Wielding the Thunders Across Two Worlds

"The Ink Flood Dragon has left the lake, heading east!"

"Is its destination Changping Prefecture?"

"And Daluo Palace!"

"Well now? Isn’t this... quite the coincidence?"

Using the same method as last time, several Daoists with insufficient Dao Practice remained near Mo Lake. They concealed their auras and monitored the Ink Flood Dragon’s movements, notifying the others who were already prepared the moment it made its move.

"The other demons in Mo Lake are on the move too!"

"The waves are surging, and the Demon Qi is soaring to the heavens!"

"Their targets are the ordinary people in the villages and towns of Pingjiang Prefecture!"

"The Ink Flood Dragon may be strong, but the other demons in the lake are all weak. Not a single one has more than five hundred years of Dao Practice."

"I’ll leave these demons to you, Senior Uncles," Gu Zhao transmitted through the Five Thunders Order into their Seas of Consciousness. "Wait for them to leave the vicinity of Mo Lake before you act. Don’t cause any disturbance that might alert the Ink Flood Dragon."

"Blessed Infinite Celestial Venerable!"

The next moment, the numerous Daoists who had already entered Pingjiang Prefecture and surrounded Mo Lake all struck at once.

Changyi of the Celestial Master’s Mansion, Yangshuo of the Pure Yang Sect, and Zhan Qing of Sanmao Mountain—three young men—appeared to the east of Mo Lake, along with two old Daoists from the Huashan Sect, Taoist Xi Ning and Taoist Miao Zhen.

To the west of Mo Lake appeared Taoist Huai Yi of the Golden Mountain Sect from Lao Mountain, Taoist Tai Xian of the Sui Mountain Sect, Taoist Xuan Yong of the Yu Mountain Sect, and Taoist Xu Ning of the Pure Sect, who brought his disciple, Jingyi.

To the north of Mo Lake, Taoist Zhi Qing and Taoist Zhi Xiu of the Celestial Master’s Mansion appeared together with Taoist Han Zheng and Taoist Han Xuan of Sanmao Mountain—four middle-aged and elderly Daoists of Zhengyi Dao.

To the south of Mo Lake, Taoist Gao Yue of the Qingwei Sect from Zhenwu Mountain and Taoist Xu Xing of the Dragon Gate Sect appeared, bringing with them Taoist Yu Hua of the Northern Emperor Sect, Taoist Ling Ya of the Purple Sun Sect, and Taoist Chong Xuan of the Shenxiao Sect, all from Feiyun Mountain.

All the Daoists of Daluo Palace revealed themselves. None of them wanted to miss this great battle. Though they couldn’t face the Ink Flood Dragon head-on, the other demons in Mo Lake, large and small and filled with Evil Qi, would not escape their grasp.

Watching the Ink Flood Dragon’s black cloud recede into the distance, the other demons and ghosts in Mo Lake either took on their Transformations and went ashore or followed the current downstream. The many old, middle-aged, and young Daoists each chose a target and closed in for the kill.

The two old Daoists of the Huashan Sect drew their swords in unison. Taoist Xi Ning’s True Qi was primal and unified, while Taoist Miao Zhen’s longsword manifested the Innate I-Ching Diagram.

Changyi waved his hands, and countless points of starlight descended from the sky, forming a starry curtain that enveloped his body. Yangshuo extended a hand, sending out a Flying Sword that left a streak of Sword Light dozens of meters long. Meanwhile, Zhan Qing, emulating his sect’s founder, threw out a Flowing Gold Fire Bell.

Taoist Huai Yi took a drag from his pipe, exhaling a gale of smoke. The beat of Taoist Tai Xian’s drum thundered. Taoist Xuan Yong, Taoist Xu Ning, and Jingyi never stopped moving, longswords in hand.

Taoist Zhi Qing manifested axes and chisels of Thunderbolt. Taoist Zhi Xiu chanted the Five Sounds Shattering Illusions. Taoist Han Zheng shot out a purple flame, while Taoist Han Xuan dispatched the Six-Jia Celestial Soldiers of Lingfei.

Taoist Gao Yue and Taoist Chong Xuan both summoned Thunderbolt. Taoist Yu Hua recited the Celestial Pig Great Curse. Taoist Xu Xing held a longsword. Taoist Ling Ya used no weapon, but his entire body transformed into a ball of purple light containing the radiant flames of Thunderbolt, with the power to vanquish evil and shatter demons.

A host of river fish, water snakes, and turtles, all teeming with Evil Qi, had just left the shore when they ran headlong into this group of god-killers.

BOOM!

The battle erupted in an instant.

...

Meanwhile, just as the battle broke out, the Ink Flood Dragon, riding its black cloud, had already left Pingjiang Prefecture and crossed into Qinglu County on the western edge of Changping Prefecture. The city of Changping Prefecture was now visible in the distance.

’First, I’ll devour Changping Prefecture, then I’ll slaughter everyone at Daluo Palace.’

Within the black cloud, two sharp glints of light flashed. The Ink Flood Dragon blinked, then looked toward Changping Prefecture, baring a mouthful of sharp fangs. ’If anyone from Daluo Palace dares to show themselves... Hmm?’

The Ink Flood Dragon stared ahead and saw a figure facing it, suspended in the air a dozen or so li away to the east of its black cloud.

It was a handsome young man dressed in long, green robes, with a gentle and placid demeanor. The Ink Flood Dragon was certain this person was neither a Spirit Monarch demon nor a Ghost or deity, but a...

A Human Mage, one who had succeeded in his cultivation and could Ride the Wind!

The Ink Flood Dragon sensed that the man’s Magical Power was pure, but it contained neither Demon Power nor Ghost Qi. A savage grin spread across its lips. ’So, it’s just some Junior Mage with decent cultivation talent who doesn’t know his own limits.’

It didn’t speak, nor did it stop. It simply steered its roiling black cloud to crush the young man before it.

’This young man seems to have considerable Dao Practice, but he’s clearly far weaker than I am. Once he enters the range of my black cloud, his life and death will no longer be his to decide.’

WHOOSH— WHOOSH—

In the sky, a fierce wind howled as a black cloud a dozen or so li wide came rolling in. As the saying goes, "Black clouds bear down on the city, threatening to overwhelm it," and this was a black cloud as vast as a great city itself.

The black cloud seemed to breathe, emanating boundless Demon Qi and a terrifying pressure.

Gu Zhao could feel it—this was the pressure of a top-tier Great Demon of the dragon type. He had felt it from Bi Jingjing before, but the Ningbi Flood Dragon’s bloodline was insufficient and her cultivation was average. She was far inferior to this Ink Flood Dragon.

He was suspended in the air, his Dao-like rhythm permeating his surroundings. The Ink Flood Dragon opposite him couldn’t possibly have missed him, yet it neither spoke nor stopped. Clearly, it didn’t see him as a threat.

However, Gu Zhao also remained silent. When the black cloud came within five hundred meters of him, he flipped his right hand, and a Copper Bell appeared in his palm.

TING-A-LING—

The Three Pristine Ones Bell rang, and its chime seemed to echo throughout heaven and earth—intangible and formless, yet omnipresent.

The Ink Flood Dragon also heard the bell. It felt the sound resonating within its Divine Soul, but it merely shook its head to dispel the annoying chime. Then, its draconic body twisted, preparing to drive the black cloud to envelop Gu Zhao and swallow him whole!

But in the instant it made its move, the young man before it suddenly vanished.

"Hmm?"

The Ink Flood Dragon’s eyes narrowed. It swept the area with its Divine Sense, and then it discovered...

This corner of the world seemed to have changed.

The next moment, the world transformed, and clouds stirred in all eight directions!

Gu Zhao, holding the Three Pristine Ones Bell, stood firm in the Central Palace position.

Taoist Yi Hong took the lead, assisted by Taoist Yuan He. One wielded the Yanyue Saber, the other commanded the Pure Yang Sword. They occupied the Dui Position Shock Gate. To the true east, golden light suffused the air, crisscrossed by sharp Saber Qi and Sword Qi.

Taoist Ming Yu took the lead, assisted by Taoist Ming Chong. They occupied the Zhen Position Hurt Gate. A Thunderwood Sword hovered in the center of Five-Colored Thunderclouds, and the space between heaven and earth flashed with five-hued light amidst rolling Thunderbolt.

The martial brothers Taoist Qingyuan and Taoist Qingwei joined forces. Their two Tai Chi Swords, one yin and one yang, occupied the Kan Position Rest Gate, manifesting a massive Tai Chi Diagram that filled their entire section of the world.

Taoist Yan Qi assisted by channeling the Five Qi, which Taoist Shen Hao then converted into Nanming Li Fire. They occupied the Li Position Scenery Gate, activating a Flowing Gold Fire Bell that transformed into a great sun, shining with ten thousand rays of crimson light.

The martial brothers Taoist Jing Feng and Taoist Jing Chun worked in concert, occupying the Kun Position Death Gate. They manifested a full seven Divine Prisons, from which dense Ghost Qi and waves of Yin Qi billowed, all guarded by dozens of Ghost Generals.

Taoist Yu Zhang pulled in Yunyang to assist him. They occupied the Qian Position Open Gate. As they chanted the Celestial Pig Great Curse, phantom Dharma Aspects of various giant beasts, Celestial Gods, and the Eight Immortals flickered in and out of existence.

Taoist Yan Song took the lead, assisted by Taoist Jing Hong. They occupied the Xun Position Block Gate. Fanning the Taiyi Fan, they stirred up the Taiyi Wind and Fire, unleashing a sky-full of raging gales mixed with divine flames.

Taoist Yan Ling took the lead, assisted by Taoist Jing Fa. They occupied the Gen Position Life Gate. They raised the Jade Ruyi, which burst forth with seven-colored light. The light illuminated the sky, stirring one’s Divine Soul and True Qi.

This time, Gu Zhao had brought every capable fighter from Daluo Palace. They were going all out, staking everything on this single battle, determined to kill the Ink Flood Dragon here and now.

TING-A-LING—

The Three Pristine Ones Bell rang out once more. "Senior Uncles, let’s begin."

"Blessed Infinite Celestial Venerable!"