17: On the observatory, undercurrents were stirring.

The Star Gazing Platform was vast and desolate, its broken Coiling Dragon stone pillars speaking of the vicissitudes of time. In the center of the platform, the Silver Armored Skeleton slowly turned, its crimson soul fire flickering. The icy killing intent, as substantial as reality, mixed with the dense Devilish Qi, forming a suffocating pressure that locked firmly onto the four people who had just stepped onto the platform.

A demonic guard at the Half-step Golden Core stage!

"I will hold it off; you all prepare the Formation quickly!" Lin Xuan's eyes were sharp. He took a step forward, operating the Nine Revolutions Golden Body Art at full capacity. A pale golden Light of Vital Energy and Blood burst forth from his body, standing in opposition to the Vile Demonic Qi. He knew someone had to restrain this strongest enemy.

"Be careful!" Su Wanqing shouted clearly. Without hesitation, she immediately separated from Qu Feiyan and Gongsun Yu. Following the key points for setting up the Circumferential Stars Purification Grand Array that Lin Xuan had transmitted via Divine Sense, she began surveying the positions and taking out the Materials suitable to serve as temporary Formation Bases.

The Silver Armored Skeleton let out a silent roar, and the broken long spear in its hand thrust out suddenly! A Spear Light, extremely condensed and wrapped in pitch-black Devilish Qi, tore through the air like a Poisonous Dragon emerging from its lair, heading straight for Lin Xuan's throat!

The speed was astonishing!

Lin Xuan did not dare to meet it head-on. The steps under his feet shifted, and his figure slid sideways like a Swimming Dragon, narrowly avoiding the Spear Light. The Spear Light grazed past his shoulder, and the resulting Strong Wind caused a stinging pain on his skin.

"Such powerful strength!" Lin Xuan's heart was solemn. This Demonic Skeleton must have been an important figure in the Immortal Palace when it was alive. Even after death and erosion by Devilish Qi, its strength remained terrifying.

He held nothing back, letting out a low roar and actively attacking! His Fist Prints were like mountains, his Leg Shadows like wind. The extremely Yang and firm Spiritual Power and the Power of Vital Energy and Blood surged violently, clashing with the Silver Armored Skeleton. Golden light and black Qi continuously collided, emitting dull roars, causing the entire Star Gazing Platform to tremble slightly.

While quickly embedding several pieces of "Cold Jade" containing the Power of Moon Essence into specific positions, Su Wanqing closely monitored the battle. Seeing Lin Xuan narrowly avoid the fierce Spear Light several times, her heart tightened a little, and her cold eyes were filled with worry. The speed of her Formation setup involuntarily increased, wanting only to finish quickly so she could lend him a hand.

The area Qu Feiyan was responsible for was near the edge of the platform. With skilled movements, she inserted several Small Blood-Colored Flags into the ground, outlining part of the Formation's structure. Her gaze also constantly drifted towards Lin Xuan in the fierce battle, and a strange luster flickered in her charming eyes. Seeing Lin Xuan remain calm under the Silver Armored Skeleton's savage attacks—his figure tall and straight, every strike carrying a compelling dominance and power—she felt her heart being lightly tickled by a feather. An emotion blending admiration, desire, and possessiveness quietly began to grow.

Her eyes shifted, catching Su Wanqing's undisguised look of concern, and a competitive thought inexplicably arose in her heart. Taking advantage of the moment she embedded a Core Formation Talisman into the ground, she swayed her waist gently, like a weak willow in the wind, seemingly "accidentally" approaching the periphery of Lin Xuan's battle circle while dodging a stray Energy Blast.

"Junior Martial Brother, does Older Sister need to help you?" Her voice carried a unique charm, as if laced with honey, seeming out of place in this fierce battlefield yet extraordinarily alluring. As she spoke, she flicked her jade finger, and a Pink Spiritual Light silently shot toward the Silver Armored Skeleton's joints. Although it caused no substantial damage, it made its movements briefly pause.

Lin Xuan seized this opportunity, punching the skeleton's Chest Armor and forcing it back two steps. Without turning his head, he said in a deep voice, "Focus on setting up the Formation!"

Although his tone was light, it carried unquestionable authority. Qu Feiyan pouted but did not interrupt again. However, the gaze she directed at Lin Xuan's back grew a few degrees hotter. She could sense that this Junior Martial Brother was different from any man she had encountered before; his powerful strength and sense of control made her heart, which was accustomed to controlling others, feel a little restless.

Su Wanqing saw Qu Feiyan's small maneuvers. The frost on her cold face deepened. She let out a cold snort. The last piece of Cold Jade in her hand, accompanied by a sharp sound of tearing air, was precisely embedded into the Formation Eye position. The Power of Moon Essence instantly resonated with the other Formation Bases.

"I'm done here!" she announced loudly. Her figure flashed, and she arrived by Lin Xuan's side. Her Ice Sword was unsheathed, and a fierce Moon Essence Sword Aura slashed toward the Silver Armored Skeleton, helping Lin Xuan share the pressure. Her action was swift and decisive, forming a stark contrast to Qu Feiyan's flirtatious "help."

Lin Xuan felt the arrival of Su Wanqing, and his heart warmed. The two cooperated tacitly; the Sword Aura and Fist Shadows intertwined, momentarily forcing the Silver Armored Skeleton into a flurry of motion.

Gongsun Yu, watching this scene of surging undercurrents, was busy setting up the Lightning-Attribute Formation Bases she was responsible for, while secretly clicking her tongue: "My goodness, at a time like this, these two Older Sisters still have the mind to compete... but Fellow Daoist Lin is truly amazing!" Her gaze toward Lin Xuan couldn't help but carry a hint of admiration.

Soon, Qu Feiyan and Gongsun Yu also completed their respective Formation setup tasks.

"The Formation Base is complete!" Gongsun Yu shouted.

Hearing this, Lin Xuan fiercely punched the Silver Armored Skeleton away, retreated, and rejoined the Three women. He took a deep breath. The mark of the immortal abode pivot token on his palm glowed searingly, and his Divine Sense instantly connected with the newly set-up Formation and the remaining Restriction Nodes of the Immortal Palace!

"Circumferential Stars, heed my command! Purify the demonic atmosphere, preserve clarity!"

He gave a low shout, fully activating the Token Authority and his own Spiritual Power!

Buzz—!

On the Star Gazing Platform, all the deployed Formation Bases lit up simultaneously! The Cold Jade emitted a Clear Radiance, the blood flags surged with red light, and the Lightning Talismans leaped with Electrical Arcs... These lights intertwined, soaring into the sky, and actually broke through the dense Devilish Qi overhead for a moment, establishing a faint connection with the Circumferential Stars existing in the ethereal realm!

Streaks of pure, cold, and Righteous Aura Starlight, like slender beams of light, pierced through the Demonic Clouds and scattered upon the Star Gazing Platform! The Power of Stars combined with the Formation, forming a massive, slowly rotating Starlight Vortex that emitted a powerful Purifying Aura!

"Roar—!"

The Silver Armored Skeleton, illuminated by the Starlight, let out a painful roar. The Devilish Qi on its body rapidly melted away like snow meeting boiling water, and its movements became sluggish!

It worked!

However, just as the four people felt joy, deep within the Immortal Palace, the sealed demonic source seemed provoked by this Purifying Power, and a more terrifying and violent Will Impact suddenly struck!

"Pfft!"

Lin Xuan bore the brunt, his face turning pale as he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. Su Wanqing and Qu Feiyan also trembled violently, their Qi becoming unstable. Gongsun Yu collapsed directly onto the ground, her small face ashen.

The Starlight Vortex shook violently, flickering erratically.

The demonic source's counterattack had arrived!