Chapter 1232: Reencountering the Heart Demon

"This is it?" Master Wu looked over intently. Although he was the Vice Hall Master of the Master Teacher Pavilion in the Qingyuan Empire, a position of great power and influence, he had never visited this place before. It was his first time seeing the so-called Ghost Lair.

The island was about two to three kilometers in diameter. In its center were a pair of eye-shaped springs whose depth was indiscernible. Strange rocks jutted up all around. Although the entire island had emerged from the swamp, it seemed to be protected somehow, as there was no mud on the ground, only various low-lying plants.

"If you wish to kill me, come forth! If not... you may search at your leisure. I am in no hurry..." The sinister voice continued. Moments later, the island before them became faintly visible, shrouded in a thin mist, appearing as if it could disappear back into the swamp at any moment.

"Let's go!" With a faint smile, Zhang Xuan prepared to move forward. He hadn't taken many steps before Hall Master Liao quickly intercepted him, his face filled with worry.

"We can't go. It's clear the opponent is prepared. We've already been ambushed here. If we cross over, we'll surely fall into a trap..." Even someone of Hall Master Xing's caliber was unwittingly ensnared and nearly killed by lightning. If we were to enter that island, we could easily walk right into their pre-set traps, making escape nearly impossible.

"He already knows we're here and has made preparations. If we don't go now, it will only become more dangerous as time passes!" Zhang Xuan shook his head. Since the other party was aware of their presence and had already laid out their plans, it was better to proceed directly than to wait passively. Otherwise, with them in the open and the opponent concealed, the situation would become even more difficult.

"But..." "If we don't go, we'll still be ambushed. Instead of remaining passive, it's better to see what he's planning. If he truly intended to harm us, at least half of us would likely be dead by now..." With a slight smile, Zhang Xuan said no more. The opponent was a ruthless individual, and his memory was clearly more restored than the one Zhang Xuan had encountered before. If he truly wished to kill them, Zhang Xuan might be able to hold his own, but the three peak Nascent God realm elders from the Master Teacher Pavilion certainly couldn't withstand him! Even Hall Master Wei and the others would find it difficult. Since the opponent hadn't acted decisively and instead invited them, it was only natural to go and investigate his true intentions.

Seeing Zhang Xuan's determination, Hall Master Liao was at a loss. Suddenly, he felt his hand tighten, and a wine gourd appeared in his palm. A voice transmission simultaneously echoed in his ear: "Give the wine inside to Hall Master Xing..."

"Drink wine?" Hall Master Liao was taken aback. Hall Master Xing had just been struck by lightning; his entire body was damaged, and even his Nascent Soul had suffered severe trauma. In such a state, he should be taking medicinal pills for careful recuperation. Why give him wine?

"Hurry!" Just as Hall Master Liao was still wondering what to do, he saw the weak Master Wu approach him, raise an eyebrow, and lower his voice.

"Yes!" Seeing that Master Wu also agreed, Hall Master Liao didn't dare hesitate. He went to Hall Master Xing, pried open his mouth, and poured the fine wine down his throat.

Not long after, Hall Master Xing opened his eyes. Although he appeared more alert, he remained weak. "Since Master Zhang has gone ahead, we shall join him. We advance and retreat together; even if we perish, we shall do so side by side..." With these words, supported by Hall Master Wei, he shakily rose to his feet and followed behind Zhang Xuan.

With a faint smile, Zhang Xuan didn't pause. He took a step and leaped directly towards the island before them. The others followed closely.

Above the small island, an unusual silence reigned, as if utterly desolate. It seemed as though some formation had sealed off the air. Master Wu and the others nervously surveyed their surroundings, their gazes solemn.

"It seems there's... an eighth-grade formation here!" For the entire island to be sealed off in such a way that even Master Teachers of their caliber couldn't perceive it, the formation's complexity was likely on par with those encountered at Qiuwu Palace. An eighth-grade formation... even if their power grew and they became true Spirit Severing realm experts, they would still be no match.

Zhang Xuan nodded. Although he believed it would be difficult for the ruthless entity to kill him, he didn't dare lower his guard upon arriving on the island. This being had once trapped even Master Kong, who barely managed to escape; its methods were truly terrifying. He activated his Eye of Insight, subtly observing his surroundings.

There was indeed a formation on the island, but it was not for attack; rather, it served for suspension and concealment. "So this landmass doesn't float up from beneath; instead, much like a boat, it uses the power of the formation to drift above the swamp, revealing itself only to those it wishes to be seen by..." he mused silently.

"The ruthless entity needs to devour Master Teachers to recover, then deliberately exaggerates the Ghost Lair's abilities to attract countless Master Teachers... and subsequently releases a few 'fortunate' individuals each year..." The more he deduced, the more Zhang Xuan understood.

He had heard that this place could enhance one's mental state, attracting an increasing number of individuals. The result was that most Master Teachers were devoured by this ruthless entity. A select few, whose mental states dramatically improved, became living advertisements, naturally drawing in even more people. Just as people die for wealth and birds for food, Master Teachers were not exempt from such temptations.

"Indeed, an old monster who has lived for tens of thousands of years, its methods are far more sophisticated than that finger..." The ruthless finger bone Zhang Xuan had subdued in Cloudmist Ridge, which controlled spirit beasts, saint beasts, and humans to fight, had indeed devoured many Master Teachers, but their numbers were insignificant compared to this entity. The difference was vast.

"Let's go and see what exactly this spring is that draws Master Teachers like moths to a flame..." Shaking his head, Zhang Xuan began walking towards the springs.

"Master Zhang, be careful... This spring can reflect one's inner thoughts and distractions. Once exploited, it's incredibly difficult to escape!" Seeing Zhang Xuan head towards the springs, intending to investigate, Zhang Jiuxiao hurried over and whispered a warning. He had cultivated here for a month and understood this spring well. It could reflect the thoughts that arose in one's mind, and the longer one looked, the more those thoughts would surface. The opponent was a Witch Soul Master; if he could learn and exploit these thoughts to create inner demons, they wouldn't be able to resist even without a direct attack! Perhaps this was precisely why the entity had invited them to the island.

"No matter, I actually want to see what my distracting thoughts are..." Zhang Xuan smiled. If Zhang Jiuxiao could consider this possibility, Zhang Xuan certainly could as well. However, if he didn't step forward, he wouldn't find the opponent and would remain in a passive position.

"Master Zhang..." Seeing Zhang Xuan disregard his warning and move forward, Zhang Jiuxiao looked to Master Wu, hoping for his intervention. Yet, Master Wu appeared weak and clearly too gravely injured to even speak. He then glanced at Hall Master Xing, who, much like Master Wu, had his eyelids slightly lowered, appearing on the verge of falling asleep.

"Alright, all of you wait here. I can go alone. If any danger arises, come to my aid immediately..." With these instructions, Zhang Xuan said no more and took a few steps to stand before the pond. The water's surface was incredibly clear, reflecting starlight as if it could illuminate one's soul. As he gazed into it, he indeed saw various illusions, like swirling thoughts.

Immediately, Zhang Xuan felt his consciousness being drawn from his body, entering a pitch-black environment. It was like experiencing a tribulation of inner demons before—a sealed room devoid of light and sound, oppressively maddening. After an indeterminate period, a dark figure slowly drifted from the shadows, its voice alluring.

"Zhang Xuan, it's me..." The figure quickly approached, revealing its appearance: Luo Ruoxi. She wore a gentle smile, like a goddess descended from the heavens, gazing quietly at him, unbelievably beautiful, just as he remembered.

"Well, this time there's a bit of novelty..." Zhang Xuan nodded in satisfaction. The inner demons he had encountered previously were all hideous, sickening to behold. This one, however, was quite clever, transforming into Luo Ruoxi's likeness based on his own distracting thoughts...

"It seems this ruthless entity has made its move!" Zhang Xuan chuckled softly to himself. This spring could reflect one's thoughts, knowing exactly what was on his mind. And what he desired most, naturally, was Luo Ruoxi. The moment his thoughts were reflected, before he could even register them, an inner demon identical to Luo Ruoxi appeared—it had to be the ruthless entity acting covertly. Anyone else, seeing their longed-for beloved, might genuinely be controlled and unable to break free. But Zhang Xuan was different. Aside from possessing the Eye of Insight to see through illusions, his status as a four-time Heaven-Acknowledged Master Teacher and a one-time Heaven-Acknowledged Saint was enough to keep him clear-headed and un-bewildered in such a situation.

"Zhang Xuan..." The "Luo Ruoxi" figure drew closer, her dark eyes brimming with a tenderness that could melt anyone's heart.

"You've come..." Seeing her, Zhang Xuan appeared momentarily entranced. He rushed forward and gently clasped her delicate, boneless hand in his.

"Mm, I've missed you so much..." "Luo Ruoxi" murmured.

Zhang Xuan nodded, then transmitted a message: "I've missed you deeply as well... Oh, by the way, I have a book on inner demons here. Would you like to learn about it?"

"Inner demons?" The "Luo Ruoxi" figure frowned.

"Indeed. If an inner demon cultivates, it can grow stronger, break free from its host, and become an independent entity, incredibly powerful..." Zhang Xuan continued transmitting.

"..." The "Luo Ruoxi" figure.

"Don't worry, I created this cultivation method by combining principles from numerous professions such as Witch Soul and Spirit Awakening, along with insights from the Glazed Heart Cultivation Art. If you don't believe me, I can explain it to you!" Holding her hands firmly, Zhang Xuan continued to transmit his message: "An inner demon is essentially a form of sentience, a spiritual entity imbued with unique human thoughts—much like a dual personality. At crucial moments, it can emerge to deliver a fatal blow to its cultivator... However, if the cultivator dies, the inner demon also vanishes. Why should a formidable inner demon be relegated to being a mere appendage of a cultivator? Why can it not escape this fate? My book on inner demons contains a detailed overview..."

"This..." Her eyes glazed over, the "Luo Ruoxi" figure grew increasingly excited as she listened.

"This is my inner demon. Do you want to learn it? If you do, listen to me, take me as your teacher, and I can impart it to you..." Zhang Xuan's voice continued.

"Teacher..." The inner demon prostrated itself on the ground. As it knelt, Zhang Xuan distinctly heard the sound of someone spitting blood.