Staying in the sect, controlling beasts and cultivating immortals

Rumbling... The violent tremors of the earth finally subsided slowly.

The rapidly expanding, desolate area on the ground has stopped spreading. Although it remains deathly silent, the core will that was constantly devouring life has been temporarily sealed.

Yu Changsheng slowly withdrew his hand seal, his face pale and his aura noticeably weaker. The continuous suppression of the remnant cocoon, the remote repulsion of the Soul Lock, and the completion of this ultimate seal merging the six beasts had taken a tremendous toll.

He looked down at the Chaos Purple Spirit Emperor Sword in his hand.

Chen Xueqing appeared beside Yu Changsheng, her face also pale and her breathing unsteady, clearly a side effect of forcibly activating the secret technique and enduring the shadow guard's attack.

She looked at the sealed ley lines, her eyes still filled with worry: "Brother Yu, it's just sealed..."

"I know." Yu Changsheng's voice was low and weary, but deep in his eyes was a murderous intent that seemed to freeze the earth. "This ancient, corrupt cocoon is far from being eradicated."

It was like a malignant tumor clinging to the lifeblood of Qingzhou... while the Xuanming Sect outside was a butcher's knife wielded against Qingzhou.

He raised his head, his gaze seemingly piercing through the underground rock layers, looking towards the distant Central Plains, and then sweeping over the ravaged land of Qingzhou.

"The double tribulations have temporarily retreated, but the undercurrents are even more ferocious. Xuanming Sect... Soul-Locking Old Ghost... Ancient Ruins of the Burial of Gods..." Yu Changsheng spoke each word slowly and deliberately, each syllable containing thunderous rage and iron-fisted determination.

"When I recover, it will be the time of your destruction!"

His face was as pale as paper, and his aura, which was at the peak of the Void Refinement stage, showed unusually unstable fluctuations. The backlash from suppressing the ancient filth and remnants of the cocoon was like a maggot clinging to his bones, and the remnants of the withered Dao principles were gnawing deep within his meridians, bringing a tearing pain with every circulation of spiritual energy.

Deeper still, the strain of battling the Soul-Locking Elder from afar and forcibly maintaining the Six Beasts Combined Seal had nearly drained his chaotic origin.

"Hoo..." He slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air carrying a sense of decay, which lingered in the quiet room and exuded a desolate deathly aura.

"From the boundless chaos, all things return to their origin and give birth!"

Yu Changsheng formed the Origin Seal with his hands, and the mysterious Chaos Divine Rune on his back suddenly lit up, as if an ancient star map had been ignited.

A vast amount of chaotic energy was drawn from the depths of the void, transforming into a tangible stream of gray-gold light that flowed into his parched body like rivers flowing into the sea.

Inside the silent room, space distorted silently, and the flow of time seemed to thicken. The light washed over his damaged meridians, and the remnants of withered Dao principles melted away like snow, decomposed, assimilated, and transformed into nourishment by the domineering True Meaning of Returning to Nothingness. A barely perceptible trace of color finally appeared on his pale face.

However, just as he was sinking into the deepest level of repair, attempting to connect with the primordial chaos and break through to a higher realm—

"Heh heh... Chaotic Origin Power... Returning to Nothingness Sword Intent... all are my resources... merge into my body... and endure for eternity..."

A cold, desolate thought, filled with endless greed, like a lurking venomous snake, resounded without warning in the deepest part of my consciousness!

The scene before them abruptly changed! No longer a quiet room, but an endless, desolate void! A colossal, ancient, decaying pupa hovered before them, its countless gray roots swaying like living things, emanating an aura of annihilation that devoured all things. It was no longer its sealed form from the earth, but rather a manifestation of the Dao, existing between reality and illusion!
"Inner demon tribulation! Backlash of the Dao!" Yu Changsheng's mind trembled violently. The withered Dao of this remnant pupa was of too high a level, triggering a "tribulation" on his own path when he was at his weakest and trying to glimpse a higher realm! This tribulation was not heavenly thunder and earthly fire, but a clash between his Dao heart and a different kind of rule, a thousand times more dangerous!
boom!
Countless withered roots, disregarding spatial distance, instantly pierced into the limbs and bones of Yu Changsheng's "consciousness"! An indescribable sense of "withering" and "emptiness" spread wildly, as if the origin of life, the understanding of the Great Dao, and even the meaning of existence were being rapidly extracted and devoured! The consciousness became illusory and transparent at a speed visible to the naked eye!

"A mere remnant pupa, a scum born from filth, dares to presume to devour its master?" A terrifying glint flashed in Yu Changsheng's eyes, an absolute will that regarded the rules and calamities as worthless! The "consciousness" pierced by the roots did not collapse, but instead suddenly lit up!
Chaotic divine runes rotated at the core of his "consciousness body," and the Guixu Sword Imprint bloomed on the projection of the Purple Spirit Emperor Sword!

"The Void Sword Domain—Open!"

A sharp shout, like a decree that cleaved the heavens and the earth! Centered on his consciousness, a hazy, gray domain, seemingly capable of ending everything and returning to chaos, suddenly unfolded! Within the domain, the laws were disordered, and spacetime was displaced!
The piercing, withered roots were instantly annihilated and destroyed by countless gray-black Returning Void Sword Qi that appeared out of nowhere! The corrosive power of the withered Dao principles was like hitting a reef that obliterates everything, and was forcibly decomposed and repelled by the Returning Void Sword Domain!
"Roar!" The phantom of the remnant pupa let out an unwilling roar, and more roots surged out, transforming into a gray and desolate forest of death, frantically attacking the Guixu Sword Domain, attempting to invade again.

Yu Changsheng's eyes were as cold as ancient ice. Within the Guixu Sword Domain, countless sword energies converged, transforming into a gigantic sword shadow that pierced through reality—the projection of the Chaos Purple Spirit Emperor Sword! The sword's edge pointed directly at the core of the remnant pupa!
"Where my path leads, all laws vanish! Annihilation!" The sword shadow, imbued with absolute annihilation intent, slashed down fiercely!

The clash of consciousness is silent and stealthy, yet extremely dangerous!

In the northwest of the imperial city, at the core of the Hundred Crafts Workshop, the air was scorching. A massive furnace spewed forth fiery earth, and tamed chaotic magnetic power flowed across a sophisticated array plate. Mo Heng's hair and beard were soaked with sweat, his bloodshot eyes fixed on the core of the enormous array suspended in mid-air—a pivot based on "Chaotic Magnetic Divine Iron," incorporating the Xuan Turtle Earth Vein Imprint and the core runes bestowed by Yu Changsheng.

"The third position on the left, the Qian position, the earth vein node 'Rock,' the Chaos Primordial Magnetic Amplification Rune, the seventh sequence superimposed on the seventh sequence! Quickly!" Mo Heng's voice was hoarse but left no room for doubt. His hands moved like butterflies flitting among flowers, drawing upon pure spiritual power to outline complex Dao patterns on the array plate that were so intricate they made one's eyes dizzy.

Below, dozens of core craftsmen from the Hundred Crafts Workshop held their breath, their carving knives gleaming with spiritual light as they simultaneously inscribed their respective array foundation components. Each line, once drawn, caused the component to hum, resonating with the core of the central array diagram. The entire work area was filled with a tense yet sacred atmosphere. These were the core array eye components of the "Chaos Returning to the Void City Protection Array," allowing no room for error.

"Master Mo! A message has been sent from the 'Wind Howl' watchtower on the outskirts of the Northern Lands: the earth veins are fluctuating abnormally, and the spiritual energy output of the third secondary node is unstable!" A disciple rushed in, his voice filled with anxiety.

Mo Heng didn't even raise his head, but his divine sense had already instantly swept across the northern region of the massive array's illusory image, where the runes representing Node Three were flickering uncertainly. "It's the withered aftershocks of the remnant pupa seal interfering! Activate the 'Mysterious Turtle Suppressing Veins' contingency plan! Where are the 'Eternal Life Vine' seeds sent by Manor Lord Lin? Immediately plant them around the node's perimeter to buffer the erosion with the Law of Life! Commander Shi, dispatch a squad of Qingzhou Guards, carrying 'Dust Purification Talismans,' to assist in stabilizing the node's earth energy!"

The order was relayed instantly. Soon, in the Qingzhou Guard camp, an elite team led by Vice General Shi Poshan, carrying jade talismans that emitted a soft, purifying white light, sped northward. Meanwhile, the vibrant green vine seeds cultivated at Qingmu Manor, brimming with life force, were carefully planted around designated earth vein nodes. Tender shoots sprouted from the soil at a visible speed, emitting a soft green light, tenaciously resisting the deathly gray aura seeping from the earth.

The imperial city is recovering from its wounds, and every gear is turning frantically for survival and protection.

Central Plains, Xuanming Sect, Blood Refining Netherworld Palace.

Thick, swirling blood mist filled the air, the stench of blood and the wails of vengeful spirits so intense it was nauseating. The enormous blood pool resembled boiling magma, its bottom revealing countless skeletons struggling in agony. In the center of the pool, a withered, skeletal figure sat cross-legged—it was Elder Xue Ming. His pores opened wide, frantically absorbing the pure blood soul essence extracted from the pool. His body, severely wounded by Yu Changsheng's Returning to Nothingness Sword Qi, and his weakened aura were recovering at an astonishing rate.

At the edge of the blood pool, Elder Soul Lock's condition was far more wretched. Half of his body was enveloped in thick, inky, netherworld death energy; his severed arm was a bloody mess, and the remaining Guixu sword energy, like a leech, constantly annihilated the flesh attempting to regenerate, emitting a faint hissing sound. His face was ashen, his aura weak, yet his eyes burned with flames of resentment and lingering fear.

"Useless trash!" Elder Xue Ming abruptly opened his eyes, his scarlet pupils like two drops of congealed blood, coldly fixed on Suo Hun. His voice wasn't loud, but it caused the blood mist throughout the Blood Refining Nether Palace to freeze for a moment. "A Void Refining Venerable, wielding the Nine Nether Soul Suppressing Banner, and aided by the Faceless One, yet you were utterly routed by a single sword strike from afar by Yu Changsheng, who hadn't even fully recovered! Even the Shadow Assassin Hall Master lost an arm! You've utterly disgraced the sect!"

Lock Soul's body trembled, a mixture of shame, anger, and fear coursing through him. He hissed, "Senior Brother Blood Nether! It's not that I'm incompetent! That Yu Changsheng... his power is too bizarre! A sword strike from afar actually contained the supreme law of destruction! My Nine Nether Soul Shield and 'Undying Nether Bone Armor' were like paper! Moreover..." A hint of shock flashed in his eyes, "While suppressing that ancient pupa, he was still able to use such methods... the depth and control of his chaotic origin are far beyond that of an ordinary Void Refinement cultivator!"

"Hmph!" Elder Xue Ming snorted coldly. The blood pool surged, and a condensed blood light struck the severed arm of the Soul-Locking Sect, temporarily suppressing the rampant Returning Void Sword Qi. "The Sect Master already knows the news you brought back. That Ancient Filthy Remnant... is an unexpected delight." His eyes flashed with bloodlust, revealing greed. "The core Dao principles of such ancient objects, born alongside the Dao, are a great supplement to our sect's 'Netherworld Blood Sea Great Dao'! If we can seize and refine it..."

He abruptly stood up, his thick, blood-stained robe billowing without wind. A Void Refinement pressure, far deeper and more violent than that of Soul Lock, erupted, stirring up towering waves in the blood pool! Countless wailing souls within the hall instantly fell silent, trembling in fear.

"Issue the Sect Master's 'Blood Prison Order'!" Xue Ming's voice was as cold as the wind from the deepest hell. "The 'Ten Thousand Souls Blood Sacrifice Array' shall be activated immediately at full power! All elders in seclusion and core disciples shall enter the blood pool to absorb energy and must recover to their peak condition within ten days!"

"I will personally lead the 'Blood Corpse Guards' and the 'Nine-Child Mother Demon,' using the foul air surrounding the 'Ancient Ruins of the Burial of Gods' as cover, and march on Qingzhou!"

His withered finger suddenly pointed into the void, and a map composed of viscous blood-red light appeared, revealing the outline of Qingzhou, with a large area in the north marked as a glaring gray. "Once I use the 'Blood Sea Styx Divine Power' to restrain Yu Changsheng, the 'Nine-Child Mother Heavenly Demon' will seize the opportunity to tear apart the remnant cocoon seal, triggering the backlash of the withered Dao Laws! Under attack from both inside and outside, Yu Changsheng will inevitably be overwhelmed!"

A cruel and confident grin spread across Xue Ming's face: "At that time, I will personally extract his Chaos Dao Bone and refine his Returning Void Sword Soul! The billions of living beings in Qingzhou will all become stepping stones for my 'Blood Sea Great Dao' to reach its pinnacle!"

Lock Soul's spirits lifted, but he immediately added worriedly, "Senior Brother, Wang Cheng's Overlord Body has broken through again, reaching the half-step Void Refinement stage, making him incredibly powerful. And Chen Xueqing's life purification power is quite effective against our sect's techniques..."

"Mere ants!" Xue Ming interrupted disdainfully. "Wang Cheng gave it to the resurrected 'Nine-Child Mother Heavenly Demon'! His domineering body and blood essence are the best blood food for Heavenly Demons! As for Chen Xueqing..." A bloodthirsty light flashed in his eyes as he looked at Suohun, "The humiliation of losing an arm without a face will be repaid with her life essence! Her purifying power can be used to nourish my 'Blood Spirit Maiden' and help her transform! In this battle, what I want is not only victory, but also to squeeze every last drop of valuable 'nutrients' from Qingzhou!"

Thick stench of blood and overwhelming killing intent permeated the Underworld Palace, foreshadowing a storm more ferocious than ever before.

Qingzhou, the secret realm of Qingmu Village.

The air was thick with the essence of life, and countless rare spiritual plants emitted radiant light. Chen Xueqing sat cross-legged beside the only "Purifying Lotus," its lotus platform swaying, casting down streaks of azure light to nourish her. Her face was still pale, and her brows showed weariness, but her eyes were clearer and more determined than ever before, faintly revealing a deeper understanding of the laws of life.

Wang Cheng stood like a crimson-gold furnace at the edge of the secret realm. His bare upper body was crisscrossed with scars, and beneath his newly grown skin, magma seemed to flow. Although his half-step Void Refinement stage "Overlord Blood Chaos Burning Heaven Domain" was stable, fragments of memories from his battles with Elder Soul Locking's Netherworld Claws and Soul Devouring Poison Fire, as well as the deathly sharpness that invaded when he clashed with the Faceless Dagger, were like stubborn poisonous thorns, constantly assaulting his will and attempting to corrupt his newly grown Chaos Overlord Blood.

"Roar!"

A suppressed growl erupted from Wang Cheng's throat. His eyes snapped open, gleaming with a fiery crimson light! His right fist slammed forward without any flourish!
boom!
The space ahead suddenly twisted and compressed, and a condensed crimson-gold fist aura erupted. Wherever the fist struck, the air was completely shattered, creating a brief vacuum! Within the violent fist intent, a trace of chaotic true meaning flowed, forcibly crushing and incinerating the remaining traces of deathly stillness!
"Not enough!" Wang Cheng growled, veins throbbing on his forehead. He recalled the Soul-Locking Thorn's defenseless attack, the chilling, soul-piercing powerlessness it conveyed. Pure physical strength still had its limitations against the bizarre laws of the soul. (End of Chapter)