Chapter 390: Demon-Sealing Array

Zhang Nuo repeatedly pondered the benefits of using the "Resting Meridian" to condense a Second Demon Infant, while simultaneously considering the dangers involved. It was a difficult dilemma to weigh; while the temptation was certainly not small, the peril within was something no ordinary person could imagine!

During this time, Chunyangzi and Baji Laomo bickered incessantly about their respective viewpoints. Watching the two of them argue until their faces were red, Zhang Nuo understood in his heart that they were both doing it for his own good. Although there were some self-interested motives involved, it was still far better than the likes of Nanxuan Laozu!

"Two seniors, stop arguing!"

Zhang Nuo spoke with a grave expression, causing the two to fall silent. Chunyangzi's heart gave a sudden jolt; he knew Zhang Nuo's personality too well. Although he was unwilling to take major risks, if the benefits outweighed the drawbacks, this kid could endure any hardship!

"I have decided! Since there is an opportunity to advance to the Nascent Soul Middle Stage, I will give it a try!"

These calm, unruffled words were already within Chunyangzi's expectations, and even Baji Laomo let out a cold chuckle. In his heart, however, he felt extreme admiration for Zhang Nuo! This child was bold yet meticulous; he would surely achieve great things in the future!

"With courage! With mettle! I like this kind of person!"

Baji slowly flew to Zhang Nuo's side and then said with great appreciation.

"Kid Zhang, you must think carefully! If you fail this time, you will lose everything you currently have!"

Knowing Zhang Nuo was stubborn, Chunyangzi still offered a few words of persuasion!

"Rest assured, Senior. I have already thought it through. As long as I have Senior Baji's guidance, there shouldn't be any problems!"

Zhang Nuo deliberately flattered Baji Laomo.

"Rest assured! I will certainly tell you everything I know, without holding anything back!"

At this moment, the old demon's black Kuluotou swayed, and immediately, a stream of Demonic Qi poured down from within it. After a few transformations, it conjured an ethereal body. However, having a black Kuluotou atop an illusory body gave a rather strange feeling; if anyone else were to see this, they would surely break out in a cold sweat!

"Now, I will teach you how to use the 'Resting Meridian' to condense a Second Nascent Infant!"

This Baji Laomo was quite an impatient person. Seeing that Zhang Nuo had made up his mind, he immediately began to impart his experience. Chunyangzi, seeing that the matter was settled, found it inappropriate to say anything more and stood to the side, carefully considering the probability of Zhang Nuo's success this time!

About a month later, Zhang Nuo walked out of the Purple Mansion Immortal Cave and flew toward Yulong Hall. After meeting Zhou Huizheng and the others, he asked about news regarding the three major sects.

"It's strange to say! During this time, Wei Laogui's side has become extremely quiet. They haven't launched any attacks at all, and even those few waves of cultivators who frequently harassed us haven't appeared!"

Zhou Huizheng looked puzzled. Previously, Taixu Palace had made such a grand show of force; how could it have gone quiet in less than a year?

"Could they be brewing some major conspiracy?"

Zhang Nuo would not be naive enough to think that this matter had simply ended. Given Wei Shang's character, since he had killed his son and destroyed so many precious materials, it would be problematic if the other party were to let the Giant Spirit Pavilion off so easily!

"I don't know the specifics yet, but I have already sent people to inquire!"

Shaking his head slightly, Zhou Huizheng glanced at Zhang Nuo and said:

"Are your injuries healed?"

"Yes! They are mostly better. I came this time to tell the Pavilion Master one thing! I am going to attempt to break through to the Nascent Soul Middle Stage and may need to go into seclusion for a period of time!"

Zhang Nuo said this lightly, but the expressions of Zhou Huizheng and the others changed instantly. They stared at Zhang Nuo as if looking at a monster. It had only been a few years since he had advanced to the Nascent Soul Stage, and now Zhang Nuo actually wanted to attempt the Nascent Soul Middle Stage. Was he crazy, or was he just too arrogant?

Zhou Huizheng had been trapped at the Nascent Soul Early Stage for nearly two hundred years before he managed to break through to the Nascent Soul Middle Stage, yet Zhang Nuo wanted to advance again in just a few short years.

"Pavilion Master, do not worry. I have a seventy percent chance of succeeding in the breakthrough!"

Looking at the stunned Zhou Huizheng, Zhang Nuo smiled calmly and did not offer much explanation. If he were to reveal the matter of condensing a Second Nascent Infant, he feared everyone in the hall would immediately faint! Even those who didn't faint would surely curse him for being arrogant!

"Since that is the case, then go ahead and seclude yourself with peace of mind! In any case, Old Third and I can still manage the affairs of the Pavilion!"

Advancing is a major event for a cultivator, and Zhou Huizheng would not easily obstruct him. He assumed it was just a standard attempt; even if it failed, it would at least provide more experience!

Zhang Nuo nodded in gratitude, exchanged polite words with the others, and then flew toward his own Cave Abode! Although the chances of advancing were higher in the Purple Mansion Immortal Cave than in his own Cave Abode, Zhang Nuo's goal this time was not just a simple breakthrough; he also had to condense a Second Nascent Infant, and there were many hidden matters that could not be known by others!

Upon returning to his Cave Abode, Zhang Nuo immediately activated various Restrictions, sealing the entire place. After finishing this, he flicked his sleeves and released the Nine Dragon Sword Case, which hovered silently in the middle of the Cave Abode's main hall.

On the other hand, Zhang Nuo also summoned Baji Laomo. Under the consultation of Chunyangzi and the old demon—two experts from different realms—a feasible plan was finally devised! However, this plan would cause quite a stir; if performed in the Immortal Cave, it would surely cause unnecessary trouble!

"Senior, let us begin!"

Glancing at the Sword Box in mid-air, Zhang Nuo said in a deep voice.

"Very well!"

This time, Chunyangzi did not dare to manifest his true form. The reason was simple: the Spiritual Qi in the Cave Abode where Zhang Nuo was located was not as dense as in the Purple Mansion Immortal Cave, and manifesting his true form would rapidly consume his life-source energy!

Baji Laomo was different from Chunyangzi; at least he still had a skull, which could retain a large amount of life-source power!

Following Chunyangzi's agreement, a layer of spiritual light shimmered on the surface of the Nine Dragon Sword Case. After spinning rapidly, it drew all the surrounding Spiritual Qi toward it. At the same time, the black Kuluotou's silver eyes rolled, and suddenly a low roar came forth as the entire skull flew directly beneath the Sword Box!

"Kid! Come on!"

Baji let out a long howl. Although his face could not be seen, one could tell from his voice that he was prepared! This time, Zhang Nuo's condensation of the Second Demon Infant could be described as "succeed or perish." Even the slightest mistake would cause him to be reduced to ashes!

Zhang Nuo took a deep breath, his eyes flashing with intensity. With a flicker of his figure, he stood beneath the two, and with a sudden flip of his hand, an Array Disk appeared!

The next moment, Zhang Nuo cast several incantations, which merged into the Array Disk. With a hum, the Array Disk activated. As five-colored rays of light surged, the disk instantly split into eight pieces and flew in eight different directions!

Following several loud booms, the eight pieces of the Array Disk transformed and grew several times in size, inserting themselves directly into the ground about ten zhang away from Zhang Nuo! After the light faded, eight pillars engraved with various demonic patterns appeared around Zhang Nuo's body! These pillars were only as thick as an arm, each surging with Spiritual Qi, and as the demonic patterns flickered, they emitted waves of pressure.

This array was called the Demon-Sealing Array. It was provided by Baji Laomo and personally crafted by Chunyangzi. Baji had used this very array to condense his own Second Nascent Infant!

Seeing that everything was ready, Zhang Nuo sat cross-legged, formed a strange hand seal, and let out a cold snort as blinding spiritual light erupted from his body!

About two hours later, the eight pillars of the "Demon-Sealing Array" began to tremble in unison, followed by a whistling sound like a ghostly wind. The old demon's silver eyes swept across the scene and he immediately said:

"The array has been activated! Now, begin to purge the Spirit Power from your body and absorb as much Demonic Qi as possible!"

His words were naturally meant for Zhang Nuo. Zhang Nuo, eyes tightly shut, remained expressionless, but the Spiritual Qi within his body was being expelled outward at an extremely rapid speed. In an instant, the entire Cave Abode was filled with Spiritual Qi, as if it were a small lake! Baji Laomo, hovering above Zhang Nuo's head, could not help but gasp at this sight!

How much Spiritual Qi was stored inside Zhang Nuo's body? It was truly unimaginable; a Nascent Soul Early-stage cultivator had actually released such a massive amount of Spirit Power!

At this moment, the Nine Dragon Sword Case in mid-air spun rapidly, absorbing all the Spiritual Qi that Zhang Nuo had released!

In barely the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Zhang Nuo had completely purged the Spiritual Qi from his body. Looking inward at his six Divine Seas, he saw they were completely empty! With a slight shift of his thoughts, he changed his hand seals several times and began to absorb Demonic Qi from the outside into his body!

This process was much slower than expelling the Spiritual Qi. About several days later, wisps of Demonic Qi finally appeared on Zhang Nuo's body. From a distance, he looked like a furious demonic cultivator; the Demonic Qi steaming above his head constantly twisted and writhed, and low roars emanated from his throat!

Baji looked down at Zhang Nuo, secretly calculating the time in his heart. Condensing a Second Nascent Infant using the "Resting Meridian" was not like a normal advancement; the time available was very short. To complete this major task in such a short period, the cultivator first needed deep concentration, and secondly, they had to suppress the Demonic Qi constantly rushing into their body!

The existence of Chunyangzi and the "Demon-Sealing Array" was precisely for suppressing the Demonic Qi. However, when the "Resting Meridian" was fully activated, this suppression would clearly not be enough. At this point, it would depend on the speed at which Zhang Nuo condensed his Nascent Infant. If it dragged on for too long and the array could not withstand the surging Demonic Qi, failure would be inevitable!