Chapter 614 - 344: Immortal Venerable Doumu’s Incarnation

Deep within the Immortal Mansion Ruins.

In a desolate stretch of mountains and wilderness, Lin Jianchuan, the Sect Leader of the Chiying Demon Sect, stood atop a massive boulder. His eyes were fixed on the scene before him, his expression so grim it could drip water.

Led by Supreme Elder Rong Tiande and Pan Ruyu, over a thousand disciples of the Chiying Demon Sect followed behind. Every one of them looked dispirited and utterly wretched. Many were even injured.

"...Is this everyone?"

After a long silence, Lin Jianchuan finally asked, his voice ice-cold.

Rong Tiande wore a bitter expression as he reported in a low voice, "There should still be several thousand disciples scattered about who haven’t been able to regroup with us yet. Perhaps... we can wait a little longer?"

Despite his words, neither he nor Pan Ruyu held out much hope in their hearts.

Deep within these treacherous and unpredictable Immortal Mansion Ruins, the survival rate for a lone Cultivator—regardless of their Cultivation level—was not high.

The terrifying Array Restrictions within the Immortal Mansion Ruins were one thing, but the deadliest threat was actually the Cultivators from other factions.

Cultivators from the Chiying Demon Sect already had a bad reputation. One could only imagine the perilous situation they would face if other factions deliberately ganged up on them.

Therefore, of the more than ten thousand disciples who had first entered the Immortal Mansion Ruins, over half had already been lost for various reasons, and the survivors were scattered.

By the time this expedition for fortuitous encounters concluded, it was hard to say how many Cultivators from the Chiying Demon Sect would make it back alive.

"..."

A muscle in Lin Jianchuan’s cheek twitched a few times, and he ground his teeth with a grating sound.

"It must be those damn bastards who deserve to be sliced into a thousand pieces! Seeing that the Child of Destiny showed signs of favoring our Sect, they grew jealous and attacked our disciples in secret! They... They deserve a fate worse than death!"

With his level of Cultivation and insight, it wasn’t hard for him to figure out the cause and effect of the matter. In any case, whether he liked it or not, those damnable factions outside would never let the Chiying Demon Sect off the hook.

Lin Jianchuan could already foresee a future where certain big shots would show up at their doorstep together to demand an explanation—especially those nearly hysterical, powerful Female Cultivators.

When the opportunity for their own path to eternal life was at stake, one couldn’t expect them to remain rational and clear-headed.

"Sect Leader, things have already come to this. We must prepare for what’s to come."

Pan Ruyu said softly, "We need to quickly find a way to inform the Elders guarding the Sect, mobilize more forces to support us here, and search for the Child of Destiny at the same time."

Although the hope was slim, she still clung to a sliver of wishful thinking about Ling Changqing in her heart.

’What if... what if this Child of Destiny is truly willing to align with our Sect?’

If he really joined the Chiying Demon Sect after this, then their current losses would be completely insignificant.

With the Child of Destiny, the Chiying Demon Sect’s power would soar within a century at most. They could not only unify the Qingming Continent but even continue to expand outward and dominate this entire realm without a problem.

The prerequisite was that the Chiying Demon Sect could both obtain and protect the Child of Destiny.

"Fine, so be it!"

After a moment of contemplation, Lin Jianchuan finally nodded in agreement.

Things had already reached this point; it was impossible for him and the Sect to back down. Even if they did, it would be useless. Those other factions would never let the Chiying Demon Sect go.

...

An omnipresent silence enveloped every inch of the majestic and magnificent hall.

The smooth, polished floor was covered with countless complex and profound array patterns that shimmered with starlight. An unimaginably vast Star Force flowed ceaselessly within the depths of the patterns.

Ling Changqing held Xue Qingtan’s arm, cautiously sensing the flow and distribution of the surrounding Star Force. He avoided the hidden, deadly traps as they proceeded step by step into the depths of the hall.

As they went deeper, the number of Daoist Soldier Puppets in their view increased, their powerful auras lying dormant and unreleased within their bodies.

These shimmering silver Daoist Soldier Puppets were clad in Heavy Armor. Some wielded long halberds and battle-axes, others held heavy axes and giant shields, and still others carried powerful bows and heavy crossbows. Their ranks ranged from second rank to Grade Six.

"...Hmm. If we can get all of these back, unifying the Yuzhou Cultivation Realm should be a natural outcome for the family, right?"

Ling Changqing said softly.

Xue Qingtan had no objection. "Absolutely. Yuzhou has been in chaos for so many years; it’s time for it to be unified."

Moreover, with the help of Lu Hua Palace, the Liu Ying Clan, and Xianyin Pavilion, once Yuzhou is unified, the Changqing Immortal Dynasty can be established quickly, allowing it to stand on equal footing with the powers of other great continents.

Of course, large-scale wars will be unavoidable in this process. Only by beating all external hostile forces into submission can the survival and future of the Changqing Immortal Dynasty be guaranteed.

With the addition of this strategic military force, perhaps in a hundred years or so, there will be no power on the entire Qingyao Continent capable of challenging the Changqing Immortal Dynasty.

The Cultivation Realm is an era of great struggle. In the end, strength is the only thing that matters.

Before they knew it, they had reached the end of the grand and majestic hall. Passing through a palace gate a hundred zhang high, an even more imposing and magnificent palace appeared in their sight.

Beneath corridor pillars so thick it would take several people to encircle them, along the walkways, and upon the jade steps, Daoist Soldier Puppets were everywhere. They were arranged in imposing and spectacular military formations, their killing intent hidden and their aura formidable.

Ling Changqing was in no hurry. He continued on with Xue Qingtan’s arm in his, seeing more and more High Grade Daoist Soldier Puppets along the way. Even Grade Five and Six were not uncommon.

"In the future, none of the sisters in the family will have to worry about not having a Daoist Soldier Puppet!"

Xue Qingtan sighed with a hint of wonder.

Never mind the future, even with the Ling Family’s current lineup of experts, if every Female Cultivator were assigned two Daoist Soldier Puppets with Cultivation equivalent to their own, the family’s overall strength would increase dramatically.

Ling Changqing deeply agreed. Due to a lack of manpower, the family’s control over the border seas was still somewhat weak. However, with this batch of Daoist Soldier Puppets, that shortcoming could be immediately remedied.

After passing through six towering and magnificent halls, the couple finally saw their final destination.

It was a circular, nine-story array platform, nine zhang and nine chi tall. It was gorgeous and dazzling, as if forged from the essence of infinite starlight. A vast and majestic pressure washed over them, almost suffocatingly so.

High above on the vaulted ceiling, a vast expanse of stars gathered into a magnificent and spectacular sea of nebulae. Incredibly pure starlight shone down, transforming into a nine-layered Light Banner that protected the array platform both inside and out.

At the center of the array platform rested a large, gorgeous, and exquisitely lavish starlight Cloud Bed. A beautiful woman in a feathered robe and starry crown lay quietly upon it, her eyes closed. Her figure was full and alluring, her features exquisitely beautiful, her perfectly rounded legs astonishingly long, and her jade-like, snowy skin so delicate it seemed it would break at a touch.

Above her majestic peaks, a silver-blue Seal about a chi in size hovered, exuding an aura of endless majesty. It rotated slowly, like an emperor commanding all the stars in the heavens.

"She should be a living being, but... she doesn’t seem to have a pure Human Race bloodline?"

Ling Changqing came to this conclusion after a brief moment of sensing.

He was referring to the slumbering beauty, who, much like the Kunpeng Maiden Qingsi, seemed to be the human form of some rare Ancient Divine Beast.

"She must be a wisp of a true spirit left behind by Immortal Venerable Doumu,"

Xue Qingtan explained, "As for this divine body, it was likely condensed by her from the essence of the myriad stars, fused with various Heavenly and Earthly Treasures. It’s also the control hub of this Ancient Immortal Palace."

In her past life, after this incarnation of Immortal Venerable Doumu awakened, she killed all the powerful Cultivators who tried to refine her, and then vanished without a trace. No one ever knew where she went.

"I see."

Ling Changqing was lost in thought. Immortal Venerable Doumu had vanished, but with a wisp of her true spirit sleeping here, it was hardly different from her true self being present.

"My dear, can you open the Restriction on this array platform?"

"I can try,"

Xue Qingtan mused, "Perhaps as soon as I touch this Restriction, she will awaken from her slumber? When that happens, you should be the one to communicate with her."

’With my husband’s special status as a Child of Destiny, no matter how powerful the being, they wouldn’t dare to underestimate him. It would be much more effective than if I were to approach her myself.’

Ling Changqing nodded slightly, watching as Xue Qingtan made her move, forming a Spirit Technique with her hands to try and break the Restriction.

At that very moment, a faint rumbling sound came from the far distance behind them. It sounded like the commotion that could only be caused by the concentrated release of some high-powered Divine Techniques.

"...Looks like someone else has broken in?"

Ling Changqing frowned slightly. After a moment’s thought, he released all the women from his Pocket World: Bai Qingyi, Meng Feiyu, Qingsi, and Luo Binghu.

"Husband, have we finally arrived?"

The Kunpeng Maiden Qingsi asked excitedly, her full and exaggeratedly voluptuous body squeezing into his embrace.

"Yes, but the people behind us will probably catch up soon."

Ling Changqing looked a bit helpless. Those Cultivators had clearly stumbled upon this place by chance, taking a different route by mistake.

If the enemy Cultivators were too numerous and too powerful, he and the women would have no choice but to temporarily avoid a direct confrontation to prevent casualties.

A grave look appeared in Bai Qingyi’s slender, phoenix-like eyes. "It’s fine. If an enemy breaks in, we’ll join forces to deal with them. We must buy time for Sister Qingtan."

Princess Long Nu, Luo Qingxuan, was calm. "It’s no big deal. This servant believes in your destiny, Husband. They won’t have a chance to snatch this opportunity from your hands."

"I hope so."

Ling Changqing’s gaze fell on Xue Qingtan, who was busy by the array platform. There wasn’t much time left for her.

Fortunately, things went smoothly this time. In just half an incense stick’s time, accompanied by a barely audible thunderous roar, the Light Banner condensed from Star Force disintegrated layer by layer, dissolving into a brilliant stream of light that vanished into the air.

Immediately after, under Ling Changqing’s watchful gaze, the beautiful woman on the Cloud Bed stirred. Her raven-feather-like eyelashes trembled slightly, and her beautiful eyes slowly opened.

...

At this very moment, in the first hall of the Star Lord’s Palace.

Thousands of Cultivators were split into more than a dozen groups of varying sizes, each forming different battle formations. All kinds of Magical Treasures, Talismans, and high-powered Divine Techniques flew out like raindrops as they fought desperately against the surrounding Daoist Soldier Puppets.

Originally, these Daoist Soldier Puppets had all been in a dormant state. As long as the Cultivators kept their distance and didn’t get close, they would have been fine.

Unfortunately, a greedy Cultivator snuck up close and tried to collect these Daoist Soldier Puppets, instantly awakening them.

That fellow only had the strength of an ordinary Early Stage Nascent Soul Cultivator. He couldn’t hold on under the siege of a group of Daoist Soldier Puppets and was beaten into a pathetic retreat, which in turn alerted even more of them.

And just like that, the scene erupted into chaos. The Cultivators who had broken in all attacked at once, and the situation quickly became pandemonium, with Cultivators screaming as they fell in battle from time to time.