Chapter 44

“Senior brother… are you saying—” Jiu Li’er’s voice trailed off, her expression turning cautious as her eyes swept the surroundings.

Han Luo gave her a firm nod.

Damn it!

I knew it… I knew this would happen.

Han Luo cursed silently.

Truthfully, one of the reasons he had brought Jiu Li’er to study the Luoxian Grand Formation was not just to gain insight but because he was uneasy. He was worried the demons might somehow sneak past the formation.

The Demon Race was infamous for their bizarre and unpredictable methods. Who knew what kind of strange technique they might use to bypass the formation?

And now, it seemed his instincts had been right. Demons had actually managed to infiltrate.

“Senior brother… are you sure? You’re not making a mistake, are you?”

Jiu Li’er found it hard to believe. Part of her even wondered if her senior brother had come up with an excuse to meet her.

“There’s no mistake,” Han Luo replied, his tone unwavering. “There’s definitely demonic energy.”

“But… but the Luoxian Grand Formation is a seventh-rank array! Even Uncle Yunyangzi can’t enter or leave it easily. How could demons possibly get in?” Jiu Li’er lowered her voice and whispered, “Unless… the demons are stronger than Uncle Yunyangzi?”

“The Demon Race has all kinds of strange methods beyond what we can imagine. And the world of cultivation is vast—there are countless techniques we don’t know about. A seventh-rank formation isn’t an invincible celestial array. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Han Luo had no doubts.

After all, this information came from the ancient bronze mirror—a postnatal spiritual treasure. There was no way it would get things wrong.

They both fell silent.

Before long, someone from Luoxian Peak arrived.

The newcomer was dressed in a sleek black outfit, exuding an aura of strength and confidence.

Lei Jiu—son of Lei Xing and the top talent of Luoxian Peak’s younger generation.

Lei Jiu glanced at Han Luo and Jiu Li’er. He clearly recognized both of them.

“Come with me.”

Lei Jiu led them to a secluded forest where no one was around.

“Did you two send the message about demonic activity?” Lei Jiu’s tone was serious. He needed confirmation.

Jiu Li’er turned to Han Luo.

Han Luo scanned the silent forest around them, then pulled out a formation plate and placed it at their feet.

A soundproofing formation. One of his personal inventions to prevent eavesdropping.

Once the formation was active, he looked at Lei Jiu with a grave expression.

“Lei Jiu, we noticed demonic energy while observing the Luoxian Grand Formation. It was near the eastern section, right here.”

He took out the ancient bronze mirror, and an image appeared—showing the exact location where the demonic energy had been detected.

Lei Jiu examined the mirror carefully, then looked at Han Luo.

If it had been anyone else, he would have been skeptical.

But this was Han Luo—the one his father had repeatedly reminded him to treat with care. There had to be something special about him. He wouldn’t fabricate something this serious.

“Take me there.” Lei Jiu was ready to investigate personally.

“No.”

Han Luo’s refusal was immediate and firm.

“What did you say?”

Lei Jiu’s expression darkened.

He had never liked Han Luo.

His father had never shown him an ounce of concern, always pushing him to cultivate. Yet for some reason, he treated Han Luo with special care. Jealousy made it hard for Lei Jiu to look at him without bias.

“I said no,” Han Luo repeated, his tone leaving no room for argument.

“Do you realize,” Lei Jiu’s voice was laced with displeasure, “if there really are demons inside Luoxian Sect and they escape because of you, the consequences will be dire?”

“Of course I know,” Han Luo replied calmly. “I’ll take you there… but only if Uncle Lei Xing comes with us.”

Are you kidding me?

Demons had breached Luoxian Sect’s defenses. Who knew how many of them were lurking around? There could be traps, ambushes, or even some strange demonic tricks waiting for them.

The Luoxian Grand Formation couldn’t stop them—how could a mere early-stage Qi Sea disciple like Lei Jiu handle this?

“Father is busy. I’ll handle it.”

Lei Jiu, like his father, was confident and decisive. He didn’t like to waste time.

“No, no, no.” Han Luo shook his head vigorously.

Not happening.

Lei Jiu alone? Too unreliable.

“I’m not going if Uncle Lei Xing isn’t coming.”

Han Luo wasn’t taking any chances.

He had a deep-rooted fear of the Demon Race. And Lei Jiu? Not nearly enough insurance.

“You’re messing with me!”

Lei Jiu’s patience was wearing thin.

He was starting to think this was all a hoax. There was no way demons had breached the Luoxian Grand Formation.

“Lei Jiu, you’re wrong about me.”

Han Luo’s tone turned cold.

“I don’t have time to mess around. Call Uncle Lei Xing. If he doesn’t come, we’ll wait. But mark my words—while you’re arguing with me, those demons could be changing locations or slipping away unnoticed. And if that happens, the consequences won’t just fall on you. They’ll fall on your father, too. Imagine how embarrassing it would be if the news spread that Luoxian Sect, protected by the renowned Luoxian Grand Formation, had been infiltrated by demons without anyone noticing.”

Han Luo’s words weren’t just a bluff.

If it really got out that demons had infiltrated a top sect like Luoxian Sect, it would be a laughingstock across the cultivation world.

Even the disciples of Luoxian Sect would be too ashamed to show their faces.

Han Luo understood Lei Jiu’s hesitation.

After all, the Holy War had been raging for a thousand years, and the Demon Race had never once breached the Eastern Region. Over time, sects had naturally grown lax in their vigilance.

Not everyone lived with the constant paranoia that Han Luo did.

Lei Jiu glared at Han Luo, clearly frustrated, but Han Luo stood his ground, unwavering.

“Fine,” Lei Jiu finally relented. “I’ll swear this—if there really are demons, they’ll have to go through my dead body to harm you.”

He felt he was being more than reasonable.

And besides, he was still convinced Han Luo was overreacting.

Han Luo looked at him seriously—and shook his head again.

“Lei Jiu, I respect you. But to me, your life isn’t worth much.”

Lei Jiu’s face immediately darkened, ready to explode.

“Don’t get angry. Hear me out first.”

Han Luo raised a hand to stop him.

“Your life may not matter to me, but my life means everything to me. You can gamble with your own life, but I won’t let you gamble with mine. Don’t blame me for being cautious—I’m only doing this because I don’t want any disciples of Luoxian Sect to get hurt. If something really happens, the consequences won’t be something any of us can bear. Do you understand?”

Lei Jiu’s temper cooled slightly.

After all, he wasn’t stupid. As one of the top five talents of Luoxian Sect, he understood the stakes.

“So,” Han Luo continued, “if there’s a foolproof way to handle this, why take unnecessary risks? Being cautious isn’t a mistake.”

Han Luo would never gamble with his life.

Demons were no joke—being careless could be fatal.

Honestly, if he didn’t have to guide them, he’d already be back on Luoxian Mountain hiding safely. Why waste time arguing here?

“Han Luo’s right.”

Jiu Li’er, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up.

“At first, I didn’t quite understand senior brother’s caution, but after hearing what he said, it makes perfect sense.”

She turned to Lei Jiu.

“Lei Jiu, demons are not one of us. If they’ve infiltrated Luoxian Sect, it’s definitely with ill intent. If we encounter them, it’ll be a fight to the death. And if they have any sinister tricks that harm the other disciples… none of us want to see that happen.”

Her words reinforced Han Luo’s point.

Lei Jiu looked at the two of them, weighing their arguments carefully before finally nodding.

“You’re right. I was being careless.”

Even though he still didn’t like Han Luo, he had to admit that his concerns were valid.

He had faced demons before—he knew how dangerous they were.

From his robes, Lei Jiu pulled out a black talisman and crushed it.

Within three breaths, Lei Xing, the peak master of Lei Xing Peak, had arrived.