In the Penglai Immortal Realm, the Divine Xuanwu Turtle set out once more, striding forward toward the lands invaded by the demonic realm.
Fairy Gushe, Chu Xiangxiang, the Seven Immortals of Penglai, and the others stationed in the immortal realm rode out in all directions to rescue other Penglai immortals.
Lately, ever since the Immortal Master of Penglai defected from Penglai and threw his lot in with the demonic realm, many Penglai immortals had been ambushed and encircled by demon gods.
These Penglai immortals had traveled across the Yuanchu Great World to purify the demonic realm's incursion, but their whereabouts had been betrayed by the Immortal Master of Penglai, resulting in heavy casualties.
Fortunately, Xu Ying had repaired the Heavenly Dao of Penglai, making the immortals of Penglai far stronger than before. Despite the demon gods' surprise attacks, more than half of the immortals managed to evade the pursuit and preserve their lives.
Joining forces, Chu Xiangxiang, Fairy Gushe, and the others rescued those immortals and fended off the attacks of the demon gods. Gradually, more and more powerhouses gathered upon the Penglai Immortal Mountain.
The Penglai Immortal Mountain formed a formidable force, one that even the demonic realm's demon gods dared not provoke, prompting them to withdraw.
Looking toward the rear of the Penglai Immortal Mountain, the Divine Mother noticed a bright moon that had appeared in the skies of the Yuanchu Great World at some point, its light shining upon a single person.
A goddess of peerless purity and holiness trod upon the moonlight, walking toward them.
Seeing the goddess within the moonlight, the Divine Mother broke into a smile and suddenly called out in a clear voice, "Everyone, we are heading to the demonic realm."
The immortals on the mountain numbered over a hundred, and upon hearing this, an outcry of opposition arose. A white-haired immortal with the bearing of a transcendent master shouted, "Divine Mother, while our Penglai Immortal Mountain's strength is by no means weak, it is far inferior to the demonic realm's! The demonic realm has long wanted to wipe us out but lacked the opportunity. Going to the demonic realm now is simply marching to our deaths!"
"Indeed!" the immortals chimed in one after another. "Immortal Master Meng Wuhuai has betrayed us and revealed all of Penglai's secrets to the demonic realm! It would be effortless for the demonic realm to slaughter us! We ought to turn back immediately, get far away from here, and evade the encirclement!"
The Divine Mother sneered, then suddenly roared, "Silence!"
The shout shook heaven and earth, instantly suppressing all the clamor.
The immortals felt a chill run down their spines. *This woman's power is terrifically formidable!*
The Divine Mother swept her gaze over them and sneered, "I was the one who saved all your lives. If I say we are going to the demonic realm, we are going to the demonic realm. If anyone objects, leave Penglai and go live as a mortal!"
At her words, the immortals fell as quiet as cicadas in winter.
If they left Penglai to live as mortals, their lifespans would quickly run dry, and they would perish.
The Divine Mother said, "Yuan Tiangang, go down to the foot of the mountain and welcome that passing lady up to the peak."
Yuan Tiangang complied and went down to the mountain's base. Sure enough, he saw a bright moon shining down, and within the moonlight, a serene goddess was approaching.
Yuan Tiangang extended an invitation. The goddess said little and followed him up the mountain.
The Divine Mother bowed in greeting to the goddess and said, "The Female Emperor has traveled from afar; it must have been an arduous journey."
"You are too kind," the goddess replied with a slight curtsy. "Though I have escaped my trap, I have yet to be revived. To preserve my life, I have had no choice but to rush about. You, Fellow Daoist, have enjoyed quite a peaceful existence these past years."
The Divine Mother laughed. "Trapped upon the Penglai Immortal Mountain and unable to leave, it has been like serving a prison sentence. How could you call that peaceful?"
After exchanging pleasantries, the Divine Mother smiled and said, "While the Heavenly Dao here is comprehensive, there are still flaws regarding the Dao of Reincarnation. Could the Female Emperor mend them somewhat?"
"Very well."
The goddess stood up, walked before the many huabiao pillars Xu Ying had forged, and corrected the erroneous and missing Heavenly Dao runes upon them.
At that moment, far away at the Linglong Heavenly Sect in the demonic realm, Xu Ying suddenly sensed a slight shift within his own Heavenly Dao, and he couldn't help but be startled.
The change was exceedingly subtle, yet it was an improvement, granting him a deeper, clearer comprehension of the Heavenly Dao of Reincarnation.
*What is happening?* He was thoroughly baffled.
The Divine Xuanwu Turtle set out, carrying the Penglai Immortal Mountain toward the demonic realm.
At the dangerous border of the demonic realm lay the Boundless Sea of Fire.
The demon gods aboard the ferry looked on in shock. Bound in chains, the colossal Divine Xuanwu Turtle was dragged along by a floating immortal mountain as it soared across the airspace above the Boundless Sea of Fire.
Its limbs still paddled back and forth pointlessly, as though it were swimming.
The Penglai immortals on the mountain were equally astonished. Someone shouted, "Look! There is an immortal tomb amidst the sea of fire!"
"'Clear Source Wondrous Dao Blessing Taiyi True Lord Loyal and Humane Sage Great Emperor'? Which imperial lord fell in battle here?"
"No idea!"
Once the Penglai Immortal Mountain reached the opposite shore, the immortals hurriedly shifted several mountain peaks onto it to weigh it down.
The immortal mountain once more settled onto the Xuanwu's back, and the Xuanwu marched forward.
Upon the immortal mountain, the immortals looked around with solemn expressions.
They had finally arrived in the demonic realm, rumored to be terrifying beyond measure!
Lin Tianhua looked in every direction and wondered aloud, "It doesn't seem quite as terrifying as the rumors claimed..."
Flanking him on either side, the Seven Immortals of Penglai wore grim faces. Xiang Hao warned, "Demons are adept at bewitching minds! Don't fall for their tricks, brat!"
Yu Qin said, "The demonic realm takes the demonic Dao as its Great Dao of Heaven and Earth. Without having mastered immortal arts, one's power will be suppressed, leaving you without a shred of magic power!"
Ancestor Yan Yu chimed in, "The demonic race is also adept at dispatching pure, innocent demonesses to seduce us. Let your guard down for a moment, and you'll succumb—your Dao heart will be ruined, and you might even fall into the demonic Dao!"
At these words, Lin Tianhua looked eager to try, and the eyes of several other pavilion masters shone with anticipation.
"Ancestor, you wouldn't be fooling us, would you?"
"I'd love to try that out!"
The Divine Mother smiled at the goddess. "Did the Female Emperor sense it?"
The goddess gave a gentle nod, somewhat surprised. "I did. The Great Dao of Heaven and Earth in this place has revived. Could it be the work of the Xu boy? Still, he shouldn't possess such ability."
The Divine Mother chuckled. "In his first life, he didn't possess such ability. But after being sealed away for over forty thousand years, a prolonged illness makes a good physician—so he developed it."
"He has given me quite a pleasant surprise."
Gazing into the distance, the goddess suddenly rose. "I shall go pay a visit to the beings of the ancient eras."
She drifted away.
The Divine Mother made no move to stop her, smiling leisurely. "Whether the Xu boy's entrance into the demonic realm brings pleasant surprises or sheer fright, we will soon know."
In the distance, several demon gods stared at the Penglai Immortal Mountain, itching to make a move, yet none dared charge forward.
At the same time, demon gods were already speeding toward the heart of the Ancestral Court to report the movements of the Penglai Immortal Mountain to Xiao Tianzun.
"The Penglai Immortal Mountain has arrived in the Ancestral Court?"
Upon receiving this report, Xiao Tianzun was taken aback. Smiling at the Immortal Master of Penglai beside him, he said, "Fellow Daoist Meng, I dispatched people to intercept and eliminate those Penglai immortals. Who would have thought that instead of retreating, they would press forward and march straight into my Ancestral Court! These immortals under your command are truly audacious!"
Meng Wuhuai's eyes flickered, and he replied, "It is because that Xu Ying repaired the Heavenly Dao of the Penglai Immortal Mountain, leading these false immortals to grow insolent and think they can actually contend with you, Xiao Tianzun. If you can help me slay Xu Ying and reclaim Penglai, all of Penglai will follow your lead without question!"
"Xu... Ying!"
A strange light flashed in Xiao Tianzun's eyes, and he smiled. "Fellow Daoist Meng, let us not speak of Xu Ying for now. Did you know that guests have arrived from Weixu as well?"
Meng Wuhuai sneered. "Weixu?"
Xiao Tianzun said, "The guests from Weixu intend to join forces with me to annex Penglai. Furthermore, they are currently in the Ancestral Court as well. As you know, my Ancestral Court has collaborated with Weixu quite often over the years, accomplishing many great feats."
Meng Wuhuai's heart tightened. "Xiao Tianzun, if Weixu joins hands with you to annex Penglai, Penglai will not truly fall into your hands—it will have to be split at least four ways. But if I join forces with you to annex Penglai, both I and Penglai will be yours."
Xiao Tianzun gave neither approval nor denial. Laughing it off, he said, "Fellow Daoist Meng, have you ever met my disciple, Chu Tiandu?"
Meng Wuhuai turned serious. "Though I have not met him, I have long heard of his renown. Word has it that the Purple-Robed Divine Marquis, Chu Tiandu, has bested the younger generation across the myriad worlds without meeting an equal. Countless young experts throughout the worlds make defeating Chu Tiandu their lifelong ambition."
Xiao Tianzun smiled. "The visitors from Weixu wish to test Chu Tiandu's skills as well. No need to rush; make yourself comfortable here and wait to see the battle between Chu Tiandu and Weixu's distinguished disciple."
Though Meng Wuhuai felt reluctant, he understood that the demonic realm held the upper hand and wanted to negotiate for better terms. He had no choice but to smile and say, "The Divine Marquis possesses outstanding skill; he is certain to triumph right from the start."
Xiao Tianzun shook his head. "Not necessarily. Although Chu Tiandu inherited my true teachings, Weixu cannot be underestimated either. A disciple of an Immortal King is no trivial matter, to say nothing of having immortal artifacts at their disposal. For Chu Tiandu to win will undoubtedly be an arduous task."
Puzzled, Meng Wuhuai asked with a smile, "Why does Xiao Tianzun care so deeply about the outcome of this battle?"
Xiao Tianzun said impassively, "To discern the whole from a single detail; to infer the great from the small. If the disciple I painstakingly nurtured cannot defeat the disciple of an Immortal King, it means a gap still remains between me and the Immortal King, and I must continue to bide my time and endure. But if Chu Tiandu wins, it proves there is no fundamental difference in strength between myself and an Immortal King—perhaps I am even superior."
Meng Wuhuai felt a chill of awe. *Xiao Tianzun is truly not someone to be trifled with! No wonder the demonic realm has grown increasingly prosperous and powerful under his rule!*
At the Linglong Heavenly Sect.
As Xu Ying treated Chu Tiandu's injuries, questions continued to swirl in his mind: *Where did Xiao Tianzun obtain the ancestral method? Did his ancestral method originate from Kunlun? Or could someone else in this world have forged an ancestral method of their own?*
Suddenly, another possibility occurred to him: *Or could Kunlun's ancestral method have come from the demonic realm?*
Chu Tiandu glanced at him, seeing the youth lost in contemplation, pondering who knew what.
He had been injured by Xu Ying in the first place, so it was naturally as easy as turning over a hand for Xu Ying to resolve the Dao wounds.
Had Chu Tiandu attempted to heal them himself, it would have been a grueling ordeal: he would have needed to unravel the lingering divine powers within the Dao wounds without endangering himself, often requiring a top-tier powerhouse to help suppress them.
Chu Tiandu's purpose in coming to the Linglong Heavenly Sect had been to ask the sect's experts to suppress his injuries and resolve his lingering concerns.
Never had he imagined running into Xu Ying, which spared him owing a favor.
*Just what is his background? Why is his cultivation and strength so overwhelming? And why can he execute the divine power of the Eight Desolations Sun Refining Furnace? Even Master failed to comprehend that divine power!*
Chu Tiandu's eyes flickered, and he proposed, "Brother, could it be that you wish to learn the six secret depositories? You can come with me, and I will introduce you to my master. A young talent like you—Master will surely take a liking to you."
Xu Ying felt a flicker of interest, but immediately dismissed the thought of meeting Xiao Tianzun.
He was not of the demonic race. While he could deceive people like Chu Tiandu and Hu Zhuojun, he might not be able to fool an unfathomable figure like Xiao Tianzun.
Ever since arriving in the demonic realm, he had been careful to conceal his true identity. If Xiao Tianzun discovered he was an outsider, the question would no longer be whether he could learn the six secret depositories, but whether he could keep his life.
*I came to the demonic realm to understand the demonic Dao, not to throw my life away,* he thought to himself.
Unable to sit still, Xu Ying went to examine the Linglong Golden Pagoda. Chu Tiandu followed him and probed, "Brother, with your capabilities, you certainly cannot be an unknown. Why impersonate the Purple-Robed Divine Marquis? With your strength, you could easily make a name for yourself!"
Xu Ying shook his head. "I told them I wasn't the Purple-Robed Divine Marquis, but nobody believed me."
Chu Tiandu was dumbfounded. *Was the truth really that simple?*
Still not giving up, he asked again, "Then who are you?"
Xu Ying examined the Linglong Golden Pagoda closely, lightly running his fingers across the Dao patterns upon it. Many of them had been severed by sharp weapons, hinting at the terrifying battles that must have transpired in the past.
"My name is Xu Ying." He tried to sense the principles contained within the Dao patterns, but the Great Dao within had been severed alongside them.
Chu Tiandu was stunned. He recalled Hu Zhuojun addressing him as Xu Ying as well. Could Xu Ying truly be his real name, and not a fabrication concocted on the spot?
Xu Ying inspected these severed Dao patterns as he moved upward, eventually arriving at the top floor of the Linglong Pagoda.
Chu Tiandu said, "The Linglong Heavenly Sect was founded around this very pagoda. Legend has it that the sect master of the Linglong Heavenly Sect discovered a Dao scripture left by a predecessor at the top of the Linglong Pagoda. He comprehended the Dao from it and went on to establish the Linglong Heavenly Sect."
"A Dao scripture?" Xu Ying asked curiously.
Chu Tiandu explained, "It is a Dao scripture carved upon a cliff face. It was likely left by an ancient master who transcribed the Dao patterns from the Linglong Pagoda, categorized them, repaired the broken patterns, and carved them onto the cliff face to await a fated successor. The sect master of the Linglong Heavenly Sect was that fated one. Even so, the Linglong Heavenly Sect's cultivation techniques remain incomplete, making it difficult to reach the pinnacle realm."
Quite pleased with himself, he added, "Yu Youchen, the most outstanding disciple of the Heavenly Sect, once challenged me. We fought for dozens of rounds until I spotted the flaw in his technique and effortlessly defeated him. Right ahead lies the *Linglong Dao Scripture*!"
Xu Ying walked forward. Sure enough, upon the cliff face of the thirty-third level, numerous Dao patterns were carved. Many disciples and elders of the Linglong Heavenly Sect were studying these patterns, attempting to decipher their profound mysteries.
There were also white-haired old men who had devoted their entire lives to studying the texts, looking as though they had been meditating here for ages.
Xu Ying looked at the Dao patterns on the cliff, and a look of astonishment crossed his face.
The writing on the cliff face looked remarkably familiar!
He nearly cried out in shock: *The Dao patterns on this cliff face... were written by me!*
As the patterns on the cliff entered his vision, he instantly remembered what came next. Countless intricate Dao patterns surged forth into his mind, as though they had been hidden within his memories all along, only to be uncovered at this very moment!
Walking toward the distance, Chu Tiandu chuckled. "This place is a closely guarded secret of the Linglong Heavenly Sect. We shouldn't linger... Brother Chu?"
Turning back, he saw Xu Ying frozen in place, staring blankly and unblinkingly at the *Linglong Dao Scripture* on the cliff, completely motionless.
Chu Tiandu frowned, thinking to himself, *Even though the Linglong Dao Scripture is carved on an open cliff, the people of the Linglong Heavenly Sect treat it as a priceless treasure. Letting an outsider glance at it once or twice is one thing, but staring at it so brazenly is bound to draw the wrath of their experts!*
Just as he was about to step forward, an elder of the Linglong Heavenly Sect stood up and marched over, anger written across his face.
"Youth in purple, this is a forbidden sanctum of our Linglong Heavenly Sect. Please leave!"
The green-robed elder raised a hand and reached toward Xu Ying, intending to toss him out.
At that exact moment, the primordial qi within Xu Ying surged. Involuntarily, he executed a technique from the stone wall, meeting the incoming palm.
Surprised and infuriated, the green-robed elder exclaimed, "Our sect's Linglong Heaven-Prison Hand? Impudent brat, let me show you what the authentic technique looks like! Heaven-Prison Hand—"
He executed the Heaven-Prison Hand as well. The two clashed, Linglong Heaven-Prison Hand against Linglong Heaven-Prison Hand, and in a single exchange, victory was decided!
The green-robed elder's fingers dislocated, his physical body imprisoned and his Primordial Spirit bound, crumpling him into a twisted knot!
"Insolent!"
Seeing this, the other elders charged in one after another.
Xu Ying's gaze remained dull as he stared obsessively at the stone wall, yet his hands were not slow in the slightest, meeting the pouncing elders of the Linglong Heavenly Sect.
"Dammit, he's using the Linglong True Fire Palm!"
"His Thirty-Three Heavens Departing Fire Sword! It's even more formidable than mine!"
"His Sarira Golden Body Great Mudra—I can't block it!"
In a matter of moments, a host of elders from the Linglong Heavenly Sect lay sprawled across the ground. The divine powers and techniques Xu Ying used to strike them down were none other than the very techniques each of them specialized in!
Nearby, a disciple of the Linglong Heavenly Sect was about to strike the warning bell when an aged hand pressed down upon the bell. The disciple looked over hurriedly and bowed in haste. "Supreme Elder!"
The three Supreme Elders, who had been sitting before the cliff wall studying the scripture for their entire lives, had now awakened. Looking at Xu Ying standing there, astonishment showed on their faces.
Xu Ying muttered under his breath, his hands never pausing as he casually displayed fragment after fragment of divine powers.
"This youth is a heaven-sent genius! Let us lend him a hand!"
The three Supreme Elders exchanged glances and suddenly lunged forward together, attacking Xu Ying from three directions. The moves they used were unmistakably derived from the *Linglong Dao Scripture* as well!
They had contemplated the scripture here for over two thousand years, their attainments surpassing even the sect master's. When they struck, their grand displays and variations far outmatched the elders!
Xu Ying's long sleeves fluttered. Wholly detached from the external world and oblivious to the incoming assault, his mind held only an array of intricate Dao patterns; different permutations and combinations gave rise to different divine powers.
Immersed in this state, even the severed Dao patterns reconnected on their own, bursting with immense power and might!
Xu Ying let out a long whistle, feeling the primordial qi within him circulating with unbridled delight.
Having received the blessing of the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth in the Land of Dao Awakening, he possessed an immense foundation. Gradually, insights that had eluded even his first life began to be comprehended by him.
The three Supreme Elders, on the other hand, grew increasingly alarmed as the fight wore on. In just these fleeting moments, Xu Ying's Dao methods and divine powers had already surpassed the contents carved upon the stone wall, growing ever more profound and unfathomable!
The more the three Supreme Elders clashed with Xu Ying's divine powers, the harder it became. Whereas they had initially been attacking him, they were now straining with all their might just to parry his offensive!
Just as they were on the verge of collapsing, resounding Dao chimes echoed, and a brilliant golden radiance erupted from within Xu Ying, circulating through his entire body in an instant!
*Buzz—*
A humming tremor reverberated as the phantom image of a Thirty-Three Heavens Linglong Golden Pagoda manifested around his body!
The three Supreme Elders each grunted and coughed up blood, thrown tumbling backward in utter shock and disbelief.
Xu Ying finally woke from his enlightenment before the cliff wall. Seeing the surrounding shambles and wounded people strewn everywhere, he was taken aback.
"Wh-who are you?" one Supreme Elder asked loudly, struggling to his feet and wiping blood from his beard.
Xu Ying was bewildered and had not yet answered.
"Chu Tiandu," Chu Tiandu's voice rang out. "He is the Purple-Robed Divine Marquis, Chu Tiandu!"
Chapter 339