The Four Regions Are in Danger! A Peaceful Haven

A month later, during the season of lingering autumn rains, the sky was like a dark cloak covering the roof of the Longevity Sect building. The mountain path was full of mud, mixed with foamy streams that licked at the tree roots along the path and meandered down the ditch.

The Longevity Incense, wafted from the incense burner in the square in the Longevity Hall on Longevity Peak, mingling with the rain and mist.

Inside the incense burner, one of the incense sticks was broken, creating a solemn atmosphere.

Now indeed, the Longevity Sect has reached its most critical moment.

This is arguably the most critical moment in the entire Southeast Two Regions.

In just one month, the battles among Nascent Soul in the four Inner Domain were fierce. Following the tragic attack on Second Ancestor Longevity Jiang Jian by Ling Tian Sword Venerable a month ago, Nascent Soul Ancestor Wu Shengyun of the Five Elements Escape Sect also suffered severe injuries.

Subsequently, Nascent Soul Ancestor from both the Dragon Transformation Sect and the Flowing Oriole Sect were ambushed and faced numerous perilous situations.

Although some Nascent Soul Ancestor from the Blood Fiend Sect and the Moon Devil Sect were injured in the battle among the Devil Cultivator of the Western Regions, the Southeast Two Regions were still at a disadvantage in terms of the number of injured.

The fact that the Nascent Soul Cultivator from the four regions have fought to this extent seems to foreshadow that the final battle at the Spirit Transformation level is about to erupt.

Inside the Longevity Hall, the five Golden Core elders of the Longevity Sect gathered together with the Third Ancestor, Su Yanyan, to discuss the sect's next steps and development strategies.

Su Yan Yan listened to the suggestions offered by the group, nodded slightly, looked around, and calmly said, "While you should not be too pessimistic, you should not be too optimistic either."

Judging from the current situation, the Five Elements Sword Lord of the Northern Region, the Heavenly Crystal Dao Lord, and the Heavenly Demon of the Western Region have all tested our strengths and weaknesses. In the next round of attacks by the organizations of the Northwest Regions, these three Spirit Transmutation Dao Lords will likely make their move."

Everyone felt a chill run down their spines upon hearing this. Guan Chao, steeling himself, solemnly asked, "Third Martial Uncle, what about the First Ancestor?"

This is a rather taboo topic, and almost no one dares to mention it these days, simply because it concerns the sect's top secret regarding the ancestor's injuries, a matter of particular concern to the enemy forces.

Zhu Guangbiao's betrayal some time ago led to a special and sensitive atmosphere within the sect, resulting in Zhu Guangbiao being imprisoned in the sect's restrictive array and having his Longevity Incense cut off.

The other Golden Core Elder in the sect also took this as a warning and remained silent, rarely inquiring about matters involving sect secrets, simply to avoid suspicion.

Su Yan Yan shook her head and said, "No one except the First Ancestor knows the specifics of the First Ancestor's injuries."

However, according to reliable information obtained by the Dragon Transformation Sect, the Five Elements Sword Lord visited the Vajra Putuo Gate half a month ago to discuss swordsmanship and preach, and left safely afterwards, leaving the Vajra Putuo Gate in peace.

Upon hearing this news from the Third Ancestor, everyone's expressions changed, sensing something was amiss.

When facing war, the Buddha Venerable Putuo of the Vajra Putuo Gate always maintained a detached attitude. Even when the Spirit Transformation Ancestor of the Shu Sword Pavilion came to visit, he was turned away.

The fact that the Five Elements Sword Lord was allowed to enter the Putuo Buddhist Temple and then leave unharmed reveals a rather intriguing attitude.

At such a sensitive time, if this news were to spread, it would severely damage the morale of the sects in the Northeast region.

"Seeking help from Buddha is not as good as relying on oneself. These monks stay at home and stand idly by during times of chaos, but come out in times of peace, using the slogan of compassion to gather followers. The past thousand years have already witnessed this."

Ran Yiqiang sighed and shook his head, saying with a sense of melancholy, "Back in the heyday of my Longevity Sect, there were twenty-eight Golden Core cultivators. Now, including Junior Brother Qiu, Junior Brother Cheng, and His Your Highness Daozi, only eight remain."

"This is truly the most critical moment for our Longevity Sect. Grandmaster Su, has His Your Highness Daozi made good progress in preparing for his escape route?"

This statement immediately attracted everyone's attention.

The Longevity Dao Child Chen Dengming has been away from the sect for some time now.

Although only Elder Ran among the group roughly understood Chen Dengming's mission, the other elders were all astute enough to guess some of the situation.

Upon hearing this, Su Yan Yan frowned, and for the first time, a hint of relief appeared on her exquisitely calm face. She nodded in agreement.

"My Nephew Disciple Chen contacted me about two weeks ago. He has achieved some initial success, and I'm considering whether to send one of you with a group of disciples to go there first."

At the banks of the Ming River, the mighty river surges and crashes against the mountain cliffs.

On the mountainside, in a cave that had been temporarily dug out, Chen Dengming listened to the sound of the waves outside while maintaining close contact with his clone, who was thousands of kilometers away.

Since the last attack by the Senluo Offspring, Chen Dengming had been waiting outside the Fallen Forbidden Zone for nearly half a month.

Only after Senluo Offspring left did they send out a new clone to explore the secret passage.

It is unclear whether it was because the commotion caused by the Senluo Offspring was too great, but the secret passage remained unobstructed thereafter.

Let alone ghost generals, even ordinary ghosts are hard to encounter.

Following the map's guidance, the clone explored deeper into the area, encountering only minor trouble near the map's edge.

However, under Chen Dengming's continuous troop-bursting tactics, clones rushed towards the secret passage one after another, and the minor troubles along the way were quickly resolved.

By now, almost the entire secret passage has been explored to its end.

"Barring any unforeseen circumstances, today will be the day my clone officially crosses the Fallen Forbidden Zone and leaves the Four Realms."

Chen Dengming examined the map in his hand, following the clues to the location of his clone on the map's route. The suppressed feelings he had been experiencing for many days finally eased at this moment.

It can be clearly seen that the secret passage explored by the sect is a green line.

The small red dot representing the clone is already at the end of the green line. In a few hundred kilometers, it will completely exit this secret route.

Thinking that it had taken more than a month to explore the secret passage and basically eliminate the danger, Chen Dengming felt relaxed but also quite depressed.

He had learned of the setbacks in the Southeast Region war over the past month through his communication with the sect. Considering the pros and cons, he had a vague feeling that something was seriously wrong.

Even though the First Ancestor had recovered from his injuries by taking advantage of the Heavenly Timing, Qu Shenzong had not yet returned, and the Buddha Venerable Putuo remained aloof from worldly affairs.

Once the battle of Spirit Transformation begins, the Southeast Two Regions will likely suffer losses, and the battle lines will collapse completely due to the defeat of such high-end combat power.

He originally thought he would have about one or two years to select a suitable blessed land for his sect.

But now he felt the fire was about to reach his eyebrows, and he had only just begun to explore and ensure the safety of the secret passage, which made him feel quite ashamed.

"We need to speed things up."

Chen Dengming stood up, made a hand seal, and condensed two more Heavenly Immortal Clone. He dispatched them to the secret passage, following closely behind the first clone, to cooperate in the expansion plan of the new map.

The advantages of clones in exploring new maps are now fully apparent.

Except when faced with particularly troublesome situations like the Ghost General, where he is outmatched, he can usually complete tasks perfectly, even more safely and efficiently than if Chen Dengming did it himself.

After condensing two clones, Chen Dengming also felt Mental Strength. After taking a Heart Mending Pill, he still felt quite uneasy, which startled him and made him feel a little strange.

"Could something have happened to Ling'er?"

He frowned and pondered for a moment, then turned and walked into the cave.

Seeing the Little Array Spirit's delicate, luminous body lying quietly on the bed made of Soul Flower, its breath steady and its Soul Power slowly increasing, it seemed that there was no problem with its breakthrough, so I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

During the past month, while exploring the secret passage, the clone also harvested a considerable amount of precious ghost-path Spiritual Material, such as Soul Flower. This provided the Little Array Spirit with ample Spiritual Material for its further breakthrough.

"Since it wasn't Ling'er who was in trouble, why do I feel uneasy? Could something have happened in the secret passage?"

Chen Dengming activated the Formation to protect and cover the cave, and then took out the Heart-Illuminating Mirror of Shattering Delusions to look at his reflection.

He now appeared as a tall, imposing man, with a gleaming bronze complexion, a rugged and unyielding face, and a thick black mustache, exuding a rugged masculine charm. He seemed like a completely different person, no longer the renowned Chen Baimao.

He leaped out of the cave, using his Heavenly Eye to observe the situation on the other side of the Fallen Forbidden Zone.

"Such keen insight! Who is this person? The figures that just flew out of his cave all possessed powerful auras and flew at such high speeds that they were impossible to see clearly."

In the nearby water and grass, several figures quickly crouched down and concealed themselves, observing from afar the figure that floated silently in the air, emitting a faint light, their minds filled with awe.

The moment the person's gaze, filled with an eerie blue light, swept over him, a terrifying, trembling feeling of being discovered washed over him.

"I don't recognize him. I've never seen this face before; he's probably deliberately disguising himself."

"Be careful! Quickly report this person's information to the elders, no, directly to the patriarch. I feel this person is not simple; he might be a variable who will ruin our plans."

Several people hiding in the water and grass quickly communicated Divine Sense.

However, in the next instant, a chilling feeling rose in their hearts and spread throughout their bodies, as if they were being watched, and their scalps tingled.

"Oh no! Run!"

The three set off simultaneously, scattering to escape. One of them suddenly unleashed the power of a fake core, summoning a large black banner and releasing countless yin spirits that roared and surged towards the rear, intercepting them while simultaneously creating confusion.

However, in the next instant, the dense army of Yin spirits was torn apart by a blinding Golden Light, as bright as a small sun.

A fierce wind, accompanied by immense pressure, swept in.

"Golden Core!"

The three men's expressions changed drastically.

The False Core Cultivator was about to vanish like a ghost, but in an instant, a gust of wind rushed towards him, and a flash of light arrived in an instant.

With a "click"!

His head was instantly pierced by the massive, broadsword tip, and exploded like a watermelon under the powerful impact, splattering Flesh and Blood everywhere.

One fake pill was killed in a single encounter.

The other two were so terrified they nearly lost their souls, each trying to save their lives, with one of them screaming for mercy.

"Senior, spare our lives! Don't you want to know why we did this?"

Whoosh!

Two beams of Golden Light shot out from Chen Dengming's eyes, enveloping the two men respectively.

The two men instantly stiffened, their bodies rapidly turning metallic, and crashed to the ground with a 'thud' like two metal statues.

The ground trembled slightly, sending pebbles flying and dust billowing into the air.

Chen Dengming suddenly summoned the Soul Guiding Banner, and with swift movements, skillfully captured the souls of the three people into the Soul Guiding Banner amidst the blank stares of the floating fake souls.

"Even if I kill you and interrogate your souls, I can still find out your intentions. This is a common tactic of your Soul Devouring Sect."

Chen Dengming smiled calmly and asked the leading False Core Cultivator, "Speak, how come your Soul Devouring Sect has reappeared here? Are you still not giving up on Border Town?"

Although he smiled calmly and asked questions in a composed manner, his heart was already on edge as he vigilantly observed his surroundings, secretly guarding against any potential experts from the Soul Devouring Sect.

"You... you must be Chen Baimao?"

The Soul Devouring Sect's fake core cultivator trembled, stammering as he asked, feeling that the person opposite him had terrifying eyes, shining like two small lanterns, giving off a terrifying and intimidating aura.

"Um?"

Chen Dengming narrowed his eyes. "What makes you say that?"

The fake Golden Core cultivator from the Soul Devouring Sect said nervously, "Besides cultivators from my Soul Devouring Sect, very few cultivators use the Soul Guiding Banner, especially Golden Core Great Cultivator of your strength. Moreover, the Soul Guiding Banner you are using should belong to He Li of my sect. I used to have a very close relationship with Senior Brother He."

Besides, the few people who flew out of your cave abode just now were all the same size as you. I only realized this now that I saw you. What a pity, what a pity.

As he spoke, he shook his head in deep regret. If he had realized earlier that it was the Longevity Dao Child here, he would never have dared to linger for even a moment longer.

"I see."

Chen Dengming suddenly realized that this person was also very observant, but unfortunately, he was an enemy and not a friend. He would not let this person go and would have to prepare a proper interrogation, otherwise, with this kind of mind, it would not be easy to pry his mouth open.

After half a cup of tea.

Chen Dengming extracted the information he wanted to know, and the souls of the several Soul Devouring Sect cultivators were already on the verge of collapse from the torture.

"These people are just advance scouts from the Soul Devouring Sect."

After destroying several divine souls and putting them into the Spirit Subduing Bottle, Chen Dengming quickly cleaned up the Battlefield. Then, he took out Sound Transmission Jade Talisman and used wartime communication to notify the allied cultivators stationed at the Border Town of this critical information.

After the news spread, he did not hesitate any longer. With a heavy heart, he returned to the cave, quickly put the Little Array Spirit, which was still in a dormant state, into the Soul House, and then immediately removed the Formation and left.

Through the confession of the Soul Devouring Sect cultivators, he learned that the Soul Devouring Sect Soul Devouring Ancestor was about to make a comeback and forcibly occupy the Border Town.

This time, it will be very difficult for any force in the eastern and southern regions to stop them from seizing the Border Town.

This is because all the major sects are already preoccupied with their own problems, and the Heavenly Demon and the Five Elements Sword Lord could make their move at any moment.

In the Eastern and Southern Regions, not to mention sects without Spirit Transformation cultivators, even sects like the Longevity Sect, which has Spirit Transformation cultivators in charge, are already looking for a way out.

Aside from the Shu Sword Pavilion and the Five Elements Escape Sect, what other force would be willing to stand out at this critical juncture and try to stop the Soul Devouring Ancestor, Nascent Soul Late Stage?

However, even these two factions, given the current dire situation, are unlikely to take any rash actions.

Therefore, the Border Town was bound to be lost. Chen Dengming now only hoped that the leader of the allied cultivators guarding the Border Town would not make a foolish mistake and would preferably lead his team away quickly.

As for anything else, at this point, he can no longer offer any assistance; war is never a time for individual heroism.

"Let's hide first, avoid the attention of the Soul Devouring Ancestor, and observe the situation. Fortunately, today my clone will completely leave the Four Domains through the secret passage."

Chen Dengming sped along, disappearing into the Fallen Forbidden Zone to hide.

Half an hour later.

At the end of the secret passage in the Fallen Forbidden Zone, a faint blue mist drifted around.

The surrounding forest gradually became sparse.

Chen Dengming's clone had already sensed the scent of the sea and faintly heard sounds in the distance like ocean waves.

Chen Dengming, connected to his mind and body, felt a slight joy, knowing that his efforts over the past month had finally paid off.

Suddenly, the clone stopped in its tracks, its eyes alertly fixed on the silhouettes of several dark figures emerging from the light mist.

Upon closer inspection, one could see several figures dressed in Daoist robes and with their hair tied in topknots, standing frozen in the light mist. Around them, there were many broken arms, heads, and other corpses that had solidified into black crystalline remains.

"All three are either Pseudo-Core Formation cultivators or even Golden Core Cultivator."

Chen Dengming's clone's expression changed slightly as he looked at the several intact black cultivator sculptures that exuded a faint aura of power.

These people had clearly provoked Senra, and they seemed to have only been dead for a short time, as there were still craters left on the ground from the impact.

Over time, these pits and scars will inevitably be covered up.

Chen Dengming's expression turned strange upon seeing this.

Last time he lured out the Senluo Offspring. Could it be that these people also happened to enter the Fallen Forbidden Zone at that time and took the blame for him?

With a thought, Chen Dengming controlled his clone to go forward and loot the corpse.

However, both the Physical Body and clothing of these corpses had been solidified into crystals by the strange power of the Senluo Offspring, and the items on their bodies could not be pried off, making it impossible to determine their identities.

"They should all be cultivators from beyond the realm. Let's keep their bodies for now. If we happen to run into their fellow disciples in the future, we can inform them; it would be a good deed."

Chen Dengming thought to himself that he did not forcibly disturb the bodies of these people.

Another hour passed, Chen Dengming's other two Heavenly Immortal Clone also broke through the mist and arrived.

With their three clones gathered, Chen Dengming, with a thought in the distance, quickly headed towards the direction from which the sound of the waves was coming.

At the same time.

Within the Border Town, everyone lived in fear.

Many spiritual lights flew out of the city, mixed with several spirit boats carrying many cultivators, hastily flew to the outside of the city walls, and hurriedly left.

Some cultivators remained in the city, unwilling to leave. After the city's protective array was activated, it gradually rose, resembling an inverted bowl protecting the entire city.

On the plains outside the Border Town, dark clouds surged in, polluting the once clear sky and gradually obscuring most of the sunset's rays, making it get dark even faster.

Where the sky Ming River, dense, dark clouds filled the sky, emitting sounds like the wailing of ghosts and wolves.

Upon closer inspection, those were not dark clouds at all, but rather a dense army of tens of thousands of ghostly spirits, like locusts.

Eight giant spirit ships, their Spirit Shield, appeared on the horizon of the Ming River.

Inside the menacing giant Soul Guiding Banner banners on the spirit boat, countless vengeful spirits formed evil ghost faces, inspiring fear in all who beheld them.

The main Soul Devouring Sect's siege army finally appeared at this moment.

An uproar arose throughout the Border Town.

Seeing that the Soul Devouring Sect had actually appeared so quickly, and with such an astonishing display, countless onlookers felt their throats parched and their hearts gripped with tension.

"This is troublesome! The Border Town is really going to be lost this time. Does this mean they're cutting off the Longevity Sect's escape route? Even if I want to leave with my people in the future, I'll have to get rid of the Soul Devouring Sect's spies and blockade first."

Chen Dengming used his Heavenly Eye to secretly and closely monitor the massive army of the Soul Devouring Sect cultivators that was charging towards them. His brows furrowed, and he felt a sense of unease.

The Western Region Devil Cultivator' move was tantamount to annihilating a dragon and ensuring its demise.

He observed for a while and saw a figure of an old man in black flying out of the Soul Devouring Sect. His spiritual power was astonishing, and he flew towards the vicinity of the cave he had been in before. His heart tightened.

"The Soul Devouring Ancestor!"

He quickly got up and continued deeper into the Fallen Forbidden Zone's secret passage.

At this moment, the three clones had completely emerged from the area of the light mist and saw a bay that resembled a bent elbow.

The distant mountains, the nearby coconut groves and beaches, all appear as distinct silhouettes in the setting sun.

On the beach, countless seashells of all shapes and sizes shimmer in the gentle waves as the tide rises and falls.

This was the first time Chen Dengming had ever seen the ocean in the Cultivation World, even through the perspective of his clone.

Even though what they saw at this moment was just a small bay, they felt that this tranquil bay could provide refuge from the raging storms from the Soul Devouring Sect and the Northwest Regions, and they felt a sense of relief as if they had finally found a safe haven after a long and arduous journey.

However, at that moment, the flashing spiritual light and overwhelming pressure from the distant mountains immediately alerted him.

I'm back from out of province today. I'll add an extra chapter tomorrow without any extra pay. Please vote with my monthly tickets!