As far as I remember, when the sealing magic array on the island in the original story activated, the nearest sect spent ages investigating before finally finding out that their reason for being stationed there was to guard the sealing magic array... Such examples were countless. Therefore, Lu Xuan didn't have much affection for most sects.
He collected the inherited scriptures from various sects, firstly to accumulate various cultivation techniques and secret arts to enhance his own strength and that of the Hidden Immortal Sect. Secondly, he collected the secret records of various sects to integrate clues from the ancient wars and even the barbaric era.
These clues hold immense value. They contain the ancient cultivators' caves, sect ruins, ancient battlefields, and secret realms—all hidden within them.
After launching three consecutive surprise attacks on the Demonic Sect's transport convoy, Lu Xuan led his men in a swift retreat, disappearing without a trace. By the time the Demonic Sect assembled four Nascent Soul stage experts and dozens of Golden Core stage cultivators to encircle and annihilate them, the Hidden Immortal Sect members had already vanished without a trace.
The setback at the rear enraged the members of the Demonic Sect. War is fought for profit. Now that the war was over and their profits had been stolen, how could they not be furious?
However, no matter how angry they were, they couldn't find a target. They could only direct their anger at the seven major sects on the front lines. However, the Demonic Sect wasn't entirely without intelligence. After three defeats, Lu Xuan found it difficult to find an opportunity to strike. The escort teams were a mix of genuine and fake agents, with various hidden traps. For safety's sake, Lu Xuan stopped attacking them.
In just three transactions, they had already acquired nearly two million spirit stones. They had over sixty mid-grade spirit stones and four high-grade ones. The various cultivation techniques and secret arts were countless.
The Demon Sect's headquarters.
"So, there's still no news about the attackers?"
"Reporting to the sect leader, not yet. However, we already have a target."
Who is it?
"After extensive investigation, we have confirmed that the seven major sects did not send such a team to attack our rear. However, there is another sect in Tiannan that we have been overlooking."
"Hidden Immortal Sect!"
"That's right, it's the Hidden Immortal Sect. They're very strange. Because they didn't obey the orders of the seven major sects, they've been ostracized by all the major sects in Tiannan. But they also refuse our recruitment. Instead, they wander independently somewhere in Tiannan. Moreover, it's said that the Hidden Immortal Sect has at least two Nascent Soul stage cultivators, one in the middle stage and one in the early stage. In addition, there are several Golden Core stage cultivators. If they also have some unknown secret techniques, it's entirely possible and possible for them to attack our rear."
"Hehehe, a mere sect of three or five people dares to provoke the Six Sects of the Demonic Path. Go and inform the other sects that this time I will definitely extract their souls and refine them to vent my hatred."
The Ghost Spirit Sect Master couldn't help but hate the Hidden Immortal Sect so much. Mainly because Lu Xuan had intervened three times, twice robbing the Ghost Spirit Sect's transport convoys. There was no other way; Lu Xuan's techniques were the most effective counter to the Ghost Spirit Sect.
In a secluded valley within the territory of Tiannan, the members of the Hidden Immortal Sect were holding a discussion.
"Our repeated attacks have likely angered the demonic forces. Next time, they will surely launch a large-scale attack."
“That’s right, but we still have to make a move.” The others from the Hidden Immortal Sect didn’t understand, but Hongyu instantly understood Lu Xuan’s meaning.
"Would you like to try out your new supernatural power?"
"That's right. Since I advanced to the mid-Nascent Soul stage, I've been confident that my supernatural abilities have greatly improved, but I've never had a suitable opponent to test myself. So, this time I'll practice on someone from the demonic path."
“I understand what you mean, but for safety’s sake, we still need to make some arrangements. Ruyin has already restored that ancient teleportation array. Hongxiu is currently making teleportation talismans. Once we have prepared an escape route, have Hongxiu and Ruyin set up a few suitable formations to ensure your safe escape.”
"Although I don't think it's necessary, since you've brought it up, let's do it this way. Everyone, meditate and cultivate in seclusion. We'll begin our operation in three days."
.............
Old Demon Han has been quite frustrated lately. He'd gone through tremendous effort to escape Yan Family Fortress alive, only to be conscripted halfway there and sent to guard a spirit stone mine. Then came a series of fierce battles, leaving Old Demon Han with absolutely no time to focus on his cultivation.
He actually had no interest in the war between good and evil. But he had no choice; being confined to the Yellow Maple Valley, he had no room for resistance.
He could have simply held out like this until the war ended. After all, his cultivation level was top-tier in the Foundation Establishment stage. He was virtually unmatched by enemies of the same level. Holding out until the war was over wasn't impossible. But the problem was that he had inadvertently obtained some extremely important information.
That meant that among the seven major sects, Spirit Beast Mountain was a spy for the demonic path. The frontline battlefield was a huge trap. If nothing unexpected happened, the defeat of the Seven Sects of Tiannan was inevitable. This made Han Li decide to flee the battlefield. However, he wasn't a complete scoundrel after all. After much thought, he finally decided to return to his sect to report.
But once he returned, he had no choice in the matter.
"You are the future of the sect. I will arrange for an elder to lead you away quietly. The rest of you will stay here as bait to ensure your survival. I have already instructed the elder in charge on the follow-up matters. Once you reach the new sect location, lie low and wait for the right opportunity to rebuild Yellow Maple Valley."
Who is Han Li? Han the Old Demon. He's a shrewd man. At first, he was deeply moved by the sect's actions. But he quickly realized they'd been deceived. That's right, Elder Linghu had absolutely lied to them. The reason was simple: in Huangfeng Valley's eyes, he was merely a pseudo-spiritual root. How could someone with such aptitude be chosen as the sect's future?
Therefore, the result is obvious. They were the bait; those who remained are the true future of the so-called sect!
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Chapter 492 Ten Directions Demon-Slaying Prison
Sure enough, their group was attacked shortly after setting out. No, to be precise, they fell into a trap. It was as if their attackers had known their route all along, setting up an ambush and waiting for them to take the bait. The elder leading the group showed no surprise whatsoever, nor did he show any intention of protecting the so-called 'sect'. He simply gave the order in a cold, hard voice.
"Everyone fights their own battle; whoever can escape is one more chance..."
Han Li, relying on his numerous trump cards, was one of the very few who managed to escape. However, he knew he wasn't out of danger. After all, the entire Tiannan region had fallen, and the Demonic Cult's search teams were everywhere. He could only run for his life.
He knew of a hidden place with an ancient teleportation array. However, the array was damaged and needed repair before it could be used.
Lu Xuan's appearance changed quite a few things. For example, he intercepted Xin Ruyin beforehand, preventing Han Li from meeting her and obtaining the method to repair the ancient teleportation array. However, Han Li is, after all, the protagonist, and his luck is astonishing.
He managed to find some information in ancient books. He had prepared all the materials long ago, ready to attempt to repair the magic array and escape Tiannan if absolutely necessary.
However, Han Li, who was on his way, was suddenly startled by a chaotic and massive burst of spiritual energy. He instinctively looked up and was horrified to find that he seemed to be approaching the battlefield of some high-level cultivator.
From a distance, about seven or eight figures could be seen besieging one person. The attackers were all radiating demonic energy, clearly belonging to the demonic path. The person being attacked, on the other hand, was covered in golden lightning, perfectly fitting the persona of a deity.
Han Li was only at the Foundation Establishment stage at this time and couldn't discern the cultivation levels of those people. However, he sensed that their cultivation levels clearly exceeded the Golden Core stage. Could it be that they were all at the Nascent Soul stage?
Han Li was startled and dared not look any further. He could only take a detour. Fortunately, the two sides in the great battle seemed to be at a critical juncture, and no one seemed to be paying attention to him. This allowed him to escape successfully.
In the middle of the battlefield, facing the siege of seven Nascent Soul cultivators, Lu Xuan's expression remained unchanged. He even had a momentary lapse in concentration, sensing a figure that had just passed by him, a figure that seemed somewhat familiar.
His actions enraged the attackers on the field. This time, the demonic path dispatched seven Nascent Soul cultivators: two in the mid-stage and five in the early stage, to join forces and kill Lu Xuan. The Ghost Spirit Sect alone deployed two Nascent Soul cultivators, and the other sects each sent one. Their aim was to completely annihilate the Hidden Immortal Sect. Unexpectedly, they didn't encounter the Hidden Immortal Sect itself, but only its sect leader. They even had a strange feeling: was this Hidden Immortal Sect leader waiting for them?
Lu Xuan was indeed waiting for them. Having mastered the Evil-Repelling Divine Thunder and successfully subdued the True Fire of the Sun, Lu Xuan desperately needed a battle to test himself. He even deliberately walked into this encirclement to test his limits.
Of course, he only appeared to be alone. In reality, he had carefully chosen this battlefield. Around the battlefield, the Hidden Immortal Sect members had already set up three different formations to ensure he could move freely.
Facing seven Nascent Soul level opponents, Lu Xuan was not afraid, but he wouldn't underestimate them either. With a thought, his entire body was instantly covered in golden lightning.
"Exorcising Divine Lightning!" An elder of the Ghost Spirit Sect exclaimed in shock. There was no way around it; the Ghost Spirit Sect's methods were mostly based on the Yin and Ghostly arts. What they feared most was the Exorcising Divine Lightning. Encountering a cultivator who possessed such a divine power would instantly reduce their abilities by sixty percent!