Chapter 437: Clouds Deep, Unaware of Xianxia Island

To avoid accidentally injuring the cultivators from Xianxia Island, Ji Yuan's sword light was not sweeping close to the mountain ridge. Instead, it had an upward trajectory, primarily to clear the mist and deter the demons, while also signaling the trapped cultivators that help had arrived.

Within the mountain range, hundreds of miles deep, demons raged in opposition to the immortal cultivators. A massive fissure in the mountain was spewing forth geothermic toxic miasma. The dense black mist filling the sky was a noxious blend of demonic energy, devilish qi, and this poisonous miasma.

To either side of this incredibly deep fissure, a massive Plum Blossom Formation radiated light. There were twelve points of illumination, with three or four cultivators at each point, sitting cross-legged and sustaining the formation with their magical energy.

This grand formation both protected those within it and suppressed the malevolent geothermic miasma.

The surroundings were littered with scattered rocks and fallen trees, along with numerous craters—some charred by fire, others crystalline with ice. Many demon corpses, large and small, lay strewn about, some incinerated, others beheaded, having met various gruesome fates, a truly horrific sight.

The air was filled with the irritating sounds of ghostly wails and wolf-like howls.

"Rumble..."

With a rumble, a small mountain peak collapsed as a gigantic furry claw shattered it, sweeping the boulders from the summit towards the Plum Blossom Formation.

"Whoosh...boom..."

The boulders exploded, yet the Plum Blossom Formation remained as firm as a rock, unmoving. Still, a few cultivators at its center frowned, their auras becoming slightly unstable.

"Master, why aren't they attacking us anymore? Have we scared them off?"

At one of the formation's central points, a young cultivator posed the question to his master. The master looked around, then at his disciple, and shook his head.

"Not so," he replied. "The demons we eliminated during the previous bitter struggle were not particularly powerful; their intent was to exhaust our magical energy. The geothermic miasma here is profoundly toxic; even demons seeking to refine it for forced cultivation advancement cannot fully endure it. Our grand formation, by suppressing it, is essentially helping them regulate the miasma to a suitable level."

"What!?"

The young cultivator almost sprang up from his cross-legged, spell-casting posture, finding it difficult to accept such a truth.

"Hehehehehe... hahahahahahaha... I didn't expect this immortal elder to see through our plan! Hahahahahahaha..."

"Hahahahaha..." "Hehehehehe..."

"Oh hahahahaha..."

Suddenly, a torrent of laughter erupted from the dark, sky-obscured distance. It was piercing and chaotic, unsettling even some weaker cultivators.

"Ah hahahaha... While you cower here like turtles, hiding behind your formation, your sect gate has been utterly destroyed, and all the cultivators left within are dead!"

"Yes, yes, though their cultivation was weak, their immortal essence was pure—truly nourishing!"

"Right, right, especially those boys and girls, so tender and juicy—they were excellent nourishment!"

"Hahahahaha..."

The demons' laughter was incessant, pouring into the ears of the immortal cultivators. Many cultivators, recognizing the danger, quickly sealed their senses to avoid being affected by mind-influencing spells.

"These wretches!"

A cultivator could only curse softly, unable to leave the formation. They all knew the countless demons outside, and that the geothermic toxic miasma, suppressed by the grand formation, was densest closest to the ground.

Whether battling the demonic hordes or enduring prolonged exposure to the toxic miasma, both were exceedingly perilous, tantamount to courting death.

Even if their sect gate was truly destroyed, acting on impulse now was not an option.

"Hmph, laugh all you want, be arrogant..."

A cultivator within the Plum Blossom Formation gritted their teeth and sneered. There were numerous demons, and many terrifying presences were hidden among them.

While a geothermic fissure might attract demons, it shouldn't have mysteriously drawn so many, let alone such a significant number of terrifying entities. Despite this, the cultivators had not lost hope, for the demons were unaware that what appeared to be an obscure local sect was, in fact, a branch of Xianxia Island.

Even if completely isolated within this mountain, and even if their branch sect's gate might have been destroyed, they had managed to notify Xianxia Island of their peril by shattering their vital talismans. Thus, even if they perished, the main sect would undoubtedly unleash a thunderous strike upon the demons.

Now, they had to hold out for as long as possible!

On a high peak in the mountain, a figure enveloped in black qi resembled a handsome official—his skin, attire, and features impeccable, yet possessing an eerie, sinister aura. Beside him stood many similar "people." A closer look at the surrounding peaks revealed numerous demon-beasts on the verge of transforming into human form.

"These so-called 'immortals' seem very calm, don't they?"

"Heh, immortal cultivators cultivate both body and mind. Even if they're from minor sects, how could their resolve be so easily shattered by a few words from us? They'll undoubtedly reassure themselves that their sect is safe; even if it were truly destroyed, they could maintain their composure for some time."

"Hahahahaha, this is good. They're helping us stabilize the geothermic pulse; once it's ready, we'll eliminate them."

Listening to the demons' taunts and rampant laughter, the exceptionally handsome demon leader smiled faintly and spoke coldly.

"They must be waiting for an opportunity."

"What opportunity?"

The handsome demon leader sneered at the question.

"Naturally, an opportunity to counterattack and break out. Otherwise, stubbornly holding on and exhausting their magical power below would be worse than desperately fighting their way out to confront us. Immortal cultivators, though ethereal, also possess some grit."

"Opportunity, hehe, do they still have an opportunity?"

A transformed demon beside him sneered derisively.

"There are no immortal sects for thousands of miles around. The mountain god here, who tried to gather the geothermic pulse, was long ago dismembered by us. There's almost no righteous presence nearby. Where, then, is their opportunity?"

A sinister light flickered deep in the handsome man's eyes as he scanned the surroundings.

"Hehehe, we'll just have to wait and see. I'm really looking forward to it."

It was at this very moment.

A dazzling sword light shone from afar. In an instant, sword energy surged, sweeping like a crescent moon. The surrounding darkness, wherever the sword energy passed, seemed to be swept away like drawn curtains.

"Bang..." "Bang..." "Bang..." "Bang..." ...

The sword light swept over mountain after mountain. Wherever it touched, peaks exploded and rocks scattered.

"Ah..." "What is thi—"

"Run..." "Go..."

Although the sword light swept vertically, its range was considerable and its speed too great. Most demons standing on the various peaks in its path, if their cultivation was insufficient to evade in time, were almost certain to perish.

The demons on a peak at the far end almost faced the immortal sword's qi head-on. That peerless aura swept over them, giving many evil creatures a bone-chilling cold that stiffened their bodies, rendering them immobile.

With a whoosh, the sword light grazed the mountaintop and swept into the distant sky. Some demons trembled and crouched on the mountain, watching the departing sword light pierce the darkness with lingering fear.

But this was not the end. The next moment, infinite radiance appeared over the mountain range. Streaks of colorful auspicious clouds flew into the sky, dispelling the rolling darkness. The entire mountain range was bathed in brilliant, colorful light, illuminating its peaks and the land.

"Xianxia Island cultivators, hear my command: all demons here, kill without mercy, destroy their forms and eradicate their souls!"

Streaks of colorful clouds unfolded above the mountain range. Within each ray of light were one to three Xianxia Island cultivators: some sweeping their whisks, others summoning artifacts, and still others wielding divine abilities. In an instant, magical lights erupted simultaneously, bringing utter devastation upon the hordes of demons, who were still reeling from the terror of the previous sword qi.

"Rumble..."

The sky turned black once more, but this time it was thunderclouds gathering.

"Crack...boom..." "Crack...crack...crack..."

Bolts of lightning struck down, sweeping across the various peaks.

The demons, belatedly realizing what was happening, finally reacted. Some immediately fled, while others engaged in battle with the Xianxia Island cultivators.

Below, at the geothermic fissure and the Plum Blossom Formation, the surviving cultivators watched the sky filled with lightning and colorful clouds, their confidence greatly boosted.

"Our Xianxia Island has arrived to help!"

On many mountain tops, including those with some discernment, the handsome young demon leader also looked slightly astonished at the tide-like spread of radiant clouds and lightning.

"It's Eastern Sea Xianxia Island?"

A name's renown precedes it. Xianxia Island's reputation was considerable, known by many demons. Some were already contemplating retreat, but others, who were absorbing the toxic miasma and on the verge of a breakthrough, were provoked to extreme arrogance.

"So what if it's Xianxia Island? There are many devils and demons here, and quite a few great demons and devils. Even if Xianxia Island cultivators come, they'll be trapped here! Roar..."

With a furious roar, the demon's body rapidly grew, demonic energy permeating as it revealed its true form: a gigantic, mountain-sized bear.

"Roar..."

Its gigantic claw, enveloped in black light, slammed down, striking two streaks of flashing auspicious glow.

"Bang..." "Boom..."

Two loud bangs, almost simultaneous, were the sounds of two immortal cultivators being flung away and slamming into a mountain peak.

This successfully drew the attention of many immortal cultivators. In an instant, numerous bolts of heavenly thunder struck the giant bear.

"Crack, crack, crack..."

"Rumble..."

"Bang..." "Bang..."

Only three Xianxia Island elders took action: Ji Yuan, the leading elder, the scholar, and a woman. They stood on a high peak, surveying the scene below, their gaze sweeping over many mountain tops that, though much thinner, were still hidden in the black mist.

"Demons are demons. Instead of seeking arduous cultivation, they rely on such malevolent miasma to break through. Calamity will befall them sooner or later."

"Senior brother, there are likely still many great demons and devils hidden in the surrounding darkness."

Hearing the woman's words, the elder nodded. "Yes, we must eradicate evil completely. Let us also act. Mr. Ji, please remain here to oversee and assist with your sword if needed."

"Good!"

Ji Yuan agreed readily, showing no resistance or displeasure at not being included in the direct assault. He watched as the three streaks of auspicious glow departed, heading straight for the peripheral peaks.

Through Ji Yuan's spiritual eyes, the Xianxia Island cultivators appeared exceptionally orderly. The number of cultivators at the center, edges, and various points remained almost evenly distributed. The six elders also fanned out in six directions, and the auspicious glow formation remained perfectly ordered, with the colorful clouds growing brighter and brighter.

Frankly, Ji Yuan felt there was no need for him to act, or perhaps no way for him to effectively assist. These immortal cultivators moved extremely quickly and operated with great discipline within their formation.

Ji Yuan stood like a bystander, holding his sword in his left hand with his hands clasped behind his back, alone on the solitary peak. He witnessed the coexistence of auspicious glow and thunder, and the rise and fall of demonic qi.

Even if demonic blood and miasma flowed towards this peak, they would gently glide around Ji Yuan.

On distant peaks, the handsome young man and other demon leaders remained hidden, coldly watching the immortal cultivators battle other demons.

"Lord, should we fight or retreat?"

The handsome youth's gaze pierced through the dense mist and myriad magical lights, fixed on Ji Yuan on the distant solitary peak, where filth and evil qi flowed around him without touch.

"Though the Xianxia Island cultivators who have taken action are formidable, they are not the main concern. The one who has yet to move is the most dangerous; that initial sword strike must have come from him."

As the handsome youth spoke, Ji Yuan seemed to sense a strange gaze. He subtly turned his head in the corresponding direction, his azure eyes slightly opening. His spiritual eyes met the handsome youth's gaze from afar, causing the latter's heart to subtly tremble.

"Clouds are deep, Xianxia Island's true depth is unknown... We retreat. Let them fight here. We've gathered enough geothermic miasma."

"Yes!" "As you command!"

The next moment, the demonic qi on the mountain flowed like water, melding into the mountain wall and disappearing.

But though these demon leaders left, many powerful great demons and other devils still remained. While some noticed the handsome youth's departure, many merely sneered.