“Heart of the Great Dao” means being born from the Dao, following the path of destiny, and being able to achieve Dao fruits even while lying down.
However, Ji Yutang is a Scattered Spirit Body, and not entering the path of Dao means that the “Heart of the Great Dao” is of no use to her.
Qin Ruoshui initially thought that the Ji Family had used some artifact to temporarily grant Ji Yutang power, but later he gradually understood that Ji Yutang had directly entered the path of strength.
No matter how the cultivators of the Xuan and Mo paths look down on the path of strength, it is still a part of the Great Dao.
This means that the dormant Heart of the Great Dao will awaken, and Ji Yutang will move ahead as a “latecomer.” So it’s not surprising that Junior Sister Ran has noticed Ji Yutang again.
With eyebrows like swords, Qin Ruoshui’s expression was cold and stern as he looked at Li Jingyu and said, “Junior Sister Ran, are you regretting it? Do you want to fulfill the marriage contract between the Ran Family and the Ji Family?” Li Jingyu replied, “It’s not regret, it’s just a momentary thought.
The destiny is changing, and my thoughts will change with it.”
Qin Ruoshui didn’t respond, but he sensed something elusive about Li Jingyu.
However, Li Jingyu had no intention of continuing the conversation with him.
She abruptly changed the topic and said, “How are the zombies’ powers at night? Will the drought demon reveal itself?” Qin Ruoshui shook his head and said, “The situation changes every day.” He glanced at Lin Heng and Ji Yutang not far away and added, “But now that you’re here, it might be easier for us to handle.”
Li Jingyu and Qin Ruoshui didn’t stray far from the village, and their conversation wasn’t deliberately hushed.
There were no shielding formations around, so every word reached Ji Yutang and Lin Heng’s ears.
Lin Heng, who was indifferent, only showed some confusion after hearing it, while Ji Yutang’s expression was very stern, with a cold glint in her eyes.
It’s normal for people to strive upward.
A talented cultivator seed and a Scattered Spirit Body don’t seem suitable together.
She understood the choice to move upward, but when it fell on her, it was nothing but endless humiliation.
The two families were old acquaintances, with countless peaceful paths to choose from, yet it had come to this.
“Daoist Friend Ji?” Lin Heng looked at Ji Yutang, startled by her expression, fearing she might fall into the path of demons in a moment of despair.
“I’m fine,” Ji Yutang replied calmly.
She looked up at Li Jingyu, who was walking towards her, with a sense of unwillingness rolling like a snowball in her heart.
Ran Guzhu wouldn’t think she was wrong because she couldn’t deny her own “Dao.” Perhaps only when she tasted the same pain herself would she feel some regret.
“Yutang,” Li Jingyu’s voice reached her ears.
After some time apart, her tone was more intimate than before.
Just like she said earlier, discovering her true “Dao seed” met her requirements for a companion, was that why? Ji Yutang forced a slightly strained smile, fixed her gaze on Li Jingyu’s “gentle face,” and replied softly, “Daoist Friend Li.”
Li Jingyu didn’t mind Ji Yutang’s distant attitude.
After making her presence felt in front of Ji Yutang, she joined Lin Heng and Qin Ruoshui in discussing the drought demon.
Among the Twelve Demon Gods, there was no such figure as the “drought demon.” The Immortal Sect assumed it was a demonic cultivator using corpses to refine evil arts.
However, Li Jingyu, being from Huoxin Palace, knew more than Qin Ruoshui and the others.
Among the Twelve Demon Gods, there was one named “Houtu,” one of whose incarnations was the drought demon.
The occurrence of a great drought in Wuqishan was clearly manipulated by the Demon Sect.
Did the Tianhai Demon Sect plant the Twelve Demon God Stakes just to bring forth the turbid evil energy? If it was all for the Demon Sect, why not have the other three major Demon Sects’ cultivators assist? As evening approached, every household in the village had their doors tightly shut, as if only this could pull them out of the dangerous whirlpool.
Li Jingyu eventually obtained the Three Light Divine Water from Qin Ruoshui, but now was not the time for refining it, so she could only use it superficially, which she didn’t mind.
Now that the Three Light Divine Water was in her hands, the Taiyuan Dao Palace could no longer retrieve it.
In Wuqishan, Gao Cang’s expression was heavy.
The people he sent out were originally meant to seize the Three Light Divine Water, but who knew a “Ran Guzhu” would suddenly appear.
Now, they hadn’t intercepted the person, and the item had fallen into the hands of those Immortal Sect cultivators.
Sending out the corpse horde next might be of no use.
His gaze shifted to the drought demon in red, and he frowned, asking, “How much more blood and flesh is needed to complete the task?” The drought demon raised a hand, indicating “five.” These five referred to cultivators with full essence, not ordinary people.
There seemed to be only four on the other side, which was insufficient.
Gao Cang’s eyes flickered, and he nodded, saying, “Then let’s lure them over.” After speaking, he turned to his junior brother and asked, “Has there been any response from Qingtian Sect?” Gao Cang was looking for help, but he had a bias against the female cultivators of Huoxin Palace, and the uncertainty of the Wangqing Sect people was too high.
As for the Tianhai Demon Sect—those fellow sect members would be eager for him to fail so they could take his place, so Gao Cang wouldn’t seek them out.
After thinking it over, only the straightforward men of Qingtian Sect seemed most suitable.
Even if they failed, their blood and flesh could serve as resources for the Demon God Stake.
“Senior Brother Gao, Senior Brother Wei replied that he would arrive in another day.
It seems he’s been entangled by Immortal Sect cultivators,” the disciple said with some difficulty.
After a pause, he added, “Why not seek out the senior sisters from Huoxin Palace? They’re still nearby.”
Gao Cang coldly replied, “Seek out those women? Can you afford the price? Are you willing to be drained of your essence?” The demonic cultivator gave an awkward smile and immediately fell silent.
The senior sisters of Huoxin Palace practiced dual cultivation to supplement their yin with yang, using the method to advance their own cultivation, but the one being “dual cultivated” was mostly a tool, and the outcome wasn’t good.
They could occasionally visit, but long-term debt was unaffordable.
“One day isn’t long.
It’s about time to lure them into the mountain.
The Four Yin Four Yang Soul Refining Formation is ready, just waiting for them to fall into the trap.
The disciples of the Eight Great Immortal Sects are always like this.
Even if they know there’s a trap ahead, they’ll charge forward with their eyes closed for the sake of righteousness.” Gao Cang sneered and waved his sleeve.
A Demon Sect cultivator asked in confusion, “Can the Four Yin Four Yang Soul Refining Formation trap them?” After all, there were many formations in the Demon Sect, and the Soul Refining Formation was considered a “chicken rib” existence.
Gao Cang gave a cold glance at the doubting fellow sect member and said indifferently, “I have my own plans.”
In the small village, the shuffling corpse horde arrived later than in the past few days.
The dense corpse poison spread in all directions, leaving no grass where it touched.
The talismans in the village could originally only last for a short time, but after Qin Ruoshui’s redrawing, the spiritual energy within them became vibrant again, forming a brilliant golden light that brushed down on the corpse poison miasma.
Li Jingyu stood at the front, with a crescent moon like a hook hanging in the sky, the stars dim, and the yin energy heavy.
Li Jingyu watched the zombie horde, and with a light exhale, her power surged like a tide, transforming into a galaxy waterfall that swept over the zombies! Amidst the surging water, the Lunar Heavenly Heart Thunder leaped, roaring loudly, and with the power of the Three Light Divine Water, the zombies struck by the water light instantly turned to powder, scattered by the wind.
“These zombies have no self-awareness, all driven by the drought demon.
Previously, they wouldn’t retreat, but now they’re shrinking towards Wuqishan,” Lin Heng said with a frown.
Qin Ruoshui: “It seems the drought demon intends to lure us over.”
“But in this night, Wuqishan is likely fraught with danger,” Ji Yutang said with a frown, her fingers brushing over the Falling Moon Bow, arrows roaring like wind dragons, exploding amidst the zombie horde, raising a spray of shattered flesh.
The following water tide rolled again, dissolving the remnants tainted with evil energy and corpse poison.
The drought demon and demonic cultivators were hiding in Wuqishan, the root of the disaster.
Their arrival was to resolve this matter, and previously they hesitated due to the “corpse poison,” but now that the Three Light Divine Water was obtained, they no longer feared the filth.
A fierce look flashed in Qin Ruoshui’s eyes, and his sword light was the first to cut into the zombie horde.
He said loudly, “Without reaching Wuqishan, we cannot end everything.
Even if there are traps set by demonic cultivators ahead, it’s just a matter of ‘breaking through.'” As a disciple of Taiyuan Dao Palace, he cultivated the fearless sword, not knowing how to write “retreat.”
When Qin Ruoshui spoke, Lin Heng rarely refuted.
His eyebrows danced, his emotions stirred by Qin Ruoshui’s words, and he immediately applauded, “Good!” Li Jingyu smiled slightly and said, “Then let’s follow.” Qin Ruoshui was willing to pave the way ahead, so she let him go.
Li Jingyu slowed her pace, falling beside Ji Yutang.
The Jewel of the Rising Tides spun, weaving long silver lights that enveloped both their bodies, untouched by corpse poison and evil filth.
Ji Yutang’s eyes darkened slightly at the sight, and she quickened her pace.
Dragon energy coiled around her, like a silver-white true dragon hovering above, intimidating the zombie horde invisibly.
Li Jingyu saw her reaction and a smile full of interest appeared on her lips.
She placed her hands behind her back and easily caught up with Ji Yutang’s steps, saying leisurely, “Your emotions are so volatile, truly heartbreaking.”
Ji Yutang frowned at the words, glancing at Li Jingyu, finding it hard to associate “heartbreaking” with her.
She wanted to clarify things with Li Jingyu, but the words were swallowed back.
It was her nature, her chosen Dao thought, and saying more was just a waste of breath.
It was better to follow the planned course of action, with a chance to open a crack in her heart.
Ji Yutang’s emotions churned, but her expression gradually softened.
Li Jingyu threw out another sentence: “You clearly liked being close to me after transforming into a dragon.” Her tone was as soft as a spring breeze, her eyes filled with twinkling laughter.
The memory of the deep sea unexpectedly returned, and a blush climbed Ji Yutang’s cheeks, uncontrollable.
Ji Yutang was enveloped by a momentary panic and confusion, taking a deep breath to calm herself.
But in the instant she met Li Jingyu’s gaze, that inexplicable emotion surged again.
She hurriedly averted her eyes, intending to be a deserter.
As for the plan that had lingered in her mind earlier, it had long since dissipated in an instant.
Under the cover of night, Wuqishan resembled a giant beast lurking in the shadows, waiting for its prey to appear.
Qin Ruoshui, sprinting ahead, released all the stored sword marbles in one breath.
Brilliant sword lights flared up like sparks, sweeping forward with fierce energy and airwaves.
The zombies, already no match for the cultivators, let out a chilling scream under the sword light and were instantly cut in half.
“Truly a worthy successor of the Taiyuan Dao Palace!” Lin Heng cheered for Qin Ruoshui from behind.
He wiped his hand across a scroll, and the spirits of tigers, wolves, and other giant beasts from the mountains and forests leaped out, roaring thunderously.
The two of them fought with increasing vigor, like a spear piercing into the enemy’s heart, unstoppable.
As the zombies retreated in panic, a crimson figure tore through the night like a blazing sun, appearing before everyone.
Clad in a red robe, with fiery eyes and fangs, surrounded by corpse poison, anything that came into contact with him turned to death.
Flames burned beneath his feet, and with a roar, the fire fell like a meteor, illuminating the sky.
Qin Ruoshui avoided the corpse-poisoned fire, flicked his sword light, and instantly moved out of the fire’s range.
He looked up at the red-robed figure and said coldly, “Hanhai.”
The poisonous fire danced in the air, but Hanhai did not strike to kill.
Instead, he drove Qin Ruoshui and his group into a formation, a strange smile appearing on his pale zombie face.
After a sharp howl, he retreated into the mountains.
Lin Heng’s eyelid twitched, and he said, “Hanhai has retreated!” He glanced at Qin Ruoshui and asked, “Brother Qin, should we pursue?”
“No need to chase.” Before Qin Ruoshui could respond, Li Jingyu’s voice rang out.
“There is a formation here,” Ji Yutang added.
Qin Ruoshui was taken aback and immediately focused on sensing the changes in the energy here.
After a while, he opened his eyes and said, “It’s the Four Yin Four Yang Soul Refining Formation.” This is a formation used by the Demon Sect to refine souls, specifically to extract the souls of mortals.
For cultivators, its effect is not as significant, at least not until their mana is exhausted.
However, it can still be used as a trap.
“Are they trying to trap us here?”
“Whatever their plan, we can’t let them succeed,” Lin Heng sneered.
“This formation seems to be supported by a very powerful force?” Li Jingyu crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow.
The Four Yin Four Yang Soul Refining Formation is not a top-tier formation, and the Eight Great Immortal Sects all have ways to break it.
However, Gao Cang setting up the soul refining formation at this time must have some reliance, right? Could it be that he is using the earth’s evil energy driven by the Demon God Stake as the formation’s power? But the earth’s evil energy is turbid and yang, only satisfying the “four yang,” so where does the “four yin” come from? Gao Cang’s own demonic skills? Or did he fill the “four yin” from the moment they entered the formation? As the master of the formation, Gao Cang could be trying to gain benefits from it to advance his own cultivation.
But whatever his plan, it is likely to fail.
Li Jingyu’s mind turned, and he asked Ji Yutang, “What do you think?” Ji Yutang pursed her lips and did not respond.
When she entered the formation, she felt a bit uncomfortable, but as time passed, that discomfort gradually dissipated.
The yin and yang in this formation rotate, and the Primordial Qi of heaven and earth is quite abundant, like a “treasure cave” suitable for cultivation.
Her body had unconsciously started to operate her cultivation method, absorbing the Primordial Qi of heaven and earth to enhance her own cultivation.
“Is there a treasure suppressing this formation?” Lin Heng had already started to destroy the formation, but the result greatly surprised him.
“Let’s rest for a while and restore our mana,” Qin Ruoshui sighed.
Hanhai must have brought them here for a reason.
In any case, as long as they have their cultivation, they need not fear danger.
The next morning.
Hanhai did not appear, but Demon Sect cultivators entered the formation in turns.
From mortal transformation to foundation establishment, they did not seek to defeat the Immortal Sect in one go.
If the situation was unfavorable, they would immediately withdraw.
After sitting quietly to restore their mana, they would re-enter the formation.
“Senior Brother Gao was right.
Entering this formation and aligning with its energy, one can gain assistance from the unseen,” a demonic cultivator said.
Another foundation establishment disciple did not respond, his eyes flickering as he changed the subject, “I wonder when Senior Brother Wei from the Qingtian Sect will arrive?” In the Four Yin Four Yang Soul Refining Formation.
Lin Heng frowned deeply and finally said, “They come and go as they please, as if using us for practice.”
“I’m afraid it’s not just that,” Qin Ruoshui replied.
His gaze moved between Lin Heng and Li Jingyu, and he said in a deep voice, “Do you feel yourselves gradually aligning with the formation, as if—”
“Becoming part of it?” Li Jingyu finished Qin Ruoshui’s sentence with a smile, “This soul refining formation has a transformation, capable of merging yin and yang and separating them.
Our cultivation methods align with this formation, so it’s not surprising.”
She did not say everything.
Gao Cang, using turbid evil energy to cultivate, practices yin-based methods.
His body is neither purely yang nor purely yin, but constantly transforms between yin and yang.
This means that as the master of the formation, Gao Cang can reverse the formation, causing it to separate yin energy and enhance his “White Cang Yin Fire Technique.” Unfortunately, he misjudged Ji Yutang, thinking she was an Immortal Sect disciple who could fill the “four yin” gap.
In reality, Ji Yutang practices a strength-based method, directly using the Primordial Qi of heaven and earth without the step of separating clear and turbid energy.
“Aligning with the formation is equivalent to being refined into it, isn’t it?” Ji Yutang asked, puzzled.
As soon as she finished speaking, a rumbling explosion sounded from the sky.
A figure fell like a meteor, transforming into a short-haired, muscular demonic cultivator with a bare upper body.
“Another demonic cultivator?” Ji Yutang frowned.
Li Jingyu glanced over and raised an eyebrow, “It’s a disciple of the Qingtian Sect, Wei Fuming.” This person visualizes ancient demons and practices an indestructible body, somewhat similar to strength-based cultivators.
“Gao Cang isn’t as proud as he claims, is he? To lower himself to ask for help? Tsk tsk, could it be that Zhang Ren’s death scared him?” Although also a Demon Sect cultivator, Wei Fuming showed no mercy in mocking Gao Cang.
“Brother Wei,” Gao Cang took a step forward, looking at Wei Fuming expressionlessly.
Wei Fuming sneered, his gaze turning to the formation.
Upon seeing Li Jingyu, he showed a hint of surprise, fearing to delay the Demon Sect’s matters, so he lowered his voice, “Isn’t that Ji Yue? Why is she with the Immortal Sect cultivators? Does she think our Demon Sect men are not good enough?”
“That’s a Ran Family woman, no wonder she’s as detestable as her sister,” Gao Cang turned his head, speaking discontentedly.
Wei Fuming raised an eyebrow, not thinking too much.
“Are these the four to be dealt with?” Wei Fuming asked, seeing Gao Cang nod with narrowed eyes.
He let out a fierce howl, transforming into a red light and entering the formation.
He visualized an ancient demon ape, his body instantly growing to a height of ten feet, wielding a golden staff that he swung down fiercely at Qin Ruoshui and his group.
“This person is extremely murderous and immensely strong, be careful!” Qin Ruoshui shouted, suddenly releasing a sword light.
The sword light spun and whirled in the air, clashing with the golden staff and producing a grating sound.
Wei Fuming was extremely arrogant, believing he could fight four alone, but Gao Cang thought otherwise.
Surrounded by pale flames, he signaled to his fellow cultivators to also enter the formation.
Regardless of their cultivation level, the Demon Sect had an absolute advantage in numbers.
The sound of explosions echoed in the air, and magic surged like waves, whipping up fierce winds in all directions.
Gao Cang stared intently at the people fighting within the formation, his eyes unknowingly turning blood-red.
His blood boiled, and the pale flames floating in front of him suddenly flared up, exuding a chilling aura.
“It’s time.” The drought demon appeared out of nowhere, standing beside Gao Cang, squeezing out a hoarse and unpleasant voice from its throat.
Gao Cang nodded, adjusting the formation of the Four Yin Four Yang Soul Refining Array.
Instantly, the yin and yang energies merged, forming a black and white three-legged cauldron in mid-air.
This was meant to use the great formation as a furnace, with the Four Yin Four Yang as fuel, to ignite all the cultivators within it! At this moment, not only Qin Ruoshui and Lin Heng felt the pressure, but Wei Fuming also suddenly felt an increase in burden.
His wild and fierce nature was triggered, and regardless of friend or foe, he swung his golden staff with great force, finally smashing it down with a crack, turning a demonic cultivator into a pulp.
Gao Cang’s eyelid twitched, and he hastened the incantation of the formation.
Magic power surged around him, but a sense of unease suddenly arose deep within his heart.
“Gao Cang! Are you trying to refine me?!” Wei Fuming roared suddenly, his face becoming extremely ferocious.
Gao Cang looked at him indifferently, without speaking.
In the fierce battle within the formation, his own energy gradually merged with the formation.
The four Immortal Sect cultivators, along with Wei Fuming, completed the drought demon’s path to elevate its realm, which was a good thing for the Demon Sect.
If Wei Fuming’s master found out, he probably wouldn’t blame him.
In Gao Cang’s plan, the balance of Four Yin and Four Yang would reverse the formation, releasing yin and yang energies separately.
He would absorb the yin energy, while the drought demon would devour the yang energy.
However, the current situation did not develop as he had planned; the yin and yang within the formation suddenly became unbalanced! The turbid evil energy and yang energy couldn’t possibly mutate, so the flaw must be in the “Four Yin.” Gao Cang steadied himself, calculated with his fingers, and suddenly realized, “One of the Four Yin is missing.” Seeing Wei Fuming’s wild nature erupt, smashing the yin-yang cauldron with his staff, Gao Cang’s face darkened.
He pointed with his hand, and several clusters of ghostly flames in front of him floated into the formation to complete the “Four Yin.” These were all painstakingly cultivated magic powers, but if he didn’t do this, whether he could escape safely once Wei Fuming got out was uncertain!
The drought demon also noticed the change in the formation.
Its face twitched, and after a moment, it suddenly reached out and grabbed, directly pulling a demonic cultivator from the formation.
It didn’t intend to follow Gao Cang’s plan but instead directly absorbed the essence of that demonic disciple! Its movements were swift, and by the time Gao Cang reacted, it had already killed four demonic disciples.
“You—” Gao Cang’s heart trembled.
The drought demon merely glanced at Gao Cang indifferently, holding a demonic disciple in its hand, and with a squeeze, directly twisted his neck.
After absorbing enough essence, the drought demon’s body disintegrated, transforming into a crimson light that sank into the ground.
A rumbling sound came from afar, and the crimson light suddenly surged, advancing irresistibly, dyeing the land within a thousand miles blood-red.
“It’s done…” Gao Cang murmured to himself, but soon his expression turned grim.
This time, the sacrifice was Demon Sect disciples, his confidants, and most importantly, his plan to enhance his own cultivation through the formation was thwarted! Taking a deep breath, Gao Cang didn’t want to face the furious Wei Fuming, so he turned and transformed into a streak of light, fleeing! Li Jingyu looked at the blood-red land beneath her feet and murmured, “A thousand miles of red soil, demonized Earth Mother.” One of the twelve transformations of the Demon Ancestor is Houtu, who governs mountains and rivers, creating and reincarnating, neither good nor evil.
But the current demonic path inheritance has changed drastically, and what kind of Demon God the Tianhai Demon Sect has spawned is hard to say.
Ji Yutang heard Li Jingyu’s murmur, her eyelid twitched, and as she gazed at that calm face, a sense of foreboding suddenly arose.
