Walking alone with a sword, slaying ghosts and gods

Chapter 618 The Six Absolute Immortal-Falling True Mystery Technique, A Sword Piercing the Sky (Seeking Rewards and Subscriptions!)

The Myriad Manifestations Cave was originally the mountain gate of the Myriad Manifestations Palace, one of the nine sects of the human race. However, times have changed, and today it is merely a deep rift between the Earthly Immortal Realm and the Netherworld.

It can be said that it was forcibly sealed and destroyed into a grotto-heaven world by someone with immense magical power.

A chilling wind howled like a knife, sweeping across the wasteland strewn with jagged rocks and pale bones. Wisps of dark gray, ghostly death energy seeped from the cracks in the ground, gathering into a pale, visible mist that completely obscured the already dim light.

This place has become the outpost of the Taiqing Sect in suppressing the Netherworld and acquiring spiritual objects, and is now the foundation of the Myriad Manifestations Palace.

Inside a palace built of massive skeletons, where yin talismans flowed, three figures sat around the center.

The one in the center was a Daoist named Minghe Daojun, dressed in a dark blue Daoist robe, with a thin face and eyes that held a tranquility that came from years of experience. He was sent by the sect leader to guard the Netherworld.

On the left is the Azure Water Heavenly Lord, surrounded by the Yin energy of the Yellow Springs, exuding a chilling aura; on the right is the Bone-Eating Yin Venerable, with a tall frame, draped in a black robe, and an aura as solid as ancient ice.

All three Dao Lords are trapped here and cannot be free. In a sense, they are in the same boat.

At this moment, the three were discussing the transformation of the ghostly energy and their responsibility to guard it.

Although Daoist Minghe's status was higher than that of Bishui and Shigu, he still had to show basic respect to Daoist Dacheng. In fact, Daoist Minghe had previously taken out the tenth-order pseudo-immortal artifact, the Xuan Yin Demon-Controlling Corpse-Suppressing Rope, for the three of them to study, discuss, and exchange ideas together, which greatly reduced the hostility of Bishui and Shigu.

Of course, it was just a joint effort to comprehend the spiritual treasures and benefit the path of cultivation. The Xuan Yin Demon-Controlling Corpse-Suppressing Rope was ultimately firmly in the hands of Daoist Minghe, and he also hoped to learn some of the essence of the Daoist arts of the Myriad Manifestations Palace from Bishui and Shigu.

“…This transformation requires the use of the earth’s vein nodes, guided by the principle of ‘mutual support between Kan and Li’.” Minghe Daojun was speaking when his voice suddenly stopped, a look of surprise and doubt flashing across his thin face.

"Hahahahahaha..."

The next moment, a burst of wild laughter rang out. This laughter appeared abruptly and surged like a huge wave, rushing into the sky. Each wave was stronger than the last, and the powerful impact hit the walls of the surrounding palace, causing the entire palace to shake violently.

The pressure caused Minghe, Bishui, and Shigu to sway and stagger, unable to stand steadily.

It should be noted that these three individuals have already reached the cultivation level of a Mahayana Dao Lord, and are definitely among the most outstanding figures in the Earthly Immortal Realm.

However, the newcomer's magical power and supernatural abilities were so profound that they were almost unbelievable and astonishing!

“We cultivate the Dao, seeking freedom and eternity, soaring through the four corners of the earth, where even heaven and earth cannot stop us. It’s laughable that you three, who have cultivated for ten thousand years and have some Daoist skills, are now willing to be these tomb-guarding dogs. How pathetic and laughable! Hahahahahahaha.”

Accompanied by bursts of wild laughter, a powerful, ancient, and vast aura, like that of a primordial ocean, unexpectedly pierced through the layers of restrictions of the Myriad Manifestations Cave Heaven and descended upon this skeletal palace.

The gray mist in the hall silently dispersed on its own, causing ripples in the space. A majestic Taoist, dressed in a black feather robe, with an ancient and unsophisticated face and eyes that seemed to contain the vastness of the sea and sky, suddenly appeared before the three of them.

He wasn't particularly tall, yet he exuded a sense of immense weight, as if the entire space of the Myriad Manifestations Cave Heaven had slightly sank the moment he descended.

"Ancestor Kunpeng?!" After years of cultivation, the Azure Water Heavenly Lord recognized the person and exclaimed in surprise, his eyes filled with undisguised astonishment.

The soul fire in the eye sockets of the Bone-Eating Yin Venerable beside him flickered violently.

The person who came at this time was of great importance; his origins were those of an ancient, innate spirit, the Kunpeng, transformed into an unparalleled old demon.

Its cultivation is unfathomable, and its supernatural powers are vast. Legend has it that it can split the boundless ocean with a flap of its wings, and transform into a Kun that can devour the universe. It is one of the most top-tier and most ancient true spirits in the spirit world.

"Hehe, Bishui, Shigu, and this... young friend Minghe, how does it feel to be stuck in this Netherworld, working like a slave for that brat from Lucheng?"

The Kunpeng Ancestor's gaze swept over the three people present, especially lingering on Daoist Minghe for a moment, a meaningful smile playing on his lips:

"That brat from Lucheng, by taking advantage of his merit in suppressing the Netherworld, gained the favor of Heaven and made great progress in his cultivation, becoming extremely arrogant. However, his domineering behavior has already made countless enemies. There are many people in this world who are dissatisfied with him. The reason I have come here today is because I think of all of you who have had grudges against him, and I cannot bear to see our fellow cultivators tarnished, trapped in this filthy place, forever sinking into depravity, unable to find liberation."

The Kunpeng Ancestor spoke slowly, his voice deep yet possessing a strange magnetism that seemed to penetrate the soul, each word striking the hearts of the three:

"Today, the three of you should leave this place with me. In the future, when that brat Lu Cheng falls from power, this Immortal Realm will have a vast world for you. It's better than continuing to stay here, as that brat's prisoners, his lackeys and dogs, with no hope of ever rising above your circumstances!"

The Kunpeng Ancestor spoke eloquently and persuasively, but the three people present, having cultivated to the Mahayana realm, were not fools. After their initial shock, they quickly understood the Kunpeng Ancestor's true intention:

If the Myriad Souls Suppressing Prison Formation were still intact, no matter how powerful the Kunpeng Ancestor's magic was, he wouldn't dare to enter the heart of the Myriad Manifestations Palace so casually. Similarly, he wouldn't dare to lightly enter the Taiqing Sect's Purple Qi Sky-Patrolling Five Thunder Immortal Formation.

Inviting the three to leave today is probably a pretense of appreciating talent, but a real intention to lure Lu Cheng, the leader of the Taiqing Sect, away from the sect. As long as Lu Cheng leaves:

Among the nine sects of the human race, none of the sect leaders or supreme elders dared to claim that they could escape from this old demon on their own.

His true form is the Kunpeng, a massive and incredibly powerful demonic force with terrifying speed!
The temptation before him was immense. If he accepted, he could not only escape his predicament but also avenge the blood feud of his own sect.

A struggle flashed in the eyes of the Azure Water Heavenly Lord, while the soul fire in the eye sockets of the Bone-Eating Yin Venerable flickered uncertainly.

However, after a few breaths of silence, the Azure Water Heavenly Lord finally shook his head slowly: "Thank you for your kindness, Ancestor. Although Sect Leader Lu is not benevolent, he always keeps his word. Guarding this place is also an opportunity for us to atone for our sins and exchange it for a glimmer of hope for the Dao. Therefore, I am sorry that I cannot comply."

At this moment, recalling the Taoist priest and the true fire that burned away the netherworld in the purple-gold gourd, his fear deepened.

Seeing his senior brother's reaction, the Bone-Eating Yin Venerable, though somewhat unwilling, finally spoke:
"My bones can't take any more of this. Although this place is cold and gloomy, it is also peaceful. Back then, our sect summoned ten thousand ghosts to devour the heavens and did this. If we leave this place without permission, who knows what kind of divine punishment we might incur!"

Moreover, the Bone-Eating Yin Venerable knew that once he defected, the Taoist of Lu City would surely kill him without hesitation, and he had no confidence that he could escape the Taoist's sword.

The smile on Kunpeng Ancestor's face froze slightly, clearly not expecting the two to refuse so decisively.

He was annoyed and was about to take action to capture them. Although the three people present were Mahayana cultivators, they were nothing in front of him.

"Grandmaster, please wait." Daoist Minghe suddenly interrupted, stepped forward, and bowed deeply to Grandmaster Kunpeng.

“Master, please calm your anger. Since Fellow Daoist Biyue and Fellow Daoist Shigu have decided to stay, there is no point in forcing them. If Master truly wishes to find fellow travelers... Minghe is willing to accompany Master.”

Upon hearing this, not only were Bishui and Shigu stunned, but even the Kunpeng Ancestor was slightly taken aback before laughing loudly, "Good, good, good, as long as there are people to accompany us!"

After saying this, he stopped looking at the blue water and the bone-corroding sight, and with a flick of his sleeve, an overwhelming and irresistible force of attraction instantly enveloped Daoist Minghe.

The next moment, Bishui and Shigu watched helplessly as the vortex, carrying Minghe Daojun, silently tore through the void and disappeared without a trace.

Bishui and Shigu exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock and heaviness in each other's eyes.

"Hmph, in any case, this matter is no longer our concern. If prisoners have gone this far, then no matter how tyrannical Lu Cheng Dao Ren is, he cannot be entirely unreasonable," said Bi Shui Tian Jun.

Upon hearing this, the Bone-Eating Yin Venerable nodded in agreement.

These two brothers, who had been together for many years and understood each other perfectly, had already seen through the situation.

If Daoist Lu Cheng dies in this calamity, this prison will naturally become useless and once again become the foundation of the two brothers' sect. Conversely, if Daoist Lu Cheng wins, the two will not escape, but will simply maintain the status quo.

As for the Daoist Minghe, the two brothers didn't care what he thought.

Meanwhile, within the pavilions and palaces of Taiqing Immortal Mountain.

This place is not as solemn and dignified as the Tushita Heaven's Quiet Chamber; instead, it exudes elegance and warmth everywhere you look.

The spring flows gently, exotic flowers bloom, and ancient cranes gracefully preen their feathers amidst the clouds.

On a jade platform, Lu Cheng, dressed in a loose Taoist robe, leaned against a soft brocade couch, his face calm, with a hint of languid satisfaction after a long battle of cultivation.

Beside her, Xiao Yuxue, her pretty face flushed and dressed in a snow-white gown, gently plucked the strings of the zither with its slender fingers.

The zither music flowed like a clear spring in a mountain stream, washing away the dust and noise, carrying an ethereal and otherworldly charm.

Her eyes were lowered, and her long eyelashes cast a faint shadow on her fair and jade-like cheeks. Occasionally, she would look up at Lu Cheng, her eyes filled with gentle and tender light.

Xiao Yuhong, dressed in a bright and radiant brocade dress, danced gracefully to the music. Her figure was exquisite, her steps light and graceful, sometimes like a butterfly flitting among flowers, sometimes like flowing clouds chasing the moon. Her skirt fluttered, carrying glittering light, like a dream.

Her dance was extraordinary, subtly conforming to certain Taoist principles, causing the surrounding spiritual energy to swirl gently, and flower petals to fall softly from the branches, surrounding her and adding to her ethereal beauty.

The demon saint swallowed the moon, transforming into a small, silver-white dog about a foot long. It lay quietly at Lu Cheng's feet, closing its eyes and pretending to sleep.

A faint moonlight occasionally flowed within its body, clearly indicating that it was practicing Taoist meditation to resolve the backlash from its innate supernatural powers. The scene was one of peace and tranquility, a picture of serene beauty.

However, just as the music and dance intertwined, and the peach blossoms were at their most beautiful, Lu Cheng's casually tapping fingers suddenly stopped.

His closed eyes suddenly snapped open, the languid ease vanishing in an instant, replaced by a sharp, piercing golden light.

With a soft "zheng" sound from the zither strings, Xiao Yuhong's dance steps faltered, and petals scattered all over the ground.

"Husband?" Xiao Yuxue stopped playing, the lingering melody of her zither still lingering. This beautiful fairy looked at Lu Cheng with concern.

Lu Cheng's gaze was directed to the northwest, his eyes seemingly piercing through layers of barriers and traversing endless void, landing on the myriad phenomena cave heaven filled with the aura of death.

His brows furrowed slightly, and he made a calculation with his fingers, his fingertips swirling with a mystical light.

In just a moment, a cold smile appeared on his lips: "Minghe has left the Myriad Manifestations Cave Heaven? And the secrets of heaven are obscure and difficult to understand. Hmph, she's certainly playing her cards right."

Lu Cheng had known Minghe for thousands of years and felt he knew him well. Regardless of their relationship, Minghe was extremely loyal to the sect.

Otherwise, Lu Cheng would not have allowed him to escape from the Wuji Prison and go to the Wanxiang Cave Heaven to guard it, and would not have returned the Xuan Yin Rope to him. If this person harbors resentment, wouldn't this be sowing the seeds of disaster for the sect?

Minghe's departure from Wanxiang Cave Heaven could be either due to coercion or because he judged that not leaving at this time would only cause greater losses to the sect.

"Yu Xue, Yu Hong, you two stay here." Lu Cheng stood up, his Taoist robe fluttering in the wind.

He took a step off the jade platform, his figure already a hundred feet away; another step, and he vanished without a trace. Without any further words, he left only a clear instruction: "My two junior sisters, guard the mountain gate for your husband."

Above the sky above Mount Taiqing, a golden-red sword rainbow that tore through the sky shot up from Lu Cheng's body.

The sword light was so brilliant, as dazzling as the rising sun, that it instantly illuminated the entire world. Its boundless sharpness cleaved through the sea of ​​clouds, carrying Lu Cheng's figure, and transformed into a peerless stream of light that cleaved through the heavens and earth, shooting straight to the northwest.

The sword light was faster than lightning, covering thousands of miles in an instant.

However, just as the sword rainbow had flown past for less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, reaching the sky above a desolate Gobi Desert, the void in front of it suddenly distorted, and a terrifying heat wave, so intense it seemed capable of burning away the entire universe, suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

At the center of the heatwave, the space rippled like melting glass. A Taoist priest with fiery red hair, a tangled red beard, and a tattered robe stood abruptly in front of the sword rainbow, riding on two blazing balls of crimson gold true fire.

The sword rainbow suddenly stopped, and Lu Cheng stood in the void, his gaze like lightning, staring directly at the newcomer: "Fellow Daoist Huo Lin, have you come to stop me?"

Tianzhu Huolin is a high-ranking member of the Spirit Venerable Society. However, there is still a difference in their status.

The Spirit Lord Society is internally divided into three classes:
First-tier innate true spirits like Huo Lin, with incredibly deep roots, already possess Mahayana cultivation in terms of magical power. Coupled with their unparalleled talent and bloodline, they have accumulated cultivation over tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of years. Their magical power and supernatural abilities far surpass those of ordinary Mahayana Dao Lords. The most powerful among them are even immortals descended to the mortal realm, who can almost fight them, and the outcome is unpredictable.

Secondly, there are things like Heavenly Punishment, which are manifestations of the true spirit of Lingbao, which have existed in the world for a long time and belong to the second level.

Finally, there are the Mahayana cultivators among the hundred races of the Spirit Realm, who belong to the third tier. Even these Mahayana cultivators, with their astonishing talents, will ascend to the Upper Realm tens of thousands of years later. No matter how high their magical power or how strong their supernatural abilities, they will have no connection with the Earthly Immortal Realm.

Therefore, it is not an exaggeration that the Spirit Venerable will truly help cultivators ascend to immortality.

The disheveled Taoist in front of Lu Cheng was none other than the Fire Scale Taoist, one of the Star Lords of the Spirit Venerable Society, whose true form was a Qilin transformed from the primordial earth.

Having cultivated his magical power for tens of thousands of years, if he were to make a move, he would be the most terrifying enemy Lu Cheng had ever encountered in his life.

Fire Scale Daoist grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth: "Sect Leader Lu, such fast sword light. Such domineering killing intent!"

Then he waved his hand, took a step forward, and the aura of true fire that had been scorching the heavens and boiling the seas subsided by more than half, revealing a rare solemnity:
"Stop you? No, no, no, I'm here to give you a heads-up. That old demon Kunpeng has gone all out this time. He knows your Taoist magic is superb and your magic weapons are powerful. So, he not only personally kidnapped that kid Minghe, but also set up a deadly trap in 'Tianyun Gorge,' which you must pass through."

"This old demon is no less experienced than me, and his magical power is slightly inferior to mine. But if we were in a place with abundant moisture, I might not be able to defeat him. He has already gathered nearly a third of the power within the Spirit Venerable Society. He's just waiting for you to rush in and use your blood to challenge his authority. Sect Leader Lu, listen to this old Taoist's advice: take a step back and the world will be brighter. Avoid his sharp edge for now, and let this matter be discussed in the long term."

This seemed to be a power struggle within the Spirit Lord Society, but the other party did not have any killing intent or fighting spirit. By passing by such a powerful opponent, Lu Cheng had no reason to refuse.

Therefore, although he did not accept the other party's suggestion, Lu Cheng also planned to go around in the air after performing a Daoist ritual.

Upon seeing this, Daoist Huolin sighed and said, "Indeed, he has a sharp mind and is a potential sword immortal."

Then, Huo Lin Dao Ren suddenly patted his tattered Daoist robe, and two dazzling lights appeared on his abdomen.

He muttered incantations, his hands forming a mudra, and an ancient, desolate aura emanated from him.

With the incantation, the Fire Scale Daoist suddenly opened his mouth, and two streams of light, each carrying boundless ferocity and spirituality, spewed out from his abdominal cavity:

The flowing light receded, revealing the true form.

Two ancient banners fluttered in the wind, exuding an aura that seemed to soar into the sky.

A banner, entirely azure, seemed woven from the feathers and blood of countless divine birds and beasts. Its flagpole coiled like a dragon, and as the banner swayed, phantoms of roaring beasts surged and howled, their demonic aura billowing like smoke rising straight to the heavens. This was the Tenth-Tier Pseudo-Immortal Artifact, the Myriad Demon Banner.

The other side was as dark as ink, the banner seemingly imprinted with images of the deepest abyss, where endless demonic shadows floated and howled, emanating a profound demonic intent and deathly stillness that devoured all light. The flagpole was as cold as black iron, exuding a chilling aura that could freeze the very soul. This was the tenth-tier pseudo-immortal artifact, the Dark Demon Banner.

Two large banners hung in the void, their terrifying pressure causing the surrounding space to distort and collapse; both were clearly tenth-tier treasures.

"Catch!" Fire Scale Daoist roared, pushing forward with both hands. The Myriad Demon Banner and the Dark Demon Banner transformed into two streams of light, flying towards Lu City.

Lu Cheng's eyes narrowed slightly. With a flick of his sleeve, a surge of powerful magic power erupted, and he steadily took the two menacing banners into his hands.

The banner felt as heavy as a mountain, and the malevolent will it contained seemed to want to turn against its master, but it was firmly suppressed by the power of the heavens within Lu Cheng's body, and could only emit an unwilling buzzing sound.

"These two spirit treasures are my most prized possessions," Fire Scale Daoist grinned, then flicked his finger and shot out a golden jade slip filled with countless profound sword-shaped runes.

"And this is a unique skill left behind by an ancient sword immortal cultivator renowned for his sword formations. It is called the 'Six Absolute Immortal-Falling Formation.' The most wonderful thing about this skill is that it can transform sword techniques into formations, and vice versa. It is incredibly profound and infinitely mysterious!"

Lu Cheng took the jade slip, scanned it briefly with his divine sense, and felt a slight tremor in his heart.

I felt that this formation was profound and mysterious, far beyond my imagination.

Its core lies in four celestial-grade array flags, serving as the foundation of the array and suppressing all directions. This is further supported by two celestial swords, which act as the sharpest point of the array's attack. Swordsmanship and array formation are perfectly integrated, mutually reinforcing each other, creating endless mysteries.

When mastered, the sword light will instantly create an overwhelming array, and when the array is activated, ten thousand swords will fly together. Its power, if fully cultivated, is enough to allow a Mahayana cultivator to defeat a True Immortal.

Of course, each true immortal has different magical powers and abilities, and whether one can actually defeat the other is another matter entirely, but the value of such a legacy is immeasurable.

Seeing that Lu Cheng recognized the value of this treasure, Huo Lin Dao Ren stroked his beard and said solemnly, "Although I and Kun Peng are both Star Lords, our paths are different and we cannot work together. I'm betting my treasure on you. Ling Zun has a grand vision, so it's time to change things up."

"Is that all?" When someone gives a gift, they must have something in mind, especially such a generous gift. Lu Cheng naturally wanted to find out more.

A deep sense of helplessness flashed in Huolin Daoist's eyes as he stared directly at Lu Cheng: "I don't ask for much. If you win this battle, then as the head of the Taiqing Sect, you will succeed Kunpeng and become one of the new Beidou Star Lords of the Spirit Venerable Society. With the momentum of a great victory, and with the strong support of me and Baihe, achieving this will not be difficult. I only ask that you remember in the future, if the current Holy Son of the Three Emperors Palace comes looking for me, wanting to capture me and take me back to the palace as a mount, you can lend me a hand."

"I am an old man who has traversed the universe for hundreds of thousands of years. I really don't want to be someone's mount anymore. That's all."

Holding the two jade tablets with their double flags, Lu Cheng felt the immense power and heritage contained within them, and finally nodded in agreement:
“Good. If we win this battle, I will accept the position of Star Lord. If the Holy Son of the Three Emperors Palace comes to capture you, I, Lu Cheng, will not stand idly by.”

The Three Emperors Palace has a profound history and has always regarded itself as the ancestral home of the human race. However, for many years it has only received offerings without taking on any responsibilities. Lu Cheng intends to unify the human race's forces and create a more peaceful Earth Immortal Realm governed by law. Sooner or later, he will have to confront the Three Emperors Palace. Taking on this battle is nothing special.

"Hahaha, you speak your mind! Master Lu, I knew I hadn't misjudged you." Fire Scale Daoist laughed loudly, his voice shaking the surrounding area, and the true fire beneath his feet suddenly surged.

"The message has been delivered, the treasure has been given, and this old Taoist is off. I await your good news, Master." Amidst the laughter, a flash of fire appeared, and his figure merged into the void, disappearing without a trace, as if he had never existed.

Lu Cheng put away the Myriad Demon Banner, the Dark Demon Banner, and the jade slip, and turned his gaze back towards the direction of Tianyun Gorge. His sword light rose again without the slightest hesitation or pause.

Lu Cheng agreed to this matter because Daoist Huolin was very wealthy and the Six Absolute Immortal-Falling Formation he offered was truly profound and mysterious.

Lu Cheng's weakness has always been his mastery of various arts of immortal cultivation. However, this Six Absolute Immortal-Falling Formation allows those skilled in formations to learn swordsmanship, and those skilled in swordsmanship to learn formations. It is truly ingenious and breathtaking.

(End of this chapter)