Chapter 364: Taixu Wheel, The Change of the Jianmu Ancient Tree

Su Ping, who had been staying in a prefecture city a thousand miles away from the main peak of the Taixu Sect, emerged from the Pot Heaven after eating and drinking his fill.

The moment he came out, he sensed a great change in the world.

And after seeing the space crack that had torn through the sky.

A flash of surprise crossed his eyes.

From the message left by Tian Rulai within the space crack, Su Ping judged that this Evil Qi Tide was even stronger than anticipated.

Therefore, Tian Rulai had taken this opportunity to increase his investment, helping to tear open the World Barrier of the Canghao World and guiding a surge of Evil Qi power to bloom above the Taixu Sect on the Canghao Continent.

At the same time, after completing all these arrangements.

Tian Rulai discovered a slight anomaly.

The power of the Evil Qi, after entering the Canghao Continent, was actually being actively devoured and absorbed by a certain Secret Realm.

And the location of that Secret Realm happened to be in the vicinity of this Taixu Sect territory.

"Actively devouring Evil Qi?"

"It couldn't be that the Canghao Emperor is also learning from Chiyuan Xianren, could it?"

"Hmm, it doesn't look like it; the methods of a Great World are not something that Chiyuan Xianren of a Small World can compare to."

"Then, is it an arrangement of the Taixu Sect?"

Su Ping pondered for a while, then simply stopped thinking about it.

After watching the Golden Core cultivators in the prefecture city receive their Summoning Orders and fly into the sky in unison, following the Immortal Boat of the Taixu Sect into the high altitude.

Su Ping moved his body and left the prefecture city, entering the nearby mountain forest.

More than ten breaths later, a small team led by a Golden Core cultivator and composed mainly of Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivators suddenly appeared on the outskirts of the forest where Su Ping had vanished.

That Golden Core cultivator scanned the forest and immediately frowned slightly.

"The outsider just now was definitely a cultivator above the Foundation Establishment stage, deliberately hiding his aura just to avoid the summons."

"To hide in the suburbs in such a hurry, it is truly a disgrace to cultivators!"

The leading Golden Core cultivator was an Inner Sect Disciple from the Taixu Sect.

His cultivation was average, but he was the direct descendant of an Elder.

Because of this, he had obtained this wartime patrol mission.

He was able to avoid going to the front lines to fight when major events occurred.

Consequently, he deeply detested those Golden Core and above cultivators who did not have as good a background as him, yet still shirked their duties and refused to contribute to the great cause of the Canghao World.

If every cultivator avoided the summons like this.

Then who would be left to stop the Evil Spirit invasion?

And would their family foundations still be able to continue expanding?

According to the requirements, since he had discovered a suspected high-level cultivator evading the summons.

He should have gone to pursue them, or at the very least, used the Spirit Mirror to scan the other party to uncover their background so the imperial court could settle accounts later.

However, this Golden Core cultivator intuitively felt a sense of palpitation.

When he used the Spirit Treasure given to him by his Old Ancestor to investigate, he found that he could not detect any traces of the other party.

The Golden Core cultivator's expression changed slightly, and after spouting a few platitudes, he led his team to another location.

The other team members following him were also experts at reading the situation; otherwise, they would have been assigned to assist at the nodes of the prefecture city's Dharma Array at this time.

On the outskirts where the main peak of the Taixu Sect was located.

Su Ping arrived at a nearby mountain peak and saw the clouds and mist that never dispersed throughout the year.

Golden light flashed in his eyes:

"This mountain-protecting Dharma Array is at least at the Sixth Realm high-grade level."

"Although I can feel that this Taixu Sect has indeed declined, and the mountain-protecting Dharma Array has many places that are no longer seamless, it is clear they no longer have the ability to repair this array."

"However, even so."

"If I want to rely on breaking the array to sneak inside, with my current abilities, I'm afraid it would take a thousand years!"

"It seems that if I want to see the current situation of the Jianmu Ancient Tree."

"I still have to display a bit of my overbearing power?"

Su Ping took out the Heaven-Turning Seal and the Sun Moon Star Chart.

After sensing the ripples of Dharma Power generated by the fierce battle against Evil Spirits in the distant sky.

Su Ping took a deep breath.

In an instant.

The Heaven-Turning Seal suddenly transformed to the size of Mount Tai!

Then, with lightning speed, it smashed toward the main peak of the Taixu Sect!

The Heaven-Turning Seal did not actually strike the main peak.

Instead, it collided with the transparent light barrier generated by the mountain-protecting Dharma Array ten thousand meters away from the main peak.

While forming circles of violent ripples.

A series of explosions could be heard echoing all around.

Those were the auxiliary Dharma Array nodes that the Taixu Sect had deployed on the periphery of the main array.

Now, having reached their limits, they were exploding due to overload.

Woo!

The entire Dharma Array also let out a mournful cry.

And then, flaws inevitably appeared in the foundation of the array.

It was also at this moment, taking advantage of the Heaven-Turning Seal's aura obscuring the heavens.

A large number of mice and birds with absolutely no Dharma Power fluctuations, and even some spirit insects with a bit of Spirit Qi, entered the great Array.

Su Ping still had some confidence in whether these fellows could blend in.

The environment surrounding Zhu Feng of the Taixu Sect naturally already had these mice, birds, snakes, and insects.

Those with a bit of Spirit Qi might perhaps be noticed due to the high alert level.

As for the mundane ones without Spirit Qi.

They were truly not even worth a single glance.

This was a loophole brought about by an information gap; unless the opponent had a god's-eye view, he would eventually be able to get the few pieces he left behind into the interior of the great Array.

In this way, he would not have to smash the gate like this next time, but could directly teleport inside.

"Hehehe!"

Su Ping changed into a black robe, appeared above the Heaven-Turning Seal, and after letting out bursts of strange laughter.

He drove the Heaven-Turning Seal again, wanting to smash it a second time.

Seeing this scene, the Taixu Sect Cultivators left behind were all shocked and pale.

While scrambling to activate the various contingencies of the great Array, they also hurriedly moved to rescue.

And because of this, before Su Ping could make a move to smash down with the Heaven-Turning Seal.

In the distance, an Elder of the Taixu Sect transformed into a purple sword light and descended from the sky.

Inside the Taixu Sect, a disc-shaped divine weapon also flew out with a swoosh.

That disc-shaped divine weapon, which looked the size of a millstone, brought with it a circle of purple divine light the moment it appeared.

Su Ping took a look, and in his mind, he thought of what the storytellers had mentioned:

The divine weapon that suppresses the foundation of the Taixu Sect... the Taixu Wheel!

In the storybooks, this divine weapon was once a weapon used by the Taixu Immortal.

Su Ping had now seen it with his own eyes, and he confirmed this point.

It seems the storybooks guessed correctly in this regard.

This Taixu Wheel and the Heaven-Turning Seal in Su Ping's hand were at least on the same level.

They should both be divine weapons used by Great Abilitys above the Dao Integration realm.

Su Ping deliberately let the Heaven-Turning Seal collide with the Taixu Wheel flying up without reducing his momentum.

The loud noise and Space Fluctuation produced by the collision of the two divine weapons.

Formed the best cover.

Leaving the perception of all the Cultivators present with nothing but the fluctuations of these two divine weapons.

"Good divine weapon!"

Su Ping reached out his hand to retrieve the Heaven-Turning Seal, whose divine light had dimmed significantly after that last strike.

He took a deep look at the Taixu Wheel, which appeared to have no changes at all after the collision just now.

He immediately prepared to escape.

Seeming to see that this devil Su Ping wanted to leave.

That Elder who came driving the sword light could not help but seize the time to erupt with full strength, accelerating his speed as he rushed toward Su Ping.

Su Ping's goal had already been accomplished, and he had also witnessed the power of the Taixu Sect's divine weapon.

He had originally intended to leave.

Yet he discovered that the Taixu Sect Elder had actually broken away from the protection of the great Array and was rushing straight up at full speed.

Su Ping was slightly startled, then the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.

Then the Sun Moon Star Chart directly appeared in front of the opponent and unfolded with a swoosh!

Immediately!

That Elder plunged into the Array space formed by the Sun Moon Star Chart in an instant.

The Taixu Sect Disciples hiding behind the Taixu Wheel at Zhu Feng stared wide-eyed as they watched all this happen.

An Inner Sect Disciple said with a trembling voice:

"It's bad, Sword Elder has fallen into the opponent's Array space!"

"Do not panic, Sword Elder is our Taixu Sect's number one sword cultivator!"

"The Vice Sect Master and the others, as well as the experts from the imperial court, are all on their way; Sword Elder will definitely be able to hold on for such a short time!"

"Once the experts from all sides arrive, that devil will surely flee in a panic!"

A True Disciple left behind stood up; while speaking loudly to stabilize the morale, he truly thought so as well.

After all, although the Taixu Sect had declined, Sword Elder was at least a Great Ability at the Late Transformation Realm.

And he was a sword cultivator with powerful offensive strength.

Even if that devil was a Return to Void old monster, it would be impossible to take him down in a short while...

The True Disciple was only halfway through his words.

When he suddenly discovered that Sword Elder's aura had completely vanished.

After that, the black-robed devil let out a burst of earth-shaking hehehe strange laughter.

Before the other few powerful streams of light arrived, he fled and disappeared before everyone's eyes.

These incredulous Taixu Sect Disciples could not imagine what that Sword Elder had encountered.

That Sword Elder was indeed quite strong.

In addition to his life-bound Dharma Sword that had reached the level of a Spirit Treasure.

He also had eighteen top-grade Spirit Treasure spirit swords assisting him in forming a sword array for offense and defense.

None of the big shots under Su Ping's command could say they could take the opponent down in a one-on-one fight.

It's just that Su Ping wouldn't give the opponent a chance for a one-on-one duel.

As soon as Sword Elder entered the Array space.

Not only was he suppressed by the spiritual light of the Sun Moon Star Chart.

He also faced Su Ping's four Great Demon Emperors, as well as Mu Cangtian, the Nether Blood God Puppet, and the Emerald Heaven-Swallowing Tiger.

Plus, Su Ping took the initiative to guide Innate Gang Qi to form a hurricane for the first strike.

This Sword Elder didn't even last for a single breath.

He had his six senses sealed and was shoved directly into the Sun Moon Star Chart, becoming Su Ping's prisoner.

Not long after Su Ping disappeared.

The Vice Sect Master of the Taixu Sect arrived with over a dozen experts, appearing all at once outside the perimeter of Zhu Feng.

And upon learning that Sword Elder, who had the quickest temper, had sent himself away voluntarily.

His expression grew even gloomier.

He immediately took out a precious mirror.

After scanning it, this Vice Sect Master spoke:

"No Evil Qi?"

"Fellow Daoists, it seems it wasn't an Evil Cultivator fishing in troubled waters."

"It must be some other force that has set its sights on our Taixu Sect!"

Having said this, the Vice Sect Master looked at a golden-armored general beside him.

The general's expression was equally serious:

"Daoist, please rest assured, we will certainly report this matter to the Emperor."

"With the Emperor's protection, no one will be able to take away the foundation of the Taixu Sect!"

"It's just, I wonder if the Vice Sect Master has any clues?"

Hearing the golden-armored general's inquiry, the Vice Sect Master shook his head with an ugly expression.

The Taixu Sect had many enemies.

But it was extremely rare for any of them to possess that terrifying divine weapon from before.

Even after recalling the sect's records.

This Vice Sect Master was surprised to find that he had never seen that brick-like divine weapon.

This made him increasingly fearful.

Because such a situation often meant that those eyeing the Taixu Sect were not those sects of the same level still on the Canghao Continent.

But rather those top-tier major sects above the stars!

If those major sects, which were equivalent to the Emperor's partners, wanted the foundation of the Taixu Sect.

The Taixu Sect... was likely in danger!

Even on a hot day, the Vice Sect Master felt his hands and feet turn cold from these thoughts, and cold sweat broke out all over his body.

The Vice Sect Master no longer paid attention to the Space Crack in the sky.

After bidding farewell to the Daoists who had come to assist.

He hurried back to the depths of the sect to inform the Sect Master, who was still at the imperial center, of the matter and his own speculations all at once.

The Sect Master of the Taixu Sect was likewise quite surprised by this.

However, he had a deeper understanding of the outside world and knew that the current greatest consensus was to resist the suddenly strengthening Heavenly Demon and evil paths together.

It was unlikely they would come to trouble their already declining sect.

This Sect Master found the Emperor and then contacted those top-tier sects through the Emperor.

Thereby obtaining the news that this matter had nothing to do with them.

While this let the Sect Master breathe a sigh of relief.

It also caused the Taixu Sect to fall back into the eyes of these top Great Abilities of the Canghao World.

It just so happened that the drastic changes in the outside world during this period had greatly increased their sense of crisis.

Reminding them of the withered Jianmu Ancient Tree of the Taixu Sect.

And so.

When this legitimate Sect Master boarded an Immortal Boat to return to the Taixu Sect.

The Immortal Boat carried not only the Emperor's special envoy and a large number of elite guards.

But also True Disciples or highly respected Elders from the top-tier sects.

They entered the main peak of the Taixu Sect together and observed the weak and withered Jianmu Ancient Tree within the Taixu Cave Heaven.

"Eh?"

Seeing the pale ancient tree.

The True Disciple from the Qingyang Sect, who was also the most outstanding young male Cultivator among the younger generation of geniuses, suddenly raised an eyebrow and spoke in a low voice:

"Why is there so much Evil Qi gathered beneath this ancient tree?"

"As expected of the most brilliant genius of this generation, to actually be able to discover the Evil Qi under the tree."

The Vice Sect Master looked at the young Cultivator who had spoken and explained:

"Before the Taixu Sect declined, the sect's Old Ancestors discovered that although the divine tree had withered and lost its many miraculous powers, it could serve the special purpose of absorbing Evil Qi and hiding it beneath its roots."

"And the divine tree is a divine tree after all; although withered, it is not affected by the slightest bit of Evil Qi, merely condensing the Evil Qi to prevent it from dispersing and merging into the Void."

"That was during the time of the first Great Heavenly Demon Calamity, and the problem of Evil Qi had been troubling most sects."

"Especially on the Canghao Continent, where alchemists had already discovered that medicinal herbs were having problems, and the Pills refined would affect cultivation breakthroughs."

"Thus, for the sake of the entire Canghao Continent."

"After the Old Ancestors at the time discussed it, they decided to let our Taixu Sect suffer for a while first."

"They then set up an Array to guide the Evil Qi of the Canghao Continent into this Taixu Cave Heaven, and subsequently had that divine tree actively attract and suppress it beneath the ground."

"It is also because of this that the concentration of Evil Qi in the Canghao Continent has always been maintained at such a low level, ensuring that the path of cultivation would not become increasingly difficult..."

Speaking of this, the Vice Sect Master paused and did not continue.

The path before Return to Void is indeed the same as recorded in the past.

However, the path after Return to Void is countless times more difficult compared to ancient records.

Especially the method for breaking through to Dao Integration.

It is fraught with difficulties.

Within those top sects on the stars, there exist Great Abilities who attempt to refine entire stars to achieve Dao Integration.

It is just a pity that so many years have passed.

Every method has been exhausted.

Although the True Monarchs and Old Ancestors of each house have increased their strength and foundations significantly.

They ultimately cannot take that step of integrating the Dao into one, becoming the heaven and earth.

To become a true Dao Integration True Monarch, a Human Immortal!