Chapter 190: The Old Man in the Formation

Yun Che arrived at the Heavenly Sword Villa's Sword Management Terrace under the cover of the night, his heart pounding with determination. His mission was clear: to find and analyze the Heaven's Might Soul Suppressing Formation for any potential weakness before approaching it, the powerful formation imprisoning his or original Yun Che's grandfather, Yun Canghai. This formation, renowned for its potency, could suppress the profound strength of even a late-stage Sovereign Profound expert to that of an early-stage Emperor Profound. Originally meant as a weakening process and, at the same time, a sealing formation. However, Yun Che's unique profound veins, a gift from a True God and augmented by the system, rendered him immune to its effects.

As he neared the terrace, Yun Che employed his stealth techniques, moving with the grace and silence of a shadow using the cover of the Apple's invisibility function. The Sword Management Terrace was a place of immense significance, housing thousands of flying swords, each waiting for a disciple to prove worthy of its power. These swords, forged by the legendary swordsmith Ma Tsu, were once highly esteemed. However, their reputation had taken a hit when Cang Yue, in her final match of the day, effortlessly sliced through them, exposing their vulnerability.

"These guys really love their flying swords." Yun Che commented on his own as he saw disciples fly above him as they guarded the area with all their might. It's amusing to see them fly above him on top of their swords. A common ability among sword cultivators.

Despite this tarnished legacy, the terrace remained a formidable challenge. Each sword had its own spirit, a will that required mastery to claim. Yun Che moved cautiously, aware that any disturbance could draw unwanted attention. His eyes scanned the area, taking in the array of weapons that seemed to shimmer with latent power but were entirely useless. Cang Yue proved it. She not only defeated their top disciple but also tarnished the reputation of Ma Tsu's swords when she sliced all six of her opponent's swords.

As expected, the place was heavily guarded despite only the villa's acting armoury. It was logical and it was indeed because of the formation under the terrace. Using the Apple's invisibility function, he was able to sneak in by jumping up the gate and the system temporarily disabled its detection formation. The Apple's invisibility function lived up to its name as Yun Che basically walked past the disciples at close range and none of them detected anything. Convenient if he wanted to use it to peep but he is not that kind of guy.

"Why are you here anyway?" Jasmine asked as she flew out of the system in her doll-sized soul form and sat on his shoulder.

"I am going to analyze the Demon Sealing Formation." Yun Che answered.

"Analyze?" Jasmine wondered as he used another advanced word.

"Find out what it is… its weakness and ways to disable it. Come up with some tricks for the future." Yun Che explained.

"You went a lot of trouble for Yun Che's original grandfather," Jasmine asked, raising her eyebrows.

"I am him after all. Not the him 'him'. Besides, an innocent old man is sealed wrongfully aren't I am not letting it slide. The old man just doing his job as his emperor's protector. My 'parents' came to save him and thus give birth to 'me'" He grins. Another part is to map out the place should his grandfather's escape become successful in the future.

His thoughts briefly flickered to 'his' grandfather, a once-mighty figure from the Illusory Demon Realm now subdued by the Heaven's Might Soul Suppressing Formation because of his desire to save the Demon Emperor. The reason his parents came to this continent in the first place. The desire to free Yun Canghai is one of the system's quests, fueling his resolve and unlocking what would happen if he were alive. He knew that understanding the formation was the first step towards his grandfather's liberation.

"You sure are nice. Glad you didn't do things only for women." Jasmine spoke a hint of jealousy in the last part. Despite Yun Che did this for the safety and virtue of his grandfather.

"Certain women. Not all of them. Like you said, wouldn't want any more attention than I already have," Yun Che remarked, his voice tinged with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. He was referring to Xue Ling and Chu Yueli, who were vying to become Mihawk's spouses—or perhaps his own, should he choose to reveal the truth. Brushing aside the women's dilemma, he concentrated on the task at hand. The thought of future entanglements with more women from this world or from his system-induced encounters made him uneasy. Already, he had attracted the affections of four women of his own choosing. Not to mention the affections of his spirits, Little Fairy, Lin Xin, and two unofficial admirers, Xue Ling and Chu Yueli. Xue Ling, a new character in this world, added another layer of complexity to his already convoluted relationships.

As Yun Che drew closer to the heart of the terrace, he could feel the oppressive energy of the Heaven's Might Soul Suppressing Formation. The force was dense and palpable, a true testament to its formidable strength. Yet, thanks to the System's intervention and his True God-modified profound veins, Yun Che remained unaffected.

"There are a lot of swords here," Jasmine observed as they arrived at a chamber filled with swords. The weapons seemed to stand guard, creating an aura of silent vigilance. This was the chamber where disciples came to choose their swords, exerting their willpower to see which blade would respond to them. To Yun Che, it felt like searching for a signal—any sword that connected with them could be claimed as their own.

"Swordsmith Ma Tsu seemed to infuse willpower into the swords," Yun Che commented, his mind reverting to terms from his original world. "Think of them as flying, mindless swords that respond to willpower. They're like drones waiting to connect to their control hub."

Jasmine nodded, understanding the analogy. "So, the disciples need to have a strong enough will to command these swords. Hmph, such trash. Even a low-rank sword in the Realm of the Gods is better than whatever is in here."

"Exactly," Yun Che replied while sweat dropping on her view of the swords, his eyes scanning the array of swords. "Each sword has a spirit, a slumbering consciousness that can only be awakened by a compatible wielder. It's a test of willpower and compatibility."

Ignoring the looming presence of the formation, Yun Che moved with purpose. He approached the nearest sword, extending his will towards it. The sword vibrated slightly, acknowledging his presence but not fully submitting. He moved on, testing each sword's response.

His thoughts briefly wandered back to the women vying for his attention. The complications they brought were a distraction he couldn't afford right now. His focus needed to be on the formation and the task at hand. Freeing his grandfather was his primary goal.

As he continued his search, Yun Che's profound veins pulsed with divine energy, a steady rhythm that kept him grounded. He could sense the formation's power, but it was like a distant hum, unable to penetrate his defenses. His mind was sharp, analyzing the patterns of energy that flowed through the chamber.

"These swords are like drones," Yun Che muttered, his eyes narrowing as he observed the floating swords surrounding him.

"Drones?" Jasmine asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Think of them as controllable flying objects," Yun Che explained with a shrug.

The swords around him seemed to hum in response to his presence, their blades subtly shifting as if sensing his power. Slowly, they began to aim toward him, their sharp tips glinting ominously. Not wanting to risk alerting the entire villa, Yun Che activated a fraction of his Haoshoku No Haki. Instantly, the swords froze in midair, their aggressive intent halted.

If the villa's inhabitants were to witness this, they would be astounded—perhaps even sickened with shock. All the swords, legendary creations of the revered swordsmith Ma Tsu, responding to Yun Che's command as if he were their true master. He could easily disable them, or even destroy them if he wished. But he was not here to provoke a confrontation. His mission was simple: to scan the area and leave without drawing attention.

Yun Che moved with cautious precision, each step measured and deliberate. The swords remained suspended, a testament to his dominance. He could feel the latent power in the air, the suppressed energy of the formation mingling with the restrained will of the swords.

"This place is like a fortress of blades," Jasmine remarked, her voice tinged with awe.

"Yes, and every one of these swords has a spirit, a slumbering will that waits for a worthy wielder, used to protect the formation." Yun Che responded. "But right now, they're under my control."

His eyes flicked over the array of weapons, each one a potential threat neutralized by his sheer presence. With his heightened senses, he began to scan the formation, tracing the intricate patterns of energy that wove through the terrace. The Heaven's Might Soul Suppressing Formation was a masterpiece of profound art, designed to subdue the mightiest of warriors.

As he delved deeper into the analysis, Yun Che's mind remained sharp, his focus unwavering. He noted the convergence points, the energy flows, and the subtle weaknesses that could be exploited. His profound veins pulsed with divine energy, a silent testament to his unique power.

Satisfied with his initial assessment, Yun Che prepared to leave for the formation. He cast a glance at the suspended swords, their gleaming blades a silent chorus of potential violence. With a thought, he released his hold, and the swords resumed their dormant state, hanging silently in the air. He inserted some sort of command to allow the swords to avoid attacking him. Even if he removed his Haki, the swords would follow his implanted command.

As Yun Che opened up the system map, he quickly located the Heaven's Might Soul Suppressing Formation. According to the system, it was situated in a secure underground chamber beneath the terrace, accessible by two routes: a doorway guarded by flying swords, and a heavily guarded public entrance used only during the demon-sealing reinforcement ceremony. This ceremony, a twisted spectacle, allowed the winners of the tournament to view Yun Canghai as if he were a circus beast, further reinforcing the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region's dominance. The people of the Profound Sky Continent had come to see Yun Canghai as a demon with a hoarse voice, though they knew deep down he was just a human being. The formation also included the Heaven's Punishment Sword, a massive blade to which Yun Canghai was bound with Meteorite Chains. The formation was directly tied to his life; if he died, the formation would be nullified.

Sensing the coast was clear, Yun Che began his descent into the underground chamber. He and Jasmine were taken aback by the arena-like setup. The system database detailed how the people from the sacred grounds would renew the seal, treating Yun Canghai like an animal in a cage.

"You were right, they use some kind of formation to force the prisoner out and reseal him again. You weren't kidding about these people treating him like an animal in a cage," Jasmine commented, her tone disgusted.

"You know about this formation?" Yun Che asked, curious about Jasmine's knowledge.

"The Realm of the Gods has stronger formations than this. This is a weak version of it. Too bad I don't have my cultivation. I could easily break it with brute force alone," Jasmine said, her small form standing proudly on his shoulder.

"I see. So, can you figure out how it works? Or do you just use brute force for everything?" Yun Che raised an eyebrow, half teasing.

"What's the use of figuring it out if you can just break it?" Jasmine retorted, holding her nose high.

"Guess you're all brawn then…" Yun Che started, but stopped mid-sentence, fearing her wrath.

The chamber was like a mini arena, filled with an oppressive atmosphere. The Heaven's Punishment Sword loomed in the center, its presence intimidating. Yun Canghai was bound to it with Meteorite Chains, his life force intertwined with the formation.

With a deep breath, Yun Che began his analysis, his mind working swiftly to decipher the intricacies of the formation. He traced the flow of energy, noting the points of convergence and the patterns that held the suppression in place. It was complex, a masterpiece of profound art, but not beyond his understanding. The seal was meant to seal someone, lowering their strength to Emperor Profound Realm and seal them in complete isolation without food and drink.

A barbaric display of power.

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[Ding…. Analyze Complete]

[Heaven's Might Soul Suppressing Formation]

[The Heaven's Might Soul Suppressing Formation is the formation used to seal your 'grandfather' Yun Canghai within Heavenly Sword Villa's Sword Management Terrace. The profound strength of anyone inside would be suppressed to the maximum limit. It was strong enough to suppress a strength of late-stage Sovereign Profound down to early state Emperor Profound.]

[The formation has the life point of two years before the seal is weakened enough for Yun Canghai to recover his strength to Tyrant Profound Realm. The Mighty Heavenly Sword Region will send someone to renew the seal and reinforce it with energy to strengthen the seal. The seal requires energy and each time the seal is reinforced, energy is required to reset the timer of the seal.]

[The formation also includes a huge sword called the Heaven's Punishment Sword. The victim is bound to the sword using Meteorite Chains. The formation is tied to the life of the victim, if the victim dies then the formation will be nullified.]

[PS: You can kill him just like the original story.]

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"Hell no!" Yun Che shouted to the system.

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[Just saying.]

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"I have a plan," Yun Che said with a grin, his eyes gleaming with determination.

Jasmine sighed, knowing all too well what that look meant.

Suddenly, a hoarse voice echoed through the chamber, causing Yun Che and Jasmine to go on high alert. "Who are you…?"

"What the…?" Yun Che glanced around, quickly realizing the voice emanated from the huge sword in the center of the formation. His mind clicked—it was Yun Canghai himself.

"You… you are not one of the usual tormentors. Tell me! Who are you?!" Yun Canghai's hoarse voice demanded.

Revealing his identity was tempting, but Yun Che knew it might ruin the moment. Instead, he decided to play it cool. He shrugged nonchalantly, Jasmine still perched on his shoulder. "I'm just a guy passing through."

"Passing through? Passing through doesn't involve examining the formation with such interest. You don't seem afraid of me at all. Who are you?" The voice demanded more insistently.

"You caught me. Just a curious guy, that's all. How are you able to see and talk to me while being imprisoned?" Yun Che asked, sitting down on the formation floor with a relaxed expression. He remembered from the novel that Yun Canghai could use his profound energy to drag anyone into the formation's world. However, the system had assured him that the formation wasn't strong enough to drag him in. Yet.

There was a pause as Yun Canghai seemed to study Yun Che's calm demeanor. Unlike the usual visitors—brats, cultivators, or elders who came to taunt him—this young man showed no fear or disdain. His calm and patient expression seemed to have a soothing effect on the imprisoned elder.

"You seem to know more than you let on. Why bother asking?" Yun Canghai finally spoke again, his voice less aggressive.

Yun Che leaned back, his eyes thoughtful. "Maybe because I'm looking for answers myself. Maybe because I think you deserve to know that not everyone sees you as a monster."

"Is that so?" Yun Canghai's tone softened slightly, a hint of curiosity seeping through his hoarse voice. "And what do you see?"

"I see a man who's been wronged," Yun Che replied. "A man who deserves justice. I know about the ceremony, the torment, and the lies they've spread about you."

A silence followed, heavy with unspoken emotions. Yun Canghai was silent, absorbing Yun Che's words. His voice, when he spoke again, was filled with a mixture of skepticism and hope. "And you think you can help?"

Yun Che stood up, his resolve clear in his eyes. "I know I can. Just trust me, old man."

There was another pause, and then Yun Canghai's voice came, softer this time. "Trust… that's not something easily given."

"Be that as it may," Yun Che said with a final nod, turning his attention back to the formation. His mind raced with plans. This was just the beginning.

"Curious. I assumed the seal was weakening and it would be at its weakest during the renewal two weeks after the completion of the Heaven Basin Secret Realm. I guess they'll put you on display again," Yun Che mused, recalling the timeline from the novel.

"Is it that time already?" Yun Canghai's voice dripped with sarcasm.

Detecting the sarcasm, Yun Che shot back with his own. "It's been years, old man."

Yun Canghai snorted in amusement. "You don't have the slightest ill intention towards me. Aren't you afraid that I am a demon?"

Yun Che smiled, revealing part of the truth. "You're not actually a real demon, are you? You're like people with large profound energy pools and potential. I've heard about their existence. Why call yourselves demons when you look no different from humans? This world is indeed backward."

There was a moment of silence from Yun Canghai.

"Yo! Gramps! You went quiet all of a sudden. Cat got your tongue?" Yun Che teased, breaking the silence.

Yun Canghai's voice, when it returned, was softer, almost reflective. "Who are you, boy? It is the first time I've met someone here who saw me as a human."

"I can't tell you my name yet. Let's just say we have mutual interests, Gramps. You hate the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region, and I hate those people as well. I plan to destroy them from the inside, taking a deeper approach," Yun Che revealed, his tone steady and sincere. "I'll tell you more when I come to see you again. I am not your enemy, Gramps. Just a person who wants to do the right thing."

Yun Canghai was silent again, absorbing Yun Che's words. His voice, when it came, was laced with a mix of hope and skepticism. "And you believe you can accomplish this?"

"I do," Yun Che replied confidently.

"Why are you telling me all this? Am I part of this grand 'plan' of yours?" Yun Canghai spoke with skepticism, his voice tinged with suspicion.

Yun Che smiled, his expression serene. "Most probably. Well, gramps, let's just say we have the same goal: taking down the sacred ground together, the ones who buried you in this place."

"Are you someone they sent to let my guard down? If you are…" Yun Canghai started to voice his doubts, but Yun Che quickly interjected.

"Families with these people? As if…" He paused. "Believe me all you want. I'm just here to figure the formation out," Yun Che replied calmly.

As he delved deeper into the intricacies of the formation, Yun Che's confidence grew. He could see the weaknesses, the subtle flaws that could be exploited. The formation was formidable, but it was not infallible. And with his unique abilities, Yun Che knew he had the advantage.

With the initial analysis complete, Yun Che stepped back, a plan forming in his mind. The one thing he knew was that the formation was sturdy and could only be broken from the inside. Moreover, the formation had a time limit of two years, and the system couldn't break it. But that wasn't his only option.

Yun Che finished his analysis of the formation and was about to leave when Yun Canghai's voice stopped him again. "Are you going to come here again?"

"Why? I finished looking over this thing," Yun Che replied, turning back.

Yun Che felt a pang of sympathy for the elder. Despite his formidable appearance, Yun Canghai was just a man, imprisoned and forgotten by the world. "I'll come back," Yun Che promised, his voice sincere. "We have a lot to talk about, and I'm not leaving you alone in this place."

"Hmph… I have been alone for most of my life. This is the first time I've talked to someone who is not taunting me or afraid of me. You're amusing, boy," Yun Canghai spoke with an amused tone, a hint of warmth creeping into his voice.

"You're just another human to me, gramps. Why should I be afraid?" Yun Che replied, turning to leave. Suddenly, a spectral hand materialized and lunged toward him.

"Look out!" Jasmine warned. His Haki senses immediately picked up the threat, and Yun Che activated his flash step, dodging it entirely.

"Hey, what gives?!" Yun Che shouted, bewildered. Even Jasmine was shocked, seeing the spectral arm form behind them. It was instant, and without his Haki, they would surely have fallen into its trap.

"Impressive…" Yun Canghai spoke, directing his spectral hand to chase Yun Che. But Yun Che's speed was no joke. More spectral arms burst forth, but Yun Che avoided them with ease, using his flash step. He noticed the arms were sluggish, likely due to the immense mental power required to manipulate them while being bound in the prison.

Yun Che flash-stepped far away from the center of the formation, observing that the arms couldn't reach a certain distance. "Your speed is astonishing. Even my spectral arm can't catch you. Who and what are you, boy?" Yun Canghai asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and respect.

Yun Che smiled, catching his breath. "Just someone who knows how to stay out of trouble, old man. Let's just say I've had some unique training."

Yun Canghai's spectral arms retracted, and he sighed, the sound echoing within the chamber. "I had to test you. Trust is hard to come by in this place. But your skills… they are something else."

"No hard feelings, Gramps. I get it," Yun Che replied, his tone understanding.

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[Ding… Bloodline Skill detected within the host's bloodline.]

[The arm's strength is only at the Early Stages of Emperor Profound Realm.]

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Yun Che widened his eyes, witnessing the skill that marked the greatness of the clan known in the novel—the clan destined to carry the Mirror of Samsara. The skill unique to the great Yun Clan, his original clan: the Profound Handle.

"System, can I unlock it?" Yun Che asked, his voice tinged with excitement and anticipation.

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[Unlocking the Profound Handle requires access to your body's ancestral heritage and profound veins. As the original Yun Che's body is a descendant of the Yun Clan, it is within your potential. Initiating analysis and synchronization process.]

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"There are even things you can't do?" Yun Che questioned.

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[It is very clear from the beginning. The system has authority over your soul which can be manipulated into supporting divine powers. Your body is the natural of this world. You needed an experienced Yun Family member to unlock it. Then, the system has the authority to manipulate it for you. Just like the Heretic God Blood. The system can't grant you that blood, but it can manipulate that blood into its suiting once it has been granted to you.]

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"I see," Yun Che nodded, realizing he needed Yun Canghai's insights after all. Gazing at the intimidating spectral arms, he couldn't help but wonder, "How are you able to manifest your power while being sealed?"

"It is my speciality, boy. There's no need for you to know," Yun Canghai tried to brush off the question, but it was already clear to Yun Che.

"A power to manifest a spectral force that cannot be stolen or cultivated without the required bloodline. Let me guess, a bloodline skill exclusive to your clan?" Yun Che spoke with confidence.

Yun Canghai fell silent, confirming Yun Che's suspicions before admitting, "You are indeed smart."

"The seal only suppresses Profound Energy, but you can manifest a bloodline skill. It's impressive. If one isn't careful, you could drag anyone into that seal of yours," Yun Che remarked, recalling the moment when Yun Canghai had manifested his bloodline skill and dragged Xia Yuanba into the seal.

"You seem to know about this skill," Yun Canghai spoke with a wary tone. The fact that this brat knew about the skill exclusive to his clan was unsettling. This knowledge must never leave this place, or it could pose potential dangers.

"Let's just say I know more," Yun Che provoked, a smirk playing on his lips.

"I guess I can't let you live with this knowledge," Yun Canghai declared, launching another attack at Yun Che. But this time, Yun Che was much more prepared. With a smirk of his own, he shouted as he concentrated, locking onto each of the spectral arms with precision.

"Ketsu!" Yun Che shouted, conjuring multiple blue cube barriers at the key points of the arms.

"Metsu!" With a command, he activated their destruction mode, and the barriers disintegrated into nothingness, destroying the profound arms as Yun Che obliterated everything within the barrier. Yun Canghai could hardly believe that his legendary profound skill was easily defeated by Yun Che's mysterious blue barriers.

"This…" Yun Canghai's disbelief was palpable as he watched Yun Che effortlessly vaporize his arms.

"You're not the only one with a bag of tricks, old man," Yun Che taunted, manifesting cube barriers around him with a flourish.

"Your strength is only at the Peak of the True Profound Realm! How!?" Yun Canghai shouted, clearly underestimating Yun Che.

"I cheated. Hiding my skills is necessary to make someone play along," Yun Che grinned, his confidence unwavering.

"Let's see how much bluff you can use!" Yun Canghai navigated his spectral arms to try to grab Yun Che, but the latter simply used his barriers to block them. Conjuring barriers to block and slice the spectral arms, Yun Che frustrated Yun Canghai with his deft movements and precise strikes. Yun Canghai produced more and more arms, but Yun Che decapitated them with his barriers and even vaporized them. Despite only using spectral arms, Yun Canghai's strength was impressive, but Yun Che was more than a match for him.

Yun Che jumped with his flash steps, sealing himself within his own barrier and began mowing down the arms Yun Canghai produced to beat him. In the end, using his destruction barriers, he cornered Yun Canghai to the point where he couldn't manifest arms without being destroyed by Yun Che.

"I can do this all day, old man," Yun Che taunted before destroying another one of Yun Canghai's arms. "How long can you keep this up? You'll be tired, and the formation is going to hurt you even more."

"Are you here to mock me?" Yun Canghai spat, his voice dripping with bitterness.

"No, as I said before, we have similar interests, old man. I wish to help you so you can help me in return," Yun Che responded, his tone calm and resolute.

"What makes you think I would simply agree to your wish?" Yun Canghai spat again, suspicion lacing his words.

"Believe me or not, that's on you. I wish to help you, old man. Take it or leave it," Yun Che countered, his expression unyielding.

"Why me, boy? Why do you seek me? You won't release me without some kind of repayment," Yun Canghai spoke, doubt evident in his tone.

"Let's just say, we're connected. That's all," Yun Che grinned, the mystery in his words deepening.

Hearing this, Yun Canghai retracted his profound arms before speaking again. "I have no choice but to trust you. I'll be waiting. However, if I sense any ill intention from you, don't blame me for what will happen."

"I'll count on it," Yun Che replied, releasing all his barriers. The tension in the air eased slightly as the spectral arms disappeared. With it,

"You don't seem to be scared," Jasmine remarked, watching him with a mixture of curiosity and admiration.

"After facing Wrath, nothing fazes me anymore. Except for Divine Cultivators," Yun Che replied simply, his eyes reflecting a steely determination.

As Yun Che turned to leave, he couldn't help but feel a strange sense of accomplishment. He had not only confronted a formidable adversary but also gained a tentative ally in Yun Canghai. The path ahead was fraught with danger, but with every step, Yun Che was closer to achieving his goals.

"Until next time, old man," Yun Che muttered under his breath, his mind already racing with plans for their next encounter.

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"You could just tell him that you're his grandson and be done with it," Jasmine said skeptically.

"I could, but there are situations I need to consider. One, if I show him the Mirror of Samsara, he will think that I stole it from his clan and accuse me of theft. Two, if I told him the truth, he would need proof like a blood paternity test to ensure I came from his bloodline, which would require his blood to be tested. Trust me, telling him directly will do more harm than good," Yun Che explained.

"How are you planning to meet him again? You've seen the formation," Jasmine said, as the system displayed its analysis of the formation.

Yun Che nodded, thinking it through. "The formation is quite solid. It needs to be breached, but the system recommends getting around it from the inside. That means I still have to enter the formation to break it. The system finished analyzing the formation from the outside; now I need to get inside and analyze it from within. Moreover, brute force isn't recommended as the formation is tied to his life. If you had your strength and destroyed it, it would kill him."

"You could just revive him," Jasmine suggested.

"His body would stay in that pocket dimension. Plus, killing him would leave a bad taste in my mouth. I have a plan. You'll see." Yun Che grinned, determined not to let Yun Canghai sacrifice himself to set him free, as happened in the original novel. He had plans to counter this. For now, he had completed his mission and decided to focus on the upcoming day off.

As they walked away from the formation, Jasmine looked at him with curiosity. "What's the plan?"

Yun Che smirked. "For now, we wait and prepare. The opportunity will present itself during the Demon Sealing Ceremony a week after the exploration of Heaven Basin Secret Realm. Until then, we gather strength and information. When the time comes, we'll strike."

Jasmine nodded, a rare look of approval in her eyes before she went back into the inner world. "Just don't get yourself killed before then."

"Don't worry, I've got too much to live for," Yun Che replied, his mind already racing with the possibilities of what was to come. Tomorrow was a day off earned from today's victory, a brief respite before the storm.

And Yun Che intended to make the most of it.