Chapter 225: This is How He Slays

Chapter 225: This is How He Slays

Sandstorm raged, filling the sky with a yellow haze.

High above, in the realm beyond the reach of the sand, a grayish-white demonic bird circled for a moment, emitting a 'coo-coo' sound before flapping its wings and disappearing into the horizon.

"Chen Zhentran..."

Cui Sheng, after a moment, gradually regained his senses, his eyes complex as he looked at Chen Mu. With a bow, he introduced himself, "I am Cui Sheng, Marquis of Yunlu Pass. It's an honor to meet you, Chen Zhentran."

Although he knew that Chen Mu, a rising talent on the Rising Talent List, would not remain silent after joining Spirit Profound Peak, and that he would inevitably grow, even those from Seven Mysteries Sect like him kept an eye on the changes in various peaks. They had even guessed how far Chen Mu's secluded cultivation could take him in a year or so, whether he would master one or even two Mystic Intentions, or if he would attempt to cultivate the Skyward Primal based on his Wind, Thunder, and Fire foundations.

However, he never expected that not only had Chen Mu cultivated the Skyward Primal, but he had also entered the second step!

The Skyward Primal and Earthly Primal, how challenging it was!

Even Zhou Hao, the True Disciple of Primordial Peak, took two and a half years to finally comprehend the Earthly Primal Mystic Intention.

And Chen Mu?

After joining the Seven Mysteries Sect and becoming a disciple of Spirit Profound Peak for just a year and a half, he had mastered the Skyward Primal!

Although Chen Mu and Zhou Hao were both ranked 'Double Supreme' on the Rising Talent List, Chen Mu's talent and comprehension were clearly superior.

Cui Sheng realized for the first time that the 'Double Supreme' rankings on the List did not necessarily distinguish all Martial Dao prodigies. Some were ranked Supreme because they had reached that level, while others were Supreme simply because the highest rank was Supreme!

There was no doubt that once the news of Chen Mu's mastery of the Skyward Primal Mystic Intention spread, his ranking on the List would surely enter the top ten, just like Zhou Hao.

Compared to Chen Mu, who could easily step into the Viscera Realm, the least he could achieve was to rival the Gale Wind Rankings, and he even had the potential to become a Grandmaster of Marrow Cleansing. Although Cui Sheng, as a Marquis of a border pass, was currently at the same cultivation level as Chen Mu, he knew that in the future, he would not be on the same level as Chen Mu. Even now, he was no match for Chen Mu, not of the same caliber.

"Marquis Cui, there's no need for such formality."

Chen Mu's attitude towards Cui Sheng was calm.

Regardless of Cui Sheng's strength, as the Marquis guarding the border pass, he was responsible for the safety of the entire Sand County's frontier. After more than a decade, he had no idea how many demonic creatures he had stopped, so he naturally wouldn't be too condescending.

"Chen Zhentran, don't blame yourself. You arrived just in time, and the Mystic Earth Array's foundation is intact. The buildings on this pass can be rebuilt at any time, so it's not a big deal."

"Hmm... The soldiers in the passage should be fine. I'm not familiar with this place, so I'll leave it to Marquis Cui."

Chen Mu spoke to Cui Sheng, then stepped forward, quickly reaching the edge of the pass and the outermost side of the towering Cloudfoot Wall. Standing there, he surveyed the distant howling sandstorm sweeping across the sky.

Within the sandstorm, there were faint signs of some low-level demonic creatures being swept along, most of them hovering a hundred zhang below the Cloudfoot Wall, attempting to climb it. However, the wall's surface was both resilient and smooth, making it difficult to scale.

Seeing this, Chen Mu did not rush to leave. Instead, he sat cross-legged at the edge of the Cloudfoot Wall, placing his Flame Blade aside. He observed the movements of the demonic creatures below while carefully comprehending the Heavenly-Earth environment within the sandstorm.

...

Continuing along the Northern Seventy-Seventh Pass, they headed further north.

After an unknown distance, the desert abruptly ended, and in the distance, a desolate mountain range gradually came into view. The entire range was eroded by the thousand winds, devoid of any greenery, and only various layers of rock were visible, stacked upon each other.

On one of the exposed, wind-eroded rocks with a thousand holes, there stood a figure, although 'figure' seemed somewhat inappropriate. While its appearance resembled a human, its limbs were covered in dense black scales! The entire being seemed both human and demonic, a hybrid of man and monster!

"Gugu..."

Suddenly, a grayish-white demonic bird descended from the sky, landing on the figure's shoulder and cooing.

The figure stroked the bird's head, and a strange color flashed in its demonic eyes as it said, "Sand Phantom killed? Skyward Primal Mystic Intention... Is it someone from the Seven Mysteries Sect?"

Lifting a hand covered in dense scales to support his chin, the figure revealed a pensive expression. "It's a good opportunity. I'm getting tired of demonic creatures, and it's time to eat humans. If I can devour a Skyward Primal practitioner and absorb their internal organs and Essence Energy, even a little bit, I might be able to transform again and cultivate into a seventh-stage Demon King. At that time, even a Human Grandmaster would find it difficult to deal with me."

"Hmm, but during the sand disaster, Yunlu Pass is also heavily guarded, and there will be many at the Viscera Realm. I can't act freely on my own, so I guess I'll have to find those corpse refiners."

A hint of contemplation flashed in Kun Jia's eyes.

In comparison to the Heavenly Corpse Sect, Kun Jia didn't particularly like those who dwelled in eerie places, their existence reeking of decay and filth. After all, even if their flesh was rotten, it wasn't edible. However, he could understand the higher-ups of the Heavenly Demon Sect, who, for the sake of their grand plan, had joined hands with the Heavenly Corpse Sect.

In ancient times, demons roamed the world, and humans were merely food for the demons. It wasn't until the recent past that someone comprehended the Yin-Yang principle, opening up the path of martial arts. Countless martial arts pioneers followed in their footsteps, eventually replacing the demons and becoming the rulers of the world.

After an unknown number of years, the first ancestor of the Heavenly Demon Sect created the Heavenly Demon lineage hundreds of years ago. They cultivated the bodies of demons and practiced the martial arts of humans, gaining both the longevity of demons and the strength of human martial arts. If they hadn't been suppressed by the Great Xuan Dynasty and the entire world's sects, this world would have already undergone a transformation, with the Heavenly Demon Sect ruling over heaven and earth.

Kun Jia sometimes couldn't understand why, when it was as simple as eating humans and demons to extend their lifespan and become stronger, they had faced suppression and extermination from the entire world hundreds of years ago.

Silently, Kun Jia released the demonic bird and leaped away from the rock, heading east. After an unknown distance, he finally arrived at a lush mountain range and approached a secluded valley.

"Who's there?"

A hoarse voice echoed through the valley.

Kun Jia replied indifferently, "It's me, Kun Jia."

After a brief silence, a withered figure resembling a corpse appeared in the shadows, and the hoarse voice asked, "What's the matter?"

"There's a sand disaster in the border of Sand County. Are you interested in making a deal? I'll only eat one person; the rest are yours."

"The sand disaster... I've heard of it, but for it to catch your attention, it must be something special."

In the sunken eyes of the corpse, a faint glimmer of light appeared.

Kun Jia casually said, "There's someone at Yunlu Pass who has cultivated the second step of the Heavenly Firmament Concept. He killed a Sand Phantom that I've been keeping an eye on."

Yunlu Pass? Heavenly Firmament Concept?

The corpse seemed to recall something, and its shriveled eyes lit up with a strange color. "Yunlu Pass is guarded by the Spirit Profound Peak of the Seven Mysteries Sect. I haven't heard of any Guardian or Official at Spirit Profound Peak who has cultivated the Heavenly Firmament Concept... Could it be that person?"

Kun Jia looked over with a hint of surprise. "Oh? You actually know?"

A disdainful look appeared in the corpse's eyes. "Even if your Heavenly Demon Sect's information is not the most reliable, you should know that there's someone from Spirit Profound Peak on the Rising Talent List. That person is the most likely one from Spirit Profound Peak to cultivate the Heavenly Firmament Concept. According to what you said, it's almost certain. But this person has only been at Spirit Profound Peak for a year and a half, and they've already cultivated the Heavenly Firmament Concept. Their comprehension is indeed extraordinary. It's better for you to eat them, so they won't become a big problem in the future."

"The Rising Talent List? I do know something about it, but isn't there only someone named Zuo Qianqiu who has some skill?"

Kun Jia revealed a thoughtful expression.

The corpse spoke lazily, "You, Kun Jia, are one of the best among this generation of the Heavenly Demon Sect. But those in the top ten of the Rising Talent List won't be inferior to you. If it's really Chen Mu who has cultivated the Heavenly Firmament Concept, he's also worthy of being in the top ten... But if you want to make a move at Yunlu Pass, you need to plan carefully. Don't act rashly and delay the important matters above. We can't afford to make a mistake."

He truly didn't have a good impression of the demons from the Heavenly Demon Sect. They were a bunch of crazy people who ate humans and demons, and their minds weren't functioning properly. They believed their skills were invincible in the world, but in reality, their physical bodies were inferior to the corpse refiners, and their martial arts techniques were not as good as those of the orthodox sects. The only advantage they had was their longevity. He hoped that when the Heavenly Corpse Sect gained dominance, they would turn around and exterminate the Heavenly Demon Sect, preventing future disasters.

...

Yunlu Pass.

The Governor's Mansion at the Pass.

Underground Stone Room.

Compared to a short while ago, the stone room was now bustling. In addition to Governor Xia Hou Yan, there were also the Right Protector Chu Jing Su, Rear Protector Meng Danyun, and Former Protector Zhao Zhen Chuan from the Spirit Profound Peak.

These three Protectors of the Six Viscera Realm, except for Meng Danyun who was newly promoted, Zhao Zhen Chuan and Chu Jing Su had already been in the Six Viscera Realm for some time, and their strengths were not inferior to Xia Hou Yan. Especially Chu Jing Su, who was among the top experts below the Gale Wind Rankings, and at only forty-two years old, still had a chance to break through the Mystic Gateway.

"Before you arrived, I was busy with two consecutive appearances of sixth-stage demon beasts in two locations. If not for Chen Shidi arriving before you, I would have been worried about managing both fronts. But now that you're all here, it's become quiet. Even the news from the Northern Seventy-Seventh Pass, where Chen Shidi went, has reported that the situation has been stabilized."

Xia Hou Yan stood in the stone room with a smile, addressing Chu Jing Su and the others.

When he first heard that the Northern Seventy-Seventh Pass was also invaded by a sandstorm and had a sixth-stage demon beast, he was startled. But when he learned that Chen Mu had rushed there immediately, he felt slightly relieved.

After all, with Chen Mu's strength, a sixth-stage demon beast was indeed no match for him. Moreover, he knew that Chen Mu had mastered two concepts, the Thunder Rumble Concept and the Gale Whirl Intent. Even if something unexpected happened, encountering two or three sixth-stage demon beasts, he could still escape even if he couldn't win.

Of course.

It was only after receiving the news from the Earth Meridian that the Northern Seventy-Seventh Pass had been 'stabilized' that he truly calmed down. After all, he was also concerned about whether Chen Mu could arrive in time and whether the pass could be defended.

Chu Jing Su raised her eyebrows slightly and said, "I didn't expect Chen Shidi to arrive even earlier than us. But you don't need to worry about his strength. Once he enters the Six Viscera Realm, even I might not be his match. Even now... Meng Shimei, you can't be sure of defeating him, can you?"

(End of Chapter)

Chen Mu, although not among the top ten on the Rising Talent List, had been in seclusion for a year and a half. But Zhang Wei knew her temperament well; she was never one to show off her abilities. Even if she were told that she had already cultivated the second step of the Heavenly Firmament Concept, it wouldn't surprise her much.

"Report!"

Just as Meng Danyun finished speaking, a messenger entered the stone chamber, respectfully saluted those inside, and swiftly approached Xia Hou Yan with an update: "At the Northern Seventy-Seventh Pass, a sandstorm has struck. We've confirmed the presence of a sixth-stage demon beast, the Sand Phantom, along with a fifth-stage giant Sand Python Demon and a Crimson Armor Lizard Demon. The Lizard Demon was slain by Marquis Cui, while the other demonic creatures were all killed by Chen Zhentran, who has now gone to the desert's edge to investigate the storm."

The messenger's report echoed within the stone chamber, momentarily causing Xia Hou Yan, Chu Jing Su, and the others to reveal expressions of surprise.

A sixth-stage Sand Phantom!

Whether it was Xia Hou Yan or Chu Jing Su, they were all familiar with the Sand Phantom, having encountered it more than once. Especially Xia Hou Yan, who had been stationed there for decades, had dealt with this type of demonic creature countless times. He was well aware of how troublesome the Sand Phantom was. Without a sandstorm, the Sand Phantom wasn't too difficult to handle, and he could quickly slay it in a one-on-one fight.

However, when a sandstorm struck, the Sand Phantom took advantage of the heavenly momentum, especially during the most intense sandstorm, even he found it annoying. First, it was challenging to pinpoint its exact location, and second, even if he found it, it wasn't easy to deal with it quickly.

It could be said that the Sand Phantom was one of the sixth-stage demonic creatures they least wanted to encounter during a sandstorm.

Initially, upon hearing about the Sand Phantom's appearance, he had hoped for the best outcome, which was for Chen Mu to repel the Sand Phantom. After all, as long as they could hold out until the sandstorm subsided, the Sand Phantom would naturally retreat. But he never expected Chen Mu to slay a Sand Phantom!

Even with Cui Sheng's assistance, it was still no easy feat!

"You killed a Sand Phantom? How did you do it, Chen Shidi?"

Chu Jing Su looked at the messenger in astonishment.

However, the messenger shook his head. He wasn't from the Northern Seventy-Seventh Pass; he had only received the message as it was passed along from one pass to another, without any additional details.

Xia Hou Yan took a cup of hot tea from his subordinate, took a sip, and smiled, "I guess you happened to find the Sand Phantom's main body, then worked with Cui Sheng to restrain it. They held it until the sandstorm subsided and finally slew it at the city gate."

Chu Jing Su glanced at Meng Danyun.

But Meng Danyun shook her head, "What's there to guess? Just wait until he arrives, and we'll know."

Just as the conversation inside the room was ongoing, Xia Hou Yan's expression flickered slightly, and he smiled, "Look, as soon as we speak of it, here he comes... Chen Shidi, you've given us quite a shock by slaying a Sand Phantom."

Xia Hou Yan had only spoken halfway when he looked towards the corridor of the stone chamber.

Chen Mu walked down the corridor of the stone chamber and returned to the room. The gazes of Chu Jing Su, Meng Danyun, and the other guardians of Spirit Profound Peak also turned to Chen Mu.

"I arrived a bit late. The pass is almost completely destroyed, but the array foundation is intact, so it can still serve as a temporary outpost. As for the Sand Phantom, all of you could have killed it too. It's no big deal."

Chen Mu walked into the room.

However.

After this statement, the people in the stone chamber still stared at her, including Meng Danyun, who was also curious and examined her up and down, although she didn't speak, her meaning was clear.

At this moment, Xia Hou Yan laughed and said, "Chen Shidi, please tell us. The Sand Phantom is tricky, and if you've discovered any tricks to deal with it, it would be very useful for us guarding the border."

Seeing this, Chen Mu shook her head slightly and said, "The Sand Phantom is skilled at hiding, using the power of wind and sand to conceal itself. Even if one has mastered the Gale Wind Concept, it's not easy to find its main body during the most intense sandstorm, unless one has a perception that can block out the interference of wind and sand..."

"And once you find it, it's easy to deal with."

As Chen Mu spoke, she raised her right hand and casually made a flipping motion in the air.

However.

These two simple sentences caused the entire stone chamber to fall silent suddenly. Even Meng Danyun, Chu Jing Su, and the others widened their eyes at Chen Mu.

Because the two sentences Chen Mu had just stated weren't merely words. As she raised her right hand, a pure and ethereal energy rose, and after the flipping motion, it quickly dissipated.

Everyone present was an extraordinary figure.

Xia Hou Yan, Chu Jing Su, and Zhao Zhenchuan had all entered the Six Viscera Realm many years ago. Their strength aside, their insight was unquestionable, and they immediately recognized the method Chen Mu had just displayed.

Heavenly Firmament Concept!

Moreover, the state of effortlessly controlling the situation indicated that she had likely not just comprehended the second step but had also entered the second step, truly grasping the might of this heavenly phenomenon that surpassed the wind, thunder, and fire concepts, and holding it in her palm!

"Indeed..."

Meng Danyun was the first to react, but her eyes still held a sense of awe.

Based on her consistent impression and understanding of Chen Mu, it wasn't surprising for her to have mastered the Heavenly Firmament Concept in a year and a half. Still, it was still somewhat astonishing, even if she had anticipated it beforehand, she couldn't help but feel a stir in her heart at this moment.

When Chen Mu joined Spirit Profound Peak, she had already mastered the second step of the Gale Wind, Thunder, Fire, and Mountain Concepts, as well as the initial comprehension of the Water Concept. Now, she had also mastered the second step of the Heavenly Firmament Concept, and her strength was no longer inferior to Zhou Hao's!

All this in just a year and a half!

(End)

Chapter end