### Chapter 102: Cave Opportunities (Fifteen)
Yu Xianzi's face paled further, cold sweat beading on her forehead. Probing the array like this drained her spiritual energy and vitality. She nodded weakly, too exhausted to speak, then stumbled back and collapsed onto the ground, unwilling to move another step.
Encouraged by her confirmation, the Core Formation nun said sharply, "Keep breaking the array."
The others exhaled, hope flickering back to life. But for Lin Yi and the three others wielding demon artifacts, it was a grueling ordeal.
Lin Yi's spiritual energy was already 耗损 (depleted) by 40-50%. The *Purple Demon Gourd* devoured energy greedily—at this rate, he'd be drained long before the array shattered.
*I have to risk it*, he thought. *Survival first, secrets later.*
"Senior," he called, halting the gourd's attack.
The nun's eyes narrowed, instantly on guard. If he dared stop now…
Lin Yi hurried to explain, "I have another demon artifact. It might help more—if you wield it."
Her curiosity piqued, she relaxed slightly. "What artifact?"
Murmurs erupted. One cultivator with a demon artifact was shocking enough; two made him seem suspicious. *Was he trying to become a demon?*
Lin Yi ignored the stares. He tossed the broken *demon dagger* to her.
She examined it, frowning. "Why is it missing a piece?"
Lin Yi threw her the shard he'd taken from the middle-aged cultivator.
Catching it, she sighed. "Pity I know nothing of 炼器 (artifact refining). If I could repair this, its power would make breaking the array trivial."
Lin Yi's last hope fizzled.
"Use the shard," she told Qin, tossing it to him.
Qin grimaced. He regretted outing Lin Yi now—this Core Formation expert was 紧盯 (fixated) on him. But he dared not refuse, channeling spiritual energy into the shard.
*Fool*, Lin Yi thought coldly. Qin still clung to the idea of stealing the sentient pill later.
The nun, undaunted, wielded the broken dagger herself. Spiritual energy surged into it, wild and 难以控制 (unruly). Her face flushed, sweat dripping—even a Core Formation cultivator struggled to master it.
Black mist billowed from the dagger, swirling like a 活物 (living thing). The others watched, awe-struck. A demon artifact that strained a Core Formation expert… its full power must be terrifying.
*Whoosh!*
The dagger shot forward, slamming into the wall.
"Impressive," Lin Yi murmured. A Core Formation cultivator's energy could 支撑 (sustain) the dagger's hunger, unlike Qi Refinement or even Foundation Establishment.
*Boom!*
The passage shook. Dirt cascaded from the walls, and ripples扭曲 the air—the array was 摇摇欲坠 (teetering).
"Hurry!" the nun shouted, her voice tight.
Qin hurled the shard. Lin Yi poured more energy into the *Purple Demon Gourd*, its mist thickening. The others redoubled their efforts, their artifacts glowing brighter.
*CRACK!*
The array shattered, its energy 崩溃 (collapsing) in a shower of sparks. The passage扭曲 (twisted), the walls melting away like wax. Half an hour later, the chaos settled—revealing a scene that made everyone gasp.
Gone was the narrow passage. In its place stretched a vast chamber, its ceiling lost in darkness. At its center loomed a 祭坛 (altar), black stone carved with 诡异符文 (sinister runes) that pulsed with 魔气 (demonic energy).
And on the altar… a 玉简 (jade slip), glowing faintly.
Yu Xianzi's eyes widened. *That's it! The jade slip I came for!*
The Core Formation nun stepped forward, her gaze 凝重 (sober). "Yin Demon's 核心祭坛 (core altar). The array led us here."
Lin Yi's heart raced. This was no 逃生通道 (escape route)—it was the 巢穴 (lair) of the ancient fiend.
A low, 古老的 (ancient) growl echoed through the chamber, as if the very stone were 觉醒 (stirring).
"We're not escaping," Peng whispered, his voice shaking. "We're walking into a trap."
Lin Yi握紧 his sword. "Then we fight. For the jade slip. For survival."
The others exchanged glances, fear and greed warring in their eyes. The jade slip—whatever secrets it held—was within reach. And behind them, the way back was sealed by the crumbling array.
There was no turning back.
The final battle was about to begin.