novelapdf Chapter 179 Between Heaven and Earth
Chapter 179 Between Heaven and Earth
Just then, a sharp hiss came from deep inside the cave.
A huge black hand emerged from the cave and slapped towards Zhou Ning.
The hand was about two zhang in size, with long, slender fingers and nails as black as ink, exuding a strong aura of death.
Zhou Ning was prepared, concentrating all his spiritual power at the tip of his sword and unleashing the ultimate move of the "Demon Slayer Technique".
A dazzling purple-gold light shone on the Qingfeng Sword.
The light grew stronger and brighter, like a small sun, dispelling all the surrounding darkness.
"cut!"
A massive purple-gold sword aura shot out from the sword tip and collided with the black palm.
"boom--!"
The two forces collided, unleashing a deafening roar.
The sand in the desert was blown up, obscuring the sky and the sun.
Under the impact of the purple-gold sword energy, the black palm finally could not withstand it and was shattered, turning into countless black fragments that dissipated into the air.
An angry roar came from deep within the cave entrance, then gradually subsided.
Zhou Ning sheathed his sword, slumped to the ground, and gasped for breath.
Large beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and nearly half of his primordial spirit power was consumed, but his heart was unusually calm.
"It's a success."
He stood up, walked to the cave entrance, stretched out his hands, and poured his true energy into the edge of the cave entrance.
A purple-gold light enveloped the cave entrance, and after the entrance completely closed, it disappeared into the desert.
Xuan Jing ran over and helped him up: "Young Master Zhou, are you alright?"
Zhou Ning shook his head: "It's nothing. I'm just a little tired. The Demon Cave has been sealed, and no more demons will come out."
The two returned to Shazhou City.
Tuoba Lie was anxiously waiting at the city gate when he saw them return, and he was overjoyed.
"Young Master Zhou, did you succeed?"
Zhou Ning nodded: "The Demon Cave has been sealed. Brother Tuoba, you can rest assured."
Tuoba Lie knelt and kowtowed, saying, "Young Master Zhou, your kindness and virtue are unforgettable!"
Zhou Ning helped him up: "Brother Tuoba, there's no need to be so polite. Slaying demons and eliminating evil is simply our duty."
He stayed in Shazhou City for a few days, helping Tuoba Lie handle some aftermath matters, and also drew some talismans for the people in the city, which were pasted on their doors to prevent evil spirits from disturbing them.
This is a common post-mortem procedure used by those who cultivate the Tao, to prevent unforeseen circumstances.
After the demon cave in the Western Regions was sealed, Zhou Ning stayed in Shazhou City for three days.
Over the past three days, he helped Tuoba Lie and the cultivators in the city clear away the remaining shadows outside the city, and used his primordial spirit power to set up a simple defensive formation around the city.
Although it cannot compare to Yan Chixia's Zhou Tian Xing Dou Grand Array, it is sufficient to defend against ordinary minor demons and monsters.
Tuoba Lie was so grateful to him that he insisted on giving him several boxes of gold and silver jewelry.
Zhou Ning smiled and declined, only accepting a few Rejuvenation Fruits, a specialty of the Western Regions, saying he would take them back to the Central Plains for his master to try.
"Young Master Zhou, you are the most powerful cultivator I have ever seen."
Tuoba Lie stood at the city gate, his dark face full of admiration.
"If you ever need me in the future, feel free to come to the Western Regions to find me. I will go through fire and water for you."
Zhou Ning patted him on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Brother Tuoba, you're too kind. I'm entrusting the people of the Western Regions to you. Although the Demon Cave has been sealed, it's hard to guarantee it won't reappear. You must be vigilant at all times. If you discover anything unusual, feel free to come to the Central Plains to find me if needed."
Tuoba Lie nodded solemnly: "I certainly will."
Hyun-jung also came to see them off.
She stood beside Tuoba Lie, dressed in white as snow, her whisk swaying gently, like a blooming snow lotus in the mountain breeze.
"Young Master Zhou, take care on your journey."
Xuan Jing said softly, "My senior brother said that your performance in the Western Regions this time is worthy of being recorded in the annals of the cultivation world. He is proud that there is a sword immortal named Zhou Ning in the world."
Zhou Ning shook his head: "Miss Xuanjing, you flatter me. I just did what I was supposed to do."
He cupped his hands in greeting to the two men, then turned and embarked on his journey back to the Central Plains.
From the Western Regions to Qingyun Mountain, it's a distance of ten thousand miles.
Zhou Ning did not rush on his journey, but walked slowly, contemplating the world as he went.
His cultivation at the Nascent Soul stage gave him a deeper understanding of the laws of heaven and earth.
He traversed deserts, Gobi, grasslands, and mountains, engaging in dialogue with the earth with every step and resonating with the sky with every breath.
He could feel the earth beneath his feet imbued with a rich, earthy energy, the sky above him flowing with a clear, ethereal quality, and his own body serving as a bridge where the energies of heaven and earth converged.
"All things in heaven and earth have their own way."
Zhou Ning muttered to himself.
"The way of humanity lies between heaven and earth."
He recalled what Yan Chixia had said.
The Dao Integration stage is when a cultivator is in harmony with the laws of heaven and earth, and can mobilize the power of a region of heaven and earth with every move, which is almost equivalent to a small-scale version of the Heavenly Dao.
To reach that level, one needs not only power, but also a profound understanding of the Dao, and even more importantly, to merge one's own Dao heart with the heart of heaven and earth.
"My path is to protect."
Zhou Ning clenched his fist.
"To protect all living beings and vanquish demons. This is the vow I made from the very beginning, and it has never changed."
He closed his eyes and focused his mind into his dantian.
Within the dantian, the illusory image of the primordial spirit sat cross-legged in the center, its hands forming a mudra, radiating a warm, purplish-gold light.
The light was no longer as dazzling as before, but had become soft and profound, like the brightest star in the night sky.
He could sense that his primordial spirit was resonating with the laws of heaven and earth, though it was still very weak, it was definitely there.
"The threshold of the Dao Integration stage..." Zhou Ning's heart stirred.
He stopped and sat cross-legged on a large rock by the roadside, closing his eyes to contemplate.
The surrounding spiritual energy seemed to sense his condition and converged towards him.
The spiritual energy surged into his body, merging with the power of his primordial spirit to transform into a purer and more powerful force.
He could feel that his connection with heaven and earth was deepening, as if an invisible thread was connecting his primordial spirit with the heart of heaven and earth.
"Is this what it feels like to be in harmony with the Dao?"
Zhou Ning opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing in them.
He reached out his hand and gently clenched it. The surrounding spiritual energy actually condensed into a ball according to his will, slowly rotating in his palm.
He could feel that he could mobilize the power of heaven and earth within a radius of a hundred feet. Although the range was not large, it was a qualitative leap compared to the past when he could only rely on his own strength.
"In the early stages of Dao Integration, I've barely touched the threshold." Zhou Ning nodded in satisfaction.
He stood up and continued on his way.
Ten days later, he finally returned to Qingyun Mountain.
The scenery of Qingyun Mountain remains unchanged, and everything at Lanruo Temple is as usual.
"Master, your disciple has returned from the Western Regions."
He entered the main hall.
Yan Chixia was meditating when he heard Zhou Ning's footsteps and opened his eyes.
His gaze fell on Zhou Ning, his expression somewhat strange, but he eventually showed relief on his face and nodded slightly.
"You're back? I heard you went to the Western Regions. How was it? How did things go? Did everything go smoothly?"