Cultivation: When you take things to the extreme

Chapter 466: Chapter 229: Ming Zheng_1

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The great battle was on the verge of erupting, and once it began, it quickly reached an extreme.

The four great Demon God corpses charged into the battlefield, their blades directed straight at White Jade Immortal City.

Under the leadership of Yan Qiuqiu and Luo Shentong, a group of Divine Intent Venerables from the Demon Sect engaged closely with the Divinity Transformation Cultivators from Wandao School, not seeking victory but to entangle them, preventing them from returning to the city to provide support.

“These Demon God corpses were all Supreme Elders of the Demon Sect and Tribulation Realm Experts in their lifetimes. After being refined into corpse puppets and stored in the underground palace of the Demon Abyss, they risk gradual loss of flesh and essence if they leave the Demon Abyss and engage in prolonged battles, ultimately turning into dust. Hence, they could only protect the main temple and were not suited for external battles.”

“The best method to deal with these Demon God corpses is to avoid their sharp edges, and if worse comes to worst, fortify the city’s defenses. Heading into a direct conflict, even if we could win, would result in a pyrrhic victory, possibly even mutual destruction.”

“This White Jade Immortal City must be coordinated by a Taoist Master, otherwise who could deal with the advantageously situated Heavenly Demon Array?”

“If the Taoist Master is unable to join the battle, facing these Demon God corpses, it’s feared that the School may only…”

Even amidst the chaotic battle, Bu Hongfu and the other two still spared some attention to observe the movements of the four Demon corpses, while engaging with their opponents in half-genuine, half-false combat.

Not just the trio, but the members of the Demon Sect as well harbored the same intentions. The Divine Intent Venerables who were holding up the Cultivators from the Scholar’s Palace seemed to be fighting chaotically and fiercely, but in reality, they all held back, clearly placing their hopes for a breakthrough on the four great Demon corpses, with no plans for risking their lives in earnest combat.

Yan Qiuqiu and Luo Shentong were irritated by this, but they were powerless to change it, as they too followed the same approach. As combatants of the ultimate pinnacle, they did not charge towards White Jade Immortal City to press the attack alongside the four Demon corpses, but instead intercepted the Scholar’s Palace Cultivators on the outskirts.

“To be able to contend against the dominantly positioned Heavenly Demon Array while fighting on enemy ground, the one coordinating inside the city must undoubtedly be that person.”

“As long as that person is tied down, if the four Demon corpses enter the city, they will break the deadlock, ensuring our array remains unbreached.”

“…”

The two sides, with their differing thoughts, nonetheless unwittingly created a convoluted situation on the battlefield, tough to unravel and separate.

At that moment, the four great Demon Gods had led the corpse puppet army into a tumultuous assault on White Jade Immortal City.

Looking up, one could see the jade-like immortal light above the city shining brilliantly, while the dark Demonic Qi roiled, forming a black and white stuck situation.

“Roar!”

One of the Demon God corpses, leading the army, charged into the city. With a fierce roar, it attacked the five palaces bathed in divine light, clearly aware of the strategic points.

Unexpectedly…

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

Thunder roared, the earth and sky trembled.

Within the city, a gigantic shadow appeared, as if a mountain was moving, stirring up the winds and thunder in the sky.

It was a majestic divine general, wearing golden armor and a red cloak, with golden eyes and red hair, a phoenix beak and silver teeth, wielding thunderbolts in hand and treading on wind and fire, exuding a torrential aura and commanding presence.

Dutian Spirit Official!

A Ten million artifacts level, Spirit-Treasure Mech Armor, Dutian Spirit Official appeared with a shout, waving a metal whip that struck out thunderbolts, directly hitting the Demon God corpse puppet.

“Boom!!!”

With a loud explosion, lightning flashed and fire scattered, even the formidable Demon God corpse puppet, once at the Tribulation Realm, couldn’t withstand the thundering strike. It was blown away amidst the exploding lightning and crashed into the group of Demon corpses behind.

Having dealt a heavy blow to the enemy, the Dutian Spirit Official continued without pausing, shouting commands amidst the thunder and wind, fiercely pursuing the enemy. With eyes on its forehead opening, lightning and fire shocking away everything in its path, and divine light shining brightly, it swept through the Demon corpses, not giving them a moment’s respite.

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

As the divine light swept across and thunder boomed, countless Demon corpses turned into ash in an instant. The previously damaged Demon God corpse also couldn’t evade in time, taking another hit from the lightning. The bloodied clothes on its body were blasted to dust, revealing a dry body full of burn marks and engraved with inscriptions; the sight was truly horrifying.

Although this “Dutian Supervisor Spirit Officer” Mech Armor was only at a Ten million artifacts level, not reaching the ultimate tier of Spirit-Treasure Mech Armors, its combat power was still formidable and particularly effective against demonic corpses with its thunder-fire demon-exorcising capabilities.

Now, with activated Divine Skills enhancing the thunder and divine light, the Demon God corpse puppet had sustained heavy damage, and with thunderbolts scattering in all directions, the battlefield was divided, turning into a purgatory.

“`

“This…!?”

Seeing this scene, everyone from the Demon Sect couldn’t help but be greatly shocked, unsure whether they should rush in to assist as they watched the corpse of the Demon God endure the thunderous fire refinement on the battlefield.

Wandao School, still has such powerful beings as a final resort?

Damn, in just a hundred years, he has developed to this extent?

“We cannot let this person be, otherwise the Demon Corpse will surely perish!”

Yan Qiuqiu and Luo Shentong exchanged glances. Although they were also shocked, they still stepped forward, ready to enter the thunderfire purgatory to help the Demon God corpse withstand the Duotian thunderfire.

But unexpectedly…

“Whoosh!”

From within the Immortal City, another beam of Spirit Light flew out, a sword chart unfolding rapidly; in an instant, ten million Sword Artifacts crisscrossed through the air, slicing into the group of Demon Corpses, further dividing and slaughtering a Demon God corpse and hundreds of puppet corpses.

It was the Pure Yang Sword Fairy!

Following the Pure Yang Sword Fairy, two Divine Generals appeared—one standing on a turtle and serpent, circled by six stars, and the other wearing golden armor with Xuanhuang qi draped over their body—each moving to attack the remaining two great Demon God corpses.

The Exorcising Demon Marshal!

The General of the Rebellion!

The four mighty Spirit-Treasure Mech Armors, all of the ten million artifacts level, fought fiercely against the Demon God puppet corpses.

“This…!”

Upon seeing this scene, it goes without saying that the Demon Sect’s ranks were deeply affected, and even Yan Qiuqiu and Luo Shentong stopped in their tracks.

“Wandao School!”

“They still had such potential?”

“Aaargh!!!”

“Bu Hongfu, you *****…”

“Old Ghost Zhou, you son of a *****!”

The Demon Sect’s crowd, filled with both shock and rage, saw a massive drop in morale.

On the contrary, at the Scholar’s Palace side, all the cultivators were energized to fight back with Bu Hongfu and the other two suddenly changing their demeanor, ferocious as tigers, launching relentless attacks, seizing the moment their enemies got distracted to inflict heavy injuries on the venerable members of the Demon Sect, causing them to vomit blood profusely and cursing the trio for their shamelessness.

However, the three ignored them completely and intensified their assault, showing a relentless drive to press on, even fearless of their opponents’ desperate counterattack that would lead to mutual destruction.

They had no choice; previously harboring hesitation, they had been holding back in the fight. Now, with the situation rapidly deteriorating, if they didn’t secure some victory now, they feared…

Feeling guilty, the three fought even harder, hastening the tipping of the scales, causing the situation to crumble.

“This…”

“Heaven’s will!”

“Go!!!”

Seeing this unfold, the Demon Sect’s forces made a decisive call, fiercely pushing back their opponents and breaking through to escape.

The situation collapsed in an instant, and once again, a scene reminiscent of the one from the Heavenly Domain years ago was enacted in the Demon Realm.

“Damn it!”

Witnessing this scene, Yan Qiuqiu and Luo Shentong were so enraged they nearly shattered their teeth, but they were powerless to change it.

There was no way around it; this was the Demon Sect.

You can’t expect a group of vicious and savage Demon Path madmen to possess the enlightenment to die for justice or sacrifice themselves for the greater good. Even if there were a few, they were too few to influence the situation, especially the upper echelon Divine Intent Venerables.

The lower and middle-tier members of the Demon Sect could be controlled through various means and restricted to fight to the death, but there were few means to constrain the upper echelon Divine Intent Venerables, even for the two of them. They could only rely on binding them with interests.

With such an organizational structure, fighting when the wind was at their backs was still possible, but a fight to the death in a hopeless situation…

Sorry, but that’s not something the Demon Sect could do!

Everyone fled in disarray, and the situation collapsed in an instant.

Defeat spread like a landslide!

Yan Qiuqiu and Luo Shentong gritted their teeth and then also extricated themselves and tried to break out.

As old devils through many years, they had no intention of dying for the sect.

If it can’t be defended, then flee!

As the demons scattered in defeat, the battle’s outcome crumbled.

Seeing this, a curse also emerged from within the Heavenly Demon Abyss.

“Cowardly seeking self-preservation in the face of great causes, yet recklessly throwing life away for petty gains!”

“These rascals are not fit to be part of any schemes!”

An angry curse followed, fraught with frustration, and the formation began to collapse.

“Huh!”

The array hadn’t broken, and the Demon Gods had not perished, but now that the array was destroyed, the Demon Gods also collapsed. A fierce wind swept across, and above the nine heavens, only one city remained, devoid of the towering presence of Demon Gods.

Then, from the Heavenly Demon Abyss, a figure stepped out, not to flee hastily into the sky, but to come before the array, facing White Jade Immortal City, bowing his head, and kneeling halfway, “The sinner Moji wishes to surrender to the Scholar’s Palace. Here is the Heavenly Demon Array Map, I hope the Taoist Master will forgive me!”

Having said that, he presented a map with both hands.

Unbeknownst to him…

“Pfft!”

Divine Light shone down like a sword through the body, and blood sprayed across the sky in an instant.

Moji’s pupils dilated, struggling to resist, but with Five Colors Divine Light piercing his body, even with his Divine Intent Supreme Peak Cultivation, he was as helpless as a fish on a chopping board, at the mercy of others, unable to struggle free.

Five Colors Divine Light locked this person down, and a group of Scholar’s Palace cultivators followed up with fatal strikes, clearing the battlefield by storming into Heavenly Demon City.

Such actions made Moji feel uneasy, but he was helpless.

He was a Fifth-Tier Grandmaster of Array Path, a disciple of the previous generation’s Demon Sect Grandmaster of Array Path. Relying on the inheritance of the Heavenly Demon Array Map, he could barely set up the Heavenly Demon Array. His status within the Demon Sect was extremely revered, and even Yan Qiuqiu and Luo Shentong, the two Deputy Leaders, would respectfully address him as Great Master Mo.

However, as a person’s energy is limited and being focused on array path, his combat strength was rather poor. Although with the solid support of the Demon Sect he had stepped into the realm of Divine Intention Ultimate Peak, his combat capabilities, or escape skills, were not on par with his fellow Venerables of the Demon Sect.

Therefore, he did not flee like the others but chose to present the Heavenly Demon Array Map and surrender.

But the attitude of the other party…

Moji felt uneasy and apprehensively insecure.

After a seeming eternity, the battle came to a conclusion.

White Jade Immortal City descended, its clear and refreshing divine light overspreading like nourishing rain, healing the injuries of the multitude.

The four Spirit-Treasure Mech Armors returned to the city, and a multitude of Soul-transforming Cultivators, along with Bu Hongfu and other Divine Intent Venerables, approached the Immortal City with trepidation.

Then a person stepped out and came into the middle of the crowd, in front of everyone.

“Taoist Master!”

The crowd lowered their heads, each paying their respects, revealing a sense of unease.

The newcomer did not speak but cast a gaze that fell upon the corpses scattered all over Heavenly Demon City, a scene of utter devastation, and then turned to look at Moji, impaled by Five Colors Divine Light.

As the gaze fell and scrutinized, it made Moji feel extremely uneasy. He struggled to speak, “The sinner Moji, familiar with array path and host of the Great Heavenly Demon Array, was previously ignorant of the heavenly decree and was coerced by Yan and Luo, foolishly resisting. Now that I have realized my error, I am willing to be at the disposal of the Taoist Master, to exert my humble abilities to make amends…”

Before he could finish, he was met with an icy rebuke, “For self-preservation, you have committed the wicked act of a blood sacrifice. Your crimes are unforgivable, you must be executed in accordance with the law!”

“Taoist Master!!!”

As these words were spoken, Moji’s face turned pallid, and he desperately struggled to speak, “I am a Grandmaster of Array Path, with potential to become a Great Master. Only I can decipher the Heavenly Demon Array Map, only I can set up the Heavenly Demon Array. Moreover, Supreme Elder Li Yueshan of the Divine Martial Alliance has reached the Grandmaster of Array Path tier in the Martial Domain and has established the Single Qi Primordial Grand Array, which is more formidable than my Heavenly Demon Array. Although the array of this Immortal City is ingenious, if you wish to break the Taiji…”

“Take him away. In three days, execute him publicly along with the captured Demon Cultivators!”

“Yes!”

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted. Two enforcers stepped forward, took control of the panicked Moji, heedless of his screams, and took him away to be imprisoned.

Witnessing this scene, everyone remained silent, and Bu Hongfu and the other two kept their heads down even more gravely.

The Taoist Master, intending to execute this man by law?

This was a Grandmaster of Array Path capable of setting up the Heavenly Demon Array!

Not to mention future potential, just on current capabilities, this man was on par with a Tribulation Realm Expert. Having knowledge of the laws of array path, he was of great strategic value. Shouldn’t someone with such talent who offers to join be taken under the wing and past grievances be overlooked?

Why…!

If it were any common ruler, everyone would surely advise, “Killing prisoners is ominous!”

But at this moment, everyone was silent, no one daring to speak.

Killing prisoners is ominous, but why is it ominous?

Because it undermines morale!

If even captives are treated so harshly, let alone those who surrender willingly, who in future battles would dare to submit and join? Now only the Demon Realm has been defeated, with the Martial Domain yet to be subdued.

Improper, truly improper, absolutely improper.

Yet no one dared utter a word.

Because…

“The law is as iron, must not be violated, and certainly not be undermined!”

Xu Yang swept his gaze across the crowd, looking towards everyone, “Let this be etched in your minds!”

“We will take heed!!!”

The cultivators bowed their heads, their voices earnest and solemn, with Bu Hongfu and the others sweating profusely, besieged by terror.