56: Chapter 56: Interest comes first

Boom!!

The token erupted with monstrous blood-light, and a dark red pillar of light shot into the sky, piercing through the mist and reaching straight into the clouds!

The entire Mist Valley shook violently; this pillar of light could be clearly seen from a hundred miles outside the valley!

Across the Ancient Battlefield, all the Cultivators looked up together.

"That is... the birth of a fallen immortal token!"

"Someone is synthesizing a complete fallen immortal token!"

"The direction is Mist Valley! Hurry!"

Countless streaks of light swarmed toward Mist Valley.

Meanwhile, the clearing at the heart of the valley had fallen into a dead silence.

Everyone stared at the complete token on the altar, the greed in their eyes almost manifesting into substance.

But even more alarming was the pressure radiating from the token, which was already comparable to the Late Nascent Soul Stage!

Furthermore, the suction force had not stopped; instead, it was constantly strengthening!

"The token has just been synthesized and needs to devour energy to stabilize itself!"

"It will continuously absorb all surrounding energy, including... the essence blood and demonic essence of Cultivators!"

White Bone Scholar said with a grave expression.

As if to confirm his words, the two Loose Cultivators closest to the altar suddenly began to scream.

Blood-light glowed on their bodies as their essence blood left their bodies uncontrollably, turning into two blood lines that flowed into the token!

In just three breaths, the two Loose Cultivators at the Early Golden Core Stage collapsed into dried corpses!

"Retreat!"

Everyone's faces changed greatly as they retreated frantically.

But the range of the token's suction was constantly expanding and had already shrouded the entire clearing!

"Join forces to suppress it! Otherwise, we will all die!"

A young Sword Cultivator from the Heavenly Sword Sect shouted sharply.

At this moment, no one cared about seizing treasures or past grudges.

Staying alive was the top priority.

"Disciples of the Eternal Night Demon Sect, hear my command!"

"Form the Four Symbols Demonic Array to suppress the token's suction!"

White Bone Scholar made a decisive move.

"Yes!"

Poison Lady, Yin Jiuyou, and Blood Slaughterer did not hesitate, each taking a position.

The demonic essence of the four shared the same source, instantly forming a black demonic array. Demonic light soared into the sky, temporarily halting the expansion of the token's suction.

Seeing this, Xiao Ran also flew forward to join the eye of the array.

Although his strength was not equal to the other Demon Sons, his Guixu Demonic Light could simulate and transform, allowing him to barely integrate.

With the five Demon Sons joining forces, the power of the demonic array increased further!

The five from the Heavenly Sword Sect immediately formed a sword array to cooperate, their Sword Qi forming a net to block the suction.

The four women from the Hehuan Sect also deployed a Charm Technique Barrier, while the members of the Loose Cultivators Alliance brought out their Magic Treasures and Talismans.

Nearly thirty Golden Core Cultivators on the scene joined forces, finally managing to temporarily suppress the token's suction within ten zhang of the altar.

But everyone could feel that the token was still getting stronger!

"This won't work!"

"This damn thing is absorbing the energy we're using to resist; the more we suppress it, the stronger it gets!"

Blood Slaughterer said through gritted teeth.

"Someone must approach the altar to collect the token!"

"Senior Brother Bai, your Nether Bone Physique is best at resisting energy devouring..."

Poison Lady said, looking at White Bone Scholar.

White Bone Scholar gave a bitter smile.

"I tried just now. Within five zhang, my Bone Essence begins to drain. This token... specifically counters a Cultivator's Origin."

Everyone's faces looked grim.

Were they to watch helplessly as the token continued to grow stronger until it eventually sucked everyone dry?

"Let me try."

Xiao Ran suddenly spoke up.

Everyone looked toward him.

"Junior Brother Xiao, although your Guixu Demonic Light can devour, the suction of this token..."

White Bone Scholar hesitated to speak.

"Precisely because it can devour, it might be able to counter it."

"Everyone, act as my Protectors. If I cannot hold on, pull me back immediately."

Xiao Ran took a deep breath.

He no longer hesitated, and with a flash of his body, he charged toward the altar.

The closer he got to the altar, the more terrifying the suction became.

At five zhang away, Xiao Ran already felt the demonic essence in his body beginning to grow restless, as if it were about to burst out.

Two zhang.

The Guixu Demonic Light erupted automatically, forming a grey-black Guixu Vortex around him to counter the token's suction!

"It's working!"

Xiao Ran's eyes lit up.

The devouring characteristic of the Guixu Demonic Light could actually resist the token's suction!

Although it was still draining, the speed was much slower.

He gritted his teeth and rushed into the one-zhang range!

"Buzz!"

The token trembled violently as if provoked, and the suction surged!

The Guixu Vortex around Xiao Ran spun frantically, entering a tug-of-war with the suction.

He could feel his demonic essence being consumed at a rapid rate.

But what alarmed him even more was a faint fluctuation of consciousness coming from within the token!

It wasn't intelligence, but more like... some kind of lingering obsession.

"Soul, return..."

Intermittent thoughts flooded into Xiao Ran's mind.

"This token... what is it calling for?"

Xiao Ran endured the discomfort and reached out to grab the token.

The moment his fingertips touched the token.

Boom!

A massive amount of information rushed into his Sea of Consciousness!

A map of the Ancient Battlefield, the coordinates of the Fallen Immortal Platform, and... an ancient sealing method!

"So that's how it is. This token cannot be taken by force; it needs to be suppressed with a specific sealing technique to quell the lingering Devouring Intent within!"

Xiao Ran understood instantly.

Following the method in the information, his hands formed Seals, and the Guixu Demonic Light transformed into Nine Black Chains that wrapped around the token.

"Seal!"

The nine chains tightened simultaneously and sank into the token.

The blood-light on the token's surface gradually dimmed, and the suction began to weaken.

Ten breaths later.

The suction completely vanished.

The token returned to peace, hovering in Xiao Ran's palm and radiating gentle spatial fluctuations.

He had succeeded!

Everyone on the field breathed a sigh of relief.

"Impressive methods, Junior Brother Xiao."

White Bone Scholar's smile was gentle, but a strange look flashed in his eyes.

Poison Lady, Yin Jiuyou, and Blood Slaughterer also looked at Xiao Ran with subtle gazes.

The token was in Xiao Ran's hands.

But since it was only suppressed by the five of them joining forces... its ownership became an issue.

"Senior Brothers and Senior Sister,"

"This token was obtained through the joint efforts of the five of us. According to Sect rules, it should be held by us collectively."

"Once we have collected all nine tokens and opened the Immortal-Demon Burial Ground, the Opportunities found within will be distributed according to our contributions."

Xiao Ran said frankly.

He directly handed the token toward White Bone Scholar.

"Senior Brother Bai has the highest cultivation; shall this token be kept by you for the time being?"

This move caught everyone by surprise.

White Bone Scholar gave Xiao Ran a deep look and did not take the token, but instead laughed.

"Junior Brother Xiao must be joking. You were the one who collected the token, so it rightfully should be kept by you."

"Besides... among the five of us, your Guixu Demonic Light is best at restraining the token's backlash; it is safest in your hands."

Poison Lady also chuckled.

"Senior Brother Bai is right. Junior Brother Xiao, you should just keep it for now."

Yin Jiuyou nodded.

Blood Slaughterer grinned: "I have no objection."

The four Demon Sons were surprisingly unanimous.

It wasn't that they didn't want it, but rather that the situation was subtle.

With the token in Xiao Ran's hands, and Xiao Ran being the weakest, it was actually the safest arrangement.

If any other Demon Son had treacherous intentions, they could be suppressed at any time.

However, if the token were in the hands of any one of the Nascent Soul Demon Sons, it could lead to internal suspicion.

Xiao Ran instantly understood their intentions.

He no longer declined and put away the token: "In that case, I will keep it for now. Once all nine are collected, we will distribute them."

"That is only right."

White Bone Scholar nodded, then looked toward the people from the Heavenly Sword Sect and Hehuan Sect.

"Everyone, the show is over, why haven't you left yet?"

The expression of the young Sword Cultivator from the Heavenly Sword Sect shifted, and he finally gritted his teeth: "Let's go!"

The five Sword Cultivators turned into sword light and fled.

The female Cultivators from the Hehuan Sect gave Xiao Ran a deep look before leading their group away as well.

The members of the Loose Cultivators Alliance had long since fled.

Only the five from the Eternal Night Demon Sect remained in the clearing.

"Now that the token is in hand, what are the plans for next?"

Blood Slaughterer asked.

"Naturally, it is to find the other complete tokens."

"I propose that the five of us temporarily join forces and first head to the Lava Hell to seize the second token."

"As for the other Junior Brothers and Sisters... I have already sent word for them to collect fragments in the outer areas to avoid conflicting with our goals."

White Bone Scholar stood up at this time and looked at everyone.

"Agreed."

Poison Lady nodded.

Yin Jiuyou and Blood Slaughterer also nodded.

Xiao Ran naturally had no objections.

The five reached a consensus and turned into five streaks of light, speeding toward the southeast.

On the way, White Bone Scholar sent a telepathic message to Xiao Ran: "Junior Brother Xiao, that sealing technique just now..."

"It was contained in the residual information within the token; it should be a collection method left by ancient Cultivators."

"I have transcribed it onto a Jade Slip. Would Senior Brother like to take a look?"

Xiao Ran responded frankly.

White Bone Scholar gave him a deep look.

"No need, you should just keep it, Junior Brother."

The two spoke no further.

But both knew clearly in their hearts.

The temporary Alliance was built upon common interests.

Once interests diverged, this fragile Alliance would instantly shatter.

Meanwhile, in the direction of the Lava Hell.

A crimson firelight soared into the sky, echoing the blood-light from Mist Valley from afar.

The second complete fallen immortal token... was also about to emerge!