: The Peerless Demon Nest

Within the array of arrays, everyone wore different expressions.

Lin Shanshan was filled with regret, realizing she had misjudged Linghu Jiu!

"Big Brother has already mastered the 'Lonely Snow at the Edge of the World' sword technique to perfection, able to wield it freely."

She also discovered she had greatly underestimated Ning Zhuo.

"Even without my intervention, with the power of Ning Zhuo's last strike, he could have won in one move."

"I was just being presumptuous!"

"Miss Lin." Ning Zhuo's call made Lin Shanshan's heart flutter.

Turning to look, she saw Ning Zhuo giving her a sincere smile, his eyes full of gratitude: "Miss Lin, thank you for your help!"

"Brother Linghu and I were merely sparring; I acted too hastily earlier, lacking thought, and struck too hard."

"Thanks to Miss Lin's timely intervention, I was kept from making a grave mistake."

His comforting words warmed Lin Shanshan's heart.

Linghu Jiu slowly sheathed his sword, smiling, "I am but a reflection of the original, a dharma body condensed by the Reflection Wall. There's no need for concern, brother."

But Ning Zhuo shook his head, his gaze clear as water: "Brother, I've always treated you as the true original."

"If I didn't, wouldn't that be disrespectful to you?"

"I know you must be concerned that I'm made of flesh and blood, so you've never struck with full force. How could I then go all out without restraint, taking advantage of you?"

"I'd prefer this spar to be fair."

Linghu Jiu laughed heartily: "Ah, brother, brother."

Lin Shanshan clapped her hands, smiling as well: "This spar should be a draw. Hmm, I think that's the best outcome."

Amid the laughter, the earlier awkwardness in her heart dissipated considerably.

Lin Bufan: ...

"Shanshan and Jiu'er still need more training."

"Could it be that Ning Zhuo deliberately sought a draw?"

Lin Bufan's gaze toward Ning Zhuo had subtly changed.

Before, he saw him purely as an elder looking down on a junior, but after witnessing that scythe strike, he began to regard Ning Zhuo more seriously.

"Ning Zhuo actually possesses immortal aptitude! With such character, who knows how far he'll develop in the future."

The Five Elements Sovereign was still studying the purple blade mark.

The Lonely Sword Lord appeared.

His eyes were as deep as autumn water, tinged with a trace of desolation, seeing through the world's splendor. His skin was slightly pale, as if steeped in years of wind, frost, rain, and snow.

Clad in simple blue robes, elegant like water, his figure was tall and straight. At that moment, holding a sheathed sharp sword, he exuded an aura of faint sorrow and solitude.

"This is an external path," he said plainly, then turned his gaze to Ning Zhuo.

Though his tone and gaze were calm, Ning Zhuo felt as if placed in ice and snow under his look, completely seen through.

The Lonely Sword Lord said, "Young friend Ning Zhuo, may I ask the origin of the scythe in your hand? Does it come from the Night Rain Dynasty?"

Ning Zhuo quickly bowed respectfully, "Senior Sword Lord's insight is sharp. It is indeed a demon weapon from the Night Rain Dynasty."

The Blood Slaughter Dynasty, the Forbidden Dynasty, and the Night Rain Dynasty represented three significant historical periods.

The Five Elements Sovereign looked up and sighed, "Pity my true self has perished, this dharma body confined within the Reflection Wall. How exhilarating it would be to roam the world and challenge all its heroes!"

The Lonely Sword Lord also nodded slightly, showing a longing expression: "The old waves roll on, the new ones surge fiercely. If I could test my sword against the world once more, even in defeat, it would bring joy."

In the Sword Lord's era, he was among the world's top experts, having traveled alone with his sword, challenging heroes everywhere.

Zhu Xuanji spoke: "The scythe in Ning Zhuo's hand is no ordinary Night Rain demon weapon; it's quite special."

"Seniors, I am rather curious."

"The Lustrous Reflection Wall originates from the Martial Emperor era after the Blood Slaughter Dynasty and has witnessed the subsequent two great dynasties, three imperial dynasties, and countless kingdoms."

"Yet, from your words and actions, it seems you are unaware of these later events..."

As the Five Elements Sovereign was about to explain, another dharma body appeared.

His eyebrows were thick as ink, his gaze profound, his hands long and powerful with distinct knuckles.

His robe was embroidered with patterns of a brush pen and green grass.

His movements were like a breeze brushing willow branches, carrying an innate elegance.

Seeing him, Lin Bufan immediately bowed: "Lord Grass Sage, I finally have the honor of seeing you again!"

The newcomer was indeed the reflection of the Grass Sage, Zhang Huaixu.

Zhang Huaixu glanced at Lin Bufan, scanned the surroundings, then paused on the purple blade mark.

"Lady Immortal Consort is aware of your purpose and invites you inside for a discussion," Zhang Huaixu said.

Lin Bufan's face lit up with excitement: "To be received by Lady Immortal Consort Jingyu is a fortune of three lifetimes."

Zhang Huaixu shook his head mildly: "Any talented individual among the younger generation may be summoned by Lady Immortal Consort. Today is a fortunate day; first Linghu Jiu, then Ning Zhuo, Zhu Xuanji, Sun Lingtong. Everyone, follow me."

Lin Bufan's expression darkened slightly.

Zhang Huaixu's meaning was simple: you are all here thanks to the light of Linghu Jiu and Ning Zhuo.

Zhu Xuanji remained expressionless.

Ning Jiufan and Ning Zhuo felt tense, knowing their secrets were already exposed in the eyes of Immortal Consort Jingyu.

Lin Shanshan looked around and asked, "Who is Sun Lingtong?"

Ning Zhuo smiled awkwardly: "Miss Lin, allow me to explain later."

Lin Shanshan snorted and transmitted her voice: "You big-headed fool, how many more things are you hiding from me?"

Zhang Huaixu led the way directly.

Ning Zhuo felt a moment of gratitude toward Zhang Huaixu and said to Lin Shanshan, "Miss Lin, right now, the Lustrous Reflection Wall is what matters."

Lin Shanshan's attention was immediately diverted.

"Little one, see you later." The Five Elements Sovereign waved to Ning Zhuo and vanished.

The Lonely Sword Lord nodded slightly before also disappearing.

Everyone followed the Grass Sage Zhang Huaixu forward.

They moved from one array space to another, one after another...

Passing through over a dozen array within arrays, they went through a journey of curiosity, shock, and numbness.

Sun Lingtong held her forehead, exclaiming loudly: "Heavens, look at this level of protection! It's downright outrageous. Even a capital city doesn't have defenses like this."

"These arrays are interconnected and nested; is there any place in the world with deeper defenses than here?"

"I admire Lin Bufan's determination for even thinking of targeting the Reflection Wall!"

Ning Zhuo couldn't help but glance at Lin Bufan.

The face of this Nascent Soul-level sect master of the Myriad Medicine Sect was visibly pale.

He had never ventured this deep before and was seeing for the first time that the Lustrous Reflection Wall originally had over twenty layers of defensive arrays, each comparable to the Jade Leak Drip Array, among others.

Lin Bufan had spent over a hundred years just to have the former mountain god erode the outermost two defensive arrays.

At this moment, he was horrified to find that his century of effort amounted to less than ten percent of the whole!

Grass Sage Zhang Huaixu said leisurely: "These arrays were all created by the dharma bodies reflected here."

"Such as Chen Xuanyan, Wang Jiu, Zhao Yuanji, Zhou Qingcheng, Li Tianye, and others."

Lin Bufan's face grew even paler.

The people mentioned by Zhang Huaixu were all famously skilled array masters in history.

For Lin Bufan to erode these arrays would be like facing the combined efforts of historical sages alone.

What hope was there?

For a moment, Lin Bufan felt disheartened.

They arrived at an underground cavern, its depth unknown.

Originally dark, silent, and perpetually damp, the cavern had been gradually transformed by the long-term presence of the Lustrous Reflection Wall.

The hanging stalactites had turned into jade, crystalline and translucent, with flowing luminescence.

The cavern walls also resembled carved jade, smooth as mirrors, emitting a soft golden and silver glow.

The forest of stone pillars in the cavern, all jade-colored, stood majestic like a palace of jade.

At the bottom of the cavern was a clear pool, its shimmering surface reflecting the glow of the Reflection Wall, making it ripple with golden and silver light, splendid and magnificent like a dragon palace treasure pool.

In the pool swam a school of fish, transparent all over, their movement creating interwoven light and shadow, fantastical and colorful.

"Wait, are these Ten-Thousand-Year Water Essences?" Zhu Xuanji's eyes flashed with golden light as he exclaimed in a low voice.

Everyone was immediately drawn to the fish, their eyes blazing.

Disturbed by the intense gazes, the fish quickly sank to the bottom, turning into clear water and vanishing.

But that brief glimpse shocked Ning Zhuo: "There must be at least two to three hundred of them. Two to three hundred Ten-Thousand-Year Water Essences?!"

"No, the larger ones are far older than ten thousand years."

The air in the cavern was not stale at all; it was fresh and vibrant, refreshing to the heart.

The spiritual energy was dense but only misty, not forming fog to obstruct vision.

In such an environment, the true form of the Lustrous Reflection Wall was revealed to everyone.

It stood about three zhang tall and over two zhang wide, shaped like a giant mirror but with a slightly curved surface.

It was semi-transparent, primarily made of a large piece of琉璃金晶 (liuli gold crystal). The shimmering glow on its surface was wondrous, sometimes like the first light of dawn, warm and gentle; other times like the glow of sunset, brilliant and glorious. As the light and shadow shifted, the scenery in the cavern changed with it.

At times, it resembled a spring day with blooming flowers; other times, an autumn night with a starry river...

The scene was like a fairyland, all jade, gold, and silver, radiant and brilliant.

Everyone present marveled and lingered as if ordinary mortals.

"Is this the Lustrous Reflection Wall?" Lin Bufan's expression was complex as he gazed upon the spiritual treasure he had longed for over a hundred years.

"Where is my big brother?" Lin Shanshan asked after her moment of awe.

"He is inside the wall, battling demon beasts." A female cultivator dharma body emerged from the Reflection Wall.

Her beauty seemed natural, with eyebrows like distant hills, eyes like autumn water, a straight and elegant nose, and lips like cherry blossoms.

Her skin was white as snow, emitting a faint jade light.

She wore a light green silk gown with exquisite white magnolia embroideries that complemented her气质 (qizhi - temperament).

As she walked out, her gown flowed lightly like drifting clouds and flowing water.

At her waist was a jade belt adorned with round, luminous pearls, each full and晶莹 (jingying - crystalline).

In her hair were several delicate jade hairpins, each carved vividly. Her earlobes hung with small, exquisite white jade earrings that swayed gently with her steps. On her wrists, she wore a pair of translucent jade bangles that chimed crisply like琳琅 (linlang - tinkling jade) when they touched.

Her气质 (qizhi - temperament) was elegant and gentle, every movement exuding tranquility and grace, like a warm piece of fine jade.

Her voice was soft as flowing water, her words always carrying care and consideration, making one feel as if bathed in a spring breeze.

This was indeed Immortal Consort Jingyu!

With the appearance of the Immortal Consort, everyone's vision was filled with splendor. They held their breath, feeling as if the underground cavern had instantly transformed into a magnificent dragon palace.

Such a presence truly evoked heartfelt admiration.

Everyone bowed deeply, and upon rising, found the world transformed; they had been drawn into the Lustrous Reflection Wall.

"Everyone, look below," Immortal Consort Jingyu faced the group, pointing downward.

Beneath their feet, what seemed like clouds or sea swiftly dispersed, revealing a massive demon nest intertwined with crimson and deep black.

The demon nest loomed like a gate to hell, its澎湃 (pengpai - surging) demonic energy constantly assailing the surroundings like a tsunami, causing hairs to stand on end.

The nest's exterior was composed of countless black vines, twisted and clinging like dancing snakes,蠕动 (rudong - squirming) incessantly, emitting faint rustling sounds as if whispering endless resentment. The serpentine vines were thorny, sharp as blades, dripping dark red venom, filling the air with a腥臭 (xingchou - foul) stench.

Massive bones of various shapes—human and beast—lay scattered inside and outside the nest. Broken and残缺 (canque - incomplete), with clear bite marks, they were狰狞 (zhengning - ferocious) and terrifying, chilling the heart.

There were also large幽绿 (youlü - dark green) demon stones, glowing with a sinister and eerie light. The interplay of light and shadow made the nest's景象 (jingxiang - scene) flicker between brightness and darkness, as if countless tormented souls wailed and moaned in the gloom. Under the stones' glow, everyone could barely make out winding passages. These迂回 (yuhui - meandering) paths coiled like the veins of an abyss, connecting the entire nest into a unified whole.

At key nodes within the nest, ancient demon altars were distributed. Covered in mysterious and profound ancient runes, they emitted intensely evil and dense demonic energy. On the altars lay various tools, some broken, others stained with dried blood, clearly used for邪恶 (xie'e - wicked) rituals.

In the deepest part of the nest, dark caves and abysses, black as ink and bottomless, continuously emitted low roars and凄厉 (qili - piercing) shrieks.

Just from a distance, everyone felt a chill from their feet to the crown of their heads. The demonic energy was so overwhelming, suffocating, as if trapped in an endless nightmare with no hope of escape.

Immortal Consort Jingyu said softly, "This is a peerless demon nest."

"The path of demons originates from beyond the heavens."

"This peerless demon nest fell from the sky, the source of all demons in the world, indestructible, only to be suppressed and sealed."

"In the past, the Martial Emperor led his army to besiege Mount Kunlun, determined to suppress the peerless demon nest to eradicate the demon scourge at its root."

"However, the demon nest is indestructible, constantly operating and spawning countless demon beasts. Ordinary means could hardly suppress it for long."

"The Martial Emperor, the Strategist, and other great cultivators pondered deeply and eventually jointly created the Lustrous Reflection Wall. I, the Five Elements Sovereign, and others personally went deep into Mount Kunlun, fought in secret, and finally sealed the peerless demon nest, securing victory in the decisive battle."

Immortal Consort Jingyu revealed ancient secrets.

She continued, "The Lustrous Reflection Wall is originally a spiritual treasure, capable of reflecting numerous sages, capturing and retaining images to create dharma bodies. These dharma bodies can only move within the wall, possessing the full combat strength of the original cultivators."

"Over countless years, the peerless demon nest has spawned endless demon beasts, while I preside over the Lustrous Reflection Wall, using the prodigies and great sages emerging through the ages to condense dharma bodies and resist them."

(End of )