On Ancestral Mountain in the demon race's territory.
Two figures stood atop the peak: the Ancestor of Demons, clad in a grey robe, and Yu Zhi, adorned in a fiery red skirt. These two wisest minds of the demon race gazed northwards, surveying the world they had watched for millennia. The demon realm was now critically short of spiritual energy, and the cold from the far north became increasingly unbearable. Even demon cultivators of the Middle Five Realms struggled to withstand the biting chill. Following Man Yuan’s consumption of the demon realm’s destiny, the spiritual energy of this land could barely be sustained.
The Ancestor of Demons remained composed, his eyes distant and ethereal as he looked towards the northern lands. "In these mountains, how many of our demon offspring are fighting for their very lives over a morsel of food or a wisp of spiritual energy? How many newborn demon infants are abandoned, or even devoured, by their kin due to the scarcity of spiritual energy? Have our demon race's years of desperate struggle led us to this outcome?"
"..."
Yu Zhi’s expression was weary as she said softly, "Ancestor of Demons, it is my failing. Had we succeeded in venturing south a hundred years ago, our demon realm might present a different picture."
"It is not your fault."
The Ancestor of Demons frowned. "The grand path and destiny of heaven and earth are not things one person can control. Our demon race's chessboard has always been too small, unable to escape the long-laid plans of the Confucian, Buddhist, and Daoist three schools."
He then furrowed his brow and asked, "The Qing Liang Sect was destroyed just like that?"
"Yes."
Yu Zhi pursed her red lips. "We had hidden Zhao Jing Yu, this piece, for over a thousand years, didn't we? We thought he would play a crucial role, but who knew Zhao Jing Yu, with his restless nature, was utterly useless? As a Thirteenth Realm cultivator, he failed to conceal his strength and provoked Lin Bai Yi of all people, resulting in his demise."
"The demon race can no longer remain in isolation."
The Ancestor of Demons' voice was low. "Liu Bai has already led a million demons to the Ghost Realm. The remaining spiritual energy and destiny there should be enough to nurture quite a few Upper Five Realm demons. Yu Zhi, you must also make plans soon. Do not let the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool truly deter you from considering a southward move. To the south of Ancestral Mountain, there are twenty legions at your disposal. You have their full command. How to use them, and how to break through the human race's defenses, is entirely up to you."
"Yes!"
Yu Zhi bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Ancestor of Demons, for your trust in me."
"Go."
The Ancestor of Demons nodded. "I will watch for a while longer."
"Yes."
Yu Zhi turned and vanished in a flash of fiery red light. The Ancestor of Demons remained in place, gazing intently at the demon lands to the north. The earth was too barren, nearly depleted by his efforts over the years, a situation akin to fishing in a dry lake. If they could not move south, they would only dwindle and be gradually devoured by the human race.
...
In the Nectar Robe Realm.
A figure in a white robe stood suspended in the air. Ran Qing, a Thirteenth Realm great cultivator of the demon race, his white robe fluttering, his eyes filled with solemnity as he looked towards the distant mountains. Peaks, like fruits sucked dry of water, were continuously shriveling, collapsing with resounding crashes into the unfathomable abyss below.
Further in the distance, several rivers had completely dried up, the earth cracked, and the waterways severed. The Nectar Robe Realm was collapsing.
Ran Qing gazed afar, to the edge of the subterranean abyss, where a group of several hundred people, ordinary citizens of the Nectar Robe Realm, were heading south. They were all ragged and disheveled. Such groups were a common sight in the northern parts of the Nectar Robe Realm, and even more numerous were those already swallowed by the land. These were the consequences of that great battle.
Yan Bei Chen, a Fourteenth Realm sword cultivator, had battled the forces of water and fire, as well as numerous Upper Five Realm experts from the demon and devil races. That battle had shattered mountains and rivers, breaking apart half of the Nectar Robe Realm. With the earth's foundation damaged and the landscape fractured, the consequences were still unfolding. It could be said that although the Nectar Robe Realm had absorbed more than half of the destiny of a Fourteenth Realm sword cultivator and the entirety of Man Yuan, a Thirteenth Realm demon king, the repercussions were severe. Half of the realm had been shattered, and the legendary "Land Sinking" was imminent, with half of the Nectar Robe Realm sinking into the sea!
"Alas..."
The esteemed elder of the Nectar Robe Realm could not help but sigh.
At this moment, a figure streaked across the sky. It was a demon general clad in silver armor, the Supreme Commander of the Nectar Robe Realm, and the foremost figure beneath the Demon Emperor – Su Zhan. Su Zhan was now a formidable martial artist of the Rebirth Realm. In terms of prestige and cultivation, he was second to none in the Nectar Robe Realm.
As such, despite Ran Qing's esteemed status, he immediately turned and bowed. "The Marshal has arrived?"
"Mm."
Su Zhan looked at the continuously collapsing mountains to the north, his sword-like eyebrows furrowed. "Since the battle with Yan Bei Chen, the mountains and rivers of our Nectar Robe Realm have been in constant collapse. The people of the northern territories are displaced and constantly migrating south, causing the towns in the south to become overcrowded. It is truly worrying."
"Marshal, you must worry not only about the mountains below but also about those above."
Ran Qing sighed. "In these days, over ten prominent sects in the northern territories have lost their foundations due to the fragmented landscape. These cultivators have no other option but to become like the ordinary displaced people. The jianghu in the south of our Nectar Robe Realm is becoming increasingly chaotic. Cultivators are killed almost every moment. This is no solution."
Su Zhan nodded. "Elder, there is no need to worry. His Majesty the Demon Emperor and I have set a date. The Nectar Robe Realm must eventually move south. We merely need a catalyst."
"Good."
Ran Qing turned. "If the Nectar Robe Realm requires it, we cultivators will undoubtedly fight, without hesitation!"
"Then..."
Su Zhan clasped his fists solemnly. "On behalf of the hundreds of millions of divine race citizens of the Nectar Robe Realm, I thank you, Elder, in advance!"
...
Several days later.
Atop the peak of the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool.
Lin Zhao executed each move with meticulous care, his boxing stance imbued with profound intent. Beside him stood Chen Ben, a Heaven Origin Realm martial artist, mirroring Lin Zhao's stance precisely. However, the true qi flowing through Chen Ben was far richer, like a ceaseless river, whereas Lin Zhao's true qi at this stage was like a mere trickle, seemingly insignificant.
Yet, Lin Zhao remained unhurried, practicing his punches repeatedly. By noon, the proficiency bar for his boxing finally filled. With a soft "peng" sound, a small bottleneck in his heart broke open. Instantly, Lin Zhao felt refreshed. His internal meridians widened, and his true qi became significantly more robust.
Finally, he had broken through!
"Ding!"
System prompt: Congratulations on successfully entering the Martial Artist [Blood Circulation Realm]. Effects obtained: Movement Speed +20, Stamina +40, Resilience +20, Vitality Recovery +10%, 10% of damage taken when attacked will be converted into health!
...
A Second Realm martial artist – hardly worth mentioning.
However, Lin Zhao was ecstatic. This feeling of regaining something lost was incredibly satisfying! Furthermore, the attributes gained from improving his martial artist realm were crucial for players. Movement speed, stamina, resilience, and the 10% damage absorption all significantly boosted combat effectiveness. Moreover, with the advancement of his martial artist realm, Lin Zhao would have a greater chance against the cultivators of the Northern Four Tribes, at least becoming more resilient. He knew this was vital, as few of the mountain cultivators from the Northern Four Tribes didn't want to beat him up.
"Congratulations, Brother Lin Zhao, on breaking through!"
Chen Ben laughed heartily, sharing Lin Zhao's joy. It was as if breaking through to the Heaven Origin Realm meant nothing to him. He had only scratched his head and smiled then. Fulfilling his mission and not disappointing Brother Lin Zhao was what made him happiest. Now that Lin Zhao had returned to the martial path and reached the Second Realm so quickly, Chen Ben truly found it remarkable!
At this moment, Dong Cang ascended the mountain, carrying a bamboo basket with several hearty dishes and two jars of apricot blossom wine.
"You've arrived at the perfect time. Thank you for your trouble, Dong Cang!"
Lin Zhao clapped his hands, signaling Chen Ben that it was time to eat.
Dong Cang smiled and shook her head. There was no trouble involved. She merely performed odd jobs at the villa on the peak, not exerting much effort at all. Yet, she was protected by everyone daily. Not only that, but a few days ago, Xiao Jiu'er had even given her a piece of precious wood from a fruit-bearing tree, her innate wood, to slowly nourish and refine. Although she didn't know its origin, her spiritual sense felt immensely benefited upon touching it. Clearly, this was an extremely rare item. If she were just an ordinary apricot maiden, she would likely never have the chance to encounter such a treasure in her lifetime.
Therefore, Dong Cang cherished her position at the villa on the peak and wished to do as much as she could.
Beside them, Lin Zhao and Chen Ben, two martial artists, were already feasting, gnawing heartily on pork knuckles, gulping down wine from the jug, and devouring fish in large bites. Dong Cang watched from the side, a smile gracing her lips. Although her young master was a martial artist, he was also a sword cultivator and a Confucian scholar. His way of eating, devouring meat and drinking heartily, had the flair of those sword heroes from the jianghu, yet it was not unsightly. On the contrary, Dong Cang felt that the most handsome man in the world should be like this.
...
In the afternoon, a woman in a red dress and white shirt, a sword immortal, ascended the mountain. Xiao Jiu'er was returning to Chang Ming Mountain. She sat on a rock, smiling as she watched Lin Zhao and Chen Ben practice their boxing, finding the scene all too familiar. In the past, on her way home from school, she had watched Lin Zhao and Xiao Shi Tou practice boxing countless times. Although she had no interest in boxing back then and was more intrigued by the fish traps Lin Zhao set in Bai Yu Creek, she still found Lin Zhao's boxing posture to be quite pleasing. Despite being a martial artist, his movements were not crude but possessed a touch of Confucian elegance.
"Brother Lin Zhao, I'm returning to the mountain."
Xiao Jiu'er rested her chin on her hand and said with a smile.
"Mm-hmm."
Lin Zhao maintained his boxing stance. "Take some of the food with you. The food from our villa on the peak tastes even better. Let Dong Cang pack some for you."
"She already has!"
She patted her waist pouch and laughed. "Sister Dong Cang even stuffed a whole mountain boar for me..."
Lin Zhao couldn't help but chuckle.
Xiao Jiu'er narrowed her eyes and looked at Chen Ben. "Chen Ben, practice your boxing diligently with Brother Lin Zhao. Don't slack off. Also, learn from Brother Lin Zhao's character. Don't just learn his boxing; watch how he conducts himself. Never be ungrateful in the future, understand?"
"Mm!"
Chen Ben nodded gravely. "Sister Su, please rest assured. Chen Ben will absolutely not fail Brother Lin Zhao in this life!"
"Mm, that's good."
Xiao Jiu'er squinted and smiled, her eyes like crescent moons, exquisitely beautiful.
Eighth chapter complete, brothers, recommendation tickets!!!