Dao Equaling the Heavens
Chapter 187 - 144: Sword Beheading the Devil Clan’s Genius

Chapter 187: Chapter 144: Sword Beheading the Devil Clan’s Genius

Gu Wen and Chi Yu Zi exchanged glances, their eyes filled with murderous intent.

Encountering others in Nanshui meant they were foes, not friends, and according to the intelligence returned by Jun Yan, four Devil Clan prodigies had crossed the border specifically seeking vengeance for ancestral bloodshed.

They had also had about enough, as anyone would be furious after being persistently blocked and chased.

Instead of seeking them out, it was these beasts who had taken the chance to seize their opportunity first.

Communicating with Divine Thought, Gu Wen declared, "Humans and devils are not compatible; there is no need for mercy or morals with these beasts. Sneak in quietly, seize the opportunity and strike them down with a blow from behind; if we can launch a surprise attack, avoid head-on confrontations."

Despite Chi Yu Zi’s unparalleled combat abilities and Gu Wen’s capacity to cross two or, perhaps, three levels to kill an enemy, the enemies they faced were too numerous.

"Understood."

Chi Yu Zi, usually upright and forthright, agreed crisply and wholeheartedly.

She had been raised since childhood with the principle that there was no need for tenderness or mercy towards the Devil Clan.

Though the Major Sects tacitly permitted the Devil Clan to cross the borders, the education for sect disciples fundamentally emphasized ’Humans and devils remain separate.’ Such a divide was akin to the distinction between nations and barbarians, both in Daqian and in previous times.

Whether peaceful and friendly relations were yet unknown, the mutual slaughter and conquest had continued for countless years.

Incidentally, Divine Beasts were not considered devils, though many from the Devil Clan claimed heritage from Divine Beast bloodlines. Reality was that Innate Divine Beasts could not reproduce.

The so-called inherited bloodlines were more akin to those who followed the Demon Blood Sect—self-modifications and imitations of Innate Demon Gods, much like the orthodox Qi Cultivation among the Mystical Sect, which modeled itself on learning from nature.

Thus, Ao Tang sided with the Sanqing Taoist Sect in conflicts between humans and devils, and following birth from the Jade Pendant, Gu Wen would undoubtedly stand with the Human Race.

This also explained why Divine Beasts were highly esteemed across the Major Sects—a long-lived, loyal Innate Divine Beast could stabilize Qi Fortune.

The secret realm wasn’t vast, the entrance only about ten feet high, embedded in the mountain body, concealed by weeds and vines.

Chi Yu Zi pushed aside the vines and moved ahead, with Gu Wen following, dragging the half-asleep Yu Hua inside while Ao Tang transformed into a falcon perched on Gu Wen’s shoulder.

"My Sword Control Sect’s secret realm occupies Earth’s Extreme, and each of the Five Elements Extremes nurture treasures; Heavenly Spring Mountain has the Sword Pond, Nanshui has the Earth Core Crystal. This is a medicinal gem for Body Refinement, also why members of other sects only achieve the Sixth Transition of the Golden Core, while our Sword Control Sect reaches the Ninth Transition," Chi Yu Zi explained with Divine Thought, and Gu Wen’s eyes sparkled upon hearing.

Treasures nurtured within the Five Elements, with the Sword Pond already containing countless amounts of emperor’s gel—could the Earth Core Crystal containing Heavenly Marrow be any less valuable?

Suddenly, Gu Wen thought of something and asked, "Speaking of which, why isn’t Sword Control Sect called the Golden Core Sect?"

Having mastered one of the Thirty-Six Immortal Skills, and being the sect’s highest-ranking Mystery Skill wielded by a Demi Immortal, shouldn’t it be named after her?

Ao Tang replied, "Because the founding master wasn’t unsurpassed. The Three Pure Ones were not established by Qingcang either. There are always some extraordinary talents, standing on the shoulders of their predecessors, who can go much further."

"Conceal your aura."

Chi Yu Zi suddenly cautioned, and soon after, a faint light appeared in front of them as everyone passed through the narrow passage.

The Grotto Heaven they entered was much smaller than the previous one, resembling an underground cavern environment with dense stalactites hanging from the ceiling.

At the center was a three-level platform, upon which Gu Wen surmised the Earth Core Crystal rested.

From a distance, several figures stood with their backs to them. On closer inspection, with mana focusing his vision, he saw they were not human.

But standing upright, with beast heads on humanoid bodies, emitting an undeniable stench of carrion that could be smelled from afar.

It was Gu Wen’s first encounter with devils, not significantly different from what he had imagined; the only surprise was that they weren’t fully human or beast, but somewhere in between.

Similar to the beast-headed human bodies described in Journey to the West.

There were just three of them, all with wolf heads on human bodies, each carrying a large saber.

Devils wielding weapons too? It seemed Journey to the West had not deceived him after all.

Gu Wen watched with interest, akin to a coronated monkey.

But it was understandable, as Immortal Land suppressed all strength; even physical power weakened a hundredfold, which the Devil Clan so prided themselves on, couldn’t rival refined iron.

They used their claws to dig various Spiritual Medicines into baskets, and the nearby area was pockmarked with holes, most of the Spiritual Medicines having been dug up already.

However, these devils were weak, only at the Third Level in their Dao bases.

"They are not the noble Devil Clan, just local devils that have been enlightened," Chi Yu Zi clarified their identity.

Enlightened, Gu Wen drew the Chopping Clouds Sword and quietly approached. Ten steps away, he sent out a Divine Thought and suddenly felt a wave of hope, a warning spell in effect.

Under the influence of the Five Spirits Primordial Spirit, wisps of Spiritual Energy like threads diffused through the void, extending towards a strange stone hanging at a wolf devil’s waist. The crudely shapedる stone was carved but embodied spiritual nature.

Devils were not entirely unintelligent, as they also possessed techniques similar to Artifact Refining.

Just as apes threw stones, employing the tools innate to primates, it was logical for devils, with comparable intelligence, to utilize tools.

Unfortunately, compared to the Five Spirits Primordial Spirit amassed through Yuqing Daoji, they were vastly inferior; Gu Wen crossed the alert spell virtually undetected.

"Hurry up, the king told us to move the goods quickly then head to the next location."

"We seldom enter the Human Realm; I wonder when we can freely devour Blood Food."