Just as the "Sky-Piercing Shuttle" project advanced at a brisk pace, another critical plan crucial to victory in the final battle was simultaneously launching—an undertaking whose scale, resource requirements, and mobilized manpower even surpassed the former. This was the restoration of the ancient foremost killing formation, the "Zhou Tian Star Formation!"
At the alliance headquarters, the "Myriad Phenomena Formation Derivation Platform," specially opened for formation research. This was not an open-air space, but rather a massive spherical chamber whose inner walls, made of special materials, could perfectly project the movements of the heavens and stars, simulating various celestial phenomena and energy environments. Now, on the inner walls of the spherical space, a vast and boundless star map was slowly flowing—countless stars dotting the sky, the Milky Way brilliant, as if a real night sky had been brought indoors.
Tang Xiao Qi, Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng, and over a hundred masters of formation techniques within the alliance gathered here. Human formation school leaders, demon clan Great Sages skilled in innate totems and natural formation patterns, sea clan elders commanding tidal and stellar forces... nearly all living formation legends had appeared here.
All eyes were focused on the center of the spherical space, where a broken, antiquated jade slip—yet one still emanating a sense of vast antiquity—floated. Faint traces of the characters "Zhou Tian" were visible on its surface. This was precisely the remnant text of the "Zhou Tian Star Formation" that the alliance had obtained at tremendous cost from the depths of an ancient sect's ruins, long since annihilated in the river of history.
Xiao Qi's expression was solemn as his massive Spirit Transformation stage spiritual sense carefully probed into that broken jade slip. In an instant, a torrent of information—seemingly from the primordial chaos—with countless shattered star images, inscrutable formation patterns, and ancient incantations for drawing upon stellar power, flooded into his sea of consciousness.
Even with his Spirit Transformation cultivation and soul strength far beyond ordinary people, he felt a bout of intense dizziness, as if momentarily bearing the weight of an entire star field. He grunted, his face paling slightly, but his eyes grew ever brighter.
"How is it?" Senior Brother asked with concern.
Xiao Qi slowly withdrew his spiritual sense, drew a deep breath, suppressed his churning qi, and said heavily: "Over sixty percent is missing. The core formation diagram is severely damaged. Many key energy node connections and stellar invocation incantations have been lost. However... the formation principles it contains, its grand concept of communicating with stars and borrowing power from the universe, truly shake heaven and earth!"
He surveyed the crowd, his tone grave beyond measure: "According to the remnant records and my deductions, the complete Zhou Tian Star Formation requires gathering three hundred and sixty-five Nascent Soul cultivators, corresponding to the number of primary stars in the celestial circuit. Each occupies a formation eye, drawing upon the power of their corresponding star with their Nascent Soul. Additionally, forty-eight thousand lesser stars serve as the outer barrier, commanded by Golden Core and Foundation Establishment cultivators. Finally, all stellar power converges at the formation's core, controlled by a cultivator of at least Spirit Transformation stage, directing the majestic stellar force. Its might... is sufficient to cleanse the universe and destroy all laws!"
"Three hundred and sixty-five Nascent Soul cultivators?!" A formation master from the Central Plains Imperial Dynasty couldn't help but cry out, his face full of horror. "This... this would require drawing upon nearly half of our Three Realms Alliance's Nascent Soul power! And they need elemental attributes and cultivation methods subtly aligned with the Zhou Tian stars. The requirements for the commander are even more extreme!"
Upon hearing this, everyone present inhaled sharply. This condition was truly too stringent! Nascent Soul cultivators, regardless of which clan, were top-tier combat power, the mainstay. Mobilizing so many Nascent Soul cultivators at once, with attribute requirements, would be an enormous test for the Three Realms' own defense and operations.
"Not only that," added a demon clan Great Sage—his true form a Bai Ze who understood astronomy, "drawing upon Zhou Tian stellar power requires specific timing and specific locations. The requirements for heavenly timing and geographical advantage are also extremely high. Moreover, with such massive convergence of stellar power, if control falters, it would harm allies before harming enemies. The pressure on the core person commanding the formation would be unimaginable!"
Difficulties piled upon difficulties. It seemed an impossible task.
Yet Xiao Qi's gaze remained resolute. He pointed to the star map projection flowing on the inner walls of the surrounding spherical space, his voice ringing: "Precisely because it is difficult does it demonstrate its power! The demon nest is hidden in the void; ordinary means cannot find it, much less destroy it. The Zhou Tian Star Formation draws upon the universe's primordial stellar power—its force can penetrate the void and ignore most spatial barriers! Once formed and locked onto the demon nest, it would be a thunderous strike! This is the only means we can currently conceive that could positively destroy that demon nest!"
He looked at the old formation master who had raised objections, at the demon clan Great Sage with a difficult expression, at every formation master present: "I know it's difficult. But the demonic entity will not give us a second chance. We must give everything, wager everything!"
Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng stepped forward, his voice steady and powerful: "The Alliance Master speaks rightly. The mobilization of Nascent Soul cultivators will be coordinated by the alliance. I will personally oversee selection and coordination, ensuring basic defensive lines are not compromised! In terms of resources, the alliance treasury fully opens, prioritizing supply for formation restoration and drills!"
Xiao Qi nodded and continued: "Though the remnant formation is incomplete, its foundation remains. We need to concentrate everyone's wisdom, based on existing formation knowledge combined with understanding of stellar movements, to deduce and fill in the missing parts. This is a massive undertaking, possibly requiring countless calculations, simulations, and experiments."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across every master present: "Gentlemen, you are the pinnacle of the Three Realms' formation dao. Restoring this formation is beyond my strength alone. Please lend me your assistance. For this battle, for the mortal realm—let us fight for a future!"
No passionate cries arose, only heavy responsibility and determination. The formation masters present looked at each other, each seeing the same thing in the other's eyes. They might come from different races, hold different beliefs, but at this moment, there was only one goal.
"I am willing to follow the Alliance Master in studying this formation!" The old formation master was the first to bow, his voice carrying a tremor, yet utterly resolute.
"Willing to follow the Alliance Master!" The demon clan Bai Ze Great Sage roared lowly.
"Willing to follow the Alliance Master!" The sea clan elder saluted with a fist to his chest.
...Over a hundred formation masters responded in unison!
From that day forward, the "Myriad Phenomena Formation Derivation Platform" became one of the busiest places in the alliance. Hundreds of top-tier formation masters, along with the thousands of disciples and assistants they brought, devoted themselves day and night to the deduction and restoration work on the "Zhou Tian Star Formation."
Within the spherical space, star projections constantly changed, simulating various celestial phenomena. On the ground, massive formation diagrams were drawn, modified, erased, and redrawn repeatedly. Countless calculation rods, compasses, and derivation jade slips were pushed to their limits. Arguments, debates, cheers of inspiration, sighs of failed derivations intermingled.
Xiao Qi also immersed himself in this work for most of his time. His Spirit Transformation stage insight and profound understanding of laws often allowed him to pinpoint key issues incisively or provide entirely new perspectives. At the same time, he continuously adjusted his own state, preparing for the role he might need to assume—the most dangerous yet most important position of core commander.
The path to restoring the ancient foremost killing formation was strewn with thorns, but for that single chance of victory in the final battle, the formation dao strength of the entire Three Realms had already given its all. The light of Zhou Tian stars seemed to be watching over this land struggling for survival from the distant starry sky.