Cultivation Starts from Farming

"Has this demon... not emerged yet, or has he already left by some other means? Or is he hiding very well?"

Xu Ping was bewildered but had no time to ponder further as he followed the crowd into the teleportation array.

The familiar sensation of spatial transformation swept over him.

The scene before him shifted, and the moist sea breeze carrying a familiar salty and fishy scent rushed towards him, with an endless expanse of azure sea below.

He had finally returned to the Outer Sea!

However, almost the instant he resurfaced, Xu Ping frowned.

The surrounding space seemed to be shackled by invisible chains, and the flow of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi grew unusually sluggish, a powerful suppression enveloping all around.

Clearly, an extremely formidable array was in operation.

His formidable Divine Sense swiftly scanned the surroundings, and he immediately understood the situation.

This was indeed a grand array set up by the Yunxiao Sect, extensive in range and potent in power, intended as a defense against that demon as well as any ancient demons that might rush out alongside him.

However, something seemed amiss to him — the array... appeared somewhat damaged?

On the optical barrier, several conspicuous tear marks were visible, slowly repairing but evidently resulting from a recent violent impact.

Moreover, those presiding over the array were merely a few mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, a scene far different from the imagined presence of several late-stage Nascent Soul Great Cultivators.

Sikong Ziyan also immediately noticed the anomaly, his expression instantly darkening, and he quickly said to Xu Ping:

"Fellow Daoist Xu, please wait a moment, I’ll be right back!"

With that, he instantly transformed into a stream of light, flying towards the Yunxiao Sect disciples managing the array.

At this moment, more cultivators were being teleported over, immediately feeling the array’s immense suppression upon arrival, each showing expressions of shock and panic.

However, Yunxiao Sect disciples maintained order loudly, stating that the array was merely to guard against the ancient demons and would cause no difficulty for them, urging them to remain calm, and they would be allowed passage after ensuring there were no issues.

Pressed by the Yunxiao Sect’s prestige and the array’s pressure, most cultivators, though anxious at heart, had no choice but to temporarily hold their patience.

Not long after, Sikong Ziyan, face extremely dour, returned, setting up a sound isolation restriction and speaking to Xu Ping in a low tone:

"Fellow Daoist Xu, the situation has changed, a great error has occurred!"

His speech was fast, filled with suppressed anger and frustration:

"Though time was of the essence, the sect did indeed set up a mesh of traps, with two patriarchs and the invitation of three late-stage experts, and nine mid-stage peers presiding over the ’Nine Heavens Demon Locking Grand Array’, there should have been no possibility of failure!"

"Yet... that demon mysteriously escaped from the Ancient Demon Hall several days in advance!"

"Moreover, his appearance deviated from the array’s core, catching us off guard. Though he was injured, he still managed to deploy some extreme Blood Escape Secret Skill... and flee!"

"Fled?!"

Xu Ping’s face instantly turned dark upon hearing this.

Even under such circumstances, he managed to flee?

Although this demon’s appearance was indeed surprising, Yunxiao Sect’s lineup should’ve had a chance to obliterate him.

He had fought this demon before, aware of his prowess, but it shouldn’t be this preposterous.

Sikong Ziyan noticed Xu Ping’s thoughts and explained helplessly with a bitter smile, "You may not know, this demon’s methods are far more cunning and ruthless than anticipated."

"His final act of Blood Escape involved self-destructing parts of his essence and corporeal form, his explosive speed momentarily surpassing even the extremes of late-stage cultivators... breaking through the array and encirclement."

Pausing for a moment, his tone softened to comfort, "But there’s no need for excessive worry, Daoist Friend."

"This demon paid an extremely dire price to escape, his demon body nearly disintegrating, having self-destructed parts of his essence, injuring his foundation."

"According to the patriarchs’ judgment, it will be impossible for him to recover from his injuries in less than one or two hundred years, let alone regain his Divinity Transformation strength... that’s even more of a distant prospect!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Ping’s tight brows slightly eased.

This was indeed a bit of fortune amid misfortune.

A buffering period of one to two hundred years... that was sufficient for him.

At least in the short term, there’s no need to feel uneasy or even consider fleeing to the outer seas.

....

The two then discussed the issue of demon calamity.

"The matter of the Old Hehuan Demon can be temporarily set aside, yet another monstrous catastrophe looms severely urgent."

Sikong Ziyan’s expression turned exceedingly grave, pointing at the distant sea sky where the entrance of the Ancient Demon Hall, which should have gradually hidden, was still suspended.

Xu Ping followed his gaze.

He saw the majestic gateway to the Ancient Demon Hall, originally appearing like an immortal abode entrance, now entangled by numerous inky black, twisting and writhing demonic qi.

The gateway’s own radiance also grew dim and unstable, exuding an extremely unstable, chilling, and eerie sensation.

Sikong Ziyan’s voice weighed heavily, "The Ancient Demon Hall entrance not only failed to close as scheduled, but instead was further corroded and infiltrated by increasingly pure demonic qi."

"At this rate, the seal’s weakening speed far surpasses what was documented in the records!"

"According to the patriarchs’ judgments before departing, at most.... in two or three decades, the seal here will deteriorate to a terrifying degree."

"By then, emerging from it will no longer be sporadic ancient demons, but... an Ancient Demon Army."

"Under the sweep of the Ancient Demon Army, neither the Outer Sea Human Race nor Demon Race would be spared."

Xu Ping solemnly nodded.

In truth, he personally did not fear the demon catastrophe excessively.

Given his current strengths and reserves, barring a direct confrontation with a Divinity Transformation ancient demon, he should be safe.

Even if the worst comes to worst, with the sky fallen, there’d be taller people to hold it up—it was a calamity the entire Outer Sea Cultivation Realm had to face together.

Seeing this, Sikong Ziyan solemnly clasped his hands, "Fellow Daoist Xu, the demon calamity concerns the entire Outer Sea, no longer a matter of one sect or faction alone."

"The sect has urgently summoned me back for discussing, and will immediately contact all top forces to discuss countermeasures."

"By then, a ’Outer Sea Alliance’ will be held to jointly plan the demon-resisting strategy."

"Given your strength, there ought to be a place for Daoist Friend, so I sincerely hope you will attend."

Xu Ping pondered slightly, and then nodded in agreement, "I am aware of this matter. Just inform me when and where, and I will certainly go."

Whether publicly or privately, he could not remain uninvolved.

Participating will allow him to grasp the shifting situation at the earliest opportunity, securing the most advantageous position for himself, should the situation deteriorate, he could immediately make his escape.

Moreover, the ancient demon’s body is also excellent puppet material.

After they exchanged a few succinct words, Sikong Ziyan quickly departed, rushing back to report to the Yunxiao Sect.

Xu Ping turned his eye again toward the Ancient Demon Hall entrance, shrouded in demonic qi, hanging like a tumor in the Outer Sea sky.

His gaze was deep, as if glimpsing the not-so-distant future—a forthcoming cataclysm that would sweep heaven and earth with blood and carnage.

Moments later, Xu Ping retracted his gaze, transformed into a stream of light, and vanished over the horizon.