Shi Jingzhi was frightened by his own guess. He shook his head, trying to calm his heart. It was just a guess after all. He had suffered severe injuries before, but the wounds had never sprouted blood roots like Yin Ci's.

This was a matter of life and death, so such a dangerous guess couldn't be tested casually. He couldn't just go explain it to Yin Ci, stab himself, and then accidentally die. If that happened, Yin Ci would definitely remember him forever—he would absolutely become the coldest joke in Yin Ci's life.

Shen Zhu saw Shi Jingzhi's face changing and knew that this person's mind was probably wandering off to some unreliable place again. At this moment, she was eager to go down the mountain and investigate the newly obtained clues about the Deity Summoning Formation.

Just as Shi Jingzhi was in a daze, her patience was almost at its end: "What do we do next? We..."

"Don't move." Yin Ci suddenly spoke.

He finally moved the sword away from Yu Zikuan's neck. The Hanging Shadow Sword slashed through the night, severing the nearest lines of the array. Then Yin Ci half-squatted down and wiped his fingertips over the wriggling gelatinous substance.

Yin Ci frowned: "This array is still activating?"

Yu Zikuan was completely under their control and didn't make any suspicious moves. But the aura of the array was only interrupted for a moment. Just as everyone was distracted, its aura began to stir again.

Shen Zhu no longer had the mood to ponder the origin of this array. She quickly ran to the edge of the array and closed her eyes to carefully sense it: "It really is... What's going on?"

Things had gone wrong to this extent. Yu Zikuan had no intention of guarding against the group of strange people in front of him. He immediately rushed to the place where the demon corpses were buried, dug out the corpses one by one, and tried to extinguish the array by breaking the materials.

It was useless.

Even if the demon corpses were removed, the array continued to operate on its own. The flashing light dimmed a little, but there was no sign of it going out. Yin Ci's brows furrowed even tighter: "This is..."

"This is remote array control." Shi Jingzhi murmured. "I read in Senior Chen's records—if the battle array is too dangerous, or the casting process is too complicated, the caster will set up an auxiliary array in a safe place and activate it remotely. This method requires extra multiples of materials and manpower, but it does exist."

Looking at the preparations on the opposite side, Yu Zikuan was more like a puppet used to draw the array.

There were not many people in the world who knew about the Deity Summoning Formation. If the jianghu people found Yu Zikuan's corpse, at most they would define the attack as "crazy revenge", and then investigate his non-existent "accomplices" on the mountain.

Who would have thought that a not-so-large array could kill half a mountain of people? Once everyone was dead, the mastermind could completely remove themselves, leaving no traces.

One wave had not yet subsided and another had risen. The night was wrapped in demon fog, and everything around was in chaos. Not even the chirping of insects could be heard.

A vague sense of oppression came from all directions. The array under their feet exuded a faint murderous intent. The scene in front of them was like the Yellow Springs of hell. Even if they stayed still, their hearts felt like they were being forced into a mortar, stirred into a mess.

People fight for a breath of air. Perhaps they could defeat the evil demons in front of them, but how could they overcome the might of heaven and earth?

"Run." Su Si said hoarsely, "This thing can't be stopped. Staying will only be a pointless sacrifice."

Yan Qing scratched his hair: "We should indeed leave, but is there a way to get the message out?"

Shen Zhu shook her head: "Not to mention Taiheng or Red Hook, who knows how many small sects are wandering around. The Ku Mountain Sect has a bad reputation, Hero Yu has been presumed dead for years, and Sect Leader Yan has even less persuasive power. Forgive my bluntness, but even if we tell the truth, we will only be seen as scheming."

The fourteen Buddha bead treasure maps had already become a game of contention among the major sects. They had finally gotten another opportunity, and everyone was searching for clues day and night, even enduring the demon fog. If competitors suddenly jumped out and said it was dangerous here, only fools would buy it.

Kongshi's Tomb wouldn't grow legs and run away. There would be plenty of time in the future. But if they stayed any longer, they might end up being buried with Master Kongshi and Yan Budu.

Yin Ci sheathed his sword, his gaze sweeping over the group.

Su Si and Shen Zhu were already planning to roll up their bedding and escape. Yan Qing lowered his head and didn't say anything. He didn't immediately object, but based on his temperament, he was probably thinking about saving a few more people along the way.

Shi Jingzhi... Shi Jingzhi was in a daze for a while, and a mysterious smile slowly appeared on his face. It was hard to tell what he was thinking. On any other day, seeing such a dangerous situation, this person should have been the first to run away.

Yin Ci looked at Shi Jingzhi with interest and didn't speak up right away.

To be honest, Yin Ci didn't really want to leave like this. With the Deity Summoning Formation causing such a disturbance, the situation here would definitely be chaotic in the near future, and they would waste a lot of time—even though they had Lord Bai in their hands, Kongshi's Tomb was carefully hidden by Yan Budu after all, and it wouldn't be easy to find.

If they continued to be passive like this, Shi Jingzhi wouldn't be able to hold out.

The Deity Summoning Formation was a new thing. But killing a chicken with a bull's knife, since the other side was using this method to deal with a large number of ordinary people, for an individual, it definitely couldn't reach the point of destroying an "immortal body". From the activation of the array to the dissipation of the residual power, it would take at least three to five days. Making good use of this time when there was no one in the mountains, he could go ahead and search...

Just as Yin Ci was thinking this, he noticed an extra warmth on his fingers. Shi Jingzhi calmly approached and squeezed Yin Ci's fingers, not too lightly or heavily.

"Thinking of solving it on your own again?" Shi Jingzhi asked in a low voice, "You said before that you were 'my person', but now you're being distant?"

Yin Ci said helplessly: "I said we would cooperate. I won't hide anything from you again. Wasn't I just about to discuss it with you—while this array is activated, I will immediately go up the mountain and gain the upper hand. You continue to search for information about the tomb outside, and we'll communicate through the sparrow demons."

The various sects had been searching for the tomb for some time, and there was no shortage of accumulated information. Once they fell into chaos, the relevant information would be even easier to obtain. With such internal and external cooperation, their efficiency would not be low.

He indeed couldn't wield the Compassion Stone Sword himself, but by first determining the location, they could come back later and save time. The only price the Ku Mountain Sect had to pay was for him to suffer a bit, which was really quite a bargain.

Shi Jingzhi squinted at Yin Ci for a while, and the faint smile on his face faded away. Sect Leader Shi lightly exhaled, looking a bit subtly unhappy.

Yin Ci was a little puzzled.

Using the resources at hand, this was the safest and most advantageous approach, and it could be considered "fair cooperation". He didn't know which nerve of this kid was struck, but his whole expression seemed to have collapsed.

Weren't they getting along quite well before? Moreover, Shi Jingzhi's mind had always been clear. He should be able to understand the pros and cons of such a simple matter.

Who knew that Sect Leader Shi would turn around with a flourish, leaving him with a back full of rejection.

Yin Ci said helplessly, "Alright, Master. The situation is urgent now. Is there anything that can directly--"

"I have a clever plan." Shi Jingzhi turned his head slightly and glanced at Yin Ci. "My beloved disciple is so fearless, surely he won't be afraid of this plan of mine."

...He was really angry this time, and his anger was especially hidden. Yin Ci pondered for a long time, only detecting a strange sense of disappointment from Shi Jingzhi's tone.

Before he could think of a way to ease the atmosphere, Shi Jingzhi walked a few steps and stopped in front of Yu Zikuan.

Meeting his gaze, Yu Zikuan sighed with an ashen face, "It was us who were schemed against by villains, causing this great disaster. I will go reason with Taiheng Sect and try to save as many as possible. It was a kind deed that you all coincidentally enlightened me. It's best if you leave this place as soon as possible."

Yan Zheng mumbled and his expression was also uncertain. "With such a powerful formation, the people outside Vermilion Tower probably won't survive either... Now that it has come to this, I'll go back and keep our people stable in the mountains. Since the jianghu will fall into chaos sooner or later, having fewer Ling Sect members isn't bad."

From his words, Yan Zheng seemed to have no intention of running away at all.

Shi Jingzhi pondered for a moment and stroked the Cure All With Medicine Flag. Then he slightly released his aura, and the surrounding fog swirled along with it. For a moment, even the baleful energy of the Deity Summoning Formation was suppressed.

"Shen Zhu, you understand the Deity Summoning Formation. If you do your utmost to hinder the activation of the formation, about how long can you delay it for?"

"Huh?" Shen Zhu was dazed for a moment.

Whether it activates sooner or later, what difference does it make? Despite her thoughts, she answered honestly, "To fully activate the formation, they need to use a complete incantation, which will take three to four hours... If I cause some mischief on this side, I can delay it for five hours at most."

Let alone it being the middle of the night now, even if they delayed for the full five hours, they would at most buy over half a day. With just these few people present, what could they accomplish in half a day?

Moreover, Shen Zhu knew this person's temperament well. Sect Leader Shi would not act without benefit, he was not the type to suddenly have a change of heart and save everyone.

Just what was he...

"Since no one believes the truth, telling a lie is also a method."

Shi Jingzhi still had his back to Yin Ci. He raised his voice slightly. Compared to his usual carefree tone, Shi Jingzhi's voice was very steady, carrying an undeniable meaning.

"Shen Zhu, you disrupt the formation here and try to buy more time. Yan Qing, you follow Yan Zheng back to the vicinity of Vermilion Tower and bring your sword along the way. After getting the sword, leave the mountain and meet up with me... Su Si, you go stand by near the Red Hook Sect's camp. With your abilities, you can spread false information, right?"

"I can do it..."

"Senior Yu has excellent archery skills. Please help spread some false information to Taiheng Sect, and then use your archery to disseminate the news to the small sects. The small sects have no backbone. Seeing the Red Hook Sect and Taiheng Sect deciding to withdraw, they won't linger here either."

After finishing, Sect Leader Shi leisurely strolled back to his disciple's side.

"With the demon fog covering the mountain, not many people will venture deep inside. Just in terms of withdrawing, half a day should be enough. As for Ci..."

Yin Ci guessed this person's plan and had mixed feelings. "I'll stay by your side."

Faced with Shi Jingzhi's move, it seemed he only had this one choice and could no longer charge into the mountain against the Deity Summoning Formation. Shi Jingzhi finally nodded in satisfaction and once again curled his lips.

"What are you talking about? Spread what information?" Su Si finally couldn't hold back.

Shi Jingzhi stuck the flag into the formation, and the sect leader's token on the flagpole swayed gently.

"It's very simple. You and Senior Yu, act quickly and try to tell everyone - 'The Ku Mountain Sect has found the key to the Shi Rou, and is preparing to leave.'"

Su Si: "..."

Su Si: "Sect Leader, are you looking to die?"

Right now, they were implicated in the Jianchen Temple massacre and were most likely on the wanted list of the righteous sects. The demonic sects wouldn't care if the righteous ones lived or died, but would certainly covet the clues to the Shi Rou.

Sect Leader Shi spreading this news was clearly using his own strength to provoke both the righteous and evil paths, committing suicide in quite a creative way.

Saving people but losing his own life, was it worth it? Or did this master and disciple pair quietly leave their brains at Jianchen Temple when they weren't paying attention?

But if there were other goals, Su Si really couldn't find any leads besides "saving people."

Yu Zikuan sized up Shi Jingzhi properly for the first time. "Shi Jingzhi of the Ku Mountain Sect?... Sect Leader Shi is truly righteous, unlike the person in those rumors. I admire you."

Not only unlike the person in the rumors, but also unlike the person the Ku Mountain Sect members knew. But seeing that people could be saved, Yan Qing didn't say a word more and immediately nodded. Su Si thought back and forth, and felt there was still a chance to escape, so he also agreed awkwardly.

Time was limited, so people didn't continue asking questions and quickly dispersed into the night. Soon, besides Shen Zhu who was focused on obstructing the formation, only the master and disciple pair of the Ku Mountain Sect remained.

Shi Jingzhi leaned on his precious flag and calmly walked towards the outside of the formation, as if the crazy idea from before wasn't his. Yin Ci stepped forward and walked to his left side.

"I can guess your purpose for trying to 'saving people', but this method also has risks."

Yin Ci was still calculating the details of the plan.

"The major sects indeed didn't send any capable experts, but Chai Xin is already suspicious of Yan Zheng, and Yan Zheng may not be able to suppress that group of Ling Sect elders. If too many people from the Ling Sect escape--"

"How does Ah Ci understand 'cherish'?" Shi Jingzhi interrupted Yin Ci's words, answering a question with a question.

"What?" Yin Ci's mind nearly short-circuited from this person's train of thought jumping all over the place.

By the Deity Summoning Formation, the demon fog was still rolling restlessly. Compared to the previous oppressiveness, the fog now seemed entangled and unfathomable. Shi Jingzhi stopped and turned to Yin Ci. In the night mist, that pair of amber eyes was still incomparably sharp.

"The giver is extremely formidable and also willing to give their all for someone. This kind of 'cherishing' is indeed heartwarming. If I were just an ordinary person, I might also want to stop here. Calmly accepting the goodwill, how relaxing... If there were any other extravagant requests, I'm afraid it would seem ignorant."

Shi Jingzhi caught a strand of Yin Ci's long hair, his expression lacking the usual restraint, leaving only a slightly unusual calmness.

"Unfortunately, I happen to be the greediest person in the world - one person protecting another behind them, this kind of relationship can't be called 'cooperation'. Now there happens to be an opportunity. Next, I'll let you see what kind of 'cherishing' is in my heart."