As the God World devoured the rising Beast Forest Island, Xu Zimo’s voice fell.
One by one, the dragons returned to the God World.
At this moment, Xu Zimo was levitating the Beast Forest Island in the sky.
The island was shrouded in mist, cold and lofty, majestically floating above the heavens.
Within the forest, all kinds of rare and exotic beasts and divine beasts trembled, lying prostrate.
Countless dragons had also returned to the forest.
This environment was perfect for the survival of beasts, everything exuded a raw, primal aura.
This land became the territory of the Myriad Beast Tribe. As for the rest, Xu Zimo left it to Chaos and the others to handle.
Xu Zimo stepped out from the God World, heading toward Demon-Slaying Ridge with the monk Great Wisdom.
“I’ve realized that I understand you less and less,” Great Wisdom said.
“In this world, who can truly see things clearly?” Xu Zimo smiled.
He slowly unsheathed Shadow Tyrant.
During his clash with the crimson-eyed qilin’s Golden Crow Flame, he had hesitated, not because of the flame, but because of Shadow Tyrant itself.
Since beginning his path of cultivation, Shadow Tyrant had always been by his side.
He had once tempered the blade using the Six-Domain Weapon Nurturing Technique.
But now, as the enemies he faced grew stronger, Xu Zimo felt that Shadow Tyrant was slowly falling behind.
He had a true divine sword in hand. Once he found the Supreme God Hammer and the Nine-Curve God Flame, he could reforge it again.
...
Demon-Slaying Ridge lay north of the Beast Taming Sacred Ground.
The distance between the two wasn’t far.
As the saying went: “Infernal aura billows endlessly, ten thousand miles of death ridge”, that referred to Demon-Slaying Ridge.
After three days of travel, Xu Zimo and Great Wisdom finally reached their destination.
The two stood in front of a small town at the base of the ridge, their eyes locked on the vast, endless range of mountains ahead, billowing with infernal energy.
The black mountains overlapped like waves on the sea, surging, powerful, and majestic.
The sky was dark, shrouded by the infernal aura covering the entire ridge.
As the wind blew, infernal mist surged.
Sometimes it formed a terrifying face; sometimes deep roars echoed from within.
In short, Demon-Slaying Ridge was a forbidden ground in the Heavensoar Region.
No one was allowed to enter.
“We’ve arrived,” Xu Zimo murmured.
“My god… what is this place?” Great Wisdom said in awe. “I’ve never seen infernal energy this dense, a great omen of calamity.”
“What calamity?” Xu Zimo asked.
“With so much infernal energy gathered here, surely some great demon resides within,” Great Wisdom answered.
“Infernal energy is just another type of spiritforce. It’s just a form of power. Why must this power be labeled?”
“Calamity or evil,” Xu Zimo challenged. “Power is in my hands. Shouldn’t I decide good or evil? I have infernal energy too, does that make me a great demon?”
“I didn’t mean that,” Great Wisdom said, chasing after Xu Zimo’s departing back.
“It’s not me labeling it, it's how the world sees it. Demon equals evil.”
“That’s why, sometimes, the truth is only held by a few,” Xu Zimo said with a smile. “Enough talk. Let’s check out that town ahead. Think it over yourself.”
“I understand,” Great Wisdom nodded.
The town ahead looked ancient.
At its gate, the rusted iron arch bore the three characters for “Immortal Town.”
But both the gate and the writing were weathered with age and rust.
As the two entered, they found the town of moderate size.
Shops lined both sides of the streets, selling all kinds of goods. Many people had settled here and made it their home.
Very few outsiders ever came.
Since no one was allowed on Demon-Slaying Ridge, there was little reason to come to such a remote place.
Xu Zimo and Great Wisdom found an inn.
“Honored guests,” the innkeeper greeted them warmly, coming forward with a smile.
There were no staff, only the innkeeper alone.
“What specialties do you have? Just bring what you think is best,” Great Wisdom said.
“Very well,” the innkeeper grinned and quickly went to the back.
Soon, two meat and two vegetable dishes were served.
“Innkeeper, could we ask you a few things?” Xu Zimo asked.
“You want to know about Demon-Slaying Ridge, don’t you?” the innkeeper replied, pulling over a chair and sitting nearby.
“Ask whatever you want. I’ve lived in Immortal Town for half my life, nothing I don’t know.”
“Why is it called Immortal Town?” Great Wisdom asked.
“Legend has it that long ago, an immortal descended here,” the innkeeper smiled. “He left behind his legacy. Later, people settled here in search of it and made this place their home. So the town was named Immortal Town.”
“Was the legacy found?” Xu Zimo asked.
“Yes. A man named Huangfu Long obtained it,” the innkeeper said. “His family, the Huangfu Clan, has guarded Demon-Slaying Ridge ever since. That’s when people learned that in order to receive the immortal’s legacy, generations of descendants had to guard the ridge, no one was allowed to enter.”
“I see,” Xu Zimo nodded slightly.
“If you plan on entering Demon-Slaying Ridge, I suggest you forget it,” the innkeeper said, waving his hand.
“The Huangfu Clan guards it. Anyone who dares enter will be killed on sight, no matter your status. Even a Holy Son or Sacred Lord of an imperial lineage won’t be spared.”
“So aggressive,” Great Wisdom commented.
“You bet. But apparently all the imperial lineages on the continent have agreed to it, no one dares stir trouble,” the innkeeper chuckled.
“Understood,” Xu Zimo waved him off.
After finishing their meal, he and Great Wisdom walked out of the inn.
“What now?” Great Wisdom asked. “You’re not thinking of forcing your way in, are you?”
“You stay in Immortal Town. I’ll go alone,” Xu Zimo replied.
“Why?” Great Wisdom was stunned. He quickly said, “I’m not the kind to fear death.”
“I know,” Xu Zimo nodded.
“Is it because you think I’m biased against demons?” Great Wisdom asked again. “Since I chose to follow you, whether demon or immortal doesn’t matter to me.”
“It’s not about that. You can’t go to Demon-Slaying Ridge,” Xu Zimo shook his head. “Because you are not a demon.”
Watching Xu Zimo’s back disappear into the distance, Great Wisdom stood silently.
He could see fate and illusion. The Universal Dharma Sect was unmatched in divination.
In his eyes, Xu Zimo was now surrounded by dense infernal energy.
Clearly, he was already a great demon.
Even more so than Demon-Slaying Ridge itself.