### Chapter 101: Cave Opportunities (Fourteen)
"An array," the Core Formation nun said, her voice steady despite the tension.
"Of course," a Foundation Establishment cultivator agreed, nodding vigorously. "This cave is laced with arrays. No reason this place would be different. They're blocking our spiritual sense."
"Who can break it?" another Foundation cultivator shouted, hope flickering in his eyes.
Eight cultivators stepped forward—one Foundation, seven Qi Refinement—claiming expertise in array-breaking. Among those remaining, however, stood Yu Xianzi, a cultivator renowned for her 诡异的 (unorthodox) array techniques. She stayed silent, her brows furrowed, lost in thought.
Yu Xianzi had risked coming to Yin Moon Mountain for a single reason: a 玉简 (jade slip) said to be hidden here. Without it, this trip—dangerous enough, given its proximity to the Black Veil Forest—would be for nothing.
The eight array-breakers began their work, forming small arrays and pressing them against the cave walls. But nothing happened. The walls remained 冰冷的 (cold) and unyielding.
Yu Xianzi watched, her frown deepening. She stepped back, placing a palm against the wall, channeling spiritual energy as she murmured array incantations.
The Core Formation nun's gaze snapped to her instantly. Lin Yi followed, both watching in silence. Soon, the others noticed, their eyes fixed on Yu Xianzi.
Moments later, she pulled back, her face pale. A trickle of blood spilled from her lips.
"What happened?" the nun asked, appearing at her side in a flash.
Yu Xianzi shook her head. "I can't break it."
Hearts sank.
"Why?"
"These arrays… they require 魔器 (demon artifacts) to shatter," she said,绝望 edging her voice. In the current cultivation world, demon artifacts were 稀有 (rare) and 禁忌 (taboo). She doubted any of the 139 cultivators here possessed one.
"He has a demon artifact!"
The shout came from Qin, the clan leader, his voice hoarse. He pointed at Lin Yi, his expression 疲惫的 (weary) but 急切的 (urgent).
"You have one?" the nun asked, her eyes narrowing at Lin Yi.
Lin Yi sighed, nodding.
"Use it," she ordered. "Anyone else with a demon artifact—step forward."
Three more cultivators hesitantly stepped up: one Foundation, two Qi Refinement. They clutched their artifacts, clearly reluctant—demon artifacts drew 追杀 (persecution) in the outside world. But survival mattered more now.
Yu Xianzi's gaze lingered on Lin Yi, recognition dawning. *It's him. He's alive… and his cultivation has grown beyond my ability to see.* She, at Qi Refinement Level 6, couldn't gauge his strength—a Qi Refinement Level 8.
Lin Yi considered his options. He had two demon artifacts: the *Purple Demon Gourd* and the shattered *demon dagger* (split into two pieces). Using the dagger would drain him, turning him into a husk like Huo Bin.
No contest.
He summoned the *Purple Demon Gourd*, its runes glowing as he channeled spiritual energy into it. Black mist billowed from its mouth, crashing against the wall. The other three joined him, their artifacts unleashing 魔气 (demonic energy) to batter the same spot.
The others watched, hope rekindling—until half an hour passed, and the wall remained unchanged. Hope dimmed, edging toward despair.
"Check again," the nun told Yu Xianzi.
Yu Xianzi complied, pressing her palm to the wall. The cultivators held their breath.
When she opened her eyes, her expression was 复杂的 (complex).
"Well?" the nun asked, her voice tight.
Yu Xianzi hesitated, then said, "The array… it's weakening. Slowly. But it will hold for hours, maybe days."
A murmur ran through the crowd. Hours? Days? With Yin Demon stirring, they didn't have that kind of time.
Lin Yi gritted his teeth, pouring more spiritual energy into the *Purple Demon Gourd*. The mist thickened, eating away at the wall.
"Keep going," he muttered. "We don't have a choice."
The others joined in, their voices rising in a 杂乱的 (ragged) chorus of encouragement.
But in the back of Lin Yi's mind, a single thought lingered: *What if we're wrong? What if breaking this array unleashes something worse than Yin Demon?*
He pushed the thought aside. There was no turning back.
The battle to escape had only just begun.