Chapter 568: Chapter 568

Everyone has the right to be angry, regardless of their cultivation level or social status.

It’s not to say that Lu Xuanji, being a "Half-Step True Immortal" of the Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul, and a highly respected elder in the Cultivation Realm, cannot be angry with Zhouyang, a junior.

In fact, he already has a very good temperament. Although he did take some small-scale revenge on Zhouyang, he controlled the extent well, not really harming Zhouyang.

If it were a cultivator with a bad temperament, who was inexplicably burdened with a great blame and forced to fight to the death with a peer, even if they had no strength left at the time, they certainly would not have spared the person who got them in trouble afterward.

So when Lu Xuanji brought up this matter, the unease Zhouyang felt due to being schemed against by him dissipated completely, leaving his face full of embarrassment and fear.

In great fear, he hurriedly explained, "Forgive me, elder, it was not my intention; there are other underlying circumstances."

Hearing this, Lu Xuanji instantly showed an intrigued expression and said, "Then do tell, what is the underlying matter? I am also very curious—what exactly is that [Netherworld Profound Coffin] that made the demon corpse so furious and anxious!"

Hearing these words, Zhouyang knew it wouldn’t work if he didn’t tell the truth.

So he secretly glanced at Yin Hanguang beside him, gritted his teeth, and immediately recounted in full detail how he was captured by the "Celestial Killer Corpse King", how he later escaped, and how he offered the "Netherworld Profound Coffin" to the black-robed man within the Kunxu Realm.

Listening to his thrilling and strange experience, both Lu Xuanji and Yin Hanguang showed expressions of extreme surprise and astonishment.

"No, you said when you were captured by the [Celestial Killer Corpse King], you were still at the Purple Mansion Stage, then how did you traverse the Boundless Desert Sea Cultivation Realm to reach the Land of the Far West through the [Sea of Death]? Don’t tell me, Yin, that it was all luck!"

Yin Hanguang’s expression suddenly changed, looking at Zhouyang in amazement, and asked the question that made Zhouyang’s expression turn pale.

He didn’t expect that the usually reticent Yin Hanguang would be so astute, having ignored Qin Yue’Er, this genius cultivator from the Great Brightness Immortal Palace, and instead caught this slip of his tongue.

He didn’t want to mention the large-scale teleportation array, but doing so might offend Yin Hanguang, the future Palace Master of the Great Brightness Immortal Palace, and could displease Lu Xuanji, making him think Zhouyang was not being honest.

Therefore, Zhouyang could only brace himself to mention the large-scale teleportation array, though the matter of the "Eye of Light", no matter what, could not be spoken of; what could be spoken of was that he discovered the remains of a Great Brightness Immortal Palace cultivator from thousands of years ago, from whose relics he obtained several treasures, including the "Great Transposition Order."

To his relief, Yin Hanguang did not inquire in detail which treasures they were, nor did they care how he dealt with the ancient remains of the Great Brightness Immortal Palace cultivator; he merely nodded slightly and said,

"That’s right. Back when our Great Brightness Immortal Palace was at its peak, we did establish a large-scale teleportation array here in the Boundless Desert Sea Cultivation Realm. However, due to internal strife later, and the shift of power, we had to abandon these remote areas and retreat to our sect’s foundational lands."

Upon hearing this, Zhouyang reacted quickly and said, "That large-scale teleportation array originally belonged to elder’s sect. It was due to my momentary greed that I intended to claim it for myself. Now that you are aware of this matter, I am willing to offer it to you and represent the Boundless Desert Sea Cultivation Realm in renewing tribute and allegiance to your esteemed sect, as atonement!"

As he said this, his eyes turned to Lu Xuanji.

Before this, he had already agreed to Master Cyan Yang to serve the Profound Sun Immortal Sect.

Though he and the Zhou Family and the Boundless Desert Sea Cultivation Realm cannot be confused, this suggestion inevitably gives an impression of dealing from both sides.

The intention behind his words, apart from showing Yin Hanguang his sincerity in apologizing, was to probe Lu Xuanji’s thoughts. If Lu Xuanji could interrupt Yin Hanguang’s interrogation, that would be best.

Sure enough, Lu Xuanji, upon hearing his words, raised an eyebrow and gave him an amused look, as if seeing through his intentions, but did not fall for it, choosing to remain an observer.

Luckily, Yin Hanguang was perceptive and had already noticed something from his words and gaze, and immediately waved his hand, saying, "There’s no need for that. Since the teleportation array’s exit is on the Anti-Light Alliance’s territory, even if you return it to our Great Brightness Immortal Palace, we wouldn’t be able to provide you with practical support, and it could instead cause harm to you. It’s better for you to continue to control it."

Only until now did Zhouyang truly breathe a sigh of relief, knowing he had passed this hurdle.

After Yin Hanguang concluded this matter, he raised an eyebrow and brought up the issue of Qin Yue’Er.

"However, the people of the Anti-Light Alliance are indeed too arrogant, daring to capture and control as slaves even the genius descendants with spirit bodies from our Immortal Palace. It is utterly unforgivable!"

"When the matter of the Master of the Immortal Palace is settled, Yin will definitely go to the Haoyang Sect to demand justice for Situ Xuan Yue!"

"When the time comes, I will need you, Zhou Xiaoyou, to come forward and testify against that old thief Guo Jinhong, so that others will know that I, Yin, am not using the situation to my advantage!"

Whether Yin Hanguang is using the situation to his advantage or not, Zhouyang does not care. What he cares about is that he can finally avenge being schemed against and exploited by Guo Jinhong.

Thus, hearing Yin Hanguang’s words, he immediately and without hesitation agreed, "Rest assured, elder, I will certainly make everyone see the true face of that old thief Guo, making him infamous and disgraced!"

"The ’Divine Control Art’ is, after all, a forbidden technique explicitly banned in the cultivation realm. Guo Jinhong using such a forbidden technique to enslave the genius disciple of the Great Brightness Immortal Palace as a servant, if unknown it may be ignored, but once exposed, even the middle-to-low tier cultivators of the Anti-Light Alliance will despise and disdain this person from the heart."

If the Great Brightness Immortal Palace, upon this matter being exposed, shows no response, it will chill the hearts of its young disciples and fail to command respect.

For Yin Hanguang, if he successfully secures the position of the next Palace Master of the Great Brightness Immortal Palace, he can use this matter to win the people’s hearts and lay a foundation for his future official leadership of the Great Brightness Immortal Palace.

So, he doesn’t mind being used by Zhouyang this once.

Seeing the two of them reach an agreement, Lu Xuanji then interjected, "Since the misunderstanding has been cleared up, let’s tidy up here. I need to reestablish a sealing array here to prevent other demon beasts from accidentally intruding and being tainted by the demonic Qi, turning into demon beasts."

The array he set up previously had long been destroyed by the ’Celestial Killer Corpse King’, and this time, aside from some usual magical artifacts on him, he d all his lifetime savings to the sect.

At this moment, he borrowed some suitable materials from Zhouyang and Yin Hanguang to adapt and set up a Tier Five array to seal the demonic land around the spatial rift.

However, if the spatial rift is not closed, this kind of sealing is merely a temporary fix.

As more and more demonic Qi leaks out from the spatial rift, the area of the demonic land will widen. It won’t take decades to exceed the sealing range of the array, and even the array itself will be corroded by the demonic Qi, turning into a demon array.

Once the array was set up, the three stepped outside the formation, and Lu Xuanji looked at the spatial rift hidden by the illusionary power of the array, nodding slightly, "For now, this will do. When I return to the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, I’ll arrange for a Tier Six Array Master who specializes in arrays to come here to set up a Tier Six Demon Refining Array to refine the demonic Qi and have someone stationed here to watch over the array and report any updates promptly."

Yin Hanguang, hearing this, couldn’t help but smile slightly, "We can’t let the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm alone bear the burden. For the matter of watching over the array, let our Great Brightness Immortal Palace cultivators take charge. It’s convenient, after all, with the teleportation array, delivering messages is easy."

Zhouyang’s eye twitched, wanting to say that the Cultivation Realm of the Boundless Sea of Sand could handle this, but thinking about how the guarding cultivator needed to survive in this ’Sea of Death’, and that the Golden Core Stage is the minimal requirement, he left the words unsaid.

There was nothing he could do; their Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm was too backward—he was the only Golden Core Stage cultivator even to see daylight. Even knowing that involving the Great Brightness Immortal Palace cultivators was a threat to the Zhou Family’s control over the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm, for the bigger picture, he had to accept it.

"Hahaha, with those words from Fellow Daoist Yin, I can be at ease. Otherwise, sending people far from the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm to guard this place would indeed be offensive!"

Lu Xuanji laughed heartily, indeed not rejecting Yin Hanguang’s goodwill.

Thus, the matter was settled.

Next came the time for parting ways.

Lu Xuanji needed to continue with Yin Hanguang to the Westernmost Cultivation Realm to assist in his competition for the position of the next Palace Master of the Great Brightness Immortal Palace, while Zhouyang had to return alone to his family in the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm.

"Two years from now is the time for contesting the next Palace Master position. If I succeed, Zhou Xiaoyou must arrive at the Westernmost Land in no more than three years to testify against Guo Jinhong for me. Otherwise, Elder Lu will return to the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm."

Before parting, Yin Hanguang advised Zhouyang on dealing with Guo Jinhong.

Zhouyang was naturally more invested in this matter than him, and upon hearing it, immediately assured, "Rest easy, elder. Upon returning to my clan and instructing my juniors, I will go to the Land of the Far West to await your summons."

"Very well, keep this jade pendant with you. When I need you to show up, it will guide me to you."

Yin Hanguang nodded in satisfaction, and with a wave of his sleeve, a white jade talisman that he wore was thrown into Zhouyang’s hands.

He had worn it for years, stained with his Qi, and unless someone intentionally erases the trace, he could find it within a certain range, following its aura even decades later.

"Then I shall wish the elder a smooth journey and fulfillment of your wishes!"

Zhouyang put the jade pendant into the storage ring, cupped his hands in a salute to give his congratulations, and then also saluted Lu Xuanji before leaving on a cloud to return to the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm.

After he left, Yin Hanguang looked at Lu Xuanji and asked, "Elder Lu, you probably didn’t tell the truth earlier, did you? Could it be that the Crack Sky True Demon is already dead at the hands of that Demon Corpse?"

"Oh, why does Fellow Daoist Yin say that?"

Lu Xuanji raised an eyebrow, showing a peculiar expression as he looked at Yin Hanguang.

"Is senior trying to test me? Then let me share my deductions!"

Yin Hanguang smiled slightly and immediately said, "Let’s start from why that Demon Corpse appeared here. Based on what Zhou Xiaoyou said, it should be unwilling to lose the Netherworld Profound Coffin, such a precious treasure. After searching the Land of the Far West without finding Zhou Xiaoyou, it headed east into the Desert Sea to find him."

"As it moved east into the Desert Sea and entered the Sea of Death, it coincidentally sensed the pure demonic qi fluctuations here, discovered the spatial rift, and began absorbing demonic qi to temper its physical magical power and refine its cultivation."

"Now, as for why the Crack Sky True Demon would appear here, Elder Chongyang severely injured it in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, causing it to lose significant cultivation strength, certainly making it unwilling to remain in a realm full of experts. Hence, heading west over the Broken Cloud Mountain Range towards the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm or the Land of the Far West became an option."

"As for why it chose this place, it could be due to demon cultivators who pledged allegiance to it mentioning the underdeveloped cultivation realm here, or perhaps it sensed intuitively that this place would contain opportunities conducive to restoring its cultivation. The latter seems more likely."

"The Crack Sky True Demon, after crossing the Broken Cloud Mountain Range and reaching the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm, followed its instinctual sense to the Sea of Death, where it discovered the spatial rift and the Demon Corpse absorbing demonic qi here for cultivation."

"Both Elder Lu and I understand that, to restore its peak strength, the Crack Sky True Demon must first condense a True Magical Body. Yet its original True Magical Body was refined over countless years. Crafting a new one hastily means the new True Magical Body would be vastly inferior and incomparable to the original."

"At such a moment, upon discovering a Spiritual Zombie that had nearly refined its Corpse King Form to a True Magical Body, how could it not be tempted? Occupying the Corpse King Form of the Spiritual Zombie, using that as a foundation, plus the aid of pure demonic qi exuded from the spatial rift, it could forge a formidable True Magical Body within a hundred years!"

"Similarly, for the Demon Corpse, encountering a mysterious demon who appeared to have low cultivation yet possessed a valuable demon artifact, how could it not be tempted to kill and seize the treasure after just losing a precious item?"

"Based on the above reasoning, I deduce that the Crack Sky True Demon was defeated in battle against the Demon Corpse and was devoured by it, with its demon artifact also falling into the hands of the Demon Corpse."

Applause rang out, and Lu Xuanji clapped while laughing, "A truly splendid deduction, Fellow Daoist Yin. With just your reasoning, you’ve uncovered eighty percent of the truth. I commend you!"

Upon hearing the praise, Yin Hanguang displayed no sign of arrogance but rather a curious look, asking, "Eighty percent? May I ask Elder Lu, what about the remaining twenty percent of the truth?"

"The truth is, the Crack Sky True Demon intended to lure the Demon Corpse using a demon secret technique, hoping to ambush it while it practiced this technique which incapacitated it. Yet unexpectedly, the Demon Corpse was even more ruthless. After accepting the demon secret technique offered by the Crack Sky True Demon, it launched a sudden attack without any verification. Moreover, it coincidentally wielded a ghostly demon artifact specifically designed to restrain demon souls, leaving the Crack Sky True Demon unable to escape!"

Lu Xuanji’s face lit up with a smile, revealing the truth.

Clearly, he was in great spirits.

And rightfully so, for the demise of the ancient demon, Crack Sky True Demon, not only preemptively averted a potential demon calamity threatening the entire Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, but also corrected the mistakes made by their Profound Sun Immortal Sect within the Dome Heaven Immortal Realm.

Though mentioning it now seems late, given the Profound Sun Immortal Sect has already faced repercussions because of it.

Yet, for Lu Xuanji, witnessing the correction of his error in person before his demise was indeed a fulfilling moment, hence his joyous demeanor.

Moreover, after defeating the Celestial Killer Corpse King, he could fully attribute the slaying of the Crack Sky True Demon to himself. Upon returning to the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm and spreading the tale, those who criticized the Profound Sun Immortal Sect for releasing the Crack Sky True Demon would all fall silent!

At that point, it would be the turn of the Profound Sun Immortal Sect to demand benefits from other sects for using the Dome Heaven Immortal Realm.

Recalling the space waymark he left in the Dome Heaven Immortal Realm as a precaution before leaving, Lu Xuanji could hardly wait to return to the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm to handle this matter.

"I see! Thank you, Elder Lu, for clarifying. I have no further questions."

Yin Hanguang nodded in realization and solemnly cupped his hands in a salute to express his gratitude, indeed not bringing up the matter again.

He was a smart person and naturally wouldn’t be foolish enough to ask Lu Xuanji why he hid the truth in front of the "Heaven-Reaching Demon King"; there was no need for that. Google seaʀᴄh NovelHub(.)net

Seeing this, Lu Xuanji waved his hand with a satisfied expression and said, "Alright, since Fellow Daoist Yin has no doubts, let’s set off quickly."

After speaking, the two of them continued to ride the cyan flying ship, crossing the "Sea of Death" and flying towards the Land of the Far West.

On the other side, Zhouyang spent nearly half a month alone in the Desert Sea before he completely flew out of the "Sea of Death" and then spent another half a month to return to the clan’s Rhino Horn Continent Oasis.

By this time, he had left the clan for fifty-five years, almost another generation’s time.

Time is the most ruthless; it will not stop for anyone’s will.

This time returning home, the first news Zhouyang received was that his second disciple, Liu Xuanxuan, had passed away over a decade ago, and Zhou Guangqing, a remnant Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Zhou Family’s "Guang" generation, had also passed away over thirty years ago.

Going out once and coming back to learn that two old friends had passed away, Zhouyang felt somewhat uncomfortable in his heart.

However, birth, aging, sickness, and death are things that no one can escape. As long as one hasn’t become a Harmonious Celestial Immortal, true eternal life is impossible. Zhouyang, after personally seeing off his parents as they passed away, had long come to terms with these matters.

Therefore, after a moment of silent remembrance for these two juniors, he quickly gathered himself to address other matters.

With people passing away, naturally, others are born; for the ever-expanding Zhou Family, the birth rate of cultivators always outnumbers the deceased.

Now, the family had several dozen junior cultivators from the "Sheng" generation, and the clan records listed a total of 1,823 living Zhou Family cultivators with names.

Moreover, before Zhouyang left, he had given Zhou Guangxiang a substantial number of Foundation Establishment Pills, and because the clan needed to appease people due to new reform policies, the conditions for exchanging and using Foundation Establishment Pills were significantly relaxed.

According to the clan’s treasure vault records, in these years, a total of twenty-seven Foundation Establishment Pills were issued, with nineteen used by Zhou Family cultivators. Nine succeeded, and adding one junior who succeeded without using a Foundation Establishment Pill, ten new Foundation Establishment cultivators emerged.

With this, not counting a few external Foundation Establishment cultivators in the family or those from the Zhou family branch in the Land of the West, the main family’s Foundation Establishment cultivator count reached twenty-four!

Additionally, after fifty-five years, the "Yuan Condensing Fruit" tree in the Zhou family finally bore spirit fruits ready for harvest.

As this was the first fruiting after transplantation, the number of spirit fruits was slightly low, only twenty-three in total.

But even so, this equates to twenty-three furnaces of Foundation Establishment Pills; with Xiao Ying’s alchemy skills, at a minimum of five pills per furnace, this results in 115 Foundation Establishment Pills, likely exceeding 120 in reality.

With so many Foundation Establishment Pills on hand, plus Xiao Ying still having a few dozen Tier Four demon pills unused, the Zhou Family would not need to worry about the consumption of Foundation Establishment Pills for the next two to three hundred years.

And in another three hundred years, the "Yuan Condensing Fruit" tree will bear fruit again, completing a cycle.

At this point, the Zhou Family had solidified the foundations of a Golden Core clan, reaching the level of the former Yellow Sand Sect.

"I won’t interfere with other matters, Ninth Uncle. Could you tell me how many cultivators in the past fifty-five years have failed the evaluation and had their welfare and tribute ceased? How many chose to leave the clan because they failed the evaluation?"

"Also, what is the current amount of spirit stones accumulated in the clan’s treasure vault?"

On Lingxi Peak, after listening to Zhou Guangxiang’s explanation of the Zhou family’s recent situation, Zhouyang opened his eyes and asked a few questions he was particularly concerned about.

"In response to Ninth Uncle’s questions, in recent years, 427 clan members failed to meet the requirements and had their welfare and tribute stopped, of which 136 chose to leave the clan," replied Zhou Guangxiang promptly, clearly familiar with the figures.

"As for the current spirit stone reserves in the clan’s treasure vault, thanks to the mining of spirit stone veins, it has reached 2.37 million low-grade spirit stones. Additionally, seventeen high-grade spirit stones were also extracted during the mining process!"

Zhou Guangxiang was evidently very attentive to these statistics and, after a moment’s thought, provided precise data.

And these figures were quite surprising to Zhouyang.