Chapter 20: Half-Step Dao Ancestor

The Demon King, holding a long black staff, was surrounded by ten dark red demon generals, watching from afar as they let the horde of demons under their command attack.

Ji Ning and the others also knew that every time the demon army came, they would first let the ordinary demons attack, and only then would the demon generals and the Demon King make their move. So the period at the beginning when the Demon King and his generals did not act was very critical—they had to use this time to kill as many ordinary demons as possible.

A frenzy of slaughter.

Bang. Ji Ning sometimes charged straight ahead, relying on his divine body to send demons tumbling. Sometimes he executed sword techniques that were like black holes, drawing the demons aside. In any case, no matter what, he could not let these demons completely bind him.

Interesting.

The Demon King extended his long, skinny claw and pointed at Ji Ning from afar. “Look at that new celestial immortal. His sword arts are quite formidable; he’s the fastest killer among them.”

His divine body is very powerful. The weapons of our children don’t bother him at all.

His sword arts are very strange.

The dark red demon generals under his command said.

I heard from Hellfire that this new celestial immortal is called Beiming. The Demon King smiled. “A’San, go and play with him.”

Yes. Immediately a burly demon general, holding a shield in each hand, acknowledged and charged toward Ji Ning. Wherever this dark red demon general passed, the ordinary demons quickly made way. Soon, this demon general with double shields had already reached Ji Ning.

Ji Ning, be careful.

Brother Beiming, be careful.

It’s the Double Shield General!

The other nine celestial immortals all sent voice transmissions. Ji Ning was also startled. Among the generals under the Demon King, because the celestial immortal Feiyou and the others had experienced many battles, they had naturally remembered many generals. Each general had his own characteristics, and this ‘Double Shield General’ was extremely skilled in strength and defense.

Among all the generals under the Demon King, this Double Shield General should be the one most capable of countering me. This thought flashed through Ji Ning’s mind, and then the dark red Double Shield General had already arrived.

Die!

Holding his double shields, he charged straight ahead, crushing everything.

The two shields almost completely covered his body. Ji Ning had powerful sword techniques, but he simply couldn’t touch his enemy.

Heaven Collapse! Ji Ning also charged forward, his twin swords suddenly becoming as heavy as mountains, smashing down with the force of Pangu splitting heaven and earth.

Boom.

Two consecutive sword strikes smashed onto the shields, but the demon general still carried his shields and charged at Ji Ning. Clearly, in terms of strength, Ji Ning did not have the advantage. At this moment, the large group of demons around were also frantically attacking Ji Ning, causing him to be flustered. These demons, which he could have easily killed before, had now become a real threat.

He had to deal with the demon general, and the ordinary demons’ random spear thrusts and fork jabs made him very uncomfortable.

Three Heads, Six Arms. Ji Ning shook his body and executed the divine ability of Three Heads, Six Arms. Instantly, six beams of sword light danced, killing the surrounding ordinary demons and also fully handling the Double Shield General.

A’Si, you go too. The Demon King in the distance ordered.

Yes.

This dark red demon general called ‘A’Si’ had six arms, each holding a whip. He howled as he charged toward Ji Ning. His arrival immediately made Ji Ning’s situation precarious. If it were just the demon general ‘A’Si’ alone, Ji Ning could handle him and even gain the upper hand.

But now, with the Double Shield General as the main force, the six whips of ‘A’Si’ made it difficult for Ji Ning to execute his sword techniques, and the ordinary demons also surged forward, trying to bind him.

Aooo! Aooo! The two demon generals and the many demons frantically attacked, like a tide drowning Ji Ning.

Not good.

I’ll go.

The most burly celestial immortal, Zhenbu, who was closest to Ji Ning, roared and charged over, heading straight for the demon general with double shields. That demon general was still attacking Ji Ning and could only spare one shield to block the fierce Zhenbu.

Get lost. Zhenbu’s long spear thrust out, a fierce whirlpool appearing on the spear, which slid along the bottom of the shield and then flipped upward.

This upward force made the demon general with double shields unable to resist; he involuntarily flew up.

Good.

A flash of sword light.

Star Picking Hand!

Sword Force!

Heart Force!

Brightmoon Sword Art, Blooddrop Style! Ji Ning’s fastest sword, his most ferocious sword, when the Double Shield demon general flew up and his defense showed a flaw, directly stabbed into the demon general’s chest. “Ah.” The Double Shield demon general glared at Ji Ning, then dissipated into nothingness, even his shields disappearing.

Well killed.

Good.

One is dead. The nine celestial immortals were all overjoyed. They hadn’t expected that Ji Ning, pushed to the brink, would suddenly kill the Double Shield demon general.

In fact, Ji Ning had been forced to the edge and was about to erupt, but even if he did, he could at most force the enemy back. Fortunately, ‘Zhenbu celestial immortal’ charged over, causing the Double Shield demon general to show a flaw, and Ji Ning erupted with full force to kill him.

Beautiful. Zhenbu looked at Ji Ning and laughed heartily. “Even if I hadn’t acted, these demons couldn’t have done anything to Brother Beiming.”

But Ji Ning’s heart was complicated.

In fact, after arriving at Wan Mountain Island, when dealing with these nine celestial immortals, especially the ‘Zhenbu celestial immortal’ and ‘Yiqiu celestial immortal’ of the Undying Sect, Ji Ning still had some reservations in his heart. Because he knew very well that the two major camps outside were mortal enemies. But in the Moon Under the Abyss, these celestial immortals didn’t know about the outside world. Especially the nine celestial immortals, who had gone through many tribulations and had long become like blood brothers.

No matter what, although they are of the Undying Sect, here they are my brothers. Ji Ning looked at the warm-hearted and forthright Zhenbu celestial immortal, and didn’t want to think about how they would get along in the future. After all, it was still uncertain whether they could leave the Moon Under the Abyss.

...

With the Double Shield demon general dead, the six-armed demon general quickly retreated.

The Demon King watching from afar frowned.

Hmm? The Demon King frowned and ordered, “Attack.”

The remaining eight demon generals immediately became excited and charged forward. The Demon King gently stroked the golden gourd at his waist, then sneered, holding his long black staff, and strode toward Ji Ning: “You deal with the other nine. That Beiming celestial immortal is mine.”

Yes.

That Beiming celestial immortal is dead for sure.

He’s dead for sure.

The demon generals each pounced on their respective opponents. Except for Ji Ning, who was relatively unfamiliar to them, the other nine celestial immortals were very familiar to them. They could choose which celestial immortal to deal with, but Ji Ning and his group had no choice, because they were surrounded by a large number of demons and were much slower than the demon generals.

Be careful, they’re all coming. Feiyou celestial immortal shouted. This was the most critical moment. When even the Demon King made his move, casualties were very likely.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

One demon general after another clashed with the celestial immortals, while the large group of demons also attacked from the side.

Ji Ning, however, encountered the most terrifying 'Demon King.'

"You actually managed to kill A-San." The Demon King, holding a black long staff, exuded an overwhelming aura that made Ji Ning feel pressured. He strode forward, the ground trembling beneath him. "Let me see just how capable you are. All of you, retreat."

Whoosh. The surrounding demons all withdrew.

The Demon King suddenly sprinted, his momentum surging, then leaped at Ji Ning, raising his staff with both hands to smash down on Ji Ning's head.

"Block." Ji Ning, with three heads and six arms, raised all six divine swords to block above him.

"Boom~~~"

A hole instantly appeared in the ground; Ji Ning had been smashed deep into the earth.

The Demon King, gripping the black staff with one hand, thrust it fiercely into the hole! His momentum remained terrifying.

"Boom." The ground beside him split open, and a sword light flew out, carrying Ji Ning within it.

"Such formidable force." Ji Ning's heart trembled. This Demon King was far too strong, far surpassing him. He had used all six divine swords to block that strike, and even added heartforce to one of them, but it was useless. He was still crushed by the opponent; the gap was truly immense.

The Demon King stomped the ground, shot into the air, and caught up to Ji Ning, who was trying to retreat. In both strength and speed, the Demon King was absolutely superior to Ji Ning.

"Boom."

"Crash."

Ji Ning was sent flying backward.

Sometimes he fell.

Sometimes he tumbled.

But protected by the ninth cycle of the Eight-Nine Arcane Art, the Demon King could not harm Ji Ning. Ji Ning's task was to do everything possible to avoid being restrained. His swordplay was also formidable; with three heads and six arms, ordinary demons could not get close, preventing the Demon King from using the golden gourd to capture him.

"Being battered like this is truly frustrating. This Demon King's strength is just too great." Ji Ning's expression suddenly changed.

"Kill."

"Damn it."

Facing the assault of nine demon generals and numerous demons, the nine Celestial Immortals, including Feiyou and Zhenbu, felt as if they were stuck in a quagmire. Even Ji Ning, when faced with two demon generals and a horde of demons, would be pushed to the brink. The Demon King seemed formidable, but he only had great strength and speed; if one could block him, the worst was being sent flying, with no mortal danger.

In the previous tribulation, it was Feiyou Celestial Immortal who had resisted the Demon King. His defense was far superior to Ji Ning's, and he had held his own against the Demon King.

In this tribulation... the Demon King had targeted Ji Ning, apparently not favoring the tenacious and defensive Feiyou Celestial Immortal.

As time passed, the other nine Celestial Immortals were also in danger! Being constantly on the weaker side, given enough time, they would eventually fall. According to past experience, only after one Celestial Immortal died would the demons ease their assault.

The ten Celestial Immortals each had their own methods.

For instance, Yunhen Celestial Immortal had astonishing movement skills, far surpassing the other nine. Under the siege of the demon army, he moved like drifting clouds, constantly shifting and killing.

Feiyou Celestial Immortal excelled in defense; even the Demon King could not harm him. Naturally, he remained steady. But while his defense was strong, his offense was weak, and he was also surrounded, unable to aid others.

After a brief fierce battle...

Dongxu Celestial Immortal and Zhenbu Celestial Immortal both faced crises! Although others had helped them two or three times, they could not always be there.

"Damn it." Zhenbu Celestial Immortal roared.

"These demons." Dongxu Celestial Immortal was also anxious. Both were strong in offense, but now under siege, they were in constant danger, with wounds appearing on their bodies one after another.

"Dongxu and Zhenbu can't hold on much longer." Feiyou Celestial Immortal sent an urgent telepathic message, roaring as he struggled to charge toward them.

"Feiyou? Don't even think about getting through."

The demon general wielding chains cackled eerily, sending chains flying and lashing out, blocking Feiyou Celestial Immortal.

"Beiming." Wuqi Celestial Immortal also grew anxious, sending a telepathic message.

"Boom."

The Demon King struck again with his staff.

Sending Ji Ning flying backward, he too grew anxious: "I can't get close." In front of the Demon King, barely holding on was already an achievement.

"Pfft."

A blade slashed across Dongxu Celestial Immortal's abdomen, leaving a wound. Blood appeared, then divine power surged to quickly heal it.

"My divine power is almost depleted." Dongxu Celestial Immortal sent a telepathic message. With his body repeatedly injured, his divine power consumption was much greater.

"Dongxu."

"Brother Dongxu."

The other Celestial Immortals were frantic. Once divine power was exhausted, no one could help him.

...

In a quiet meditation chamber.

A hundred-zhang golden light formation diagram lay below.

A hundred-zhang black light formation diagram hovered above.

Ji Ning sat cross-legged in midair at the center. Two spheres, one of Nine Yang Pulp and one of Ice Marrow Essence, floated before him. The essence of the Nine Yang Pulp continuously gathered into the golden formation diagram, while the essence of the Ice Marrow Essence flew into the black formation diagram. By now, the two spheres had shrunk considerably.

"Let's stop for now."

Ji Ning willed it.

The two formation diagrams slowly dissolved into nothingness, and the two shrunken spheres of Nine Yang Pulp and Ice Marrow Essence flew back into the distant jade-green gourd and red jade gourd.

Ji Ning then landed on the ground.

"Although my Pure Yang Golden Core can still be improved, I have to stop for now. I'll continue after the battle." Ji Ning looked inward. His Pure Yang Golden Core, spinning rapidly, now had an aura dozens of times stronger than before. The internal golden core space was also much vaster, and the surging Pure Yang magic power was far more potent and pure.

The Ice-Fire Tempering Golden Core technique required a very gentle and slow refinement. As the ice and fire essence tempered it, the Pure Yang Golden Core would continuously improve and transform. Of course, it could be stopped at any time, as it was a gentle, gradual enhancement.

A Dao Ancestor's golden core was as different from a Pure Yang True Immortal's golden core as heaven from earth!

A Dao Ancestor's golden core and the first-rank True Immortal golden core of the Nine Chaos Realms were on the same level. If Ji Ning advanced to the second-rank golden core, he could be considered a half-step Dao Ancestor. After more than twenty days of cultivation, he was close to the limit, which could also be considered a second-rank golden core. Of course, a few more days of refinement would bring him to the absolute limit.

"Let's see what power this second-rank golden core can unleash." Ji Ning willed it, and he vanished from the immortal mansion, appearing on Wanshan Island outside.

On Wanshan Island.

The fierce battle between Celestial Immortals and demons had reached its most frenzied moment. Just then, beside Ji Ning, who had been sent flying by a blow, another Ji Ning suddenly appeared. The two Ji Nings stood simultaneously in midair, stunning the Celestial Immortals present and the large group of Celestial Immortals watching from afar.

"Two Beiming Celestial Immortals?"