Cultivation Begins From The Desert-Chapter 866 - 11: The Mountain-Slaying Sect Annihilation [Part 2]
"It's Junior Brother Huan Yang exerting force inside. Everyone, please give it your all and strive to break the array in one go!"
Outside the [Array of Ten Thousand Tribulations and Immortal Slaying], Master Lie Hu, seeing the sudden burst of a hole, was invigorated and immediately shouted to Fairy Zi Yi and Master Cangming to unleash their ultimate moves.
As he spoke, he waved his hand to release an object—a red-golden Thunder Pearl the size of a human head.
This red-golden Thunder Pearl was enveloped in layers of golden inscriptions. As soon as it appeared, it emanated a dangerous aura that made Fairy Zi Yi and Master Cangming's hearts skip a beat.
At that moment, both immortals had the feeling that if they were struck by this red-golden Thunder Pearl, there was an eighty percent chance they would fall on the spot!
In fact, their intuition was not wrong.
Because the true creator of this red-golden Thunder Pearl was not Master Lie Hu, but Master Zishan, who had already crossed the second tribulation.
It was Master Zishan who condensed Chixiao Immortal Palace's true inheritance divine technique, the [Red Cloud Immortal Thunder], into a Thunder Pearl and sealed it with a secret technique before handing it to Master Lie Hu.
Therefore, when this Thunder Pearl exploded, it was essentially Master Zishan, a powerful being who had crossed the second tribulation, making a move across realms!
At this moment, with the activation of Master Lie Hu's spell, the red-golden Thunder Pearl flashed and disappeared before flying above the hole blasted by Zhouyang, then exploded with a "boom".
Red-golden thunderbolts danced wildly across the sky, and the [Array of Ten Thousand Tribulations and Immortal Slaying], which had stood steadfast against celestial attacks, now appeared like a towering tree under celestial thunder, sparks flying and trembling violently.
Seeing this scene, Fairy Zi Yi, Master Cangming, and the Cyan Simurgh True Spirit, who had been somewhat hesitant and doubtful, all firmed their resolve, expressions joyful, as they unleashed their signature moves.
Fairy Zi Yi suddenly spat out a ball of azure light onto her Lifebound Immortal Artifact, the [Celestial Cyan Treasure Fan], and with both hands wielded the fan in the shape of a palm leaf fan, giving it a hard wave.
Instantly, a billowing azure tempest arose, forming an infinite celestial hurricane that surged toward the [Array of Ten Thousand Tribulations and Immortal Slaying] with an overwhelming momentum.
Not to be outdone, Master Cangming, with spell incantations in hand, transformed the Ink Jade Gourd Immortal Artifact into a black True Dragon, which fiercely charged into the [Array of Ten Thousand Tribulations and Immortal Slaying].
"Humph, that old Cangming dare to seal my clan's dragon soul as an artifact spirit. I won't let him off easily. He shall know the cost of desecrating a dragon soul!"
The Heaven-Sundering Dragon Saint, watching from afar, couldn't help but snort coldly, looking at Master Cangming with icy eyes, as if viewing a mortal enemy.
Hmm?
True Immortals at the Tribulation Crossing Stage are sensitive to danger. The moment the Heaven-Sundering Dragon Saint's killing intent flared, Master Cangming seemed to sense it, frowning as he turned to glance at the source of the killing intent.
Then, with a cold laugh, he dismissed it without further attention.
He dared to use a Tier Seven Dragon Soul as an artifact spirit, naturally prepared for the "Dragon Saint Palace" to target him. The Heaven-Sundering True Saint was not the first demon race True Spirit to harbor murderous intent toward him.
In comparison to Fairy Zi Yi and Master Cangming's tremendous attacks, the Cyan Simurgh True Spirit's movements seemed much smaller.
She merely emitted a long feral cry and charged, body enshrouded in flames, towards the [Array of Ten Thousand Tribulations and Immortal Slaying], mirroring Zhouyang by entering the array in true form.
This sudden simultaneous eruption by the Three Immortals and One Spirit, attacking from inside and outside, directly caused the [Array of Ten Thousand Tribulations and Immortal Slaying], which had the feat of slaying Tier Seven True Spirits, to explode violently, bursting apart in all directions.
"Damn it! If I can't kill that bastard, can I not also fail to kill you, thieving bird?"
Inside the Chixiao Sword Sect's mountain gate, Master Red Star watched the battlefield with a look of furious anger, roaring in rage.
Environment limits one's vision and knowledge. He always believed in the Chixiao Sword Sect's strength and his abundant trump cards, unafraid of external challenges.
Yet he was unaware, or unwilling to believe, that Zhouyang and Master Lie Hu, without seemingly overwhelming power, posed a threat to the Chixiao Sword Sect.
The[Array of Ten Thousand Tribulations and Immortal Slaying] is indeed formidable, undoubtedly one of the top arrays in the lower realm.
But it is, after all, an array constructed by lower realm Array Masters, lacking the support of a Tier Seven Immortal Spirit Vein, unable to wield the full power of a true Tier Seven Immortal Array.
So long as it doesn't encounter power attacks beyond the array's tolerance, this Immortal Array seems functional, able to demonstrate power far exceeding Tier Six high-grade arrays.
But once it encounters power attacks exceeding the array's limits, its comprehensive reaction falls far short of those Immortal Arrays in the True Immortal Realm.
Especially since both Master Red Star and Master Cloud Sword are not particularly skilled Array Masters, unable to promptly remedy the array's significant damage.
Therefore, now he can only vent his anger on the Cyan Simurgh True Spirit, who also entered the array in true form, while the array is not yet fully broken.
As he said, he can't hurt Zhouyang, protected by the [Six Ding Golden Armor Talisman], but can he not handle a Cyan Simurgh True Spirit?
Swiftly, with a sword technique in hand, the Tier Seven Top Grade Immortal Sword, the [Sun God Sword], suddenly shifted its edge, aggressively striking towards the Cyan Simurgh True Spirit, engulfed in azure flames.
"Fellow Daoist Qing Luan, be careful!"
As an ally, Zhouyang fulfilled his duty, informing the Cyan Simurgh True Spirit in time upon realizing Master Red Star's target shift.
However, in battles at the level of Tribulation Crossing True Immortals, all attacks are extremely fast, with very little margin for error.
Zhouyang had just issued a warning when the Sun God Sword had already appeared above the head of the Cyan Simurgh True Spirit.
What a Cyan Simurgh True Spirit!
At that moment, facing the attack of the Tier Seven Top Grade Immortal Sword, she knew very well that she had no chance of blocking this strike. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞
So she unhesitatingly immediately employed the self-preservation immortal techniques and divine powers of the Cyan Simurgh clan.
As soon as this self-preservation immortal technique and divine power was used, in Zhouyang's perception, the aura of the Cyan Simurgh True Spirit suddenly vanished without a trace, completely unable to be locked onto or sensed.
He couldn't achieve this, and neither could Master Red Star, who shared the same level of cultivation as him.
And when they couldn't even sense or lock onto the enemy, naturally the attack wouldn't hit the target.
His seemingly certain-kill strike, no doubt, missed!
Clearly, those who attain immortality and achievement of True Spirit are not simple beings, and all have their own unique skills.
While Zhouyang experienced an eye-opening moment, his spirit rose, and he immediately lifted his Dragon Spear, charging actively towards Master Red Star.
With Master Lie Hu and others exerting forceful attacks from the outside, the Array of Ten Thousand Tribulations and Immortal Slaying, while not yet shattered, was already leaking wind everywhere, greatly reducing its constraint on Zhouyang.
If he wished, he could now break out of the array and regroup with Master Lie Hu at any time.
However, his initiative to enter the array and coordinate both inside and outside was aimed at breaking the array to slay the enemy, with the current situation greatly in favor; naturally, he wouldn't abandon halfway.
"What courage!"
Master Red Star, upon seeing Zhouyang's actions, was also filled with both anger and indignation.
With a thought, the Sun God Sword once again launched towards Zhouyang in attack, while he raised a palm and released another collar-like immortal artifact.
Judging by the aura emanating from that fiery red collar immortal artifact, it was also a Tier Seven Middle Grade Immortal Artifact.
Once Master Red Star released this item, it instantly broke through the air and shackled Zhouyang's Lifebound Immortal Artifact, the Qianyang Golden Tower, rendering Zhouyang's artifact temporarily ineffective.
Without the Qianyang Golden Tower to weaken the attacks from the Sun God Sword, relying solely on the Six Ding Golden Armor Talisman on him was insufficient to protect Zhouyang as he rampaged through the array.
Yet, it was fundamentally impossible for Master Red Star to kill Zhouyang; both parties merely constrained each other, preventing either from dealing with others.
However, this stalemate clearly posed a disadvantage for the Chixiao Sword Sect side.
With the array full of leaks, merely relying on Master Yun Jian, how could it withstand the fierce assault from the Three Immortals and One Spirit of Master Lie Hu and others?
In the blink of an eye, several array bases were detonated under the fierce assault of the Three Immortals and One Spirit.
At this time, even those Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators were summoned by Master Yun Jian to assist.
He didn't expect these Nascent Soul Stage juniors to directly help him restrain the enemy, only hoped they could utilize the cover of the array to collectively block the onslaught from the Three Immortals and One Spirit outside, thereby delaying the situation.
However, on such a True Immortal battlefield, Nascent Soul Stage cultivators, no matter how numerous, couldn't hold much use.
Look at the past when the numerous Nascent Soul Stage cultivators from the Spirit Realm went to the Beixuan Continent's cultivation realm to purge demons, even an avatar of a Holy Demon, whose cultivation hadn't broken into Tier Seven, could easily massacre a group of Nascent Soul Stage cultivators.
Now, those coming to attack the Chixiao Sword Sect were all true bodies of Tribulation Crossing True Immortals, wielding various immortal techniques and divine powers, and immortal artifacts in their hands.
In such circumstances, even Nascent Soul Ninth Layer "Half-Step True Immortal" cultivations would find themselves annihilated instantly if hit by immortal artifacts or divine power.
Nonetheless, when Master Yun Jian's command was issued, the Nascent Soul Stage cultivators of the Chixiao Sword Sect had no choice.
They had previously enjoyed the benefits brought by the Chixiao Sword Sect, the largest sect in the Li Yang Realm, so now naturally had to fight to protect their sect.
Otherwise, if the Chixiao Sword Sect was defeated and the two Tribulation True Immortals fell, their own fates might not end well.
Thus, under the desperate interception of dozens of Nascent Soul Stage cultivators, the originally precarious situation unexpectedly reached a stalemate.
A stalemate was particularly unfavorable for Zhouyang.
He was entirely relying on the explosion of the Secret Technique to sustain the fierce battle with Master Red Star, and the longer the stalemate lasted, the greater his pressure became.
Unless he could directly kill Master Red Star, even if he broke the Array of Ten Thousand Tribulations and Immortal Slaying later, in his weakened state, he would find it difficult to keep fighting.
The critical point was that the Six Ding Golden Armor Talisman on him was almost depleted.
After all, a Talisman is a Talisman, it can't compare to a Magical Artifact, once the energy inside is depleted, it's gone.
Despite feeling anxious inside, he showed no outward signs, rather displayed a confident demeanor while sternly shouting: "Fellow Daoist Red Star, are you truly foolishly stubborn? Do you really want to watch the millennia-old foundation of the Chixiao Sword Sect ruined under your hand?"
"In consideration of Ancestor Chi Xiao's legacy, so long as you agree to my conditions now, there remains room for reconciliation. Otherwise, regret will find no place later!"
From beginning to end, Zhou Yang's objective was merely to find the clues about the "Chixiao Dao Ancestor" within the Chixiao Sword Sect's heritage, not to destroy the sect.
So even if both sides had already engaged in fierce combat, as long as Master Red Star was willing to hand over what he wanted, he was not averse to stopping the fight.
But Master Red Star's resolve was far stronger than he had imagined, with no intention of compromising at all.
He saw him respond in a calm voice: "I have cultivated for over eight thousand years and have never regretted anything. If you truly have the ability to make me regret, then show it to me!"
"Truly stubborn and ignorant! You brought this upon yourself!"
Zhou Yang's expression darkened as he unhesitatingly activated the [Qianyang Treasure Pearl] and displayed the [Law Body] divine technique.
In the past, this [Law Body] divine technique was his trump card, not to be used unless in extreme danger.
Because once used, he would lack a lifesaving trump card afterward.
However, now he had the sealed power of a great Returning to Void cultivator in his body, which served as a trump card, so he wasn't afraid to use the [Law Body] in advance.
The effect was remarkable!
In the state of [Law Body], Zhou Yang was completely impervious to Master Red Star and the attacks of the [Array of Ten Thousand Tribulations and Immortal Slaying], unable to be locked onto or injured.
With a single thought, he instantly escaped the array and appeared beside Master Red Star.
But Master Red Star was no slouch. When he saw Zhou Yang suddenly disappear, he anticipated something. When Zhou Yang appeared beside him, he used the forces of the array to instantly teleport elsewhere.
However, he clearly underestimated the mystery of the [Law Body]!
The moment after he teleported away, Zhou Yang reappeared beside him and, at close range, unleashed the [Eternal Fierce Sun] lifebound immortal technique.
When the golden sun appeared, Master Red Star, who was nearby, was immediately in trouble.
Although he was a mid-stage Tribulation Crossing True Immortal skilled in fire element techniques, being hit at such close range by a peer whose magical power was deeper than his own, the consequences were severe.
In an instant, Master Red Star's magic robe turned to ashes in the fiery light, and his True Immortal Body could hardly withstand it, appearing as if it were about to melt.
Fortunately, his cultivation was profound, and he immediately exploded his magical power, forcibly sustaining his True Immortal Body while quickly launching his lifebound immortal technique at the nearby Zhou Yang.
At this moment, Master Red Star knew very well that in such close proximity, after being hit by Zhou Yang's immortal technique, trying to escape would be a foolish choice that would only leave him injured.
So he chose mutual destruction!
Even if he were to be heavily injured, he would make sure Zhou Yang did not fare well either.
At that time, a massive red Sword Qi erupted from Master Red Star's body, instantly striking Zhou Yang, who had transformed into a blazing sun.
For the first time, since Zhou Yang attained immortality, his lifebound immortal technique was forcibly interrupted by someone.
But to Master Red Star's disbelief, although Zhou Yang's lifebound immortal technique had been interrupted, the mutual destruction outcome he hoped for did not occur.
It was as if his Sword Qi had struck nothing, and Zhou Yang appeared intact in his perception.
Before he could recover from this unbelievable reality, a golden three-legged Firebird flew out from Zhou Yang, charging fiercely at him.
After all, he was a mid-stage Tribulation Crossing True Immortal. Although Master Red Star was extremely shocked, he still summoned a red Immortal Sword to slash at the three-legged Firebird.
The red Immortal Sword was his lifebound Immortal Sword, and due to the material, even though he was already at the mid-stage of Tribulation Crossing cultivation, the sword's grade was still Tier Seven Lower Grade, with not much power.
Therefore, he hadn't dared to use this lifebound Immortal Sword in the previous battle.
But now, in a crisis, he could no longer worry about these things.
However, the result of this strike once again dealt a double blow to Master Red Star's mind and body.
The red Immortal Sword struck the three-legged Firebird, but instead of harming it, the Firebird trapped the sword, and the sword's body began to show signs of melting.
This was Master Red Star's lifebound Immortal Sword!
With the sword damaged, he was immediately affected, with a line of blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
Then, terrified, he used the Transforming Reality into Void divine technique to retrieve his lifebound Immortal Sword, no longer daring to use it in battle.
And after retrieving his lifebound Immortal Sword, he immediately stopped trying to block Zhou Yang, using his control over the remaining array to swiftly leave the formation.
Seeing this, Zhou Yang did not continue to pursue but solidified his gains, transforming into a demolisher to wreak havoc on the entire immortal array.
Originally, the [Array of Ten Thousand Tribulations and Immortal Slaying] was sustained by the self-sacrifice of those Nascent Soul Stage cultivators of the Chixiao Sword Sect. Now, with Zhou Yang, a powerful enemy, attacking with full force, the remnants of the array quickly crumbled like an avalanche.
Upon witnessing the scene, Master Yun Jian could only issue escape orders to the surviving Nascent Soul Stage cultivators before deciding to withdraw himself.
Rumble!
Accompanied by bursts of explosive roars, Chixiao Sword Sect's famed Mountain Protection Immortal Array in Li Yang Realm, the "Array of Ten Thousand Tribulations and Immortal Slaying," has completely become history.
With the array broken, the mountain gate of Chixiao Sword Sect was completely open to Zhouyang and his companions.
Yet as Zhouyang's divine sense swept over, he did not spot the fleeing Master Red Star and Master Yun Jian, the two had actually vanished amid their array-breaking.
"They must have hidden within the Grotto Heaven Blessed Land; otherwise, they couldn't evade our divine sense!"
Zhouyang frowned slightly and voiced his own judgment in a low tone.
"Humph, can they hide forever? Once we find the entrance to that Grotto Heaven Blessed Land, they will surely discover the end of opposing us!"
Master Lie Hu snorted coldly at the two immortals of Chixiao Sword Sect's actions.
Zhouyang felt matters might not be so straightforward; though arrogant, Master Red Star was a mid-stage Tribulation True Immortal, unlikely to be oblivious to such simple truths.
There might be something in that blessed land boosting their confidence for a reversal.
Nonetheless, there was no need to speak his thoughts now, as he was sure Master Lie Hu couldn't fail to notice this.
At this moment, what they needed was to bolster the confidence of their local Li Yang Realm allies to continue fighting.
Thus, soon after, Master Lie Hu transmitted his voice to Zhouyang asking, "Junior Brother, are you alright? Do you need a rest first?"
Rest?
As Zhouyang checked his own state, he found himself able to continue fighting if necessary.
Yet fighting while injured would prevent full power, creating trouble in the face of unforeseen events.
"I'll rest for now and seize some Nascent Soul Stage cultivators of Chixiao Sword Sect to gather intelligence on that Grotto Heaven Blessed Land."
Zhouyang nodded slightly, choosing to play it safe.
Hearing this, Master Lie Hu didn't oppose, merely nodding before actively capturing some cultivators.
Not far away, Fairy Zi Yi, Master Cangming, and Cyan Simurgh True Spirit, three local Li Yang Realm individuals, watched Zhouyang secretly, shocked.
They knew that breaking the "Array of Ten Thousand Tribulations and Immortal Slaying" depended entirely on Zhouyang baiting the array and Master Red Star's attacks.
Though they hadn't witnessed the whole battle, Zhouyang's severe wounding and routing of Master Red Star, scaring off Master Yun Jian, revealed his power.
Recalling earlier when Master Lie Hu cast the "Crimson Immortal Thunder Pearl," they felt awe towards the two Upper Realm True Immortals.
The small thoughts in them were restrained.
But not only they felt like this; those observing in the rear felt it even more.
At least they were allies with Zhouyang and Lie Hu; the others were enemies and could turn hostile at any time.
If Zhouyang's array-breaking had been less smooth or quick, the observers might have allied with Chixiao Sword Sect against the two Upper Realm True Immortals.
Now witnessing Zhouyang and Master Lie Hu's strength and trump cards, their hearts were tumultuous and deeply shocked.
"Who'd have thought, who'd have thought, Red Star and the others were defeated like this! So swiftly, so thoroughly!"
In the air, Master Zidian watched Chixiao Sword Sect's mountain gate with a complex expression, feeling a twinge of regret.
If he'd known Zhouyang and Lie Hu's power was so great, he'd have joined them against Chixiao Sword Sect.
But there's no medicine for regret, missed chances are truly missed.
Even actively asking to help now likely wouldn't grant him equal treatment to Fairy Zi Yi and others, leading only to scorn and ridicule from Human and Demon Race Tier Seven entities.
In contrast to Master Zidian's regrets, elsewhere a being with scale armor and a sinister face secretly rejoiced in not joining the battle.
"My, what domineering Pure Yang Divine Techniques and Thunder Technique!"
"Luckily, I've always been cautious and didn't rush in, otherwise, if I'd engaged, I'd either die under the Upper Realm True Immortal's hands or face the Celestial Punishment Thunder!"
From his words, it's clear this being celebrating was Drought Fiend Celestial Corpse, a Li Yang Realm unusual Tier Seven existence known as "Drought Fiend Ancestor."
This villain had already arrived on scene but dared not show up, unsure of Zhouyang and Lie Hu's strength, ironically sparing his life.
