"This time, the heretics are unusually strange. They're openly using spiritual power, yet not a trace of demonic energy is leaking from them," Qin Ping said in a calm voice. "This is too suspicious. We have to let the Demon-Slaying Alliance know. All of us are gravely injured—we're no match for them. Forcing a fight now will only lead to pointless death."
It was the truth.
Everyone felt bitter, but none could refute it.
"So, when the formation is broken and they approach, we all self-detonate—shattering our Primordial souls and Yuányīng at once!" Qin Ping spoke slowly, each word as heavy as stone. "The power of Primordial soul and Yuányīng self-detonation is enormous. It will definitely kill them. And once they're dead, I refuse to believe they can still hide the demonic energy on their bodies. When that energy leaks out, the Demon-Slaying Alliance will be drawn here. At least then, our deaths will have meant something."
Self-detonating the Primordial soul and Yuányīng...
This was different from ordinary death.
After forming a Yuányīng a cultivator would eventually reach the Mahayana stage, where the Yuányīng transformed into the Primordial soul.
Both were the very essence of a cultivator.
If only the physical body was destroyed, the Primordial soul or Yuányīng might still escape—granting hope for reincarnation or even the chance to return through certain soul-possession techniques.
But if one chose to self-detonate...
Then nothing would remain.
No reincarnation.
No trace left in this world.
In the world of cultivation, such a method was used only against the most heinous of villains.
And now, they were choosing it just to deliver a single message?
As Qin Ping's voice faded, no one hesitated.
One after another, they nodded. Some even smiled faintly.
"That sounds good."
"Let's do it."
"If we can take these demonic scum down with us before we die, then it's worth it."
"If the message gets out, the Demon-Slaying Alliance will respond."
"If there are more of them lurking, the fear of reinforcements will stop them from targeting civilians again."
"Canglan Kingdom might yet be saved."
"As expected, Qin Ping is the wisest among us."
"Of course. Didn't his mother say he was a prodigy? Never even wet the bed as a child."
They chuckled softly.
The barrier around the formation continued to take heavy hits.
But instead of fear, laughter now filled the chamber.
In their eyes—there was no dread left.
At this point, there was nothing left to fear.
The defensive formation would fall sooner or later, and they were all too injured to fight.
All they could do was wait. Lure in the enemy, and drag them to hell together.
This...
This would likely be the final moment of their lives.
A pity, really.
They had listened to Qin Ping speak of Wushuang Sect and Yun Jin, and for a while, they had dared to imagine a different path ahead.
Maybe... it really was possible.
But for people like them, they would never see it.
A thunderous boom rang out.
The barrier trembled.
Then came a loud crack—shattering completely.
With the formation gone, the ceiling of the chamber was easily blasted open, revealing a gaping hole above.
"Found you."
Chen Chen's face appeared above, wearing a twisted, eerie smile.
Qin Ping pressed his lips together.
That expression...
That could never be the face of the disciple he had raised.
Where had his real disciple gone?
Qin Ping didn't dare think too deeply about the answer.
He only hated himself—for not paying closer attention, for not noticing Chen Chen's changes earlier.
If he had, would the outcome have been different?
But it was too late.
Chen Chen led a group down, slowly descending into the chamber.
Qin Ping narrowed his eyes.
Still too far.
They had to get closer—only then would their collective self-detonation guarantee the enemy's death.
Qin Ping said evenly, "Chen Chen, I raised you all these years, yet I don't recall ever wronging you. What made you strike with such cruelty today?"
Chen Chen smiled eerily. "Dear Master, I never intended to take your life. Don't worry. Out of respect for our master-disciple bond, I won't kill you—or them either."
"Oh?" Qin Ping frowned. "If that's true, then what is this all about?"
He took a step forward as he spoke.
Chen Chen sneered, then waved his hand. A surge of spiritual power pushed Qin Ping back to his original position.
"Don't get too close. A Mahayana cultivator's self-detonation still scares me."
Qin Ping's expression darkened.
He knew?
He actually knew?
Whipping around, Qin Ping looked at the others.
Everyone wore the same look of confusion.
They stared at each other, but a sharp tension had already taken hold.
How did Chen Chen know their plan?
There was a traitor among them.
But who?
There was no way to tell.
"Who is it?!"
"Don't let me find out!"
"That bastard!"
Their fury exploded.
Because of the traitor, their plan had been exposed. Now, they might not even be allowed to die.
"Go. Set up the suppression array," Chen Chen said with a cold chuckle.
Several figures behind him nodded and immediately began arranging a sealing formation.
Qin Ping and the others prepared for a final, desperate struggle.
But Chen Chen just smiled. "Take one step forward and we massacre a city. Two steps? Two cities. Keep walking, and the entire Canglan Kingdom dies with you."
Qin Ping's expression twisted. He dared not move again.
Frustration burned in their chests.
But with the enemy fully prepared, even suicide was no longer an option.
They could only stand there, helpless under threat.
Soon, the formation was complete.
Inside the array, Qin Ping and the others tried to circulate their spiritual power—only to find it completely sealed.
Only then did Chen Chen smile again. "So, what now? How will you self-detonate without spiritual power?"
"Damn you!"
"Chen Chen! How can you face Qin Ping? Face your father? Face the people of Canglan Kingdom?!"
"You've fallen into the demonic path, haven't you?"
"What did we ever do to deserve this from you?!"
Accusations roared out like a flood.
Chen Chen seemed deaf to them.
He spoke in a soft voice, "This chamber is rather special. It blocks all communication talismans. That's why my agent couldn't get the message out. It took me several days to find you. Luckily, after the formation broke, communications resumed. He used a secret technique to inform me of your plan—just in time."
They were seething.
So it was true.
There really was a traitor among them.
"I saw your finger twitch earlier. Old Wang, was it you?"
"Spouting nonsense! Pointing fingers now? You're the traitor!"
"No, it's Old Zhang. His expression was off just now!"
"Rubbish! I think it's—"
They didn't need more fuel.
Accusations flew freely now, suspicion taking root like rot.
Qin Ping's eyes gleamed with dread.
This—this was the true horror.
These demonic heretics had infiltrated humanity.
If they could suppress their aura and perfectly mimic someone's appearance, then there would be no need for open battle. Humanity would tear itself apart from within.
Qin Ping took a deep breath and barked, "Now is not the time to look for the traitor. All of you, shut up!"
Fortunately, his authority still held weight.
Though suspicion lingered, they all fell silent.
Chen Chen's gaze flickered. "Master truly commands unwavering loyalty."
Qin Ping let out a cold laugh. The pretense was over.
"Stop pretending. You may wear my disciple's face, but you are not him. Now speak—where did you take the King?"