Mortal: My name is Ma Liang, and I also possess a magic brush.

"Alright!" Ma Liang immediately patted the venomous python, urging it to fly swiftly towards the third layer of the barrier.

On the other side, Xiang Zhili manipulated the array flags, attempting to slow down the rate at which the inner array was breaking.

As soon as the first array flag was inserted into the node, the water veins beneath the spring were instantly covered by a layer of golden light, and the already chaotic fluctuations became even more turbulent.

Having achieved this, Xiang Zhili decisively abandoned further control and flew towards the third floor.

Once the flags have been activated, they will automatically return to their positions without further human intervention.

After the first array flag fell, the second, third, and even the last array flag were successively embedded into the corresponding nodes, and the golden light spread in layers, making the hum of the great array increasingly piercing.

Although Ma Liang set off first, Xiang Zhili was much faster than him and caught up from behind in no time, rushing towards the third layer of restrictions side by side with him.

Ma Liang rode the venomous python at breakneck speed, his attention diverted to the pillar of light behind him.

The beam of light from the first node shot upwards like a surging torrent, then shattered with a "crack".

He knew that the first node had been broken, and then the second, third and fourth pillars of light shattered one after another. By this time, he had rushed far away, and the third layer of restrictions appeared before his eyes.

The originally transparent barrier suddenly hummed and lit up with a dazzling light, transforming into a huge light shield. But in an instant, the light shield was covered with cracks like glass, and then "snap" it scattered into countless star points.

"Senior! The three layers of restrictions have been broken!"

He dared not delay any longer, quickly put away the venomous python, and took out the teleportation talisman to activate it.

Xiang Zhili was a breath faster than him; the two of them vanished from their original positions in an instant and teleported out.

As soon as they appeared, the sky above them cracked like a spider web. Without hesitation, the two activated the second teleportation talisman, and their figures flashed again, almost touching the tower.

At that moment, the crack in the dome suddenly widened, the great array exploded with a hum, the ground bulged upwards, and rubble and spiritual light scattered everywhere.

In a desperate struggle, the two activated the third teleportation talisman, their divine senses locking onto the tower gate. The moment the light from the teleportation talisman dissipated, they were already standing in front of the tower.

Xiang Zhili subconsciously used his magic weapon to smash the door, but was surprised to find that the restriction that suppressed his cultivation level had disappeared!

He immediately activated his Nascent Soul stage spiritual power and unleashed a powerful attack. With a loud "bang," the tower door was forcefully blasted open, revealing a massive vortex of spiritual energy inside.

With the outside world already a dead end, the two had no choice but to plunge into the vortex.

……

Returning to a few breaths ago, the cultivators outside the forbidden area looked at the crumbling array, their excitement barely contained.

There have long been rumors that this place was the residence of ancient cultivators, and that it must contain countless ancient treasures, and perhaps even legendary spiritual treasures that can reach the heavens.

Everyone eagerly awaited the arrival of the treasure, impatient to rush into the forbidden area.

But in the next instant, countless cracks suddenly appeared on the surface of the great formation, and blinding light burst out wildly from the cracks.

Li Huayuan's expression changed drastically, and he shouted fiercely, "Run! This formation is about to explode!"

After shouting, he no longer cared about the disciples of Huangfeng Valley, and flew backwards at high speed, riding on his spiritual light.

Seeing this, Fu Yunzi followed suit, and Nangong Wan and the Core Formation cultivators from other sects also fled in an instant.

The cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage and below were awakened by the shout. Realizing something was wrong, they hurriedly scattered and fled, but some were too late.

The great formation exploded with a deafening roar, its terrifying aftershocks sweeping in all directions.

Li Huayuan felt a deafening roar in his ears. He turned around and saw a fireball rising in the center of the forbidden area, blotting out the sky. Then, a huge mushroom cloud of fire shot into the sky, turning the entire sky crimson.

Li Huayuan flew several miles with all his might, thinking he had finally escaped danger.

The next moment, a violent shockwave struck him, like an invisible giant hand slamming into him, sending him flying and even shattering his protective aura.

The cultivators who fled with him also could not escape this calamity. The shockwave from the explosion of the great formation swept in all directions, and everyone was swept away by this terrifying force, with screams and the sound of spiritual energy exploding mixed together.

The aftershocks of the great formation raged for a long time, until the last trace of violent energy dissipated, and the world finally calmed down.

The original site of the Crimson Forbidden Zone has been transformed into a dark, bottomless crater. The shockwave has eroded the crater's edge into a neat circle, and the area extending for miles outwards is a scene of utter devastation.

Li Huayuan struggled to emerge from the mud, raising his hand to channel his spiritual energy and brush off the dust. When he saw the scene before him, his pupils constricted sharply, and he couldn't help but curse, "Holy shit!"

He was completely stunned. Even Linghu Laozu, who was in the Nascent Soul stage, could never unleash such world-destroying power!

Li Huayuan snapped out of his daze and remembered the Huangfeng Valley disciples who were stationed there with him, so he quickly spread out his divine sense to investigate.

But when he scanned the area with his divine sense, he couldn't find a single person.

Undeterred, he summoned the Silver-Armored Horned Python, mounted it, and began to search in the air. He hadn't flown far when he spotted a person—it was none other than Fuyunzi.

At this moment, Fu Yunzi was brushing the dust off his body, looking completely disheveled.

Li Huayuan landed beside him. "How are you? Are you hurt?"

Fu Yunzi brushed the dust off his shoulder. "It's alright, I won't die."

Fu Yunzi gasped for breath. "What on earth happened? Wasn't this supposed to hold an ancient opportunity? How could the grand formation suddenly explode? In all my years, this is the first time I've ever seen such a terrifyingly powerful formation explode!"

"Alright, stop complaining. I don't know what bad luck I've had these past few years. This time, I'm afraid none of the people stationed here in Huangfeng Valley will survive except for me."

Fu Yunzi gave a wry smile, "We're evenly matched."

As the two were talking, Nangong Wan flew over from a distance with several disciples of the Hidden Moon Sect. Upon seeing them, she promptly landed.

Li Huayuan spoke first: "Junior Sister Nangong, it seems you're lucky; you still have a few disciples left."

Nangong Wan asked, "Is Senior Brother Li injured?"

"I am fine, but all the disciples of Huangfeng Valley have been wiped out. I'm afraid that in the future, no disciple will be willing to come out with me to carry out missions."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the surviving Core Formation cultivators and Foundation Establishment disciples gradually gathered around, and soon all the Core Formation cultivators from the seven sects had arrived.

Yue Zhanchen of the Giant Sword Sect spoke first, "Let's go! Let's go to the original site of the Crimson Forbidden Land and see what exactly happened!"

Elder Chu Jiangli of Huadaowu immediately retorted, "Wait! We absolutely cannot go there now! Who knows if there are any remaining restrictions there? In my opinion, we should wait for the Nascent Soul elders from various sects to arrive before making any plans!"

Yue Zhanchen immediately sneered, "You coward! If you won't go, I will! If there's treasure inside, it's all mine!"

Ignoring everyone's advice, he transformed into a streak of light and headed towards the forbidden area.

Seeing that Yue Zhanchen had already set off, the others, though still feeling lingering fear, ultimately had their concerns overcome by their desire for resources. After a moment's hesitation, they all transformed into streaks of light and followed closely behind.

Before leaving, Nangong Wan instructed the Foundation Establishment disciples of the Hidden Moon Sect beside her: "You shall wait here for the sect's assistance and do not act rashly."

Several disciples quickly replied, "Yes, Martial Uncle!"

In another part of the forbidden area, a pile of loose soil suddenly arched upwards, and then "poof," Zhongwu emerged from the soil.

As soon as he appeared, he brushed the dirt off his clothes. "What on earth happened? I almost lost my life here!"

He looked towards the forbidden area and saw that the former forbidden area had become a wasteland, with nothing left.

Zhong Wu's expression changed, and he decisively took out a communication jade talisman, "Young Master, a sudden change has occurred in the Crimson Forbidden Land!"

He quickly reported the explosion of the formation and then summoned the jade talisman.