For the safety of the entire region, Xu Qing naturally can't just entrust the entire task of overseeing the major formation to him based on mere promises.
"The Sect Leader is thorough in his considerations; I have no objections!"
Xu Qing's facial expression management was exceptionally strict, and he immediately drafted the Heaven and Earth Red Character Post, asking the Daoist before him to make a sacred oath.
"The divine will certify my words, the heavenly way proves my heart; as per the orders of the Daluo Sect Leader today, I shall preside over the Fen River formation and protect the beings of this region... this is witnessed by Heaven and Earth, and by the patriarchs Zhong and Lv. If violated, may the steadfast falter, the high fall, the united divide, and the living perish!"
When the Heaven and Earth Red Character Post spontaneously ignited without wind, branding itself onto the Daoist Xie Qiongke's heart, Xu Qing finally revealed a relieved expression.
He had traveled the world with Xie Qiongke for over two years, all for this moment.
Ascendant Fuluan is not usable for a short time, but there are still no less than ten on the portal occupied by Yin River; he has to find the destined person corresponding to the calamity.
Fortunately, diligence paid off; after two years, he found yet another person.
"Since you have decided to become the master of the formation, I must convey a few more matters to you..."
Xu Qing's gaze fell on Zhang Pingsheng and Xinyuan, who were confused, while the experienced Ascendant Fuluan quickly stepped forward to escort them away.
"After the formation concludes, Shiyue will take you back to the Jin Sect for restoration. During this time, you must not reveal any details of the formation to anyone, nor disclose your true condition of your own accord."
Xu Qing held Xie Qiongke's arm affectionately and said, "This matter is equally crucial to the grand plan for the prosperity of our sect, and Daoist Xie must keep it in mind.
"..."
Xie Qiongke was struck with a thought, cautiously inquiring, "What does the Sect Leader mean by not revealing our true condition?"
Xu Qing did not elaborate but instead took out several elixirs and handed them all to Xie Qiongke.
"These pills are compensation for Daoist friend presiding over the formation. Feel free to use them! Once the matter of Yaozhou concludes and the Fen River returns to tranquility, Daoist friend may perhaps become one of Daluo Sect's Twelve Altar Masters like Ascendant Fuluan."
Upon hearing of Ascendant Fuluan, Xie Qiongke immediately understood and remarked, "I heard that when Daoist Fuluan presided over the Jin Sect formation, considerable magical power was depleted, and it took many years of recovery afterward."
"The Sect Leader bestowing these pills implies concern that I might bear resentment due to such depletion in the future?"
Seeing Xu Qing neither affirm nor deny, Xie Qiongke then laughed heartily, "The Sect Leader underestimates me too much. Be it my mind being exhausted by presiding over the formation or suffering backlash requiring a decade of recovery, I shall harbor no discontent!"
"On the contrary, I shall be grateful for the Sect Leader's guidance."
"It's great that you think this way."
Could Xu Qing tell of Ascendant Fuluan having spent decades recovering yet still not fully revived?
Absolutely not!
...
Within the borders of Yaozhou, Ancient Yin River Dao.
As Xu Qing entered the ancient path with three altar masters of the Daluo Sect, they beheld a towering thousand-zhang bone mountain.
Around the bone mountain, tens of thousands of skeletal remains from past dynasties are piled up on the mountain, and Xu Qing could even see people who died from plagues in Yaozhou over the past fifty years being enslaved by the mountain's master.
Xinyuan, a monk typically casual and reckless, fell into complete silence.
In these two years of worldly travels with Xu Qing, even a living Buddha nearly succumbed to depression.
"Amitabha Buddha."
Xinyuan recited a Buddha title, but the trembling tone betrayed him.
Xu Qing noticed Xinyuan's anomaly and instead felt a sense of relief.
If a true Buddhist can face a mountain of blood and corpses without a hint of compassion, can they truly possess a heart of empathy?
"Sect Leader, what should be our next move?"
Xu Qing casually retrieved a corpse, succinctly stating, "Slay demons, eradicate evil!"
In the boundless mountain depths, worldly walkers summoned by sorcerer sacrifices, once worshippers and plague gods from ancient witch tribes, raised their eyes in unison.
From the moment Xu Qing and company entered Yin River, ubiquitous skull servants had conveyed their trespass to the mountain's master.
"It's you!"
The sacrifices who once witnessed Xu Qing refine the Ghost Law's corpse were visibly thrilled!
Encountering Xu Qing elsewhere might have been cause for concern, but here in Yaozhou, their thousand-year sanctuary, they are fearless!
Aside from accumulating countless corpses to torment Yaozhou, the bone mountain of Yin River is also an ancient battlefield of the witch tribe, where buried remains will be their greatest aid.
Not only Xu Qing but even ten thousand celestial soldiers and divine generals descending from the heavens, they have the power to battle.
The witch sacrifices and Qi exchanged glances, seeing undeniable joy in each other's eyes.
Once they completely eradicate the audacious intruder, the high deities of the Netherworld, even the Ten Thousand Corpses Dharma Master of Yanluo Palace, would record their merit.
At this moment, each party viewed the other as prey, with perhaps only Ascendant Fuluan mixing in the river as an exception.
This Immortal's injuries have not yet fully healed; upon realizing the battlefield's emanating murderous aura, Ascendant Fuluan's first thought was to return another day.
"Xu Sheng, we're from the same family; don't disgrace the Xu Family!"
May I change my surname?
Ascendant Fuluan increasingly feels Xu Qing resembles an old acquaintance, with the same subconscious need to control everything.
At some point, Xu Qing suddenly drew out his Treasure Sword to slay demons, stating, "There's no further need to advance."
As the words fell, the ground beneath them trembled significantly, and the distant bone mountain abruptly split into twelve enormous skeletons with ox heads and human body, horse head and human body.
On the Skull Giant's body, countless lurking bone dragons and white bone roc birds rose into the air, sweeping straight toward Xu Qing and his company.
Xu Qing's gaze passed over the million ghost soldiers surging like tide from beneath the giant skeletons, spotting tall figures wielding witchbone staffs and draped in feathered robes on distant high ground.
Besides the witches controlling skeleton soldiers, Xu Qing also saw Witch Qi standing on a peculiar giant's corpse.
The giant had no head; two nipples served as eyes, a navel as mouth, and a great ax rested on its shoulder.
Seemingly noticing Xu Qing's gaze, Witch Qi proficient in curse suddenly spoke:
"This place is the realm of the deceased; having ventured into this grave, you living souls must abandon thoughts of walking away!"
The deceased? Grave?
Yaozhou has such a place?
Xu Qing gazed at Witch Qi casting the Five-Region Plague Flags, summoning the five plagues, and instead of fear, he revealed an intrigued expression, as if finding a secluded paradise, an immortal cave mansion.
The corpses buried in this Great Witch Dojo are even more abundant than those he had transcended in the Yin River of Jin Sect over the years!
"We shall make ourselves comfortable; in such a wonderful place, how could I bear to leave? Even if you chase me away today, I will remain."
"Moreover, you have invaded the mortal realm, committing countless sins that violate heavenly laws! As the Daluo Sect Leader, it is only right I invoke heavenly decree and enforce the way of heaven!"
The distant witch sacrifice gazed coldly, "Enforce the way of heaven? The Celestial Emperor severed heaven and earth, forbidding immortals from meddling in Yin River matters; you defy heavenly laws unknowingly, yet dare utter such wild claims here!"
Xu Qing squinted his eyes, and the Divine Travel Celestial Scripture instantly activated.
Before witch sacrifices and Qi, or even Zhang Pingsheng could react, Xu Qing's figure already appeared behind the witch sacrifice.
He lifted the Treasure Sword to slay demons, striking heavily with accumulated heavenly axe momentum!
Amidst swirling dust, Xu Qing floated, grinning, "I refer not to heavenly laws, but to my Daluo Sect's doctrine, abbreviated as heavenly laws!"
"..."
The distant witch sacrifice gazed coldly, "Enforce the way of heaven? The Celestial Emperor severed heaven and earth, forbidding immortals from meddling in Yin River matters; you defy heavenly laws unknowingly, yet dare utter such wild claims here!"
Xu Qing squinted his eyes, and the Divine Travel Celestial Scripture instantly activated.
Before witch sacrifices and Qi, or even Zhang Pingsheng could react, Xu Qing's figure already appeared behind the witch sacrifice.
He lifted the Treasure Sword to slay demons, striking heavily with accumulated heavenly axe momentum!
Amidst swirling dust, Xu Qing floated, grinning, "I refer not to heavenly laws, but to my Daluo Sect's doctrine, abbreviated as heavenly laws!"
"..."