Shen Xuan smiled faintly.

"Very well, I will give Brother Cui Yun this face, let’s settle it like that. However, breaking the array restriction will still require paying Immortal Ling’Er a Blood Demon Pill."

"Additionally, if the danger becomes too great, we reserve the right to withdraw."

After Shen Xuan stated this, the four Demon Lords breathed a sigh of relief.

Facing Shen Xuan, they felt immense pressure.

Demon Lord Cui Yun nodded and said, "That is how it should be. We’ve agreed then."

The group observed for a while.

The defense array of the ruins was incomplete and broken.

Mu Ling’Er and Immortal Yun Shang worked together and quickly opened up a path.

The six of them kept their distance and slowly entered.

At this time, Demon Lord Cui Yun released a Demon Beast, entirely crimson, resembling a field mouse, which swiftly burrowed into the ground ahead.

"Fellow Daoists, do not be alarmed. This is a Blood Spirit Rat; it doesn’t have much skill and is only used for pathfinding and reconnaissance."

"Brother Cui Yun is being modest. If Profound Ice is not mistaken, the Blood Spirit Rat already has a Demon Core and is a solid Tier Three Demon Beast."

"Hehe, this little creature was lucky and managed a breakthrough by chance."

Demon Lord Cui Yun was quite pleased with himself.

Even among Holy Pill Demon Lords, it’s rare to possess a Tier Three demon pet.

It seems Demon Lord Cui Yun indeed does not wish to make an enemy of Shen Xuan.

Otherwise, there would be no need to reveal the Blood Spirit Rat.

After all, Mu Ling’Er’s array skills are of great use to them in exploring the Five Heavens Demon Sect ruins.

And as for Shen Xuan himself, his strength was formidable, and they were not confident in defeating him.

If it truly came to a fight, it would likely result in mutual destruction and a pyrrhic victory, not worth the cost.

Ultimately, strength is respected.

Temporary cooperation aligns with both parties’ interests.

Unless the treasure and opportunities are of immense value, worthy of risking their lives.

"Four Demon Lords, from four different sects, how did they come together?" 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"Was such a formation purely coincidental?"

Shen Xuan pondered privately.

Demon Lord Cui Yun directed the other three, and it seemed not merely a matter of strength suppression.

Shen Xuan had a vague suspicion.

"Never mind. As long as they play by the rules, I’ll just remain indifferent."

Along the way, Mu Ling’Er and Immortal Yun Shang detected array energies, choosing the safest path, and things went smoothly.

As they were nearing an ancient building, the Blood Spirit Rat chirped and returned.

After communicating with the Blood Spirit Rat, Demon Lord Cui Yun’s expression grew solemn.

"Everyone, this building is the Black Demon Heaven’s refining site of the Five Heavens Demon Sect. Black Demon Heaven enjoys killing, and it contains Blood Crystal Stones."

These words brought looks of delight to Demon Lord Withered Wood, Demon Lord Boundless, and Immortal Yun Shang.

Blood Crystal Stones require large amounts of high-tier essence blood to refine, serving as rare Demon Treasures for Demon Cultivators to improve cultivation, refine Demon Soldiers, and employ secret techniques.

The Blood Crystal Stones here have existed for tens of thousands of years and were refined by the ancient Demon Sect, Five Heavens Demon Sect.

Their value, needless to say, is considerable.

"Don’t get too excited yet. Though there are Blood Crystal Stones inside, there are also extremely vicious creatures guarding them."

Demon Lord Cui Yun explained.

It turns out there is a trickling blood creek within the building.

Numerous Blood Crystal Stones are congealed at the bottom of the blood creek.

An array is set outside the blood creek.

What’s more terrifying is that within the blood creek lives a terrifying creature with a beast’s head and a snake’s body, with four wings on its back, capable of ignoring the killing array and entering and exiting at will.

The Blood Spirit Rat glanced from afar and was so frightened it ran back.

In other words, this four-winged creature is at least Tier Three, more than enough to suppress the Blood Spirit Rat.

Upon hearing Demon Lord Cui Yun’s words, Shen Xuan’s heart was stirred.

He remembered reading about a type of vicious creature in an ancient book that matched Demon Lord Cui Yun’s description very closely.

Shen Xuan asked, "Fellow Daoist Cui Yun, how many of these four-winged creatures are inside?"

Demon Lord Cui Yun shook his head, "It dared not get close. However, the four-winged creatures must number quite a bit, given they have survived in the blood creek for so many years to reproduce."

"Let everyone discuss it. Should we investigate another building, or take the risk to go forward?"

Demon Lord Boundless was the first to speak, "How can a meager few Tier Three vicious creatures cause us to abandon such an opportunity! I, Boundless, am willing to lead."

Demon Lord Withered Wood tersely said, "I am willing to go along with Fellow Daoist Boundless."

The two of them, their strength far from matching Demon Lord Cui Yun and Shen Xuan.

Also lacking understanding of arrays.

They could be considered pure fighters.

If they dare not face even the four-winged creatures.

Then they’d hold little worth in this team.

Demon Lord Cui Yun looked solemnly at Shen Xuan.

This was the most crucial partner he needed.

"As per our agreement, the Blood Crystal Stones will be yours. We will take care of those four-winged creatures."

Upon hearing this, Demon Lord Cui Yun immediately agreed.

"That’s how it should be."

Shen Xuan gestured to Mu Ling’Er.

The Nine Palace Array Flag flew out, swirling around the ancient building several times, and ultimately pointed out three array nodes.

"This ancient array is incomplete, with numerous traps inside. I suggest destroying the ancient hall directly. After all, you only need the Blood Crystal Stones inside."

Demon Lord Cui Yun and the other three discussed for a while and accepted Mu Ling’Er’s suggestion.

This time, they were quite cautious.

Demon Lord Withered Wood and Demon Lord Boundless each summoned a White Bone Shield and a Demon Shield to cover themselves.

Then, they unleashed their best strikes with the Bloodthirsty Bone Nails and Netherworld Sound Demon Sword, heavily attacking the three array nodes designated by Mu Ling’Er.

"Boom!"

This ancient hall was even more fragile than expected, collapsing with a mighty crash.

Soon after, a blue cloud sprang forth from within.

Upon closer inspection, it was a dense swarm of four-winged creatures, beast-headed and snake-bodied, with sharp mouthparts.

Leading a pair of these vicious creatures, each a foot long, emitted Tier Three Middle Grade demonic energy.

Following behind were tens of thousands of offspring, about an inch long each.

Among them, there were even some Tier Two demonic insects.