Starting with warding off evil and disaster, one can ascend to immortality after countless tribulati

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Without a powerful background, Jiang Ming would probably have packed his bags and left, but now that he has the support of the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion, he has a place to stay.

After thinking it over for a moment, Cheng Ya and Ye Tao decided to return to Tongzhou first, since both of them had families to support.

So much time has passed, it's time to go back and take a look.

Although he didn't think the Wanfa Sect would have any problems, Jiang Ming still decided to go back on his way.

Half a month later.

Using the teleportation array, the group returned to Tongzhou.

Upon hearing the news, Yuwen Huai'an immediately came out to greet him.

He has now been further promoted, and his cultivation level has reached the Purple Mansion Realm.

The moment he saw Jiang Ming, his eyes lit up slightly.

Having discovered Jiang Ming's uniqueness, she said, "You've also broken through to the Purple Mansion realm. That's excellent."

Seeing Yuwen Huai'an and Jiang Ming begin their conversation, the other cultivators wisely chose to leave. It was a matter of communication between powerful figures at the Purple Mansion Realm; strangers should stay away…

As everyone left, Yuwen Huai'an exchanged a few pleasantries with Jiang Ming, paced around a few times, and his eyes were filled with helplessness.

"Kid, do you remember the ancient demon we killed?"

Nodding, Jiang Ming still vividly remembered that extraterrestrial demon, and considering that Yuwen Huai'an probably wouldn't say anything baseless.

Jiang Ming raised an eyebrow sharply, puzzled. "What, have you discovered traces of the ancient demon again?"

"Alas, these are troubled times. Not long ago, many cultivators died one after another near Tongzhou. At first, I thought it was the work of the witchcraft cult."

After investigating the alleyways, I discovered that all of this had little to do with the Witchcraft Cult. Their patriarch, Gu Ling Zhenren, had failed to break through to the Purple Mansion realm and was currently preoccupied with his own problems.

Naturally, I wouldn't easily provoke trouble. After I noticed something was wrong, I asked Tuoba Changsheng to come and perform a divination. Sure enough, it turned out there was a big problem behind this...

All signs point to the ancient demon race. After I reported this to Zhou Jun, he simply said that he would leave the matter to me.

However, I'm afraid I'm only at the Purple Mansion Realm and can't handle this matter, so I hope you can lend me a hand.

"Help me gather as many clues as possible, and in return, I can give you a fragment of the world as a token of my appreciation..."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ming readily agreed.

Yuwen Huai'an had been kind to him, and now that the other party needed his help, Jiang Ming should, in principle, do his best to assist him, even if he didn't take any benefits in return.

Now that he's so generously offering up fragments of the world, Jiang Ming has even less reason to refuse.

I possess two fragments of the world; after refining them, my cultivation level will likely increase significantly…

After pondering for a moment, Jiang Ming took the world fragment from Yuwen Huai'an, intending to refine it to enhance his strength.

After staying in the city lord's mansion for a month, the two world fragments successfully merged into the Purple Mansion. At the same time...

Jiang Ming could clearly feel that the rules of the small world within the Purple Mansion were becoming more and more complete. When the Purple Mansion was perfected, there would be a chance to condense a Golden Core, at which time an external Golden Core could be formed.

Of course, we are still quite far from reaching that point.

Before that, he had to help Yuwen Huai'an resolve the trouble caused by the ancient demons. After that, he had to go to the Pure Land to borrow the supreme treasure, the Dao Heart Bowl.

The Golden Core realm requires more than just cultivation level.

There are also very high standards for mental state. For a cultivator, at least one must cultivate the Dao Heart to perfection in order to have a chance to successfully break through to the Golden Core Realm.

However, most cultivators have never come into contact with the Dao Heart, or even heard of the term.

The orthodox methods for cultivating one's Dao heart are very unique; only two such methods remain in the world today.

One book originated from the Brahma Palace. The other originated from the Pure Land.

Although the Imperial Preceptor came from the Brahma Palace, she was unable to teach Jiang Ming this method of cultivating the mind.

Simply put, it's because this matter is of paramount importance and is considered a very high-level secret within the Dao Palace.

Even though Luo Yushu has a special status, he cannot easily pass on his knowledge.

If that's the case, the only remaining possibility is the Pure Land.

This group of monks has a very thorough understanding of the Daoist mind, and they are also very willing to spread the Dharma.

Although everything comes at a price, it's still much better than the Dao Palace's one-size-fits-all approach.

Having refined two world fragments, Jiang Ming's cultivation level had not reached the mid-stage, but compared to a month ago, his strength had made considerable progress.

Since Yuwen Huai'an has not yet found any accurate clues about the Ancient Demon, Jiang Ming can have some free time for a while.

After all, the more people investigating, the greater the chance of alerting the suspect.

Since the matter was to be carried out in secrecy, Jiang Ming would be best off pretending not to know anything before discovering the whereabouts of the ancient demon.

Upon returning to the Wanfa Sect, Han Yue smiled broadly upon seeing Jiang Ming's return.

She bowed respectfully. Although she didn't know Jiang Ming's current cultivation level, she vaguely sensed a pressure far exceeding that of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, so she didn't ask any further questions.

Han Yue reported to Jiang Ming on some changes that had taken place in the Wanfa Sect over the past few years.

It has now become the strongest sect in Tongzhou without any controversy.

Although the scale has expanded, some problems have also arisen.

First, the inner and outer sects of the Wanfa Sect can no longer accommodate more disciples. In addition, as the living space of other sects is gradually squeezed, these other sects are now also complaining bitterly.

The resources available are dwindling, and the disciples being trained are becoming increasingly inferior.

For a sect, this is undoubtedly a sign of decline.

Now, three other sects have successively requested to be merged into the Myriad Laws Sect...

Han Yue had no say in this matter, so it remained unresolved, awaiting Jiang Ming's return to handle it.

"This is feasible; the four sects can be united and transformed into different branches."

The Ten Thousand Laws Vein, the Water Moon Vein, the Azure Talisman Vein, and the Dao Inquiry Vein

"From now on, we will be united against a common enemy. Disciples will be free to choose which lineage to cultivate in, and we will provide them with equal resources and support." Jiang Ming replied clearly.

Han Yue nodded; she had already considered this matter for some time.

Now that Jiang Ming has given his approval, they have begun to secretly draw up a plan.

This matter will most likely be handed over to her.

She had to do it perfectly, so as not to betray Jiang Ming's trust.

"Han Yue, I'm leaving this matter to you. If you need any help, just let me know..."

After explaining everything, Jiang Ming went to visit Tuoba Youyou.

Seven years had passed, and her cultivation level had risen significantly, reaching the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment—a remarkable achievement.

But that's how orthodox cultivation works.

Even with Tuoba Youyou's abundant resources and promotion, taking things one step at a time, this was the only pace they could achieve.

Upon seeing Jiang Ming, Tuoba Youyou's face lit up with joy.

With her hands supporting her chin, she clamored to hear Jiang Ming tell her about her experiences in the capital.

When they heard something exciting, they couldn't help but show a bit of admiration.

Looking at that expression, Jiang Ming was stunned for a moment, and his mood immediately improved a lot.

"I hope I can break through to the Golden Core stage before the great calamity."

Less than two hundred years left,

"I don't know if it's enough..." Tuoba Youyou sighed, feeling uncertain.

According to the ancestor's introduction, the Golden Elixir True Lord of the City Wall could be given to Tuoba Youyou at any time.

However, whether or not Tuoba Youyou can pass the test of attaining the highest rank is something she must decide for herself.

"Since the position of the Tuoba family can be passed down to a member of the family, why doesn't Uncle Tuoba break through to the Golden Core stage first?"

"I don't know. This was all Chengtou Tu's instruction. My ancestor listened to Chengtou Tu. Perhaps it was because my father didn't live to break through to the Golden Core stage?" Scratching his head, Tuoba Youyou's casual remark made Jiang Ming's expression change.

He was well aware of Tuoba Changsheng's current movements.

He dared not waste any time and immediately went to search for it.

The ancestors of the Tuoba family did not pass on the fruit position to Tuoba Changsheng, probably because they saw some irreversible facts. However, the fruit position on the city wall has certain special characteristics.

The earthen cultivators on the city wall can only deduce matters related to themselves.

Simply put, Tuoba Youyou can see her own future trajectory, but she cannot see the fate of Tuoba Changsheng.

If it weren't for the earthen cultivators on the city wall, there wouldn't be so much to say; a single glance would be enough to discern that person's past and future.

Without much explanation, Jiang Ming went straight to Tongzhou City.

However, Yuwen Huai'an was also absent.

Where did these two people go?

Feeling somewhat heavy-hearted, Jiang Ming inquired among the servants in the mansion, but none of them knew anything about it, even though they were attendants.

They couldn't ask about these things, and that's why they didn't pay attention.

However, Jiang Ming was worried that something might have happened to Yuwen Huai'an and Tuoba Changsheng, and was even a little paranoid. He quickly visited Yuwen Huai'an's granddaughter.

This little girl is now at the Foundation Establishment stage.

Although it was forcibly brought to life by the laws of the Immortal Dynasty, it at least understands the principles of things and saw Jiang Ming coming over to ask questions.

He immediately shared what he knew, not daring to waste any time.

"My grandfather went out with Uncle Tuoba. They seem to be investigating something."

Suddenly, I heard a message from Uncle Tuoba, and my grandfather left the city lord's mansion..."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ming fell into thought.

Tuoba Changsheng was definitely not some good-for-nothing.

As a cultivator from the Purple Mansion on the city wall, his control over his position is probably even greater than mine. If a problem were to arise, he should be able to detect it.

After all, if someone is about to die and the city wall can't even give a warning, then that would be really terrible.

So, it seems these two really were going to gather clues...

With a sigh, Jiang Ming could only wait silently at his residence.

The little girl thought her grandfather was in danger and was ready to ask someone for help.

Having stopped her, Jiang Ming didn't rush to take any action.

If these two people are alright, acting rashly will only alert them and disrupt their plans.

Now, we can only wait a little longer.

at the same time.

Tongzhou, at the ancient demon altar.

Tuoba Changsheng and Yuwen Huai'an exchanged a glance, both with grim expressions and a hint of disbelief. "How is this possible?"

"I should have received a notification if the seal on the ancient demon altar were broken, so why is this happening..."

Breaking the silence first, Yuwen Huai'an, as the prefect of Tongzhou, guarded this place very tightly.

None of the guards he deployed died, nor did they discover anything. If the other party's cultivation level was exceptionally high, it would be somewhat possible for them to infiltrate without bloodshed.

None of the guards he deployed died, nor did they discover anything. If the other party's cultivation level was exceptionally high, it would be somewhat possible for them to infiltrate without bloodshed.

However, breaking the restriction did not alert him.

That's a bit scary.

There are nine ancient demon altars like this in the Nine Provinces. If something goes wrong here, will the same thing happen to others?

"I can't figure it out. The person who accomplished this is far more powerful than me, and besides, he has no intention of killing us."

Therefore, even the people on the city wall couldn't determine his location. With a sigh, Tuoba Changsheng sensed something was wrong.

Every step he took exceeded his expectations, which suggests that the person behind the scenes must have possessed a level of skill that surpassed his own.

"Old man, we might not make it back alive today..."

They thought Tuoba Changsheng had foreseen something.

A few drops of cold sweat trickled down Yuwen Huai'an's back, and he instantly became somewhat paranoid. "It shouldn't be like that. If he kills me, the Heavenly Fire will lock onto his location."

Even though the ancient demon's cultivation level was higher than mine, he dared not act rashly.

Otherwise, once their location is exposed, it will be too late to hide it from the Skyfire's surveillance.

"This is just speculation. I also think he probably won't make a move, but we can't be too careful..."

Nodding, Yuwen Huai'an had no doubts.

The ancient demons' way of thinking is very different from that of cultivators.

That's why he was so wary.

These creatures are naturally highly aggressive, and the hierarchical structure within their groups is very clear.

Once they receive an order, they are fearless and will do whatever it takes to accomplish it. It is precisely because of this that the ancient demons' invasion in ancient times caused the human race to suffer a great loss.

At that time, countless cultivators perished in the catastrophe.

The situation at that time, while not quite the same as the scene described in the Great Calamity of a Thousand Years, was still basically consistent.

Upon safely returning to Tongzhou, Yuwen Huai'an felt a great sense of relief. At the same time, he immediately returned to his residence, intending to inform Zhou Jun and the governors of various prefectures and counties of the news.

This is of great importance, especially if all nine altars are unsealed.

The full-scale attack by the ancient demon race is not far off.

Upon seeing Jiang Ming, Yuwen Huai'an raised an eyebrow but offered no explanation.

Seeing him leave in a hurry, Jiang Ming looked at Tuoba Changsheng with a puzzled expression.

Seeing that he was in good condition and had not experienced any battle, they were slightly relieved.

"The ancient demon altar has been secretly opened."

If the remaining eight have also fallen victim to this evil, then the arrival of the ancient demon is not far off, as some cultivators have said.

"The ancient demon race may be the cause of the great calamity of a thousand years..." After patiently explaining, even the usually composed Tuoba Changsheng was now extremely anxious.

He paced back and forth on the ground, silently waiting for news from Yuwen Huai'an.

"It's not too bad yet. The altar in Yongzhou is intact, as is the one in Liangzhou. We haven't received a reply from the remaining states yet."

Zhou Jun is already aware of this matter and will likely take appropriate action to retaliate…

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ming gradually felt relieved.

Even if the sky falls, there are still big guys to hold it up.

With Zhou Jun, the pillar of the Great Zhou Dynasty, around, this little ancient demon shouldn't be able to cause any trouble.

boom!

A loud explosion erupted from outside the city.

Yuwen Huai'an was taken aback at first, then his face showed anxiety.

"How could this be? I only activated one altar, and I even reinforced it. Why did the seal break again?!"

Looking towards the black smoke rising into the sky in the distance.

Jiang Ming immediately sensed something was wrong. He was all too familiar with this aura; there was no doubt it was from the ancient demon race…