Chapter 528 42: Demon-Suppressing Immortal Cicada

Xiantong Temple is one of the six great ancient temples of the Mingxiao Domain, and its founding patriarch was also a Tribulation Realm Great Power.

However, ever since the Demon Lord corrupted the Celestial Dao, the temple has not produced another Tribulation Realm Buddhist Cultivator. Thus, among the six great ancient temples, it ranked last.

The crowd of Tribulation Realm Cultivators in the hall had apparently been unaware that someone new had attained the Dao in the Mingxiao Domain. Logically, the ones with the best prospects of doing so within the next century were Yang Yi of the Mystic Sky Saint Sect, Yan Zongdao of the Jade Emperor Sect, and Yellow Springs True Monarch of the Supreme Demon Sect.

At this moment, everyone's gaze was fixed on Monk Haideng. The young monk in white robes smiled as he walked to his seat and sat down. His calm and elegant demeanor left a good impression.

"Two Tribulations."

An old man in black robes seated among them said in a deep voice.

This man was a Supreme Elder from the Blood Sea Sect, a titan of the Demon Sects. He had attained the Dao nine thousand years ago and had now also passed two tribulations.

Amused expressions appeared on the faces of those present.

Just a moment ago, the Dragon Elephant Wanderer had said that this Monk Haideng was a Tribulation Realm Cultivator who had advanced within the last century. Yet the young, white-robed monk before them possessed the solid cultivation of one who had passed Two Tribulations.

'Who could achieve such Magical Power within a hundred years?'

At that moment, the Dragon Elephant Wanderer smiled faintly and calmly explained, "Sixty years ago, Daoist Haideng refined eighteen sariras left behind by his predecessors at Xiantong Temple. He instantly entered the Tribulation Realm and subsequently passed two tribulations in a row. His Divine Techniques are now nearly on par with Xiantong Temple's founding patriarch."

Everyone was secretly astonished, but no one asked any further questions. Only a few offered their congratulations to Monk Haideng.

Fang Cheng and the five Dharma Cultivators sat on the jade mats without any opportunity to speak, quietly watching the Great Powers converse.

The fourteen Tribulation Realm Great Powers present each had different appearances, auras, and temperaments. The only thing they had in common was a transcendent calm that came from standing at the pinnacle of this world.

Take the patriarch from the Blood Sea Sect, for example. The fact that he had only passed two celestial tribulations in nine thousand years could only mean one thing: he spent most of his time away from the Red Profound Realm, hiding out in other World Heavens to avoid tribulations and enjoy a life of leisure.

For these Tribulation Realm Great Powers who saw no future on their path, finding a resource-rich World Heaven to live a carefree life was an excellent choice indeed.

After all, with their level of cultivation and strength, they were nearly invincible in any World Heaven.

"Sixty years ago, I sent a message to all of you, informing you that an incarnation of the Demon Lord had appeared in the world. At this Red Profound Conference, how about we discuss our response?"

The Dragon Elephant Wanderer's gaze swept over the crowd as he spoke in a measured tone.

Everyone was silent for a moment before a dignified, beautiful woman smiled faintly and said, "This incarnation of the Demon Lord was formed from his left hand. Although its Divine Techniques are unfathomable, I'm afraid it is still far from being able to contend with the Red Profound Association. I believe that after returning from beyond the domains, the only thing the Demon Lord can do is secretly cultivate his forces and wait for an opportunity to break the seals and release more of his dismembered body."

"What we must do is seal it again before the Demon Lord's incarnation can build up its power."

This woman was from the number one sect of the Mystic Sects, the Mystic Sky Saint Sect. She looked as dignified and quiet as a young wife from next door, but in reality, she was a peak Great Power who had passed the Fourth Celestial Tribulation.

In the hall, besides the Dragon Elephant Wanderer, only Master Zhenyin of Lankao Temple had a higher cultivation than her.

"I'm afraid that won't be easy," someone said gravely.

"The Demon Lord's Divine Techniques are cunning and unpredictable—that goes without saying. But there's one point in particular: he can resolve the demonic intent within a Tribulation Realm Cultivator's celestial tribulation, and even weaken the tribulation's power. How many of you present can resist such a temptation?"

"What the Demon Lord wants is nothing more than to convert all living beings to the demonic path, corrupt everything in the world, and turn the Red Profound Realm into his Demon Country to cultivate his great Dao and restore his demonic body. But if he wanted to let a few people slip through, it would be a simple matter of a thought."

Hearing this, Fang Cheng instantly understood. 'Letting a few people slip through' probably meant allowing some of this world's Tribulation Realm Cultivators to pass all Nine Tribulations and successfully ascend.

"Hmph. Making a deal with a tiger? What good could possibly come of it?" someone who clearly disagreed retorted immediately.

The others remained silent.

At this moment, an old monk with a kind and compassionate face spoke up, "Hall Master, what are your thoughts on this matter?"

It was Master Zhenyin of Lankao Temple.

The Dragon Elephant Wanderer sighed softly and said with a serious expression, "Years ago, my master attempted to refine the Demon Lord's left arm. Although he ultimately failed at the last step, he left behind many notes and insights. I have spent these years diligently studying them, as well as spirit-roaming through the heavens to seek the truth and the Dao. At last, I have found a method that can completely strip away the demonic intent the Demon Lord left in the Celestial Dao Origin of the Red Profound Realm."

As soon as he said this, looks of utter disbelief appeared on the faces of everyone in the hall.

First, no one believed that a person as respected and esteemed as the Dragon Elephant Wanderer would make such a wild boast.

Second, a problem that even the immortals from the Upper Realm who pursued the Demon Lord to the Red Profound Realm during the chaos ten thousand years ago could not solve had now apparently been solved by a native cultivator like the Dragon Elephant Wanderer. How could they not be shocked?

If the demonic thought could be stripped from the Celestial Dao Origin, then the many Great Powers of the Red Profound Realm who had been stuck in the Tribulation Realm for years could take the opportunity to pass a wave of celestial tribulations and greatly advance their cultivation!

And with the Demon Lord's dismembered body suppressed, as long as they guarded the seals, they would surely be able to safely pass the Ninth Celestial Tribulation and ascend to the Upper Realm.

Everyone looked at the Dragon Elephant Wanderer. The old man said slowly, "This method is extremely difficult. The first and most crucial step is to refine a Sixth-rank Magical Artifact. And in the history of the Red Profound Realm, there has never been a Sixth-rank Magical Artifact... I have invited you all here today to discuss this very matter. If we cannot gather the strength of an entire world to refine this treasure, then no matter how wondrous my method is, it will be impossible to succeed."

The beautiful woman from the Mystic Sky Saint Sect's eyes flickered. "A Sixth-rank Magical Artifact... Is that a treasure from the Upper Realm?"

The Dragon Elephant Wanderer nodded and said, "The Great Powers from the Upper Realm who pursued the Demon Lord back then were not necessarily omnipotent. Besides, they never paid much attention to our small World Heaven. Suppressing the Demon Lord across five domains was just a perfunctory measure for them to complete their task. Frankly, I also received guidance from a Great Power of the Upper Realm for this wondrous method of mine."

Master Zhenyin of Lankao Temple said, "A Sixth-rank Magical Artifact is an item that exceeds the limits of this world's Celestial Dao. Its primary and supplementary materials must be incredibly rare, not something that can be gathered by searching just one or two World Heavens. And the difficulty of refining it is likely even greater. The Hall Master's words about gathering the strength of an entire world are quite fitting. A pity... the most difficult thing to manage is still the hearts of men."

Another silence fell over the hall.

Fang Cheng was also shaken to his core. 'As expected of the Red Profound Association,' he thought, 'their plans are truly far-reaching.'

'It seems now that the Tribulation Realm Cultivators of the Red Profound Realm have two paths to choose from.'

'The first path is to side with the Demon Lord in exchange for his favor, then use his power to pass the celestial tribulations and successfully ascend to the Upper Realm.'

'The second path is to gather the strength of the entire world, refine a Sixth-rank Magical Artifact, get to the root of the problem, strip away the Celestial Dao Demonic Thought, and execute the Demon Lord.'

'No matter which path they choose, both are fraught with difficulties.'

'Let's consider the first path. Is the Demon Lord someone easy to deal with? How could he possibly allow his own Demon Servants and underlings to ascend to the heavens?'

'As for the second path—gathering the world's strength to refine a treasure and purify the Celestial Dao Origin—it's an earth-shattering endeavor, unprecedented in history. What are the chances of success?'

'And even if it succeeds, the Red Profound Realm will inevitably face a final battle between the Tribulation Realm Great Powers and the Demon Lord. When that time comes, this World Heaven will likely still be unable to escape a calamitous fate.'

'Indeed, the fate of a world is not something that can be resisted or changed by human effort.'

Someone asked, "Do the Red Profound Associations in the other Four Domains know about this?"

The Dragon Elephant Wanderer nodded. "I have already informed the other four Hall Masters. They are also discussing this matter."

After a pause, he continued, "Regardless of what others decide, I have already made up my mind to purify the Celestial Dao and shatter the void to ascend. Only then can I live this life without regret."

With that, he gently tapped the armrest of his chair.

In the next instant, the environment around Fang Cheng rapidly blurred and faded. In the entire Heaven Crossing Hall, only he and the Dragon Elephant Wanderer remained.

He knew this was one of the Dragon Elephant Wanderer's Divine Techniques, so he wasn't alarmed. He simply raised his eyes to look at the old man.

"Young friend Fang, you have indeed comprehended the Circulation Qi Collection Technique. The younger generation is truly formidable!"

The old man said with a smile.

Fang Cheng stood and bowed respectfully. "I must thank you for the grace of bestowing this technique, Senior," he said sincerely.

The old man waved his hand. "This was your own good fortune."

Then, he asked with a smile, "Young friend Fang, are you willing to lend me a hand in purifying this world's Celestial Dao Origin?"

A thought flashed through Fang Cheng's mind. 'At this very moment, everyone else in the Heaven Crossing Hall is probably facing the same question.'

'The Dragon Elephant Wanderer is "singling out" everyone for a one-on-one inquiry. You can't say there isn't an element of coercion involved.'

Fang Cheng thought for a moment before nodding in agreement. "Senior, this junior is willing to take part in this grand endeavor."

The Dragon Elephant Wanderer laughed heartily. "I knew I wasn't mistaken about you."

As he spoke, he tapped his finger on the armrest again.

In the empty hall, a flash of Buddha Light appeared, revealing the figure of Monk Haideng.

Haideng glanced at Fang Cheng out of the corner of his eye, a hint of surprise on his face that vanished in an instant.

The Dragon Elephant Wanderer said gently, "Daoist Haideng, I am currently occupied with suppressing the Night Queen and cannot leave. I need you to make a trip to the Extreme Jade Heaven in my stead and find the Demon-Suppressing Immortal Cicada."

Haideng nodded. "Alright."

The Dragon Elephant Wanderer then pointed at Fang Cheng and said, "The Demon Lord's incarnation will return in another forty years. When it does, he will be the first person it looks for. Take this boy with you when you go to the Extreme Jade Heaven."

Haideng's expression was impassive. He simply said, "Alright."

The Dragon Elephant Wanderer then said to Fang Cheng gravely, "Young friend Fang, that Demon-Suppressing Immortal Cicada is the key to stripping away the Celestial Dao Demonic Thought. Your trip to the Extreme Jade Heaven with Daoist Haideng must not fail. If necessary, you may ask that friend for assistance."

Fang Cheng nodded in acknowledgment, knowing the person he was referring to was the Great Tomb Master, Feng Yan.

At that point, Monk Haideng spoke up. "Hall Master, if there is nothing else, this little monk will take his leave."

The Dragon Elephant Wanderer said, "Be careful on your journey."

With that, his figure abruptly dissipated.

Haideng and Fang Cheng left the Heaven Crossing Hall. The sky was as clear as if it had been washed, and the area was vast and quiet. They didn't see any other cultivators.

Fang Cheng couldn't help but feel a little puzzled.

The young monk in white seemed to read his mind and said faintly, "Those who do not agree with the Hall Master will not be able to walk out of this Heaven Crossing Hall."

Fang Cheng had a sudden realization. The Dragon Elephant Wanderer had separated everyone to "persuade" them one by one.

'He and Monk Haideng were likely the first two to agree.'

Monk Haideng then said, "For this trip to the Extreme Jade Heaven, this humble monk must bring one more person. Benefactor, please come with me."

Without waiting for Fang Cheng to say anything, he pointed a finger, and a Golden Lotus appeared beneath their feet. In an instant, it lifted them up, shattered the void, and disappeared over the horizon.

...