Published: March 3, 2025
A year had passed since the outbreak of the war between the two sects.
Bad news continued to pour in from the front lines to the Heavenly Harmony Sect, causing waves of panic.
The latest situation indicated that several key defense lines hundreds of miles away from the sect had fallen one after another, and the Yuan Yang Sect would soon be marching their army to the sect's doorstep.
As soon as this news spread, everyone in the Heavenly Harmony Sect was filled with anxiety. The protective formation of the sect was fully activated and running without pause.
Given the current situation, it was impossible to fend off the enemy outside; there was no way to withstand the advancing enemy army.
To do so would only be sending people to their deaths and depleting their own strength.
Therefore, three days ago, the Heavenly Harmony Sect had issued dozens of urgent commands, recalling most of the disciples stationed outside.
With the protective formation in full effect, they concentrated their forces to defend the mountain gate.
They attempted to follow the example of the Dan Ding Sect, relying on their protective formation to resist outside forces and prolong the war into a war of attrition.
Ultimately, they hoped that the "Heavenly Thunder Palace" would intervene, thus resolving the immediate crisis.
Under the setting sun, the Heavenly Harmony Sect's "Myriad Manifestations Thunder Formation" was fully activated, unleashing waves of azure thunder and forming a vast thunder net that enveloped a large portion of the mountain gate.
Crackling sounds echoed.
The azure thunder contained power that made low-level cultivators tremble; a mere glance would send chills down their spine.
While it may not match the "Seven-Star Divine Fire Formation" of the Dan Ding Sect, the "Myriad Manifestations Thunder Formation" of the Heavenly Harmony Sect was also incredibly formidable.
It was on par with the Yuan Yang Sect's "Five-Colored Mystic Sky Formation," achieving a stable mid-grade fourth stage.
The thunder attribute formation focused on offensive capabilities, and once activated, it unleashed tens of thousands of thunders, capable of eliminating even mid-level Yuan Ying cultivators on the spot.
Although it had some shortcomings in defense, its powerful offensive capabilities more than made up for this.
Like the Dan Ding Sect, realizing they were at a critical juncture of life and death, the Heavenly Harmony Sect also chose to abandon a large portion of the mountain gate.
They withdrew their lines, reducing the coverage of the formation to concentrate its power, only defending the most critical third and fourth stage spiritual mountains.
From afar, it was clear to see.
Behind the massive azure thunder net, teams of Heavenly Harmony Sect cultivators patrolled diligently, their expressions serious as they scanned every corner.
After all, they were a Yuan Ying sect with a long history and profound foundation. Even when facing the brink of life and death, the higher-ups of the Heavenly Harmony Sect still commanded with composure.
The overall demeanor of the disciples remained relatively calm, with the patrol teams maintaining well-ordered formations.
But they were acutely aware that the moment of life and death was approaching.
Even though the enemy's traces had yet to be seen, an incredibly oppressive atmosphere silently spread throughout the Heavenly Harmony Sect, affecting every related cultivator.
Looking around, each Heavenly Harmony Sect cultivator wore expressions of either seriousness or gloom, having lost the carefree spirit of laughter and chatter of the past.
As time passed, they unknowingly reached the hour of You.
The great sun had nearly set below the horizon.
Only a small portion of its body stubbornly struggled to remain, casting a reluctant glow.
The sky gradually darkened.
In the "Patrol Team 17" of the Heavenly Harmony Sect, a young inner sect disciple, appearing to be around twenty years old and at the late stage of qi refinement, continued his patrol of the mountain gate as usual.