Chapter 142 Breaking the formation with just a few weaklings...

As a fragment of the Heavenly Pillar, Zhu Jing was exceptionally sensitive to fluctuations in spiritual energy. She deduced that the location of the array's core was at the summit of the Xuanxiao Sect's main peak.

This is the very place where Yu Sishu and Liu Ruqing were killed, and also where Elder Xiyuan was beheaded.

Of course, now that a hundred years have passed, there is no sign of anyone having died here, and only those with cultivation can sense the heavy resentment.

"This is also the location of the array eye of the Xuanxiao Sect's protective array back then," Zhu Jing said. She looked up at the sky and said to the others, "I will inject spiritual energy into the array eye. You can take advantage of my connection with heaven and earth to use your array-breaking techniques. At this time, the demonic energy of the barrier will be diluted to the greatest extent by the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, and all the gates will be wide open, making it easier to break through."

"Can your body handle it?" Shen Qiongzhi asked worriedly.

"It's alright. The key to breaking the formation lies with you. I'm just playing a connecting role, and it won't cause me much harm."

Despite Zhu Jing's words, Yun Tianjiao thought about it and still summoned the Demon-Slaying Blade.

"This knife was forged from your hair, so it should be connected to your body. Let it protect you, and it shouldn't affect the flow of spiritual energy. The barrier here is strange and unpredictable, and you are still recovering from your serious injuries, so you must be careful."

Zhu Jing smiled, her eyes crinkling, "Okay, thank you, sister."

Before Zhu Jing entered the fray, Shen Qiongzhi held her hand and repeatedly instructed her, "If you notice anything amiss, be sure to withdraw immediately, understand?"

Seeing Shen Qiongzhi's wide eyes, Zhu Jing also opened his eyes wide and nodded obediently, "Yes, I understand."

Everyone stood around Zhu Jing according to the directions of the Eight Trigrams of Qian and Kun. At this moment, no one realized what a shocking scene they were about to witness.

Zhu Jing walked to the center of the formation, closed her eyes, and began to chant incantations and make hand seals. She stretched out her arms and drew a large circle in the air. Finally, she formed a hand seal in front of her chest. A powerful spiritual energy emanated from her body, which was as solid and strong as light green silk.

The spiritual energy was brighter and more dazzling than it had been in the dungeon of the Deep Temple. It intertwined and coiled together, gradually gathering into a giant pillar like a tree, which sank deep into the earth and stretched upwards into the sky.

The vengeful spirits and ghosts hidden in this wasteland emerged one after another. Faced with such abundant spiritual energy, they felt no discomfort. This spiritual energy was not the kind that could be generated by incense offerings in the celestial realm, but rather originated from heaven and earth, from the power of the Heavenly Dao that nourishes all living things. Therefore, even demons and monsters, enveloped by this power, felt only a warm and safe sense of returning to their origin.

They spontaneously and unanimously found inner peace in the nurturing power. Those with higher cultivation levels sat in meditation on the spot, while those with lower cultivation levels could rely on instinct, closing their eyes and quietly absorbing the energy.

"This is...this is the Heavenly Pillar..."

Gong Xin was the first to recognize the Heavenly Pillar, one of the seven divine beings who once guarded it. His eyes were filled with shock, a mixture of awe and nostalgia for the power of heaven and earth.

Apart from Zhu Jing, only Gong Xin and Yun Tianjiao among the other four people present had ever seen the Heavenly Pillar. The beings of the Three Realms had not seen the Heavenly Pillar for far too long. Even among the new generation of gods, no one knew how wonderful the world with the Heavenly Pillar was.

"The barrier's magical influence is already very weak, let's make our move!" Shen Qiongzhi looked up at the sky, where the faint layer of black mist had been almost completely diluted by spiritual energy.

"This barrier was set up by Mo Bei. He likes to leave a dead end in the fire when setting up his formations. I'll guard this place." Gong Xin said, already moving to the fire position.

The death gate in the formation is the place that suffers the most backlash when the formation is broken. Yun Tianjiao turned back to look at Gong Xin in astonishment, seemingly unable to believe that the God of Agriculture, who always kept to himself and never got involved in other people's business, would take on the most dangerous position at this moment.

Gong Xin sensed that Yun Tianjiao was looking at him, and returned his gaze with a calm and indifferent one. At this moment, he was not looking at Yun Tianjiao, but at his colleague who had guarded the Heavenly Pillar with him back then.

The past is gone, but he still felt guilty towards her. His statement during the judgment of the gods that "Kenian Goddess likes Yumeng Goddess" completely invalidated Kenian's testimony that was in favor of Yumeng.

He meant no harm and spoke the truth, appearing innocent and impartial, but only he himself knew that his evil was hidden in his selfish heart.

He knew perfectly well that Yu Meng would never destroy the Heavenly Pillar for his own selfish reasons, but he didn't want to cause trouble. His self-preservation pushed two former friends to their doom.

They say the friendship between gentlemen is as pure as water, but along his journey, all that remained was bland, tasteless water.

"Gong Xin, thank you for your trouble." Yun Tianjiao nodded to Gong Xin to show his respect.

Gong Xin said nothing, but silently nodded slightly in return to Yun Tianjiao.

The four of them began to break the formation by making hand seals. The ghostly power of Yun Tianjiao and Shen Qiongzhi, and the divine power of Gong Xin and Zhiwei, were injected into the barrier that covered the entire Xuanxiao Sect. They condensed into two red and two blue spider webs, just like the dense, fine cracks that were cut into the dome-shaped sky.

It looked as if the barrier was about to collapse at any moment, but in fact, the barrier was like a huge monster that devoured spiritual energy, almost draining the spiritual energy from the four people's bodies.

Zhu Jing, who was located at the center of the formation, did not look well either. Her face was extremely pale. The Demon-Slaying Blade that was swirling around her seemed to sense the threat and spun faster and faster, almost forming a silvery-white light and shadow.

"What are you all standing there for? With those few weaklings, how could they possibly break this barrier?" At this moment, a voice rang out, and it was Elder Xiyuan who had emerged from the ground at some unknown time.

Seeing the ghosts looking at each other without saying a word, Xi Yuan was so angry that he blew his beard: "What are you all looking at! Don't you know this barrier is about to be corrupted by demons? If we can't get out today, we'll all be destroyed here, soul and body! Why don't we take advantage of these tall guys holding the line and puncture this pot lid together?!"

Upon hearing Xi Yuan's words, the bewildered ghosts finally realized what was happening and began to channel their spiritual power into the barrier.

Although none of the spirits trapped here possess particularly high spiritual power, their sheer number makes up for it. Each spirit contributes a tiny bit of spiritual power, which together forms a vast ocean.

Dots of spiritual energy adorned the barrier, like countless brilliant stars in the sky, constantly surging forth.

Yun Tianjiao immediately felt much lighter, his body, which had been drained of spiritual energy, finally had a chance to catch its breath. The others also showed expressions of relief, except for Gong Xin, the Divine Venerable.

Gong Xin was in the dead end of the formation. The stronger the force that destroyed the barrier, the more severe the backlash he suffered. At this moment, he had almost no strength left to break the formation. He used all his spiritual power to circulate in his body to protect his divine veins.

However, as more and more trapped ghosts joined the effort to break the formation, the backlash Gong Xin endured exceeded his physical limits. He could almost feel cracks appearing in his internal meridians, but he could not extricate himself. It was not that he could not, but that he did not want to, because doing so would mean all his previous efforts would be in vain.

None of the five could withstand the strain of starting all over again. This meant that if they couldn't break through the barrier in one fell swoop, they would all be trapped inside, waiting for the barrier to become demonic and devour them completely.

The choice between him alone dying or everyone dying was once placed before Yu Meng.

When that boy named Mugo transformed into a demon, what were her feelings as she sacrificed herself for him? Did she, like him now, experience inner turmoil and resentment?

Streams of spiritual energy were applied to the barrier, then rebounded onto him through its backlash, like shackles. Gong Xin could still have one last chance to escape if he wanted to, but he closed his eyes and ultimately chose to guard the gate of death, not moving an inch.

Since everyone would die anyway even if he deserted, it would be better to let him perform a meritorious deed. He had been accumulating merit his whole life, and only now did he have the opportunity to perform a truly meritorious deed.

Having already resolved to die, Gong Xin's heart calmed down. He closed his eyes, completely abandoning the use of divine power to protect the divine meridians within his body, and released all his divine power to break the barrier.

The moment the gates opened wide, he was already prepared to die, and he prepared to use his divine body to forcibly withstand the backlash from the barrier.

However, at the very moment his body was completely unprotected, the Demon-Slaying Blade that had been surrounding Zhu Jing suddenly flew to his side, like a layer of armor protecting him.

Gong Xin suddenly opened his eyes, looking at Zhu Jing in disbelief. He saw the little girl trying to divert a wisp of spiritual power from her body and send it towards him. At the same time, Zhi Wei also diverted a portion of her spiritual power and injected it into the Ghost-Slaying Blade. The Ghost-Slaying Blade's spiritual light immediately shone brightly, and its protective power was several times stronger than before.

In addition, two more ghostly forces intertwined into a net. Although they repelled his divine power, they formed a protective barrier around him, reducing most of the backlash.

"God Venerable Gongxin, it's not time to fight to the death yet." Yun Tianjiao shouted to him, then could no longer afford to be distracted and focused all his attention on breaking the formation.

Gong Xin's eyes widened slightly, his eye sockets felt hot, and his hands, which were gently holding the pottery jar, trembled a little. Many emotions welled up in his heart, but in the end, they only turned into a silent smile.

"Go! May the harvest be plentiful!"

He forcefully lifted the pottery jar upwards, causing it to rise into the air and instantly expand dozens of times in size. The grains inside poured down like a torrential rain, but before they could even land on anyone, they stopped and rose back up in the opposite direction, like arrows and spears, carrying a chilling aura as they flew towards the barrier.

"Quick! At this moment!" Elder Xiyuan shouted again upon seeing the situation, "Take advantage of the damage to the barrier and charge into the enemy formation!!"

Led by Elder Xiyuan, countless ghost spirits broke through the formation with all their might. Under the impact of such powerful force, the barrier began to flicker and showed signs of collapse. However, perhaps it was a last gasp of light in the face of a desperate battle, the entire barrier suddenly burst out with a blinding light and began to fight back. Those ghost spirits who had been trapped for many years and whose souls were weak were directly annihilated in this wave of impact!

"We must not give in! If our resolve falters, we will be absorbed into that barrier!" Elder Xiyuan warned the ghosts, forming hand seals as he took the lead and charged forward.

"Damn it, let me show you what this elder is capable of!"

Elder Xiyuan, dressed in a white Xuanxiao Sect elder's robe, leaped into the air, his robes fluttering wildly, his hair and beard flying, truly giving him the appearance of an immortal.

He made a sound imitating a bird's call, and a fiery red phoenix spirit flew out from his white wide sleeves. The phoenix spirit let out a long cry, slowly flapped its wings, and fluttered through the air before suddenly launching an attack. Like an arrow released from a bow, it spun rapidly towards the barrier.

The beast spirit disintegrated the moment it collided with the barrier, and at the same time, it used its phoenix beak to drill a small hole in the barrier.

"That's it! Everyone, attack that spot!" Xi Yuan commanded.

With his leadership, the other ghosts' initial hesitation vanished instantly. They rallied, even shouting slogans and unleashing various techniques at the holes in the barrier.

The light of the barrier began to tremble, like lightning in the night sky.

"Elder Xiyuan!" Yun Tianjiao suddenly called out.

Xi Yuan turned around, paused, and seemed momentarily confused. "Silk...silk bundle?"

"Elder Xiyuan, please hold the fort for me here!"

Xi Yuan landed back on the ground, looking bewildered and confused. However, he still obeyed Yun Tianjiao's instructions and took her place.

Yun Tianjiao leaped into the air and, without hesitation, swung his vajra pestle, smashing it hard into the hole pecked out by the phoenix spirit!

A resounding clang shook the heavens and the earth, and a huge crack appeared in the sky above the entire barrier.

A chorus of groans and cries of pain suddenly came from below. Yun Tianjiao looked down and saw that everyone was at their limit. If this barrier could not be broken, this place would become a place where their souls and bodies would be annihilated!

"Bring the sword!" Yun Tianjiao shouted.

The Demon-Slaying Blade arrived in response, flying into her hand and connecting with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

Yun Tianjiao raised his head, raised the Vajra Pestle with his left hand, and struck the barrier dome heavily again. With his right hand, he swung the Ghost-Slaying Blade and plunged it down fiercely.

The blade of the Demon-Slaying Blade cut deeply into the barrier, as if penetrating the flesh of a giant beast; every inch it made was incredibly difficult. Yun Tianjiao straightened his arm, mustered his strength, unleashed all the power of his demonic energy, roared, and slashed with all his might!

With a piercing, teeth-grinding scraping sound, the Demon Slayer Blade cleaved a huge gash in the barrier!

Blood mist scattered across the sky, like a demon being gutted.

Yun Tianjiao, exhausted, fell from the sky, but Zhiwei caught him in her arms.

Lying in Zhiwei's arms, watching the red rain fall from the sky, the scene felt somewhat familiar. However, compared to this time, Yun Tianjiao preferred the peach blossom rain that Zhiwei had given her last time.

It feels like a lifetime ago.

Silence fell, the various colored lights vanished, and time seemed to stand still until someone spoke up, muttering, "The barrier... seems to have broken."

Like water droplets rolling into hot oil, the surrounding area instantly exploded.

Those weak ghosts who held on until the very end were finally able to pass on peacefully as the barrier was broken, their bodies disintegrating and entering the cycle of reincarnation. Those ghosts whose spirits remained embraced each other, some cheering and some weeping.

Elder Xiyuan was originally laughing along with the other ghosts, but as the sealing power of the barrier completely disappeared, his smile froze on his lips, and his eyes gradually regained their clarity, no longer showing the childlike madness he had before.

“Silk bundles, silk dyes… So you’re still alive.”

Shen Qiongzhi's bangs were soaked with cold sweat, making her look like a drowned rat. When she saw Elder Xiyuan looking at Zhu Jing, she warily stepped in front of her. "What do you want to do? I'm warning you, don't get any funny ideas, or I'll wipe you out!"

Elder Xiyuan's figure was gradually becoming transparent, a sign that his ghostly power was being exhausted.

He looked at Zhu Jing with a somewhat dazed expression, then turned his gaze back to Yun Tianjiao.

“Silk Bundle… I’m sorry to your father, I’m sorry to your mother, and I’m sorry to you two sisters…”

He seemed to awaken from a dream, looked around, and gazed at the barren rocks and withered trees covering the mountain, as if only then recognizing where he was.

"I...I'm sorry to Xuanxiao Sect...It's my fault for being greedy and falling into demonic possession. One wrong step leads to another..."

"Why!"

With a final, long sigh, his spirit dissipated. He did not seek forgiveness from Yun Tianjiao and Zhu Jing, nor did he weep and repent. He simply vanished, filled with helplessness and regret, with the last vestige of clarity in his life.

"Did he... go to be reincarnated?" Shen Qiongzhi asked softly, looking at the spot where Xiyuan had disappeared.

Zhiwei said, "He had already fallen into demonic possession before his death, and his spirit was impure, so he could not enter the cycle of reincarnation. When his spirit dissipates, he is completely annihilated."

Seeing how hard Xi Yuan had worked to help break the formation, Shen Qiongzhi felt strange. She didn't seem to hate him as much as she had at the beginning, but she still forced out a curse: "Serves him right! Who told him to do so many bad things? He deserves this fate!"

Gong Xin had been meditating on the ground for a while. He was the one who had suffered the most damage among them. At this moment, he took out some kind of elixir from his precious jar, threw it into his mouth and swallowed it. Sure enough, his complexion improved immediately.

"Gentlemen, I have some pills here to restore spiritual energy. Would you like to take them?"

Yun Tianjiao, Zhiwei, Zhu Jing, and Shen Qiongzhi all looked at the pottery jar in Gong Xin's hand, and then they all thought of the way Elder Xiyuan's head had been put into the jar before. They said in unison, "No need, thank you, Venerable Gong Xin!"

Gong Xin: "..."