Translator: AnubisTL
A chilling demonic qi surged through the grotto-heaven, driving the Lingyun Sect elders trapped in the demon's den to the brink of despair.
Over millennia, one powerful ancient demon after another had perished, transforming into demonic qi seeds that had long since reshaped the grotto-heaven into an ideal habitat for the ancient demonic race.
Spiritual energy was scarce, while demonic qi saturated the air.
With this imbalance, how could these foundation establishment realm cultivators possibly hope to prevail? Even if their numbers were doubled, they couldn't overcome the terrain's inherent disadvantage.
"Senior Brother Xiao! No!"
An ancient demon breached the defensive line formed by the Lingyun Sect elders. With a black bone blade protruding from the back of its hand, it pierced through the chest of a foundation establishment elder, hoisting him into the air.
The sight turned many eyes bloodshot.
The deceased Elder Xiao was highly respected within the sect, a man of great virtue and prestige.
Tragically, good people rarely live long. His death was gruesome, blood splattering across the ground, the overwhelming stench of blood constantly assaulting everyone's senses.
"Stay calm! Don't act rashly! Hold this area and prevent the ancient demons from breaking through. They lack magic artifacts, which is our advantage!"
"At this point, our only hope is for the supreme ancestor to send another group of elders to rescue us."
"Exactly! Charging out would be suicide. We can only hold our ground here!"
"..."
After all, these were foundation establishment elders. Even those with limited combat experience quickly regained their composure, preventing the entire formation from collapsing.
However, no amount of mental fortitude could stem the tide of their gradually crumbling defenses.
The ancient demons outnumbered them and held the home-field advantage.
Most critically, these fiends were cunning. They methodically whittled down the Lingyun Sect elders, avoiding reckless advances and always striking with minimal losses.
Despite relying on the power of their magic artifacts, the Lingyun Sect elders couldn't maintain their defensive stance indefinitely.
Whoosh!
Just as the formation teetered on the brink of collapse, a blinding golden light erupted!
A golden longsword materialized in mid-air, radiating a terrifying aura as it cleaved through several ancient demons.
Swish!
In an instant, the closest demons were bisected with razor-sharp precision, their wounds smooth and clean.
Among the elders, one possessed a talisman treasure bestowed by Ancestor Devourer of Heaven!
"It's Junior Sister Ningbing!"
"Excellent! Junior Sister Ningbing has a talisman treasure!"
"As expected of Ancestor Bing Yun's disciple. She's truly formidable!"
"..."
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, a cold and elegant figure slowly descended. In her hand, she held a talisman paper imprinted with a golden longsword, though the sword's golden glow had dimmed considerably.
Shen Ningbing's face was pale, and her aura was noticeably weakened.
She had been among the first elders to be surrounded. Despite her considerable cultivation, she was rapidly approaching the point of exhaustion, her mana reserves severely depleted.
Her Ice Attribute variant spirit root granted her attacks extraordinary lethality, but even she couldn't single-handedly defy the overwhelming numbers of ancient demons.
"The talisman treasure has few remaining uses," she announced. "Everyone, give it your all."
Her words weighed heavily on the hearts of many.
The prolonged wait for reinforcements had already sown seeds of despair among them.
Meanwhile, outside the battlefield, Ancestor Devourer of Heaven was performing the soul-searching and spirit-refining technique on the ancient demon Li Qing had captured alive.
"Roar! Roar!"
Chi Man roared incessantly, the agonizing pain of his divine soul being refined driving him to the brink of madness. As his memories were relentlessly extracted from his Sea of Consciousness, he found himself utterly powerless to resist.
Chi Man desperately wanted to self-detonate his demonic body, but even that was beyond his reach.
"Hmph, if I allowed you to self-detonate in my grasp, I'd be a laughingstock," Ancestor Devourer of Heaven sneered. As a late-stage core formation cultivator, subduing an ancient demon equivalent to the foundation establishment realm was child's play.
Soon, strands of memory were being extracted one by one.
This was the true power of a core formation realm cultivator. Any foundation establishment cultivator caught in their grasp would have no chance of resistance.
Chi Man of the Chi Demon Tribe was now suffering a torment worse than death itself.
As his memories were extracted, Ancestor Devourer of Heaven's expression rapidly darkened.
"This..."
Seeing Ancestor Devourer of Heaven's shifting expression, Ancestor Bing Yun asked anxiously, "What is it? How many powerful figures remain among these ancient demon remnants?"
Ancestor Devourer of Heaven replied slowly through telepathy, "There are three old demons equivalent to core formation realm cultivators. Beyond them, there's an even higher-ranking ancient ancestor, likely a Nascent Soul Realm existence."
The moment these words were spoken, Ancestor Bing Yun's expression shifted dramatically.
It was well-known that no Nascent Soul Realm cultivator had openly appeared in the Azure Ridge Domain for a very long time.
Since the ancient war, the entire great domain's spiritual energy had waned considerably, and all high-grade spiritual veins had been severed.
Let alone the Nascent Soul Realm, even core formation realm cultivators had become exceedingly rare. Only a few Spirit Vein Lands occupied by cultivation sects could nurture cultivators of Ancestor-level caliber.
"How is this possible? Can such a cramped grotto-heaven truly sustain an ancient demon of the Nascent Soul Realm?"
"What should we do now?!"
Ancestor Devourer of Heaven fell silent, his expression grave.
The two Ancestors communicated telepathically, their conversation concealed from the other elders.
However, many foundation establishment realm elders were observing the scene. Seeing the Ancestors' grim expressions, their hearts sank with dread.
Once all the memories had been extracted, Ancestor Devourer of Heaven pointed a finger, and a black true essence pierced through the Chi demon's head.
Immediately afterward, Ancestor Devourer of Heaven murmured:
"This is a grave matter! These ancient demons are plotting to capture our sect elders alive. Once they discover the true strength of the Lingyun Sect, the consequences will be unimaginable!"
"What should we do now?!" Elder Bing Yun clenched her fists.
If the Chi Demon Tribe's high-ranking members realized their situation, the Extreme Ice Demon-Sealing Formation would soon face an assault from three core formation realm cultivators and one Nascent Soul Realm cultivator. The breach would rapidly expand, and before long, all the ancient demons would break free!
This was truly a dire situation!
Ancestor Devourer of Heaven frowned deeply. "When I traveled the world in my younger years, I forged close friendships with some powerful cultivators in other great domains. However, it's been so many years since we last communicated. I don't even know if any of them have advanced to the Nascent Soul Realm."
"Perhaps we should seek help from these contacts."
The situation was straightforward: the Lingyun Sect couldn't handle the ancient demon ancestor who was likely at the Nascent Soul Realm. They had no choice but to seek external assistance.
"What about the other elders trapped below?!" Elder Bing Yun asked urgently. Her newly accepted disciple was still in the demonic grotto-heaven below.
Indeed, what would become of the other elders trapped below?
To give up now? That would be far too disheartening! Moreover, Ancestor Bing Yun's disciple was still trapped inside.
Should they send another rescue team? But based on the information they had gathered, this demon's den seemed like a bottomless abyss. No matter how many foundation establishment realm cultivators they threw in, they would all be devoured.
For once, Ancestor Devourer of Heaven found himself in a rare state of indecision.
"While the Chi Demon Tribe's Ancestor remains unaware of our true strength, let's send one last group down. If that fails, we'll have no choice but to retreat."
He had extracted crucial information from Chi Man's Sea of Consciousness: the Chi Demon Tribe's ancient ancestors were hesitant to act rashly, uncertain of the Lingyun Sect's true strength and unaware that the current breach in the Extreme Ice Demon-Sealing Formation only allowed foundation establishment realm cultivators to pass through.
Once the enemy fully understood these details, a cataclysmic disaster would await all the elders below—leaving them with no chance of survival!
"All elders of the sixth group, prepare to enter the grotto-heaven where the ancient demon is sealed!"
"Before you proceed, listen carefully: adapt to the situation as it unfolds. Do not act impulsively or recklessly!"
"If you cannot rescue the remaining elders, inform them to break through with all their might. As many as can escape, let them escape."
These words struck the minds of all present like a thunderclap, leaving the elders' heads ringing.
What?! How could Ancestor Devourer of Heaven change so drastically after searching the ancient demon's soul?!
What information did he uncover that would compel such a powerful ancestor to make such a decision?!
Confusion clouded every mind, while the sixth batch of elders, about to descend into the grotto-heaven, wore expressions of utter dread.
Some quick-witted individuals quickly grasped the implications: the only reason the ancestor would issue such an order was if there was an insurmountable force within the demonic grotto-heaven below!
Coupled with the earlier shifts in expression on Ancestor Devourer of Heaven and Ancestor Bing Yun's faces, this realization solidified into a grim certainty.
A trembling voice asked, "Ancestor Devourer of Heaven, what exactly is the situation with the ancient demon clan below?"
Naturally, Ancestor Devourer of Heaven couldn't reveal the truth at this moment. He simply repeated:
"Remember: rescue everyone if possible. If that proves impossible, inform them to break through. As many as can escape, let them escape!"
The cruel, icy words echoed in everyone's hearts, as if a death sentence had already been pronounced upon all those below.
The sixth rotation of elders exchanged uneasy glances, momentarily at a loss for what to do.
But the Ancestor's command had been issued, and now it was time to execute it. Steeling their resolve, they entered the secret realm passage and hurried toward the grotto-heaven.
Within the grotto-heaven, the besieged Lingyun Sect elders faced a tidal wave of powerful ancient demons, their hearts sinking into utter despair.
Just as their morale plummeted to its lowest point, a surge of spiritual energy rippled through the air nearby!
"Could it be our fellow sect members have come to rescue us?!"
"Reinforcements are here! Reinforcements are here!"
In an instant, the crowd erupted into fervent excitement, their hearts suddenly kindled with a flicker of hope.
Even the usually ice-cold Shen Ningbing couldn't help but exhale a long sigh of relief.
But the next moment, the elders they had mistaken for rescuers shouted words that plunged everyone into the depths of despair:
"Escape! Break through at any cost! We can only create a gap for you!"
"The Ancestor has commanded us to escape at all costs!"
Yes, better to sacrifice a fellow Daoist than oneself—a universal truth.
Even as elders of the same sect, they wouldn't risk their lives to save those trapped.
Truthfully, their willingness to blast open a gap was already the height of benevolence they could muster.
Hearing these words, the elders who had briefly dared to hope now felt their spirits plummet back into despair.
Nearly everyone was at their limit, with no reserves of spiritual energy left to break through the encirclement.
Even if the sixth wave of elders managed to create an opening, few would likely escape successfully.
Elder Wen of the refining hall was among the rescuers. He immediately retrieved a jade cauldron from his storage pouch. The cauldron's inner walls were inscribed with intricate spirit patterns that glowed brilliantly in the air—a top-grade magical artifact!
"Everyone, let's move! Delaying any further will only worsen our situation!"
With that, Elder Wen hurled the jade cauldron forward. A torrent of emerald light erupted from it, sweeping across the dark battlefield like a tidal wave, engulfing the ancient demon horde.
The other elders swiftly followed suit, unleashing their own techniques to assault the tightly packed ranks of ancient demons.
Boom!
With the deaths of over a dozen ancient demons, a gap finally appeared in the encirclement, offering a chance to escape.
Just as everyone's faces lit up with relief, an overwhelmingly terrifying aura erupted from the depths of the demon's den, surging rapidly upward.
This oppressive force far surpassed anything they had ever felt from Ancestor Devourer of Heaven—vast as the sea, profound as the abyss, as if they were facing an invincible true immortal!
Someone whispered in a trembling voice, "Nascent Soul Realm!"
In that instant, they finally understood why Ancestor Devourer of Heaven had looked so grave earlier. A Nascent Soul Realm old demon lurked here—truly the demon among demons!
"Run for your lives!"
A desperate scream pierced the air as people fled in terror.
The rescue elders, who had only just arrived, charged frantically toward the gap in the Extreme Ice Demon-Sealing Formation, risking everything to escape the demon's den.
As for the besieged elders, seeing the opening, they frantically drained every last drop of spiritual energy from their bodies, converting it into mana for rapid flight.
Just as everyone realized the danger, a massive handprint formed from condensed demonic qi slammed down from the depths of the demon's den.
Amidst the chaos, Shen Ningbing felt her body turn ice-cold, not from fear, but from sheer exertion. Biting her lower lip, she desperately channeled her secret technique.
Crack!
Instantly, several inches of her skin transformed into ice crystals, and a surge of mana erupted from her dantian.
Empowered by this mana, her speed surged, allowing her to finally break free from the encirclement and swiftly follow the fleeing elder ahead.
In the next moment, a deafening explosion erupted behind her.
Boom!
The earth shattered and the heavens trembled! The area where the besieged elders had been trapped was instantly reduced to rubble, the ground collapsing into a massive handprint-shaped crater.
"After slumbering for countless years, the Extreme Ice Demon-Sealing Formation has finally been breached."
"Though only a small opening, it will suffice."
A voice filled with ancient authority echoed through the demon's den. The Chi Demon Tribe's ancient ancestor, upon awakening, instantly scanned the entire demon's den with his divine sense.
He immediately detected the flaw in the Extreme Ice Demon-Sealing Formation, seeing it as a glimmer of hope for his escape.
Boom!
The air trembled violently as the Chi Demon Tribe's ancient ancestor struck again.
This time, he pointed a finger at the Extreme Ice Demon-Sealing Formation from afar.
The demonic qi within the demon's den surged wildly, as if drawn by an irresistible force!
Though some had already escaped through the breach in the sealing formation, countless lives were still being lost within.
"Since you've entered, you might as well stay," the Chi Tribe Old Ancestor murmured, pointing a finger at the formation.
Boom!
The Extreme Ice Demon-Sealing Formation sensed the surge of demonic qi and instantly unleashed a powerful wave of suppressive spiritual energy, completely neutralizing the finger's power.
However, after blocking the attack, the formation dimmed considerably and began to tremble, showing signs of imminent collapse.
"If this formation were intact, I might have struggled. But with this breach, you think you can still stop me?"
The Chi Tribe Old Ancestor opened its massive maw in the darkness, instantly devouring all the surrounding demonic qi. It then exhaled a torrent of concentrated demonic energy toward the Extreme Ice Demon-Sealing Formation.
The dense demonic qi surged like a tidal wave, crashing against the formidable formation laid down by an ancient, powerful cultivator.
The formation shuddered violently but stubbornly withstood the onslaught, though it dimmed further with each impact.
Seeing this, the Chi Tribe Old Ancestor fell silent for a moment.
"It seems the time is not yet ripe. But these human insects who dared disturb my slumber—even if they escape the formation, they won't live to tell the tale."
With that, the Chi Tribe Old Ancestor moved again, gathering demonic qi and attempting to channel its power through the breach in the formation.
This time, it succeeded!
With vast amounts of demonic qi already leaking into the outside world, the Chi Tribe Old Ancestor directly mobilized it to attack the Lingyun Sect elders attempting to break out of the Cold Wind Secret Realm.
Shen Ningbing was among them, and a sudden wave of intense unease surged through her.
Still some distance from the secret realm's exit, she acted decisively without hesitation, turning and fleeing toward the opposite side of the realm.
As expected, the demonic qi within the secret realm rapidly converged toward the portal opened by the Lingyun Sect's two ancient ancestors.
"Demon! You won't wreak havoc here!"
Ancestor Devourer of Heaven roared from above, unleashing a surge of devouring true essence that forcefully repelled the demonic qi.
The collision created a massive shockwave that sent Shen Ningbing, who had just turned to flee, flying uncontrollably in the opposite direction, farther and farther from the exit.
Frustrated by this latest setback, the Chi Tribe Old Ancestor's anger flared.
"Hmph! Humans... When I break free from this formation, I will settle accounts with you all!"
After these words echoed through the demon's den, an eerie silence descended.
(End of the Chapter)
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