CHAPTER 422: CHAPTER 421: HAS THE KUNLUN TAOIST ARRIVED?

The Hundred Thousand Mountains were not entirely mountains.

Hills, swamps, lakes, plains... all kinds of terrains were present.

But because the region was vast and the mountains rose and fell, stretching endlessly, even a Divine Realm powerhouse could not see the boundaries from a high vantage point, thus it was named the Hundred Thousand Mountains.

The Hundred Thousand Mountains were rich in spiritual energy, abundant in resources, teeming with Demon Beasts, scattered with spiritual materials, and contained countless spirit mines, which were spread all over, tempting anyone who laid eyes on them.

Thus, over countless years, cultivators from various sects, family cultivators, loose cultivators, martial artists, and people from all walks of life gathered here, forming a massive market city.

Kaiyuan City!

The largest market in the entire Desolate Ancient Realm.

It dwarfed the Celestial Essence Market by more than twice its size.

Moreover, because it had to guard against occasional beast horde assaults that formed in the Hundred Thousand Mountains, Kaiyuan City always had a Divine Realm powerhouse stationed within.

On this day, the grand array of Kaiyuan City was activated, and countless cultivators and martial artists, under the command and leadership of Enlightenment Realm cultivators, frantically unleashed their talismans, magical artifacts, and magic.

Outside the grand array, the chaotic roars echoed from all directions as countless Demon Beasts gathered outside the city. They approached overwhelmingly, continually attacking Kaiyuan City.

Among the Demon Beast horde, there were more than ten Spirit Communication Realm Great Demons with fierce momentum and massive bodies, roaring intimidatingly. Their imposing presence kept the various Demon Beasts in line, preventing internal conflict.

Aside from the Great Demons above Spirit Communication Realm, Demon Beasts seldom possessed intelligence. Among those of the same species, there were brutal skirmishes. A carnivorous Demon Beast would often attack a smaller, weaker Demon Beast when encountered.

Just like a True Dragon does not dwell with a snake, and a Phoenix does not dance with a chicken, without the intimidation of powerful Demon Beasts, the Demon Beast horde would fall into chaos and unable to organize a beast horde to strike back against human cultivators.

However, this time, the true organizer of the beast horde was not those dozen Spirit Communication Realm Great Demons, but a gigantic bear Demon, rising up to five zhang tall, an Earth Tyrant Bear of early-stage Divine Realm level.

"Kill!"

Master Zuo Tong, stationed at Kaiyuan City, wielded his Flying Sword, coordinating with twelve Enlightenment Realm cultivators to battle against it. In one strike, like lightning, it chopped fiercely.

Boom!

The Earth Tyrant Bear bore a layer of pale yellow earth attribute protective spell. The Flying Sword and other cultivators’ attacks struck it, causing the protective spell to tremble, yet it couldn’t be completely broken through.

However, following closely, countless other cultivators within Kaiyuan City also immediately unleashed talismans and magic, transforming into a sky full of light and shadows, which blasted upon it, immediately shattering its protective spell.

The burning of flames and magic like lightning further blackened its fur, making it look quite awkward.

"Courting death!"

The Earth Tyrant Bear roared!

Already at the Divine Realm level, its intelligence was no weaker than humans. Over the years, it learned human speech. Even though its voice was deep and sharp, like metal striking stone, loud and resonant, it was still very clear.

The attacks from those Qi Refinement Stage cultivators posed little threat to its tough skin and thick flesh.

But the pain from the strikes of magic was unbearable for it.

Thus, it soared into the air, rapidly approaching. Any Demon Beast blocking its way was instantly knocked away.

Then, its mouth opened wide, and a golden lump like stone quickly charged out, expanding in the wind in mid-air, transforming into a tall small mountain.

The small mountain smashed out fiercely, crashing down.

Rumble!

The Mountain Protection Array of Kaiyuan City was a Third-Grade Middle-Tier Array, not inferior to the Mountain Protection Arrays of some sects, with extremely strong defenses thanks to the support of countless cultivators.

But the golden small mountain wielded by the Earth Tyrant Bear was equally powerful. Coupled with its roar, thousands upon thousands of Demon Beasts simultaneously unleashed their Lifebound Demon Techniques, with thousands of demonic spells striking the City Defense Array—fireballs, hailstones, lightning, water dragons, wind blades...when they fell fiercely, they immediately dimmed the defense spiritual light of the array.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Just at this moment, the Earth Tyrant Bear approached directly. With its massive body in motion, its huge claws struck the array fiercely with great power. The continuous attacks kept crashing down, making the array even more unstable.

Even with the support of countless cultivators, and some using Top-grade Spiritual Stones as energy supply, it still seemed shaky.

"This beast’s power grew stronger. Last time we encountered it, its attacks were never this potent."

Master Zuo Tong’s face was somber, feeling immense pressure.

Quickly deploying his Flying Sword to interfere with the Bear Demon, but feeling something amiss in his heart.

"Also, this beast horde formed too suddenly this time, we couldn’t react in time, or else we wouldn’t be so passive."

Beside him, a late-stage Enlightenment Realm cultivator spoke reluctantly.

"We can’t keep going like this, the energy consumption of the array is too fast, even with many cultivators supporting it, we can’t last much longer."

"We’ve already requested aid from the nearest Major Immortal Technique Sect, the Beixuan Sect. When will Sect Leader Meng arrive?"

"From Beixuan Sect to here, the fastest will take an hour, now only half an hour has passed..."

...

Everyone’s heart sank immediately.

In half an hour, even if they could hold out, the consumption would certainly be tremendous.

Moreover, gazing at the endless Demon Beasts in the distance, their expressions couldn’t help but show worry.

No one knew exactly how many Demon Beasts resided within the Hundred Thousand Mountains.

But it was undeniable that their numbers far exceeded those of the Human Race Cultivators, by countless multiples.

Just near Kaiyuan City, there were two Divine Realm Great Demons, and although only one had appeared so far, who could tell if the other Tiger Demon was hiding in these endless mountains, waiting for the crucial moment to deliver a fatal blow?

"Roar!"

At this moment, a thunderous roar suddenly echoed out.

This roar was grand and powerful, and it carried a commanding presence that seemed capable of ruling over the world, exuding an awe-inspiring majesty that intimidated the pack of Demons.

"Not good! It’s the other Divine Realm Tiger Demon!"

"With two Divine Realm Great Demons on the move, our City Defense Array won’t hold for long."

"What should we do? Is Kaiyuan City really going to be breached?"

...

Countless Cultivators immediately became extremely panicked.

One Divine Realm Great Demon leading a horde of Demon Beasts was already a dire threat. With two Great Demons on the move, they stood no chance.

Even Master Zuo Tong, the only Early-stage Divine Realm Cultivator in Kaiyuan City, wore a look of despair as his expression turned particularly grim.

Yet, contrary to their expectations, the instant the Tiger Demon’s roar echoed out, the numerous Demon Beasts attacking Kaiyuan City suddenly ceased their assault and appeared incredibly alarmed, bracing themselves for an unforeseen adversary.

Even the Earth Tyrant Bear, with eyes like copper bells, displayed clear signs of uncertainty and suspicion in its gaze at that moment.

As Demon Beasts, they were particularly sensitive to sounds and could naturally discern that this Tiger Demon’s roar was not from the yellow-furred big tiger they were familiar with but from an entirely unfamiliar yet equally formidable Tiger King’s voice.

Immediately afterward, both the Human Cultivators and the countless Demon Beasts witnessed a gigantic White Tiger approaching rapidly like a flash of white lightning.

Tiger Demon! White Tiger Great Demon!

And it was a Spirit Communication Realm White Tiger Great Demon.

"White Tiger Great Demon? Isn’t this Tiger Demon from the Cyan Pine Forest?"

"Look, on the back of that White Tiger Great Demon, it seems like there’s someone there?"

"Indeed, could it be a Cultivator from our Human Race has arrived?

What kind of power would it take to tame a Divine Realm Level Tiger Demon?"

"Whew, nearly scared me to death. Luckily our reinforcements have arrived; otherwise, wouldn’t Kaiyuan City be... doomed?"

"But speaking of this White Tiger Great Demon, I suddenly recall someone."

"Throughout the Desolate Ancient Realm, there are quite a few Cultivators with Guardian Beasts, but those whose Guardian Beasts have the strength at the Divine Realm Level, there is only one..."

"Who?"

"The greatest power in the Desolate Ancient Realm, Kunlun Daoist, Bai Ziyue."

"It’s him? Has Kunlun Daoist arrived?"

...

Instantly, all the Cultivators in the Market of Kaiyuan City were in an uproar, their eyes wide open, filled with anticipation and reverence as they gazed at the fast-approaching White Tiger Great Demon, especially the young Daoist seated firmly upon its broad back.

Though they were in Kaiyuan City, close to the Hundred Thousand Mountains, they had long heard of the unmatched power and fame of this individual, whose name was known throughout the Immortal Technique World and even the Mortal World, as the world’s greatest power.

...

The newcomer was, of course, Bai Ziyue.

Originally, he only intended to quietly delve into the Hundred Thousand Mountains, officially embarking on his journey to leave the Desolate Ancient Realm and head toward the Outer Realm.

However, he happened upon countless distress talismans shooting into the sky, illuminating half the sky.

He was ultimately not a coldhearted individual, and as long as it was within his capability, he didn’t mind lending a helping hand.

Not to mention that for others, the Demon Beast wave might mean a massive crisis, but for him, it was a grand feast of Soul Energy.

Hence, he patted the head of the White Tiger Great Demon, changed direction, and charged forward.

Gazing at the countless Demons, stretching endlessly before him, and the Earth Tyrant Bear with its formidable build, ferocious aura, and power at the Early-stage Divine Realm level, Bai Ziyue, upon approach, did not hesitate at all. He gently raised one palm and then struck down powerfully.

Buzz~!

In an instant, a gigantic palm formed within the void, spreading out for hundreds of feet, shrouding the heavens and the earth.

Then, the imprint of the palm, concentrated to the extreme where even the lines were visible, descended with a thunderous crash.

Like a mountain and river overflowing, a colossal peak collapsing.

Rumble!

...