Translator: CinderTL
Song Wen stood at the ship's rail, his gaze distant and profound, fixed on the faint silhouette of a woman in the distance. He was lost in thought.
Eighty-nine years had passed since their last parting.
Now, their reunion was reduced to a fleeting glimpse.
Memories of his time with Zhu Yin on that remote island in the outer sea gradually resurfaced in his mind.
Though their connection had begun as a mere transaction, the three years Zhu Yin protected him were the only time since he entered the Immortal Cultivation World that Song Wen hadn't needed to be constantly vigilant.
As the distance widened, Zhu Yin's figure grew increasingly blurred until it vanished completely from sight.
"I hope that when we meet again, we can sit knee-to-knee and talk," Song Wen murmured inwardly.
Even as he sighed wistfully, Song Wen couldn't help but feel slightly surprised by the Wu Ji Sect and Cui Clan's sudden withdrawal.
He had been carefully observing Yin Shuo and Ye Hua, hoping to gauge their strength through their battle with Xing Wenyao and identify a decisive opportunity to strike.
However, Ye Hua's abrupt order to retreat had caught him off guard.
Judging by the abilities Yin Shuo and Ye Hua had revealed, simultaneously taking them down and ensuring they had no chance of escape would be no easy feat.
Firstly, Song Wen was only at the mid-Nascent Soul stage, and his escape speed couldn't match Yin Shuo's. If Yin Shuo were determined to flee, Song Wen would struggle to catch up.
Secondly, the Chaotic Sea was abundant in Soul Defense Magical Treasures, making it highly likely that both Yin Shuo and Ye Hua possessed High-Grade Soul Defense Magical Items.
This significantly reduced the threat posed by Song Wen's Focused Spirit Stab. However, even with a High-Grade Soul Defense Magical Item, Ye Hua likely couldn't fully withstand the technique.
Thirdly, Yin Shuo's Blood-Colored Corpse Coffin was his Natal Magic Treasure—a versatile artifact capable of both offense and defense. To eliminate Yin Shuo successfully, Song Wen would need to prevent him from deploying this treasure.
As for Yin Shuo's Fourth-Tier Peak Corpse Puppet, while its strength couldn't be ignored, Song Wen wasn't overly concerned about it.
After carefully assessing both opponents, Song Wen concluded that the optimal strategy was to:
Prioritize a surprise attack on Yin Shuo and eliminate him first, then turn his attention to Ye Hua. This way, neither would escape their fate.
However, they had to wait for the opportune moment to strike.
Meanwhile, Zhu Yin watched the Wu Ji Sect's Giant Flying Ship gradually disappear into the horizon. Her eyes betrayed a mixture of lingering resentment, relief, and a newfound sense of freedom.
"Zhu Yin, rest assured, neither the Wu Ji Sect nor the Cui Clan will escape justice. Yin Shuo will meet his end before your very eyes," Xing Wenyao declared.
Noticing her unwavering gaze fixed on the departing ship, he assumed her lingering frustration stemmed from being unable to personally avenge herself.
"I didn't expect Yin Shuo to have already reached the peak of the Nascent Soul realm," Zhu Yin murmured. "Killing him now won't be easy."
"As long as I join forces with Demon Kings Yuan Hao and Feng Ying, Yin Shuo will have no chance of escape," Xing Wenyao retorted.
"Fellow Daoist Xing, don't forget that the Human Race also has Xuan Chengzi, another Peak Nascent Soul cultivator," Zhu Yin cautioned. "He has been at that stage for many years, and his strength is at least equal to Yin Shuo's, if not greater. I fear we'll find it nearly impossible for you and the two Demon Kings to face Yin Shuo alone."
"Zhu Yin, why boost others' morale while undermining our own resolve?" Xing Wenyao scoffed. "Yin Shuo must die, and Xuan Chengzi will share his fate!"
"They are the Human Race's most powerful cultivators," Zhu Yin said. "If they fall, there will be no one left to stand against the Demon Race. Do you truly hate humanity so much that you wish for its annihilation?"
"What does the survival of the Human Race have to do with me?" Xing Wenyao retorted. "I only seek rare and precious resources. In this Chaotic Sea, only the Demon Race dominates every corner of both the Inner and Outer Seas. Only they can venture into the deepest waters to search for treasures, secret realms, and ancient ruins. If helping me break through to the Divine Transformation stage and ascend to the Upper Realm requires the complete destruction of the Human Race, so be it."
"No one has successfully ascended from the Chaotic Sea in thousands of years," Zhu Yin countered. "Are you truly so certain the Demon Race can find the treasures needed for your Divine Transformation?"
"How can we know if there's a chance unless we take the gamble?" Xing Wenyao scoffed. "Besides, without the rare resources provided by the Demon Race, how could I have progressed from the early stages of the Late Nascent Soul realm to Peak Nascent Soul in just over a century? And what about you? Without their cultivation resources, how could you have advanced to the Mid Nascent Soul stage in just eighty years?"
Southeast of Fangzhudao, tens of thousands of li away, lay Yangning Island.
Yangning Island was relatively small, less than a thousand li in circumference.
The Liangyi Sect, Wu Ji Sect, and Cui Clan—the three major powers of the Human Race—had all converged here.
Each faction secured a relatively flat area to serve as a temporary rest stop for their disciples.
At the island's center stood a towering mountain, its peak cleanly sliced off by a single sword strike.
Eight figures now sat atop this flattened summit, brewing tea and discussing the situation.
These individuals were Cui Xuanjing of the Cui Clan; Yin Shuo and Ye Hua of the Wu Ji Sect; Zi Yun, Daoist Lan Yin, Xuan Chengzi, and Daoist Yun Xu of the Liangyi Sect; and Jing Yuanliang, formerly of the Jing Clan but now affiliated with the Liangyi Sect.
All the Nascent Soul cultivators from the three major powers had gathered at this strategic location.
"Fellow Daoist Xuan Chengzi," Yin Shuo inquired, "what happened to your sect? Why did you retreat so hastily, barely after the battle had begun?"
Xuan Chengzi replied, "Our sect landed on the eastern side of Yangning Island and immediately faced fierce resistance from the Demon Race. Yuan Hao and Feng Ying led three other Fourth-Tier demons in a coordinated assault. Our five Nascent Soul cultivators initially managed to hold them back, thanks to the advantages of our Mystic Treasures. However, the sudden appearance of four Fourth-Tier Ferocious Beasts completely turned the tide. With no other choice, we were forced to withdraw."
Upon hearing this, Yin Shuo, Ye Hua, and Cui Xuanjing all frowned deeply.
"Fourth-Tier Ferocious Beasts?" Yin Shuo's voice carried a hint of bewilderment. "Among the myriad Demon Races of the Chaotic Sea, only the mermen possess exceptional intelligence, a powerful Spirit Sense, and the ability to enslave ferocious beasts with rudimentary sentience. Yet, to my knowledge, the mermen haven't produced a Fourth-Tier powerhouse in centuries. Who could be controlling these beasts? And four of them at once! Even if a new Fourth-Tier merman had emerged, a newly ascended Fourth-Tier expert shouldn't be able to simultaneously control four Fourth-Tier Ferocious Beasts, should they?"
Xuan Chengzi shook his head. "We share your confusion. Moreover, all four beasts are exceptionally powerful, each possessing strength in the mid-to-late Fourth-Tier."
Yin Shuo's expression darkened. "This complicates matters further. The sudden appearance of four such formidable beasts among the Demon Race poses a grave threat."
Xuan Chengzi countered, "However, this isn't an insurmountable problem. The one manipulating the beasts has remained hidden from start to finish. I suspect their strength isn't exceptional—at most, early Fourth-Tier. If we eliminate them preemptively, the beast threat will naturally dissipate."
"But how do we uncover this hidden puppeteer?" Yin Shuo asked.
"I've gathered you all here precisely to hear your insights and collectively devise a countermeasure," Xuan Chengzi replied.
(End of the Chapter)
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