Chapter 972: Li Luo's Scheme

Clearly, Li Li Lingjing was not optimistic that their combined forces here would be able to deal with the Erosion Spirit True Demon before them.

This was indeed the truth. Now, the group of high-star Tian Zhu Jing led by Li Li Lingjing, Qin Ying, and Zhu Zhu had already begun to fall at a disadvantage, with people constantly being broken through by the Erosion Spirit True Demon and directly obliterated.

If things continued like this, it wouldn't be long before their side's strength weakened further, and at that point, the Erosion Spirit True Demon could do whatever it pleased.

Li Li Lingjing probably knew this situation too, which was why she had given him an escape route.

Although Li Luo was somewhat surprised by Li Li Lingjing's ability to escape from the black fog, he understood that Li Li Lingjing had many secrets on her, so he didn't press her for details.

However, abandoning Li Li Lingjing to flee on her own was truly not his style.

Moreover, in Li Luo's view, the situation hadn't truly reached such a desperate point.

Li Luo stared at the Erosion Spirit True Demon rampaging in the sky, his fingers brushing the scarlet bracelet on his wrist. Although he didn't know whether borrowing the power of the Three-Tailed Heavenly Wolf could allow him to fight this Erosion Spirit True Demon, which was also being suppressed, Li Luo still had some confidence—at the very least, he could use this power to escape with Li Li Lingjing.

But this final trump card didn't necessarily need to be revealed right now.

Because within this Golden Hall, there might also be an existence capable of contending with this Erosion Spirit True Demon.

Li Luo's eyes flickered, and his gaze turned to a certain spot in the black fog. He recalled the "Lantern Bearer" he had encountered before, who seemed different from ordinary disciples of the Faceless Holy Sect. Judging by that aura and the sense of threat it gave Li Luo, this "Lantern Bearer" must once have been a Marquis-level powerhouse.

Perhaps the Lantern Bearer was the person of the highest status in this Golden Hall, once stationed here.

If that "Lantern Bearer" could be activated, then perhaps its power could be borrowed to deal with this Erosion Spirit True Demon.

At that point, he would hide the power of the "Three-Tailed Heavenly Wolf" and wait for the right moment to act, making it even more certain.

Although he didn't know whether the "Lantern Bearer" could be utilized, he still had to try.

Thinking this, Li Luo's figure moved, sweeping toward where Qin Yi and Zhu Zhu Dayu were, and he said directly: "The two of you, you can see the current situation clearly, right?"

Both Qin Yi and Zhu Zhu Dayu had somewhat solemn expressions. After all, the pressure from that alien True Demon was truly too strong, and they had also witnessed Qin Ying and Zhu Zhu's wretched state earlier.

The current situation was gradually becoming more and more unfavorable to them.

"Does Dragon Head Li Luo have any ideas?" Qin Yi asked, her gaze shifting slightly.

Although she didn't know what use Li Luo, a mere Extreme Sha realm cultivator, could be against such a powerful enemy, she didn't dismiss him; instead, she asked cautiously.

"I don't know if this counts as an idea, but when you came over earlier, did you happen to encounter a 'Lantern Bearer'?" Li Luo said.

Hearing this, both Qin Yi and Zhu Zhu Dayu's expressions shifted. They nodded and said: "You've also seen that mysterious 'Lantern Bearer'? We did encounter it earlier. It seemed to be an extremely dangerous existence, and we didn't dare get too close. However, we heard that someone tried to approach it, wanting to see if they could trigger some kind of opportunity."

Li Luo asked in surprise: "What was the result?"

Qin Yi's willow brows furrowed slightly as she said: "It couldn't be touched at all. That 'Lantern Bearer' seemed to not truly exist—no matter what method was used to approach, it was impossible to make contact with it."

Zhu Zhu Dayu asked Li Luo: "Are you planning to borrow the power of that 'Lantern Bearer' to deal with this alien True Demon? The idea isn't bad, but unfortunately, that 'Lantern Bearer' is unfathomably mysterious. We don't even know if it truly exists, so how could you borrow its power?"

Li Luo said calmly: "We have to try it anyway. Otherwise, if we keep waiting, the situation will only get worse."

Qin Yi was silent for a moment, then said: "What do you want to do?"

Li Luo smiled and said: "I hope you can help me clear the way. There are many Polluters outside. You help me tear open a path, and I'll go find that 'Lantern Bearer' to see if there's a way to activate it."

Zhu Zhu Dayu was startled and said: "The outside is filled with demonic fog right now. If you stay in it too long, you'll be eroded and polluted by the demonic fog. You still dare to go out?"

Qin Yi also looked at Li Luo in surprise, clearly not expecting him to choose to risk going.

"Staying here doing nothing will probably end in death too, so we might as well do something. This move is risky, but it might not be a bad opportunity," Li Luo said righteously.

As for the fact that the rune Li Li Lingjing had given him could protect him from erosion in the demonic fog, he naturally wouldn't mention it.

Some complicated gazes were cast over, and among them, a look of admiration surfaced.

Zhu Zhu Dayu's plump face was also somewhat moved, and he said: "Brother, you're truly righteous."

He said emotionally: "If you unfortunately perish, I will definitely go to the Dragon Fang Lineage to mourn you."

Li Luo chuckled and said: "If I unfortunately perish, do you think you'll survive?"

This dead fatty sure thinks nicely. Does he really think I'm here to sacrifice myself for you all?

Beside them, Qin Yi's beautiful eyes also rippled slightly. Li Luo wasn't a reckless person. If he chose this moment to go find that "Lantern Bearer," perhaps he had grasped some clue. At the very least, this wasn't some spur-of-the-moment idea cooked up on a whim.

So, perhaps this really did have some possibility.

"If Dragon Head Li Luo wishes to try, we can clear the way for you," Qin Yi said softly.

The current situation was indeed growing more dangerous. If Li Luo had a method to break the deadlock, that would be a good thing for everyone.

The others also chimed in one after another.

"Then I'll trouble everyone," Li Luo said. Then, without dawdling, after recalling the direction where he had seen the "Lantern Bearer" earlier, he briefly oriented himself and swiftly shot toward that direction.

Ahead, twisted Polluters surged forward, their shrieks piercing and grating.

But Li Luo didn't need to act. The people following closely behind blasted out wave after wave of phase force attacks, intercepting them all while gradually tearing a gap in the defense line formed by the Polluters.

Deep within the gap, cold, sticky demonic fog writhed, sending chills down one's spine.

Many gazes looked at this demonic fog, all revealing fear, not daring to approach and be tainted by it.

But Li Luo didn't hesitate at all. His figure moved, and he plunged straight in under those complicated gazes. The demonic fog churned and quickly swallowed his figure.

Zhu Zhu Dayu stared at his disappearing figure, sighed, and said: "Good brother, you have to come back alive."

Meanwhile, Li Li Lingjing, who was fiercely clashing with the Erosion Spirit True Demon alien in mid-air, also cast her gaze downward. When she saw Li Luo's figure disappear, she assumed he had already escaped using the black talisman she had given him.

So Li Li Lingjing quietly breathed a sigh of relief. In those past years, she had been in a state of living death, a feeling that made her struggle as if in a boundless dark abyss, unable to see a single ray of dawn. Until that day, Li Luo came to that desolate, abandoned-looking backyard.

It was precisely Li Luo's appearance that pulled her back from that despair and distortion. After that, he even brought her to the Dragon Fang Lineage to dispel the demon in her heart. So toward Li Luo, Li Li Lingjing held immense gratitude.

"Cousin Li Luo, this Erosion Spirit True Demon came because of me. I will hold it here and buy you time to escape."

"Cousin Li Luo, you possess peerless talent. In the future, you will surely stand tall between heaven and earth. I will stay here and guard your path forward."

Li Li Lingjing murmured to herself. Then her slender five fingers tightly gripped the cold, icy Green Snake Staff in her hand, and her gaze instantly turned cold and sinister. Behind her, the massive Dark Snake light shadow shifted and transformed into a female light shadow identical to herself.

The light shadow radiated endless profundity, instantly making Li Li Lingjing more attuned to the energies of heaven and earth.

Lower Ninth Grade, Dark Snake Spirit Envoy.

Within the demonic fog, Li Luo shot forward swiftly. The black talisman in his palm had now transformed into a faint membrane of light, covering his body. With the protection of this light membrane, the demonic fog actually didn't launch any erosion against him, as if it treated him as one of its own kind.

Li Luo's tense heart relaxed slightly, but he didn't dare pause for even a moment. Instead, he pushed his speed to the limit and swiftly shot toward the direction in his memory.

The ruined buildings around him flew backward continuously as Li Luo's gaze swept everywhere.

"Lantern Brother, where are you?" Li Luo murmured nervously.

No sooner had his voice fallen than every hair on his body stood on end; a stinging warning surged through his flesh. Li Luo whipped his head around, looking into the gray-black corridor on his right, where he saw a phantom figure of a lantern-bearer stepping forward slowly.

Wherever he walked, even the raging demon mist seemed to coil at a distance of several feet, unable to draw near.

Li Luo's expression tightened; he had finally found him. He hoped his upcoming attempt would work, otherwise he would have to return and use the power of the Three-Tailed Sky Wolf to ambush and kill the Soul-Eroding True Demon. If he could not kill it, he would at least have to take Li Li Lingjing and escape.

Although Li Li Lingjing's true intention was to have Li Luo escape while he had the chance, given his character, there was no way he would leave her here and ignore her.