Chapter 565: Shock

Literary Arts, Profound Mirror Immortal Clan!

Baixiang Valley.

More than half a year ago, Baixiang Valley was breached by Tuoba Chongyuan. The surrounding areas, including Qun Yuan Mountain and Nu Mountain, were completely plundered, and large regions became demon-infested lands where demonic cultivators ran rampant.

Tang Shedou was no incompetent man. With Tuoba Chongyuan already dead, Tang Shedou received orders and charged into the mountains midway, cleaving the demon-infested territory into two. He then pressed directly into Baixiang Valley, returning to the site within two hours. His Long Heaven Halberd was already renowned, having remained unsheathed for many years. Now, charging in with a single surge, he killed over ten demonic cultivators one after another. With each strike of the halberd, they perished completely, their souls unable to escape. His white armor gleamed, stained and dripping with demon blood. He halted here to stand guard, and with his Long Halberd planted firmly, he cut a truly imposing figure, immensely proud.

"Where is Li Xizhi..." Tang Shedou glanced at the jade slip and asked casually, "The agreed time limit was three days, yet he's nowhere to be seen?"

Tang Shedou had only just entered Baixiang Valley, and it was already the final day of the three-day deadline. This arrangement was already quite tight, and Tang Shedou didn't need to overthink it; it was clearly the doing of Chi Liangzhe and others from the Chi family. He had some reservations about Li Xuanfeng, and while he wouldn't intentionally target the Li family now, he also wouldn't show any special leniency or favor. Since Chi Liangzhe had provided him leverage, Tang Shedou naturally had his own approach: "If he hasn't arrived yet, make a note of it and send it to the main hall."

He wasn't so foolish as to play the villain; he would simply let the Chi and Li families harbor mutual animosity. After asking twice, his subordinate replied, "The Daoist arrived here an hour ago and will report to you immediately, sir."

Tang Shedou was proudly observing the demonic cultivators scattering before him when he raised his eyes. He noticed fiery red clouds filling the southern sky, which immediately sparked his suspicion. He paused slightly, then saw a man in white approach from below. The man possessed a graceful demeanor, a dark blue fan at his waist, and a sword at his other hip. His complexion was slightly pale as he calmly stated, "Greetings, Senior."

Tang Shedou merely glanced at him without asking anything, instead turning to a subordinate on his other side: "What's happening in the south?"

The subordinate answered in a low voice, "A cultivator has broken through to the Purple Mansion realm and become a True Lord."

"Oh?" Tang Shedou was momentarily stunned. Then, Li Xizhi, his expression calm, spoke up, his tone faintly cold and utterly faultless: "Reporting, sir, it is True Lord Tulong of the Tujun Sect, who has achieved the Scarlet Fire Divine Ability."

Tang Shedou stood motionless, frozen for two breaths, his voice trembling slightly: "Tulong Jian?"

"Precisely!"

Li Xizhi's cold words struck his heart. Tang Shedou slowly turned, meeting his calm eyes, his own heart filled with shock: "Tulong Jian... Tulong Jian! How could it be so fast! How could it be so fast!" A chill spread through him from head to toe. As he looked at Li Xizhi's face, a sudden sense of familiarity surged within him, and a pair of sinister eyes flashed before his mind's eye. His heart grew progressively colder: "That's right... he is Li Yuanjiao's own son... Tulong Jian! And Tulong Jian... killed that ruthless man... nearly cut off my path to survival!"

"What was he to do, and how could he possibly extricate himself?" Years ago, Tang Shedou had battled fiercely with Tulong Jian, even going so far as to taunt him before forcibly killing Li Yuanjiao. Now, the young man's cold gaze resurfaced in his mind, sending shivers down his spine. Tang Shedou had long known the secret of the Mirage Realm within Qingsong Temple. He was aware that individuals like Tulong Jian, despite their formidable appearance at the time, were ultimately destined to perish. This knowledge was what emboldened him to offend them so deeply. Who would have thought that a group of Purple Mansion cultivators, observing everything clearly in the Great Void, would actually allow him to escape! It was utterly preposterous!

Tang Shedou didn't know if the Purple Mansion cultivators had some elaborate scheme or if Tulong Jian had a powerful backer; he only knew that he had now become a pawn. A chilling sensation flowed into his heart, rendering him speechless. He didn't need to turn around or use his spiritual sense; Li Xizhi's expression behind him was easily imagined. Tang Shedou secretly seethed with resentment: "I was truly blinded by rage, what revenge was I seeking for Yu Muxian! To end up in such a situation!"

Tang Shedou slowly calmed down, and a plan quickly formed in his mind: "I must find a Purple Mansion backer. Otherwise, who knows what day I'll wake up to find the Scarlet Fire already burning at my heart!" His face was grim. Li Xizhi merely watched him from behind, his own emotions perfectly concealed, though inwardly a storm raged. This was his first time meeting Tang Shedou. He remembered deeply that Li Yuanjiao had died by this man's halberd. He never showed it, but his murderous intent toward Tang Shedou was certainly not light. "For now, wait... This person is difficult to deal with, I shouldn't mess things up... But he might guess something, I must guard against him harming me first!"

The two guarded against each other. Although their expressions remained unchanged and no words were exchanged, they simultaneously speculated on each other's thoughts.

Kuijun Mountain.

Kuijun Mountain is situated at the junction of Wu and Yue. To its north lies Tongmo Prefecture, belonging to the Yuyang Chen Clan. Beyond that prefecture is the southern foot of Dali Mountain, a mere ten thousand li from Wangyue Lake. This area borders the southern territories of the demon race. Further south, numerous demonic temples and witch kingdoms abound, paying tribute to the demon clan. Great demons frequent the area, making it essentially a livestock farm for the demon race.

Many years ago, Kuijun Mountain served as the dojo of the Tujun Sect. The mountain was originally covered in cold iron and frigid stones, with numerous chilling, yin-cold areas. Its terrain was treacherous, connecting to various witch kingdoms between Wu and Yue in the south, making it a remote location. Now, the mountain range is enveloped in a hazy red mist, drifting and glowing brightly as it flows through the peaks. Many of the cold stones and iron have transformed, now displaying scorching fiery red hues and drawing down a rain of fire. From a distance, the entire mountain range appears enshrouded in a dim yet brilliant fiery glow.

"Cultivators from the Witch Kingdoms congratulate the True Lord!" Streaks of Dharma light soared from within the red mist, respectfully halting before the mountain. They gazed at the mist with awe, waiting for a long time until, finally, a hazy fiery wind began to swirl in front of the mountain. This wind gathered and swirled before the mountain, transforming into a man in black. Beside him, two types of flames—ash-red and hazy—blazed fiercely, intertwining into gusts of scorching wind. He halted before the mountain and declared loudly: "Tulong greets you all!"

As soon as he finished speaking, all the cultivators were astonished and terrified. They prostrated themselves on the ground in unison, crying out in alarm and exclaiming in terror: "You humble us, True Lord! You humble us, True Lord! We are unworthy of such an address!"

This True Lord was naturally Tulong Jian. Despite enduring many tribulations and suffering the calamity of his clan's destruction at a young age, his youthful spirit remained strong. Whenever he met other cultivators, regardless of their cultivation level, he consistently addressed them as fellow Daoists. During his Foundation Establishment stage, this was acceptable; Qi Condensation cultivators, upon hearing such an address, merely felt a little flustered. But now that he had become a True Lord, how could any cultivator dare to be addressed as his peer? They were utterly filled with dread.

Tulong Jian, dressed in black robes, merely looked at the assembled cultivators and said softly: "I am rebuilding Tujun here. When the demonic disaster swept through previously, the Tujun disciples became displaced, each fleeing for their lives, and now their whereabouts are unknown. If any of you encounter Tujun disciples or those who uphold my Tujun Dao tradition anywhere, please guide them to the mountain gate. I will certainly reward them handsomely!"

Everyone meekly agreed. Tulong Jian nodded, then turned and returned into the mountain. The cultivators were slightly stunned; who would have thought he would refuse offerings, make no mention of integrating their forces, and merely state an inexplicable request before departing just like that? The cultivators, though inclined to pledge allegiance, dared not enter the red mist. They exchanged glances, then finally dispersed like the wind.

Barely a few breaths passed before a bright light appeared before the mountain range, and a True Lord materialized. He possessed a kind and gentle face with a pair of willow-leaf eyes, yet his voice was deep: "I am Changxiao. I ask True Lord Tulong to show yourself for a meeting."

Before he finished speaking, another figure appeared before the mountain: a woman in ancient Daoist robes, holding an umbrella. She cast a cold glance at True Lord Changxiao, then said softly: "Bi Hengxing of Hengzhu Dao, congratulations to the True Lord on achieving the divine ability!"