Chapter 723: A Message from the Great Wilderness [2.4k]

Translator: AnubisTL

As signs of the demon realm’s invasion emerged, the immortal dao factions across the great domains immediately entered a state of war readiness.

Only the Great Wilderness Domain remained mired in endless turmoil.

Led by the Crocodile Venerable, the demon race forces were launching a full-scale assault on the demonic path sects’ territories, gaining a significant advantage.

The usually dominant three demonic sects found themselves on the defensive, a situation largely attributable to True Monarch Taixuan’s actions.

Amidst this relentless warfare, both sides were bleeding their strength dry, locked in a bitter struggle that seemed destined to end only with the annihilation of one side.

In this chaotic landscape, deep beneath the frozen earth of the Great Wilderness Domain’s northernmost reaches, a dreamlike Ice and Snow Palace materialized.

Boom!

One day, the temperature across the Northern Great Wilderness Domain’s ice plains plummeted abruptly. Endless ice flowers cascaded from the sky, and the vast, frozen ground crystallized into a shimmering layer of ice crystals.

From within the ethereal Ice Palace, an Ice Crystal Edict emerged.

Forged from condensed ice crystals, the edict bore only two words:

"Cease War!"

The two characters etched into the Ice Crystal Edict radiated an aura of supreme authority. Though lacking overwhelming spiritual pressure, they evoked a profound sense of dread.

On the most fiercely contested battlefield between the demonic path sects and the demon race forces, the Ice Crystal Edict drifted into view, hovering majestically in the sky for every cultivator to see.

"Cease the war. Who wrote this edict? Such domineering authority!"

"How can we possibly stop now? I swear to slaughter every last one of these demon scum!"

"..."

Those with lower cultivation levels remained oblivious, unable to perceive the edict’s extraordinary nature.

However, the core formation realm cultivators and above on both sides felt their expressions shift abruptly, sensing an irresistible majesty emanating from the edict.

Gui Li, sect master of the Ghost Sword Sect, arrived on the battlefield, bearing the Four Symbols Heaven-Suppressing Cauldron in his hand. His usually stern face grew even more grave upon seeing the Ice Crystal Edict.

Gui Li spoke only two words: "Withdraw troops!"

At his command, the demonic path forces retreated entirely.

On the demon race side, a great demon in the transformation stage made the same decision, leading all the demons off the battlefield.

Thus, the immortal dao war that had ravaged the Great Wilderness Domain for years came to an abrupt halt, without warning.

All because of the sudden appearance of the Ice Crystal Edict!

Several days later, an elderly man in white Daoist robes arrived on the newly quiet battlefield, accompanied by a young man with a righteous and resolute expression.

"Patriarch Taixuan, this edict..."

These two were none other than the last survivors of the Taiyi Sect: True Monarch Taixuan and the Pure Yang Physique, True Yang Daoist!

Over the years, True Monarch Taixuan’s cultivation had stagnated, remaining at the mid-Nascent Soul stage.

In contrast, True Yang Daoist had made remarkable progress, reaching the perfected core formation realm, now considered to be in the pseudo-Nascent Soul stage, just a step away from true nascent soul formation.

True Monarch Taixuan slowly said, "The Ice Extremity Palace has emerged. This edict comes from a cultivator in the divine transformation stage."

The reason was simple: a single edict from a divine transformation stage cultivator had effortlessly ended the long-fought immortal dao war.

"A divine transformation stage cultivator from the Ice Extremity Palace?!" True Yang Daoist’s expression shifted dramatically, his heart pounding with shock.

True Monarch Taixuan casually explained, "The demon realm’s invasion is imminent. All the hidden secrets of heaven and earth will soon be revealed."

"Even divine transformation stage cultivators cannot guarantee their safety in this cataclysmic event."

Only a calamity of this magnitude could compel such powerful cultivators to act.

"Patriarch Taixuan, what should we do next?" True Yang Daoist asked.

True Monarch Taixuan fell silent for a moment before replying, "If the demonic race overthrows heaven and earth, hiding at the ends of the world will be futile."

"Do your part. With your Pure Yang Physique, you might gain some fortuitous opportunities and advance rapidly."

"Head north to pay homage to the Divine Transformation great power of the Ice Extremity Palace."

True Monarch Taixuan was far from alone in this sentiment.

The explicit emergence of a Divine Transformation stage cultivator in the Great Wilderness Domain was a momentous event.

Every immortal dao faction held absolute reverence for such beings.

They understood that after the demon realm’s invasion, these Divine Transformation great powers would be the true bulwark against the demonic cataclysm.

When the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken—this truth was well understood by many.

Thus, within days of the Ice Extremity Palace’s Ice Crystal Edict being revealed, all major factions dispatched their highest-ranking officials to the Northern Great Wilderness Domain to pay homage to this Divine Transformation great power.

On the demonic path side, Gui Li, the sect master of the Ghost Sword Sect, personally led the delegation, demonstrating utmost sincerity.

The demon race sent a transformed Six-Tailed Demon Fox, the very demon consort who had triggered the immortal dao war during the Ancient Hua Immortal Dynasty. Her involvement in this conflict was undeniable.

Even Moonchase Palace couldn’t maintain its aloofness. True Monarch Yue Xuan herself journeyed to the ice plains of the Northern Great Wilderness Domain.

Outside the Ice Extremity Palace, the leaders of all major factions had converged.

Enemies meeting should have been a scene of fiery animosity, but all present had reached the nascent soul realm and naturally understood restraint.

Each faction maintained remarkable composure. Even True Monarch Taixuan, facing the very culprit who had annihilated his sect, showed no outward signs of aggression.

The demon consort from the demon race was a Six-Tailed Demon Fox in human form, her veins carrying a trace of the nine-tailed celestial fox bloodline—a True Spirit found only in the upper realm!

Though a demon beast in origin, her beauty was unparalleled, truly deserving of the title "peerless beauty under heaven."

Clad in a white fur coat, her face bare of makeup, her features remained bewitchingly alluring. Her eyes, like blooming peach blossoms, held a captivating depth that could ensnare souls with a single glance.

The demon consort’s bare jade-like feet peeked from beneath the coat, its hem barely covering half her thighs, revealing skin as white and delicate as snow, sparking endless fantasies.

Her gaze swept coldly over True Monarch Taixuan and the sect master of the Ghost Sword Sect, but she uttered not a word.

Finally, breaking the eerie silence, True Monarch Yue Xuan of Moonchase Palace spoke:

"Junior Yue Xuan pays respects to the seniors of the Ice Extremity Palace!"

Seeing this, the remaining cultivators quickly introduced themselves:

"Ghost Sword Sect."

"..."

The Nascent Soul stage Ancestors, who had once reigned supreme in the Great Wilderness Domain, now adopted humble postures, daring not to act presumptuously.

Soon, a voice as cold and clear as millennial profound ice echoed from within the frigid Ice Palace: "What is it?"

Hearing this, the cultivators’ hearts tightened slightly. The faint aura of authority in the voice left no doubt: this was a Divine Transformation stage expert who had secluded himself for countless years.

"Senior of the Ice Extremity Palace," Gui Li began, "the great calamity of the demon realm’s invasion is imminent. We seek guidance on how best to prepare for this impending crisis."

Gui Li, typically reserved and sparing of words, showed none of the arrogance of a demonic path patriarch. His posture was as humble as could be.

In truth, the cultivators had all come to seek protection from this Divine Transformation stage senior.

Unfortunately, the Ice Extremity Palace’s Divine Transformation stage cultivator responded with indifference.

"Prepare? Naturally, you must enhance your own strength to survive against the ancient demons."

"If an ancient demon at the Divine Transformation stage descends to the lower realm, I will intervene. But if the ancient demons that come are below the Divine Transformation stage, then you must rely on your own fortune."

Upon hearing these words, the group’s expressions shifted slightly, yet they also felt a measure of relief.

At least they wouldn’t have to worry about an overwhelmingly powerful ancient demon descending, as the senior from the Ice Extremity Palace would intervene.

This promise was already enough.

But soon, the Divine Transformation stage cultivator within the Ice Palace changed his tone again. "You are from the Moonchase Palace. Has there been any activity at Moonlit Ridge?"

Moonlit Ridge was a forbidden land within the Great Wilderness Domain. Even Nascent Soul realm cultivators who entered might not emerge alive.

At these words, all eyes turned to True Monarch Yue Xuan.

Among the assembled factions, only the Moonchase Palace had a mysterious connection to Moonlit Ridge—a fact now confirmed by the Ice Extremity Palace senior.

Moreover, the implication was clear: Could there still be living beings within Moonlit Ridge?

True Monarch Yue Xuan’s expression remained unchanged as she replied softly, "There has been no unusual activity. Senior, would you like to personally visit Moonlit Ridge? This junior can guide you."

The Divine Transformation stage cultivator from the Ice Extremity Palace sneered, "There’s no need. You may leave."

Hearing this, they dared not linger and immediately took their leave.

Soon after, news spread that the ancestor-level figures from various immortal dao factions had personally traveled to the Northern Great Wilderness Domain’s ice plains to pay homage to the mysterious Divine Transformation stage cultivator.

Immediately, many rogue cultivators set out for the Northern Great Wilderness Domain, hoping to seek protection from this great power at this critical juncture of the demon realm’s invasion.

Unfortunately, the great power from the Ice Extremity Palace remained aloof. The temperature within a several-thousand-mile radius of the palace plummeted to extreme levels, unbearable even for foundation establishment realm cultivators.

This experience immediately dissuaded all rogue cultivators who had come seeking refuge.

However, in the desolate areas of the Northern Great Wilderness Domain, numerous cave abodes carved out by rogue cultivators began to appear.

Their reasoning was simple: since the demon realm’s invasion was inevitable, they might as well settle as close to the Ice Extremity Palace as possible, hoping for greater safety.

The emergence of figures like the one from the Ice Extremity Palace was a phenomenon occurring to varying degrees across all the great domains.

In the Flame Domain, Bright King Valley formally stepped into the limelight, and all the immortal dao factions flocked to pay homage.

Similar mysterious great powers at the divine transformation stage emerged in the Cloud Marsh Domain, the demon realm, the Wind Origin Domain, and other regions.

Amidst this atmosphere, Li Qing, residing in the Azure Ridge Domain, received two secret letters from the Great Wilderness Domain!

He had previously established a foothold in the Great Wilderness Domain, leaving Zhang Da to manage the black market. Whenever major events occurred there, he would receive secret letters informing him.

The first letter concerned matters related to the Ice Extremity Palace. Upon reading it, Li Qing’s expression turned grave.

"The Northern Great Wilderness Domain... the Ice Extremity Palace?"

In an instant, Li Qing recalled the Ice and Snow Palace he and Shen Ningbing had discovered beneath the ice plains.

"So that’s it... We were truly fortunate to escape with our lives back then."

"I never imagined that was the secluded retreat of a great power at the divine transformation stage. No wonder..."

Li Qing sighed repeatedly, unsure whether to consider himself lucky or unlucky.

The second secret letter, however, caused Li Qing’s brow to furrow slightly.

The letter came from the Zhao Family, a cultivation clan in Giant Deer Prefecture within the Great Wilderness Domain.

"The Zhao Family is facing a life-or-death crisis?"

Memories of the Zhao Family surfaced in Li Qing’s mind. He had once shared a close friendship with their Clan Head, Zhao Tianxiong.

Zhao Tianxiong had generously gifted him an artifact refinement diagram for crafting the Golden Jade Garment. While the garment held little practical value for Li Qing now, it had proven invaluable in the past.

In return, Li Qing had made two promises to Zhao Tianxiong. One of these was that should the Zhao Family ever face a crisis, Li Qing would intervene to the best of his ability.

"They’ve offended the Blood Spirit Sect?"

"If I were still at the core formation realm, or even the early Nascent Soul Realm, I could simply ignore this letter."

"But now..."

"Very well, I’ll make a trip to the Great Wilderness Domain. It’s been quite some time since I last visited."

Though the demonic cataclysm loomed, Li Qing possessed the Wind-Thunder Silver Wings, allowing him to traverse the two domains in record time. With the speed enhancement provided by his spirit treasure, settling this debt of gratitude shouldn’t take long.

With this thought, Li Qing finally resolved to set out.

After leaving the sect, Li Qing activated his divine sense, summoning a pair of silver-purple bone wings behind him.

With a slight flutter of his bone wings, the Wind Thunder Primordial Energy between heaven and earth surged violently. A hurricane of wind and lightning erupted, and Li Qing’s figure vanished from his original position.

Thanks to the Wind-Thunder Silver Wings, a spirit treasure, Li Qing traversed the treacherous Forbidden Speech Snow Mountains in less than a few days, arriving at the Northern Ice Plains of the Great Wilderness Domain.

Upon arrival, he immediately sensed the extreme cold, a chill that seemed to penetrate to the very marrow of his bones.

Li Qing glanced distantly toward a certain direction on the Northern Ice Plains—the location of the Ice Extremity Palace.

However, he didn’t rush to pay his respects. Instead, he took a slight detour southward, heading toward Giant Deer Prefecture in the central region of the Great Wilderness Domain.

The Zhao Family had established their stronghold on a Spirit Vein Land within Giant Deer Prefecture.

But the Zhao Family’s situation was dire. During the height of the immortal dao war, they had offended the Blood Spirit Sect. Now that the war had ended, the Blood Spirit Sect finally had the leisure to trouble the Zhao Family.

An aristocratic family without even a single core formation realm cultivator stood no chance against such a demonic path behemoth.

When Li Qing arrived at the Zhao Family’s territory, he saw a sea of white mourning banners.

It was Zhao Tianxiong’s funeral!

(End of the Chapter)

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