Chapter 399: Temple

Deep within the Ox Demon Temple.

This temple, built along the mountain, was magnificent and grand beyond human imagination. The Ox Demon Warriors and Generals of the Temple had hollowed out the entire Moonfall Range. The scale of this underground space was unimaginable.

It was like an extraordinary civilization that decided to expand underground rather than above it. Over decades, they could certainly have carved out vast, spectacular underground cities.

Li Pin passed through one palace after another under Yuan Zhenchuan's guidance.

The architecture, murals, carvings, and statues within these palaces all bore the unmistakable marks of the Ox Demon Clan's unique civilization. However, the Special United Squad had already swept through the area, and destruction was evident everywhere. Many places had collapsed, buried beneath the weight of the mountain.

"This palace complex... is truly enormous," Li Pin remarked.

He estimated he had already traveled over a hundred miles. Few cities, even the largest, could compare to such vastness.

"The Ox Demon Temple is made up of seven massive palace complexes," Yuan Zhenchuan explained.

When he mentioned the number seven, he paused for a moment. "We've already leveled five of these complexes. The sixth is nearly cleared, and we've recently discovered the seventh. We aren't sure if an eighth or a ninth palace complex exists, though."

Yuan Zhenchuan's expression grew thoughtful as he added, "But if there is an eighth or ninth complex... the combined strength of these creatures might surpass even the Blood Moon Gorge, making this region the most dangerous place on Gaia."

Li Pin nodded.

Since its emergence, Blood Moon Gorge had been recognized as the most perilous region on Gaia, bar none. Even the Degenerate Temple, the Demon-Sealing Fortress, the Tenfold Heavenly Realms, or the Slave Valley, could not compare to it.

A century ago, the Solar Radiance Empire, hailed as the Empire of the Eternal Sun, rivaled the Great Moon Dynasty at its peak. One dominated the southern hemisphere, while the other dominated the north, both poised for a duopolistic struggle for supremacy.

During that era, countries like Great Shang, the Star Alliance, the East Sea's thirty-six countries, and Tianyuan were merely minor players.

The Solar Radiance Empire had not made the same mistakes as the Great Moon Dynasty and was protected by the Solar Radiance Sovereign, who had been acknowledged as the world's strongest person. Yet, despite the empire's immense power, the Blood Moon Gorge still managed to render immobile.

Even Tianyuan, which had risen rapidly in just a few decades to surpass the Solar Radiance Empire, was powerless. They could do nothing but stand by, unable to spare any resources to contain the threat.

This alone demonstrated the unparalleled danger of Blood Moon Gorge.

In the minds of all, the priority was to eliminate lesser threats first, freeing up the Master and Legendary Astral Cultivators stationed in these areas. Only then could humanity unite its forces globally to conquer Blood Moon Gorge.

***

The sixth palace complex.

After Yuan Zhenchuan led Li Pin inside, several Master and Legendary Astral Cultivators quickly gathered around.

"Hall Master Li, you've arrived!"

"

Hahaha

, with you here, our burden will lighten considerably."

"Not long ago, we sent scouts to the seventh palace complex. The Ox Demon Bishop has gathered its elite forces in a grand hall, with Ox Demon Generals leading numerous warriors, warlords, and sorcerers. The Ox Demon Priests are also forming arrays and ramping up production of Ox Demon Warriors. If we don't move faster, the time spent in the Ox Demon Temple will only increase."

Several Legends spoke in unison, urgency in their voices. The others merely nodded politely to Li Pin but didn't approach to greet him.

Leading Li Pin toward the front, Yuan Zhenchuan said, "Let's not delay then. Hall Master Li, it's time for you to get familiar with these creatures.

"Although you've studied these creatures' characteristics from various records, it's best to experience real combat. Only through battle will you truly understand their strengths and weaknesses."

Li Pin nodded, accepting the suggestion.

The Ox Demon Temple was one of the most perilous regions. Its creatures possessed combat skills on par with Top-Tier Astral Cultivators. The difference was that they lacked life-saving abilities like starlight transformation.

However, some creatures had developed unique and deadly attack methods. The Ox Demon Sorcerers, in particular, were highlighted by Yuan Zhenchuan and the others as especially dangerous.

These creatures could unleash lightning bolts that spanned dozens, even hundreds of meters in an instant. Not only were they blindingly fast, but their destructive power was immense. Fortunately, the lightning bolts could only travel in a straight line.

In addition, the Ox Demon Sorcerers typically raised their staffs when preparing to attack, revealing a crucial window to respond to their attacks. It was similar to how martial artists, though unable to see the bullet's trajectory or withstand it, could anticipate a gunshot by observing the shooter's movements.

An hour later, Li Pin had nearly mastered the attack patterns of the creatures.

"That should be enough," he said.

"Do you need a break before we go in?" Yuan Zhenchuan asked.

"Even the strongest of them are only at the lord level. They won't take much effort," Li Pin replied.

"Still, be very careful," Yuan Zhenchuan warned gravely. "The seventh palace complex is where these creatures plan to make their final stand. It's filled with powerful creatures. If things turn against us, retreat immediately. Your safety is the top priority."

"I understand," Li Pin responded.

The group quickly advanced, arriving at a passageway that stood several dozen meters tall and stretched over a hundred meters wide. Here, a number of Legends were already engaged in battle, while Legendary Mages cast powerful astral techniques.

Brilliant flashes of lightning arced through the air, accompanied by deafening explosions that shook the mountains. The battle appeared so incredibly intense it seemed as though the entire range might collapse at any moment.

As Yuan Zhenchuan and Li Pin arrived, several Legends and dozens of Master Astral Cultivators turned their attention toward them.

Among them, Li Pin recognized the Supreme Experts from various factions: Zhao Kunwu of the Great Shang, Fu Qingtian of Tianyuan, Xiao Donghai of the Royal Empire, Wu De of the Star Alliance, and Tu Tan of the East Sea's thirty-six countries.

Nearly all of humanity's strongest figures had gathered at this battlefield on the frontlines against the demonic creatures. The exceptions were a select few like Ge Lin, who was guarding the Slave Valley; the Solar Radiance Sovereign, overseeing Blood Moon Gorge; and Wan Guliu, stationed at the Demon-Sealing Fortress

Yuan Zhenchuan turned to Qiao Baishi, a Legendary expert from Xiya Republic, and asked, "Is the passage ready?"

"It's ready," Qiao Baishi responded, then shifted his gaze toward Li Pin. "Hall Master Li, this seems to be our first meeting in person. I'll leave the scouting task to you."

He handed a bracelet to Li Pin. "This is the Memory Bracelet, forged from a divine relic. It has the ability to summon anyone who wears it to your side through its spatial power. If you discover the Ox Demon Bishop or find yourself in danger, you can activate its power.

"When you do, we—those of us prepared—will respond immediately, entering the seventh palace complex to either assist with your escape or focus our efforts on eliminating the Ox Demon Bishop."

Li Pin examined the divine relic. He was already familiar with its reputation and stored it away.

"I'll do my best," Li Pin said to reassure Qiao Baishi. Then he turned his attention to Qiao Baishi and asked, "But if the Ox Demon Bishop is surrounded by other demonic creatures, how will you break through when I summon you?"

Qiao Baishi chuckled. "Once the Ox Demon Bishop is dead, its Divine Kingdom will lose its pillar and collapse, throwing the demonic creatures into chaos. Without leadership, they'll scatter. We'll use that opportunity to launch a full-scale assault and crush them."

Yuan Zhenchuan smiled and added, "Demonic creatures themselves aren't frightening. What's truly dangerous is an organized demon army that takes orders and knows how to coordinate."

Li Pin nodded. Without intelligence or leadership, panicked demonic creatures were no different from untrained civilians in wartime. A mere few dozen soldiers could wipe out an entire town of tens of thousands.

He put on the bracelet.

"We're counting on you," Yuan Zhenchuan said solemnly. He then repeated once again, "Be extremely careful."

Li Pin offered a faint smile. "I know what to do."

With the Void Ring in his possession, retreating wouldn't be an issue, even without the ability to transform into starlight.

"Hall Master Li, this way, please," Qiao Baishi said.

Li Pin followed him toward another direction.

Just as he was about to leave, someone called out, "Li Pin."

Li Pin turned toward the source of the voice. It was none other than Fu Qingtian. It seemed like Fu Qingtian had a few words to share with him, but he fell silent after calling his name.

Fu Qingtian spent a moment carefully picking his words to fit someone of his status.

Then he said, "The Martial God path has developed well, but at its current pace... it still falls far short of surpassing the Astral Cultivation. Even though the Astral Cultivator's path faces the risk of extinction in a thousand years, the crisis we face now still relies on it—on stronger Astral Cultivators, Legends, and those beyond Legends!"

Li Pin looked at him. "What are you trying to say?"

"Time will prove everything. So, I'll be waiting here for you to truly prove it—prove it to the point that I have no retort!"

Li Pin understood the deeper meaning behind Fu Qingtian's words.

"You'll see," Li Pin replied.

He then calmly turned to follow Qiao Baishi through the prepared passage.

As the two departed, Yuan Zhenchuan turned to Fu Qingtian and remarked, "Old Fu, you—"

Fu Qingtian interrupted him calmly. "Everyone has their beliefs, and everyone has their perspective. There's no need to convince me otherwise."

Yuan Zhenchuan and the other Legends nodded in understanding. Some even agreed with Fu Qingtian's viewpoint.

The Astral Cultivator's path might have flaws, but those concerns were centuries, or even a millennium, away. Without continuing along this path, they wouldn't survive long enough to see the second phase of their plans, let alone worry about what might happen a thousand years later.

Even knowing it was a flawed, dead-end road, they had no choice but to continue. If they didn't compete, their opponents would crush them in the competition.

At this stage, right or wrong no longer mattered.

Because they... had no other choice.