Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 1422 - 900: Taiyin Cold Pond Array, Activate! (Part 2)

His decision to act today wasn't arbitrary; it was propelled by the day's unexpected wind and rain.

Yet, what appeared as a surprise to others was a predictable occurrence in his estimation.

With the opportune moment, the strategic location, and the transformation water, the Taiyin Cold Pond Array was finally established.

A chilling aura spread, and within the grand formation, faint glimmers of cold light materialized. These weren't frost or snow, but minuscule crystals formed from the condensed Taiyin cold air.

These delicate crystals of frigid air dispersed into the heavens and earth, blanketing the vast river.

The river's turbulence ceased; its constant flow subsided, as if the entire body of water had turned to ice. However, this was an illusion; beyond the periphery of the Great Array, the river's powerful currents persisted.

Conversely, on the other side, within the mountain stream, the river began to dwindle.

The Great Array effectively severed the river's flow, siphoning its waters like a colossal beast, or more precisely, extracting the water vapor from the underlying water vein.

Meanwhile, aboard the flying boat, Xu Mingzhu's countenance grew as grim as if shrouded in lead. Through gritted teeth, he spat out, "Damn that scoundrel!"

It became starkly clear to them that they had walked right into Yang Zhenshan's carefully laid trap.

The transition from hunter to the hunted occurred in the blink of an eye.

"Argh, where is that miserable rat? I'll tear him apart!" Zhou Tu bellowed, equally incensed.

"Silence!" Xu Mingzhu snapped, his voice sharp and cold.

Zhou Tu's expression flickered, but he swallowed his rage and fell silent.

Xu Mingzhu then turned his gaze towards his subordinates and Master Zhou within the cabin.

This expedition had been meticulously planned; he had not only enlisted Master Zhou but also brought along six Foundation Establishment cultivators – comrades forged through decades of shared hardships.

Despite Xu Mingzhu's reputation for ruthlessness, he had always treated his loyal followers with respect.

It was this very conduct that had secured his esteemed position as the Hall Master of the Fiery Flame Hall.

"Master Zhou! Take a look at this!"

Though anger simmered within him, Xu Mingzhu remained composed, undeterred by their entrapment.

He had, after all, brought an Array Master on this critical journey.

Master Zhou, a second-order Array Master affiliated with the Thousand Array Alliance of White Cloud Immortal City, possessed the expertise to erect various second-order arrays, excelling particularly in sealing and offensive formations.

With such a skilled Array Master at his side, Xu Mingzhu harbored significant confidence.

Observing the cold light clinging tenaciously to the flying boat's protective shield, Master Zhou calmly responded, "Please bear with me for a moment, Master Xu!"

With that, he disembarked from the flying boat, hovering in mid-air as he surveyed the great river and the mountains below.

Xu Mingzhu contemplated briefly before declaring, "Let us also disembark!"

Though the flying boat was equipped with a protective array, its capabilities were limited. As a medium-sized vessel, its defenses were rudimentary, insufficient to withstand the onslaught of a full-fledged Great Array.

Remaining confined to the flying boat might hinder their agility; it was a wiser course of action to exit and confront the array directly.

The moment he and his companions stepped out, their expressions transformed.

An unearthly chill penetrated their bodies, threatening to freeze them solid.

Ordinary cold was no match for them, but this chilling influence seeped into their very meridians, insidiously freezing their internal organs and their Dantian Qi Sea. Simply being exposed to it sent a faint numbness through their limbs.

"Master Zhou!" Xu Mingzhu urgently addressed the Array Master once more.

Master Zhou's brow furrowed as he stated, "This is the Taiyin Array, constructed utilizing the cold essence of water veins and enveloped by the pervasive Taiyin cold air."

"To dismantle the array, there are three primary methods: locate the array's core, sever the underground water vein supplying it, or identify a vulnerability within the Great Array and forcefully shatter a crucial array node!"

It was evident why he was revered as an Array Master, swiftly deciphering the true nature of the Taiyin Cold Spring Array.

In comparison to Master Zhou, Ma Qiuyan and Ning Yun were significantly outmatched. Master Zhou, renowned throughout White Cloud Immortal City for a century, was a profound master of the Array Dao.

Ma Qiuyan and Ning Yun's combined ages barely reached a century, highlighting the immense disparity.

Yet, the Dao of Arrays remained an infinitely vast and profound discipline; regardless of one's experience, no one could claim complete mastery over every array conceivable.

Though Master Zhou recognized the Taiyin Cold Spring Array, he had yet to pinpoint its core or detect any discernible breach.

He frowned, his eyes glowing with a deep azure light as he meticulously scanned their surroundings.

"All of you, remain vigilant; an attack could come at any moment!"

Following his command, Xu Mingzhu and the others fanned out, forming a protective circle around Master Zhou, poised for combat.

Beyond the confines of the array, Yang Zhenshan observed their every movement.

Xuanzhen and Yang Jizhen approached him. Xuanzhen inquired, "Can we initiate our move now?"

"Patience, let us wait a little longer!" Yang Zhenshan replied calmly.

The Taiyin Cold Pond Array was designed for subtle annihilation; the longer one remained within its influence, the more severe the cold erosion and the greater the debilitating effect on their strength.

Moreover, Ma Qiuyan and Ning Yun had not yet achieved Foundation Establishment, their cultivation levels were quite restricted. A large number of Foundation Establishment cultivators engaging in combat within the array could potentially impede their command over it.

As moments crawled by, the chill emanating from within the formation intensified.

Xu Mingzhu and his companions’ countenances grew increasingly severe, their faces paling, not from rage or distress, but from the encroaching cold that seeped into their very beings.

"Senior Yun Xiao, you shall engage Zhou Tu. Your sole objective is to eliminate him!" Yang Zhenshan commanded.

"Understood, that won’t be a problem!" Yun Xiao readily agreed.

"Xuanzhen and Bai Xiaoyun, your task is to keep the others occupied. Merely stall them, exercise caution, and ensure your safety!" Yang Zhenshan further instructed.

"We understand!"

"Yes!"

The two responded in unison.

"Jizhen!" Yang Zhenshan’s gaze fell upon Yang Jizhen, whose cultivation was the lowest among them, having only recently reached Foundation Establishment and positioning him as nearly the weakest of the Foundation Establishment cultivators present.

"Your duty is to protect Qiuyan and Ning Yun!"

"Ancestor, I…"

Yang Zhenshan waved him off, asserting, "In this engagement, our priority is survival, not reckless heroism!"

The elimination of Xu Mingzhu would be a desirable outcome, but incurring unnecessary losses to achieve it would be foolish.

"Yes!" Yang Jizhen, perceiving the unyielding resolve in Yang Zhenshan’s demeanor, ceased his protest.

Yang Zhenshan surveyed the scene unfolding within the array, observing Xu Mingzhu's group expending their spiritual power to ward off the pervasive cold. His eyes gleamed with a golden light.

"It is time, let us make our move!"

With that declaration, he produced a restriction token, activating it. A subtle, azure spiritual essence enveloped his person.

This token, specifically designed for the Taiyin Cold Spring Array, served to deflect the frigid onslaught and acted as a means for the formation to distinguish friend from foe.

He cast his gaze upwards towards the tempestuous, ominous clouds, a hint of green lightning flickering within his pupils.

"I shall take the vanguard!"

Before his words had fully dissipated, he stepped into the bounds of the array.

The pervasive cold transformed into a fine mist, interspersed with glimmers of frigid light. Upon crossing into the array, Yang Zhenshan was immediately assailed by an intense, bone-chilling cold. However, shielded by the restriction token, the Taiyin cold failed to penetrate his defenses.

Having entered the formation, his form blurred, and in a flash, he materialized above Xu Mingzhu's contingent.

Jingle~~

A sharp, resonant bell chime suddenly echoed through the air.

Sound waves rippled outwards, and everyone in the vicinity experienced a wave of disorientation. They had been preoccupied with expelling the cold and had not anticipated a sudden assault.

Furthermore, Yang Zhenshan's attack was executed with startling abruptness. The confluence of spatial displacement and the soul-assaulting power of the Soul-Attracting Bell proved overwhelming, catching them completely unprepared from the outset.

Amidst their momentary dizziness, Yang Zhenshan unleashed the Soul-breaking Cone.

Two Soul-breaking Cones were projected, their tips piercing directly into the Sea of Consciousness of two cultivators at the early stage of Foundation Establishment.

One target was Xu Mingzhu, and the other was Zhou Tu's third sister, along with Mo Xuanyu.

While the Soul-breaking Cone itself was not an exceptionally potent magical treasure, being a rather common item for divine soul attacks, the Soul-Attracting Bell was, by comparison, a far more precious artifact than the Soul-breaking Cone.

Caught utterly off guard, these two early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators plummeted headlong towards the river below.

They were not yet deceased, but their survival was now highly improbable. With their divine souls critically wounded and the Taiyin cold relentlessly eroding them, no further action was necessary; in a short span, their lives would inevitably be extinguished.