Chapter 1679: Ning Shen Curse

They were simultaneously locked onto by two Spirit Transformation cultivators. No one wanted to incur the wrath of these two powerful beings.

No one dared openly defy them; the crucial point was that escape wasn't guaranteed, and not everyone possessed a Mind-Phase Shadow-Shifting Talisman. As for Saint Huiguang's promise, no one was sure how reliable it was, but they could only console themselves with it. Saint Huiguang likely made the promise publicly, not through a secret transmission, to calm everyone. With so many cultivators outside the mountain as witnesses, he would surely consider the Buddhist sect's reputation and probably wouldn't break his word easily in the future.

Old Demon Fan remained by Saint Huiguang's side, knowing that Saint Huiguang wouldn't easily let him go, and had no intention of leaving. Yue Lingtian's expression shifted constantly. He regretted not retreating after acquiring the Earth Aspect legacy and instead joining the commotion. Helplessly, he bowed to the monk's phantom image and turned to ascend the mountain. True Monarch Hè Gāo meticulously prepared True Monarch Zǐ Léi's remains for burial. He returned to the summit as ordered, remaining silent throughout. No one knew what he was thinking.

They hailed from prestigious sects, holding revered positions as sect masters and grand elders. They commanded great respect in the cultivation world and did not lose their composure even when facing two Spirit Transformation cultivators. Qin Sang's avatar and Mo Xingdao, however, had far less distinguished backgrounds. Fortunately, it was only an avatar; as long as the main body remained unharmed, Qin Sang's foundation wouldn't be damaged. The avatar's expression was calm as it flew unhurriedly towards the summit.

Mo Xingdao was likely the most conflicted and uneasy. His only consolation was that his puppet was hidden in the shadows; if circumstances changed later, there might be a chance to escape. If things went awry, ordering the puppet to flee with the Lingxi Immortal Fruit would at least be a bargaining chip. Mo Xingdao composed himself and turned back towards the mountain.

Before long, almost all the cultivators on Emperor's Decree Mountain had gathered at the summit. True Monarch Hè Gāo, Old Demon Fan, Yue Lingtian, Mo Xingdao, and Qin Sang's avatar were among them. Counting Qin Sang's true body hidden in the stone house, the Toxic King whose fate was unknown, Master Huaiyin who was healing outside the mountain, and Su Zinan whose whereabouts were unknown, these were the only top experts remaining from those who had initially entered the Formless Immortal Sect.

The group exchanged glances, all silent. Their previous intrigues and overt struggles now seemed like a joke.

“Meditate on this 'Spirit Soothing Incantation' for three cycles. If you detect any abnormality, immediately seal your mental faculties and do not entertain any hope of luck!”

Saint Huiguang projected a streak of light, which transformed into bright characters floating in mid-air, shimmering like starlight. Everyone looked over upon hearing him and saw a rather profound secret technique. Despite its ordinary name, this technique was not difficult to practice. Saint Huiguang did not explain the origin of the 'Spirit Soothing Incantation'. This secret technique actually originated from the Formless Immortal Sect, created by its experts to counter demonic corruption during the Demonic Tribulation of the past.

Cultivators who had recently been demonically corrupted could, by activating the 'Spirit Soothing Incantation,' very likely detect their own abnormalities and resolve them promptly. The higher the cultivation of the practitioner, the more effective the technique. It was the emergence of this secret technique that turned the tide of the war, confining the Demonic Tribulation to the two Southern Barbarian Prefectures.

Of course, the 'Spirit Soothing Incantation' was not infallible. It was said that demonic corruption varied in intensity; if a powerful demon with profound demonic arts meticulously planned and slowly executed the corruption, hiding it very deeply, the chances of detection were very low. The experts of the Formless Immortal Sect had trusted the 'Spirit Soothing Incantation' too much, only realizing something was wrong at the very end, which forced them to seal themselves away.

Saint Huiguang had already learned the general course of events from Old Demon Fan. Since the demon child had just broken free and was deeply affected by the Heavenly Dao Demonic Sound, it likely had no opportunity or ability to perform such deep-seated corruption. Everyone on the mountain was a top expert; the more resolute their minds, the stronger their resistance to demonic corruption. The 'Spirit Soothing Incantation' would suffice.

Saint Huiguang's action was also a precaution, to prevent these individuals from causing trouble during the upcoming battle. Everyone had some understanding of the Demonic Tribulation and knew the severity of demonic corruption. They readily complied, silently circulating the 'Spirit Soothing Incantation,' including others who saw the spell.

As he transmitted the 'Spirit Soothing Incantation' to the group, Saint Huiguang's stern voice once again echoed throughout Emperor's Decree Mountain and beyond. “You are ordered to get out of the Central Plains within three days, and never set foot in the Central Plains again!”

In a hidden location.

Su Zinan, concealed by an escape talisman, looked up at the summit, his face slightly pale. Within moments, two extremely powerful divine senses had swept over him dozens of times. If not for the protection of the escape talisman, he would have already been exposed. Su Zinan knew well that Saint Huiguang's warning was mostly directed at him. Although there were no explicit threats, the chilling killing intent in his tone made Su Zinan's heart tighten. He inwardly snorted but ultimately dared not act rashly.

At this moment, Saint Huiguang and the Azure Fox Saint King were primarily focused on the demonic body.

Inside the mountain's core, various strange lights flickered erratically. The five-colored crown's light grew increasingly blinding. The demonic body was completely obscured by the five-colored spiritual light, and the gray cocoon formed by the Toxic King was also almost swallowed by it. Only the outline of the gray cocoon, a massive bulge, could be discerned within the five-colored spiritual light. No one knew how much longer the gray cocoon could resist.

After the Azure Fox Saint King arrived to assist, Saint Huiguang was finally able to divert some energy. The Dharma Lotus True Wheel slightly changed direction, aiming at the gray cocoon. Silver rings coiled around the gray cocoon. They were not to restrain it, but to help the Toxic King resist the five-colored spiritual light. The Toxic King inside the gray cocoon must have sensed the Dharma Lotus True Wheel's fluctuations. The cocoon pulsed erratically, responding to the silver rings, jointly resisting the demon. For now, there was no danger of it rupturing, but that was all it could do.

Unable to rescue the Toxic King immediately, Saint Huiguang knew he couldn't rush. He prioritized dealing with the demonic body first. He didn't know that this action effectively severed the demon spirit's last hope, prompting it to take the most drastic measures.

The Azure Fox Saint King appeared to the left of Saint Huiguang, her jade fingers repeatedly flicking. Thunderous waves continuously echoed within the mountain's core, as if an ocean was being poured inside, triggering a terrifying storm. She gazed downwards, her eyes gradually turning white. It was a pure white, without pupils, and her eerie gaze pierced through the chaos.

“Something seems amiss.” The Azure Fox Saint King's delicate brows furrowed as she spoke with a grave voice. She already knew what had happened and had some theories about the demonic body's origin and current state. The demonic body could clearly wield the five-colored crown now. If the artifact spirit had already been subdued by the ancient demon, they weren't just facing an ancient demon; they were in for serious trouble! No wonder Saint Huiguang was distracted doing so many things, using both threats and promises to force these human Nascent Soul cultivators to stay. Saint Huiguang considered various possible variables, diverting his attention while also trying to prevent the demonic body from escaping. In a short time, the mental strain was immense.

His breathing slightly eased, Saint Huiguang was about to speak. Suddenly, a drastic change occurred within the mountain's core!

Within the demonic body, Zhu Wudao and the demon child had merged into a demonic soul, which was now forcibly swallowed by the demon spirit. It was as if the demon spirit had consumed two individuals alive. Although both had lost the ability to resist, the critical point was that the consumption took place amidst the Heavenly Dao Demonic Sound.

A sudden, bloodcurdling roar erupted from within the mountain's core. The sharp sound pierced the eardrums of Old Demon Fan and the others like steel needles, and their minds seemed to be stabbed, feeling intense pain. Everyone startled awake from their meditation, looking horrified towards the mountain's core, and simultaneously heard the Azure Fox Saint King's warning: “Be careful!”

Before her words even finished, a five-colored beam of light suddenly shot out from within the mountain's core, like a sharp sword or a rainbow piercing the sky. Sensing the terrifying destructive aura of the light, everyone's expressions immediately changed.

“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…”

Everyone rose into the air. The next moment, cultivators outside the mountain heard a thunderous explosion and saw the mountain mouth at the summit of Emperor's Decree Mountain erupt, sending rocks flying. Immediately after, the entire immortal dwelling shook violently. What erupted from the mountain mouth was not lava, but an endless torrent of water, like an inverted waterfall. Accompanying the surging water was a beautiful rainbow. This spectacle held no beauty whatsoever. Everyone could feel the terrifying demonic energy, and even those not near Emperor's Decree Mountain involuntarily shivered.

At the edge of the Golden Aspect Hall.

The old nun's mood had swung wildly. First, she witnessed True Monarch Zǐ Léi's failed tribulation, and before she could even breathe a sigh of relief, she saw Spirit Transformation cultivators appearing one after another, causing her to pale with fright. The nuns of Hidden Moon Convent were still exploring different parts of the Golden Aspect Hall; they couldn't withdraw quickly. Unexpectedly, overwhelming demonic energy surged, and one unforeseen event followed another. The old nun didn't know whether the current situation was good or bad, but at least the two Spirit Transformation cultivators were preoccupied, buying them some breathing room.

On the other side.

Bai Xiao was leading the demons as they rushed over. Seeing the scene at Emperor's Decree Mountain from afar, he was deeply alarmed. However, since the Saint King had given an order, he could only grit his teeth and continue, though he secretly slowed down to observe first.

No one outside the mountain felt the situation as clearly as Old Demon Fan and the others. The Azure Fox Saint King's spiritual jade had melted, and vast waves of water formed a colossal vortex in the sky. When they saw the scene within the vortex, everyone gasped.

A figure, wearing a five-element crown, hovered in mid-air. Undoubtedly, this was the demonic body that Zhu Wudao had transformed into. However, it was difficult to describe the current demonic body as 'human'. To be precise, it was just a mass of flesh and blood maintaining a humanoid shape. The demonic body's skin was everywhere cracked and bulging, as if its entire body was covered in tumors. These tumors had then burst open, leaving it bloody and festering with exposed flesh, and in some places even bone shards were visible, making it utterly sickening. The demonic body could barely maintain a human form; its facial features were displaced, resembling large tumors, yet a hint of expression—full of pain and madness—could still be discerned. It was hard to imagine what Zhu Wudao had endured to be transformed into such a state.

Everyone stared at this scene, their hearts turning cold. Was this an ancient demon? Was this the consequence of demonic corruption? It was ten thousand times more terrifying than what was recorded in ancient texts. Chills ran down their spines, filled with dread. If Saint Huiguang and the Azure Fox Saint King hadn't arrived in time, they would have faced disaster today, and whether they could have escaped intact would have been a question.

“Old monk, this King certainly doesn't want to become this kind of monster!” the Azure Fox Saint King said gravely. From the demonic body, she seemed to see her own future. It seemed assimilation by the Heavenly Dao Demonic Sound wasn't merely about going mad; it would eventually manifest outwardly. True Monarch Zǐ Léi had perished from a mental collapse before his inner demon tribulation ended; otherwise, given more time, he too would have transformed into an unspeakable mass of flesh and blood.

The demon spirit had actually underestimated the power of the Heavenly Dao Demonic Sound. Once the assimilation began, it couldn't be stopped. As it progressed, the demonic body became increasingly compatible with the five-element crown, and its strength grew. However, during this process, its resistance to the Heavenly Dao Demonic Sound weakened, and its consciousness was gradually infected by madness. Although her true form, the five-element crown, was still present, it couldn't stop her descent into the abyss. The deeper the integration, the more profound the influence of the Heavenly Dao Demonic Sound, and she was on the verge of completely losing her sentience.

However, in this process, she became unbound and uninhibited. The madness in her instincts drove her to relentlessly destroy and ruin everything in sight. The current state of the demon spirit was increasingly similar to that of a fierce beast within the storm zone. They were about to preview the Beast Hunt battle.

The Azure Fox Saint King keenly sensed the demonic body's changes and repeated, “This King doesn't want to become this kind of monster!” Saint Huiguang understood the implication of her words. They had to divert attention to resist the Heavenly Dao Demonic Sound, preventing them from exerting their full strength. And with his injuries unhealed, he could only rely on the Azure Fox Saint King's full power to contend with the ancient demon. But if the Azure Fox Saint King expended too much energy, allowing the Heavenly Dao Demonic Sound to exploit her vulnerability, she would follow in the demon child's footsteps. The Azure Fox Saint King, unlike him, didn't have a sect to worry about. If things became impossible, the Azure Fox Saint King would undoubtedly withdraw directly and focus on finding a way to ascend. If she couldn't even protect herself, what did the rise and fall of the world or the fate of its living beings have to do with her? Moreover, the human race would be the first to suffer.

Saint Huiguang and the Azure Fox Saint King communicated via spiritual transmission. “This demon doesn't necessarily have to be eliminated, but does the Saint King not wish to extract any information from the ancient demon? This humble monk suspects that the Heavenly Dao Demonic Sound might be related to the Demon Lord sealed in the Immortal Palace. Now that the Immortal Palace has ascended, there is only one individual in this world who knows the truth—it's him! Although we don't know why even the ancient demon couldn't resist the Heavenly Dao Demonic Sound's erosion, if we can capture it alive and ascertain the reason for the Heavenly Dao's change, then we will have a clear direction when seeking a solution.” Of course, the Azure Fox Saint King understood these principles; it was just that the impact of the demonic body was too overwhelming.

“Form the Zen Samadhi Arhat Array!” Saint Huiguang whispered, simultaneously sending out several golden lights towards the group. The group received the golden lights, and a Buddhist array formation appeared in their minds. The Zen Samadhi Arhat Array is a Buddhist battle formation. The Sweet Dew Zen Monastery possessed an orthodox Vajra Subduing Demon Array, which would be perfectly suited for dealing with an ancient demon. Unfortunately, this array was not present here.

Saint Huiguang and the Azure Fox Saint King had previously discussed hunting fierce beasts in the storm zone, which would require the cooperation of the Saint King Palace Immortal Array and the Vajra Subduing Demon Array. Therefore, Saint Huiguang had instructed Master Xingji to contact the top experts of various Buddhist sects, dismantling the Vajra Orb array artifact and distributing its parts for them to study, in preparation for the hunt. At this moment, Master Xingji and the others were still en route, and several more were in secluded cultivation within their respective sects, clearly unable to make it in time. Who would have thought that there would also be an opportunity to use the Vajra Subduing Demon Array this time? The beast hunt hadn't even begun, yet they were already facing an ancient demon.

Of course, even if Saint Huiguang had brought the Vajra Subduing Demon Array, it would be difficult for it to be effective. Comprehending spiritual arrays takes time, and none of these individuals were Buddhist disciples; no matter how high their cultivation, they couldn't grasp it instantly. Battle formations, however, were much simpler; they merely needed to follow Saint Huiguang's commands.

“Whoosh!” Figures flashed continuously, and the formation was instantly complete. Without needing to exert themselves, a certain power flowed from Saint Huiguang. A halo appeared behind each person's head, making them resemble guardian arhats from ancient murals, solemn and majestic. As soon as the battle formation was complete, everyone's morale soared.

However, gazing at the demonic body, everyone inwardly calculated. It seemed the two Spirit Transformation cultivators didn't intend to go all out; would they really have to rely on themselves to deal with such a terrifying demon? How many of them would ultimately survive?