Chapter 436: In the Depths of the Clouds, Unknown to Xianxia Island |
A stray sword strike could accidentally injure the group of cultivators from Xianxia Island, so Ji Yuan’s sword light didn’t sweep along the mountain ridge, but instead rose upwards. Its main purpose was to clear away the fog and intimidate the demons, while also signaling to the trapped cultivators inside that reinforcements had arrived.
Within a hundred miles of that mountain range, demons and monsters roamed freely, fighting against the immortal cultivators. A massive fissure in the mountain range spewed out poisonous energy from the corrupted earth vein. The black mist that filled the sky was not only filled with evil demonic energy the demons, but was also mixed with this poisonous earth vein energy.
On either side of this unfathomably deep fissure, a massive Plum Blossom Array was radiating light. There were twelve points of light, with three or four immortal cultivators sitting cross-legged at each point, supporting the array with their spiritual power.
This grand formation not only protected those within it but also suppressed the evil energy emanating from the earth’s veins.
Around them, aside from scattered rocks and fallen trees, were numerous pits and hollows, some marked from burning flames, some marked with solidified ice crystals. Scattered among them was a considerable number of demon corpses, some large and some small, some burned, some beheaded, all kinds of deaths. It was gruesome sight.
The surrounding area was filled with howling winds and eerie cries, a cacophony of wailing and raucous noises that were utterly disturbing.
“Boom…”
A small mountain collapsed, and a huge, hairy claw shattered the mountain peak, sweeping the boulders on the summit towards the Plum Blossom Array.
“Whoosh… Boom…”
“Master, why aren’t they attacking us anymore? Are they afraid of us?”
At the center of the Plum Blossom Array, at one of its key points, a young cultivator asked his master this question. The master looked around, then back at the younger cultivator, and shook his head.
“No, the demons we killed in the previous battle were not particularly powerful. They were meant to wear down our spiritual power. The evil energy in this place is very toxic. Even demons who want to refine evil energy to forcibly improve their cultivation cannot fully withstand it. Our great formation here helps suppress the evil energy and bring it to a suitable level.”
“What!?”
The young cultivator almost stood up from his seated meditation posture, unable to accept the reality.
“Hehehehehe… Hahahaha… I didn’t expect this immortal to be able to see through it, hahahahahaha…”
“Hahahahaha…”
“Hehehehehehe…”
“Oh, hahahahaha…”
Suddenly, a massive burst of laughter erupted from the dark, shadowy distance, so loud and jarring that it even unsettled some of the weaker cultivators.
“Hahahaha… While you were hiding here like cowards, your mountain sect gates were completely destroyed, and all the cultivators left inside are dead!”
“Yes, yes, although their cultivation was weak, their immortal spirits were very pure, truly nourishing!”
“Yes, yes, especially those young boys and girls, their skin was so tender and delicate, they were such a nourishing tonic!”
“Hahahaha…”
The demons’ laughter never stopped, flooding the ears of the cultivators. Many of them, being discerning, quickly shut themselves off to avoid being affected by the mind-control technique.
“These wretched creatures!”
One cultivator could do nothing but mutter a curse, unable to leave the formation. They all knew how many demons were outside, and because of the array’s suppression, the earth vein’s poison was most concentrated near the ground.
Whether it was fighting against demons and monsters or being exposed to poisonous energy for extended periods of time, both were extremely dangerous and tantamount to courting death.
Even if the mountain gate was truly destroyed, they could not act rashly at this moment.
“Hmph, laugh, be arrogant…”
Within the Plum Blossom Array, a cultivator gritted his teeth and sneered. There were numerous demons in this group, and many more terrifying ones still lurked, hidden in the shadows.
Even if a naturally ruptured earth vein were to attract demons, it wouldn’t be this many, let alone so many terrifyingly powerful beings.
Nevertheless, the cultivators did not give up hope. The demons did not know that while they appeared to be just an obscure little sect in the region, they were actually a branch of Xianxia Island.
Even though they were completely isolated in these mountains, and even though their branch sect may have been destroyed, they could still notify Xianxia Island of their peril by shattering their life-bound talismans. Even if they died, the main sect would surely deliver a devastating blow to the demons.
For now, they would hold out for as long as they could!
On a high peak in the mountains stood a figure shrouded in black mist. He resembled a handsome official, with fine skin, clothing, and features, but he possessed an eerie and sinister aura. Standing beside him were many similar “people,” and upon closer inspection of the surrounding peaks, there were also quite a few individuals with demonic bodies trying to take human form.
“These so-called ‘immortals’ seem quite calm?”
“Haha, immortal cultivators cultivate both body and mind. Even if they are just from a small sect, how could we possibly break through their mindset with just a few words? Not to mention that they will definitely reassure themselves that their sect is safe; even if it were truly destroyed, they would still remain calm for a while.”
“Hahaha, this is good too. It helps us stabilize the earth veins, and we can kill them when the time is right.”
Listening to the demons and monsters around him laughing and joking, the extremely handsome demon in the middle smiled faintly and spoke in a cold voice.
“They are definitely waiting for an opportunity.”
“What opportunity?”
Someone asked. The handsome demon sneered.
“Naturally, an opportunity to counterattack. Otherwise, they would prefer to fight their way out and exhaust their spiritual energy than struggle down there. Immortal cultivators may be detached from the world, but they still have some fighting spirit.”
“Opportunity? Hah, like they still have a chance?”
A demonic creature in human form nearby sneered and mocked.
“There are no immortal sects for thousands of li. The mountain god of this mountain also tried to gather the earth’s veins, but we have already torn him to pieces. There are hardly any righteous sects around. Where is their chance?”
A glint of malice flashed in the handsome man’s eyes as he scanned his surroundings.
“Hahaha, we’ll have to wait and see then. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Just then, at this very moment…
Swish…
A dazzling sword light shone from afar, and in an instant, sword energy flashed across the land like a crescent moon. The surrounding darkness seemed to be swept away like a curtain being pulled back as the energy passed.
“Bang…”
“Bang…”
“Bang…”
“Bang…”
…
The sword light swept across the mountain peaks, shattering them and scattering rocks in all directions.
“Aaah…”
“What is this…?”
“Run!”
“Go…”
Swish…
Although the sword light swept vertically, it was not constrained to a small range. Coupled with its extremely high speed, any demons standing on the mountain peaks along the way were doomed, unless their cultivation was sufficient to avoid it in advance.
The demons on one of the last mountain peaks were almost directly confronted by the sword energy of the immortal sword head-on. The unparalleled aura swept over them, giving the demons a chilling feeling just at the sight of it, making many of them stiffen, unable to move.
With a whoosh, the sword light grazed the mountain peak and swept into the distant sky. Some demons trembled and squatted on the mountain, watching with lingering fear as the receding sword light pierced the darkness.
But this was not the end. In the very next moment, endless radiance appeared on the mountain range, and streaks of colorful clouds flew into the sky, dispelling the previous rolling darkness. The entire mountain range was illuminated with a magnificent and colorful light, lighting up the peaks and the land below.
“Cultivators of Xianxia Island, heed my command: slay any demons and monsters here without mercy, exterminate their forms and souls!”
A series of colorful clouds unfolded above the mountain range, each containing one to three cultivators from Xianxia Island. Some swept their whisks, some summoned magical artifacts, and some used their supernatural powers. In an instant, divine light burst forth, bringing annihilation to the demons and monsters who were still in shock from the earlier sword energy.
“Rumble…”
The sky turned dark again, but this time it was filled with thunderclouds.
“Crack… Boom…”
“Crack…boom…boom…”
Bolts of lightning struck down, sweeping across the mountain peaks.
The demons, slow to realize what was happening, finally reacted. Some turned tail and ran immediately, while others clashed with the cultivators from Xianxia Island.
Below, at the Plum Blossom Array in the fissure of the earth’s veins, the surviving cultivators looked at the sky filled with lightning and colorful clouds with gazes filled with renewed confidence.
“Our Xianxia Island has come to our aid!”
On many mountaintops, some of the more knowledgeable demons, including the handsome young man, looked at the rosy light and lightning spreading like a tide with slight astonishment.
“They’ve actually come from Xianxia Island in the Eastern Sea?”
Xianxia Island was quite famous and had gained a reputation, so much so that many demons had heard of it. Some demons had already given up, but others, who were on t he verge of a breakthrough after absorbing the poisonous energy, had been stimulated to the point of extreme arrogance.
“So what if it’s Xianxia Island? There are countless demons and monsters here, including many powerful demons. Even if cultivators from Xianxia Island have arrived, they’ll have to stay here! Roar…”
With a furious roar, the demon’s body grew taller and taller, and its demonic aura revealed its true form: a giant bear the size of a small mountain.
“Roar…”
The giant claw, shrouded in black light, slammed down, squarely striking two of the beams of light.
“Bang…”
“Boom…”
The two loud explosions were almost simultaneous. It was the sound of the two immortal cultivators being sent flying and crashing into the mountain peaks.
This successfully attracted the attention of many immortal cultivators, and in an instant, several bolts of heavenly lightning struck the giant bear.
“Crack, crack, crack…”
“Boom…”
“Bang…”
“Bang…”
Two earthen walls suddenly rose from the ground on either side of the giant bear, trapping him between them. Bolts of lightning struck down, paralyzing his body, followed by beams of light accompanied by fierce gales that swept across, skinning, ripping, and pulling out bones…
Only three of the immortal cultivators had made a move: Ji Yuan, the leading elder, the scholar, and a woman. They all landed on a high mountain peak and surveyed the area below. Their gaze swept over the surrounding mountain peaks. The obstructing darkness had thinned considerably, but they were still hidden in the black mist.
“A demon is a demon, after all. Instead of seeking arduous cultivation, they use such malevolent energy to help them break through. Sooner or later, they will face their own calamity.”
“Senior brother, there are probably many powerful demons lurking in the shadows around us.”
Hearing the woman’s words, the old man nodded.
“Yes, we must eradicate evil completely. Let’s get started. Mr. Ji, please stay here for now and assist us with your sword.”
“Alright!”
Ji Yuan agreed readily, showing no dissatisfaction at not being included in the attack. He watched as the three rays of light around him departed, heading straight for the edge of the mountain.
In Ji Yuan’s eyes, the cultivators of Xianxia Island were extremely organized at this moment. The number of cultivators in the center, the edges, and various locations remained almost even. The six elders also spread out in six directions, and the radiant array remained perfectly orderly. The colorful clouds also grew brighter and brighter.
To be honest, Ji Yuan felt that he didn’t need to take action at all, or rather, he couldn’t lend a hand. These immortal cultivators moved extremely fast and were very methodical within the formation.
Ji Yuan stood atop a solitary peak, sword in his left hand and both hands behind his back, witnessing the interplay of radiant clouds and lightning, and the rise and fall of demonic and evil energy.
Even if demonic blood and evil energy poured back onto this mountain peak, they would gently slide away around Ji Yuan.
On a distant mountain peak, several demons, including a handsome young man, remained still, coldly watching the immortal cultivators fight against other demons.
“My lord, shall we fight or retreat?”
The handsome young man’s gaze pierced through the thick fog and the numerous spiritual lights and demonic auras, looking at Ji Yuan on the distant solitary peak. All the filth and evil energy seemed to swirl around that peak.
“Although the cultivators from Xianxia Island who have already made their move are powerful, they are not the main concern. The person is the one we need to be most careful of, the one who hasn’t moved yet. That first sword strike must have come from him.”
As the handsome young man spoke, Ji Yuan seemed to sense a strange gaze. He slightly turned his head to look in the opposite direction. His pale eyes slightly opened, revealing his supernatural eyes, which met the handsome young man’s gaze from afar, causing the latter to tremble slightly.
“Yun Shen doesn’t know about Xianxia Island… Let’s retreat and let them fight here. WE have gathered enough of the evil energy of the earth veins here.”
“Understood!”
“Yes, sir!”
The next moment, the demonic energy of the mountain peak flowed like water, gradually merging into the mountainside and disappearing.
But even after these demons left, many powerful demons and monsters remained. Although some noticed the handsome young man’s departure, most of them merely responded with cold laughter.
T/n: because I enjoy making myself suffer, I decided to go back and change Lu Shan Jun to Lu Shanjun. In every single chapter. Wheeee~ You’re welcome, friends!
Also my beloved furball son (my cat) decided he wanted to help and sat on top of my laptop after running a couple laps on my keyboard. I love him. He may become a great writer someday. That day is not today.
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