Walking alone with a sword, slaying ghosts and gods

Chapter 574 The Pagoda Refines Demons to Prove Return to Emptiness, The Herb Snatched from the Hidden Mountain Terrifies the Masses (Starting tomorrow, 10,000 words daily!)
Deep within the Taiqing Mountains, in a secret cave dwelling where spiritual energy transforms into mist and moonlight cascades like waterfalls, two elegant figures sit facing each other at the star positions of the Zhou Tian Star Array Diagram, practicing their dual cultivation. They are none other than the sisters Xiao Yuhong and Xiao Yuxue.

Ordinary Yin-Yang dual cultivation uses physical intercourse, which is already considered inferior. If one forcibly absorbs the essence, it is even worse, not a proper path, and has little future.

The superior way of dual cultivation involves absorbing the Qi of Heaven and Earth to replenish one's own Qi, absorbing the essence of Heaven and Earth to replenish one's own essence, and absorbing the spirit of Heaven and Earth to replenish one's own spirit. The Taiqing Sect has a long history and was once a leader of the righteous sects, so it naturally possesses the most authentic and superior method of dual cultivation.

Therefore, with this technique, the sisters Xiao Yuhong and Xiao Yuxue can also cultivate together by relying on each other's spiritual power, which is more effective than cultivating alone.

Of course, to practice this dual cultivation method, one must have a partner with whom one can absolutely trust the practice, because in the state of practice, there is no defense between them. If one of the practitioners has malicious intentions, they can kill the other almost without paying any price.

Such things have happened quite often in the Immortal Realm.

Whether for love or profit, there have been tragic incidents where Mahayana cultivators killed their cultivation partners to save themselves from heavenly tribulations, turning them into corpse puppets.

However, this possibility is unlikely to occur within the Lu family.

Because their master had already cultivated the immortal body of Taoism, even a sneak attack could not kill him. If he attacked the other sisters, their master would definitely find out the truth. With Lu Cheng there, they could definitely be suppressed. As a result, his wives, concubines and disciples were even more willing to cultivate superior dual cultivation techniques.

After more than two thousand years of arduous cultivation in the Immortal Realm, the sisters Xiao Yuhong and Xiao Yuxue gradually accumulated enough merit. The years did not leave them with vicissitudes, but rather with an increasingly pure and ethereal Dao aura.

Years ago, the two sisters joined forces to create the "Demon Refining Heart Sutra". After ascending to the Earthly Immortal Realm, they read countless scriptures and classics to increase their knowledge. This skill has been transformed into the "Demon Subduing Heart Sutra", with a more lofty and grand purpose.

The core of its technique lies in using supreme Taoist power and cultivation to suppress demons and evil spirits in the world, and then using the Xuanmen divine incantation to control demons and the Great Dao scriptures to cleanse and transform them day and night, so that their malevolent energy gradually dissipates, their demonic nature fades away, and they are eventually transformed into pure spiritual sources to nourish themselves and willingly serve.

The most formidable aspect of this method is that the more demons and evil spirits a cultivator subdues, the deeper their cultivation becomes, and over the years, the more unfathomable their accumulated power becomes.

The path taken by the sisters Xiao Yuhong and Xiao Yuxue is the path of universal salvation acquired through later cultivation. When cultivated to a high level, they can even save more than a dozen demons at the same level as themselves and set up great formations, making them extremely powerful!
The Taiqing Sect has been passed down for thousands of years and has seven fundamental and true teachings that directly point to the Great Dao.

Xiao Yuhong is the master of the "Secret Manual of Xuanmen Danding Refining Form". This manual emphasizes body refining, unlocking the treasures of the physical body, refining the elixir essence, and using the body as a furnace to forge an unparalleled foundation for the Dao. Her younger sister, Xiao Yuxue, is an expert in the "Secret Manual of Zhou Tian Xing Chen Xing Qi". She draws the power of extraterrestrial stars into her body, opens up the acupoints of the human body, and communicates with the stars of the universe.

The true teachings of a sect are bound by a heavenly oath and must not be passed on to outsiders.

However, since both Xiao Yuhong and Xiao Yuxue were disciples of the Taiqing Sect, they exchanged cultivation insights without discussing specific techniques, thus bypassing the restrictions. Otherwise, it would have been impossible for fellow cultivators to even sit down and discuss cultivation techniques.

Lu Cheng holds the position of the Grand Master of Taiqing Sect, ruling the sect. He is also the only genius cultivator in the history of Taiqing Sect for 140,000 years to have cultivated the two fundamental true teachings to the highest level!

His mastery of the "Secret Manual of Refining Form in the Mysterious Alchemy Cauldron" has already subtly surpassed that of his predecessors, allowing him to glimpse even deeper mysteries.

With such a highly accomplished Daoist partner personally guiding them, the Xiao sisters, by integrating the "Secret Manual of Xuanmen Danding Refining Form" and the "Secret Technique of Zhou Tian Xing Chen Circulation Qi," avoided countless detours in their cultivation of the Star Qi Refining Technique.

Just as Lu Cheng practiced the Taoist transformation and ascension technique by referring to the "Secret Manual of Xuanmen Danding Refining Form", the Xiao sisters also practiced the "Demon Subduing Heart Sutra" in the same way, and gradually developed their own path, which was a self-created technique.

Creating one's own cultivation method is difficult, but the speed of cultivation and the understanding of one's own creation are superior to normal cultivation. However, the price is that there will be more risks in the cultivation process, and a slight mistake can lead to lifelong regret.

Fortunately, Lu Cheng possessed the Samadhi True Fire, which could help the Xiao sisters refine their dead acupoints and meridians; otherwise, the Xiao sisters would never have achieved their current level of skill.

With so many favorable conditions, the Xiao sisters accumulated enough to break through the barriers and face the tribulation of returning to the void. It was a natural outcome, and heaven rewards diligence.

On this auspicious occasion, the Taiqing Sect held a grand promotion ceremony for the two newly promoted True Monarchs of Returning to Emptiness.

Even in the Earthly Immortal Realm, one of the nine sects of the human race, a Nascent Soul cultivator can be considered a core disciple, and a Void Returning cultivator is even more of a pillar of the sect.

Auspicious clouds and mist enveloped the mountain gate, and celestial music from bells and chimes resounded through the sky.

On and around the viewing platform, numerous low- and mid-level disciples of the sect gathered, their eyes filled with admiration and anticipation.

Even more noteworthy is that the three Taoists who had broken through the mortal realm from the lower realm with the "Ascension Talisman" bestowed by the Shangqing Sect—Huang Longzi, Chi Shenzi, and Mie Hongzi—were also dressed in Taiqing Taoist robes and sitting upright to the side.

Huang Longzi and his wife, Bao Xiang, were deeply moved to witness their two beloved daughters surpass them.

At the heart of the ceremony, the Xiao sisters stood in the center of a pre-arranged "Celestial Tribulation Attraction Array." Their Daoist robes fluttered without wind, and starlight swirled around them, their aura as imposing as a deep pool and a towering mountain.

Facing the gradually gathering power of heaven and earth in the sky, they did not show the slightest panic. The sisters were of one mind, exchanged a glance, and then simultaneously summoned their natal spiritual treasures that had accompanied them for more than two thousand years: the Demon Refining Pagoda!
The Demon Refining Pagoda can be described as a method for refining war magic weapons, and for refining one's natal magic weapon, which consumes countless rare and precious materials in the mortal realm.

The Xiao sisters also had good fortune. In the first half of their lives, they were loved and protected by their parents, which allowed them to cultivate superior Taoist techniques and refine the most luxurious natal magic treasures.

She later married her husband Lu Cheng, and they lacked nothing in terms of spiritual objects. If it weren't for Lu Cheng leading the two women to ascend to the upper realm...

Even if the Xiao sisters were to ascend to the Immortal Realm through their own power and talent, they would still need to leave behind the Demon Refining Pagoda, perform countless meritorious deeds in the mortal world, and pass on the Demon Refining Heart Sutra technique in order to have the best chance of success.

The result was that Lu Cheng slew the tribulation with a single sword strike, proving his Dao through force and ascending to the Immortal Realm. There's nothing more to say about that. The bandits met their match. Several cultivators who originally had little chance of ascending to the Immortal Realm hitched a ride on Lu Cheng's coattails and ascended to the Earth Immortal Realm.

At this very moment, the Heavenly Tribulation of Returning to Emptiness is about to arrive. The ancient-looking tower, which is neither gold nor jade, is covered with densely packed runes of the Demon-Subduing Heart Sutra, which flow with sacred golden light.

As soon as it appeared, layers upon layers of phantom images appeared around the tower, all of which were demons and evil spirits that the Xiao sisters had subdued and converted over the years and who were willing to convert to their faith!
Although these phantoms varied in shape and strength, they all exuded a sense of piety, tranquility, and protection, perfectly blending with the pagoda's energy.

"Boom!"

The Heavenly Tribulation of Returning to Emptiness descends with seven layers of thunder and fire!
Crimson tribulation flames enveloped the purplish-black soul-destroying divine lightning, crashing down like the sky collapsing and the earth crumbling, their power enough to instantly annihilate the body and soul of an ordinary primordial spirit cultivator.

"Stars guide all laws, pagodas suppress heaven and earth! Subduing demons, transforming calamities into spiritual transformation!" Xiao Yuhong and Xiao Yuxue shouted in unison, their voices like the cry of a phoenix in the heavens.

The two women's hand seals changed rapidly, and the Demon Refining Pagoda spun rapidly, the scriptures on the pagoda shining brightly, forming a vast vortex of golden clouds.

The myriad souls being converted within the tower chanted the Heart Sutra in unison, and the grand chanting of salvation resounded throughout heaven and earth!
The calamity fire and divine thunder, powerful enough to burn mountains and boil seas, were continuously absorbed, devoured, and transformed by the golden cloud vortex!
The tribulation lightning grew stronger with each passing wave, purple lightning streaked across the sky, golden snakes danced wildly, and a sea of ​​fire scorched the heavens.

However, the golden pagoda high in the sky remained as stable as Mount Tai, and the golden cloud vortex was as deep as a black hole in the universe. No matter how violent the calamity force surged in, it was swallowed, eliminated, and transformed.

The pagoda's radiance was not weakened by the tribulation lightning; instead, it became even more dazzling through continuous refinement and feedback. The scriptures on the pagoda walls seemed to come alive, transforming into tiny golden figures that cultivated, performed magic, and chanted amidst the lightning and fire, a truly wondrous sight.

Lu Cheng sat high on the cloud platform, his gaze calm and serene.

Watching the two Daoist partners shine like stars amidst the thunder and fire, a gratified smile appeared on his lips.

Their paths and his sword, though different, both testify to the profoundness of the Taiqing Daoist arts.

When the final strike of the Seven Tribulation Lightning, the "Nine Nether Profound Yin Lightning," crashed down, the Xiao sisters each used their magic techniques to channel their magical power into the pagoda. Seven demons at the Nascent Soul stage emerged from it, their expressions serene and peaceful. They formed a battle formation and joined forces to block the attack.

After the final tribulation power was completely purified and absorbed by the rotating Demon Refining Pagoda, the tribulation clouds in the sky suddenly dissipated, and the world became clear and bright.

The Demon-Refining Pagoda hummed, its radiance receding, making it appear even more ancient and imposing, and exuding a sacred aura that suppressed numerous evil spirits and enlightened all things.

A powerful, pure, and profound aura of the Returning to the Void Realm emanated slowly from the Xiao sisters, shining like two newly born bright moons over the Taiqing Mountain Gate!

"Congratulations to Martial Uncle Xiao Yuhong (Grandmaster Uncle) on achieving the Returning to the Void Realm!"

"Congratulations to Martial Aunt Xiao Yuxue (Grandmaster Aunt) on achieving the Returning to the Void Realm!"

A deafening roar of congratulations, filled with genuine awe and excitement, echoed through the heavens. The invited cultivators from other sects exchanged bewildered glances, recognizing the extraordinary nature of the Daoist arts practiced by the Xiao sisters.

Most importantly, this does not belong to any of the seven branches of the Taiqing Sect's true teachings.

The Taiqing Sect has been passed down for 140,000 years, and even today it still has the merit of reform and innovation, which shows that its destiny is at its peak. It is likely that after ten thousand years of silence, it is time to rise again.

The mindset of these cultivators from other sects at this moment is also the reason why many sects hold grand ceremonies when they are confident enough: to boost their own morale and deter other forces. If they can subdue the enemy without fighting, that would be the most brilliant move.

……

After the promotion ceremony, decades of peaceful time quietly passed as the sect prepared for war and built up its foundations, and as the numerous disciples devoted themselves to cultivation.

On this day, a disciple of the Celestial Patrol Division, responsible for monitoring the anomalies of the earth's veins and the flow of spiritual energy, delivered an urgent jade slip to the desk of the Grand Master Lu Cheng in the Taiqing Palace.

The images and information contained within the jade slip caused Lu Cheng Daoist to frown slightly, while Ming Que Daoist, who was sitting below, abruptly stood up upon seeing the jade talisman.

The illusory image projected by the jade slip was precisely from the depths of the secluded mountain!
The mountain region, perpetually shrouded in gloomy miasma and rifts in other dimensions, was now witnessing astonishing phenomena:

Streaks of nine-colored rays of light pierced through the thick, poisonous clouds like divine swords, shooting straight into the sky!

Amidst the rosy glow, a vast, pure aura containing the essence of life awakened, like a colossal beast that had slumbered for millennia. Its fluctuations instantly spread, sweeping across a radius of millions of miles!
"The Nine Mysterious Ganoderma lucidum has fully matured, but I never expected the commotion to be so great!"

“Some divine objects conceal their spiritual light, while others shine brightly. It seems this treasure belongs to the latter,” Lu Cheng said, shaking his head.

Mingque Daojun's voice carried a hint of solemnity and urgency:

"Such a phenomenon of immortal herbs maturing cannot be hidden from those top-tier beings! Under such circumstances, Minghe and Junior Brother Tongzhen may not be able to cope."

"Is Senior Uncle Xuanzhen still in the Ancient Demon Rift and unable to leave the mountain?"

"That rift is far more troublesome than we had anticipated. Junior Brother Xuanzhen killed two ancient demons a few days ago and is now unable to escape."

"Time waits for no one." Master Lu Cheng's gaze sharpened, and he decisively gave the order:

"Elder Mingque, quickly take my sect leader's token and retrieve the 'Zhou Tian Xing Dou Escape Talisman'! Then we must set off immediately! This immortal herb is related to Elder Xuanqing's path to immortality, and also to the fate of our Taiqing Sect. It cannot be lost!"

"Your Excellency commands the Dharma!" Ming Que solemnly obeyed, his figure vanishing from the hall in an instant.

Lu Cheng cared so much about the Nine Mysterious Herbs not only because it concerned Elder Xuanqing's path to immortality, but also because it concerned the lives of Minghe and Tongzhen.

Ninth-grade immortal herbs are rare enough, let alone a precious medicine that can increase the mana of Mahayana cultivators. It is likely that once discovered, many Mahayana cultivators would rush to seize it.

Elders Minghe and Tongzhen possess considerable Daoist cultivation and power, but their mastery of Mahayana cultivation is still shallow. Fighting against Mahayana cultivators would be extremely dangerous, at least from the perspective of the Taiqing Sect, it is a risk they are unwilling to take.

The sect has a total of four Mahayana Dao Lords. There was nothing that could be done in the previous battle to destroy the demons, but now, no matter which one falls, it will be heartbreaking.

After a short while, two astonishing streaks of light tore through the void, hurtling towards the place where the rosy clouds soared into the sky and the winds and clouds gathered: the secluded mountains of the Northern Region at a speed that surpassed the limits of space!

Deep within the misty, secluded mountains, in a spatial rift, lies a small, secret world.

At this moment, it is a chaotic battlefield!
The Nine Mysterious Herbs took root on a cliff face partially surrounded by spatial rifts. Spatial rifts vary in strength; the weakest cannot even break through the body of a Nascent Soul cultivator, while the strongest can be killed by Dao Lords at the peak of the Mahayana stage, their millennia of arduous cultivation vanishing in an instant.

At the same time, below the cliff is a deep abyss filled with intense poison.

The immortal herb is shaped like a nine-leaf jade mushroom, crystal clear and translucent, flowing with nine different colors of rosy light, as if it has condensed the purest life force and the laws of the universe.

A surge of vitality radiated outwards from its center, attracting countless greedy eyes.

However, the powerful beings who arrived first did not succeed immediately because they were wary of each other, as well as of the several "evil spirit crystal dragons" and the "bone-corroding golden locusts" that were guarding the immortal herb and attracted by the rich immortal energy.

These guardian beasts possess astonishing magical power. The Fiend Spirit Crystal Dragon is an alien beast from outer space and is not a true spirit from the Earthly Immortal Realm. It must have crossed the void through the spatial rift in this place.

As for the Bone-Eating Golden Locust, it is a vicious locust hated by all cultivators in the Earthly Immortal Realm. It will appear wherever there are precious herbs and spiritual plants, ranging from the fifth to the ninth level. Both of these ferocious beasts possess supernatural powers close to those of Mahayana cultivators. If one is not careful, killing them may also damage the immortal herbs.

"What a bitter experience! I never imagined that the breakthrough opportunity that I, the old Taoist, spent so much money to obtain from Granny Jiu would actually be here."

"Everyone, calm down, calm down! Under no circumstances should you make a move! If you destroy this magical herb, none of us will get a share."

The one who spoke at this moment was a fat man in blue clothes, with a large belly and ruddy complexion. He was none other than the famous rogue alchemist Wuyai Daoren among the human race.

Besides him, there were three other people present. One was Daoist Minghe of the Taiqing Sect, and the other was a young man in white robes with a loose belt around his waist. He had two horns on his head that shone like silver lightning. He was tall and had a noble demeanor. He was a powerful cultivator of the Sea King Clan.

"Boom!"

A shadowy axe, imbued with overwhelming bloodlust, broke the stalemate and slashed fiercely at a demonic crystal dragon.

The one who made the move was the fourth Chi Demon Clan Mahayana warrior present, several meters tall, covered in black and red scales, with ferocious horns on his head!
His aura was fierce and unparalleled. He was the peak-level Nascent Soul warrior that the Taiqing Sect had been focusing on in the "Illumination Stone". Today, he has actually broken through to the Mahayana stage!
Its fighting style is wild and direct, full of destructive power.

This demon's idea was very simple and direct. Although the Chi Demon Clan could also consume the Nine Mysterious Herbs, they were not skilled in alchemy, so the effects of consuming them directly were greatly reduced.

Moreover, as long as the Chi Demon Clan has enough blood from powerful cultivators, it can have an effect similar to a pill. Therefore, their thirst for this immortal herb is far less intense than that of the human and sea king clans.

Finally, and importantly, there were very few Mahayana cultivators from the Chi Demon Clan present at this time. Rather than hesitating and delaying to leave the immortal herb to the alien race, it would be cleaner to destroy it directly.

"Roar!" The Fiend Crystal Dragon roared in anger upon seeing this, spewing out seven-colored poisonous energy to meet the attack. The two collided, causing the surrounding space to ripple and distort.

Almost simultaneously, a deep blue domain, imbued with boundless pressure and humid moisture, descended, and countless tentacles made of pure water elemental energy coiled towards another crystal dragon.

This was the Mahayana cultivator from the Sea King Clan. At this moment, as he circulated his magic power, his appearance became blurred, as if he were in a miniature ocean. The power of laws surged, revealing immense strength within its gentleness.

On the other side, a sharp and incomparable golden sword light, carrying an aura of majesty and righteousness, slashed towards the Bone-Eating Golden Locust. It was Daoist Minghe who made the move.

Three forces, three Mahayana cultivators! In addition, seven or eight cultivators of various races at the peak of the Integration stage are hidden in the chaotic spatial rifts around them, waiting for an opportunity to strike.

"Don't hit it, don't hit it! If you destroy the immortal herb, no one will benefit. Leave it for me to refine into pills, and we'll split the profits equally. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"
"If you fight like this, you'll end up with nothing."

Compared to other cultivators, Daoist Wuya immediately used his magic weapon to protect himself, while earnestly trying to persuade them, but to no avail.

The situation deteriorated instantly due to the intervention of the Chi Demon Clan's Mahayana warrior, and a chaotic battle broke out!
The violent shockwave of magical power tore the surrounding space deep in the secluded mountains to pieces. Seven-colored rays of light, blood-red axe light, vast ocean domain, mighty sword energy, poisonous dragon breath, bone-corroding golden locusts... all kinds of forces intertwined and collided, forming a death zone.

Weaker cultivators who get caught up in it will be annihilated in an instant.

(End of this chapter)