Taiyuan Realm, Shen He, who had returned, directly threw out the battered Five Demon-locking Swords.

"Boom!"

The five swords dispersed, heading in five directions, returned to Wuling City, forming the Demon-locking Array once again.

"This..."

"Demon-Locking Tower?"

"Demon-slaying Sword?"

"Back?"

"Did the Daoist Lord... win?"

In White Tiger City, looking at the returning Demon-slaying Sword, the cultivators were in a daze, feeling an unreal sense.

This demonic calamity that had ravaged Taiyuan for hundreds of years, bringing disaster to the world, and causing all beings to perish, just ended like this?

It didn’t end just like that.

Shen He returned to the Daoist Palace, went directly into seclusion, and began to recover his Primordial Qi.

Sacrificial Demon-Slaying, when the sword is drawn, it does not return!

To kill Mo Yunzi and destroy the Demon Heaven Banner, he poured all his efforts, not only merging the techniques of his Outer Body Incarnations, the Demon Saber and Daoist Sword, but even used the sacrificial technique on his main body, leading to great damage to his Primordial Qi and severe loss to his foundation, requiring urgent recuperation.

Otherwise, unforeseen disturbances may arise!

These disturbances are not referring to any actions from various Mystic Sects.

The orthodox sect is the true orthodox sect. Although there are some sectarian biases and various considerations and calculations, they are, after all, of the orthodox path and have no reason to cause disturbances after this demonic calamity; even if there are disputes of interest, they will be postponed to the future.

After all, the Taiyuan Realm now desperately needs recuperation and rejuvenation.

The Demon Heaven Tribulation, rampant for hundreds of years, started with the chaos from the demon dao’s dissemination of teachings, causing many wandering cultivators and heterodox cultivators to fall into demon dao and become resources. Following that was the Demon Heaven Mutation Tribulation, turning countless beings into demons.

To this day, Taiyuan cultivators are fewer than one-tenth of what they were.

Mortal beings suffered greatly too. Had it not been for the establishment of the Daoist Palace and its use of the Five Elements Lock Demon Technique to protect the Central Plains, the hundreds of years of rampaging demonic calamity would have left no mortal being in the Taiyuan Realm. All would have succumbed to the demonic spirit mutation, becoming demon spirits and evil entities.

But the Five Elements Lock Demon was only a temporary solution, unable to resolve all problems. Especially in the final century, even under the Daoist Palace’s rule, demonic chaos arose, poisoning the Central Plains and causing heavy mortal casualties and numerous beings to perish.

This visible and terrifying ordeal was truly a massive calamity for all beings.

Thus, the most urgent task for the Taiyuan Realm now is to recuperate and replenish the Primordial Qi swiftly.

After great chaos, there will surely be great order!

Although this ordeal claimed the lives of countless beings, speaking coldly, it is not entirely without benefits.

Firstly, the demon dao’s eradication completely resolved the opposition between right and demon, making the world remember the evils of demon dao and the ferocity of demon cultivators, depriving them of any living ground and ability to rise in calamity again.

Moreover, the demonic calamity devastated the heterodox sects nearly to extinction, and the Mystic Sects were also severely damaged. Coupled with the various forces and mortal nations perishing in the calamity, vast lands, spaces, and resources were left vacant. Proper utilization of these would surely achieve great order.

This is the fundamental reason for great chaos turning into great order.

Too much population, too little resource, hence great chaos.

Reduced population, surplus resources, hence great order.

Though it sounds cold-blooded, this is the cyclical pattern of history.

The primary duty of Taiyi Daoist Palace is to seize this opportunity for full-scale development.

After all, the profession of "Daoist Palace Master" possesses the talent of "Dao Arts Rule the Age." The larger the scale of the Daoist Palace, the more Heaven and Earth benefits. If this opportunity is not used for large scale development, future challenges might be difficult to tackle.

Indeed, there is still the future!

This is where the "disturbances" lie.

Although Mo Yunzi is dead and the Demon Heaven Banner destroyed, the problem has not been entirely solved.

After all, where did Mo Yunzi come from, and where did the Demon Heaven Banner come from?

Upper Realm True Demon!

According to Mo Yunzi himself and the Mystic Sects’ speculation, after being refined and killed by the Seven Taiyuan Cultivators with the Yin Yang Dust Array, a wisp of his remnant spirit escaped the Taiyuan Realm and later encountered an Upper Realm True Demon.

That Upper Realm True Demon not only helped Mo Yunzi re-cultivate his Purple Mansion Primordial Spirit but also bestowed upon him the Nine Tribulation Demon Treasure, the Demon Heaven Banner, enabling him to carry the treasure, return to Taiyuan, and deploy the Array of the Demon Heaven, bringing calamity to all beings in Taiyuan.

Thus, the question arises.

Is that Upper Realm True Demon Mo Yunzi’s biological father or grandfather, treating him so well by helping him re-cultivate the Purple Mansion and assisting his Returning Void, finally bestowing a Tier Nine Demon Treasure?

Such favor, without expecting anything in return, was just to let Mo Yunzi stage a comeback and seek revenge on the Seven Taiyuan Cultivators and Mystic Sects?

Not to mention others, even Mo Yunzi himself probably wouldn’t believe it.

The Upper Realm True Demon’s actions surely have a scheme behind them.

What scheme?

Shen He doesn’t know; with Mo Yunzi dead and no living captives left, there’s no way to interrogate anyone.

Though it’s unclear what the Upper Realm True Demon’s schemes are, Shen He guesses it might be related to the disputes in the Upper Realm, perhaps aiming to achieve something akin to "besiege Wei to rescue Zhao," using Taiyuan from the Ancient Cultivation Realm to divert the righteous Immortal Sects’ power, or possibly there’s some great secret in the Taiyuan Realm.

Regardless, it’s certain that the Upper Realm True Demon, seeking the Taiyuan Realm, is an ironclad fact.

Therefore, the problem remains unresolved.

If the Upper Realm True Demon placed one piece, it can place a second or third, or even hundreds and thousands of pieces.

No one dares to guarantee there won’t be another Mo Yunzi, or a second Demon Heaven Tribulation arriving again.

Shen He must be prepared, fully developing the Taiyi Daoist Palace; only then can the future situations, the True Demon’s schemes, and the disputes of the Upper Realm be managed.

Moreover, although the Demon Heaven Array is broken, the mutated nature’s spiritual energy from the ongoing demonic calamity lasting hundreds of years cannot be restored immediately, so the Five Elements Lock Demon affairs must continue.

Thus, the main task for Taiyi Daoist Palace going forward is recuperation, Five Elements Lock Demon, the same for all the Mystic Sects. Regardless of any schemes or plans, they must await the recovery of Primordial Qi.

Many matters, many troubles.

But Shen He has already made arrangements, requiring no additional effort; subordinates can handle matters step by step, allowing him peace in recuperation.

Years later.

The former Red Maple Valley, now Qilin City.

Inside the Guest Hall.

"Fellow Daoist, please!"

Shen Hex, who had just emerged from seclusion, welcomed someone into the hall.

The one who could be personally greeted by him was certainly no ordinary person.

It was Qii Yunming, the Taihua Sect Leader, the head of the Seven Cultivators, and Master Miaoyi!

Shen Hex invited him to sit down and then opened the conversation: "These years in Qingming, I have been recuperating my Primordial Qi in seclusion and could not attend your Ascension Assembly. Please pardon my shortcomings."

"What are you saying, Fellow Daoist?"

Qii Yunming quickly shook his head: "For the sake of the common people, you broke the Demon Heaven Tribulation at the cost of your Daoist body. Your merits to both heaven and humanity are unparalleled. You should rest assuredly; how could we trouble you with such minor matters? My visit this time is indeed presumptuous, I ask for your forgiveness!"

His words were extremely humble.

"You are too kind, Fellow Daoist."

Shen Hex smiled warmly as well.

He was always someone who returned respect with even greater respect. Qii Yunming lowered his posture so much, and naturally, he wouldn’t be arrogant.

As for the purpose of Qii Yunming’s visit...

"To be frank, Fellow Daoist, the disaster of Taiyuan and the Demon Heaven Tribulation might not yet be over!"

Qii Yunming went straight to the point, addressing the critical matter.

"Are you referring to... the Upper Realm True Demon?"

Shen Hex asked tentatively.

"Indeed!"

Qii Yunming nodded: "Behind Mo Yunzi, there must be an Upper Realm True Demon instigating."

"Oh?"

Shen Hex asked knowingly: "What makes you think so?" 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"Back then, Mo Yunzi was slain by us, leaving only a remnant soul escaping out of the realm, which should have been destroyed when crossing the void. However, he managed to rebuild his Purple Mansion and return with the Demon Heaven Banner."

Qii Yunming said solemnly: "This cannot be achieved by ordinary chance, only with the assistance of a True Demon is it possible, that’s one reason!"

"The second reason is that Taiyuan is the Ancient Cultivation Realm, deeply intertwined with significant karma. Each of our sects has ancestors in the Upper Realm; ordinary Demons dare not invade. Yet, Mo Yunzi dared to use the Demon Heaven Array to besiege, who would believe it wasn’t under the instruction of Upper Realm True Demons?"

"Therefore..."

Qii Yunming said seriously: "The Demon Heaven Tribulation is broken but not eliminated; there may be more upheavals in the future!"

"What you said makes perfect sense, Fellow Daoist."

Shen Hex nodded in agreement and then commented: "Seeing the small picture to understand the big picture, I fear the situation in the Upper Realm is also worrying. The battle between immortals and demons intensifies, and if you ascend now, Fellow Daoist, perhaps..."

The words were unfinished, but the implication was clear.

"How could we not know?"

Qii Yunming smiled bitterly at this: "But what can one do if not ascend?"

There was nothing but helplessness in his words.

Over the years, various sects have held several Ascension Assemblies. Elders like Elder Baiyun, aged and already in the Divinity Transformation stage, hurriedly ascended after resolving their affairs.

Those who reached this realm are all profoundly wise and courageous. Just as Shen Hex could see the danger of ascension and the Upper Realm’s hidden perils, so could they.

But as Qii Yunming mentioned, if not ascending, what else?

The limits of Taiyuan Heaven and Earth prevent entry into the Void Realm. Divinity Transformation cultivators only have a lifespan of two to three thousand years. If one doesn’t ascend, should they pass away in the lower realm?

Therefore, Elder Baiyun and other older Divinity Transformation cultivators left eagerly. Qii Yunming and the Seven Taiyuan Cultivators also had to leave, perhaps leaving only the Three Heroes and Two Talents to manage the situation.

Perhaps even the Three Heroes and Two Talents would leave.

There is no other choice. Is the lower realm peaceful if the Upper Realm is dangerous?

Who can guarantee that after Mo Yunzi’s death, the Upper Realm True Demon will cease hostilities, not triggering a second demon tribulation?

Ascending to the Upper Realm is risky indeed, but when the sky falls, there’s always someone taller to hold it up; True Demons have True Immortals to contend with. The lower realm’s future is uncertain.

This time it was the Returning Void Mo Yunzi, next time it might be an Integration Demon, or even a Mahayana Demon Monarch; the limitations of heaven and earth are unbearable.

Therefore, the cultivators can only ascend to escape this vortex.

"Your concerns are not unfounded, Fellow Daoist!"

Shen Hex expressed understanding: "May I ask when you plan to ascend, Fellow Daoist?"

Qii Yunming smiled: "May I ask when you plan to ascend, Fellow Daoist?"

"I fear I must remain for some time yet."

Shen Hex’s expression did not change: "After all, my Daoist Palace is newly established, the demon tribulation just subsided, and there are many matters to handle. It really cannot be left unattended."

"Your concerns are very valid, Fellow Daoist!"

Qii Yunming nodded, seemingly having anticipated this, and directly took out an item—a Storage Ring: "These are the records from various sects of our Mystic Sect, they might be helpful to you."

Shen Hex looked on, surprised: "How can I accept this?"

"Please accept it!"

Qii Yunming said solemnly: "In this Demon Heaven Tribulation, countless lives were lost. Though there is the reason of the Demon Dao’s malice, our Mystic Sect cannot shirk blame either. The sectarianism was too strong, leaving the heterodox sects nowhere to turn, forcing them into the Demon Dao, ultimately leading to this tribulation."

With a sigh, he looked at Shen Hex, speaking earnestly: "You founded the Taiyi Daoist Palace, educating the people and governing the world by law, possibly breaking this situation and preventing further chaos from ensuing. As we are about to ascend, unable to aid you further, this is but a token of our sentiments."

He said it, pushing the Storage Ring forward: "Our various sects are passed down from the Ancient Immortals and Buddhas, though unable to innovate anew, there is wisdom from predecessors, which might provide some assistance to you, Fellow Daoist."

His words were exceptionally sincere.

"You are truly a gentleman, Fellow Daoist!"

Shen Hex was moved by this: "This kindness will be remembered by Qingming!"

With that, he stopped refusing and accepted the Storage Ring.

Seeing this, Qii Yunming smiled, rose with pleasure, and bowed to Shen Hex: "The responsibility of Taiyuan, the heavy duty of the world, I entrust to you, Fellow Daoist!"

...