The Prison Sect's assault continued.
To bolster the power of their martial force formation, they had fused numerous treasures into it.
The formation had swelled to several times its former size, resembling a miniature world hovering above the Primordial Killing Sea.
The red aura pouring down from such a formation was naturally far more ferocious than before.
Yet even so, it still failed to pierce through the Ouyang Heavenly Clan's defensive formation.
The Ouyang clan members' expressions remained calm throughout, showing not the slightest sign of strain.
The nine-colored lightning seemed utterly impenetrable, and a creeping sense of despair began to settle over the Prison Sect's experts.
After yet another fruitless barrage, the martial force formation ceased its attack, and the Prison Sect forces withdrew into a rest period.
Many Prison Generals secretly transmitted messages to Ji Mo Qianzhou, asking whether they should call off the assault.
But since they had already made their move, Ji Mo Qianzhou had no intention of retreating so easily.
It was not that he minded repeatedly stumbling before Chu Feng's camp.
What he minded was that the Prison Sect — having made its grand debut under his leadership — would suffer one defeat after another.
Such an outcome would deal a devastating blow to the Prison Sect's reputation.
If the Prison Sect became a laughingstock in the world's eyes — a paper tiger to be mocked over tea and dinner — all because of him, how could he face the great ones of the Prison Sect?
With that thought, Ji Mo Qianzhou flipped his palm and produced an ancient wooden tablet.
The tablet bore archaic runes and markings, yet somehow it radiated an aura of eerie dread.
Outsiders would not have understood what the tablet meant.
But beneath the broad-brimmed hats of the Prison Sect members, gazes shifted — some subtly, some not. Every one of them knew what the tablet represented.
At the same time, a secret transmission audible only to Prison Sect members echoed in their ears.
"Since we have chosen to act, there is no turning back from this."
"This is no longer about capturing Chu Feng."
"What is at stake is this confrontation with the Ouyang Heavenly Clan — we cannot lose."
"Otherwise, it is the Prison Sect's reputation that will be shattered."
"It is time to show the world the true power of the Prison Sect."
"Even if doing so demands a price."
Once Ji Mo Qianzhou finished speaking, the Prison Sect members understood his intent.
Every one of them reached into their Universe Bag and produced a wooden tablet. The quality of the tablets varied — clearly, the tablets of Prison Marshals, Prison Generals, and Hell Envoys were distinguished by rank.
But all of the tablets exuded the same unsettling aura.
Then, using their fingernails as blades, they cut their fingers. As blood flowed forth, they held the tablet between both hands. The tablet possessed a suction force; the blood dripping onto its surface was rapidly drawn in.
Strange incantations rose from the mouths of tens of thousands of Prison Sect soldiers in unison — so clear that even Long Chengyu and the others below could hear every word.
"Clan members of Ouyang, hear my command — drive the formation to its fullest. Do not let your guard down."
Spotting the enemy's new move, Ouyang Mingchang immediately issued his order.
The moment the command left his lips, the nine-colored lightning released from every Ouyang clan member surged with far greater intensity than before.
The heaven-and-earth-sealing formation blazed even more brilliantly.
Yet all eyes were increasingly fixed upon the Prison Sect forces.
Everyone wanted to know what card the Prison Sect was about to play.
Whether it was the blending of blood or the effect of the incantations, the runes on the tablets began to flicker.
The flickering grew more and more intense. Suddenly, the runes burst forth from the tablets, transforming into sharp spikes that plunged into the bodies of the Prison Sect members.
Then, as the Prison Sect members opened their mouths simultaneously, a torrent of red energy erupted from within, merging into the great formation.
The formation turned completely red and began to pulsate — its very shape distorting, resembling a beating heart or an insect's egg. Eerie. Dreadful.
And given its colossal size, the unease it inspired was nothing short of overwhelming.
Just then, a voice rang out across the void.