The shocking secrets revealed by Tianjizi's final spiritual imprint, like a great bell and massive drum, repeatedly shook and echoed within Tang Xiao Qi's heart-sea. Nine Heavens Demonic Suppression Formation, Shadow Snake Pavilion headquarters, the demonic entity's main body... these information fragments, along with the target he had always pursued, the hatred he bore, the responsibility he carried, like gripped tight by an invisible hand, ultimately converged upon the same focal point!
Shadow Snake Pavilion headquarters!
This term, to him, had long ceased to be merely a nest of evil forces. It represented theblood feud of Xu Lan Manor's single-night destruction, the boundless pain of his father Xu Zhan being controlled, life and death uncertain, his step-aunt Su Yiniang'sendure humiliation'slurking and sacrifice, and the dark source that had followed him like a shadow since stepping onto the cultivation path, constantly pursuing and oppressing!
And now, from Tianjizi's revelation, it was further endowed with the ultimate meaning concerning the entire world's survival—that was where the demonic entity main body's core formation eye was sealed! The final battlefield determining whether this realm would regain light or fall into eternal darkness!
Destroy the Soul Control Jade, rescue Father Xu Zhan!
Repair the Demon Suppression Formation, thoroughly destroy (or re-seal) the demonic entity!
These two goals, deeply branded in his soul since stepping onto the cultivation path, at this moment, with unprecedented clarity and inevitability, converged! Pointing to the same place, the same enemy!
There was no clearer path than this.
Xiao Qi stood in place, his deep gaze seemingly penetrating the thick dark ice walls of the ten-thousand-year ice cavern, crossing thousands of mountains and rivers, falling upon that land shrouded in demonic qi, full of boundless danger and unknowns. On his face was no panic upon learning the shocking secrets, no fear or retreat facing the ultimate challenge—only a settled, rock-like unshakeable resolution and calm.
His father's shadow, suffering and struggling from demonic energy erosion, flashed through his mind; his Master's resolute figure, dying heroically to defend the sect, remained clear as yesterday; thetragic scenes of Qingxu Temple's fellow disciples fighting bloody battles in the demonic disaster, vivid before his eyes; the trusting, hopeful gazes of Fire Crow Village's villagers, all he had witnessed traveling through the Southern Frontier, Northern Wastes, Eastern Sea... All of this transformed into the firmest motivation, pushing him to go to that place, to complete that final mission.
This wasn't a choice—it was destiny, the journey he, Tang Xiao Qi, must take!
Third Senior Sister Liu Yun stood beside him, not disturbing his contemplation. She could feel the surging yet forcibly suppressed surging tides within Xiao Qi, more so thatburn one's bridges, pressing forward unyielding will. Silently, she gripped her sword tighter. No matter what dragon's den and tiger's lair lay ahead, no matter whatnine deathsalife'sdesperate situation, she would unhesitatingly walk beside him.
After a long while, Xiao Qi slowly exhaled aturbid qi. That breath condensed into a white ribbon in the ice cavern's extreme cold,for a long timenotscatter. He turned, looking at Third Senior Sister, his gaze clear and firm.
"Senior Sister, you heard everything."
Third Senior Sister nodded, her heroic brows slightly raised: "Heard it. Shadow Snake Pavilion headquarters, beneath the Ten Thousand Demon Hall. Saves us the trouble of searching everywhere." Her tone carried a swords cultivator's sharpness and fearlessness, as if thathearwindlose courage demonic nest was merely another dangerous place to conquer.
A cold arc appeared at the corner of Xiao Qi's mouth: "Indeed. Old scores and new grudges, time to settle them together." He touched the primitive jade pendant at his chest, feeling the Four Symbols flowing, Chaos-beginning vast power within, "Elder Tianjizi was right—this is the only, also final, method. Only by thoroughly resolving that demonic entity can we truly save Father, also return peace to this realm. Otherwise, even if we destroy the Soul Control Jade, when the demonic entity's main body breaks seal, everything would still be futile."
He paused, continuing: "Moreover, with Four Symbols Soul Crystals gathered, we possess qualification to stabilize or even strengthen the Demon Suppression Formation. This may be the onlyvitality left by ancient powerhouses—we must seize it."
Third Senior Sister looked at him, eyes full of trust and support: "You decide. Wherever you go, Senior Sister will accompany you."
Simple words, yet heavier than a thousand gold.
Warm currents surged in Xiao Qi's heart. He heavily nodded. He knew he wasn't alone.
"However, this matter requires further deliberation." Xiao Qi calmed down, analyzing: "Shadow Snake Pavilion headquarters is certainly a dragon's den and tiger's lair, heavily guarded, filled with experts. Yin Jiu's escaped report will certainly have informed headquarters of our situation—they must be on guard. Though we possess Four Symbols Soul Crystals' power, our cultivation is still at Golden Core stage. Facing possibly Nascent Soul stage, even higher realm demonic entityremnant soul and Shadow Snake Pavilion Master, a direct assault would be like dashing an egg against a rock."
"We need intelligence, need to understand the headquarters' specific layout, defensive forces, and detailed situation of the Ten Thousand Demon Hall and the formation eye below." Xiao Qi's gaze flickered: "Aunt Su... she might provide some help. Also Senior Brother and the sect might, through righteous alliance channels, gather some information about Shadow Snake Pavilion headquarters."
"Additionally," he looked toward the ice cavern exit, "we still need to improve our strength. Though Four Symbols Soul Crystals are gathered, my use of this power is far fromskilled. I need time to digest andbreak in. Moreover, before heading to headquarters, we'd best elevate our cultivation somewhat. Even if only thoroughly consolidating Late Golden Core peak, or attempting to touch the Nascent Soul threshold, it would increase our odds."
Third Senior Sister agreed: "Indeed. Sharpening the axe won't delay the wood-cutting. This place's environment is special—spiritual energy is cold yet extremely pure, plus this Frost Ice Eye's residual origin aura makes it perfect for seclusion. We can pause here briefly. You thoroughly integrate the Four Symbols power, and I'll attempt to break through the mid Golden Core bottleneck."
The target was clear, the path beneath their feet. But the road to the final battlefield still required walking one step at a time, steadily.
Xiao Qi finally looked at that floatingmysteriousblack water sphere that had lost its core origin. Toward this place witnessing Four Symbols' final alignment and Azure Dragon's trial, he slightly bowed in salute. Then he turned, and together with Third Senior Sister, within this ten-thousand-year ice cavern, found a relatively secluded corner. Setting up protectiverestriction, they began the last, also crucial, seclusion before heading to the final battlefield.
The ice cavern returned to silence, only pure cold-ice spiritual energy slowly flowing. Within Xiao Qi's body, Four Symbols Chaos power operated at unprecedented speed, fusing, accumulating power sufficient to shake heaven and earth for that approaching, world-fate-determining ultimate battle.
Shadow Snake Pavilion headquarters, we... will come soon.