Demonic Cultivator (481-490) (Patreon)

Chapter 481: Could It Be a Bait?

At the Dragon Tiger Inn, Chu Xuan stepped out of his room and saw Ji Canghai, his face lost in despair.

"Fellow Daoist Ji, what is the matter with you?" he called out several times before Ji Canghai seemed to snap out of his stupor.

With a bitter smile, Ji Canghai replied, "Apologies, Fellow Daoist He. I must have given you quite the spectacle."

Chu Xuan smiled lightly. "If something troubles you, feel free to share."

Ji Canghai sighed. "I wish to see her, but I am no longer a member of the Ji family. Our differences in status…"

Chu Xuan paused, his expression thoughtful. "Will she be attending the Ten Thousand Treasure Conference?"

Ji Canghai nodded. "Yes, she will."

Chu Xuan chuckled. "Once the Ten Thousand Treasure Conference begins, all participants will be allowed entry. You'll have your chance to meet her then."

Ji Canghai's eyes brightened. "You're absolutely right! Thank you, Fellow Daoist He!"

Suddenly, as if a thought had struck him, he hurriedly reached into his storage pouch and pulled out a spiritual sense jade slip.

"Fellow Daoist He, this is the auction list I recently acquired. Indeed, the Ten Thousand Treasure Conference has added even more treasures, many of which were likely unearthed by Hai Zhen from the earth and the sea."

Chu Xuan took the jade slip and pressed it to his forehead, nodding slightly. Compared to the previous jade slip, this one contained much more detailed information, making it far easier for him to select the treasures he desired.

"Hmm?"

As he perused the contents, Chu Xuan's attention was suddenly drawn to a five-pointed star-shaped stone. A description followed beneath the image.

"Shattered Star Stone: a treasure seemingly crafted from comet fragments. It emanates a notable stellar power, which can be used to channel one's vital energy to combat foes. Tests have shown it to be comparable to the full-force strike of a top-tier magical weapon."

The Ten Thousand Treasure Conference had priced it similarly to a top-tier magical weapon. One hundred great spirit stones. However, because this treasure required vital energy to activate, it was likely to fail to sell. After all, not everyone was a body cultivator. Who had such abundant vitality to activate this artifact?

But Chu Xuan immediately recognized what it was. Having spent so many years in the Eight Extremes Palace and having mastered the three core body cultivation techniques—Melting Heaven, Boiling Sea, and Unceasing—he knew this artifact all too well.

This was a token of the disciples of the Celestial Star Hall. With it, one could bypass the Celestial Star Hall's restrictions and enter its inner sanctum.

Moreover, the five-pointed star design signified it was of no low grade. The lowest, a three-pointed star, corresponded to body cultivators at levels one to twenty. A four-pointed star corresponded to levels twenty-one to forty. A five-pointed star, as seen here, was for body cultivators at levels forty-one to sixty.

With this five-pointed star token, one could enter nearly all the buildings of the Celestial Star Hall without obstruction.

Now, with the Celestial Star Hall's ruins lost to time, this token might even lead one to the true location of the Hall's remnants! This, indeed, was the most exciting part.

However, after the brief surge of joy, a sense of caution immediately arose within Chu Xuan's heart. Why, just upon arriving at Golden Thunder Island, had this auction list suddenly appeared, featuring the five-pointed star token? Could it be a bait, specifically designed to lure him in? What role had Ji Canghai played in presenting the auction list to him?

Chu Xuan discreetly studied Ji Canghai with a subtle glance, then shook his head ever so slightly.

Ji Canghai did not seem like the type to harbor deep schemes. Yet, the five-pointed star token was likely a trap.

"I will wait for the Ten Thousand Treasure Conference to begin, and act when the time is right. I must not be the first to raise the bid."

Chu Xuan immediately began to plan his course of action. He continued to browse the auction list. Before long, he found another item that caught his interest. The corpse of a mid-stage Deity Transformation demonic beast.

In fact, there were three of them. One of these demonic beasts, the Ocean Turtle, was imbued with tremendous vital energy. Compared to the other two, the Ocean Turtle was somewhat less valuable. He would be able to acquire it at a much lower price when the time came.

Aside from the five-pointed star token and the Ocean Turtle's corpse, there were also Deity Transformation spiritual items. This time, the Ten Thousand Treasure Conference had offered no fewer than fifteen such items!

Eight bottles of Soul Essence Elixir! Four Spirit Seed Branches! Three Everlasting Vines!

Had the ocean tremor not occurred in the Eastern Second Ring, it was unlikely such a wealth of treasures would have emerged. The Spirit Seed Branches and Everlasting Vines were of particular benefit to Deity Transformation cultivators, and thus were priced higher, naturally attracting more competitors.

Chu Xuan had no intention of fighting over these two Deity Transformation spiritual items. He only aimed to secure a bottle of Soul Essence Elixir. If he failed to acquire even a single bottle, then he would have no choice but to randomly select a generous buyer and invite them to the Heavenly Corpse Tower for a chat. There was no other way. It was simply a matter of necessity. He could not be blamed for it.

"Have you found what you wish for, Fellow Daoist He?" Ji Canghai asked with a warm smile.

Chu Xuan nodded.

Ji Canghai thought for a moment. "The Ten Thousand Treasure Conference is still four days away. I have quite a few high-grade magical treasures I've personally crafted. I'll have the Frost Sword Sect help me auction them as well."

Chu Xuan took out a storage pouch and tossed it to him. "Fellow Daoist Ji, could you help me with this as well? I've been a bit short on funds lately and need to sell some pills."

Ji Canghai smiled and nodded. "It's a small matter!"

With that, he turned and left.

As night fell, Ji Canghai returned to the Dragon Tiger Inn.

"Fellow Daoist He, everything has been taken care of. Your six bottles of pills have been handed over to the Frost Sword Sect for auction. As for my Mixed Primordial Water and Fire Pill…"

Ji Canghai scratched his head.

Chu Xuan took out a bottle of pills and tossed it to him. "By luck, I only managed to refine them successfully on the last attempt."

Ji Canghai quickly caught the bottle, uncorked it, and took a sniff. He immediately relaxed. "Ah, excellent! Fellow Daoist He, your alchemical skills are truly remarkable. I knew I had not mistaken my judgment!"

He looked at Chu Xuan with immense gratitude.

"This is the Small Vast Ocean Bowl I crafted. Over the past period, I've re-forged it and completely erased the spiritual sense mark. It's yours now."

Ji Canghai took out a small, azure-colored bowl, gently stroked it, and then handed it to Chu Xuan.

Chu Xuan immediately accepted it. The acquisition of this treasure had indeed been effortless.

"Although this Small Vast Ocean Bowl is only a replica, not just anyone could have replicated it. Fellow Daoist Ji, such a remarkable talent—why was it that the Ji family drove you away?"

Chu Xuan suddenly inquired.

Ji Canghai let out a bitter laugh. "Ah… It's a long story. Indeed, I was exceptionally gifted back then and quickly became a core member of the family. I had long intended to replicate the Vast Ocean Bowl and forge my own version, but I was too eager for success in my youth. In my arrogance, I accidentally triggered a violent eruption of the Earth Fire."

A deep sorrow flickered in Ji Canghai's eyes. "The eruption of the Earth Fire exceeded safe limits, burning more than a dozen young alchemists to ash. And after that, the fire was permanently extinguished… To think that such Earth Fires were only owned by four families, including the Ji family. My father was from a collateral branch, and coupled with my reckless youth, I indeed offended many people. There were many entanglements of power and interests. I don't wish to go into further detail. In the end, after deliberations in the family council, I was permanently expelled from the Ji family."

Ji Canghai gestured toward the Small Vast Ocean Bowl in Chu Xuan's hands. "This item was forged after I left the Ji family, wandering for over a decade, until one day, I had an epiphany and finally succeeded in crafting it."

He smiled wryly. "I don't know if it's a case of misfortune turning into fortune."

Chapter 482: The Nine Yang Golden Flame

Chu Xuan furrowed his brow. "Then why not offer the Small Vast Ocean Bowl? That might allow you to return to the Ji family."

Successfully crafting a replica of the Vast Ocean Bowl was no small feat, especially for a family like the Ji family, renowned for its weapon forging. Such an achievement would surely be enough for Ji Canghai to be warmly invited back.

Ji Canghai shook his head. "I extinguished one of the family's Earth Fires and inadvertently killed over ten weapon forgers, causing the family's wealth to decline. My heart is heavy with guilt. How could I dare return to the Ji family?

"Only for her do I have regrets, and that is why I wish to repay her in some small way. Delivering the Mixed Primordial Water and Fire Pills into her hands, and inquiring after her father's well-being, will put my mind at rest. Afterward, I'll wander the world, living freely, for what place in this vast world is not suitable to settle down?"

As he spoke the last words, Ji Canghai smiled, clearly having let go of his past and moved beyond the shadows of his regrets.

Chu Xuan nodded, understanding. He had seen enough of deceit and manipulation in this world. Someone as sincere as Ji Canghai was truly rare.

A few days later, the Ten Thousand Treasure Conference was held as scheduled at the Heavenly Thunder Pavilion on Golden Thunder Island.

Chu Xuan and Ji Canghai soon arrived.

Golden Thunder Island, a place where land was as valuable as gold, was the only fitting location for the Ten Thousand Treasure Conference.

As the event began, light rain began to fall over the island, and distant rumbles of thunder could be heard. However, once the formation was activated, all rain and noise were blocked outside. Even the Strange Winds could not disrupt the normal proceedings of the Ten Thousand Treasure Conference.

Chu Xuan and Ji Canghai, with their Nascent Soul cultivation, easily entered the Heavenly Thunder Pavilion.

Looking around at the audience, most of them were Nascent Soul cultivators. Only a small portion of late-stage Golden Core cultivators had been granted entry, and their seats were located in the lower rows.

To participate in an event like the Ten Thousand Treasure Conference, one needed either profound cultivation or immense financial resources. Without either, one could never gain entry.

Chu Xuan and Ji Canghai had reserved a second-class private room in advance. The price for a second-class private room was one hundred great spirit stones per seat—far more than the ordinary seats below. The view from the second-class room was also much better, allowing a direct view of the central stage.

Above the second-class rooms were the first-class private rooms, located on the highest floor of the Heavenly Thunder Pavilion. From there, one could easily see everything in the second-class rooms and the ordinary audience.

Moreover, the walls of the first-class rooms were made of one-way glass, ensuring the utmost privacy for the buyers. One could see out, but no one could see in. If a buyer had any other special requests, the Heavenly Thunder Pavilion would do its best to accommodate them. With such attentive service, naturally, the price soared.

Compared to the second-class rooms, the price of the first-class rooms was ten times higher, reaching one thousand great spirit stones per seat. With a bit of extra effort, one could buy a low-grade spiritual artifact.

Chu Xuan felt no need to appear like an easy target, so he did not reserve a first-class private room. He guessed that the first-class rooms were likely reserved for the higher-ups of the Deity Transformation realm and the senior sect members, not for most Nascent Soul cultivators like himself.

After entering the second-class private room with Ji Canghai, Chu Xuan noticed that the space wasn't large—at most, it resembled a tea room in size. However, the furnishings were imbued with an ancient charm.

The tables, chairs, and screens were all crafted froma thousand-year-old sandalwood. A delicate incense burner sent out wisps of thin blue smoke, and a faint, soothing fragrance filled the air, creating an atmosphere that was both calming and refreshing.

The two had just settled into their seats when a graceful female cultivator entered, swaying her waist as she presented tea and refreshments. She then produced a mirror-shaped magic tool.

"Esteemed seniors, this item is called the Transmission Mirror. Through this mirror, you may place your bids during the auction."

Chu Xuan nodded slightly, waving his hand in dismissal. The female cultivator left quietly.

Just then, a commotion stirred from the crowd below. Chu Xuan turned to look and saw four Nascent Soul cultivators surrounding a beautiful woman as she entered. The woman was holding the hand of a young girl.

Her beauty was such that even Chu Xuan was somewhat surprised.

Ji Canghai suddenly stood up, his face filled with hesitation, pacing back and forth in agitation.

Chu Xuan raised an eyebrow. "Is that the one who holds your heart? She's already married to another, yet you still harbor feelings for her."

Ji Canghai forced a bitter smile and nodded. "I've lost my composure. Apologies, Fellow Daoist He, for making a spectacle of myself."

Chu Xuan gestured toward the first-class private rooms above. "They've entered the sixth one. Later, when the opportunity arises, you can go meet her."

Ji Canghai nodded firmly, clutching the Mixed Primordial Water and Fire Pills tightly in his hand, as if he were a youth experiencing his first love.

Chu Xuan shook his head, deciding not to pay further attention to Ji Canghai. It was more prudent to focus on his own goals for this gathering.

Soon, more Deity Transformation cultivators appeared, though they were all in the early stages of Deity Transformation. These must have been cultivators who had heard of the Ten Thousand Treasure Conference and had come from other sea regions.

Chu Xuan also spotted Li Qingfeng and Deyuan among the new arrivals.

Finally, the Deity Transformation cultivators from the Exquisite Treasures Alliance and the Frost Sword Sect made their entrance, their presence commanding the respectful gazes of the surrounding cultivators.

Once all the Deity Transformation cultivators had arrived, the lights in the Heavenly Thunder Pavilion suddenly dimmed and then converged on the central stage. The sounds of chatter faded into complete silence.

Everyone's attention was now focused solely on the stage.

A graceful woman in blue stepped onto the stage. Her beauty was captivating, her curves full and alluring. With just a slight smile, she drew all eyes to her.

Chu Xuan casually asked, "Who is she?"

Ji Canghai whispered, "She's a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Frost Sword Sect, Senior Leng Jixin's second disciple, Gao Lingwei."

Chu Xuan gave a slight nod. He then heard Gao Lingwei softly part her cherry lips and speak in a clear, resonant voice.

"Thank you, fellow daoists, for gathering here today at the Heavenly Thunder Pavilion to attend the Ten Thousand Treasure Conference. I shall not waste any more of your precious time with needless words. Let the Ten Thousand Treasure Conference officially begin!"

The cultivators cheered in response. Such a considerate host pleased them greatly. Many auction organizers loved to drag on with long-winded speeches, which could be quite irksome.

Gao Lingwei raised her voice again. "Now, the first item for auction!"

With a wave of her hand, four muscular men appeared, each carrying a massive object wrapped in red cloth. They ascended the stage with difficulty, clearly struggling under the weight of the object.

The men had powerful builds and vigorous auras, indicating that they were not weak, likely body cultivators at a high level. But as they descended the stage, they were panting heavily, showing just how heavy the item was.

Gao Lingwei gently caressed the massive object, her voice full of pride. "This first auction item is quite extraordinary. According to the joint examination of two Deity Transformation cultivators, this treasure is a priceless artifact from the ancient sect, the True Yang Sect. It is called the Nine Yang Cauldron, and inside it burns a rare Nine Yang Golden Flame!"

With a sudden motion, she pulled away the red cloth. A loud rustling sound echoed as a vast, ancient, and fiery red cauldron appeared before the eyes of the gathered cultivators. The cauldron stood over ten zhang tall, its surface mottled with age and wrapped in swirling flames. The heat emanating from it was undeniable.

Even Gao Lingwei, a Nascent Soul cultivator, was forced to step back a few paces due to the intense heat. However, she smiled brightly and continued, "The Nine Yang Golden Flame is a rare and powerful spirit fire—extremely yang and invulnerable. It can exorcise evil and purge malevolent spirits. Although this fire is currently only a tiny flame, its power is extraordinary. Anyone who masters the use of this spirit fire, at the same cultivation level, would be virtually invincible!"

Chapter 483: Rich People Are Everywhere

Gao Lingwei raised her hand, and a burly man approached respectfully, tossing a fierce ghost into the cauldron. The ghost's soul was solid and appeared to be at the level of a low-tier ghost king, but before it could even let out a mournful cry, it was instantly reduced to ashes by the fire.

The cultivators were stunned. Such a powerful spirit fire truly existed in the world! What was even more unbelievable was that it could be forged through postnatal methods!

Though many had known from the auction list that this item would be presented, seeing it in person left them unable to believe their eyes.

Gao Lingwei smiled and continued, "This cauldron's grade is uncertain, but at least a Nascent Soul late-stage cultivator would be required to control it. As for the fire itself, its value is immeasurable. Fellow Daoists, if you are able to acquire this treasure, your strength will undoubtedly soar to new heights!"

The cultivators were all visibly excited, feeling a restless energy stir within them. It was as if a wild deer was galloping in their hearts.

"Fellow Daoist Gao, enough introductions! Just tell us the starting price already!"

"Yes, yes! Though we Golden Core cultivators may not have the chance to claim this treasure, it would at least help us understand the price, so we can fully give up on it."

A voice suddenly came from the fourth-grade VIP room.

"Young Gao, just tell us the base price! Old man here can't wait any longer with twenty thousand great spirit stones!"

A mocking voice immediately followed from the fifth-grade VIP room.

"Twenty thousand great spirit stones, and you think you can claim such a treasure? Fellow Daoist, you're dreaming."

The fourth-grade VIP room's voice turned slightly irritated. "Then tell us, what price would be suitable? The base price must be at least one hundred thousand, but it will likely reach four hundred thousand by the end!"

The entire hall fell into an uproar.

Four hundred thousand great spirit stones?! That was ridiculous.

For many Golden Core cultivators, one great spirit stone could take days of effort to acquire. For most Nascent Soul cultivators, one hundred great spirit stones were enough to purchase a top-tier attack magic treasure, greatly boosting their strength.

Ten thousand great spirit stones could easily buy a low-grade spirit weapon, something only Deity Transformation cultivators could use. And now, this massive cauldron along with its spirit fire was going to cost four hundred thousand great spirit stones?

Gao Lingwei looked around the room, seeing the eager faces of the crowd, and finally smiled, announcing, "The base price is one hundred thousand great spirit stones! Each increment must be no less than one thousand great spirit stones!"

Chu Xuan gazed thoughtfully at the Nine Yang Golden Cauldron from afar.

He couldn't help but feel a slight restlessness stirring within him. Whether it was because both were spirit fires, he couldn't say for sure, but the Netherfire Devouring Flame—constantly residing in his Nascent Soul and hovering within his dantian—seemed to react. It grew agitated, as if it had caught a whiff of something enticing, yet unable to pinpoint the source, it aimlessly swirled within his dantian.

From the Netherfire Devouring Flame's reaction, Chu Xuan could make a preliminary conclusion.

The Nine Yang Golden Flame was indeed powerful—extremely yang, fierce, and capable of warding off evil and exorcising demons. However, it seemed unlikely to surpass the Netherfire Devouring Flame.

Furthermore, as Gao Lingwei had already mentioned, the Nine Yang Golden Flame was still just a fledgling flame, a mere flicker compared to the Netherfire Devouring Flame, which had consumed countless flesh and blood, reaching its peak.

Moreover, for safety's sake, Chu Xuan had no intention of bidding on such a treasure. If he acquired the Nine Yang Cauldron and its flame, it would undoubtedly make him a target. There would be countless eyes on him, and even someone like the simple-hearted Ji Canghai might begin to entertain some greedy thoughts.

Greed was an insidious temptation that no one could easily cast aside.

"One hundred and twenty thousand!"

"One hundred and thirty thousand!"

"I bid one hundred and sixty thousand!"

Cultivators eagerly raised their bids. But soon, the price soared beyond what most Nascent Soul cultivators could accept. Only Deity Transformation cultivators in the higher VIP rooms began to bid with confidence, writing their offers on the transmission mirrors.

Gao Lingwei held a transmission mirror in her hand, allowing her to see all the bids from the VIP rooms.

"From the second-grade VIP room, the senior bids two hundred and fifty thousand!"

Chu Xuan listened without reacting, remaining calm. After all, he had never planned to participate in this bidding war. The more the price increased, the less it concerned him.

Beside him, Ji Canghai remained unperturbed as well. After all, he was from the Ji family and had seen his fair share of grand occasions.

Soon, the first auction item was claimed by a Deity Transformation cultivator from the ninth-grade VIP room for four hundred and ten thousand great spirit stones.

Chu Xuan glanced at that VIP room. He recognized the cultivator—he seemed to be a Deity Transformation cultivator from the Mountain Sword Sect.

The Nine Yang Cauldron and its flame had thoroughly captured the attention of all the cultivators present.

After the first item was sold, Gao Lingwei seized the moment and immediately presented the second item.

"This next item is a low-grade spirit artifact."

She unveiled the red cloth to reveal a small bell.

"This bell is called the Great Yin Bell. After infusing it with Spiritual Qi, it can rapidly expand or shrink. When enlarged, it can fall from the sky to strike down opponents, and when contracted, it can envelop the user to defend against attacks." Gao Lingwei smiled, "This is a rare defensive spirit artifact. The base price is twelve thousand great spirit stones. Each increase must be no less than one hundred great spirit stones!"

Chu Xuan nodded slightly.

Defensive treasures did tend to be more expensive than offensive ones. Typically, low-grade spirit artifacts were priced around ten thousand great spirit stones. While the base price for the Great Yin Bell was set at ten thousand, it would inevitably be bid up slightly. He estimated that the final price would likely reach around eighteen or nineteen thousand great spirit stones.

As for low-grade spirit artifacts, he was far from lacking. The Green Hell Lamp, White Dragon's Claw, Dragonbone Bottle, and Dark Abyss Robe were all low-grade spirit artifacts.

In addition, his Evil Soul Chain, White Bone Stele, and Sky-Shielding Umbrella were already considered top-tier magic treasures. The Blood Demon Flask was a step away from being a top-grade magic treasure. But with the right celestial materials, it too could be upgraded to a spirit artifact. As for the Myriad Insects Nest, it wasn't a weapon or a defense treasure, so as long as its grade wasn't too low, it would serve its purpose.

The Great Yin Bell had decent defensive capabilities, but compared to his existing treasures, it was still a bit lacking.

In the end, the Great Yin Bell sold for twenty thousand great spirit stones, a price slightly higher than Chu Xuan's estimate.

"Rich people are everywhere," he muttered with a shake of his head.

After the second item was sold, the third, fourth, and fifth auction items followed in succession.

It had to be said that Gao Lingwei was born to be in this line of work. She was stunningly beautiful, and every move she made—from her smile to her posture—seemed carefully choreographed to perfection. She could always stir the excitement of the cultivators, keeping the auction atmosphere alive. Apart from the fourth item, all the other auctioned treasures sold for a bit more than expected.

During the auction, Chu Xuan seized the opportunity to bid on a bottle of Soul Essence Elixir. Many Nascent Soul late-stage cultivators were focused on the Spirit Root Branches and the Longevity Vines, so they didn't compete with him. As a result, he was able to acquire it with a modest markup.

With the Soul Essence Elixir in hand, Chu Xuan felt his trip was already worthwhile. Now, all he needed to focus on were the demonic beast flesh and the five-pointed star token.

Not long after, a massive block of ice was carried onto the stage, inside which lay a perfectly preserved Sea Turtle corpse, seemingly lifelike.

Chapter 484: Small Vast Ocean Bowl

The Sea Turtle corpse was massive, measuring over twelve zhang in length. Although it was just a skeleton now, it still exuded a formidable aura, making everyone's hearts race with trepidation.

There was a deep, gaping wound on its head, clearly the fatal blow.

Gao Lingwei wiped the sweat from her forehead, her expression slightly fatigued, but she still managed to show her professional smile as she introduced, "This is the corpse of a mid-stage Deity Transformation demonic beast, the Sea Turtle.

"The Sea Turtle is known for its immense physical strength, and its shell is the perfect material for crafting defensive spirit tools. With some additional materials, it can even be forged into an excellent suit of personal armor.

"The entire Sea Turtle corpse weighs eight hundred thousand pounds. The turtle shell will be auctioned as a whole for two thousand great spirit stones. Each pound of turtle bone is priced at eighty great spirit stones. Each pound of turtle meat is priced at sixty great spirit stones."

Gao Lingwei finished listing the auction details in one breath before offering a bright smile, "Now, let's begin the auction."

As soon as she finished speaking, bids began to pour in.

The Sea Turtle was a Deity Transformation early-stage demonic beast, and its demonic beast meat contained a powerful life force. Even if one didn't use it personally, it could be fed to younger generations to help strengthen their physiques. If they started consuming this kind of demonic beast meat from the Qi Refining stage, even without focusing on physical training, their bodies would become exceptionally resilient. It was like starting ahead of others in a race.

Chu Xuan grinned, nodding to himself. This auction method was rather clever. It saved him a lot of trouble. In truth, all he needed was a small chunk of Sea Turtle meat, no bigger than the size of his palm.

The Psionic Cube would naturally help him grow more demonic beast meat over time. Buying too much would be wasteful. Of course, buying too little wouldn't do either, as it would raise suspicions. So, he spent six hundred great spirit stones to purchase ten pounds of Sea Turtle meat.

"Where's Ji Canghai? Why hasn't he come back yet?" Chu Xuan glanced at the empty seat beside him and frowned.

Ji Canghai had just left the private room moments earlier to visit the first-class private room where Ji Yunjin was. It had been a while, yet he hadn't returned.

...

At that moment, in the first-class private room number one, Ji Yunjin sat across from Ji Canghai.

Ji Qianqian, hidden behind her mother, stared curiously at Ji Canghai with wide eyes.

The four Nascent Soul cultivators from the Ji family who had originally been in the room were all dispatched outside to guard the entrance.

Ji Canghai's lips moved for a long time before he finally spoke, his voice hesitant, "Yunjin... it's been so long since we last met, and you're still the same, unchanged."

Ji Yunjin, with a gentle smile, adjusted a lock of her hair and replied, "Cousin, you've changed quite a bit. You were always so confident and full of ambition, but now... you seem a little uncertain."

Ji Canghai gave an awkward smile. Suddenly, something seemed to cross his mind, and he quickly took out a jade vial and handed it to her.

"I heard that your daughter has a rare water-fire spiritual body, and she's been suffering greatly because of it. This is a Mixed Primordial Water and Fire Pill I obtained. It should completely resolve her issue. This Mixed Primordial Water and Fire Pill... consider it a gift from me to Qianqian for our reunion."

Ji Canghai glanced at Ji Qianqian and smiled kindly.

The little girl, with large, watery eyes, remained silent but clearly wasn't as afraid of Ji Canghai as before.

Ji Yunjin took the pill, surprised.

"Mixed Primordial Water and Fire Pill? This pill uses extremely rare materials, and it's very difficult to refine. Even many Deity Transformation-level alchemists can't guarantee they'll succeed in making it. How did you…?"

Ji Canghai smiled faintly, "I asked a friend to refine it. His alchemy skills are remarkable; after two failures, he finally succeeded in making the pill."

Ji Yunjin's eyes softened with affection, "Thank you, cousin. Even though you've been away from the family for so long, you still remember me."

Ji Canghai then asked, "How is my father? Is he well?"

Ji Yunjin smiled gently, "He's fine. He's still serving as the Elder of the Family's Punishment Hall."

Ji Canghai let out a sigh of relief. "That's good. I'm glad to hear that."

Ji Yunjin, covering her mouth slightly, suddenly asked, "Cousin, did you come to see me because you want to return to the Ji family? You've been expelled from the family for a hundred years, and my father has tried to persuade the elders countless times, but no one has relented. However, with your talents, cousin, if you achieve even a little success, the Elders should be easy to convince."

Ji Canghai scratched his head, "I still feel guilty, so I don't intend to return to the family. But knowing my father is well and that I've given you the Mixed Primordial Water and Fire Pill... I can rest easy."

Ji Yunjin nodded, then suddenly asked, "Cousin, haven't you always wanted to replicate the Vast Ocean Bowl? Have you made any progress?"

Ji Canghai's eyes brightened with excitement, his face unable to hide the joy. "Yunjin, I must admit, I really did manage to replicate it. My Small Vast Ocean Bowl can also gather Vast Ocean Water, just like the original. It can also be used to cultivate Windcatcher Grass. However, the Vast Ocean Water it produces is only about one-tenth of the original bowl's capacity."

As he spoke, Ji Canghai appeared a bit regretful.

Ji Yunjin's eyes lit up. Her voice grew even more gentle, "Cousin, may I see this Small Vast Ocean Bowl?"

Ji Canghai shook his head. "I gave it away."

Ji Yunjin frowned in confusion. "Cousin, what are you saying? Such a treasure, if offered to the family, would certainly allow you to return. Why would you give it away for no reason?"

Ji Canghai shook his head again. "It was the reward for the friend who helped me refine the Mixed Primordial Water and Fire Pill."

Ji Yunjin seemed to ponder for a moment, then smiled brightly, her expression growing even more enchanting.

"I see now. Cousin is so generous, all for Qianqian's sake."

She took the little girl's hand and said, "Qianqian, greet your Uncle Hai properly."

Only then did Ji Qianqian call out in a clear voice, "Uncle Hai."

Ji Canghai smiled and nodded, though his smile was tinged with a hint of bitterness.

Ji Yunjin suddenly asked, "Cousin, would you allow me to meet this fellow daoist in person? I'd like to thank him properly."

Ji Canghai was about to respond but hesitated, then shook his head. "It's better not to. From what I know of him, he doesn't like getting involved in too many matters."

Ji Yunjin sighed softly. "Such a pity. Alright, I won't keep you any longer. If the Elders of the Council find out we've been in contact, they will certainly be upset."

Ji Canghai stood up, preparing to leave.

Ji Yunjin's face showed a hint of reluctance. "Cousin, take care, and cherish yourself."

Ji Canghai gave a solemn nod and walked out quickly.

Once his figure disappeared into the distance, Ji Yunjin suddenly spoke in a low voice, "Follow him. Find out which private room he's in."

"Understood," came the respectful voice of a Ji family disciple from outside the door.

A short while later, the same disciple returned to the room and spoke in a low voice, "Third Miss, after Ji Canghai left, he went directly to the 75th No. 2 private room. I overheard from a Frost Sword Sect disciple that there are two people in that room—Ji Canghai and a man named He Liang. According to the Frost Sword Sect, Ji Canghai has placed bids on many magic treasures and pills, and all the pills are listed under He Liang's name. It can be confirmed that He Liang is an alchemist."

Ji Qianqian tilted her head, a confused look on her face. "Mother, isn't Uncle Hai a good person?"

Chapter 485: Black Robe Bandits Are Attacking

Ji Yunjin held her daughter in her arms, gently pinching her delicate little nose. "Uncle Hai is a good person, but this world can't accommodate too many good people."

She sighed softly and continued, "Let me teach you something, Qianqian. You must become the worst villain—worse than everyone else—if you want to live a long life, to live until the very end."

Hearing her mother's words, Ji Qianqian, still young and naive, nodded slightly, not fully understanding.

Ji Yunjin sighed again, her heart heavy with thoughts. "A mere outsider, how could he deserve something like the Small Vast Ocean Bowl? It should have returned to the family long ago. Cousin, do not blame me. For the sake of my branch returning to the family core, I have no choice but to resort to such measures."

Meanwhile, the auction had temporarily paused.

The cultivators were engaged in lively discussions, their expressions full of excitement. In the private rooms, Nascent Soul late-stage and even Deity Transformation experts also began to move around, taking advantage of the break.

Chu Xuan, observing Ji Canghai's return to his private room, smiled faintly, preparing to speak. But as his spiritual sense spread out, he suddenly sensed someone following Ji Canghai back. His brows arched slightly.

Interesting. It seemed the Ten Thousand Treasure Conference wasn't just a simple auction after all. There were hidden risks, ones that couldn't be easily explained.

A moment later, Ji Canghai entered the room, his expression one of relief. "The pills have been given to her. My wish has been fulfilled."

Chu Xuan smiled and nodded. "That's good to hear. Please, take a seat."

As Ji Canghai settled down, the two began to chat casually. Meanwhile, Chu Xuan kept his attention focused on the events inside the Heavenly Thunder Pavilion. Any unfamiliar faces or changes in personnel immediately caught his eye.

"During the break, more than twenty unfamiliar Nascent Soul cultivators have infiltrated the Heavenly Thunder Pavilion. Their auras are quite formidable. Even some key positions have been taken over by new faces. As I suspected, the Five-Pointed Star token is being used as bait."

Chu Xuan's brows furrowed. This was becoming a bit tricky. If he wanted to seize the Five-Pointed Star token now, it would be much more difficult.

There were two Deity Transformation mid-stage cultivators from the Frost Sword Sect and Exquisite Treasures Alliance within the pavilion, along with Li Qingfeng from the Divine Sword Sect and Deyuan from the Serpent Buddha Temple, both of whom were early-stage Deity Transformation cultivators.

Taking the Five-Pointed Star token from among these Deity Transformation experts…

He wouldn't die, but he'd certainly be seriously injured. And serious injuries were nothing to take lightly. If things went wrong, even a Foundation Establishment cultivator could swoop in and snatch it from him.

"The scene must be chaotic enough for me to take advantage of the confusion."

Chu Xuan pondered quietly. But how can this situation be turned chaotic?

...

Outside Heavenly Thunder Pavilion, within the Dragon Tiger Inn, a man in his forties stood at the highest point of the inn. Dressed in black, his presence exuded a deadly aura. He took a step forward, leaning against the railing as he gazed out at Heavenly Thunder Pavilion. His name was Wang Tiancheng, the leader of the Black Robe Bandits.

A short while later, another man dressed in black approached swiftly—a tall, slender middle-aged man. He bowed respectfully.

"Leader, everything has been set up. As soon as the formation is broken, explosions will rock the area, igniting fires to create chaos. Our people will storm the island in large numbers. Song Tingfeng will cooperate with us from within. When the time comes, the Third Miss of the Ji family will be within our grasp, and the descendants of the Eight Extremes Palace will also be captured alive."

Wang Tiancheng nodded slightly.

"Good. Go, and wait for my signal."

"Yes." The tall man left at once.

Wang Tiancheng continued to gaze at Heavenly Thunder Pavilion, his face silent.

...

Inside Heavenly Thunder Pavilion, the Ten Thousand Treasure Conference resumed as Gao Lingwei took the stage once more. One auction item after another flowed by, but Chu Xuan remained unmoved. None of these items piqued his interest.

Another hour passed.

Gao Lingwei casually waved her hand, and yet another item was brought onto the stage. Without a word, she pulled the red cloth away, revealing a five-pointed star-shaped object.

"This treasure is called the Star Fragment Stone, shaped like a five-pointed star, and believed to be a piece of a comet. It contains the power of the stars. After being tested by a Deity Transformation expert, it was found that when this treasure is infused with blood qi, it releases a beam of starlight.

"The power of the starlight beam is equivalent to a full-strength strike from a top-tier attack magic treasure. Its starting price is one hundred great spirit stones, with each increase in bid not less than one great spirit stone."

Gao Lingwei smiled as she surveyed the crowd. However, the cultivators merely whispered among themselves, showing no signs of bidding. Several dozen breaths passed, but no one made a move.

Gao Lingwei's smile began to falter, her expression stiffening. Is it going to be unsold?

Ji Canghai chuckled softly. "How rare, it looks like this might be the first item to fail at the auction. The first unsold treasure at this Ten Thousand Treasure Conference."

Chu Xuan continued to observe the Star Fragment Stone, his expression unchanged. No matter who made a bid, he wouldn't follow suit. He was content to simply watch.

Gao Lingwei couldn't help but ask, "Is there truly no fellow daoist willing to bid?"

A Nascent Soul cultivator shook his head. "This treasure has the power of a top-tier attack magic treasure, but that's all it has. Top-tier magic treasures can both attack and defend, offering flexibility in battle. This Star Fragment Stone, aside from firing a beam of starlight, what other uses does it have?"

Gao Lingwei was left speechless. She truly couldn't think of any other uses for the Star Fragment Stone. She couldn't afford to make up an explanation either, as that would tarnish the reputation of the Frost Sword Sect and Exquisite Treasures Alliance.

As Gao Lingwei bit her lip, preparing to announce the unsold item, a voice suddenly rang out.

"One hundred and one great spirit stones, I'll take it. Just consider it a small trinket."

Many cultivators turned their gaze toward the speaker.

Chu Xuan also looked toward the individual.

"Huh, Tie Jun?" He raised an eyebrow.

Tie Jun was a member of the Moon Association from the southern third ring. Chu Xuan had met him when he first arrived on Moon Island. During the Eight Extremes Palace event, Tie Jun had handed over treasures and then entered the teleportation array. He hadn't expected this person to be sent to the eastern sea region of the Star Fragment Sea just like him.

Chu Xuan couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for Tie Jun.

Some people were alive, but already dead.

...

"One hundred and one great spirit stones, once!"

"One hundred and one great spirit stones, twice!"

"Sold!"

Gao Lingwei beamed with a smile, looking at Tie Jun. "Fellow daoist, congratulations…"

Her words were cut off by a violent explosion.

Boom!

The deafening sound made the ears of many cultivators ring with excruciating pain.

Especially for the weaker Golden Core cultivators, whose eardrums ruptured, bleeding painfully.

Chu Xuan turned his gaze and saw Gao Lingwei, the beautiful woman in blue, now only had the top half of her body remaining.

The upper half had been blasted away.

A massive hole had been torn open in a corner of Heavenly Thunder Pavilion, and sunlight streamed in from the outside.

Many cultivators didn't even have time to react before they were torn apart by the explosion.

Inside Heavenly Thunder Pavilion, chaos erupted at once!

Outside, the screams of cultivators could be heard.

"Black Robe Bandits! The Black Robe Bandits are attacking!"

Along with the screams came a series of continuous explosions, some near and some far, indicating that similar chaos was unfolding all over Golden Thunder Island.

...

"The Black Robe Bandits have come? It looks like this Ten Thousand Treasure Conference isn't just some simple bait-and-switch. There are other people, other forces, setting up traps!"

Chu Xuan's mind raced, and within an instant, he formed a new theory.

Chapter 486: Chaos

The cries of anguish, the sounds of battle, and the clashing of magic treasures quickly filled Heavenly Thunder Pavilion. The chaos spread across Golden Thunder Island as well.

Chu Xuan and Ji Canghai, standing on opposite sides of the glazed walls, could see that Heavenly Thunder Pavilion had transformed into a veritable battlefield.

Many cultivators, unable to afford the treasures they coveted, would normally have left regretfully. Under normal circumstances, the Frost Sword Sect would ensure the safety of all buyers.

At the very least, on Golden Thunder Island, any buyer would be guaranteed security. Anyone who dared disturb the order set by the Frost Sword Sect would face a terrible end.

However, this sudden chaos presented an opportunity for those who wished to take advantage of the confusion. Some cultivators turned on their fellow competitors, hoping to seize long-desired treasures. Others rushed toward the Heavenly Thunder Pavilion's storage rooms, where more auction items were likely kept.

Greed, always lurking like a parasitic worm, gripped the hearts of many.

Ji Canghai was astonished. "How could this happen? Where are Frost Sword Sect's Frost True Master and Exquisite Treasures Alliance's Manager Song? There are other Deity Transformation cultivators here—why aren't they taking action against the Black Robe Bandits?"

Chu Xuan pointed towards a corner of Heavenly Thunder Pavilion that had been blown open. Through the gap, they could see part of the sky outside, where several Deity Transformation cultivators were engaged in battle. In the center of the chaos was the Deity Transformation cultivator from the Mountain Sword Sect.

"They're fighting over the Nine Yang Cauldron and Nine Yang Golden Flame," Chu Xuan said calmly.

Ji Canghai blinked. "…That makes sense."

The Nine Yang Cauldron, worth four hundred thousand great spirit stones, was something anyone would covet.

Chu Xuan's gaze remained fixed on the auction stage.

Cultivators were fighting and killing, yet none of them paid attention to the Five-Pointed Star Token.

In the midst of the chaos, Tie Jun attempted to charge toward it, but he was surrounded by several Black Robe Bandits and had to flee in a panic.

Ji Canghai's concern deepened as he looked at the mayhem around them. "This is bad. Could the Black Robe Bandits be after Yun Jin and the others?"

After a moment of thought, he quickly retrieved two small shield magic treasures from his storage bag and shoved them into Chu Xuan's hands. "Fellow Daoist He, these are high-grade defensive magic treasures I've crafted. Use them for now. You were seriously injured after your battle with Yan Kun from the Blood Cloud Cave last time. Even if a few years have passed, you probably haven't fully recovered. You won't be able to unleash your full strength. Given the current chaotic situation, the more defensive magic treasures you have, the better. I'm lending these to you. Just return them when you can."

Ji Canghai's eyes turned serious as he added, "I'm going to check on Yun Jin and the others. I can't help you further."

Chu Xuan couldn't help but let out a quiet chuckle.

"High-grade defensive magic treasures?" he thought to himself. "Unfortunately, I have no use for them."

Ji Canghai murmured urgently, "Fellow Daoist He, you should leave. This place is no longer safe."

Chu Xuan nodded. "Take care of yourself."

He paused for a moment, his gaze turning serious. "Be cautious; the Third Miss of the Ji family is not someone to be underestimated."

Ji Canghai froze for a moment before responding, "I understand. Thank you, Fellow Daoist."

Without further words, he turned and dashed toward the upper floors, heading for one of the private rooms.

Chu Xuan massaged his wrist, a faint smile appearing on his lips. "Before I leave, I still have something to retrieve from the auction stage."

He didn't hesitate. With a swift motion, he shattered the glazed wall and made a beeline for the auction platform. Because no one else was trying to claim the item, Chu Xuan easily seized it. Without wasting a moment, he sprinted toward the exit of Heavenly Thunder Pavilion.

However, just as he had barely taken a few steps from the stage, a crazed Nascent Soul cultivator charged toward him with a malicious grin.

"Hand over your storage bag, you—"

Before he could finish, the cultivator's head was sent flying, soaring into the air. Chu Xuan swept past him in a blur, snatching the storage bag from the air as he did.

Weaving through the panicked crowd, Chu Xuan finally managed to break free from the chaos of Heavenly Thunder Pavilion. As he exited, the sight before him made his heart sink. The ground was littered with headless corpses.

Among the dead were many Nascent Soul cultivators—some in the later stages, others in the middle—but now, they were no more than lifeless bodies, as insignificant as pigs or dogs. His gaze was drawn to a bloodstained line on the ground.

Ten or more cultivators had gathered just inside the line, yet they dared not move an inch forward. They were frozen in place, eyes wide with fear. Standing ahead of them, blocking the way, was a figure clad in black. The figure held a bloodstained sword, its tip dripping with fresh blood.

The gruesome, wicked-looking blade struck fear into the hearts of all who gazed upon it. Beside the black-clad figure, four other men stood, their presence intimidating and brutal. They exuded an aura of fierce, deadly strength, clearly seasoned cultivators with a history of violence and killing.

"By the order of our leader," the man with the blood-soaked sword spoke with a cold laugh, "no cultivators are allowed to leave Heavenly Thunder Pavilion. Anyone who disobeys... shall be slain."

The black-clad figure's voice carried an eerie sense of finality.

"Ghosthead Saber!" someone murmured in shock. "The Ghosthead Saber! The Black Robe Bandits have taken him in?!"

"Ghosthead Saber?" another cultivator whispered. "I've heard of him. He practices the Blood Path and is a notorious figure with a long list of heinous deeds. His viciousness prevented him from breaking through to the Deity Transformation stage, but his strength far surpasses that of the later Nascent Soul cultivators. He's considered the strongest below Deity Transformation."

"We're no match for him," another voice quivered. "What do we do now?"

The cultivators around them swallowed nervously, their voices dropping to hushed murmurs as they exchanged glances.

Chu Xuan furrowed his brow. He had no intention of revealing his full strength just yet. Since this path was blocked, he would simply find another way.

However, just as he was about to turn around, Kou Heng suddenly lifted his head and locked eyes with him, a cruel smirk forming on his lips.

"I can smell it," he sneered. "You carry the scent of that thing. You must be from the Eight Extremes Palace."

The bloodlust in his voice deepened as he continued, "Our leader has ordered that all Eight Extremes Palace members must be captured alive."

Kou Heng's eyes gleamed with menace. "So, what's it going to be? Will you surrender quietly, or should I sever your limbs first and then have you surrender?"

The surrounding cultivators quickly turned their attention toward Chu Xuan, their minds churning with thoughts of survival. If Chu Xuan could delay Kou Heng even a little, it might give them the chance to flee.

Kou Heng's laugh grew darker. "You all want to leave, don't you? I'll give you a chance. Capture this man, and you can leave alive. Let a few irrelevant ones escape, and our leader won't mind."

The cultivators' eyes lit up, their minds now racing with possibilities. While they knew they stood no chance against the terrifying Ghosthead Saber, maybe they could defeat this unknown cultivator.

"Let's go together!"

"Fellow Daoist, for the sake of our lives, we must ask you to die for us."

"Fellow Daoist, your death will save us all—it's a great act of merit."

Without hesitation, the cultivators rushed at Chu Xuan, each of them hoping that they could somehow escape the deadly grip of Kou Heng.

From their perspective, this was only natural. They had witnessed Kou Heng casually slaughter a Nascent Soul late-stage cultivator as easily as one would kill a chicken. No matter how many of them attacked together, breaking through would be nearly impossible.

Since they had no chance of winning, they decided it was better to sacrifice Chu Xuan's life in exchange for their own survival. After all, to them, Chu Xuan was a stranger, someone they had no attachment to.

Chu Xuan shook his head lightly. To a cultivator of the Blood Path, every life was a resource for cultivation. Someone like Kou Heng would never let even a single one of them go.

Yet, these cultivators, desperate to survive, were still rushing toward him, ready to sacrifice him for their own lives.

"My Blood Demon Flask has been starving for a while," Chu Xuan mused, his voice as cold as ice. "Let me feed it with you."

With a sweeping motion of his hand, the Blood Demon Flask appeared in his grasp. In an instant, a tidal wave of crimson blood mist engulfed the area, drowning everything in a bloody haze!

Chapter 487: Escape

Kou Heng gazed at the surging blood clouds, his expression marked by a flicker of surprise. The four Black Robe Bandits around him instinctively took a few steps back, their faces pale with fear.

"Brother Kou, this blood cloud... it looks very much like a blood cultivation technique!" one of them exclaimed.

"This person... he looks incredibly formidable!" another added.

Kou Heng snorted coldly and barked, "Calm down! It's just a Nascent Soul cultivator. There's no need to make a fuss. Focus, everyone! This blood cloud is just for show. Its range isn't as large as it seems!"

The four bandits squinted, and upon closer inspection, they realized that indeed, the blood cloud was not as overwhelming as it appeared. It seemed this cultivator merely dabbled in blood cultivation, after all.

Kou Heng's voice grew sharp. "You four, surround him from all sides. Don't let him escape."

"Yes!"

The four scattered, forming a tight encirclement, leaving no direction for Chu Xuan to break through without facing at least one opponent. Should he attempt to retreat into the Heavenly Thunder Pavilion, it would be tantamount to walking into his grave.

At this moment, the sound of anguished screams and pleas for mercy echoed from within the blood clouds. But soon, these voices faded into silence, as if the blood cloud had devoured its prey and was now slowly digesting it.

Kou Heng sneered. "Still not out?"

With a wave of his hand, the ghostly head-shaped blade shot forward, slicing through the blood clouds with a sharp whistle.

The four bandits exchanged excited looks.

"Brother Kou's slash never gets old! Even after seeing it a thousand times, it's still impressive!"

"That's right! When that Ghost Head Blade returns, it'll always have a fresh head hanging from it!"

"The Ghost Head Blade has a tracking effect. I think it's almost gained some spiritual intelligence, it could be called a semi-spiritual weapon now!"

"Brother Kou, when will you teach us how to forge such an exquisite magic treasure?"

Kou Heng let out a hearty laugh. "The method for forging this Ghost Head Blade is actually simple. I had a weapon smith forge it for me. The day the blade was completed, I killed the smith and his entire family, sealing their souls into the blade. That's how it acquired its tracking ability. It's a pity, though. It still lacks true spiritual intelligence."

The four bandits marveled at this cruel method. "Such a vicious way of forging! No wonder it has tracking capabilities!"

However, Kou Heng's expression gradually darkened, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

Before anyone could react, his eyes bulged, and he suddenly spat a mouthful of blood. His body was hurled backward, crashing several zhang away.

The four bandits stared at Kou Heng, their faces frozen in shock.

"Why is Brother Kou suddenly falling over?" one of them muttered, bewildered.

"We've never seen him enjoy such hobbies before. Though… it was pretty convincing," another remarked.

Boom!

At that moment, the blood cloud suddenly expanded.

In the blink of an eye, it enveloped Kou Heng and the four bandits entirely. The blood cloud transformed into countless ghostly figures, who lunged at the five men.

The four Black Robe Bandits were utterly powerless to resist, as blood-drenched demons drilled into their eyes, ears, mouths, and nostrils. In mere moments, they were consumed by the blood cloud, leaving behind only a few discarded robes.

Kou Heng gritted his teeth and summoned a small defensive magic treasure, forcing himself to rise. He scanned his surroundings, his eyes still betraying a flicker of terror.

His voice was grave as he spoke, "Fellow daoist, we have no enmity between us. There's no need for this level of cruelty. Leave some room for us to meet again in the future. I'll let you go now."

With that, he slapped his storage pouch and produced a golden talisman in his hand, his eyes flashing with madness.

"But if you insist on forcing me, I will break the net, and we'll both perish! I once obtained a Golden Flame Talisman specifically designed to counter blood clouds! If I burn these blood clouds to the ground, you'll suffer as well!"

From within the blood clouds, layers of eerie laughter echoed.

"You may have misunderstood. The question now is whether I allow you to leave."

The blood cloud surged wildly with the words, and countless blood-colored tendrils reached out from all directions, quickly ensnaring Kou Heng.

Kou Heng roared in fury, ready to activate the Golden Flame Talisman. But just then, a figure appeared behind him, almost imperceptibly.

With a gentle tug, Kou Heng's entire right arm was wrenched off as though it were made of paper. Before his scream could even escape, his head was crushed in a single, merciless squeeze.

"Who said blood clouds are my signature technique? My flesh body is my true trump card."

The blood cloud was merely a distraction. Against a Nascent Soul cultivator, it was more than enough. But for higher-level cultivators, it was insufficient. That's why he had used the blood clouds to confuse Kou Heng's perception, only to appear suddenly, unleashing unmatched strength to crush him.

As for the Ghost Head Blade, it was rendered useless by the green liquid from the Dragon Bone Bottle, severing its spiritual connection with its original master.

Chu Xuan casually flicked his wrist. Kou Heng's decapitated corpse was devoured by the blood clouds.

Moments later, the blood clouds disgorged a storage pouch and some robes. With a sweep of his hand, the blood cloud coiled back in on itself, soon returning to the Blood Demon Flask.

Chu Xuan smiled in satisfaction. "Seems like it's full now."

At that moment, several figures suddenly appeared, hot on his heels. The one leading them, a cultivator in green robes, exuded an overwhelmingly powerful aura, far surpassing that of a Nascent Soul cultivator. His spiritual sense spread outward, suffocating those around him with its oppressive pressure. There was no need for further words. This person could only be a Deity Transformation cultivator!

The green-robed cultivator gave a low shout. "He Liang, hand over the Small Vast Ocean Bowl. It is a treasure of my Ji family, and outsiders have no right to lay a hand on it. Hand over the Small Vast Ocean Bowl, and you may live."

Chu Xuan then noticed Ji Canghai, bound and helpless, behind them.

Ji Canghai's face was dark, and he forced a bitter smile. "Fellow daoist... I'm sorry for dragging you into this."

Without hesitation, Chu Xuan turned and fled. Earlier, he had already noticed that someone had been tailing Ji Canghai and had arrived near his private room. His suspicions were confirmed—it was indeed a Ji family cultivator!

"They sent a Deity Transformation cultivator to chase me down. I must truly be more important than I thought," Chu Xuan thought, as he swiftly skimmed the ground.

The green-robed cultivator clearly hadn't expected Chu Xuan to act so decisively, turning to flee without a word.

In a matter of moments, Chu Xuan had already flown thousands of zhang ahead.

"Seeking death. You all stay and protect the young miss. I will return shortly," the green-robed cultivator coldly muttered, chasing after him at full speed.

Meanwhile, four Nascent Soul cultivators remained behind, along with Ji Yunjin and her mother, Ji Canghai.

A tall Ji family cultivator spoke up. "Miss, the situation on Golden Thunder Island is getting too chaotic. We must leave the battle zone for now."

Ji Yunjin nodded. "Agreed."

With that, they quickly took to the skies, distancing themselves from the Thunder Hall.

As they left, a new group appeared in the area. At the forefront was Wang Tiancheng, the leader of the Black Robe Bandits. Behind him was a group of over ten black-clad cultivators.

"Just as expected, the Deity Transformation cultivator protecting Ji Yunjin has shown up," Wang Tiancheng remarked. "But to think they'd chase after a mere Nascent Soul cultivator, they clearly haven't realized what's truly at stake."

Wang Tiancheng smiled faintly.

"Go. Immediately set out and capture these people alive."

"Remember, anyone near Ji Yunjin can die, but if she loses even a hair on her head, you'll never return."

"Understood!"

Chapter 488: Remember Not to Get Close to Body Cultivator

More than ten Black Robe Bandit cultivators immediately sped off after receiving the command.

Wang Tiancheng watched them leave, then turned back toward the Heavenly Thunder Hall. He still had to help Song Tingfeng finish his task—killing Leng Jixin. Only then could the disappearance of the Third Miss of the Ji family be blamed on the Frost Sword Sect.

Even if the Ji family on Ziyan Island were to be enraged, the most they could do was hunt down the remnants of the Frost Sword Sect.

As for the Exquisite Treasures Alliance and the Black Robe Bandits, they could remain untouched, free from any repercussions.

"Song Tingfeng's methods are impressive. Not only can he deal with the rebellious Frost Sword Sect, but he can also complete the Hidden Bones Hall's commission. On top of that, he's firmly tied me and my bandit cultivators to his cause. Three birds with one stone."

A cold chill crept into Wang Tiancheng's heart.

He pushed aside these thoughts and hastened his way toward the Thunder Hall.

There, the Deity Transformation cultivators were still fighting over the Nine Yang Cauldron.

...

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Chu Xuan used his escape technique to swiftly fly through the air, having already reached a mountain forest on Golden Thunder Island. His escape technique was still at the Nascent Soul stage, far inferior to the Deity Transformation cultivator's escape methods. Even so, to have flown this far was already a feat that surpassed most Nascent Soul cultivators.

"Die!"

The green-robed cultivator sneered coldly, and with a flick of his hand, countless thunderous hands materialized in the air, rushing toward Chu Xuan.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Chu Xuan was engulfed by the thunderous hands, his body completely surrounded. The surrounding forest was obliterated, submerged beneath the violent thunder. Dust billowed and soared into the sky.

With a wave of his sleeve, the green-robed cultivator summoned a gust of wind, clearing the dust and revealing the aftermath. A deep crater had formed where Chu Xuan had been, the trees and rocks crushed to dust, the earth scorched by the thunder.

Chu Xuan lay on the ground, barely alive, covered in wounds, clearly on the verge of death.

"Had you handed over the Small Vast Ocean Bowl earlier, how could you have fallen into this state? I am not a bloodthirsty person. I can spare your life."

The green-robed cultivator floated toward him slowly, his tone indifferent.

Chu Xuan gritted his teeth, struggling to stand. "That was my... payment for refining pills for Ji Canghai."

The green-robed cultivator sneered. "An insignificant fool who invites disaster upon himself. The Small Vast Ocean Bowl is the Ji family's property. Ji Canghai has no right to give it to anyone."

Chu Xuan let out a bitter laugh. "Senior... could you spare my life?"

The green-robed cultivator sneered. "Had you handed over the Small Vast Ocean Bowl earlier, I might have spared you, depending on my mood. But now, you've forced me to expend so much effort to capture you. You shall die!"

With a harsh shout, he swung his hand. Thunderous lightning surged and gathered, forming a colossal fist, which descended from the sky.

Suddenly, Chu Xuan pulled out the Small Vast Ocean Bowl from his storage bag. With a flash of fury, as if reflecting on his past actions, he shouted, "Stay back! If you come any closer, I'll destroy it! I have a vial of Corrupt Spirit Liquid—specifically for destroying treasures! If you refuse to let me live, then don't even think of taking it back!"

The green-robed cultivator's movements immediately froze. His expression darkened. Corrupt Spirit Liquid. This child actually had such a thing.

The Corrupt Spirit Liquid was indeed a terrifying substance, capable of destroying treasures. However, it was also incredibly expensive. A single vial could only heavily damage a low-grade spiritual artifact, and its cost was higher than that of the artifact itself.

How could a Nascent Soul alchemist like this one possess such a rare and valuable item?

The green-robed cultivator's expression shifted multiple times. In the end, he could only wave his hand. The thunderous fist in the sky dissipated.

He forced a smile, his movements slow and calculated as he inched closer. "Young friend, let's talk things through. I have no intention of harming you. Just hand over the Small Vast Ocean Bowl, and I will spare your life. How does that sound? Please, don't spill the Corrupt Spirit Liquid. That would make things difficult for both of us."

Seeing Chu Xuan waver slightly, the green-robed cultivator took another step forward.

"Your alchemy skills are remarkable. The young lady has spoken highly of you. She values talent highly. If you're willing to join her, I can guarantee that you'll receive far greater status, resources, and cultivation opportunities than you have now!"

Chu Xuan, still uncertain, hesitated. "Really?"

The green-robed cultivator nodded confidently. "Of course, it's true…"

But in a flash, his expression turned from warm to cold.

"Now, you will die!"

His hand, which had been held in a reverse position, suddenly shot out a beam of pure, condensed lightning aimed straight for Chu Xuan's forehead.

However, at that very instant, Chu Xuan spat out a mouthful of Nascent Soul essence, vanishing with a sudden flash of movement. Instead of running away, he appeared behind the green-robed cultivator. His vital energy and blood surged violently from his body, condensing into a massive furnace. It seemed as though it was going to smelt the very heavens and earth.

"In the next life, remember not to get close to body refiners. You'll die a miserable death."

His voice was calm, completely different from the earlier panic and doubt.

Boom!

The furnace of vitality and blood descended from the sky! It directly smashed the unsuspecting green-robed cultivator into the ground!

The ground shook violently. The hill collapsed. Dust flew, and stone fragments scattered.

With a wave of his hand, Chu Xuan blew the dust away, then looked down at the spot. To his astonishment, there was now a massive crater in the ground. It was far larger and deeper than the crater the green-robed cultivator had created with his thunderous hand just moments before!

At the bottom of the pit was a mixture of robes, spiritual artifacts, and broken bones, all intermingled in a bloody mass.

Under the overwhelming power of Chu Xuan's Forty-Fourth Body Refinement level and his terrifying force, the green-robed cultivator, a mere early-stage Deity Transformation practitioner, was utterly insufficient.

Chu Xuan reached out and casually snatched the green-robed cultivator's Universe Bag from the wreckage.

"The Heavenly Thunder Pavilion is still fighting? This continuous battle can't go on like this. I'll go take a look, see if I can find an opportunity to mediate the conflict. That Nine Yang Golden Flame, though not as powerful as my Netherworld Devouring Flame, if no one else wants it, I suppose I'll take it. After all, it's a waste to leave such a thing lying around."

With a sigh, Chu Xuan flew toward the direction of the Thunderstorm Pavilion.

Meanwhile, on another part of Golden Thunder Island. Over a dozen Black Robe Bandit cultivators surrounded Ji Yunjin and her group, launching a fierce assault. If it weren't for the vigilance of the Ji family cultivators, who had already set up a small formation in advance, they would have likely been captured alive by the bandits the moment they arrived.

"Third Miss, there are at least twelve Black Robe Bandit cultivators outside. The weakest are at the early stage of Nascent Soul, and the two strongest are even at the late stage of Nascent Soul," one of the Ji family cultivators said in a low voice.

"Third Miss, has there been any word from Elder Ji Yang? Without him, we might not last long," another Ji family cultivator said with a wry smile.

Ji Yunjin's expression was grim as she continuously sent messages through her sound-transmitting jade to the green-robed cultivator, Ji Yang. However, her efforts were met with silence.

Wasn't Ji Yang supposed to be pursuing the alchemist He Liang? Something like this—could he have failed? Had he been attacked by another Deity Transformation cultivator midway?

"Hold on, Uncle Ji Yang should be back soon. That mere Nascent Soul alchemist is no match for him."

Ji Yunjin bit her lip tightly, speaking in a low voice. At this point, she could only lie to stall for time. If she spoke the truth, it was likely that the four Ji family cultivators would collapse before the bandits even had a chance to break in.

"Untie me, I can help you."

A calm voice came from the corner.

Ji Yunjin turned to see Ji Canghai, his eyes as placid as water. The calmness in his eyes made her feel a sense of unease rising in her heart.

Chapter 489: Taking the Small Vast Ocean Bowl, But Spare He Liang's Life

Ji Yunjin gazed at Ji Canghai, her eyes filled with a deep sigh. "Cousin, don't blame me. In order to restore our branch to the core of the family, there are some things I must do."

Ji Canghai replied calmly, "I understand."

Ji Yunjin asked again, "Do you truly have a solution?"

Ji Canghai nodded. "I do. I had a fortuitous encounter in my youth and obtained a fragmentary Deity Transformation-level lower-grade formation. As long as you give me time to set it up, they won't be able to breach it. With this, we can delay long enough to wait for Ji Yang."

Ji Yunjin scrutinized Ji Canghai's face for a few moments, then nodded. "I'll untie you. If we make it out of this alive, I will petition the Elders to have you return to the family."

Ji Canghai's expression remained unchanged. "No, I won't return. I only ask that you promise me one thing."

Ji Yunjin spoke in a deep tone. "Cousin, please tell me."

Ji Canghai's voice was cold. "Immediately send word to Ji Yang, tell him to spare He Liang's life. He only needs to take the Small Vast Ocean Bowl, but He Liang must not be harmed. He Liang is the one who created the Primordial Water and Fire Pill. He is your daughter's savior."

Ji Yunjin bit her lip, her heart torn. "Alright, I will immediately send word to Uncle Ji Yang."

A moment later, Ji Yunjin sent the message to Ji Yang in front of Ji Canghai and then untied him.

Without another word, Ji Canghai took out the incomplete Deity Transformation formation from his storage bag and began to set it up.

"I have many pills and magic treasures here. I'll give them to you. You four must hold on. As soon as this Deity Transformation formation is activated, we will be safe!"

Ji Yunjin turned to the four Ji family cultivators and spoke solemnly.

"Understood! Don't worry, Miss!"

"We will not slack off for even a moment."

The four Ji family cultivators nodded heavily, relying on the precariously unstable Nascent Soul formation to continue resisting the twelve Black Robe Bandit cultivators outside. They tried to halt the bandits' advance.

Not long after, Yellowish light burst forth, quickly forming an inverted light curtain that covered the area, sealing it entirely.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The bandits' attacks landed on the yellow light curtain, causing only faint ripples before quickly dissipating without a trace.

The four Ji family cultivators sighed in relief and hurriedly took pills to recover their Spiritual Qi.

However, after a brief moment, one of them's face changed. He shouted in a low voice, "I... I can't move!"

The remaining three immediately realized something was wrong. As they tried to move, they found that their bodies had grown completely immobile. Their hands and feet felt as if they were glued to the spot. It was as if their entire bodies had been frozen in place.

Ji Yunjin suddenly saw a tiny jade bee flutter past in front of her. Her expression changed drastically, and without thinking, she summoned a magic treasure to strike at Ji Canghai. However, just as she was about to make her move, a calm voice rang in her ears.

"Don't move."

Her expression stiffened, and she slowly turned her head. To her shock, she saw her daughter, Ji Qianqian, held hostage by Ji Canghai.

A sharp short knife hovered dangerously close to Ji Qianqian's delicate neck. A single slash would be enough to sever her life. The translucent jade bees had all returned to a small jade bottle on Ji Canghai's belt.

Ji Qianqian's face was pale as she whispered, "Mother..."

Ji Yunjin smiled bitterly. "So it's your jade bees... How did we come to this? Cousin, release Qianqian, and let's talk this through."

Ji Canghai's voice was calm. "Tell me the truth, has Ji Yang received your transmission?"

Ji Yunjin instinctively nodded. "He received it..."

Ji Canghai's expression darkened, and the short knife drew closer to Ji Qianqian's neck.

"No! No! Uncle Ji Yang hasn't responded! I haven't heard from him!" Ji Yunjin immediately shouted in desperation.

Ji Canghai furrowed his brow deeply. "How could this be..."

He pondered, unable to make sense of the situation.

How could a dignified Deity Transformation cultivator like Ji Yang, who had been pursuing He Liang, suddenly fall silent?

He knew that He Liang was powerful, capable of severely wounding someone like Yan Kun. However, He Liang couldn't possibly be strong enough to kill a Deity Transformation cultivator.

Perhaps Ji Yang had encountered another Deity Transformation cultivator and was engaged in battle. That might explain why he hadn't replied to Ji Yunjin's transmission.

Ji Yunjin, seeing his hesitation, pleaded, "Cousin, can you put the knife down?"

Ji Canghai shook his head. "How much of what you've said to me was true? How much was false?"

Ji Yunjin spoke seriously, "It's all true! I swear by the heavens! If there's a single word of falsehood in what I've said, I'll fall into eternal damnation!"

Just as her voice fell, a cold snort rang out from outside.

"A bunch of useless fools, unable to even capture a woman."

The twelve Black Robe Bandit cultivators froze, looking toward the source of the voice.

There, floating in the air, was a figure draped in a black robe, with their face completely obscured, rendering it impossible to make out any features.

The leader of the bandits spoke in a low voice, "Who are you? We're carrying out the orders of our leader..."

Before he could finish speaking, his head exploded without warning, blood and bone scattering in all directions.

"Enough with the nonsense. This woman is mine. You can either leave, or die."

The black-robed figure spoke indifferently.

The remaining eleven Black Robe Bandit cultivators exchanged glances and swallowed nervously. This head-exploding technique clearly required profound mastery of spiritual sense, a method that only someone of the Deity Transformation stage could execute.

The black-robed figure was likely a Deity Transformation cultivator.

Without another word, the bandits turned and fled.

In the blink of an eye, only Ji Canghai and the others, protected by the Deity Transformation formation, remained.

Ji Canghai, Ji Yunjin, and the others noticed the change in the outside situation.

To Ji Canghai, the aura of the black-robed figure felt like the depths of the ocean—mysterious, cold, and utterly impenetrable, far surpassing his own.

"The True Earth Killing Formation... but it's just a flawed version. You've got some skills, kid. Hand over Ji Yunjin, and I'll spare your life."

The black-robed figure spoke, his voice cold and indifferent.

Ji Canghai shook his head. "I won't hand her over."

The black-robed figure chuckled eerily. "You really think this True Earth Killing Formation is invincible? Today, I'll show you how to break it!"

With a sweeping motion, eighteen formation flags flew from his sleeve, hovering in mid-air. In the blink of an eye, they began to shift at an incredible speed. Countless formation runes swirled around, seeming to match the runes of the True Earth Killing Formation.

Ji Canghai's face turned ashen.

A formation master! And a Deity Transformation-level formation master at that! At a certain moment, the eighteen flags pressed down with profound, obscure power. There was a deafening boom.

The True Earth Killing Formation let out a tortured screech as it began to crack under the pressure. Cracks appeared all over, and the ground itself began to collapse, sending shockwaves that reverberated across the land.

Meanwhile, Chu Xuan was flying toward the Heavenly Thunder Pavilion when he suddenly felt a vibration coming from the universe bag at his waist. He opened it and found a transmission jade slip from Ji Yang. The name displayed on it was Ji Yunjin.

"Ji Yunjin is sending a message?" Chu Xuan mused. He channeled his spiritual Qi into the jade slip, and immediately, Ji Yunjin's voice echoed in his mind.

"Uncle, just take the Small Vast Ocean Bowl, but don't harm the alchemist's life. Hurry back, we're surrounded by Black Robe Bandit cultivators in the western mountains of Golden Thunder Island!"

Chapter 490: Cultivation Is Not Just About Fighting and Killing

Upon hearing the message, Chu Xuan couldn't help but let out a soft "hmm."

This group had been surrounded by Black Robe Bandit cultivators, and they were calling on the green-robed cultivator, Ji Yang, for help. Every moment was precious, and there was no time for unnecessary words.

Why didn't Ji Yunjin immediately request Ji Yang's swift return? Why did she ask him only to take the Small Vast Ocean Bowl and spare the alchemist's life? This didn't make sense.

Chu Xuan pondered for a moment, and his suspicion grew. Ji Yunjin had no personal ties to him—his life meant nothing to her. She wouldn't go out of her way to say something like that.

So, the answer became clear. Someone was forcing Ji Yunjin to say this. For Ji Yunjin and the others to be trapped by the bandits, they would need to release Ji Canghai to ensure their safety. After all, Ji Canghai was a Nascent Soul cultivator, and he was also a renowned artifact refiner with many powerful magic treasures.

"Let's take a look at the situation," Chu Xuan thought. "If the enemies aren't too strong, I'll rescue Ji Canghai. But if they're too powerful, my own safety comes first."

He immediately changed course, flying toward the western mountains of Golden Thunder Island.

The two supreme magic treasures that Ji Canghai had given him were reason enough to make the trip. However, it wasn't worth risking his life for it. If he could save them, he would; if not, he would retreat. He sought only peace of mind.

...

Meanwhile, the True Earth Killing Formation continued to groan under the pressure. The earth-yellow light was rapidly dimming, and at this rate, it would collapse within a hundred breaths.

A trace of despair flickered in Ji Canghai's eyes. Faced with such overwhelming power, there was nothing he could do. Without some kind of miracle, their deaths were inevitable.

Suddenly, Ji Yunjin spoke, her voice steady despite the peril.

"Cousin, take care of Qianqian."

Ji Canghai was stunned, then understood her intention. Ji Yunjin took a deep breath and resolutely walked toward the edge of the formation. "I'm coming with you!"

The black-robed figure let out a sinister laugh. "Now that's the way it should be."

With a swift motion, his large hand grasped, and Ji Yunjin was pulled into his embrace by an overwhelming force.

"Mother!" Ji Qianqian cried out, her face pale with fear.

Ji Canghai's expression was filled with regret. He quickly grabbed Ji Qianqian and covered her eyes, shielding her from the sight.

"I'm going with you, but you must release my brother and my daughter," Ji Yunjin said, her voice tinged with desperation.

The black-robed figure laughed heartily. "If you had come out sooner, I would have spared them."

"But now…" His voice turned cold, "I will destroy this formation and kill them both!"

With a wave of his hand, the eighteen formation flags sped up, pressing down with even greater force. It felt like a thousand-ton hammer falling from the sky.

With a resounding crack, the True Earth Killing Formation shattered completely. Several formation flags were torn apart, and the formation disk cracked open with a massive rupture.

The four Ji family cultivators, who were already exhausted and lying on the ground, were immediately struck by the shockwave, dying in an instant.

Ji Canghai was sent flying, blood spurting from his mouth uncontrollably.

Ji Qianqian, caught in the shockwave from the shattering formation, was tossed through the air like a fragile doll.

With great effort, Ji Canghai managed to spring up and catch her, halting her flight just in time.

Ji Yunjin's face turned pale. "I will go with you. I'll do anything for you, just spare their lives!"

The black-robed figure let out a strange laugh. "Oh? What if only one of them can live?"

Ji Yunjin froze, unable to speak for a moment.

"Speak! If you don't, I will kill them both!" the black-robed figure sneered.

Ji Yunjin forced a bitter smile. "My daughter... my daughter... leave her life."

The black-robed figure chuckled darkly. "As you wish!"

He raised his hand, and Spiritual Qi surged, beginning to coalesce into a massive ice spear.

Ji Canghai shoved Ji Qianqian away, inhaling deeply, and summoned the last three supreme magic treasures on his body. Even if he were to die, he would do so with dignity, standing tall and facing his death openly.

A cultivator of honor would never die with his back to the enemy!

At that moment, the black-robed figure's expression suddenly changed. The ice Spiritual Qi, intended to form the spear, suddenly shifted and crystallized into a towering ice wall, protecting him.

The next instant, two fists, like raging dragons, came crashing toward him. With a resounding crack, the ice wall shattered instantly under the terrifying force.

The black-robed figure's eyes widened in shock as he quickly retreated. With a wave of his sleeve, a fan flew out, expanding rapidly to shield his body.

The fan was a blend of black and blue, with a fan frame made from an unknown black metal. The silk was exquisite blue, shimmering with faint ice light.

The fists landed on the fan with tremendous force.

A thunderous crash echoed as the fan was struck and sent slamming into the black-robed figure's chest. He was immediately sent flying dozens of zhangs.

The figure that had struck, rebounding from the force, was also pushed back by the impact, staggering several steps.

Ji Canghai, who had closed his eyes in anticipation of death, was astonished by this sudden turn of events. Elated, he rushed to Ji Qianqian's side, shielding the little girl from the aftershocks of the battle between the two experts. Only then did he look toward the newcomer, who had shattered a Deity Transformation-level ice wall with a single punch and sent a spiritual artifact flying.

The power behind such an attack could only belong to a formidable body-refining cultivator.

Naturally, this person had to be addressed as "Senior." But when Ji Canghai finally saw the face of this unexpected savior, he froze, his jaw dropping in disbelief.

"Wh-What... fellow daoist?!"

Ji Canghai's eyes widened in astonishment.

The person who had intervened was none other than He Liang, a hidden powerhouse of body-refining! And not just any body-refining cultivator—one whose realm was comparable to that of a Deity Transformation cultivator.

How powerful must his body-refining cultivation be? Was he beyond the 41st level?

Ji Canghai's heart raced as he thought more about the situation, the shock sinking deeper within him. He had been casually addressing such a formidable person as "fellow Daoist" on a regular basis. It was utterly ridiculous to think of it now.

Ji Yunjin, too, stared at the figure before her in shock. She had already learned of He Liang's identity and appearance from the reports of the previous Ji family cultivators.

And now, He Liang had suddenly appeared here, sending the black-robed figure flying! This could only mean one thing: the fate of the green-robed cultivator, Ji Yang, was now sealed. No wonder she had been unable to contact Ji Yang, no matter how hard she tried...

The black-robed figure halted, his throat suddenly feeling dry. He forcibly suppressed the blood rising in his chest and forced a calm expression, "Who are you, sir? How is it that you possess such remarkable body-refining cultivation?"

Chu Xuan replied indifferently, "I'm just a humble alchemist, nothing to speak of."

The black-robed figure felt a twinge of caution. That last strike had caused his personal spiritual artifact to dim and lose its luster. Yet, this person seemed completely unscathed. Clearly, his body-refining skills were nothing short of impressive—at least at the 43rd level, if not higher.

This kind of muscle-bound body-refining cultivator was definitely not someone to provoke. Engaging in a battle of magic with these types was utterly futile; while his spiritual weapon had been heavily damaged, the other party might not have even suffered the slightest injury.

The black-robed figure's voice deepened. "Why did you strike out suddenly? You must understand that cultivation is not all about fighting and killing; there are also human emotions and etiquette involved."

He took a deep breath, his tone softening. "If you need something, just ask. I've traveled a great distance and only want the third miss of the Ji family. I don't want anything else."

Having spoken, he turned his gaze toward Chu Xuan, his nerves taut with apprehension. He feared that Chu Xuan had come for Ji Yunjin instead.

Chu Xuan pointed at Ji Canghai. "I came for him."

The black-robed figure breathed a sigh of relief. "In that case, there's no problem. This man is yours."

Fearing that Chu Xuan might hold a grudge, he added hastily, "I will no longer interfere in the matters of Golden Thunder Island. You may handle them as you see fit."

With that, he stepped back slowly, holding Ji Yunjin by the arm, ensuring that he did not give Chu Xuan any chance to act.

Chu Xuan stood still, gazing at him with unwavering calm. Neither side made a move, the air thick with tension.