CHAPTER 332: CHAPTER 310: EXOTIC LIVING TEXTS

The fate of our Dianchuan Province is now in the hands of those children...

Dongfang Qing withdrew his gaze from Ten Thousand Caves Mountain. He found a clean spot and, like the Fuyao Great Saint Cao Wuji, lay down fully clothed. It wasn’t long before faint snores could be heard.

The two Primordial Spirit experts, one after the other, thus neatly and efficiently fell asleep.

The Dao Experts of Dianchuan Province and the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains exchanged looks. After staring blankly for a while, they reluctantly returned to the sides of their respective Primordial Spirit experts.

No matter how fiercely they argued or how violently they fought outside, they couldn’t influence the overall situation. The final course of events would be determined by those few people in the mountains.

"Old Wu, are those kids under you reliable?"

Glancing at Cao Wuji, who was meditating with his eyes closed, the Green Hill Ruler stroked the green strands of hair hanging over her shoulder and asked the Sovereign of Myriad Vines, who was cloaked in pitch-black robes beside her.

"Reliable. They are all descendants propagated from my main vine, and with my Magical Treasures in their hands, dealing with a few juniors of the Blood-Stained Realm won’t be a problem."

The voice of the Sovereign of Myriad Vines was peculiar, resembling the rustling of numerous leaves.

"But those juniors are all heavenly prodigies of their respective sects. Take Monk Kongwen from Dachan Temple, for instance. That bald donkey took a blow from my Daoist Spirit and didn’t die, only spitting out a mouthful of blood. His flesh and bones have attained an unbelievable realm, even more terrifying than us Demons. Then there’s Zhao Zaiyang from the Nature Banner, rumored to be the direct grandson of the old banner lord, destined to die at birth. Yet he was resuscitated against fate by that old banner lord, sealed within the Natural Heavenly Pond, and forced to endure seven hundred years of death’s tribulation. From a doomed mortal body, he was forcefully nourished into a natural Dao Body. The full force of his summoned natural power has a might rivaling that of a Dao Expert. And there’s Zhou Wen from the Great Righteousness Academy, the strongest Grand Scholar of this generation. He can argue heaven’s language, verbally duel with a sharp tongue, and has single-handedly talked six Blood-Stained Peak Great Demons to death. Then there’s Xia Wan from the Ingenious Mechanism Sect and Song Nian from Star Mansion Sea Cliff. As well as Qi Xiu, the Six Arts Dao Idiot, who not long ago brutally fought his way through Dianchuan, soaring to tenth place on the Blood Chart... Each of them is capable of surviving an encounter with a Dao Body expert and escaping with their life. Each one is a heavenly prodigy. So many monstrous talents mixed together. Old Wu, can your tree sons really handle it?"

Leaning against a rock with his arms folded, Red Stream Sovereign Ji Jing exhaled a puff of black smoke, his eyes showing skepticism.

"Ten Thousand Caves Mountain is our home ground, after all, and those children of mine are no mediocrities. Moreover, they have my Magical Treasures in their hands. Rest assured."

The confidence brimming in the Sovereign of Myriad Vines’ voice made the other five Kings slowly nod, feeling somewhat more at ease.

"Old Wu, you’re aware of the seriousness of this situation. The circumstances inside the mountain had better be as you say. If there really is any mishap, don’t drag us down with you."

"Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing."

「In the midst of Ten Thousand Caves Mountain」

An Asura World constructed entirely from white bones and remains lay here. The sky was blood-red, and the ground was muddy. Endless broken figures staggered around, like ceaseless waves surging towards the world’s center.

BOOM—

Dazzling golden lightning tore through the void.

A tall figure in a wide-sleeved Taoist Robe strode forward, his cold and merciless eyes, filled with endless lightning, surveying this world.

This is already the thirty-seventh cave, and still no sight of Zhao Zaiyang and the others...

Qi Xiu’s arrival became the focal point of this cavern world. The staggering figures wandering through the world looked up in unison the moment he stepped in, their hollow eyes suddenly bursting with frightful ferocity.

The Thunder Eye between his brows slowly spread open. Fearsome lightning, like a colossal pillar, roared out, instantly turning numerous shattered figures into swirling ashes.

Noticing no sign of Zhao Zaiyang and the others, Qi Xiu considered tearing apart this cave space and moving to the next.

But just as he was about to leave, an unusual aura, buried deep within this cave space, slowly revealed itself.

Transforming into a surge of lightning, he approached a viscous Blood Lake. Numerous flesh remains floated in it, and it bubbled with foul-smelling foam.

Surveying this unsightly water, Qi Xiu waved his sleeve. Fierce purple flames flew out, instantly burning all unclean and corrupt things to ash. What remained was a deep pit resembling an upside-down altar, its surface covered with numerous ancient inscriptions.

Upon seeing the text at the bottom of the lake, Qi Xiu was momentarily stunned. Then, his expression abruptly changed, and he quickly shifted his gaze.

But that momentary glance was enough.

On Qi Xiu’s body, fleshy tumors shaped like large cauldrons began to erupt. Something inside wriggled as if to break free.

Outer Realm living text!

Alarmed, Qi Xiu’s fingertips moved slightly. Countless golden lights from Suppressing Talismans surged out, obliterating the flesh tumors on his body that had grown due to infection by the Outer Realm forces.

It seems we can almost confirm that this is the place for invoking the Outer Realm Evil God.

With the golden light of Suppressing Talismans circulating around him, Qi Xiu looked again at the Outer Realm living text at the bottom of the lake. Those strands of Outer Realm power, capable of rapid mutation, were firmly blocked.

The Outer Realm living text was the medium of power created by the Outer Realm Evil God. Each character contained the aura and will of the Outer Realm Evil God, as if alive. Whether seen, heard, or touched, one would be infected by the Evil God’s power within and subsequently become a servant of the Outer Realm Evil God.

Scanning the pit, which was filled with Outer Realm living characters, Qi Xiu quickly noticed something unusual.

There really is something here.

With a thought, a patch of silt in the depths of the lake stirred. Qi Xiu retrieved a palm-sized, grotesquely shaped blood-red cauldron from within it.

Sensing the Outer Realm aura on this cauldron, which was dozens of times stronger than normal, Qi Xiu’s gaze flickered slightly.

With this cauldron, I can prove that this place is indeed used for invoking an Outer Realm Evil God. But it doesn’t prove that Demonic Evil Cultivators are leading the efforts. However, it counts as some evidence, Qi Xiu thought, flipping his hand and storing the cauldron into his Universe in the Sleeve.

This cauldron was steeped in a strong Outer Realm aura and could not be placed within the Golden Cry Jade Beads; otherwise, it would contaminate everything inside, rendering them unusable.

This cauldron must be an item used in the ritual to invoke the Outer Realm Evil God. Ten Thousand Caves Mountain is vast and boundless; finding those Demonic Evil Cultivators in charge of the ritual is like finding a needle in a haystack. Since that’s the case, why not change my approach? It would be easier to have them come to me. Then we can capture them red-handed. Even if they want to deny it, they won’t be able to explain themselves.

His eyes shimmered. After reaching the Blood-Stained Realm, Qi Xiu had grown accustomed to using powerful techniques and Rune Arrays to directly annihilate his opponents. He hadn’t plotted an overall situation or schemed against his enemies for a long time. This trip to Ten Thousand Caves Mountain posed a challenge: he was exposed while the enemy was hidden, with no knowledge of their numbers.

In such a constrained situation, Qi Xiu’s old... strategically shrewd instincts surfaced once more. Relying on just one ritual cauldron, he started contemplating a comprehensive plan to trap and kill them.

There must be more than one of these cauldrons. With enough ritual implements, those sneaky Demonic Cultivators hiding in the dark will undoubtedly come searching for me. With these items as leverage, perhaps the whereabouts of my Second Senior Sister can also be ascertained.

Aside from completing the task assigned by the Sect Master, Qi Xiu’s main goal in coming to Ten Thousand Caves Mountain was to find his missing Second Senior Sister, Nangong Qingqiu. According to the predictions and divinations of the Supreme Sect Leader Dongfang Qing, Nangong Qingqiu was indeed within Ten Thousand Caves Mountain, but her exact location was unknown.

Having reached a conclusion, Qi Xiu casually waved his hand, tearing open the Cosmic Bi before him. He strode forward into the next mountain cave space.

「In a dim, gloomy, and cold space」

A colossal manor stood firm, its grandeur akin to an Immortal Realm on earth. The estate was surrounded by lush green mountains, with high walls hidden among flowers in full bloom. Countless pink lanterns hung within, resembling stars in the night sky and lending an extra touch of charm to the nocturnal scene. A gentle breeze blew, causing the lanterns to sway, casting soft light that created a hazy and dreamlike atmosphere throughout the manor.

At this moment, the manor was alive with orioles singing and swallows dancing. Melodious music and a decadent aura permeated every corner.

The Seven-Headed Vine Demons, dressed in vibrant and colorful attire, their root-entwined limbs sprawling, recklessly indulged in fine wine at exquisite stone tables, their laughter unrestrained and their drunkenness apparent. They were surrounded by beautiful women of various races. Some danced in light veils, as elegant as clouds; others held feathered fans, their eyes full of allure, their dance captivating.

The Vine Demons casually enjoyed the women’s performances. When the mood struck, they would extend a vine, snatch up a woman, and laugh boisterously amidst her surprised shrieks as they toyed with her.

"Eldest Brother, Father sent a message. He wants us to quickly take care of those Human Race brats who broke into the mountain," said the youngest Vine Demon, swaying as he approached the Vine Demon in a bright red robe. He let out a drunken hiccup, his eyes hazy.

"I know. Father’s temper has become so short lately. Those Human Race brats have been poisoned; by now, most of them are probably dead. Just a few human animals, and they really thought they could turn the world upside down? Two came before, and we beat one to death and gravely injured the other. Now, six more have come. They truly don’t know their own limitations."

Seated in the main position, Wu Yi raised several vines to drain the wine jar before him. He then turned to look at a Vine Demon on his right, who was approaching a dark-skinned woman with a lecherous smile.

"Second Brother, did you catch that crazy woman yet?"

"Nope. That crazy woman is very slippery. But her injuries are getting heavier; she probably can’t run for many more days. Hey, let’s agree first: if we catch her, I get to play with her first. I need to vent my frustrations properly!" Wu Er said, extending his black tongue to lick his lips, his eyes full of wicked light.

"Alright, alright, Eldest Brother will indulge you," Wu Yi readily agreed to his younger brother’s request with a grand wave of his hand.

The other five Vine Demons all raised their hands, eager for their turn after Second Brother.

The seven demons’ clamor instantly turned the entire hall into a den of vice.

The origins of these Seven-Headed Vine Demons were quite peculiar. Years ago, to advance his Cultivation, the Sovereign of Myriad Vines practiced an esoteric art called the "Desire-slaying Skill." He severed his four great desires—for wine, women, wealth, and wrath—from his body to achieve a clear mental state, causing his Cultivation to soar.

The Sovereign of Myriad Vines did not waste these severed desires. He broke off seven main vines from his own body and, using a Secret Technique, created these seven offspring. They took his surname, Wu, and were named Yi, Er, San, Si, Wu, Lu, and Qi.

Although these seven Vine Demons only possessed Blood-Stained Peak strength, they inherited the Sovereign of Myriad Vines’ Dao Body Realm techniques, insights, and experience, and they wielded his Magical Treasures. Together, the seven demons could exert half the combat power of a Dao Body Realm cultivator.

This was the source of the Sovereign of Myriad Vines’ earlier confidence and also the reason why Wei Wuji and Nangong Qingqiu had been so grievously injured.