Wasted Spiritual Root to Embark on Demonic Cultivation

Chapter 492

“If little friend Red Cloud has a different opinion, then handle these people yourself.”

With those words, Sword River Venerable did not linger for even a moment.

He directly swept up Yellow Cloud Ancestor and fled into the distance. At the speed of a Spirit Transformation cultivator, they vanished almost instantly.

Crimson Heaven Demon Venerable saw this but did not give chase.

He knew his own limits. He could use intelligence to pressure Sword River Venerable, but actually keeping the man here was basically impossible.

Chasing would be pointless.

As long as they secured the four prefectures of Azure Cloud, the demonic path would firmly establish itself in the northeastern region of the Taihu Spiritual Domain. The next step would be to annihilate the Moon-Gazing Palace located in the middle section of the north-south Severed Boundary Mountain Range!

They would then enter the second phase of the righteous-demonic war.

However… Red Cloud Ancestor, who had been unexpectedly left behind in the field, was caught completely off guard. He had never expected things to turn out this way. He was a great perfection Nascent Soul cultivator.

His collection of magic treasures and divine abilities had all reached their peak.

Experts like him were not numerous even within the Sword Sect. At the very least, his value was equal to that of the Righteous Qi Academy’s Vast Righteous Sword Chief.

How could they abandon him just because of a disagreement?

If he was dissatisfied with the terms, they could have negotiated! How could they just leave like that? And leave him in this certain-death situation? Where was the bearing of the righteous path’s leader?!!

The moment he saw the savage figures of Crimson Heaven Demon Venerable and the others, Red Cloud Ancestor could not help but shiver. Forgetting all face, he shouted loudly:

“Sword River! Are you really going to sit back and watch me be surrounded and killed by demonic cultivators?! Where is your morality? Where is the justice you always boast about?! If the Venerables who lead the righteous path all act like this, how can they win the trust of the world!!!”

Sword River Venerable, already far away, could not answer this question.

Crimson Heaven Demon Venerable found it quite amusing.

He extended his scarlet tongue and licked his lips, the corners of his mouth curling into a mocking sneer.

“Of course it’s by strength. Old thing, you’ve lived all these years and still don’t understand the true nature of the cultivation world?”

Deceiving others was one thing, but actually believing it yourself was truly foolish beyond measure.

In the past these tactics had always worked without fail because the competitive environment was in Taihu. The Sword Sect needed to set an example and uphold the moral order they had established.

Today, how many of the people involved were even from Taihu?

Even if the news came from demonic cultivators, it would only be dismissed as malicious slander from demonic brats. No one would believe it, and no one would dare to believe it.

A similar situation had already occurred once before at Kuangmei Mountain.

The only difference was that the Northern Suppression Tower people had seen the truth clearly and had not bothered to hide their own secrets. Unfortunately, they had capsized in the gutter. There would still be follow-up repercussions from that incident.

It mainly depended on the group of newborn mixed-blood Ice Race members in the Endless Ice Plains.

They possessed the advantages of Ice Race bloodline while their human bloodline freed them from certain rules. The longer they were allowed to develop, the better. Once their accumulated power reached a certain level, they would naturally step out of the ice plains and involve themselves in the conflicts of the cultivation world.

In the field.

Red Cloud Ancestor grew more and more desperate. In merely half the time it took to drink a cup of tea, under the cruel methods of Crimson Heaven Demon Venerable, his flesh and blood ruptured and he died. His Nascent Soul also fell into Crimson Heaven’s hands.

His fate needed no further explanation.

With this, the battle at Ice River Pass and the surprise attack on Azure Cloud Sect both came to an end. The Crimson Kite army’s northward campaign would now face no further resistance.

All four prefectures of Azure Cloud had fallen into demonic hands. Next came the issue of dividing the spoils of war. This was not difficult to handle. The shelf life of these temporary gains was unknown.

How long they could hold them depended entirely on whether the demonic path continued to hold the advantage in the righteous-demonic war.

Therefore, Crimson Heaven Demon Venerable was extremely generous. Aside from taking the Azure Cloud Sect’s foundational supreme treasure, the Azure Cloud Sky Cauldron, he allowed all the other territories to be divided equally among the various demonic forces.

Only by letting them occupy enough benefits on the chessboard could he drive them to continue serving without fear of death. If you wanted the horse to run, you had to let it eat its fill.

You also had to dangle a piece of meat in front of it; otherwise, with the insatiable hunger of demonic cultivators, it would never be enough.

It took half a day to settle the territory division.

Crimson Heaven privately met with the Five Colors Holy Lord and, in accordance with Blood Pill Master’s agreement, fulfilled his promise by handing over Northern Plains Prefecture to the Northern Demon Race.

As for Maple Prefecture in the Crimson Kite territory, that was part of another deal reached with the Yellow Springs Monastery Lord and the Blood Demon Hall Master. It had nothing to do with Crimson Heaven or the Heaven-Refining Demonic Sect.

One matter, two transactions, two prefectures!

This result already satisfied the Five Colors Holy Lord. It had been worth persuading the old fellows from the Heart Beast Tower. With this first attempt, the Northern Demon Race had finally gained a foothold.

Next would be to establish a sect belonging to the demon race that faced the entire cultivation world, existing on the foundation of the Northern Demon Race.

It could absorb the scattered demon race geniuses from across the world while serving as the Northern Demon Race’s public face and exchange platform. This would deepen ties with the cultivation world and allow them to participate in major secret realms and opportunities everywhere.

This was the benefit of having a formal identity. Isolation and seclusion had never been a good idea, and cutting themselves off from the cultivation world was simply courting death.

Therefore.

The Five Colors Holy Lord’s plan was one that would benefit generations to come, not just the present. This foundation also needed strength to defend it, which would depend on the capabilities of his two other collaborators.

He genuinely hoped they would succeed.

With the battle at the Azure Cloud Sect mountain gate concluded, the Ice Soul Fairy and the rest of the Cold Blood Peak group would return to Ice River Pass first. Together with the Northern Demon Race experts, they would garrison the pass. There was a lot of repair and renovation work to be done.

They would be very busy for the next few years. After Wang Yu’s divine sense finished observing the entire process, it dispersed on its own. Although Crimson Heaven had publicly pardoned his “sins,” it was clearly just a smokescreen. It would still be a long time before he could walk openly in the Crimson Kite territory.

Now that he was deep in the core of Northern Demon Race territory, he would enter full closed-door cultivation after this.

Even the Northern Demon Race’s alchemy commissions would be handled by having the materials delivered to the entrance of the pill room. Once the time was up, they could simply come and collect the finished spirit pills.

Wang Yu intended to spend a long period completely focused and without distractions.

Meanwhile, matters in the Color Cloud Mountain Range continued to develop.

The Swallowing Heaven Rat that had escaped from the Azure Cloud Sky Cauldron came to the Five Colors Holy Lord’s side and secretly communicated via voice transmission.

“Holy Lord, this plan of yours has succeeded.

“But opening new territory is done through war, while expanding and governing land requires administration. A ruler who merely holds what has already been won is no simple task either. Once the two great demonic giants you are cooperating with succeed, the ownership of those two prefectures will not be an issue in the short term.

“However, if we consider the situation after the righteous-demonic war ends, a Azure Dragon Demon Venerable who has not appeared for a long time will not be enough to intimidate them.”

Facing the Swallowing Heaven Rat’s advice given from the position of an elder.

Although the Five Colors Holy Lord already had his own plans and had considered this matter thoroughly, he did not show the slightest impatience. The Swallowing Heaven Rat represented the Heart Beast Tower and the older generation of Northern Demon Race powerhouses who had personally followed the Azure Dragon Demon Venerable. He needed their support to solidify his position as Holy Lord.

Otherwise, the Heavenly Roc King would be his greatest rival.

He patiently explained: “Old Bai, have you forgotten about the Holy Lord Heavenly Palace a hundred years from now? This time, the Northern Demon Race will be personally led into it by this Holy Lord. Even if scattered human cultivators or Ice Race cultivators obtain the Holy Token and enter alongside us, they will still not be our match.”

Having said this much, it was enough. The Swallowing Heaven Rat also knew that the Azure Dragon Demon Venerable’s true body was inside the Heavenly Palace secret realm recovering from injury. It was most appropriate for the new Holy Lord to go and check on the situation.

If everything went smoothly, once they welcomed the Azure Dragon Demon Venerable back, the Northern Demon Race establishing a firm foothold in the cultivation world would no longer be an issue. They might even take a dominant position within this demonic alliance. Just thinking about it was exciting.

“One ring linked to another, all considered very thoroughly. This old one spoke too much. Holy Lord’s wisdom and strategies are truly extraordinary. You are indeed the lord who will bring prosperity back to the Northern Demon Race.”

“Elder Bai flatters me.”

The two continued to exchange compliments, chatting and laughing amiably.

The atmosphere was exceptionally harmonious.

Meanwhile, the news of the Azure Cloud Sect’s destruction spread like a wave across the entire Taihu Spiritual Domain, causing an enormous uproar. After all, this involved one of the seven great righteous sects.

Even a power with more than thirty Nascent Soul experts had been wiped out beneath the demonic path’s iron hooves. It nearly plunged the whole of Taihu into panic.

Everywhere, people were discussing the matter.

Some said: “Even Sword River Venerable personally came but still could not save them. It must be because the demonic path dispatched multiple Venerables. Victory was not honorable.”

They were mocked by countless people. When had the demonic path ever cared about honor?

Others said: “Sword River Venerable was no match for Crimson Heaven Demon Venerable and was forced to abandon Red Cloud Ancestor of the Azure Cloud Sect, leaving him to die without lifting a finger. And yet he still demanded an entire prefecture of Azure Cloud as compensation.”

These words had been deliberately spread by demonic path spies to tarnish the Sword Sect’s reputation. The classic saying “three people spreading rumors can make a tiger real” was known to all.

Slandering righteous sects through public opinion was an old tactic.

The righteous sects also had plenty of experience in countering it.

They fought rumor with rumor, spreading as many absurd claims as possible so that the real ones would be mixed among the fake and become impossible to distinguish. Naturally, everything would be blamed on the demonic path’s black hand.

The Sword Sect remained pure and untainted as always.

Aside from the boiling anger among the rogue cultivators of Taihu, the two most worried parties were the other two of the seven great righteous sects: Moon-Gazing Palace and Thunderfire Temple!

Both sects’ mountain gates were situated similarly to the Azure Cloud Sect, bordering the Severed Boundary Mountain Range.

The only difference was that the Azure Cloud Sect lay at the very edge of the northern Severed Boundary Mountain Range.

Moon-Gazing Palace was located in the southern Severed Boundary Mountain Range, more commonly known to the world as the Coiled Dragon Mountain Range. Its position was south of the Black Mountain Demon Lands and bordered a region called “White Marsh Territory.”

Thunderfire Temple and the Joyous Union Demon Sect were already clashing right at Moon-Gazing Palace’s doorstep. Under such circumstances, Moon-Gazing Palace had surprisingly not intervened.

More accurately, ever since the defeat at Black Mountain Pass, this female-led power had not taken action again. According to rumors, it was because the highest-ranking elder of Moon-Gazing Palace, Granny Silvermoon, had developed health issues.

Others might not know the details, but the Nascent Soul experts of Taihu could guess. It was nothing more than the fact that her lifespan was drawing closer to its limit, and the rejuvenation technique she cultivated had encountered problems.

Whether she entered premature slumber or lost her strength ahead of time, both would be heavy blows to Moon-Gazing Palace. Their foundation was already slightly weaker than that of the Azure Cloud Sect.

They had only one great perfection cultivator: Granny Silvermoon. Adopting a defensive strategy was perfectly normal. However, they had more Nascent Soul cultivators and fewer territories under their control, allowing them to concentrate their forces for defense.

After the news of the Azure Cloud Sect spread, they were the most worried.

Anyone with even a little strategic vision could see that Moon-Gazing Palace’s location was like a nail hammered into the demonic path’s soft underbelly.

Before pulling out this nail, any rash advance of their battle lines would leave them vulnerable to rear attacks.

Therefore, Moon-Gazing Palace had become a thorn in the demonic path’s side.

Previously they could ignore the sect’s closed-door policy and even welcome it. Now, when implementing their strategic deployment, they had no choice but to remove it!

Moon-Gazing Palace, council hall.

Granny Silvermoon needed to sleep in the body of a young child for a full sixty-year cycle before she could awaken and recover to her peak state.

Currently presiding over affairs was her granddaughter: Star Moon Fairy.

Peak eighth-layer Nascent Soul, the current Palace Master of Moon-Gazing Palace!

Facing such heavy pressure.

Star Moon showed nothing on her face. She calmly laid out their countermeasures: “From now on, the palace will focus on only three matters. Everyone must place these three matters above their own lives.”

“First, Elder Nanshao will lead a team of trusted followers to the Southern Demon Race territory and form an alliance with the Tiger Race. In exchange for White Heron Prefecture under Moon-Gazing Palace’s control, they will request the Tiger Race to dispatch strong experts to garrison the prefecture.”

The beauty of this plan lay in gifting the territory. The Tiger Race would naturally defend it with all their strength since it involved their own interests. This would allow Moon-Gazing Palace’s forces to concentrate even more.

As for the territorial price, they could simply renege on the agreement later.

The Sword Sect would never allow Taihu territory to be occupied by the demon race. Star Moon Fairy’s strategic vision was focused on the period after the righteous-demonic war. Like the Nether Mountain Sect, she believed the Sword Sect would ultimately win.

Such a breach of contract could be framed as “forced.”

It was a win-win.

“Second, disciples and elders of the sect will invite their Dao companions, clans, and first-rate sects to establish defensive lines in Lotus Prefecture. In exchange, they will be promised enfeoffed territories after the war.”

Moon-Gazing Palace only controlled three prefectures. By allocating two of them this way, they would only need to defend Moon Prefecture, where the sect gate was located. The pressure would be greatly reduced.

Moreover, Moon-Gazing Palace was a female sect. Their Dao companions represented a powerful force that could not be ignored and should be fully utilized.

Territory was easy to give away and equally easy to reclaim later.

For now, the priority was to hold their ground.

“Third, mobilize the entire sect’s strength to set up the [Divine Bow Immortal-Severing Formation] in Moon Prefecture. If necessary, this Palace Master will sacrifice herself and trade lives with the demonic path’s giants!”

The three directives were issued in an orderly manner.

Although many had doubts in their hearts, they still carried them out firmly, leaving their questions for private discussion.

This already showed the difference between them and the Azure Cloud Sect.

The cohesion and unity of righteous cultivators were clearly displayed here. Whether this level of response would be enough, however, remained unknown.

As for Thunderfire Temple.

It was located at the southernmost end of the Coiled Dragon Mountain Range, bordering the Desolate Ancient Plains. Its history was extremely ancient, rumored to be a lineage from the primordial era, though the authenticity of that claim was questionable.

It had survived multiple near-destruction crises. Currently it possessed four great perfection Nascent Soul cultivators and hundreds of thousands of elite disciples. It was locked in a fierce struggle with the Joyous Union Demon Sect and even held a steady upper hand.

Its overall strength was enough to rank in the top three among the seven great righteous sects.

Their sense of urgency was far less acute than Moon-Gazing Palace’s. After receiving news of the Azure Cloud Sect, they showed almost no reaction and continued fighting the Joyous Union disciples to the death.

They acted like complete outsiders.

…

Half a year later.

Water Cloud Prefecture, Water Cloud Immortal Capital.

The descended Yellow Springs had disappeared once more. All its power had been devoured by the Yellow Springs Monastery Lord, who used a secret art to break through the Spirit Transformation bottleneck.

The man who emerged after this transformation could now be called — Yellow Springs Venerable!

Coincidentally.

The Blood Demon Hall Master in Feng Prefecture City had also completed a breakthrough akin to ascending to the extreme limit. Using his spiritual-body-grade aptitude, he forcibly broke through the barrier and absorbed a massive amount of Ancient Demon source blood power, successfully reaching Spirit Transformation.

He too could be called — Blood Demon Venerable!

Of course, calling him Blood Demon Servitor might be more accurate…