Immortality and Cultivation: This old man seeks enlightenment through mere survival.

Although Jiuyou didn't care about the lives of the cultivators below, he still had to consider Jiang Feng's safety.

not to mention--

We cannot allow the mist tide to continue devouring flesh and blood, nourishing Qingming and that Mist Demon King!

【Demon's Descent - Ultimate Form】!!

With a thought, the dark demonic runes that were moving all over his body suddenly accelerated, frantically darting under his skin!

The hideous "ghost back" on its back was fully unfurled! The demonic eyes were wide open, as if connecting to an endless abyss!

"The Nightmare Banner... an instrument of invasion originating from the Abyss, capable of commanding the Nightmare Demons, yet it possesses a flaw rooted in its very essence—"

Jiuyou's voice was icy cold.

"That is... it was born to conquer other races, and its laws... are ineffective against demons of the same origin!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the surging blood and qi around him were completely contained, and no more of it leaked out!

All that's left is demonic energy!

Even his eyes, burning with fighting spirit, were completely covered by magic runes, turning into a pure, deep, and absolutely black void without any reflection!

The life form of the Nine Netherworlds at this moment—

They are now indistinguishable from the true Abyss Demons!

"Roar??"

Meanwhile, the Mist Demon King, who had originally targeted the Nine Netherworlds as his "prey," had his empty eye sockets flickering with soul fire, filled with confusion.

In its confused perception, the target ahead that it coveted suddenly disappeared!

No, it didn't disappear, but rather became... [the same kind]?

Engraved in its underlying logic, one of the highest commands originating from the Mist Nightmare Banner:

During the campaign against other races, fratricide is strictly prohibited—effective now!

Normally, demons fight and devour each other, and are ferocious and warlike!

However, when obeying military orders to fight against foreign tribes, fighting among members of the same tribe was strictly forbidden, and orders were strictly enforced...

This is why the Demon Race can still rank among the top five among the myriad races in the Immortal Realm.

Its massive body froze in place, its waving arms and claws stopped, and it let out a low, restless roar.

The maniacal laughter on Qingming Zhenren's face froze instantly, turning into incredulous horror:

"No! How could this be?! Move! Kill him!!"

He frantically urged the military flag in his hand, causing the black mist on the flag to churn, and commands were transmitted into the consciousness of the Mist Demon King.

However, the Mist Demon King was merely restless and no longer attacked Jiuyou.

The priority of underlying logic is higher than that of all temporary instructions!

"I'm right behind you."

The chilling voice, like a death knell, tolled in Qingming Zhenren's ears.

He turned his head sharply and saw a pair of pure black eyes right in front of him!

The murderous aura of the [Ten Thousand Controls] sword, carrying the deathly aura of annihilation, cleaved down vertically!

Where the sword's edge passed, tiny black cracks appeared in the space!

"Do not--!"

Qingming Zhenren was in great distress, and his survival instincts caused him to unleash unprecedented potential, forcibly twisting his body at the critical moment!

"Pfft——!"

Blood spurts out!

A complete arm, along with the [Mist Nightmare Banner] tightly clutched in its hand, was severed at the shoulder by the demonic sword, falling downwards with a trail of blood!

“Uhhhhhh——!!”

The excruciating pain caused Qingming Zhenren to let out a shrill scream. For the first time, he felt the cold breath of death so clearly!

Fear, boundless fear, overwhelmed him in an instant!

Ambition and dignity are nothing compared to survival!

"Escape! We must escape!!"

This thought, like a spell, consumed his entire being. He lost all will to fight; only the most primal desire to survive remained in his eyes!

"Golden Core...emerges!!!"

His face contorted, and he suddenly slapped his dantian.

He forcibly expelled a golden elixir the size of a longan, spinning rapidly and containing immense magical power and the essence of life!

The golden elixir suddenly appeared, radiating boundless light!

A terrifying surge of magical power swept wildly in all directions like a tsunami!

This is the most dangerous and most powerful life-or-death method for Core Formation cultivators—

[External Manifestation of the Golden Elixir]!

In exchange for a brief burst of power far exceeding normal limits!

"boom--!!!"

The raging power of the Golden Core transformed into a destructive shockwave, forcing the approaching Nine Netherworld beings back a hundred feet.

He didn't care about the tiny cracks that had appeared on his golden core.

Taking advantage of this brief moment, Qingming Zhenren transformed into a chilling streak of azure blood light without hesitation!

“Whoosh——!!”

He unleashed the fastest Wind Release technique he had ever used!

He didn't even leave behind any harsh words, nor did he bother to pick up the severed arm and the military flag, leaving only a bloody trail that disappeared into the sky...

The humiliation of their defeat and escape is evident.

Jiuyou did not pursue them, for one should not chase a desperate enemy, and besides, the opponent's [external golden core] speed was indeed astonishing.

And his own [Demonic State] is almost up...

He reached out and grabbed the severed arm and the [Mist Nightmare Army Flag] on it, which flew into his hand.

The military flag felt cold to the touch, and there was a slight sense of resistance—that was the mark left by the Azure Nether Immortal.

"Hmph, you dare to resist something that's unclaimed?"

Jiuyou sneered. Having shared the remnant memories of the Mist Demon King, his understanding of such demonic creatures far surpassed that of Qingming.

Amidst the surging demonic energy,

It easily erased the mark that Qingming Zhenren had spent three years painstakingly refining!

Immediately, his own demonic energy surged into the military flag like rivers flowing into the sea, and in the blink of an eye, the initial refining was completed.

Holding the military flag, he gently waved it towards the still spreading, restless fog below and the enormous fog demon king.

"receive!"

Flags are waving!

The thick gray fog, stretching for miles, flowed back like rivers flowing into the sea, emitting a mournful wail, and surged back into the flag.

"Hoar--!"

The Mist Demon King's body twisted violently, letting out an angry roar as it stared intently at the "delicious" flesh and blood below...

However, under the forceful summons of the military flag, it could not resist and ultimately transformed into a thick plume of black smoke, which was forcibly absorbed back into the flag.

The fog demon totem seemed to become clearer and more ferocious.

The sky is bright.

The smog that filled the sky dissipated in an instant.

The long-awaited sunlight pierced through the clouds and shone again on the devastated Qinglongjin, illuminating the ruins and countless terrified faces.

Everyone stopped running and stared blankly at the sky.

Backlit.

The figure holding a black military flag, whose demonic markings slowly receded and who reverted to the appearance of a scholar in blue robes—like a god or demon who quelled calamities, both righteous and evil—was deeply imprinted on the soul of everyone.

They knew that after this battle, the skies over the southwestern part of the northern airspace were about to change!

Jiuyou slowly descended to the riverbank, his gaze sweeping indifferently over the survivors.

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly throughout Qinglongjin, exuding an undeniable authority:

"I'll give you three days to clean up this mess."

All of the Song family's treasures and resources have been inventoried and gathered here. I will come to collect them in a month.

He paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over the trembling representatives of various factions.

"At that time, all heads of families and sects above the Foundation Establishment level along the Tianqing River must be present. Those who are absent... will bear the consequences themselves."

The sound echoed across the remaining riverbank, and all around was silent.

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, none daring to utter a sound, not even daring to breathe loudly, for fear of attracting the attention of this killing god.

After a moment of silence...

Two slightly unsteady figures emerged from the ruins in the distance, supporting each other.

It turned out to be the wandering elder of the Yuntian Sect and Wang Pan of the Wang family!

Both of them were weak and covered in wounds, clearly indicating that they had been seriously injured when Jiuyou blasted them into the ruins.

However, this also allowed them to escape the most intense engulfment of the fog tide and the subsequent devastation of the battle...

When they woke up, they witnessed the shocking scene of Jiuyou severing Qingming's arm and subduing the mist tide.

It could be said that Jiuyou indirectly saved the lives of most of their disciples...

Elder Yunyou took a deep breath, suppressing the complex emotions in his heart, and bowed first, his voice slightly hoarse:

"The Cloud Heaven Sect will obey your command, Senior!"

Wang Pan immediately followed suit, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said in a deep voice:

"The Wang family also obeys the law! They will certainly urge all parties to arrive on schedule!"

In the world of cultivation, strength reigns supreme.

They knew perfectly well:

There's no deep-seated grudge between them and Jiuyou.

Previously, it was more due to being coerced by the Song family and driven by their own interests...

Now that the Song family has been destroyed, all of its top combat power has been lost.

The enormous power vacuum and resources left behind, especially the jade mine, are far beyond the complete control of Jiuyou alone.

At this juncture, although it may be a loss of face to be the first to express submission, it may win a new order for the sect or family, or even provide an opportunity to grow stronger!

This is a crisis, but it is also an opportunity!

Jiuyou glanced at them indifferently, knowing their thoughts perfectly well.

But he was happy with it.

Killing these people to establish authority would be pointless and would only create fear among everyone, making it difficult to take over the Song family's resources and control the jade mine.

A combination of kindness and firmness is the best approach.

Jiuyou nodded slightly, which was considered as acknowledging Yunyou and Wang Pan's statement.

Immediately, a whispered message reached Jiang Feng's ears as he cared for his mentally challenged father:

"Once this matter is settled, take your father to Yunli Mountain to find Lu Zaian. He... may have a way to heal your father's soul wound."

After giving his instructions, Jiuyou's figure flickered and vanished like a wisp of smoke.

The tense atmosphere on the shore only eased long after he had left.

A chorus of hurried gasps, as if everyone had just escaped a disaster, and suppressed sobs filled the air.

.........

Soon after, with the departure of the survivors, news of the battle at Qinglongjin spread like wildfire throughout the southwest and across the entire region!

People were shocked by the downfall of the Song family.

They were horrified by the defeat and escape of the Azure Nether Immortal.

They spoke of the "Nine Netherworlds" with a mixture of fear and awe.

Various legends about him were passed down orally with embellishments.

Among them, a few lines of poetry, whose author is unknown or perhaps a collection of many voices, began to circulate in restaurants, teahouses, markets, and cave dwellings, recounting the earth-shattering events of that day. This is known as:

"A lone figure in a green robe crosses the river, his fists shattering the Song mansion and collapsing the Cloud Terrace."

The demonic appearance of the Dharma terrifies gods and ghosts; the sword breaks the underworld, causing widespread sorrow.

The fog and demons have vanished, and the river and sea are now at peace.

From this day forward, who will rule the Qinghe River? The child cries at night, fearing the spirit of the departed!

of course.

That's a story for another time...