The East Barrens ancient land, silent for eons, suddenly opened!
The aura of four Great Powers manifested, their pressure deterring demons and specters within a radius of hundreds of millions of miles.
Before the four Great Powers stood another figure.
Yet, all beings could not see him.
Even Golden Immortals and Grand Unity Immortals could not perceive him unless Qing Ling willed it.
Even face to face, they would pass by without the slightest interaction.
This was the true manifestation of the Great Dao!
In later ages, Laozi walked among mortals for ninety thousand miles, yet not a single mortal ever saw him.
Only the gatekeeping general, a man chosen by destiny, was granted a glimpse of the sage's passage, witnessing the celestial phenomenon of purple energy arriving from the east for thirty thousand miles.
The four followed Qing Ling onto the Nine Heavens Palace, outside the South Heavenly Gate.
As the main divine palaces and immortal pavilions of the Primordial Heavenly Court were concentrated in the north, the South Heavenly Gate was akin to the main entrance of the Heavenly Court for primordial immortals.
At this moment, guarding the South Heavenly Gate were not only a multitude of Golden Immortals and Grand Unity Immortals, but also a Demon Saint!
When Qing Ling and the other four appeared, this Demon Saint immediately flashed forward, respectfully leading the assembled great demons in a bow: "Greetings, Demon Ancestor!"
The demons outside the Heavenly Gate were startled, their reactions delayed for a moment before they too bowed: "Greetings, Demon Ancestor!"
It was not their fault for the slow reaction; Qing Ling, with his aura suppressed, was like an ordinary beast with no cultivation, making it impossible for them to connect him with the Demon Ancestor of the Myriad Demon Ancestor Temple.
The four Realm Protecting Envoys remained still, guarding Qing Ling. Their auras were not intentionally suppressed, merely following behind him, subservient.
Qing Ling said indifferently, "Which Demon Saint are you?"
The extremely beautiful woman, adorned in a resplendent dress, replied respectfully, "This humble demon is honored with the title of the Heavenly Court's Seven Profound Demon Saint, guarding the South Heavenly Gate to ensure the safety of the Heavenly Court."
Qing Ling scrutinized her for a moment and then said, "Not bad, a Primordial Strange Species. Though you cultivate the Dao of Illusory Colors, you can be a master of a Dao. You have a clear understanding."
The Seven Profound Demon Saint inwardly rejoiced at the praise, "It is this humble demon's fortune to receive your praise, Demon Ancestor!"
Qing Ling smiled, "If you have leisure, feel free to visit below the Jianmu Tree in Duguyang.
Now, lead me to the Myriad Demon Hall!"
The Seven Profound Demon Saint's heart swelled with surprise and joy, and she quickly replied, "Thank you for your guidance, Demon Ancestor, this humble demon will lead you there immediately!"
Qing Ling nodded and followed the Seven Profound Demon Saint towards the Myriad Demon Hall.
He had spoken a few extra words because this Seven-Colored Spirit Butterfly cultivated the Dao of Illusory Colors, was a Primordial Strange Species, and the first Seven-Colored Spirit Butterfly in existence. She reminded him of an old acquaintance from Xi Mountain, his vivacious and charming elder sister, Chi.
Back then, outside the formation of the Immortal Slaying Sword, she had been split in two by the Qi of the Peerless Immortal Sword while protecting her clansmen, her primordial spirit and serpentine body severed as if by nature.
This Seven Profound Demon Saint bore some resemblance to her in appearance.
Upon entering the hall, Di Jun had already hurried over from the outer court.
Di Jun bowed: "Di Jun pays his respects to the Demon Ancestor!"
As he bowed, the four Realm Protecting Envoys respectfully stepped aside. Only Qing Ling said, "Thank you for your trouble, Demon Emperor."
Di Jun smiled, "Your presence in the Heavenly Court is an honor for all demons!"
Qing Ling smiled, "I have come to the Heavenly Court today to discuss matters. I request Daoist Nuwa, Daoist Fuxi, and Daoist Taiyi to come and confer."
Now that the Four Emperors had become Five Emperors with the addition of Empress Xi, he had specified their titles.
Di Jun's expression turned serious, "Demon Ancestor, what grave matter requires your attention?" While speaking, he waved his hand, releasing three streams of profound light to transmit messages to the three parties.
Although the Four Emperors maintained harmonious relations without power struggles, for the balance of the celestial realm, the Five Emperors resided in different regions to guard it, corresponding to the five directions of the earth, watching over the demons living on the great land.
Fuxi resided in the west of the celestial realm, Nuwa in the north, Taiyi in the east, and Changxi in the south. Di Jun presided over the center, commanding all demons in the celestial realm.
Qing Ling smiled, "It is indeed a significant matter, concerning the past grievances of the Primordial Great Land."
A moment later, the Four Emperors gathered in the Myriad Demon Hall: Nuwa, Fuxi, Di Jun, and Taiyi.
Several days later, Qing Ling departed the Heavenly Court and returned to Duguyang.
Subsequently, Senluo City opened its gates, and rogue cultivators and immortals from all directions entered the city, eager to witness it.
However, no one noticed that the Demon Saints guarding various posts in the celestial realm had vanished one by one.
Senluo City opened wide, and cultivators from overseas all heard the news.
Rumors spread widely for a time.
The reason for the widespread rumors was the conflict between the great power behind Senluo City and the giants of the immortal path in the sea.
The East Sea, Liuzhu Island, was a place where many immortal cultivators gathered to exchange immortal items, known as a marketplace. This place was on the coast of the East Sea, with few sea demons, not too far from Penglai Island, west of countless mountains and a myriad of cultivators. Here, sea immortals and land immortals converged, forming a grand market!
And at this moment, on the island, the cultivators were all discussing and inquiring about one matter.
Along the roads of the marketplace, cultivators set up stalls selling goods. If a customer inquired, a transaction would take place; otherwise, they would chat with nearby cultivators.
Beside a stall selling spirit pearls, a young vendor said mysteriously, "Hey, Daoist Jin, have you heard? The rumored Senluo City has opened!"
"Senluo City? Hasn't it been closed for a long time? Why has it suddenly opened?" a middle-aged Taoist with a long beard asked in surprise.
"It has indeed opened. A friend of mine specifically came yesterday to inform me. If Senluo City had remained quiet for a few more years, I would have planned to settle there!" the young Taoist said with some longing.
"Has Penglai Immortal Island heard the news?" the long-bearded Taoist asked cautiously, "If these two sides clash again, we rogue cultivators will suffer."
"Alas, who can say? That Senluo City allows no oppression or prohibition of killing, making it an excellent place. But the cultivators of Penglai Immortal Island forbid us from going to Senluo, and even kill the ancient clansmen entering and exiting Senluo City. Last time, Senluo was forced to close for over two hundred thousand years. I fear this time will be worse, perhaps even destroyed by Penglai Immortal Island."
Upon hearing this, both fell silent. It was truly a pity that such an excellent trading ground was to be destroyed.
"You say Senluo City is to be destroyed?" The old Taoist on the far left, one of the stall owners, chuckled, "Don't worry. Senluo City has existed for longer than this old man's age. How can it be destroyed so easily?"
The two were taken aback. The young Taoist chuckled, "It seems Daoist Cao knows much. Please enlighten us."
Saying this, he picked up a spirit pearl of excellent quality and offered it to the old Taoist.
The old Taoist stroked his beard and smiled, "Certainly, certainly.
Regarding Senluo City, it has existed since my master's generation.
Although I have wasted my years and stopped at the Profound Immortal realm, my master was a venerable Golden Immortal. He told me that Senluo City has existed for millions of years.
The reason this ancient city has stood firm is not due to the Golden Immortals and Grand Unity Immortals guarding it, but the ancient clans behind this city!
It is rumored that behind this city lies a blessed land world, inhabited by ancient clans from the Archaic Dragon-Phoenix Era, with even Grand Unity Golden Immortals among them!
Indeed, I once heard that even the Golden Immortals of Penglai Immortal Island are extremely wary of, even fearful of, this city."
The middle-aged Taoist's heart stirred, "Penglai Immortal Island is rumored to be appointed as the leader of all immortals by the Primordial Dao Ancestor. Not only are there numerous Golden Immortals and Grand Unity Immortals on the island, but the rumored thirty-six immortals and thirty-six Great Powers are enough to sweep across most of the Primordial World!
Moreover, the Ten Great Immortal Elders of the Immortal Island are all in the realm of Quasi-Saints, wouldn't destroying an ancient city be a simple task?"
The old Taoist scoffed, "My master once witnessed an ancient battle where the thirty-six immortals and ten great immortal elders of Penglai Immortal Island were all defeated by the hands of Senluo City!
It is rumored that the location of Senluo City was called the East Barrens in the Archaic Era, and there was a Great Power there named the East Barrens Dao Master, whose Dao connected heaven and earth.
The cycle of spring, summer, autumn, and winter in the world turned at their mere thought.
This can only be called a legend, for no living cultivator has witnessed such divine miracles, and even if they had, they would likely be Grand Unity Great Immortals by now, if they were still alive!"
The young and middle-aged Taoists were both greatly shocked. They murmured, "So these celestial beings and sages are so close to us, yet so far away!"
...
In just a few decades, the entire East Sea region was abuzz with discussions about this matter. Cultivators with lower cultivation bases merely idly commented.
However, the ancient Golden Immortals who had lived for many years and sought seclusion urgently summoned their clansmen, ordering them to return to their respective clans.
For a time, the entire East Sea region was thrown into an uproar due to the reopening of Senluo City, but it was soon followed by an eerie silence.
Until, one day, as the sun rose in the east, cultivators who came to Senluo City from afar, or those who went out to sell spiritual items, appeared outside the city.
There were those who had not yet achieved immortality, minor immortals of the Earth Immortal and Heavenly Immortal realms, and even venerable Golden Immortals.
On this day, they witnessed a scene they had never seen in their lives.
"Rumble..."
Above the vast ancient city walls of Senluo City, the sky seemed to be torn open, revealing the depths of an unfathomably dark space.
"Buzz..."
Countless black dots flew out from within, descending from above, incessantly.
These countless black dots rapidly enlarged in the eyes of Senluo City's cultivators, revealing their true forms.
Innumerable gigantic bats descended upon the west of the ancient city, ceaselessly, forming a vast sea of bats that spanned heaven and earth. Their sharp eyes emitted terrifying red light as they flapped their wings.
To the east of the ancient city, ferocious giant leopards arrived on clouds, a myriad of leopards galloping through the sea of clouds, their roars echoing as they hovered in the air.
To the south, countless colossal giants stood in the void, each a divine giant, a puppet comparable to the physical bodies of the Wu people. Every movement they made stirred up immense momentum, like gods descending to earth.
To the north, countless flower petals fell from the sky, converging to form a sea of flowers. Above the sea of flowers, women and men with unparalleled beauty emerged, each possessing an exquisite countenance.
Subsequently, countless divine vessels, thousands of feet in size, descended from the central sky. On each divine vessel stood thousands of snake-tailed soldiers, solemn and dignified, with banners fluttering high above the myriad vessels.
Then, terrifying and ferocious giant pythons, thousands of feet long, soared into the sky, coiled like mountains, arranged among the myriad vessels, forming a formation of utmost rigor.
The five armies continuously descended from the sky, their numbers immeasurable. At a glance, wondrous sights abounded. The Five Peak Flags of Xi Mountain fluttered in the wind, proclaiming dominion over heaven and earth, to which billions of demonic beasts, puppets, spirits, and monsters all bowed!
At this moment, the gazes of all heaven and earth, all immortals, were fixed upon the East Barrens, upon the billions of demonic beasts, spirits, and puppets. There were those who were surprised, shocked, fearful, indifferent, mocking, and sneering, all present.