The two held their breath, watching Feng Zikang, hoping he could come up with a plan… Especially Manjiao and Little Stone; they were the ones Mo Fenghuang and the Dong tribesmen had to save. Everyone else followed Feng Zikang's lead, and if he had simply washed his hands of the situation and left, they would have followed without hesitation. So, Feng Zikang had three distinct choices before him.

However, retreating before a fight, while safe, yielded no reward. The essence and blood of this Nascent Soul stage demonic beast were quite tempting. Feng Zikang frowned in thought, trying to determine the correct course of action. “Unless…” His eyes lit up; he seemed to have reached a resolution. ※ As dusk slowly settled, Manjiao paced back and forth like an ant on a hot griddle. “Immortal Lord, can we really just wait like this?” Feng Zikang smiled faintly. “Rest assured, we will surely rescue Mo Fenghuang. As for the people in your Liyue Cave, they can be secured. For the other areas, we can only do our best. However, I will also strive to save the local tribesmen here; as long as they run fast, they should be fine!”

By Feng Zikang’s side were Long Que, Zhu Xiang’er, and the Ghost King Tu, along with the four Divine Demons, assigned to the seven locations—including Liyue Cave—to silently infiltrate and prevent those fanatical barbarians from committing suicide. There were two other areas where manpower was severely lacking. Moreover, for this Sky Burial Blood Sacrifice to be activated, blood from other locations needed to flow in; otherwise, it would all be for naught. He couldn't possibly send the Little Fox and Fairy Tianfu both, could he? Luo Kedi was eager to try, but his cultivation was too low; facing the disciples guarding the Nine Great Dragon Lairs was still slightly beyond his current capability. Feng Zikang had instructed him to remain here, responsible for protecting everyone’s safety.

The night grew deeper, past Hai Shi (9 PM), gradually approaching three-quarters past Hai Shi. Feng Zikang stood up, gazing toward the mountaintop, his expression resolute. He turned back to give a few instructions to Fairy Tianfu before adjusting his robes and soaring up the mountain! Pfft! He had only ascended a few steps when Feng Zikang heard a faint popping sound near his ear, and a wisp of pale crimson mist flashed and vanished beside him. “This Sky Burial Blood Sacrifice has already enveloped the entire mountain. This Grand Master’s power is indeed not weak.” Although Feng Zikang was shocked, he remained confident and unpanicked.

In the crimson mist, two red silhouettes suddenly lunged forth, appearing ferocious. Feng Zikang didn't even glance at them, walking straight ahead. As the two red shadows rushed toward him, they suddenly let out high-pitched wails and dissipated into nothingness. The Grand Array for the Sky Burial Blood Sacrifice was not yet complete, and he was still on the outermost perimeter; these red shadows were merely for intimidation, lacking any actual offensive means. It was only upon reaching the third layer that the red shadows gradually gained substance of flesh and blood. Unwilling to become entangled, Feng Zikang unleashed his sword light, shattering them into fragments as he rushed toward the mountainside.

The red shadows beyond the fifth layer were even stronger. These were formed from the residual blood essence of beings who had died violently or were half-dead, vast and malevolent. If not for the formidable power of Feng Zikang’s sword light, they would have been shattered upon the slightest approach; even so, advancing further became an arduous struggle. Feng Zikang’s expression was steady, yet anxiety began to gnaw at him. If he could not reach the blood trough before the critical time, all his calculations would come to naught. Feng Zikang gritted his teeth, his sword light intensifying as he pushed forward bravely. “Hah!” With a furious roar, countless red shadows were shredded by his sword light, carving a path. Feng Zikang employed the Demonic Blood Evasion technique, flying upwards, daring not to delay for even a moment. Only half a Chen (a quarter of an hour) remained!

However, the higher he ascended, the denser and fiercer the red shadows became. Initial burst, fading momentum, then collapse—Feng Zikang charged to the seventh layer of the summit. The stone chamber was just ahead, yet a cluster of enormous red shadows blocked his path, preventing close approach. Feng Zikang let out a soft hum, settling his mind and spirit. His sword light suddenly erupted, and a golden glint flashed across his eyes. He had diligently cultivated the Starry Extermination Engraving Divine Ability, and his realm had now advanced. Although he couldn't yet unleash the destructive power of stars with every casual move, his current full mobilization of sword Qi was exceptionally potent—slashing through Buddhas and killing gods alike. When the last red shadow shattered, the time remaining until Zi Shi (midnight) was but the blink of an eye!

Feng Zikang had no time for reflection. He kicked open the stone chamber door. Fortunately, the four disciples guarding the chamber dared not remain there and had already vanished, saving him a considerable effort. He rushed straight into the chamber, swinging his sword light, destroying the ropes and restrictions binding the trapped tribespeople. Upon waking, those people were bewildered and dazed. “Run!” Mother Kang roared. He had infused this shout with Demonic techniques, stirring the hearts of the people. Except for a few who were particularly slow-witted or bold, overwhelming fear seized them, causing them to scramble toward the exit in terror. Feng Zikang paid no mind to whether they ran or not. He charged into the inner chamber, where he heard a crack of thunder overhead. Blood-red light began to rise in the northeast, while the other areas remained relatively calm. The rite of the Sky Burial Blood Sacrifice was about to commence. “Roar!” A colossal roar echoed from the horizon, nearly drowning out the thunder. Feng Zikang looked up to see a monstrous, immense creature flying toward them. He gritted his teeth, took two quick steps, and snatched up Mo Fenghuang, who was already stiff and immobile. “Roar”—the gigantic roar now carried a note of furious resentment. The demonic beast’s speed was like the wind; in an instant, it was directly above him! It expressed intense rage and hatred toward this intruder daring to snatch food from its grasp! “Break!” Feng Zikang dared not delay. Holding Mo Fenghuang, he flipped and rolled out of the inner chamber. Amidst the deafening crash, the inner chamber became an inferno! Turning back, he saw a bottomless chasm on the ground, from which the flames were burning fiercely! Feng Zikang inwardly gasped; the attack power of a Nascent Soul stage demonic beast was truly terrifying. Fortunately, someone else would be dealing with it next.

The demonic beast was enraged and flew out, pursuing Feng Zikang, about to launch a second attack, when suddenly there was a thunderous sound. The crimson mist that had covered the mountainside suddenly condensed, transforming into a ball of light that tightly enveloped the demonic beast! ※ “How can this be?” Seeing the thin ball of light, the Grand Master’s face showed displeasure! “At least seven thousand people were supposed to die. How can a Sky Burial Blood Sacrifice array of this magnitude deal with a Nascent Soul stage demonic beast?” “It seems that in several of the Dragon Lairs, the sacrificial victims have not died…” a disciple replied timidly. “If you know that, then go kill them!” The Grand Master was incomparably furious, clenching his fists. His expressionless face appeared all the more hideous. “Yes!” The disciple assented and flew off in different directions.

Feng Zikang looked up at the demonic beast struggling inside the bloody light, noting its considerable agitation. “This thing is truly huge…” No wonder it obscured the sun and moon as it passed; the beast’s volume was akin to a large mountain. Even the Seven Treasures Pagoda that they had labored to build for many years was only comparable in size to it. It had six wings sprouting from its sides, horns upon its head, and its body was entirely black, bearing a ferocious shape. “So it is a Sangluan,” Feng Zikang observed closely, finally identifying the species of this demonic beast. Sangluan are normally minor demonic beasts that appear during chaotic and inauspicious days. But how could this particular Sangluan have grown so enormous? Its appearance today suggested that a future calamity of war was inevitable! It seemed that every action was predestined. If the world had not already been heading toward widespread chaos, this Sangluan would never have surfaced, and the Grand Master's Sky Burial Blood Sacrifice would not have been pushed to such extremes.

“The current level of blood energy naturally cannot contend with the power of a Sangluan,” Feng Zikang said leisurely, standing aside, settling in to watch the show. This meant he might get to witness the Grand Master taking action personally. When two tigers fight, one must be injured. Being a mere spectator was certainly far easier than participating personally. As Feng Zikang was congratulating himself on his foresight, the Mo Fenghuang in his arms suddenly let out a soft whimper and clung tightly to him. “Hm?” Feng Zikang paused, reaching out to touch her body. Her skin was icy cold. He knew she was instinctively pressing toward his warmth due to internal chill caused by severe blood loss. Her current condition was due to excessive bleeding, for which medicine was ineffective. However, this Spring Breeze Moisturizing Rain, Silent and Penetrating Divine Ability, being warm and delicate, was precisely what she needed. He circulated his True Qi for one cycle, and Mo Fenghuang whimpered again, stirring awake. When she opened her eyes and saw Feng Zikang’s face, she was both startled and overjoyed. About to offer thanks, she suddenly sensed something amiss, realizing she was wrapped around him like an octopus, and where their skin touched, faint, wonderful pleasure sent tingling sensations through her. Unable to help herself, she broke away in shame. “Ouch!” At that moment, Feng Zikang’s right hand was placed on her crown, while his left hand held her waist. As Mo Fenghuang released her grip, she naturally lost her balance and began to fall. Feng Zikang, quick-witted, caught her. Mo Fenghuang felt a sudden heat rush through her body, an uncontrollable surge of desire. She managed to restrain herself with great effort, clearing her mind, and slowly stood up. “Strange,” Feng Zikang also noticed the strangeness about her. This woman had always been dignified and chaste, dedicated entirely to the Dao; how could she suddenly feel such intense desire? “Could it be…” Feng Zikang thought quietly, feeling that this Spring Breeze Moisturizing Rain, Silent and Penetrating Divine Ability, was slightly amiss.

He guessed correctly. When the Matriarch of the Peasant Sect created this divine ability, a lingering thread of affection for Ye Tiansheng of the Small Bamboo Grove had remained in her heart. Though unintentional, a wisp of romantic sentiment had unconsciously been woven into the cultivation method. If practiced alone, or guided by the same gender, there would be no issue. But when used between different genders, employing such a technique inevitably caused strange reactions.

However, Mo Fenghuang was no ordinary person. She quickly suppressed her shyness and focused on the ongoing stalemate battle in the sky. Once she looked, her face turned ashen. “Nascent… Nascent Soul stage demonic beast!”