eurekapd Chapter 169 Journey to the Demon Realm
Chapter 169 Journey to the Demon Realm
Inside the main hall of Chongyang Peak, antique sandalwood tables and chairs were neatly arranged, and the air was filled with a faint sandalwood fragrance. The delicate aroma lingered around, creating a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere. The four disciples sat together, with freshly brewed tea on the table. Steam rose gently, and the aroma of the tea filled the air.
Li Changchun sat upright in the main seat, his smile gradually fading, replaced by a solemn expression. His gaze slowly swept over Jiang Jingzhi, Xu Xiaoxiao, and Mu Zhusheng. He took a deep breath and slowly said, "The reason I went into seclusion this time is because I sensed an extremely dangerous aura, and I sensed that the cultivation world is in danger." His voice was deep and powerful, echoing in the silent hall.
Upon hearing this, the smiles on the three people vanished instantly. They sat up straight, their eyes revealing tension and focus as they stared intently at their master.
Xu Xiaoxiao clenched her fists instinctively, leaned forward slightly, and asked anxiously, "Master, what exactly happened?"
A hint of worry flashed in Li Changchun's eyes. He slowly said, "The barrier seal connecting the human realm of cultivation to the demon realm has loosened."
These words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up a thousand waves in the hearts of the three. Shock appeared on their faces, and they looked at each other with disbelief in their eyes.
“No wonder the monsters we encountered before carried a trace of demonic energy; this explains it all,” Jiang Jingzhi frowned, his eyes revealing deep worry.
"That barrier was formed by the ancestors of various families and sects in ancient times, who spent their entire lives cultivating it. It has never had any problems for tens of thousands of years. How could it suddenly loosen?"
Li Changchun sighed softly and said, "The reason is still unknown, but this aura is undeniably real. If left unchecked, once the barrier completely breaks, the power of the demon realm and the monster realm will flood into the human world, causing an irreparable disaster." His voice carried a heavy weight, as if burdened by a thousand pounds. "I will discuss this matter with the sect leader and the others later."
Mu Zhusheng's expression turned very serious. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Master, what should we do now?"
Li Changchun's gaze fell on the three of them, his eyes revealing determination and trust: "I hope you can go to the Demon Realm and find a way to remedy the barrier seal."
Xu Xiaoxiao's eyes widened, a hint of hesitation flashing across them, but it was quickly replaced by determination. She gritted her teeth and said, "Master, we will definitely live up to your expectations! But the demon realm is extremely dangerous, we..."
Li Changchun gently patted Xu Xiaoxiao's shoulder and comforted her, "I know this trip is fraught with danger, but you are no longer the children you once were. After this trip to Dongzhou, your strength and mental fortitude have greatly improved. Moreover, the three of you are united and support each other. I believe you will be able to complete this mission."
Jiang Jingzhi stood up, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and solemnly said, "Master, rest assured, we will do our best, even at the cost of our lives, to prevent the disaster of the barrier breaking."
Mu Zhusheng also stood up and nodded solemnly: "Master, we understand the seriousness of the matter and will definitely not back down."
Li Changchun nodded in satisfaction, his eyes revealing a hint of relief and worry: "You must be careful on your journey to the demon realm, and prioritize your own lives. Your return date is uncertain, but I will pray for you within the sect, hoping that you can return safely soon."
Xu Xiaoxiao gripped her master's hand tightly, her eyes shining with determination: "Master, just wait for our good news!"
As the afterglow of Chongyang Peak gradually faded and night quietly descended, countless stars twinkled in the vast night sky. Li Changchun, filled with worry, strode towards Lingxiao Palace, where the sect leader resided. Lingxiao Palace stood majestically in the night, its interior brightly lit, like a dazzling pearl inlaid in the vast darkness.
Li Changchun took a deep breath at the entrance of the palace, straightened his clothes, and then gently knocked on the door.
"Come in," came the calm yet slightly authoritative voice of Daoist Lingxu from inside the hall. Li Changchun pushed open the door and entered. He saw Daoist Lingxu sitting upright in the main seat, his expression solemn, holding an ancient book in his hands, seemingly deep in thought.
"Sect Leader, I apologize for disturbing you so late at night, but I have something important to discuss with you." Li Changchun stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
Lingxu Daozun put down the ancient book in his hand, his gaze falling on Li Changchun, and nodded slightly: "Junior Brother Li, there's no need for such formalities. Is there something important?"
Li Changchun, with a solemn expression, recounted in detail the loosening of the seal between the demon realm and the demon world. As Lingxu Daozun listened, his expression grew increasingly grave, his brows furrowed tightly, and a trace of worry flashed in his eyes. After Li Changchun finished speaking, Lingxu Daozun slowly stood up and paced back and forth in the hall with his hands behind his back.
"This matter is of utmost importance. If the news leaks out and is exploited by those with ulterior motives, the consequences will be unimaginable." Lingxu Daozun's voice was deep and solemn, echoing in the silent hall.
Li Changchun nodded slightly and said, "What the sect leader said is absolutely right, so I think this matter should not be publicized."
Lingxu Daozun stopped and looked at Li Changchun: "Then, in your opinion, junior brother, how should we deal with this?"
After a moment's thought, Li Changchun said, "My three disciples, Jiang Jingzhi, Xu Xiaoxiao, and Mu Zhusheng, have just returned from Dongzhou. After undergoing some training, their strength and mental fortitude have greatly improved. Jiang Jingzhi is proficient in swordsmanship, weapon crafting, and talisman cultivation, making him well-rounded. Xu Xiaoxiao is a pill refiner, and Mu Zhusheng is a swordsman; they work together seamlessly. All three of them are at least at the Nascent Soul stage, making them outstanding members of the sect. I want them to go to the Demon Realm first to investigate the reason for the loosening of the barrier seal and find a way to remedy it."
Lingxu Daozun frowned slightly and fell into deep thought. After a while, he slowly said, "The demon realm is extremely dangerous. Although the three of them are quite strong, their journey will still be fraught with danger. However, there is no better way at the moment. Let them go and scout out the situation first. But we must tell them to be careful and prioritize their own safety."
Li Changchun nodded and said, "Sect Leader, rest assured, I have already instructed them. All three of them are very responsible and capable. I believe they will be able to complete the mission."
Lingxu Daozun sighed softly and said, "I hope they can return safely. I will keep an eye on this matter in secret, and the sect will provide full support if needed."
Li Changchun bowed again and said, "Thank you, Sect Leader. I will go back now and have them prepare to depart as soon as possible."
Lingxu Daozun nodded slightly and said, "Go, be careful."
Li Changchun turned and walked out of Lingxiao Palace. The night wind blew on his face, carrying a slight chill. He looked up at the starry sky and silently prayed that his three disciples would return safely, successfully complete their mission, and save the cultivation world from danger.
Back at Chongyang Peak, Li Changchun summoned Jiang Jingzhi, Xu Xiaoxiao, and Mu Zhusheng together. He told them the results of his discussion with Lingxu Daozun, and the three of them became even more determined after hearing it.
"Master, rest assured, we will definitely live up to your and the sect leader's expectations," Jiang Jingzhi said solemnly, clasping his hands in a fist salute.
Xu Xiaoxiao and Mu Zhusheng both expressed that they would do their best to complete the mission.
Li Changchun looked at them, his eyes filled with both relief and worry: "The journey to the demon realm is long and fraught with danger. You must look after each other and not fight recklessly if you encounter danger; prioritize your own lives."
The three nodded in unison, their eyes shining with determination.
"Alright, go back and prepare. We'll set off first thing tomorrow morning," Li Changchun said.
The three men bowed to Li Changchun and turned to leave. Li Changchun watched their retreating figures, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
He knew that this mission was full of unknowns and dangers, but he believed that his disciples would be able to overcome the difficulties and complete the mission.
The next morning, sunlight pierced through the thin mist and shone on every corner of Chongyang Peak. Xu Xiaoxiao, Jiang Jingzhi, and Mu Zhusheng had already packed their bags and stood in front of Li Changchun. Their expressions were solemn, and their eyes revealed determination and resolve.
Li Changchun gazed at his three disciples, his eyes filled with reluctance and concern. He slowly stepped forward and handed a small storage bag to Jiang Jingzhi, saying earnestly, "There are some pills and magical artifacts inside. They can come in handy at critical moments. You must remember to prioritize your own safety above all else."
Jiang Jingzhi accepted the storage bag with both hands and said solemnly, "Master, don't worry, we will definitely return safely."
Xu Xiaoxiao and Mu Zhusheng nodded in agreement, their eyes shining with determination.
"Alright, go ahead," Li Changchun waved his hand, trying to hide the worry in his eyes. The three bowed deeply to Li Changchun, then turned and left. Their figures looked particularly upright in the morning light, their steps firm and powerful.
Upon reaching the open mountaintop, the three summoned their respective spirit swords. Jiang Jingzhi's spirit sword emitted a cool blue light, its blade long and slender, covered with mysterious runes. Xu Xiaoxiao's spirit sword was pale pink, its blade light and graceful, like a dazzling ray of light. Mu Zhusheng's spirit sword was pure white, its blade shimmering with a soft light, as if containing boundless power.
The three of them stood on their spirit swords and soared into the air, their figures drawing a magnificent arc in the sky as they flew towards the area where the barrier had loosened.
The wind whistled past their ears, their clothes fluttering in the wind. Along the way, they saw rolling mountains, vast forests, and shimmering lakes. The scenery was beautiful, but they felt no sense of relief, for they knew that a severe test awaited them ahead.
As they continued onward, a mysterious mountain range appeared ahead, shrouded in mist and steep incense, as if concealing countless secrets.
Jiang Jingzhi frowned and said, "The spiritual energy in the mountains ahead is disordered, making it impossible to fly on a sword. We can only proceed on foot."
The three sheathed their spirit swords and slowly landed at the foot of the mountain. After tidying up their belongings, they headed deeper into the mountain range.
The mountain path was rugged and difficult to traverse. They climbed carefully, each step extremely difficult. Every now and then, strange wild beasts would dart past them, roaring, but they were fearless and continued forward with determination.
After several hours of trekking, they finally emerged from the mountains and came upon an ordinary village, with wisps of smoke rising from its chimneys, a scene of tranquility and peace.
Children herding cattle played and laughed on the grass, farmers worked hard in the fields, and women washed clothes in the river, chatting about everyday life.
Looking at the scene before her, Xu Xiaoxiao felt a surge of warmth in her heart. She turned to Jiang Jingzhi and Mu Zhusheng and said, "The people here look so happy."
Jiang Jingzhi nodded and said, "Yes, we must protect them and not let unscrupulous people destroy this peace."
As the three entered the village, the villagers cast curious glances at them. They discovered that these villagers did not possess any spiritual energy fluctuations; they were just ordinary mortals. The houses in the village were all built with straw and mud, simple yet full of life.
An elderly man with white hair walked over and smiled at the three of them, saying, "Where are you from, guests?"
Jiang Jingzhi bowed politely and said, "Old man, we are just passing through and would like to ask to stay here for the night."
The old man said warmly, "Of course, come with me."
The old man led the three to his home and prepared a sumptuous meal for them. During the meal, the three asked the old man about the surrounding area. The old man told them that the place had always been peaceful and nothing strange had ever happened.
After the meal, the three rested at the old man's house for the night. The next morning, the sunlight gently shone on the village, gilding this simple land with a warm golden glow.
Xu Xiaoxiao, Jiang Jingzhi, and Mu Zhusheng bid farewell to the hospitable old man and, filled with gratitude, embarked once again on their journey to the area where the barrier had loosened.
They walked out of the village along the winding path, surrounded by the fresh scent of the fields and the cheerful songs of birds, but the three of them had no interest in the beautiful scenery.
Xu Xiaoxiao carefully took out the map drawn by Li Changchun from her bosom, examined it closely, and her eyes revealed a hint of doubt and unease.
Her finger slid lightly across the map, her brows furrowing deeper and deeper, and she muttered to herself, "Strange, according to the markings on the map, the location where the barrier is loose should be around here."
She looked up, her gaze sweeping across her surroundings, trying to find something unusual in this seemingly ordinary scene.
“Senior Brother,” Xu Xiaoxiao turned to Jiang Jingzhi, her eyes full of worry, “Why is this so strange? Logically speaking, there should be many cultivators guarding the area near the barrier, but none of the people in this village have any spiritual energy fluctuations. They are all ordinary mortals. If any danger really comes, how will they deal with it?”
Jiang Jingzhi stopped and slowly scanned the area around the village with a solemn expression. He frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Xiaoxiao, the question you raised is crucial. Under normal circumstances, there would indeed be forces of cultivators stationed near the barrier to guard against unforeseen events. But the situation in this village is completely different. There might be some reason behind it that we don't yet know about."
His eyes revealed a thoughtful look as he continued, "Perhaps it's because this barrier has existed for too long, tens of thousands of years, causing people to gradually lower their guard. Or perhaps the cultivators who once guarded this place encountered some kind of misfortune and were forced to leave."
Mu Zhusheng nodded slightly and added, "It's also possible that the loosening of this barrier is a recent event, and the news hasn't had time to reach here yet. After all, this village is in a remote location, and the flow of information may not be smooth."
Xu Xiaoxiao bit her lip thoughtfully, her eyes still full of worry: "No matter what the reason, the villagers in this village are in too much danger. If the barrier is completely broken and the power of the demon realm and the demon realm surges out, they will have no ability to resist at all."
Jiang Jingzhi gently patted Xu Xiaoxiao's shoulder and comforted her, "Xiaoxiao, don't worry too much. Now that we have discovered this problem, we will definitely find a way to solve it. The purpose of our trip is to find out the reason for the loosening of the barrier and to find a way to remedy it. As long as we can complete the mission, we can protect the villagers here and the entire cultivation world."
His eyes revealed a firm conviction as he continued, "Now, all we need to do is stay vigilant and continue searching for the location of the barrier. Perhaps, in the process of finding the barrier, we can uncover the secret behind this village."
Xu Xiaoxiao took a deep breath, nodded, and the worry in her eyes was gradually replaced by determination: "Yes, Senior Brother is right. We can't just sit here and worry. We have to take action quickly."
The three exchanged a glance, their eyes gleaming with unwavering resolve. They repacked their belongings and, following the map's directions, strode towards what appeared to be the barrier. Sunlight bathed them, outlining their tall figures, as if leaving a protective mark on this tranquil land.