Refuse to trample on the pride of heaven

At the core of the huge light array that was taking shape, Cheng Yang, the key "hub" of the array, was concentrating on guiding the tremendous spiritual power gathered from his body and injecting it into the constantly improving array pattern.

He felt several powerful demonic auras brushing against the edge of the formation, and even the ferocious faces of several monsters almost staring at him through a thin layer of spiritual light shield, but they were unable to advance an inch because they were stopped at all costs by the disciples of the Discipline Hall. He was so nervous that his palms were sweating, and he was ready to be attacked at any time, or even to sacrifice his life.

However, to his surprise, several waves of monsters ignored him. They either flew past him and pounced on other seemingly more important formation points, or were led away by other guarding disciples at the risk of their lives.

Cheng Yang squatted at the dimly glowing core of the formation, maintaining the output of spiritual power while looking at the demonic shadows passing by. He subconsciously drew circles on the ground with his fingers. An indescribable emotion mixed with relief and loss surged in his heart, and he was almost in tears.

He muttered to himself, his tone filled with his habitual helplessness and self-mockery, "No wonder... No wonder they assigned me, someone who isn't a formation cultivator and whose strength isn't top-tier, to be in charge of this formation hub... So it's because my 'neglected' physique has reached the point where even the demons recognize me? I'm used to it, really..."

At this moment, Song Wen's recognizable voice, as if smeared with poison, came through the clamor of the battlefield: "Lu Wensheng! Lu Wensheng! Think of a solution quickly!"

He was seen being chased by several extremely difficult flying monsters, jumping up and down. Although his body was in a mess, he never stopped talking and his sword moves were still fierce and tricky. With the tacit cooperation of several fellow disciples, he finally resolved the crisis in a dangerous way.

Just as he took a breath, he did not forget to shout in the direction of Lu Wensheng.

Lu Wensheng swung his sword to dispel a sneak attack from the demonic energy. Hearing this, he felt somewhat amused and asked, "What do you want to do?"

"Aren't you the protagonist in the storybook?! It's written like this in those legendary stories. Whenever the protagonist faces a critical moment, he always has a flash of inspiration and comes up with a brilliant plan to turn the tide and escape danger!" Song Wen blocked the attack while shouting righteously, as if this was a matter of course.

The system hidden deep in Lu Wensheng's sea of ​​consciousness trembled when it heard the data flow, and didn't dare to breathe. It almost thought that Song Wen had read the script.

Lu Wensheng smiled even more upon hearing this, but his sword movements did not slow down at all. He replied, "Who told you that I was the so-called protagonist?"

"You're not even called the protagonist?! Then who deserves to be called the protagonist?!" Song Wen's voice sounded as if it was a matter of course.

However, after laughing, Lu Wensheng's eyes became calm and profound again. He sent a message back during the fierce fight, and his voice fell clearly into the ears of several core companions nearby: "However, as for the method to break the deadlock, I may... really know a thing or two."

The encrypted message that Lin Zhengxiu had sent across a long distance at great cost appeared in his mind.

The message was extremely short, but extremely weighty, like a bright lamp that lit up in the maze. It made his heart, which had been feeling heavy and unstable due to the appearance of the Demon Lord, finally find a solid landing point and gradually settle down.

Lin Zhengxiu only sent a single, profound message: "When the Demon Lord appears, the divine sword will also be born. Fortune and misfortune are interdependent, as are life and death."

This clearly points to the legendary ancient sword "Huang Ji" that can slay the Demon Lord! It also implies that its hiding place must be deeply connected to the birthplace of the Demon Lord, and may even be nearby!

He immediately communicated with the system in his mind: "System, scan the entire battlefield area immediately, except for the location where Shi Yubai broke out of the mountain. Focus on detecting the source of the demonic energy—the Demonic Abyss deep within the mountain. Look for any massive energy sources, different from the demonic energy, obscured or hidden by the powerful energy field! Especially... any fluctuations that might align with the legend of 'Huang Ji'! Quick!"

Without a word, the system instantly increased the detection power to the maximum. Invisible ripples swept across the entire mountain range and quickly locked onto the abyss where the demonic energy was as substantial, boiling and emitting a heart-pounding feeling of life and death.

Soon, feedback came, locking onto a location at the deepest part of the Demonic Abyss, where the energy reaction was extremely obscure yet extremely powerful, and incompatible with the surrounding demonic aura, but instead exuding an ancient and majestic atmosphere.

[An extremely high energy reaction has been detected in the target area. Its properties are unknown, and it's enveloped in layers of dense demonic energy. The fluctuations are extremely subtle, but the aura fits the description, and the energy level... is far beyond imagination! Preliminary assessment: There's an 87% chance this is the target!]

"I have an idea."

Even though they were in the chaotic battlefield filled with flashing swords and shadowy demonic howls, their hearts were shrouded in a shadow by the Demon Lord's monstrous arrogance and their seemingly futile attempts to seal him.

However, Lu Wensheng's calm yet extremely firm words were like a crack in the airtight iron curtain, letting in a refreshing light.

The demon lords are not stupid, especially the fox-like Min Xiao. If he gets a glimpse of the clue, he will stop at all costs to stop them, and then it will be difficult to succeed.

Therefore, Lu Wensheng just raised his eyes, his gaze passed over the layers of fighting figures, and fell on the ferocious mountain top where the demonic energy was at its peak and which was also the peak where the Demon Lord emerged from Baipo Mountain. His tone was solemn and concise.

"I need to go to the top of that mountain. Maybe... I can find a glimmer of hope."

He did not explain why it was the top of the mountain, nor did he promise what the opportunity was.

But among the people present, no one raised any doubts, whether it was Ji Yanli and Liu Jiqian, who had known him the longest, or Song Wen, who was always joking around and making jokes, or even Qin Xiao, Yan Zhaoming and others who had fought side by side with him until now.

An absolute trust that needs no words flows silently in the bloody air, stronger than any oath.

The word "trust" no longer needs to be elaborated on between them.

"Okay!" Ji Yanli responded first. He shook the tip of his sword, shaking off the filthy demonic blood on it. His clear eyes swept over Lu Wensheng without any doubt, only complete trust and support.

"I'll clear the way for you."

No unnecessary questions, only direct support.

As soon as he moved, he was like an arrow shot from a bow, accurately stabbing towards the area in front of him where the monsters were most concentrated. The sword light splashed like a pouring galaxy, plowing a brief gap in the surging monster tide.

"Ha! I knew you were hiding something!"

Song Wen laughed heartily, instantly forgetting his previous awkwardness. He twisted his body like a swimming dragon, his sword moves becoming increasingly fierce and cunning, firmly protecting Lu Wensheng's side. "Want to go to the top of the mountain? Count me in! This kind of show-off... no, this kind of major event that can turn the tide, how can I be left out!"

Liu Jiqian didn't say much, but the crimson sword in his hand made an increasingly clear buzzing sound, and the icy sword energy suddenly surged, as if an invisible ice wall was built around him and Lu Wensheng, instantly freezing and shattering several monsters that tried to approach.

He slightly turned sideways and took half a step closer to Lu Wensheng, making his intention clear with his actions - as long as he was here, the road would be open.