Novel Full Chapter 1269 - 492:
Chapter 1269: Chapter 492:
The Evil Slaying Hall cultivator took a breath of cold air: "So close! If we had really gone to the ancient tomb cave, not only would we have missed our chance, but time would also have been wasted!"
Yun Niaoniao looked at Ning Zhuo with a gaze filled with admiration.
Lu Xuan’an nodded slightly: "Daoist Fellow Ning, please proceed with the Golden Light Talisman and quickly strike back."
Unexpectedly, Ning Zhuo shook his head and sat down cross-legged: "At the moment, I am just a ’mortal.’ How can I strike back, and how can I suppress the Demon Seed?"
"The most suitable person right now is not me, but..."
After saying this, Ning Zhuo looked towards the Evil Slaying Hall cultivator.
The medicinal effects were still working, and the severe injuries of the Evil Slaying Hall cultivator had turned into minor wounds.
Rising solemnly, he said: "I have failed once, but how fortunate I am to have three valiant heroes risking their lives to help me with all their might!"
"The Demon Seed still retains my sealing power. I will do my utmost, fighting to the death."
"This time, even if I have to sacrifice my life, I must succeed!"
After speaking, he erupted with a resolute aura, activated the talisman, his body enveloped in golden light, and rushed out of the temple gates.
Inside the dilapidated temple, several people sat cross-legged, some in a deep sleep, the female cultivator, whose strength was clearly inferior to that of the Evil Slaying Hall cultivator, was barely maintaining a spell.
With Ning Zhuo sharing the burden, the pressure on Yun Niaoniao and Lu Xuan’an was greatly alleviated.
"Daoist Fellow Ning Zhuo, I truly didn’t misjudge you." Yun Niaoniao smiled.
Lu Xuan’an stared blankly at Ning Zhuo for a long time before sighing heavily: "Daoist Fellow Ning... I have learned much."
At this moment, Lu Xuan’an had already understood from Ning Zhuo’s actions that this trial not only tested a cultivator’s wisdom but also their self-positioning.
To protect the Righteous Path, one sometimes must let go of the obsession of "I must personally save everything," recognize their position, and thus make the most fitting choice.
Therefore, what the Evil Slaying Hall seeks is not just a hot-blooded and courageous brute, but a truly righteous cultivator with intelligence, the ability to make choices, and who can collaborate.
The Evil Slaying Hall cultivators who witnessed Ning Zhuo throughout the ordeal also praised his performance.
"To discern primary and secondary, skillfully use what one can, and not play the hero—this is true wisdom!"
"Indeed, Ning Zhuo is worthy of the Hall Master’s high esteem."
"In his actions, he also employed interpersonal tactics, thus controlling the dispositions of Yun Niaoniao and Lu Xuan’an, who followed his arrangements. He had them bear the blood fog first, quietly reducing their influence on him. Such a thoughtful mind, truly thorough."
With the previous Vast Energy as a testament, no one now saw Ning Zhuo’s tact and strategy as a problem.
More and more people realized: "Everything has its use, understand others and use them well... This lad has the makings of a leader!"
As the mist before them cleared again, Ning Zhuo, Lu Xuan’an, and Yun Niaoniao were informed they had passed this trial.
As the floating clouds dispersed, Ning Zhuo found himself on a desolate mountain path.
The moonlight was pallid, casting shadows of trees that resembled phantoms around him.
Ning Zhuo immediately felt an unusual state in his body—he was filled with an unfamiliar magic power, sticky, constantly writhing, and full of malice!
It was a power both strange and familiar to Ning Zhuo—the Blood Fog Demon Seed!
Divine Sense Communication echoed in his mind, informing him of the details behind this trial.
It turned out that the Evil Slaying Hall cultivator who set out from the ruined temple was named Zhou Sumo. He had launched a desperate assault, disregarding his life, and fought the Demon Seed to mutual destruction.
Though the Demon Seed was sealed, it had also implanted itself in his body.
Now, Ning Zhuo was taking on the role of Zhou Sumo, tasked with using his own body to seal the Demon Seed, and returning to the sect as soon as possible.
The Divine Sense Transmission provided the direction of the sect. Ning Zhuo could even sense the distance between them.
Without hesitation, Ning Zhuo immediately began sprinting.
The Demon Seed, sensing his determination, went berserk, corroding him.
The invasion of magic power felt like thousands of ants gnawing at his heart, as if enduring a hundred tortures.
The pain intensified rapidly, as if burning hot iron nails were piercing his chest, then driving into his limbs through his meridians.
After a hundred steps, every inch of Ning Zhuo’s skin felt like it was being peeled, every bone felt pulverized and reassembled.
His temples throbbed with veins, cold sweat soaking his clothes, his pace slowing, starting to stumble forward.
Meanwhile, on similar desolate mountain paths, the moonlight was cold as frost.
Each cultivator who had passed the trial thus far trudged ahead alone.
Lu Xuan’an clenched his teeth, with mana protecting his body, forming a thin halo around him, barely resisting the erosion of magic power. Yet, blood was already seeping from the corners of his mouth, and his eyes were bloodshot, his spine still straight, his gaze resolute: "The erosion of magic power is essentially Demon Skill engraving its principles on me. But my cultivation technique engraves its principles deeply, firmly upon me. This is my unique advantage, and it’s rare for anyone to surpass me!"
Yun Niaoniao continually formed seals with her hands, softly reciting spells, her gentle face full of pain, persisting with effort. Each step trembled, as if she could collapse at any moment.
Gu Huaijiu, however, was in a disheveled state. Known for avenging his family, who had been annihilated by evil cultivators, his breath came in heavy gasps. His eyes occasionally flashed with madness, sometimes regaining clarity, obviously wavering under the assault of a Heart Demon.
The obsession with revenge supported him, but also provided the Demon Seed’s negative emotions a breach to exploit. Anger and despair wove within him, nearly tearing him apart.
Demonic Qi, like a living poison, wildly coursed through Ning Zhuo’s veins, constantly gnawing!
The power of the Demon Seed freely manifested its marks on Ning Zhuo’s body, yet was perfectly assimilated, without interfering with the principles of the Three Superior Sect Techniques and others.