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Chapter 581: Chapter 573: Demon Lord
Demon Realm.
Wherever the eye could see, there were mountains and fields, but without exception, all lay desolate.
It resembled the ruins after a nuclear explosion, as well as the silent stars where no living beings existed.
This was a world without trees, rivers, vegetation, or birds and beasts, snakes, fish, and birds.
Yet in this world, where logically no living being should tread, there were constructions that looked exceedingly bizarre, similar to earthen houses.
These buildings appeared very low, with half exposed above ground and the other half hidden underground.
However, amidst the numerous low-lying buildings at the very center, there stood a tall tower.
A tower soaring into the clouds, over a kilometer high.
The entire tower seemed to be constructed from a special type of crystal, radiating flowing light, giving off a vibe filled with a technological hue.
In contrast with the ruins-like surroundings, it felt jarringly out of place.
Around the tower, hundreds of powerful Demon Spirits continuously patrolled back and forth.
Among them were many whose bodies exceeded a hundred meters in length, Spirit Venerable Level Demon Spirits.
Occasionally, even two hundred or three hundred meter-long Middle Position, and even Upper Spirit Venerables, would appear.
Considering how these Demon Spirits circled around the tower, it was clear they were guarding it.
The fact that so many Demon Spirits, including Upper ones, were patrolling indicated the significance of this tower within the Demon Realm.
And in the Demon Realm, towers are this important...
Obviously, this was the key location where the information of Upper Spirit Venerables was inscribed, and which allowed them to resurrect time and again—the Eternal Life Tower.
At this time, at the highest floor of this tower, numerous Demon Spirits surrounded, their spiritual fluctuations perpetually intermingling.
At the very center of these spiritual fluctuations was something resembling a projection of light and shadow, and what it projected was not some misshapen Demon Spirit form, but a person.
A person roughly three meters tall, enveloped in a black robe, holding a white staff of equal height to himself.
Their spiritual communication translated into language, and the topic they were discussing was none other than the demise of the Star Trace Demon God and the Demon God Long Xiao.
"Is it really that kind of monster, that monster reappeared?"
"How is that possible? Barto, could you have made an error?"
"Xuan Yang, you just recently had your Demon God Body destroyed and returned to the Eternal Life Tower. You are most informed about the situation there. Have those monsters really reappeared?"
The strong presences exchanged spiritual fluctuations incessantly.
This exchange was like the collision of electronic signals, actually capable of dozens, even hundreds of interactions in a thousandth of a second.
Moreover, each exchange could even accurately carry the participants’ emotions to prevent unnecessary misjudgments due to the limitations of language expression alone.
"Those monsters reappearing is not without possibility."
After an extended duration of debate, the black-robed figure holding the white staff finally spoke.
"The actions of those outsiders dig at the foundation of our world. Their methods will inevitably alert that dreadful life hidden in the deepest reaches of the Spirit Realm, causing it to send forth those monsters once again to thwart them."
His spiritual fluctuations echoed throughout the tower, quickly causing the emotions of all Upper Spirit Venerables present to grow grave.
"We must stop them."
"Aren’t we trying to open the Blood Pool Demon Abyss to eliminate them as a way to prevent them from awakening that terrifying existence hidden deep in the Spirit Realm? It’s just that, with the support from those outsiders, our offensive suffered setbacks..."
"Have we still not been victorious in the war of the Blood Pool Demon Abyss?"
The Spirit Venerables continued to exchange spiritual communications.
At this moment, a Dominator Level Demon Spirit spanning over four hundred meters suddenly said to the black-robed figure in the center, "Great Emperor Cangming, didn’t the Black Flame Demon Lord’s search for that world, planning to retreat those outsiders by cutting off their resources, nearly succeed? Why has there been no progress recently?"
Cangming!
One who could make an Upper Demon Spirit communicate in such a manner...
Turned out to be one of the Five Directions Demon Lords of the Demon Realm, the overseer of the Blood Pool Demon Abyss battlefield, Demon Lord Cangming.
A leader recently acclaimed as the most likely to lead the entire race of Demon Spirits to restart the Demon Realm!
"Red Flames, do not pin your hopes on that plan. It has succeeded, but also failed."
"Failed?"
"We have breached that world, but that world is dying. All the remaining ’Spirits’ there already have masters. Black Flame cannot take control of the situation there."
Demon Lord Cangming’s spiritual presence resonated within the tower.
"A world nearing death..."
The Dominator Level Demon Spirit called Red Flames, its spiritual fluctuations dimmed. "Then, our kin will not be able to secure enough living conditions there."
"Indeed, so we must still focus on this world. The purpose of those outsiders might align with ours, but they are more adept at disguising themselves. We need to move faster."
Demond Lord Cangming’s spirit echoed.
"So you mean to say..."
"The subordinate forces of the Black Flame Demon Lord have arrived from another direction... Give them two years to adapt. In two years’ time, the Blood Pool Demon Abyss war will come to a conclusion."
As Demon Lord Cangming spoke, he continued to give orders, "Regarding the monster that devoured Star Trace and Long Xiao, we need to track it urgently. We must figure out if its appearance signifies that a new enemy is about to emerge."
"Ordinary Spirit Venerables cannot track that creature, but one of my incarnations barely squeezed into that world. I’ll take responsibility for this matter."
The Venerable Demon Spirit known as Hong Ying said.
"Good, I’ll leave it to you."
Demon Lord Cangming instructed, "Find out as soon as possible. If those creatures really reappear, we must prepare early, end the war in the shortest possible time, and when necessary, we may have to gamble with the foundation of our world and activate the other Eternal Life Towers."
...
Star State.
After settling Chao Jiuyin, Xia Zhongyuan, and others, Gu Jinlai quickly immersed himself in the restructuring work of Lingxiao Palace.
The original foundation of Lingxiao Palace was composed of institutions like Purgatory Hall, Huangquan Hall, and Cold Moon Palace.
But now...
With the addition of Liu Feiyun, Su Yu, and others, the personnel structure had become much more complex and required reorganization.
Gu Jinlai, Xin Tianqi, and others held a round of discussions, during which Jin Sixian also joined in.
She was from an official’s family on Blue Star, her father held a high position, governing a city. With her suggestions and additions, the nine-hall system of Lingxiao Palace was quickly established.
Apart from Palace Master Gu Jinlai, the first was the Central Palace, directly under the Palace Master’s jurisdiction. It was responsible for assisting the Palace Master with trifling matters, with Liu Feiyun as the Hall Master.
For the Creation Hall established by Heavenly Master, Hall Master Gu Jinlai served as both the Palace Master and the Hall Master.
Next was Bingge Hall, temporarily represented by Su Yu, with Gu Jinlai as Hall Master and Ji Lie as Vice Hall Master.
Xin Tianqi became the Hall Master of Glory Hall, in charge of handling HR appointments and assessments.
The remaining Household Registration Hall, overseeing household registration, land, and taxation, was managed by Gu Xiangyang.
For the Spirit Treasure Hall in charge of logistics and finance, he planned to appoint Zhuo Chunqiu from Li Yang Cave Heaven. He used to be a Heavenly Monarch and now had converted to cultivating as a Deva. Whether it was cultivators or Heavenly Masters who needed to allocate resources, he was half an expert.
Gu Chifeng, the captain of Gu Jinlai’s Personal Guard, took charge of Xingtian Hall, which managed judicial punishment.
Lu Zhanxian was responsible for the Guardian Hall, which oversaw internal security.
As for the Firewood Hall in charge of education, Gu Jinlai assigned it to Xuan Yue from Sanqing Hall.
Xuan Yue, after losing to Immortal Wunian and Immortal Wu Zhong twice, seemed to understand that this person was simply not fit for battle-related work.
Luckily, he was upright and kind-hearted, patient, responsible, and as the World Sword Master, his talent was not lacking. Although young, with training, he could surely become a qualified Dean of the New Fire Hall in the future.
Moreover, he had arranged for Liu Jingtiao, Three-Life Ancestor, Leng Ningshuang, and several other Deans to assist, so he wasn’t worried that he wouldn’t be able to manage the Firewood Hall.
After its reorganization, Lingxiao Palace quickly proceeded smoothly.
Since no one could withstand the force of Lingxiao Palace, the entire Qiantian Earth was swiftly purged.
Even Zhenbei City, situated outside the Endless Mountain, saw its dire situation drastically turned around with the support of Gu Luochen, bringing the Heavenly Dragon Wood.
The devils of the Endless Mountain even became the hunting ground for Gu Luochen, Gu Qingmei, and others.
Leading a large number of Demon God Guards, they scoured the Endless Mountain. Ordinary Demon King level beings couldn’t withstand the joint strikes of Gu Luochen, Gu Qingmei, and the others.
As for those top Demon Kings and even Demon Emperor level beings...
With the protection of the Heavenly Dragon Wood, their safety was more than secured.
After all, the combat power of this Heavenly Dragon could match a Supreme Void Immortal. Not to mention the absence of any Demon Emperors in the Endless Mountain, even if one or two Demon Emperors did come, as long as they weren’t top existences like Kaya or Chang Heng, the Heavenly Dragon Wood would still have more than enough leeway to deal with them.
...
Time flowed swiftly, and three months passed in no time.
After three months of turmoil, the reorganization of Lingxiao Palace, as well as the purging of the Qiantian Earth, gradually came to rest.
...
Lingxiao Palace.
In Gu Jinlai’s exclusive Cultivation Room.
He sensed the subtle changes in the Chaotic Star Light Body and slightly furrowed his brows.
"After investing hundreds of Qingguangs, is this the only improvement?"
He looked at the Technique, which had only deepened in color slightly but hadn’t undergone any substantial changes, and slowly exhaled.
"In terms of understanding Innate Divine Beasts, I am confident I’m not inferior to any True Immortal in the world, and I dare say not even the Heavenly Immortal Masters in the Immortal Countries know more about Divine Beasts than I do."
In this regard, Gu Jinlai was very confident.
Because he possessed the memories of the Aries Star Lord.
A thousand years ago, Divine Beasts were much more active than they were now.
"Unfortunately... the Chaotic Star Light Body I’m emulating still isn’t akin to any living Divine Beast. Moreover... even the Aries Star Lord never hunted a true Holy Beast!"
Gu Jinlai looked at the Chaotic Star Light Body that had not transformed into a "deep gold" color.
It seemed that if he wanted to further enhance and perfect this Technique, he either needed to find a real Holy Beast and understand the difference between Holy Beasts and Innate Divine Beasts, or...
He glanced at the Eternal Furnace, Spirit Mechanism Technique, and Star Cloud Strategy.
He would have to start cultivating "The Three Realms."
