As the purple light dimmed, the immense pressure dissipated, and Xiao Wenbing naturally withdrew the powerful divine force he had borrowed from the small golden talisman.
Almost everyone, including Long Shi and Feng Hua, secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Being under the shadow of divine majesty was definitely not a pleasant thing.
Xiao Wenbing stepped forward, his voice seemingly calm, but Feng Baiyi could read joy and relief in his eyes:
"White Robe, you've arrived."
"Yes, I have come as promised."
“Okay…” Xiao Wenbing raised his head, his gaze fixed ahead, his voice deep and full of power: “We can set off now.”
Volume 4, Chapter 279: Heavenly Thunder Barrier
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Above the Demon-Suppressing Star, the sky was dark and the earth was shrouded in darkness, with lightning flashing and thunder roaring. Although the Ring of Order was no longer at the very center of the lightning, the thundercloud storm remained condensed, showing no sign of spreading out.
"How long can it last?" Xiao Wenbing asked softly. "Our ancestor said that due to the restraint of the power of order within the thundercloud storm, it can remain unchanged for at least a hundred years," a Divine Wood Venerable stepped forward and said respectfully. "A hundred years?" Xiao Wenbing looked up at the sky, which was still covered with dark clouds, with occasional flashes of light that brightened his eyes.
"Yes, we have a hundred years to go to the Demon Realm. We must retrieve the Qiankun Ring," Long Shi said in a deep voice. Xiao Wenbing had a faint smile on his lips. Retrieve it... Do you think I would allow Yaqi to do anything foolish again after I retrieve it? He stared at the large purple ball of light that seemed ready to explode at any moment, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
"Let's go." A gentle voice sounded in his ear. Xiao Wenbing smiled slightly and said, "Alright, go soon... and come back soon." This trip included not only the thirty-six Venerables from the three holy lands, but also the nine contemporary Divine Thunder Venerables from the Heavenly Thunder Palace. Adding to this were Xiao Wenbing and Feng Baiyi, two people who truly mastered divine power. It could be said that all the elites of the cultivation world had gathered together.
In fact, if the people of the Demon Realm hadn't suddenly gone mad and taken the Qiankun Ring from the thundercloud storm, the three holy lands and the Heavenly Thunder Palace would never have mobilized all their resources to rescue the people from the Demon Realm. However, now, they had no other choice. The thundercloud storm needed the Qiankun Ring to hold it in place; otherwise, if it were to explode over time, it would mean the complete annihilation of this realm, and all cultivators would face annihilation. Under these circumstances, if they didn't go all out, they would be fools who didn't understand the meaning of life and death. Not many people knew about the Qiankun Ring's disappearance, because if it spread, the entire cultivation world would be thrown into chaos. Therefore, only a few super-strong individuals who could truly determine the fate of each race could possess this top secret.
Among the human and demon races, apart from a handful of people like Hui Zhe, Hui Pu, Sect Master Tianyi, Daoist Xianyun, and the Lion King, the rest were kept in the dark. However, just before they were about to leave, the Food King arrived. He insisted that they take one person with them: the Butterfly Fairy, who had received the Star Dou Illusionary Realm's inheritance. Xiao Wenbing initially refused. But after the Butterfly Fairy demonstrated the power of the Star Dou Illusionary Realm once, everyone except him agreed. It should be noted that while each of them possessed exceptional cultivation, their numbers were too few, and the Star Dou Illusionary Realm was a key factor in compensating for this weakness. Finally, following the principle of majority rule, Xiao Wenbing had no choice but to acquiesce.
Led by Feng Baiyi, they arrived before the large purple sphere of light. The closer they got, the more immense the pressure they felt. Their breathing quickened involuntarily, and their protective auras expanded to their maximum. Even Xiao Wenbing had to use his divine power to envelop himself and Die Xian; otherwise, the lightning and thunder within the sphere alone would have been enough to terrify and render them helpless. However, Feng Baiyi and the nine Heavenly Venerables of the Heavenly Thunder Palace remained completely unfazed, as if what they saw before them was not some destructive force capable of annihilating a world, but something insignificant. Their composure alone was truly admirable.
Feng Baiyi extended a delicate, white hand, from which a purple light suddenly appeared. The light extended continuously, gradually forming a deep purple, ever-flowing greatsword. At the same time, behind her, the several Celestial Venerables simultaneously flipped their hands, pulling out an ancient and majestic longsword from their mustard seed space. The Ten Sacred Swords of the Thunder Palace had finally appeared simultaneously outside the Thunder Palace today.
A glint of cold light slowly flew from the energy sword in Feng Baiyi's hand, landing on the Heavenly Thunder Secondary Sword in the hand of one of the Celestial Venerables. The light circled the sword once, then flew up again, creating a purple light screen, and flew towards the second Celestial Venerable. A moment later, all nine Heavenly Thunder Secondary Swords lit up with dazzling light. Feng Baiyi gave a soft shout, raising the energy sword high. Suddenly, countless lights flew up from the ten Heavenly Thunder Swords, forming a purple light screen in mid-air. "A Thunder Barrier?" Xiao Wenbing murmured, not expecting that Feng Baiyi could open the Thunder Barrier after obtaining the Heavenly Thunder Divine Sword. "That's right, it's the Heavenly Thunder Barrier unique to the Heavenly Thunder Palace." Long Shi said with considerable envy, "Only by being inside the Heavenly Thunder Barrier can we safely pass through this Heavenly Thunder Forbidden Zone." "Go..." With Feng Baiyi's command, everyone maintained a certain speed and moved towards the large light sphere.
Feng Baiyi, taking the lead, was the first to make contact with the heavenly lightning. The raging energy within the sphere of light struck the light barrier in front of her. However, seemingly due to their shared origin, no matter how fierce the lightning raged outside, it could not shake the light barrier in the slightest. Little by little, the light barrier, enveloping everyone, finally entered the large sphere of light completely.
Although Xiao Wenbing and the others appeared calm on the surface, they were all fully focused and on high alert. However, even their vigilance was likely futile. Being in such a densely packed area of chaotic energy, if the light barrier shattered, only the ten experts from the Heavenly Thunder Palace and Xiao Wenbing, possessing divine power, would be able to escape. As for the others, their chances of survival were slim, and they would likely perish instantly within the light sphere. Suddenly, a clear voice broke the oppressive atmosphere: "Master, it's so beautiful!" Butterfly Fairy, who had initially been apprehensive, calmed down after Xiao Wenbing took her hand. Now, inside the circle, she looked around, showing no fear whatsoever, but rather becoming lively. "Is that so?" Xiao Wenbing casually replied. The powerful lightning outside the light barrier relentlessly struck it, showing no mercy despite their shared origin. However, after watching for a while, not only Xiao Wenbing, but also the Venerables from the three holy lands, all felt relieved. The Heavenly Thunder Palace's methods were indeed extraordinary; the origin of this light barrier was unknown. Despite the continuous strikes of lightning, it showed no signs of cracking or breaking; instead, it gradually absorbed the powerful energy within the lightning. Initially, each strike caused the light barrier to tremble slightly, and everyone's hearts pounded with anxiety. But after only a short while, as the light barrier absorbed more and more energy, it became increasingly solid and firm. The closer to the center of the lightning, the more powerful it became, and the more frequently it struck, but the more this happened, the more stable the light barrier remained. Now, the entire light barrier was practically tangible. Although the intensity of the lightning strikes was at least twice as strong as when they first entered the large light sphere, the light barrier showed no sign of shaking.
"The divine techniques of the Heavenly Thunder Palace are truly extraordinary," Long Shi exclaimed sincerely. However, when he turned around, he saw that Xiao Wenbing's brows were furrowed even more deeply. Long Shi was startled, a terrible thought suddenly occurring to him, and he quickly looked around. He saw that the Heavenly Venerables of the Heavenly Thunder Palace, including Feng Baiyi, were all composed, showing no signs of fatigue or exhaustion. Compared to their earlier diligent approach, they were now much more relaxed. Long Shi was greatly surprised. Judging from this, it seemed that they would easily cross the lightning zone and reach the Demon Realm, so why was Xiao Wenbing so worried? "Fellow Daoist Xiao, is there something amiss?" Long Shi asked cautiously. Xiao Wenbing was taken aback, then forced a smile and said, "May I ask, senior, how strong is the lightning here?" "Strong." "If senior had come here alone, could you have guaranteed your safety?" Long Shi immediately shook his head, without even a moment's thought, and said decisively, "Absolutely impossible."
“Yes,” Xiao Wenbing sighed softly, “Since even you aren’t confident you can survive here, then… how did those demon bastards in the Demon Realm manage to take Yaqi and the Qiankun Ring out?” Upon hearing this, Long Shi was speechless… Yes, could there be something similar to the Heavenly Thunder Palace in the Demon Realm? But if so, why hadn’t he seen them during the two invasions? Just as Long Shi was pondering this, the light barrier finally pierced through the layers of lightning blockade and arrived before the seal connecting the cultivation world and the demon realm. This seal had clearly been reinforced countless times; therefore, although the violent power of the cultivation world was extraordinary, it was impossible to destroy it.
However, before Feng Baiyi, before the Heavenly Thunder Sword capable of cleaving through any barrier, even the strongest seal was utterly useless. She slightly tilted her energy sword and gently pulled at the seal; with just this insignificant pull, the seal cracked open. Feng Baiyi moved, leading the entire light barrier swiftly through the seal. Xiao Wenbing subconsciously squeezed the Heavenly Void Ring in his hand. Here were several newly forged super treasures; with these magical artifacts, he was confident he could stir up an unprecedented storm in the Demon Realm. Their eyes lit up; they had finally entered the Demon Realm…
Volume 4, The Divine Artifacts, Chapter 280: First Entry into the Demon Realm
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What lay before them was an environment not much different from an ordinary planet in the cultivation world, but as far as the eye could see, there was no one to be seen for thousands of miles, making it seem extremely desolate.
"Is this... the Demon Realm?" Xiao Wenbing asked softly. The scene here reminded him of an unforgettable place, the desolate planet on the way to the Divine Tree Forbidden Land.
Back then, Zhang Yaqi nestled beside him, but now, she is no longer there.
“That’s right, this is the Demon Realm, the greatest enemy of our cultivation world,” Long Shi replied slowly.
Seemingly noticing Xiao Wenbing's dazed expression, Feng Hua asked curiously, "Fellow Daoist Xiao, what's wrong?"
"Hmm...it's nothing." Xiao Wenbing perked up, looked around, and after a while, suddenly asked, "Then, where are the people from the Demon Realm?"
"have no idea."
Long Shi and the others looked at each other in disbelief. This was just too incredible.
This is the seal of the Demon Realm! How could they not know its importance, and not even arrange for someone to guard it?
"Could it be that everyone in the Demon Realm is dead?" Long Shi frowned and said casually, but he immediately shook his head to deny his strange idea.
Slowly, Xiao Wenbing closed his eyes, and his divine sense scanned in all directions.
Long Shi and the others remained silent, not daring to disturb him. After a while, Xiao Wenbing murmured softly, as if talking to himself, "I seem to be feeling... a very strange feeling."
Long Shi was taken aback. He followed Xiao Wenbing's example and used his divine sense to observe the surroundings for a while, but found nothing. He couldn't help but ask, "Nothing. What kind of feeling is it?"
"die."
"What?"
Xiao Wenbing kept his eyes closed, and though his voice was soft, it seemed to carry an elusive magic: "It's the aura of death."
“Yes, an aura of death permeates this place.” A tall, thin, divine tree-dwelling elder stepped forward and said, “This planet seems to be heading towards destruction.” (Reading without giving votes is despicable.)
“Look…” Feng Hua pointed into the distance and said softly.
Everyone looked up and was horrified. In the distant sky, a faint red hue seemed to suddenly appear, as red as blood, a sight that shocked and horrified.
After a long time, the red color gradually dissipated, but the breathtaking, blood-red hue remained unforgettable.
"What is this?" Xiao Wenbing asked.
No one answered him, because it was simply impossible for anyone to know the answer to that question.
“I understand…” A flash of inspiration struck Xiao Wenbing, and he suddenly realized the reason.
"Why?"
"Three thunderbolts combined into one".
"What?"
“It must have been the thundercloud storm on Zhenmo Star that affected the Demon Realm,” Xiao Wenbing said with certainty.
"Clap..." Long Shi clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Fellow Daoist Xiao is indeed clever and resourceful. That's right. That's why this place has become so desolate."
They exchanged a smile, simultaneously realizing something. Since there was no one guarding this place, the demons wouldn't have noticed their arrival.
In this way, they had fewer concerns and more confidence in their search for Zhang Yaqi.
Although they couldn't fathom what methods the demon cubs had used to create the giant sphere of light from the Qiankun Ring, the people of the demon realm would likely be even more astonished that such a skill existed within the cultivation world. Perhaps this allowed them to successfully pass through the heavenly thunderstorm, a forbidden zone of death.
"Everyone, now is not the time to discuss this issue. We need to close the seal, please step aside." A Heavenly Venerable from the Thunder Palace frowned and reprimanded him mercilessly.
These celestial beings had struggled to maintain the heavenly lightning barrier to reach this place, but instead of leaving, they began chatting enthusiastically inside the barrier.
Did they think this barrier could last forever?
Xiao Wenbing and the others snapped out of their daze and rushed out of the barrier in a flurry. The barrier was the safest place inside the large purple sphere of light. However, now that they were out, it was best to stay away from the heavenly lightning.
Seeing that everyone had left the barrier, Feng Baiyi gave an order, and all the Heavenly Venerables simultaneously stopped their work. The light barrier that had protected everyone as they passed through the light sphere vanished without a trace.
Feng Baiyi swept her hand back, and the lightning that had surged from the gap in the seal immediately retreated obediently.
The Celestial Venerables nodded in agreement. Feng Baiyi's ability to sense and manipulate lightning had reached a peak, surpassing even the millennia of arduous cultivation of the nine Celestial Venerables.
"Seal..." Feng Baiyi uttered softly.
Long Shi, Feng Hua, and the others nodded, and the twenty-four Dragon and Phoenix Venerables waved their hands together, instantly forming a powerful Dragon and Phoenix Barrier.
Xiao Wenbing's eyes twitched slightly. He could naturally sense the immense power of this barrier. In terms of effectiveness, it was far superior to the barrier used to intercept enemies on the Demon Suppression Star in the past.
The barrier created by the gods was at least a hundred times larger.
He was filled with doubt. How could this be? With his current level of vision, he could tell at a glance that the power of this dragon and phoenix barrier was unprecedented, and a faint golden wisp could be clearly seen within the barrier.
The golden energy, if he wasn't mistaken, this... should be the power of order, one of the three top divine powers.
I remember on Zhenmo Star, the last dragon-phoenix barrier that Long Shi and Feng Hua jointly set up was able to withstand the Dark God for a moment. The power of that barrier was extremely rare.
However, compared to the Dragon and Phoenix Barrier at this moment, it is insignificant and cannot be compared at all.
If the cultivation levels of the other twenty-two Dragon and Phoenix Venerables were more than ten times higher than those of Long Shi and Feng Hua, that would be understandable. However, after absorbing the energy from the Dragon King's Reverse Scale and the Phoenix Lord's Top Feather, Long Shi and Feng Hua's cultivation levels had far surpassed those of Tong Ji.
The other twenty-two Venerables were not only superior to them in cultivation, but even if four or five of them attacked together, they might not necessarily gain the upper hand.
With such people joining forces with them, one would think the barrier's power couldn't have increased too much. But the facts before him told him that the barrier's power hadn't just increased in quantity, but seemed to have undergone a subtle qualitative change.
"What...what's going on?" Xiao Wenbing casually pulled over one of the Divine Tree Venerables and asked.
Perhaps because of the instructions of the Divine Tree Ancestor, these Divine Tree Venerables were extremely respectful to Xiao Wenbing, at least answering all his questions without any problems.
"If all twenty-four Venerables of the Dragon and Phoenix clans gather together, the Dragon and Phoenix Barrier they set up will no longer be ordinary Dragon and Phoenix power."
"Not ordinary dragon and phoenix power?" Xiao Wenbing pondered these words for a long time before suddenly realizing that if it wasn't ordinary dragon and phoenix power, then it must be the power of order.
The fact that the Dragon and Phoenix clans are two of the three major races in the cultivation world is truly well-deserved. It turns out that their highest level is the ability to manipulate the laws of order. This alone is enough to put them on par with the Heavenly Thunder Palace.
Suddenly, a thought flashed through Xiao Wenbing's mind: "If you thirty-six Venerables and the nine Heavenly Venerables join forces, can you also set up the Immortal Slaughtering Formation?"
The Venerable Divine Tree pondered for a moment, then said, "Alright."
"Is that so?" Xiao Wenbing replied absentmindedly. If he had known this would happen, why were they still fighting to the death with the Dark God on Zhenmo Star? They could have just let them take action and solved the problem just as well.
"Wenbing." A gentle voice called from beside him. Xiao Wenbing turned around and met Feng Baiyi's bright eyes: "If we wait until the thirty-six Venerables and the nine Heavenly Venerables gather together, the Dark God will have already disappeared. At that time, eliminating it will definitely not be a problem for just one Demon-Suppressing Star."
"Yes, I understand." Xiao Wenbing forced a smile. How could he not know this principle? However, as long as the Dark God did not attack Earth or Tianding Star, he might not care much about the casualties of others unless he witnessed them with his own eyes.
If there were no other means in the cultivation world to eliminate the Dark God, that would be fine. But since there is a way, it makes the three of them the ones to suffer the consequences, which is somewhat unfair.
She shook her head slightly, but it was too late to change anything now. The only thing to do was to pray that they could find Zhang Yaqi as soon as possible.
The combined power of the twenty-four Dragon and Phoenix Venerables was indeed extraordinary; in just a short while, they had completely sealed the seal.
The leading Venerable Shenmu stepped forward, gesturing wildly at the seal before turning back and saying, "Alright, the illusion has been set up. Unless you touch it yourself, you shouldn't be able to see any flaws."
"Your Excellency is indeed very careful," Xiao Wenbing said with a smile, praising him.
Now, even if someone is worried and comes to check, they will find it difficult to discover anything unusual.
"What should we do now?" Long Shi and the others withdrew the barrier, gathered around Xiao Wenbing, and asked.
Yes... what should we do? Xiao Wenbing opened his mouth, but couldn't come up with a solution.
Before they came here, they had already considered countless possibilities, the most likely of which was that upon exiting the passage, they would be confronted with an earth-shattering life-or-death struggle.