Longevity starts with choosing Hextech enhancement

Chapter 387 In short, two words—all correct!
Upon hearing this, everyone looked puzzled.

The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, except for the crackling of the candlelight.

After a short while, they looked at each other and exchanged glances, and they understood what was going on.

Clearly, none of the people present were those who were pedantic.

After pondering for a moment, Iron Fan Zhenjun said, "Now that things have come to this, we should prioritize victory and the overall situation."

"For the sake of the great cause of humanity, some necessary measures are not out of the question."

True Lord Qian Shu echoed, "That's right. Any means of scheming are neither inherently good nor evil; the key is to look at their purpose."

"Any method that is used to do good is a good method."

The others nodded in agreement: "Good!"

"Fellow Daoist is right."

"Given the current situation, this is the only option."

However, True Lord Gangyuan held a different opinion: "I do not oppose this plan, but even if we want to launch a demonic calamity, there are several problems in front of us."

He then proceeded to think and explain, listing three major questions intermittently.

The first question is, who will bear this infamy?

In any case, such a plan, once proposed, will inevitably be criticized by the world afterwards.

It will surely be recorded in history by future generations and passed down for thousands of years.

But reputation is only the simplest issue.

The second problem is even more serious: who will pay the price?

Most of the time, triggering a demonic disaster requires a large number of blood sacrifices, or even human sacrifices.

In other words, many low-level cultivators would need to be sacrificed.

Who should bear these losses?
How should we define those who are to be sacrificed?

Who is willing to step forward and say that they will suffer for their disciples and bear the blame?

However, these are not the biggest problems.

The third question is the most fatal—who will be responsible for cultivating the related demonic arts?

To trigger a sufficiently powerful demonic calamity, at least a fourth-tier demonic cultivator would need to be involved.

The problem is, if we go outside now, where can we find any demonic cultivators?

Even if there are any, they are all low-level demonic cultivators.

Therefore, if this plan is to be carried out, someone needs to switch to practicing demonic arts.

Although everyone has plenty of demonic inheritances, the problem is that there is clearly not enough time.

Rather than spending a year and a half switching to demonic arts, it's better to just wait for the talisman's effect to end and dissipate on its own.

"Let's put aside those abstract things and get to the most practical question: who will cultivate the demonic arts?"

Gangyuan Zhenjun looked around at everyone and said, "To be honest, I have a jade slip from the Black Abyss Demon Sect that I can provide free of charge."

The situation just got awkward.

As it turns out, sometimes it's not so easy to become a villain for all time.

If you don't have the ability, you won't even be worthy of being remembered for your infamy, let alone being remembered for good.

Several more days passed in this way.

They were unable to come up with a good solution that could properly resolve the problem.

If things continue like this, there's no point in wasting time here. It would be better for everyone to go into seclusion, cultivate their skills, and wait for a turning point.

Fortunately, on this day, True Lord Gangyuan brought good news.

After a period of effort, he has refined the new array base needed to set up the Nine Extremes Magnetic Array.

If we can solve the fog problem, we will have a way to directly attack the sea creature's formation.

This should indeed be good news.

But no one was happy at the moment.

If the fog cannot be resolved, the sea creature's great formation will be invisible and untouchable, so how can one attempt to break through it?

"Well, I think there's always a way out."

Xiao Chen suddenly declared, "There must be some way to solve the fog, maybe it's somewhere nearby."

"I suggest we all go for a walk around the area; we might just find something interesting."

After saying that, he set an example by coming to the vicinity of the fog and began to look for ways to combat it.

Of course, this was just for show; in reality, he was just trying to create an excuse for his next move.

"Will this work?"

Having recovered from his injuries a few days ago, True Monarch Silver Hair watched Xiao Chen leave, feeling somewhat bewildered: "There's only one sea around here, and lately there haven't been many sea fish left."

After all, there are several thousand Golden Core disciples from various sects here.

They've already fished out almost all the fish in the surrounding waters.

Of course, the best-tasting batch of sea fish was mostly handed over to the warehouse to prepare a banquet for the True Lords.

"I think, since I'm just idling around anyway, I might as well go out and try my luck."

For some reason, Iron Fan True Monarch actually supported Xiao Chen's idea: "Let's go, Junior Brother, let's go for a walk outside together."

Those including True Lord Crane Cry, True Lord Purple Sun, True Lord Cloud Vortex, and True Lord Die Lang also came out one after another.

A thorough search began around the fog.

That evening, everyone returned to the temporary main hall one after another, naturally without finding anything.

Xiao Chen, however, has yet to return.

It wasn't until midnight, around 9 PM, that it flew back with a smile: "Hey, what a coincidence! I discovered a ruin in the nearby abyss."

what?
Everyone was stunned. Was it true?

Especially considering what Xiao Chen said before he went out during the day.

A bold guess was vaguely emerging in everyone's mind.

But I'm not quite sure if I've found a way to solve the fog problem right here in the ruins.
It can't be such a coincidence, right?

"Oh my, what a coincidence!"

Xiao Chen pulled out a small booklet from his pocket: "I just happened to find an ancient inheritance in the ruins."

"This book is a secret technique that happens to come from the Demonic Sect."

"The secret technique happens to contain a formation that can restrict malevolent energy."

In short, two words—all correct!

"With this formation, we should be able to use the Yang Fire Sha to deal with the fog outside."

Upon hearing this, everyone present widened their eyes in astonishment.

Are you serious?

Many people found Xiao Chen's words hard to believe.

The main problem is that people can't understand why all of this just happened to be such a coincidence.

They were right; it was definitely fake.
But the truth doesn't matter.

After all, once Xiao Chen excused himself, the ruins would be closed again and inaccessible, leaving no way for others to verify the information.

"Fellow Daoist Gangyuan, please take a look and see if this formation is really effective."

Xiao Chen directly used his true essence to deliver the booklet to Gang Yuan Zhenjun: "If there are no major problems, we can do a small-scale test tomorrow."

"We will begin large-scale forging of the array base the day after tomorrow, proceeding according to the plan we discussed earlier."

"We'll try to clear the fog outside by the end of the month."

Gangyuan Zhenjun was completely bewildered and subconsciously reached out to take the booklet.

He didn't know what to say at that moment.

So he simply said nothing and first looked down to examine the demonic secret technique in his hand.

As a result, his brow twitched involuntarily the moment he saw it.

What new characters!
It looks as if it was written just this afternoon.

Upon closer inspection, the contents were surprisingly comprehensive, clearly indicating that it belonged to the lineage of demonic cultivation.

Whether it's some demonic cultivation methods or some demonic sect techniques, they are all recorded in a very detailed and accurate manner, not at all like fakes.

The only problem is that True Lord Gangyuan has never heard of a demonic sect called the Gamo Sect that existed in the Compassionate Sea.

"Strange, why do I have absolutely no recollection of this sect?"

The True Lord of Hanchuan, who was standing nearby, was also very curious: "Does anyone know which branch of the Gamo Sect it is?"

Upon hearing this, everyone shook their heads, including True Monarch Crane Cry, who had never heard of such a title before.

"Uh, I've never heard of that either."

Xiao Chen added in time: "But speaking of which, the things in those ruins all look very old, as if they have existed for countless years."

"It's highly likely that it was a demonic sect that existed in ancient times, and the relevant information was probably lost over the long course of history."

"The key is that their secret technique doesn't seem fake, so I feel it's worth a try."

In fact, the so-called Gammon Gate never existed.

This was just a name that Xiao Chen made up himself.

In fact, the secret method he presented was entirely copied from the "Secret Canon of Judgment and Punishment by the True Lord of the Yellow Springs".

Back when he obtained the Yellow Spring Evil, the Yellow Spring Path actually used an array to confine the evil energy within the coffin.

It's just that they weren't very obvious, so Xiao Chen didn't remember about it at first.

It wasn't until he had been thinking about it day and night for the past few days that he suddenly realized something.

Alas, the Yellow Springs Demon does not exist in natural areas, but is restricted by human intervention.

Doesn't that mean there are methods within the Yellow Springs Path to manipulate evil energy?
Then Xiao Chen recalled the contents of the secret manual and found the relevant information.

That's why this extraordinary coincidence and 'adventure' happened.

"Fellow Daoist Gang Yuan, does this formation appear to be effective?"

After waiting for a quarter of an hour, Iron Fan Zhenjun couldn't help but ask, "What materials are needed? We can arrange for our disciples to prepare them first."

The others also eagerly awaited good news.

"Well, it's hard to confirm at the moment. All I can say is that this idea is simply... wow, simply wildly imaginative."

Gangyuan Zhenjun used very cautious words: "I need to study it more carefully before I can know whether it is feasible or not."

"However, based on the current situation, no obvious logical errors or loopholes have been found."

"At the same time, the amount of fourth-tier spiritual materials used here is surprisingly small, resulting in an extremely low overall cost."

"It is definitely worth testing in practice."

"However, many materials require processing using several third-tier secret techniques from the appendix, and the disciples alone probably won't have enough time to finish them by tomorrow."

"Tonight, everyone will have to work hard and process the spiritual materials themselves."

For Gangyuan Zhenjun, this was actually a point that puzzled him.

After all, he didn't know that the Yellow Springs Path was located in a place with extremely scarce resources.

Therefore, it is incomprehensible why the other party would spend so much effort on processing third-tier spiritual materials and desperately compress the cost of the formation.

Given the current situation, he doesn't have time to study and modify the formation, so he can only test it according to the original text. But objectively speaking, this is also a good thing.

In this way, the human race can easily replicate hundreds or thousands of formations to seal off the fog that has spread for thousands of miles, without having to worry about a shortage of fourth-tier spiritual materials.

Silent all night.

Xiao Chen also went to help process some of the third-tier spiritual materials.

By 9 a.m. the next day, the group had successfully pieced together the first formation.

"Fellow Daoist Xiao, please try releasing a tiny bit of your malevolent energy, the less the better."

Holding the temporary array flag, Gangyuan Zhenjun felt a long-lost tension, as if he had returned to the time when he first formally faced an enemy using the array.

After all, today's test results are crucial to whether our side can handle the vast expanse of cold smoke.

The others also gathered around intently, some even holding their breath, afraid of disturbing the two people in the middle.

Only Xiao Chen remained calm and relaxed, as if he had already anticipated success.

He was certainly confident, after all, the technology left behind by the Yellow Springs Path was very mature.

Imagine that the Yellow Springs Ruins have existed for tens of thousands of years. If there were even the slightest flaw, the Yellow Springs evil within would surely have been leaked long ago.

Conversely, this thing has undergone rigorous practical testing.

Xiao Chen is just going through the motions with everyone right now, so of course he's not nervous at all.

That's exactly what happened.

As a wisp of malevolent energy was drawn out from the Binghuo Treasure Gourd, the surrounding array power immediately captured it firmly.

Next, following the instructions in the booklet, True Lord Gangyuan tested different incantations in turn.

It was indeed as smooth as an extension of my arm; the manipulation was as silky as silk, and the entire process couldn't have been smoother.

"It's really possible!"

Gangyuan Zhenjun's face showed three parts surprise, three parts unexpectedness, three parts excitement and one part self-reproach: "So there is such a way to apply the Dao of Arrays."

"I was completely unaware of this before; I was truly a fool."

The secret formations of the Yellow Springs Path differed greatly from the orthodox formation traditions, which greatly shocked him.

However, at this moment, only True Lord Hanchuan was paying attention to the last few words of his senior brother.

The others were overjoyed upon hearing the word "yes" and began to celebrate.

"Great! There's always a way out!"

Yunwo Zhenjun was a little excited: "I almost thought I was in a dead end, but the situation has actually taken a turn for the better!"

He was the first to let go, which is equivalent to being the first to give up.

Therefore, this is the most surprising one.

"If you ask me, it's all thanks to Fellow Daoist Xiao's boundless good fortune and the blessing of a lucky star."

Iron Fan True Lord looked at Xiao Chen and said, "The timing of your appearances each time was just right, helping us to save the situation from crisis."

"This time, at a critical juncture, we stumbled upon an ancient ruin and obtained a key secret technique."

However, True Monarch Crane Cry shook his head: "More than that!"

"In my opinion, this miraculous encounter, which can be described as a timely rain, is enough to prove that the fate of our human race is not yet over, and we will surely be able to drive the sea race out of the Sea of ​​Compassion and achieve final victory."

"Fellow Daoist Xiao is even more destined by Heaven, perhaps even... hahaha."

What Crane Cry True Lord actually meant to say was 'born in response to calamity'.

But as soon as the words were on the tip of his tongue, he suddenly felt that saying them aloud might make them lose their power, so he quickly laughed it off.

From his perspective.

Xiao Chen's chance encounter with the ruins and the secret techniques he received were all perfectly timed, giving the impression that he was destined for greatness.

Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence?

Of all times, we've encountered ruins, not earlier, not later, but now, of all times, we've stumbled upon ruins left behind by an ancient demonic sect, containing the most useful secret techniques at hand.

Besides, everyone went out to search together, while others all came back empty-handed.

Why is that?
Because some opportunities can only be met by the right person.

Others are not destined for such good fortune; they may simply pass by without even realizing they've missed out on a remarkable encounter.

"Uh, no, not at all."

Xiao Chen quickly waved his hand: "It has nothing to do with me. It's just that the fate of our human race is not yet over, and I just happened to be one of the lucky ones."

"Now that the formation has been confirmed to be effective, everyone should hurry up and get ready."

"The sooner we resolve the fog, the more time we'll have to deal with the sea creature's grand formation."

His change of topic was very successful.

Everyone was happy, but as soon as they heard about the important business, they immediately suppressed their joy and got busy.

Soon, array formations rose up along the edge of the mist.

From a distance, it looks like a semi-circular bowl covering half of the mist.

Immediately afterwards, Xiao Chen took out the Bing Fire Treasure Gourd and poured all the Yang Fire Qi stored inside into the mist.

It can be said that Yang Fire Sha truly deserves to be called an extremely strong and yang thing.

The moment it came into contact with the icy spiritual energy within the cold mist, it immediately became agitated and pounced fiercely like a tiger descending a mountain.

It was like a tiger entering a flock of sheep, easily erasing the ice spirit power on the spot.

After the ice elemental power was gone, the remaining mist returned to normal and quickly dissipated when exposed to sunlight.

Immediately afterwards, the malevolent energy began to spread spontaneously in all directions.

"Start the formation!"

Gangyuan Zhenjun waved the array flags, activating the power of the array to drive all the Yang Fire Demons into the deeper mist.

Wherever it went, it was like a devastating force.

In just one day and one night, they had advanced a full seven thousand li.

However, only about 30% of the malevolent energy was lost.

Following this trend, we should be able to resolve all the fogging issues and even have a surplus.

Everyone was thrilled to see this.

Soon, the Yang Fire Demon reached the vicinity of the Sea Clan's linked array.

The unusual situation outside was immediately perceived by the great demon inside.

"Something's not right, why is the fog starting to dissipate ahead of schedule?"

Haihong stared blankly at the rapidly dissipating dark blue light above the formation, her mouth agape, unsure of what to say.

Isn't this the Thirty-Six Turns Cold Smoke Golden Talisman bestowed by His Majesty?
It should be the most reliable thing, so how could it have a problem?
What is that churning, invisible wave of air?
How can it so easily sweep away all the fog along the way?

Not only it, but all the other great demons were dumbfounded.

For nearly a month, the human race has not been able to make any major moves.

This made many powerful demons very happy, believing that as long as they stayed comfortably in the great formation, they could complete the task assigned by their lord.

Unexpectedly, the human race, once still, moved with thunderous force.

With a single move, he aimed to completely dispel the mist formed by the Thirty-Six Turns of Cold Smoke Golden Talisman.

Without the cover of the fog, they would once again face the threat of Xiao Chen's 'talisman treasure'.

Although they can also choose to hide inside the formation and not show themselves.

However, that would prevent the human race's True Lord from attacking the formation.

"We can't let them disperse the cold mist. Everyone, move to intercept that wave of air!"

Haihong promptly gave the order, requiring all the demons to use magic to stop the invisible shockwave.

Soon, a large number of demonic spells flew out from the formation and landed in the Yang Fire Fiend.

However, these magical attacks had almost no effect on the malevolent energy.

It can only cause a slight depletion through the demonic energy carried by the spell itself.

The problem is that the Yang Fire Sha already has a surplus, and even if some of it is consumed, it is enough to resolve the remaining fog.

Despite the demons exerting almost their lives, they continuously unleashed spells for quite some time.

But they could only watch helplessly as the human cultivators adjusted the position of the formation from afar, guiding the baleful energy to sweep away the remaining mist.

Midway through, Haihong did realize that the problem lay in those strange formations.

It also considered rushing out and destroying those formations directly.

The problem is that, based on our experience from the last encounter, without the protection of the great formation, they are no match for the human race at all.

It's easy to get out, but it's hard to get back.

Haihong's current situation is similar to that of a defender in a mortal war.

Knowing full well that the catapults on the other side could cause enormous damage, they could only stand inside the city walls and watch helplessly as the other side gradually dismantled their own defenses.

"How could this happen? How could this happen?"

Haihong muttered to herself, finding it somewhat difficult to accept the situation.

Although it chose to deploy a large number of fourth-order defensive formations from the beginning, rather than directly using the Thirty-Six Turns Cold Smoke Golden Talisman, it was because it thought that this thing might be unreliable.

But it never expected this.

This trump card, which they were so proud of, was cracked by the human race in less than a month.

This is too fast!

The Emperor instructed it to hold out for six months, and there are still almost two months left.

"Sir, we should take a step back."

The thousand-year-old sea turtle advised, "We're too close to the edge of the formation here. If Xiao Chen comes up, he can see us directly."

Haihong glared at it fiercely.

However, after weighing the options, he could only order: "Follow me and retreat, conceal yourselves first."

"In addition, from now on, you will be divided into pairs and take turns guarding the vicinity of the ley lines around the clock."

"Once the human race begins to attack our great formation, accelerate the activation of the earth's vein energy to amplify the formation's defenses."

For now, it can only hope that this exceptionally sturdy fourth-order linked array, empowered by the power of the earth's veins, can buy it enough time.

It doesn't need to be much, just about a month's worth.

After all, it takes about ten days to travel from Asakukai to Puduji Temple.

At the same time, the human race will usually take a period of rest and recuperation after a victory.

If the core objective of the past six months can be achieved, I believe His Majesty will be understanding of its failure to defend the Shallow Sea.

Actually, according to common sense...

With the five elements inherent in this interconnected array and the protection of the earth's vein energy, even if the human race were allowed to attack, it would take at least three to five months to dismantle it completely.

But Haihong turned around and looked at the figures gradually approaching the edge of the formation in the distance.

Xiao Chen, who was at the very front, felt uneasy.

Previously, the sea creatures suffered defeats on both the western and southern fronts almost entirely because of him.

Will Asakusa be an exception this time?

(End of this chapter)