78: Holding hands

“Shh, shh!”

Chen Qingxuan's mind buzzed.

He quickly covered his Beloved Disciple's mouth, stopping her outburst. “Stop talking, Qian You... You can't just say things like that... Your Revered Master will be tied up and electrocuted.”

“Mmm mmm~”

Ji Qianyou leaned back to avoid his large hand, taking the opportunity to say, “Then Revered Master, promise me you won't leave... and Qian You will keep these matters buried inside.”

“?”

Chen Qingxuan looked like he was questioning life itself.

No matter how he looked at it, he felt that his Beloved Disciple threatening him right now... was strangely inexplicable.

Perhaps it was because he still treated her like a little apprentice, but in reality, Ji Qianyou had long grown into a powerful expert, capable of even replacing her mother as the Demon Lord.

In short, she was no longer an innocent little girl unaware of the world.

Gulp~

Thinking of this, Chen Qingxuan vigilantly looked around. “Qian You, your Revered Master didn't plan on truly leaving. I'm setting up a Formation to show your mother my capability, so she can feel relieved letting me stay.”

“Really?”

“Of course it's real!” Chen Qingxuan nodded repeatedly, whispering, “You must not say things like that again... If others hear it, it's easy to misunderstand, alright?”

“Mhm~”

After learning that her Revered Master would not leave, Ji Qianyou happily agreed.

Seeing Chen Qingxuan still looking terrified, she suddenly wrapped her arms around his arm. “Don't worry, Revered Master, Qian You isn't stupid... That's our little secret, and I won't tell anyone... I was just trying to scare you earlier, I don't want you to go.”

A little secret?

Chen Qingxuan felt a line of black sweat drop down his forehead and inexplicably felt a little guilty.

Feeling the softness transmitted through his arm, he first patted his disciple's hand. “Don't hug your Revered Master in this form. If your mother sees it... she'll kick me.”

“Oh, oh~”

Ji Qianyou suddenly smiled, quickly let go of Chen Qingxuan, and took a step back.

Immediately, the two went together to set up the Formation.

Chen Qingxuan took out some of the special spiritual Materials he had purchased beforehand from the System Store and handed them to Ji Qianyou to place in various corners of the Demon Emperor Palace.

An incense stick's time later.

Ji Qianyou, having finished her task, returned. “Revered Master, I've placed the Materials, but the Demon Emperor Palace is huge... can you really construct a Formation that covers the entire Demon Emperor Palace?”

It wasn't her fault for feeling suspicious.

After all, just placing the Materials in the designated spots took her quite a while. If there truly was a Formation capable of protecting the entire Demon Emperor Palace, it would definitely be the greatest in the Cangyun Continent!

At least so far, such a magnificent Formation had never appeared on the Cangyun Continent.

Even gathering all the experts skilled in Formation together, trying to build a barrier of such massive scale would likely be wishful thinking.

Moreover... Chen Qingxuan was alone?

“What? Doubting your Revered Master's capabilities?”

“No... but Revered Master, you don't have to push yourself too hard... the Demon Emperor Palace doesn't lack a Formation.”

“Haha, just watch! Your Revered Master's Formation... is not something ordinary Formations can compare to!”

Chen Qingxuan declared confidently.

But actually, how could he, a man who free-loaded off lolis, understand Formations?

Over the years, nearly ninety-nine percent of his strength and methods were copied from the three talents.

Besides, spending all day with beauties in the Hundred Flowers Tower, which man would still have the inclination to study Formation?

Fortunately, he had the System Store, and due to the growth of the three talents, they had provided him with many points over the years.

As long as he had points, what couldn't he exchange for in the System Store?

Just like the one he was about to set up—the Boundless Heaven and Earth Formation!

It was a pre-fabricated ancient grand Formation. You just needed to pour the ingredients into the wok and stir-fry... ah, ptooey. You just needed to place the spiritual Materials in the designated locations and activate it with a key.

A Boundless Heaven and Earth Formation, fresh out of the oven!

Although it was a pre-fabricated Formation, both its appearance and quality fully met the required grade.

In other words, a pre-fabricated grand Formation might even better guarantee quality without error than a Formation painstakingly crafted over decades by several experts skilled in Formation working together.

The only drawback... was that it was expensive!

Chen Qingxuan felt heartache for quite a while back then.

After all, these were points he had saved for over a decade, enough to exchange for many daily consumables like Balenciaga and Red-Soled High Heels.

But seeing his little apprentice respect her Revered Master so much greatly alleviated his distress.

Moreover, this was where he planned to stay long-term. As the saying goes, an extra layer means extra protection; you shouldn't save necessary expenses by challenging fate!

What if he couldn't hold it together?

However, to avoid unnecessary suspicion, Chen Qingxuan did not immediately activate the key.

Instead, he pretended to be busy for three days.

Inside the great hall.

“Demon Lord, he has placed strange things in many parts of the Demon Emperor Palace. I have never seen those things, nor are they recorded anywhere on the Cangyun Continent.” Xuan Ling worried, “Do you really believe he can build some powerful Formation? Could it be... used to deal with us?”

“...”

Standing by the hall entrance, Ji Li looked at the figure flying back and forth, which was none other than the feigning Chen Qingxuan.

The next moment, she frowned slightly: “If he keeps stalling like this... it won't be long... before the news of his presence in the Demon Emperor Palace leaks out.”

“What?”

Xuan Ling's delicate face froze; she thought she had misheard.

Seeing the worry revealed on Ji Li's face, her heart skipped a beat. “Demon Lord... you aren't worried about him, are you?”

“I'm not, I didn't, don't talk nonsense!”

Ji Li denied it three times.

Before she could speak again, Xuan Ling said nervously, “Demon Lord, didn't you say you would break his legs the next time you saw him? Why haven't you done it yet?”

“...I am not his match,”

Ji Li stated.

“You haven't used your full strength, so how do you know you're not his match?” Xuan Ling said anxiously. “Besides, this is the territory of our Demon Emperor Palace... As long as you give the order, we will use the entire palace's strength to deal with him! Even if his power is great... breaking his legs is still possible!”

“?”

Ji Li paused slightly. “Xiao Ling, you're talking a bit too much.”

“Before, when I offered suggestions, you praised me for being smart and clever. Now, when I offer suggestions... you say I talk too much.”

Xuan Ling pouted aggrievedly.

It wasn't that she was truly sad because of Ji Li's reprimand, but seeing the Demon Lord's attitude toward Chen Qingxuan... made her afraid.

After saying that, she added, “Demon Lord, I clearly told you that he openly said in private that he was the man who could get close to you, and that I shouldn't interfere in your private affairs... You know all this, and before he came, you called him a Bitch and wanted to skin him alive. Now he's right in front of you... don't you think your attitude towards him is excessively gentle?”

“I...”

A trace of guilt flashed in Ji Li's eyes.

If anyone else had said this, she could have forcefully changed the subject by getting angry. However, Xuan Ling was not just anyone; she was her most trusted and usually most capable confidante.

It could even be said... their bond was no less than that of family.

Therefore, facing Xuan Ling's pointed doubts, Ji Li knew very well that trying to cover it up with anger... would only be equivalent to proclaiming one's guilt.

And so,

Ji Li tried hard to appear calm. “Don't worry, everything is within my plan.”

“A plan?” Xuan Ling blinked her long eyelashes and pressed, “What kind of plan does the Demon Lord have?”

“Don't ask, I have my own pace.”

“Can't you even tell me?”

“This matter... doesn't require your effort.”

“Seriously?”

Xuan Ling's eyes darted around, pressing again, “Demon Lord, you're not just saying this to placate me, are you? Can you give me some reassurance... Demon Lord, you haven't taken your relationship with him a step further, have you?”

“Heh~ What kind of joke is that?”

Ji Li feigned a cold laugh.

Meeting Xuan Ling's worried gaze, she secretly swallowed. “You know I despise the Human Race the most... whether he's human or demon... how could I possibly have feelings for him? If it weren't for Qian You only recognizing him as her Revered Master, I would have already broken ties with him... Don't you know me?”

Whoosh—

Xuan Ling felt relieved upon hearing this and showed a grateful smile.

“That's great. With the Demon Lord's words... I feel relieved.”

“You can rest assured!”

Ji Li said without a doubt.

Boom—

Just then, a powerful and mighty aura of strength shot up into the sky.

In an instant, brilliant Demonic Power erupted from every corner of the Demon Emperor Palace, connecting directly to the sky like a waterfall, then intertwining and undergoing Fusion... The Boundless Heaven and Earth Formation was complete!

“What is this?”

Ji Li's ruby eyes reflected the massive light screen ripples in the Void Realm, and she was greatly shocked.

The next moment, she suddenly flew out.

At this moment,

on the other side.

“Revered Master... what kind of Formation is this?”

Ji Qianyou covered her small mouth in surprise.

“This is the Boundless Heaven and Earth Formation.” Chen Qingxuan put his hands on his hips, feeling incredibly smug. “It wasn't in vain that your Revered Master spent three days of effort; I finally applied this ancient grand Formation to the Demon Emperor Palace... How is it, Qian You? Your Revered Master didn't disappoint you, did he?”

“Wow, Revered Master is so amazing!” Ji Qianyou's beautiful eyes sparkled with adoration. Although she had never heard of the Boundless Heaven and Earth Formation;

just from the scale and aura of the Formation, she could tell that this barrier was absolutely incomparable to the Formations within the Demon Emperor Palace.

Even looking across the entire Western Regions, or even the entire Cangyun Continent, no one would dare confirm if a comparable barrier could be found.

She hadn't initially expected the Formation to be too powerful. After all, constructing a barrier that covered the Demon Emperor Palace, regardless of the effect, would be considered a world-shattering masterpiece.

Moreover, this Formation not only covered the entire Demon Emperor Palace, but the aura it emitted... was a dimensionality reduction strike against other barriers.

Imagine the delight in Ji Qianyou's heart?

She subconsciously raised her jade hand, excitedly wanting to rush into Chen Qingxuan's arms to celebrate, but at that moment, a figure flew over.

It was Ji Li.

Ji Qianyou stopped moving, turned her head, and said, “Mom, look! This is the Boundless Heaven and Earth Formation that Revered Master specially set up for our Demon Emperor Palace!”

Boundless Heaven and Earth Formation?

Ji Li was slightly stunned.

The next moment, she looked at Chen Qingxuan in disbelief. “H-how did you do that?”

“Sigh, it was a bit tiring, but fortunately, the completion level is quite good, right?” Chen Qingxuan rubbed his waist, pretending to be exhausted, and said modestly.

Seeing this, Ji Qianyou thoughtfully said, “Revered Master has worked too hard. I'll give you a massage later.”

Before Chen Qingxuan could speak;

“Weren't you just flying around in the sky and wandering around the Demon Emperor Palace? I didn't see you doing anything busy... How did you build it?” Xuan Ling flew over right behind, equally dumbfounded.

A Formation of this caliber made her unable to believe it was real.

Moreover, it was completed by a Human Race man whom she considered frivolous and unreliable.

It was too shocking.

Chen Qingxuan turned to look at her. “Do you understand Formations? Do you understand Formations? Are you doubting that I didn't meticulously craft this Formation stroke by stroke?”

“I...”

Xuan Ling's lips parted slightly, and she was speechless.

Although she didn't understand how Chen Qingxuan managed to set up the Formation, no one else inside the Demon Emperor Palace could have done it.

In short, no matter how unbelievable... this Formation could only have been made by Chen Qingxuan.

Ji Li spoke up, “Xiao Ling is just curious, why are you getting angry?”

“Because I was exposed, and I'm furious from embarrassment.”

Chen Qingxuan admitted frankly.

Hearing this, the expressions of the three women changed... but none of them showed any sign of believing this explanation.

“Revered Master, we all know you set it up... and besides Revered Master, no one else in the world has such great capability.” Ji Qianyou comforted him with eyes full of adoration.

“Cough, cough!”

Chen Qingxuan straightened his back, feeling satisfied.

The next moment, he looked at Ji Li and said, “This isn't enough... Madam, please fly outside and attack the Formation.”

“Attack the Formation?”

“Yes, and don't hold back... ideally, use all the strength in your body.”

“...Alright!”

Ji Li understood.

He wanted her to test the effect of the Formation. To be honest, she was quite curious too.

Whoosh—

Ji Li shot up into the sky.

After flying out of the Formation's protection, she circulated the powerful Demonic Power within her body. A ghostly light spread from her palm, emitting a chilling aura.

Although Chen Qingxuan told her to use her full strength, she decided to use only a portion of her power first.

Boom—

She struck the light layer of the Formation with her palm.

When the overwhelming Demonic Power came into contact with the Formation, only a ripple appeared on the surface, and immediately afterward, the profound Demonic Power instantly dissipated and vanished.

It was like a grain of sand falling into the ocean, a flash in the pan.

“What?”

Ji Li was stunned.

Although she had only used a portion of her strength, it was enough to destroy mountains. Yet, striking the Formation at such close range... had no effect whatsoever?

Ji Li, refusing to believe it, raised her palm and struck out again.

This time, she held nothing back. The powerful Demonic Power warped the Void Realm, but when the force contacted the Formation... in an instant, it was completely dissolved again, only causing a fist-sized dent.

Which instantly repaired itself!

“This...?”

At this moment, Ji Li was so shocked internally that she couldn't speak.

Her gaze involuntarily fell upon Chen Qingxuan below, meeting his spring-breeze-like smile... She quickly pressed her jade legs together.

And flew down.

Of course, Chen Qingxuan had to use his Divine Thought to control the Formation, otherwise Ji Li couldn't have entered.

After landing.

Ji Li spoke without any unnecessary words, immediately instructing Xuan Ling: “Inform everyone in the Demon Emperor Palace that this Formation can withstand countless people with strength like mine. From now on, the Demon Emperor Palace... fears no threat!”

“...Yes!”

Xuan Ling's heart raced upon hearing this. Without further delay, she went straight to deliver the good news.

“You...”

Ji Li looked back at Chen Qingxuan.

But before she could finish speaking, Chen Qingxuan stretched out both hands, interrupting her: “Madam, Qian You... give me your hands!”

“Huh?”

The mother and daughter were stunned by the request.

Seeing the hand extended before them, Ji Qianyou was the first to comply obediently. “Mom, listen to Revered Master...”

“Give it here!”

Seeing Ji Li still hesitating, Chen Qingxuan forcefully grabbed her hand.

Boom—

Before Ji Li could speak, Chen Qingxuan tightly held the mother and daughter's jade hands while abruptly channeling power into them.

In an instant, the mother and daughter's delicate bodies trembled... [image]

Big Chapter~~~~