Accidentally invincible!

At this moment.

Fang Jiuzhen gazed at the sky, where intricate array patterns were forming every moment.

"Hmm, these array patterns are quite impressive. There's something intriguing about them. What's it called again… Huh, why have I never seen this before?"

"My startled expression makes me feel like I'm some country bumpkin who's never seen the world."

For Fang Jiuzhen, he wanted to maintain the appearance of someone well-traveled, but reality was cruel—pretending wouldn't work because he truly hadn't seen this before.

Ever since Lin Fan acquired the Array Formation Skill mastery, he hadn't had much occasion to use it.

Now, experimenting with the Nine Heavens Immortal Sect felt immensely satisfying.

One array after another was laid down.

They were all Slaughter Arrays.

Anyone who dared to approach would undoubtedly end up with no way back, dying without a grave, regretting it immensely, and vowing never to be so arrogant again. Who would've thought that such a small Immortal Sect could be so perilous? The heavens are unfair!

He laid down 999 arrays, scattering a million Spirit Stones, embedding them in the Array Eyes. Immediately, a dense wave of Spirit Stone energy emanated, activating all the arrays.

Why not lay down an even thousand?

He just wanted to irk those with obsessive-compulsive tendencies.

"Whew!"

A perfect masterpiece.

Right now, his Artifact Refining Technique was only at a minor achievement level, which he found regrettable. If he were at mastery and combined it with his array formations, even refining Dao Artifacts wouldn't be an issue. Looks like he ought to find some overly arrogant Artifact Refining masters to challenge for fun.

As for learning artifact refining himself, it seemed a bit troublesome.

Artifact refining isn't simple. Unlike cultivation, it requires a certain level of comprehension, time, and effort; otherwise, one could never become a master.

He didn't linger long at the Nine Heavens Immortal Sect. After briefing his master on some matters, he departed, heading toward the Sect Leader.

As for how the Demon Clan's passageway opened and its pattern, it remained unclear.

However, the likelihood was high that it would open at one of the Demon and Magical Clan's territories.

After all, those areas were the weakest in strength.

So many great powers had been drawn into ascension by the mysterious demons in the Forbidden Land—it was quite unfortunate.

Based on that incident, Lin Fan speculated that the ancient demon couldn't afford to act excessively. Otherwise, it wouldn't just be ascension but outright slaughter of everyone in the Forbidden Land.

There surely had to be something holding it back.

When he reached the Sect Leader, the latter was still hovering in the air, motionless, as if lost in thought about something.

"Sect Leader, how's the situation?" Lin Fan asked.

The Sect Leader replied, "Nothing's happened. The passageway hasn't appeared. Seems the demons aren't coming. We should return."

Lin Fan scanned the surroundings with a peculiar gaze. Earlier, he clearly felt powerful fluctuations of demonic qi—how had things gone completely silent during his short trip to the Nine Heavens Immortal Sect?

Moreover, he noticed a faint trace of a strong presence lingering in the air.

It felt as if someone had been here but had quickly left.

He didn't inquire further and leisurely remarked, "Such a pity; I thought a glorious battle was about to unfold. Since that's not the case, let's head back then."

Upon returning to the Taiwu Immortal Sect.

Xi Xi curiously asked, "Junior Brother, did something happen?"

A group of people gathered around. Though the mountain peak didn't have many disciples, those present were all trustworthy—except for Little Sun.

"Nothing happened," Lin Fan replied while stroking the White Fox's fur. "It's just that demons seem to be preparing to emerge from the Northern Desolation. Anyway, I went with the Sect Leader to investigate, and there's been a slight change in events."

"You all should stay within the sect and avoid going out for the time being."

Afterward, he left Taiwu Immortal Sect to survey the situation in the Demon Path territory.

Several days later.

He appeared above a passageway, surrounded by demonic qi. The environment here had undergone noticeable changes; plants infected by the demonic qi gradually became demonized.

"Sigh! Let's go chat with that old fellow first and see if the bet will proceed or not."

Lin Fan landed below and summoned the Mixed Element Golden Gourd. The gourd expanded, and he leapt onto it. In a flash, with a whoosh, a streak of golden light streaked past, its speed so fast that it was imperceptible to the naked eye.

Inside the passageway, numerous demons existed. When they sensed the aura, they hadn't even had time to express their horror before disintegrating, turning into ash and vanishing into the air.

Some demon superpowers sensed the aura. It was strong. Their expressions betrayed amazement—someone had dared to charge into the passageway alone.

Audacious beyond belief.

However, very soon.

They realized this aura wasn't directed at them but vanished swiftly toward the Northern Desolation, as if heading somewhere.

"Hmph, reckless fool. Now that the demons in the Northern Desolation are mobilizing for war, let's see what tricks he has up his sleeve," sneered a human-faced centipede at the True Immortal Realm.

It didn't take Lin Fan seriously.

It wasn't that he was unwilling to trouble Lin Fan. It was that the aura emanating from Lin Fan indicated someone immensely powerful—someone whose strength far surpassed his own.

Best to wait and watch.

In the Northern Desolation.

Lin Fan sat atop the Mixed Element Golden Gourd, surveying the vast world in all directions. Compared to his last visit, the Northern Desolation had undergone significant changes. The dense demonic qi here could nearly blind a person.

Ordinary cultivators, without adequate training, would likely fall victim to corruption by the demonic qi if they ventured here.

"Senior, come out and talk. Surely there must be an explanation," Lin Fan said.

He was certain that the ancient demon had been aware of his arrival the moment he stepped into the Northern Desolation territory.

Though demons weren't humans.

They couldn't simply behave excessively either. A deal was a deal; the two sides had made a bet, but now, before the matter was resolved, demons were preparing for war—that seemed a bit much.

Suddenly.

The surroundings began to shift.

Lin Fan knew the ancient demon had appeared, but he remained calm and unperturbed, saying nonchalantly, "Senior, twenty years haven't passed yet, but demons are already leaving the Northern Desolation to wage war against the cultivators of the Immortal Realm. Isn't that rather improper?"

The ancient demon replied, "This matter is beyond my authority. It is an inevitability dictated by the cycles of the Great Dao. Not even I can prevent it. If you came looking for me to discuss this matter, I'm afraid I won't be of any help."

"Senior must be joking. Your existence is surely ancient. Even demons would heed your orders. Why not intervene?" Lin Fan suggested.

If war were to break out, it would lead to widespread destruction.

Whether the Demon Path and Demon Clan lived or died was of no concern to him.

But the Human Clan would undoubtedly suffer, especially the mortals.

The ancient demon felt that this young man from the Human Clan credited him far too highly. If his words truly carried such weight, he would have long since been crowned Demon Lord.

Even the Four Emperors of Demons hadn't managed to gain control over all demons.

In the current situation.

It was merely the deep hatred demons held for the cultivators of the Immortal Realm, determined to reclaim their territories.

The ancient demon said, "It's useless. Demons will not obey anyone's commands. I've been absent for too long—no one knows who I am anymore. But you can rest assured that demons' return to the Immortal Realm isn't about destruction. They merely wish to occupy one territory, that's all."

"Besides, haven't you said yourself: all beings can be redeemed. If you truly believe your words, then you ought to redeem these demons."

"Peaceful coexistence isn't impossible, right?"

Lin Fan stared at the ancient demon in a daze, finding him quite amusing. The demon was deftly turning the tables on him.

Impossible?

Daring to say such things with a straight face.

If it were so easy, there wouldn't even be a need for him to step in.

"Senior, you can't say that. Redemption takes time," Lin Fan argued.

Not wanting to continue this topic with Lin Fan, the ancient demon casually changed the subject.

"What about the baby girl? Do you feel it's impossible to redeem her?"

Lin Fan chuckled and replied, "Senior, you must be joking. I meant every word I said—she's living happily now, bonding with my senior brothers and disciples, particularly with my own apprentice. She's learned to regard others as friends and family."

The ancient demon responded with a silent smile, clearly skeptical of Lin Fan's claims.

He simply assumed Lin Fan was concealing the truth.

After all, a manifestation of pure demonic qi—the essence of resentment, fury, and aggression—couldn't possibly develop such sentiments.

"Enough. With the matter of demons, I'm afraid I can't help. Everything is predestined. You and I are nothing more than pieces in heaven's grand game. Neither of us has achieved immortality—what use is talking about controlling our fate?"

"Let's part ways here. Perhaps we shall meet again in nineteen years."

Before Lin Fan could respond.

The surroundings shifted entirely.

"Sigh! We didn't even finish the conversation. Seems he's still avoiding the matter, hoping it stirs up something significant—anticipating the demons migrating from the Northern Desolation into the Immortal Realm."

Lin Fan saw through the demon's intentions.

The ancient demon's words masked curiosity; deep down, even he was eager for this outcome.

Suddenly.

Lin Fan's gaze swept the horizon. Boundless demonic qi surged from afar, accompanied by deep, resounding roars.

Bang!

Bang!

Countless colossal figures emerged, blotting out the sky, resembling towering mountains that blocked paths in all directions.

These were terrifying demons.

Though not at the True Immortal level.

They were considered formidable within demon ranks.

Lin Fan calmly observed them—were these demons delivering themselves as a gift?

Knowing he had come to the Northern Desolation in vain, and obviously dissatisfied, were they voluntarily showing up for him to ruthlessly suppress, dropping some loot as an expression of their "heartfelt generosity?"

"Well played."

Lin Fan's face broke into a grin.

At that moment, however, a passageway opened behind him, and he heard the ancient demon's voice.

"Friend, this is the Northern Desolation. If you take action against the demons here, I cannot stand idly by. Out of respect for me, please leave. Outside this realm, whatever happens is none of my concern."

The ancient demon naturally understood Lin Fan's true strength. As for the demons surrounding him now, they were merely throwing their lives away.

He called Lin Fan "friend" politely, but had battle broken out, he doubted he could handle Lin Fan's full force.

"Alright, since Senior insists, I'll grant you this favor." Lin Fan smiled, then turned to the demons. "Looks like your luck is good. But once you enter the Immortal Realm, you're destined for a dead end."

Without further comment, he stepped into the passageway.

Empty-handed this time.

But he realized this situation was now irreversible, and he couldn't shake the feeling that during the brief time he visited the Nine Heavens Immortal Sect, the Sect Leader might have met someone—though the identity remained unclear.