Refuse to trample on the pride of heaven

The devil's deceptive voice, like a cancer attached to the bone, drilled into the eardrum and tried to pry open the defenses of the heart.

He wanted to get into the ears of every young monk who was climbing hard and whose robes were stained with blood, and stir their hearts that were already tense due to a series of fierce battles.

However, what responded to him was not the expected hesitation and commotion, but a series of decisive voices containing different temperaments but equally firm beliefs, like jade shattering on Kunlun Mountains, clear and passionate, like waves hitting the reefs, shattering into empty sounds.

"No one is always right." Yan Zhaoming's voice was the first to be heard, with the fiery and flamboyant tone typical of a disciple of Burning Sky Valley.

The bowstring of the Lingyang in his hand vibrated, and a flaming arrow shot out like a rushing meteor, exploding a demon bird that was trying to launch a sneak attack into a rain of fire.

He turned his head, his eyes seemingly casually sweeping across the distance - that was the direction of Burning Sky Valley. A trace of deep and heavy attachment flashed across his eyes. There were his strict but loving parents, his fellow disciples who practiced together, laughed and scolded him, and the mountains and lava pools where he grew up.

But this attachment not only did not become his shackles, but instead tempered the determination in his eyes. His voice suddenly rose, carrying a reckless arrogance: "But rather than being a coward, hesitant, and watching those devil cubs trample on the mountains and rivers, I would rather take this gamble with Lu Wensheng! No matter whether the future is true or false, life or death, I accept it!"

"Even if I am burned by fire, I will burn out my passion and light him up!"

Jiang Jinyue and the others scolded him for pretending after hearing this, but for some unknown reason, their eyes were burning with heat.

Immediately afterwards, Yu Shuoyang's voice, which always carried a bit of a carefree smile, was heard. He crossed his swords, blocking a sharp attack of demonic energy, and stood firmly on a protruding rock.

He even smoothed his messy hair, his demeanor relaxed as if he were chatting with a friend rather than on a life-or-death battlefield. "That's right, with so many people jumping down with spiritual energy protecting them, there should be at least a few who succeed, right?"

He looked around at his comrades fighting bravely, a smile almost mischievous on his lips, his eyes bright as stars. "What if... that lucky person is me? This world-saving feat sounds exciting!"

The relaxed tone of voice seemed as if they were not talking about jumping into the abyss of death, but about taking part in an interesting adventure in a secret realm. The open-minded attitude of putting life and death aside was truly heart-warming.

He had the self-confidence that was unique to young people and was almost arrogant, but deep in his eyes, there was a heavy feeling of being willing to sacrifice his life for the people.

Another unknown monk, his robes soaked with demonic blood, a wound on his shoulder so deep that the bone could be seen was still bleeding, but he seemed unaware.

When he heard Min Xiao mention the sect and family, he suddenly straightened his spine. Although this action pulled at his wound and made him frown slightly, it made his expression more resolute.

Hearing this, he smiled brightly and continued, his voice clear and resonant, with the calmness of someone who was ready to face death: "It is precisely because of the sect's dedication to cultivation, the family's earnest expectations, and the grace of this land that we must step forward and shoulder this heavy responsibility! Didn't we swear an oath long ago? 'A disciple of the righteous path must take it as his duty to eliminate demons and defend the Way, regardless of success or failure, gain or loss, even if he dies—without regret!'"

When he said the last four words, he looked at Lu Wensheng, his eyes bright as torches, as if confirming and encouraging each other.

Canglige's beautiful face seemed to be covered with a layer of frost, and the mermaid's unique cold temperament turned into extreme rebellion at this moment.

Her delicate jade fingers brushed against Liu Cangjin, stirring up a torrent of water that swept several monsters off the cliff. Her voice was ethereal yet filled with unquestionable persistence: "Sweet words and flattering expressions only annoy us! The more you don't want us to go, the more you try to stop us, the more I'm going! I want to see if this Demonic Abyss is really as you say, a desolate place where all things return to silence!"

She was born with a rebellious nature and could not bear to be coerced. Instead, the obstruction of the demons aroused the strongest rebellious psychology and desire to explore in her heart.

……

These words, each sound, some passionate, some free and easy, some firm, some rebellious, intertwined together to form an invisible wall of faith that was stronger than any wall of iron and steel, completely isolating Min Xiao's bewitching words.

Is there no fear in their hearts? It is an instinctive fear of the unknown abyss.

How could there be no attachment? The laughter within the sect, the warmth within the family, the longing on the path, even a bowl of hot soup in the human world, a wisp of fresh mountain breeze, are all inseparable concerns.

They are not unconscious pieces of wood or stone. On the contrary, they have too much attachment and reluctance in their hearts - the earnest expectations of their teachers, the laughter of their fellow disciples, the gentle eyes of their fellow Taoists, the blood ties and affection of their families, the smoke and lights of their hometowns, every tree and blade of grass in the sect... These vivid and warm memories, like bright stars, fill the night sky of their lives.

It is precisely because we are attached to this world and cherish this mortal world that we cannot tolerate the demons trampling it and turning it into scorched earth!

This protection is a reward for the sect that nurtured them, a love for the mountains and rivers that raised them, a commitment to their comrades who fought side by side, and the deepest and most unspoken attachment and responsibility to the fertile land under their feet that has given birth to countless lives and to the endless human fireworks.

The weight of life is indeed precious, but some things are so important that they transcend life and death.

They supported and encouraged each other, breaking through layers of demonic barriers, and finally arrived at the Demon Abyss Pass where the demonic energy was at its peak and where it roared like a giant beast spewing filth!

The mountain pass was rocky and as black as ink. Looking down, there was only the roiling black and red evil spirit that was as thick as substance. It seemed to be connected to the Yellow Springs Styx in the deepest part of the Nine Netherworlds, emitting a soul-shaking breath of devouring and destruction.

A fierce wind roared up from the bottom of the abyss, blowing up their blood-stained clothes and messy hair, as if countless resentful souls were wailing, trying to drag those who dared to approach into eternal darkness.

[Detecting the demonic energy and demonic water below... Analyzing...] The system's electronic voice echoed in Lu Wensheng's mind, with a hint of rigorous speed. [Strange, although the energy reaction is extremely negative, its corrosiveness seems to be limited by some law, and has not reached the threshold that is theoretically sufficient to instantly annihilate living beings... Preliminary judgment, direct contact may not immediately cause the collapse of the foundation of the Tao?]

It paused, as if weighing the pros and cons, but then its tone became firm: "However, just in case, once you go down, I will immediately call upon my stored willpower to add a protective barrier to each of you. I absolutely cannot risk your safety."

Yan Qingshu's tense heartstrings relaxed slightly. She tilted her head to look at Lu Wensheng, as if she could sense the existence of the system through him. A bloodstained yet still bright smile curved up her lips, and she jokingly said, "Huh? Don't you usually treasure your painstakingly accumulated wish power the most? You're being generous now."

[How can this be the same?!] The system's electronic voice suddenly rose, carrying a sense of indignation at being "underestimated." [That's the power of will! It's the faith of all people, invaluable! But... is now the time to be fussy about it?!]

Its voice dropped again, yet it was filled with an undeniable seriousness and determination: [Everyone... has worked so hard, risking their lives. If I were to be stingy, what would that mean?! I know what's important and what's not! I won't hold you back!]

It's not a useless system!