Walking alone with a sword, slaying ghosts and gods

Chapter 579 A Battle of Wits Secures a Mysterious Contract, Jade Scrolls and Golden Patterns Form an Alliance in the East (Thanks to Taihao for the Alliance Leader's reward!)

"Master Lu, this way please."

"Palace Master Mo, please."

After the council meeting concluded, Mo Yanxing personally led Lu Cheng through layers of massive bronze gates inscribed with intricate runes, into a quiet room called "Observing the Stars and Determining Calamity."

This room is located deep within the core of the Creation Palace, unlike the ostentatious council halls outside. Its walls are smooth as mirrors, shimmering with subtle light, while the dome is adorned with a slowly rotating mechanical pattern, which is extremely mysterious. This place is tranquil and profound, capable of isolating all external thoughts from prying into it.

In the center of the quiet room, there is only a simple, dark-colored round table with two cushions facing each other. On the table are two cups of tea, with wisps of steam rising from them, exuding a refreshing fragrance.

The two Taoist priests took their seats one after the other, and the atmosphere became solemn.

Previously, in that council hall, the seven sects and thirty-six factions were like a pack of sharks, intent on tearing a piece of flesh from the seemingly crumbling Eastern Celestial Palace. Under such circumstances, Mo Yanxing's unwillingness to yield naturally resulted in no agreement being reached.

"Sect Leader Lu, at this critical moment, the arrival of three Mahayana cultivators from your sect is truly a lifesaver. I am deeply grateful." Mo Yanxing spoke first. Although both of them knew that the Chi Demon Clan was actually the Taiqing Sect, or even that this Master Lu was the one who was diverting trouble, Mo Yanxing did not dwell on the matter, because he would have made the same choice if he were in their shoes.

This was merely a misstep in the game.

"However, your sect's Xuanzhen Daojun needs to guard the Ancient Demon Rift. Under such circumstances, only Xuanzhen Daojun, a Grand Ascension Realm cultivator, remains to guard the heart of your sect. I wonder if the defenses of Taiqing Immortal Mountain are still lax? If the Immortal Sect suffers damage due to your efforts to aid our palace, I, Mo, will truly be held accountable even if I die ten thousand times." He didn't mention his own problems but instead showed concern for the safety of others. This Mo Yanxing, who had served as the Master of the Creation Heavenly Palace for many years at the peak of the Integration Realm, was indeed no incompetent person.

"Palace Master Mo is very kind."

"Elder Xuanzhen guards the Ancient Demon Rift, a matter concerning the peace of the Spirit Realm. He is indeed a heavy responsibility and cannot be left behind lightly. However, Elder Xuanqing of our sect has made great progress in his cultivation and has recently achieved perfect results, successfully advancing to the Mahayana realm."

"Om-!"

"What!?"

Upon hearing Lu Cheng's words, although the left side of Mo Yanxing's face did not change much, the gear-like mechanism on the right side of his silver mask suddenly accelerated.

Mo Yanxing realized his lapse in composure and couldn't help but chuckle. He then reached out and lightly tapped his mask, slowing down the rotation of the gears. These mechanisms seemed to be closely related to the qi and blood magic power within his body, and were extremely mysterious.

"Senior Brother Xuanqing, you've finally taken that step? I once sat down and discussed the Dao with you, and I greatly admired your theories. You've cultivated diligently for many years and finally gained this opportunity. What a fortunate turn of events!"

Lu Cheng could understand Mo Yanxing's loss of composure. Mo Yanxing and Elder Xuanqing were cultivators of the same era, but in that era, Mo Yanxing was the pride of the world, while Elder Xuanqing was at most a local hero and had always been suppressed by Mo Yanxing.

Now, Mo Yanxing has cultivated diligently for many years and has taken half a step further than Elder Xuanqing. Unfortunately, without opportunities, cultivators cannot achieve great success by simply cultivating diligently.

In the previous few hundred years, Daoist Wuya used the Fusion Elixir Method to refine elixirs on Mount Taiqing and actually produced four Pills of Forgetfulness and Return to Origin. As agreed, he took one for himself and Xuanqing Daozun, who had accumulated great merit within the sect, received one.

The remaining two pills were placed in the sect's treasury by Lu Cheng. After discussing with the elders, he set an extremely exaggerated amount of sect merit. It was because of these two pills, which symbolized the opportunity to attain the Great Ascension, that Lu Cheng now controlled the power of the Taiqing Sect as if they were his own arm. He used both threats and inducements to coerce and entice them.

Otherwise, so many elders of the Fusion Realm wouldn't have accompanied him out of the mountains to support the Eastern Pole Creation Heavenly Palace.

Among these elders who have reached the combined realm, some are several generations higher than Daoist Mingque, and they are not so easy to command on ordinary days.

At this time, the Taiqing Sect had two Mahayana Dao Lords in charge. Even though the Xuanqing Dao Lord was newly promoted and had low magical power and insufficient supernatural abilities, no one dared to challenge him lightly when he was in conjunction with the Taiqing Sect's ninth-order mountain-protecting immortal array.

Back then, even the three great demon ancestors, Jiyuan, Xinyan, and Tianming, who were extremely arrogant, did not dare to force their way into the ninth-order immortal array of Taiqing Mountain. Otherwise, with the exquisite nature of this mountain-protecting array, it could almost force down a major realm of cultivators trapped in it. Moreover, Taiqing Sect has a profound foundation, and even if there were dozens of elders at the Integration Realm, they would probably be overwhelmed and killed.

“Your sect has a profound foundation, which I admire greatly. With the two Dao Lords Xuanzhen and Xuanqing presiding over it, Mount Taiqing is as solid as a rock, and I have no more worries.”

"In that case, the military affairs at the front are of utmost urgency. In order to facilitate unified command, ensure strict discipline, and concentrate maximum combat power to resist the ferocious advance of the Chi Demon, Sect Leader Lu, may my palace temporarily assume command of this battle? My palace is familiar with the Eastern Regions and proficient in puppet warfare tactics, which will surely allow us to repel the enemy beyond Duan Yue Plain with minimal losses!"

Furthermore, I, this humble Daoist, can swear a solemn oath to my heart's demons, guaranteeing that I will treat the cultivators of both sects fairly. After this calamity, the Creation Heavenly Evolution Platform within the Creation Heavenly Palace may be opened by True Person Lu. All other terms and conditions may be clearly stated by True Person.

"No. As the sect leader of Taiqing Sect, how can I entrust the lives of my disciples to others? It's not that I don't trust the palace master, but this matter is of great importance. Even if I agree here, it will certainly not pass muster with the three Dao Lords."

Is it necessarily fair?

A vow made by inner demons?

No matter how heavy the promise or how poisonous the oath, Lu Cheng would never entrust the lives of his disciples to others.

"Oh, does the Master not even have the authority to make decisions on Mount Taiqing?"

"No matter who is here on Mount Taiqing, no matter who is in charge, they will never agree to such arrogant and ignorant conditions. If Palace Master Mo feels that I am unable to make the decision, you can talk directly with the three Dao Lords."

Lu Cheng made a move to leave, but Mo Yanxing immediately stood up and gently comforted him.

Even if other sects reach an agreement, it will take time for them to raise funds, gather cultivators, and even arrive. However, the Eastern Pole Creation Heavenly Palace is currently under immense pressure at the front lines. Lu Cheng has already led high-level cultivators from his sect to the scene. If a deal can be reached, it will solve their immediate crisis.

If Mo Yanxing can negotiate with the Taiqing Sect, he will have more confidence to bargain with other sects. However, if this Taiqing Sect master really leaves in a huff, the Eastern Pole Creation Heavenly Palace will really be torn apart by other sects.

"Sect Leader Lu! The situation on the front lines is constantly changing, and a single move can affect the whole situation! The Chi Demon Clan is coming with overwhelming force, and their supernatural abilities are unpredictable. If there is no unified command, and orders are issued from multiple sources, with each faction acting independently, how can we form a united force? If we miss the opportunity and those demons take advantage of it, wouldn't that be a disaster?"

This is indeed a problem, but Lu Cheng had already thought it through carefully before he came.

"A feasible strategy is to form an alliance and divide the defenses. Those who are virtuous will receive more help. Today, the Taiqing Sect has come first and can take over the defense of several passes and dangerous obstacles. As long as Palace Master Mo is sincere and more sects come, this calamity can be resolved."

"Then, please let the Sect Leader lead the Taiqing cultivators to guard Duan Yue Plain."

"Alright, as long as Palace Master Mo's previous promises stand, and he opens the Creation Heaven Evolution Platform for our sect to take the core inheritance of the Creation Heaven Palace, and opens the sect's treasury for military supplies, what's wrong with our sect taking on this calamity for Palace Master?"

On this day, after a long discussion, the Eastern Pole Creation Heavenly Palace agreed to hand over the sect's non-top-tier, second-tier puppet and weapon-refining techniques, and also gifted the Taiqing Sect a huge amount of spirit stones and immortal jade as military supplies.

The Taiqing Sect also formally agreed to form an alliance with the Eastern Pole Creation Heavenly Palace to jointly resist the threat from the Chi Demon Clan.

The next level of puppetry inheritance, as well as a huge sum of spirit stones and immortal jade, were all things that Lu Cheng had carefully considered.

For the Taiqing Sect, the puppetry techniques inherited from the Eastern Pole Creation Heavenly Palace, even if not top-tier, were already profound enough. After obtaining them, it would take a long time to digest and absorb them. At the same time, they were much easier to accept from the Creation Heavenly Palace.

However, this also meant that Mo Yanxing had to make concessions on the amount of spirit stones and immortal jade. This huge loss was a way of repaying both the southward migration of the Chi Demon Clan and the previous invasion by the ancient demons.

Lu Cheng's asking price was already very close to Mo Yanxing's bottom line.

"This Master Lu is truly remarkable. No wonder he is a cultivator who commands the utmost respect from Ming Que, Ming He, and Tong Zhen." After discussing with Lu Cheng, Mo Yanxing stood in the center of the quiet room, one hand behind his back, and said this.

"That's natural. The secret mansions and spiritual caves of the Taiqing Sect's successive leaders are said to be able to enhance a cultivator's personal fortune. If they didn't have some ruthless methods, how could the four Mahayana cultivators of the Taiqing Sect have allowed him to enjoy the Xuanyuan Cave all to himself?"

If my Creation Heavenly Palace also possessed such a celestial abode, I'm afraid neither you nor I would be able to sit in this position of Palace Master.”

From the shadows behind Mo Yanxing, another "Mo Yanxing" slowly emerged. He was almost identical to the one before him, tall, thin, and exuding a rugged, metallic quality.

However, the person behind him, Mo Yanxing, had a metal mask on the left half of his face and a middle-aged man's face on the right half, which was completely opposite to his own face in front of him.

"The calamities of heaven and earth are changing, and the Chi Demon Clan is migrating south. I need even greater power. Even Xuan Qing has already reached the Great Ascension stage... It's time for us to merge into one. Only by advancing to the Great Ascension stage can we cultivate immense magical power and bring the Heavenly Palace to new heights!"

The man in front, Mo Yanxing, spoke these words with such enthusiasm that he seemed to be gesturing wildly.

The one behind, Mo Yanxing, obediently replied, "That's how it should be."

However, the original self in front did not notice the gaze of the self behind it staring at it—like that of a ferocious and bloodthirsty beast!
After securing the Taiqing Sect, the Eastern Pole Creation Heavenly Palace went on to negotiate with the Shangqing Sect, the Western Great Zen Temple, and the Jue Tian Sword Sect, as well as several other sects among the Thirty-Six Schools. As a result, the overall strength of the Eastern Pole Creation Heavenly Palace increased significantly, and it was no longer overly afraid of the threat from the Chi Demon Clan, giving it more resources to target other human forces.

……

Lu Cheng returned to the three sect elders, Ming Que, Ming He, and Tong Zhen, and communicated with them through divine sense, recounting the gains he had made on this trip.

Upon hearing that number, Tongzhen Daojun's expression changed slightly, and he let out a long sigh of relief:

"With these spirit stones, many matters of the sect can continue to be carried out."

The Taiqing Sect has experienced too many things in recent years, and even with its deep foundation, its finances are starting to strain.

With this funding from the Eastern Celestial Palace of Creation, the sect will not have to worry about spirit stones and immortal jade for at least a thousand years.

"The Creation Palace has almost monopolized the puppet business of the human race and also occupies a considerable share in the art of weapon crafting. In addition, with its location in the easternmost part of the country and its trade with other races, it is probably already one of the wealthiest among the nine sects of the human race. Today, they can spend money to avoid disaster, which is not necessarily a bad thing for them. After all, they can earn spirit stones slowly again," said Daoist Mingque.

As for the puppetry inheritance of the Creation Heavenly Palace, the three of them didn't care much. None of them had ever studied puppetry, and after reaching the Mahayana realm, it was unlikely that they would change their Dao foundation again. Therefore, this inheritance was only to supplement the sect and had little significance for the high-level cultivators of Taiqing, not to mention that it was not a top-level inheritance of the Creation Heavenly Palace.

Not long after, the four learned that the Creation Heavenly Palace had also negotiated with the Shangqing Sect, the Western Great Zen Temple, and the Jue Tian Sword Sect, and they discussed it amongst themselves.

"It's not surprising that the Shangqing Sect and the Juetian Sword Sect are involved. Both sects are mostly engaged in combat and not in production, so it's understandable that they would take on this kind of mission. Why is the Xiji Great Zen Temple getting involved? It is one of the wealthiest sects among the nine sects and has always been in seclusion. Unless it is a very big event, it is difficult to invite the cultivators of the Xiji Buddhist Kingdom to come out of seclusion. This time, it actually joined forces with the Creation Heaven Palace?"

The four discussed it for a while, but couldn't figure out anything.

It will take time for cultivators from the Shangqing Sect, Xiji Zen Temple, and Juetian Sword Sect to arrive, while the Creation Heaven Palace is embroiled in fierce battle.

A few days later, Lu Cheng was invited by the Lord of the Heavenly Palace again.

"Tianjue Gorge".

Inside a palace, Mo Yanxing pointed his finger at a precipitous mountain pass in the southwest of the map.

The terrain there is extremely treacherous. It was once a battlefield for ancient cultivators, and on both sides are countless spatial rifts torn apart by the great battles of the past. These rifts have been deliberately maintained by the cultivators of the Creation Heaven Palace, making it difficult to pass through.

In the middle, a celestial river of dark water surges forth, within which countless ghosts are drowning, their lonely souls and wild spirits with bellies swollen like drums and eyes like seas of blood, struggling desperately in the turbulent river, trying to escape the sea of ​​suffering.

However, above, amidst the turbid currents, were countless drowning ghosts, tearing and dragging each other apart. Not only was it difficult to escape, but they also permeated the surroundings with extreme pain, boundless hatred, and millennia-old resentment, solidifying into a realm of despair.

Tianjue Gorge is located before the Nether River. It is the foremost place in this area. If Tianjue Gorge is not conquered and the people are forced to pass through, the cultivators in the gorge will dig open the Nether River. Apart from Tianjue Gorge, there will be almost no living people in the surrounding area of ​​billions of square kilometers.

This is precisely the only route the Chi Demon army can take to outflank the main force of the Heavenly Palace and threaten an important spiritual vein node in the rear!

Outside the gorge, the dark red markings representing the demon army were densely packed like scabs, and a strong aura of Mahayana demonic energy lingered above the markings, like a ferocious beast ready to devour its prey.

"This place, along with the 300 million li defense line on both sides of Tianjue Gorge, will be entirely guarded by the Taiqing Sect. All cultivators here, including the disciples of the Heavenly Palace, will be granted command authority by True Persons." Mo Yanxing looked up and gazed deeply at Lu Cheng.

"This is the vital flank of the Heavenly Palace; its loss would have unimaginable consequences. The Heavenly Palace will do its utmost to provide external puppet scouts and supply relay support, but the core defense within the gorge, including how to deal with the Chi Demon Clan's Mahayana cultivators... will all be decided by Sect Leader Lu himself. I only ask one thing: the gorge entrance must not be breached!"

Lu Cheng's gaze swept over the Tianjue Gorge marker, his expression remaining unchanged: "What level of protective formation is there here?"

"It's an eighth-grade high-quality item, but it's not connected to the earth's veins; it's set up using array flags and magic treasures."

"Very well, this sect will guard this place."

Eighth-order superior-grade formations can already have a certain impact on Mahayana cultivators. Many high-level formations in the Earth Immortal Realm are set up with formation flags and do not connect to the earth veins. The number of alchemy, artifact crafting, talisman formations, and other cultivation arts in the Earth Immortal Realm is also ranked in this order.

While ninth-tier alchemists are few, they do exist. Ninth-tier weapon refiners are even fewer, and ninth-tier talisman masters are even fewer. As for ninth-tier array masters, perhaps only one will appear every million years, because array cultivation is far too mentally taxing.

Therefore, most of the eighth and ninth-order formations in the Earth Immortal Realm are formation diagrams left by previous generations of cultivators. Without ninth-order formation masters, there is naturally no way to connect with the earth veins. Even if they were originally connected to the earth veins, the earth veins were broken by the power of heaven and earth over millions of years of star shifts and changes in the earth.

Seeing that Lu Cheng had agreed, Mo Yanxing took out a dark treasure box about a foot square, which was neither gold nor jade.

The surface of the treasure box is undecorated, yet it is covered with naturally formed, mysterious patterns, exuding an ancient aura.

He solemnly placed the treasure box on the jade table, and with a flick of his finger, the lid opened silently.

There were no rays of light, nor auspicious clouds. Lying quietly inside the box were two palm-sized, dark black jade slips, their surfaces crackling with tiny, silvery electric sparks; beside them was a fist-sized, round crystal that shimmered with a warm, seven-colored glow, its interior seemingly sealing a miniature universe; and finally, a simple, unadorned jade token carved with patterns of celestial clouds and auspicious beasts.

"This is the core secret of our palace, the 'Thousand Machines and Hundred Ingenuity Pivot - Earth Scroll,' which records the essence of puppet crafting, control, and battle formation combination for those below the Integration Realm. Although it is not the core inheritance 'Heaven Scroll and Creation Heavenly Craft Secret Record,' it still encompasses many ingenious ideas and practical methods accumulated by our palace over tens of thousands of years. This is one of them." Mo Yanxing pointed to the black jade slip, his voice carrying a hint of pain as if his flesh had been cut off.

"This 'Sumeru Star Marrow' was extracted from the core of a chaotic meteorite from outer space. It contains spatial power and stellar essence. It is a rare treasure for refining top-level spatial magic weapons, puppet cores, or assisting Mahayana cultivators in comprehending the laws of space. It is extremely rare in the world. This is the second one."

"Thirdly, this 'Creation Token' allows one to unconditionally mobilize any resources—spirit stones, spiritual materials, pills, talismans, and even large war puppets—within the sphere of influence of the Eastern Pole Creation Heavenly Palace, without having to go through cumbersome procedures."

Mo Yanxing paused slightly at this point, his gaze fixed intently on Lu Cheng: "Furthermore, once this battle is won and the Chi Demon is defeated, our palace will offer a generous reward! These three items are a small token of our gratitude and also serve as a dowry to persuade the Taiqing Divine Strike! We only hope that Sect Leader Lu can turn the tide and save our Heavenly Palace from this dire situation!"

Mo Yanxing's principle of trusting those he employs and not employing those he doesn't trust, along with offering the maximum incentive he can, certainly increases his goodwill.

(End of this chapter)