Three True Persons Gather, War Reignites

"Faster!" "Faster still!" "Just a bit faster!" Cries echoed incessantly in his heart as his wings beat with all the power they could muster. A massive nine-zhang-long silhouette streaked at blinding speed along the dividing boundary where the clear and turbid waters met between the Sunken Sea and the Liuyang Sea. Sonic booms shattered the air at intervals, and each time he reappeared, he was already a hundred zhang away. From time to time, rogue cultivators of the Myriad Immortals Association nearby looked up at the sight. At first, they thought some fearsome great demon king was invading, yet the rich wave of magic power unmistakably marked him as a human cultivator. They could not understand why this person was flying so frantically, vanishing several li into the distance in the blink of an eye. By the time they snapped out of their daze, he had already crossed hundreds, then thousands of li. Relying on Ninety Thousand Miles under his Heavenly Roc True Form alongside occasional bursts of Explosive Void Steps, Luo Chen finally put distance between himself and Three Pillars Gorge. Boom! A violent gale howled as the giant roc crashed straight into a solitary island crag out at sea. Once the dust settled, Luo Chen stepped out from the ruined crag. His face was slightly pale—not from depleted magic power, but from sheer fright. For no reason whatsoever, why had a demon emperor descended upon the Sunken Sea—and from the most impossible direction, the human hinterlands? "The most impossible direction!" Suddenly, Luo Chen's expression twisted in horror. He gazed across the boundless sea toward a distant horizon. Out there lay the legendary forbidden zone of the Northern Sea—the Arctic Yama Heavens! "How is that possible?" "Weren't the two grand formations there said to be capable of suppressing the high-tier demon beasts within for thousands of years?" Luo Chen muttered, desperately unwilling to believe it. Yet what he had witnessed before fleeing Three Pillars Gorge left him no choice. The moment that eerily handsome man arrived, he had slaughtered over a thousand rogue cultivators without batting an eye, then flattened the three sky-piercing peaks into the sea with a single strike of his palm. Even Dao Lan had been knocked down into the Sunken Sea in the corner of Luo Chen's vision. Luo Chen recognized that kind of method—it was the power of the domain of heaven and earth, wielded only by cultivators and demon beasts who attained the Nascent Soul realm! That man had to be a Nascent Soul demon cultivator! "I can't stay in the Sunken Sea any longer!" Without hesitation, Luo Chen caught his breath, cast a deep glance toward Three Pillars Gorge, and beat his Poyue Wings toward Taiping Fortress. *** That night. Luo Chen and Shentu stood outside a grand hall. Both wore grave expressions, conferring in hushed tones. "Are you certain?" "I would never fabricate such a thing. As for the details, you can verify them once the others return." Luo Chen was not the only survivor from Three Pillars Gorge. Apart from him, there was Changfengzi's group of three. Moreover, when Luo Chen had cleared the field with the Ten Thousand Soul Banner while hunting demon beasts, he had driven a number of rogue cultivators away from Three Pillars Gorge ahead of time. Given the massive upheaval at Three Pillars Gorge, those rogue cultivators who had retreated should have noticed something as well. They were simply slower and had not returned to Taiping Fortress as quickly as Luo Chen. Shentu, the Golden Core warden of the First Defensive Line, fixed a stern gaze on Luo Chen before slowly nodding. "This is a matter of paramount importance to the Myriad Immortals Association. I trust the Demonic Lord would not jest about it. If so, we are now entering wartime status. Please, Demonic Lord!" Relieved, Luo Chen cupped his hands to Shentu. "I shall take my leave first. Take care, Fellow Daoist!" Shentu gave a wry smile and returned the salute. "Go ahead, Demonic Lord. Remember to report the situation to the Demon Hunting Department. I will also notify the Myriad Immortals Association from here." Luo Chen gave an affirmative hum, flicked his sleeves, and strode into the grand hall. Once inside, he produced his Five-Star Demon Hunter waist token, deliberately revealing his magic power and divine soul to prove his identity. Then, token in hand and under the watchful eyes of several array masters, he stepped onto the raised platform in the center of the hall. Light erupted, and Luo Chen's figure warped within the brilliance. When the light faded, the Taoist was gone from the intricately inscribed platform. Outside the hall, the colossal Taiping Fortress began to rumble with vibrations, as if an enormous beast were stirring from its slumber. Ferocious gun barrels extended one after another from the embrasures along the fortress walls. Beyond that, violent gales stirred over the Liuyang Sea, churning monstrous waves. A super formation was poised and ready! Under the cover of night, Taiping Fortress stood tall amid the raging storm, quietly awaiting the enemy's arrival. *** Inside Longyuan Immortal City. Within a heavily guarded hall of the Demon Hunting Department, seven cultivators sat cross-legged around a raised platform, bored expressions on their faces. "This is the fifth month, isn't it? How much longer until our rotation?" "A month. Our assignment lasts half a year." "Why be in such a hurry, Fellow Daoist Xu? Guarding the teleportation array may be a dull chore, but the spiritual energy here is at the upper grade of the second tier. It's a wonderful environment for our cultivation. Why rush to end it?" Guarding the teleportation array was considered a thankless chore in the Myriad Immortals Association, requiring the guards to sit motionless for months on end. At the same time, it was also a coveted assignment, offering free access to a high-grade cultivation environment. Ordinary members could not secure such a post even if they wanted to; one needed a foundation in formations and had to pass an assessment to qualify. Before taking the post, they even had to receive specialized instruction in teleportation formations. The cultivator surnamed Xu grumbled, "Who can stand being cooped up in this dark room for half a year? Aside from when I reached Foundation Establishment, I've never gone into seclusion for this long in my life. And you fellows have no idea—a new shop opened in Longyuan Immortal City! Tsk, tsk, that place..." Speaking of the new shop, his eyes practically gleamed. "It's full of top-tier beauties trained by Warm Jade Pavilion! Do you know Warm Jade Pavilion? That Golden Core great sect that used to train premium cultivation cauldrons exclusively for the Yuan Demon Sect!" "Beyond the beauties, they boast fine wine from the Southern Borders! Oh, and they have top-tier spirit chefs cooking all sorts of delicacies. Their ingredients are either spiritual plants from the Tusang Sect, black gold dragon carps from Penghu Lake, or even exotic ingredients sourced from the Canghai Alliance and the Moluo Stream!" "Ah, I don't want to stay in this teleportation hall for another single day!" Just as he threw his head back and lamented his woes, a sudden hum resonated from the platform before them. The other six stared in surprise. "Who would be using the teleportation array in the dead of night?" Though puzzled, their hands moved swiftly. Each seized a small formation disc and channeled magic power into it. Seven-colored radiance flowed from the discs like ribbons of silk, settling over the platform. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! In an instant, the entire hall and the platform merged into a seamless whole, and an overwhelming pressure bore down on the dais. Luo Chen, who had just materialized upon the platform, frowned at the spectacle. Before they could question him, he flicked his waist token outward. The leader among the seven, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, produced an illustrated registry. Cross-referencing the two, the visitor's information appeared at once: *Five-Star Demon Hunter—Luo Hai.* Who was Luo Hai? Was there such a person in the Myriad Immortals Association? The guards exchanged glances. From the platform, Luo Chen let out a cold snort. "I am Qingyangzi. Why have you not let me through?" The moment the name Qingyangzi was uttered, the seven shuddered and hastily manipulated the formation to disperse the pressure. Once the weight lifted entirely from his shoulders, Luo Chen stepped down from the platform with unhurried grace and walked straight out of the teleportation hall. As soon as the heavy doors shut behind him, the seven guards burst into chatter. "Right! I did hear before that Qingyangzi's surname was Luo, but I never imagined his real name was Luo Hai. We almost offended him!" "How do you know Luo Hai is his real name? Most rogue cultivators in the Myriad Immortals Association use aliases and go by Daoist titles or monikers. Luo Hai could just as easily be a fake name." "That's true. But the master of Penghu Lake is truly as wealthy as the rumors say! He travels by teleportation array! Even for a short-distance teleportation, a single trip must cost a million spirit stones!" "What did you expect? He's the master of Penghu Lake and a renowned master artificer throughout the Myriad Immortals Association!" "My attention was on something else entirely. Didn't you notice? When Qingyangzi emerged from the array, he looked completely normal—not the slightest trace of discomfort! You know that whenever we received Golden Core seniors stepping out of the array before, most stumbled, and some even retched and vomited, unable to control their magic power." "Hiss... now that you mention it, that's true!" "The master of Penghu Lake is truly unfathomable!" *** While the guards were still discussing Qingyangzi, those outside who caught sight of Luo Chen were already bowing in reverence, addressing him as "Demonic Lord." Over the past year, word of Luo Chen's deeds on the Sunken Sea battlefield had spread after the carcasses of several great demon kings were delivered back. Those who worked long-term in the Demon Hunting Department were especially aware of his feats. As Luo Chen walked through the halls, he noticed that the Demon Hunting Department was still bathed in a peaceful atmosphere. *Could it be that the news from Taiping Fortress hasn't arrived yet?* Just as the thought crossed his mind, he saw three great cultivators with grim expressions. Diaosou, Empress Zi, and Ghost Spirit Boy! The three Eight-Star Demon Hunters of the Myriad Immortals Association, aside from Dao Lan! The moment he saw Luo Chen, Diaosou spoke first. "We will discuss the specifics once the three True Persons arrive." *So they have already been informed!* Luo Chen nodded and found a chair to sit down. He did not have to wait long. Moments later, the whistling of wind sounded outside. The three looked toward the entrance, only to see a flash of blood-red light land squarely upon the central chair of the three seats on the dais above. "Diaosou greets the True Person!" "Empress Zi greets the True Person!" "Ghost Spirit greets the True Person!" Luo Chen rose abruptly, then bowed respectfully. "Luo Hai greets the True Person!" "Mm. Dispense with the formalities!" A resonant, deep voice echoed from above. Luo Chen straightened and reflexively looked up. A burly man sat on the high seat. He had resolute features, a thick beard, and bright, piercing eyes. Clad in a blood-red robe without a speck of other color, his muscular frame radiated boundless power. A wild, overbearing aura emanated from him naturally. His eyes swept over the crowd with a haughty gaze that seemed to border between disdain and sheer indifference. Was this Pang Bujue, the Blood Hermit, one of the famous Three Great Loose Cultivators of the Northern Sea? Luo Chen's heart tightened, and his expression grew all the more respectful. The Blood Hermit cast a glance at him and spoke directly. "You are Qingyangzi, yes? Recount the situation in the Sunken Sea in detail!" Luo Chen was slightly taken aback; he had assumed they would wait for the other two to arrive first, not expecting the Blood Hermit to be so impatient. He did not dare dawdle and immediately recounted everything that had transpired. When he described the eerily handsome, immortal-like man, a pensive look crossed the Blood Hermit's resolute face. "Is it that one?" Before the Blood Hermit could pursue the matter further, wind stirred outside once more. Everyone turned toward the entrance to see a young Taoist with his hair bound in a topknot walking in. "Hermit, it has been a long time." The Blood Hermit looked at him and nodded slightly. "Longyuan, take your seat!" It turned out to be True Person Longyuan. He had concluded his secluded cultivation, and this was his first public appearance since emerging. With Longyuan having arrived, the last one... Under the moonlight, a woman drifted forward as though treading upon lunar beams. The cool moonlight washed over her simple, archaic moon-white Taoist robe, giving her the appearance of a fairy descending to the mortal realm from the Lunar Palace. Her features were exquisite, her skin smooth as clotted cream, and her eyes bright as stars. With every flutter of her eyelashes, she exuded an ethereal aloofness from the mortal world. Yet the generous swell beneath her chest thoroughly dismantled that cool detachment, infusing her presence with a bold and breathtaking sensuality. Further down, her slender waist and shapely, supple legs were enough to make anyone swallow hard, man or woman alike. Cool yet ardent, aloof yet alluring. Two entirely contradictory temperaments merged into a single person. In the entire Myriad Immortals Association—and perhaps the whole Northern Sea—only one person possessed such peerless grace. The Moon Hermit! Luo Chen did not dare look for long. After a single glance, he lowered his head and joined the others in greeting her. "Greetings, True Person Moon!" The Moon Hermit did not spare them a glance, nor did she look much at True Person Longyuan. Her gaze fell directly on the burly man in the center. "Pang Bujue, you finally decided to return?" The Blood Hermit snorted coldly. "I founded the Myriad Immortals Association. I come and go as I please." The Moon Hermit let out a soft chuckle. Her laugh was gentle and laced with charm; when it reached the ears of those present, it caused their divine souls to stir. "More likely, you couldn't sit still any longer!" Amid her light laughter, she floated down into her seat. Ignoring the mockery in her words, the Blood Hermit relayed the information Luo Chen had just reported to both the Moon Hermit and True Person Longyuan. After digesting the news, the Moon Hermit glanced at Luo Chen, then gave a slow nod to the Blood Hermit. "If Qingyangzi's words hold true, then he should be Liu Jun." The Blood Hermit nodded. "Among the transformed demon cultivators of the Northern Sea, he is the only one I know of with such striking features." The emperor of the Merfolk—Liu Jun! The Moon Hermit said softly, "He isn't the real trouble. Whichever of us steps in, he can be dealt with. The real trouble lies with the Arctic Yama Heavens." The Blood Hermit dismissed the concern. "You and I are solitary souls drifting across the world. Even if the seal of the Yama Heavens truly breaks, we can simply walk away. What trouble is there?" The Moon Hermit smiled faintly and glanced at the person beside her. "I'm afraid Fellow Daoist Longyuan might not share that sentiment, no?" Ever since taking his seat, True Person Longyuan had remained silent, utterly composed. His steady temperament did not match his youthful appearance in the slightest. "In these matters, it is enough to do one's best. There is no need to force it." The Moon Hermit curled her lips slightly and did not argue with him. "Let us first discuss how to handle the Sunken Sea. In my view, we must notify the three factions of Wuzhong Valley. Furthermore, both the righteous and demonic factions, as well as Shenyuan City, must be informed of the situation." "None of that concerns me!" With a broad wave of his hand, the Blood Hermit rose from his seat. "Merfolk Emperor Liu Jun destroyed Three Pillars Gorge clearly aiming to use the power of the Sunken Sea to break the formation at the Yama Heavens. That process might take a long time, or it might take very little, but he must not be allowed to ruin my plans." "Tomorrow, I shall go to the Sunken Sea in person and slay Liu Jun!" "Diaosou, the three of you will select men from the Myriad Immortals Association and follow to the Sunken Sea. Slaughter every last one of those beasts!" Watching this, the Moon Hermit chimed in with a sweet smile, "Then allow me to lend a hand as well. The three factions of Wuzhong Valley have lived in comfort for too many years; it is time to make them move." The Blood Hermit turned, looked deeply at the woman, and finally gave a slow nod. "Very well!" With those words, the four Golden Core cultivators below realized one thing at the same moment: The Myriad Immortals Association had officially entered wartime status!