Chapter 2426: A Body of One Realm

The Mortal Realm

The biting wind howled, and snow fell heavily.

A glacier groaned and cracked, and chunks of ice continuously tumbled down its sides.

With a resounding 'boom,' the ice wall fractured, revealing a tree root. Immediately afterward, the entire glacier began to disintegrate, exposing a withered tree that had been encased in ice.

The withered tree was still coated in a layer of ice, with icicles hanging from its branches, but this could not conceal the burgeoning vitality within it. This life force was incredibly vibrant; tender leaves sprouted visibly from its branches, multiplying until they formed a canopy as vast as a parasol, standing solitary and unique in the boundless icy expanse.

The wind and snow intensified, and a faint sigh was carried on the gale.

"So, I am myself."

South of the Southern Territory, the demon cultivators of this realm call it the South Sea.

The South Sea is as vast as the Arctic ice plain. It is warmer than the ice plain and lacks the same dense Six Heavens Ancient Qi, yet it is plagued by constant storms. When major storms arrive, their might is even more terrifying than the great blizzards of the ice plain, forcing even demon kings to steer clear. Due to the extreme danger, most aquatic creatures in the South Sea live near the coast, and life forms in its depths are as rare as those in the ice plain.

The South Sea is boundless, but islands are few and mostly barren.

Amidst the storm.

On a rocky island covered in massive boulders, there was not an inch of soil. The stones on the island were polished incredibly smooth by the seawater. No demon cultivators practiced here; it merely served as a stopping point for those venturing out to sea.

'Boom!'

With a tremendous roar, the rocky island suddenly exploded, and branches shot out from among the debris, unfurling.

The rocky island transformed into a massive tree, and the surrounding storm subsided.

The great tree dispersed the storm and emitted a resonant sound.

"So, I am myself!"

From the Arctic ice plain to the south of the Southern Territory, banyan trees simultaneously revived, appearing like various avatars of the Banyan Tree King, spread throughout this realm.

The Banyan Tree King in Lotus Crossing Great Marsh, whose ancient face was formed from leaves, gazed at the sky, intently sensing the numerous revived avatars, or rather, the many 'selves,' in the distance!

He himself was also one of these avatars!

The Banyan Tree King's cultivation was only at the peak of the Soul Refining stage. The other banyan trees had varying strengths, but none surpassed the Soul Refining stage.

For countless years, his existence had eluded all demon cultivators, including the demon saints. Neither the remnants of the Demon Realm nor the pawns of the High Immortals could discern his true origins. This was because he had created these avatars, scattering his cultivation among each of them and spreading them across every corner of this realm.

Some avatars became regional demon kings, and some were even recruited by demon saints, becoming their subordinates.

Some avatars stepped forward to establish forces, and some even managed to befriend demon saints.

Some avatars were sowing good karma.

Most avatars remained dormant, patiently awaiting their moment.

These were avatars, yet also parts of him. In this process, he extended his reach to every corner of the world.

A single entity, spanning an entire realm!

Before today, almost all avatars had forgotten their true identities. Even if one avatar was captured by a demon saint, it would not implicate the others.

However, all avatars had been instilled with a single obsession: to secretly search for an item!

'Rustle, rustle...'

A cool breeze rustled through the tree canopy, and leaves danced up and down. The ancient face slowly turned, looking towards the northern region of Lotus Crossing Great Marsh.

In that instant, banyan trees everywhere turned their gaze towards this spot!

At this moment, the banyan trees' cultivation levels did not directly skyrocket, yet some unknown transformation occurred.

Stone Dragon Mountain Demon City, Five Immortals Sect branch.

The old shopkeeper, holding a broom, like an ordinary elder, slowly swept the fallen leaves from the ground.

The autumn wind swirled the few remaining yellow leaves from the trees, letting them fall before him.

The old shopkeeper gazed at the deserted courtyard and sighed softly. Ever since Scarlet Serpent was deposed, their branch had been implicated and seemed to have been abandoned by the higher-ups, with no new branch master appearing for a long time.

The Five Immortals Sect maintained its status partly due to its deep foundations, and partly by carefully cultivating relationships with surrounding powers, all of which required the personal presence of the branch master.

Now, they were leaderless, the situation changing rapidly, and coupled with the repercussions of Scarlet Serpent's reckless actions, the Five Immortals Sect's position grew increasingly precarious. The old shopkeeper sometimes felt hostility from certain factions, but fortunately, as long as he stayed within the city, they dared not act openly.

There was also a benefit: the old shopkeeper had never been so idle.

'Creak!'

The old shopkeeper pushed open the temple door and looked at the giant python statue.

Having not manifested its spirit for a long time, the surface of the giant python statue seemed to be covered in a layer of dust.

With another sigh, the old shopkeeper was about to clean the stone hall when he suddenly glimpsed something and looked over in surprise, seeing a hint of green at the base of the statue.

Immediately, roots and branches sprouted from the statue before the old shopkeeper's eyes. The stone carving miraculously transformed into a massive tree, growing with incredible vigor. In the blink of an eye, its canopy broke through the stone hall's dome.

Soon, the lush canopy nearly obscured half of the demon city. From outside the city, one could see this towering, sky-darkening tree. The old shopkeeper stood beneath it, his face filled with shock.

This scene simultaneously appeared at all Five Immortals Sect branches, and even at the main headquarters!

In an unnamed valley, there were no grand palaces or extraordinary landscapes. No one could have imagined that the Five Immortals Sect's main headquarters would be built in such an ordinary place, and merely as a simple wooden temple.

The temple door was tightly shut.

Inside the temple, a wooden statue was enshrined, an enlarged version of the wooden carving held by the Fox Immortal. Five meditation cushions were placed before the statue, yet there was no one present.

Suddenly, just like the statues in the branch temples, the wooden statue also burst with vigorous life, sprouting green leaves...

At the same time.

The Seven Mansions of the Black Tortoise.

White Immortal and Black Protector, who had just rushed out of Dipper Mansion, were extremely dishevelled, still shaken by the life-giving rain that had poured down from the sky moments earlier.

They quickly tried to contact the Fox Immortal and the others but received no response. Exchanging glances, they hesitated whether to report to the Sect Master. Suddenly, their expressions stiffened, their rigid bodies turned towards Dipper Mansion, their eyes turned green, and then they flew straight towards Dipper Mansion.

As if their minds were controlled, they returned to the place they had just fled, forgetting the previous danger.

Before long, they encountered a familiar face: Elder Rattan Hermit, one of the three elders they had previously fought.

At this moment, Elder Rattan Hermit also seemed like a different person.

White Immortal and Black Protector forgot they were enemies; they actually flew towards Elder Rattan Hermit, standing behind him as if they were his true protectors.

Elder Rattan Hermit turned his head, staring at their green eyes, and murmured, "So, you are me!"

"So, you are me!"

The same phrase echoed from the depths of the Abyss of Return.

Just moments ago.

The Fox Immortal and other demons brought in by Great Sage Ghost Crypt were sound asleep. Great Sage Ghost Crypt was currently using his divine abilities to search for the trickster from before and to explore the area, momentarily ignoring them.

The demons floated haphazardly in the void, their breathing steadier, peaceful expressions on their faces.

Suddenly, without any external interference, Duke Qiucang and Lord Chayun, who were asleep, sat up. Their eyelids trembled slightly; they were about to awaken.

Immediately after, the Fox Immortal, Yellow Immortal, and Willow Immortal also sat cross-legged, forming a Three Talents Array in their sleep.

The Fox Immortal, with eyes tightly shut, sleepwalked as she raised the wooden carving in her hand. At this moment, a layer of green light emanated from the carving's surface, enveloping the three demons. Then, like the wooden statue at the main headquarters, it sprouted green leaves and roots. The roots pierced into the three demons' palms, taking root there.

The next moment, Duke Qiucang and Lord Chayun abruptly opened their eyes. Though they were two demon cultivators with distinctly different appearances, at this moment, they possessed identical gazes and expressions. Their bodies began to transform: their skin gradually turned into rough bark, their hair unfurled into canopies and leaves, their torsos became tree trunks, and roots grew from their feet. In the blink of an eye, they transformed into two spirit trees.

Duke Qiucang resembled a mass of intertwined shrubs, while Lord Chayun, with his straight trunk, became a birch tree. But the transformation was not yet complete; the two wood demons continued to change, resembling banyan trees more and more!

The two demons looked at the three immortals, seeing that the wooden carving was also looking at them. They instantly understood the situation and spoke in unison.

"So, you are me!"

In the depths of the void.

Qin Sang and Qingyuan had already entered that body of water.

The appearance of the General's Tomb would not hinder Qingyuan from summoning the Rivers and Mountains Map; instead, it helped draw away trouble for him.

Qin Sang lowered his head, watching the schools of fish swirling around his feet.

These star spirits were within easy reach, but Qingyuan had said they couldn't be taken yet; patience was required.

"Eh?"

Qingyuan, ahead, suddenly stopped and turned to look back the way they came.

Qin Sang, unsure of what had happened, felt puzzled. Moments later, he heard Qingyuan sigh, "This realm has actually produced an extraordinary fellow Daoist."

"Who?"

Qin Sang already believed Qingyuan to be a Grand Ascension cultivator. He wondered which demon saint could earn Qingyuan's praise. Could there be a Celestial Demon in this realm as well?

Qingyuan gently waved his palm, conjuring a treasured mirror, and the scene that had occurred before the entrance appeared before them.

The Three Immortals, the Two Elders, and the siblings Plague Lord and Pestilence Mist Monarch.

Only the siblings Plague Lord and Pestilence Mist Monarch appeared normal.

When Qin Sang saw the changes on the Three Immortals and the Two Elders, he couldn't help but exclaim, "Are they... powerful avatars!"

There was clearly something strange about the Three Immortals and the Two Elders. This was the Abyss of Return; only Demon Saints and Celestial Demons could possess such abilities.

No wonder their divine abilities were so formidable!

Previously, during the ambush of Plague Lord and Pestilence Mist Monarch, they had almost succeeded but the siblings were still rescued, making Qin Sang wonder if his spirit treasures and divine abilities weren't as strong as he imagined.

Qin Sang suddenly understood, mixed with a hint of lingering fear. If he had killed Plague Lord and Pestilence Mist Monarch at that moment, would the powerful entity behind them have descended directly?

Then Qin Sang saw that the wooden carvings in the hands of the Three Immortals and the Two Elders were gradually transforming into three banyan trees, and his heart suddenly tightened.

Banyan trees!

All banyan trees!

Was that Banyan Tree King avatar also...

The thought that he had almost kept the Banyan Tree King avatar by his side filled Qin Sang with extreme dread, and he was fortunate he hadn't been swayed by the other party.

The methods of such powerful entities were truly impossible to guard against, their influence ubiquitous: the Five Immortals Sect, Little Red, the Three Elders, the Banyan Tree King...

Qin Sang had encountered many factions in this realm, not a few of them mutually hostile, yet all bore the shadow of this powerful entity behind them. And there were certainly more he hadn't seen!

"Avatars? Heh heh..."

Qingyuan smiled upon hearing this, shook his head, and mused, "It seems you, Daoist, will have trouble ahead."

Qin Sang, noticing the unusual tone in Qingyuan's voice, asked in surprise, "Can this entity descend directly?"

This was inside a clam shell, deep within the Abyss of Return, and moreover, within the Black Tortoise Saint Palace, separated by numerous barriers.

Qingyuan shook his head, "This is his true self!"

As he spoke, Qingyuan took a scroll from his embrace and handed it to Qin Sang.

"I trouble you, Daoist. Take this painting and awaken the spirit of the Rivers and Mountains Map. Simply give him this painting, and he will understand. This avatar alone may not be able to stop this fellow Daoist. You must ensure the spirit opens the seal as quickly as possible so that my true self can enter..."

Qingyuan's avatar intended to stay and block the Banyan Tree King; Qin Sang would have to proceed alone.

Qin Sang had originally thought that following Qingyuan would make the rest of their journey very easy, but he hadn't expected another complication. However, since all these powerful demon entities would be blocked by Qingyuan, he only needed to focus on dealing with the hidden dangers around him.

"This humble Daoist will certainly not fail in his mission!"

Qin Sang took the scroll, his expression solemn.

Qingyuan nodded, "I'll see you off for a bit, Daoist..."

As he spoke, Qingyuan flicked his sleeve, and Qin Sang felt a gentle breeze lift him, carrying him skimming over the water's surface.

After sending Qin Sang off, Qingyuan did not act immediately, remaining in place, watching the scene in the treasured mirror. When he saw the three banyan trees about to merge, he waved his hand, making the mirror disappear, and looked up at the entrance.

At this point, he could already sense that aura, and he believed Great Sage Ghost Crypt had also discovered it.

Great Sage Ghost Crypt was fully exerting his spiritual sense, searching everywhere. The fellow who had entered earlier seemed to have vanished into thin air, leaving no trace.

After several fruitless searches, Great Sage Ghost Crypt frowned slightly. Suddenly, he sensed something and sharply turned around.

'Boom!'

Two gazes pierced through the darkness, clashing across the void.

One came from Great Sage Ghost Crypt, the other from a colossal banyan tree at the entrance.

A single banyan tree was an endless jungle. Plague Lord, Pestilence Mist Monarch, and other demons had long been swallowed by the jungle, which continued to grow.

Its massive root system seemed capable of piercing through the void, connecting beyond the Abyss of Return, drawing power from external avatars. The jungle grew wildly, and the banyan tree's aura surged, instantly breaking through the barrier between demon kings and demon saints, even surpassing Great Sage Ghost Crypt, with no sign of stopping.

Only this vast void could accommodate such an enormous banyan tree without alarming the outside world!

"Who are you!"

Great Sage Ghost Crypt's expression drastically changed. He bellowed, but inwardly, a tumultuous storm raged.

In the blink of an eye, the banyan tree's aura not only surpassed his own but even dwarfed that of Great Sage Dao Dan and Great Sage Bei Heng. This banyan tree was clearly the most powerful entity in this realm, yet he had never heard of it, nor did he even know its name!

"I have many names. You can call me the Banyan Tree King, or you can call me the Sect Master... but I prefer the title Banyan Tree King..."

The jungle manifested a colossal, ancient face, revealing a wistful expression as it recalled the distant past.

It had truly been too long, so long that many memories had blurred.

"Ghost Crypt!"

The Banyan Tree King called out Great Sage Ghost Crypt's Dharma name, his expression suddenly turning severe. "I didn't expect remnants of the Demon Realm to still exist in this world! You, a dignified Demon Saint, have actually pledged allegiance to a devil! I have you to thank for being able to enter here. Originally, if you had simply surrendered everything you knew, I would have spared your life. But now, I cannot tolerate your existence!"

The Banyan Tree King's voice grew louder and louder, finally almost becoming a roar, his killing intent astonishing!