628: The final realm of Hongmeng, the guardian of the Dao Platform

The spatial ripples of the cross-realm passage slowly subsided as Huang Xiaolong and his group set foot on the soil of the Hongmeng Ultimate Realm. They were instantly enveloped by a vast, ancient aura of Chaos. This world was the source of the Seven Realms, and the Spiritual Qi between heaven and earth was not just a single type like Battle Qi, Immortal Qi, or Vegetation Spiritual Qi, but rather Hongmeng Spiritual Qi infused with the Origin Power of the myriad realms. However, at this moment, this Hongmeng Spiritual Qi was tainted with a nauseating, sinister black qi, causing the light of the world to become dim and distorted.

Looking up, at the center of the Hongmeng Ultimate Realm, a ten-thousand-foot-high Dao platform floated in mid-air. The platform was forged from Hongmeng Stone, and its body was covered in the vein-like runes of the seven realms spirit web. This was the core hub of the seven realms spirit web—the Hongmeng Dao Platform. Yet, the platform was currently shrouded in a mass of pitch-black evil qi that blotted out the sky. The evil qi surged frantically from a massive crack in the center of the platform; that crack was the core vulnerability of the seven realms spirit web, dozens of times larger than the one on the Spirit Initiation Continent. The pale gold Origin energy of the seven realms spirit web was pouring out from the crack, clashing and intertwining with the evil qi, producing a deafening hum.

Around the crack, dozens of Nascent Soul Stage Evil Cultivators held Evil Bone Banners, constantly channeling Fiend Origin Power to reinforce the barrier of evil qi. They were also surrounded by countless low-level fiends, forming an impenetrable sinister defense line. Clearly, they were acting on the orders of the evil fiend source power to guard this core vulnerability to the death.

"This is the Hongmeng Dao Platform. All the energy veins of the seven realms spirit web converge here. Once this place completely collapses, the seven realms spirit web will break, the passages between the myriad realms will close entirely, and even the Spiritual Veins of every world will fall into total Chaos!" Lin Ye's voice was heavy with gravity. He channeled the Holy Spirit Power of the Spirit Enlightenment Realm, forming a lustrous white shield around himself to resist the erosion of the evil qi. "The fiends have placed their main forces here. These guarding Evil Cultivators are at the very least at the Early Nascent Soul Stage, and there are even several Late Nascent Soul Stage experts!"

The dual realm imprint on Huang Xiaolong's brow suddenly blazed with golden-red light, and the war immortal nascent soul within his Dantian spun frantically. Crimson gold Battle Qi, lustrous white Immortal Qi, and the Holy Spirit Power of Spirit Initiation intertwined into a three-colored shield, protecting Su Linger, Qing Lan, and the Spirit Plant Legion within. He swept his gaze across the fiend defense line, a cold light flashing in his eyes. "Qing Lan, lead the Spirit Plant Legion to tie down the low-level fiends with the Spirit Plant Formation. Lin Ye, use Holy Spirit techniques to focus on the Nascent Soul Stage Evil Cultivators. Linger, follow me to set up a protection Formation; we must first sever the connection between the fiends and the evil qi of the vulnerability!"

"As you command!" Qing Lan and Lin Ye responded in unison.

Qing Lan raised her hand to wave the seal of the Spirit Plant Legion, and tens of thousands of Spirit Essences instantly fell into Formation. Holding Spirit Vine Spears and channeling Vegetation Origin Power, they laid down a massive Ten Thousand Plant Entrapment Formation on the ground. Countless emerald spirit vines burst from the Hongmeng soil like ferocious green pythons, entangling all the low-level fiends. The spirit thorns on the vines continuously released vegetation purification power, causing the fiends to let out shrill screams.

Lin Ye, meanwhile, performed hand seals for the Holy Spirit Formula, pushing the "Spirit Enlightenment Realm Holy Spirit Art" to its limit. The Holy Spirit Power around him transformed into dozens of lustrous white sword lights, shooting straight toward the Nascent Soul Stage Evil Cultivators. Wherever the sword lights passed, the evil qi dissolved inch by inch. Several Early Nascent Soul Stage Evil Cultivators could not dodge in time and were pierced through by the sword lights, dissipating into wisps of black qi.

Huang Xiaolong and Su Linger leaped to the edge of the Hongmeng Dao Platform. Su Linger raised her hand to manifest the spirit ruins guardian seal in mid-air. The jade seal erupted with ten thousand feet of emerald light, and the myriad plant patterns on the seal came to life, merging with the spirit plants she grew using the "Spirit Plant Creation Art." A layered Spirit Plant Protection Formation instantly enveloped the core vulnerability of the Dao platform. On the Formation runes, Vegetation Spiritual Qi merged with Hongmeng Spiritual Qi, forming a sturdy barrier that not only blocked the further spread of evil qi but also began to slowly purify the Fiend Origin Power around the vulnerability.

"Don't even think about mending the vulnerability!" a Late Nascent Soul Stage Fiend Leader roared. Black qi surged around him, transforming into a massive Evil Bone Giant Axe that hacked violently toward the Spirit Plant Protection Formation. The Fiend Origin Power on the giant axe was extremely dense; when it struck the Formation runes, the protection Formation shuddered violently, and the emerald light instantly dimmed.

"A paltry trick!" Huang Xiaolong snorted coldly and leaped forward, pushing the War Immortal Dao Unification Art to its limit. He raised his hand to draw upon the power of belief of the seven realms spirit web—the prayers of countless Cultivators in the Seven Realms for protection, an invisible yet majestic force. He then merged it with huaxia dragon vein power, Xuanhuang Martial Dao Immortal Qi, and the Vegetation Vitality Power of the Spirit Ruins, condensing it into a brilliant five-colored fist light at his knuckles before smashing it into the Evil Bone Giant Axe.

*Boom!*

With a thunderous roar that shook heaven and earth, the Evil Bone Giant Axe instantly shattered. The fist light's momentum remained undiminished as it slammed into the Fiend Leader's chest. He spat out a mouthful of black blood and was sent flying, crashing into the stones of the Dao platform. His body was instantly dissolved by the purification power of the five-colored fist light, leaving not even a sliver of a remnant soul behind.

With the Fiend Leader dealt with, the remaining Evil Cultivators became leaderless. Under the pincer attack of Lin Ye and the Spirit Plant Legion, they were soon completely purged. The outer defense line of the Hongmeng Dao Platform was cleared, but the evil qi barrier of the core vulnerability remained stubborn. It was formed from Fiend Origin Power, far beyond what ordinary Nascent Soul Stage power could easily break.

"Linger, reinforce the Spirit Plant Protection Formation to block more evil qi from surging in. Lin Ye, use Holy Spirit techniques to set up a Holy Spirit Purification Formation to purify the evil fiend source power around the vulnerability. I will draw upon the power of belief of the seven realms spirit web and the Origin Power of the myriad realms to strike the core vulnerability directly!" Huang Xiaolong commanded in a deep voice. He stepped into the center of the Dao platform, his hands forming complex seals. A phantom of the war immortal nascent soul emerged from his body, and the dual realm imprint on the Nascent Soul's brow resonated strongly with the spirit web runes of the Dao platform.

Su Linger immediately channeled the spirit ruins guardian seal and the "Dual Realm Formation Confluence Art," perfectly merging the Spirit Plant Protection Formation with the spirit web veins of the Dao platform. Emerald vegetation light intertwined with the pale gold spirit web energy, increasing the defense and purification power of the protection Formation several times over. Lin Ye then set up a Holy Spirit Purification Formation around the vulnerability, the lustrous white Holy Spirit light washing over the evil qi like a tide, causing the Fiend Origin Power around the vulnerability to continuously dissipate.

The power of belief of the Seven Realms drawn by Huang Xiaolong transformed into an invisible golden torrent, merging with the huaxia dragon vein, the Xuanhuang Immortal Qi, the Vitality of the Spirit Ruins, and the Holy Spirit Power of Spirit Initiation. It formed a five-colored light pillar that shot straight at the evil qi barrier of the core vulnerability. However, the barrier forged from Fiend Origin Power was extremely stubborn. When the five-colored light pillar struck it, it only tore open a small gap before being frantically counterattacked by the evil qi, causing the pillar's light to slowly dim.

"Can even the power of the myriad realms not break through this evil fiend source power barrier?" Su Linger's voice was filled with anxiety. She had already poured all the power of her spirit plant nascent soul into the protection Formation, yet it was still difficult to help Huang Xiaolong break the barrier.

Just then, deep within the Hongmeng Dao Platform, two brilliant lights suddenly shone—one sacred and lustrous white, the other steady and heavy. The two lights transformed into two phantoms, slowly emerging from the stones of the Dao platform. One phantom wore holy spirit battle armor with a holy spirit imprint on its brow; it was Lu Chen. The other phantom wore Huaxia Battle Armor, surrounded by Dragon Vein Power; it was Lu Shaoyou!

"Junior Guardian, do not give up. We shall lend you a hand!" The voices of Lu Chen and Lu Shaoyou rang out simultaneously. The two phantoms raised their hands, each injecting a wisp of Origin Power into Huang Xiaolong's five-colored light pillar.

Lu Chen's Holy Spirit Origin Power caused the pillar's purification power to surge, while Lu Shaoyou's Dragon Vein Battle Qi Origin increased the pillar's evil-breaking power several times over. The previously dim five-colored light pillar instantly erupted with ten thousand feet of radiance, like a sword cleaving through Chaos, smashing violently into the evil fiend source power barrier.

*Crack!*

A crisp sound of shattering rang out. The evil fiend source power barrier instantly crumbled into pieces. The five-colored light pillar rushed into the core vulnerability without hindrance, following the veins of the seven realms spirit web to begin mending the massive crack. Under the nourishment of the light pillar, the pale gold spirit web energy began to heal slowly. The crack shrunk at a speed visible to the naked eye, and the Origin energy that had been surging out frantically began to flow back into the spirit web.

At the moment the crack was completely healed and the core vulnerability was mended, two crisp clatters sounded in succession. A Jade Slip, five-colored and engraved with the core runes of the spirit web, dropped from the mended vulnerability and rolled to Huang Xiaolong's feet; it was the "Core Vulnerability Repair Art," which detailed how to use the Origin Power of the myriad realms to mend the core vulnerabilities of the seven realms spirit web and how to reinforce the defenses of the spirit web hub. Another Jade Slip, gold and white and engraved with the imprints of the ancestors, dropped beside the phantoms of Lu Chen and Lu Shaoyou; it was the "Ancestor Will Fusion Art," which could merge the Origin intent of the ancestors with one's own power to greatly enhance evil-breaking and Guardian power.

The phantoms of Lu Chen and Lu Shaoyou looked at the mended seven realms spirit web with a hint of relief in their eyes. They nodded slightly to Huang Xiaolong before transforming into two streams of light that merged back into the stones of the Hongmeng Dao Platform, leaving behind only a faint wisp of Origin intent that fused with Huang Xiaolong's war immortal nascent soul.

The seven realms spirit web resumed its operation, with pale gold energy veins crisscrossing above the Hongmeng Dao Platform. The Hongmeng Spiritual Qi of the Hongmeng Ultimate Realm began to regain its purity, and the light of the world became bright once more. Just then, a pale gray phantom emerged from the center of the Dao platform. The phantom wore ancient Guardian Battle Armor and was surrounded by the energy of the seven realms spirit web; it was the Myriad Guardian Remnant Soul that guarded the Hongmeng Dao Platform, the remnant soul of a great expert who had guarded the seven realms spirit web in ancient times.

"Huang Xiaolong, you have mended the core vulnerability with the power of the myriad realms, merged the ancestor intent of Lu Chen and Lu Shaoyou, and accepted the responsibility of protection and the mission of the myriad realms. You are the well-deserved new Guardians of the Myriad Realms!" The Myriad Guardian Remnant Soul's voice was ancient and majestic. He waved his hand, and a jade token engraved with patterns of the Seven Realms slowly flew toward Huang Xiaolong. It was the myriad realms guardian token. The holder of this token could command all Guardian Cultivators of the Seven Realms and draw upon the power of the seven realms spirit web for their own use.

Huang Xiaolong took the myriad realms guardian token. The token resonated strongly with the dual realm imprint on his brow, and the power of his war immortal nascent soul surged once more. He bowed to the Myriad Guardian Remnant Soul. "This Junior, Huang Xiaolong, will certainly not fail the responsibility of protection and will safeguard the peace of the Seven Realms!"

To the side, Su Linger completely merged the Spirit Plant Protection Formation with the seven realms spirit web of the Hongmeng Dao Platform, making the Spirit Plant Formation a permanent protective barrier for the platform. The Vegetation Spiritual Qi and spirit web energy nourished each other, so that even if more fiends attacked, a defense would form immediately. At the moment the Formation Fusion was complete, a crisp clatter sounded. An emerald and gold-white Jade Slip dropped from the Formation runes and rolled to Su Linger's feet; it was the "Dao Platform Protection Art," which could make the Fusion between the Spirit Plant Protection Formation and the seven realms spirit web tighter and the defense and purification power more enduring.

The Myriad Guardian Remnant Soul looked at the Hongmeng Dao Platform, which was radiating Vitality once more, yet his expression remained solemn. He spoke slowly to Huang Xiaolong, "Though you have mended the core vulnerability, the evil fiend source power has not been completely destroyed. Their ultimate goal is to pollute this Hongmeng Dao Platform and sever the connection between the Seven Realms and Earth, making Earth the Origin Land of the fiends. Currently, you all have Nascent Soul Stage cultivations; while you can guard the Dao platform for a time, you cannot completely prevent the fiends' counterattack. Only by breaking through to the Soul Transformation Stage as soon as possible can you possess the power to contend with the evil fiend source power!"

Soul Transformation Stage!

Huang Xiaolong and Su Linger exchanged a glance, a hint of determination flashing in their eyes. They were currently both at the Nascent Soul Stage; Huang Xiaolong was at Nascent Soul Level 4, and Su Linger was at the Early Nascent Soul Stage. Though there was still a gap before the Soul Transformation Stage, they had already touched its threshold.

Above the Hongmeng Dao Platform, the energy of the seven realms spirit web flowed slowly. The myriad realms guardian token in Huang Xiaolong's hand emitted a faint golden light, and the emerald light of the Spirit Plant Protection Formation intertwined with the golden light of the spirit web, forming a sturdy barrier protecting the Seven Realms.

Having mended the core vulnerability, the group had firmly set a new goal—to break through to the Soul Transformation Stage, completely purge the evil fiend source power, and safeguard the peace of the Seven Realms and Earth. And they all knew that to break through to the Soul Transformation Stage, they had to return to Earth. Only in the Origin Land of the huaxia dragon vein, by undergoing the harshest trials, could they take that crucial step.