Chapter 117: Is It Really Luo Changfeng?

Shi Ran hadn't even turned when a black chain, like a poisonous snake, coiled around her ankle and jerked her to the ground! She grunted, the Ice Stream Sword slipped from her hand, and she crashed hard to the floor.

"Who?!" Ling Xiao forced himself to stand, his Dragon Roar Sword dim but a thread of green light still condensed at his fingertips as he warily looked around.

"Hah… what a sorry sight, Mountain-Subduing Lord."

A gloomy voice came from the darkness; a man in a black robe stepped out slowly. His face was pallid, his eyes narrow, a sneer curling his lips. Most shocking were his eyes—his left eye black as ink, his right eye glowing with an eerie purple light, as if it could steal one's soul.

"Cold Ice Devil Lord!" Ling Xiao's voice low, cold light flashing in his eyes, "A mighty Devil Lord, and you resort to sneak attacks?"

The Cold Ice Devil Lord chuckled, twitching his fingers; the chain tightened sharply. Shi Ran groaned in pain but clenched her teeth, refusing to cry out.

"I'm merely curious why you're here," he said, stepping closer, his gaze falling on Shi Ran, his purple eyes narrowing. "Especially you, little girl… you actually managed to trigger the resonance of the Vermilion Cloud Pearl Tree."

Shi Ran glared at him, secretly gathering spiritual power in her palm, but the chain could devour her energy, leaving her unable to break free.

"Release her!" Ling Xiao shouted, forcing his spiritual power, green light flaring around him—but before he could strike, he coughed up a mouthful of blood. From his earlier battle with the Blood Fiend Devil Puppet, he had already injured his origin; forcing his cultivation now sent searing pain through his meridians.

The Cold Ice Devil Lord sneered, "A spent crossbow bolt, and you still dare to show off?" He waved his hand; an ice‑forged chain instantly wrapped around Ling Xiao's neck, slamming him to the ground. "Since you trespassed in the Demon Forest, don't expect to leave alive."

Shi Ran's pupils shrank: "Master!"

The Cold Ice Devil Lord looked down at her, the corner of his mouth turning up in a cruel arc: "Rest easy, I won't kill you right away… after all, you surely hide plenty of interesting secrets."

He lifted his fingertip slightly; the frost chain tightened suddenly, making Shi Ran feel her breath catch and her vision darken.

Just then—

"Clang—!"

Two brilliant white sword lights suddenly tore through the sky, thrusting straight at the Cold Ice Devil Lord's throat!

The Devil Lord's expression changed; he swiftly sidestepped, but the sword light clung like a shadow, forcing him to release the chain and retreat several steps.

"Who?!" he snapped, killing intent flashing in his purple eyes.

From the darkness, two tall figures walked out slowly.

Black clothes fluttering, dark hair flying, the youth held a sword that shone like the moon, its edge icy and sharp, reflecting his stern brows and eyes.

White robes drifting, her gaze cold, the girl stared at the Cold Ice Devil Lord: "You hurt my master and still want to kill my junior sister—you deserve to die!"

Shi Ran let out a long breath: "Good thing you showed up; if you'd been any later, I'd have died in this old bastard's hands!"

Shi Ran cocked her head: "Where's my senior brother? Why are only the two of you here?"

The arrivals were Gu Yusheng and Mei Ruoxue; originally they had split into two groups to look for Master Ling Xiao, at first evading the demon soldiers, but Tian Zimo and Yan Zhizhou had gotten separated from them, and no one knew whether they were dead or alive.

Gu Yusheng and Mei Ruoxue had been hiding all the way, still needing to find Master and the two senior brothers, while also gathering news of Tian Zimo and Yan Zhizhou; two days ago they sensed movement among the Twelve Lords, but by the time they arrived, the battlefield had already begun to be cleaned up.

Fortunately they hadn't given up; Gu Yusheng and Mei Ruoxue tracked them all the way, finally sensing Ling Xiao's aura deep in the Demon Forest. They concealed their forms, approached silently, and happened to witness the Cold Ice Devil Lord's sneak attack on Shi Ran.

"Master!" Mei Ruoxue's eyes narrowed coldly; her sword flashed with a chill, its point aimed at the Cold Ice Devil Lord's throat.

The Cold Ice Devil Lord snorted, flicked his sleeve, and an ice wall instantly formed, blocking the sword light. However, Gu Yusheng moved like lightning, already behind him, his Chasing Moon Sword sweeping out to strike the Devil Lord's back.

"Trivial tricks!" the Cold Ice Devil Lord's purple eyes flashed; his body turned to black mist and vanished, reappearing several zhang away. He pointed a fingertip, countless ice cones condensing out of thin air and shooting at them like a downpour.

Mei Ruoxue turned her sword; her sword qi became falling snow, shattering all the ice cones. Gu Yusheng seized the chance to dash to Shi Ran's side, slashing the chain with one stroke and helping her up: "Senior sister, are you alright?"

He actually called her senior sister?! Shi Ran's heart jolted; she gritted her teeth, shook her head, quickly picked up the Ice Stream Sword, and whispered: "Be careful—this old bastard's chain can devour spiritual power."

Ling Xiao struggled to sit up, his face as pale as paper, yet he still said in a low voice: "Yusheng, Ah Xue, don't linger in battle—first take Shi Ran away!"

Hearing that, the Cold Ice Devil Lord gave a gloomy smile: "You want to leave? Too late!" He formed seals with both hands; the ground split open, countless black vines bursting out like poisonous snakes, coiling toward everyone.

Mei Ruoxue swept her sword; a frost sword qi flashed sideways, instantly freezing the vines. Yet those vines writhed within the ice, breaking free in an instant and lunging again.

"These vines are strange!" Gu Yusheng frowned, his Chasing Moon Sword blazing; he cut several vines with one stroke, but the severed ends regenerated instantly, as if endless.

The Cold Ice Devil Lord stood on high, his purple eyes full of mockery: "My Soul‑Devouring Devil Vine specifically counters cultivators' spiritual power—the more you resist, the stronger it grows!"

Shi Ran gripped the Ice Stream Sword tightly, whispering: "We can't just clash head‑on; we need to find a way to break his technique."

Just then, a clear, melodious flute note drifted from afar, graceful yet hiding killing intent. The demon vines heard it and stalled, then trembled violently as if struck by lightning.

The Cold Ice Devil Lord's face changed abruptly: "Who?!"

A blue‑clad figure stepped on the wind, turning a jade flute; sound waves like blades sliced the demon vines into pieces wherever they passed.

"Tian Zimo?!" Gu Yusheng exclaimed delightedly. "You're unharmed—great!"

Tian Zimo gave a faint smile, lightly nodding to the group; his flute never ceased as he darted to everyone's side. Behind him, Yan Zhizhou held a long spear, lightning crackling at its tip, coldly staring at the Cold Ice Devil Lord: "Old thing, what's the point of taking advantage of danger?"

The Cold Ice Devil Lord's killing intent surged: "So you two are the ones who slipped through the net!"

Yan Zhizhou snorted: "Slipped through the net? Your trash lackeys can't stop us!"

Tian Zimo put away his jade flute, his fingertips flowing with spiritual power, and said softly: "We were being hunted by the demons; sensing your spiritual fluctuations on the way, we rushed over."

Ling Xiao gave a slight nod: "Perfect timing."

Tian Zimo and Yan Zhizhou clasped their hands together: "Mountain‑Subduing Lord!"

Seeing everyone gathered, the Cold Ice Devil Lord thought it was utterly pointless and sneered: "Even better—saves me the trouble of hunting you down one by one."

He clasped his hands; demonic energy surged around him, the entire Demon Forest seeming to come alive—trees twisted, shadows writhed, morphing into countless ferocious demons!

Gu Yusheng gripped his longsword, voice low: "Let's go together and break his demon domain!"

Mei Ruoxue nodded, her sword edge condensing frost; Shi Ran's Ice Stream Sword hummed, its qi like a tide; Tian Zimo's jade flute rose again, sound waves surging; Yan Zhizhou's long spear flashed with lightning, pointing straight at the Devil Lord!

Ling Xiao drew a deep breath, suppressed his injuries, and his Dragon Roar Sword flared with green light again: "Form the array!"

The six of them pooled their spiritual power into a brilliant pillar of light shooting straight to the heavens! The Cold Ice Devil Lord's expression finally changed: "This is… the Slay Devil Formation?!"

The light pillar crashed down, the demon domain shattering inch by inch! The Cold Ice Devil Lord roared in anger, a flicker of panic crossing his purple eyes, and turned to flee.

"Trying to escape?" Gu Yusheng shouted coldly, sword light like lightning, instantly piercing his shoulder!

The Cold Ice Devil Lord grunted, staggered, yet still gritted his teeth and crushed a black talisman; his form vanished into the void, leaving only a cold echo—

"Today's grudge, I have noted it!"

The Demon Forest returned to silence; everyone's spiritual power exhausted, they slumped to the ground. Shi Ran let out a long breath and laughed: "At last we've driven that old bastard away!"

Tian Zimo put away his jade flute, shook his head, and said: "A shame he got away; future trouble is bound to follow."

Yan Zhizhou gave a huff: "What's there to fear? If he comes again, we'll beat him just the same!"

Ling Xiao's expression turned grave, he said in a low voice: "The Cold Ice Demon Lord will surely take revenge for this defeat; he will not let it rest. We must leave the Demon Forest at once."

Gu Yusheng nodded: "Master is right; we shouldn't stay here long."

Shi Ran helped Ling Xiao up, but Ling Xiao casually patted her head and said: "You're injured too; I can manage on my own!"

"No!" Shi Ran carefully pointed at her own eyes: "Master's injuries are worse; let me help you!"

Why? Ling Xiao didn't know why at first, then suddenly remembered his own eyes, and only then leaned toward Shi Ran as she said.

In every recent battle he alternated between spiritual power and demonic energy; without looking, one could tell his purple pupils were definitely obvious. "It's fine!" Shi Ran said, pressing close: "It's dark here; you can't see clearly!"

Indeed, Gu Yusheng and the others were still discussing what had happened after their separation, exchanging information, and no one noticed him and Shi Ran.

"Master, do you want my help?" Shi Ran stood too close; that faint fragrance kept drifting into Ling Xiao's heart, so he silently put distance between them: "I can manage on my own!"

"Master?!" What's the difference between that and "busy sweetheart, idle Mrs. Ox"? Shi Ran squeezed closer to Ling Xiao: "Master, don't stand on ceremony; I still have a Crimson Pearl inside me, a little demonic energy is fine!"

Lingxiao closed his eyes to regulate his breath, worn down by Shi Ran with no recourse, he lightly patted Shi Ran's hand and said, "I know, believe me!"

Shi Ran stopped teasing him and sat quietly aside.

Everyone took a brief rest, then swiftly rushed out of the Magic Forest. However, they failed to notice a pair of scarlet eyes in the darkness fixedly staring at their backs, the corners of the mouth curling into a strange smile...

Gloomshadow Rift

Outside the Magic Forest, the sky grew increasingly gloomy. The group hurried along and finally reached the edge of the Gloomshadow Rift.

The rift was bottomless, black mist swirling, faintly one could hear the mournful wind echoing in the depths, as if countless wailing spirits were screaming.

Shi Ran stood at the cliff's edge, frowning, and said, "This place is heavy with yin energy; how could Shi Tong be hiding here?"

Lingxiao's expression grew grave: "Shi Tong cultivates the Soul-Devouring Demon Technique; this place is rich in yin and lethal qi, perfectly suited for her practice."

Yan Zhizhou gripped his spear tightly, snorted coldly, and said, "Whether she's a saintess or not, daring to imprison Senior Brother Luo, I will today raze her lair!"

Tian Zimo lightly brushed his jade flute with his fingertips, and said softly, "Do not be careless. Shi Tong's power is unfathomable, and she excels at illusionary arts; a slight lapse will leave one vulnerable."

Gu Yusheng's gaze was calm, his Chasing Moon Sword humming faintly, and he said, "First find the entrance."

Mei Ruoxue scanned the surroundings, then suddenly raised her hand and pointed to one side of the rift, saying, "There is a fluctuation of demonic energy there."

The group followed the trace and indeed saw a narrow crack in the rock where faint dark-purple demonic markings flickered.

"It's a barrier," Lingxiao said in a low voice, "Break it."

The six joined forces, their spiritual power converging in a single strike that slammed into the barrier!

Boom——!

The demonic markings violently trembled, then shattered; the rock fissure suddenly widened, revealing a deep, dark passage.

A chilling wind blew forth, mixed with the stench of decay.

Shi Ran gripped her Ice Creek Sword, took a deep breath, and said, "Go!"

At the end of the passage lay a vast underground palace.

Within the hall, ghostly flames flickered, casting countless distorted shadows. Upon the elevated platform, a woman reclined lazily upon a black jade throne, her fingertips lightly tapping the armrest, emitting a soft "tut, tut" sound.

She wore a dark purple robe, her skin as pale as snow, her brows and eyes eerily beautiful, her lips blood-red. Most striking were her eyes—like deep purple gems, capable of ensnaring one's soul.

Demon race saintess—Shi Tong.

At her feet, a figure was bound in black chains, half-kneeling on the ground, his garments torn, his breath faint.

"Senior Brother Luo!" Shi Ran exclaimed.

He slowly lifted his head, revealing a pale yet still handsome face—none other than the long-missing Luo Changfeng!

Shi Tong's red lips curled slightly, her voice languid yet dangerous: "Oh? Someone actually managed to find this place…"

She rose slowly, her skirt flowing like dark night, stepping down the dais step by step.

"Since you've come, don't leave."

Before her words faded, the shadows within the hall twisted violently; countless black shapes crawled from the ground, morphing into ferocious demons that lunged at the group.

The group quickly formed a formation, back-to-back to meet the enemy. Lingxiao suppressed his injuries, the Dragon's Roar Sword blazing with azure light, and he said in a deep voice, "Rescue Luo Changfeng!"

Shi Ran swept her Ice Creek Sword sideways, the frost sword qi freezing several demonic shadows, yet upon shattering they re-formed as black mist. She gritted her teeth and said, "These demons cannot be killed!"

"Use the Purifying Spirit Technique!" Tian Zimo blew his jade flute horizontally, clear sound waves surging forth, the demonic shadows' movements instantly stagnating. Yan Zhizhou seized the opportunity, his lightning spear like a sea dragon, pinning several black shadows to the ground.

Shi Tong gave a cold laugh, her strange pupils flaring bright. Gu Yusheng felt a searing pain in his sea of consciousness, and before his eyes arose an illusion of his sect's destruction. He let out a muffled groan, his Chasing Moon Sword nearly slipping from his grasp.

"Beware her illusions!" Mei Ruoxue sliced her palm with her sword edge, using blood as a guide to form a Clear Mind Seal, and she said coldly, "Dispel falsehood!"

Ice-blue spiritual light exploded, the illusion shattering instantly. Shi Tong raised her eyebrows slightly: "I underestimated you." She lifted her fingertips, and the chains binding Luo Changfeng suddenly tightened, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

"Stop!" Shi Ran's eyes nearly burst, yet she saw Luo Changfeng suddenly lift his head, his bound wrist flipping over to unleash a hidden sword light straight at Shi Tong's heart.

Taking advantage of the opening, Lingxiao formed a sword-finger seal; the Dragon's Roar Sword transformed into an azure dragon phantom that lunged at Shi Tong. The entire palace began to shake violently, rubble raining down from the vaulted ceiling.

"Go!" Gu Yusheng grabbed the staggering Luo Changfeng, and the group retreated hastily toward the exit. Behind them came Shi Tong's resentful, piercing wail: "You cannot escape—"

"Run!" Gu Yusheng grabbed the staggering Luo Changfeng, and everyone fled hastily toward the exit. Behind them came Si Tong's venomous shriek: "You can't escape—"