Chapter 487

Since they want to disperse our strength, then we shall do as his "wish"!

The Violet Lightning Ancestor's eyes were calm.

The Dharma Ancestor nodded slightly upon hearing this.

Although their strength has been dispersed, the location of Heart Prefecture today is not where all the power of the cultivation world resides.

Within the Zhou Mountain Realm, the immortal sect lineages and the holy king clans are the dominant forces.

For nearly ten thousand years, no major demonic calamity has arisen within the realm; the strength of many immortal sect lineages has been recovering and even growing, and at this time, there is no opportunity for the demonic path to rise again.

……

In the ancient demon spring, Zhang Jian had one after another azure lotus blossom around his body, resisting the erosion of the demon spring's demonic qi that surged like a vast ocean, while skillfully repairing those Cloud-Piercing Giant Towers with ease.

After repairing those eighteen Cloud-Piercing Giant Towers, he still needed to inspect the depths of the ancient demon spring to check the condition of that suppressing divine artifact.

This is the core of pacifying this great calamity.

Now that the balance between the ancient demon spring and the forbidden law has been broken, it is hard not to suspect that the suppressing divine artifact within has encountered problems.

Zhang Jian glanced into the distance.

The Ji clan's progress was swift; within a single day, they continuously absorbed the heavenly and earthly spiritual essence from the demonic spaces of eight Cloud-Piercing Giant Towers, and a vast immortal light faintly spread across their entire body.

This was the power of the Utmost Bliss Immortal Spirit Diagram.

This fifth-rank immortal treasure possesses immense power, as if capable of evolving into a myriad zhang of red dust, the universe and the realm of desire, to devour heaven and earth.

From Zhang Jian's gaze, this fifth-rank immortal treasure indeed has the potential to evolve into a realm of Utmost Bliss "Demon Realm".

However, it possesses an extremely strong "heretical nature"; Zhang Jian must assist the Ji clan in properly cultivating their primordial spirit Dao-heart, lest their primordial spirit Dao-heart be infected by it, fall into depravity, and become a demon god that devours all living beings.

Zhang Jian's gaze fell upon the Ji clan.

The Ji clan's current state is still relatively normal; they also possess the Holy King's secret method for protecting the primordial spirit Dao-heart, the Holy King's relic.

Combined with his "Supreme Forgetfulness Method" assisting them, there should be no problem for now.

"Once this matter is settled, upon returning, I must rush into the ancestral shrine to 'pluck wool'—see if I can pluck out any heavenly and earthly divine objects capable of tranquil cultivation, nourishing the spirit, and suppressing inner demons!"

"If not once, then pluck several times—there will always be something!"

Zhang Jian secretly mused in his heart.

Zhang Jian's gaze shifted once more toward the outside of the Heart-Centered Forest, beyond Heart Prefecture, where he had already sensed great commotion.

He also sensed the aura of danger.

At this moment, an idea arose in his mind.

The purpose of those extramural demon gods is nothing more than to draw upon the demonic qi at the center of the ancient demon spring to strengthen their own cultivation, or to completely release it, thereby triggering the power of the billions of demon stars from beyond the realm.

To him, this is no less than an opportunity.

An opportunity to inflict heavy damage upon numerous extramural demon gods, and even upon the native demonic path.

If this succeeds, his ancient Holy King will surely achieve accomplishment thereby.

With a thought, Zhang Jian formed hand seals and transmitted a message to the Demon-Slaying True Lord outside, then continued repairing the Cloud-Piercing Giant Towers before him.

Time passed.

Around three days later, Zhang Jian successively repaired and optimized the forbidden laws within the eighteen Cloud-Piercing Giant Towers once more.

This speed is simply astonishing.

In the estimates of the various ancient immortals, if any other ancient immortal were to take action, it would be difficult to repair the forbidden laws within the eighteen Cloud-Piercing Giant Towers without half a month, or even several months.

After all, these forbidden laws were laid down by the ancient sages.

The ancient sages' attainment in the way of talismans is far beyond what ordinary immortals can compare to.

However, this Great Summer Emperor's such divine speed—does it indicate that the opposing party's realm has already approached that of these ancient sages?

"This is truly a blessing for our Tongshan Dao lineage!"

Seeing the Dharma Ancestor's joyful expression, the Violet Lightning Ancestor said.

"It is also a blessing for the Zhou Mountain Realm! With A Yu appearing out of nowhere, we these world-dwelling immortals now have even greater room to maneuver!"

The Dharma Ancestor nodded slightly.

Immediately, the Dharma Ancestor spoke again.

"A Yu's proposal happens to align with ours, but there is still one point I remain concerned about!"

The Violet Lightning Ancestor's eyes flickered.

"Ninth Senior Brother, are you worried that the ancient demon spring might encounter an accident midway?"

The Dharma Ancestor nodded, his eyes reflecting a trace of recollection.

"Back then, when the ancient Holy King 'Geng Wang' appeared out of nowhere, he traversed the Zhou Mountain Realm, slaying numerous extramural demon gods including the Netherworld Demon God; I personally participated in that battle, and I know the terror of this demon!"

The Violet Lightning Ancestor's eyes flickered with a smile.

"At that time, I had not yet attained the Dao of Immortality, whereas that was precisely when Ninth Senior Brother's divine powers reached their peak!"

The Dharma Ancestor sighed, his eyes flickering.

"But that era belonged solely to Geng Wang—he alone illuminated heaven and earth, ten thousand horses neighed as one, and we were merely his foil!"

In this age of countless heaven-and-earth struggles, there is always someone who leads the masses, one person suppressing others so they cannot lift their heads.

In the past ages of the Zhou Mountain Realm, such events have occurred many times.

The Violet Lightning Ancestor sighed lightly.

And now, Zhang Jian is no different.

With the body of the Innate Emperor, he presses down upon contemporaneous cultivators so they cannot raise their heads.

Even the numerous ancient immortals must yield him three points.

However, at this critical juncture when such calamitous fate arises, having such a capable 'teammate'/'junior' is, for our Tongshan Dao lineage, indeed a blessing.

The Dharma Ancestor spoke with a hint of solemnity in his eyes.

I once personally witnessed the terrifying power of that Netherworld Demon God—his control over earth and profound yin authority, his dominance over heaven and earth, his ferocious might unmatched. Had he not encountered an ancient Sacred King who had attained the Dao and suppressed him, our human race might not have easily survived this calamity!

I fear he did not perish completely; if his demon soul remains, combined with the boundless demon-slaughter qi contained within the ancient demon spring...

So, in the end, must we make some preparations?

The Violet Lightning Elder Ancestor nodded slightly.

The Dharma Elder Ancestor remained composed, speaking calmly.

We must ensure absolute certainty!

After the two second-generation elder ancestors briefly discussed, they formed an idea, then communicated with Zhang Jian, and the three quickly reached consensus.

……

Beside the eighteen Cloud-Towering Giant Towers, Zhang Jian's innate divine light circulated, strands of innate divine light naturally bursting forth, keeping the terrifying demon-slaughter qi outside his innate divine light.

His gaze fell upon the entrance of the Netherworld Demon Spring.

After completing the repair of the forbidden law, he proceeded to explore the depths of the demon spring.

The demon spring is filled with boundless demon-slaughter qi; the deeper one goes, the more terrifying and surging it becomes.

Ordinary immortals would not dare to venture deep lightly; only Zhang Jian and others of special existence—those with innate divine bodies perfected, or cultivators of primordial spirit or heart-mind type immortal arts, or those with exceptionally resilient primordial spirit and heart-mind—dare to enter and investigate.

"Your Majesty, please be careful!"

In the distance, Ji Shi's expression opened with solemnity.

Actually, she had previously suggested letting Zhang Jian bring her along; the supreme treasure she holds, the Extreme Joy Manifest Spirit Diagram, excels at devouring and mastering numerous negative thoughts, suppressing demon-slaughter.

But Zhang Jian refused.

Zhang Jian nodded slightly, then glanced toward the forest outside—at this moment, the heavens above the demon spring were gloomy and oppressive, as if countless black clouds pressed down, the entire forest still and windless.

Yet around the forest, many high-level cultivators had already gathered, even the Immortal King Yuan Yuan concealed nearby.

All immortals know that demon cultivators will inevitably attack—it is only a matter of time.

Zhang Jian also instructed Ji Shi to remain vigilant.

Do not let your guard down against the cultivators nearby either.

Subsequently, Zhang Jian's form transformed into a streak of flowing light, soaring and leaping into the depths of the ancient demon spring.

Boom—boom—boom!

Within the ancient demon spring, countless demon-slaughter qi flowed, these terrifying demon-slaughter entities compressed within the space formed by the forbidden law, extraordinarily dense.

The surrounding void, layer upon layer, was completely twisted.

Zhang Jian slightly furrowed his brow.

He knew that once tainted by demon-slaughter, it would also corrupt his primordial spirit and heart-mind, making him a target for extraterritorial heavenly demons!

A layer upon layer of intense, blazing white flame appeared on his body surface.

This was the Righteous Flame.

This heavenly and earthly divine flame, the Righteous Flame, burned around him like a pure white blazing sun.

Strand after strand of flame burst forth; within a radius of ten thousand zhang, numerous demon-slaughter entities, like ice and snow under sunlight, melted away layer by layer.

But the demon-slaughter accumulated within the ancient demon spring was too vast; even with the Righteous Flame within Zhang Jian's body, it could not be completely burned away.

Zhang Jian glanced at it, paid no further heed, and his form transformed into a sharp sword, soaring and leaping downward into the depths of the ancient demon spring.

The liquid demon-qi formed by countless demon-slaughter could not stop him; in an instant, it was pierced through and torn apart.

Simultaneously, layers of massive vortices appeared around him, violently devouring the demon-slaughter power around him.

Zhang Jian also attempted to use the Life and Death Power of the Rivers and Mountains Map to wear down, return to the origin, and rebirth as heavenly and earthly spiritual mechanism.

His Rivers and Mountains Map had merged with the power of the State and Altar King Cauldron, thus possessing the power to refine demons.

The supreme treasure of the Tongshan Dao Lineage, the State and Altar King Cauldron, was refined by the ancestral master Great Yu to refine and suppress demons.

Of course, given the scale of the ancient demon spring, his Rivers and Mountains Map currently cannot completely swallow it in a short time.

Unless one day the Rivers and Mountains Map can envelop the Xihe Prefecture, perhaps with the aid of Xihe Prefecture's origin, it could be achieved.

Or perhaps his Rivers and Mountains Map's power could ascend to the fifth rank of immortal arts.

What is being done now is using the power of the Rivers and Mountains Map to temporarily weaken a portion of the demon spring's demon-slaughter origin, lest the demon-slaughter qi become too surging.

When he attains the Great Dao of the Ancient Sacred King, resolving this ancient demon spring will be much easier.

In fact, Zhang Jian still has another plan in mind.

But he feels the hope for that plan is slim, so he has temporarily suppressed it in his heart.

Layers of violent demon-slaughter qi around him dissipated one after another; Zhang Jian's vast innate spiritual awareness, relying on innate perception, gradually sensed the anomaly at the center of the demon spring.

Zhang Jian knew that this might be the direction where the suppressing divine object resides.

In the depths of Zhang Jian's eyes, strands of purple-yellow light flashed.

At this moment, he faintly sensed a strange, twisting power surging, as if boundless demon-slaughter, drawn by it, was slowly flowing toward that direction.

Is this treasure actually absorbing demon-slaughter qi?

This thought flashed through Zhang Jian's mind; in an instant, his eyes sank.

Has this treasure been demonized?

With a wave of his hand, his form tore through vast expanses of demon-slaughter; but as he approached the area, he saw the void in the depths suddenly change—towering, terrifying demon-slaughter black dragons took shape, each emitting intense law fluctuations, as if law-born spirits.

This greatly resembles his Nine Crimson Pulse Fire Dragons.

Their power far surpasses that of a Heavenly Immortal.

The formation of these demon-slaughter black dragons confirms Zhang Jian's suspicion.

The treasure at the center of the demon spring must have already been demonized—or perhaps it has given birth to a demonic artifact spirit!

But Zhang Jian glanced at this area-control type immortal art, waved his hand, and instantly a vast divine might burst forth, as if countless space-time blades took shape, condensing each terrifying demon-slaughter black dragon in the void; in an instant, they emitted terrified, agonized cries, their scales collapsing layer by layer, the law rings severed into scattered fragments.

After part of the demon-slaughter black dragons collapsed, fragments of law remained, continuously absorbing demon-slaughter qi from the depths of the demon spring, attempting to recover.

It was only when Zhang Jian raised his hand that countless spatiotemporal lights and shadows were absorbed and annihilated.

Zhang Jian raised his eyebrows and watched this scene; from the depths of these demonic slaughter black dragon cores, he saw one after another law ring, but not just one law ring—rather, at least two or three law rings or more.

Within immortal arts, the more law rings contained, the greater the power emitted.

Zhang Jian was very clear about this.

Obviously, the degree to which that supreme treasure spirit had been demonized was extraordinary.

Ahead, after countless demon dragons collapsed, that supreme treasure also sensed Zhang Jian's troublesome nature.

Boom—!

The demon spring roared!

At this moment, the power of countless ancient demon springs was drawn, forming a great vortex, as if it wanted to swallow heaven and earth, devouring all vitality.

This immense power emerged, and Zhang Jian also felt slightly astonished.

This power faintly formed its own heaven-and-earth law realm void, carrying an indestructible and imperishable force.

This was somewhat similar to the innate Yin law dao seed in his Yin Refining Form method, but its essence still could not compare to the innate Yin law dao seed.

But this also indicated that this immortal art's power was approaching that of a fourth-rank immortal art.

Even equal to a fourth-rank immortal art.

If it were more than eighty years ago, when Zhang Jian had just attained his innate divine body, facing such an immortal art with world-destroying power, he could only rely on the two heavenly and earthly treasures within the Mountains and Rivers State Map to resist, first laying down a universe heaven and earth with the Mountains and Rivers State Map to trap the opponent, then relying on the supreme treasure's power to wear them down to death.

Just as he dealt with the Zhu Yan demon lord.

But now Zhang Jian was not afraid of such immortal art bombardment.

With a wave of his hand, a powerful immortal treasure appeared.

It was a great mountain peak.

The mountain peak was entirely pitch-black.

It was one of the two great treasures of the Three Saints Palace, the fourth-rank immortal treasure Suppressing Mountain Seal.

This fourth-rank immortal treasure had only a single offensive capability.

Its ability was unique: besides suppression, it only had imprisonment and amplification!

Continuously amplifying the immortal treasure itself, as well as the power stacked by its wielder.

Zhang Jian was originally the God of the State, governing the Qiankun State, with vast divine authority.

This treasure falling into his hands was like adding wings to a tiger.

With a raise of his hand, black light emerged from the mountain peak in his hand; as Zhang Jian threw it, the demon spring vortex below that seemed capable of swallowing heaven and earth instantly stagnated, as if completely imprisoned.

In an instant, it was torn into countless fragments by countless layers of dissipating black gravity law dao patterns.

The Suppressing Mountain Seal fiercely pressed toward the core region!

Boom—!

As if layer upon layer of spacetime was reduced to dust.

Deep within the inner layer, at this moment came the terrifying roar of a demon god!

"Impudent!"

In the midst of the angry shout, a terrifying demon god phantom, appearing as tens of thousands of zhang in height, formed in the depths of the demon spring; his entire body was entwined with two fearsome black dragons, demonic aura reaching ten thousand zhang, demonic flames raging to the heavens, yet despite being continually struck down by the ever-expanding Suppressing Mountain Seal, he was still staggered backward after being smashed!