A flick of the finger, twenty years have passed, beneath the astral wind layer of the Xuanhuang Realm, lies the foundation of the Primordial Saint Sect—the Primordial Grotto Heaven.
Nine pseudo-stars hang from the dome of the grotto heaven, simulating the circulation of day and night, with spirit veins below flowing like a torrent of golden rivers, each wisp of spiritual qi so solid that it could drip liquid brilliance.
Suspended above the spirit veins are seventy-two white jade platforms, which presently seat only a dozen figures, yet press the fortunes of the entire grotto heaven into a heaviness akin to iron.
They are all Celestial Venerables of Divinity Transformation personally cultivated by the Saint Sect, and each one had once caused chaos in many Small Thousand Worlds.
A dozen gazes are all locked onto the water mirror before the nine-dragon throne in the center, the water mirror condensed with eighty-one space dao principles, displaying the scenes of the Four Domains of the Celestial Abyss Realm in meticulous detail.
Images of Saint Sect cultivators shattering sect entrances occasionally flash in the mirror, sometimes reflecting local cultivators kneeling in submission, and dense workers before spiritual ore deposits, making the faces of the Celestial Venerables show a satisfied hue.
The Celestial Venerable Ziyang, clad in a purple robe, stroked his three-thousand-year spirit beard, his voice full of satisfaction:
"The first six waves of infiltration can be deemed perfect."
"Roots have been planted in all Four Domains, except for those sects with Divinity Transformation heritage still holding on, the other local sects have either been slain to set an example or had the sense to surrender."
"Once we head over and break through the Divinity Transformation sects, this realm will be as good as ours."
With a face like withered wood, the Celestial Venerable Yinsha's fingertip brushed across the water mirror, instantly splitting it into two contrasting screens, with the words "Talent" on the left glowing with precious light, and "Resource" on the right exuding a chilling aura:
"Those who surrender must be categorized and separated, not mixed together."
"Young cultivators are to be brought into the sect for training, middle-aged cultivators sent to mine spiritual ores, and elder cultivators may be sent to the Harmonious Joy lineage for retirement, to ensure they continuously contribute to the sect's vitality."
"Rest assured, the Nascent Soul stewards below have it well in hand."
Everyone Will Go Crazy about Your New Shapes! All You Have to DoOpen
The Celestial Venerable Xuanzhi laughed heartily, then abruptly turned serious, his tone becoming fierce:
"But that Seven Kills Demon Monarch dared to steal a Tier Five Longevity Pill and even helped the Great Wilderness Demon Court capture our people!"
"If this vendetta goes unavenged, where is the face of our Saint Sect? I will capture him, cripple his cultivation, and throw him to the nursing department of the Harmonious Joy lineage!"
As soon as the words fell, a female Celestial Venerable in a pink dress with a charming face snorted lightly, her eyes carrying a hint of reproach as she glanced around:
"Brother Dao's words are no good, the nursing department of our Harmonious Joy lineage is a major income source for the sect, how has it become a place of punishment?"
The Celestial Venerable Xuanzhi hurriedly apologized with a smile: "It was a slip of the tongue, Fairy, please forgive me."
The Saint Sect uses every piece of talent to its fullest, be they young, middle-aged, or strong, able to contribute to the sect; even upon reaching old age, they will once more generate revenue for their own retirement.
The main source of revenue for the Harmonious Joy lineage is naturally entertainment, regardless of gender, the scale is large enough to exhaust every ounce of value from these people in their final moments.
After their death, even physically, nothing is wasted at all!
He paused, then said solemnly:
"It's just that the Seven Kills Demon Monarch is audacious and must be made to pay the price. According to reports from below, that demon is hiding in the northern Great Wilderness, which is the territory of the Roc Demon Venerable."
A Celestial Venerable in a green robe slammed the jade desk angrily, sword qi soaring around him:
"Again with the Great Wilderness Demon Court!"
"That Golden-Winged Roc is merely an indigenous of one realm, yet dares to oppose our Saint Sect! Once the passage stabilizes, I will personally step in and turn him into roast meat to go with wine!"
"Roasting would be a waste."
The Celestial Venerable in a purple robe's eyes glinted with calculation:
"That creature is both a Demon Venerable and a Celestial Venerable, with a robust Daoist body. Stripping the demon skin to refine into armor and using the demon pill to forge a magical treasure is far more valuable than mere roasting..."
The Celestial Venerables were deeply engaged in discussion when suddenly golden ripples emerged in the central void of the grotto heaven.
Initially only the size of a bowl, the ripples quickly expanded to a thousand feet, countless tadpole-like dao runes overflowing from the ripples, transforming into galloping golden horses and jade unicorns upon contact with the ground, siphoning the grotto heaven's spiritual qi.
The Celestial Venerables turned pale, all bowing deeply, not daring to breathe—that was the exclusive dao rhyme of the Primordial Saint Sect's founder, the Primordial Saint Master!
A figure clad in a nine-dragon golden robe slowly stepped out of the ripples, the sun, moon, and stars embroidered on the robe hem slowly rotating. Though no pressure emanated from him, the Celestial Venerables felt as if they had fallen into an ice cave.
Suspended above his head was a palm-sized jade Ruyi, its surface etched with a star map of the heavens, each star corresponding to a secret realm in the Xuanhuang Realm, the manifestation of the Saint Sect's treasured treasure, the Myriad Heavens Treasure Icon.
The Primordial Saint Master's voice was calm, yet carried a soul-piercing majesty, raising a hand as a gentle yet irresistible force lifted the Celestial Venerables:
"Rise, all of you."
"I am aware of the matters in the Celestial Abyss Realm."
Celestial Venerable Chiyang immediately stepped forward a half step, bowing:
"Saint Master, the Roc Demon Venerable of the Great Wilderness Demon Court is stubborn and unrepentant, his demon cultivators under him are formidable in battle, I request the Saint Master decide!"
The Primordial Saint Master remained composed, holding the jade Ruyi, he pointed with his finger, and nine rays of golden light flew out from the Ruyi, transforming in mid-air into nine portals of light, revealing faint glimpses of the mountains and rivers of the Celestial Abyss Realm, with the demon palace of the Great Wilderness Demon Court prominently in view.
With another movement of his fingertip, the nine light portals suddenly merged into one, transforming into a golden passage about a yard wide, the spiritual qi within roiling, enough to allow Celestial Venerables of Divinity Transformation to pass freely.
"In this realm, all Divinity Transformations have ascended, only that Demon Venerable remains, with decent cultivation of Dao principles, yet lacking in discernment."
"Since he refuses to submit, we shall descend directly to this realm. I shall personally act, slay this demon, and use his death as a warning to those natives who harbor disloyalty!"
All the Celestial Venerables echoed in agreement, their gazes towards the Primordial Saint Master filled with awe and reverence:
"With the Saint Master taking action, that Demon Venerable will surely be captured without resistance!"
"Even if that Demon Venerable possesses world-bending skills, he cannot withstand the Saint Master's Light Yin Dao Domain!"
The Primordial Saint Master's lips curled into a faint smile as he stepped towards the passage, his voice echoing through it and reaching faraway lands:
"I shall return shortly, prepare a warm drink for me."
All the Celestial Venerables bowed in unison to see him off, their eyes filled with confidence—whenever the Saint Master sets off, success is assured!
...
Meanwhile, at the peak of the Demon Venerable's Palace in the Great Wilderness Demon Court of the Celestial Abyss Realm.
Chen Sheng sat cross-legged, surrounded by countless black and white Yin-Yang particles.
These particles would sometimes coalesce into a Tai Chi Diagram, sometimes scatter like a galaxy, each circulation pushing the Dao Principle to its limits.
"Boom!"
A violent space tremor suddenly resonated, and the Mountain Protection Array of the Demon Venerable's Palace, known as the "Ten Thousand Demons Array," instantly lit up, countless Demon Patterns flowed along the array walls.
Chen Sheng abruptly opened his eyes, a flash of brilliance crossing his black and white irises, his gaze firmly locked onto the void in the western part of the Demon Court.
There, a passage imbued with domineering pressure was forming, and the Dao Rhyme emanating from it bore the overwhelming control of time.
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The golden passage opened with a thunderous roar, and the Primordial Saint Master stepped out leisurely, his Nine-Dragon Golden Robe fluttering lightly in the demon wind.
As soon as he landed, the golden Dao Domain instantaneously unfolded, covering a vast territory of a hundred thousand miles.
Within the domain, the shadows of mountains and rivers flowed, suns and moons rose and fell, countless cultivators' figures appeared and faded—the past scenes traced back by the Dao Domain.
The Demon Patterns of the Mountain Protection Array of the Demon Venerable's Palace melted away like snow meeting fire upon touching the golden Dao Domain, the Spirit Light on the array walls dimming at a visibly rapid pace.
The Primordial Saint Master, holding the Jade Ruyi, let his gaze sweep over the Demon Court's territory, chanting loudly:
"The precious mirror suspended high over the nine continents, the saint's heart condenses the domain to cover the ages, the Primordial Qi of Heaven and Earth swirls around, one step flattens all the world's woes."
"I've long heard of the Demon Venerable's great name, dare you come out for a dialogue?"
Elder Ping's figure suddenly appeared, gazing at the twisted void, his clouded eyes filled with shock:
"This is a Dao Domain! And a top-tier Light Yin Dao Domain! Demon Venerable, this creature is by no means an ordinary Divinity Transformation, we better retreat into the array and exhaust him with the Ten Thousand Demons Array!"
Yet Chen Sheng remained silent, black and white energy swirling around him. He looked up, his gaze calmly sweeping over the golden Dao Domain, having already made an initial assessment in his mind.
Disregarding Elder Ping's advice, his figure transformed into a stream of light, stepping directly out of the "Ten Thousand Demons Array" and landing a hundred feet away, facing the Primordial Saint Master.
The Primordial Saint Master, seeing him dare to come out of the array alone, flashed a trace of admiration in his eyes:
"Good, truly an arrogant character, for your courage, I may spare your life."
He shook the All-Heaven Treasure Mirror in his hand, the Star Map on the surface flowing, exuding a suppressive power over all heavens:
"I have refined the Light Yin Dao Domain, the Void Refining Realm is within reach. If you lose, become my mount and follow me into battle across the myriad realms, it won't be a disgrace to you."
What responded to him was a Sword Light swirling in black and white, exploding suddenly with the Dao Rhyme of Yin Yang Five Elements Annihilation, like a meteor slicing through the long night, directly slashing towards the golden Dao Domain!
"Third Realm Dao Principle perfected, a rare talent indeed."
"Alas, the chasm between Dao Domain and Dao Principle is one you can never overcome!"
The Primordial Saint Master's expression remained unchanged, even with a slight smile on his lips, as he flicked his fingers, a long river of time erupted from within the golden Dao Domain.
In the long river, countless Dao Principle Runes floated, each drop of water containing the power of time reversal, enough to revert a High Tier Cultivator to a mortal state.
"Sizzle!"
When the Sword Light collided with the long river of time, there was no earth-shattering explosion, the golden river was torn apart as if made of paper.
The momentum of the Sword Light did not abate, carrying the Annihilation Dao Rhyme, continuing to slash at the Primordial Saint Master!
The Primordial Saint Master's eyes suddenly changed, his face of arrogance froze instantly, never expecting his proud long river of time would be easily breached by a single Sword Light!
No time to think, he tossed out the All-Heaven Treasure Mirror in his hand, instantly transforming it into a Jade Ruyi, expanding to a thousand feet, the Star Map on its surface spinning rapidly, countless star shadows rushing out from the Ruyi, forming a Circulation Star Array to block the Sword Light.
But at that moment, the Sword Light suddenly divided, transforming into countless black and white lotus flowers.
Each lotus flower contained the Dao Rhyme of Yin-Yang Mutual Generation and Mutual Destruction, as their petals opened and closed, sometimes spitting flames, sometimes condensing ice, weaving a giant web of tens of thousands of miles in the air—that was Chen Sheng's Yin-Yang Dao Domain!
The Primordial Saint Master's face changed dramatically, disbelief filling his eyes: "You have also refined a Dao Domain?"
Chen Sheng spoke lightly, "Nothing is impossible."
After exchanging several moves with the Primordial Saint Master, Chen Sheng had basically figured out the opponent's background, the opponent was likely not combative, with little experience in Magical Combat, relying entirely on realm suppression.
Moreover, the opponent's Dao Domain was undoubtedly accumulated by force through a origin pearl, utterly inadequate in both the Application of Dao Domain and Dao Principle, let alone Secret Technique.
In terms of strength, according to Chen Sheng's estimation.
The opponent might contend with Venerable Wuyue relying on the advantage of the Dao Domain, but may not necessarily win, merely at the level of the sixth layer of the Star Tower.
Whereas Chen Sheng, over the years, in anticipation of facing this person, had diligently trained day and night, honing his skills to the first level of Perfection in "Yin Yang Five Elements Annihilation Calamity Resolution," comprehending the Yin-Yang Dao Domain.
Not long ago, he even reached the eighth layer of the Star Tower, the gap between the two was indeed vast.
Chen Sheng sighed softly, "You're too weak."
Before the words even fell, he pressed a virtual hand, countless Yin-Yang particles around him evolved.
In the Yin-Yang Dao Domain, countless lotus flowers suddenly spun, generating a terrifying suction force, instantly pinning the All-Heaven Treasure Mirror in midair, the Star Map on its surface starting to fade.
Though the treasure was strong, it required the Dao Domain to activate, and with the Primordial Saint Master's Light Yin Dao Domain being thoroughly suppressed by the Yin-Yang Dao Domain, the treasure could not fully exhibit its wonder!
The Primordial Saint Master was greatly astonished in his heart, wanting to retrieve the All-Heaven Treasure Mirror to retreat, but found the space around him completely sealed by black and white lotus flowers.
Those lotus flowers suddenly bloomed, countless Sword Lights shot from the petals, each containing Annihilation Dao Rhyme, enveloping the Primordial Saint Master's figure densely!
"No! I am the master of the Saint Sect, about to break through to Void Refining, how could I fall to the hands of a brute demon like you!"
The Primordial Saint Master roared with unwilling anger, the golden Dao Domain frantically operated, trying to break the seal.
But his application of the time Dao Domain was rough, and under the Mutual Generation and Destruction of the Yin-Yang Dao Domain, the Dao Domain barrier kept shattering like brittle paper, even his Divine Soul was stung with pain by the Dao Rhyme.
"Puff puff puff!"
As Sword Light fell like rain, the golden Dao Domain shattered instantly, the protective Spirit Light of the Primordial Saint Master was torn apart like paper, he took one last look at the black and white Dao Domain, eyes full of regret and unwillingness.
He had never thought that his proud Dao Domain would be easily crushed by a "native."
His figure was thoroughly drowned by countless Sword Lights, not even the Primordial Spirit escaped, completely dissolved by the Yin-Yang Annihilation Dao Rhyme.
Chen Sheng raised his hand to seize the All-Heaven Treasure Mirror, which had lost its master's control, falling into his hands.
He looked at this dim Jade Ruyi, then glanced at the golden passage that was closing, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
Above the Demon Venerable's Palace, Elder Ping seeing the dissipating golden Dao Rhyme in the air, was already too stunned to speak.