Chapter 818: 渡洪海征黑荒

Unlike the clear objectives of the Heavenly Revelation Alliance and the demons of Black Desolation, the righteous path initially had no inkling of what was happening. However, with Elder Changxu of the Heavenly Revelation Alliance present, even when heavenly secrets were disturbed, anomalies could still be perceived from many angles. By piecing together changes in the fortunes of various regions, it was deduced that the demonic power was trending downward.

Yet, this was merely a superficial calculation. In reality, across Tianyu Continent, the demonic presence was becoming increasingly arrogant, at times even reaching a rampant level.

To some extent, the ongoing war between good and evil was the most intense period since the chaos in Tianyu Continent began. While new demons continued to pour into Tianyu, some powerful demons from the Heavenly Revelation Alliance and Black Desolation knew it was time to retreat. They were indulging in a final, frenzied rampage, desperately seeking to fulfill their desires, and indiscriminately abducting all mortals they could seize.

So-called casualties are only meaningful to those who care about them. People grieve when they lose loved ones, a nation suffers when it loses too many citizens, and immortal cultivators mourn fallen comrades. However, for the demon kings, this was a time to maximize their gains, as there was an endless supply of demons in Black Desolation.

At this very moment, Ji Yuan's Dharma Cloud was swiftly heading south towards Tianyu Continent, instinctively searching for the old beggar's whereabouts. In truth, Ji Yuan, like the old beggar, had profound karmic connections, making him easy to locate.

Ji Yuan traveled almost in a straight line via Sword Escape, reaching the old beggar's vicinity in less than a day and a night. As his Dharma Cloud passed, he observed that the untamed elemental energy of heaven and earth in the distance was still in disarray, clearly indicating that a powerful master had just unleashed a divine ability with immense magical power moments earlier.

The old beggar was accompanied by Lu Xiaoyou and Yang Zong, who floated in the air, their bodies shimmering with immortal light.

On the ground, the most striking sight was a vast expanse of scorched earth. Nearby, a sizable village stood, where nearly everyone, male or female, young or old, led by their chief, knelt and continuously bowed towards the sky.

“Immortals, it’s immortals!”

“The immortals saved us!” “Thank you, immortals, for your rescue!”

“Thank you, immortals, for saving our lives!” “Thank you, immortals, for helping us…”

“Without you immortals, we surely would have perished at the hands of the demons!”

Had Ji Yuan been present, the constant outpouring of gratitude from the villagers would have easily revealed what had transpired. However, the old beggar and his two disciples, the recipients of these fervent thanks, had already shifted their attention from the ground to the horizon.

“Master, a Dharma Cloud is approaching. It doesn’t appear to be demonic, but one can’t be sure it’s not a deceptive transformation by an evil spirit!”

As Lu Xiaoyou spoke, the old beggar gave him a sharp smack on the head.

“Ow, Master, why did you hit me?”

“What deceptive transformation of an evil spirit? That’s Mr. Ji!”

The old beggar said this, a rare smile gracing his face. Seeing Ji Yuan in this context, he felt a strong sense of familiarity and kinship.

“Mr. Ji, long time no see. When the Immortal-Binding Rope left on its own, I knew you might be in Tianyu Continent. Why have you only come to see me today? Are you worried this old beggar is too poor to entertain you properly?”

The old beggar remained as carefree as ever, joking as he saluted with his disciples. Lu Xiaoyou and Yang Zong, of course, dared not utter a word, merely bowing respectfully in greeting.

“Mr. Ji!” “Greetings, Mr. Ji!”

Ji Yuan, now close by, surveyed the scorched marks on the ground and the mangled demon corpses scattered there. He then glanced at the bowing villagers before formally returning the old beggar's bow.

“Elder Lu, you jest. How could Ji Yuan be someone who forgets righteousness for wealth? I did indeed visit Tianyu Continent earlier, but upon discovering an urgent matter, I retrieved the Immortal-Binding Rope and hastened to deal with it. I’ve only just returned to Tianyu Continent, and I immediately came to find you.”

Ji Yuan dispersed his Dharma Cloud, landing on the cloud where the old beggar and his two disciples stood, then leaned in and spoke.

“The Heavenly Revelation Alliance and the Black Desolation demons are preparing to retreat. I have an urgent matter to discuss and hope Elder Lu can introduce me to the influential figures of Tianyu Continent’s major sects, ideally their sect masters.”

The old beggar frowned.

“So it is as Elder Changxu of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion predicted! Taking Mr. Ji to see my senior brother, Dao Yuanzi, is no issue; he has long wanted to meet Mr. Ji. But for the other sects, it’s harder to say. Hmm, the various factions, caves, and islands under the jurisdiction of the Qian Yuan Sect should be fine…”

Ji Yuan nodded.

“Then please take me to meet Fellow Daoist Dao Yuanzi immediately. There’s no time to lose; this concerns millions of missing people from Tianyu Continent.”

A glint flashed in the old beggar’s eyes, and he immediately urged the Dharma Cloud beneath his feet to speed away.

“Mount Fa is only a thousand li away, reachable in moments. In the meantime, I hope Mr. Ji will enlighten this old beggar.”

While the old beggar sometimes enjoyed speaking in riddles, he disliked being kept in the dark by others, so he naturally wanted to understand the situation first.

“Ji Yuan will explain everything clearly!”

After assenting, Ji Yuan began to recount the events since his last visit to Tianyu Continent, detailing the discernible causes and effects, aside from some strategic deployments.

As the old beggar’s Dharma Cloud departed, the villagers below continued to bow, exclaiming as the immortals flew away, with some even running after the cloud for a short distance.

However, in Ji Yuan’s perception, the faint wisps of generated wish power from below could not encircle the old beggar; he merely waved them away, allowing them to dissipate.

Immortal cultivators can accrue merit, but they avoid wish power, which can bind one’s Dao heart. Many elders impart this principle to their disciples, yet it's almost uncontrollable. Many immortal cultivators in the mortal world maintain a low profile precisely to avoid such entanglements, as karmic ties can indeed impact their Dao heart in the future.

Yet, at this moment, the old beggar genuinely managed to remain completely untainted. In this regard, Ji Yuan believed the old beggar’s cultivation had reached a higher level.

The temporary location of the Qian Yuan Sect’s treasured Mount Fa was now in sight. The old beggar's cloud-riding speed began to decrease, not primarily because they were entering Mount Fa, but because what Ji Yuan had just revealed was truly horrifying.

“Mr. Ji, you… you ventured deep into the Jade Fox Grotto-Heaven and, in front of numerous nine-tailed foxes, slew Tu Siyan, who was very likely an injured nine-tailed fox?”

Recalling the scene, Ji Yuan felt it had a certain gravitas and, after a moment’s thought, corrected him.

“It wasn’t in front of them, but killed in a dream. Their earlier deception against me was them reaping what they sowed, bringing humiliation upon themselves. My strategy cannot be blamed for showing no quarter.”

Hearing Ji Yuan’s words, the old beggar couldn’t help but think to himself, *You, Ji Yuan, told them you were coming to settle accounts when you left. From the very beginning, you weren’t planning on showing them any respect, were you?*

However, the thought was fleeting, and the old beggar still praised him with a sense of satisfaction.

“Well slain!”

As they spoke, the previously concealed Mount Fa below began to emanate a brilliant light. A mountain imbued with immortal energy materialized within the glow, appearing before Ji Yuan’s eyes. Spirit patterns emerged within the radiance, and the old beggar's Dharma Cloud flew directly into it.

Upon receiving word that Ji Yuan and the old beggar were returning together, Dao Yuanzi, as the Sect Master of Qian Yuan Sect, showed them great respect by personally riding his cloud from the mountain to greet them.

Ji Yuan observed Dao Yuanzi, this true immortal expert, noting his purple-gold crown and golden-threaded feather robe—a stark contrast to the old beggar's appearance. Dao Yuanzi, in turn, carefully studied Ji Yuan, whose pale, sightless eyes and black jade hair ornament were precisely as rumored.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they naturally returned to the courtyard for discussion. Almost all the highly cultivated practitioners of the Qian Yuan Sect, those with profound Dao cultivation, were present on Mount Fa.

Before proceeding, the previous events needed to be clearly recounted. This time, however, it wasn't just Ji Yuan speaking; the old beggar was also quite vocal.

“What? Mr. Ji, you… in front of numerous nine-tailed foxes, slew Tu Siyan, who was very likely an injured nine-tailed fox?”

Dao Yuanzi’s face registered surprise, his reaction almost identical to the old beggar’s earlier, even down to the very words. Ji Yuan couldn’t help but silently acknowledge that they were indeed true brothers.

The old beggar seemed quite pleased with Dao Yuanzi’s reaction, adopting a composed demeanor as he stroked his beard and chuckled.

“Senior brother, you’re mistaken. Mr. Ji killed that fox demon in a dream, through a drunken vision! Those nine-tailed foxes had nothing to say; even if they wanted to retaliate, they had no justification, and perhaps, lacked the courage…”

Many cultivators of the Qian Yuan Sect wore expressions of disbelief.

The two Elder Changxu of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion nearby were equally amazed, their divinations continuing uninterrupted. Lian Baiping exclaimed a moment later.

“So that’s it, so that’s it! Tu Siyan was the key; as long as that demon lived, the chaos in Tianyu Continent could not be resolved!”

Ji Yuan subtly raised a hand, signaling Lian Baiping, who was about to speak voluminously, to pause. Some diviners, like Daoist Qingsong, become extremely verbose once they’ve figured something out, but for now, Lian Baiping should restrain himself.

“Just as I previously learned the whereabouts of Tu Siyan’s true form from a demon, I also used similar means to coerce several other demonic entities into helping me investigate, ultimately discovering the fate of the many missing people from Tianyu Continent.”

Ji Yuan paused, his voice lowering.

“It seems to be a 'Human Livestock Nation,' where countless demons colluded to breed the people abducted from Tianyu Continent. Millions of people—that number is exaggerated even for the entire Black Desolation, isn't it…?”

“People abducted from our Tianyu Continent, raised as livestock…”

Dao Yuanzi’s voice was low, and almost everyone present wore a grim expression. This was not merely the unspeakable evil of devastating lives; it was a blatant humiliation, a direct slap in the face from deviant demons to the righteous cultivators of Tianyu Continent.

“I am but one man, and having obtained this information, I fear I cannot single-handedly protect so many. Therefore, I specifically came to consult with all of you, hoping that this time, the righteous path of Tianyu Continent can unite!”

A Grand True Master of the Qian Yuan Sect couldn’t help but say.

“Indeed, we must intercept these evildoers!”

Ji Yuan shook his head.

“A considerable number of mortals have already been sent into Black Desolation. Should we abandon them? Are there not many other places similar to 'Human Livestock Nations' in Black Desolation that we should also ignore?”

Ji Yuan looked at the many immortal cultivators present, and many seemed to vaguely grasp his intention.

“Demons are wreaking havoc across the world, causing immense suffering. Why don't we, the righteous immortal cultivators, unite our strength, cross the vast sea to conquer Black Desolation, slaughter demons, and turn that Black Dream Spirit Continent upside down!”