehension realm also dispersed one by one to attend to their respective duties.

Given the uncertainty of when the next demonic beast tide might occur, or even the possibility of a Nether Demon Clan invasion, they had to urgently fortify the Holy Land's defenses.

Seeing everyone disperse, only then did Jiang Chen also depart from the Holy Land Grand Hall.

However, instead of retreating to his abode, he diverted his path towards Ji Mingxiu's residence, intending to visit him once more.

"Jiang Chen, you've arrived."

Ji Mingxiu had also sensed that Jiang Chen wished to discuss something with him and had been awaiting his visit for a while.

"Master, the formation provided by the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Palace is suspect!"

Jiang Chen got straight to the point, continuing, "That formation is undoubtedly handed over by the Nether Demon Clan, they've been in cahoots with the Nether Demon Clan for quite some time!"

Hearing these words, Ji Mingxiu's eyes bulged in astonishment.

"Wait, what?" He queried, his voice laden with bewilderment, "Isn't that formation crafted by the human race? How could it be bestowed by the Nether Demon Clan?"

"That formation was indeed developed by the human race..."

Jiang Chen started to speak slowly, unravelling each of the ambiguities one by one.

"It appears that the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Palace has indeed conspired with the Nether Demon Clan!"

"Despite being humans, they're colluding with the Nether Demon Clan! They must have lost their minds!"

Upon hearing this, Ji Mingxiu's face exhibited a sudden flash of comprehension, followed by an irate roar.

"In their pursuit of higher realms, it's not astounding that the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Palace would resort to such measures."

"The two eminent figures at the Void Tribulation realm have mentioned that among human cultivators, there are quite a few who resort to this. They are collectively termed as 'demonic cultivators'!"

Jiang Chen's expression remained tranquil, "Now, I suspect that many of the high-ranking cultivators in the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Palace have already transitioned into demonic cultivators."

"Demonic cultivators..."

Ji Mingxiu heaved a sigh.

"At present, the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Palace is in league with these demonic cultivators."

"Their plan is to segregate the high-level combat forces of the Purple Heaven Holy Land and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple during the gathering, and overcome them in succession."

Jiang Chen cast a glance at Ji Mingxiu, "If we let down our guard, our Purple Heaven Holy Land might be obliterated."

"Then..."

Ji Mingxiu's brows knit together, "Should we simply abstain from going and remain entrenched within the Holy Land?"

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