The underground stone chamber.
The Heavenly Demon sat cross-legged on the ground with his eyes closed, the array patterns beneath him seeming to breathe, flashing slowly with an intermittent dimness.
Suddenly.
He abruptly opened his eyes, gathered demonic energy in his palm and pressed it onto the array patterns. Veins bulged on his forehead, his expression contorted.
Boom!
After ten breaths, a strong surge of spiritual power erupted from the array patterns. His body was flung towards the stone wall, and the chamber instantly collapsed.
"No!"
The surging demonic energy reduced the entire mountain peak to dust.
The Heavenly Demon swept away the thick stone dust, only to find a few fragments of the array disk, shattered into pieces and devoid of demonic power.
"Who! Who was it!"
The Heavenly Demon's eyes were bloodshot, filled with boundless rage. He let out an enraged roar.
Rumble!
Thunder sounded in the sky.
Centuries of planning, and his long-held ambition was about to be realized, only for it to fall apart at the last moment.
The formation he had set up had been broken by someone else. Furthermore, the opponent's attainment in formations was even more profound than his own, even using the spiritual energy he had previously absorbed to reinforce the barrier.
The mysteriously appearing array disk, whatever its composition, could absorb demonic energy and convert it into spiritual energy.
This meant that the barrier, which had been growing weaker, was now not only more robust than ever but, with the presence of that array disk, would never again have to worry about breaking due to depleted spiritual energy.
"Humans! It must be those humans! Only they could surpass me in formations!"
The Heavenly Demon now deeply regretted not taking action then and eliminating those humans.
Now, he could only find a way to destroy that array disk to break the barrier again. This process alone would delay him for at least another two to three hundred years.
Damn it! Detestable!
"Ah!!!"
...
Xu Yi awoke to the sound of Buddhist chanting.
She didn't open her eyes immediately but inhaled the sandalwood incense in the room, calming her mind.
The Myriad Buddhist Sect was truly a magical place. Every time she visited, she felt her mind and body being purified.
An hour later, Xu Yi sat up and surveyed her surroundings.
It was a meditation room. A portrait of Buddha hung in the center, and below the canvas, sandalwood incense smoldered, releasing its fragrance.
Xu Yi walked to the portrait of Buddha and carefully observed the depiction. She realized she didn't recognize the Buddha, but this did not prevent her from being influenced by the Buddhist aura conveyed by the painting.
Xu Yi clasped her hands together and performed a Buddhist greeting before turning to leave the meditation room.
The area outside the room was empty. Only the Buddhist chanting, emanating from an unknown source, and the rustling sound of wind through leaves could be heard.
Xu Yi started to reach for the communication disk at her waist but then reconsidered, choosing instead to walk slowly along the alleyway outside the door.
This must be a secluded area deep within the Myriad Buddhist Sect, rarely visited by anyone.
Moss covered the stone steps, and fallen leaves carpeted the path. The sensation of stepping on them was peculiar.
Initially, Xu Yi had intended to ask a Buddhist disciple for directions. However, she soon became immersed in the ancient path, forgetting her original purpose.
"Little friend Xu, enjoying the scenery?"
Xu Yi was startled by the voice and looked up, exclaiming in surprise, "Second Elder."
"Young friend Xu, greetings."
The Second Elder smiled and bowed to Xu Yi.
Xu Yi quickly returned the bow, "Greetings, greetings."
After bowing, Xu Yi suddenly thought of something and teased, "Second Elder, did you not go into seclusion to avoid me this time?"
"Where did you get that idea, little friend Xu? That was merely an accident last time."
The Second Elder’s face was wreathed in a smile, and he did not seem offended by Xu Yi's words.
"Second Elder, where are my friends?"
"Little friend Xu, rest assured, they are currently recuperating within the Myriad Buddhist Sect. You will see them later."
"Second Elder, your sudden appearance here suggests you have something else you wish to discuss with me?"
Seeing the Second Elder’s inscrutable smile, Xu Yi recalled the last time in the Great Hall of Heroes of the Myriad Buddhist Sect when the Second Elder had gifted her the Spiritual Demon Bead. She quietly became vigilant.
"Hahaha, little friend Xu is indeed intelligent. Would little friend Xu be willing to accompany me to a certain place?"
The Second Elder's eyes curved slightly, as if he were certain Xu Yi would accept his invitation.
Xu Yi sighed. She truly had no way to refuse.
She had harbored questions she wanted to ask the Second Elder for a long time, but he had always been elusive. Now that the opportunity arose, she naturally did not want to miss it.
Xu Yi lightly tapped her toes, and in a few steps, she was beside the Second Elder. "Then, Second Elder, please lead the way."
"Not at all. Little friend Xu, please follow me."
Although the Second Elder had initiated the conversation to take Xu Yi elsewhere, his face showed no signs of haste. His steps were unhurried, and he occasionally stopped to explain the origins of the buildings within the Myriad Buddhist Sect to Xu Yi.
Seeing his calm and composed demeanor, Xu Yi's initial sense of urgency subsided.
She and the Second Elder walked for a full hour before finally arriving at the place he had mentioned.
"Myriad Sutra Pagoda."
Xu Yi's eyes flickered with surprise as she looked at the plaque on the seven-story pagoda before her.
This must be the place where the Myriad Buddhist Sect stored its scriptures, and the most important place within the sect.
Outsiders were generally forbidden from entering this place. Why had the Second Elder brought her here?
"Little friend Xu, follow me."
The Second Elder had no intention of clarifying Xu Yi's doubts. Instead, he led her directly towards the Myriad Sutra Pagoda.
Outside the Myriad Sutra Pagoda stood a very unassuming thatched hut.
Hearing the movements of Xu Yi and the Second Elder, an aged monk emerged from the hut.
"Elder Ku." The Second Elder respectfully greeted the monk.
Xu Yi also bowed, "Elder Ku."
With her eyes lowered, she pondered the identity of Elder Ku. To guard such a crucial place in the Myriad Buddhist Sect, he must be one of the highest-ranking elders.
Elder Ku's face was ancient, and his frame was thin, yet his eyes were as clear and bright as a child's.
His gaze briefly lingered on the Second Elder before settling on Xu Yi.
"Is this little friend Xu from the Xuanji Sect?"
Xu Yi's ears tingled.
Elder Ku's voice was like a mountain spring, pure and clean, making one feel an urge to strike up a conversation with him, just to hear him speak more.
"I dare not. Please, just call me Xu Yi."
"Little friend Xu, there's no need for formality. You are a distinguished guest of our Myriad Buddhist Sect. Please, come in."
Elder Ku spoke no further, stepping forward to open the large doors of the Myriad Sutra Pagoda.
Xu Yi was overwhelmed.
If she hadn't known that she had no connection with the Buddhist disciples of the Myriad Buddhist Sect, she might have suspected she had a prior acquaintance with one of their elders.
The exceptionally friendly attitude of everyone in the Myriad Buddhist Sect towards her made her feel uneasy.
She resolved to find out the reason from the Second Elder later, as she couldn't shake this strange feeling.
"Little friend Xu, please."
The Second Elder stepped forward to lead Xu Yi, who could only bow again to Elder Ku, offer another word of thanks, and then followed the Second Elder into the Myriad Sutra Pagoda.