Chapter 383: Earth Spirit (4k)

Tongshan Dao Tong, Ancestral Hall

At this moment, Zhang Jian held a beast-skin manuscript in his hands, the text on the beast-skin entirely in ancient bronze script.

These ancient bronze scripts resembled tadpoles, fully displaying the rhythm of the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth, each character slightly twisted and transformed, as if capable of manifesting a technique that would blast forth.

When a line of characters was practiced into a single thread, it resembled a set of combined techniques.

For Zhang Jian, reading such notes was a supreme spiritual enjoyment, from which he could learn much knowledge.

Whether it was the ancient sage-kings' understanding of the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth, or their application of it, both opened his eyes greatly.

Not to mention the original content on the beast-skin book.

"I never imagined the Nine-Colored Vital Earth could be used like this..."

At this moment, reading carefully, Zhang Jian sighed with some emotion.

He directly refined the Nine-Colored Vital Earth into the State and Earth Emperor's Primordial Spirit, taking it as a tonic; although it retained the Nine-Colored Vital Earth's core ability, it still wasted much efficacy.

Within it are many methods that, while preserving the core efficacy, can also produce many additional effects.

For example, it can be integrated into the Blessed Land method, allowing one's Blessed Land to advance, and during the process, further deepen and strengthen a portion of the Nine-Colored Vital Earth's earthly authority.

Or establish an Earth Altar, which can allow oneself to connect more closely with the Nine-Colored Vital Earth and the earthly laws, prolonging the time of the first contact with the earthly Dao traces within the Vital Earth.

Zhang Jian's expression held a hint of regret.

However, another part of the application of earthly laws left by Ancestor King Yu greatly benefited Zhang Jian.

There is no doubt that after Ancestor King Yu obtained the Nine-Colored Vital Earth, he also once gained a portion of earthly authority.

It's just that Ancestor King Yu's cultivation primarily followed the《Nine Qi Nurturing Yuan True Classic》, condensing a water-attribute Yin Emperor Primordial Spirit, ultimately achieving the position of Water Official Emperor among the Three Yuan.

……

Zhang Jian did not linger long in the Ancestral Hall; after the succession ceremony of the third patriarch of Tongshan Dao Tong, the Floating Daoist, concluded, he prepared to return to Daxia, to continue focusing on completing the《Map of Mountains, Rivers, and the State》and the《Human King Classic》.

Having just completed the authority of the State and Earth Emperor, Zhang Jian's most urgent wish was to fully enhance the strength of the State and Earth Emperor.

However, upon learning that Zhang Jian was preparing to depart, the Slay Demon True Monarch summoned him over.

In Slay Demon Peak, yet seeing the Slay Demon True Monarch with a solemn countenance, raising his hand, a stream of light shot out, instantly manifesting a map.

At the center of the map, a red dot appeared.

The Slay Demon True Monarch pointed again, and the red dot was drawn closer, revealing within a terrifying scene: countless red lights flowing forth from the depths of the void, crimson light like wildfire spreading, these flames born from deep within the earth, wherever the firelight passed, countless living beings had their vitality swallowed.

Even to the point of cities turning into barren lands devoid of life.

"Master, what is this?"

Just a glance, and Zhang Jian immediately furrowed his brows.

The Slay Demon True Monarch spoke with a solemn visage.

"The Power of the Drought God!"

"The Hanba?"

Zhang Jian's pupils constricted slightly.

The Hanba is a myth among the corpse race.

Once such a monster is born, a thousand li of red earth.

Every time a Hanba is born, it is a heavenly disaster for the living beings between Heaven and Earth.

Ten or so years ago, it was said that a Hanba was born within the territory of Great Qian; for this, the Yin-Erosion True Person chased and killed it for two years, originally intending to seize the moment when its Hanba body was first formed to eliminate it, to cut off future troubles.

But the Yin-Erosion True Person merely wounded the Hanba, failing to fully accomplish the task; instead, because he was restrained by the Hanba for two years, the defenses of Haojing City developed loopholes, which were exploited by others.

Zhang Jian's thoughts turned.

It seems this must be that Hanba which fled from Great Qian.

After ten or so years of recuperation, it not only recovered from its injuries, but its ferocity became even fiercer.

"Master, do you want me to take action?"

Zhang Jian looked toward the Slay Demon True Monarch, nearly understanding the Slay Demon True Monarch's intention.

The Slay Demon True Monarch nodded slightly.

"The place where this Hanba wreaks havoc is the territory of a sect called Qianlong Sect; Qianlong Sect has already dispatched several Yuan Spirit True Persons one after another to investigate, but upon reaching the vicinity of Gaolu City, these True Persons saw the Hanba vanish without a trace; however, after they left, the Hanba would emerge again to continue draining the essence and blood of living beings; after three such occurrences, this Hanba has grown stronger and stronger; Qianlong Sect fears causing a disaster, and thus they wish to request cultivators from our Tongshan Dao Tong to take action..."

Zhang Jian raised his eyebrow.

The Slay Demon True Monarch added: "Qianlong Sect has always been on good terms with our Tongshan Dao Tong; they are also our 'allies'!"

Zhang Jian smiled and said:

"Disciple recalls that 'Qianlong Sect' is located in a small prefecture in the southeastern region of the Two Realms area; although it is a local hegemon, in substance it is merely a medium-sized sect; Master, are you suggesting that this 'Qianlong Sect' is a subsidiary sect of our sect?"

Upon hearing this, the Slay Demon True Monarch chuckled.

"Calling it a subsidiary is unpleasant to hear!"

"In fact, Qianlong Sect was actually founded by an immortal under the sect of Qingyu Elder Brother; Qianlong Senior Sister entered the celestial realm through special channels a thousand years ago; we naturally ought to look after her one or two!"

After a brief pause, the Slay Demon True Monarch's expression turned solemn.

"Furthermore, Patriarch Nephew also hopes to take this opportunity to display the might of our Tongshan Dao Tong! Tongshan is due to reveal itself to the world!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian's eyes moved, a hint of smile appearing in his pupils.

"I will entrust this matter to the disciple!"

The Slay Demon True Monarch smiled faintly: "The first worldly engagement of Tongshan Dao Tong, you this slippery fellow still need to be careful; don't lose the reputation of the Slay Demon lineage!"

"That goes without saying!"

Zhang Jian's expression carried a smile.

Seeing this, the Slay Demon True Monarch also secretly nodded.

After Zhang Jian agreed, he turned and left the Slay Demon Hall; upon exiting, he happened to meet the Ironheart Daoist, who had just returned from the main peak.

The Ironheart Daoist was in high spirits; Zhang Jian rarely had such a good mood, so he then followed the Ironheart Daoist and several fellow martial brothers, and they caroused together for a night.

In the Slay Demon Hall, the Slay Demon True Lord watched Zhang Jian's departing figure, his mood excellent at this moment, a smile spreading across his lips.

Slay Demon Peak could be said to have stolen the spotlight in this Ascension Grand Ceremony.

Zhang Jian suddenly revealed the status of a God-Path Emperor, attracting the attention of many second-generation ancestral masters, not to mention Chi Jiang Daoist, Chu Yunzi, Yun Tianhe, and Hua Wanzi, who also respectively achieved 'excellent results' in the multi-sect grand competition of the Ascension Grand Ceremony, especially Yun Tianhe, who won the championship in the Yin God Realm competition, to the point that even Chu Fa Daoist rarely praised her a few words, which was unprecedented.

……

The Two Realms region is vast, truly the essence of Dongxuan Divine Prefecture transformed, hailed as the Three Thousand Prefectures.

Among them are mundane dynasties supported by various major sects, as well as some similar to the earthly Dao states supported by the Five Elements Immortal Sect.

Moreover, some still retain barbaric customs, with kingdoms possessing thousands of strange and peculiar rules.

What is rather strange is that the State Gods Dao has completely abandoned this region, leaving the human beings here to be controlled by sect masters, or by true immortal clans, or even by demon gods of the barbaric regions.

Yuhua Prefecture, Gaolu City

This place is the territory of the Qianlong Sect!

Although the Qianlong Sect is not large in scale, among the sects of Yuhua Prefecture, it is the foremost major sect.

At this moment, in mid-air, three figures with solemn expressions gazed upon the city before them.

Yet they saw that Gaolu City, usually bustling beyond compare, now resembled a ghostly haunt.

In house after house, countless corpses lay intertwined, yet most had strange, twisted faces, resembling dried corpses wrung dry of moisture.

At this moment, a graceful and beautiful female cultivator gazed upon the two others whose nascent spirits behind their heads manifested pure yang golden light.

She spoke in a deep voice.

"Senior sister, this drought demon is so cunning, what should we do?"

She is Yu Feiyun, one of the three great elders of the Qianlong Sect.

Gazing upon this horrific scene before her, even though she is well-traveled and knowledgeable, she felt her anger rise to the crown of her head.

The other two, one male and one female, the male is Ganlei True Person, and the other is Jingyue True Person.

Among the three, Jingyue True Person and Yu Feiyun are native-born primordial spirit true persons of the Qianlong Sect.

While Ganlei True Person is a wandering cultivator.

However, Ganlei True Person and Jingyue True Person had a past relationship in their youth; after attaining the primordial spirit, out of mutual need, they became dao partners.

"Wait, wait for the exalted ones of the Tongshan Dao Lineage to arrive!"

Jingyue True Person shook her head, her expression solemn.

Such a dreadful creature as the drought demon is too terrifying.

They had already encountered it before.

Even if the three of them joined hands, they could not restrain it; if isolated and fighting alone, they could not prevail, and instead must be careful not to be harmed by this demon.

"We will continue tracking; as long as we lock onto its movements, when the exalted ones of the Tongshan Dao Lineage arrive, that will be its doom!"

Jingyue True Person glanced at Ganlei True Person beside her.

Ganlei True Person also agreed with Jingyue True Person's idea.

As a wandering cultivator, he has long wandered the cultivation world and knows that caution is warranted now.

The drought demon can be said to be an evil thing from myth.

A powerful drought demon possesses the ability to oppose ancient demon gods.

As the three focused their thoughts, their bodies turned into escaping light and sped away.

One blue, two red, streaking through the void.

Yet as they journeyed, the faces of the three primordial spirit true persons grew increasingly solemn, the elder with the surname Yu showing a fierce look of resentment on her face.

Yet along the path they took, countless commoners in numerous villages and towns seemed to have been turned into dried corpses by corpse fire, their essence and blood completely swept away.

Red fire coiled across the earth.

It could be said that all living beings suffered.

Along the way, there were still many fortunate souls who had narrowly escaped disaster, now lying upon the corpses of their relatives, weeping bitterly.

And as the three passed by, they saw below a strand of crimson-black flame suddenly reappear, this strand of crimson-black flame directly locking onto a village, inside a bamboo hut, where an infant was wailing loudly.

The crimson-black flame resembled flowing light; in an instant it swept away the infant, and when the three arrived, they saw the wailing infant instantly become like withered wood.

"This wicked beast, it is provoking us!"

Yu Feiyun clenched her delicate jade hand around the colored silk in her grasp; in an instant, the colored silk in her hand transformed, as if countless vines plunged into the earth below.

Boom—rumble—rumble!

Countless rumbling sounds arose.

Yet deep within the earth, a vast and gloomy howl echoed, accompanied by countless terrifying explosions, yet they saw countless strands of colored silk, resembling vines, instantly snap into countless fragments.

At the moment her natal magic treasure was torn apart, Yu Feiyun's expression changed; she only felt her primordial spirit being torn apart, yet in her eyes flowed a fierce killing light.

At this moment, her primordial spirit's divine sense detected a terrifying demonic aura bursting forth from deep beneath the earth.

She felt a strong surge of impulse.

"Junior Sister Yu, be careful!"

Jingyue Daoist's stern shout came from behind; she and Ganlei True Person simultaneously struck out, two beams of bright light flowing and transforming from their bodies, as if countless sword qi came like a waterfall.

The reaction speed of primordial spirit true persons is extremely fast.

But the speed of the drought demon god below is even faster.

Only hearing a fierce low roar, the earth split open, a fierce red light burst forth; as the three beams of light intertwined to intercept, he instantly changed form and appeared directly beside Yu Feiyun.

"Space secret technique?"

Seeing this secret technique, Jingyue Daoist and Ganlei True Person's expressions changed.

This ability, they had never seen the drought demon display before.

Is this the drought demon's newly awakened ability? Or perhaps this drought demon has always concealed its true strength.

Yu Feiyun's expression remained unchanged as colorful ribbons swirled around her like dragons and serpents, her hands forming seals while hundreds of talismans burst forth from within her body, blooming like a fiery red lotus.

Upon closer inspection, the thousands of talismans within the fiery red lotus were perfectly combined; though each talisman was only of Yin Spirit level, their coordination, amplified by the power of her spirit treasure, the Thousand Mechanisms Colorful Ribbons, unleashed a might not inferior to that of a Golden Body-level spirit immortal technique.

Red light burst forth, and in an instant, the fiery red lotus was violently torn apart by a terrifying claw.

Yet when it touched the inner layer of the incredibly soft Thousand Mechanisms Colorful Ribbons, it was merely deflected by the ribbons.

This female cultivator had fully unleashed the might of her color-ribbon-controlling system treasure, yet even so, her figure was sent flying like a cannonball, shaken back by the drought demon's immense force.

In the void, a terrifying drought demon clad in crimson iron armor, of towering stature, with eyes entirely blood-red, cast a cold glance toward the direction Yu Feiyun had been blown to, a flicker of surprise crossing its gaze.

According to its own understanding, its power was completely beyond what this female cultivator could resist.

This punch, imbued with the power of the earth, was enough to turn the opponent into mincemeat, yet the opponent somehow managed to dissipate most of its force.

At the same time, its ear twitched slightly, and it glanced backward.

At that moment, two streaks of light—one red, one blue—arrived instantly behind it, intertwining like two threads in a spiral structure, mutually enhancing each other's power.

This combined power reached its rear in an instant.

A flicker of wariness crossed its eyes; though these two swords appeared 'soft and weak,' the thunder and fire contained within them posed a certain countereffect against it.

It had suffered from this before and did not like that sensation.

Its form flickered, and in an instant it transformed into a streak of light, plunging deep into the earth.

Witnessing this, the true persons Jingyue and Qianlei changed expression, their eyes showing a hint of embarrassment.

Again, this move.

This drought demon is the most cunning.

Knowing it cannot prevail against the three of them combined, it each time escapes into the earth, using the earth's power to conceal its aura, waiting for the next opportunity to launch a sneak attack.

They could already sense that, after slaughtering numerous cities and absorbing the essence and blood of living beings, the drought demon's power had greatly increased; if it undergoes another transformation, it would likely become even harder to deal with.

But at this very moment, the expressions of the three in the void shifted.

Yet they saw that beneath their feet, this mountain stronghold suddenly seemed to burst forth with a thread of yellow light.

In the vast divine awareness of their three primordial spirits, the drought demon that had sunk deep into the earth appeared like a 'drowning' living being, its aura becoming disordered.

"Can a drought demon also be 'drowned' by the earth?"