Chapter 1215
Tribulation: The Demon Sword Immortal's Questioning
"A map showing the distribution of the Demonic Source?"
Ye Yang was taken aback.
"Fellow Daoist's secret technique can actually track Dao Ancestors above the Thunder Tribulation Realm?"
Seeing Ye Yang's surprised expression, Qingyun Sanren smiled and explained.
"Master Ye is overthinking it. How could I possibly have the ability to directly track a Dao Ancestor at the Tribulation Realm?"
"That secret technique is called 'Spirit Tracing Seal'. It can only attach to the demonic energy dissipated by the Dao Ancestor and capture clues by following the trajectory of the demonic energy's flow, rather than directly tracking the Dao Ancestor's physical body."
He gathered a wisp of cyan spiritual energy at his fingertips, drawing a subtle airflow trajectory in the air.
"When that giant hand struck, the scattered demonic energy flooded the tomb like a tide. I took the opportunity to attach the sect's heirloom, the 'Spirit Tracing Seal,' to a wisp of demonic energy."
"This demonic energy eventually drifted toward a stone platform deep within the tomb."
"It was from the stone platform that I deciphered the information about the distribution map of the demonic source."
Ye Yang then understood and nodded, signaling him to continue.
Qingyun Sanren withdrew his spiritual energy, his expression turning solemn once more.
“The stone platform was covered with ancient demonic runes. After the ‘Spirit Tracing Seal’ resonated with the demonic runes, it transmitted the image of the distribution map into my sea of consciousness.”
"The map marks seven demonic energy nodes in the Star Sea Demon Realm. Each of them is connected to the demonic energy veins deep underground, which are the core of where demonic cultivators draw power."
"What's even more terrifying is that there's a piece of information hidden within the magic runes."
"Oh? I wonder what kind of information could make Dao Ancestor Qingyun so cautious?"
The azure light at Qingyun Sanren's fingertips suddenly dimmed, and his tone became somewhat somber.
"That information was extremely well hidden. Even with the sect's heirloom, it took me three whole days to fully decipher it."
"After learning that we had conquered the Star Sea Demon Realm, the Undying Mountain was extremely furious. They have already set up a 'Demon Gathering Array' in the Undying Demon Source Node, preparing to tear apart the spatial barrier of the Star Sea Demon Realm and launch a large-scale invasion."
"A demon ancestor at the Thunder Tribulation Dao Realm or higher personally took action?"
Ye Yang seemed to have thought of something, and suddenly clenched his fist, his knuckles turning slightly white.
"So hastily done!"
He originally thought that even if a demon ancestor of that level of cultivation were to make a move, he should have some time to prepare.
But they never expected that the other party had already secretly laid out a plan, and even the timing of the attack was so precise.
"This is absolutely true."
After Qingyun Sanren finished replenishing his supplies, a light blue jade slip appeared in his palm.
"This is a rubbing of the demonic pattern fragment recorded in the 'Spirit Tracing Seal,' which still retains the aura of the Demon Gathering Array. Dao Ancestor Ye can examine it himself."
Ye Yang accepted the jade slip.
The moment their fingertips touched the jade surface, they felt a chilling, bone-piercing demonic aura rushing towards them.
It also contains the obscure fluctuations unique to the operation of the formation.
He placed the jade slip between his eyebrows, and after a moment he opened his eyes, his brows furrowing even more tightly.
"It really is the aura of the Demon Gathering Array. Moreover, the aura within this array is extremely condensed, much more so than the demonic energy we encountered in the Star Sea Demon Realm before."
Gu Xuan, who was listening from the side, was deeply shocked and couldn't help but speak up.
"In the battle of the Star Sea Demon Realm, we expended an enormous amount of effort to drive these demons out, but now it seems they are about to make a comeback."
"The Thunder Tribulation Demon Ancestor has been born; if we are not careful... the consequences will be unimaginable!"
Qingyun Sanren nodded, his tone solemn.
“Indeed, what’s even more troublesome is that there is more than one Thunder Tribulation Demon Ancestor who has made a move this time. I’ve heard that the master of the Undying Mountain, ‘Netherworld Dao Ancestor,’ has reached the late stage of Thunder Tribulation. Even if he is close to the legendary Mahayana Immortal, he is only one step away from breaking through the void.”
Upon hearing this, Ye Yang remained silent for a moment, then got up and walked outside the hall.
As he gazed at the twilight gradually descending on the horizon, the slight sense of relief he had felt from his breakthrough in Blood Flame couldn't help but turn somewhat solemn.
He originally thought that after obtaining the inheritance from the Demon Ancestor's tomb, he would have time to rest properly, plan his future, and focus on breaking through to the Thunder Tribulation Dao Realm.
But given the current situation, war could break out at any moment, and it could come even more swiftly, leaving no time for people to catch their breath.
"Fellow Daoist Qingyun."
Ye Yang turned around, his eyes now sharp.
"Do you have the map of the Demon Source with you? The most urgent task now is to unite all forces in the Dao Alliance and make preparations in advance to deal with it."
"With just the Flying Heaven Sect and the Azure Cloud Sect, it is probably impossible to withstand the army of the Netherworld Dao Ancestor."
"The distribution map has been copied onto another jade slip."
Qingyun Sanren immediately took out the second jade slip.
"I have come here today to discuss with Daozu Ye the possibility that the two of us should take the lead and immediately go to the headquarters of the Dao Alliance to inform all the sects of this matter."
"Delay will only lead to unforeseen changes. If the demons are allowed to successfully activate the Demon Gathering Array, the barrier of the Star Sea Demon Realm will break, and the entire cultivation world will be engulfed in war."
Ye Yang nodded, took the jade slip, gently traced the patterns on it with his fingertips, and took a deep breath.
"There's no time to lose. Let's set off now. As far as I know, Senior Azure Lotus Sword Immortal is currently being suppressed in the Star Sea Demon Realm. Let's inform him of this immediately."
Seeing that Ye Yang had made up his mind, Qingyun Sanren stood up and said.
"In that case, let's set off immediately. At our speed, we should be able to arrive by tomorrow morning."
Ye Yang nodded, casually closed the door of the council hall, and the next moment a flash of green light appeared in his palm, the Azure Dragon Sky-Splitting Sword was already hanging behind him.
The spatial patterns on the sword glowed faintly, causing the surrounding airflow to swirl into tiny vortices.
Qingyun Sanren then summoned a green bamboo staff, and with a light tap on the ground, two green light trails extended from beneath their feet.
"Gu Xuan, I entrust the Flying Heaven Sect to you."
Ye Yang glanced in the direction of the council hall, his tone solemn.
"Rest assured, Dao Ancestor, you and Senior Qingyun may go ahead. I will certainly order the disciples to guard the mountain gate and await good news."
Ye Yang nodded.
As soon as Gu Xuan finished speaking, Ye Yang and Qingyun Sanren transformed into streaks of light, rushing out of the Flying Heaven Gate's base one after the other and heading towards the Dao Alliance headquarters.
In the night sky, azure light pierced the darkness like two shooting stars, tearing a narrow slit in the clouds along its path.
Ye Yang activated the Xuan Yuan Gui Yi Technique, continuously channeling his Dao power into the Azure Dragon Sky-Splitting Sword, while Qingyun Sanren also ran at full speed.
What should have been a half-day journey was compressed by the two of them by nearly half.
The two, one after the other, finally arrived at the location of the Dao Alliance as the morning sun was just rising.
en route.
Ye Yang would occasionally glance in the direction of the Starry Sea Demon Realm, his brows furrowed slightly.
He could vaguely sense that a terrifying power was slowly awakening in that dark region, like a lurking beast that might open its bloody maw at any moment.
Turning around, the two discovered that the outline of a huge city was faintly visible on the horizon ahead.
It is the "Lingxiao City" where the headquarters of the Dao Alliance is located in the Star River Demon Realm.
Lingxiao City is surrounded by a nine-layered protective array.
Even in the dead of night, it exudes an awe-inspiring aura.
The two slowed down and landed in front of the Lingxiao City gate.
Upon seeing the two men's extraordinary aura, the Dao Alliance disciples guarding the city quickly stepped forward to pay their respects. "May I ask which sect you two seniors come from? What brings you to the Dao Alliance so late at night?"
Ye Yang took out a token engraved with the mark of the Flying Heaven Sect and threw it over.
"Ye Yang of the Flying Heaven Sect and Qingyun Sanren of the Qingyun Sect have urgent business to attend to with Senior Qinglian Sword Immortal."
Upon seeing the Flying Heaven Sect mark on the token, the city-guarding disciple dared not be negligent and quickly spoke up.
"Please wait a moment, seniors, while I inform you immediately."
After saying that, he turned and ran into the city.
A moment later, a golden beam of light rushed from the city and landed, transforming into a cultivator dressed in a golden-patterned Taoist robe.
This man had a handsome face and a sharp look between his brows; he was none other than Jin Yu Dao Ren, the eldest disciple of the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal.
"I am Jin Yu, and I have met Dao Ancestor Ye and Dao Ancestor Qingyun."
Jin Yu Daoist stepped forward quickly and bowed with his hands clasped in greeting.
He had already learned the identities of the two men from the disciples guarding the city, and vaguely guessed that the matter was urgent, so he dared not be negligent in the slightest.
“My master is currently in seclusion to consolidate his cultivation. However, I just informed him of the arrival of the two Dao Ancestors via a communication talisman. My master has ordered me to immediately lead the two to their place of seclusion.”
Ye Yang and Qingyun Sanren exchanged a glance, and Ye Yang felt somewhat reassured.
"Thank you for your trouble, Fellow Daoist Jin Yu."
Jin Yu Daoist nodded and stepped aside to lead the way: "Please follow me, you two Dao Ancestors."
After saying that, he led the two of them deeper into Lingxiao City.
Lingxiao City has a rigorous internal layout, with ancient palaces standing on both sides of the streets. Each palace is guarded by Dao Alliance disciples, making it heavily guarded.
The cultivators along the way saw that Daoist Jinyu was personally leading the way.
They were accompanied by two powerful Dao Ancestors, who all turned their heads to look, but no one dared to step forward and ask.
Before long, the three of them arrived in front of a palace that was suspended in mid-air.
The entire palace was constructed of blue jade, and its roof was covered with a thin layer of mist.
Countless sword energies could be vaguely seen circulating in the clouds and mist; this was the "Azure Lotus Palace," the secluded training ground of the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal.
Jin Yu Daoist stopped and bowed to the palace.
"Master, Dao Ancestor Ye and Dao Ancestor Qingyun have arrived."
After a moment of silence in the palace, a gentle yet authoritative voice rang out.
"Let them in."
Jin Yu Dao Ren pushed open the hall door in response and gestured "please" to Ye Yang and Qing Yun San Ren.
"Please come in, Your Excellencies. I will wait outside the hall."
Ye Yang nodded to Qingyun Sanren and then walked into the hall.
The two looked up and saw that the hall was shrouded in mist.
On the lotus platform in the very center sat a cultivator dressed in a blue-white Taoist robe.
This person had a gaunt face, white hair and beard, and was surrounded by countless tiny cyan sword energies.
Although it did not take any action, the sword energy still slowly swirled in the air, forming an invisible barrier, which was the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal.
The Azure Lotus Sword Immortal slowly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing in them as he looked down at the two of them.
"Fellow Daoists, your visit so late at night must mean something important has happened, right?"
Ye Yang and Qingyun Sanren exchanged a glance. Qingyun Sanren stepped forward and handed over the jade slip containing the demonic runes from Su's hand.
"Reporting to senior, I have come here to report an urgent matter concerning the demon invasion."
"This jade slip contains the Demon Clan's conspiracy. Please take a look, senior."
The Azure Lotus Sword Immortal took the jade slip and infused it with a wisp of Dao power. In less than half a breath, the azure sword energy surrounding him suddenly trembled slightly.
A sharp glint flashed in his originally calm eyes, but he quickly returned to his usual composure.
When he returned the jade slip to Ye Yang, he spoke calmly.
"I am already aware of this matter."
Upon hearing this, both Ye Yang and Qingyun Sanren were taken aback.
Qingyun Sanren couldn't help but take a step forward.
"Senior, the Undying Mountain of the Demon Clan is eyeing us covetously, and a Demon Ancestor at the Thunder Tribulation Dao Realm or higher is personally leading the expedition. This matter concerns the survival of the entire cultivation world, how can we..."
"Fellow Daoist Qingyun, please calm down."
The Azure Lotus Sword Immortal raised her hand to interrupt him, her tone still gentle, yet carrying an undeniable authority.
"When we fought in the Star Sea Demon Realm before, the demons were able to be repelled, so naturally they can't cause any more trouble now."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the tense expressions of the two men, and added.
"The map of the distribution of the demonic source that you brought can fill in the gap in our investigation. The rest can be left to this old Taoist priest."
Seeing that he was confident, Ye Yang felt a little relieved, but he still felt uneasy because things were going too smoothly.
Just as he was about to ask for more details, the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal suddenly turned his gaze to him, and his tone abruptly turned somber.
"Ye Yang, do you know your crime?"
The question came so suddenly that Ye Yang's heart skipped a beat.
I instantly recalled the fierce battle outside the Flying Heaven Gate's base when I left the pass.
When the Dao Alliance's Nascent Soul Dao Ancestor saw that the Evil King Blade had been upgraded to a high-grade Dao artifact, he coveted it and was directly killed by him.
Later, when the Dao Alliance went to investigate, he thought the matter would be over, but he did not expect that he would be exposed by the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal at this time.
"younger generation……"
Ye Yang was about to explain the cause and effect.
Suddenly, he felt an invisible pressure emanating from the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal.
In an instant, the clouds and mist in the hall froze.
The surrounding cyan sword energy also became sharper, as if it would pierce his body at any moment.
His throat tightened, and he couldn't utter the rest of his words. He could only clench his fists and stand with his head bowed.
Qingyun Sanren, who was standing by, panicked and quickly stepped forward to help.
"Fellow Daoist Qinglian, there seems to be a misunderstanding. Dao Ancestor Ye was definitely not the one who provoked us. That Nascent Soul Dao Ancestor..."
"The old Taoist knows the cause and effect."
The Azure Lotus Sword Immortal interrupted him again, but the pressure did not lessen at all.
“That Primordial Spirit Dao Ancestor coveted the treasure first and injured people first. Ye Yang's counterattack to protect himself is perfectly justifiable.”
He changed the subject, but his eyes remained serious.
"But the Dao Alliance has rules that even if there are grudges between cultivators, they must be resolved under the arbitration of the Dao Alliance, and they must not kill their fellow cultivators privately."
"Moreover, although the other party was at fault, he was also a registered Nascent Soul Dao Ancestor in the Dao Alliance. Both of you are highly accomplished individuals in the Dao Alliance. Your unauthorized killing of him has already violated the rules of the Dao Alliance." (End of this chapter)