Great Red Immortal Sect

Chapter 218 The Crown Prince
Border, Shimofu, Jianguan.

There were gusts of strong wind and the sky was filled with smoke and sand. All that was seen was a desolate scene with few people living there. Occasionally there were a few remains of villages and towns, but they were now empty.

The terrain was dry, the sand was faintly red, and the broken corpses piled up into a small hill, including men, women, old and young. The ones on the top had shriveled up in the wind and sand, their flesh and blood dried up, turning into white bones, while those at the bottom were squeezed together in the blood-soaked water and could no longer be separated.

Occasionally, some evil spirits, smelling the scent of blood, would settle down next to the pile of corpses, meditating and practicing. When they were thirsty, they would scoop up a handful of blood, and when they were hungry, they would gnaw on a few corpses.

The clouds in the sky parted, and a sword light fell down, like an angry dragon, beheading all the demons of various shapes and sizes. Then, a raging purple-black fire fell from the sky, and the tall mountain of corpses turned into ashes.

Xu Xuan put away his sword and slowly let it fall. Lu Guan beside him said nothing, his face as gloomy as if water was about to drip.

"It was done by the monks."

Xu Xuan lowered his voice and looked further north.

"In the past, the six prefectures were quite prosperous. They were close to Tianshui, and there were many immortals. But when the Liao army attacked, these immortals fled like birds and beasts, while mortals found it difficult to escape. The Liao army's behavior was mostly barbaric, which is why this happened."

Lu Guan's figure was blurred, as if he was going to disappear into the smoke and sand. Moonlight swept over, and a sense of peace and tranquility enveloped the place, sweeping away the original bloody smell.

There was some pity in his eyes, and he said coldly:

"Thousands of immortals, whether recruiting disciples, raising slaves, mining or farming, all exploit mortals. They take human flesh and blood, and plunder their property, thinking it's justified. But when faced with disaster, they abandon their rule over the mortals and flee for their lives."

"Not everyone has the courage to willingly face death. I don't want to be too harsh on the immortals here."

Xu Xuan spoke in a low voice, looking at Lu Guan, his eyes darkening a little, with some unclear meanings:
"I've noticed that there wasn't even a foundation-building cultivator before. The highest level of cultivation was mine, but I was only in the late stage of Qi training. I used to think that if the Liao army approached, I would probably have no choice but to retreat with the people around me, and would not be able to care about the people under my rule or the disciples in my sect."

There was a complicated expression on Lu Guanqing's face. He still looked pure and ethereal, like a god. On the contrary, Xu Xuan had lost all his aura and did not show any of his sword immortal demeanor.

"Master Xu is already a Sword Immortal, and has great potential in the Purple Palace. It is easy for him to take care of the mountain gate, so there is no need."

"That's not the case. I remember clearly what I thought and did in the past. There is nothing wrong in telling me how I got here. If small sects want to survive, they often do things that go against their conscience along the way." The Dan Ting behind Xu Xuan made a soft sound, as if in response.

Lu Guan was a little stunned. After thinking for a while, he said, "Da Chi Guan is already a well-known righteous sect in Chiyun. Master Xu slew the Lotus Temple with his sword and saved countless people in the north, but there is no need to say this."

"The most fundamental reason I do all this is for the mountain gate and the people around me. As for the people, they are not my primary concern."

Xu Xuan was somewhat touched at this moment. The scene before him reminded him of the days many years ago when Fuxueshan unified Qingwei, and there were also piles of corpses like this.

"Fellow Daoist Lu was born in a fairy mountain and is the descendant of a sword immortal. You have room to do good deeds. In today's world, it is not easy to follow the right path."

Lu Guan was silent for a while, then spoke again, only whispering:

"Of course I understand this. Fellow Daoist Xu may have misunderstood my Taiping Mountain. My lineage is not well-known, and there is a reason for that. I naturally understand these things. The seniors in the mountain even taught me with their lives."

At this time, he no longer addressed Xu Xuan as the Master of the Temple or the Sword Immortal, but calmly called him Fellow Daoist.

"Then according to your opinion, is this right? Is low cultivation an excuse for committing evil?"

"Of course not."

Xu Xuan looked at the other party and spoke in a steady voice.

"Following the right path also has a price. It's not something that can be promised with empty words. I have practiced till now just to be able to pay it."

Silver-white lightning flashed in his pupils, and the invisible sword intent of punishment was condensed in them, which was extremely captivating.

The Taiyin Qi beside Lu Guan was so thick that it turned into frost and spread to the ground. He seemed to be thinking about something and said:

"Friend Xu has done real work and knows how difficult it is. When I was young, I also thought that the difference between good and evil was clear. If I were to encounter such a conflict one day, the worst that could happen would be to sacrifice my life."

"Looking back now, it's hard to tell right from wrong; right and wrong are all tangled up in one."

"There's no need to talk about this." Xu Xuan was too lazy to talk about this. He was only at the foundation-building stage, so how could he be qualified to distinguish right from wrong? If the people above really cared about the people, how could the situation be like this now?
If Jindan can use some tricks at will, the whole world will benefit. If the True Lords of the Ji Earth and Yi Wood paths are willing to end famine in the world, it would not be difficult.

The two men rose up on the wind, and in front of them lay a desolate fortress, covered with traces of war, fire and water. The stone walls were stained red with blood, and a murderous atmosphere was in the air.

"The sword is closed."

Going further, across half of the desert, is the front line of confrontation between Li and Liao. There is an ancient city at the foot of the pass. Although there are many monks in it, there are also many mortals.

Xu Xuan and Lu Guan restrained their breath and landed on the city wall together, gazing at the desert. According to Lu Guan, his master had already communicated with the King of Lanshan stationed there, and if there were any changes on the battlefield, they would notify him immediately.

"Why did the monk come here? Aren't you afraid of being affected by the battle between the two armies?"

At first glance, Xu Xuan saw that all of them were cultivators with fierce auras and behaved like independent cultivators. Although this place was close to a battlefield, these independent cultivators were not afraid at all and flocked to it.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, you don't know that although the war between the two countries is chaotic, it also presents many opportunities. In these six prefectures alone, countless sects and families have been destroyed, and many cultivators have perished. Even the military cannot plunder them all."

"Most of those who come here are desperate men, with their heads tied to their waists, following the Li army, just to seek an opportunity."

Suddenly there was movement outside the desert. A vast fire shot up into the sky, bringing with it billowing smoke, covering the sky and the sun. Numerous illusions appeared and disappeared, and safety and danger changed. It turned into a scarlet axe the size of a small mountain, and chopped down with a bang.

A ball of iron-gray gas rose into the sky from further north, and it was covered with animal heads, including jackals, tigers, leopards, snakes, rats, foxes, and all of them opened their mouths, revealing thousands of twisted and sharp white fangs, biting hard at the Lihuo Axe above.

The collision between the two caused a heart-pounding vibration. In the distance, smoke and dust rolled up, and a sandstorm was rolled up. However, the monks in the city were used to it and few people panicked.

With the cultivation level of foundation building, he could also get a glimpse of the situation across the desert. Xu Xuan looked at it and felt that the Lihuo Axe and the Iron Gray Beast Head were like thousands of auras condensed into one, and they were not produced by one person. The power was between foundation building and purple mansion, and it was at the level of Vow Power Vajra and Incense God.

"This is?"

Xu Xuan suddenly had a guess in his mind and stared into the distance.

Lu Guan, who was standing aside, spoke at this time, saying in a low voice:
"It's the battle between the two armies, with the general leading the troops and the soldiers under his command, and then supporting them with the battle formation, that's how powerful it is."

"It can actually possess the power of diamond. No wonder the two countries have to raise armies. Otherwise, even if they build more foundations, it would only take a thought from the Purple Mansion."

Xu Xuan's mind raced. This was the first time he had seen this secret, so he asked:
"I wonder how this military formation came about, and how it differs from the methods used by the Vajra Gods?"

Lü Guan was born in the Immortal Mountain, so he naturally had a wide range of knowledge. He said quietly:
"The gap between Purple Mansion and Foundation Establishment is insurmountable. The root of this is the different positions close to Daluo. Immortal Foundation merely depicts the mystical phenomena, while Divine Power is the manifestation of the Dao, as if reflecting the Dao. As for Golden Core, it enters Daluo and becomes one with the Dao."

"Most of the Vajra of Vows and the incense gods rely on the favorable conditions of the land and the people. They are born with incomplete lives and defects, and are controlled by others. Their status is extremely low, and they can only rely on the power of their vows to barely resist. However, those who have already achieved high levels of cultivation and have transformed into Buddhist or Shinto are different and are much stronger."

"As for the method of military formation, it was created in ancient times. The generals and soldiers are integrated into one, forming a human formation. It can indeed approach the King Kong, but it is no match for the Purple Mansion."

Xu Xuan's eyes were focused, thinking in his heart, even the elite troops of Li and Liao seemed unable to stop Zifu. The gap between them could not be filled by human power, but the might of the army formation was like King Kong, which made Xu Xuan a little frightened.

"Since this method exists, why don't the various immortal sects learn it?"

Xu Xuan looked into the distance thoughtfully. The combat power of the Vajra level was quite useful, but the various Purple Mansions mainly focused on training fighters and had never seen any of them raising an army.

"How can ordinary immortals afford this method?" Lu Guan sighed softly and said, "Those ahead are the soldiers of King Lanshan. To unleash their previous might, they need nearly a hundred foundation-building cultivators. They have been cultivating their Qi with secret methods since the beginning, connecting their auras and training day and night. Their immortal foundations are like one. In addition, they have a general with an extraordinary spirit and soul. Only then can they show their power." "Only the Di family has the qualifications to raise an army. Ordinary immortals, when it comes to famous foundation-building seeds, most of them carefully protect them and let them try to break through the Purple Mansion. How can they give up so many foundation-building cultivators?"

"I see. It seems that the Vajra of Buddhist monks is the simplest. With someone to help, and enough vows and power, it can be accomplished."

Xu Xuan's eyes darkened. The Buddhist method was the simplest. The incense and gods had to be worshipped and their golden bodies placed in the mountains and rivers, which was confined to one place. However, these monks only needed to place their wishes on the Buddha's kingdom, and they were free.

The two were talking at this time, but they saw the smoke and sand outside the pass stop, and the two armies stopped fighting and there was no more movement.

A burst of golden evil energy flew quickly from the direction of the desert and stopped in front of the pass. A young soldier wearing a white tiger beast mirror armor walked out. His aura revealed that he was already in the late stage of foundation building.

The scattered cultivators in Guan were in a state of confusion, thinking that this person was coming to pick someone up again. They all fled, but then they heard the person above them say in a deep voice:
"Fellow Daoist Lü Guan, is Fellow Daoist Xu Xuan here? Prince Shiqing invites you to the military tent for a chat."

Hearing this, Lu Guan looked a little puzzled and said:

"Song Shiqing is the son of King Lanshan. Why would he be looking for us? It's not the right time yet."

The soldier above saw the two people below, his eyes lit up, and he flew down with the wind, saying with a smile:
"My name is Mei Fengming. I've come to invite you two today. This isn't an order from the king, but simply a personal wish of the Crown Prince. I'd like to make friends with you two. Would you be willing to go?"

"Fellow Daoist, are you from the Taizhen Immortal Sect?" Lu Guan spoke first, recognizing the other party's origin.

"That's right. I'm from Binglin Peak and came here to practice." Mei Fengming smiled, looked at the two of them, and said, "You really have to go. Prince Shiqing has admired the way of the sword for a long time. If he wasn't busy with something, he would have come to invite you personally."

"Fellow Daoist Xu, what do you think?"

"You can go there."

Xu Xuan naturally would not miss such an opportunity. The other party was stationed at the border and must have a thorough understanding of the situation. Now that Tianshui Fudi had moved away, it had already conveyed extremely bad news.

Dali may have to give up these northern counties, but I don’t know when.

"Okay, in that case, let's go together."

Lu Guan's voice was steady. The three of them parted the clouds and headed towards the army formation, attracting the attention of the surrounding cultivators.

Going northwards, crossing the desert and breaking through the smoke and sand, we came to another military town where monks and soldiers were stationed. A vermilion military tent was located in the core area, with mysterious patterns of Vermillion Bird, Axe, Smoke Wood, etc. on it.

Mei Fengming led Xu Xuan and the other two into the camp, and they heard shouts of "General". It was obvious that Mei Fengming had great prestige in the army.

The three of them walked into the tent. In the middle was a pitch-black desk with various documents placed on it. A heroic man in vermilion soft armor sat behind it. His face was as if carved by a knife and axe, with sharp edges and corners, and he had a murderous aura unique to military formations.

Seeing someone enter, he slowly stood up, a smile appeared on his face, and his gaze lingered on Xu Xuan for a while longer.

"I sensed the presence of sword energy across the sky from afar. I think it's because the two sword masters are here. Come, please take a seat."

Song Shiqing ordered the servants beside him to move the chairs aside and invite Xu Xuan and Lu Guan to sit down. He looked at Mei Fengming with a serious look.

"Feng Ming, thank you for your hard work. The formation is still being built outside. I need you to go and take a look."

Mei Fengming nodded slightly, turned around and left. At this time, there were only three people left in the tent. Song Shiqing looked at Lu Guan and said with a smile:

"My father is on good terms with the Sword Immortal [No Doubt]. Meeting Fellow Daoist Lü Guan today is a blessing for both our lineages."

"If the prince is interested, Taiping Mountain also welcomes visitors."

"It's a pity that I have military duties to attend to, otherwise I would have to go there."

Song Shiqing turned his gaze and looked at Xu Xuan, smiling even more, and said:

"I heard that there's a new person in Li Country who has mastered the sword spirit. I saw him today and he's truly extraordinary. I wonder what Master Xu's Taoist name is?"

Xu Xuan thought for a while, then said in a deep voice:

"I haven't thought about it in detail before, but now I'll just call it [Disaster Repelling] based on the sword's intention."

"Well, it does have some of the grand aura of thunder magic. I asked a cousin about this, and he mentioned Chiyun's Great Red Temple to me. He said that Fellow Daoist Xu's magical power is close to that of social thunder. Is that true? Could you show me a little bit?"

"It's impossible."

Xu Xuan pointed his finger, and a pure silver-white calamity light emerged from his fingertips, hanging there slowly. The strong power of calamity and punishment dissipated, which was heart-pounding.

"It is indeed She Lei. Fellow Daoist is able to step into the lineage of the Thunder Palace and achieve the sword intent. It is truly a blessing for Dali to have a person like you."

"The might of Daoist friend's sword has spread throughout the country of Li. He can slay demons with his sword and bring about thunder punishment. This is not something that ordinary people can do, but..."

Song Shiqing looked at Xu Xuan, pondered for a moment, and then changed the subject.

"It's hard to describe the attitude of the various immortal sects towards you."

As he said this, he looked at Lu Guan and said with a smile:
"Of course, Taiping Mountain is well-known for its righteous ways, and Yuedi is the most peaceful region in the country. Fellow Daoist Xu can be trusted."

Song Shiqing tapped the table lightly, looked at Xu Xuan, and said softly:

"However, Fellow Daoist Xu should also give some consideration to his own path. Shelei is extremely special and is the focus of attention from all parties. Now, if you carefully count, there are only five Shelei cultivators in the Li Kingdom, and each of them is important. If Fellow Daoist Xu seizes the opportunity, he will have his own magical powers."

"According to your opinion, what should I do?"

Xu Xuan looked at the other party and vaguely sensed his intention.

"Leave the mountain gate and come under my father's command. I can find a technique for you and guarantee that you will break through the Purple Mansion. What do you think, fellow Daoist?"

"Why do I have to abandon the mountain gate?"

Xu Xuan looked at the other party with a calm tone.

"Fellow Daoist, don't you understand? What does the Shu Kingdom's past have to do with you? You haven't enjoyed a single day of happiness because of this past, and you're not from a noble family."

"As long as you pass the position of the temple master to someone else, and wait for him to establish his foundation, you can take it out from among them. By then, many immortals will support you. If you don't believe me, you can ask the person next to you."

Song Shiqing looked aside. Lu Guan hesitated, but still replied:

"I, Taipingshan, am willing to do this, but this is just a move..."

Xu Xuan slowly raised his head, his eyes flashing with pure silver-white lightning. He exhaled lightly and said:

"I'm sorry to have to obey."

(End of this chapter)