Chapter 261: Seven Demonic Sects Deliver Clock to Four Great Families

One day, Lu Changsheng learned about the news of Qingluan Immortal City through Xiao Xiyue.

That area had also faced a beast tide, with three Heavenly Rank beast kings attacking Qingluan Immortal City.

In this battle, Qingluan Immortal City was almost breached.

However, Immortal Qingluan, the top rogue cultivator of Jiang Kingdom who had been dormant for many years, reappeared in everyone’s sight.

She brought a third-rank Qingluan bird and 500 Qingluan Dao Soldiers to fight fiercely against the three Heavenly Rank beasts.

Both sides battled for months. Finally, Immortal Qingluan killed the Iron-backed Kui Bear and severely wounded the Golden Ape King, ending the beast tide.

“The news states that if the beast tide hadn’t been so severe, nearly breaching Qingluan Immortal City, Immortal Qingluan might have been able to pursue and kill the Golden Ape King with her 500 Qingluan Dao Soldiers, given her strength,” Xiao Xiyue said.

Even she was incredibly surprised upon receiving this news.

This was because a beast’s bloodline rank determined its power ceiling.

For instance, a third-rank beast king with a Heavenly Rank bloodline would have strength equivalent to a Golden Core cultivator who had formed a High-Tier Golden Core.

Each one had astonishing combat power.

Yet Immortal Qingluan fought three alone, even managing to kill one and severely injure another. It was simply incredible.

“Three Heavenly Rank beast kings nearly breached Qingluan Immortal City.”

Hearing this, Lu Changsheng took a deep breath, realizing how dangerous and intense this battle had been.

This made him more worried about Li Feiyu’s current situation.

He looked at Xiao Xiyue and continued to ask, “Xiyue, this Immortal Qingluan’s strength must be close to breaking through to Nascent Soul, right?”

“I’m not sure about that either. There are rumors that Immortal Qingluan has been in seclusion all these years, preparing to break through to Nascent Soul.”

“There are also rumors that Immortal Qingluan was severely injured after venturing deep into the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range years ago, and has been recovering all this time.”

“However, judging from Immortal Qingluan’s current strength, she’s probably not far from breaking through to Nascent Soul.”

Xiao Xiyue said softly.

“If this Immortal Qingluan breaks through to Nascent Soul, I’m afraid the entire situation in Jiang Kingdom will change,” Lu Changsheng said with some emotion.

Currently in Jiang Kingdom’s cultivation world, only the Heavenly Sword Sect had a Nascent Soul True Lord presiding over it.

If Immortal Qingluan, a rogue cultivator, achieved Nascent Soul, it would likely shake not just the entire Jiang Kingdom, but even the surrounding cultivation world.

After all, every Nascent Soul True Lord could influence the landscape of a country or an entire cultivation world.

This made Lu Changsheng think of True Lord Xuanjian from the Heavenly Sword Sect, who was also a formidable figure.

Back then, when faced with the challenge from three great demonic sects of Jin Kingdom, he single-handedly fought two Nascent Soul True Lords.

As a result, he nearly killed the Five Poison Sect Master, demonstrating truly terrifying combat power.

“It would be extremely difficult for this Immortal Qingluan to break through to Nascent Soul.”

“Qingluan Immortal City only has third-rank spiritual veins, which are far from sufficient to impact Nascent Soul.”

“Even if methods were used to temporarily boost spiritual energy to fourth-rank, it would still be very strained.”

“Moreover, Qingluan Immortal City is close to the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range. Once she attempts to break through to Nascent Soul, beast kings would surely come to attack.”

“And the four great immortal sects – Heavenly Sword Sect, Azure Cloud Sect, Spirit Control Sect, and Sunset Glow Sect – wouldn’t want to see Immortal Qingluan achieve Nascent Soul.”

“Unless she’s willing to join one of the four great immortal sects.”

Ling Zixiao, holding a teacup with elegant posture, said in a clear voice.

“Indeed,” Lu Changsheng nodded, understanding this reasoning.

It was already quite astonishing that Immortal Qingluan could rise to power as a rogue cultivator and establish Qingluan Immortal City.

As a rogue cultivator, no faction would want to see her break through to Nascent Soul.

Because resources in the cultivation world were limited.

One more person meant one more share to be divided.

“However, this beast tide should have some major issues. I remember there hasn’t been such an exaggerated beast tide in nearly a hundred years,” Ling Zixiao said with slightly furrowed brows.

“There are indeed problems. The main target of this beast tide was the Spirit Control Sect, not Qingluan Immortal City.”

“The news I received indicates that the Spirit Control Sect suffered heavy losses in this battle.”

“Not only were several defense lines breached and countless disciples killed or injured, but two Golden Core True Persons and one sect-guarding spirit beast also perished. It can be said they’ve suffered a severe blow!”

“If it weren’t for Azure Cloud Sect, Sunset Glow Sect, and Heavenly Sword Sect all coming to their aid, their defenses might have been completely broken.”

“I even suspect that a fourth-rank Great Beast King has emerged in the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range. Only this could stir up such a beast tide.”

Xiao Xiyue said.

“Two Golden Core True Persons died? I heard before that the entire Spirit Control Sect only had six Golden Core True Persons. Now two have died?”

Lu Changsheng couldn’t help but click his tongue upon hearing this.

In the cultivation world of Jiang Kingdom, Golden Core True Persons were Top-Tier figures no matter where they were.

Even family forces with a Golden Core True Person presiding over them were called cultivation clans.

But now, the Spirit Control Sect had lost two Golden Core True Persons and a third-rank spirit beast in one battle. It was simply terrifying.

“That’s right. The Spirit Control Sect now only has four Golden Core True Persons left.”

“However, the Spirit Control Sect still has two third-rank sect-guarding spirit beasts, and the sect’s foundation is deep.”

Xiao Xiyue said.

“The cultivation world has truly been eventful these years. The Jin Kingdom demonic invasion incident hasn’t been over for long, and now such a terrifying beast tide has arisen.”

Lu Changsheng took a deep breath and sighed.

In earlier years, he had thought the cultivation world was relatively stable.

Now it seemed the cultivation world had never been peaceful, always with undercurrents surging.

It was just that his strength was too low before, and his information channels were limited, so he didn’t know about many things.

Just like the news from Qingluan Immortal City.

If he hadn’t asked Xiao Xiyue to pay more attention, he still wouldn’t know about it now.

“My lord, turmoil is the norm in the cultivation world.”

“Like the area to the west of our Jiang Kingdom, known as the Western Regions, it’s a chaotic zone. There, hundreds of countries coexist, humans and demons live together, and there are wars and upheavals every year, with countries being destroyed.”

“Fifty years ago, our Jiang Kingdom, together with Yue Kingdom, launched a war to invade Yan Kingdom.”

Ling Zixiao said.

“That’s right. There’s basically a war every few decades in the cultivation world. It’s just that our Jiang Kingdom’s geographical location is quite good.”

“To the west, we have the various countries of the Western Regions. To the north, we have the natural barrier of Da Mengze. To the south, Yue Kingdom is a righteous country and friendly with our Jiang Kingdom, and we have the natural wall of the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range.”

“The only things to guard against are the demonic path of Jin Kingdom and the beast tides from the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range.”

Xiao Xiyue said.

“In that case, as long as there’s no major war, our Jiang Kingdom should be relatively safe,” Lu Changsheng said with a light laugh after hearing this.

“That’s right. As long as there’s no war on the scale of the former Seven Demonic Sects, the impact on Jiang Kingdom shouldn’t be too great.”

“Of course, if Jin Kingdom produces another Nascent Soul True Lord, the situation might change.”

Ling Zixiao said with a slight smile.

“Seven Demonic Sects?” Lu Changsheng’s face showed some surprise upon hearing this.

He had read quite a few books and had some understanding of the Southern Wilderness cultivation world, but he had never heard of these Seven Demonic Sects.

“Yes, the Seven Demonic Sects.”

“I once saw in a manual that eight hundred years ago, seven demonic forces in the Southern Wilderness cultivation world formed an alliance and launched a war, invading other countries.”

“This war was incredibly brutal, affecting nearly half of the Southern Wilderness cultivation world. Countless countries and forces fell, not only did Golden Core True Persons perish, but even Nascent Soul True Lords fell!”

Ling Zixiao took a sip of tea and said with some emotion.

“I think I’ve seen this war mentioned in the Southern Wilderness Historical Records. It was described as a great battle between righteousness and evil, with the demonic path invading and finally being repelled by the united efforts of the righteous path?”

Lu Changsheng said with a slightly furrowed brow.

“That’s right, it was this war.”

“When I read the account in the manual, it said that the Seven Demonic Sects made several countries fall in just a few years. The seven sects swept through, almost occupying a quarter of the Southern Wilderness cultivation world, causing many countries and righteous immortal sects in the Southern Wilderness to form an alliance and join forces to resist, only then managing to repel the Seven Demonic Sects.”

“This war was incredibly brutal. In the end, it was only when the late Nascent Soul stage ancestor of the ‘Demon Witch Sect’ among the Seven Demonic Sects perished that the remaining six demonic sects chose to retreat.”

Ling Zixiao slowly narrated.

“The Demon Witch Sect’s late Nascent Soul stage ancestor died!?” Only then did Lu Changsheng realize how brutal this war had been.

The Southern Wilderness Historical Records he had read only briefly mentioned this war.

He hadn’t expected that it was the fall of a late Nascent Soul stage great cultivator that marked the end of the war.

“Zixiao, what were the names of the other six sects of the Seven Demonic Sects, besides the Demon Witch Sect?”

Lu Changsheng asked curiously.

“I think they were called the Demonic Cult, Immortal Lotus Sect, Blood Sea Sect, Ten Thousand Beast Demon Sect, Netherworld Ghost Sect, and Azure Sky Demon Sect.”

Ling Zixiao said after thinking for a moment.

Due to her Dragon Chant Physique, she had read quite a variety of books. However, she couldn’t recall this particular matter clearly.

“It’s been 800 years now. Do these Seven Demonic Sects still exist?” Lu Changsheng asked.

Lu Changsheng continued his inquiry.

“I’m not sure about that either. I only read about this historical event in some old notes,” Ling Zixiao replied.

“Sects like the Heavenly Sword Sect and Azure Cloud Sect have histories spanning thousands of years. Though the Seven Demonic Sects suffered heavy losses back then, except for the ‘Demon Witch Sect’, the other six had Late-Stage Nascent Soul elders. So their legacy likely didn’t end,” Ling Zixiao explained.

Ling Zixiao said this.

“Let’s hope we don’t see wars of that scale in the future,” Lu Changsheng sighed.

Lu Changsheng expressed with a sigh.

He felt that to protect his family in such a large-scale war, he’d need at least Nascent Soul level strength.

Otherwise, even Golden Core cultivators could turn to ash with one misstep in conflicts of that magnitude.

At this moment, Lu Changsheng clearly realized that while his strength was impressive in the Qingyun Region.

But in the broader context of Jiang Kingdom’s cultivation world or the entire Southern Wilderness, he was far from sufficient.

“Nascent Soul.”

Even though Lu Changsheng was very confident about his future.

He found it hard to estimate when he might break through to Nascent Soul.

After all, in the entire Jiang Kingdom cultivation world, there was only one Nascent Soul True Lord. This showed how difficult it was.

He didn’t dwell on it further. Instead, he continued chatting with Ling Zixiao and Xiao Xiyue about various aspects of the cultivation world.

Although he had read many books daily, compared to Ling Zixiao, his knowledge fell short.

So, chatting with Ling Zixiao helped him gain a lot of new information.

Qingluan Immortal City.

Though Qingluan Immortal City suffered heavy casualties from the beast tide, it regained its bustling atmosphere after just a few months.

For independent cultivators, death was a common occurrence.

As long as Qingluan Immortal City and Immortal Qingluan remained, offering second and Third-Tier Cave Dwellings, Foundation Establishment Pills, and other rare pills and Natural Treasures, there would be a constant influx of cultivators forming the city’s foundation.

Moreover, people’s joys and sorrows differ. Those who survived the beast tide had gained significantly and were in high spirits.

In a simple courtyard in the outer city.

“This Three Yang Pill truly deserves its reputation as a rare Second-Tier spirit pill. Not only did it help me break through to the Ninth Level of Qi Refining, but it also eliminated all my hidden injuries from over the years.”

In the practice room, Li Feiyu opened his eyes, a smile appearing on his handsome face.

Though he was severely injured during the beast tide battle, he managed to survive thanks to his body tempering.

Now that the beast tide had ended, Qingluan Immortal City fulfilled its promise, rewarding everyone based on their contributions.

With these merit points, he exchanged for a Three Yang Pill.

Not only did his cultivation advance further, but it also resolved all the hidden injuries from his previous battles and consumption of Second-Tier Demon Cores.

“Though these merit points are substantial, they’re far from enough for Foundation Establishment.”

Thinking about his future path, Li Feiyu’s face showed a hint of heaviness.

As he continued to work hard in Qingluan Immortal City, he gained some understanding about Foundation Establishment.

He deeply realized how difficult it would be for him to break through to Foundation Establishment.

He only had a Seventh-Tier Spirit Root.

Lower-Tier Spirit Roots were inefficient in converting spiritual energy into spiritual power when breaking through the three barriers of Foundation Establishment, which would be a hindrance.

So, for those with lower-Tier Spirit Roots to break through to Foundation Establishment, they must have both a Foundation Establishment Pill and Foundation Establishment spirit materials for the spiritual power barrier. Even then, the success rate was only ten to twenty percent.

With his current merit points, he could at most exchange for one Foundation Establishment spirit material.

“Changsheng has already reached Foundation Establishment. How can I be content to fall behind?”

“I still have over ten years. What’s so difficult about earning a Foundation Establishment Pill in that time?”

Under Li Feiyu’s thick eyebrows, his eyes were deep and bright, revealing an unwavering determination.

The sky stretched for thousands of miles, clear as if washed, a pure blue without a single white cloud.

In the clouds, a Spirit Boat flew by with six cultivators standing on it, both men and women.

Leading them was a burly man in red robes with an arrogant face, exuding a fierce and bandit-like aura.

He looked at a young man in his late twenties on the Spirit Boat, whose brows carried a hint of killing intent, and said, “Fifth Brother, we’ll reach the Hongye Valley Marketplace you mentioned in half a month.”

“Have you decided how to handle it?”

The burly man spoke in a deep voice, his face showing a wild expression.

“Big Brother, both my parents died in this Hongye Valley Marketplace. So I want the entire Market, along with the four great families behind it, to accompany my parents in death, as a sacrifice to their spirits in heaven!”

Hearing this, Fang Yu’s brows were filled with killing intent, his eyes revealing hatred.

Ten years ago, his parents chose to raid the Market to prepare resources for his Foundation Establishment.

As a result, both of them perished in the Hongye Valley Marketplace.

While he fled alone, the blood debt of his parents constantly drove him forward.

After countless near-death experiences, he finally made some gains, obtaining an opportunity in a former cultivator’s Cave Dwelling and breaking through to Foundation Establishment.

Later, in the Spirit Control Sect’s territory, due to a beast tide, he gained these sworn brothers and a Dao companion.

Especially when his eldest brother and Dao companion learned of his desire for revenge and asked about the cause, expressing their willingness to help him seek vengeance, he was deeply moved.

“Good, that’s my Fifth Brother, truly domineering. Let’s do as you say!”

A rough and unrestrained voice rang out.

“As Fifth Brother said, this Hongye Valley Marketplace is just established by a few small Foundation Establishment families. With us brothers going there, we can deal with them as we please!”

Another voice, leaning towards coldness, sounded.

“With my elder brothers here, of course we can handle them easily. But these family forces all have family formations for protection. If we attack repeatedly, we might attract the attention of the Azure Cloud Sect.”

“Yu, do you have any token to send to these four great families, telling them you’ve returned? Let them live in constant fear. When they gather together, or if we can lure them to one place, we’ll find an opportunity to wipe them out in one go!”

The woman in a peach-colored dress beside Fang Yu spoke up.

“Little Sister’s suggestion is not bad. Since that’s the case, let’s send a bell to these four great families, telling them Fifth Brother has returned. Let them repay their blood debt and wash themselves clean to await death, kekekeke!”

Upon hearing the suggestion, someone immediately laughed wickedly.

“Good, then let’s send a bell to these four great families when the time comes, to send them off!”

Hearing this, Fang Yu’s face showed a vicious smile.

Then, with eyes full of killing intent gazing at the sky, he murmured, “Father, Mother, your son will offer the Hongye Valley Marketplace and the four great families as a sacrifice to your spirits in heaven!”

Bihu Mountain.

Inside the Cave Dwelling of Hall of Everlasting Life.

“Clang clang clang——”

Lu Changsheng heard the sound and focused on the golden cocoon.

Accompanied by the continuous sharp and resonant sounds, the golden cocoon began to crack.

“Boom!”

The golden cocoon suddenly burst open, releasing endless light.

A Six-Winged Golden Silkworm, its body flowing with golden light, appeared.

After advancing to the second grade, it showed no obvious changes.

Its body had grown from two inches to four or five inches long, shimmering with golden light. Its wings, thin as cicada wings, now had additional golden patterns.

Overall, it gave off an indestructible, diamond-like quality.

“Now that you’ve advanced to the second grade, are there any changes?” Lu Changsheng asked, looking at the Six-Winged Golden Silkworm before him.

Although the Six-Winged Golden Silkworm was fierce and savage, with almost no intelligence to speak of.

Through the system’s taming, Lu Changsheng could still communicate simply with the Six-Winged Golden Silkworm.

Seeing the Six-Winged Golden Silkworm respond to Lu Changsheng’s words, it spat out a golden beam of light like an arrow, incredibly sharp.

“Boom!”

The beam of light directly hit the Cave Dwelling’s wall, leaving a black, scorching gap.

“As expected of an ancient exotic insect, just advancing to the second grade results in such powerful attacks!”

“This Cave Dwelling is primarily built with void-profound stone, inscribed with spirit pattern formations. Though not as hard as Spirit Tools, it’s comparable to Artifacts.”

“Moreover, this golden light not only contains a sharp aura but also a true fire essence that can burn and corrode others’ physical bodies and souls!”

Lu Changsheng examined the area where the Six-Winged Golden Silkworm had attacked, his face showing delight.

He clearly recognized how formidable the Six-Winged Golden Silkworm’s attack was.

Ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators facing such an attack would likely have their bodies destroyed and souls scattered if they weren’t careful.

As if understanding Lu Changsheng’s encouragement, the Six-Winged Golden Silkworm’s body shook, and the golden light around it expanded dozens of times, resembling a huge golden dipper.

“Clang clang clang——”

Lu Changsheng tapped the Six-Winged Golden Silkworm’s body with his finger.

Then he took out a Top-Tier Artifact and struck the Six-Winged Golden Silkworm.

Lu Changsheng tapped the Six-Winged Golden Silkworm’s body with his finger.

The Magical Sword clashed with the golden silkworm, producing a metallic ringing sound.

“Slash!”

Lu Changsheng channeled his Spiritual Energy, urging the sword to strike the Six-Winged Golden Silkworm again.

But the bowl-shaped golden silkworm remained unmoved.

After being hit twice, the silkworm became more agitated. A fierce, bloodthirsty aura emanated from its body.

It was only because Lu Changsheng was its master that it could restrain itself.

If it were anyone else, it would have attacked long ago.

“This physical form is no weaker than a low-Tier Spirit Tool. It might even be harder than most Spirit Tools.”

Lu Changsheng put away his sword and took out the Gourd containing spirit blood. He gave the Six-Winged Golden Silkworm a bowl.

After this simple test, he gained insight into the Six-Winged Golden Silkworm’s strength.

For Foundation Establishment weaklings like the Yu Family, Lu Yuanzhong, and Bai Yunyang, facing the Six-Winged Golden Silkworm would mean certain death.

With their level of power, they could hardly break through the Six-Winged Golden Silkworm’s defense.

They would struggle to withstand the silkworm’s attacks.

However, if they ran away immediately, they might have a slim chance of survival.

After the Six-Winged Golden Silkworm had eaten and drunk its fill, Lu Changsheng put it back in the Spirit Pet Bag and left Hall of Everlasting Life.

“Husband.”

Just then, Lu Miaoyun hurried over to tel Lu Changsheng some news.