The spiritual energy was restored, and he became a mortal immortal in two days.

Wu Minghuang quickly stepped forward and looked him up and down: "Are you alright, sir? We received a message from Kunlun saying that the Lord of the Netherworld Palace has appeared, so we rushed here immediately."

Shangguan Wan'er also asked with concern, "This disciple has mobilized forces in Jiangnan and is ready to support Kunlun at any time."

Chen Xuan shook his head: "No need, it's already been resolved."

He briefly recounted what had happened that day.

Wu Minghuang was terrified: "The Heaven and Earth Seal is evolving into a small world... Master, are you... about to establish a sect?"

Chen Xuan smiled and said, "Perhaps."

He looked at the two of them: "How's it going at Qingcheng Mountain?"

"Everything is fine."

Wu Minghuang said, "With Taiqingzi in charge and Pei Hanchuan in seclusion, no one dares to offend us."

Shangguan Wan'er said softly, "It's just... there have been some rumors lately."

"What rumor?"

Some say that although the Holy Master is powerful, he is ultimately just a person.

Chaos is approaching, and humanity needs a leader, an emperor... who can rule the world.

Wu Minghuang frowned: "Wan'er!"

Shangguan Wan'er lowered her head: "I was just relaying... there are indeed people outside saying that."

Chen Xuan was silent for a moment, then said calmly:

"emperor?"

"I don't need it."

He looked into the distance, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable authority:

"In this life, all I want is..."

"Peace reigns on earth."

As soon as he finished speaking, a mountain breeze blew by, causing his green robe to flutter in the wind.

In the setting sun, that figure stood alone like a solitary peak, yet it seemed as if... it was supporting the entire sky.

......

Three days later, at Mount Qingcheng.

When Chen Xuan returned to the Taoist temple, Lu Yao was squatting at the courtyard gate feeding the sparrows.

Seeing him return, the little girl's eyes lit up: "Senior brother! You're back!"

Chen Xuan nodded and walked into the courtyard.

Wu Minghuang and Shangguan Wan'er followed behind. The two had already agreed to take turns accompanying Chen Xuan at Qingcheng Mountain, each for half a month.

"Sir, what would you like to eat today?"

Wu Minghuang tied on an apron. "I brought some snow lotus from Kunlun. It's the most nourishing for making soup."

Shangguan Wan'er also said, "This disciple has recently learned a few Jiangnan-style pastries. Would you like to try some, sir?"

Chen Xuan sat at the stone table, watching the two busy figures, and suddenly felt...

That's not bad either.

Chaos is approaching, but at least for now...

The years are quiet.

Outside the courtyard, Taiqingzi hurried over:

"Holy Master, Pei Hanchuan has emerged from seclusion!"

Chen Xuan looked up: "How is it?"

"Mid-stage Nascent Soul achieved!"

Taiqingzi exclaimed excitedly, "Sword Master Pei said that thanks to your guidance, he has completely let go of his inner turmoil and has achieved mastery of the sword!"

Chen Xuan smiled and said, "That's good."

The human race has gained another Nascent Soul cultivator.

Just then—

"Buzz!"

Suddenly, a deafening bell rang out from the sky!

It's not Kunlun Bell.

It is not the sound of bells, but an even more ancient and distant sound!

The sound of bells came from the north, traversing thousands of miles of mountains and rivers, resounding throughout the entire land of China!

Taiqingzi's expression changed drastically: "This is the 'Nine Provinces Bell'?! The legendary treasure of the human race, which only rings when the race is wiped out!"

Chen Xuan stood up and looked north.

In his eyes, a blood-red sky was reflected.

"What was bound to happen has finally happened."

He said softly:

"Pass down the order—"

"Everyone, prepare for battle."

At the summit of Mount Qingcheng, the night was as dark as ink.

Chen Xuan stood atop the mountain with his hands behind his back, gazing at the blood-red sky to the north.

Wu Minghuang, Shangguan Wan'er, Tai Qingzi, Pei Hanchuan and others stood behind him, their expressions solemn.

"The bell of Kyushu has not sounded for three thousand years."

Taiqingzi's voice trembled, "The last time it rang out was when the ancient demon race swarmed out and almost wiped out the human race."

Pei Hanchuan gripped the hilt of his sword tightly: "What... will it be this time?"

Chen Xuan remained silent for a long time before slowly saying:

"Not a demon."

A cold glint flashed in his eyes:

"It is... from beyond the heavens."

"An extraterrestrial demon has crossed over from another realm."

Everyone's expression changed drastically.

Evil from outside? !

That is an existence that only exists in ancient records. Legend has it that every time it descends, it will bring a cataclysmic disaster!

"Sir... what should we do?" Wu Minghuang asked through gritted teeth.

Chen Xuan turned around, looked at the crowd, and spoke in a calm yet powerful voice:

"war."

The single word uttered was like a thunderclap.

"The survival of humanity hinges on this battle."

"I will go north to confront the demons."

"you......"

His gaze swept over the crowd:

"Defend the Central Plains, safeguard the foundation of humanity."

"Wait for my... return."

As soon as he finished speaking, he took a step forward, transforming into a streak of blue light, and sped off towards the north.

Behind them, everyone knelt down:

"Respectfully bidding farewell to the Holy Master!"

"May the Holy Master...return in triumph!"

In the darkness of night, the streak of light pierced the sky like a sharp sword, hurtling towards the blood-red firmament.

This battle.

Will decide...

The fate of humanity.

The black cliffs, like a giant beast, lie prostrate on this desolate land.

Atop the cliff stands a nine-story stone tower, its body covered with ancient runes, each rune radiating a dim golden light.

That was the power of suppression, which had been maintained for countless years.

At this moment, the stone tower is trembling.

The runes on the tower flickered, their golden light like a candle in the wind. The "Nine Provinces Mystic Pearl," which had always been suspended at the top of the tower, was spinning wildly, cracks spreading across its surface.

Leading the group was an elderly woman with white hair, dressed in a gray robe, whose aura indicated she was at the peak of the Golden Core stage. Behind her knelt dozens of men and women, all wearing clothing embroidered with an ancient seal pattern.

"Elder, the seal is about to break!"

A young disciple, his voice trembling with tears, cried out, "The aura from beyond the heavens... is growing stronger!"

The old woman gritted her teeth and looked up at the trembling stone tower: "Hold on! Our Ying family has guarded this cliff for nine thousand years."

"Even if it costs our entire clan's lives, we cannot allow the demon to break free!"

Her tribesmen behind her responded in unison, but their voices were filled with despair.

Nine thousand years.

Ying family ancestor Ying Tianming was a legendary guardian who personally sealed away extraterrestrial demons.

The Demon-Suppressing Tower and the Nine Provinces Bell that he left behind are the last barrier that the Ying family has maintained for generations with blood and life.

But now, with the resurgence of spiritual energy and the loosening of the world, that ancient seal... is collapsing.

"Buzz!"

Suddenly, a crack appeared on the third level of the stone tower!

Thick black energy surged from the crack! The black energy transformed into a three-foot-long demonic claw, grabbing at the nearest member of the Ying family!

"Be careful!"

The old woman shouted fiercely and summoned a bronze mirror. The mirror's light blocked the demon's claws, but she was still shaken and forced to retreat several steps, blood spilling from the corner of her mouth.

The demonic claws were forced back by the mirror light, but instead of dissipating, they coalesced in mid-air—

It was a blurry figure, entirely black, surrounded by demonic energy, with only its eyes bloodshot red.

"Hahahahaha!"

The dark figure let out a deafening laugh, "You brat from the Ying family! Nine thousand years ago, your ancestor sealed me with his life! Today... the seal is about to break, and I will finally see the light of day again!"

Its gaze swept over the crowd, filled with mockery: "Mere peak Golden Core cultivators, you dare to block my way? Once the seal is completely shattered, I'll be the first to devour your entire Ying family!"

The old woman trembled all over, yet she still stood in front of her clansmen: "Demon! As long as there is one member of the Ying family left, we will never let you out!"

"Yeah?"

The shadowy figure sneered, "Then I'll kill you all first, then break free of the seal!"

It raised its hand, and the demonic energy transformed into thousands of black needles, which shot towards the Ying family members in a massive barrage!