Chapter 952: Enticing Ruins
After entering the spatial formation, Ye Mo found himself facing a long staircase. He cautiously sent out his spirit sense, only to discover the four cultivators ahead had vanished, their presence obscured by some unseen barrier.
Descending approximately one kilometer, Ye Mo scanned again. He located the four cultivators in a spacious hexagonal hall illuminated by numerous still-active formations, which consumed considerable spiritual energy. This explained the area's depleted spiritual chi; the numerous formations had been draining it for centuries.
The group had halted in this vast hall because it contained only one feature: a large, sword-shaped platform in the center. Recognizing its similarity to his own sword, Ye Mo understood the significance; the two Foundation Establishment cultivators had been correct—his sword was the key.
"No door, no way in. What now?" Zhang Chengfeng asked, surveying the empty hall.
Fei Cijiang replied, glancing around, "That fellow took the nine-chipped sword—the key. We've found the place, but we can't enter without it."
Zhang Chengfeng impulsively drew his flying sword and attacked the wall. The sound was merely a dull thud; the sword left no mark.
"You can't force your way in," Old Man Luo stated. "Not even a Nascent Soul cultivator could likely breach this."
Fei Cijiang's usually placid expression contorted with frustration. He couldn't bear the thought of being denied access to such a treasure trove. "Brother Luo, didn't you say you could enter through the formation?"
"Any news of the cultivator who stole the sword?" the cold woman asked, shadow-like in her stillness.
Fei Cijiang shook his head. "No. After discovering this ruin, I contacted Brother Luo and then informed you. This formation requires four Golden Core cultivators to activate. Regardless, Brother Luo, let's proceed as planned and set up the formation."
The woman disagreed. "I doubt ordinary formations will affect this hall. Brother Luo can at most set up a Level 3 formation. A Level 4 or higher is likely needed to even shake this place."
"Even so, we should try," Zhang Chengfeng interjected. "If it fails, we'll investigate that kid's whereabouts."
Regret gnawed at Fei Cijiang. He should have retrieved the cultivator first. If Old Man Luo failed, he would lose everything—not only the treasure but also the location of this ancient ruin.
Old Man Luo, heeding Zhang Chengfeng, deployed formation flags around the sword-shaped platform, constructing a Four Division Position Breaking Formation. Ye Mo recognized the formation's potential to leverage the power of four Golden Core cultivators to breach the hall. However, upon noticing a hidden blood sacrifice formation, Ye Mo perceived the old man's treachery.
The old man announced, "The Four Divisions Position Breaking Formation requires essence blood to initiate. Each of us will contribute a drop."
Ye Mo scoffed. This blood sacrifice formation fed on the cultivators' essence blood, replenishing its energy.
The old man offered a drop of his essence blood. The others, without suspicion, followed suit. A flicker of triumph crossed the old man's eyes, instantly masked.
"Now, take your positions," he instructed, claiming the Zhen position.
Zhang Chengfeng, closest to the Zhen position, took the Kan position instead. The woman claimed the Dui position. Fei Cijiang was left with the Li position, closest to the wall. He felt a nagging unease, a sense of wrongness he couldn't define.
As the old man instructed them to infuse their cultivation essence into the activated formation, a faint yellow light emanated. A series of increasingly powerful explosions rocked the hall.
The formation was, surprisingly effective, but Ye Mo realized the ancient ruin's defenses had weakened over time.
The old man continued to add formation flags, unleashing blasts of explosive energy. Fei Cijiang, closest to the blasts, was battered, his clothing torn.
"Brother Luo, stop! I can't endure this!" Fei Cijiang cried out.
"Patience, Dao Friend Fei. It'll be over soon," the old man replied smoothly.
The impacts on the woman and Zhang Chengfeng were less severe but still significant. A particularly powerful blast sent Fei Cijiang flying, spitting blood.
"Luo Youping, what have you done?! This formation is draining my cultivation essence!" Fei Cijiang finally understood.
Old Man Luo continued to add formation flags, ignoring Fei Cijiang's pleas.
"Luo Youping! This scoundrel wants the ruin for himself!" Fei Cijiang screamed, his realization shared by Zhang Chengfeng and the woman.
"Luo, you're trying to betray us? Stop this, or face the consequences!" Zhang Chengfeng roared.
The woman remained silent, seemingly activating something.
Ye Mo observed, knowing they didn't grasp the blood sacrifice formation's true power. The consumption of their cultivation essence was only the beginning; it would soon consume their essence blood. Yet, he remained passive, unconcerned.
Further explosions shook the ground. The old man's face was grim with concentration. Fei Cijiang, howling in agony, revealed that Luo Youping was stealing his essence blood. Zhang Chengfeng and the woman's faces paled as they suffered the same fate.
The woman activated a Level 8 Space Mobility Rune, escaping the trap. With her escape, the ruin's location would soon be public knowledge. Ye Mo knew he had to act quickly.