Chapter 373: Thousand Demon Cave: The Opportunist on the Wall

Thousand Demon Cave, a cultivator's grotto-heaven.

Shen Yi waved slightly, and the jade slip before him flew into his palm.

He examined the two jade slips, then fitted them together; they matched perfectly, seamless as if made by nature.

To attract the disciples of Mount Wutong, something must surely be offered.

Shen Yi had long noticed the jade slip that Tong Xinchuan kept clenched in his palm, flickering uncertainly, as if guiding him.

Thus, in the end, he summoned the Ghost-Tail Spear and borrowed that jade slip from the other.

So, what treasure could make them ignore such an obvious trap and rush here from a thousand li away?

Shen Yi closed his eyes and sank his divine sense into the jade slip.

【Return to Emptiness: Forging Divine Soul Heaven Silk: Not Yet Entered】

As he digested the contents of the jade slip, the panel gave its response.

In the past, Shen Yi would have had to pour in lifespan, leading the demons in thorough research before understanding what this was.

But now, he merely glanced, and his spirit stirred slightly.

"Is this an array?"

"No."

Shen Yi shook his head; rather than an array, it was more a method of deploying arrays.

Forge the divine soul, draw threads into lines, then use these divine soul threads to connect with the spiritual roots, enabling the most precise manipulation of the heaven and earth's spiritual qi.

If used for magical combat, it would surely be useless.

Such meticulous detail exists to prevent errors when deploying arrays.

Just like the array Shen Yi first encountered in his grotto-heaven, which required Long Yanyu Zhi as the array object to condense fire waves.

But with this method, any array object matching the spiritual root's attribute could be directly replaced by Forging Divine Soul Heaven Silk.

Besides the basic Forging Divine Soul Thread-Drawing Technique.

The jade slip also included some array knowledge... calling it "some" because the thick book written by the Xu family using countless experiences was summarized here in extremely obscure wording, just a few sentences.

Had Shen Yi's array attainment not greatly increased, he almost would not have recognized what this meant.

Compared to the Xu Family Array Diagrams, which directly depicted each array diagram in detail, down to how array objects should be placed and array talismans drawn, this jade slip seemed more like explaining a principle.

Mastering this path allows one to not be bound by details, acting broadly and freely, following the heart's will.

Thus, there was only one array diagram within.

It was stored in the second jade slip.

"Is this what he wanted?"

Shen Yi looked at the jade slip; what it contained was an array called "Iron Strokes, Silver Hooks."

Like the final exam question at the end of a textbook, used to verify whether one's learning was fully integrated and understood.

It was precisely this "Iron Strokes, Silver Hooks" that elevated this method to the Return to Emptiness level.

"Ultimately, it is merely a verification tool, with no practical use."

With Shen Yi's current insight, he easily recognized the item's value: it deliberately added difficulty in various details but offered no actual enhancement to the array itself.

In short, it was only meant to annoy people.

By the time this array was set up, the enemy would probably be asleep.

Due to the nature of Forging Divine Soul Heaven Silk, one must remain present, constantly maintaining the spiritual qi supply... how foolish.

Of course, complaints aside, it must still be learned.

After all, it bears the title of Return to Emptiness; even setting aside the array itself, just Forging Divine Soul Heaven Silk would grant many new techniques for future magical combat.

Shen Yi sat cross-legged, directing demon lifespan to pour into it.

【First Year: You calm your mind and, according to the book, begin attempting the Divine Soul Thread-Drawing Method...】

Compared to the broad and open nature of arrays, methods involving the divine soul, even in a jade slip, are extremely cautious; the benefit is greatly reduced risk, but the drawback is that the entire process becomes unbearably dull and tedious.

Fortunately, this time Thousand Demon Cave offered another grand gift.

Thirty-six thousand years from the chicken demon, plus twelve thousand years from the muntjac demon.

Allowing him not to worry about demon lifespan for a short while.

【Remaining Demon Lifespan: Eighty-six thousand years】

Shen Yi calmed his mind and closed his eyes.

The magical robe on his body was indeed a fine thing; even after taking the full force of the last array disk thrown by Tong Xinchuan,

it suffered no damage whatsoever.

Only the spiritual qi within was consumed.

But the array inscribed on this robe even had the effect of automatically absorbing spiritual qi to replenish itself.

Though slow, it was enough to show the thoughtfulness of the one who sewed it.

After a brief sensation, Shen Yi took out a demon core and began using his own aura to actively nourish it.

Being cautious is never wrong.

What he did not expect was that this thing could eat so much; it drained him completely twenty-six times before returning to its state upon acquisition.

"Terrifying..."

Without trying, he wouldn't know; Shen Yi now realized how many heavy blows this robe had taken for him.

He raised his eyes, and his eyelid twitched again.

Demon lifespan had already decreased by a full seventeen thousand and more years, yet the deduction continued.

【Seventeen Thousand Three Hundredth Year: Your Thread-Drawing Method has become proficient, but possessing five spiritual roots requires gradually adapting your divine soul to their differences, ensuring they do not interfere with each other and avoiding accidents during array deployment】

"Forget it, let it proceed slowly."

Since the Thread-Pulling Method is already complete, all that remains is to memorize the array formation.

Shen Yi stood up, flicked his fingertips lightly, and instantly five threads of different colors shot forth, though they still appeared somewhat impure and not quite clean.

After sensing the situation briefly, he stepped forward and walked toward the exit of his cave dwelling.

If before, Shen Yi had truly intended to pledge allegiance to that Jin Chi Nine-Striped Tiger, his thoughts had now changed.

Just to trick him, a certain Demon Emperor could casually produce such a precious jade slip.

It showed that the other party had no shortage of such trinkets.

What Shen Yi needed most right now was a cultivation technique; he planned to go over there and take a look first.

Inside a certain light curtain within the Thousand Demon Cave.

A woman with wings sprouting from her back leaned against a jade platform beside a spirit field, having prepared two cups of emerald-green tea that looked as transparent and tempting as jade.

She propped her chin with one hand.

After waiting for a long time, she seemed somewhat impatient and lifted her eyelids slightly.

Finally, she took out a bronze mirror and carelessly scanned the Thousand Demon Cave until the towering eight-zhang figure appeared within the mirror's surface.

She was just about to lean back again.

The next moment, the Jin Chi Nine-Striped Tiger suddenly stood up.

Within the mirror's surface, the lion showed not a shred of hesitation and went straight toward another light curtain.

"Dare you trick this Emperor?!"

She gritted her teeth directly, and her delicate, slightly wild face immediately darkened.

Of the two Demon Emperors under her command who handled affairs, the muntjac demon had been completely devoured by her, and the chicken demon had gone chasing after a breeze and remained missing to this day.

Even so, she had not openly turned on them then, merely demanding an explanation from the other party.

And yet this lion had actually gone to find that spider without even looking back.

Had she smiled at them too much?

Thinking of this, she didn't even bother managing this spirit plant garden anymore; her figure suddenly darted out!

At the same time.

Before a pitch-black light curtain.

The Lei Ti Demon Emperor, panting heavily, said, "It has rebelled! It has already rebelled! Regarding the matter you ordered, that lion simply refused to obey; it even tried to tear me apart with its bare hands in the end!"

Silence lingered for a long time within the pitch-black light curtain.

The Xuan Ming Spider Emperor slowly opened those dense eyes: "Speak slowly."

The Lei Ti Demon Emperor paused, then recounted the previous events once more, merely omitting the details of the lion fighting two opponents alone, while emphasizing how the other party had ruthlessly killed the muntjac demon.

"Even the Demon Emperor who helped it was treated so cruelly; in front of all the demons, it devoured the muntjac demon without the slightest restraint. When has this lion ever placed the Ten Great Demon Emperors in its eyes!"

"..." The Xuan Ming Spider Emperor pondered for an instant, then spoke slowly: "Where is the jade slip I gave you?"

"Naturally, it was swallowed by the lion."

The Lei Ti Demon Emperor said without hesitation: "I suppose it saw through the reason and is now holding a grudge against you in its heart."

Having said this, it waited for a moment but received no further reply.

In an instant, a faint breathing sound echoed by the Lei Ti Demon Emperor's ear; as if realizing something, it reacted with exaggerated fear, leaping far away before turning back to look.

Within its line of sight, the lion was looking down at it with lowered eyes.

Mockery lingered on its lips.

The Lei Ti's breathing suddenly stopped, its entire body tensing to the extreme: "You... you still dare to return."

Before the words had even finished.

The lion merely waved its hand slightly, slamming two jade slips onto its face with a bang.

Without any attempt at explanation, its voice, cold and disdainful, carried mockery: "Continue speaking; this Emperor is listening."

(End of this chapter)