Chapter 269 : Connection to the Abyssal Continent【Please Vote with Your Monthly Tickets】

“Senior ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Brother Feng, are we going to rest on Star Island later?”

A ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍rather plump middle-aged man stepped forward and quietly asked beside Feng Yichen.

Feng ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Yichen glanced at him before turning to look at another Initial Foundation Establishment cultivator named Deng Heming.

Noticing ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Feng Yichen's gaze, Deng Heming quickly flashed over, crouched behind Feng Yichen, and chuckled.

“We'll ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍follow Senior Brother Feng's lead.”

Feng ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Yichen narrowed his eyes and made a brief calculation.

“We've only been out for twenty-seven days this trip. There's still plenty of time before the mission deadline... Do the two of you want to return early?”

The plump man couldn't help frowning.

“With a powerful enemy before us, Martial Uncle Sect Master instructed us to return as early as possible. If we waste time here now, I'm afraid it wouldn't be appropriate.”

Deng Heming's expression immediately turned somewhat ugly, and he quickly said,

“Senior Brother Feng is leading this mission. Brother Fatty, just listen to Senior Brother Feng.”

Feng Yichen wasn't angry after hearing that. Sitting cross-legged on the deck of the Flying Boat with his hands tucked into his sleeves, he patiently explained,

“What would happen if we returned early?”

Although still frowning, the plump man thought for a moment before replying,

“Judging from the sect's current situation, after returning we'd get at most four or five days of rest before having to head out on another mission.”

“And would you have time to cultivate?”

Feng Yichen continued asking.

The plump man shook his head.

“I know what you mean, Senior Brother Feng. You mean we should stay here and cultivate properly for a while, return to submit the mission just before the deadline, and then we'd have more time to cultivate afterward.”

“But I don't think that's right.”

The plump man spoke solemnly.

“The other Senior Brothers and Junior Brothers are risking their lives on Shang Mountain. How can we be unwilling to contribute even this little bit of time? That would be far too selfish.”

“Brother Fatty... H-how can you talk to Big Brother Feng like that!”

Deng Heming hurriedly tugged at his sleeve.

“It's fine. He's not wrong.”

With his hands still tucked into his sleeves, Feng Yichen narrowed his eyes as he looked into the distance and slowly said,

“But do you really think I don't want to contribute to the sect?”

“You're at the Initial Foundation Establishment Stage, and I'm at the Mid Foundation Establishment Stage. To be honest, even if we went to Shang Mountain, we wouldn't even qualify as cannon fodder.”

“If you truly have that determination, you'd be better off making use of your time to cultivate and raise your cultivation first.”

“Forget Core Formation. Even if you only reached the Late Foundation Establishment Stage, you'd still be able to kill a few more Demonic Path cultivators.”

“That would be far more effective than staying busy here only to move yourself.”

“Senior Brother Feng, you...”

The plump man's expression shifted repeatedly before he finally lowered his head.

“Senior Brother Feng is right.”

“Alright. Same as always. No more discussion.”

After speaking, Feng Yichen controlled the Flying Boat to descend before finally landing among the countless scattered islands below.

This place was called Star Island. The reason for its name was because the islands here were scattered like stars across the sky.

The three of them all had familiar places to stay here. After bidding one another farewell, Feng Yichen headed straight to visit his old lover.

It was a shop that specialized in selling medicinal pills. The moment Feng Yichen entered, the female cultivator, dressed plainly but possessing a seductive figure, stood up from her chair.

The snowy peaks on her chest trembled slightly.

Feng Yichen naturally closed the door behind him.

The female cultivator stepped forward, wrapped her arms around him, and softly whispered into his ear,

“Did the Sea-Crossing Old Devil agree?”

“Mhm. This time I spent quite a while reasoning with him. That old fellow finally agreed to make the trip.”

As he spoke, Feng Yichen embraced her and sat down before sighing.

“It's just a pity that the old devil still refuses to hand over the sea chart.”

“Heh. That's the most precious treasure he possesses. How could he possibly hand it over so easily?”

The female cultivator shook her head before continuing,

“But as long as he's willing to make the trip to the Abyssal Continent, we'll have something to report to the Holy Mother.”

At the mention of the Holy Mother, a trace of ridicule flashed through Feng Yichen's eyes. It was so subtle that it vanished almost immediately.

“That's true.”

“However, on my way back, I noticed a few ants heading toward Black Dragon Island. They'll make good practice for that old devil after he comes out, so he won't end up dying in Fallen Immortal Ravine.”

“Hm?”

The female cultivator frowned.

“Don't let anything unexpected happen. If something goes wrong at such a critical moment and ruins the Holy Mother's grand plan, both of us will be finished.”

“Impossible.”

Feng Yichen shook his head.

“If the Sea-Crossing Old Devil can't even deal with a few Foundation Establishment cultivators, then forget about crossing Fallen Immortal Ravine.”

“If they're only Foundation Establishment cultivators, then there's nothing to worry about.”

“Mhm. Let's dual cultivate one more time. After that, I need to send a message.”

“Oh, right. News came from Eastern Shang that Manor Master Mei can no longer hold back and is preparing to make his move.”

As she spoke, the female cultivator had already begun removing her clothes.

Feng Yichen did the same, though he continued speaking,

“Don't worry. He won't succeed.”

“The Demonic Path of Western Shang will obey the Holy Mother's orders, but the righteous cultivators of Eastern Shang won't obey Manor Master Mei.”

“If he dares expose his identity, he might even attract pursuit from others.”

“...”

Ji Yuan: “???”

Wait.

Eldest Senior Brother...

You're actually this decisive?

To be fair, Ji Yuan was genuinely surprised when he heard the arrangement, so he quickly asked,

“Eldest Senior Brother, what about me?”

“You?”

Ran Kui looked at him and casually planted the large halberd in his hand into the ground.

“With this lineup, there's no need for Little Junior Brother to take action. Just watch from the side.”

“Exactly. Little Junior Brother, just watch how powerful your Senior Sister is later!”

Feng Zhi Tao raised an eyebrow.

Yun Qianzai, who had been dismantling the Black Dragon Stone, had somehow already walked to the other side. Standing with his back toward the three of them, he calmly said,

“A mere Li Yuan? I can suppress him with one hand.”

“Good. Then, Second Brother, you'll take the lead later.”

Ran Kui said casually.

Yun Qianzai's body trembled slightly before he replied indifferently,

“Wait until I've removed the Black Dragon Stone.”

“Heh.”

Although the four of them were chatting, none of them lowered their guard.

“Eldest Senior Brother, did Li Yuan mention where Real Person Black Turtle is in secluded cultivation?”

Seeing that everyone had fallen silent, Ji Yuan transmitted his voice to Ran Kui.

“What? You also suspect that the Demonic Path cultivator behind all this is Real Person Black Turtle?”

Ran Kui asked in return.

“It's never wrong to be cautious.”

Ji Yuan didn't directly say he suspected Real Person Black Turtle.

After all...

He suspected everyone equally.

“I don't know.”

Ran Kui slowly shook his head.

“On the way here, my Divine Sense swept across every part of the island, but I couldn't find any trace of Real Person Black Turtle.”

“He should no longer be on this island. Otherwise, if an Early Core Formation cultivator were in secluded cultivation, I would have found at least some clues.”

“Then that's probably the case.”

As soon as Ji Yuan finished speaking, movement finally came from Yun Qianzai's side.

He took out eight copper spikes covered in verdigris from his Storage Pouch.

The formation disc in his left hand rotated rapidly as layer after layer of formation patterns appeared upon it.

His brows were tightly furrowed while he muttered incantations under his breath.

Formation patterns continuously appeared and disappeared.

Only after more than a dozen breaths did one formation pattern remain.

It flew out from the formation disc before landing upon the stone wall in the northwest corner.

“Go!”

Yun Qianzai gave a light shout.

A copper spike flew from his hand, carrying a trace of aqua-blue light before embedding itself where the formation pattern had vanished.

The instant it struck, Ji Yuan felt the entire ground tremble slightly.

“It can be undone. It's not difficult.”

Although Yun Qianzai sounded relaxed, judging by his solemn expression, removing the Black Dragon Stone without damaging it was far from easy.

Fortunately, with Ran Kui and the others protecting him, no one disturbed the process.

The time it took an incense stick to burn passed in the blink of an eye.

By the time Yun Qianzai found the sixth formation node and drove in the sixth copper spike, sweat was already pouring down his face.

Ji Yuan and the others wanted to help, but there was nothing they could do except wait silently.

Fortunately, Yun Qianzai was still Yun Qianzai.

He ultimately gritted his teeth and endured.

When he drove in the eighth copper spike, a muffled rumble came from underground.

At the same moment Yun Qianzai spat out a mouthful of blood, he drew two Evil-Repelling and Malevolence-Suppressing Talismans, one in each hand.

Ji Yuan also sensed a tremendous surge of resentment erupting from beneath the earth.

“I severed the earth vein. There's some backlash. We only need to suppress it!”

After speaking, Yun Qianzai threw out the two talismans.

A burst of flames erupted, and the resentment filling the stone chamber instantly dissipated considerably.

“My turn.”

Ran Kui stepped forward.

His right hand pulled the large halberd from the ground, while his left hand reached toward his waist and took out a broken ghost-headed saber.

With a casual toss, the ghost-headed saber floated above the Black Dragon Stone, slowly rotating.

Strands of tangible Blood Qi spread outward from it.

Ji Yuan had first encountered this sort of aura from the Blood-Remnant Saber, and the second time beside the Blood River on the Ancient Battlefield...

As for the Dragon Fortune within Pear Blossom River, that had been more resentment than killing intent.

The killing intent contained within Ran Kui's ghost-headed saber far surpassed that of the Blood-Remnant Saber, though it was still weaker than the Blood River.

Back beside the Blood River, Ji Yuan had been completely unable to endure that overwhelming killing intent.

In the end, it had been Dong Qian who stepped in, allowing him to condense the Blood Slaughter Sword.

In other words, Ji Yuan also possessed a Flying Sword filled with astonishing killing intent.

But judging from the current situation, there was no need for him to use the Blood Slaughter Sword.

Because the moment Ran Kui produced the ghost-headed saber, its overwhelming killing intent suppressed all the resentment.

He stepped beside the Black Dragon Stone and waved his right hand, instantly storing away the treasure.

Seeing this, Yun Qianzai immediately turned around.

Even without looking, Ji Yuan knew he had turned away to take medicinal pills.

So Ji Yuan kindly tossed over a Vital Blood Pill.

“Second Senior Brother, there may be another fierce battle later. Eat mine first and recover your injuries.”

Ran Kui glanced at Yun Qianzai before pulling the formation flag from the ground and retrieving the ghost-headed saber floating overhead.

“The situation is urgent. I'll carry it instead, so nothing unexpected happens.”

This time Yun Qianzai said nothing.

After consuming the Vital Blood Pill Ji Yuan had given him, the paleness on his face noticeably faded.

Aside from still being somewhat depleted in Spiritual Energy, he was essentially fully recovered.

“Let's go!”

After putting away the formation flag, Ran Kui immediately boarded his Flying Boat and flew out through the passage they had entered.

Feng Zhi Tao and Yun Qianzai followed closely behind.

As always, Ji Yuan brought up the rear.

Before leaving, however, he couldn't help glancing back once more.

He always felt that something beneath the ground wasn't quite right.

Especially the traces left by the talismans along the passage.

Everything pointed to the fact that a demonic creature had once been imprisoned here.

Fortunately, nothing unusual happened on the way out.

When Ji Yuan and the others had entered underground, it had still been daytime.

After spending so much time removing the Black Dragon Stone, it was now already night.

The four of them emerged from underground and flew directly to the top of the cliff, overlooking the entirety of Black Dragon Island.

Ji Yuan immediately noticed that only the grand hall they had visited earlier and the plaza outside remained brightly lit.

Every other part of the island was shrouded in darkness.

“Let's go down and have a look.”

Ran Kui dived downward.

Ji Yuan released his Divine Sense a step ahead before quickly following.

Within only a few breaths, the four of them had arrived above the grand hall.

At that exact moment, Ji Yuan's Divine Sense instantly captured a strange aura.

Its speed was unbelievably fast.

At first it remained within Ji Yuan's Divine Sense, yet in the very next instant it had already escaped dozens of li away.

Ji Yuan's Divine Sense, comparable to that of an Early Core Formation cultivator, could cover nearly fifteen li.

Even so, that aura escaped almost instantly.

“Not good!”

Naturally, Ran Kui, being an actual Core Formation cultivator, also sensed the aura.

“What happened?”

Feng Zhi Tao hurriedly looked toward him.

At that moment, several cries of alarm rang out from the grand hall below.

Ji Yuan's ears twitched.

“Another Foundation Establishment elder has disappeared.”

He pretended not to have noticed that strange aura.

Only Ran Kui continued staring toward the southeast with a grave expression.

“There really is... a Three-Eyed Dark Beast here!”

“What?!”

Ji Yuan had only sensed the aura and didn't know what it actually was.

But hearing Ran Kui say this...

Feng Yichen hadn't lied after all?

“But it hasn't reached the Third Tier yet. At most it's only at the Late Second Tier. Otherwise, it wouldn't have avoided us and fled.”

“Should we chase it?”

As Yun Qianzai spoke, he had already raised the formation disc in his right hand, looking ready to unleash everything at any moment.

Before Ran Kui could answer, a figure rose from the underground hall and landed beside them.

“Brother Wudao, a-another elder has disappeared! Right under our noses! It's terrifying! Did you discover anything?”

As Li Yuan spoke, his aura fluctuated wildly. He looked as though he had been frightened out of his wits.

“Brother Li, do you truly know nothing?”

As Ran Kui spoke, the Flying Boat beneath his feet casually shifted position, naturally surrounding Li Yuan with the four of them.

“Brother Wudao, what do you mean by this?”

Li Yuan's expression changed.

“Are you suspecting me?!”

“You... are worthy of suspicion?”

Yun Qianzai's indifferent voice rang out.

The next moment, he attacked without hesitation.

A formation instantly materialized beneath the four of them.

As countless formation patterns appeared, he unleashed his full strength from the very start.

With his full power released, the Aura Concealment Art became useless.

The aura of Peak Foundation Establishment vanished.

In its place emerged...

A Pseudo-Core cultivator!

“What?! P-Pseudo-Core?”

Still reeling in shock, Li Yuan was about to resist when the formation beneath his feet suddenly expanded.

Ji Yuan and the other three happened to occupy the four corners of the formation.

Before Li Yuan even had time to understand what kind of formation it was, the trapping formation had already been completed.

“Inject your Spiritual Energy into the formation beneath your feet. He won't escape.”

Yun Qianzai's voice sounded in Ji Yuan's mind.

Ji Yuan immediately did as instructed.

As Spiritual Energy poured into the formation, four pillars of light condensed, and chains shot out from them, instantly binding Li Yuan in the center.

A Formation Master at the Pseudo-Core Stage...

Truly deserved to be called terrifying.

Ran Kui didn't even need to make a move.

With Yun Qianzai's surprise attack, the battle had practically ended in an instant.

Trapped at the center of the formation, Li Yuan struggled continuously.

But it was all in vain.

The Black Dragon Island cultivators below noticed the battle overhead and all looked up.

The remaining Foundation Establishment elders wanted to fly up, yet hesitated.

Seeing even their Sect Master trapped, none of them dared risk their lives.

Ji Yuan didn't attack.

Instead, he used his Divine Sense to keep a close watch on the Black Dragon Island cultivators below.

“One of the elders is sending a message. He's most likely contacting Real Person Black Turtle.”

After noticing the abnormality, Ji Yuan immediately spoke.

“It's fine.”

Ran Kui's calm voice gave Ji Yuan an immense sense of reassurance.

The Eldest Senior Brother stepped into the center of the formation.

Looking at Li Yuan before him, he slowly said,

“Brother Li, you're a smart man. You probably know why we've made a move against you.”

“Speak.”

“If you're willing to tell the truth, everyone can leave safely.”

“But if you refuse...”

“I don't think the Water Dragon Sect would mind replacing Black Dragon Island's Sect Master.”

The moment Ran Kui approached, Li Yuan stopped struggling.

Facing two Pseudo-Core cultivators, one of whom was a Formation Master, he had no chance of escaping.

“Tell you what, Brother Wudao?”

The tightly bound Li Yuan gritted his teeth.

“Tell us about that Demonic Path cultivator. Why was he imprisoned beside the Black Dragon Stone?”

The moment those words left Ran Kui's mouth, Li Yuan's expression changed.

“Brother Wudao, I can guarantee that the one killing people this time isn't that Demonic Path cultivator!”

...As expected!

Ji Yuan exchanged a glance with Feng Zhi Tao.

The two of them each summoned their Protective Spiritual Artifacts.

“Heh. That so-called Demonic Path cultivator is Real Person Black Turtle, isn't he?”

Yun Qianzai sneered.

“Y-you... how do you know?!”

Li Yuan turned to Yun Qianzai's mocking expression before seemingly realizing something.

“Of course. I heard Fellow Daoist comes from Linhai City's Yun Family. The Yun Family has managed Linhai City for over a thousand years and possesses countless methods. It's only natural that you know things ordinary people don't.”

“That's right. The Demonic Path cultivator imprisoned beside the Black Dragon Stone was my Martial Uncle, and also Black Dragon Island's Supreme Elder—Real Person Black Turtle.”

“Then why do you insist he wasn't the one harming people?”

Ran Kui asked.

Whether he believed Li Yuan's answer...

Only he himself knew.

Li Yuan smiled bitterly.

“My apologies, Brother Wudao. I lied to you back at the Water Dragon Sect.”

“Hm?”

“The reason I can be so certain my Martial Uncle wasn't the killer...”

“Is because...”

“He has already passed away.”

“What? Real Person Black Turtle is already dead?”

Even Ran Kui was visibly surprised.

Ji Yuan fell into thought.

If that was the case...

Was everything on Black Dragon Island really this simple?

Real Person Black Turtle had indeed cultivated Demonic Arts, but he had already passed away.

As for the creature devouring people here...

Ji Yuan had just seen it.

It truly was a Three-Eyed Dark Beast.

But why did he still feel...

That something about this whole matter wasn't quite right?