He knew that he would only truly break free from Mo Chenzi's control if he destroyed these black iron chains that bound him.
Otherwise, when Mo Chenzi managed to sense these chains again, he would undoubtedly seize control of them once more. Then, Shoudi Laoren could only resign himself to being at the other's mercy yet again.
"Indeed.
Mo Chenzi is, after all, a Chaos Deity. Although these magical chains have been temporarily suppressed and sealed, right now, Mo Chenzi must be desperately trying to sense them and reassert his control," Sword Elder nodded.
"But don't worry, we will definitely exert all our efforts to help you break these magical chains," Sword Elder added.
"Everyone, we cannot wait any longer. Let us act now. While using Soul Power to suppress these chains and sever their connection to Mo Chenzi, we will utilize our sect's foundational resources to destroy them," Sword Elder glanced at the other high-ranking members from various sword sects and spoke.
"When we attempt to break these chains later, it will inevitably affect your Soul Body and may bring you considerable pain.
Here, these are Divine Pills our Tianjian Sect specially prepared in ancient times to nourish and protect Soul Bodies. Consume them now." Sword Elder waved a hand, producing three white Divine Pills that emitted a rich medicinal fragrance, and sent them floating before Shoudi Laoren.
"Sword Elder, thank you.
I truly should not have accepted the invitation from the Blade Realm and Divine Sword Sect to come to the Sword Realm Continent back then. My experiences over these years are nothing but the retribution I deserve.
However, from this moment forth, I, Shoudi Laoren, will fight to the death against the Divine Sword Sect and the Blade Realm."
Shoudi Laoren swallowed all three white Divine Pills. He immediately sensed a surge of potent medicinal energy coursing through him, bringing significant comfort to his Soul Body. Gratefully, he said,
"Elder, these are pills I specifically refined for you. They are effective for both your physical and Soul Body, and they can also assist you in resisting the harm inflicted by these chains."
Ye Yunfei suddenly appeared nearby, taking out over a dozen bottles of medicinal pills and presenting them to Shoudi Laoren.
These were pills Ye Yunfei had ordered his doppelganger to refine specially for Shoudi Laoren within the Illusionary Pagoda over this period.
Of course, it was not Ye Yunfei's true body delivering the pills here, but his doppelganger.
Ye Yunfei's main body was currently underground in the subterranean world, manipulating the Earth Formation to deal with Mo Chenzi.
"Now, you continue to engage Mo Chenzi. We will start breaking these magical chains now," Sword Elder said to Ye Yunfei.
"Ancestral Master, rest assured, I will definitely keep him occupied," Ye Yunfei nodded.
"All of you, be destroyed!"
At this moment, Mo Chenzi flew into an extreme rage. He drew a longsword; with every slash, a massive sword radiance would materialize. In an instant, a vast area of the subterranean world was cleaved into nothingness.
However, under Ye Yunfei's control, immense stone fists, one after another, came roaring in from all directions, relentlessly smashing toward Mo Chenzi like a grand hail of rocks.
Simultaneously, numerous earth-yellow energy palms condensed from Earth Qi energy continuously slammed toward Mo Chenzi from all sides.
Massive yellow nets woven from the Laws of Earth rose into the air, sweeping over to envelop Mo Chenzi.
Mo Chenzi felt a sensation as though the entire Sword Realm Continent was suppressing him.
Though he was a Chaos Deity with terrifying combat prowess, the Sword Realm Continent was an ancient continent. The energy and laws inherent to this continent were superior to those of a single Chaos Deity like him.
"Damn it! Shoudi Laoren has truly regained control of this Earth Formation!" Mo Chenzi began to feel flustered and was filled with intense unwillingness.
While Mo Chenzi was being assailed by the Earth Formation, back before the barrier deep within the heart of the Sword Realm Continent, many powerful sword cultivators and blade cultivators were collectively and continuously attacking the barrier.
But at this very moment.
"What is going on?
The suppressive energy exerted by the Realm-Stabilizing Dragon Vein Formation on this barrier has vanished!"
One of the Divine Sword Sect elders suddenly exclaimed in astonishment.
He discovered that the barrier ahead had abruptly become much more robust. The attacks launched by these sword and blade cultivators could no longer leave even a trace upon it.
Previously, this barrier had been perpetually suppressed by the Realm-Stabilizing Dragon Vein Formation. Combined with the joint attacks of these blade and sword cultivators, they had been able to continuously damage the barrier's structure.
In the past, every slash of their swords or blades could leave a sword scar or blade scar on the barrier. But now, the barrier seemed to have suddenly become incomparably solid. Their attacks simply could not leave any mark or cause any damage.
"Indeed, what is happening?
Before, every slash I made would leave a blade scar on this barrier. But now, my attacks landing on it seem utterly useless. Even my attacking energy is being reflected back."
A blade cultivator standing nearby ceased his attack and also spoke in shock.
Subsequently, all the other sword and blade cultivators who had been attacking the barrier also halted. They all realized their attacks were having no effect.
"It must be a problem with the Earth Formation. Previously, I could sense that formation constantly exerting powerful suppressive energy onto this barrier.
It was precisely because that formation continually suppressed the barrier that we were able to gradually wear down its structure and energy.
Without that formation, given our strength, we would be completely incapable of breaching this barrier." A blade cultivator frowned as he spoke.
"What exactly is going on?
Quickly contact Elder Mo and ask him."
Chihu Daozun, who had also stopped attacking, looked toward a Divine Sword Sect elder and spoke.
"Everyone, rest assured. I will contact Elder Mo immediately.
For all these years, Elder Mo has been the one controlling that Earth Formation. As long as Elder Mo acts, he can quickly make that formation resume applying suppressive energy to the barrier." The Divine Sword Sect elder declared. He then retrieved a communication jade slip and began sending a message to Mo Chenzi.
At the same time, within the headquarters of Tianjian Sect, Sword Elder and the other high-ranking members from various sword sects each gripped an extremely sharp longsword. All their blades erupted with majestic and imposing Sword Dao energy.
These longswords continuously hacked at the black iron chains binding Shoudi Laoren. The black chains clattered and trembled, releasing a powerful, sinister dark energy.
Shoudi Laoren experienced immense agony, for the black chains were erupting with full force, unleashing potent dark energy to resist the attacks from the longswords.
Fortunately, he had already consumed the Divine Pills given to him earlier by Sword Elder and Ye Yunfei. The medicinal energies were currently protecting his Soul Body and sea of soul, allowing him to somewhat endure the dark energy erupting from the black chains.
Moreover, Shoudi Laoren had endured far too much torment over these years. So even though the black chains were now bringing him excruciating pain, he gritted his teeth and held on.
"Shoudi Laoren, how are you holding up?"
Seeing Shoudi Laoren's frail body trembling uncontrollably, Sword Elder couldn't help but ask.
"I can endure it. Hurry and focus on your task. Don't worry about me," Shoudi Laoren replied in a weak voice.
"Alright. Let us speed up in breaking these black chains," Sword Elder nodded. Then, Sword Elder and the other remnant souls from various sword sects continued to swing their swords, attacking the black chains with even greater ferocity.
Each longsword wielded by these remnant souls was a divine weapon of their respective sword sects, renowned far and wide even in ancient times.
At this moment, several black chains had been nicked, with gashes appearing upon them.
"It's working!"
Seeing the inflicted damage, everyone felt a surge of excitement and accelerated their actions.
Not long after, one black chain was finally completely severed.
While these black chains were considered relatively high-grade magical treasures within the Great Netherworld, the longswords wielded by these sword sect elders were among the foundational treasures of their respective sects.
Furthermore, during this process, Sword Elder and the other sword sect elders had also mobilized other foundational resources from their sects to jointly suppress and attack the black chains.
"Excellent! I finally have hope of breaking free from Mo Chenzi's control!"
After the first black chain was severed, Shoudi Laoren was overwhelmed with excitement. He felt his body and Soul Body becoming noticeably lighter.
"Mo Chenzi, you just wait. The agony you have inflicted upon me these years, I shall spend the rest of my life making you repay it."
Shoudi Laoren's gaze turned toward the direction of the Divine Sword Sect headquarters, filled with infinite and boundless resentment.
Meanwhile, Mo Chenzi was still in the subterranean world, simultaneously resisting the Realm-Stabilizing Dragon Vein Formation and attempting to locate Shoudi Laoren's whereabouts.
He was confident that as long as he found Shoudi Laoren, he could reassert control over him through the magical chains, thereby reclaiming control of this Earth Formation.
However, up until now, he had failed to detect any trace of Shoudi Laoren's aura or re-establish contact with those Great Netherworld chains.
Just at this moment, Mo Chenzi received a communication from a Divine Sword Sect elder, the contents inquiring about what had transpired with the Realm-Stabilizing Dragon Vein Formation.
"Do not concern yourselves with that barrier for now. Shoudi Laoren has already slipped from my control and may have already reclaimed dominance over the Realm-Stabilizing Dragon Vein Formation.
Our primary task now is to locate Shoudi Laoren, reassert control over him, and retake command of the Earth Formation."
After receiving the communication from the Divine Sword Sect elder, Mo Chenzi immediately relayed the situation to him.
"What?
Shoudi Laoren has escaped your control and seized control of the Realm-Stabilizing Dragon Vein Formation?"
Upon receiving Mo Chenzi's message, the Divine Sword Sect elder was utterly shocked.
He knew this matter was of grave importance. Without that Earth Formation, breaching that barrier would become exceedingly difficult.
Moreover, if Shoudi Laoren truly had broken free and regained control of the formation, the consequences would be dire.
These years, the Divine Sword Sect's elders had witnessed firsthand the formidable power of that Earth Formation.
The Divine Sword Sect elder dared not delay. He immediately informed the other Divine Sword Sect elders nearby as well as the blade cultivators from the Blade Realm.
"The Realm-Stabilizing Dragon Vein Formation was one of our greatest assets in breaking this barrier. Therefore, we must regain control over Shoudi Laoren and that Earth Formation.
Let us act!"
Chihu Daozun understood the severity of the situation and spoke slowly.
Then, everyone ceased paying any attention to the barrier. They turned and departed, heading toward Mo Chenzi's current location.