Da Xuan Martial Saint

"Hmm, but during the sand disaster, the defenses at Yunlu Pass were also very strict, and there would be quite a few in the Six Viscera Realm. Relying on myself alone, I can't act recklessly. It seems I need to find those Corpse Refinement guys, huh?"

A contemplative shadow flickered through Kun Jie's eyes.

In fact, comparing the two, he did not like the Heavenly Corpse Sect, a group that stayed in sinister lands filled with decay and filth all day long—for after all, the flesh was too rotten to eat. But he could understand the upper echelons of the Sky Demon Sect, who for the sake of future plans, strategized an alliance with the Heavenly Corpse Sect.

In the Primordial Era, the world was dominated by supernatural creatures, and humans were merely food for the demons. It was not until the Recent Ancient Era when some humans comprehended Yin Yang and opened the path of Martial Arts that countless martial arts pioneers sacrificed themselves to reach the pinnacle of the world, ultimately usurping the demons to become the masters of the world.

After who knows how many years, the founder of their Sky Demon Sect established the sect hundreds of years ago, cultivating the body of the Heavenly Demon, practicing the Martial Arts Techniques of the Human Race. They possessed both the long lifespan of demons and the powerful Martial Arts Techniques of the Human Race. Had they not been encircled and suppressed by the Da Xuan Dynasty and all the Sects in the world, this world would have already undergone a monumental change once again, ruled by their Sky Demon Sect.

Sometimes Kun Jie really didn't understand why something as simple as extending one's life or getting stronger by consuming humans or demons would be met with joint suppression and encirclement by the whole world hundreds of years ago.

Suddenly.

Kun Jie released the demon bird and leaped from the rock, then traveled eastward. After an unknown distance, he eventually arrived at a lush mountain range and approached a secluded valley.

"Who's there?"

A hoarse voice came from within the valley. Experience exclusive tales on empire

Kun Jie replied indifferently, "I, Kun Jie."

After a brief silence in the valley, a figure as shriveled as a corpse appeared in the dimness, speaking hoarsely:

"What business do you have?"

"The sand disaster at the border of Sha Prefecture. Interested in making a deal? I'll only eat one person, the rest are all yours."

"Sand disaster... I have heard of it. But the one that has caught your attention, Kun Jie, is no ordinary person, I suppose."

A faint glimmer arose in the sunken eyes of the shriveled figure.

Kun Jie spoke casually, "There's a fellow at Yunlu Pass who has mastered the second step of Qian Heaven Artistic Conception and killed a Sand Demon I had my eyes on."

Yunlu Pass? Qian Heaven Artistic Conception?

The withered corpse seemed to recall something, and a strange look appeared in his shriveled eyes, saying, "I've heard that Spirit Profound Peak of the Seven Profound Sect is stationed at Yunlu Pass. I haven't heard of any protector or steward of Spirit Profound Peak who has practiced Qian Heaven Artistic Conception... Could it be that person?"

Kun Jie looked over in slight surprise, reacting, "Oh? You actually know about it?"

Contempt flickered in the eyes of the corpse, which retorted, "Even if your Sky Demon Sect's intelligence network isn't particularly savvy, you should still be aware of the real disciples ranked on the Wind Cloud List from Spirit Profound Peak. That person is the most likely to practice Qian Heaven from Spirit Profound Peak. Judging from what you said, the chances are high it is him. However, this person has only joined Spirit Profound Peak for a year and a half. To practice Qian Heaven Artistic Conception in such a short time, his perception and talent are indeed extraordinary. It's better for you to consume him to prevent him from becoming a big trouble in the future."

"The Wind Cloud List, huh? I do know a bit about it, but isn't there only one named Zuo Qianqiu who is somewhat skilled?"

Kun Jie revealed a thoughtful expression.

The corpse spoke lazily, "Although you, Kun Jie, are one of the most outstanding individuals of this generation in the Sky Demon Sect, you would not pale in comparison to the top ten on the Wind Cloud List. If it's indeed Chen Mu who has mastered Qian Heaven Artistic Conception, he could easily be ranked among the top ten... But if you are planning to act at Yunlu Pass, you have to think long-term and not make any rash moves. If you delay the major plans from above, neither you nor I can bear the consequences."

He truly didn't fancy the demon men of the Sky Demon Sect, a bunch of madmen who consumed humans and demons all day long, to the point where their brains seemed affected. They fancied themselves invincible in the world, but in reality, if you compared physique, they were inferior to those of the Corpse Refinement practitioners, and if you compared Martial Arts Techniques, they lagged behind the Orthodox Sects. Aside from having a bit longer lifespan, they had no noteworthy advantages. When the day came for the Heavenly Corpse Sect to rule the world, it would be best to eradicate the Sky Demon Sect outright to prevent future calamities.

...

Yunlu Pass.

Inside the underground stone chamber of the Garrison Prefecture Headquarters.

Compared to not long ago, the stone chamber was now bustling. Apart from the Garrison Commander Xiahou Yan, there were Spirit Profound Peak's Right Protector Chu Jingsui, Rear Protector Meng Danyun, and Leading Protector Zhao Zhenchuan.

Three protectors of the Six Viscera Realm, among them, aside from Meng Danyun who was recently promoted, Zhao Zhenchuan and Chu Jingsui had settled in the Six Viscera Realm for some years, their strength was not inferior to that of Xiahou Yan. Especially Chu Jingsui, who was one of the very pinnacle existences below the Wind Cloud List and still of a fairly young age, just forty-two years old, with potential to challenge the Mysterious Pass.

"You sure kept me busy in the two days before your arrival. Recently, two sixth rank demons appeared one after another. If Brother Chen hadn't arrived before you, I'm afraid I would've been unable to manage both fronts. Now that you all are here, it's gotten quiet instead. Even the Yunlu Pass where Brother Chen went to has sent word of restored peace," Xiahou Yan said with a smile, standing in the middle of the stone chamber, addressing Chu Jingsui and the others.

When he had just returned and heard about the sandstorm at the seventy-seventh Border Pass and the presence of a sixth rank demon, he was startled. But after learning that Chen Mu had gone there immediately, he breathed a little easier.

After all, with Chen Mu's strength, an ordinary sixth rank demon was indeed no threat to him, and he knew that Chen Mu possessed both wind and thunder Artistic Conceptions. Even if something unexpected happened, facing two or three sixth rank demons, if he couldn't beat them, at least he could still run.