The Battle in Journey to the West
Chapter 212 - 207: Demon Path Giants Convene at Sword Cliff

Chapter 212: Chapter 207: Demon Path Giants Convene at Sword Cliff

The Green-robed Ancestor ordered his disciples to keep charging into the Sword Cliff, but Song Lun’s Sword Dao will could kill them in an instant.

Song Lun was the Ancestral Master of Mount Shu Swordsmanship, whose cultivation could be described as heaven-penetrating and earth-shattering. How powerful was Mount Shu in ancient times? It was the foremost Sword Dao sect, but now, Mount Shu had weakened beyond recognition. Only by hiding within the Sword Cliff could these three thousand sword cultivators preserve their lives; otherwise, they would all be slain by masters of the Demon Path.

The Green-robed Ancestor was the leader of the Demon Path in the Southern Toad Continent while Flying Liann belonged to the Ancient Witch Clan. He had assisted Chi You in contesting the Human Path’s destiny but was defeated by Emperor Gongsun Xuanyuan. Suffering grievous injuries, he hid in the Uttara Kuru Kingdom, quietly healing his wounds until now. He emerged to collude with the Demon Path’s masters, launching a fierce attack on Mount Shu.

As soon as those from the Demon Sect stepped into the Sword Cliff, they would feel a terrifying Sword Dao will and mental oppression. Those with weaker willpower were directly annihilated, both Primordial Spirit and mind. Those slightly stronger could forcibly take a few steps forward, but still couldn’t withstand the inquisition of the Sword Dao will, with countless spitting blood and dying on the spot.

The Demon Path had recuperated, and their numbers were now considerable. This time, under the leadership of the Green-robed Ancestor, they launched a general assault on Mount Shu. This was because Flying Liann had revealed that hidden within the Sword Cliff of Mount Shu was Shennong’s Secret Realm, crafted by Shennong, one of the Ancient Three Emperors. Shennong’s Hundred Herbs Cauldron and Ochre Whip were concealed within it.

The texts say:

Shennong used the Ochre Whip to lash at the hundreds of herbs, fully understanding their natures—whether neutral, poisonous, cold, or warm—and what odors they produced. He sowed the hundred grains; hence the world hailed him as "Shennong".

Both Shennong’s Hundred Herbs Cauldron and the Ochre Whip were extraordinary Magical Treasures. The Ochre Whip carried Shennong’s great merit and was terrifyingly powerful, while the Hundred Herbs Cauldron also possessed great merit and destiny, making it a rare treasure. Moreover, Shennong’s Secret Realm obviously contained countless precious medicinal materials. This time coincided with Yuan Shi’s lecture, and with Mount Shu weakened while the Demon Path had been nurturing its forces—for if not now, then when to attack Mount Shu?

The crazed demons of the Demon Path had all been suppressed by Great Emperor Zhenwu, and the Uttara Kuru Kingdom had not stirred for many years; these insignificant beings were hardly noticed by the Great Emperor.

A person stepped forward; it was Indra from the Netherworld Blood Sea, cackling strangely, "Flying Liann, you had better not be deceiving us! Otherwise, I won’t spare you either."

Flying Liann snorted coldly, "Back when I assisted His Majesty Chi You in the campaign across the Nine Provinces, I naturally knew much about Flame Emperor Shennong. If not for Mount Shu occupying this place, would I have brought you all here to secretly take the treasures from the Secret Realm?"

Flying Liann, known as "Feng Bo," once had a colleague "Rain Mage" with the name Shang Yang, but neither was as strong in mana as Chi Songzi. When he assisted Chi You, he did cause some trouble for Human Emperor Gongsun Xuanyuan.

The Netherworld Blood Sea, having been used as cannon fodder by Buddhism and Daoism last time, and with Ming River taking a slap from Tathagata, began to recuperate and had not come forth for a long time. With the group of demons from the Demon Path besieging Mount Shu, they once again appeared, clearly having an inextricable connection to this matter!

Flying Liann couldn’t help but think: "Had it not been for Hongjun Laozu’s disciple, the Mysterious Lady of the Nine Heavens, assisting Human Emperor Xuanyuan, how could His Majesty Chi You have been defeated? Wouldn’t the world now be within my Witch Clan’s grasp? It’s a pity that my Witch Clan doesn’t have the protection of destiny. This time, within the Secret Realm, I shall seize the destiny of Shennong’s lineage, and then vie for supremacy over the Central Plains!"

Flying Liann’s presence here was not really for the Ochre Whip or the Hundred Herbs Cauldron, but for Shennong’s destiny—if he obtained it, he might well proclaim himself king!

In the past, the Daoist gate was known as the Mystic Sect. Hongjun had four true disciples, three of whom were the Three Pure Ones and the last being the Mysterious Lady. The Three Pure Ones transformed from Pangu when he opened the heavens and earth and laid to rest, and the Mysterious Lady was born from the Heavenly Dao, whereas Jieyin and Zhunti were latecomers. After receiving Hongjun’s guidance, they could also address him as teacher.

Corpses piled up at the entrance of the Sword Cliff. Members of the Demon Sect kept dying. Song Lun’s Sword Dao will was too fearsome, and despite so many years, it remained incredibly sharp. To enter was to die, to enter was to die; so far, no one had been able to fully penetrate the Sword Cliff.

The disciples of Mount Shu within the Sword Cliff also unleashed their Divine Skills, reinforcing the Sword Dao will and making it even more powerful and terrifying.

The Green-robed Ancestor frowned and said, "In this case, how can we breach the Sword Cliff? And if the other righteous Sects come to the rescue, what then?"

Indra replied, "My elder brother will arrive shortly. With the Divine Swords brought by our ancestor, he will naturally break through the mental will enveloping Mount Shu’s Sword Cliff."

The Green-robed Ancestor couldn’t help but rejoice, "Excellent. I’ve long heard of the great reputation of the Abi and Yuan Tu Twin Swords. If we can enlist these two Divine Swords, we will surely break through the Sword Cliff!"

Yet the Green-robed Ancestor also harbored some worries. The Netherworld Blood Sea lineage was exceedingly mysterious and seldom emerged in the world. With the ones coming this time, who knew what cultivation they possessed? When they truly stormed the Sword Cliff and entered Shennong’s Secret Realm, contending for the Hundred Herbs Cauldron and the Ochre Whip, could they gain the upper hand?

Song Lun’s Sword Dao mental will was being constantly eroded by a war of attrition. Yet the will was so vast that, despite sending thousands upon thousands from the Demon Path, it still had not been depleted, a sight that made the Green-robed Ancestor grimace in pain.

The Green-robed Ancestor was chewing on a chunk of thigh, blood splattering all over his mouth, and he let out a weird laugh, "Would any of you Daoist friends like to taste this bloody delicacy?"

Indra replied, "I only consume human souls, not blood. The blood essence within the Netherworld Blood Sea is ten times purer than this; compared to it, this bloody food is nothing but dregs."

The Green-robed Ancestor inwardly felt displeasure. This Indra really didn’t know how to speak, actually saying that he was settling for leftovers? With a cold snort in his heart and a fierce light flickering in his eyes, he thought to himself that once he entered Shennong’s Secret Realm, he’d find an opportunity to strike and kill! Once he obtained the Magical Treasures of Shennong, he would flee a thousand miles and go into hiding to cultivate well. By then, with his Mana at Great Achievement and wielding these two Magical Treasures, he would certainly be able to look down upon all challengers!

Flying Liann’s brows knitted together as he thought, "The Sword Dao Will of Song Lun is indeed formidable. During the years of my severe injury and seclusion, the land of the gods actually produced such a figure!"

The Green-robed Ancestor stuffed the woman’s thigh into his mouth and chewed it up in just a few bites before swallowing it clean. Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, he said, "I see that the Sword Dao Will has already weakened a lot. Let the ancestor make a move!"

"Please!"

Both Flying Liann and Indra were eager for the Green-robed Ancestor to take action. His mana was also high, ranking among the Mixed Yuan Golden Immortal First Layer, and his Divine Skills were even more subtle and ingenious. They just didn’t know if his willpower could withstand Song Lun’s Sword Dao Will.

"Haha, hahaha! Green Robe, don’t you get fierce here. Let’s see how this lord fares!" A loud laugh was heard, followed by a blood-red light that covered the sky and earth.

The Green-robed Ancestor felt overjoyed and called out, "It turns out to be Blood Demon Ancestor! Haha, fellow Daoist, go ahead and see if you can break through Song Lun’s Sword Dao Will."

The newcomer wore a blood-red long robe. He appeared to be middle-aged and, although his features were handsome, they also carried an extremely sinister allure, with sharp fangs protruding from his mouth and blood-red hair. This man was also one of the giants of the Demon Path, known as the Blood Demon, self-titled the Blood Demon Ancestor.

The Blood Demon Ancestor said, "I have just come out of seclusion and have been negligent in greeting my fellow Daoists. I truly apologize!"

Indra thought, "This Blood Demon doesn’t know about the intensity of Song Lun’s Sword Dao Will. Just now, I used the Asura Mirror on top of my head to try to penetrate it and barely made it a hundred steps forward. This Blood Demon might suffer a great loss."

The Blood Demon Ancestor transformed into a beam of bloody light and charged into Sword Cliff. The Sword Qi immediately soared into the Nine Heavens, buzzing loudly. With a loud shout, "It pains me to death!" the beam of bloody light was seen flying horizontally out from Sword Cliff, his entire blood-red robe in tatters, looking extremely disheveled as he cursed, "Damn Song Lun! Even in death, you’re still restless, injuring the Primordial Spirit of the ancestor!"

As soon as he entered Sword Cliff, he felt the terrifying Sword Dao Will engulf him, as if he was being crushed by the Immortal-slaying Sword. His whole body felt as if it was about to split apart, and all the disciples of Mount Shu had poured their Mana into the character "Sword" on Sword Cliff, making its power even more terrifying. This encounter injured his Primordial Spirit.

The Green-robed Ancestor thought to himself, "This guy is still so reckless!" His eyes shifted as he said, "Let me give it a try!"

Descending from the summit, the Green-robed Ancestor reached the outside of Sword Cliff and then stepped into it, feeling the Sword Dao Will envelop him immediately. He considered, "This Sword Dao Will is still very mighty, but not as much as before! I shall advance a few dozen steps and then pretend to retreat heavily wounded. By then, they will be less vigilant of me, and I will have a much better chance of snatching the Hundred Herbs Cauldron and the Ochre Whip!"

After the Green-robed Ancestor walked a few dozen steps, he felt the Sword Dao Will growing increasingly strong. If he moved further, he feared that his Primordial Spirit might be injured, so he cried out loud, "It pains me to death!" Mimicking the Blood Demon Ancestor, he flew out without looking as disheveled and cursed, "This Sword Dao Will is still so formidable. Hurry up and stand up for the ancestor. If we can completely erode this will, the ancestor will reward you generously!"

"Yes!"

The people of the Demon Path roared and resumed their death-defying charge toward Sword Cliff. In a short time, dozens more were killed or injured, but the Sword Dao Will was also diminished considerably.

Indra unknowingly sneered, thinking, "Laozi is using the Asura Mirror and could only advance a hundred steps. What makes you, Green Robed Ancestor, think you can barge through?"

Meanwhile, disciples of the Netherworld Blood Sea, including Vishnu who wielded Ancestor Minghe’s Yuantu Sword, was heading to Mount Shu, intending to help the people of the Demon Path break through Sword Cliff and enter Shennong’s Secret Realm.

Just as he entered Shu Region, Enlightenment Dao, who was also heading towards Mount Shu, spotted him. Seeing Vishnu holding the Yuantu Sword, Enlightenment Dao felt his heart sink and thought, "The Netherworld Blood Sea is also getting involved! Such a troublesome mess! This guy is alone. I’ll capture and kill him first, then take the opportunity to seize the Yuantu Sword!"

Vishnu’s mana wasn’t very high, comparable to his, both residing in the Indestructible Realm. At this moment, Enlightenment Dao had murderous intentions in his heart.

Vishnu naturally had a peculiar feeling about the murderous intent, particularly since the Netherworld Blood Sea’s domain was the Path of Slaughter. Glancing back, he saw a person following him and immediately realized that this person intended to kill him, so he stopped and challenged, "Who are you, Taoist, to dare brew mischief here? State your name and Sect!"

"I am a Loose Cultivator from the Overseas Yingzhou Island! You and your kind besiege the righteous Mount Shu, committing grave sins. I am here to act as an agent of Heaven!" said Enlightenment Dao as he drew the Seven Stars Sword from his back.

Vishnu frowned and scoffed, "Fine, fine! I’d like to see what capabilities you have to slay me!"

As for the outcome of the battle, please listen to the next part of the story. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendation tickets and Monthly Tickets at Starting Point (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)