Chapter 325

To be honest, Ning Ning had no idea how to break through the current situation.

She and Pei Ji were weak and outnumbered, surrounded by layers of demon cultivators, and even worse…

Ning Ning gritted her teeth, steadying her breath, still maintaining her stance against the giant sword looming at the horizon.

She glanced back at him.

Pei Ji’s state now was far from normal.

Compared to last time, when he was trapped by inner demons in the Demon Refining Tower, he was now visibly more irritable and furious, the murderous aura around him unmistakable, his eyes blood-red as if they were about to bleed.

Even when their gazes met, his scarlet eyes showed no recognition, as though looking at a stranger he had never seen before.

His expression was consumed by an insane stubbornness, devoid of any other emotion.

It reminded her of a maddened beast.

Just as this thought surfaced, as if in response to her, Pei Ji suddenly lifted his head, moving his body.

He was emitting a steady flow of demonic energy.

And the energy surged forward—all of it directed straight at her!

“I told you, you cannot escape your doomed fate, didn’t I?”

A voice in her mind spoke in a deep, regretful tone, adding, “No one can break through it.”

“That boy has fallen deep into demonic possession; his mind is likely completely overtaken by bloodlust.”

Qing Heng murmured, “That girl is struggling just to deal with us. This blow… she surely won’t be able to block it.”

He focused his gaze in their direction, watching as the overwhelming demonic energy engulfed the sword light, coalescing into a force that seemed to swallow the sky.

In the critical moment, he suddenly furrowed his brows tightly.

The system’s voice also paused.

—Out of nowhere, the sword energy abruptly surged, as if waves roared and silver waves swept the sky.

A figure holding a sword appeared beside Ning Ning, effortlessly twirling his blade, and with his left hand free, he shielded her behind him.

The forceful demonic energy was actually driven back by his single strike.

“That was close, wasn’t it?”

A clear, gentle voice carried a slight smile.

Ning Ning hadn’t even calmed her wildly beating heart when she heard an all-too-familiar voice: “As your master, I should still be of some use, right?”

Ning Ning’s breath caught as she lifted her head in a daze.

“Master!”

Tian Xianzi’s smile held a hint of helplessness as he glanced at Pei Ji, speaking in a low tone, “This child is probably so consumed by demonic energy that he attacks anyone he sees. If he isn’t stopped soon, once the demonic energy fully takes over his body, nothing will be reversible.”

“That’s Tian Xianzi of the Xuanxu Sword Sect.”

One of the demon cultivators gritted his teeth.

“Why did he suddenly show up!”

“It’s not just Master Uncle—we’re here too!”

Another voice sounded.

He Zhizhou, covered in blood, appeared at the edge of light and shadow, making a “V” gesture.

“The final showdown wouldn’t be complete without me, right?”

As he spoke, he nudged the dragon clan youth beside him with his elbow, urging softly, “Say something, Junior brother Lin!”

Lin Xun stammered, barely daring to speak loudly in front of so many people, his lips moving like a dying fish.

In the end, he put on a fierce look and said, “You’re not allowed to hurt my Senior Sister!”

Tian Xianzi glared.

“So, they can just hurt me as they please?”

Such rebellious disciples!

The demon cultivators in the desert didn’t give them time for idle banter, launching their full assault instantly.

Huo Qiao, knowing this wasn’t good, barely stabilized his breathing.

“Attack Pei Ji with everything you’ve got. Now that he’s possessed, we just need to kill him to break the Two Element Dust Formation.”

After that… if they could summon those three ancient demon gods who had recently awakened, they could certainly eliminate this group of sword cultivators.

“They intend to kill Pei Ji.”

Standing beside He Zhizhou, Wen Hemian spoke in a deep voice, “We must protect him at all costs.”

Shadows rose around them, and the number of demon cultivators, all of high skill, made it difficult for Lin Xun and He Zhizhou to keep up.

Gradually, they began to show signs of strain.

Several demon cultivators seized the opportunity, launching a surprise attack that was about to hit their vital points.

Suddenly, a flash of blade light and an iron fist appeared out of nowhere.

A powerful force forced them back several feet.

When they looked closely, they saw a group of desert bandits and a frail-looking young girl.

“My whole life, I’ve regretted nothing more than being born a few years too late, missing out on a chance to contribute in the war between the immortals and demons.”

Qian San laughed heartily.

“Tonight, I finally get a chance to fulfill that dream!”

With his machete in hand, he felt like he owned the world.

No matter what monster or demon stood before him, he would take them all down with a single swing.

This—was their desert!

“Ning Ning!”

Tian Xianzi, sparing no attention for others, scattered the giant swords at the sky’s edge and focused entirely on confronting Pei Ji.

Pei Ji, having lost all clarity, unleashed his demonic energy in such a way that even Tian Xianzi struggled to contend with it.

He had to use his sword to bind Pei Ji’s spiritual consciousness, temporarily restricting the youth’s movements.

Ning Ning turned at his call and heard him shout, “Activate your spiritual consciousness, go deep into Pei Ji’s sea of consciousness, and find him—be cautious! If he kills you within his consciousness, you will never return!”

If she couldn’t make it back, both she and Pei Ji would be left with only one path: death.

Just as the system had once taunted her with its cold sneers, no matter how much sacrifice and effort were made, they would inevitably lose to the karmic cycle of fate.

A complete and utter loss.

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This wasn’t the first time Ning Ning entered Pei Ji’s sea of consciousness.

Last time, everything was pitch black, with nothing visible.

But this time, it was different—the entire space was filled with a thick, unshakable blood-red mist.

All around was empty, with no light source; everything shrouded in a hellish haze, making it unsettling to walk alone within it.

It didn’t take her much effort to find Pei Ji.

Blood mist swirled within his consciousness, and only around him did the demonic energy gather, a dense blackness particularly striking.

He seemed lost in thought, his straight back standing tall.

Perhaps sensing another presence, he turned with a dark, brooding look.

Still, it was the gaze of a beast, filled with gloom and murderous intent.

In a split second, the demonic energy around him condensed into a solid form, like a thousand madly growing vines, heading straight for Ning Ning.

His movements were swift, giving his prey no time to react. Unprepared for the intensity of his killing intent, Ning Ning couldn’t dodge in time and was caught by a few strands of demonic energy that wrapped around her wrists.

Pei Ji watched her coldly, approaching step by step.