In the middle spiritual realm, there is the guard tower.
This is a powerful organization with branches in all seven domains of the human race.
In the minds of ordinary cultivators, Zhishou Tower seems very powerful and mysterious, and it also makes them yearn for it very much.
But the guard towers are usually hidden in the dark.
But in the eyes of high-level monks, the location of Zhishou Tower has never been mysterious, it’s just a little remote.
The autumn wind is clear and the autumn colors are cold.
As we are about to enter late autumn and winter, the weather seems a bit grim and lonely.
Today, on the desk on the third floor of the Lingyu Main Building in Zhishou Tower, there is a slightly old map of the Seven Realms.
The graceful abbot of Shuiyue Temple stood in front of the desk with his arms folded, examining the map on the table carefully with deep eyes, as if nothing else was happening.
There are points circled in red on the map.
This represents the branch hall of the underworld that was destroyed by Zhishoulou.
Looking at the map, this red mark almost fills the entire map.
On the one hand, one cannot help but sigh at the wide range of the underworld's infiltration, and on the other hand, it also reflects the strong action capability of Zhishou Tower after the master of Shuiyue Temple took over Zhishou Tower.
However, the master of Shuiyue Temple, who had achieved brilliant results, did not show much complacency on his face at this moment.
She frowned and looked at the map, as if she had encountered something embarrassing.
Everyone said that she was extremely capable. In just three months of taking over Zhishou Tower, she had already driven the underworld into a corner, until they were almost completely wiped out.
Now that the chaos in the underworld had been quelled, she should have returned to Chang'an City to report to Xia Zhao.
However, she still stays in the Central Spiritual Realm and is reluctant to leave, which puzzles many people.
Some people even secretly wondered whether the owner of Shuiyue Temple was afraid that once she returned to report on her work, Xia Zhao would take back Zhishou Tower from her?
Only the owner of Shuiyue Temple herself knew that there were two reasons why she was reluctant to return to Chang'an.
First, the situation is not as smooth as it appears on the surface.
Although ninety-nine percent of the cultivators in the underworld were killed, the most important masters of the underworld disappeared completely without a trace.
If a cornered dog will jump over the wall, then why did the Lord of the Underworld, who was supposed to lead the actions of the monks in the Underworld and was the most brutal and vicious dog, disappear?
From this perspective, there seems to be something dark hidden behind the sudden rise of the underworld, which makes people feel unable to completely cheer up.
Secondly, there is another matter that concerns the master of Shuiyue Temple.
Huanling Sect!
The Huanling Sect recalled a large number of cultivators from Longcheng Pass and settled them in various state capitals. It even set its sights on the other six major Taoist sects. The purpose is most likely to take control of all the cross-domain teleportation arrays in the Zhongling Domain.
This is a very horrifying thing.
The master of Shuiyue Temple is not clear about the real purpose of Huanling Sect.
But she absolutely could not sit idly by. She had to stay in the Central Spirit Realm and investigate the matter thoroughly before she could leave with peace of mind.
However, this matter also involves the Dao Sect, one of the most important sects of the human race.
Therefore, even if she had caught some clues, the Shuiyue Temple Master could not directly hold the Huanling Sect accountable.
First of all, when faced with her accountability, the Huanling Sect could simply refuse to acknowledge it.
In fact, they just recalled the monks to the major provincial capitals, and did nothing else.
It was indeed too absurd to hold the Huanling Sect, one of the most powerful sects of the human race, accountable based solely on some confessions she had extracted in private.
In addition, she had finally got hold of some clues. If she started to make a big move without being sure, it would inevitably alert the enemy, causing these clues to be covered up by the traitor in Huan Ling, and everything would have to start all over again.
If you don't strike , then don't strike. But if you do strike, you must hit the vital point.
However, now another equally important matter was placed before her.
In Zhongtian Territory, outside Yanlan Pass, the giant demons swung their butcher knives.
It was a time of raging war at Yanlan Pass. The giant demons brought their large army into the battlefield outside the domain, bringing endless pressure to the human race.
Tianji Temple and Daxia jointly guard Yanlan Pass. Now that the war is about to begin, she, as the deputy master of Tianji Temple, should go to Yanlan Pass as soon as possible.
However, over at Longcheng Pass, the Heart Demon Clan also took action, watching with eager eyes, making people feel uneasy.
Assuming that there are traitors in the Huanling Sect, and most likely more than one, if they are not found in time, it is very likely to bring irreparable painful costs to Longcheng Pass and Zhongling Territory.
From this perspective, she shouldn't leave the Central Spirit Realm at this time.
"Eastern Region, Central Sky Region, Central Spiritual Region..." The master of Shuiyue Temple had a vague look in his eyes.
There are a total of eight city gates, including seven regions and seven mountains, plus Tianhe, which is the main battlefield. Now only three of them are experiencing turmoil, while the other five are still calm.
This made the whole thing extremely weird.
It doesn't seem quite right to call it the second war between Taoism and demons.
But it doesn't seem like it was just a test by the demons.
After all, the three holy demon clans started fighting at the same time. This didn't seem like a coincidence at all. It was obviously discussed in advance.
"The Sword Sect, the Tianji Temple, the Daxia Sect, the Huanling Sect..." She slowly recited the sects involved in the three regions again, and suddenly realized that these four forces happened to be the four sects that were most implicated during this period.
The relationship between their Tianji Temple and Daxia has always been very secretive.
In recent years, the relationship between Tianji Temple and Jianzong has gradually become closer.
As for the Huanling Sect, they were targeted by both the Tianji Temple and the Jian Sect.
After hesitating and pondering again and again, the master of Shuiyue Temple finally put the map away. His figure gradually faded from the third floor and disappeared into the shadows.
…
Qinling Mountains, Yanlan Pass.
The war between the human cultivators and the demon cultivators led by the giant demons has been going on for some time.
The war began with the bloody massacre in Chang'an, after Xuanzun's death.
Without any preparation, without any testing, there were four giant demon lords... now they should be called three.
In short, Youzun and Zhenzun, two of the three giant demon clans, personally led more than a million demon cultivators out of the abyss and entered the battlefield outside the domain.
The warships dispatched by the demons alone covered the sky like clouds.
There are tens of thousands of warships, some as huge as mountains, some as nimble as dragons, and they are all kinds of warships. They are densely packed and extremely terrifying.
The warship appeared out of nowhere, roaring through the sky and the wilderness, with a terrifying might.
In just two days, they passed through twenty-three small and medium-sized human city gates outside Yanlan Pass and headed straight for Yanlan Pass.
Finally, these warships stopped thousands of miles away from Yanlan Pass, facing Yanlan Pass from afar.
They were a flood of demons, a huge black mass with no end in sight, making people feel extremely depressed.
An unprecedented grand scene.
Even most of the monks in Yanlan Pass have never seen it in their lives.
In the , although there have been local battles on the battlefield outside the domain, and they have been very fierce, they have never been as fierce as what is happening now, where the demon cultivators have almost occupied the entire land.
Black armor, ferocious appearance, rolling demonic energy, bright demon soldiers, thick red halberds, blood-drinking spears, ferocious demon beasts...
This is an evil torrent that can make heaven and earth tremble.
Moreover, in the space channel behind the demons, there is a steady stream of demon cultivators pouring into this extraterritorial battlefield.
The Giant Demon Clan was not as restrained as the Soldier Demon Clan. Under the command of You Zun and Zhen Zun, they unceremoniously sent out team after team of troops to launch repeated attacks on Yanlan Pass.
Of course, Yanlan Pass was able to stretch across the Qinling Mountains and block the demons for 20,000 years, so it was definitely not so easy to break through.
The siege troops sent by the Giant Demon Lord were beaten back in batches by the monks of Yanlan Pass.
But Monk Yanlanguan did not feel proud or complacent at all, because everyone could see that the victory at this moment was just a small prank by the demons.
This loss is just a drop in the bucket for the demons.
The wind and rain are coming and the sky is dark.
The atmosphere in Yanlan Guanzhong was extremely dull and depressing.
At this moment, another shocking news came out.
Xia Zhao, the Great Xia Lord, has left Chang'an City and is about to enter Yanlan Pass.
…
"It doesn't seem like the second battle between Dao and Demon. It seems more like a gesture to vent Xuan Zun's anger."
Xia Zhao, the Great Xia Lord, stood on the tall city wall of Yanlan Pass, looking at the surging demon army through the distant viewing formation. His expression was calm, yet there was a vague deep meaning in it.
Elder Xuanji, one of the supreme elders of Tianji Temple, whose cultivation had reached the Venerable Realm, stood beside Xia Zhao.
"Your Majesty, your personal visit to Yanlan Pass can certainly boost the slightly depressed morale of the monks in this pass, but as Your Majesty, it is too dangerous to leave Chang'an City."
"Is Chang'an City safe?" Xia Zhao waved his hand to stop Elder Xuanji from going any further and asked back.
Elder Xuanji was silent.
He should have sworn that Chang'an was the place where the luck of the entire Daxia gathered, and it also had the Killing Zun Formation, located in the center of the human race, and was the safest place in the entire Cangqiongtian.
However, the Chang'an Massacre happened not long ago...
If it weren't for the sword immortal Chang'an who did not belong to any sect and took out his sword, Xia Zhao would have become a name in the long river of history along with Chang'an.
"I still insist that even if Your Majesty wants to lead the army in person, he should stay in the center of the army and not show up in public." Elder Xuanji thought about the terrifying demon cultivators gathering thousands of miles away, and thought that Youzun and Zhenzun might also be observing them in secret, so he said again.
In the world of monks, those in power are often also the strongest.
The only exception is Xia Zhao.
As the ruler of Da Xia, her strength is only at the eighth level, which cannot be said to be low, but compared with her status, it is indeed too pale in comparison.
"Does Elder Xuanji think that Yanlan Pass will be lost?"
"Yanlan Pass is naturally impregnable, but Your Excellency...Zhenzun and Youzun are now in charge of the demon army."
"Don't we also have powerful human beings guarding Yanlan Pass?"
Elder Xuanji's eyes flickered, and he said softly: "Your Majesty, I am not only worried about the Demon Race's Zhenzun and Youzun, but also the strong men of our human race..."
If Daxia can produce a King Qing, then isn't it possible that among these powerful men in Yanlan Pass, another Lord Qing can emerge?
Xia Zhao smiled and said nothing more.
Seeing that Xia Zhao did not respond, Elder Xuanji could only stay by Xia Zhao's side silently.
Xia Zhao was still standing on the city wall, gazing into the distance, pondering something.
No one understood why she came to Yanlan Pass in person.
Some people believed that she had sensed the depressing atmosphere at Yanlan Pass and came to boost morale.
Some people also believe that her visit to Yanlan Pass this time hides deeper thoughts and is of great significance...
But everyone was wrong.
The reason why Xia Zhao came here was for a very simple reason.
She wanted to take the sword immortal who was sleeping forever in Chang'an and see the many sceneries of the world again.
She took that position for the second war between Taoism and Demons and lived in Chang'an City for ten thousand years.
Because of the second battle between Taoism and Demons, Li Qiubai did not enter Chang'an for ten thousand years.
If the second war between Taoism and demons really breaks out, how could she be willing to accept it unless she sees it with her own eyes?
Xia Zhao thought so, smiled slightly, and looked out again, but he did not use the long-range viewing formation to observe the demons, but looked into the distance with his eyes.
The sun was setting in the distance, and its afterglow was gloomy and dim over the wilderness.
A breeze blew by, bringing a bone-chilling chill.
Winter is here.
…
Tianshan Mountains, Yumen Pass, and Liuxu Pavilion.
Xia Daoyuan looked at the young man who came to greet her, with a rare gentleness in her expression.
Only when facing the man in front of her, she was no longer the prince of Da Xia, no longer the fairy Luoshen with a frosty sword, but just a master.
"Are you healed?" she asked.
Lu Qingshan nodded, "Everyone is healed."
The disciple who was only at the Jindan stage when he was first seen had grown up rapidly in just five years. He became more and more handsome, and his eyes and eyebrows showed the heroic and calm demeanor of a general.
Xia Daoyun's eyes were a little dazed.
Yes, the man in front of him was already the young master of the Sword Sect recognized by everyone. He was growing stronger and was no longer the disciple who needed his protection in every way.
"Everything you did in Beihe Pass has spread throughout Yumen Pass. In addition to making the monks in Yumen Pass officially recognize your identity, you also gained a group of supporters." Xia Daoyuan was referring to the monks in Beihe Pass.
"But what you did this time was really dangerous."
She sighed, "I mentioned your name several times in front of the old sect master. Now I don't know whether it was right or wrong."
"Since I am the young master of the Sword Sect, I cannot avoid some responsibilities," Lu Qingshan did not pay attention to what Xia Daoyun said, and said with a smile: "Besides, Master knows that I have always been prudent. How can I act rashly if I am not sure?"
Xia Daoyun thought about it, nodded seriously, and said with satisfaction: "That's right, you follow me in this regard, and my teachings to you are not in vain."
Master, why are you pretending to be so? I was just saying it casually... Lu Qingshan muttered in his heart, but on the surface he was very tactful and gave Xia Daoyun enough face, "It's all because of Master's good teaching."
With the recognition from his disciple, Xia Daoyun's vanity as a master was satisfied.
She nodded with satisfaction, and continued, "I called you here today to tell you that there is news from Shuiyue that her investigation into the Huanling Sect has made new progress. Although this matter is currently being communicated between Shuiyue and me...but you almost died due to the conspiracy of some cultivators in the Huanling Sect, I think it is necessary to tell you this news..."
Xia Daoyun opened her red lips and told the story of how Huanling Sect wanted to control all the cross-domain teleportation arrays in Zhongling Domain.
However, compared to the demons who are now ready to make a move outside Yumen Pass, this matter, although serious, is not that serious.
Therefore, the Sword Sect can only devote a small part of its energy to continue paying attention to the Huanling Sect, and most of its energy must be kept to keep an eye on the Demon Clan.
As for the traitor within Huanling Sect, he could only be handed over to the Master of Shuiyue Temple for now.
Lu Qingshan left Liuxu Pavilion feeling a little depressed.
He knew in his heart that the matter of Huanling Sect was not over yet.
But just like Jian Zong, the more important thing for him should be Yumen Pass.
…
In the seventh year of Tianyuan, major events occurred constantly. From the beginning of the year to the end of the year, there was no peace at all.
As time slowly passed, the cold grew deeper, the mountains and forests turned yellow, and heavy snow began to fall and pile up.
All you see is white and yellow, which makes people feel depressed.
The imagery of winter is always not very good.
Cold, dead, withered, sleeping...
Perhaps only when early spring arrives can we see the green and vibrant scene.
In a blink of an eye, it was the last day of the seventh year of Tianyuan.
…
Zhongling Realm, Helan Mountains.
The Heart Demon Clan’s big moves have been going on for the entire winter.
The human race has been feeling very nervous.
But despite their big moves, the Heart Demon Clan has yet to launch even a small war.
This did not make the human monks feel relieved, but made them feel even more suffocated.
That night.
The sun had already set and the dusk was deep.
Dark clouds loomed over Longcheng Pass.
However, on the sturdy wall of Longcheng Pass, it was as bright as day, and the monks were circling around, with extremely strict vigilance.
We have to be on high alert.
The Heart Demon Clan has already been openly mobilizing its forces and showing signs of waging war for a long time.
But no one knew that today, at this moment, the North City, which should have been the safest place guarded by Dao Zong Huan Ling, and the North City Gate, which should have been tightly closed, had quietly opened in the night.