75: Stone Carvings and Mysterious Formation, Working Together to Overcome Obstacles

At the bottom of the Shadowy Ravine, a river of dead, dark energy flowed silently. On the riverbank, dense, eerie stone sculptures stood like a silent army, emitting a suffocating sense of pressure. The immortal abode pivot token's sensing of the star marrow gold clearly pointed toward the collapsed ruins behind the Stone Sculpture Formation, but this Stone Sculpture Formation was undoubtedly the final and most dangerous barrier lying before their hopes.

Lin Xuan swept his Divine Sense carefully over the Stone Sculpture Formation, his brows tightly furrowed. These stone sculptures were not inanimate objects; the wicked energy Sealed within them interconnected, forming an extremely complex and dangerous overall Restriction. Touching one hair affects the entire body—if triggered, it would likely unleash devastating attacks.

“This Formation... the Qi dynamics are unified; a frontal assault is probably not a good strategy.” Su Wanqing gazed at the Stone Sculpture Formation, the twisted shapes reflecting in her cool, clear eyes, her tone grave. She could feel that the power contained within these sculptures might not be fearsome individually, but if hundreds or thousands of streams of power were superimposed and detonated, the might would be unimaginable.

Qu Feiyan slightly narrowed her seductive eyes, and a wisp of Pink Light tentatively drifted toward the nearest humanoid stone sculpture. The moment the Pink Light touched the sculpture's surface, two crimson points suddenly lit up in its hollow eye sockets, and a violent aura instantly locked onto the source of the Pink Light! Simultaneously, dozens of surrounding stone sculptures seemed to awaken, shaking in unison and emitting streaks of cold murderous intent!

Qu Feiyan's expression shifted slightly, and she immediately dispersed the Pink Light. Only then did the disturbed stone sculptures slowly calm down, the crimson light fading, returning to deathly silence.

“The reaction is so sensitive, and the linkage is extremely strong.” Qu Feiyan dropped her casual attitude, her expression serious. “If we force our way through, we will be instantly overwhelmed.”

Gongsun Yu looked at the dense, seemingly alive stone sculptures, her small face pale, and subconsciously grasped the corner of Lin Xuan's robe. Lin Xuan gently gripped her trembling hand in return, transmitting a sense of calming power.

“Since we cannot assault it directly, we must find its pattern and slip through the gaps.” Lin Xuan's eyes were like torches as he scrutinized the Stone Sculpture Formation once more. He activated the immortal abode pivot token, and a clear, hazy light enveloped his eyes, attempting to see through the energy circulation path of the Stone Sculpture Formation.

Aided by the cardinal edict, he vaguely saw that the Stone Sculpture Formation was not entirely devoid of vitality. The wicked energy flowed between the sculptures like black tide, following a specific, slow rhythm, sometimes gathering, sometimes dispersing. In the “trough” areas during the ebb of the energy tide, there were extremely brief safe paths, like a small rocky trail revealed after the tide recedes.

“I have a method.” A sharp light flashed in Lin Xuan's eyes. “The energy flow of this Formation follows a traceable pattern, and there are intermittent safe paths. However, the paths appear for an extremely short time and require precise judgment, allowing for no mistakes.”

He used Divine Sense to share the observed energy flow patterns and the timing of the safe paths with the Three women. This required extremely high levels of tacit understanding and trust.

“I will calculate the path and timing. Senior Sister Su, your Sword Intent is the most refined; you are responsible for using Sword Qi to temporarily stabilize the path and isolate energy interference. Senior Sister Qu, your Seduction Skill is adept at confusing Qi dynamics; you are responsible for disrupting the perception of nearby stone sculptures to buy us more time. Xiaoyu, your Lightning Technique is swift; you are responsible for clearing residual energy that might suddenly condense on the path.” Lin Xuan quickly made the arrangements, noting that every step was crucial.

Hearing this, the Three women immediately understood their respective duties and nodded solemnly.

“Begin!”

Lin Xuan let out a low shout, operating his Divine Sense at full capacity, staring intently at the flow of the energy tide. The instant the tide receded, he suddenly pointed the direction: “Three steps forward-left, step on the Kun position!”

Almost simultaneously with his command, Su Wanqing thrust her Ice Sword, and a strand of refined, icy Sword Qi accurately landed where he pointed, instantly freezing and isolating the residual energy that was about to surge into that area, forming a temporary “ice bridge” just wide enough for one person.

Lin Xuan stepped onto it first, moving like lightning. Qu Feiyan followed closely, forming Seals with her hands. An invisible Seduction Skill force field spread out like ripples, making the energy perception of the nearby stone sculptures dull and confused. Gongsun Yu vigilantly scanned the surroundings, thunder light leaping at her fingertips, ready to strike down any sudden movement.

First step, successful!

“Shift two steps right, turn to the Li position!”

“Advance five steps, stabilize the Zhen position!”

Lin Xuan's voice was sharp and clear, like a conductor dancing on a blade's edge. Su Wanqing's Sword Qi always landed in time, precisely carving out the path ahead. Qu Feiyan's Seduction Skill acted like a lubricant, constantly interfering with the grand Formation's “vision.” Gongsun Yu struck out several times, thunder booming, scattering the sinister energy attempting to condense.

The four moved like a precise unit, traversing the perilous Stone Sculpture Formation with difficulty but determination. The trust and tacit understanding between them reached an unprecedented level at this moment. Every successful shift was accompanied by the tightening and relaxing of heartstrings.

However, the danger of the Stone Sculpture Formation far exceeded expectations. As they reached the Middle Stage of the Formation, the speed of the energy tide's reflux at a critical node suddenly accelerated, surpassing Lin Xuan's estimation!

“This is bad! Retreat!” Lin Xuan's expression changed, and he roared sharply.

But it was too late! The accelerated reflux energy was like a black tsunami, instantly washing away the ice bridge Su Wanqing had laid down and sweeping toward the four of them! Simultaneously, hundreds of surrounding stone sculptures were fully activated, crimson eyes lighting up, and countless sinister attacks rained down like a downpour!

In this critical moment, Lin Xuan abruptly pushed Gongsun Yu toward the relatively safer rear-side, while golden light erupted powerfully around him. The Nine Revolutions Golden Body Art and his Mid-stage Golden Core Cultivation Power burst forth entirely, transforming into a thick golden barrier that forcefully blocked the front!

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

Countless attacks struck the golden barrier, producing deafening explosions! The barrier violently twisted, and a trace of blood spilled from Lin Xuan's lips, but he refused to take a single step back!

“Junior Brother Lin / Big Brother Lin!” Su Wanqing and Qu Feiyan exclaimed simultaneously.

Su Wanqing wildly brandished her Ice Sword, and Taiyin Moon Essence poured down like a waterfall, attempting to freeze some of the attacks. A look of determination flashed in Qu Feiyan's eyes. She forced out another mouthful of Vital Blood. The blood lotus behind her bloomed with dazzling crimson light, transforming into a massive Phantom Lotus that enveloped the four of them, resisting the attacks. The Phantom Lotus quickly dimmed.

Gongsun Yu stumbled from the push. Turning back to see Lin Xuan's figure single-handedly resisting the attacks, her eyes instantly reddened. She screamed, pushing the thunder light silver ring to its limit, disregarding her own consumption, sending bolts of thick thunder crashing toward the areas where the attacks were most concentrated!

The four fought with all their might and finally managed to withstand this sudden burst of power. The attacks gradually ceased, and the stone sculptures slowly returned to calm, but all four were breathing raggedly and had suffered immense depletion, especially Lin Xuan and Qu Feiyan, who had once again expended Vital Blood.

Lin Xuan wiped the blood from his mouth and looked at the pale Qu Feiyan, his eyes full of apology and gratitude: “Senior Sister Qu, you again...”

Qu Feiyan waved her hand. Although weak, she forced a charming smile: “I couldn't just watch you play the hero by yourself, little brother~” But the smile carried obvious exhaustion.

Su Wanqing quietly walked over to Lin Xuan's side, took out a plain white handkerchief, and gently wiped the sweat and dried blood from his forehead. Her movements were soft, and her gaze was complex, containing both distress and lingering fear. This time, she made no attempt to hide her concern.

Lin Xuan looked at her beautiful, close face, feeling the slight coolness and carefulness of her fingertips, and his heart skipped a beat.

After a brief rest and silent emotional exchange, Lin Xuan gathered his spirits again: “The core of the Formation is almost here. Let's push through in one go!”

He recalculated the path. The four cooperated once more, launching their charge toward the core of the Stone Sculpture Formation—the final stretch leading to the ruins. Having survived this ordeal, the bond between them seemed to have been branded with a steel Seal, making it even more unbreakable.