Chapter 403: Formation Pockets
"What about the second?" Elder Song questioned.
"Select a few people to enter the formation. The few will find the demon-repelling flowers and bring them back to the rest." Yang Xu concluded.
"There is a third option." Yu Nianzhen suddenly said and continued when he got everyone’s attention.
"Choose a few people to enter the formation while the rest hide in portable caves. When the few find the flowers, they will release the rest from the caves."
When the three nascent souls heard Yu Nianzhen’s suggestion, they couldn’t help but sigh.
’Nianzhen’s mind is more flexible than mine.’ Yang Xu thought.
"Disciple Yu has the right idea." Elder Song said and the others nodded.
"If we use the first option, we may find the demon-repelling flowers faster. However, there is also a chance we will exhaust our isolation talismans without finding the flowers." Chen Qing said.
"Sister Chen is right." Elder Song said and then continued.
"The second option is good but it is time-wasting. There is no telling how long it will take to find the demon-repelling flowers and bring them back to our people."
"I agree with Nianzhen’s suggestion." Yang Xu nodded and said.
"In that case, we have to select a few people to enter the formation." Chen Qing said.
"As our only fifth-level formation master, disciple Jiang must be among the few. I assume disciple Yu will want to follow?" Elder Song questioned and Yu Nianzhen nodded.
"I will also follow to protect the group." Yang Xu said.
"So will I." Chen Qing said but her offer was quickly refused.
"Sister Song is an alchemist and should stay in the portable cave until we find the flowers." Elder Song said.
"Elder Song will be among the few?" Jiang Yue asked.
"That’s right." The elder nodded.
In the face of unknown dangers, he felt that having one nascent soul realm cultivator was not enough.
Most importantly, if he was on the ground, he would have priority for whatever treasures they found.
"I also think Master should stay in the portable cave." Jiang Yue said and elder Chen looked at him in question.
"Master is a fifth-level alchemist and shouldn’t come out to take unnecessary risks. If something happens, we will rely on master to prepare pills." He explained.
"Okay, I will stay in the cave." Chen Qing agreed.
"Ayue, will you be ready in three days?" Yang Xu asked.
"I am ready any time."
"Leave the auxiliary preparations to us, you only need to get ready to act in three days."
"I understand." Jiang Yue agreed.
After that, everyone went their separate ways and Jiang Yue led his husband to the ancient palace.
"Azhen, should we tell Xuan Ke and Li Futian?" Jiang Yue asked as soon as they entered their ancient palace.
"Xuan Ke and Li Futian are our sworn brothers and we naturally don’t want them to fall into danger. However, their factions have nothing to do with our Sea Cloud region and it’s impossible to undermine the interests of our sect." Yu Nianzhen analysed the situation with a solemn look on his face.
"Let’s tell them about the four formations but say nothing about the way to enter."
"I also think so." Jiang Yue agreed and then continued.
"If we find anything that is especially suitable for them, we can reserve it for them."
"It’s decided then." Yu Nianzhen said and took out his communication token to message their two brothers.
Three days later, a team of ten Sea Cloud sect cultivators flew to the front of the formation.
At this time, preparations had already been made and other formation masters were ready to activate their isolation talismans if the deduction attempt failed.
"Disciple Jiang, how much time do you need?" Elder Song asked.
"I have already mapped out the route. I only need an incense stick of time to create the first opening."
"Good." Yang Xu said and then turned to the others.
"Protect Ayue, don’t let anyone take advantage." He said.
"We know." The Sea Cloud sect disciples said.
Soon after, they guarded behind while Jiang Yue activated his illusion eyes.
A moment later, blue light issued from Jiang Yue’s eyes and the scene in front of him changed.
While looking at the formation with his normal eyes, all Jiang Yue saw was a transparent barrier.
He couldn’t see the nodes, cracks, and other things so all he could rely on was his knowledge as a formation master and his instincts.
However, when he looked through his illusion eyes, he saw everything.
He saw the formation nodes, weak points, and even the power lines where the formation’s qi flowed.
[To get to the first layer of the sealed battlefield, we need to pass through fifty-four formation pockets. Each pocket will be open for exactly twelve breaths. If you don’t pass through before the opening closes, you will die. Does anyone have a question?] Jiang Yue transmitted to the nine people in his group.
[I understand.] Several voices resounded in Jiang Yue’s mind.
[Remember to follow where I step. If you take a wrong step, you will die.]
[We know.]
[Get ready to follow. I will open the first pocket in one breath.]
With that, Jiang Yue reached for Yu Nianzhen’s hand and squeezed it to reassure himself.
Soon after, his formation-deducing jade slips flew up and stuck to the formation.
A moment later, a gap appeared and Jiang Yue rushed in.
Without wasting time, Yu Nianzhen and the others also rushed in.
Fortunately, every member of the team was at least a core formation realm cultivator and was not easy to make mistakes. By the time the opening closed, everyone was already in the first pocket.
"Fellow Daoist Jiang, where are we?" Someone asked.
The place they were standing was not big.
It was about five square metres and the ten people were a little crowded when standing together.
"Don’t touch the walls." Jiang Yue shouted when he saw someone trying to touch one of the transparent pocket walls.
At this, everyone looked at the person and the young man blushed in embarrassment.
Ordinarily, he wouldn’t do such a stupid thing.
However, this was the first time he knew there was such a space within a formation and he couldn’t help but be a little curious.
"Although formations look solid, all of them have such pockets. However, the pockets are not static." Jiang Yue started and several people looked at him.
"Fellow Daoist Jiang, what do you mean that the pockets are not static?" Someone asked with a wary look in his eyes.
"It means that the pockets move around. Soon, the position of this pocket will also change." Jiang Yue answered.
"What will happen if we are still in the pocket when the position changes?"
"I think you don’t need an answer to this question." Jiang Yue said and everyone shuddered.
Even without Jiang Yue saying it, they understood that their end would not be good if the position of their pocket changed.
"It’s dangerous but you don’t have to worry too much." Jiang Yue reassured and then began to study the pocket wall in front of him.
"I will open the next pocket in three breaths. Prepare to move." He said.
"Okay."
Although most of the team members were apprehensive, they didn’t dare to mess around.
They knew their chance of survival lay in remaining calm.
If they were careless and missed the timing, they would die without a burial place.
"Now." Jiang Yue shouted and his jade slips embedded in the pocket wall.
A moment later, a gap appeared and he rushed in, followed by Yu Nianzhen and the rest.
Like the first pocket, the second pocket was also five square metres.
There was nothing inside but somehow, the atmosphere felt a silver more oppressive than the first pocket.
"Is it just me or is something different?" Someone asked.
"There is indeed something different about this pocket. Junior Jiang, is it okay?" Elder Song questioned.
"There is nothing to worry about." Jiang Yue said as he studied the pocket wall.
"As we move along, the aura will become more and more oppressive. It’s best to take a clear heart pill or activate a clear heart talisman when we enter the fifth pocket." He advised.
When the team members were chosen, Jiang Yue advised everyone to prepare clear heart pills and talismans.
After all, the first formation had an illusion component.
Combined with the demonic qi within the formation, there was a high chance of falling into an illusion.
Knowing this, Jiang Yue didn’t dare to be careless so he made sure that everyone was well prepared.
"You can also take it earlier if you can’t handle the aura." He continued and everyone nodded.
In this way, the team easily passed through the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth pockets.
Unfortunately, their luck soon ran out.
"Be careful." Jiang Yue roared as soon as he entered the seventh pocket.
At the same time, the formation shook violently, causing one of the team members to miss his step.
