Slaying Demons: Starting with Upgrading my Calligraphy-Chapter 673 - 562: Certain Death Within 10 Years!

Upon hearing Taoist Yun Yang reveal the reason for the demonic energy flourishing within the sect's mountain gate, Qi Xiu also furrowed his brows slightly.

Back then, when Shenxiao Sect eradicated Hell Dao, they dragged the Hell Forest, Hell Dao's main altar, directly back within the mountain gate to prevent these remnants of the demonic path from reviving, sealing and suppressing it with the divine artifact [Nine Heavens Shenxiao Thunder City].

The intention was to completely obliterate it.

Aside from the remnants of the souls of demonic cultivators from Hell Dao, along with their malevolent intentions, there were many magical treasures within the Hell Forest.

The most dangerous among them was Hell Dao's sect-defending divine artifact!

This divine artifact, although suppressed into slumber by the Nine Heavens Shenxiao Thunder City, still occasionally unleashes its might, terrifying to the extreme.

A thousand years ago, a veteran True Monarch of Shenxiao Sect's Jing generation, also Taoist Yun Yang's master, was severely injured by the might of this divine artifact, ultimately leading to his early demise.

Since then, unless accompanied by elders of the fifth realm or higher, other sect members were strictly prohibited from entering the Hell Forest.

"Gao Tianxiong infiltrated the sect, aiming directly for the Hell Forest, evidently targeting that Hell Dao divine artifact.

Alas, these garrison military warlords now stop at nothing to seize that Imperial Court divine artifact.

Hell Dao once notorious, the atrocities they committed were even worse than the leading demonic sect, Sky Demon Sect.

Gao Tianxiong and his cohort dare to set their sights on that divine artifact.

If he truly dares to resurrect that divine artifact, the Dao Alliance would be the first to destroy him!"

With anger on his face, Daoist Priest Yun Qing trembled with fury, even his goatee quivering.

The secular warlords struggle for power and divide territories.

Those of the ancient sect nobility typically do not get involved, for whoever takes the throne, whoever sits on that dragon chair, makes little difference to them.

But this time, Gao Tianxiong's actions clearly have crossed Shenxiao Sect's line.

Hell Forest is Shenxiao Sect's untouchable red line; Gao Tianxiong first secretly planted spies within the sect, then exploited the absence of Sect Master Dongfang Qing to brazenly breach the mountain gate, relying on those spies for leaks.

Ultimately, he disregarded Shenxiao Sect's taboo, attempting to forcibly remove Hell Forest.

Any one of these actions is a stab into Shenxiao Sect's heart.

If this enmity is not avenged, how can Shenxiao Sect stand in the world?

"What did the Acting Sect Leader say?" After a slight pause, Qi Xiu asked.

"The Acting Sect Leader said to wait for you, Vice Sect Leader, to return, to discuss with you."

"Very well, let the uncles and aunties return first. After I've discussed with the Acting Sect Leader, I will inform everyone immediately.

Additionally, Uncle Yun Feng, you are responsible for guarding and the Punishment Hall. The matter of the spies cannot be left unaddressed.

From this day forth, all disciples above the Initiate Realm must enter the Thunder Pond for introspection.

If anyone resists, unwilling or seeks to evade, they are to be detained, and I will personally interrogate them."

After instructing the elders to return and wait for news, Qi Xiu further briefed Taoist Yun Feng, responsible for the sect's security.

"Rest assured, Vice Sect Leader, I will handle this promptly.

However, there's one matter; some disciples from branch families, from outside ancient sects, mostly learn the Outer Sect Thunder Law, not involving our sect's inheritance. Should they also..." 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"If we're investigating, then fairness is paramount; every disciple from the main and branch families, none are exempt.

If those outside sects have any objections, let them come directly to me."

Without hesitation, Qi Xiu issued a firm order.

With the various intel he's aware of now.

The entire Primordial Heaven realm is on the brink of an unprecedented catastrophe.

Chaos calls for harsh measures, if Dongfang Qing were still overseeing the sect, these issues would be minor.

But now, within Shenxiao Sect, there is no Primordial Spirit True Honor to oversee.

Even a slight hidden danger could escalate to a calamitous disaster, Gao Tianxiong being a prime example.

Therefore, even if it means offending some ancient sects, eliminating all unstable factors within the sect is imperative.

"Understood, Yun Feng receives the order!"

Having instructed everything, Qi Xiu immediately turned and entered the Dharma Lecture Cliff, searching for Acting Sect Leader Dongfang Xiong.

...

On the Dharma Lecture Cliff, amidst the roaring of ten thousand thunders, the sky darkened.

Returning to this Dharma Lecture Cliff, Qi Xiu could see from afar Dongfang Xiong, deep in secluded cultivation.

He still sat cross-legged on the highest cliff, the rumbling thunder echoing unceasingly, like the roar of a heavenly official, like the murmur of the Dao.

Yet compared to the last time, having only been away for a few months, when seeing this Acting Sect Leader again, his tall and upright figure seemed to have grown thinner.

It was a feeling of strong bones remaining, but the flesh had weakened.

Like a candle in the wind, seemingly about to extinguish in the next second.

Upon hearing Qi Xiu's footsteps, the meditatively engaged Dongfang Xiong slowly opened his eyelids, turned to look at him, lips lightly parted.

"You've returned, how did things go?"

"Very smoothly."

Upon arriving before Dongfang Xiong, Qi Xiu raised his hand and summoned the [Great Luo Five Elements Gold Plate].

Amid the dazzling brilliance of divine light, Dongfang Xiong's gaze fell upon this Acquired Divine Instrument, and after a careful inspection, he slowly nodded:

"Not bad, the Zhao Family poured their utmost effort into refining the Great Five Elements Annihilation Heavenly Wheel and the twenty-four Sea-Calming Divine Pearls solely to create this Acquired Divine Instrument.

Unfortunately, Zhao Qianqiu was vanquished by you just as he completed the Great Five Elements Annihilation Heavenly Wheel.

Zhao Baye, relying on his position among the twelve members of the Dao Alliance, spent eight hundred arduous years to find the twenty-four Sea-Calming Divine Pearls, only for them to end up in your hands.

A thousand years of the Zhao Family's scheming ultimately became your wedding garment.

If Zhao Baye knew you had successfully refined this Acquired Divine Instrument, he would be so furious that his three corpses would jump in rage."

Upon seeing Qi Xiu successfully forge the Great Luo Five Elements Gold Plate, Dongfang Xiong's eyes showed a touch of reassurance.

With Dongfang Qing venturing outside the domain, and him in closed-door life-or-death meditation,

without utilizing their reserves, Shenxiao Sect's top combat power had almost reached its lowest ebb since the Middle Ancient Era.

Thankfully, now that Qi Xiu holds a Divine Instrument and has mastered two Palm Dao Holy Techniques, even if a Primordial Spirit True Honor comes, he could withstand it.

With him at the helm within the sect, the overall situation could remain stable.

"What about the Divine Instrument in the Hell Forest? Though the demonic aura within the mountain gate is thin, over time, it could become a malignant tumor.

Moreover, that Divine Instrument has already begun to awaken. If steps aren't taken to suppress it again, and in case the Artifact Spirit within it revives, it may become irreparable." Sitting before Dongfang Xiong, Qi Xiu gently spoke.

"The grade of that Divine Instrument is very high, even stronger than our own Nine Heavens Shenxiao Thunder City.

Back then, the only reason we could put it into slumber was that the Hell Daoist, its wielder, was severely injured by our sect's patriarch, unable to fully revive the instrument.

Now, this Divine Instrument has been stirred by Gao Tianxiong and is gradually awakening. To suppress and seal it again, we must venture deep into the Hell Forest to find the instrument's main body and re-complete the Ten Directions Heavenly Thunder Division Law Seal on it.

However, the Hell Forest is now full of evil spirits and ghosts nurtured by the aura emitted by the Hell Path Divine Instrument, their powers greatly augmented.

Especially those Hell Dao elders.

They've likely restored eighty to ninety percent of their former strength.

Bypassing their obstruction to reach the Hell Path Divine Instrument is no easy task." Having outlined the difficulties in re-suppressing the Hell Path Divine Instrument, Dongfang Xiong continued,

"Therefore, I plan to have Yun Yang select five Yun Generation Elders to venture into the Hell Forest together.

The Hell Path Divine Instrument is in the process of awakening; too many entering the Hell Forest would only alert it and accelerate its reawakening.

The fewer who enter, the more cautious it will be.

What do you think?"

"Do you have confidence?" Hearing Dongfang Xiong's plan, Qi Xiu pursed his lips.

"None.

Though the Hell Forest has long been under our Shenxiao Sect's suppression,

we have no knowledge of what state its interior is currently in.

We'll be groping in the dark, doing our utmost to give it a try.

Even if we cannot succeed in one go, it will allow us to ascertain what lies inside and prepare for the next action." Dongfang Xiong slowly shook his head.

"If there's no better plan, let me handle this." After a moment of silence, Qi Xiu looked up and said.

"You?" Dongfang Xiong's gaze slightly shifted.

"Yes, I possess the Hunyuan Myriad Laws Immortal Body, capable of Divine Luster Inward Concealment. Entering the Hell Forest will not attract the attention of that Hell Path Divine Instrument.

Furthermore, having once practiced Hell Dao's Yanluo Golden Scripture, I have more experience dealing with those evil spirits and ghosts.

If I encounter danger, I still have the Haotian Mirror and this Great Luo Five Elements Gold Plate for protection.

Even if I am at a disadvantage, I can still retreat unscathed.

The impending Primordial Heaven calamity makes it unwise to deplete our sect's high-level combat power at this time.

Moreover, I am now the sect's Vice Sect Leader.

Such perilous matters should indeed have me lead by example.

With this in mind, I believe it's more appropriate for me to go to the Hell Forest."

As he watched Qi Xiu presenting his various reasons, the corners of Dongfang Xiong's mouth gradually turned upward in a slight smile:

"Now I understand a bit why Qingchen holds you in such regard and nurtures you so.

However, going alone is truly too dangerous. Should any harm befall you, I wouldn't be able to explain it to Qingchen..."

"Acting Sect Leader, rest assured. Unless that Hell Path Divine Instrument fully reawakens, the mere small ghosts of the Hell Forest shouldn't be able to harm me.

Isn't that right, Elder Xu?"

As Qi Xiu's voice trailed off, Xu Zhitian's figure gradually materialized, gently stroking his long beard, eyes glancing sidelong.

"This young one's fate is indeed tenacious; it's not so easy for him to die."

After jesting at Qi Xiu, Xu Zhitian turned to Dongfang Xiong, revealing something that made Qi Xiu's expression momentarily freeze:

"Yet you, young one, will soon face death.

Your lifespan is nearing its end, the oil is running dry, the lamp is dying.

In less than ten years, you will surely meet your end!"

...