The Purgatory Calamity
Chapter 376 - 355: 15 True Gods_1

Chapter 376: Chapter 355: 15 True Gods_1

Litian Peak.

Within the cave dwelling, Pang Jian temporarily set aside the two urgently needed spirit spells he lacked and continued trying to control the Origin Demon Sword.

But there was still no success.

The Source Demon was defiant, yet truly getting rid of this sword spirit would render the Origin Demon Sword useless.

If he did not eliminate the Source Demon, no matter how much he erased its demonic thoughts and consciousness, it would always recover after a while.

"Outer Realm Demons are indeed the hardest to completely eradicate," Pang Jian sighed lightly, holding the Sword Command and browsing through the sword light symbols to read about recent strange and interesting events in the major worlds.

Lately, the major powers had all turned their attention to the Third Realm.

In Eastland, the three great divine countries each deployed divine generals and marquises to take charge of Universe Heaven and Black Nether continents, making ample preparations for battle.

The filth alien power rising from the Fourth Realm will, in a month or two, likely seep into the thick lead clouds below the Third Realm.

When that time comes, a great battle will inevitably erupt.

In the First Realm, news sometimes spread about when and who the Ghost Sacrificial Sect and Jiuli Sect of South Abyss, the Pure Land and Heaven Treasure Sect of West Soil, and the Desolated Terrains and Ancient Law Sect of North Ruins arranged to descend to the Lower Realm.

Through a small Sword Command, Pang Jian had gained a relatively clear understanding of the major powers in the First and Second Realms of Purgatory World, as well as some key figures.

He also learned that his master, whom he had yet to meet in person, was currently in the Jiuli Sect of the South Abyss, discussing major matters with various True Gods.

The convener was the highly respected Sect Master Li Wang of the Jiuli Sect, an ancient True God.

In Eastland, the four Divine Kings of the three great divine countries also personally visited the Jiuli Sect of South Abyss.

According to news obtained by the Sword Tower, those True Gods, sensing the terror from beyond the skies, discussed not only how to deal with the alien tribe’s invasion from the Lower Realm but also how to break free from the shackles and seals imposed by Alien Gods outside.

"The four Divine Kings of Eastland, Ghost Sacrificial Sect of South Abyss has two True Gods, one of whom is called Ghost Mother. Jiuli Sect has only one True God, Li Wang."

"West Soil - Pure Land has two True Gods, Heaven Treasure Sect one."

"North Ruins - Desolated Terrains also have two True Gods, and Ancient Law Sect has one."

"Aside from these, there are also two individual cultivators who are True Gods but have not established their own sects or powers."

"Not counting the Old Thunder Dragon of the Saint Spirit Continent, and no updates on Mysterious Turtle and Primordial Serpent. Including all the people on Purgatory’s Human Race side, there are a total of fifteen True Gods."

"Compared to the Fifth Realm, where each of the seven continents produced a Tenth-Order bloodline, the quantity is more than double."

"No wonder the main theme of their discussions revolved around the gods from the outer realms beyond the sky," Pang Jian pondered secretively.

Time passed, and then someone knocked on the door from outside.

"The four Great Elders summon you," came the cold voice of Chen Weihuang, his eldest senior brother.

Pang Jian was momentarily stunned. He opened the door to see Chen Weihuang standing alone and asked, "What do they need me for?"

Chen Weihuang glanced at the half-sword hanging at his waist and said, "It’s about the Origin Demon Sword."

"The Origin Demon Sword?"

"You’ll know when you get there."

"Oh."

Shortly after, within the imposing hall that was open to all peaks at Sharpen Blade Peak and lacked a dome,

Upon entering, Pang Jian saw not only the four Great Elders Liu Junhong, Xu Yu, Guanghe, and Wang Ce, but also three unfamiliar old men and a middle-aged man as gentle and refined as jade.

Behind the man stood Su Yue, whom he had once encountered at Drunk Cloud Tower.

"Pang Jian, this is Elder Cai Xin, he is Elder Lu Xiaolin, and this is Elder Shi Bingyun," Xu Yu introduced them spontaneously. This time, there was no smile on her face, only coldness as she said, "Apart from the Great Elder, the Elders of Sword Tower are all present."

"I can represent my master," said the dignified, younger-looking man among the elders, with a slight smile, "I’m Zhou Wenhao."

Pang Jian bowed perfunctorily.

From his exchanges with Qi Qingsong and Zhuang Yuyan over this period, and the information revealed in the Sword Command, he knew that the three Elders Cai Xin, Lu Xiaolin, and Shi Bingyun had once been followers of the Great Elder Jiang Ran.

Jiang Ran might not be in the Sword Tower, but these three elders and their affiliates were all spies for him.

"Recently..." began Zhou Wenhao.

He cleared his throat and said solemnly, "There have been outer disciples who couldn’t restrain the evil thoughts within their hearts and did some shameful things toward others’ female relatives."

"There are those among the outer disciples who, despite sect rules, have fought to the death in the towns below because of personal enmities."

"And many people, disturbed during cultivation, failed when attempting to break through realm barriers."

"There are even those who, reminded of past sorrows, actually took poison and committed suicide."

"All sorts of messy incidents have been cropping up lately, and there’s a trend of them escalating further."

While speaking, his gaze lingered on the Origin Demon Sword at Pang Jian’s waist, and he said, "Junior Brother Pang, if you cannot control the Origin Demon Sword, you should either place it in the Sword Tower to continue being suppressed by those three divine swords."

"Or, take the Origin Demon Sword and leave. Find a desolate place where no one goes, and only return after you’ve refined the sword."

He pointed to the Origin Demon Sword as the source of all problems.

Pang Jian suddenly understood.

The Great Elders and Zhou Wenhao had gathered to make accusations against him.

"It’s not necessarily the Source Demon causing trouble," Wang Ce frowned.

"Uncle Wang, you must know what the Source Demon within the Origin Demon Sword is," Zhou Wenhao squinted his eyes, speaking with reverence, "It’s a Heaven Demon from the Outer Realm! What Heaven Demons are best at, even if you haven’t encountered one yourself, you must have heard from my master, right?"

"The Source Demon draws strength from the evil and malevolent thoughts of nearby beings and can also amplify the evil side of the human heart indefinitely!"

"By amplifying the evil side of the human heart and inciting others to act upon it, the power it can gather becomes even stronger!"

"Needless to say, during the process of refining the Origin Demon Sword, Brother Pang must have grievously wounded it, forcing it to incite evil deeds, leading to the recent spate of troubles in Sword Tower!"

Zhou Wenhao, though young, had the audacity to contradict Elder Wang Ce, showing no respect for his elders.

"Pang Jian, about this matter..." Guanghe said in a deep voice, "Are you aware of it or not?"

"I am not."

As he denied everything, Pang Jian let a wisp of Divine Sense slip into the sword.

He instantly saw clusters of Demon Thoughts within the Source Demon changing form, indeed regaining their full power.

"It wasn’t me!"

The Source Demon, hearing the discussions, and upon seeing Pang Jian’s wisp of golden Divine Sense burst in, feared another round of attacks on its Demon Thoughts and swiftly denied involvement before exclaiming, "Not entirely!"

"I merely absorbed the evil and demonic thoughts that sprouted in their hearts, but I did not incite them to commit evil deeds!"

"Of course! While I do have the ability and the desire to do so, the stubborn old men of Sword Tower are still around, so I dare not."

"Stop blaming everything on me!"

The Source Demon’s thoughts emerged from clusters of Demon Clouds and Demon Flame.

Pang Jian, also feeling wrongly accused, calmly stated, "It didn’t do it."

"Brother Pang, we are well aware of its abilities. Even if you don’t know, you can’t say it isn’t responsible," Zhou Wenhao sighed and said earnestly, "The Source Demon is profoundly cunning. I could explain this at length. Brother Pang, trust me, return this sword to the Sword Tower as soon as possible. You don’t have the power to possess it."

"What a joke," sneered Su Yue. "The Tower Master’s direct disciple, specially selected a Demon Sword from the Demon Sword Sect, yet lacks the power to control it. If you truly don’t have the strength to bear such a responsibility, better drop it sooner rather than later."

His words carried a hidden meaning.

"Indeed, each sword, each position, comes with responsibilities to bear," Elder Cai Xin said.

"If it’s not possible, you might as well leave the Sword Tower with the sword and come back once you’ve tamed the Source Demon," Elder Lu Xiaolin interjected.

Pang Jian, who had only entered the Sword Tower a few days ago and had not yet obtained the Great Creation Sacred Body or the latter part of the Pot Heaven Nourishing Qi Spell, was now being pressured by several people to leave.

As the direct disciple of Pu Zhaotian, it would indeed be embarrassing to be driven out in such a disgraceful manner.

In the future, he likely wouldn’t have the face to stand in the Sword Tower again.

"I can’t prove that it didn’t do it. What makes you so sure that all the evil deeds instigating others are its doing?" Pang Jian challenged Zhou Wenhao.

Zhou Wenhao clapped his hands, "Bai Chuan!"

A pale-faced disciple in blue entered; he first saluted Lu Xiaolin, calling him master, then said, "While comprehending the intricate Pot Heaven Nourishing Qi Spell, I noticed the infiltration of evil thoughts. They were sword intentions that transformed into demonic thoughts: seductive women, man-eating Demon Flowers, and more..."

What he described was exactly as the Source Demon had manifested in Pang Jian’s Sea of Consciousness when he first touched the sword hilt.

Even Pang Jian couldn’t help but wonder if this man named Bai Chuan had truly been tainted by the Source Demon, which was why he looked like this.

"It has nothing to do with me. The evil thoughts in his heart aimed to destroy both books so you would never complete them. He curses you to death and wants the Tower Master of Sword Tower dead too. There’s someone pulling strings behind him," the Source Demon defended itself from within the sword.

"Pang Jian, do you have anything else to say?" Su Yue asked with a sneer.

Lu Xiaolin said with a cold expression, "My disciple was nearly killed because he was tainted by the Source Demon. Keeping Pang Jian in Sword Tower, with the Source Demon secretly causing trouble, more tragedies will happen!"

Cai Xin nodded, "Indeed, he cannot stay!"

The several who had elaborate plans all pointed their spears at Pang Jian, determined to force him to leave Sword Tower.

The four Great Elders were also troubled, finding no suitable justification to defend Pang Jian.

"What’s your name?"

Pang Jian asked, feigning ignorance as he looked at Bai Chuan.

"Bai Chuan."

"Bai Chuan!"

Pang Jian suddenly exclaimed.

Bai Chuan looked back, surprised.

"Whoosh!"

A streak of golden light flashed by, moving from Pang Jian’s forehead into Bai Chuan’s Sea of Consciousness, firmly locking onto Bai Chuan’s disordered Spiritual Soul.

"One must not soul search a fellow sect member!"

"Pang Jian! This is against the rules!"

"In Sword Tower, you are not allowed to treat a fellow disciple with soul searching techniques directly!"

All the elders were exclaiming in shock.

Amidst the screaming, the golden light swiftly returned, and Pang Jian, with an unchanged expression, said, "No one ever told me there was such a rule in Sword Tower. I have noted it now, and it will not happen again."

He paused, then looked at Su Yue, "I just saw that it was Brother Su who instructed Bai Chuan to pretend to be bewitched and destroy the remaining parts of the Great Creation Sacred Body and Pot Heaven Nourishing Qi Spell."

"In Bai Chuan’s memory, there are other images, all of Brother Su manipulating others to commit evil acts."

"If the elders don’t believe me, they can search Bai Chuan’s memories themselves with soul-searching techniques."

...