Chapter 157: The Malevolent Aura Sweeps Through the Jade Purity Sect
“Crack…”
A subtle sound shattered Wu Zhan’s last vestige of hope.
He stared, eyes blazing with rage, at the jade tablet on the top that was about to shatter, and could not help but roar in anger.
“Who killed Senior Elder Xuan Yu!”
As soon as the words left his mouth, the cracks on the jade tablet suddenly spread out, and it eventually exploded into a puddle of powder.
This was like the last straw that broke the camel’s back.
The entire Great Formation erupted with a thunderous noise, no longer able to maintain itself.
A terrifying shockwave swept through Jade Purity Sect, and everyone was caught in its wake, spitting out blood uncontrollably.
The sect leader at the center of the formation bore the brunt, suffering the strongest backlash and having his path to sainthood directly severed!
“Don’t!!”
His voice was filled with despair, both furious and terrified.
He was enraged that his path had been cut off.
He was terrified of failing to become a saint, knowing that an incredibly gruesome calamity awaited him!
As expected, the Three Calamities and Four Trials arrived on schedule.
The Body-destroying Calamity that annihilated his physical form and the Unwarranted Calamity that brought nightmares simultaneously erupted, penetrating his entire being.
“Ahhhhh…”
He plummeted from the air, black flames engulfing his body.
Failing the tribulation of becoming a saint not only subjected him to the Three Calamities and Four Trials but also incurred an additional punishment: he would turn into a Fallen One!
These black flames represented the aura of corruption.
In short, the Three Calamities and Four Trials only targeted the cultivator themselves, while the aura of corruption affected the surroundings, transforming the area within a hundred miles into a forbidden zone.
Therefore, cultivators who failed their tribulation became extremely dangerous, as anyone who approached would suffer.
As expected.
With a loud explosion, the aura of corruption erupted, raining down black flames like raindrops, engulfing the entire Jade Purity Sect.
“Ahhh…”
Screams filled the air, and whether elder or disciple, their faces were etched with fear.
Although this aura of corruption was not fatal, it would directly burn away their vitality and cultivation.
Moreover, once contaminated, one would become like a maggot attached to a bone; unless powerful means were employed to extinguish it directly, the negative effects would not subside even if they left the forbidden zone.
This outbreak of malevolent energy nearly wiped out the Jade Purity Sect entirely.
Of course, there were exceptions; Fairy Baihe seemed untouched, as the aura actively avoided her, and some disciples stood bewildered, watching the disaster around them.
This was due to ‘fate’, deeply mysterious.
These disciples were the ones who escorted Zhou Tong away in the past.
Seemingly, they had received protection from some unseen forces, escaping the calamity and stepping outside the bounds of causality.
…
Outside Red Dust Mountain, at Joyful Union Sect.
With a sudden ‘pfft’, Zhou Tong couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“What are you laughing at?” Zhang Chuqiao asked curiously.
“Nothing, just thought of something amusing.”
Zhou Tong looked towards the direction of Jade Purity Sect, revealing a mocking smile.
That place had just been enveloped in sacred might, only to be extinguished, followed by the emergence of the corrupt aura.
Even with his toes, he could guess what had happened.
“Old dog, you finally reaped what you sowed.”
He coldly laughed to himself.
Ever since using the Soul Search Technique on Xuan Yu, he had uncovered many secrets that had been unknown in his past life.
The leader of Jade Purity Sect, who appeared kind and caring towards him, had actually coveted his stabilizing aura.
In his eyes, Zhou Tong was merely a major pill for overcoming tribulations; if there were any obstacles, he would not hesitate to refine Zhou Tong to preserve his own life.
Fortunately, in his previous life, Wu Zhan had exceptionally good fortune, managing to cross the tribulation to sainthood on his own, but this life was ultimately different. Once Zhou Tong left, it was as if his luck had vanished!
At this moment, Wu Zhan must have already fallen into a life-and-death predicament.
Just like the lover of the Sword Saint, unless he found the fawn’s fragrance pouch or used the protective spell of Wei Ling Sen Luo, he would have little chance of recovery.
Of course, there was another easier path…
Zhou Tong’s mouth curled upward, a slender figure floating into his mind.
His former Third Senior Sister, Xuan Shuyu.
She was the granddaughter of Senior Elder Xuan Yu, who had taken Mo Liushu as her master after Xia Hongxiu, and she was herself a legendary Pseudo-Saint Body.
The Pseudo-Saint Body possessed the ability to absorb and resolve corrupt energy.
When Zhou Tong was around, such dirty work wouldn’t fall to her.
But now that he was gone, even her backup had turned to dust, leaving him to wonder if she could still maintain her previously leisurely and proud demeanor.
Lost in thought, the Red Dust Chariot arrived at Joyful Union Sect.
Finally home.
“Profound Sky Nine Flowers Great Formation, open for me!”
With a command, the barrier of the Great Formation dissolved, and the Red Dust Chariot slowly entered.
“Hiss…”
Mu Ran Ya couldn’t help but gasp in surprise. After just a few days, Joyful Union Sect had changed drastically.
It was no longer overgrown with weeds; instead, ruins stretched as far as the eye could see.
Now, it had been completely rejuvenated, with cave dwellings arranged exquisitely, the houses standing tall, reminiscent of past grandeur.
Who was responsible for this transformation?
“Young master! Master!”
Liu Yan shouted joyfully from below, as happy as a child.
The Red Dust Chariot landed beside her, and everyone disembarked, looking her up and down.
“Did you do all this?”
The Demon Lord asked curiously.
“Well… I was just bored and did a bit of work. Of course, the formation Master helped me a lot,” she replied, referring to the Profound Sky Nine Flowers Great Formation, which had now gained sentience.
“Even so, this is somewhat beyond reason.”
Zhou Tong observed the surroundings, astonished.
Transforming Joyful Union Sect into this within less than a month—was Liu Yan some sort of innate Earthwood Saint Body?
“Vroom vroom…”
At that moment, the Profound Sky Nine Flowers Great Formation suddenly emitted a sound, and ripples spread across the void towards Zhou Tong and the others.
A moment later, several of them wore strange expressions.
The Great Formation appeared to be demanding something from Zhou Tong, like a child begging for affection from its parents returning from a trip.
“Roar!”
Xiao Bai suddenly appeared and threw a punch at the sky.
The ripples shattered simultaneously, and Xiao Bai wore a proud expression.
As if to say, I am the legitimate son; you, the illegitimate one, need to temper yourselves!
Everyone was even more astonished; never would they have imagined that two sentient spiritual beings had learned to compete for affection. This was a rare and unprecedented event!
“Alright, alright… I won’t shortchange you.”
Zhou Tong soothed, “Although I didn’t bring you good things this time, it won’t be long before I can help you dig up a vein of earth!”
“Vroom…”
The Great Formation trembled as if filled with joy, even transforming into a handprint in mid-air to make a pact with Zhou Tong.
“Alright, alright…”
Zhou Tong chuckled helplessly, ultimately having to comply.
“Roar…”
Xiao Bai growled discontentedly, signaling the other to stop.
“Junior Brother, finding an earth vein is not that easy. The good ones are probably already occupied by major sects.”
Zhang Chuqiao frowned and spoke.
“I know… We’ll just snatch it!”
Zhou Tong’s gaze shifted towards Xuanhuang Mountain, was there not a ready-made one there?
