The sky changed suddenly, merging with ink-black hues. Dark clouds shrouded the city as if they were about to descend. Many cultivators stared at the unbelievable sight.

The Subduing Demon Formation formed a black mist rope, tightly binding Helian Zhu’s body. The mist emitted from his forehead merged into the formation, and his skin turned pale as snow. Blood droplets formed at the corner of his lips.

As the Subduing Demon Formation extracted too much evil energy, strange black patterns spread from Helian Zhu’s neck, like wildfire, rapidly crawling up half of his face. They even covered his right eye socket completely.

“Using the body for the formation?!”

“This is the Soul-Locking Formation!”

Helian Zhu’s eyes were filled with confusion, noticing that everyone’s gaze towards him was full of horror. The closest to him was the Patriarch Helian, who had held him in his palm moments ago.

At this moment, Patriarch Helian’s expression was fierce, his eyes wide open, and a surge of murderous intent enveloped him.

“The Soul-Locking Formation? What’s that?” Xie Shuci’s eyes were bewildered.

Chu Guiyi’s expression was complex as he explained,  “The Soul-Locking Formation uses the practitioner’s body as its foundation. For every person they kill, the victim’s soul is trapped within the formation, and their luck and fate are stolen. However, those who employ their bodies for this formation will inevitably face dire consequences. Upon their death, they’ll be banished beyond the realms of heaven and earth, rejected by the natural laws of the universe. Their souls will be obliterated, and they will never be a chance of reincarnation.”

Xie Shuci stared blankly at Helian Zhu. He was sitting on the ground, the eerie patterns emitting an evil aura had covered almost his entire face. He looked down at himself, then around in confusion, trying to explain something. But as he opened his mouth, blood foam gushed out.

Chu Wenfeng’s voice was cold, “Xie An is right. Helian Zhu likely had no talent originally. He stole others’ talents using the Soul-Locking Formation.”

“You beast! You dare use such sinister methods? Today, I, the Patriarch, will cleanse the Helian Family of your presence!” Patriarch Helian was furious. He pushed away the Red Tassel Cloud Piercing Spear with a wave of his hand and continued to attack Helian Zhu.

“No… Patriarch… I didn’t…” Helian Zhu shook his head frantically, tears streaming down his face.

“I didn’t… Patriarch… I didn’t…” He was powerless to evade, only able to watch as the Patriarch Helian attacked him.

“Beast, don’t try to deny it. Can my own eyes be wrong?”

Not long ago, he was a confident disciple of the sect. But now, he was treated by his admired Patriarch as a beast and an evil presence. A feeling of immense grievance and unwillingness welled up within Helian Zhu.

From a distance, Deng Fengming saw a cold smile forming at the corner of Xie An’s mouth.

The Subduing Demon Formation hadn’t brought out Xie An, but it had revealed Helian Zhu. Deng Fengming’s eyes widened, and a chill ran down from his feet to his head, as he realized that he had been played by Xiao Xun!

“Buzz—”

A white light flashed, and the Red Tassel Cloud Piercing Spear shot like an arrow, once again blocking Patriarch Helian’s way.

Simultaneously, a white figure passed over everyone’s heads. He wielded the Red Tassel Cloud Piercing Spear, pointing it at the Patriarch Helian, separating him from Helian Zhu.

With a sweep of his spear, the surroundings were transformed into chaos, rocks turned into dust, and the formation collapsed.

“The Red Tassel Cloud Piercing Spear—”

“Helian Jue!”

Helian Jue, who had previously been carefree, transformed into a solemn and dignified figure. He swept his spear horizontally, disassembling the formation, dust filling the air. His presence was like a towering mountain, firmly guarding Helian Zhu.

Xie Shuci stared in astonishment. Who could have imagined that the Helian Family’s top Disciple, who was chased and beaten by Lu Jin yesterday, and scorned by his junior brother, would undergo such a transformation? His aura was grand and imposing, an intangible pressure overwhelming those nearby.

Xie Shuci swallowed hard, silently thinking, “So Majestic!”

“Patriarch, don’t hide one mistake with another.” Helian Jue looked at the gloomy-faced Patriarch Helian across him, his gaze filled with complexity and depth.

As the Subduing Demon Formation vanished, Helian Zhu finally had a chance to catch his breath. He propped himself up with his hands on the ground, saying, “Senior Brother…”

“Ah Jue, don’t be foolish! Helian Zhu recklessly used forbidden methods. Today, I, as the embodiment of righteousness, will execute him here to prevent future harm!” Patriarch Helian’s eyes were bloodshot, his intent to kill palpable.

“I didn’t… Senior Brother… I didn’t…” Helian Zhu tried to grasp the red tassel of Senior Brother’s Red Tassel Cloud Piercing Spear. It had once been his favorite weapon, and the man in front of him had been his greatly respected Senior Brother.

At some point, his majestic Senior Brother had chosen to seal away the Red Tassel Cloud Piercing Spear and become a lazy and carefree cultivator.

With time and cultivation, Helian Zhu’s admiration slowly transformed into disdain and contempt. 

But when did it all start?

Helian Jue cast a sidelong glance at him, his gaze revealing sadness and guilt. “Little Zhu, Senior Brother believes in you.”

Helian Zhu looked at the towering figure before him, tears silently streaming down his face.

“What exactly is going on?”

“Why would Helian Zhu use his body as a formation? This will only lead to the complete annihilation of his being! No cultivator would be so foolish!”

Xie Shuci interjected, “Could there be some hidden circumstances? Would someone really sacrifice their own being just for a bit of talent? I don’t think Helian Zhu is that naive.”

Upon hearing this, Xie An paused for a moment. He then lowered his gaze in contemplation, his hand gently touching the back of Xie Shuci’s neck, his lips slightly curling.

Naive?

Would sacrificing one’s own existence really be that foolish?

Amidst the discussion, Helian Jue sighed and looked at the Patriarch Helian.

“Patriarch, things have come to this point. Give it up. Don’t hurt Little Zhu any further.” Helian Jue pleaded.

“Shut up! The Sect’s Great Selection is beginning in half a year. What do you want me to give up?” The Patriarch Helian sneered.

As the situation had escalated to this point, it seemed unnecessary to conceal any longer. He didn’t bother denying it.

“What does he mean?”

“Helian Zhu didn’t do it voluntarily?”

Helian Jue turned to the crowd, no longer intending to hide the truth. He spoke with a heavy voice, “Back when I lost in the Sect’s Great Selection and missed the chance to enter the Floating Tower Realm, I never expected that, in order to enter the Floating Tower Realm, the Patriarch would secretly have the seven-year-old Little Zhu cultivate the soul-locking formation. At that time… I failed to realize this in time. By the time I knew, it was already too late.”

His words caused a commotion.

“I didn’t have the ability to stop the Patriarch. So I chose to seal the Red Tassel Cloud Piercing Spear and vowed to never do anything for the Helian Family again. But Little Zhu is innocent. I owe him. If I had been a bit stronger, he wouldn’t have suffered this undeserved disaster. That’s why I’ve stayed with the Helian Clan. And the reason I haven’t revealed this to the public is that I know once it’s exposed, Patriarch will surely push all the blame onto Little Zhu, and then use it as an opportunity to execute him, with no evidence left.”

Helian Zhu was stunned, as was everyone present.

Helian Zhu stared at them, shaking his head in disbelief. “No, Patriarch wouldn’t treat me like this. I didn’t cultivate forbidden techniques, I didn’t…”

How much he wished the Patriarch would deny it all. Deny that his cultivation, and his talent, were all stolen from others.

But his last flicker of hope crumbled.

Patriarch Helian’s lips curled into a cold smile. “Ah Jue, if you knew this yourself, why reveal it to others? Is your purpose to have me deal with them all at once?”

As his voice faded, there was a sudden “boom” beneath his feet. The ground seemed to rupture, creating innumerable crevices. Just as the others were taken aback and preparing to leave, Patriarch Helian activated the Subduing Dragon artifact, transforming the formation once more. Transforming the surroundings into a massive dome, trapping everyone inside.

Xie Shuci’s vision darkened, and he instinctively clutched at Xie An’s clothing, who pulled him into his embrace.

“Splurt—”

Simultaneously, the sound of a sharp weapon piercing flesh reached their ears.

“Senior Brother!!” Desperation reverberated in Helian Zhu’s voice within the massive dome.

Everyone was startled. After they regained their senses, they summoned their spirit pearls to illuminate the scene under the dome.

They witnessed Helian Zhu withdrawing his sword from his waist and thrusting it directly through Helian Jue’s chest from behind. Crimson blood flowed down the blade, moistening his hand. His face displayed shock and despair, yet his body acted beyond his control, suddenly pulling the longsword out again.

“Pufttt—” Helian Jue’s figure stiffened, and he spat out a mouthful of blood. He staggered forward two steps, clutching the Cloud-Piercing spear in his hand, struggling to regain his balance.

“I… didn’t… I didn’t mean to…” Helian Zhu’s face turned ashen as he desperately shook his head, attempting to release the sword blade stained with his senior brother’s blood. However, his fingers refused to obey.

“Calm down…” Helian Jue turned around and smiled comfortingly, but in the next moment, Helian Zhu’s hand moved, severing Helian Jue’s hamstring muscles. His body could no longer support itself, and he half-knelt to the ground.

Outside the dome, Patriarch Helian stood coldly, gazing at his two former disciples. “Now that you all know the truth, I cannot allow you to leave alive. Zhu’er, this might be your first experience of being controlled while fully conscious. Savor the taste of slaughter. As long as you kill them, the entire cultivation world will have no one left to rival you.”

With those words, he turned and left.

“No…” Helian Zhu’s eyes were vacant and desperate. “Don’t…”

Helian Jue endured the pain, lifting his head to remind him, “Little Zhu, close off your spiritual meridians. Don’t let him control you.”

“Senior Brother, I…”

“What are you all doing in a daze? Do you want to wait until Helian Zhu loses all rationality and makes great strides to improve his cultivation?”

“The dome is created by the Subduing Dragon artifact. We can’t escape from here. If you want to survive, then kill Helian Zhu!”

Just as everyone was launching their attacks at Helian Zhu, Helian Jue swung his Spear forward, his aura like a rainbow, blocking all the attacks. “Stop!”

Taking advantage of the chaos, Deng Fengming discreetly approached Xie Shuci and the others, holding a concealed poisoned weapon. He aimed it directly at Xie An.

Xie An remained unaffected by the Subduing Demon Formation, indicating that there was no spiritual power within him. Though unsure of the reason, this presented a rare opportunity for Deng Fengming.

As long as Xie An is killed in the chaos, it will be worthwhile even if he is buried here. At the very least, it would mean that he had eliminated a significant threat to the Xiaoyao Sect.

However, before the hidden weapon could reach Xie An, it was intercepted and pinned to the ground halfway by a throwing dagger.

Deng Fengming was startled, looking at Chu Guiyi in his wheelchair, who had a stern expression.

Xie Shuci’s attention remained focused on Helian Zhu’s side, and he didn’t notice when Deng Fengming arrived beside them.

On the other hand, Xie An stood calmly by his side, his expression neither sad nor happy.

“Everyone, please remain calm. Killing Helian Zhu might provoke Patriarch Helian. It’s enough to temporarily restrain him. We must discuss this matter thoroughly. Also, the dome is formed by the Subduing Demon artifact, and it absorbs your spiritual power as sustenance. It’s best not to act rashly.” Chu Guiyi’s voice rang out loudly, his calm tone was seemingly soothing.

Xie Shuci echoed, “Indeed, we’re all in the same boat now. It’s better to work together.”

Though Xie Shuci didn’t like Helian Zhu’s previous arrogant demeanor, when he considered that Helian Zhu had been manipulated by Patriarch Helian since childhood, unknowingly killing many and stealing others’ destinies. A proud son of heaven suddenly plunging into a mire and losing even the chance of reincarnation, he couldn’t help but feel a hint of pity.

Seeing that the cultivators were affected by this, Chu Guiyi looked at Xie Shuci and said, “Shuci, could you lend us some pills?”

“Of course.” Although the pills were precious, for Xie Shuci, nothing was more valuable than saving lives.

Xie Shuci took out two pills: one for sealing the meridians and the other reincarnation pill.

After sealing the meridians, Helian Zhu temporarily regained control of his body. Other cultivators also breathed a sigh of relief, sitting down on the ground to recover.

Xie Shuci fed the reincarnation pill to Helian Jue. The latter glanced at him with a pale expression and said, “Thank you.”

Helian Zhu sat to the side, disheartened, his hands covering his head, his eyes reddened, silently digesting the difficult-to-accept reality.

Xie Shuci, unable to use his abundant spiritual power, noticed Helian Jue’s ankle injury, so he placed his palm over it, concentrating his spiritual power on the wounded area.

Helian Jue smiled wryly and shook his head, saying to Xie Shuci, “Young Master, don’t waste your spiritual power.”

Xie Shuci mumbled, “It’s not a waste. You’re a true hero, and I admire you. But from now on, be more devoted, and don’t let down Miss Lu anymore.”

Helian Jue chuckled and didn’t refuse again. “Thank you.”

Meanwhile, Xie An stood behind Xie Shuci, lost in thought, as Xie Shuci focused on helping others heal their wounds.

When Xie Shuci had expended a significant amount of spiritual power and was sitting exhausted against a rock wall, Xie An moved his sleeve, revealing a patch of blood on the cuff.

Seeing this, Xie Shuci was greatly alarmed and quickly grabbed his arm. “Xie An, are you injured?!”

Xie An covered his palm and concealed his hand back into the sleeve.

“Let me see!” Xie Shuci’s face turned pale with worry, his tone becoming more urgent.

Xie An lifted the corner of his mouth. “It’s just a minor wound, nothing compared to his.”