The demonic seal gleamed with a dark luster, and Nanli’s eyes turned a deep crimson.
"Nanli, lay down your weapon!" Cinian had already rushed to her side and, seeing her in this condition, trembled in fear.
He could clearly see that the Demon Soul was slowly merging with Nanli’s soul!
Once the Demon Soul completely took hold, she would truly be under its control, becoming a demon!
Bai Xiangyu, panicked, shouted, "Zen Master Cinian, use the Demon Suppression Seal!"
"No," Cinian replied, voice tinged with sorrow, "Her soul is already entwined with the Demon Soul. If I use the Demon Suppression Seal, it will harm her soul."
"What do you mean, let her be taken over by the Demon Soul?" Bai Xiangyu exclaimed. "She’s worked so hard to reach this stage, and she’s carrying a child, Zen Master Cinian! You have to think of something!"
Cinian’s breathing became rapid, his chest rising and falling sharply.
Then, as if struck by a sudden realization, his eyes brightened. He began chanting other scriptures in an attempt to awaken Nanli’s consciousness.
Indeed, though the demonic seal remained, the crimson hue in Nanli’s eyes gradually faded.
She regained a moment of clarity, whispering, "Cinian..."
"Nanli, do you have a way to force the Demon Soul out?" Cinian continued chanting while using his spiritual energy to communicate with her.
Nanli shut her eyes, sensing the overwhelming power of the Demon Soul, which was tightly gripping her soul and trying to destroy her. If it succeeded, it would undoubtedly harm her, and the path to her recovery would be arduous, taking much time and effort. Not to mention the future of her three children, who would be in grave danger.
After a moment of struggle, she came up with a plan.
Determined, Nanli fought to prevent the Demon Soul from continuing its invasion and corrupting her will.
She took out the Heaven Star Brush, drawing a talisman at several key points. Sweat beads formed on her forehead, and her hands trembled violently as she completed the gestures.
The demonic seal grew darker and brighter, her eyes once again becoming bloodshot.
Fortunately, after completing the talisman, she pressed it down onto the ground. The talisman surged with golden light, enveloping her in layers of brilliance.
The demonic seal didn’t dissipate, but she closed her eyes and began to slump backward.
Bai Xiangyu quickly caught her.
Thankfully, the wave of life force had ceased, and her breath remained steady.
"What’s happening to her?" Bai Xiangyu asked, bewildered.
Cinian stopped chanting, approaching her for a closer look. "She’s attempting to use this talisman array to separate the Demon Soul and seal it within her body. Whether it succeeds or not remains uncertain."
"What?" Bai Xiangyu was shocked. "The Demon Soul inside her? How can she cultivate in the future? If anyone finds out, they’ll treat her as a Demon Cultivator!"
Cinian fixed him with a penetrating stare.
Bai Xiangyu’s heart tightened, sensing the murderous intent emanating from Cinian. "Zen Master, you’re a monk, aren’t you supposed to avoid killing?"
"Occasionally killing isn’t a problem," Cinian replied. "It’s just a small loss of merit."
Bai Xiangyu hadn’t expected Cinian to be willing to kill for Nanli.
He quickly reassured him, "This matter will be kept secret between us, the heavens and earth, you and I. I won’t breathe a word of it to anyone!"
Cinian snorted. "Only death can silence secrets."
Bai Xiangyu shuddered slightly. "Zen Master, I didn’t know you were so ruthless."
"I must be cautious, for her sake," Cinian replied solemnly.
"But if you kill for her, won’t the karmic debt fall on her head?" Bai Xiangyu’s mind suddenly clicked.
Indeed, Cinian faltered for a moment.
Seeing an opportunity, Bai Xiangyu continued, "Zen Master, I care deeply for her. I want her to be my Daoist partner. How could I harm her? You’ve watched me grow up—trust me this once."
Bai Xiangyu’s sincere expression, his eyes clear of any ulterior motive, caused Cinian to gradually lower his murderous intent.
Cinian took off his monk’s robes and placed them on the ground, allowing Bai Xiangyu to gently lay Nanli down.
At that moment, Nanli was still battling the Demon Soul, her brows furrowed in concentration.
Bai Xiangyu knelt beside her, eyes never leaving her.
Cinian waved his hand, signaling for Bai Xiangyu to focus. "Stop watching. Go to the side."
Bai Xiangyu protested, "Zen Master Cinian, I want to stay close to her and encourage her!"
"Are you her husband or the father of her children? You’re really pushing your luck!" Cinian retorted, furious, brushing him aside.
Cinian didn’t strike him, but Bai Xiangyu was sent tumbling some distance away before finally stopping. He clambered to his feet, sitting against a bamboo stalk with a look of mock sorrow. "If I didn’t know better, I’d think Nanli was your illegitimate daughter."
Cinian’s gaze was sharp as a blade, and Bai Xiangyu quickly closed his mouth, shivering.
Cinian sat cross-legged beside Nanli, preparing to chant the Clear Heart Sutra—this was the real way to assist her.
Bai Xiangyu’s earlier efforts seemed futile in comparison.
But then, Bai Xiangyu remarked, "Zen Master, even though this must be kept secret, isn’t there the Ten Thousand Buddha Formation in your Divine Buddha Sect? It could restrain all evil forces. If you take her there and activate the formation with your disciples, it would be even more effective."
Cinian knew Bai Xiangyu meant well, so he explained, "This is the Demon Soul’s secret realm. We must destroy or reseal the Demon Soul before we can leave."
That was their way out.
If it weren’t for Nanli following them in, Cinian suspected they would never leave this secret realm.
But having Bai Xiangyu with them was more of a hindrance than a help.
Bai Xiangyu’s eyes widened. "So, if Nanli fails in her battle, we might never leave here?"
Cinian nodded slightly. "Correct."
Bai Xiangyu suddenly felt hopeless, his face falling.
Cinian rolled his eyes. "Don’t worry. Even if Nanli can’t destroy the Demon Soul, she can seal it. It’s just a matter of time."
Bai Xiangyu muttered, "But she’s only at the early stage of the Golden Core."
Cinian had already stated it was just a matter of time, whether it would take one year, several years, or even hundreds of years.
His prime youth, wasted...
Cinian, having long since examined Nanli’s situation, was uninterested in further explaining. "Just sit and meditate, conserve your energy and spiritual strength."
Bai Xiangyu, troubled and distracted, couldn’t calm himself to meditate.
But Cinian’s chanting grew more forceful, and before long, Bai Xiangyu found himself drowsy. His head drooped, and he fell asleep.
Cinian gave him a few glances, frowning slightly, thinking to himself that Bai’s family was likely doomed under his generation.
The Vajra Umbrella couldn’t be opened, so it was temporarily entrusted to Shandu for safekeeping.
Anxious, Shandu couldn’t sleep. It was well past midnight, but he remained restless.
He put on a robe and went outside, intending to take a walk.
They were staying at the city lord’s residence, so he moved quietly.
To his surprise, he found someone meditating in the courtyard.
Even though the Lower Realm was known for its sparse spiritual energy, this person radiated an endless flow of spiritual power, drawing the surrounding energy into his body as if it were becoming his own strength.
Shandu was intrigued and approached carefully.
Sure enough, it was none other than Chu Yang.