Chapter 681 - 439: Variables and the Demon Sealing List
Before this, Qingfeng also happened to rush over from the Central Garden, looking quite nosy, to find out what Wang Zhifan had learned from the master.
Wang Zhifan didn’t really want to talk much to this fellow, but since the other was one of the hosts of this conference, he slightly disclosed some information to satisfy his curiosity.
"Enemies from the outer realm? Which outer realm? Could it be those fragmented little worlds even farther than the Demon Realm? I’ve heard the strongest existences there aren’t even beyond the Innate realm, not worth mentioning at all!"
Qingfeng, upon hearing this, showed some disdain and didn’t take the so-called outer realm enemies seriously. He was clearly more interested in something else, leaning in to Wang Zhifan and mysteriously inquiring:
"When you went in just now, did you notice what the master was writing?"
"Hmm, the master was writing on a roll of yellow cloth."
Wang Zhifan replied with some confusion on his face.
"Yellow cloth? That’s it! You may not know, but this item is extremely extraordinary! It is crucial to this conference!"
"Oh? Then I shall look forward to it."
After chatting idly for a while, Wang Zhifan and Qingfeng parted ways again, since this guy wasn’t as free as them and had many people and affairs to handle.
The following time was relatively calm and monotonous. Wang Zhifan and the Moon-Annihilating Dragon Saber enjoyed enough gourmet food and made an effort to befriend some of the attendees, especially those who were relatively young and of their generation, discovering that all these participants were indeed exceptional figures.
For instance, there were young experts from the Dao realm like Wang Zhifan, who came to offer specific support, there were fierce warriors who had once ventured alone into the Demon Realm and returned safely, special clans like the Mieyue Clan who specialized in the True Spirit paths of the White Tiger, Basalt, or Vermilion Bird, and reclusive savages claiming to have pioneered new Dao paths.
All these people not only had auras that could be considered powerful, but each one gave off the impression of having experienced many stories, making Wang Zhifan and the Moon-Annihilating Dragon Saber feel like just ordinary members in this gathering.
Of course, who truly had the superior abilities would only be determined after the calamity commenced.
The two made some new friends and then met again with Zhenxu, Huayangzi, and other members of the Mieyue Clan, engaging in conversation until noon when the conference officially began.
Like all guests who gather in the morning for breakfast, this conference convened by the master, aimed at countering the Demon Realm invasion, was also held in a small realm.
However, this time, hundreds of practitioners beyond the Innate realm did not gather in a picturesque landscape; the master chose an ancient battlefield with endless yellow sands and a sunset as red as blood to hold the meeting, symbolizing the heavy atmosphere of the conference and the resolve of Calamity Realm practitioners to fight the Demon Realm to the death.
At this moment, in a partially concealed area of ruins amidst the boundless yellow sands, nearly a thousand practitioners formed a semicircle.
Some gathered at the top of sand dunes, others stood at the tips of broken stone pillars protruding from the sand, while some simply floated and sat in the air or shaped surrounding stones and sand into temporary seats, all focusing their gaze on the top of a desolate broken stone hall ahead.
Wang Zhifan, the Moon-Annihilating Dragon Saber, Zhenxu, Huayangzi, and Mieyue and Ao Tian stood humbly on a giant boulder in the sand, which might have once been the back of a guardian beast sculpture, like everyone else, maintaining calm and silence, watching the stone hall top where everyone’s gaze converged.
They didn’t have to wait long as a middle-aged man with grayish-white hair, whom everyone respected highly, slowly appeared there — the convener of this conference, the legendary master who could achieve sainthood at any moment.
As a highly prestigious conference, upon the master’s appearance, the crowd did not break into any commotion like a secular assembly but maintained a steady state, quietly awaiting the master to speak.
"Esteemed guests! I am delighted you all could attend this conference!"
The master’s first words were not particularly surprising; he expressed his gratitude to the attendees just like any ordinary middle-aged man.
Yet, nobody allowed even a trace of distraction at this moment; everyone listened attentively and carefully.
"I am aware that you all have come to understand Calamity Realm’s strategy against the Demon Realm, so I will not waste words and directly speak of the arrangements of the three Saints."
After speaking, a rectangular piece of ancient-looking yellow cloth appeared in his hand, which he then raised in the air. The cloth began to expand and lengthen in the fierce wind and sand.
Initially about a person’s length, it quickly extended to hundreds of feet long and dozens of feet wide, unfurling in the murky yellow sky above, like a divine decree from the heavens to the people below.
"This is a gift from the three Saints, which I have named: the Demon Sealing List!"
As the master’s voice resonated, the crowd witnessed ancient, vigorous characters manifest on the archaic yellow cloth in the sky, bearing the words "Demon Sealing List" as the master said.
In an instant, many beyond-the-Innate practitioners below were stirred; some looked up at the ancient, enormous cloth in awe of its immense prestige, while others focused their gaze on the words "Demon Sealing List," pondering the exact meaning of the three words.
Not a single person whispered at this moment; all continued to listen to the master’s words.
"The ’Demon Sealing’ words mean to seal the Demon Realm completely!
Among all present, whether slaying the Demon Realm’s army or driving the demons back to their realm never to return, records will be kept on this Demon Sealing List!
All demon-sealing skills and contributions will be automatically recorded on the list, ranked in order based on their magnitude!"
"Those ranking in the top hundred on the list, after repelling the Demon Realm, whether dead or alive, may personally hear the voices of the Three Saints, the dead revived, the wounded healed, and receive the Three Saints’ rewards!"
"Those ranking in the top ten may further learn the secret to sainthood, stepping on the path of a Saint!"
"The one at the top of the list may have any reasonable wish fulfilled by the Three Saints!"
The master’s words stirred intense emotions among the previously silent listeners who could no longer suppress their urge to discuss.
"Revival for those in the top hundred. The Saints indeed have grand measures!"
"The secret to sainthood is even more precious! Throughout history, how many top-notch experts have been stuck beyond the Innate stage, unable to break through!"
"To have any wish fulfilled is the rarest! It’s a unique privilege of being the top! If I had such luck, I would wish for the Saints to grant me immortality!"
...
The fervent discussions among the audience were so intense that even the focal point, the master, paused his speech, waiting for the numerous practitioners to digest the information he just disclosed.
The nearby companions of Wang Zhifan also began discussing. Zhenxu, the old Daoist among them, was the first to sigh:
"My remaining lifespan is less than two hundred years, and my breakthrough is far from reach. I was originally planning to return to dust when the time came. It seems this old skeleton needs to strive once more!"
The obviously aged Mieyue clan leader, Mieyue Ao Tian, murmured:
"The secret of sainthood, I wonder what Secret Technique it entails... I don’t seek for my clan to birth a Saint, but to gain further progress on the True Spirit path would be a great honor..."
Huayangzi, the plump Daoist, seemed slightly excited and said:
"Reaching the top hundred seems very challenging, but higher cultivation doesn’t necessarily equate to more demon kills; chance plays a significant role. We ordinary beyond-Innate practitioners might have a chance."
Only Wang Zhifan remained relatively calm, quietly awaiting further words from the master.
Not long after, once the master saw that the crowd’s discussions were somewhat settling, he began to describe the other functions of the Demon Sealing List, ensuring everyone understood it was not just a ranking board but a tangible aid in their battle against the Demon Realm.
For instance, the Demon Sealing List, concealed in the void, has endless avatars. Each present person can summon it out at any moment, understand the overall situation of the Calamity Realm, and communicate intelligence with those on the list.
Everyone also has certain privileges, using the Demon Sealing List to emergency escape or rush to designated spots in the Calamity Realm, essentially providing them with a limited teleportation ability, which will undoubtedly greatly enhance combat flexibility.
