Chapter 2125 — A Deadly Mistake

"I never imagined I'd lay eyes on such an ancient formation..."

The level 8 Array Master was left in awe of the formations crafted by Yu Ning, an Array Master from the Primordial Era. With the passage of countless years, most formations from that era had been lost to time.

"So, can you deactivate it or not?" one of the cultivators there asked the Array Master. The Array Master coldly scoffed, "Of course, I can. However, it's going to take a little longer than usual since formations from the Primordial Era are much more complex.” Although formations from the Primordial Era were far more intricate in design, they were not necessarily stronger than modern ones. Over time, advancements in array symbols and formations had reduced unnecessary complexity while retaining their power, and in some cases, even enhancing it.

After taking another moment to admire the formation, the Array Master began working on deactivating it.

Somewhere in the Abyssal Underground, Yu Ning instantly sensed something was wrong with her formation and warned Yuan, "Young Master, someone is trying to deactivate one of my formations."

However, Yuan wasn't surprised to hear this. In fact, he'd anticipated someone would try to release the poison, as it was in human nature to mess with things they shouldn't. “Which one?" he asked Yu Ning.

“The formation on the 220th level."

Hearing this, Yuan immediately began moving in that direction. Though he could get rid of the poison if these people were afflicted with it, he had to be close enough to do so.

A day later, Yuan arrived just in time, as the level 8 Array Master was only minutes away from breaking the formation.

He approached them and spoke out loud, "I wouldn't do that if I were you."

"What?"

Everyone there turned to look at him with raised eyebrows.

"And who are you?"

“The one who put up that formation," said Yuan.

“What? You're the one who set up these ancient formations?" The Array Master paused his work, staring at Yuan with wide eyes, but he didn't recognize him at all. After all, every Array Master known to possess the skill to create such formations was a renowned individual.

“I put up the formation for a reason, you know? Don't you see the poison mist on the other side? Or is everyone here blind?" Yuan mocked them.

The people there quickly frowned, and one of them responded, "While I appreciate your concern for others, do you know how much traffic your formations are blocking in the Abyssal Underground? Even if there is a little poison, it can easily be negated with poison-resistant pills."

“A little poison? Do you know what kind of poison that is?" Yuan then asked.

“No, but according to the experts, it's nothing too dangerous.”

Yuan couldn't help but chuckle at such a response and said, "Nothing too dangerous? Alright. If you truly think that, go ahead and release the poison. I already warned you, so don't blame me for whatever happens afterward."

The frowns on their faces deepened after hearing Yuan's ominous words.

Since everyone present was at least a Bronze Immortal, Yuan wasn't too worried the poison would kill them instantly, and he could definitely remove the poison in time. However, these cultivators will suffer immense pain for a bit.

“The best way to learn is through pain, after all."

“What should I do?" The Array Master asked the others for their opinion. “I can continue to remove the formation, or I can stop here."

The cultivators there began to ponder.

Eventually, one of the poison experts spoke, "If you're that afraid, you can all stay back and let me prove to you that there's no need to be afraid of this level of poison.”

The cultivators nodded.

“In that case, let's do it."

"Right? That guy probably doesn't even know anything about poisons and is just paranoid."

Yuan didn't try to convince these people and silently watched them remove the formation.

A few minutes later, the Array Master completed his preparations and began dismantling the formation.

The instant it was deactivated, the sealed poison surged outward like an unrelenting wave.

The Array Master immediately retreated, while the poison expert stepped forward, allowing the toxic mist to wash over him.

The others looked on in tense silence.

"See? There's absolutely nothing to be worried abo—"

The poison master broke off mid-sentence, his once-calm expression twisting suddenly into one of sheer terror and shock.

"A-Are you okay?!" the cultivators cried out.

"H-Help... me..." the poison expert gasped, collapsing to the ground and reaching toward them in desperation as blood poured from his eyes, nose, mouth, and ears.

Panic surged through the cultivators, and they turned to flee—but the poison mist spread far faster than they had anticipated, engulfing them before they could escape. Soon, they were all on the ground, writhing in agony and gasping for breath as the poison's excruciating pain tore through their bodies.

“What did I tell you? A bunch of idiots."

Yuan shook his head.

Once a few seconds had passed, and right before the poison claimed their lives, Yuan retrieved the Baneful Abyss and collected the poison with it. Then, with Yu Ning's help, reactivated the formation.

“This is my last warning to all of you—if you tamper with my formation and release the poison again, I won't be here to save you."

Without another word, Yuan turned and vanished into the darkness. Even with the poison purged from their bodies, the cultivators remained unable to move, the damage it had wrought requiring time to heal.

After their near-death experience, the cultivators quickly spread word to the others, warning them not to release the poison.

“That poison was unlike anything I have experienced before as a poison expert! Despite my poison resistance, it was able to completely immobilize me within seconds! If it weren't for that mysterious expert, I would've perished on that day!" The poison expert recalled his experience.

And so, the people at the Abyssal Underground abandoned any further attempts to dismantle the formations, choosing instead to navigate around them—no matter how inconvenient it might be.