txolops Chapter 210 Three Great Cultivators Extend an Invitation! The Peril of Tiannan!
Chapter 210 Three Great Cultivators Extend an Invitation! The Peril of Tiannan!
"Seven islands with top-tier spiritual veins?"
Lin Chuan raised an eyebrow slightly.
That's quite a large sum.
"Indeed. Such a treasure land naturally attracted a fierce struggle among the four major powers. Regarding the ownership of these seven islands, the three great cultivators even stepped forward again to convene an 'Island Conquest Conference' to determine the allocation of the islands through a competition. In the end, they were divided up by the seven strongest sects of the righteous and demonic paths and the Heavenly Dao Alliance. Our Nine Kingdoms Alliance was a bit too far away, and our strength was slightly inferior, so we failed to seize one."
Linghu Patriarch's tone carried a hint of regret, and then he added:
"But the vortex itself is the greatest mystery. Countless cultivators have ventured into it to investigate, only to discover an unimaginable pressure deep within, which only intensifies with each deeper one goes. It is said that the Venerable Zhiyang once personally explored it, but when he reached a depth of about three thousand feet, he could not withstand the terrifying pressure weighing over ten thousand pounds and had to return empty-handed. To this day, no one knows where the bottom of the vortex leads or why it spews spiritual energy and causes the spiritual island to appear."
"It seems that the ancient demon who escaped from the Fallen Demon Valley was behind this."
After listening, Lin Chuan understood. The appearance of this vortex was probably the work of the Blood Flame Soul Split.
It disrupted the ancient cultivators' grand array node that suppressed the boundless sea demonic energy and purified the human realm, causing the suppressed true demonic energy to leak out and clash with the earth's spiritual energy, thus forming this strange vortex and spirit island.
Its purpose is probably to release more true demonic energy, or to find a passage to the demon realm.
"This matter is indeed strange, and there's probably a lot going on behind it," Lin Chuan said, not pointing it out, but simply echoing what Linghu Laozu had said.
Back in his cave, Lin Chuan activated the strongest restriction and began to calmly summarize what he had gained from this seclusion.
In terms of cultivation, he has already approached the peak of the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm, and his profound magical power and refined divine sense have reached a new level.
In particular, with the nourishment of the abundant spiritual energy in Lingmiao Garden and more than ten years of hard work, he finally cultivated the sixth level of the "Great Evolution Technique" to perfection!
With a slight thought, his boundless divine sense spread out silently, like mercury spilling onto the ground. One hundred miles, three hundred miles, five hundred miles... finally, it stabilized within a radius of six hundred miles!
"Six hundred li..."
A glint of light flashed in Lin Chuan's eyes.
As far as he knew, the range of a typical late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator's divine sense was about three hundred miles. However, a cultivator in the early-stage Deity Transformation stage could break through the thousand-mile barrier with their divine sense.
His current spiritual sense range of 600 miles, although still far from the Nascent Soul stage, has far surpassed any Nascent Soul cultivator, reaching an astonishing level!
Judging solely from his spiritual consciousness, he is already comparable to a being who has just entered the Nascent Soul stage!
"With my current cultivation level and divine sense, combined with the Great Geng Sword Formation, the Awakening Insect Divine Sword, the Spirit Subduing Talisman, and many other methods... there are probably only a handful of people below the Nascent Soul stage who can threaten me."
Lin Chuan made a clear assessment of his own strength.
However, once one reaches the Nascent Soul stage, every step becomes incredibly difficult.
Breaking through from the mid-stage to the late-stage of the Nascent Soul realm is no easy feat; it may require a century or even several centuries of accumulation and enlightenment. Simply retreating into seclusion for arduous cultivation is not the best approach.
Since cultivation is difficult to achieve quickly, one should enhance strength in other ways.
In terms of secret techniques, he possesses the incredibly powerful divine sense attack technique, the Awakening Insect Divine Sword, which is more than enough to serve as a trump card.
Several spirit-summoning talismans were also crafted, which could temporarily grant a portion of the power of transformed demonic beasts at crucial moments.
In terms of magical artifacts, the seventy-two Green Bamboo Bee Cloud Swords infused with Geng essence, combined with the Great Geng Sword Formation, already possess unparalleled offensive power among swords of the same level, sufficient to handle the vast majority of situations.
"Right now, there are probably two directions that can most quickly and effectively improve our overall strength," Lin Chuan thought to himself.
"Firstly, it helps the Great Evolution Divine Lord to refine that late-stage Nascent Soul puppet as soon as possible. With that puppet's assistance, it's like having an extra fearless and powerful late-stage Nascent Soul fighter, greatly increasing confidence in both self-defense and combat."
"Secondly, I will attempt to refine that heaven-reaching spiritual treasure—the 'Primordial Jade Disc'! This treasure is a supreme defensive artifact. If I can successfully refine it, my ability to protect myself will increase several levels, and I will have the confidence to fight even against Nascent Soul cultivators. I have already collected most of the materials. Although the remaining few are rare, they are not impossible to find. I can start inquiring about them."
Having determined the direction to take, Lin Chuan felt at ease.
He planned to rest and recuperate at the sect for a while and handle some miscellaneous matters. He then went out to find the last few materials needed to refine the Hunyuan Jade Wall and to inquire about more information about the ancient demon's divided soul and the Boundless Sea Vortex.
However, the tree wants to be quiet but the wind keeps on.
Several days later, a sound transmission talisman flew into Lin Chuan's cave.
The visitor claimed to be an elder of the Huayi Sect of the Nine Kingdoms Alliance, a cultivator in the early Nascent Soul stage, who had come on Wei Wuyai's orders.
Lin Chuan received him in the sect's main hall.
"Junior Qi Changfeng of the Huayi Sect pays respects to Ancestor Lin!" This Qi-surnamed cultivator was extremely respectful to Lin Chuan, even showing a hint of awe. Lin Chuan's feats of slaying Master Zhong and fighting against the ancient demon had already spread throughout the high-level cultivator circle.
"Fellow Daoist Qi, there's no need for such formalities. What brings Fellow Daoist Wei here?"
Lin Chuan got straight to the point.
"Reporting to Elder Lin," Qi Changfeng said solemnly, "Elder Wei was overjoyed to hear of Elder Lin's safe return. He specially sent me to invite Elder Lin to the coast of Xi Kingdom for a chat, as there are important matters to discuss."
"Oh?" Lin Chuan feigned surprise, but he already knew most of it. "Do you know what important matter it is that requires Fellow Daoist Wei to personally invite you, and even choose the coast of Xi Kingdom?"
"Well... I am of low rank, and Elder Wei did not say it explicitly. He only mentioned that this matter concerns the safety of the cultivation world in Tiannan, and that Venerable Zhiyang will also be present," Qi Changfeng replied cautiously.
"Will Master Zhiyang also be going?"
Lin Chuan frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and nodded, saying, "Since Fellow Daoist Wei and Fellow Daoist Zhiyang have invited me, and the matter is of great importance, I, Lin, should certainly go. Please tell Fellow Daoist Wei that I will arrive in a few days."
"Yes! This junior will go back to report immediately!" Qi Changfeng breathed a sigh of relief, bowed, and withdrew.
Lin Chuan watched the departing light, a thoughtful look in his eyes. It seemed the strange changes in the vortex of the Boundless Sea had deeply unsettled the three cultivators, and they might even have detected the ancient demon's presence. This invitation was likely more than just a simple discussion.
Without delay, he gave instructions to Elder Linghu, then got up and left Huangfeng Valley, flying towards Xi Kingdom.
Several days later, Lin Chuan arrived at the eastern coast of Xi Kingdom. Following the address left by Qi Changfeng, he quickly found the meeting place—a solitary peak facing the boundless sea, shrouded in clouds and mist.
Before he even got close, he sensed two incredibly powerful auras from the summit.
One aura was as deep as the sea, brimming with vitality; it belonged to Wei Wuyai. The other aura was upright and peaceful, yet vast as the heavens; it belonged to the Righteous Path Supreme Yang Master.
"Fellow Daoist Lin, we've been waiting for you for a long time!"
Two figures floated down from the mountaintop; they were Wei Wuyai and Master Zhiyang.
When the two saw Lin Chuan, they both smiled, but deep within those smiles lay a hint of solemnity.
"Fellow Daoist Wei, Fellow Daoist Zhiyang, it's been a long time." Lin Chuan returned the greeting with a cupped hand, his expression calm.
The three took their seats in a stone pavilion atop the peak. Without much pleasantries, Master Zhiyang's expression quickly turned solemn, and he cut to the chase:
"Fellow Daoist Lin, back in the Fallen Demon Valley, you and the soul of that ancient demon lord were swallowed by a spatial rift. Now that you have returned safely, I wonder about the soul of that ancient demon lord..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear.
This is one of their biggest concerns.
If the main soul is still present, and it merges with the divided soul, its combat power may reach the true Nascent Soul stage, making it impossible for anyone in Tiannan to be its match.
The consequences would be unimaginable.
Lin Chuan had anticipated this question and calmly replied, "Fellow Daoists, rest assured. The soul of that ancient demon master has been destroyed by the restrictions placed by the ancient cultivators in the ruins of Lingmiao Garden. Its form and spirit have been completely scattered, and there is absolutely no possibility of its survival."
"Is this true?" Wei Wuyai pressed, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes.
"I saw it with my own eyes, and there is absolutely no falsehood in it," Lin Chuan said firmly.
"Good! Good! With your words, fellow Daoist, I am relieved!" Venerable Zhiyang breathed a long sigh of relief, his expression noticeably more relaxed. With the main soul destroyed, only a fragment of the soul remained. Although it possessed the demonic body and was incredibly powerful, it was not insurmountable for the combined strength of all the cultivators in Tiannan.
"With the main soul destroyed, the divided souls are nothing to fear. As long as we find its trail and gather the power of the entire Tiannan region, we will surely be able to completely eradicate it!"
Wei Wuyai also spoke in a deep voice, his tone now more confident.
Having resolved the most worrying hidden danger, Venerable Zhiyang changed the subject, his expression becoming even more solemn: "Fellow Daoist Lin, I heard from Fellow Daoist Wei that you possess a natal flying sword forged from Golden Thunder Bamboo and can wield the legendary 'Evil-Repelling Divine Thunder,' which is said to be specifically effective against demonic forces. Is this true?"
When he asked this question, Master Zhiyang stared intently at Lin Chuan.
Lin Chuan understood; he knew the real show was about to begin.
He nodded, readily admitting, "That's right. My natal flying sword is indeed crafted primarily from ten-thousand-year-old Golden Thunder Bamboo, and it possesses the power to ward off evil spirits with divine thunder. This was obtained by chance, and it's not a secret."
"Just as I expected!"
Upon hearing this, Master Zhiyang was overjoyed. He exchanged a glance with Wei Wuyai, both seeing the excitement in each other's eyes.
"Excellent! Excellent! Fellow Daoist Lin can wield the Evil-Repelling Divine Thunder, making him the perfect candidate that Fellow Daoist Wei and I have been searching for!"
Master Zhiyang clapped his hands, then his tone turned serious, "However, the specific reasons are too important to discuss here, as they concern the safety of the entire Tiannan cultivation world and may even affect the fate of the human realm, lest the walls have ears and leak the information. I can only tell you, fellow Daoist, that this matter is directly related to the strange whirlpool that recently appeared in the Boundless Sea!"
Lin Chuan frowned slightly, a thoughtful expression on his face: "The Boundless Sea Vortex? I've heard of it too. Could it be that beneath that vortex lies some secret related to the ancient demons, requiring the Evil-Repelling Divine Thunder to subdue it?"
"Fellow Daoist Lin is indeed perceptive."
Wei Wuyai interjected, his tone grave, "We are still investigating the specifics. But we are certain that the area beneath that vortex is far from safe, and may even be more dangerous than the escaped ancient demon's fragmented soul. We need your assistance with your Evil-Repelling Divine Thunder."
Master Zhiyang took over the conversation and extended an invitation: "Fellow Daoist Lin, this matter is of great importance and cannot be explained in a few words. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Lin would be willing to accompany me and Fellow Daoist Wei to the Seven Spirits Island in the Boundless Sea? Once we arrive there and meet Fellow Daoist Hehuan, we will discuss the matter in detail and devise a strategy together."
Lin Chuan pondered for a moment, then nodded in agreement: "Since this matter concerns the safety of Tiannan, as a cultivator from Tiannan, I should do my part. I will accompany you two fellow Daoists on this trip."
"Excellent! Let's not delay, let's set off now!"
Seeing that Lin Chuan agreed so readily, Master Zhiyang and Wei Wuyai felt reassured.
Without further delay, the three transformed into three streaks of light and flew towards the seven newly emerged spirit islands in the depths of the boundless sea.
Before long, Lin Chuan appeared on the surface of the sea.
Before even discovering the so-called Seven Spirits Island, they already sensed astonishing changes in the surrounding sea.
The once murky seawater, while not exactly clear, had already begun to resemble azure.
A sweep of divine sense revealed some small fish and shrimp in the sea, but the ferocious sea beasts that should have been there were nowhere to be seen.
The spiritual energy in the vicinity is vastly different from what it used to be, proving that the rumors were indeed true.
After more than half a day, Lin Chuan finally sensed that there was a huge source of spiritual energy in a very distant place, which was obviously very prominent.
Near this massive source of spiritual energy, seven smaller fluctuations of spiritual energy could be heard.
It seems to be the so-called Seven Spirits Island.
Several days later, the three arrived at a sea area shrouded in a light spiritual mist.
In the distance, seven islands of varying sizes, each brimming with vitality, are scattered like stars, guarding the enormous vortex in the center that seems capable of swallowing everything.
They did not linger on the outer islands, but flew directly to the tallest and most spiritually rich of the seven islands.
There were not many low-level cultivators on the island, and it was heavily guarded. Nascent Soul level divine senses swept across it from time to time, indicating that it had been transformed into an important stronghold.
The three landed in front of what appeared to be an ordinary rocky hill.
Master Zhiyang cast a spell, and the mountain wall opened up, revealing a deep passage.
Entering the passage, one arrives at a spacious stone chamber. The interior is simply furnished, with only a burly man in black robes standing with his hands behind his back, his back to the entrance. This is none other than the number one figure in the demonic path—the Old Demon of the Joyful Union.
Sensing the arrival of the three, the Old Demon of Hehuan slowly turned around. His copper bell-like eyes lingered on Lin Chuan for a moment, and he nodded slightly as a greeting. Then he spoke in a deep voice, his tone like the friction of metal:
"Fellow Daoist Lin, you've come at the right time. I'll get straight to the point. The reason I invited you here today is that there may be a catastrophic event beneath the boundless sea whirlpool, and this matter... is still related to the escaped ancient demon's fragmented soul!"
"Oh?"
Lin Chuan feigned curiosity.
"Fellow Daoist Lin, don't you think the timing of the whirlpool's appearance is too coincidental? It's almost as if we just drove away the ancient demon over there, and this strange phenomenon appeared in the boundless sea here."
"Moreover, during the final period when the ancient demon was being besieged, it slaughtered some cultivation families and minor sects everywhere. The three of us later discovered that these families and sects were actually forces that possessed demonic artifacts or were rumored to possess them. In fact, three demonic artifacts were taken by this ancient demon."
"And in a secluded spot near this great vortex, the remains of one of the missing magical artifacts were discovered. It appeared to have been destroyed instantly after enduring immense power..."
"The Old Demon of Hehuan said with a solemn expression."