Chapter 561: The battle between the foremost leaders of good and evil

Perhaps he recalled the timely advice he’d given years ago. While he harbored some sympathy for the weak, his stronger emotion was approval for the Thunder Spirit Corpse, a treasure perfectly suited to him that had been presented. Thus, he specially bestowed the Thunder Lord Token.

If Wang Yu had used the token immediately, he wouldn’t have said anything. However, Wang Yu consistently used the token as a blatant show of power, acting as though he had become his backer. At that time, several elders from Evil Sword Peak sought an explanation from him. Lord Lei Hou, not one to care about reputation, summarily dismissed them all, determined to have a confrontation.

The reason for this action was that it involved a dispute over prestige between Heavenly Corpse Peak and Evil Sword Peak. When private matters escalated into public affairs, individual will no longer held sway. Even if Lord Nine Evil Sword had personally intervened, his stance would have remained unchanged.

Wang Yu naturally entered his list of those to observe. Then, Wang Yu rapidly shattered his Golden Core to form a Nascent Soul, and in the blink of an eye, achieved Soul Transformation. In stark contrast, despite his own considerable cultivation progress, he still lingered in the realm of Nascent Soul. Comparing the two, while he felt fortunate for not having harmed Wang Yu and cherished their camaraderie, these feelings were completely overshadowed by his intense curiosity and jealousy towards Wang Yu. It was like tasting a sour lemon—an utterly overwhelming bitterness.

Of course, this ‘sourness’ was one of admiration, not resentment. By this point, Wang Yu’s very existence allowed Lord Lei Hou to bask in reflected glory, their roles having completely reversed. The impermanence of fate was clear for all to see.

Seeing Lord Lei Hou lost in thought, Wang Yu offered a kind smile, then used his spiritual power to send him outside the Sword Sect, transmitting a message: “Given this excellent opportunity, there’s no need for you to re-enter the battle. Achieving one victory is enough to report to the Demonic Sect.”

Lord Lei Hou paused, then quickly assented. “Understood!” With his considerably damaged Thunder Spirit Corpse in tow, he then vanished into the demonic clouds, finding a good vantage point to observe the battle while healing his wounds.

Heavenly Sword Peak.

The Sword Head of Haoran Peak frowned, scrutinizing Wang Yu for a moment: “Venerable Ji Fa, you differ somewhat from other demonic cultivators. I’ve heard from fellow Daoists of the Thunderfire Temple that you have certain ties with their Dao Child.”

This ‘tie’ referred to Lei Yao. Wang Yu had a good personal relationship with her, a bond formed and trust forged during adversity, leading to a high degree of mutual reliance. Since the destruction of the Thunderfire Temple, Wang Yu had neither seen nor heard any news of Lei Yao. It was at this moment that he suddenly remembered the remnants of the Seven Righteous Sects were barely surviving within the Sword Sect’s territory, yet he couldn’t see any of them here.

Observing this situation, the Sword Head of Haoran Peak sneered. “Stop looking. As the esteemed leader of the Righteous Path, how could the Sword Sect allow the remaining descendants of those Daoists to return to the battlefield? It seems your past connection with Miss Lei is true. Since you once served as the vanguard against demons at Taihu, why not fully pledge yourself to the Sword Sect? If you are inclined, I, the Sword Head, can certainly introduce you.”

Wang Yu’s face twitched. He hadn’t expected this matter to be revealed. Indeed, he was now a Soul Transformation Venerable, and all his past experiences held value for investigation, whether for intelligence gathering or other purposes. Unearthing his past would certainly yield benefits.

“Given how things stand, what is the meaning of your words?”

“These are not my thoughts, but Lei Yao’s.” Having said that, the Sword Head of Haoran Peak pointed to the Yin-Yang Demon Lord on another sword peak, who was laughing madly while openly exploiting female disciples of the Sword Sect. “His father was a close friend of mine during his lifetime,” he stated, then added, “Lei Yao also calls me ‘uncle’.” “Should this demon be executed?”

Their entire conversation took place through divine sense. Though many words seemed exchanged, in reality, only a brief moment of time had passed.

Wang Yu’s eyes narrowed, his expression unreadable. The Sword Head of Haoran Peak, however, burst into laughter, drawing his sword with audacity and lunging at Wang Yu. Meanwhile, Old Demon Wang, who should have been easily capable of handling a mid-stage Soul Transformation opponent, appeared somewhat flustered and outmatched. He was surprisingly unable to withstand the might of the Haoran Sword Qi. The two battled from Heavenly Sword Peak all the way to Qingyun Peak, where the seven-colored sword energy transformed into vibrant clouds, instantly wiping out all nearby demonic cultivators. The solidified rainbow light formed into a sword, swiftly severing the Yin-Yang Demon Lord’s right arm. Shocked and enraged, he couldn’t comprehend why a Soul Transformation Venerable would target him. Could it be that his public acts of exploitation were simply too egregious?

Then Wang Yu was heard to reprimand, “You Sword Head, cease your attacks on the junior!”

“Hahahaha, what can you do to me?”

Their roles seemed completely inverted: Wang Yu appeared as a righteous gentleman, while the Sword Head of Haoran Peak resembled a vile old demon, deliberately preying on the weak. Though Wang Yu’s shouts were loud, his actions were nowhere to be seen. It was a complete farce.

This performance left everyone bewildered. The Sky-Refining Demon Venerable, in particular, frowned deeply: “This fellow is still trying to slack off and blend in. He has absolutely no sense of shame!”

Seeing this, Lord Wuji Demon chuckled. “Such an unconventional approach, utterly disregarding appearances, truly embodies the essence of demonic cultivation. Since Daoist Ji Fa is waiting for us to make a move, why not humor him?”

“Very well.”

As the Sky-Refining Demon Venerable stepped forward, the Yin-Yang Demon Lord met a perplexing and humiliating end. His head was severed and taken by the Sword Head, while his corpse was claimed by Wang Yu. The corpse of this Joyful Union Sect Demon Lord was perfectly suited for refining a unique type of zombie known as the Yin-Yang Demonic Corpse. Having cultivated the path of Yin-Yang harmony in life, he was premium material for crafting demonic corpses. It was undoubtedly one of the finest treasures among the Nascent Soul ranks. After performing such a play, though spontaneous, he needed to gain something from it, otherwise it wouldn’t align with his established image.

Meanwhile, the challenge issued by the Demonic Path’s leader to Venerable Taixu drew the world’s attention. The former, immensely talented, broke through to the Soul Transformation stage at a young age and had by now achieved perfect cultivation, his renown widespread. The latter was exceedingly ancient, even more decrepit than Granny Silver Moon of Moon-Gazing Palace. It was said he had once consumed a supreme longevity spiritual pill prepared by the First Human Emperor himself. His lifespan had been extended by a thousand years, allowing him to survive until now, despite not belonging to the same era of cultivators. However, even now, his life was drawing to a close.

An old man with a white beard and white robes, wielding a sword.A handsome young man, wreathed in flames that scorched the sky.

Symbolizing the peak cultivators of two distinct eras, they finally collided. A climactic battle was imminent.

Rewinding time slightly:

Just before the decisive battle commenced, the Hell King Spiritual Official had already deduced some of the truth about it. However, the predicament of having no capable subordinates made him regret dealing with Wang Yu prematurely. His scheme to gain an advantage backfired, leading to his current dire straits. It was too late for regrets.

Furthermore, the Dao injury sustained from violating immortal rules was more challenging to heal than reconstructing a physical body. As a perfected cultivator at the peak of the Void Refinement stage, he had already comprehended a few rules, possessing the ability to command the five elements and manipulate the cosmos. One step further would be to merge with the Dao, thereby becoming a highly esteemed true cultivator even in the True Spirit Realm. He hailed from one of the eight divisions under the Immortal Palace. This was the Immeasurable Immortal Prison Department, responsible for all Immortal Palace punishments and the formulation of rules. It was an entity universally feared and respected, holding a considerable position within the Immortal Palace. It was this talented junior, cultivating the *Void Immortal Scripture*, who received the assignment to oversee the Ice Prison Realm—a task that proved to be both a blessing and a curse. The blessing lay in the opportunity to constantly observe immortal rules while supervising this realm, which offered significant benefits for merging with the Dao. The misfortune, however, was that the Ice Prison Realm was anything but peaceful.

Periodically, when cultivators within the realm reached their peak, a few individuals would always emerge, attempting to defy destiny. For this reason, their predecessors had used immense power to drag the Ice Prison Realm into the core region of realms under Immortal Palace jurisdiction, allowing for swift suppression of any demonic unrest. He was not far from the Ten Thousand Realms Reception Platform, only a virtual path difference of two or three worlds away. To heal his Dao injury, he inevitably needed to return and recuperate within the Immortal Palace’s sacred structures, where complete recovery was assured. Alas, time waits for no one.

At that time, near Coral Island.

“Long Chan, Tian Mu, have the matters entrusted to you been completed?” A small rift opened in the void, and an ethereal voice emanated from within.

Long Chan immediately responded in deference, “Reporting, Exalted One, the seeds sent by the Taihu cultivators to Coral Island have all been captured by me into this Primordial Gold Bowl. In total, there are one thousand three hundred individuals, including twelve Nascent Soul cultivators, with the remainder being Core Formation and Foundation Establishment cultivators, all quite young and of excellent aptitude.”

The Hell King Spiritual Official was quite pleased with this suddenly acquired sycophant. Although Long Chan’s performance was not as exceptional in strength as Tian Mu’s, his attitude of complete self-abandonment pleased him greatly, making him far more useful than the previous Ling Xuzi. “Excellent. Tian Mu Su, has the Sword Child responded?”

Among the Sword Sect’s twelve Sword Children, no one could have imagined that one would be a realm traitor, forsaking a promising future to serve the elusive Hell King Spiritual Official. It was unfathomable what he was thinking.

Tian Mu Su replied, “The matter has been completed. According to the Sword Child, there’s a 20% chance that the plans of both the righteous and demonic paths revolve around the sword mound, and a 30% chance they depend on the trump card prepared by the Sky-Refining Demon Venerable. The remaining 50% probability lies with the Ancient Life Demon suppressed beneath the Sword Sect’s main gate. There’s a very high chance the opposition will release it to counter you, Exalted One.”

“Is it this trick again?” The Hell King Spiritual Official had gained considerable experience from his predecessor, who, by seizing the opportunity to comprehend immortal rules daily, successfully merged with the Dao and was subsequently assigned to a more fitting position. This station was then inherited by his disciple. Most past generations of overlords chose to utilize the power of ancient demons to resist the external overseers, intending to fight fire with fire. Little did they know, this very act perfectly aligned with his intentions. Immortal rules bound the realm’s inhabitants and also restricted the Hell King Spiritual Official. However, as the supreme power that created the Ice Prison Realm, how could the Immortal Palace not leave some loophole? This method of suppressing ancient demons was precisely a viable loophole within the immortal rules, specifically designated for the Hell King Spiritual Official’s use. As long as the actions were deemed reasonable for suppressing ancient demons, or even preventing their emergence, they would pass the immortal rules’ judgment, allowing peak Void Refinement cultivators to unleash their full power. Only he was aware of this fact. Thus, upon hearing the news, a wide grin spread across his face.

“If that is the case, you are to secretly infiltrate the vicinity of the Sword Sect and project the details of the decisive battle between the righteous and demonic factions into this mirror. When the time is right, await my command.”

“Tian Mu Su understands.”

“We respectfully obey your command, Exalted One!”

Returning to the present moment:

Behind the Sky-Refining Demon Venerable, demonic flames surged, transforming into world-destroying fire dragons. Wherever they passed, vegetation, rocks, and even spiritual energy were consumed and refined. Even space itself vibrated incessantly, unable to resist that immense Sky-Refining power. It should be noted that the space around the Sword Sect had been specially reinforced. This was specifically to defend against Soul Transformation cultivators skilled in spatial techniques. Now further reinforced by formations, it was originally intended as a countermeasure against the Hell King Spiritual Official tearing through space. Yet, it was nearly shattered by the Sky-Refining Demon Venerable. This showed that they had not obtained the core inheritance of the Void Dao Scripture.

The elements refined by the demonic flames merged into a single entity, becoming a power akin to heavenly might during a celestial tribulation. The Sky-Refining Demon Venerable called it World Power. Possessing omnipotent characteristics, it was truly universal and versatile! It was the most remarkable achievement of the Sky-Refining Dao!

Even the widely knowledgeable Venerable Taixu was startled by this culmination of power. He understood the purpose of this World Power after a brief moment of contemplation. He immediately chuckled softly. “Sky-Refining whelp, when this Venerable One governed the world, your eighteen generations of ancestors had yet to be born! How dare you covet the Sword Sect’s territory with your meager abilities? —Sword, come!”

In the sky, most of the demonic clouds dispersed. One side remained engulfed in demonic flames, while the other was purified by thousands of miles of auspicious clouds. Then, a sword light descended from beyond the heavens. Venerable Taixu stated, “This sword is named Dao Seeker. It is my soul-bound spiritual treasure, forged and refined over many years. Its spirit has fully transformed into a weapon-spirit, dwelling year-round in the gales beyond the heavens, undergoing constant tempering. It absorbs the essence of the sun and moon, and refines the power of all celestial constellations to hone its edge. Today, I shall teach you, young one, the meaning of respecting your elders!”

The Dao Seeker sword was three feet, six inches long, its hilt resembling a shadow of the starry sky. Its blade shimmered with starlight, peerlessly sharp, while divine sun and moon patterns adorned its entire length. A Langhuan red jade was set into its hilt, radiating a potent aura of bloodshed. It was clear this was a sword of slaughter, not a ceremonial artifact.

The peak Soul Transformation power that suddenly erupted, augmented by the soul-bound magic treasure, instantly surged to its limit. The world-destroying spectacle extended for thousands of miles, as if the entire starry sky were unfurling upon them. Wang Yu, who was currently staging a mock battle, possessed acute divine sense. Turning his head in an instant, he was shaken to his core by the sight, his pupils dilating. The power of a peak Soul Transformation cultivator was even more terrifying than he had anticipated; it might truly possess the ability to destroy a realm! Space shattered like fragile glass, a vast area breaking apart effortlessly. Venerable Wuji Demon and Venerable Earth Fiend Demon had vanished from their former aerial positions, apparently on a secret Sky-Refining mission.

Looking back at the peak battle, the demonic flames surged even more fiercely, contending with the star river sword shadows and rapidly refining their power to augment the World Power’s mass. Venerable Taixu was subtly, yet distinctly, being suppressed by the Sky-Refining Demon Venerable. The old man’s brow twitched. His hands pressed down in the void again, and the star river sword shadows multiplied from one to two, then two to three, and finally three to ten thousand. In an instant, the heavens and earth were entirely filled with star river sword shadows. All of them surged towards the Sky-Refining Demon Venerable. The demonic flame dragons also divided in response. Demonic dragons devoured the star river, and demonic flames refined the world!

The formidable power was completely assimilated by the even more ruthless Sky-Refining intent. The so-called World Power accumulated endlessly. Yet, Venerable Taixu showed no remorse. He continued to employ such methods to contend with it. Only then did Wang Yu realize that the previous scene was not their full display of power, but rather a performance—a charade designed to help the Sky-Refining Demon Venerable’s unique power, derived from refining all things in the world, to grow continuously stronger.

The duel between the two had long since caused all demons to retreat and sword cultivators to turn back! They had cleared the space, allowing the epochal battle between the two peak powerhouses to continue. However, the hidden observers thought differently: they were clearly being played. What was the point of waiting any longer?

A cold snort echoed through the void. The Hell King Spiritual Official, the central figure, formally made his appearance.