“`
The underground tunnels were shrouded in blood mist, with chilly gusts blowing through.
Every inch of ground as far as the eye could see was packed with writhing evil spirits.
They crowded against the walls, the ground, the ceiling, howling desperately to crawl out.
But the purple light of the Soul Refining Formation filled the tunnel, forming a barrier that prevented the underground spirits from penetrating the tunnel.
Li Muyang and his two companions ran through the tunnel, their feet only centimeters above the sinister faces of these spirits.
This visual experience of running through a “pipeline” full of evil spirits was intense to the extreme.
Soon, the three came upon other disciples from the Demon Sect.
Although most of the disciples within the core area of the formation nearly perished, the many Outer Sect Disciples scattered in other regions had not been attacked by demons.
They, like Li Muyang and his companions before, were oblivious to the changing situation and still foolishly stayed in place to guard the ritual flags.
Now, with Elder Yan’s voice echoing through the mine, all the surviving Outer Sect Disciples rushed towards the heart of the formation.
The more Li Muyang and his group ran through the underground tunnels, the more shadows joined them.
In the end, the Outer Sect Disciples who emerged from the depths of the dark tunnels converged into a surging stream of people.
At least sixty or seventy ran underground, passing by corpses and bloodstains before finally reaching the core area of the Soul Refining Formation.
This was an open space within the Bloodstone Mine, also serving as a hub station. It was so large, it was practically an underground plaza.
Seven huge demon corpses lay across the space, the largest resembling a small hill, exuding an oppressive aura.
Blood, foul and crimson, kept oozing from the enormous bodies of these demons, forming a dark red pool.
Eleven disciples clad in white robes from the Inner Sect stood in this blood pool, the stenchy blood water reaching their ankles.
In the void, Elder Yan, draped in purple robes, remained expressionless as she held a ritual flag, wielding the power of the Soul Refining Formation.
Purple light radiated from the ritual altar at her feet, continuously spilling into the tunnel openings on the surrounding walls.
The appearance of the many Outer Sect disciples was first noted by the eleven white-robed Inner Sect Disciples.
Cheng Feiyang, a young man with a bloodied and injured right shoulder, was in charge of these Outer Sect Disciples.
Seeing everyone appear, he was the first to speak in a cold voice.
“Everyone, enter the blood pool and stand still,” he said.
“The demons of Centipede Ridge have rebelled and attempted to attack Elder Yan, but they have been repelled.”
“However, the remaining demons have hidden deep in the tunnels and are still a danger.”
“Elder Yan is now about to wield the power of the Soul Refining Formation to kill the demons. Do not leave the vicinity of the blood pool!”
Brother Cheng’s succinct explanation told this group of miscellaneous Outer Sect fish not to run around and get themselves killed.
The Outer Sect Disciples obediently entered the blood pool, daring not to run about.
Li Muyang turned his gaze toward Elder Yan in the void.
At this moment, Elder Yan, with the flag in hand, was exerting the power of the formation.
Beneath her was a translucent altar formed from converging purple light. Elder Yan’s three direct disciples stood respectfully on this ethereal altar.
Apart from Ning Wan’er – the unfortunate soul who had only recently joined the Demon Sect and had low cultivation – Elder Yan’s other three direct disciples were all experts and had not been taken hostage by the demons.
Now, as Li Muyang appeared carrying the unconscious Ning Wan’er, it quickly drew everyone’s attention.
The three direct disciples looked over and upon seeing their fellow disciple’s pitiful state – half-covered in blood and unconscious – their eyes revealed mock and schadenfreude.
However, Elder Yan, with her indifferent demeanor, glanced over before beckoning to Li Muyang.
An invisible force lifted the unconscious Ning Wan’er and carried her towards the ritual altar in the void, finally suspending her before Elder Yan.
“Attacked by demons, were you…”
“`
Elder Yan gave Li Muyang a cold glance from among the crowd and stretched out a hand.
The moment she did, Li Muyang felt himself gripped by an invisible giant hand, helplessly lifted into the air.
He flew over the blood pool and finally, to everyone’s amazement, as an Outer Sect Disciple, he stood by Elder Yan’s side.
“You are Li Muyang, aren’t you?”
Elder Yan continued to hold the formation flag, not giving Li Muyang a second glance.
But her cool voice echoed through the underground tunnels.
“You saved Wan’er, well done.”
“You stay here and support her for now, if there is danger later, I can keep you from dying.”
Elder Yan’s words resonated within the underground tunnels, and for a moment, all Outer Sect Disciples looked at Li Muyang with eyes full of envy.
As an Outer Sect Disciple, yet distinguished and named personally by an elder… What an honor that was!
Almost everyone could see Li Muyang’s future of soaring to great heights.
Even a little help from someone of Elder Yan’s stature could easily allow an ordinary Outer Sect Disciple to achieve Foundation Establishment.
Once Foundation Establishment was reached, one could ascend to the Inner Sect and become an Inner Sect Disciple.
That indeed was akin to a carp leaping over the dragon gate!
The Outer Sect Disciples were filled with envy.
However, the eleven Inner Sect Disciples in white robes below seemed unperturbed, showing no particular envy.
And the three Direct Disciples by Li Muyang’s side didn’t even glance at him, clearly an Outer Sect Disciple was not worthy of their attention.
Above the Ritual Altar, the purple light shone brightly.
Elder Yan, holding the formation flag, had a cold gaze, constantly activating the tremendous power of the formation.
And in the underground tunnels shrouded in darkness, no more Outer Sect Disciples emerged.
The surviving Outer Sect Disciples were almost all here now.
Elder Yan, dressed in a purple robe, let out a cold snort and swung the formation flag with force.
“Decree—’Bind the three souls forever, let the six spirits wander without return!'”
With Elder Yan’s incantation, the Soul Refining Formation that spread throughout the underground tunnels abruptly changed formation.
Streams of purple light began to retract inwardly, and with the loss of the formation’s suppression, an endless stream of evil ghosts squeezed into the tunnels from below.
Only in one direction did the purple light not recede but instead grew stronger.
That was clearly the current location of the Demons.
Elder Yan’s gaze was icy as she continued to direct the formation’s luminescence towards that area, grinding down the Demons.
From deep within the underground tunnels, earsplitting roars and the sounds of explosions could be heard.
The confrontation between the Demons and the formation was evidently intense.
They had ambushed Elder Yan and turned traitor in the middle of the battle, managing to push her into a precarious situation.
But now, as Elder Yan forced the Demons back and took control of the formation again, the Demons hiding deep within the tunnels had become fish in a barrel.
Elder Yan needed only to continuously drive the power of the formation to eliminate each of the Demons lurking in the depths of the tunnels.
Feeling the situation becoming more relaxed, Li Muyang also heaved a sigh of relief.
Now Elder Yan was the stabilizing needle of the sea for this group of Outer Sect Disciples; with her steadying the situation, everyone else was safe.
It was only at this moment that Li Muyang found the peace of mind to observe the situation at the scene.