Chapter 233: Chapter 227: Six Realms Cloud Seal - Five Thunder Subduing Demon!
The year 1757 of the Great Xuan Calendar. It was the beginning of spring.
The Dianchuan Festival Envoy, Gao Tianxiong, had passed away.
Just as Daoist Yunxiong had said, the news of the death of Gao Tianxiong, the Dianchuan Festival Envoy, was not kept secret for long.
Less than two months after Qi Xiu and others learned of this momentous news, the passing of the current Dianchuan Festival Envoy, Gao Tianxiong, thundered throughout the entire Great Xuan Dynasty.
At first, the Gao Family and the County Yamen issued announcements, claiming it to be a rumor. But as more and more voices of doubt emerged, evidence corroborating this news was continuously exposed.
Pressured, the Gao Family and the County Yamen finally had to admit to Gao Tianxiong’s death.
In an instant, a single stone stirred up a thousand ripples, shaking the world.
Gao Tianxiong, who was a high-ranking frontier official, a heavyweight of a whole province, and moreover, a giant of the Primordial Spirit Realm, had died.
Both the secular world and the cultivation realm were simultaneously stirred into a great commotion.
After all, Gao Tianxiong, as the provincial governor, had control over the entire Dianchuan Province. His death meant that the official power of Dianchuan Province directly plummeted from the pinnacle.
With the absence of this Primordial Spirit giant presiding, the Gao Family and the County Yamen instantly lost their original deterrent force.
For a time, various forces were restless, as an undercurrent that swept through the entire Dianchuan Province, and even the Great Xuan Dynasty, began to surge tumultuously.
The true dark blood era was about to descend!
「In the depths of Divine Sorrow Ridge.」
Three bright moons hung high in the sky, illuminating the center of a pond, its waters possessing a transparent, ethereal quality. There, a small monk, expressionless, sat cross-legged upon a dark purple lotus platform, wearing a black kasaya and a string of blood-red Buddha Beads.
Slowly rolling the Buddha Beads in his hand, Monk Xing E silently recited a passage of scripture.
The calm, undisturbed surface of the water suddenly rippled slightly. Soon after, the entire water surface began to boil. An ancient tree rose from the depths. It had dark, rotting branches and tangled roots, exuded a putrid darkness, and constantly eroded and contaminated the surrounding void, manifesting numerous phantom visions of death.
On the tree’s branches, an old and withered face slowly opened its eyes, its hollow and wooden cavities emitting a chilling breath that could bury living beings.
"Xing’e, it has been a long time," the face on the tree said slowly, its voice grating as if numerous men, women, the elderly, and children were speaking at once, a jumbled and unpleasant cacophony.
"What’s the matter?" With his eyes half-closed and without even glancing at the old tree figure in front of him, Monk Xing E simply asked indifferently.
"Gao Tianxiong is dead, do you not know?" The hollow eyes of the old tree figure pulsated twice, its mouth cracking into a smile, revealing pitch-black teeth with silky material stuck between them.
"I’ve heard but haven’t confirmed the truth."
"There’s no need for confirmation, Liu Er has already sent a message back, Gao Tianxiong is indeed dead."
"Oh?" Monk Xing E slowly opened his eyes, a hint of surprise flickering through his otherwise undisturbed gaze. "Logically, Gao Tianxiong’s fate still had time, how could he suddenly perish?"
"According to Liu Er, it was a relapse of an old ailment. HEH HEH, karma’s retribution. Back then, to slay Jiu Yin, he didn’t hesitate to take the Anti-Destiny Golden Elixir and shattered his own life’s pattern, becoming one without destiny. Without destiny, there’s no fortune or luck. Thus, despite all his efforts, he couldn’t alleviate his injuries. He could only watch helplessly as he approached his later years and faded away." The old tree figure spoke mockingly, its teeth grinding with a grating noise, filled with schadenfreude.
"Is the news reliable?"
"There should be no mistake. The mountain has already made a decision to quickly open the path here, striving to occupy Dianchuan Province in the shortest time to set the stage for the next plan. You can start making your move in advance and cover it up. Oh, right, this is for you." The tree figure opened its mouth wide and slowly spat out a longsword wrapped in layers of sealing cloth, which on the surface seemed unremarkable.
Looking at the eerie longsword regurgitated by the old tree figure, Monk Xing E frowned slightly and extended his hand as a beam of blood light flew out, drawing the sword to his side.
"This longsword contains three applications of Mr. Li’s Sword Intent. If you are besieged by Human Race Primordial Spirit masters, you can use it to break free. However, be warned, each use will cost you a thousand years of cultivation, so be judicious in its application."
"You were able to get Mr. Li to take action?" Monk Xing E looked at the ancient sword, his expression changing slightly.
"Not a request, but a trade. The exact price is not for you to know. Anyway, the mountain intends for you to get moving quickly. Reinforcements will soon arrive, and this is an opportunity that comes once in a millennium. Several of those old timers have already awakened. So, it’s better to avoid any slip-ups, or the Demon Mara Court may not be able to protect you," the old tree figure stated, its tone nearly a reprimand.
Hearing the old tree figure’s lecturing words, Monk Xing E suddenly laughed. "Hehehe, do you think this monk needs reminders from you?"
In the next instant, the old tree figure suddenly realized that its surroundings had transformed into a golden Buddhist hall. The monk wearing the black kasaya, Monk Xing E, sat aloft upon the lofty dais, holding a wooden fish, calmly tapping it as obscure and ancient scriptures echoed continuously.
"Xing’e! I was kindly reminding you, why do you not appreciate my good intentions!" Perceiving the changes around him, the Ancient Tree Elder’s expression darkened as he shouted fiercely.
"Only with a calm and peaceful mind can one ascend to ultimate bliss. Benefactor, you are full of the five poisons—greed, anger, ignorance, arrogance, and doubt. Let this humble monk lead you to enlightenment and let you enjoy the supreme Dharma sooner." Step by step, Monk Xing E approached the Ancient Tree Elder with a serene face, yet the speed at which he tapped his wooden fish increased more and more.
DONG DONG DONG DONG DONG—
The incessant sound of the wooden fish surged forth. The Ancient Tree Elder felt that Monk Xing E before him was becoming increasingly merciful and holy. An involuntary desire arose in his heart to kneel at Monk Xing E’s feet and kiss the back of his foot.
"Xing E, how dare you try to convert me! I..."
"All things and all laws return to my Buddha. Benefactor, join my Buddha Sect."
"You... Your disciple heeds the Buddha’s decree."
In the year 1757 of the Great Xuan Calendar, the weather had just begun to warm, and all things were reviving; it was a perfect time when everything awaited rejuvenation.
Yet, in the northwest direction of Dianchuan Province, countless Demonic Evil Cultivators surged forward like a tide, demoniac energy piercing the heavens, smoke and clouds billowing. A strong and terrifying aura permeated the space between heaven and earth.
These Demonic Evil Cultivators either rode on demoniac miasma or controlled frightening Magic Artifacts such as white bones, smoke, or locusts. Their wildly extreme laughter echoed across the entire sky, thundering loudly.
In the swirling black fog, pairs of lantern-like bloodshot eyes moved incessantly, full of yearning and greed for the flesh and blood of the living. Some pure-blood demons directly revealed their true forms, their colossal bodies and demoniac auras spreading like dark shadows, covering the entire sky. With each step they took, the earth trembled wildly.
In a moment, like a roaring flood, the Demonic Evil Cultivators swept in.
The horde of demons had entered the realm!
「Yangshan Prefecture.」
Once governed by the Golden Flower Maternal Sect, this region had reverted to being part of Dianchuan Province after the disintegration of the An’ning Holy Nation and the sect’s existence in name only. However, because the Golden Flower Maternal Sect had deeply persecuted this region, and because it bordered the lands held by demons, it was not resettled by common folk even after being reclaimed. It remained a desolate land, untouched by people.
But today, this region had become a feng shui treasure land where many major sects and powerful families from Dianchuan Province ambushed and encircled the Demonic Evil Cultivators.
Obviously, the Shenxiao Sect’s idea to act before others was shared by many major sects and powerful families. Everyone coveted a slice of the huge cake that was Human Path Merit.
At this moment, deep in a Forest Sea on the southeast side of Yangshan Prefecture, nearly a hundred cultivators waited in silence. They were clad in fiery red robes, with red hair and beards, bloodshot eyes, and emitted scorching auras, fiery light swirling from their nostrils.
Fire God Sect! A major sect in Dianchuan Province, second only to the ten ancient sects. Apart from lacking the profound heritage of the ancient sects, the Fire God Sect’s strength was considered the leader among the newer sects. Its Sect Master, Feng Yan, was absolutely among the top ten in combat power among the Dao Experts in Dianchuan Province, belonging to a very powerful sect.
"Everyone, be on alert; it’s about to start." Leaning against the trunk of a towering ancient tree, Feng Siji, the young master of the Fire God Sect, slowly opened his golden-red eyes. He took a light sniff with his nose, as if he had already smelled the disgusting stench of the demons.
The great invasion by demons presented an opportunity to rescue those in peril! Not only the Shenxiao Sect understood that great opportunities also arose during this great calamity.
His eyes burning like torches, Feng Siji gazed into the distance at the overwhelming, rampaging, and wildly laughing Demonic Evil Cultivators. A slight smirk touched his lips. Threads of golden-red flames slowly ignited upon his body, and the incredible temperature caused the surrounding space to warp, as if it were about to be burned through.
"They’re finally coming." Excitedly licking his lips, Feng Siji’s exhaled breath sparkled with fire.
The Fire God Sect’s scripture of cultivation was called the "Supreme Red Fire Ten Thousand Flames Truth Scripture." It controlled all the fires in the world and was supremely domineering. However, those who cultivated it would themselves become short-tempered and impulsive, like walking kegs of gunpowder, exploding at the slightest touch!
Following his father’s instructions, Feng Siji had led his contingent in ambush here for five days. Their goal was to cut down this group of Demonic Evil Cultivators and earn the first merits in this overwhelming calamity!
"Young Sect Master, it seems there is someone ahead," said a Sect Member, noticing an anomaly just as Feng Siji clenched his fists, gritted his teeth, and braced himself to wreak havoc.
"Hmm?" Narrowing his eyes slightly, Feng Siji activated his cultivation technique. Golden flames danced in his pupils, and he instantly saw the oddity ahead.
It was a young Daoist seated on a vermilion gourd, wearing a deep blue Daoist robe, with long hair draped over his shoulders and a delicate face. Judging by his aura, he seemed to be a great cultivator of the Blood-Stained Realm.
Alone? Has he lost his way? Looking at the Daoist seated on the gourd, Feng Siji showed a hint of hesitation, pondering whether to act early and save this little fool who had lost his way.
But in the next instant, his expression changed drastically, as if he had seen something unbelievable.
On the plains in the distance, the young Daoist sat on the gourd, facing the dark tide of Demonic Evil Cultivators surging his way. He casually waved his wide sleeves, and countless Talisman Scripts whirled out.
What is he doing... Staring at the young Daoist, Feng Siji was dumbfounded.
Raising one hand to form a Daoist Incantation, Qi Xiu’s eyes shimmered with divine light as he softly exclaimed, "Rise!"
BOOM—
In an instant, Talisman Scripts as large as door panels, filled with radiant Spiritual Light, robust and solid, carrying a majestic and supreme aura, heavy as mountains, and brimming with countless thunderbolts, overwhelmingly spanned the entire sky.
Sixth Realm Cloud Seal Talisman Scripts!
Five Thunder Demonic Subjugation Great Formation!