Time always felt so short when I was with Qing Dai.
As the general offensive against the Black Demon Valley was scheduled for tomorrow, I had many matters to attend to back at my lodging.
Therefore, we parted ways before dawn.
But I knew we would meet again on the battlefield tomorrow.
At that time, I would be fighting shoulder-to-shoulder with her.
I returned to my room alone, but I wasn't sleepy at all.
This might have something to do with my integration of the Mandala Flower.
Old Mo was sleeping soundly, so I didn't disturb him.
Instead, I began my preparations.
With the great battle about to commence, my task was to prepare everything.
I took out yellow paper talismans and first drew various kinds.
I remembered when my master taught me to draw talismans, I would be panting and feel drained after drawing one or two.
But after several years, I could now draw dozens consecutively without any issues.
Finally, I started drawing the "Divine Fire Talisman."
This was currently the most powerful talisman I mastered, and it was a rare Heavenly tier talisman in this era.
The Divine Fire Talisman consumed more energy. After drawing twelve in a row, I stopped.
The sky had just begun to lighten, and I sat on the bed, cross-legged, and began to cultivate.
As I activated my Wood spirit root, spiritual energy was continuously absorbed into my body, transforming into spiritual power and being stored.
It was only after a long while that I opened my eyes.
By then, it was fully daylight, and Old Mo was eating compressed biscuits.
Seeing me awake, he said,
"You're awake. Have something to eat. We'll be gathering in a bit."
I nodded and took the rations Old Mo tossed over.
After filling my stomach.
At this point, Uncle-Master and Xiao Yao also arrived from outside.
"Uncle-Master, Xiao Yao!"
I called out to them.
Uncle-Master nodded, while Xiao Yao smiled sweetly at us, and then helped Old Mo tidy his hair.
Seeing their affectionate display, I felt happy.
And this battle we were about to fight was to ensure that more people would be spared from the torment of these demonic cults.
It was not just our destiny, but also the responsibility and mission of our generation of cultivators.
Uncle-Master then addressed the three of us,
"The great battle is about to begin. Your Master and I won't say much more. Just do your best. Your Uncle-Master believes that righteousness will always prevail, and we stand on the side of destiny."
"Master, this time we are sure to succeed. We will crush the demonic cult."
"That's right. Now that all the Taoist sects have gathered, we will surely be victorious."
Old Mo and Xiao Yao said in unison.
Uncle-Master didn't say anything further, gesturing for us to get ready and head out.
Old Mo and I were fully prepared. Now fully armed, we proceeded directly outside.
The weather today was not very good, with dark clouds overhead, as if it were about to rain.
All around, there were fellow disciples from various sects, gathered in twos and threes.
Some were excited, some were nervous, and some were melancholic.
But no matter the emotion, everyone harbored a single conviction: to crush the demonic cult and bring clarity to the realm.
After a short while, a signal flare shot into the sky.
Everyone looked up.
"It's time to assemble."
"We're about to depart!"
"Let's go, assemble!"
"I've been eager for this."
"..."
The people around us all moved towards the valley entrance.
This was the place where the Gathering Yin Platform had been destroyed.
As fellow Taoists from all directions converged here.
We could see that on the ruined Gathering Yin Platform, the Alliance Leader, True Master Cangsong, stood elevated.
The rest were disciples from various sects.
Major sects like Qingcheng, Longhu, Maoshan, Emei, Shaolin, Kongtong, Wudang.
Below them were smaller sects like Xiao Yue Guan, Ziyun Guan, Baicao Temple, and others.
The major sects had more people, ranging from dozens to a hundred.
The smaller sects had seven or eight to a dozen, or perhaps three to five people.
There were also many rogue cultivators...
In addition, in the distance, there were many scattered immortals.
The northeastern spirit mediums, the Bashan fox clan, the Grey family from the Bottomless Cave, and so on.
They were either in human form or animal form.
But each of them exuded a powerful aura.
The number of people had long surpassed those present at the alliance meeting.
It could be said that ninety percent of the world's mystical arts practitioners had responded to this call.
They had traveled from all directions to arrive here over the past few days.
All of them wished to make their efforts and contributions in this campaign against the demons.
As rogue cultivators, we stood at the back.
But I also saw familiar faces from afar, such as Qiu Xi, Wu Kehang, and Li Chunlong.
They also waved to me from a distance.
And many acquaintances and strangers around.
Upon seeing me, they began to discuss amongst themselves.
"Look, that's Qin Ze!"
"He's the one who killed the Black Demon Cult's left and right envoys, and even the Saintess and Saint Son? So young."
"Don't be fooled by his youth. He broke through to the mid-Dao Body realm yesterday. With such cultivation, not only among the younger generation, but within the Taoist Alliance, he can walk with his head held high."
"My heavens! Mid-Dao Body realm in his twenties, a heavenly prodigy!"
"He's too monstrous. It's a great honor to be able to fight alongside him in this battle."
"..."
Listening to these voices, I merely smiled faintly.
If it were a year ago, I might have been overjoyed.
But the path I had walked was strewn with thorns, and I had traversed mountains of blades and seas of fire.
I had come through countless life-and-death situations.
Of course, I had also benefited from a good deal of luck; otherwise, I wouldn't have reached such a terrifying realm in just a few short years.
I stood among the crowd, quietly waiting.
After about ten minutes, the Alliance Leader on the ruined stone platform suddenly spoke,
"The world is bright, yet demons run rampant.
We cultivators, gathered here today, have but one goal.
To annihilate the evil cult and purify the heavens and earth.
This humble Taoist, Cangsong, possesses meager cultivation. Yet, I am recommended by fellow Taoists from across the land to assume this position of Alliance Leader, a responsibility I bear with great trepidation.
However, Cangsong is willing to spill his last drop of blood for the righteous path of this world.
Now, this humble Taoist shall offer three talismans to petition the heavens."
As he spoke, True Master Cangsong threw out three yellow talismans.
The three yellow talismans floated before him, emitting a golden glow.
The thousand people below held their breaths, watching quietly.
Then, True Master Cangsong clasped his hands together and formed a sword finger.
He followed with a low roar:
"Invoking talismans, sacrificing to the heavens, the earth, and our ancestors. Decree!"
As the incantation was uttered, the three yellow talismans exploded with a "boom boom boom."
Immediately after, True Master Cangsong drew his long sword and pointed it towards the sky:
"Attack the demons!"