The Zhuxian Sword Formation and the artifact formation clashed, erupting in a blinding explosion of light that illuminated and covered the entire blood sea with its brilliance.
Wu Tian paid no heed, staring intently, wanting to see clearly what was happening in that area.
However, beneath the glare of the light, the scene remained obscured, though voices could be heard all around.
"Excellent! We are all unharmed, all thanks to the senior!"
"Senior's artifact formation is truly formidable; this Zhuxian Sword Formation is nothing special!"
"Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, it's all thanks to you!"
Upon hearing this, Wu Tian immediately understood the outcome of this clash.
As expected, the light soon dispersed, revealing the scene. Patriarch Ming He and the Golden-Winged Great Peng Condor were unharmed, and the artifact formation above them gleamed with treasure light, its various artifacts emitting radiance, clearly undamaged.
"This artifact formation truly lives up to its reputation. Island Master Xu Fang is indeed a marvel!"
Seeing this, Wu Tian could only acknowledge the power of Xu Fang's artifact formation.
"Thank you for your praise. As for who is stronger, we shall see!"
Xu Fang replied. Since the artifact formation could withstand the might of the Zhuxian Sword Formation, there was great potential.
"Heh heh! You get ahead of yourself with a compliment. Do you really think the Zhuxian Sword Formation is that easy to counter?"
Wu Tian chuckled. It was merely a preliminary test; did Xu Fang truly believe he had won?
Just as Wu Tian was preparing to strike again, Patriarch Ming He's expression shifted, filled with joy.
"Wait! Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, I can sense my connection to the Blood Sea again!"
At these words, all beings present were astonished.
The Zhuxian Sword Formation was originally designed to sever Patriarch Ming He's connection to the Blood Sea, thereby trapping him and preventing him from drawing upon its power, leading to his demise within the Blood Sea.
Now that Patriarch Ming He could sense the Blood Sea, wasn't that proof the Zhuxian Sword Formation was ineffective?
"Impossible! I personally set up this Zhuxian Sword Formation and inspected it repeatedly. How could there be a mistake?"
Wu Tian spoke immediately, his eyes filled with disbelief.
"The Zhuxian Sword Formation itself is not flawed. The mistake lies in you forcing me to unleash this artifact formation!"
Xu Fang's voice came from within the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda. The other beings, upon hearing this, understood immediately.
It was true that the Zhuxian Sword Formation had successfully severed Patriarch Ming He's connection to the Blood Sea. However, now that Patriarch Ming He was within the artifact formation, he was no longer affected by the Zhuxian Sword Formation.
Thus, he naturally re-established communication with the Blood Sea.
Wu Tian knew he had inadvertently created a problem. He should never have brought Xu Fang into this.
However, regret was useless now. Wu Tian gritted his teeth, refusing to yield.
"So what? Under the Zhuxian Sword Formation, you are all doomed. Patriarch Ming He is merely checking on his home temporarily!"
With that, he controlled the formation and charged forward again.
Xu Fang hastily managed the artifact formation, both resisting the power of the great formation and shouting to Patriarch Ming He.
"Fellow Daoist Ming He, since you can sense the Blood Sea, why not quickly wield its power!"
As long as the control of the Blood Sea was regained, it could become their home turf, weakening the power of the Zhuxian Sword Formation and defeating Wu Tian.
However, Xu Fang's plan was excellent, but Patriarch Ming He wore a bitter expression.
"This connection is too weak; it's difficult to truly borrow the power of the Blood Sea!"
Hearing this, Xu Fang was speechless. Wasn't this the same as before?
Wu Tian burst into laughter again, "Ha ha! I enjoy giving people hope, only to slowly crush it. How exhilarating!"
The Golden-Winged Great Peng Condor and the others looked at the arrogant, laughing Wu Tian with helplessness. Why was this fellow so detestable?
"Alas, if only I could break through a little more, go a little deeper, perhaps then I could truly borrow the power of the Blood Sea!"
Patriarch Ming He sighed. Was he truly destined to see hope but be unable to grasp it?
"A little more? Deeper?"
Xu Fang mused upon hearing this. Soon, a flash of inspiration struck him, and he roared.
"Ruyi Jingu Bang, come forth and assist Fellow Daoist Ming He!"
As Xu Fang's words fell, the Ruyi Jingu Bang detached from the formation and flew to Patriarch Ming He's side.
Under Xu Fang's will, the Ruyi Jingu Bang instantly grew larger and smashed down fiercely.
Immediately, a bottomless abyss appeared in that spot, and the Ruyi Jingu Bang continued to plunge deeper, its destination unknown.
"Fellow Daoist Ming He, now is the time! What are you waiting for!"
"Let this Ruyi Jingu Bang pierce the Blood Sea and carry you away!"
Xu Fang shouted. Patriarch Ming He understood; Xu Fang intended to help him reach the heart of the Blood Sea, bypass the Zhuxian Sword Formation, and reclaim control of the Blood Sea!
However, though the intention was good, the act of "piercing the Blood Sea" felt strangely peculiar!
"Damn it! How can I let you succeed!"
Wu Tian understood Xu Fang and the others' intentions and naturally would not allow them to have their way. He quickly controlled the great formation and attacked.
However, he could not even break through the artifact formation, how could he stop Patriarch Ming He?
The artifact formation successfully blocked the pressure of the Zhuxian Sword Formation, canceling each other out.
Wu Tian could only watch as Patriarch Ming He descended along the Ruyi Jingu Bang, soon disappearing from sight.
Seeing this, Wu Tian withdrew his gaze, glared resentfully at the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda, and roared.
"Good, good, good! Island Master Xu Fang, you want to meddle, do you? Then I shall first smash your artifact formation!"
Wu Tian knew that no matter what, Xu Fang and his artifact formation had to be eliminated. Otherwise, his plan to seize the Blood Sea this time would be ruined!
Without further ado, he wielded the might of the Zhuxian Sword Formation and pressed towards the artifact formation.
Under the Zhuxian Sword Formation, Xu Fang maintained the stability of the artifact formation, buying time for Patriarch Ming He, and could only passively endure the attacks.
Fortunately, all the artifacts worked in concert, and it would not be broken anytime soon.
"Island Master Xu Fang, you mocked me as a cowering turtle earlier. Are you any different from a cowering turtle now?"
Wu Tian said, seeing that he could not break the artifact formation, he resumed his taunts, employing psychological warfare.
This infuriated the Golden-Winged Great Peng Condor and the others, who glared at Wu Tian.
However, they were currently within the range of the Zhuxian Sword Formation's power. No matter how angry they were at Wu Tian's disrespect towards their senior, they dared not venture out into danger.
If they could not help their senior and instead fell into peril, it would only make things more difficult for their senior.
"Wu Tian, do you really think I would be like you, a cowering turtle?"
Xu Fang's voice came from within the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda. "Do you really think I cannot deal with your Zhuxian Sword Formation?"
Xu Fang's words were filled with mockery.
No matter how powerful Wu Tian's Zhuxian Sword Formation was, it was merely a replica. Otherwise, his artifact formation would not have been able to resist it.
And where Wu Tian was boasting, how would he know that they possessed a genuine Zhuxian Sword, and thus had a way to deal with this Zhuxian Sword Formation?