Chapter 18:

The snow fell heavily, thick clouds and the storm obscuring the light. The valley was filled with a chilling, eerie aura.

A tall figure emerged from the blizzard, each step shaking the earth.

“Therefore, I say you’re too cautious,” the figure’s hoarse yet loud voice pierced through the storm. “It’s only Xie Xuechen who’s been rendered powerless.”

Zunzhe Yinian replied, “After all, he is the Sect Leader Xie; I must show sufficient respect.”

Xie Xuechen stood with his sword, his tall figure in the snowstorm like a drawn blade.

“It was you who set up the teleportation formation, bringing the Lust Demon and Battle Demon into Yongxue City,” Xie Xuechen coldly stared at Zunzhe Yinian. “The person who set up the formation must have considered that someone might discover it, even while using left-handed writing to disguise the true script. Thus, those whose left-handed writing matched the formation symbols are not the real culprits. However, someone who has been with him for centuries could easily imitate his left-handed writing.”

Zunzhe Yinian nodded slightly, “So that’s why, Sect Leader Xie already suspected me.”

“The real Nan Xuyue would not have overlooked this either,” Xie Xuechen continued. “But he did not say anything.”

Zunzhe Yinian suddenly understood, “Therefore, he also exposed himself.”

“Since the Battle Demon is here, then the one possessing Fajian Zunzhe must be the Lust Demon,” Xie Xuechen looked at the tall giant standing beside Zunzhe Yinian. “The true Battle Demon is purely powerful, meant only for slaughter.”

The Battle Demon grinned at Xie Xuechen, revealing sharp fangs, and spoke slowly in a deep voice, “Only those who can’t kill their enemies in one move resort to such nonsense. You, Sect Leader Xie, understand this best.”

Xie Xuechen said, “For a cultivator at Fajian Zunzhe’s level, the Lust Demon’s successful possession would not happen instantly. Therefore, Zunzhe Yinian must have attacked Fajian Zunzhe last night.”

Zunzhe Yinian did not deny it. He smiled and nodded, “Last night, while discussing Dao with my senior uncle, we had different paths. He wanted to destroy my Dao, harboring murderous and regretful thoughts. But I was prepared, binding him with a formation and letting the Lust Demon launch a surprise attack, gradually controlling my senior uncle’s heart demon until this morning when the possession finally succeeded.”

“Controlling Nan Xuyue wasn’t part of your plan; he was just an ordinary person,” Xie Xuechen stated.

“That’s correct,” Zunzhe Yinian sighed slightly, “But the moment he stepped into the Hall of Justice, the Heart Demon Formation was triggered. Master Nan is known for his integrity, yet his heart bore heavy burdens. His obsession was too strong, causing the Lust Demon to shift its target and control Master Nan.”

Xie Xuechen was puzzled about Nan Xuyue’s obsession but quickly dismissed the thought, as it was not the time for detailed inquiry.

“Stirring suspicion among the Immortal Alliance members, fracturing the alliance, possessing Fajian Zunzhe to incite internal strife, luring me away from the center of the storm, and having the Battle Demon assist you in killing me,” Xie Xuechen revealed Sang Qi’s plot step by step. “Sang Qi aims to eliminate the entire Immortal Alliance in one fell swoop.”

Zunzhe Yinian said, “My senior uncle is the strongest cultivator in the Immortal Alliance aside from Sect Leader Xie. Others stand no chance unless they unite.”

Xie Xuechen added, “The Lust Demon merely wants the Immortal Alliance to destroy itself. Whether Fajian Zunzhe wins or loses, lives or dies, is unimportant.”

Zunzhe Yinian smiled slightly, “Sect Leader Xie is indeed perceptive. But you usually disdain explaining to your enemies. Why tell me so much now?”

Xie Xuechen slowly released his sword, letting it pierce into the rock, unmoving.

“Of course, it’s because I also need to buy time,” Xie Xuechen said.

Zunzhe Yinian and the Battle Demon were both startled. Three zhang away, in the blizzard where Xie Xuechen stood, the snowstorm suddenly froze mid-air, as if time had stopped. Through the thick snowfall, they saw a clear, cold face, a pair of sharp, bright phoenix eyes. The red glow on his forehead suddenly flared, and in the next moment, the snowstorm around him spiraled outward, creating a powerful surge of spiritual energy that changed the heavens and earth. A blinding light, rivaling the rising sun, pierced through the snowstorm, and a sharp sword qi soared into the sky, unstoppable!

“Heavenly Authority!” Zunzhe Yinian’s face changed, stepping back half a pace.

“The Heavenly Authority? His divine aperture has recovered?” The Battle Demon recalled Xie Xuechen’s sword technique during the Ten-Thousand Immortals Formation, which devastated heaven and earth, and his heart quivered. But soon, it ignited an even stronger fighting spirit.

The Battle Demon feared nothing; he only knew slaughter and battle, and a strong opponent made his demonic energy surge, making him stronger!

The Battle Demon laughed loudly, drawing two war axes from behind his back, his eyes glowing with bloodthirsty red light.

“Truly worthy of being the strongest sword cultivator. Only with such power can the battle be thrilling!”

Zunzhe Yinian knew he had been tricked. His usually kind face darkened. “Sect Leader Xie is not so easily dealt with.”

“Back then, I was suppressed by the Ten-Thousand Immortals Formation, which is why I lost to him. Now I am stronger than I was during that formation, and as for him…” The Battle Demon narrowed his eyes. “It seems he hasn’t fully recovered yet.”

From the blizzard came Xie Xuechen’s cold voice: “But killing you is more than enough.”

Before the words faded, the Heavenly Authority sword was already before them.

The intense spiritual energy fluctuations from the Hall of Justice shook the entire city, drawing countless cultivators. They watched the colorful, magnificent spiritual energy clashes in the sky, recognizing them as battles between Dao forms, far beyond their ability to intervene. They could only flee as far as possible.

When Mu Xuanling arrived at the Hall of Justice, the scene was already in ruins. She found Nan Xuyue unconscious in the rubble and quickly revived him.

Nan Xuyue had no serious external injuries. After the Lust Demon possessed Fajian Zunzhe, it abandoned control over him. Being possessed by a demon god, even temporarily, caused immense physical damage to an ordinary person. Nan Xuyue’s face was pale, his limbs heavy like lead, his body icy cold. He only remembered following Xie Xuechen into the Hall of Justice; everything afterward was a blank.

“Master Nan, this place is too dangerous. I’ll take you away first.”

Mu Xuanling immediately recognized the symptoms of demonic possession. She supported Nan Xuyue with her shoulder, helping him away from the battlefield. Half his weight leaned on Mu Xuanling, slowly regaining a bit of strength.

Fulan Sheng, who had rushed over upon hearing the commotion, saw Mu Xuanling supporting Nan Xuyue, who looked pale and weak, and hurried over to help.

“What happened?” Fulan Sheng took Nan Xuyue’s arm. “My father and the others are attacking Fajian Zunzhe, but Sect Leader Xie and Zunzhe Yinian are missing.”

Nan Xuyue thought for a moment and said, “I was previously possessed by a demon, and my memory is gone. I don’t know what happened, but judging from the situation, Zunzhe Yinian is likely the demon spy who abducted Sect Leader Xie.”

“Then he’s already lost,” Mu Xuanling smiled faintly. “At this moment, Xie Xuechen is the invincible Sect Leader.”

She had administered the pill herself and knew the exact time its effects would end. Xie Xuechen knew as well, which is why he allowed Zunzhe Yinian to take him, to see what other traps he had prepared.

Fulan Sheng anxiously watched the battle high in the sky, where his parents were among the fighters. But battles at that level were beyond his ability as a mere Golden Elixir cultivator, no matter how many immortal treasures he possessed.

Mu Xuanling, familiar with the Three Demon Gods, quickly assessed the aerial situation and said, “Fajian Zunzhe has been possessed by the Lust Demon, and the others have also fallen into the Lust Demon’s Heart Demon Formation.”

Fulan Sheng, unfamiliar with the Lust Demon, looked at Mu Xuanling in confusion.

“The Lust Demon’s method is to find the obsession in a person’s heart, plant a seed, and as time passes, the obsession grows, sprouting leaves and blooming flowers. The heavier the obsession, the faster it blooms. The Lust Demon can draw power from others’ obsessions, and once someone’s obsession matures, the Lust Demon can possess them at any time,” Mu Xuanling’s expression was grave. “Therefore, even if we defeat the possessed Fajian Zunzhe, the Lust Demon can still possess others.”

Fulan Sheng anxiously asked, “Then how can we defeat the Lust Demon?”

Fajian Zunzhe, under multiple attacks, was already severely injured, and his defeat was only a matter of time. However, the others had also paid a heavy price, visibly injured and weakened. Mu Xuanling frowned, thinking of a strategy.

“The only way to exorcise the demon is the Prajna Paramita Sutra from Xuantian Temple. This sutra can illuminate the heart and reveal one’s true nature, eliminating the influence of heart demons and exposing the Lust Demon. However, with Fajian Zunzhe under control and Zunzhe Yinian as a traitor…” Mu Xuanling sighed helplessly. “We can only seize the moment when the Lust Demon leaves Fajian Zunzhe after his defeat. But that moment will vanish in an instant, making success extremely difficult.”

Actually, there was another method—her Judgment Demon Vine, a divine artifact crafted by Sang Qi, was a natural enemy of demons. Once bound by the vine, even the Three Demon Gods would struggle to escape, at least temporarily. However, surrounded by powerful enemies, revealing even a moment’s weakness could be fatal.

But Mu Xuanling could not act. Once she did, her identity would be exposed.

The battle between Dao Forms was drawing to a close. The Dust of Worldly Oblivion (Fushizhichen) coiled around Fajian Zunzhe’s body as a golden beam pierced through his chest. Yet, such an attack alone could not slay a Dao Form. Fajian Zunzhe revealed a sinister smile, and a golden pearl hovered before him, rotating and radiating a dazzling golden light.

Everyone’s faces changed, and someone shouted, “No good! He’s going to self-destruct his Golden Core!”

If a Dao form’s Golden Core self-destructed, half of Yongxue City would be destroyed!

Zunzhe Yinian’s face turned pale as he watched the scene unfold.

He had not anticipated the Battle Demon’s defeat would come so swiftly. The Heavenly Authority Sword morphed into countless forms, its technique “Jade Gate Heaven Shattering” dispersing the dark clouds and ripping a massive gash through the dense overcast. Innumerable golden miniature swords hovered amidst golden radiance, their overwhelming aura utterly crushing the Battle Demon into countless minuscule particles.

Xie Xuechen extended his hand, and the golden fragments gathered into his palm, reforming into a golden longsword.

No wonder he could secure the position of Sect Leader of the Immortal Alliance at the age of twenty-five—Zunzhe Yinian thought absentmindedly.

A few years ago, when the Immortal Alliance changed leadership, the most favored candidate was originally Fajian Zunzhe. His virtues were admired, and his cultivation was unfathomable. However, on the day of the election, he withdrew voluntarily. He said that in terms of the firmness of Dao heart, he was inferior to Xie Xuechen, and in terms of cultivation strength, even more so.

Zunzhe Yinian was not convinced. Without a fight, how could his senior uncle admit inferiority? Xie Xuechen was only twenty-five, having reached Dao form just a few years ago. Even with ten spiritual passages at birth, could he surpass a five-hundred-year Dao form?

“Sect Leader Xie’s Dao heart is pure, and his sword heart is unblemished, while mine is already tainted with distracting thoughts, making me unworthy of the position.”

Fajian Zunzhe closed his wise eyes.

But Zunzhe Yinian could not accept it.

Xie Xuechen approached, his phoenix eyes clear and sharp, as if seeing through Zunzhe Yinian’s thoughts.

Zunzhe Yinian sighed deeply, giving up resistance: “Sect Leader Xie doesn’t kill me because you want me to exorcise the Lust Demon from my senior uncle.”

“This is your last chance,” Xie Xuechen said.

Xie Xuechen grabbed Zunzhe Yinian’s arm, and their figures suddenly vanished, riding the wind toward Yongxue City.

The spiritual energy fluctuations from the Dao form battle could be sensed from a hundred miles away. Xie Xuechen’s eyes sharpened, and his speed increased again. In his vision, several figures confronted each other in the air. Suddenly, a vast and terrifying aura rose, as if brewing an earth-shaking event.

Xie Xuechen released Zunzhe Yinian. His right hand formed a sword seal, and the Heavenly Authority transformed into a rain of swords, cascading down to form an impenetrable cage, tightly binding the terrifying dark golden aura.

At the same time, a purple whip shadow, swift as lightning, coiled around the gray figure in mid-air.

A thunderous boom echoed through the sky, and everyone within a hundred miles suddenly blacked out, collapsing to the ground. Even those with cultivation involuntarily knelt, their chests pounding violently, their terror evident.

—This was the power of a Dao form’s self-destruction!

But this was not the full force of a Dao form’s self-destruction. The true explosion was contained by Xie Xuechen’s golden cage, crafted with all his spiritual energy. The Heavenly Authority sword absorbed seven-tenths of the explosion’s force, while Xie Xuechen himself bore the rest.

He tightly clenched his trembling fists, swallowing the metallic taste in his throat.

The sect leaders attacking Fajian Zunzhe had been prepared and were unaffected. Duan Xiaorong saw Xie Xuechen’s return and relaxed slightly, immediately turning to find her son. She saw him using a high-grade protective artifact to create a barrier, likely unharmed by the explosion, and finally relaxed.

Xie Xuechen’s figure flickered, landing beside Fajian Zunzhe, bringing him down to the ground. A purple demon vine tightly bound him, his eyes showing terror.

Zunzhe Yinian approached the two, and others gathered around.

Fu Yuan Ting spoke first, “Welcome back, Sect Leader!”

If Fajian Zunzhe had successfully self-destructed, they would have barely survived. Xie Xuechen had taken the full force alone, saving half the city’s people and their lives. Everyone felt grateful.

Even Su Ningzhen showed genuine respect and fear on her face. This was the first time she had seen Xie Xuechen display his power. She suddenly understood what it meant to be born with ten spiritual passages. At only twenty-five, he already possessed such a peerless cultivation, surpassing all. In another hundred years, what would he become? Was there another realm beyond Dao form?

Xie Xuechen nodded faintly toward the crowd before turning his gaze toward Dharmasura Sage Elder, who was possessed by the Obsession Demon. His phoenix-like eyes were filled with icy killing intent: “You actually dared to detonate Sage Elder Dharmajnana’s Golden Core.”

He had arrived at the fastest speed possible, yet still arrived too late.

The Obsession Demon struggled fiercely, filled with fear and confusion. Why had he been bound by the Judgment Demon Vine? Why had the Holy Maiden intervened to help a human cultivator?

Everyone else also saw the strange vine wrapped around him, writhing as though alive upon his body. The vine radiated both demonic and monstrous auras, yet no one suspected that a demon or monster had intervened against the Obsession Demon. They assumed it was the doing of either Xie Xuechen or Sage Elder Yitian.

Xie Xuechen addressed Sage Elder Yitian: “Use the Prajna Heart Sutra to expel the Obsession Demon.”

Sage Elder Yitian nodded, pressed his palms together, and began chanting. Golden light gradually emanated from his palms, enveloping Sage Elder Dharmajnana. Wherever the golden light reached, faint black smoke rose, and the Obsession Demon cried out in pain. A dark shadow emerged from within, attempting to escape from Dharmajnana’s body, but was restrained by the purple vine and let out continuous screams of agony. At that moment, the purple vine slightly trembled, released its grip, and vanished.

A golden light transformed into chains, pulling the Obsession Demon out from Sage Elder Dharmajnana’s body and binding him tightly.

Sage Elder Dharmajnana’s eyes regained clarity, but his aura had become extremely weak. His Golden Core had already exploded, and now he was merely clinging to life, like a candle about to extinguish.

Sage Elder Yitian knelt before Dharmajnana, bowed deeply, and gently helped him upright.

“Master Uncle,” Sage Elder Yitian, seeing Dharmajnana’s critical condition, couldn’t help but show regret and sorrow.

With great difficulty, Dharmajnana raised his emaciated hand, placing it on Yitian’s shoulder. In a hoarse, aged voice, he slowly said, “Yitian… I never doubted you, because your aura is pure. This shows that you have no guilt in your heart regarding your actions. You are walking your own Dao with integrity.”

“However, your path is wrong…” Dharmajnana sighed weakly, “Fortunately, Master Xie is here. You haven’t yet committed irreversible mistakes.”

He Xianwo watched Sage Elder Yitian coldly and said, “Xuantian Temple has always been known for aiding those in peril and helping the distressed, earning the respect of many. I wonder why Sage Elder Yitian turned to the demonic path.”

Sage Elder Yitian replied gloomily, “Because I realized that demons can never be completely eradicated.”

Su Ningzhen scoffed, “Everyone already knows that.”

Sage Elder Yitian continued, “Demons arise from the human heart. Attempting to eliminate demons only breeds the demon of killing intent, causing them to multiply endlessly.”

Su Ningzhen mocked, “So because you can’t kill them all, you decided to ally with the demon race?”

Sage Elder Yitian didn’t react to He Xianwo’s sarcasm. He shook his head and said, “I believe that the only way to truly expel the demon race is through Chan cultivation. Among all methods in the world, only the Prajna Heart Sutra can expel demons. This proves that Heaven has bestowed a great mission upon Xuantian Temple.”

He Xianwo said, “So you colluded with the demon race, thinking that by eliminating Master Xie, you could become the new sect leader and expand Xuantian Temple’s influence, making people all over the world join our temple?”

Sage Elder Yitian replied, “No, I wanted my Master Uncle to become the sect leader.”

He Xianwo said, “He refused, so you had the Obsession Demon possess him?”

Fu Yuan ting furrowed his brows and said, “That’s absurd. Perhaps the first one possessed by the Obsession Demon was actually yourself.”

Sage Elder Yitian was shaken by these words, his eyes dazed: “Was it me… who first fell into the demonic path?”

He had always believed himself to be in the right—so long as everyone cultivated Chan and did good deeds, and practiced the Prajna Heart Sutra, the world would naturally be free of demons. Yet, to achieve his Dao, some sacrifices were necessary. Since his Master Uncle was unwilling to take up the responsibility of saving the world, he would have to shoulder it alone.

Xie Xuechen observed the change in Sage Elder Yitian’s eyes and knew that his descent into the demonic path had already gone too deep.

“Some of what Sage Elder Yitian said is correct,” Xie Xuechen said.

Everyone looked at him in surprise.

Xie Xuechen continued slowly, “Demons are born from the heart; they are the shadow of humanity. However, shadows exist only because we stand in the sunlight. When the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, shadows are long; when the sun is high, shadows are short. The true way to eliminate demons is neither to kill them nor to cultivate Chan, but to build a glorious and prosperous era. In a peaceful and harmonious world where everyone lives comfortably, heart demons will have no place to reside.”

After hearing Xie Xuechen’s words, everyone fell into deep contemplation.

Sage Elder Dharmajnana smiled at Xie Xuechen, his voice trembling as he said, “Master Xie’s Dao is precisely the righteous path I sought for five hundred years.”

He Xianwo sighed, “But how easy is that to achieve?”

“The righteous path has always been arduous and muddy; those who walk it must journey alone,” Sage Elder Dharmajnana sighed deeply, his eyes gradually clouding, “Now that Master Xie is here, I can depart in peace. Xuantian Temple has committed grave mistakes, and we shall accept whatever punishment the Immortal Alliance decides. Our temple is willing to hand over the Prajna Heart Sutra cultivation technique for free study, regardless of whether one joins the temple or not.”

“Master Uncle…” Sage Elder Yitian lowered his head in sorrow, tears streaming down, “Your disciple realizes his mistake now.”

But Sage Elder Dharmajnana could no longer respond.

All cultivators bowed in silence, mourning the passing of this great and wise figure.

“Hehehe…” The captured Obsession Demon let out an unpleasant laugh. Su Ningzhen, with his short temper, swung his World-Cleansing Feather at the demon’s face.

The demon’s head was knocked sideways, but slowly turned back.

“What are you laughing at?” Su Ningzhen asked coldly.

The Obsession Demon grinned, “I laugh at you righteous people, pretending to be noble and virtuous on the surface while hiding filth beneath.”

“You’re talking nonsense!” Su Ningzhen raised his World-Cleansing Feather again, but He Xianwo stopped him.

“Right, don’t hit me. Hitting me only shows how guilty you feel,” the demon cackled, “People will say you’re trying to silence me.”

Su Ningzhen angrily withdrew his feather, “This demon excels at manipulating minds. What could he possibly say that’s worth listening to?”

The strange face of the Obsession Demon lit up with excitement: “Since I’ve fallen into your hands, I never intended to leave alive. But there’s one more thing I must say—among you, there’s still someone secretly colluding with the demon race.”

Everyone’s expressions changed, and they demanded sternly, “Who is it?”