Chapter 365: Demon Suppression Array

「Three days later.」

First Peak, Main Hall.

As soon as Liang Cheng stepped through the hall’s entrance, he saw Lie Mountain seated in the main seat, his expression grave.

Li Jianfeng and Yu Xiuqi had already arrived, their faces just as solemn.

“Master.”

Liang Cheng stepped forward to offer a salute, then came to a stop beside Li Jianfeng.

Lie Mountain nodded. Without any pleasantries, he got straight to the point:

“The grand competition of the Three Sects and Six Gates has been postponed.”

Liang Cheng’s brow furrowed.

Li Jianfeng asked in a low voice,

“Master, what happened?”

Lie Mountain stood up, walked to the window, and gazed into the distance.

“The Seventy-Two Islands Overseas, protected by the Demon Suppression Array, have recently experienced some turmoil.”

The Demon Suppression Array.

Liang Cheng’s heart tightened.

In his days at the Penglai Sect, he had heard that the Overseas Islands owed their lasting stability to the Demon Suppression Array.

Fierce Beasts once ran rampant Overseas. Later, a Great Power used their heaven-defying abilities to set up the Demon Suppression Array, suppressing countless Fierce Beasts within it.

Only since then have the Overseas Islands been able to develop in such peace.

The Three Sects and Six Gates are in charge of the Grand Array. In recent years, the Demon Suppression Array has grown increasingly unstable.

Every few years, cracks would appear, allowing large numbers of Fierce Beasts to escape, forming a Sea Beast Tide that would sweep across the islands.

The Sea Beast Tide Liang Cheng had experienced was a result of this.

However, that hardly counted as a disturbance in the array; it was merely a few that slipped through the net.

Yu Xiuqi spoke up, asking,

“Master, is it serious this time?”

Lie Mountain turned around and looked at the three of them.

“Three days ago, the core region of the Demon Suppression Array experienced a violent tremor. Although the Demon-Suppressing Pagoda remains stable, seventeen cracks have appeared in the periphery, and countless Fierce Beasts have poured into the outer areas.”

He paused.

“After deliberation, the Sect Leaders of the Three Sects and Six Gates have made a decision.”

The three of them, Liang Cheng included, looked up at the same time.

Lie Mountain looked at them and said, word by word:

“The grand competition of the Three Sects and Six Gates will be replaced by the ‘Demon Suppression Trial’.”

“Furthermore, it will no longer be the traditional three participants. All of you in this batch of True Inheritors are eligible.”

“You will enter the periphery of the Demon Suppression Array to hunt down the escaped Fierce Beasts and to identify and patch any weaknesses.”

“The Sect will issue Sealing Stones, which can be used to repair the cracks.”

“This time, the final rankings for the Three Sects and Six Gates will be determined by the number and tier of Tier Seven or higher Fierce Beasts killed, as well as any intelligence gathered.”

Li Jianfeng’s brow was tightly furrowed.

Lie Mountain’s gaze swept over the three of them.

“In previous years, a trial like this would not have fallen to you. Your eldest senior brother is currently in the Demon Suppression Array, guarding it. If you have the chance this time, you can go see him.”

“All the True Inheritors from the Three Sects and Six Gates can participate this time, but whether or not you go is your own choice.”

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Yu Xiuqi suddenly broke into a grin.

“Master, I’m definitely going.”

Li Jianfeng said nothing.

Liang Cheng’s expression was calm as he asked directly,

“Master, when do we leave?”

A trace of relief flashed through Lie Mountain’s eyes.

‘My disciples don’t panic in the face of trouble. They’re all capable of great things.’

“In five days, gather at the Main Peak.”

“Use these five days to prepare well. Elixirs, Weapons, life-saving treasures—bring as much as you can carry.”

He paused, then added,

“This is more than just a trial.”

“All the old-timers from the Three Sects and Six Gates are competing in secret.”

“Whichever sect’s disciples make it out alive, whoever kills the most—they will be the peerless prodigies of the next generation for the Three Sects and Six Gates.”

“Understand?”

The three of them bowed in unison.

“We understand, Master!”

…

First Peak, private courtyard.

Liang Cheng sat cross-legged in his Quiet Chamber with three items laid out before him.

He had enough Elixirs.

The Penglai Sect hadn’t been stingy this time; they had practically maxed out his provisions.

The Ling Frost Short Sword was in his Sea of Divine Soul, and the Zhenxian Saber was at his waist.

After being reforged, the Zhenxian Saber was sharper than ever, and it seemed to share a telepathic bond with him.

He raised his hand and gently caressed the blade.

“Zhenxian…”

‘I don’t know how many Demon Beasts I’ll have to kill this time.’

He closed his eyes, and his Divine Sense sank into his Sea of Consciousness.

Above the Sea of Consciousness, three phantoms hovered.

The Blade Intent was in the center, like a king holding court.

The Fist Intent was below, like a foundation anchoring a mountain.

The Sword Intent was above, like a sharp edge piercing the sky.

Three Middle-Level True Intents. The Three Talents were established, generating endless power.

He opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them.

…

「Five days later.」

Main Peak, before Wenda Hall.

Thirty-seven figures stood upon the square.

The True Inheritors of the Nine Peaks had all assembled.

Liang Cheng stood in the First Peak’s formation, his gaze sweeping across the crowd.

Li Jianfeng and Yu Xiuqi were by his side.

Liu Qingli stood at the head of the Fourth Peak’s disciples. Seeing him look over, she gave a slight nod.

Bai Wuchang stood with the Sixth Peak, his expression dark. When he saw Liang Cheng looking, he snorted coldly and looked away.

There were many others, all prodigies from their respective peaks. Liang Cheng had met some before, but many were new faces.

Of the thirty-seven people, the weakest were at the Core Formation Early Stage.

The strongest—

Liang Cheng’s gaze fell upon Gu Tianya of the Seventh Peak.

The other man had already recovered, but now he seemed even more sullen, exuding an aura that made people uncomfortable just by looking at him.

Just then—

RUMBLE!

The doors of the hall opened.

Yun Zhonghe strode out, followed by the Nine Peaks Peak Masters.

His gaze swept over the thirty-seven people as he began to speak slowly,

“You all know the rules?”

Everyone answered in unison,

“Yes!”

Yun Zhonghe nodded.

“Good.”

“The periphery of the Demon Suppression Array is fraught with peril. The Fierce Beasts are only one danger; even more dangerous are the strange cracks in space.”

“If you are pulled in, your chances of survival are one in ten.”

“Therefore, as the prodigies of our Sect, you must remember: stick together out there. Coming back alive is your top priority.”

“Is that understood?”

“Understood!”

Yun Zhonghe waved his hand.

In the void, a massive portal slowly opened.

Behind the portal was a gray, hazy world.

The faint roars of Fierce Beasts could be heard coming from within.

“Go.”

The thirty-seven disciples filed in one after another.

Liang Cheng followed behind Li Jianfeng and stepped through the portal.

The world turned upside down before his eyes.

When he opened his eyes again, he was in another world.