According to the intelligence, Cui Baiquan led the group and successfully met Wan Xibo.
He was currently being besieged by members of the Earthly Fiend Sect.
They were constantly setting up formations around him, but since these were hastily arranged, their power was minimal.
Powerful formations usually require intricate designs and the support of materials containing vast amounts of energy.
"Sorry, but this person is under my protection now," Cui Baiquan declared with unwavering confidence.
It was hard not to feel confident with so many people backing him.
"Who the hell are you?"
"Heavenly Demon Sect!"
At these words, the Earthly Fiend Sect's expressions changed.
This was their most formidable rival.
"What if I say no?"
"Kill them."
Cui Baiquan's response was swift and decisive.
His subordinates, along with the mountain spirits' followers, charged at the Earthly Fiend Sect.
However, Su Luo's people remained unmoved.
This made Cui Baiquan somewhat uncomfortable. After all, he was nominally the leader here. What did it mean for them to not act? Did they look down on him?
"Why aren't you joining in?" Cui Baiquan asked.
"We only take orders from Demon Lord Su," they replied in unison.
Hearing this, Cui Baiquan turned to Su Luo and said, "Su Luo, you’re not planning to sit this one out, are you?"
"Go ahead."
Su Luo was indifferent. After all, it wasn't his strength being expended.
Upon Su Luo's command, his subordinates broke into smiles.
"We won’t disappoint you."
"Watch us closely!"
"Hahaha, kill! Kill! Kill!"
At Su Luo's order, his men charged forward like madmen, a stark contrast to their earlier calm demeanor.
To make a good impression, they had to go all out. Otherwise, how would Demon Lord Su remember them?
"Su Luo, you still claim you haven’t trained them?" Cui Baiquan remarked.
"Believe what you want," Su Luo replied dismissively.
Cui Baiquan muttered under his breath, "Let’s spar sometime."
"Get lost."
Under the Heavenly Demon Sect's assault, the Earthly Fiend Sect was forced to retreat.
Most of the heavy lifting was done by Cui Baiquan and the mountain spirits' elite subordinates.
Su Luo's side, though the loudest, had the weakest combat power. However, they now had three Golden Core cultivators, which was an improvement.
Cui Baiquan spoke politely, "Elder Wan Xibo, would you be interested in working with us?"
"Thank you all for your assistance..."
Wan Xibo chuckled inwardly. Did I ask you to save me? I could have survived on my own, though it would have been tougher.
"I would love to join the Heavenly Demon Sect, but I fear my abilities are insufficient..."
Su Luo gave a subtle glance, and his men immediately stepped forward, surrounding Wan Xibo.
If he said anything unsatisfactory, they would attack.
Wan Xibo, who had been about to refuse, quickly changed his tone. "If you don’t mind, I’d be honored to join."
Damn it, the Heavenly Demon Sect had even more people than the Earthly Fiend Sect.
Though most were mediocre, there were always one or two at his level.
This made things even trickier.
"Good, good. Since that’s settled, I have a task for you."
"Not a problem. What is it?"
Survival was the priority, especially when dealing with the notoriously ruthless Heavenly Demon Sect.
"Heavenly Demon Sect..."
Suddenly, a voice interrupted Cui Baiquan.
"Lin Xuan..." Cui Baiquan recognized the rising star of the Seven Stars Sword Sect.
They had crossed paths before, and he knew Lin Xuan was not an easy opponent.
Moreover, Lin Xuan had several formidable allies with him.
"Lin Xuan! Today, you’re dead! I’ve grown stronger!"
Seeing Lin Xuan, Su Luo became extremely agitated and impulsive.
However, in his excitement, he caught sight of Li Siyi.
According to the script, she shouldn’t be here.
"Su Luo..." Lin Xuan was equally surprised to encounter Su Luo here. What plan did Su Luo have this time?
How was he supposed to play along?
Lin Xuan steeled himself, ready to catch any subtle hints Su Luo might give.
Cui Baiquan, however, tried to calm Su Luo down. "Su Luo, stay focused. Remember our mission. If we succeed in the Ancient Ruins, we’ll grow stronger, and dealing with him won’t be an issue."
"I don’t care! I want him dead now! And can you guarantee we’ll find anything in the Ancient Ruins?"
Though he shouted the loudest, Su Luo made no move to act.
Ancient Ruins?
Lin Xuan thought to himself. So that’s the Heavenly Demon Sect’s goal this time?
At that moment, Wan Xibo spoke up. "Why don’t I show you what I can do? They’re your enemies, right?"
"Good idea. Su Luo, let Elder Wan Xibo handle them for now. We’ll observe."
Cui Baiquan, being a newly promoted Demon Lord, knew how he had risen to his position. His predecessor had died at Lin Xuan’s hands, so caution was essential.
Wan Xibo nodded with a smile and prepared to act.
His initial plan was to feign attacking Lin Xuan’s group while secretly setting up a large-scale formation to create an opportunity to escape.
However, when Lin Xuan effortlessly dismantled his minor formation, things took a turn.
This brat! I refuse to believe I can’t handle you. My decades of studying formations can’t be for nothing!
"Lin Xuan, switch with me. His formation skills are no joke," Elder Yan advised.
Lin Xuan sensed the same and had no objections.
Thus, a battle of formations began between Wan Xibo and Elder Yan.
Wind, fire, thunder, and lightning appeared and vanished continuously.
Gradually, the formations expanded, and their power intensified.
Given time, formations never disappoint.
"What? Since when did Lin Xuan become so skilled with formations?"
"As a fellow disciple, he makes me feel so secure."
"I’ll always follow Lin Xuan!"
The Seven Stars Sword Sect members were in awe, witnessing a side of Lin Xuan they had never seen before.
On the other hand, the Heavenly Demon Sect’s expressions darkened.
Suddenly, Cui Baiquan exclaimed, "This... this isn’t right."
In an instant, hundreds of formations surrounded them.
The most powerful among them was the Inverted Mystic Gate Formation, which caused constant disorientation.
Attempting to attack left resulted in striking right. Trying to retreat led to charging forward.
Even mistaking allies for enemies became a common occurrence.
The worst part was the unpredictability—there was no way to know when one’s senses would betray them.
"What’s the meaning of this, Wan Xibo?" Cui Baiquan demanded.
"As you can see, I’ve reached an understanding with this young man. You’ll die here. Did you really think I’d work for you? Dream on."
"Fine. Liang Shuanghua, we’ll cover you. Focus on breaking the formations."
The titled Heavenly Demon, Liang Shuanghua, nodded and began deciphering the formations, though it was an immensely difficult task.
Moreover, the Seven Stars Sword Sect wouldn’t let them off easily.
They launched an attack, leveraging the power of the formations.
The Heavenly Demon Sect, hindered by the formations, struggled to fight back, feeling utterly frustrated.
Amidst the chaos, Su Luo remained unaffected, standing in a spot completely untouched by the formations.
Formations? Who doesn’t know how to handle them?