Chapter 692

Chapter 692: Great Power of Wutu

Ahead, a peak resembling a pen rack appeared, and Li Hui floated down to the mountaintop to hear someone joyfully calling him: “Handsome Junior Brother, who would have thought we would meet here after so many years!”

“Eh? Brother Yuan, Sister Luo.”

Seeing two familiar faces, Li Hui felt greatly delighted. The male and female cultivators before him were Yuan Ciheng and Luo Meini from the Haotu Sect. Ever since the fierce beasts caused chaos in Dalong, he had not seen either of them since their brief farewell. Even after tracing their tracks to the Geng Gold Continent, he had to leave just as he got a clue, only able to sigh in regret.

“Hahaha, it really is you, Brother Li!” Yuan Ciheng was very happy. He and Luo Meini both carried sword boxes on their backs, and they held hands, appearing particularly close.

“Congratulations to you, senior brother and sister, for becoming partners.” Li Hui clasped his hands in congratulations.

“Pssh, who would pair up with this wood? We hold hands for cultivation,” Luo Meini feigned disdain, her face turning red.

Yuan Ciheng chuckled foolishly, nodding: “Going in and out together every day—what else could it be but partners? A few years back, my senior sister and I accidentally went to the Geng Gold Continent, and by chance, we gained some fortune. Now I’ve become a sword cultivator who can break all laws with a single sword. I’m entirely clean and tidy, just a sword left—pretty straightforward and carefree.”

“Hmph!” Luo Meini stomped her foot, complaining to Li Hui: “This Yuan guy is indeed carefree while my brother returned to the Wutu Continent for just over half a month; he couldn’t even give me money for food, which forced me to pawn my last artifact. That’s his carefree attitude!"

Li Hui laughed heartily, noticing his senior sister’s displeasure, quickly advising: “Sister, why bother getting angry with this stubborn donkey? Back when I entered, he described me as a prodigal, preventing our Master from opening the inheritance treasury of the Mirror Lake faction. In fact, he’s just a clueless blockhead, oblivious to the suffering of ordinary folk, rigid and dull without any charm. What a pity for the beautiful Sister Luo.”

“Yes, yes, yes! He cares nothing for the essentials of daily life; it’s all about cultivation for him, that blockhead!” Luo Meini had finally found a kindred spirit after all these years.

“It seems senior brother and sister were also invited to join the Path of Martyrdom Alliance. This trip into the earth’s core to seek treasure is essentially a trial ranking,” Li Hui observed the nearby gathering of cultivators, either in small groups or allied together, all above the All-Manifestation Realm. Apparently, the All-Manifestation Realm was the standard for joining the Path of Martyrdom Alliance.

“Indeed, we were invited to join the Path of Martyrdom Alliance. At that time, we were cleaning up demonic creatures by the seaside and received the invitation. Previously…” Yuan Ciheng briefly narrated his experiences after leaving the Haotu Sect, filled with danger and close calls, ultimately surviving against the odds.

Li Hui sighed repeatedly. Although he had made arrangements years in advance, with just over a hundred Ghost Emperors, he could not know if they would return to the Wutu Continent. Thus, Yuan Ciheng and Luo Meini had truly fought their way through without any help from him.

Thinking of the two of them reminded Li Hui of Master Li Maocai, who had not been without his own endeavors. He wished to help the old man face his tribulation, but the elder’s temperament was rigid, and he could never pass the hurdle of Xun Zuoyuan.

As the three chatted, the sound of ocean waves suddenly filled the air.

The cultivators present were taken aback; this was a mountainous area, so why were they hearing the sounds of the ocean?

Before long, someone pointed skyward and shouted, “Look! There really is an ocean!”

“Crash, crash, crash…” The vast sea surged forth, and those with sharp eyes could even see seaweed and schools of fish in the water. Soon, the ocean filled the sky, making it feel as if they stood on the mountain’s peak at the ocean’s bottom, leaving everyone shocked and stunned.

At that time, hundreds of whales towed a small island forward at a decent speed, and in about half a tea’s time, they reached the mountaintop.

On the small island, flower petals fell like rain, and radiant light surrounded the unusual buildings, including a small bell tower that looked like a temple but also like a scholar’s residence.

Someone on the island declared, “Demons have descended from the sky; we cultivators must strive to eliminate them. However, Wutu practitioners are not united, which is a great concern!”

The opening line pointed out the disunity among Wutu practitioners.

Indeed, in the months leading up to the calamity, nearly half the sects began migrating rapidly. They preferred to risk crossing the sea to reach other continents rather than remain on the Wutu Continent.

Now, besides the Great Xia Army tirelessly clearing out threats, even the Jin Tian Sect cultivators began to mind their own business. What was once a magnificent landscape had become riddled with damage and decay.

A robust voice from the island proclaimed, “Therefore, I have established a pact to encourage Wutu practitioners. Regardless of background, anyone can join our Path of Martyrdom Alliance. Let me clarify: the Path of Martyrdom Alliance is not mine alone; it belongs to all cultivators. I am merely the one to throw out the first brick to attract jade!”

The gathered cultivators were astounded. Some knew the background details, while others were completely unprepared, wondering how so many had been called together for the expedition to gather the Jade Heart of the Earth Court. It now appeared that the collection of the Jade Heart was merely bait, and the real intention was to gather strength in numbers.

Suddenly, someone shouted, “Is the old man the Zhuge Yi who became renowned in Daxia fifteen hundred years ago?”

“Indeed, that is me! Who would have thought someone would still remember the name Zhuge Yi in this day and age? Grateful, grateful!” Laughter echoed across the island, and a rainbow appeared arching across.

Those with keen insight realized that this senior, Zhuge Yi, was intentionally revealing his strength, indicating he was indeed a person of Void Ascension within the Wutu Continent—a figure of undeniable power.

“So this elder is Zhuge Yi!” Many cultivators had heard of this name, and it resonated loudly. Zhuge Yi had left behind numerous legends over a thousand years ago, establishing a solid foundation for Daxia. He was known for his urgent sense of justice, always standing up for the oppressed.

Li Hui activated Bai Ze’s divine eye to examine him closely and could not help but sigh, “This elder has a warm-hearted nature, but the ideals pursued by the Path of Martyrdom Alliance are too lofty. Wanting cultivators to selflessly defend their homeland—it would be considered fortunate if even thirty percent had that intent. Truly, very few would risk their lives to advance or retreat together; if all cultivators in the world gathered in Zhi Cheng City, the Demonic Essence World would have to give it a wide berth. Instead, just hunting the Blue Demon would be more than enough.”

At this moment of contemplation, someone shouted loudly, “Old man, your cultivation is impressive, but is it a bit thin for just you to stand up and organize this Path of Martyrdom Alliance? Moreover, the name ‘Path of Martyrdom’ sounds awkward; I don’t want to martyr anything! I’d prefer to live a glorious life for a few thousand years! Hahaha, does everyone agree with what I’m saying?”

“Hahaha!” Many demon cultivators and demon practitioners laughed heartily, knowing Zhuge Yi’s reputation and that he would not randomly kill, allowing them to be particularly reckless. Unexpectedly, the vast hand of ocean water, hundreds of zhang wide, came crashing down, “Smack!” shattering the bodies of those demon cultivators who were laughing.

A cold voice emerged from the island, “Do you all truly think I don’t kill? The heavens and earth are collapsing; if I continue to be gentle and merciful, why would I need to step forward with such drive? Listen closely: without a heart to resist and martyr for the cause, leave this place immediately. The Path of Martyrdom Alliance will only accept those with the same ideals.”