With my prior warning, most fellow cultivators were already on alert.
Seeing the seven or eight red tongues lash out, they cried out in warning:
"Careful!"
"There are corpse monsters in the swamp!"
"Use talismans."
"..."
As warnings rang out, nearby cultivators attacked.
For a time, various talismans and magical artifacts were unleashed into the surrounding swamp.
Explosions and roars echoed through the mist.
Corpse monsters were killed one by one, their bodies surfacing.
These were artificially cultivated corpse monsters, new zombie fiends.
But it was brief, lasting only two to three minutes before calm returned.
Everyone became vigilant again.
At the same time, from the distant mist, the voice of Senior Bai Daozi could be heard:
"Everyone, pass through this area quickly, reach the next safe point, and remain vigilant."
With that, the cultivators ahead began to move forward.
Our team quickly followed.
Along the way, the surroundings were filled with the corpses of corpse monsters.
However, these corpse monsters were not natural species; their bodies decomposed rapidly after death, turning into pools of black blood.
Looking at the decaying bodies, everyone's expression grew somber.
We moved swiftly and windingly through the misty swamp.
Occasionally, we could hear the low growls of corpse monsters.
Sometimes, corpse monsters would emerge from the swamp to attack us.
Despite the danger, our team could generally handle them.
After all, we were all outstanding among our peers, possessing considerable strength.
Coupled with our preparedness, it wasn't easy for these corpse monsters to ambush us.
After about an hour, we passed through the dense mist and arrived on a stone platform.
This platform was twenty meters wide and shaped like a Bagua.
It was clearly artificially carved, showing many signs of human activity and strange footprints.
It was easy to guess that these footprints were left by the corpse monsters from the surrounding swamp.
As soon as we reached the platform, Senior Bai Daozi addressed everyone:
"Everyone, rest for a moment. We will depart again in ten minutes!"
After speaking, Senior Bai Daozi began to survey the platform.
I, too, searched the crowd.
I noticed that no one was missing; only two or three fellow cultivators seemed injured, but not seriously, and were receiving treatment.
I also saw Qiu Xi among the crowd.
Qiu Xi tilted her head and looked at me. Our eyes met, and we shared a smile.
This was how friends confirmed each other's safety, with no other thoughts.
At this moment, Yun Long and Yun Hu from our team, who were proficient in Qimen Dunjia, sensed the unusual nature of the Bagua platform.
Yun Long held a Bagua compass and spoke to the rest of our team:
"This is actually a formation point."
As soon as he finished speaking, Gu Qian Yue asked:
"Does it have any significance?"
Yun Long nodded, and Yun Hu explained:
"After our observation, the Nine Palaces array in this misty swamp is fully named the Nine Palaces Four Symbols Sealing Array."
Upon hearing this, everyone became interested.
Not only those in our team, but other teams also turned their heads, pricked up their ears, or even gathered around.
Seeing this, Yun Long and Yun Hu continued their explanation:
"The so-called Nine Palaces Four Symbols Sealing Array is based on the principles of the Nine Palaces, using number transformations to gradually manifest the Four Symbols.
The transformation of this array locks down all life in this place.
This is why the mist is so dense, and deathly and Yin energy gather without dispersing.
Our current location should be a Four Symbols position within the array.
If I'm not mistaken, this position should be the Vermilion Bird position..."
Yun Long and Yun Hu spoke eloquently, continuously analyzing.
Although my understanding of formations was not deep, I knew a little.
The Four Symbols are Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise.
We entered from the Li position of the Nine Palaces and need to exit from the Qian position of the Six Palaces.
Among the Four Symbols, Vermilion Bird represents the Li position.
And our position is the closest to the Li position.
Judging by the direction, we are standing in the Vermilion Bird area.
I didn't interrupt, but continued listening.
The cultivators around were already praising them loudly:
"Fellow cultivators are amazing, seeing the mystery at a glance."
"I know them, these two are Fellow Cultivators Yun Long and Yun Hu from White Ox Mountain."
"Oh? Are they the two esteemed disciples of Senior Ju Cheng?"
"Yes, yes, I heard that Daoist Ju Cheng of White Ox Mountain is extremely skilled in Qimen Dunjia, and these two Fellow Cultivators Yun Long and Yun Hu have naturally received his true teachings."
"..."
Yun Long and Yun Hu became a little embarrassed, waving their hands.
Then they continued their deductions:
"According to our brother's deductions, to break out of this formation, we should now break open this formation point to reveal the path of life.
And then proceed to the next location on the map, which should be the Qin Long position.
Using the same method, break open the Azure Dragon position to enter the Black Tortoise position.
Finally, we will arrive at the sixth Qian Palace, the White Tiger position.
By breaking through the White Tiger, the last of the Four Symbols, we will be able to leave safely..."
The two explained the Nine Palaces Four Symbols Sealing Array to everyone, drawing applause.
Senior Bai Daozi, not far away, was also drawn over.
He chuckled and said:
"As expected of Ju Cheng's disciples, at such a young age, to be able to discern the formation here and deduce the method to break it, truly remarkable!"