Cultivation Begins From The Desert-Chapter 736 - 720: The Battle of Immortal Demon [End]
Everything is over!
The "Celestial Corpse Ascendant" attempted to transform into the Demon Race by devouring the True Demon Blood with the Demonic Corpse Body, but this action was thwarted before any results could appear.
The one who stopped all this was none other than Du Chongyang, who returned unbeknownst to anyone.
The "Celestial Corpse Ascendant," whom Zhouyang and others tried their hardest to kill without success, couldn't even withstand a single move from Du Chongyang, this Tribulation Crossing True Immortal.
Though this was also related to the severe injuries he had suffered, this illustrates the vast difference between the Tribulation Crossing Stage and the Nascent Soul Stage.
The "Holy Demon Avatar" has been slain by Du, and this chief culprit, the "Celestial Corpse Ascendant," has been executed as well. The remaining Demon Cultivators here should be within your abilities to handle. Du has important matters to attend to, so I won't linger here any longer.
"Fellow Daoist Zhou, this Vermilion Bird Fan is now returned to its rightful owner, back to you. Du is deeply grateful for your loan of the treasure this time. Please accept this Void Celestial Pearl; if you encounter any concerns regarding your cultivation in the future, you may activate this item to contact Du, and Du will share everything he knows. However, to use this item, one needs at least Late-Stage Nascent Soul cultivation; Fellow Daoist should keep this in mind."
"As for purifying this Demon Realm, the Demon Realm here has already formed; even if Du were to take action himself, it would be difficult to purify it in a short time. Now, the only way is to rely on Fellow Daoist Xu and others to continually operate the Celestial Spirit Primordial Yang Array to refine the demonic qi spilling from the Demon Abyss, thus weakening and cutting off the supply of demonic qi to the Demon Realm, allowing it to dissipate slowly on its own."
"Regarding this matter, Du has a letter to give to Fellow Daoist Nie. Fellow Daoist can take Du's letter to visit the major forces in other cultivation realms, asking them to gather thirty-six Nascent Soul Stage cultivators who cultivate Yang Attribute Techniques to come here and take over controlling the Celestial Spirit Primordial Yang Array to purify the Demon Realm."
"Based on Du's estimate, if there are thirty-six Nascent Soul Cultivators who cultivate Yang Attribute Techniques controlling the Celestial Spirit Primordial Yang Array, this Demon Realm and the thousands of years' worth of demonic qi under the Demon Abyss can be completely eliminated and purified within a century. Once Du has dealt with his affairs, he will return here to find an opportunity to resolve those spatial rifts emanating demonic qi!"
Below the Demon Abyss, after Du Chongyang annihilated the "Celestial Corpse Ascendant" in one strike, he did not wait for Zhouyang and others, awed by his divine might, to offer flattery and praise. Instead, he swept his gaze over the four present, stating his decision in an unmistakable tone.
After speaking, he threw the Vermilion Bird Fan that just obliterated the "Celestial Corpse Ascendant" and a Void Celestial Pearl to Zhouyang. Then, with a flicker of his body, he directly displayed the Instant Teleportation divine technique and vanished from the sight of the four people, just as he suddenly appeared here moments before.
Only after ten breaths had passed since his figure disappeared, Zhouyang and the other four seemed to wake from a dream, exchanging bitter smiles.
"Elder Du seemed truly in a hurry! It's puzzling what happened when he killed that Holy Demon Avatar, causing him to leave so hastily without even handling the aftermath!"
Nie Yushuang broke the silence first, sighing with a bitter smile.
Upon hearing Nie Yushuang's words, Zhouyang couldn't help but tighten his grip on the two treasures he held.
He too felt Du Chongyang's urgency.
Generally speaking, after resolving this demonic calamity, Du Chongyang should have stayed to encourage and reward those who contributed and then personally eradicated the Demon Realm to prevent Demon Cultivators from taking advantage of the Demon Realm and resurge.
Yet now, Du Chongyang handed over the task of clearing the remaining Demon Cultivators directly to them and left without giving them a chance to inquire, which is very unusual.
"Elder Du has always been difficult to trace in his immortal travels. For us to see his immortal visage this time and receive his assistance is already a great stroke of fate. If we demand too much, it might lead to adverse consequences!"
Master Cyan Yang spoke these words, casting a meaningful glance at Nie Yushuang, seemingly indicating something.
Hearing this, Nie Yushuang's expression changed slightly, then he laughed dryly and said, "Haha, Fellow Daoist Cyan Yang is correct. Elder Du is a World-Residing True Immortal; his words and actions certainly have deep intentions. Since he has entrusted the aftermath to us, we should simply carry out his instructions."
Upon mentioning the aftermath, Guo Huaiyang, who had been silent, suddenly said with a pained expression, "What a pity the entire 'Celestial Corpse Ascendant' was burned to ashes by Elder Du's fire, otherwise, with this demon's wealth..."
As he said this, his gaze couldn't help but drift towards the vermilion feather fan in Zhouyang's hand.
Earlier, Du Chongyang had wielded the Vermilion Bird Fan, directly fanning out a Vermilion Bird True Flame carrying powerful law forces to burn the "Celestial Corpse Ascendant" into ashes, leaving nothing behind.
This was the first time the four present witnessed a Tribulation Crossing True Immortal act up close, and recalling that scene still sent chills down their spines.
"There's nothing that can be done about this. Without Elder Du, if that 'Celestial Corpse Ascendant' transformed into the Demon Race, not only would we not be able to kill him, protecting ourselves would be difficult, let alone collecting any spoils."
Nie Yushuang waved his hand, taking over the conversation, not wanting to discuss this matter further.
Zhouyang said nothing, silently storing away the Vermilion Bird Fan and the Void Celestial Pearl.
He also saw Guo Huaiyang's gaze and understood his underlying thoughts completely.
But he wasn't afraid of Guo Huaiyang actually doing anything to him.
Now that the Vermilion Bird Fan was back in his possession, even if he faced Guo Huaiyang head-on, he felt no fear at all.
He also didn't believe Guo Huaiyang would dare to risk becoming his mortal enemy by attacking him rashly.
Nie Yushuang evidently noticed this too, so he quickly spoke again: "Now that 'Celestial Corpse Ascendant' has been executed, the remaining demons pose no great threat. We can follow the previous plan and continue searching separately to eradicate the demons hiding at the bottom of the Demon Abyss, striving to eliminate them all here!"
"Fellow Daoist Nie's words are very true. Now that those demons don't know the 'Celestial Corpse Ascendant' has been executed, we can take advantage of the information gap. Otherwise, once they know, they will flee desperately without regard for anything."
Master Cyan Yang nodded repeatedly, agreeing with Nie Yushuang's words.
Zhouyang and Guo Huaiyang exchanged looks without saying anything more, and the two teams soon split up again.
"Fellow Daoist Guo was likely just impulsive because of the previous loss of the 'Celestial Thunder Immortal-Slaying Arrow.' Once he calms down, he should recognize his mistake."
On their way, Master Cyan Yang looked at the silently traveling Zhouyang, speaking softly about his thoughts.
He clearly noticed Guo Huaiyang's anomaly too.
"Elder, no need to say more. Junior understands fully. Since Junior dared to expose owning a Tier Seven Immortal Artifact, I'm not afraid anyone will come to snatch it."
Zhouyang responded calmly to Master Cyan Yang's words, his speech filled with strong confidence.
His confidence and boldness stem from his formidable strength.
Holding the [Vermilion Bird Fan], his own strength is already capable of rivaling Late-Stage Nascent Soul cultivators, supplemented by his External Incarnation, Tier Six Puppet, and Tier Six Spirit Beast. Unless he encounters a Late-Stage Nascent Soul cultivator who likewise wields a Tier Seven Immortal Artifact, it's difficult to threaten his life.
Moreover, he still holds the Protective Treasure Pearl granted by Du Chongyang when he borrowed the [Vermilion Bird Fan], which contains protective divine techniques that even Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul "Half-Step True Immortal" cultivators find hard to break quickly.
"As long as you have a clear understanding."
Master Cyan Yang also knows Zhouyang's strength is extraordinary, seeing him so bold, he doesn't say much more and nods slightly, not bringing up the matter again.
Over the next month, Zhouyang and the other cultivators descended to the bottom of the Demon Abyss, searching everywhere for those hidden Demon Cultivators.
During such searches, most Demon Cultivators were found under the carpet-like search and were exterminated one by one. Only a few Demon Cultivators remained elusive, either having escaped from the underground Demon Abyss or hiding somewhere unknown, awaiting opportunities.
A month later, the demonic qi and coldness at the bottom of the Demon Abyss began to counterattack, making it hard for cultivators with cultivation below the Late-Stage Nascent Soul to remain long, forcing everyone to stop searching and retreat to the upper part of the Demon Abyss.
"Over the past month, four Nascent Soul Stage Demon Cultivators were exterminated by us. When counting the ones previously exterminated, more than eighty percent of the Nascent Soul Stage Demon Cultivators involved in this Demonic Calamity have perished. The remaining ones who escaped must be terrified and dare not appear before us again!"
"So, except for this Demon Realm needing slow purification and elimination, the Demonic Calamity disturbing the Donghua Continent Cultivation Realm has basically been cleared!"
Above the Ice Sea Demon Abyss, those who retreated here to rest, including Zhouyang, were analyzing and discussing the current situation.
The one who said the Demonic Calamity was cleared was none other than Guo Huaiyang.
"Saying the Demonic Calamity is cleared might be premature. We still have the Demon Realm here, and we haven't reclaimed the Immortal Cities and Spirit Mountains conquered by the Demon Cultivators in our Donghua Continent Cultivation Realm. We also need to confirm if the Demon Cultivators left something behind; all these require time to investigate and confirm."
A Nascent Soul Cultivator from the Donghua Continent Cultivation Realm couldn't help but refute Guo Huaiyang's words after he finished speaking.
If the Demonic Calamity was declared cleared, the cultivators from the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, including Zhouyang, would have completed this aid mission and could return.
Conversely, they would need to stay in Beiting to clear the Demonic Calamity.
From the perspective of the cultivators in the Donghua Continent Cultivation Realm, they naturally did not want them to leave so quickly.
"What's Fellow Daoist Nie's viewpoint?"
Guo Huaiyang turned his gaze and didn't argue with the cultivator who refuted him but instead looked at Nie Yushuang.
He knew well that Nie Yushuang was the one who could truly make decisions.
"I understand Fellow Daoist Guo's thoughts, but Fellow Daoist Wang's words also have merit. Although the prime culprit of the Demonic Calamity has been vanquished, there are still several Nascent Soul Stage Demon Cultivators not yet caught. If these people seize the chance when most Nascent Soul cultivators are distracted within the Demon Realm controlling [Celestial Spirit Primordial Yang Array] to continue their chaos outside, the consequences would be extremely severe."
"So, I would like to request several Daoist friends to remain a bit longer, until the reinforcements from other Cultivation Realms arrive, then return."
Nie Yushuang earnestly made eye contact with Guo Huaiyang and expressed his opinion in a low voice.
Seeing this, Guo Huaiyang immediately said, "Three years. Let's set it at three years. After three years, regardless of whether the reinforcements from other Cultivation Realms arrive, I will return to Liuyun!"
"As Fellow Daoist Guo said, three years later, I will personally send off Fellow Daoist Guo!"
Nie Yushuang nodded and readily agreed.
From beginning to end, neither Zhouyang nor Master Cyan Yang offered their perspectives on the matter.
Unlike Guo Huaiyang, they were not in a hurry to return, but if they could return early, they wouldn't refuse it, thus allowing Guo Huaiyang and Nie Yushuang to discuss the matter.
After deciding on this issue, Xu Tianlin and thirty-six Nascent Soul cultivators continued controlling [Celestial Spirit Primordial Yang Array] to purify the demonic qi leaking from the Demon Abyss. Meanwhile, Nie Yushuang and ten or so remaining Nascent Soul cultivators withdrew from the Demon Realm to reclaim the territories previously occupied by the Demon Cultivators.
Two years quickly passed.
During these two years, Zhouyang ran tirelessly across almost all territories occupied by Demon Cultivators.
Although the Demonic Calamity lasted less than ten years, the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm Spirit Mountain Blessed Lands ravaged by Demon Cultivators were numerous.
While most Spirit Mountain Blessed Lands were destroyed and abandoned after being attacked by Demon Cultivators, quite a few places, like Ice Wave City, were transformed into Lands of Resentful Spirits by Demon Cultivators.
Due to the almost complete annihilation of Nascent Soul Stage Demon Cultivators, as well as the previous sacrifices of many Middle and Low-Tier Demon Cultivators to supply the Holy Demon Avatar in forming the True Demon Body, there were few Demon Cultivators in the transformed Lands of Resentful Spirits, nor was there strength to resist Nascent Soul Stage cultivators.
However, as long as these Lands of Resentful Spirits were not destroyed, they would continuously breed demons and be utilized by Demon Cultivators intending to practice Demon Techniques.
Therefore, at Nie Yushuang's request, Zhouyang, who possessed [Qianyang True Flame], a Demon Refining Fire, and Master Cyan Yang, who wielded the Demon Suppression Treasure [Great Sun Golden Wheel], spent these two years purifying and dispersing the resentful qi in the Lands of Resentful Spirits.
After more than two years of efforts, most of the Lands of Resentful Spirits were eradicated and purified by Zhouyang and Master Cyan Yang, with only two or three places like Ice Wave City, where the resentful qi was extremely thick, remaining.
In such places where resentful qi is highly concentrated, without ten years of hard work, it's difficult to purge and purify them by personal strength, of course, they don't have the time for this.
Therefore, after consulting with Nie Yushuang, this strenuous task fell to the cultivators from other Cultivation Realms arriving gradually.
Indeed, after more than two years of journeying, the second wave of reinforcements from the Donghua Continent Cultivation Realm finally reached the Donghua Continent Cultivation Realm.
This wave of reinforcements was even larger than the first, with twenty-seven Nascent Soul Stage cultivators, most of whom practiced Yang Attribute Techniques, and over a hundred Golden Core Stage cultivators accompanying them.
Among these cultivators was a "familiar face" to Zhouyang, the successfully formed Nascent Soul, Young Palace Master of Donghua Immortal Palace, Ling Chao.
