I conquer the immortal with my strength.

Chapter 592 Take action
Everyone continued to move forward.

As the night fog deepened and the shadows of the mountains overlapped, a muffled drumbeat suddenly came from ahead, booming and rumbling like the heartbeat of a giant beast, shaking the rocks. Interspersed with the drumbeats were clamorous shouts and roars of beasts, accompanied by the stench of wine, meat, and blood, which swept over us, sending chills down our spines.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the King has attained the rank of Immortal. Not only have the demon cultivators from Jade Stream come to congratulate him, but even the Black Bear King of Black Wind Mountain has sent people to join in the festivities. They are currently drinking and making merry in the mountain stronghold." Black Tiger lowered his voice and spoke in a deep, muffled tone as he walked.

"The Black Bear King of Black Wind Mountain also sent people? Could it be that Lord Zhu Bear Mountain comes from Black Wind Mountain?" Xingyi's expression changed drastically upon hearing this.

"That's right. It is said that Lord Zhupi Mountain was born to King Heixiong and a concubine. He was not favored by the main wife and was also ostracized by his brothers, so he established himself as the king of Zhupi Ridge. Now that he has attained the status of a Void Immortal, King Heixiong specially sent people to deliver immortal artifacts, spirit-nourishing pills, and immortal stones as a sign of favor." When Black Tiger mentioned King Heixiong, his tail swished unconsciously, as if to bolster his courage.

"No wonder this beast is so arrogant, not even putting the local deity in its eyes. It turns out it's a descendant of the Black Bear King!" Hongxia suddenly realized, but a chill ran down her spine.

"Where is Black Wind Mountain? Is this Black Bear King really that powerful?" Xia Daoming pondered.

"Black Wind Mountain isn't in Biyuan County, but in the northwest of Yuntai County. The mountain is rich in spiritual energy, abundant in medicinal herbs, and also possesses a vein of immortal stones. Many forces covet it, yet none dare to touch it. This shows how terrifying the Black Bear King is. Legend has it that he is at the True Immortal Third Assembly Realm, and once acquired a rare black sand treasure. Combined with his Black Wind Demonic Technique, it could blot out the sky and instantly shred those who fell into its trap," Hongxia replied in a deep voice.

Xingyi's heart sank, and she couldn't help but say, "Master Xia, since this bear is backed by the Black Bear King, why don't we just stop here?"

"The Three Immortals Gathering..." Xia Daoming stroked his chin, his eyes deep, and slowly said, "It's alright. This is Biyuan County, not Yuntai County. The Black Bear King would not dare to set foot here easily. Even if he dares to come, I have my own way of dealing with him."

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent, even Xingyi's beautiful eyes flickered, and her heart wavered.

A True Immortal at the Third Stage of the Assemblies! And yet he still claims to have "his own methods"?
Such confidence is simply absurd.

However, Xia Daoming spoke with absolute certainty, so Xingyi could only suppress her worries. After all, what he said wasn't entirely unreasonable:
Such powerful demons dare not easily leave the mountain and cross realms.
Firstly, powerful demon cultivators are the focus of attention for all forces, and easily stepping into the territory of others can easily cause misunderstandings.
Secondly, powerful demon cultivators often have many enemies. Once they leave their own sect, it is hard to guarantee that they will not be ambushed or killed, or that their lair will be raided.

Thirdly, the major powers in each prefecture, as well as the Heavenly Court forces stationed in each prefecture city, may allow their subordinates to fight and kill each other, but they will never allow powerful figures to cross over into their territory and wreak havoc.

However, the Black Bear King has a vast army under his command, and sending only some of his men would still be a great calamity for them.

Soon after, the group arrived at Zhu Bi Mountain Village. Under the cover of night, the flickering firelight illuminated the rough wooden fence.

The sound of drums resounded throughout the village, bonfires burned high, and demon cultivators sat in a circle, indulging in heavy drinking. Beside the fire, a group of women, abducted from who-knows-where, huddled together, trembling with fear. Another woman was forcibly pulled into the arms of a demon cultivator, her clothes disheveled and a pitiful sight.

A murderous glint flashed in Xingyi's eyes, her jade-like face turned ashen, and she gritted her teeth, whispering, "They are all vile beasts who deserve to die!"

The tragic fate of the mermaid woman from the past flashed before her eyes, filling her with boundless hatred.

Xia Daoming's gaze turned icy as he coldly said, "Severe measures are needed to quell chaos, and drastic medicine is required to cure a serious illness. Xingyi, it seems you, Jade Stream God, need to be thoroughly dealt with, otherwise how can you suppress these demons!"

As he spoke, a chilling killing intent emanated from him, causing Black Tiger to tremble and nearly collapse to the ground, too afraid to move.

"Who dares to act so presumptuously at my gate!"

Just then, a surge of demonic power swept in from the depths of the mountain stronghold, causing the mountains to rumble.

Before the words were finished, the drumming stopped abruptly.

Deep within the mountain stronghold, a burly figure slowly emerged.

The newcomer was over two zhang tall, with broad shoulders like mountains, huge eyes like bronze bells, menacing fangs, and a fierce aura emanating from him.

He was clad in black and gold scale armor, with a massive halberd over ten feet long slung across his back. Even before it was drawn, it exuded a ferocious power capable of tearing apart heaven and earth.

As he stepped down, the earth trembled slightly, as if a thousand beasts roared in response. His mere aura caused the demon soldiers in the stronghold to kneel in unison, their shouts like thunder: "Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Zhu Bishanjun surveyed the group, his gaze like a torch, finally settling on Xia Daoming and the others. His eyes flashed with a fierce light, and he roared in a chilling voice:
"So it's Lord Jade Stream God! Hmph, since you're here, why not come in and drink with us? Instead, you dare to trespass on my Zhu Pi Ridge? Do you look down on Zhu Pi?"

His voice was like thunder, shaking the mountains and forests, and even dispersing the distant mountain mist.

Cui Baisong's face was deathly pale, his knees almost buckling. Hongxia and Taoyao were also shaken to their core, feeling as if their minds were cracking, and they forcibly suppressed their emotions. Only Xingyi gritted her teeth, her beautiful eyes cold, yet she dared not make a move.

At that moment, everyone instinctively held their breath.

Only Xia Daoming remained calm, still sitting upright on the black tiger's back, his sleeves fluttering lightly, as if he regarded the demonic power of the Zhu Pi Mountain Lord as nothing.

He slowly raised his eyes and uttered two words softly:
"presumptuous."

The voice was neither hurried nor slow, yet it struck the heart like a morning bell or evening drum.

The next instant, the wind ceased and the music stopped within a hundred feet, as if even the night had frozen.

Zhu Bishanjun's expression suddenly darkened, his eyes blazed with fire, and his demonic flames exploded, sending a gust of wind through the air and causing the trees to rustle and fall.

"You audacious madman, how dare you utter such arrogant words at the mouth of Zhu Bi Ridge! Today I will first behead you, and then use that land to consecrate our flag!"

Before he finished speaking, he suddenly shook his bear body and transformed into a giant red-haired bear, as tall as a small mountain, surrounded by crimson flames, and his imposing aura swept over the sky.

The giant halberd was unsheathed from behind, and the bear's arm, as thick as a mountain pillar, gripped the halberd handle and swung down fiercely.

The halberd's shadow roared like thunder, transforming into a mountain-like black shadow that carried a devastating pressure, completely enveloping Xia Daoming and the others.

Xingyi's eyes sharpened, and although she was horrified, she still gritted her teeth.

With a flick of her jade hand, a jade-green earth tablet, shaped like a magic staff, appeared.

With a flash of light, the sound of the tide surged between heaven and earth, and rolling water rushed in from all directions, condensing into a rushing river in mid-air.

The river surged and churned, and the earth tablet sank into it, transforming into a dragon claw covered in blue scales. It roared and rose up to meet the falling giant halberd!

"boom--!"

The explosion reverberated through the mountains as the dragon claw and the giant halberd clashed head-on.

The blue light shattered, and the dragon claw was instantly broken into countless water droplets. The earth tablet fell into the illusory reflection of the stream, floating uncertainly.

Xingyi groaned, staggered backward, the glow of the sunset flickered, and her primordial spirit almost scattered.

"Hmph! A mere eighth-stage Nascent Soul cultivator dares to obstruct me?"

Zhu Pishanjun laughed loudly, his voice echoing through the valley. The giant halberd shattered the dragon claw, but its momentum remained undiminished, and it cleaved down again!

At this critical moment——

A sudden, extremely suppressed aura emanated from Xia Daoming.

The aura was ancient and cold, as if it came from the primordial era, carrying a majestic power that could devour heaven and earth, causing the air to freeze and the world to fall silent.

The void suddenly darkened, and from the depths of the night, a golden dragon claw silently emerged.

The dragon claws shimmered with dazzling light, their imposing presence like the sky pressing down, carrying an incredible power.

　There will be another chapter this afternoon.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)