Chapter 141

The door of the quiet room slid open silently.

Lin Xuan walked out slowly.

He was still wearing a simple cyan robe, but a layer of imperceptible chaotic halo seemed to flow naturally over the fabric. His gray-purple hair was draped loosely, and at the tips, fine electric sparks occasionally flashed and vanished. His face remained young and handsome, yet it possessed a new depth and calmness, as if he had experienced the vicissitudes of eternity. Those eyes were clear to the bottom, as if they could reflect the deepest thoughts in a person's heart, and as if they contained thunder capable of extinguishing the stars.

He did not deliberately release any pressure, but merely by standing there, he made the crowd of Soul Formation and even Spirit Transformation cultivators waiting outside the quiet room—including Eunuch Wei, Beichen, Lingshuang, and Yangang—feel an invisible pressure originating from the level of life and the status of the Great Dao. It was as if the person standing before them was not a newly breakthrough Spirit Transformation cultivator, but a walking, unpredictable chaotic heavenly tribulation.

"Brother Lin!" Eunuch Wei was the first to react, his face unable to hide his excitement. "You have finally awakened! And this aura... Congratulations, Brother Lin, for your advancement in the Great Dao and your entry into the Spirit Transformation stage!"

Lin Xuan nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the crowd before finally landing on Huangfu Hao, who had also arrived upon hearing the news. Huangfu Hao was dressed in a dragon robe; although the worry between his brows had not yet faded, seeing Lin Xuan exit seclusion safely, a heartfelt joy and sense of relief erupted in his eyes.

"Brother Huangfu, long time no see." Lin Xuan cupped his hands, his voice calm and gentle, yet carrying a strange penetrating power.

"Brother Lin! Seeing that you are unharmed, I... my heart is greatly comforted!" Huangfu Hao stepped forward, carefully observing Lin Xuan. Feeling the unfathomable aura on the other, his heart settled. "Many things have happened during the days you were in seclusion..."

He gave a concise and comprehensive account of the major events during Lin Xuan's seclusion, such as the infiltration of the "Erosion Realm" demonic thoughts, the frequent occurrence of heavenly anomalies, and the establishment of the "Tianyuan-Hanhai Anti-Demon Alliance," and shared without reservation the warning from the Pavilion Master of Heavenly Secrets regarding the "hundred-year deadline" and the search for the "key."

Lin Xuan listened quietly, his face showing no great surprise. With his Chaotic Tribulation Dao Dharma Body newly formed, his perception of the "tribulation" and "change" in the world was even sharper, and he had already vaguely sensed that malicious peeping and erosion coming from outside the world. It was just that the Pavilion Master of Heavenly Secrets had clarified the time as "one hundred years" and named the threat the "Erosion Realm Plan," providing a clearer outline.

"One hundred years, perhaps even shorter." Lin Xuan pondered for a moment after listening and said, "The 'Erosion Realm' power of the Abyss Demon consciousness has already begun to infiltrate. Its goal is clear: first, the origin and destiny of this realm, and second, those who possess the special 'key' trait. If we defend passively, we will only be constrained at every step."

He looked at Beichen and the others: "Fellow Daoists from the Star Palace, Profound Ice Pavilion, and Giant Spirit Sect, I am deeply impressed that you can join hands with the Tianyuan Imperial Dynasty in this time of crisis. To confront the Demon Abyss, we truly need to gather the strength of this entire realm."

Beichen hurriedly cupped his hands, his tone more respectful than before: "Fellow Daoist Lin, you are too kind. The Demon Abyss is the enemy of all living beings, and the betrayal of Xing Lan is the shame of our Star Palace. The entire Star Palace will surely do its utmost to resist the demonic tribulation and atone for our crimes."

Lingshuang and Yangang also expressed their determination.

"The most urgent tasks are three." Lin Xuan cut straight to the point, his logic clear: "First, save Zhao Yuan with all our might and help him stabilize his sword heart; this child has huge potential and may become a great combat force in the future. Second, immediately set about integrating the alliance's resources and search for clues to 'Star Essence Gold' and 'Chaotic Breath Soil' as soon as possible. These two items are not only related to the sealing of the Return to Ruins Sea Eye, but may also have miraculous effects in resisting 'Erosion Realm' infiltration and stabilizing the laws of this realm. Third, strictly monitor and attempt to purify and block the 'Demonic Erosion' nodes that have already appeared, delaying their rate of erosion and buying us more time."

He paused and looked at the phantom of the Pavilion Master of Heavenly Secrets: "Pavilion Master, you have deduced the heavenly secrets; do you know what the 'key' trait specifically refers to? Besides the imperial dynasty's destiny, chaotic power, and star core fragments, are there others?"

The Pavilion Master of Heavenly Secrets pondered: "The theory of the 'key' is what this old man sensed from the demonic thoughts. Its meaning should be a key medium or offering to 'open or stabilize the passage to this realm.' The majestic Imperial Dragon Qi can stabilize the destiny of a realm and is an excellent 'coordinate anchor'; the mysterious chaotic power encompasses all laws and may 'neutralize' the repulsion of the realm barrier; star core fragments contain the aura of the world's origin and are naturally superior 'fuses.' Besides these... those who possess powerful destiny or have deep origins with ancient ruins may also be regarded as 'keys' by the Demon Abyss. For example, the 'Silent Star Annihilation Sword' that just awakened in the hands of young friend Zhao Yuan, its origin is related to the fall of ancient stars, and I fear it is also in this category."

Once these words were spoken, everyone's heart sank. This meant that not only Huangfu Hao, Lin Xuan, and Zhao Yuan, but even some cultivators within the dynasty who possessed special destinies or inheritances might become targets for the Demon Abyss to hunt and capture!

"It seems we must not only protect the world, but also protect our own people." Huangfu Hao said in a deep voice, a fierce look flashing in his eyes. "Order the Shadow Guards and the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion to secretly investigate those within the territory who meet the 'key' traits and strengthen their protection and monitoring. At the same time, within the alliance, we must also establish strict confidentiality and mutual protection clauses."

Just then, the door of the adjacent quiet room also opened.

Zhao Yuan walked out, holding the brand-new "Silent Shadow" divine sword. His expression was calm, his eyes sharp and firm. Although he only had the cultivation base of the Golden Core peak, the restrained sword intent of annihilation made the several Soul Formation cultivators present feel a vague threat. Especially the ancient longsword in his hand, with its dark gold and gray-white patterns intertwined, exuding a heart-palpitating Dao rhyme of severing and ending.

Seeing that Lin Xuan had exited seclusion, a flash of excitement appeared in Zhao Yuan's eyes. He stepped forward and bowed deeply: "Senior Lin, you are awake! This junior has fortunately not failed the mission; I have clarified my sword heart and luckily have not fallen into the demonic path."

Lin Xuan's gaze fell upon him, especially on the "Silent Shadow," and he nodded: "Very good. Annihilation is not the end; protection also requires sharpness. Your path is now clear, and your future achievements will be limitless."

Zhao Yuan bowed again, and after rising, he said solemnly: "This junior is willing to follow you and His Majesty, and with this sword, slay demons, defend the Dao, and protect the peace of our realm!"

Seeing that both Lin Xuan and Zhao Yuan had successfully broken through and awakened, and were in excellent condition, the heavy stone hanging in everyone's hearts finally landed, and their confidence in resisting the demonic tribulation increased significantly.

Over the next few days, under the chairmanship of Emperor Chengping, Huangfu Hao, the framework and specific regulations of the "Tianyuan-Hanhai Anti-Demon Alliance" were quickly finalized.

The alliance headquarters was temporarily set up in the Tianyuan Imperial Capital, while branches were established in Linhai City, the Star Palace's Shattered Star Island, the Profound Ice Pavilion's Profound Ice Island, and the Giant Spirit Sect's Giant Spirit Island. The highest decision-making body of the alliance was the "Alliance Leader Conference," composed of seven people: Huangfu Hao (Alliance Leader), the Pavilion Master of Heavenly Secrets (Deputy Alliance Leader), Eunuch Wei (representing the imperial military), Lin Xuan (Chief Consultant), and Beichen, Lingshuang, and Yangang (representing the three overseas sects). For major matters, at least five people must agree before execution.

Under the alliance, there were:

· Intelligence Division: Led by the Pavilion Master of Heavenly Secrets, assisted by the Star Palace and Profound Ice Pavilion, responsible for monitoring demonic erosion dynamics, collecting information on the Demon Abyss, and investigating internal hidden dangers.

· Resource Division: Jointly managed by the Imperial Ministry of Revenue and the three overseas sects, responsible for coordinating and allocating all cultivation resources within the alliance, with a focus on searching for strategic materials such as "Star Essence Gold" and "Chaotic Breath Soil."

· Combat Readiness Division: Jointly responsible by Eunuch Wei and Yangang, responsible for training the coalition army, developing formations and magic treasures to counter demonic energy, and formulating combat plans.

· Purification Division: Nominally guided by Lin Xuan, specifically managed by Lingshuang, gathering cultivators skilled in purification, sealing, and healing to deal with the appeared demonic erosion nodes.

· Outreach Division: Responsible by Beichen, responsible for contacting other forces in the Endless Hanhai, and even other continents or realms that might exist, to win over more allies.

The alliance implemented a contribution point system internally, where members earned points based on task contributions, which could be exchanged for cultivation techniques, elixirs, magic treasures, and other resources. At the same time, strict confidentiality oaths and mutual assistance clauses were established; those who betrayed the alliance or communicated with demons would be jointly hunted down by all member forces.

With the regulations initially set, all parties immediately took action.

The Intelligence Division was the first to send back definitive news: three small demonic erosion nodes along the eastern coast had been confirmed, and signs of low-level demonic creatures breeding had begun to appear; on the edge of the Endless Hanhai, two abnormal areas with energy fluctuations similar to the Return to Ruins Sea Eye were marked; at the same time, on the southern border of the imperial dynasty bordering the Ten Thousand Demon Mountains, anomalies in the earth veins and weak leaks of demonic energy were also discovered.

"The infiltration of demonic erosion is faster than expected, and the scope is wider." The Pavilion Master of Heavenly Secrets said in a deep voice at the Alliance Leader Conference, "We must immediately send out purification teams to deal with these nodes to prevent them from expanding and connecting into a web."

"The first legion of the 'Demon-Slaying Army' newly trained by the Combat Readiness Division has initially taken shape and can cooperate with the Purification Division's actions." Eunuch Wei reported.

Lin Xuan said: "Zhao Yuan and I can accompany the first purification team. Firstly, to test our combat power, and secondly, my Chaotic Tribulation power and Zhao Yuan's annihilation sword intent may have miraculous effects on purifying demonic energy."

Huangfu Hao nodded: "Approved. The first target is set as the 'Black Reef Bay' node on the eastern coast. This node is closest to Linhai City and near the shipping lane, posing the greatest threat. Brother Lin will lead the team, with Zhao Yuan, Elder Lingshuang, and five hundred elites from the first battalion of the 'Demon-Slaying Army' accompanying. Be sure to make a quick decision and find out the characteristics and purification methods of such nodes."

"Understood."

Three days later, Black Reef Bay.

This place was filled with jagged rocks, the seawater was dark, and the air was permeated with a faint, fishy, and decaying odor. Originally just a desolate bay, it was now vaguely shrouded in a thin, constantly twisting gray-black mist. Within the mist, one could vaguely see some twisted, red-eyed sea beasts and a small number of low-rank cultivators who had been eroded by demonic energy and were confused. On the rock wall deep in the bay, a crack about ten feet long, constantly oozing turbid black energy, was pulsing slightly, like a wound.

This was the initially formed "Demonic Erosion Node."

Lin Xuan hovered above the bay, looking down. Although his Chaotic Tribulation Dao Dharma Body was not manifested, his perception had already vaguely merged with this world. In his eyes, the crack was not just a physical wound, but a "hole" eaten out of the laws of this realm by the power of the "Erosion Realm," constantly infiltrating the filth and chaos of the Abyss Demon Sea into this realm, polluting the earth veins and living beings.

"Deploy the 'Spirit-Purifying Demon-Repelling Array'! The Demon-Slaying Army, form a defensive array and clear out the peripheral demonized creatures! Elder Lingshuang, use the power of Profound Ice to temporarily freeze the periphery of the node and delay the spread of demonic energy! Zhao Yuan, follow me to approach the core of the node." Lin Xuan's voice was calm, yet carried an unquestionable majesty, clearly reaching everyone's ears.

The order was executed quickly.

Lingshuang lifted her fair hands, and an ice-blue cold tide surged out, quickly condensing thick ice walls shimmering with purification runes around the bay entrance and the crack, temporarily blocking the further spread and leakage of demonic energy. Five hundred Demon-Slaying soldiers formed a battle array, their spiritual light soaring to the sky as they fought with the demonized sea beasts surging from the periphery.

Lin Xuan and Zhao Yuan transformed into two streams of light, shooting straight toward the pulsing crack.

The closer they got, the stronger the erosive power of the demonic energy became, and chaotic whispers and illusions began to ring in their ears. But for Lin Xuan, these demonic thoughts were like a breeze brushing his face, easily resolved and absorbed by the chaotic tribulation power naturally circulating around his body. The "Silent Shadow" in Zhao Yuan's hand chimed softly, and the gray-white annihilation sword intent spontaneously formed a tiny sword domain, severing and purifying all the incoming demonic thoughts and filthy energy.

The two stopped ten feet in front of the crack.

"This node is newly born and its foundation is still shallow, but it is connected to the 'Erosion Realm' origin deep in the Demon Sea. Simply sealing or purifying the surface may not cut off the root." Lin Xuan observed for a moment and concluded, "We need to use powerful force to temporarily sever its connection with the Demon Sea, then thoroughly purify this area, and use a formation to suppress it for a long time to prevent it from coming back to life."

He looked at Zhao Yuan: "Your annihilation sword intent can sever the 'connection.' Later, I will use Chaotic Tribulation power to strike the core of the node, disrupting its energy structure and temporarily simulating the effect of 'realm barrier repulsion.' At that moment, you must strike with your strongest sword, not aiming at the crack itself, but at the invisible 'Erosion Realm passage' deep within the crack that connects to the Demon Sea."

Zhao Yuan nodded gravely, took a deep breath, and gripped "Silent Shadow" with both hands. The gray-white sword intent began to condense and compress around his body, and the dark gold patterns on the sword body lit up accordingly.

Lin Xuan raised his right hand, palm upward. There was no earth-shattering momentum, just a wisp of pure, gray, chaotic airflow that seemed capable of assimilating all things, slowly emerging and rotating in his palm.

"Chaos returns to ruins, ten thousand laws face tribulation."

He gently pressed the chaotic airflow in his palm toward the pulsing crack.

"Hum—!"

The moment the chaotic airflow touched the crack, the crack that had been slowly oozing black energy suddenly trembled, as if it had been greatly stimulated, suddenly contracting and expanding violently, spewing out even thicker and more turbid demonic energy, which even contained small, twisted phantom images of demonic insects and crazy hissing!

But at the same time, deep in the crack, the invisible passage connected to the distant Demon Sea also appeared to have short-term disorder and fluctuations under the impact of the "all things return to ruins" and "law assimilation" characteristics of the Chaotic Tribulation power! The structure of the passage became unstable.

"Now!" Lin Xuan shouted in a low voice.

"Silent Shadow: Slash the Void!"

The sword light in Zhao Yuan's eyes surged, man and sword becoming one, transforming into a straight sword light refined to the extreme, gray-white with inner dark gold, with the momentum to sever cause and effect and destroy illusions, fiercely stabbing into the depths of the violently fluctuating crack! Wherever the sword light passed, the turbid demonic energy melted away as if encountering a nemesis, and the sword intent locked onto and slashed the most fragile "connection point" of that invisible passage with extreme precision!

"Screech—!"

The sound of cloth being torn by a sharp blade came from an unknown place.

The demonic energy spewed by the crack suddenly stalled, and then, like a stream of water whose source had been cut off, it weakened rapidly. The crack itself also began to tremble violently, and signs of collapse appeared at the edges.

"Purify!" Lin Xuan used his other hand to draw in the air, and countless gray-purple thunder patterns containing the power of purification were generated out of thin air, winding around the crack like chains, infiltrating inward, and thoroughly purifying and annihilating the remaining demonic energy and filth.

Lingshuang also timely activated the power of Profound Ice, cooperating with the thunder patterns to thoroughly freeze and purify the crack and its surrounding area.

In less than a quarter of an hour, this newly born Demonic Erosion node was thoroughly eradicated. The gray-black mist over the bay slowly dissipated, and the sunlight shone down again. Although a faint aura of death remained in this place, requiring long-term natural purification and formation suppression, the most dangerous source had been extinguished.

The whole process was clean and neat, which secretly shocked Beichen, Yangang, and others who were watching the battle from behind. Lin Xuan's precise control of power and the power of Zhao Yuan's decisive sword were far beyond their expectations. Especially Lin Xuan's Chaotic Tribulation power, which seemed understated but contained supreme Dao rhyme, made their evaluation of this new Chief Consultant rise again.

"The Black Reef Bay node has been cleared. Record the node's characteristics, purification methods, and energy consumption." Lin Xuan withdrew his hand and instructed the accompanying recording officer, "This method can be promoted to other similar newly born nodes. But if the node has grown or is deeply combined with the earth veins, it needs to be more cautious, or it may be necessary to use 'Star Essence Gold' and other items to set up stronger seals."

"Yes!" Everyone took the order, their eyes looking at Lin Xuan full of awe and confidence.

The news of the first victory was quickly sent back to the imperial capital, and the alliance's morale was greatly boosted. More purification teams were sent out to the demonic erosion nodes discovered in various places.

However, just as the alliance was busy cleaning up the internal "borers."

Deep in the Endless Hanhai, in one of the marked abnormal areas with energy fluctuations similar to the Return to Ruins Sea Eye.

In the pitch-black seabed abyss, an ancient altar half-buried in sediment, covered with mottled copper rust and strange reliefs, suddenly vibrated slightly. In the center of the altar, in a long-dried groove, the remaining dark red stains seemed to be triggered by an invisible force, emitting a faint but unsettling palpitation.

An extremely obscure will, originating from the same source as the "Erosion Realm" demonic thoughts but even more ancient and strange, seemed to be awakened from an endless slumber. Following the "call" remaining in the stains, it cast an imperceptible thought toward the distant Tianyuan Continent, seemingly... looking for something, or responding to something.