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The ancestor of Ji Li was once one of the peak existences on the Dou Qi Continent.
Furthermore, he was highly accomplished in the study of formations. In truth, with his level of strength, if he had wanted to enter the true depths of this Fallen Phoenix Ridge, he wouldn't have needed to go through so much trouble like Xiao Lin and the others were doing now.
However, there was a reason why he chose not to do so!
It was because a delicate balance existed within this place.
If he had chosen to forcefully break his way in at the wrong time, it would have very likely shattered this delicate balance. What kind of consequences would follow at that point was completely unpredictable.
Therefore, Ji Li's ancestor ultimately chose not to do it. Until the moment he fell, his ancestor never found the right opportunity.
That was why he left this information behind for his descendants. What he hoped for, naturally, was that his descendants could take his place and resolve the trouble inside Fallen Phoenix Ridge. As for what this trouble was?
The message Ji Li's ancestor left for his descendants contained only two words: Eradicate Demons!
That was right, Ji Li had inherited the legacy of his ancestor and came to Fallen Phoenix Ridge precisely to eradicate demons. However, this piece of news obviously couldn't be shared with anyone else.
After all, who could predict the dangers involved?
Earlier, Ji Li's story to Xiao Lin and the others was that they were exploring clues regarding the Ancient Heavenly Phoenix to seek fortuitous opportunities. But in reality, eradicating demons was Ji Li's true purpose!
Yet, this purpose could not be spoken aloud.
Think about it, if he spoke openly about such a dangerous matter, who would follow him to this place? From this, it was clear that Ji Li's personality was actually just like his legendary ancestor, walking the line between righteous and eccentric!
On the righteous side, he didn't hesitate to risk his own life to come to Fallen Phoenix Ridge to eradicate demons. As for the eccentric side, it was naturally the fact that in order to achieve this goal, he didn't hesitate to trick Xiao Lin and the other nine Formation Masters into coming along.
Such a person was truly difficult to evaluate.
From the perspective of Xiao Lin and the other nine Formation Masters, if they knew the truth of the matter, they would definitely blame Ji Li. However, from the perspective of the countless living beings on the continent, Ji Li was undoubtedly sacrificing himself for a greater righteous cause.
"Ji Li, are you still hiding something from us?" Xiao Lin suddenly asked with doubt as he looked at Ji Li's expression.
"Heh, no wonder they say we get along so well. Brother Lin, you really understand me!" By this point, there was naturally no longer any need for Ji Li to keep hiding it.
"What? Ji Li, you bastard!"
"Speak up, what else are you hiding from us?"
"Are you sure you ever considered us as friends?"
"Ji Li, if you don't clear this matter up, we are breaking off our friendship from now on!"
"If you don't tell the truth, it will be hard for us to help you anymore."
"Hey, hey, hey, Ji Li, you didn't come here targeting us, did you?"
"Ji Li, we need an explanation!"
"Right, if your explanation isn't good enough, we won't help you anymore!"
At this moment, the other eight Formation Masters also spoke up one after another.
Seeing this, Ji Li actually remained quite calm. For him, the presence of these Formation Masters was only necessary to deliver him to this spot. As for what came next, he didn't expect anyone else to be of any help anyway.
Only Xiao Lin was an exception among exceptions in Ji Li's eyes.
His original plan was merely to gather nine Formation Masters, and then have them deliver him to this place. He had never expected these Formation Masters to help with the subsequent demon eradication operation anyway.
But after he met Xiao Lin, this plan underwent a slight change.
If Xiao Lin had been just like the others, Ji Li naturally wouldn't have expected much from him.
However, after sensing that Xiao Lin possessed the strength to threaten him, Ji Li was actually overjoyed. Because in this way, Xiao Lin could not only serve as one of the nine Formation Masters, but he could also help him!
This was also the reason why, back at the Spatial Trade Fair, he had been so generous as to give all those formation diagrams to Xiao Lin. In reality, that was equivalent to the remuneration Ji Li was paying Xiao Lin for his help.
When inviting the other eight Formation Masters, Ji Li had never been this generous.
After all, as long as he leaked clues related to the Ancient Heavenly Phoenix, it was already good enough that these Formation Masters didn't owe him a favor, let alone expect to get items from him.
One had to know, if this piece of news were to be released, which Formation Master wouldn't choose to volunteer themselves?
That was a clue related to the Ancient Heavenly Phoenix!
Therefore, to Ji Li, only Xiao Lin was an exception!
At the same time, he was also a pleasant surprise! After all, if he had the assistance of Xiao Lin, someone whose strength was comparable to his own, he would have greater certainty in eradicating the demon!
Thus, now that things had come to this, Ji Li no longer chose to keep it a secret. When Ji Li revealed that his true purpose in bringing everyone here was actually to eradicate a demon of unknown, terrifying proportions, everyone fell silent.
This included Xiao Lin.
To be honest, after learning the truth, they really should hate Ji Li.
Because it was Ji Li who had tricked them into coming to this place that clearly wasn't simple. However, when Ji Li stated that he was inheriting his ancestor's legacy to eradicate a demon for the sake of all living beings, they found themselves unable to utter a single word of blame.
One had to understand that for the people present to be recognized by Ji Li, their character was naturally up to standard. After all, for such an important matter, if he chose someone with a poor character, wouldn't he also have to constantly worry about being backstabbed?
In truth, it was just as Ji Li had thought.
If he had revealed the truth early on, it was estimated that less than half of the people would have stayed behind to help. Although everyone's character was decent enough, who actually wanted to die?
For something like demon eradication, which sounded like a matter of carrying one's head in one's hands, who would have the courage to do it?
At the very least, a cautious person like Xiao Lin, who preferred to stay under the radar, would have more than likely chosen not to take this risk. On this point, Xiao Lin admitted that he did not possess the same grand righteousness as Ji Li!
Therefore, at this moment, after Ji Li spoke the whole truth, everyone's emotions, including Xiao Lin's, were highly complicated. They admired Ji Li's grand righteousness, but they also hated Ji Li for tricking them into coming here.
"The matter is exactly like this, and I no longer have anything hidden from you all! Once the matter here is settled, whether you all break off relations with me or want to take action against me, I will accept it all! Of course, that is provided I am still alive after eradicating the demon..."
Although Ji Li spoke very lightly, anyone could hear that his words actually carried a trace of a death-defying resolve.
Facing a Ji Li like this, who would still have the nerve to blame him?
"Whew~, once the matter here is settled, I'm going to beat you up!"
Just as everyone was silent, Xiao Lin took a deep breath and spoke.
At this moment, Xiao Lin's mindset underwent a change once again.
In the very beginning, Xiao Lin only wanted to take things easy and lie flat. Later on, he developed a sense of responsibility. By now, perhaps influenced by Ji Li, Xiao Lin suddenly understood what grand righteousness truly meant!
Before this, Xiao Lin did not understand the meaning behind the phrase 'with great power comes great responsibility'.
Now, he understood.
It could be said that from this very moment, Xiao Lin truly possessed the so-called heart of the strong!
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