The Central Palace, being the most vital part of the secret residence, was not the only crucial area; there were five others, and currently, exactly five individuals felt confident enough to challenge the puppets within the Palace.

"For these twelve years, aside from ruthlessly cultivating this method of kin-slaying," the Iron Masked Man stated calmly, "I have also been poring over the late Master's notes and finally discovered the key to breaking this formation..."

Feng Zikang pricked up his ears, listening intently.

He deduced that the Nine Palaces Formation grew progressively stronger; for every ten steps advanced, the strength of the puppets in the courtyard would double. Calculating based on this, the puppets in the Ninth Palace would reach an almost unimaginable level of power.

He estimated his own strength, aided by the Pivot Orb, would allow him to reach the Sixth Courtyard and find traces of the Star-Light Great Extinction Sword Art divine ability, and he would be content with that; he would not force his way into the Ninth Central Palace.

Yet, seeing the Iron Masked Man’s demeanor, it seemed he was determined to force his way into the core of the secret residence, his resolution absolute in his aura.

"However, this method carries significant risk. If anyone is unwilling, then so be it..." Though the Iron Masked Man said this, he was utterly certain; these people had already come this far—could they resist the temptation like a dog seeing a bone?

"Old Iron Mask, just spit it out already!" Hu Sha showed a trace of impatience in his brow.

"According to the late Master’s calculations, the puppets within the Nine Palaces double their strength with every palace passed. The puppets in the first and second stages are easy to handle, but it took us a full twenty-four years just to deal with the third stage..."

"Double the strength?"

The One-Eyed Scholar gasped, exchanging a look of cold dread with the Two-Faced Madam.

They had trained for twelve years to face the puppets in the Fourth Courtyard and felt reasonably confident, but if the puppets’ strength doubled again, even risking their lives might not guarantee victory. Anything beyond that...

"If that's the case, we can at best only reach the Fifth Courtyard."

Venerable Kong Chan’s voice was like a night owl’s, but his assessment was sound.

If the Iron Masked Man spoke the truth, they shouldn't even dream of breaking through to the Ninth Central Palace.

"But the late Master also mentioned that this secret residence is structured using an Inverted Nine Palaces layout. This configuration gives us a point of leverage."

Feng Zikang’s heart stirred, cursing his own dullness.

The secret residence, with its Nine Palaces arrangement, was a formation in itself. Since it was a formation, the so-called nine courtyards could naturally be shifted and rearranged. This current serpentine, sequential arrangement of the Nine Palaces, if inverted and reconfigured into a standard Nine Palaces formation, might become much simpler.

He held the Pivot Orb. If he studied diligently, he might even be able to utilize the method for changing the formation. It was a pity time was short; unlike the Iron Masked Man, who had spent sixty years contemplating it, Feng Zikang had only just begun.

"...If we convert this inverted, linear Nine Palaces formation into a standard Nine Palaces formation, then we can simultaneously attack the other five palaces and reach the Central Palace directly!"

No sooner had the Iron Masked Man finished speaking than the One-Eyed Scholar laughed, "Old Iron Mask, that sounds easy enough. If we convert it to the standard Nine Palaces formation, we could each take one palace; but concerning the inversion of the formation, how can it succeed without finding the pivot?"

The Iron Masked Man sneered coldly and pulled out a dark object from his robes.

"A hundred years ago, the late Master obtained one Pivot Orb. It is indeed difficult to manipulate the formation in the outer structure, but we have already broken three palaces—the time is right. I have my own means to twist these Nine Palaces!"

Feng Zikang was greatly shocked. He hadn't expected the Iron Masked Man to also possess a Pivot Orb. It seemed his preparation for this journey was the culmination of sixty years of effort, and he was determined to succeed. Feng Zikang secretly grew vigilant, calculating his countermeasures.

Venerable Kong Chan and the others wore grim expressions, each pondering inwardly.

"So that's how it is..." The Two-Faced Madam forced a smile, while the face hidden behind her silently cursed. "No wonder Brother Iron Mask insisted on bringing us along even at the cost of his own vitality. Without the cooperation of us few, unable to destroy five palaces simultaneously, even if you convert the serpentine Nine Palaces into the standard formation, you won't benefit much..."

The Iron Masked Man smiled arrogantly. "This benefits you as well. Each of you enters one palace, and whatever is inside, you may keep for yourselves. After we all enter the Central Palace, we will divide what's inside. In truth, you are not losing out at all!"

If the nine courtyards remained in this linear arrangement, they would naturally divide everything equally if they advanced step by step. Now, by splitting up, no one would monopolize an entire courtyard, meaning they might find something truly valuable. Everyone’s heart stirred.

"My abilities are meager, I dare not separate from the esteemed sirs. The five outer palaces can be taken by the five uncles; I will simply follow Uncle Iron Mask's lead..."

At this moment, Jasmine spoke calmly. She had remained silent when the Iron Masked Man asked if she could independently deal with two puppets; now, she admitted her inferiority and willingly chose to follow him.

The rest of the group began calculating their own gains.

If the Iron Masked Man truly could transform the formation, each of them could secure the contents of an entire courtyard, and still have a chance at the Central Palace. This was already better than...

The Iron Masked Man gave a cold laugh and offered up the Pivot Orb. Instantly, the heavens and earth shifted, and the courtyard they stood in began to creak and warp under the changes.

The nine linked courtyards truly began to separate and reassemble. Stone walls crumbled with explosive sounds.

The last courtyard remained stationary, while the others rose up from the ground, circling in the air to take their new positions. The Iron Masked Man’s body trembled, showing how taxing the effort was.

"Qian, Kan, Gen Palaces, retreat!"

The Iron Masked Man spat out a mouthful of blood, his hands sweeping outward. The first three courtyards disintegrated, scattering into the air. Feng Zikang cried out inwardly that this was bad, clinging tightly behind a large rock, continuing his deception with an obscuring technique.

No one paid attention to the others at this moment, focused only on the remaining five palaces crossing and switching positions, forming a pentagonal shape before slamming down, completely encircling the final courtyard—the Central Palace.

Feng Zikang was inwardly astonished. He estimated that even with the Pivot Orb in hand and having figured out the array transformation method himself, pushing the Nine Palaces Formation to shift, given his own cultivation, would be near impossible. This Iron Masked Man, despite damaging his vital energy, completed the transformation cleanly. His cultivation was truly unfathomable.

However, this man’s practice had clearly strayed onto an evil path; relying on killing his own kin to advance his cultivation would likely not last long.

With the formation transformation complete, the Iron Masked Man coughed, then called out loudly, "Esteemed sirs, you may each choose a palace to enter!" The group exchanged glances. Hu Sha stepped forward first. "Since that is settled, I shall enter the Zhen Palace!"

The Iron Masked Man nodded. The differences among the back five palaces should not be significant; it was all down to luck. The One-Eyed Scholar hesitantly chose the Dui Palace, Venerable Kong Chan took the Xun Palace, and the Two-Faced Madam selected the Kun Palace.

The remaining Li Palace was reserved for the Iron Masked Man and Jasmine.

"The distribution is settled. Please, everyone enter your respective arrays! Eliminate the puppets within your courtyard, destroy their mechanisms, and you may safely wait there for the treasures. Once all five palaces are broken, we can enter the Central Palace!"

The Iron Masked Man finished his instructions with a note of fervor, then, leading Jasmine, stepped to the side and entered the Li Palace.

Hu Sha nodded to Venerable Kong Chan and stepped directly into the Zhen Palace. The One-Eyed Scholar Cui Ke and the Two-Faced Madam separated, going their ways. Venerable Kong Chan frowned, pondering for a long time, but ultimately, the lure of the unknown temptation was too great, and he circled around to enter the Xun Palace.

"Hoo!"

Once everyone else was gone, Feng Zikang dropped his obscuring technique and landed softly.

This Iron Masked Man, Liu Yuansu, was no ordinary figure. His methods, the depth of his scheming, and the strength of his cultivation were all formidable. If it were not necessary, Feng Zikang truly would not wish to confront him.

But since he had encountered him today, he could only blame his poor timing. Feng Zikang sneered inwardly. The Iron Masked Man’s sixty years of painstaking effort—his supposed Nine Palaces transformation method—could hardly be benevolent.

Although Feng Zikang had not calculated carefully yet, the information gleaned from the Pivot Orb suggested that transforming it into a standard Nine Palaces formation absolutely offered no advantage over the original serpentine arrangement. The linear arrangement was designed to make the puppets progressively stronger; what method did this standard Nine Palaces formation use to stop invaders?

If it were as simple as those others believed—just eliminate the two puppets and destroy the mechanisms—it would be too easy.

"However..." Feng Zikang smiled faintly. "This way, everyone is separated. It certainly creates an opportunity for me..."

He suppressed his smile and slowly walked toward the Xun Palace, the courtyard Venerable Kong Chan had entered.

"Dividing them to conquer them. Iron Mask, the fact you thought this way saves me a great deal of effort!"

If the six Foundation Establishment masters remained gathered, Feng Zikang would have no chance against them. But since they were separated, even with the cultivation of the mid-stage Foundation Establishment, Feng Zikang had a fighting chance.

Furthermore, with the Pivot Orb in hand, and with cunning against the unwary, he held a significant advantage in battles within the secret residence. This was a perfect opportunity to prune the opponent's branches.

"Venerable Kong Chan! You shall be the first!"

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Venerable Kong Chan stepped into the Xun Palace. Just like before, it was a silent courtyard, but he dared not relax. He knew well that two powerful puppets guarded every courtyard; he had witnessed this twelve years ago.

He tapped his forehead, releasing three golden Sarira amulets from his Mud Pill Palace. They radiated golden light, enveloping him as he proceeded cautiously.

Venerable Kong Chan had practiced Buddhism for several hundred years, mastering the use of these few Sariras. Especially in the last twelve years, in preparation for confronting the courtyard puppets, he had imbued them with many demonic techniques from the Eastern Isles, making them incredibly potent.

Now, amidst the Sariras’ golden glow, a trace of eerie black light flickered, profoundly mysterious.

"Bang!"

Suddenly, the ground before him collapsed, and a massive, dark shadow burst out, clawing directly toward Venerable Kong Chan’s head. The giant palm’s center was an enormous, gaping maw, spewing foul vapors onto his bald scalp.