Just as he was about to speak, the Ninth Elder brushed away the demonic energy from his silver beard and turned to face the crowd.
His gaze swept across the crowd, finally settling on a young disciple:
"Gan Feng, from today onwards you will temporarily assume the position of Ninth Elder and take care of Hua Yun Sect for me."
Before he finished speaking, the Ninth Elder had already transformed into a streak of azure light and rushed straight towards Mount Wu.
Xiao Feng was extremely anxious and wanted to chase after him to stop him, with Gan Feng following closely behind.
Unfortunately, the two were a step too slow and could only watch helplessly as the Ninth Elder's figure disappeared into the clouds.
"Ninth Elder!" Xiao Feng felt grief-stricken, yet there was nothing he could do.
"Master!" Gan Feng cried out, his eyes filled with tears as he clenched his fists.
Everyone looked up at the summit of Wushan Mountain and saw a dazzling blue light flashing on the mountaintop.
The Ninth Elder had already flown to the Demon-Suppressing Stele. He bit his tongue, and the blood transformed into ancient and mysterious runes in mid-air.
The Ninth Elder pressed his palms against the cracks in the monument, his true essence flowing into it like a reversed Milky Way.
The monument trembled violently, and a pitch-black demonic hand emerged from the crack, its ferocious and terrifying form reaching out to grab the Ninth Elder.
However, the moment the demonic hand touched the Ninth Elder's true essence, it was sizzled by the heat.
The demonic energy frantically eroded the Ninth Elder's body, causing his skin to crack and reveal the immortal bones beneath that glowed with a bluish light.
Despite this, the Ninth Elder remained unmoved.
His true essence transformed into chains of light, tightly binding the demonic hand.
The roar of the demon god could be faintly heard, but it was suppressed by the Ninth Elder's true essence.
The people below the mountain watched in horror, and many disciples were already in tears.
Xiao Feng and Gan Feng exchanged a glance, both seeing a resolute look in each other's eyes.
"Let's go up and help!"
"Yes, we absolutely cannot let Elder Jiu face the Demon God alone!"
The two were about to set off when they were stopped by their disciples.
"Calm down, everyone!"
"Elder Ninth must have had his reasons for asking us to leave."
"Going up now will only cause trouble for Elder Jiu!"
Xiao Feng and Gan Feng were torn by these words.
They understood that their disciples had a point, but how could they bear to leave when they saw the Ninth Elder facing such danger alone?
Xiao Feng was not the kind of person with a heart of stone.
Just then, a blinding light suddenly burst forth from the top of Wushan Mountain, followed by a deafening roar.
Just then, the Ninth Elder suddenly raised his head and roared, and a transparent figure of light flew out from his body.
That is the Ninth Elder's primordial spirit!
The radiant figure formed hand seals, his entire body radiating a dazzling blue light.
Under this light, the cracks on the Demon-Suppressing Stele began to heal at a speed visible to the naked eye.
With a "crack, crack," the shattered stones were pieced back together, and the black energy emanating from the cracks was suppressed by the blue light.
Just as the seal was about to be completely repaired, a deafening roar suddenly came from underground.
"roar--"
This roar seemed to come from the deepest hell, filled with violence.
Immediately afterwards, a jet-black beam of light shot into the sky, completely enveloping the Ninth Elder's primordial spirit.
"Master!" Xiao Feng was extremely anxious and was about to rush forward.
However, the Ninth Elder's primordial spirit remained unmoved.
His voice echoed between heaven and earth: "With my century of cultivation, I will exchange for a century of peace for the world!"
At that moment, the Ninth Elder seemed to see his entire life reflected in the past.
From my early days of spiritual practice in my youth, to my diligent study in middle age, and now to my gray hair.
He has never regretted taking this path, nor has he regretted the choice he made at this moment.
"My disciples, I have no regrets in this life. Remember, those who cultivate should take the well-being of all people as their responsibility," the Ninth Elder said silently in his heart.
The azure light and demonic energy collided violently, bursting forth with dazzling light.
Suddenly, the Demon-Suppressing Stele erupted with thousands of golden rays, like a giant net, completely engulfing the black pillar of light.
"Boom—"
After a loud bang, the demonic energy dissipated.
The Ninth Elder's physical body transformed into specks of starlight and slowly dissipated in the air.
Only a broken whisk and a jade slip gleaming faintly remained, lying quietly on the ground.
Gan Feng stared blankly at the scene, tears streaming down his face uncontrollably.
He knew that his beloved master had left forever.
All the disciples were in tears. They looked at the jade slip and knew that it must contain the Ninth Elder's last words.
But at this moment, no one has the courage to touch it.
Xiao Feng felt even more conflicted.
The sacrifice of the Ninth Elder struck Gan Feng like a heavy hammer blow.
He knelt on the ground, his fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms, yet he felt no pain.
Tears welled up uncontrollably, blurring my vision.
Upon seeing this, Xiao Feng's heart tightened.
He knew that the place was filled with demonic energy, and if Gan Feng were immersed in grief, he would be easily corrupted by it.
He strode forward and pulled Gan Feng up, saying, "I know you're upset, but now is not the time to be sad. We need to get out of here quickly."
Gan Feng nodded blankly, letting Xiao Feng pull him away from the Wushan Seal.
As soon as the two came out, the people from the Immortal Sect surrounded them, chattering amongst themselves.
"The Ninth Elder sacrificed himself for the Great Dao; he is truly admirable!"
"It's a pity, the seal on the crack in the Demon-Suppressing Stone Tablet will probably be difficult to repair now."
"Without the Ninth Elder overseeing things, what will we do about the leakage of demonic energy?"
Everyone chimed in with their own opinions.
Xiao Feng frowned as he listened to these discussions.
Just then, Gan Feng suddenly raised his head, a resolute glint in his eyes.
"Master's sacrifice is only temporary. To completely break the seal on the crack in the Demon-Suppressing Stone Tablet, we must find the Bifang Flame."
As he spoke, he took out a jade slip from his pocket and gently activated it.
A map of the Flaming Mountains immediately appeared on the jade slip.
"The fire seed of Bifang is hidden in the core of Buzhou Mountain, the place where ancient divine beasts fell."
Gan Feng pointed to an area flashing red on the map and continued, "Deep within the heart of Buzhou Mountain, magma churns and flames rage. Legend has it that there is a sea of fire there, perpetually shrouded in the blazing demonic flames. Ordinary cultivators who approach it will be burned to ashes."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Feng immediately expressed his willingness to go.
However, Gan Feng shook his head: "Mount Buzhou is one of the four pillars of heaven and earth, where demonic energy gathers, making it extremely dangerous. This journey requires the protection of elite immortals."
After saying this, Gan Feng turned to the disciples of the immortal sects around him: "Fellow Daoists, who is willing to come with me to Buzhou Mountain?"
Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.
The ominous reputation of Buzhou Mountain had long since spread throughout the cultivation world.
Not only is the place rife with demonic energy, but it is also fraught with countless dangers; going there means almost certain death.
"Ahem, my cultivation has been unstable lately, so I'm afraid I can't be of any help."
"I...I have important matters to attend to, and I'm afraid I cannot go."
"Mount Buzhou is too dangerous. With our current cultivation level, going there would be suicide."
Everyone made excuses to decline, and no one was willing to take the risk.
Seeing this, Gan Feng couldn't help but give a wry smile.
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