Return to the Southern Wasteland

"Roar."

The Golden Egg raised its three Dragon Head and flicked its tail with considerable satisfaction.

After refining the Companion Beast Contract, its dragon body became even more slender, and its Dao Practice skyrocketed from 34,000 years to 39,999 years, just one step away from becoming Late-Stage Demon Venerable.

After that, it only needs to activate the Three Offices Furnace Profound Ability to absorb and refine the trunk of the Kongji Mother Tree to break through the Realm Barrier and naturally enter the Late-Stage Demon Venerable realm, catching up with Xuele in terms of realm.

At the same time, Iron Egg opened his eyes, and the illusory image of Yingze True Form deep in his pupils slowly disappeared. His aura became more and more stable, even slightly surpassing that of Golden Egg.

"Woof."

Iron Egg barked softly, indicating that it didn't need to take any elixirs; it only needed to devour some Heaven-and-Earth Divergent Flame as a True Form to Stimulate Bloodline and forcefully break through to the next realm. "Not bad."

Chen Beiwu gave a word of approval and looked at Zhiling, whose aura was constantly changing, sometimes rising and sometimes falling.

"You've only just attained the Dao of Demon Venerable and already entered the mid-stage realm. Your internal power is quite weak. There's no need to rush to improve your cultivation level," Chen Beiwu reminded him with his divine sense. For a fifth-realm Demon Venerable, cultivation level represents their realm, so naturally the higher the better, but one cannot ignore the foundation of their bloodline and true form.

To put it bluntly, if Zhiling focuses solely on cultivating her Dao Practice, she will fall into Lower Vehicle, which will be detrimental to her future cultivation.

"Boom!"

Upon hearing this, Zhiling immediately realized what was happening and stopped rushing to refine the immense Law Power fed back by the Companion Beast Contract. Instead, she focused her Essence, Qi, and Spirit on the True Form of the Inhalation-Exhalation Void Flower.

At that very moment, Zhiling's Dao Practice, which had surged to 39,999 years, suddenly stalled and then began to plummet rapidly.

39,000 years!!

38,000 years!!

37,000 years!!

As Chen Beiwu had predicted, although Zhiling's Dao Practice plummeted, the aura emanating from the little girl became increasingly refined, possessing a powerful and imposing presence.

However, no matter how much Zhiling refines her Dao Practice, there is ultimately a limit.

Ultimately, under Chen Beiwu's divine sense, Zhiling's cultivation level gradually stabilized at 35,000 years, and she then awakened two True Form Profound Powers: [Heavenly Harmony and Earthly Split].

[Void Flower as Emptiness]

After sensing the effects of the Great Profound Ability, a look of surprise flashed in Chen Beiwu's eyes.

The Bloodline of the Fifth-Realm Demon Venerable who walk the Void Great Dao are powerful, mysterious, and extremely rare.

Therefore, most Void Demon Venerable either don't appear, or when they do, they are basically able to dominate among those of the same realm and are hard to beat.

In Chen Beiwu's view, with the newly awakened Heavenly Inhalation and Earthly Exhalation and True Form Void Flower as Emptiness Profound Ability, Zhiling is fully capable of becoming a hexagonal warrior among the Fifth-Realm Demon Venerable, easily defeating Late-Stage Demon Venerable across realms, and even briefly Contention with Peak Demon Venerable across two minor realms.

"Eek."

Zhiling's figure blurred as she habitually landed on Chen Beiwu's shoulder, a long-lost hint of confidence flashing in her eyes.

She may be a bit weaker now and not a match for Beiwu, but she shouldn't be a burden in a fight.

As time passed, and the True Form of the Inhalation-Exhalation Void Flower within her body underwent further transformation, her Dao Practice reached the Late Demon Venerable Realm. Even when facing Peak Demon Venerable, she could attempt to kill him.

With this thought in mind, Zhiling couldn't help but look at Xuele, the most powerful Dao Practice in the team.

42000 years!!

44,000 years!!

46,000 years!!

Xuele possesses the Taiyi True Form, and the True Form 'Law Power within her body Chaos and unified. Unlike Zhiling, she doesn't need to deliberately suppress her Dao Practice and can freely increase her cultivation level.

However, the feedback from the Companion Beast Contract ultimately has its limits and cannot help Xuele increase his cultivation level indefinitely.

"Hey!"

When his Dao Practice surged to around 47,000 years, Xuele couldn't help but spread his little hand, indicating to Beiwu that he should share some more of the essence of the Kongji Mother Heart. "The little guy's quite greedy."

Chen Beiwu smiled and glanced at Golden Egg, Iron Egg, Xuele, and Zhiling.

After reaching the Spirit Transformation Peak, he awakened a brand-new Profound Ability through the Pure Source Wonderful Dao Path he created, named Dharma-Image Calamity Transformation. As the name suggests, this Profound Ability is an advanced explosive Profound Ability of the Myriad Spirits Calamity Transformation, and it is also an absolute killing move for Spirit Transformation.

Knowing the terrifying power of this Dharma-Form Profound Ability, Chen Beiwu had the confidence to wield the Heavenly Abyss Dragon-Suppressing Cauldron- Suppressing Cauldron and the Heaven-Illuminating Mirror, and contend with the Half-Step Void Refinement Contention of the Southern Wasteland.

"Huh?" (Should we go and tame the Heaven-Mending Eagle?)

Xuele said impatiently.

The Heavenly Abyss Dragon-Suppressing Cauldron should not be used casually, lest it alert any potential Void Refinement Dao Venerable within the Southern Wild Region.

However, if Beiwu can successfully Contract the Heaven-Mending Eagle, he can sweep through the Cultivation Magnate of the Southern Wasteland without using any Primordial Chaos Dao Artifact, easily suppressing and killing Zhen Yuanzi to avenge himself. "Roar!" (Perhaps we should first subdue the Manifestation Bow; that seems simpler!)

Golden Egg's eyes flashed, and he couldn't help but recall the Slaughter Treasure treasured in the Jade Purity Treasury, which was once among the Quasi-Dao Artifact.

Start with the easy tasks and move on to the difficult ones.

First, subdue the Manifestation Bow to gain the advantage of Slaughter Quasi-Dao Soldier, and it will be easier for Beiwu to form Contract with the Heaven-Mending Eagle.

Chen Beiwu smiled, showing no impatience whatsoever, unlike Golden Egg and Xuele.

After many years, he plans to first go to the Southern Wild Region to investigate the movements of the major cultivation forces before making a decision.

Southern Wild Region, Earth Evolution Realm.

Yuezhen City, the main hall of the city lord.

A beautiful Maiden, around sixteen years old, frowned slightly.

Since the Lord appeared and bestowed the Cold Origin Dragon Saber, the Mirror Moon Sect, which had been in turmoil, has regained stability.

However, the Cold Origin Dragon Saber left behind by the Lord could suppress the enemy for a time, but not forever.

Looking at the contents of the gold-embossed invitation in her hand, Shu You couldn't help but take a deep breath, feeling rather troubled.

What a magnificent All-Sects Alliance! What a magnificent Southern Heaven Alliance!

The ambitions of the two Spirit Transformation cultivators Eight Desolations Sect and the Heavenly Saint Sect, are blatantly obvious. They simply want to gain nominal power through the All-Sects Alliance, and then gradually dismantle and assimilate the major cultivation sects of the Southern Wasteland Wilderness. This is so that they can seize the initiative and gain a certain degree of influence after the collapse of the Heaven-Severing and Earth-Isolating Grand Formation. There's nothing new under the sky, and the leaders of the major Immortal Sects in the Southern Wasteland are not old-fashioned cultivators who have become foolish. Naturally, they can see through the intentions of the leaders of the Eight Desolations Sect and the Heavenly Saint Sect.

However, knowing this is one thing, but not all major cultivation sects in the Southern Wasteland can be like the Earth Evolution Realm Five Great Sects, with the Sect's foundation to suppress everything and not fear the threat of the Spirit Transformation Venerable.

In order to perpetuate their sects' lineage, some high-ranking members of major cultivation sects, even knowing the schemes of the two Nascent Soul sects, had no choice but to grit their teeth and form an alliance. The reason was simple: in a chaotic world where the Great Array of Heaven and Earth was about to collapse and the landscape of the Southern Wilderness was about to be reshaped, weak cultivation forces had no chance of survival if they did not choose to attach themselves to a power.

Under these circumstances, even if the high-ranking members of the major cultivation sects in the Southern Wasteland were unwilling, few cultivators dared to openly oppose the establishment of the Southern Heaven Alliance. "Fortunately, the Heavenly Craft Talisman Sect did not align itself with the Eight Desolations Sect and the Heavenly Saint Sect, and its attitude subtly leaned towards the Earth Evolution Realm Five Great Sects; otherwise, the All-Sects Alliance would probably have been a foregone conclusion long ago."

Shu You shook her head, her gaze lingering on the Firmament outside the hall, a figure gradually appearing in her mind.

She wondered where her Lord was now, wandering the mortal world or in seclusion, seeking Enlightenment. She was already at her breaking point!

If things are truly beyond her control, she can only follow the Four Diyan Sects, seal off her Mountain Gate, shun worldly affairs, and abandon the Spirit Vein and lands under the jurisdiction of her Sect.

The advantage of this approach is that it can avoid the series of upheavals that are about to erupt in the Southern Wild Region.

However, the downside is that the Sect's cultivation resources will decrease, and the sect may face a shortage of successors.

An hour later, Shu You's Divine Sense stirred, and she suddenly sensed a familiar aura.

She looked up and immediately stood up to bow.

"Greetings, my Lord."

Chen Beiwu reached out to support Shu You.

Every time they met, the latter would observe proper etiquette and bow respectfully, just as she had when she was a little maid, not as the acting Sect Master in charge of the seven branches of the Mirror Moon Sect. "Please sit, my Lord."

Shu You stepped aside, and her soft hands naturally wrapped around Chen Beiwu's shoulders.

"What's the situation in the Southern Wild Region? Has the Sect's foundation been awakened in recent years?" Chen Beiwu went straight to the point.

Compared to the possible Half-Step Void Refinement cultivators within the Southern Wild Region, Chen Beiwu was more concerned about whether there were any unusual developments in the Sect's foundation, [Heavenly One Northern Nether Mirror]. Upon Chen Beiwu's inquiry, Shu You immediately spoke softly about the situation within the Southern Wild Region.

"The Eight Desolations True Venerable and the Heavenly Saint True Venerable fought several times to a draw, and then began to actively promote the previously shelved All-Sects Alliance..." "The day of the alliance meeting is set for next month, the second day of the second month."

"After the alliance concludes, all sects, Lineage, and cultivators not affiliated with the Southern Heaven Alliance will be considered unscrupulous Rogue Cultivator, forbidden from possessing Spirit Vein territories or establishing their own sects and accepting disciples..."

As Chen Beiwu listened, he suddenly felt something was amiss.

Even he knew that the Southern Wild Region was home to many ancient immortals who had secluded themselves since High Antiquity times, clinging to life until now, and desiring to live another lifetime.

He didn't believe that the Eight Desolations Sect and the Heavenly Saint Sect Spirit Transformation Venerable were unaware of this secret.

So here's the question!

Knowing full well that the patriarchs of the major Immortal Sects in the Southern Wasteland might still be alive, merely hiding in the shadows, why would the Eight Desolations True Venerable and the Heavenly Saint True Venerable go to such lengths, forcibly pushing for the All-Sects Alliance and needlessly offending so many cultivators in the Southern Wasteland?

"Do these two Spirit Transformation Venerable have other plans, or is the alliance beneficial to those self-proclaimed old immortals?" Chen Beiwu's mind raced with thoughts. There were too few clues for him to make a judgment.

But one thing is certain: the All-Sects Alliance to establish the Southern Heaven Alliance may seem to benefit the Eight Desolations Sect and the Heavenly Saint Sect, but in reality, it suits Chen Beiwu's wishes better. "Who do you think should sit in this position of Alliance Leader?" Chen Beiwu asked with great interest.

Shu You was slightly taken aback.

How could the Eight Desolations True Venerable and the Heavenly Saint True Venerable possibly waste their time and energy to give away the fruits of their labor to others?

Therefore, the answer to this question is obvious and requires no further thought.

However, Shu You knew her Lord's personality quite well and knew that there must be a reason why her Lord asked such a simple question so casually.

"I believe that neither the Eight Desolations True Venerable nor the Heavenly Saint True Venerable are qualified to vie for the position of Alliance Leader. Only our Lord is qualified to ascend to the position of Southern Heaven Alliance Leader," Shu You said admiringly.

"You understand me best." Chen Beiwu.

If you do not take what Heaven offers, you will suffer the consequences.

In Chen Beiwu's view, becoming the Southern Heaven Alliance Leader was not much different from unifying the Southern Wild Region, and was even simpler and more efficient.

The reason is simple: what he needs is fame and power, that is, the Status in a region, not the barrenness of a region's resources.

Upon hearing this, Shu You felt a sense of relief.

She knew that her Lord never did anything without being certain of success.

The fact that our Lord dares to appoint the Southern Heaven Alliance Leader shows that the Eight Desolations True Venerable and the Heavenly Saint True Venerable are not to be feared.

"My Lord, could it be that you have already reached the Spirit Transformation Mid-Stage?" Shu You asked with burning eyes.

Chen Beiwu smiled without saying a word.

If he only possessed the cultivation of the Spirit Transformation Mid-Stage, even if he could suppress the Eight Desolations True Venerable and the Heavenly Saint True Venerable, he wouldn't be able to suppress the old immortals hidden within the Southern Wild Region. Seeing the Lord's smile, Shu You immediately had a clear answer in her heart.

Over the years, she has read many Ancient Texts Sect and knows that the cultivation of Spirit Transformation Venerable is inherently slow, often requiring thousands of years to make any progress. This was in the High Antiquity times Creation Dao Resonance.

The Southern Wild Region is extremely barren now, and it is almost impossible for Spirit Transformation Venerable to improve their cultivation level.

However, Lord an unparalleled Heavenly Prodigy, he is naturally able to break the conventional rules of cultivation and enter the Spirit Transformation Mid-Stage in a short period of time.

"My Lord, do you mean to accept the invitation?" Shu You spoke up at the opportune moment.

Chen Beiwu nodded and casually picked up the invitation.

On the second day of the second lunar month, the dragon raises its head.

This date was well chosen.

But before ascending to the Southern Wild Region and becoming the Southern Heaven Alliance Leader, there was one more thing he needed to deal with.

Chen Beiwu then looked up towards the Profound Evolution Realm, took a step, and his figure vanished like ripples in the Void.

Southern Wasteland, Profound Evolution Realm.

Deep within the core forbidden area of Guixu Mountain.

A giant coffin was buried beneath a key node of the Ancestral Dragon Vein, enjoying the nourishment of the Heaven and Earth Spirit Vigor.

Suddenly, the giant coffin trembled slightly, startling the old Daoist priest inside, who instinctively Hand Seals to divine the future.

"How strange! How bizarre!"

Zhen Yuanzi frowned, a vague unease creeping into his heart.

Ordinary cultivators may make mistakes in their perception, but the Spiritual Perception perception of Cultivation Magnate is almost impossible to be wrong.

"Is it the Star-Lifting Old Monster, or the Sole Gu True Venerable?" Zhen Yuanzi's expression darkened slightly, his mind racing with thoughts.

Within the Southern Wild Region, there are very few powerful individuals who can threaten the lives of Cultivation Magnate.

Zhen Yuanzi searched through all the memories in his mind, constantly filtering and eliminating, and finally locked onto the two mortal enemies, Star-Lifting Old Monster and Sole Gu True Venerable. Star-Lifting Old Monster was Half-Step Void Refinement cultivator from the High Antiquity immortal cultivation sect, Profound Ability Star-Pointing Sect. He possessed extremely powerful profound abilities and could easily suppress Cultivation Magnate. He was a rigid and extremely dangerous person.

The Sole Gu True Venerable comes from the High Antiquity immortal cultivation sect Gu God Sect.

Although he only possesses the cultivation Cultivation Magnate, he is ruthless and cunning. The supreme treasure of the Gu God Sect that he holds is even more unpredictable and unparalleled in Slaughter. "Although I had a grudge against the Star-Lifting Old Monster back then, it can't be considered a deadly enmity. On the contrary, the Sole Gu True Venerable Taotie vengeful and needs to be careful." Zhen Yuanzi's eyes narrowed slightly, and the Hand Seal in his hands changed wildly.

As for activating Profound Ability to escape? That's impossible!

The Spiritual Perception perception of Cultivation Magnate is extremely accurate, but it is only a mysterious kind of foresight, somewhat similar to the Cause and Effect that powerful individuals can manipulate at will. Those with sufficiently strong cultivation can completely rely on their Spiritual Perception to issue warnings, anticipate their enemies, and turn danger into safety.

Conversely, if someone with weak cultivation chooses to flee blindly because of a warning from their Spiritual Perception, they will most likely meet their demise.

Zhen Yuanzi did not consider himself weak, especially in his lair where he had set up numerous Formation Arts Restriction.

Here, even if Half-Step Void Refinement cultivator were to descend, he would still have the strength to fight back and would not end up dying.

"Buzz!"

"Buzz!"

"Buzz!"

As the long-sealed Creation arrays were activated, Zhen Yuanzi felt a pang of heartache, but also a surge of strong confidence.

Under such Heaven-and-Earth Net, unless Void Refinement intervenes, who can take his life?