Chapter 2209: Day and Night Alternation

The Mortal Realm

The giant eyes of the demonic python’s Dharma Form hung in the sky like two lanterns. Its body began to emit flames, and under the influence of the firelight, the surrounding clouds and mist turned into crimson haze.

The sky was filled with crimson light, reflecting the terrifying figure of the demonic python’s Dharma Form.

The giant python continuously roared, its cries sharp and piercing. The fierce light in the demonic python’s Dharma Form’s eyes grew stronger, its eyeballs seemingly ignited, turning into two balls of fire.

Whoosh!

Pillars of fire suddenly erupted from the ground.

As the demonic python’s Dharma Form’s gaze swept across a mountain, it directly ignited the peak. Amidst the soaring flames, the mountain could be seen burning and rapidly melting within the fire.

Swoosh!

When the demonic python’s Dharma Form’s gaze turned their way, two substantial beams of light pierced through the void, shooting down from the sky like colossal pillars of light.

Qin Sang’s protective true essence violently fluctuated, while Liu Li’s face turned somewhat pale.

Boom!

The ball of flame that the giant python had just spewed out seemed to be infused with new energy by the demonic python’s Dharma Form’s gaze, suddenly erupting with a power far exceeding Qin Sang’s estimation.

The raging fire was everywhere, scorching the sky. Tongues of flame nearly licked at Qin Sang and Liu Li, threatening to engulf them. It was unclear what kind of demonic fire this was; in terms of sheer power, few spiritual fires Qin Sang had encountered before could rival it.

Whoosh!

Sword light, like a dragon, soared forth. The Gray Oriole Sword swept out, striking the flames before them multiple times, yet it could only block the fire, unable to push it back.

Seizing the opportunity, Qin Sang and Liu Li retreated again and again, creating distance.

He looked up, meeting the gaze of the demonic python’s Dharma Form. It seemed an arduous battle was unavoidable. He wondered about the Heavenly Serpent General’s escape speed; if he and Liu Li fled now, they might have a chance to shake it off.

However, having encountered this strange demonic cultivator, Qin Sang was unwilling to leave just yet. He wanted to obtain more information from the giant python and unravel some mysteries.

His intuition told him that the Heavenly Serpent General’s origin was extremely peculiar.

The Heavenly Serpent General claimed to be from the Winged Constellation. There are twenty-eight constellations. It wasn’t even a Star Lord or Star Official; merely one Heavenly Serpent General possessed a late Void Refining stage cultivation. It was hard to imagine how vast an organization this must be. If the East Sea Aquatic Clan possessed such power, he would surely have heard of it.

Furthermore, the Heavenly Serpent General’s behavior was also very strange. Like the demonic beasts in the beast tide, it was infected by madness and its consciousness was muddled, yet he and Liu Li remained unharmed.

Qin Sang looked around, paying particular attention to the sky. There was no second fiery meteor. Only this one Heavenly Serpent General stood before him. Although the Heavenly Serpent General’s strength was formidable, it had lost its sanity, presenting an opportunity for him.

He was capable of slaying an Immortal Child; could he not deal with a mere Heavenly Serpent General?

Thinking this, Qin Sang transmitted a message to Liu Li, telling her to avoid its sharp edge for now, to support him from the periphery, and that she didn’t need to unseal the Imperial Heavenly Talisman for the time being.

Liu Li nodded and quickly flew outwards.

At this moment, Qin Sang secretly cast an incantation, and a torrential downpour suddenly erupted from the sky—it was precisely the Nine Heavens Green Pool Thunder Rain Great Dharma.

The torrential rain poured down, and the fire dramatically lessened, but it was only suppressed by the thunder for an instant before fiercely retaliating.

Seizing this opportunity, Qin Sang changed his sword techniques, and the Four Symbols Sword Formation slowly unfolded. He narrowed his eyes, staring at the demonic python’s Dharma Form’s movements, discovering that it showed no desire to evade the sword formation.

Any experienced cultivator would never allow an enemy to draw them into a sword formation.

Perhaps instinctively sensing danger, the demonic python’s Dharma Form’s counterattack was extremely fierce. However, by not dodging or evading the sword formation, its counterattack proved ineffective, and it quickly fell into the sea of stars.

This was a test, indicating that the Heavenly Serpent General had indeed lost its sanity. Qin Sang’s mind settled. He activated his talisman altar, and the Five Thunder Heavenly Heart True Seal Talisman was unleashed!

Crack!

As expected, the demonic python’s Dharma Form was ferocious. Facing this lightning, it chose to meet it head-on. Its serpent head shot skyward, opening its gaping maw to spew forth a burst of raging flames, confronting the lightning.

Boom!

The green lightning and fierce flames collided, their aftermath sweeping across the sea of stars, lingering for a long time.

Qin Sang was already prepared. He stabilized the sword formation and simultaneously activated the Sword Stars, sending countless boundless sword lights soaring towards the Heavenly Serpent General.

“Hiss!”

The demonic python’s Dharma Form rotated its upper body and spewed a ring of demonic fire from its mouth. The flames swept in all directions. When the sword lights touched the demonic fire, they melted like ice and snow, unable to get close, showcasing the power of the demonic fire.

However, Qin Sang’s offensive had only just begun. In a short time, he had already discovered many weaknesses in the Heavenly Serpent General. Having lost its sanity and possessing only raw power, such an opponent was not difficult to deal with.

Next, Qin Sang relentlessly exploited the Heavenly Serpent General’s weaknesses, using only sword techniques and thunder magic. Streaks of lightning struck the demonic python’s Dharma Form, while the Sword Stars moved in unison, using the power of the sword formation to wear down the opponent’s strength.

The Heavenly Serpent General was completely trapped here. The massive body of the demonic python’s Dharma Form seemed capable of shattering countless stars with a single movement, but it was like punching cotton, only causing it to sink deeper into its predicament.

“Still not using your spiritual treasures?”

Qin Sang stared at the demonic python’s Dharma Form, observing that the Heavenly Serpent General had consistently only used the power of its Dharma Form. He wondered if it possessed no spiritual treasures, or if it had lost its sanity and was unable to activate them.

It was said that some cultivators strictly believed in their own strength and rejected any external objects. Such people were ultimately very few, as “external objects” often held a significant proportion in a cultivator’s strength.

The outcome of this battle seemed to be without suspense.

This thought flashed through Qin Sang’s mind when he suddenly saw the demonic python’s Dharma Form straighten its serpent body and emit a piercing shriek.

The demonic python shrieked towards the sky. Suddenly, a crimson light shone into the sword formation, and a crimson star actually appeared above the head of the demonic python’s Dharma Form.

Qin Sang’s gaze narrowed slightly. He saw flames appearing out of nowhere in the void. The power of these flames surpassed the previous demonic fire, and he did not know what kind of divine ability it was.

By this point, the probing was largely complete. Five-colored radiance appeared on Qin Sang’s chest, and the Five Elements Crown emerged. Immediately, a beam of Five Elements divine light shot towards the crimson star.

Simultaneously, thunder magic and the sword formation were activated. Qin Sang attacked with full force, aided by Liu Li’s coordination. The loss of its intelligence became the Heavenly Serpent General’s fatal weakness. Soon, the crimson star shattered, the demonic python’s Dharma Form’s momentum was greatly diminished, and it gradually showed signs of defeat.

Throughout the battle, Qin Sang had been observing the Heavenly Serpent General. Seeing no signs of it regaining its sanity and being completely frenzied, surrender was impossible. Even if captured, it likely held no value.

Outside the sword formation.

Liu Li’s face was full of vigilance, occasionally looking around to guard against uninvited guests.

When the Four Symbols Sword Formation was activated, the area it encompassed showed no special phenomena, just an expanse of darkness. Liu Li sent blasts of cold wind into it, perceiving that the Heavenly Serpent General’s aura was suppressed by Qin Sang, indicating the battle’s outcome was decided.

Suddenly, Liu Li seemed to sense something. She sharply looked up, a hint of surprise and gravity flashing in her eyes.

Since they entered the secret realm, storms and mist had been omnipresent, turning the world gray and white. Although the light was dim, it wasn’t complete darkness.

At this moment, Liu Li saw that the east had become pitch black, and the darkness was rapidly spreading towards them, like a black curtain descending.

It was a darkness so profound you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face.

Within the battle array, Qin Sang had completely suppressed the Heavenly Serpent General. Noticing the external changes, he looked up, frowning slightly, but his offensive showed no pause.

Under Qin Sang’s continuous fierce attacks, the demonic python’s Dharma Form roared repeatedly, but it was overwhelmed, exposing more and more weaknesses. Qin Sang exploited these, further accelerating its demise.

Finally, the Heavenly Serpent General was completely at a disadvantage. Just as it was nearing defeat, Qin Sang faintly sensed something and swiftly slew it with lightning speed!

Crack!

A bolt of green lightning struck the Heavenly Serpent General’s true body.

The scales on the Heavenly Serpent General’s body were already severely damaged and covered in blood. Its serpent head exploded in the lightning, scattering flesh and blood.

The serpent body suddenly stiffened and fell downwards.

Just then, an astonishing sight appeared: the serpent body shattered like an illusion, and the scattered pieces of flesh and drops of blood vanished along with it, leaving absolutely nothing behind.

The Heavenly Serpent General turned into nothingness. Only the traces of battle on the field indicated its previous existence.

Seeing this scene, Liu Li exclaimed in surprise, “It was also fake?”

Qin Sang nodded.

It was truly difficult to imagine that the Heavenly Serpent General, like the other demonic beasts, was a phantom-like existence. But was the intelligence it displayed also false?

Could it be that...

Qin Sang’s heart sank as he considered a possibility: perhaps those demonic beasts were not only increasing in strength but also undergoing mutations, eventually gaining intelligence and becoming indistinguishable from true living beings!

If so, the beast tide would only become even more difficult to deal with.

“What are you thinking, Fellow Daoist Qin?” Liu Li flew over, seeing Qin Sang in a pensive state.

Qin Sang shook his head slightly and hesitated, “I always feel that the demonic python’s Dharma Form is somewhat familiar…”

It was a very strange feeling.

Qin Sang had encountered many demonic cultivators before, and they also cultivated the path of Dharma Forms, but Qin Sang had never felt this way.

“Is it because of the cultivation method?”

Qin Sang thought of the Heavenly Demonic Body Forging Art and instinctively looked towards where the Heavenly Serpent General had perished.

The Heavenly Demonic Body Forging Art was the most unique demonic cultivation method he had ever seen.

The Heavenly Demonic Body Forging Art drew upon the power of stars for cultivation, and the Heavenly Serpent General claimed to be from the Winged Constellation. Could there be a connection?

Unfortunately, the Heavenly Serpent General was merely an illusion...

Qin Sang dismissed his wandering thoughts, glanced at the surroundings shrouded in darkness, his expression solemn, and asked, “Is this the power of the Sundial of Spring and Autumn?”

Liu Li nodded, her tone equally grave, “Whenever the Sundial of Spring and Autumn appears, there will be shifts between black and white, and the alternation of day and night. This phenomenon is very similar to what is described in records.”

“It seems this secret realm has indeed undergone drastic changes,” Qin Sang sighed.

The Sundial of Spring and Autumn would not easily appear; it usually required certain conditions to be triggered after the Daoist sect’s inheritors entered.

They had only recently entered, and the phenomenon of day and night alternation had already appeared. There was only one explanation: the secret realm’s mutation had caused the Sundial of Spring and Autumn to emerge prematurely.

For them, this was by no means good news, implying that their future hopes were even slimmer. They didn’t have much expectation for the Sundial of Spring and Autumn to begin with, not believing they could gain recognition from its artifact spirit.

However, since True Person Ning had specifically instructed them, they would certainly have to contend for it regardless.

Outside the Heart Lake.

Between the clouds and mountains.

Ever since Qin Sang and the others entered the secret realm, Hong Tian had risen from his meditation cushion, occasionally looking towards the sky, and occasionally towards the depths of the dense fog.

At this moment, Hong Tian suddenly spoke, “It’s likely no new fellow Daoists will appear from now on. I presume all of you have seen the decree transmitted from above, haven’t you?”

There was no one else around him; he seemed to be speaking to the void.

Silence enveloped the surroundings.

A moment later, a questioning voice came from beyond the mountain, “Hong Tian, what exactly do you want to say?”

“I’ve always heard you’re quite bold, Hong Tian, daring to fall out with the Winged Human Clan even when you were only at the second stage of the Void Realm. You wouldn’t be thinking of defying the will of the superiors, would you?” Then a woman’s light laugh, tinged with a hint of mockery, followed.

“Do you really think I don’t know my place?”

Hong Tian smiled faintly, showing no annoyance, and turned to look towards the depths of the Heart Lake. “It seems now that those old fellows are already deeply embroiled and unable to extricate themselves.”

Forcibly sending people in under the guise of a trial to stir up trouble was also a test for those old ancestors.

Qin Sang and the others had been inside for so long, and those old ancestors had shown no reaction, which was enough to verify some suspicions.

“Hmph!”

A sharp voice coldly snorted, “Those old fellows are trapped inside; outside, it’s up to us! This benefit was clearly meant for us, yet some people still want a piece of the pie. I’d like to see who dares to throw away their old face and jump out at this moment!”

No one expressed agreement with these words, but neither did anyone refute them, indicating that this was the general sentiment.

“You might be overthinking things, everyone.”

After a period of silence, a gentle female voice spoke.

“It’s only human nature for the old ancestors to want to gain some benefits for their disciples. As long as they don’t interfere excessively, what those disciples can ultimately take away is but a drop in the ocean, harmless enough.”

Before her words finished, a hearty voice rang out, “Haha, the Empress is truly magnanimous! The Empress makes a good point. As long as the old ancestors don’t break the rules, and some juniors are truly blessed with deep fortune, it won’t hurt us to yield a little. Everyone, don’t overthink it; our true opponents are actually right beside us. Hong Tian, are you calling everyone’s attention now because you want to set some rules?”

Judging by the speaker’s tone, the woman who had just spoken was actually the Empress of the Merman Race!

“I, however, am not as optimistic as the two of you!”

The sharp voice remained unyielding, “Not everyone can consider the bigger picture! Some people are called old ancestors, but they’ve been detached from the mortal world for too long, acting high and mighty, doing as they please. We must guard against them!”

“Well said, opportunities stir the heart! This is our greatest opportunity after breaking through, perhaps even the greatest in our lives, so caution is indeed warranted,” another person echoed. “Given this, why not wait a bit longer and observe the performance of those juniors? If anyone has ill intentions, they will certainly expose clues later. Those old fellows cannot interfere with the outside now, so the situation is still under our control.”

“Hong Tian, you’re a bit too impatient,” someone remarked with dissatisfaction.

Hong Tian showed no offense, spreading his hands and saying, “I come from a humble small clan, alone and without significant power. How can I not be anxious? If we don’t quickly establish some rules, even if those old fellows don’t interfere, what if after everything is settled, someone makes a blunder but refuses to acknowledge it, using their power to oppress others? What then?”

“Hong Tian, you are indeed too anxious!”

The previously hearty voice said coldly, “Tribal distinctions only exist in the Mist Sea. Above the Saint Realm, there is only one variant human race—this is an ancestral teaching!”

The Empress of the Merman Race said blandly, “Who can truly say which side holds the advantage? Perhaps the Zhuhuai clan also has an Ancestral Realm ancestor above them. Perhaps we will all have to defer to your judgment, Hong Tian.”

“Oh?” Hong Tian grinned. “With the Empress’s auspicious words, I will certainly uphold my promise then.”