394 - Rebirth of a Star: Another Day, Another Drama

Chapter 394: Discovering the Formation! “Huh?” Ye Ling Long, now able to mobilize her celestial power, suddenly noticed something unusual when she looked at the Still Water Realm. Beneath the Still Water Realm, there appeared to be a formation being suppressed. To be precise, the Still Water Realm existed atop a formation, its size exactly covering the entire array. Previously, because her celestial power was suppressed, she didn't notice any signs of the formation functioning. But now, with her celestial power flowing again, she detected a hint of something peculiar. Focused entirely on the ground below, Ye Ling Long entered that profound state once more, the mysterious patterns in her eyes reemerged, and gradually, the world in her vision transformed. The initially featureless ground became transparent, revealing an intricate pattern of a grand array before her, actively functioning. The Nine Heavens Spirit Locking Array! This name suddenly emerged in Ye Ling Long's mind. It was truly like the proverbial search for iron shoes that ended with an effortless surprise; after all the time she spent searching for news of the great array within the Immortal Academy, it turned out to be here all along. The Still Water Realm suppressed powers, making celestial power inoperable, naturally hiding the operation of the massive array beneath it. However, Ye Ling Long soon noticed an anomaly. The array wasn't a singular one; rather, there were two interconnected formations. Among them was the sealing array, the Nine Heavens Spirit Locking Array, matching exactly with the information Di Lian Yun had given her, but his data didn't mention a second formation. Upon closer inspection, the patterns in her eyes altered, resembling the array's operation. The second formation was linked to the Nine Heavens Spirit Locking Array in harmony. Streams of pure golden spiritual energy flowed out from the Nine Heavens Spirit Locking Array, ultimately being absorbed—vanishing as if transported elsewhere. Looking closely within the second formation, it incorporated a small one-way teleportation array, notably similar to the array that had once transported her. If not for her eyes replicating the array back then, she would never have discerned the small teleportation array hiding within this formation. Ye Ling Long was astounded. Everything felt as though it had cut through the fog. No wonder the spiritual energy of the lower realm vanished so swiftly—locking the space should have at most restricted ascension. But the reason for the diminishing worldly energy was that all spiritual power in the lower realm was being siphoned off to nourish someone in the upper world. Although the spiritual energy of the lower realm wasn't as potent as celestial power, using the total power of a world to sustain a single person—or a force—would yield an unfathomably terrifying power. Thinking of this, Ye Ling Long's eyes turned slightly crimson. “Damn it, using the future of all cultivators in the lower realm to sustain oneself, aren't they afraid this spiritual energy will overwhelm them?” Ye Ling Long cursed under her breath. “Today, I shall destroy this array!” With that, Ye Ling Long summoned her sword, Qian Jun. The sword's blade shone with a purplish-golden radiance as Ye Ling Long lifted Qian Jun high overhead, let out a low shout, and struck downward with all her might. “Bang!” With this strike, Ye Ling Long exerted her every ounce of strength, channeling every bit of celestial power available to her. After the deafening boom, Ye Ling Long felt a massive counterforce, sending her flying backwards and she crashed heavily onto the ground. “Cough, cough.” Ye Ling Long struggled to her feet, her hand soaked with blood as she glanced at the spot she had struck. Her sword hadn't even breached the Still Water Realm, which lay upon and thus best shielded the array. “Damn it!” The path back was right before her, yet Ye Ling Long found herself despairingly incapable of taking it. Her lover, family, and friends were all in the lower realm, likely facing unknown dangers. Here she stood, closest to them, yet utterly helpless. Simultaneously, Jiang Ling Yun’s image surfaced in her mind. At their parting moment, she promised to return as soon as possible, but… An ache spread through Ye Ling Long's heart. Looking at the array again, a fierce resolve gripped her. In her eyes, snowflakes seemed to fall, turning the world blue. An ethereal snowfall descended from the sky as Ye Ling Long stood with her sword. Her Ice Soul Physique was pushed to its limit, even causing changes in the mirage-like environment within the realm. She absorbed the Ice Phoenix Heart into her meridians, enhancing her power greatly. Employing every technique at her disposal, the power of the stars surged as Ye Ling Long swung her sword in a mighty slash. This utmost strike embodied her longing and hope, aimed at that Nine Heavens Spirit Locking Array! “Boom!” A more violent explosion erupted, the shockwave blasting Ye Ling Long far away until she fell heavily to the ground. “Pfft.” She spat a mouthful of blood, her face pale and fragile. Without delay, she consumed a profound-grade healing pill, regaining some color. Yet throughout, her eyes remained fixed on the heart of the explosion. As the dust settled, Ye Ling Long saw the Still Water Realm had been breached, revealing the functioning array below. In her heart, hope welled. She quickly rose, delivering another precise strike to the array. Her blow was meticulously angled and placed, targeting precisely the human node—the critical weak spot of the Nine Heavens Spirit Locking Array. For reasons unknown, her eyes, upon intensely focusing on the array, could discern its vulnerabilities. It was as if she already envisioned the array’s impending ruin. ... At the gates of the Immortal Academy. Qiu Ze Yuan was leading the teachers of the Celestial Spirit Academy in a standoff with the Hun Yuan Immortal Sect when a colossal explosion erupted from the rear of the academy. The ground quaked with the explosion's force. Every eye turned toward the source of the sound. “Judging by the sound, it seems to be near the Still Water Prison,” a student murmured. Since the Still Water Realm served as a punishment site for students, resembling a prison sentence, it was colloquially dubbed the Still Water Prison. Right then, Zou Guan Qing and Qiu Ze Yuan realized the dire situation. “This is bad!” Exclaimed Zou Guan Qing, face stricken with urgency, as he instantly spun around, dashing toward the Still Water Realm.