Chapter 270 : The Dao Rises One Foot Higher【Please Vote with Your Monthly Tickets】

Ji ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Yuan didn't believe it.

Naturally, ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍neither did Ran Kui and the other three believe Li Yuan's one-sided story.

“You ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍say that's how it is, so that's how it is?”

Feng ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Zhi Tao directly questioned him.

Li ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Yuan seemed to have expected this reaction.

“If ‍​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍you all don't believe me, then I'll take you to see my Martial Uncle's remains.”

“Brother Li, you'd best use fewer of these tricks, lest everyone think less of you. What do you think?”

Ran Kui shook his head after speaking.

“It's not that I don't trust you. It's just that there are too many ghosts and monsters on your Black Dragon Island. I simply don't have the patience to carefully sort through everything with you.”

Seeing that the four before him had no intention whatsoever of backing down, and knowing he couldn't fight one against four, Li Yuan finally let out a bitter laugh.

“So be it.”

“There's no hiding it anymore. And after this incident... Black Dragon Island will probably cease to exist.”

Li Yuan swept his gaze over the four before finally stopping on Yun Qianzai.

“May I ask, Fellow Daoist Tian Shu, you've already taken away the Black Dragon Stone, haven't you?”

“Yes.”

Yun Qianzai remained silent, but Ran Kui admitted it openly.

“Don't worry. I won't say something disgusting like, ‘The world is in chaos, your Black Dragon Island can't protect such a treasure, so let our Water Dragon Sect guard it for you.’”

“Our Water Dragon Sect had set its sights on this treasure long ago. Now we simply have a convenient excuse to take it.”

“If you're dissatisfied, you can fight the four of us, or even declare war on the Water Dragon Sect.”

Hearing that answer, Li Yuan smiled bitterly and sighed toward the heavens.

“So it truly is Heaven's will to destroy Black Dragon Island.”

After saying that, he suddenly lowered his head toward the Foundation Establishment cultivators gathered outside the main hall and shouted loudly,

“Third Brother! Fourth Brother! Martial Uncle has already passed away. Black Dragon Island no longer has a Core Formation Patriarch!”

The moment those words were spoken, the Qi Refinement cultivators were the most terrified.

The world was already in chaos, and now Black Dragon Island had suffered this disaster as well. Their greatest source of hope had always been Real Person Black Turtle. Although the world was in turmoil, they had at least believed they still enjoyed the protection of a Core Formation cultivator.

But now...

Their Sect Master had declared that their Patriarch had already passed away...

What were they supposed to do now?

“The four distinguished guests from the Water Dragon Sect wish to see the Patriarch's remains. Elders, please make the trip and bring the Patriarch's body here.”

As soon as Li Yuan finished speaking, discussions immediately broke out below.

The Foundation Establishment elders exchanged glances before collectively cupping their fists toward the sky.

“As you command, Sect Master.”

If only one of them had been asked to go, naturally none of them would have dared or been willing.

But since they were all going together, there was nothing to worry about.

If there truly was danger...

Then nowhere would be safe.

Only after watching them all leave did Li Yuan look up at Ran Kui.

“Brother Wudao, what do you think?”

His calm yet miserable appearance truly made Ran Kui feel that perhaps he had misunderstood him.

However, Ran Kui wasn't soft-hearted.

He wouldn't relent over something like this.

He silently nodded.

“Very well.”

As for Ji Yuan, his Divine Sense continued following the departing Foundation Establishment elders.

The Three-Eyed Dark Beast from earlier had fled toward the southeast.

Yet these elders were heading northeast.

That greatly reduced the possibility that the Three-Eyed Dark Beast had anything to do with Real Person Black Turtle.

Ran Kui asked from the side,

“Brother Li, why would Real Person Black Turtle suddenly cultivate Demonic Arts? If I'm not mistaken, he was previously confined inside the cave where the Black Dragon Stone was kept.”

“He imprisoned himself there. How could we possibly have the ability to confine him? Alas.”

Li Yuan sighed again.

Seeing everyone looking at him, he continued,

“What other reason could there be?”

“It was simply the same timeless reason that has never changed.”

“Born into the mortal world, raised within the mortal world, and in the end, unwilling to part with it.”

“He had clearly reached the end of his lifespan, yet couldn't bear to die. So in the end, he could only cultivate some Demonic Arts and see whether he could extend his life and gain another opportunity to break through.”

Ran Kui fell even more silent.

Because among the righteous cultivators he had encountered over the years who had turned to the Demonic Path, most had done so for exactly this reason.

“At the very least, Real Person Black Turtle realized something was wrong after cultivating Demonic Arts and chose to imprison himself.”

“That alone is already commendable.”

It was rare for Feng Zhi Tao to speak well of someone.

“My Martial Uncle had always been a kind man.”

As Li Yuan spoke, his eyes reddened, clearly recalling something.

“M-Martial Uncle had always treated me exceptionally well.”

“He practically raised me as though I were his own son.”

“Don't worry. Once we confirm there truly isn't a problem, we'll naturally release you.”

Ran Kui deliberately left himself some room to maneuver.

He could also sense that this matter was riddled with suspicious points.

If Real Person Black Turtle truly had died...

And had died without any problems...

Then the culprit behind the attacks here truly would only be a demon beast.

It was simply an extremely rare...

And extremely powerful demon beast.

Judging from that Three-Eyed Dark Beast earlier...

Although it was only at the Late Second Tier...

If they truly fought...

Ran Kui felt he would have to unleash his full strength to have any chance of capturing it.

Without Core Formation cultivation...

He wasn't even confident.

A short while later...

The elders who had gone to retrieve Patriarch Real Person Black Turtle finally returned.

Even while they were still far away, their funeral wails were already carried over by the night wind.

Ji Yuan once again spread out his Divine Sense and finally saw the truth.

The elders were carrying an enormous palanquin resembling an imperial dragon carriage upon their shoulders.

Sitting atop it was an incomparably gaunt old man.

Even the golden robe draped over him hung loosely without support.

This truly was a Core Formation cultivator who had lived to the end of his lifespan and simply died of old age.

With his Divine Sense enveloping him, Ji Yuan observed even more carefully.

All ten fingernails of Real Person Black Turtle had turned pitch black and curled inward.

His face was covered with fine black veins.

He truly looked like someone who had cultivated Demonic Arts.

Moreover, an extremely sinister kind.

Dead...

He truly was dead.

Ji Yuan couldn't sense even the slightest trace of life from him.

His aura had completely vanished.

Both body and soul had perished.

Everything had reached its absolute limit.

As the group drew closer...

It wasn't only Ji Yuan.

Feng Zhi Tao and Yun Qianzai also sensed it with their Divine Senses.

The two simultaneously looked toward Ran Kui.

He nodded as well.

“He has indeed passed away.”

“In that case, let Real Person Black Turtle return.”

Ran Kui wasn't so excessive as to desecrate a corpse.

“It's alright.”

“Since everyone already knows, it's also time to bring him out so the other disciples can pay their respects.”

“After all, he was Black Dragon Island's Patriarch.”

Li Yuan spoke with a gloomy expression.

Since it was another sect's internal matter...

Their own family affair...

Ran Kui turned toward Yun Qianzai and nodded.

The latter formed a hand seal and struck the formation disc in his hand.

Immediately, the four pillars of light descended, and the chains binding Li Yuan disappeared as well.

Freed from the formation, Li Yuan landed on his Flying Boat.

He rubbed his aching wrists.

Without even greeting Ran Kui again, he turned and went to receive Real Person Black Turtle's remains.

Li Yuan left.

Yun Qianzai was about to withdraw the formation.

Ji Yuan looked at him...

And slowly shook his head.

The four gathered together once more.

As always, Feng Zhi Tao spoke first.

“So it seems the culprit here truly is that Three-Eyed Dark Beast.”

“There indeed was a Demonic Path cultivator here, but it doesn't seem to have anything to do with this matter.”

“Now that we've obtained the Black Dragon Stone, we either stay and help them eliminate the Three-Eyed Dark Beast...”

“Or... return directly to the sect.”

At this point...

There really was only one choice left.

Ran Kui swept his gaze across his Junior Brothers and Junior Sister.

“What do you all think?”

“The Three-Eyed Dark Beast...”

“Is a wonderful treasure.”

“Every part of its body is valuable.”

Feng Zhi Tao's eyes lit up.

She was only one sentence away from saying...

I've lived this long and still haven't killed a Three-Eyed Dark Beast!

She had made her stance clear.

Yun Qianzai also nodded slightly.

“Since Tian Shu has descended upon this place, naturally we should save the people from suffering.”

...You really are good at putting on a righteous facade.

Ran Kui then looked toward Ji Yuan.

“Eldest Senior Brother surely wants to rid Black Dragon Island of this disaster as well.”

“In that case, let's do it.”

Three against one.

His own opinion no longer mattered.

Besides...

Had he been alone, Ji Yuan would indeed have chosen to leave.

But with his Senior Brothers and Senior Sister here...

Killing a single demon beast wasn't a problem.

Just as Ran Kui was about to speak, Ji Yuan continued,

“However...”

“However what? Little Junior Brother, go ahead.”

“I still feel something isn't quite right.”

“What isn't right?”

Even Yun Qianzai stepped closer and asked.

Toward this exceptionally cautious Little Junior Brother whose methods never seemed to end, Yun Qianzai remained very serious.

“Feng Yichen.”

Ji Yuan answered immediately.

He took a deep breath before continuing,

“To be honest, Senior Brothers and Senior Sister, I've dealt with the people from Shangting quite a few times.”

“Every one of them truly deserves the title of Nascent Soul old monster.”

“Having lived a second life, not a single one of them is foolish.”

“Everything they do has a purpose.”

Feng Zhi Tao nodded lightly.

“Little Junior Brother, you mean Feng Yichen didn't come here merely to collect Dragon Musk, but had some other purpose?”

“Exactly!”

Ji Yuan nodded forcefully.

“Then what do you suggest?”

Ran Kui felt Ji Yuan's reasoning made perfect sense.

When traveling outside...

It was always better to be cautious.

“We still need to kill the Three-Eyed Dark Beast.”

“But at the same time, we must also ensure our own safety.”

“So my suggestion is that we first withdraw from Black Dragon Island and observe the surroundings for a few days.”

“First, to see whether we can discover any additional clues.”

“Second, simply to observe for a while.”

“Once we've confirmed there are no problems...”

“Then we'll kill the Three-Eyed Dark Beast.”

“This...”

Yun Qianzai felt it wasn't really necessary.

“Little Junior Brother is right.”

“We'll do as he says.”

After considering it for a moment, Ran Kui immediately made his decision.

“We'll wait three days.”

“If nothing happens during those three days, then we'll make our move.”

“Alright!”

Feng Zhi Tao waved her little fist.

“With the four of us united, what demon beast can't we defeat!”

“Mhm.”

“Although the Three-Eyed Dark Beast is powerful, it's only at the Late Second Tier.”

“Second Brother and I will be the main attackers.”

“Third Sister will provide support.”

“Fourth Brother, stay farther away.”

“There won't be any problems.”

In just a few sentences, Ran Kui had already arranged everyone's roles for three days later.

Feng Zhi Tao didn't forget to remind him,

“We should inform Black Dragon Island as well.”

“So they'll know we're eliminating the demon beast for them.”

“Good point.”

Ran Kui nodded, just about to speak.

But the King of Pretentiousness had already beaten him to it.

A cold, emotionless voice echoed throughout Black Dragon Island.

“The one harming people here is a Three-Eyed Dark Beast.”

“This Island Master has already discovered its whereabouts.”

“Three days from now, in the southeastern region of Black Dragon Island, I shall personally slay it on the spot and protect your peace!”

The previously noisy crowd below first fell silent.

Then, led by someone unknown, everyone began shouting in unison.

“Many thanks, Senior!”

“Many thanks, Senior!!”

“...”

The cheers grew louder and louder.

Li Yuan and the elders escorting Real Person Black Turtle's remains were originally descending toward the main hall.

Upon hearing Yun Qianzai's declaration, they were equally astonished.

However, what surprised them wasn't Yun Qianzai's willingness to act.

Many of them had heard of the fearsome reputation of the Three-Eyed Dark Beast.

That was why they were so shocked.

Li Yuan was the first to react.

From afar, he cupped his fists toward Ji Yuan's group.

“In that case, many thanks to all of you, Fellow Daoists.”

“Rest assured.”

“Three days from now, I, Li Yuan, will definitely be present!”

His voice was filled with killing intent.

After all...

That creature had killed many people from Black Dragon Island.

“Very well.”

Ran Kui nodded.

Without saying anything more, he glanced at Ji Yuan and the others.

“Let's go!”

With that, he took the lead and flew westward.

Feng Zhi Tao and Yun Qianzai followed closely behind.

Ji Yuan remained at the rear as always.

He continued extending his Divine Sense to remain vigilant.

Yet just as the four of them departed...

He seemed to catch sight of Li Yuan, who had been lowering his head...

Smiling?

Not good!

“Eldest Senior Brother, be careful!”

Ji Yuan immediately transmitted his voice.

The cliff was located on the eastern side of Black Dragon Island, while the sect was on the western side.

Since they were already close to the shoreline, Ran Kui's astonishing speed allowed him to nearly reach the coast in a single breath.

Fortunately...

Ji Yuan's warning arrived just a little sooner.

Just as Ran Kui was about to leave the island, he forcefully came to a stop.

At that very moment...

A curtain of lightning suddenly appeared in the empty space before him.

“Crackle—”

“Boom—”

Electric Light flickered across the lightning curtain.

A divine bolt of lightning suddenly struck down from within.

Ran Kui raised his right hand.

An aqua-blue glow flashed across his right arm.

Immediately afterward, a sleeve shield extended from beneath his sleeve and blocked before him.

The purple lightning struck.

It was firmly blocked by the sleeve shield.

His body was instantly blasted backward dozens of zhang before barely stabilizing himself.

The sleeve shield had been charred black.

Ran Kui merely shook his slightly numb right hand.

Ji Yuan and the other two didn't attack immediately.

With perfect coordination, the four gathered together, standing back-to-back while remaining vigilant in every direction to guard against attacks from behind.

“Li Yuan has a problem.”

Ji Yuan immediately voiced his judgment.

At the same time, he tossed out a drop of Thousand-Year Spiritual Milk, letting it fall before Yun Qianzai.

Earlier, inside the underground cave...

Yun Qianzai had exhausted himself greatly.

Although the Vital Blood Pill had already healed his physical injuries...

His Spiritual Energy had yet to recover.

So, to be safe...

It was better to restore their side's combat strength to its peak first.

Yun Qianzai looked at the drop of Thousand-Year Spiritual Milk before him.

Slightly surprised, he nevertheless swallowed it immediately.

“Formation.”

“I'll make the opening move.”

Just four simple words.

He immediately activated the formation disc in his hand.

The formation changed.

The one he had used against Li Yuan earlier had been a trapping formation.

But now, with an external formation threatening them...

He deployed a defensive formation instead.

Furthermore, the very foundation of his formations lay entirely within the formation disc in his hand.

Thus, even without relying upon mountains or terrain, he could deploy formations in midair.

Ji Yuan's 【Cave Abode】 and 【Formation Chamber】 carried the same capability.

However, with Yun Qianzai present, there was no need for Ji Yuan to reveal them just yet.

As fine raindrops began to fall...

The four figures became hazy within the rain curtain, making them impossible to see clearly.

Yet Ran Kui's voice still rang out from within the rain.

“Li Yuan.”

“What exactly do you mean by this?”

Having put away the sleeve shield and now holding his large halberd, Ran Kui asked in a deep voice.

Opposite him, Li Yuan—who had originally been standing among the crowd—had somehow stepped out from the group.

Standing atop his Flying Boat, he lowered his head.

His expression twisted hideously.

One moment he waved frantically, seemingly urging Ran Kui's group to leave as quickly as possible.

The next moment he let out a sinister chuckle, seemingly intent on silencing all four of them.

...The feeling subconsciously reminded Ji Yuan of the Ice-Fire Elder.

Could this be another split personality?

Surely not.

“It looks like someone is fighting him for control of his body.”

“There's definitely something strange here.”

“We can't wait any longer.”

“I'll attack first.”

“You all adapt accordingly.”

Ran Kui remained as decisive as ever.

Holding the large halberd, he stepped out of the formation.

Gripping it with both hands, he swung it in a full circle while spinning his body.

A dazzling beam of Spiritual Light as majestic as a mountain burst forth from the halberd and slashed directly toward Li Yuan.

The Spiritual Light arrived in an instant.

Although Li Yuan continued struggling...

At such a critical moment, he temporarily achieved unity.

A phantom black dragon flew out from his sleeve.

The black dragon carried a precious pearl in its mouth, circled around his body, then rested its head atop his own while the pearl floated before him.

A Protective Light Barrier appeared automatically.

“Shhk—”

The Spiritual Light struck the barrier, instantly erupting into dazzling bursts of Spiritual Energy.

Li Yuan struggled for control of his body while simultaneously resisting the attack.

But his strength ultimately fell short of Ran Kui's.

Just as the Spiritual Light was about to slash into his body...

He suddenly let out a low shout.

Black smoke enveloped both his hands.

Even his face became half black...

And half white.

He reached forward with both hands and seized the Spiritual Light.

The black smoke spread from his hands, gradually wrapping around the entire attack.

Yet just as he believed he had successfully blocked it...

An aqua-blue escape light tore through the heavens, streaking past him with lightning-like speed.

Li Yuan, who had still been struggling moments before...

Instantly abandoned all resistance.

Or rather...

He simply no longer had the ability to resist.

Against such a close-range assassination strike from a Core Formation cultivator...

There was no way a mere Pseudo-Core cultivator could withstand it.

Ran Kui floated in midair.

He casually flicked the large halberd in his hand before gripping it with one hand and holding it diagonally behind him.

For a moment...

The might of a Core Formation cultivator was displayed to the fullest.

“Eldest Senior Brother... is so strong!”

Feng Zhi Tao stared with astonishment.

They had all assumed Ran Kui had slain Li Yuan using the large halberd in his hand.

But under Ji Yuan's Divine Sense...

He saw everything perfectly clearly.

Ran Kui had used the Heavenly Poison Needle.

Li Yuan's Divine Soul had been annihilated in an instant.

“The formation is still locked onto us.”

Yun Qianzai's voice showed not the slightest relaxation.

Yet at that very moment, Ji Yuan suddenly spoke.

“Quick, look at Elder Black Turtle.”

The three immediately turned their gazes.

The old man who had been sitting motionless upon the dragon carriage suddenly opened his eyes and stretched lazily.

“I really ought to thank all of you.”

“Otherwise...”

“I wouldn't have been able to come out so quickly.”