Concurrently, within the hallowed grounds of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, inside the Holy Land Grand Hall.
In attendance were Holy Lord Ji Mingxiu, Supreme Elder Mo Yu, along with three other dignitaries.
Apart from Mo Yu, the trio comprised of Sha An, Si Zhangjian, and Yao Zong.
"How does the current situation look?"
A mild furrow etched across Ji Mingxiu's forehead as he queried.
The recent massive eruption of the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi, compounded with the surge of high-level demonic beasts infiltrating the territory of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, was an unprecedented event!
"The situation is now under control."
"The Holy Son demonstrated an awe-inspiring level of combat prowess. Remarkably, he even grasped certain facets of the Sword Dao on the spot, aiding Liu Xiong and the rest in slaying three demonic beasts at the Dao Comprehension realm!"
"Now, Liu Xiong and the others are dispersing to extend their support. The total eradication of these demonic beasts is just a matter of time."
"Moreover, we found no traces of any Dao Palace realm demonic beasts."
After Si Zhangjian had given his report, he raised a question, "Should we deploy one or two more individuals to expedite the extermination of the demonic beasts?"
"There's no need."
"Given that no Dao Palace realm demonic beasts have shown themselves, there's no reason for us to intervene."
"The disciples of the Holy Land haven't experienced such a grand-scale conflict in quite some time. They require this kind of tempering. This, after all, is how the Holy Land continues to thrive."
Ji Mingxiu dismissed the concern with a casual shake of his head, a chuckle escaping him as he said, "Flowers nurtured in a greenhouse cannot withstand wind and frost!"
"Agreed."
Mo Yu nodded in concurrence, "So, we stay out of this one."
"Back to the matter at hand."
"The Holy Son is truly remarkable, having grasped a portion of the Sword Dao at the mere age of twenty."
Sha An's eyes sparkled with anticipation as he exclaimed, "Perhaps, our Purple Heaven Holy Land will nurture a Dao Comprehension realm prodigy who is still in his twenties!"
"It's not just a probability."
Ji Mingxiu's countenance beamed with delight, "Jiang Chen is bound to breakthrough to the Dao Comprehension realm very soon!"
"By the way."
Yao Zong posed a question, a hint of curiosity lacing his tone, "The Holy Son mentioned that he could utilize the bodies of those demonic beasts, but I'm unsure of the method he intends to employ."
Even they, with their profound knowledge and power, could not harness the bodies of these demonic beasts.
This was due to the pervasive erosion of every single cell by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi, leading to some fundamental transformations.
"It must have been imparted by those two Void Tribulation realm great powerhouses."
"Regardless of the nature of the method, if it proves advantageous to the Holy Son, it invariably benefits our Purple Heaven Holy Land."
Mo Yu expressed with a warm smile, "We ought not delve too deeply into this."
"Certainly."
"After the battle concludes, all the demonic beast corpses will be surrendered to Jiang Chen for further disposition."
Ji Mingxiu voiced his agreement with a nod, then inquired, "What is the situation with the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Palace and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple?"
"Based on our informant reports, their circumstances mirror ours."
Yao Zong responded, "Should we consult the Holy Son's perspective on using the 'Nether Qi Extraction Secrets' to potentially glean benefits from the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Palace and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple?"
"This matter... I will seek Jiang Chen's counsel."
Ji Mingxiu mused.
The Nether Qi Extraction Secrets was Jiang Chen's property, and he would not make decisions recklessly.
Mo Yu queried, "So, regarding the demonic beasts slain by the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Palace and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple, should we negotiate for their bodies on behalf of the Holy Son?"
"Requesting the corpses of the demonic beasts might reveal certain aspects."
Ji Mingxiu deliberated, "We should seek Jiang Chen's advice first."
Simultaneously, as Ji Mingxiu and the other Dao Palace realm powerhouses deliberated, outside the boundaries of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, Jiang Chen was in perpetual motion.
He flew across diverse locations, rendering aid across multiple battlefronts and surreptitiously seeking out additional Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens.
Throughout his journey, he did indeed locate more of these elusive Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens!
Employing the Misty Cloud Soul Tracking Secrets, Jiang Chen left tracking marks on these dispersed Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens for future reference.
Simultaneously, as the number of vanquished demonic beasts surged, more and more cultivators from the Purple Heaven Holy Land were becoming available.
The pace of eradicating the demonic beasts was swiftly escalating, akin to a snowball cascading down a hillside.
Jiang Chen refrained from personal hunting and killing.
Instead, he employed the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets to deliver rescue aid across various regions.
While the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets was known among the higher echelons of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, only he had achieved mastery over it as of yet.
Numerous cultivators from the Holy Land who had been afflicted by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi were directed to him.
Subsequently, they would depart, their hearts brimming with boundless gratitude and admiration, their vitality restored.
Within a short span, all the cultivators of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, either directly or indirectly, reaped the benefits of Jiang Chen's magnanimity, bestowing upon him their thanks and immense respect.
At this juncture, Jiang Chen was akin to the ascendant sun, earning the adulation of countless individuals.
Beyond reputation, Jiang Chen also reaped considerable material gains.
Almost all the bodies of the invading demonic beasts that had breached the Purple Heaven Holy Land were delivered into his possession!
This, however, did not include the demonic beasts from the Blue Waterfall Green Stone Plain.
As for the demonic beast corpses gathered subsequently, there were a staggering seventeen Dao Comprehension realm demonic beasts alone!
The tally of Inquiring Journey realm demonic beasts exceeded one hundred and thirty, and there were so many Heavenly Origin realm beasts that he simply lost interest in keeping count.
The qi and blood energy of these demonic beasts were fully absorbed by Jiang Chen through the use of the Wordless Heavenly Jade!
If these energies were employed to practice Dao Comprehension realm cultivation methods, they would suffice for dozens of such routines!
Even for the Dao Palace realm cultivation methods, the energies at hand were plentiful enough to practice more than a single method.
However, Jiang Chen elected to defer its use for the moment, preserving it as a hidden ace.
When the situation demanded, he could put these energies to use, training in particular cultivation methods to better counter his foes.
At this juncture, outside the Purple Heaven Holy Land, Jiang Chen transformed into a streak of sword light, slicing through the sky.
By his side, Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing were accompanying him.
Indeed, both Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing had engaged in this battle, taking down numerous demonic beasts.
Later, when Jiang Chen commenced his rescue operations, they lent their assistance to his cause.
Besides Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing, Jiang Chen was encircled by multiple streaks of light, each representing a cultivator.
It resembled a scene where stars orbit the moon!
Liu Xiong, Xie Zhen, and other Elders who had attained the Dao Comprehension realm were among them.
"Honorable Holy Son!"
"Honorable Holy Son!"
"We offer our homage to the Honorable Holy Son!!"
"..."
As they flew past the grand protective formation guarding the outer gateway of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, an innumerable throng of disciples fell to their knees in reverence, their fervor unparalleled!
"All fellow disciples, please rise!"
Jiang Chen cast his gaze upon the ground beneath, his voice resonating with a blend of power and warmth, radiating an approachable demeanor.
Following a brief pause, he continued his forward flight.
Shortly, five streaks of light approached from ahead, signifying the arrival of Ji Mingxiu and the other four powerhouses at the Dao Palace realm.
"Greetings to Master and the four Supreme Elders!"
Jiang Chen greeted them with a radiant smile, his manners faultless.
"Jiang Chen, your comprehension of the Sword Dao is truly a delightful surprise!"
Ji Mingxiu's face was illuminated, akin to a sunflower basking in the glow of the sun.
"Indeed a young prodigy!"
"We, as elders, anticipate witnessing your ascent to the Third Step of the Cultivation Path, ushering the Purple Heaven Holy Land to unprecedented heights!"
"..."
Mo Yu and the others gazed at Jiang Chen with boundless exhilaration.
At this juncture, Jiang Chen's stature within their hearts had become incomparable.
"Thank you for your commendation, Master and Supreme Elders."
"I, Jiang Chen, will undoubtedly remain steadfast and persistently push forward."
Jiang Chen bowed once more, voicing his gratitude with an air of humility and stability.
His equanimity further elevated Ji Mingxiu's and the others' approval of him.
If other young cultivators had achieved such feats, they likely would have become unbearably arrogant by now!
"Come!"
"Let's convene a brief gathering!"
Ji Mingxiu, sporting a radiant grin, stepped forward and took Jiang Chen's arm, only to draw a glare from Ji Ruxue.
"Oh, Ruxue, you ladies may also join us."
Ji Mingxiu chuckled awkwardly in response.
Subsequently, Jiang Chen, Ji Ruxue, and Xie Xiaojing, along with Ji Mingxiu and the rest, entered the Holy Land Grand Hall.
The eighteen Elders, who were at the Dao Comprehension realm, also followed suit.
A note from AlphaWIA:
Get early access to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon.
Concurrently, within the hallowed grounds of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, inside the Holy Land Grand Hall.
In attendance were Holy Lord Ji Mingxiu, Supreme Elder Mo Yu, along with three other dignitaries.
Apart from Mo Yu, the trio comprised of Sha An, Si Zhangjian, and Yao Zong.
"How does the current situation look?"
A mild furrow etched across Ji Mingxiu's forehead as he queried.
The recent massive eruption of the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi, compounded with the surge of high-level demonic beasts infiltrating the territory of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, was an unprecedented event!
"The situation is now under control."
"The Holy Son demonstrated an awe-inspiring level of combat prowess. Remarkably, he even grasped certain facets of the Sword Dao on the spot, aiding Liu Xiong and the rest in slaying three demonic beasts at the Dao Comprehension realm!"
"Now, Liu Xiong and the others are dispersing to extend their support. The total eradication of these demonic beasts is just a matter of time."
"Moreover, we found no traces of any Dao Palace realm demonic beasts."
After Si Zhangjian had given his report, he raised a question, "Should we deploy one or two more individuals to expedite the extermination of the demonic beasts?"
"There's no need."
"Given that no Dao Palace realm demonic beasts have shown themselves, there's no reason for us to intervene."
"The disciples of the Holy Land haven't experienced such a grand-scale conflict in quite some time. They require this kind of tempering. This, after all, is how the Holy Land continues to thrive."
Ji Mingxiu dismissed the concern with a casual shake of his head, a chuckle escaping him as he said, "Flowers nurtured in a greenhouse cannot withstand wind and frost!"
"Agreed."
Mo Yu nodded in concurrence, "So, we stay out of this one."
"Back to the matter at hand."
"The Holy Son is truly remarkable, having grasped a portion of the Sword Dao at the mere age of twenty."
Sha An's eyes sparkled with anticipation as he exclaimed, "Perhaps, our Purple Heaven Holy Land will nurture a Dao Comprehension realm prodigy who is still in his twenties!"
"It's not just a probability."
Ji Mingxiu's countenance beamed with delight, "Jiang Chen is bound to breakthrough to the Dao Comprehension realm very soon!"
"By the way."
Yao Zong posed a question, a hint of curiosity lacing his tone, "The Holy Son mentioned that he could utilize the bodies of those demonic beasts, but I'm unsure of the method he intends to employ."
Even they, with their profound knowledge and power, could not harness the bodies of these demonic beasts.
This was due to the pervasive erosion of every single cell by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi, leading to some fundamental transformations.
"It must have been imparted by those two Void Tribulation realm great powerhouses."
"Regardless of the nature of the method, if it proves advantageous to the Holy Son, it invariably benefits our Purple Heaven Holy Land."
Mo Yu expressed with a warm smile, "We ought not delve too deeply into this."
"Certainly."
"After the battle concludes, all the demonic beast corpses will be surrendered to Jiang Chen for further disposition."
Ji Mingxiu voiced his agreement with a nod, then inquired, "What is the situation with the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Palace and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple?"
"Based on our informant reports, their circumstances mirror ours."
Yao Zong responded, "Should we consult the Holy Son's perspective on using the 'Nether Qi Extraction Secrets' to potentially glean benefits from the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Palace and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple?"
"This matter... I will seek Jiang Chen's counsel."
Ji Mingxiu mused.
The Nether Qi Extraction Secrets was Jiang Chen's property, and he would not make decisions recklessly.
Mo Yu queried, "So, regarding the demonic beasts slain by the Imperial Extreme Heavenly Palace and the Jade Lake Heavenly Temple, should we negotiate for their bodies on behalf of the Holy Son?"
"Requesting the corpses of the demonic beasts might reveal certain aspects."
Ji Mingxiu deliberated, "We should seek Jiang Chen's advice first."
Simultaneously, as Ji Mingxiu and the other Dao Palace realm powerhouses deliberated, outside the boundaries of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, Jiang Chen was in perpetual motion.
He flew across diverse locations, rendering aid across multiple battlefronts and surreptitiously seeking out additional Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens.
Throughout his journey, he did indeed locate more of these elusive Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens!
Employing the Misty Cloud Soul Tracking Secrets, Jiang Chen left tracking marks on these dispersed Shadow Wind Dark Obsidian Martens for future reference.
Simultaneously, as the number of vanquished demonic beasts surged, more and more cultivators from the Purple Heaven Holy Land were becoming available.
The pace of eradicating the demonic beasts was swiftly escalating, akin to a snowball cascading down a hillside.
Jiang Chen refrained from personal hunting and killing.
Instead, he employed the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets to deliver rescue aid across various regions.
While the Nether Qi Extraction Secrets was known among the higher echelons of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, only he had achieved mastery over it as of yet.
Numerous cultivators from the Holy Land who had been afflicted by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi were directed to him.
Subsequently, they would depart, their hearts brimming with boundless gratitude and admiration, their vitality restored.
Within a short span, all the cultivators of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, either directly or indirectly, reaped the benefits of Jiang Chen's magnanimity, bestowing upon him their thanks and immense respect.
At this juncture, Jiang Chen was akin to the ascendant sun, earning the adulation of countless individuals.
Beyond reputation, Jiang Chen also reaped considerable material gains.
Almost all the bodies of the invading demonic beasts that had breached the Purple Heaven Holy Land were delivered into his possession!
This, however, did not include the demonic beasts from the Blue Waterfall Green Stone Plain.
As for the demonic beast corpses gathered subsequently, there were a staggering seventeen Dao Comprehension realm demonic beasts alone!
The tally of Inquiring Journey realm demonic beasts exceeded one hundred and thirty, and there were so many Heavenly Origin realm beasts that he simply lost interest in keeping count.
The qi and blood energy of these demonic beasts were fully absorbed by Jiang Chen through the use of the Wordless Heavenly Jade!
If these energies were employed to practice Dao Comprehension realm cultivation methods, they would suffice for dozens of such routines!
Even for the Dao Palace realm cultivation methods, the energies at hand were plentiful enough to practice more than a single method.
However, Jiang Chen elected to defer its use for the moment, preserving it as a hidden ace.
When the situation demanded, he could put these energies to use, training in particular cultivation methods to better counter his foes.
At this juncture, outside the Purple Heaven Holy Land, Jiang Chen transformed into a streak of sword light, slicing through the sky.
By his side, Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing were accompanying him.
Indeed, both Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing had engaged in this battle, taking down numerous demonic beasts.
Later, when Jiang Chen commenced his rescue operations, they lent their assistance to his cause.
Besides Ji Ruxue and Xie Xiaojing, Jiang Chen was encircled by multiple streaks of light, each representing a cultivator.
It resembled a scene where stars orbit the moon!
Liu Xiong, Xie Zhen, and other Elders who had attained the Dao Comprehension realm were among them.
"Honorable Holy Son!"
"Honorable Holy Son!"
"We offer our homage to the Honorable Holy Son!!"
"..."
As they flew past the grand protective formation guarding the outer gateway of the Purple Heaven Holy Land, an innumerable throng of disciples fell to their knees in reverence, their fervor unparalleled!
"All fellow disciples, please rise!"
Jiang Chen cast his gaze upon the ground beneath, his voice resonating with a blend of power and warmth, radiating an approachable demeanor.
Following a brief pause, he continued his forward flight.
Shortly, five streaks of light approached from ahead, signifying the arrival of Ji Mingxiu and the other four powerhouses at the Dao Palace realm.
"Greetings to Master and the four Supreme Elders!"
Jiang Chen greeted them with a radiant smile, his manners faultless.
"Jiang Chen, your comprehension of the Sword Dao is truly a delightful surprise!"
Ji Mingxiu's face was illuminated, akin to a sunflower basking in the glow of the sun.
"Indeed a young prodigy!"
"We, as elders, anticipate witnessing your ascent to the Third Step of the Cultivation Path, ushering the Purple Heaven Holy Land to unprecedented heights!"
"..."
Mo Yu and the others gazed at Jiang Chen with boundless exhilaration.
At this juncture, Jiang Chen's stature within their hearts had become incomparable.
"Thank you for your commendation, Master and Supreme Elders."
"I, Jiang Chen, will undoubtedly remain steadfast and persistently push forward."
Jiang Chen bowed once more, voicing his gratitude with an air of humility and stability.
His equanimity further elevated Ji Mingxiu's and the others' approval of him.
If other young cultivators had achieved such feats, they likely would have become unbearably arrogant by now!
"Come!"
"Let's convene a brief gathering!"
Ji Mingxiu, sporting a radiant grin, stepped forward and took Jiang Chen's arm, only to draw a glare from Ji Ruxue.
"Oh, Ruxue, you ladies may also join us."
Ji Mingxiu chuckled awkwardly in response.
Subsequently, Jiang Chen, Ji Ruxue, and Xie Xiaojing, along with Ji Mingxiu and the rest, entered the Holy Land Grand Hall.
The eighteen Elders, who were at the Dao Comprehension realm, also followed suit.
A note from AlphaWIA:
Get early access to (+75) more chapters by joining my Patreon.
