Dao Equaling the Heavens
Chapter 221 - 158 The First Arrogance of the Devil Clan

Chapter 221: Chapter 158 The First Arrogance of the Devil Clan

By the end of September,

Gu Wen and his companions had traveled 500 li, conducting investigations in various places and frequently detecting the presence of the Devil Clan.

Chi Yu Zi used a Secret Technique to point the way, and there was no need for them to search for the specific location upon arrival because the devils had already been found.

A group of green-faced and fanged ape demons were digging in the mountains, setting up all sorts of strange and peculiar devil magic.

The leader, a white ape in ru-robes, holding bamboo slips, exuded a persistent aura, displaying the demeanor of a Confucian scholar.

By his side stood a woman in a green dress with a concealed aura, and a pig demon with a fat head and large ears.

At this moment, Gu Wen didn’t even need to see them in person; just a whiff with his nose from seven or eight hundred meters away was enough to detect a strong stench.

Just like in his previous life when he encountered other races, the devils had a very strong odor. Even the fox demons, known for their beauty, were no exception. They not only didn’t find the smell offensive, in their own race, it was considered a body fragrance.

This was somewhat similar to how animals rely on scent to identify information, but in the end, it’s just apes in clothes.

Upon detecting Gu Wen and his party, the white ape looked up and glanced their way. It then gathered its subordinates to retreat, clearly not wishing to have a direct conflict with Gu Wen and his company.

Chi Yu Zi’s murderous intent was blatant as she turned to look towards Gu Wen until he lightly put forth a single word,

"Kill."

Boom!

A streak of golden light struck the ground; Chi Yu Zi crushed a demon underfoot, took a single step that shattered a hundred meters of ground, and with a mighty burst of power, crashed into three ape demons, assaulting the white ape with all her might.

Dao Foundation at the Seventh Level, Sixth Level fulfilled.

Equalling Chi Yu Zi in strength, the white ape countered with a punch, only for its arm to split upon contact, the bones completely breaking.

The woman in the green dress moved forward to intercept Chi Yu Zi, flinging a golden figure with a lash of her vines for a hundred meters.

Her strength was uncertain, but judging from Chi Yu Zi’s expression, she seemed to be the most troublesome.

Gu Wen landed with sword in hand, surveying the white ape and the pig demon—the former a Seventh Six Level Dao Foundation, the latter a Seventh Five Level Dao Foundation.

"Are you the one called Red Dust?"

The pig demon, three zhang tall, with a body of green and two large ears, four long tusks protruded from its mouth like ivory.

It looked at Gu Wen with resentment in its eyes, charging forward murderously.

"I am the Saint Heir of the Dang Kang Clan, the blood-sworn brother of Suan Ren; return my brother’s life!"

The pig demon rushed forward, its green light shaping a thirty-zhang dharma form of a Pig God, plowing forward like a small mountain.

Clang!

With a single sword swing, the Immortal Sword’s residual form shattered the dharma form, slicing a deep cut into the pig’s sturdy face deep down to the bone.

"Ah! My face, damn, damn it all!"

The pig demon wailed, its dharma form collapsing, its hand covering its wounded face as it attempted to retreat.

It didn’t die?

Gu Wen’s eyes narrowed slightly, and upon seeing the pig demon’s golden bones, he understood.

It possessed some kind of defensive Divine Skill, extremely strong in defense, and he was one level beyond. Because the Sixth Transition Golden Pill was already the typical limit for a Golden Core, Gu Wen could also be considered a Fifth Level Dao Foundation fulfilled, further bolstered by the grace given by the Immortal Skill.

One was the Human Immortal Skill, two the True Sword Dao, three the Nine Revolutions Golden Pill.

Although the Nine Revolutions Golden Pill had yet to be completed, the Sixth Transition Golden Pill was undeniable. The problem wasn’t that Gu Wen was weaker than others, but that he couldn’t be invincible within the realm he surpassed.

With the Yuqing Daoji, he could be unbeatable in his own level, and on top of that, the True Sword Dao allowed him to surpass one level and yet be unbeatable. Additionally, having the Immortal Sword’s residual form enabled him to surpass yet another level, though not quite achieving invincibility, just like the Nine Revolutions Golden Pill.

His incompleteness meant that while Gu Wen could vanquish foes beyond his level, it didn’t guarantee kills, nor victory with a single strike.

Had Gu Wen faced Chi Yu Zi, he could have surpassed only two levels, that is, he would have a chance of victory only after achieving the Sixth Level Dao Foundation.

That was why he was so surprised; you mean even surpassing two levels, I can’t instantly defeat you?

Not being able to defeat an enemy in a single strike is not invincibility.

But if one sword doesn’t kill, then use two.

His thoughts lasted but a moment; in reality, it was just a breath’s time. Gu Wen once again gathered the residual form of the Immortal Sword in his hand, reducing his Mana further.

The pig demon’s face showed terror as it pulled out a Life-saving Magic Treasure, but not all treasures are Life-saving Pearls.

The sword aimed straight for the face, the treasure’s radiance shattered on contact with the Immortal Sword.

Clang!

In the nick of time, a black iron rod swung towards him, the Immortal Sword leaving a deep sword mark as it sliced.

Rushing to the aid of the white ape, the black iron rod swung as if shaking mountains, revealing a Seventh Six Level cultivation.

Gu Wen’s eyes gleamed fiercely as he once again formed the residual Immortal Sword, determined to kill this pig demon.

Otherwise, he could be forced into a war of attrition, which Gu Wen feared the most.

The Immortal Sword cut through the iron rod, destroying a Taoist Soldier in an instant, leaving a bloody wound on the white ape’s arm.

The white ape’s heart bled, filled with shock and awe.

This man was too strong, not only fighting beyond his level but also taking on two at once.

Had it not been for his own intervention just now, the pig demon might already be dead. But could he alone prevail in battle?

His hand was already reaching for the Immortal Sword’s sheath on his back, pregnant with an Immortal Sword ready to strike, pre-condensed within.

Thus, it didn’t consume Mana and was Gu Wen’s most powerful means of attack.

"A bit tough to handle, we’ll retreat into the Grotto Heaven for now until I recover my three souls and seven spirits."

Chi Yu Zi’s Divine Thought suddenly came, and as Gu Wen looked up, he saw the golden figure endure a strike from the woman in the green dress, then leveraging the force to rush towards him.

In the blink of an eye, as he discerned that the woman in green had a Seventh Level Dao Foundation fulfilled, and her own strength was on par with Chi Yu Zi’s without falling behind, he made his judgement.

If geniuses were divided into tiers, then being fulfilled was one tier, possessing Divine Skills another, and the benefits of Immortal Skills yet another.

The lady in the green dress must possess some sort of Immortal Skill.

If things continued this way, victory was attainable, but she was not the only formidable enemy, and it was not worth it to be seriously injured just to kill her. The focus was on the Earth Core Crystal, obtaining it would allow one to swiftly enhance their strength.

Chi Yu Zi wrapped Gu Wen and plunged headfirst into the Grotto Heaven, with Ao Tang and Yu Hua following closely behind.

-----------------

Within a mountain hollow, the void of the Sumeru Mustard Seed space appeared, undoubtedly revealing the location of the Grotto Heaven.

The entrance to the Grotto Heaven closed, and the demons were left with lingering fear.

Zhu Zhen gasped for air and said, "What do we do? Should we run?"

Originally, he had wanted to show off, but after nearly losing his pig life to a single stroke from Gu Wen, he had become obedient. If not for the White Ape’s rescue just now, he might have already met his demise.

The White Ape was also full of doubts and unease, unable to make up its mind, it turned its head to look at the woman in the green dress.

"I told you before, he is the most dangerous."

Chi Yu Zi may not be able to kill her, but Gu Wen’s sword can.

"Let’s retreat for now."

White Ape turned and left, with the other demons closely following, fleeing thirty miles away.

Suddenly, a strand of Divine Thought came from afar, like a green dragon made of light. It was mere Divine Thought, yet it possessed the aura of First Level Dao Foundation.

The eight-foot-long dragon hovered, looked down at the embarrassed state of the demons, and a deep, majestic voice entered their ears.

"Where is Qingcang’s Great Demon disciple?"

The demons were shaken, and the White Ape bowed humbly, saying, "Reporting to Great Dragon, we just encountered the Great Demon’s disciple. After battling a few moves, the Great Demon entered the secret realm. We feared that if the other party came out again, we wouldn’t be able to match them, so we planned to temporarily withdraw."

Tai, meaning great, is used for those above.

The dragon is the leader among the Innate beings, and the Dragon is the emperor of the Ten Thousand Demons.

Great Dragon is the honorific title for the Saint Heir of the Dragon Clan, a title held by very few in the Devil Clan and the only one recognized by all demon kinds.

In the past, Qingcang, the Great Demon, was besieged to death by a True Dragon in alliance with other Devil Ancestors, hence the Dragon Clan’s prestige grew even more, with its status comparable to the Sanqing Taoist Sect that was revered alone three thousand years ago.

The Saint Heir of the Dragon Clan is equivalent to the leading figure on the Human Race’s Earth List and Heavens List, The Three Pure Daoist.

"Guard the exit of the Grotto Heaven, after one day, I shall come alone to eradicate the demon."

The dragon-shaped Divine Thought spoke in a commanding tone then turned its head to look at the Vine Demon Qing Rui. Its tone was no longer commanding.

"Are you alright?"

Vine Demon showed an expressionless face, even revealing a hint of confusion. The surrounding demons bowed their heads as low as ants, not daring to pry into the Dragon Son’s private matters.

It was said that the True Dragon mated with all things – could the Vine Demon be the same?

The dragon-shaped Divine Thought disappeared, and the demons breathed a sigh of relief.

White Ape and Pig Demon behaved more respectfully toward the woman in the green dress, and then they returned to the entrance of the Grotto Heaven.

Seeing the morale somewhat low, White Ape couldn’t help but motivate them: "The Saint Heir of the Dragon Clan has crossed the boundary. We only need to hold them off a bit, and they won’t be able to come out of there for a short time."

Pig Demon, covering an injury that was hard to heal, asked, "Big brother, is this really safe?"

"It’s definitely safe. After this, our ancestors will surely reward us. A little injury is nothing," White Ape said, nodding firmly. As an ape, its brain was more nimble, and it analyzed with authority.

"Just now, I noticed that the person using the Sword Dao True Understanding Method consumed a great deal of mana. After just two Swords Qi, his aura was a bit wilted. This shows that the Sword Dao True Understanding consumes a lot, and he probably can’t use it many times."

"But I was almost killed by one sword."

Pig Demon still felt frightened.

White Ape continued to reassure: "Isn’t that why you have me and Qing on the same path? We each block once, and he’ll be nearly exhausted. Unless he can break through within a day, he can’t turn the tide."

He patted his chest confidently, slightly stabilizing the others’ hearts.

-----------------

On the border of Nanshui, within the clouds, a hundred-zhang-long black shadow appeared and disappeared, lying in the clouds and rushing towards the Earth Realm of the Human Race.

Beyond the boundary a hundred miles, a human figure was also flying at extreme speed above the white clouds.

Their eyes met for a moment, then without hesitation, the human figure attacked. The fingers moved in a spell motion, and a tremendous thunder roared into existence.

Boom!

Clear skies suddenly thundered, dozens of thick bolts of lightning fell, striking solidly on the black shadow in the clouds.

The clouds dissipated, and under the sunlight, green scales shone brightly. It had the head of a horse, the tail of a snake, four legs, but no horns.

Green Dragon growled, "Human, you deserve to die."

Then, the Green Dragon saw the attacker clearly, or rather sensed the attacker’s aura, and a look of seriousness and confusion appeared on its face.

In the clear sky above the sea of clouds stood a Daoist nun in a green robe, with wide Daoist robes that concealed her hands, her black hair cascading like a waterfall, her face not unmatched in the world, but the indistinct coldness in her eyes added a charm.

Especially her phoenix eyes, which seemed to carry thorns at all times.

She bore a striking resemblance to one of her sworn enemies, their features almost identical like twin dragons.

The so-called first among the current Human Race, The Three Pure Daoist, but wasn’t that person male?

The Daoist nun coldly said, "Ao Heng, you’ve crossed the boundary."

"Is it really you!? How have you become like this?"

Ao Heng sized up the Daoist nun. Because he was a latter-born Dragon, he couldn’t help but feel some lust in his eyes.

"Since it has come to this, why not come with me to the Dragon Palace and we can enjoy ourselves?"

This made the Daoist nun’s face grow even colder. She knew his nature well. Let alone being a woman, even if it were a piece of wood, these lustful insects would want to give it a try.

Boom!

Thunder shook the heavens, and the dragon’s roar quaked the sky.

Without much conversation, they launched their attacks against each other with all their might.