Chapter 164

Chapter 164: Siege

As Li Shuang finished speaking, the crowd began to stir.

Many had been tricked into coming and already felt regret; they instinctively moved toward Li Shuang.

At that moment, noise rose outside the grand hall.

From the underground kingdom, people of the Devil Path swarmed over.

Each wore a blood mark on the neck, and scarlet light flickered in their eyes.

The Barrier Formation shattered like snow under a flood as groups of Devil Path surged in.

Li Shuang’s gaze turned cool as she swept her divine sense across the field.

Among the Devil Path, those at Foundation Establishment Stage and above already numbered over a hundred, and there were hundreds more at Qi Refining Stage.

Almost all the Devil Path in the underground kingdom had gathered here.

The Silver Devil Guard, still trading blows elsewhere, snatched a moment to shout: “Kill those two!”

Scarlet eyes swung to Li Shuang and Ye Zhao Zhao.

Ye Zhao Zhao trembled.

Counting those already in the courtyard, there were over a hundred Foundation Establishment Stage alone.

She was at Golden Core Stage, but her talent was not top tier, and she barely understood the spells of the body she had taken over. With a Wind Spiritual Root, she might have a slim chance if she ran right away. But if she stayed and took the fight head on, could she live?

[System!] she roared in her heart: [Isn’t Li Shuang supposed to be blessed with amazing fortune? With so many Foundation Establishment Stage here, are you sure she can handle it?]

The System fell silent for a moment, then said calmly: “Great fortune does not mean nothing will ever go wrong. Besides, the heart that appeared this time is not simple.”

When that heart first showed up, the Devil Seed had already sensed a kindred presence.

That heart also came from the Heaven Severing Lands. It was a real Devil Heart.

But a Devil Heart ranked below a Devil Seed. Once a Devil Seed achieved success in cultivation, it could take form as a True Devil. A Devil Heart, however, always needed a human body to rely on and could never become a true devil.

In the Central Continent, Cultivators even treated Devil Hearts as top refining materials; once one appeared, experts would scoop it up at once.

But Nanlan Continent was remote and far less prosperous in cultivation than the Central Continent, so this Devil Heart could stir up trouble here.

Likewise, Li Shuang’s fortune was extraordinary, but only within Nanlan Continent. In the vast world beyond, geniuses brighter than her were as countless as stars.

The Devil Heart came from the Heaven Severing Lands and, like the Devil Seed, stood outside the Heavenly Dao’s sensing.

With the Devil Heart’s moves, it really might cause Li Shuang to die here.

As the System spoke, Ye Zhao Zhao’s expression shifted quickly.

She had failed to kill Li Shuang before and had to pretend to cooperate with the people of Emotionless Peak. But if Li Shuang died here, she would gain Li Shuang’s talent, foundation, and fortune all at once.

The System said: “Host, do not rush. Adjust to the situation. If Li Shuang dies here, that is best. But her fortune is amazing; there may be twists. Do not expose yourself too early.”

Ye Zhao Zhao nodded, already understanding.

To guard against surprises, she could not turn on Li Shuang now. But if the Devil Path were strong enough to push Li Shuang to the brink, she would not mind delivering the final strike. [Just four words: adapt as needed.]

With the Devil Path gathering in force, they now seemed to hold an absolute advantage.

A Sword Sect Disciple could be strong, but she was still just one person.

The Devil Path had over a hundred at Foundation Establishment Stage.

Many who had planned to stand by Li Shuang hesitated. Future dangers mattered less than the life and death right now.

Liu Bai looked at Ye Qing Er with a dark face and asked: “Who still wants to be buried with the Sword Sect now?”

He planned to kill the Sword Sect woman first, then seize Ye Qing Er and tear her apart.

Li Shuang stayed calm and did not interfere with their choices.

After a brief uproar, only fifteen still ran to Li Shuang’s side. The rest stood with the Devil Path.

Li Shuang said evenly: “I said anyone who stands against me will be killed without mercy. Since you have chosen, I will grant your wish.”

A Devil Path cultivator shouted: “You are only at Foundation Establishment. Stop trying to scare us! Everyone, attack together. With this many people, can we not kill one Sword Sect Disciple?”

Another voice added: “And do not spare that Golden Core rogue cultivator either!”

Blood energy soared as swarms of Devil Path rushed at Li Shuang like locusts.

Ye Qing Er and the others gritted their teeth, drew their tools, and called: “Fellow Daoist Li, we will help you!”

Ye Zhao Zhao’s eyes flashed as she said with a fearless look: “Fellow Daoist Li, do not worry. With me here, I will not let anything happen to you!”

The first wave crashed in and swallowed Li Shuang and her group.

The Silver Devil Guard smiled and asked: “Will you keep tangling with us? Do you not worry about your poor Junior Sister? The dead cannot come back.”

Liu Jun Cheng and the others could not help glancing toward the courtyard.

The next moment, an ice-cold lotus bloomed in the courtyard as Li Shuang’s calm voice rose: “Do not mind me.”

As the Ice Lotus opened, the first wave of Devil Path screamed. Severed limbs covered the ground.

That power… could someone at Foundation Establishment Stage really do this?

The Devil Path froze.

Ye Zhao Zhao’s face turned ugly. So Li Shuang would not die that easily. [I still need to wait for a chance.]

Using her speed, Ye Zhao Zhao flitted through the Devil Path, looking busy but doing little real damage.

Li Shuang ignored her and drew Black Abyss.

This was Black Abyss’s first battle after its rise in grade. Its sharp Sword Qi cut like a knife through vegetables, and she cleared an open space fast.

One man cried in fear: “Wait, Daoist Friend, wait! I am not with the Devil Path. I was misled and I—”

In the next instant, the sword fell.

He dropped with eyes wide in despair.

Li Shuang said without expression: “I said no mercy, and I mean it. Do not say you were not warned.”

Blood dripped from Black Abyss Sword’s tip as she looked at the remaining Devil Path.

After only a brief clash, many had already become Departed Souls under Black Abyss Sword.

The Devil Path recoiled and did not dare advance.

After a short silence, Liu Bai shouted: “She is strong, yes, but such moves cost spiritual power! If we all attack, will we not drain her dry?”

That sounded fine, but who would go first?