Chapter 2505 Feel like Smiling

A group of Ancestor-level evil spirits knelt on the ground, trembling. Their fear wasn’t just out of reverence for the terrifying existence sealed within the ancient well, but more that they feared the sword beside it.

From the depths of the well, that cold, majestic voice rang out once more, “It’s time to activate the Sacrificial Blood Array...”

Suddenly, an illusory figure appeared above the well. It looked like an old daoist sitting cross-legged, shrouded in mist. Obscure chants flowed from his lips

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The bodies of the kneeling Ancestor-level evil spirits exploded without warning, transforming into torrents of gray mist that surged toward the old daoist’s figure hovering above the well. On the side of the ancient well, the Taiyi Sword that was slanted into the earth let out a rapid, resonant hum. Terrifying sword qi erupted from it, slashing toward the old daoist without mercy.

The old daoist’s body shattered and reformed over and over, like an immortal form immune to destruction. He remained cross-legged, unmoving, endlessly reciting his unfathomable scriptures as sword qi criss crossed through him.

Rumble!

The entire forbidden zone was thrown into chaos.

The rotting bones, dried corpses, and long-buried blood hidden deep beneath the ground for countless years began to stir. As if summoned by some invisible force, they surged toward the ancient well like a tide.

Corpses poured forth like a flood. Blood flowed in waves like a crimson sea!

Beneath the land of this forbidden zone, vast numbers of corpses had been buried, soaked in scarlet blood. Now, all of it transformed into a strange and terrifying force and was continuously being absorbed and devoured by the old daoist seated above the ancient well.

“What is that?”

“What a terrifying vision!”

At the edge of the forbidden zone, a group of cultivators had arrived, but the sight before them turned their faces deathly pale.

Corpses piled like mountains. Blood rolled like oceans!

“Run!”

An Emperor Ancestor, sensing danger the instant they arrived, turned and fled in terror.

Unfortunately, it was too late.

An obscure chanting echoed through the air, but when it entered the cultivators’ ears, it struck like a peerless divine sword, shattering their primordial spirit with unstoppable force!

Blood trickled from their seven orifices, and their eyes turned lifeless. In the blink of an eye, they became like mindless puppets, their bodies marching towards the ancient well as if drawn by the chants.

“That...that...” One of the strongest Emperor Ancestors still had enough strength to resist, but even he was gripped by overwhelming despair, as though he had plunged into a frozen abyss.

This sight was utterly terrifying. Just the sound of chanting had been enough to wipe out the primordial spirits of those Emperors. Even someone as strong as him suffered a soul-shattering blow.

“No—!”

Just as he tried to flee, a wave of chanting pierced through his primordial spirit. In an instant, what remained of it exploded, and he was plunged into utter unconsciousness. The next moment, his body moved like a lifeless puppet, following the others toward the ancient well.

Clang! Clang!

Deafening sword hums echoed endlessly beside the ancient well. Waves of terrifying sword might surged forth without end, striking the old daoist blow after blow, yet he remained utterly still, as if unaware. His body shattered and reformed again and again, cycling through death and rebirth, rising and falling without end...

Only the sound of chanting echoed through the forbidden land.

......

Taiyi City.

In the City Lord Residence, City Lord Bai Jianchen, clad in white and still bearing the handsome appearance of a young man, suddenly wore an extremely solemn expression. Before him stood a stone tablet.

At this moment, the surface of the tablet conjured up a sequence of bloody and terrifying scenes, such as an ancient well spewing chaotic mist, an old daoist seated cross-legged above the well reciting scriptures, and an immortal sword embedded diagonally into the ground, humming violently as sword qi surged skyward...

Further away, countless corpses and rivers of blood surged inward from all directions...

“That so-called sealed Evil God Dishen...is about to break the seal at all cost...”

A terrifying light flashed in Bai Jianchen’s eyes. As the Lord of Taiyi City, he understood the origins of the Dao Ruins very well. He had read countless ancient texts that recorded the city’s long history.

This made him understand better than anyone else that the ‘calamity’ lingering since the last epoch stemmed from a terrifying being sealed within an ancient well, an existence akin to an evil god!

Without the slightest hesitation, Bai Jianchen issued a command, “Summon the guards. Activate every restriction array across Taiyi City. Announce to the city that an unparalleled disaster is imminent. Those who wish to leave must do so now...

“If you choose to stay, I will do everything in my power to protect you!”

That day, an oppressive gloom descended upon Taiyi City. As Bai Jianchen’s order spread, hundreds of thousands of residents and countless cultivators visiting the city were thrown into panic and fear.

Clearly, a catastrophe was about to erupt and sweep through Taiyi City!

“Could it be? Is the ninth Immortal Heavenly Pass, which has stood for countless years, about to fall?”

“Let’s go. We must leave Taiyi City now. Can’t you tell? Even City Lord Bai Jianchen isn’t confident he can defend the city!”

A tide of cultivators made their decision and surged toward the eighth Immortal Heaven Pass.

According to reports, the route leading to the tenth Immortal Heavenly Pass had already been cut off by the mysterious forces emanating from the Dao Ruins.

The only path of escape was through the eighth Immortal Heavenly Pass.

Even those with powerful backgrounds and formidable cultivation grew nervous and chose to flee without further hesitation.

Despite that, many others remained.

It wasn’t that they didn’t want to leave, but given their limited strength, they simply had no hope of surviving the journey to the eighth Immortal Heavenly Pass. After all, the path was fraught with peril.

Half a day passed, the once prosperous Taiyi City had fallen into eerie silence, its former bustle and liveliness now gone. Fear gripped the hearts of those who remained, and a heavy, suffocating tension filled the air. Perhaps the only source of comfort was that City Lord Bai Jianchen had not left!

“My dear niece, if you won’t leave now, I’ll have no choice but to send you away myself.”

In the City Lord Residence, Bai Jianchen rubbed his temples helplessly. He had already told Dugu Youran the full severity of the situation, but she still showed no intention of leaving, much to his frustration.

“This chaos hasn’t started yet. There’s no need to panic. I’m also not afraid.” Dugu Youran was still dressed as a man, wearing a green robe and sipping tea leisurely. Her clear eyes were free of the slightest tension.

“Besides, this trial isn’t over yet. Those cultivators still in the Dao Ruins aren’t panicking, so why should I be worried?” she said with a smile.

Bai Jianchen’s brows furrowed with unease. “Within three days, those who entered the Dao Ruins will start to sense the looming danger and return. But I fear...not many of them will survive...”

Dugu Youran paused, the teacup held lightly in her hand. She looked up and asked, “How many?”

Bai Jianchen gave a bitter smile, “How should I know?”

In his original judgment, although the calamity was imminent, it wouldn’t erupt immediately. That was why he had permitted the trial to continue.

Unfortunately, what he had seen today changed everything. All signs indicated that the calamity might erupt sooner than expected!

This realization caught him completely off guard. He couldn’t understand why the long-sealed Evil God Dishen was suddenly struggling so fiercely as if determined to break the seal and escape at all cost.

Something must have happened!

Dugu Youran was silent for a moment then said calmly, “Then I’ll wait three days before leaving.”

......

The entrance to the Taiyi Ruins.

“Lin Xun’s aura appeared here not long ago. If my guess is correct, he must have entered the forbidden land through this void portal.” A glimmer of joy surfaced in Luo Ling’s eyes.

After days of fruitless searching, she had finally detected traces of the Grand Abyss Heaven Devourer’s aura with the help of the strange piece of jade in her hand.

Nearby were cultivators from the three Immortal Imperial Clans, including Wen Taolue, Heng Xingzhou, and Luo Shentu. Their figures loomed in the air, forming a powerful and imposing formation.

Upon hearing her words, their eyes lit up.

“A fierce battle took place here. The lingering traces include not only the aura of Ancestor-level evil spirits, but also that of Emperor Ancestors. It seems Lin Xun ran into serious trouble.” Wen Taolue scanned the surroundings and quickly captured many valuable clues.

“Let’s proceed into the forbidden area and investigate,” Heng Xingzhou said in a low voice.

“Agreed, but be careful. There have been too many anomalies in the Dao Ruins lately. Disasters are breaking out everywhere. You all must remain vigilant.” Luo Shentu warned.

Without delay, they plunged into the void portal.

......

Before the Great Taiyi Hall atop the ninety-nine stone steps, Xiang Xiaoyuan and Yue Duqiu had finally emerged, unable to conceal the joy on their faces. It was clear they had gained greatly from their enlightenment on the bluestone platform.

Seeing this, Lin Xun went over to greet them. “I’m afraid we must leave the Dao Ruins immediately.”

Xiang Xiaoyuan and Yue Duqiu were taken aback. Lin Xun quickly shared his earlier deductions with them, hiding nothing.

“So, the evil spirits scattered throughout the Dao Ruins, whether at the Emperor or the Ancestor level, are all under the control of that terrifying existence sealed within the ancient well?”

Yue Duqiu drew in a sharp breath, realizing the seriousness of the situation.

“A demon that survived from the previous epoch is truly an unimaginable catastrophe. No wonder City Lord Bai Jianchen warned that this calamity could engulf all of Taiyi City. If Brother Lin’s speculation is correct, the consequences would be devastating.”

A grave expression settled over Xiang Xiaoxuan’s face.

“So our top priority is to leave the Dao Ruins immediately,” Lin Xun said as he turned to leave.

A cold, piercing voice suddenly rang out, “Trying to leave? Too late!”

The voice shook the heavens and the earth.

In the distance, a horde of figures came roaring forth, each radiating vast, oppressive might. There were at least forty to fifty cultivators, and their overwhelming presence was enough to make anyone’s heart tremble.

Leading them were none other than Wen Taolue, Heng Xingzhou, Luo Shentu, and several other Ancestors. As they arrived, an indescribably vast murderous aura swept across the heavens, shrouding the world and causing the void to wail.

The faces of Xiang Xiaoyuan and Yue Duqiu paled. They had not expected to be ambushed by such a fearsome lineup just as they were about to depart.

Lin Xun raised his brows, equally surprised.

However, instead of panic, a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

He had been wondering when he’d get the chance to deal with these enemies. Who would’ve thought they would deliver themselves right to his doorstep?