Walking alone with a sword, slaying ghosts and gods

Chapter 558 The Demon-Suppressing Daoist Heart Remains Firm on Lonely Mountain; Tribulation Lightning Burns Body, Hearts Grieve Together (Seeking Rewards and Subscriptions!)

The outcome of the battle at Zhenmo Mountain spread throughout the land not long afterward.

In this battle between the Dao and the Demonic, the Demonic Ancestor Jiyuan defeated eight Mahayana cultivators from nine sects of the human race. Only the Jade Purity Sect's Ziwei Daojun managed to fight him to a draw. To prevent the Demonic from spreading throughout the world...

After the eight Mahayana cultivators of the human race made the Heavenly Demon Blood Oath with the Demon Ancestor of the Silent Abyss, they escaped this calamity, leaving only the Taiqing Sect to face this great tribulation alone.

Cultivators follow the laws of nature: humans follow the earth, the earth follows heaven, heaven follows the Tao, and the Tao follows nature. The great Tao and the laws of heaven and earth exist objectively and are not subject to human will.

Even demonic cultivators, who defy and distort the laws, do so based on demonic energy and twist their interpretations. When the demonic energy dissipates, the world returns to its objective and natural state.

Therefore, after the Silent Abyss Demon Ancestor made a strict Heavenly Demon Blood Oath, and given that sealing the Ancient Demon Rift was indeed in the interest of the Six Extremes Demon Sect, the other Mahayana cultivators present could naturally trust the three Demon Ancestors.

However, such actions are indeed immoral and too cruel for the Taiqing Sect.

The Jade Purity Sect's Ziwei Daojun and the Upper Purity Sect's Wangchen Daojun exchanged a glance and sighed softly.

Not to mention the other sects, even they themselves would act in accordance with the interests of their own sect.

Even if it gives us ten thousand more years to prepare for and deal with the demonic calamity, it's better than letting it erupt now and catching the nine major sects off guard.

The news of this matter quickly spread to Taiqing Mountain, causing a stir and uproar throughout the clan.

"The Nine Alliances... is it just a piece of scrap paper?"

"The two patriarchs, Longzhang and Fengtu, actually took on this catastrophic calamity on behalf of the entire sect!?"

"Who gave them the authority to act on behalf of the sect in this way?"

"Why! Why is it that only my Taiqing Sect can withstand this demonic calamity?" Upon hearing the news, the crowd on Mount Taiqing was filled with righteous indignation, like boiling water in a cauldron.

Some young disciples, their eyes blazing with fury and their robes fluttering, questioned the authority of the two Mahayana cultivators, Longzhang and Fengtu, to make decisions on behalf of the sect.

However, an elderly cultivator with profound cultivation and a long history spoke up to comfort them, his deep voice overpowering the surrounding clamor:

"Child, do not speak! At that time, those eight sects were already terrified by the demonic power, betraying the interests of Taiqing and abandoning the billions of people of Taiqing. At that time, the two seniors, Longzhang and Fengtu, did not accept the battle, but rather did not want our Taiqing Sect to passively accept such humiliation like stray dogs. By taking the initiative, at least... we preserved the pride and determination of Taiqing. Otherwise, before the demons even arrived, our Dao hearts would have already collapsed."

Moreover, if there is no one in charge there, does that mean the calamity won't befall the Taiqing Sect? Perhaps quite the opposite.

At that time, the best solution for Long Zhang and Feng Tu to avoid offending either side was to claim that they could not decide the matter themselves, and then pass the burden back to Taiqing Sect. In the end, they would still have to take it on anyway, and Taiqing Sect would lose time to prepare.

The way Long Zhang and Feng Tu are acting now is already a testament to the support that Taiqing Sect has given them over the years.

Some disciples from other sects also looked towards the vast eastern void, saying with anticipation:
"The hundred races of the spirit realm, will they just sit idly by and watch the ancient demon devour the heavens and the earth?"

Before the elderly cultivator could answer, a cold voice immediately pointed out the crux of the matter: "Those who are not of their kind are difficult to fathom. Moreover, the laws of the Ancient Demon Realm are vastly different, and the Heavenly Dao is in chaos. How can we know that it is incompatible with the achievements of those powerful beings from other races? At this moment, countless people are standing by and watching, reaping the benefits. Even so-called 'fellow cultivators' offering 'moral support' is nothing more than empty shouts and at most some material assistance. Our Taiqing has no choice but to save ourselves!"

Arguments and conversations, along with chaotic noises, echoed throughout the sect like rumbling thunder before a storm.

Until the familiar and majestic voice of Xuanqing Daozun pierced the sky like a stabilizing force, resounding throughout every immortal peak and cave of Taiqing Mountain:
"quiet!"

The next moment, all was silent!

Xuanqing Daozun's figure did not appear directly, but the decisiveness and chilling majesty contained in his voice instantly silenced all the discussions:
"The great calamity of heaven and earth has arrived, and the talk of 'if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold' is empty talk. The two patriarchs, Longzhang and Fengtu, have taken on the calamity with their own bodies to protect the integrity of our sect. This is great courage and virtue. If you still have doubts, you may sever your karma and leave this mountain. Those who wish to stay shall obey the orders of the sect and fight against the demonic tide together."

"Issue my decree—from this day forward, the Taiqing Sect shall be sealed off from the mountains!"

Wow!
In an instant, the light of the Purple Qi Sky-Piercing Five Thunder Immortal Array blazed brighter than ever before.

Layer upon layer of purple-gold light curtains containing ancient thunder patterns, like barriers left over from the creation of the world, rose from the inside out, from the thirty-six main peaks, the seventy-two secondary peaks, and even the countless secret nodes hidden deep in the earth's veins, rapidly connecting and finally transforming into a chaotic thunder sphere that covered the entire territory of the sect's core, as thick and substantial as a physical object.

As the array patterns flowed, the faint phantom of an ancient thunder dragon flew and patrolled, and a chilling aura permeated the surrounding area, completely isolating the sect from the outside world.

Deep within Mount Taiyue, the almost condensed immortal spiritual energy within the Nine Profound Condensing Truth Cave Heaven was also attracted into the array's core, adding a layer of magical power to this peerless array.

And it's not just about closing the mountain.

As Xuanqing Daozun issued his decrees, the massive migration began.

Countless disciples, both inner and outer, clad in the robes of the Taiqing Sect, descended upon the mortal world like pure light, holding Taiqing decrees and guiding countless mortals within the sect's sphere of influence to the core area protected by the Five Thunder Immortal Array.

Those who could move into the Immortal Array were allowed to do so, while those who could not were given spirit stones to help them escape to outside the territory of the Taiqing Sect, thus preventing demonic cultivators from using their blood sacrifices.

In an instant, celestial boats shuttled back and forth like a woven tapestry, and cloud bridges connected heaven and earth, carrying countless beings who were both in awe of the immortal sect and confused by its allure.

"Quickly. Women, children, the elderly and weak should board the boat first. Don't panic, you'll be safe once you're inside the immortal formation."

"Burn everything that cannot be taken from this place. Don't leave even a single grain of spirit rice for those demon cubs!"

"Spirit stones will be distributed. Those who do not wish to enter the formation or are unable to enter should use these spirit stones for protection and quickly move west or south away, for this place will become a dead zone."

People say that among the Xuan generation cultivators of the Taiqing Sect, Xuanqing is the wisest, Xuanzhen is the most ruthless, Xuanji is the most intelligent (already fallen), and Xuanting is the bravest!
This time, however, the decree of Xuanqing Daozun was as solid as a mountain, cold and piercing, clearing away all the areas that could not be moved into the protection range of the immortal array. Villages, medicinal fields, spirit mines, and all resources that could be used by demonic cultivators for blood sacrifices or replenishment were all turned into scorched earth and white land by the magical light of the Taiqing Sect disciples' magic treasures. If they wanted to redevelop them in the future, they would have to invest countless resources again.

The sacred springs have dried up, the earth's veins have withered, and the mountains and forests have been burned. The once blessed land of immortals has been transformed into a desolate and lifeless hell on earth.

Although this move severely damaged the sect's vitality, it cut off the demonic cultivators' path of "using war to sustain war," further demonstrating the Taiqing Sect's resolute determination to perish together with the demonic calamity.

Meanwhile, deep within the wild and untamed world of the far north.

The gale-force winds, sharp as knives, tore through the ancient, deathly silence of the void. On a temporarily created floating mountain, the raging天地元气 (heaven and earth energy) formed a visible vortex, and seven figures exuding terrifying pressure sat cross-legged atop the array's core.

Leading the group was none other than the acting head of the Taiqing Sect—Taoist Xuanzhenzi.

His face was clear and bright, and his eyes seemed to hold the rise and fall of the sun and moon. His aura was as deep as the vast universe, and he had actually reached the Mahayana realm in all his life.

Beside him floated a simple, ancient-looking magic sword, shaped like a nine-sectioned withered bamboo, a symbol of the sect and a powerful weapon for suppressing demons.
The sword form transformed from the Demon-Slaying Flying Ship.

Throughout the entire Taiqing Sect, there are countless heroes, but only two cultivators are capable of refining an eighth-tier war magic weapon flying ship into a personal magic weapon.

Lu Cheng was able to temporarily bring the giant flying ship with him by means of the special space of the Xuanhuang Merit Pagoda, a treasure of merit.

Strictly speaking, it was still a matter of taking shortcuts. Only Daoist Xuanzhenzi had been in charge of the Demon-Slaying Flying Ship for ten thousand years. In his early years, he even used the Demon-Slaying Flying Ship to force back invading Mahayana cultivators several times in order to uphold the prestige of the sect.

Although the Demon-Slaying Flying Ship was not promoted to the eighth rank under his leadership, it is no exaggeration to say that Xuanzhenzi is the most powerful wielder in the history of the Demon-Slaying Flying Ship, especially after today.

The ancient flying sword was imbued with a hidden, malevolent aura, reminiscent of the bloodline of an ancient ferocious beast. This aura, combined with the Mahayana realm, made Xuanzhenzi's aura resemble that of a dormant, primordial beast, powerful enough to make ordinary Mahayana cultivators tremble in their Dao hearts.

Around him, the vast magical power of the Mahayana cultivators was still surging, like a materialized golden tide, constantly cleansing and washing over the souls and bodies of the other six fellow disciples beside him.

There's nothing that can be done about it. Advancing to the Mahayana realm and being able to control the power of the Mahayana realm are two completely different things. Although Xuanzhenzi's cultivation is high and his power is strong, it still takes time to adjust his completely different physical and mental state after advancing to the Mahayana realm.

The cultivator closest to Xuanzhenzi, whose temperament was six or seven parts similar to his but even more flamboyant, was none other than his beloved junior brother, Xuantingzi. Xuantingzi's aura was at the critical point of breaking through from the peak of the Integration stage to the Mahayana stage, and the hazy glow around him was almost pure white, making the Mahayana Immortal Gate seem within reach.

"Senior brother! The sect... Demon Suppression Mountain! The eight sects betraying their alliance... Dragon Chapter, Wind Chart..."

Logically speaking, given Xuan Tingzi's current state, he should be ignoring everything else and focusing on cultivation.

However, he also had personal disciples within the sect. Under strict orders, and knowing their master's temperament well, those disciples dared not conceal such a major matter. Therefore, Xuan Tingzi, who was at a critical juncture in his breakthrough, was deeply moved.

The primordial spirit, which was originally perfect and flawless and about to complete its final transformation, suddenly developed a barely perceptible crack.

"Junior brother! Guard your mind tightly, for calamity arises from the heart. Quickly calm your mind!" Xuanzhenzi's expression changed drastically, and a loud shout containing supreme Dao sounds rang out like a great bell, attempting to stabilize Xuantingzi's wavering mind. However, it was too late.

Above the sky, the winds and clouds churned, and the power of calamity gathered.

"Senior brother." Xuan Tingzi's eyes widened, revealing a deep-seated anxiety and resentment.

"The sect taught me and nurtured me, but now the sect is in danger. How can I... Wait! Wait! To think! Through this!"

"Fifty chance it is, I'll take the gamble!"

"Junior brother!"

Xuan Tingzi roared out the last four words, forcefully drawing upon all the unrefined magical power within his body and violently injecting it into the vortex of tribulation clouds that appeared above his head.

"Junior brother—be extremely careful!" For the first time, Xuanzhenzi's eyes revealed uncontrollable horror and pain, and a sense of unease welled up in his heart.

In an instant, the world changed color.

The Ninefold Soul-Slaying Heavenly Tribulation, a deep purple-black color, exudes an aura of great destruction.

The tribulation lightning condensed so quickly and abruptly, as if it had been forcibly "awakened" in a fit of rage. Dark purple lightning snakes, as thick as galaxies, danced wildly, carrying a will that would annihilate all life and even freeze time and space, locking onto Xuan Tingzi and crashing down.

"Boom——!!!"

The entire floating mountain instantly evaporated into the most basic particles in the lightning!
The terrifying shockwave tore the protective array apart like paper, and the violent calamity energy raged, with the aftershocks almost sweeping towards several other fellow disciples.

Xuan Ting Daoist blocked the three layers of Soul-Slaying Heavenly Tribulation in front of him with a high-grade flying sword.

The three-fold Soul-Severing Heavenly Tribulation in the middle caused Xuan Ting's azure aura to suddenly contract, transforming into the phantom of an ancient giant bell to protect his body. This was his natal magic weapon, which had been nurtured for ten thousand years.

Bang, bang, bang!
Those streaks of crimson-gold lotus flames suddenly burst into bloom! The petals unfurled, and the world was instantly transformed into an endless blood-red inferno. Instead of rampaging lightning and fire, the lotus heart emitted filthy, twisted, black-red lightning and fire resembling poisonous dragons, silently "licking" the azure giant bell.

laugh--!
Like boiling oil poured on snow, the seemingly indestructible Taoist protective bell rapidly melted away, creating a huge breach!

The black and red lightning pierced through the defense and instantly wrapped around Xuan Ting Daoist's Dharma body. Its speed was faster than divine sense, like a carbuncle clinging to the bone!
"Ugh, demonic possession!" Xuan Ting let out a suppressed roar of pain.

The intense pain of his body being polluted and burned pierced his primordial spirit, even worse than being torn apart by a thousand cuts. The sword intent in his eyes, which was like a desperate act to break through the final barrier, suddenly dissipated the moment he was enveloped in black and red lightning and fire!

The demonic traces in the Eastern Heavenly Ruins, the pressure of Taiqing's solitary resistance to the demonic tribulation, the anxious look in his senior brother's eyes... all sorts of chaotic thoughts were catalyzed by this fire into a torrent of inner demons, instantly engulfing his Dao heart.

“Senior brother… junior brother is useless… to protect Taiqing…” Xuan Ting Daoist suddenly turned around and opened his mouth, his voice hoarse and drowned out by the thunder.

That look went from extreme pain to scattered resentment, and finally turned into a deathly silence, and then the next moment!
Boom!

The thunderclouds in the nine heavens pressed down like a giant beast, and the last of the accumulated violent lightning tribulation power bombarded the Dao body that was entangled in black fire and had lost its ability to resist!
Xuanzhenzi's eyes twitched violently, and the protective dragon, tiger, wind and cloud energies almost surged out of control. He saw his junior brother's robe sleeves torn to dust in the torrent of blazing white lightning. The light from the explosions of the protective magic treasures vanished in an instant. His entire figure was like fragile glass facing the crushing weight of the divine mountain, instantly covered with cracks, and then collapsed!

There was no earth-shattering explosion, only a soft, tearing "crack".

The lightning flashes receded like a tide, and the tribulation clouds rolled and dissipated unwillingly.

The dull echo of thunder rolled across the desolate land; the spot where Junior Brother Xuan Ting had once stood was now empty. The last wisp of ashes, before it even touched the ground, was scattered by the chaotic post-calamity winds, leaving no trace.

There was deathly silence between heaven and earth.

The five newly promoted Mahayana cultivators of the Taiqing Sect who were protecting him all remained silent with their heads bowed.

With Xuan Tingzi's cultivation and power, if he were to proceed slowly, he would have a 70% or higher chance of passing the Heavenly Tribulation and attaining the Great Ascension Realm. However, given his personality, how could he sit idly by and watch his sect fall into crisis? Even with only a 50% chance, he would still forge ahead.

Moreover, given Xuan Tingzi's temperament, it's one thing if he doesn't know, but once he learns that the sect is in danger, he will no longer be able to calmly cultivate and continue his practice. His chances of successfully transcending the tribulation will only decrease.

The swirling wind whipped around Xuanzhenzi's Taoist robe, making it flutter loudly, and his figure standing atop the peak seemed to transform into an ancient rock.

Ten thousand years ago, when Xuan Ting first stepped into the Foundation Establishment stage, he timidly asked him for sword techniques on a mountain peak; three thousand years ago, the two ventured into the Netherworld Blood Sea together. Xuan Ting was corrupted by the Nine Netherworld Demonic Qi while protecting him, and it was he who carried him step by step to fight his way out of the encirclement...

“The demonic calamity is disturbing my life… It has the power to erode the heavens and sever my path to enlightenment… Junior Brother Xuanting, you have always been so disobedient.” Xuanzhenzi’s knuckles, which were hanging in his sleeves, were clenched so tightly that they turned white, and his fingertips were deeply embedded in his palms, with a faint trace of blood seeping into the dark color of his Daoist robe.

The dragon and tiger roared angrily, and the wind and clouds cried mournfully. The rising sword intent and killing aura almost dyed the heavens and earth different colors. The five Mahayana cultivators behind Xuanzhenzi were all terrified when they saw it.

They were all senior cultivators of the sect, some even of the Tong or Ming generation, but they could only remain silent in front of Daoist Xuanzhenzi.

Hundreds of years may seem like an eternity to mortals, but to the profound foundation of an immortal sect, it is merely a dormant period of time, a time when thunder is brewing.

Deep within Mount Tai, inside the Hanguang Cave.

The Jade Profound Cleansing Vein Cold Spring still flows with a chilling aura containing the vitality of heaven and earth, like icy nectar, soaking the figure sitting cross-legged in the cave.

Lu Cheng Daoist's eyes were tightly closed, and the withered and lifeless aura that had surrounded him had completely dissipated. In its place was a pure and profound spiritual light, as clear as jade and as deep as an abyss.

A faint golden mist rose and condensed three feet above his head, repeatedly refining itself. Sometimes it transformed into three blurry, illusory flower shapes, and sometimes it conjured up a world-shaking sword intent of dragons and tigers fighting, a golden roc spreading its wings, and a golden crow breaking through the sky.

The Xuan Tian Divine Skill circulated smoothly and seamlessly within his body. With each breath, it caused the life force of the Jade Profound Cold Spring and the spiritual energy of the grotto heaven to resonate intensely, emitting a deep, thunderous roar.

These hundreds of years of healing have enabled him to return to the peak of the ninth level of the Void Returning Realm.

Even the magical barrier that had stagnated for hundreds of years, under the repeated erosion of the powerful and pure magical energy, showed a strange sign, as if it was just waiting for an opportunity to touch the threshold of that higher realm—breaking through and then establishing anew, with signs of returning to the void and breaking through the realm already present.

Such rapid progress in cultivating the Tao is truly astonishing.

However, Lu Cheng was also aware that the Immortal Integration Tribulation was the second most severe Heavenly Punishment after the Ascension Tribulation, second only to the Great Ascension Tribulation. Without sufficient confidence, a reckless mistake could cost him all thirty-six lives. Therefore, it was better to proceed cautiously and carefully.

Outside the cave, layers of thick, ink-like clouds piled up on the horizon, slowly descending with the heavy majesty of the entire Taiqing Mountain range pressing down upon them.

But as Lu Cheng Daoist dispersed his power, it gradually dissipated, merging into the surrounding void and returning to nothingness.

Today, Mount Taiqing and the world outside the mountain have become two separate worlds: one is a blessed land for immortals to cultivate, and the other is a cruel hell.

After Lu Cheng Dao Ren emerged from seclusion, he stood on this side, gazing at the other side, but no one knew what he was thinking.

(End of this chapter)