The grand formation was quickly established.
This formation belonged to the cultivation sects, and the demonic tribe was not permitted to enter.
Suddenly, countless lights illuminated the desolate wilderness.
These lights were incredibly bright, and though the flames appeared motionless in the wind, upon closer inspection, they weren’t flames at all. The disciples had condensed their energy into flames to form the array. From within the formation, a long, distant sigh suddenly echoed.
The sigh seemed to come from the end of time itself, carrying with it an immense and overwhelming force. Standing within it, one felt as if they were facing a vast, boundless ocean. It seemed to contain the shadows of countless wills, ancient and profound like an eternal abyss, bringing with it the Primal Energy of Chaos.
Was this the Ancient Qiankun Formation?
Zanxing noticed beads of sweat gradually forming on Gu Baiying’s forehead, indicating how difficult it was to maintain the array. With the limited number of cultivators left in the world today, trying to activate the ancient power within the formation was indeed a struggle. She turned and commanded, “All demonic tribe members, listen up! Gather your demonic energy and inject it into the formation. Let’s assist them as well!”
Upon hearing this, the demons immediately complied. Even Bu Jiang and Zanxing stepped into the front of the formation, pouring their demonic energy into the long array.
Gu Caiyu raised his eyebrows slightly, glancing at Gui Diaotang, and chuckled softly. “Your daughter isn’t bad, Demon Lord. She has a broad mind and acts decisively. She seems wiser than you. Well, at least you have someone to carry on your legacy.”
Gui Diaotang looked at the woman at the front of the formation. She didn’t have Bu Jiang’s carefree demeanor, nor was she as cold as him. He wasn’t sure how she had grown up over the years, but now she appeared kind-hearted and resolute.
However, it seemed that the demons of Heishi City held her in high regard.
With the infusion of demonic energy from the demonic tribe, the shadow of the Ancient Qiankun Formation suddenly expanded significantly. The Primal Energy of Chaos that surged from it became much more intense, and as it swept over them, everyone felt their spiritual power being soothed and rejuvenated.
In the massive pit, the black seed trembled slightly amidst the constant stream of brilliant energy.
Crack—
A faint sound echoed from the depths of the pit as a fine crack appeared on the black seed, as though something inside was preparing to burst forth.
Zanxing felt a stirring in her heart, and her demonic energy surged with renewed intensity.
The endless Primal Energy of Chaos from the formation continued to pour into the black seed. However, after that initial crack, the seed showed no further reaction.
Mimi let out a few anxious cries, scratching at the ground with its paws, eager to rush forward and help.
But it still wasn’t enough. The number of people channeling the Ancient Qiankun Formation’s energy wasn’t sufficient to make the seed sprout. Even if they continued for another day and night, it would only drain their energy further, without producing any meaningful results.
Gu Caiyu, observing the center of the formation, sighed softly. “It seems that without the formation’s core, it’s impossible.”
Zanxing glanced at him, distracted. “The formation’s core?”
The man smiled slightly. “Back in the day, the Ancient Qiankun Formation had Qinghua standing at its core. Her cultivation was unmatched, and her spiritual roots were extraordinary, allowing her to fully activate the Primal Energy of Chaos within the formation. But now…” He left the rest unsaid.
The cultivators of today were nowhere near as powerful or talented as those of the past. Without the core of the formation, it was impossible to achieve their goal—they lacked that crucial final push.
Zanxing could feel her demonic energy being drawn into the formation, merging with countless other forces and channeling into the black seed. Yet it was as if the power simply disappeared, absorbed with no effect. She could sense the seed’s hunger for more energy, but what they were giving wasn’t nearly enough to make it sprout.
In the midst of the stalemate, Gu Caiyu glanced at Gui Diaotang beside him. “Hey, old man.”
Gui Diaotang lifted his eyelids and gave him a look.
“The kids seem to be struggling. Let’s give them a hand,” Gu Caiyu said, smiling brightly.
Help? How could they possibly help? The two of them were nothing more than weakened remnants of souls now, barely able to mend their broken life spirits. They were like fleeting winds in the wilderness, without a trace. How could they offer assistance? Zanxing suddenly realized something and looked at Gu Caiyu. “You…”
Gu Caiyu smiled. Even in such a dire situation, he still had the heart to smile. When he did, his eyes shone with a carefree spirit, as if no matter how big the problem was, it wasn’t worth mentioning in his eyes.
He said, “The two of us old fools have been stuck here for so many years, like a couple of ghosts. Living like this is pretty pointless. I’ve never had any real attachments in my life, except for my wife. But now she’s passed away, and with my incomplete soul, I wouldn’t be able to face her properly in the afterlife. Might as well make the most of what’s left of us and shine a little here.”
His humor seemed ill-timed, but his tone was gentle. “Qinghua’s wish back then was to save the world. If she were still around, that wish wouldn’t have changed. I was happy for her then, and I still am now. After all, for a man, the most important thing is to make the woman he loves happy.” As he spoke, he looked toward Gu Baiying, and his figure began to fade, becoming more and more transparent. “Baiying, from now on, protecting Douzhou and your loved ones will be up to you.”
Gu Baiying, currently focused on maintaining the formation, was stunned when he saw this. His expression changed dramatically, and he cried out, “Father!”
The man’s blurred face blossomed with a brilliant smile. “It wasn’t easy, but in this lifetime, I finally got to hear my son call me Father. That alone makes it all worth it.”
His long, spring-colored robe spread out like a flower blooming in the wilderness, dissolving into light as it merged into the massive formation, disappearing completely. Gu Baiying’s eyes reddened abruptly, and his face turned pale as all color drained away.
The energy within the formation surged, becoming much more powerful.
The black seed, which had previously ceased moving, suddenly began trembling again, as though it were fighting to break through its hardened shell.
By the gray cliff, the golden-eyed youth lay weak and exhausted, his gaze fixed on the figure of the man in green robes standing in the desolate wilderness.
The Demon King quietly observed him for a long moment. Then, without a word, he extended his hand. A pulse of demonic energy flowed from his sleeve into the youth’s body.
Gui Yansheng’s wounds began healing rapidly, the scars on his face and body fading, though his energy hadn’t fully recovered. At least he no longer looked as pitiful as before.
Gui Diaotang turned to look at Zanxing.
This was the daughter he had with Bu Jiang. Their union had been more a meeting of equals than one of love—something unrelated to affection. In Heishi City, the demons rarely concerned themselves with such matters. Over the years, trapped in this place, he had occasionally wondered what his child might look like.
Perhaps she would be as free-spirited as Bu Jiang, or maybe as ruthless as himself. But now, seeing her in person, the Demon King realized that she was neither like Bu Jiang nor like him. Zanxing seemed more like… a human.
An ordinary human.
She had clear emotions—joy, anger, sorrow, and fear. She worried for those around her and was the first to step forward when danger approached.
How could the Demon King of Heishi City be someone like this? A ruler must never show their emotions, never let anyone see through them, and certainly never become too close to others. This was the way of rulers for thousands of years—supreme isolation.
But Zanxing was not isolated at all.