Chapter 2516: Chapter 520:
At the same time, at the distinct boundary between the Eastern Province and Central Continent.
At the peak of a mountain.
Six figures stood here, gazing into the distance.
After a long time, Sword Lord San spoke: "Everyone, for this formation setup, we need to have a recognized Array Master to host it. Do any of you have recommendations?"
Beside him, a man dressed in a black robe whose very presence exuded waves of disquieting demonic qi, spoke in a deep voice: "This matter should naturally be hosted by Phantom Sky Demon Lord.
After all, he is the only one from the Eastern Province, or rather, from the entire human clan, who has entered the Golden Immortal realm through the path of formation."
As his voice fell, a beautiful woman dressed in a emerald green robe, exuding natural elegance with every gesture, and the only female cultivator among them, spoke: "I suggest Zong Zhen Immortal Lord."
Upon hearing this, the demonic cultivator shook his head: "I’ve heard of the profound Dao of Zong Zhen Immortal Lord’s formations, but Zong Zhen is still in the True Immortal realm, not having reached the Golden Immortal realm.
So Zong Zhen Immortal Lord’s formation understanding should still be a layer below that of Phantom Sky Demon Lord."
Among the five, an elder with completely white hair, paradoxically named the Devil Monarch yet dressed in a snow-white robe that emitted no trace of demonic qi, giving instead a sense of celestial stability, gently shook his head and said: "Return Devil Monarch, there’s no need to discuss further. In fact, I’ve sparred with Dao Companion Zong Zhen before in formations."
His words fell, and those around were visibly surprised. They were entities in the Golden Immortal realm, and although Zong Zhen Immortal Lord’s cultivation base was extremely high, already a half-step into the Golden Immortal realm, a half-step Golden Immortal was still the True Immortal realm.
When referring to those in the True Immortal realm, they wouldn’t ordinarily use the title Dao Companion. Phantom Sky Demon Lord calling him Dao Companion evidently acknowledged him as a peer in the Golden Immortal realm.
Phantom Sky Demon Lord glanced at Zong Zhen Immortal Lord standing silently to the side, and sighed: "The Way of Human Formation, indeed greatly enlightened me. Also, when it comes to formation understanding, I am even more ashamed when compared to Dao Companion Zong Zhen."
"What!"
"Dao Companion Phantom Sky, this is no time for modesty."
Everyone looked incredulously at Phantom Sky Demon Lord and Zong Zhen Immortal Lord. Phantom Sky Demon Lord entered the Golden Immortal realm purely through the way of formation.
And Zong Zhen Immortal Lord also walked the path of formation. If Zong Zhen’s understanding is higher than Phantom Sky’s, then Zong Zhen should already be in the Golden Immortal realm, not just half-step.
Phantom Sky Demon Lord remained calm, looking at all present: "In formation knowledge, indeed, I am not as good as Dao Companion Zong Zhen."
With his words, everyone’s gaze fell upon Zong Zhen Immortal Lord.
Zong Zhen Immortal Lord felt the gaze of each Golden Immortal realm present, but his face didn’t change in expression, remaining calm, and finally spoke: "I am merely slightly ahead."
Everyone was utterly stunned, slightly ahead was still ahead. Now that both had said such things, even if unwilling, they had to believe.
Among them, another man, robust and towering like a mountain himself, looked at Zong Zhen Immortal Lord, the only one not in the Golden Immortal realm: "Zong Zhen Immortal Lord, since you are not inferior to Dao Companion Phantom Sky in the formation path, then Dao Companion Zong Zhen, you should be able to break through to the Golden Immortal realm, shouldn’t you?"
Zong Zhen Immortal Lord heard this and shook his head lightly: "My Way of the Human Formation is not yet perfect. When it achieves completion, that will be the day my Golden Immortal realm is attained."
As he spoke, he paused slightly, then looked at everyone: "Besides, in this Eastern Province, you all have forgotten someone highly skilled in formations, Hundred Peaks Sect’s Cao Zhen.
Since you have chosen me to host the Great Formation, then I will go and compare with him. If he surpasses me, I will naturally yield the position of host to him.
If I surpass him, I will come back to personally host the Great Formation."
With that, Zong Zhen Immortal Lord had already vanished from their sight.
On the mountain peak, everyone looked at each other.
Of course, they had not forgotten Cao Zhen, they had previously debated whether Cao Zhen might host the formation.
After all, in his past life, Cao Zhen was a Great Luo Golden Immortal, and Cao Zhen had guided Zong Zhen Immortal Lord to reach the peak True Immortal realm.
But the problem is, Cao Zhen is presently only in the True Immortal realm, not even reaching the peak.
Cao Zhen’s cultivation base limits him; there are some formations Cao Zhen cannot personally arrange.
Now, time is pressing, perhaps a single Array Master can’t properly arrange the formation, they have to find other formation experts to help set it up together.
But other positions within the formation are fine.
If someone else arranges the core position of the formation, they would understand many principles and secrets of the other’s formation.
Generally, no one lets others arrange the core positions of their formations.
So they had hesitated about seeking out Cao Zhen.
Now, Zong Zhen Immortal Lord directly went to find Cao Zhen and wanted to compete.
Within the Hundred Peaks Sect’s mountain gate, at Extreme Formation Sect.
Zong Zhen Immortal Lord, upon knowing Sect Leader Cao returned, initially wanted to go to Four Treasures Peak. He had been pondering his path over these years, vaguely having some clues, but was always one step away from the Great Perfection of the True Immortal realm. He wanted to consult Sect Leader Cao.
