Chapter 1673: Nine Steps to the Summit

Mortal Realm

Inside the palace lantern's illusory realm.

When Purple Lightning True Master learned the truth from Old Demon Fan, a short time later, most of the deity statue had turned black. Black and crimson were distinctly separated yet eerily merging. The Devil Son's power permeated through the channel, continuously pouring into Zhu Wudao's body.

Zhu Wudao's strength relentlessly climbed.

They tried to communicate with the artifact spirit. However, the spirit seemed entirely focused on cleansing the contamination afflicting its main body, completely ignoring the Devil Son's taunts and Purple Lightning True Master's calls.

The artifact spirit had no intention of stabilizing the seal. At this moment, the seal faced both internal and external threats.

The Devil Son unleashed tremendous demonic power, and his frantic assaults were proving effective. The seal's tremors grew increasingly violent, causing even more terrifying phenomena outside.

'Crack, crack, crack...' The sounds of breaking echoed like a tempest, reverberating throughout Dishou Mountain.

Visible to the naked eye, 'giant pythons' of cracks crawled across the barrier, as dense as a spiderweb. Such weakened points could no longer hold.

'Snap!' The first point of collapse finally appeared near the mountain peak, forming a massive void from which endless baleful wind surged out.

Outside, it was clear that the baleful wind formed a black tornado, spiraling towards the sky, until it plunged into the Law Sword Killing Array above and collided with the swords.

Immediately after, more and more such tornadoes erupted, covering all of Dishou Mountain within a few breaths.

Witnessing such a terrifying sight, everyone felt as if Dishou Mountain was about to collapse, filled with dread. What kind of monumental battle was raging on the mountain, threatening to shatter it completely?

On the edge of the Earth Aspect Hall, a stone tablet suddenly fractured, its upper half flying far off before disintegrating into rubble in mid-air. The tablet was a formation artifact, an important node in the Earth Aspect Hall's mountain-protecting grand formation, now shattered from within.

Lord Yue Lingtian, the Sect Master of the Grand Peak Sect, emerged from behind the broken tablet. It was unclear what he had encountered in the Earth Aspect Hall; he was disheveled, his Daoist robe torn in several places, and a long, narrow cut, like a knife wound, marked his left wrist.

Yue Lingtian didn't rush to treat his wound, his gaze drawn to Dishou Mountain. According to his plan, he would only ascend Dishou Mountain after acquiring the Earth Aspect Hall's inheritance. By then, the situation would be clear, allowing him to act calmly as circumstances evolved.

Now, Dishou Mountain was experiencing some unknown upheaval. To go, or not to go? Yue Lingtian pondered. A flash of spiritual light coursed through his body, restoring his magic robe to its original state. Finally, he decided to summon a beam of light and fly towards Dishou Mountain.

Meanwhile, Qin Sang and others within the mountain felt the changes more acutely. The omnipresent cracking sounds created a sense of unease. There was one change, whether for better or worse, as the barrier shattered: the baleful wind found an outlet, and the tremors from the barrier's destruction also suppressed the wind formation, greatly diminishing its power. The baleful wind on the mountain gradually thinned, and visibility was returning.

As the anomaly arrived, the chase within the medicine garden continued, unaffected by the external environment.

True Master Hegao transformed into a spirit crane, his movements agile. As he navigated the medicine garden, he continuously analyzed its formations and restrictions, intending to use them to shake off Su Mo and the other person. Unexpectedly, the two had allied again, their combined strength too formidable. All obstacles True Master Hegao created failed to achieve their intended effect, being forcefully overcome.

Su Mo and the other person pursued relentlessly, but could only cling to a wisp of True Master Hegao's aura to ensure they didn't lose him. True Master Hegao's mastery of formations and restrictions left them awestruck; to achieve such a level in so short a time. Several times, they attempted to intercept him, but were always seen through.

After this intense pursuit, the medicine garden was left in disarray.

'Boom!' A stone forest behind him crumbled.

Hearing the cracking sound, True Master Hegao knew he hadn't managed to shake them off. He snorted inwardly. His crane phantom flapped its wings, suddenly ascending several zhang, and with a clear crane cry, its speed dramatically increased!

At this moment, a patch of hazy spiritual mist lay before True Master Hegao. Su Mo and the other person would surely be greatly surprised to see it, as they had traversed almost the entire medicine garden while circling with True Master Hegao, yet had never discovered this area enveloped by spiritual mist.

Little did they know that while they had been tracking True Master Hegao, believing they had grasped the key, they had also been unwittingly misled by him.

True Master Hegao's actions seemed without pattern, but in reality, he had been exploring the changes in the medicine garden's formations, searching for this specific location, and concealing its unusual nature.

Of course, such minor maneuvers couldn't be hidden for long; once they reacted and investigated carefully, they would surely see through it.

In fact, Su Mo and the other person's approach wasn't wrong. No matter how many tricks True Master Hegao might employ, simply keeping a close watch on him would suffice.

'Whoosh!' The crane phantom, swift as an arrow, plunged into the spiritual mist.

The next moment, Su Mo and the other person arrived in a rush. Upon seeing the spiritual mist, their eyes lit up.

"Bastard!" Old Demon Fan's furious curses erupted from within the mountain core.

At this very moment, Purple Lightning True Master, instead of focusing all his efforts on disrupting Zhu Wudao's conspiracy and preventing the ancient demon's seal from breaking, suddenly withdrew from the battlefield and flew towards the mountain peak.

He was leaving him to fight Zhu Wudao alone!

Only with Purple Lightning True Master present did Old Demon Fan decide to take a chance. If it were just him, seeing the situation was beyond salvage, he would never have risked his life here fighting the ancient demon.

"The demonic tribulation will rise again, and Soul Transformation cultivators will vanish without a trace. Can you truly stand aloof?" Purple Lightning True Master's tone was calm.

As the sect master of the Orthodox Xuanmen Sect, Purple Lightning True Master's cultivation of character was truly remarkable. Even in the face of crisis, he remained as calm and unhurried as ever.

Yet, this very tone made Old Demon Fan's teeth itch with hatred, almost causing him to burst into curses.

Curse he might, but he couldn't refute it.

Back then, the Formless Immortal Sect didn't rigidly adhere to any single Great Dao; it encompassed Daoism, Buddhism, demonic arts, and dark practices without distinction. There were many cultivators who practiced demonic arts, but when the demonic tribulation arrived, everyone was treated equally. Ancient demons were never seen to give any special treatment to demonic cultivators. Once an ancient demon corrupted a realm, hiding at the ends of the earth would be futile.

"Fellow Daoist, calm yourself. This humble Daoist has his own strategy for subduing demons; I'll be back shortly." Purple Lightning True Master, having made his decision, calmly uttered these words and flew to the mountain peak.

Instantly, a brilliant purple light erupted from Dishou Mountain's summit, and thunder boomed, reverberating throughout the ancient dwelling.

Both inside and outside Dishou Mountain, people could see countless streaks of purple lightning on the peak, as if a Thunder Monarch had descended, clad in a lightning robe, wearing an imperial crown, commanding thunder, and awe-inspiring in all directions.

At this moment, Qin Sang and the others all sensed something, gazing towards the mountain peak, unsure of Purple Lightning True Master's intentions.

Purple Lightning True Master's gaze was indifferent as it swept across various parts of the mountain, then 'whoosh' it settled on the medicine garden.

In the medicine garden. The three entered one after another. The spiritual mist was no longer hazy, and in the chaos, the scene within the mist was revealed.

There was no fantastical or magnificent scenery here, only a clear spring with gurgling water, fresh and natural. The only peculiarity was the exceptionally dense spiritual energy.

Within the clear spring grew a green vine, its roots anchored in the water, its branches and leaves lush and vibrantly green. Beneath the leaves, two fruits shimmered faintly, round as the bright moon. Spiritual light formed illusions, as if an immortal laurel moon palace existed, with fairies dancing lightly around the immortal fruits...

The spiritual light was actually a phenomenon manifested by extremely concentrated spiritual energy.

They had seen this kind of spiritual medicine earlier at the medicine garden entrance.

"Spirit Rhino Immortal Fruit!" Su Mo and the other person's expressions changed drastically as they cried out in unison.

Then, the two saw True Master Hegao reach out and press forward; a magic seal flew from his palm. Wherever it touched, cracks proliferated on the light barrier formed by the protective restriction.

The Spirit Rhino Immortal Fruit was real! At that time, Kun Dao had actually intended to use genuine Spirit Rhino Immortal Fruits to set the trap. Anyway, the immortal fruits offered no help to the artifact spirit's spiritual formation, so using the real ones would have a better effect. However, the protective restrictions were too strong; she hadn't fully deciphered them when she noticed the two True Masters of the Daoist sect were about to leave. She had no choice but to use the medicine garden's formation power to project the image of the green vine.

Though a projection, it truly existed.

Only by blending truth and falsehood could they deceive the many powerful cultivators.

True Master Hegao was closest at the time and deeply versed in the Way of Formations and Restrictions. He had a faint inkling but wasn't certain; after all, who would be willing to use Spirit Rhino Immortal Fruits as a trap? It was far too extravagant.

He had circled back and forth in the medicine garden; first, to search for the Spirit Rhino Immortal Fruit, and second, to observe the direction of the medicine garden's spiritual veins. He had finally gained some insight.

The Spirit Rhino Immortal Fruit was undoubtedly the most precious spiritual medicine in the entire garden. The protective restrictions here were closely linked to the formations throughout the garden, making it the most fortified area of the medicine garden.

At this point, True Master Hegao had a complete understanding of the medicine garden; the protective restrictions posed no challenge to him.

'Crack!' This protective restriction was broken, causing chaotic phenomena to erupt throughout the entire medicine garden. The most chaotic situation was undoubtedly in this very spot.

Just as True Master Hegao was about to break through the light barrier, two figures suddenly darted out: Su Zinan and Mo Xingdao, one on the left and one on the right, lunged directly at him.

Since entering the ancient dwelling, Mo Xingdao had rarely displayed his prowess. Only a supreme treasure like the Spirit Rhino Immortal Fruit could make him abandon all caution.

Even cooperating with Su Zinan, with whom he had just formed a mortal enmity, and offending the Daoist sect, he would not hesitate!

Two Spirit Rhino Immortal Fruits were just enough to share.

He and his puppet were almost one, their aura immense. Su Zinan, having merged with his dual souls, was even more formidable. Their combined target was True Master Hegao's back.

Instantly, True Master Hegao faced the cutting edge of two top-tier powerhouses alone, enduring immense pressure.

He didn't turn back. His eyes suddenly turned cold, and a cold snort escaped his throat. His form dissipated, transforming into a lean, elegant immortal crane out of thin air. Its vermilion crown seemed to touch the sun, its frosty feathers unsullied, exuding an extraordinary demeanor. It captured the essence more perfectly than any of his previous transformations.

In an instant, with a crane's cry, the immortal crane split into phantoms, one becoming ten. Each of the ten phantoms had a different posture, and each possessed a Daoist rhyme. The ten phantoms formed a ring, and the magic array was complete.

Ten Phantom Cranes! This was not only one of True Master Hegao's powerful divine abilities, but also incorporated his profound mastery of formations and restrictions, created by merging all his divine abilities.

A single person forming a formation, facing Su Mo and the other person, completely fearless!

The crane phantoms circled. Su Zinan's eyes turned cold. His main body and dual souls combined their strength, jointly wielding the black ruler. It left streaks of ruler phantoms in the void as it slammed fiercely towards the crane formation.

'Bang!' Instantly, a crane phantom dispersed. Su Zinan, however, was stunned. He sharply turned his head. While Mo Xingdao's side had generated considerable momentum, it was far from the anticipated power of a human-puppet fusion.

This sight caused Su Zinan's expression to change dramatically. Mo Xingdao's puppet had disappeared without a trace.

At the same time, above the clear spring, next to the green vine, a figure suddenly appeared—it was Mo Xingdao's puppet! Its size had merely shrunk, and its height was like that of an ordinary person.

Not only Su Zinan, but True Master Hegao was also inexplicably surprised, unable to discern how Mo Xingdao had accomplished this.

Regardless of their thoughts, the puppet raised its hand and grabbed the green vine!

Just as they were startled and enraged, they suddenly heard a Daoist cry.

On the mountain peak. Purple Lightning True Master took in the scene in the medicine garden. The imperial crown on his head shone brightly, then spontaneously left his body, flashing towards the sky, instantly transforming into a thundercloud.

"Where are the Purple Lightning Corps!" Purple Lightning True Master's eyes slightly opened, his presence profound as an abyss. The Thunder Monarch's wrath shook the mountains and earth.

At this moment, Qin Sang, Poison King, and others were all startled by the thundercloud. As the thundercloud's aura cleared the baleful wind around the medicine garden, they, too, saw the scene inside the garden.

"Spirit Rhino Immortal Fruit!" Qin Sang's expression changed. No wonder he hadn't found it on Kun Dao.

Who would have thought that Kun Dao would dare to use it as bait before even obtaining it? Qin Sang gritted his teeth. Kun Dao was truly a madwoman. He had pursued her and obtained the scarlet immortal pendant, but missed the opportunity for Soul Transformation.

The Spirit Rhino Immortal Fruit was not like the Heavenly Linglong; it was also useful to him!

The struggle for the immortal fruits had already been decided; it was too late to go back now.

'Whoosh!' Three streaks of purple light shot down from the thundercloud into the clear spring, manifesting into human forms in mid-air. The Purple Lightning Corps, formed from lightning, wore lightning armor, their expressions stern. Their eyes were completely purple, lacking pupils, with only threads of lightning coursing within their bodies.

Each of the three Purple Lightning Corps members possessed formidable aura. Each wielded a lightning lasso, instantly appearing beside the puppet.

'Whoosh!' Just as the puppet gripped the green vine, its body shook violently. Its incredibly robust physical form was pierced through the chest by a lightning lasso, the other end held in the hand of a Purple Lightning Corps member.

Unexpectedly, the puppet forcefully snatched one Spirit Rhino Immortal Fruit. The moment the cage was forming, its figure flickered, and it incredibly broke free from the chains, disappearing into thin air.

The puppet snatched the immortal fruit and warped back to Mo Xingdao's side. The large hole in its chest would not heal, and lightning coursed through its body, a truly shocking sight.

"Yin-Yang Escape Technique!"

At this moment, Qin Sang, True Master Hegao, Su Zinan, Poison King... everyone who witnessed this scene was shocked.

The Yin-Yang Escape Technique was the innate divine ability of the Yin-Yang Ghost Fiend, comparable to a Soul Transformation realm expert.

"Yin-Yang... Yin-Yang..." These two words continuously flashed through Qin Sang's mind.

He had suspected it when he first saw Mo Xingdao's puppet, and now he was almost certain: Mo Xingdao had bought the Yin-Yang Puppet Crystal! He never imagined that the puppet crystal contained a powerful divine ability like the Yin-Yang Escape Technique. Qin Sang gave a wry smile, truly he had entered a mountain of treasures and failed to recognize them. He only lamented his Senior Sister's absence.

He couldn't blame others, only his own limited insight.

Since it was a trade, each took what they needed, relying on their own discernment.

Regret? Not necessarily.

The Yin-Yang Puppet Crystal had been exchanged for the Thousand Knot Divine Net, allowing him to cultivate the 'Fire Seed Golden Lotus' so smoothly. If he had been distracted by the Way of Puppetry, how could he have come so far?

As his thoughts flickered, he suddenly heard an explosion. Qin Sang gazed intently and saw that amidst the unfolding changes in the medicine garden, the thundercloud simultaneously unleashed a purple lightning seal, striking a valley near the mountain peak.

Light and shadows swirled chaotically as the lightning seal pierced through the restriction. In an instant, Qin Sang saw a jade-like mountain wall.

"This is..." Qin Sang's heart stirred, and he saw the lingering power of the lightning seal directly hit the jade wall.

'Boom!' The jade wall shattered in response. Amidst gazes filled with various emotions, fragments flew as a blurry figure emerged, seeming neither entirely Buddhist nor entirely Daoist.

The figure, several zhang tall, had an ethereal aura. With one step, it raised a finger and lightly traced a line in the void, leaving a fleeting mark. Both the mark and the figure only lingered for an instant before vanishing, yet a profound aftertaste remained, and the mark seemed to possess a Daoist rhyme of creation and destruction.

Everyone forgot their regrets, completely engrossed in the sight.

Just then, the Purple Lightning Corps abandoned their pursuit of the puppet, returning with the last Spirit Rhino Immortal Fruit. They knelt in mid-air, holding up a thunder disk, and presented it to Purple Lightning True Master.

Picking up the immortal fruit, he brought it to his mouth. Purple Lightning True Master gazed at the Daoist trace, pondered for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter, startling everyone awake.

"So that's it!" His laughter was clear and resonant. Purple Lightning True Master lightly shook his lightning robe and took a step. Steps seemed to form in the void. He ascended nine steps, and with these nine steps, he reached the pinnacle!

By then, the barrier had shattered, and the law swords circulating the heavens retreated one after another. A tribulation cloud formed.