Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

She understood the decisions of the higher-ups; such means should indeed be used at the most critical moment. However, how are they supposed to get through the current crisis at Black Wind Ridge and other fortresses?

Now, they can only hope that the True Monarch can discover the traces of the True Demon and eliminate it.

Pingtian True Monarch glanced over everyone’s faces, he could guess what these people were thinking now, and said with a smile:

“If no target is detected and eliminated, you can reduce the patrol range to twenty to thirty li around. The message has been relayed back, and the higher-ups will summon a batch of Golden Core Stage cultivators and several Chao Origin disciples to garrison the Wulan Mountain area. Among them are late-stage Golden Core cultivators, and each fortress will be allocated at least one. Wait for the reinforcements to arrive, then each fortress can slowly expand the patrol range.”

Recently, the casualty rate among Foundation Establishment disciples has been high, and they can no longer adapt to the current battle intensity. After the surviving disciples withdraw after a year, Foundation Establishment cultivators will no longer be drafted.

Acquiring more Yin Thunder Beads has become a consensus among the higher-ups, so there will be continuous support coming in.

Additionally, forces of Nascent Soul level in Central Continent will hold a meeting soon to pledge an alliance against the invasion of the True Demon Realm.

In this way, areas not yet affected by the Demon Fog will send resources and combat personnel to regions like Wulan Mountain.

The alliance meeting will definitely involve some squabbling, but a basic framework will surely be established.

‘Under a toppled nest, how can there be intact eggs?’

True Monarchs understand this principle and only hope to quickly determine the allocation of benefits and offensive-defensive alliances.

Yun Yan Daoist Master’s facial expression relaxed significantly, and the atmosphere of the conversation among everyone became more amiable.

Ji An saw that the True Monarch was in a good mood and asked a question he had pondered for a long time without an answer:

“Disciple has a matter that is unclear; I would like to ask for your clarification. How exactly are the Cultivation Realm and the True Demon Realm connected? Could it be that the True Demon Realm is the underground world?”

Demonic Qi surges from the Demon Cave, and the so-called Demon Cave is essentially an Earth Cave leading deep beneath the ground.

Ji An felt it wouldn’t be so simple. Otherwise, the two worlds would always be connected instead of only connecting when the True Demon Tribulation breaks out.

Everyone looked at Pingtian True Monarch, waiting for his answer.

“This question involves the concept of realms. Within the universe, there are many realms, but that is something only cultivators above the Nascent Soul level need to worry about, so I won’t describe it in detail.”

Pingtian True Monarch, seeing everyone’s curious expressions, continued:

“I can clearly tell you all that although Demonic Qi gushes from the Demon Cave and many True Demons and demon lords emerge from it, the True Demon Realm is not beneath the Cultivation Realm. If we dig downward, we will see soil layers, rock layers, and magma layers, but we will never find the True Demon Realm. An energy we cannot fathom undergoes a Yin-Yang Transformation, with turbid Yin settling to form the True Demon Realm and clear Yang ascending to become the Cultivation Realm. You can consider the Cultivation Realm and True Demon Realm as two origin-same secret realms; they together construct a complete realm. Whether the True Demon Realm disappears or the Cultivation Realm disappears, this realm will collapse.”

“Both secret realms are vast, and there are other smaller secret realms within them. At a specific time, the Yin-Yang two secret realms will briefly intersect, and the intense collision of Qi Mechanisms benefits both. During this time, more Spiritual Veins will be born in the Cultivation Realm. What changes occur in the True Demon Realm is beyond my knowledge.”

“I must admit that the True Demon Realm’s strength is somewhat greater, and during each encounter of the Yin-Yang secret realms, the True Demons gain more benefits. This situation changed somewhat during the last outbreak of the True Demon Tribulation. Although the Cultivation Realm still suffered heavy losses, we have already been able to stabilize the front line…”

After listening to the True Monarch’s explanation, Ji An’s eyes brightened, and he asked:

“The world we are in is just one realm. So how many realms are there within the universe?”

At this moment, a corner of the universe’s veil was lifted, revealing its vastness, which is necessary to observe the resplendent starry river.

“Across all heavens and worlds, the exact number of realms is beyond the knowledge of a mere Nascent Soul cultivator like me.”

“True Monarch jests, if you are a minor cultivator, then we are like toddlers taking our first steps.”

Pingtian True Monarch smiled, “Once your cultivation elevates to the Nascent Soul level, you will understand my feelings more. The higher one’s cultivation, the more one feels their own insignificance. The purpose of cultivation is to achieve immortality, but how many cultivators have reached the Immortal Realm from our realm throughout the ages? As the realm was initially born, the Power of Creation manifested, allowing the Ancient Immortals to cultivate relatively more easily. As realms gradually stabilize, various barriers form, making our successors’ Immortal Paths much more difficult, requiring a greater cost and time to traverse a path that some fortune-favored cultivators completed in mere decades.”

He shifted the topic, saying:

“Speaking so much that you may not understand; it is not to ridicule you, but certain truths cannot be comprehended without the proper realm.”

The superior scholar hears of the Dao, and diligently practices it; the average scholar hears of the Dao, and it seems present and absent; the inferior scholar hears of the Dao, and loudly laughs at it.

He felt that his current self was merely barely peeping into the door of the average scholar’s level on this path, with a long road ahead, only able to arduously seek.

Pingtian Daoist Master stood up, pointing to the sand table on the desk:

“Point out your usual patrol routes and points of attack. My time is tight and cannot be wasted, searching for twenty-four double hours before leaving.”

Currently, he is the only True Monarch in the Wulan Mountain region, and cannot be absent from the central hubs for long.

Yun Yan Daoist Master hurriedly stood up, pointing out the routes and locations, saying:

“True Monarch, I will accompany you.”

Pingtian True Monarch politely declined:

“No need, your presence at the fortress is more meaningful. After the search is over or upon encountering the target, I will return to the fortress.”

His search range would be enormous, and bringing someone along would only limit his capabilities.

Yun Yan Daoist Master took out two white Jade Slips, offering them with both hands:

“One Jade Slip is a detailed map of the areas near the fortress, the other records the form and basic information of the True Demons, with several distinctive features specially marked.”

In the eyes of cultivators, the appearance of True Demons doesn’t differ much, only distinguishable by size and certain features.

The stronger a True Demon is, the larger its size, but Nascent Soul level True Demons can change their body size and cannot be differentiated just by size.

Pingtian True Monarch accepted the Jade Slips. His Divine Sense was strong enough not to have to press them against his forehead to penetrate the material and read the information.

“Very thoughtful.”

The disciple must have prepared the materials beforehand, with the map covering a hundred li, much larger than the normal patrol range.

He walked out of the room, riding a black Water Element Cloud and leaving.

Although there was an Anti-Air Array in the fortress, it couldn’t completely prevent the flight of Nascent Soul cultivators.

…

Two days passed, in the attic, Pingtian True Monarch took out a Jade Slip, saying in a deep voice:

“Regrettably, I have not found the trace of that True Demon, but I did discover signs of possible High-Tier True Demon lingering in several areas. I have marked them on the map, you can avoid that area and wait for reinforcements to focus on those areas for inspection.”

The enemy is strong and cunning, and these disciples can hardly leave a mark upon the enemy, better to watch and wait.

Disappointment flashed in Yun Yan Daoist Master’s heart, but a smile appeared on her face:

“True Monarch, you have worked hard.”

After Pingtian True Monarch gave some instructions, he left, and Yun Yan Daoist Master said:

“Follow the True Monarch’s instructions, reducing the patrol area to thirty li around, with Fellow Daoist Miaohua and Fellow Daoist Moyun in charge.”

Before reinforcements arrive, I will accompany daily patrols.”

Wan Jinrong spoke up, “Steward, I also wish to participate in the patrolling.”

He didn’t shy away from his intention, laughing twice, explaining:

“Currently, there aren’t many artifact refining tasks, so I have a lot of free time every day. I’d like to keep some Yin Beads to test materials.”

With the patrol range reduced, the steward personally overseeing, plus lifesaving cards, even encountering True Demons again, safety would be assured.

Yun Yan Daoist Master nodded, “Fellow Daoist Jinrong, your willingness to share the burden is excellent; you group with Fellow Daoist Miaohua.”

She then turned and asked:

“Fellow Daoist Xuanqing, do you have the same intention?”

She wanted to see how the opponent fights with her own eyes, feeling their abilities were hidden and unexposed.

Ji An shook his head, “The alchemy and talisman making tasks are heavy, so I won’t join in the excitement.”

Apart from not having had a chance to test Yi Wood God Thunder and Solid Gold Technique in the last battle, he already had a clear understanding of his combat capability and found no need to venture out again.