Infinite Professions

Chapter 199 - 100: Curtain Falls

The Karmic Fire Three Calamities illuminated, and it was already clear to the heart.

Shen Hex did not say much. With a flick of his sleeve, a Spirit Light swept out, and Pan Wangpo, who was bowing on the ground, underwent a transformation, returning to her Golden Silkworm form, which was taken away by the Spirit Light.

This Heterodox Nascent Soul cultivator was not of the Human Race but an Exotic being who had attained the Dao, originally taking the form of the Panwang Gu, which resembled a Golden Silkworm.

Shen Hex collected her and then released the Demon-slaying Daoist Sword. The brilliant light of three zhang traversed the Five Elements Grand Array, resulting in a chorus of wails, with another demonic cultivator perishing.

What is most important in traversing the Jianghu?

Vision is most important!

Assessing the situation and knowing when to advance or retreat is crucial for long survival in the Jianghu.

This is true in both the mundane martial realm and the Cultivation World. These demonic cultivators were veteran pugilists, quick to grasp the unfavorable situation like Pan Wangpo did at the moment of Black Mountain Demon Monarch’s demise, seeking to escape while Shen Hex was besieging Miao Shaotian and Situ Lie.

However, this Nascent Soul cultivator Pan Wangpo was unable to break through the endlessly regenerative Five Elements Grand Array, so how could those at the Core Formation and Foundation Establishment stages escape unscathed? At this moment, they were all stuck at the edge of the formation or triggered its prohibitions, being crushed by the forces of the Five Elements.

After all, this was a Tier Five Array, a Tier Five Array that many Cultivation Professionals had improved in the real world. Even though Shen Hex had not refined it for long and its magic prohibitions were few, it was more than enough to suppress Golden Core cultivators, and could even hinder a Nascent Soul like Pan Wangpo to some extent.

Now, having retrieved the Panwang Gu and taken up the Dao Sword to clean up the aftermath, the demonic cultivators who failed to break out of the formation were met with disaster. As the sword light swept across, wails arose repeatedly, and there wasn’t even time for many to mourn before they became ghosts under the sword, becoming offerings for the Dao.

Witnessing this scene, the cultivators of the Mystic Sect didn’t say a word, while the surrounding Heterodox practitioners and Exotic Outsiders were frightened out of their wits, immediately kneeling like Pan Wangpo, their pleas for mercy forming a continuous chorus.

Not just them, even those demonic cultivators in the distance who hadn’t been slain by the Dao Sword realized what was happening, promptly kneeling to surrender.

"Spare our lives, Upper Immortal! Spare our lives, Upper Immortal!"

"Mercy, Ancestor! We are willing to surrender!"

"We were coerced by that old demon, unwillingly dragged into the Demon Dao, becoming his minions. Please, Upper Immortal, understand!"

The Heterodox practitioners and the remaining demonic cultivators all knelt on the ground, not daring to confront the power of the Demon-slaying Daoist Sword, and could only plead for mercy and surrender.

Truly, the slaughter ceased immediately, with only the sword light sweeping those involved without causing further harm.

The Heterodox practitioners were relieved by this outcome.

They had made the right gamble!

When this person arrived singing, he had already revealed his heart and intentions.

The upper verse "Wielding the sword to overcome arduous labor, opening the box at dawn to hear the jade dragon’s roar" spoke of the hardship of sharpening the sword.

The lower verse "Malicious blood silently flows away like water, and villains now vanish along with their stains" expressed the vigorous resolve to cleanse the wicked.

This was a hallmark of a righteous high master, a virtuous gentleman!

A gentleman can be fooled openly: as long as it isn’t hypocritical, practitioners from the Heterodox or demonic backgrounds have rich experience in dealing with such people, namely, as long as one kneels quickly enough, the Flying Sword cannot kill me.

As expected, Pan Wangpo survived, and they survived.

Though the death penalty might be avoided, they were still likely to face punishment, but at least their lives were spared, right?

Moreover, for Heterodox cultivators, entering the fold of such a Moral Cultivator is a tremendous opportunity, even if it means serving labor as "prisoners."

After reassuring themselves, they were subsequently swept away by the sword light.

With the acceptance of surrender completed and under the tense gaze of the Mystic Sect cultivators, Shen Hex waved a hand, putting away the five Spirit Lights, which were the newly refined spiritual artifacts like the Five-Fire Seven-Feathered Fan, previously used as bases for the Five Directions Array to form this Five Elements Grand Array.

Seeing Shen Hex retract the formation after taking in the Demon Sect and Heterodox practitioners, the Mystic Sect cultivators also breathed a sigh of relief. The South Sea Earth Nun quickly released Zhong Yuxiu.

"Master!"

Zhong Yuxiu had been struggling the whole time, and now that she was free, she rushed over with the Profound Soul Sword Light to stand in front of Shen Hex, looking at his grizzled temples with a gaze full of alarm: "How did you become like this..."

Shen Hex shook his head, stopping her words, and turned his gaze to the rear.

The Mystic Sect cultivators understood, coming forward; the South Sea Earth Nun and Old Turtle Fisherman came together to bow to him in salute.

"Fan Hui of Luoxia Mountain!"

"Chen Rong of Golden Turtle Island!"

"Thank you, friend, for your righteous action, saving us from the depths of fire and water!"

The two led the bow in gratitude, and the cultivators behind them followed suit by bowing.

"No need for excessive courtesy."

Shen Hex supported them with an empty hand, raising them up: "I am Li Qingming, thank you both for looking after my disciple, Yuxiu!"

"Master!"

Zhong Yuxiu approached closely.

Shen Hex smiled: "Should you not also thank the two seniors?"

"..."

"..."

This approach left the two momentarily speechless.

Zhong Yuxiu, however, heedlessly followed orders and bowed to them: "Yuxiu thanks the two seniors!"

"No need for such courtesy."

Seeing this, the South Sea Earth Nun could only accept the thanks, then helped her up with a gesture and turned her gaze to Shen Hex: "Your sword technique is like that of an Immortal Fallen to Earth, astounding and sublime, truly admirable. May I ask, which sect or school are you from?"

Asking about one’s sect in such a manner is honestly a taboo among cultivators.

But the two had no choice. This person is Zhong Yuxiu’s master, and Zhong Yuxiu obeys him completely, already influencing the matters of the "Three Heroes and Two Talents, Celestial Destiny Demon Breaker." If not investigated thoroughly, it would surely cause sleepless nights.

Shen Hex smiled, unconcerned: "I am a person of the wilderness, with no sect or school!"

"This..."

The South Sea Earth Nun and Old Turtle Fisherman exchanged a glance, even more shocked and suspicious.

A person of the wilderness?

No sect or school?

Who are they kidding!

Although Taiyuan is from the Ancient Cultivation Realm, the inland is the Ancient Central Hub, the Land of the Highest Virtue, buried with various opportunities, including Immortal and Demon legacies, they all have rightful owners, inaccessible to ordinary people, only reappearing when destiny calls.

The Profound Void Secret Realm serves as an example; as the remnant of a former Mahayana True Monarch, this fortune is destined to belong to Zhong Yuxiu, determined by the Celestial Dao’s causality.

Therefore, even though overseas cultivators know of the Immortal Fate inland, they are not enthusiastic about it, for there are no great fortunes to be found, and any that do exist must involve great causality. Even with ten times the courage, they would not dare to seize them.

This person being able to cultivate to the nascent soul stage inland must have encountered some fortune, and may even possess an ancient legacy, yet is unwilling to disclose it now. Is it to guard against them, or...

The South Sea Earth Nun felt a sinking feeling in her heart but quickly suppressed her doubts, and smiled lightly at Shen He, saying: "So the friend is a hidden master, much respect and apologies!"

Although she did not know the background of the other party, being the master of the Two Talents and possessing such capabilities, he must be respected regardless. Otherwise, aside from Zhong Yuxiu’s reaction, his ability to single-handedly fight three demons and kill three Nascent Souls is not something they could afford to offend.

It should be known, those demons are of the orthodox Demon Sect origin, although slightly inferior to their Mystic Sect Orthodox Sect, they also have ancient inheritances, with deep foundations and extraordinary strength. The two of them could only barely hold their ground against them without winning.

Yet he defeated three alone and killed them, a prowess that is rare throughout history, even if not as prominent as the current Three Heroes and Two Talents with Celestial Destiny, he is certainly no weaker than the previous generation of the Seven Taiyuan Cultivators.

Such a figure must be respected in all events.

Unless...

"You two give me too much credit!"

Shen He smiled lightly, careless and indifferent: "I have been secluded in the mountains for so long that I know nothing of worldly affairs, especially the overseas matters. Could the two of you grand cultivators enlighten me?"

"..."

"..."

The two exchanged a glance, then the Earth Nun spoke: "Feel free to ask, my companion and I will share everything we know."

"Let us sit down and talk then."

Shen He chuckled softly, sending out a sword light, flattening a mountaintop, and invited the two to sit down for a conversation.

Zhong Yuxiu stood behind, hesitating for a moment before speaking to him: "Master, Yuxiu has something..."

"Go!"

"Yes!"

Zhong Yuxiu responded and left in a hurry.

Shen He did not mind, only looking at the two before him, personally pouring them tea: "As a rustic person, all I have is simple tea and meals. Please bear with it."

"Not at all, not at all!"

Such words, how could they dare to accept, they quickly responded politely and then drank the tea.

Indeed, it was simple tea, only Tier Three.

As Nascent Soul grand cultivators, such grade of spirit tea would never reach them normally.

But in the presence of Shen He, they could only drink it all, and praised: "Rich in aroma, with endless aftertaste, excellent tea!"

"You two give me too much credit."

Shen He shook his head with a smile, then delved straight to the point: "I hear there is a magical calamity rampant now and overseas is in turmoil, with demon cultivators running wild. Is this true?"

"Indeed it is!"

Seeing Shen He get to the heart of the matter, the two were straightforward, and the South Sea Earth Nun spoke seriously: "But thanks to the Seven Cultivator Master and the Three Heroes, the East Sea’s demonic disaster has been quelled. The situation in the South Sea and North Sea is under control, it’s just the West Sea Demon Cave that remains obstinate."

"Seven Cultivator Master?"

"Three Heroes?"

Shen He’s expression shifted, then he smiled lightly and said: "I am but an ignorant man from the mountain who knows nothing of the Seven Cultivator Master and these three heroes."

"This..."

Hearing this, the South Sea Earth Nun and Old Turtle Fisherman exchanged surprised looks.

This person knows not the name of the Seven Taiyuan Cultivators nor the matter of the Three Heroes and Two Talents?

True or false?

The two were puzzled, yet could not show it, having to brace themselves and explain.

"The Seven Cultivator Master holds the leading position of our Mystic Sect Orthodox Sect, they are respectively Master Miaoyi, Sect Leader of the East Sea Taihua Mountain, Master Xuanzhen, Sect Leader of the North Sea Profound Celestial Sect, and Master Fulong of the South Sea Golden Turtle Island’s Shennong Master... Seven Venerable Divinity Transformations."

"The seven venerables have the bond of being comrades in cultivation and all belong to the Mystic Sect Orthodox Sect, thus they are called the Seven Taiyuan Cultivators, the pillar of the Taiyuan Realm and the leaders of the Orthodox Dao!"

"As for the Three Heroes..."

The three grand cultivators sat atop the peak, discussing the matters of the world.

Meanwhile, elsewhere...

"Qing’Er!"

In the Profound Void Palace, Zhong Yuxiu found Qio Qing’Er, her face unable to hide her anxious expression.

Seeing her so worried, Qio Qing’Er smiled, holding her hand and said: "Qing’Er is fine, it’s just a minor injury, Brother Yuxiu you need not worry."

"Fine?"

"Oh oh oh, fine, all right!"

The flustered Zhong Yuxiu suddenly remembered she was still injured but had no mind to dwell upon it. Clutching her hand tightly, she asked: "Where are those spirit medicines, do you still have them?"

"Spirit medicines?"

Qio Qing’Er was stunned, then realized, bringing out the Shennong Cauldron and said: "Of course they are still here, Brother Yuxiu do you want a particular one, or are you planning to refine some pill..."

"Give them all to me!"

Her words were cut off by Zhong Yuxiu urgently.

"Ah!?"

Qio Qing’Er looked at her in bewilderment, unsure of what to do.

Only then did Zhong Yuxiu regain her senses, forcing down her anxiety: "Qing’Er, my master urgently needs these spirit medicines, please give them to me for now, and I will surely compensate you in the future. Or I can give you this Profound Soul Sword."

Saying this, she summoned the Profound Soul and stuffed it into Qio Qing’Er’s hand.

Qio Qing’Er: "..."