Cultivating Disciples to Breakthrough

”What- Die!”

Whoosh~

Faced with the sudden attack from the shadowy demon beast the second they stepped through the illusory barrier; one of the four Land Creation Realm cultivators wasted no time in launching an attack in response to the ambush. Intending to take the opportunity to take down the already injured shadowy demon beast before it had the chance to escape again. Hoping to also potentially use the opportunity to claim the body of the shadowy demon beast for himself in the process before making a quick escape from the ancient alchemy sect ruins.

Even if this was something that would end up costing him a precious trump card he had been saving for a life and death situation, it would be worth it considering he might be able to break through to the Middle Stage of the Land Creation Realm with the help of the dead body of the Land Creation Realm shadowy demon beast...

BANG!

”Huh?”

But as his attack landed on the shadowy demon beast that should have been easily defeated in its already injured state, he felt the distinct feeling of slamming headfirst into an immoveable object, as his powerful fist carrying with it the might of his entire cultivation base seemingly fizzled out. Disappearing into thin air, as what he had perceived to be the weakened shadowy demon beast came barreling towards him with unstoppable momentum.

This... This is not the shadowy demon beast from earlier!

Only when the unstoppable shadowy demon beast was about to slam into him for a second time did he realize that the shadowy demon beast in question wasn’t the same as the shadowy demon beast he had been chasing. Instead, it had an illusory quality to it that made it slightly transparent-

BAAANG-!

However, the realization was far too late, as the illusory shadowy demon beast slammed into him for a second time. Directly knocking him flying past the other three who had just been about to rush forward like he had done, flying straight past them and out of the space behind the illusory barrier before disappearing into the distance.

From a simple glance, it was clear that the illusory shadowy beast had hit him with a far greater force than before... And though it wasn’t lethal, it wasn’t exactly something that could easily be brushed off by the Land Creation Realm cultivator, as he was sent flying into the distance from the impact.

”That... An illusory clone?”

”Yes... And a powerful one created by the ancient formation guarding this place. Hmmm... That shadowy demon beast should have once entered this place in the past and somehow gained this ancient formation’s protection. Now in danger, it clearly wants to rely on it to protect itself.”

”How troublesome...”

Seeing the tragic fate of their temporary companion, the remaining three quickly analyzed the current situation. Not taking long to realize what had happened and what the illusory shadowy demon beast in front of them was.

Even then, it didn’t do much when it came to dealing with the illusory shadowy demon beast in question, as it still clearly had the power of someone in the Land Creation Realm while at the same time also carrying the protection of the ancient formation that guarded this place. Allowing its defensive capabilities to far exceed that of the Early Stage of the Land Creation Realm.

The only real way for them to deal with this situation was to either dismantle the ancient formation keep the illusory demon beast intact or wait for it to run out of spiritual qi to sustain the illusory demon beast, both of which were impossible for them to accomplish in the short term, something that would give the shadowy demon beast more than enough time to secretly slip away in case it had another secret passage to this place.

For now, the traces of the shadowy demon beast remained clear and easy to trace, but given another minute or so, they would completely lose these traces that had unintentionally been left behind. Making it close to impossible to find such a powerful demon beast inside such a massive ancient ruin. Especially considering that the demon beast in question was proficient in the Dao of Shadows and would undoubtedly be far better at hiding itself compared to other demon beasts.

”Haaa... I will hold this illusory construct, you two go after the shadowy demon beast.” Surprisingly, as the group of three were contemplating what to do, one of the three decided to step forward and willingly volunteer to hold back the illusory construct while the other two continued chasing after the injured shadowy demon beast.

”Huh? You!? Hold it back!?”

”What are you planning...?”

Unsurprisingly, this wasn’t met with immediate approval and happiness from the other two, but instead with suspicion. After all, holding back the illusory construct would mean giving up on the shadowy demon beast.

If they were companions and old friends that would be fine, but... They were enemies and had been trying to kill each other for thousands of years!

For someone to suddenly show this kind of initiative and apparent kindness? There had to be something they hadn’t noticed, or the other party was planning something that most likely involved attempting to get rid of the two of them.

Whoosh-! Bang!

”Go! Or you won’t get a chance to catch it!”

However, instead of answering their questions, he instead rushed forward and began clashing with the Land Creation Realm Illusory Construct of the Shadowy Demon Beast. Making his intention clear and leaving the choice of what to do next in their hands.

””...””

Whoosh-!

Whoosh-!

And after only a quick glance filled with suspicion, the two set off in the direction that the shadowy demon beast had fled in.

Even if they were suspicious and understood that this old enemy of theirs was likely planning something, they couldn’t simply give up on the shadowy demon beast after seeing how he had already stepped forward to clash with the Land Creation Realm Illusory Construct.