Chapter 2428: Blocking the Way

Human World

Human World

The sphere, enveloped by aerial roots, continuously expanded and contracted, but its struggling force grew weaker and weaker.

Not far away, branches and leaves morphed into an old face. It glanced at the aerial root sphere, confirming that Ghost-Tibet Great Sage could no longer cause any trouble, then looked towards the empty void.

This major battle did not alarm the external Demon Sages.

The battle seemed less impactful, but the true clash occurred between the two parties' Dharma Domains. When cultivators at the Integration stage fought, as long as they could control the battlefield within their Dharma Domains, they could make the commotion as grand or as subtle as they wished.

Furthermore, Gui Xu was blocking the outside.

However, this place, like the Seven Mansions of the Black Tortoise, was part of the Black Tortoise Sacred Palace. There were still Demon Sages in the Dou Mansion at this time, and once they finished plundering the Dou Mansion, this place would be discovered sooner or later.

The massive root ball slowly sank, eventually swallowed by the jungle, taking Ghost-Tibet Great Sage to an unknown place.

Just then, the jungle suddenly stopped expanding, and the old face showed an unusual expression.

Whoosh!

The branches and leaves scattered, and the old face disappeared, only to reform at the edge of the jungle, gazing at Qingyuan, who blocked its path.

Qingyuan stood before the water, hands clasped behind his back, exuding the imposing aura of one capable of holding off ten thousand foes.

Their gazes met. The Banyan Tree King recalled what Ghost-Tibet Great Sage had said earlier. Was he trying to bewitch this person?

"May I ask which fellow Daoist stands before me?"

A deep voice boomed. As long as the Demon Realm was not involved, the Banyan Tree King remained very calm.

Although the Banyan Tree King disguised himself as a Demon King, he had channels for interacting with Demon Sages and had been secretly monitoring their movements closely. This was why he wasn't deceived by the illusions created by those Demon Sages and immediately struck at the vital point.

Yet, the person before him was completely unfamiliar, not one of the Demon Sages.

Could it be that there were other powerful beings hidden in this realm besides himself?

The Banyan Tree King stared at Qingyuan, realizing that he couldn't see through the other party, as if facing a cloud of mist, and was secretly alarmed.

This was definitely a formidable opponent!

"I am Qingyuan," Qingyuan said, offering a slight bow.

"So it is Fellow Daoist Qingyuan! Please forgive my discourtesy, but I have urgent matters to attend to. I hope you can grant me passage; I would be immensely grateful," the Banyan Tree King said solemnly and very courteously.

Qingyuan sighed, "I understand your purpose, Fellow Daoist. Unfortunately, this treasure is not destined for you. If you can let go of your obsession, I am willing to sit and discuss the Dao with you; perhaps it could lead to a good story."

As he spoke, Qingyuan raised a hand and pointed, causing a table with two stools to appear before the jungle. Then, he looked at the Banyan Tree King with an expectant gaze.

"You say this treasure is not destined for me. Is it destined for you then?" The Banyan Tree King's tone was slightly sarcastic.

Unexpectedly, Qingyuan gently shook his head, "Nor is it destined for me."

Seeing Qingyuan's serious expression, which didn't seem feigned, the Banyan Tree King paused, unable to fathom Qingyuan's intentions. He frowned and retorted, "What if I refuse?"

Qingyuan's gaze sharpened, and he said in a deep voice, "Cultivation is not easy. Please think twice, Fellow Daoist, lest you forfeit all your spiritual attainments in vain!"

"Heh heh..."

Instead of anger, the Banyan Tree King laughed, his laughter like a beating drum. "Nonsense! Whether something is destined or not is not for you to decide!"

Then, the writhing jungle tore the table and stools to shreds. In an instant, Qingyuan was surrounded by the jungle, his vision filled with dense aerial roots, experiencing the predicament Ghost-Tibet Great Sage had faced earlier.

The jungle suddenly expanded to the edge of the water, and then aerial roots began to creep onto the surface, continuing to spread across the water.

Qingyuan remained unhurried. He raised his palm, and a silver flame flickered in its center. This spiritual fire was unlike ordinary flames; it seemed incredibly heavy and substantial, like mercury.

Gazing at the silver flame in his hand, Qingyuan gave a self-deprecating smile, "I didn't expect to use this Heavenly Capital Silver Flame here, when I haven't even roasted a fish yet."

Before he finished speaking, the Heavenly Capital Silver Flame suddenly scattered, transforming into countless silver threads that drifted into the jungle. Compared to the vast jungle, these Heavenly Capital Silver Flames seemed insignificant, but the next moment, raging infernos ignited along the jungle's edge.

Silver flames soared skyward, instantly merging into a continuous expanse that dyed the void silver. The Heavenly Capital Silver Flame burned a clear demarcation line along the water's edge, seemingly a boundary set by Qingyuan for the Banyan Tree King. Unfortunately, the Banyan Tree King did not appreciate it. The jungle, like a giant beast, forcefully pressed towards the water, countless aerial roots rushing into the sea of fire.

Seeing this, Qingyuan gently shook his head and no longer restrained the Heavenly Capital Silver Flame, instantly igniting the entire jungle.

Whoosh!

The jungle was engulfed in silver flames, and countless aerial roots were ignited. While its destructive power seemed somewhat inferior to the demon fire unleashed by Ghost-Tibet Great Sage earlier, the aerial roots incinerated to ash by the Heavenly Capital Silver Flame did not regenerate.

It was clearly not easy to burn the entire jungle to nothing, yet Qingyuan revealed a confident smile.

Lotus Crossing Great Marsh.

The avatar that had been acting in the Banyan Tree King's name was still rooted in place.

The cliff was torn apart, and lake water flooded in, submerging its roots.

At this moment, a silver glow emerged beneath the water, followed by a wisp of silver flame that shot out from the roots. The surrounding aerial roots were quickly ignited, and the silver fire spread up the tree trunk, swiftly turning the avatar into a giant torch.

This scene simultaneously appeared across the vast expanse of the world; each of the Banyan Tree King's avatars became tainted by that silver flame.

Ghost-Tibet Great Sage's demon fire couldn't even burn through the jungle's Dharma Domain, yet the Heavenly Capital Silver Flame unleashed by Qingyuan directly harmed the Banyan Tree King's true body, even igniting the avatars outside.

The previous dark aura had already been suppressed by the avatars. When the Heavenly Capital Silver Flame erupted, all avatars seemed coated in a layer of mercury, their tree bodies becoming much heavier. They vigorously waved their aerial roots and branches, as streams of green spiritual light surged from within them to resist the Heavenly Capital Silver Flame.

"You are not a demon!"

"You are not from this realm!"

Questions from the Banyan Tree King echoed within Gui Xu. As they exchanged blows, the Banyan Tree King finally discerned some of Qingyuan's origins; he was certainly not a cultivator from this realm.

Qingyuan did not reply. His gaze swept over the surrounding sea of fire. The Heavenly Capital Silver Flame would cause some trouble for the Banyan Tree King, but it was not enough to force him back, as this was only one of his avatars.

His gaze seemed to penetrate the Banyan Tree King's jungle Dharma Domain, seeing his myriad avatars.

Observing the Heavenly Capital Silver Flame gradually weakening, Qingyuan said again, "Oh? I didn't expect Fellow Daoist to have comprehended some Dao Rhythms of the Divine Path on your own. This is the Vermillion Mausoleum Divine Fire, which I learned from the Nanchang Upper Palace during my travels through Zhenzhou. It is the fire of divine refinement; I wonder if Fellow Daoist can withstand it?"

Before his words faded, the silver flames in the sea of fire began to recede, and then an invisible flame emerged. This flame was colorless and formless, yet possessed a sacred essence, capable of refining souls, inspiring reverence and worship.

The invisible fire was harder to resist than the tangible Heavenly Capital Silver Flame. The mercury on the surface of the Banyan Tree King's avatars receded, but the bizarre flames ignited from within, as if to burn them through from the inside out.

Strangely, this flame was not meant to incinerate him but to enlighten him, to save the deceased, and guide their souls to ascension!

Although Qingyuan had only unleashed two divine abilities, the Banyan Tree King showed none of the composure he had when facing Ghost-Tibet Great Sage.

Qingyuan sat cross-legged in the jungle, fully activating the Vermillion Mausoleum Divine Fire. The true battle had just begun!

The Vermillion Mausoleum Divine Fire ignited all of the Banyan Tree King's avatars like a persistent ailment, yet there wasn't the slightest burn mark on any of them.

Swish swish swish!

The jungle Dharma Domain went completely berserk. Aerial roots sprouted branches, leaves, and root systems, transforming into countless small banyan trees. A ceaseless army of banyan trees assailed Qingyuan.

However, this action could not help the Banyan Tree King suppress the Vermillion Mausoleum Divine Fire. Just then, a green gleam suddenly flashed deep within the jungle. Within the green gleam was a vibrant green branch, its surface flowing with a warm luster, and its few leaves were verdant and glistening, like precious jade.

Whoosh!

With a flick of the green branch, green light scattered into the jungle.

The banyan tree army's momentum surged, and a subtle change occurred within the jungle Dharma Domain. Immediately after, tender sprouts emerged from Qingyuan's head, and delicate white rootlets grew from the soles of his feet.

The tender sprouts branched and leafed out, transforming Qingyuan into a human-tree, his skin gradually turning green. Yet, he paid no heed, allowing his hair to become a tree canopy, drooping down and enveloping himself.

Beside him, the Heavenly Capital Silver Flame formed a ring of fire, isolating a pure land between him and the banyan tree army.

Suddenly, Qingyuan's eyes snapped open, his pupils turning into eerie black orbs, and a chilling, terrifying aura emanated from his body.

Whoosh!

He raised his right hand, pointed two fingers together, and black mist emanated from his fingertips, revealing a pure white stone coffin!

At the same time, a green gleam shot towards him; it was the previously seen green branch. Wherever the green branch passed, the banyan trees formed from aerial roots withered, and the green branch seemed to be absorbing the vitality within the jungle Dharma Domain.

Whoosh!

Merging with the power of the jungle Dharma Domain, the green branch became like a sword gleam. If it were a sword, it would certainly overshadow countless sword cultivators!

Boom!

The green branch, like a sword, struck towards Qingyuan but hit the stone coffin directly.

The stone coffin floated before Qingyuan, one end firmly blocking the green branch.

Clang clang clang clang...

The stone coffin shook violently, its lid almost flung off. Through the cracks, shadowy figures could be seen inside, as if countless malevolent spirits were within.

Crack!

Cracks instantly covered the stone coffin, which then exploded with a bang, sending fragments flying everywhere. Those malevolent spirits disappeared without a trace.

The green branch sprang back, hovering above the jungle, its trembling leaves betraying the Banyan Tree King's shocked state.

"Who exactly are you!"

The Banyan Tree King found himself increasingly unable to fathom Qingyuan.

The three divine abilities Qingyuan had just displayed—the Heavenly Capital Silver Flame, a spiritual fire of the Five Elements Dao; the Vermillion Mausoleum Divine Fire, originating from the Divine Path; and the stone coffin, clearly a technique of the Ghost Dao—were all merely divine arts and not Dharma Domains, yet their power was extremely formidable.

Divine, Ghost, and Five Elements, all in one person. What cultivation method was this person practicing?

"I am Qingyuan."

After a round of combat, the Banyan Tree King was unable to force Qingyuan back or cross the boundary Qingyuan had set.

"I have no grievances or grudges with you, so why do you obstruct my path to Dao!" The Banyan Tree King demanded furiously.

Whoosh!

The jungle writhed wildly, its rage soaring.

He had waited countless years, his cultivation having long reached the peak of a Demon Sage; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him a half-step Heavenly Demon. Yet, he always felt something was lacking. That treasure was the foundation for his path to Dao. Once refined, he would be able to break through the final barrier in one fell swoop and achieve the status of a Heavenly Demon!

Just as the treasure was within reach, an uninvited guest suddenly appeared, obstructing his path.

Qingyuan gazed at the furious jungle and calmly stated, "I once made a promise to a senior. I am here today to fulfill that promise, and I cannot allow it to be an instrument for your path to Dao. My apologies... Although there is no grievance, it is due to karma."

"Karma... haha... Karma... hahahaha..."

The Banyan Tree King burst into maniacal laughter, filled with grief and indignation. The banyan tree army within the jungle Dharma Domain seemed to transform into fiends.

Qingyuan sighed silently and closed his eyes.

"I have no grievances or grudges with you, so why do you obstruct my path to Dao!"

Qin Sang paused, leaning his ear to listen, faintly hearing angry roars coming from behind.

At this moment, being in the water, he couldn't sense the fluctuations of the mighty battle behind him, yet he could hear the Banyan Tree King's roars, showing how filled with grief and indignation he was.

"Achieving Dao..."

Qin Sang glanced back, uttering these two words aloud.

Was the Banyan Tree King not yet at the Mahayana stage, and could the Rivers and Mountains Diagram help him break through to Mahayana? Were he and Qingyuan severing the Banyan Tree King's hope of achieving Dao?

"The enmity of obstructing Dao..."

Qin Sang truly couldn't bear such a heavy accusation; he only hoped the Banyan Tree King wouldn't blame him.

The Rivers and Mountains Diagram actually had the function of helping one achieve Dao. No wonder both demon cultivators from this realm and powerful beings from the Spirit Realm were vying for this treasure. He also wondered if Qingyuan could take the Rivers and Mountains Diagram out once he obtained it.

Qin Sang pondered these thoughts, gaining a deeper understanding of Post-celestial Spiritual Treasures.

Could all Post-celestial Spiritual Treasures help one achieve Dao?

A powerful figure like the Banyan Tree King should not lack True Treasures and Post-celestial Spiritual Treasures, yet he still fought for the Rivers and Mountains Diagram.

Presumably, the Rivers and Mountains Diagram must be an exception.

The Banyan Tree King's roar echoed in Qin Sang's mind. If he were nearing a breakthrough and an enemy obstructed his path, he would probably be even more furious.

The struggle for the Great Dao was indeed this cruel!

Qin Sang shook his head, dismissed his stray thoughts, and focused on his surroundings. He didn't know how long Qingyuan could hold off the Banyan Tree King, so he had to find the Inkstone as soon as possible.

The clam pearl guided him into the water, and as he moved forward, he continuously dove deeper.

There were quite a few Star Spirits here; he had just passed by a school of fish.

After realizing the fish school posed no danger, Qin Sang boldly approached. At close quarters, the feeling was even more distinct. These fish were indeed transformed Star Spirits, but they were very different from the Star Spirits Qin Sang had seen before, seemingly specially refined by someone.

They constantly roamed here, like tireless scavengers, tending to this boundless body of water, though it was unclear what they were cleaning.

Besides this, the previous ominous feeling grew even stronger as Qin Sang entered the water, making him somewhat uneasy.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

In the pervasive silence, Qin Sang heard his own heartbeat and felt a pressure enveloping him.

Even though he held the clam pearl, Qin Sang had a sense that this place was continuously repelling him. Without the clam pearl, he probably wouldn't have been able to enter at all, and forcing his way in would have resulted in being crushed into pulp.

"This aura..."

Qin Sang's expression shifted slightly. He found it somewhat familiar and immediately understood its origin.

This was the aura of the Black Tortoise!

Swish!

A sword gleam flashed, and Qin Sang surprisingly summoned his Taiyin Spirit Sword here, directly deploying a sword formation.

Sword stars manifested, a sea of stars hung above Qin Sang's head, and the sword stars of the Northern Seven Mansions shone brightly. Immediately, star fiends materialized, and a Black Tortoise formed from starlight slowly descended.

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