Chapter 485

Witnessing the shattered ghost-god gateway of Feng City, the many high-level cultivators of the Ji clan, as well as the nearby immortal sect cultivators, finally felt the great stone in their hearts lifted.

This time, everyone's luck was still sufficient.

Although the opened two-world passage had considerable width since the ghost-god gateway was torn open, it was quelled in the shortest time.

The more formidable ghost-gods inside had not yet had time to emerge.

At the site, after the explosion, the enormous spacetime rift, no longer being continuously torn by the ghost-god secret art, immediately began to heal on its own.

Shortly afterward, the spacetime rift completely vanished.

Ji Ning witnessed this scene, and a faint smile could not help but appear in the depths of his eyes.

At this moment, in his gaze, he saw Zhang Jian wave his hand and scoop up a ghost-god divine artifact.

That was precisely the natal divine artifact of the soul-capturing ghost-god from before—the Soul-Capturing Lock Chain.

This black lock chain, resting in Zhang Jian's palm, emitted a faint glow, with countless laws of the Netherworld Great Dao transforming into runes that flowed across the chain, within which a magnificent and wondrous power manifested.

This is a divine-path magical artifact.

It contains within it the Netherworld authority related to death and souls.

Zhang Jian glanced at it, then put it away.

Even after being cleansed with immortal light, this item could still be reused.

However, he already possesses enough immortal treasures on his person, including two fourth-rank immortal treasures, the Mountain-Suppressing Seal and the Demon Gourd.

Moreover, he has a fifth-rank immortal treasure, the Thousand Jun, and a third-rank immortal treasure, the Lunar Yin Ice Soul Divine Bow.

This battlefield-control type immortal treasure has limited use for him.

But it can temporarily be kept as a spoil of war.

After all, who would disdain a priceless third-rank immortal treasure?

Over there, Ji Ning's eyes flickered with slight delight, about to speak, when suddenly he saw two streams of light tear through the void from deep within, one falling into Zhang Jian's hand, the other flying into his hand.

The two took the message-transmitting flying swords in their hands, merely glanced at them briefly, and immediately their expressions turned solemn.

"Xi He Bu Zhou?"

Ji Ning's expression instantly became unusually solemn.

After thinking, he said to Zhang Jian.

"Your Majesty, the ancient magic spring of Xi He Bu Zhou involves an extremely vast area; we fear we must still rush ahead in advance!"

Zhang Jian glanced at him, slightly furrowing his brow.

Just calling out, the two set off toward Xi He Bu Zhou.

Zhang Jian also felt some urgency in his heart.

Zhou Shan Realm, among the five major regions, Xi He Bu Zhou is the most complex, with the interior inhabited by the most ancient elves, barbaric divine clans, and ancient relic species.

Due to the special environment, powerful demons are not few in number.

Inside, there are certainly no lack of extraterritorial demon gods and extraterritorial devil gods as pawns.

If not handled well, who knows how many terrifying great demons might take advantage of this to wreak havoc upon heaven and earth.

The two moved at astonishing speed, like meteors tearing through the void, then flew along the coastline of Tian Feng Hai for a while, and soon saw a magnificent continent appear before their eyes.

Far away, the two could already sense a layer of invisible killing intent permeating the depths of the void.

It resembled a layer of black killing intent, blanketing the heavens and earth, enveloping Xi He Divine Province and the surrounding seas.

Beneath the black killing mist, countless living beings, even demons, became extremely aggressive, often actively attacking other races.

Zhang Jian sensed this black killing intent, his eyes slightly furrowed in thought, and he sent another message toward Dong Zhou Jing Cheng.

This was, however, preparing to summon reinforcements.

Precisely, Zhang Jian sensed that a certain person might be able to assist him in this endeavor.

……

Xi He Bu Zhou, Tian Xin Zhou

Inside an ancient temple, Zi Dian Lao Zu and Chu Fa Lao Zu had already arrived ahead of time.

Beside them were several cultivators of profound Dao attainment.

The great elder of the Ji clan, Ji Tian Yun.

The sixth ancestor of the Yi clan, Yi Zhen.

Moreover, celestial masters from Tian Yi Sect and Nan Hua Sect arrived in succession, uniting their efforts, preparing to suppress the ancient magic spring.

The people were discussing plans, while additionally, many cultivators from the Tong Shan Dao Tong, Yi clan, Ji clan, Tian Yi Sect, and Nan Hua Sect—high-level cultivators organized into patrol teams—were patrolling around the ancient magic spring to prevent demonic cultivators from sneaking in to cause trouble and destroy the spring's seal.

In the simple wooden hut erected at the center, at this moment Chu Fa Lao Zu gazed upon the crowd.

"Everyone, your current situation is clear to you all: the spacetime turmoil around the ancient magic spring has torn a rift in one layer of the sealing prohibition, thereby stirring the demonic evil qi accumulated over hundreds of millions of years within the magic spring; now the demonic evil qi is unstable, and the artifact that suppresses the demonic evil qi inside the magic spring may also be losing its efficacy; we must find a way to suppress the spacetime turmoil, restore the surrounding prohibitions, and simultaneously find a way to vent a portion of the magic spring's qi—only then can there be a lasting solution!"

Upon hearing this, the other immortals all nodded slightly.

Chu Fa Lao Zu's words were indeed the words of an elder.

"Chu Fa Dao Brother, if not otherwise, shall Dao Brother take command this time?"

At this moment, a cultivator of the immortal Dao, whose entire being radiated clear winds and bright moons, spoke with a smile.

He wore silver-gray Dao robes, had a lotus-flower crown on his head, his wide sleeves fluttered, and his bearing was elegant and transcendent.

He is the celestial elder of Tian Yi Sect, Yi Hun Dao Ren.

Also a cultivator of extremely profound Dao attainment, an ancient immortal.

At this moment, his suggestion immediately drew agreement from several other immortals.

The sixth ancestor of the Yi clan, Yi Zhen, laughed and said.

"Yi Hun Dao Brother's words exactly match my heart; the years of cultivation of Chu Fa Shi Shu can be said to be the greatest among all immortals, and moreover, he is a world-abiding immortal recognized by the heavenly realm; having Shi Shu in command, we can also focus our strength on one point, not becoming a scattered mess!"

Upon seeing this, the other immortals' eyes flickered with subtle movement.

They had a strange look in their eyes.

The Ji family and the Tongshan Dao Tong were of one mind, so it was not unreasonable to say they supported this Chu Fa Old Ancestor.

But when did the Tianyi Sect become so close to the Tongshan Dao Tong?

Many celestials felt a quiet alarm in their hearts.

The celestials' gazes shifted, and they were somewhat unwilling.

Although Chu Fa Old Ancestor had cultivated for the longest time, we are all celestials—why should we obey your command?

The status of the World-Anchoring Celestial could not suppress the celestials.

Ji Tianyun's gaze shifted, his heart somewhat hesitant, but after a moment he still smiled and said.

"Not bad, Chu Fa Dao Brother, your virtue is high and your prestige great; you also participated in the great battle to slay the Youyu Demon God, and you are more familiar with the Youyu Demon Spring than we are, and under your command are elite troops and strong generals—we are willing to follow your lead!"

Upon hearing him mention elite troops and strong generals, the other celestials' eyes flickered.

Among the celestials of the Nanhua Sect, that middle-aged Daoist wearing a free-and-easy headscarf and dressed in brocade robes turned his gaze toward Chu Fa Old Ancestor and said.

"Chu Fa Dao Friend is indeed the only one among us who has come into contact with the Youyu Demon God, and the Nanhua Sect is also willing to follow your command, Dao Brother!"

He cupped his hands slightly.

He is the Nanhua Sect celestial old ancestor, Gan Guang Daoist.

This is an existence who attained immortality in the ancient era.

Merely due to extraordinary innate talent and profound cultivation.

At the head seat, Chu Fa Old Ancestor's expression bore a smile from beginning to end.

Seeing everyone nominate him, he did not hesitate and simply nodded, saying.

"Since you all show me favor, I shall not decline rudely; I only wish to work together with you all to once again suppress the Youyu Demon Spring and overcome this great calamity!"

After a slight pause, the next moment his eyes narrowed, and he spoke in a deep voice.

"However, I must speak bluntly first: since you all wish to take me as your commander, I hope you can obey orders and prohibitions; if you delay a major matter, I will certainly execute without mercy!"

As his words fell, his expression hardened, and a vast and majestic pressure flowed out from around him.

At this moment, the wooden house seemed to become the eye of a storm.

That overwhelming spiritual pressure pierced heaven and earth.

Even the celestials present, who were strong beings, felt like ants.

The two celestials from the Nanhua Sect and the Tianyi Sect also glanced sideways.

"This old fellow has indeed reached that critical point; perhaps he has already crossed into the Taiyi realm?"

The two celestials secretly felt their hearts tremble.

The accumulation of a celestial-level cultivator is very long; every bit of progress is precious.

And breaking through is certainly not something one can achieve merely by cultivating for a long time—it requires one's own wisdom, perseverance, comprehension, and fortune.

"I suppose after becoming a World-Anchoring Celestial, he also gained some opportunities in the Heavenly Court!"

The two ancient celestials secretly felt envious.

In a great world, there are only four positions for World-Anchoring Celestials, and the Tongshan Dao Tong alone occupies two of them, so it is no wonder they feel envious.

As for the other two World-Anchoring Celestials, one is in the Sheji Shendao.

The other is in the Dragon Clan.

Others do not have such fortune.

Even the Tianyi Sect, though the Nanhua Sect has deep roots, still cannot match the Tongshan Dao Tong in influence within the Heavenly Court!

After the celestials reached a consensus, Chu Fa Old Ancestor formally assumed the role of 'commander' for this occasion, taking charge of the central hub, summoning the celestials to go in all directions to collect various materials and prepare to repair the ancient seal of the primordial demon spring.

At this time, the high-ranking celestials of other Holy King Dao Tong, and even the cultivators of other Immortal Sect Dao Tong, received the news and came one after another.

Zhang Jian and Ji Ning entered Tianxin Zhou at this time.

……

Tianxin Zhou, the sealing place of the primordial demon spring.

It is a dark forest, surrounded by countless tangible demon fiends.

Beneath the demon fiends, the myriad ancient trees seem demonized, standing tall, countless branches swaying, as if a host of demons dancing in chaos.

In the distance of the forest, Zhang Jian's figure appeared.

Beside him were Chu Fa Old Ancestor and Zi Dian Old Ancestor, the two second-generation ancestral masters.

In Zhang Jian's eyes, the location of the demon spring was a huge heavenly pit, bottomless, with countless demon fiends turning into black clouds surging above the pit, truly terrifying.

It surges without cease.

As if below lies a living thing breathing.

With each inhalation and exhalation comes the power to sweep heaven and earth.

In the depths of the forest, hidden towers are scattered everywhere.

In Zhang Jian's innate divine eyes, at least eighteen cloud-piercing stone towers are seen hidden upon the earth.

The stone towers are forged from special materials, covered with countless intricate heaven-earth runes.

The eighteen great towers form an array, sealing heaven and earth, blocking the influx of heaven-earth killing qi, and also preventing the killing qi from the depths of the primordial demon spring from leaking out.

But now, due to the disruption of time and space, part of the heaven-earth runes on the eighteen great towers have been erased.

The loss of these runes has caused killing qi to continuously flow back into this demon spring from heaven and earth, and also the demon fiend qi to constantly leak out.

The balance of the primordial demon spring has already been broken.

If the demon fiends contained within the demon spring continue to expand, the surrounding seals will inevitably collapse, and when that happens, the primordial demon spring will erupt completely, drawing down billions of heavenly demon stars from beyond the realm.

"Ah Yu, within my Tongshan Dao Tong, regarding the understanding of heaven-earth runes, you are among the top existences—do you have confidence in repairing these heaven-earth runes?"

At this time, Chu Fa Old Ancestor turned his gaze toward Zhang Jian.

The task of repairing these eighteen Cloud-Piercing Towers is undoubtedly extremely difficult.

But it also brings great merit and great fortune.

If one can successfully repair it, that would be the foremost achievement.

Such benefits, the Dharma Ancestor naturally would not give to others.

Having others do it, he also does not feel entirely at ease.

Zhang Jian's gaze fell upon those Cloud-Piercing Towers, and he said.

"Observing these heavenly and earthly forbidden laws, they seem to be written in the ancient Dragon-Phoenix Treasure Seal script. I have studied this Dragon-Phoenix Treasure Seal quite thoroughly during this period; to repair such forbidden laws should pose no problem!"

Upon hearing Zhang Jian's affirmation, the Dharma Ancestor and the Violet Lightning Ancestor's expressions instantly showed a hint of a smile.

Yet upon hearing Zhang Jian speak again.

"However, Ancestor, I still have a proposal!"

"Speak!"

The Dharma Ancestor stroked his beard slightly!

Zhang Jian then said: "From the Ancestor's meaning, it seems we still need to dispel part of the demonic vapors from the ancient demon spring. I have someone nearby who could be of help!"

Zhang Jian then explained the situation of the Imperial Noble Consort Ji.

The fifth-rank immortal treasure in Ji's possession possesses tremendous power.

The Utmost Bliss Immortal Spirit Diagram can swallow the seven emotions and six desires of heaven and earth, transforming them into a realm of Utmost Bliss, and its essence actually leans toward the demonic path.

Ji has also used it to temper her own primordial spirit and Dao heart, honing her magical power.

From Zhang Jian's perspective, it could not be otherwise but to directly swallow the demonic vapors from the ancient demon spring, directly transforming them into a realm of Utmost Bliss Demon Realm.

Ji, during this period of time, has cultivated her life in tandem with his, and has also gained a portion of the fortune from the River and Mountain State Diagram, making it possible for her to absorb a portion of the demonic vapors in moderation.

Upon hearing Zhang Jian's words, the Dharma Ancestor pondered slightly.

"Using a fifth-rank immortal treasure to suppress part of the demonic vapors should not be a problem, but are you not worried that your Imperial Noble Consort, having absorbed too much demonic vapors, might fall into the demonic path?"

Zhang Jian smiled faintly and said.

"Wealth and honor are sought in danger; if one wishes to achieve something, one must bear what ordinary people cannot!"

A strange light flickered in his eyes.

The Dharma Ancestor still felt some worry.

If a fifth-rank immortal treasure were to thus become demonic and fall, the resulting disaster would not be merely terrifying.

However, since Zhang Jian has confidence, he still decided to let Zhang Jian try.

Upon seeing the Dharma Ancestor's approval, a hint of a smile appeared in Zhang Jian's eyes.

Ji is the immortal he has planned to leave in the mortal realm to guard the Zhang clan.

He naturally has other arrangements, and will not let Ji fall into demonic transformation at that time, for that would be like lifting a stone only to drop it on one's own foot.

After thinking, Zhang Jian looked toward the Dharma Ancestor and could not help but ask about another secret matter.

"Ancestor, I have heard other immortals respectfully address you as the Resident World Immortal!

Ancestor, I do not know what a Resident World Immortal is."

Upon hearing Zhang Jian's words, the Dharma Ancestor and the Violet Lightning Ancestor exchanged glances and both laughed.

Zhang Jian finally still asked about this matter.

The Dharma Ancestor smiled faintly.

"The Resident World Immortal is also called the Resident World Earth Immortal; in fact, being called the Pioneering Immortal would not be inappropriate either. As you are a hegemon of a realm, you should also know: in the way of dynastic expansion, after some feudal lords submit, you must dispatch some strongmen to take charge, to maintain understanding of those feudal lords—the function of the Resident World Immortal is much like that!"

"In ancient times, my Zhou Mountain Realm was merely a barren wasteland, with countless demon gods and strange species, wielding great influence, and the influence of the heavenly realm could not radiate in. Fortunately, later on, several ancient sages understood the great principle and avoided a catastrophe!"

"After the Middle Ages, the heavens and earth were severed, the gods ascended, but establishing Resident World Immortals then became inevitable!"

"Each Resident World Immortal is actually a celestial official, merely with the authority to reside in the world, to protect heaven and earth so they may smoothly pass through various great calamities, not to fall, and also to ensure they are not eroded by demons and monsters!"

"Now I understand!"

Zhang Jian silently thought to himself.

Immediately afterward, he heard the Dharma Ancestor laugh and say.

"Our Zhou Mountain Realm's Resident World Immortals total four in number; we four are also the main force in suppressing those old fellows who refuse to ascend!"