The Ruins Spirits that had been surrounding the island seemed to sense an extremely terrifying existence as Han Xuanji and the others drew near.
They let out frightened shrieks and retreated like a tide, opening a path and daring not to obstruct them in the slightest.
They trembled, not daring to spare another glance at Han Xuanji or the Han You beside him.
The Nether Crow stared blankly at this scene of "universal avoidance," then puffed out its small chest and cawed proudly:
"See that! Stinky brat! This is Master Crow's might! These trash Ruins Spirits sensed the aura of this great master's return and were scared witless!"
Jiang Hao couldn't help but roll his eyes and complain:
"Oh, please. They are clearly afraid of Senior Brother Han. Does this have anything to do with you, even half a Spirit Stone's worth?"
"What do you know! This is called aura, and all powerful experts possess it!"
The Nether Crow talked tough, but its confidence was clearly lacking, as it secretly glanced at the calm-faced Han Xuanji.
Han Xuanji ignored their bickering and quietly observed the barrier.
The moment Han Xuanji touched the barrier, the System prompt sounded.
[Detected Eight-Star Check-in Location "Nine Nether Island." Do you wish to check in?]
"This is also an Eight-Star Check-in Location?"
Han Xuanji pondered internally; it seems this Nine Nether Devouring Phoenix is truly extraordinary.
"System, check in."
As Han Xuanji's thought moved, System prompts followed one after another.
[Congratulations Host for successfully checking in at the Eight-Star Check-in Location "Nine Nether Island." You have obtained the "Reincarnation Demon Refining Grand Formation Diagram."]
Han Xuanji nodded silently, not immediately studying the Formation Diagram, but continuing to check in.
[Congratulations Host for successfully checking in at the Eight-Star Check-in Location "Nine Nether Island." You have obtained the "Extinction Dao Art."]
[Congratulations Host for successfully checking in at the Eight-Star Check-in Location "Nine Nether Island." You have obtained the "life source core."]
After checking in three times, the System prompted that he could not continue checking in.
Han Xuanji nodded slightly; all three rewards were extraordinary.
The first reward was the Formation Diagram of the Reincarnation Demon Refining Grand Formation.
This item was the key to solving the problem before them.
As Han Xuanji claimed the reward, an instant torrent of vast and complex information surged into Han Xuanji's Sea of Consciousness.
That was not a simple blueprint, but an entire Legacy containing the complete knowledge of the supreme Formation!
It detailed every structure and node of this primordial grand Formation, as well as the mysteries of its connection to the Nether Sea Origin and its operating rules... This was equivalent to revealing all the secrets of this peerless grand Formation to Han Xuanji without reservation.
Soon, considering Han Xuanji was already a Formation Dao expert, his current understanding of this grand Formation was likely not far inferior to that of the original creator, Nirvana Dao Venerable.
"Not bad."
Han Xuanji comprehended the Formation Diagram and slowly opened his eyes.
The Divine Light contained within his pupils deepened, as if countless Great Dao runes were rising and falling within them.
Of the remaining two rewards, the Extinction Dao Art was a Legacy left behind by Nirvana Dao Venerable.
It contained his profound insights into the Great Dao of "Life and Death," "Reincarnation," "Destruction," and "Seal," along with supreme Divine Abilities.
This art pointed directly to the Hunyuan Realm, profound and unpredictable.
If he could comprehend it, it would provide immeasurable benefits to Han Xuanji in perfecting his own Dao and deepening his understanding of the Origin of various Great Daos.
The life source core was a top-tier Heaven And Earth Treasure.
It looked like a small emerald green bird and contained the power of the Origin "Life" Law.
Nirvana Dao Venerable had used this object to link the island and the grand Formation to the Nether Sea Origin, perfectly sealing the Nine Nether Devouring Phoenix.
At this time, the Han You and Jiang Hao were still pondering, while the Nether Crow was desperate to get in but was blocked, pacing anxiously.
With a wave of his hand, Han Xuanji found the weak point of the Formation.
Protecting the two people and the crow, he easily penetrated the barrier and formally stepped onto the sealed island.
As soon as they entered the island's interior, the terrifying sense of oppression instantly increased by several levels.
The dark red sky hung low, seemingly composed of congealed blood.
Countless massive dark golden chains, like living mountain ranges, crisscrossed the Void Realm, emitting a low, eternal roar.
At the core of the chains, an indescribably massive dark shadow was restrained.
Just one glance made one feel as though their Divine Soul would be sucked in—that was the Nine Nether Devouring Phoenix!
However, careful observation revealed that this peerless grand Formation indeed had a problem.
At the joints of some chains, the dark gold runes that should have been running smoothly now looked somewhat dim and flickering, and some areas even showed subtle cracks.
"Wuwuwu... My shackles... How did they become like this!"
The Nether Crow looked at the problematic chains, and instead of being happy, sorrow welled up, and it cried even more sadly.
"This is the supreme grand Formation that Seals me! How can it be so dilapidated!"
It flew to a rune with a subtle crack, carefully touched it with its small wing, and lamented bitterly:
"This wear and tear! It's simply a pearl covered in dust, a treasured blade rusting! It's too cheap! It severely damages my identity as the Nine Nether Devouring Phoenix!"
Jiang Hao watched the Nether Crow lamenting the damage to the grand Formation that Sealed it, and the corner of his mouth twitched even harder.
This fellow's thought process is truly beyond ordinary comprehension.
Even Han Xuanji couldn't help but spare it an extra glance because of its circuitous thinking.
The Han You was puzzled, looking at the whimpering Nether Crow, and asked:
"If it's broken, shouldn't you be happy? Why are you still crying?"
The Nether Crow heard this and explained:
"It's like... like the prison cell holding a peerless criminal.
It must be fortified with copper walls and iron barriers, impregnable, to match the status of the prisoner, right?
Now that the prison cell itself is failing, it makes me, the one locked inside, lose a lot of Face!"
"Moreover, if the grand Formation is broken, and I still can't get out, doesn't that make me look incompetent?"
Everyone: "..."
Jiang Hao was speechless.
He motioned for it to shut up, then mused:
"In that case, wouldn't dismantling the grand Formation be easier?"
"Hmm..."
Han Xuanji's gaze swept over the entire grand Formation.
A faint light flashed in his double pupils, and he slowly spoke:
"These are... Dao-Devouring Worms?"
Han Xuanji quickly discovered the trick.
He had originally thought some special Ruins Spirits had sneaked in and damaged the grand Formation, but it turned out to be Dao-Devouring Worms.
They were extremely small, like miniature beetles, entirely semi-transparent dark gold, but their mouthparts were exceptionally sharp.
They were constantly gnawing at the Great Dao Law energy circulating within the rune structures!
It was these inconspicuous little things that, over the long years, had slowly hollowed out the Foundation of the grand Formation.
"Dao-Devouring Worms? What are those things?"
The Nether Crow followed Han Xuanji's gaze.
It also saw the Dao-Devouring Worms burrowing in and out of the chains, and even... some had already penetrated deep into its own body.
"Caw! So it's these damned little bugs!"
The Nether Crow screamed in anger, and immediately, it associated this with many unpleasant images.