Chapter 59: Chapter Fifty-Nine: The True Qi of the Great Formless Constant State

Beneath the Great Heavenly Demons are lesser demons, demon folk, demon children, demon grandchildren, demon messengers, demon factions, and more; if spirits and gods are made to serve the demons, they too become demon allies.

Their transformations are myriad: sinking or floating, appearing or vanishing, gathering or hiding, concealing or taking form, flying through clouds or dwelling in emptiness, their five-colored forms flickering and ever-changing.

A hundred shapes, a thousand changes—they kill living beings.

They are the locusts of the Great Dao’s final calamity, bearing the fate of the Six Heavens, summoned at the Three Days’ assembly, spreading their ugliness within their domain, leading mortals astray, bringing forth disaster, and disrupting the spirit, obstructing the Dao!

Yet the heavenly demons before them now are merely demon messengers and demon grandchildren, their powers not strong enough to bear the sun and moon across the sky or shatter mountains and reverse stones.

But there are many of them.

And even ants can bite an elephant to death…

Moreover, these heavenly demons have long forgotten hunger and thirst, more fearless than insects and vermin; each attack is without retreat, equivalent to a life-or-death struggle.

The maiden halted her flight, lightly spreading her hand—the silver-white flying sword instantly split into countless sword lights, cascading like a downpour!

The heavenly demons blocking the way were either pierced midair into the clouds or shattered into bloody fragments mixed with scales, reduced to nothing but broken fragments.

“What are you really planning? Do you still have a hidden card?”

She finally cast him a cold, sidelong glance, her tone sharp.

At Chen Hang’s insistence, the two had been flying toward the Floating Jade Lake of Dan Su Kingdom for nearly two cups of tea’s time, and along the way, they had casually eradicated countless heavenly demons.

But these creatures seemed impossible to exterminate completely; no matter how they evaded, the demons always caught up, relentless.

The maiden sensed something was amiss.

These heavenly demons were like rabid dogs, fixated on the two of them, as if harboring a deep, bitter grudge.

Even though the southern region’s spiritual energy is inferior to the other four regions, mocked as a barren land.

But this is still Xudu Tian, Dongmi Province—let alone high-level cultivators of Purple Mansion or Cave Mystery, even Golden Core and Primordial Spirit True Persons number far more than three or five!

Yet these heavenly demons’ frenzied behavior.

As if the entire southern region’s spiritual energy had dimmed and vanished, all qi cultivators were dead, leaving only a handful of living humans still lingering in the world.

“What hidden card could I possibly have? Our only option now is to reach the Floating Jade Lake as soon as possible—the Golden Valley Market isn’t far from here; with so many demons causing chaos, the Lord of Huaiwu Cave won’t stand idly by.”

Chen Hang’s voice was calm.

The thunderfire thunderbolt primordial pearl above his head spun ceaselessly, filling the three-zhang radius around him with roaring red and white flames, glowing brilliantly.

Any heavenly demon that crashed into the fire circle was, within moments, vaporized into a handful of murky black ash, burned clean in an instant.

In his hand he held a radiant short ruler of flowing clouds; if a heavenly demon forced its way through the fire ring, the ruler’s dazzling aurora would sweep over it, stripping its surface entirely into pus and fluid.

For now, Chen Hang still held his ground tightly, impenetrable.

Even as the heavenly demons’ assaults came thick as surging tides, after so long, not a single one had managed to touch his robe or breach his defenses.

But simultaneously controlling the thunderfire thunderbolt primordial pearl and the flowing-cloud ruler—two mid-grade talisman artifacts—and enduring this prolonged strain.

Even though Chen Hang’s blood and breath were abundantly full, far exceeding those of cultivators at his level, he could not suppress the growing weariness in his heart, his spirit weary.

Yet to the maiden, his performance was astonishing, prompting quiet surprise.

“This man is clearly a southern region cultivator, not one of the Eight Sects or Six Clans—how could he possess such refined and pure breath? What rank of true qi does he cultivate?”

Only a hundred paces ahead, the flying sword had not yet returned when another dark, dense wave surged before them.

The maiden could only clap again, summoning six fire dragons that roared and thundered, crushing dozens of demons and carving out a gap in the horde.

But soon, countless multicolored, grotesquely shaped heavenly demons swarmed in, filling the gap entirely.

The maiden instinctively glanced at Chen Hang, seeing him wield the thunderfire and flowing aurora, and frowned slightly.

Due to its scarce spiritual energy, the southern region has no great sects.

As for orthodox Daoist lineages, only the Five Radiance Sect, Divine Fire Cliff, and Luofu Sword Sect barely qualify.

Chen Hang’s breath aura was lofty and majestic, radiating a grand, orderly presence, faintly evoking the image of governing the Four Symbols and the Sun and Stars—clearly the most orthodox of Daoist lineages.

The Five Radiance Sect, Divine Fire Cliff, and Luofu Sword Sect certainly possess no such tradition.

Even compared to her own, his breath, though she could not judge superiority, was surely no weaker.

Remember, the Purple-Clear True Qi of the Shangyu Ai Clan ranks among the ninth-grade supreme.

The breath cultivated from it is profoundly mysterious and brilliantly radiant, capable of sweeping away the flying auroras of the Seven Primordials and Eight Sceneries, roaming the Purple Void—few true qis can rival it.

“In the southern region, such a breath aura—and his appearance also…”

The maiden’s thoughts shifted several times, her eyes suddenly bright as stars, as if she had found the answer.

“Could he have received the legacy of that hermit True Person? Of course—he was originally from the southern region; before heading to the Eastern Sea to establish his cave heaven, he left behind several celestial Dao scriptures useless to him, a fact known to all.”

She summoned her hand, and the flying sword let out a clear, long cry, circling her protectively.

“Still, I must test him personally to confirm the truth.”

As the maiden fell silent.

The green-clad girl tugged gently at her sleeve, her plump face hesitant, whispering softly.

“Miss, we can’t escape anymore. If my spiritual body dies, it’s fine—but you…”

The green-clad girl scratched her head repeatedly, her expression frustrated.

…

She had secretly read the divination’s commentary, which is why she insisted on following.

The stipulations were harsh.

Not only did they restrict her spiritual body’s techniques, realm, and talisman artifacts, but also forbade revealing her identity or seeking outside aid.

Under these conditions, capturing or slaying the escaped Evil Anger Heavenly Prince Demon would settle her debt with the Shangyu Ai Clan, freeing her from future entanglements.

Moreover, after accomplishing this, she would ride the current to encounter an opportunity sufficient to help her pass the Pure Yang Three Calamities, removing a major obstacle on her path to True Lordship.

As for the nature of this opportunity, the Dao Lord’s divination was vague, merely glossing over it.

After Returning to Emptiness comes Pure Yang.

Within the Pure Yang realm, there are three calamities—Wind, Fire, and Thunder—three obstacles blocking the Dao.

Once these calamities strike, they are immensely difficult, nine deaths and one survival; countless True Lords across the Nine Provinces and Four Seas have been shattered by these calamities, their primordial spirits erased, unable even to seek reincarnation.

No matter how brilliant, before the Three Calamities arrive, even the direct disciples of the Eight Sects and Six Clans must carefully remain sealed within their cave heavens, meditating for a thousand years, painstakingly refining their techniques and magic power.

Only when they have made a decisive inner resolution or feel they can advance no further do they dare leave their cave gates and invite Heaven’s punishment.

If they endure, their cultivation is complete.

If they fail, all turns to ash…

Even the Jade Pivot True Lord, who stirred the Nine Provinces and Four Seas centuries ago, drew in the Eight Sects, Six Clans, and Twelve Noble Families.

Now, he too is trapped by the Three Calamities within the Primordial Demon Sect’s cave heaven, not daring to take a single step…

The severity of the Three Calamities is evident!

And the opportunity gained after subduing the Evil Anger Yin Sheng Demon would be sufficient to aid the maiden in passing one of the Three Calamities.

Its value, needless to say, is immense.

After secretly reading the divination, the green-clad girl had wanted to follow her mistress and help her swallow the Evil Anger Yin Sheng Demon whole, aiding her in achieving the Dao.

But before they even left the mountain gate, her true body was shoved into a birdcage by a vast, dark-yellow hand; with no choice, she could only send forth a spiritual body to follow.

Yet her spiritual body was formed from a single breath of pure qi—possessing no cultivation, no Qing Bird bloodline, entirely a mortal flesh body.

“Miss, throw me out—let the heavenly demons eat me. They’ll take time to consume me; my bones are too hard to chew… seize the chance to shake off that heartless pretty boy and run fast, head for that Gu Shi valley and seek help!”

The girl whispered softly:

“If this spiritual body dies, your debt to the Ai Clan won’t be settled anytime soon, you won’t capture the Evil Anger Yin Sheng Demon, and you won’t encounter the opportunity that could help you pass the Three Calamities—the Three Calamities…”

Her eyes hardened, ready to speak again, when the maiden struck her sharply on the head.

“You’ve grown up with me since childhood. Even if this is only a spiritual body, if I abandon you here out of fear, how can my Dao heart remain whole?”

The maiden did not look at her, only smiled faintly, making all splendor pale—her brow carried a serene, noble elegance:

“It’s merely Heaven’s punishment. Even if I fail this time, does that mean I’m destined to fail the Three Calamities? If Lord Junyao of the Yuanchen Sect could win the last ‘Dan Yuan Grand Assembly,’ why can’t I? Must I, Wei Lingjiang, be weaker than him?”

“Miss…” the green-clad girl murmured.

“Besides…” Wei Lingjiang gazed at Chen Hang and said softly:

“If my guess is right—that he received the hermit elder’s true qi legacy—then today may yet hold a way out.”

…

Amidst a chaos of ghostly wails and demonic howls.

Chen Hang pointed his finger—the thunderfire thunderbolt primordial pearl blazed with overwhelming power, unleashing its strongest strike!

A red-and-white thunderbolt, like an exploding mountain of flame, swept across the entire sky, erupting and shattering nearly a hundred heavenly demons before him—immediately exploding into a rain of blood mist!

The soil and rocks along the path were melted and charred; pungent black smoke and blood mingled into a grotesque, massive canopy, horrifying to behold.

The remaining heavenly demons were stunned; even their fearless expressions faltered slightly, hesitating for a few breaths.

At the same time, Chen Hang’s aura sharply weakened; the thunderfire thunderbolt primordial pearl above his head dimmed, flickering as if about to fall.

“Today’s fortune is truly against me. If I don’t fight harder now, there may be no chance of survival.”

Chen Hang sighed softly.

He glanced around—the countless heavenly demons had been stunned by his desperate strike; as his gaze swept over them, they all averted their eyes, unable to meet his stare.

Chen Hang’s face remained expressionless as he stepped forward.

At this motion, the ferocious, wolf-like heavenly demons howled in panic, retreating in disarray, some even stumbling and falling, utterly disheveled.

He took ten steps—and the horde of heavenly demons retreated ten steps, shrieking.

He was, in truth, trapped in their encirclement, unable to escape.

Yet this scene.

Looked as if he alone had trapped the entire horde, forcing them into terror, trembling with dread.

“They really are like a pack of jackals—fierce on the outside, cowardly within.”

Chen Hang shook his head inwardly, lowering his gaze to the boy beside him, who clung helplessly to his robe, and asked with a smile:

“Today we may well die here—boy, aren’t you afraid? Why aren’t you trembling?”

The boy looked about eight or nine years old, his hair tied into a tiny topknot, his face round and smooth as a full moon, radiating an air of auspicious fortune.

When Chen Hang had been forced to retreat by the flood of heavenly demons, he’d idly rescued this child and kept him close ever since—yet he’d hardly spoken a word to him.

Now, upon closer inspection, his attire and bearing were unlike those of an ordinary child.

Though his expression was dull and vacant, he had endured countless scenes of heavenly demons torn apart in blood and flesh along the way, yet still held his composure, never screaming or losing his nerve—remarkable indeed.

“Senior Brother, I’m not afraid.”

Upon hearing Chen Hang’s question, the boy stared blankly for several breaths before snapping out of it and nodding solemnly:

“My grandfather once said: the brave man who fights with rage turns his face red; the man of sinewy courage turns his face blue; the man of bone-deep courage turns his face pale; the man of spiritual courage remains unchanged in color. I am a man of spiritual courage—so naturally, I am not afraid, and my face won’t change.”

Chen Hang let out a soft laugh, unable to resist applauding in admiration.

“Besides,” the boy said earnestly, “you’re not afraid either—you’re not trembling either. If I started crying, wouldn’t you look down on me?”

“How old are you?” Chen Hang couldn’t help laughing.

“Still, you’re wrong about one thing—I may seem calm, but inside, I am afraid too.”

He glanced around. The heavenly demons, having endured long enough, were now sharpening their claws and swallowing saliva.

“After finally enjoying a stretch of peace, we’re caught in such a death trap… how could I not be afraid?”

He murmured softly, then lifted the boy’s collar and hurled him far toward Wei Lingjiang.

“Sister, please watch over him, and replenish his fetal breath—I’m going to fight to the death.”

Once Wei Lingjiang securely caught the boy, Chen Hang retracted all his talismans and devices into his Qiankun pouch.

He drew a slow, deep breath, his eyes blazing with brilliant light, then roared like thunder and smashed a fist straight into the horde of heavenly demons!

In an instant!

The void cracked with a continuous thunderous rumble; a terrifying wave of force surged outward, blasting apart the first dozen demons into pulpy sludge.

BOOM!

Amid the sudden blast, Chen Hang did not stop.

His body shot forward like a streak of light, diving into the dense tide of demons, and swung his fist again!

Dust rolled across the sky; watching the lithe, dragon-like figure surging through the demonic tide, Wei Lingjiang’s pupils contracted slightly:

“What kind of Dao art is this?”

…

Half a minute later.

Chen Hang forced himself to rise, spine straightening with a chorus of cracking bones; around him lay scattered chunks of corpses, the air thick with a stench of blood fiercer than brimstone.

“Still so many…”

His spirit heavy, he was about to adjust his qi and charge again when Wei Lingjiang suddenly spoke through telepathy:

“You’ve charged seven times already, and each time you’ve been repelled. Such physical vigor and blood qi—even among warriors of other heavens who train in divine demonic martial arts—rarely surpasses this.”

Chen Hang turned his head. Across dozens of zhang, the woman whose radiance rivaled a lotus met his gaze, her eyes bright:

“But it’s useless—you still can’t break through this tide of heavenly demons. Let me see your fetal breath.”

Chen Hang frowned.

“I have a method that can save you—and save us.”

Wei Lingjiang pointed a finger and telepathically said:

“Don’t hide it—you acquired a celestial Dao treasury left behind by Yan Xizhen in the Southern Region. The true qi you’re now cultivating is the Ninth-Rank Lower-Grade Great Formless Constant State True Qi, correct?”

Chen Hang fell silent for a moment.

Shook his head.

“What are you talking about?”