Cultivation Begins From The Desert-Chapter 733 - 717: Battle of the Immortal Demon [3]

"Are you perhaps grasping at straws out of desperation and lost your mind? I am an Immortal, you are a Demon; Immortal and Demon cannot coexist. Do you think I would make a deal with you?"

Du Chongyang looked coldly at the black beast, finding its previous words utterly ludicrous.

However, upon hearing his words, the black beast replied leisurely, "It's true that Immortal and Demon cannot coexist, and it's not wrong for me to want to make a deal with you. You shouldn't rush to reject me; perhaps you should hear me out first."

"I suppose your sweet words are merely a ploy to buy yourself more time!"

Du Chongyang sneered coldly, unreservedly expressing his opinion.

"If our deal is successful, you naturally will not obstruct my path to becoming a Dao. If unsuccessful, given my current predicament, success is not an immediate matter, so why the rush?"

The black beast spoke alluringly in a low voice, "Don't you wish to leave this realm? Don't you want to advance further into the Returning Void Stage? Don't you wish to obtain true immortality in every sense?"

Du Chongyang's expression shook as he stared intently at the black beast, his face fluctuating unpredictably.

For someone like him, who stood at the pinnacle of the Spirit Realm as a Tribulation Crossing True Immortal, worldly treasures held little allure.

Even Tier Seven Immortal Artifacts were nothing extraordinary.

After all, even without a Tier Seven Immortal Artifact, his strength remained top-tier in this realm.

But this did not mean he, as a Tribulation Crossing True Immortal, had nothing he cared about.

Ascending to the True Immortal Realm, continuing to pursue higher cultivation realms, and obtaining a longer lifespan were of utmost importance to Du Chongyang.

In fact, the main reason these Tribulation Crossing True Immortals rarely appear before others is that they spend most of their time searching for ways to leave the Spirit Realm.

Unfortunately, though Du Chongyang achieved Dao over five thousand years ago, he still found no way to ascend to the True Immortal Realm.

At this moment, hearing the black beast speak of this matter, even though he knew the words were unreliable, he couldn't help but be moved.

His expression changed, and he looked warily at the black beast as he spoke, "What are you trying to say? Surely you don't want me to switch to cultivating demon techniques and join you in the True Demon Realm!"

"If you're willing to switch to demon techniques, I am certainly happy to assist you fully and ensure your safe ascension to the Demon Realm."

The black beast grinned widely.

Without waiting for Du Chongyang to refuse, it nodded its head and continued, "However, I know that cultivators like you, who have painstakingly reached the Tribulation Crossing Stage, would not easily give up your Immortal techniques for demon techniques. So the deal I want to make with you is a method to reach the True Immortal Realm without needing the Ascension Platform."

Du Chongyang immediately swallowed back his intended rebuttal.

With a face full of skepticism, he looked at the black beast, showing no sign of joy because of its words, but rather questioned, "Are you sure your words aren't a joke? It's widely known that to ascend from the Lower Realm to the Upper Realm, one must either reach the Late-Tribulation Crossing Stage, and be expelled by the world's consciousness, or use a special Immortal Array like the Ascension Platform, and leverage the Guiding Immortal Light to open the gate and ascend to the Upper Realm!"

The Late-Tribulation Crossing Stage is a realm Du Chongyang can hardly imagine reaching in this lifetime!

He achieved Dao over five thousand years ago, yet his cultivation remains at the Early-Tribulation Crossing Stage, with uncertainty around advancing to the Mid-Tribulation Crossing Stage before his ten-thousand-year lifespan ends.

Not to mention himself, in the entire Spirit Realm, there is currently only one Mid-Tribulation Crossing Stage presence, an ancient relic of the demon race from Ancient Times.

As far as Du Chongyang knew, even in the rich Spiritual Qi and abundant Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures of Ancient Times, human cultivators reaching the Late-Tribulation Crossing Stage were less than a handful.

Under these circumstances, the Ascension Platform, which enables Tribulation Crossing True Immortals with cultivation below Late-Tribulation to ascend to the True Immortal Realm, becomes very important.

Unfortunately, the Spirit Realm's Ascension Platform was severely damaged in the Ancient Immortal-Demon War by the True Demon Realm. Although later repaired somewhat by Lower Realm True Immortals, after sending the last batch of Spirit Realm Tribulation Crossing True Immortals and some Lower Realm True Immortals to the True Immortal Realm, it was entirely ruined and unusable.

This situation led to the Spirit Realm's Tribulation Crossing True Immortals being unable to utilize the Ascension Platform to ascend to the True Immortal Realm for the next ten thousand years unless they reached the Late-Tribulation Stage; otherwise, they could only watch their lifespan ebb away or take a last gamble before it ended.

Du Chongyang originally thought he would end up like those predecessors, daring a final attempt at methods unproven for successful ascension to the True Immortal Realm before his lifespan ended.

But now, the black beast's words had rekindled his hopes.

Although he questioned the authenticity of the black beast's words, he couldn't hide his eagerness.

The black beast naturally understood this, so it quickly seized the opportunity saying, "You've said that these two methods are indeed correct. Ascension through cultivation advancement and via the Ascension Platform are currently the safest ways, practically eliminating errors during ascension."

"However, you must realize the Ascension Platform isn't a natural formation but an invention by Great Power cultivators. If Great Powers could create the Ascension Platform, surely they could create something similar!"

Du Chongyang's eyes flashed, but he remained silent.

He understood this logic clearly; over the last ten thousand years, several Tribulation Crossing True Immortals from the Spirit Realm had indeed left through similar means.

But to leave the realm is one thing; surviving ascension to the True Immortal Realm is another!

Thus, he didn't allow himself to display any overt happiness but kept a calm demeanor while saying to the black beast, "Of course, I am aware of all this, but I am also aware that without the Ascension Platform, using other methods is almost a scenario of nine deaths for one life!"

After speaking, he grimaced slightly, saying coldly, "I wouldn't gamble my life for a sliver of uncertain chance!"

Upon hearing this, the black beast shook its head confidently as it said, "No, you're misunderstanding. The method I propose isn't guaranteed like the Ascension Platform but has a three to five chance of successful ascension if you're well-prepared. It has been validated in many other worlds!"

Three to five chances of success!

Even with Du Chongyang's mental cultivation, his heart raced upon hearing this, his eyes showing disbelief.

"You needn't worry about deception on this matter. If I dare propose a deal, I surely have means to prove its validity; you only need to agree to my terms!"

Seeing Du Chongyang's reservations, the black beast confidently added.

"So, what do you want me to offer? Shall I let you go so you can successfully condense a True Demon Body?"

Du Chongyang asked solemnly, watching the black beast intently.

"Exactly!"

The black beast nodded slightly, then cracked a wide smile, "You let me condense the True Demon Body, and I'll give you the ascension method. If you wish to settle scores afterward, I am happy to oblige!"

"This condition isn't overly excessive!"

Du Chongyang nodded, unexpectedly finding the black beast's "simple condition" quite reasonable.

The black beast was overjoyed, exclaiming excitedly, "Then you're agreeing?"

"No, I refuse!"

Du Chongyang asserted his decision without hesitation, his tone firm and resolute.

"Why? Don't you wish to ascend to the Upper Realm? Are you willing to sit idly in the Lower Realm waiting for death? Don't you desire to become a Celestial Immortal and gain eternal life?"

In an agitated tone, the black beast fired rapid questions at Du Chongyang, its ferocious displeasure evident.

It was evident that the black beast had not anticipated Du Chongyang's resolute refusal despite appearing interested.

This immense psychological disparity filled it with fury.

However, faced with its furious questioning, Du Chongyang merely responded coldly, "There's not much to it because you are a demon, and I am an immortal. No matter what you say, I cannot trust you, nor do I dare to trust you!"

"Roar! Then just die!"

The black beast roared with extreme anger and suddenly leapt down from the altar, pouncing directly at Du Chongyang.

It knew that once Du Chongyang made his decision, there was no going back, regardless of what it might say.

Furthermore, under Du Chongyang's attack, it was impossible to continue condensing the True Demon Body.

In that case, it might as well proactively interrupt the condensation of the True Demon Body and engage in a lethal battle.

Du Chongyang's battle experience was extensive. The black beast's sudden move was well within his expectations. After uttering the refusal, he was already mentally prepared for this.

So, when the black beast made its move, he immediately utilized the "Instant Teleportation" divine technique to leave the original spot.

And when the black beast's pounce missed and it tried to switch tactics, Du Chongyang's hidden moves erupted from the original location.

In the air, countless blue filaments suddenly appeared, forming a massive blue net that enveloped the black beast.

Despite the black beast's formidable strength, once trapped by this blue net, it couldn't escape immediately.

After struggling a few times and realizing the futility in breaking free from the net's constraints, it roared angrily, "Roar! Open for me!"

Before the roar ended, a surge of black-purple Demon Flame ignited on its body.

The blue net, when seared by this black-purple Demon Flame, dimmed and began to dissipate.

After all, this was merely a divine technique that Du Chongyang had conjured; although its power greatly increased with the incorporation of Water Law, it had its limit and couldn't truly restrain an existence like the black beast.

But just as the black beast broke free from the blue net, Du Chongyang's second wave of attack struck it.

A flash of flames appeared, and a surge of vermilion fire tide instantly engulfed the black beast, burning the demonic energy within a radius of dozens of miles in the blink of an eye, making it impossible for the black beast to draw upon any powers from it.

Before the black beast could break free from the fire tide, there came a rushing noise of waves from the void, and a sapphire-blue Treasure Pearl, several feet in diameter, descended heavily, striking straight at the black beast within the fire tide.

The sound of the waves was emitted from within the Treasure Pearl, as though this pearl, several feet in size, contained an entire sea.

However, the black beast was far from weak.

Despite failing to condense its True Demon Body, its cultivation had nearly reached the Tribulation Crossing Stage, missing only by a narrow margin.

And with its advantage in the realm of its Primordial Spirit, this small gap wasn't insurmountable.

At this moment, seeing Du Chongyang's Lifebound Immortal Artifact, the Sea-Suppressing Pearl, hurtling towards it, the black beast trapped within the fire tide suddenly had a dark-golden rune appear at its brow, and its massive body suddenly transformed into a mass of pitch-black demonic energy, vanishing without a trace.

In the next moment, black energy converged at a location several hundred miles away, momentarily reforming the body of the black beast.

With its body reformed, the black beast immediately fled toward a secret path.

Having struggled to descend into the Spirit Realm, it naturally didn't want its Split Soul Incarnation to fall here.

Thus, realizing that it couldn't succeed, it decided to first leave this Demonic Domain and look for another opportunity to condense the True Demon Body later.

The secret path it's heading towards is one it quietly developed over the past few years, unknown to any other being. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Regarding what will happen to "Celestial Corpse Ascendant" and other demon cultivators after its escape, it hasn't given it a thought and simply doesn't care.

Du Chongyang certainly wouldn't let the black beast escape. Other demon cultivators could be spared, but this Holy Demon Avatar must be slain; otherwise, the repercussions would be endless.

Their strengths were among the top in this realm, and in the chase and escape, they quickly disappeared into the depths of the Demon Abyss, destination unknown.

At the same time, Zhouyang and others, who were delving into the Demon Abyss to eradicate demon cultivators, also engaged in combat with the remaining ones.

As the demon cultivators scattered in their escape, these cultivators formed small groups of three or two to search and pursue. Zhouyang and Master Cyan Yang formed a team, tracking traces until they coincidentally came upon Venerable Thousand Souls, a Late-Stage Nascent Soul demon cultivator.

"Two early-stage Nascent Soul juniors dare to pursue this ancestor, such audacity! Do you believe that because this ancestor is injured, he can no longer kill?"

With eyes glowing a ghastly green, Venerable Thousand Souls cast a cold murderous intent over Zhouyang and Master Cyan Yang with a pale face.

Holding back a stomach of repressed malice, Zhouyang and Master Cyan Yang's pursuit was like lighting a fuse, causing him to explode with anger.

Raising his hand towards Zhouyang, a sinister green ghost claw, accompanied by shrill ghost wails, reached out to grab Zhouyang's head.

At the same time, with a slight shake of the other hand, a bracelet of skulls on his wrist was launched, transforming into nine green-scorching skull heads, flying swiftly towards Master Cyan Yang.

This divine technique, Daluo Ghost Claw, and the demon artifact, Nether Fire Ghost Chain, were more than sufficient against ordinary early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators.

Yet, Venerable Thousand Souls knew well that neither Zhouyang, who possessed the Qianyang Treasure Body, nor Master Cyan Yang, who wielded several Demon Suppression Treasures, could be subdued with such simple means.

Thus, these tactics were merely diversions, intended to buy time to unleash his true deadly move.

But to his disappointment and dismay, Zhouyang and Master Cyan Yang seemed to see through his intentions, not giving him the chance.

With a wave of his hand, Zhouyang smashed the green ghost claw with a golden Treasure Tower aflame with golden True Flame, then the Haoyang Treasure Mirror materialized overhead, shooting a purple flame column straight at Venerable Thousand Souls.

Compared to Zhouyang, Master Cyan Yang's methods were even more fierce.

A mere point of his finger towards the Demon Suppression Treasure, the Great Sun Golden Wheel, released nine strands of golden firelight, shattering the nine skull heads and destroying the high-grade demon artifact on the spot.

He then flipped his hand, revealing a vermillion Peach Wood Sword about three feet long, which was another Inheritance Spiritual Artifact from the Profound Sun Immortal Sect, the Profound Sun Thunder-Attracting Sword.

Grasping the Profound Sun Thunder-Attracting Sword, Master Cyan Yang chanted a spell in a special rhythm, then pointed the sword at Venerable Thousand Souls, commanding, "Hurry!"

Instantaneously, bolt after bolt of purple lightning manifested above Venerable Thousand Souls, raining down fiercely upon him with tremendous momentum.

Seeing this, Venerable Thousand Souls' face turned extremely grim.

He initially believed that although having lost the Vermilion Bird Fan, a Tier Seven Immortal Artifact, Zhouyang with his Late-Stage Nascent Soul cultivation could at least teach the two early-stage cultivators a lesson, if not kill them.

But reality hit him hard, much to his chagrin.

The truth was that even Master Cyan Yang with merely Third-Layer Nascent Soul cultivation, by virtue of wielding several mighty Demon Suppression Treasures, was beyond what he could handle after suffering the demon array's backlash.

Hurriedly he abandoned the prepared divine techniques, spitting out a morbid green Ghost Banner shrouding himself in a pitch-black Ghost Curtain, forcefully withstanding Zhouyang and Master Cyan Yang's Thunder and Fire Assault.

He couldn't afford to mourn the depletion of Primordial Qi in his Lifebound Spiritual Artifact, and immediately invoked an Escape Technique Divine Techniques, dispersing into thousands of ghostly shadows to flee in all directions.

"Consider yourselves lucky, juniors. Today this ancestor has important matters, and shall spare you from further encounters!"