On the other side.
"Boss, who are these old guys?" Ye Fan asked curiously in a low voice.
"They are formation grandmasters from Ge City," Zhao Yelü whispered. "Don't look at their cultivation being lower than those people, their status is terrifyingly high! It's said that these grandmasters have connections with the mid-to-high level powers in Ge City, so they are not people to be trifled with."
Ye Fan nodded in realization after hearing this.
In fact, this was not difficult to understand.
In the cultivation world, technical talents like formation masters and artifact refiners were often highly sought after.
After all, the things they studied were necessities for cultivators, something everyone needed.
At the same time, such talents had a collective term – miracle makers!
Just imagine.
Two people of equal skill were locked in a fierce battle, both reaching their last bit of health and mana.
At this moment, one of them 'duuang' takes out a pill and eats it, and the outcome is immediately decided!
If someone accidentally angered a powerful alchemist, that person would be in for bad luck.
Even if the alchemist's own cultivation was very low, so low that the other person could crush them with a flick of their wrist.
The one who angered the alchemist would still be the one to live in fear.
Because powerful alchemists usually associated with formidable powerhouses!
Then, without the alchemist needing to say a word, plenty of big shots would line up to seek justice for him!
All for the sake of obtaining a precious pill or two from the alchemist!
The same logic applied to other talents such as artifact refining and formations.
A novice who could befriend such a talent was often more powerful than knowing a few big shots!
However, Ye Fan disagreed with Zhao Yelü's way of addressing these old Daoists.
They couldn't even figure out a simple formation in half a day, and they dared to call themselves grandmasters?
If this were their era, they would be beaten to death for such incompetence!
It could only be said that the technological gap in this world was too severe, so severe that such mediocre individuals were called grandmasters...
When there are no tigers in the mountains, monkeys become kings!
These several fake grandmasters studied for over an hour.
And their expressions finally changed from initial dejection to realization.
To be honest, the old Daoists were incredibly shocked!
It was actually a ninth-tier Annihilation Array!
Ninth-tier formations had long been lost in the cultivation world. If they hadn't had the good fortune to see it in a rare ancient text before, they would have been helpless today.
In fact, they couldn't be sure if the formation before them was the same as the one in the ancient text.
This was because the ancient text was incomplete and the record was not full.
They could only deduce that it was a ninth-tier Annihilation Array based on the visible parts and their own knowledge and theories.
However, they were very confident in their professional knowledge and skills, believing that the result was correct!
Fortunately, the ancient text recorded a method to break it, otherwise, they would have lost face today.
Although the breaking method recorded in the ancient text was also incomplete, there was at least a fifty percent chance of success!
Fifty percent...
That was enough!
Compared to their own safety, they valued their reputation even more.
And the status and sense of superiority that came with their reputation!
Besides, they were formation practitioners, and naturally had many protective measures.
Even if they accidentally triggered the formation, it wouldn't be life-threatening.
As for the safety of others, it was completely outside their consideration!
Some commoners, if they die, they die.
If it weren't for the possibility of formation-related items within the ruins, they wouldn't have bothered to come today.
"Everyone, please remain calm, we have figured it out." The few fake grandmasters did not act immediately, but looked at everyone present. "This is a ninth-tier formation called Annihilation!"
When they said this, they deliberately put on an air of profound mystery, filled with an immeasurable amount of swagger!
After all, figuring out a ninth-tier formation was a formidable feat, something they genuinely took pride in.
The outcome proved their thoughts were correct.
"Hiss—!"
"Good heavens, it's a lost ninth-tier formation?!"
"Annihilation? It sounds terrifying!"
"No wonder that person disappeared without a trace earlier."
...
Everyone present was instantly shocked.
Especially those few Void Comprehending realm experts, their hearts were filled with trepidation!
Although the Void Comprehending realm was powerful enough, it was probably not even enough to fill the gaps of a ninth-tier formation...
*Huff—*
Fortunately, they hadn't acted rashly earlier, otherwise, they would have been long dead by now!
But...
Although these show-offs had decent formation skills, this was still a ninth-tier formation...
Could they...
Do it...?
"Everyone need not worry," the few show-off fakes maintained their mysterious demeanor. "We have stumbled upon the method to break this formation by chance, and this gate can be opened successfully today!"
Although they liked to show off, they wouldn't dare to claim they possessed the skill of a ninth-tier formation master.
After all, it was something long lost, and there were no longer any true masters.
No matter how shameless they were, they wouldn't dare to say such a thing at this moment.
It was one thing to brag, but it was another to brag to the point of absurdity...
Otherwise, absolutely no one present would believe them, and they would be verbally abused on the spot.
They might even be spat upon collectively!
The words of the show-off fakes made everyone present heave a sigh of relief.
Although they often made people want to stomp their feet on their faces, they wouldn't lie about something like this.
Even if they couldn't guarantee a perfect breakthrough, the probability should be very high.
Fortunately, at least they wouldn't have come for nothing.
"Then we shall trouble the grandmasters."
"With the grandmasters' intervention, it will surely be within easy reach."
"Today, we are truly fortunate to benefit from the grandmasters' brilliance!"
...
A torrent of flattery followed, and the show-off fakes basked in it.
"From now on, no one is to make any noise during our breaking process," the show-off fakes ordered after enjoying the praise. "Stay far away, just in case."
Although they truly didn't care about the lives of these people, they still needed them to clear the way for the subsequent exploration of the ruins.
At least...
They couldn't die yet!
After giving the orders, the old Daoists walked towards the gate.
Ye Fan could no longer stand it.
Whether these guys showed off or not was none of his business, but if these fake grandmasters continued, something bad was going to happen!
Needing everyone around to be silent to break a formation was enough to judge their level.
After all, back then, he and his formation master friend used to work amidst overwhelming attacks!
In a life-or-death situation, who would provide a quiet environment?
Such mediocre individuals could only remain at the "classroom" stage their entire lives!
These fake grandmasters were indeed correct; the gate was indeed protected by the Annihilation Array.
However, this Annihilation Array had been altered!