Oh no!
Red Wine cursed inwardly, but it was too late for him to retract his leg.
In the next instant, the Sanguine Formation spun wildly. It was as fast as Xue Wuheng's Traceless Crimson Moon, which was formed by the World Grinding Plate.
A monstrous stench of blood gushed out of the Sanguine Formation, accompanied by a bone-chilling aura. It transformed into a terrifying "force" that slammed towards Red Wine!
Although this kind of "Force" attack seemed to have a form, it was actually an intangible thing.
Just like the Qi and Blood Dragon in the second round, it was an unknown and mysterious energy.
It could be seen clearly with the naked eye, but it could not collide with it.
Once this "force" appeared, it instantly arrived in front of Red Wine. Under his incredulous gaze, it suddenly dispersed.
In an instant, the scarlet force enveloped Red Wine like a fairy scattering flowers. It erupted with a terrifying suction force that pulled him toward the Sanguine Formation.
"It's a Heaven-level formation!"
Seeing this, Xue Wuheng exclaimed once again, and his face was filled with disbelief.
Formations were divided into four levels: Heaven, Earth, Black, and Yellow. Yellow was secondary, and Heaven was the top.
The reason why Heaven-level formations were so terrifying was that they had spiritual intelligence and could attack autonomously. They were just like normal humans, except that they did not have a human body.
That was why Heaven-level formations were the best among all formations, be it for defense or attack.
Not only was its power terrifying, but it was also unpredictable. Ordinary people would not be able to escape death if they stepped into it.
Xue Wuheng took a deep breath and immediately took out his Crimson Moon Scimitar.
Even though his Star Power recovery speed was far slower than Red Wine's, he had recovered more than half with the help of the Star Guiding Stone.
"Traceless Crimson Moon!"
Xue Wuheng roared furiously. He held the scimitar with both hands and slashed it down!
In an instant, a semicircle of blood-red saber aura streaked across the sky like a crescent moon and crashed into the Sanguine Formation in the blink of an eye!
Bam …!
An earth-shattering noise was heard, and the rapidly spinning Sanguine Formation paused for a moment.
Now's the time!
Red Wine took this opportunity to channel all his Star Power into his right leg and kicked it hard.
Bam!
The Sanguine Formation that had stopped spinning completely stopped as the loud noise was heard.
In the nick of time, Red Wine immediately retracted his right foot that had stepped into the Sanguine Formation.
"This formation is extremely strange, and it possesses a mysterious, unfathomable, and terrifying suction force. Once one steps foot into it, it'll be extremely difficult to struggle free!"
Red Wine's figure disappeared as he stepped through space. Only his solemn voice reverberated in the sky.
In the next instant, Red Wine appeared in front of Xue Wuhen and Wang Xian 'er. His delicate face was solemn.
Red Wine already knew how terrifying this stage was after spending less than two to three seconds with the Sanguine Formation.
This array formation had already reached the Heaven Rank, but no one knew exactly what rank it was.
However, even Red Wine, whose soul was half a step away from the Star Plucking State, shuddered in fear at the overwhelming stench of blood and the murderous aura that made one feel as if they had fallen into an icehouse.
If you were to fall into it, I'm afraid that you would be refined into a puddle of blood in a short moment! "
"The third test really lives up to its reputation. If we're unable to pass through it, then it's undoubtedly a pipe dream to think of arriving at the Middle Peak."
After listening to Red Wine's explanation, Xue Wuhen even thought that they could pass through the third stage effortlessly. However, it seemed like they had been overthinking.
As the last stage in the Demonic Flame Ruins, there were very few rumors about the Sanguine Formation.
This was because there were very few people who could escape this stage alive. Even if they were lucky enough to break through the formation, they wouldn't be able to successfully reach the Middle Peak.
Because of this, the third stage in the Demonic Flame Ruins had a long and fearsome reputation. It was known as the stage where even gods and demons would find it difficult to pass through.
Red Wine had no idea what to do as he watched the Sanguine Formation resume its slow rotation.
He had noticed that the Sanguine Formation was erratic, appearing and disappearing from time to time, and that it wasn't in a fixed position.
Hence, he came up with a plan. He wanted to use his fastest speed to avoid the Sanguine Formation and reach the Middle Peak of the Demonic Flame Ruins without any effort.
However, Red Wine was alarmed when he only had one foot in the Sanguine Formation.
This was especially so when the overwhelming stench of blood and the ice-cold murderous aura completely enveloped him. Red Wine felt his entire body turn cold, as if he had fallen into an icehouse.
A wave of disgust rose from his heart for no reason. It instantly enveloped his entire body, causing him to shudder in fear.
The most frightening thing was that the overwhelming stench of blood seemed to be able to taint everything in the world.
The moment he was enveloped, Red Wine felt his spirit and astral power slow down. It was as if he had fallen into a bottomless swamp.
This was especially so for his spirit power. It was being consumed at an unprecedented rate!
Red Wine knew that this was one of the most prominent functions of the Sanguine Formation: devouring spirits!
Red Wine felt a strong sense of unease when he thought about his half-step Star Plucking spirit being trapped in the Sanguine Formation.
This was because his greatest reliance was like chicken ribs in the face of the Sanguine Formation. It wasn't even worth mentioning.
Not only that, but the Sanguine Formation could continuously strengthen while his spirit was being devoured. This was the most frightening thing about it!
Various thoughts flashed across Red Wine's mind, and he was at a loss for what to do.
The blood and murderous aura emitted by countless powerhouses before their deaths had accumulated over countless years and finally formed a terrifying Heaven-ranked formation.
Up until now, no one had discovered just how many strange and unfathomable abilities this formation possessed.
It would be extremely difficult to break this formation and reach the Middle Peak of the Demonic Flame Ruins.
"It seems like we have to force our way through this formation. There's no other way."
Xue Wuheng frowned as he looked at the Sanguine Formation that was slowly rotating. It disappeared and reappeared from time to time. His voice was as deep as water.
Red Wine's heart skipped a beat when he heard this. If all three of them entered the Sanguine Formation and unleashed their strongest cultivation, would they be able to burst the formation?
Even though the Sanguine Formation could devour spirit power, his half-step Star Plucking spirit power would be able to resist a true Star Plucking spirit power if he unleashed it in an instant.
In addition, Xue Wuheng was a seventh-stage Star Plucking cultivator, as well as Wang Xian 'er's frighteningly powerful spirit power.
If the three of them attacked together, even a Heaven-ranked formation would explode in an instant!
Red Wine immediately conveyed his thoughts to Xue Wuheng through his spirit voice transmission. He didn't expect Xue Wuheng to frown deeply and shake his head.
"If it's just a Heaven-ranked formation, the three of us should be able to burst it if we unleash our full power. However, this is the Demonic Flame Ruins. Anything is possible.
"Moreover, as far as I know, no one has ever successfully passed the three stages and reached the Middle Peak of the Demonic Flame Ruins. One can imagine how terrifying this Sanguine Formation is!"
Xue Wuheng emphasized the last sentence as if he was deliberately emphasizing it.
Red Wine frowned deeply when he heard this. He didn't have a clue for a moment.
"The foundation of the formation is based on the five elements. Metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Not a single one of them can be omitted. They are all interlinked, and they reinforce and counteract each other."
A crisp female voice rang out. Red Wine and Xue Wuheng immediately looked in the direction of the voice.
Wang Xian 'er's pretty face was a little red. Her bright, curved eyes ignored everyone else and stared straight at Red Wine.
It was as if there was nothing else in the world except red wine in her eyes.
"Brother, Xian 'er isn't very familiar with formations, but she knows the foundation of their existence.
"No matter what grade the formation is, it can't escape the five elements. The stronger the power of the five elements, the more powerful the formation will be."
With that, an undetectable glint flashed across Wang Xian 'er's beautiful eyes. "To put it simply, the power of the five elements is five completely different types of energy. They reinforce and counteract each other. They are all interlinked, and they grow and multiply endlessly.
"If you want to destroy a powerful formation formed by the power of the five elements, you need a sixth type of energy with a completely different type of energy to break the balance. Only then can you destroy the formation."
Following Wang Xian 'er's last word, the entire place suddenly fell silent. It was a deathly silence.
Red Wine and Xue Wuheng stared at Wang Xian 'er, dumbfounded.
After a moment, their faces were filled with disbelief.
If they hadn't heard it with their own ears and seen it with their own eyes, they wouldn't have believed that such profound insights could come from a soul cultivator who couldn't store astral power in her dantian and could only cultivate her spirit. Moreover, she had only reached the Condensing Soul realm.
One had to know that the reason why powerhouses were revered by countless people wasn't just because their cultivation was peerless, but also because their insights and knowledge were unique and close to the truth.
Ordinary cultivators wouldn't be able to articulate such profound insights, except for those who had cultivated for countless years.
It wasn't that they couldn't articulate them, but that they couldn't understand them.
However, Wang Xian 'er was actually able to articulate such profound insights in such a simple manner. It was truly unbelievable.
"Xian 'er, you …"
Red Wine's voice suddenly stopped mid-sentence. He didn't know how to ask Wang Xian 'er.
Ever since Wang Xian 'er had killed Ye Rushui, Red Wine knew that his impression of Wang Xian' er had changed.
Even though Wang Xian 'er was still the same as before, she hadn't changed at all.
However, in Red Wine's heart, Wang Xian 'er had unknowingly become someone he wasn't familiar with.
Every time he recalled the scene of Ye Rushui's slender finger exploding, Red Wine felt as if Wang Xian 'er was shrouded in a fog that wouldn't disperse. He couldn't see her true nature.
"Brother, Xian 'er was just speaking casually. No one knows if that's the truth. What I said just now was just Xian' er's personal opinion. It can't be taken seriously."
Red Wine was speechless when he heard this. He subconsciously looked at Xue Wuheng, who shot him a look without anyone noticing.
Red Wine immediately understood. Then, he smiled bitterly. "Xian 'er, I've never heard of such a saying before, but I believe that it's definitely true. However, where can we find a sixth elemental energy that can be compared to the Power of the Five Elements?"
Xue Wuheng followed up. "That's right. The Power of the Five Elements is the foundation of a world. It's like the foundation of a house.
"There are many types of energy that surpass the Power of the Five Elements. For example, the power of the stars, the power of the spirit, and the power of the laws that are said to be the most powerful under the Heavenly Dao. All of these exceed the Power of the Five Elements.
"If we want to use a sixth type of energy that is completely different from the Power of the Five Elements to break the balance of the Power of the Five Elements, I'm afraid it'll be a little difficult to break this formation, because there isn't a sixth type of energy here!"
Although Xue Wuheng's spirit was inferior to Red Wine's, he was much stronger than Red Wine in terms of cultivation.
Moreover, he had lived for thousands of years. Whether it was knowledge or experience, he was far superior to Red Wine.
In addition, he was the city lord of Chaos City. He knew ancient secrets and all kinds of rumors that no one knew about. He could be considered one of the best.
It was precisely because he knew so much that Xue Wuheng could hit the nail on the head with his words.
"No matter what, we have to break this formation!"
Red Wine said in a deep voice after pondering for a moment. His voice was as cold as ice and powerful.
Red Wine might have chosen to give up if he hadn't broken through the Blood and Qi Dragon.
However, he had already broken through two stages. Only the last stage was stopping him from advancing.
Furthermore, this stage was only a formation, and not an unknown danger. The difficulty was much lower.
Although Red Wine still didn't have a way to break the formation, he was confident that he could break through the Blood and Qi Dragon Formation, reach the middle peak of the Demonic Flame Ruins, and obtain part of the inheritance of the Buried Heaven Divine Emperor!
"Senior Red Wine, you and Xian 'er should stay here for now. I'll go and test it out first."
Red Wine stepped out and disappeared without waiting for Wang Xian 'er and Xue Wuheng to reply.
In the next instant, Red Wine appeared above the Blood and Qi Dragon Formation.
Red Wine's figure was as fast as lightning as he used his Roving Body footwork. He was like a wisp of green smoke, appearing and disappearing from time to time.
He was like a bolt of lightning that cut through the pitch-black night of a violent storm. He was erratic and untraceable.
Such a movement technique was strange and ethereal to the extreme. Even amongst those of the same cultivation realm, there was no one that could compare to it.
Even Xue Wuheng could not help but sigh in amazement when he saw this. "This movement technique really is unfathomable!"
Although Xue Wuheng's cultivation was far greater than Red Wine's, he was completely convinced after witnessing the power and speed of Red Wine's soul.
Even though Red Wine's cultivation had not reached the Full Star realm, his soul had reached the level of half a step into the Star Plucking realm. It was unprecedented.
After all, Red Wine's cultivation was only at the fourth layer of the Star Tempering realm, but his soul had far surpassed his cultivation. It was known as the greatest on the Starsource Continent.
If he wanted to rule over the Starsource Continent with his strength, he would definitely be invincible, even though it would not be easy.
In a split second, Red Wine stomped heavily on the Blood and Qi Dragon Formation. Something shocking happened.
The Blood and Qi Dragon Formation that had been spinning slowly suddenly began to spin rapidly. It immediately turned into a blurry, blood-red figure.
From afar, it seemed like a blood-red flood that flowed endlessly.
At first glance, the blood-red flood seemed to rise out of nowhere, spinning constantly as if it could devour everything in the world.
From afar, it seemed like a blood-red vortex, devouring everything in the world.
All of the attacks were reduced to nothingness in that moment. An extremely violent pressure enveloped the space, causing everything to come to a standstill in that moment! "
"You can't kill me. There's only half of me left!"
In a split second, a red beam's indifferent voice suddenly rang out from the Blood and Qi Dragon Formation. Red Wine and the other two were immediately filled with disbelief.
(End of this chapter)