Conquering That Great Demon Lord [Xian Ni Fan Fiction] - Chapter 10: Counterattack

Chapter 10: Counterattack

At that moment, Wang Lin gathered all the Spiritual Power within his body, shattered his Golden Core, and unleashed an overwhelming force that shot out of the Cave Residence like lightning. It neutralized all the attacks that were about to strike Li Muwan.

Immediately after, a red flash struck a Core Formation cultivator, killing him instantly.

With the speed of a sudden storm, he caught Li Muwan, who had exhausted her Spiritual Power and was prepared to die.

At this moment, she was extremely weak but could faintly sense the force supporting her from behind and the heavy, unsteady breathing near her ear.

Heaven knew how heart-stopping and nerve-wracking it had been for him the moment he rushed over.

The Divine Sense he had placed on Li Muwan had allowed him to monitor the movements outside the Cave Residence all along. Her resolute determination to protect him at the cost of her life became the final impetus for him to consolidate his Golden Core.

The time between achieving Core Formation and arriving here was merely a single breath.

Severely injured, Li Muwan’s gaze was unfocused, but she vaguely saw his sharp, handsome features, calm and composed as usual, with only a pair of deep eyes that held a rare tenderness she seldom witnessed.

The faint curve at the corner of Wang Lin’s lips was barely visible; all his ferocity and defensiveness had completely vanished.

Only his heavy breathing betrayed his panic.

Wang Lin gazed at her exquisitely painted features, now streaked with blood and covered in woundsmarks of her protection. Having faced death in the Decisive Ming Valley and survived the extraterrestrial battlefield, no one had walked alongside him since, let alone shielded him with their life.

The emotions and fury contained within him softened into two tender words before her: “Wait for me.”

Li Muwan felt her body being gently laid down. His movements were light, and she once again saw the familiar back that had vanished numerous times outside the Cave Residence and within the Stone Chamber.

On that back, his tied hair and sleeves billowed, exuding an extraordinary aurait was the Fiend she knew so well.

A faint spiritual light flickered between her brows, transmitting a message into her Divine Sense.

[Soul Pearl: Fiend’s favorability has increased by 50%.]

In her weakened state, Li Muwan felt a mix of joy and sorrow.

[Li Muwan: I exchanged my life for it, and it’s only 50%. But at least it increased.]

Wang Lin’s imposing aura intensified. Several Core Formation cultivators, faced with his murderous eyes, involuntarily felt an unprecedented feara fear that would send them to their deaths.

“From this moment on, I, Wang, will be the strongest below the Nascent Soul Stage.”

“If none of you have hidden your cultivation, then you may die.”

Two strands of red light shot from Wang Lin’s eyes as the pressure of his Extreme Mirror Divine Sense erupted within their consciousness, annihilating one of the female cultivators.

Li Muwan, having endured attacks from several people, had not fully recovered. Behind his figure, the others saw Wang Lin as a ghostly apparition and scattered in panic.

Wang Lin, unhurried, turned around and looked down at Li Muwan, who remained seated on the ground. The fluctuations of Spiritual Power caused his robes to flutter. The high and mighty Fiend strode toward her confidently and, while she was still dazed, extended his hand to her, saying cleanly and decisively, “Let’s go.””

“Where to?”

“I’ll take you to kill.”

Repaying every slight and clearing every obstaclethis was the survival method Wang Lin had learned after his rebirth.

The Fiend took her along to plunder through slaughter.

Li Muwan was only stunned for a moment before placing her hand in Wang Lin’s right hand. His left arm encircled her waist, so lightly that it left no room for other thoughts.

Wang Lin pursued the fleeing Core Formation cultivators. He was determined to make them pay with their blood. From being hunted all the way from the South Dipper City’s artifact refinery to narrowly escaping death multiple times, had it not been for the Dragonhide Armor Li Muwan made, he would have almost lost his life to these very people.

In addition to the defensive functions of the Nine Li Corpse Bone Formation she had previously set up, it would have been impossible to delay the Core Formation cultivators. Moreover, Wang Lin’s successful Core Formation was inseparable from the aid of the Sky Sundering Pill.

Li Muwan watched as he slaughtered his way through. His Death Curse Technique was wielded with ease, exterminating the remaining three Core Formation cultivators as well. Yet that was not allhis Divine Sense, bound to his waist by the Dragon Tendon, resembled a golden kite in the sky.

It was not enough. Only by annihilating every last trace and establishing his authority to vent his hatred could he thoroughly halt the troubles that surged from behind. Thus, Wang Lin resolved to go to the headquarters of the Fighting Evil Sect to assert his dominance.

However, the Ten Thousand Demons Hundred Day Kill Order that Qian Kun had activated at the cost of his life had attracted the covetous eyes of countless cultivators. If one could kill Wang Lin, who was marked by the Hundred Day Kill Order, that cultivator would gain Qian Kun’s Core Formation cultivation base.

On the way to the Fighting Evil Sect, all manner of demons and monsters arrived, each eager to kill Wang Lin and seize his cultivation.

The person before them was no longer the same as before. Wang Lin gazed at the myriad cultivators eyeing him like tigers watching their prey, yet he showed not a trace of panic. Instead, his expression remained as calm as water.

“Senior Brother, the speed at which this news is spreading is too fast. It’s bound to attract the attention of cultivators from tens of thousands of miles away,” Li Muwan stood behind Wang Lin, slightly worried. Although she had witnessed him kill Core Formation cultivators in an instant, there were always higher mountains beyond the ones they knew. They could not afford to be careless.

Wang Lin had also noticed the rapid spread of the news. In the open space, his voice carried a chilling intimidation.

“Those who remain here after three breaths will die!” Wang Lin’s gaze was cold and stern, sweeping across those before him.

Those cultivators had never seen his methods and still harbored greedy thoughts, eager to try their luck.

“One breath.”

Wang Lin brought the two fingers of his right hand together, his left hand raised in a protective gesture, shielding Li Muwan behind him. Her petite figure was half-hidden by his form.

“Two breaths.”

Under the oppressive force of his powerful Divine Sense, the myriad cultivators began to grasp the situation. One after another, people started to leave on their Flying Swords.

“Let’s go, quickly…”

“Hurry and leave.”

“Too late.”

Before three breaths had passed, his Extreme Awareness coiled around a small sword and pierced through the crowd. In no time, the cultivators fell from the sky like raindrops transforming from the Sea of Demonic Cultivation, dropping densely one after another. Screams and howls pierced the heavens. The Divine Sense bound at his waist instantly condensed into a pair of enormous golden wings. Wang Lin’s eyes were cold and indifferent.

As the aura of death spread, “yellow sparrows” in the distance watched this scene. The intense death energy could greatly benefit the activation of the Blood Qi Grand Formation. Xue Ming and others blocked Wang Lin’s group on their way to the Fighting Evil Sect.

Xue Ming set up the grand formation, and massive amounts of death energy surged into it. After absorbing the energy of the blood formation, Xue Ming’s cultivation rose to the Great Perfection of Core Formation. In his frenzy, he was ecstatic, as if victory was already in his grasp. He arrogantly declared, “The Ten Thousand Demons Hundred Day Kill Order, the Death Curse Technique, the pill treasuresI will take them all for myself.”

“From this day forward, below the Nascent Soul stage, I am the strongest.”

Seeing the violent fluctuations in the blood formation, Li Muwan quickly discerned its peculiarity and solemnly said, “This isn’t blood energyit’s death energy. The blood formation has drawn the death energy of thousands of people. The Death Curse Technique likely won’t work on him.”

“We must find the formation’s eye to break it.”

Wang Lin listened carefully to her analysis. If he hadn’t been so eager to kill earlier, he wouldn’t have provoked Qian Kun into activating the Ten Thousand Demons Hundred Day Kill Order, bringing all these troubles.

His face, as cold and detached as ever, stared ahead. Red light radiated from the blood formation. Li Muwan was still deep in thought, searching for a way to break the formation, when she suddenly heard a calm voice beside her ear: “Hold on tight.”

Li Muwan looked up in a daze as a long arm wrapped around her from behind, pulling her firmly. In her disoriented state, she lost balance and fell into Wang Lin’s embrace, her cheek pressing against him while her palm lightly braced against his chest to steady herself. The large hand supporting her waist provided a steady anchor.

A fleeting blush crossed Li Muwan’s face before she collected her thoughts. Wang Lin charged through the Blood Qi Grand Formation with her in tow, his disdainful gaze sweeping over Xue Ming as they flew past. He scoffed, “The strongest below Nascent Soul?”

Snow petals formed from Netherworld Flame drifted onto Xue Ming, freezing both him and the entire Blood Qi Grand Formation in place.

As they landed, the warmth from his arm lingered, the soft sensation still vivid. Her earlobes turned crimson unnoticed, though his expression remained composed. “Be it Blood Qi or Death Qi, anything refined from corpses is worthless before me,” he declared.

With the Blood Qi Grand Formation shattered, the group continued toward the Fighting Evil Sect.

After several clashes, Li Muwan sighed inwardly. Wang Lin’s decisive and ruthless methods stirred a deep-seated fear within her.

This fiend was merciless and brutal. Staring at his retreating figure, the silver lotus-shaped hair crown reflecting golden Divine Sense light, she felt an urge to retreat.

If her plan to win him over were exposed, would such a fiend even leave her body intact?

The thought sent a tremor through her, and she retreated several steps.

Wang Lin noticed her movement, his peripheral vision never leaving her. He glanced sideways, observing her pallid face. Already wounded, she had followed him through countless battles. A flicker of emotion stirred in him, and he softened his voice, “Don’t be afraid. They can’t harm you.”

Meeting his gaze, Li Muwan nodded. Her fear wasn’t just of their enemiesthis fiend might be even more terrifying.

Yet she had personally witnessed Wang Lin’s declaration before the Cave Residence: “I will become the strongest below Nascent Soul.”

He had truly achieved it.

Throughout their bloody journey, Wang Lin repeatedly shielded her, fulfilling his promise to keep her safe.

Recalling his life-saving interventions during multiple crises, Li Muwan’s fear gradually dissipated, replaced only by melancholy. Had her brother and sect mates confronted him during their first meeting in the bamboo forest, this ruthless man would likely have shown her no mercy either.

Lost in thought, Li Muwan’s Flying Sword slowed. Wang Lin immediately detected her lagging presence. Though his Limit Divine Sense was depleted from the earlier battle and still recovering within his mind, he sharply turned back.

Seeing her distracted but unharmed, he relaxed slightly. Yet she wasn’t one for melancholywhy this despondency?

Wang Lin assumed she doubted his commitment to his promise.

He halted his Flying Sword, patiently waiting for Li Muwan to approach. Her weary face and furrowed brows struck him, stirring an unexpected pang of pity.

Grabbing her wrist, Wang Lin positioned her before him on his Flying Sword. His Divine Sense had already recovered through mental nourishment. Deciding against letting her control her own sword, he attempted reassurance, “There’s no need to rush. After I settle matters, I’ll escort you back to Luoshui Sect.”

Li Muwan glanced back at him. When Wang Lin looked down at her, his gaze was gentle, plunging her into contemplation. At this moment, she didn’t wish to return to Luoshui Sect so soon.

The fiend’s favorability had finally broken through to fifty. If she returned to Luoshui Sect, how could she continue her mission to retrieve her Soul of Life? Would she have to follow the Soul Pearl’s suggestionchange targets and start all over again?

It seemed there was more than just this reason for not wanting to leave, but she had also clearly witnessed the Fiend’s ruthless methods. Should she stay or go?

Li Muwan couldn’t decide, her worries growing heavier.

At the Fighting Evil Sect headquarters, Sect Leader Xie Donglai had already prepared the Dragon Fight Grand Formation in advance to face the enemy.

During several exchanges of blows, Wang Lin was seriously injured while battling Xie Donglai. Meanwhile, Li Muwan and their other companions were being pursued by Fighting Evil Sect disciples. Despite being in a difficult situation himself, Wang Lin detected her predicament with his Divine Sense and had no choice but to rush to her rescue. Even though severely wounded, he maintained a calm composure in front of her.

Through multiple attempts, Wang Lin eventually located the formation’s core and shattered it, breaking the Dragon Fight Grand Formation.

He naturally took control of the Fighting Evil Sect, and what he needed most now was seclusion for recovery.

With the great battle won and matters settled, it meant their separation was approaching. Standing beside him, Li Muwan watched as tens of thousands of Fighting Evil Sect disciples knelt in homage, feeling honored to share in his glory.

She should be happy for his high spirits and dazzling confidence.

“Prepare a secret chamber for me. I need to go into seclusion.”

After the glory came the inevitable separation. Wang Lin made his promise again: “Wait until I emerge from seclusion, and I’ll send you home.”

“You really intend to send me back?” Li Muwan gazed at his retreating figurethis back she had seen countless times seemed more familiar to her than his face.

“For now, just focus on recovering from your injuries,” Wang Lin replied without turning around, sighing inwardly.

How could he not sense the reluctance in her words? He wasn’t unaware of her feelings, and he had come to understand his own heart as well.

While the Fiend was in seclusion recovering, Li Muwan wandered aimlessly among the dragon statues coiling around the mountain.

The Dragon Fight Grand Formation was exquisite. During Wang Lin’s battle with Xie Donglai, Li Muwan had glimpsed its mysteries. If she could use it as inspiration, carve the dragon scales, refine and optimize it, she could create a new defensive Azure Dragon Formation that would be even more powerful than the original Dragon Fight Grand Formation, capable of withstanding attacks from the Nascent Soul Stage.

[Soul Pearl: You’re really leaving? Not following the Fiend anymore?]

[Li Muwan: I’d like to stay, but the Fiend insists on sending me back.]

Meanwhile, within the Heaven Defying Pearl, Wang Lin was kneeling before his parents’ nascent souls.

“Father, Mother, Tiezhu has now become the sect leader of the Fighting Evil Sect. Once your son successfully forms his nascent soul and returns to Zhao Kingdom for revenge, I promise I’ll bring back a good daughter-in-law for youjust not now.”

“Although I’ve established my authority in the Sea of Demonic Cultivation, my enemies still remain.”

Wang Lin’s mind conjured a figuresomeone who would always wait outside the cave residence to welcome him back, their face consistently breaking into a sincere smile that seemed capable of melting even the deepest winter’s ice, including the frost around his own heart.

“She’s safer away from me.”

[Soul Pearl: Detected Fiend’s favorability at 60%. Favorability has increased again.]

Li Muwan felt mixed emotions. He was used to being alone and certainly wouldn’t want to be burdened with someone holding him back.

[Li Muwan: The Fiend is determined to send me home. I only stayed initially because I had value in alchemy for him. Even if I forced myself to stay, it might arouse his suspicion. If the Fiend truly has feelings for me, as the storybooks say, ‘Since ancient times, parting has been most painful for the affectionate.’ Perhaps separation will make these feelings last longer.]

[Soul Pearl: But this is the World of Cultivation! Cultivators have long lifespans. How do you know the Fiend won’t fall for someone else after you separate? All your efforts would be wasted thendon’t say I didn’t warn you.]

[Li Muwan: If affection can be so easily transferred, then the success of conquering the Fiend would be questionable anyway. Didn’t you say we could change targets?]

[Soul Pearl: …]

[Li Muwan: If the Fiend’s favorability drops after separation, I can always switch targets then.]

[Soul Pearl: Reminding you again – you only have one chance to change your strategy target. Consider carefully.]

[Li Muwan: I know, I know.]

***

Standing atop the dragon statue, Li Muwan let the wind blow away her discontent. She wasn’t one to dwell on things – with countless wonderful things in the world, why should she be trapped by any single one?

“Come, I’ll take you to kill people.”

Just recalling the Fiend’s words made her both amused and exasperated.

“Others go to enjoy romantic scenery, while he takes me to kill people.”

Since parting was inevitable, and the Fiend had saved her life multiple times, Li Muwan made her decision and began casting spells.

“Then let this be my repayment.” Several dragon scales suddenly glowed with halos as Li Muwan used them to carve dragon patterns, imprinting each scale’s markings onto the jade tablet.

While Wang Lin was in seclusion, she carved tirelessly for seven days without rest. Carving the dragon patterns consumed massive spiritual energy, and having fought alongside Wang Lin through the Sea of Demonic Cultivation’s cave residences without proper recovery, her injuries worsened. Continuing like this would surely shorten her lifespan.

After completing all the dragon scale carvings, Li Muwan requested a secret chamber to create the formation. The dragon patterns imprinted on the jade tablet were refined through her essence, their patterns rearranged before she fused each jade tablet together, finally merging them into a single Azure Dragon Jade Tablet.

Having accomplished everything, Li Muwan’s face grew even paler, with traces of blood visible beneath her cherry lips. Wiping her mouth indifferently, she swallowed several Spirit Concentration Pills. Though her Spiritual Power began recovering, her delicate face remained bloodless.

She cheerfully stored the jade tablet that had cost her so much effort and left the secret chamber. After seven days without sunlight, the dazzling beams made her dizzy, nearly causing her to stumble.

Wang Lin, having just emerged from seclusion and learned of Li Muwan’s location, came searching for her. The moment he arrived, he saw her emaciated form and ashen complexion.

Wang Lin’s sword-like brows furrowed as he strode forward and lifted her wrist. Recognizing the familiar boots and robe hem, Li Muwan knew it was Wang Lin.

Leaning on his support to straighten up, she met his gaze with a radiant smile that melted Wang Lin’s heart. Yet seeing her pallid face, his deep eyes flickered with immediate concern. “What have you been doing all these days?”

He produced a jade flask and handed it to her. “Drink this.”

Li Muwan glanced at it and accepted the exquisitely crafted flask. Though different from his usual wooden gourd, she knew it contained the Spirit Elixir he regularly drank.

She didn’t understand why this Spirit Elixir had such remarkable effects – Wang Lin never mentioned it, meaning it must be both secret and precious to him.

Treasing it like a priceless treasure, she stored it away. When her gaze returned to the large hand still holding her wrist, Wang Lin observed her every move but showed no intention of releasing her.

He must be eager to send her away. If she delayed further, she’d only be holding him back.

Of course – she had no value left now. A bitter ache spread through her heart.

Rather than hesitating, it was better to be decisive. Li Muwan revealed a joyful expression, like a child eagerly anticipating returning home. “It’s nothing, Senior Brother. Let’s go.”