Demon Realm Invasion

After Chen Ping'an took his leave, Master Xiūmù slowly walked out of the cave dwelling. His profound gaze crossed the verdant mountain ranges and settled on the location of Zhang Tie's cave dwelling. An indelible layer of worry shrouded his aged face.

Meanwhile, Zhang Tie remained utterly unaware of the upheavals beyond his cave dwelling, or even of Master Xiūmù's concern.

Zhang Tie sat cross-legged in the depths of his cave dwelling, his mind already immersed in the Nirvana Transformation cultivation art.

Behind him, the enormous Dharma Idol that had originally appeared somewhat illusory grew more solid and weighty with every deep breath he took and every circulation of his profound technique. Like a jade embryo absorbing the essence of heaven and earth, it seemed as though the projection of an ancient deity was slowly awakening in this world.

Cultivation knew no passage of time; in the blink of an eye, thirty full years passed silently. Outside the cave dwelling, winter gave way to summer, flowers bloomed and withered.

On this day, Chen Ping'an appeared before Master Xiūmù's cave dwelling once again, his expression filled with unprecedented urgency and gravity.

"Master! The situation is dire, and there is no time to lose! The Lesser Demon Realm has opened a passage to the Demon Slaying Ground. Using it as a foothold, the Demon Realm is invading the Demon Slaying Ground in force, their spearhead aimed directly at Holy Island! Now, all the Mahayana stage ancestors of the Human and Monster races have been tied down by the Demon Race Saint Ancestors, and no word has come from them!

"The reinforcements from our other allies are nowhere to be seen... Holy Island... Holy Island is likely beyond saving! We must withdraw at once and awaken Fellow Daoist Zhang! If we delay any