Chapter 561: Chapter 561

After Master Cyan Yang left the sect’s discussion hall, he pondered for a moment and then directly exited the sect, heading towards Immortal Sun City thousands of miles away.

Leaving the sect alone at this time was highly risky, because no one knew whether the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon" that had escaped might already be lurking outside the Profound Sun Immortal Sect’s mountain gate, waiting for an opportunity to ambush a lone Nascent Soul Stage cultivator from the sect.

However, he felt it was necessary to make this trip.

The junior, Zhouyang, once again impressed him this time.

Not only did he survive the operation, but he emerged completely unharmed, which was greatly beyond Master Cyan Yang’s expectations.

Although Master Cyan Yang still couldn’t understand how Zhouyang managed to survive, the fact that he did, and did so unscathed, warranted further investment in him.

Profound Sun Immortal Sect is currently facing a great calamity, and it’s certain that unless Lu Xuanji successfully breaks through to the Tribulation Crossing Stage, even if the sect manages to endure this catastrophe, it will suffer a severe blow to its Primordial Qi.

At that time, some external allies that were not previously valued might play a significant role in restoring the sect’s Primordial Qi.

These external allies are not cultivators from the Profound Sun Immortal Sect and won’t be targeted by those sects intending to strike against it. Hence, they can accomplish certain tasks more conveniently than the cultivators within the sect.

As a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator, Master Cyan Yang had to make some preparations in advance for this eventuality.

Just as Zhouyang asked him to help relocate his Dao companion Xiao Ying and others from Immortal Sun City, if he could manage this task well, it would not only help mend the rift caused by coercing Zhouyang to assist against the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon," but also make Zhouyang fully feel his sincerity after coming out.

As for whether Zhouyang could come out of the "Dome Heaven Immortal Realm," Master Cyan Yang wasn’t worried at all.

Unlike others, he knew that Lu Xuanji actually had a way to take people out of the "Dome Heaven Immortal Realm," but if done, he wouldn’t be able to enter it again.

Because of this reason, Lu Xuanji would naturally attempt to break through to the Tribulation Crossing Stage first.

Master Cyan Yang was aware of this fact, which is why he was willing to take a bit of risk and make this trip for Zhouyang.

As a dignified Nascent Soul Stage cultivator personally delivering word, Xiao Ying and Lu Xuewei immediately realized the seriousness of the situation.

After confirming from Master Cyan Yang that Zhouyang was indeed fine, the two women decisively followed Master Cyan Yang’s arrangements and left Immortal Sun City with Zhou Tongxuan and three other juniors from the Zhou family.

However, they were unwilling to simply return to the Boundless Desert Sea Cultivation Realm and, after imploring Master Cyan Yang, under his guidance, headed to Liuyun Immortal City to seek refuge.

As the most prosperous place in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, Liuyun Immortal City’s high-end combat power was incredibly strong, making it virtually impossible for even the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon" to break it unless it completely regained its True Magical Body.

Thanks to the Profound Sun Immortal Sect’s forthrightness, within just half a month’s time, news about the ancient sealed demon "Heaven-Sundering True Demon" escaping spread quickly among the high-tier cultivators’ circles.

After hearing this news, while all major sects in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm condemned the Profound Sun Immortal Sect for its recklessness, as Master Cyan Yang predicted, a Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul "Half-Step True Immortal" soon arrived at the Profound Sun Immortal Sect to help them deal with the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon."

However, the cunning of the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon" significantly exceeded the expectations of Master Cyan Yang and others.

After escaping, it resisted the temptation to immediately attack the Profound Sun Immortal Sect for revenge and instead sought out the hidden demonic cultivators in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm to gather information about the cultivation world.

The demonic cultivators in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, previously almost driven to extinction by the major cultivation sects, naturally embraced the great support of the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon" and eagerly assisted it.

With the suggestions and help from these demonic cultivators, the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon" began its hunt.

In just half a year, it claimed the lives of five Nascent Soul Stage cultivators, and several sects were annihilated and had their legacies ended because of it.

These destroyed sects all had Nascent Soul Stage cultivators at their helm, some of which were thousand-year-old established forces.

Each time it devoured and refined a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator, the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon’s" power would recover proportionately.

And those demonic cultivators who submitted to it benefited greatly, gaining confidence and momentum.

It’s known that the existence of the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon" could only benefit from the Nascent Souls of Nascent Soul Stage cultivators for power recovery. It couldn’t be bothered with Golden Core Stage cultivators, usually capturing and handing them over to the demonic cultivators following it.

These demonic cultivators, having allied with the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon," received many profound demonic techniques and divine techniques as rewards. Now, they followed the demon in destroying sects and capturing a large number of middle-to-high tier cultivators as resources for cultivation, rapidly increasing their own cultivation levels, becoming even more enthusiastic in their endeavors.

More seriously, previously hindered by cultivation sects’ suppression, these demonic cultivators found it difficult to recruit, often not taking in disciples or furtively capturing and coercing weak loose cultivators to switch to demonic cultivation with threats of life and death. Read full story at N0veI.Fiɾe.net

But now, these demonic cultivators are recruiting openly under the banner of the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon."

If a demon cultivator dared to act before, they would have been hunted down by various major cultivation sects until death.

But now, with the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon" rampaging across the cultivation realm, each major sect has shut its mountain gates, praying fervently that the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon" doesn’t come knocking, leaving them no strength to manage this issue.

As a result, many low-level loose cultivators dissatisfied with their standing in the cultivation realm or carrying deep grudges suddenly turned and threw themselves into the demon path.

For a time, the Immortal Dao was in chaos, the Demon Dao flourished, and the entire Liuyun Continent’s cultivation realm was in turmoil!

Fortunately, this did not last for too long.

The Nascent Soul Stage cultivators within the Liuyun Continent’s cultivation realm were not fools. After some disorder, someone quickly thought of a solution.

Since the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon" intended to pick them off one by one, they decided not to comply, forcing it to reveal itself for a decisive battle.

Thus, a declaration of war soon spread throughout the Liuyun Continent’s cultivation realm, falling into the hands of the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon."

The declaration was simple: if the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon" did not appear at the Profound Sun Immortal Sect to face the many Nascent Soul Stage cultivators within half a month, these cultivators would completely destroy the "Sealed Demon Cave" of the Demon Realm Grotto Heaven.

The "Sealed Demon Cave" was left ages ago because it enclosed a demon realm passage. Destroying this Demon Realm Grotto Heaven might cause the passage’s location to shift elsewhere in the Spirit Realm, allowing the Demon Race to invade through this passage.

But this was only a possibility, an unsubstantiated hypothesis. No one actually knew if it was true.

In the past, cultivators absolutely dominated, so no one would gamble on such a chance occurrence.

But now, they were driven to desperation—who cares about such things!

If not, allowing the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon" to attack one sect after another, the entire Liuyun Continent’s cultivation realm would be devastated. By then, only a few top major sects might preserve their gates, while the rest would likely face annihilation.

This consequence, in the eyes of those Nascent Soul Stage cultivators potentially facing annihilation, was no less serious than the Spirit Realm suffering invasion from the demon realm.

To the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon," the "Sealed Demon Cave" was a necessary place for re-condensing its True Magical Body. Without going there, relying on its pure demonic qi, even if it devoured more Nascent Soul Stage cultivators, it could not re-condense its True Magical Body to regain its former peak strength.

So upon receiving the declaration, it ignored the pleas of human demon cultivators and accepted the challenge directly.

Naturally, it had its own confidence. After its escape, thanks to the help of those demon cultivators, it not only regained some strength by devouring Nascent Soul Stage cultivators but also obtained an ancient demon blade from a demon cultivator.

This demon blade was once a weapon of a True Demon from the Demon Race in ancient times. Though worn and incapable of its past might, the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon" repaired it using demon race secret techniques. After the repair, its power exceeded what it was when it fought Lu Xuanji in the Dome Heaven Immortal Realm.

While the "Celestial Dragon Soul-Sealing Seal" was good, it was not a true demon artifact. The "Heaven-Sundering True Demon" could demonicize and wield it, but it could not unleash much of the artifact’s power. However, its newly acquired demon blade was different.

The demon blade was different; it was a purely offensive treasure, immensely compatible with the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon’s" demonic artifact.

When the day of the decisive battle arrived, demon clouds swarmed from the west. Thousands of demon dao cultivators, led by the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon," set up a formation, posing an attack stance against the Profound Sun Immortal Sect.

Such a siege of an Immortal Sect by demon cultivators had not occurred since the demon realm invasion in ancient times, marking a first for the Profound Sun Immortal Sect.

Hence, when Master Yunxiao and Master Cyan Yang, along with other Nascent Soul Stage cultivators of the Profound Sun Immortal Sect, observed this scene, they were so enraged their eyes twitched, and anger surged within them.

Especially since some remnants of the "Blood Slaughter Demon Sect" raised the banner of blood for blood, vowing to turn the Profound Sun Immortal Sect into a river of blood and to erase it from history entirely.

Whether these demon cultivators could achieve this was one thing, but such news spreading would be a tremendous blow to the reputation of the Profound Sun Immortal Sect.

Saying that a dignified Immortal Dao major sect was besieged by demon cultivators who had been scurrying for their lives in the shadows once would be laughable to say!

"What a disgrace! After this battle, I shall personally descend the mountain to sweep away the demons. As long as there is even a trace of a demon cultivator in the Liuyun Continent’s cultivation realm, I shall not return to the mountain in this life!"

Master Yunxiao, hair bristling with rage, made a solemn Dao Heart vow, swearing to the heavens.

In an instant, the sound of dull thunder erupted, frightening the demon cultivators outside the Profound Sun Immortal Sect’s mountain gate, causing their slanderous voices to halt as they collectively displayed panic.

Nascent Soul Stage cultivators had begun to understand the laws of heaven and earth. By making a Dao Heart oath, it was easy to trigger some strange celestial phenomenon due to a resonance with the universe.

Upon hearing Master Yunxiao’s words, the demons outside the mountain were immediately silenced, and the disciples of the Profound Sun Immortal Sect, who were both angry and fearful due to the demonic siege, instantly regained their previous confidence in demon extermination and Dao protection.

However, this confidence was soon utterly shattered after the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon" took action.

At this moment, the Profound Sun Immortal Sect had gathered as many as twenty-two Nascent Soul cultivators, including three "Half-Step True Immortal" at the Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul. Among the remaining cultivators, none outside the Profound Sun Immortal Sect had cultivation lower than the Mid-Stage Nascent Soul.

It could be said that half of the experts of the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm were present here.

Yet, even so, the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon" still clearly gained the upper hand at the outset.

With just one slash, the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon" sliced a Mid-Stage Nascent Soul cultivator into pieces in mid-air with its demon blade, even the Nascent Soul was devoured by the blade!

Relying on the intimidation of this slash, in the ensuing battle, each strike of the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon" caused the besieging Nascent Soul cultivators to be on edge, unable to unleash even half of their full strength, as most of their power was used for self-defense.

In this way, even though the Immortal Dao cultivators had superior numbers, they were still at a disadvantage.

Later, several Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul "Half-Step True Immortals," seeing the unfavorable situation, scrambled to use their trump cards, barely managing to inflict a few notable wounds on the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon," causing it some apprehension.

But good times did not last long. As the battle continued and the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon" gradually assessed the situation of the besieging Nascent Soul cultivators, it quickly devised a countermeasure and once again used its demon blade to break through the defenses of two relatively weaker Nascent Soul cultivators, killing them on the spot.

Among them was even a scholarly middle-aged cultivator from the Profound Sun Immortal Sect.

Anyone killed under the demon blade of the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon" had their Nascent Soul and physical body entirely devoured by the blade, without a chance for the Nascent Soul to escape.

After consecutively devouring the Nascent Souls and flesh essence of three Nascent Soul cultivators, the power of the demon blade grew even stronger, making it increasingly difficult to defend against.

At this rate, the ultimate defeat of the Immortal Dao side seemed almost certain.

But at this moment, the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon" suddenly suffered a severe injury.

The cultivator who dealt this heavy blow to the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon" was actually a Foundation Establishment junior cultivator previously hidden among the demon cultivators, but his true identity was revealed to be Du Chongyang, a Tribulation Crossing True Immortal from faraway Donghua Continent Cultivation Realm, known as "Master Chongyang."

This "Master Chongyang" became immortal over five thousand years ago, being an extremely rare Loose Cultivator True Immortal.

Since stepping into the Tribulation Crossing Stage, he had completely faded from the cultivation realm. Now, after thousands of years, apart from top major sects like the Profound Sun Immortal Sect that have long heritage knowing of his existence, even some Nascent Soul cultivators from the Donghua Continent Cultivation Realm likely were unaware of him.

However, although reclusive, as a rare Tribulation Crossing True Immortal of this realm, "Master Chongyang" would certainly not completely isolate himself from world affairs or ignore the major events in the cultivation realm.

Before his retreat, he had left a token in several cultivation realms, which could be used to contact him should any major event arise beyond the handling capacity of Nascent Soul cultivators. He would then decide whether to help based on the situation.

In the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, this token was in the hands of the controller of Liuyun Immortal City.

That’s why Master Cyan Yang suggested informing Liuyun Immortal City about the escape of the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon" and asking them to use the token to contact "Master Chongyang" for rescue.

Clearly, Liuyun Immortal City’s call for help was successful.

"Master Chongyang" took the incident of the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon," an ancient demon, breaking out of its seal very seriously. Upon receiving the call for help, he immediately set out from the cultivation realm and cooperated with several Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul "Half-Step True Immortals" from the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm to design a "lure the snake out of its hole" scheme, attracting the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon" to attack the Profound Sun Immortal Sect proactively.

And he, with the help of a secret treasure, concealed his cultivation and transformed into a low-tier demon cultivator, mixing into the enemy and waiting for the opportune moment when the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon" lowered its guard in triumph, to suddenly rise and severely wound it with thunderous means.

It’s understandable that the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon" was unprepared. After its escape, it had inquired about the situation in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm from the demon cultivators, and everyone told it that there were no Tribulation Crossing True Immortals in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm.

And during its previous killings of other Nascent Soul cultivators, it hadn’t found any related records in their memories through the Soul Searching Technique, thus it hadn’t guarded against such an issue.

After dealing a heavy blow to the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon," "Master Chongyang" showed no mercy to the demon, continuously unleashing various Immortal Great Divine Techniques directly upon the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon."

And having made a mistake, every subsequent move of the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon" was wrong as well. Faced with "Master Chongyang’s" fierce offensive, it could barely resist.

After struggling to fend off for less than a quarter of an hour, it decisively abandoned its minions and made a getaway.

In terms of escaping for its life, the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon" was naturally gifted, otherwise, it wouldn’t have survived the ancient wars.

But since "Master Chongyang" had already intervened, he intended to root out the evil completely, refusing to let the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon" escape easily, pursuing closely and determined to annihilate it.

The speed of both the immortal and demon sides was unmatched in this world, and in a blink of an eye, they completely disappeared from the sight of the cultivators of both the immortal and demon factions on the battlefield.

Without the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon" as their formidable leader, the demon cultivators besieging the Profound Sun Immortal Sect were soon in dire straits.

The Nascent Soul Stage cultivators who survived under the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon" vented all their anger on these demon cultivators.

In this battle, the thousands of attacking demon cultivators were utterly annihilated outside the Profound Sun Immortal Sect, while the cost suffered by the immortal faction was the fall of three Nascent Soul Stage cultivators.

Not long after, there was news about "Master Chongyang" pursuing the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon".

The result was rather disappointing.

Although during the pursuit, "Master Chongyang" destroyed the demon body that the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon" had created after possessing Master Jinyang’s body, it still managed to escape its demon soul using a secret technique of the Demon Race, evading complete annihilation.

The only consolation was that the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon", having consumed a large amount of primordial essence to flee, did not possess the strength to wreak havoc on the cultivation realm in the short term, even if it had escaped as a demon soul.

At this point, if the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon" encountered any Nascent Soul Stage cultivator, it could be killed, and it certainly dared not show itself lightly until it regained some strength.

After all, no one knew if "Master Chongyang" was lurking somewhere, waiting for it to reveal itself.

Thus, a catastrophe that could have engulfed the entire Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm was prematurely extinguished before it could fully form.

The greatest hero of this battle, "Master Chongyang", named Du Chongyang, swiftly spread throughout the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm and then to several surrounding cultivation realms.

This battle made many cultivators realize that True Immortals at the Tribulation Crossing Stage still existed in the cultivation realm, and the True Immortal Dao they pursued was not an illusory concept but something that truly existed.

However, while the entire Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm began to rejoice, the atmosphere within the Profound Sun Immortal Sect was extremely tense.

The passing of the catastrophe signified the start of settling scores.

No matter what, the Profound Sun Immortal Sect bore an inescapable responsibility for the escape of the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon".

Even though they had already paid a hefty price, with the fall of three Nascent Soul Stage cultivators and the destruction of a large portion of the Spirit Mountain and Spiritual Land they had nurtured for millennia in the Profound Sun Mountain Range, it could not quell the anger of others.

Especially the remnants of sects that were destroyed because of the "Heaven-Sundering True Demon" gathered outside the mountain gate of the Profound Sun Immortal Sect, demanding justice and an explanation from them.

If it were only the clamor of these individuals, the Profound Sun Immortal Sect would certainly not care, as even a few Golden Core Elders sent out could drive them away.

But Zhenren Yunxiao and Master Cyan Yang, among other high-ranking members of the Profound Sun Immortal Sect, knew well that these people were merely pawns pushed by the major sects, an excuse to challenge them.

If they dared to truly do anything to these aggrieved parties, those behind the scenes would surely laugh joyfully in their sleep.

If this matter were handled poorly, not only would the reputation of the righteous and prestigious sect that the Profound Sun Immortal Sect had built over the years be utterly wiped out, but it could also bring about the sect’s destruction.

In short, if the Profound Sun Immortal Sect did not make significant concessions this time, it would be impossible to get through the ordeal.

Of course, these external affairs had nothing to do with Zhouyang and others inside the "Dome Heaven Immortal Realm".

Inside the "Dome Heaven Immortal Realm", Zhouyang had been in seclusion for thirty years.

In those thirty years, he had consumed more than half of the Tier Five Spirit Pills refined for him by Zhu Zizhen, and his cultivation had soared like a rocket, advancing directly to the Third-Layer Golden Core!

The reason for his rapid progress was not only because he was close to advancing to the Second-Layer Golden Core; it was also inseparable from the exceptionally dense Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi in the "Dome Heaven Immortal Realm".

Moreover, alongside his cultivation advancement, Zhouyang also discovered a benefit: his dantian and meridians had become wider and more resilient after recovering from Master Baiyang’s infusion that shattered them.

The wide and resilient meridians allowed him to absorb and refine much more Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi and output more magical power instantly than ordinary cultivators of the same tier.

If Master Baiyang were to infuse him again now, he could certainly endure for a longer time.

Similarly, he could consume high-grade Spiritual Pills or Spirit Fruits that most Golden Core Stage cultivators of the same tier would not dare to consume.

However, after reaching the Third-Layer Golden Core, Zhouyang encountered a cultivation bottleneck. With this bottleneck, he could not advance to the Fourth-Layer Golden Core just by consuming Spirit Pills and sitting in meditation.

Thus, he had to temporarily set aside cultivation and focus on mastering the divine techniques he had not yet learned, planning to utilize the remaining time to cultivate a divine technique.