Before Jade Capital Mountain, Luohu set up the Immortal Execution Formation and invited Hongjun to break it. Hongjun's cultivation was aided by the Dao Creation Jade Disk, and his realm had already surpassed Luohu's by a step.
The spirited Luohu possessed the God Slaying Spear and the Four Immortal Execution Swords. Hongjun, too, had the Grand Ultimate Diagram and the Pangu Banner, two great innate supreme treasures, along with the Apricot Yellow Banner for defense.
Hongjun was not afraid of Luohu. Now that Luohu had come to his doorstep to challenge him, and both were vying for this chance to achieve Dao, Hongjun naturally could not lose face.
Furthermore, while the Immortal Execution Formation was extraordinary, the four swords that led it were merely at the peak of the innate realm. With the dual defense of the Apricot Yellow Banner and the Grand Ultimate Diagram, he believed he would not be harmed.
He thus accepted Luohu's challenge and entered the Immortal Execution Formation alone to break it.
After Hongjun entered the formation, Luohu activated it. Instantly, an infinite destructive aura enveloped chaos within the formation, and a murderous intent permeated the primordial world.
Witnessing this, Hongjun realized he had been careless. It would be extremely difficult for him to break the Immortal Execution Formation. He immediately unleashed the Grand Ultimate Diagram and the Apricot Yellow Banner to protect himself.
As soon as Hongjun revealed the Grand Ultimate Diagram and the Apricot Yellow Banner, a red mist rose within the formation, concealing killing intent. Great formation-evolved Immortal Execution Swords frequently struck. Although Hongjun had treasures for defense, he was overwhelmed by the constant attacks.
Just as he emerged from the red mist, the heavens and earth filled with golden light, blinding him. Within the golden light, numerous Slaughter Immortal Swords, manifested by the formation, rained down. In an instant, Hongjun was thrown into a frantic struggle.
Wave after wave of attacks followed relentlessly. If Hongjun had not unleashed the supreme treasure Pangu Banner, emitting waves of chaotic sword energy to scatter the golden light, he might not have been able to escape the Immortal Execution Formation.
After passing through the red mist and the golden light, Hongjun was greatly depleted. The two spiritual treasures above his head rotated constantly, unable to rest. Were it not for their continuous protection, he might not have even managed to get past the red mist.
Hongjun understood that the Immortal Execution Formation was led by four swords, and two more trials awaited him. In his current state, passing the subsequent trials would be extremely difficult, and even if he were lucky enough to succeed, he would likely struggle to withstand Luohu's attacks.
He immediately felt a desire to retreat and intended to leave the formation.
Seeing Hongjun gradually faltering, Luohu would not let him have his way and immediately mobilized the formation's murderous aura to attack Hongjun.
Hongjun had just broken through the golden light within the formation, believing there was no further threat. Little did he know that Luohu could still control the formation's murderous aura.
Fortunately, Hongjun was cautious and did not retract the Grand Ultimate Diagram and the Apricot Yellow Banner. Otherwise, if they were tainted by the murderous aura, he would at best suffer from a muddled soul and stagnant cultivation, or at worst, become a killing machine driven only by the urge to slaughter and vent his rage.
Hongjun quickly summoned the Pangu Banner to disperse the murderous aura. He dared not linger there any longer and hurried forward.
Hongjun hesitated as he gazed at the black mist not far ahead, which was filled with a destructive aura.
If he entered in his current state, there would be no return. However, Luohu was watching him from outside the formation, intent on pushing him into this desperate situation. If he lingered, he would also be forced into the subsequent killing zone.
Hongjun knew he could not remain in the Immortal Execution Formation. He had to find a way to escape.
But Luohu was constantly watching him, and leaving would likely come at a significant cost.
Hongjun hardened his heart and channeled all his spiritual energy into the Pangu Banner. The Pangu Banner immediately surged with power, spewing forth chaotic sword energy.
Hongjun poured all his strength into striking the formation's barrier. The Pangu Banner was an innate supreme treasure, and it was wielded by Hongjun with all his might. Luohu had only recently created the Immortal Execution Formation and was not yet proficient. A gap was torn in the formation's barrier.
Hongjun scrambled to escape the Immortal Execution Formation. After exiting, he dared not delay and fled into the distance.
Seeing Hongjun's hasty retreat, Luohu was overjoyed and laughed heartily, "Hongjun, I have claimed the opportunity to achieve Dao in the Primordial World. This time, my mastery of the Immortal Execution Formation was not yet sufficient. Next time, I will surely take your life to celebrate my achievement of Dao."
He then burst into laughter again.
Luohu, having gained a great victory in his first trial of the Immortal Execution Formation, understood its extraordinary significance. He immediately returned to Mount Meru to meditate and comprehend any further deficiencies in the formation.
After Hongjun's escape, knowing he was no match for Luohu alone, he began to roam the Primordial World in search of the Chaos Demon Gods who had survived Pangu's axe, intending to find allies.
He initially intended to seek out Ancestor Qiankun. Hongjun knew of only him among the Chaos Demon Gods who was still alive. However, he had recently lost all sense of Qiankun's presence, suggesting he had likely perished.
Hongjun wandered the vast Primordial lands. While he did not find anyone who had reincarnated and cultivated from a Chaos Demon God, he encountered Ancestor Dragon, the progenitor of the Dragon race, on the East Sea. Ancestor Dragon, being the first dragon in heaven and earth, possessed considerable power.
Seeing Ancestor Dragon's strength, Hongjun wished to bring him to oppose Luohu. Moreover, if Luohu were to achieve Dao, the entire Primordial World would be refined into a demon realm.
Thus, Hongjun explained to Ancestor Dragon that Luohu's ascension would lead to the destruction of the Primordial World. Ancestor Dragon, as the first dragon of heaven and earth, would not stand idly by and let it be destroyed.
He readily agreed to assist Hongjun. Despite gaining Ancestor Dragon's help, Hongjun still felt he was no match for Luohu.
The murderous power of the Immortal Execution Formation was extremely potent, amplified by the Four Immortal Execution Swords. To break the formation, four beings of great magic power would be needed to deal with the four swords.
Upon hearing Hongjun's words, Ancestor Dragon immediately thought of Yuan Feng and Shi Qilin. He said, "Fellow Daoist, worry not. I know of two other individuals, neither of whom is beneath me. Allow me to introduce them to you."
Hongjun's heart leaped with joy. Ancestor Dragon was already a Great Luo perfected mystic cultivator. If there were other cultivators of comparable level, then the Immortal Execution Formation would no longer be a cause for concern.
Ancestor Dragon continued, "I am the first dragon after the creation of heaven and earth. Born alongside me were the first phoenix and the first qilin. Their cultivation is equal to mine. The three of us often discussed Dao together and have some camaraderie. Furthermore, Luohu's actions are most heinous; they should not refuse."
Hongjun was overjoyed. There should be no issue with Yuan Feng and Shi Qilin.
He then said, "Then I shall trouble you, Fellow Daoist Ancestor Dragon."
After Hongjun spoke, Ancestor Dragon departed to invite Yuan Feng and Shi Qilin.
The Four Immortal Execution Swords were potentially dealt with, but Luohu remained. Hongjun mused, "I must find another mighty cultivator. What a pity for Qiankun. Otherwise, I wouldn't have to search everywhere; I could just go to him."