Meng Bai thought for a moment and also flew away on his flying sword.
It was his first time seeing a spatial rift, and he wanted to go take a look.
Of course, if this were not a dream, such a dangerous thing as a spatial rift would be entirely out of the question.
An abrupt, gigantic rift appeared in the east, looking as though the heavens and earth had been violently torn open.
Beyond the rift was pitch-black nothingness, completely obscured from view.
Roars echoed continuously from within the rift.
Having spent four full years in the far west, Meng Bai had roughly guessed that the roars coming from the opposite side were made by the Demon race.
Suddenly, one Demon after another crawled out from the rift, every single one exuding the aura of the Bitter Sea Realm.
Seeing this, Meng Bai wore a grave expression.
The Heavenly Universe Secret Realm was used to train new human demon-slayers, and there were no powerful human experts stationed inside to guard it.
With so many Demons flooding in all at once, the instructor adepts alone could not possibly handle them all.
Naturally, Li Kui would not sit back and watch so many Demons run rampant through the secret realm.
Before long, instructor adepts at the Bitter Sea Realm rushed forward to intercept them.
However, the rift remained unclosed, and Demons poured out endlessly. It was uncertain how long everyone could hold them off.
Suddenly, a spine-chilling aura emanated from the rift.
A green figure surged rapidly out of the rift.
It was a Level 9 Bitter Sea Azure-Feathered Bird!
Li Kui said with a gloomy expression, "Beast bloodline."
With that, Li Kui's demon-slaying sword leaped from its scabbard, engaging the Azure-Feathered Bird in fierce combat.
Half an hour after the spatial rift appeared, Meng Bai also joined the battle against the Demons. Having advanced to the Bitter Sea Realm, killing ordinary Origin Solidification Demons was as simple as killing ordinary mortals for him.
Meng Bai went on a killing spree among the horde of Demons, quickly drawing the attention of mid and late Origin Solidification Demons.
A Level 5 Origin Solidification Demon fiercely struck out.
Pitch-black demonic energy surged outward, its might far beyond what ordinary Origin Solidification adepts could withstand.
Meng Bai flashed past with his Moon Shadow Step, countering with the Mountain and Sea Sword Intent.
A flash of sword light, and the Level 5 Bitter Sea Demon was split in two.
"Is this the advantage of a profound foundation? A Level 5 Bitter Sea opponent is much easier than I imagined."
Reaching Level 12 Origin Solidification was not something everyone could achieve, even in the Heavenly Universe Secret Realm; only a handful of people across the entire realm managed it. Among this batch of newcomers, Meng Bai was the only one who had broken through to the Bitter Sea Realm.
"I wonder if Senior Sister Bai and the others can successfully break through. If a few more people make it, Master Li Kui and the others will probably have a much easier time."
In the sky, the battle between Li Kui and the Azure-Feathered Bird was coming to an end. Taking advantage of the home-field advantage alongside several companions, Li Kui slew the Azure-Feathered Bird.
Bai Chuzhen, Ye Yuxin, and two others appeared in the west.
The four of them had already advanced to the Bitter Sea Realm. Although not as overwhelmingly powerful as Meng Bai, ordinary Bitter Sea Demons were still no match for them.
The number of Demons emerging from the rift began to dwindle, and the humans gained the upper hand in this clash.
Suddenly, another twist occurred. A powerful pressure spread outward, and a terrifying divine sense swept past.
Meng Bai felt a chill run through his entire body.
Spirit Nourishing Realm!
In this realm, it was also known as the Divine Soul Realm.
An explosive avian cry echoed, carrying immense penetrating power.
Many of those with weaker cultivation bled from their ears, their minds ringing incessantly.
Li Kui's expression changed drastically.
"Everyone, get away from here!"
Without a second thought, Meng Bai flew away from the battlefield on his sword.
Staying directly beneath the rift at this moment would be extremely unwise.
The Divine Soul Realm and the Bitter Sea Realm were separated by a major realm and nine minor realms. Meng Bai knew that no matter how strong his current strength was, he could not cross a major realm to fight an enemy.
The mere pressure and killing intent released by the Divine Soul Realm were enough to make him feel the threat of death.
Meng Bai flew on his sword toward the direction of the disciple quarters, vaguely hearing the furious roar of Instructor Adept Li Kui from behind.
"Fiend, do not be arrogant! Taste this old man's sword!"
.......
A short while later, many people besides Meng Bai had arrived at the disciple quarters.
Bai Chuzhen, Ye Yuxin, and several instructor adepts had all gathered here.
"Senior Brother Meng," Bai Chuzhen greeted Meng Bai with a pale face.
Meng Bai nodded and asked, "Where is Junior Brother Cang?"
Junior Brother Cang was one of the four male disciples among them, who had also advanced to the Bitter Sea Realm this time. From a distance earlier, Meng Bai had seen him coming to provide backup alongside Bai Chuzhen.
Bai Chuzhen's expression darkened as she said, "Just as the Divine Soul Realm Great Demon came out, a large number of Bitter Sea Demons suddenly rushed out from behind it. Junior Brother Cang was ambushed by the Demons while covering our retreat..."
Ye Yuxin clenched her small hands tightly, her delicate face filled with anger and tears as she said, "Damned Demons! One day, I will slaughter every single one of you."
Bai Chuzhen silently patted Ye Yuxin on the back to comfort her.
In an instant, Instructor Adept Li Kui dropped down from the sky. At this moment, he was covered in blood, making it impossible to tell whether it was his own or that of the Demons.
He held his sword in one hand, plunging it into the ground as he supported himself with difficulty and said, "Quickly, activate the Heaven-Brilliance Seven-Star Array."
Meng Bai hurriedly stepped forward to support Instructor Adept Li Kui, taking out healing pills for him to swallow.
"Master Adept, how are you?"
Instructor Adept Li Kui coughed twice and said, "I'm not dead yet. That beast crossed realms, and its strength was suppressed by the secret realm; but after all, it is in the Divine Soul Realm. Several of my peers and I joined forces to fight it, but unfortunately, we were no match. Several of my peers also met a tragic end at its hands."
The upper limit of the Heavenly Universe Secret Realm was the Bitter Sea Realm. If a creature of the Divine Soul Realm entered, it would be suppressed by the secret realm down to the peak of the Bitter Sea Realm.
However, that Demon was, after all, in the Divine Soul Realm, and coupled with its formidable physical body, even when suppressed to the peak of the Bitter Sea Realm, it was not something ordinary Level 9 Bitter Sea demon-slayers could handle.
The Heaven-Brilliance Seven-Star Array was activated, and a sheet of white light appeared in the sky, isolating the entire disciple quarters from the outside world.
Only then did Instructor Adept Li Kui let out a breath and say, "The Heaven-Brilliance Seven-Star Array was set up by a Tier 3 Array Grandmaster. Even a Divine Soul Realm Demon at its peak can be blocked for a while. That Azure-Feathered Bird won't be able to break through anytime soon."
"Is the one that came a Divine Soul Realm Azure-Feathered Bird?" Meng Bai asked.
Li Kui nodded and said, "That's right. I reckon that beast is an elder of the Azure-Feathered Bird from earlier; otherwise, it wouldn't have risked entering this place."
As soon as Li Kui finished speaking, the Divine Soul Realm Azure-Feathered Bird had already arrived at the scene.
Its gaze carried fierce and murderous intent, and closely following behind it were numerous Bitter Sea Demons.
Li Kui gave a bitter smile and said, "There are quite a few of these Demons. Who knows how long the Heaven-Brilliance Seven-Star Array can hold out."
The Heaven-Brilliance Seven-Star Array was powered by spirit stones, and the spirit stones in the hands of Li Kui and the others were limited.
The Azure-Feathered Bird stared at Li Kui and the others, letting out a sharp cry.
The numerous Bitter Sea Demons charged toward the disciple quarters.
The crowd of Bitter Sea Demons crashed into the Heaven-Brilliance Seven-Star Array. Although the white light looked gentle, the moment these Bitter Sea Demons were touched by its radiance, they turned into ashes.
For a moment, the Demons dared not advance further, hesitating in place.
Bai Chuzhen looked at the halted Demons and said, "It seems these Demons also cherish their lives and won't throw them away easily."
Li Kui said worriedly, "I'm afraid it's not that simple."
The Azure-Feathered Bird let out a cry, reaching down with both claws to crush several Demons who attempted to flee.
It was as if it were telling the rest of the Demons: those who retreat will die!
Immediately, the horde of Bitter Sea Demons dared not retreat any further and charged forward once again.