669: Xuanhuang Black Wind Abyss, the Vanguard of Evil Spirits

In the western reaches of the Xuanhuang Realm, the Black Wind Abyss was perpetually shrouded in an impenetrable inky black wind. The abyss's depths were crisscrossed with ravines, and the dark rocks were covered in dark red bloodstains. The air was filled with Outer Domain Evil Energy even purer than that of the Chaos Sea, mixed with the mournful wails of living souls. Every inch of land exuded a suffocating silence and brutality. This was a notorious dangerous place in the Xuanhuang Realm, and also a secret stronghold where Outer Domain Evil Creatures' vanguards hid and Cultivated.

Li Fan, Zhao Hu, Su Miao, and Huang Ming traversed the vast lands of the Xuanhuang Realm, arriving at the edge of the Black Wind Abyss as dusk approached. The lingering rays of the setting sun pierced through layers of dark wind, casting mottled, blood-colored shadows at the abyss's entrance, adding to its eerie atmosphere. As soon as they approached the edge of the abyss, the four felt a powerful Nascent Soul Stage level pressure, mixed with all-devouring Outer Domain Evil Power, emanating from deep within the abyss, making the air thick and bone-chilling.

"What a powerful aura of Outer Domain Evil Cultivation Technique! This vanguard is indeed at the Mid Nascent Soul Stage!" Huang Ming's golden armored War Immortal spiritual light surged, his War Immortal Harmony Art High-tier Chapter remnant page operating at its Peak. He stared gravely into the abyss, "His aura carries a strong devouring intent; he must be Cultivating that evil Cultivation Technique that can devour a Cultivator's Nascent Soul Power!"

Zhao Hu clenched his fists, his Peak Golden Core Battle Qi burning fiercely. Scarlet-gold light condensed into a thick protective shield on his body, full of Battle Intent: "What if he's Mid Nascent Soul Stage! I just advanced to Peak, it's a good chance to test my Combat Skill: Flow Merging Technique against his evil Cultivation Technique!"

Su Miao took out the spirit ruins origin seed and quickly cultivated a purifying Spirit Plant barrier. Verdant spiritual light enveloped the four, isolating them from the erosion of Outer Domain Evil Qi: "The evil Qi of this evil Cultivation Technique can pollute the Nascent Soul. I've already set up a purifying array. If anyone feels their Dao Heart stir, immediately retreat into the barrier. I've also cultivated Soul-Solidifying Grass that can temporarily immunize against Evil Power erosion, which can be useful at critical moments."

Li Fan's immense pressure at the Early Nascent Soul Stage steadily radiated outwards. His war immortal nascent soul floated above his head, and the translucent Void Wings on his back gently flapped. The hongmeng sword in his hand hummed, its purifying spiritual light forming an extreme opposition to the Outer Domain Evil Qi at the bottom of the abyss, emitting sharp "sizzling" sounds upon collision. He could clearly feel that the Outer Domain vanguard's Nascent Soul had been completely polluted by the evil Cultivation Technique, appearing jet-black, and the Evil Power it emitted was even more domineering than the residual Qi of the Void Evil Master, specifically targeting a Cultivator's Nascent Soul Origin.

"This fiend Cultivates an evil Cultivation Technique, harming the living beings of the Xuanhuang Realm, he must not be allowed to live!" Li Fan's eyes flashed with cold light, and he instantly formulated a battle strategy. "Zhao Hu, you use Combat Skill: Flow Merging Technique for a frontal assault, using your fierce Battle Qi to restrict his movements and disrupt his evil Cultivation Technique's operation; Huang Ming, you set up the War Immortal Immortal Law Array, using pure War Immortal Battle Qi to weaken the evil Cultivation Technique's power and cut off his energy supply; Su Miao, you preside over the purification array from behind the formation, strengthening everyone's defense and purifying the scattered Evil Power; I will be the main attacker, using the hongmeng sword to break his evil Cultivation Technique's core and destroy his Nascent Soul!"

"Understood!" The three responded in unison, instantly taking their positions with perfect coordination.

The four stealthily entered the abyss, passing through layers of twisted dark wind and corrupted strange rocks. Finally, at the black stone platform in the center of the abyss, they found the Outer Domain Evil Creature vanguard. This fiend was tall, clad in black evil armor, with a hideous face and a pair of blood-red eyes flashing with violent light. Dense, impenetrable black and red Outer Domain Evil Qi swirled around him. He was sitting cross-legged in the center of the stone platform, forming strange evil seals with his hands. Countless phantom living souls were being absorbed into his body, transforming into nourishment for his evil Cultivation Technique. The Nascent Soul in his Dantian was as black as ink, emitting a heart-palpitating devouring pressure—it was indeed the Mid Nascent Soul Stage Outer Domain vanguard!

"Roar—!"

The Evil Creature vanguard sensed intruders, abruptly opened his eyes, and let out a roar that shook the abyss's depths. His surrounding Evil Qi surged, and black-red Evil Power condensed into a giant evil claw, which, with a momentum that seemed to devour everything, fiercely grabbed towards the four. Wherever the evil claw passed, cracks appeared in space, and the wails of living souls were deafening, its might terrifying to the extreme.

"Now!" Li Fan commanded. The Void Wings behind his war immortal nascent soul flapped fiercely, transforming into a golden-white stream of light, holding the hongmeng sword as he charged directly towards the Evil Creature vanguard. Zhao Hu simultaneously rushed forward, his Peak Golden Core Battle Qi burning fiercely. Combat Skill: Flow Merging Technique was pushed to its limit, perfectly fusing the profoundness of the huaxia dragon vein Battle Qi with the fierce power of the Xuanhuang Battle Qi Fist. Two colossal fist shadows condensed from scarlet-gold Battle Qi, smashing fiercely towards the evil claw.

"Bang!"

The fist shadows collided with the evil claw, erupting in a deafening roar. The righteous Qi within the scarlet-gold Battle Qi violently clashed with the Outer Domain Evil Power. The evil claw was repelled, and although Zhao Hu was forced back two steps by the backlash of Evil Power, he firmly blocked the first wave of attack, creating an opportunity for Li Fan to attack.

Huang Ming seized the opportunity to quickly form seals. His golden armored War Immortal spiritual light shone brightly, and pure War Immortal Battle Qi surged into the ground, instantly deploying a massive golden Immortal Law Array. The array patterns lit up, and vast Battle Qi surged like a tide, forming a sturdy golden light barrier that enveloped the Evil Creature vanguard and the stone platform. The War Immortal runes on the light barrier continuously flickered, exuding an aura that shattered evil and dispelled malevolence. The Evil Creature vanguard's evil Cultivation Technique operation instantly became sluggish, and the Evil Qi outside his body dimmed somewhat—the Immortal Law Array could weaken Evil Power and cut off energy supply, making it the bane of Outer Domain Evil Cultivation Techniques.

Behind the array, Su Miao rapidly formed seals with both hands. The Great War Auxiliary Spirit Plant Art and Spirit Plant Guardian Art were seamlessly integrated. Verdant spiritual vines frantically emerged from the ground, weaving into a giant purifying Spirit Plant barrier. The purifying spiritual flowers on the vines frantically absorbed the scattered Outer Domain Evil Power, converting it into Vitality spiritual qi to nourish the group. The spiritual light on the barrier grew increasingly intense, firmly blocking the Evil Power outside and providing continuous defensive support to the front line.

Li Fan's figure had already reached the Evil Creature vanguard. His war immortal nascent soul, holding the hongmeng sword, activated Nascent Soul Stage Combat Skill Mastery, perfectly fusing War Immortal Battle Qi, Grandmist purifying spiritual qi, and Void Penetration Power. A concentrated, substantive War Immortal Evil-Breaking Sword Light shot through the air, carrying the might of righteous evil-breaking power, fiercely striking towards the Evil Creature vanguard's evil Cultivation Technique core.

The hongmeng sword was the natural enemy of Outer Domain Evil Creatures. As soon as the sword light touched the Evil Creature vanguard's evil armor, a brilliant purifying spiritual light erupted. A deep crack instantly appeared on the evil armor, and black-red Evil Qi gushed out from the crack like a tide, being instantly purified by the spiritual light.

"Ant! You seek death!" The Evil Creature vanguard roared, abandoning further Cultivation of the evil Cultivation Technique. He formed evil seals with both hands, and the jet-black Nascent Soul in his Dantian left his body, transforming into a massive black phantom. It opened its bloody maw, lunging to devour Li Fan's war immortal nascent soul, intending to devour and refine Li Fan's Nascent Soul to enhance its own strength.

This was precisely the core Divine Ability of the Outer Domain Evil Cultivation Technique—Nascent Soul Devour!

Li Fan's eyes sharpened, showing no fear. His war immortal nascent soul's Void Wings flapped, instantly teleporting behind the black phantom. The hongmeng sword struck again, its sword light imbued with the Profound Truth of the Evil Qi Purification and Conversion Art. It could not only purify Evil Power but also convert it into his own Battle Power. The sword light pierced through the black phantom's body, and the jet-black Nascent Soul let out a mournful wail, sizzling as it was scorched by the purifying spiritual light, its aura instantly weakening.

In the fierce battle, Li Fan precisely found the weakness of the Outer Domain Evil Creature—the Evil Talisman Mark on the forehead of the jet-black Nascent Soul. That was the core of the evil Cultivation Technique and its source of power. With a thought, the war immortal nascent soul's attacks became even more ferocious, the hongmeng sword's light pointing directly at the Evil Talisman Mark.

Just then, a crisp "clatter" sounded, and a Jade Slip engraved with Outer Domain Extermination Runes fell from the dissipating Evil Power—the Outer Domain Evil Creature Extermination Initial Art! This High Grade Low Grade Cultivation Technique could precisely strike the Nascent Soul weakness of Outer Domain Evil Creatures, countering their devouring Divine Ability. Li Fan's Divine Thought swept over it, instantly comprehending, and his sword momentum became even more precise and ruthless.

"Zhao Hu, assist me with an attack!" Li Fan shouted.

Zhao Hu understood. His Battle Qi surged to its Peak, and he gathered all his strength into his fists, smashing them fiercely into the Evil Creature vanguard's Physical Body. The scarlet-gold Battle Qi penetrated the evil armor, shattering his internal organs and destabilizing his posture. Huang Ming also activated the Immortal Law Array, and golden Battle Qi shot out like sharp swords, striking the Evil Talisman Mark on the jet-black Nascent Soul. The mark instantly became covered in cracks.

Li Fan seized this fleeting opportunity. His war immortal nascent soul, holding the hongmeng sword, transformed into a golden-white stream of light and fiercely stabbed into the Evil Talisman Mark of the jet-black Nascent Soul!

"Splat!"

The hongmeng sword pierced through the mark, and purifying spiritual light instantly erupted, completely purifying and disintegrating the jet-black Nascent Soul. The Evil Creature vanguard's Physical Body exploded with a loud bang, utterly annihilated.

The moment the vanguard was defeated, a black-red spherical bead burst from its body. It was the Outer Domain evil crystal it had condensed by Cultivating the evil Cultivation Technique! The evil crystal contained pure Outer Domain Evil Power, but also a hint of devouring characteristics. Li Fan did not hesitate, activating the Evil Qi Purification and Conversion Art, absorbing the evil crystal into his war immortal nascent soul's body.

The hongmeng sword's purifying spiritual light erupted again, completely purifying the violent devouring power within the evil crystal, leaving only pure Outer Domain energy, which integrated into the Void Wings behind the Nascent Soul. The wings instantly solidified somewhat, and a faint black-red pattern appeared on their surface, exuding a power that could penetrate space. From now on, Li Fan would be immune to some of the erosion from Outer Domain Evil Cultivation Techniques!

At the same time, a black-gold Jade Slip fell—the Outer Domain Evil Energy Immunity Art! This High Grade Medium Grade Cultivation Technique allowed Cultivators to perfectly integrate purified Outer Domain energy, forming an Evil Energy immunity layer, greatly weakening the damage of Outer Domain Evil Cultivation Techniques. It was a trump card against Outer Domain Evil Creatures. Li Fan's Divine Thought swept over it, instantly comprehending.

Just as everyone breathed a sigh of relief, an old man in a black Daoist robe emerged from an Immortal Cave at the bottom of the abyss. His face was ancient and unadorned, and pure Xuanhuang Battle Qi swirled around him. His eyes were gentle and profound. He was the Abyss Master of Black Wind Abyss, Xuan Yuan, a descendant of Xuan Feng.

Xuan Yuan walked up to Li Fan, cupped his hands in greeting, his face full of gratitude: "Many thanks to Fellow Daoist Li Fan and everyone for slaying the Outer Domain Evil Creature vanguard. This fiend has occupied Black Wind Abyss for many days, harming countless living beings. This old man wished to eliminate him but was no match for his evil Cultivation Technique. Today, thanks to all of you, you have eliminated a scourge for the people!"

With that, Xuan Yuan took out a suit of entirely dark battle armor, engraved with Xuanhuang Battle Qi patterns, and handed it to Li Fan: "This is the Xuanhuang Battle Qi Armor, a treasure left by my ancestor Xuan Feng. It can amplify the Battle Qi defense of Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators and absorb Xuanhuang Battle Qi to transform into one's own Battle Power. I offer it to Fellow Daoist as a small token of my gratitude."

Li Fan took the Xuanhuang Battle Qi Armor with both hands. The armor felt heavy, and he could clearly feel the pure Xuanhuang Battle Qi contained within it, which perfectly matched his War Immortal Battle Qi. Wearing it would surely greatly enhance his defense. He solemnly thanked him: "Thank you, Senior Abyss Master, for this gift. This Junior is truly undeserving!"

"Fellow Daoist eliminated a scourge for the people, you deserve this gift!" Xuan Yuan waved his hand, his gaze falling on the remains of the Evil Creature vanguard. "This fiend's Storage Pouch should still be here. Perhaps it contains his Cultivation insights or Outer Domain intelligence. Fellow Daoist might want to look for it."

Upon hearing this, Li Fan immediately went to clear the battlefield and indeed found a black Storage Pouch beside the remains. His Divine Thought probed inside, discovering that besides some Outer Domain evil materials, there was also a tattered beast hide map—an Outer Domain Map! The map was densely marked with Outer Domain evil runes, with the core location marking the main force of the Evil Creatures, hidden in the Savage Domain beyond Grandmist. It also marked the power level of the Evil Creatures' main force, far exceeding the current expectations of the Seven Realms Cultivators.

This discovery made the four look solemn. The main force of the Outer Domain Evil Creatures had already gathered in the Savage Domain. This was the true major threat, and to reach the Savage Domain, one needed to Breakthrough to the Soul Transformation Stage to cross the Grandmist boundary.

Li Fan gripped the Outer Domain Map in his hand, the Void Wings behind his war immortal nascent soul gently flapped, and a resolute glint flashed in his eyes. The threshold of the Mid Nascent Soul Stage, the Legacy of the Soul Transformation Stage, and the main force of the Evil Creatures in the Savage Domain—these were all new challenges, and also the necessary path for him to improve his strength.

Xuan Yuan looked at the four and added: "I once heard that deep within the Reincarnation Pool of the Lingxu Realm, there is a Soul Transformation Stage Legacy, which resonates with Fellow Daoist Su Miao's connection to the Lingxu, and might be the key to breaking through to the Soul Transformation Stage."

Upon hearing this, Su Miao's eyes lit up, as this coincided with the information that had appeared in the blank space of the map.

The four bid farewell to Xuan Yuan and left the Black Wind Abyss under the cover of night. The dark wind at the bottom of the abyss still howled, but the Outer Domain Evil Creature vanguard had been slain, and the Black Wind Abyss returned to peace. And the Outer Domain Map in their hands, as well as the clue to the Soul Transformation Legacy in the Reincarnation Pool of the Lingxu Realm, pointed the way for their next journey. A new journey concerning breaking through to Soul Transformation and preparing for the main force of the Outer Domain had slowly begun in the direction of the Lingxu Realm.