695: Killing them is easy, but the consequences will be difficult to quell!

Hall Master Li and the others saw this scene and understood that the dust had settled, and there was nothing left for them to do here.

He once again cupped his fists solemnly towards Li Cen and Yao Delong:

"Peak Master Li, True Disciple Yao! Since this matter is concluded, and this Demon King was captured by your esteemed sect, it should naturally be handled entirely by your sect.

We shall no longer trouble you and will take our leave first! Myriad Sword Valley will never forget the kindness shown today! If you ever require our service in the future, everyone in Myriad Sword Valley will be duty-bound to assist!"

"Farewell!"

"Thank you, Yin Yang Sect, for your great righteousness!" The other Cultivators also bowed and took their leave.

Li Cen cupped his hands in return: "Fellow Daoists, take care! Until we meet again!"

Soon, the Cultivators from the various sects in the Eastern Domain transformed into streaks of light and departed one after another.

Only the Yin Yang Sect members and the group of demons trapped in the sword formation remained on the ravaged battlefield.

Once the others had gone far away, Li Cen looked at Yao Delong, his expression returning to the composure of a Peak Master, his eyes filled with scrutiny:

"Delong, how do you plan to deal with this Demon King? Are you really going to kill him and refine him into a treasure?" He naturally saw that Yao Delong had intended to intimidate the Demon King earlier.

Yao Delong waved his hand, collecting the many treasures offered by the Sky-Splitting Demon King, including the incomplete Jade Slip fragment of the Herbal Path Comprehension.

He retrieved them all through the air and put them away without even looking.

His gaze swept over the Sky-Splitting Demon King, who was still kneeling on the ground, too nervous to breathe, and he spoke slowly, his voice calm yet containing undeniable control:

"Senior Martial Uncle, although this Demon King is wicked, killing him is easy, but quelling the future trouble is difficult.

He has been entrenched in the outer regions of the Myriad Demon Mountain Range for many years and is intimately familiar with the distribution of forces in the Demon Domain.

If we kill him today, it’s highly likely that a fiercer Demon King who harbors greater hatred for the Human Race will take his place tomorrow and stage a comeback, causing continued trouble along the border."

He paused, a flash of shrewd light passing through his eyes:

"Why not use a Secret Technique to plant a Restriction deep within his demon soul, completely controlling him? Let him continue to be the 'Sky-Splitting Demon King',

but from now on, he must restrain the demons under his command and prevent them from crossing the border to harass our Human Race territory in the slightest!

Furthermore, when necessary, he can become a nail planted by our Yin Yang Sect in the Demon Domain, transmitting information and maintaining relative stability along the border.

This is a strategy for lasting peace and permanent stability."

When Li Cen heard this, his eyes flashed with brilliant light. He stroked his beard, pondered for a moment, and a smile of approval appeared on his face:

"Hmm... You, young man, have a meticulous and far-sighted mind. This method is indeed viable and much more useful than simply killing him.

It's just that this Demon King is arrogant and ferocious. To make him submit and obey, this Restriction..."

"Immortal Master! I am willing! I am willing!!"

Before Li Cen could finish speaking, the Sky-Splitting Demon King, kneeling on the ground, felt as if he had heard the music of the heavens!

The phrases "planting a Restriction," "continuing to be the Demon King," and "restraining the demons" sounded like life-saving sweet dew to him!

What Demon King dignity? What freedom? Compared to surviving and even keeping his status, they were all worthless!

His massive body lunged forward, practically crawling toward the edge of the sword formation, his huge head repeatedly knocking against the ground.

Although separated by the spatial power of the sword formation, his movements were comical, and his voice was so excited he was incoherent:

"I beg Immortal Master to plant the Restriction! This little demon is willing! I swear! From now on, I will follow the Immortal Master's lead!

If Immortal Master tells me to go east, I will never go west! I will certainly restrain those useless little demons properly. If anyone dares to violate the border, I will swallow them first!

I will guard the gate for Immortal Master! Please spare my life, Immortal Master! Give this little demon a chance to pledge loyalty!"

In that state, where was the slightest ferocity of a Tenth Rank Demon King? He was exactly like a vicious dog eager to show loyalty to its new master.

Li Cen watched this dramatic scene, then looked at Yao Delong beside him—who had the situation firmly in hand and a slight smile on his lips—

and couldn't help but shake his head and laugh, raising his estimation of this Martial Nephew once again.

Seeing the Sky-Splitting Demon King looking as if he wished he could wag his tail to show loyalty, Yao Delong knew the time was right.

His gaze was indifferent, but his voice clearly penetrated the sword formation space: "Lower your mental defenses."

The Sky-Splitting Demon King trembled violently upon hearing this, a trace of instinctive unease flashing in his eyes, but the desire to survive overwhelmed everything!

Without hesitation, he lowered his massive head, closed his blood-red eyes, and instantly dropped the defenses of his Primordial Spirit Sea of Consciousness entirely,

as if opening the most vulnerable door, allowing himself to be slaughtered.

"Buzz!"

Yao Delong's gaze sharpened. He joined his fingers like a sword, and a wisp of invisible, intangible 'Heart Sword' phantom—yet containing extreme sharpness and cold will—instantly condensed on his fingertip!

This Thought Sword was not driven by spiritual power; it was a pure manifestation of Primordial Spirit Will!

Swoosh!

The Heart Sword phantom was faster than lightning, ignoring spatial distance, and in the instant the Sky-Splitting Demon King released his mind,

it plunged unimpeded into his glabella, piercing straight into the depths of his Primordial Spirit Sea of Consciousness!

Boom—!

The Sky-Splitting Demon King felt an indescribably cold, sharp, terrifying will, capable of severing all thoughts,

instantly descend upon the core Origin of his Soul!

That will was overwhelmingly domineering, directly branding and condensing a miniature, profound 'Heart Sword Formation' that radiated unparalleled murderous Sword Intent, right in the core region of his Primordial Spirit Sea of Consciousness!

As soon as the sword formation took shape, the Sky-Splitting Demon King felt as if his Soul Origin had been fitted with an invisible shackles!

A tremor originating from the depths of his Soul nearly suffocated him!

He could even clearly "feel" that the power contained within that sword formation needed only a single thought,

to instantly collapse and annihilate his proud Primordial Spirit, which was at the Peak of the Late Void Refining Stage!

"This is the 'Heart Sword Soul Lock.'" Yao Delong's calm voice sounded directly within his Primordial Spirit, like a decree from heaven,

"If you are truly loyal, this formation will be nothing. But if you harbor second thoughts..."

His voice suddenly turned cold, like the frigid wind of the Nine Hells, "The sword formation will sense it automatically, the Heart Sword Power will erupt, and you will be Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering in an instant!

Do not even dream of asking others to remove it. Any power not of the same Origin, if it touches the formation even slightly, will be the fuse that triggers the sword formation; touch it and die!"

The Sky-Splitting Demon King's massive demon body trembled violently, cold sweat instantly soaking his fur. He suddenly opened his eyes,

his huge head frantically knocking against the Void Realm. His voice, filled with the extreme terror and submission following the trembling of his Soul, cried out: "Master! This little one understands!

This little one understands! I absolutely dare not harbor the slightest second thought! From now on, this little one will be the eyes and ears Master has nailed into the Demon Domain!

Should there be any disturbance in the Demon Domain, this little one will report to Master immediately! I will gladly go through hell and high water!"

At this moment, he was truly terrified and had completely resigned himself to fate.

The existence of the Heart Sword Formation prevented him from having any thought of resistance.

Yao Delong nodded slightly, knowing that combining grace and severity was the way to manage subordinates: "If you work for me, I naturally won't treat you unfairly."

His gaze was piercing, having long seen through the Sky-Splitting Demon King's deepest desire, "If you truly achieve a great service someday, I might take action and refine a batch of 'nine aperture spirit nurturing pills' for you."

Boom!

The nine aperture spirit nurturing pill!

These six characters struck the Sky-Splitting Demon King's heart like a clap of thunder!

This was the Divine Pill he had dreamed of, the one he risked venturing deep into the Eastern Domain to seek a chance for a Breakthrough!

It was his greatest hope for advancing to the Demon Emperor Realm!

The massive surprise instantly drowned out his fear!