Above the Zhuoxin Temple.
Tao Shanan and the other demonic cultivators, including Niu Jinmao, were all looking down at Lin Fengyuan and Ye Yu.
The smiles on their faces were impossible to conceal.
From their perspective, Lin Fengyuan and Ye Yu were merely treading in place, never stepping out of the room.
Because they had already fallen into Tao Shanan’s illusion.
Earlier, when Lin Fengyuan and Ye Yu sensed the fluctuations of spiritual power from the formation outside, that was deliberately orchestrated by Tao Shanan.
The intention was to draw their attention, thereby better executing the Grand Illusionary Technique.
From the moment Tao Shanan opened the door, the Grand Illusionary Technique had successfully deceived Ye Yu and Lin Fengyuan.
As for the subsequent blood demons and the formation barrier, they were all false. Just illusions.
Thus, the blood demons could not be exterminated, and the barrier could not be broken!
Tao Shanren’s plan was to wait until Lin Fengyuan and Ye Yu exhausted their spiritual energy, then have the other demons join forces to extinguish their souls.
Afterward, he would use a secret technique to control their bodies, turning them into his puppets.
At that moment, the Sect Master of the Soul Transfer Hall, the demon Lu Xiji, spoke in a low voice, “Isn’t this a bit too easy? Lin Fengyuan’s strength is formidable. He gravely injured the five leaders of the Sacred Lands with a single sword strike. Why does he seem so weak now? Could there be some trick?”
“Heh, you think too much! When Lin Fengyuan came out of the Zhenmo Mountain, his aura was already disordered, and his spiritual pressure unstable. This is a sign of extreme weakness in both body and soul. If not for this, how could I dare to take this gamble?”
Tao Shanan’s tone was filled with mockery. He had long noticed that Lin Fengyuan was not quite right.
And now it seemed, he had indeed made the right gamble. Lin Fengyuan was truly weak.
This was an opportunity heaven itself had delivered.
Tao Shanan had even begun to fantasize about Lin Fengyuan helping him conquer the world in the future. It would be a crushing victory.
Niu Jinmao, recalling Ye Yu’s kindness to him earlier, felt a twinge of guilt. He said softly, “Sect Master Tao, I have a request. I hope you can spare Ye Yu. He’s a decent person. And this afternoon, I… had a very good talk with him!”
Tao Shanan abruptly turned his head, and coldly scolded, “Sentimental fool! Have you forgotten that you were almost killed today?”
Upon hearing this, a flicker of fear crossed Niu Jinmao’s eyes.
This afternoon, if not for the intervention of a few demons around, he might have truly died at the hands of Empress Li Ruowang.
That woman was simply too strong!
Tao Shanan took a step forward and said in a deep voice, “Ye Yu may not be highly skilled, but he’s not without value. His four Dao companions possess tremendous cultivation. Controlling him is the key to drawing those four heavenly maidens into our fold.”
“When that time comes, with their help and Lin Fengyuan’s support, where in the world can we not go? Who can we not kill?”
“Remember, we are demonic cultivators—we don’t concern ourselves with sentimental affairs!”
Niu Jinmao sensed a faint killing intent.
Helplessly, he could only lower his head in silence, daring not to say another word.
Tao Shanan snorted coldly, and continued in a deep voice, “Lu Xiji, wait for my signal and be ready to act at any time. As soon as their souls are destroyed, I will take over their bodies immediately. Make sure you control the situation!”
“Rest assured, Sect Master Tao. This matter concerns the rise and fall of the demonic path. We naturally dare not be negligent!”
Lu Xiji, showing understanding, immediately clasped his hands in agreement.
Tao Shanan said no more, turning into a streak of light and vanishing.
Below, Ye Yu quickly supported Lin Fengyuan and asked, “What’s wrong with you?”
Lin Fengyuan communicated through voice transmission, “For thirty thousand years, I’ve been constantly attacking the seal. My body and soul are on the brink of collapse. I have no strength left to fight. I’m sorry, I’ve dragged you into this!”
Hearing this, Ye Yu was stunned.
Originally, he had been hoping to cling to the leg of a soon-to-be ascended powerhouse, but now…
You’re already at the end of your strength, and you’re still clashing with the host of the Zhuoxin Temple? Isn’t this throwing yourself into the net?
Watching the surrounding blood demons converge, Ye Yu knew he couldn’t afford to be passive. He had to save himself!
With that, he raised one hand in front of him, using the Eternal Star Diagram, trying to break through the outer barrier and escape with Lin Fengyuan.
But despite the stars flashing in the sky, the outer barrier remained unmoved.
Ye Yu’s expression changed, then he rapidly withdrew with Lin Fengyuan.
Something was wrong!
It seemed there was no formation around.
Recalling the previous scene, these blood demons were like weeds, endless and unkillable. There was definitely something wrong!
Ye Yu suspected it was likely an illusion, so he immediately took out the Breaking Illusions Mirror from his storage ring.
This item was a reward from the previous dream realm. It could break any illusion below the level of Immortal Sovereign!
The moment Ye Yu took it out, the figures of the surrounding blood demons began to show signs of dispersing.
It seemed that it really was an illusion!
Ye Yu was delighted and quickly infused it with spiritual power. In that instant, the Breaking Illusions Mirror emitted a dazzling light.
The surrounding blood demons and the formation barrier receded like a tide.
And at this moment, Ye Yu suddenly noticed the stooped figure of Tao Shanan was standing right in front of him.
Their eyes met, and in that brief exchange, they both saw the shock in each other’s gaze.
Ye Yu truly hadn’t expected that Tao Shanan would be right in front of him.
And Tao Shanan hadn’t expected either that Ye Yu could so easily break his Grand Illusionary Technique.
It was utterly unbelievable!
Looking ahead, Tao Shanren saw the Breaking Illusions Mirror emitting a brilliant light. Instantly, he concluded that this item was no ordinary artifact—it had to be seized!
He immediately raised his hand, intending to snatch it, but Ye Yu effortlessly dodged his attempt.
Tao Shanren’s hunched figure froze in place.
What was happening?
A Tribulation Crossing cultivator couldn’t outpace a Golden Core cultivator? If this were said out loud, wouldn’t it be a laughingstock?
No, something was off.
This kid couldn’t possibly be at the Golden Core Realm. He must be hiding his true cultivation level.
Realizing this, Tao Shanan immediately stopped his grandstanding and quickly transmitted a message upward: “Attack!”
Then, without hesitation, he retreated rapidly, casting his Grand Illusionary Technique again towards Lin Fengyuan. His aim wasn’t high; he just needed to control him for a few brief moments.
From Tao Shanan’s perspective, Ye Yu might not be in the Golden Core Stage, but even if he was stronger, there was no way he had reached the Tribulation Realm. A few seconds should be enough to kill him.
Tao Shanren widened the distance between them and began casting more techniques.
But to Ye Yu, the entire scene was laughable.
They were both at the Tribulation Realm. Even if you were in the later stage, did you truly think you had any chance of survival?
Ye Yu showed no hesitation, immediately using the “Bind” character technique!
Countless golden characters appeared around Tao Shanan, then they burst forth in brilliant light.
Tao Shanan was shocked to find his body instantly immobilized. He couldn’t move a single bit. The spiritual energy inside him seemed to stagnate, unable to circulate at all.
And then—
The sound of countless swords reverberated through the air.
Looking ahead, he saw waves of formless sword energy rushing towards him. He couldn’t even muster the stance to defend himself.
He was thoroughly shredded by the Profound Heart Sword.
The once-great sect master of Zhuoxin Temple fell just like that.
With Tao Shanan’s death, the illusion surrounding Lin Fengyuan also dissipated.
But just when they thought it was over, the sky darkened with dense clouds.
Countless bolts of black lightning suddenly descended, striking directly toward Ye Yu and Lin Fengyuan.