The spatial ripples and spiritual aftermath brought by the demonic projection's dispersion were gradually smoothed away under the combined purification and stabilization formations arranged by the Situ elders, Shi Yi, and others. The dark gold Demon-Suppressing Nail was deeply embedded in the earth, like an anchoring pole in the sea. It not only stabilized the damaged seal formation eye but its vast suppressing Dao rhyme emitted like an invisible barrier, continuously purifying residual demonic energy in the air and comforting the traumatized hearts.
Several days later, thesuffocating'slead gray above the Northwest wasteland finally began to slowly fade. Long-missed, though still thin yet carrying fresh meaning'ssunlight struggled through the clouds, falling on this landhaving endured much suffering. The originally dense, pungent demonic energy in the air had become extremely faint. Unless deliberately sensed, it was almost imperceptible.
On the earth,devastation everywhere remained. Huge cracks, scorched pits, twistedskeleton left by demonic beasts, all eloquently spoke of the battle'stragically fierce. However, under the joint efforts of Alliance cultivators and reinforcements sent by the Situ family, cleanup and repair work proceeded orderly. In the temporarily built camp, the wounded, under Su Zhi, Hui Ren, and others'carefully treated, gradually stabilized. Those with traumatized minds alsorecovered through medicine andrest.
That world-shocking confrontation with the demonic projection, though brief, was like the most severe quenching. Surviving cultivators' eyes had less of thein the past'simpetuousness and slight and more of determination and composure. The relief of surviving catastrophe, along with deep understanding of that unknown terror, made them cherish present tranquility more and understand more deeply the great responsibility of protection on their shoulders.
Tang Xiao Qi, after several days ofurgently healing without sleep or rest, finally stabilized his injuries. Though completely recovered still required time, he was now out of danger. He walked out of the temporary cave dwelling, bathed in faint sunlight,looking atbefore his eyes slowly coming back to life'sscene, his heart full of complex emotions.
"True Lord!"
"Lord Tang True Lord!"
Seeing him appear, whether Alliance cultivators busy working or Situ family reinforcements, all stopped their work, gazing withreverence'sgaze, bowing respectfully. Their eyes heldfrom the bottom of his heart'sgratitude and respect.
Ao Zhan, Ling Shuang, Shadow, and other core members of the Demon-Sweping Squad immediately approached.
"True Lord, how are your injuries?" Ao Zhan asked with concern. His dragon eyes held undisguised admiration. He felt that had he been standing before the demonic projection, he might not have lasted even one breath.
"Nothing serious." Xiao Qinodded slightly, his gaze sweeping across everyone. "These past days, you all worked hard."
"It is ourduty!" Ling Shuang clasped hands, his tone still cold yet that respect undeniable. "True Lord turned the tide, repelled the demonic projection, reinforced the seal. This is an extraordinary feat!"
Soon, detailed reports of the Northwest battle and how Tang Xiao Qi led the Demon-Sweping Squad to fight the demonic projection and ultimately stabilize the seal with the Demon-Suppressing Nail were transmitted through the Alliance's special channels, likegrew wings, rapidly spreading throughout the entire Central Plains cultivation world and even the four seas and eight wilderness!
Where the news reached,the whole world was shocked!
"What? The Northwest demonic disaster source has been stemmed? The ancient seal has been reinforced?"
"It is Tang Xiao Qi True Lord from Qingxu Temple! He not only found a way to repair the Demon-Suppressing Nail but personally drove it into the seal core!"
"My heavens! He also repelled that demonic entity true body's projection face-to-face? That is the demonic entity's true body! Even if merely a projection!"
"They say heaven and earth changed color, demonic might filled the sky. Lord Tang True Lord induced the ancient seal's remnant power, transformed into a light column, and forcefully pushed that demonic claw back!"
"The Demon-Sweping Squad also performed invaluable service, fighting to the death without retreating in the demonic beast tide!"
"The Situ family? That reclusive demonic cultivation family? Actually convinced by Lord Tang True Lord to abandon darkness and return to righteousness, even sending elders to assist?"
Variousembellished and exaggerated'srumors wereheatedly discussinged in major sects, markets, and taverns. "Tang Xiao Qi" was pushed to the forefront again. But this time, not because of his youth and talent but because of his tangible, tide-turning feats!
"Qingxu Tang Xiao Qi True Lord" - this title previously perhaps carried some questioning due to his youth and fortune. Now it was completely solidified and given even more weight: "Pillar of Righteousness!"
He, with Golden Core early-stage cultivation, performed deeds that propped up the sky! Not only solved the Northwest demonic disaster troubling the Alliance for a long time but also foiled the demonic entity's infiltration plot. Even confronted the demonic entity true body's projection and did not lose! Such a record, in the entire cultivation world, was rare in nearly a thousand years!
Qingxu Temple's reputation rose with the tide. Countless cultivators admired it. Major sect powers re-evaluated relations with Qingxu Temple. Desire for friendship and alliance was unprecedentedly strong. Along with it, every member of the Demon-Sweping Squad became hero figurestalked about with relish in the cultivation world.
Northwest front, Black Rock Fortress.
Tang Xiao Qi, who had become the de facto Northwest Defense Commander, stood on the repairing city wall, gazing at the gradually recovering wasteland in the distance. Hearing thecongratulatory letters and praises coming like snowflakes from all sides, his face showed no joy.
"True Lord, now the crisis is temporarily resolved, you are famous throughout the world. Why still frown?" An Alliancesteward respectfully asked.
Xiao Qi lightly shook his head, his gaze still profound: "The demonic entity is not destroyed. Although its projection retreated, resentful thoughts remain. Shadow Snake Pavilion and those demonic cultivation families still lurk in the dark. This present tranquility may merely be the final interval before the storm arrives. Issue orders: do not relax, strengthen patrols, continue repairing defensive structures, and closely monitor all abnormal movements."
"Yes!" Thesteward responded solemnly.
Xiao Qi turned, looking toward the direction of the Central Plains heartland. He knew the Northwest crisis was merely temporarily eased. The true storm's eye might be brewing elsewhere. And he, pushed to the position of "Pillar of Righteousness," had a future road that would inevitably bear more and be even more difficult.
But he was fearless.