Just as Li Mu entered the Chaos Secret Realm and unleashed his Heaven and Earth Law Manifestation to begin condensing his Law Domain, a spatial rift suddenly tore open within the Seal Grand Formation passage, formed by the seven extreme lands on Qi Ling Star.
This interface, where Chaos had not yet separated, displayed colors that were at times deep blue like night, at times fiery red, and at times inky black, all intertwined and swirling. Intense Chaos Power surged madly through this spatial rift.
For a time, the entire sky above Qi Ling Star presented a strange sight. The familiar starry sky was gone, replaced directly by the ethereal image of the Seal Grand Formation and the void within the two-Realm passage.
In the Upper Realm — Immortal Spirit Realm, among the mist-shrouded peaks, the originally leisurely Immortal cranes and Spirit Beasts seemed to sense the fluctuations from the disintegrating two-Realm Seal. They either chirped softly or flapped their wings, seemingly expressing their reverence and curiosity towards this power in their unique ways. The Spirit Beasts' chorus, however, subtly hinted at an underlying unease.
The beings of the Immortal Spirit Realm all looked up at the sky. From the ancient Immortal palaces and divine temples, streaks of Immortal figures flew out. Dressed in resplendent Immortal robes, with an extraordinary aura in their brows, they frowned as they observed, or communicated with grave expressions.
The Lower Realm Demon Abyss, however, presented a completely different scene. Red earth stretched everywhere, and magma flowed like rivers, with the air permeated by the scent of sulfur and flames. At the moment the Seal Grand Formation loosened, countless demonic creatures in the depths of the Demon Abyss felt an unprecedented fluctuation. They roared and shrieked as if to break free from their shackles. However, the ethereal image of the Seal Grand Formation, like an invisible giant net, firmly bound these evil forces, allowing them only to rage within the Demon Abyss, unable to truly cross the boundary.
They all looked up at the ethereal image of the Seal Grand Formation, their eyes flickering with a mix of greed and fear. They seemed to sense an unprecedented temptation, yet also feared some power and dared not approach easily. Suddenly, a divine demon appeared. With two legs and six arms, it roared to the sky, unable to suppress its excitement and greed. Its six arms waved, stirring up gusts of wind that made the surrounding magma boil, as if even the earth trembled. Its presence made the already restless demonic creatures even more frenzied. They gathered around the divine demon, as if they had found their leader, ready to break through the Seal's shackles together.
…
The sudden appearance of the Heaven and Earth Anomaly instantly shook countless Sects throughout the Spirit Realm. Those Sect Ancestors who had been living in seclusion emerged from their closed-door cultivation. Their figures streaked across the sky like meteors, instantly arriving above the Spirit Realm's high altitudes, looking up at the grand formation's ethereal image in the sky.
Each of these Sect Ancestors had experienced countless Years and possessed unfathomable Realm. Some held ancient longswords, their sword light like a Dragon; others carried huge gourds containing their own universe; still others trod on auspicious clouds, their robes fluttering, like Immortals descending to the mortal world. Their appearance added a sense of gravity and hope to this sudden crisis.
"The Seal is loosening. This is a great change unseen in ten thousand Years. The Spirit Realm is in danger!" A white-haired Daoist in a blue robe, whose face was as handsome as a youth's, looked at the ethereal image in the sky and sighed deeply.
"Fellow Daoist Taiyi!" A female Cultivator in a green robe, holding a jade flute and possessing an ethereal temperament, slowly stepped forward and stood shoulder to shoulder with the white-haired Cultivator: "This crisis also contains an opportunity. The Seal Grand Formation is loosening, and the two-Realm passage is opening wide. Ascension to the Upper Realm is no longer a problem. It is an opportunity for us to Break through our current Restrictions and seek a higher Realm."
"Fairy Qingxuan, that is incorrect!" Another slender old man, who arrived riding a Spirit Crane, shook his head in denial: "The Upper Realm Immortals view us as ants. Although the opening of the two-Realm passage is an opportunity for Breakthrough, it is also the beginning of disaster. The creatures of the Demon Abyss are stirring. Once the Seal completely collapses, and the demonic creatures run rampant, the Spirit Realm will fall into eternal damnation. Our primary task should be to reinforce the Seal, not to rush to Ascend to the Upper Realm."
"Fellow Daoist Heyun has a point." Another middle-aged Cultivator with a resolute face and a large fan on his back echoed: "Leaving aside whether the Upper Realm Immortals will accept us, even if we can Ascend, if the Spirit Realm's Foundation is not preserved, what face do we have to call ourselves esteemed Cultivators? The urgent task is to unite the forces of all Sects and collectively resist the coming crisis."
Hearing this, the Sect Ancestors nodded in agreement, and the atmosphere grew heavy. This crisis was no small matter; it concerned not only their individual lives but also the survival of the entire Spirit Realm.
"Fellow Daoist Tianji, have you divined anything? Wasn't the Seal Grand Formation already repaired by the Xuantian Sword Sect? Why has such a great change occurred this time?"
Daoist Taiyi looked at Tianji Old Man and asked with concern.
At this moment, Tianji Old Man stood with his hands behind his back, floating in the air, gazing at the constantly shifting ethereal image of the Seal Grand Formation in the sky. His brows showed a hint of solemnity. He held a spiritual mirror Magic Treasure, and his five fingers were performing a divination technique, as if he was calculating something.
Upon hearing this, everyone's gaze turned to Tianji Old Man, hoping to obtain accurate information from him.
Tianji Old Man slowly turned around, his gaze sweeping over the Sect Ancestors, and said in a deep voice: "Everyone, although the Seal Grand Formation was repaired by the Xuantian Sword Sect, the Heaven and Earth Law are infinitely profound, beyond human control. This loosening of the Seal is actually due to some unknown force at work in the Heaven and Earth, perhaps related to the anomaly in the Nine Nethers."
Hearing this, the Old Ancestors all looked towards the Xuantian Sword Sect.
They saw the high-ranking members of the Xuantian Sword Sect arriving one after another: Sword Master Feng, Sword Master Chen, and a group of Sword Elders. All of them were gazing with grave expressions at the ethereal image of the two-Realm passage Seal Grand Formation in the sky.
The demise of Qing Hong Dao Jun, one of the two Dao Lords of the Xuantian Sword Sect, in the Nine Nethers, cast a shadow over the entire Xuantian Sword Sect. The other Dao Lord, Profound Heaven Dao Lord, also became entangled there and has not yet returned.
What anomaly occurred in the Nine Nethers remains a mystery, but all signs indicate that an unprecedented crisis is brewing there. The disappearance of Profound Heaven Dao Lord and the demise of Qing Hong Dao Jun, linked to the current anomaly of the Seal Grand Formation, were like a giant stone thrown into a calm lake, weighing heavily on the hearts of the Old Ancestors, making it impossible to ignore.
"Fellow Daoist Feng, when will your Sect Master return to the Sect? Has he left any instructions?"
A middle-aged Cultivator in a purple-gold robe with a majestic face, who was You Fang, the Sect Master of the Ziyang Sect, looked deeply at Sword Master Feng and asked urgently.
"My Sect Master's whereabouts are not for us to inquire about. I have nothing to say!" Sword Master Feng met the other's gaze and replied coldly.
As soon as these words were spoken, the surrounding atmosphere immediately became delicate, and some Sect Ancestors showed dissatisfaction.
"What a grand demeanor! At a time like this, the Xuantian Sword Sect is still hiding things, isn't that disregarding the safety of the Spirit Realm?" A burly man with red hair and extremely muscular physique, whose voice boomed like thunder, spoke. He was none other than Old Ancestor Scarlet Dragon, the Old Ancestor of the Tianding Sect.
"Hmph, Xuantian Sword Sect, you are the Sect that guards the Seal Grand Formation. Now that both Dao Lords are gone, how can you guarantee the safety of the Seal?" A black-robed old man with a sinister face spoke coldly. He was the Sect Master of the Myriad Demon Sect, who had always been at odds with the Xuantian Sword Sect.
Sword Master Feng frowned upon hearing this and was about to explain, but Sword Master Chen had already stepped forward, his tone firm: "Sect Master Qiu, that is incorrect. Our Xuantian Sword Sect has always borne the responsibility of guarding the Seal since ancient times and has never been negligent. At present, the depletion of Spiritual Qi and the loosening of the Seal are major issues that endanger the Spirit Realm. We must unite and jointly deal with the current crisis…"
"Unite? Hmph, easy to say! If not for the Xuantian Sword Sect monopolizing the benefits of the Secret Realm and neglecting its duty to guard the Seal, where would today's disaster come from?" The Myriad Demon Sect Master sneered, clearly unwilling to let go of this opportunity easily.
At this moment, Tianji Old Man lightly coughed and quickly interrupted the dispute between the two sides: "Everyone, now is not the time to assign blame. The Seal is loosening, and the Demon Abyss is stirring. Our urgent task is to find a solution, not to engage in internal strife here."
Tianji Old Man's words somewhat eased the tense atmosphere. However, even so, the differences among the Old Ancestors remained obvious. They each had their own plans and considerations for how to deal with this crisis.
"Fellow Daoist Tianji is absolutely right, but the Xuantian Sword Sect, as the Sect guarding the Seal, should bear more responsibility." A benevolent-looking female Cultivator holding a whisk slowly spoke. She was the Sect Master of the Cloud Hidden Sect, rarely seen but highly respected.
"Sect Master Yun is right. The Nine Nethers anomaly, the loosening of the Seal, the instability of the two-Realm passage… all of this seems to be influenced by some force. I hope your Sect can set aside past grievances and allow us to enter the seven Secret Realms to investigate the situation of the Sealed Land." Xu Wen, the Vice Sect Master of the Taiyi Sect, suddenly spoke up and proposed.
"Sect Master Xu is right, Fellow Daoist Feng, quickly take us to the Sealed Land to investigate the truth and discuss countermeasures together."
"That's right, the loosening of the Seal concerns the lives and deaths of billions of beings in the Spirit Realm. We cannot sit idly by!"
"The Seal Grand Formation must have a problem, the Xuantian Sword Sect must give us an explanation!"
…
The voices of the Old Ancestors converged into an irresistible torrent. Their eyes showed both anxiety and blame, as if the Xuantian Sword Sect was the sole culprit of this crisis, and their tone revealed distrust towards the Xuantian Sword Sect and an urgent desire to know the truth.
Facing this overwhelming pressure, Sword Master Feng's expression grew even more resolute, without the slightest retreat. Instead, he looked coldly at everyone present.
"The Xuantian Sword Sect, since its establishment tens of thousands of Years ago, has always taken the guardianship of the Seal Grand Formation as its duty. Even if the Seal has problems, our Sect has spent a huge price to fully resolve them. However, this time, it is due to the Karma of the depletion of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, a general trend, and definitely not a problem with the Sealed Land. Moreover, the Sealed Land Secret Realm is filled with Restrictions, difficult for non-Sect Disciples to handle. Once a mistake occurs, it will inevitably lead to a great disaster. I hope everyone will be cautious and not be misled by petty individuals." Sword Master Feng firmly refused the crowd, and after speaking, his gaze fixed on Xu Wen, the Vice Sect Master of the Taiyi Sect, with a chilling killing intent.
Xu Wen, the Vice Sect Master of the Taiyi Sect, was startled. After he, the Nether Sect, and the Xuanxiao Sect had tried to intercept Li Mu midway last time, he was taught a lesson by Sword Master Feng. The Taiyi Sect had to cede a lot of spiritual points and pay a huge price to reconcile with the Xuantian Sword Sect.
Xu Wen felt Sword Master Feng's sharp, knife-like gaze, and his face changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. His actions were indeed at fault, but with the two Dao Lords of the Xuantian Sword Sect successively missing and many Sect Ancestors present, he held the advantage. He quickly regained his calm.
"Sword Master Feng is absolutely right. However, at this moment, we should prioritize the overall situation. My proposal to enter the Sealed Land is not out of selfishness, but genuinely hoping to find a way to resolve the loosening of the Seal and jointly protect the Spirit Realm." Xu Wen's tone was sincere, easing the tense atmosphere.
"Fellow Daoist Xu is right, Sword Master Feng, if your Sect cannot solve the problem of the Seal Grand Formation, you should set aside your prejudices and let all Sects participate, as this is a matter concerning the safety of the entire Spirit Realm."
"That's right, with the two Dao Lords of the Xuantian Sword Sect absent, they are insufficient to overcome this crisis. What's wrong with letting us help?"
"Fellow Daoist Feng, your reaction is so intense, could it be that the Seal Grand Formation really has some problem?"
…
Seeing this, the other Sect Ancestors seized the opportunity to agree, expressing their willingness to set aside prejudices and jointly deal with the crisis. After all, the loosening of the Seal concerned the survival of the entire Spirit Realm, and any personal grievances seemed insignificant at this moment.
"Is that so! The Seal Grand Formation was laid by seven Dao Lords jointly in ancient times. Do you all have that ability?"
Facing the admonitions of the Old Ancestors, Sword Master Feng sneered, refusing forcefully, his voice as biting as ice, instantly chilling the atmosphere to freezing point.
"The Xuantian Sword Sect has always been the guardian of the Seal Grand Formation since ancient times. Our responsibility and glory do not allow anyone to question them! Now, although the two Dao Lords are not here, our Sect's heart to guard the Seal Grand Formation has never wavered in the slightest!"
"Sect Master Xu, your words about dereliction of duty and monopolization are nothing but baseless claims! The loosening of the Seal is a change in the Heaven and Earth Law, beyond the control of our Xuantian Sword Sect alone. As for the benefits of the Secret Realm, those were earned by our ancestors through blood and sweat over generations. How can you lightly covet them?"
Facing the Old Ancestors, Sword Master Feng, floating in the Void Realm, took a powerful step forward and retorted forcefully.
As soon as these words were spoken, the faces of the Sect Old Ancestors present all turned ashen, their eyes wide with anger, as if they could erupt at any moment. The other Cultivators who had not coveted the Seal Secret Realm also looked at each other, and the atmosphere instantly became tense.
"Sword Master Feng, you are so stubborn, are you really going to watch the Spirit Realm fall into crisis and do nothing?" The Sect Master of the Cloud Hidden Sect tried to ease the atmosphere by emphasizing the bigger picture.
Sword Master Feng smiled coldly: "The bigger picture? Of course I consider the bigger picture, but I will never allow anyone to take advantage of the situation to cause trouble and disrupt the duties of my Xuantian Sword Sect. The Sealed Land is full of Restrictions, difficult for non-Sect Disciples to control. Once there is a mistake, the consequences will be unimaginable. My Xuantian Sword Sect would rather bear this responsibility alone than allow anyone to become a catalyst for this disaster!"
Sword Master Feng stood before everyone like an unshakeable mountain.
Sword Master Chen led the other Sword Elders forward in support. Their Dao Swords, drawn but not unleashed, exuded a resolute and awe-inspiring aura. The air at this moment seemed to have solidified, and the scene was shrouded in an unspeakable murderous atmosphere, on the verge of a great battle.
Sword Master Feng, leading the Sword Cultivators of the Xuantian Sword Sect, set up a powerful formation, like an invisible barrier, neutralizing the aggressive stances of the Sect Masters and Old Ancestors one by one, meeting force with force.
Just at this moment, an unexpected change occurred! (End of Chapter)
