I bear witness to immortality in the human world.

Chapter 228 Turmoil is Coming
"call."

Seeing the Red Armor Fire Ant swarm disintegrate, Chu Chen and the others finally breathed a sigh of relief. Although these Red Armor Fire Ants were not strong individually, they were definitely a great threat.

Among the group, apart from Wu Ming, anyone else who encountered such a large swarm of red-armored fire ants alone would likely perish!
"Junior Brother Wu, your mastery of thunder magic is truly... When you do make a move, you dominate all directions."

Fang Zhe's shock had subsided considerably, but he still wore a look of amazement as he spoke to Wu Ming.

The others looked at Wu Ming with varying expressions. Compared to their previous recognition of Wu Ming's strength, their eyes now held more admiration.

Whether it's Yong Kingdom or the Holy Land, it's a world where strength reigns supreme. Wu Ming displayed unparalleled Daoist power, so even though he entered the Holy Land later than them, he was still ahead of them.

Even Chu Chen admired Wu Ming greatly.

"Junior Brother Wu's lightning technique is truly admirable and awe-inspiring. If Junior Brother Wu had used such a technique on me back in the Holy Land, I would probably be lying dead on the spot, hahahaha."

That's true. Judging from the lightning magic that Wu Ming just displayed, if he were to take it head-on, he would be lucky to survive, if not certain to die. However, Wu Ming's move still requires a little time to release and cannot be activated instantly.

As a martial artist, knowing that Wu Ming possessed such magical abilities, he knew he could escape immediately upon Wu Ming's attack and had some ways to deal with it, but naturally he wouldn't mention these things.

"Senior Brother Chu, you flatter me. My technique is only suitable for dealing with swarms of red-armored fire ants."

Wu Ming spoke in a relaxed manner, without any arrogance on his face. Daoist magic was just one of his methods, and naturally there was no reason for him to be proud of it.

This scene, witnessed by others, made them admire Wu Ming, the junior brother of Qingming Peak, for his composure, calmness, and steady temperament. Although he had not yet reached the Grandmaster level, he already possessed some of the demeanor of a Grandmaster.

quickly,

Everyone cleaned up the battlefield.

Because of the unique properties of the Red Armored Fire Ants, their large-scale fire breath and explosions left the area in a state of chaos, with virtually no useful remains. The fragile flesh inside the killed Red Armored Fire Ants had already been charred and rendered worthless.

"It's no use, just keep guarding."

Chu Chen returned to the outer perimeter of the cave entrance in the desolate stone vein.

The five people stationed in the other direction also sent a message here to inquire about the situation. After learning that they had encountered Red Armored Fire Ants and had defeated them, they were slightly surprised and did not ask any further questions.

The two cave entrances are about ten miles apart, which is not very far. However, unless one side cannot hold its ground and actively requests reinforcements, the other side will not make any rash moves.

After all, both directions need to be defended. If troops are diverted to support one side, the other side will also be attacked, which will cause a big problem.

……

Time goes by.

More than a month has passed in the blink of an eye.

Over the past month, the desolate stone vein area guarded by Wu Ming has occasionally been attacked, but the threat is not great, not even as great as the initial attack by the batch of red-armored fire ants.

The other cave was similar; there were no truly threatening attacks, and although there were some minor disturbances, they did not cause any major problems.

Wu Ming was still refining his primordial spirit in the Demon Subduing Realm.

suddenly.

He sat cross-legged on a rock for an unknown amount of time. Suddenly, his gaze shifted, and he opened his eyes to look into the desolate cave entrance, a glimmer of light flashing in his eyes.

"Ok?"

Wu Ming stared at the barren stone vein carefully. He wondered if it was just his imagination, but he felt that the desolate aura emanating from the barren stone vein seemed to have become slightly stronger.

But this gap was so subtle that he was somewhat unsure.

Wu Ming then turned his gaze to the others nearby, and saw that Chu Chen was casually practicing a few sword techniques, while Fang Zhe was sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed. The others were either cultivating or resting with their eyes closed. No one noticed the abnormality of the desolate stone vein.

Is it an illusion?
Wu Ming narrowed his eyes and stared at the desolate stone vein for a while. The primordial spirit that was being tempered by evil energy in the Demon Subduing Realm quietly returned and merged into his body.

The desolate aura had intensified slightly, but it wasn't a major issue. After all, they were on the outer edge of the desolate stone vein and wouldn't stay for long, so even if it intensified by two or three times, it wouldn't be a big problem.

However, Wu Ming has always been cautious, especially in a place like the Abyss where dangers could arise at any time, so being cautious is perfectly reasonable.

He did not rashly enter the stone vein with his primordial spirit to explore, but merely stood on the outside and observed the interior of the desolate stone vein.

in this way,

About half an hour later.

Fang Zhe noticed Wu Ming's situation and turned to look at him, asking:

"Junior Brother Wu?"

"Do you want to go in and explore the desolate stone vein? With our level of cultivation, it's not a big deal to take a stroll around the outer perimeter of this stone vein, but there's not much worth exploring there anyway."

Seeing Wu Ming's expression, Fang Zhe assumed that Wu Ming was interested in the barren stone vein and wanted to go in to take a look, so he smiled and spoke.

He had gone in once before, but only circled the less dangerous outer perimeter and came out empty-handed.

"Do not."

Wu Ming shook his head and said, "Senior Brother Fang, have you noticed that the desolate aura inside this barren stone vein seems to have become even stronger?"

Upon hearing Wu Ming's words, Fang Zhe was immediately taken aback.

He also turned his gaze to the barren stone vein and began to examine it carefully. About fifteen minutes later, his brows gradually furrowed.

indeed.

The desolate aura within the barren stone vein has undergone a subtle change, but this change is so subtle that it cannot be detected without careful observation over a short period of time.

Moreover, what he perceived was completely opposite to what Wu Ming noticed. The aura inside the desolate stone vein did not become denser; instead, it became slightly thinner within that short period of time.

at this time.

Chu Chen and the others also noticed the situation with Wu Ming and Fang Zhe, and all looked over, their gazes falling on the desolate stone vein.

After about several hours, everyone noticed that the desolate aura inside the desolate stone vein was becoming unstable, sometimes denser and sometimes thinner. However, these changes were very subtle and had almost no impact on the outside world.

"Has Senior Brother Fang encountered this situation before?"

Wu Ming asked Fang Zhe.

Fang Zhe shook his head, stroking his chin with one hand, and said, "When I came to guard this place last time, I didn't notice such subtle changes. But this is the Abyss, so such subtle changes should be within the normal range."

"Well, the power of the earth's veins is inherently unpredictable, so occasional fluctuations are not a big problem and won't affect our stationing."

Chu Chen nodded in agreement.

Wu Ming thought it made sense, but he still didn't completely ignore the changes in the barren stone vein, and always kept a portion of his attention on it.

……

A few days later.

Outside the barren stone veins.

Wu Ming, Chu Chen, Fang Zhe, and the others all stared at the cave entrance. Over the past few days, the changes in the aura inside the desolate stone vein had not only not stopped, but showed signs of intensifying.

Its aroma varies in intensity from strong to weak, and this range is gradually expanding. When it is weakest, it is nearly 10% weaker than normal, while when it is strongest, it is nearly 10% stronger.

Although such changes still have little impact on those outside the stone vein, they can no longer be completely ignored.

"What's wrong inside the stone vein?"

"It's possible, but we can't withstand the desolation and erosion inside the stone vein, so we can't rush in to explore."

"Should we send a message to report this matter?"

Someone suggested.

The aura within the desolate stone vein fluctuated slightly. This was not a big deal, since nothing else had changed. If it were just a normal change, reporting it to the masters above would only be a pointless trouble.

While everyone was still pondering the matter...

suddenly,

A figure in the distance strode toward the desolate stone vein. Its speed was extremely fast, and with each step it covered a great distance, rapidly approaching the black dot at the end of the vision.

In just a few breaths, the figure arrived in front of the desolate stone vein. He was a martial artist with surging blood energy in his body, like a blazing sun. Although he was not as powerful as a nine-blood martial saint, he was more intense than an ordinary grandmaster with seven blood.

This is a martial arts grandmaster who has achieved eight blood coagulations!

"Greetings, Dharma Protector."

After a slight pause, Chu Chen immediately recognized the other party as Zhao Xuanzhen, a guardian of a holy land responsible for guarding a key area of ​​the second level of the Abyss.

Upon seeing this, the others also bowed to the other party.

"I've come to collect some barren spirit stones. Has there been anything unusual about the stone vein lately?" Zhao Xuanzhen nodded slightly to the bows of the crowd, then stepped forward to the stone vein and asked casually.

"Reporting to the Protector, there were no abnormalities in the stone vein before, but in recent days the desolate aura inside seems to have fluctuated. We are discussing whether to report it." Chu Chen said as he watched Zhao Xuanzhen walk into the stone vein.

"Oh?"

Zhao Xuanzhen paused slightly, glanced thoughtfully at the cave entrance, but then stepped inside again.

Chu Chen and the others remained outside to keep watch.

Wu Ming also glanced into the cave, but Zhao Xuanzhen's aura traveled downwards and quickly disappeared from his perception range.

About half an hour later.

The desolate stone vein was completely silent. A figure stepped out from within, carrying a leather bag on his back. It was Zhao Xuanzhen, who had entered it not long ago.

His gaze seemed to turn somewhat serious. He glanced at everyone and said, "There's nothing wrong with the barren stone vein. The change comes from the earth vein. Continue to guard it carefully, and report any changes as soon as possible."

Say it.

Zhao Xuanzhen didn't say much. He immediately stepped forward, and with a few flashes, he disappeared into the distance, hurrying away.

Wu Ming, Chu Chen, and the others remained in the room, exchanging glances, their expressions shifting, unsure of what was going on.

"Changes in the earth's veins?"

"What's going on?"

“In this abyss, changes in the earth veins should be normal, but I have heard that if unusual changes occur, some chaos may ensue.”

Li Linghu spoke in a deep voice.

"What confusion?"

Wu Ming asked.

Li Ling then shook his head, indicating that he wasn't too sure either.

After a brief discussion, Zhao Xuanzhen instructed everyone to continue guarding the area, so they could only return to their original positions with some doubts and vigilance.

……

at the same time.

The first layer of the abyss.

Inside the central hall of Dingyuan City.

Thirty-six thick pillars stood tall, each engraved with incredibly fine array patterns. These patterns were so mysterious and unfathomable that even a Daoist master at the seventh level of Nascent Soul cultivation would feel dizzy and unable to comprehend them after just one glance.

now,

Most of these thirty-six celestial pillars were dim and lifeless, with only three of them gleaming.

At the top of these three shimmering pillars, three figures sat cross-legged. One was a middle-aged woman dressed in hemp clothing, with a kind and gentle expression. Another was a middle-aged man in a Taoist robe, with an imposing and dignified demeanor, and a golden mark between his eyebrows.

The last person was a boy who looked to be about sixteen or seventeen years old, but there was a sense of vicissitude in his eyes.

"coming soon."

The young man gazed out of the hall, his eyes deep and unfathomable. Suddenly, he spoke slowly, his voice filled with a sense of vicissitude that was completely at odds with his appearance.

"After 3,600 years, it's finally starting again?" The kind woman opened her eyes. Although her eyes were gentle, they exuded a kind of oppressive aura that made people afraid to look directly at her.

"The cycle of heaven and earth, the recurrence of the Great Dao, the changes in the earth's abyss have never ceased. There is a small movement every 3,600 years, and a large movement every 54,000 years... Speaking of which, this seems to be the last small movement before the large movement, right?"

The middle-aged man in the Taoist robe spoke slowly.

The Abyss is said to be endless, but it does have an end. However, its end is connected to another world, a vast world just as expansive as this one, also known as the Asura Demon Realm!
The two worlds are connected and influence each other, but the impact is not significant in normal times.

However, the heavens and earth are like a millstone, constantly rotating and changing. Therefore, every three thousand six hundred years, the barrier between the two worlds will loosen, and the entire abyss will be disturbed as a result!
This is what we call a small movement.

However, what is called a "minor disturbance" is only relative to Dao Saints and Martial Saints who have undergone nine refinements and nine blood trials. In reality, it is enough to affect the entire Abyss and cause a huge upheaval.

"That's right, this is the last minor adjustment."

The middle-aged woman nodded and said.

"The world is about to shake, and I wonder if I will have the chance to witness it," the young Dao Saint said with a weathered tone.

Three thousand six hundred years.

Even for Dao Saints and Martial Saints, it is a very long time. To live that long, one must survive more than one tribulation.

The calamity of decline occurs once every thousand years, each time more terrifying and more difficult to overcome than the last. Very few can survive three, and six is ​​extremely rare. He has already experienced two of these calamities.

If he can live to 3,600 years later, it would mean that he will survive the sixth calamity of decline, which is still quite far away for him.

(End of this chapter)