Traces of Demonic Presence

Li Su, with Ming Xin and the other two, traveled at lightning speed. In less than half an hour, they arrived at the "Gold Sand Market" marked on the map.

This was not a city, but a temporary market formed on the edge of the desert, relying on an underground river oasis.

The place was a melting pot of people. There were refugees and cultivators fleeing from war, as well as adventurers seeking to prospect for gold (a local specialty material for refining artifacts called "gold sand").

Furthermore, many from the Witch Clan, Demon Race, and even Demonic Path cultivators were mixed in, maintaining a fragile balance.

The buildings in the market were simple, mostly tents and basic stone houses. Dust swirled on the streets, and the atmosphere was oppressive and vigilant. The air was filled with the smell of blood, sand, and various other杂乱气息.

As the four of them landed their escape light, they immediately drew the attention of many in the market.

Li Su's unique bamboo demon form and the Celestial Immortal aura emanating from him caused many to become secretly wary, and they parted to make way.

"Senior Brother, Gold Sand Market has no fixed administrator. Order is maintained by a few of the largest power groups. We need to find people from the 'Gold Sand Gang.' They have the most up-to-date information and have dealings with various surrounding races. They might be able to find news of reinforcements or rent a fast spirit boat to Black Wind Mountain," Ming Xin whispered to Li Su, clearly not her first time here.

Li Su swept his Immortal Sense across the market and indeed sensed several Celestial Immortal-level auras residing in different areas. The one with the thickest earth and stone aura was likely the so-called "Gold Sand Gang."

"Lead the way."

Under Ming Xin's guidance, the four arrived in front of the largest stone hall in the center of the market. Several guards with robust auras, dressed in earth-yellow tight-fitting clothes, stood at the entrance. All of them had Earth Immortal cultivation.

"Friends of the Gold Sand Gang, we are disciples of Kunlun's Jade Void Palace. We have an important matter and wish to see your leader." Ming Xin stepped forward, displayed her Jade Void Palace disciple token, and spoke politely.

Upon seeing the token, the guard leader's expression changed slightly. He dared not delay and quickly went inside to report.

Before long, a middle-aged man, plump, with a smiling face, wearing luxurious silk, and cultivating at the Early Stage Celestial Immortal level, hurried out.

"Oh my, oh my, so it's an Upper Immortal from Jade Void Palace gracing us with your presence. We apologize for not welcoming you sooner! I am Sha Tongtian, the leader of the Gold Sand Gang. May I ask what guidance the Upper Immortals require?" The portly gang leader was extremely enthusiastic, but a hint of shrewdness and vigilance flashed in the depths of his eyes.

Ming Xin quickly explained the situation: the discovery of a Netherworld fissure at Black Wind Mountain, Yang Jian and Long Ji being trapped, and the urgent need for reinforcements or a spirit boat.

Sha Tongtian listened, his face showing a look of difficulty. "Oh dear, Upper Immortals, it's not that I don't want to help. It's just that it's been very unsettled around this desert recently, with frequent activities from the Demon Race and Demonic Path. Several of our gang's best spirit boats were attacked while out delivering goods a few days ago, suffering heavy losses. Now, only one old 'Sand Piercing Shuttle' remains. It's slow and has weak defenses, so it might be difficult to cross the demonic miasma outside Black Wind Mountain..."

Li Su listened quietly, but his Immortal Sense keenly caught the furtive glances of a steward-like cultivator behind Sha Tongtian, who was subtly making a hidden gesture towards a certain direction in the market.

There's a trap! Li Su instantly became vigilant. Sha Tongtian, while appearing enthusiastic, was clearly making excuses. And his subordinate's behavior was suspicious. Considering how the black-robed Demonic Cultivator could accurately ambush Ming Xin and the other two, it was likely that Gold Sand Market had already been infiltrated by the Demonic Path, and Sha Tongtian himself might even be involved!

"It's alright, as long as there's a boat. A slower speed is better than trekking through the demonic miasma. We can discuss the rental fee," Li Su said calmly, while his Immortal Sense quietly locked onto the steward who made the gesture and the several hidden auras in the direction he indicated.

"This..." Sha Tongtian rubbed his hands, still seeming hesitant.

Just then, disaster struck!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

From all around the market, several pillars of dark demonic light suddenly rose, instantly intertwining to form a massive demonic formation that enveloped the entire Gold Sand Market!

Within the formation, black mist churned, and countless distorted demonic shadows appeared, emitting piercing shrieks!

At the same time, Sha Tongtian's smile instantly turned ferocious. His plump body suddenly retreated, and along with the guards, he erupted with dense demonic energy!

"Attack! Leave none alive!" Sha Tongtian roared, producing a pair of poisoned daggers. He lunged at Ming Xin, who was closest to him!

The hidden Demonic Cultivators also revealed themselves simultaneously. There were two at the Mid Stage Celestial Immortal level and three at the Early Stage Celestial Immortal level!

Including Sha Tongtian, an Early Stage Celestial Immortal, there were a total of six Demonic Cultivators. Cooperating with the demonic formation covering the market, they launched a deadly assault on Li Su and the other three!

Chaos erupted in the market. Other cultivators screamed in terror and fled in all directions, only to be blocked by the formation's light barrier. Many with lower cultivation were directly corroded by the demonic energy, turning into pus and blood or being devoured by demonic creatures!

"As expected, an ambush!" Li Su was already prepared. The moment the demonic formation appeared, his Profound Star Swirl Body Protection had already activated, shielding Ming Xin and the other two behind him!

Simultaneously, his bamboo branches pointed rapidly, and several bolts of Chaos Lightning Evil precisely struck the attacking Sha Tongtian and the two Mid Stage Celestial Immortal Demonic Cultivators!

"Be careful! It's the Netherworld Soul Erosion Demon Formation! It can erode Primordial Spirits and defile magic treasures!" Ming Hui cried out in alarm. The three immediately formed a defensive circle back-to-back, summoning their flying swords and magic treasures, desperately fending off the attacks from other Demonic Cultivators and demonic creatures!

Boom! The Chaos Lightning Evil, being extremely pure and yang, was the bane of demonic energy. Sha Tongtian was struck by a bolt of lightning, letting out a scream. His dagger almost slipped from his grasp, and most of his demonic energy dissipated. The two Mid Stage Celestial Immortal Demonic Cultivators were also forced to pause, summoning their demonic treasures to defend themselves.

But the power of the demonic formation had already manifested! The black demonic mist was all-pervasive, constantly eroding everyone's protective spiritual light and directly attacking their divine senses, causing dizziness and illusions.

The brilliance of Ming Xin and the other two's sword formation rapidly dimmed, their faces pale, clearly struggling to maintain it. Although Li Su was not afraid of demonic energy corrosion (his Profound Star Swirl Body Protection and willow leaves provided resistance), facing the siege of multiple Demonic Cultivators of the same or even higher level while also needing to protect the other three put immense pressure on him!

The formation must be broken! Otherwise, if we're trapped here, we'll be worn down and killed eventually!

Li Su scanned the demonic formation with his Immortal Sense at full power, searching for a weakness. At the same time, he fiercely activated the Myriad Demon Banner he had obtained from the black-robed Demonic Cultivator (which had already been preliminarily purified and sealed)!

Although this banner was a demonic artifact, at this moment, with its Demonic Dao origin, it might be able to briefly interfere with the demonic formation's operation!

"Myriad Demon Banner, go!" Li Su forcefully injected a stream of Chaos Star Evil Power into the banner and hurled it towards a node of the demonic formation!

The Myriad Demon Banner vibrated violently, erupting with chaotic demonic light, which clashed fiercely with the demonic formation's energy! The entire demonic formation suddenly faltered, its operation becoming momentarily chaotic!

"Now!" A sharp glint flashed in Li Su's eyes, and his long-prepared ultimate attack erupted!

He no longer held back, drawing upon the strand of Chaos Qi he obtained from the Heavenly Tribulation within his body, merging it with Stellar Evil Energy and Bedrock Dao Rhythm, even borrowing a trace of purification power from the willow leaf. All the brilliance on his bamboo body condensed into a single point at the tip of the bamboo!

"Chaos! Starfall! Break!"

A beam of light, indescribable in color, containing the contradictory energies of destruction and creation, chaos and order, shot out from the bamboo tip and fiercely struck the most vulnerable node of the demonic formation, which had become weakened by the Myriad Demon Banner's interference!

Crack—Snap—!

A grating cracking sound echoed! The sturdy demonic formation's light barrier was actually torn open by a huge gap by this peculiar beam of light!

"Go!" Li Su scooped up Ming Xin and the other two, who were at their limit, and transformed into a stream of light, charging out of the gap!

"Stop them!" Sha Tongtian exclaimed in rage, and he and the other Demonic Cultivators hurriedly pursued, unleashing various demonic skills and treasures at Li Su's back!

Li Su suddenly turned, pouring his last bit of magic power into the willow leaf. A verdant green light screen reappeared, blocking most of the attacks, but it also sent his Blood Essence churning and cracked his bamboo body.

He used the force to accelerate, instantly escaping several miles away!

"Chase! We absolutely cannot let them escape!" Sha Tongtian was furious and led the Demonic Cultivators in relentless pursuit.

Li Su, carrying the three, ignored their injuries and pushed their speed to the limit, fleeing into the depths of the desert.

They had to shake off the pursuers as quickly as possible, find a safe place to heal, and then make further plans.

However, misfortune struck again.

As he was fleeing, the ground ahead suddenly cracked open, and a giant hand made of sand and stone thrust out, reaching for them like a sky-obscuring shroud!

At the same time, a muffled, thunderous voice sounded:

"You ruined this old ancestor's good deed, and you think you can just leave?"