Chapter 275 Sudden Change, Yao Huang(being) Sets the Stage

"Make it quick."

Lyra understood that the matter could not be delayed. With her command, she led the group charging deep into the demonic abyss.

"Stop them."

Just as they were about to suppress the demonic spring, the Lord of the Demon Cave commanded with a resounding voice.

The demonic cultivators in the Devil's Cave were far too numerous—tens of thousands had gathered here. Yet when the battle commenced, everyone found it somewhat troublesome to fight.

Seeing her path blocked ahead, Lyra raised her hand and cast the Li Fire Divine Thunder Net.

This Net of Fiery Sun Divine Thunder was the life-bound magical treasure of the former sect master of the Verdant Sun Sect, its grade reaching the mid-level of the fourth tier.

This treasure was a group-combat magical artifact, with thousands of Crimson Fire Divine Thunderbolts condensed upon the divine thunder net. As Lyra cast the net downward, it astonishingly enveloped a 100-mile radius.

Boom—

A single strike, and the underground world was blotted out by a dense barrage of Bing Fire Divine Thunder, the crackling roar of lightning erupting in its wake.

In an instant, countless demonic cultivators were blasted into scattered remains littering the ground, with tens of thousands of low-level demonic cultivators perishing on the spot.

"Clang—"

Seeing Lyra open a path, Eldrin seized the moment to merge his body with his sword. The Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss surged forward unimpeded, every demon in its path struck down with a single lethal blow.

This sword strike carried a majestic aura, its sharp edge piercing through the dark demonic cavern, actually forcibly tunneling through hundreds of li of the demonic abyss.

Close on his heels, the others surged forward, driving the demonic cultivators into a steady retreat as they pressed straight into the heart of the demonic abyss.

"Elder Zhang, I have come to your aid."

Just then, another deafening roar echoed through the air.

From the other passage, Taicang the Venerable Sage (Person Name) erupted in a lethal charge, driving a blood-robed elder into frantic retreat before directly launching his assault upon the Lord of the Demon Grotto and Old Demon Yan.

Seeing Taicang the Venerable Sage (Person Name) step forth to assist, a flicker of relief crossed the face of Zhang Zhenren (Person Name).

He was about to speak when his expression shifted slightly, asking cautiously, "Where is your junior apprentice sister, Taicang the Venerable Sage (Person Name)—the Ethereal Fairy (Cultivation Title)?"

"You've noticed, have you? But it's already too late."

Suddenly, Taicang the Venerable Sage (Person Name) let out a sinister laugh, riding atop an Abyssal Demonblade (Magic Treasure) as he slashed through the air.

Everyone’s expressions shifted with shock. Unbeknownst to them, Taicang the Venerable Sage (Person Name) had cultivated the Abyssal Demonic Fiend Qi (Spiritual Root) and broken through to the Golden Core, Late Stage (Cultivation Realm).

In the blink of an eye, the situation took a drastic turn. The sudden betrayal of Taicang the Venerable Sage (Person Name) had caught everyone completely off guard.

"Ah—"

Sect Leader Zhang was suddenly ambushed by 4 Golden Core demonic cultivators, among whom were even 2 Golden Core, Late Stage practitioners. Caught completely off guard, Patriarch Zhang was severely wounded on the spot, his arm severed in a single strike.

At the critical moment, the Skyreach Immortal Sword unleashed a wisp of its might, extracting Hu Zhu from the peril.

At this critical moment, Lyra and the Spirit Enchantress wore grave expressions as they swiftly turned to launch a counterattack, intercepting several demonic cultivators' coordinated assault.

"You have impressive skills."

"Hahaha... *cough cough*..."

Elder Zhang let out a bitter laugh, coughing up a mouthful of blood.

At this very moment, he finally understood why Taicang the Venerable Sage (Person Name) had been so determined to push for the siege of the Demon Cave—it had been a calculated scheme from the very beginning.

Eldrin and the others had also deduced the whole story. The reason the Yan Kingdom cultivation world was unwilling to send reinforcements was all due to Taicang the Venerable Sage's machinations.

And why did the Demon Ape King of the Demon Ape Mountain happen to fall into demonic cultivation at this very moment? It was clearly also to restrain the Violet Abyss Furnace.

The entire scheme implicated the Demon Ape Mountain and the Demon Cave Abode. Clearly, this was not something the Demon Cave Abode alone could accomplish—it was highly likely that the Green Flood Dragon Demon Emperor (Demon Beast) was pulling the strings from behind the scenes.

Even if the Green Flood Dragon Demon Emperor (Demon Beast) never intervened personally, it was highly likely that powerful beings under his command had orchestrated all of this.

"There is 1 matter I do not understand."

"How did you manage to evade the detection of the Mirror of the Vast Heaven (Magic Treasure) and the Heavenly Vault Sword?"

Elder Zhang forcibly suppressed his injuries, his gaze fixed on Taicang the Venerable Sage (Person Name) as he spoke with unresigned bitterness.

The Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure possessed an astonishing sensitivity to demonic energy, detecting any ordinary demonic cultivator who came within 10 1000 miles.

This Taicang the Venerable Sage (Person Name) was a Golden Core Realm late-stage demonic cultivator. Before the Mirror of the Vast Heaven (Magic Treasure) and the Vault Heaven Sword, his presence burned like a blazing furnace in the darkness—how could he possibly evade the perception of such a supreme demon-refining treasure?

Seeing his scheme come to fruition, Taicang the Venerable Sage (Person Name) felt victory was assured and no longer rushed to take action.

Stroking his long beard, he declared with a hint of pride, "This old master has cultivated both righteous and demonic paths. For decades, I've never resorted to terrifying others with demonic arts, thus remaining untainted by residual resentment."

"For hundreds of years, this elder has suppressed the Abyssal Malice using Daoist techniques. Moreover, the Demon Sovereign of Emerald Lake bestowed upon me a supreme treasure to contain the demonic energy—naturally, this suffices to evade the detection of demon-refining artifacts."

At this point, everyone finally understood completely.

The mastermind behind this battle is likely the Green Flood Dragon Demon Emperor (Demon Beast). The Green Wave Lake dares not openly violate the covenant to strike directly at the Chu Kingdom (Location), thus they employ demonic cultivators to obliterate the cultivation world of Chu Kingdom (Location), thereby evading the risk of direct confrontation with the Ji Clan.

"The Demon Emperor's methods are truly astonishing."

Elder Zhang let out a soft sigh, a flicker of defeat flashing in his eyes.

This battle had drawn in nearly half of Chu Kingdom's elite forces, along with 2 crucial Soul-Severing Treasures. Should they all fall within the Demon's Den Cavern, Chu Kingdom's downfall at the hands of the demonic cultivators would become an almost foregone conclusion.

"Heh heh heh heh!"

The Cave Master of the Demon Abyss suddenly let out a cold laugh, his face etched with sinister cunning as he sneered, "Did you truly believe the 1 orchestrating this battle was merely the Green Flood Dragon Demon Emperor (Demon Beast)?"

"To be frank, this battle also proceeds with the sanction of the Ridge of the Black Fiend within Heaven's Spine Mountains."

"The Black Fiend Ancestor and the Demon Emperor have long promised that once the Chu Kingdom (Location) is annihilated, the 2 of us shall obtain the Nascent Soul Formation treasures."

"Demons and monsters collude, a joint scheme laid by the Demon Emperor and the Fiend Lord."

"Good, truly splendid. This is indeed a great honor for the cultivation world of our Chu Kingdom."

Elder Zhang let out a long, hearty laugh. The sword intent within the Sky-Piercing Sword surged like boiling water, and a flicker of undying killing intent flashed in his eyes.

Lyra also stepped forward, a pristine illusory treasure mirror rising behind her.

"Today shall determine whether we eradicate your Demon Cave Abyss, or you succeed in trapping us here."

The great battle was on the verge of erupting, and from the very start, it would be an earth-shattering, unprecedented clash.

The Mirror of the Vast Heaven (Magic Treasure) dominated heaven and earth, its sacred illusory radiance flooding the entire demonic cavern as if to completely suppress this forbidden ground of demonic cultivators.

Faced with this surge of power, the 4 demonic cultivators' expressions shifted repeatedly. Yet having resolved to strike, they had naturally made thorough preparations.

The Venerable Sage Taicang cupped the void in his hands, summoning 7 black skulls, each wreathed in billowing clouds of baleful demonic energy.

"It is the 7 Evils Demon Skull."

Everyone's faces turned pale with shock as they recognized the origin of this treasure.

These 7 Baleful Skulls were 1 of the signature magic treasures of Patriarch Black Baleful. To forge this artifact, the patriarch had beheaded 7 late-stage cultivators and blood-sacrificed hundreds of millions of mortals.

Once refined, this treasure reaches the formidable fifth rank, renowned throughout the Eastern Wastelands as a demonic treasure for refining immortals.

The Mirror of the Vast Heaven (Magic Treasure), noble and pure in nature, would never tolerate such insolence from a demonic artifact. Sensing the aura of the 7 Evils Demonic Skull, its power surged dramatically as it descended through the air to suppress the malevolent force.

Boom—

A dazzling radiance flooded heaven and earth, holding back the boundless Dark Fiend Qi as it clashed against the 7 Baleful Demon Skull.

Eldrin’s expression turned grave as he realized the Mirror of the Vast Heaven was gradually losing ground. Though this treasure possessed unparalleled might, its power could not be fully unleashed within the Demonic Cave—where it had to ceaselessly contend with the endless torrent of Demonic Fiend Qi.

That True Lord Zhang sensed the situation turning dire and looked toward the Sky-Piercing Immortal Sword, pleading, "Ancestor, lend me your power to vanquish this demon!"

"Clang—"

Chapter 1: Rebirth of the Immortal Sovereign The celestial tribulation lightning tore through the heavens, illuminating Lingxiao's resolute face. His black robes billowed as he stood atop the 9 Extremes Summit, facing the descending divine punishment. "After 3 1000 years of cultivation," he murmured, "I shall shatter this final barrier today." The violet-gold lightning converged into a colossal dragon, roaring as it descended. Lingxiao's hands formed seals, summoning 90-9 divine artifacts that formed an impenetrable barrier around him. Boom—! When the dust settled, only fractured spiritual treasures remained scattered across the ground. Lingxiao's primordial spirit flickered like a dying candle flame. "So this... is the limit of my destiny?" His consciousness drifted through time and space, finally awakening in a dilapidated wooden hut. "Young master! You're awake!" A girl's voice trembled with emotion. Lingxiao opened his eyes to see a young maid in coarse linen clothing, her eyes red-rimmed. Memories flooded his mind—he was now in the body of a 16-year-old youth sharing his name, from a declined cultivation clan in the Azure Cloud Realm. "How long was I unconscious?" Lingxiao asked, his voice hoarse. "3 days and 3 nights," the maid replied, wiping her tears. "The family has already... given up on you." Lingxiao sensed the faint spiritual energy within his body. The original owner had died from severe internal injuries sustained during the clan's qualification trials. "Don't worry," Lingxiao said calmly. "Bring me the family's cultivation records." The maid hesitated but eventually brought a dusty jade slip. Lingxiao scanned it with his spiritual consciousness, immediately identifying numerous flaws in the cultivation technique. "Such a primitive method," he remarked disdainfully. "No wonder this realm's cultivators struggle to form their golden cores." He sat cross-legged and began guiding the surrounding spiritual energy. Though scarce, the energy obediently gathered around him, seeping into his meridians. Within 2 hours, he had broken through to the second level of Qi Refining. "Inform the elders," Lingxiao instructed, "that I will participate in this year's 7 Sect Selection." "But young master," the maid worriedly said, "your injuries..." A faint smile touched Lingxiao's lips. "The path of cultivation has never been safe. Since I've been reborn, I shall reclaim everything that belongs to me." Outside the window, moonlight silvered the distant mountains. Somewhere, a sword hummed, as if responding to the awakening of its true master. Lingxiao closed his eyes, beginning to circulate the Heaven Swallowing Art—a technique from his previous life that could devour all creation. Although his current cultivation was weak, the aura of a supreme sovereign had already begun to emerge.