Chapter 67 - Crisis 3!

Jian Zixuan POV

Jian Zixuan observed his juniors training on the grounds of the Metal Seal Station, diligently preparing for the upcoming attack, from the top of the towering golden pagoda. He then turned his back to continue watching a group of more than thirty disciples at the center of the pagoda's top floor. They were performing a ritual to preserve the sealing power in the outer rim area. At the center of the ritual was a pentagon-shaped stone table with five seal core formation slots, three of which were currently occupied.

A few days ago, a group of surviving disciples from the Earth Seal Station—who had been attacked by traitors and God Spawn—reached this place safely after a month of being chased. It was a miracle that they had also successfully brought the Earth Seal Core Formation with them.

Since the sect had already lost the Fire and Wood seals, if they lost the Earth Seal Core Formation, the traitors could use the three seals to break the outer rim's seal. Then, the land would be flooded by God Spawn emerging rapidly from the leaked aura of the otherworldly demon god.

Consequently, it was only a matter of time before the inner seal gradually became weaker and eventually completely destroyed. If that happened, the entire continent would be turned into a land of traitors, and those unable to turn against the Heavenly Dao as Wu Dao cultivators would be killed by the unsealed otherworldly demon god and its followers.

"Senior Brother Jian, the Sect Master is calling you to discuss something," Feng Tianye, who oversaw communications, reported.

Jian Zixuan nodded and followed Feng Tianye as they descended from the pagoda's top floor to the lower floor where the Communication Hall was located. Inside the hall, many disciples worked hard to maintain contact with their sect members outside the Secret Realm and with other disciples roaming the realm to gather news and recruit cultivators who were not aligned with the traitors that they recently already confirmed who they were and which force they come from.

At the end of the hall was a closed room. Jian Zixuan stepped inside, leaving only himself and the Communication Artifact—the device used for direct contact with the Sect Master. Without hesitation, he sent his Divine Sense to activate the artifact. Soon, the Qi incarnation of the Sect Master appeared in the room. Jian Zixuan quickly bowed.

"Disciple Jian Zixuan greets Sect Master," he said in a calm, steady tone.

"Zixuan, must you always be so formal with your own father? Just speak normally when it's just us," the Sect Master, Jian Feng, said affectionately as he looked at his youngest son—the most talented child he had ever had, who had never disappointed him as his other children did.

"Understood, Father. I will try to speak more casually when it's just us. Please, tell me the matter for which you have called me," Jian Zixuan replied, quickly getting to the point, aware of the urgency of the situation. Jian Feng's eyes sharpened as he began to speak.

"Zixuan, the situation on the surface has taken a turn for the worse. We have identified the immortal who crafted the talisman that attacked our formation in the secret land—it turned out to be Grand Elder Yu." When Jian Zihuan heard this, his eyes widened in disbelief.

"How is that possible? Grand Elder Yu has served as Vice Chief of the Professional Department for over 5 million years. How could he turn traitor?" Jian Feng shook his head, equally confused by how the sealed otherworldly demon god could corrupt an immortal cultivator.

"I don't know either," Jian Feng continued, "we have already sealed him away, and we will learn more once the situation is resolved. But this clearly shows that our sect indeed has a traitor—and I don't think Grand Elder Yu is the only one." He paused, allowing Jian Zixuan time to process the news.

Jian Zixuan murmured, "Then it's also possible that there are disciples in the secret land who are traitors…"

"It is likely," Jian Feng replied. "This is why I am contacting you directly. Be careful—I believe they will go all out to destroy the seal at once. They aim not just to weaken it, as we thought, but to unseal the Otherworldly Demon God."

"On the surface, the traitors' forces have already begun marching toward our sect territory while most of our Grand Elders remain busy maintaining the seal. If I'm not mistaken, they will strike simultaneously from both the surface and the secret land."

Jian Zixuan's expression darkened. An all-out assault from both sides would have unimaginable consequences if they succeeded in breaking the seal. Clenching his fists, his mind raced through possible countermeasures.

"Father, what are your orders?" he asked, his voice steady despite the gravity of the revelation.

Jian Feng's eyes sharpened with trust and urgency. "First, alert a few of the loyal disciples you trusted within the secret land. Ensure they are prepared to act at a moment's notice. We cannot afford any internal sabotage when the battle begins."

Jian Zixuan nodded. "Understood."

"Second," Jian Feng continued, "I need you to investigate any suspicious disciples within the metal seal stations. If you find a traitor, report to me immediately—we might uncover links to more traitors on the surface."

"I will handle it," Jian Zixuan replied.

Jian Feng exhaled. "Finally, do not die—especially not at the hands of the God Spawn." His expression grew tense, knowing that if his son died, he could still revive him at a high cost as most of his wealth, even then it was worth it to do so since Jian Zixuan was an immortal seed of his lineage. But if he were devoured by a God Spawn, it would be impossible.

Jian Zixuan took a deep breath, without hesitation. "I will not fall."

Jian Feng placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "Good. Stay vigilant, Zixuan. The enemy is no longer in the shadows—they will move soon."

The communication ended with that. Jian Zixuan stood silently for a moment, then turned toward the exit, murmuring, "Traitors in the sect... in coming attack... and an otherworldly demon god waiting to be unsealed."

Jian Zixuan stepped forward, his gaze firm. "What or whoever dares to block my Dao path—I will cut it down!"

In the next moment, the aura around him sharpened like a blade even the air or space split apart when it touched by an aura—it was the aura of the Dao Heart!

Lan Xiaorong POV

The three wooden swords, glowing with a powerful aura of green wood Qi, flew through the air at his command, attacking the Ironclad Bull—a massive beast with an iron-like hide and horns sharp enough to pierce mountains.

"Moooooo…" the Ironclad Bull charged toward the hateful human who dared to steal its treasure!

As it charged forward, Demon Qi surged through its horns, making them glow with an intense aura as they manifested into a large spear that struck the target.

Boom!!

The ground where the attack landed crumbled, forming a massive pit from the impact of the Demon Beast's assault.

Despite the power of the attack, it was meaningless if not hit the target. Xaiorong effortlessly stepped onto a flying wooden sword then quickly fled into the sky and looked down at the Ironclad Bull, which scanned the area with arrogant eyes, unable to locate its fleeing target. Then, Xaiorong gathered spiritual Qi from the surroundings to perform his most powerful Qi technique.

The Ironclad Bull felt the movement of the heaven and earth Qi and immediately noticed Xaiorong floating in the sky. Not only did it see Xaiorong, but it also observed a giant Green Sword forming rapidly as spiritual Qi flowed into it. The Qi emitted from the sword made the bull feel threatened.

"Mooooooooooo!" it roared toward the sky before using its Demon Qi to form an Iron Wall in front of it, hoping to stop the sword's attack that would soon be falling on it.

The Giant Green Sword soon fully formed. Without waiting, Xaiorong commanded the sword to fall upon the bull. It appeared to descend slowly, but in truth, the sword was already rooted—its Qi fused with the target. Even if the bull tried to flee, it would be hit; there was no escape!

The Giant Green Sword was one of the Qi techniques within the Flowering Sword Cultivation Technique—the main cultivation manual of the Lan Clan—known as the Verdant Colossus Sword, a Pseudo-Heaven-grade Qi technique!

The giant sword met the Iron Wall with a resounding, "Shing!!!" Initially, the Iron Wall appeared to withstand the sword, but upon closer inspection, the giant Green Sword slowly absorbed its Qi construct.

Crake!!

The Iron Wall cracked open, and not long after, it was completely destroyed.

BOOM!!

The giant Green Sword directly pierced through right into the middle of the Ironclad Bull's body!

"MOOOOO...!" the bull roared in pain before its voice died down, leaving its lifeless body in the pit.

Lan Xaiorong floated down to the ground, looked at his work with pride, and then smirked. "With this power of the middle-stage Spiritual Foundation Realm, I want to see if that Hengsheng can still act all high and mighty in front of me!"

As he was still imagining the moment he would reclaim his status as the most promising clan disciple, he suddenly noticed the talisman he had received from a disciple of the Gold Sword Sect during his journey in the secret land suddenly activated.

His eyes narrowed, and he murmured, "So, it is time."