Chapter 319: Small Nine-Turn Linked Formation!

The eighteen sword puppets shifted their positions, and Mei Zhen and the others immediately felt immense pressure!

Seeing this, Ye Yuan's expression changed.

"Ye Yuan, this... is this a sword formation? I feel like these guys have suddenly become much stronger? But their auras are still at late Condensation Crystal stage!" Tianyu said, puzzled.

Ye Yuan's face was unusually solemn as he said in a low voice, "Third-rank sword formation—Small Nine-Turn Linked Formation!"

Not noticing Ye Yuan's expression, Tianyu relaxed upon hearing it was only a third-rank formation. "So it's just a third-rank formation. That's not so bad!"

"Not so bad, my ass!" Ye Yuan couldn't help but curse. "Although these eighteen sword puppets are only at late Condensation Crystal stage, with this formation's enhancement, their combat power is definitely not inferior to Elder Mei at full strength!"

"What did you say? You mean these eighteen sword puppets are comparable to a third-level Ocean Transformation martial artist? How... how is that possible?" Tianyu was utterly incredulous.

An Ocean Transformation martial artist completely overwhelms a Condensation Crystal martial artist; numbers alone cannot make up for the gap.

Not to mention eighteen Condensation Crystal ninth-level fighters, even twenty-eight or thirty-eight couldn't defeat a first-level Ocean Transformation martial artist.

Yet now, Ye Yuan claimed that the formation formed by these eighteen sword puppets could stand up to a third-level Ocean Transformation martial artist.

Such an enhancement was simply too terrifying, wasn't it?

Ye Yuan sneered, "Heh, for a formation grandmaster, nothing is impossible."

Ye Yuan held back half of what he wanted to say: if the current Lu Linfeng were to set up the Small Nine-Turn Linked Formation, these eighteen sword puppets could directly leap across a major realm and fight a ninth-level Ocean Transformation martial artist without issue.

These sword puppets before them were at most equivalent to Lu Linfeng's level from several thousand years ago, pathetically weak.

Although Ye Yuan was thoroughly displeased with Lu Linfeng, when it came to formations, Ye Yuan was convinced despite his reluctance to admit it.

This man's insight into formations was absolutely the best in the Divine Realm!

His self-created 'Nine Scrolls of Formation Dao' was a coveted treasure for formation masters in the Divine Realm, and even Ye Yuan was extremely envious. If not for that, why would he have made a bet with Lu Linfeng?

Ye Yuan was no fool; he knew he was no match for Lu Linfeng, but the temptation of the 'Nine Scrolls of Formation Dao' was still extremely strong for him.

In his previous life, Ye Yuan's attainment in formations was second only to alchemy. If he could advance further in formations, he might make further progress in alchemy.

"But... Ye Yuan, a third-rank formation shouldn't be a problem for you, right? After all, you easily walked out of a fourth-rank grand formation," Mo Yuntian interjected.

Ye Yuan shook his head. "I'm not entirely confident!"

Everyone was stunned. Ye Yuan had navigated the terrifying Absolute Flame Barrier as if it were his own home, yet he said he wasn't confident against a third-rank formation?

This was truly hard to believe!

Sensing their confusion, Ye Yuan added, "The understanding of formations also has its levels. The same formation in different hands can unleash completely different power. Although this Small Nine-Turn Linked Formation is low in rank, it is extremely difficult to break!"

Only then did everyone understand—it was the same principle as comprehending artistic conception.

But if even Ye Yuan wasn't confident in breaking the formation, weren't they all in danger?

"Here they come!"

Everyone tensed up as the sword puppets flicked their long swords, sending out fierce sword qi that made them extremely uncomfortable.

"Swish, swish, swish..."

The sword puppets moved with incredible agility, instantly scattering the formation of the eight from Nethercloud Sect.

Ye Yuan moved swiftly, darting to Pang Wannian's side and deflecting a sword that was about to stab him in the back, while shouting, "Elder Mei, the yuan force restriction here is gone. You can go all out against these sword puppets!"

Mei Zhen was overjoyed at this, and his aura instantly surged, elevating his strength to the third level of the Sea of Transformation!

Indeed, within this great hall, the Heavenly Thunder Locking Array was actually suppressed!

With Mei Zhen's formidable strength holding the line, the pressure on the other disciples suddenly eased considerably.

Yet even so, the others, including Mo Yuntian, were still in constant peril!

It was then that they finally understood what Ye Yuan had meant; the power of this Small Nine-Turn Linked Ring Array was truly terrifying.

Even Mo Yuntian, a late-stage Crystal Condensation cultivator, found himself hard-pressed when facing one of the sword puppets.

After just a few exchanges, he was already on the verge of collapse.

These eighteen sword puppets were paired in groups of two, with each attack interlocking, leaving no chance for the opponent to catch a breath.

Moreover, the attacks of these nine groups of sword puppets had a cumulative effect, each strike stronger than the last, so even Mei Zhen, a third-level Sea of Transformation expert, dared not confront them head-on.

This Small Nine-Turn Linked Ring Array was utterly flawless, like a seamlessly integrated attack machine!

From the very beginning, Ye Yuan had been rushing about, shielding and supporting his fellow disciples left and right.

If not for Ye Yuan, several people would likely have already fallen to the swords of the puppets.

At this moment, Ye Yuan had already cursed Lu Linfeng's ancestors countless times in his heart.

Yet this Small Nine-Turn Linked Ring Array was so profound that even with Ye Yuan's mastery of formations, he could only manage to protect himself within it.

A sword puppet appeared silently behind Tianyu, its long sword thrusting unhesitatingly toward his back.

Ye Yuan's eyes narrowed, and with a flash, he moved to Tianyu's side, pulling him hard, narrowly dodging the fatal strike!

Even so, Tianyu was still pierced in the shoulder blade by the sword puppet.

With this injury, Tianyu's strength would be greatly diminished.

Ye Yuan was extremely anxious; if this continued, there would surely be casualties!

Ye Yuan's mind raced, knowing that passive defense would not work. He suddenly shouted at Mei Zhen, "Elder Mei, take over protecting the other senior brothers!"

Although Mei Zhen was now fighting at full strength, he was completely at a disadvantage within the formation, and the more he fought, the more alarmed he became.

He could feel that if he faced this formation alone, he would ultimately be defeated and killed!

Eighteen late-Condensation puppets capable of killing a third-layer Sea Transformation expert—this was utterly inconceivable!

Hearing Ye Yuan's shout, Mei Zhen without a word immediately turned his sword to take Ye Yuan's place.

Although he was not well-versed in formations, his cultivation level was there, so he could hold off the attacks for the others for a short time.

"Ye Yuan, hurry up, I'm afraid I can't hold on much longer!" Mei Zhen urged anxiously.

The attacks of the eighteen sword puppets were dazzling; Mei Zhen could briefly block for the others, but over time, he would inevitably slip up.

Ye Yuan ducked to avoid a sword puppet's strike and said in a low voice, "Give me ten breaths!"

Mei Zhen gritted his teeth and said, "Fine!"

Ten breaths—the time of ten inhalations—to find the flaw in this formation was far too difficult.

Yet Ye Yuan had no other choice; he had to burn his bridges!

Taking a deep breath, Ye Yuan actually closed his eyes, instantly entering a state of utter tranquility!