“Then let’s just pretend this true word doesn’t exist.”

Seeing Lin Buyu’s resolute attitude, Xu Taiping nodded seriously.

“Alright.”

Lin Buyu smiled faintly.

“The only ones left we can use are Heartfelt Connection and Eternal Decay. But according to the instructions in the jade bracelet, the opponent can still resist Eternal Decay. As long as they escape beyond a hundred feet, they won’t be affected. And since we’re inside the formation, it’s not convenient to use. It’s more suitable for direct combat.”

Xu Taiping pondered seriously.

“Let’s choose Heartfelt Connection. If we can learn the demonic cultivators’ method of breaking the formation, we can find a way to counter it.”

Lin Buyu looked at Xu Taiping earnestly.

“I think so too.”

Xu Taiping nodded.

As long as they could know the demonic cultivators’ next move, they could prepare in advance.

“Boom! …”

Just as Xu Taiping and Lin Buyu continued discussing the use of the three abilities, a rumbling thunder sounded again in the sky.

No need to think; it must be the demonic cultivators attacking the formation again.

Lin Buyu and Xu Taiping exchanged a glance and then, in perfect harmony, held each other’s hands and chanted the true word “Heartfelt Connection.”

Once the true word was activated, their thoughts and feelings appeared in each other’s minds.

What surprised Lin Buyu was that after holding hands, Xu Taiping’s mind was free of any distractions, still focused on the demonic cultivators outside.

“Let’s go out.”

Xu Taiping pulled Lin Buyu’s hand and started to walk out.

He didn’t even have the slightest intention of probing what Lin Buyu was thinking.

Lin Buyu found it quite interesting.

…

On the rooftop.

The two stood side by side, looking up at the demonic flood dragon in the sky.

As usual, a demonic cultivator stood on the flood dragon’s back.

But this time, it wasn’t the white-haired man who called himself the Demon Lord, but a young demonic cultivator with a horn on his head and a thick tail.

“Since yesterday, this demonic cultivator has appeared three times. I suspect that besides the Demon Lord, there are three Demon Lord-level demonic cultivators nearby.”

Lin Buyu communicated with Xu Taiping through their minds.

“Just three Demon Lord-level demonic cultivators are hard enough to deal with, not to mention there’s still a Demon Lord behind them. We must defend the Golden Scales Formation this time.”

Xu Taiping nodded.

“Boom!”

At that moment, with a loud crash, a glowing black flame once again struck the Golden Scales Formation.

A ripple of golden waves spread out above their heads.

Although the formation was still intact, it showed signs of weakening compared to the morning.

Especially after the attack, the speed at which the formation absorbed spiritual power to replenish itself had significantly slowed.

However, Lin Buyu and Xu Taiping’s focus was not on this.

They were waiting for the demonic cultivator’s thoughts.

“According to the Demon Lord’s calculations, the next attack should target the dining hall’s formation eye. Once it weakens, the entire formation’s spiritual power will be exhausted, and we can break it directly.”

Just as the young demonic cultivator was about to leave, Xu Taiping and Lin Buyu thought they had gained nothing, but the demonic cultivator revealed a crucial piece of information before departing.

“So that’s how they plan to break the formation.”

Xu Taiping was a bit surprised.

“The formation eye is both the source of the formation’s power and its weakness. But because the large and small formation eyes overlap and change too much, it’s not usually broken this way. If one calculation is wrong, they have to start over. Daring to use this method, that Demon Lord is no simple character.”

Lin Buyan’s voice suddenly echoed in Xu Taiping’s mind.

Xu Taiping, who knew nothing about formations, didn’t quite understand Lin Buyan’s words.

“Knowing their next target, what can we do?”

Xu Taiping asked the most pressing question.

“To be safe, we can reinforce the formation eye before their next attack. If we’re bold, we can convince Xu Ziyan to prepare in advance, gather all the formation eyes’ power, and counterattack the demonic cultivator through the dining hall’s formation eye.”

“But doing so will leave the other formation eyes vulnerable. If the demonic cultivators switch targets, the consequences will be dire.”

Lin Buyan chuckled.

“I’ll convince Senior Sister.”

After pondering for a moment, Lin Buyu took on the task of persuading Xu Ziyan.

“At the very least, we must convince Senior Sister Ziyan to reinforce the dining hall’s formation eye.”

Xu Taiping nodded.

Besides Lin Buyu, there was no one else who could persuade Xu Ziyan.

“You go recover. I’ll find Senior Sister Ziyan. If the formation breaks, we’ll protect as many as we can.”

Lin Buyu released Xu Taiping’s hand and seriously instructed him.

Clearly, she had prepared for the worst.

Xu Taiping nodded earnestly.

He also needed to prepare for the worst-case scenario.

…

The next morning.

Until the sun fully rose, the demonic cultivators did not attack again.

This allowed the disciples of the Sixth Peak to breathe a sigh of relief.

Except for Lin Buyu and Xu Ziyan.

“Senior Sister.”

After finishing a steamed bun, Lin Buyu looked seriously at Xu Ziyan.

“Alright.”

After pondering all night, Xu Ziyan finally made a decision.

Xu Taiping, who was quietly watching, was very curious about how Lin Buyu had convinced Xu Ziyan.

“Taiping, how’s your recovery?”

Xu Ziyan suddenly looked at Xu Taiping, who was eating porridge.

“Almost fully recovered.”

Xu Taiping clenched his fist, and the power ripples spread around his hand.

Xu Ziyan sighed in relief.

“Taiping, if the formation breaks, don’t worry about us. Take Buyu and leave.”

She suddenly communicated to Xu Taiping through her soul.

Xu Taiping thought seriously and then nodded.

If it came to that, he could only protect one person, and even then, it might not be enough to escape the demonic cultivators’ blockade.

Then, Xu Ziyan began instructing the disciples of the Sixth Peak to manipulate the formation eyes, quietly shifting the formation’s power towards the dining hall’s formation eye.

“Taiping, do you know how to use a bow?”

After breakfast, Seventh Junior Brother Zhou Ao approached Xu Taiping.

“I do.” Xu Taiping nodded.

“I found some strong bows in the Ruins of the Cloud Dream Marsh. They’re not treasures, but they’re quite powerful. However, I can only draw them halfway, not using their full potential.”

Zhou Ao handed a bow and a quiver of arrows to Xu Taiping.