Wasted Spiritual Root to Embark on Demonic Cultivation

Chapter 428

From within the darkness, a black-robed figure stepped out. After removing the hood, an incomparably handsome face was revealed. Judging by the curving, well-proportioned figure, it should have been a woman.

Yet she possessed the refined features of a jade-like young nobleman, and even her voice carried an androgynous tone.

“Tian Du? Perfect timing. I have long wanted to test just how powerful the Heavenly Capital Divine Thunder truly is.”

This person was a powerhouse from the Heaven Refining Demonic Sect who had arrived at Black Mountain Pass long ago. In order to conceal the sect behind him, he was not meant to reveal himself.

However, his presence was primarily to ensure that this strategic objective would not fail.

If Black Mountain Pass could not be taken, there would be no point in hiding anything.

Upon hearing this, Evil Soul Ancestor did not respond with sarcasm. Instead, he seemed to acknowledge the other party’s strength and explained calmly, “I have already informed the Exalted Sect. The Commander of the Blood God Guard should make a trip here. If he arrives in time, there will be no need for you to act.”

“All the better.”

With that, the figure once again merged into the shadows and disappeared.

“You were looking for me?”

Evil Soul Ancestor tossed over the intelligence report.

“Take a look. Whether we can seize Black Mountain Pass depends on this.”

After reading it, Dark Blade nodded in satisfaction and set it down.

“This newly promoted Supreme Law Profound Pill Demon Lord is quite good. He has a bit of my youthful bearing. I hear he’s close to that boy Zuo Qiuming?”

Evil Soul Ancestor glanced at him sideways. He knew well enough Dark Blade’s habit of posturing.

“He has prior ties with all three clans. After the Twin Zhuo dispute, his relationship with the Zhuo Clan fractured. He can be absorbed under the Zuoqiu Clan’s banner. With that kind of potential, he may one day become another Lord Thunder Howl Lei Hou.”

Evil Soul Ancestor was himself a member of the Zuoqiu Clan. His original name was Zuoqiu Chun, though few still knew it. What he had just said was essentially a subtle boast.

It made Dark Blade think of his own junior, Yu Xing.

His mood immediately soured.

Back then, the three prodigies of the Blood Reversal Sect had been as close as brothers. But after the battle at Cloud Ascension City, their relationship shattered completely and became a laughingstock.

How similar it was to the situation of the three great clans.

Betrayal was far too common. The reason the three clans’ alliance had endured for so many years was not merely because of intermarriage, contracts, and deeply intertwined interests.

There was also a secret unknown to outsiders. That was the true foundation of their mutual trust and solidarity.

“Enough of this. Gather the forces and prepare to attack.”

After Withered Leaf City was taken, a batch of reinforcements from Blood Abyss Prefecture arrived from the rear, greatly replenishing Evil Soul Ancestor’s available manpower.

These forces were mainly intended for operations after capturing Black Mountain Pass. After all, the Taihu cultivators within the pass had nearly been wiped out. In a high-level battlefield, such weaklings were useless.

Beyond Black Mountain Pass lay fertile territory. It would need to be conquered and occupied piece by piece, replicating the situation in Maple Prefecture within Lingxi Prefecture and spreading the Exalted Sect’s might.

“Lingxi Prefecture is a subordinate territory under the Moon Gazing Palace. Therefore, this offensive must be carried out with extreme caution toward Granny Silvermoon. For quite some time now, this person has mainly focused on containment tactics, attempting to force the Vast Righteous Sword Chief to exert his full strength.

“This is the decisive battle. If we lose, Lingxi Prefecture will descend into chaos. Be especially cautious of her methods. Do not let your ship capsize in a gutter.”

Dark Blade Demon Lord abruptly raised his hand and spoke without turning around.

“Evil Soul, you underestimate me.”

“… ”

Evil Soul Ancestor sighed inwardly and chose not to argue.

At the same time.

Within Black Mountain Pass, the atmosphere was filled with grief.

The Vast Righteous Sword Chief and Granny Silvermoon sat at the head of the hall. The vast chamber was nearly empty. Only a dozen or so powerful Core Formation cultivators remained alive.

Of them, nine were female cultivators from Moon Gazing Palace. The rest were Sword Sect cultivators carrying long swords on their backs.

After five years of bloody warfare, the defending army had been completely exhausted. Reinforcements had been intercepted and slain on the way.

Vast Righteous Sword Chief lowered his eyes, his voice heavy with regret.

“It is a pity about Bagua and Hemp Robe. They were rising talents of our Sword Sect. Though their soul lamps have not extinguished, they are little different from dead.”

Granny Silvermoon’s eyes burned with restrained fury.

Just as Wang Yu had speculated, Heavenly Capital Thunder Lord indeed possessed a direct method of contacting Black Mountain Pass. They had already learned of the events at Withered Leaf City.

“Liuying…”

Since the war began, nearly half a century had passed.

Taihu had lost four Nascent Soul cultivators. The Crimson Kite Demonic Domain had two Nascent Soul cultivators go missing, and the blame had been placed squarely on Taihu’s head.

It was an imposed accusation. Anyone who thought about it even briefly would know that those deaths were most likely caused by internal strife on their own side. The Feng Clan of Hidden Valley had now become a mad dog, already entering its countdown toward destruction.

“No matter what, the Heavenly Capital’s direct heir died in Withered Leaf City. He will definitely come to Black Mountain Pass. Crimson Kite will also respond. Black Mountain Pass is likely impossible to hold.

“From this moment on, all of you retreat to Black Mountain City. This place will be handled by this Sword Chief and Granny Tong.”

Inside the hall, the remaining Core Formation cultivators were filled with indignation.

“The demonic thieves must be slain. We will not leave. We swear to live and die alongside the Sword Chief!”

“Granny Tong, we will not retreat either!”

Live and die together?

Vast Righteous Sword Chief seemed momentarily choked. He had no desire to die young. Irritation immediately surfaced on his face.

“You shout all day long without knowing your own limits. Staying here means death. If Granny Tong and I can reverse the situation, you will naturally return.

“If we cannot, we can still retreat calmly. Can you? Ouyang Xia, can you?!”

The Core Formation sword cultivator who had shouted the loudest immediately flushed with shame.

He was merely echoing what was expected of him. In truth, the casualty rate at Black Mountain Pass had reached ninety-nine percent. He had long wanted to retreat. If not for the two great perfection cultivators holding the line, he would have deserted already.

Exterminating demons and defending the Dao meant nothing compared to one’s own life.

“Enough.”

Granny Silvermoon smoothed things over.

“These juniors possess righteous hearts. Why dampen their enthusiasm? All of you leave. Disciples of Moon Gazing Palace are to withdraw to Lingxi Prefecture City. Send word to the sect to strengthen border defenses.”

“Yes, Granny Tong!”

As the remaining dozen or so Core Formation cultivators departed, the vast Black Mountain Pass was left with only two figures.

With a thought, Granny Silvermoon released a moonlight avatar from within her body.

The silvery figure entered the formation core of the pass.

“This old body’s Silvermoon incarnation can temporarily oversee the formation. This battle is crucial. I hope Sword Chief will no longer hold back.”

“What are you implying? I have already lost an arm. Is that not fighting at full strength?”

“You know the truth in your own heart.”

They exchanged meaningful glances, then both fell silent.

After a long pause, Granny Tong spoke again.

“If Black Mountain Pass falls, Lingxi Prefecture will become another Maple Prefecture. This old women wants the other half of the Taiyin Sect inherited Moon Plate.”

The struggles among the Seven Righteous Sects were far more severe than what appeared on the surface. Hidden beneath decorum, their conflicts were even more ruthless than those of the Crimson Kite demonic path.

Calling them hypocrites would almost be praise.

Granny Silvermoon’s words were effectively an acceptance of Black Mountain Pass falling, allowing Lingxi Prefecture to descend into chaos like Maple Prefecture.

She, one of the foremost figures of Moon Gazing Palace, was willing to yield ancestral lands to satisfy Void Heaven Sword Sect’s grand scheme, in exchange for a Spirit Transformation opportunity.

Right or wrong could not easily be judged.

If one ascended to Spirit Transformation, what was yielded today could be reclaimed tomorrow.

The Taiyin Sect’s inheritance Moon Plate was the core token of that ancient hegemon. Moon Gazing Palace possessed half. The other half was held by the Sword Sect.

The Taiyin Sect ruins were also under Moon Gazing Palace’s control.

If not for the Sword Sect’s Spirit Transformation venerable being overly dominant, she would have dared to march directly to the Sword Sect’s mountain gate.

To live for the Dao, to die seeking the Dao.

Nothing embodied it more.

Sword Chief remained silent.

The Sword Sect would never allow another sect to produce a Spirit Transformation cultivator. It was forbidden.

There was another reason.

The ancient Taiyin Sect was a demonic inheritance, tied to the legendary Ancient Demons [Yin] and [Moon]. The former’s sealing ground lay in the Desolate Ancient Plains. The latter’s whereabouts were unknown.

If Moon Gazing Palace obtained it fully and leaned toward the demonic path, that possibility was not small.

Vast Righteous Sword Chief could neither promise this nor had the authority to do so.

“Granny Tong might as well visit the Sword Sect personally and discuss it with Venerable Taixu.”

“Humph.”

The discussion ended unpleasantly.

Yet the information revealed in their exchange touched directly upon the deepest secrets of this world.

Before any conclusion could be reached, Evil Soul Ancestor and his forces once again attacked Black Mountain Pass.

And the war reignited.

Dark clouds once more engulfed the heavens.

When a giant of the ghost path traveled, this was the scene.

Evil Soul descended howling, as if riding an entire netherworld of wandering spirits. Countless souls wailed and struggled within it. His lower body merged completely with the dark clouds.

Holding the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, Evil Soul pointed toward the battlements.

“Sword Chief, do you dare to fight?”

At this stage of the war, there was no switching opponents. The moment Dark Blade moved, he would be restrained by Granny Silvermoon.

The battlefield was now an open board.

Direct provocation was the only move left.

As expected.

A seven-colored sword light shot skyward from Black Mountain Pass. Boundless righteous sword qi formed a vast river, like the Milky Way reversing and crashing down in towering waves. The dazzling brilliance was so intense that one could barely keep their eyes open.

The righteous sword qi surged downward. Evil Soul Ancestor swung his soul banner.

One after another, red-eyed ferocious ghosts howled toward the heavens. Cold and sinister ghostly mist rose in countercurrent, colliding head-on with the river of righteous sword qi. The aftermath spread for more than a hundred miles.

If Black Mountain Pass had not been protected by formations, it would already have been reduced to ruins under the shockwaves of such combat.

Even so, the land centered on Black Mountain Pass was completely plowed over, reduced to barren sand. Yellow dust filled the sky, making it seem at first glance like a desert.

Within a hundred miles, all vitality was extinguished. Spiritual qi dispersed and collapsed.

The Dao Intent of Righteousness clashed against the Dao Intent of Ten Thousand Ghosts. High in the void, one could see the collision of two wills. A seven-colored righteous sword struck head-on against a hundred-zhang-tall Myriad Ghost King.

Below, the Vast Righteous Sword Chief transformed into sword light and charged straight toward Evil Soul Ancestor. Wherever he passed, vengeful spirits and fierce ghosts were annihilated, like a peerless general fighting alone against three thousand troops.

Or like a divine figure guarding a mountain pass alone against ten thousand men.

Evil Soul Ancestor, as a giant of the ghost path, specialized in sinister arts and secret curses. Yet having cultivated to this level, it would be absurd to claim he was weak in close combat.

No one knew what resolve he made, but seven mid-stage fourth-rank Ghost Kings flew out from his soul banner one after another and merged into his physical body.

Ghostly curse inscriptions spread across his skin. In the blink of an eye, he transformed into a black-skinned evil ghost with a green face and fangs. White hair whipped wildly in the wind. His body swelled to a thousand zhang tall, standing level with the towering pass itself.

This was a divine ability that simulated the mystical state of Spirit Transformation.

A Divine Might Dharma Aspect.

Depending on the cultivation method, the Dharma Aspect manifested would differ greatly. Whether among the five great demonic sects or the seven righteous sects, Dharma Aspect divine abilities were ultimate trump cards.

They were also considered a shortcut toward breaking through to Spirit Transformation.

Evil Soul Ancestor, a veteran Nascent Soul powerhouse with an age of fourteen hundred years, had naturally cultivated Yin Ghost Peak’s signature Dharma Aspect.

The Myriad Soul Ghost Emperor Dharma Aspect.

If late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators could be called great cultivators, then Nascent Soul Great Perfection was invincible beneath Spirit Transformation. Dharma Aspect divine abilities consumed enormous amounts of power. Once deployed, it signified the intent to kill without reservation.

The advancing Righteous Sword Chief abruptly halted.

“You reckless brute. Why risk your life like this? You’re just handing benefits to that Silvermoon woman.”

He could only curse inwardly. There was no way he could say it aloud. Considering the hidden presence of Heavenly Capital Thunder Lord, the Righteous Sword Chief had no intention of engaging in a Dharma Aspect duel.

The sword light turned. His life-bound treasure, the Sword of Righteous Qi, left its sheath.

“Severing Cascade!”

A torrent of sword light shot forth like a waterfall, while his sword escape technique carried him retreating toward the protective formation of Black Mountain Pass. A wise man does not suffer immediate losses. Once Evil Soul Ancestor deployed his Dharma Aspect, he could not sustain it for long.

At that very moment, Dark Blade Demon Lord suddenly appeared along his retreat path. A horizontal slash released a hundred-zhang blade aura.

Whether intentional or accidental, Granny Silvermoon slowed by the slightest margin. Only after Dark Blade struck three consecutive slashes did her Moonlight Sea domain secret art finally bind him away.

Vast Righteous Sword Chief’s face turned green.

Dark Blade’s attacks were lethal to ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators. For him, they could be dispelled in a few sword strikes. Yet behind him lurked Evil Soul Ancestor, waiting like a tiger.

That brief delay was enough.

A fist wrapped in endless resentful souls came crashing down. The wails of ten thousand spirits shook the soul. His vision blurred with overlapping afterimages like a kaleidoscope.

Righteous Qi erupted from the Sword Chief’s body.

Layer upon layer, it formed scale-like shell barriers. The soul-shaking effect was isolated by the righteous qi, but the Ghost Emperor Dharma Aspect’s punch blasted him straight into the colossal wall of Black Mountain Pass.

The formation cracked violently, tearing open a massive fissure.

Dust and smoke filled the air. The battle entered a white-hot stage.

At this moment, far in the rear of Black Mountain Pass, Wang Yu and the others stared in shock at Evil Soul Ancestor’s Dharma Aspect. Without exaggeration, that single blow could have killed any one of them outright.

Only because this was a critical fortress, constructed from extraordinary materials and buffered by formations, had it withstood the strike.

“Although Evil Soul Ancestor returned to the Zuoqiu Clan, he was once the foremost figure of Yin Ghost Peak. This Ghost Emperor Dharma Aspect can rival Spirit Transformation.”

Dark Tiger Demon Lord praised loudly, adding a touch of exaggeration.

Wang Yu narrowed his eyes.

“I will enter by another method. Fellow Daoist Fire Ghost, you may proceed first.”

Since they were here to break the formation, Fire Ghost naturally carried formation-breaking treasures. This was a task he could not avoid.

Wang Yu’s intent to act alone was equally obvious.

He was wary of Heavenly Capital Thunder Lord.

This reasoning was sound. The others had no objections. In fact, they feared being implicated by Wang Yu and crushed together by Thunder Lord. The farther he stayed from them, the better.

“Excellent, excellent. Fellow Daoist Profound Pill may act independently.”

“In this battle, we are merely assisting. Preserving our lives is paramount.”

Dark Demon Barbarian Lord and Dark Tiger agreed immediately. Only Fire Ghost Old Demon’s expression darkened.

“No. There are exactly four formation-breaking nails. Each of us must activate one from four directions simultaneously to break the array. Fellow Daoist Profound Pill cannot simply hand the task entirely to me.”

Unexpectedly, Wang Yu took one formation-breaking nail and ignored him completely.

His figure sank into the ground, his aura vanishing entirely.

It was the Yellow Springs Earth Resentment Puppet enveloping him. He planned to circle underground to the front of Black Mountain Pass. With Evil Soul Ancestor there, it would be much safer.