Chapter 405: Ta'e

At this very moment, a shimmering golden light emerged over Pengze Immortal Island, enveloping it entirely. Inside, all was quiet, save for a few Xianhe soaring through the mountain forests on outstretched wings.

The entire Immortal Island had been sealed off.

But the woman in yellow did not stop. She flew up slowly, arriving outside the golden barrier that covered the surface of Pengze Immortal Island.

She slowly reached out a hand and placed it on the barrier.

A mumbling sound, like some kind of incantation, suddenly escaped her lips.

Immediately, the golden barrier before her began to ripple, the waves spreading faster and faster.

In just a moment, she had actually melted a large hole through the golden barrier.

Seeing this, the woman in yellow let out a charming laugh.

But just as she was about to step inside…

…a point of white light suddenly flared atop the towering Immortal Mountain on Pengze Immortal Island. The light rapidly expanded, transforming into a long streak that shot out like a meteor.

"BANG!"

It slammed into the woman in yellow.

"Ah!"

The woman in yellow cried out in alarm and hastily retreated.

Then, a blue Treasure Sword appeared before Pengze Immortal Island.

The Treasure Sword was heavy and bladeless, appearing plain and ordinary, with no apparent Power of Slaughter. Yet, with a single glance, Shen Daoxing sensed a sharp, wild, and untamable aura from it.

It seemed to possess its own consciousness. Discovering the woman in yellow's intrusion, it let out a series of whooshes, piercing the air as it shot straight up.

Seeing this, the woman in yellow quickly began to mutter. A brilliant pink light erupted around her, and a rolling mist enveloped her body.

When the pink mist dissipated, the woman in yellow had transformed into a towering giant that touched the heavens.

Heaven and Earth!

Seeing the bladeless Treasure Sword fly toward her, the woman in yellow's enormous Golden Body Dharma Aspect suddenly reached out a hand to grab it.

However, the moment the bladeless Treasure Sword flew into the palm of the woman in yellow…

"PFFT!"

…a flash of blue light pierced directly through her palm.

'What is that?'

Hiding not far away, Shen Daoxing took a closer look and couldn't help but realize something.

'It's... Ta'e!'

This was the Lifebound Magical Artifact left behind after Ancestor Dan Chen's passing. It had already developed its own spiritual consciousness and couldn't bear to part with him, even after Ancestor Dan Chen had dissolved his body and returned to the world.

Ta'e was unwilling to leave and had been guarding Pengze Immortal Island, where Ancestor Dan Chen had lived.

This was a Lifebound Magical Artifact that Ancestor Dan Chen had nurtured by his side for a thousand years. It might not have been a Divine Weapon at first, but after a millennium, it had gained its own consciousness. It was now an absolute treasure, in no way inferior to any Divine Soldier.

In the sky, a continuous series of explosions rang out. BANG! BANG! BANG!

Faced with a small, blue, bladeless longsword, the woman in yellow's massive Golden Body Dharma Aspect was beaten back again and again.

Suddenly, Ta'e flew high into the sky, spun in a graceful arc, and then plummeted down in a flash.

The next moment!

"BANG!"

With a deafening boom, the chest of the woman in yellow suddenly burst open, shattering with a CRACK! CRACK!

"BLEGH!"

The woman in yellow opened her mouth and spat out a large mouthful of blood.

Immediately after, countless cracks appeared on her colossal Golden Body Dharma Aspect, which then shattered with a crash.

The woman in yellow reverted to her original size and fell wretchedly from the sky.

Seeing this, Shen Daoxing took a step forward and caught the falling woman in his arms.

The woman in yellow was stunned by Shen Daoxing's sudden appearance. A moment later, she couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle charmingly.

"Oh my, why is it you again, little junior brother? You follow your Senior Sister around day after day. Do you have a crush on me? Aiya, but I've told you before, I'm not interested in a wet-behind-the-ears brat like you!"

However, Shen Daoxing hadn't acted to save her. Instead, he suddenly drew the Great Ming Demon Sparrow.

"SHING!"

He pressed the sword against the woman in yellow.

The woman in yellow was speechless.

She was stunned for a moment, then suddenly broke into another charming laugh. "Aiya! Aiya! You really are something, little junior brother. Always so quick to fight and kill. Is your Senior Sister really that detestable?"

As she spoke, the woman in yellow deliberately pushed out her chest, pressing it against Shen Daoxing's arm.

But Shen Daoxing was completely unmoved. He pressed his sword a little harder and said coldly, "Hand over the Jade Token."

At that moment, the woman in yellow in Shen Daoxing's arms suddenly widened her eyes, her face filled with disbelief. "Junior Sister Muyun?"

Shen Daoxing faltered and quickly looked up, only to see that there was no one in front of him.

Shen Daoxing paused. In the next instant, the woman in his arms had transformed into a swarm of colorful butterflies that scattered in all directions.

At the same time, a loud, charming laugh echoed from the sky. "Help! Someone, help! That lecherous scoundrel is here again!"

Shen Daoxing froze. A moment later, he realized something was wrong. He looked up to see a gigantic paper fan appearing above his head, descending with immense force.

Simultaneously, another point of white light flared in the distance. A slender figure was flying toward him with the speed of lightning.

And that person was none other than Gu Muyun, as cold as ice and frost, as if she could freeze everything around her.

'Talk about enemies on a narrow road!'

Shen Daoxing gave a bitter smile. He had no choice but to give up his pursuit of the woman in yellow. He turned and, with a splash, dived into Yun Meng Lake.

"BOOM!"

The next moment, a beam of sword light that stretched across the sky suddenly slammed into the spot where Shen Daoxing had just been.

The calm surface of the lake below was cleaved open, creating a long fissure. The waters on either side took a long moment to slowly flow back together.

「Meanwhile, at the same time that Grand Elder Wang Guyuan was making his announcement.」

Deep within the Inner Mountain of the Cyan Nether Sword Sect, upon a vast Sky Island of rolling hills and overlapping peaks…

…within a spacious grand hall bathed in a faint blue light, a stern-faced, middle-aged man stood slowly. Clasping his fists, he knelt on one knee and bowed respectfully toward a candlestick beneath a divine statue. "Master!"

The candlelight on the stand flickered. Amidst the hazy light, a towering figure materialized.

The figure was tall, with the appearance of a middle-aged man. His features were sharp and well-defined, exuding an unquestionable, domineering aura. However, his pale white hair revealed his advanced age.

After the tall, illusory figure appeared, a deep voice emanated from him. "How are things proceeding?"

The man kneeling on the ground spoke with utmost respect, "Replying to Master, everything is in order. Please do not worry."

"Mm."

The tall, illusory figure nodded. "This time, we absolutely cannot afford any mistakes in the Immortal Island trial. We must seize control of Pengze Immortal Island."

The middle-aged man kneeling on the ground bowed respectfully. "Please rest assured, Master. With Wushuang present, no one among the younger generation of disciples is his match. The position of Pengze Immortal Island's Island Master will certainly belong to Wushuang."