Just as Xiao Qi was panicking and burning with anxiety, completely at a loss as to what measures she could take to save them, the Daoist Priest suddenly opened his eyes.
"Little girl, this is the Immortals-Trapping Array," the Daoist Priest said in a calm tone, as if he had already seen through everything. "It is a method specifically used by the demon race to deal with us cultivators. As long as we make the slightest move, it will trigger the array, and it will frantically drain our cultivation until it sucks us dry and leaves us as shriveled husks to die. All of our magical power will be completely absorbed by those demonic entities."
"Ah! What should we do then?"
Xiao Qi was terribly frightened. The words the Flood Dragon had uttered before leaving flashed through her mind instantly, and she knew full well that the Daoist Priest was not lying. If she failed to rescue them now, it would not be long before that Flood Dragon inevitably returned.
By that time, not only would the two of them lose their lives, but she herself would likely not escape alive either.
"Little girl, don't be afraid."
Sensing the fear deep within Xiao Qi's heart, the Daoist Priest gently comforted her.
"This array is only effective against us cultivators; it has no effect whatsoever on ordinary mortals like you."
After all, as far as mortals were concerned, the demon race could easily take their lives with a simple flick of a sleeve, so why would they go to the trouble of setting up such a complex array just to trap mortals? Therefore, this array had no effect on mortals at all.
"Then... how can I help you?"
The Daoist Priest continued.
"Although you can see us at this moment, we cannot see you or the scenery outside!"
Hearing this, Xiao Qi felt extremely puzzled and confused.
She thought to herself: they are clearly right here, how could they possibly be unable to see her and the surrounding environment? Could something be wrong with their eyes?
However, Xiao Qi did not know that at this very moment, in the eyes of the old daoist and the youth, the scenery all around was completely different from what she saw.
In their line of sight, the surroundings were filled with blazing flames and terrifying scenes of flowing, scorching magma.
What should have been an empty and peaceful place in Xiao Qi's eyes had now turned into a scene akin to a living hell in theirs.
This visual discrepancy plunged Xiao Qi into deep confusion.
"Every array has a core. As long as you can find it here and destroy it, you can save us and help us get out."
"How can I find the array core?"
"Little girl, look around you. Is there any abnormal phenomenon in the vicinity?" the old daoist continued.
Xiao Qi hurriedly looked around. Apart from the pitch-black cave walls and some bizarrely shaped stones, she spotted no other special features. Just as she was about to reply in disappointment, she suddenly noticed a few strange spots.
Shimmering under the light of the night-shining pearls, she seemed to see strange patterns on several stones. Not quite believing it, she rubbed her eyes and walked up to confirm.
"Senior, there are some stones here with strange symbols that can only be seen from the side of the light."
"Oh? Then tell me, what do these patterns actually look like?"
Xiao Qi described the symbols on the stones to them in detail. These symbols looked like some kind of ancient script or spell, but Xiao Qi did not recognize them. She could only do her best to describe their shapes, colors, and arrangement.
After listening to Xiao Qi's description, the old daoist pondered for a moment and then nodded.
"Ah, I think I know what needs to be done. These symbols are very likely the key to the array core. Next, we need to move these stones in a specific order to break this array. However, proceed with caution; making a single mistake could trigger even more severe consequences."
Xiao Qi nodded nervously to show she understood. She took a deep breath, ready to follow the old daoist's instructions.
Just then, a gust of breeze blew past, causing Xiao Qi to shudder involuntarily. She suddenly realized that many unknown dangers were still hidden within this cave. Yet, in order to break free, she had to bravely face the challenge before her.
Steadying her mind, Xiao Qi began to carefully observe the stones bearing the symbols. Following the order the old daoist had given, she exerted all her strength to move the first stone.
There were a total of six stones with strange patterns here. Every time she moved one, Xiao Qi had to expend a tremendous amount of effort. Before long, she was drenched in sweat, deep bloody gashes had been worn into her hands, and she felt as though she had no strength left in her body.
Yet she also knew that if she did not work hard, she would not be able to save her benefactors, and if the Flood Dragon returned, she would likewise not escape death.
Clinging to a shred of perseverance, she finally reached the last stone, constantly cheering herself on internally.
"This is the last one, I must succeed!"
Just as she moved the final stone away, she suddenly felt a powerful force surge from it, and the entire cave began to shake violently.
Xiao Qi grabbed the nearby rock tightly, struggling to steady her body. Her heart hammered wildly, and she had no idea what would happen next.
The entire cavern seemed on the verge of collapsing as massive boulders rained down continuously. Just as one huge boulder was about to roll toward Xiao Qi's face, she suddenly felt her waist tighten and her body lift into the air.
"Let's get out of here quickly! The demon cave is collapsing."
It turned out to be the youth. Both the youth and the Daoist Priest had come out, continuously striking out with their palms to knock away the boulders rolling toward them.
A moment later, they finally reached the cave entrance, and the Daoist Priest suddenly shoved his palms forcefully forward.
With a loud "boom," the rubble that had originally blocked the doorway blasted apart.
Immediately afterward, the three of them flew out of the cave together. No sooner had they emerged than another "boom" sounded behind them, and the entire mountain collapsed, completely burying and crushing the demon cave beneath it.
"We did it! We finally broke the array!" Xiao Qi shouted excitedly.
The old daoist looked at Xiao Qi with a smile, a trace of approval flashing in his eyes.
"Little girl, you did very well. Now, let's leave this place quickly. Where do you live? We'll send you back!"
These words caused Xiao Qi, whose face had been full of smiles just a moment before, to instantly wilt, because as far as she was concerned, she really did not want to go back. After all, that home was not truly her home. Yet she had nowhere else to go.
She could only say dejectedly, "Wang Family Village, three kilometers down the mountain."
Sensing that Xiao Qi was extremely weak from moving the boulders, the old daoist took a pill out from his robes and handed it over.
"Eat this, it will restore your stamina."
Without a single moment of hesitation, Xiao Qi swallowed it immediately. She felt a surge of warmth flow toward her dantian; not only did the fatigue completely vanish from her body, but she even felt an endless supply of strength, and the hunger in her stomach was instantly replaced by a feeling of fullness.
"Alright, let's go!"
The three of them began walking down the mountain. But when they entered the village, they were all dumbfounded: the village, which should have been bustling with activity, was completely deserted.
"Where did everyone go?"