The gods began by supporting Guo Jing to become emperor

Chapter 364 An opportunity comes from outside the mountain while one is sitting at home.

Since Su Ming declared that the Demonic Sect should submit, the Qingdao and Laojun Temple sects have already surrendered and offered up their secret manuals on the Heavenly Demon Strategy. Among the remaining Demonic Sects, only the Xieji Sect has not yet responded.

The successive inheritors of the Evil Extreme Sect can be called Evil Emperors in the Demonic Sect. They also possess the most essential Dao Heart Demon Seed Technique of the Heavenly Demon Strategy. Xiang Yutian even used this to shatter the void. In later generations, even the incomplete Dao Heart Demon Seed Technique fell into the hands of Pang Ban and helped him reach the realm of shattering the void.

Conversely, the Yin Kui Sect, which claims to be the orthodox sect of the demonic arts, inherited the Heavenly Demon Art and only produced one Wu Zetian. Moreover, she only reached the realm of breaking through the void after she became emperor and learned all the secret techniques of the demonic arts.

After Xiang Yutian broke through the void, he took in four disciples: You Niaojuan (who went against the grain), Ding Jiuzhong (the Great Emperor), Zhou Laotan, and Jin Huanzhen (the Charming Lady). Moreover, each of these four inherited a part of the Evil Extreme Sect's martial arts.

Because of insufficient inheritance, these four people were selfish and fought each other endlessly for the secret techniques of the Evil Extreme Sect. For decades, none of them were able to obtain the complete manual.

Now, Su Ming can get them to offer up their martial arts skills with just a few words. Even if he is a grandmaster, it would be difficult to get them to do so willingly. Decades of entanglement have become their obsession.

As night deepened, the chaotic hoofbeats of horses galloped through the woods, occasionally punctuated by sounds of laughter, curses, and lewd whispers.

Before long, four figures rode out of the woods on horseback, revealing themselves.

The leader had a sallow complexion and was extremely thin. His blue robe was unusually large, giving the impression that it did not fit him properly. On his back hung a golden, gleaming one-legged bronze figure, which should have weighed at least several hundred pounds, but it seemed as light as a feather on his thin back. It bounced up and down with the horse's gallop, posing no burden at all.

This person was none other than You Niaojuan, one of the four disciples of Xiang Yutian, who was known for his rebellious behavior. He glared at them with resentment, "Hmph, that Jade Daoist is powerful. Let's go to Zhongnan Mountain first and take his disciple. If we can get the Misty Sword Technique, what does it matter if the Evil Extreme Sect's inheritance is given to him?"

Immediately, a beautiful woman in palace attire with a pale face giggled, "I've heard that Xu Ziling is a rare beauty in the world, and he might even be a virgin. You'd better go easy on him."

The one speaking was Jin Huanzhen, the alluring lady. As she spoke, she giggled, exuding a seductive charm.

Beside her stood Ding Jiuzhong, a burly man dressed in tight-fitting clothes, with a huge iron fork stuck in his back, a hooked nose and deep-set eyes. He had an indescribable evil aura about him, making it clear at a glance that he was not a good person.

He chuckled and said in a sinister tone, "Once we get the Misty Sword Technique, the four of us will exchange martial arts skills and hide deep in the mountains and forests. At that time, even if that Jade Daoist has extraordinary abilities, he won't be able to find us."

At this moment, Old Zhou, who was lagging behind, sighed with a bitter face and suddenly said, "That Jade Daoist is not someone to be trifled with. If we go and cause trouble for his disciple, are we really sure we won't get into any trouble?"

This man's appearance was even more unappealing. His face was as wide as a basin, his chin was bulging and hooked, and his two thick lips protruded like bird beaks. His big eyes looked like two balls of will-o'-the-wisps. He was short and stout, but his hands were as thick as tree trunks. Although he was dressed in a monk's robe, he had no otherworldly air about him. He looked like a ruthless demon king.

Unfortunately, he also had a string of blood-red beads hanging on his head, which looked completely out of place.

Ding Jiuzhong glanced at him and said slowly, "Old Zhou sighed, they've already said they want us to hand over the Evil Extreme Sect's martial arts. Can you really stand it? Given what we've done, do you think Master Yu will let us off the hook? Our master is, after all, a grandmaster of the Demonic Sect, a figure who dominated an era. We disciples can't let him down."

"If Master were still alive, there would be no need for Master Yu."

After saying that, he sighed. Back then, Xiang Yutian deliberately created a false impression. In front of his four disciples, he pretended to have died from a failed training session, leaving no trace of his body. In reality, he shattered the void and disappeared, making people think that he died from training. This was to prevent future generations from cultivating the Dao Heart Demon Seed Technique out of fear.

He successfully achieved his goal, as none of his four disciples were particularly skilled in martial arts.

When Xiang Yutian was mentioned, the four of them fell silent. Even though he was dead, the shadow he cast in their hearts still remained. The Demonic Sect was not a place for kind-hearted men and women, and the relationship between masters and disciples was rarely as harmonious as that of the righteous sects.

Killing one's master is commonplace in the Demonic Sect.

Finally, You Niaojuan made the final decision, "Why say all this? Xu Ziling has only been practicing for a few years. Even if he becomes a grandmaster, his skill is weak, and he's definitely no match for us. Let's get the Misty Sword Technique first. Besides, we're not going to kill him, so what's there to be afraid of!"

"Aren't you curious about the martial arts skills of the world's number one expert?"

Upon hearing this, the other three exchanged glances and fell silent. Clearly, for these people obsessed with martial arts, the allure of Yu Daoren's martial arts was greater than anything else.

The members of the Demonic Sect were incredibly audacious and daring, so the group sped off towards Guanzhong.

……

The summit of Mount Taibai.

The last rays of the setting sun finally disappeared into the distant horizon, and the flickering light of a campfire on the mountain peak became the only light in this dark world, making the figure appear even more aloof, transcendent, and unfathomable.

The sounds of cicadas and insects fill the space of the mountains and fields, both full and ethereal, and within the chaos lies a certain indescribable rhythm, making the otherwise desolate wilderness night full of life.

Xu Ziling sat on a blue stone under a tree, a campfire burning beside him. The flames crackled, their flickering light struggling to pierce the heavy night, as if it were the only source of light in the darkness.
He raised the bamboo tube, took a sip of the icy, sweet spring water, and gazed intently at the pale silver crescent moon eagerly leaping over the mountain peak in the east, his eyes filled with fascination.

These days, he has been practicing in the mountains, his footprints covering the Zhongnan Mountains. When he is thirsty, he drinks spring water; when he is hungry, he eats wild fruits and game. From time to time, he sits down and discusses the Tao with the Taoists who are practicing in seclusion in the mountains.

His Dao heart was gradually polished to a crystal-clear state. At this moment, he looked up at the moonlight, his mind had already crossed infinite distances and merged with the crescent moon in the void, his spiritual light spreading everywhere and illuminating the world.

Suddenly, a strange sound rang out from the dense forest below the hill.

"Eee-ya... Waaah..."

When I first heard it, it sounded like a baby crying, and then it turned into a woman's screams and wails.

The sound startled Xu Ziling, jolting him out of his reverie. Hearing the sound around him, he frowned slightly, realizing that someone was playing tricks. This eerie and unsettling feeling was clearly the result of someone using demonic sonic techniques, completely different from Wanwan's method, but essentially the same. It was just that the timbre of their sonic attacks was truly disgusting and creepy.

Whether it's the pure sounds of Taoism, the Zen chants of Buddhism, or the Heavenly Demon Sounds of the Yin Gui School, they all emphasize integrating spiritual realms into every word or piece of music, using melodious sounds to intoxicate people, and using spiritual realms to harm people invisibly, which can be described as embodying evil within beauty.

However, the newcomer's sonic attack was clearly the complete opposite. While the timbre was chilling, the overall effect was equally awe-inspiring. The ugly voice made no attempt to conceal its malice, displaying the arrogance and domineering nature of the demonic path, its evil and violent nature, yet also exhibiting an extreme power. The person capable of using such sonic techniques was not weak, and their lineage was certainly not inferior.

"I wonder which member of the demonic sect has arrived here. Please show yourself!" Xu Ziling put down the bamboo tube, stood up, and spoke softly, his voice like a gentle spring breeze, piercing through the waves of mournful demonic sounds and spreading far and wide, calm and gentle, continuous and unending.

The next instant, the newcomer seemed to be struck by a blow and flew into a rage. The raging demonic sound changed again, sometimes in front and sometimes behind, sometimes rising and falling from left and right, and it became concentrated on the hillside where the dense forest meets the hill. It became higher and higher and more unpleasant, turning into ghostly howls. Anyone with slightly weaker willpower would surely cover their ears and tremble.

It's like suddenly arriving in the underworld, where thousands of gruesome ghosts are coming to claim your life, haunting you with shadowy figures and lurking killing intent.

Xu Ziling shook his head. There were more than one person who came, but he didn't say anything more and just sat quietly in place waiting.

After a while, the demonic probing continued unabated. He shook his head slightly, casually reached out and caught a green leaf that was drifting down in the wind, and brought it to his lips.

Suddenly, a clear sound appeared between heaven and earth, as if it were slowly rising from the distance on the horizon, and then remained in that untouchable distance, pulsating with vitality.

No matter how distorted, terrifying, piercing, and overwhelming the ghostly cries became, like a raging storm that could drown or suffocate anyone, the notes that Xu Ziling played with the verdant leaves were like a small boat that would never sink. Although it was sometimes tossed about by the towering waves, it always managed to drift peacefully in the end.

In the dense forest not far away, looking at Jin Huanzhen, whose jade-like face was becoming increasingly pale and bloodless, You Niaojuan, Ding Jiuzhong, and Zhou Laotan looked at each other, their hearts filled with turbulent waves.

They underestimated the disciple of the world's number one expert. His ability to withstand their combined sonic attacks for so long demonstrated his formidable inner strength. Moreover, they even sensed a profound mystery resembling the Heavenly Demon Sound within his sonic techniques.

This is a closely guarded secret of the Yin Kui Sect. How did he know it?

In fact, Xu Ziling had never learned the art of sound attacks, but he had read a lot about it. Back when he was entangled with Wanwan in the North, he was often ambushed by her Heavenly Demon Sound, so he naturally learned it. In addition, he read extensively in various Taoist sects and obtained many Buddhist secret manuals after the destruction of Buddhism. He also read a lot of secret techniques similar to the Buddhist Lion's Roar.

Even if he hadn't specifically trained, with his talent, he naturally mastered it.

However, this sounded quite extraordinary to the four of them, because it was the first time they had encountered someone who could completely suppress the demonic sound technique personally taught by Xiang Yutian by using the method of sound breaking sound.

In the past, the four of them were invincible when they used the Demonic Sound. As long as the Demonic Sound entered their ears, their opponents would be mentally damaged and their will would waver. But now, each note seemed to float out of the void, as if it had accumulated some kind of strange and moving power, making it difficult for you to resist and even more difficult to stand by and watch.

This was an unprecedented and extraordinary feeling. Knowing that it contained an astonishingly domineering and demonic nature that could destroy one's soul, it was also like a Buddhist chant, compassionate and warm, making one willingly listen and become hopelessly captivated.

As time went on, this clear sound became more and more agile and swift, with ever-changing timbres and a well-organized rhythm. Its melody continued to strengthen and expand, filled with an indescribable, continuous cohesive force, expansive force, and infectious power.

The demonic sounds emitted by the four gradually faded away until they fell completely silent, leaving only gentle, clear sounds that filled the air.

The melodious sound suddenly stopped, and Jin Huan coughed up a mouthful of blood. Her pale, almost transparent face was suddenly filled with wisps of black energy, and her delicate body swayed precariously.

"Oh no, the demonic power has backfired!"

Yu Niaojuan, who was standing to the side, was shaken and didn't care about anything else. He hurriedly reached out to help Jin Huanzhen, but suddenly felt weak all over and lacked energy. It was as if an invisible hole had been torn in his body at some unknown time, which leaked all his energy and spirit.

Looking back, Ding Jiuzhong and the others also looked exhausted and dared not move.

The next moment, the light and shadow shifted, and a Taoist robe suddenly appeared.

The four members of the trembling Evil Extreme Sect exchanged a subtle glance amidst their fear and trepidation.

Jin Huan understood, and despite the pain of her demonic energy surging through her body, she looked at Xu Ziling with resentment, "Young Master Xu, I was just joking, why did you have to be so ruthless?"

Xu Ziling stared calmly at the four of them for a long time before finally speaking, "So you are the successors of the Evil Extreme Sect. Why are you causing trouble in the south instead of coming to my Mount Taibai?" As he spoke, a playful smile appeared on his lips.

For some reason, the more Jin Huan looked at his gentle smile, the colder she felt in her heart and the more terrified she became. She wanted to speak, but the demonic energy attacked her heart, causing her unbearable pain.

Yu Niaojuan suppressed his discomfort and forced a fawning smile. "Young Master Xu, we admire the reputation of the Longevity Technique and wanted to see it for ourselves, but it turned out to be like a mayfly trying to see the sky. We were overestimating ourselves. We'll leave now."

As he spoke, he prepared to leave.

"Wait a minute, do I let you go?"

With just one sentence, the four felt their hair stand on end. A quick glance around revealed that the leaves and grass around them were taut and straight, as if pointing at them, sending chills down their spines.

It was as if the entire world was against them, and if they made a move, they would face a thunderous attack.

In an instant, a sense of impending death gripped their hearts, and Jin Huanzhen, who had just been seriously injured, fainted, terrifying the other three.

Faced with this pressure, Ding Jiuzhong's evil aura vanished without a trace in front of Xu Ziling. He hunched over and gritted his teeth, saying, "Young Master Xu, please calm down. We did not mean to offend you. We were summoned by the Imperial Preceptor and plan to go to Luoyang to present the secret techniques of the Evil Extreme Sect. We passed through Zhongnan and wished to get to know you."

Upon hearing this, the others glared at him angrily: "You've already handed over your martial arts skills before the fight has even started?"
Xu Ziling's eyes showed a hint of surprise. "Oh? I've also heard of the Dao Heart Demon Seed Technique. Since you're here, there's no need for you to go to Luoyang. Just give it to me, and I can pass it on."

Yu Niaojuan and the others looked at each other, quite perplexed. "This?"

Xu Ziling's gaze turned slightly cold. "What? Can't this humble Taoist speak for my master?"

With his knowledge, he could naturally tell that these people had ill intentions. Killing them would not be difficult for him, but he was also very curious about the Dao Heart Demon Seed Technique. Since that was the case, he didn't mind letting them live a little longer.

(End of this chapter)