Xiuxian: Start with the medicine boy

"I second that!"
"Defeating that old monster is dangerous, but if successful, it will be an immense opportunity, worth the gamble!"

I second that!
We are willing to join hands with all of you fellow Daoists to eliminate this major threat!

"···"

A chorus of agreement rose and fell, and more and more cultivators expressed their opinions.

The originally heavy and oppressive atmosphere gradually became more lively.

Then,

The cultivators inside the underground palace began to discuss among themselves, each plotting how to utilize the resources of their respective sects.
And the distribution of profits after the deed is done—

After all, killing a Nascent Soul cultivator is no easy task; it requires the full support of all the major sects.

The distribution of profits is the key to maintaining their alliance.

A cultivator dressed in a red robe, exuding a fiery aura, spoke first, his tone carrying a hint of arrogance and confidence:
"Our sect is willing to offer a Law-based Divine Talisman!"
This talisman is one of the most treasured artifacts of our sect. Once activated, it is powerful enough to unleash the full force of a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, with boundless power.

Although we don't yet know the old monster's exact cultivation level, based on my estimation, his cultivation level is definitely no higher than the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm.

Otherwise, with his strength, he would have already dominated the entire cultivation world, and wouldn't have remained in seclusion for so long.

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.
The tone carried an unquestionable demand:
"You all know how precious this Law Talisman is; it is a priceless treasure that can only be encountered by chance and cannot be sought after."
If we use it, our sect will also suffer heavy losses.

Therefore, once the mission is accomplished, the control of the cultivators' association's spiritual fields should be directly taken over by our sect. I wonder if any of you fellow cultivators have any objections?

"no!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a dissenting voice rang out.

His tone was full of dissatisfaction and rebuttal.

"You think you can seize control of the spirit field just by offering a fifth-tier law talisman?"
To want to monopolize all the profits is simply too greedy!

"Not bad!"

Another voice immediately echoed, its tone carrying a hint of agreement.

"Unless your sect produces another Law-based Divine Talisman of the same grade?"
Or they could offer other treasures of equal value.

otherwise,

"It's absolutely impossible to seize control of the cultivators' association's spirit fields!"

"···"

Both sides stuck to their own arguments, and the atmosphere in the hall became tense once again.

After a while,

The red-robed cultivator's face showed a hint of reluctance, but he finally gritted his teeth and said in a hoarse voice:

"···good!

I promise you, I will provide another Law Talisman of the same grade!
"I hope that after this matter is accomplished, my fellow Daoists will keep their word and hand over control of the cultivators' association's spirit fields to our sect!"

Seeing that he had relented, all the cultivators nodded, and the argument gradually subsided.

Then,
Another round of lively discussion erupted from within the underground palace.
Another cultivator, dressed in white robes and possessing an ethereal air, stood up, his tone tinged with pride and confidence:
"Our sect is willing to offer a [Dharma-Destroying Thunder Orb]!"
Although this treasure is a one-time use magic weapon, its power is extremely terrifying. It was created by our sect's ancestors who ventured deep into the Thunder Abyss to collect divine thunder based on the laws of heaven and earth.
It was then refined over a thousand years using the supreme secret techniques recorded in the fragments of the Heavenly Book of the Spirit Realm.

He spoke slowly, a hint of apprehension flashing in his eyes, yet also tinged with confidence:

"Once this treasure is unleashed, it can unleash tremendous power, triggering a tribulation of heaven and earth's laws."

According to our sect's records, this treasure is powerful enough to kill a Nascent Soul cultivator.
Even a cultivator at the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm would find it difficult to escape death if struck.
It can even completely annihilate the very essence of its laws, leaving not a trace.

As soon as he finished speaking,

The cultivators inside the hall were all taken aback, their eyes filled with disbelief.

They had all heard of the legendary power of the Thunder Sphere, but they never imagined that such a heaven-defying treasure actually existed in the world.

Seeing this, the white-robed cultivator revealed a hint of smugness on his face, and then spoke:
"If this plan succeeds and we kill that old monster, the right to allocate all spiritual veins under the Cultivator Association will henceforth belong to our sect."
Do you fellow Daoists agree?

"···"

The cultivators fell into discussion again, with some feeling that the request was too harsh.
Some people felt that the Annihilation Lightning Ball was so powerful that it deserved the reward.

After a heated discussion, the group of mysterious cultivators finally reached a consensus and all spoke up in agreement.

"Can!

The Annihilation Lightning Ball is incredibly powerful. If we can use it to kill that old monster, then it would be perfectly reasonable for your sect to have the right to allocate the spiritual veins!

I second that!
"As long as your sect is willing to offer the Annihilation Lightning Orb and provide full assistance, the right to allocate the spiritual veins will belong to your sect after the matter is accomplished!"

"···"

As one mysterious cultivator after another revealed the secrets of their respective sects—

Some donated their ancestors' treasures.

Some brought out their sect's most powerful formations.

Some share secret techniques from celestial books...
The discussions in the underground palace grew increasingly lively!
As time passed, the group of mysterious cultivators gradually finalized all the details and the distribution of benefits.

Half a day later!
As the sun set, the sky outside the underground palace gradually darkened.
The discussions inside the hall gradually subsided.

The mysterious cultivator wearing a black mask, seated on the main stone throne, slowly rose to his feet, exuding a powerful and majestic aura, and spoke:
"With the full support and concerted efforts of all fellow Daoists, we will surely be able to eliminate the greatest threat to our sect and kill that Nascent Soul stage monster."

"Let's restore peace to the cultivation world!"

The voice paused slightly.

His tone grew increasingly solemn, and as he swept his gaze over all the cultivators in the hall, he slowly said:

"However, this matter is of great importance and extremely dangerous, and there is no room for the slightest mistake."

To prevent any unforeseen circumstances and to avoid anyone leaking information or backing out at the last minute, I urge all fellow Daoists to pledge their inner demons in a solemn oath.

Firstly, to prevent the information from leaking out and being discovered by that old monster, which could lead to the failure of the plan;

Secondly, it prevents anyone from hesitating at the last minute, or even turning against the enemy, thus implicating everyone.

Fellow Daoists, what are your thoughts?

Upon hearing this,

The cultivators in the hall all tensed up, knowing full well that the Great Oath of the Inner Demon was the final constraint.

It is also the only bond that holds their alliance together.

The mysterious cultivator wearing the jade fox mask immediately stood up and said loudly:
"Fellow Daoist's considerations are very thorough!"

After all, this matter is far too important; it concerns the life and death of every sect.

Even the slightest deviation or error could lead to the exact opposite result: death, destruction of the sect, and annihilation.
This is absolutely not what any of the fellow cultivators present wanted to see.

"Therefore, I agree with your suggestion, fellow Daoist, and am willing to swear a solemn oath to my heart's demons, promising never to divulge any secrets and never to retreat in the face of battle."
Anyone who disobeys will suffer a backlash from their inner demons, their soul scattered and their spirit destroyed!

Then,

Another impassioned voice rang out, its tone resolute:

"good!
This matter allows no room for carelessness; we must maintain a coordinated pace and work together to succeed.

"If anyone dares to leak the secret, or betray us in the face of battle, no one will leave this underground palace today!"

"···"

As one cultivator after another spoke up in agreement...

Those cultivators who still harbored some hesitation gradually came to terms with reality—

They knew that if they didn't agree to swear an oath against their inner demons, they would have no chance of leaving this underground palace today.
Not only that...
Their sects will also be targeted and annihilated by all the sects present, ultimately leading to their destruction.

Therefore, even though they had some reservations, they could only grit their teeth, nod in agreement, and swear an oath against their inner demons.

Immediately!

The mysterious cultivator wearing the black mask, right before the eyes of all the cultivators, slowly spoke again, making a great oath against his inner demons:
"Today, I pledge my Dao heart as my guarantee, and my inner demons as my witness, that I am willing to work hand in hand with all my fellow Daoists to kill the president of the Cultivator Association. I will never leak this secret, I will never retreat in the face of battle, and I will never turn against them."
If one disobeys, one will suffer the backlash of inner demons, one's foundation of cultivation will be completely destroyed, one's soul will be scattered, and one will never be reborn!

As each word was spoken, it resonated from behind the black mask...
A mysterious and ancient rhythm slowly emanated from his body, as if it were connected to some unknown power in the world.

The next moment, a magnificent and majestic will, like the might of heaven, slowly descended, filling every corner of this underground palace.
His imposing presence commanded respect from all the cultivators present, causing them to remain solemn and not daring to slacken their guard in the slightest.

Time slips away, bit by bit...

As the black-masked monk uttered his last word, that magnificent and majestic will vanished without a trace.

It was as if it had never existed.

Then,

The cultivator wearing the jade fox mask did not hesitate at all and slowly spoke.
A hoarse voice echoed within the underground palace.
They also made a solemn vow against their inner demons.

In an instant, the magnificent will that had suddenly vanished returned, enveloping the entire underground palace.

The masked cultivator with the jade fox mask only disappeared quietly after he finished making his vow.

Soon,
All the cultivators inside the hall took turns making a solemn oath against their inner demons.

Every vow was made with utmost solemnity, and every vow was witnessed by the will of heaven and earth.

Until finally, the mysterious monk, whose hood had fallen down, revealing only a sliver of his taut jawline, swore a great oath against his inner demons…
This solemn and dignified oath-taking ceremony finally came to an end.

The cultivator wearing a black mask slowly swept his satisfied gaze over everyone in the hall.
Seeing that everyone had taken their oaths, a look of relief appeared on his face, and he slowly began to speak:

"it is good!

Since all of you fellow Daoists have sworn an oath, from this day forward, we are allies who will live and die together.

Next, I urge all fellow cultivators to return to their sects, make full preparations, and act according to the plan we have agreed upon. Do not make the slightest mistake.

"understand!"

"Fellow Daoist, rest assured, this matter concerns the future fate of our sect."

"Since it concerns our own path to immortality, we will naturally not be careless and will definitely prepare with all our might!"

"We will definitely keep our appointment on time and work together to kill that old monster!"

"···"

The cultivators responded one after another, their voices filled with determination.

The black-masked cultivator nodded slightly and said:

"Yes! That's excellent."

"Then I'll take my leave to go back and arrange the follow-up matters. Farewell, fellow Daoists."

After saying that,

His figure flashed, like a ghost, transforming into a black streak of light, instantly passing through the palace gates and disappearing from everyone's sight.

The speed was astonishing.

Immediately, the other cultivators in the hall exchanged glances, nodded slightly, and each used their movement techniques to transform into streaks of light, leaving the underground palace one after another to prepare for the task of killing the Nascent Soul Venerable.

A moment later,
This underground palace, which once gathered a group of powerful figures from the cultivation world and discussed earth-shattering conspiracies, is now completely empty.
There was not a sound of human voices.
Only the cold stone seats and mottled walls remain, telling the story of the commotion that had just occurred.

Even the top-tier law array that shrouded the underground palace to conceal their presence vanished quietly along with the departing cultivators.
It was as if they had never existed.

suddenly.

A deafening roar came from deep underground.

The entire underground palace shook violently, and jagged cracks appeared on the walls.
Pieces of stone crumbled and fell, raising dust that filled the entire palace.

The earth continued to collapse, and the outline of the underground palace gradually became blurred.

finally,
Amidst a violent collapse...
This underground palace was completely reduced to ruins, buried deep underground, becoming one with the earth, leaving no trace whatsoever.
It was as if this underground palace had never existed.

···
The sun sets in the west, and the jade rabbit ascends into the sky!
A round moon, as pure as ice, hung in the inky sky, its clear light pouring down like a ribbon.

The starlight, following the moonlight's path, spread across the sky, casting a hazy, silvery-white halo over the boundless, surging, dark ocean.
When the waves rise, the silvery light shatters into stars.

When the waves recede, they condense into a mirror-like expanse of light, beautiful in a serene and distant way.

however,
As the last ray of dawn was swallowed by the night, the entire world fell into a profound silence where one could not see their own hand in front of their face.

Only Zhenhai City, this enormous immortal city standing on the shore of the Black Sea, remains brightly lit and filled with spiritual energy.

Thousands of lanterns inlaid with luminous pearls adorn the city walls, pavilions, and streets, while vermilion palace lanterns sway gently in the breeze.

The warm glow of the spirit fire and the clear light of the moonlight complemented each other, making this celestial city, stretching for hundreds of miles and with its walls soaring into the clouds, resemble a dazzling pearl in an endless sea of ​​ink.

It shone even brighter in the deep night.
Even across a hundred miles of sea and road, you can still see that ever-burning light.

Especially when night has completely enveloped the world...
This brightness seems even more jarring, and also more opulent.

streaks of light occasionally flashed across the sky.
Or perhaps a flying ship carrying monks and cargo—

The boat was engraved with intricate escape formations, and its sails were adorned with spiritual light, creating a soft whistling sound as it cut through the night sky.
Or perhaps it was the escape light of a solitary cultivator, a tapestry of red, orange, cyan, and purple spiritual lights.
Some were in a hurry, while others were leisurely, constantly entering and exiting through the city gates and airport, with an endless stream of people coming and going.

These flowing lights and shadows add a touch of dynamism and bustle to this ancient and vast immortal city.
Even though it was late at night, there was no sign of loneliness.

Instead, it exudes the unique hustle and bustle and vitality of the cultivation world, showcasing the profound heritage and prosperity of the No. 1 Immortal City in the Endless Sea.

But in this ancient, celestial city, the place with the highest foot traffic and the most bustling atmosphere...
It was still the same teleportation hall located in the city center, connecting all the major immortal cities. (End of Chapter)