Unlimited priesthood

Chapter 171 Karma Fire
Several days later, Peach Blossom Mountain.

This was originally a cultivation market, jointly managed by several Foundation Establishment forces. Although there were conflicts between them, they were kept within certain limits, and overall it was quite harmonious, attracting many cultivators.

However, after the demonic calamity broke out, the major forces remained outwardly calm but secretly switched to cultivating demonic arts. In the end, they competed to form their cores, which led to a complete breakdown in their relationship and turned this place into a demonic den.

Today, the pink peach blossom miasma has disappeared, replaced by a scarlet blood mist that shrouds Peach Blossom Mountain like smoke and clouds. The surrounding area is deathly silent for miles around, with no living creatures in sight.

suddenly……

"Boom!"

Thunder roared, the sky and earth suddenly darkened, and ominous clouds rolled in, gathering at the top of Peach Blossom Mountain.

The crimson blood mist then opened, revealing a dilapidated market town. Amidst the ruins stood a mountain of white bones and skulls, upon which sat a Taoist priest in blood-red robes.

"Hahaha!"

The calamity clouds collided, thunder roared, and the blood-robed Taoist opened his eyes, then roared and rushed into the sky, actively facing the endless calamity clouds.

"Boom!"

Suddenly, a pillar of thunder enveloped the Taoist's body, like a thunder prison.

The Taoist priest, however, was completely unafraid. He moved nimbly and agilely amidst the thunder, unleashing streaks of blood-red light to counteract the tribulation lightning.

In this way, in an instant, more than twenty layers of tribulation lightning fell, but they were all neutralized by the Taoist's blood-red light.

Human power, upon reaching this point, seemed to have offended the might of Heaven. The vast cloud of tribulation suddenly contracted, twisting into a vortex within, spewing out the power of destruction, causing the Taoist below to freeze in shock.

"coming!"

"The final stage of the Tribulation of the Three Nine Heavens!"

The Crimson Corpse Daoist's expression turned stern. Knowing that the Heavenly Tribulation had reached its final stage, he dared not hold back in the slightest and poured all of his newly acquired Nascent Soul power into his natal demonic artifact.

He was a rogue cultivator from an unorthodox sect. Although he was quite talented and managed to form a Golden Core, he stopped there. He drifted overseas for more than three hundred years without ever seeing the prospect of reaching the Nascent Soul stage.

Just then, a demonic calamity descended upon the world, and the demonic path spread its teachings, wreaking havoc on the land. With his lifespan nearing its end, he decisively threw himself into it, not only extending his lifespan but also gaining many opportunities, ultimately achieving the Nascent Soul stage.

Once he survives this tribulation, he will become a Nascent Soul cultivator and enjoy hundreds more years of carefree life.

Therefore, he dared not be negligent and poured all his Nascent Soul power into his natal Blood Demon Banner. A Blood Sea Demon God bared its fangs and claws within it, appearing and disappearing, as if it wanted to break out of the banner to confront the Heaven-Shaking Tribulation.

He turned to the demonic path and cultivated the Blood Demon Scripture, the supreme technique of the Blood Demon Path, one of the Three Fiends of the Western Sea. This technique enabled him to forge three natal demonic weapons: the Blood Infant Sword, the Blood God Blade, and the Blood Demon Banner.

Among them, the Blood Demon Banner has the lowest difficulty in refining, making it most suitable for a self-taught, unorthodox cultivator like him.

Once this banner is forged, it can nurture the Blood Sea Gods and Demons. Not only is its offensive power astonishing, but it can also devour the karma of cultivators, dissolve the sins of heaven and earth, and thus reduce the power of the Heavenly Tribulation.

One is the origin of numbers, and nine is the extreme of numbers. The same is true of heavenly tribulations, with the highest being eighty-one layers.

Demonic cultivators plunder the heavens and seize the earth, burdened with sins and heavy karma. Therefore, their heavenly tribulations are mostly in the number six or nine, and in extreme cases, they may even face ninety-nine tribulations, as if they were being punished by heaven.

Fortunately, you have your brilliant plan, and I have my countermeasures. Both the orthodox and demonic paths have methods to resolve karmic debts and sins. This Blood Demon Banner is just a minor method. If the Blood Infant Sword and Blood God Blade are refined to the level of magic treasures, they may even have the power to "kill without incurring karmic debts".

Although the Crimson Corpse Daoist did not possess such abilities, the Blood Demon Banner, which he had painstakingly refined, had also encountered some fortuitous events. It not only helped him achieve the Nascent Soul stage but also eliminated most of his sins, so that his Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation was now only three out of nine.

If he were still a heretical cultivator, then this Tribulation of the Three Nines would still be a life-or-death crisis.

But things are different now. He is no longer a heretic, but the orthodox one, the orthodox demonic path.

therefore……

"Roar!!!"

With a furious roar, the Crimson Corpse Daoist shook the Blood Demon Banner, and the Blood Sea God and Demon nurtured within it rushed out, colliding with the twenty-seventh tribulation lightning that descended from the sky.

"Boom!"

The heavens and earth trembled instantly, the sun and moon lost their light, and only blood lightning remained, entangled and fiercely clashing.

The power of heaven and earth is beyond human reach.

But when a person enters the demonic path, sometimes they can also overcome fate.

"boom!!!"

With a final boom, the calamity rolled away, the lightning dissipated, leaving only a blood-red demonic shadow roaring to the sky.

"My path has been completed!"

The Crimson Corpse Taoist laughed loudly and shook the Blood Demon Banner again, attempting to retrieve the Blood Sea God and Demon that had broken through the tribulation and ascended.

"Roar!"

The Blood Sea Demon turned its head, revealing a ferocious intent, but in the end it transformed into blood light and entered the Blood Demon Banner, further feeding back its magic power to enhance the Demon Lord's body.

The Great Dao is fifty, and the Heavenly Evolution is forty-nine. No matter what happens, there is always a glimmer of hope. This Heavenly Tribulation is no exception. Not only does it contain the hope of survival, but it also contains opportunities that can help cultivators undergo a complete transformation and advance further.

Now, this Blood Sea God and Demon has seized a bit of pure Yang energy during the Heavenly Tribulation, complementing his own pure Yin body. The fusion of Yin and Yang has created a masterpiece, causing his demonic power to surge.

As the Demon Lord, the Crimson Corpse Daoist received feedback from the gods and demons, and his cultivation level improved considerably.

"Truly worthy of being called the righteous path of demonic power!"

Feeling the increased magical power within his body, the Crimson Corpse Taoist's smile widened, and he then descended and landed on the mountain of white bones and skulls.

"Congratulations, Master, on your successful Nascent Soul cultivation!"

Several figures flew over and landed around the White Bone Skull Mountain, bowing deeply to the Crimson Corpse Taoist.

It was his disciples and the prepared supplies.

"Hahaha!"

Having survived the tribulation and achieved Nascent Soul cultivation, the Crimson Corpse Daoist was in high spirits and became much kinder to his disciples: "Now that I have achieved Nascent Soul cultivation, I will go to Hidden Sword Mountain to participate in this grand event. You should cultivate diligently here and not disappoint my expectations."

"Yes!"

Several people knelt down and responded, their faces showing sincerity, but in their hearts they were secretly cursing.

In the past, if someone from a heterodox sect achieved the Nascent Soul stage, they would hold a grand banquet, invite friends from all directions, and feast for seven days and seven nights before dividing up all the benefits.

But now, no one has the mind or time for it, not even the Crimson Corpse Taoist.

A few days ago, the demonic forces breached Xuanxiao Mountain and then headed straight for Cangjian Mountain, intending to completely annihilate the Xuanmen cultivators and the two Heavenly Fate Heroes.

However, the Xuanmen sect was not to be underestimated. Several Nascent Soul cultivators joined forces, using the Xuanxu Secret Realm as a base, to set up a large formation and defend themselves.

Although the demonic path was powerful, it was difficult to break through this Xuanmen Grand Formation in a short time. It had no choice but to resort to its old tricks, surround Hidden Sword Mountain again, exhaust the power of Xuanxu, and wait for the opportunity to break the formation.

They then issued an order to all those who had achieved the Nascent Soul stage, commanding them to rush to Hidden Sword Mountain to join in the grand undertaking and annihilate the righteous path and the two geniuses of destiny.

The Three Heroes and Two Outstanding Individuals, with their destiny to vanquish demons, are like a sword hanging over the heads of demonic cultivators, their threat needless to say.

Furthermore, the demonic path had tampered with the transmission of its teachings, which could be used to manipulate cultivators. Therefore, newly promoted Nascent Soul cultivators like the Crimson Corpse Daoist had to obediently go to Hidden Sword Mountain to serve them.

This is the demonic path, a gate as deep as the sea; once you enter, you are no longer in control of your own destiny.

Just as the Crimson Corpse Daoist was like this, so were his disciples. Not only did they have to shoulder the heavy responsibility of providing backup supplies, but they also had to act as his henchmen, collecting various kinds of blood food and sending it to Hidden Sword Mountain to ensure the Crimson Corpse Daoist's cultivation.

It's a real rip-off! But they had no choice. The Crimson Corpse Daoist had placed a restriction on them. If they didn't comply, they would end up like the Peach Blossom Mountain cultivators before, having their life essence drained by the Blood Sea Demon God and becoming a member of this White Bone Skull Mountain.

"Then it is so. I'll be off!"

After assigning tasks to his disciples, the Crimson Corpse Daoist wasted no time and got up to head to Hidden Sword Mountain.

Although his Blood Sea Demon God gained the opportunity of pure Yang during the Heavenly Tribulation, greatly increasing his strength and demonic power, it also showed signs of losing control.

Therefore, he must rush to Hidden Sword Mountain to seek the Blood Demon Path's methods of restriction to suppress the Blood Sea God and Demon, otherwise he is very likely to be devoured by it.

This is the hidden danger of demonic cultivation techniques. Many tricks were used when the techniques were passed on, and he only found out when he reached the Golden Core stage. But the path was too deep to escape, and he could only go down a dark road.

however……

Just as the Crimson Corpse Taoist got up, he saw a figure suddenly appear in the distance.

A person approached from afar in an instant.

It was truly an instant, as if the ground beneath one's feet had shrunk to an inch. One moment one was on the horizon, the next moment outside the mountain, and then in the next moment inside the mountain.

"Um!?"

The Crimson Corpse Taoist's pupils contracted, and he immediately pressed down on his body, carefully observing the newcomer.

The newcomer was dressed in black, his imposing figure exuding a powerful aura. He carried a long sword on his back, which seemed to carry a hidden killing intent. He did not appear to be a cultivator from the cultivation world, but rather a martial artist from the Jianghu.

"Who are you, and what brings you here?"

Although he couldn't see through the other party's cultivation level, sometimes no answer is the answer. The Crimson Corpse Daoist's eyes sharpened, and he summoned the Blood Demon Banner, staring at the newcomer as if facing a formidable enemy: "I am a guest elder of the Blood Demon Dao. The Three Venerables of the Western Sea have clearly decreed that Nascent Soul cultivators must not kill each other!"

"puff!!!"

Before he could finish speaking, a muffled thud was heard.

The newcomer stopped, his right hand resting on his shoulder, gripping the dark red hilt of the knife, as if about to draw it.

No, it's not drawing a sword!

The Crimson Corpse Taoist's pupils contracted, and he lowered his head in disbelief, only to see a bloodstain appear on his chest, from which dark red flames ignited.

He has already drawn his sword!
It was right there in his own words.

The Crimson Corpse Daoist was terrified. He pressed one hand to his chest and waved the Demon Banner with the other. With his magic power surging, the Blood Sea God and Demon emerged again, but instead of attacking his opponent, he merged with the Demon Lord to suppress the terrifying blade wound.

Survival is the top priority!

"boom!!!"

But unexpectedly, as soon as the Blood Sea Demon merged into his body, the knife wound on his chest suddenly expanded, and the dark red demonic fire raged fiercely, burning and refining his flesh, bones, magic power, and soul.

"Roar!!!"

The Blood Sea Demon that had just entered the body immediately let out a shrill cry, its illusory form twisting and struggling to separate itself from the Demon Lord, the Crimson Corpse Daoist.

But before the two could separate, the dark red blade mark expanded rapidly, swallowing everything in an instant. The Crimson Corpse Nascent Soul and the Blood Sea God and Demon were all reduced to ashes in the Three Calamities Karmic Fire.

In an instant, just an instant, the Crimson Corpse Daoist died and his Dao vanished!
"Master!?"

At the foot of the White Bone Skull Mountain, several Golden Core demon cultivators were horrified, never expecting things to develop this way.

His master, who had just achieved the Nascent Soul stage, was killed by this unknown person with a single strike, and he couldn't even see the sword being drawn.

Who is this person?

A Nascent Soul Venerable?
still is……

"Walk!!!"

Their chaotic thoughts vanished in an instant, and the group snapped back to reality, scattering like birds and beasts.

However, as soon as the movement was made, karmic fire ignited, several pieces of the body flew up, and several pieces remained on the spot, turning to ashes in an instant.

Shen He landed, replacing the Crimson Corpse Taoist on the White Bone Skull Mountain, and closed his eyes to channel his demonic energy.

If the Sacrificial Demon-Slaying Sword follows a purely numerical approach, then the Karmic Fire Three Calamities Blade leans more towards "mechanics".

What mechanism?
Karma and its consequences!

This sword technique is surprisingly similar to his Holy Walker profession; it allows him to sense the opponent's karma and ignite karmic fire based on that karma. The more karma there is, the stronger the karmic fire becomes.

The Crimson Corpse Taoist is an example. Although he used the Blood Demon Taoist Technique and the Blood Sea God and Demon to remove some of his karma, it was only a part. Some of it remained in his body, entangled in cause and effect, waiting to be repaid.

Shen He slashed him with his sword, igniting karmic fire that pressed in from both inside and outside. The newly promoted demonic nascent soul quickly couldn't withstand it, and he and the Blood Sea God and Demon turned to ashes together, with all his essence becoming nourishment for the demonic sword.

Therefore, it seems that the Karmic Fire Three Calamities Blade is actually a demonic blade technique that counters the demonic path.

But this is not surprising. Shen He had already conducted an investigation and discovered that the great demon who created the Three Calamities of Karmic Fire was not a pure demon cultivator, but a demon Buddha who had turned from Buddha!

This can also be seen from the cultivation of the Three Calamities of Karmic Fire. The Three Calamities and Four Tribulations are Buddhist teachings. Using them to forge demons is to use Buddhism to forge demons, which is completely in line with the positioning of that demon Buddha.

As for why a perfectly good Buddha would fall into the demonic path, this is a unique characteristic of Buddhism.

Those who are enlightened are Buddhas; those who are extreme are demons!
The three calamities and four tribulations are the cause and effect of all things in heaven and earth, and even the world and the Buddha have their time of passing away.

However, entering Nirvana is not the end, but rather the beginning of a state of beginning and end and transcendence. After entering Nirvana, the Buddha will create the world and begin a new cycle of rebirth and new practice until he achieves supreme enlightenment.

That demon Buddha also thought so, but he took it to an extreme. He wanted to artificially accelerate this process, thus creating the three calamities of karmic fire, hoping to speed up the three calamities and four tribulations, and even his own annihilation, so as to achieve supreme enlightenment.

This clearly deviated from the right path, causing him to turn from Buddhism into demonism.

Therefore, although the Three Calamities of Karmic Fire is a demonic technique, it actually counters the demonic path.

This is only the early stage. In the later stage, when the Demon Blade is fully refined and completely controls the Three Calamities and Four Tribulations and the karma of cause and effect, it can even create something out of nothing and reverse right and wrong. Even if you are a righteous cultivator or a virtuous immortal, it can turn your "merit" into "karma" and burn it.

This is the mechanism of the three calamities of karmic fire!

Shen He hasn't refined it to that level yet, so he can only focus on the demonic path.

However, this is enough, especially for a newly emerged demonic infant like the Crimson Corpse Daoist. A single strike can ignite karmic fire to end it, and even the Blood Sea God and Demon cannot suppress it.

Of course, this is also related to his unorthodox cultivation method and his late-life conversion to the path of cultivation. His Blood Sea God and Demon Refining was not refined enough. If he were a proper demonic cultivator with the means to sever karma and reduce sins, he would have been able to withstand more blows and would not have been so easily defeated.

Leaving aside the matter of the dead, Shen He sat atop the mountain of white bones and skulls, waiting quietly.

He came here as the Crimson Corpse Taoist, but he was not only the Crimson Corpse Taoist.

Now that the demonic forces have surrounded Hidden Sword Mountain and trapped the Xuanmen cultivators in the Mysterious Void Realm, he is neither willing nor intends to rescue them.

After all, there were more than ten Nascent Soul cultivators, most of whom came from the orthodox demonic path. They had also set up an array outside Hidden Sword Mountain, giving them a perfect combination of timing and location.

Although Shen He now possesses a Golden Core of the Great Dao, a Demon Blade and a Dao Sword, as well as various other advantages such as his professional characteristics, and even achieved a brilliant feat of defeating three demons with his Dao Sword in the Mysterious Void Realm, that was roughly his limit.

Shen He estimated that the six Nascent Soul cultivators working together could form a check on him, and any additions would pose a threat to him.

Now that Hidden Sword Mountain is surrounded by demonic forces, with more than ten Nascent Soul cultivators on high alert, he certainly wouldn't go looking for trouble.

Therefore, he decided to go fishing and see if he could use the Crimson Corpse Taoist to lure one or two Nascent Soul cultivators from the demonic path, then defeat them one by one, like plum blossoms separated.

(End of this chapter)