Chapter 582: Betrayal

The Shadow Devouring Leopard attacked again.

This time, illuminated by the Demon King's Blood Forbidden Array, Qin Sang could vaguely discern a phantom shadow lunging towards Yun Youzi at an astonishing speed. The Shadow Devouring Leopard's stealth ability was ineffective here. Not only that, but its speed was also slower than before, as if it were carrying a mountain on its back.

"Attack its abdomen! It's severely wounded!" Yun Youzi shouted, fully activating the Flawless Pearl.

Qin Sang understood immediately. The Shadow Devouring Leopard must have been injured when the Minor Polaris Stellar Array was destroyed in the Sin Abyss. This injury was difficult to heal, and its abdomen was its weak point.

Qin Sang flashed behind Yun Youzi, waving his hand to unleash all the Nine Nether Demonic Flames and commanding the Flying Yaksha to engage. The Nine Nether Demonic Flames transformed into fire dragons, shooting out to block the Shadow Devouring Leopard's path. Sensing the aura of the Nine Nether Demonic Flames, the Shadow Devouring Leopard's eyes narrowed slightly. It sensed the unusual nature of this strange flame, as if it could also threaten it.

Today was truly bizarre! Two cultivators, neither of whom had even reached the Core Formation stage, not only possessed magical treasures that could threaten it but could also manipulate the Demon King's Blood Forbidden Array. The Shadow Devouring Leopard felt a pang of regret. Had it known this, it should have quietly eliminated these two people when it was hiding in the shadows.

*Swoosh...*

Despite its regret, the Shadow Devouring Leopard's movements remained unaffected. Accompanied by an enraged roar, thousands of claw shadows appeared, displaying a terrifying momentum capable of tearing everything apart. Unexpectedly, after the claw shadows collided with the Nine Nether Demonic Flames, the imagined one-sided situation did not materialize. Although the Nine Nether Demonic Flames were shredded by the Shadow Devouring Leopard, they quickly re-formed after dispersing, surprisingly not being defeated.

At the same time, the Flying Yaksha sprang out of the flames without warning, choosing an extremely tricky angle, and violently punched towards the Shadow Devouring Leopard's abdomen. The Shadow Devouring Leopard roared repeatedly, abruptly twisting its body, unwilling to directly receive the Flying Yaksha's punch. There truly was an injury there! Only after evading the surprise attack did the Shadow Devouring Leopard manage to repel the Flying Yaksha.

*Boom!*

The Flying Yaksha flew back, with several severe-looking claw marks on its body, but its essence was unharmed. Their combined efforts had surprisingly managed to temporarily halt the Shadow Devouring Leopard!

Qin Sang was also very surprised to witness this. The Ten Directions Yama Banner was merely a low-grade magical treasure, and the Nine Nether Demonic Flames and Flying Yaksha could never be a match for the Shadow Devouring Leopard on their own. There was only one possible explanation for this situation: the Shadow Devouring Leopard was restricted by the Demon King's Blood Forbidden Array, and its strength was significantly diminished! He couldn't help but glance at Yun Youzi, who was moving faster and faster, his hand seals becoming a blur. Meanwhile, the light on the four walls of the stone hall grew increasingly bright, pressing down on the Shadow Devouring Leopard in layers.

Recalling Yun Youzi's earlier voice transmission, Qin Sang quickly activated the Nine Nether Demonic Flames and the Flying Yaksha to continue the fight, focusing their attacks on the Shadow Devouring Leopard's injured area. He secretly activated the Ebony Sword, keeping his full attention on the Shadow Devouring Leopard.

Just then, a surprising scene unfolded.

The Shadow Devouring Leopard continuously shredded the Nine Nether Demonic Flames and repelled the Flying Yaksha, yet it could never get close to Yun Youzi. Its attempts to rush towards the Crimson Cloud Purple Fruit were also forced back, and the pressure on it grew heavier. Then, it gave Yun Youzi a cold glance, decisively turned around, and bolted.

With a quick thought, Qin Sang guessed its intention. The Demon King's Blood Forbidden Array was confined to the stone hall. As long as it left the array's range, they would be unable to borrow its power, losing their greatest reliance, and would be at its mercy. The Shadow Devouring Leopard was well aware of the Demon King's Blood Forbidden Array's power. It was left by a great demon in the Transformation Stage and was incredibly terrifying. If Yun Youzi were to activate the array's full power, it could easily slay the leopard. It didn't know the full extent of Yun Youzi's abilities and no longer wanted to take risks. As long as it blocked the waterfall entrance, waiting there, Qin Sang and his companion would have no escape.

Qin Sang hadn't expected the Shadow Devouring Leopard to be so decisive, willing to abandon the Crimson Cloud Purple Fruit when the situation turned unfavorable. It absolutely could not be allowed to escape! Unexpectedly, the Shadow Devouring Leopard was incredibly swift and decisive; there was no time to stop it.

"Brother Qin!" Yun Youzi suddenly roared.

Qin Sang had always kept Yun Youzi's instructions in mind. Hearing the shout, he barely had time to think, subconsciously summoning the Ebony Sword. Instantly, his body transformed into a streak of sword light and shot forward. A series of thunderous roars echoed through the stone hall, deafening. The flying sword, like a startling rainbow, pressed forward relentlessly.

Yun Youzi did not disappoint Qin Sang; he pointed a finger at the Flawless Pearl. At this moment, the stone hall suddenly darkened. This was because Yun Youzi instantly unleashed all the Blood Forbidden power he could summon, directing all the light onto the Shadow Devouring Leopard, causing the pressure on it to skyrocket. Immediately, the Flawless Pearl trembled and shot out a strange light arrow. It pursued the Shadow Devouring Leopard at a speed faster than Qin Sang's flying sword, directly enveloping it. The moment it was covered by the light arrow, the Shadow Devouring Leopard's body suddenly stiffened, freezing in an awkward pose, pinned in place.

Yun Youzi's earlier words were not empty boasts; the Flawless Pearl truly could restrict demon cultivators. Even the Shadow Devouring Leopard, powerful enough to be in the mid-stage Demonic Core realm, was trapped on the spot. A lightning-fast sword light followed closely.

After the Shadow Devouring Leopard was trapped by the Flawless Pearl, a gray bead the size of a longan flew out from the sword light. The gray bead was entirely gray-white, with occasional flashes of silvery-white light on its surface. It burst from the sword light and floated towards the Shadow Devouring Leopard, appearing slow but moving with urgency. The gray bead spun gently, creating the illusion of slow movement, but the silvery light on its surface became increasingly dense. The seemingly small gray bead now revealed an extremely violent power. This power grew stronger and stronger, causing one's entire body to tremble.

In the distance, Yun Youzi squinted his eyes. The Ebony Sword came to an abrupt halt, then rapidly retreated. As the user, Qin Sang was also greatly afraid of the Void Heaven Thunder, fearing he might be caught in the blast.

"Roar!"

The Shadow Devouring Leopard finally broke free from the Flawless Pearl's restraint, but immediately faced the terrifying Void Heaven Thunder, letting out a roar of shock and fury. A silver light erupted, incredibly dazzling. Inside the stone hall, it was as if a tiny sun had appeared. However, the silver light's range was very small, covering less than one *zhang* in diameter. From the moment the silver light erupted to its dissipation, it was but an instant, with no sound during the process. Then, the silver light vanished. Other than some semicircular deep pits on the ground and the surrounding rocks pulverized by the aftermath, no other traces remained, as if it had never existed. The Shadow Devouring Leopard had also disappeared, seemingly swallowed by the silver light.

The next moment, a sudden change occurred. The void twisted, revealing the black leopard's figure. It looked utterly wretched: its entire left foreleg, starting from the neck, had completely vanished, bloody internal organs exposed, and its aura was extremely weak. But it was still alive, its body suddenly sprang, fleeing for its life and leaving a trail of blood!

Qin Sang coldly watched the Shadow Devouring Leopard's retreating figure. He had already been prepared. The reason he hadn't unsealed the Corpse Core was twofold: first, Yun Youzi's plan didn't require his direct intervention, and second, he was waiting for just such an opportune moment to strike by surprise.

Qin Sang concentrated his thoughts, enveloping the Corpse Core. Just as he was about to unseal the Corpse Core, a sudden warning surged within him. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he glimpsed a dark shadow pouncing towards him.

It was the Flying Yaksha!