When the Cannon Fodder Male Supporting Role Picks Up the Script - Chapter 27

The giant Ji Ruo’s towering figure is surprisingly nimble. He doesn’t play by the rules and doesn’t give Shen Lingshu a chance to respond.

Before Ji Ruo’s punch lands, a flash of sword light cuts through the black mist, aiming directly at his back. Sensing the cold, murderous intent of the sword, Ji Ruo lets out a sound of surprise and quickly withdraws, evading the strike.

Ji Ruo staggers a step, slamming his palm down to send the pursuing spirit sword flying. However, the sword reverses in mid-air, turning and flying back toward him. The sword cultivator raises his hand, and the sword, enveloped in murderous energy, obediently lands in his palm.

Ji Ruo, seeing the two figures in the distance, is evidently surprised. “They’ve arrived so soon!”

Lu Qi and Yun Zhuoran exchange a glance, rushing forward to join Shen Lingshu. Upon seeing that Shen Lingshu’s hair is slightly disheveled but that he is otherwise unharmed, Yun Zhuoran glances back at Ji Ruo.

This is not Ji Ruo’s real body but a manifestation of demonic energy. However, Ji Ruo’s cultivation level is at most at the Golden Core stage, and logically, one would need at least the Nascent Soul stage to create a manifestation. Yet, Ji Ruo has managed to do so within this evil formation.

The three of them meet, and Lu Qi succinctly states, “This formation is strange, and we shouldn’t stay here too long. Let’s meet up with Fellow Daoist Li, then look for a way to break the formation.”

Shen Lingshu nods and cups his hands toward Lu Qi. “Thank you, Junior Brother Lu, for your assistance.”

Ji Ruo, who has been watching from the side, grows increasingly agitated. Hearing this, he scoffs disdainfully. “Don’t get ahead of yourselves. Even if all of you gather together, you still won’t escape the Extermination Formation that I personally modified!”

The giant’s voice is like a bell, shaking Yun Zhuoran, who frowns in discomfort and looks up.

It is unclear what Ji Ruo is thinking, turning himself into a giant. Looking up at him almost feels like one’s neck would snap. Yun Zhuoran is no longer interested and turns back to the others. “This is definitely not the Extermination Formation. I wonder if you two brothers are like me. Since we entered the formation, my cultivation has been suppressed. My Golden Core is now only at the Foundation Building stage.”

In truth, Yun Zhuoran isn’t suppressed too much. This is based on the data provided by Li Jianming. He has been suppressed from the late-stage Deity Transformation to the peak of the Nascent Soul, likely because the one who activated the formation is much weaker than him.

But with so many people watching, Yun Zhuoran doesn’t reveal himself unless it is absolutely necessary.

Shen Lingshu speaks up, “I’m in the middle stage of the Golden Core.”

Lu Qi nods. “Same here.”

Sure enough. Yun Zhuoran’s expression shows understanding as he glances at the giant. “He has suppressed our cultivation levels beneath his own. Is this intentional, or is this the extent of his power?”

Upon hearing this, Shen Lingshu’s eyes brighten, and he looks at Yun Zhuoran with delight. “Junior Brother Yun’s words make sense. If we’re separated, it can’t be helped, but if we join forces, we may be able to break the formation.”

Lu Qi has also already gripped his spirit sword tightly.

Ji Ruo, who has been ignored by the three, is already displeased. Hearing their words, he immediately growls, “What are you muttering about! Stop dreaming! In my formation, I am the strongest!”

Seeing his agitation, Shen Lingshu immediately knows they are on the right track. He relaxes his mind and smiles confidently. “In that case, once we capture Young Master Ji, we can leave this evil formation.”

Ji Ruo laughs mockingly. “You wish! You haven’t even found the formation’s core, and you’re dreaming of breaking it?”

His words abruptly halt, and the giant’s body tenses. The three of them, however, show expressions of realization.

Shen Lingshu says, “He’s not the core of the formation.”

Yun Zhuoran then asks, “Where is the core?”

For a moment, Ji Ruo, who has been pleased with himself, now regrets and becomes angry. He glares at the members of the Tiandao Sect, thinking that they are all irritating. However, he quickly regains his confidence.

“The core’s not here, and you’ll never find it,” Ji Ruo sneers from above, looking down on them. “Even if the three of you manage to escape, I can make sure at least one of you stays behind tonight.”

Yun Zhuoran’s eyes flash with realization.

“If I can’t kill Shen Lingshu, then I’ll kill Yun Zhuoran.” Sure enough, Ji Ruo gloats. “After all, you’re both disciples of Gu Shenxu, and I’ve heard that Tianqing Sect is very concerned about Yun Zhuoran. I want to make you all lose face!”

Shen Lingshu and Lu Qi, who have been slightly tense, exchange a glance at Ji Ruo’s smug posture, and both silently look toward Yun Zhuoran.

However, they see Yun Zhuoran’s face remain calm, indifferent as ever, as though he has expected this all along.

Not seeing the expected frightened expressions from them, Ji Ruo is momentarily confused, but he quickly summons his demonic sword. Now that he is in his giant form, the demonic sword also transforms into a massive black blade, radiating murderous intent.

Ji Ruo, holding the demonic sword, stands tall in front of the three, feeling incredibly imposing. “Stop struggling. You’ll never escape my Exquisite Immortal Formation! Don’t even think about stalling by trying to talk to me!”

Shen Lingshu and Lu Qi’s expressions tighten at the sight. They position themselves on either side of Yun Zhuoran. “Junior Brother Yun, you go first and find a safe place to hide. Lu and I will catch up with you as soon as we can!” Shen Lingshu says.

Lu Qi also adds, “Go ahead.”

“Hahaha!” Ji Ruo rests the demonic sword on his shoulder, mercilessly mocking, “At this point, you’re still pretending to have brotherly bonds…”

The giant suddenly pauses, driving the demonic sword into the ground with a tremendous crash.

Shen Lingshu and Lu Qi are about to take action when Yun Zhuoran suddenly speaks calmly, “Don’t rush.”

The two turn to look at him, and Yun Zhuoran, as calm as ever, gestures for them to look at the giant. The dense black demonic energy swirling around Ji Ruo intensifies, but he doesn’t make a move. The giant’s form becomes rigid, and his demonic sword unexpectedly vanishes from the tip, turning into black mist that dissipates into the air.

The two exchange a puzzled glance, not understanding what is happening.

The long sword, made of demonic energy, is blown away by the wind, and the giant’s body hunches over and slumps. Finally, Ji Ruo, filled with a mix of rage and despair, shouts angrily, “Yun Zhuoran!”

Shen Lingshu and Lu Qi both look at Yun Zhuoran.

Yun Zhuoran quietly lifts a hand to gently press his abdomen, feeling the spiritual power in his dantian, which has been as calm as a mirror lake, suddenly surge and roil, as though it might gather into a vast ocean. He quickly suppresses it and struggles to maintain a confused expression.

“It wasn’t me.”

Time rewinds to a moment ago.

In another corner of the sinister formation, the illusionary demonic avatar, a young girl, lies outside the barrier, having failed to seek help and instead being treated as an inconvenience. After a brief pause, she shamelessly pretends not to have heard anything and runs toward Li Jianming, her bright eyes shining as if on the verge of tears.

With a delicate face and a voice full of sorrow that pulls at the heartstrings, she speaks softly, “Fellow Daoist, I’m a disciple of Ling Mountain Sect. I was unfortunately captured by a demonic cultivator in Huai Tree Ridge and have been trapped in this formation for quite some time. Could you please help me and take me out of here?”

Li Jianming, upon hearing this, shifts from an expression of fear to one of seriousness. He says, “Well, I… I’m afraid I can’t help you. Look, I’m stuck in this circle too. I can’t even get out myself, so how could I help you?”

The heart demon struggles out from his embrace and disdainfully perches atop his head.

The illusionary demonic avatar hesitates, glancing at the golden-red light circle. Her lips twitch, wondering if this person thinks she hasn’t noticed this is the same barrier drawn by the person who walked past earlier. Was he trying to trick her?

But recalling her master’s command, she forces a patient expression and asks sorrowfully, “Fellow Daoist, are you trapped too? Is it really impossible to get out of this circle? Have you tried?”

“Can I try?” Li Jianming slaps his forehead. “How could I forget!” He stands up, with the heart demon perched on his head, walks to the edge of the circle, and sincerely thanks the young girl outside, “Thank you for the reminder. I’ll try now, and if I can get out, I’ll definitely rescue you!”

The illusionary demon’s eyes flash with a hint of disdain, but she quickly feigns a moved expression and looks at Li Jianming with encouraging eyes. “No need for thanks. We’re both trapped in the formation, so it’s only right that we help each other.”

Li Jianming chuckles, “Ah, I see!” He grins and raises his foot, about to step outside the golden-red light circle.

The illusionary demon’s eyes brighten, fixated on his foot, and stares for a long time.

Li Jianming doesn’t move.

The illusionary demon, somewhat confused, looks up and sees Li Jianming burst out laughing, holding the small black ball and sitting back down on the ground, gasping for air. “Hahaha, you didn’t really think I was going to walk out, did you?”

Li Jianming laughs so hard he can barely catch his breath. “Haha, I’m no fool! I’ve read a lot of stories, you know! Anyone who tells me to step out of a circle like this can’t be a good person, how could I not know that?”

The illusionary demon’s face freezes. Has she been tricked again? She clenches her teeth, unwilling to give up. She softly says, “Fellow Daoist, you misunderstood. I’m not a demonic cultivator.”

Li Jianming laughs even harder. “Really? Well, I’ll tell you a secret: I’m the demonic cultivator! I drew this circle myself, just to light a lamp in the darkness for poor people like you!”

The illusionary demon: “…” Get lost!

She silently chants her master’s command three times, clenches her fists, and struggles to calm herself.

She blinks, squeezes out two clear tears, smiles bitterly, and decisively turns to leave, holding her skirt.

“If you don’t believe me, then so be it. I’ll find another way out. Farewell for now.”

Seeing that she really is leaving, Li Jianming’s laughter stops. He blinks, looking at the young girl’s frail and helpless back, which seems quite pitiful.

Li Jianming presses his lips together, looking down at the heart demon, his expression a mixture of confusion and hesitation.

The heart demon’s small black eyes blink rapidly.

Li Jianming seems to sense something, scratches the back of his head, and then looks up for a moment before standing up. In the end, he can’t bring himself to let her go and says, “Hey, wait a second, come back. You can still hide here for a bit.”

The illusionary demon pauses, and with her back turned, she smirks, revealing a chillingly cold smile.

One incense stick later.

Li Jianming laughs, dizzy in the light circle, clutching his head and stomach, gasping on the ground.

The heart demon clicks its tongue, lets out a small burp, and then stares at him like he is a fool.

The black mist in the formation gradually dissipates. At first, it isn’t very noticeable, but as the surrounding air grows less cold,

Li Jianming finally pushes himself up, sitting up with a grunt.

At the same time, at the center of the evil formation.

The giant formed of demonic energy quickly collapses. Though they don’t know what has happened, Shen Lingshu and Lu Qi instinctively keep themselves close to Yun Zhuoran, protecting him. The black mist slowly fades, and the evening breeze brushes past, gentle as water, causing everyone to shiver and snap back to reality. As they open their eyes, the first thing they see is the clear moonlight.

The formation is broken.

Shen Lingshu and Lu Qi exchange glances, and behind them, they hear a surprised “Hey!” They turn around and see Li Jianming, holding the small black ball.

“Illusionary demon!” Ji Ruo’s furious voice echoes from not far away.

The group turns to look, seeing a string of thumb-sized black beads hanging around Ji Ruo’s neck, flickering with an ominous black-red light, exuding murderous energy. One of the beads floats in the air, covered in cracks, and suddenly explodes with a bang, breaking into several pieces that fall onto the muddy ground.

With a soft thud, Ji Ruo stares blankly at the black fragments on the fallen leaves, his eyes wide in disbelief. Slowly, he looks up, his voice filled with hatred and fury, yet it almost sounds as if he is on the verge of tears.

“Yun Zhuoran, give me back my demonic pet!”