Filthy Cultivation: I Pierced the Heavens with the Merit System

As the masked demon finished his last cry, the grotesque cultivators in the stands all raised their chanting volume, their tones rising as if roaring.

In an instant, the chanting echoed throughout the space, and the door-shaped altar flickered with each breath, as if a living being was responding, or as if a guest was knocking on the door.

The crimson demonic eye patterns that almost covered the entire circular arena suddenly lit up, and a foul power that made Li Fuyao's hair stand on end burst forth from the crimson demonic eye. Darkness, almost tangible, began to spread wildly in the air, engulfing everything around it in oppression and despair.

At the very center of the altar, which is also the center of the Blood-Red Demon Eye, the murky purple crystal is now glowing faintly, making the mask on Nightmare's face flicker between light and shadow, and his whole body laughs maniacally and sinisterly.

The spiritual energy plug was useless; amplified by the crimson demonic light, the singing didn't even bother to leave the door, but instead crushed the room.

Just as plants take root in the sand, a powerful and unstoppable invasion directly entered everyone's consciousness. Tiny points of light overflowed from everyone except the Nightmare, then condensed into a vortex-like shape and were slowly absorbed by the filthy demon core.

Li Fuyao was shocked by this and bit her tongue and pinched herself hard in an attempt to stay awake.

However, he found that these methods had little effect amidst the deafening roar of the crowd. Even though he knew his life was in imminent danger, the light in his eyes gradually dimmed as he struggled desperately.

The demonic cultivators on the altar were closest to it and were therefore most severely affected.

For some reason, they remained conscious, but although their faces were filled with fear and despair and they did not appear numb, their feet were rooted to the spot and they could not move even slightly.

They could only curse resentfully and wail in anguish and resentment.

Then, he watched helplessly as his soul gradually turned into dust from head to toe, absorbed by the filthy demon core and disappeared, with no possibility of reincarnation.

The demonic cultivators were in such a state, and Li Fuyao was no better off at the moment.

Her mind inevitably became hazy, her cherry lips moved as if she wanted to sing something along with the trend, but she was held back by the last bit of reason, and could only silently hesitate and be pulled back.

Bai Suifeng behind her began to wriggle and struggle restlessly again, but Li Fuyao paid no attention to anything else.

She stared blankly at her growing fingernails and the scales and spikes that had appeared on her four arms. She felt as if countless whispers were resounding in her mind, a cacophony of seductive whispers within her:

"Grow, grow longer! With scales, I'll never be hurt again!"

"Spiky spikes and claws are the best weapons, so why not grow more muscle, become stronger and more powerful, and never be controlled by anyone again!"

"Become us, surrender to desire..."

"Let's become each other..."

Yes, I do want to have the ability to protect myself, to protect myself from being hurt again.

Li Fuyao's lips curved into a stiff smile, yet tears welled up in her cat-like eyes.

Yes, she wanted to ask that in her past life.

Why did God give her a brilliant mind and a burgeoning ambition, yet also a frail body that couldn't withstand the slightest stimulation?

Why should she be made unable to do many things because of her illness, and despite her hard work, she is only able to be constrained and settle for second best, ultimately ending up with regrets and taking many detours?

Why doesn't her mother love her, why does her father hurt her, and why is even her grandfather's kindness tainted with pretense?

The voice seemed to be right.

Perhaps I really do need armor made of scales and spikes...

No, that's not enough. We need more scales, more spikes, and more claws to arm ourselves!

Oh, and she needs to have more eyes so she can see people's hearts clearly!

She didn't want to be hurt anymore, nor did she want to experience the frustration of being willing but unable to do anything!

Li Fuyao was lost in thought, lost in her emotions. She felt the chanting in her ears growing louder and more beautiful, like a mother's murmur, making her want to immerse herself in it.

Completely unaware that his body had become muscular and bulging, with ugly scales and spikes creeping up his neck and down his face.

As her will began to crumble, the rate at which her soul power was draining increased significantly, decreasing at a rate almost visible to the naked eye, and it looked like it was about to be completely depleted.

【Ding!warn!warn! 】

[Host's soul power is about to be depleted, and they are about to degenerate into a vile beast. Electric shock awakening function activated!]

"Zi-"

Outside the secret realm, crackling lightning suddenly erupted from Li Fuyao's body. One shock wasn't enough; the crackling sound quickly returned.

The system was focused on saving lives, so it showed no mercy whatsoever.

The lightning was so bright it was almost like a bolt of lightning. Even though the big shots in the sky were still kept in the Spirit Locking Array and didn't know the truth, it was enough to attract the attention of the people fighting in the square.

A black-clad disciple nearby caught the aroma of meat. Following the scent, he looked up at the platform and, after a long struggle to identify the dark, bristly figure within the barrier, finally recognized Li Fuyao with his excellent memory. He exclaimed in shock:

"It's that little girl who's on a mission! But, but where did this lightning come from?"

The demonic cultivator opposite him was displeased to see him distracted, and immediately grinned maliciously before launching a sneak attack:

"You dare to be distracted while fighting the Great Sage? Take this hammer!"

The black-clad disciple, worthy of being an elite member of the Obsidian Division, immediately regained his senses and dodged. However, the demonic cultivator, who was involved in this operation, was no pushover either, and with a strange cry, he attacked again.

The disciple, preoccupied with the demonic cultivator, couldn't spare a moment to send a message. He could only defend himself while using the most primitive method of communication: shouting loudly to the elders.

"Elder Li, that junior sister is exhibiting unusual behavior!"

"I know, I know, I'm not blind!"

Li Tianqing responded by pulling his longsword out of the forehead of one of the demonic cultivators. With a worried look on his face, he glanced at Li Fuyao and then swung his sword to cut another demonic cultivator's broadsword in two.

He attacked with deadly moves, and after a chaotic battle, more than a dozen demonic cultivators were left lifeless, which frightened the demonic cultivators who had been ordered to surround him, causing them to shrink back in fear and dare not step forward.

Seeing this, Li Tianqing sullenly snorted, then turned to the elders behind him who were cleaning the impurities from the Heart-Cleansing Stone and asked:

"How's it going?"

The elders, their foreheads beaded with sweat, did not reply immediately upon hearing this. They merely gave him a perfunctory look before continuing to close their eyes and rapidly perform hand seals beside the Heartless Stone.

Having worked together for many years, there is still a tacit understanding between us.

Seeing this, Li Tianqing understood. Relieved, he watched as the protector killed a few more people before hearing the elder behind him transmit a joyful message:

"Old Li, this thing's done!"