Chapter 137

Chapter 137: Trapped in the Formation

At the instant the restriction shattered, the Golden Core Demonic Cultivator’s gaze sharpened, glaring at Yun Xi, who was barely holding on: “So, you had helpers hidden away!”

Yun Xi strained, channeling lightning energy into her Life Ending Staff, and answered coldly, “Did you think I’d fight alone after daring to come here?”

The demonic cultivator sneered, unfazed, “Hmph! It makes no difference. Once you’re dead, I’ll simply recapture them.”

Immediately, he formed hand seals. His curved blade split into two, relentlessly attacking the protective barrier around Yun Xi.

Yun Xi inwardly cursed her low cultivation. Thankfully, Dian Dian had sent a message earlier, reporting that it had rescued the captured cultivators. Among them were two familiar faces from the Hundred Flowers Pavilion. Yun Xi pondered for a moment and guessed who they were—after all, she only knew Yu Qing Cheng and her senior brother from that sect.

“Dian Dian, don’t come looking for me. Find a safe place to hide first.”

“Yes, Master!”

Dian Dian knew itself well. Its fighting ability was pitifully weak, and it didn’t want to become a burden. Still, there was something else it could do. Remembering that Master always wanted that third-rank Flying Rosy Cloud Butterfly egg, Dian Dian decided it could fetch the payment first. Sniffing around, it quickly traced the butterfly’s scent deeper into the cave.

Meanwhile, Yu Qing Cheng and the other cultivators, having consumed the antidote, could finally circulate their spiritual energy again. They scrambled toward the exit but soon realized that Yun Xi and the Golden Core Demonic Cultivator’s battle blocked their only way out. Yu Qing Cheng and Liu Hao Tian immediately rushed forward to help Yun Xi, but a casual wave from the demonic cultivator swept them backward effortlessly.

“You insignificant small fry should know your place!”

Yu Qing Cheng and the others crashed back into the cave mouth, their bodies trembling, blood boiling from the powerful strike. The gap in strength was clear.

Yun Xi continued struggling to hold on. She knew that if this Golden Core Demonic Cultivator wasn’t taken down, no one could leave this cave alive. Yet, the difference in their cultivation was too great. For now, her precious hairpin artifact still held, allowing her to persist. But once it broke, she would have to face a Golden Core cultivator directly. Her mind spun rapidly—she needed a plan. Trapping him in a formation and slowly grinding him down seemed the best option.

“Dian Dian, bring me the fourth-rank formation disk.”

At that moment, Dian Dian had just swallowed a butterfly egg. Upon hearing the master’s instruction, it replied immediately, “Right away, Master!”

Yun Xi reminded anxiously, “Use concealment talismans and stay hidden. Be cautious; don’t let him detect you.”

“Yes, Master!”

Dian Dian abandoned its search for more eggs and swiftly retraced its steps. Approaching the battle site, it carefully applied two third-rank concealment talismans, then slowly crept toward the Golden Core Demonic Cultivator.

Under the enemy’s relentless attacks, cracks appeared in Yun Xi’s precious white magnolia hairpin, signaling it had used up its two protective charges. Her heart ached bitterly at the imminent loss of this treasured artifact.

Seeing Yun Xi’s dire situation, Liu Hao Tian exchanged a determined glance with Yu Qing Cheng. They silently agreed to use the Hundred Flowers Pavilion’s secret technique—temporarily merging their cultivation to push one of them into the Golden Core realm and assist Yun Xi.

Elsewhere in the cave, the third-rank Flying Rosy Cloud Butterfly had finally located its egg, only to be horrified by the demonic corruption staining it. Furious beyond measure, the butterfly flapped its wings and vanished instantly.

Dian Dian silently crept within a hundred meters of the demonic cultivator but dared go no further, fearing discovery. Yun Xi commanded it to hold its position, awaiting the perfect opportunity.

Yu Qing Cheng and Liu Hao Tian activated their secret technique. Yu Qing Cheng transferred her mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation entirely into Liu Hao Tian. Already at the peak of Foundation Establishment, Liu Hao Tian’s aura surged dramatically, briefly ascending to the Golden Core stage. Without hesitation, he conjured a blazing fire dragon to coil around one of the flying curved blades.

At the same instant, the enraged Flying Rosy Cloud Butterfly suddenly appeared above the demonic cultivator’s head. Before he could fully react, its sharp proboscis shot toward his skull.

The demonic cultivator swiftly tilted his head aside, narrowly avoiding the deadly strike. The butterfly, however, was relentless. It fiercely flapped its wings, scattering powder that began to neutralize the demonic qi surrounding him.

This was the moment Yun Xi had been waiting for. She quickly sent a mental command:

“Dian Dian, activate the formation disk! Trap, kill, and illusion—activate them all!”

“Yes, Master!”

Dian Dian threw out the activated formation disk instantly. Meanwhile, Yun Xi’s Seven Star Fatal Staff blazed fiercely, fully charged with lightning spiritual energy, the seventh star, Yaoguang, shining brightly.

Dropping her protection, she channeled all her remaining strength into a single strike against the second curved blade. With the demonic cultivator distracted, she successfully deflected the weapon but was thrown violently backward by the recoil.

Beset from three sides, the Golden Core Demonic Cultivator struggled to defend himself. Even as he dodged the butterfly, two conflicting energies—lightning and fire—threatened to engulf him. Panicked, he withdrew his blades hastily, but in that instant, his vision blurred, and the surroundings shifted dramatically.

“Oh no!”

As his voice faded, bolts of violet lightning descended, striking him fiercely from above.

Watching the demonic cultivator vanish into the formation, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Liu Hao Tian swiftly returned the borrowed cultivation energy to Yu Qing Cheng. Both were left pale and drained from the effort.

Dian Dian rushed urgently to Yun Xi’s side, gently patting her face with its paw. “Master, are you alright?”

“I’ll survive.”

Yun Xi felt completely emptied, an uncomfortable hollow feeling gripping her dantian. Without delay, she swallowed two peak second-rank spiritual recovery pills and began circulating her technique, quickly absorbing their medicinal properties.

Having lost its target for vengeance, the Flying Rosy Cloud Butterfly shrank down, gracefully landing atop Yun Xi’s hair.

Finally daring to emerge, the other rescued cultivators stepped out of the cave mouth, hastily bowing their thanks. Their gestures toward Yun Xi were especially respectful, eyes flickering occasionally toward the Trail Seeking Mouse perched upon her shoulder.

Yu Qing Cheng smiled warmly, “Yun Xi, it’s been years since we last met. You’ve blossomed beautifully and grown incredibly strong. Once again, Senior Brother and I owe you a debt.”

Yun Xi smiled gently, “Fellow Daoist Yu is too kind. I sensed demonic activity here and wanted to investigate, but I didn’t expect to run into you.”

Yu Qing Cheng sighed softly, “It’s a long story. We were captured by that Golden Core Demonic Cultivator.”

Her phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, bitterly accepting her lack of strength.

Yun Xi shook her head, equally solemn, “I didn’t anticipate facing a late-stage Golden Core Demonic Cultivator either. Without your timely intervention, I doubt I could’ve deployed the formation.”

Liu Hao Tian interjected anxiously, “Fellow Daoist Wei, how long can your formation hold him?”

Gritting her teeth, Yun Xi answered firmly, “I’m not merely trapping him. I intend to kill him!”

“Do you need our help?”

“No need. Everyone should recover quickly and leave. We don’t know what backup the demonic cultivator may have.”

The other cultivators, remaining respectfully silent, understood from their exchanges that these three had a prior acquaintance—and that they weren’t entirely out of danger yet.