Chapter 543 - 56: Blood Sun Demon Vine Seed

The Nine Heavens Mountain Range, Celestial Peak.

This was the home of the Divine Image Sect. Since its founding, every generation had been presided over by a Tribulation Realm Great Power.

Celestial Peak, suspended above a sea of clouds, was encircled by nine waterfalls that resembled inverted galaxies. At the mountain’s base, the churning currents transformed into Spiritual Mist, shrouding the entire sect in a hazy, iridescent vapor.

Disciples of the Divine Image Sect zipped back and forth through the sea of clouds, riding on Flying Boats, Cyan Jade Chessboards, and streaks of sword light. Wherever they passed, fine golden runes would ripple through the mist, a truly extraordinary sight.

—That was the Divine Image Sect’s Sect Protection Array.

Under the protection of this Fifth-rank Array, not even a Tribulation Realm Great Power could harm Celestial Peak in the slightest.

On this day.

A magnificent and glorious Celestial Palace flew in from the distant sky. Beside the palace was an immense Golden Radiance Tower Ship.

It was none other than Zhuang Daojing’s party, returning from the Chu Shao Plateau.

After returning to the sect, the Third Elder of the Divine Image Sect settled Fang Cheng in the most prestigious Immortal Guest Tower. She then had someone fetch ancient records from the Scripture Pavilion for Fang Cheng to peruse.

Afterward, she made her way to the forbidden grounds at the summit of Celestial Peak to meet with the Supreme Elder.

...

After receiving the records from the Divine Image Sect, Fang Cheng studied them carefully for a while before closing the book to ponder.

What Cultivator Qin had said was true. According to these records, there was indeed a Dharma Realm Elder in the Divine Image Sect’s history who had seen a Demon-Suppressing Immortal Cicada during a Black Sun Wind Disaster.

At that time, many people had fought over a Divine Tree within the Black Sun Wind Disaster, one whose entire body seemed to be forged from gold.

After the Divine Tree was taken, someone, unwilling to give up, went back to where the tree had been and started digging. In the end, they actually unearthed several Taichu Divine Stones.

The Demon-Suppressing Immortal Cicada was cut from one of those Taichu Divine Stones.

Unfortunately, after the Black Sun Wind Disaster vanished, the Cultivator who obtained the Demon-Suppressing Immortal Cicada was never seen again.

The Divine Image Sect Elder speculated in the records that the Cultivator was most likely a visitor from another world.

Once one’s Cultivation reached the Tribulation Realm, they could traverse the Outer Void. World Heavens like Extreme Jade Heaven, which had not yet entered their final calamity, were particularly favored by many Tribulation Realm Great Powers and were often visited.

Thus, it was no great secret.

’I’m afraid the Cultivators of Extreme Jade Heaven don’t know the true purpose of the Demon-Suppressing Immortal Cicada...’

Fang Cheng mused.

Since Dragon Elephant Wanderer knew this world had a Demon-Suppressing Immortal Cicada, he must have learned of it through channels in other World Heavens.

However, the Black Sun Wind Disaster inverted yin, yang, and space itself. It was bizarre and unpredictable, with no fixed location, and it only lasted for about ten days.

Finding a Black Sun Wind Disaster and then locating a Demon-Suppressing Immortal Cicada within it was no easy task.

Fang Cheng took out the jade slip Monk Haideng had left him that day. He probed it with his Divine Sense and felt the presence of a ball of Spiritual Sense imbued with Buddha Light.

He transmitted what he had learned from the Divine Image Sect’s records into this ball of Spiritual Sense.

Before long, two thoughts were sent back from the ball of Spiritual Sense.

Monk Haideng and Yang Yi each replied, the gist of their messages being—

Received!

Fang Cheng smiled and put away the jade slip.

This way, whichever of the three of them encountered a Black Sun Wind Disaster first could go in and explore.

...

Inside a magnificent and exceptionally grand Cave Mansion.

Zhuang Daojing knelt on a jade mat, her expression solemn as she recounted everything she had witnessed on the Chu Shao Plateau.

Opposite her was a luxurious Jade Couch inlaid with gold and jade. A young boy was reclining on it. He looked to be seven or eight years old, with delicate features and a devil-may-care look in his eyes.

After listening to Zhuang Daojing’s report, the boy said with a grin, "Since when could Cangwu Continent produce someone like that? This Fang Cheng must also be a visitor from another world!"

"These outside Cultivators are only interested in treasure hunting, so there’s no need to pay them much mind. If he’s easy to get along with, indulge him a little. If not, just find an opportunity to get rid of him."

Zhuang Daojing bowed her head. "I understand."

The boy asked again, "Is there any news on the Langhuan Ancient Stele?"

Zhuang Daojing shook her head and sighed. "I haven’t heard anything yet."

The boy frowned. "Keep a close watch. This is a celestial opportunity that comes once in ten thousand years. Don’t miss it."

Zhuang Daojing acknowledged the order.

The boy added, "This stele can only be obtained by someone with immense karmic fortune. You should also pay attention to any rapidly rising geniuses. By watching them, it will be easier to spot clues."

"I understand."

After taking her leave from the Supreme Elder’s Cave Mansion, Zhuang Daojing returned to the Immortal Guest Tower.

Fang Cheng returned the records and took the opportunity to say, "Fellow Daoist Zhuang, your esteemed sect is a top-tier power on the Cangwu Continent, with estates and branches scattered throughout the land. Perhaps you could help me keep an eye out for the Black Sun Wind Disaster. If you succeed, I will be sure to reward you handsomely."

Zhuang Daojing smiled. "That is a simple matter. As long as the Black Sun Wind Disaster appears on the Cangwu Continent, our sect’s Transmission Array Network can deliver you there within three days."

"Then I thank you, Fellow Daoist," Fang Cheng said, cupping his hands.

Zhuang Daojing then asked, "May I ask what your plans are now, Fellow Daoist? If our sect receives news of a Black Sun Wind Disaster, how should we inform you?"

Fang Cheng could tell she was hinting for him to leave. After a moment’s thought, he said, "Fellow Daoist Zhuang, I have one more impudent request."

’Here it comes...’

Fellow Daoist Zhuang sighed inwardly, but her expression remained impassive. She said smoothly, "Please, go ahead, Fellow Daoist."

Fang Cheng smiled slightly. "I would like to borrow a place in your sect to cultivate while I wait for the Black Sun Wind Disaster to appear. In addition, I will need your esteemed sect to help me search for clues regarding a Tier Five Flying Sword, Creation Spirit Fish, and some Spiritual Medicines."

After hearing this, Zhuang Daojing thought for a moment before agreeing. "Without your help, Fellow Daoist, we would never have secured the Taichu Ore Vein on the Chu Shao Plateau so easily. Both by sentiment and reason, you are an honored guest of our sect. For a small matter such as this, the Divine Image Sect is more than willing to oblige."

The two chatted for a while longer before Zhuang Daojing finally took her leave.

Not long after, a group of beautiful Maids was sent to the Immortal Guest Tower to attend to Fang Cheng and his two companions.

Fang Cheng, in turn, entrusted the task of gathering information on the Tier Five Flying Sword, the Creation Spirit Fish, and the Spiritual Medicines needed for the Cyan Dragon Divine Pill to the two Qiu Sisters.

He himself entered secluded cultivation.

Over a month passed in this way, and the Qiu Sisters gradually adapted to life in the Divine Image Sect.

Being able to cultivate on the grounds of one of this world’s top Spirit Veins was a great celestial opportunity in itself.

Although they now had more miscellaneous tasks to handle in coordinating with the Divine Image Sect, their situation was countless times better than it had been back at the Yu Yang Sect.

At least they no longer had to live in constant fear, hiding and running for their lives.

Qiu Wen Si couldn’t help but entertain the thought of bringing her husband and children from the Yu Yang Sect to join her...

This day.

Outside the Divine Image Sect, a streak of seven-colored spiritual light shot in from the distance, rapidly approaching.

In an instant, the ball of seven-colored light slammed into the Spiritual Mist surrounding Celestial Peak.

Within the Spiritual Mist, a golden radiance flashed, looking from afar like a giant Golden Lotus protecting Celestial Peak within its petals.

Two tall Stone Persons emerged from the dazzling seven-colored brilliance. Both were heroic and imposing, with bulging muscles. Striding forward with heads held high, they wore Cloud Shoes and Flying Scarves, their presence overwhelmingly majestic.

If not for the stony texture still visible on their bodies, these Stone Persons would have been indistinguishable from living, breathing people.

The moment these two Stone Persons appeared, they unleashed a terrifying aura that shook the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Mechanism, causing the hearts of all the Cultivators in the Divine Image Sect to pound with fear.

In the Immortal Guest Tower.

Fang Cheng, who was cultivating the Circulation Qi Collection Technique, frowned slightly and stopped.

He looked toward the sky, a cold smile touching his lips.

Meanwhile.

Above Celestial Peak, countless golden rays converged to form the face of a young boy, who asked with a chuckle, "Elder Demon Chi, what are you doing causing a ruckus at my place instead of staying in your Blood Cloud Cave?"

These two Stone Persons were none other than the Profound Embryo Incarnations of Venerable Red Hair.

Back then, outside the Spirit Immortal Pavilion, Fang Cheng had used a Sword Array to slay one of his Profound Embryo Incarnations.

At that time, a Void God Gu had concealed the aura, allowing Fang Cheng to silently deploy the Great Inference Celestial Net Sword Array. Without anyone noticing, he had forcefully destroyed one of Venerable Red Hair’s Profound Embryo Incarnations, which was comparable in strength to a Tribulation Realm Cultivator.

Unexpectedly, the man had sent two more Profound Embryo Incarnations today.

At this moment.

One of the Profound Embryo Incarnations looked down upon Celestial Peak with a cold gaze and said flatly, "I heard you acquired a Divine Stone Vein. This old man has come to make a deal."

The boy replied nonchalantly, "What do you want?"

The Stone Person said directly, "A Primordial Profound Embryo or the Four Pillar Divine Fiends. Either will do."

Without a second thought, the boy replied crisply, "Don’t have them."

The Stone Person sneered. A seven-colored brilliance erupted from its body as it instantly swelled, transforming into two thousand-foot-tall giants. They stood imperiously in the sky, radiating a menacing and aggressive aura.

"Jiang Zheng, don’t try to fool me. That ore vein on the Chu Shao Plateau contains no less than ten thousand Taichu Divine Stones. How could it not have what this old man needs? If you don’t know what’s good for you, then don’t blame this old man for being impolite."

The boy’s face, formed from golden light, remained perfectly calm. He gave a soft laugh and said, "Elder Demon Chi, while my Cultivation may not be as profound as yours, you are in no position to spout such nonsense before my Sect Protection Array! Whatever skills you have, why don’t you show them off and let me have a look."

The Stone Person laughed arrogantly. "Jiang Zheng, take another look. What is this?"

A ball of blood-red light suddenly appeared within the seven-colored brilliance behind the Stone Person.

Within it was a plump, round bead, shot through with a strand of dark-gold energy. Its halo flickered in and out of existence, and the faint sound of thunder could be heard.

The boy glanced at it and instantly had a vision of countless lightning pythons materializing in the void, a web of blood-red and dark-gold thunder filling all of space.

The next moment, the illusion vanished.

The boy’s heart sank, and he blurted out, "Could that be a Blood Sun Demon Vine Seed? You actually managed to refine it!"

The Blood Sun Demon Vine was a fifth-rank Spirit Plant cut from a Taichu Divine Stone, and an exceptionally powerful demonic one at that.

This plant devoured the vital essence and blood of all living things. It took a thousand years to bear a single fruit, and each fruit contained seven vine seeds.

It was rumored that if one could gather eighty-one Blood Sun Demon Vine Seeds and have them jointly refined by nine Tribulation Realm Great Powers, they could create a Destruction Array capable of annihilating an entire world’s Heaven and Earth Origin.

The power of a single Blood Sun Demon Vine Seed was not something an ordinary Tribulation Realm Cultivator could withstand.

The boy hadn’t expected Venerable Red Hair to successfully cultivate this vine, let alone make it bear seeds.

If Elder Demon Chi had brought seven seeds this time and unleashed them all at once, he might actually be able to shatter the Divine Image Sect’s Sect Protection Array.

He might not even need all seven...

The Stone Person said coldly, "I heard your Divine Image Sect had the help of some powerful figure who can kill a fifth-rank Taichu Fierce Beast in a single blow. Why don’t you call him out so this old man can take care of you all at once."

...