Taking in this spectacle, a blank expression appeared on the old man’s face as he stared at Yang Kai’s figure in shock.
During the past two days of defending against the Demon Qi invasion, he found that Yang Kai was Maplewood City’s newest Dao Source Realm Master. Nevertheless, he never expected Yang Kai to be this powerful.
He could clearly sense the Space Force fluctuations radiating from the Secret Technique Yang Kai had just unleashed. Didn’t this mean that Yang Kai was already able to harness Space Force?
He could no longer be treated as an ordinary Dao Source Realm cultivator.
Originally, the old man didn’t care much about Yang Kai, assuming that he was just a young and newly promoted master. However, after witnessing this Secret Technique, the old man had no choice but to regard Yang Kai in a new light.
Right at this moment, a shout rang out from below them. “Two sirs, there’s… there’s a slight problem with the Spirit Array repairs.”
The old man frowned. Looking down, he immediately shouted back in response. “What’s the problem?”
“It’s like this, Senior Qin…” The Array Master wore an awkward expression as he quickly continued, “If we want to close that hole, there cannot be powerful energies in the area that would interfere with the repair!”
“What do you mean?” The old man replied with a frown; although he was a Dao Source Realm Master, he didn’t have a good understanding of Spirit Arrays. Naturally, he didn’t know what the Array Master was trying to imply.
“In other words, if you two sirs are to continue fighting against those demonic creatures where the hole is, it will be impossible for us to repair the Spirit Array!” A look of unease appeared on the Array Master’s face.
“Useless!” The old man roared out in anger, “Are you trying to say that it’s simply impossible to repair the Spirit Array?”
Feeling the anger radiating from the old man, the Array Master’s eyes shrunk in fear before he replied weakly, “That isn’t the case. As long as you two sirs can shift the battlefield to another location, it will not hinder the repairs.”
“Where to?” The old man asked in a deep voice.
The Array Master’s face scrunched up in embarrassment. “You two sirs might have to go outside the Spirit Array…”
Before he could finish his sentence, old man Qin had already roared out in fury. “Bullshit! If that’s the case, isn’t it just a death sentence?”
The reason Maplewood City was still relatively unscathed was that the attacks launched by the Demoni Qi yesterday were relatively weak, and the Spirit Array was sufficient to hold those attacks off.
If he really left the protection of the Spirit Array to engage in combat against the Demon Qi and demonic creatures, it wouldn’t take long for him to get corrupted by the Demon Qi, transforming into a demon with his consciousness lost forever.
“Please calm down, senior Qin. It’s all due to my inadequate skills.” The Array Master also knew that his suggestion was ridiculous for anyone to accomplish. However, just as the cultivation realms of the cultivators in Maplewood City were rather mediocre, the might of the Array Masters were simply ordinary.
If they wanted to repair the damage, they couldn’t get disrupted by any powerful sources of energy near the area of repairs.
If Yang Kai and old man Qin were to engage in endless combat against the demonic creatures, they would be utterly incapable of doing anything.
“I’ll go, Old Sir Qin!” Yang Kai suddenly spoke up.
“You will?” Upon hearing this, old man Qin turned around to look at Yang Kai.
Yang Kai replied with a smile. “Since we need to shift the battlefield in order for the Spirit Array to get repaired, there’s no other way.”
A sliver of worry flashed across old man Qin’s face as said worriedly, “Are you sure about this, Little Brother? If you head out of the Spirit Array’s protective radius, you’ll be entering enemy lines alone. The Demon Qi can’t be easily defended against. If anything untoward were to happen…”
“I can’t guarantee anything, but I’ll know when I try,” Yang Kai smiled faintly. “If we don’t take care of this now, the city will get invaded the moment we become exhausted and run out of strength.”
After hearing Yang Kai’s reply, old man Qin also knew that there was truly no other way but to head out of the hole. Clenching his teeth, he quickly said, “Since that’s the case, let this old man go along with you, Little Brother. Hmph, as the saying goes, how can men be brave if they don’t dare to go into the tiger’s den? This old man really wants to see whether the Demon Qi will erode his consciousness!”
Yang Kai failed to stifle his laughter as he replied, “If old sir Qin were to head out there, how would the people below deal with any small fry that manages to get past?”
“About that…” Old man Qing gawked in speechlessness.
With a stern expression, Yang Kai gave his reply. “I’ll take the lead, while old sir Qin will stand guard in the rear.”
Knowing that Yang Kai wouldn’t back down from his words, old man Qin sighed and said, “Then you must be very careful, Little Brother. If you feel that your strength is waning… just retreat back into the city.”
Yang Kai nodded his head.
“If we succeed in doing this, I will definitely give a report to the City Lord, and make sure he acknowledges your contribution!” Old man Qin quickly said.
Declining to comment, Yang Kai flickered away towards the hole.
At once, old man Qin stepped up while roaring out loudly, “Repair the Spirit Array with the greatest speed you can muster! If you can’t complete the repairs on the Spirit Array within a quarter-hour, this old man will throw all of you Array Masters outside!”
Miserable expressions immediately appeared on the few Array Masters below. Nevertheless, they didn’t dare to utter any retort as they hastily started to repair the Spirit Array.
Right as Yang Kai exited the city, he felt that he had entered another world; a world without light, engulfed in endless darkness. The jet-black Qi that flowed all around his body possessed terrifying corrosive properties, and also seemed to contain some mysterious components.
The instant Yang Kai appeared outside, the Demon Qi and demonic creatures were like beasts that had spotted fresh meat, as all of them rushed towards him.
In a second, the space before Old Man Qin was emptied. It seemed as if the Demon Qi and demonic creatures were no longer flooding through the hole.
Witnessing this, delight, as well as a sliver of anxiety, surfaced in his heart.
He was delighted that the Array Masters would be able to repair the Spirit Array in peace, allowing them to complete the repairs in the shortest possible time.
He was worried about whether Yang Kai could endure until the repairs were complete. If Yang Kai were to suffer from misfortune before that, not only would their repair attempt end in failure, there would be an additional Dao Source Realm Master among the ranks of the demonic creatures.
If that were to happen… Maplewood City’s situation would become even worse!
Just as Old Man Qin was waiting anxiously, a few streaks of light suddenly came streaking over from not far away.
Not long after that, the streaks of lights descended before Old Man Qin, dissipating away to reveal a few figures.
“Yu’er, why did you come here?” Upon seeing a delicate-looking girl standing among the new figures, his expression changed drastically. “It’s dangerous here. Hurry up and go back.”
That delicate-looking girl was precisely Qin Yu, whom Yang Kai had met once before. Furthermore, within Maplewood City, the only Dao Source Realm Master surnamed Qin was the Qin Family’s old ancestor, Qin Zhao Yang.
Nevertheless, despite hearing this, Qin Yu didn’t make a move. Instead, she replied: “We received news that the situation here was critical. Therefore, we hurried here as reinforcements…”
As she continued to speak, Qin Yu turned to look at her surroundings, only to discover in astonishment that everything in her vicinity was currently under control. Other than the hole in the Spirit Array, there wasn’t a single trace of demonic creatures.
The Demon Qi and demonic creatures outside the Spirit Array even seemed to be ignoring the hole in the Spirit Array, and seemed to be surging around, congregating towards some location outside the city instead.
“Over there…” A dark look appeared on Qin Yu’s face. “What is going on over there?
Qin Zhao Yang sighed in reply. “There’s a young man who rushed out to attract the attention of the Demon Qi and demonic creatures. If not for his actions, how would this area be so peaceful now?”
“There’s someone who rushed out?” Looks of astonishment appeared on the faces of other Qin Family members present.
After all, although they had yet to personally witness the terrifying might of the Demonic Qi, just the sight of it was enough to cause all the hair on their bodies to stand on their ends. Who would dare to rush out into the Demonic Qi?
The courage to face such a terror head-on would mean that the person simply had no regard for their life.
Just the thought of this caused feelings of respect for the unknown person to surface in their hearts, as they silently admired the person’s decision.
“Yu’er, since you’re here, then so be it. Help this old master observe the situation over there!” All of a sudden, Qing Zhao Yang seemed to have recalled something, prompting him to speak to Qin Yu.
“Okay!” Qin Yu nodded, before closing her eyes. After reopening them, a silver glow radiated from her eyes. Within her pupils, silvery currents were flashing about, while a mysterious power beamed out from within, piercing through the void before her.
Due to an incurable disease that plagued her body, Qin Yu was frequently not well. Furthermore, displaying this Secret Technique seemed to put an immense burden on her. Tremors started to rack through the body, beads of sweat seeped out of her forehead, while her originally pale face gradually grew even paler.
“So, how’s the situation?”
“Ah…” Right after gazing into the void, Qin Yu could not help but let out a soft yelp.
Very quickly, a sliver of delight flashed across her face as she said out in astonishment, “It’s him?”
Right after she said those words, Qin Yu’s tender body trembled as she closed her eyes abruptly. Like a fish out of water, she proceeded to gasp deeply for air.
Seeing this, a look of fear flashed across Qin Zhao Yang’s face. With a series of finger movements, he made successive taps on the pressure points on Qin Yu’s body. At the same time, he retrieved a Spirit Pill from his Space Ring and shot it straight into her mouth.
He did not chase her for a reply, just waiting for Qin Yu to sit down and adjust her breathing.
After a short while, Qin Yu opened her eyes, looked towards Qin Zhao Yang excitedly. “Old ancestor, was that person named Yang?”
“You recognize him?” Qin Yu’s reaction caused Qin Zhao Yang’s expression to change as he asked her in pensiveness.
“It’s really him!” Qin Yu smiled and replied in a low voice, “Old Ancestor, do you remember the last time Yu’er returned, I had asked for our family to look out for a particular person?”
“I remember hearing about this matter.” Qin Zhao Yang nodded, before asking curiously. “Are you saying that this is the person you were looking for?”
“Indeed!” Qin Yu nodded in response. “Old Ancestor, this person is extraordinary! If it’s possible, you have to try your best to pull him to our side, and get him employed by our Qin Family!”
“This old man can already tell that he is extraordinary…” Qin Zhao Yang’s mouth twitched as he gave a bitter smile in response. If this man was just an ordinary cultivator, would he dare to rush out of the city by himself? “So, how did you come to know about him?”
Qin Yu continued, “That’s because Yu’er was observing him from a distance when he was promoting his cultivation into the Dao Source Realm! When that person was promoting his cultivation realm, the resulting Heavenly Manifestation was exceedingly terrifying, and the spectacle was simply unlike any ordinary cultivator promoting into the Dao Source Realm. Furthermore… at the critical moment of his promotion, he even had enough strength to spare, and dealt heavy injuries to Ghost Hand Shen Tu!”
“What?” Qin Zhao Yang exclaimed in shock, “Are you sure about this?”
How would Qin Zhao Yong not know someone as infamous as Ghost Hand Shen Tu? Having been a Dao Source Realm Master in Maplewood City for so long, he had crossed paths with Shen Tu several times over the years, and had even fought twice due to differences in opinions.
Despite holding Shen Tu in contempt due to his prior actions, Qin Zhao Yong begrudgingly acknowledged Shen Tu’s strength, treating Shen Tu as his number one foe. When they fought, he could only maintain a slight advantage and was unable to properly finish Shen Tu off. Both times, he couldn’t prevent Shen Tu from escaping.
However, from what Qin Yu had mentioned, Yang Kai was actually able to deal a heavy blow against Shen Tu during the critical moment of his promotion to the Dao Source Realm!
In other words, at that time, Yang Kai had yet to reach the Dao Source Realm and was merely a Peak Third-Order Origin King.
Qing Zhao Yang was utterly incapable of imagining the strength required to injure Shen Tu under such circumstances.
Didn’t this also mean that, at that time, Yang Kai was already out of his league?
Now that Yang Kai had ascended to the Dao Source Realm, his cultivation realm had taken a huge step forward, and his strength might have more than doubled!
Reaching this conclusion, Qin Zhao Yang suddenly felt his breathing turn heavy. Earlier on, he had tried his best to convince himself of Yang Kai’s strength, but he was actually underestimating Yang Kai!
“What about Shen Tu?” Qin Zhao Yang asked impatiently.
Shen Tu had had some past grievances against the Qin Family, and if they could track him down while he was still recovering from serious injuries, it was a golden opportunity to exterminate the root of the problem.
With a bitter smile, Qin Yu replied, “I was just about to tell you about this matter, Old Ancestor! Shen Tu is dead!”
“Dead?” Qin Zhao Yang’s eyes contracted in shock. “Didn’t you say that he only suffered serious injuries? How did it go from serious injuries to death?”
“During his promotion… that sir had another Dao Source Realm protecting him from the shadows. After suffering serious injuries and being forced to retreat, Shen Tu was killed by that protector in a single strike! However, it’s a pity… I was unable to see exactly who that protector was, nor the level of their strength.”
“Eh?” A look of excitement filled Qin Zhao Yang’s face. “Are you telling me that a hidden master is backing Little Brother Yang?”
Qin Yu nodded her head and replied in excitement. “Yes, Old Ancestor. That person is a loose cultivator. If we’re able to pull him into our Qin Family, we will definitely receive a great boost in strength. Furthermore, with another powerful master behind him, our Qin Family will definitely benefit if we’re able to establish a good relationship with him!”
A gleam flashed across Qin Zhao Yang’s eyes. “I understand what you’re implying. However, that matter can only proceed after the danger before us is settled.”
“Yu’er understands. However, please pay attention to this, Old Ancestor. Please be careful to never offend that person,” Qin Yu reminded her Old Ancestor in a solemn voice. A peculiar gleam sparkled within her beautiful eyes, before she quickly added, “Perhaps, the revival of our Qin Family will fall on his shoulders.”
Hearing her words, an intense tremble shook through Qin Zhao Yang’s face as he said with rapt attention, “Did you see something else, Yu’er?”
Qin Yu shook her head and replied, “My Fated Fortune Heavenly Pupil only allowed me to see his absolutely insane fortune and opportunities. His future is definitely not limited to Maplewood City.”
Qin Zhao Yang’s expression changed. “Your words give this old man some assurance.”
After finishing their conversation, the two looked outside the city, though they were unable to see anything through the darkness. The only thing they could make out was the constantly surging Demon Qi, still appearing to be gathering towards a certain location. Within the patch of jet-black Demon Qi, various roars of demonic creatures continued to ring out, making everyone’s hair stand on end.
“Where the hell did all of these damn things come from?”
Outside of the city, a deep frown had covered Yang Kai’s face. Before he had exited the city, he wasn’t able to notice this. However, upon leaving the city and entering this endlessly dark world, he was gradually able to discover the seemingly endless amount of demonic creatures within the Demon Qi.
Furthermore, just like a speck of radiance within the jet black world, he attracted countless demonic creatures to encircle and attack him.
Under the pressure from his Dao of Space, the surrounding region became incomparably dense. Regardless of how high their cultivation level was, any demonic creature that came within 20 feet from him was rendered immobile.
As all-encompassing golden light sparkled about, all of the demonic creatures were sliced into bits by the Golden Blood Threads.
Nevertheless, despite Yang Kai’s incomparably valiant display, the demonic creatures still continued to rush towards him like berserkers without the fear of death. After a moment of work, a hill of corpses had already formed beneath his feet.
Although the Source Qi protecting his body was able to resist the Demon Qi’s corrosion, he could tell how exceedingly strong its corrosive properties were from the intense hissing sounds ringing out all around him. If this continued on, it would be severely taxing on Yang Kai’s strength.
“Come out!”
After fighting for a moment, Yang Kai’s forehead wrinkled. With a low roar, the Queen Monster Insect and Blue Flame Thunder Wolf both graced the battlefield, standing by his side.
Upon their appearance, the two great Blood Beasts immediately moved in accordance with Yang Kai’s commands.
Flashes of light blossomed from the Queen Monster Insect’s twin violet swords, as an ice-cold Domain expanded out. In an instant, a bitter cold engulfed a one thousand metre radius. Snowflakes started fluttering down from the sky, and as they fluttered by the bodies of the surrounding demonic creatures, miserable shrieks rang out as they were sliced into halves.
Take big gulps and exhaling heavily, balls of fire and bolts of lightning shot out from the Blue Flame Thunder Wolf’s mouth. Although the might of its attacks weren’t comparable to the Queen Monster Insect, it was still able to hold its own.
*Chi Chi Chi…*
The blood radiance blossoming from the two great Blood Beasts was so dense, they appeared to be corporeal. Stained with a weak golden-red brilliance, they continued to reject the advancement of the seemingly unstoppable Demon Qi.
For a moment, the current situation seemed to stabilise.
With no other person present, Yang Kai was free to unleash all of his abilities without restraint. With Space Force surrounding his body, various kinds of Space Force Secret Techniques were launched by him. With the cooperation from the two great Blood Beasts, the countless demonic creatures present were utterly incapable of coming any nearer than ten metres from him!
Fortunately, considering the average cultivation realms of the cultivators in the vicinity of Maplewood City, despite the strength boost after being corroded by the Demon Qi into demonic creatures, they did not become substantially stronger.
If not for that, how could Yang Kai be able to accomplish this feat as easily?
After fighting for quite a while, Yang Kai started to become affected by the bloodlust. No longer carrying about conserving his energy, Moon Blade after Moon Blade flew out in all directions, creating neat paths in their wake.
Just at this moment, appearing to have sensed something, the Queen Monster Insect waved its twin swords, sending its frost Dao powers shooting to a certain location.
Right there, a ghostly figure that was approaching them stealthily was forced to make an appearance by the incoming attack.
This new figure seemed to appear somewhat different from other demonic creatures, as the evil aura surrounding its body was incomparably large as compared to the others. Furthermore, it was surrounded by a dense clump of Demon Qi, and had also used some kind of Secret Technique to obscure Yang Kai’s senses.
If not for the Queen Monster Insect detecting it, Yang Kai might have only been able to detect it after it had closed in on him.
“A Jiang Family member?” Nevertheless, Yang Kai reacted exceedingly quickly in response. Right as the Queen Monster Insect made its move, he had already cast his gaze towards the location of its attack. Upon focusing his gaze, he was astonished to discover that it was actually an elder of the Jiang Family, someone whom Yang Kai had fought with previously.
However, Yang Kai didn’t know his opponent’s name.
This Jiang Family Elder’s cultivation was previously at the Third-Order Origin King realm, but right now, it had increased in might, with the current energy fluctuations radiating from his body already reaching the Dao Source Realm in strength. However, the strange thing was that he was still in the Third-Order Origin King realm!
Thinking about that, Yang Kai immediately realized that this was the contribution from the Demon Qi.
After being corrupted by the Demon Qi, despite the loss of consciousness, one’s strength would increase as a result.
After turning into a demon, this Jiang Family Elder’s strength had greatly increased. Nevertheless, the Demon Qi wasn’t omnipotent and thus was unable to truly promote him into a Dao Source Realm cultivator. It was able to increase the quality of the Source Qi within his body but was unable to lead any quantitative change.
“Courting death!” Yang Kai had a deep-seated hatred for the Jiang Family evildoers that had caused the crisis that Maplewood City was currently facing. If not for their wanton harvesting of that mine, he would not have been swept into all of these troubles.
If not, he could very well be focusing his mind on his cultivation in his cave mansion.
Sensing the murderous intent rising from Yang Kai, the Queen Monster Insect didn’t hesitate one bit to wave its twin swords. Two different coloured flashes of light crisscrossed as they shot towards the Jiang Family Elder.
The sound of a body being sliced into bits rang out.
Despite gaining strength from being corrupted by Demon Qi, how would the Jiang Family elder be a match for the Queen Monster Insect?
As the flashes of light shot over, the Jiang Family Elder’s body was sliced into four parts.
Before he died, there was unexpectedly not even a shred of terror in his eyes. On the contrary, roars continued to ring out from his mouth, as though he had turned into a raving lunatic.
“Whoosh…” right at this instant, a figure wielding a sword suddenly appeared behind Yang Kai. The sword was completely black in colour, with a jet black aura radiating from its entire blade. With a flash, the sword pieced towards the back of Yang Kai’s head.
As this figure surfaced, the Blue Flame Thunder Wolf opened its mouth to shoot out a brazier-sized fireball right at it.
However, this person unexpectedly did not evade or dodge, choosing to meet the fireball head-on. The jet black Demon Qi that surrounded it scattered apart, accompanied by a wave of a charred smell.
However, after enduring that attack head-on, his long sword was successful in piercing Yang Kai’s head.
“Ha ha ha ha!” Managing to land his strike, the person could not hold back and started to chuckle heartily, his deranged laughter filled within unconcealable nefarious intent.
“You sound so happy, Brother Chu He!”
An indifferent sounding voice rang out from an unknown position behind his back.
Turning pale in fright, this demon hastily turned its head around, only to discover Yang Kai, whom he thought he had just killed, was already standing behind him and was staring at him with a look of ridicule.
As for the figure whose head he had just stabbed with his sword, it started to slowly dissipate away. That was merely an afterimage.
Seeing the demon look over, Yang Kai could not help but chuckle. “What made you so happy for you to laugh like that, Brother Chu He? Can you share the happiness with me?”
After the earlier incident where the Jiang Family Elder had concealed his figure and almost managed to unleash a sneak attack, how would Yang Kai relax his vigilance? Therefore, he had naturally managed to discover Jiang Chu He’s movements the instant the latter took action. With Yang Kai’s skills, evading a sneak attack like this did not pose any difficulty for him at all.
At this moment, Jiang Chu He was radiating an aura even more powerful than the Jiang Family Elder. He was not able to break through into the Dao Source Realm, was unable to utilize the power of a domain. However, all of his other abilities were on par with a Dao Source Realm master.
Faced with such ridicule from Yang Kai, Jiang Chu He was completely blinded by rage; all of a sudden, with a low roar, his expression grew ruthless, while surging Demon Qi gushed out from his body. At this moment, his originally black pupils grew even more jet black, to the point that they seemed to be able to suck in the souls of people who dared to look at them.
Within the surging Demon Qi, the demonized Jiang Chu He flew into a rage, opening his mouth wide to take a deep breath.
Like a whale gulping water, the surging and squirming Demon Qi rushed madly into his mouth before being swallowed into his body.
Jiang Chu He’s stomach appeared to have transformed into a bottomless abyss…
As he continued to swallow more and more Demon Qi, the aura radiating from Jiang Chu He’s body grew increasingly dangerous. At the same time, the Demon Crests that were present across his body started to radiate with a black twilight, appearing as though they were gathering some kind of mighty force, causing unease to surface in Yang Kai’s heart.
“Deal with him!”
Yang Kai shouted. He knew that he could not allow Jiang Chu He to continue uninterrupted. If he did, something bad might really happen! Upon his command, his two great Blood Beasts transformed into two rays of light, flanking Jiang Chu He.
As for Yang Kai, he proceeded to clad himself with his Sword Qi, merging with the long sword in his hand as he stabbed at Jiang Chu He.
Faced with such an all-out attack, Jiang Chu He did not show even the slightest hint of fear. On the contrary, he opened his mouth wide, letting off a ferocious roar of anger that rang out and shook his surroundings.
As his roar rang out, a jet-black pillar of light shot out from his mouth. Coalescing into a surging jet-black flood dragon, it brandished its fangs and claws as it rushed to meet the incoming Yang Kai.
Seeing this, Yang Kai could not help but narrow his eyes. His long sword blossomed with radiance, transforming into a twisting gale, sweeping the jet-black flood dragon into his sword intent.
On the other side, Jiang Chu He sent a rumbling punch right at the head of the approaching Blue Flame Thunder Wolf. The Blood Beast, despite possessing a strength that rivalled a First-Order Dao Source Realm, let out a miserable whimper as its gigantic body was sent flying away.
Before it could land on the ground, it was entangled by countless strands of Demon Qi, making it utterly incapable of freeing itself. The aura of Blood Qi that surrounded its body continued to be corroded by the Demon Qi, ear-piercing hissing sounds ringing out. Within a short moment, a large hole had been formed, which Demon Qi immediately drilled right into, before entering the Blue Flame Thunder Wolf’s nose.
At the same time, purple and green flashes of light shot over, a Domain of ice and frost descended as the Queen Monster Insect made its move. Combining its twin purple and green swords, they impressively blossomed with dazzling brilliance, momentarily scattering all of the surrounding Demon Qi before congealing a gigantic Sword Qi and sending it chopping down.
Seemingly knowing that this was not a strike he could contend against, Jiang Chu He disappeared from his original location.
*Hong…*
Right as he disappeared, the Sword Qi struck the ground, creating a deep gouge in the earth and sending dirt and dust in all directions.
On the other side, Yang Kai managed to chop that jet-black flood dragon in pieces after much difficulty. Turning around, he saw the Blue Flame Thunder Wolf’s predicament, causing unease to fill his heart. With a hasty flash, he appeared by the side of his Blood Beast, and with a grab, sent it into his Sealed World Bead.
If he had left his Blue Flame Thunder Wolf any longer, it wouldn’t take long for it to become demonized.
Even with him and his two Great Blood Beasts taking action, he had still lost one of them to Jiang Chu He in an instant. This turn of events made Yang Kai angry out of shame, and also let him thoroughly realise exactly how terrifying a demon’s strength was post-demonification.
Before Jiang Chu He was demonized, Yang Kai could kill a fellow like him with a snap of his fingers.
The difference in strength between the Dao Source realm and Origin King Realm could not be scoffed at.
Silence ensued within the Demon Qi.
After evading the Queen Monster Insect’s attack, Jiang Chu He appeared to have merged with the surrounding Demon Qi, disappearing without a trace.
Obviously, he had used this to his advantage earlier, allowing him to get near Yang Kai in the first place.
With no trace of its enemy, the Queen Monster Insect stood silently at its original location, its entire body enveloped by a lustrous white aura of light. This lustrous aura of light radiated with extreme cold, a clear transformation of the Clearly Sky Snowfall’s sword intent.
“Hmph! Do you think you can hide from me?”
Yang Kai gave a cold snort, and after briefly closing his eyes, his Demon Eye of Annihilation had already appeared.
Scanning his surroundings, he quickly spotted the faint outline of a human figure within a stretch of Demon Qi, hiding and not moving an inch.
If not for the Demon Eye of Annihilation’s ability to see through the void, it would have been impossible for him to discover that human figure, no matter how strong his Divine Sense was.
Not only that, there were even more human figures present not far away from him, concealing themselves with the aid of the Demon Qi as they crept silently towards him.
The auras radiating from these few figures weren’t much weaker than the aura radiating from Jiang Chu He. In fact, there were two of them that were even more formidable than Jiang Chu He.
Shock immediately filled Yang Kai’s heart, as he knew that he had stayed too long outside of the city. This had led him to attract even more demons, and these impressively strong demons were obviously demonized Jiang Family members.
That was because one of the figures was extremely similar to the figure of the Jiang Family’s Patriarch, Jiang Lin; they were basically identical to each other.
“Little brother Yang, hurry up and return to the city! The repairs on the great array are about to be complete!”
Just at this moment, Qin Zhao Yang’s roaring voice suddenly rang out from far behind him.
Yang Kai smiled happily, as he knew that he had accomplished his mission. However, he still felt somewhat unwilling to leave just like that.
Seeing even more demons closing in on him, he clenched his teeth and gave an order to the Queen Monster Insect.
In the next instant, the Queen Monster Insect displayed its most powerful Sword Dao Secret Technique.
Cleary Sky Snowfall!
The domain of ice and frost accompanied the movements of the twin purple and green swords as they suddenly descended on a certain location. In an instant, bone-chilling cold immediately enveloped that entire area. In the air, the ice principles lingered on, acting like a poison as it seeped out in all directions.
Unable to react in time, the demons that were creeping up slowly within the Demon Qi were all struck by this move.
Roars began to ring out in succession, as figure after figure revealed themselves. These demons proceeded to execute the Secret Techniques and Divine Abilities they possessed when they were alive, to dispel the ice and frost energies that had struck them.
Taking advantage of this, Yang Kai turned into a flash of light, reappearing right before Jiang Chu He.
“Solidify!”
With a roar, Yang Kai directed his Space Principles, his will locking the entire stretch of the world up.
Jiang Chu He’s figure immediately appeared. However, at this moment, there seemed to be a flustered look appearing on his malevolent-looking face. As he struggled with all his might, the Demon Crests that covered his skin started to move and sparkle, and all of his veins bulged and swelled, creating an extremely shocking sight.
Nevertheless, he couldn’t escape from the bindings created by Space Principles. In the end, he was merely a demonized Third-Order Origin King cultivator, and thus was utterly incapable of breaking free of the constraints created by the strength of the World Principles!
“Slash!” Lifting the long sword in his hand, Yang Kai proceeded to slash down fiercely.
A will to survive burst forth from Jiang Chu He’s jet-black eyes. Mustering energy from an unknown source, he actually managed to forcefully shift his head slightly to the side.
The sword Qi flashed across, cleaving off an arm, and sending jet black blood gushing out from the stump.
Jiang Chu He cried out in pain!
Yang Kai was surprised to see this series of outcomes, as he never expected that his strike wouldn’t achieve its intended effect. Nevertheless, as he thought about it, he came up with an even better idea.
In the next instant, he roared out once again. “Bind!”
Hearing his command, the surrounding space squashed down fiercely towards Jiang Chu He. As though he was being crushed, cracking sounds rang out from the bones across his entire body, while blood flowed out from his nose and ears. Nevertheless, he still continued to struggle and did not show even the slightest hint of wanting to beg for mercy. In fact, he did not even attempt to flee! Instead, he continued to roar at Yang Kai like a frenzied wild beast.
Forming seals with his hands, Yang Kai’s hands turned illusionary, before he smashed them towards Jiang Chu He.
Wave after wave of Source Qi gushed into Jiang Chu He’s body, suppressing every single flow of energy in his body.
Within a few breaths, Jiang Chu He was utterly incapable of mustering any energy to resist, as his entire cultivation was sealed within his body.
Extending his hand, Yang Kai grabbed and hoisted him up.
At the same time, he gave an order to the Queen Monster Insect.
Receiving his command, the Queen Monster Insect transformed into a beam light, shooting towards Yang Kai, who immediately sent it into his Sealed World Bead.
After that, with a flash, Yang Kai rushed towards the city walls.
Seeing Yang Kai appear in the distance, a look of delight appeared on Qin Zhao Yang’s face as he shouted out. “Little brother Yang, hurry up and get back!”
Yang Kai nodded his head. However, right as he was about to head into the city through the hole present in the Spirit Array, his expression suddenly changed as he turned to look behind him.
“What are you doing, Little Brother?” A blank look appeared on Qin Zhao Yang’s face, unable to understand why Yang Kai would come to a stop at such a critical moment.
“Did you hear that, Old Sir Qin?” Yang Kai asked in doubt.
Qin Zhao Yang gawked, before pricking his ears to carefully listen to the surrounding sounds. As he did so, his expression changed. “Is there someone calling for help?”
Indeed, there was someone not far outside of the city that was calling for help. From the shouts, it appeared to be a man, and one that wasn’t young!
Conflicted emotions flashed across Qin Zhao Yang’s face, before he quickly said, “Don’t worry about it, Little Brother. Regardless of who he is, he might already be in a disastrous state. You should hurry back as quickly as possible.”
Yang Kai nodded in agreement.
The dangers of the Demon Qi had far exceeded his expectations. If there really was someone who had recklessly rushed out into it, it wouldn’t take long before that person’s consciousness would be devoured and turned into a demon.
Even with his current level of strength, he did not dare to stay too long within the Demon Qi.
“Sir, please wait! Sir, help!”
All of a sudden, that strange call for help rang out once again from behind him. Furthermore, from the location the sound was coming from, it seemed to be nearer than the last cry for help.
This instantly piqued Yang Kai’s curiosity, as he did not know exactly what kind of person could actually protect their body within that surging Demon Qi and the countless demonic creatures within the Demon Qi. Furthermore, that person seemed to be able to accurately determine which location to run towards.
A person that was able to accomplish those feats would clearly not be any ordinary cultivator.
“Please wait, Old Sir Qin. I’ll take a look first.”
Saying those words, Yang Kai tossed Jiang Chu He into the city.
In a somewhat absent-minded state, right as Qin Zhao Yang noticed Jiang Chu He’s malevolent expression and bared teeth flying towards him, he was instantly shocked. Without giving a second thought, he sent a palm rumbling forward.
*Hong…*
A gigantic bang rang out, accompanied by the sounds of countless bones shattering. Jiang Chu He immediately vomited out black blood, while his aura immediately withered away.
Nevertheless, despite taking Qin Zhao Yang’s palm strike in the face, Jiang Chu He did not immediately die. Instead, he collapsed onto the ground, groans escaping from his mouth.
“Demon… Demon!”
Noticing him, the surrounding cultivators cried out in surprise and shock.
Qin Yu’s beautiful eyes sparkled as she started to size Jiang Chu He up in curiosity.
This was the first time she was this close to a living and breathing demon!
“Jiang, Jiang Chu He?” Qin Yu’s beautiful eyes suddenly snapped wide open, a look of inconceivable shock appearing on her face as she stared at the struggling demon being suppressed on the ground.
She realised that this demon was, in fact, the Jiang Family’s new generational talent, Jiang Chu He!
As one of the descendants hailing from the various aristocratic families in Maplewood City, Qin Yu had had a number of interactions with Jiang Chu He, and thus was naturally able to recognise him. However, never in her wildest thoughts did she imagine that one of the demons who had taken over the outside of Maplewood City would actually be a person she knew.
The Jiang Family’s wanton mining had caused the seal in the mine to break, causing the pure Demon Qi from the Ancient Great Demon to seep out. Only a handful of Dao Source Realm Masters within Maplewood City knew about this, leaving it as a mystery for all the other cultivators.
It wasn’t because Duan Yuan Shan was worried about creating chaos that he had not disseminated this information, but that he hadn’t had the time and opportunity to do so.
“How could it be him?” Qin Yu was completely incapable of wrapping her head around what she was seeing.
“Oh my god! Isn’t that Young Master Jiang?”
“Is that really Young Master Jiang? I had a drink of flower wine with him at the Drunken Moon Winehouse just half a month ago! How could he…”
After recognizing Jiang Chu He from his appearance, expressions of shock appeared on the faces of the surrounding cultivators.
One of the cultivators even revealed a pained look on his face, as he had indeed had a drink with Jiang Chu He at the greatest winehouse in Maplewood City, beautiful women in their arms as they drank delicious flower wine and had a great and happy chat.
Within half a month, the majestic and graceful Jiang Young Master had unexpectedly turned into such a monster! He couldn’t help but sigh sorrowfully in regret.
“Hold him down properly! What are you all scared of? Little Brother Yang has already suppressed his cultivation, he’s just a useless person!” Qin Zhao Yang shouted out from the side, his voice brimming with a stern and oppressive pressure.
Hearing this, the surrounding cultivators unconsciously twitched their mouths in response.
Everyone had clearly seen Qin Zhao Yang instinctively unleashing a palm strike earlier that destroyed all of Jiang Chu He’s bones.
Nevertheless, no one dared to go against him at this moment as they started to surround Jiang Chu He. Unleashing various techniques, they bound him up, all while sizing him up with great curiosity.
Jiang Chu He seemed to have lost all conscious thought; not even the slightest shred of recognition appeared on his face despite coming face-to-face with several familiar faces. On the contrary, he continued to roar out, sending terrifying roars ringing out from his throat.
Outside of the city, Yang Kai continued to act like a mountain, standing right in front of the last hole. Unleashing his Five Elements Indestructible Sword Qi, he blocked wave after wave of countless demonic creatures.
Utilising his Demon Eye of Annihilation to look ahead, the only thing he saw was a lone and miserable figure currently charging about wildly within the endless surging Demon Qi. Unleashing an unknown secret technique that was unexpectedly able to resist the Demon Qi’s corrosion, the figure fled madly towards Yang Kai’s position.
“Ah, great sir! You really are my saviour! Many thanks, many thanks great sir! This one will forever remember great sir’s benevolence! This one will definitely bow three times in the morning, and burn an incense in the evening to pray for this great sir to live to a hundred years old!”
As he flew rapidly towards Yang Kai, he continued to blabber incessantly!
This spiked Yang Kai’s curiosity greatly; this person’s movement skills were exceedingly deft and nimble. Although he was breaking through all of those demonic creatures by himself, he was unexpectedly doing so with ease, and not a single one of the demonic creatures managed to land an attack on him. He even had the time to give thanks to Yang Kai.
A frown appeared on Yang Kai’s face as he replied in anger, “A hundred years old isn’t a long lifespan for me! Are you trying to curse me to an early demise!”
“It’s just a saying, it’s just a saying…” The man seemed to notice his faux pas. However, by then, he had already arrived several dozen metres from Yang Kai.
“Shut up and hurry inside!” Yang Kai said impatiently, as he could see that the hole behind him was about to close up. Right after saying those words, he gave up caring about that person and turned around, rushing through the hole into the city.
“Wait for me, sir!” With a strange shout, that person abruptly accelerated, and in a brief instant, rushed up to Yang Kai’s side and into the city.
Without any more targets to attack, the countless demonic creatures and Demon Qi continued to gush into the city.
Nevertheless, how would the Array Masters waiting silently for their opportunity let them do as they wish? Dazzling flashes of light blossomed from their hands, transforming into streams of energy that flowed into the Spirit Array and the hole shrank rapidly, soon completely repaired!
Hong Hong Hong…
Demonic creatures continued to unleash attacks at the Spirit Array, while Demon Qi continued to surge forth. Nevertheless, everyone breathed a light sigh of relief. As long as the defensive Spirit Array was undamaged, they did not have to worry too much.
“You few, hurry up and strengthen the weak links here! Make sure that the demonic creatures never break the Spirit Array again!” Qin Zhao Yang roared at the few Array Masters present with a stern tone.
Accepting the command, the few Array Masters hastily grasped the Array Plates in their hands tightly.
“We’re really lucky to have you around this time, Little Brother Yang. Without you, Maplewood City might have…” A look of fear flashed past Qin Zhao Yang’s face as he cupped his hands towards Yang Kai in gratitude.
With the viciousness of the Demon Qi and demonic creatures outside of the city, he did not dare to belittle the earlier hole at all. If the Spirit Array hadn’t been able to be repaired, the endless Demon Qi that engulfed the city would definitely invade inwards. Among the tens of thousands of cultivators in Maplewood City, just how few would be able to defend against that?
He could almost visualise the terrible spectacle of despair that would envelop Maplewood City! If that really happened, he would be the sinner of Maplewood City, as protecting the city was his responsibility after all.
“There’s no need to be that modest, Old Sir Qin! It’s within my abilities!” Yang Kai waved his hand in response, and he took those remarks lightly. Instead, he started sizing up the person who had rushed into the city alongside him.
After an instant, a look of shock appeared on his face as he growled, “It’s you, you old swindler!”
Earlier, when he was outside of the city, Yang Kai did not pay much attention to that person’s face. Only now did he realize that the fellow who had rushed through all of the demonic creatures with boldness and bravery, turned out to be that wretched old swindler!
While in the black market, this old fellow had swindled a few thousand Source Crystals from Mo Xiao Qi. After that, before the opening of the Five Coloured Treasure Pagoda, he had gone all over the place to peddle his Nine Revolutions Life Restoring Pill, which he claimed to be his ancestor’s and had some miraculous power to help people regrow their flesh, bones and even bring people back to life! And from the looks of it, his business had been great!
Never in his wildest dreams did Yang Kai imagine that this old swindler had such an outstanding side to him.
Not just any Origin King Realm cultivator could travel through Demon Qi as they wished. Although the old swindler appeared to be gasping for air, at the very least, he had managed to live another day.
Just this fact alone would raise the old swindler to a level that ordinary people could only dream to reach!
“There’s no need to say such horrible words, this sir…” After hearing Yang Kai’s way of addressing him, a rather embarrassed look appeared on the old swindler’s face. With a cheeky smile, he continued, “This old master is merely scraping by, I’ve never swindled anyone before.”
“Oh really?” Yang Kai grinned meaningfully as he shot a deep look at the old swindler.
A righteous look appeared on the old swindler’s face as he replied, “This old master has always treated buying and selling as fair business with reasonable prices. I definitely wouldn’t force others to buy and sell. It’s merely that some people have misunderstood this old master, that’s all, claiming that this old master is a swindler. That’s absolutely slander! This old master’s a businessman, where honesty is of the utmost importance!”
“It’s you, you old thing! Exactly what the hell is that Golden Rod Pill that you sold me last time…” All of a sudden, a cultivator stood out from the crowd. Looking at the old swindler with a face brimming with anger, he seemed to have suffered some kind of great loss.
“That thing didn’t work?” A look of surprise appeared on the old swindler’s face as he looked at that person, before replying in a baffled tone, “Of course. That pill was refined by this old master using my ancestor’s formula. Its efficacy is absolutely extraordinary. This brother, are you sure you followed the instructions properly?”
That cultivator asked with a strange look on his face, “Other than eating, what other way can the pill be used?”
The old swindler patted his leg and cried out in lament, “You idiot! How can you eat that Golden Rod Pill! You’re supposed to grind it to powder, before applying it on…your…!”
Right as he said those words, everyone’s eyes instantly snapped wide open, their eyeballs almost popping out of their sockets.
“Apply what? Apply on where?” Curious, Qin Yu asked with an innocent look on her face.
Qin Zhao Yang could not help but cough lightly in response. Nevertheless, unsure of whether to give a reply to her or not, an exceedingly embarrassed look appeared on his face.
Shooting his gaze towards Qin Yu, the old swindler waved his hands and said, “Don’t ask so many questions, little lass!”
Hearing his response, Qin Yu pouted her lips in anger.
Turning his attention back to the earlier cultivator, a vulgar look appeared on the old swindler’s face as he whispered, “Brother, don’t tell me you’ve really consumed it.”
That cultivator’s face turned red, though he did not give a reply.
Seeing this, the old swindler clapped his hands and continued with a wide grin, “Indeed, you’ve consumed it! Haha, you’re in luck, brother! Although you can consume that Golden Rod Pill, if you really did so, your golden rod will not turn limp for a full 49 days… Oh, let me calculate, the last time I saw you was…”
“Bastard!” That cultivator immediately turned angry with shame. Rushing up, he instantly unleashed a punch at the old swindler while shouting, “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth! Any brothers with grievances against this old fellow, let’s have a go at him!”
As his words rang out, several dozen people immediately rushed out from the crowd!
A wave of bangs rang out, mixed with the old swindler’s shrieks and cries for help. Just like a young girl who had been passed around by a dozen men, tears streamed from his eyes as an incomparably miserable look filled his face.
As the crowd looked over towards the first cultivator to have started the beating, looks of understanding proceeded to flash across their faces. So this was the reason why this brother of theirs had been wearing an extra-large set of robes for the past few days! Furthermore, he would frequently bend his waist forwards! Originally, they had assumed that he had suffered some kind of injury. So this was the hidden trouble he was facing!
That cultivator’s face turned beet red as he noticed the crowd’s gaze bearing down on him, causing him to bolt away hastily.
“Sigh…” At this moment, Qin Zhao Yang gave a light cough, before glancing at Yang Kai with concern. “Did you get injured, Little Brother Yang?”
“I’m alright!” Yang Kai replied while shaking his head.
“That’s good to hear,” Qin Zhao Yang seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. “The City Lord’s Mansion has already been notified of this matter. Your hard work was a major factor in allowing us to repair Spirit Array. City Lord Duan has said that when this demonic tribulation is over, he’ll confer you the position of 3rd Vice City Lord of Maplewood City, though he doesn’t know if Little Brother Yang will accept it or not!”
“Vice City Lord?” Yang Kai raised his eyebrows in surprise, before giving a spiteful laugh. “It’s an honour to be held in such high regard by City Lord Duan. However, I’m not interested in being a Vice City Lord!”
“Haha, Little Brother Yang’s afraid of being bound by fetters, right? Although the position of Vice City Lord seems impressive, in reality, many responsibilities come along with it. Little Brother Yang’s choice is the intelligent one!” Qin Zhao Yang gave a hearty chuckle. For some unknown reason, his expression became much more relaxed. “ Rather than some Vice City Lord post, this old master feels that Little Brother Yang would be more unfettered by choosing an aristocratic family and becoming a Great Foreign Elder!”
Yang Kai smiled, though he did not give any reply. Instead, he turned towards the old swindler. In a flash, he appeared beside the man. Extending his leg, Yang Kai kicked him. “Don’t act dead. Hurry and stand up.”
“Sir, I’ve just suffered a miserable beating. I beg of you to uphold justice and punish those evildoers!” Lying on the ground, the old swindler wore a look of misery as he gazed at Yang Kai, tears streaming from his eyes and mucus flowing from his nose as he started to complain. “Sir, if you’re unable to teach them a lesson, this old master will not stand up.”
“Then you can continue talking while lying down then.”
A look of speechlessness immediately appeared on the old swindler’s face.
Squatting down, Yang Kai cast a deep gaze at the man as he asked in a deep voice, “Let me ask you. How did you end up outside in the Demon Qi?”
Walking over, Qin Zhao Yang grinned as he looked towards the old swindler. “This Qin is also very curious about this matter.”
Being stared at by two great Dao Source Realm Masters caused an involuntary tremble to run through the old swindler as he hastily answered, “These two sirs, is there some kind of misunderstanding? I’m here to ask for reinforcements from Maplewood City.”
“Reinforcements?” Yang Kai raised his eyebrows, while a pensive look appeared on Qin Zhao Yang.”
“I came from Forest City.” The old swindler replied.
Yang Kai could not help but frown.
“Forest City is 3000 kilometres away from Maplewood City. It is a smaller city than Maplewood city, and the average realms of its cultivators are lower.” Qin Zhao Yang added before his expression suddenly changed as he continued in a solemn voice, “Could it be that Forest City has already…”
“Forest City is in danger, two sirs!” An anxious look appeared on the old swindler’s face. Nevertheless, after looking to his left and right, he sighed and said, “From the looks of it, Maplewood City is also in danger. What can we do?”
“What’s the current situation in Forest City?” Qin Zhao Yang asked as an ugly look set in on his face.
“Extremely bad. It is surrounded by Demon Qi and demonic creatures, just like Maplewood City, and you sirs should know what kind of city Forest City is. It probably can’t hold on much longer. Furthermore… there seems to be a Demon over at Forest City that has probably reached the Dao Source Realm!”
“Jiang Tai Sheng!” Yang Kai’s eyes narrowed.
“The Jiang Family’s old ancestor?” Qin Zhao Yang’s expression changed drastically.
Yang Kai nodded his head and said: “That’s why I didn’t spot any traces of Jiang Tai Sheng at all. When I headed out just now, I kept a constant guard against this person in fear that he would suddenly appear to launch a sneak attack against me, yet he did not appear at all. So he was not in Maplewood City, but had headed to Forest City. Obviously, he is trying to use the Demon Qi to create more Demons.”
“That is a possibility. Furthermore, the chances of that happening are extremely high!” Qin Zhao Yang’s face turned ashen in shock. “Although Forest City isn’t large, there’s still a few hundred thousand people present in it. If all of them were to be corroded into Demons…”
After saying this, a scene surfaced within his mind, causing an involuntary shiver down his spine.
“Did you all request for help from any place other than Maplewood City?” Yang Kai questioned.
The old swindler nodded his head and replied, “Of course we did. However, Maplewood City is the closest city to us. Furthermore, this old master is extremely familiar with Maplewood City, so I volunteered to come here. If I had known that I’d get into trouble, I wouldn’t have come over here.”
“It’s all due to your actions!” Yang Kai shot a dark look at him.
The old swindler gave an embarrassed smile. “I’m just lucky, just lucky. Furthermore, if not for sir attracting such a large number of demonic creatures, it would have been impossible for me to enter the city safely.”
With a smile, Yang Kai nodded slightly, before shouting out, “Make sure to take good care of this old swindler, better not let him run away!”
As he said those words, he suddenly extended his hand to touch the old swindler’s body. The power of domain circulated, entering the old swindler’s body and sealing his cultivation.
The old swindler was dumbstruck by this series of events!
Even Qin Zhao Yang seemed to not expect Yang Kai’s sudden hostility, causing him to be stunned for a moment.
A flash of radiance surfaced within Qin Yu’s beautiful eyes as she stared at Yang Kai in astonishment, not knowing what he was planning to do.
“Sir, you…” The old swindler stared at Yang Kai with his wide open eyes, while misery and pity set onto his face.
“Take him away!” Noticing the surrounding cultivators just standing around, Yang Kai promptly shouted out with a stern tone.
It was only after his shout that two guards from the City Lord’s Mansion stepped forward. Holding the old swindler by his arms, they proceeded to fly off in the direction of the City Lord’s Mansion. It seemed that they were planning on locking him up in the prison there.
“This is a misunderstanding, Sir! I’m only here to ask for reinforcements! I’m on your side! Sir, you can’t treat me like this!” The old swindler started to cry and weep, as he gradually disappeared into the distance!
“Little Brother Yang, you aren’t going to lock that person up just because he frequently swindles others, right? Or is there a deeper reason for this?” Qin Zhao Yang shot a pensive look at Yang Kai as he asked.
Qin Yu was also brimming with curiosity towards this matter.
“Of course not.” Yang Kai shook his head. “However, with only a Third-Order Origin King cultivation realm, this person was actually able to pass through the Demon Qi blockade safely. There’s some kind of secret hidden in his body, and I’m very interested in that.”
“Does Little Brother Yang want to extract this secret from him?” Qin Zhao Yang’s eyes lit up.
Origin King Realm cultivators weren’t lacking in Maplewood City at all. If all of them had the ability to travel through the Demon Qi with ease, there would have been no need to be as terrified as they were. Everyone would have been able to head out of the city and kill every single one of those demonic creatures.
“That old thing seems to be crafty and cunning, so it might not be an easy task to discover his secrets. Besides, even if he reveals it to us, not everyone might be able to use it… in any case, we’ve done everything we can do.” Yang Kai replied in an indifferent tone.
“That’s right!” Qin Zhao Yang nodded his head, agreeing with Yang Kai’s words. Pointing towards Jiang Chu He, whose cultivation had been suppressed but was still roaring away endlessly, he asked, ”Little Brother, how should we deal with this person?”
Yang Kai turned his head to look at Jiang Chu He. “I captured this fellow to try and extract some information about the outside. However, with his condition right now…”
He could not help but to let out a bitter laugh.
Jiang Chu He already seemed to have lost all conscious thought. How could Yang Kai gather any information from him? The only method would be for someone to risk the possibility of a backlash and use a soul searching type of Secret Technique on him.
However, to utilise such a Secret Technique, it would require the user to have a cultivation realm much higher than the target. If not, the risk of suffering a backlash from Jiang Chu He’s rage-filled demonic consciousness would be extremely high.
Even within Maplewood City, the highest cultivation realm anyone else had was the Second-Order Dao Source Realm; it was simply unsuitable for this task.
Although Yang Kai’s Divine Sense could rival a Third-Order Dao Source Realm Master, he did not know any Soul Searching Arts. Even if he were to forcefully utilise one, he might not necessarily obtain any useful information
“If that’s the case, perhaps my humble self might be able to offer some assistance.” Qin Yu suddenly spoke up.
“You?” Yang Kai looked towards Qin Yu with a stunned and confused look. He was afraid that he might have heard wrongly, as from what he could see, Qin Yu’s Second-Order Origin Returning Realm was present right before him.
“Yu’er!” However, as though some great enemy had appeared, Qin Zhao Yang’s expression changed drastically as he roared out sternly. “Stop fooling around!”
With a smile, Qin Yu replied, “ Old Ancestor, Yu’er isn’t fooling around. Of course, with Yu’er’s cultivation, I naturally can’t deal with Jiang… use my Secret Technique on this demon. However, with the aid of the Spirit Array, Old Ancestor and Senior Yang, we might be able to give it a try!”
Yang Kai’s brows twitched after hearing her reply. Taking a deep look at Qin Yu, he said, “Our first meeting was in the Five Coloured Treasure Pagoda. At that time, this one had already felt that Sister Qin was an extraordinary person. Now, it seems like that is indeed the truth!”
“Thanks for the praise, Senior Yang,” Qin Yu smiled gently. “This humble girl’s too weak and fragile, so how can I stand up to your praise? As for Sir, you’ve managed to reach the Dao Source Realm at such a young age and have an immeasurably long future ahead of you. You truly fill this humble girl with admiration for you.”
“Old Sir Qin,” Yang Kai asked as he turned towards Qin Zhao Yang. “Do the ladies in your family always speak like that?”
Qin Zhao Yang laughed and replied, “Little Brother Yang, if you’re interested, you can come to my Qin Family to choose a few. There are quite a few unmarried girls in my Qin Family, so there is bound to be one that will catch your eye, Little Brother.”
Yang Kai’s face turned black, “You really know how to joke, Old Sir Qin.”
Qin Zhao Yang smiled. “This old master isn’t joking.”
Yang Kai gave a light cough to change the subject. Looking at Qin Yu, he said, “Sister Qin, you have to know that there is a sizable disparity between your cultivation realm and Jiang Chu He’s. If you don’t have the confidence, don’t dive recklessly into danger. If not, it would not be good if something untowards happened to you.”
“Many thanks, Senior Yang, for your concern. This little girl is naturally acting within one’s reaches,” Qin Yu nodded gently with a tranquil and calm look on her face. “This little girl still has some level of confidence.”
“That’s good to hear.” Yang Kai nodded and no longer attempted to dissuade her.
No one dared to play a joke with their own lives. Since Qin Yu said that she was confident, she definitely had her reasons.
“What about you, Old Sir Qin?” Yang Kai asked as he turned towards Qin Zhao Yang.
A solemn look hung on Qin Zhao Yang’s face. After remaining silent for quite a while, he raised his head and looked at Qin Yu. “Yu’er, there’s really no need for you to do this. After all, this tribulation is something that the entire Maplewood City must face. If worse comes to worst, we can beseech City Lord Sir to take the risk and use the Soul Searching arts!”
Qin Yu replied, “As of right now, Sir City Lord is responsible for the entire city’s safety. If something really happens to him, the entire Maplewood City will be finished. That’s not the case for Yu’er. Even if something happens to me, it will not affect the general situation! Old Ancestor, the absolute majority of our Qin Family is in the city. If the city falls, our Qin Family will definitely fall! I wish to do something for our family!”
“You… sigh…” A look of speechlessness washed over Qin Zhao Yang’s face, as he did not know how to persuade her to back down.
On the contrary, Yang Kai’s expression changed to one of surprise as he looked at Qin Yu. He did not expect that a little girl like her would actually be able to take the big picture into consideration.
“However, before we start anything, this little girl still has something to ask Senior Yang.” All of a sudden, a smile appeared on Qin Yu’s face as she turned her head towards Yang Kai.
“What is it?”
Qin Yu’s lips twitched, though no sound rang out.
Yang Kai raised his eyebrows, thought silently for a moment, before gently nodding his head.
A look of delight replaced her smile as Qin Yu clapped her hands. “If that’s the case, then Yu’er has about an 80% chance to succeed. Furthermore, I only need Senior Yang’s help. Old Ancestor, you can stay here and continue defending the city.”
“You don’t need this old master?” Qin Zhao Yang asked in surprise.
Qin Yu smiled and replied, “Senior Yang’s is extraordinary after all.”
Heaving a sigh, Qin Zhao Yang said, “Since that’s the case, then this old master has nothing much left to say. However, since this matter concerns the entire Maplewood City, this old master will still have to inform Sir City Lord before proceeding. Furthermore… we have to inform City Lord Duan about the matter of Forest City, so you all need to wait a short moment.”
As he said those words, he took out his communication artifact. Sending his Divine Sense into it, he proceeded to inform all the Dao Source Realm Masters about the matters of the Forest City and Jiang Chu He, and more importantly, pass the information to Duan Yuan Shan.
After a short moment, Yang Kai and Qin Zhao Yang’s communication artifacts rang simultaneously.
Sending his Divine Sense into his artifact, Yang Kai immediately received Duan Yuan Shan’s message. “I’ll leave this to you two!”
Raising his eyes, Yang Kai looked at the helpless expression appearing on Qin Zhao Yang’s face.
“Since the City Lord has spoken, you two can begin.” Although Qin Zhao Yang was still filled with anxiety, he couldn’t argue against their decision any further. Therefore, the only thing he could do was to keep his worries in his heart and look ahead, thinking about how he could use the situation to squeeze out more benefits from the City Lord!
After all, Qin Yu was a descendant whom he held with exceedingly high importance. Having the Fated Fortune Heavenly Pupil allowed her to utilise the Soul Search Secret Technique despite her Second-Order Origin Return Realm cultivation, but the risk was high.
“Brother Yang, I entrust Yu’er to your care,” Qin Zhao Yang said in a sincere and solemn tone, as though he was about to marry Qin Yu off to Yang Kai.
Cupping his fist, Yang Kai replied, “Rest assured, Old Sir Qin. I will definitely do my utmost to collaborate with Sister Qin!”
“Senior Yang, please follow me,” Qin Yu waved her hand, flying in a certain direction.
Extending his hand, Yang Kai hoisted Jiang Chu He up before following behind Qin Yu.
The few Origin King Realm cultivators that were in charge of Qin Yu’s safety also followed suit.
Earlier, Jiang Chu He had one of his arms severed by Yang Kai outside of the city. However, instead of blood, a jet-black aura was surging out from the severed stump; it was an extremely weird sight to behold.
After a short flight, the group arrived at the Qin Family’s main residence.
With the current crisis that had befallen Maplewood City, all of the Qin Family’s cultivators at the Origin Returning Realm and higher had already left for the city walls to aid in the defence. Therefore, the majority of the Qin Family members left in the residence either had low cultivation realms or were young.
Upon seeing Qin Yu return, each one of them started to gather impatiently around her, clamouring about as they continued to shoot question after question about the current situation on the outside.
Qin Yu didn’t have the patience to deal with them right now. Summoning the aura of an Elder Sister, she reprimanded all of them, causing them to no longer dare to talk back to her.
However, they gathered around once again after seeing Jiang Chu He, who was being carried by Yang Kai, staring in curiosity.
“ARGGGGH!” All of a sudden, Jiang Chu He roared out. Opening his mouth wide, he radiated pure madness, scaring those Qin Family descendants away. Some scaredy-cats even started to cry as they ran and hid in their rooms.
“I apologize for their disgraceful actions, Senior Yang,” Qin Yu took the lead, walking ahead without looking back.
Yang Kai did not reply as he followed closely behind her.
After a moment, the two of them arrived at the Qin Family’s hidden chamber. Multiple restrictions were layered around the hidden chamber, while the World Energy present within was substantially more dense than other places. Clearly, this was a place for important members of the Qin Family to retreat to.
After arriving, Qin Yu made some seals with her hands, activating the restrictions in the chamber. After that, she turned around to give orders to the few Origin King Realm protectors guarding her. “You few stand guard outside. Before I leave, no one is allowed to enter!”
“Yes!” The guards answered in unison before spreading out to stand guard in the surroundings.
Within the hidden chamber, Qin Yu activated the restrictions once again, before taking some items out from her Space Ring and arranging them within the hidden chamber.
Holding onto Jiang Chu He, Yang Kai stood by the side. After observing for a while, he asked out of curiosity, “So, Sister Qin is proficient in the Dao of Spirit Arrays?”
He discovered that Qin Yu was currently arranging an exceedingly mysterious formation. Although he did not know what use this formation had, he obviously knew that it was related to the Secret Technique she was going to execute.
Furthermore, from the deft movements she made when arranging the formation, Qin Yu’s proficiency in Spirit Arrays was clearly established.
Continuing to arrange the formation, Qin Yu smiled. “Due to this little girl’s incurable disease, I’m unable to go out as frequently as other people. Therefore, I could only spend time at home researching more obscure stuff. I’m not a master of Spirit Arrays, it is just something I’ve done research in.”
“Don’t be so modest, Sister Qin,” Yang Kai narrowed his eyes. “From what I can see, your achievements in the Dao of Spirit Arrays might have already reached a rather high realm.”
Qin Yu gave a smile and replied, “This Spirit Array will not only strengthen the Secret Technique I’m going to display, but it can also allow the strength of Senior Yang’s Divine Sense to temporarily be grafted onto my body. With this, I’m able to display the Soul Searching Technique with the utmost confidence.
“Grafting my Divine Sense?” Yang Kai’s expression changed slightly, “There is such a mysterious Spirit Array in the universe?”
One had to know that it was exceedingly hard for cultivators to cultivate their Divine Sense, and thus much harder for it to reach the same realm as their cultivation. If not for obtaining a precious treasure, the Soul Warming Lotus, early in his life, he would not be able to reach such a realm in his short lifespan.
He would have undoubtedly needed to spend a large amount of time to temper his Divine Sense.
The Soul Warming Lotus’ benefits allowed him to save a large amount of effort.
However, the formation that Qin Yu was arranging was actually able to allow a cultivator to graft their Divine Sense to another cultivator! This was somewhat unimaginable.
If such a Spirit Array could be used in combat, it would definitely allow one to fight across cultivation realms! With a Divine Sense pressure radiating, one could easily defeat their opponent despite the disparity in cultivation realms.
“Although this formation is miraculous, it isn’t as magical as what Senior Yang thinks. This was a half-complete formation I discovered from an ancient book, which I then restored using my own knowledge. When the Spirit Array is active, it cannot receive powerful interference from the outside, as it will fail. Therefore, it is only suitable for some special scenarios, like the one we are facing now, but it’s totally unsuitable for use in combat.” As though she knew what Yang Kai was thinking, Qin Yu gave a reply in a calm manner.
“Restored by yourself…” In his mind, Yang Kai felt that Qin Yu was basically a genius, and raised his evaluation of her to an even greater height. She wasn’t just extremely proficient in the Dao of Spirit Arrays, she had already become an expert!
“That’s right. Will this Divine Sense grafting reveal my secrets?” Yang Kai continued his questions with some worry in his voice.
There were quite a few secrets he was concealing within his body. Although his observations of Qin Yu made him have a pretty good impression of her, in the end, Yang Kai was not very familiar with her, and thus, naturally did not wish for her to know his secrets.
“There is a possibility!” Hearing his question, Qin Yu’s actions came to a slight halt as she replied.
“Oh?” Yang Kai’s face turned black, as thoughts of wanting to pull out immediately appeared in his mind.
Qin Yu hastily added, “But rest assured, Senior Yang. Although there’s a risk of one’s secrets being revealed, that would happen for the side with the weaker Divine Sense… Sir’s Divine Sense is much stronger, so I will not be able to pry into Sir’s secrets after the Divine Sense graft. On the contrary, you sir…”
Having said this much, her face turned slightly flushed.
After all, she was a lady while Yang Kai was a man. Some of her secrets that Yang Kai might involuntarily discover might place him in an awkward and apologetic position.
Yang Kai hastily replied: “You don’t have to worry, Sister Qin. This Yang will definitely adhere strictly to myself and not pry into anything else.
He said those words with a resounding voice and a stern look.
Qin Yu didn’t say anything as she continued to focus on arranging the formation.
After a while, the formation within the hidden chamber was finished.
Looking at it, Yang Kai discovered that this Spirit Array Formation was incomparably mysterious, and it seemed like he had never encountered such a formation before. He couldn’t help but develop a huge curiosity for it, memorising these formation lines for potential future use.
Leaping forward, Qin Yu placed herself in the middle of the Spirit Array. Making a seal with her hands, she slowly sat down. “Sir, please place yourself and the demon at the two extreme positions.”
Nodding, Yang Kai extended his hand to pat on Jiang Chu He’s back, sending his Source Qi into the latter’s body. At the same time, he unleashed his Space Force, transforming it into invisible bindings that chained Jiang Chu He to a specific position in the formation.
After that, Yang Kai appeared at the opposing position with a flash.
Although his cultivation realm and movements had been sealed, Jiang Chu He was still acting extremely unruly, roaring continuously as the Demon Crests on his body squirmed and wriggled, while Demon Qi surged out from him. Nevertheless, no matter how hard he struggled, he was still unable to move even an inch.
Seeing that, Qin Yu managed to calm down. She proceeded to form seal after seal with her hands, her slender hands appearing just like a butterfly fluttering in the air.
Following her movements, waves of mysterious power started to propagate out from her in all directions. Invisible and incorporeal, they were unfathomable.
A faint fluorescence started to radiate from the formation. As though they had been granted life, all of the lines that created the Spirit Array started to flow like living creatures.
“Formation Open!” All of a sudden, Qin Yu shouted.
As her voice rang out, a hum rang out from the formation, before it promptly started to spin rapidly.
In an instant, radiance blossomed throughout the hidden chamber, so bright that it would make people squeeze their eyes shut. While that happened, an invisible power travelled in a rope-like manner and pierced through Yang Kai’s body.
An indescribably strange feeling immediately rose up within Yang Kai’s body.
He felt as though he was connected with Qin Yu as one being, able to clearly feel every inhalation and exhalation she made, feel the blood circulating within her body, the beats of her heart, the contraction of her pores, and was even able to vaguely sense the changes happening to her state of mind.
Qin Yu revealed a sliver of an exceedingly uncomfortable expression, while her face turned slightly flushed. Opening her mouth, she shouted out: “Sir, please display your ocular technique and suppress that person’s soul!”
She knew that Yang Kai had that kind of Secret Technique in his arsenal, and that was precisely what she had asked him earlier.
After all, during that day when Yang Kai was promoting his cultivation, she had used her Fated Fortune Heavenly Pupil from a far distance to observe the spectacle. In the end, she managed to get countered by Yang Kai’s Demon Eye of Annihilation, which led to her making such a guess.
After asking about it today, she had indeed hit the bullseye.
With the suppression from Yang Kai’s ocular technique, she basically did not need Qin Zhao Yang’s help at all, as Yang Kai alone was sufficient.
Hearing Qin Yu’s shout, Yang Kai immediately executed his Demon Eye of Annihilation.
In an instant, golden light blossomed from his left eye, revealing its awe-inspiring might as it shot right at Jiang Chu He.
At the instant it made contact with the suppressed Jiang Chu He, he immediately cried out as though he had suffered a serious blow. Right in the next moment, his body entered combat mode, and as though he was experiencing a nightmare, his sinister expression grew even more malevolent.
After a moment, Jiang Chu He’s eyes turned unfocused, causing him to stare ahead with blank eyes, while a string of saliva flowed out from the corner of his mouth, as though he had lost consciousness.
Despite being transformed into a demon, Jiang Chu He was being suppressed by the Divine Sense comparable to that of a Third-Order Dao Source Realm Master, and his strength paled in comparison. As a result, it took only a few breaths for the Demon Eye of Annihilation to completely suppress his soul.
Seeing this, Qin Yu smiled happily. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath before promptly reopening them.
Silver light sparkled within her eyes, causing the entire hidden chamber to be suffused with a silvery-white glow.
As the Spirit Array hummed, Yang Kai’s Divine Sense flowed along with the strength of the Spirit Array without any impedance and grafted onto Qin Yu’s body, before circulating into Jiang Chu He’s Knowledge Sea.
In the next instant, darkness appeared before Qin Yu and Yang Kai’s eyes as they simultaneously entered a secret world.
They were enveloped in darkness, and within it, something seemed to be concealed.
[This should be Jiang Chu He’s Knowledge Sea!]
Yang Kai’s brow twitched, as he immediately made some conjectures.
Nevertheless, he was in an extremely strange state right now. Although his Divine Sense had been grafted onto Qin Yu’s body, allowing her to display her Secret Technique to take a look into Jiang Chu He’s Knowledge Sea, he had zero control of the situation.
Yang Kai had no choice but to be dragged along with Qin Yu’s path of exploration, being led around by her will, heading deeper as they continued their investigation.
This was a rather unique feeling, which made Yang Kai slightly uncomfortable; at the same time, he was brimming with curiosity.
Rays of mysterious light blossomed from Qin Yu’s Soul Avatar, dispersing the surrounding darkness and revealing the surging sea beneath.
Impressively, the seawater appeared jet-black, just like a black hole that caused people to tremble upon looking at it.
All of a sudden, unfamiliar images started to flash across Yang Kai’s Knowledge Sea.
Taking a detailed look at it, Yang Kai realized that all of these images were the memories and experiences of Jiang Chu He’s life. As they continued to flash by, despite their discontinuity, he was able to observe a great part of Jiang Chu He’s life experiences.
While he was analysing those pictures, Qin Yu had already displayed her soul searching technique on Jiang Chu He.
The information gathered from these pictures was largely useless, so Yang Kai and Qin Yu did not focus on them.
After a long while, a peculiar image suddenly appeared before Yang Kai’s eyes.
This was an image of an exceedingly abstruse formation pattern. Within the formation, the jet-black lines of the formation were just like Demon Crests, squirming constantly as they crisscrossed with one another. This formation appeared intricate, and was carved on a stone wall. As those lines wriggled about, he could faintly hear hints of what seemed like berserk roars ringing out from the stone wall.
Great waves of shock rocked Yang Kai when those roars rang into his ears, instantly causing him to feel uneasy.
At the same time, the images that were flowing into his Knowledge Sea spontaneously dissipated, appearing as though they were about to collapse.
This gave Yang Kai a shock, as he knew that it was Qin Yu that was enduring this impact, and seemed unable to endure it. Immediately, he unleashed his will, and with his Divine Sense grafted onto her acting as a bridge, attempted to restore Qin Yu’s consciousness.
The dissipating images started to stabilise.
However, all of the earlier images had already disappeared, replaced by another scene.
This was a scene of a world-shaking war.
A gigantic creature enveloped in jet-black Demon Qi stood over 300 meters tall. Possessing an awe-inspiring figure, it was strong and sturdy. Standing tall on the earth, it roared towards the heavens.
Its roar shook its surroundings, causing the clouds in the sky to crumble apart and dissipate away.
Within the swirling Demon Qi, the true face of the gigantic creature could faintly be seen.
It had an ugly and malevolent expression, while a gigantic eyeball occupied half of its face. That gigantic eyeball was jet-black in colour. Looking at it, one would have the misconception that it was a bottomless pit. Rays of jet-black twilight radiated from the gigantic pupil, brimming with Heaven-destroying, earth-shattering might, shooting through the void and shattering space apart.
Even the slightest contact against that jet-black eye with his consciousness caused Yang Kai to feel immeasurable pain radiating through his Knowledge Sea, surging unstably to the point that it was at risk of collapsing.
This frightened him so much that he hastily turned his gaze away.
“Black Eye Great Demon!”
For some inexplicable reason, this name surfaced within his Knowledge Sea, alongside intense terror and shock.
This feeling did not come from Yang Kai, but from Qin Yu’s current emotional state. Being able to recognize that giant demon was all due to Qin Yu. However, with both of them being connected by Yang Kai’s Divine Sense, her thoughts were being transmitted to Yang Kai with clarity, allowing him to gain some information.
Right at this instant, figures appeared around the gigantic Black Eye Great Demon. Every single one of these people radiated exceedingly powerful lifeforce and astonishingly strong auras.
Every single one of these cultivators were, impressively, Emperor Realm masters.
From what he could see, he estimated that there were more than a hundred people present.
There were several dozen masters that radiated auras that were even more terrifying than the Star Soul Palace’s Silver Star Envoy, Xiao Yu Yang!
According to the rumours, Xiao Yu Yang was already a Second-Order Emperor. Therefore, these several dozen cultivators that were even stronger than him would naturally be Third-Order Emperors!
Every single one of them was surrounded by a scholarly air, but no one would dare to belittle them.
However, at this moment, these over one hundred Emperor Realms appeared just like a horde of mosquitoes that had gathered around the gigantic Black Eye Great Demon. Secret Technique after Secret Technique, Emperor Artifact after Emperor Artifact caused dazzling flashes of light to blossom out as they shot towards the Black Eye Great Demon.
A roar rang out of the Black Eye Great Demon, vibrating the heavens and shaking the earth.
Other than the hundred-plus Emperor Realm Masters, there were even 20 gigantic Warships present in the Black Eye Great Demon’s vicinity!
Each of these Warships spanned over several dozen metres in length. Pillar-like rays of pure white light shot from these Warships, rumbling towards the Black Eye Great Demon.
The heavens and earth turned dim, as the sun and the moon lost their radiance.
The Black Eye Great Demon’s movement seemed to be somewhat restricted. Although it would shift its body from time to time, it was still unable to dodge the innumerable attacks headed its way. As those attacks landed on its body, the Demon Qi that surrounded its body was sent into a frenzied surge, as it roared continuously in pain.
Mysterious black rays of light continued to shoot out from its gigantic black eye. Furthermore, it held a gigantic Wolf Fang Mace in its hand, and as it waved it around, it appeared as though it was even capable of knocking down the stars hanging in the sky.
Human figures continued to drop from the air, while fires continued to erupt from Warships as they were smashed into halves.
Yang Kai and Qin Yu were dumbstruck, utterly incapable of believing what they saw, their hearts unable to calm down even after a long while.
The scene changed once again!
As he took a clear look at the scene before him, Yang Kai’s eyes could not help but contract.
The scene before his eyes was the desolation in the aftermath of the battle. The land within ten thousand kilometres had all been turned into wastelands, peppered with the scars of the battle.
The gigantic body of the Black Eye Great Demon lay on the ground, with the Wolf Fang Mace by his side. Jet-black blood flowed out from the wounds that covered its entire body. There were even some wounds that penetrated deep into its body, revealing multiple bones within, causing people to tremble at the sight of it.
The Black Eye Great Demon had been killed!
Although they did not see the entire process of the fight, Yang Kai could imagine exactly how difficult it had been.
Scanning his gaze about, he could see corpse after corpse of Emperor Realm Masters strewn across the ground. Of the over hundred Emperor Realm Masters, not even a fifth of them remained. Among those, every single one had injuries on their bodies, and they wore expressions of pain and misery on their faces. As for the 20 Warships, all of them had been sunk and turned into wrecks. Strewn across the battlefield, they continued to give off green smoke, narrating the misery and sorrow from ancient times.
The scene changed once again.
The gigantic corpse of the Black Eye Great Demon was thrown into the mouth of a ten-thousand-year-old volcano. However, despite the terrifying heat coming from the magma setting it ablaze, it did not suffer even the slightest damage.
The corpse was retrieved from the volcano by a master. Gathering other masters in the world, they carved a formation and tempered it with their combined strength.
A dozen Emperor Realm masters sat cross-legged around this exceedingly profound formation with the Black Eye Great Demon’s corpse placed in the centre. With every movement of the dozen Emperor Realm Masters, astonishing bolts of lightning would descend from the sky and strike the corpse.
Ghastly white flames surfaced within the formation and continued to burn at the corpse.
The Black Eye Great Demon’s corpse finally started to slowly disintegrate, eventually leaving a small remnant behind. This little bit was transferred into a specially constructed artifact by a master, buried deep into the ground, and sealed by a Spirit Array.
As time passed, the world transformed, while the containment artifact and the object it held slept quietly, not known by anyone.
Over time, the strength of the seal slowly weakened, allowing Demon Qi to seep out from the containment artifact and into the outside world.
……
Within the hidden chamber, an unknown amount of time passed before a tremor suddenly shook through Qin Yu’s entire body. In an instant, her face turned deathly pale as she spurted a mouthful of blood out before opening her beautiful eyes.
At the same time, Yang Kai had also opened his mouth. Taking a deep breath, he suppressed the churning lifeforce in his chest.
Seeing Qin Yu’s abnormal condition, he quickly arrived next to her. Extending his hand, he tapped on the various major acupressure points across her body, finally allowing her condition to stabilise.
“Many thanks, Sir!” Qin Yu opened her mouth to express her gratitude. However, she was still unable to stop her body from trembling.
The two of them exchanged glances, each of them noticing the fear and terror in the other’s eyes.
That was because every scene that they had witnessed earlier had clearly been the experiences of that Ancient Demon when it lived. The Ancient Demon Qi had inherited the will of the Black Eye Great Demon and invaded Jiang Chu He’s body, thereby allowing Qin Yu and Yang Kai to see everything clearly.
Despite it not being the entire picture, it was enough for both of them to unravel the truth behind some matters.
“This is a very thorny problem.” Yang Kai mumbled. “We have to inform City Lord Duan first.”
Right as he was preparing to retrieve his communication artifact, a furious bellow suddenly rang out from his side.
Shocked, Yang Kai turned his head towards Jiang Chu He, only to see that Demon Qi was unexpectedly gushing out from his entire body, as though he was risking his life to break free from his restrictions. However, despite being demonised, his strength was still insufficient. This caused the energies in his body to rampage about, and he was utterly incapable of suppressing them.
A dangerous aura immediately radiated out.
“Run!” Seeing this, how could Yang Kai not know what was going to happen next? He enveloped Qin Yu in his own Source Qi, and displayed his Spacial Secret Technique, disappearing from the hidden chamber with a flash.
When he reappeared, he and Qin Yu were already in the courtyard outside.
Right as he stabilized his footing, a giant bang rang out from beneath as the ground shook violently. In the next instant, rocketing energies exploded underground, accompanied by the sounds of flesh and bones exploding apart.
Jet-black Demon Qi transformed into snakes and travelled in all directions!
The few Qin Family Origin King Realm cultivators standing guard outside of the hidden chamber were utterly clueless to what had happened. By the time they could react, they were already too late to do anything. Right as the snake-like Demon Qi was about to invade their bodies, a roar suddenly rang out from behind them. “Solidify!”
The surrounding space suddenly became incredibly dense, making it almost impossible for those few Qin Family cultivators to even raise their hands.
In an instant, the Demon Qi heading towards them was locked in mid-air, unable to move even an inch forward.
Golden Blood Threads flashed about, transforming into rays of golden light that smashed all of the Demon Qi apart, saving them from their dangerous predicament.
After their close brush with death, the Qin Family guards had turned pale with fright and shock.
Walking over from the side, Yang Kai sent his Divine Sense around the bodies of those people. Only after making sure that they did not show signs of being invaded by Demon Qi did he calm his heart.
However, looking around him, a large hole several dozen metres wide had appeared over where the hidden chamber used to be. Clearly, this was the result of Jiang Chu He’s self-destruction.
“Many thanks for saving our lives, Sir,” After pulling themselves together, all of the guards cupped their hands towards Yang Kai in gratitude.
Waving his hands, Yang Kai did not say anything back to them. Instead, he turned towards Qin Yu. “Sister Qin, follow me to see City Lord Duan. We need to tell him about what we’ve discovered.”
Qin Yu nodded her head silently.
Extending his hand, Yang Kai pulled her to his side, before flying out of the residence.
Although the Secret Technique Qin Yu displayed had allowed Yang Kai’s Divine Sense to be grafted onto her, letting him observe quite a bit from Qin Yu’s perspective, he wasn’t able to gather more details than her. Therefore, it was still better for Qin Yu to brief Duan Yuan Shan personally.
On the way, Yang Kai sent his Divine Sense into his communication artifact and confirmed Duan Yuan Shan’s current location.
It didn’t take long before the two noticed the City Lord of Maplewood City on the city walls.
“Thank you for your efforts, Brother Yang!” Duan Yuan Shan had a stressed look on his face. After seeing Yang Kai and Qin Yu approaching, he cupped his hands towards Yang Kai, before turning his gaze towards Qin Yu, “I’ve heard from Brother Yang that you’ve discovered something?”
Qin Yu nodded her head and replied, “That’s right, City Lord. Thanks to Senior Yang capturing a live Demon, Yu’er was able to do a Soul Search and I’ve indeed discovered something.”
Duan Yuan Shan’s eyes lit up. “Speak!”
Qin Yu immediately explained everything she had managed to uncover when she was in Jiang Chu He’s Knowledge Sea.
After she was done, Duan Yuan Shan’s face turned somewhat pale as he exclaimed in shock, “So according to what you said, that mine’s actually where the remnants of the Ancient Great Demon were buried?”
Qin Yu shook her head. “I’m also not sure about that, as the scenes that appeared within Jiang Chu He’s Knowledge Sea were not linked up, so we don’t know exactly what was sealed ten thousand feet beneath the surface. However, from what we can see of the current situation, it’s extremely likely that it is indeed the remnants of that demon’s corpse!”
If it was the remnants of the demon corpse, it would naturally be able to produce that much Ancient Demon Qi.
However, if even those great powerhouses from ancient times were unable to completely eradicate the demon corpse, with the cultivation standard of Maplewood City’s cultivators, what could they do about it?
With the seal having been broken, if the demon corpse remnants weren’t moved away, Maplewood City would turn into a living purgatory. However, who could actually carry that out? Furthermore, who would dare to touch them? The Ten Great Emperors were the only ones who could achieve that.
Considering all of these, a wave of terror shook through Duan Yuan Shan’s heart. Looking towards Yang Kai, he said, “What are your thoughts on this, Brother Yang?”
Yang Kai shook his head. “I didn’t see anything else!”
What he meant was that Qin Yu had already described everything that he had seen.
“City Lord Sir…” All of a sudden, Qin Yu shouted out. “Perhaps, I might have a way that could slightly alleviate the current situation.”
“Oh?” Hearing her words, Duan Yuan Shan hastily turned to look at Qin Yu. “What way?”
Although Qin Yu only had a Second-Order Origin Returning Realm cultivation realm, being the Maplewood City City Lord, as well as the strongest person of this city, Duan Yuan Shan had some knowledge regarding the details of Qin Yu’s strength. He knew that he could not discount this little girl. If not for her congenital weakness, she would definitely become an extraordinary figure.
If she said that she had a way, it might just work.
“Add another seal below! Before this, I made a detailed investigation. Although that seal has grown weaker after countless years, it isn’t completely useless. A corner of the seal has just suffered some damage due to the Jiang Family’s wanton mining. As long as we can repair the damage, we can stop the Demon Qi from seeping out. When that happens, the demonic creatures and Demon Qi on the outside would be left stranded with nowhere to go. Water without a source will always be eliminated one day.”
“You can repair it?” Duan Yuan Shan asked doubtfully.
Qin Yu hesitated for a moment, but she still replied: “I can give it a try!”
“How confident are you?”
“Sixty percent!”
Duan Yuan Shan fell silent, seemingly unsure of how to proceed.
“City Lord Sir, although I don’t have full confidence in repairing that seal, the damage that it has will only become worse if we leave it as it is. I’m afraid that it wouldn’t take long for even more Demon Qi to seep out. At that time, there will be absolutely no way for Maplewood City to maintain its defence. Therefore, we need to repair that seal no matter what!” Qin Yu’s beautiful eyes glimmered as she stared at Duan Yuan Shan, a change from her usual delicate image.
“From what you’ve said, this matter absolutely needs to be done?” Duan Yuan Shan asked solemnly.
Qin Yu nodded her head.
Giving a long sigh, Duan Yuan Shan continued, “Even if that’s the case, how will we be able to get to the location of the seal safely? How can we defend against the countless demonic creatures and the corrosion of the Demon Qi? Although this city lord has a Second-Order Dao Source Realm cultivation, I don’t have the confidence to last that long in the Demon Qi. What if…”
Yang Kai nodded his head, before adding on, “The Demon Qi has extremely strong corrosive properties. Most Dao Source Realm masters can’t endure more than half an hour against it. With City Lord Sir’s strength, an hour will be the limit!”
Having fought outside of the city, he had a deep impression after a head-on confrontation with the Demon Qi. Therefore, his words on this matter were highly credible.
“Furthermore, you need to be there for the repair of the Spirit Array. With your cultivation, heading into the Demon Qi…” Yang Kai tilted his head as he looked at Qin Yu, unable to finish his sentence.
Nevertheless, his meaning was clear.
With her Second-Order Origin Realm cultivation, just making contact with the Demon Qi would cause her to become a Demon.
Yet, Qin Yu replied with a smile. “Since I’m the one that proposed this idea, I naturally have a way to deal with that.”
“What way?” Both Yang Kai and Duan Yuan looked at her with doubt.
“By relying on a Spirit Array!” Qin Yu gave a faint smile. “Although I definitely can’t move about myself, if I rely on the strength of the Spirit Array and connect the strengths of a number of Dao Source Realm masters, I might be able to travel as I please among the Demon Qi!”
“Really?” Yang Kai’s eyes lit up.
Duan Yuan Shan looked pensively at Qin Yu, before chuckling and saying. “You shouldn’t keep people in suspense, great niece. Tell your Uncle Duan about how great that Spirit Array is. If it’s really possible, Uncle Duan will definitely reward you for your contributions!”
“Uncle Duan…” A sullen look appeared on Yang Kai’s face as he looked at Duan Yuan Shan.
He suddenly realized that this City Lord Duan was an exceedingly shameless person! In accordance with his generational status, he was on the same level as Qin Zhao Yang. Qin Zhao Yang was Qin Yu’s grandfather, so Duan Yuan Shan would naturally be a figure in the same generation as her grandfather.
Him calling himself Uncle Duan and her as niece was a plain attempt to establish a relationship. If this actually happened, he might have to call Qin Zhao Yang uncle in the future. “I’m not sure if Uncle Duan has heard of the Seven Points Black Tortoise Array?” Qin Yu asked with a faint smile, her beautiful eyes gleaming with elegance.
“The Seven Points Black Tortoise Array?” A frown appeared on Duan Yuan Shan’s face as he sunk into thought.
All of a sudden, his expression changed greatly as he exclaimed, “The Spirit Array that was the secret inheritance of one of the Eastern Territory’s Great Sects, The Black Tortoise Sect from twenty thousand years ago?”
An incredulous look appeared on his face, with his eyeballs almost popping out of their sockets. From the looks of his reaction, it seemed as though this Seven Points Black Tortoise Array was something extraordinary.
Yang Kai was brimming with curiosity as he continued to listen to their conversation. He could not help but to look towards Qin Yu, wanting to know the details.
Qin Yu clapped her hands in excitement. “Uncle Duan is indeed extremely knowledgeable. This Seven Points Black Tortoise Array is indeed the secret inheritance of one of the Eastern Territory’s Great Sects, The Black Tortoise Sect, from twenty thousand years ago.
Duan Yuan Shan quickly added, “According to rumours, the naming of the Black Tortoise Sect offended the Divine Spirit, the Black Tortoise. Enraged, the Black Tortoise raised endless waves that surged through the East Sea, battering against the Black Tortoise Sect headquarters. After the battle, the Black Tortoise Sect suffered innumerable losses and casualties, but an extraordinary genius from that sect comprehended a powerful Secret Technique from the might of the Black Tortoise and created a Spirit Array, which was named the Seven Points Black Tortoise Array! A hundred years later, the Black Tortoise came back and launched an attack, the Black Tortoise Sect relied on this exact Spirit array to counter it. After paying a substantial price, they managed to chase the Black Tortoise back and deal a serious blow to it!”
Duan Yuan Shan took a deep breath, before continuing with a look of fear on his face, “Although this matter occurred twenty thousand years ago, there aren’t many sects that were able to survive after being targeted by a Divine Spirit. Furthermore, with the great fame of the Black Tortoise Sect, it would be strange if this City Lord didn’t know about them.”
“Uncle Duan is really knowledgeable,” Qin Yu covered her mouth as she gave a delightful laugh, her smile appearing like a blossoming flower.
Duan Yuan Shan laughed bitterly in response. “No matter how much I know, I still won’t match up to you.”
As the two of them bantered, Yang Kai was dumbstruck as he looked from the side.
The Divine Spirit, the Black Tortoise! That was a first-class existence that rivalled the True Dragon and Heavenly Phoenix since ancient times! It was one of the strongest living creatures in the world. Apart from existences like a True Dragon or Heavenly Phoenix, who else would be able to rival it?
However, the Black Tortoise Sect had actually managed to rely on a Spirit Array to force the Black Tortoise to retreat. Just from that, one could see the might of the Seven Points Black Tortoise Array.
Nevertheless, the Black Tortoise Sect was really unlucky, as they were targeted by a Divine Spirit just due to the name of their sect. No one could be blamed but the sect creator, for not putting much consideration into the naming of the sect, and actually daring to use the Black Tortoise’s name.
“So what happened to the Black Tortoise Sect?” Yang Kai asked in curiosity.
Duan Yuan Shan shot an odd look at Yang Kai and replied: “After being targeted by a Divine Spirit, how would they have any good ending at all? It was said that when the Divine Spirit, the Black Tortoise came to attack the sect for the third time, it brought along a group of offspring. Although the Black Tortoise Sect had its extraordinary Spirit Array, how would it be able to defend against a coordinated attack from a group of Divine Spirits? They were destroyed.”
“How disastrous!” Yang Kai exclaimed.
“Hmph! They have only themselves to blame for their outcome!” Duan Yuan Shan didn’t seem concerned, “After them, no other sect dared to use the names of Divine Spirits for the sect names anymore.” Turning to look at Qin Yu, he shot her a meaningful grin and said, “However, although the sect has been destroyed, it is said that several of its disciples managed to escape with their lives, carrying with them quite a few of the sect’s Secret Techniques with them, one of which being the Seven Points Black Tortoise Array!”
Hearing this, Qin Yu replied in annoyance. “Why do you need to say in such a roundabout manner, Uncle Duan? Our Qin Family’s ancestor was indeed a disciple from the Black Tortoise Sect, therefore, the Seven Points Black Tortoise Array was passed down from our ancestor. However, when our ancestor had learned it, it wasn’t a complete Spirit Array. When the Black Tortoise Sect was teaching its disciples this Spirit Array, they only taught each of them a part of it. It required seven people to combine their strength, with each person in charge of their portion of the array.”
After hearing her words, Duan Yuan Shan’s expression turned blank in shock. Looking at Qin Yu, he said, “Doesn’t this mean that you don’t possess the complete Seven Points Black Tortoise Array?”
He could not help but reveal a sliver of disappointment on his face; after all, without an extraordinary Spirit Array like that, there was simply no one among the Dao Source Realm, other than those who gave no regard about their lives, who would dare intrude into the Demon Qi’s domain.
“I have an Array, but it isn’t quite the same as the original.” Qin Yu replied with a faint smile.
“What do you mean?” asked Duan Yuan Shan.
“My Qin Family’s ancestor can be considered as a rather extraordinary genius. Although he had only managed to learn a seventh of the original Spirit Array, through the frequent practice with his fellow sect brothers, he had managed to gain a certain amount of knowledge regarding the other sections of the Array. After the decimation of the Black Tortoise Sect, my ancestor fled to the Southern Territory. Spending a lot of effort in the latter half of his life, he managed to rely on his abilities and knowledge of the Spirit Array to restore the Seven Points Black Tortoise Array to its complete form. However, my ancestor also mentioned that with his abilities, the Seven Points Black Tortoise Spirit Array that he restored was just an inferior product, and could never match up to the original version.
“What realm… did your Qin Family ancestor reach?” Duan Yuan Shan asked.
“Second-Order Emperor!” Qin Yu replied pridefully.
Duan Yuan Shan instantly sucked in a mouthful of cold air.
The Second-Order Emperor realm! Even within a great sect like the Black Tortoise Sect, he would have been considered an elite, and might even have held a position of responsibility such as a deacon.
However, despite having a powerful Second-Order Emperor cultivation realm, he was still unable to restore the Seven Points Black Tortoise Spirit Array to its original version, showing just how profoundly strong this Spirit Array was.
“Although this isn’t the original version of the Seven Points Black Tortoise Spirit Array, I feel that it should be more than adequate for the situation we are facing. Furthermore… it’s easier to master, and if you only focus on the defence and ignore the minor details, it should be more than enough.”
Hearing her words, Duan Yuan Shuan took a deep breath. “If that’s the case, I will need to inform Brother Qin before we proceed.”
In any case, Qin Zhao Yang was the head of the Qin Family. If they really needed to use the Seven Points Black Tortoise Spirit Array, they would require his permission before they could use it. After all, this Spirit Array was probably the Qin Family’s greatest treasure.
If not for the desperate situation they were in, who would be willing to share a Spirit Array like this with the masses?
“Please rest assured, Uncle Duan. I’ve already informed Old Ancestor about this matter. He’s on his way here!” Qin Yu replied.
As she said those words, she seemed to sense something as she turned her head with a faint smile. “He’s here.”
With a solemn look on his face, Qin Zhao Yang flew over from the distance. Landing before Yang Kai and Duan Yuan Shan, he cupped his hands towards them.
Sparing the small talk, Duan Yuan Shan cut straight to the issue. “Brother Qin, there’s no need for me to talk anymore about the current situation; I believe that Yu’er has already told you everything. At this moment, we need to utilise your Qin Family’s Seven Points Black Tortoise Spirit Array. Will you accede?”
“Since this matter concerns the survival of Maplewood City, it’s obviously not possible for our Qin Family to stay out of this. I agree with the matter,” Qin Zhao Yang quickly replied.
“Eh?” Duan Yuan Shan gawked in surprise to Qin Yuan Shan’s reply while a look of astonishment appeared on his face, as if he wasn’t expecting Qin Zhao Yang to reply in such a straightforward manner. All of the negotiation tactics he had prepared were now in vain.
Having quite a few interactions with Qin Zhao Yang, Duan Yuan Shan knew that he wasn’t some narrow-minded person. Nevertheless, he was also not an easy person to deal with, especially when it concerned the treasure of the Qin Family.
He had originally expected Qin Zhao Yang to come up with some excuse to avoid responsibility.
After thinking for a moment, Duan Yuan Shan gave a bitter laugh. “Brother Qin, if you have any requests, please do tell. If it isn’t too overboard, this Duan will definitely accept.”
Qin Zhao Yang grinned meaningfully and replied, “Are you treating me as an outsider, City Lord Duan? Everyone’s living together in Maplewood City. Since Maplewood City’s in trouble, our Qin Family is naturally duty-bound to provide assistance…”
“If you continue with your nonsense, there’s nothing further to discuss.”
“Since City Lord Sir’s this sincere, this old man is going to make a slightly difficult request,” A look of helplessness appeared on Qin Zhao Yang’s face, as though he was feeling the grief and misery a girl being forced into prostitution. Seeing this, Duan Yuan Shan suddenly felt the urge to give Qin Zhao Yong a good beating.
“After this disaster, this old master wants to take over all of the Jiang Family’s businesses!” Qin Zhao Yang quickly replied with a stern look on his face.
Duan Yuan Shan abruptly narrowed his eyes, “Isn’t your appetite too big, Brother Qin? Aren’t you afraid of becoming bloated?”
Other than the City Lord’s Mansion, which possessed the greatest authority and might, the Jiang Family’s forces were the most numerous among the aristocratic families in Maplewood City. Furthermore, they were also the strongest aristocratic family in Maplewood City.
With the entirety of the Jiang Family’s top forces being completely decimated by their own actions and turning into demons, all of their businesses and resources have naturally become ownerless things.
At this moment, with Maplewood City being surrounded by Demon Qi and demonic creatures, the patriarchs and old ancestors of the other aristocratic families did not have the mental capacity to spare a thought about fighting over the Jiang Family’s valuables, as they were putting in all of their effort to defend against the demonic onslaught. However, once that danger was over, they might really start to fight over it.
Anyone who was able to obtain such a large family business would be able to increase their strength within a short amount of time.
There is no such thing as an eternal enemy or friend in this world, only eternal benefits!
The businesses left behind by the Jiang Family were also coveted by the City Lord’s Mansion.
However, right now, Qin Zhao Yang was planning to devour all of them. Even though he was already prepared for Qin Zhao Yang to claim a lion’s share, Duan Yuan Shan was somewhat unable to accept this.
Without talking about his personal reluctance to agree to this request, even the various aristocratic families present in Maplewood City would not bend over and accept this.
Hearing that, Qin Zhao Yang laughed. “So what if my appetite is too big? Isn’t City Lord Duan going to protect our Qin Family from the fallout?”
“You’re even planning to get the City Lord’s Mansion involved in this?” A look of misery instantly appeared on Duan Yuan Shan’s face.
Qin Zhao Yang chuckled in response. “What are you talking about, City Lord Duan? Our Qin Family is in decline right now, so I just wish to rely on the City Lord’s Mansion’s might and fame, that’s all. In any case, without City Lord Duan’s permission, our Qin Family also won’t be able to devour these riches.”
“You old fart…” Duan Yuan Shan cursed.
“How could you say that? Being the lord of a city, don’t you understand the virtue of respecting the old and cherishing the young?” Qin Zhao Yang rolled his eyes, before turning towards Yang Kai, “Little brother Yang, Sir City Lord scolded me just now, and you’ve heard it loud and clear. This old master’s very angry, so angry that my life’s shortened by ten years! I’ll make sure to pursue this matter with him!”
“You two continue chatting! I’ll take my leave first!” Seeing this, Yang Kai hastily made his exit.
These two were tearing at each other’s faces right now, and he did not want to get caught up in the mess. He was merely a passing traveller in Maplewood City…
“Haha, I’m just joking, I’m just joking…” Qin Zhao Yang grabbed Yang Kai’s arm. “Please don’t be so hasty to leave. If we really want to form the Seven Points Black Tortoise Array, we need little brother’s help to do so!”
“I’m also needed?” Yang Kai frowned.
Qin Zhao Yang smiled. “Just a moment ago, Yu’er should have mentioned it, that the Seven Points Black Tortoise Spirit Array requires seven people to act together in order to unleash the might of the Divine Spirit, Black Tortoise. There aren’t enough Dao Source Realm masters in Maplewood City, so little brother’s assistance is naturally required.”
Yang Kai gave it a thought before nodding. “ Okay, count me in.”
He was also extremely interested in the Seven Points Black Tortoise Spirit Array. If he could learn such an extraordinary Spirit Array, he would come out of this situation with a net gain.
Seeing Yang Kai agree, a look of delight flashed across Qin Zhao Yang’s face. Looking back at Duan Yuan Shan, he said, “City Lord Sir, there’s no problem over at this Qin’s side. However, what’s the progress in your considerations?”
A solemn look appeared on Duan Yuan Shan’s face as he quickly replied. “Brother Qin, although my City Lord’s Mansion is the number one force in Maplewood City, you should know that those few old fellows aren’t good to provoke. Your suggestion is going to piss off a lot of people…”
“Sir City Lord’s capabilities are matchless, you possess strength that towers over the masses, and have powerful connections. How can you be afraid of those few old fellows?” Qin Zhao Yang laughed in response, before shaking his head and continuing, “This old master doesn’t believe that you can’t achieve it!”
Duan Yuan Shan’s eyes narrowed before he growled, “Fine, I’ll do as you say!”
“My pleasure,” Qin Zhao Yang chuckled heartily. “Since that’s the case, I’ll need City Lord Sir to find seven people and let this old master and Yu’er teach them the formations for the Seven Points Black Tortoise Spirit Array.”
“I’ll give you an answer after an hour!” Duan Yuan Shan quickly replied.
Qin Zhao Yang nodded and turned to shoot a look at Yang Kai, before flying off with them.
Not long after, the three of them returned to the section of the city walls that Qin Zhao Yang was in charge of defending.
A solemn look suddenly appeared on Qin Zhao Yang’s face as he handed a jade slip to Yang Kai. “Little brother Yang, please destroy this immediately after looking through and comprehending the information present within. You can consult Yu’er on anything that you’re not sure about. Although her cultivation realm is far inferior to yours, she might be able to give an explanation or two on the Dao of Spirit Arrays.”
Yang Kai’s expression immediately changed. Receiving the jade slip, he replied, “I’ve already had first-hand experience of Sister Qin’s proficiency in Spirit Array techniques.”
After saying that, he sent his Divine Sense into the jade slip. After a cursory sweep across the information, his expression changed slightly, before he raised his head to send a look of doubt towards Qin Zhao Yang. “Old Sir Qin, this is…”
The Seven Points Black Tortoise Spirit Array required seven people to join hands in order to properly execute it. In the past, for the sake of preventing this secret Spirit Array from being shared openly with the public, the Black Tortoise Sect had only taught each disciple a portion of the Spirit Array’s formations. Only when seven people collaborated would they be able to form the complete Spirit Array.
Yang Kai had assumed that Qin Zhao Yang had given him one of the seven portions. However, after the cursory look, he discovered that the information recorded in the jade slip was actually the formation method of the complete Seven Points Black Tortoise Spirit Array.
Obviously, this wasn’t the original version of the Spirit Array, but the one the Qin Family’s old ancestor had comprehended.
Even so, this was still one of the best Spirit Arrays.
However, Yang Kai wasn’t able to understand why Qin Zhao Yang would do such a thing.
With a smile, Qin Zhao Yang said, “You don’t have to think too much about it, Little Brother Yang. Currently, with Maplewood City facing a disaster. If we aren’t able to survive this, Maplewood City will be finished, and my Qin Family will definitely be wiped out. When that happens, the Seven Points Black Tortoise Array might get lost in the rivers of time. I’ve handed it to you in the hope that you might be able to preserve it. After all, this is something that my Qin Family’s old ancestor spent half his life to comprehend. This old master isn’t willing to let it get buried along with our Qin Family.”
“If this city can’t hold on anymore, I might not be able to escape either.” Yang Kai quickly said.
“Don’t be modest, little brother.” Qin Zhao Yang gave an ambiguous laugh. “With your capabilities, you should be able to escape Maplewood City whenever you wish. Although I don’t know why you have chosen to stay, since you’re willing to stay and defend this city, you definitely have your reasons for doing so. This old master has handed you this thing, and I only have one request.”
Yang Kai’s expression changed as he asked, “What request?”
“If Little Brother Yang really wants to leave Maplewood City, please take Yu’er along with you and ensure her safety!” Qin Zhao Yang’s expression turned into a solemn one, while his voice contained an earnest plea.
Earlier, when he was defending against the invasion of demonic creatures alongside Yang Kai at the city walls, Qin Zhao Yang had personally seen Yang Kai display his Spatial Secret Technique, creating a black hole that devoured countless demonic creatures.
Therefore, he had come to the conclusion that Yang Kai was a master in Space Force.
Qin Zhao Yang wasn’t exactly sure how powerful cultivators that were proficient in Space Force were. The only thing he was sure about was that such cultivators had a natural superiority in escape and pursuit situations that were hard to rival.
He felt that with Yang Kai’s accomplishment in Space Force, it should not be difficult for Yang Kai to leave Maplewood City if he really wanted to.
Therefore, the exchange of the complete Seven Points Black Tortoise Spirit Array for the promise of protecting Qin Yu wasn’t disadvantageous for him.
“Okay!”
Yang Kai nodded his head in agreement, before turning to shoot a look at Qin Yu standing by the side. “If I’m not dead, Qin Yu will definitely be safe!”
He had the confidence to make this declaration; after all, he had the trump card in the form of his Sealed World Bead.
Qin Zhao Yang gave a hearty laugh. “With your words, Old Brother, this Qin can rest assured. Just stay here and focus on comprehending the formation method. Leave the defence of the city walls to this old master.”
Yang Kai nodded, before finding a slightly quieter place to sit down. Sending his consciousness into the jade slip, he started to comprehend the information in detail.
Time continued to tick by.
Yang Kai had immersed himself completely in the mysteries of the Seven Points Black Tortoise Spirit Array.
He discovered that what Qin Yu had said was right. This Spirit Array was patched up by her Qin Family’s old ancestor with his own comprehensions and was inferior to the original version. However, it was far easier to master, so it didn’t take long for him to attain some comprehension of his own.
Yang Kai only had cursory achievements in the Dao of Spirit Arrays. However, the Seven Points Black Tortoise Spirit Array was unlike those that were usually used for defence or offence. This Spirit Array’s basis was focused on the cultivators. When they worked together to execute it, the completed Seven Points Black Tortoise Spirit Array could even rival a portion of the might that the Divine Spirit Black Tortoise’s Divine Ability could unleash.
On the other side, there were Dao Source Realm masters constantly flying over, receiving jade slips from Qin Yu before heading off to find their own corners to comprehend the information given to them.
Qin Yu obviously did not give these people the complete version of the Spirit Array formation method. Instead, they received one of the seven portions.
After a day, Yang Kai’s expression suddenly changed. Retrieving his communication artifact, he sent his Divine Sense in and immediately read the message that he had received.
It was a message from City Lord Duan Yuan Shan for everyone to gather.
Raising his head, Yang Kai shot a look at Qin Zhao Yang, who nodded back lightly at him.
Right at the same time, a rotund figure descended from the sky. With a large green bottle gourd hanging at his waist, who would it be other than Drunkard?
Standing on the city walls, Drunkard waved his hands at Qin Zhao Yang. “Go.”
Qin Zhao Yang smiled and replied: “I’ll have to trouble Vice City Lord City Sir to take care of this section’s defences then.”
Raising his eye towards Qin Zhao Yang, the Drunkard said, “Old fellow, you better be careful when you head outside. Make sure to not perish out there.”
Qin Zhao Yang’s mouth twitched in response, though he did not do anything in response other than to shoot a look at Yang Kai, before bringing Qin Yu as they flew to the gathering point.
After a short moment, they landed in another part of the city.
There were already four others gathered at this place, and all of them were Dao Source Realm masters.
Of the four, two of them were Maplewood City’s City Lord Duan Yuan Shan and Vice City Lord Zhuang Pan respectively, but Yang Kai didn’t recognise the other two people.
One of them was a pale-faced old man, while the other was a beautiful woman with an alluring figure.
Yang Kai made a sweeping glance, though shock surfaced within him as his eyes gaze landed on the beautiful woman, as he discovered that she was actually a Third-Order Dao Source Realm master! She was even stronger than Duan Yuan Shan! Furthermore, the aura radiating from her body was restrained, resulting in the energies in her body being only faintly discernible, which made it hard for people to judge her strength.
[When were there so many Third-Order Dao Source Realms in Maplewood City?]
Yang Kai’s heart was filled with suspicion. Just a few days ago, he had run into a master, a man he had met at the entrance of the Spirit Pill Plaza; he never expected to meet another master so soon after.
Although he did not know exactly where these two hailed from, they were definitely not local cultivators from Maplewood City.
Seeing Yang Kai looking over, the beautiful woman gave a sweet smile, causing her to radiate an air of seduction. Her moist, elegant peach-like eyes seemed to tell a story, containing a soul-stirringly fascinating glint.
A surge of vigilance rose in Yang Kai’s heart as he quietly turned his gaze away.
“Brother Yang, Brother Qin, you’ve arrived.” Seeing the two arrive, Duan Yuan Shan cupped his fists to greet them.
On the contrary, Vice City Lord Zhuang Pan gave a cold snort, appearing to have a big problem with Yang Kai and disliked the latter.
Yang Kai was not concerned with his reaction, as he had quarrelled with Zhuang Pan the last time he had visited the City Lord’s Mansion. In fact, they even started a fight where Yang Kai destroyed the spirituality of his artifact, so it was natural that he would not express pleasure at Yang Kai’s arrival.
“City Lord Duan, this madame is …” Landing, Qin Zhao Yang looked doubtfully at the beautiful woman.
Qin Yu was in charge of handing over the Seven Points Black Tortoise Array to the Dao Source Realm Masters, and Qin Zhao Yang did not get involved in that matter. Therefore, he had not met this beautiful woman, and furthermore, knew that it was impossible for Maplewood City to have any Third-Order Dao Source Realm masters, prompting him to voice his query.
“This Mistress, Hua Qing Si, greets the two of you.” Not waiting for Duan Yuan Shan, the beautiful woman took the initiative to reply.
“So it is Lady Hua.” Qin Zhao Yang frowned in response, while a hint of a weird feeling flashed across his face. The woman had only introduced herself with her name, and no one knew if it was her real name or just an alias, thus he had no way of speculating about her origins.
Duan Yuan Shan smiled. “Lady Hua’s not a cultivator for our Maplewood City. She had just so happened to be doing some business here when the Demon Qi invasion began. After hearing that we’re heading outside to repair the seal, she volunteered to provide assistance. This Duan can’t thank Lady Hua enough for her righteous act.”
Hua Qin Si covered her mouth to give a lovable giggle. “You’re too modest, City Lord Duan. As of now, if anyone in Maplewood City suffers, everyone will suffer. This mistress is just doing it for my own survival. There’s no need to talk about righteousness at all.”
“This person should be Brother Yang, right? Old Master Du Li Shen, we’ve interacted briefly before.” Seemingly noticing Yang Kai’s pensive look, the pale-faced old man stood up and gave a self-introduction.
“So, it is old Sir Du, nice to meet you!” Yang Kai returned the greeting in a neutral tone.
He recognized this Du Li Shen, as he was the old ancestor of the Maplewood City’s Du Family and possessed the same First-Order Dao Source Realm cultivation as Qin Zhao Yang. Although the two of them had not exchanged greetings before, they had engaged in simple conversations through their communication artifacts during the defence of Maplewood City, so Yang Kai was not unfamiliar with him.
On the hand, after seeing that Du Li Shen was attempting to form a connection with Yang Kai, Qin Zhao Yang hastily changed the subject and asked, “City Lord Duan, we’re still one person short. Don’t tell me that you’re planning to let Yu’er be one of the seven we need? Yu’er’s role in this is only to repair the seal.”
There were only four Dao Source Realm masters gathered here. After including himself and Yang Kai, they only had six here.
Duan Yuan Shan smiled in response. “Just wait a while longer, that person should be arriving quite soon.”
Just as his words rang out, a streak of light came shooting rapidly towards their direction. From the looks of it, that person seemed to be coming over from the City Lord’s Mansion.
After a short while, a flash appeared above the group, before a figure appeared.
Raising his head, Yang Kai could not help but frown in response.
That was because he discovered that the last person was actually the Third-Order Dao Source Realm middle-aged male that he had bumped into a few days ago at the entrance of the Spirit Pill Plaza!
Arriving at the gathering place, the middle-aged man swept his gaze below, before coming to a slight rest on Yang Kai before saying in an indifferent tone. “This King is late.”
His haughty stance incited displeasure in the crowd. Nevertheless, due to his astonishing cultivation realm, no one dared to outwardly reveal any of their displeasure.
The only exception was Hua Qing Si, who pursed her lips and let out a giggle, causing what seemed to be a lovely scene of flowers blossoming to appear.
Noticing her actions, the middle-aged male’s gaze turned chilly as he focused his eyes onto Hua Qing Si. However, upon noticing that her cultivation realm was not inferior to his own, he could not help but reveal a strange look on his face, as though he didn’t expect there to actually be a Third-Order Master other than himself present in this small Maplewood City.
Being unable to see through Hua Qing Si’s origins despite looking at her for a moment, the middle-aged man could only give a cold snort in response.
“You’ve arrived right on time, Brother Fu.” Duan Yuan Shan greeted the middle-aged male. From the looks of it, the appearance of two people stronger than him had caused him to feel somewhat uncomfortable.
The critical point was that these two had spontaneously come forward in the name of wanting to assist in the repairing of the seal. Therefore, he wasn’t able to reject them without good reason.
“City Lord Sir, when we leave, the defensive strength of Maplewood City would decline substantially. Would that be a problem for the people remaining here?” Qin Zhao Yang asked in concern. In any case, the core of his Qin Family’s businesses was in Maplewood City, therefore their losses would be great if the city was destroyed.
“With Drunkard and the old ancestors of the other families present, there shouldn’t be a problem for a short while. However, we still need to get this done as quickly as we can.” Duan Yuan Shan quickly replied. “Since everyone’s arrived, we should get going.”
After saying those words, Duan Yuan Shan waved his hand and took the lead to fly off.
The other people quickly followed behind.
As they arrived at the city walls, there were people already waiting for them.
“Open the array!” Looking deeply at the surging Demon Qi and an endless number of demonic creatures scuttling about, Duan Yuan Shan gave a loud roar.
Hearing his words, the nearby Array Masters quickly controlled the Array Plate in their hands.
Under their control, an opening slowly formed on the golden liquid-like Spirit Array.
When the opening grew large enough for a person to pass through, Duan Yuan Shan took the lead and rushed through, shouting out as he did so. “Let’s go!”
Xiu Xiu Xiu…
With everyone being at the Dao Source Realm, they would naturally not be lacking in their sense of timing. Streaks of light flashed about, and all seven of them were outside of the city.
Qin Yu followed closely behind Yang Kai and Qin Zhao Yang, not daring to be apart from them by more than half a step.
After the eight people had left, the Array Masters on the city walls quickly closed up the Spirit Array.
Outside of the city, Demon Qi surged about, creating berserk winds that howled about. One could even hear faint cries and howls ringing about, causing people’s hairs to stand on their ends and rocking the core of their life force.
Qin Yu’s face turned slightly pale, while tremors shook through her tender body.
Despite Yang Kai and Qin Zhao Yang joining hands to protect her, with her Second-Order Origin Returning cultivation realm, she was still somewhat unable to endure being in such a place.
“Form up!” At the front, Duan Yuan Shan shouted out.
In the next instant, everyone started to move, shifting themselves to various positions, all while forming seals with their hands.
With the change of their hand seals, a mysterious and invisible connection gradually formed between the seven Dao Source Realm cultivators, linking them together.
The Source Qi radiating from everyone started to surge and expand, before fusing with others’ Source Qi. When that happened, an extraordinary aura suddenly came into existence, before expanding out furiously, driving all of the Demon Qi away from their vicinity, creating an empty void around where they were standing.