Between heaven and earth, there flows a grand current of destiny. To follow this current makes everything easy. To swim against it brings endless hardship.

And this time, the righteous Immortal Sects’ victory over the demon horde felt almost inevitable—the demons were already weak, having suffered losses among their Grandmasters due to internal strife. To not seize this opportunity to wipe out the subterranean demons, to conquer their depths, would be to refuse a gift from heaven and invite disaster. In the summer of the 511th year of the Great Jin Calendar, on the twenty-fifth day of the fourth month, the righteous Immortal Sects officially descended underground.

On the twenty-seventh of the fourth month—the decisive battle at the Undying Grotto—Lu Yuan obtained the Elixir of Immortality. On the twenty-eighth of the fourth month, the two sides were locked in a stalemate by the Black Water River. At this moment, Lu Yuan provoked a Heavenly Tribulation, achieving the Great Dao Realm—an Imperial-level Heavenly Tribulation, forever recorded in history.

On the twenty-ninth of the fourth month, the Black Water River fell. The White-Haired Eagle King, one of the four Demon Kings of the Underworld, perished here. Coupled with the Ink Bamboo Demon King who died at Mount Hua, only the Purple Scaled Demon King and the Scarlet Winged Demon King remained; the demon’s fate was sealed.

On the second of May, the Great Yuan Kingdom swiftly mobilized its forces. The three Grandmasters of the Great Yuan Kingdom—Master Tianyuan of the Esoteric Sect, Master Ouyang Fenghan of Ten Thousand Snakes Villa, and Master Limozhi of the Raging Monk Monastery in the Great Snow Mountains—all arrived at the border. Had the subterranean demons not tied up their strength, the Yuan Kingdom would never have stood a chance against the Jin Kingdom.

Thus, they moved quickly, attempting a strategy of besieging Wei to rescue Zhao. However, by this time, the South Sea Immortal Sect had arrived. Their leader, Master Yan Er, and the leader of the Five Immortals Alliance, Master Zu Qianqiu, both appeared simultaneously.

Moreover, since the conflict was within Jin territory, the Jin sects had left behind numerous experts, tangling the Yuan Kingdom in the battle. The Jin side was at a slight disadvantage, yet conversely, the Yuan Kingdom had gained no significant advantage either, unable to press their gains. The situation became a deadlock, which naturally favored Jin.

If the Jin Kingdom could swiftly resolve the demon issue, the rest would be child’s play. On the third of May, the Empty Valley Forest in the subterranean world was breached. This forest was the territory of the White-Haired Eagle King, famed for its unfathomable mysteries, considered one of the Underworld’s perilous domains.

Yet, it fell swiftly. On the fourth of May, the Myriad Bat Forest in the Underworld was breached. This was the domain of the Scarlet Winged Demon King.

The Scarlet Winged Demon King and the main figures of the Myriad Bat Forest vanished, and the remaining inhabitants were almost entirely massacred. On the fifth of May, the perilous Misty Soul Pool was overcome, resulting in the death of countless powerful Blood Maiden Mother-Child Demons. On the seventh of May, Heaven’s Citadel Pass was finally broken.

With this breach, victory was within reach. Everyone knew that Heaven’s Citadel Pass was the final gate leading to the Demonic Wood Cliff. Once past it, they could advance upon the cliff.

Along this arduous path, Lu Yuan played virtually no role. In this world, there were countless experts and formidable figures. As for Lu Yuan’s current strength, he was certainly competent within the cultivation circles of the Jin Kingdom.

But this war involved far too many participants; even those at the Half-step Grandmaster realm were numerous, and there were Grandmasters capable of instantly slaying Lu Yuan. There was simply little opportunity for Lu Yuan to shine. His only notable contribution was that decisive reversal at the Undying Grotto.

In truth, this world could manage without any single individual. Lu Yuan understood this well: even though he was a genius, the world would continue just fine without him. One should never assume that rapid progress or prodigious talent in the Way of the Sword meant the world must revolve around them.

Fortunately, Lu Yuan maintained a grounded perspective. He tagged along with the main force of the righteous Immortal Sects—sipping wine when things were calm, taking to his sword for a skirmish when action was called. His days were quite leisurely.

Of course, during this process, Lu Yuan diligently honed his swordsmanship. Observing those around him, he estimated his combat capability had surpassed cultivators at the second level of the Great Dao Realm, where they commanded the Laws of Heaven and Earth. He was unsure how he stacked up against those at the third level, who commanded multiple Laws, but that was something only a real fight could determine; for now, he simply didn’t know.

Throughout this journey, they passed through countless dangerous zones. Even with Lu Yuan’s discerning eye, he sensed they were terrifyingly perilous. Had he entered alone, without the main army, he likely would have been played to death within them.

Take the Empty Valley Forest, for instance, with its ceaseless, unpredictable sonic attacks. And the Myriad Bat Forest, riddled with all manner of mechanisms. The attack on the heart within the Misty Soul Pool was utterly devastating; even as the Sword King, Lu Yuan was affected before an expert from the Wudang Immortal Sect, who had reached the Great Dao Realm, finally broke through.

Reportedly, this Wudang expert utilized the Pure Sound Melody of Wudang—a melody known throughout the world. This individual was Zhang Qingxi, the fourth son among the Seven Sons of Wudang, known for his Clear Sound and Pure Heart. Beyond these, there were numerous other deadly places.

And this was during the subterranean world's weakened phase. If one considered its prime when powerful demon lords held sway, it must have been exponentially more terrifying. On the eighth of May, the great army of the righteous Immortal Sects finally passed through the last barrier, Heaven’s Citadel Pass, and advanced toward the Demonic Wood Cliff.

Upon reaching this area, the earth and stone were stained scarlet, like blood. Ahead flowed a rapid torrent, known as the Scarlet Ape Shoals. If this place had been defended by capable figures who deployed a perfect array—perhaps the Demonized Scarlet Ape Circulating Heaven Array—it would have been an inescapable death trap.

But now, by the time the righteous Immortal Sects attacked, the demon side had already dissolved into chaos. Not a single defender could hold this last hazard, and finally, they ascended the Demonic Wood Cliff. The Demonic Wood Cliff was also paved with blood-red stone.

After overcoming so much trouble, they finally stood upon it. Upon reaching the cliff, they saw a colossal archway carved from white jade, bearing four gilded characters: "Blessing All Living Things"—truly an audacious claim. The presentation of the Demonic Wood Cliff was starkly different from that of the righteous Immortal Sects.

The righteous Immortal Sects presented an ethereal, immortal facade. The path to the Demonic Wood Cliff, however, was fraught with hidden dangers and countless ruthless mechanisms. Lu Yuan surveyed the area ahead.

Behind the massive archway stood a palace of immense scale. If the palaces of the righteous Immortal Sects exuded swirling immortal energy, appearing otherworldly, this palace was utterly domineering. Even from a distance, it projected an overwhelming sense of imperial might.

The words “Palace of Solitary Dominion”—five colossal characters—blasted into his field of vision. “Blessing All Living Things,” “Solitary Dominion.” These eight characters were all penned by Ren Du in the past; Dongfang Yao had altered nothing. Lu Yuan’s heart jolted.

Ren Du was a man of ruthless calculation. Judging by his actions this time—resurfacing to consolidate the demon remnants, even willing to sacrifice the entire Underworld—he used the power of the righteous sects to force the two demons, Fang Xie and Jing Huanzhen, into submission. His methods were utterly cruel, his ambitions vast.

In the future, this man would likely prove to be an exceptionally troublesome opponent. Lu Yuan knew he was bound to clash with Ren Du sooner or later. As Lu Yuan was observing the Palace of Solitary Dominion, countless figures swiftly flew up to its highest point—the esteemed leaders of the various sects.

Chu Duan unfurled a large banner inscribed with the word "Mount Hua" and planted it atop the Palace of Solitary Dominion. The banner snapped loudly in the wind. Looking around, he saw the other leaders similarly affixing their own banners to the palace structure.

Five banners—"Mount Hua," "Wudang," "Qingcheng," "Kunlun," and "South Sea"—waved in the wind. The South Sea Immortal Sect had ostensibly been tasked with intercepting the Great Yuan Kingdom forces outside, but they could not miss the opportunity to partake in this grand, epoch-making achievement, sending representatives to plant their flag here. The seven mid-tier Immortal Sects planted their banners in slightly lower positions.

Twelve banners adorned the Palace of Solitary Dominion. Five thousand years. Since the founding of the Jin Kingdom, the righteous Immortal Sects and the demons had engaged in ceaseless, world-shattering battles.

During these five millennia, while there were rare exceptions, such as Yan Cangtian single-handedly traversing to the Demonic Wood Cliff with just one sword, this was an anomaly. This was the first large-scale expedition the righteous Immortal Sects had ever mounted here; previously, they seldom managed to advance beyond Heaven’s Citadel Pass. To have the flags of so many immortal sects planted here now evoked countless emotions.

The subterranean demons were, for the first time in five thousand years, on the verge of complete annihilation. The righteous Immortal Sects had achieved a feat unseen in five millennia. At this moment, everyone within the righteous Immortal Sects was immersed in an ineffable feeling.

Countless elders, many Great Dao Realm figures, wept openly. They had fought countless battles in this region throughout their lives, particularly the seventh generation figure from the Wudang Immortal Sect, who had nearly seen the righteous sects brought to the brink of ruin by Ren Du back then. Now, the tables had turned.

How could this not bring tears to their eyes? Lu Yuan, too, was swept up in the emotion. Yes, they had finally succeeded!

A foundation for ten thousand generations. The conquest of the Underworld! The entire Demonic Wood Cliff was filled with an atmosphere of elation, though the highest-ranking figures naturally did not forget basic security, having already prepared measures to prevent any last-minute slip-ups.

The Demonic Wood Cliff was secured. Lu Yuan wandered about casually. This was the Demonic Wood Cliff, the demons’ central base, a place unconquered for five thousand years, now beneath his very feet.

He might as well take a look around. Lu Yuan pulled out a bottle of wine and ambled aimlessly. The Palace of Solitary Dominion was built on an astonishing scale.

Listening to nearby cultivators discuss where Ren Du once reigned supreme, Lu Yuan noted that area was built with breathtaking grandeur, possessing a (bàqì, dominating aura) of sole supremacy. Ren Du would indeed be a formidable foe in the future, Lu Yuan mused internally. Passing the Palace of Solitary Dominion, he then encountered an exquisitely unique Lotus Flower Lodge.

Cultivators nearby whispered that this was Dongfang Yao’s former residence. The lodge was indeed uniquely enchanting, perfectly matching Dongfang Yao’s own temperament. Lu Yuan continued his observation, only to find a specific area ahead.

This location was entirely beyond Lu Yuan’s expectations. This… This… It was actually this kind of place.