: Slaying the Demon Heart on the Battlefield!

"The mechanical carriage is finally mine!" Ning Zhuo's heart swelled with excitement.

Previously, trespassing into the Six Caverns Sect's territory had made Ning Zhuo wary of recklessly using the Mechanical Roaming Dragon again.

A direct confrontation became the preferred option.

In the end, he caught Lin You off guard; the latter had gravely underestimated Ning Zhuo's hostility.

Ning Zhuo was adept at biding his time.

He had started learning patience from the age of two, enduring for over a decade, achieving extraordinary success at the Molten Rock Immortal Palace.

This time, in Liangzhu Kingdom, he exercised patience once more and again achieved his goal!

"My son!" At the front-line camp in Liangzhu Kingdom, the Demon Heart Cave Master, locked in fierce battle, suddenly changed expression dramatically.

He clutched his chest, sensing that a warning mechanism he had planted on Lin You had been triggered.

This Demon Path Cave Master of the Six Caverns Sect instantly realized that his most promising junior had been severely harmed!

"You hold them off!" The Demon Heart Cave Master threw these words to the Poison Scorpion Cave Master and Blood Shadow Cave Master beside him before immediately withdrawing from the core battlefield.

"What?!" The Poison Scorpion and Blood Shadow Cave Masters were left stunned and speechless.

The Demon Path is inherently selfish. The Demon Heart Cave Master paid no heed to such concerns. Consumed by rage, he followed his senses and quickly located the culprit.

"You dare lay a hand on my son! Die, all of you!" The Demon Heart Cave Master shot into the sky, charging towards Ning Zhuo and his group.

Soaring high, he was immediately bombarded by numerous military artillery.

Demon Magic—Coiled Sinew Demon Scales!

He had maintained this demonic spell all along, his entire body covered in a blood-sinew armor, thick and resilient.

This protective spell allowed the Demon Heart Cave Master to withstand numerous attacks, swiftly crossing the battlefield to hover above his enemies.

Demon Magic—Nine Abysses Heart Devourer!

*Thump.*

It was as if someone had struck a drum directly in their chests. With one sudden beat, the hearts of the many soldiers from the Three Generals Camp and Red Flower Camp accelerated, skipping a beat.

*Thump.*

Another drum-like vibration, and their heartbeats quickened again.

*Thump.*

The third heartbeat, loud as a drum, made many soldiers feel palpitations.

*Thump, thump, thump...*

Another three consecutive heartbeats followed. Many soldiers clutched their chests, some dropping to one knee, others collapsing on the spot.

The battle formations of the Three Generals Camp and Red Flower Camp were immediately put to a severe test; nearly half of the soldiers lost the ability to move.

Their heartbeats accelerated once more.

"Ugh..." Someone's eyes rolled back, blood trickled from all seven orifices, and they died instantly from cardiac explosion.

This was the result of the Demon Heart Cave Master going all out. As the Second Cave Master of the Six Caverns Sect, he displayed a terrifying offensive capability.

Just as the Three Generals Camp and Red Flower Camp were about to suffer heavy casualties, Zhang Zhongyi quickly intervened, scattering a large number of pills that instantly transformed into medicinal vapor, protecting everyone's heart meridians.

Even so, after the seventh heartbeat, over fifty people still lost their lives.

It's important to remember, these were cultivation-based troops enhanced by military formations.

"Such a vicious and bizarre attack!" Liu Er muttered, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

"We can't let him continue!" Mu Lan frowned deeply, notching an arrow to her bow.

Military Tactic—Bluffing!

The Demon Heart Cave Master ignored it completely, continuing his assault.

*Thump.*

The eighth drum-like heartbeat claimed over sixty more lives on the spot.

Mu Lan's bluff had been in vain, and her frown deepened. She wasn't foolish enough to think the Demon Heart Cave Master had lost his reason; the obvious conclusion was that he had seen through her ruse.

Liu, Guan, and Zhang attacked in succession, but with the Three Generals Camp's morale in disarray and their military strength greatly reduced, their assaults seemed weak and ineffective. Even those that landed on the Demon Heart Cave Master were easily shrugged off.

This was the inherent weakness of the Military Strategist path.

Since its power lay in gathering the strength of the masses, targeting the army itself could shake its foundation.

Of course, this wasn't something just anyone could accomplish.

The Demon Heart Cave Master's demonic methods directly affected the hearts of others, largely bypassing conventional military defenses, hence achieving such remarkable results.

"You dared to target my son! Who gave you the nerve!"

"Die, all of you!!!"

*Clang!*

A golden light, like a bolt of lightning, struck the Demon Heart Cave Master's chest, abruptly halting his furious momentum.

The next moment, a torrent of Five Elements spells poured down on him like a heavy rain, forcefully slamming him to the ground.

The Demon Heart Cave Master, covered in dust, found even his sustained Coiled Sinew Demon Scales spell developing flaws, causing him injury.

Most critically, the external attack forcibly interrupted his Nine Abysses Heart Devourer magic, the backlash making him spit out a mouthful of blood.

"Impossible! Why aren't you suppressed?" The Demon Heart Cave Master stared in shock and suspicion at the one who had injured him—Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo stood tall and straight, his body erect as a spear.

His earlier act of coughing blood, frowning, and showing pain had all been feigned.

He hadn't been injured in the slightest!

"Husband." Mu Lan's eyes shimmered with admiration.

"Military Advisor, you're something else!" Zhang Hei exclaimed joyfully, struggling to give a thumbs-up.

Just as Jin Tunhe countered Ning Zhuo's Hero's Return technique, Ning Zhuo's Fire Element Heart Temple perfectly countered the Demon Heart Cave Master's trump card!

The white-clad youth's heart had long been transformed. Though it was still affected, the degree of influence was far, far less than under normal circumstances.

"Beat the junior, and the senior comes running." Ning Zhuo shouted sternly, "Perfect! You father and son have committed countless evils, burdened with heavy sins. Now is the time for me to eradicate this demonic scourge and act for the benefit of all under heaven!"

The Demon Heart Cave Master was so angry the corners of his eyes twitched: "Brat, I'll grind your bones to dust and scatter your ashes."

*Boom, boom, boom...*

The two sides engaged in fierce combat.

The Demon Heart Cave Master's demonic energy surged to the heavens. His physical foundation was profound, his attacks wild and fierce, and his bizarre heart-targeting assaults were hard to guard against.

Ning Zhuo focused on stability. Relying on the protection of his Hundred-Armed Arhat Armor and Fire Element Heart Temple, and utilizing various Five Elements spells, he fought the Demon Heart Cave Master to a standstill, robbing him of his initial dominance.

The Demon Heart Cave Master grew increasingly alarmed. After truly crossing blows, he found the situation hard to believe: "What's going on? Isn't this kid at the Foundation Establishment stage? How can he fight me evenly?"

Even though prior intelligence had informed him that Ning Zhuo could utilize military formations to exhibit Golden Core level combat power.

But he was a bona fide Nascent Soul level expert!

Even if his combat power wasn't as high as Lu Hongtu's, and far inferior to the likes of Longye or Xiang Yue, he should still rank in the middle to upper tiers of Nascent Soul cultivators in terms of battle prowess.

Yet now, he couldn't gain the upper hand against Ning Zhuo!

Ning Zhuo gritted his teeth, enduring under great pressure.

Earlier, he had only caught the Demon Heart Cave Master off guard. In a real confrontation, the youth immediately felt overwhelmed!

"Fortunately, the Demon Heart Cave Master has expended too much in the core battle zone. His combat power has dropped significantly. Otherwise, I wouldn't stand a chance!" Ning Zhuo thought with relief.

After several exchanges, Ning Zhuo was forced onto the defensive.

If not for the support of others, in a one-on-one fight, the Demon Heart Cave Master would gradually turn his advantage into victory and ultimately take Ning Zhuo's life.

But the reality was, the Demon Heart Cave Master fought alone, while Ning Zhuo had the assistance of Liu, Guan, Zhang, Mu, and Sun.

Centered around Ning Zhuo, a围攻 (siege/group attack) against the Demon Heart Cave Master unfolded!

"Demon Heart, where have you gone? Return at once!"

"Demon Heart, come back quickly, we can't hold on much longer!"

The Blood Shadow Cave Master and Poison Scorpion Cave Master frantically sent messages to the Demon Heart Cave Master, but they vanished without a trace, eliciting no response.

With the Demon Heart Cave Master absent, the Thousand Peaks Forest side in the core battle zone developed many new weaknesses.

Shen Qinghe seized the opportunity and struck decisively.

"Green Spirit Purification Toxin Sutra!"

Tu Ming watched with grief and helplessness as his poison techniques, under Shen Qinghe's assault, melted away like snow under the blazing sun, offering no resistance!

"Damn it! How can something like the 'Green Spirit Purification Toxin Sutra' exist in this world!"

Tu Ming fled in disarray.

The Green Spirit Purification Toxin light shone upon him, causing purple toxic mist to rise from his entire body. The toxins he had painstakingly accumulated over the years rapidly dissolved, the pain forcing Tu Ming to cry out as he fled.

Such miserable screams undoubtedly attracted attention, further plummeting the morale of the Thousand Peaks Forest forces.

But the next moment, Shen Qinghe herself stumbled, nearly falling headfirst from the sky.

"Hehehe, little girl, let's deal with you first!" Li Jiuqu had successfully ambushed Shen Qinghe. "My gu insects aren't afraid of your purification light."

No sooner had he spoken than his expression changed dramatically. He turned to look behind him.

A shadowy figure had stealthily approached, suddenly erupting into action and slamming hard into Li Jiuqu's back.

To Li Jiuqu's horror, his multiple layers of defensive measures crumbled and dissolved, failing to block the attack.

*Caw!*

A crow's cry sounded. The shadow that had severely injured Li Jiuqu was incredibly agile, suddenly retreating and dodging Li Jiuqu's fearsome counterattack before flying up into the air.

It was none other than Mo Yechen's demon pet, the Myna.

Li Jiuqu, who had just ambushed Shen Qinghe, was now ambushed by Mo Yechen.

He stared fiercely at Mo Yechen in the distance, who was still riding a "Giant Myna." Clearly, the true body had just severely injured Li Jiuqu; the myna Mo Yechen rode was merely an illusion.

"Fairy Shen, be careful." Mo Yechen's deceptive tactic had succeeded. He seized the moment to act, rescuing Shen Qinghe.

Shen Qinghe's clear, beautiful gaze rested on Mo Yechen, causing rare ripples in the latter's usually calm heart.

"Thank you. I will repay this kindness after the battle." Shen Qinghe acknowledged Mo Yechen briefly before immediately riding her escape light, flying out of the core battle zone.

She wasn't retreating from the fight but was instead pursuing Tu Ming.

Tu Ming looked back, saw Shen Qinghe, and shuddered with anger: "This madwoman is targeting me again!"

Mo Yechen watched Shen Qinghe depart, a surge of impulse rising in his heart to assist her. But the hesitation lasted only a moment before he turned his gaze back to Li Jiuqu.

"Fellow Daoist Li, let us continue our battle." Mo Yechen called out, challenging him.

Li Jiuqu, filled with rage and hatred, attacked Mo Yechen while simultaneously treating his injuries.

But unlike before, this time they fought on equal terms, evenly matched.

Elsewhere on the vast battlefield.

"Here, eat! Eat it all!" Jia Wan raised high a hot pot, pouring the various cooked spiritual foods within towards the front.

Jin Tunhe, transformed into his true form, the Three-Legged Golden Toad, was immediately assailed by a rich aroma. Seeing the array of spiritual foods, his gluttonous desires surged uncontrollably, and he mindlessly swept them all up.

The next moment, the Three-Legged Golden Toad suddenly froze, its entire body swelling up, ejecting vast amounts of spiritual energy and magical power from its countless pores.

Jin Tunhe instinctively clamped his large mouth shut, but the violent leakage continued throughout his body!

He was utterly shocked, wanting to transform back into human form, but his magical power was in chaos, preventing him from casting spells.

"My 'Cleansing Intestines and Reaching the Heavens Broth' isn't something just anyone can digest!" The Spirit Chef, Ding Pi, smiled slightly.

He had defeated Jin Tunhe in one move, achieving a great merit!

Jin Tunhe, propelled by his three legs, fled in disgrace while leaking profusely.

"Chen Lingfeng, you fool!" Gu Ya cursed, feeling utterly helpless.

Chen Lingfeng, in his deranged state, had completely lost his reason and had wreaked havoc on Gu Ya's wolf pack.

After repeated battles, Gu Ya's wolf pack was nearly depleted. The demon beasts he had painstakingly accumulated and raised for most of his life were almost completely wiped out!

Without his demon beasts, Gu Ya immediately felt insecure, and his combat power dropped significantly. He could only wield his wolf-toothed club, fighting with difficulty.

"It's time to withdraw!" The Cang Teng King put away his stringless bow, leading his tribesmen in a voluntary retreat.

More and more cultivators and groups from the Thousand Peaks Forest began to retreat. Those originally at the battlefield's edges were already showing signs of leaving the field entirely!

The tide of battle seemed to be turning.

In the core area of the vast battlefield, the walls of the Liangzhu Kingdom camp had largely collapsed amidst the chaos, and most of the heavy artillery had been destroyed.

The battle between Qian Ye and Song Ji was also nearing its end.

Qian Ye was a Phantom Fox Demon; the illusions she created were indistinguishable from reality and possessed attacking capabilities.

Song Ji was a State Preceptor, proficient in fate calculation. Although his combat power wasn't outstanding among Nascent Soul cultivators, his calculation methods allowed him to easily discern Qian Ye's true form.

Song Ji was also skilled at utilizing the strength of others, forcing Qian Ye to retreat step by step until she finally withdrew from the core battlefield.

As more and more people retreated, the morale of the Thousand Peaks Forest side continuously plummeted, and the rate of decline accelerated rapidly!

Demon Magic—Blood Vortex Rapid Flow!

The Demon Heart Cave Master's eye sockets held no eyeballs, only swirling vortices of blood energy.

The blood vortices spun faster and faster, gradually expanding and overflowing from the sockets.

This technique was both offensive and defensive, capable of absorbing incoming attacks and shredding enemies.

Zhang Hei had lost an arm to the blood vortex!

Buddhist Dharma—Vajra Protection.

Martial Arts Formation—Zen Wind Flying Fist Formation.

Buddhist Dharma—Moonlight Universal Salvation Technique.

Three techniques combined!

Mechanical Art—Golden Moon Zen Wind Fist!

Ning Zhuo once again unleashed a sky-full of fist shadows, the wind humming loudly, forcibly shattering the blood vortex.

"Now!" Mu Lan drew her bow and notched an arrow once more.

This time, it was no bluff!

Red Phoenix Bow, Fierce Heart Arrow.

Divine Ability—Crimson Heart Swan Arrow!

The arrow seemed to almost pierce through space, its speed extreme. The distance was close, and perhaps the previous bluffs had gradually numbed the Demon Heart Cave Master's vigilance.

The arrow almost instantly pierced into the Demon Heart Cave Master's body, directly penetrating his heart.

The severely wounded Demon Heart Cave Master did not die!

If this had happened to Longye or Xiang Yue, destruction of a vital point like the heart would have meant certain death.

But not for the Demon Heart Cave Master.

"I have spare hearts!" Just as the Demon Heart Cave Master was feeling smug, Ning Zhuo suddenly opened his mouth and spat.

Metal Element—Mysterious Metal Slash!

Metal Element Lung Temple!!

All magical power concentrated into a single strike!!!

The Mysterious Metal Slash, with lightning speed,钻入 (drilled into) the Demon Heart Cave Master's wound, invaded his body, and shredded all his internal organs.

"Such a domineering, direct Metal Element spell... and it can curve?!" The Demon Heart Cave Master was utterly astonished.

He stared fixedly at Ning Zhuo, filled with extreme resentment—this kid had been hiding his true strength all along! If he had revealed this move earlier, how could the Demon Heart Cave Master not have been prepared?!

"You die too!!" Even in death, having lost all hearts, the Demon Heart Cave Master still retained some ability to act.

*Boom!*

His final, desperate counterattack struck Ning Zhuo.

Liu, Guan, Zhang, and Mu all paled dramatically. The Demon Heart Cave Master's death strike was terrifying; had it hit them, survival would have been impossible.

"Military Advisor!"

"Husband!!"

Ning Zhuo had no time to make a sound. His body dissolved instantly amidst the bloodlight and explosion, completely turning to ash.

But the next moment, Ning Zhuo reappeared not far away.

He was shaken to the core, his face full of lingering fear.

The Demon Heart Cave Master turned his head, staring fixedly at him, his last trace of life force dissipating with the wind.

Substitution Talisman!

Escape Void Talisman!

And the mechanical ring that provided an early warning at the critical moment.

The combined effect allowed Ning Zhuo to escape this fatal calamity.

Ning Zhuo had slain the Demon Heart on the battlefield!

(End of )