"The three layers of auxiliary formations have been set in place." The first squad of Gu Immortals withdrew their hands and immediately sat cross-legged inside the Immortal Gu House, closing their eyes to rest.
The second squad took over, beginning to lay down the Eighth Transformation Immortal Gu — Zhen — on top of the three auxiliary formation layers.
The second squad had eight Gu Immortals, a mix of Seventh and Sixth Transformation cultivators. Working together in perfect coordination, they labored until they finally managed to position the Zhen Immortal Gu.
This was the River of Time, a secret realm of the Wisdom Path's heaven and earth. As a Rule Path Immortal Gu, placing Zhen here was far from easy — the difficulty was immense.
But the Eighth Transformation Immortal Gu Zhen was one of the core Immortal Gu in the River-Locking Lotus-Sealing Formation, and it was the first among the Eighth Transformation Immortal Gu that needed to be laid down. Only once it was positioned could all subsequent construction proceed.
At this point, the second squad began resting while the first squad resumed their work.
However, they did not continue building — instead, they began dismantling the three auxiliary Gu Formations they had just laid.
These formations had served to receive the Zhen Immortal Gu and help it settle into its precise position. Now that the goal had been achieved, the three auxiliary layers had to be cleared away to free up surrounding space for the continued construction of the main formation.
"Good, the three auxiliary layers have been cleared. Next is the Young Fire Formation." The third squad hurriedly took over.
The first squad was utterly exhausted, desperate for rest.
"Young Fire Formation complete. Next is the Paper Cage Formation. We'll go." The second squad stepped in.
If the River-Locking Lotus-Sealing Formation were broken down in detail, it contained one hundred and thirty-eight sub-formations — the Young Fire Formation and Paper Cage Formation were just two of them.
"Careful — the surface of the River of Time is shifting! A massive wave is heading right for us!" someone shouted a warning.
At that moment, the first squad was still recovering, fighting to restore their condition down to every second. The second and third squads were both occupied with laying formations, leaving only the fourth squad — the emergency reserve — to act.
Heavenly Court had divided the Gu Immortals into four squads for this formation work. The first squad had the strongest formation-laying ability and was responsible for the most core and critical sections of the River-Locking Lotus-Sealing Formation. The second and third squads were both auxiliary, with roughly comparable ability. The fourth squad had the fewest members and moderate formation-laying capability, serving as the emergency reserve force.
The fourth squad members all struck out, annihilating the giant wave.
The second and third squads, busy with formation work, breathed sighs of relief. They checked whether the main formation had been affected while simultaneously preparing for the next round of construction.
Gu Liuru and Feng Jiuge held their respective positions at the Instant Platform and the Ancient Pavilion.
Feng Jiuge's gaze was distant, still comprehending the mysteries of Destiny. Gu Liuru's eyes, meanwhile, were sharp and deeply vigilant.
"Our side has discovered Stone Lotus Island. The commotion from this formation work will surely be detected by Fang Yuan."
"He will definitely come to sabotage it!"
"Before the River-Locking Lotus-Sealing Formation is fully completed, we are at our most vulnerable — and it will be Fang Yuan's best opportunity to strike."
"This time, the stakes are enormous! I will wash away my past shame — I absolutely cannot let Fang Yuan succeed!"
Just as these thoughts ran through his mind, a streak of silver light suddenly appeared in the distance.
Gu Liuru's heart instantly tightened.
The Three Autumns Yellow Crane Terrace and the Shark Flow Lever, patrolling the perimeter, immediately wheeled around to intercept.
The approaching figure was none other than the Myriad Year Battle Chariot!
"Gu Liuru, so Heavenly Court actually intends to seize the Red Lotus True Inheritance right under my very eyes — heh, you're thinking a bit too highly of yourselves." The Myriad Year Battle Chariot charged in at terrifying speed, and Fang Yuan's voice rang out from within.
Gu Liuru let out a cold snort, his voice booming across the entire battlefield: "Fang Yuan, you are nothing but a defeated foe. Was the lesson you received last time not painful enough?"
He was himself a great wisdom-path expert, and in the River of Time he moved like a fish in water. For an Eighth Transformation Gu Immortals of other paths, projecting their voice across this battlefield would have required far more effort.
"Haha, with me here, don't even think about finishing your formation." Before Fang Yuan's words had even faded, the area around the Myriad Year Battle Chariot had already erupted with dazzling light.
The lights converged into countless silver flying swords that hissed through the air, hurtling straight toward the unfinished River-Locking Lotus-Sealing Formation.
Gu Liuru's expression darkened immediately. He felt a headache coming on — this formation was what Heavenly Court was most concerned about.
Fang Yuan's strategy of striking where the enemy had to defend was viciously effective. Heavenly Court had no choice but to pour everything into defense, placing them in an inherently passive position.
Last time, when Fang Yuan attacked the River-Locking Lotus-Sealing Formation, Heavenly Court could proactively dismantle it. But now, with this Red Lotus Stone Island, even if it cost them blood, they had to ensure the formation was completed.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The Three Autumns Yellow Crane Terrace was the first to arrive, engaging the Myriad Year Battle Chariot in fierce combat. The shockwaves rippled outward, sending explosions of water across the surface of the River of Time.
Moments later, the Shark Flow Lever arrived as well.
While three Immortal Gu Houses clashed amid the River of Time, the skies above the Eastern Sea's Qi Sea were a picture of harmony and conviviality.
After Hua Caiyun, the Gu Immortals of the Eastern Sea's super factions — the Song, Su, and Cai families — had also arrived for the banquet.
The Song family's representative was naturally Song Qiyuan, who had brought Song Yishi along.
"This is my granddaughter, Song Yishi. She heard of the senior's great reputation and has been longing to pay her respects. She insisted I bring her along so she might behold the senior in person." Song Qiyuan wore a warm smile as he made the introduction.
Song Yishi had lost her father in her youth, and Song Qiyuan, as her grandfather, had always doted on her. For this Eastern Sea grand banquet, he had specifically brought her along to give her a chance to shine before important figures.
"This junior greets the Qi Sea Ancestor." Song Yishi bowed respectfully.
Her skin was fair as snow, her eyes bright and her teeth pearly white. Dressed in a blue-and-white palace gown, her air was one of pure elegance — truly worthy of being recognized as one of the six great beauties among the current Eastern Sea Gu Immortals.
Just as Hua Caiyun had done, Song Qiyuan had also brought a gift: a collection of Qi Path inheritance records stored in the Song family's archives, sourced from an Eighth Transformation Qi Path powerhouse of ages past. Fang Yuan glanced through the contents — it was quite unique and held considerable value.
Fang Yuan looked down at Song Yishi and smiled, radiating the gentle concern of a senior figure: "The Song family has a fine successor — a promising seedling indeed. Since this is your first visit to the Ancestor, it wouldn't be proper for me to send you away without a greeting gift."
With that, he produced an Eighth Transformation Water Path Immortal material and let it drift slowly down before Song Yishi.
Song Yishi, well-bred as she was, quickly accepted the gift and bowed deeply in gratitude.
"Please, take your seat." Fang Yuan waved his hand. Qi currents surged and coalesced, and in the blink of an eye a seat had formed, positioned just below his left hand.