Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil in the Cultivation World Chapter 1221 - 561: Li Changsheng’s Path to Immortality, Cataclysm Erupts (2)

This area, after all, is still fundamentally his old stomping ground.

"However, if such a catastrophic event were to truly unfold, I fear that very few cultivators, besides myself, would manage to pull through."

Li Changsheng let out a heavy sigh. Though his heart was steadfast in its pursuit of the Dao, he was not some unfeeling automaton. Having spent such an extensive period residing within Cloud Crane City, he had forged many bonds with friends and family. For his own survival, he was confident, but the harrowing thought of witnessing everyone else perish left him deeply unsettled, a feeling that gnawed at him.

"Indeed, my current strength is still insufficient; at best, I can only ensure my own safety."

"To protect Cloud Crane City, the distance I have yet to cover remains immeasurable."

A profound sense of helplessness washed over Li Changsheng. His initial intention was to solicit aid from fellow cultivators, perhaps prompting the Great Xuan Dynasty to dispatch other Integration stage powerhouses. The grave reality, however, was that the Great Xuan Dynasty was currently embroiled in widespread conflict, with its major cities under assault from formidable demons. Resources were stretched impossibly thin, leaving precious little for further reinforcement. The overwhelming majority of regions were forced to fend for themselves, with no auxiliary forces available. Even venerable Mahayana ancestors were occupied with matters of utmost importance, rendering them unable to extend protection to Cloud Crane City.

"In this present predicament, all we can do is exert our utmost effort and resign ourselves to destiny."

"Even if I were to abandon Cloud Crane City, where else could I possibly find refuge?"

"The entirety of the Great Xuan Dynasty is currently aflame, leaving not a single sanctuary untouched."

Li Changsheng felt an acute sense of misfortune, lamenting his birth into such an ill-fated era. Had he been born in an earlier age, he might have possessed ample time to dedicate to his cultivation. Yet, as it stood, the encroaching demons offered no such luxury. To be entirely candid, he harbored a significant measure of gratitude for the emergence of the Mixed Element Alliance. Without their intervention, achieving the Golden Core stage would be considered a remarkable feat for him, and reaching the Nascent Soul level would be virtually inconceivable.

......

The following day found us at the Cloud Crane Demon Cave.

Deep within the cavern’s core, an early-stage Integration demon stood guard – a Nine-Yin Poison Toad. In its corporeal form, it manifested as a diminutive, plump elder with dusky green skin, exuding a venomous aura. Its true form was that of a colossal poison toad, distinguished by nine pustules adorning its back, each containing a droplet of potent Nine-Yin Poison Water. This substance was exceptionally perilous; mere contact could precipitate a precipitous decline in cultivation even for Mahayana cultivators, necessitating the use of rare, millennia-old Spirit Medicine for its neutralization. Furthermore, it could unleash a croak capable of shattering a cultivator’s primordial spirit. Refining Void cultivators would face immediate soul dispersion, while Integration cultivators would experience significant spiritual disorientation and temporary loss of consciousness. Even more chilling was its unique Integration Domain, known as the "Nine-Yin Poison Miasma." Within this domain, a noxious miasma permeated the air, causing cultivators to inhale the poison and hindering the flow of their spiritual powers. In essence, within its domain, the toad lorded over the very Law of Poison. It was no exaggeration to state that this single Integration-stage demon possessed the capability to obliterate an entire city with alarming ease. The sheer number of lives extinguished by its hand was beyond any form of counting.

"Have the other Combined Demons departed from this location?" the Cloud Crane Demon Cave inquired, its voice echoing through the cavern.

Originally, a contingent of at least three Combined Demons was stationed here, but now, only a solitary guardian remained. Generally, a demon cave possessed a degree of inherent defensive capabilities, but this was far from substantial. Once demons established themselves in a particular locale, they lost their mobility, akin to terrestrial deities. Concurrently, they retained only certain supplementary abilities, thus necessitating protection from other demonic entities. Without sufficient safeguarding, any infiltrating enemy could easily overwhelm and vanquish them. This vulnerability contributed to the current unease, stemming from the solitary Combined Demon left behind, affording it scant assurance.

"My Lord, there is no need for you to harbor any anxieties," a subordinate reassured. "The other two Combined Demons have been dispatched elsewhere to provide reinforcement. They are expected to return within two to three hours at the most. While I may be the sole guardian at present, I can absolutely guarantee your continued safety. Moreover, during this brief interval, I firmly believe no human cultivators would dare to breach this sanctuary. Your security remains uncompromised."

However, the passage of years hasn't been entirely without turmoil.

For instance, not too long ago, a human cultivator breached the Cyan Stone Demon Cave and brought about its destruction.

Yet, such a happening was a solitary event.

Following this incident, the numerous demon caves and their high-tier demon inhabitants engaged in profound introspection, resolving that similar occurrences would never befall them again.

"The ongoing battles have escalated to such a degree that reinforcements from other demon caves are required?"

The Cloud Crane Demon Cave inquired, its tone laced with curiosity.

"Indeed, the present situation is exceptionally intense."

"This is due to the Demon Race initiating a counteroffensive against our demon caves."

"It appears the humans and the Demon Race are forging an alliance, which has consequently placed considerable pressure upon us recently,"

the Nine-Yin Poison Toad elucidated. Its words, however, carried an undertone of contempt, as demons typically regard both humans and the Demon Race as inherently feeble, far beneath demonic standards.

Even if a unified front were formed, it would merely cause a minor ripple, insignificant enough to warrant mention.

"I comprehend. It is merely a desperate final stand."

"As long as we repel this assault, the offensive launched by the humans and the Demon Race will inevitably wane."

"It is unlikely to be long before the entirety of the Spirit Ruins Realm becomes the dominion of our demonic kind,"

the Cloud Crane Demon Cave declared, a palpable aura of murderous intent radiating from it.

Truth be told, the demons had already protracted their stay for a considerable duration.

The resistance encountered in the Spirit Ruins Realm over hundreds of millions of years was a rarity in other worlds.

In typical realms, a resistance spanning tens of thousands of years was considered remarkable, let alone hundreds of millions.

To achieve the complete subjugation of the Spirit Ruins Realm, the native demons had already extended an appeal for assistance from otherworldly demons.

Subsequently, a massive influx of demons from beyond their realm would arrive.

At that juncture, regardless of the formidable strength of the humans and the Demon Race within the Spirit Ruins Realm, they would ultimately serve as mere sustenance for the demons.

"Precisely. Mere humans, how could they possibly contend with the might of us demons?"

The Nine-Yin Poison Toad concurred wholeheartedly, nodding in agreement.

It harbored a sense of regret that it could not depart to engage human cultivators and accumulate merit.

Nevertheless, the duty of guarding the demon cave was of paramount importance.

After all, the demon cave served as a crucial stronghold for the demons, analogous to a base camp.

As long as this demon cave remained operational, demons could consistently dispatch reinforcements.

No matter the ferocity of the attacks from humans and the Demon Race, the foundational strength of the demons would remain unassailable.

The adversaries were cognizant of this fact, hence their persistent, albeit futile, attempts to raze the demon cave.

They could only stand by and witness as the demons steadily expanded their territory.

"Defeating humans? I fear such a day will never dawn for you."

At that precise moment, a voice abruptly reverberated through the cavern.

Instantly, a solitary figure materialized before the Nine-Yin Poison Toad.

This individual was none other than Jiang Fan.

Following the predestined clues, he had finally reached the Cloud Crane Demon Cave precisely at midday.

As anticipated, this particular time of day found the Cloud Crane Demon Cave in a state of extreme vulnerability, its most powerful demons having long since departed.

This represented the cave's most susceptible period.

Consequently, he employed the potent abilities of the Celestial Cicada Spirit Leaf to infiltrate the Cloud Crane Demon Cave undetected, proceeding directly to its deepest recess, the very core of the cave.

Having ascended to the first tier of the Integration realm, he could now command the Celestial Cicada Spirit Leaf's powers to an even greater extent.

Even within the territory of an Integration cultivator, his presence remained entirely imperceptible.

Undoubtedly, it was this unparalleled stealth that allowed him to reach the deepest sanctum of the Cloud Crane Demon Cave without a single demon detecting his approach—such was the extraordinary efficacy of the Celestial Cicada Spirit Leaf.

"Impossible! A human cultivator, how did you manage to infiltrate this demon cave?"

Upon witnessing Jiang Fan's sudden materialization, the Nine-Yin Poison Toad was utterly stunned.

Throughout its prolonged existence, it had never encountered a scenario where a human cultivator could effortlessly penetrate to the innermost depths of a demon cave; such an event was entirely unprecedented.

Furthermore, the human cultivator before it was cloaked in an enigmatic aura, subtly distorting his features and obscuring any trace of karmic connection, leaving the toad completely unaware of this human's true identity or origins.