Going Down the Mountain

The pure light enveloped him, and Dao Xuan returned to Kunlun Immortal Mountain with the Three Pure Ones.

As soon as he landed, Dao Xuan dove straight into his own cave dwelling.

"I must go into seclusion! I absolutely must!"

His heart burned with fervor.

This time, listening to the teachings in Purple Heaven Palace, he had been baptized by Primordial Dao Rhyme, his Three Flowers atop his head had begun to bloom, and his cultivation had advanced significantly.

Furthermore, he had obtained the Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Merit Ruler, the Li Fire Feathered Sword, and the Treasure Distribution Rock Seal—three supreme treasures—as well as spiritual items like the Sky-Gazing Mirror and the Wind and Thunder Pearl.

If he didn't go into seclusion to digest these gains, wouldn't that be a terrible waste?

The Great Desolation world was also like this.

With the Purple Heaven Palace's three lectures concluded, the true words of the Great Dao were imprinted across all heavens.

The Saint positions were set, the purple qi had its masters, and the heavy treasures had each returned to their rightful places.

The entire Great Desolation world seemed to have been put on pause.

All the great beings, whether they had obtained treasures or the purple qi or not, were like Dao Xuan, finding places to enter seclusion and cultivate.

Some were comprehending the Great Dao passed down by the Dao Ancestor, others were refining their newly acquired spiritual treasures, and still others were seeking an opportunity to sever a corpse.

For a time, the Great Desolation land actually showed a rare tranquility.

However, beneath this tranquility, undercurrents surged.

The Witch Clan and the Demon Clan, having developed over countless eons, were already like fire and water.

The minor skirmishes of the past had, with the expansion of both sides' power and the growth of their ambitions, gradually escalated into monstrous waves engulfing the Great Desolation.

Beneath Buzhou Mountain, in the ancestral land of the Witch Clan, malevolent energy soared into the sky.

In the Pangu Hall, the aura of the Twelve Ancestral Witches grew increasingly profound, their bloodline power shaking the earth.

Above the Heavenly Court, the Demon Clan's Dijun and Taiyi, commanding the Stars of the Heavens, their demonic energy permeated the firmament.

Friction between the two sides was constant, conflicts escalated, blood flowed like a river, and resentment solidified, already causing the malevolent energy of the Calamity to quietly breed.

On the peak of Kunlun Mountain, deep within the Jade Void Palace.

Dao Xuan sat cross-legged on a futon.

The Three Flowers atop his head swayed gracefully, and the Five Qi within his chest circulated ceaselessly.

Within the Mud Pill Palace, the Chaos Bead remained dormant, yet it slowly and steadily absorbed the Dao Rhyme of heaven and earth.

Within his Primordial Spirit, the Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Merit Ruler floated and sank, the Mysterious Yellow Qi circulating, containing the Dao Rhyme of destruction and rebirth.

The Li Fire Feathered Sword hung to one side, its Solar True Fire aura blazing.

The Treasure Distribution Rock Seal suppressed his Sea of Consciousness, its profound Dao Rhyme stabilizing his Divine Soul.

The Taiqing Immortal Art circulated through the heavens, drawing in the Kunlun Immortal Spiritual Qi like a hundred rivers returning to the sea, converging into Dao Xuan's body.

The Nine Revolutions Profound Technique tempered his physical body, his bones and sinews chiming in harmony, his Blood Essence surging like a dragon, and a divine light shimmered all over his body.

His cultivation, at the early stage of Grand Unity Golden Immortal, steadily climbed under the nourishment of the Dao Ancestor's Dao Rhyme, the tempering of Kunlun Immortal Qi, and the honing of the Profound Technique.

Grand Unity Golden Immortal middle stage... late stage... peak!

The Three Flowers atop his head became increasingly solid, Dao Rhyme flowing, faintly showing signs of merging into one with the Primordial.

The Five Qi within his chest returned to the origin, circulating endlessly, giving rise to perpetual life.

His cultivation advanced, and his magical power surged.

The Nine Revolutions Profound Technique also broke through accordingly.

First Revolution: Bronze skin and iron bones.

Second Revolution: Blood Essence like mercury.

Third Revolution: Strength to move mountains and rivers.

Fourth Revolution: Indestructible as Vajra.

Fifth Revolution: Regenerate from a drop of blood.

Sixth Revolution: Law Manifests as Heaven and Earth!

Boom!

As the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique entered the sixth revolution realm.

Dao Xuan's body trembled violently!

The bones all over his body crackled, and his flesh, blood, bones, and sinews instantly expanded!

A savage power, originating from the ancient Great Desolation, erupted from the depths of his bloodline!

With a mere thought.

His body grew with the wind!

Ten Zhang... a hundred Zhang... a thousand Zhang!

In an instant, he transformed into a giant that reached the heavens and the earth!

His head was like mountains, his eyes like the sun and moon, his breath stirred wind and thunder, and with every gesture, he seemed capable of plucking stars and seizing the moon!

This was precisely the great divine ability of Law Manifests as Heaven and Earth!

Although he couldn't truly touch the primordial sky due to the limitations of his cultivation, such power far surpassed that of an ordinary Grand Unity!

His physical strength was immense and unstoppable!

"Good! Six revolutions of the Profound Technique, the path to becoming a Saint through the physical body has advanced another step!"

Dao Xuan felt a surge of joy.

However, the bottleneck of the peak Grand Unity Golden Immortal stage remained like an insurmountable chasm.

Though the Three Flowers had condensed and the Five Qi were circulating, they had still failed to fully merge and nurture that single point of indestructible Grand Unity Dao Fruit.

"Ultimately, it's still a hair's breadth away..."

Dao Xuan understood.

The path of cultivation cannot be achieved through sheer hard work alone.

One needs to enter the world, undergo trials, and comprehend the workings of the Heavenly Dao to find the opportunity to break through.

Just then.

Dao Xuan's Primordial Spirit stirred slightly, and the Three Flowers atop his head trembled.

In the mysterious depths, it felt as if a thread of Heavenly Opportunity was pulling him, pointing towards the Great Desolation, in the direction of Buzhou Mountain.

"The opportunity has arrived!"

A sharp glint flashed in Dao Xuan's eyes.

He retracted his manifested form and returned to his normal state.

His aura was harmonious and contained. Although he hadn't broken through, his cultivation and magical power had both reached the extreme of Grand Unity.

With six revolutions of the Profound Technique, his physical body was peerlessly strong.

He also had various precious treasures by his side.

It was time to leave seclusion!

Dao Xuan rose and tidied his robes.

He wore a Blue Gauze Headband, an Apricot Yellow Bagua Immortal Robe, a Qiankun Silk Sash around his waist, and Cloud-Treading Boots on his feet.

His face was like jade, his eyes like bright stars, his presence handsome and refined, exuding an immortal aura.

He stepped out of his cave dwelling and walked to the front of the Eight Sceneries Palace.

Inside the palace, Saint Laozi sat on a Cloud Bed, his aura as one with the primordial chaos. Above his head, the Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Exquisite Pagoda dripped Mysterious Yellow Qi, and the phantom of the Taiji Diagram evolved Yin and Yang.

"Master."

Dao Xuan bowed respectfully.

Laozi slowly opened his eyes and his gaze fell upon Dao Xuan. A hint of approval appeared on his face, which was as calm as a deep well.

"Six revolutions of the Profound Technique, Grand Unity perfected. Your progress is acceptable."

"Thank you for your guidance, Master."

"Stillness breeds movement. You wish to journey to the Great Desolation?"

"Master sees clearly. This disciple feels the pull of Heavenly Opportunity and wishes to enter the world for trials, to seek the chance to break through and to comprehend the workings of the Heavenly Dao."

Laozi nodded slightly.

"Good. A Calamity is about to begin, and malevolent energy permeates the air. The Great Desolation is fraught with danger. Though your Profound Technique is accomplished and you possess magical treasures, you must remember to protect yourself and avoid getting easily entangled in disputes."

"This disciple will strictly follow Master's teachings!"

"Go."

"This disciple takes his leave."

Dao Xuan bowed again and turned, descending Kunlun Mountain.

The immortal mountain was majestic, and the sea of clouds churned.

Leaving the Kunlun immortal realm, he stepped onto the Great Desolation.

A vast, heavy aura of the Great Desolation washed over him, mixed with wisps of calamitous energy.

Compared to thirty thousand years ago, this aura carried more killing intent and restlessness.

The mountains and rivers remained the same, and the great rivers flowed.

However, what he saw along the way was no longer the peace of the past.

On the earth, he occasionally saw giant footprints, deep pits, and ravines, clearly caused by the immense strength of the Witch Clan.

In the sky, demon clouds gathered frequently, and demonic winds blew, carrying with them the shrill cries of birds and beasts.

Furthermore, in many places, traces of past great battles remained.

The land was scorched for a thousand miles, malevolent energy coalesced, and vengeful souls wailed.

The conflict between the Witch Clan and the Demon Clan had escalated from localized skirmishes to the prelude of a war sweeping across the Great Desolation.

Dao Xuan trod upon auspicious clouds, employing an evasion technique, heading towards the direction of the Heavenly Opportunity's pull—Mount Buzhou.

Mount Buzhou, transformed from Pangu's spine, was the pillar of the Great Desolation.

Its height was immeasurable, reaching into the nine heavens, supporting the firmament above and anchoring the earth below.

The mountain was majestic, its presence like a coiled dragon, exuding boundless grandeur.

Mists swirled around its waist, and fierce winds howled at its peak.

Ancient trees towered within the mountains, spiritual springs cascaded, and exotic flowers and rare herbs carpeted the ground; it was truly the foremost divine mountain of the Great Desolation, a place of spiritual essence and exceptional beauty.

However, at the foot of Mount Buzhou today, there was no trace of peace.

The sound of killing shook the heavens! Malevolent energy pierced the sky!

Behold:

On one side of the mountain's base stood a group of burly men.

The one leading them was twelve feet tall, with a face like indigo, hair like cinnabar, fangs exposed, and eyes like bronze bells.

He wore a helmet made of unknown beast bones, a crude beast-skin armor, muscles coiled like dragons, and wielded a massive stone axe, radiating malevolent energy.

This was none other than Chi You, a fierce general under the great witch Kuafu, leader of a Witch Clan tribe (same name, not the later one).

Behind him stood dozens of Witch Clan warriors, each tall and strong, some wielding stone axes and bone clubs, others bare-handed, their Blood Essence rising like smoke, their malevolent energy coalescing into clouds.

On the other side of the mountain's base was a group of figures shrouded in demonic energy.

The demon leading them had a human face and a bird's body, with a pair of wings on its back, covered in blackish-green scales.

Its face resembled a hawk's, its eyes gleamed with ferocity, and its sharp beak was like a hook.

It wore feathered armor and wielded a gleaming bronze halberd.

Demonic winds swirled around it, kicking up flying sand and stones.

This was an eagle demon that had cultivated successfully, a Demon General of the Heavenly Court—Li Feng.

Behind him, dozens of demon soldiers, in the forms of jackals, wolves, tigers, leopards, and various birds and beasts, each held their weapons, their demonic clouds churning, standing in opposition to the Witch Clan's malevolent energy.

In the center of the standoff, the conflict was not one of hatred, but a struggle for a spiritual root!

Behold the spiritual root:

It grew beside a spiritual spring in a mountain ravine, no more than three feet tall, its entire body emerald green like jade, its branches and leaves spread out, its Dao charm naturally formed.

At its apex grew four wondrous leaves.

One was crimson like fire, with flowing fiery patterns, emitting a scorching aura.

One was azure like water, with rippling waves, containing an icy intent.

One was verdant and dripping, with hidden wind patterns, as if fierce winds were howling.

One was earthy yellow and heavy, its patterns like the veins of the earth, radiating the essence of Wutu.

The four leaves belonged to Fire, Water, Wind, and Earth, their Dao charms flowing, forming a unified whole, its treasure light shimmering, and auspicious rays emanating in streams!

This was none other than one of the ten supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Roots of the Great Desolation—the Banana Tree!

The four spiritual leaves on the tree were all treasures nurtured by the heavens, possessing infinite wondrous uses!

"Halt! Feathered beast! This is a divine object of our Mount Buzhou, a legacy of Father Pangu! How can you demons covet it! Scram quickly!" Chi You's voice boomed like a great bell, his stone axe pointing directly at Li Feng.

"Hmph! Ignorant savage witch! This spiritual root was born of heaven and earth, and those with fate shall obtain it! Our Demon Clan rules the heavens, and this treasure rightfully belongs to my Heavenly Court! You savages retreat quickly, or do not blame this general's halberd for showing no mercy!" Li Feng shrieked, his bronze halberd spitting out a cold glint.

"Nonsense! Behold my axe!"

"Seeking death! Kill!"

When words fail, actions speak!

Chi You roared and attacked first!

His twelve-foot body slammed into the ground, causing it to crack and explode!

He was like a ferocious beast of the wilderness, swinging his door-sized stone axe, imbued with the power to cleave mountains and split rocks, tearing through the air, and cleaving down towards Li Feng's head!

The Witch Clan warriors roared in unison, their Blood Essence erupting, their malevolent energy coalescing into a tangible form, transforming into a surging torrent that rushed towards the demon soldiers!

"Form ranks! Kill all these barbarians!"

Li Feng shrieked, his wings flapping, demonic winds raging, his body like lightning as he evaded the sharpness of the stone axe. His bronze halberd transformed into a streak of poisonous green light, stabbing directly towards Chi You's flank!

The demon soldiers' demonic clouds churned, forming battle formations, their demonic energies connecting, manifesting as phantom blades, spears, swords, and halberds, meeting the Witch Clan's torrent!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

In an instant, metal clashed against metal, flesh and blood flew!

The Witch Clan warriors possessed immense strength, their malevolent energy protected their bodies, allowing them to directly confront the demon soldiers' weapons. Wherever their fists and feet landed, bones snapped and limbs broke!

The demon soldiers relied on their formations and peculiar demonic arts. Poisonous smoke, wind blades, ice cones, and fireballs rained down upon the Witches, causing considerable casualties.

Chi You and Li Feng were locked in combat.

Chi You's stone axe was heavy and powerful, each strike seemingly capable of splitting mountains. This forced Li Feng to avoid direct confrontation, relying on his speed to maneuver while his sharp and vicious long halberd aimed for vital points.

The two were evenly matched, fighting to a standstill.

In the center of the battlefield, the Banana Tree swayed gracefully under the impact of the violent energy, its four spiritual leaves radiating a treasure-like light, making it appear even more divine.

Dao Xuan had already stealthily approached the vicinity of the battlefield.

He concealed his aura, hiding behind a massive rock, his Blue Gauze Headband emitting a faint light above his head, obscuring his form.

"A Supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Root, the Banana Tree! And four Innate Spiritual Leaves!"

Dao Xuan's eyes shot out beams of light.

"This is truly a heaven-sent opportunity!"

"With the Witch and Demon Clans fighting, it's the perfect time for a third party to benefit!"

He observed patiently.

On the battlefield, the two sides had already descended into a blood frenzy.

The Witch Clan warriors fought fearlessly, trading injuries. Several Demon soldiers had already been torn to shreds.

The Demon soldiers shifted their formations, unleashing their demonic arts in unison, severely wounding several Witch Clan warriors.

Chi You and Li Feng were now truly enraged.

Chi You bore several gashes on his body, deep enough to see bone, his blood flowing freely, yet he fought even more ferociously, his stone axe a blur.

One of Li Feng's wings was grazed by the stone axe, sending feathers flying. His speed slightly diminished, but the ferocity in his eyes intensified.

"Now!"

Dao Xuan seized the moment!

The elites of both sides were entangled, their leaders locked in a fierce battle, leaving the Banana Tree with minimal protection!

He suddenly unleashed his magic power!

"Haste!"

With a low shout!

The Mysterious Gold Law-Breaking Halberd at his waist transformed into a blinding golden light, swift as lightning. It didn't attack anyone but shot directly towards the roots of the Banana Tree!

Simultaneously!

Dao Xuan's figure darted out like a phantom!

The Blue Gauze Headband above his head flashed with light, his speed increasing dramatically!

His target was directly the Banana Tree!

"Not good!"

"Someone's trying to steal the treasure!"

Chi You and Li Feng sensed it almost at the same time!

Both were shocked and furious!

Forgetting their fight, Li Feng flapped his wings rapidly, stirring up demonic winds and rushing towards the golden light!

Chi You roared, and his stone axe flew off, transforming into a dark streak of light that smashed towards Dao Xuan's back!

However, it was too late!

How sharp was the Mysterious Gold Law-Breaking Halberd? And it was a surprise attack!

Swish!

The golden light flashed, and the spiritual soil at the base of the Banana Tree was instantly broken through!

The entire spiritual root was uprooted with a skillful maneuver!

At the same moment!

Dao Xuan arrived!

He waved his large sleeve!

"Collect!"

Sleeve Universe!

The Banana Tree, radiating a swirling treasure light, along with its four spiritual leaves, was instantly drawn into his sleeve!

The entire process was swift and sudden, faster than a rabbit's leap and quicker than lightning!

"How dare you, thief!"

"Leave the spiritual root!"

Chi You's eyes were about to split open! His stone axe missed its target and smashed into the ground, creating a massive crater!

Li Feng shrieked, his long halberd like lightning, stabbing towards Dao Xuan's face!

"Those who block me die!"

With the treasure secured, Dao Xuan's heart settled, and his courage surged!

Facing Li Feng's furious strike, he neither dodged nor retreated!

His right hand flipped!

Hum!

The Mysterious Yellow Qi surged!

The Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Merit Ruler was now in his hand!

Mysterious Yellow energy flowed across the ruler, and the Great Dao runes shimmered, unleashing an supreme aura of destruction that shattered all laws!

"Break!"

Dao Xuan swung the ruler!

There were no fancy moves, only pure power and the Dao rhyme of destruction!

A ruler shadow of condensed Mysterious Yellow, honed to the extreme, tore through space and, striking later but arriving first, met the bronze halberd!

Clang--!!!

A deafening metallic explosion!

Li Feng felt an irresistible, terrifying force, mixed with a Dao rhyme that destroyed everything, surge through his halberd!

Pfft!

He felt as if struck by lightning, spewing a mouthful of demonic blood!

The bronze halberd in his hand, of no small quality, shattered inch by inch!

His demonic body was sent flying like a torn sack, crashing heavily into the mountain wall, feathers scattering, countless bones broken!

"What?!"

Chi You watched, his liver and gallbladder splitting!

What kind of magical treasure was that ruler? How could it be so terrifying? It had heavily injured the Demon General Li Feng in one blow?

But his ferocity was completely ignited!

"Roar! Give me back my spiritual root!"

Ignoring his injuries, Chi You's killing aura erupted to the extreme. Like a savage beast from the Great Desolation, he attacked Dao Xuan with his bare fists, accompanied by the sound of air being torn apart, and punched towards Dao Xuan!

Where his fist wind passed, space itself slightly distorted!

"Stubborn fool!"

Dao Xuan snorted coldly.

The Mysterious Yellow Merit Ruler swung again!

This time, the ruler shadow was condensed, and the Mysterious Yellow Qi transformed into a sharp, unparalleled blade light!

Chiff!

Where the ruler light passed, space seemed to be sliced open!

Chi You's fist, which had condensed all his killing aura and strength, collided head-on with the Mysterious Yellow ruler light!

There was no earth-shattering roar.

Only a faint tearing sound.

Chi You's fist, harder than refined iron, along with half his arm, was cleanly severed by the Mysterious Yellow ruler light, as easily as a hot knife through butter!

At the severed limb, Mysterious Yellow Qi coiled, preventing flesh and blood from regenerating, and a Dao rhyme of destruction eroded the Primordial Spirit!

"Ah--!"

Chi You let out a piercing howl, his massive body staggering backward, his eyes filled with unbelievable terror!

"Leader!"

"Kill him!"

The remaining Witch Clan warriors and demon soldiers, seeing their leader instantly heavily injured, were shocked and enraged. They temporarily put aside their enmity and roared as they charged towards Dao Xuan!

"Hmph! Pathetic insects!"

A cold glint flashed in Dao Xuan's eyes.

He formed a hand seal with his left hand.

"Wind and Thunder! Rise!"

Hum!

The Wind and Thunder Pearl was unleashed!

Instantly, fierce winds howled, kicking up sand and stones!

Purple lightning, like dancing dragons and snakes, erupted from the pearl, covering dozens of feet in front of him!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Furious wind blades sliced, destructive lightning struck!

The Witch and Demon warriors who charged forward, with the highest cultivation only at the Golden Immortal level, how could they possibly resist the might of a Supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure?

Screams of agony rose one after another!

Witch Clan warriors were cut to bloody messes by the wind blades, scorched black and smoking from the lightning strikes!

The Demon soldiers were even more suppressed by the lightning, their demon bodies exploding, their demon souls annihilated!

In an instant, dozens of Witch and Demon warriors all turned into ashes!

In the field, only Chi You, severely wounded with a severed arm, and Li Feng, embedded in the mountain wall and barely clinging to life, remained.

"You... who exactly are you?!" Chi You clutched his severed arm, looking at Dao Xuan in utter terror.

Dao Xuan did not answer.

His gaze swept across the battlefield, his divine sense sensing several powerful Witch Clan auras deep within Buzhou Mountain that had been alerted and were rapidly approaching!

One of these auras, with blood essence like a blazing furnace and killing intent piercing the heavens, was clearly of the Great Witch level!

"This place is not suitable for lingering!"

Dao Xuan did not hesitate.

Without even glancing at Chi You and Li Feng, his figure transformed into a streak of light, heading towards Kunlun Mountain, fully activating his Evasion Technique!

The Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Merit Ruler broke through the obstacles ahead, and the Li Fire Feathered Sword beneath his feet transformed into a line of fire, his speed soaring to the absolute limit!

"Villain, don't run!"

A world-shaking roar echoed from deep within Buzhou Mountain!

The sound waves rolled, causing the surrounding mountains to reverberate!

A figure, as sturdy as a mountain, stepped on the earth, covering a thousand zhang with each stride, rapidly closing in with terrifying speed!

This person was several zhang tall, with a face like a ripe date, a bushy beard, and eyes like bronze bells.

He wore a helmet made from the skull of an unknown giant beast, clad in simple yet heavy bronze armor, and wielded a giant axe the size of a door panel.

His blood essence surged like smoke, and his killing intent condensed into a tangible armor. As he ran, the earth trembled; it was none other than the Great Witch Kuafu!

He sensed that Chi You's tribe had been attacked and their spiritual roots stolen, and he was filled with uncontrollable rage!

"Leave the spiritual roots! And I'll spare your life!"