193: Chen Xu emerges from seclusion to hunt down the ancient demon!

The wind at Broken Heaven Cliff seemed a bit more biting than usual.

As the temporary base for the Ascending Immortal Gate in the Northern Region, it was now a scene of bustling activity.

Countless streaks of light rose and fell as various scouts and messengers shuttled back and forth incessantly.

Xu Sen stood on the viewing platform, fiddling with two warm jade walnuts in his hand.

Since returning from that "visit" to Zhenyuan City, he had not been in a hurry to fall out with Chen Xu.

Instead, he adopted another, more insidious method—Encroachment.

Over the past year, under the guise of "assisting in defense," he had quietly extended his sphere of influence to several small and medium-sized cities surrounding Zhenyuan City.

Faced with the prestige of the Ascending Immortal Gate and the tangible temptation of resources, those city lords who were originally on the fence...

...chose to submit with almost no resistance.

"Chen Xu, oh Chen Xu, you may be a fierce tiger, but this game in the Northern Region cannot be played with fists alone."

Xu Sen muttered to himself in a low voice.

In his view, Chen Xu's Foundation was, after all, still shallow.

He was like a nouveau riche landlord, sitting on a mountain of gold but not knowing how to manage it.

As long as Zhenyuan City's external connections were cut off, that isolated city would sooner or later be his for the taking.

Just then, a streak of light, like a startled bird, rushed up Broken Heaven Cliff.

"Report! Urgent military intelligence!"

A black-clad deacon appeared on the viewing platform.

His aura was ragged and disordered.

Xu Sen's brow furrowed slightly, and the walnuts rotating in his hand instantly stopped. With a wave of his sleeve, a surge of pure Wood-attribute Spiritual Qi flowed into the deacon's body, temporarily stabilizing his injuries.

"What is the panic? Speak slowly."

The deacon gasped for breath: "Elder... the front line... something big has happened at the front! The Ancient Demon Realm side has gone mad!"

Xu Sen's expression tightened: "What happened? Has the defensive line collapsed?"

"No... it's not an all-out offensive."

The deacon swallowed hard: "It's an extremely elite detachment of the Ancient Demon Clan! They aren't interested in a prolonged battle at all; they bypassed the main defensive lines of the Seven Great Holy Lands and infiltrated deep into the heart of the Northern Region!"

"Bypassed the defensive line?"

A sharp light flashed in Xu Sen's eyes.

The Northern Region defensive line stretched for millions of miles. While there were occasional gaps, those were for scattered monsters.

For an organized army to pass through silently, there would have to be a mole...

...or the team possessed extremely powerful concealment methods.

"How many are there? What is their strength? What is their objective?"

Xu Sen fired off three questions in succession.

"There are no more than three thousand, but... but the weakest are at the Demon Commander level (Soul Transformation Stage)! The leader is even more unfathomable, likely possessing the cultivation of a Demon Sovereign (Body Integration)!"

"They aren't attacking fortified cities either, just scurrying through the wilderness and mountain ranges. It seems... it seems they are looking for something."

Hearing this, Xu Sen's heart skipped a beat.

Three thousand elites at or above the level of Demon Commander—this was essentially a sharp Blade thrust into the soft underbelly of the Northern Region.

And they weren't seeking wealth or territory, only searching for something?

That was thought-provoking.

"Also..."

The deacon hesitated for a moment before pulling a broken Sect token from his robe: "Just last night, the Flowing Cloud Sect, only eight thousand miles away from us, was exterminated."

"All three thousand members of the Sect were killed, not even a chicken or dog left alive. Even their Souls were completely devoured."

Xu Sen took the token. The residual Devilish Qi on it was so thick it was nauseating.

Although the Flowing Cloud Sect was only a third-rate power, it still had two Grand Elders at the Void Refining Stage presiding over it.

To think they were wiped out in a single night?

"It seems these demon brats are looking for something of vital importance to the Ancient Demon Realm."

Xu Sen crushed the token into powder, his gaze gradually becoming deep and unfathomable.

Normally, if he encountered such a tough nut to crack, he would definitely choose self-preservation.

He would let Tianyu Holy Land deal with the headache.

After all, it was their territory.

But now... Xu Sen looked at the powder in his hand, and the figure of that green-robed youth from Zhenyuan City suddenly surfaced in his mind.

Along with Gu Qingfeng from Tianyu Holy Land, who was hiding away with heavy injuries.

A brilliant plan instantly took shape in his heart.

"Is this not a god-sent opportunity?"

Xu Sen suddenly began to laugh: "Pass down my decree!"

Xu Sen turned around, resuming his transcendent, sage-like demeanor, though his tone carried a hint more decisiveness: "In the name of my Ascending Immortal Gate, issue Hero Invitations far and wide!"

"State that a demon detachment is running rampant and harming living beings. My Ascending Immortal Gate cannot bear to see the people of the Northern Region suffer, so we specially invite the world's heroes to discuss a 'Demon Suppression Plan'!"

"Especially to Chen Xu of Zhenyuan City and to Tianyu Holy Land—the invitations must be delivered!"

A black-clad confidant beside him immediately stepped forward and asked in a low voice: "Elder, are you planning to drag them into this mess?"

"Not just drag them in, but make them fight for their lives."

Xu Sen sneered, pointing his finger at the map to the south: "Tell them that whoever can wipe out this demon detachment in this grand hunt will gain permanent jurisdiction over the former lands of the Flowing Cloud Sect—that is, those three thousand miles of fertile land in the eastern Northern Region!"

Three thousand miles of territory!

The black-clad confidant sucked in a breath of cold air.

That was territory the Flowing Cloud Sect had managed for thousands of years. Although the Sect had been destroyed, the underground Spiritual Veins and mineral deposits were still there.

If this land could be seized, it would be for the Chen family, who were in urgent need of expansion...

...or for Tianyu Holy Land, which wanted to solidify its defensive lines, a fatal attraction.

"Elder is brilliant!"

The black-clad confidant praised sincerely: "This move of 'Two Peaches Killing Three Warriors' can both use a borrowed knife to weaken the strength of those two houses and allow us to reap the benefits."

"If they fight to a mutual loss, we can rightfully step in and take over everything."

"Go, make a big scene of it."

Xu Sen waved his hand. "I want the entire Northern Region to know who stood up to take charge in this time of crisis."

"Yes!"

As one urgent transmission talisman after another flew out from Broken Heaven Cliff, the entire Northern Region cultivation world was once again stirred by this news... Tianxuan City, the backyard of the City Lord's Mansion.

The scenery here was even more lush than a year ago.

Nourished by that World Tree seedling, whose aura was concealed by layers of Formations...

...the Spiritual Qi in the entire mansion was so dense it almost condensed into mist.

Chen Xu was sitting by a stone table, holding a feather used to tease Spirit Beasts. In front of him was a carved-from-pink-jade little girl, wobbling as she chased after the feather.

That was Chen Qingluan, who had just turned one year old.

Although the little girl was young, her aura was frighteningly pure, and every movement released a faint fragrance of vegetation.

The surrounding flowers and grass swayed gently with her laughter, as if paying respects to this little princess.

"Giggle... Daddy... catch..."

Chen Qingluan called out in a milky voice, her two little hands flailing, as she grabbed Chen Xu's finger.

Chen Xu laughed heartily, scooped his daughter into his arms, and kissed her tender cheek: "Good girl, you've got good moves. You'll definitely be a martial artist in the future."

Zhao Lingyan, who was sitting nearby pruning flower branches, gave the father and daughter a reproachful look: "You just keep pampering her. She's only this old, and you're already teaching her grappling moves. Aren't you afraid she won't be able to get married later?"

"Who would dare to look down on my, Chen Xu's, daughter?"

Chen Xu raised an eyebrow, his dominance leaking out. "If they can't appreciate her, it's because they're blind."

Just as the family was enjoying themselves...

Chen Daochu walked quickly into the garden.

His expression was somewhat solemn, and he held a gold-stamped black invitation in his hands.

"Father, someone from the Ascending Immortal Gate has arrived."

The smile on Chen Xu's face faded slightly. He handed his daughter to Zhao Lingyan, gesturing for her to take the child back inside first.

After the mother and daughter left, he took the invitation and opened it casually.

A sharp Sword Intent surged out from the invitation...

...only to dissipate into nothingness the moment it touched Chen Xu's fingertips.

"Demon Suppression Assembly?"

Chen Xu scanned the contents and gave a light smile: "This Xu Sen certainly knows how to calculate."

"Father, this is clearly a trap."

Chen Daoxuan said in a deep voice: "I've heard of that demon detachment as well. Their movements are mysterious and their combat power is extremely high. For Xu Sen to throw this hot potato out now and use three thousand miles of territory as bait, he clearly wants us and Tianyu Holy Land to be cannon fodder."

"Though the territory is tempting, the Flowing Cloud Sect was wiped out too miserably, which means there are definitely tough characters in that demon army."

Chen Xu closed the invitation, his finger lightly tapping the stone table.

"A trap is a trap, but it's also an opportunity."

"What does Father mean?"

"That demon detachment bypassed the defensive lines, didn't seize territory, and didn't just kill people; they are specifically looking for something."

A sharp light flashed in Chen Xu's eyes: "Dao Xuan, what do you think is worth the Demon Race taking such a huge risk to penetrate deep behind enemy lines?"

Chen Daoxuan was stunned for a moment, then realized: "It must be a great treasure! Or... a strategic item of vital importance to the Demon Race."

"Exactly."

Chen Xu stood up and stood with his hands behind his back. "The three thousand miles of territory is secondary to me, but I am very interested in what the Demon Race is looking for."

"Furthermore..."

Chen Xu looked toward the south, his gaze seemingly piercing through the Void Realm.

"I also want to see if that shrinking turtle from Tianyu Holy Land can still keep its head tucked in this time."

"Go and reply to the messenger from the Ascending Immortal Gate."

Chen Xu's voice was calm yet powerful.

"Say that my Chen family accepts this Demon Suppression Plan."

...Tianyu Holy Land, Lingyun Hall on the main Peak.

The atmosphere was oppressively suffocating.

The everlasting lamps in the hall flickered in the wind, casting the shadows of several Elders onto the floor in distorted and menacing shapes.

Since Vice Holy Master Gu Qingfeng went into seclusion due to heavy injuries, the power of the Holy Land had fallen into the hands of several influential Elders.

But at this moment, these Elders, who were usually high and mighty...

...were frowning over a black invitation.

The invitation was like a red-hot iron thrown into the center of the desk; no one was willing to touch it.

"This is too much! Simply too much!"

One Elder slammed the table, making the teacups jump: "What does he, Xu Sen, think he is? A mere outsider dares to tell our Holy Land what to do?"

"Issuing some 'Hero Invitation'? This is clearly putting our Holy Land on the spot!"

"We're not going! We absolutely cannot go!"

Another Elder chimed in, "Dividing our forces to suppress demons at a time like this—what if the front line becomes critical?"

"Besides, Xu Sen has ill intentions. Those three thousand miles were originally our jurisdiction, and now they've become a prize he's giving out? What does he take us for?"

"But... what if we don't go?"

The Law Enforcement Hall Elder, who had been silent, spoke up eerily, instantly dousing everyone's anger.

"The entire Northern Region is watching now, and those Sects that rely on us are even more panicked."

"If we don't even dare to manage our own territory being ravaged by the Demon Race and have to rely on the Ascending Immortal Gate and the Chen family to uphold justice..."

The Law Enforcement Hall Elder looked around at everyone, his voice bitter. "Then, do we still want the title of the Northern Region's overlord? Who will be willing to follow our orders in the future?"

A deathly silence fell over the main hall.

It was a dilemma.

To go would be jumping into a pit, potentially leading to heavy losses.

Not to go would mean losing face completely and having no prestige left.

This was where Xu Sen was brilliant; it was an open scheme.

It forced you to drink the poison even though you knew exactly what it was.

Just as everyone was arguing and nearly coming to blows in the hall.

Rumble—!!!

The entire main Peak of the Tianyu Holy Land suddenly trembled violently.

It wasn't an enemy attack, but rather a terrifying pressure that was awakening.

This pressure was filled with an aura of decay and bloodiness.

Like an ancient Vicious Beast crawling out of a grave, it made one's Soul tremble.

The expressions of the Elders in the hall changed instantly, then turned into wild joy.

They all knelt on the ground in unison, kowtowing heavily toward the forbidden land in the back mountain.

"We respectfully welcome the Grand Elder out of seclusion!"

With a sharp whistle, the clouds above Lingyun Hall were instantly torn apart.

A blood-red streak of light shot out from the forbidden land in the back mountain, landing at the hall's entrance in the blink of an eye.

As the light dissipated, a thin, withered old man was revealed.

He wore an extremely ancient grey cloth robe, his hair was sparse, and his face was covered in age spots.

In his hand, he leaned on a cane polished from some unknown beast's bone.

He looked like an old farmer with one foot in the grave.

But if one stared into his eyes, they would find that within those cloudy pupils...

...it seemed to be a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.

This person was one of the few remaining Body Integration Late Stage Peak experts of the Tianyu Holy Land.

"Ancestor Blood Crow," Mo Yuan, who had been in death seclusion for three hundred years.

"A bunch of useless trash."

Mo Yuan spoke, his voice hoarse and unpleasant.

He didn't enter the hall, merely standing at the door.

That suffocating pressure already had all the Void Refining Elders breaking out in a cold sweat.

"The Holy Land has raised you for so many years, yet you lose your composure over such a small matter? All this noise, where is your decorum!"

The red-faced Elder who was fuming with rage just moments ago now kept his head low and said tremulously, "Ancestor... it's really that Xu Sen who has gone too far, and that Chen Xu..."

"Enough."

Mo Yuan impatiently interrupted him. His cold eyes swept over the black invitation on the table, and he reached out to grab it.

The invitation flew through the air into his withered hand.

"The Ascending Immortal Gate wants to make a scene on our turf?"

Mo Yuan sneered, and the cane in his hand thumped heavily on the ground.

Crack!

The incredibly hard spiritual jade floor instantly cracked, and a streak of red Evil Qi spread along the fissures.

"This old man isn't dead yet!"

"It's not an outsider's turn to run wild in this Tianyu Holy Land!"

Mo Yuan threw the invitation back onto the table. "Since they want to play, this old man will play with them. I want to see if these two arrogant youngsters can handle these old bones of mine!"

"Pass down the order!"

"Open the treasury and bring out the Blood God Warship!"

"Assemble three thousand Blood-Clothed Guards and set out with me!"

Hearing the words "Blood God Warship" and "Blood-Clothed Guards."

The Elders kneeling on the ground all shuddered, their eyes filled with shock.

These were the Holy Land's ultimate trump cards!

The Blood-Clothed Guards were even more terrifying than the Tianyu Guards.

Each one was a killing machine refined through secret methods, knowing no pain and fighting to the death.

It seemed that this time, the Ancestor was truly enraged and intended to go on a killing spree in that three-thousand-mile wasteland!

"We respectfully obey the Ancestor's decree!"

Everyone responded in unison, their voices rekindled with fighting spirit.

With this Body Integration Late Stage old monster taking charge, they might not necessarily lose this round!

Chapter 301: Speed is Essential in War, Steadfast as a Mountain

On the other side, inside the council hall of Tianxuan City.

A massive map of the Northern Region covered the entire table.

Chen Xu's finger tapped lightly on a red-marked area; that location was named "Dragon Burial Valley."

It was situated in a remote area, perpetually shrouded in poisonous miasma.

It was also the hiding place of the Demon Race's secondary force—the heart of the Black Mist Swamp.

"For this operation, there's no need for the grand display of a full-scale assault."

Chen Xu withdrew his finger, his gaze sweeping over the people below. "We've just settled into our new home; if someone takes advantage of our absence to sneak in, it would be a huge joke."

He turned his head toward a certain massive entity dozing in the corner—it was the Xuan Shui Dragon Turtle in its shrunken form.

Since following the Chen family, this old fellow had done nothing but eat and sleep, becoming much broader and fatter.

However, the runes on its turtle shell had become increasingly deep and heavy.

"Old Turtle, don't join the fun this time."

Chen Xu kicked the Dragon Turtle's leg. "Watch the house. Whether it's Zhenyuan City or Tianxuan City, if any outsider dares to reach out their claws without permission, chop them off for me."

"No matter who it is, even if a Mahayana Stage expert comes, you must hold them off for at least half an incense stick's time."

The Xuan Shui Dragon Turtle lazily lifted its eyelids, snorted two plumes of white air from its nostrils, and gave a muffled grunt as a form of agreement.

Chen Xu was completely at ease with its abnormal defensive power; as long as this old fellow stood guard here...

...these would be two impenetrable fortresses.

"Then... Family Head, who will go with you?"

Blade carried his door-like broadsword on his shoulder, his eyes wide and round, clearly unable to suppress the urge to hack at someone. "I heard those demon brats have thick skin and flesh; hacking them must be satisfying!"

"I'll take you."

Chen Xu glanced at him. "And Lan Shuyao."

Lan Shuyao, dressed in martial attire with a willow-like figure, nodded slightly upon hearing this!

"The Sword Washing Pavilion and the Blade Camp will each dispatch five hundred elites."

Chen Xu continued his orders: "No need for many; what I want are skilled fighters who can handle tough battles and follow orders. Too many people would be a burden instead. This time we're going hunting, not on a parade."

Chen Daoxuan, standing to the side, was somewhat worried. "Father, only taking this many people?"

"The Ascending Immortal Gate and Tianyu Holy Land are said to be mobilizing in full force, even that old monster Mo Yuan has come out of seclusion."

"Our small force might not be enough to make an impact."

"What's the use of many people? That's a swamp, not a plain for battle Formations."

Chen Xu chuckled. "Besides, sometimes the position for watching the play is more important than the position for performing it."

...Half an hour later, on the drill grounds of Tianxuan City's north gate.

There was no impassioned oath-taking ceremony, nor any thunderous drums and gongs.

A pitch-black flying vessel, shaped like a giant shark, floated quietly in mid-air.

This was a warship that Zhao De had combined from the one captured from Zhao Wuji, further incorporating Chen Xu's unique Formation concepts.

It was newly remodeled.

Although it wasn't as luxurious as the Tianyu Holy Land's White Jade Flying Boat, this warship excelled in practicality.

One thousand elite Cultivators stood on the deck like silent statues.

The Disciples of the Sword Washing Pavilion were dressed in white with swords on their backs, their expressions cold.

The sturdy men of the Blade Camp were clad in black armor, radiating a murderous aura.

These two teams with completely different styles now strangely blended into a cohesive sense of solemnity.

"Depart."

Chen Xu stood at the bow and softly uttered two words.

The warship trembled slightly and then turned into a black stream of light, instantly tearing through the clouds.

It sped toward the death-filled Dragon Burial Valley in the southwest... The flying vessel sliced through the air, the airflow making a sharp whistling sound outside the protective shield.

Heading all the way southwest, the scenery below gradually became desolate.

The sporadic towns and greenery that could previously be seen vanished completely.

This was the scar of the Northern Region, a forbidden zone that had been ignored for many years.

The closer they got to Dragon Burial Valley, the thinner the Spiritual Qi in the air became.

In its place was a stifling dry heat that made one feel short of breath.

Mixed within was a faint, lingering stench of decay.

"This place is truly a good spot for burying people."

Blade leaned over the ship's railing, looking at the grey earth below, and spat. "A godforsaken place, not even a living creature in sight."

"It is said that a true dragon fell in Dragon Burial Valley tens of thousands of years ago. The dragon's corpse decayed, its resentment lingered, and combined with the turbid yin of the earth veins, this desolate land was formed."

Lan Shuyao stood to the side and explained in a cold voice, "The poisonous miasma here can corrode a Cultivator's Divine Soul. Without a poison-avoiding Magic Treasure, one would turn into a pool of pus within three quarters of an hour of entering."

"And this is just the periphery."

Chen Xu stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze deep. "The main course is ahead."

As the flying vessel advanced.

The world ahead seemed to be severed by an invisible boundary.

On one side was the grey sky.

On the other side was complete darkness.

It was a black swamp stretching for tens of thousands of miles, with thick black mist like a wall reaching the sky, completely obscuring everything inside.

Even from a great distance, one could feel the malice churning within the black mist, as if countless eyes were peering at the intruders.

This was the Black Mist Swamp.

At this time, on a piece of high ground on the periphery of the swamp, two camps had already been set up.

On the left camp, flags fluttered and immortal music could be faintly heard; that was the Ascending Immortal Gate's station.

On the right, blood energy soared into the sky, and red streaks of light could be seen rising and falling.

That was the Tianyu Holy Land's territory.

Compared to the Chen family's "low profile," these two were quite grand.

The Ascending Immortal Gate's White Jade Tower Ship hovered in mid-air, emitting a soft precious light in an attempt to disperse the surrounding black mist.

Meanwhile, the Tianyu Holy Land's Blood God Warship was even more overbearing.

Circles of blood-colored halos surrounded the hull, forcibly carving out a vacuum zone at the edge of the black mist.

However, despite the grand display, the situation did not seem optimistic.

Chen Xu's flying vessel slowly came to a halt fifty miles away from the two camps.

He found a mountain hollow with a clear view to land.

"Family Head, are we not heading over?"

Blade was somewhat puzzled. "Didn't that old fellow Xu Sen send an invitation to us?"

"What's the rush?"

Chen Xu narrowed his eyes, looking at the two seemingly impregnable camps in the distance, and chuckled softly. "Look at the periphery of their camps."}