This is a cultivation game, but the operation is bad

Before the aftershocks of the shattered Immortal Devouring Array had even subsided, the outline of the Demon Palace deep within Black Nether Island became increasingly clear amidst the scattered black mist.

"Fellow Daoists, we will split into three groups. Two-thirds of our forces will go to destroy the two branch islands, while Director Jiang and I will lead the remaining forces to destroy the main island!"

Elder Yunhe flicked his whisk and shouted at the crowd, his voice filled with barely concealed excitement and his emotions were unusually high.

We're finally starting to go to the island.
Jiang Liu breathed a sigh of relief. After paying another 100 million spirit stones and thirty pieces of immortal-grade materials, he could finally continue the storyline!

Damn it, if the reward for this plot can't make up for the loss, I'll fall into demonic possession on the spot!

Jiang Liu thought to himself, and then flew towards the Main Demon Island with Elder Yunhe.

But just as he landed on the island, the system notification sounded again without warning, startling him so much that he almost fell off his flying sword.

[Warning: Powerful magic array fluctuations detected]

[Black Nether Island Outer Circumference Activated - Soul Devouring Demon Array]

【Soul Devouring Illusion Array: A high-level demonic array that feeds on the spiritual energy of cultivators, triggering the debuff—Soul Devouring: Spiritual energy continuously drains, decreasing by 5% per second】

[Condition to break the formation: Destroy the Soul-Devouring Crystal at the formation's core]

Jiang Liu: “.”

Elder Yunhe: "."

Other cultivators: "."

"Damn it! It's another formation!"

Jiang Liu couldn't help but swear, his face instantly darkening.

What the hell is this map? We haven't even seen the boss yet, but all sorts of random formations are popping up one after another.

Although losing 5% of his spiritual energy per second doesn't matter to him, as his spiritual energy recovery speed is enough to offset it, it's a different story for other NPCs!
The spiritual energy decreased by 5% per second, and after a few dozen seconds, the group of NPCs became a roadside pile.

"Where should we place the key point of the formation?"

Jiang Liu looked down from his vantage point, his gaze sweeping back and forth across the Demon Island, searching for the core of the Soul Devouring Demon Array.

The other cultivators were also extremely anxious, each transforming into a stream of light to search for the hidden core of the demonic array.

In a few dozen seconds, to be honest, they could turn the entire Demon Island upside down and find a key point in the formation quite easily.

Soon, a sharp-eyed cultivator suddenly pointed to a black boulder not far away and shouted, "Found it! The array's core is over there!"

The boulder was entirely black, covered with twisted demonic runes, and in its very center was a fist-sized red crystal that constantly emitted an evil aura—it was the Soul-Devouring Demon Crystal.

"Isn't this too simple?"

Jiang Liu looked at the black stone at the center of the formation exposed to the air and was speechless. If the formation could be broken so easily, what was the point of setting up this formation?

Without pausing for a moment, he raised his Righteous Qi Sword and unleashed ten sword beams in an instant!

"The Tenth Heaven of the Soaring Clouds!"

boom!
A golden sword aura, hundreds of feet long, shot out into the air with an indomitable momentum, and slammed into the black boulder.

With a loud bang, the magic patterns on the black boulder instantly dimmed, revealing a dense network of cracks.

It didn't even break after a single sword strike?
Then let's deliver another sword strike!
Jiang Liu swung his sword again.

This sword strike was even more powerful than before; the golden sword energy roared like a giant dragon as it slammed into the cracks in the light shield.

"The Tenth Heaven of the Soaring Clouds!"

Click!

The Soul-Devouring Crystal was instantly cleaved in two, and the surrounding black mist vanished in an instant!
The Soul-Devouring Demon Array (outer perimeter of Black Nether Island) has been destroyed.

[Debuff - Soul Devouring has been removed]

You have gained 5000 merit points.

[The Soul-Devouring Demon Array has been broken; the righteous cultivators' momentum is unstoppable, with all attributes increased by 200%]

Jiang Liu: “.”

He finally understood what this broken formation was for.

So it's for giving them a buff!
Breaking a formation grants a 200% bonus to all attributes!
Come, let me see how many formations are on this demon island!

"Director Jiang, you are truly amazing!"

Elder Yunhe walked up to Jiang Liu, his face beaming with smiles: "If it weren't for you, we would probably have been wiped out!"

"Yes, yes! Director Jiang's Righteous Qi Sword truly lives up to its reputation!"

"Director Jiang's swordsmanship is even more superb; he broke the Soul-Devouring Demon Array with just two sword strikes!"

"Director Jiang is truly a pillar of our righteous path!"

Here they come again!
Listening to the NPCs' flattery, Jiang Liu rolled his eyes, feeling nothing at all, and even a little amused.

If it weren't for me, you would have been completely wiped out.

I really didn't realize you were going to be completely wiped out!

He was really embarrassed by the insistence on praising her, so he begged her to just let it go.

Jiang Liu was too lazy to waste words with these NPCs and headed straight for the depths of the Demon Island.

The group continued forward, but before they had gone several thousand meters, another system notification popped up.

[Warning: Extremely strong magic array fluctuations detected]

[Black Nether Island Mid-Level Activation: Blood Fiend Soul Refining Array]

【Blood Fiend Soul Refining Array: A top-tier demonic killing array that feeds on the lifeblood of cultivators. It can draw upon the blood fiend energy of heaven and earth, triggering the debuff—Blood Fiend: Lifeblood continuously drains, decreasing by 5% per second, and significantly reducing defense.】

[Conditions for breaking the formation: Destroy the nine Blood Fiend Pillars within the formation, and complete this before the Blood Fiend Flames atop the pillars extinguish; otherwise, the formation will automatically upgrade to the Myriad Blood Soul Devouring Formation]

Jiang Liu: “.”

Holy crap, are you obsessed with formations? You can't survive without some kind of formation involved!
This time, even Elder Yunhe's expression turned ugly.

The Blood Fiend Soul Refining Array is even more renowned than the Soul Devouring Demon Array.

Once this formation is activated, the area within a hundred miles will be shrouded in blood-fiend energy. Cultivators will not only lose their vital energy and have their defenses greatly reduced, but they will also be continuously eroded by the blood-fiend energy, eventually being refined into a pool of blood and becoming nourishment for the formation.

The previous Soul Devouring Demon Array only took their spiritual energy, but this Blood Fiend Soul Refining Array is going to take their lives!

If you're even a little slow, all these NPCs will be dead in a matter of seconds!

Huh?
Why does this feel exactly what I wanted?
"Fellow Daoists, the situation is critical!"

Elder Yunhe said in a deep voice, "Once the Blood Fiend Pillar of the Blood Fiend Soul Refining Array is ignited, the Blood Fiend Fire at the top of the pillar will begin its timer. Once the fire goes out, we will all perish! Now, we must split into nine teams, each heading to the location of a Blood Fiend Pillar and destroying it!"

"However, the blood energy is so dense, our vital energy is constantly being depleted, and our defense has been reduced by 50%. We are no match for those blood energy pillars!"

"A monk said in a panic."

"Yes! And we still don't know where the Blood Fiend Pillar is located!"

Are we really going to die here today?

"Stop babbling, okay?"

Jiang Liu's head was throbbing from the noise of the NPCs, and he said impatiently, "Can't we find the location of the Blood Fiend Pillar first?"

Seeing Jiang Liu's gloomy expression, the other NPCs immediately fell silent and looked at Jiang Liu and Elder Yunhe.

"I have a Bagua mirror that can detect blood and evil energy."

Elder Yunhe said in a deep voice, then took out a Bagua mirror from his storage bag and infused it with spiritual energy.

The Bagua mirror instantly emitted a golden light, which shot out in all directions.

A moment later, nine red dots appeared on the Bagua mirror, which were the locations of the nine blood-fiend pillars.

"I have shared the location of the Blood Fiend Pillar with everyone!" Elder Yunhe said. "Now, everyone, head to the location shown on the Bagua Mirror as soon as possible! Director Jiang, you are the strongest, could you please go to the most dangerous Blood Fiend Pillar?"

Jiang Liu followed Elder Yunhe's gaze and saw that among the nine red dots on the Bagua mirror, one red dot had the most intense color, indicating that the Blood Fiend Pillar there was the most powerful.

"No need for further words, let's finish this quickly."

Jiang Liu headed straight for the Blood Fiend Pillar. He couldn't rely on the NPCs; he was determined to break the entire formation by himself.

He moved extremely fast and quickly arrived at the location of the most powerful Blood Fiend Pillar.

It was a colossal black pillar, hundreds of feet tall, its surface covered with twisted demonic runes. Atop the pillar burned a blazing, blood-red flame—the Blood Fiend Flame. A dense aura of blood fiend energy enveloped the pillar, forming a thick protective shield around it.

Inside the protective barrier, several enormous blood-fiend monsters roamed about. These monsters were formed entirely of blood-fiend energy, with ferocious faces, baring their fangs and claws, and exuding a terrifying aura.

There are even monsters!
Good heavens, he thought this demon island only had arrays!
"The Tenth Heaven of the Soaring Clouds!"

Golden sword energy erupted instantly, forming a huge sword circle that swept outwards.

Before those bloodthirsty monsters could even get close to Jiang Liu, they were instantly torn apart by the sword circle, turning into wisps of bloodthirsty energy that dissipated into the air.

"A mere monster dares to block my way?"

Jiang Liu snorted coldly and slashed at the Blood Fiend Pillar with his sword!
Golden sword energy erupted instantly, carrying an aura that could suppress heaven and earth, and slashed fiercely at the crack in the Blood Fiend Pillar.

Click!

The Blood Fiend Pillar shattered instantly, turning into countless fragments scattered across the ground. The Blood Fiend Flame atop the pillar also went out, emitting a pungent, fishy stench.

You have successfully destroyed the Blood Fiend Pillar and gained 2000 Merit Points.

You get merit points for hitting this broken pillar?
NPCs, stop fighting, let me handle this!

Jiang Liu's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly flew towards the other Blood Fiend Pillars.

You have successfully destroyed the Blood Fiend Pillar, gaining 2000 Merit Points.

You have successfully destroyed the Blood Fiend Pillar, gaining 2000 Merit Points.

Unfortunately, he only managed to destroy three Blood Fiend Pillars before the system notification sounded.

The Blood Fiend Soul Refining Array (Middle Level of Black Nether Island) has been destroyed.

[Debuff - Bloodlust has been removed]

You have gained 11000 merit points.

[The Blood Fiend Soul Refining Array has been broken; the righteous cultivators' momentum is unstoppable, all attributes increased by 200%]

Just as the NPCs were filled with joy, despair reappeared on their faces the next second.

[Warning: Ultimate magic array fluctuation detected]

[Black Nether Island Core Area Activated - Ten Thousand Demons Locking Spirit Array]

【Ten Thousand Demons Locking Spirit Array: The Black Fiend Old Demon's trump card technique, using the souls of ten thousand demons as a guide and the Soul-Locking Divine Iron as a base, can seal a cultivator's spiritual energy, suppress a cultivator's realm, and trigger the debuff—Realm Suppression: forcibly reduces the cultivator's realm by three minor realms】

[Conditions for breaking the formation: None. This formation is linked to the life of the Black Fiend Demon. Only by killing the Black Fiend Demon can the formation be automatically dispelled.]

In an instant, Jiang Liu's cultivation level dropped from the mid-stage of the Integration Realm to the late-stage of the Divine Transformation Realm.

Jiang Liu: “.”

Is the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm a bit too ordinary?

This time, even Elder Yunhe was in despair.

The terror of the Ten Thousand Demons Locking Spirit Array far exceeded their imagination. Their cultivation level was forcibly reduced by three minor realms. How could they possibly fight like this?

"It's over! We're completely finished!"

One of the cultivators said in despair, "We've been suppressed by three minor realms at once, how could we possibly be a match for the Black Fiend Demon?"

"Black Fiend Old Demon is already at the peak of the Integration Stage, and he is also proficient in various formations. In our current state, going there would only be a pointless death!"

"I don't want to die! I haven't lived enough yet!"

Just as the numerous NPCs were wailing, a demonic shadow loomed in the sky, and a monstrous demonic aura swept in from the east!
Amidst the demonic energy sweeping across the sky, one could vaguely see a Taoist figure sitting cross-legged in the heavens.

It was none other than the Black Demon!

"Hehehe! How does this old demon's formation taste?"

The Black Demon King slowly stood up, letting out an extremely unpleasant laugh: "How dare you trespass on my Black Nether Island! I really don't know where you got the courage!"

"Black Demon Lord!"

Elder Yunhe's face was grim. Although his cultivation level had been reduced by three minor realms, he still showed no fear. With a roar, he grabbed his whisk and charged towards the Black Fiend Demon!

"So what if you lower our cultivation level? We outnumber you! You are doomed to die today!"

"Just you?"

The Black Demon Lord sneered and with a wave of his hand, a sky full of demonic energy pressed down!
flutter!
Elder Yunhe, who had just soared to the top of the cloud, was instantly slapped down!

Caught off guard, Elder Yunhe was struck hard in the chest by the demonic energy. He immediately felt a surge of blood and qi, a sweet taste in his throat, and spat out a mouthful of blood.

His body crashed heavily to the ground, almost killing him instantly.

"Elder Yunhe!"

The other NPCs rushed forward to help him up, and when they looked up at the Black Demon, their eyes were filled with fear.

Finished!

Even Elder Lian Yunhe is lying on the side of the road, what are they going to do!

Does this mean I'm really doomed?

"Director Jiang!"

Elder Yunhe roared, his eyes filled with despair, and gritted his teeth, saying, "We've fallen into the trap set by the Black Demon Lord! There's a Myriad Demons Locking Spirit Array on Black Nether Island. Anyone below the Great Ascension stage is no match for the Black Demon Lord!"

"Director Jiang, you take them and get out of here right now! I'll risk self-destruction to hold off that Black Demon for ten breaths!"

Upon hearing Elder Yunhe's words, the other NPCs were filled with grief, their eyes instantly reddening and filled with tears.

Elder Yunhe

"Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu"

"We will never forget Elder Yunhe's great kindness!"

"goodbye!"

The NPCs took a moment to say goodbye to Elder Yunhe, then turned and ran without the slightest hesitation!
Even running a little bit slower would be disrespectful to Elder Yunhe.

Jiang Liu: “.”

Come on, you guys!
I haven't even made a move yet, and you're already acting out a life-or-death separation?

Jiang Liu watched the NPCs flee in disbelief, shook his head helplessly, and charged towards the Black Demon with his Righteous Qi Sword in hand.

"No, don't go!"

Elder Yunhe shouted while spitting out blood, "Director Jiang, you are no match for him, run for your life!"

What I lost was my realm, not my attributes, okay?

"You should lie down, sir."

Jiang Liu rolled his eyes, and a thousand-foot-long sword beam slashed towards the Black Fiend Demon!

Lure the enemy deep into your territory?

You've lured a big tiger! (End of Chapter)