In the imperial city, the upper layer of the Demon-Sealing Tower housed dozens of Demonic Beings at the Myriad Manifestations Realm, sitting cross-legged in various spots. Their figures were gaunt, their life forces almost exhausted, like lamps running out of oil.
A silver dragon formed by hundreds of thousands of converging thunderbolts coiled within the tower, constantly sweeping past these Demonic Beings and devouring wisps of demonic energy emanating from them.
At this moment, all Demonic Beings had red eyes fixed on an emaciated old man with ashen skin, like starving hyenas waiting for prey to die.
When the silver dragon swept past the gray-robed elder again and consumed his last wisp of demonic energy, the old man's eyes finally dimmed completely, his life force fading away.
Instantly, the breathing of all Demonic Beings in the tower grew急促 (rapid). They charged at the gray-robed elder like mad, tearing him to pieces like hyenas fighting over food, hungrily absorbing the demonic energy stored in his remains.
For hundreds of years, the Demonic Beings in the upper layer of the Demon-Sealing Tower had survived by this method.
Whenever a Demonic Being couldn't withstand the array's refining and died, it became a gluttonous feast for the rest.
After absorbing the demonic energy from the gray-robed elder's remains, all Demonic Beings wore satisfied expressions.
"Eh!"
Just then, someone exclaimed.
"What's all the fuss, disturbing my absorption of demonic energy!"
"We've been imprisoned in the Demon-Sealing Tower for so long—only moments like this bring us joy, and now we're disturbed. How hateful!"
The others glared at the exclaiming Demonic Being with dissatisfaction.
"Here... the seal here seems weakened!"
The Demonic Being pointed at the tower's seal in disbelief, shouting excitedly, "The seal in this corner is indeed weaker than elsewhere!"
"Could we join forces to tear a crack here? Then we can escape the Demon-Sealing Tower!"
All Demonic Beings in the upper layer rushed over. Discovering the seal had indeed loosened, they were overjoyed.
Imprisoned for hundreds of years, they had thought they'd eventually be refined by the thunder dragon. Now, a chance to escape and survive had emerged!
For once, the Demonic Beings in the tower united, vowing to tear apart the seal.
...
Outside the Demon-Sealing Tower, Lin Yu watched ripples spreading across the tower's sealing array and asked, "Cauldron Lord, won't this let the Demonic Beings in the tower expand the crack and escape?"
He had just destroyed two array hubs as Cauldron Lord instructed, fearing Demonic Beings would escape and harm the world.
"This Demon-Sealing Tower prevents escapes by placing array hubs outside. Only by damaging the arrays from outside can the seal weaken. If we don't interfere, they can never expand the crack!"
Cauldron Lord chuckled proudly. "After I refine the escaped Demonic Beings to boost your cultivation, I'll let stronger ones out. None of these demons will escape me!"
Lin Yu exhaled, reassured.
As Cauldron Lord said, once the Demonic Beings sensed the seal weakening, they'd try to tear a crack to escape.
But they didn't know the crack could only allow Myriad Manifestations First Grade warriors to escape—one at a time.
Lin Yu just needed to arrive on schedule to "reap the harvest," as before.
...
Days later, Second Prince Lin Shuo safely reached the imperial city under the escort of armoured cavalry.
Upon arrival, he didn't go home but rushed to the palace to meet the Han Emperor.
In the Imperial Study, the Han Emperor was discussing state affairs with the Chief Minister. Hearing Lin Shuo's arrival and knowing of his assassination attempt, he immediately summoned him.
Seeing Lin Shuo's travel-worn appearance, the Han Emperor asked what had happened.
Lin Shuo didn't dare hold back, recounting the siege by Demonic Sect corpse puppets. He lamented that without Prince Su's sword rescue, he wouldn't have returned.
"Wait, Second Prince—you said those Demonic Sect corpse puppets practiced Great Zhou royal martial arts?" The Chief Minister looked at Lin Shuo, sensing something amiss.
"Correct—those corpse puppets were definitely refined from Great Zhou's Xiantian Realm experts!" Lin Shuo nodded; he couldn't be mistaken.
The Chief Minister fell into thought.
"Also, the border city is three thousand li from the capital. How did Prince Su know you were in danger?" Another minister wondered. "Unless he marked you to sense your安危 (safety), but that's unlikely. Prince Su is elusive—you shouldn't have met him."
Prince Su was the Great Han's national guardian. Even the Han Emperor had failed to meet him despite many invitations. As an ordinary prince, why would Prince Su care so much as to mark him? Impossible!
Thinking of the wooden sword Lin Yu gave him, Lin Shuo opened his mouth, then changed his story: "Before my mission to Great Zhou, I accidentally obtained a wooden sword carved by a master. Coincidentally, during the assassination, it unleashed a Sword Intent of Wind that slew a corpse puppet, buying me time until Prince Su saved me with his flying sword."
"I see!" The minister slapped his thigh. "That wooden sword must be Prince Su's work, containing his Sword Intent of Wind. He saved you out of regard for your royal blood!"
"The Prince Su personally carved that sword—it's a treasure, wasted like that!" The Han Emperor nodded, lamenting the loss.
Lin Shuo recalled Lin Yu's words when giving the sword, wondering: Was Prince Su hiding in the imperial mausoleum? His third brother, confined there, might have befriended Prince Su, hence the gift.
"Your Majesty, the Demonic Sect remnants have lurked for centuries. Their reappearance must signal a huge conspiracy—we can't ignore it!" The Chief Minister stood, declaring, "Back then, the Demonic Sect colluded with demons to wreak havoc. If they dare show themselves now, we must eliminate them once and for all!"