Chapter 612: Giant Stone Demon Array
The Dark Night Demon Lord scanned the three individuals from the True Intention Sect and said with a smile, "How about this: you help the three of us kill that Blackwater Demon Jiao first. Then the three of us will assist you in killing that Flaming Firebird. How does that sound?"
"No good!"
True Master Xuan Yi immediately refused.
In the Demonic Domain, the dense demonic energy enhances the Demon Lord’s combat power.
However, for the spirit cultivators, their combat power is somewhat affected.
On the side of the True Intention Sect, Mu Ling’Er is a Fake Pill Array Master.
What was originally a balanced power between both sides, after entering the Demonic Domain, the True Intention Sect was at a disadvantage.
The Blackwater Demon Jiao, hiding in the Demon Pool, is not so easily killed.
"Dark Night Daoist, I’ve heard that the Blackwater Demon Jiao is no ordinary creature. The corrosive poison water it spits is extremely toxic, and ordinary cultivators will die upon contact."
"The three of us can’t withstand the corrosive poison water, so we can’t help you."
If they went with the Demon Lords of the Yin Sha Sect, it might be fine if everything went smoothly.
If they encountered danger, there could be a fatal risk.
The Dark Night Demon Lord discussed with his two junior brothers for a while.
"How about this: the three of us will first assist you in killing that Flaming Firebird, and then we’ll go together to kill the Blackwater Demon Jiao. How does that sound?"
"This..."
True Master Xuan Yi hesitated.
He looked at Xu Ning Tie and Mu Ling’Er.
With the three Demon Lords from the Yin Sha Sect assisting, six people dealing with the Flaming Firebird had higher chances.
"No need."
The one who refused was Mu Ling’Er.
"Let’s just part ways here as agreed and go our separate ways!"
Xu Ning Tie also stood with Mu Ling’Er, speaking up.
True Master Xuan Yi could only smile bitterly and said, "Dark Night Daoist, you see..."
"Never mind, you don’t appreciate kind intentions!"
The Dark Night Demon Lord said angrily.
"Let’s go!"
After speaking, the Dark Night Demon Lord transformed into a beam of black light and flew towards the Demonic Domain mountains.
Mo Chen Demon Lord and Ling Zhenfeng each turned into escape lights, following closely behind.
After the three Demon Lords disappeared.
Only then did True Master Xuan Yi ask, "Junior Sister Qingling, why did you refuse their assistance?"
"I don’t trust them. Their presence would be a distraction to me."
Mu Ling’Er said softly.
"Senior Brother Xuan Yi, Junior Sister Qingling’s array skills are unparalleled. With you and me guarding, plus that bottle of Xuan Yin Demonic Water, it’s sufficient to kill that Flaming Firebird."
"If it weren’t for needing them to provide the Xuan Yin Demonic Water, we wouldn’t need to cooperate with them."
Xu Ning Tie said.
True Master Xuan Yi chuckled.
"Since Junior Brother and Junior Sister are so confident, let’s not delay and quickly head to the Wutong Forest. Let’s go!"
True Master Xuan Yi summoned a flying ship, its hull surface faintly showing the shadow of a flood dragon snake, clearly made of high-tier flood dragon snake materials.
"This is the Flying Flood Dragon Ship, it can navigate freely in this Demonic Domain space."
True Master Xuan Yi boarded first, with Xu Ning Tie and Mu Ling’Er standing on either side.
The Flying Flood Dragon Ship transformed into a stream of light, heading deep into the Demonic Domain.
On the spot, Shen Xuan’s figure appeared.
"With their abilities, as long as the Demon Lords of the Yin Sha Sect don’t interfere, there won’t be any risk along the way."
The three of them, combined, can resist a mid-stage Golden Core.
Even if they are not victorious, they won’t be completely defeated.
Upon reaching the Core Formation Realm, without absolute certainty, one would not easily make a move and create a life-and-death enmity.
Moreover, True Master Xuan Yi and the others are of notable lineage, from the True Intention Sect.
Shen Xuan pondered briefly.
He still decided to go directly to the Wutong Forest.
As powerful as the Blackwater Demon Jiao is, it’s still a Tier Three Demon Beast.
At this moment, he does not need the demon core or essence blood of the Blackwater Demon Jiao.
Shen Xuan intends to turn that Blackwater Demon Jiao into a corpse beast.
Of course, if it were the Flaming Firebird instead, that would be even better.
If the Flaming Firebird has the bloodline of the Divine Bird Phoenix, its combat power would already be extraordinary.
Even a figure like the Bright Jade Demon Lord, at the late stage of Water Attribute Holy Pill, couldn’t withstand it.
Using a painstakingly refined bottle of Taiyin Xuan Water to open a passage and escape from the sea of fire.
"Ah Feng will be fine. He has a unique destiny, each time he forms a team, it’s always the teammates who fall."
With this thought, Shen Xuan concealed his breath and turned invisible, flying towards the Wutong Forest.
...
Along the way, Shen Xuan saw many corpses of cultivators.
Judging from those fragmented skeletons, many were Core Formation Realm cultivators.
Apparently, these were left behind by explorers from before.
Shen Xuan extended his Divine Sense and perception, avoiding various oddly-shaped demonic beasts.
Many were still Tier Three Demon Beasts.
There’s no need to waste time and energy on these demonic beasts.
This time, entering the Demonic Domain, he wants a quick resolution.
The target is only the Flaming Firebird and the Blackwater Demon Jiao.
Now, there’s an additional task.
Ensuring the safety of Mu Ling’Er’s life.
He is not eager to show himself.
Currently, ordinary True Masters and Demon Lords are not his opponents.
Even if all six from the True Intention Sect and Yin Sha Sect joined together, they couldn’t threaten him.
Even if Mo Chen Demon Lord no longer hid his power, Shen Xuan wouldn’t regard him seriously.
The dense demonic energy does affect the spirit cultivators’ strength.
But his true trump card is his Body Refining Technique.
Unaffected by the demonic energy within the Demonic Domain.
As Shen Xuan proceeded, the sense of oppression grew heavier.
"Something’s not right, this isn’t just because of the dense demonic energy!"
This Demonic Domain is very different from the one in Liang Country.
There’s absolutely no spiritual energy.
In the void, there’s a particularly heavy invisible shackle, pressing heavily on the body.
Though invisible, this intangible restriction made him feel uncomfortable all over.
Spiritual Power operation is also much more sluggish than outside.
"So, this isn’t just an ordinary Demonic Domain; it might be a fragment of space left from a shattered Ancient Demon Sect?"
There are many legends about ancient cultivators in the cultivation scriptures.
Tens of thousands of years ago, the Xuanyuan Realm underwent great changes.
The original high-tier spirit vein demonic lands all underwent unexpected incidents.
Many famous Daoist Sects and Demon Sects, along with their occupied spirit vein demonic lands, suddenly vanished.
Later, many Demonic Domains formed, floating in the Xuanyuan Realm.
If this Demonic Domain is a space fragment of an Ancient Demon Sect.
Then it makes sense.
Generally speaking, the periphery of an Ancient Demon Sect would set up wide-ranging restrictions.
Specifically designed to counter Daoist Sect spirit cultivators.
Just like the protective array of the Immortal City.
"So, this Demon Realm space restricts the level of Spirit Cultivators?"
In many Secret Realms, the rules of heaven and earth inside will restrict the cultivators’ levels.
High Tier Cultivators entering will be restricted by the rules of the Secret Realm, potentially causing space chaos within the Secret Realm.
Either the High Tier Cultivator perishes, or the Secret Realm space collapses.
The former is much more likely than the latter.
Ordinary High Tier Cultivators find it difficult to resist the rule power of the entire Secret Realm space.
"The space fragments of the Ancient Demon Sect? I must give Wan Meng a good scolding when I get back! She forgot to tell me such an important thing!"
In this Demon Realm space, Shen Xuan’s Spiritual Power is rapidly depleting.
For ordinary True Masters, they can only use Upper Grade spirit stones to replenish.
But for Shen Xuan, this isn’t a problem.
Refine an Ice Soul Spirit Crystal, and it can make up for a small deficit, sustaining him for an hour.
Luckily, he is not just a Spirit Cultivator of the Daoist Sect.
He is also a true Half-step Divine Power Realm Body Refining Master.
"Mere Ancient Demon Sect restrictions can’t do anything to me! No need to pay it any mind."
"It seems that the cultivators entering this Demon Realm space are all below the Nascent Soul, not worth worrying about."
"But, this Ancient Demon Sect, might there be any remnants left?"
Shen Xuan pondered this, observing the surrounding environment.
"Judging by the surrounding mountain rocks, they should be thousands of years old."
"No matter how powerful the remnants, they can’t withstand the erosion of time, they should have dissipated."
Shen Xuan dared not be careless, concealing his breath and becoming invisible, proceeding with caution.
The next day.
After traveling for two hours.
There was a faint fluctuation of Spiritual Power ahead, along with anxious sounds of argument.
Turning around a narrow pass formed by jagged rocks, the scene in front suddenly opened up.
True Master Xuan Yi, Xu Ning Tie, and Mu Ling’Er found their way blocked by a field of bizarrely shaped giant stones.
These giant stones weren’t naturally formed, each piece as black as ink, twisted in shape, as if the bones of a giant beast crawling out from the depths of Nine Netherworld.
Dark red, eerie demonic patterns were engraved on the stone surfaces, interconnecting, constantly drawing in surrounding Demonic Qi, emitting waves of black radiance, forming an indestructible barrier.
Within the radiance, it seemed as if countless wailing souls were howling, shrieking, and piercingly sharp.
"Senior Brother Xuan Yi, these giant stones form a Demon Array, it will devour our Spiritual Power!"
Mu Ling’Er released a Tier Three Wind Talisman, which fell lightly after entering the giant stone Demon Array, like a stone sinking into the sea.
The Spiritual Power within the Wind Talisman was completely devoured by the Demon Array.
True Master Xuan Yi looked solemn, his whisk sweeping, releasing rays of pure light trying to purify the demonic energy within the array.
The pure light clashed fiercely with the black glow, sizzling as they met.
Though some space was cleared, it was quickly filled again by the black glow surging from behind.
Xu Ning Tie snorted coldly, summoned his Flying Sword, and shot out a golden Sword Qi.
The Sword Qi struck the black glow barrier, causing a slight ripple.
Similarly, just a few moments later, the black glow barrier returned to its original state.
The three of them looked at each other, all feeling somewhat at a loss.
At this moment, a sound of something cutting through the air came from behind.
Three black lights flew through the air.
It was precisely the Three Dark Lords of the Yin Sha Sect: the Dark Night Demon Lord, Mo Chen Demon Lord, and Ling Zhenfeng.
They were in the Demon Realm space, in high spirits, like fish in water,
The Dark Night Demon Lord let out a scoff, holding the Demon Flood Dragon Umbrella, leisurely and carefree, walked into the giant stone Demon Array.
On the Demon Flood Dragon Umbrella, the black-horned flood dragon raised its head and flicked its tongue.
The black glow seemed to sense them, automatically parting to the sides, making way for a path.
Mo Chen Demon Lord was even more direct.
His form flickered, seemingly an insubstantial shadow, merging into the black glow, progressively moving further.
Ling Zhenfeng glanced at the three of True Master Xuan Yi, then used a Snake Demon Arrow to clear the way, shooting through layers of black glow before entering the giant stone Demon Array.
Such a strange giant stone Demon Array presented no obstacles to the demon cultivators of the Yin Sha Sect.
It seemed specifically set up to block the Spirit Cultivators.
"This array can recognize spiritual and demonic auras!"
Xu Ning Tie said hatefully.
The three Dark Lords of Yin Sha Sect passed through at ease.
They, however, had to put in some effort.
Shen Xuan concealed in the darkness, took in everything.
"This Demon Realm space is indeed rather peculiar."
The three of True Intention Sect were oblivious.
Yet he could vaguely sense that the three of Yin Sha Sect remained within the giant stone Demon Array and hadn’t exited.
"What are they planning?"
"To ambush the three of True Intention Sect?"
"At such a time, isn’t the timing off?"
Shen Xuan pondered secretly.
The Flaming Firebird and Black Water Demon Flood Dragon had not succeeded.
If the three of Yin Sha Sect acted now, though possessing the terrain advantage of the giant stone Demon Array, they might not be able to achieve a decisive victory, let alone annihilate the opponent.
Even if one of True Intention Sect were to escape, they would face dire consequences.
True Master Xuan Yi asked, "Junior Sister Qingling, how long will it take to break this array?"
Mu Ling’Er focused intently in observation.
After a while, she said, "This giant stone Demon Array is quite sturdy, I need some time."
"Alright. Junior Sister Qingling, do your best. Brother Tie and I will protect you."
Mu Ling’Er nodded, waved her hand, and nine Spirit Banners spun out, forming a Nine Palace formation.
"Ling’Er’s Nine Palace Spirit Banners are excellent."
Shen Xuan’s skill in Array Dao remained at Tier Two Middle Grade.
In the inheritance scriptures of Array Dao, he had seen the Nine Palace Spirit Banners.
A skilled Array Master uses the principles of the Nine Palaces, Eight Trigrams, and Five Elements Cycle to refine nine Spirit Banners with corresponding attributes using nine materials.
When encountering enemy-deployed arrays, the Nine Palace Spirit Banners can calculate the energy flow to find the array’s core.
Once the array core is exposed, a powerful attack can sever the array’s Spiritual Power.
Thus the array is naturally unraveled.
Of course, this giant stone Demon Array is no ordinary foe.
Mu Ling’Er manipulated the Nine Palace Spirit Banners to calculate the array’s energy flow and spiritual power.
Shen Xuan heightened his Smell and Taste ability to the limit.
The three of Dark Night Demon Lord’s group all carried a faint scent of blood.
This was the aura left from excessive slaughter.
No matter how they restrained it, they couldn’t completely eliminate it.
In reality, they couldn’t smell it themselves.
"Strange."
Shen Xuan sensed a hint of danger.
The three of Yin Sha Sect truly planned to act against the three of True Intention Sect.
"Forget it. Better to take precautions. I should go take a look."
Besides Mu Ling’Er, there’s also Ling Zhenfeng, an old friend of his.
He doesn’t want to see anything happen to these two.
Concealing his breath and becoming invisible, Shen Xuan used the Heaven-Covering Stone to hide his presence, quietly entering the giant stone Demon Array.