Please call me Dadaozu

Chapter 302, Eighth Level: This is the Boundless Palace
The island trembled slightly, bursting forth with layers of light, and slowly sailed into the mountains.

A vast and desolate aura swept over us, even the surrounding spiritual energy seemed to gain a touch of turmoil.

Grass, trees, mountains, and rivers flow continuously beneath the islands.

Until a city came into view.

The city was dark and enormous, like an ancient behemoth standing on the earth, exuding an aura that suppressed all directions.

"This is the border region, it's truly magnificent."

The disciples stared blankly, their expressions horrified.

Zhang Yuanzhu narrowed his double pupils, gazing at the massive city, his heart filled with undisguised awe.

Under his gaze, every brick on the city wall was a mountain, forged by an unparalleled powerhouse.

This ancient city, forged from countless mountains and rivers, is like a god of mountains, connecting the terrain and rivers of all directions, blocking all roads.

The Sword Sect elder, hovering in the air, observed the ancient city with a solemn expression.

He shook his head and said softly:
"This is not a real border. There are eight cities like this from the Demon Land to this place. Wuliang Palace has built eight of them, which are called the Nine Gates of Demon Extermination by many forces."

Boom~
A thunderclap resounded in the minds of the cultivators, shaking their very souls.

The mere existence of one ancient city was enough to unsettle the people, who believed it would never fall. As a result, Wuliang Palace actually built eight of them.

Zhang Yuanzhu's eyes were deep and mysterious, his five fingers tightly gripping the long ruler. Is this the Wuliang Palace?

More powerful than I imagined!
Suddenly, the young man noticed a problem.

Wait, if it's supposed to be nine passes to exterminate demons, how come there are only eight cities?

Not far away, a Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Corpse Refining lineage, having regained his senses, directly asked a similar question:
"Of the nine trials to vanquish demons, only eight are ancient cities. What is the last one?"

A complex emotion flashed across the Sword Sect elder's face, then disappeared, and he whispered:
"You'll find out soon enough."

As everyone was talking, beams of light burst forth from the city, and several figures arrived at lightning speed.

Three cultivators dressed in ancient Taoist robes stood in mid-air, their robes fluttering in the breeze.

It lacks any sense of elegance, instead exuding a seriousness.

Clasping hands in a fist and bowing!
"Wuliang Palace respectfully welcomes all fellow Daoists."

"The first stage is about to begin, please wait a moment."

The Sword Sect elder nodded.

"We are aware of this."

Everyone waited, and time ticked by.

A cup of tea!

A stick of incense!

Half an hour!

Boom!

A beam of light burst forth from the city, its radiance soaring into the sky and illuminating the mountains and rivers.

Crunch!Crunch!
The city gate slowly opened, revealing a road accessible to the island.

The island trembled slightly, then transformed into a streak of light and vanished into the city.

Standing on the edge of the island, Zhang Yuanzhu felt his perspective shift, and it seemed as if he had entered a completely different world.

The houses were neatly arranged, and the ground was tinged with a crimson red, giving off a somber and desolate feeling.

Powerful cultivators walked through the city; there were also cultivators with missing limbs and blood-stained robes who sat in formations to recover; and there were also forces like them who rode in vehicles and headed towards the border.

Cultivators of all kinds were densely packed and countless, their killing intent permeating the vast city.

Zhang Yuanzhu examined every detail of the ancient city.

'This campaign was extremely fierce!'

Whispering in the heart of a young man.

At the same time, he fully activated the spiritual liquid around his bones to temper his body, making the most of every opportunity to become stronger.

After an unknown amount of time, the island sailed away from the ninth level and continued forward.

One after another, massive ancient cities appeared before the crowd. Even though the cultivators were prepared, they still couldn't suppress the shock that came from their hearts.

Level 4!
Level 5!!

Level 6!!!
Until the eighth level, there were no vast cities, no desolate or tragic atmosphere.

Only a temple standing high in the mountain, with incense smoke rising, can be faintly heard as the prayers of living beings are heard.

Sacred and serene!
Zhang Yuanzhu gazed at the ancient temple perched atop a majestic mountain, seemingly understanding something, and a smile spread across his face:

"What a magnificent Boundless Palace!"

The Sword Sect elder glanced in the direction of the Scorching Sun Dharma Lineage.

Then, gazing at the ancient temple high in the mountains, he spoke each word carefully:
"The Thousand Tribulations Temple is the eighth pass. As long as the temple is destroyed, the demon race will not be able to break through this pass."

The group of cultivators remained silent, gazing at the ancient temple high in the mountain.

That mountain wasn't particularly tall, yet it seemed to reach the heavens and the earth in the eyes of the crowd; that temple, though not magnificent, was perceived by many cultivators as majestic, sacred, and inviolable.

The cultivators of Immortal Soldier Valley were filled with complex emotions. Although they held different positions from Boundless Palace, they could hardly help but admire the latter's actions.

Lost in thought, the group left the temple and arrived at the ninth level.

A dark, ancient city, more than twice the size of the passes behind it, with walls that were black, stained with blood, and covered with marks from swords, axes, and claws.

Each of the scars emanated a terrifying pressure.

This is definitely a city that has withstood fierce battles and stood firm.

"We've arrived at the ninth level. After entering the ancient city, we'll each have our own lodgings."

"Remember, conquest is secondary; survival comes first."

The elder of the Sword Sect's Dao lineage stood with his hands behind his back, giving a soft instruction.

In the ninth level, a thick black fog drifted from the city, and a paper boat slowly sailed in.

At the same time, a flash of sword light appeared, sharp and domineering, stopping in front of the island.

Finally, a crimson-gold sun rose and stopped in front of the group from the Scorching Sun Dharma Lineage.

At this point, the paper figure, Cangwu, and even the Lord of the Zhuoyang Dharma Lineage all came to greet them.

"Heh heh heh~"

"Old Huang, you've arrived. Come with us into the city."

A sinister laugh, filled with an eerie atmosphere, came from the paper boat.

The Sword Sect elder remained calm, nodded slightly, and said nothing. He then steered the island toward the city.

At the same time, the flying sword light and the crimson-gold sun descended directly onto the island.

Zhang Yuanzhu looked at the young man in the white robe with a smile on his face.

Bow with hands clasped in greeting!
"Mountain Lord, it's been a long time. How are you?"

"everything is fine!"

Chen Zijing's expression was gentle as he looked at the young man, a hint of helplessness in his eyes:
"But you, coming here to participate in the war between humans and demons is far too dangerous."

The young man took a step, stopping just a step away from the mountain lord.

He spoke in a voice that only the two of them could hear:

"No matter how dangerous it is, it can't be as dangerous as the Demon Land, and being in a sect doesn't necessarily mean you're safe."

Chen Zijing was taken aback, then a flash of understanding crossed his mind.

"you're right."

He turned to the side and looked at Elder Huo:
"Elder Huo, I have already arranged the camp. After entering the city, rest for a few days first."

"it is good!"

As the group talked, the island had already fallen into the city.

"We should leave now."

Before the words had even faded, Chen Zijing personally went to the Sword Sect to bid farewell.

Afterwards, Zhang Yuanzhu and Huo Lao led many disciples of the Daoist lineage and followed the mountain lord toward the encampment.

It was a neat courtyard situated on the land.

Chen Zijing's gaze swept over the many disciples.

"Each person chooses a courtyard. In case of war, I will summon them. Do not concern yourself with any other miscellaneous matters."

"Yes, Mountain Master."

The disciples responded respectfully, clasping their hands in greeting.

Then, they systematically selected courtyards.

Zhang Yuanzhu and Huo Lao followed the mountain lord into the city.

"Elder Huo, Yuanzhu, the war is dangerous, you must be careful."

After that, they began to explain the things to pay attention to in the ancient city.

The young man listened attentively to the mountain lord's words until the story was finished.

He directly inquired about the doubts he had had since he began his cultivation. Some of these questions were not something that Elder Huo, who was at the sixth level of Foundation Establishment, could answer, so he decided to ask the Mountain Lord now.

The two walked through the city, exchanging questions and answers.

Old Master Huo followed behind, looking at the two with a kind expression.

Before they knew it, night had fallen, and Zhang Yuanzhu and his companions arrived in front of a mansion.

The mountain lord pointed to the mansion in front of him and chuckled.

"Yuanzhu, you've had a long and arduous journey. You should rest for now."

"it is good."

Zhang Yuanzhu nodded and stepped inside.

Now that my doubts about cultivation have been resolved, I can finally focus all my energy on cultivation.

(End of this chapter)