The Golden Lock Killing Formation is recognized as one of the three ultimate killing formations, and its power is undoubtedly immense. Despite the demonic beasts trapped within the formation attempting to resist its pressure by forming a circular formation, they still suffered significant casualties. Although the demonic beasts are adept in their craft and cannot take human form, this does not mean they lack intelligence. On the contrary, highly cultivated demonic beasts possess exceptional wisdom. While they may not fully understand the nature of the formation they are ensnared in, they recognize its lethal power. Seeing their comrades suffer heavy losses, three demonic beasts at the mid-stage of Fusion began to roar, seemingly discussing ways to break the formation.
The first beast that had chased Guo Xingyue opened its mouth and spat out its life-source pearl, launching it at the formation. The formation shook violently from the impact, causing cracks to appear in the life-source pearl as well. Following suit, the other two beasts also unleashed their life-source pearls against the formation. The life-source pearl is the most potent attack of a demonic beast, and only those who have reached the mid-stage of Fusion possess such pearls. This sequence of three powerful attacks shook the foundation of the formation. Guo Xingyue, standing at the formation's center, felt the ground shift beneath her feet and realized the gravity of the situation: the relentless assaults from these three beasts had begun to loosen the formation's foundation, exposing some weaknesses. Taking advantage of this, the horde of demonic beasts launched a furious attack at the exposed vulnerabilities, creating a breach that allowed many to escape.
Guo Xingyue quickly executed a series of hand seals to repair the formation, but by then, most of the demonic beasts had already fled. Only the three beasts that had been severely injured from using their life-source pearls remained, unable to escape. Guo Xingyue felt a twinge of emotion seeing their fierce determination to save their companions at the cost of their own safety. Hesitating, she considered whether to let these beasts go. Suddenly, she felt a wave of anxiety wash over her, a premonition of danger rising from deep within her. The assassin's instinct warned her that she needed to leave immediately.
She quickly activated her true essence and teleported to the surface of the sea. Just as Guo Xingyue left the formation's center, a massive figure appeared before the Golden Lock Killing Formation. The towering figure casually swung a fist, and with a thunderous roar, the formation was shattered. The artifact that served as the formation's focal point was reduced to fragments by the punch. Guo Xingyue hovered in the air on her flying sword, sensing that her formation had been effortlessly dismantled. She felt a surge of shock: Who is this? To break one of the three ultimate killing formations of the cultivation world with a mere gesture is beyond the capability of even a loose immortal. Could it be someone from the celestial realm? That seems unlikely! Even a celestial being wouldn't save these demonic beasts. Could it be a creature from the demon realm?
The demon realm, celestial realm, demonic realm, and Buddhist realm all possess reverse pathways connected to the cultivation world. Those who ascend from the cultivation realm to one of these four realms can only return through these pathways if they have reached a level equivalent to a Great Luo Golden Immortal; otherwise, they cannot withstand the pressure of the reverse pathways. In ancient times, these realms frequently engaged in wars against each other. Since the roots of all realms lie within the cultivation world, many powerful individuals would infiltrate the cultivation realm to slaughter its practitioners. After several bloody encounters, the realms reached a consensus: practitioners from the upper realms must not casually enter the lower realms or interfere in their affairs; otherwise, they would face collective retaliation. Thus, while many powerful figures from the celestial, demon, demonic, and Buddhist realms can theoretically enter the cultivation world through reverse pathways, in practice, it is rare for them to appear. Even if they do come down, they are quick to leave to avoid provoking discontent from the other three realms and igniting a new war.
Guo Xingyue hovered in the air, pondering the identity of the newcomer, when suddenly her vision blurred. About ten zhang away, a towering figure appeared before her: it stood over three zhang tall, with a muscular build and dark skin. It had thick eyebrows and leopard-like eyes, a large mouth, and a massive head adorned with a three-foot-long horn. Clad in a black robe, the figure glared coldly at Guo Xingyue. A tremendous pressure radiated from it, bearing down on Guo Xingyue like a mountain. The figure did not speak or attack; merely its oppressive aura made Guo Xingyue feel as though she were bearing the weight of the world, her complexion turning crimson as her spiraling true essence churned violently within her, struggling to resist. It wasn't until the energy of the lightning orb began to rise that the situation improved slightly, but the pain remained unbearable, and it seemed she would be seriously injured if she couldn't endure much longer.
Just as Guo Xingyue was on the brink of collapsing, a gentle voice came from behind her: "I am the loose immortal Bai Fan. I greet the Demon Lord. May I ask for your name?" As the voice rang out, four gentle energies pulled Guo Xingyue slightly away from the oppressive force. Guo Xingyue focused her gaze and saw that it was Bai Fan, leading the other three loose immortals, who had arrived. The Demon Lord let out a cold snort and said, "I am Lie Kong. You lowly loose immortals dare to obstruct my affairs? How bold!" Bai Fan smiled slightly and replied, "I wouldn't dare, but there is an agreement among the four realms that beings from the upper realms must not interfere in the affairs of the lower realms. I wonder why the Demon Lord, Lie Kong, is pursuing my little brother?"
Lie Kong's eyes rolled disdainfully as he responded, "Do I need to report my actions to you, a mere loose immortal?" With that, a powerful aura surged forth, overwhelming the group.
Bai Fan and the other three loose immortals did not dare to be negligent; they each placed a hand together, channeling their celestial essence to resist. Although Bai Fan and the others possessed significant cultivation levels, they were still no match for the Demon Lord. In just a short time, they were on the verge of collapse. It seemed that Lie Kong held back, unwilling to kill them outright, knowing that provoking a war among the four realms would not be a burden he could shoulder alone. He only intended to intimidate Bai Fan and the others. Seeing that the four loose immortals were nearing their limits, he withdrew his pressure and coldly looked at Guo Xingyue, saying, "Kid, your formation is quite fierce. Considering you did not kill me outright, you only need to receive one palm strike from me, and I shall spare your life this time."
Though Bai Fan and the others were already panting heavily, upon hearing that Lie Kong intended to target Guo Xingyue, they all stepped forward, prepared to fight to the death. Guo Xingyue knew that even if the four loose immortals joined forces, they were no match for Lie Kong. She did not want them to be harmed on her behalf, so she stepped in front of Bai Fan and the others and laughed, "What's the harm in receiving a palm strike from you? You, as a Demon Lord, could easily kill me with a mere flick of your finger."
Lie Kong glanced coldly at Guo Xingyue and replied, "Hmph! I am not one to bully the weak. I will only use three parts of my strength. If you can withstand it, I will let you live."
Guo Xingyue turned to Bai Fan and the other loose immortals, saying, "Elder brothers, please stand aside and cheer for me. I shall receive his palm strike." Bai Fan and the other loose immortals admired Guo Xingyue's carefree demeanor, although they felt reluctant to see him risk his life. They knew that even if they all teamed up, they would be no match for Lie Kong and would merely be sacrificing themselves. Seeing Guo Xingyue so calmly accept the Demon Lord's challenge, they sighed quietly and stepped aside.