Slaying Demons: Starting with Upgrading my Calligraphy-Chapter 459 - 406: The Secret of Valley of Deceased Gods
"A catastrophe? What do you mean?"
Qi Xiu hadn’t expected the Hell All-Phenomena Map to be so extensively involved and became curious. As an ancient major sect, the Shenxiao Sect had stood for numerous ages, and he wondered what secrets hidden within this Hell All-Phenomena Map could trigger a disaster dire enough to be called a catastrophe.
"When the Hell Sect created the Hell All-Phenomena Map, due to a shortage of manpower, they invited Primordial Spirit Bosses from several other major Demon Sects to jointly forge it. Among them was the Demon Empress of the Sky Demon Sect at that time. This woman, known as the most cunning and insidious in history, instantly understood what the Hell Sect intended to do with this Magical Treasure upon seeing its general outline. So, while forging this Magical Treasure, the Demon Empress clandestinely embedded numerous Great Transforming Demon Curses within it, attempting to bewitch the prodigies of the Hell Sect into defecting to the Sky Demon Sect.
"As it happened, before the Hell Sect could even use this Magical Treasure, our sect stumbled upon the Great Transforming Demon Curses buried within it. That time, activating the Hell All-Phenomena Map directly caused nearly forty of our sect’s Dao Experts to degenerate into demons, and indirectly caused more than two thousand disciples within the sect to transform into Devil Heads. Even the Supreme Sect Leader of our sect at that time suffered from a hidden ailment and fell into a near-death state because of it.
"If a Grand Elder on the verge of breaking through to the Primordial Spirit Realm hadn’t risked his own Dao Path to appear in time, take charge of the situation, and suppress the news, then with the sudden loss of so many Dao Experts and disciples, once the information leaked, our Shenxiao Sect would most likely have faced an encirclement by other hostile forces. And without a Primordial Spirit Boss presiding, we would be unable to activate the Sect-Defending Divine Artifact. Facing such an encirclement, the sect could have faced utter annihilation.
"Therefore, since then, the Hell All-Phenomena Map, this Magical Treasure, has been sealed layer by layer and suppressed. By now, tens of thousands of years have passed. I just don’t understand why the Sect Master has suddenly decided to reactivate this malevolent treasure this time."
After explaining the reasons and causes, Daoist Yunxiong’s gaze deepened as he looked upward at Dongfang Qing. The impact of the Hell All-Phenomena Map on the Shenxiao Sect was truly etched into their bones. The Supreme Sect Leaders from generation to generation had treated this exceedingly large Magical Treasure with extreme caution, choosing to selectively forget it. They preferred to let this Magical Treasure be buried in dust rather than reactivate it. However, facing the bewildered inquiries from the Elders of the Dao Body, Dongfang Qing seemed to have no intention of explaining further.
"I have considered this matter thoroughly; there will be no more discussion. I summoned you all today simply to inform you. With the reactivation of the Hell All-Phenomena Map, and with this treasure’s assistance, the cultivation of our sect’s disciples will likely experience explosive growth. All peaks must coordinate and prepare all cultivation resources to fully supply the needs of disciples striving for breakthroughs. This is the Sect Master’s order."
Upon hearing the four words, ’Sect Leader’s order,’ all the Elders of the Dao Body immediately ceased any further discussion or questioning, bowing in acknowledgment.
"We shall respectfully obey the Sect Master’s Decree!"
"Hmm, then let’s disperse for now. Qi Xiu, you come with me."
"Yes."
After acknowledging, Qi Xiu informed Daoist Yunxiong that he would return to Yunti Peak once he had finished speaking with the Sect Master.
Beneath vast lotus leaves, like endless azure jade, Dongfang Qing stretched leisurely. He casually tossed a dazzling golden pebble into the pond before him, sending ripples across its surface.
"Latest news: the Valley of Deceased Gods is no more."
"Huh?" Qi Xiu feigned surprise as he watched the ripples at the edge of the pond gradually subside. "How can that be? It was still intact when I left."
"Stop playing dumb with me. The messages from all the ancient sects and families are about to overflow my cave mansion. The Valley of Deceased Gods has been a shared resource for many years, yet this time, you managed to collapse it. According to them, they plan to imprison you, then slice you into pieces to thoroughly study how you, a Blood-Stained Cultivator, managed to destroy the Valley of Deceased Gods."
Giving Qi Xiu a sidelong glance, Dongfang Qing slowly revealed this startling news.
"Surely, it can’t be that serious," Qi Xiu chuckled nervously, reaching up to adjust his sleeves.
The collapse of the Valley of Deceased Gods wasn’t truly his fault; ultimately, it was those bizarrely appearing Great Demons that released the Sword Instrument suppressing the valley, resulting in the destruction of this forbidden land. He had only taken some divine corpses to break through to the Dao Body Realm. To collapse the Valley of Deceased Gods, he truly lacked such capability.
"Not that serious?" With a light huff, Dongfang Qing turned around and held up five fingers. "Over these years, relying on the Valley of Deceased Gods, the number of Dao Experts who have broken through from the various ancient sects and families is at least this many. Now that the Valley of Deceased Gods has collapsed, those old Blood-Stained Cultivators from these powers, whose lifespans are nearing their end, have essentially lost their last hope. If they find out you’re involved, they’d probably want to eat your heart raw."
At this point, Qi Xiu also understood the extreme severity of the matter. Merely extinguishing the last chance for those old cultivators was enough to instantly make him countless enemies. Even though he was now a Dao Expert, and to him, those old cultivators in the Blood-Stained Realm were no different from ants. Yet, these old cultivators mostly hailed from the ancient sects and families of Great Xuan’s Twelve Provinces, some even from the Shangjing Imperial Family. To antagonize them meant forging blood feuds with these major powers. Such immense enmity, even as a Dao Expert of the Shenxiao Sect, he likely couldn’t bear.
"However, there is one thing you did right." Seeing Qi Xiu’s earnest eyes yet a demeanor free from excessive gravity, Dongfang Qing showed a hint of approval. His composure, unflinching even if Mount Tai were to collapse before him; this lad’s particular virtue is truly admirable.
"Which thing?" Qi Xiu asked curiously.
"You reminded the prodigies of those ancient sects and families to leave the Valley of Deceased Gods early, and you also informed them that the Sword Instrument had been freed by someone. Thus, those prodigies become powerful evidence for your defense."
Will the Primordial Spirit Bosses believe it?
"Don’t think of those in the Primordial Spirit Realm as overly self-serving; they are smarter than you imagine, and they possess many methods beyond your comprehension. The Valley of Deceased Gods is of great importance, which means they will verify your claims themselves. If you had been lying, the moment you stepped out of the Valley of Deceased Gods, everything would have been over."
Although Dongfang Qing spoke in a calm tone, Qi Xiu distinctly felt the chilling coldness it contained. It seemed as if, had he been lying, the moment he stepped out of the Valley of Deceased Gods, he would have been directly erased by those distant Primordial Spirit Bosses. Unbeknownst to him, another deadly tribulation of his had already brushed past like a gentle breeze.
It seems my unintentional actions bore fruit unexpectedly. Spreading his hands, Qi Xiu shook his head with a light chuckle.
Actually, when he was in the Valley of Deceased Gods, he didn’t specifically notify those prodigies of ancient sects. Instead, he was thinking of clearing all the Human Cultivators from the valley. And compared to those old cultivators whose lifespans were already nearing their end and were there for a final gamble, these prodigies were clearly more receptive to advice.
The news of the mysterious Sword Instrument escaping was also based on his own unease, a feeling that the actions of Demons, whatever they were, would surely bring no benefit to the Human Race. This way, if more Primordial Spirit Bosses knew, they could better prepare in advance. These series of unintentional acts, he never expected, would in turn lead to his own salvation.
"Whether the Valley of Deceased Gods collapsed or not is now a minor issue. The current key is that escaped Sword Instrument." With a wave of his sleeve, Dongfang Qing summoned two meditation cushions and, with a light tap of his finger, gestured for Qi Xiu to sit down.
Settling on the cushion, Qi Xiu ventured a guess, "The Sword Instrument flew away, the Valley of Deceased Gods collapsed... Are the Primordial Spirit True Honors suggesting that the Valley of Deceased Gods was actually supported by that Sword Instrument all along, so after the Sword Instrument flew away, the valley suddenly collapsed?"
"Yes and no." Dongfang Qing gently waved his hand in the air before him, and a vast expanse of colorful lights and shadows suddenly appeared before them.
In this temporal imagery, a Sword Instrument of indistinct form flew rapidly through space. Around it were towering figures exerting pressure over the past, present, and future. Their eyes, bearing the essence of sun, moon, Qiankun, and the ultimate truths of the Great Dao, watched as they attempted to intercept the stream of light. However, the speed of the light was too fast, and the interception attempts by several majestic beings failed; they could only watch it recede into the distance.
But just as this stream of light was about to vanish, a figure shrouded in an infinite divine aura, faintly accompanied by the sound of endless dragon chants, suddenly appeared and slammed a palm heavily onto it. This palm, though unable to stop the stream of light, severely knocked it off its original trajectory, causing it to fall into some unknown void.
With that, the image vanished.
"You just said that the Sword Instrument suppressed the Valley of Deceased Gods. But in reality, it is the entire Valley of Deceased Gods that bound this Sword Instrument!" Dongfang Qing slightly raised his eyes and slowly revealed this secret that could shock the world.
Upon hearing this, Qi Xiu’s gaze trembled, and waves churned in his heart. The Valley of Deceased Gods, burying countless divine corpses and Divine Origins, was actually all just to bind a single Sword Instrument?
"That Sword Instrument is..."
"It’s still unknown, but for now, it seems highly likely to be related to that existence." Dongfang Qing hesitated, but Qi Xiu understood his implication. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶
"Are you saying..."
"Do not utter that name. For an existence like that, even in demise, their true Dao Charm is engraved upon the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth. You have already achieved the Dao; if you speak its name, you will immediately suffer a strike from its Dao Charm. Though not fatal, you’d end up bedridden for years." Raising his hand to stop Qi Xiu from saying the name, Dongfang Qing leisurely smoothed the creases in his robe. "That Sword Instrument’s emergence could very well signal an unseen, incalculable calamity brewing in the darkness. This matter is of great importance, far more dangerous than the last great disaster in Dianchuan, and it will likely affect the entire Great Xuan Dynasty. You must prepare early."
Hearing the gravity and solemnity in Dongfang Qing’s words, Qi Xiu nodded. To be honest, having been in the company of this Supreme Sect Leader for so long, this was the first time he had ever seen him so earnest and serious.
"Alright, you have just achieved the Dao and need time to reflect and consolidate. I won’t chat much longer with you. This conversation between us, keep it to yourself; don’t mention it to anyone, including your master. Understood?" With a wave of his hand, Dongfang Qing gave Qi Xiu a few reminders and then allowed him to leave.
"Oh, by the way, an old acquaintance in the Hall of Myriad Laws wishes to see you. Find some time to pay a visit, but don’t say I sent you."
Hearing this, Qi Xiu was somewhat bewildered.
Hall of Myriad Laws?
Old acquaintance?
