Immortal Dao is dead, I am the mastermind behind it all.

In the Array Formation Pavilion, the inner cabinet study room, wisps of smoke curled upwards, and the air was filled with the scent of ancient jade slips.

Over the past few months, thanks to his comprehension and temperament far surpassing those of the outer pavilion cultivators, Shen Moyan has successfully obtained the opportunity to be guided by an inner pavilion master.

That person was none other than Sun Haifeng, who was in charge of the assessment.

Shen Moyan's outstanding performance in the assessment had left a deep impression on him, so when Shen Moyan appeared in the Cabinet Study Room, he had already gained Shen Moyan's favor.

"Interesting. It seems the ancient array master's inheritance you received back then was quite remarkable," Sun Haifeng remarked.

Shen Moyan and Elder Sun sat facing each other. On the huge jade table between them, light and shadow flowed, outlining a dazzling array of phantom images.

This is one of the core components of the "Great Array for Refining the Spirit of All Beings" that he reconstructed based on his memory and deduction.

At this moment, Shen Moyan was pointing out several difficult points encountered in the deduction process one by one.

Its ingenious angle and profound meaning have already subtly touched upon the realm of grandmasters of array formations.

Sun Haifeng's stern face remained calm, but the rhythm of his fingertips tapping lightly on the table revealed the turmoil in his heart.

"The grand array that you presented, young friend, has an indescribable control over the spiritual power of living beings."

"However, it is precisely because it is difficult to explain that it is difficult to arrange or change."

Even Sun Haifeng, a master of array formations, found the array formation that Shen Moyan presented troublesome.

Sun Haifeng couldn't help but think more highly of Shen Moyan.

They were willing to take out such a complex and precious array diagram without any reservations, their only thought being their thirst for the truth.

This is what academic work should be like.

He raised his eyes to look at this rapidly improving outer-cabin cultivator, and slowly spoke, his voice hoarse yet carrying a metallic quality:

"Young friend, do you know that the path of array formations is like controlling floods?"

Shen Moyan's heart skipped a beat, and the scene of Yan Zhenjun standing on the sea flashed through his mind. He respectfully said, "Please give your instructions, Elder."

"Ordinary array masters, seeing the surging water, would think about how to build dams to block the flood and how to divert the flow."

"This is forward thinking, and it is the right path."

Sun Haifeng's fingertips traced a rune on the array diagram that drew upon the life force of living beings.

"Your grand formation follows this path, seizing by force and using myriad essences to nourish yourself. While it is domineering, it is also cruel and easily incurs divine retribution."

He then changed the subject: "However, a great sage in ancient times proposed that it should be neither blocked nor dredged."

"Observe its nature and examine its origin."

"Why is there water here? Why is the water so powerful? If there was no water source to begin with, where did the flood come from?"

A flash of understanding crossed Shen Moyan's eyes.

Sun Haifeng continued, "In order to understand this formation, you've focused on how to refine soul power more efficiently, but you've never considered why soul power can be refined in the first place?"

"What is the essence of the life force?"

"Is it pure energy, or a complex entity containing will, memory, and emotions?"

"If you treat it as an impurity and forcibly peel it off and purify it, you will naturally achieve less with more effort, but you will also have endless troubles in the future."

With a flick of his finger, the illusory array changed, and the runes representing the absorption of soul power suddenly enlarged.

Then, in an unbelievable way, Sun Haifeng reversed the entire array structure!

"You need to think in reverse."

Sun Haifeng's voice suddenly rose, "Don't think about how to refine it, don't plunder it, instead think about how to make the soul power generate automatically and gather together."

Shen Moyan felt as if he had been struck by lightning, his mind reeling!

But Sun Haifeng frowned slightly, waved his hand, and resumed his stern demeanor: "This is just a line of thought, not a specific method."

"The balance and the causal relationships involved are extremely difficult to control; a single misstep can lead to utter ruin."

"You'd better watch yourself."

After saying that, he closed his eyes to rest and said no more.

Knowing that his instruction was complete, Shen Moyan respectfully withdrew.

"Thank you for your guidance, Elder! I have finally understood!" Shen Moyan took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the shock in his heart, and stood up to bow deeply.

Upon returning to his quiet room, he immediately went into seclusion.

"The distracting thoughts and intentions contained within soul power are not obstacles; why not consider them... kindling?"

A glint of wisdom flashed in Shen Moyan's eyes.

"Using their obsession to ignite their soul power, stirring up the love, hatred, and grudges of the beings within the formation, causing them to burn each other, the resulting soul power becomes even purer!"

"But why didn't Lord Goose Formation make this arrangement?"

Yan Zhenjun was at least a grandmaster of array formations, so why didn't he do that?

After pondering for a long time, Shen Moyan came to a conclusion.

"Because of this, he can no longer fully control this Nascent Soul Dao Fruit."

"Zheng Quan... regime, heh, what a controlling old man."

Shen Moyan stroked his chin, thinking to himself.

Reversing the operation of the Great Array of All Beings creates a significant flaw, preventing the array setter from fully reaping the resulting Nascent Soul Dao Fruits.

"Now, even if I don't compete for the Nascent Soul Dao Fruit, I will have a way to restrain True Monarch Yanzhen."

If Shen Moyan could reverse the great formation for even a moment, he could destroy this Nascent Soul Dao Fruit, reducing Zheng Quan's entire effort to ashes.

Those who manipulate the common people will eventually incur their wrath.

"Hehe, let's start by developing in this direction."

After considering all aspects, Shen Moyan believed that it was necessary to have some backup plans.

A month later, Shen Moyan, who was studying formations, had a sudden realization.

"The time has come."

"Luo Changting, let me see what you've been up to all these years."

Shen Moyan smiled slightly.

…………

Outside Dongshan City, in a desolate forest.

The opera troupe's carriage moved slowly forward in the twilight.

Luo Changting sat in the car, closing his eyes to rest, but two completely different forces were slowly circulating within his body.

A righteous and peaceful energy, carrying the warmth of the rising sun, is the spiritual power of the "Azure Sun Rising Technique," flowing through the meridians and nourishing the body and soul.

The other is sinister and treacherous, hidden deep within the caves.

The "demon seed," which had been partially refined, emitted pure demonic energy, constantly eroding and transforming his physique.

With the resources and techniques bestowed upon him by the "Heavenly Demon," and his own ruthlessness, he managed to forcibly maintain a delicate balance between these two forces that should have been irreconcilable.

His cultivation has reached the seventh level of Qi Gathering, a remarkably rapid advancement.

But only those involved truly know the dangers and pain they endure.

"Too slow... The normal cultivation speed is not enough at all!" Luo Changting frowned.

"Next time, I'll have to trade cultivation directly with the Heavenly Demon..."

"Brother, we're almost at Dongshan City! I want to eat sugar figurines then!" Luo Hanchan leaned out of the car window, her little face full of anticipation.

Her complexion was much better than it had been a year ago.

The outline of the city wall could be vaguely seen in the distance, and the opera troupe was about to enter the city.

Suddenly, Luo Changting's nostrils twitched slightly, and he abruptly opened his eyes!

A pure and violent demonic aura, carrying the attraction of its own origin, emanated from the direction of Dongshan City!

"This demonic energy... is of extremely high grade! It far surpasses all my remnant soul demonic seeds!" Luo Changting's pupils shrank suddenly.

"Something's happened in the city!"

boom!!!

A loud bang suddenly came from the direction of the city wall!

Immediately following was a surge of demonic energy and chaotic fluctuations of spiritual power!

"Monsters are attacking the city!"

"It's a Gu Diao! Run!"

The piercing screams and cries of terror instantly shattered the tranquility of the setting sun.

A ferocious bird with a wingspan of hundreds of feet, resembling a giant eagle with a single horn on its head, was attacking the protective light shield of Dongshan City.

The light shield flickered erratically, appearing precarious.