Immortal Divine Tribulation

Chapter 182: Taking Action

Demonic spirits…formed when corpses gain sentience…are wicked abominations born under impossibly strict conditions, even rarer than corpse fiends, nearly impossible to appear in the world. They are genuine evil spirits, stripped of all memory from their previous lives, returning to the world in another form. Compared to other living beings, they are terrifying beyond doubt. Their most striking trait: abnormally strong bodies, nearly impervious to weapons.

Tian Fan couldn’t help being shocked. This was only the outer edge of the underground palace, yet such dreadful creatures were already present. It was foreseeable that the deeper regions would harbor even more horrifying existences…perhaps even vengeful specters.

“Roar…”

The demonic spirit howled to the heavens. Towering over five zhang, its entire body was clad in greenish scales. Its putrid face paired with glowing emerald eyes gave it a ghastly, twisted appearance.

The little phoenix had only just poked out its head, only to shrink back in fright a heartbeat later.

The emergence of the demonic spirit left many trembling in cold sweat, retreating in panic. None had expected that such creatures recorded only in ancient texts truly existed.

An elder of the Huangpu family snorted coldly and struck with a single punch, blasting the demonic spirit before him into pieces. Yet, his own expression showed surprise…its body had been so resilient that even his hand had gone numb.

Boom!

Suddenly, the ground shook violently. Gray mist swallowed the land, cold winds howled, and a horde of demonic monsters rushed out. Terror swept through the crowd…there were dozens of demonic spirits alone, not to mention countless zombie fiends of various sizes.

From the very back, a pair of blood-red eyes appeared…cold, merciless, devoid of all human emotions. Everyone felt as though their souls were about to be ripped from their bodies, paralyzed where they stood.

“It really exists!”

Above the heavens, Tian Fan sneered, divine light flashing from his eyes. His white robes fluttered ethereally, moonlight shrouding him like an immortal descended.

“Hmph!”

Shen Wuyue’s face was half-hidden by his black hair. 

Without wasted words, he hurled a fist forward…unyielding, unstoppable.

The blood-red eyes gleamed coldly, then slowly retreated into endless darkness. Only after they vanished did the people recover their ability to move, realizing their clothes were drenched in sweat.

“The Ancient God…it’s enraged!”

“Run! The gates of hell have opened!”

Facing such an overwhelming number of evil spirits, even cultivators of the Primordial Unity Realm frowned. Among them were dozens of colossal demonic spirits…existences comparable to peak Cloud Heaven experts, their physical might rivaling even those of the Primordial Unity Realm.

“Ah…”

Within moments, miserable screams echoed. The land was swallowed in gray fog, demons rampaged, and evil qi soared skyward. Even Long Aotian, from afar, turned pale.

“Activate the barrier!”

He commanded decisively. A faint golden light shimmered into existence, sealing the entire Soaring Dragon Dynasty off from the outside world.

“Let us out! We don’t want the treasures anymore!”

Some tried to charge out, unleashing artifacts against the barrier, but it was impossible to break through. The defensive array of a martial sacred land could not be destroyed so easily…not even by Primordial Unity experts.

No other powers objected. None dared allow such abominations to escape, or the consequences would be catastrophic.

Shua…

At that moment, a streak of light shot in from afar, vanishing into the dark abyss. Shen Wuyue smirked coldly, his body flickering away. Soon after, several more beams of divine light streaked past…hidden experts plunging into the underground palace.

As soon as they departed, the crowd was besieged by demons. Several demonic spirits, terrifying beyond measure, crushed a Cloud Heaven peak cultivator with a wave of their hands before chewing him into pieces.

“Ahhh!”

Screams rang out ceaselessly. Primordial Unity cultivators had already retreated, leaving the horde to unleash a merciless slaughter. The place became a living hell…corpses littered the ground, rivers of blood flowed.

The people couldn’t even flee. To protect nearby commoners, the high ranks of the Soaring Dragon Dynasty had sealed the area…no exit permitted. If these creatures escaped into the world, the chaos would be unthinkable.

The crowd fell into panic, though several figures stood out.

The Crown Prince of the Divine Brilliance Dynasty, Shen Tianyou, remained calm, casually waving his hand. Not a single demon could approach within three meters of him…shattered before reaching. His presence was commanding, drawing many astonished gazes even in such a horrific scene.

Elsewhere, a man in golden robes stood coldly still. Every demon that approached was blasted apart with a single punch. 

Watching him, Tian Fan nodded inwardly…Xiang Yufei truly had peerless talent, as strong as a divine son.

The others, however, suffered miserably. Lacking such overwhelming strength, many were torn apart, blood and bodies strewn everywhere.

“Roar!”

Dozens of demonic spirits bellowed together, their evil aura thickening. Nearly invincible, they fixed their gazes on Shen Wuyue and Xiang Yufei. Several charged…four or five at each. Even for them, the pressure was immense.

“Ah! I hate this! Go away!”

A young maiden in yellow screamed, terrified by the grotesque monsters. Two men nearby shouted frantically, but the crowd had scattered them apart.

“Oh, it’s Little Qiuqiu…we need to save her!”

The little dragon chirped in its tender voice, tugging a strand of Tian Fan’s hair while pointing its golden claw at the yellow-dressed girl. 

Tian Fan was at a loss…this tiny thing calling someone else “little.”

“You… you… I-I’m very powerful! D-don’t force me to fight back!”

The towering demonic spirit, scales glistening green, loomed over Murong Qiu. Saliva dripped from its fangs, sizzling into the ground as it drove her into a corner.

“Wuwu… Please, big demon brother, let me go. I’m only nineteen…aren’t you afraid of divine retribution for killing me?”

Her pitiful plea almost made Tian Fan laugh. This girl was truly adorable, actually trying to reason with a mindless evil spirit.

“Miss!”

From afar, the two men shouted as the demonic spirit lunged at Murong Qiu. They burst forth with overwhelming power, blasting away nearby zombies, but still couldn’t reach her in time.

“Pfft…”

Just as the demonic spirit was inches away, it shrieked, hurled back violently before collapsing into ash.

“Don’t worry…you’re safe now.”

A calm voice rang out. Murong Qiu peeked through her fingers, then leapt with joy upon seeing who stood before her.

“Hey, Little Qiuqiu…”

The little dragon waved its golden claw warmly from Tian Fan’s shoulder.

“Little Longlong!”

Murong Qiu squealed with delight, snatching the little dragon from Tian Fan’s shoulder. The small creature grinned, clearly fond of her. One girl, one dragon, instantly harmonious.

“Miss, are you unharmed?!”

The two men rushed over, sighing in relief upon seeing her safe. But when their eyes fell on Tian Fan, they involuntarily took a step back.

The battle at Windwood Ridge was still seared into their memories. This man, who looked like an immortal, had slaughtered all the Sword Immortal Sect’s men there in a single day…even two Immortal Ascension experts hadn’t escaped. Yet, despite their fear, they offered him heartfelt thanks.

“No need. Little one, protect them.”

Tian Fan nodded faintly, stepping toward the battlefield. Immediately, a swarm of evil spirits lunged at him.

“Be careful!”

Though they knew his strength, the others couldn’t help shouting.

“Pfft… Pfft…”

Golden light flared from Tian Fan’s eyes. As he strode forward, any demon within five meters of him was reduced to ash.

“So terrifying…”

Though they had already seen his power, the trio was still awestruck, deeply shaken.

Up ahead, Xiang Yufei fought fiercely, golden fists shattering demons with explosive force. Yet, facing five demonic spirits at once, even he was strained, sweat beading his cold expression.

“Roar…”

From the depths, another demonic spirit emerged, hair like dead straw hanging down, eyes beaming with long green light, its body wreathed in deathly aura…clearly stronger than the rest.

Even Xiang Yufei’s face changed. But just then, a golden palm descended from the sky, tearing it apart in one strike.

“Brother Xiang, long time no see…”

“You!”

Seeing the white-robed man appear at his side, Xiang Yufei was stunned…but only for a moment. His coldness quickly returned.

“After so long, is that all you have to say?”

Tian Fan smiled faintly, sweeping aside another charging demon.

“You’ve grown stronger…much stronger.”

For once, Xiang Yufei’s face showed emotion, his voice low.

“When there’s time, let’s share a drink. For now, let’s leave first.”

Tian Fan’s words drew a rare reaction from the cold Xiang Yufei.

The two fought side by side. With Tian Fan present, Xiang Yufei’s battle intent surged. His golden fists roared skyward, crushing a demonic spirit into pieces with a single punch.

Even Tian Fan was surprised…Xiang Yufei’s body was fearsome, far stronger than most Primordial Unity cultivators. 

Smiling faintly, Tian Fan smashed another spirit with his golden fist.

“Roooaar…”

Suddenly, a tremendous howl echoed from the black abyss. 

A dreadful aura surged outward, sweeping across the battlefield. 

Faces paled, bodies trembled…the chilling force was enough to freeze hearts in terror.