More than half a month later, above a massive azure cloud platform, Han Li stood expressionless atop a tall tower-like structure, gazing down at a verdant mountain range below.
On either side, Fei Xiaoxi and Cao Ji stood a short distance behind, similarly peering downward.
In the surrounding void, aside from over a hundred flying chariots and war vessels patrolling back and forth, all the other massive cloud platforms had completely vanished without a trace.
The mountain range was not particularly large, spanning only about a hundred li across, yet at this moment flickering lights of escape techniques could be seen atop several towering peaks within, and between dense forests and rocky crags, countless figures could be faintly spotted moving about as platform after platform rose from the ground.
These stone platforms of varying heights were all inscribed with faint silver spirit runes, and atop each one emerald-green banners had been planted, emanating a gentle spiritual glow.
But upon closer inspection, one would discover that these platforms had all been erected upon the few spiritual veins running through the mountain range.
In the valley at the center of several peaks, a colossal tree over a thousand zhang tall was growing at a speed visible to the naked eye, sprouting nearly a chi in height every hour, its size already nearly rivaling the surrounding mountain peaks.
On the ground surrounding the giant tree, a pale green formation array spanning a hundred acres had been drawn.
Over a hundred Wood Clan cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage or above sat cross-legged within the formation, forming hand seals with their eyes tightly shut, channeling something with all their might.
With the valley as the center, all the platforms were faintly linked together, drawing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth from across the entire mountain range rushing toward the valley, where it coalesced in the air into rainbow bridges tens of zhang long, each shimmering with five brilliant colors — a spectacle of breathtaking beauty!
Not just here — in several neighboring small mountain ranges tens of thousands of li away, giant trees were similarly growing at rapid speed in hidden locations, with countless formation arrays and platforms being hastily constructed nearby as well.
If one looked down from even higher in the void, one would find that across the land spanning a million li, there were no fewer than thirty-six of these massive formation clusters, each centered on a small mountain range.
Though they were not yet fully completed, their arrangement relative to one another was extraordinarily intricate, faintly forming yet another super formation that would make anyone dizzy just looking at it.
At this moment, the spiritual energy within the super formation's range had already been roused, with various fluctuations beginning to shimmer and flicker in and out of visibility throughout the void.
The entire region was imperceptibly filling with a fierce and sinister aura!
On the azure cloud platform, Han Li suddenly spoke in a calm, flat tone: "At the current pace, the formation eye will be completed in just a few days. Once it's done, we'll lower this 'Azure Light Island' and activate all the defensive restrictions, entering a state of full protection."
"That is naturally as it should be. But the time required to set up this Wood Realm Grand Formation has been somewhat longer than expected. I've heard that the setup of the other two formation eyes is progressing even slower than ours — it won't cause us to fall behind schedule and jeopardize the overall plan, will it?" Fei Xiaoxi glanced toward Han Li, her voice equally cool.
"I just received word yesterday — the vanguard army has only just engaged the demon forces, and according to the agreed-upon plan, they're attempting to lure the demon army toward our Wood Realm Grand Formation. Even if the demons march at their fastest, it will still take at least ten or more days for them to reach this place. By then, the grand formation will have long been fully completed. What I'm actually worried about is whether the Wood Realm Grand Formation truly possesses the rumored power to deal a devastating blow to the demon army!" Han Li replied, unconcerned.
"Rest assured, both of you. The Wood Realm's Thirty-Six Heavenly Absolute Formation — even without activating the reserve Sacred Trees — possesses power that is fathomlessly deep. Now, with thirty-six Sacred Trees embedded within the formation, its power has surged several times over. Even a Mahayana existence trapped within it alone would find it nearly impossible to break free. As for the common demon troops, they would be utterly helpless against this formation's power." Cao Ji smiled, brimming with confidence.
"Your clan is willing to sacrifice thirty-six reserve Sacred Trees at once — this formation must truly be extraordinary. But even if what you say is true and you have great confidence in this grand formation, the demon side should not be underestimated either. Those Demon Saint Ancestors in particular — every one of them possesses heaven-defying demonic cultivation and has refined numerous incarnations. They are extremely difficult to deal with." Han Li paused in thought, then spoke slowly.
"Even if the Demon Saint Ancestors are formidable, our clan's Grand Elder and your Elder Mo and the others will naturally engage and restrain them. Why worry about things beyond our control?" Fei Xiaoxi continued in her cold tone.
"Heh heh, Senior Sang and the others may be able to hold the Demon Saint Ancestors' true bodies in check, but their incarnations will likely be left unaccounted for. If I'm not mistaken, when the demon side sends someone to break our formation, it will most likely be these Saint Ancestor incarnations who take action." Han Li chuckled.
"Saint Ancestor incarnations?" Upon hearing this, both Cao Ji and Fei Xiaoxi's expressions shifted subtly.
"What? You two have fought these Saint Ancestor incarnations before?"
Their expressions could not escape Han Li's keen eyes, and with a subtle look, he asked meaningfully.
"When the demons launched their full-scale invasion, I once encountered a Saint Ancestor incarnation together with a clansman of similar cultivation. After a fierce battle, one of us died and the other was gravely wounded — I nearly lost my life." The casual demeanor on the Wood Clan giant's face vanished in an instant, a flash of hatred passing through his eyes.
"Though I have never encountered a Saint Ancestor incarnation myself, many of my friends and family have fallen at their hands. If I ever come across these incarnations, I will personally make sure to face them." Fei Xiaoxi's expression turned icy as she spoke.