Summoning the Gods: Start by creating the Eternal Night.

He was filled with doubt and suspicion. Why would such a powerful figure suddenly appear outside Tianfeng City? Was he friend or foe?

He quickly suppressed his murderous aura, forced himself to remain calm, and bowed with his hands clasped in greeting:

"May I ask who you two are? I am a member of the Great Qian Dynasty."

Yan Guiren ignored his identity, his gaze sharp as a knife, shooting straight at the blood-red barrier, and asked in a deep voice:

"Did you set up this blood-red array?"

Shadow quickly waved his hand:

"Fellow Daoist, you've misunderstood!"

"This formation was not created by us, but by the mysterious force behind the traitorous King Wu."

"Our dynasty's 100,000 imperial guards and the Protector General are trapped in the battle formation, and their fate remains unknown to this day."

He looked at the two of them and tentatively asked:

"May I ask what brings you two fellow Daoists to Tianfeng City?"

Seeing that his expression was genuine and that he did not possess any malevolent aura of an array, Yan Guiren suppressed his hostility and said in a deep voice:

"We're here to find people, and judging from the situation, they're most likely trapped inside as well."

Upon hearing this, a glimmer of hope flashed in Shadow's eyes:

"I see! Since you two fellow Daoists are searching for someone, you must also intend to break through the formation?"

"To be honest, I have tried several times, but I have never been able to budge this barrier even slightly."

He stepped forward, his tone earnest:

"If you two fellow Daoists are willing to break the formation, I am willing to join forces with you!"

"This formation is extremely evil; every bit of extra strength increases our chances of victory."

"Once the formation is broken, our Great Qian Dynasty will forever remember your kindness and will repay you handsomely!"

Yan Guiren looked at Yan Shisan, who nodded slightly.

"Joining forces is an option."

Yan Guiren spoke, his voice resolute.

"But there's no need to mention any favors; we're only doing this to save our people."

He looked up at the crimson barrier, his halberd slightly raised, its tip pointing directly at the blood-red light screen:

"Let's test the waters of this formation first."

Yan Shisan also gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, his eyes flashing with cold light:

"Perfect, let me see if this evil formation can withstand my sword."

Upon seeing this, Shadow's face lit up with ecstatic joy: "Thank you both, fellow Daoists! I express my gratitude in advance!"

A huge weight was lifted from his heart. With the help of these two powerful figures, the hope of breaking the formation had undoubtedly increased significantly.

Yan Guiren said no more, his gaze returning to the crimson barrier. He slightly twitched his halberd and said in a deep voice:

"Thirteenth Brother, prepare to break the formation."

Yan Shisan touched the sword at his waist; the scabbard was ancient and simple, yet it already faintly exuded a sharp sword intent.

"it is good."

The Shadow Guards all stepped back, holding their breath as they watched the three with anticipation in their eyes.

With a low shout, Yan Guiren unleashed his signature martial technique, his halberd seemingly coming to life, whistling through the air.

—"The Swallows Return!"

In an instant, countless halberd shadows appeared, as if countless nimble swallows were flying through the air, carrying an indomitable momentum, and bombarded the blood-red barrier in unison.

Where the halberd passed, the air was shaken, producing a muffled explosion, its power terrifying.

Almost at the same time that Yan Guiren made his move, Yan Shisan made his move as well.

He moved slightly, his blue robe fluttering in the wind, and the ancient longsword in his hand was quietly drawn.

A condensed, almost tangible, azure sword energy shot into the sky.

"Eleven Deadly Swords!"

The sword light flashed, so fast that only afterimages remained; eleven sharp sword intents overlapped one after another.

Like a venomous snake emerging from its hole, it strikes only the weakest point in the barrier. The sword's momentum is ruthless and decisive.

Seeing this, Shadow dared not hold back, circulating his spiritual energy to its limit, his palms flying across the field...

Countless dark palm shadows appeared out of thin air, carrying a sinister and eerie aura, and poured towards the barrier.

"Shadowless Palm!"

In an instant, the shadows of halberds filled the sky, sword intent surged and swept across the land, and palm strikes rose like a tidal wave.

Three distinct forces converged and crashed violently into the crimson barrier.

"boom--!"

"boom--!"

A deafening roar erupted outside Tianfeng City, the shockwave radiating from the point of impact.

It swept outwards, sending dust and gravel flying several meters high.

The Shadow Guards used their spiritual power to resist, barely managing to avoid being blown away by the shockwave.

The crimson barrier trembled violently, and the crimson runes on its surface flickered wildly, emitting a piercing buzz, as if it were about to collapse at any moment.

A clearly visible crack appeared on the barrier, from which a thick aura of blood emanated, accompanied by a piercing scream that sent chills down one's spine.

"It's done!"

A look of ecstatic joy appeared on Shadow's face, and hope shone in his eyes.

However, at that moment, an even stronger suction force suddenly came from within the formation.

The runes on the crimson barrier suddenly became incredibly bright, emitting an eerie red light.

The clear crack healed rapidly at a speed visible to the naked eye.

It was even more solid than before, and the evil aura it exuded was even stronger.

"Um?"

Yan Guiren abruptly withdrew his hand, resting his long halberd in front of him, his brows furrowed beneath his black armor.

"Something's wrong! Someone inside the formation is manipulating it, reinforcing the barrier!"

Yan Shisan also sheathed his longsword, a hint of solemnity flashing in his eyes:

"This formation can use the opponent's force against them; our attacks have become nourishment for it."

The smile on Shadow's face froze instantly, replaced by deep despair:

"What...what should we do? Our attack not only failed to break the formation, but it has actually made it stronger?"

Yan Guiren said in a deep voice, "It seems that forcing our way in won't work."

"This formation feeds on the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and the blood and energy of living beings. The more fierce our attacks are, the more energy it absorbs, and the stronger it becomes."

He looked at the crimson barrier, a hint of solemnity flashing in his eyes. "The foundation of this formation is far deeper than we imagined."

Yan Shisan added:

"Moreover, the situation inside the formation is unclear. If we continue to launch a strong attack, it will only accelerate the consumption of blood energy inside the formation, which may harm Mirror Heart Demon and the others."

The three fell silent, and the Shadow Guards hung their heads in dejection, their eyes filled with helplessness.

Let's go back to when Yan Guiren and his two companions attacked the formation.

Leng Ming felt the vibration from the barrier, and a cold smile curled at the corner of his lips:

"It seems the imperial reinforcements have arrived. Unfortunately, it's too late."

He then transmitted his voice to Luo Mie: "Take care of Song Zongxiang and his gang as soon as possible, lest we delay the time for the Ancestor's revival."

"Yes!" Luo Mie replied immediately.

Leng Ming then walked to the center of the underground altar, sat down cross-legged, and formed hand seals with the eight black-robed men, chanting obscure incantations.

Instantly, more blood energy surged into the altar from all directions, making the runes on the stone coffin even more dazzling, and the blood-red barrier became even more solid.

This is why Yan Guiren and the others' attacks failed—Leng Ming personally intervened and, with the help of the altar, forcibly reinforced the barrier.

Leng Ming walked to the water mirror, looking at the reflections of Yan Guiren and Yan Shisan, a hint of apprehension flashing in his eyes:

"Who are these two? They possess such strength... However, no matter how strong you are, you won't be able to break through the Bloodlust Formation!"

"Hehehe, once the Ancestor breaks free of his coffin, you will all become his nourishment!"

Outside the formation, Yan Guiren and Yan Shisan were still pondering how to break it.

Shadow was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, but there was nothing he could do.