Attaining Immortality, Starting From Slaying Demons

Massacring an entire clan, obliterating entire families.

Such deeds were no different from those of a demonic cultivator, yet now they originated from the hands of an Immortal Sect.

The cultivators of Qinghai Mansion, as well as the followers of the Shuiyue Commerce Alliance, all had complicated expressions on their faces. They were involved and clearly understood the reason behind it, but other forces did not.

Once word of this got out, how would the various forces view the Nanyang Immortal Sect?

Moreover, Taoyuan Villa was a vassal of the Nanyang Sect.

But Sect Master Shen seemed to care little about these false reputations, quietly waiting for his subordinates to gather the Heaven and Earth Treasures within the villa.

"Bizarre indeed."

Jing Jingsong quietly shook his head to himself.

Originally, he thought Sect Master Shen rushed over because he was worried that Taoyuan Villa had tarnished the reputation of the Nanyang Immortal Sect.

But now it seemed that the other party didn't care about reputation either.

So, for what reason did he strike with such ruthless resolve?

Could it be because of the mountain of white bones in the deep pit, or perhaps the pitiful mortals on the cliff walls... Sect Master Shen did not seem like any kind of good person.

By the time a dozen or so Green Lion Spiritual Puppets had been filled to the brim,

The officials brought Shen Yi back to the deep pit and pointed to the bead above: "Sect Master Shen, this object is the source of the Great Formation set by Taoyuan Villa. Although their methods were vile and savage, speaking solely of the bead itself, it truly is a precious treasure."

It allowed cultivators at the tenth layer of Return to Void, who were at the end of their lifespans, to extend their lives and maintain their boundary strength.

If they could subdue it, it would undoubtedly be a fine asset.

"The heart can be good or evil, but magical treasures do not differentiate between the two."

A few followers of the Shuiyue Commerce Alliance whispered, their eyes fixed on that Treasure Bead, which was shrouded in a thick fog as black as pitch.

It was unknowable how many souls had been tormented over and over in it, and the resulting resentment was immeasurable, endlessly haunting, truly a terrifying sight.

"..."

Shen Yi looked up, then gently waved his sleeve.

In the stunned gazes of everyone present, a golden flame shot out like an arrow from a bowstring, bursting forth with a piercing shriek, and suddenly penetrated the bead.

Crack.

In the crisp sound of shattering, endless fog rolled out, once again turning the sky grey.

Amidst that sprawling mist, it seemed as if ferocious faces were hidden.

Each presence was exceedingly weak, as if they could be snuffed out with a flick, but their vast numbers were not to be underestimated.

"Sect Master..."

Jing Jingsong opened his mouth slightly; even a person as carefree as him instinctively felt heartache.

Considering the value of this bead alone, it might be worth more than the entire Taoyuan Villa combined.

The thoughts of Sect Master Shen truly were unfathomable to others.

In the instant the bead shattered,

The Great Formation of this place also quietly dissipated.

The figures between the mountain walls uniformly opened their eyes, but their eyes still held that struggling, sorrowful expression, as if they were mired in an illusion, unable to extricate themselves.

"These people are all ruined," Nie Jun withdrew his gaze.

"..."

Shen Yi's expression did not change.

This matter had nothing to do with him; he would help as much as he casually could, seeking only a clear conscience.

After contemplating for a moment,

he raised his palm again.

A Golden Bead floated out from the center of his palm, moving to where the dark smoke bead had been; soon after, Golden Threads wove and converged, forming a grand, ten-zhang-tall golden Dharma Aspect.

The towering and fierce Zhenyu Golden Body sat cross-legged, its thin wing-like robe gently fluttering.

"What is this?!"

The reactions of the Nanyang Sect's officials changed dramatically.

Even though this Dharma Aspect's presence was merely at the Divinity Transformation Realm, they exclaimed in amazement: "The Way of True Gods?"

"The thing I promised you earlier," Shen Yi said softly in his heart, then produced two Demon Origins and fed them to Lady Qinghua.

"Thank you for my lord's grace! Qinghua is ashamed!" Lady Qinghua was somewhat shaken, her voice tinged with a sob. She hadn't been of help to her master in a long time, and yet she received a reward.

"Help these people dispel some of the resentment, and those wronged souls as well. Once it's done, come back," Shen Yi nodded and turned to leave the deep pit.

"Qinghua swears to follow my lord's decree!" Lady Qinghua enthusiastically pledged.

It was only after everyone had returned to Taoyuan Villa

that Shen Yi looked back and asked, "What is the Way of True Gods?"

Jing Jingsong paused before explaining, "Like us cultivators, we respectfully refer to the nobles of the Celestial Court as immortals, but in reality, they are two entirely different beings: True Gods and the Immortals."

"The so-called True Gods build their divine bodies with merit and offerings and gain recognition from the Celestial Court, thus attaining the undying Great Dao."

"Immortals, on the other hand, roam the seas, cultivating the Dao within themselves. Compared to True Gods, their relations with the Celestial Court are not as close, more like clerks who carry out their duties."

"If it weren't for the special circumstances of Hongze, even sect leaders like the Nan Hong Seven Sons would have a chance to ascend to the heavens and become immortals," Jing Jingsong was clearly somewhat ignorant as well. Ending his explanation there, he simply sighed, "The object Sect Master Shen sacrificed before did indeed possess a taste of the path of True Gods."

Shen Yi listened quietly, his understanding of this realm deepening further.

When he first practiced the Ascension Technique, he had learned of the difference between heaven and earth and the Celestial Court.

He'd already accepted a gift from heaven and earth but had yet to truly engage with the so-called Celestial Court.

Of course, it was still too early to consider these things.

He just found it amusing that the Yin God Cultivators, who were deemed heretical within the Nanyang Treasure Land, seemed to be quite official here.

Shen Yi collected his thoughts, summoned his flying sword, and, accompanied by a dozen Green Lion Spiritual Puppets, left Taoyuan Villa.

...

The Nan Hong Seven Sons.

Shen Yi's departure with many cultivators already moved the hearts of many.

Once news was relayed back, the figures within numerous caverns slowly opened their eyes.