As the observation continued, Yang Hong's expression grew darker.
It wasn't that the [Gold-Devouring Ants] were truly invincible; Yang Hong had already devised two methods to eliminate them.
His darkened face was a result of the indignation he felt towards the immortal and Buddhist cultivators.
These Gold-Devouring Ants had undoubtedly been meticulously modified.
Even the most basic worker ants appeared golden, yet they were clearly organized, capable of resisting attacks of corresponding attributes, and could proactively protect other ants.
Yang Hong, having lived two lifetimes, had never encountered such intelligent ants, let alone ants with such distinct attribute resistance.
He could even witness worker ants carrying injured soldier ants to the rear and treating them with a special ant acid.
As time passed, these ants actually began to form arrays, with simple Five Elements formations appearing one after another, significantly boosting the ant swarm's combat power!
By all accounts, this was not something normal ants could achieve; even demonic insects wouldn't be this intelligent.
He had fought the Lihuo Flying Locusts before, a species that had evolved for tens of thousands of years and still didn't understand formations. Even ninth-tier Lihuo Flying Locusts only knew how to gather together to attack in a swarm.
At most, they could only maneuver their swarms.
Yet, these Gold-Devouring Ants, which had only appeared for a little over a hundred years, could already form formations. Something was clearly amiss!
The initial Gold-Devouring Ants he had seen were at most the size of a billiard ball, easily crushed by cultivators of the same tier with a single hand!
The current evolution of the Gold-Devouring Ants was terrifying!
This had to be the work of humans or demons, and the likelihood of it being humans was high!
"Was it the Buddhist or the Immortal sects? They've gone so mad. These Gold-Devouring Ants are evolving at an astonishing rate, and yet they're being taught human cultivation knowledge. Are they trying to exterminate themselves?"
Hearing Yang Hong's soft mutterings, Ye Yudong and the others were startled and turned to ask:
"Sect Master, are you saying these Gold-Devouring Ants were released by the Immortal and Buddhist sects? Why would they harm us?"
"Perhaps they weren't trying to harm us, but rather to create combat tools to deal with the impending war between immortals and demons. We are merely tools in their experiment."
"Modified? Sect Master, are you saying these Gold-Devouring Ants have been altered? They weren't like this before?"
Pointing at the Gold-Devouring Ants before them, Ke Jiemei looked terrified.
"Of course they've been modified. After cultivating for so many years, have you ever heard of demonic insects that can form formations?"
"Hiss~ I really haven't."
"And not only formations, but I have a strange intuition that these Gold-Devouring Ants already possess simple intelligence."
"Intelligence? That's terrifying?"
"Alas~ I hope I'm overthinking things."
Hua Xinlei, a tree demon who had been guarding Yang Hong, suddenly spoke up upon hearing their conversation:
"Master, these ants definitely possess intelligence. My divine sense can detect a peculiar command-like consciousness. It resembles divine sense, yet it's different."
"Oh? Let me try too."
Hearing Hua Xinlei's words, Yang Hong spread his divine sense, capturing the spiritual signals in the environment.
However, to his regret, he could only detect faint and chaotic peculiar spiritual signals, which his powerful divine sense couldn't decipher.
"They do have it. It's likely a form of pheromone similar to divine sense.
These Gold-Devouring Ants must be eradicated, otherwise, they might evolve true intelligence and develop into a truly sentient species!"
Upon discovering those pheromones, Yang Hong's mood grew even heavier, and his anger towards the idiots who modified the Gold-Devouring Ants intensified.
An anger that made him wish to annihilate them immediately!
"Cease the attack for now. Retreat ten li to rest."
After half an hour of chaotic yet orderly advances and retreats, Yang Hong halted his disciples' offensive, closed his eyes, and organized the observations he had made, calculating the actual combat effectiveness of various attacks.
Firstly, Five Elements attacks, especially those of the Metal attribute, could no longer be used.
These ants had evolved powerful resistance to the Five Elements, and Metal attribute attacks with insufficient power were now healing them.
Secondly, flying swords and knives, with their slashing and stabbing methods, were also ineffective. The Gold-Devouring Ants' exoskeletons were incredibly tough, capable of withstanding physical attacks that surpassed their own cultivation tier by one level.
However, large blunt weapons like bells, hammers, and seals had some effect. While the Gold-Devouring Ants' exoskeletons were hard, their internal organs had not fully evolved and were still relatively fragile.
Next were lightning-based spells. The lightning attacks were mediocre, neither weakened nor enhanced.
Divine sense attacks also had to be excluded. It was unclear which 'bastard' had modified the Gold-Devouring Ants, but even though divine sense attacks could penetrate their divine sense defense and even directly shatter their divine sense,
these ants could still attack enemies based on instinct after their divine sense was shattered!
The most effective attacks were sword qi and blade qi attacks that contained artistic conception.
And also...
"Ran Borenn, take my Sect Master token and return. Summon back the 1,296,000 Azure Sky Willow Tree Demons that are scattered outside."
"Yes!"
Ran Borenn, without a second thought, took the token Yang Hong handed him and turned towards the nearest teleportation array.
Yang Hong then turned to the human and demonic disciples beside him and commanded:
"Everyone, form teams freely based on your cultivation and establish the [Nine Revolutions Lotus Platform Sword Array].
Each sword array must have at least one disciple who comprehends sword intent. Those who cannot join will retreat a hundred li and set up the [Steel Cage Grand Array] in the desert."
"Yes."
On the 황huang sand desert, a group of cultivators orderly formed their ranks, with each team consisting of 81 people.
The [Nine Revolutions Lotus Platform Sword Array] could be set up by a minimum of nine people and a maximum of 81, making it a flexible and adaptable seventh-tier battle array that could condense the sword qi of multiple people into a single sword, increasing attack power manifold.
It was unfortunate that Qingfeng Villa currently did not have many disciples who comprehended sword intent, only 730 teams. These teams were all composed of high-tier disciples leading low-tier disciples.
Except for one eighth-tier Tribulation Stage team of 36 people, all other teams were full strength at 81 people.
However, this team of 36 people was entirely composed of Tribulation Stage experts who had comprehended the [Guardian Sword Intent]. They were designated to cover the rear and protect others, and would not act rashly.
More than 40,000 disciples retreated to set up formations.
The [Steel Cage Grand Array] was considered a basic formation that all Qingfeng Villa disciples should know. Although it was a fourth-tier formation, everyone was expected to learn it.
This was because it was a classic formation for solidifying sand in the desert and preventing quicksand and sandstorms.
"The eighth-tier Tribulation Stage experts will lead, forming a wedge formation to charge!"
"Charge~ Charge~ Charge!"
At Yang Hong's command, the visibly nervous Qingfeng Villa disciples gritted their teeth and charged forward.
Before them were millions of fifth-tier Flying General Ants, each larger than a basin.
Most terrifyingly, as the Qingfeng Villa disciples formed their arrays, these Gold-Devouring Ants were also forming their own arrays.
Who could have imagined that the massive and intricate Five Elements formation floating in the air was composed of a swarm of ants?
The immense magical power emanating from it made even Yang Hong tremble slightly!
It was a fluctuation beyond the ninth tier, subtly reaching the level of immortals.
730 sword arrays condensed 730 silver long swords imbued with artistic conception and slashed out from afar!
The Qingfeng Villa disciples' magical power and sword qi surged wildly, enveloping the silver long swords and charging forth with them!
"Divine Sense Sword!"
As the long swords charged out, Yang Hong also condensed all his divine sense into a formless long sword and thrust it towards the center of the opposing Five Elements Grand Array!
*Zzzzzzt~*
A piercing shriek rang out, and Yang Hong couldn't help but cover his head and crouch down.
These Gold-Devouring Ants had somehow been modified to possess the ability to reflect divine sense attacks. The powerful backlash caused Yang Hong to suffer a not insignificant divine sense injury.
However, seeing the Gold-Devouring Ants continuously falling, he felt slightly better, realizing his attack was not in vain.
Gu Boji flew over with a face full of guilt to confess:
"Sect Master~ You're injured?
This disciple deserves death. Please punish me, Sect Master!"