Demonic Cultivator: Immune To Common Side Effects - Chapter 37

Chapter 37: Dharma Propagation Assembly, Holy Mountain Forbidden Zone

The moment they heard someone was blocking their path, everyone’s nerves tightened to the breaking point.

Could it be the Su Clan’s Shadows? Had they already detected the Third Elder’s condition?

Elder Su clenched his fist and demanded, “Who dares obstruct our way?”

“They claim to be cultivators from Mishan City, Elder,” came the reply.

Mishan City? Hearing this, Elder Su relaxed slightly. “Let’s go see.”

Li Yan followed him out to assess the situation.

The group gathered on the deck of the floating ship and gazed ahead.

They saw soldiers clad in armor and iron masks stationed on the cliffs lining the mountain pass, standing guard. Between the cliffs, a cultivator dressed as a Monk Soldier hovered in mid-air.

The Monk Soldier held a staff in his right hand and greeted them with a single-handed salute. “Mishan City is currently hosting a Dharma Propagation Assembly,” he announced. “Unauthorized personnel are forbidden from entering.”

Elder Su, standing at the ship’s prow, frowned. “A Dharma Propagation Assembly? Not even our Su Clan’s ship is allowed to pass?”

The Monk Soldier stood firm, neither obsequious nor arrogant, blocking their path. “The Su Clan and Mishan City have long enjoyed friendly relations,” he said, “but the Dharma Propagation Assembly is of paramount importance. During the assembly, no outsiders are permitted within Mishan City.”

“Anyone who dares force their way in will be executed without mercy.”

Gazing at the Monk Soldier’s impassive face, Elder Su realized that even the Third Elder of the Su Clan wouldn’t be granted entry.

Elder Su pondered for a moment, then clasped his hands in a bow. “May I ask, Master, when will the Dharma Propagation Assembly conclude?”

The Monk Soldier slowly closed his eyes, pressing his palms together. “Layman Su, Heavenly Secrets cannot be revealed. Please return.”

Elder Su hesitated, then finally sighed, flicked his sleeve in resignation, and retreated to the ship’s cabin.

“I had hoped to seek refuge in Mishan City,” he lamented, “but now this Dharma Propagation Assembly prevents outsiders from entering.”

“What are we to do? If the Su Clan’s Blood Shadow detects our unusual movements, they’ll surely send assassins after us immediately.”

The mere thought of the Su Clan’s power sent a chill down his spine. With so many Su Clan disciples serving as Shadow Slaves, what would happen if they were unleashed in full force? The consequences were unimaginable.

Li Yan hesitated before asking, “Aside from Mishan City, do we have any other options?”

“Go where?” Elder Su asked, his face a mask of confusion. “Where else could we possibly go?”

“For example, leave this Mountain of No Return and venture beyond the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains?” Li Yan suggested.

Elder Su gave a bitter smile. “Little Friend Li, are you unaware of the situation beyond these mountains?”

“Please enlighten me, Senior,” Li Yan said, humbly clasping his hands in a respectful bow.

Though he had absorbed the memories of Old Ghost Xuanwang and others, the fragments were disjointed and incomplete.

“There’s a barrier surrounding the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains,” Elder Su explained. “To this day, very few have managed to break through.”

“To escape the mountains, one needs at least the Ascension Realm strength to shatter the void.”

Li Yan’s heart skipped a beat.

A barrier beyond the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains?

That meant everyone on the Mountain of No Return was trapped within these impenetrable peaks, completely isolated from the outside world.

No wonder Elder Su hadn’t simply sailed away. They were effectively imprisoned here, cut off from the world.

Only Ascension Realm cultivators can shatter the void. The Ascension Realm…

Blood Condensation, Blood Shifting, Blood Core, Blood Cocoon, Ascension.

Reaching the Ascension Realm… who knows how long that would take?

If Li Yan truly possessed an Ascension Realm cultivation base, would he still need to fear the Su Clan?

Li Yan gazed out the window at the distant, towering peak of Mishan City, its summit piercing the clouds.

Atop the mountain city sprawled rows of golden-roofed palaces, while lower slopes housed cultivators, nobles, and wealthy merchants, each tier distinctly stratified. At the base lay the dwellings of countless common folk. Mishan City was revered as a sacred haven in the eyes of the people of the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains. Those who gained entry to the city enjoyed its divine protection. In this treacherous wilderness, dwelling within such a holy land was the lifelong dream of countless ordinary people.

In contrast to the affluent residents within the city walls, numerous small villages dotted the surrounding forests. Villagers toiled at the dirtiest and most arduous tasks, such as hauling manure, farming, hunting, fishing, and tending livestock. These peripheral communities sustained Mishan City, their efforts fueling the lives of those within.

Looking down from the road, Li Yan saw throngs of devout peasants kneeling and prostrating toward Holy Mountain, praying for favorable weather, bountiful harvests, and the health of their families.

After a moment of contemplation, Li Yan cupped his fists in a farewell gesture towards Elder Su. “Elder Su, it seems we won’t be able to enter Mishan City anytime soon. This junior wishes to bid you farewell and seek his own path.”

Elder Su hesitated, wanting to speak but refraining. “Very well,” he finally agreed reluctantly.

It was clear that Li Yan was both intelligent and pragmatic. Staying on the Su Clan’s ship would make him too conspicuous, easily drawing unwanted attention. Moreover, the Su Clan’s mission to find their lost kin had nothing to do with him. If he remained on board, he risked being dragged into their affairs when the Su Clan’s search party arrived. Given that Li Yan had saved their lives, they couldn’t possibly repay his kindness with ingratitude by forcing him to stay.

After careful consideration, Elder Su solemnly cupped his fists in farewell. “Little Friend Li, you saved this old man’s life, and I cannot burden you any further. But I implore you, should misfortune befall us in the future…” He paused, his voice trembling. “…if it’s within your means, please save us once more.”

With that, Elder Su knelt abruptly. Li Yan quickly helped him up. “Elder Su, you honor me too greatly!”

“Little Friend Li,” Elder Su continued, his voice heavy with foreboding. “I have a premonition. I fear I may become a Shadow Slave again. If that happens, I beg you to rescue me once more!” He choked on his words, his eyes glistening with tears. “I would rather die than endure another century of humiliation and servitude.”

As he spoke, tears streamed down Elder Su’s weathered face. Behind him, the Su Clan disciples’ eyes reddened with emotion.

Li Yan offered no firm answer, merely nodding and saying, “This junior will do his best.”

Seeing Li Yan’s response, Elder Su raised his hand. “Someone, bring the package!”

A Su Clan girl stepped forward and presented Li Yan with a bundle containing gold, silver, valuables, and Medicinal Stones. As she handed it over, she clasped his hand, her eyes brimming with reluctance, unwilling to let him go.

Li Yan understood they saw him as their last hope, desperately trying to keep him with them. But he didn’t want to die either; staying was far too dangerous.

He nodded his thanks, offering no further words. He walked to the ship’s edge, the Corpse Puppet Su Mo following close behind. With a leap, Li Yan plunged into the air, plummeting rapidly towards the ground. Just before impact, two flying swords shot out, catching Li Yan and Su Mo. They landed smoothly and sped away.

On the ship, Su Chongyue watched Li Yan’s departure. Nearby disciples couldn’t help but ask, “Elder, why did you let them go? If Li Yan had stayed with the Lotus Lamp, he could have repelled the Blood Shadow!”

“That’s right, Elder! We shouldn’t have let him leave. Now we’re in even greater danger!”

As the disciples clamored around him, Su Chongyue sighed deeply. “Do you truly think I wanted to let him go?”