Chapter 40: The Myriad Demon Realm

"Don't praise him too much. That red-haired lad has only touched the threshold of spacetime, barely considered to have entered the gate." Bodhi sighed. "But with the great calamity approaching, the ultimate arts I have comprehended have finally found a suitable heir. Heaven must have taken pity on us."

Ji Dian also nodded.

Among the many disciples, it was said that the second senior brother, Ji Dian, had truly inherited the master's mantle. This was not false. Bodhi's numerous methods in Buddhism and Daoism, even 'Dreaming of the Three Realms,' Ji Dian had learned them all. Naturally, Ji Dian had long achieved the position of Dao Ancestor. He was also the supreme leader of countless Arhats in Buddhism.

But Ji Dian knew well that his master, 'Patriarch Bodhi's' true strongest ultimate art was one of spacetime.

It was precisely because of his astonishing achievements in 'spacetime' that Bodhi could be so mysterious, and even his 'Slanting Moon Great World' could not be found by other Dao Ancestors. This was only possible with such remarkable accomplishments in 'spacetime.'

"Master's strongest ultimate art has found a successor. It seems Heaven is also helping our side." Ji Dian said.

"Heaven?"

Bodhi looked up at the sky. "After all, the king of the Endless Gate has merged with the Heavenly Dao. My Slanting Moon Great World also operates under the Heavenly Dao. Other Dao Ancestors could not detect it, and before merging with the Heavenly Dao, that king of the Endless Gate could not find it either. But now, by relying on the Heavenly Dao, he can find my Slanting Moon Great World, making it impossible for the beings of this world to escape this calamity."

"Master worries too much. That king... after all, he has become a part of the Heavenly Dao. He cannot be without scruples." Ji Dian said.

"Hmm, so we still have a chance to win." Bodhi nodded.

In the Three Realms, those who had entered the gate of spacetime were not only Red Snow Heavenly God. There were also two True God Dao Ancestors who had entered the gate. Although they were all in Nüwa's camp, the other two Dao Ancestors already had their own 'paths,' so naturally they would not divert their attention to walk the 'path of spacetime.' After all, there were many paths of cultivation, and the strongest was still the 'path of chaos.'

Those who had fully achieved it were Pangu and Nüwa.

…

In the Great Xia World, within Baiji Commandery, on the battlefield of the realm war.

"Die."

The Seven Radiance Heavenly God wielded a long spear. As the spear danced, spacetime shifted, and snowflakes fluttered. The three demon gods of Devouring Dragon Mountain from the Endless Gate, along with a group of heavenly gods, true immortals, and even the army, could not withstand it.

"Too strong! This Red Snow Heavenly God is too strong!"

"He has no flaws at all. Whether in one-on-one combat or against a siege, he is perfectly flawless. No matter how well we coordinate, we still have flaws. We are doomed."

"We simply cannot stop him."

The three demon gods of Devouring Dragon Mountain, the Nine Treasure Divine Tower Formation, and all the immortals and demons were utterly despairing and powerless.

"His way of combat has no flaws. It seems he is naturally suited for this kind of battlefield." The eldest of the three demon gods of Devouring Dragon Mountain, the Golden Fur Divine Eagle, exclaimed in amazement.

"Don't forget, this Red Snow Heavenly God was born at the dawn of creation and experienced the earliest wars. He has vast experience in large-scale wars like this. His combat techniques were honed through countless battles. We, on the other hand, never lived through those times and have too little experience in dealing with such large-scale wars. Although in terms of the 'Dao,' the third brother and this Red Snow Heavenly God are nearly equal, in actual life-and-death combat, especially on the battlefield, there is still a gap. Not to mention that Red Snow Heavenly God commands the Seven Radiance Heavenly God, while the third brother commands the Three-Eyed Heavenly God. There is a natural disadvantage."

"Third brother, retreat. We cannot hold."

"Yes, let's retreat. Absorb the experience and come back to fight him another day."

"Hmm." The Nine-Headed Lion also nodded.

"Let's go!"

The Three-Eyed Demon God directly transmitted his voice, resounding around.

Whoosh~~~

Immediately, the large group of heavenly gods and true immortals who had been attacking the Seven Radiance Heavenly God began to retreat.

"Kill! Don't let them escape!"

"Kill!"

Ji Ning, the Xia Emperor, and the other heavenly gods and true immortals, along with the numerous Punishment Gods, Yinglong, Pangu battle formations, and the army, pursued even more ferociously.

The most dazzling was undoubtedly the Seven Radiance Heavenly God.

That long spear... was a death warrant. Since even the Three-Eyed Demon God and the others had begun to retreat and flee, naturally no one could stop the Seven Radiance Heavenly God in the slightest. In an instant, on this small battlefield, the Endless Gate quickly collapsed.

…

On the city wall of Endless City, Ink Bamboo Dao Ancestor watched the entire battlefield. When he saw that even after sending eighteen heavenly gods and true immortals, they still could not stop the 'Seven Radiance Heavenly God,' he knew this war was over. Sure enough, in just a moment, the three demon gods of Devouring Dragon Mountain and the group of heavenly gods and true immortals took the lead in retreating and fleeing.

"Retreat!" Ink Bamboo Dao Ancestor said darkly, uttering a single word.

The sound resounded across the entire battlefield.

Every other battlefield was also very difficult. Upon hearing the order, each side breathed a sigh of relief and began to flee in disarray.

"This Red Snow Heavenly God." Ink Bamboo Dao Ancestor stared at that Seven Radiance Heavenly God, his expression ugly. He knew very well that the divine power of the Seven Radiance Heavenly God was limited. How much power the Seven Radiance Heavenly God could exert depended on who commanded it. Just as the 'Three-Eyed Demon God' was powerful and could reach the threshold of a Dao Ancestor because the commander, the Nine-Headed Lion, had a very high realm.

And this Seven Radiance Heavenly God was strong because the commander, Red Snow Heavenly God, was too powerful.

Red Snow...

In terms of realm, he was actually similar to the Nine-Headed Lion. But his combat techniques were so numerous that the Nine-Headed Lion was utterly despairing.

"Kill!"

"Don't let them escape!"

"Kill!"

The Crimson Bright Realm side began a great pursuit.

The entire Endless Gate side began a complete collapse and flight. The three demon gods of Devouring Dragon Mountain, the six demon gods of Tonglian Mountain, and other powerful heavenly gods all fled for their lives. In the face of such a mighty army, once surrounded, it was over.

And in this great rout...

In fact, the casualties were the most severe, because the Endless Gate side had lost all will to fight, only thinking of escape.

The killing at this moment was a massacre!

Ink Bamboo Dao Ancestor watched silently, saying nothing as he observed this scene. He had to order a 'retreat.' If they continued to persist, more of their side would die, and during the retreat, perhaps more than half would be wiped out. Now, the gap in strength was not too outrageous, and the losses during the rout were still within acceptable limits.

Ink Bamboo Dao Ancestor glanced at Crimson Bright Dao Ancestor on the Eight Dragon Cloud City in the distance.

At that moment, Crimson Bright Dao Ancestor was smiling, grinning broadly.

"Hmph." Ink Bamboo Dao Ancestor turned and descended from the city wall.

…

Inside the Eight Dragon Cloud City, cheers resounded everywhere. Countless celestial immortals and scattered immortals were extremely excited. This victory was too satisfying. Especially the final great pursuit—those who fled slowly were surrounded and directly slaughtered. The feeling of slaughter was truly exhilarating.

"Red Snow!"

"Red Snow!"

Countless celestial immortals and scattered immortals looked at the group of heavenly gods and true immortals in the high sky. The most dazzling among them was a red-haired heavenly god—Red Snow!

All immortals and demons knew that the one who changed the course of this battle was Red Snow Heavenly God. This made countless immortals and demons look at Red Snow Heavenly God with burning gazes. Too strong. He was the strongest heavenly god they had ever seen. The power of that long spear... was simply inconceivable.

"Fellow Daoist Red Snow, long time no see."

"Fellow Daoist Red Snow, this battle was all thanks to you."

"Red Snow, how did you come?"

Some who had some friendship with Red Snow Heavenly God, such as the Xia Emperor and a few other heavenly gods and true immortals, came to talk.

"Yuan Guang." The Xia Emperor warmly conversed with San Shou Daoist's adopted son, 'Yuan Guang Heavenly God.' The two also had considerable friendship.

Soon.

The entire Eight Dragon Cloud City held a celebration banquet. Countless immortals and demons rejoiced together. In the main hall, Crimson Bright Dao Ancestor personally feasted the heavenly gods and true immortals who had fought desperately, as well as some commanders like Ji Ning.

Halfway through the celebration banquet.

"Red Snow." Crimson Bright Dao Ancestor directly transmitted.

"Dao Ancestor." Red Snow Heavenly God replied via transmission.

"You suddenly appeared. I didn't hear which Dao Ancestor arranged for you?" Crimson Bright Dao Ancestor inquired.

"We promised Ji Ning that we would help him once." Red Snow Heavenly God directly replied. "After helping this time, it will be over."

"Ah."

Crimson Bright Dao Ancestor was first surprised that the source was Ji Ning, then became worried. He quickly transmitted, "You only help once? After making a move just now, you won't act again?"

Red Snow Heavenly God gently nodded.

"At this point in the war, the Endless Gate has suffered heavy losses and will likely retreat, ending this realm war. But if the Endless Gate is unwilling and comes back in full force, without you to stop the Three-Eyed Demon God, we might not be able to win." Crimson Bright Dao Ancestor transmitted urgently. He knew very well how important the Seven Radiance Heavenly God's influence was on the battlefield.

"You helped Ji Ning before; now help me once." Crimson Bright Dao Ancestor transmitted. "I'm not asking you to necessarily participate in the battle, but if the Endless Gate hasn't given up and comes back in full force, please help my Crimson Bright Realm."

Red Snow Heavenly God hesitated.

He also transmitted and conversed with Yuan Guang Heavenly God, Jiushe Heavenly God, Xuexie Heavenly God, and the others.

A Dao Ancestor asking for help...

Plus, Crimson Bright Dao Ancestor had a very good relationship with San Shou Daoist, and Ji Ning was also in this war. Soon, they reached an agreement.

"Since the Dao Ancestor has spoken, the seven of us will do as the Dao Ancestor says. If the Endless Gate comes back in full force, we will continue to participate in the battle until this realm war is completely over." Red Snow Heavenly God transmitted.

Crimson Bright Dao Ancestor immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Excellent.

These seven heavenly gods were truly the elite troops under San Shou. Although San Shou's death caused the tree to fall and the monkeys to scatter, and many heavenly gods and true immortals of the Star Picking Estate had long left, only Red Snow Heavenly God and the other six remained loyal. Out of loyalty and gratitude to San Shou Daoist, they maintained this force of the Star Picking Estate, lying low and waiting, waiting for a new leader to emerge. But these seven were the strongest under San Shou. When the seven joined forces, even twenty or thirty ordinary heavenly gods and true immortals working together were no match.

…

"We lost." Ink Bamboo Dao Ancestor understood. The Endless Gate's power was ultimately limited. The strength supporting this realm war had reached its limit, and it was unlikely to receive reinforcements. Even if there were reinforcements... it would be difficult to bridge the gap. That Seven Radiance Heavenly God was too strong.

…

In the Three Realms, a mysterious great world.

This great world was called the 'Myriad Demon Realm,' the true lair of the many Myriad Demon Caves.

The Endless Gate had a full hundred, and the Myriad Demon Caves also had a full hundred. They were distributed across the Three Realms, frantically collecting materials to refine puppets. The reason the Endless Gate camp was so terrifying... was that their puppet path truly stood alone in the Three Realms. Some of the top-tier puppets they refined were beyond the ability of Nüwa's camp to produce.

And the mystery of the 'Myriad Demon Realm' was such that even the God King, the leader of the Endless Gate, had no authority to interfere.

The Myriad Demon Realm was protected by an even more powerful existence in the Endless Gate camp... Nüwa's camp desperately wanted to obtain the core formation diagrams of puppets. Not to mention the top-tier puppet formation diagrams; even the formation diagrams for heavenly god puppets were beyond Nüwa's camp's reach.

"Rumble~~~"

Inside a floating giant city.

The city was completely sealed. Inside the sealed city was a massive hall spanning a full hundred thousand li. In the hall were densely packed celestial immortals, at a glance over a million celestial immortals... like ants, scattered everywhere, buried in the task of refining various components.

At the highest point of this massive hall was a floating throne.

Beside the throne stood two Pure Yang True Immortals respectfully.

On the throne sat a unrestrained man. He leaned against the throne, propping his chin with one hand, holding a wine flask in the other, looking down: "One million eight hundred thousand celestial immortals, three whole years, and you still haven't refined this Dao Ancestor puppet?"

"Reporting to Master Wu Xiao, soon, soon." The two Pure Yang True Immortals quickly said.

The man sitting on the throne was none other than Wu Xiao Celestial Immortal.

The two Pure Yang True Immortals before him knew well that Master Wu Xiao usually roamed freely and only ordered his disciples and grand-disciples to build puppets. It was rare for Master Wu Xiao to personally oversee the refining of puppets. After all, Master Wu Xiao... was the highest achiever in the puppet path throughout the Myriad Demon Realm. Even Wu Xiao Celestial Immortal's celestial immortal body was refined using puppet techniques.

Even True God Dao Ancestors could not tell that Wu Xiao Celestial Immortal's body was merely a puppet body. Even if Nüwa's camp killed Wu Xiao Celestial Immortal, they would only kill a puppet body.

Master Wu Xiao... his own combat power was said to be not strong.

But his puppet techniques were unparalleled in the Three Realms. Some of the small trinkets he casually refined were extremely powerful. With these trinkets, Wu Xiao Celestial Immortal roamed the Three Realms, enough to embarrass many heavenly gods and true immortals. Thus, in the Three Realms, Wu Xiao Celestial Immortal was regarded as a 'Pure Yang True Immortal.' But they did not know...

Even Qing Hu, even Bai Ji True Immortal, did not know that this Wu Xiao Celestial Immortal was actually the strongest in puppet techniques of the Endless Gate. His identity was too secret. Although many in the Myriad Demon Realm knew, the celestial immortals and true immortals of the Myriad Demon Realm were absolutely forbidden to leave.

"Hmm?" Wu Xiao Celestial Immortal's face darkened. The wine flask in his hand burst with a bang, shattered to pieces.

"Even so, you failed to kill Ji Ning? Red Snow Heavenly God? Suddenly appearing, this Red Snow Heavenly God ruined everything. Fortunately, I never placed my hopes on those three demon gods. I still have to rely on my puppet." Wu Xiao Celestial Immortal's expression was ugly as he coldly ordered, "Pass my command: within one month, build the Dao Ancestor puppet for me. One million eight hundred thousand celestial immortals, merely refining some components. The entire Dao Ancestor puppet is to be refined by me, and it's still not done. If it's not done within a month, all celestial immortals, including the two of you, will suffer the Seven Fire Punishment!"

Hearing the Seven Fire Punishment, the two Pure Yang True Immortals were greatly alarmed and quickly said respectfully, "Yes, Master. Within one month, it will certainly be done."

…