Cultivation is just so scientific! Chapter 1427: 760: Arranging the Formation

“Currently, we must stand united against these foreign threats, so there is no need for you to fret over any schemes from Hongguang Venerable. I am keeping a watchful eye and will ensure you do not suffer. Besides, I recall the reports of you slaying Master Ge Guang; I suspect Hongguang Venerable poses little true danger to you!” Master Wu Ge whispered these words to Li Yuanba while glancing toward the distant silhouette of Hongguang Venerable.

Despite his attempt to interfere, Hongguang Venerable remained relatively cautious. He did not venture too close, choosing instead to linger near the perimeter of the formation. It was clear that he still harbored significant wariness toward them.

“I shall go assist Hongfa. Perhaps we can accelerate the assembly of the formation!” Li Yuanba suggested, hoping to help Great Venerable Hongfa finish the task more quickly.

“It will soon be my turn to rotate into the front lines, so I cannot accompany you,” Master Wu Ge replied, offering no objections.

Once Li Yuanba joined the effort, the installation of the space acceptance array proceeded several times faster than before.

Li Yuanba utilized a shortcut by connecting to the IBMz15. By scanning the formation site with his Divine Sense and ‘Divine Eye,’ the IBMz15 mapped out the exact coordinates for every node and provided systematic instructions on linking the spiritual power lines effectively.

Consequently, what was once a complex intellectual challenge became a straightforward matter of assembly.

Great Venerable Hongfa had originally assumed that his centuries of experience, combined with two years of constant work on these arrays, would make him more efficient than Li Yuanba, regardless of the latter being the array's creator. He believed Li Yuanba lacked practical, hands-on expertise.

However, watching Li Yuanba in action shattered his professional pride. His respect for Li Yuanba reached new heights.

A task that should have required three full days was finished in a mere six hours with Li Yuanba’s help.

Once the formation was complete, Li Yuanba noted that the initial group of reinforcements from Sword Intent Chongxiao Pavilion had yet to arrive.

He escorted Great Venerable Hongfa to a tent situated near Master Wu Ge’s grotto heaven, which would serve as their temporary quarters.

A hundred such tents had been erected in this vicinity to house the incoming Sword Cultivators from the Sect.

Tents were utilized instead of the usual grotto heavens because of the limited space on Hell Island; only the rear half of the island was truly habitable.

The forward half functioned as a place of exile for disgraced cultivators and was unfit for standard residence.

Li Yuanba stepped inside the tent; while it appeared modest from the outside, the interior was quite expansive.

The structure utilized a spatial formation. Though it lacked the defensive security of a true grotto heaven, its other amenities were nearly identical on the surface.

The interior was partitioned into a central hall and several specialized rooms, with the cultivation chamber drawing its energy directly from the spiritual vein of Hell Island.

“Hongfa, there is no need for you to head out again. I will go observe the state of the battle,” Li Yuanba said after showing Great Venerable Hongfa to his room.

“Yuanba, even if my combat prowess is limited, I still wish to help. If I join, we can thin the ranks of the Hell Creatures even further,” Great Venerable Hongfa replied. He understood Li Yuanba’s thirst for combat and did not wish to stay idle while Li Yuanba fought alone.

“Are you not concerned about running into Hongguang Venerable?” Li Yuanba asked, feeling tempted by the offer but still cautious.

Even if Great Venerable Hongfa was not a combat specialist, he remained a Great Venerable. He was more than capable of handling Fourth Grade Middle Stage Hell Creatures with ease.

“We must confront that reality eventually. We have already crossed paths with him once today. Since we are all confined to this small island, Hongguang will simply have to get used to our presence!” Great Venerable Hongfa answered with a faint smile.

Li Yuanba perceived that Great Venerable Hongfa had undergone a change of heart. Though the exact cause was unclear, it was a positive development.

He did not realize that his own repeated displays of brilliance had caused Great Venerable Hongfa to view him with immense respect, reinforcing the belief that his path was the correct one.

This sense of conviction acted as a form of mental fortification, giving Great Venerable Hongfa the resolve to face his former peers from Da Leiyin Temple.

Together, Li Yuanba and Great Venerable Hongfa departed the residential zone and crossed into the front half of the island.

The moment they crossed the boundary, the environmental shift was palpable.

The spiritual energy here was only a quarter as dense as that in the rear, though the concentration remained functional. However, the level of harmful radiation was ten times higher.

One look at the geography of the front region explained why; this area was directly linked to the tunnel leading to the Hell Cave Heaven, making it the primary recipient of the leaking radiation.

They observed the exiled cultivators dwelling there. Their eyes were devoid of vitality, filled only with a sense of doom. Though their bodies still breathed, they were essentially the walking dead.

In the midst of these wretched souls, Li Yuanba unexpectedly spotted a familiar face.

It was Supervisor Sun from the Central State Commerce. Naturally, the man did not recognize Li Yuanba in his current form.

Years ago, Supervisor Sun had sold out Li Shiming's secrets, resulting in an assassination attempt. Once Central State Commerce discovered his betrayal, he had been banished to this island.

Now, after nearly thirty years, the once-prosperous merchant had wasted away into a skeletal figure, his former cunning replaced by a hollow, numb expression.