When the Cannon Fodder Male Supporting Role Picks Up the Script - Chapter 26

Deep within Huai Tree Ridge, the forest is desolate, with only Ji Ruo and his three attendants remaining. In front of them hangs a water mirror formed from condensed black mist.

The murky black water mirror is divided into three screens, one of which displays Yun Zhuoran and his group of four.

Ji Ruo can’t help but feel pleased, observing the separated group of four and finally focusing on Shen Lingshu. His goal tonight is to kill Shen Lingshu, but…

He shifts his gaze to the central water screen, unable to swallow his anger upon seeing Li Jianming’s bright smile. “Phantom Demon, kill that person for me!”

“Yes.”

The response to Ji Ruo doesn’t come from one of his attendants but from the murderous black water mirror itself. A raspy yet childlike voice echoes as a black shadow flashes across the dark mirror, disappearing into it in an instant.

Meanwhile, Yun Zhuoran and Li Jianming, trapped in the demonic formation, are searching for Shen Lingshu and Lu Qi amid the endless black fog. Since entering the formation, Shen Lingshu and Lu Qi have vanished, with occasional demonic energy harassing them.

Within the span of one tea’s time, the two have already faced several ambushes. Upon falling into the demonic formation, they feel their cultivation levels suppressed by the formation’s rules. Even though Yun Zhuoran’s true strength surpasses the Golden Core level he appears to have, he is suppressed.

Yun Zhuoran quickly realizes that in this formation, raw cultivation power is evidently not that important.

Fortunately, Yun Zhuoran’s cultivation is high enough not to be severely impacted, so they are still safe for now. However, Li Jianming is already reaching his limit.

The suppression has left him vulnerable to the residual poison in his body, and he becomes increasingly pale and exhausted. He can’t help but collapse to the ground.

“No, I can’t go on… Yun Zhuoran, leave me behind and go,” Li Jianming says weakly.

Yun Zhuoran watches him in silence. The evil formation is full of unpredictable dangers, and Ji Ruo has mistaken Li Jianming for him, meaning Ji Ruo is set on killing him.

Li Jianming sighs dejectedly. “We’re both golden elixirs, but you’ve just formed yours, so you’re probably worse off than me. This evil formation suppresses you far too much. If you try to carry me, you won’t get very far. Just go and find your two senior brothers.”

Yun Zhuoran responds calmly, “Alright.”

He answers so quickly that Li Jianming freezes, sniffles, and looks at him with a hurt expression. “So eager… Alright then, go ahead without worry. I won’t blame you for being heartless… Hey!”

Li Jianming’s eyes widen in shock when Yun Zhuoran suddenly places a soft black ball on his head.

The little heart demon, who has been comfortably nestled in Yun Zhuoran’s arms, is equally stunned at being tossed to Li Jianming. It blinks its tiny dark eyes in disbelief, looking pitifully at Yun Zhuoran.

“Brother!”

Yun Zhuoran gently shakes his head and raises a hand, forming a stream of spiritual power that lands near Li Jianming’s feet. The spiritual energy seeps into the ground, quickly transforming into a golden-red barrier.

“Stay within the boundary and don’t leave. I’ll be back soon with the two senior brothers.”

Li Jianming snaps out of his daze, feeling touched. He looks at the half-meter-wide golden-red barrier on the ground with a mix of surprise and admiration. Even in his current groggy state, he can sense how strong this boundary is.

He thinks to himself, Yun Zhuoran really is powerful.

After giving Li Jianming his instructions, Yun Zhuoran turns to his little demon, who looks sad and anxious. “Keep an eye on Li Jianming,” Yun Zhuoran tells the demon. “Don’t let anything happen to him. I’ll be back soon.”

The heart demon protests, “I want to go with Brother!”

Yun Zhuoran replies, “Be good.”

The heart demon mutters reluctantly, “Weiran doesn’t want to be good…”

Yun Zhuoran chuckles inwardly. “Just this once.”

Fine. The heart demon pouts but doesn’t argue further.

The heart demon never disobeys him.

Realizing this, Yun Zhuoran’s gaze softens as he affectionately pats the heart demon.

Li Jianming, dazed, looks up at the creature on his head and, recognizing it as Yun Zhuoran’s favorite spirit pet, quickly pats his chest and promises Yun Zhuoran, “As long as I’m here, your pet will be safe!”

Yun Zhuoran knows that the boundary he sets is difficult to break; it includes the Mingguang Lock from the Tianqing Sect. As long as Li Jianming stays inside, he will be safe. Yet Li Jianming, oblivious to the strength of the barrier, still jokes at such a crucial moment, leaving Yun Zhuoran both amused and exasperated.

Shaking his head, Yun Zhuoran gives the little black bundle one last long look before turning and stepping into the dark mist.

After Yun Zhuoran leaves, a pair of blood-red eyes emerges from the darkness, first watching his retreating figure and then shifting to Li Jianming, who sits within the golden light barrier. Slowly, the eyes drift closer to Li Jianming.

Yun Zhuoran appears completely unaware. He extends his spiritual consciousness to survey his surroundings, but even in the Divine Transformation stage, he can’t pierce through the dense black fog. The magic circle’s controlling force is undoubtedly formidable. Frustrated, Yun Zhuoran adjusts his approach. He closes his eyes momentarily, then lowers his gaze to his left hand.

Soon, two red lines materialize on his little finger and middle finger. The dark red-to-black line on his middle finger stretches backward, leading to the heart demon with Li Jianming.

Meanwhile, the deep red line on his little finger points ahead, indicating Shen Lingshu’s direction.

Following the red line’s guidance, Yun Zhuoran walks for about fifteen minutes when he hears a noise coming from the distance. He is just about to move toward it when he suddenly halts and swiftly steps back. A gust of foul wind sweeps past his ear, chilling him to the bone. A dark shadow flashes across his vision and, failing in its ambush, quickly turns and lunges straight at him.

As expected, it is another malicious spirit formed from demonic energy.

However, before Yun Zhuoran can form a hand seal to counterattack, a streak of light appears silently from his rear flank. A single sword strike shatters the demonic energy, and the familiar, fierce sword aura materializes just behind him.

“Junior Brother Yun, are you injured?”

It is Lu Qi.

Yun Zhuoran turns and relaxes at the sight of him. “I’m unharmed. Thank you, Senior Brother Lu.”

Lu Qi stands tall and commanding, always exuding a sense of dependability. Even though his cultivation is suppressed, his sword intent remains formidable.

Noticing that Yun Zhuoran is alone, Lu Qi frowns. “You’re by yourself?”

Yun Zhuoran replies, “Li Jianming is with my spirit pet. I came out to search for others and just ran into you. Have you seen Senior Brother Shen?”

Lu Qi’s expression tightens. “I haven’t seen Senior Brother Shen. Since entering the formation, you’re the only one I’ve found.”

Yun Zhuoran nods. “This formation is sinister. Li Jianming and I searched for a while but couldn’t find a way to break it. Why don’t we locate Senior Brother Shen first, then return to regroup with Li Jianming?”

Although Yun Zhuoran leaves much unsaid, Lu Qi can guess that Li Jianming’s condition might not be great, or Yun Zhuoran wouldn’t have left him behind.

Lu Qi agrees with Yun Zhuoran’s plan, but before they can act, a sudden wave of spiritual energy emanates from the distance. Both of them feel it distinctly.

Yun Zhuoran lowers his head and stares at the red line on his hand.

Lu Qi’s expression turns serious. “Is it Senior Brother Shen?”

The red line indeed points in that direction.

Yun Zhuoran doesn’t respond, instead hurrying forward.

The source of the noise isn’t far off, and before long, Yun Zhuoran and Lu Qi arrive. They indeed see a familiar figure in white. But when they see the scene clearly, both are stunned.

Shen Lingshu is engaged in a battle with a giant made of black demonic energy. Compared to the enormous figure, he seems tiny. The giant stands about ten feet tall, with immense strength. Its face is obscured by a layer of silver-gray mist, giving it a mask-like appearance that feels strangely familiar.

There is no doubt the demonic giant is incredibly powerful, at least at the peak of the Golden Elixir stage. Observing Shen Lingshu’s condition, it is clear he is also struggling with his suppressed cultivation. He seems to be attempting to escape, but the giant sneers menacingly.

“The future leader of the Tiandao Sect is nothing more than this? The master is the number one under the Heavenly Dao, but I never expected his disciple to be a weakling who can’t withstand a single blow!”

The words are dripping with ridicule and disdain, but what unsettles them more is the owner of the voice. That strange, nagging sense of familiarity stirs within their hearts.

Shen Lingshu is knocked several feet back before landing hard. He freezes in surprise upon hearing the voice.

“Young Master Ji!” Lu Qi and Yun Zhuoran both make the connection.

The giant gives a disdainful snort, rising to its full height and looming over Shen Lingshu. Ji Ruo’s immature and arrogant voice follows, “It doesn’t matter if you’ve guessed it. What if your cultivation is better than mine? What if your reputation exceeds mine? In this formation, I am stronger than you. You’re dead!”

Shen Lingshu falls silent. He feels that Ji Ruo is holding a grudge against what Li Jianming had said earlier about his lack of reputation, and the reason he is weaker…

Isn’t it because the evil formation has suppressed his cultivation, leaving him weaker than Ji Ruo?

Meanwhile, in the distance, Li Jianming, after watching Yun Zhuoran leave, gently takes the little black ball that has been perched on his head and carefully examines it in his palm.

“Hey, this little thing is quite unique.”

The heart demon, lost in the sadness of being abandoned by his brother, is thoroughly annoyed by Li Jianming’s pestering. He flicks his small tail and swats at Li Jianming’s finger.

Li Jianming immediately winces in pain, and the little black ball, seeing this, snorts softly before jumping off his palm and lying on the ground, continuing to feel sorrowful. It can’t help but feel disgusted.

His brother’s body is soft and fragrant, so comfortable, but Li Jianming is dark and skinny, even his palm is stiff and hard. The little black ball longs to find its brother…

Li Jianming hadn’t expected that this little creature not only looks unique but also has quite the temper. He rubs his slightly reddened fingers, and to his surprise, the pain helps him clear his head a little. He is a bit pleased, “I don’t feel as dizzy anymore.” He looks down at the heart demon’s little black eyes, “How about you smack me again?”

The heart demon moves away coldly, casting a vigilant look as if to say: You are sick!

Li Jianming finds joy in this, thinking to himself that, since he has nothing better to do, he might as well keep teasing the heart demon. He provokes it a few more times, causing the heart demon to nearly bite his fingers off in anger. Li Jianming quickly dodges, laughing loudly as the heart demon trembles with rage.

Suddenly, his ears twitch, and he hears a faint, sorrowful cry. He freezes for a moment, then widens his eyes and looks at the furious little black ball. “Wow! So you’re a girl?”

The heart demon, as if boiling with murderous intent, flares up instantly. This idiot actually dares to call him a girl! How infuriating!

But recalling his brother’s words before he left, the heart demon manages to hold back his anger, turns, and gestures for Li Jianming to look outside.

In the darkness, a beautiful young woman staggers past, occasionally glancing back in fear, as though something is chasing her. Her plain white dress and pale face stand out, her tears making her look pitiful.

Li Jianming stares for a long time, confirming that the cries he had heard earlier were from the girl. He opens his mouth to speak but, after watching her run away with three hesitant glances back, he looks at the little black ball in disappointment and asks, “So, are you a boy or a girl?”

The heart demon, unable to hold in its fury any longer, bites Li Jianming… on the sleeve of his clothing.

Furious and aggrieved, the heart demon thinks, when my brother gets back, I’m definitely telling him everything!

Outside the barrier, the illusionary girl, having cried for quite a while, runs past only to be ignored, and hears Li Jianming’s words. She can’t believe it and wonders if she has run too fast for him to see clearly. After some thought, she runs back from the darkness, weakly collapsing outside the barrier.

“Help…” she begins to call.

“Wait!” Before the girl can finish her plea, Li Jianming quickly snatches the heart demon up and retreats, his expression filled with terror, as though he has seen a ghost. “It wasn’t me! Don’t come after me!”