Taking the Path of Hell

"But how can I do that?" Just as Jian Hong was pondering how to deal with the demon, a sect member was flung far away. Fortunately, some of the demon souls already trapped in the formation were suppressed until the formation dissipated.

"Elder!" Seeing Wu Hao being thrown toward the ruins of the gate, Jian Hong quickly ran forward, shielding the old man with his own body.

Jian Hong allowed his back to hit the gate, injuring himself. He even coughed up blood but was more concerned about Wu Hao, who looked extremely weakened. "Elder, I'll take you back to the sect. Your wounds need to be treated."

When Jian Hong tried to support Wu Hao, the elder refused outright. "If I leave, who will drive them away? As an elder, I will not allow our sect to be destroyed so easily."

"But your strength is almost depleted. Elder, you've used so much of your cultivation power to create that formation. While some of the stronger demons couldn't be sealed, at least their numbers were reduced," Jian Hong said, his voice filled with panic and worry for Wu Hao.

The old man, whose hair was entirely white and face full of wrinkles, was often strict with Jian Hong. Yet without him, Jian Hong knew he wouldn't have reached this point in life.

Even so, Wu Hao insisted on refusing Jian Hong's plea. With Jian Hong's help, Wu Hao stood up again, closing his eyes as he spread his arms wide. A golden light enveloped his body, and an ethereal golden pagoda emerged from his chest.

Seeing this artifact for the first time up close, Jian Hong frowned. "Elder, is this the Divine Golden Pagoda?"

"Yes. I've never encountered anything that required me to summon this before. But given the current situation, it seems I have no choice," Wu Hao said, his gaze fixed forward with hatred at the demons slaughtering sect members with ease.

"The Divine Golden Pagoda consumes far more cultivation energy than the Triangular Soul-Sealing Formation. Elder, in your current state, please don't force yourself."

"I have no choice." Wu Hao paused, looking at Jian Hong with fury etched on his face. "Will you just stand by and let all our sect members die?"

Hearing this, Jian Hong shook his head. He was just as anxious, but solving one problem by creating another wasn't a solution. "Elder, I've been observing their movements during the fight. Based on my observations, I've deduced a few things. We can defeat them without the Divine Golden Pagoda. But I'll need your help."

Wu Hao stared at Jian Hong with doubt. "Do you think your plan is more effective than my Divine Golden Pagoda?"

"I don't know, but we can try," Jian Hong said, his eyes brimming with confidence, hoping Wu Hao would trust him too.

"Fool! Why are you standing here while the others are risking their lives fighting the demons? I know you were born with broken meridians, but do you have to act like a clueless bystander?" The voice came from Han Feng, an 18-year-old with a penchant for extravagant appearances.

Instead of being offended, Jian Hong turned to him. "It's fortunate you're here. I'll need your help."

Hearing this, Han Feng smirked arrogantly, crossing his arms. "Help? If I want to assist the sect, I'll do it alone and become the hero myself."

"I don't care who becomes the hero. What matters is saving the Tian Ba Sect right now. I know you don't like me, but there are still many people in the sect you care about."

---

Jian Hong sprinted with all his might, positioning himself in front of his senior brother, who was nearly struck by a flame demon. "Your opponent is me. You're not allowed to harm my senior, let alone destroy our sect!"

Without hesitation, Jian Hong swung his sword toward the demon's head. However, the demon swiftly dodged and laughed mockingly. "I thought you were dead. So, you really want to die by my hands? Fine, it will be an honor for you."

The demon inhaled deeply before unleashing a wave of flames from its mouth toward Jian Hong. But the young man blocked it with his sword, successfully reflecting the attack. "I may not be able to cultivate, but that doesn't mean I can't defeat my enemies."

Jian Hong leapt and kicked the demon's chest with all his strength, forcing it backward. Feeling humiliated, the demon roared in rage, shaking the surrounding forest and sending birds fleeing from their nests. "A weak human like you dares to challenge me? I'll show you the true power of a demon with a thousand years of cultivation!"

When the demon lunged to attack, Jian Hong instead turned and ran, evading its strikes. The three-meter-tall demon spewed fire across the forest as it pursued him. "Run all you want, weakling! Even if you hide in the smallest crevice, I'll find you!"

"ARGHHH!" the demon roared, spitting fire intermittently. Jian Hong, however, managed to dodge each attack.

Even when the demon rolled fiery boulders toward him, Jian Hong jumped onto a tree, letting the rocks pass underneath. But when he noticed smoke rising from his left arm, he realized the flames had grazed him.

"Damn it! If this continues, the demon will catch me before I reach the spring. I need to do something," Jian Hong muttered.

He quickly cut down a massive tree with his sword, kicking it down onto the demon. Yet, within moments, the tree was consumed by flames.

Feeling regretful, Jian Hong landed softly, watching as more trees and grass caught fire. "Every living thing has a soul, even plants. But I have no other choice. This demon must be eradicated."

"ARGH!" The demon's scream shattered the silence, snapping Jian Hong out of his thoughts. Sect members, despite their injuries, paused briefly upon hearing it.

One of the disciples noticed smoke rising from the forest. "Look at that smoke! Is another demon attacking?"

Before the bull-headed demon could escape the flames engulfing it, Jian Hong ran ahead, leaping from tree to tree toward the spring. "I've used no internal energy. Everything I've done so far relies purely on physical strength. And now, I feel utterly exhausted. But I can't stop until this is over."

Despite his legs feeling weak from endless running, Jian Hong pressed on, slashing through grass and roots that blocked his way. Finally, after several minutes, he reached the edge of a cliff. Before him lay a breathtaking waterfall flowing into a crystal-clear river. No one knew how deep it was, though legend claimed it was formed from the tears of the Rain God's daughter.

He stood for a moment, mesmerized by the serene beauty. "Another sacred place I must defile. Goddess, forgive me for tainting your sanctuary. But I trust you'd understand if you knew my reasons."

The ground soon trembled, accompanied by the thunderous approach of the demon. Turning around, Jian Hong saw its enraged face. "Are you done playing games, weakling?"

"Done?" Jian Hong smirked. "I'm just getting started." With a determined look, he yelled, "Now!"

Suddenly, the wind began blowing gently, slipping through the cracks in the demon's stony body. But after a few seconds, the demon burst into laughter. "Hahaha! Is this your plan? Do you think a breeze can kill me? Foolish boy, next time, learn who you're dealing with."

Unfazed, Jian Hong crossed his arms. "Calm down and feel your body. Then you'll see who truly needs to learn."

The demon's laughter faded as it began to squirm in discomfort. "My body... what's happening? Why does it feel like something is about to burst?"

"It's not about to burst—it's already set to explode."

Moments later, the demon's body detonated, scattering fragments of rock everywhere. Jian Hong would've been hit if not for a protective formation shielding him.

Opening his eyes, Jian Hong saw a young man standing before him, holding a fan in his left hand. A smirk crossed Jian Hong's face. "Thank you, Han Feng."

Han Feng scoffed arrogantly, unfurling his fan and fanning himself. "I wouldn't be a perfect hero if I let any sect member get hurt."

Jian Hong nodded, accustomed to Han Feng's demeanor. But then, a fiery essence emerged from the demon's remains. "How could you do this to me? How could mere wind destroy my thousand-year-old body?"

Han Feng smirked disdainfully. "You think that was just ordinary wind? Well, it was. Actually, I hate to admit this, but while Jian Hong fought you earlier, he planted Sky Thunder Flowers, which explode when exposed to wind currents. What's wrong? Doubting the ingenuity of a Tian Ba hero?"