Following the demonic energy veins' guidance, the demonic suppression squad struggled through increasingly desolate wasteland for several days. What they saw along the way was shocking. The earth completely lost vitality. The cracked soil presented an ominous purple-black color. Occasionally, completely demonized, grotesquely terrifying demon beast skeletons were visible. The air's pervasive demonic energy almost condensed into substance, constantly impacting everyone's protective spiritual light. Even Ao Zhan's vast dragon aura and Ling Shuang's pale blue halo appeared somewhat dim. Had Xiao Qi not periodically cleansed the surroundings with Azure Lotus power, purifying a relatively safe small space, the squad's progress would have been even more difficult.
Jing Wuxin's Breaking Illusion Spiritual Pupils had been continuously active. Her complexion was paler than usual. Operating this in such high-concentration demonic energy environment was extremely taxing. But she gritted her teeth, her gaze sharp, sweeping the front, not missing any energy abnormality.
"True Lord, intense energy reaction ahead!" At some point, Jing Wuxin suddenly stopped, pointing toward what looked like an ordinary area ahead, a jumble of black boulder pile: "The demonic energy there. is not simply seeping from earth veins, but more like an. 'exit'! And, there is extremely ancient and powerful formation fluctuation remaining, though extremely faint, my spiritual pupils can capture a trace!"
Everyone's spirits lifted. They immediately rushed toward that boulder pile.
Upon approaching, without Jing Wuxin's reminder, everyone felt the difference. The demonic energy concentration there far exceeded surroundings, like a spring constantly spewing ink. More eye-catching was that at that concentrated, almost impenetrable demonic energy center, some, emanating ancient and desolate aura stone pillars and foundations were faintly visible. They were half-buried in black sand and demonic energy. Their surfaces were covered with already blurred ancient talisman characters. Some pillars had broken and toppled, clearly having experienced extremely long years.
"This is. ancient formation ruins!" Shi Yi quickly stepped forward, ignoring demonic energy erosion, carefully stroking those cold stone pillars, feeling the faint remaining spiritual energy patterns within, his expression showing shock and realization: "I have seen similar descriptions in sect ancient texts! This is a secondary array eye of the 'Demon-Suppressing Spirit-Locking Formation'! It is a component of a super formation laid by ancient great powers to seal underground demonic caves or powerful demonic beings!"
"Demon-Suppressing Spirit-Locking Formation?" Xiao Qi's gaze sharpened. He immediately recalled the demonic entity's main body sealed by Azure Lotus power. Could this place also seal something similar?
"Exactly!" Shi Yi's tone was excited, carrying a thread of disbelief: "According to ancient texts, this formation used heaven and earth power to lock spiritual veins and suppress demons, with boundless might. But this array eye before us. it, it is damaged!"
He pointed at the connection points of several key pillars. There should have been powerful energy flow forming a solid sealing barrier. But now, there were only several faint, barely perceptible cracks. At the cracks, pure and concentrated demonic energy was like black blood, continuously seeping out, merging into the surroundings.
"Is it because too much time passed, the formation's power naturally decayed? Or." Ling Shuang crouched down, fingertip condensing a thread of ice crystal, touching the edge of a crack. The ice instantly turned black and corroded: "Recently there was intense geological activity?"
Shi Yi carefully examined the cracks' forms and surrounding terrain. Looking up at several mountains with obvious landslide signs in the distance, he said heavily: "Both! The formation itself had experienced countless years, spiritual energy circulation was already not as smooth as initially, creating weak points. And recently, there must have been intense earthquakes or similar geological activities, further tearing these already fragile sealing nodes!"
He pointed at one of the newest cracks saying: "Look at this mark. Formation time absolutely does not exceed three months! Exactly matching the time of the demonic disaster outbreak!"
Truth seemed to emerge!
It was not that the demonic entity mastered some new infiltration method but that it exploited cracks from this ancient seal caused by time and geological changes! Below this seal, there most likely connected to an ancient great power-sealed demonic cave, or a hidden earth vein passage leading to the sealed demonic entity's main body! The seal damaged, demonic energy was like finding a flood outlet, rushing out, polluting earth veins, eroding living beings!
"That is to say, we do not need to go deep into earth veins to find that elusive 'demonic source'," Elder Shadow's eyes flashed: "As long as we repair or reinforce this array eye, block this biggest 'leak point,' can we fundamentally curb demonic energy's spread?"
"Theoretically yes!" Shi Yi nodded, but his expression did not relax: "But repairing ancient formations is easier said than done! Not to mention whether we have corresponding materials and techniques, the constantly erupting demonic energy interference alone, and possible demonic creatures guarding this place, will make repair work extremely difficult!"
As if to confirm his worry, a low, full of malicious roar came from the boulder pile's depths. Accompanied by heavy footsteps, several huge demon beasts covered with black bone armor, shaped like giant lizards but with three blood-red single eyes, slowly emerged from the demonic mist. Their auras all reached Golden Core early-stage! Obviously they had lingered here for a long time, becoming abnormally powerful after absorbing escaping demonic energy!
Not only that. The ground beneath everyone's feet began to slightly vibrate. More, variously shaped demonized creatures, emerged from shadows in all directions, completely surrounding the demonic suppression squad. Their eyes flashed with greedy and crazy light, staring at these uninvited guests who had invaded their "sacred land."
"It seems, if we want to close the door, we must first clear away the guard dogs." Ao Zhan twisted his neck, bones cracking, dragon eyes blazing with fighting spirit, water vapor surging around him, lightning faintly flickering.
Ling Shuang's back sword was half-drawn. cold air made the surrounding churning demonic energy momentarily stagnate.
Xiao Qi's gaze swept the constantly seeping demonic energy from the sealing crack, then looked at the increasing demonic creatures around. His heart was clear. Finding the key to the problem was important, but to solve it, there must be a fierce battle ahead.
He took a deep breath. The Azure Lotus phantom was faintly visible behind him. Purification power rippled like water waves, dispelling demonic energy's negative effects for everyone.
"Shi Yi, immediately begin researching the sealing structure, seeking methods to repair or temporarily reinforce! Others, follow me to face the enemy, buy Shi Yi time!"
"No matter what, we must block this crack!"
Orders given. Great battle was imminent. Finding the ancient seal's crack was a huge breakthrough, but also pushed them into even more dangerous circumstances. Repairing the seal, blocking demonic energy, became the demonic suppression squad's only goal at this moment.