Chapter 139: Sleep in the Tribulation Sea, Erosion Order Breaks the Sky

Consciousness, like sinking into an endless sea of chaos.

Lin Xuan felt himself turn into the smallest particle, floating in a strange ocean that was bizarre yet dead silent. This ocean had no up, down, left, or right, no passage of time, only eternal "birth and death" and "cycle." The gray-misty chaotic airflow was seawater, the flickering star phantoms were floating creatures, the gray-purple lightning that exploded from time to time was the lightning of the deep sea, and that "Chaos Tribulation Crystal" that rotated slowly and flowed with blue-gray colors was the "sun" or "core" that remained constant in the deepest part of this chaotic tribulation sea.

He was sleeping, yet he seemed closer to the essence of "Dao" than at any moment of wakefulness.

The life-and-death battle of forcibly guiding the ending power of the Star Evil Graveyard, like the most violent "tribulation fire," forcibly pried open a deeper crack in the Chaos Tribulation Dao he had only initially glimpsed.

Fragments of memory and insights into laws, like bubbles on the seabed, floated up and burst in the depths of consciousness, merging into this "Chaos Tribulation Sea" that was slowly evolving:

Chaos is not dead silence, it contains the opportunity for birth and death. Tribulation luck is not a constant number, it can also be moved in the palm.

Silence is not the end, it establishes a new foundation after breaking. The intent of star fall returning to ruins is originally one of the Daos...

The destructive torrent mixed with Star Evil dead energy, demonic erosion origin, and silent sword intent that was guided away, its final "destination" and the "feedback" it triggered, also turned into an extremely weak yet cold intent carrying the surprise, anger, and greed of high-level demonic creatures, like a poisonous thorn, embedded in the edge of the tribulation sea, reminding him of what kind of terrifying enemy he would face in the future.

"Ruins Abyss... Erosion World... hundred years..." Blurred thought fragments flashed by.

He wanted to wake up, wanted to remind Huangfu Hao, wanted to face the threat that was thousands of times more terrifying than Shadow Erosion and about to descend. But the "sun" in the depths of the tribulation sea—the Chaos Tribulation Crystal, at this moment, was like a greedy black hole, frantically absorbing all the potential and insights he had squeezed out on the edge of life and death, undergoing a crucial transformation and stabilization. His soul, flesh, and even every strand of Chaos Tribulation Power were experiencing a slow yet thorough "tribulation fire" recasting, which could not be interrupted or accelerated.

Only waiting.

Zhao Yuan, who also fell into a deep coma, was in another state.

His consciousness was trapped in a strange space of absolute darkness, with only the gray-white faint light emitted by the "Silent Shadow" divine sword. This was not his sea of consciousness, but more like the depths of the "Silent Shadow" sword spirit, or the inheritance space transformed by the final sword intent of that ancient silent sword cultivator.

In the darkness, countless gray-white sword intent runes flowed, like stars, and like cold raindrops. Each rune contained a sword move that was exquisite yet full of ending meaning, as well as part of that sword cultivator's insights into the "Silent" Dao.

A blurry voice composed of countless sword hums echoed in his consciousness:

"My Dao is lonely and absolute, slashing stars to prove silence. The sword comes without regret, all things return to ruins."

"You inherit my sword, not my hatred. Sword intent follows the heart, can slash falsehood, can break cause and effect, and can also... protect a ray of light in the heart."

"However, the silent Dao is extremely dangerous. The sword holder should see the heart and nature, know what to slash, what to keep. If you lose your original heart, how is it different from a demon? Eventually, you will become a slave to silence, and the souls under the sword will also include your body."

"The cause and effect of the Star Evil Graveyard has been resolved by you and that chaos cultivator. However, the shadow of the Ruins Abyss has arrived, and the great tribulation of this realm is about to rise. What should your sword hum for?"

The voice gradually faded, leaving only those countless gray-white sword intent runes, like the strictest teachers, waiting for the student's understanding and choice.

Zhao Yuan gripped the "Silent Shadow" that seemed to have life and transmitted pulses, and in the absolute darkness, began to arduously comprehend and absorb these ancient sword intents. He needed power, power that could protect, power that could slash the darker shackles of the future. But the warning of that sword cultivator senior also rang in his heart like an alarm bell. He must find his own "sword heart," rather than simply becoming a replica of the ancient silent Dao.

Tianyuan Continent, Imperial Capital.

In the Chengping Hall, the atmosphere was murderous and grave, even more oppressive than when the demonic disaster first broke out.

Huangfu Hao sat on the dragon throne, wearing plain casual clothes, his brow full of fatigue and worry, but his eyes were still sharp as a hawk. Below, in addition to Eunuch Wei, cabinet ministers, military generals, the three overseas Elders Beichen, Yan Gang, and Ling Shuang were also present, but at this moment, their expressions were also very ugly.

On the imperial desk, in addition to the mountains of reports from all over the country, there were several image-recording jade talismans and broken magic treasure fragments emitting strange fluctuations, all brought back by reconnaissance cultivators who risked their lives to go deep into the ruins after Blood Shark Island was destroyed.

"... In summary," the blurry figure of the Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion stood by the side of the hall, his voice less ethereal and more depressed, "Although the Blood Shark Island demon nest was destroyed and Shadow Erosion was executed, Little Friend Lin and Zhao Yuan are seriously injured and in a coma, and have not yet woken up, and their injuries involve the origin of the Dao foundation, which ordinary elixirs and healing formations have little effect on. What is more serious is that since the seventh day after the destructive explosion on Blood Shark Island, abnormal phenomena such as 'accelerated demonic energy erosion,' 'slight abnormal movement of earth veins,' and 'frequent inner demons in low-level cultivators' have appeared in the eastern coastal areas and even parts of the inland."

He pointed to an image-recording jade talisman, and the spiritual power was activated, showing a seaside fishing village where the villagers had red eyes and were behaving crazily, with strands of black energy entangled on their bodies; another showed a mountain forest where the vegetation withered and turbid gas mixed with dim dark light seeped out of the ground cracks.

"After joint investigation by this old man and fellow Daoists from the Star Palace and Profound Ice Pavilion," the Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion continued, "the root cause of these abnormal phenomena is not the work of remaining demonic creatures, but... the natural laws of this realm are being slowly infiltrated and disturbed by a higher-level, more original 'Demonic Erosion' power. Its source points to the 'coordinate' bombarded by the destructive energy guided by Little Friend Lin and Zhao Yuan after the final explosion on Blood Shark Island—that is, the body or important clone of the Ruins Abyss demonic consciousness."

Beichen intervened, his tone heavy: "My Star Palace's secret technique 'Observing Stars to Distinguish Demons' also has some feelings. Recently, the natural phenomena have been gloomy, the trajectories of the stars have appeared chaotic, and there is a sign of 'Guest Star Offending Ziwei,' which is a sign of great evil from the outside. The existence in the depths of the demon sea has been completely alarmed. The 'Demonic Erosion' power fed back, although it appears thin and slow due to the distance and the obstruction of the world barrier, its essence is extremely high, like a bone-attached gangrene, difficult to eradicate. In the long run, it will inevitably damage the foundation of this realm and pave the way for the Demon Abyss to invade on a large scale."

Ling Shuang said coldly: "My Profound Ice Pavilion's 'Ice Soul Reflecting Heart Mirror' also saw extremely hidden demonic thoughts, like invisible spider webs, slowly hanging down from the sky, attempting to entangle the luck lines of the living beings and earth veins of this realm. Its target seems to be particularly aimed at those with great luck (such as Your Majesty) and those with special origins (such as Fellow Daoist Lin)."

Yan Gang slammed his thigh, making a muffled sound: "Damn it! Fought a small one, brought in a nest of old ones! And playing dirty! Pavilion Master, you Heavenly Mystery Pavilion are the best at calculating, what exactly do those demon cubs want to do? When will they really kill their way over on a large scale?"

The Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion was silent for a moment, his blurry face seeming more grave: "According to the infiltration speed of demonic energy, the changes in natural phenomena, and an 'Asking Heavenly Secrets' that this old man spent his lifespan on, the other side... seems to be executing a plan called 'Erosion World.' The goal is to completely erode and occupy this realm. The next large-scale, direct invasion... I'm afraid, will not exceed a hundred years. Even, if they find a more stable channel or method, this time... may be shortened."

"A hundred years?!" The hall was in an uproar. For mortals, a hundred years is long, but for a cultivation civilization, for a demonic disaster that may destroy the world, a hundred years may just be a snap of the fingers! Especially since the Tianyuan Continent has just experienced a demonic disaster and is waiting to be rebuilt, and the overseas Hanhai is also facing the pressure of the Returning Ruins Sea Eye.

"A hundred years... is still the most optimistic estimate." Huangfu Hao spoke slowly, his voice carrying the majesty and decisiveness of an emperor. "If, as the Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion and the Elders said, the power of 'Erosion World' has already begun to infiltrate, it is actually that the demonic disaster has arrived, just in a more insidious and slower way. We, have no more hundred years to waste."

He stood up, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall: "Transmit my decree:"

"First, use the power of the whole country, at all costs, to treat Fellow Daoist Lin Xuan and Zhao Yuan! Open the Imperial Secret Treasury, transmit the decree to the world's alchemy grandmasters and medical saints, and ask the three overseas sects for help! The two of them are the key to dealing with the future demonic tribulation!"

"Second, from today, the Tianyuan Imperial Dynasty enters a 'wartime state.' Reorganize military equipment, accelerate resource extraction and storage, promote basic cultivation methods, select elites, and form the 'Anti-Demon New Army.' Everything in internal affairs is prioritized for war preparation, and anyone who hinders, slacks off, or even communicates with demons will be executed on the spot!"

"Third, establish the 'Tianyuan-Hanhai Anti-Demon Alliance,' with me as the leader, and Eunuch Wei, the Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, and Elders Beichen, Ling Shuang, and Yan Gang as deputy leaders. The primary mission of the alliance: one, fully search for, reinforce, and seal all known Demon Abyss channels and fragile nodes (including the Returning Ruins Sea Eye); two, at all costs, search for clues to heaven and earth treasures such as 'Star Gold' and 'Chaos Breath Soil' that may stabilize the world and restrain demonic erosion; three, share all information and technology regarding the Demon Abyss, Ruins Abyss demonic consciousness, and the Erosion World plan; four, form a joint exploration and combat force to deal with sudden demonic disasters."

"Fourth, strictly monitor all abnormalities in the country and along the coast, especially phenomena related to 'Demonic Erosion,' 'Star Evil,' and 'Earth Vein Abnormal Movement,' and establish an early warning system. At the same time, strengthen the investigation of foreign cultivators, especially those with unknown identities and suspicious whereabouts."

One decree after another, swift and decisive, quickly tied the entire Imperial Dynasty and the soon-to-be-established alliance to the chariot of fighting against the Demon Abyss.

Beichen, Ling Shuang, and Yan Gang looked at each other, all seeing the determination in each other's eyes. Xing Lan's betrayal was the shame of the Star Palace, but the threat of the Demon Abyss was a common enemy. At this moment, the courage and foresight of this young emperor of the Tianyuan Imperial Dynasty made them see the value and necessity of cooperation.

"Star Palace (Profound Ice Pavilion/Giant Spirit Sect), respectfully follow the leader's orders!" The three bowed at the same time, formally representing their respective sects and joining the alliance in the wind and rain.

Just as the Tianyuan Imperial Dynasty and the three overseas sects were preparing for the decisive battle.

In the endless distance of the Ruins Abyss Demon Sea, the No. 7341 Observation Outpost (half-destroyed).

Broken demon flesh and distorted law substances floated in the filthy void. Two demonic shadows that were larger, more terrifying, and more bizarre in form than the Shadow Erosion Demon Marshal were floating at the core of the outpost ruins.

One demonic shadow resembled a giant tumor that kept wriggling, proliferating, and devouring all matter and energy around it, its surface covered in countless open giant mouths dripping with mucus, emitting chewing and swallowing sounds that froze the soul, it was one of the executors of the third stage of the "Erosion World" plan—"Greedy Eater."

The other demonic shadow was like a colorful smoke that kept changing, emitting various extreme negative emotions (despair, fear, madness, hatred...), and countless distorted and wailing soul faces could be vaguely seen in the smoke, it was "Filthy Soul."

They were receiving and analyzing the information fragments finally transmitted back from the Blood Shark Island node, as well as those that bounced back after being attacked by Lin Xuan's guidance.

"Chaos... Tribulation... interesting taste... great supplement..." A giant mouth of Greedy Eater opened and closed, emitting a vague and greedy intent.

"Silence... sword intent... pure ending... can be peeled... can be distorted..." The smoke of Filthy Soul rolled, transmitting a cold calculation.

"Coordinate... locked... world barrier... weak point... three places..." A mouth of Greedy Eater spat out several broken spatial coordinate information, one of which faintly pointed to a chaotic sea area at the junction of the Tianyuan Continent and the Endless Hanhai; another pointed to the depths of the Ten Thousand Demon Mountains; and a third was the most blurry, seeming to be related to some kind of "calling" or "sacrifice."

"Hundred years... too long... accelerate... erosion... search for... 'key'..." Filthy Soul's intent was full of impatience. "That world... has 'Dragon Qi' nodes... has 'Chaos' variables... has 'Star Core' fragments... all are excellent 'key' materials... find them... capture them... open the channel..."

"Notify... lurkers... act..." The many mouths of Greedy Eater grinned at the same time, revealing a ferocious smile.

A more hidden, more vicious search and capture order aimed at the "key," accompanied by law ripples that accelerated the infiltration of "Erosion World," pierced through heavy voids and quietly descended toward the world coordinate where the Tianyuan Continent was located.

This invisible demonic erosion ripple, although mostly weakened when piercing the world barrier, was too high in essence, still causing imperceptible yet real ripples between heaven and earth.

On the Star Observation Platform of the Imperial Capital, the Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion looked up abruptly, and a strand of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth under his blurry face.

Deep in the Falling Star Lake Mystical Realm, the broken star core trembled slightly.

In the Ten Thousand Demon Mountains, on the edge of the Returning Ruins Eye, in the concave valley where Huangfu Hao took the green lotus petals, the residual void dead silence energy suddenly became extremely active.

Above the Returning Ruins Sea Eye in the Endless Hanhai, the "Nine Heavens Demon-Suppressing Formation" maintained by the three overseas sects emitted a slight, unsettling whimper.

Lin Xuan, who was sleeping, had the "poisonous thorn" representing demonic thought feedback on the edge of the Chaos Tribulation Sea suddenly light up, transmitting clearer malice.

Zhao Yuan, who was in a coma, had the "Silent Shadow" divine sword in his hand have its gray-white light flow spontaneously, emitting a low sword hum carrying a warning meaning.

The beginning of the Erosion World, the demonic shadow has arrived. A silent war quietly opened its curtain in every corner of the world.