Chapter 560: Chapter 560

"The Heaven-Cleaving True Demon has escaped!"

Even though Lu Xuanji, Yin Hanguang, and Zhu Zizhen—a cultivator and a demon—used all their means and held nothing back, they still couldn’t keep it within the Celestial Realm.

The only result of their desperate efforts was forcing the Heaven-Cleaving True Demon to self-destruct its Heavenly Dragon Soul Suppression Seal, a Tier Seven artifact, to block their pursuit.

However, this was not the most serious issue. The most serious issue was that due to the Heaven-Cleaving True Demon deliberately destroying all teleportation arrays for leaving the Celestial Realm during the previous battle, Zhouyang and others were trapped within the Celestial Realm, unable to escape.

The Heaven-Cleaving True Demon was able to leave the Celestial Realm because it was originally at the Tribulation Transcendence Phase, proficient in the laws of space. Even if its cultivation is not as strong as before, it can still find a weak spot in the boundary of the secret realm and break through the grotto heaven’s space to escape.

And although Lu Xuanji had the cultivation of a Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul "Half-Step True Immortal," and with the help of his Tier Seven Immortal Artifact his attack power might not have been weaker than the Heaven-Cleaving True Demon, ultimately he lacked the realm to accomplish this.

If he couldn’t do this, there was even less hope for Yin Hanguang and Zhu Zizhen, whose cultivation was far inferior to his.

"There is no need for everyone to panic. Although we cannot leave the Celestial Realm for now, it doesn’t mean we are permanently trapped here."

"The priority is to let the outside world know that the Heaven-Cleaving True Demon has already broken free and escaped, so preparations can be made."

"This fiend had its True Magical Body destroyed here. After escaping, its primary target will certainly be to re-condense a True Magical Body. Therefore, we must have the outside cultivators stop it; otherwise, if it truly forms a True Magical Body, the cultivation realm will face an unavoidable catastrophe!"

In the underground space, the three surviving individuals and a demon gathered together again. Concerning the current predicament, Lu Xuanji, the leader of the demon eradication initiative, first expressed his views.

After listening to him, the previously dejected Zhouyang suddenly brightened up, quickly asking before others could speak: "Elder Lu, do you have a way out?"

"There is certainly a way. As long as I succeed in crossing the tribulation here, and advance to become a Tribulation Crossing Stage cultivator, I can naturally break through the grotto heaven’s space and lead you all out easily!"

Lu Xuanji spoke with an unperturbed demeanor, his appearance as calm as if he were talking about a trivial matter, not the earth-shattering feat of immortal ascension.

Zhouyang’s face twitched, suddenly left speechless.

This is no solution at all!

Not to mention how feasible Lu Xuanji’s breakthrough to the Tribulation Crossing Stage is, even if he succeeds, it wouldn’t be something achieved within just a year or two.

With that amount of time, who knows how the Heaven-Cleaving True Demon, now at large, might have ravaged the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm into.

And his Dao Companion, disciples, and clan descendants are all currently in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, moreover in Profound Sun Immortal Sect’s territory.

Zhouyang, thinking even with his rear, knows that if the escaped Heaven-Cleaving True Demon were to unleash havoc, it would surely start with Profound Sun Immortal Sect’s territory.

That is the cause of his extreme anxiety.

"Elder, please talk about how to notify the outside world!"

With no other choice, Zhouyang could only retreat and seek another indirect method to save them.

If they could contact the outside, he could have his Dao Companion Xiao Ying and the others leave Immortal Sun City and escape back to the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm immediately.

Currently, anywhere in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm might be attacked by the Heaven-Cleaving True Demon; meanwhile, the remote and undeveloped Boundless Desert Sea Cultivation Realm wouldn’t catch the Heaven-Cleaving True Demon’s interest.

"In my sect, there is a Celestial Observation Treasure Mirror that can monitor the situation here. Now that the teleportation array is destroyed, Junior Sister Zhang outside should have already noticed the anomaly and messaged Junior Brother Qingyang and others who stayed behind in the sect. As soon as Junior Brother Qingyang and the others receive the message and activate that Celestial Observation Treasure Mirror, they will naturally see what’s happening here."

"Therefore, if you wish to leave any messages, feel free to write them on paper. Once Junior Brother Qingyang and the others see them, they will certainly help relay them to the intended person."

Lu Xuanji smiled faintly, revealing a secret.

This matter was originally Profound Sun Immortal Sect’s secret, even the common Golden Core Elders weren’t privy to it.

However, with the Heaven-Cleaving True Demon escaping, the secret didn’t matter much anymore. After all, the original reason for keeping it secret was the fear that demonic cultivators would exploit the information to cause trouble.

Zhouyang was enlightened, and then hurriedly, in line with Lu Xuanji’s words, made use of nearby materials to cut out a large flat stone slab with his flying sword, and started leaving a message on it. For more chapters visıt novel(ꜰ)ire.net

He wrote over a thousand words, checked it thoroughly a few times, and, finding nothing lacking, threw the stone slab onto the altar.

It was only then that he noticed, besides himself and Lu Xuanji, Yin Hanguang and Zhu Zizhen had not made any moves to leave messages.

Thinking a little, Zhouyang understood the intentions of this individual and demon.

To him, several decades or a hundred years seemed long, but to this person and demon, a century wasn’t much. Perhaps they might even prefer using this opportunity to seclude themselves and cultivate within the Celestial Realm!

Moreover, neither of them were connected to the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm. Even if the Heaven-Cleaving True Demon wreaked havoc on the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, it wouldn’t harm them personally.

The most important thing is that, in the situation where the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon" has already escaped, the "Sky Realm Immortal Territory" has become a place that protects this pair, so they don’t have to deal with that demon.

Sure enough, as he was thinking about these things, he saw Lu Xuanji had already left a message, and the "Vermilion Bird Demon King" Zhu Zizhen immediately asked, "Fellow Daoist Lu, if you were to attempt to break through to Tribulation Crossing Stage, how confident are you?"

Upon hearing her words, both Zhouyang and Yin Hanguang felt a tremor in their hearts, and immediately turned their gaze towards Lu Xuanji.

They naturally hoped that Lu Xuanji would succeed in advancing to the Tribulation Crossing Stage, because it not only concerned whether they could leave the "Sky Realm Immortal Territory," but also concerned their interests after leaving.

Just like Yin Hanguang, in order to have him make a full effort against the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon," Lu Xuanji had promised to fully assist him in ascending to the position of Palace Master of the Great Brightness Immortal Palace afterward.

If Lu Xuanji could advance to the Tribulation Crossing Stage, this matter would be a sure thing.

As for Zhouyang, if Lu Xuanji succeeded in achieving the Tribulation Crossing Stage, he would forge a connection with such a Tribulation Crossing True Immortal, and the future benefits would be immeasurable.

Facing the expectant eyes of everyone, Lu Xuanji pondered slightly, then nodded and said, "Thirty percent! I have prepared for many years, and with the concentrated spiritual energy here in the [Sky Realm Immortal Territory], I have a thirty percent chance!"

A thirty percent chance, this success rate is indeed not low.

No, it should be said to be very high.

One must know that this is the Tribulation Crossing Stage, and a Tribulation Crossing True Immortal appears once every ten thousand years!

A Purple Mansion Stage cultivator breaking through to the Golden Core Stage with a thirty percent success rate is already uncommon, let alone a Nascent Soul Stage breaking through to the Tribulation Crossing Stage.

Zhouyang did not know where Lu Xuanji got such confidence from, but after hearing this, he indeed felt relieved.

"A thirty percent chance is already very high, if Fellow Daoist Lu succeeds, he will be the first in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm in seven thousand years!"

Zhu Zizhen said enviously, her eyes full of unconcealed admiration.

Even as a True Saint descendant with strong bloodline, without other opportunities, her chance of advancing to a Tier Seven True Spirit would not exceed twenty percent.

Lu Xuanji just smiled and did not respond.

Such things are better spoken after succeeding; saying such things now might give people an impression of arrogance.

He just clasped his hands and said solemnly, "Lu will next be in seclusion here to prepare for the breakthrough. Fellow Daoists can also seek places outside to cultivate. This [Sky Realm Immortal Territory] is rich in spiritual energy and can be said to be one of the best places for cultivation in the world, do not miss this opportunity!"

Upon hearing this, Zhouyang couldn’t help but feel moved and immediately clasped his hands in salute, saying, "Elder Lu, the junior has an unsolicited request, I hope Elder can consent!"

"Please speak, young friend."

Lu Xuanji glanced at him and nodded slightly.

"I hope Elder allows me to go outside to pick some Tier Five Spirit Elixirs to refine elixirs that enhance cultivation. Of course, I won’t use these spirit elixirs for free and am willing to compensate with spirit stones or other treasures when leaving!"

Zhouyang took a deep breath and made his request solemnly.

Since being trapped in the "Sky Realm Immortal Territory" is a reality, he naturally wants to seize every opportunity to enhance his cultivation.

Back in Kunxu Realm, the spirit pills he had the black robed man refine were handed over to Lu Xuanji for safekeeping with Master Cyan Yang before coming to the "Sky Realm Immortal Territory."

Fortunately, the "Sky Realm Immortal Territory" itself is a grand medicinal garden, with various high-tier spirit elixirs planted inside, Zhouyang can completely gather resources locally and invite someone to refine the spirit pills.

Only, the spirit elixirs here are owned, and he needs to obtain Lu Xuanji’s consent to use them. Moreover, refining elixirs is not his expertise, and he must ask Lu Xuanji for help.

As for whether Lu Xuanji would refuse this request, Zhouyang was not worried.

Now that the teleportation array to leave the "Sky Realm Immortal Territory" has been destroyed, they cannot leave and outside cultivators cannot enter either.

This means if Lu Xuanji fails to break through to the Tribulation Crossing Stage, everything here would be disconnected from outside cultivators, including those spirit elixirs.

And if Lu Xuanji succeeds in breaking through, obviously the "Sky Realm Immortal Territory" would fall under the Profound Sun Immortal Sect’s jurisdiction, so allowing some spirit elixirs to be picked for refining does not cost Lu Xuanji anything.

Indeed, Zhouyang guessed it right.

After hearing his request, Lu Xuanji pondered slightly, then nodded and said, "I will permit this, you can collaborate with Fellow Daoist Zhu. Though she is from the Demon Race, she is also a Tier Five Top Grade Alchemy Master and should be able to refine the spirit pills you desire!"

"Thank you for your kindness, Elder!"

Zhouyang rejoiced and hurriedly firmly saluted in thanks.

Next, Lu Xuanji went into seclusion in the underground space to make his breakthrough, while Zhouyang, Yin Hanguang, and Zhu Zizhen, one human and one demon, withdrew outside, each seeking a place for cultivation.

Outside, Yin Hanguang went off to find a place to cultivate, leaving it unmentioned.

The "Vermilion Bird Demon King" Zhu Zizhen, however, swept a pair of phoenix eyes over Zhouyang and said bluntly, "Junior, although Fellow Daoist Lu has addressed the matter, if you want this King to refine elixirs for you, the necessary remuneration cannot be short at all!"

"Of course, of course, but I wonder what kind of remuneration is needed for inviting Elder Zhu to refine elixirs?"

Zhouyang nodded with a full-faced smile, not feeling surprised at all.

He dared to make requests to Lu Xuanji, whose cultivation was higher, because he indeed had helped Lu Xuanji a great deal.

But Zhu Zizhen was different; there was no relationship with Zhu Zizhen, who was willing to help refine elixirs due to Lu Xuanji’s influence; how could she be willing to assist without compensation?

If Zhu Zizhen didn’t mention remuneration at all, he should have been suspicious, worrying if she had other plots against him.

"It’s the first time this King is refining elixirs for a human cultivator, so I won’t make it difficult for you. You only need to give this King a Tier Five Pill Formula as compensation!"

Zhu Zizhen’s phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, casually stating the conditions.

This condition truly wasn’t low.

A Tier Five Pill Formula itself is an exceedingly rare resource, not to mention the blockade on advanced alchemy and artifact crafting inheritances by the Demon race, which is a consensus among all high-tier human cultivators.

Regardless of the seemingly unusual relationship between Zhu Zizhen and Lu Xuanji, Zhouyang didn’t believe Lu Xuanji would easily hand over such advanced alchemy inheritance to her.

"She’s betting that besides her, I can’t find a second person to help me refine elixirs here."

Zhouyang’s thoughts turned in his mind, quickly understanding Zhu Zizhen’s reliance.

Yin Hanguang might also refine elixirs, but his alchemy might not be as sophisticated as Zhu Zizhen’s, and Zhouyang might not be able to offer anything tempting to him.

Comparatively, Zhu Zizhen’s conditions were easier to fulfill.

"Alright, this junior agrees to elder’s condition, but I don’t have the pill formula with me right now. I need to leave to find my wife to get the pill formula to present it to you."

Zhouyang gritted his teeth and agreed to Zhu Zizhen’s conditions.

Time was precious to him; after advancing to the Golden Core Stage, he had already wasted quite a lot of cultivation time.

Finally managing to close doors for a period of cultivation, he didn’t want to waste that precious opportunity.

If Lu Xuanji dared to cooperate with Zhu Zizhen, why shouldn’t he?

If trading the pill formula to Zhu Zizhen harmed the interests of human cultivators, he was confident that after enhancing his cultivation with elixirs refined by her, he would contribute greater service to humanity to compensate for the loss in this regard.

Just as how Lu Xuanji used the "Vermilion Bird Secret Realm" entrance location as bait to induce Zhu Zizhen’s help against the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon," believing that compared to the harm caused by the demon, Zhu Zizhen’s breakthrough due to the information provided would cause less harm to human cultivators.

There is no absolute right or wrong in the world, only a balance of interests.

"You dare to owe this King, junior, you’re quite bold!"

Zhu Zizhen’s phoenix eyes slightly narrowed, smiling faintly at Zhouyang, her words making Zhouyang’s scalp tingle.

He couldn’t forget Zhu Zizhen’s fierce presence after revealing her original form, despite her beauty at the moment.

He hurriedly clasped his hands in an apology, "Pardon me, elder. This junior meant no such thing; I’m indeed strapped. If elder doesn’t believe it, feel free to check the storage ring I carry!"

After speaking, he really took off the storage ring and held it up in his palm, inviting Zhu Zizhen to examine it.

"Forget it, I suppose you wouldn’t dare deceive this King. This King will trust you once, in respect to Fellow Daoist Lu!"

Zhu Zizhen waved her jade hand, not actually inspecting Zhouyang’s storage ring, letting him pass.

Following her guidance, Zhouyang personally picked dozens of spirit elixirs for her.

Luckily, the range of spirit elixir species planted in the "Dome Heaven Immortal Realm" was extensive, or it wouldn’t be easy to gather the required alchemy materials; even so, some materials were still missing.

Fortunately, unlike Zhouyang, Zhu Zizhen had entered the "Dome Heaven Immortal Realm" with most of her belongings, and her storage spiritual artifact contained many alchemy materials, which filled in the missing parts for Zhouyang.

Of course, the materials supplemented were recorded in debt, which Zhouyang needed to repay double once outside.

With the materials gathered, she immediately started the furnace to refine elixirs.

In terms of alchemy skill level, Zhu Zizhen could of course not compare to that black-robed person in the Kunxu Realm, at best she could only ensure that the alchemy process did not fail.

The materials Zhouyang sourced allowed her to open the furnace and refine pills seven times, producing two types of Tier Five Spirit Pills that enhance Golden Core Stage cultivators, yet in the end, she only managed to produce fifty-seven pills.

Despite this, she boasted with pride as if she had exceeded expectations, speaking with quite a bit of self-satisfaction.

Naturally, Zhouyang secretly criticized this in his heart, yet on the surface, he had to greet her with a smiling face, flattering her and not daring to show any sign of dissatisfaction.

After pleasing Zhu Zizhen this way, Zhouyang took the pills and went alone to a secluded place to peacefully seclude himself and practice.

Profound Sun Immortal Sect, inside the Council Hall.

Once the changes within the Dome Heaven Immortal Realm reached Master Cyan Yang’s attention, including Master Huayang Zhang Yuhua stationed at that secular small town, the remaining six Nascent Soul Stage cultivators of the Profound Sun Immortal Sect quickly gathered back at the Sect’s Council Hall to collectively discuss coping strategies.

"Everyone has seen the message left by Senior Brother Lu, the Heaven-Sundering True Demon has escaped. If not handled properly, this would be a catastrophic disaster for the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm. We, the Profound Sun Immortal Sect, as the initiators of all this, would bear undeniable responsibility!"

"Thus, for the Sect’s reputation’s sake, and for the Sect’s legacy, we must find a way to kill or seal it before it recovers, ensuring that it does not wreak havoc in the Cultivation Realm!"

The First Supreme Elder Lu Xuanji is absent, and the Second Supreme Elder Master Baiyang has already fallen, leaving the most senior and highest cultivation among the Profound Sun Immortal Sect’s Third Supreme Elder, Master Lingxiao Wang Lingxiao, in charge of the Council Hall.

Upon hearing Master Lingxiao’s inquiry, the Nascent Soul Stage cultivators in the Council Hall exchanged glances, after which Master Huayang Zhang Yuhua stood up and said: "Senior Brother Wang, we are naturally obligated to exterminate demons and protect the Dao, but Senior Brother Lu also left a message indicating that although the Heaven-Sundering True Demon has lost its True Magical Body, its combat strength still far exceeds that of ordinary Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul cultivators. Even if we joined forces, I’m afraid we’re no match for it!"

Just after she had spoken, a gentle and elegant middle-aged cultivator beside her quickly nodded in agreement: "Junior Sister Zhang is right. Now with Senior Brother Lu trapped in the Dome Heaven Immortal Realm, and both Senior Brothers Baiyang and Jinyang fallen, the overall strength of our Profound Sun Immortal Sect has decreased by several levels. How can we possibly contend with such an ancient demon as the Heaven-Sundering True Demon?"

"Unless, unless Senior Brother Lu can successfully break through the Tribulation Crossing Stage and return, otherwise it would already be fortunate for us to preserve the Sect’s foundation!"

"Junior Brother Cyan Yang, what is your view?"

Master Lingxiao did not respond to Master Huayang or the gentle middle-aged cultivator, instead turning his gaze towards Master Cyan Yang who was the last to achieve Nascent Soul Formation but showed great potential.

Upon hearing this, Master Cyan Yang immediately bowed and solemnly said:

"Senior Brother Wang, hasn’t Senior Brother Lu already clearly stated in his letter? Since the Heaven-Sundering True Demon has escaped, its first priority is of course to re-condense its True Magical Body, and the place most suitable for this within the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, apart from the Sealed Demon Cave guarded by our Sect, is nonexistent!"

"Therefore, even if we intended to evade, it would certainly be unavoidable, as we absolutely cannot abandon the entire mountain gate!"

"Thus, my suggestion is to immediately notify our fellow daoists at the Yuqing Daoist Sect and other trustworthy fellow daoists in the Cultivation Realm, inviting them to join us in setting a trap at the Sealed Demon Cave, ensuring that the demon cannot re-condense its True Magical Body!"

"Additionally, we should urgently communicate with Liuyun Immortal City, requesting them to use their tokens to contact Elder Chongyang who resides in the Donghua Continent’s Cultivation Realm. Although Elder Chongyang is not from our Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, dealing improperly with the escape of the Heaven-Sundering True Demon, this ancient demon, could bring disaster to an entire realm, and surely he would not stand idly by!"

"Isn’t doing this essentially telling others that we released the Heaven-Sundering True Demon?"

The gentle middle-aged cultivator suddenly muttered in shock.

After speaking, he realized that everyone else’s eyes were on him, their gazes reminiscent of looking at a fool.

"Senior Brother Ding, do you truly think such a matter can be hidden? With Senior Brother Lu and both Senior Brothers Baiyang and Jinyang missing, and the Heaven-Sundering True Demon sealed in the Dome Heaven Immortal Realm for over ten thousand years suddenly emerging to cause chaos, any sect knowing the situation could easily infer and cross-reference information deducing it was our Profound Sun Immortal Sect’s doing!"

"If we voluntarily confess, at least we can salvage something, given that Senior Brother Lu did indeed refine the True Magical Body of the Heaven-Sundering True Demon, removed the constraints of the Dome Heaven Immortal Realm, which is indeed beneficial for the entire Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm!"

"This way, the sacrifice of both Senior Brothers Baiyang and Jinyang can be entirely justified as being for the greater good, providing closure for them and the Sect."

Master Cyan Yang helplessly shook his head, softly explaining the rationale to the gentle middle-aged cultivator.

"Junior Brother Cyan Yang is correct. By voluntarily confessing, despite inevitable accountability from other sects, whatever action they want to take against us must wait until after the Heaven-Sundering True Demon is eliminated. At least this allows us to leverage their power to resist the Heaven-Sundering True Demon."

"Moreover, even if they intend to settle accounts later, they must first ascertain Senior Brother Lu’s situation. Should Senior Brother Lu succeed in reaching the Tribulation Crossing Stage, he would become our Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm’s first Tribulation Crossing True Immortal in seven thousand years, leaving others scrambling to curry favor with our Profound Sun Immortal Sect, not daring to cause us trouble."

Master Yunxiao continued following Master Cyan Yang’s words, his eyes sweeping across all the Nascent Soul Stage cultivators present, he solemnly said, "Let’s vote by raising hands. Those who agree with Junior Brother Cyan Yang’s opinion, raise your hands; those who disagree, feel free to share your views."

As Master Yunxiao finished speaking, six hands, including his own, all promptly raised, and even the gentle middle-aged cultivator was no exception.

Although having appeared somewhat timid earlier, the person was not truly foolish; after Master Cyan Yang and Master Yunxiao’s analysis, he naturally understood that his previous minor schemes were unwarranted.

And as a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator, when facing major issues, he certainly wouldn’t hold a grudge over such a small matter, deliberately expressing opposition.

Seeing this, Master Yunxiao nodded with satisfaction, "Good, since everyone agrees, let’s proceed with this plan. Time is pressing; everyone must act immediately."