Jian Lin later learned that the formation had a particularly arrogant name: the Myriad Demon God Slaying Formation.
Invented by the High Priest, a living dead being, it was an advanced formation that utilized the Demon Emperor's demonic power to slay prey. Once prey was ensnared, escape was impossible, leading to a slow demise as their power was absorbed by the Demon Emperor.
In his early days, before becoming the Demon Emperor, he used this formation to kill many powerful demons, overcoming the weak to conquer the strong, and doubling his demonic power.
Later, after he became the Demon Emperor, the formation was further perfected. It gathered the strength of myriad demons, allowing them to fight collectively and share demonic power, becoming a grand formation for him to recruit subordinates and intimidate rivals.
Of course, Jian Lin didn't understand all this clearly at the time. She only knew, by instinct, that she had to destroy it. This formation could not be allowed to succeed.
The High Priest, clad in white, was exceptionally conspicuous under the silvery moonlight. Jian Lin, using Tao Niang's demonic power, clung closely to the crow guards as she flew, following him to the formation's core.
The system was still searching, and despite Jian Lin's urging, it couldn't provide a perfect solution.
The High Priest, Bai Xian, was originally human. After consuming a demon core, he became an undead being. You cannot kill him; even if a sharp blade were plunged into his heart, he could still survive by the power of his demon core.
The demon core, however, has never been known to disappear. A demon core can only be merged and pledge allegiance to a new master.
The system finally offered a suggestion: "Host, you can use Tao Niang as a medium to subdue Bai Xian's demon core and make him your second demon beast."
Jian Lin refused without a second thought. "No, keep searching."
She didn't want any further connection with Bai Xian. She couldn't help but think of that prophecy: she was the High Priest's destined person. If she were to subdue him and make him her demon beast, wouldn't she then be responsible for his life and death?
The system frantically loaded, and after a while, it offered another solution: "Then it can only be sealed. Host, would you like to know the details?"
With little time to consider, Jian Lin glanced up at the Demon Lord and quickly made her decision. "Alright, show me."
The sealing principle was simple: it required a vessel for the seal, the name of the one to be sealed, an item belonging to the sealed individual, preferably their heart's blood, and the overwhelming power of the sealer. The sealed individual would then be pressed into the vessel.
The higher the quality of the sealing vessel, the better. A high-grade magical artifact was more likely to succeed than a random piece of junk.
Overwhelming power could be exchanged for points and used temporarily. If the seal failed, the power would vanish, and the points would not be refunded.
She knew the name of the person to be sealed. Now, all she needed to do was find a sealing vessel and obtain the High Priest's heart's blood.
While Jian Lin was communicating with the system, the High Priest had already reached the formation's core, surrounded by crow guards protecting him from harm.
Directly above the grand formation, the Demon Emperor and the Demon Lord were locked in a fierce battle, fighting intensely.
Jian Lin raised her hand and struck a demon closest to her from a distance. The demon cried out in pain. The crow guards became vigilant and guarded that side, allowing Jian Lin to sneak into the encirclement from another direction.
Inside, she saw the High Priest sitting cross-legged in mid-air, the formation beneath him constantly flashing, and he himself seemed to be emitting light.
Jian Lin frantically searched her Qiankun bag. Apart from snacks and spirit stones, the most advanced item she found was the jade bell given to her by the Demon Lord.
Jade artifacts naturally possessed spiritual energy, and anything from the Demon Lord was bound to be good. Jian Lin gritted her teeth and decided to use it!
After all, it was to save the Demon Lord; he surely wouldn't mind!
As quick as lightning, the demons at the outermost perimeter began releasing their demonic power, forming lines that connected into a circle. The formation beneath the High Priest suddenly expanded, demonic powers converging. The air trembled slightly, as if unable to withstand the impact of such immense demonic energy.
Suddenly, the Demon Emperor above let out a furious roar and unleashed a powerful shockwave. To avoid the damage, the Demon Lord was forced to descend!
At this very moment, dozens of Lin Yu Guards beside him shot out black chains, attacking the Demon Lord from all directions. The Demon Lord dodged rapidly, but their numbers were too great. He severed one chain, and another immediately replaced it,缠绕ing him like a spirit snake.
Finally, in a moment of carelessness, his wrist was caught by a black chain. Instantly, that Lin Yu Guard transformed into red flames, burning along the chain and onto the Demon Lord, turning him into a fireball!
What kind of troublesome and sinister demonic art was this!
Jian Lin withdrew her gaze, no longer hesitating. She spent 1000 points and exchanged for the sealing ultimate move with the system.
Upon completion of the exchange, with a prompt sound, Jian Lin suddenly felt a surge of immense power expanding infinitely within her, giving her the illusion that her body was about to explode.
Indeed, one reaps what they sow. Binging was never a good outcome.
Jian Lin brandished her long sword and couldn't help but roar, "High Priest Bai Xian! You have committed countless evils, take this!"
Jian Lin swung her sword, instantly killing more than ten crow guards. Amidst the chaotic flight of black crow feathers, she swung her second sword, which struck the core of the formation with a clang.
The formation's core had already been infused with demonic power. The High Priest suddenly looked up. To his astonishment, the immense demonic power rebounded, sending Jian Lin flying uncontrollably into the air.
In mid-air, the Demon Lord unleashed the fire from his chains, catching the erratically flying Jian Lin.
"Jian Mu Sheng, you certainly know how to stir up trouble," the Demon Lord's voice, laced with a smile, provided a sense of security. He pushed her back with a reverse motion, "I'll lend you a hand, charge through!"
Jian Lin glanced back at him, meeting his calm gaze. A surge of unprecedented confidence erupted within her. She would definitely succeed!
Gripping the sword hilt tightly with both hands, Jian Lin transformed herself into a sharp sword and charged towards the formation's core once more. Demonic power clashed against demonic essence, emitting a grating, teeth-chattering sound.
Jian Lin stared into the High Priest's dark, deep eyes and mouthed, "Bai Xian, I am your destined person, you cannot harm me!"
As the core of the formation, one must possess an unwavering will. The High Priest's loyalty to the Demon Emperor was as firm as a rock. Only Jian Lin could cause him a fleeting moment of hesitation.
No matter what, he could not harm her.
Yet, this fleeting moment of hesitation was enough!
Jian Lin rushed into the formation's core. The scene before her abruptly changed. Although it was not yet dawn, she was enveloped in blinding pure white, unable to open her eyes for a moment.
When she adjusted, she saw a small young boy standing before her, delicate and thin, with his hair tied up in a Daoist bun. He wore simple coarse linen clothes and carried a large wooden sword on his back.
"Where is this?" Jian Lin asked in confusion.
"Within my Sea of Consciousness," the small boy spoke, his voice being that of the High Priest.
Jian Lin looked incredulous. "You actually have a Sea of Consciousness? You truly are a cultivator."
Demons did not have a Sea of Consciousness; only cultivators, who emphasized the cultivation of their Sea of Consciousness, hoped to escape the limitations of their physical bodies soon.
"I don't count," the small boy shook his head, saying with a hint of regret, "I never joined any sect. I merely had a fortunate encounter, obtained a sword manual, and comprehended and cultivated on my own. I thought I had extraordinary talent, but during a challenge at an immortal sect, I was injured in the very first match. And because I had no spirit stones for treatment, I barely scraped by, living an incredibly stifled life."
"Stop!" Jian Lin interrupted ruthlessly. "I'm not interested in hearing your tragic story. I broke in only to stop you."
"Miss A Pei, if you wish to kill, then kill me," the small boy said with an expression of having seen through the world. "However, you cannot kill me. You kill, and I speak. I just want to chat with you."
Here it comes again, that pathetic expression. Jian Lin hated seeing him like this the most!
"Shut up!" Jian Lin shouted, leaping forward, sword in hand, and stabbing directly into his heart.
The scene before her changed again. She met the High Priest's calm eyes. Black crow feathers fluttered around, the air thick with the smell of blood. A silver-white blade, glinting in the moonlight, pierced his white robes, oozing small drops of dark, viscous blood.
"You cannot kill me," the High Priest said slowly, his tone steady, as if feeling no pain.
Jian Lin leaned forward, her fingers together, stained with blood. She flicked the jade bell from her sleeve, gripping it tightly in her palm. The blood on her fingers landed precisely on the jade bell.
"Indeed, you are formidable, I admire you," Jian Lin withdrew her long sword, placing it behind her back with a reverse motion. She held the jade bell in her palm and pointed at the High Priest with her other hand, saying coldly, "Bai Xian, if I call you, do you dare to answer?"
The High Priest, bewildered, calmly replied, "Why wouldn't I dare? I answer. Miss A Pei, what do you require of me?"
Time seemed to freeze for a second. The blood-stained jade bell slowly rose, swayed slightly, and emitted a resonant chime that shook the Three Realms.
The High Priest's usually calm and fearless face finally showed a crack.
He stood up and cried out in disarray, "Your Majesty the Demon Emperor, be careful!"
Jian Lin formed hand seals, gathering all her strength into her palm, and struck the High Priest's chest. The immense force sent the High Priest flying, and the demonic formation rumbled, its core shifting.
The demons cried out in alarm, many being repelled by the formation's backlash.
The Demon Emperor quickly swooped down, attempting to intercept the High Priest's snow-white figure.
Unfortunately, he miscalculated. Before the High Priest had flown far, the jade bell swayed again, emitting a sound that rapidly pulled the High Priest back.
Jian Lin held her breath, extending her hands to protect the small jade bell, pouring all her strength into it.
This was like a siphon. The heart's blood and the name formed a connection. As long as Jian Lin's power output was greater than the High Priest's, the immense pressure would directly send the High Priest into the jade bell, completing the seal.
"Bai Xian, you worry too much. Come in and rest for a while," Jian Lin said through gritted teeth.
The Demon Emperor was ultimately a step too late and couldn't catch the High Priest, who vanished into Jian Lin's palm out of thin air.
With the High Priest gone, the Myriad Demon Formation collapsed. The Demon Emperor let out a long howl, appearing frenzied, and charged directly at Jian Lin.
Jian Lin held the jade bell in her hand, her body and mind empty, devoid of any strength. She could only watch as the Demon Emperor charged at her, her mind filled with a single thought: it was over.
Just as she prepared to die, the Demon Lord suddenly descended from the sky, throwing out a massive protective formation with a raised hand, which collided head-on with the Demon Emperor.
The Demon Emperor's cultivation was a level higher than the Demon Lord's. Moreover, with the Demon Emperor in a frenzy, his destructive power was on an entirely different level.
The Demon Emperor waved his hand, shattering the protective formation, and charged directly at the Demon Lord.
Jian Lin saw various streams of light flying around. She instinctively hugged the Demon Lord's waist and felt a powerful force hit them, sending them both flying!