Walking alone with a sword, slaying ghosts and gods

Chapter 556 The Day of Returning to the Clan Amidst the Blazing Flames of Calamity, the Mysterious Spring Cleanses the Meridians and Nurturing Life (Seeking Rewards and Subscriptions!)

At the summit of Mount Tai, a blazing streak of light, trailing a long tail that seemed to be made of countless sparks, crashed into the Myriad Wonders Flower Garden in Yunzuiping like a falling star.

The terrifying heat instantly evaporated and vaporized a strange fairy plant, and a glass-like hard shell covered the ground in an area of ​​several tens of feet. In the center, a charred Taoist priest deeply embedded in the earth struggled to get up.

Such a commotion naturally attracted many cultivators from the mountains to come out and investigate.

"Husband!"

"master!"

"Master!"

Exclamations and cries of pain rang out almost simultaneously. Xiao Yuhong, Xiao Yuxue, Xue Yuzhen, Yun Ling'er, Miao Chuyun, and the others, disregarding the still scorching heat, transformed into rainbows and flew over to pounce on them.

Once Lu Cheng was certain that he had returned to the Taiqing Sect, he felt a sense of relief and finally let himself faint.

The backlash from the Four-Nine Escape Technique was far more severe than anticipated.

He thought that his Thirty-Six Transformations of the Mysterious Heaven meant he had thirty-six lives, but he never expected that the Forty-Nine Escape Technique would extract his life force from the inside out and turn it into rainbow fuel. It was impossible to maintain it with one or a few strands of life force.

At this moment, Lu Cheng Daoist, who was once like a celestial being with profound magical power, now resembled a piece of withered wood that had been repeatedly forged by heavenly thunder and earthly fire.

Its entire body was charred and cracked, and the cracks were not flesh and blood, but rather an inner radiance like cracked crystal, yet extremely dim, constantly emanating an aura of decay and death.

The body, once unique and full of vitality, is now nothing but decay and ruin. Only the faint breath in its chest, as if it might be extinguished at any moment, indicates that life still exists.

"Quickly! Together, lift my husband into the 'Jade Profound Cleansing Cold Spring,' make sure he's steady!" Xiao Yuhong suppressed her grief, her voice carrying an undeniable authority and resolve. She was filled with intense hatred, hating the peerless demon who had severely injured her husband, and also hating her own powerlessness, but she knew that every second counted at this moment.

The cultivators present each unleashed their profound light, carefully using their magic to lift the charred body, which swiftly passed through layers of restrictions and flew deep into the spiritual vein cave of Taiqing Mountain.

The Jade Profound Cleansing Cold Spring is one of the core secret realms of the Taiqing Sect. Inside it is a "Cleansing Cold Spring" that never dries up, with water that is extremely cold and yin. Yet, it contains a mysterious vitality that can cleanse the body, purify impurities, and nurture all things. It is a natural treasure land for healing damage to one's Dao foundation and expelling evil spirits and demonic intent.

“Madam Lu, I am under orders from my sect to guard the Cold Spring. I am also very worried about Your Majesty’s injury, but since you have neither sect orders nor a master present, I am in a difficult position…”

The young Taoist priest guarding the cold spring was afraid of taking responsibility and was in a dilemma.

"The decree will be sent to you personally. My husband was seriously injured while serving the sect. If you dare to block my way again, don't blame my flying sword for being ineffective!"

Xiao Yuhong's eyes flashed with a cold light, and she had already formed a sword incantation in her hand.

"No need for Master's wife to take action, I will kill this man myself! If the sect blames him, I will pay with my life." Fearing that his master's wife would bear the sect's responsibility, Youming Daoist took two steps forward and opened his mouth to spit out a flying sword.

Seeing how fierce and menacing this group of people were, the Taoist priest guarding the cold spring dared not continue to obstruct them and silently retreated to the side.

He thought to himself, 'Once the sect's laws are in effect, I'll teach you a lesson!'

Almost all the cultivators on Mount Taiyue were Nascent Soul cultivators, and they were the backbone of a large sect like the Taiqing Sect. A sect disciple guarding the spiritual spring was only at the Nascent Soul stage, so naturally he couldn't withstand them.

Without lingering, the group quickly entered the cave and immediately felt the chilling spring water penetrating to their bones. White, cold air rose and swirled around like a dragon.

"Take it slow, be careful."

The moment Lu Cheng's charred body was immersed in the spring water, a sickening hissing sound rang out.

The extreme cold spring fiercely clashed with the remaining incinerating flames, and wisps of black smoke escaped from the crack.

The spring water's originally crystal-clear surface was instantly covered by a layer of viscous filth, but deep within the cold spring, the overwhelming vitality, like countless gentle yet firm hands, began to slowly and continuously seep into Lu Cheng's almost shattered Dao body and Dharma body.

"Not enough! Chu Yun, you must immediately go and ask Master Xuanqing to bestow a precious pill upon you, and at the same time explain what happened."

Mount Taiqing is protected by the Nine-Rank Immortal Array, the Purple Qi Sky-Patrolling Five Thunder Immortal Array. However, Lu Cheng has the sect's jade token and the Soul Lamp enshrined in the Ancestral Hall. With the two complementing each other, the mountain-protecting array will not prevent him from returning to Mount Taiyue.

Therefore, at this time, Xuanqing Daozun may not even know that Lu Cheng has returned to the sect and is seriously injured.

And since you just barged in here by force, you also need to give an explanation to Master Xuanqing, otherwise you will be bringing disaster upon your husband.

As the eldest wife of the Lu family, Xiao Yuhong was clear-headed and organized, but she didn't need to show it on ordinary days. However, she showed her true colors in times of crisis.

"No need, I'm already here."

Just as Xiao Yuhong and the others turned their heads, a phantom stepped out of the cave and arrived at the side of the cold spring in an instant.

Without hesitation, Xuanqing Daozun took out a jade bottle radiating a seven-colored halo, uncorked it, and a rich medicinal fragrance almost solidified, causing all the plants and trees in the cave to seem to leap and grow in response. He first used his own pure magical power to dissolve the pill, and then carefully cast an incantation to put it into Lu Cheng's mouth.

The elixir melted instantly upon entering his mouth. Its immense medicinal power was not a warm current, but rather like an icy river flowing into the sea, carrying a chilling cold that pierced the very soul, instantly freezing the still raging embers and dissipating life force. Just as Lu Cheng's body seemed about to be completely frozen, the vibrant life force deep within the icy spring seemed to be ignited, surging upwards. One coldness gave rise to life, mutually stimulating each other, circulating throughout the body in an endless, turbulent flow.

"Thank you for coming in person, Master Uncle Xuanqing. I am very grateful. I was worried about my husband before, and I acted rashly and recklessly, and I used the spiritual spring without permission. Please punish me, Master Uncle."

Seeing her husband's complexion gradually improve, Xiao Yuhong breathed a sigh of relief, then turned and bowed, addressing Xuanqing Daozun in this manner. However, just as she bowed, Xuanqing Daozun lifted her up with a flick of his sleeve.

"No need. Jingxu has indeed made great contributions to the sect. He is currently suffering from severe internal injuries, and this cold spring will indeed help him heal them. So, we will give it to Taiyue Peak so that it will be more convenient for you to use it in the future."

The communication talisman that Lu Cheng sent out earlier did not reach the Taiqing Sect. Xuanqing Daozun only learned of this matter after receiving a message from the Yuqing and Shangqing Sects via the Earth Vein Mirror.

The Fire Spirit Fairy and the Purple Sun Venerable were able to return to their sect alive entirely because Lu Cheng held off the Nightmare Demon Ancestor for long enough. Otherwise, if the Mahayana Demon Ancestor had attacked and killed the three Void Returning cultivators ten thousand times, all three would have died.

Fire Spirit Fairy and Purple Sun Venerable both praised Lu Jingxu highly. Through the communication between the Jade Purity Sect and the Upper Purity Sect, Xuanqing Daoist also learned the cause and effect of the matter.

Just as Lu Cheng stabilized his life force in the cold spring, a dramatic change brewing in the world surged forth like a torrent.

Deep within the Eastern Heavenly Ruins Secret Realm, the "Ink Eye" rift, which had expanded to its limit after being fed and devoured by the blood and souls of countless living beings, suddenly erupted with a soaring dark red demonic light!

A beam of light pierced through the void, reaching the vast sky above and the deepest hell below. In an instant, in the eastern region of the Earthly Immortal Realm, all living beings, whether human, demon, ghost, or monster, felt an overwhelming sense of terror and oppression.

All beasts trembled in fear, vegetation withered, and the spiritual veins of mountains and rivers uttered mournful cries of unbearable burden.

One, two, three... gradually, countless spatial rifts spread, tore apart, and expanded in the void, centered on "Ink Pupil" like a spider web!
Behind each crack, endless, chaotic, and violent demonic energy emanated, as if the sealed gate of the ancient demonic prison had been opened.

The first to be affected are the numerous immortal cities, markets, and sects within a vast territory spanning tens of millions of miles around the Eastern Celestial Ruins.

Countless bizarre-shaped monsters, covered in demonic scales or pieced together from rotting flesh and skeletons, gushed out of the cracks like a flood, carrying a dense, turbid demonic aura.

Screams, cries, curses, the light of clashing magical weapons, the explosions of demonic flames burning the city... all intertwined in an instant, creating a scene of apocalypse.

A group of independent cultivators, relying on an ancient, remnant array, held fast to their mountain gate. Their golden barrier shone brightly like the sun, but it was instantly pierced by a giant demon, its body as large as a mountain and its back laden with skeletons, spewing forth a gray-green demonic flame imbued with a decaying curse. Thousands of cultivators within the array were devoured by the demonic fire in despair, their souls sucked into the giant demon's mouth, transforming into wailing, malevolent spirits.

A demon king rode the demonic wind and soared into the sky, revealing his true form a thousand feet tall, intending to kill the demon horde. However, he was surrounded by dozens of "blade-wielding demon locusts" that seemed to be formed from countless sharp blades.

The ear-piercing sounds of metal scraping and scales shattering filled the air. In the blink of an eye, only the white bones of the demon king fell to the ground.

Even more formidable figures, sect patriarchs and powerful figures at the early stage of the Integration Realm, wielded their natal spiritual treasures, drawing upon the primordial energy of a thousand miles of heaven and earth, transforming it into a colossal hand that slammed towards the source of the demonic tide. However, from the depths of the rift emerged a gigantic hand covered in jet-black bone spikes and inscribed with complex blood-red runes, which casually clenched its fist!
The giant palm of the spirit treasure shattered like glass, and the old ancestor's expression changed drastically. He spat out blood and turned to flee, but the giant hand with bone spikes came flying through the air and grabbed him and his soul into its palm. Only a miserable scream that was cut off abruptly echoed in the sky.

In an instant, the eastern lands were stained with blood, and resentment filled the air. A message spread like wildfire throughout the major powers of the Immortal Realm: the Ancient Demon World had launched a massive invasion!

Beneath the crack in that dark pupil, a Taoist priest with wide robes and sleeves, an ancient and simple style, a tall and upright figure, and a handsome face stood against the wind, like an immortal. However, around him were countless terrifying demons and demonic cultivators of all shapes and sizes.

Although the assassination attempt on the three Void Returning cultivators failed due to an unexpected incident.

However, a Mahayana Demon Ancestor has successfully crossed over into the realm, and he personally captures living beings for blood sacrifice, making the invasion of the Demon Realm unstoppable.

Beneath the all-consuming "Ink Eye" rift, newly formed spatial ripples surged violently like boiling water.

The demonic energy seemed to have acquired a tangible weight, thick as blood plasma, pressing down heavily, causing the densely packed demons and cultivators below to bow their heads and tremble.

The spatial cracks spreading from the edge of the fissure seemed to be summoned by some force, emitting a sharp hiss and tearing the spatial barrier of the Immortal Realm even more frantically.

A flash of light!
Beneath the rift, two figures appeared out of thin air beside the Nightmare Demon Ancestor.

The one on the left, several feet tall, with dark blue skin and no hair, a face as hard as ancient iron, sharp features, and pure silver-gray eyes without pupils, only cold, indifferent, and seemingly timeless vortexes of ice slowly turning—this was the Heavenly Nether Demon Ancestor. Wherever he passed, it seemed as if even heaven and earth would return to eternal annihilation.

The man on the right, however, possessed an even more extraordinary air. He was of average height, dressed in a moon-white ancient robe, with his long hair casually draped over his shoulders. His face was plain and gentle, with a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. But deep within his dark, deep-pool-like eyes lay a darkness that seemed to have accumulated over countless years and an indescribable greed.

He simply stood there quietly, and the violent energy surging from the entire "Ink Pupil" rift seemed to obediently surround and worship him. The space beneath his feet silently collapsed into tiny vortexes, which then instantly closed up again.

Without needing to make any movements or release any pressure, he was the absolute center of this terrifying source point, none other than the most unfathomable of the three Demon Ancestors, the Silent Abyss Demon Ancestor!

"Oh? Brother Xinyan actually waited here." The gaze of the Silent Abyss Demon Ancestor pierced through layers of demonic shadows and landed on Xinyan, his playful smile deepening. His voice was not loud, but it clearly resounded throughout the noisy and chaotic battlefield, even overpowering the roars of demons and the noise of space tearing apart, carrying an indescribable composure.

“I originally thought that you would be engrossed in hunting cultivators for food on this newly fertile land and would have no time to care about such a ‘trivial matter’ as our arrival. But I did not expect you to keep your promise so well, which is quite a surprise to me.”

Upon hearing this, the Nightmare Demon Ancestor's expression remained unchanged, still displaying the refined and elegant demeanor of an immortal descending to earth, as if he had not discerned the underlying meaning in Ji Yuan's words.

"Fellow Daoist Jiyuan, you flatter me. An agreement is an agreement. I have already taken the lead, setting the stage for this realm. Now that the passage is secure and you two have arrived, this Holy Realm Blood Feast can truly begin." At this point, his tone shifted, becoming chillingly authoritative:
"However, as previously agreed, before we can share this world together, I have one thing that you two fellow Daoists must agree to and do your best to help me achieve."

"Oh? What matter requires such solemnity from you, fellow Daoist?" A strange light flashed in the eyes of the Silent Abyss Demon Ancestor, who was also curious about why the Nightmare was so steadfast in keeping its promise.

"With the full power of my Holy Sect, we will destroy the Taiqing Sect!" The voice of the Nightmare Demon Ancestor suddenly turned cold. The demonic figures around him, who had been intimidated by the aura of Jiyuan and Tianming, were struck as if by a heavy blow, letting out painful howls. Strands of demonic souls were forcibly extracted and merged into the invisible ghostly light surrounding the Nightmare Demon Ancestor's elegant figure.

"I intend to capture a Taoist named Lu Jingxu from the Taiqing Sect alive and torture him for ten thousand years by extracting his soul and refining his spirit!"

"Lu Jingxu?" The Demon Ancestor of the Silent Abyss finally showed a clear curiosity on his face. "A mere junior cultivator in the Returning Void Realm can provoke Brother Heart Nightmare to go to such lengths, determined to destroy his sect and capture him alive? This makes me even more curious."

(End of this chapter)