CHAPTER 431: CHAPTER 373: HARMONIZING YIN YANG, THE REALM OF FIRE TRIBULATION

Practice Chamber.

Song Lin did not immediately retreat to secluded cultivation. Instead, he carefully studied his physical body.

Pure and white like jade, almost devoid of pores.

With a simple thought, his arm transformed into a dragon claw, a tiger’s paw; stone, flames...

The transformations followed his mind, profound and unfathomable.

Beyond transformation and avatars, his body possessed an indestructible quality.

"Master the profound mysteries of Eight-Nine Transformations, and you shall roam freely across the mortal realm."

Song Lin couldn’t help but recall these words.

Even the cultivation methods described in the *Mixed Play Journey to the West* couldn’t compare to this overwhelming power. Song Lin had refined this technique with the *Nine-Transformation Indestructible Body* as a foundation, supplemented by Wang Shen’s *72 Transformations* and the first layer’s cloud energy, along with the third layer’s earth energy from the *Qiankun Treasure*.

It could be said to combine the strengths of countless schools of thought.

Song Lin had recreated the mythical *Nine-Transformation Mystical Skill*.

No, wait.

When he traversed into this world, he had never even heard of the term *Nine-Transformation Mystical Skill.* Perhaps, he might have been its original inventor.

After all, the term *Nine-Transformation Mystical Skill* came from the words of Master Yuding, and Song Lin just so happened to carry the title of Master Yuding in this story.

Moreover, in the future, he might truly encounter Erlang God in this world. Given that there was a faint karmic connection (the Daoist soldiers under Erlang God had gained spiritual wisdom and had remained in this world ever since), Song Lin intended to impart this cultivation method to that fellow as well.

Song Lin set aside these idle thoughts and silently activated the tribulation-crossing cultivation method bestowed by Zhengxin.

The sky grew heavy with dark clouds, as an impending storm brewed.

The process of crossing a tribulation involved two major challenges. The first was external—testing one’s Taoist Realm, Divine Skills, mana, and cultivation level. The second was internal, testing mental clarity, willpower, and inner resolve. A single lapse in heart-mind unity would expose a fatal flaw, allowing the Heavenly Tribulation to rip one apart until the soul itself was annihilated.

Externally,

the war raged on, growing fiercer by the day.

The Xuanzong Shangqing Dao Alliance, also known as the Xuanqing Dao Alliance, was embroiled in turmoil.

Beside the Sword Washing Pool, sat a White-Clothed Sword Immortal.

His robes fluttered without wind, silvery-white hair framed his temples, while his icy star-like gaze was accentuated by a silver mark at the center of his brow.

This was the Sword Leader Qingchen!

The lake’s surface was clear, occasionally rippling.

A White Crane soared above, spiraling several times before descending. Mid-descent, it transformed into a book.

Qingchen opened the book to discover intelligence reports on recent demon incursions along the coast.

The incidents had begun when the Spirit Treasure Sect’s Heavenly Master first set a poor precedent, prompting other Taoist alliances to retaliate.

What had started as restrained skirmishes between the two parties quickly escalated into unbridled slaughter as losses on both sides mounted.

Seizing the opportunity, the demons invaded the borders of Wu Country.

Tap, tap, tap...

Footsteps echoed as a Taoist garbed in red approached, carrying a jade sword box on his back and treading on waves of Sword Qi in the void.

Wherever he passed, swirling Sword Qi gathered around him like mist, before diffusing like a great bird taking flight.

This was Jian Wuliang, a Heavenly Master of the Nine Heavens Jade Tower Dao Alliance, commonly known as the Building Master.

Clearly, he too was aware of the situation.

"Taoist Qingchen, since this was all caused by Elder Tianji, why not hold him accountable?"

Qingchen shook his head with a faint smile and replied, "It cannot be done."

By this point, the situation had spiraled out of control, with several Taoist alliances having lost their authority. Punishing Spirit Treasure at such a critical juncture wouldn’t make the demons retreat,

and reprimanding them right now might instead incite passive resistance from our allies.

"Pretend not to notice, and issue a strict order for them to repel the demons. They should understand that this is an olive branch."

"Should we provide support?" asked Jian Wuliang.

"No, let them deal with the mess they created themselves," Qingchen responded.

"As for the northern Moyu Country and the western Yujue Demon Country, I will handle the negotiations with them to prevent opportunistic border incursions."

Having served as Dragon Head Master for centuries, Qingchen’s skill in mediating relations between the Human and Demon Clans had reached near perfection.

This was what he referred to as "balancing Yin and Yang": sacrificing minor benefits to achieve greater gains and exchanging space for time.

The demons, by nature, were powerful, with their numbers of high-ranking experts being more than tenfold that of humanity. The reason humanity had maintained a relative peace until now largely stemmed, in Qingchen’s view, from his own machinations.

As he contemplated this, Qingchen turned to Jian Wuliang, "Wuliang Junior Brother, how close are you to advancing to the Harmonization Realm?"

"Very close. If I could become the Dragon Head Master, under the Heavenly Human Connection, I would be one hundred percent confident in reaching Harmonization."

"Good. Let them fight for now and weaken their forces. When the Crown Prince ascends to the throne, I will recommend you as the new Dragon Head Master."

During his last meeting with the Spirit Treasure Heavenly Master, Qingchen had claimed he didn’t care for the position of Dragon Head Master and was willing to pass it on; in truth, he intended for Jian Wuliang of the Nine Heavens Jade Tower Dao Alliance to assume the role.

The two Dao Alliances revered the same Primordial Emperor Daojun’s Heavenly Court, sharing a common origin and closely aligned interests.

Even more valuable was Jian Wuliang’s single-minded dedication. He never entangled himself in worldly affairs.

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

"In that case, send a disciple to deliver a letter to the Python God Great True Monarch of the Moyu Country’s Python God Tribe, inviting them to visit the Nine Heavens Jade Tower Dao Alliance in the north. But make certain not to harm any Taoists there."

The Shangqing Dao Alliance and Nine Heavens Jade Tower controlled the rich lands spanning the Central Plains to the northwest and further west.

The north and northeast were under the domains of the Jiuxiao Dao Alliance and Miao Fa Netherworld, while the southeast belonged to the Heaven and Earth Sect, with Lingnan falling under the control of the Black Heaven Law Realm and the Southwest Witch God Heavenly King.

The seven major Taoist alliances collectively safeguarded humanity, each responsible for their territories and fulfilling their roles.

Yet the relationship between demons and humanity was not always one of irreconcilable conflict. For example, the Python God Tribe, numbering three hundred thousand demons, had pledged fealty to Qingchen himself.

Apart from high-bloodline demons, the majority of demons were relegated to desolate and impoverished regions, surviving under dire conditions.

The Python God Great True Monarch ruled one such tribe in Moyu Country, whose governing structure was a tribal alliance. Each year, the Shangqing Dao Alliance provided materials equivalent to ten billion dharma coins to sustain the Python God Tribe.

In turn, the alliance was effectively their benefactor, and the demonic tribe operated as Qingchen’s personal legion, stabilizing the northern frontier for the Shangqing Dao Alliance.

There was, of course, a risk of feeding potential adversaries. One day, these starving wolves might develop boundless greed. But this was Qingchen’s strategy.

He traded resources for time.

"Time..."

After seeing Jian Wuliang off, Qingchen let out a heavy sigh.

A Sword Immortal should embody unrestrained vengeance, free and unburdened.

In his younger years, he had been exactly that—carefree and unconcerned with consequences, achieving transcendence of mind and body, and roaming as he pleased.

The Harmonization Realm made one a peak existence among both humans and demons.

The only difference was that the Demon Clan might have a dozen or twenty such experts, not to mention even stronger ancient demons and beasts.

Meanwhile, humanity had only one Harmonization expert—himself.

While he could indulge in personal conflicts now, what about afterward?

Qingchen had become, in some people’s eyes, a wily schemer—a supposed traitor colluding with demons.

He dismissed these rumors, choosing instead to let time vindicate his actions.

Trading space for time.

Once Jian Wuliang achieved Harmonization, humanity would boast two Harmonization-stage cultivators. This would secure their dominance within the human race, enabling them to consolidate Wu Country’s Taoist Sect under unified leadership and resist the demons as one.

Subsequently, they could nurture other Heavenly Masters from different Dao Alliances, gradually strengthening humanity’s collective might.

Only a strong and capable Alliance Hierarch could consolidate humanity’s resources, negotiate on even terms with the Demon Clan, and even launch counteroffensives.

The current policy was one of humiliating concessions; in the distant future, there would be a balance of power, and eventually, comprehensive retaliation.

The demons were far from a monolithic force—this was a lesson Qingchen had learned through years of navigating the complex dance of diplomacy.

By the same token, humanity was equally divided.

To unify them, it was sometimes necessary to weaken them first.

Once Jian Wuliang successfully advanced, they would possess overwhelming strength, rendering disputes over succession moot.

Of course, Qingchen could take a more ruthless approach and secure his position using brute force alone.

But such a move carried immense risk; after all, two fists were no match for many hands, and humanity would inevitably experience extended periods of internal chaos.

With two Harmonization cultivators, the process would be far more manageable.

With this thought, Qingchen’s figure gradually faded into the void.

Jian Wuliang dispatched someone to the Python God Tribe, and soon, unrest emerged in the north.

The next day, Qingchen communicated to the other Dao Alliances to handle their internal issues independently.

The various Heavenly Masters had their own motives and refrained from seeking aid from the Dragon Head Dao Alliance, instead sending out their Taoist armies to quell the demon tides.

It had been nearly fifty years since the demons’ last Dragon Abyss Conference.

Fifty years of relative peace had given way to renewed turbulence. Fires of war engulfed the borders, leaving countless civilians dead or injured.

Still, the intensity was far less severe than before, restricted mostly to wars between minor tribes and Dao Alliances.

Meanwhile, a group of demons navigated inward from a coastal inlet.

Some demons rode surging river currents, others tread upon dark clouds.

Eerie black demonic energy tainted the skies, staining the clear azure with ominous red streaks.

Wherever the demonic swarms passed, daylight turned to darkness, and all life was extinguished.

The demonic army included innumerable shrimp soldiers and crab generals, numbering over 100,000.

Alongside aquatic demons were ten giant turtles.

On land, there were giant elephants, rhinos, mastiffs, and even half-human, half-demon elephant-hybrids—pure-blooded Elephant Demons.

Twenty heavily armored Elephant Demons flanked a lavish flying pavilion-ship.

Within the opulent interiors of the ship sat a three-zhang-tall hulking figure with cyan skin.

This demon was the Elephant Clan’s Demon Lord, his visage terrifyingly fierce. Behind his head glimmered twelve golden halos as he carried on his back two pale ivory spears, his muscles coiling like iron cables.

He had come this time for no other purpose than to slay Song Lin, his son’s killer.

Opposite the Elephant Lord sat the Yin King, as well as representatives from Yunhai and Tianhe’s factions.

The Yin King unfurled a map.

"All cultivators and humans in this region are free to kill!"

"How generous—are things slipping out of your control?"

The Elephant Lord sneered.

"Hmph, you don’t need to concern yourself. According to our agreement, the Heavenly Masters will overlook your division. You have only half a month of free reign. Take as much spoils as you can during this time."

It was clear that Tianhe had resigned himself to the inability to reclaim the Donghua Alliance’s territory. His only option now was extermination—wipe everything out.

Of course, a complete massacre was impossible to admit publicly, leading him to enlist the help of demons.

"Agreed!"

Elsewhere, the Heavenly Turtle Second Prince and Dragon Lord also reached an accord.

Before long, a contingent of demons crossed the great river and entered the sphere of influence of the Donghua Jungle.

"Divide the troops and march in all directions!"

The Elephant Lord and Second Prince issued their orders.

The demonic forces, like malevolent ghosts, exterminated all life wherever they went.

The masters among them, however, held back, observing the situation first.

Deep within the Donghua Jungle.

The tribulation clouds dissipated as Song Lin sat in meditative silence, grasping the transformations of the Dao.

Name: Song Lin

Realm: Transcendance Tribulation Stage (Fire Tribulation)

Taoist Realm: One Thousand Years

Divine Skills:

Nine-Transformation Mystical Skill, Qiankun Treasure, Celestial Star Pivot Thirty-Six Cloud Seal Talisman, Little Three Emperors Scripture, North Emperor Black Law, Five Qi Chaoyuan to Life Spirit Scripture, 72 Transformations, Donghua Taoist Soldiers Xuanzi Secret Book, North Emperor Xuantian Technique, Nine-Transformation Golden Pill Subtle Manifestation Technique, Shenxiao Thunder Skill, Heavenly Escape Sword Scripture...

Enhancements: [Emperor Seal], [Emperor’s Qi Observation Skill], [North Pole Ziwei Dao Pattern]...

Items: Nine Elders Immortal Capital Seal, Supreme Elder’s Eight Trigrams Furnace, Emperor Sword, Dragon Mansion Jade Gourd (containing all four Divine Dragons), Yellow God Secret Chapter...

His Taoist Realm had finally surpassed a millennium, and he ascended to the Fire Tribulation stage.

He was now in an unprecedented new realm.

Zhengxin, Mei Hua, Yuanbo, Earth Evil, and Heavenly Slaughter—all of them, apart from the secluded Crown Prince, flocked to this mountain.

It was unbelievable that Song Lin had so effortlessly succeeded in crossing the tribulation.

He now surpassed Earth Evil and Heavenly Slaughter by two minor realms and was on par with Zhengxin and Mei Hua.

"How do you feel?" Zhengxin asked.

"It feels excellent. Many thanks to all of you for serving as protectors."

Song Lin exhaled a breath of turbid air.

Just then, a subordinate came to report.

"Report! Demons have attacked the borders! Their numbers are estimated around 100,000!"

The group exchanged a glance.

"Are there transcendance-stage demons among them?" Song Lin inquired.

"It seems so."

Song Lin deliberated for a moment, then turned to Tianhe, Earth Slaughter, Zhengxin, and Yuanbo.

"The demonic forces are pressing in fiercely! I must ask the four of you to lead our troops to face them head-on!"

"Understood!"

Soon, Donghua Jungle mobilized its armies with remarkable efficiency. A total force of 20,000 Taoist soldiers, led by four Tribulation-Stage commanders representing various magical veins, advanced to confront the demons.

Song Lin and Mei Hua remained at headquarters, monitoring the battlefield situation while Song Lin also took the opportunity to further comprehend the transformations of the Dao.

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