Chapter 548 61: Dongyang Immortal Alliance
The Black Sun Wind Disaster dissipated.
Beneath the clear sky and bright sun, mountains stood in great numbers. Magnificent peaks rose like giants between heaven and earth.
Below the peaks, a great river surged and wound its way through countless twists and turns. Rainbow-like waterfalls cascaded down from the mountainsides.
A sea of ethereal clouds drifted between the mountain ranges.
Fang Cheng chose a mountaintop and descended, his Escape Light fading.
Venerable Red Hair and the others were long gone.
Even the Sect Leader of the Bamboo Immortal Sect had long since escaped the entanglement of the two Profound Embryo Incarnations and vanished in an instant.
Fang Cheng took out the three Taichu Divine Stones he had found beneath the Golden Divine Tree and gestured for Qiu Wen Si to cut them open.
Qiu Wen Si took out a small silver knife. Holding her breath and focusing her mind, she gently sliced across one of the Taichu Divine Stones.
A seven-colored radiance drifted out from within the Divine Stone, which immediately became crystal clear.
Inside the stone was a Jade Toad about a foot in size. It had round, red eyes, a circular mouth, short and stout limbs, and a single short horn on its forehead. Its back was covered with hundreds of bulges which, upon closer inspection, were tightly closed eyes.
The Jade Toad was currently crouched inside the Taichu Divine Stone, its eyes wide as if about to pounce. It looked completely alive.
Qiu Wen Si was exceptionally knowledgeable. Upon seeing it, she said, "Benefactor, this is a Qianmu Giant Flower Toad, one of the Primordial Fierce Beasts. All of its abilities lie in the eyes on its back. Legend has it that in battle, it can release countless rays of light that can dispel Divine Techniques and reap souls. Ordinary low-level cultivators die on contact."
This Primordial Fierce Beast was only fourth-rank. Fang Cheng didn't think much of it and said, "You can keep it for protection."
Qiu Wen Si thanked him softly and put the Divine Stone away before cutting open the second one.
Inside this stone was a fourth-rank Spirit Grass with ordinary uses. Fang Cheng gave this to Qiu Wen Si as well.
When it was time to cut the third Divine Stone, Fang Cheng let out a soft breath, feeling a little nervous.
Qiu Wen Si's silver knife slid silently across the side of the Divine Stone, slicing off a piece and releasing the seven-colored radiance from within.
In the center of the Divine Stone was a lifelike Spiritual Cicada, Red Gold in color!
At first glance, the cicada didn't seem particularly special, only exquisitely detailed, lifelike, and possessing a spiritual quality.
But as Fang Cheng looked closer, he sensed a terrifying aura that made his heart pound, dormant within the tiny body of the golden cicada.
It was like the might of the heavens—irresistible.
The Demon-Suppressing Immortal Cicada.
Fang Cheng was both shocked and delighted. A great weight lifted from his heart. With a wave of his long sleeve, he was about to store the Divine Stone.
"Hold on!"
A voice suddenly rang out from the distant sky.
Fang Cheng's expression turned cold. Nineteen Flying Swords flew out from his sleeve one by one, forming the Great Inference Celestial Net Sword Array in the blink of an eye.
A man emerged from the void. He wore a Profound Gold Battle Armor in a style completely different from the cultivators of this realm.
It was the mysterious cultivator who had recently besieged Venerable Red Hair to fight for the Golden Divine Tree.
"Sir, are you willing to part with that Demon-Suppressing Immortal Cicada? I'll offer six fifth-rank Magical Artifacts," the man asked in a clear voice.
Fang Cheng looked at the man and said coolly, "You recognize the Demon-Suppressing Immortal Cicada. Have you seen one before?"
The man in Profound Armor laughed heartily. "This Immortal Cicada is among the top three supreme Immortal Treasures born from the chaos of the Lower Realms. It's common knowledge in my Dongyang Immortal Alliance. Although I have never seen one, how could I not recognize it?"
'Dongyang Immortal Alliance…'
Fang Cheng's brows shot up. 'Could it be a major power in Extreme Jade Heaven? But according to the intelligence he, Monk Haideng, and Yang Yi had gathered, very few cultivators in Extreme Jade Heaven even know about the Demon-Suppressing Immortal Cicada!'
'But this man is exaggerating somewhat. If it's such 'common knowledge,' why didn't he know the Demon-Suppressing Immortal Cicada was under the Golden Divine Tree?'
'Just a moment ago, he was clearly fighting for that Golden Divine Tree.'
As his mind raced, Fang Cheng maintained a polite facade. "Unfortunately, this item is of great use to me. I have no plans to part with it for now."
The man in Profound Armor sighed lightly, seemingly with no intention of seizing it by force. He asked instead, "This treasure has endless wondrous uses, but using it incorrectly would be a terrible waste. Fellow Daoist, why don't you tell me what you plan to do with the Immortal Cicada? If I can help, perhaps we can save you from using it. Wouldn't that be a happy outcome for both of us?"
Fang Cheng put away the Demon-Suppressing Immortal Cicada and said unhurriedly, "Forgive my ignorance, but perhaps you could first tell me about the Dongyang Immortal Alliance. Then I'll tell you what I need the Immortal Cicada for."
The man in Profound Armor smiled slightly. "The Dongyang Immortal Alliance is an Immortal Dao Organization that spans many realms. It governs thirty-three World Heavens, and its headquarters is in the Spiritual Sky Realm. We even have Spirit Immortals presiding over the alliance, which has existed for twelve Yuanhui."
Hearing this, Fang Cheng was startled. He couldn't help but look the man in Profound Armor up and down a few times before asking, "You're not from the Upper Realm, are you?"
The Spiritual Sky Realm was the Upper Realm that countless cultivators dreamed of ascending to!
'To think this person is connected to the Upper Realm.'
The man in Profound Armor shook his head. "Descending from the Upper Realm is no easy task. I won't hide it from you, Fellow Daoist. I am from Qianyu Heaven, one of the World Heavens under the Immortal Alliance's jurisdiction. May I ask which World Heaven you are from?"
"I'm from Profound Feather Heaven," Fang Cheng said, his expression unchanged.
Listening to their conversation, Qiu Wen Si, who was standing to the side, felt like a frog in a well.
'There have long been rumors in the Divine Image Sect. So the Benefactor really is a visitor from beyond the heavens…'
"Profound Feather Heaven… I've never heard of it." The man in Profound Armor pondered for a moment before continuing, "However, since you've obtained the inheritance of an Upper Realm Profound Celestial Divine Puppet, your World Heaven must have been noticed by some power in the Upper Realm. I have said so much; now it's your turn to tell me what you intend to do with the Immortal Cicada, isn't it?"
Fang Cheng considered this for a moment, then admitted frankly, "The Celestial Dao Origin of the World Heaven I come from has been corrupted by a Celestial Demon. We are looking for the Demon-Suppressing Immortal Cicada to purge the demonic influence from the Celestial Dao Origin."
The man in Profound Armor looked at Fang Cheng and chuckled in disbelief. "What you said before must have been false, Fellow Daoist. If Profound Feather Heaven's Celestial Dao Origin has been corrupted by a Celestial Demon, how could it possibly have caught the eye of Upper Realm cultivators? World Heavens like that, which are entering their final tribulation, were abandoned by the Upper Realm long ago. Why would they leave behind a Profound Celestial Divine Puppet inheritance?"
"Oh, right. Your Profound Celestial Divine Puppet inheritance must have come from another World Heaven! Haha, I was jumping to conclusions. For a cultivator of your cultivation level to dare cross the Outer Void, I am truly impressed, Fellow Daoist!"
Fang Cheng cupped his hands. "Fellow Daoist Lie, your knowledge is vast. I am impressed."
The man in Profound Armor thought for a moment, then said with some difficulty, "Based on what you've said, the Celestial Demon that corrupted the Celestial Dao Origin must be close to sixth-rank, if not already there. If you want to purge the demonic influence from the Celestial Dao, I'm afraid the Demon-Suppressing Immortal Cicada alone won't be enough."
Although Fang Cheng had no intention of trading with this man, he wouldn't pass up such a good opportunity to get more information out of him.
He asked with a sincere expression, "Does Fellow Daoist Lie have a better solution?"
The man in Profound Armor said gravely, "Your realm is at the end of its Yuanhui. When the final tribulation arrives, ordinary methods can hardly reverse its fate. You are already at a disadvantage fighting that Celestial Demon. Compounded by the fact that the Celestial Dao Origin has been corrupted and you've lost the initiative, the situation is almost hopeless…"
"The Demon-Suppressing Immortal Cicada is indeed the only hope to break this deadlock, but I am not optimistic."
Hearing this, Fang Cheng felt a pang of disappointment but said slowly, "Since there is still hope, we will not give up easily."
The man in Profound Armor nodded. "I've heard that in the Spiritual Sky Realm, there are quite a few Great Powers who ascended from End of Tribulation Heavens. After entering the Spiritual Sky Realm, all of them achieved earth-shattering accomplishments. If you can overcome this crisis, Fellow Daoist, perhaps you have a chance of becoming a Celestial Immortal in the future!"
Fang Cheng gave a bitter smile. Even with the Creation Golden Talisman, he wasn't fully confident he could safely pass the Ninth Celestial Tribulation in the Red Profound Realm.
'Ascending to the Upper Realm is easier said than done.'
'If he had been born in Extreme Jade Heaven, he could have gone to the Spiritual Sky Realm with ease.'
For his part, the man in Profound Armor also gave up on the Demon-Suppressing Immortal Cicada.
He had originally come for the Golden Divine Tree. Now he had chanced upon the Demon-Suppressing Immortal Cicada, and although it was far more valuable than the Golden Divine Tree, it was ultimately not his to have.
He said his farewells to Fang Cheng, and with a flicker of his body, he vanished without a trace.
Even with Fang Cheng's Divine Sense, he couldn't see how the man had left.
Fang Cheng didn't dare to be careless either. He immediately deployed the Feather Divine Soldiers and concealed his aura with the Void God Gu before vanishing without a trace himself.
On the way back to the Divine Image Sect, he used the Buddhist Jade Scroll to send news of his Demon-Suppressing Immortal Cicada to Monk Haideng and Yang Yi.
Upon hearing the news, both of them headed for Cangwu Continent.
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「More than ten days later.」
A thousand li from the Divine Image Sect, the Golden Radiance Tower Ship hovered above a sea of clouds. Not far away, a majestic, snow-white Cloud Mountain billowed with immense momentum, making the tower ship look like a tiny golden bean in comparison.
Fang Cheng stood at the bow, his hands clasped behind his back as he gazed into the distance.
He was alone on the tower ship. The only sounds were the wind and the distant cries of birds.
Before long, he saw a Golden Lotus traversing the void in the distant sky, heading straight for him.
As the Golden Lotus flew, auspicious light filled the sky and scattered across the sea of clouds. Standing atop the lotus was a young monk in white robes. His expression was calm and reserved, and behind him, a halo of Buddha Light had formed, giving him an extraordinary air.
It was Monk Haideng of Xiantong Temple.
Fang Cheng went forward to greet him and invite Monk Haideng aboard the tower ship.
After the two exchanged a few words about their respective experiences in Extreme Jade Heaven, a clap of thunder suddenly echoed from the distant sky.
Fang Cheng smiled. "Fellow Daoist Yang has arrived as well."
Extreme Jade Heaven, with its three continents and four seas, was a vast land. The three of them had been far apart, and for this meeting, Monk Haideng and Yang Yi had spent more than ten days just traveling.
Both of them had traveled using Tribulation Realm Divine Techniques, yet it had still taken them so long. This showed just how immense this realm was.
Outside the Golden Radiance Tower Ship, a bolt of Thunder Light split the air and arrived.
Within the Thunder Light, an Ancient Evil Race creature several zhang tall manifested. It had the head of an elephant, the body of a man, eight arms growing from its sides, and was covered in lightning-like patterns.
Yang Yi stood on the shoulder of the Ancient Evil Race creature. He still wore the Gray Mist Weaving Sun Daoist Robe, his cheeks were thin, and his eyes were slightly sunken, just as before.
"Fellow Daoist Fang, did you really find the Demon-Suppressing Immortal Cicada?"
The very first thing Yang Yi asked upon arriving was about the main purpose of his trip.
Fang Cheng nodded, took out the Taichu Divine Stone that sealed the Demon-Suppressing Immortal Cicada, and smiled. "I used up a few portions of the Four Pillar Divine Fiends, but my luck was good enough to snatch this treasure."
Monk Haideng and Yang Yi examined it carefully for a while but didn't come to any conclusion. They would have to wait until they brought the Divine Stone back to the Red Profound Realm and handed it over to Dragon Elephant Wanderer to deal with.
Monk Haideng said in a low voice, "Time is of the essence. We should return to the Red Profound Realm now."
Yang Yi had no objections.
He had already tied up all his loose ends in this realm after receiving Fang Cheng's message. Although he hadn't obtained the item he wanted, his gains were still substantial, making the trip worthwhile.
Fang Cheng pushed the Taichu Divine Stone toward Monk Haideng and said, "You two go back first. I need to stay in this realm for a while longer."
Yang Yi asked in surprise, "Fellow Daoist, how will you cross the Outer Void?"
He himself had a fifth-rank Ancient Evil Race creature as a guardian, yet he wouldn't dare cross the void alone. In his eyes, although Fang Cheng was powerful, he was still a far cry from a true Tribulation Realm Great Power.
To cross the Outer Void back to the Red Profound Realm alone was truly overconfident.
Fang Cheng said, "I have my own ways. You two need not worry."
Yang Yi felt uneasy and frowned, about to offer a few words of persuasion, but he was interrupted by Monk Haideng.
Haideng placed his palms together and said to Fang Cheng, "Amitabha Buddha. Since Donor Fang has other arrangements, this humble monk will return first with Donor Yang."
Yang Yi pondered for a moment, then took out a jade scroll and handed it to Fang Cheng. "This is a clue I found in this realm about a Divine Technique for dealing with a World Heaven's final tribulation. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to investigate it thoroughly. If you have time, you might want to follow this lead."
"Perhaps it can give the cultivators of our Red Profound Realm new hope."
Fang Cheng took the jade scroll, and when his Divine Sense swept inside, his expression couldn't help but change slightly.
He hadn't expected that the very first words in Yang Yi's jade scroll were "Dongyang Immortal Alliance"!
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