Outside the grand formation of the Hundred Refinement Sect's mountain gate, four middle-aged men conversed in hushed tones.

Spirit Feather True Master's fourth disciple spoke gravely, "Shang Tianjue seems to be stalling. What is he scheming? Could it be that he's buying time for Shang Xingchen?"

The third disciple shook his head, "Impossible. Have you forgotten the relationship between Shang Tianjue and Shang Xingchen? Half-brothers with the same father, they've always been archrivals within the Nether Dao Sect!"

The second disciple calmly added, "Exactly. Shang Tianjue and Shang Xingchen have been at odds for years. The Golden Core elders of the Nether Dao Sect took sides because of their disputes. On several occasions, Shang Tianjue even grievously wounded Shang Xingchen, nearly killing him."

The eldest disciple then said, "Shang Tianjue is heartless and ruthless, willing to forsake everything for supreme power! He killed his disciple just for speaking respectfully to Shang Xingchen.

He killed his master because the master refused to impart the secret techniques of the Nether. He even killed his father to access the ancestral lands. How could such a tyrannical and merciless man delay time here for a half-brother?"

The other three nodded in agreement, "Eldest senior brother is right. Shang Tianjue is not a benevolent man. If he's stalling, it's not for Shang Xingchen."

The eldest disciple scoffed, "What else could it be but for access to the battlefield beyond realms? He wants to secure a place in the extraterritorial battlefield to escape."

The second disciple suddenly said, "But even if he obtains the token, what then? To reach the extraterritorial battlefield, one must use the ancient teleportation arrays controlled by our Feather Transformation Heaven Palace. And the scattered teleportation arrays outside are almost all destroyed by our Palace. How is he planning to reach the battlefield?"

The rest fell silent.

Indeed. How would he go? Could it be that Shang Tianjue's intentions lie elsewhere? Is his true goal to avenge the Nether Dao Sect and overthrow the Feather Transformation Heaven Palace?

But that doesn't make sense either. With Spirit Feather True Master, a Deity Transformation cultivator, in command, who could possibly destroy the Feather Transformation Heaven Palace?

The four exchanged glances, shaking their heads.

It was incomprehensible. Unpredictable. And they were too weary to speculate further.

Once the Eight Directions Immutable Array was broken, and Shang Tianjue captured alive, the true essence of his schemes would be unveiled by the hands of Spirit Feather True Master himself, through the art of soul searching.

In the blink of an eye, such battles had persisted for half a year.

Each day, four Nascent Soul cultivators from the Feather Transformation Heaven Palace would cast numerous array-breaking talismans, assailing the Eight Directions Immutable Array. Once radiant with golden light and a mist of treasures, the array now lay dim and lightless.

The forty-six Golden Core cultivators trapped within were withered in appearance. More than half had depleted their spiritual consciousness and lay on the ground, their fates unknown.

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Miao Zizai's frame had noticeably shrunk. Her soul was equally exhausted. Yet, the formation remained unbroken. The four middle-aged men looked at each other in silence.

One of the disciples coughed lightly, "It's been half a year, and we still haven't brought him back. This is getting hard to justify. Ah, if only I had a Grand Prohibition Talisman, I'd use it! What about you three?"

The second disciple nodded, "Indeed, it's hard to explain our failure. Whoever has a Grand Prohibition Talisman should break the array, and we'll all join forces. Third junior brother, I remember you have a Grand Prohibition Talisman. Why not contribute one?"

The third disciple furrowed his brow, "Second senior brother, where did you hear such rumors? Such rare talismans are not something I possess. However, I did hear that our second senior brother spent a great sum to acquire one from the black market..."

The second disciple snapped, "Stop spouting nonsense!"

The eldest disciple sighed deeply, "At such a critical moment, are we still going to bicker over personal gains?"

The trio turned their gaze toward him.

"Eldest senior brother, you are the most senior among us, with profound resources. Surely the use of one Grand Prohibition Talisman wouldn't hurt..."

The eldest disciple stroked his beard, "...Let's wait a bit longer. The formation's breach is imminent; there's no need to waste a powerful talisman."

The eldest, second, and third disciples tacitly remained silent thereafter. The fourth disciple dared to speak out because he truly did not possess such a talisman. And they remained silent because... they indeed had one.

...

Feather Transformation Island.

A handsome young man hurried along the corridors between palaces. He greeted every cultivator he encountered, regardless of their cultivation level, always wearing a warm smile. Two female cultivators blushed as he passed.

Once the handsome young man had departed, they whispered among themselves.

"Is that Chen Xing, the one even the old ancestor has praised endlessly?"

"I never imagined someone so gifted could also be so handsome! I'd love to be his dao partner!"

"Forget it, many fairies have already approached him hoping to become his dao partner, but senior brother Chen has turned them all down."

"Ah… senior brother Chen is truly devoted to the immortal path, forsaking even the seven emotions and six desires. I wonder which woman will eventually benefit from his indifference."

"Ha, certainly not us."

Meanwhile, Chen Xing advanced to Golden Dragon Peak, where since his emergence from seclusion, Spirit Feather True Master, the Deity Transformation Ancestor of Feather Transformation Heaven Palace resided.

"True Master, Chen Xing has distributed the two hundred tokens in Western Land and has now returned to report."

Chen Xing bowed respectfully outside a modest hut.

A gentle voice emerged from within, "Well done. If only my disciples could emulate your detachment and tranquility, the Feather Transformation Heaven Palace wouldn't be mired in such turbidity, alas…"

Chen Xing hurriedly responded, "True Master, you are mistaken. The five uncle masters have poured their hearts into the palace; you only see one side of things…"

Spirit Feather True Master waved it off, "Enough, let's not speak of them. Go now, do not delay your cultivation. I look forward to the day you step onto the Nascent Soul path."

"Thank you for your profound kindness, True Master!" Chen Xing said gravely, then respectfully departed.

Spirit Feather True Master sighed deeply, "This child possesses excellent talents, disposition, and character. Perhaps I should invest more in him…alas, those five might harbor ill will towards this young man."

Just then, the sky split open dramatically.

A formidable, majestic aura descended from the heavens as if it could obliterate all living beings on the planet!

The cultivators on Feather Transformation Island were utterly terrified, and clueless about what was happening. They only sensed the arrival of a terrifyingly powerful being.

Spirit Feather True Master's face paled, and he flew out of his hut, shouting, "Greetings to the envoy from the upper sect!"

A disgruntled voice boomed like thunder, "Yulingzi, what is causing your delay on Mystic Azure Star! The extraterritorial battlefield will close in a month. Send the people through immediately!"

"Yes!" Yulingzi replied, sweating profusely.

The intense presence vanished in the blink of an eye.

Anger surged on Spirit Feather True Master's face.

"These wretched five, they've still not brought the people back after half a year! Must I personally intervene?"

His eyes glinted coldly as he stepped forward, disappearing into the horizon in an instant.