A moment later.

The Formless Demon Corpse reached the exit of the Grotto Heaven.

Stepping out of the Grotto Heaven, Li Yan did not proceed immediately, but suddenly stopped to glance behind him.

Because his senior brothers, junior brothers, and many fellow cultivators who endured hardships together were completely left behind in the stone array.

Decades.

Nearly a hundred years of cultivation.

Gone in an instant—ashes to ashes.

Truly, it makes one sigh and lament.

...

Within the stone array.

Upon receiving the transmission of the Demon Pill Cultivator’s massacre, Zang Qianjian was somewhat stunned. It didn’t matter if his subordinates died; neither Foundation Establishment Cultivators nor Fake Pill Cultivators were lacking in the West Mountain Floating Domain and could be recruited at any time.

But he understood why a Demon Pill Cultivator would leave the formation at this moment.

"Fellow Daoist Zang, what’s wrong?" Yi Nian Guan Shan saw that Zang Qianjian’s expression was off and immediately turned to ask.

Zang Qianjian saw Yi Nian Guan Shan directly addressing him by his surname in front of Qu Wuyi and the others and didn’t mind, openly stating, "A Demon Pill Cultivator has walked out of the stone array, already killing most of my subordinates, leaving only two or three survivors. After the slaughter, they went straight for the exit of the Grotto Heaven."

Yi Nian Guan Shan’s expression slightly changed, "They?"

"And one of them is a Foundation Establishment Cultivator from your Divine Extinction Thousand Peaks." Zang Qianjian had a vague sense of unease in his heart.

When he inadvertently glanced up, Zang Qianjian felt that something was suddenly missing in front of him, but couldn’t place his finger on it.

"Could it be a spy?" Qu Wuyi suddenly interjected from the side, glancing at Bao Tiangai beside him as soon as he spoke, "Among those who have recently entered the Grotto Heaven, there are all kinds of people, it’s impossible to screen them all."

"Very likely." Yi Nian Guan Shan also glanced at the silent Bao Tiangai beside him but had no time to care as his expression became more solemn. A Golden Core Zhenren sneaking into the stone array without his and Zang Qianjian’s notice was not good news.

He wasn’t worried about them taking any opportunity within the stone array; the dangers along the way far exceeded what a True Pill could pass. What worried him was the opponent’s sudden move, possibly to collude with the Three Life Gates from inside and outside.

If so, they simply had no one able to stop it now.

"Fellow Daoist Zang, if this person is colluding with the Three Life Gates from inside and outside, what should we do?" Yi Nian Guan Shan quickly asked.

Hoping that Zang Qianjian, unbeknownst to him, had been keeping a backup plan all along.

Zang Qianjian pondered for a few moments, losing the desire to explore further, "We can’t go any further; that Demon Cultivator cultivates Formless Demonic Qi, which is a highly practiced Demon Technique from the Outer Path Hidden Demon Sect. For this person to cultivate so as to easily evade my Divine Sense detection, even if not at the Middle Stage of Demon Core, he isn’t just an ordinary Demon Cultivator.

If he truly collaborates with the Three Life Gates, it will be difficult to handle; perhaps we must first act to eliminate this Demon Cultivator. But why did he suddenly emerge, could the Three Life Gates be here already?"

Zang Qianjian’s eyes sparkled and he stared at Yi Nian Guan Shan.

Yi Nian Guan Shan was silent for a moment but, seeing Zang Qianjian’s gaze becoming more intense, had to reply: "When Master Qu and the others came earlier, they mentioned this matter. Di Shenhan and the Three Life Gates have already appeared; they are located within the Little Demon Realm and are likely seeing that mysterious Master Du. Now that the Demon Cultivator has suddenly acted, it’s probably because Master Du has agreed, and they have already headed straight for us."

Yi Nian Guan Shan continued.

His words caused Zang Qianjian’s brow to furrow, his displeasure becoming more pronounced, "Why didn’t you say this earlier!"

"I forgot for a moment and didn’t expect their actions to be so swift. But now isn’t the time to discuss this; Fellow Daoist Zang, do you have another plan?" Yi Nian Guan Shan stammered an excuse and continued asking.