The Seven Sages Emerge Together

Everything dissipated into smoke, and several dark figures vanished into the void.

The Seven Sages witnessed the entire scene, their hearts surging with shock.

Gazing in the direction where the Gu Family's sacred land had vanished, Su Jie tightened her grip on her sacred sword and looked at the others.

"The mighty Gu Family was wiped out by a single hand. That Skeleton's cultivation is truly terrifying. Do any of you elders know of its origins?"

Even among Sages, there are distinctions in rank.

They are classified from the first to the ninth tier, culminating in the Perfected stage.

A Sage's tier depends on their level of enlightenment—the higher the enlightenment, the higher the tier.

For instance, Su Jie and the deceased Gu Qingcheng were both second-tier Sages.

Gu Taiyuan and the other present elders were third-tier Sages.

Yet, even after thousands or tens of thousands of years, these individuals might never advance a single tier.

As for Bai Piaopiao, who had only recently become a Sage, she was merely a first-tier Sage. However, as an innate Sage, she faced no bottlenecks in enlightenment. In other words, as long as she didn’t meet an untimely demise, she was destined to reach the Perfected stage in the future.

This was the greatest difference between innate and acquired Sages.

Hearing this, the Sages exchanged glances, all equally bewildered.

An elderly man holding a horsetail whisk wore a grave expression.

"I have never seen such methods before, nor have I encountered this person. His cultivation must be at least a fifth-tier Sage."

"A fifth-tier Sage?"

Su Jie couldn’t help but gasp in astonishment.

A fifth-tier Sage was one who had comprehended innate divine abilities.

Any Sage who reached this stage would awaken a divine ability based on their path of enlightenment.

"Indeed. To annihilate the Gu Family so effortlessly, he must be at least a fifth-tier Sage. For such a powerhouse to appear so suddenly is highly unusual..."

The other Sages echoed in agreement.

"That Skeleton is truly formidable. Fortunately, it isn’t a demon, or we would all be in grave danger."

"Recently, many reclusive experts have emerged—beings we’ve never heard of, all possessing terrifying cultivation. It seems chaos is upon us..."

"It’s a pity the Gu Family has been wiped out. Humanity has lost some of its combat strength. Even if the Gu Family had a notorious reputation, they could have been an asset against the demons."

"That’s where you’re wrong. Gu Taiyuan was treacherous and ruthless, obsessed with petty gains yet cowardly in the face of true crisis. Such a man could never be trusted with great responsibilities. Who’s to say he wouldn’t stab us in the back and side with the demons? We must never ally with such a person to fight the demonic scourge."

"Daoist Friend Xu speaks wisely. I wholeheartedly agree."

...

The Sages whispered among themselves, the atmosphere growing increasingly tense.

Bai Piaopiao and Su Jie exchanged a somber glance. Having heard many dark secrets about the Gu Family, they lamented its corrupt ways—proof that a crooked tree could never bear straight branches.

Though they had witnessed the fall of a human sacred land, they felt little sorrow. Instead, they sighed in relief.

It seemed all the Sages had harbored reservations about the Gu Family, which explained why they hadn’t been chosen for the demon-slaying mission.

In this light, the Gu Family’s destruction was almost a blessing.

At the very least, it eliminated a potential future threat, preventing the disgrace of a Sage turning traitor. It also spared Yi Feng from calamity—a double victory.

No matter the Skeleton’s origins, its actions had inadvertently done good.

Bai Piaopiao’s worries melted away, her expression firming once more.

"Esteemed elders, since this matter is settled, we should proceed to the demon realm to investigate. The stakes are too high to linger here."

The leading Qingfeng Daoist nodded solemnly.

"Indeed. The White Emperor speaks wisely."

With a wave of his horsetail whisk, ripples spread through the void. A faint glow gathered in his sleeve, coalescing into an ancient short sword radiating righteous energy.

The sword hovered mid-air, seemingly unremarkable yet inscribed with countless golden runes. The power of the Great Dao condensed around it, unleashing waves of oppressive might that left the Sages pale!

"Brother Qingyun, you’ve even brought the Mortal Sword—the treasure of Qingyun Temple?!"

"Could this truly be the legendary Mortal Sword? It’s said to have been forged from the sacred blade of the Dao Ancestor Laozi, tempered with endless divine black gold. A single strike once illuminated the Nine Domains, forcing even Sages to retreat!"

"Brother Qingyun, your selflessness for the greater good is truly noble. We bow to your virtue!"

The Sages moved to pay respects, their eyes filled with reverence for the elder.

But Qingyunzi waved his whisk, gently stopping them.

"My fellow Daoists, for the survival of humanity, this is our duty. There is no need for such praise. I only ask that none of you hold back. This mission demands utmost caution—we cannot afford arrogance!"

His overwhelming Dao power shook the Sages, and his solemn words deepened their gravity.

They nodded in unison, their expressions turning even more serious.

"Elder Qingyun is right. We bear the fate of humanity—we must not be careless."

"Indeed. Even as Sages, venturing into the demon realm is a near-suicidal endeavor. But a true man stands firm between heaven and earth. To sacrifice oneself for righteousness is my greatest wish."

"Well said! To save the common people, we cannot shirk this responsibility!"

In an instant, the Sages unleashed their most precious treasures!

A venerable monk clasped his hands together. Jet-black prayer beads emitted streams of light, swirling with Dao rhythms. Behind him, the phantom of a Buddha emerged, golden radiance veiling the sky as sacred chants pacified all creation!

A scholar stretched out his hand, summoning a jade brush. The power of literary Dao surged, as if infused by the heavens, its majesty rivaling even the monk’s divine chants!

Su Jie gripped her sacred sword, its aura slicing through the world. The long-dormant hum of the blade resounded once more. Despite her youth, her swordsmanship neared mastery, as if she had experienced another epiphany.

This phenomenon drew the Sages’ gazes, their confidence swelling.

Bai Piaopiao, being a new Sage, hadn’t yet revealed a supreme sacred artifact, but the others weren’t surprised. Sensing her profound and pure Dao power, they nodded in admiration.

"Sword Sage and the White Emperor possess extraordinary talent. Their future achievements will be limitless!"

"No wonder they were chosen to accompany us. To have such comprehension at such a young age—truly, the younger generation surpasses the old."

"However, the demon realm is perilous beyond measure. For you two to take such risks weighs heavily on my heart. Should anything happen, it would be a catastrophic loss for humanity. You must reconsider..."

"Elder Qingyun speaks wisely. We implore you both to think carefully. Your potential is boundless—this mission is far too dangerous."

The Sages spoke earnestly, their words filled with righteousness.

Touched by their elders’ concern, Su Jie and Bai Piaopiao were moved. In such critical times, these Sages withheld nothing, prioritizing the greater good and willingly bearing the gravest dangers for humanity’s future.

This was the passing of righteousness and hope—the very essence of humanity’s enduring spirit.

Humanity’s physique was frail, far inferior to the demonic race’s natural might. Most humans were born without cultivation, relying on the paths forged by countless predecessors to ascend the immortal path. From the weakest existence, they had struggled step by step, awakening bloodlines and divine bodies, mastering three thousand Daos to stand equal with other races and carve out their place in the world!

The hardships endured along the way were unimaginable.

Su Jie understood the dangers ahead. But as a Sage who had walked the path of the sword, she possessed only an indomitable will—never a thought of retreat.

"Esteemed elders, there is no need for further discussion."

Her resolute tone brooked no argument.

The saints' eyes revealed astonishment, gradually turning to profound admiration as they gazed upon the maiden embracing the sacred sword—as if beholding a peerless divine blade.

Their collective gaze shifted.

Including Su Jie, all six saints turned their attention to Bai Piaopiao.

Just as they were about to voice their admonitions—

Bai Piaopiao, shedding her usual reserved and gentle demeanor, wore an expression of unwavering resolve.

"Esteemed seniors, your hearts are filled with righteousness. As a newly ascended saint, I too bear an inescapable duty. When the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken. Though my cultivation is shallow, I cannot stand idle while our human race is trapped in peril, nor endure the suffering of those I hold dear..."

Memories of their days together flashed through her mind—every shared laugh still echoing in her ears, Yi Feng's verses etched indelibly in her heart. These were the things Bai Piaopiao cherished most, the very essence she was willing to sacrifice everything to protect.

A tender light flickered in Bai Piaopiao's clear eyes as her determination solidified in an instant.

Her expression grew even more resolute!

"This journey to the Demon Realm is inevitable!"

Her solemn declaration rang out, drawing looks of reverence from the saints.

At that very moment—

Countless strands of Daoist power suddenly converged, swirling around Bai Piaopiao. Her aura surged exponentially, surpassing even the gains of a thousand years of arduous cultivation in a single breath!

Su Jie's eyes widened in shock!

The other saints, too, were stunned, their exclamations of disbelief rising one after another!

"An epiphany of the Great Dao?!"

"The White Emperor's talent is truly terrifying—to grasp the profundities of the Dao with but a single utterance!"

"Excellent! With such brilliance and courage, how can we men hesitate? Let us march together to the Demon Realm and return victorious to feast!"

"Blessings upon blessings. If I do not enter hell, who will? Fellow Daoist Bai is blessed with profound fortune—this humble monk shall spare no effort to protect her!"

"Saints, onward to the Demon Realm!!"

With Qingyunzi stroking his beard and pointing forward, the seven saints, their eyes filled with steely resolve, stepped into the endless dark ripples before them. Though they knew the dangers ahead, not a trace of hesitation remained.

The sky's oppressive might faded, leaving only calm and sunshine in its wake.

The terrifying aura of the saints vanished without a trace in the blink of an eye, unnoticed by ordinary folk. The masses carried on as usual, oblivious to the immense sacrifices behind this fleeting peace.

Even with seven saints venturing forth, their safe return was far from certain.

......

Heaven and Earth Island.

A monk suddenly looked up, as if sensing something.

After staring at the horizon for a long while, his expression grew solemn—as if the clear, cloudless sky in his eyes was instead shrouded in ominous darkness.

Slowly closing the book in his hands, Chen Kunpeng sighed wistfully.

Even with its many novel and "ingenious techniques," the text could no longer hold his interest. Only an indescribable sense of contemplation remained, as if he had entered a sage-like trance.

Carefully tucking the book into his wide sleeve, Chen Kunpeng clasped his hands together, embodying the dignified bearing of a venerable monk.

"Amitabha..."

"Too long have I remained idle, unaware that storm clouds gather. My devotion to Buddha has slackened—such a sin. Now, with tempests looming, it is time to spread the Dharma once more."

With this lament, the great monk rose and took a step forward.

A single step—

And his figure vanished without a trace.

When his foot landed again, he was already a thousand miles away, the island long gone, replaced by endless mountains.

One more step into the void—

Ripples surged through the emptiness, and an endless sea of black mist engulfed the surroundings!