Chapter 2254: Endless Path Guardian Formation’s Self Destruction (1)
Chapter 2254: Endless Path Guardian Formation’s Self Destruction (1)
"Is there some way to stop the self-destruction procedure...?" Knowing that the ancient formation belonged to the Mirage Sect and had even recognized him as a temporary elder thanks to the robe belonging to the Mirage Sect that he was currently wearing, Xuan Hao couldn’t help calling out to the formation spirit governing the ancient formation. Hoping it wouldn’t self-destruct, as it would give him little to no chance to observe the ancient formation.
Aware that the fifteen or so minutes given by the formation spirit wasn’t when the ancient formation would naturally collapse on its own, but likely the point where the formation spirit lost control of the collapse and in turn also the ability to initiate a self-destruct.
[Negative, Temporary Elder does not have authority to overwrite fundamental operation of the Endless Path Guardian Formation. Seek out a Core Elder from the Void Observation Branch for approval or a Guardian Elder.]
Unfortunately, his hopes were crushed, as the formation spirit coldly responded without the slightest bit of hesitation. Making it clear that his status in the eyes of the ancient formation spirit was nowhere near enough to make it change such a fundamental operational rule targeted at guarding the Mirage Sect’s heritage and knowledge from outsiders.
"I see... What is the Void Observation Branch?" Knowing that there was no way to convince this kind of formation spirit no matter what he said as it wasn’t one that had gained sentience, Xuan Hao understood the best thing he could do while there was still time left was to try and gather as much information as possible from this ancient formation spirit before it decided it was time to blow itself up. "And is there any way I would be able to take away some of the texts or other things about to be destroyed here?" Not forgetting to also see if he would be able to take away some of the things about to be destroyed by the ancient formation spirit.
[The Void Observation Branch is one of the core branches under the Mirage Sect. Tasked with observing, researching and mapping out the void outside the main world. Spotting any threats and abnormalities that might affect the main world or the smaller worlds under the Mirage Sect.
Current authority of a Guest Elder allows access to void maps of low importance along with knowledge and techniques stored at the first floor of the Starfall Observatory. In accordance with dao linage preservation guidelines in the absence of any higher-ranking elders, temporary access to the second and third floor is granted to preserve part of the Starfall Observatory Inheritance.
Access to the Fourth and Fifth Floor is denied alongside access to the core inheritance and important void maps due to lack of strength and inability to properly guard the core inheritance. Destruction deemed necessary to avoid compromising hidden worlds under the sect.]
Following what felt like a few minutes, the ancient formation spirit seemed to have fully processed his words as it soon enough responded to him in a matter-of-fact tone.
Explaining to him in a few short words what the Void Observation Branch of the Mirage Sect was while also answering his second- and in his eyes far more important question.
Whoosh~
But before he even had the time to ask about how he would be able to enter the Starfall Observatory that had been mentioned by the ancient formation spirit, a large pouch covered in ancient looking inscriptions appeared before him without any warning. Following which the mechanical voice of the ancient formation spirit once again echoed out inside his head...
[Recommended to leave immediately, self-destruction procedures will begin in three minutes and forty-nine seconds. Inheritance of the Starfall Observatory has been fully gathered and transferred to the Guest Elder.]
Though... Different from before, the mechanical voice of the ancient formation spirit seemed far weaker than it had been just seconds earlier. Not taking long to realize the time discrepancy compared to the initial time given to him by the ancient formation spirit.
A discrepancy he knew wasn’t a mistake on the part of the ancient formation spirit but likely an outcome of it using part of the remaining power it could draw upon to gather the parts of the inheritance it could and hand it over to him. Aware that he likely wouldn’t be able to properly gather and store it on his own given how little time was left.
Not to mention the very real risk that the Star Creation Realm cultivators that had gathered inside the ancient formation in the process of collapsing were likely all standing around this Starfall Observatory that had been mentioned by the ancient formation spirit. Meaning it would have been difficult to get out on his own even if he could enter the Starfall Observatory with his status as a guest elder.
"Is there... A chance I could get your formation blueprint...?" But still feeling unwilling to leave even after getting his hands on such a precious inheritance for free, Xuan Hao couldn’t help stealing himself as he asked this.
[...]
Whoosh-!
Smack~!
Even the formation spirit seemed rather speechless faced with this question, as something soon flew out and hit him in the face before he even had the time to react. Looking closer, it was a blueprint to the Endless Path Guardian Formation.
[Recommended to leave immediately. Self-destruction procedures will begin in one minute and twenty-six seconds.]
But as he was about to take a peek at the formation blueprint that had essentially been thrown in his face, he was brought back to reality by the kind reminder from the ancient formation spirit who was increasingly certain that this guest elder had some kind of death wish.
After all, in its eyes, a guest elder at the Star Creation Realm, even if unaware of the Void Observation Branch, should be aware of just how destructive a self-destruction procedure was and should be doing their best to get as far away as possible.
Of course, unknown to the rigid formation spirit, Xuan Hao was unaware of this and only after one final reminder, did he cast one last glance at the ancient formation in the process of collapsing, before he stepped outside and left the collapsing Endless Path Guardian Formation.