78: Chapter 78 Ancient Demon

Dan Qingzi sat beside Ancestor Zhou Huaixu, his gaze falling upon Jiang Changge. His lips moved slightly, as if he were about to say something.

However, before he could speak, several other Earth Rank Alchemists rose from their seats and walked over.

Huo Lingzi and Daoist Xuandan sat far away in their respective seats, yet their gazes simultaneously turned toward the white-clad figure on the east side of the altar.

The two exchanged a look, both seeing the same complexity in each other's eyes.

They represented two major Imperial Dynasties, and their current relationship with the Zhouwu Dynasty was extremely tense.

They wanted to go over, but were hindered by concerns about Face, so in the end, neither moved, just watching from afar.

After the few Earth Rank Alchemists had come and gone, the seats on the east side of the altar gradually quieted down.

Dan Qingzi finally waited for his chance.

He cleared his throat, about to ask Jiang Changge for guidance.

Although he was a Heaven Rank Alchemist, he had never refined a Medicinal Pill with a natural dao rhyme.

Just at this moment, a deafening explosion came from outside Medicine King Valley, shaking the entire valley slightly.

Inside the Hundred Herbs Altar, those figures, previously clinking glasses and mingling, froze instantly; everyone's gaze turned simultaneously toward the direction of the explosion.

Dan Qingzi stood up abruptly, his expression darkening in an instant as sharp, fierce light shot from his eyes.

"What is going on?" Ancestor Zhou Huaixu also stood up, his brows furrowed tightly as he looked toward the outside of the valley.

As the sound of the explosion faded, a scarlet beam of light shot up from outside the valley, dyeing half the sky the color of blood.

Within that beam of light, the faint sounds of ghosts wailing and wolves howling emerged, filled with such chilling Yin Qi that it made one's hair stand on end.

The Cultivators present all changed color, and some even involuntarily took a few steps back.

"That is... Devilish Qi?"

Huo Lingzi stood up abruptly, his pupils constricting, his voice filled with disbelief.

"Such dense Devilish Qi!" Yang Danzi set down his wine gourd, his expression grave.

Jiang Changge's gaze also turned outward; he had sensed movement outside Medicine King Valley earlier.

"System, what is that thing?"

[Ding, detected that the Seal outside Medicine King Valley has loosened. An ancient Devil Head is suppressed beneath the Seal.]

[Due to the passage of time, the power of the Seal has gradually weakened, causing cracks to appear in the Seal and Devilish Qi to leak out.]

[If the Seal collapses completely, the Devil Head will reappear in the world.]

Jiang Changge raised an eyebrow. An ancient Devil Head?

The people of Medicine King Valley clearly knew what that was.

Dan Qingzi's expression was as dark as water. He turned to look at the Medicine King Valley Elder behind him, his voice low and urgent: "Quick, go invite the Grand Elder!"

The Elder, his Face deathly pale, hurriedly turned and transformed into a streak of light, rushing toward the depths of Medicine King Valley.

Dan Qingzi looked at everyone present and said in a deep voice: "Fellow Daoists, there has been a change in the Medicine King Valley Seal. I must go and deal with it. Please excuse me."

As his words fell, his figure transformed into a grey streak of light, rushing toward the direction of the blood-red beam of light outside the valley.

Just as Dan Qingzi's figure left the Hundred Herbs Altar, Ancestor Zhou Huaixu also moved.

He turned and bowed slightly to Jiang Changge: "Senior, I will go take a look as well."

Before he had finished speaking, his figure was already like a bolt of black lightning, following closely behind Dan Qingzi.

Yun Yin, Yang Danzi, Yao Li, and the other Earth Rank Alchemists exchanged glances and simultaneously took to the air.

The Elders of Medicine King Valley and the experts from various factions also transformed into streaks of light, rushing toward the outside of the valley.

For a time, streaks of light rained across the sky above the Hundred Herbs Altar, and a murderous aura began to permeate the air.

Zhou Tianchen stood beside the tasting seat, his expression changing slightly as he subconsciously looked at Jiang Changge on the viewing platform.

"Revered Master!"

Jiang Changge stood up, straightened his robes, and said in a calm tone: "You stay here and wait."

As his words fell, his figure vanished from where he stood.

The next moment, Jiang Changge appeared high in the sky outside Medicine King Valley.

He stood with his hands behind his back, his white robes fluttering, his gaze fixed on the blood-red beam of light rising into the sky in the distance.

Within the beam of light, Devilish Qi surged like a tide, faintly condensing into grotesque ghost Faces that emitted hair-raising roars.

Dan Qingzi hovered directly above the beam of light, his expression as dark as water, his eyes filled with gravity.

"Form the array!"

He gave a low shout, his hands forming Seals simultaneously. Streaks of spiritual light flew from his palms, sketching out a massive octagonal array diagram in the Void Realm.

Eight array bases landed simultaneously, embedding themselves deep into the ground. Runes flowed across the array bases, emitting a pale golden light.

That light collided with the blood-red Devilish Qi.

Ancestor Zhou Huaixu followed closely behind, taking his position at the Qian position of the array diagram.

His aura at the Peak of the Undergoing Tribulation Realm was released without reservation. He pressed his hands down forcefully, and a massive surge of spiritual power was injected into the array base, causing the runes at the Qian position to brighten suddenly.

Yun Yin, Yang Danzi, Yao Li, and the other Earth Rank Alchemists also landed in their respective array positions.

Colorful spiritual light intertwined and flowed across the array diagram, creating a stalemate with the blood-red beam of light rising into the sky.

However, the Devilish Qi within the beam of light continued to intensify, and the cracks in the Seal continued to widen.

The spiritual light on the array diagram flickered unsteadily, appearing as though it could be scattered by the Devilish Qi at any moment.

Dan Qingzi's expression became increasingly grave.

He knew that relying solely on himself and Ancestor Zhou Huaixu, two Undergoing Tribulation powerhouses, along with these Earth Rank Alchemists, was far from enough to re-Seal this ancient Devil Head.

Just then, an aged voice came from the depths of Medicine King Valley.

"I have arrived late."

Before the voice had faded, a green-clad figure appeared beside Dan Qingzi.

It was an old man, thin as a stick, with a green Daoist robe hanging loosely on his body, as if a gust of wind could blow him over.

Medicine King Valley Grand Elder—Ziyang Daoist.

Peak of the Undergoing Tribulation, Intermediate Heaven Rank Alchemist, who had been in seclusion for a thousand years and had not appeared in the world.

"Grand Elder!" Dan Qingzi's expression brightened, his tone filled with a sense of relief.

Ziyang Daoist nodded slightly, his gaze falling upon the blood-red beam of light rising into the sky, a glint of coldness flashing in his eyes.

"This old Devil Head wants to come out and cause chaos again."

He raised his hand and waved it; a green light flew from his sleeve, landing in the center of the array diagram, transforming into a jade ruler that was emerald green all over.

The jade ruler hovered in mid-air, emitting a gentle and vast aura. The body of the ruler was covered with profound and mysterious runes, which seemed to come alive, slowly flowing across the ruler.

"Heaven and Earth sweep away the vast Qi, all manifestations bear its form."

Ziyang Daoist chanted in a low voice, his hands forming Seals. The jade ruler suddenly brightened, and a green beam of light shot straight into the sky, colliding fiercely with the blood-red Devilish Qi.

"Boom—!"

Amidst the loud noise, the blood-red beam of light was suppressed by thirty percent, and the spiritual light on the array diagram also stabilized significantly.

Ancestor Zhou Huaixu's gaze sharpened; he looked at Ziyang Daoist and nodded slightly.

Although he was not familiar with Ziyang Daoist, he knew the depth of this Medicine King Valley Grand Elder.

Peak of the Undergoing Tribulation, Intermediate Heaven Rank Alchemist; in terms of cultivation and Realm, he was not below him.

With this person presiding over the Seal, the chances of success were much greater.

However, Dan Qingzi's expression did not lighten much.

He looked at Ziyang Daoist, his voice low: "Grand Elder, the Valley Revered Master has taken several Elders to the Central Plains Alchemy Tower and is not in the valley."

Ziyang Daoist frowned slightly, was silent for a moment, and then slowly spoke: "It is no matter. With me here, this old Devil Head cannot overturn the heavens."

Although he said this, his tone lacked a bit of composure.