Qingcheng Mountain, Damiang Peak.

    Three months have slipped by, spring has given way to summer, and the mountains and fields are brimming with the resplendent beauty of blooming flowers.

    At dawn, in the Taoist temple.

    Chen Yun is guiding Mei Junyan to cultivate internal alchemical arts.

    Suddenly, Gong Juji led someone in a hurry from outside.

    "Old ancestor, save me! Save me!"

    The person following Gong Jujie fell to his knees as soon as he entered, weeping and shouting in agony.

    Chen Yun turned to look upon hearing the voice, and saw that the person before him seemed familiar, but he couldn't recall who he was at first. Hesitatingly, he asked, "Who are you?"

    The middle-aged man in white clothes, about three or forty years old, quickly said, "I am Wang Zhen, a disciple of Mr. Yuan Chu. I have had two meetings with you at the Yueyue Cave in the Moon and Mirror Lake."

    Oh, it's a disciple of Yuan Chu.

    I see why I recognized him so immediately.

    Chen Yun thought that Yuan Chu still owed him a favor and had promised to introduce him to the master blacksmith. However, he had been so engrossed in the question of what the divine body actually does that he hadn't had a chance to look for him.

    In these three months, he has been devoting himself to practicing and refining his inner essence in hopes of accumulating more qi and refining his Golden Pill sooner.

    Unfortunately, since breaking through to the level of a High Priest Mage, the rate of growth for his alchemical essence has been especially slow.

    Well, three months have passed and he still hasn't managed to condense a single drop of alchemical essence.

    The most critical issue is that his current realm does not allow him to consume spirit elixir, and if he wants to refine a Golden Pill, he must rely on his own arduous cultivation.

    If an ordinary person saw such slow progress, they would likely feel some anxiety in their hearts.

    Chen Yun had no sense of urgency. He knew that cultivating in a hurry would not yield good results, so he always kept the idea of allowing things to happen naturally.

    Thoughts in mind, Chen Yun asked, "Has something happened to Yuan Chu?"

    "Ancestor," Wang Zhen cried out with tears streaming down his face, "My master has encountered a great disaster!"

    Chen Yun said, "You need not be in a hurry. Please explain slowly."

    Wang Zhen hurriedly narrated the whole situation.

    After a moment, Chen Yun roughly understood what had happened.

    Actually, a little over a year ago, after Yuan Chu returned from the Yueyue Cave, he had been working hard to cultivate and try to break through to the level of a High Priest Mage as soon as possible.

    However, due to the turmoil in the heavens and the emergence of demonic creatures and chaos, it was almost impossible for Yuan Chu to focus on his cultivation.

    Initially, the place where Yuan Chu's sect was located only saw the emergence of some minor demons and spirits, which were relatively easy to deal with and even required no intervention from him.

    However, as time went on, more and more powerful demons and spirits entered the mortal world.

    Just a month ago, a Demon King appeared out of nowhere, leading eight Magisters, ten Magi generals, and three thousand demons. They almost completely enveloped the Dengzhou where Yuan Chu's sect was located, releasing magma night and day to refine all living beings into qi pearls, which were then transformed into demonic energies for absorption.

    Although Yuan Chu was from a peripheral or evil sect, he founded his own sect under the name of a disciple of Lu Dongbin. Faced with such a situation, he could only grit his teeth and lead his followers to confront it.

    The result was no surprise. Although Yuan Chu had excellent magical powers and was a top-tier Magister, he was no match for a demon king of the level of a teacher or higher. In fact, he wasn't even able to touch one of the eight Magister Generals or even fend off any of them. Instead, he was defeated by two Magi Generals and captured to be presented to the demon king.

    The Demon King, having a heart for talent, wanted to transform Yuan Chu into a demon, hoping to utilize his powerful magical abilities.

    Despite Yuan Chu's fierce resistance, not wanting the demonic qi to enter his body, his cultivation was too low, and he still absorbed a considerable amount of demonic qi. Now he is crazy and almost under the control of the Demon King, continuously helping him in Dengzhou.

    Fortunately, Wang Zhen and Chen Yun, his disciples, managed to escape. Upon learning that Yuan Chu had become a demon and was committing sins against heaven and earth, they became anxious on hearing this news. They knew that Yuan Chu's demonization was not deep yet and could still be saved. If his Huang Cheng were infected with demonic qi, he would truly become a demon king, and they would have no choice but to face destruction from the Taoist Pure Land.

    Therefore, Chen Yun and Wang Zhen discussed the matter briefly. One remained near Dengzhou to monitor the situation, while the other came to seek help from Chen Yun.

    Chen Yun's face turned pale after hearing this, "The entire Dengzhou is enveloped in demonic qi?"

    Wang Zhen nodded forcefully, "Yes, millions of people in Dengzhou are all caught up in it, and tens of thousands are being turned into demonic qi every day. When I came from Dengzhou, there were already over two or three million people killed. After ten or so days have passed, it is likely that another million may have died."

    Gong Jujie couldn't help but ask, "Have the practitioners of the Taoist Pure Land in Dengzhou not intervened?"

    Wang Zhen bitterly laughed, "They have intervened. Many high-level Magisters and high-level priesthood Magisters have already participated in the battle. Even a teacher-level giant has tried to subdue the Demon King, but the Demon King is exceptionally powerful, with eight Major Magister Generals and ten Major Magi Generals at his disposal. Many high-level Magisters and high-level priesthood Magisters have died in the process, and even that teacher has been severely injured. Now Dengzhou is in chaos, with all factions powerless. I know that you are a representative of the Taoist Pure Land, so I came all the way here, hoping that you could call your disciples to help subdue the Demon King."

    Yes, his purpose for coming was to ask Chen Yun to send his brothers who had not attained immortality to help, not for him to go himself.

    Wang Zhen knew that Chen Yun's power might be much stronger than Yuan Chu's, but no matter how strong he was, it couldn't be too much stronger. The Demon King had even injured a teacher, so how could Chen Yun possibly be a match for him?

    He had no idea that Chen Yun had already broken through to the level of a high-level Magister, nor did he know that Chen Yun's disciples included the Dragon, the Pa Lai, Gong Jujie, the four demons, and thousands of divine weapons.

    Chen Yun frowned slightly, "My brothers have either attained immortality or reincarnated. No one can help us eliminate the demons."

    "Ahh?" Wang Zhen couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment.

    After thinking for a moment, Chen Yun said, "Alright, I will personally go and see if I can subdue the Demon King. If it is impossible to subdue him, I will invite some of my fellow disciples from the sect."

    Upon hearing this, Wang Zhen trembled and quickly said, "Ancestor, the Demon King is not to be provoked. Even a teacher can't do anything about him."

    Chen Yun nodded slightly, "I know."

    Wang Zhen: "……"

    He thought to himself, "Do you know that by going out alone, you are looking for death?"

    Of course, that was Wang Zhen's inner thought, but he dared not say it out loud.

    After careful consideration, Chen Yun said, "If I go with my disciples and divine weapons to subdue the Demon King, it will certainly cause chaos and destruction. The people will still be suffering. That won't work. I need to make some array flags and use arrays to trap those demons, then subdue them."

    Wang Zhen didn't know what to say. He had already explained to Chen Yun how terrifying the Demon King was, but Chen Yun still insisted on going alone. Wang Zhen was genuinely worried that Chen Yun would end up like Yuan Chu, being captured by the Demon King.

    Chen Yun said, "Stay here for the night. I will make some array flags tonight, and we will set out early in the morning to Dengzhou to subdue the Demon King."

    Wang Zhen had to say, "Very well."

    ……

    Innery Garden, Alchemy Room.

    Chen Yun immediately pulled out a pile of materials from the Space of Heavenly Cauldron and began to use the earthfire to forge array flags.

    The reason he agreed to go and subdue the Demon King was not because of his deep affection for Yuan Chu.

    To be honest, although he and Yuan Chu had some connection, it was not to the extent of risking their lives for each other.

    Chen Yun's decision to personally go and subdue the demon king was completely out of sympathy for the safety of the millions of people in Dengzhou.

    This was the education he had received during his long journey of cultivation.

    Of course, he is not a fool and wouldn't charge in without a chance of winning.

    Although Chen Yun didn't know exactly how terrifying the Demon King was, he could roughly analyze the other's strength from Wang Zhen's words.

    The Demon King was stronger than an ordinary teacher. The eight Major Magister Generals were probably equivalent to High-level Magisters, while the ten Major Magi Generals were at the level of high-level Magisters. As for the three thousand demons, their strength was likely relatively weak.

    What about his own side?

    The Dragon and Pa Lai have powers comparable to that of a teacher. Chen Yun and Gong Jujie are high-level Magisters, while Qin Ming, the four demons, Qin Lang, and Ji Pin are on par with upper-level Magisters. There are also three thousand powerful divine weapons. It's not impossible to defeat the Demon King.

    After all, two teachers are greater than one.

    And when teachers like them unleash their full power, it can be very terrifying.

    Chen Yun believed that if either the Dragon or Pa Lai could hold off the Demon King, and the other one killed the eight Major Magister Generals, he, along with Gong Jujie, the four demons, and thousands of divine weapons, would have a high chance of winning.

    "There is a high hope of winning this battle, but we cannot let the civilians be affected. Otherwise, everything would be in vain."

    Chen Yun secretly pondered, "Therefore, it is very important to set up the Green Dragon Blood Red Array to gather and strengthen the killing energy."

    He kept using earthfire to melt the materials, and then with his hands flying, he sealed the seals and injected qi into the materials. He prepared to forge a thousand array flags to set up a huge Green Dragon Blood Red Array.

    At this moment, the door outside knocked.

    Following that, the voice of Wang Si Yan came in, "Can I come in, Yun?"

    "The earthfire is very hot, your current cultivation level cannot withstand it," Chen Yun replied, "I will come out."

    Wang Si Yan said, "Alright, I will wait for you outside."

    Chen Yun looked at his external avatar, "Replace me to forge the array flags."

    The avatar outside echoed, "Very well."

    Chen Yun didn't say anything else and turned to leave, thinking to himself that it would be better to transform into an avatar using the Solar Purity Energy. That way, they could add another force to their side.

    If he had known, he should have left some time to dissolve the Solar Essence Energy.

    But who could have predicted such a disaster?

    Chen Yun was thinking that he had already come outside and saw Wang Si Yan looking worriedly at him.

    He asked, "Si Yan, what do you want with me?"

    Wang Si Yan looked at him with a tender expression, "I heard that you are going on another journey, so I specially made some new clothes for you to take along. I wanted to see if they fit."

    It's clear that she cares about him a lot.

    Chen Yun felt warmth in his heart and said, "All right, I'll try on the new clothes."

    The two of them walked towards the bedroom.

    Wang Si Yan followed him and said carefully, "Yun, I heard that the Demon King is particularly powerful. You have to be careful."

    Chen Yun turned his head and smiled, "Don't worry, I won't be in trouble."

    Wang Si Yan was still worried, "I'm not doubting your abilities, but... for some reason, when I heard that you are going on another journey, I have an inexplicable unease in my heart. It's like something bad is going to happen."

    Hmm?

    Chen Yun suddenly stopped in his tracks, with a surprised and suspicious expression on his face, looking at Wang Si Yan's delicate face.

    Although Wang Si Yan's cultivation is far inferior to his own, and she hasn't learned any divination techniques, theoretically, she shouldn't be able to predict anything. However, there's the saying in the Taoist sect about a moment of inspiration.

    For example, some people might suddenly feel a premonition that something bad might happen to themselves or their loved ones, and then it does indeed come to pass.

    Chen Yun believed that Wang Si Yan's sudden feeling of inexplicable unease was not for no reason. It was very likely that something terrible would happen to him, and she happened to feel it due to a moment of inspiration.

    He couldn't help but furrow his brow. By the analysis of strength, his side seemed to be slightly stronger than the Demon King. Logically speaking, even if they couldn't win, he should be able to retreat safely. Then why would Wang Si Yan have such thoughts?

    Is it possible that Wang Zhen's description of the Demon King's strength was exaggerated?

    Or perhaps there would be some unexpected complications?

    Chen Yun instinctively became on guard, pondering that if the situation turned south, he would have to flee immediately.

    He possessed the Golden Light of the Earth, which could fly out at a speed of thirty million kilometers per second. He had tried it before and found that with nine qi energies in his body, he could use the Golden Light of the Earth for nine seconds, which was equivalent to four and a half million kilometers.

    With this speed, Chen Yun believed that no enemy, unless they had achieved the Taoist immortality, could catch up to him.

    Therefore, even if he encountered any danger, as long as he used the Golden Light of the Earth well, he should be fine.

    Although he knew he had a strong ability to escape, Chen Yun still thought in his heart: "No matter what, be careful first."

    (Chapter ends)