"This grand array is called the Fate-Defying Sacrificial Refinement Grand Array. It was established by Sun Minglu, utilizing more than ten Immortal Gu, and most crucially, infused with water from the Reverse Flow River. Its power is truly extraordinary!"
Zhao Lianyun explained in a solemn voice.
The Love Immortal Gu had activated on its own, consuming a tremendous amount of Immortal Essence from Zhao Lianyun's void orifice. Its effects were bizarre and varied — this time, it actually allowed Zhao Lianyun to directly learn the origins and background of the entire Fate-Defying Sacrificial Refinement Grand Array.
"Water from the Reverse Flow River? Could it be the legendary Reverse Flow River?" Yu Yiyizi's eyes went wide.
"That's right — the very Reverse Flow River recorded in the Legend of the Human Ancestor," Zhao Lianyun nodded.
According to the Legend of the Human Ancestor, Dang Soul Mountain, Falling Spirit Valley, and the Reverse Flow River constituted the three trials beyond the Gate of Life and Death. Back then, the Human Ancestor had sought to revive his eldest son, Tai Ri Yangmang, venturing into the Realm of Obsessive Death — but he failed. The Human Ancestor then had to traverse the three trials himself in order to be resurrected.
As it happened, the Human Ancestor successfully passed through Dang Soul Mountain and Falling Spirit Valley, but fell short at the Reverse Flow River.
"So the Reverse Flow River is also one of the Secret Realms of Heaven and Earth. Who would have thought it would end up in Snow Hoar Old Ancestor's hands?" Buzhenzi sighed with emotion.
Mu Linglan lamented, "It's said that back in the day, Heaven-Robbing Demon Venerable used the Ghost Unaware Gu to enter the Gate of Life and Death. He managed to steal away Dang Soul Mountain and Falling Spirit Valley, but couldn't lay a finger on the Reverse Flow River. Yet somehow, the Reverse Flow River was eventually taken out as well — by whom, and when, no one knows."
Mu Linglan was the Supreme Elder of Spirit Butterfly Valley. Among the ancient sects of Central Continent, this one had the most extensive intelligence network, so Mu Linglan was privy to many of the world's secrets.
Still, the Central Continent immortals quickly accepted this fact.
If Dang Soul Mountain and Falling Spirit Valley could both be removed, then the Reverse Flow River's appearance was nothing surprising.
"The key now is how we break through this Fate-Defying Sacrificial Refinement Grand Array," Buzhenzi emphasized.
But Zhao Lianyun shook her head with a bitter smile. "Breaking this grand array is virtually impossible. Even an Eighth Transformation Gu Immortal would be trapped here, unable to free themselves. The Immortal Gu composing this grand array include none of the Eighth Transformation — but the formation makes perfect use of the Reverse Flow River, allowing it to exert limitless power."
Zhao Lianyun explained at length. After hearing her out, the other four immortals were left utterly dumbstruck, and no longer harbored any notions of attempting to break the formation.
As it turned out, the grand array had completely transformed the Great Snow Mountain Blessed Land. Using fifteen snow peaks as formation nodes, it established an impenetrable defense.
When Gu Immortals intruded into the grand array, they would be forcibly transported to different snow peaks depending on their cultivation level.
A Seventh Transformation Gu Immortal would be sent to a peak where Seventh Transformation Gu Immortals fought.
An Eighth Transformation Gu Immortal would be delivered straight before Snow Hoar Old Ancestor himself.
Ji's earlier words had contained both truth and lies — she hadn't been speaking entirely nonsense.
The Fate-Defying Sacrificial Refinement Grand Array could indeed enhance the combat ability of friendly Gu Immortals stationed at the formation nodes. It could grant a Sixth Transformation Gu Immortal the power of a Seventh Transformation. A Seventh Transformation Gu Immortal wouldn't reach the Eighth Transformation level, but would still receive a tremendous boost.
Moreover, this Fate-Defying Sacrificial Refinement Grand Array also replicated the Pool of Regret, containing certain wondrous abilities connected to the Path of Time.
What was truly sinister was that any Gu Immortal who perished within the grand array was treated as having offered their life and soul to the formation, helping Lady Wanshou — at the very center — refine Ma Hongyun.
"No wonder when we eliminated Ji, her physical body and Immortal Orifice quickly crumbled to ash and dissipated without a trace."
"Ji may have escaped with her soul, but within this array, I fear her soul has already been scattered to nothing."
"Who would have thought Sun Minglu could construct such a peerless grand array? Its power would be difficult to match even among the Ten Great Ancient Sects."
"Sun Minglu is publicly acknowledged as the foremost grandmaster of the Formation Path in the Northern Plains. They say he has a forceful temperament and values loyalty above all. He refused to associate with the Demonic Path. Back then, even Snow Hoar Old Ancestor humbled himself to visit three or four times, and Sun Minglu still wouldn't bend to such pressure. In the end, it was only because Snow Hoar Old Ancestor's devotion to his beloved wife, Lady Wanshou, that Sun Minglu was moved enough to help her create this Refinement Path grand array. Now, seeing that he could create such a vicious Refinement Path formation, Sun Minglu is probably no saint himself."
The Central Continent immortals buzzed with discussion.
"So you're saying that once we step off this snow peak, we'll be forcibly separated, left to fight alone?" Buzhenzi pressed.
Zhao Lianyun nodded. "That should be the case. The only reason we all arrived together was because of the Love Immortal Gu."
The Love Immortal Gu was a Ninth Transformation Immortal Gu. Its power surpassed the entire grand array, which was why all five Central Continent Gu Immortals had been brought together to the Ninth Snow Peak.
But now that the Love Immortal Gu was no longer taking effect, the moment the five stepped beyond the boundaries of this peak, the grand array would sweep them away and scatter them.
Buzhenzi's brow knotted tightly. This was terrible news.
He had come to serve as Zhao Lianyun's bodyguard — protect Zhao Lianyun, and the Love Immortal Gu would be protected. But now this grand array would force them all apart. The situation was exceedingly difficult.
"Tell you what, Fairy Lianyun — get inside my Immortal Orifice. I refuse to believe this grand array can still affect someone hiding in an Immortal Orifice!" After a moment's hesitation, Buzhenzi steeled his resolve.
A Gu Immortal's Immortal Orifice was their most closely guarded secret. Outsiders were generally never allowed in.
But Buzhenzi, recognizing the gravity of the situation, resolved to make this sacrifice and let Zhao Lianyun inside.
Between the two of them, this was the only viable option.
The reason was that Zhao Lianyun's orifice was not a true Immortal Orifice, but a void orifice. The Heavenly Court's void orifices had both advantages and drawbacks. The drawback was that they could only hold Immortal Essence, Gu, and will — they could not be cultivated or developed like a normal Immortal Orifice. They had to be replenished at regular intervals, or they would cease to exist. The advantage was that they could contain Immortal Gu of any grade. Just as with Zhao Lianyun now — she could directly enter and examine the Love Immortal Gu without worrying that this Ninth Transformation Immortal Gu would burst the orifice.
But after they tried, the Central Continent immortals discovered they couldn't even open the gate to their Immortal Orifices.
Clearly, when Sun Minglu created this grand array, he had also considered this possibility. This was not a vulnerability of the formation.
The Central Continent Gu Immortals found themselves caught in a dilemma.