Jingyu Immortal Princess spoke while adjusting the battlefield.
The view of everyone swiftly expanded, drawing close to the Unparalleled Demon Nest, where they saw numerous Dharma Bodies battling demon beasts on the outskirts of the nest.
All manner of strange and bizarre demon beasts incessantly surged out of the demon nest, attempting to break the seal and return to the human world to wreak havoc. All were obstructed by the countless Ancestor Dharma Bodies on the perimeter.
"It's the eldest disciple brother!" Lin Shanshan exclaimed in surprise.
Everyone also saw Linghu Jiu.
At this moment, Linghu Jiu, who could only fight in the outermost fringe, was fully engaged in battle, entangling the smaller demon beasts that the frontline had purposely let slip by.
Though only at the Foundation Establishment Cultivation, he possessed Golden Core Combat Power.
Before the Unparalleled Demon Nest, he was but a minor follower, only capable of dealing with the weakest class of demon beast refuse.
Wood Element, Water Element, and Wind Element spells were displayed in succession from his hands, still making for a rather perilous scene.
Only by using the Lonely Sword Scripture could he turn the situation around.
As the watching time grew long, Ning Zhuo also noticed Linghu Jiu's signs of fatigue.
"Brother Linghu's Lonely Sword Scripture cannot be used frequently or continuously."
Previously, when his image had sparred with Linghu Jiu, the latter also only used the Lonely Sword Scripture at the end, combining both for the final burst.
"It seems, the Lonely Sword Scripture and the Bitter Cold Scripture share a unique synergy; both must rely on some kind of sincerity from within the Divine Sea to possess such exceptional power."
Hanzhou, which cultivated the Bitter Cold Scripture, was exactly like that. One must seek out hardships, eating bitter and seeking more, until they were starving and freezing, clothed insufficiently, in order to continuously foster the bitterness within the Upper Dantian of the Divine Sea. Under this bitterness's enhancement, the various methods of the Bitter Cold Scripture could exhibit extraordinary power, and the Suffering Body could become stronger with each refinement.
"Since Brother Linghu's Lonely Sword Scripture is named 'lonely,' the various sword techniques are also filled with a lonely and cold artistic conception, which is probably the case."
Linghu Jiu had clearly been in a tough battle for a long time, appearing weary and weak. At last, he seized a flaw in his enemy, executed the Lonely Sword Skill, and beheaded the demon beast.
As everyone witnessed the latter half of Linghu Jiu's arduous battle, they were somewhat speechlessly in awe.
Linghu Jiu's combat power was enough to astonish, but here, he was just a minor detail.
The one truly affected was Ning Jiufan.
This Golden Core Ancestor of the Ning Family felt a bitter sweetness in his heart, realizing that if he were in Linghu Jiu's place, he likely would have faced similar difficulties and dishevelment.
"In the presence of the Unparalleled Demon Nest, we of the Golden Core Level are as feeble as ants. The Golden Cores within us, every sinew and muscle, wouldn't even suffice to stick in the teeth of these vile demon beasts."
Suddenly, Ning Zhuo thought of something, felt deeply moved, and bowed to Jingyu Immortal Princess, expressing gratitude:
"Since the era of Emperor Wu began, Immortal Princess and various venerable ancestors have guarded this place, countering demons and eliminating evil, through endless years. Today, our Human Clan can claim dominion over the world, all thanks to the great achievements of you prestigious predecessors!"
"But the Luminous Mirror remained hidden underground in caverns, with layers of historical fog shielding it, unseen under the sun. The illustrious accomplishments of the ancestors are largely unknown to the world. Only now do I understand that the happiness and peace of the past were brought about by the silent and ceaseless efforts of you esteemed ones."
"The formation we originally entered is known as the Jade Drip Formation. As the saying goes, 'The golden door yet to be opened, the jade drip still falls. Cascading beneath the carriage, therein rest we find.' With the Unparalleled Demon Nest not eradicated, we could only suppress and seal it. This night has continued uninterrupted since the Blood Slaughter Dynasty, never ceasing. Only the venerable ancestors' guardianship has kept this night from returning to the world, sparing the common folk from calamity. The virtues of the venerable ancestors shall shine eternally!"
Ning Zhuo spoke everyone's thoughts, and the others showed solemn expressions, echoing the sentiment.
The suppression of the Unparalleled Demon Nest began in Emperor Wu's Era and has continued till today—how many years has it been?
These Dharma Bodies within the Luminous Mirror never flagged, stifling the calamity of the demon beasts to prevent it from spilling out. This is a great service to all clans in the present world!
The Jade Drip still drips, the night has not passed, but it is these people who, over thousands of years, have continually struggled to grant the world its brightness.
Jingyu Immortal Princess looked at the bowing Ning Zhuo and smiled faintly, "Young friend Ning Zhuo, please rise. As the rivers flow and the waves follow in unending succession, to have your recognition means a lot to us predecessors. It is, in a way, our explanation to the generations that follow."
Suddenly a Dharma Body appeared: "Hahaha, I heard just now. With this recognition, I feel that guarding this place, even if through endless years, has been worth it!"
The laughing figure was dressed in a gray robe, pale-faced, with fangs and green eyes—a zombie. Despite his terrifying appearance, he had a grand demeanor with a clear, calm gaze.
Sun Lingtong let out a sound of surprise: "Is, is that not Master Sima Zhong?"
Ning Zhuo immediately became respectful, performing a bow toward the newcomer.
Sima Zhong was a world-renowned historian in this realm. Back then, he served as a Historian, recording the words and deeds of the Monarch. Due to his adherence to impartiality and truth, he was secretly harmed by the Monarch, thrown into prison without freedom.
For the sake of restoring historical truth, Sima Zhong sacrificed his own life, using a living person's body to cultivate into a zombie, thus gaining extended longevity. Throughout his life, he wielded a sharp pen with impartiality, exploring historical relics, restoring the original truth, and earning the admiration of countless generations.
It was unexpected that Sima Zhong also left an image within the Luminous Mirror.
Sima Zhong's green eyes and fangs scanned Ning Zhuo up and down, taking a liking to the impression of this young man with a big head: "A true talent indeed. Every age has its own new lifters of waves. Seeing you outstanding juniors brings me joy."
He glanced over Ning Zhuo's waist and then took another look at Zhu Xuanji before bursting into laughter again: "Very good, very good."
"You three, along with Linghu Jiu, before you leave this place, each take with you a Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Water Essence."
Ning Zhuo once again expressed his thanks.
Zhu Xuanji also bowed deeply in thanks.
Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Water Essence was a cultivation resource of the Nascent Soul Level, and even as a member of the Royal Family, Zhu Xuanji could not help but feel pleasantly surprised upon acquiring such a treasure.
Sun Lingtong, inside the Ten-Thousand-Li Travelling Dragon, rubbed his head and chuckled, thinking to himself, "To receive a gift upon meeting, truly an excellent senior!"
He was quite familiar with Sima Zhong, all because his master, while still alive, had instructed him to study Sima Zhong's works diligently.
Sima Zhong had extensive experience in excavating ancestral tombs and unearthing historical relics.
Sun Lingtong and his master, in their travels, often applied the knowledge from Sima Zhong's works to increase their wealth.
At this time, the Five Elements Divine Master also manifested a form: "Aside from the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Water Essence, if you desire other materials, you must take action yourselves."
"These endlessly emerging Demon Beasts are each a treasure trove."
"You may rely on your own abilities to slay demons and acquire treasures!"
"Or, you may leave behind your Dharma Body to exterminate the demons. We'll keep the spoils for you, and if you return here within your lifetime, you can collect eighty percent of them."
Ning Zhuo chuckled, "Divine Master, since Sima Zhong has done so, won't you give me something too?"
The Five Elements Divine Master glared: "You little scamp, I've passed on to you my Five Organs Temple Spirit Divine Skill, no, you stole it."
"You've also peeped at my Five Elements Realm for a long time and learned countless things."
"Now you want my spoils of war?"
"Shamelessly thick-skinned!"
Hearing this conversation, Sima Zhong immediately turned his inquisitive gaze towards Ning Zhuo: "Is this the successor of the Five Elements Divine Master? I must also congratulate the Divine Master."
The Five Elements Divine Master quickly waved his hands: "Don't, he's not my disciple, he just stole it, stole it!"
Jingyu Immortal Princess smiled faintly: "In the past, the Divine Master nurtured the Five Spirits within his body, monopolizing the principles of the Five Elements of heaven and earth, becoming a Five Elements divine being. Acting in place of Heaven, this act attracted divine wrath, leading to a severe decline in Qi Fortune and an unlucky later life."
The Five Elements Divine Master cursed with a laugh: "God damn it, my original body hadn't even reached its later years before I was sacrificed."
Ning Zhuo immediately understood; the Jingyu Immortal Princess was using the Five Elements Divine Master as an example to caution him not to follow the Divine Master's old path, nurturing the Five Organs' spirits and usurping the place of a Heavenly God, which could incur divine wrath.
Ning Zhuo quickly bowed with folded hands, indicating that he had taken the lesson to heart and would surely remember this!
Jingyu Immortal Princess nodded slowly and spoke again: "Initially, the Luminous Mirror was but a Spiritual Treasure. As the years passed uncounted, it has now reached the grade of a Quasi-Immortal Treasure."
"This is all because the Dharma Bodies have eliminated these Demon Beasts, refining their demonic materials, merging and incorporating them into the wall stones, continuously deepening the foundation of this Spiritual Treasure. With the passage of time, using the most robust foundation to forcibly elevate its grade."
"We are all Dharma Bodies, bound by the Spiritual Treasure itself. Thus, we must abide by the division of spoils from demon-slaying."
"As for our inheritance, and the Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Water Essence in the outside grottoes, these are beyond the set rules and can be given away at will."
After saying this, the Immortal Princess paused, her gaze shifting towards Zhu Xuanji: "I am aware of your identities and origins. Among the Dharma Bodies within the wall, many are adept at Divination."
"Peace has reigned for a long time, but hundreds of years from now, there will come a great calamity, initiating an era of intense strife."
"This grand age will at least be that of an Emperor Dynasty, and it may even be the fourth Dynasty in history!"
"An Emperor Dynasty is manageable, but when it is a Dynasty, the Luminous Mirror always seals itself, sinking deep into the heart of the earth, hiding away and not emerging."
"Before that time, the Luminous Mirror intends to use these few hundred years to actively absorb images of the talented descendants, in preparation for the counterattack of the Unparalleled Demon Nest."
The Unparalleled Demon Nest originates from beyond this world, undying and indestructible, and endless Demon Beasts will continue to evolve with the external environment.
Therefore, unchanging Formations cannot contain the Demon Nest, as the Demon Beasts can potentially evolve into life forms that adapt to Formations and find holes in the Arrays to break through.
The Luminous Mirror uses people to control the nest, which is an innovative but reluctant strategy.
Likewise, faced with these Dharma Bodies, the Unparalleled Demon Nest is still evolving and adapting.
The Five Elements Divine Master, as a powerful being, while his methods still work, their effectiveness is no longer what it once was.
Therefore, the Luminous Mirror needs to continue absorbing stronger successors, creating their Dharma Bodies, to maintain the suppression of the Unparalleled Demon Nest.
This is why the Jingyu Immortal Princess and the others regard the exceptional descendants like Ning Zhuo and Linghu Jiu so highly.
Ning Zhuo was puzzled and asked, "I am puzzled; if each Dynasty has many capable individuals, wouldn't they better assist the Luminous Mirror in suppressing the Unparalleled Demon Nest?"
"Why does the Reflected Wall choose to hide away every time there is a Dynasty?"