Upon the fifth floor of the Treasure Yan Tower, the light of the lamps cast shadows. Monk Yi Xin, his countenance serene and impassive, seemed to still echo the chants of Buddha within the tower. Before him, Monk Zheng Yan sat upright, his breath faint, yet his consciousness remained absent.

However, a golden halo still shimmered on the floor before Zheng Yan, its radiance yet to fully dissipate, and the atmosphere still bore the ripple of its presence. Before this sign could completely vanish, a gruff voice finally broke the silence.

"Thief Monk, what are you trying to do?"

Zhili's voice teetered on the edge of madness. He had never imagined that Monk Yi Xin would risk everything to undertake such an act: Had the monk forgotten about the secret method for eternal life held by the King?

Monk Yi Xin did not engage in a lengthy argument with him, merely stating calmly, "Lord Zhili, you forced me into a corner with no regard for my well-being. I had no choice but to borrow your demon body to seek survival from death."

As he chanted the mantra, all anomalies within the tower disappeared, including Zhili's furious shouts, lost in the void. Monk Yi Xin sighed softly, "The methods for longevity are indeed good, but one must have a life to enjoy them."

"Had you known this, why did you act so in the beginning?"

A cold, clear voice echoed from outside. At that moment, the wind chimes outside the tower tinkled, their sound barely beginning when a gust of wind swept over everything. With a thunderous crash, half of the wall on the fifth floor of the tower crumbled, the night wind rushing in, carrying with it a chill that extinguished the eternal light within.

Monk Yi Xin looked up, and in the night sky, He Qing stood with her hands behind her back, her eyes as cold as ice, piercing like needles.

At the same time, the night sky outside the tower was illuminated by various magical instruments. He Qing's appearance was a signal, and the rest of the eminent figures of Cliff City who had been waiting, such as Shi Song, Hu Dan, Dong Yan, and others, arrived one after another, surrounding the tower. Furthermore, dozens of nature-connecting cultivators led troops on the periphery, completely controlling the monks of the full temple.

Such a scene was like a net cast from heaven to earth, enough to leave any Golden Elixir cultivator breathless.

Yet, Monk Yi Xin was different. Faced with such a dramatic change, he simply bowed to He Qing overhead, "Immortal He, longevity methods indeed require a life to enjoy. But for those who are not from the prestigious sects, if they do not risk their lives, how can they obtain them? The cruelty of the world, the harshness of the heavens, is truly reflected here."

"Monk is a wise man."

This was murmured by Yu Ci from behind, recalling his experiences from years past, earning a glance from Gan Shi Zhen beside him. Yu Ci returned the glance, wanting to ask a question, but in the end, he remained silent.

At this moment, outside the Treasure Yan Tower, dozens of gazes were focused on Yi Xin. Some were still shocked by the events that had already transpired, but the reality was in front of them. They had no need to think more, only to follow the prearranged plan, and conclude this matter tonight!

Although she was the undisputed leader of tonight's operation, He Qing had no intention of relying on others. She had long since locked onto Monk Yi Xin with her Qi, encapsulating him within the Law Sky Prison in the void, ready to solidify her Qi at any moment to capture him. Indeed, she had acted. An adherent of the Empirical Department Philosophy, she valued practical results over empty rhetoric. Everything else could wait until after Monk was captured!

Just after Monk Yi Xin had spoken his poignant words, the Treasure Yan Tower suddenly shook. In a blink of an eye, countless cracks appeared on the brick and wood structure, with Primordial Qi gathering from all sides. It was then that He Qing sneered:

"Monk, let me see your desperate struggle."

Monk Yi Xin remained composed, his hands forming seals in front of his chest, his monk's robe billowing outwards. From beneath his feet, a swirl of Black Flames rose and spread out like a blooming lotus. Underneath the "petals," strands of Black Flames writhed like living snakes. The sight was eerie, but people saw his face as steadfast as cast iron. Facing the pressure exerted by a Vacuum Walking Cultivator like He Qing, he did not flinch, showing a mental fortitude that was as unshakeable as a boulder.

"Well done, Amritakundalin's Method, it's truly a Buddhist Guardian's Divine Power!"

He Qing praised in a languid voice, and the Law Sky Prison tightened abruptly. The surrounding people, including Yu Ci, felt a tug at their hearts. Looking at the Treasure Yan Tower, it was on the brink of collapse, with large chunks of the roof falling off and exterior decorations shattering. This seven-story pagoda was on the verge of crumbling.

Yu Ci glanced around and saw Monk Zheng Yan standing next to Yi Xin, his brows furrowing slightly. But there was no reason to ask He Qing to stop now.

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At that moment, a brilliant gold light shone before everyone's eyes, swiftly followed by a layer of black tide flooding the sky. The gold and black merged to form a heavy, dark gold color, like a massive iron plate pressing down on them!

Although they knew it was mostly an illusion, the Cultivators in the field couldn't help but muster their Qi to resist. At that moment, they all realized something was wrong:

"The Thief Monk has trapped the External Primordial Qi!"

Someone shouted, for at that moment, as people gathered their Qi, the response of the External Primordial Qi noticeably stalled. Those present were experienced individuals and instantly knew the reason. But to trap the surrounding Primordial Qi, apart from those top-tier individuals with top-tier Cultivation Levels, most would need to set up a Prohibition Array in advance. Where did Monk Yi Xin get the chance?

"The top of the tower!"

This time it was Gan Shi Zhen who shouted. Her voice was not loud, but it was enough to wake people up. Yu Ci looked up sharply to see that as large chunks of tiles fell from the top of the Treasure Yan Tower, a foot-tall object finally revealed itself. At first glance, it appeared to be the tip of the tower, but it emitted a Dark Golden Radiance that descended heavily, like a wheel or a cover, enveloping a hundred-foot radius and directly trapping the few individuals with the highest Cultivation Levels underneath.

"Is that the Phantom Demon Golden Tower?"

Yu Ci still remembered this treasure, which was comparable in value to the Vacuum Energy Life Extension Pill. He particularly remembered that Monk Yi Xin once said that this tower was a high-quality magic weapon used for refining the Twelfth Heaven. However, due to long-term neglect in refining, its quality had slightly declined—an utter nonsense! If what Yi Xin said was true, then what should be made of the current situation?

With a long, humming sound, the Treasure Yan Tower finally could not withstand the internal and external forces' impact. It collapsed with a loud bang, burying Monk Zheng Yan underneath the rubble, his life or death unknown. Monk Yi Xin, however, was supported by the Black Flame Lotus and the shadow of a snake under his feet, standing firmly in the void. Above his head, a few dozen feet away, was the similarly suspended Phantom Demon Golden Tower. The tower body still radiated a dark golden radiance, obscuring hundreds of feet in all directions. The power of the Law Sky Prison that had previously tried to bind him had dissipated for some unknown reason.

He Qing remained calm, using her divine sense to transform the surrounding situation. In just a few moments, she had understood most of what was happening.

Regardless of how Yi Xin had deceived her before, the power of the Phantom Demon Golden Tower above her head was indeed unexpected. It could temporarily sever her connection with the External Primordial Qi, thereby weakening the power of Law Sky Prison. However, if the monk's methods were only limited to this, it would be an underestimation of her years of cultivation!

Just as she was about to take action, her elegant eyebrows furrowed slightly. The figure of Monk Yi Xin in front of her shattered like a bubble, disappearing into nothingness. Only the Phantom Demon Golden Tower remained, suspended high in the air, radiating light in all directions. He Qing wanted to turn around, but her thoughts were abruptly halted. After some consideration, she closed her eyes and remained silent under the surprised gazes of the others.

Yu Ci was taken aback, "What's going on?"

"There's a magical array operating invisibly."

Gan Shi Zhen's voice was even softer. She started to move forward, but after advancing a few feet, she stopped. "The yin evil energy is moving in and out of the visible and invisible, undergoing myriad transformations, but it has not yet unleashed its full power. It's best not to disturb it for now."

Yu Ci had not felt the presence of yin evil energy before, but after Gan Shi Zhen's reminder, he narrowed his eyes and activated his Observing Soul Dharma Eye. Just as he was about to get a clear look, a sudden change occurred.

Within the dark golden radiance, threads of yin gray energy began to emerge, and a hissing sound filled the void, like thousands of snakes writhing, causing irritation and confusion. On the other side, Shi Song swept his gaze around and his eyes suddenly hardened:

"Yin Demons Transformation, be careful!"

This shout immediately prompted several nearby Golden Elixir cultivators to exert their power, aiming to kill the approaching Yin Demons.

"Halt!"

Both Yu Ci and Gan Shi Zhen issued the command simultaneously. Gan Shi Zhen, with her exquisite Cultivation Level, was unafraid of demonic invasions. Yu Ci, on the other hand, relied on his Observing Soul Dharma Eye and True Purple Smoke Warm Jade, remaining unswayed and even managing to perceive deeper changes. He thus issued a warning, "The force exerted here affects Immortal He. This pagoda is truly sinister!"

Shi Song and the others were all stunned. They turned to look at He Qing, who was motionless in the void, and indeed noticed her clothing subtly expanding and contracting twice, dissipating the force that had been directed at her. It was fortunate it was her; anyone else might have died at the hands of their own people!

"So, this Phantom Demon Golden Tower is actually quite useful."

Monk Yi Xin's voice suddenly rang out. His words were puzzling, but people quickly understood, "We should indeed thank Zhili. In the Blood Purgatory Ghost Mansion, it too was a Void-level demon, comparable to Immortal He. Although it entered our Cultivation World and its power was impaired, its essence and blood are still intact. Using them as a sacrifice, this Demonic Treasure Tower, despite being incompatible with our methods, can be temporarily utilized."

The Monk wasn't explaining out of kindness. At this point, he was nowhere to be seen, his voice simply floating in people's ears, "The Eighteen Dark Demons Wheel Formation is the culmination of Demonic Monk's lifelong efforts, evolving into Eighteen Desolate Hell Prisons. Even if the method isn't complete, it can still trap Immortal He for a short while. I only hope that the immortal does not forcefully break the formation. Otherwise, the destruction of this tower will inevitably cause the Three Thousand Yin Demons stored within to pour out and scatter in all directions. The million civilians in Cliff City will then become their ideal prey!"

"What a venomous Monk!"

Yu Ci spat out in disgust. He knew that Yi Xin's words could not be entirely trusted, but he felt that the so-called "Three Thousand Yin Demons" might not be entirely a lie. Regardless of whether He Qing cared about the city's people, since she bore the responsibility of protecting the million civilians of Cliff City, she could not risk acting recklessly at this time.

Monk Yi Xin's move had indeed seized He Qing's weakness.

By temporarily trapping He Qing, who had the highest Cultivation Level, Monk Yi Xin's chances of escaping had increased exponentially.

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