Chapter 1866: Step-by-step Technique

Mortal Realm

Mortal Realm

Guided by the decree in his hand, the Divine Court lay straight ahead.

As far as the eye could see, there was a vast sea of clouds.

Auspicious clouds, stretching endlessly, formed a rare and immense expanse deep within the Altar of Governance.

However, these auspicious clouds appeared different from those outside. The glow within them was dim, and the cloud sea seemed covered by a layer of ash.

Far from conveying a sense of peace, the auspicious clouds evoked a feeling of oppression in the demons as they approached. They instinctively halted, sensing an inexplicable urge that prevented them from entering, as if danger lurked within.

"These aren't ordinary auspicious clouds; they might be a special illusion. Everyone, be cautious..." a demon king warned the others through a voice transmission.

Normally, as long as they followed the ancestral teachings and caused no trouble, the Divine Court should pose no danger. Yet, it was unknown how many years the Divine Court had been within the Altar of Governance. Over long years, it had likely collided and merged with the surrounding divine illusions, becoming unrecognizable. The ancestral teachings might no longer be reliable.

The demons secretly prepared themselves.

With the auspicious clouds ahead impenetrable and powerful enemies approaching from behind, the demons all turned to the white-robed demon king.

The white-robed demon king withdrew his gaze and coldly commanded, "Stop them! Kill without mercy!"

With that, he gripped the half-decree in his hand and stepped alone into the auspicious clouds. Whether he encountered some resistance or sensed something, after entering the auspicious clouds, the white-robed demon king flew only about ten zhang forward before stopping.

The demons outside and the Daoist masters who followed closely behind could faintly observe the white-robed demon king's movements. His robes fluttered, his figure stood unmoving, and clouds swirled around him. His white robe, a spiritual treasure-grade magic garment, now shimmered with spiritual light, constantly enduring fierce impacts. This showed that the cloud currents were not as gentle as they appeared.

The white-robed demon king gazed forward, a sharp glint in his eyes. He then turned his back to the cultivators and sat cross-legged in mid-air, his palms clasped before his chest. The light from the half-decree illuminated his face.

The demons watched the white-robed demon king with a mix of tension and anticipation, but then silence fell behind them. The white-robed demon king remained still in meditation, and there was no unusual reaction from the decree or the auspicious clouds.

The demons exchanged glances. Remembering the white-robed demon king's command, they knew they absolutely could not allow anyone to disturb him at this moment. They refocused their minds, glared at the approaching black light, and roared in unison.

*Whoosh!*

The Daoist faction broke through the air, their formation precise within the rainbow light. Daoist masters and their troops gleamed with the light of spiritual talismans. They had long observed the white-robed demon king's actions and had been building their offensive from a distance. As they neared the demons, their speed increased rather than decreased, their escape light like a long rainbow, striking with a terrifying momentum.

The demons' breathing hitched, their minds reeling from the impact. In a mix of shame and rage, they unleashed an even louder roar, their fighting spirit soaring!

"Roar! Roar! Roar!"

Their deafening roars were then drowned out by an even louder sound.

*Rumble...*

The current that had previously brought the demons here reappeared. Endless water surged, forming a thousand-zhang water wall of immense waves. Its terrifying might seemed capable of destroying everything, and anything standing in its path could not escape.

Just then, a powerful aura erupted from behind the demons. A colossal black shadow emerged beneath them: a black-armored demon turtle, undoubtedly a demon king's Dharma Idol. The black turtle Dharma Idol was enormous, its four limbs like giant pillars. Its black shell was covered in silver patterns that seemed chaotic at first glance but, upon closer inspection, revealed a divine mystery, like an intricate diagram that unconsciously drew the eye. Its turtle eyes, like two bright moons, glowed with divine light as they fixed on the encroaching enemies. It let out dull, low roars that sounded like muffled thunder.

Drawn by the roars, the waves swept forward at an even faster pace, showing no sign of stopping even as they neared the demons.

*Splash!*

The demons had anticipated this and showed no panic. They were engulfed by the waves, then immediately lifted by the black turtle Dharma Idol, rising above the water's surface. As the water rippled, the black turtle Dharma Idol transformed into a giant vessel.

Unharmed, the demons unleashed their divine abilities. Instantly, the formation shimmered with various spiritual lights. They clearly had a tacit understanding; under the guidance of the demon kings, their various divine abilities perfectly merged.

*Boom!*

The Daoist cultivators pressed closer, their impact already stirring great waves in the water. At that moment, the black turtle Dharma Idol radiated intense profound light, which spread through the water. The water from all directions turned ink-black, rising high around the demons to form eight black water shields. As they materialized, the shields began to spin rapidly. Concurrently, the demons were enveloped by the water light, as if donning black armor. Their aura erupted, and they felt a surge of power, greatly enhancing their divine abilities.

The other demon kings also deployed their divine abilities and spiritual treasures, aiding the black turtle Dharma Idol.

Finally, the powerful enemy arrived!

*Crash!*

The black long rainbow collided directly with the water shields. The eight water shields instantly solidified. Visible ripples spread outwards, and the residual force still possessed astonishing destructive power. In an instant, space violently trembled. Half of the eight water shields shattered immediately, while the others sustained varying degrees of damage. Though the water shields were broken, they successfully halted the black long rainbow.

The escape light dispersed, revealing the Daoist faction. Their formation was largely similar to before: four Grandmasters, led by the old Daoist, stood firmly on their talisman platforms, positioned at the four cardinal points. The remaining masters led their troops, guarding them on the flanks, their Qi perfectly unified. Despite such a fierce impact, their formation was only slightly disrupted. As the four Grandmasters tapped their talisman platforms, a wave of green light swept through the battle array, calming the chaotic Qi.

Sensing the spatial tremors, the old Daoist narrowed his eyes, his gaze passing over the demons to fix on the white-robed demon king. Most of the tremors were caused by their clash, but some originated from the auspicious clouds. The white-robed demon king had done something unknown and might have already made a discovery.

The old Daoist had no time to ponder, for the enemy's counterattack had arrived. The demons, combining their power, conjured a gigantic spear that swiftly pierced the air, aiming for the center of the Daoist battle array. The giant spear gradually turned black, its power escalating. Before the giant spear even reached them, the Daoist faction felt the fierce wind, their minds trembled, and their expressions changed.

"Sky-Net Earth-Net Talisman!" the old Daoist shouted. He shook his sleeve and produced a cinnabar yellow talisman. With a sword-finger gesture, the talisman spontaneously ignited. The other three Grandmasters, upon receiving the command, moved without delay, each producing an identical talisman.

*Whoosh! Whoosh!*

The four talismans burned to nothingness, and the cultivators on the battlefield immediately sensed a change in the Qi. The masters and troops within the battle array found themselves surrounded by numerous silver threads, omnipresent above, below, and on all sides. The threads intertwined densely, enveloping all the Daoist masters and troops in a net.

*Whoosh!*

The giant spear shot down from the sky. The silk net swiftly rose, its threads curling, and the entire net contracted towards the giant spear. The next moment, the spearhead of the giant spear was entwined by countless threads, and even more threads converged there, densely packing together to envelop half of the spear in a blink of an eye. The four Grandmasters formed hand seals. The masters and troops followed their command, continuously shifting formations and evolving talisman arrays to assist the Grandmasters in activating the Sky-Net Earth-Net Talisman.

The giant spear's momentum faltered, and its speed noticeably slowed, yet it stubbornly continued its descent, dragging the threads, intent on breaking free from the net. As the saying goes, "spirit is roused at the first drum, flags at the second, and exhausted at the third." Compared to its initial state, the giant spear's threat had significantly diminished.

The other three Grandmasters retracted their magic formulas, leaving the old Daoist to control the talisman and resist the giant spear alone. Streamers of light diffused from the talisman platforms beneath their feet. Without explicit verbal commands, the other masters and troops understood, and the battle array shifted accordingly. Some assisted the old Daoist, while the rest followed the directives of the three Grandmasters. One of the Grandmasters from the Daoist Court, clad in a purple robe and wearing a jade hairpin, took over command. Master Ruoquan and another Grandmaster assisted him, and the troops moved with structured precision as they launched their attack.

Immediately, streaks of light shot forth from the battle array—divine abilities, Daoist arts, spiritual treasures, and divine talismans—raining down overwhelmingly on the demons. Simultaneously, the Daoist battle array advanced step by step, following these attacks.

The demons' counterattack was no less fierce. The black turtle Dharma Idol, acting as the bedrock of their defense, continued to urge the black spear to suppress the enemy. The other demon kings led the demons in shifting their formation: those skilled in divine abilities were in the rear, while those with formidable physical bodies were in the front. They split into several contingents, led by the demon kings, dispersing to surround the Daoist battle array and launch a furious assault.

*Whoosh!*

Water waves covered the battlefield, the water level steadily rising, and great surges continuously swelled. The battlefield shimmered with the light of divine abilities and magic treasures. Shouts of battle shook the heavens, and figures blurred in the extreme chaos, making it impossible to discern which side held the upper hand. Casualties quickly appeared. Blood spread through the water, and occasionally severed limbs floated by, only to be swept up by the waves and instantly dissolved into bloody water.

The brutal struggle continued unabated.

The purple-robed Grandmaster, with his left thumb pressing against the nail of his ring finger, moved like lightning, constantly shifting across the talisman platform. Each step followed strict rules—this was the Art of Bu Gang. The Bu Gang technique, controlling the palm and eye, is a cornerstone of the Dao and the origin of its laws. One who performs Bu Gang rides on righteous Qi to control objects. One who uses the Jue Mu technique governs divine mechanisms and transformations. Cultivating immortality, refining truth, summoning, and subduing—all rely on this.

The flourishing of Bu Gang arts began with the Second Divine Firmament Council, when the Daoist sect changed the Divine Court in accordance with the Heavenly Stars. Bu Gang is also known as Bu Tiangang, Bu Gang (stepping the Big Dipper), Ta Dou Bu Gang, Bu Gang Nie Ji, and so on. It is a vital secret art of the Daoist sect. "Dou" refers to the Big Dipper, and "Gang" originally referred to the outermost star of the Big Dipper's handle. Thus, this art could also communicate with spirits, summon ghosts, send celestial memorials, and petition emperors. Unfortunately, with the decline of the Divine Court, these types of Bu Gang arts were no longer effective.

The purple-robed Grandmaster moved with powerful Bu Gang steps, his hand claiming demon lives. His imposing presence struck fear into the hearts of all demon cultivators. Although the Daoist sect was fewer in number and less powerful than the demon cultivators, their formation was meticulous. The troops of the four Grandmasters were the elite of the elite, closely linked by the Art of Bu Gang and the continuous blessings of spiritual talismans, advancing and retreating with precision, not easily breached. However, every step forward taken by the Daoist battle array was met with a furious counterattack, demanding a heavy price in blood. Their progress was incredibly difficult.

On the battlefield, only one person remained calm.

The white-robed demon king sat quietly cross-legged within the auspicious clouds, surrounded by swirling mist, unaffected by the fierce fighting behind him. The light from the half-decree in his hand flickered, sometimes brightening, sometimes dimming. Each time it brightened, it triggered spatial tremors. The source of the tremors was deep within the auspicious clouds.

The old Daoist kept his gaze fixed on the white-robed demon king, feeling the changes in the half-decree in his own hand. He appeared thoughtful, his lips subtly moving. The purple-robed Grandmaster received a voice transmission, his expression shifting slightly. He secretly relayed orders, and the battle array's forward momentum slowed, its formation contracting.

The old Daoist was in no hurry to destroy the giant spear. He gazed into the depths of the auspicious clouds for a long time, occasionally glancing at the white-robed demon king's back. The shouts of battle continued, though noticeably less intense than before.

Just then, the white-robed scholar raised his hand and touched the decree. The decree slowly ascended, spinning above his head, and the tremors within the auspicious clouds suddenly intensified severalfold. The old Daoist's eyes gleamed sharply. He took a step forward with his left foot, and his aura instantly changed. The masters and troops in the battle array immediately sensed the change. Guided by the Qi, they subconsciously shifted their formation.

The old Daoist's figure moved nimbly, performing another type of Bu Gang art, called the "Chishui Duguan Gang" (Water-Commanding Capital Official Gang). And he chanted the incantation:

"I command with an urgent decree: O naked youth, burn through the Heavenly Lord! To my left walks the Azure Dragon, to my right the White Tiger. Before me, I wield the Thousand-Li Net; behind me, the Sword of White Yang. I summon the Five Dragons of the Five Directions to enter my waters! Demons and evils, be subdued! Do not move! By my command, as swiftly as the law!"

As the incantation was uttered, the sky suddenly turned dim. The old Daoist halted abruptly, formed his fingers into a sword, and pointed downwards. Surprisingly, no attack was launched from the Daoist battle array. The demons were first bewildered, then sensed that something was suddenly amiss around them. The black turtle Dharma Idol had summoned water waves, and the battle was taking place in the water, with both sides submerged. The demon cultivators could gain enhancements from the water, but at this moment, the enhancing power suddenly vanished.

Simultaneously, a turtle's roar, filled with shock and fury, reached the cultivators' ears.

*Splash!*

Waves surged all around. Within the colossal waves, immense and elongated ethereal figures could be faintly seen rolling. There were five such figures, almost encircling the battlefield. As the ethereal figures gradually solidified, the cultivators clearly discerned their outlines and were secretly alarmed—they were five true dragons! The true dragons' bodies were formed from condensed water, their scales shimmering with soft watery light, yet they showed no sign of weakness.

*Splash! Splash! Splash!*

The true dragons frolicked in the water, each roll stirring up monstrous waves. The black turtle Dharma Idol's expression changed dramatically. It was clearly his summoned water essence, yet a portion of it was now beyond his control, as if the five water dragons had usurped its authority. Furthermore, as the old Daoist flicked his horsetail whisk, the water dragons glared fiercely, bared their fangs, and lunged towards the demon cultivators. Drawing upon the enemy's water to augment their own power!

The black turtle Dharma Idol was enraged by the old Daoist's action. It roared, shaking the heavens, and stirred up even larger waves in the water to strike the water dragons. Despite this, the demon cultivators' advantage in the water significantly diminished. With one side's power waning and the other's growing, the Daoist sect showed signs of gaining overwhelming momentum.

Amidst the vast expanse of water.

The battlefield was slowly shifting towards the auspicious clouds. Just then, two demon king Dharma Idols suddenly soared into the air. These two demon kings had mostly remained in the rear, providing support without particularly striking displays. Now, their movement immediately drew the attention of the Daoist masters. The old Daoist's gaze was also drawn back from the white-robed demon king. He frowned as he watched the two demon kings.

A moment later, everyone on the battlefield felt a pang of trepidation, a sensation of blood freezing.

In the distance.

A streak of fiery red flowed across the sky. Flames enveloped a colossal boulder, resembling an extraterrestrial meteorite. It pierced through layers of illusions and hurtled towards the battlefield with a thunderous impact!