Chapter 508 - 23: One Against Many, a Great Battle Against Cultivators

While Yan Zongdao, Rama, and Fang Cheng were locked in a battle of techniques, elsewhere in the canopy of the great tree, Pei Juxian and Xia Guming, who were at a stalemate, looked toward the distance with shocked expressions.

Although their Divine Sense was suppressed by the Feathered Immortal Tree, the terrifying Sword Intent, True Fire, and Demonic Sound still reached them clearly.

The aura of the Great Sun True Fire, in particular, was incredibly familiar to Pei Juxian.

’Could it be... Xi Yinglong is here too?’

Pei Juxian frowned slightly.

Xia Guming’s eyes flashed with a keen light as he said loudly, "Brother Pei, a battle of this magnitude must mean the Red Profound Order has appeared. Are we going to continue wasting our time here?"

Pei Juxian sneered. "Let me make this clear: your Xia Family will have no part in that Red Profound Order."

With that, he resumed his attack, urging the endless Frost Willow Leaves to besiege Xia Guming.

Xia Guming sighed helplessly. He had no choice but to cut his palm and smear his blood essence onto the Reincarnation Mirror.

He bowed deeply to the Reincarnation Mirror and said in a solemn voice, "I beseech the Old Ancestor for assistance!"

A few breaths later, a great expanse of golden light erupted from the Reincarnation Mirror. A large, ancient hand reached out from within and, with a gentle push, scattered the sky-full of Frost Willow Leaves and Ice Beams, opening a wide path for Xia Guming.

Xia Guming transformed into a streak of Profound Light, instantly escaping the encirclement and speeding off into the distance.

Pei Juxian held a long, crystalline, dark blue spike, but after hesitating for a long moment, he did not use it.

"Xia Guming has greatly depleted his vital energy by using that technique. You all wait here. I’m going to check things out over there." Pei Juxian put away the spike and, with a flicker of his body, vanished on the spot.

...

An elephant’s head on a human body, with eight arms growing from its sides, its form covered in thunder patterns and wreathed in lightning.

The Purple Cloud Royal Family!

Yan Zongdao abruptly halted his sword light and revealed his form, his expression grave as he looked toward the shoulder of the Fifth-rank Purple Cloud Royal.

A person was standing there.

He wore a Gray Mist Weaving Sun Daoist Robe. He was not tall and had a gaunt face with slightly sunken eyes. Though his appearance was unremarkable, he projected an unrivaled aura, making him seem even more terrifying than the Fifth-rank Ancient Evil Race member.

Yang Yi of the Mystic Sky Saint Sect.

With his back to the sky full of golden flames, Yan Zongdao slowly cupped his fist. "Fellow Daoist Yang, it has been a while."

Yang Yi looked at Yan Zongdao and said flatly, "Fellow Daoist Yan, that Red Profound Order is of great use to me."

Yan Zongdao sighed softly. "The great tribulation is upon us. How could this item not be important to me as well?"

As he spoke, a light flashed in his hand, revealing a token about a foot in size, shimmering with a brilliant five-colored divine light.

On it were two characters in bird seal script: Red Profound.

It was the Red Profound Order.

The moment the order appeared, it captured everyone’s attention.

Yang Yi, Rama, Fang Cheng, and those who had come with Yang Yi—the Celestial Fragrance Demon Emperor and the Ancient Evil Race member, Lei Yan.

Legend had it that only by holding this order could one find the Red Profound Association’s headquarters in the Mingxiao Domain: the Heaven Crossing Hall.

More importantly, whoever obtained this token could not only join the Red Profound Association ahead of time but also receive a world-shaking opportunity.

Yan Zongdao looked at the Red Profound Order, a flash of unwillingness in his eyes.

He said slowly, "I do not understand. The Mystic Sky Saint Sect is overseen by three Tribulation Realm Great Powers. Why must you, Fellow Daoist Yang, still come and contend with the likes of us for this item?"

Yang Yi replied, his face devoid of expression, "As you said, the great tribulation is coming. I need this token to ask the Heaven Crossing Hall Master for a favor."

Yan Zongdao smiled faintly. "This item belongs to whoever is destined to have it."

With that said, the Red Profound Order in his hand suddenly shot off to the side.

He, in turn, transformed into a soaring streak of sword light and shot toward the heavens.

Lei Yan let out an angry roar and instantly threw a seal technique at Yan Zongdao.

A blindingly brilliant purple bolt of lightning transformed into a Heaven-Opening Giant Axe that instantly chopped down upon the streak of sword light.

In an instant, Yan Zongdao’s sword light shifted through a hundred variations, deflecting the Thunder Power with the Peak of Profound Skill before vanishing in a flash.

’What an incredible Sword Technique,’ the onlookers couldn’t help but think in admiration.

...

Holding the Reincarnation Mirror, Xia Guming sped across the sea of leaves at an incredible speed, golden light dancing around him.

Suddenly, a strange, five-colored light shot straight toward him, enveloping an object that looked like a token.

He immediately reached out and grabbed it. Taking a closer look, he couldn’t help but feel both shocked and overjoyed.

It was the Red Profound Order.

’How could it be...’

Just as this thought crossed Xia Guming’s mind, he saw a figure in a gray robe approaching leisurely from the distance.

Behind this person flowed a five-colored radiance of gold, cyan, black, red, and yellow.

One of the lights—the Profound Light—descended, surging forward like a rolling tide. Within its gloomy glow, it seemed as if boundless, giant waves were crashing down.

"The Five Elements True Light!"

By the time Xia Guming realized what was happening, it was too late to dodge. He hastily channeled his Profound Skill, raising the treasured light of the Reincarnation Mirror to steady his body and keep from being engulfed.

Beneath the dim, chaotic light of the Reincarnation Mirror, Xia Guming knew his opponent was not to be trifled with and hurriedly retreated to the side.

Yang Yi shouted, "Hand over the Red Profound Order!"

As his voice fell, another ray of light—a piercing red one—shot out from the five-colored radiance behind him. It blazed like a torrent of molten fire, and with a single touch, it stripped away a layer of the Reincarnation Divine Light protecting Xia Guming.

Xia Guming pushed the Reincarnation Mirror to its limit, and its dim, chaotic light flared brightly. But the red radiance swept over him again, and in a single pass, it dissolved more than half of his Reincarnation Divine Light.

’This person is terrifyingly powerful!’

Gritting his teeth, Xia Guming’s figure flickered, and he flew into the Reincarnation Mirror.

The fiery red light descended once more, circling the Reincarnation Mirror.

In an instant, fierce flames burned the very heavens.

Its power was in no way inferior to, and perhaps even surpassed, the Great Sun True Fire that Fang Cheng had just unleashed with the Fire God Gu!

Not far away, the Fifth-rank Ancient Evil Race member, Lei Yan, flew over. His eight arms formed a seal, and he unleashed a world-shaking Thunderous Giant Axe Seal Technique.

BOOM!

Brilliant light filled the sky as dozens of lightning bolts struck down one after another, shattering the treasured light around the Reincarnation Mirror and preventing it from reforming.

At the same time, a black Demon Mountain tore through the air from the distance and smashed violently toward the Reincarnation Mirror.

Rama had also made his move.

Fang Cheng did not reveal himself, but he too joined the attack, sending an incomparably sharp, invisible streak of sword light slashing heavily toward the Reincarnation Mirror.

In the distance, Pei Juxian, who had been the last to arrive, decided to kick a man while he was down. He unleashed a magnificent beam of Ice Soul Divine Light, striking directly at the Reincarnation Mirror.

"Old Ancestor, save me!" Xia Guming’s voice rang out at almost the same instant.

A large hand was seen reaching out from the mirror’s golden light, forming a wondrous hand seal.

The next moment, the crimson firelight, the thunderous axe seal, the black Demon Mountain, the invisible sword light, and the Ice Soul Divine Light all landed on this large hand.

BOOM!

Amid the massive explosion, the large hand dissipated. The Reincarnation Mirror was sent spinning and used the momentum to break free of its restraints, tearing through the void in an attempt to escape.

The numerous experts all moved to intercept it.

Just then, a resplendent golden ancient cauldron leaped out of the void. Countless cries of birds and roars of beasts emanated from it—chirps and squawks, angry roars and long howls, all blending together into a complex symphony of sound.

The cauldron’s lid flew open, and a boundless swirl of golden stars and red threads rushed out like a whirlwind of lightning. It spewed forth a thousand streams of auspicious qi mixed with ten thousand specks of gold, which shot out like electricity and were the first to catch up to the Reincarnation Mirror.

The radiance was so intense it was hard to keep one’s eyes open.

Everyone could only watch as the brilliant light swept out, wrapped around the Reincarnation Mirror, and pulled it back into the ancient cauldron.

The lid instantly snapped shut.

The next moment, the ancient cauldron turned silently and vanished from everyone’s senses.

Even Lei Yan, the one with the highest Cultivation here, was filled with astonishment, unable to perceive any trace of the Treasure Cauldron.

"The Nine Yi Cauldron?"

Yang Yi frowned slightly, having recognized the treasure that had just seized the Reincarnation Mirror.

He scanned his surroundings, his gaze sweeping past Rama and Pei Juxian, before casually pinching a Yellow Paper Talisman between his fingers.

"Profound Celestial True Light, open!"

Following Yang Yi’s low shout, the Yellow Paper Talisman spontaneously combusted. A magnificent radiance erupted, instantly spreading out a thousand li from his fingers.

The entire Feathered Immortal Tree was enveloped by this mass of Profound Light.

A Fifth-grade Talisman!

The next moment, Yang Yi seemed to have discovered a clue. His figure abruptly transformed into the Five Elements True Light and flew off into the distance.

Lei Yan also transformed into a streak of purple lightning and followed close behind.

Watching the Profound Light fill the sky, Rama couldn’t help but remark with a sigh, "The Profound Celestial True Light... truly worthy of its reputation as one of the top Divine Techniques in this realm. Tsk tsk, it looks like the Resentment Demon Monarch is in for some trouble."

With that, he also transformed into a streak of Demonic Light and flew off in the direction Yang Yi had disappeared.

He had personally watched the Red Profound Order pass from Yan Zongdao’s hands into Xia Guming’s.

Now, it had found its way into the hands of the Resentment Demon Monarch.

The situation was changing so rapidly it was truly hard to predict.

Finally, without a word, Pei Juxian also followed after them.

...

White clouds drifted lazily across a blue sky over an azure sea. A gentle breeze blew while the bright sun hung high in the sky.

Having just escaped from Lei Yan and left the canopy of the Feathered Immortal Tree, Yan Zongdao stood atop the clouds, slowly regulating his breathing.

To have survived an encounter with a Fifth-rank Ancient Evil Race member was an achievement nearly all Dharma Realm cultivators dreamed of, but at this moment, Yan Zongdao’s expression was incredibly grim.

He gazed at the colossal tree rising from the sea in the distance, his eyes full of unwillingness. But alas, there was nothing he could do.

Just then, an astonishingly huge mass of Profound Light erupted from the tree’s canopy. It spread out instantly, blotting out the sky and sun, reaching to the farthest corners of the world.

Within the Profound Light, a faint Sword Mark could be vaguely seen, rapidly fleeing into the distant sky.

A moment later, a streak of purple lightning shot out from the canopy of the Feathered Immortal Tree.

The Thunder Light was blindingly brilliant and incredibly fast, far surpassing the Sword Mark ahead of it. In the blink of an eye, it had nearly caught up.

’So Yang Yi failed to snatch the Red Profound Order after all...’

Seeing this, Yan Zongdao immediately understood part of what had happened.

After a moment of contemplation, he made up his mind and followed them from a distance.

...

When Fang Cheng saw Yang Yi and the Fifth-rank Ancient Evil Race member in pursuit, he knew his Void God Gu had been rendered ineffective by the nigh-omnipresent Profound Celestial True Light.

The Mystic Sky Saint Sect was known as the head of the ten Mystic Sects and was presided over by three Tribulation Realm Great Powers. The sect possessed countless legacies; both the Five Elements True Light and this Profound Celestial True Light were among the top Divine Techniques in this realm.

Besides, which of the cultivators fighting for the Red Profound Order today didn’t have fifth-grade abilities up their sleeve?

To say nothing of Yang Yi, who hailed from the Mystic Sky Saint Sect!

Fang Cheng also knew that there were several other cultivators of a similar caliber still hidden within the canopy of the Feathered Immortal Tree.

Under the circumstances, he could no longer afford to hide his strength.

If he wanted to keep the Red Profound Order, he would have to go all out.

The power of that Fifth-rank Ancient Evil Race member was simply too tyrannical. He knew he didn’t currently possess the same abundant Magical Power as Yan Zongdao of the Jade Emperor Sect, who could rely solely on a Tier Five Flying Sword and an Unparalleled Sword Technique to block its terrifying seal technique attacks.

Fortunately, he wasn’t lacking for fifth-grade abilities either.

With a great wave of his sleeve, he summoned a paper figure about a foot tall.

Fang Cheng said to the paper figure in a deep voice, "I’ll be troubling you, Fellow Daoist."

The Dream Spirit Incarnation cupped its fist slightly. "You and I are one and the same. What need is there for courtesy?"

With that, it turned to look at the pursuing Ancient Evil Race member, a smile tugging at the corner of its mouth. "A decent offering. It should be enough to summon a powerful Celestial Demon."

This Dream Spirit Incarnation was the very one Fang Cheng had unintentionally refined when he was trying to break open the Immortal Copper Treasure Box using the Dream Spirit Technique.

While in the Dream Spirit World, it had comprehended an Ancient Profound Talisman and created an incredibly powerful Demon Path Divine Technique of its own—one that could summon a projection of a Tier Five Celestial Demon from the Outer Void down to the Lower Realm.

This Ancient Evil Race member before them had only just reached the fifth rank. ’I wonder how it compares to a projection of a Tier Five Celestial Demon that has passed through several void-thunder tribulations?’

The Dream Spirit Incarnation stood suspended in the void. Its small body contained a terrifyingly peerless aura. Although it only possessed the power of a single strike from a Second Level Tribulation Cultivator, that was enough to make the heavens and the earth change color.

It calmly reached out a hand and drew a line between the sea and the sky.

An indescribably vast Demonic Light instantly flooded the entire sky.

...