Chapter 1614: Sleep Talking

Jinyu Province.

The Azure Fox Saint King had little interest in the Human Dao Dharma Assembly. After learning of the fierce beast sightings, he practically dragged Saint Huiguang out into the storm zone for a trip, and they had just returned.

A giant topographical map lay before them, primarily showing the northern region of Middle Province, with most annotations located in the storm zone outside the barrier.

"Information gathered by the Zen Monastery over many years indicates that over eighty percent of the fierce beasts have appeared in the northern part of Middle Province," Saint Huiguang said, gesturing with his hand to draw a circle on the map.

The Azure Fox Saint King, however, seemed distracted.

"Last night, at midnight, did you perceive a strange babbling sound emerge from the Heavenly Dao's demonic hum?"

Saint Huiguang's expression stiffened slightly.

"So you heard it too."

The Azure Fox Saint King sighed softly. "Although the babbling sound was extremely brief, I don't believe I was mistaken. Previously, the demonic hum of the Heavenly Dao could be explained by changes in the Heavenly Dao itself, but what was that babbling sound? Could someone be capable of corrupting the Heavenly Dao?"

Saint Huiguang remained silent for a long time, then said: "It might not be a person behind this; it could still be an anomaly of the Heavenly Dao, creating the illusion of babbling. That sound clearly lacked sentience and had no discernible meaning."

"Regardless of what's behind it, this is not a good sign."

The Azure Fox Saint King retorted, "Whether it has meaning or not, we'd only know after attempting to communicate with it. In this world, only you and I can perceive the Heavenly Dao's demonic hum. Old Monk, do you dare to proactively communicate with it?"

"Most likely, there would be no response. The babbling sound, like the Heavenly Dao's demonic hum, contains endless madness."

Saint Huiguang did not explain why he made this assertion.

The Azure Fox Saint King added: "Directly perceiving the babbling sound could also accelerate the rate at which we are eroded by madness, shake the foundations of our cultivation, and even attract a great terror."

This was the most critical point.

"What exactly is happening to this realm?"

The Azure Fox Saint King couldn't help but sigh.

When the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact.

The Heavenly Dao of this realm was undergoing anomalies; first came the demonic hum, then the babbling sound. What would come next? Thinking pessimistically, there might come a day when the demonic hum no longer affected only cultivators at the Soul Transformation stage, but its madness would spread to all living beings.

If this Minor World was heading towards destruction, billions of lives would only be buried with it!

The Azure Fox Saint King and Saint Huiguang were the most unwilling to accept this fate.

They already stood at the pinnacle of this realm. All they needed to do was cultivate steadily, accumulate enough cultivation, and they could cross eastward to the Void, pass through the Gate of Beacons, and escape this cage.

Just as they were about to transcend, they encountered this unheard-of and strange phenomenon. Despite all their divine abilities, they were powerless.

Beneath immortals, all are but ants.

They had heard this saying countless times when their cultivation was low, and felt its truth profoundly.

As their cultivation gradually improved and their status rose, they could have whatever they desired in this realm, wielding power over life and death. It had been a long time since they felt like 'ants'.

Saint Huiguang had no answer.

Their gaze fell back upon the topographical map.

The Azure Fox Saint King said, "The frequency of fierce beast appearances is significantly lower than when they first started. We must capture the next fierce beast that passes by. I don't want to wait another few centuries!"

Saint Huiguang replied, "Even a fierce beast with cultivation comparable to ours would be extremely difficult to capture alive. Fierce beasts know no fear; they become even more ferocious after being injured and will not simply surrender. We must make thorough preparations."

"My Guardian Palace Immortal Array, with half of its formation flags being ancient immortal flags, coupled with you, Old Monk, personally overseeing the Vajra Demon Subduing Array, gives us a considerable chance. However, to gradually lead the fierce beast into the formation, we still need to set up a comprehensive plan beforehand. We will begin setting the trap from the previously chosen location..."

As the Azure Fox Saint King spoke, he pointed several times on the topographical map.

While the two discussed the hunt for the fierce beast, the Dharma Assembly was in full swing.

Saint Huiguang intended to draw out the snake from its hole. Not only did he erase the memories of cultivators near the Hall of Innocence, but he also deliberately concealed their whereabouts. Only a handful of people, including Master Xingji, knew of the return of the Soul Transformation cultivators.

Today, the Dharma Assembly reached its most anticipated segment: the combat trials.

For this, the Jinyu Sect had specially refined a Grand Golden Gate Array.

Four golden gates, a thousand zhang tall, stood towering in the void, positioned in the four cardinal directions: east, south, west, and north.

Between the golden gates, thick clouds swirled like a sea.

This was the arena for the combat trials of cultivators from various sects.

Cloud waves surged, and the vast space was ample for Nascent Soul cultivators to fully unleash their divine abilities.

Runes shimmered on the gateposts of the golden gates. Experts from the Jinyu Sect were stationed at each of the four directions, guarding the golden gates, ready at any moment to respond to unforeseen circumstances.

At this moment.

Around the arena, seats condensed from cloud energy filled all directions, arranged in dense, ascending tiers.

The seats were packed with people, with hardly any empty spots visible.

The northernmost section was less crowded, reserved for the powerful cultivators of various sects.

Jin Wudai, the Jinyu Sect Master, as the host, sat centrally, looking at the grand spectacle before him with immense satisfaction.

The Sweet Dew Zen Monastery and the Eight Views Pavilion were seated on either side, while other sects took their respective places.

True Lord Qishen of the Eight Views Pavilion, disguised as Pavilion Master Zilei, had kept a low profile since arriving in Jinyu Province, only appearing once at the opening ceremony of the Dharma Assembly.

The combat trials were related to the final distribution of benefits, so even if there were urgent matters, it would be inexcusable not to appear today.

In the arena.

Two figures were amidst the sea of clouds, a man and a woman, whose combat trial had reached its most intense point. They were True Lord Yang of the Eight Views Pavilion battling against Yu Zhi, an expert from the Jinyu Sect.

The female cultivator, Yu Zhi, was petite, with skin like jade, more delicate than a baby's, seemingly able to break at the slightest touch.

She wielded a three-zhang long red ribbon.

As the red ribbon danced, it emitted crisp metallic sounds.

It turned out that the red ribbon was embedded with a row of gold, circular coins with square holes. Each swing caused golden and red light to flash alternately. The female cultivator's figure moved nimbly, as if dancing with the red ribbon, creating a truly beautiful sight.

The beauty was merely a facade.

Only True Lord Yang, her opponent, knew the true power of the red ribbon.

True Lord Yang wielded a thumb-sized jade sword. This sword was his Natal Magical Artifact, forged from a rare spiritual jade. It could easily pierce through an opponent's protective true essence and possessed extraordinary power.

Facing Yu Zhi, True Lord Yang was secretly distressed.

Hidden within the radiant light of the dancing red ribbon were extremely thin golden threads.

Every time the jade sword struck, encountering a golden thread, it would meet obvious resistance. Its sword light's power would be greatly diminished, allowing Yu Zhi to easily evade it.

What troubled True Lord Yang most was that when the jade sword approached a golden thread, the golden thread would unexpectedly take the initiative, like a parasite clinging to bone, and instead wrap around the jade sword.

'Poof!'

The jade sword once again returned without effect.

True Lord Yang changed his strategy. He had originally intended to control his sword and slowly entangle with Yu Zhi, searching for an opening.

Unexpectedly, as the jade sword circled Yu Zhi, its body suddenly trembled, almost going out of control.

True Lord Yang's expression changed drastically. He let out a long whistle, forcefully recalled his jade sword, immediately distanced himself from Yu Zhi, and wore a look of intense vigilance.

Seeing this, a look of satisfaction flashed in Jin Wudai's eyes. He turned slightly to the side and asked, "In your opinion, Pavilion Master, what will be the outcome of this battle between Seventh Sister and True Lord Yang?"

"Fellow Daoist Yu Zhi's 'Chiseling Gold Controlling Jade Art' has reached mastery. Nephew Yang's Natal Magical Artifact is constrained; he is about to lose."

True Lord Qishen seemed a bit distracted. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a monk hastily entering the arena, walking quickly towards Master Xingji.