The stone hall was bathed in the soft and steady glow of the luminous pearls, illuminating every subtle expression on the faces of those present. The echo of Alliance Leader Feng Wuji's words "friend" still seemed to linger in the air, but was immediately followed by an even more solemn silence. Building trust was not accomplished merely through a promise, especially under the shadow of making enemies with a behemoth like the Shadow Snake Pavilion.
Feng Wuji returned to his stone bench, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the cold surface of the stone table, producing soft thumping sounds. His sharp gaze once again focused on Tang Xiaoqi, but this time it was no longer mere scrutiny, carrying instead an almost harsh demand for proof.
"Young Friend Tang," he spoke slowly, his voice low, "Your possession of purification power has already shocked us all. Feng is not doubting the character of Friend Mu and Young Friend, it's just that the Shadow Snake Pavilion is cunning and ferocious. Cooperating with us is like dancing on the blade of a knife. To ensure the accuracy of future actions and avoid casualties caused by misjudging strength, Feng has an unreasonable request."
Xiaoqi understood in his heart that the real test was coming now. His expression calm, he nodded slightly: "Alliance Leader Feng, please speak."
"May I ask all of you to witness firsthand the extent of Young Friend's purification power? And, regarding the 'inheritance' you mentioned, are there other mysteries?" Feng Wuji's gaze was like an eagle, tightly locked onto Xiaoqi, "It's not a matter of distrust, but rather knowing ourselves and the enemy. We need to know, when facing what degree of demonic energy erosion, we can rely on Young Friend's power."
At these words, the other members of the Breaking Shadow Alliance in the hall also nodded one after another, their burning gazes fixed on Xiaoqi. They needed more direct evidence to evaluate just how much assistance this new "friend" could bring.
Mu Qingfeng stood to the side without interrupting, simply watching quietly. He knew this was a trial Xiaoqi had to face alone.
Xiaoqi fell silent for a moment, as if weighing the options. Displaying strength meant exposing more trump cards, but at present, gaining deeper trust from the other party was undoubtedly the top priority. Moreover, he could feel that Feng Wuji and the others were not harboring malicious intent, but were rather being cautious due to the cruelty of reality.
"Very well." Xiaoqi finally nodded. He stood up and walked to the relatively open space in the center of the stone hall.
He did not immediately activate the jade pendant, but first raised his right hand. With a thought, the cool energy originating from the jade pendant's source was slowly mobilized, flowing along his meridians to his palm. At first, it was merely a point of faint light, like a firefly in the night, then the glow gradually became brighter and purer, transforming into a soft but undeniable white halo, suspended above his palm.
This halo was not dazzling, yet it carried an indescribable sense of holiness and tranquility. The moment the halo appeared, the slightly impure spiritual energy in the stone hall, caused by the varied spiritual attributes of everyone present, seemed to be smoothed by an invisible hand, becoming exceptionally clear. Several members of the Breaking Shadow Alliance with lower cultivation levels even felt their spiritual energy circulation become smoother, and the fatigue accumulated from days of hurried travel also lessened.
"What pure purification intent!" a lean man carrying a longbow on his back couldn't help but exclaim. He had dealt with mountain miasmas for years and was most sensitive to such energies.
A gleam of light flashed in Feng Wuji's eyes, but he was not satisfied with this. He suddenly took out a black jade box from the folds of his robes, about the size of a palm. The box was entirely jet black, its surface carved with bizarre twisted patterns. The moment it appeared, it emitted a cold, filthy aura that made everyone present frown.
"This object was obtained when we ambushed and killed a deacon of the Shadow Snake Pavilion." Feng Wuji explained, his tone grave, "Sealed inside this box is a strand of his original demonic energy, extracted at the moment of his death. It is extremely condensed and vicious. We tried many methods but could not thoroughly purify it, and could only seal it with a formation."
With that, he carefully unsealed one corner of the jade box.
In an instant, a wisp of ink-like black energy, like a living creature, crawled out from the gap, bringing with it a nauseating stench and biting coldness, rapidly spreading throughout the hall. Where the black energy passed, even the air seemed to become viscous and filthy, and the glow of the luminous pearls seemed to dim. The demonic energy carried intense erosiveness, attempting to drill into the protective spiritual light of the cultivators present.
Several members of the Breaking Shadow Alliance immediately activated their cultivation techniques to resist, their expressions showing strain. And this was merely a strand of demonic energy that had been weakened by the seal!
"Young Friend, please!" Feng Wuji stared intently at Xiaoqi, his voice heavy.
Xiaoqi's expression remained unchanged. At the moment the demonic energy tried to rush toward him, the white halo in his palm suddenly expanded, transforming into a pure light domain about three feet in diameter, shrouding himself. When the demonic energy struck the edge of the light domain, it was like snow meeting the sun, producing faint sizzling sounds, quickly dissolving and evaporating, unable to penetrate even a fraction!
However, that wisp of demonic energy seemed to possess some intelligence. Sensing this path was blocked, it immediately turned direction, like a venomous snake attacking the nearest female cultivator of the Breaking Shadow Alliance. The woman's face turned pale, and she hastily activated a bone shield magical treasure. The spiritual light on the bone shield flickered, but the demonic energy corroded it with sizzling sounds, its glow rapidly dimming.
At this critical moment, Xiaoqi moved. He did not move his feet, but instead forcefully pushed the halo in his hand forward!
The ball of purification light, as if possessing life, instantly left his palm and precisely caught up with that strand of demonic energy, completely enveloping it.
"Hum--"
The pure white light and jet black demonic energy fiercely clashed, producing a low-pitched hum. Everyone could clearly see that under the illumination of the white light, that strand of condensed demonic energy, like grease thrown into raging flames, fiercely churned, twisted, and contracted. Countless tiny wailing souls seemed to be screaming and struggling within, but in the end, all were turned into wisps of blue smoke under that matchless purification power, completely dissipating into nothingness.
The entire process took no more than three breaths of time.
Clarity returned to the stone hall. That stifling cold and filthy sensation was completely gone, leaving only the faint fresh scent residual from the purification light.
Silence.
Dead silence.
Everyone stared in amazement at that ball of white halo slowly flying back to Xiaoqi's palm and gradually dissipating, as well as the empty jade box with not a trace of demonic energy remaining.
A strand of original demonic energy that was so troublesome even Golden Core stage cultivators found it difficult to deal with, was purified so thoroughly and so easily by this young man with just a gesture!
This was no longer merely restraint; this was absolute suppression by a natural enemy!
Feng Wuji took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the turbulent waves in his heart. His gaze toward Xiaoqi had completely changed, now carrying a complex emotion mixed with extreme shock, wild joy, and even a trace of reverence.
"Good! Good! Good!" He repeated the word "good" three times, his voice hoarse from agitation, "With such divine power, why worry about the demonic plague not being eliminated!"
However, just as everyone was still immersed in the shock brought by the purification power, Xiaoqi did something that surprised everyone, including Mu Qingfeng.
He slightly pondered, as if making a certain determination. He saw the jade pendant worn close to his chest, at its position over his heart, suddenly emit a point of warm green light. Then, four extremely faint shadows, yet containing an incomparably ancient and vast aura, flickered and vanished behind him!
Those seemed to be outlines of four sacred beasts: dragon, tiger, phoenix, and turtle. Although blurry and the duration so brief it was almost an illusion, the majestic Dao rhythm originating from primordial times and surpassing ordinary spiritual energy, was deeply branded into the perception of everyone present like a fleeting glance!
Especially Feng Wuji, as a sword cultivator, his sensitivity to qi and momentum was sharpest. The moment those four shadows appeared, he felt the ancient sword at his waist emit a clear mournful sound, carrying a meaning of submission! His own Golden Core trembled!
"This... this is..." Feng Wuji abruptly stood up, his face full of disbelief, staring intently at the now-calm position over Xiaoqi's heart, "Four Symbols... the aura of the origin? Impossible! The ancient Four Symbols sacred spirits have long become legend, you--"
Xiaoqi timely suppressed all aura, his face slightly pale, as if the previous action had drained him considerably. He met Feng Wuji's shocked and even somewhat terrified gaze, calmly explaining: "Alliance Leader Feng has sharp eyes indeed. This is another fortune I encountered, related to this jade pendant. I accidentally obtained a trace of Four Symbols sacred power remnants, which nurture my body. This matter is of great significance, I ask all of you to please keep it strictly confidential."
He did not explain in detail the origin of the jade pendant or the existence of the Four Symbols Soul Crystals, only vaguely explained it away with "fortune" and "sacred power remnants." But just this fleeting glimpse had already brought impact far surpassing the earlier purification power!
Purification power was a weapon against the Shadow Snake Pavilion, and this jade pendant containing the Dao rhythm of Four Symbols origin represented an unimaginable potential and background! Being able to cause such a reaction from a mid Golden Core stage sword cultivator, its value was self-evident.
Feng Wuji stared blankly at Xiaoqi for a long while before slowly sitting back down, his agitation gradually replaced by an unprecedented solemnity. He looked around at his equally shocked allies who could not speak, then his gaze returned to Xiaoqi.
"Young Friend Tang..." Feng Wuji's voice carried a hint of dryness yet also full of determination, "No, Friend Tang! We were blind, having neglected you before! Possessing such divine power and fortune, you are by no means an ordinary person! My Breaking Shadow Alliance is willing to dedicate all intelligence and resources to you, and to Qingxu Temple, forming the most solid alliance!"
He hesitated no further, directly taking out a jade slip from his storage ring, emanating a faint bloody light, and solemnly pushing it toward Xiaoqi.
"In this jade slip is recorded all the information about the Shadow Snake Pavilion's headquarters 'Myriad Poison Swamp' that my alliance gathered at the cost of countless hearts, blood, and lives. Including several known spatial nodes in its periphery, patrol patterns, partial known characteristics of demonic formations, as well as some ancient rumors and speculated possible entry areas regarding the headquarters' core 'Myriad Souls Hall.' Although still not detailed enough, it is the most core intelligence the outside world can possess!"
Xiaoqi's heart beat violently. He extended his slightly trembling hand and received that heavy jade slip. His spiritual sense slightly probing inside, he could feel the massive information contained within and the scent of blood and sacrifice that seemed tangible.
"Thank you very much, Alliance Leader Feng!" Xiaoqi tightly gripped the jade slip, speaking solemnly.
"No need for thanks." Feng Wuji waved his hand, his gaze sharp as a blade, "The Shadow Snake Pavilion is our common enemy! They slaughtered your kin, persecuted my fellow cultivators, controlled living beings, and intended to overturn the peace of this realm. This grudge is irreconcilable! From today onward, the intelligence network of my Breaking Shadow Alliance will be unilaterally opened to you and Friend Mu. Whenever there is latest movement regarding the Shadow Snake Pavilion, we will inform you immediately. I hope that in the future, when we need Friend's assistance with this purification and sacred power, Friend will also extend a helping hand!"
"I will do so without hesitation!" Xiaoqi responded in a resolute and decisive manner.
Shared hatred, complementary needs, and Xiaoqi's potential that was sufficient to change the overall situation, at this moment bound Qingxu Temple, Tang Xiaoqi, and the Breaking Shadow Alliance closely together. A secret battle line against the Shadow Snake Pavilion was formally established in this dim stone hall. The danger ahead was unknown, but at least they were no longer fighting alone. The flames of revenge burned more fiercely with the addition of allies.