A Nascent Soul True Person was not so easily slain!
This was common knowledge.
Once a cultivator reached the Nascent Soul realm, even if their physical body was destroyed, their divine soul could rely on the Nascent Soul to teleport a thousand li in an instant.
As long as the Nascent Soul escaped, even without the protection of the Violet Palace, there was still some hope of resuming the path to the Great Dao.
Possession, reconstructing a physical form, turning to ghost cultivation, and various other profound methods were all possible.
The reason Luo Chen had stained his hands with the lives of several Nascent Soul experts along his journey was that he possessed the Hunyuan Cauldron—a top-tier True Artifact capable of sealing space and capturing a cultivator's Golden Core or Nascent Soul.
Others lacked such means.
Even with a vast disparity in strength, one could at best kill an opponent; capturing a Nascent Soul alive was exceedingly difficult.
And once a Nascent Soul shattered, the immense magic power that composed its form would burst outward, triggering a chaotic, terrifying storm of spiritual energy.
Back when the eight Great Demon Emperors assaulted Lingtian Pass, the few demon emperors who fell had unleashed mighty storms of spiritual energy that swept through the pass. It was only because Lingtian Pass was fortified with massive formations that absorbed these storms that countless buildings and lives were spared from destruction.
When Luo Chen slew Feiyunzi in the Land of the Fallen Demon, a similar spectacle had occurred. At that time, had he not possessed a Tier 4 Ancient Wilderness body, he likely would have failed to withstand the sweep of that spiritual energy tempest.
Such was the spectacle when a Nascent Soul shattered in battle.
In contrast, when a Nascent Soul died naturally of old age, it would not trigger a destructive spiritual energy storm. Instead, its magic power would slowly dissipate, turning into pure spiritual energy that returned to heaven and earth.
Though Luo Chen had never witnessed such a scene with his own eyes, he had learned much about it on Heaven and Earth Peak.
The reason the Tianyuan Dao Sect of the Central Plains was so prosperous was that it took in many aged Nascent Soul cultivators from external domains. After they passed away, the Central Plains could absorb the massive store of spiritual energy condensed within their bodies throughout their lifetimes.
Accumulated bit by bit, the concentration of spiritual energy in the Central Plains far exceeded that of the other four domains, leading to an age of burgeoning talent.
Yet now!
Luo Chen spread his divine sense across thousands of li.
Nothing!
There was not the slightest residual magic power from the shattering of the Second Palace Master's Nascent Soul!
Moreover, she had fallen here, on the battlefield of Fenghua Palace. It was impossible that she would abandon tens of thousands of disciples to flee alone in Nascent Soul form.
Where, then, had her Nascent Soul gone?
For a moment, an unsettling feeling welled up within Luo Chen's heart, and he subconsciously gripped his right arm.
True Person Jinling also showed bewilderment. "Could it be that the Second Palace Master isn't dead?"
Fenghua Fairy said with venom in her voice, "My junior sister is certainly dead. My senses are never mistaken. As for where her Nascent Soul went, we will have to ask those vile beasts!"
Carefully placing the Second Palace Master's remains on the ground, she rose and called out sharply, "Shunxi, Xia Lan, Fengyue, come inside!"
Three figures walked in from the ruins.
A pale Fengyue could still barely manage to walk, while another woman had to be supported to enter.
"Martial Aunt, you must avenge my master!"
"Xia Lan, what are you saying? Have you lost your mind?"
"Master!"
Evidently, both Shunxi and Xia Lan were disciples of the Second Palace Master, which was why they addressed Fenghua Fairy as Martial Aunt.
Hearing their mournful cries—sounding like children seeking an adult's protection—Fenghua Fairy clenched her fists tightly.
"Xia Lan, you will take charge of preparing your master's body and arranging the funeral rites."
"Shunxi, you are in better condition. Go gather our disciples and soothe their minds. Tell them that I am still here, and Fenghua Palace will not fall!"
"Fengyue, tell me what happened. How many enemies were there, and who killed the Second Palace Master?"
Fengyue pressed her lips together and quickly recounted the earlier events before the three True Persons.
There was very little to tell, for in the eyes of Golden Core cultivators like them, the battle had unfolded in the blink of an eye.
"Martial Aunt sent a transmission that an enormous demonic aura of unknown origin was heading straight for Fenghua Palace and ordered us to activate the mountain-protecting formation."
"Martial Aunt went out alone to meet the enemy."
"As we hastily activated the grand formation, Martial Aunt plummeted from the sky, her chest and abdomen pierced through, devoid of life. We do not know who struck her down."
"The mountain-protecting formation was shattered in an instant. It was three demons of similar appearance and identical clothing who struck in unison."
"Our sect's grand formation is connected to the Nine Palaces of Fenghua and seventeen earth veins. When the formation broke, the earth veins trembled, the mountains collapsed, and countless low-tier disciples perished instantly. Including me, there were seven Golden Cores anchoring the formation; four of my martial sisters suffered body explosions and died. Senior Sister Xia Lan's sea of qi was ruptured, while Senior Sister Shunxi and I suffered a backlash of magic power, our meridians severely damaged, leaving us powerless to resist."
"Yet after destroying Fenghua Palace, those demon emperors did not press the slaughter. Instead, under the orders of a leading female demon, they quickly retreated and vanished without a trace."
Finishing in one breath, Fengyue gasped slightly. The rampant magic power had clearly wreaked havoc on her meridians.
She swallowed, pleading with terror in her eyes, "Master, there were as many as seven enemies in total! You are definitely no match for them. Please, do not go!"
A fierce glint flashed in Fenghua Fairy's eyes.
Not go?
How could she not go!
Setting aside the fact that this was an order issued by Lingtian Pass, she could never simply stand by after the death of her own junior sister.
"It is Jinxiuxian," Luo Chen said softly.
Fenghua Fairy and True Person Jinling turned toward him. Luo Chen's eyes were slightly narrowed, a look of wariness on his face.
"According to Fengyue, the invading enemy numbers seven demon emperors, led by a female demon. Among the three Great Commanders raiding the rear, Bi Zheng and Juan Kuang are both male demons; only Jinxiuxian is female."
"Not only that, she is one of only two female demons among the nine Great Commanders!"
"To stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Great Demon Emperors like Qi Xi and Huang Man means her strength cannot be underestimated!"
It was far more than merely not to be underestimated; an entity like that could only be matched by a Great Cultivator. Ordinary Nascent Soul True Persons were simply no match for her.
Moreover, according to Fengyue, this demon was intensely purposeful. After slaying the Second Palace Master and razing Fenghua Palace, she had not lingered to engage in indiscriminate slaughter, but had set off non-stop toward the next domain.
Evidently, she was not one to prolong a fight, seeking only to undermine the stability of the rear.
Dealing with such an existence?
Difficult!
Jinling gave a cold snort. "With the three of us joining forces, we could contest even a Great Cultivator. What is there to fear?"
Luo Chen shook his head. "I am not afraid. I am worried."
"Worried about what?" Fenghua Fairy's exquisite face now showed a hint of ferocity. "They killed my junior sister and destroyed Fenghua Palace. I will make them pay!"
Luo Chen sighed. "Our enemy is not Jinxiuxian alone."
"And their enemy is not just us!" Fenghua Fairy snapped.
Without further words, she gave a few instructions to Fengyue and the other disciples before soaring into the sky on an escape light, heading toward the Dieyun Domain adjacent to the Fenghua Domain.
True Person Jinling glanced at Luo Chen and spoke with confidence, "The Dieyun Sect is no weakling. The three Nascent Soul True Persons—Liuyun, Xiayun, and Caiyun—all possess considerable skill. Relying on their geographical advantage, they might be able to hold them off for a time. If we move quickly, we still have a chance to intercept them."
With that, he also flew out from the ruined grounds of Fenghua Palace.
Luo Chen looked around at his surroundings, a wave of melancholy rising within him.
His eyes met Fengyue's timid, pleading gaze.
"True Person Luo, my master is somewhat driven by emotion right now. I fear something will go wrong. This junior begs you to look after her at the critical moment."
"I will do what I can."
Luo Chen made no firm promises, giving only a noncommittal reply, then surged his magic power and swiftly caught up to the two ahead.
Seeing Luo Chen follow, Fenghua Fairy and True Person Jinling said nothing, but they visibly breathed a sigh of relief.
Luo Chen's glorious achievements over the years were proof enough of his formidable strength.
Without him, neither of them truly had the confidence to face Jinxiuxian.
Yet as soon as he caught up, Luo Chen made a request.
"Take a brief detour to Baili Qingchuan!"
Fenghua Fairy frowned. "Are you worried about the Luotian Sect?"
True Person Jinling waved his hand dismissively. "There is no need. It is obvious that this force of demon emperors is targeting only Nascent Soul upper sects. The cultivators left behind at your Luotian Sect are fewer than those at my Five Elements Divine Sect. They will not spare it a second glance."
"We must go!"
Luo Chen insisted. Unable to outright refuse him, the two had no choice but to accompany him.
However, both noticeably increased their speed.
As they flew, the two were secretly astonished that Luo Chen could effortlessly keep pace with them.
One specialized in wind, and the other in metal; both were exceptional in flight speed among their peers. Yet under full flight, Luo Chen, at the third layer of the Nascent Soul realm, kept up with ease and even looked as though he had strength to spare.
How could they not be shocked?
***
Baili Qingchuan was not far from Fenghua Palace's sect grounds.
After all, this place was originally an affiliated estate of Fenghua Palace, which had merely been handed over to the Luotian Sect to manage.
At the speed of the three, they arrived in mere moments.
Upon arrival, the vast plain showed not a single soul.
Yet within Mount Daqing, light shimmered and spiritual energy surged, showing every sign of being on high alert.
Clearly, the mountain-protecting formation had been pushed to its utmost limit.
Observing this spiritual energy density, Fenghua Fairy experienced a moment of bewilderment.
"How can it be so strong? It is nearly approaching the spiritual energy concentration of my Fenghua Palace's Third Palace! Baili Qingchuan shouldn't have such a premium spirit vein."
Ignoring the woman's astonished expression, Luo Chen flew directly above Mount Daqing.
His familiar divine sense unfurled, carrying a clear, resonant voice.
"The Supreme Elder has returned. Why do you not welcome him?"
Mount Daqing remained dead silent, as if everyone inside were holding their breath. Only after Luo Chen's voice echoed did movement begin within.
A slit opened in the formation's light barrier, and Li Yingzhang and Min Longyu stepped out together. Upon seeing Luo Chen, they let out an involuntary sigh of relief.
"Supreme Elder!"
"You have finally returned! Over at Fenghua Palace..."
Luo Chen raised his hand, cutting off Min Longyu's words. "No need to say more. I already understand the situation. It is enough that the sect is unharmed."
In the clouds, Fenghua and Jinling watched this scene with impatience.
To waste time on a detour just to check on the Luotian Sect—the Alchemy Grandmaster seemed somewhat lacking in perspective on the greater picture.
They knew that the vast majority of the Luotian Sect's personnel were stationed at Lingtian Pass, with only a hundred or so remaining here. Even the sect grounds belonged to Fenghua Palace; even if destroyed, it was of little consequence.
Yet in the next moment, their eyes went wide.
Without Luo Chen making any noticeable movement, Mount Daqing began to shake violently.
Then, before the shocked gazes of everyone present, a black dragon tore through the thick earth, roaring as it soared from the depths of the ground.
Reaching Luo Chen, it swayed its head and wagged its tail with utter docility.
It then turned into a streak of black light, sinking into Luo Chen's left shoulder.
"Continue maintaining the formation. Let no outsiders enter."
Luo Chen gave an instruction, then turned and returned before the two.
"Let us go!"
Fenghua Fairy swallowed and asked hesitantly, "Alchemy Grandmaster, what was that just now?"
"Just my spirit pet," Luo Chen said casually.
Seeing that he had no wish to elaborate, Fenghua Fairy naturally did not press. Beside her, True Person Jinling looked solemn, feeling more and more that Luo Chen was a man of unfathomable depth.
Jinling even resolved that once this battle ended, he must inform Senior Brother Shenyuan about that black dragon.
***
Pushing their speed to the utmost, the three finally left the Fenghua Domain on the second day and set foot in the adjacent Dieyun Domain.
The master of the Dieyun Domain was the Dieyun Sect.
This was by no means an obscure small sect; it enjoyed considerable renown across the vast Eastern Desolation.
The sect had over ten thousand core disciples, hundreds of thousands of outer disciples, and as many as three Nascent Soul experts!
Furthermore, because the sect brewed top-tier spiritual wine, it maintained excellent relations with the Mingyuan Sacred Land.
The domains bordering it were the Qidong Domain and the Fenghua Domain.
The former had suffered a severe decline in recent years, its interests steadily encroached upon by the Dieyun Sect both openly and covertly, to the point that several Golden Core major sects in the Qidong Domain had become vassals of the Dieyun Sect.
Had Fenghua Palace not possessed two Palace Masters and Fenghua Fairy's formidable strength, its fate might not have been much better than that of Mount Qidong in the Qidong Domain.
The three entered the Dieyun Domain.
Very quickly, they noticed something unusual.
On the terrain below, many low-tier cultivators were rushing toward the Dieyun Sect!
"The Dieyun Sect must already be under attack, which is why it sent distress calls to all its vassals," Fenghua Fairy said with certainty.
True Person Jinling replied with full confidence, "These smaller forces are still rushing there, which suggests the Dieyun Sect might not have fallen yet."
Fenghua Fairy nodded. "I share a good personal relationship with True Person Caiyun and understand their situation quite well. Their Supreme Elder, that old codger True Person Liuyun, cast aside his indolence in recent years and cultivated diligently, advancing to the mid-Nascent Soul stage. If they rely on the geographical advantage, with the three True Persons joining hands, these demon emperors might not be able to breach it so quickly."
Luo Chen remained silent. He knew neither True Person Liuyun nor True Person Caiyun.
However, he had met True Person Xiayun at the Shouyang Discourse on the Dao.
Back then, Xiayun had purchased the heart of a lightless beast from him, claiming it was for brewing a spiritual wine.
Because the materials were scarce, Xiayun had taken time to return to the Dieyun Sect after obtaining it.
That was why True Person Xiayun was not present when Lingtian Pass was besieged.
From his observations at the time, True Person Xiayun's cultivation was around the second layer of the Nascent Soul realm—neither high nor low—though his true combat capability was hard to gauge.
Seven demon emperors acting in unison, including a commander-tier existence, and arriving fully prepared...
Could a mere three True Persons hold them back?
Luo Chen was not optimistic.
The Dieyun Domain was far larger than the Fenghua Domain, partly due to its continuous encroachment upon Mount Qidong's territory over the years.
The mountain gate of the Dieyun Sect was established at the domain's center.
Rushing at full speed without a single pause, it took the three a full day and night to arrive outside the Dieyun Sect.
Yet the familiar sight before them revealed that they were too late.
Once again, the land was shattered and strewn with ruins!
A massive crater lay sprawled at the foot of the Dieyun Sect's mountain, shocking to behold.
This sight left Fenghua Fairy standing frozen, while True Person Jinling's earlier confidence began to waver.
"Let us go down and look first!"
So speaking, Luo Chen shielded himself with a barrier of magic power, bypassed the crater, and slowly descended to the ground.
Surviving low-tier cultivators in the surroundings recognized his Nascent Soul status by the pressure of his domain, but since demon emperors could also assume human form, none dared approach after he appeared.
However, once Fenghua Fairy showed herself, a Golden Core cultivator who recognized her cried out in astonishment and ran over.
Fenghua Fairy gathered her thoughts and began inquiring about the general situation.
Luo Chen and True Person Jinling exchanged a look, then split up to inspect the remains of the Dieyun Sect closely.
During this process, black light flowed across Luo Chen's left shoulder, slipping into the ground like soft water.
About the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the three gathered once more to share the intelligence they had gathered.
Luo Chen spoke first.
"There are capable individuals among these demon emperors! Unlike Fenghua Palace's mountain-protecting formation, which relied purely on earth veins, the Dieyun Sect's formation was also linked to the clouds above."
Luo Chen pointed toward the sky, speaking with calm precision.
"The foundation of array arts rests upon the seven great restrictions. Though the Dieyun Sect is not renowned for formations, its cloud-pattern restrictions are not inferior to those of any major formation sect. A grand array constructed with it as the core becomes endlessly variable once activated. If combined with wind and obscure restrictions, even a Nascent Soul expert would fail to find the formation core in short order."
"Under such conditions, breaking it through brute force would require an overwhelming disparity of at least tenfold or a hundredfold."
"Yet according to my observations, the Dieyun Sect's grand formation was not broken through brute force; it was dismantled with skillful technique. Upon the broken foundation of the formation, there are only two auras of magic power. One is chaotic, while the other is terrifyingly pure. The former directed the strike, while the latter provided the main force!"
This explanation left the other two bewildered.
Fenghua Fairy even looked at Luo Chen with doubt. "Years ago, the Dieyun Sect consulted my sect regarding wind restrictions. To smooth relations, I indeed shared some knowledge in that regard. But why do you see it so clearly, Fellow Daoist? Could it be that you are also proficient in array arts?"
Luo Chen brushed the question aside, elaborating, "My meaning is simple: among the seven demons, someone specializes in breaking formations. It was precisely because that demon located the formation core that another supreme expert was able to shatter the grand formation in a single blow!"
With that explanation, the two immediately understood.
True Person Jinling said with a solemn expression, "The one who broke the formation with immense magic power must be Jinxiuxian, that Great Commander!"
Through this piece of information, a terrifying reality laid itself before the three.
The reason human sects could withstand enemies several times their own number was often their geographical advantage built upon grand formations.
Demons were especially inept at array arts, which was why many factions had achieved glorious records over the past century, holding out for years or even over a decade.
Yet now, according to Luo Chen's observations, someone among this group of demon emperors excelled at breaking formations.
That meant the speed at which they could destroy the sects of the Eastern Desolation would undoubtedly be far faster.
Could they catch up?
Could the other sects react in time?
Could the experts further behind, or even reinforcements from the Mingyuan Sect, arrive in time to rescue them?
Luo Chen sighed. "I hold no hope for Mount Qidong, and even less for the leaderless Tianji Zen Sect. Perhaps only the Tiandu Sect can truly stop them."
"So the place where we clash with them will be at the Tiandu Sect?" Jinling asked.
"Most likely!" Luo Chen nodded.
For a moment, all three fell silent.
Too fast—this team of demon emperors moved with astonishing speed, an advance that could truly be described as swift as the wind and ferocious as fire.
Amidst the silence, Fenghua Fairy suddenly spoke, "I inquired about the three True Persons of the Dieyun Sect. The strongest, True Person Liuyun, left no body behind; his Nascent Soul self-detonated. The crater we saw earlier was caused by his detonation. That old codger's temperament remained just as fierce as it was in the past."
After that sigh, the woman did not stop, her tone growing heavier.
"I saw the bodies of True Person Xiayun and Caiyun. Both had holes in their chests and abdomens, just like my junior sister. Their Nascent Souls were nowhere to be found."
The moment those words were spoken, even the slowest person would have realized something was amiss.
Luo Chen's expression, previously calm, changed drastically.
In his mind, that sensation of dread from when he had once peered into the Jueling Domain instantly resurfaced!
Chapter 836