Verdant green, mountains layered upon mountains.
Dense forests.
Occasionally, figures flew across the sky, streams of light flashing.
In a small town outside the True Demon Sect, there were mostly tea houses, pharmacies, and recruitment points set up by the True Demon Sect.
Ahead lay the vast wilderness, and behind, a road leading to a distant, densely packed modern city.
Whether it was the immortal path or the martial path, both adhered to the principle of not encroaching upon the mortal world.
A certain tea house was filled with people engaged in discussion.
"The great era has descended, and the Heavenly Chosen sealed by various major powers have all emerged. With resources being funneled, it is truly arduous for us ordinary people to take another step forward."
"Resources, cultivation techniques, missions – any one of these makes it difficult for us to advance."
"Isn't cultivation always like this?"
"But by joining a Holy Sect, one can obtain top-tier cultivation techniques and, by undertaking missions, acquire cultivation resources. Although the Holy Sect operates ruthlessly, it is still extremely fair to us ordinary people."
"The room for advancement in a Holy Sect is incredibly ample. Think about it, our Holy Sect's Sect Master himself rose from a mortal body, defying the heavens step by step!"
When the True Demon Sect Master was mentioned, everyone's faces showed reverence and longing.
"The Sect Master is currently in seclusion. Once he emerges, the struggle for the Holy Path will continue, and we will be able to share in more resources."
"If one can enter the inner sect, even those of us from ordinary backgrounds can be courted by the thirty-six lineages and families of the Holy Sect..."
"I heard that the sealed Heavenly Chosen of our Holy Sect have also awakened. A few days ago, they tried to challenge the Sect Master but were defeated by the Sect Master's wife. Now they are vying for the position of Holy Son..."
"Hush, speak cautiously. These matters of great figures are not for us to discuss."
"We should strive to improve our strength to cope with the upcoming struggle between the Holy and the False."
In recent times, the friction between the Five Great Holy Lands and the demonic path has intensified.
"The False Path is ultimately the False Path. Selling resources, they deserve to be killed!"
"Rumble!!!"
Suddenly.
On the edge of the sky, a ball of black mist and flowing light suddenly streaked across.
Then, in the blink of an eye, it passed before them and flew towards the depths of the True Demon Sect.
Everyone was shocked.
"This is the aura of the Samsara Sect..."
"What business do they have with our Holy Sect?"
"Don't you know? The Samsara Sect wants to obstruct our Holy Sect Master's unification of the Holy Path. The Samsara Sect has initiated the struggle for the Holy Path and has already defeated the Tai Xuan Sect. Looking at this formation, it's likely that our True Saint Sect is their next target!"
As the voice fell, some True Demon Sect disciples' expressions shifted.
A moment later, the voice of a Sect Elder echoed: "Holy Sect disciples, those without missions, return to the Holy Sect immediately!"
Then, many disciples around them quickly got up and rushed towards the sect.
...
At the entrance of the True Demon Sect.
Mountains stood sharply.
The Samsara Sect Master 'Qi Guang' and the various Grand Elders, Holy Sons, and Holy Daughters, totaling over two hundred people, hovered above the sect.
Their imposing auras swept out, vast and mighty.
Unlike what was expected, no one from the True Demon Sect came out to greet them.
This was a provocation.
"The True Saint Sect is truly impolite!"
"Our Samsara Holy Sect has descended, yet they have not sent anyone to welcome us. Is this young man surnamed Chen afraid?"
Immediately, a Samsara Sect Elder angrily rebuked.
'Qi Guang' remained expressionless and said, "Do not be so impolite. I have heard that 'Qian Yang' is in seclusion."
"Please wait a moment."
Chen Jiuyang's rise was almost unstoppable, but the remaining five demonic sects could not sit idly by and wait for Chen Jiuyang to challenge them one by one. Therefore, the Samsara Sect initiated another struggle for the Holy Path, intending to cut off Chen Jiuyang's future through this method, or even bury him.
If Chen Jiuyang were defeated, the vast True Demon Sect would henceforth belong to the Samsara Sect, and they could completely suppress Chen Jiuyang.
If Chen Jiuyang were killed, it would be killing two birds with one stone.
However, this move also carried a certain risk.
Sects like the Supreme, Great Dream, and Pure Unity did not care at all. After much consideration, it was only the Samsara Sect that initiated the challenge.
A moment later.
'Fang Bahua', the Sect Master's confidant, known throughout the True Demon Sect, flew over with the sect elders.
Fang Bahua, dressed in the ceremonial robes of a True Demon Sect elder, floated in the air, his expression calm, and his tone respectful, saying, "Greetings to the Samsara Holy Sect Master and all esteemed friends. May I ask what business brings you esteemed friends to our True Saint Sect today?"
Pretending ignorance while knowing the truth – how could this not provoke anger?
Too arrogant, looking down on others.
'Qi Guang' remained expressionless and did not speak.
An elder behind him stepped forward and said coldly, "It seems Sect Master 'Qian Yang' has indeed managed the True Saint Sect impeccably, sending out only one elder."
"That is natural. Our Sect Master is upright and honorable, unlike some who cannot match us in direct combat and resort to joining forces with the False Path." Fang Bahua said with a smile that did not reach his eyes.
This referred to the ambush outside Meteor Immortal Cliff half a year ago.
"Swish!"
This Samsara Sect elder immediately circulated his true qi and slashed out with his sword, heading directly for Fang Bahua.
Fang Bahua had converted from martial arts to immortal cultivation, and his combat power had plummeted. Facing this move, he stomped his foot abruptly and met the attack head-on without attacking.
"Ch—"
A ferocious and terrifying wound appeared on Fang Bahua's shoulder, and blood splattered.
"Well done."
The Samsara Sect elder's expression shifted slightly, and he praised, "In our Holy Path, it is the law of the jungle."
"Well said, the Holy Path indeed operates on the principle of the strong preying on the weak."
"Swish! Whoosh!"
Chen Jiuyang's voice echoed from the depths of the True Demon Sect.
Then, an arrow, interwoven with red and blue, pierced through the air, causing the heavens and earth to change color.
The people on the Samsara Sect's side suddenly changed their expressions.
This arrow was shot directly at the Samsara Sect elder who had just attacked Fang Bahua.
Many Grand Elders on the Samsara Sect's side hurriedly intervened, but the Samsara Sect Master 'Qi Guang' did not make a move.
Various defensive measures were employed.
"Ch—"
"Bang!!!"
The arrow pierced through all defensive measures and then struck the Samsara Sect elder directly.
"Whoosh—"
Half of his body was blown apart, blood splattered wildly, looking extremely tragic.
'Qi Guang's' gaze fell upon the end of the True Demon Sect's depths, where a figure clad in a black dragon-embroidered robe slowly emerged. His pupils contracted slightly:
"Unity of Heaven and Man state! Venerable Realm sixth layer!"
"Such rapid progress..."
Six months ago, Chen Jiuyang's cultivation was still at the Venerable Realm fourth layer. In half a year, he had already reached the Venerable Realm sixth layer. If he were given a few more years, he would undoubtedly reach the Emperor Realm.
'Qi Guang' said, "'Qian Yang' brother, this is merely a conflict between subordinates. Why must you personally intervene? It somewhat demeans the status of us Sect Masters."
"Even when beating a dog, one must consider its owner."
Chen Jiuyang's voice echoed faintly from a distance, and then he stepped forward. In just a few breaths, he crossed several kilometers and arrived at the entrance of the True Demon Sect. His robes fluttered, and his handsome face was calm, his eyes deep:
"Everyone in the Holy Path knows that Elder Fang is my confidant. If I cannot even protect my own people, then I shall not sit on this Sect Master's throne."
"'Qi Guang' brother, what do you say?"