Demonic Traces and Ghostly Shadows

Li Su took Ming Xin and the other two, racing all the way at top speed. In less than half an hour, they arrived at the place marked on the map as Gold Sand Market.

It was not a city, but a temporary market on the edge of the desert, formed around an oasis sustained by an underground river.

All sorts of people gathered here: refugee cultivators fleeing war, as well as adventurers who had come to pan for gold sand, a local specialty refining material.

There were also many members of the Witch Clan, demon clans, and even Demonic Path Cultivators mixed among them, maintaining a fragile balance.

The market's buildings were crude, mostly tents and simple stone houses. Dust filled the streets, and the atmosphere was oppressive and wary. The air reeked of blood, sand, and all manner of mixed auras.

The four descended from their flight, immediately drawing the attention of many people in the market.

Li Su's unique bamboo demon true form and the Celestial Immortal aura emanating from him made many secretly wary, and they hurriedly moved aside.

"Senior Brother, Gold Sand Market has no fixed administrator. Order is jointly maintained by several of the largest factions.

We need to find someone from the Gold Sand Gang. They have the best information network and ties with the surrounding races. Perhaps we can learn something about reinforcements, or rent a fast spirit boat to Black Wind Mountain."

Ming Xin spoke quietly to Li Su. Clearly, this was not her first time here.

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

"Lead the way."

Under Ming Xin's guidance, the four arrived before the largest stone hall in the center of the market. Several guards with fierce auras stood at the entrance, dressed in ochre martial attire. All of them were Earth Immortals.

"Friends of the Gold Sand Gang, we are disciples of Kunlun's Jade Void Palace and have urgent business with your gang leader."

Ming Xin stepped forward, displayed her Jade Void Palace disciple token, and spoke politely.

The guards' leader saw the token and his expression changed slightly. He did not dare neglect them and hurried inside to report their arrival.

Before long, a plump middle-aged man with a beaming smile emerged at a brisk pace. He wore luxurious silk robes and possessed Early Stage Celestial Immortal cultivation.

"Oh my, so immortals from Jade Void Palace have graced us with their presence! Forgive me for failing to welcome you from afar!

I am Sha Tongtian, leader of the Gold Sand Gang. How may I be of service, esteemed immortals?"

The fat gang leader was exceedingly enthusiastic, but a trace of shrewdness and vigilance flashed deep in his eyes.

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

After hearing this, Sha Tongtian showed a troubled expression. "Ah, esteemed immortals, it is not that I am unwilling to help.

It is simply that the desert has been very unsettled recently. Demon clans and Demonic Path Cultivators have been highly active. Several of our gang's finest spirit boats went out to transport goods a few days ago and were all attacked, suffering devastating losses.

Now, only one old Sand Piercing Shuttle remains. It is slow and poorly defended. I fear it would be difficult for it to cross the demonic miasma region outside Black Wind Mountain..."

Li Su listened quietly, but his Immortal Sense sharply caught a manager-like cultivator behind Sha Tongtian shifting his gaze before secretly making a concealed hand signal toward a certain direction in the market.

A trap!

Li Su instantly became alert. Sha Tongtian appeared enthusiastic, but he was actually making excuses, and his subordinate's behavior was furtive.

Thinking of how that black-robed demonic cultivator had been able to ambush Ming Xin and the others so precisely, Gold Sand Market had likely already been infiltrated by the demonic path. Even Sha Tongtian himself might be involved!

"No matter. As long as there is a boat, it will do. Even if it is slow, it is still better than crossing the demonic miasma on foot.

As for the rental fee, that can be discussed." Li Su spoke without revealing anything, while quietly locking onto the manager who had made the signal and several hidden auras in the direction he had indicated.

"This..." Sha Tongtian rubbed his hands, seemingly still hesitating.

Just then, a sudden change occurred!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Several pillars of black demonic light suddenly rose around the market, instantly weaving together into a massive demonic formation that enveloped the entire Gold Sand Market!

Within the formation, black mist churned as countless twisted demonic shadows emerged, unleashing piercing shrieks!

At the same time, Sha Tongtian's smile instantly turned ferocious. His fat body abruptly retreated, and he and the guards erupted with dense demonic qi!

"Attack! Leave none alive!" Sha Tongtian shouted sharply. A pair of poisoned daggers appeared in his hands as he stabbed toward Ming Xin, who stood closest to him!

The hidden demonic cultivators revealed themselves at the same time. There were actually two Mid Stage Celestial Immortals and three Early Stage Celestial Immortals!

Including Sha Tongtian, an Early Stage Celestial Immortal, there were six demonic cultivators in total. Working with the formation covering the market, they launched a lethal assault on Li Su and his group!

The market instantly descended into chaos. Other cultivators screamed in terror and fled in every direction, only to be forced back by the formation's light barrier. Many weaker cultivators were directly corroded by demonic qi, turning into pus and blood or being devoured by demonic creatures!

"Just as I thought—an ambush!" Li Su had long been prepared. The instant the formation rose, Profound Star Swirl Body Protection activated, shielding Ming Xin and the other two behind him!

At the same time, his bamboo branches flicked rapidly, and several bolts of Chaos Lightning Evil struck precisely at Sha Tongtian and the two Mid Stage Celestial Immortal demonic cultivators charging toward them!

"Be careful! It is the Netherworld Soul Erosion Demon Formation! It can corrode the primordial spirit and defile magical treasures!"

Ming Hui cried out. The three immediately formed a back-to-back formation, summoning their flying swords and magical treasures to desperately fend off the attacks of the other demonic cultivators and demonic creatures.

Boom! Chaos Lightning Evil was supremely rigid and yang in nature, the nemesis of demonic qi. Sha Tongtian was struck by one bolt and let out a miserable scream. His daggers nearly flew from his hands, and more than half the demonic qi around him dispersed.

The two Mid Stage Celestial Immortal demonic cultivators were also forced to halt, hurriedly bringing out demonic treasures to defend themselves.

But the formation's power had already manifested! Black demonic mist seeped in through every opening, constantly corroding everyone's protective spiritual light while directly attacking their consciousnesses, leaving them dizzy and beset by illusions.

The radiance of Ming Xin and the others' sword formation quickly dimmed, and their faces turned pale. They were clearly struggling to hold on.

Although Li Su did not fear demonic qi corrosion, with Profound Star Swirl Body Protection and the willow leaf restraining it, he was facing the siege of several demonic cultivators of equal or even higher cultivation while also protecting the three of them. The pressure was immense!

He had to break the formation! Otherwise, if they remained trapped, they would eventually be worn to death!

Li Su scanned the demonic formation with all his Immortal Sense, searching for its weakness. At the same time, he abruptly activated the Myriad Demon Banner he had obtained from the black-robed demonic cultivator, which had already been partially purified and sealed!

Though the banner was a demonic artifact, perhaps its demonic origin could temporarily disrupt the formation's operation!

"Myriad Demon Banner, go!" Li Su forcibly poured a stream of Chaos Star Evil Power into the banner and hurled it toward one of the formation's nodes!

The Myriad Demon Banner shook violently, erupting with chaotic demonic light that clashed fiercely with the formation's energy! The entire formation suddenly stalled, and its operation fell into momentary disorder!

"Now!" A sharp glint flashed through Li Su's eyes as his strongest prepared strike erupted!

He no longer held back. Drawing upon the trace of chaotic qi within him obtained from the Heavenly Tribulation, he fused it with Stellar Evil Energy and Bedrock Dao Rhythm, even borrowing a trace of the willow leaf's purifying power. All the radiance around his bamboo body converged at a single point on its tip!

"Chaos! Starfall! Break!"

A beam of indescribable color, containing the contradictory auras of destruction and creation, chaos and order, shot fiercely from the bamboo tip and slammed into the formation node that had become most vulnerable due to the Myriad Demon Banner's interference!

Crack—!

A grating sound of shattering rang out! The sturdy light barrier of the demonic formation was forcibly torn open by that strange beam, leaving a massive breach!

"Go!" Li Su swept up Ming Xin and the other two, who were already at the end of their strength, and transformed into a streak of light that shot through the breach!

"Stop them!" Sha Tongtian was furious and alarmed. He and the other demonic cultivators hurriedly gave chase, unleashing all manner of demonic arts and treasures at Li Su's back!

Li Su abruptly turned around and poured his remaining magic power into the willow leaf. A green light barrier appeared once more, blocking most of the attacks, but the impact sent his blood and qi churning and cracked his bamboo body.

Borrowing the force, he accelerated and instantly fled several miles away!

"Chase them! We cannot let them escape!" Sha Tongtian roared in frustration as he led the demonic cultivators in relentless pursuit.

Ignoring his injuries, Li Su pushed his speed to the limit as he carried the three deeper into the desert.

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

However, misfortunes never came alone.

Just as he flew onward, the ground ahead suddenly split apart. A gigantic hand made of sand and stone thrust out, reaching for them as though it could blot out the sky!

At the same time, a deep voice like thunder rang out:

"You ruined this ancestor's plans, and you still think you can leave?"