Maiden Of The Splitting Moon

Somewhere deep inside the Tao Feng, the ground shuddered before bursting out as Elder Kan's group emerged. Among them was Master Qi and a bevy of other Formation Masters and the like. This group of ten did not have much combat power but when it comes to traps, tricks, and mechanisms, each one of them were masters. 

"We're here to explore and make of path for the other members to infiltrate. If there is anything important, we must take it. We should not fight unless we have to."

She spoke to them before getting a bearing of her surroundings. 

The others did the same, looking around while holding the many tools and instruments in their hands. After examining where they were, there was shock in their faces. 

"What...is happening here?"

The room they stood in was a large hall that contained tables and papers scattered about. It was an absolute mess of things and in the dark corners of this place, there were bodies of the dead, paired with wooden puppet bodies. In fact, there were numerous different materials used for alchemy, formations, and a number of other fields of study.

"Let's go have a look around, this place must have numerous secrets. Just look at all these things!"

Master Qi spoke while making his way towards the arbitrary formations drawn on the floor and walls. The others all did the same, moving into different parts of the hall where their expertise mattered. 

As for Elder Kan and a few others, they stood guard and took note of the doors before scouting out the place. Soon, the first of the younger generation came. 

There were a hundred or so in total that would be coming. All of them were at the peak of the Earth Realm and the early steps of the Sky Realm. Geniuses among their peers, the disciples with the best potential, all coming from different powers and domains. This included the Inheritors from Heaven's Gate, warriors from the Xue Mountains, disciples of Four Swords Domain and a variety of others. 

One by one, they all gathered by Elder Kan as the halls was searched up and down. 

"Ooh, what are these plans?"

"How did he get these ingredients? Some of these are nearly extinct!"

"These journals and manuals, I think I wrote one of these."

"Agh! Why can't I take my time to analyze these?! Whatever, I'll just grab them and look at it later."

These many masters scoured what could only be Dai Mian's research study. As time passed, they quickly took what seemed interesting or important. If possible, they might be able to reverse the things Dai Mian had done. But for now, they must focus and all eyes went to the far corners of the hall, where bodies and puppets laid side by side. Their bodies were covered in formation markings and magical circles. 

Master Qi walked forward and studied it further. Several other masters did the same, muttering to each other. They did not care for the dead bodies and focused on the strange markings. They were freshly-drawn in dark red ink, not quite blood but pehaps a mixture containing it. 

"This symbols don't quite fit with the rest. It is too archaic."

"What are these patterns? The method is rather strange."

"It resembles something closer to a demon's formation...or is it beast? Actually, is it self-made?""

"What kind of research is being done here? Each stroke carries quite a fearsome aura."

Of course, none of them knew what was happening outside and had no knowledge of Dai Mian's Immortal Army. But a few like Master Qi had an inkling. 

"Are we finished here, masters?"

Elder Kan looked at them all, crowding around the dead bodies. 

"Just about...", Master Qi replied, "For it to be Grand Elder Huang's teacher and a founder of the High Council, this man is a genius artificer as well."

The others nodded in agreement. 

"This sort of research is a tad beyond us. It will take time to analyze it all."

Seeing that they were ready, Elder Kan noedded at them and signaled the others. 

"Stay at the center, we have to take over the fortress before the battle outside is done."

And the group assembled before moving on. 

Having explored this level earlier, they climbed up the levels as quickly as they could but it took time. Despite having little to no one guarding this place, the fortress was littered with barriers and formations, layers and layers of security slowed them at every step. 

"Damn this place! First it was soul-tethering, now it's Heart Demons... I thought it would get easier climbing from the lowest levels but it's only gotten even more difficult with each floor! We're almost back to the surface too!"

Master Qi rapidly shifted his eyes between his Trigram Mirror and the formation before him. An arrangement of pattern and symbols that which made up a fearsome formation, one that released a temptuous whispers and shadowy beings. They were physical manifestaions of Heart Demons, beings that could break even the strongest of cultivators, turning them towards greed and lust.

No one dared to enter it. 

Those who weren't as well-versed in formations stood back and watched. After all, there wasn't anything else to do. Elder Kan merely watched. She had already given her orders to the others, sending them back down to see if there was anything they missed. 

"How much longer?" she asked. 

Master Qi's talisman-wrapped sword hummed with power and he pointed it towards the formation. Like a brush he waved it, slowly dispelling one layer after another, weakening the formation. 

"Nearly there!" he said, "This might be the last one, you all can feel it, can't you? Grand Elder Huang is fighting."

Indeed, as they climbed the floors, they could feel the clashing power of two Heaven Realm Powerhouses. It shook the mountain itself, causing waves of power to wash over everyone. They were all ready to join the fight. 

Minutes passed and the whispers of the Heart Demons turned to echoing screams as they could feel the destruction of the formation. The power began to grow even further as people began to feel the pressure of it. Their minds were being battered from the screams and somewhere in them were sweet words, trying to coax someone to kill another. 

"Damned voices, shut it!"

Master Qi's aura exploded, a light of five colors assaulted the formation and restrained the voices. His sword shined as he stepped into the formation, creating a path into the center and stabbing right into it. 

The Heart Demons cried out as they vanished into resplendent light, dispelled and destroyed. 

"Hah, let's go."

He stumbled forward, trying to catch his breath. 

"That was rash, Qi Li."

Elder Kan walked forward to support his body. 

"Hmph, that was most likely the last one. Let's just get to the next floor."

Everyone gathered and climbed up to a great hall, the same one where Dai Mian gathered the sacrifices. It was a grim place, silent and dimly lit with flames. There were no windows or seats, just a throne and an empty hall with doors leading to the outside where a battle raged on. The sounds of weapons clashing with each other, pulsing energy passing through, it only grew stronger and wilder as time passed. 

"Alright, once we search this floor, we will reinforce the Grand Elder's team. Elder Fang's group should have arrived already", said Elder Kan. 

Master Qi stopped leaning on the elder and looked around before his eyes locked on a rather plain pathway in the back of the hall. It was simple, positioned behind the throne without any real decor on it but something caught his eyes. 

"That's... that's an Immortal Severing Formation!"

He quickly ran towards the formation and studied it. Many others surrounded him, curious by his sudden outburst. 

"What is it?" 

Elder Kan saw him stare at this pathway with excited eyes as he goggled at the corridor. 

"Hah, just wait and see!"

He took out his Trigram Mirror, facing it towards the corridor. It shined brightly and revealed a massive formation that seemed to cover the entirety of the path. The walls, ceiling and floor covered in intricate and detailed markings.. This was a level beyond anything they had ever seen.