31: In a crisis

In front of the Demonic Cave, after a full day of Spiritual Qi reinforcement, the constantly shaking Seal Barrier gradually stabilized.

In just three more quarters of an hour, the calamity of the Beast Tide in the Monster Beast Mountain Range would be quelled for another century, saving the common people and bringing joy to all under heaven.

But just as Shen Chuyun was concentrating on channeling her True Essence, she suddenly felt the three streams of True Essence that should have been converging on her abruptly stop.

"Hmm?"

Frowning slightly, Shen Chuyun felt surprised.

But without time to think, she immediately mobilized the Spiritual Qi in her dantian sea again, continuously channeling it into the Demonic Cave below.

This was the most critical moment for the All-Heaven Suppressing Demon Formation. If she stopped channeling her power, the vast Spiritual Qi would certainly backlash against the person controlling the Formation Eye.

This power was enough to instantly tear Shen Chuyun into shreds, leaving her no room to think about the reason; she could only continuously release massive amounts of Spiritual Qi to suppress it.

At this moment, Zhuang Jinghao and the others, positioned at the three corners at the base of the Demon Statue, quickly collected their Qi and focused their minds. After swallowing a Cultivating Essence Pill each, they accelerated the recovery of the Spiritual Qi they had previously lost.

A moment later, the gazes of the three focused simultaneously on the Formation Eye at the top.

Just as expected, by withdrawing their own Spiritual Qi at the most critical moment of the Grand Formation's activation, Shen Chuyun could only rely on her own cultivation Foundation to stabilize the backlash of the All-Heaven Suppressing Demon Formation.

"It's done, everyone. Once the Seal is reinforced, Shen Chuyun will inevitably be completely exhausted. At that time..."

Fu Hanqing stopped mid-sentence, opened his Folding Fan, and smiled slightly, leaving everything unsaid.

Xu Tianchuan gave Fu Hanqing a thumbs-up, then replied sarcastically, "As expected of the Sect Master of the Moon Shadow Sect, such excellent strategy, leaving no path for survival."

Fu Hanqing casually smiled, "Sect Master Xu flatters me. It's just that the Flower Language Sect is pressing too hard; otherwise, we certainly wouldn't commit such an act of humiliating a Sect Master of the Profound Gate."

Xu Tianchuan: "The deed is done, what's the use of saying this now? Remember to be gentle with Sect Master Shen later. She has such tender skin; we mustn't hurt her."

"Hahaha."

Fu Hanqing smiled and shook his head, then looked at Zhuang Jinghao, who wore a solemn expression.

"Sect Master Zhuang, what are you thinking, keeping silent?"

Zhuang Jinghao took a deep breath and replied, "I'm wondering if what we are doing is too despicable."

Fu Hanqing's expression turned cold: "It seems Sect Master Zhuang still can't accept sharing the goddess in his heart with the three of us. But Sect Master Zhuang, this is the Flower Language Sect's intention."

Zhuang Jinghao: "Sect Master Lu is Sect Master Shen's Disciple. How could she do such a thing?"

Fu Hanqing's expression became even uglier: "Sect Master Zhuang, the big picture is what matters. We also know this action is inappropriate, but think about it carefully,

the Flower Language Sect has Hua Jieyu of the Heaven's Edge Manifested Sage as its backer. Even if you aren't afraid of Sect Master Lu's threats, you should consider Hua Jieyu's methods."

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Jinghao immediately fell silent.

Hua Jieyu, an Immortal Realm Peak expert, an existence at the apex of this world, and the biggest backer of the Flower Language Sect.

Ultimately, which Sect that becomes a powerful top-tier force doesn't have a renowned veteran protecting it?

Hua Jieyu of the Flower Language Sect, Yao Liuli of the Medicine King Glazed Valley, and Sword Emperor Yan Cangxuan of the Chess Sword Pavilion—which one of them is easy to provoke?

If they casually move a finger, it results in a world-ending scene where life is utterly devastated.

They are existences that ordinary Sects dare not even look up to.

"Alas, so be it. Afterward, I will personally visit Sect Master Shen to apologize. Whether she wants to kill me or torture me, I will submit to her wishes!"

Ultimately, under the pressure of reality, Zhuang Jinghao could only choose to compromise.

"That's right, hahaha."

Xu Tianchuan said with a laugh.

"Perhaps once this wench experiences the pleasure of the Spring Breeze Passing Through the Jade Gate, she might even come to like it. How could she bear to kill you then, don't you think?"

Fu Hanqing also laughed heartily.

The three men's gazes once again turned toward the towering Demon Statue, quietly waiting for the final moment to arrive.

At this moment, Shen Chuyun, located at the very center of the Formation Eye high up, had pushed her Spiritual Qi to the extreme and was already drenched in sweat.

As the final majestic wave of Spiritual Qi Dao Rhyme was channeled into the Demonic Cave below, the frenzied unrest finally vanished without a trace.

"Finally, success."

At this moment, Shen Chuyun, whose Spiritual Qi was nearly depleted, felt utterly exhausted. A sense of weak collapse swept over her entire body, and she stumbled back two steps before barely managing to steady herself.

Just then, Zhuang Jinghao and the two others deactivated the All-Heaven Suppressing Demon Formation and turned into beams of light, arriving at the top of the Demon Statue.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, are you unharmed?"

Looking at the frail and unsteady Shen Chuyun, Zhuang Jinghao couldn't help but want to step forward and support her.

But the next moment, a cold, sharp sword pressed against him, half a foot from his body, preventing the man from approaching.

"Speak. Why did you withdraw your Spiritual Qi at such a crucial moment? Give me an explanation."

"This..."

Even though her internal Spiritual Qi was lacking and her physical and mental strength were exhausted to the limit, Shen Chuyun still maintained a clear mind.

Her words were a direct, pointed question.

Faced with Shen Chuyun's question, Zhuang Jinghao momentarily didn't know how to respond.

Fu Hanqing, however, cupped his hands and smiled: "Fellow Daoist Shen, please forgive us. Our cultivation is low, and our Spiritual Qi was truly insufficient to be channeled to the Formation Eye in time. We hope Fellow Daoist Shen can understand."

"Understand?"

Shen Chuyun changed the subject sharply.

"For three quarters of an hour, no Spiritual Qi could be channeled in time? Such an excuse is truly laughable. Just say it directly: what conspiracy do you have?"

Fu Hanqing frowned. He hadn't expected Shen Chuyun to be not only beautiful but also so meticulous in thought. Had she noticed something was wrong so quickly?

Just as he was pondering how to smooth things over and make Shen Chuyun relax her guard, Xu Tianchuan, seeing the conspiracy exposed, immediately blurted out the truth.

"Alright, Fellow Daoist Shen, since you've figured it out, we won't hide it anymore. In truth, we have coveted Fellow Daoist Shen's beauty for a long time,

and we heard that you possess the world's rare Spiritual Phoenix Immortal Body, an excellent Cauldron Physique. Therefore, we set up this trap to lure Fellow Daoist Shen into it."

Shen Chuyun furrowed her jade brows: "You three alone want to take my Spiritual Body?"

Since the cards were on the table, Fu Hanqing stopped pretending and said directly: "Fellow Daoist Shen, stop bluffing. Normally, we wouldn't have the courage to do this,

but now that you've expended massive amounts of Spiritual Qi to repair the Seal, your dantian sea must be depleted. You cannot possibly have the strength left to contend with us.

Why not surrender obediently and fulfill our wishes, so you suffer less? Don't worry, after we take your Spiritual Body, we will take good care of you."

Swoosh—

As soon as he finished speaking, a streak of Sword Qi flew past, almost grazing Fu Hanqing's cheek.

Fu Hanqing quickly sensed it and flashed sideways, but the sharp Sword Qi still left a shallow scratch on his jade-like cheek.

"Tell me, do I still have the strength to contend with you?"

Fu Hanqing's expression chilled. He secretly produced the Ten Muscle Soft Fragrance Powder, holding it behind his back, and smiled slightly: "Fellow Daoist Shen, that was just a joke earlier. Please don't take it seriously."

As he spoke, he opened the cap of the Ten Fragrance Soft Muscle Powder bottle.

A colorless and odorless gas instantly began to spread through the air.

"A bunch of degenerates, you really deserve to die..."

Before Shen Chuyun could finish her sentence, she suddenly felt dizzy, followed by a sensation that all the strength had been drained from her body, as if she were stepping on clouds.

"What is going on?"

In that moment of alarm, Shen Chuyun collapsed onto the ground, and her Emperor-grade "Star Net" sword also fell beside her.

"Hahaha—"

Xu Tianchuan couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Shen Wench, I'll tell you the truth, I've been interested in you for a long time. Now that I've finally caught an opportunity, I won't easily let it go. To be honest, you've been poisoned by the Ten Fragrance Soft Muscle Powder,

This medicine will Seal your cultivation and leave you powerless for four hours. It won't kill you, but these six hours are enough for us to extract the Spiritual Phoenix Immortal Body from your body."

"Despicable!"

Realizing she had been ambushed, Shen Chuyun cried out in fury.

Fu Hanqing laughed: "Everyone, time is short. Just as we discussed, Fellow Daoist Zhuang will go first. Please."

Zhuang Jinghao sighed and slowly walked toward Shen Chuyun: "Fellow Daoist Shen, I am truly sorry. As you know, I have admired you for hundreds of years. Using this method to obtain you fills me with guilt, but..."

"Shut up."

Shen Chuyun used the last shred of her remaining strength to shout and stop Zhuang Jinghao.

"Zhuang Jinghao, I originally thought you were at least a decent gentleman, but I didn't expect you to be this base.

No matter how eloquently you speak, I, Shen Chuyun, would rather die than fulfill your desires!"

Having finished speaking, Shen Chuyun pressed her jade palm against the ground, exhausted the last bit of her physical strength, and threw herself backward, falling down the side of the Demon Statue.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, stop!"

"Quick, don't let her die like this!"

The three men hadn't expected Shen Chuyun to be so virtuous and resolute, and they quickly leaped forward to rescue her.

Shen Chuyun had lost all her Spiritual Qi now. If she fell from a Peak thousands of feet high, her body would certainly be destroyed, and the three men's goal would be unattainable.

At this moment, Shen Chuyun closed her eyes, feeling the wind whistling past her ears. What she worried about most in her heart was still her useless Disciple.

"Shen Lian, your Master fears she can no longer protect you. You must walk the rest of your life alone. I hope you can awaken soon and escape this torment."

A crystal tear slipped down Shen Chuyun's tightly closed eyes.

Clatter-clatter—

Vaguely, she seemed to hear the sound of horses galloping rapidly.

Was it a dream, or an illusion?

It no longer mattered.

The next moment, she felt a pair of broad, thick arms catch her delicate body.

"In the end, I still couldn't escape the devil's clutches? Heavens, why must you torment us, Master and Disciple, like this?"

She didn't dare open her eyes, afraid of seeing the triumphant faces of those three villains.

Until Xu Tianchuan's voice suddenly rang out.

"Who are you!"

The deep shout made Shen Chuyun's heart clench, and only then did she slowly open her beautiful eyes.

What first came into her view was the familiar face that had been with her for hundreds of years.

"Lianer."

A soft call, expressing all the grievances in her heart.

However, Shen Lian remained silent, merely placing Shen Chuyun gently inside the carriage.

Then he stood up gracefully.

Only then did Shen Chuyun clearly see that Shen Lian was wearing the black and white brocade robe she had personally sewn for him.

"Lianer."

Another soft call, her tone filled with excitement.

Shen Lian, who was moving forward, stopped, merely tilting his head slightly to look at her.

Immediately, he strode toward the three men in front of him and pointed a finger.

"Come, use your worthless lives to further enhance my glorious victory! Today, we fight until death!"

Boom—

As his voice fell, the ground began to shake violently.