You, a living person, are telling me I've served in the underworld for ten years?

"Great!"

Chen Yang was overjoyed.

"Li Rou, could you please help me find the nearest nest with a relatively small number of monsters, suitable for our 'experiment'?"

Li Rou said nothing more. An extremely subtle and vast soul power quietly emanated from the Sumeru pendant, sweeping across the mountains and land within a radius of dozens of miles like invisible ripples.

This power was incredibly mysterious; apart from Chen Yang, none of the others present, including Qiu Niu, were aware of it.

Just a few breaths later, Li Rou's voice rang out again.

"Found it."

About twenty miles southeast of here, there is a shady mountain hollow. Deep within the hollow lies a naturally formed cave, its entrance half-hidden by dense vines and scattered rocks. The interior winds downwards, filled with an extremely heavy yin energy, where demonic energy lingers. I sensed about... seven or eight relatively active demonic auras inside, not too strong, just right for your 'experiment'.”

"it is good!

Thank you so much, Li Rou!

Chen Yang sincerely thanked them, then opened his eyes and spoke to the crowd who were staring at him expectantly.

"Found it."

About twenty miles to the southeast, there's a shady mountain cave with seven or eight demonic creatures lurking inside. Their strength should be within our capabilities. Perfect for our experiments.

"They really found it? So fast?!"

Xing San was both surprised and delighted.

"Chen Shuai, your 'special soul body' is amazing!"

Qiuniu gave a thumbs up.

Su Meng and Liu Piaopiao breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.

"Without further ado, let's set off immediately."

Chen Yang gave the order decisively.

"Remember, our goal is not to eradicate them, but to 'experiment'."

"Try to control the situation as much as possible, but leave one or two survivors to test the power of the formation."

Everyone nodded in understanding and immediately followed Chen Yang, heading swiftly towards the southeast.

Along the way, they encountered some scattered monks.

Most of these people were in poor condition; some were injured and were being bandaged and recuperating in a secluded place.

Some gathered in small groups, their faces still showing signs of shock, whispering among themselves.

"...That place last night, what kind of safe zone was that? It was a slaughterhouse!"

"Damn it, I almost died there!"
What exactly is that white monster? The formation broke so easily!

"This trial ground is too eerie! I want to get out. What's the use of any opportunity if you're lucky enough to get it but not lucky enough to enjoy it?"

"Get out? How do I get out? The teleportation token isn't working, I can only wait for the three months to expire and be automatically teleported... Sigh, it hasn't been that long, but it feels like years have passed..."

"I heard that several disciples from powerful families are gathering manpower to hunt down that white monster, avenge their fallen comrades, and eliminate this major threat."

"Hunting? Are you kidding me!"
That thing can even break through formations by force, how strong is it? Sending any number of them would be like sending animals to their deaths.

"Exactly, it comes out at night and can command so many ordinary monsters, how are we supposed to fight it?"

"Maybe we can find its lair during the day?"

"Keep dreaming!"

Does anyone know where it's hidden?

Intermittent whispers reached Chen Yang and the others, giving them a clearer understanding of the aftermath of last night's events and the general mindset of the current trial participants. Fear, despair, anger, and a hint of unrealistic revenge intertwined.

Listening to the discussions about hunting the white monster, Xing San couldn't help but lower his voice and speak to Chen Yang.

"Chen Yang, if someone really organizes a hunt for that white monster, count me in!"
That beast killed so many people; I can't quell my hatred until it's slaughtered!

Qiuniu echoed this sentiment.

"Yes! I'm going too!"

"If this monster isn't eliminated, none of us will have any peace!"

Liu Piaopiao frowned slightly and reminded her.

"Don't act rashly."

We have witnessed the strength of that white monster, and it seems to be able to control ordinary monsters.

If it really summons a large number of monsters to aid it in battle, with the manpower we trial participants have hastily assembled, we probably... wouldn't even be enough to fill its teeth. Acting blindly would likely just be sending us to our deaths.

Chen Yang glanced at Liu Piaopiao, nodded, and then spoke to Xing San and Qiu Niu.

“Piaopiao is right.”

That white monster is no ordinary creature; it cannot be dealt with by ordinary means. Our hunt requires careful planning and deliberation. Let's focus on our own tasks first, ensuring our safety and increasing our strength, before considering anything else.”

Seeing that Chen Yang also said so, Xing San and Qiu Niu, though unwilling, knew the gravity of the situation and said no more.

The group moved quickly, and after about half an hour, they arrived at the shady mountain valley that Li Rou had mentioned.

The area is densely vegetated, dimly lit, and filled with a faint, decaying, and chilly atmosphere, a stark contrast to the sunlit areas around it.

They quickly found the cave entrance, which was mostly hidden by vines and rocks. The entrance was small, only allowing one person to bend down and enter. It was pitch black inside, and an even stronger stench and demonic aura emanated from it.

"This is it."

Chen Yang whispered, probing his divine sense inward to confirm the existence and approximate location of the demonic creature inside.

"The space inside isn't particularly large, and there are seven or eight monsters scattered deep inside the cave."

Su Meng, Piao Piao, you two guard the cave entrance to prevent any monsters from escaping or alerting monsters elsewhere. Xing San, Qiu Niu, come in with me. Make a quick kill, and remember to leave no survivors!

"understand!"

Everyone agreed and quickly assigned tasks.

Chen Yang took the lead, his Xuan Sword in hand, its blade gleaming with a faint, clear light, as he bent down and disappeared into the cave. Xing San and Qiu Niu followed closely behind, each gripping their weapons tightly, their expressions wary.

The cave was deeper than it appeared at the entrance, with winding passages and almost no light penetrating. They relied entirely on the faint glow of Chen Yang's Xuan Sword and their own eyesight to adjust to the darkness. They hadn't gone far when several pairs of scarlet eyes appeared in the darkness ahead, accompanied by low, hostile roars!
The monsters have discovered the intruders!
"Let's do it!"

Chen Yang let out a low shout and moved like lightning, rushing towards the nearest monster that resembled a wolfhound but was covered in dark purple scales and dripped with corrosive saliva! The monster roared and pounced, its sharp claws carrying a foul stench.

Chen Yang neither dodged nor evaded; his Xuan Sword drew a cold arc of light, slashing straight at the head!
However, the moment the sword blade made contact with the monster's scales, it made a "hissing" sound, and the clear light on the sword dimmed slightly. The scales actually had extremely strong corrosive and defensive capabilities!
"What a hard shell!"

Chen Yang raised an eyebrow, but his movements didn't stop. With a flick of his wrist, the sword's momentum changed from slashing to thrusting, avoiding the hardest scales on the head and precisely stabbing towards the relatively soft throat of the monster!
At the same time, the Qingwei Yuanjiang Great Law was fully activated within his body, and a righteous, peaceful, and vibrant "Shengguang" magical power quietly attached itself to the sword!
"Pfft!"

This time, the sword pierced through successfully!

More importantly, the power of the "Light-Generating" spell penetrated the demonic object along the sword blade, causing a violent conflict with the demonic energy within its body!

The monster let out a painful howl, black smoke sizzling from its wound as if it were being burned by a scalding hot iron, and its movements instantly stiffened and slowed down!
Taking advantage of the situation, Chen Yang drew his sword and severed the monster's neck with a backhand strike. The monster twitched twice and then fell silent.

"The Light-Generating Technique is remarkably effective against demonic energy!"

Chen Yang understood immediately and applied this discovery to the upcoming battle.

He no longer relied solely on the sharpness of the Xuan Sword, but instead concentrated the "Life Light" spell into the sword and even his palm, each strike carrying a powerful life force that could suppress demonic energy!
Wherever his sword light touched, the demonic energy on the monsters melted away as quickly as ice and snow meeting the morning sun, greatly reducing their defenses. He could often take down a monster in just two or three strikes. When a monster spewed venom or corrosive energy, he would use the power of "Life Light" to form a faint, vibrant light barrier in front of him, easily purifying and blocking the foul energy.

With Chen Yang as the main damage dealer and the "purifier," the pressure on Xing San and Qiu Niu was greatly reduced.

The two were also experienced cultivators who worked together seamlessly. They were specifically responsible for restraining and surrounding the enemy, creating an opportunity for Chen Yang to kill him in one blow, while carefully avoiding the main attacks of the demon.

The battle was conducted quickly and efficiently.

In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the roars inside the cave gradually subsided, and five demonic corpses lay on the ground. The air was filled with the strange smell of burning and dissipating demonic energy.

Two smaller monsters, which looked like some kind of mutated ape, were forced into a corner of the cave by Xing San and Qiu Niu. They bared their teeth and growled, but fear was already showing in their eyes.

"stop!"

Chen Yang sheathed his sword, signaling Xing San and Qiu Niu to cease their attack.

"Keep these two."

"Su Meng, Piao Piao, you can come in now, be careful."

Upon hearing the noise, Su Meng and Liu Piaopiao cautiously entered the cave and breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing the corpses of monsters scattered on the ground and the two "survivors" surrounded.

"Senior Brother Chen Yang, are you alright? I saw your sword glowing just now, it was amazing!"

Su Meng asked with concern and admiration.

"I am fine."

Chen Yang shook his head and looked at the two terrified monsters.

“Now, the experiment begins. I need to set up a small protective array inside this cave and then test its defensive effectiveness. You four, keep an eye on these two monsters, don't let them run around, and don't let them die.”

Don't worry, Commander Chen!

Qiu Niu patted his chest and, together with Xing San, Su Meng, and Liu Piaopiao, formed a semi-circle around the two demons, neither letting them escape nor pressing them too hard, but simply locking them in with their aura and weapons.

Chen Yang then walked to a relatively flat open space in the center of the cave.

He took out several pieces of minerals containing spiritual energy that he had collected before, as well as some specially made jade pieces for engraving runes and a small amount of metal wire for setting up arrays—these were all common items for cultivators, and he had some of them in his Sumeru space.

He took a deep breath, recalling the principles of the protective array he had learned in the family ruins, and combined them with his unique understanding of the fusion of "potential field" array patterns and "water ripple" fluctuations. He began to quickly carve and arrange them on the ground and using the natural structure of the cave walls.

His movements were fluid and graceful; sometimes he would use his fingers as a brush, infusing them with magical power to carve mysterious array patterns on the ground.

Sometimes, jade pieces are embedded in specific locations to inject activation energy.

Sometimes, metal wires are used to connect key nodes, forming a loop for energy flow.

Throughout the process, he was focused, as if he had entered some kind of mystical state, oblivious to everything around him.

Time slipped away silently.

After about an hour, Chen Yang finally stopped and let out a long sigh of relief.

Before him, a semi-circular, pale golden light shield, about two to three meters in diameter, was formed around several spirit stones and jade pieces, along with the intricate patterns on the ground and walls that emitted a faint glow. The light shield was incomplete, with a deliberately left "door"-like gap facing Qiuniu and the demons.

"The formation is initially complete."

Chen Yang wiped the fine sweat from his forehead and addressed the crowd.

"Now, drive these two monsters into this light barrier. Note that you should enter through the 'door' that has been left open."

Qiu Niu and Xing San understood each other and began to carefully drive away the two terrified monsters using their weapons and aura.

Forced into a corner, and seeing that the light barrier seemed to offer a way out, the two demons, driven by their survival instincts, growled and tentatively squeezed into the pale golden light barrier through the opening.

The instant their four legs completely stepped into the area of ​​the light barrier—

A sudden change has occurred!

The gap in the originally gentle pale golden light shield instantly closed, and the light shield itself shone brightly!

Countless intricate and complex runes rapidly flowed and flickered on the surface of the light shield!
A heavy, solid force, carrying a powerful repulsive and binding force, suddenly descended, completely enveloping the two demons!
"Roar--!"

The two monsters let out terrified and painful roars as they struggled desperately, tearing at each other with their claws and ramming their bodies, trying to break through the light barrier.

However, the light shield was indestructible!

Even more terrifying, the light shield seemed to have activated some kind of purifying power against evil and demonic energy. Golden light, like countless fine needles, pierced into the demonic objects and reacted violently with their demonic energy!
"Zzzzz... Roar!!!"

Black smoke billowed up, and the two monsters, like ice blocks thrown into a furnace, visibly charred, shriveled, and disintegrated!
In just a few breaths, the heart-stopping struggle and roar came to an abrupt end. The two demons were completely reduced to two small piles of charred ashes, their souls and demonic energy vanishing into thin air!
After the pale golden light shield completed its "purification," the light slowly receded, returning to its original gentle and stable state, as if nothing had happened.

quiet!
The cave was deathly silent.

Qiu Niu, Xing San, Su Meng, and Liu Piaopiao all stared wide-eyed, mouths slightly agape, at the two small piles of ashes inside the light shield in disbelief, and then at Chen Yang, whose face was somewhat pale but whose expression remained calm.

"It...it was a success?!"

Qiuniu was the first to react, and was so excited he almost jumped up.

"This formation is too powerful!"
The two monsters went in and vanished in the blink of an eye, like snowmen falling into a furnace!

Xing San was so excited that his face turned bright red.

"sharp!
Chen Yang! Your new formation is amazing!

This level of defense, this level of purification!
"That white monster is coming; it certainly won't come out unscathed!"

Su Meng and Liu Piaopiao were also overjoyed, their gazes towards Chen Yang filled with admiration and reassurance.

Chen Yang watched as the last wisp of black energy gradually dissipated within the light shield, and breathed a sigh of relief. The experiment was a success! (End of Chapter)