owlsbooks Chapter 112 The Dark Shadow of the Heavenly Demon
Chapter 112 The Dark Shadow of the Heavenly Demon
After Han Wei left with the imperial edict, Zhou Ning stood at the mountain gate for a long time.
"The True Man Who Protects the Nation".
This title was heavy, weighing on his shoulders and giving him an unprecedented sense of responsibility.
He could refuse the imperial court's rewards, but he could not betray this trust.
The people of the North are still suffering, the remnants of the Black Mountain forces are still committing evil, and the shadow of the extraterrestrial demons is still lurking in the void.
He must become stronger to live up to this title and to those who trust him.
He turned around, walked back to the back mountain, and continued his cultivation.
His cultivation at the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm was already stable, his true essence was as deep as an abyss, and his divine sense could cover an area of a thousand feet in radius.
Driven by his divine sense, the five flying swords darted through the air like five silver dragons. The sword wind swept across the pine forest, causing the pine needles to fall and form a green rain curtain in the air.
Zhou Ning sheathed his sword, sat cross-legged on the boulder, and closed his eyes to regulate his breathing.
Within the dantian, the golden elixir slowly rotated, radiating a warm golden light.
He could sense that the power contained within the Golden Core was dozens of times stronger than when he was in the Foundation Establishment stage.
If he were to encounter the Black Mountain Demon again now, he would at least be confident of a fight.
But he knew that the real enemy was not the Black Mountain Demon, but the extraterrestrial demon.
The Black Mountain Demon is merely a pawn; his master is the real threat.
Yan Chixia once said that the extraterrestrial demons were far more powerful than the Black Mountain Demon. They had no physical form and fed on the negative emotions of living beings.
War, killing, hatred, and fear are all their nourishment.
The more chaotic the world becomes, the stronger they become.
"We can't let them succeed."
Zhou Ning clenched his fist and made a silent vow in his heart.
In the days that followed, he cultivated while fulfilling his duties as a guest elder of the Demon Suppression Division.
Every few days, he would go down the mountain to the Demon Suppression Division's headquarters in the north to teach the guards how to slay demons.
He taught them how to identify evil spirits, how to draw talismans, how to use their true energy, and how to protect themselves in dangerous environments.
The guards listened attentively, studied diligently, and made rapid progress.
Han Wei was very satisfied with Zhou Ning's teaching and would praise him every time he saw him.
"Young Master Zhou, what you teach is far superior to what our own instructors at the Demon Suppression Division have taught us."
Han Wei laughed and said, "Those kids used to be so bad at drawing talismans, but now they can draw 'evil-repelling talismans' on their own."
Zhou Ning shook his head: "Lord Han, you flatter me. It's all thanks to their own efforts."
Han Wei patted him on the shoulder and said seriously:
"Young Master Zhou, the imperial court is very satisfied with your performance. They say that once the northern region is completely stabilized, they will bestow upon you an additional title."
Zhou Ning said, "Lord Han, I do not wish for any further honors. I only hope that the people of the North can live a peaceful life."
Han Wei sighed: "You're good in every way, except you're too modest."
Zhou Ning smiled but didn't reply.
On this day, he was giving a lecture to the guards at the Demon Suppression Division's headquarters when he suddenly felt the communication jade talisman in his pocket getting slightly warm.
He took out the jade talisman and infused it with a wisp of true essence.
Yan Chixia's voice echoed in his mind: "Zhou Ning, come back. It's urgent."
Zhou Ning's heart skipped a beat. He quickly bid farewell to Han Wei, used his lightness technique, and hurried back to Lanruo Temple on horseback.
When we returned to the temple, it was already dark.
The main hall was brightly lit by candlelight.
Yan Chixia was standing in front of the incense table, holding a letter in his hand, his face solemn.
His brows were furrowed, and his gaze was deep, as if he were pondering some difficult problem.
"Master, what happened?" Zhou Ning asked.
Yan Chixia handed him the letter: "It was sent by Xuanzhenzi. The rift in the Southern Frontier has reappeared."
Zhou Ning took the letter, unfolded it, and read it.
The contents of the letter were very simple.
Near the Flaming Mountains in southern Xinjiang, black fissures have opened again, and are even larger than before.
Within the crack, some dark shadows could be vaguely seen wriggling, seemingly trying to cross over.
Xuanzhenzi suspected that extraterrestrial demons were attempting to descend upon the mortal realm.
"Master, what should we do?" Zhou Ning asked.
Yan Chixia was silent for a moment, then said, "I must go to the Southern Frontier again. This time, the rift may be more severe than before. I need your help."
Zhou Ning said, "This disciple will go with you."
Yan Chixia nodded: "Okay. Get ready, we'll set off early tomorrow morning."
Zhou Ning returned to his residence and packed his bags.
He brought along the Qingfeng Sword, the Bixie Sword, and the Hanshuang Sword, and also tidied up his talisman bag, filling it with cinnabar, yellow paper, and various talismans.
He also brought with him the life-saving jade talisman given to him by Yan Chixia, and the communication jade talisman given to him by Xuanzhenzi.
With everything prepared, he sat cross-legged on the bed, closed his eyes, and regulated his breathing, waiting for dawn.
The next morning, before dawn, Zhou Ning and Yan Chixia left Lanruo Temple and headed towards the southern border.
Southern Xinjiang is thousands of miles away from Qingyun Mountain. The two traveled day and night, taking a full five days to reach the foot of Flaming Mountain.
Flaming Mountain, as its name suggests.
The mountain was dark red, barren, and filled with the pungent smell of sulfur.
The rocks on the ground were scorching hot, and you could feel the heat rising from your feet when you stepped on them.
At the foot of the mountain, there is a dry riverbed, covered with cracks, like wounds on the earth.
Xuanzhenzi was waiting at the foot of the mountain. When he saw Yan Chixia and Zhou Ning, he quickly came to greet them.
"Master Yan, Young Master Zhou, you've arrived."
Yan Chixia asked, "Where is the crack?"
Xuanzhenzi pointed to the mountaintop.
"At the mountaintop, the crack is much larger than last time, and it continues to widen. I have already ordered the area around it to be sealed off, but I'm afraid it won't hold for long."
Yan Chixia nodded, and with a flash, he rushed towards the mountaintop.
Zhou Ning and Xuanzhenzi followed closely behind.
Sure enough, there was a black crack at the top of the mountain.
The crack was about three zhang long and one zhang wide, resembling an upright eye suspended in mid-air.
Black mist seeped from the edges of the crack, emitting a nauseating stench.
Deep within the crack, some dark shadows could be vaguely seen writhing and emitting low growls.
"Without the Black Mountain Demon's feeding, they are starving and have become somewhat out of control. This seems to be a bit tricky."
Yan Chixia walked to the crack, stretched out his hands, and poured his true essence into the seal at the edge of the crack.
A golden light shone from the seal, and the cracks began to slowly close.
"Zhou Ning, help me!" Yan Chixia's voice was strained.
Zhou Ning quickly walked to his side, placed his hands on the seal, and poured his true essence into it.
With his mid-stage Golden Core cultivation fully activated, his abundant true essence surged into the seal like a raging river.
The rate at which the cracks contracted accelerated.
But just then, a sharp hiss came from deep within the crack.
Several black shadows darted out from the crack and pounced on Zhou Ning and Yan Chixia.
"Be careful!"
Xuanzhenzi waved his whisk, and a silver-white light shot out, shattering a dark shadow.
But there were too many shadows, constantly pouring out of the cracks.
Zhou Ning drew his Qingfeng sword and slashed out.
The golden sword energy sliced several dark figures in half.
He continued to channel his true energy into his left hand while wielding his sword with his right to slay the shadowy figure. He managed to multitask with remarkable ease.
Yan Chixia glanced at him, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.
"good."
The two worked together and finally sealed the crack.
The crack slowly contracted, eventually becoming a tiny gap that disappeared into the air.
Zhou Ning withdrew his hands and exhaled a long breath.
Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. Nearly half of his internal energy had been depleted, but a sense of satisfaction welled up in his heart.
"It's a success," he said.
Yan Chixia nodded, but his expression remained solemn.
"This is only temporary; the cracks will reopen, and next time they may be even bigger."
He looked at Xuanzhenzi: "Master Xuanzhen, send someone to guard this place. Notify me immediately if anything unusual happens."
Xuanzhenzi nodded: "This humble Taoist understands."
Yan Chixia turned around and said to Zhou Ning, "Let's go back."
The two left the Flaming Mountain and returned to Lanruo Temple.