The entire sect is obsessed with love, but I'm the only one who's truly insane.

"What are you standing there for?" Hou Cang's voice was filled with anger. "How dare you be so careless when facing an opponent who is stronger than you?"

A longsword was placed horizontally in front of Lin Du, its blade unleashing a devastating sword aura that swept away the billowing black mist.

Lin Du stopped retreating and said with a grin, "Isn't it because my senior brother is here?"

Hou Cang sneered, "What would you have done without me today? Wouldn't you have perished in the Demon Realm all by yourself? At such a young age, you're already trying to rely on others instead of learning good manners?"

"Still too weak." His words were merciless. "You're dragging me down."

Lin Du raised an eyebrow, said nothing, and watched as Hou Cang stood in front of her, his sword energy overflowing, cleaving through the purplish-black demonic light, and splitting open a patch of pure spiritual light in the somewhat colorful and strange world.

She tentatively circled around it, but found that she couldn't force her way through even with spiritual power. She pondered, "Illusionary Realm."

This is the domain of the Seventh Elder of the Demon Clan.

Most of the demons in the demonic tide have not yet developed intelligence and act solely on instinct. This is actually the first time Lin Du has faced a powerful demon head-on.

Hou Cang is at least among the top ranks of the Chongxiao Ranking, so Lin Du isn't too worried that he will lose.

She was thinking about what would happen next.

He might have a chance in a one-on-one fight. Qi Zhen is within the sect, but besides Wen Fu and the person in front of him, there are other top ten experts.

It's best to escape as soon as possible.

Lin Du retreated behind Hou Cang again. She wasn't too familiar with the concept of domains, but she had been taught nine chess games during the inheritance of the ancient mansion, all of which were completed within the domains created by her predecessors.

She memorized all nine chess moves, but she hadn't fully digested the underlying principles and techniques.

The simplest way to break through a domain is for the domain's owner to die; the second way is to break through it using the domain's laws.

Lin Du sighed. She was still a child, yet she was always playing high-level games.

Is it too late for someone to achieve enlightenment on the spot?

Fox You watched Lin Du sit down, feeling somewhat bewildered. What did this mean? Was he just going to sit there and relax?

Here, the waters are raging, sword energy is rampant, and demonic energy is rampant; over there, they even brought out a... chessboard?

Foxy was completely devastated; it seemed like he was doomed today.

Lin Du moved quickly and restored the game of chess in a flash.

"The game is square and still, the pieces are round and dynamic, in accordance with the laws of heaven and earth."

Lin Du's speed in placing the pieces increased, and the words spoken by the sages when they placed their pieces echoed in her ears.

The authorities remain silent.

The domain itself is static; what moves are the people within it.

Although the principles of formations are different, they also have similarities.

To break this stalemate, you need to get the pieces moving until the balance is broken.

Chess pieces represent power; each move, though seemingly insignificant, has a different purpose.

To defeat this force, you must break down the forces within this domain; the key to victory lies in breaking down the pieces.

Lin Du lowered his eyes, recalling the explanation of how to break the chessboard of splitting the domain, his hand hovering over the chessboard.

Ultimately, the situation here is one of siege, and there are no changes in the outcome.

Hou Cang waited in vain for Lin Du's next move. The divine bone and the spirit sword collided once again. The divine bone unleashed a powerful force, and the huge recoil force forced Hou Cang to fly away to dissipate the force.

In the brief moment of retreat, Hou Cang turned his head and saw Lin Du standing still. Even though the lower half of his face was covered, a momentary ferocity still appeared on his face.

This junior sister really doesn't do anything right!

"It seems that the thirteenth place on the Chongxiao Ranking is nothing special."

The Seventh Elder smiled in a way that was captivating. "It seems I've got your heart in my grasp today."

Her gaze finally fell on Lin Du. "Oh, it seems someone has already surrendered. It seems the disciples of the Supreme Sect aren't as powerful as rumored."

"I remember this person, wasn't he very powerful when breaking through formations? Now that it's within my domain, he can't even break through it?"

"Since she ruined the Venerable One's plan to refine the soul and dismantle the bones before, it's fine to grant her wish today."

Hou Cang finally stopped retreating, raised his sword again, and charged forward. "She only believed I could kill you."

The sharp sword intent suddenly surged, its silver light dazzling like the luster of pearls and shells, and it swiftly and decisively aimed at the woman's face. The sword intent was proud and bold, breaking through the surging black and purple energy emanating from the divine bone.

Like a white shark fin cutting through the surging waves of the Black Sea, it surged forward, shattering the oppressive black waves that were as fierce as giant mountains, and rushed straight to the woman's face.

The Seventh Elder dodged to the side, his waist as supple as a vine, seemingly backing down, but his other hand already concealed murderous intent.

The gleaming purple-gold dagger plunged into the black mist, leaping high towards the sword-wielding figure, and stabbed at Hou Cang's waist and abdomen.

A white chess piece shot out from Lin Du's hand and shattered against the tip of the dagger with a snap.

Upon noticing this, Hou Cang immediately dodged to the side, his longsword flipping in the air before slashing horizontally at the Seventh Elder. The sword collided with the Divine Bone again, causing the Seventh Elder's tiger's mouth to split open and blood to flow.

Lin Du stood up, put away the chessboard, and said, "Senior brother, it'll take about half a cup of tea."

Before Hou Cang could react to the meaning behind Lin Du's words, thirty-six hiltless short blades had already appeared in front of Lin Du.

He snapped out of his daze and focused his attention on the demon before him.

Killing this demon wasn't too difficult; at most, it would deplete their spiritual power. However, the divine bone was indeed troublesome, as it exerted a powerful suppressive effect on their spiritual cultivation. Within the domain, they were unable to communicate with the outside world, and many of their magical seals and decrees could not be used.

His hands were slippery, but Hou Cang didn't waste his spiritual power to heal his wounds. He casually wiped them on his clothes, raised his sword, his gaze firm, and struck again. His moves were simple and direct, yet each strike was more ruthless than the last.

Originally, Hou Cang could only barely maintain a 50/50 chance, but this time he seemed to be acting recklessly, suppressing his opponent step by step even though he was in someone else's territory.

Amidst the dazzling flashes of sword light, the woman's attention was diverted from turning towards Lin Du.

This is a short blade that Cang Li reforged for Lin Du. It is made from the finest natural materials that he has "robbed" over the years. The ores and metals are extremely rare. The array patterns and materials on it are all designed by Lin Du himself. Even if it is the first time using it, Lin Du can quickly arrange all the short blades.

The nine short blades were first scattered and plunged into the space, forming square points.

Lin Du used his divine sense to judge the direction of the energy. One by one, short blades fell, slowly separating the continuous force, cutting it apart, interrupting its flow, and finally breaking it apart.

Lin Du forced the last short blade into the space. In an instant, turbulent currents surged within the space, and the originally perfect domain crumbled. Light from the outside leaked in, and thirty-six points of light emitted a dazzling brilliance. At first glance, it resembled a game of chess where the white pieces had won a decisive victory.

Lin Du stood amidst the swirling wind, his robes fluttering in the breeze. He raised one hand, opened his eyes, and instantly focused his divine sense.

Thirty-six short blades, the thirty-six moves she made, all approached her simultaneously in an instant, tearing through space and shattering the scene, announcing Lin Du's successful breakthrough.

Foxy had been calculating the time in his mind, and couldn't help but be surprised; it was exactly the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea.

At the same moment, Hou Cang's final sword strike, with the force of tearing through the air, overwhelmed the surging purplish-black demonic energy and the power of rules, and pierced into the woman's chest.

Instead of being angry, the Seventh Elder laughed, even taking a step closer with a smile. "You think a mere spirit sword can kill me?"

The instant he sensed the influx of external air currents, he raised his hand to form a hand seal, commanding all spirits of heaven and earth, "All heavens pay homage, the seven luminaries shine brightly, demonic souls are annihilated, evil energy is purged."

The winds and clouds shifted between heaven and earth, and a golden magic seal took shape in his hand, which was then slapped into the wound pierced by the spirit sword.

The Seventh Elder stared wide-eyed as golden light entered her body, instantly shattering her demonic embryo. The golden light then spread outwards, and thick black demonic energy billowed out, indicating that the demon could no longer control its own demonic energy.

Hou Cang turned his head and looked at Lin Du.

"Although it was a last-minute effort, it was still quite resourceful. There aren't many people in this world who can break through a domain in this way."

Lin Du sheathed his short blade and looked up at the bizarre mountain of flesh blocking his way.

"Would you believe me if I said I regretted it, senior?"

"Is it too late to sew the domain shut now?"

Upon hearing this, Hou Cang turned his head to look, his hand gripping the sword tightening, and the pupils in his usually calm eyes trembled slightly. "It seems too late... She's dead."

Fox You could no longer make a sound. He let out a long breath, tilted his head, rolled his eyes, and said, "Ah, I'm dead~"

It's true, he's really dead. Do not disturb.

The mountain of flesh before them was comparable to the Demon God Mother Tree, only more blatant. Without the restraint of vines, it was all flesh pressed together, arms and legs standing haphazardly, slowly writhing on the ground, blocking their entire path.

This is even worse than being trapped in the domain by the Seventh Elder of the Demon Palace.

Lin Du is now filled with regret, deep regret.