Chapter 711: Price (I)

Terror filled Wu Di's eyes as he said in a trembling voice, "This junior knows very little about Senior Xiao. I only know that he is a powerful demonic cultivator who can help other demonic cultivators alleviate the erosion of the yao will within them. Beyond that, I know nothing. This location was chosen only because he stole an opportunity from me back then and forcibly occupied this island. Later, under that senior's threats and enticements, I had no choice but to submit and work for him. I truly know nothing else."

He said nothing about Ancestor Xu Ruichen of the Xu Family. In that respect, Wu Di was quite dependable. Kong Yujing had also omitted the matter from her earlier account.

"Did that man not say when he would arrive?" Cao Hongchang asked calmly.

His right hand stroked the imposing dragon head carved into the seat, his expression calm. He did not take the demonic cultivator he had never met seriously. When it came to demon arts, Cao Hongchang believed that few in the present era could surpass him. Both the Foundation Establishment realm and the Golden Core realm represented major hurdles for demonic cultivators. Every breakthrough exposed them to dangers a hundred times greater than those faced by ordinary immortal cultivators. The Golden Core realm was effectively the limit for nearly all demonic cultivators.

Among yao, a six-pattern yao comparable to the Golden Core realm had to undergo the process of forming a Yao Demon Nest to advance into a seven-pattern yao comparable to the Nascent Soul realm. Demonic cultivators imitated yao cultivation methods with human bodies. Therefore, when demonic cultivators advanced from the Golden Core realm to the Nascent Soul realm, they also had to undergo a similar process. Almost no demonic cultivator could succeed.

The dense black mist within the Evilheart Sect had been formed by Cao Hongchang in imitation of a Yao Demon Nest. His success had depended on countless coincidences and extraordinary opportunities that others could never replicate. Therefore, after learning that the other party was a demonic cultivator, Cao Hongchang lowered his assessment of the threat he posed even further.

"No. This humble one receives advance notice each time and then comes here to wait, but the wait is usually not long," Kong Yujing hurriedly replied.

The great hall fell briefly silent. Everyone held their breath, not daring to make the slightest sound. It was so quiet that they could hear their hearts pounding in their chests with tension and fear. Cao Hongchang slowly closed his eyes and spread his powerful spiritual sense across the entire island.

"A remnant Heaven-Deceiving Formation? You actually incorporated demonic patterns into it. Interesting... Were you the one who arranged that formation?" Cao Hongchang glanced sidelong at Wu Di and asked calmly.

When introducing himself earlier, Wu Di had mentioned that he was skilled in Formation Dao, but concealed the fact that Senior Xiao Zhe was also skilled in it. Therefore, Wu Di was the first person who came to Cao Hongchang's mind.

"Yes, Senior," Wu Di hurriedly replied.

The remnant Heaven-Deceiving Formation on the island had indeed been arranged by him.

"Not bad. Although it still has many flaws, you have already taken the first step toward incorporating demonic patterns into an Immortal Dao formation. Not bad at all," Cao Hongchang said with a smile.

In his opinion, the formation Wu Di had arranged possessed many flaws, but also tremendous latent potential. After all, comprehending and cultivating the Formation Dao was even more difficult than Immortal Dao cultivation, to say nothing of integrating two entirely different systems. Incorporating demonic patterns into an Immortal Dao formation was terrifyingly difficult.

Wu Di had indeed progressed rapidly under Senior Xiao Zhe's guidance, but he had only reached Initiation. Although he possessed some natural talent for formations, he had neither a spiritual Heavenly Eye nor the aid of Origin Force. He needed to devote vast amounts of time and vitality to studying and experimenting with them.

"You flatter me, Senior." Wu Di's expression brightened as he replied modestly. He relaxed slightly, believing that he now stood a good chance of surviving.

"Your attainments in the Formation Dao are quite impressive. Surrender your soul blood and serve me from now on," Cao Hongchang said calmly, abruptly changing the subject.

The demon arts cultivated by demonic cultivators followed a path that fused the Immortal Dao with the Yao Dao. Wu Di's ability to incorporate demonic patterns into Immortal Dao formations might prove considerably useful to him. This was precisely what Cao Hongchang valued about him.

Wu Di could not help but cry out. "Ah?"

"What, are you unwilling? Do you feel that serving me is beneath you?" Cao Hongchang asked coldly.

His momentum qi erupted with a thunderous roar, unleashing a terrifying force that sent Wu Di flying.

Wu Di slammed violently into the wall of the great hall and spat out a mouthful of blood, his face deathly pale.

Wu Di struggled to his feet and said in a panic, "I... I wouldn't dare. It is my honor to serve you, Senior. I was merely overcome with joy just now."

With that, he pressed his right hand against his brow, unwillingness and hesitation showing in his eyes. In the end, Wu Di gritted his teeth, and a crimson droplet of blood condensed from his brow before falling into his palm.

"Please accept it, Senior!" Wu Di said respectfully.

With a light toss of his right hand, the soul blood drifted toward Cao Hongchang. Cao Hongchang cast him a cold glance and casually reached out to grasp it.

However, just as Cao Hongchang's palm was about to close around the soul blood, a terrifying blade of light silently slashed out from the void.

"Not good!" Cao Hongchang's expression changed drastically.

As a Nascent Soul realm cultivator, his perception was exceptionally keen. Although he had failed to detect the enemy lurking nearby, he sensed an intense threat the moment danger struck. Cao Hongchang immediately used short-range teleportation, disappearing from the spot.

The blade of light grazed Cao Hongchang's right shoulder, tearing away a small, palm-sized chunk of flesh. Dense black energy surged from within his body, and the bloody wound on his shoulder began writhing rapidly. Within a few breaths, it healed completely.

"You dare ambush me? You're courting death!"

A terrifying aura erupted from Cao Hongchang as he thrust his right fist violently toward the ceiling. Vast amounts of black mist surged from his body and coalesced into an enormous, hideous arm.

The ceiling of the great hall exploded, leaving an enormous hole. Kong Yujing and the others hurriedly looked upward, astonishment filling their eyes.

"Master!"

"My lord!"

Kong Yujing and Wu Di both cried out inwardly. They were utterly shocked that the expert who had ambushed the Sect Master of the Evilheart Sect was actually Senior Xiao Zhe. It was simply unbelievable! They had assumed that Senior Xiao possessed only Golden Core realm strength, but his true power was so terrifying that he could approach and launch an ambush without making the slightest sound. Such strength had undoubtedly reached the Nascent Soul realm!

Damn it, he's vanished again. Just what technique does this man cultivate? His ability to conceal his aura is so terrifying that even I nearly fell prey to his ambush! Cao Hongchang frowned slightly as he stared into the azure sky.

His punch had failed to strike the enemy. Cao Hongchang had only glimpsed an impassive man before he disappeared into the void.

Cao Hongchang glanced at his healed wound, his eyes narrowing. "I was careless just now!"

Energy surged within his body as wisps of black mist seeped from him, gradually filling the entire great hall before spreading outside. As a veteran Nascent Soul realm expert, he possessed numerous methods for dealing with experts skilled in concealing their auras, infiltrating unseen, and carrying out assassinations.