Ji An’s eyes revealed a hopeful light, yet no matter how much he deceived himself, being targeted by a Golden Core Demon King was indeed a matter difficult to swallow.

"The Blood Transformation Soul-Chasing Curse acts directly on your spirit soul.

You can only slowly consume the power of the blood curse over time, or have a Nascent Soul Cultivator intervene to seal the blood curse on your spirit soul.

Apart from these two methods, there is no other way."

Daoist Master Zhengyang lightly shook his head, for such secret techniques, he too was helpless; only Nascent Soul Great Powers were capable of delving into the cultivation of spirit souls.

He paused slightly and then said:

"For you, the harm of the blood curse is not serious; it will only make you have nightmares when your divine sense is severely exhausted, that’s all."

Ultimately, the main effect of the Blood Transformation Soul-Chasing Curse is just a mark.

Of course, this also relates to the realm of the marked. If a Qi Refining cultivator were marked by a Golden Core Demon King’s blood curse, they would likely be plagued with illusions, almost sentenced to death.

Ji An felt slightly relieved and said:

"Ancestor, how long will the power of this magic spell take to dissipate?"

"The blood curse cast by a Golden Core Demon King will take about a hundred years to dissipate."

’So long? Are you kidding me!’

Ji An gritted his teeth, his eyes widening in disbelief.

Daoist Master Zhengyang saw his disciple’s expression and explained:

"The blood curse can absorb the blood of the recipient to extend its duration, which is why it lasts so long.

If you can break through to the Chao Origin Stage, you can greatly reduce the duration of the blood curse.

However...."

As Ji An heard the transition, his slightly reassured heart jolted again.

Daoist Master Zhengyang showed a kind smile and continued, saying:

"However, when you return, try to stay within the sect’s jurisdiction as much as possible and avoid going out until the demon calamity ends."

The ancestor has a mischievous side too... Ji An nodded heavily and said:

"Disciple understands, thank you Ancestor for the guidance!"

...

At the top of the Immortal City’s grand hall, all the Daoist Masters were gathered.

Master Yuxiao softly said:

"The spiritual vein beneath the Immortal City cannot sustain for much longer, at most half a month, and the grade will inevitably drop to Tier Two Middle Grade.

If the demon beast attacks are fiercer, the time will be even shorter."

To the Mountain Protection Array, even without the participation of the Demon King in battle, the massive attacks of the demon beasts are an immense burden.

Fire Cloud Zhenren pondered and said:

"Then proceed according to the plan; three days later, the core disciples of each family and the Chao Origin Stage loose cultivators can evacuate via the teleportation array.

The sect’s low-tier disciples and other family disciples, as well as loose cultivators, can only retreat by flying ship."

The war had lasted for so long that the Mountain Protection Array had consumed a large amount of Spirit Stones.

To guard Mingfeng Mountain, the Three Sects had poured in nearly a century’s worth of accumulation.

Each activation of the long-distance teleportation array requires consuming five hundred pieces of middle-grade Spirit Stones, and now there aren’t enough Spirit Stones to teleport too many cultivators.

"If this is the case, the tension between the loose cultivators and the sect will intensify, and in the future, there might be some hidden dangers.

We, of course, are not afraid, but for the disciples traveling outside, it’s uncertain.

The sect can only provide Spirit Stone teleportation for Foundation Establishment disciples and exceptionally outstanding Qi Refining disciples; as for those who take the flying ship, we can only imagine how slim their chances of survival are."

Daoist Master Zhengyang sighed, as not only among loose cultivators, but even among sect disciples, a sense of alienation was emerging.

The grand hall fell silent; this issue wasn’t present in the original plans.

Initially, the plan was for Nascent Soul cultivators from the Central Continent to oversee Mingfeng Mountain Immortal City, harnessing the power of the Western Continent to keep the demon beasts at bay outside the defensive line.

A low voice quietly rose:

"In the coming few days, the battles will undoubtedly be intense, so notify those important disciples to hold back slightly.

If the numbers are sufficiently few, all cultivators can leave using the teleportation array."

...

Night, the grotto mansion atop the mountain.

"Are you all clear about it?"

Lin Qiu Bai asked, his voice was soft yet chilly like the fierce wind at the mountain peak.

He had just announced a secret order to use the demon beasts to consume more low-tier disciples.

"Understood."

Li Haoran replied, then, meeting his master’s gaze, asked:

"With many ancestors of the Three Sects here, even if the Mountain Protection Array is breached, they could still protect the cultivators for escape, why resort to such a strategy?"

In his view, this group of cultivators who have been through trials is an extremely valuable resource that cannot be easily abandoned.

The Three Sects possess more than enough Golden Core Battle Power and should be able to protect more cultivators.

His question also echoed the concern of the other disciples.

In any case, these cultivators have lived and died with the Immortal City.

Ji An’s eyes glinted dimly as he watched Lin Qiu Bai, wanting to hear what explanation would be given.

"After the death of a demon king equivalent to a Sixth-Layer Golden Core Cultivator, the response of the demon beasts was very abnormal.

The ancestors believe there is a transformed great demon equivalent to a Nascent Soul cultivator overseeing the demon beasts.

Although they don’t have absolute certainty, there’s a fifty percent chance.

They don’t know if or when the transformed great demon will make a move, but they don’t dare to gamble.

If you were the ancestors of the sect, would you be willing to gamble?

If gambled and won, indeed more disciples could be protected, but what if the gamble was lost?"

Lin Qiu Bai asked rhetorically; he had also learned of the concerns of the ancestors today and understood why they were merely defending the Immortal City and not taking the initiative to attack.

Because if a transformed great demon made a move, there would still be time to escape within the Immortal City, yet the truth of the situation was unexpectedly shocking.

If he were a Golden Core Cultivator of the sect, would he make the gamble?

Asking himself honestly, he wouldn’t, because if he gambled and lost, the sect’s inheritance would be severed.

...

Returning to his residence, Ji An remained silent for a long time.

Before life and death, the bloody reality was laid bare, piercing his eyes painfully.

Outside the window, the moon was bright as a hook, no different than usual, but he felt strands of coldness seep into his bones.

He wasn’t obsessed with cleanliness; he just felt that life was filled with too many moments out of his control.

Rather than let cultivators’ flesh and blood be devoured by demon beasts, it’s better to be naturally exhausted and then cremated.

"In the future, I absolutely must not become a sacrificial pawn of a grand scheme."

Ji An clenched his fists; only by becoming stronger could he control his destiny.

...

Three days later, at 9:00 PM.

Ji An recovered from his dizziness, and a slightly familiar cold voice sounded beside his ear:

"Once you’re awake, immediately step out of the magic array; there are others who need to be teleported next."

He immediately stepped out of the magic array as instructed.

Outside, Lin Qiu Bai showed a smile of approval:

"Not bad, to recover so quickly from the state of teleportation; your constitution must be excellent."

The teleportation array’s distance was eight thousand miles, and Foundation Establishment cultivators typically need a breath to recover their senses.

It’s said that in the Central Continent, there are magic arrays with teleportation distances of hundreds of thousands of miles. During such teleportations, one must use special spatial magical artifacts to protect their body; otherwise, they would be compressed into powder by the spatial forces, and even Nascent Soul cultivators can’t withstand it.

Ji An scratched his head and replied:

"Perhaps it’s because I’ve undergone body refining."

"You actually have time for body refining? Learning too much isn’t a good thing; specialize first, then broaden."

"Thank you, Junior Martial Uncle, for the guidance."

Ji An cupped his hands in thanks; ever since the ’contest’ at Mingfeng Mountain, this Junior Martial Uncle had been quite kind to him.

Lin Qiu Bai nodded slightly and continued:

"Wait outside, once everyone is teleported out, ancestor will speak, then you can leave."

"Disciple takes his leave."

Ji An walked out of the hall; outside was a small square, brightly lit, where many people were already gathered.

People gathered in groups of three to five, lowering their voices as they spoke.

Ge Luoying stood on tiptoe, waved, and Ji An walked over quickly, cupped his hands, and said:

"Greetings, Senior Sister, greetings to the two Senior Brothers."

"Junior Brother, your performance on the city walls in recent days was really surprising; I didn’t expect you to not only excel at planting but also have such strong talent in magic techniques!"

A look of amazement appeared in Ge Luoying’s eyes; she had been in charge of patrol and firefighting roles on the city walls these days and had gained more insight into Ji An’s state of magical combats.

The opponent’s magic techniques were very comprehensive, involving wood element, earth element, fire element, and water element.

What amazed her more was that the opponent’s magic technique levels were all very profound; the spreading magic intent was undeniable.

She had heard from her ancestral aunt about the opponent and knew that all three of the opponent’s planting techniques were honed to perfection.

It’s almost impossible to refine so many techniques to such profound levels.

Ji An showed a sheepish smile and said:

"Senior Sister praises too much; I have fewer tasks on Red Flame Peak, so I’ve spent all my spare time pondering magic techniques.

Additionally, I use external objects to enhance my comprehension while practicing."

There are many spiritual objects that can temporarily enhance comprehension, such as the Five Elements Essence, Enlightenment Tea, Soul Nourishing Wood magical artifact, etc.

These methods are well-known, but the effects...

Ji An had tried refining the Five Elements Essence before practicing magic techniques, but the effects were mediocre, so he didn’t attempt it again.

He hadn’t had access to the methods involving Enlightenment Tea or Soul Nourishing Wood.

"Even so, it’s very impressive!"

Ge Luoying knew that many Foundation Establishment cultivators could only refine one or two techniques to perfection in their lifetime; didn’t these people know how to use external objects?

"Junior Brother’s prowess in magic techniques is indeed very strong; you’re the most versatile cultivator I’ve seen in magic techniques. We should spar sometime."

Li Haoran nodded slightly; during battle on the city walls, he had also noticed this Junior Brother’s mastery over numerous and intricate magic techniques.

He had seen the opponent’s Geng Metal Finger, and the sharp, lethal magic intent made his heart thrill.

"Senior Brother’s greatness is like trying to chase a horse! Sword Intent Transformation is awe-inspiring."

Ji An gently declined; only a sword cultivator who understands Sword Intent Transformation is a true sword cultivator!

He had, of course, witnessed the opponent’s battles, swift and deadly, like an unending torrential downpour.

Unless he displayed all his abilities, he wouldn’t last long against him.

True sparring is a back-and-forth exchange, otherwise it’s just one-sided abuse.

Li Haoran gently shook his head:

"Junior Brother isn’t being forthright! I can hold back when sparring with you!"

How could he admit defeat before even trying? He was really looking forward to competing against a cultivator with such comprehensive magic techniques.

There’s a saying among sword cultivators: ’One Sword Breaks Ten Thousand Techniques, One Sword Creates Ten Thousand Techniques,’ which is his lifelong pursuit.

Liu Yu, beside him, laughed:

"Senior Brother Li, you’re using a great advantage; Junior Brother Ji is only at the Seventh-Layer Foundation Establishment this year, and you’ve been at Foundation Establishment Perfection for several years. How about waiting a few more years?"

"In a few years, I’ll break through to the Chao Origin Stage, then if we spar, I’ll be even more restrained."

Li Haoran lightly shook his head; on the Canglan Secret Realm expedition, he obtained necessary spirit medicines, and the sect was already preparing to refine the Nourishing Yuan Pill.

Once the pill is refined, he is sure to obtain one.

For him, the Chao Origin Stage is certain!

Ji An smiled slightly and said:

"Senior Brother Li, how about we wait until I break through to the Chao Origin Stage to spar?

Then, I am confident that I can push Senior Brother to use his full strength!"