Chapter 1016: Old Bull I Do

Ji Yuan was not the only one paying attention to the dragons' endeavor to clear the wilderness. Almost all powerful beings in the world who could perceive this were also watching. Even ordinary people were offering thanks, feeling the comfortable moistness in the air, which was also ideal for spring planting.

Many cultivators across the land were now breathing a sigh of relief. The dragons' mobilization of the world's aquatic essence was an immense undertaking. With the wilderness-clearing efforts reaching a critical juncture, this action significantly influenced cosmic changes, largely suppressing the restless fires in heaven and earth.

Such a feat was far from simple to achieve. No immortal or Buddhist sect, nor even any deity, could accomplish it. Only the dragon race, the undisputed rulers of the waters, could perform such an unprecedented marvel by uniting the power of all dragons worldwide.

Some cultivators might breathe a sigh of relief, thinking that the dragons hadn't gone mad. However, seasoned practitioners knew well that the Four Seas Dragon Race were beneficiaries of the world's stable order, having been the undisputed rulers of the waters for countless ages.

Righteous cultivators in the world, especially those from major sects and immortal holy lands, often saved sentient beings out of compassion. From their perspective, even if the world descended into chaos, their immortal gates would remain undisturbed. Although calamities existed, immortal abodes with blessed lands could still withdraw from the world to avoid them. The dragon race, however, was different; they had to actively protect their own interests.

Nevertheless, such thoughts were fundamentally mistaken. In the eyes of Ji Yuan and a select few who truly understood the consequences of this great calamity, these were superficial views.

Regardless, Ji Yuan would await the dragons' outcome. Presumably, Yue Cang, Xiang Liu, and others were also watching the world's aquatic essence gather from somewhere.

The dragons might still be on guard against sabotage during this process, with many true dragons acting in concert. However, both the righteous and evil forces, who truly held sway over the destiny of the Heavenly Dao, were now patiently waiting, all hoping for the dragons' success.

As Ji Yuan expected, deep within the Black Desolation, Yue Cang, Xiang Liu, Fierce Demon, Hou, and Ya Yu had gathered again. They stood atop a tall mountain, gazing towards the distant northeast. Even in the depths of the Black Desolation, they could feel the aquatic energy continuously flowing, as if being drawn by a distant force.

"The Dragon Race truly deserves its title as the rulers of the waters, having fought their way to dominance since ancient times. They've actually suppressed the Golden Crow's solar power by controlling all aquatic creatures in the world."

As Yue Cang spoke, he looked up at the sky, where the malevolent sun still hung high.

"Heh, the dragons' actions are even grander than we imagined. How should we lend them a hand?"

"No need. There are too many elder dragons; we'd likely be detected. Let them proceed to the desolate sea on their own. With the tidal power they're generating this time, our intervention is absolutely unnecessary."

Xiang Liu and Ya Yu said this, while Hou remained silent, and Fierce Demon appeared somewhat distracted.

"What about Ji Yuan then? Although he's allowed the dragons to clear the wilderness, if he intends to become the master of heaven and earth, he certainly won't let the situation be dictated by us. He's currently severely injured, which is a perfect opportunity to eliminate him. If we wait for him to recover further, it will be much harder, especially since Ji Yuan likely possesses a spiritual root wood."

"Hahahahaha... No rush, no rush. The dragons have already set sail, like pushing a heavy cart down a hill. Once this tide begins, it's irreversible. Our previous minor concerns are gone. Doesn't Ji Yuan want to become the master of heaven and earth? Doesn't he want to lord over all beings? Surely, he wouldn't want to be a lonely sovereign, would he?"

Yue Cang chuckled, stroking his beard. The Yue Cang Mirror in his hand emitted a faint glow, displaying various scenes of mountains, waters, and transformations.

Xiang Liu also chuckled.

"Exactly. Ji Yuan has played the role of a righteous immortal for so many years; he absolutely wouldn't want it all to amount to nothing in the end. The world's situation is just so; the so-called righteous factions are already overwhelmed. We truly overestimated them before. It's the perfect time to add more fuel to the fire!"

Hou, who had been silent, also grinned.

"He hasn't even become the master of heaven and earth yet, but he's painstakingly created a 'Heavenly Realm within a Cave.' Hehehe, Ji Yuan's arrogance will surely lead to his downfall!"

Yue Cang tossed the Yue Cang Mirror, and it transformed into a larger mirror before them, displaying multiple different scenes. He also chuckled as he spoke.

"Ever since Ji Yuan was injured by Fierce Demon, the situation is no longer as he envisioned. Let's see if he chooses to act or not."

With that, Yue Cang pointed a finger at the mirror's surface. Shen Jie's figure and several other terrifying presences appeared on it.

"My Lord!"

All the owners of these presences, including Shen Jie, bowed towards the mirror. However, the title "My Lord" wasn't exclusively for Yue Cang; each had their own master. These individuals weren't all together; they were in different locations, but the Yue Cang Mirror's divine power allowed their images to be projected simultaneously.

Seeing that no one else spoke, Yue Cang, acting as their representative, issued the command.

"Do what you must. The greater the disturbance, the better."

"As you command!"

At that moment, Shen Jie and the other beings with unique auras all revealed cold smiles. Each of them then headed to their respective meeting points.

Shen Jie traveled deep into the Southern Desolation, moving with the wind. The aura emanating from him subtly shifted from immortal spiritual energy to something else. In the distance were surges of demonic energy, powerful and numerous. Many demon kings and great demons were already waiting there, along with countless other demonic beings.

Shen Jie stepped onto a mountain peak. The gazes of demons and devils all turned towards him. At this moment, Shen Jie's aura had become even more sinister and pronounced than that of the demons themselves, obscuring half the sky.

"This world once belonged to the demon race! The Heavenly Dao once did not suppress the demonic path! How can feeble mortals be allowed to lead the great trend? How can we demons be willing to live beneath humans? Now, the karma of humanity and the righteous path is so great that even heaven and earth reject them. This is the perfect time to reshape the cosmos! Devouring humans and destroying immortals are accomplishments in recreating the universe! The so-called cosmic order shall be *our* demonic order!"

Originally, Shen Jie's sole focus was on transcendence, but his fellow disciples and master were successively harmed by Ji Yuan. Though a high-level immortal cultivator, he had already fallen into the demonic path. At this moment, his eyes glowed purple, and he gnashed his teeth, resembling a true demon.

"We no longer need to confine ourselves here. It is time for the two desolations to sweep across the world!"

As he finished speaking, the remaining immortal energy on Shen Jie's body completely transformed into demonic energy. The boundless demonic aura became even more ferocious, as demonic qi and devil qi intertwined, gradually expanding outwards, forming a terrifying, sky-covering cloud of demonic energy. All the demonic creatures in the Southern Desolation mountains, enveloped by this cloud, became agitated, even releasing their own demonic energy to join it.

Terrifying roars and howls echoed continuously throughout the Southern Desolation mountains, even faintly spreading across all parts of Nanhua Continent. Dark clouds completely obscured the sun across the entire Southern Desolation sky.

In the Hall of Heavenly Secrets within the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, Xuanjizi suddenly opened his eyes and looked at the long-bearded elder and other cultivators with profound auras who were seated beside him.

"Oh no, the Southern Desolation mountains!"

"Fear not, Daoist Xuanjizi. Are we not here precisely to confront this situation?"

The speaking cultivator's voice was deep yet full of vigor. A long sword lay across his lap, its blade humming with what seemed like an unbearable murderous intent, yet this killing aura was utterly pure, devoid of any trace of malevolent viciousness.

If Ji Yuan were present, he would undoubtedly recognize this sword cultivator: Rong Yun of Longsword Mountain, who could contend with the current Ji Yuan in sword dao. Besides him, there were many other masters from Longsword Mountain and numerous immortal experts.

Xuanjizi wasted no words. He immediately stood up, waved his hand, and the Heavenly Secret Wheel flew before him. With another gesture forward, the gate of the Heavenly Secret Grotto-Heaven swung wide open.

"Time waits for no one. I urge all fellow Daoists to act together!"

Without Xuanjizi needing to say more, no one held back at this moment. Although the righteous path was strong, the demons were equally formidable. Moreover, their numbers were simply incalculable. Even with many masters gathered, it would undoubtedly be an endless, arduous battle.

Before long, streams of immortal light flew out from the various grotto-heaven entrances of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion. The entire Heavenly Secret Grotto-Heaven actually began to slowly open, with no sign of the openings closing. It was as if a giant zipper was being slowly pulled apart, as if the entire Grotto-Heaven was about to merge with the outside world.

The long-bearded elders of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion were positioned in various directions, while Xuanjizi personally presided over the Hall of Heavenly Secrets. The Heavenly Secret Wheel had already risen into the sky, covering the entire Grotto-Heaven.

Rong Yun led the cultivators of Longsword Mountain out, swords in hand. He looked back at the Heavenly Secret Grotto-Heaven and couldn't help but admire the Heavenly Secret Pavilion's courage. This group of cultivators, most skilled in divination, actually had the audacity to abandon their grotto-heaven, even all their foundations.

"Revered Master, I fear all the demons in the Southern Desolation are about to emerge this time! But the demons of the Black Desolation are even more astonishing. If they too emerge, what then shall we do?"

The cultivator who had the second sword duel with Ji Yuan spoke in a deep voice, already forming a sword incantation with his hand. The demonic energy ahead had already obscured the sky and sun, as if night had fallen prematurely.

"Hmph, though not quite, it's not far off. We can't manage the Black Desolation right now; dealing with what's before us is paramount. If the Heavenly Dao's righteous destiny has not yet run its course, then things will naturally take a turn for the better."

Rong Yun said lightly, looking at the long trails of immortal light stretching behind the many disciples of Longsword Mountain, like the beautiful comet tails of mortals rushing into the darkness.

"Disciples of Longsword Mountain, follow me to break demons and purge devils! Our swords shall not rest until the demons are vanquished—"

"Our swords shall not rest until the demons are vanquished—"

All cultivators of Longsword Mountain chanted in unison with Daoist sounds. Immortal energy accompanied sword light, converging to form a massive sword-shaped immortal light that plunged directly into the tangible darkness ahead.

The other immortal cultivators were not as overtly sharp as those from Longsword Mountain, but they also cast their spells, advancing or helping the Heavenly Secret Pavilion set up the grand grotto-heaven formation.

For a time, demonic spells covered the sky, and immortal arts followed one after another without cease. Compared to the previous battle between righteousness and evil that erupted in the Southern Desolation mountains, what the world faced now was mere child's play.

In areas not covered by the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, Mount Heng acted as a barrier. Facing the terrifying demonic aura, the entire Mount Heng seemed to come alive. The Mount Heng God, in furious rage, raised mountains and established peaks, his divine power strong enough to defend the region alone.

Lu Shan Jun and Niu Batian, who had long been in the Southern Desolation, naturally sensed the astonishing changes in the Southern Desolation mountains. Without a word, they rushed towards them.

The immortal formation deployed by the Heavenly Secret Pavilion had already blocked most of the demonic clouds, but from the direction of Mount Heng, they spread forth like ink spilled across a darkening sky.

"My heavens! Have all the demons, devils, and monsters of the Southern Desolation come out?"

Lu Shan Jun and his group, including Wang Youhong and Shi Jiu, stopped in mid-air a hundred miles from Mount Heng, watching the mountain, which was pulsing with divine light, almost being covered by the "black ink."

"Old Lu, what do you say?"

Niu Batian looked at Lu Shan Jun, who wore a cold smile.

"Old Niu, haven't you always complained about your slow cultivation? The opportunity to attain the Dao is right before you. It just depends on whether you have the courage!"

Lu Shan Jun vaguely sensed that the world was nearing its end. He probably wouldn't need to act as an undercover agent with Old Niu and others anymore. As Ji Yuan's direct disciple, he also dimly understood his master's ambition. One could say that although Lu Shan Jun had not been by Ji Yuan's side for a long time, he was utterly devoted and filial to Ji Yuan, and was perhaps the disciple who understood his master best.

Therefore, facing the situation in the Southern Desolation, Lu Shan Jun did not want to retreat. There were not many paths of retreat left. Every step he retreated meant one less foothold for his master.

"Good heavens..."

Niu Batian prided himself on fearing nothing, but understanding Lu Shan Jun's meaning, he still widened his eyes.

"You're going to Mount Heng? If you go now, even if you aren't overwhelmed by demons, you'll be slain by the Mount Heng God..."

Wang Youhong murmured, but Lu Shan Jun didn't acknowledge her at all, only staring at Old Niu. That gaze made Old Niu feel somewhat looked down upon, so he smacked himself on the head.

"Slap!"

"Damn it, when have I, Old Niu, ever been afraid? Let's do it!"

"Good! If heaven and earth are to be destroyed, and we, brothers, have cultivated until now without a single truly great battle, wouldn't that be a lifelong regret? If we can't break through now, how can we ever speak of having heard the Dao?"

"Well said! Hiss—"

Old Niu snorted a hot breath from his nostrils, his demonic power boiling. His usually honest face contorted with rage, and a pair of curved ox horns grew from his head. Lu Shan Jun's face also developed crescent-shaped tiger stripes, radiating intimidating power without needing to express anger.

The next moment, the two demons, tiger and ox, stomped in the void, shattering countless auras. They transformed into two streaks of electric, spectral light and charged towards Mount Heng.

"Oh—"

By the time Wang Youhong extended her hand, the two demons were already far away. She subconsciously looked at Shi Jiu beside her, whose eyes flickered.

"I, I... With heaven and earth in turmoil now, my sect surely has a brilliant plan. I must return to Boundless Mountain. Farewell for now!"

"Boundless Mountain?"

Wang Youhong was startled for a moment. Shi Jiu had already departed, but in the opposite direction of Lu Shan Jun and Old Niu.

In Shi Jiu's understanding, Boundless Mountain was isolated from the rest of the world, its vast pure space enveloped by suspended magnetic forces that blocked all karma. Anywhere else in heaven and earth could become extremely dangerous, but only Boundless Mountain was truly safe.

Lu Shan Jun and Niu Batian naturally paid no heed to Shi Jiu's thoughts. After transforming into their demonic forms and arriving at Mount Heng, Lu Shan Jun's true Lu Wu form sent demonic energy shaking the sky, while Niu Batian's demonic body stood colossal, like a demonic ox descending, even alarming the Mount Heng God.

"You evil creatures—"

The Mount Heng God roared angrily, shining divine light towards the north. Before he could act, Lu Shan Jun, in his true Lu Wu form, opened his mouth and spoke with a thunderous voice.

"Mount Heng God, my name is Lu Shan Jun. My true form is Lu Wu. I became a disciple of Master Ji Yuan before I even fully transformed. This time, I've come to assist!"

"Lu Wu? Ji Yuan's disciple?"

If it were anyone else, the Mount Heng God might not have believed it, but Ji Yuan was indeed capable of such things, and he had naturally heard of the name Lu Wu.

At this moment, Lu Shan Jun also opened his mouth and spat out a true artifact from Ji Yuan: the very words he had given him long ago.

"Metamorphosis—Gifted by Yuan to Lu Shan Jun."

Upon seeing these words, the Mountain God felt an innate resonance.

"He truly is Ji Yuan's disciple!"

Niu Batian's giant eyes widened like brass bells, looking at Lu Shan Jun with a face full of disbelief.

"You're Master Ji's direct disciple? I'll be—"