Dao of The Demonic Cultivator

"In the north, the Zombie Empress continues to expand her territory, but instead of heading south, she is moving westward, where she has encountered the expanding man-eating vines..."

"Additionally, there's a faction known as Science City rapidly growing, commanding at least thirty Superhumans and absorbing remnants of the Linjiang Army, also locking horns with the Zombie Empress..."

"In the east... only a few scattered factions exist, with just two or three Superhumans."

"Current situation from Black Blade: eleven Level One Superhumans, five Level Two Superhumans, two Level Three Superhumans, overseeing over three thousand survivors."

Chu Xuan nodded slightly as he read.

It seemed that Wang Gang and his team truly valued the opportunity he had given them initially. They were handling things systematically.

Originally, Chu Xuan had some thoughts about the Zombie Empress. However, the Zombie Matriarch had already been nurtured into a Level Five zombie, and it was foreseeable that her rank would continue to rise. The Zombie Empress was probably even more formidable now.

Chu Xuan had lost interest in dealing with that creature.

As for the formations and collapses of other Superhuman factions, he regarded them as no more interesting than children playing house.

"Continue researching the Venom Scripture..."

Chu Xuan spread out the scrolls and studied them attentively.

...

Mystic Azure Realm, one month later.

Chu Xuan received another report from Chen Ge.

With Chu Xuan's approval, most of this report focused on the underground ruins of the Misty Mountains.

Chen Ge was proficient in his work. He had sent people directly to the nameless market outside the underground ruins, continuously spending money to gather intelligence. This was the only way to present the most complete, detailed, and up-to-date information to Chu Xuan as quickly as possible.

"The largest entrance to the underground ruins, located in the Bullhorn Mountain of the Misty Mountains, is now occupied by the Divine Star Sect."

"The remaining large entrances are located on several other peaks, some occupied by the Divine Star Sect, and others by the Heavenly Seal Sect and the Imperial Spirit Mountain."

"The Mystical Sound Palace and the Golden Dragon Temple have already had Golden Core cultivators arrive at the Misty Mountains. The orthodox sects are on the verge of conflict, likely to escalate into open conflict."

"The first batch of cultivators to enter the underground ruins numbered fifty to sixty people. Fewer than a handful survived, and without exception, these survivors reaped rich rewards."

"Some were recruited by the Divine Star Sect, while others were killed by major sect cultivators for refusing to hand over spiritual objects."

Chu Xuan pondered.

It appeared that within those underground ruins lay treasures enticing enough to attract Golden Core cultivators. Otherwise, it wouldn't have drawn Golden Core cultivators from all five orthodox sects, nearly causing them to fight each other.

Given this situation, he couldn't afford to take unnecessary risks.

Chu Xuan continued reading.

The latest intelligence report arrived two days ago.

Chu Xuan's gaze sharpened as he read it.

"The orthodox sects have announced today that they will allow minor sect disciples and loose cultivators to enter the underground ruins, but each person must pay a price of thirty small spiritual stones."

"Allow?" Chu Xuan shook his head in disbelief. "If the treasures inside the underground ruins are truly as rumored, how could the orthodox sects possibly give other cultivators such an opportunity? They would prefer to seal off the entire Misty Mountains, preventing anyone from entering, not even a bug's egg."

"The orthodox sects are far from being true cultivators of 'righteousness'," he continued. "And the major sect cultivators are far from being noble. This sudden move must have some ulterior motive."

Chu Xuan recalled another matter. "Han Liuyun hasn't contacted me for a long time. His strength is comparable to mine, and there has been no word from him since he went to the underground ruins."

"Combined with the sudden benevolence of the orthodox sects," Chu Xuan pondered, "perhaps there are dangers in the underground ruins that ordinary people cannot comprehend. This move by the orthodox sects is likely intended to use minor sect disciples and loose cultivators as fodder, to explore the path ahead."

Chu Xuan shook his head repeatedly. As a precaution, he decided to postpone his journey to the Misty Mountains for now.

...

Two days later.

A message suddenly appeared in the Water Curtain Cave.

Chu Xuan read it and was surprised to find it was from Wan Wuying.

"The underground ruins are actually the Ghost Palace of the Nether Dao Sect. I have already gone there to search for treasures. Whether you go or not, it's your choice."

Chu Xuan's brow relaxed. Finally, his master gave him a hint. If he hadn't received any hints, he would have gone to find Wan Wuying himself.

"The Nether Dao Sect... it rings a bell," Chu Xuan strained to recall the ancient texts he had read.

Wan Wuying had a penchant for collecting ancient texts, and Chu Xuan had managed to read some in his spare time.

"I remember now," Chu Xuan said to himself. "The Nether Dao Sect was a colossal demonic sect. At its peak, it occupied territories spanning eight kingdoms including Yan, Yu, and Yue. Later, due to the disappearance of their ancestral land and conflicts among the elders for power and profit, it fragmented into over a dozen major sects, including the Infinite Sect and the Corpse Puppet Sect."

Chu Xuan's eyes lit up.

Such an ancient and massive sect. The Infinite Sect was just one of its branches. No wonder even Wan Wuying, usually composed, couldn't resist the temptation and went straight to this so-called Ghost Palace.

However, Chu Xuan's momentary excitement quickly subsided, and he returned his thoughts to more practical considerations. It wasn't right to go, he shouldn't go, and there was no need to go.

In fact, he might even need to start worrying about his own safety. With so many Golden Core cultivators vying for a share at the Ghost Palace of the Nether Dao Sect, could his master survive?

Once Wan Wuying was gone, Chu Xuan would lose his support and have to find another path.

Moreover, the Hundred Refinements Sect of the Yan Kingdom and the Heaven Burning Sect of the Yue Kingdom—who knew what intentions they harbored?

The tensions between these two sects were palpable, seemingly on the brink of open conflict. If they caught wind of the emergence of the Ghost Palace, how would they react?

Thinking this through, Chu Xuan was suddenly alarmed. From the beginning, he had felt that the spread of information about the underground ruins was unexplainably fast.

Perhaps someone was deliberately stirring up trouble behind the scenes. Now, he couldn't rule out the involvement of the Heaven Burning Sect and the Hundred Refinements Sect.

"The cultivation world is too dangerous, I'm going back to Blue Star!" Chu Xuan shook his head repeatedly. "I must keep a close watch on the information about the Ghost Palace ruins and be prepared to flee. If there's any trouble, I'll directly head for Blue Star."

Chu Xuan sighed deeply. "If the master doesn't strive, the disciple suffers. It's tough."

At that moment, there was a sound from outside—not a message, but someone visiting.

Chu Xuan inspected and was surprised to find Junior Brother Xu Ming and Junior Sister Li Xiaoman.

"Why have you two come?" Chu Xuan flashed out of the cave to meet them.

Excitedly, Xu Ming exclaimed, "Senior Brother! Master has sent me a message saying that the underground ruins in the Misty Mountains are the Ghost Palace of the Nether Dao Sect! I plan to form a team to go to the Ghost Palace. Senior Brother, would you be willing to join us?"

Chu Xuan looked directly at Li Xiaoman. "And you?"

Li Xiaoman clasped her hands respectfully before speaking earnestly, "Senior Brother, I too received Master's message. I wanted to ask whether Senior Brother intends to go to the Ghost Palace to seek treasures."

Her demeanor was serious and dignified, clearly awaiting Chu Xuan's response.

Chu Xuan looked at the enthusiastic Xu Ming and the composed Li Xiaoman and simply smiled.