"Don't think of trying anything, don't think of using your primordial spirit, and certainly don't think of contacting anyone outside. The slightest fright will make my hand shake."
Cheng Xinzhan said.
Ever since the two of them had entered, he had been adapting to circumstances, buying time and creating an opening-an opening that would let him approach Tan Tianzong while the man was distracted.
The jade talisman in Tan Tianzong's hand was something Cheng Xinzhan had commanded his inner landscape deity to inscribe inside his body after seeing the water cauldron in the chamber. He had only had time to write the first half; everything after that was random scrawling.
Fortunately, Tan Tianzong had been too greedy, giving Cheng Xinzhan his chance.
His right hand formed sword fingers pressed against Tan Tianzong's lower abdomen. The sword light bursting from his fingertips pierced the old demon's Yellow Court Palace and emerged from his back.
Although his golden core remained intact, the damage to his Yellow Court was still an immeasurably grievous injury for Tan Tianzong, who was nearing death from old age. Vital essence visibly leaked from his ruined Yellow Court. There was no doubt that this strike had hastened his death.
Of course Cheng Xinzhan feared Tan Tianzong might lash out, and feared still more that he might detonate his golden core, because he was even closer to the old demon now than he had been to Yang Xuanla last time. He had already prepared his defenses, holding his other hand before him, a mass of deep-purple light dancing like a candle flame in his palm.
Yet, to his surprise-and also as he had expected-the old demon's expression shifted repeatedly before finally settling into a smile.
"Might I ask which exalted masters have possessed these two worthless disciples of our