The giant hand and the face in the sky vanished, and only then did the influence of the Immortal Dao disperse. The members of the Linglong Heavenly Sect regained their magic power and steadied themselves one after another.
Some disciples with meager cultivation had been so severely affected by the Immortal Dao that their bodies and souls mutated, and they continued to plummet uncontrollably.
Everyone scrambled to rescue them, throwing the Linglong Heavenly Sect into complete disarray as people rushed to treat the injured disciples.
Quite a few living beings had been tainted by Immortal Dao pollution; having lost their sanity, they turned grotesque and bizarre, transforming into elusive demons that struck out and harmed others in all directions.
Even after a long time had passed, the Linglong Heavenly Sect could not settle down.
Xu Ying looked up at the sky. Though he had never seen that face in the sky before, it gave him an uncanny sense of familiarity.
Back then, after Beichenzi and Fairy Yutang died and their physical bodies and Primordial Spirits were devoured by insects, a celestial consciousness had descended from the Immortal Realm, taking the form of an insect man to mock and sneer at Xu Ying—only to be imprisoned and crushed by Xu Ying in the end.
Back then, Xu Ying had not seen his face, but now, he finally saw what he looked like.
Although he still could not remember what had happened in his first life, it was at least a good thing to finally recognize the face of one of his enemies.
"One day when I ascend and storm the heavens, immortal blood shall wash clean the Golden Palace!" he thought to himself silently. "I'll kill until the vast heaven and earth are cleansed of all filth!"
He tossed the Linglong Golden Pagoda into the air. The ancient immortal artifact soared upward, slowly rotating and expanding. The Seven Treasures Sarira within the pagoda radiated dazzling brilliance, dispelling the Immortal Dao pollution with enduring Dao charm.
Before long, the people and demons bathed in the light of the Linglong Pagoda were restored to normal. Awakening as if from a dream, each was terrified at what had happened.
The Linglong Pagoda returned to its original size, still towering higher than the sacred mountain of the Linglong Heavenly Sect, resting once more in its original place.
Chu Tiandu stared blankly. *He doesn't plan to take this ancient immortal artifact with him?*
Xu Ying restored the pagoda to its original size and left it in the distance—an act that truly stunned Chu Tiandu.
Chu Tiandu asked himself honestly: if he were the one who had obtained an Immortal Dao treasure of this magnitude, he definitely would not give it up; he would surely take it away.
Even if he took it, the Linglong Heavenly Sect would have had no room to complain. After all, the pagoda had originally been nothing more than an abandoned relic, and it was through his wondrous methods that it was restored.
Moreover, the Linglong Pagoda had acknowledged him as its master. Taking it would have been entirely beyond reproach—at most, he would only have had to offer the Linglong Heavenly Sect some compensation.
Yet after using the Linglong Pagoda, Xu Ying placed it right back where it had stood, with not the slightest desire to claim it for himself. Such magnanimity was something Chu Tiandu could not match.
*Returning it to its original place may lose him the pagoda, but it wins him the heart of the Linglong Heavenly Sect. How could the entire sect not be utterly devoted to him now?* Chu Tiandu thought silently. *He is the true Chu Tiandu—Chu Tiandu, whose benevolence knows no rival!*
Xu Ying, however, had not thought that far ahead. He simply felt that if he took the Linglong Pagoda away, the sect would collapse. He had come as a guest at Hu Zhuojun's invitation; how could he casually ruin a sect?
Besides, treasures possessed spirits. Because of Lord Bell, he never viewed sentient artifacts as mere personal property.
Under the calming presence of the Linglong Pagoda, the sect quickly regained stability. Compared to the pagoda's restoration and the Immortal Dao's invasion, the collapse of sect buildings was a minor matter.
The revival of the Linglong Golden Pagoda, above all, was a monumental event. In the foreseeable future, the Linglong Heavenly Sect was bound to rise because of it, vaulting into the ranks of the most dazzling sects in the Ancestral Court!
Combined with the complete Linglong Dao Scripture that Xu Ying had passed on to them, the Linglong Heavenly Sect was certain to soar like a divine dragon!
Throughout the sect, some were busy forging palaces to rebuild the sect, some were transcribing the pagoda's Dao runes, and others were engaged in visualization of the pagoda—the entire place was a hive of activity.
This time, when rebuilding the Linglong Heavenly Sect, they dared not build against the Linglong Pagoda. Otherwise, if the pagoda moved even slightly in the future, wouldn't it wipe out the sect all over again?
Xu Ying met the sect master, Yuan Gongtong—a genial old man, gaunt and skin-and-bones. He revered Xu Ying like an ancestor, shamelessly pestering him all the time to inquire about the Linglong Pagoda's divine powers and Dao methods.
—After all, the Linglong Heavenly Sect's Dao scripture was something Xu Ying had inscribed on the cliffside in his first life, so worshiping him as an ancestor was only natural.
Unable to endure the relentless badgering, Xu Ying slipped away from the Linglong Heavenly Sect with Chu Tiandu in secret, telling no one. By the time Hu Zhuojun noticed Xu Ying was missing from his room, the two were already far away.
Hu Zhuojun hurried to report to the sect master. Yuan Gongtong fell into a daze, stroking his beard as he sighed. "The Purple-Robed Divine Marquis, Chu Tiandu, seeks neither fame nor reward. I was once unconvinced by Little Heavenly Venerate, but now I am thoroughly convinced. I could never teach a disciple like the one he has raised."
Just then, a voice rang out from the heavens: "Purple-Robed Divine Marquis! I, Nalan Du of Weixu, have come to seek your guidance!"
Everyone looked up to see a youth in splendid robes descending from the sky, hovering without touching the ground. Celestial light coiled around him, lending him an extraordinary presence.
Yuan Gongtong snorted coldly. "The reason I refused to submit to Little Heavenly Venerate was precisely because he colludes with Weixu. Weixu is no place of virtue. Little Heavenly Venerate stops at nothing to achieve his goals, and his alliance with Weixu earns my utter contempt! To think someone from Weixu would come knocking on our door!"
Flicking his sleeve, he said, "Nalan Du, the Purple-Robed Divine Marquis has already left. He is not here!"
Hovering in midair, Nalan Du declared in a clear voice, "Since the Purple-Robed Divine Marquis is not here, I trouble your esteemed sect to proclaim to the world that Nalan Du of Weixu shall challenge the Purple-Robed Divine Marquis, Chu Tiandu, at Lihenyuan in the demonic realm!"
At these words, an uproar swept through the crowd.
Nalan Du floated away gracefully.
Suddenly, Yu Youchen sprang into motion, shooting into the sky in pursuit as he called out loudly, "Nalan Du, hold on! If you want to challenge Chu Tiandu, you must get past me first!"
Sect Master Yuan Gongtong pondered for a moment, then assembled his sect members and ordered, "Spread the word: Nalan Du, disciple of the Ninth Immortal King of Weixu, challenges the Purple-Robed Divine Marquis at Lihenyuan in the Ancestral Court!"
Puzzled, Hu Zhuojun asked, "Master, since you are so displeased with Weixu, why help Nalan Du spread this news?"
Sect Master Yuan Gongtong's eyes flickered. "Little Heavenly Venerate walks closely with Weixu. This clash between Nalan Du and Chu Tiandu might fracture their alliance. Furthermore, I am eager to see just how wide the gap is between Little Heavenly Venerate and an Immortal King."
He stood up and continued, "Little Heavenly Venerate wants to bring all factions of our Ancestral Court under his control, but his underhanded methods can never win people's hearts. If his strength falls short, he should abdicate the title of Little Heavenly Venerate and let another hero take his place! Zhuojun, come with me!"
Hu Zhuojun stepped beside him. Rosy clouds rose beneath Yuan Gongtong's feet, and he chuckled. "Little Heavenly Venerate having a disciple like Chu Tiandu is an insult to Chu Tiandu. Zhuojun, come with me to meet him!"
Hu Zhuojun's eyes lit up, and she teased, "Master, do you plan to replace him and become Little Heavenly Venerate yourself? Aren't you afraid of delivering yourself right to his doorstep only to get thrashed?"
The sect master bristled with annoyance. Raising his fists, he rapped her head with two solid thumps.
Clutching her head, Hu Zhuojun squatted down in pain, tears streaming as she complained, "Back then, didn't you have Senior Brother Yu Youchen challenge Chu Tiandu just to gauge the difference between you and Little Heavenly Venerate? After Senior Brother Yu lost, you never brought up challenging Little Heavenly Venerate again, probably because you knew you weren't up to it. Master, do you suddenly feel like you've got what it takes again?"
The sect master fumed, his beard bristling and eyes glaring. "Isn't it only because your master obtained the divine powers and cultivation techniques of the Linglong Golden Pagoda that I feel ready again? Don't worry, your master never fights a battle he isn't sure of winning!"
Rubbing her head, Hu Zhuojun giggled. "Master, all the divine powers and techniques of the Linglong Pagoda were comprehended by someone else's disciple. You didn't figure them out yourself—you're just learning from him!"
The sect master stamped his feet in fury as the clouds beneath them carried the two aloft, surging toward the depths of the Ancestral Court.
From above the clouds came an endless clamor as master and disciple bickered back and forth.
Peering down from the cloud, Hu Zhuojun cried out excitedly, "Master, look! Isn't that Eldest Senior Brother down there challenging that Nalan Du?"
"Master, Eldest Senior Brother lost!"
"Master, I think I'm seeing your future. You'll probably end up just like Eldest Senior Brother, defeated by Little Heavenly Venerate, nursing your injuries while stubbornly trying to save face with a few brave words."
Yuan Gongtong roared in outrage, "Shut your mouth! Do you think your master won't throw you down?!"
As disciples of the Heavenly Sect spread the word of Nalan Du of Weixu challenging the Purple-Robed Divine Marquis, it quickly caused a sensation throughout the demonic realm, and more people carried the news far and wide.
Young powerhouses from the myriad heavens and worlds frequently challenged Chu Tiandu, and many young experts from the demonic realm challenged him as well—partly out of refusing to accept Chu Tiandu's prowess, and partly because the figures backing those young experts refused to submit to Little Heavenly Venerate.
Little Heavenly Venerate acted overbearingly, ruling the demonic realm through absolute martial might, and had repeatedly joined forces with Weixu to counter the Immortal Realm and the myriad heavens and worlds, drawing deep resentment from many powerhouses in the demonic realm.
Yet resentment was one thing; Little Heavenly Venerate's power was unfathomably deep, and no one dared challenge him lightly.
Thus, sending one's prized disciples to challenge Chu Tiandu had become routine.
Through Chu Tiandu's performance, one could deduce Little Heavenly Venerate's strength and judge whether one stood a chance against him.
Over the years, the powerhouses of the demonic realm had all played this game, and in doing so, they had built the renowned fame of the Purple-Robed Divine Marquis, Chu Tiandu.
Now that Nalan Du of Weixu was challenging Chu Tiandu, the demonic realm's powerhouses could not help but grow excited: "How far Little Heavenly Venerate is from an Immortal King will finally become crystal clear!"
Yet before this news could even spread across the realm, another announcement broke: "Hua Cuoying of Weixu challenges the Purple-Robed Divine Marquis, Chu Tiandu, at Lihenyuan!"
Naturally, this revelation ignited another storm of astonishment.
Weixu had three great titans: Nalan Du hailed from the lineage of the Ninth Immortal King, while Hua Cuoying came from Weixu's Hua family!
For disciples of two Immortal Kings to challenge the Purple-Robed Divine Marquis Chu Tiandu carried profound implications.
"Could it be that the two Immortal Kings of Weixu also want to test Little Heavenly Venerate's strength? Do they intend to annex our Ancestral Court?"
"Little Heavenly Venerate hasn't made a move in many years. Once, he was the invincible hegemon of our Ancestral Court, but does he still possess the strength to stand against two Immortal Kings of Weixu?"
In an instant, undercurrents surged throughout the demonic realm. Factions mobilized one after another, and even many formidable demon gods awoke from their slumber.
At the center of this storm, Xu Ying was entirely oblivious, walking side by side with Chu Tiandu as they journeyed together.
He had not yet heard the news that Nalan Du and Hua Cuoying were challenging him.
The Ancestral Court was vast, yet wherever the eye fell, the land lay shattered.
Along the way, they encountered many demonic Qi Refiners traversing streets and alleys in the towns, while others made rounds through villages, searching for bizarre occurrences among the common folk.
Xu Ying paused to observe, only to find that the bizarre occurrences these demonic Qi Refiners spoke of were usually livestock, mortals, beasts, or vegetation tainted by Immortal Dao pollution.
Anomalous Immortal Dao zones dotted the Ancestral Court everywhere; places where ordinary people could live normally were few and far between. When people strayed into these forbidden zones, they were polluted and underwent eerie mutations.
When demonic Qi Refiners traveled the world for experiential training, dealing with these bizarre incidents was what they called accumulating merit.
This was a method of dual cultivation in immortal and divine ways. Many demonic Qi Refiners practiced Qi refining methods while accumulating merit and performing good deeds, ensuring that villagers afflicted by the Immortal Dao remembered their kindness and offered incense in their honor.
Having watched all this along the way, Xu Ying was lost in thought.
The Demonic Dao of the demonic realm was rather different from what he had imagined.
"The very thing causing the Immortal Dao pollution in the Ancestral Court is none other than the Immortal Dao itself," he said, shaking his head.
The two climbed to a high vantage point. Looking out, Xu Ying saw the vast mountains and shattered rivers of the Ancestral Court, riddled with anomalous Immortal Dao zones from which celestial rays of light rose—beautiful, yet lethal.
In the distance, colossal mountains stood plunged upside-down into the earth; the severed heads of giant gods loomed like mountain peaks; and the bones of beasts and gods rose like heaven-propping pillars, flickering with ghastly ghostfire.
Chu Tiandu said, "There are simply too many anomalous Immortal Dao zones, making it almost impossible for the people of the Ancestral Court to survive. That is why Little Heavenly Venerate conceived the Plan to Mend Heaven, intending to repair the Ancestral Court's Heavenly Dao."
Xu Ying said, "Anomalous Immortal Dao zones are pollution caused by the Immortal Dao left behind from wars in ancient eras. The Linglong Pagoda is also an immortal artifact and emanates the Immortal Dao, so why did it not cause any Immortal Dao pollution?"
Chu Tiandu's eyes brightened, and he laughed. "That is precisely what puzzles me as well. The Immortal Dao of the Immortal Realm easily causes pollution, deranging human minds and even corrupting the Great Dao of heaven and earth! Something must be wrong here! I have heard many Ancestral Court powerhouses say that this is because the Immortal Realm itself is incomplete!"
Surprised, Xu Ying asked, "There's such an explanation?"
Chu Tiandu said, "I heard from Ancestral Court powerhouses that long ago, someone shattered the Immortal Realm, and one of the fragments fell into the mortal world, becoming Weixu. Others say that some scoundrel stole immortal mountains from the Immortal Realm, and Penglai was one of the immortal mountains that scoundrel stole... Brother Xu, why has your face turned so dark? Are you all right?"
Xu Ying trembled with rage, protesting heatedly, "That is absolute slander! The anomalous Immortal Dao zones have clearly existed since ancient times—they have nothing to do with what happened over forty thousand years ago!"
Chu Tiandu asked in surprise, "How do you know the Penglai Immortal Mountain was separated from the Immortal Realm over forty thousand years ago?"
Xu Ying gave a cold huff and did not reply.
Chu Tiandu continued, "I heard from the gods of the Ancestral Court that this scoundrel stole three immortal mountains from the Immortal Realm, each larger than the last. Penglai Immortal Mountain is middling in size, like an immortal island. The truly massive one is Yingzhou! Yingzhou—an entire continent! How could it even be called a mountain? It's clearly a vast immortal continent! It's just that the scoundrel was exceptionally cunning and hid all three immortal mountains away. Even my master, Little Heavenly Venerate, covets those three mountains dearly."
Hearing him say "scoundrel" with every breath, Xu Ying's face darkened further and further. He thought, *Did I really accumulate no merit in my first life? Why does every powerhouse in the demonic realm call me a scoundrel? It seems calling this place the demonic realm isn't wrong after all!*
They walked down the mountain and arrived at a town below, where they finally learned of Nalan Du and Hua Cuoying's challenges against the Purple-Robed Divine Marquis.
Chu Tiandu straightened up and said with a smile, "Nalan Du and Hua Cuoying are challenging me. I must accept."
Xu Ying said indifferently, "You're mistaken. They are challenging the Purple-Robed Divine Marquis. It is already known throughout the world that the Purple-Robed Divine Marquis, Chu Tiandu, commands the divine power of the Eight Desolations Sun Refining Furnace. Do you?"
Chu Tiandu's breath hitched. "You!"
Xu Ying said leisurely, "If you do not know the Eight Desolations Sun Refining Furnace, you are not the Purple-Robed Divine Marquis, Chu Tiandu."
He paused, then smiled. "However, I can teach it to you. If you can master it before we reach Lihenyuan, then you shall be the Purple-Robed Divine Marquis. If you cannot, the man behind the mask will be me."
Chapter 341