This was the first time the four of them had met face-to-face. The previous encounter at Mingxin Sect had been chaotic, and no one had had the chance to properly observe the others.
Shen Jianxi looked at the atmosphere in the arena. It was… calm and eerie.
Calm in that after meeting, they hadn't said much, but instead gathered to strategize their counterattack.
Eerie in that all four of them wore blank expressions, not even bothering to spare a glance for each other. The air between them was unnervingly stagnant.
Even Cheng Wenyu, who had the best temper, was now pressing his lips together, a displeased curve on his face.
"…So," Cheng Wenyu said, looking around, "I believe their formation is complete."
"Lianhua has left Mingxin Sect and is meeting with Li You, heading this way. This indicates they have likely already ascended to godhood."
What Cheng Wenyu said was exactly what they feared.
Not to mention the vast gulf between a demigod and a true god, but now there might be two gods. They would likely be powerless to resist.
Shen Jianxi's expression was grave. She found an excuse to leave, going to a secluded, deserted spot to examine the formation book carefully.
She had always believed that nothing in this world was perfect, that everything had its flaw.
Shen Jianxi felt that this formation must have a way to be broken; she had simply overlooked it.
Indeed, she felt something was slightly off with a page in the middle. She leaned closer to observe. This page was slightly thicker than the others, though not obviously so.
Shen Jianxi carefully peeled it open along the glued edge. This page had many numbers of varying shades, looking chaotic and with no discernible connection.
After careful study, she realized that the numbers of varying shades and their arrangement resembled the game of Gomoku.
With a spirit of trying it out, she asked 77 to open a virtual chessboard. As she spoke, 77 placed the pieces on it.
To her surprise, they actually formed a few words.
[Core shattered, formation broken.]
Shen Jianxi was astonished. Who had created this formation book?
There was no Gomoku in this world!
Could there be a transmigator?
With no time to dwell on such irrelevant matters, Shen Jianxi looked at the four words, "Core shattered, formation broken," and fell into thought.
When every cultivator breaks through to the Golden Core stage, they form a core. Demons also have demon cores. Could this "core" refer to that?
Upon receiving this information, Shen Jianxi hurried back. She took out the formation book and showed it to the four of them.
Earlier, she hadn't spoken of it for fear of causing further disappointment without a solution. Now that there was a method, more minds could help them think faster.
"…What do you think?" Qiu Tao looked up at Lin Xinglan and Cheng Wenyu. "I think this core should refer to the inner core."
Lin Xinglan nodded and pointed to a section on the formation book. "I think it's probably only Lianhua's inner core."
As this guess was voiced, the others followed his gaze. This was on the inside page, the five words "Immortal Cultivation Formation Book."
Immortal cultivation formation book, immortal cultivation.
Shen Jianxi's eyes lit up.
Immortals and demons had been irreconcilable since ancient times.
And Li You was a demon. Although Lianhua had fallen into demonhood, he hadn't completely become a demon. Therefore, only his inner core would work between the two of them.
This meant the situation might be better than they thought. Only one person had ascended to godhood; Li You might not have.
…
Just as they had guessed, it was indeed only Lianhua. However, he hadn't truly become a god yet. Due to his descent into demonhood, he was now a demigod, like Fu Zi.
As for Li You, he was the same as before. The only difference was that he was formerly Fu Zi's subordinate, and now he was Lianhua's subordinate.
Looking at Lianhua, who had regained his ethereal immortal aura, Li You wished he could skin him alive and tear him limb from limb.
Not only had he been used by Lianhua, but he had gained nothing.
Thinking of this, Li You let out a cold laugh in his heart.
He hadn't gained nothing. At least, he knew how to kill Lianhua.
That day, the formation reached its completion, but Lianhua only became a demigod. To fully become a god, he had to merge with Fu Zi's soul.
During this period, Lianhua had to use half of his inner core to power the formation, thus maintaining his demigod cultivation.
Naturally, if the formation were destroyed, Lianhua would instantly become useless.
However, Lianhua had placed layers of restrictions on the formation, and he was currently unable to break through them, so he could only endure Lianhua's insults and commands.
He, the dignified First Demon General, had now fallen to such a state. A hint of regret flashed through Li You's mind.
Although Fu Zi was unpredictable, he treated those who were loyal extremely well. If he hadn't betrayed him…
"General Li You." That indifferent voice sounded in his ear again. He didn't know how many times he had heard it recently.
Turning with a smile, Li You walked up to Lianhua, lowering his head, the ferocity in his eyes well concealed. "My lord, what is your command?"
Lianhua looked at Li You, who was feigning obedience, his contempt evident on his face. "My shoes are dirty. I'll have to trouble General Li You to clean them."
"Oh, and the material used for my shoes is very rare. That coarse cloth might damage the shoe surface. I see General Li You's clothes look quite good. Why not use the hem of your robe to wipe them?"
Heh. What kind of person is he? Now he could only grovel at his feet.
"Yes, my lord." Li You swayed slightly back and forth, then quickly steadied himself, preparing to kneel and wipe his shoes.
Watching Li You slowly kneel with a stiff body, tugging at the hem of his robe and extending it towards Lianhua's shoes, Lianhua's pleasure was palpable.
He lifted his foot and stepped on Li You's other hand. "I find this ground rather uncomfortable. General Li You won't mind, will you?"
Li You gritted his teeth, suppressing the rage that was about to erupt, making his voice sound normal. "Of course not. It is Li You's honor."
After he said this, a laugh echoed from above his head. Li You clenched the hand holding the hem of his robe tightly.
This journey could clearly have been completed without walking, but Lianhua insisted on being carried in a sedan chair, precisely to humiliate him along the way.
Lianhua remembered the treatment he received from Li You when he was severely injured in the past. Now that he had the chance, he would naturally enjoy playing with him.
He glanced towards the direction of the demon realm. Soon, soon. A sinister smile appeared on Lianhua's face.
He would start with Fu Zi. Once he truly became a god, this Chongjian Continent would be in his palm, and no one would dare to defy him.
The more Lianhua thought about it, the more excited he became, his body trembling with anticipation.
He could already see Shen Jianxi and Fu Zi begging for mercy at his feet.
Cry, fear!
He would make these two watch helplessly as the people they cared about died one by one before their eyes.
Thinking of the fear, hatred, and despair that would appear on their faces then, Lianhua felt his blood boil. The repressed madness became increasingly uncontrollable, his smile becoming frenzied.