Elder Chu approached the Arhat Hall, his face growing graver. "This… this is the Lesser Arhat Formation!"
Su Miaozhen and the captain looked at him in confusion.
Elder Chu sighed: "It's a powerful Buddhist sealing formation. Legend says 108 arhats must sacrifice themselves to set it up, designed for powerful demons. Even Void Formation demons sealed within are continuously refined until they消散 (vanish)."
Now, the formation's纹路 (patterns) appeared on the ruins—they only surfaced when all sealed demons were refined and the formation失效 (failed).
"Meaning a powerful demon or demons were sealed here, and we knew nothing?" Su Miaozhen's eyes hardened, imagining the disaster if they escaped.
"Yes. The formation seems weakened. The demon slain by the mysterious expert must have escaped," Elder Chu nodded. "Last night, the formation failed, and a demon escaped. Fortunately, the expert killed it—otherwise, the capital would be threatened."
"Who is this expert? They've saved the capital twice." Su Miaozhen admired the mysterious figure.
"The Buddha light confirms they're Buddhist. I thought Buddhist传承 (heritage) was lost, but there are still experts." Elder Chu smiled, "Good news for Great Zhou. General Su, report to the Emperor: send people to find this expert. With them, we needn't fear Profound Heaven."
…
Back at the Place of hostage-taking , Lin Yu closed himself off to cultivate. The Cauldron Lord refined the demon, pouring spiritual energy like waves into his meridians. Lin Yu felt like a boat in a storm, but his Saint Emperor Sword Body and art withstood the冲击 (impact), refining the energy and crossing to Myriad Manifestations Sixth Grade.
Advancing, he controlled energy more subtly, his reserves swelling. He could even feel the path to Seventh Grade—until the Cauldron Lord stopped.
"Cauldron Lord, why stop? Is this all the Seventh Grade demon's energy?"
"Don't bite off more than you can chew. Consolidate your foundation first. The energy is safe with me." The Cauldron Lord chuckled, "Once stable, I'll give you the rest, but it's not enough for Seventh Grade."
"How much more?"
"At least half. Kill another Seventh Grade demon or three to five Sixth Grade ones."
Lin Yu was stunned—where to find so many demons? He'd have to raid other dynasties' demon prisons.
"Relax. The ancient ruins hold many opportunities. A few treasures will suffice." The Cauldron Lord eyed the ruins.
Lin Yu looked forward to the ruins but first stabilized his realm. Danger lurked—strength meant survival.
Days passed as he consolidated. Soon, the ruins opened. Holding the jade talisman, Lin Yu wondered how it would happen. Suddenly, the talisman's engraved mountains shone, silver ripples forming a zhang-sized formation图腾 (totem). He stood at its center as it spun, swallowing him in silver light.
He felt like being sucked into a vortex, surrounded by endless silver. When he landed, vision cleared.
"Where is this?" He looked around: a gloomy sky, dark clouds as if demons would burst forth; twisted, black trees oozing devil qi; distant mountains stained black. The ruins were eerie.
"Boy, be careful. This place is tainted by devil qi, and time flows slowly. Half a month here is mere hours outside." The Cauldron Lord's warning showed the诡异 (bizarre) environment's danger.