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Chapter 284: The Expedition
Chapter 284: The Expedition
Xian Yu Chen's departure went unnoticed by Chen Mu.
Chen Mu cultivated the Heaven-Earth Concept, granting him exceptional perception, rivaling even the elders like Feng Hongsheng. Yet, being human and not divine, he couldn't sense anything beyond ten or even several dozen li away.
This ability transcended the scope of martial arts, beyond the reach of any cultivator.
Soon, after the arrival of a large contingent from the Seven Mysteries Sect at the border, Shi Zhenyong finally gave the order. With the border gate slowly opening, the entire group embarked, stepping into the snowy Frost Province of Ice State!
The Seven Mysteries Sect's strategy for the Ice State battle was straightforward—no scheming or deception. Led openly by the two elders, Shi Zhenyong and Feng Hongsheng, they headed straight for the Governor's Mansion in Frost Province, where they would join forces with the Heaven Sword Sect and Ice Extinction Palace members stationed there. From this central location, they would engage the Celestial Demon Sect and Heavenly Corpse Sect across the province.
As the group entered Frost Province, they followed the direct route to the Governor's Mansion.
The environment of Frost Province lived up to its name, covered in ice and frost, but the layer of frost wasn't thick, and there wasn't much snowfall. Many plants, resilient to the cold, still grew, creating a landscape reminiscent of Jade Province's winter solstice.
After some distance, the group encountered a series of uniquely designed buildings scattered behind a windbreak on a mountain. There were only about a hundred buildings, most in ruins, with frozen limbs, bodies, and remains visible under the frost.
Swish! Swish!!
Chen Mu, Mu Ran Yan, and others at the front of the Seven Mysteries Sect's formation took a few steps and found themselves amidst the ruins. A single glance at the scene darkened their expressions.
"..."
Even Chen Mu's eyes flashed with a hint of coldness.
In the war-torn Ice State, such scenes of destroyed villages weren't uncommon. Although the Celestial Demon Sect and Heavenly Corpse Sect rarely engaged in large-scale massacres of civilians, as they needed blood food and materials for corpse refinement, treating commoners as mere sources of 'blood food' and 'corpse refinement' meant they didn't have much regard for their lives.
Chen Mu wasn't a saint who pitied the heavens and mourned the people. In the chaos of war, when rivers of blood flowed and corpses littered the land, his heart remained unmoved. Even when demons ate people, he didn't feel anger; at most, he would capture and slay the offending demon.
But the Celestial Demon Sect's actions were different.
These people, born human, chose to act like demons. Chen Mu's tolerance for the Celestial Demon Sect was even lower than for the Heavenly Corpse Sect.
Looking ahead, at the edge of a dilapidated wooden house, they saw a small, pale hand. The hand was severed at the wrist, with bite marks at the break. Judging by its size, it belonged to a child no older than seven or eight years old.
"A bunch of beasts," Mu Ran Yan said, her voice heavy with gloom.
While the Heavenly Corpse Sect's use of human corpses for weapon refinement could be considered a disregard for moral ethics, the Celestial Demon Sect's actions completely defied human morality. They were humans who willingly degenerated, associating with demons and beasts.
Other guardians, including the elders Shi Zhenyong and Feng Hongsheng, also had a glint of coldness in their eyes.
Martial artists, regardless of their status or the honor of being grandmasters, were ultimately human. They couldn't accept the idea of using people as blood food; this was the very distinction between humans and beasts. It was humanity's ability to inherit and develop martial arts, knowledge, and will from generation to generation that allowed them to rise from ancient times, subjugate the land, and drive out the ancient demons and monsters.
Demons, on the other hand, only knew to prey on the weak, with no concept of accumulation or development across generations. The Celestial Demon Sect's evil path, even if temporarily successful, would never gain dominance over the world.
The Seven Mysteries Sect's formation didn't halt; they continued their journey.
At the rear of the formation, Shen Lin, Ling Hu Shang, and other Seven Mysteries Sect officials passed by the village ruins, witnessing the appalling scenes that incited fury and anger.
What they discovered next was even more infuriating. As they traveled towards Frost Province, every village they passed through, whether with a hundred or a thousand households, presented a tragic scene. Based on the evidence, these events had occurred very recently!
Furthermore, according to scouts' intelligence, many other towns in different directions hadn't suffered the same fate. Only the route taken by the Seven Mysteries Sect's forces had all its villages ravaged by the Celestial Demon Sect.
This situation not only enraged the many disciples and officials of the Seven Mysteries Sect but also tested the patience of elders like Shi Zhenyong and Feng Hongsheng. It was clear that the Celestial Demon Sect was deliberately provoking them, showing their might before the Seven Mysteries Sect reached Frost Province!
However, the slaughter of so many villagers, so many lives, was beyond comprehension and intolerable to the heavens. Even grandmasters like them struggled to suppress their anger.
"Good, very good."
Feng Hongsheng's gaze swept across yet another village that had been slaughtered, his eyes gradually closing. When he opened them again, his eyes were calm and resolute, but his heart had already made a decision—the Celestial Demon Sect would pay for their actions.
Chen Mu followed behind Feng Hongsheng and the others, his gaze also turning cold. But in the end, he took a deep breath, calmed his emotions, and slowly spoke, "The Celestial Demon Sect is deliberately provoking us, trying to anger us. The more they do this, the more we must keep our wits about us and not let them disrupt our plans."
With the strength of the Celestial Demon Sect, they had some confidence to face off against the Seven Mysteries Sect, but their members were all demons acting for personal gain, and their internal divisions were far greater than those of the Seven Mysteries Sect. The Ice Extinction Palace had been fighting the Celestial Demon Sect for a long time and was well aware of their situation.
Even before the Ice Extinction Palace retreated to the Prefecture, the Celestial Demon Sect, the Heavenly Corpse Sect, and the Foreign Tribes Beyond the Pass had once joined forces to attack the Pass. They had launched a major battle with inside and outside coordination, but since the Pass was broken, the Celestial Demon Sect had been wreaking havoc in Ice State, rarely regrouping. They were like wild beasts marking their territories, with each Venerable occupying different areas of Ice State."
Currently, only three Venerables of the Celestial Demon Sect frequently appeared in Frost Province. One was Li Shimou, known as the 'Four-Armed Demon Sovereign', who had four arms and immense strength. His demonic power was fully condensed within his body. The second was Sang Huai, known as the 'Thousand-Face Demon Sovereign', an expert in concealment techniques. He often disguised himself as a human, making it difficult for ordinary people to detect his flaws.
The last one was Xian Yu Chen, the 'White Feather Demon Sovereign'. He was at the opposite extreme of Li Shimou, with a body that was among the lightest and weakest among Demon Sovereigns. However, he excelled in flying and hiding, and his demonic power could attack from a distance.
None of these three were a match for Feng Hongsheng and Shi Zhenyong, the two Grandmasters. Even if the three of them joined forces, they couldn't defeat any one of them. Therefore, facing the large-scale advance of the Seven Mysteries Sect, they had no intention of direct confrontation. Instead, they tried to anger the Seven Mysteries Sect through despicable means, hoping to disrupt their unity and defeat them separately.
"No matter how the demons act, we will first go to the Governor's Mansion in Frost Province and join forces with the Heaven Sword Sect and the Ice Extinction Palace."
Shi Zhenyong spoke in a deep voice.
The group quickly continued on their way, each person silent for a while.
Since the weakest among them were Martial Body Realm cultivators, they traveled at a fast pace. In just three days, they reached the Governor's Mansion in Frost Province and joined forces with the Heaven Sword Sect and the Ice Extinction Palace.
Governor's Mansion, Frost Province.
Tan Xiwu, the Grand Protector of the Ice Extinction Palace who had already received the news, came forward to greet them.
"We are deeply grateful for the Seven Mysteries Sect's support in Frost Province. On behalf of the Ice Extinction Palace and the millions of common people in Frost Province, I thank the elders of the Seven Mysteries Sect." Tan Xiwu respectfully bowed to Shi Zhenyong and the others.
Although the Seven Mysteries Sect's support for Frost Province had its intentions, and there was an agreement with the Ice Extinction Palace, it didn't diminish the excitement in his heart. After all, before the arrival of the Seven Mysteries Sect, the Ice Extinction Palace had been on the defensive, neglecting the other provinces. The Governor's Mansion in Frost Province was only barely holding on due to Tan Xiwu, a renowned figure on the Wind and Cloud Rankings, along with the thousands of 'Ice State Guards' and the assistance of the Heaven Sword Sect's disciples.
Regarding the demon chaos in Frost Province, they had no power to suppress it and could only let the demons run rampant.
Now, with the strong support of the Seven Mysteries Sect, the presence of the two renowned elders, Shi Zhenyong and Feng Hongsheng, immediately stabilized the situation in Frost Province. They now had the strength to go out and eliminate the demons causing chaos in the province.
"Protector Tan, there's no need for such formality."
Shi Zhenyong waved his hand, "Demons wreaking havoc upon the people is a matter we cultivators must address."
Tan Xiwu was deeply 'moved' by this and quickly reached out, "Elder Shi, Elder Feng, and the other Protectors, please. Accommodations have been arranged within the mansion for all of you."
"There's no need for a banquet. Please send someone to settle my disciples and attendants."
Feng Hongsheng spoke.
Tan Xiwu immediately responded and waved to the deputy beside him. After giving some instructions, a group of officials stepped forward to settle the disciples and attendants of the Seven Mysteries Sect in batches.
Chen Mu, Mu Ran, and the others followed Feng Hongsheng into the inner hall for discussions.
Although the Seven Mysteries Sect had some intelligence about Frost Province, including information about the Celestial Demon Sect and the Heavenly Corpse Sect, it wasn't as clear as the information held by the Ice Extinction Palace. Both sides exchanged intelligence in the inner hall.
"Despicable acts, too numerous to record."
Tan Xiwu's expression darkened, and his eyes flashed with anger as he listened to the experiences of Shi Zhenyong's group on their way to the Governor's Mansion in Frost Province.
If not for the fierce Foreign Tribes Beyond the Pass, and even a Blood Transformation Realm cultivator among them, confronting the Ice Extinction Palace's Upper Elder, the entire Ice Extinction Palace wouldn't dare to act recklessly.
What could the Celestial Demon Sect and the Heavenly Corpse Sect do, even if they joined forces?
The true threat was not from the Qianqiu Foreign Tribes, but rather, it was the Ice Absolute Palace's inability to deal with the demon invasion, which led to chaos and demon calamities throughout Ice State, with even the Yin Corpses causing unrest.
"Currently, the most threatening presence in Frost Province is the three Seventh Rank Demon Sovereigns of the Celestial Demon Sect, as well as the Elder 'Ruan San' of the Heavenly Corpse Sect, who possesses an Earth Corpse. After nightfall, he is even more difficult to deal with than the three Demon Sovereigns, but during the day, he is three times weaker. Regardless of the time, they are no match for the two of you."
Tan Xiwu analyzed the current situation in Frost Province.
On the surface, it was common knowledge that the three Seventh Rank Demon Sovereigns and the Elder with the Earth Corpse from the Heavenly Corpse Sect were the known threats. Even the Earth Corpse, after nightfall, would still not be a match for Feng Hongsheng and Shi Zhenyong's opponents.
Based on Chen Mu's assessment, the Seventh Rank Demon Sovereigns were stronger than the first tier of Grandmasters, slightly weaker than the second tier, while the Elder of the Heavenly Corpse Sect, controlling the Earth Corpse, was probably stronger than the second tier Grandmasters at night, but weakened by a third during the day.
"Previously, only I and the Grand Protector of the Heaven Sword Sect, Feng Jue, could fight them to a degree. Now that the Seven Mysteries Sect has arrived, we can discuss killing the Demon Sovereigns of the Celestial Demon Sect and that Elder of the Heavenly Corpse Sect."
Tan Xiwu spoke, glancing at Mu Ran Yan and Chen Mu.
Tan Xiwu, ranked eighth on the Gale Wind Rankings and among the top ten, was one of the established powerhouses. He had no fear of facing any of the Demon Sovereigns of the Celestial Demon Sect one-on-one. Feng Jue, the Grand Protector of the Heaven Sword Sect in Frost Province, was ranked sixteenth, slightly weaker than Tan Xiwu, but still capable of holding his own against the Demon Sovereigns.
As for Mu Ran Yan, over three years ago, she had suddenly revealed her 'Heavenly Sky Domain', propelling her to the thirteenth position on the Gale Wind Rankings, not far behind Tan Xiwu.
Although Chen Mu had not cultivated a domain, he had slain the twenty-third-ranked Hanpo Grand Elder, Si Tu Shu, on the Gale Wind Rankings. His strength was likely on par with Mu Ran Yan, and he could definitely put up a fight against the Demon Sovereigns of the Celestial Demon Sect.
Additionally, with the combined efforts of Qian Song and Xu Yang, they could probably hold off one Demon Sovereign. Furthermore, with the two powerful Grandmasters, Shi Zhenyong and Feng Hongsheng, leading the charge, they were already capable of launching a counterattack within Frost Province.
"If we can lure them to one place, my brother Shi and I can kill them all."
Feng Hongsheng spoke calmly.
As a well-established Grandmaster with a perfected Martial Body and cultivated domain, he naturally had a sense of pride among the Grandmasters of the Seven Mysteries Sect.
Tan Xiwu said, "Luring them to one place is a bit difficult. The demons of the Celestial Demon Sect mostly act independently, and they rarely join forces. However, as long as the two Elders intimidate them and prevent them from acting recklessly, it will be much easier to deal with ordinary demons and Corpse Refiners."
Shi Zhenyong glanced at Feng Hongsheng and said, "We shouldn't delay. It's time to take action."
With Tan Xiwu's detailed intelligence about the demons of the Celestial Demon Sect, they could now begin their operations, dispatching teams to eliminate the demons and Corpse Refiners, starting from Frost Province and gradually expanding their efforts.
About half a day later...
The forces of the Seven Mysteries Sect began to deploy in batches. Qian Song and Xu Yang led their respective teams, while Tan Xiwu and Feng Jue took the initiative to attack. Chen Mu and Mu Ran Yan provided support in their respective areas.
...
Meanwhile, in a certain location in Frost Province...
Accompanied by a faint demonic aura, a figure tore through the air, white feathers fluttering behind him. He hovered high above, his gaze fixed on the depths of the valley below—the Demon Sovereign of the Celestial Demon Sect, Xian Yu Chen.
"People from the Seven Mysteries Sect have arrived, including Shi Zhenyong, Feng Hongsheng, as well as Mu Ran Yan and Chen Mu..."
His voice slowly echoed through the valley.
After a brief silence, a deep voice emerged from within the valley, "What does this have to do with me?"
Xian Yu Chen smiled faintly and said, "I'm just here to remind you that since you can't fly, if you fall into their encirclement, you'll have no chance of survival."
"Hmph, I don't need your reminders, white-feathered bird."
A cold hmph echoed through the valley.
Xian Yu Chen spoke casually, "It's not really a reminder. The people from the Seven Mysteries Sect can only divide and conquer, even if there are many of them. Capturing a few Five Viscera Realm practitioners for blood food would be quite beneficial... Speaking of Chen Mu, he cultivated the Heaven and Earth Concept and is only around thirty years old. If you consume his five viscera, you might not be far from your next transformation."
"Hehe..."
Accompanied by a cold laugh, a figure finally appeared in the valley, his body crimson and possessing four arms. He looked up at Xian Yu Chen hovering above and said, "That person is ranked on the Gale Wind Rankings, and his strength is not much weaker than ours. It won't be easy to capture him."
Xian Yu Chen spoke nonchalantly, "It won't be easy, but we won't know if we don't try. If we can lure him out, the two of us can join forces and he might have a chance to escape."
(End of Chapter)
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