What is an immortal?

Mo Kongkong cursed inwardly, his figure turned, attempting to quietly slip past the middle-aged scholar.

Just as he was about to pass by the scholar, a myriad of illusions appeared before his eyes, dazzling him with flashing lights.

When he came to his senses, he was already firmly grabbed by the shoulder by the middle-aged scholar.

"You murderer, where did you come from, Soul Cultivator?" Mo Kongkong cursed angrily, his face full of resentment and fury.

The middle-aged scholar seemed to ignore his curses, lowered his head to examine Mo Kongkong, his eyes showing curiosity: "So you are the so-called Mo Kongkong, who claims his Divine Movement leaves no trace? A dignified Dharma manifestation strongman resorting to stealing treasures. What did you steal from the Golden Sword Sect this time?"

Before Mo Kongkong could speak, Jiang Wenjian had already caught up to the middle-aged scholar, breathing a sigh of relief, with a grateful expression: "Many thanks for your help, Fellow Daoist. This thief has audacity that knows no bounds, daring to steal the supreme treasure of our sect. If not for your timely appearance, he would have escaped again." Saying this, he bowed to the middle-aged scholar, expressing his gratitude.

"Supreme treasure? Is it the legendary Sky-splitting Golden Mace?" The middle-aged scholar raised his eyebrows slightly, asking.

Jiang Wenjian subconsciously nodded but then felt a hint of vigilance arise in his heart.

"Fellow Daoist, your face is unfamiliar, where do you come from and where will you be heading in the Tian Guang Mountain Range?" Jiang Wenjian looked at the middle-aged scholar carefully, probing, his eyes flashing a subtle hint of caution.

"Embarrassingly, my purpose here is no different than Mo Kongkong's." The middle-aged scholar smiled faintly, showing a few signs of apology on his face.

Jiang Wenjian was slightly stunned by the words, and before he could react, he saw the middle-aged scholar raise a hand slightly. A dazzling golden light shot rapidly out from Mo Kongkong's body, transforming instantly into a short mace, which landed steadily in the scholar's hand.

The short mace shimmered brilliantly, and under Divine Thought, it revealed a palpable Spiritual Pressure that made one's heart race.

"I shall temporarily borrow it. Farewell."

The middle-aged scholar's eyes flashed with satisfaction, he lightly shook the short mace, and then the silver moon mark on his forehead flickered, his figure dissipating like mist and soon vanished without a trace.

"Scoundrel, how dare you!"

Jiang Wenjian shouted angrily, his chest ignited with raging fury.

With a thought, he quickly performed spells, behind him the golden Dharma manifestation appeared out of thin air, ten thousand rays of golden light shot from the Dharma manifestation, sweeping around in an indiscriminate attack.

Mo Kongkong, having just barely freed himself from the restraints, suddenly felt the rampant golden light before him, fearing in his heart, quickly transformed into a shadow, darting amidst the golden light, finally escaping the fury after much effort.

His back was already drenched in cold sweat, his heart filled with fear.

After venting, Jiang Wenjian's anger slightly subsided; however, after scanning around, the middle-aged scholar was still nowhere to be seen.

Filled with extreme dissatisfaction, his red eyes surveyed the surroundings, finally locking onto Mo Kongkong who had yet to leave in time.

Terrified by Jiang Wenjian's fierce demeanor, Mo Kongkong trembled and quickly pleaded: "Jiang... Fellow Daoist Jiang, the Sky-splitting Golden Mace is no longer in my possession, and I do not know that person. As they say, revenge has its head, debt has its owner, if you wish to vent your anger, do not target me."

"Then why do you keep that Storage Ring! Do you think it's funny?" Jiang Wenjian shouted angrily.

Under Jiang Wenjian's increasingly hostile gaze, Mo Kongkong took out a Storage Ring from his bosom and tossed it towards Jiang Wenjian, saying hurriedly:

"That person left as this Storage Ring appeared in my bosom. I believe it was meant to exchange for the Sky-splitting Golden Mace. I never take advantage of others; keep it well, this matter has nothing to do with me anymore, don't look for me again."

Finished speaking, afraid of being implicated, Mo Kongkong's figure blurred and he transformed into a shadow, rapidly escaping.

Jiang Wenjian caught the Storage Ring, scanning it with Divine Thought, discovering several rare elixirs inside, holding considerable value.

Although the sect's supreme treasure was stolen, how could these elixirs compensate for it?

His heart filled with hate, but unable to trace the middle-aged scholar, he could only carry the Storage Ring, returning with resentment.

...

Thick Earth Sect.

On the stone path of the sect's secret vault, Sect Master He Junchen walked alongside his junior sister.

He Junchen suddenly stopped, his gaze turned solemnly to his junior sister, saying slowly: "Junior sister, I am about to start my closed-door cultivation, unless I achieve Dharma manifestation, I will not emerge easily. I entrust all sect matters to you. Be sure to act cautiously, listen to the elders' opinions, but do not blindly follow."

"Senior brother, how confident are you in breaking through this time?" The junior sister asked worriedly, looking at He Junchen softly.

"Rest assured, junior sister. I have prepared for several hundred years, although not foolproof, I have sixty percent confidence. However, during my retreat, without a strong presence in the sect, trouble may arise. Thankfully, father left behind the Earth Covering Seal; if you can refine it, it should deter any petty troublemakers." He Junchen smiled slightly, reassuring her.

As they spoke, they arrived at the secret vault entrance.

He Junchen raised his hand, fingers weaving an intricate spell, as a ray of light flashed, the vault door slowly opened.

However, as the door opened, a strange aura rushed out.

A middle-aged scholar stood within the vault, holding a small earthy yellow seal, a faint admiration in his eye.

The scholar glanced at the two, his tone flat yet undeniable: "This seal is fated with me, I shall borrow it temporarily, and return it eventually."

He Junchen was shocked in his heart, but he maintained his composure on the surface.

He took a light breath, stepped forward, and cupped his hands, saying, "If it is what Senior needs, please feel free to take it."

The middle-aged scholar slightly nodded, tossed out a storage ring, and then disappeared into thin smoke.

He Junchen maintained his bowing posture until his junior sister gently tugged at his sleeve. Then, he slowly straightened up, taking a deep breath as a complex emotion flashed through his eyes.

"Junior Sister, do you know why I'm so eager to enter seclusion and break through?"

He gently shook his head, with a hint of lament in his voice: "After my father passed away, our sect lost the protection of a Dharma manifestation expert, and our strength is not what it used to be. If I can't break through, the future of the sect is in jeopardy."

At this moment, outside the mountain gate, the middle-aged scholar had resumed his true face—it was Yuan Ming.

He removed the invisibility technique, and his figure turned into a stream of light, flying swiftly toward the distance.

His robe gently waved, restoring his original appearance.

The Sky-splitting Golden Mace of the Golden Sword Sect and the Earth Covering Seal of the Thick Earth Sect were the carefully selected targets from that statue list.

The former contains the Golden Emperor True Intent, while the latter holds the Earth Emperor True Intent.

As his array formation cultivation reached the seventh level, the speed of refining the Stealing Heaven Tripod greatly increased. In just two or three more years, he would be able to refine the Stealing Heaven Tripod up to the 100 layer restriction.

At that time, he could possess objects and comprehend the true intent within them.

Now, he had already collected the cultivators and spiritual treasures containing Emperor-level True Intent, making full preparations for future cultivation.

The upcoming time could also be devoted to seclusion.

...

Time flew by, and sixty years passed in a flash.

On the Central Continent, demonic qi quietly proliferated, gradually eroding every inch of land.

Many demon beasts, tainted by demonic qi, began to undergo demonization.

These demonized demon beasts, their murderous nature triggered, saw their battle power doubled, and their savagery intensified, with their advancement paths greatly shortened.

They rampaged across the Central Continent, attacking sects and threatening cities, leaving many living beings in terror.

The Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range, once a nest for demon beasts, now becomes a place rampant with demonized beasts. Yet, thanks to the protection of the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals, this place remained more peaceful compared to other regions.

Whenever powerful demonized beasts appeared, the Alliance of Ten Thousand Immortals would swiftly organize people to besiege the beasts, nipping the threats in the bud.

Moreover, the remnants of the Ten Thousand Demon Country had also become much more restrained and no longer acted recklessly.

Thus, the cultivators near the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range were able to live and thrive on this land, with the Nineteen Cities becoming increasingly prosperous, turning into a land of wealth.

Within the Ten Thousand Demon Ridge, a towering stone sacred hall rises abruptly, standing atop the ridge.

Inside the sacred hall, the lights are bright, illuminating a statue of a Demon Emperor holding a long sword, with lights and shadows intermingling, creating a mysterious and solemn atmosphere.

Outside the hall, various kinds of demon clans formed two long lines, entering the hall in turn, kneeling and praying devoutly.

Their expressions were solemn, no different from when the Human Clan worships immortals and gods.

As the queue moved forward slowly, the closer demons to the hall grew more silent, as if intimidated by some sort of majesty.

Meanwhile, those in the middle and end of the line wore expressions of confusion, whispering in small groups.

"I heard that recently, over at Crow Ridge, a level 5 demonized monster appeared, slaughtering all living beings within a hundred miles," a wild boar demon with protruding lips and fangs whispered.

"I heard about it too. My uncle escaped from Crow Ridge, his entire family was tragically killed by that demonized beast. He said that beast lacked any demon nature, killed on sight, and after killing, it sucked blood. The more blood it consumed, the more ferocious it became, the heavier its killing intent, and the more terrifying its power. Our Ten Thousand Demon Country once sent two level 5 Great Demons to suppress it, but one died and one was injured..." a green bull demon replied, with a flash of grief in his eyes.

"And then what happened? Which Demon King dealt with the matter?" the wild boar demon curiously asked.

"Since the Electric Roc King and the Flame Wolf King fell, our Ten Thousand Demon Country didn't dare casually send out Demon Kings anymore. The loss is too great, and we can't afford it." The green bull demon shook his head, speaking bitterly.

"Indeed..." the wild boar demon sighed, "Without the Demon King's intervention, we can only rely on Her Majesty the Empress."

"Her Majesty the Empress possesses vast divine skills and is protected by the Demon Emperor, only she can protect our Ten Thousand Demon Country." The green bull demon followed with praise.

Like them, there were many demons discussing the trivial matters of the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range.

Everyone felt fearful, each with their own melancholy and expectations, searching for their way of survival as this chaotic world unfolded.