Cultivation Begins with Daily Intelligence Reports

234: Feng Xixi is trappedOuyang Ming, having been named, trembled. His lone eye held a complex expression, containing both fear and a sliver of pride stemming from his Family Legacy.

He forced himself to concentrate, carefully observing the layout of the Stone Forest, sensing the flow of energy within. His fingers unconsciously performed calculations. After a long moment, he sighed dejectedly:

”This Formation... its changes are complex, secretly conforming to the pattern of the Nine Palace Labyrinth, and it has been integrated with the sinister Evil Qi of the Demonic Path.

There are three core energy nodes, forming a tripod, hidden deep within the Stone Forest. They are interconnected, and touching one affects the whole Formation.

If this old man were in his prime, relying on my Formation mastery, I might attempt to deduce the layout, find the Gate of Life, and proceed slowly... but now...”

His cultivation had been mostly crippled, and his Divine Sense was weak; he was willing but unable. A bitter look appeared on his face.

Lin Jingyu nodded, unsurprised. His Divine Thought far surpassed everyone present, and he had already discerned the key points. He had a plan in mind and instructed:

”Brother Xu, Sister Yue, wait here with the others. Make sure to suppress your aura and do not reveal your whereabouts. Ouyang Ming, you come forward with me.

Pretend to be crippled soldiers whose True Essence is exhausted and who accidentally wandered into the Formation. Try to lure out the Demonic Cultivators guarding the Formation. Wait for my signal, and we will capture all the Demonic Cultivators inside in one swoop.”

”Me?”

Ouyang Ming’s face instantly turned paper-white. Making him the bait to face those vicious Demonic Cultivators was akin to throwing a lamb to the wolves. He could already picture the horrific scene of himself being torn apart.

”Don’t worry.”

Lin Jingyu’s tone was calm, yet carried a persuasive power that commanded belief.

”They won’t be able to tell that your cultivation has been crippled; they will only assume you are gravely injured. Follow my instructions precisely, and I can guarantee your safety.”

His gaze was calm yet profound, seeming to see through and control everything.

Having said this, Lin Jingyu deliberately concealed his aura, suppressing his released Spiritual Energy fluctuations to the level of someone newly entering the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining, and intentionally simulated signs of chaotic and unstable Spiritual Energy.

He supported Ouyang Ming, who was staggering and filled with terror. The two stumbled like startled birds and plunged into the edge of the Stone Forest area.

As soon as they stepped into the Formation’s range, the surrounding Crimson Stone Pillars instantly burst with black light, and a chilling wind howled. Countless distorted, hideous, silently screaming Ghost Shadows emerged from the Void Realm, lunging at them with bared fangs and claws. A Soul-Seizing Demonic Sound pierced straight into their brain marrow.

”Who dares trespass on the Formation?”

A sharp shout came from the depths of the Stone Forest, accompanied by three powerful waves of Devilish Qi rapidly approaching. Three Cultivators wearing Blood Flame Demonic Robes and bearing sinister expressions appeared.

The leader had an arrogant expression, and his cultivation was clearly at the Peak of Ninth Level Qi Refining. The other two were also at the Peak of Ninth Level Qi Refining, their eyes fierce and their bodies wreathed in Devilish Qi.

”H-help... save us... we were being chased by... by monsters... please, Fellow Daoist, save us...”

Following Lin Jingyu’s instructions, Ouyang Ming pleaded weakly and intermittently. His acting was quite realistic, perfectly conveying despair and the desire to survive.

The small Demonic Cultivator leader glanced over the two. Seeing Ouyang Ming’s weak aura and Lin Jingyu appearing to be merely at the Early Stage of the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining with unstable Spiritual Energy, he immediately felt contempt.

He sneered:

”Hmph, two more idiots who slipped through the net! Perfect. The Saint Envoy’s Ten Thousand Souls Altar needs more Blood Food for nourishment. Capture them!”

With a wave of his hand, he and the other two Demonic Cultivators simultaneously activated the Formation.

In an instant, several black chains, condensed from pure Devilish Qi and wrapped with wailing Vengeful Spirits, shot out from the Void Realm like venomous pythons, carrying bone-chilling coldness and restrictive power, aimed directly at Lin Jingyu and Ouyang Ming.

Just as the chains were about to connect.

Lin Jingyu moved!

The ”panic” in his eyes was instantly replaced by icy sharpness, and his previously concealed aura erupted like a dormant volcano.

The majestic Spiritual Pressure of the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining swept out! He joined his fingers like a sword, moving at extreme speed, drawing three mysterious trajectories in the air. Three powerful and solidified beams of Spiritual Light attacked the three individuals separately.

The first strike pointed accurately at the small leader’s right wrist, which was performing incantations. The Spiritual Energy was condensed like a needle, penetrating his body, instantly severing the circulation of his Demonic Essence and crippling his spellcasting ability.

The second strike went straight for the chest of the Demonic Cultivator on the left, shattering his protective Devilish Qi, shocking his Vital Energy, and instantly rendering him incapable of combat.

The third strike, though launched later, arrived first. A sharp Finger Wind struck the arm of the Demonic Cultivator on the right, who was manipulating the Formation Plate. With a crisp ”crack,” the Formation Plate was shattered by the Finger Wind.

Simultaneously, Lin Jingyu’s formidable Divine Sense, comparable to the Early Foundation Establishment Stage, transformed into three invisible, intangible, yet incredibly sharp mental impacts. Like heavy hammers, they violently slammed into the unguarded Sea of Consciousness deep within the three Demonic Cultivators.

”Ah!”

”Ergh!”

The three Demonic Cultivators were caught completely off guard. First, their wrists suffered intense pain and their Vital Energy surged backward. Then, their Seas of Consciousness felt like they were being pierced by steel needles, causing agonizing, heart-wrenching pain.

They simultaneously let out miserable screams, their movements instantly rigid. Foul blood seeped from their seven orifices, and their consciousness fell into temporary Chaos.

All of this happened too quickly, like lightning flashing and flint sparking!

Xu Li, Qin Yue, and the others waiting in ambush outside were already poised for action. Seeing the signal, they burst forth like caged tigers. Sword light and the Flowing Cloud Silk transformed into deadly rainbow beams, arriving instantly.

Xu Li’s sword light flashed like cold lightning, and the head of the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining Demonic Cultivator leader instantly flew off.

Qin Yue’s Flowing Cloud Silk coiled around the other Demonic Cultivator like a spiritual snake, constricting him tightly. With a burst of Spiritual Energy, he was killed instantly.

Xu Shousheng charged forward with a roar. His Heavy-backed Saber carried the weight of a thousand jun, cleaving the last Demonic Cultivator—who had been struck by Lin Jingyu and was paralyzed on the ground—into two halves.

In the blink of an eye, the three Demonic Cultivators guarding the Formation were all eliminated.

Having lost their controllers and the Formation Plate, the light of the Black Fiend Soul Locking Formation quickly dimmed, and the Formation’s fluctuations gradually subsided.

Lin Jingyu’s movements did not pause in the slightest. With a flash of his figure, he arrived beside the head of the Demonic Cultivator with the highest cultivation.

He reached out and made a grasping motion. His powerful Divine Sense forcibly invaded the fragments of the Residual Soul that had not yet fully dissipated, performing the Soul Searching Technique to extract memories.

A moment later, he released his hand. His expression became extremely solemn, and cold light flickered in his eyes. The surrounding air seemed to grow several degrees colder.

”What is it? What did you find out?” Qin Yue asked anxiously, an ominous feeling rising in her heart.

Lin Jingyu spoke in a deep voice, every word sounding as if it were retrieved from an ice cellar, carrying the weight of a thousand jun:

”Shopkeeper Feng and the others have indeed run into trouble! Standing for Fierce Blood Sun dispatched most of his elite forces, led by his trusted confidant, ’Shadow Wraith.’ They are currently surrounding and attacking them in a desolate place called the Soul Burying Abyss.

That Shadow Wraith is a Shadow Demonic Cultivator at the Peak of Ninth Level Qi Refining. His Movement Technique is bizarre, he excels at assassination, and he comes and goes without a trace, making him extremely difficult to deal with.

His strength far surpasses that of ordinary Ninth Layer of Qi Refining Cultivators.

Shopkeeper Feng and the others seem to have been forced into the abyss. They are temporarily resisting by using an Exotic Treasure to construct a defensive line, but the situation... is precarious. The message received indicates that the defense line is tottering and likely won’t hold much longer!”

His gaze was sharp, and he stated sternly: ”The Soul Burying Abyss is located in the northwest, about a hundred li from here.

It is a naturally formed desolate land. The Evil Qi within the abyss is extremely heavy; it not only devours Spiritual Energy, but Divine Sense projected into it will be like a clay ox entering the sea—greatly weakened or even rebounding to harm the user. It is incredibly dangerous!”

A look of determination flashed in Lin Jingyu’s eyes. ”There’s no time to delay! Full speed ahead!”

If Feng Xixi and the others were harmed, the remaining few would be lambs waiting to be slaughtered, completely unable to cope with the large number of Demonic Cultivators.

Everyone immediately rose, transforming into several streaks of light, and sped toward the northwest.

Lin Jingyu took the lead, pushing his speed to the maximum. The wind whistled past his ears, and the strange scenery on both sides rapidly receded.

He simultaneously divided his attention, continuously absorbing and refining the soul fiend crystal and the Bloody Crystal, consolidating his newly achieved Ninth Layer of Qi Refining cultivation, and steadily strengthening his Physical Body and Vital Energy.

He knew deeply that what lay ahead would be an unprecedented fierce battle, and every fraction of strength gained was crucial.