Book 2: Chapter 242: The Five Sects Convene, The Immortal Formation Takes Shape
Vol 2 Chapter 242: The Five Sects Convene, The Immortal Formation Takes Shape
Zhenren Tongming watched the furrowed brow of Zhenren Chengkong, the lamplight casting shifting shadows across his face. He knew the envoy from Taishang Dao was in a foul mood.
And honestly, the issue with Zheng Fa was just a side concern.
The real worry was still the Tranquility Bamboo.
“Envoy, about the Tranquility Bamboo…”
“We can’t delay any longer…” Zhenren Chengkong’s voice carried a sigh. “All we can hope for now is one last battle, one final success…”
Zhenren Tongming stayed silent. He understood exactly what that meant.
The Tranquility Bamboo was deteriorating rapidly. As mystical as a Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root was, its yellowing leaves grew worse by the day. The change was subtle—but wearing.
Zhenren Chengkong had already approached sects like Baicao Sect within the Hundred Immortals Alliance, and other spiritual farming experts outside the Alliance.
None of it helped. So now, “one last battle” meant this Tranquility Bamboo probably only had enough left for one last use.
Zhenren Tongming figured the envoy had already expected this—if even Taishang Dao with all its resources couldn’t restore it, there was nothing left to do but pray for a miracle.
But clearly, no miracle was coming.
Even Zhenren Chengkong himself seemed to have given up.
“Let’s go!”
Zhenren Chengkong gave a low cry. The Tranquility Bamboo disappeared from his hand, the gloom on his face completely wiped away. He stood up and strode out of the room.
Zhenren Tongming’s expression turned solemn as well. He followed behind, entering the largest, most ornate grand hall atop Tongming Mountain.
Inside the hall were five low tables. Zhenren Chengkong sat at the central one, and Tongming—the actual host—stood respectfully behind him.
Yet he bore no resentment, only focused his gaze outside the hall, heart full of anticipation.
Not long after, Xie Qingxue arrived with Yan Wushuang, who was looking around like a tourist. They entered unhurriedly, saluted Zhenren Chengkong, then confidently took the seat to his left—first table.
A short while later, the silhouette of a broad-shouldered man appeared on the doorstep.
“Are we late?”
A man’s voice rang out, tinged with the sound of clashing metal. Then he stepped into the hall.
He looked like a middle-aged man, dressed in simple earth-toned clothes, but slung across his back was a magnificent longbow, adorned with gemstones and visibly radiating powerful spiritual energy—fierce and unruly.
Zhenren Tongming recognized him immediately—this was Luoxingzi, a Soul Formation cultivator from Haori Mountain, who had arrived just a few days prior.
“You’re not late.”
Zhenren Chengkong smiled as he watched Luoxingzi sit beside Xie Qingxue, then turned his gaze to the two empty seats on the right.
“Those two… they’re the ones who are late.”
“Probably because they’re from Western Continent…”
Luoxingzi scoffed softly, clearly not fond of those two.
Zhenren Tongming pretended not to hear, keeping his face blank—what a joke, just because they came from the Western Continent, they weren’t still part of the Five Sects of Xuanyi?
Still, to be fair, Xuanyi Realm was split between east and west, with a vast ocean and fearsome beasts in between. Very few cultivators crossed it.
Tongming himself had never seen disciples from those two sects. He was curious.
About a tea’s time later, two figures finally arrived.
On the left was a young monk with jade-like features and an ethereal aura. With each step, a golden lotus bloomed beneath his feet.
“Show-off.”
In the hall, Luoxingzi muttered under his breath.
His voice was low, but everyone here was Soul Formation. Who wouldn’t hear it?
Even the two who had yet to enter couldn’t possibly have missed that jab.
The young monk showed no reaction, instead letting a look of compassion rise on his face. But his companion—a regal, noble woman—glanced into the hall, her eyes cold and distant, intimidating to behold.
Zhenren Tongming counted in his mind:
Tianhe Sect, Haori Mountain, Taishang Dao—the leading sects of the Eastern Continent.
Leiyin Temple, Yaochi—the dominant forces of the Western Continent.
Together, they were the Five Sects of Xuanyi, rulers of the realm for an entire age. And now, they had gathered atop this tiny Tongming Mountain.
Just thinking about it filled him with a strange, almost unlucky kind of pride—wasn’t this meeting sure to get his name in the history books?
Why “unlucky”? Because with so many major players present, it was inevitable that some people who shouldn’t be here had shown up too—like the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor…
With the last two taking their seats, the top five powers of Xuanyi’s immortal sects were now assembled.
It wasn’t just Zhenren Tongming who found the scene novel.
Even these five powerhouses were staring at each other in silence, seemingly unused to such a situation.
A brief silence fell upon the hall.
Then Luoxingzi, ever impatient, broke it: “What’s everyone staring for? We’re here because of that Chen Prefecture incident. You think just sitting around quietly is gonna get us anywhere?”
Zhenren Chengkong nodded gently: “What Luoxingzi says is true. The Great Freedom Demon Ancestor cannot be underestimated. We need a proper plan so we can work together to eliminate the Great Freedom Demonic Sect.”
But the beautiful cultivator from Yaochi looked reluctant. “This matter… is, after all, an Eastern Continent issue…”
Zhenren Tongming was taken aback. He knew east-west relations were minimal, but hearing her words now, it was clear she didn’t see the Demon Ancestor’s threat as her concern at all.
“The Demon Ancestor descends to bring chaos to all of Xuanyi—what’s the point in dividing it into east and west?”
Xie Qingxue spoke up.
“Chaos to all of Xuanyi?” the woman sneered, scanning Xie Qingxue’s face. “Has Tianhe Sect fallen so far? A Demon Ancestor who’s barely resurrected, with unknown strength propped up by a Blood Fiend Formation, and you’re calling him a threat to the entire realm?”
“……”
None of the five said anything.
After a while, the young monk finally said, “The Five Sects vowed long ago to destroy the Demonic Path together. This is an oath made by our elders—one we must uphold.”
“Moreover, while we are not afraid of the Demon Ancestor,” he pressed his palms together, voice even more compassionate, “what of the innocent people of the Eastern Continent?”
“That Blood Fiend Formation… who knows how many mortals' blood it used?”
Zhenren Tongming couldn’t help feeling somber upon hearing that.
One or two mortal lives, he wouldn’t bat an eye.
Even one or two million—he’d seen such numbers die before and thought little of it.
But the Blood Fiend Formation was different…
To summon a Demon Ancestor, the formation demanded an enormous amount of blood. Chen Prefecture was the most populous region under the Hundred Immortals Alliance, with tens of millions—maybe hundreds of millions—of people.
And now…
Who even knew how many were still alive?
The monk’s words struck a chord in him, whether he liked it or not.
What was surprising was that the monk’s words also quieted the once-dismissive Yaochi woman. She didn’t complain anymore and even seemed to be following his lead.
Seeing this, Zhenren Chengkong added:
“While waiting for you all to arrive, the Hundred Immortals Alliance has gathered intelligence from Chen Prefecture.”
He waved a hand, and a water screen appeared in the center of the hall, displaying a map. Cities were marked, and above them, dark rings of demonic clouds hovered.
“Chen Prefecture has twelve counties—all now under the control of the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor. The prefectural capital alone currently houses at least five Soul Formation cultivators from their sect.”
“At least?”
Luoxingzi asked with a frown.
“Yes. I encountered five Soul Formation enemies myself when I entered Chen Prefecture. In recent days, the Great Freedom Demonic Sect has been converging there. I can’t tell how many are really present.”
Everyone nodded.
This intelligence might be a little vague, but the Hundred Immortals Alliance still had its strength…
Zhenren Tongming wore a grim expression. The Alliance had paid a heavy price for this intel—disciples sent into Chen Prefecture to scout often went in groups of ten and returned as two or three.
Crying could be heard in the sect halls every day.
“A single Great Freedom Demonic Sect, and they’ve got this many Soul Formation cultivators…” The Yaochi Soul Formation cultivator spoke with a complicated tone. “They’ve been growing in secret for years… their strength is not to be underestimated.”
The young monk lowered his gaze, not seeming particularly worried. “The Demonic Sect may reach Soul Formation quickly, but the Path of the True Body is far harder to walk… Unlike us, the Five Sects of Xuanyi, who build up strength slowly but surely.”
Hearing this, Zhenren Chengkong nodded along.
Luoxingzi laughed heartily: “Doesn’t matter how many Soul Formations that Great Freedom Demonic Sect has! The Five Sects attack together—what’s there to fear?”
Clearly, as a Soul Formation cultivator himself, he had full confidence in beating them even if outnumbered.
The other four showed no change in expression. Clearly, they shared that confidence.
“Against Soul Formation cultivators, with the five of us, plus Zhenren Tongming and others lending support—we have no fear,” Zhenren Chengkong said slowly. “The real problem lies with the Great Freedom Demonic Sect’s disciples. There are far too many of them…”
Luoxingzi blinked, then asked, “The Blood Fiend Formation doesn’t require high cultivation?”
“It does, when being forged. But once it’s completed… the requirements are far looser. Anyone at Foundation Establishment or above can wield a Blood Fiend Banner.”
Everyone’s face darkened a little.
Zhenren Tongming also understood the difficulty—if they were attacking Chen Prefecture, it was to prevent the Demon Ancestor’s return.
That return depended on the Blood Fiend Formation.
But now it turned out the formation wasn’t hard to operate—so not only did they have to deal with Soul Formation enemies, but they also had to keep tabs on lower-level disciples.
That was way too passive a position to be in.
The hall fell silent for a moment, until Zhenren Chengkong suddenly turned to Zhenren Tongming and said, “The Hundred Immortals Alliance must contribute.”
“…Yes!”
Zhenren Tongming bowed his head, not daring to object.
Even though he knew this would cost the lives of many disciples from the Alliance.
“Don’t take it as unfair. On my way here, I visited many sects… every last one of them—must send people.”
Zhenren Chengkong’s voice was cold and unyielding.
The other four cultivators didn’t even blink—of course the surrounding sects had to fight. What, were they supposed to reap all the benefits while the Five Sects did the bleeding?
The Five Sects of Xuanyi weren’t some kind of charity.
But Zhenren Tongming hesitated, then said softly: “What about Jiushan Sect?”
“…Send them a letter as well.”
Yan Wushuang, standing behind Xie Qingxue, couldn’t help but move his lips—but dared not speak.
The other three maintained their composure, only a bit puzzled. Clearly, they didn’t understand why Zhenren Tongming was bringing up Jiushan Sect at all, nor why Zhenren Chengkong, cold as he was moments ago, now looked… hesitant.
After the plan was set, Yan Wushuang walked back with Xie Qingxue to their courtyard. There, he finally couldn’t hold it in:
“Senior Sister, why did Tongming deliberately mention Jiushan Sect?”
“If he hadn’t, you think Chengkong would’ve forgotten?” Xie Qingxue glanced sideways, clearly reading his thoughts, then added, “He forgets, I won’t.”
“Huh?”
“If you want these sects to send people, first reason is we lack manpower. Second is, you want to put them in their place—get them to understand where they stand.”
Yan Wushuang wasn’t dumb. His face gradually lit up in realization.
“Remember this. No matter how much you admire Zheng Fa, or how highly you think of Jiushan Sect… position is more important than talent. That’s why Master is so angry with you.”
Xie Qingxue’s words made Yan Wushuang press his lips tightly together.
“What’s more—he’s barely a Soul Formation. If we really go to war with the Demonic Sect and he swoops in to reap the rewards… that’d be a joke.”
“You’re not stupid, but speaking sect matters outside the sect—that’s a taboo. Never forget, you’re from Tianhe Sect, you’re the heir of the Tianhe Ancestor… not someone from Jiushan.”
Yan Wushuang silently muttered to himself—being “from Tianhe Sect” and being “the Tianhe Ancestor’s heir”… are those really the same thing?
Seeing his expression, Xie Qingxue assumed he understood. Her voice softened just a bit: “Zhenren Chengkong and Zhenren Tongming… probably don’t bear Zheng Fa any malice. If anything, they’re trying to win him over…”
Yan Wushuang nodded. “Trying to see if he’s one of us.”
“Exactly. So he doesn’t need to worry about those two.”
Yan Wushuang relaxed visibly.
“But that monk from Leiyin Temple is a different matter.”
“…Huh?”
Yan Wushuang’s eyes widened. He thought of that monk—young, full of compassion, every word gentle. Of the five present, he’d left the best impression.
“He knows Jiushan Sect.”
Yan Wushuang didn’t doubt her. His Senior Sister sometimes seemed like she could see straight into people’s hearts.
“He does?”
“When Tongming mentioned Jiushan, the others genuinely didn’t know. Only that monk was pretending not to know.”
Yan Wushuang’s eyes widened slowly. Of course he understood what that meant. Saying the monk had ill intent was a stretch, but that kind of deliberate pretense… it definitely meant something.
“Senior Sister?”
He didn’t understand why she was telling him this. Surely, he’d try to find a chance to tell Zheng Fa…
“I noticed… Zhenren Chengkong seems nervous about Zheng Fa…”
Xie Qingxue smiled, a little mischievously.
“……”
“I can’t trust your judgment—but Taishang Dao’s track record is pretty good.”
“……”
“That monk? Pretentious. Annoying.”
“……”
…
Zheng Fa received Zhenren Chengkong’s summons just as he was watching the disciples rehearse the Immortal Formation.
After reading the contents of the Message Talisman, he handed it to Senior Sister Zhang, his eyes still on the disciples in front of him.
They were split into several rows, like a symphony orchestra on a modern television screen. Each performed different spell techniques, yet they came together to play a synchronized, thunderous movement.
“Zhoutian Divine Thunder Immortal Formation!” Old Yuan declared proudly beside him.
“Twenty-four Foundation Establishment cultivators—enough to slay a Golden Core!”
“Twenty-four Golden Cores—not weaker than a Nascent Soul!”
“Give me twenty-four Nascent Souls and I can… well, maybe not beat a Soul Formation…”
Behind him, Martial Uncle Pang also looked excited.
Clearly, the strength of this Immortal Formation had pleased them both.
“Zheng Fa… why that face? You’re not satisfied with the formation?”
“I’m satisfied…” Zheng Fa shook his head. “I’m too satisfied. I think… we might really need to test this formation’s power soon.”