In this way, all the Demonic Qi on his body was completely isolated, without the slightest leak.

But he also could not use any Demon Technique.

Otherwise, once the Profound Ice barrier shattered and his aura leaked, the Killing Array restrictions would sense it; it would be a near-certain death.

Demonic Lord Withered Wood, trembling with fear, slowly followed behind a Spirit Bamboo Puppet that was covered in Profound Ice.

Unexpectedly smooth.

They walked all the way out of the restriction’s range without triggering the Killing Array.

"Very good. Fellow Daoist Profound Ice, would you care to come along?"

Demonic Lord Cuiyun straightforwardly paid six Blood Demon Pills.

Mu Ling’Er happily put them away.

Shen Xuan glanced at the Soul-Devouring Dragon-Bone Tree.

"Fellow Daoist Cui Yun, that demonic tree is strange."

"How could I not know the demonic tree is strange? However, since I have come here, this is my opportunity. The Dragon Bone Fruit—I am determined to obtain it."

Demonic Lord Cuiyun’s face was full of resolve.

Clearly, the Dragon Bone Fruit was extremely valuable, and he was unwilling to give it up.

Shen Xuan nodded.

"I will only be responsible for leading you in and out. You and Demonic Lord Withered Wood will each give me one of the Blood Crystal Stones you just obtained."

"Alright."

Demonic Lord Cuiyun pondered for a few breaths, then agreed.

Shen Xuan hadn’t asked him for the Dragon Bone Fruit, which could be considered a fair price.

Soon, Shen Xuan condensed a thick Profound Ice barrier that wrapped around Demonic Lord Cuiyun.

He lit up a Profound Ice barrier on himself as well and followed behind Demonic Lord Cuiyun.

Mu Ling’Er and Immortal Yunshang stayed outside to provide support.

The two of them smoothly passed through the Killing Array restriction range and arrived before the Soul-Devouring Dragon-Bone Tree.

At this moment, Demonic Lord Withered Wood was standing there, at a loss for what to do.

He did not dare make any rash moves.

Demonic Lord Wuyá’s fall was a prior lesson.

In his line of sight, the Soul-Devouring Dragon-Bone Tree swayed without wind, as if greeting them.

Demonic Lord Cuiyun stared at the Dragon Bone Fruits on the tree and counted them several times.

He was likely calculating the route for picking them in his mind.

"Fellow Daoist Profound Ice, you cover the formation for me. Whatever I gain, you’ll get thirty percent."

Demonic Lord Cuiyun faced Shen Xuan, his expression solemn as he spoke in a deep voice.

"Alright."

Shen Xuan responded.

He was only covering the formation; he did not need to step forward and take risks.

If things became impossible, preserving himself would come first.

Of course, if the danger was not too great, he did not mind lending Demonic Lord Cuiyun a hand.

He also wanted a few Dragon Bone Fruits.

Demonic Lord Cuiyun let out a low shout, and all the Profound Ice on his body shattered; the surrounding Demonic Qi surged up abruptly.

At this moment, the Soul-Devouring Dragon-Bone Tree seemed to sense something; its trunk shook, and Demonic Qi began to boil.​

Demonic Lord Cuiyun held the Blood Flood Dragon Pagoda in his hand, blood light swirling around it, and cautiously approached the Soul-Devouring Dragon-Bone Tree, his gaze locked onto the plumpest Dragon Bone Fruit.

Just as he was about to channel his Magical Power and flick his horsetail whisk to pluck it—

A sudden change occurred.

The Soul-Devouring Dragon-Bone Tree seemed to suddenly awaken; several deep, gaping maws split open along its trunk, and a piercing shriek that stabbed straight at the Divine Soul rang out.

Countless hard branches, covered with scales, whipped toward Demonic Lord Cuiyun like Soft Whips, carrying a sharp, tearing howl of Demonic Qi as they tried to coil around him.

What made one’s heart pound was that on the flailing branches, faintly, many twisted, agonized human faces appeared as illusory shadows, emitting silent wails that disturbed the mind.

At the ends of the branches were attached the decayed corpses of various Demon Beasts and even Cultivators, as if commanding a Netherworld army that surged forth.

"So it really has taken shape!"

Demonic Lord Cuiyun, though startled, did not panic. He roared angrily, and the Blood Flood Dragon Pagoda in his hand burst with blinding blood light; eight solid Blood Fiend Flood Dragons roared out and tangled with the countless incoming demonic branches.

For a time, Demonic Qi and blood light collided madly, thunderous booms echoing without cease.

Demonic Lord Withered Wood, who had been hiding to the side within a Profound Ice barrier, concealing his aura and watching from afar, originally remained still.

But when he caught sight of one of the demonic branches attacking Demonic Lord Cuiyun being knocked aside, and on that branch, there was actually a Dragon Bone Fruit shining with flowing radiance—

Greed rose in him in an instant.

Demonic Lord Withered Wood’s eyes flashed with a hint of ruthlessness; he darted forward, the White Bone Sword in his hand erupting with ghastly white demonic light, his figure like lightning as he thrust straight at that branch.

His thought was very simple: cut off that branch and get that Dragon Bone Fruit into his hands first.

At this moment, the instant he unleashed his Magic Power, Demonic Qi spread, and the Profound Ice barrier on his body naturally dissipated.

"Idiot!"

Demonic Lord Cuiyun, who was entangled in battle with the main branches of the Soul-Devouring Dragon-Bone Tree, sensed Demonic Lord Withered Wood’s move and cursed angrily. He had long since seen that this was a trap.

He had never expected Demonic Lord Withered Wood would fall into it so easily out of greed.

Shen Xuan’s expression grew grave, but he did not move from where he stood.

Demonic Lord Cuiyun had only asked him to cover the formation, not to guarantee Demonic Lord Withered Wood’s safety.

Besides, this was something Demonic Lord Withered Wood had brought upon himself.

Although Shen Xuan would not attack fellow Demonic Lords without cause,

if they sought death themselves, Shen Xuan was happy to see it happen.

The White Bone Sword slashed down on that branch, but it was like cutting into a ball of cotton, with no resistance at all.

Demonic Lord Withered Wood was greatly shocked and was just about to pull the White Bone Sword back.

The next instant, countless demonic branches rolled up and completely enveloped him.

Demonic Lord Withered Wood swung his sword and raised his shield, constantly hacking at the sweeping demonic branches.

However, no matter how hard he struck,

the demonic branches easily dispersed the force and remained unscathed.

As the demonic branches pressed in step by step and the ring grew ever smaller, despair appeared in Demonic Lord Withered Wood’s eyes.

"Brother Cui Yun, save me!"

Demonic Lord Jinghun was hard-pressed to protect himself, fighting fiercely with the main trunk branches of the Soul-Devouring Dragon-Bone Tree; how could he spare any strength to save him?

"Fellow Daoist Profound Ice..."

In desperation, he clutched at any straw.

Demonic Lord Withered Wood shouted loudly, "Save me! I’ll tell you a huge secret!"

"Oh? What huge secret?"

"Save me first!"

"You talk first!"

The demonic branches grew denser and gradually wrapped him up completely.

Demonic Lord Withered Wood opened his mouth, only to suddenly realize his voice could no longer get out.

At the ends of the demonic branches, the corpses of Demon Beasts and Cultivators suddenly cried out in unison, raising a wave of demonic sound that attacked his Divine Soul.