Chapter 322: Sky Demon
Chapter 322: Sky Demon
"Roar!"
The cunning beast, Cunning Demon Head, had its skull shattered, but amidst a surge of demonic energy, it struggled to reform, roaring at Chen Mu in defiance. However, it was immediately struck by another Grandmaster's attack, leaving it howling in agony.
These demonic forms, condensed from formations and demonic energy, lacked physical bodies and vital points. Yet, Chen Mu's Heaven-Earth Wheel Seal effectively erased the demonic energy that constituted them, making their recovery more challenging and pushing them closer to dissipation.
Swish!
Chen Mu remained calm and composed, not seeking to steal the spotlight. He simply extended his hand, drew the Frost Soul Spirit Blade, and slashed downwards, unleashing waves of chilling energy that suppressed the demonic forms.
Occasionally, he unleashed the Heaven-Earth Wheel Seal, causing greater destruction. The formidable power, concentrated within a short distance, made hearts tremble. In truth, the Heaven-Earth Wheel Seal he displayed now carried a purer essence.
This was primarily due to his mental state breakthrough and a deeper comprehension of the Heaven-Earth Concept, allowing him to unleash power comparable to his pre-Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm strength without mobilizing too much of his Primordial Energy.
In simple terms, he could achieve greater results with less effort, maximizing his strength.
Upon entering the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm, martial artists embarked on a journey of refinement, continually condensing their power, striving for greater density. After completing Bone Marrow Cleansing, they would undergo Blood Transformation, gaining the ability to raze cities and shatter mountains with a snap of their fingers.
Below.
Within Solitude Valley.
The intense battle had already thrown the entire valley into chaos, with underground tunnels and deep caverns in disarray. Numerous Celestial Demon Sect disciples were in a state of panic.
Many Sixth-Rank Demon Guardians had gathered, forming a defensive perimeter around the array points where nearly twenty Grandmasters from the Heptagram Sect were attacking. However, none dared to approach, their faces contorted with fear.
"How did so many Grandmasters from the Heptagram Sect get here?!"
"This is bad."
The formidable array of forces left everyone's hearts pounding.
Despite the absence of Ice Extinction Palace and Heaven Sword Sect reinforcements, the Heptagram Sect's full mobilization exerted immense pressure. This was their Celestial Demon Sect headquarters!
The Heptagram Sect was a major sect governing an entire province, a righteous path with a history spanning hundreds of years. Nearly twenty Grandmasters were not to be taken lightly. The Celestial Demon Sect, in its known ranks, had only a dozen Ninth-Rank Demon Sovereigns and merely two Eighth-Rank Upper Sovereigns.
Even with hidden forces, a full-scale confrontation with the Heptagram Sect would be a close call. At this moment, a significant portion of the Celestial Demon Sect's forces were engaged in Ice Province, and some were even allied with foreign tribes against Ice Extinction Palace. The headquarters had, at most, only a third of its full strength.
Under these circumstances, withstanding the Heptagram Sect's onslaught of nearly twenty Grandmaster-level attacks was nearly impossible, relying solely on the headquarters' array formations and stored demonic and earthly malefic energies.
It was evident to all that they couldn't hold out for long!
"The Heptagram Sect has launched a direct assault. This is a huge problem."
A Sixth-Rank Demon Guardian frowned.
Many demons had joined the Celestial Demon Sect out of self-interest, lacking true loyalty. They sought to extend their lifespans and enhance their power through demonic cultivation. Now, sensing the unfavorable situation, many harbored thoughts of retreat.
The issue was that escaping Solitude Valley wasn't easy. With numerous Heptagram Sect Grandmasters outside, even those with the desire to flee might not succeed under their watchful eyes. Rashly attempting to escape could be suicidal. It was better to hold out, hoping for reinforcements.
After all, this was Cold Prefecture in Ice Province, not Jade Province.
The Heavenly Corpse Sect and foreign tribes were active here. If they learned about the situation in Solitude Valley, they would likely intervene. At the very least, they would send someone to force the Heptagram Sect to divide its forces.
Just as the demon guardians were strategizing, a voice filled with demonic authority echoed: "All guardians, hold your positions. They can't break through yet. Those who disobey will die!"
It was Kun Wu, the Jet Black Demon Sovereign, speaking.
The command from an Eighth-Rank Upper Sovereign instantly calmed the chaos in Solitude Valley. The various demon guardians, their faces pale with fear, fell silent and exchanged glances before rushing to their nearby array points, not daring to defy the order.
Although these Sixth-Rank Guardians were insignificant compared to Grandmasters, their demonic energy and power were enough to maintain the valley's array formations. By combining their forces through the formations, they could exert a certain level of power.
Separately, they were lambs; united, they were tigers.
Even so, the addition of numerous Sixth-Rank Guardians using formations didn't deter the many Demon Sovereigns gathered outside. Their faces, including Kun Wu's, remained grim.
"Damn the Heptagram Sect!"
His gaze pierced through the valley's formations, focusing on the Heptagram Sect Grandmasters attacking from outside.
While they had anticipated the Heptagram Sect might mobilize forces to invade Cold Prefecture, they hadn't expected such a direct assault. Over a dozen Grandmasters had arrived together, launching a direct strike at their Celestial Demon Sect headquarters!
This attack was swift and unexpected, catching them off guard.
The Demon Dao Ancestor of the Celestial Demon Sect was not currently in Solitude Valley. Although the valley was guarded by a considerable force, it was no match for the all-out assault of the Heptagram Sect. It was clear that they would be unable to withstand the attack.
The best course of action was not to scatter and flee from Solitude Valley, as that would be the most foolish move. Once they lost the protection of the sect's grand formation, the grandmasters of the Heptagram Sect would be like tigers among sheep, able to slaughter at will. Even a Ninth-Rank Demon Sovereign would be no match for a grandmaster like Feng Hongsheng without the aid of formations and the leverage of demonic aura and earth pulse energy.
As for him, although Feng Hongsheng and the others were far from his match, and he was unafraid even if they joined forces, Qi Zhiyuan's control over the Dark Moon Mirror posed a significant threat. He had no confidence in defeating Qi Zhiyuan and could only hope to escape.
In other words, even if the situation was unfavorable, he had no choice but to hold out for now, hoping that the Foreign Tribes Beyond the Pass and the Heavenly Corpse Sect would provide support and that the Demon Dao Ancestor of the Celestial Demon Sect would return as soon as possible.
...
Just as the grandmasters of the Heptagram Sect launched their assault on Solitude Valley, and the battle escalated, a profound change was about to occur in Ice Province.
Ice Extinction Palace, Ice Province.
A few hundred miles away from the Ice Extinction Palace, a dark shadow stood atop a cloud-filled sky, its aura concealed and suppressed. Although its cultivation level was indiscernible, its ability to stand atop the clouds indicated that it was at least a Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm cultivator.
He stared at the direction of the Ice Extinction Palace, deep in thought. After a while, a pale green token flew from a certain direction, piercing through the clouds and landing in his hand.
This token emanated a thick aura of corpse malevolence, which did not dissipate. Strangely, although it was purely corpse malevolence, there was also a hint of something else, giving off a contradictory feeling.
If a Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm grandmaster were to see this token, they would undoubtedly be shocked. Even a Blood Replacement expert's gaze would be drawn to it.
From extreme yin comes yang, and from extreme turbidity comes clarity.
This token was a result of the Heavenly Corpse Sect's corpse refinement technique, taking the refinement of earth corpses to the extreme. After reaching the pinnacle of thickness and density, the final step of transformation was taken, merging the corpse with the human, reaching the ultimate state—the Heavenly Corpse!
Without a doubt, this token came from a Heavenly Corpse, from a grandmaster of the Heavenly Corpse Sect.
And the one who could so easily receive this token from a Heavenly Corpse was naturally of the same level, the Demon Dao Ancestor of the Celestial Demon Sect—Yu Wenhao.
"My premonition was correct; the heavens and earth are about to change, and the underground abyss in Ice Province will open..."
Yu Wenhao held the token without looking at it. Instead, he stretched out his scaly-claw-like hand and crushed it, as if understanding the message it conveyed. He then turned his gaze back toward the direction of the Ice Extinction Palace, his eyes gleaming with a faint light.
Underground Abyss.
In this world, a hundred zhang deep beneath the earth, there was an unfathomable abyss. Usually, even a Blood Replacement cultivator would find it difficult to forcefully enter such a deep place, and even if they did, they would struggle to move.
Only when a certain area of the heavens and earth underwent a change could one enter the corresponding region's underground abyss to explore.
The attack on the Ice Extinction Palace by the Celestial Demon Sect, Foreign Tribes Beyond the Pass, and the Heavenly Corpse Sect was not sudden or unplanned. The most critical factor was the upcoming heavenly change!
The opening of the underground abyss would cause the earth pulse in the entire Ice Province region to fluctuate. When the earth pulse beneath the Ice Extinction Palace erupted, even if they could suppress it, they would need to be free from external interference!
With Yu Wenhao's presence, along with the Heavenly Corpse Sect and the Foreign Tribes Beyond the Pass, it was clear that interference was inevitable.
As long as there was some disruption at that time, the sect's formation, like a turtle shell, would break on its own. When that happened, it would be as easy as turning their hands to take over the Ice Extinction Palace.
Even though the opening of the underground abyss would attract the attention of all the grand sects in the Cold North, they would focus their efforts on this region. However, by the time their people arrived, the Ice Extinction Palace would have already been breached. It was uncertain whether these external sects were there to help or to plunder the Ice Extinction Palace's resources.
In any case, the event was expected to begin within two months at most.
Yu Wenhao's premonition was due to his bloodline, allowing him to sense the impending change. The Heavenly Corpse Ancestor of the Heavenly Corpse Sect, having spent years traveling deep underground and dealing with earth corpses, was naturally more attuned to the changes in the earth pulse than anyone else.
If it were only Yu Wenhao's premonition, he might not be entirely sure. However, this token from the Heavenly Corpse Sect confirmed his judgment, and the timing was set for two months later, a mere blink of an eye.
However, just as Yu Wenhao's thoughts deepened, contemplating how to seize the most resources during this underground abyss event, he suddenly paused, raising his hand. He noticed that his scaly hand had developed a crack, and a faint trace of blood flowed from it, causing his face to darken.
Solitude Valley was in trouble.
(End of Chapter)
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