Transcending two realms to become an earth immortal

"Chen'er is right!"

Before the words were finished, a deep and majestic voice pierced through the deathly silence of the underworld and suddenly rang in their ears.

The two suddenly turned their heads and saw a crimson glow spreading across the ground, spiritual light converging and condensing into a clearly defined Yin deity's image.

This person had a dignified appearance and a solid physique. There was a faint flow of vitality around him, which was completely different from the desolate world here. He was none other than the Supreme Virtue Immortal!

Although his true self was engaged in a battle with the Soul-Seizing Cult demons in the distance, it was not difficult for him to send a wisp of his divine consciousness here.

"Uncle-Master," the two greeted in unison.

Master Shangde's gaze, sharp as lightning, fell upon Fang Chen.

Under the laws of the underworld, the depth of one's cultivation is entirely transformed into spiritual pressure and radiance, which cannot be concealed.

Within Mingjun Daoist's body, at its core, hangs a spiritual lamp, emitting a faint light about a foot long.

Fang Chen, however, was different. As soon as he entered the Netherworld, his form solidified considerably, and a blue light naturally arose, transforming into a Daoist robe, a spiritual crown, and cloud-patterned shoes, making him appear as a true immortal.

A halo of light faintly appeared above its head, emanating a vast and profound aura of heaven and earth. Clear light descended several feet, while crimson energy rose into flames, illuminating a dark corner.

This kind of aura clearly transcends ordinary people, indicating that the three souls and seven spirits have been condensed into one, and the Yin spirit body has been initially formed.

If one's cultivation is perfected, the Yin Spirit can leave the body through the celestial spirit, thus entering and leaving the Yin and Yang realms and wandering the netherworld. Wherever it passes, it can create a pure and benevolent land. In this corner of the Dao City, one can be considered a True Person capable of guarding this area!

Moreover, Master Shangde immediately recognized that this was not the Zhengyang Dao method, but a true transmission of the Great Dao that was rare even in the old world.

It seems this disciple has a deep affinity with the Dharma. Master Shangde gave Fang Chen a long, thoughtful look.

But he had no time to delve into the matter at the moment. He simply said in a deep voice, "I know everything about the affairs of the mortal world. The decision for the Shangyang Dao leader to lead the elders out was a joint one. The place of the old world's light and shadow they went to was a familiar place to us. We had been planning for it for many years, thinking we could succeed in one fell swoop. Who would have thought..."

At this point, a hint of sadness flashed across his face, which quickly turned into a resolute expression:

"Since things have come to this, further words are useless. You must quickly return to your physical bodies and leave Zhengyang Path immediately. There is no need to concern yourself with anything here anymore; you should adopt a strategy of cutting off your tails to save yourselves!"

To cut off one's tail and save one's life means to abandon the ancestral master in the underworld and numerous disciples in the mortal world, so that only a few core disciples can escape and preserve a sliver of hope for the lineage.

"Master Uncle!" Daoist Mingjun's expression changed drastically. "Right now, we still have the upper hand in the Underworld..."

"This is only temporary." Fang Chen looked at the churning battlefield in the distance, his expression solemn. "My master's magic power, the White Tiger Dao soldiers, and the Daoist temple's grand formation all require spiritual energy to sustain them. In the old world, they could absorb the essence of heaven and earth to replenish it, but in this apocalyptic era, they can only consume the spiritual resources and magic money accumulated by the Daoist temple. This kind of support can only last for... half a day at most."

"Indeed," Master Shangde said decisively. "To prevent the complete collapse of the Yin World Daoist Temple and to avoid a pincer attack from both the Yin and Yang worlds, we have already mobilized a large amount of manpower. The Yang World's protective array has been weakened by at least 50% and will be even more difficult to hold for long. Mingjun, do not hesitate. After returning, immediately awaken Elder Shangming, who is in seclusion. Even if he burns out his Yin spirit, he will fight his way out for you!"

"But Uncle-Master..." Daoist Mingjun gave a bitter smile, "If we leave the Daoist temple, where can we escape to? The tax ghosts of Dao City will surely come knocking on our door immediately, devouring our souls and sucking our marrow until they turn us into filthy corpses. Even if we manage to escape Dao City, how can we survive in that treacherous world between Yin and Yang? Even if we escape into the shadows of the old world and find a safe place, we don't know when we will fall into the abyss with them... It's not that we don't want to leave, but that there is no way to retreat!"

Upon hearing this, the Yin spirit of the Supreme Virtue True Man trembled slightly.

Indeed, in the old world, with its vast mountains and rivers, there was nowhere one could not find refuge.

But this is a world in ruins, a world of five turbidities and evils, from which there is no escape. The light and shadow of the old world are precarious, the mortal realm is fraught with peril, and the present-day Dao City is haunted by tax ghosts... There is no way back.

As for going to other Dao cities? Without the corresponding tokens or mediums to guide them, they may be lost in the shadows of the old world before they even arrive, sinking into ruin and returning to the void forever.

Is it possible that the Zhengyang Dao is truly destined to be extinguished and its lineage destroyed today?

"Uncle-Master, Senior Brother Mingjun." At this moment, Fang Chen suddenly spoke, his voice steady yet exceptionally clear, "If we were to fight in the mortal realm, I could restrain a... Yin God demon who has not yet reached the Sun Wandering Realm."

Upon hearing this, the two men turned around abruptly, their gazes fixed intently on him.

At this critical juncture, both of them knew that Fang Chen would never speak nonsense on this matter.

"Senior Brother Mingyang broke through to the Yin God realm half a month ago!" Daoist Mingjun's face suddenly lit up, and he spoke urgently, "Recently, he has been consolidating his realm and practicing the Daoist techniques of protection. If he also wields the inherited artifact, the [Zhengyang Spirit Lamp], blocking a Yin God demon should not be difficult!"

"As for the remaining one," Master Shangde immediately continued, his expression unchanged, but his voice revealing a hint of excitement, "you may return. Please ask Elder Shangming to take action. Even if it means mutual destruction, you must take him with you!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's spirits lifted instantly, and they no longer hesitated or panicked.

"There's no time to lose." Master Shangde said no more, raising his hand in a gesture of invitation, his fingertips shimmering with spiritual light. "I will now send you back to the mortal world. Remember, those three evil spirits are not to be trifled with; proceed with extreme caution!"

Having said that, he immediately began to recite the incantation aloud:

"Heaven and earth are the framework, yin and yang are the weft, all directions and eight corners, heed my command, the netherworld opens..."

As soon as the incantation was finished, the entire Yin World Taoist temple trembled slightly.

Countless firefly-like points of light appeared in the void, converging and flowing, condensing in mid-air into a huge rotating light gate.

With a deafening roar, the doors swung open. Behind them lay the very heart of the Yang Realm's sacred temple!

It is easy to descend to the underworld, but difficult to return to the world of the living.

Crossing the upper level of the underworld alone requires the cultivation of a True Person of the Day Traveler; as for the deeper Yellow Springs and the Netherworld, even a True Lord of the Yang God or a True Immortal of the Primordial Spirit would find it difficult to return easily.

If the world were not in a state of disorder between Yin and Yang, and the boundary between life and death were not blurred, even the Supreme Virtue Immortal would not have been able to open the passage between the two worlds so easily.

"Return immediately!" Master Shangde shouted in a low voice.

Fang Chen and Ming Jun exchanged a glance, then without further hesitation, they flashed and stepped into the doorway.

However, just as the two figures were about to completely disappear into the portal—

Boom!!!

Like a thunderclap suddenly rising from the ground, or like thousands of pieces of glass shattering completely in the same instant, the deafening roar split the sky, shaking the soul and soul.

The two subconsciously looked back—

Above the Yin World Daoist Temple, the pale golden light screen formed by the protective array suddenly burst open with countless spiderweb-like cracks.

Five pale, bony fingers, as sharp as jagged mountains, pierced fiercely from the outside, tearing a shockingly huge gap in the light barrier!

The grand formation of the dojo... has been broken!

The gate between Yin and Yang closed completely in the next instant, utterly isolating the scene of the underworld.

In the mortal world, at the sacred temple of righteousness.

The sounds of fighting, explosions, and screams outside the hall were drawing ever closer. The clash of metal, the roar of spells, the howls of demons, and the wails of vengeful ghosts mingled together, surging towards the core of the temple like a tidal wave.

Clearly, Yangshishan Gate was also attacked, and the flames of war had spread to its heartland!

"Junior Brother!" Daoist Mingjun, having just regained his footing in the hall, recalled the scene of the formation collapsing that he had witnessed in the Underworld, and his expression grew even more anxious. "What about the Underworld..."

"I believe in the Ancestor." Fang Chen's gaze swept over, his voice as deep as iron. "Senior brother, what you lack has never been thorough consideration, but rather the courage to make decisive moves. In the old world, when peace reigned and the righteous path governed, one could proceed step by step, planning carefully before acting. But in this apocalyptic world, where can one find a perfect plan? What is needed is the courage to take that step even if there is an abyss ahead. Even a dead end is better than sitting and waiting for death!"

Daoist Mingjun paused, a look of struggle flashing across his face, before he gritted his teeth and said:

"Junior Brother's words are truly enlightening. I will immediately go to the forbidden area at the rear to request the Supreme Elder and Senior Brother Mingyang to emerge from seclusion and activate the inherited magical artifact!"

"I'll go to the outer formation to temporarily hold them off." Fang Chen nodded slightly, then turned and walked out of the hall.

Mingjun took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and headed towards the inner palace.

Just as he turned around, out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of something moving slightly in the shadow of a palace pillar—

His expression changed drastically, and he exclaimed in surprise:

"Junior brother, be careful!!!"