Chapter 373: The Emerging Trend
Chapter 373: The Emerging Trend
"Congratulations, Master Chen, on achieving mastery of the divine art. From now on, you shall soar like a dragon in the sky, and your power will be unmatched across the realm."
After Chen Mu retracted his Primordial Essence, Liu Tong, who had been standing not too far away, finally approached. He bowed slightly towards Chen Mu, his gaze filled with a mix of sighs, envy, and regret."
Initially, Chen Mu could have joined the Shouxuan Peak, but he chose to stay at the Lingxuan Peak. And now, this once-dwindling branch had suddenly risen, with Qin Mengjun entering the Blood Exchange Realm and Chen Mu himself leaping through the Mystic Gate. He had even managed to repel a figure like the Sky Demon Ancestor Yuwen Hao, leaving everyone in awe.
"Master Liu, you flatter me. I'm still far from being able to dominate the world. I only possess a fraction of the power needed to protect myself." Chen Mu shook his head as he spoke to Liu Tong.
With his current strength, Chen Mu could indeed travel the realm without fear, but to truly dominate the four seas, he needed to take another step forward. His power had to rival those who had achieved unity with heaven and man, the true saints and ancestors.
Liu Tong sighed. He had cultivated the Heavenly Sky Domain and considered himself among the top grandmasters, thinking that aside from Qin Mengjun, his progress was the most remarkable. But he never imagined that Chen Mu had already surpassed him by a wide margin. Chen Mu's talent was indeed awe-inspiring.
However, the path ahead was filled with far more challenges and hardships than Liu Tong could ever imagine.
In the current chaotic world, many wished to prevent Chen Mu from reaching the Blood Exchange Realm and becoming another Heaven-Earth Martial Saint. And after today, Chen Mu would undoubtedly attract the attention of the entire realm, placing himself at the center of the storm.
If he could weather this storm, he would truly be able to contend for supremacy. But if he couldn't, he would only leave a fleeting mark in the memories of this generation, eventually fading into a mere footnote in the annals of history.
After a brief exchange with Chen Mu, Liu Tong turned and left.
Chen Mu watched Liu Tong depart and then shifted his gaze to Luan Qiumei and Xia Yuye, who were standing not too far away. He addressed Xia Yuye in a calm tone, "Protector Xia, is there something you wish to instruct me on?"
"Master Chen, you jest. How dare I instruct you? I merely wanted to inform you that Ying'er and Yue'er, as instructed, have been searching for traces of rare artifacts in the Li Chi Sea Area. They've made some progress, so I thought I should inform you." Xia Yuye bowed slightly as she replied softly.
Chen Mu nodded slightly, "I understand. Thank them for their hard work."
"It's not hard work for them to serve you, Master Chen. It's their good fortune. Speaking of which, I believe you require materials to forge a Heaven-Earth Spirit Armament. You are still missing three crucial items: the Sea-Stabilizing Pearl, Supreme Purity Qi, and the Southern Bright Flame." Xia Yuye explained.
"That's correct," Chen Mu confirmed, his expression calm. As a cultivator of the Heaven-Earth Dao, it was only natural that he would need a Heaven-Earth Spirit Armament. If he had possessed a suitable one earlier, Yuwen Hao might not have been able to escape, or at least, his escape would have been much more difficult.
Xia Yuye paused briefly before continuing, "Ying'er and the others have made some progress in finding the Sea-Stabilizing Pearl in the outer sea. As for the Supreme Purity Qi, we have no news yet. But the Southern Bright Flame... I happened to encounter it in this Earth Abyss, but it was taken by someone from the Heavenly Seal Sect. If you need it, I can help you find a few."
"The Heavenly Seal Sect?" Chen Mu pondered for a moment.
The Southern Bright Flame was indeed something he needed, but at the moment, he didn't have the time to specifically look for members of the Heavenly Seal Sect. He had already collected enough rare items to satisfy his immediate needs, and he wanted to return as soon as possible to further enhance his strength before the storm that would inevitably follow his actions in the Earth Abyss.
"In that case, I'll have to trouble you, Protege Xia," Chen Mu said to Xia Yuye].
"Alright." Xia Yuye nodded in response to Chen Mu's words.
In truth, whether she could find items of equal value to exchange was uncertain. While the Southern Bright Flame was a relatively rare treasure, it was nothing compared to the good fortune of having a connection with Chen Mu.
If Chen Mu could truly contend for supremacy in the future, the Joyful Union Sect, which had no prior grudges with him and wouldn't oppose him, would benefit greatly. Surviving the tumultuous waves of this chaotic era would become much easier.
After a brief exchange with Xia Yuye and Luan Qiumei, Chen Mu inquired about the progress of Flower Shadow and the others in their search for the Sea-Stabilizing Pearl. Then, without further delay, he turned and left, soon disappearing from sight.
Only Xia Yuye and Luan Qiumei remained, gazing into the distance where Chen Mu had vanished.
"The trend is beginning to emerge," Luan Qiumei whispered softly.
Although Chen Mu was still in the Bone Marrow Purification Realm, he had already demonstrated the confidence and capacity to dominate the four seas, as seen in his confrontation with Jiang Changsheng and other grandmasters. His battle against Yuwen Hao further solidified this impression, and one could almost envision the future invincible Heaven-Earth Martial Saint he would become. At this point, although nothing was set in stone and uncertainties remained, the trend was already taking shape.
Once considered the most talented individual in Frost North for a hundred years, Chen Mu's rapid progress in cultivation was beyond anyone's expectations. It was almost as if he had no bottlenecks in his path, and even the term 'heavenly gifted' fell short of describing his prowess.
The most talented in Frost North?
No.
Now, it seems he is the top talent in the entire Grand Proclamation World for a thousand years!
...
Frosty Mountain Range.
The entrance to the Earth Abyss.
Amidst the shattered remains of the Stone Vein Mountains, several figures stood in different directions, gazing at the Earth Abyss entrance with vigilance. Their cultivation realms were not high, none of them were Grandmasters, only at the Six Organ Realm. Each wore the protective robes of the Gate of Seven Mysteries Sect.
They guarded the Earth Abyss entrance, not to keep an eye on the Grandmasters returning from the abyss, as that was beyond their qualifications. Their purpose was to watch for demonic beasts that might emerge from the entrance.
If it was a sixth-stage Demon, they would strike to kill. If it was a seventh-stage, they would immediately retreat and report to their superiors.
"I wonder how long this Ice State Abyss Channel will last."
Meng Danyu stood on a broken piece of mountain rock, discussing with Zhao Zhenchuan beside her.
Zhao Zhenchuan shook his head, "According to the usual pattern, it should last at most another half a month. But even if the channel closes, as long as the Earth Vein power hasn't fully recovered, those Grandmaster figures can still come and go, and they won't be hindered."
"Hmm."
Meng Danyu responded thoughtfully.
She wasn't concerned about the Grandmasters' ability to pass through; her main concern was that once the Earth Abyss entrance gradually closed, the demonic beasts would no longer emerge from here, and there would be no need to guard this spot.
Although no seventh-stage Demon Kings had appeared during these days, and the most they had seen were some sixth-stage Demons, the trouble they caused was still significant. These sixth-stage Demons from the Earth Abyss were exceptionally powerful, and even Meng Danyu, a true disciple, found them challenging to handle. It took a long battle to defeat them.
As the two were exchanging information—
Suddenly, a demonic aura fluctuation emanated from the Earth Vein Rift not far away.
Meng Danyu and Zhao Zhenchuan both stopped talking, their gazes fixed on the source.
"It's here."
"Be careful."
Both of them focused intently, each holding their Spirit Armament, familiar with such situations. It seemed another demonic beast had accidentally discovered the passage and was making its way out.
Whoosh! In the next moment, a demonic beast resembling a fish with a scaly body and a greenish hue leaped out from the Earth Vein Rift. Although it was a fish demon, its abdomen had limbs, making its appearance peculiar. Its identity was unknown, but its demonic aura indicated a sixth-stage level.
Meng Danyu had already unsheathed her Peach God Sword, and a faint glow emanated from its blade. She didn't move closer to the Earth Vein Rift but took two steps forward, waiting for the demon to approach before engaging.
"Just one?"
Zhao Zhenchuan also drew his Spirit Armament, feeling slightly relieved.
Although these demons from the Earth Abyss were strong, he and Meng Danyu were no ordinary Six Organ Realm cultivators. They were among the top-ranked cultivators in the Wind and Cloud Rankings. They could defeat these demons one-on-one, and if they joined forces, they could achieve victory in an instant.
"Hiss..."
After leaping out of the Earth Vein Rift, the fish demon surveyed its surroundings, emitting a strange hiss. It quickly sensed the auras of Meng Danyu and Zhao Zhenchuan and turned its head toward them, its eyes gleaming with malicious intent.
The fish demon landed on its four limbs and approached the two cultivators.
Meng Danyu and Zhao Zhenchuan also unsheathed their Spirit Armaments, moving forward to engage and prepare for battle, intending to slay the demon.
But—
Just as the fish demon reached the edge of the Earth Vein Rift, about to leave the rift's range—
Suddenly, an anomaly occurred!
A black shadow shot out from the pitch-black Earth Vein Rift, like a clump of darkness, grabbing and binding the fish demon's limbs and swiftly climbing up its body.
"Hiss!!"
The fish demon's demonic eyes instantly revealed a human-like expression of horror. It struggled desperately to break free, but to no avail. In almost an instant, its body was dyed black and completely engulfed by the shadow.
Meng Danyu and Zhao Zhenchuan's faces paled at the sight.
They had guarded the Earth Vein Rift for many days and were familiar with this black shadow's aura—
Demonic Qi!
It was a demon from the Earth Abyss!
In the current world, demons were rarely seen, unlike demonic beasts. Demons posed a greater threat, and their appearance would attract the pursuit of human cultivators, even drawing the attention of Blood Replacement Realm experts.
However, numerous demons still lurked within the Earth Abyss. In recent days, some had emerged, but they were usually at the fifth or sixth stage. The oppressive and terrifying aura emanating from the black shadow indicated a level beyond the fifth or sixth stage. It had instantly corroded and devoured a sixth-stage fish demon, revealing the extreme danger of this demonic beast.
"Not good! Run!"
Zhao Zhenchuan's face changed, and he reacted immediately, turning to flee.
The Seventh Stage and above, that was the realm of the Ancient Demons, far beyond the capabilities of Meng Danyu and himself. It would require at least seven or eight more individuals of their caliber, working together in a formation, to possibly suppress a Seventh Stage Ancient Demon.
Meng Danyu's reaction was swift. The reason they hadn't approached the Earth Vein Rift to proactively attack the Fish Demon earlier, instead waiting for the demonic creature to come to them, was precisely to prevent such a situation. After all, it was extremely dangerous for non-Grandmasters to actively approach the Earth Vein Rift.
These Six Organ Realm Lawkeepers, stationed in various directions across the Frosty Mountain Range, were tasked with dealing with the demonic creatures emerging from the Earth Vein Rift. However, their primary role was to quickly retreat and report to higher-ups should a more significant problem arise.
But...
Just as the two of them began to move, having barely escaped a distance of twenty to thirty zhang, the Fish Demon, engulfed by the pitch-black shadow, suddenly had the shadow from the rift completely merge into its body. Its entire demonic form then silently lifted off the ground, floating in the air, and opened a pair of jet-black, ink-like Demon Eyes, releasing a terrifying aura that silently spread.
With a distance of thirty to forty zhang between them, Meng Danyu and Zhao Zhenchuan had managed to escape another twenty to thirty zhang, but as the demon-possessed Fish Demon opened its eyes, an invisible oppressive force instantly spread towards them, causing their movements to abruptly slow down. It felt as if they were mired in a swamp, struggling to take even a single step.
"This..."
Zhao Zhenchuan's face paled in shock.
Sensing the terrifying aura of the demon behind him, he was momentarily terrified. Although he had never encountered a Seventh Stage demonic beast, the aura he felt was, in his perception, even more terrifying than that of a Seventh Stage beast.
Could it be an Eighth Stage Ancient Demon?!
Meanwhile, in several other directions, where other Earth Vein Rifts were located a few li away, the Lawkeepers of the Gate of Seven Mysteries Sect, who were stationed nearby, all simultaneously looked up in the direction of Meng Danyu and Zhao Zhenchuan, their faces filled with shock.
"Is that a demonic aura?"
"No! It's mixed with demonic qi... It's a demon, but not an ordinary one. It's probably at least a Seventh Stage!"
"Seventh Stage? Even if it's a Seventh Stage demonic beast, it's impossible for it to exert such intense pressure on us from several li away. It's likely an Eighth Stage demonic beast! Retreat immediately and report to the Elders!"
The area around the Frosty Mountain Range instantly erupted into chaos.
An Eighth Stage demonic beast?! Everyone knew that even a typical Grandmaster would struggle to handle such a creature. It would likely require multiple Grandmasters, or even those top-tier Grandmasters renowned in the Northern Chill, to deal with it. For these Lawkeepers, it was an insurmountable force, even if they all gathered and formed a formation, they couldn't hope to resist it.
Just as everyone was either shocked or attempting to retreat, the terrifying demonic aura that had soared into the sky suddenly dissipated as if it had been abruptly cut off by some unseen force!
"This..."
The nearby Lawkeepers of the Gate of Seven Mysteries Sect, who were preparing to flee, noticed this change and looked at each other in bewilderment, unsure of what had happened, their faces filled with astonishment.
Far away, at the center of the Earth Vein Rift, the Fish Demon, whose body had been possessed and taken over by the Eighth Stage Ancient Demon, was floating in the air. However, its chest had silently and inexplicably developed a large hole! There was no sign of blood flowing from the hole.
Looking through the hole in its chest, one could see a figure walking out of the Earth Vein Rift in the background, approaching casually.
Meng Danyu and Zhao Zhenchuan both stared at the figure in surprise.
"Hua!"
The Fish Demon, with its chest pierced, had its aura rapidly collapsing, but it suddenly let out a strange cry, and its body exploded into six or seven shadows, shooting out in all directions.
Two of the shadows flew directly towards Meng Danyu and Zhao Zhenchuan.
However, Chen Mu, who had emerged from the Earth Abyss Rift, showed no change in expression. He simply extended his right hand, and with a casual grab, the Heaven-Earth Domain instantly spread out, encompassing the area within several dozen zhang.
With this grab, it was as if he had captured the heavens and earth in his palm, drawing in all things. The six or seven shadows that had been flying about froze in midair, then flew towards Chen Mu's palm, each screaming shrilly and struggling frantically, but unable to escape. They were all compressed into a ball in Chen Mu's palm.
Then, as Chen Mu's palm closed in a pinch.
Puh.
It was like squeezing a dough ball.
The constantly writhing shadows solidified and then began to crumble, eventually disintegrating between Chen Mu's fingers.
(End of Chapter)
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