Chapter 1213: Encountering the Inner Demon Again

“Is this it?”

Wu Shi hurriedly looked over.

Although he was the vice-head of the Master Teacher Hall of the Qingyuan Empire, holding a high and powerful position, he had never been here before. This so-called Ghost Cave was his first time seeing it.

It was a small island two or three kilometers in diameter, with a pair of spring eyes shaped like eyes in the very center, their depth impossible to discern. Strange rocks stood in profusion all around. Though the entire island rose from beneath the swamp, it seemed protected somehow, for the ground bore no trace of mud but was instead covered with various low-growing vegetation.

“If you want to kill me, come on over! If not... you can take your time searching; I’m in no hurry...”

The sinister voice continued. Then, everyone saw the island before them appear indistinct, shrouded in a thin mist, as if it might at any moment vanish back into the swamp and disappear.

“Let’s go!”

With a slight smile, Zhang Xuan was about to head over when Hall Master Liao quickly blocked his way, looking anxious.

“You can’t go. He’s clearly prepared for this. Even here, he ambushed us. Once we go over, we’ll definitely fall into a trap...”

Someone as strong as Hall Master Xing had been unknowingly set up and nearly struck dead by lightning. If they actually entered that island, they might directly fall into the trap he had laid and find it hard to escape.

“He already knows we’re here and has prepared in advance. If we don’t go now, it will only become more dangerous as time passes.”

Zhang Xuan shook his head.

The other party already knew they had arrived, meaning he had made preparations ahead of time... Rather than waiting idly, it was better to go directly.

Otherwise, with them in the open and the enemy in hiding, things would become even more troublesome.

“But...”

“If we don’t go, he’ll still ambush us. Rather than being passive, it’s better to see what he’s up to. If he really wanted to kill us, I reckon at least half of us would already be dead...”

With a slight smile, Zhang Xuan said no more.

The other party was a ruthless man, and his memories were clearly more fully restored than the one in Zhang Xuan’s possession. If he truly wanted to kill, Zhang Xuan might be able to contend with him, but the three Nascent Soul realm peak elders from the Master Teacher Hall would certainly not be able to withstand him!

Even Hall Master Wei and the others would find it hard to resist.

Since he hadn’t done so but instead invited them over, it was only natural to go and see what he was up to.

Seeing him insist on going his own way, Hall Master Liao was at a loss when he suddenly felt his hand tighten. A wine gourd had appeared in his palm, and a voice transmission sounded in his ear: “Give the wine in this gourd to Hall Master Xing to drink...”

“Drink wine?”

Hall Master Liao was stunned.

The hall master had just been struck by lightning; his whole body was battered, and even his primordial spirit was severely injured... In such a state, he should be taking medicinal pills to recuperate carefully. What use was wine?

“Hurry!”

Just as he was at a loss, he saw the feeble Master Wu approaching, raising an eyebrow and lowering his voice.

"Yes!"

Hearing him say the same, Hall Master Liao did not dare hesitate. He went to Executioner Xing, pried open his mouth, and poured the fine wine down his throat.

Not long after, the latter opened his eyes. Though he had regained some spirit, he was still as feeble as before.

"Since Master Zhang has gone over, we shall go together. We will share weal and woe. Even if we die, we will die together..."

With these words, supported by Hall Master Wei, he stood up and staggered after Zhang Xuan.

With a faint smile, Zhang Xuan did not pause. He stepped forward and leaped straight toward the land before him.

The crowd followed closely behind.

Above the small island, it was eerily quiet, as if some formation had cut off the air. Master Wu and the others nervously looked around, their expressions grave.

"This seems to be... an eighth-grade formation!"

The fact that even masters of their level could not see through the formation that sealed the entire island meant its grade was probably not inferior to those encountered in Qiuwu Palace.

An eighth-grade formation... Even with their increased strength and having become true Nascent Soul experts, they were far from being a match for it.

Zhang Xuan nodded.

Although he felt it was difficult for the ruthless man to kill him, once on the island, he did not dare to let his guard down.

This fellow had once trapped even Master Kong and nearly escaped, his methods were numerous and terrifying.

Activating the Eye of Clarity, he quietly observed his surroundings.

There was indeed a formation on the island, but it was not used for attack, rather for floating and concealment.

"So this land does not rise from below, but like a ship, using the power of a formation, floats above the swamp, drifting around, revealing itself only to those it wishes to see..."

He speculated inwardly.

"The ruthless man needs to devour masters to recover, so he deliberately exaggerates the abilities of the Ghost Cave, attracting countless masters to search... Then, each year he releases a few who are fated..."

The more he inferred, the more Zhang Xuan gradually understood.

Hearing that this place could enhance one's state of mind, more and more people were attracted, but in the end... most masters were devoured by this ruthless man.

A few had their state of mind greatly enhanced, becoming living advertisements... naturally attracting more people.

Men die for wealth, birds die for food; even masters are not exempt.

"As expected of an old monster who has lived for tens of thousands of years, his methods are far more sophisticated than that finger..."

The finger-bone ruthless man subdued at Cloud Mist Ridge controlled spirit beasts, sacred beasts, and humans to fight, and although he also devoured many masters, the number was extremely small, incomparable to this one.

"Let's go take a look and see what kind of spring can attract so many renowned masters..."

Shaking his head, Zhang Xuan walked toward the spring.

"Master Zhang, be careful... This spring can reflect a person's distracting thoughts. Once exploited, it's hard to escape!"

Seeing him heading toward the spring to take a look, Zhang Jiuxiao came up and whispered a warning.

He had trained here for a month before.

He knew this spring very well—it could reflect the thoughts arising in one's mind. The longer you looked, the more thoughts emerged... The other party was a soul shaman. Once they knew these thoughts and used them to form inner demons... even without making a move, they couldn't withstand it!

Perhaps that guy had this very intention in letting them come to this island.

"It's fine. I just want to see what my distracting thoughts are..."

Zhang Xuan smiled.

If Zhang Jiuxiao could think of this, he naturally could too.

But if he didn't step forward, he wouldn't be able to find the other party anywhere, and he would remain passive.

"Master Zhang..."

Seeing that he wouldn't listen to advice and insisted on going forward, Zhang Jiuxiao looked at Master Wu, hoping he would help dissuade him, but saw that this renowned master was listless, clearly too injured to even speak.

He looked at Hall Master Xing, who was much like Master Wu, with eyelids slightly drooping, as if about to fall asleep at any moment.

"Alright, all of you wait here. I'll go alone. If danger arises, come and rescue me immediately..."

Having said that, Zhang Xuan said no more and walked a few steps to the edge of the pool.

The water was crystal clear, reflecting starlight, as if it could illuminate the soul. Looking into it, he indeed saw some illusions, like thoughts.

Whoosh!

Immediately after, Zhang Xuan felt his consciousness being pulled from his body, entering a pitch-black environment.

It was like the time he experienced the inner demon tribulation—a sealed room, no light, no sound, maddeningly oppressive.

After an unknown amount of time, a dark figure slowly floated over from the darkness, its voice seductive.

"Zhang Xuan, it's me..."

Soon, it came close and revealed its face—it was Luo Ruoxi.

She wore a faint smile, like a goddess descending from the heavens, quietly looking at him, as beautiful as ever, almost unbelievable.

"This time, there's a bit of novelty..."

Zhang Xuan nodded in satisfaction.

The inner demons he had encountered before were all hideous and disgusting at first sight. This one was smarter, transforming into Luo Ruoxi based on his distracting thoughts...

"It seems this ruthless guy has made his move!"

Zhang Xuan chuckled to himself.

This spring could reflect a person's thoughts, knowing what he was thinking, and what he thought of most was naturally Luo Ruoxi.

Before he could even look at the reflected thoughts, an inner demon in the form of Luo Ruoxi appeared... It must be that ruthless guy quietly making his move.

For someone else, seeing the beloved they yearned for day and night might truly lead to being controlled and unable to extricate themselves, but Zhang Xuan was different.

Not to mention possessing the Heavenly Dao Library and the Eye of Insight to see through the essence, the fact that he had been recognized four times as a master and once as a sage was enough to keep him clear-headed in this situation and not be deceived.

"Zhang Xuan..."

"Luo Ruoxi" came close, her dark eyes filled with tenderness that could melt anyone.

"You're here..."

Seeing her like this, Zhang Xuan seemed instantly enchanted, hurriedly approaching and grasping her soft, boneless hand in his palm.

"Mm, I've missed you so much..."

Luo Ruoxi murmured.

Zhang Xuan nodded and transmitted his voice: "I've missed you too... By the way, I have a [Inner Demon Great Art] here. Do you want to learn it?"

"Inner Demon Great Art?" Luo Ruoxi frowned.

"Yes, if an inner demon cultivates it, it can become stronger, break free from its host, and become an independent entity—very powerful..." Zhang Xuan continued transmitting.

"..." Luo Ruoxi.

"Don't worry, I created this technique by combining many professions like soul shaman and spirit awakening, as well as the Glazed Heart Refining Art. If you don't believe me, I can recite it for you!"

Holding her hands without letting go, Zhang Xuan moved his mouth and continued transmitting: "An inner demon is actually a kind of spirituality, a spirituality with special human thoughts, like a dual personality. At critical moments, it emerges and delivers a fatal blow to the cultivator... However, when the cultivator dies, the inner demon also disappears. Why should an inner demon only be a cultivator's appendage? Why can't it break free from this fate? My Inner Demon Great Art has a detailed explanation..."

"This..."

Her eyes glazed over, Luo Ruoxi grew more excited as she listened.

"This is my Inner Demon Great Art. Want to learn it? If you want to learn, listen to me, take me as your master, and I can teach you..."

Zhang Xuan's voice continued.

"Master..." The inner demon knelt down.

Pfft!

As she knelt, Zhang Xuan seemed to hear someone spitting blood.