Longevity through Upgrading Buildings Chapter 683 - 297: Nascent Soul Monsters of the Righteous and Demonic Paths

Defending against Demon Dao assaults on the city had become remarkably straightforward now.

This was thanks to the extra forces available for mobilization in the Alchemy Square.

Liu Yuan’s demon-hunting squad had received fresh reinforcements yet again.

But on this occasion, no one from the Medicine King Valley joined them.

The other two, northern Corpse Transporting Mountain and Spirit Control Sect, each dispatched another Peak Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

They only set out sporadically, likely scarred by previous ordeals, making their actions far more prudent.

All in all, the following half-year passed without further incidents.

Still, amid this calm, Ji Yuan sensed something deeply off.

For this world... felt far too serene right now.

Indeed, excessively serene.

Shang Dong had obviously abandoned Shang Mountain, allowing the Demon Dao entry.

So what happened next?

The Demon Dao did enter.

Nearly a full year had elapsed since their arrival, but no major actions occurred.

Not even a single market had been raided, much less a devastating strike against one of the Six Sects.

The Demon Dao across all of Shangxi seemed to be merely going through the motions.

They showed none of the ferocious drive from their assault on Shang Mountain.

Did any of this add up?

Ji Yuan conferred with Liu Yuan and Li Changhe, reaching a shared verdict: the Demon Dao was biding its time for a massive strike.

A grand scheme was in the works.

Precisely what it entailed remained a mystery.

If Ji Yuan and his allies could spot this, so could countless other cultivators.

Everyone waited tensely, or more accurately... probed for clues.

Uncovering the Demon Dao’s impending colossal scheme.

…

That particular day.

The heavens stretched clear and radiant.

In Shang Dong, along the Starfall River’s midstream, on the southern shore by a mundane little stream.

Lu Corpse, having arrived ahead, was already casting his line there.

Kong Xifeng, the last to show, wore a grim expression and stayed silent.

Xu Sheng emerged once more from the Sword Ruins; as Shang Dong’s top cultivator, the One Sword Master, he hadn’t strayed a single step from the Sword Ruins.

"Old lady, is your Water Dragon Sect holding up? I keep thinking the Demon Dao might strike one of our six sects this time—unclear which one they’re after."

Lu Corpse had fished endlessly without a nibble, so he pivoted for some idle chatter.

"Heh, courtesy of you, Lu Corpse, we’re all good."

Kong Xifeng’s retort instantly killed Lu Corpse’s chatty mood; instead, his gaze shifted to Xu Sheng, who sat cross-legged atop a massive boulder, eyes shut in contemplation.

"Xu Daoist, what’s the status at Sword Ruins? Word is you’ve faced the heaviest Demon Dao pressure."

With eyes remaining closed, Xu Sheng replied.

"The Sword Ruins has endured this forever; we’re well used to it."

Lu Corpse gave a faint nod. "Wonder if Mei Manor got word—their Shang Court’s been radio silent lately. Have they sided with Shangxi’s lot?"

"Heh, rest easy—even if your Corpse Transporting Mountain allied with Shangxi’s Demon Dao, our Shang Court would never stoop to that."

A sneering voice bubbled up from underwater.

Hearing it, Lu Corpse scowled and barked, "Knew you were around—now get out! Damn it, half a day fishing, and you’ve ruined it all!"

Mei Manor materialized from nowhere, applauding lightly.

"If I snag none while you fish, you won’t either."

With those words, he glanced northward.

Ten Spirits Ancestor had shown up.

An unremarkable man in looks, he skimmed across the water’s surface before alighting before them with a grin:

"Over the last few centuries, gatherings like this were rare, yet we’ve met twice in just three years."

Soon after, someone approached from the south.

Lady of Joy appeared in her usual revealing attire, immediately shooting Mei Manor a glare.

"You scoundrel, didn’t even wait for me en route."

Mei Manor: "Haha."

"What’s that old fart Medicine King doing? He’s closest, but dead last to arrive."

True to form, Kong Xifeng unleashed her fiery tongue.

"Did he croak off somewhere?"

"With the world in such turmoil, old lady, you should rack up some good karma."

Ten Spirits Ancestor finally snapped back.

This riled Kong Xifeng to her feet.

Yet before she could fire off, Xu Sheng—still cross-legged on the boulder with shut eyes—abruptly snapped them open.

"It’s coming!"

He whipped his head southward.

A streak of white light flashed across the sky, distant at first on the horizon, then hurtling swiftly nearer.

The Medicine King... had arrived.

All who beheld him froze in shock.

Kong Xifeng, most eager to lambast him, now stared in utter disbelief.

"Old Medicine Dog? What’s happened to you?"

She might sling insults freely, but witnessing the Medicine King in this state filled her with real concern.

Lu Corpse pressed urgently too:

"Did the Blood Luo King show? Or the White Bone Demon Monarch—did you clash with them?"

No surprise at their alarm, for the Medicine King appeared... utterly ancient.

Before, Kong Xifeng had been their eldest, teetering on the brink.

But now, the Medicine King claimed that grim title.

His hair entirely white, face etched with ravine-like wrinkles, frame hunched and tottering, on the verge of collapse.

This stood in stark contrast to his former white-haired yet vigorous, vibrant self.

Such a transformation, all in mere years.

To a Nascent Soul Cultivator, a handful of years... amounts to little more than a brief slumber.

Sensing their stares, the Medicine King shook his head slowly and settled onto the nearby sand.

"It’s nothing, carry on discussing."

"Impossible—did Shangxi’s bunch really come after you?"