From the fake emperor to the concubine

Without the powerful magic of the Eye Demon, the situation on the battlefield changed dramatically.

The monster, surrounded by Jian Shisan, Meng Feiyang, Liehuo, and Feng Tianji, trembled all over, and the red light in its single eye flickered like a candle in the wind.

Its wounds stopped healing, and pus and blood seeped out from the gaps in its scales, corroding small, smoking pits in the scorched earth. It was visibly weakening.

Before the demonic energy was dispelled, the monster completely ignored their attacks. Jian Shisan's White Rainbow Sword Qi could create bowl-sized holes in its body, which would instantly heal under the nourishment of the demonic energy. Liehuo's True Fire of Departure could at most leave some scorch marks on the surface, which would soon be covered by new flesh.

Unlike the monsters, Jian Shisan and his companions had to be careful. If they were injured, their combat effectiveness would be greatly reduced.

Most importantly, this thing is just a monster that the Eye Demon created at random.

If we were to fight such a monster to a standstill, where would we put our pride?
And the most crucial point is something they themselves may not have noticed, but Zheng Yi saw it clearly.

Even at such a critical moment, these people were still somewhat wary of each other.

The strength they are displaying now is vastly different from what they had at the beginning.

This was not unexpected.

After all, Jian Shisan and Liehuo were leaders of the righteous path, while Meng Feiyang was the kind of rogue cultivator who didn't take sides. Feng Tianji and Qiu Miaoyin, on the other hand, were leaders of the demonic path.

If you don't secretly keep something in reserve, it's not impossible that someone might have ulterior motives and stab you in the back at a crucial moment.

One side is burdened with worries, while the other side is completely unburdened.

That's why this strange situation has arisen, where the more numerous and powerful side has actually fought to a draw with a monster created by an eye demon.

Compared to the monsters, they had far too many concerns.

but……

Everything changed after Master Zhenjing intervened. The Bodhi prayer beads in the old monk's hand emitted a soft golden light, purifying the demonic energy on the battlefield completely.

Without the constant supply of demonic energy, and being mindless, the monster continued its previous strategy of fighting to the death.

The sharp claws were ferocious and fierce, forcing Jian Shisan and Meng Feiyang back with a single move.

Jian Shisan's white robes were slashed in three places, and Meng Feiyang's Frost Sword was shaken so violently that it hummed loudly.

However, Feng Tianji seized an opening in the monster's defenses. A glint flashed in the eyes of the Red Dust Pavilion Master, and he suddenly formed a hand seal.

"May wealth come from all directions, and may treasures gather from all over the world!"

With this incantation, countless gold coins flew out from the spatial magical artifacts of those around them. Sword Thirteen and Blazing Fire's empty quivers, Meng Feiyang's spatial gourd, and thousands of glittering gold coins poured out as if summoned.

Feng Tianji was the only exception; his spatial artifact did not react at all.

These flying gold coins rained down on the monster like a storm. Although they were made of relatively soft gold, under Feng Tianji's magical enhancement, each one became incredibly sharp, no less so than Jian Shisan's flying sword.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh—" The sound of air being cut was incessant.

In the blink of an eye, countless bloody holes were ripped open in the monster's body. The gold coins were deeply embedded in the monster's flesh, and the treasure-gathering runes on them began to glow and heat up, sizzling as they burned the muscle tissue around the wounds.

The one-eyed monster's gaping maw, which was one with its eye, suddenly opened, emitting a piercing shriek.

The sound was like a thousand steel needles piercing the eardrums, causing everyone present to frown and step back.

At the same time, the foul stench emanating from his mouth was corrosive, even causing wisps of smoke to rise from the ground.

Dark green mucus dripped from its mouth, which was full of sharp teeth. The monster quickly locked onto the culprit that had injured it, its single eye flashing with a venomous red light.

It abandoned its pursuit of Jian Shisan and Meng Feiyang, and turned to pounce on Feng Tianji.

The turn was too hasty, naturally exposing the gap behind him to the two sword cultivators.

Jian Shisan and Meng Feiyang certainly wouldn't let such a golden opportunity slip by. They exchanged a glance and simultaneously attacked in perfect unison. Two distinctly different sword energies intertwined, forming a net that enveloped the already riddled monster.

Swish swish!
The sounds of sword energy piercing flesh were incessant. One of the monster's arms was the first to be severed, pus and blood gushing out like a fountain from the cut. Next came its thick right leg, which was cleanly severed at the root by Meng Feiyang's sword.

Even so, the monster still staggered and lunged at Feng Tianji, wanting to tear this guy who had ambushed him to pieces.

"Get out of the way, let me do it!" Liehuo suddenly shouted.

The Blazing Sword in his hand was now as red and translucent as magma, and a huge pillar of fire shot into the sky, directly engulfing the monster.

The outline of a monster could be vaguely seen writhing in pain amidst the flames, emitting a chilling roar.

Whether intentionally or unintentionally, after engulfing the monster, the flames continued their momentum, and a wave of fire swept towards Feng Tianji.

The flames licked the air, making a hissing, burning sound.

Fortunately, Feng Tianji was on guard. With a flick of his finger, countless gold coins flew back automatically, forming an arc-shaped shield.

Most of the flames were blocked, with only a few sparks splashing onto his robes.

"What a pity, the power is a bit too weak." Liehuo shook his head in disappointment, his fingers gently stroking the blade.

As he spoke, his eyes glanced at Feng Tianji, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Feng Tianji swatted out the sparks from his sleeve and couldn't help but retort, "There's even greater power? You don't mean to think you can wipe out this monster along with me, do you?"

Liehuo chuckled, deliberately putting on a stern face as if he had been slandered: "Feng Tianji, stop talking nonsense."

He retorted righteously, "I only said that if the power were greater, it might be possible to kill this monster. What do you mean by wanting to wipe you out as well?"

As he spoke, he exaggeratedly spread his hands, making an innocent face.

If Zheng Yi hadn't seen that this guy had deliberately tricked Jian Shisan in the same way before, he might have believed his explanation.

Before Feng Tianji could retaliate, Liehuo suddenly said seriously, "The extraterrestrial demons are the greatest enemy of our Eastern Wilderness. Now is the time to unite against them. You old rascal, stop trying to sow discord, okay?"

These words sounded so grand and dignified, as if he wasn't the one who had just ambushed Feng Tianji.

“Oh, right,” Liehuo seemed to suddenly remember something, “when are you going to fix that lousy spell of yours? Why do you have to use our gold coins to cast spells?”

After saying that, he pointed to the gold coins on the ground that were being destroyed.

"This is a magic technique passed down from our ancestors. That's how it's used. What can I do?" Feng Tianji shrugged as if it were perfectly natural.

"Besides, if we use our own gold coins, what if they get damaged and become unusable?" he said confidently, as if it were a matter of course. Liehuo was so angry at this guy's sophistry that he laughed. He didn't care about those few gold coins; even tens or hundreds, or even thousands or more, were insignificant to a cultivator.

They carried gold coins not because they were valuable, but simply for convenience when navigating the world.

Even though Feng Tianji's spell couldn't truly control their spatial artifacts, only manipulate the gold coins within, the feeling of being controlled at will still greatly displeased Liehuo and the others. As the sect leader, having one's money emptied in public—where did that leave their pride?

"Your gold coins are gold coins, but what if our gold coins can't be used?" Liehuo couldn't help but ask, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the hilt of his sword.

Feng Tianji shrugged indifferently: "What does it have to do with me? Those aren't my gold coins. If there's a problem, it's your own business."

"You..." The other party's shameless reply almost made Liehuo's lungs explode with anger.

If it weren't for the monster surrounded by flames and continuing its relentless attack, he might have actually been able to fight this shameless guy.

Having suffered repeated heavy blows, the monster's movements had visibly slowed down.

Its mutilated body swayed precariously, and the red light in its single eye flickered like a candle in the wind.

The wound at the severed arm kept oozing mucus, corroding small pits that emitted bluish smoke on the ground.

With one arm and one leg missing, its offensive power was greatly reduced, and its originally fierce claw strikes became weak and powerless.

Anyone present could easily defeat this monster.

The Eye Demon was naturally unwilling to let its minions be dealt with so easily. The enormous single eye in the sky suddenly shrank into a thin line, a savage red light flashing in its pupil.

Its gaze was fixed firmly on Zhen Jing, the blood vessels in the whites of its eyes spreading out like a spiderweb. Clearly, it wanted to eliminate this greatest threat capable of purifying demonic energy first.

Zheng Yi didn't even come into contact with the Eye Demon's gaze; he only glanced at it from the side, yet he felt an endless, frenzied, bloodthirsty divine consciousness begin to erode his mind.

It felt like millions of ants were crawling inside his skull, gnawing at his sanity, as if trying to devour everything he had.

He hurriedly bit the tip of his tongue to stay awake with the pain, while simultaneously circulating the Heart-Cleansing Technique from the Human Emperor's lineage to resist the attack.

Even the aftershocks nearly caused Zheng Yi to suffer a great loss, so one can only imagine the predicament of Master Zhenjing, who was facing the Eye Demon head-on.

The compassionate monk's face instantly turned ashen, and sweat poured from his forehead like a fountain. His withered fingers gripped the prayer beads tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force.

His originally peaceful expression would sometimes turn ferocious, sometimes angry, and sometimes even suddenly burst out with intense killing intent.

His distorted face was nothing like what one would expect from a highly accomplished monk.

However, a high monk is a high monk after all; even so, the sound of his chanting did not cease. The deep, resonant chanting echoed across the battlefield, forcefully suppressing those evil spirits with the spirit of Buddhist compassion.

Because of the need to focus all efforts on combating the mental pollution caused by the Eye Demon, Zhenjing's Buddha-light visibly dimmed.

The demonic energy of the Eye Demon followed closely, pressing forward relentlessly. The crimson mist writhed like a living creature, probing the edge of the Buddha's light. The moment the demonic energy dissipated, it immediately filled the void left by the Buddha's light.

Clearly, they wanted to provide support to the crumbling monster in the shortest possible time.

Zheng Yi hurriedly reminded them, his voice hoarse with urgency: "Gentlemen, kill that monster as soon as possible and support Master Zhenjing!"
The monster seemed to have received a warning and stopped confronting these people head-on.

The mutilated body suddenly unleashed its last strength, finding an opening to break through the encirclement of Jian Shisan and the others.

Rush towards the direction where the Buddha's light dissipates the fastest. As long as he comes into contact with the demonic energy of the Eye Demon, no matter how severe the injury, it will heal in the shortest time.

At that time, the situation will be reversed again.

Meng Feiyang sneered, "You think you can run away from me?"

Man and sword became one, transforming into a dazzling streak of light, instantly rushing in front of the monster, the tip of the sword pointing directly at the monster's single eye, blocking its path.

This sword strike was so fast that even the afterimage was not visible; it was his signature move, "Swift Light and Shadow."

"Well done!" Even Jian Shisan couldn't help but praise him, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

This move seemed ordinary, just a simple combination of man and sword, which allowed him to catch up with the fleeing monster.

But sword cultivators all understand how much is contained within this seemingly simple movement.

Reactions, speed, and the seamless connection between techniques.

Even Jian Shisan could only achieve this level of skill during his prime. Gazing at that figure, he seemed to see his younger self in a daze, recalling the days and nights he spent practicing swordsmanship at the sect.

Perhaps that's why Jian Shisan kept giving Meng Feiyang pointers during the battle.

Unfortunately, although Meng Feiyang reacted quickly, his strength was ultimately lacking.

Faced with his thrusting sword, the monster didn't even flinch. A cruel smile suddenly appeared in its hideous, blood-red eyes.

With its remaining hand raised, its sharp claws aimed straight for Meng Feiyang's throat, clearly intending to fight a battle where both sides would be severely injured.

The sharp nails gleamed with a dark blue luster, and Meng Feiyang could even smell the sweet, metallic scent emanating from their tips.

Seeing this, Jian Shisan hurriedly reminded him, "Don't fight him head-on, get out of the way!"

I wanted to help, but I couldn't get there in time.

Feng Tianji wanted to use his magic to provide support, but when he sensed Meng Feiyang's spatial artifact, his face turned ashen.

As a result, Meng Feiyang's spatial artifact didn't contain a single gold coin.

He couldn't help but complain, "This kid must have exchanged all his gold coins for wine."

He glared at Meng Feiyang, who was engaged in a fierce battle, but then sighed helplessly.

He had known about Meng Feiyang's temperament for a long time, and should have expected it.

The monster's attacks must be fierce, and its speed is not much slower than Meng Feiyang's.

Even if he could injure the monster beforehand, he wouldn't have enough time to dodge its attacks.

However, Meng Feiyang showed no intention of dodging. Instead, he gritted his teeth and urged his flying sword to pierce straight towards the monster's eyeball.

Jian Shisan said with a look of regret, "You kid, there's no need to risk your life."

Meng Feiyang laughed and said, "Senior, please rest assured, that's what I think too." (End of Chapter)