Chapter 513 - 307: Middle Ancient Immortal Ruins, the Demon Race Blocks the Way, So Carve a Bloody Path

Dragon Peak Mountain was situated in the central region of the Celestial Treasure Continent. In the Ancient Era, it served as an altar to the celestial Fire God, and an Ascension Platform once stood here.

Even today, the Fire God Sect of the Celestial Treasure Continent is extremely well-known in the region. It occupies several nearby Treasure Mountains and has endured to this day.

If not for the battle between the Divine Distinct Bodhisattva and Throne Gangzhu that shattered the mountainside, the Grotto Heaven within Dragon Peak Mountain might never have been revealed.

Generally speaking, Grotto Heavens are extremely difficult to find. Unlike Blessed Lands, they are often hidden in places where space is highly unstable and fragile. They are almost completely cut off from the outside world and can be considered Little Worlds in their own right.

Inside, they can give rise to their own native inhabitants, who in turn develop their own rules for survival and even their own systems of Cultivation.

They are much like secluded paradises.

Over time, most of the Grotto Heavens throughout the Central Plains World have been discovered and developed.

The majority are controlled by the Human Dynasties and Sect Immortal Powers.

Lu Mingyuan had learned from the Chess Saint that the newly opened Dragon Peak Cave Heaven was an Immortal-Level Grotto Heaven.

Immortal Level, a classification ranked above Grades A, B, C, and D.

The last Immortal-Level Grotto Heaven to be discovered was nine thousand years ago—the Tai Cang Cave Heaven, one of the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands.

The emergence of Tai Cang Cave Heaven advanced the development of the Martial Cultivator system. Its Cultivators focused primarily on martial arts and produced several dynastic Martial Saints, all of whom hailed from Tai Cang Cave Heaven.

It was also through the Chess Saint that Lu Mingyuan learned the Dragon Slaying Eighteen Forms he cultivated came from Tai Cang Cave Heaven.

The Sword Saint was a native Cultivator who originated from Tai Cang Cave Heaven.

That was why he was completely unknown when the Grotto Heaven first made contact with the Central Plains World.

Only later did he rise to fame in a single battle, earning the title of Sword Saint.

’Everything connected so perfectly.’

Lu Mingyuan couldn’t help but marvel.

Most of the Martial Cultivators in the Great Wu Dynasty hailed from Tai Cang Cave Heaven. One could say that the Great Wu Dynasty was the successor to the original dynasty within Tai Cang Cave Heaven, having simply moved its base of operations to the outside world.

According to ancient texts, Tai Cang Cave Heaven also had a Martial Arts Great Saint who successfully achieved Ascension using its Ascension Platform.

A Great Saint is a Martial Cultivator of the Fourteenth Realm, capable of battling a Throne Great Demon. This alone showed just how critical the distinctions between Grotto Heavens were.

The Golden Palace flew through the sky, while the Great Yan Army advanced steadily on the ground below.

Inside the grand hall, Lu Mingyuan’s expression was incredibly solemn. "Senior, are you saying that every time an Immortal-Level Grotto Heaven appears, it changes the entire political landscape of the Central Plains World? So the opening of Dragon Peak Cave Heaven isn’t a coincidence, and the Ascension Platform is most likely inside?"

The Chess Saint nodded. "That’s right. The Dao Alliance learned of the Ascension Platform’s whereabouts in advance, as did the Demon Race. They took advantage of the aftermath of the war between the Seven Kingdoms to invade the Central Plains. That was the true catalyst for the war between the Human and Demon Races."

At these words, Lu Mingyuan instantly understood.

The emergence of the Dragon Peak Cave Heaven, this Middle Ancient Immortal Ruins, was no mere accident. It was an outcome that various major powers had calculated and anticipated.

’So the last Ascension Platform in the world was hidden inside that Grotto Heaven all along.’

’No wonder no one could ever find it.’

Lu Mingyuan’s mind began to race.

’How can I conquer Dragon Peak Cave Heaven?’

The emergence of any new Blessed Land Cave Heaven unleashes a vast number of opportunities and treasures. And this time, it was an Immortal-Level Grotto Heaven, which would surely contain a multitude of Immortal Spiritual Objects.

An ordinary person needed only to seize a single one of these many opportunities to undergo a complete Rebirth, achieve Transcendence, and rise like a dragon.

Legend had it that a Qi Cultivator at the Qi Refining Realm once stumbled upon a field of underwater lotuses. He accidentally triggered a lotus-themed Barrier and was swept into a Grotto Heaven. Using the abundant Spirit Medicine within, he farmed and traded his way to power, eventually founding a sect and becoming a True Monarch.

Another story told of a young Fisherman who, while rowing his boat deep into a mountain cavern, found a glowing entrance. He entered and discovered a secluded paradise where two elderly men in white were playing chess before a thatched hut. He became mesmerized by the world on the Chessboard and lived through a hundred lifetimes within it, experiencing all the trials and tribulations of the mortal world.

When he finally emerged, his hair was stark white. He soon learned that three hundred years had passed, and his Cultivation had become unrivaled in the world. He had become an enlightened True Immortal.

When a Grotto Heaven emerges, the Spiritual Qi within it clashes with that of the outside world. In a very short time, this collision causes hidden treasures and Spirit Medicines to surface, spewing forth for the taking.

Lu Mingyuan surmised that the Human Dynasties, Ancient Sects, Cultivation Families, and Immortal Families were all mobilizing now for one reason: the emergence of the Grotto Heaven. They were all rushing to Dragon Peak Mountain to claim a piece of the pie.

As for rescuing the Nanli Dynasty and defeating the Demon Race—that was a secondary concern.

Everyone knew the emergence of the Middle Ancient Immortal Ruins was about to trigger a bloodbath, yet they had no choice but to get involved.

If you didn’t fight, didn’t scramble for a share, then other powers would obtain those treasures, rise swiftly, keep pace with the changing times, and establish themselves as pillars of the Central Plains World.

In the great contest of the Dao, to not advance is to fall behind.

Lu Mingyuan finally understood what the Chess Saint had meant when he spoke of the world falling into chaos.

With the Grotto Heaven’s emergence, powerful experts from the Human Race would also begin to arrive in succession.

Cultivators from the Taoist Sect, just like the forces from Great Yan, were already en route.

When that time came, it would be a battle of epic proportions.

"Halt! State your names, and we may grant you an intact corpse."

Lost in his enlightening discussion on the Dao with the Chess Saint, Lu Mingyuan felt he had gained immensely. Time flew by, and before he knew it, they had arrived near Dragon Peak Mountain. But just then, a piercing roar echoed toward the Golden Palace.

Clearly, they had run into the Demon Race’s army.

Lu Mingyuan was curious to see if the Chess Saint would make a move.

However, the Chess Saint remained engrossed in their game, showing no intention of getting up. Looking completely at ease, he glanced at Lu Mingyuan and raised an eyebrow.

"Why are you looking at me? Aren’t you going to make a move? There’s no need to be so deferential."

Lu Mingyuan gave a wry smile. "I thought you would handle it, Senior."

"Fine. I’ll have someone take care of it."

’Things were different now.’ With so many experts at his side, he was long past the stage of having to do everything himself.

Lu Mingyuan issued a Holy Decree.

From within the Great Yan Army, an imposing young general in silver armor stepped forward.

The newcomer had a dauntless expression and a firm, powerful stride that seemed to stir the very air. He carried a leopard-headed, bright silver spear whose cold glint bespoke its incredible sharpness.

It was none other than the Grand General of the Great Yan, Yang Zaixing.

The demon sent to intercept the Human Race experts was a man in Treasure Armor with the head of a snake. His true form was a three-headed giant python.

He had assumed the reinforcing Human Race faction would be a major power not to be trifled with. He never expected them to send out a lone Martial Artist who was only in the Dragon Gate Realm.

The snake-headed man chuckled. "And here I was, wondering what kind of fearsome character they sent. Turns out it’s just a paltry Dragon Gate Martial Artist."

"Lord Demon Venerable, let me handle this!"

A Flower Python Demon King under his command volunteered eagerly. Taking up a Treasure Saber, it charged toward Yang Zaixing, its eyes gleaming with greed for the glory of this kill.

But it didn’t get far.

A cold light flashed through the air.

Yang Zaixing split the Flower Python Demon King in half.

In that moment, Yang Zaixing’s physique was incredibly muscular. He had activated his Martial Arts Dragon Transformation, and silver Primordial Qi coalesced around him to form the White Leopard Battle Armor. Dark leopard spots now covered his powerful body, giving him a stunningly cool and impressive appearance.

Even the Flower Python Demon King’s Demon Pill had been gouged out, creating a gruesome scene. Yang Zaixing faced the demons, slammed the butt of his Long Spear into the ground, his aura flaring even stronger, and asked in a deep voice,

"Who else wants to fight?"

His Primordial Qi-infused voice made the very air hum, leaving the Demon Race’s vanguard stunned.

Just recently, the infamous Nine Elements Flame Python—a creature highly ranked in the Human Race Cultivators’ Ten Thousand Beasts Atlas—had broken through a border pass of the Nanli Dynasty and devoured the thirty thousand soldiers of the defending Human Race army. It had even consumed a Nascent Soul Qi Cultivator.

In an entire state and county, you couldn’t find a single Human Race expert capable of battling multiple Demon Kings at once.

’What are the origins of these reinforcements?’

’Just some random soldier can instantly kill a Flower Python Demon King?’

...

「Within a towering Heroic Pass, the Demon Race’s main camp.」

A sand table was dotted with military flags, and gathered around it were the prodigies of various clans within the Demon Race.

A lion-headed demon in full Armor approached Long Xuan respectfully. "We have issued the threat, warning the Human Race to stay away from Dragon Peak Mountain and its treasures. Otherwise, their younger generation will be annihilated."

The Dragon and Qilin Treasure Robe she wore perfectly accentuated Long Xuan’s curvaceous figure. She gave a slight nod. "Good. This will enrage and humiliate the Human Race, luring them to Dragon Peak Mountain in a continuous stream. They will walk right into our trap."

In the Ancient Era, the True Dragon Race fed on Divine Spirit Qi and could battle even Divine Beings.

The Ancient Dragon Race of today, though descended from True Dragons, were merely hybrid offspring with impure bloodlines. And yet, among all the modern Dragon Races, theirs was considered the purest.

Long Xuan was still in her youth by the standards of the Ancient Dragon Race.

Once she reached adulthood, she was destined to become an invincible existence. For now, she had to win this war to build an unassailable record for herself.

’In the Ten Thousand Beasts Atlas that the Human Race compiled about us, I’m only ranked fourth.’

’I have to work much harder.’

’I can’t allow the other candidates for the Throne to be ranked above me.’

BOOM!

Just then, the entire city began to tremble violently.

The demons in the city exchanged bewildered glances.

A Dog Demon scrambled into the tent in a panic.

"Lord Demon Monarch, this is terrible!"

"The reinforcements from Great Yan have broken through!"

A prince of the Kun Race, his arms crossed and a cold expression on his face, spoke in an icy tone. His wings, folded behind him, had a two-meter span. "What’s all the panic for? The sky isn’t falling."

The land-based demons of the Wilderness World, the aquatic demons of the seas, and the flying demons of the sky had all reached a tacit agreement: they would join forces to oppose the Human Race and deny them any chance to seize the Ascension Platform.

The presence of the Kun Race Prince was a gesture of reassurance from the Wilderness to the various clans, and it did much to stabilize the army’s morale.

It was easy to imagine that if the Grotto Heaven hadn’t appeared at Dragon Peak Mountain and drawn reinforcements from various powers, the Nanli Dynasty would have stood no chance on its own. With its national power, competing for resources with the great Demon Races of the Wilderness, much less defending its own territory, would have been impossible.

Even with the arrival of these major powers, the disparity in numbers was still immense. The Human Race had only managed to narrow that gap slightly; the clans of the Wilderness still held an absolute advantage.

The number of Demon Race experts was simply overwhelming.

Long Xuan said coolly, "What is it? Speak."

"The... the Human Race Cultivators from Great Yan are attacking! Our vanguard and patrol teams have been completely wiped out! Several Lord Demon Venerables... they’ve all been killed in battle!"

"What?" Upon hearing this, Long Xuan’s eyes narrowed.

...