"How could this be..."
Ran Qing's brows were tightly furrowed, a maelstrom churning within him.
"Alas, the tide of the world sweeps all before it, who can remain aloof?"
The old Daoist sighed, "Once Qi Lian Dao succeeds in the夺舍, his strength will be far beyond that of ordinary Fourteenth Realm cultivators. The Human Realm will dispatch a large number of Upper Fifth Realm experts to the Nine Nether Dragon Court. As for the Rainbow Garment Realm, I implore you all not to remain indifferent, lest Qi Lian Dao fully fuse with the true dragon's body. None of us will fare well then."
"Understood."
The Demon Emperor frowned and nodded, "Esteemed elder, rest assured, the Rainbow Garment Realm will not stand idly by."
"This is for the best."
The old Daoist smiled and nodded, then glanced at the Silver Dragon Sword Immortal Cao Yan. Cao Yan was momentarily stunned, suddenly enlightened. This old Daoist was truly cunning. The days he spent busying himself at Qing Qu Mountain, seemingly doing nothing, were in fact subtly laying the groundwork in the Rainbow Garment Realm. Now that the situation at the Nine Nether Dragon Court had surfaced, he was using the momentum to force the upper echelons of the demon race to participate. This masterful strategy was indeed befitting a grand master of the School of Diplomacy.
"Let's go, let's go."
The old Daoist shook his head, "Fate has burdened me with worries. I shall now depart for the Monster Realm to persuade the peak cultivators there to join the expedition. As for the Human Realm, worry not. The Confucian school, the Fusang Great Wall, and sects such as Iron Floating Mountain and Lingyan Sword Sect in Furong Prefecture will all dispatch Upper Fifth Realm experts to suppress the true dragon's reincarnation. They will undoubtedly spare no effort."
"Good!"
The Demon Emperor said solemnly, "Since that is the case, we shall trouble you, esteemed elder."
The old Daoist turned and left, transforming into a grey figure that vanished in the wind in an instant. He left behind a group of demon race peak cultivators looking at each other. Ultimately, they would still have to select a contingent to be sent to the Ghost Realm to face certain death.
...
Furong Prefecture, Iron Floating Mountain.
The morning mist enveloped the entire mountaintop. Inside the Ancestral Hall, a group of people stood. The Sect Master Long Dongjun, a Rebirth Realm cultivator, held three sticks of incense. After offering incense to the ancestors, he turned to face a group of his fellow disciples. These disciples were now the elders, guardians, and hall masters of Iron Floating Mountain, essentially all holding official positions.
The awkward truth was that Iron Floating Mountain had only one Rebirth Realm martial artist, Sect Master Long Dongjun. The remaining cluster were all Heavenly Origin Realm cultivators. If Long Dongjun were to depart, who would shoulder the important responsibility?
Looking at the assembled individuals, Long Dongjun took a deep breath and bowed with a smile to the eldest of his senior brothers, "Eldest Senior Brother, on this journey to the Nine Nether Dragon Court, Dongjun may not be able to return. Therefore, after I depart, Iron Floating Mountain will be entrusted to you, Eldest Senior Brother. If Long Dongjun perishes in battle, Eldest Senior Brother shall be the Lord of Iron Floating Mountain. If Eldest Senior Brother meets with misfortune, Second Senior Brother shall be the Lord of Iron Floating Mountain, and so on. Our Iron Floating Mountain lineage passes down through generations without excessive regard for hierarchy. I believe that as long as one of us brothers remains alive, we will surely be able to lead Iron Floating Mountain to greater heights!"
His words brought tears to the eyes of many of his senior brothers.
"Dongjun."
The eldest Senior Brother frowned, gently patted his youngest junior brother, who had been doted on by their master since childhood, and chuckled, "A Rebirth Realm martial artist, how could you so easily perish in battle? There are countless important matters here on Iron Floating Mountain. If I were truly to take charge, would I still have time to practice my fists? You're dreaming. Hurry back after dealing with the true dragon and take the reins."
"Exactly!"
A chorus of laughter rose from the other senior brothers, "We're still counting on you!"
Long Dongjun was deeply moved and bowed to everyone, "In any case, I've made my stand. Iron Floating Mountain does not necessarily require Long Dongjun. As long as one person remains alive in Iron Floating Mountain, we will surely lead our disciples forward and live up to the expectations of our honored ancestors!"
"Yes, Sect Master!"
Everyone bowed in unison.
Shortly after, Long Dongjun, with bare hands, soared into the wind, heading alone for the Ghost Realm. This Rebirth Realm martial artist was remarkably carefree. Besides a few flatbreads tucked into his embrace, he carried nothing else. He didn't even bring any magical artifacts. In this life, one comes and goes bare, so all his valuables were left behind at Iron Floating Mountain for his senior brothers and juniors.
...
Confucian Realm, Wenlin.
In a study, two scholars watched the continuous drizzle outside. One was an old gentleman in Confucian robes, the teacher of Gu Lingyu, Mister Zihuai, a Thirteenth Realm cultivator. The other was a scholar in a grey and white long robe, carrying a long sword on his back, a Thirteenth Realm sword cultivator, the most formidable sword cultivator of the Confucian school, Jing Chu.
"Decided?"
Mister Zihuai looked at his second junior brother, his eyes filled with a smile.
"Mm."
Jing Chu smiled and nodded, "There's not much to say. When the news reached the Academy, it was already decided that it would be me, Jing Chu. Among the younger generation, the other capable ones are either far away or in seclusion. Only I, Jing Chu, am qualified to lead everyone to the Ghost Realm. However, Senior Brother, rest assured, I will only be taking Upper Fifth Realm cultivators, none of whom are weak in combat strength."
"Mm."
Mister Zihuai said, "When you pass by Snow Domain Celestial Lake, go see your grand-disciple Lingyu. Bring Lingyu along. Although Lingyu is only a Twelfth Realm cultivator, his Confucian offensive and defensive techniques are considered to have surpassed their predecessors. With him... perhaps he can ensure your safe return, Second Uncle."
Jing Chu couldn't help but chuckle, "Is it necessary?"
"Are you not listening to your Senior Brother?"
Mister Zihuai said, "Back then, Zixi also disregarded his Senior Brother's advice and acted stubbornly. In the end, the few of us brothers could never be reunited in this lifetime."
Jing Chu's eyes turned red, and he said softly, "Senior Brother, Jing Chu understands. I will bring Lingyu along when I pass by Snow Domain Celestial Lake."
"Mm."
Mister Zihuai gently waved his sleeve, "Go. Your Senior Brother has nothing further to instruct. Just return alive. You must live, and Lingyu must also live. Our lineage cannot afford any more losses."
"Yes!"
Jing Chu turned and floated away from the Academy.
...
Early morning, Snow Domain Celestial Lake.
"Ding!"
System Announcement: Congratulations to player [Outrageous] for triggering the server-wide quest [Dragon Slaying] (SSS-grade). All players above Level 120 can accept the quest through the system quest interface. After accepting, proceed to the destination, the Nine Nether Dragon Court in the Ghost Realm, to assist in completing the [Dragon Slaying] quest. Upon completion, rewards will be allocated based on the player's contribution. The world's tide is shifting, rise up, everyone!
The system bell lingered in the air.
North Mountain, at the cliff's edge.
Lin Zhao, who was practicing his fist stances, slapped his thigh. "I knew something was going wrong somewhere. As expected, it's the Nine Nether Dragon Court in the Ghost Realm. I wondered what that old Daoist Wang was so busy with these days; it's likely related to this Nine Nether Dragon Court matter. It's even possible that Miss Lin's disappearance is related to this!"
"Dragon Slaying, huh..."
Shen Xingchen stood up and looked at Lin Zhao, "This quest only requires Level 120 to participate. The entry barrier is lower than the Map of the Stone of Fate, but the quest difficulty is likely not low."
"Definitely not low."
Lin Zhao said, "The intensity is likely much greater than the Stone of Fate. Moreover, as the system announcement indicates, players can only play an auxiliary role and cannot dominate this battle. It's likely a conflict between deities, and we players are merely spectators. Our participation won't be very high."
"Mm."
Leng Yan said, "However, wouldn't it be very difficult for players to go to the Ghost Realm?"
"Yes."
Lin Zhao understood this all too well. "To pass through the celestial curtain separating the two realms, one must bribe those 'curtain rollers' with Mountain currency. Ten Flying Fish Coins can lift the celestial curtain once."
"Ah?!"
Shen Xingchen's delicate mouth parted slightly, "Ten Flying Fish Coins is equivalent to almost 100,000 universal coins. How can players afford such an expense?"
"Not necessarily."
Lin Zhao pondered for a moment and said, "I've observed that when the curtain rollers lift the celestial curtain, the opening can be entered by anyone. So, as long as we arrange people in line, each time the celestial curtain is lifted with ten Flying Fish Coins, it lasts for about 10 seconds. Around 4-5 people can pass side by side. If everyone rushes through together, about 100 people can pass each time. This averages out to about 1,000 universal coins per person's entry fee, which is entirely acceptable for top-tier players."
"Understood."
Leng Yan smiled and nodded, "There are still 10 hours before the quest begins. We need to prepare quickly."
"Mm."
Lin Zhao looked at Shen Xingchen and said, "Xingchen, tally how many people in our Scarlet Moon Knights want to go. This map is quite long, and traveling on foot is difficult. Walking downstream from the Fusang Great Wall to the border of the Ghost Realm takes 3-4 hours. Then, from the border to the Nine Nether Dragon Court takes another 4-5 hours. There's essentially no time to rest. Have those without mounts or flying artifacts depart immediately. Time is extremely tight."
"Understood, I'll go do it now."
Shen Xingchen and Leng Yan turned and left together.
Lin Zhao took a deep breath. Another great battle was upon them, and the quest details were quite vague, but it was clear that something major was about to happen in the Ghost Realm.
...
Monster Realm, Ancestral Mountain.
An old Daoist in grey robes, leaning on a travel staff covered in scratches, ascended the mountain. A green wine gourd hung from his waist. He stopped to rest and catch his breath every few steps, as if he would perish if he didn't reach the top of the Ancestral Mountain's steps. However, to the Upper Fifth Realm cultivators on the Ancestral Mountain, it would be wonderful if this old immortal were to die, freeing the world from a menace. Then the heavens would rejoice.
But inexplicably, no one on the Ancestral Mountain would lay a hand on this old man. They were from the School of Diplomacy, and they didn't completely side with the Human Realm. Why kill him? Moreover, he was a Fourteenth Realm cultivator, not so easily killed.
"Whoosh!"
Suddenly, a figure descended from the sky. Clad in dark blue armor and wielding a pair of Azure Wave maces, it was Liu Bai, a peak Thirteenth Realm Demon King. Liu Bai narrowed his eyes as he looked at the old Daoist and said with a smile, "Old Senior Wang, what brings you to Ancestral Mountain? Don't you know your friends aren't here?"
"Young junior, how can you be so ill-mannered?"
The old Daoist Wang shouted towards the Ancestral Mountain, "Old Monster Ancestor, tell me yourself, did we not drink wine together atop Spirit Mountain back then? Did we not lament that life is like a dream?"
"Cough, cough..."
A demon in grey robes emerged from his cultivation retreat, coughed a few times, and said, "Liu Bai, do not be disrespectful. This old Daoist can at least be considered a senior."
"Yes, Master!"
Liu Bai smiled and nodded.
Following that, Jade Goblet, Ning Yuansheng, Fu Sheng, Nan Qingfeng, and other Thirteenth Realm great demons descended from the sky one by one.
The old Daoist's eyes lit up with joy, "Tsk tsk, truly worthy of the Monster Race, bursting with talent and teeming with experts! Thirteenth Realm cultivators are as common as cow hair!"