Chapter 354: The Water Sovereign's Oppression! Qian Yi's Sword Intent!

Chapter 354: The Water Sovereign's Oppression! Qian Yi's Sword Intent!

In the dead of night, a chilling and abrupt voice echoed across the surface of the Water Core Lake.

Su Ping's breath caught in his throat, his body frozen in place as if bound by a paralysis spell, unable to move even a muscle. He could only stare intently at the figure before him.

At that moment, even the little flame chick struggled to maintain its fiery bird form, reverting to its most basic flame shape. The trembling flame seemed to convey an unprecedented fear, something it had never experienced before.

However, the owner of the voice, the constantly trembling flame core seemed to convey an unprecedented fear in the little creature.

However, the owner of the voice showed no concern and instead watched with interest as the tiny paper figure floated nearby in the water. With a hint of curiosity, she spoke:

"Is this a newly born Companion Beast species from the future? A brand-new Undead-type Companion Beast? It's finally not those ugly creatures of bones and rotting flesh, and it's quite adorable!"

As she spoke, she extended her hand, and the lake of the Water Core, like an obedient child, flowed into her palm.

The water transformed into a palm-like current and gently touched Qian Yi's body.

Qian Yi was a bit bewildered, momentarily unsure of what was happening.

Fortunately, Su Ping's Soul Contract connection was still functional, and he quickly issued a command:

"Qian Yi, come back quickly."

The little paper figure finally reacted, hurriedly flying back to Su Ping's side, glaring at the peculiar 'human'.

Clearly, Su Ping's reaction displeased the figure, and her snowy eyebrows furrowed slightly as she spoke with annoyance:

"Why be so stingy? Since that's the case, never mind. Little one, hand over the Flame Sovereign Phoenix Spirit in your possession, and I'll overlook your impolite behavior."

The Serpent Script's words made it clear to Su Ping what she meant.

Similarly, it also made the little flame chick understand what this person was implying.

"Hissss..."

A deep voice emanated from the little flame chick's body, conveying urgency, unease, and a panic Su Ping had never witnessed before.

Previously, the little creature had stated that even if forced to become a Companion Beast, it would not fear self-destruction. Yet, now, it was filled with terror.

Evidently, its self-awareness and subconscious believed that falling into this creature's hands would be worse than death itself!

Su Ping took a deep breath, blinked, and turned to the figure who seemed to sense everything. For the first time, he spoke:

"Are you the recently resurrected Water Sovereign senior?"

Indeed, from the Ray Saint's mouth, he had learned the truth about the East Sea calamity—the revival of the Water Sovereign.

This legendary existence from the ancient times of the Nine Provinces represented the most powerful legend among water-type creatures and was also one of the strongest totems during the chaotic era when the Dragon Nation was torn apart by various factions.

Together with the Flame Sovereign, they were the strongest Companion Beast representatives vying for dominance over the world.

Only this being could make the Holy Dragon and the Flame Sovereign, the two most powerful Companion Beasts, feel threatened.

Su Ping sighed, his eyes narrowing.

Indeed, he knew the other party was right.

With the Ray Saint and the Mirror Saint's perception, if they had sensed anything, they would have arrived immediately. If they intended to stop it, they would have definitely noticed.

So, now, could he only hand over the little flame chick?

Su Ping's eyebrows furrowed, unsure of what to do.

Although the little flame chick's attitude towards him was terrible, and it strongly resisted becoming his fourth Companion Beast, after the incident with the little crow and the True Flame Soup, Su Ping had already considered it family.

He was unwilling to hand over his family, no matter what.

Just like when he was in the Sword King Secret Realm, facing the threat of losing the little paper figure, Su Ping pursed his lips, then forced a flattering smile:

"Water Sovereign, if the Flame Sovereign's split spirit is already like this, how about this? I'll use my influence to help you search for it, is that okay?"

As for Xiao Huo Yan? It's just a failed mutation, Your Highness. Be magnanimous, why don't you?

Putting aside everything else, I do have some status in the Dragon Nation. If you were to make a move against me, it would likely cause some trouble for your future travels in the Dragon Nation. Is it worth hindering your grand plans over such a trivial matter?

Silence.

The half-naked figure remained silent.

The pair of demonic eyes fixed on Su Ping, and the temperature in the air began to drop at an unimaginable speed, turning the atmosphere icy cold. Even on the surface of the Heart of Water Lake, frost formed in the water droplets on Su Ping's body, causing white frost to cling to his eyelashes.

"Sizzle..."

Xiao Huo Yan glanced at Su Ping. After its advancement, its intelligence had significantly improved, and it seemed to understand the meaning behind Su Ping's words.

However, the terrifying cold did not deter Su Ping from making any moves. In just a moment, the moisture on Su Ping's body ashenna-colored skin," which could be interpreted as a reference to the color of the skin due to the cold.

But soon, a gust of cold wind blew away the chill, and Su Ping's body warmed up.

The Water Sovereign turned her head slightly, raising an eyebrow.

On the lake's surface not far away, the shadows of the spreading vines were faintly visible in the moonlight. The cold current was coming from the figure on the lake.

At the same time, on the shore of the Heart of Water Lake, several figures were moving in the shadows under the moonlight.

These were the countless plant-type companion beasts of the Heart of Forest. Su Ping knew that Gun Shi Wang stood at the highest point of the Heart of Forest, able to observe everything happening within the Heart of Ten Thousand Spirits. He must have discovered something and notified the Skyvine, which in turn alerted these beasts.

Not only that, but even the rapid footsteps of Lao Sha and several Lynx from the Heart of Forest could be heard as they rushed towards them.

However, aside from the companion beasts, no one else appeared.

But that made sense; both the Mirror Saint and Ray Saint were in the Heart of Ten Thousand Spirits, one in the Heart of Mirrors and the other in the Dream Heart Experience Hall. The Skyvine had already done all it could.

Su Ping's eyebrows furrowed.

The Water Sovereign seemed unconcerned and merely watched as the companion beasts from the Heart of Ten Thousand Spirits arrived. She did not continue to use her abilities but just stood there, seemingly amused.

Finally, the Water Sovereign spoke again: "Little one, you overestimate yourself and your Dragon Nation. It's just a small human nation. Even if I kill you and return to the boundless East Sea, what use is your so-called identity?

An ant dares to negotiate with me? Is it this special era and peace that give you confidence? In my time, an ant like you would consider it a great honor just to be glanced at by me.

Or do you expect these little things to have any effect on me?"

The figure disdainfully glanced at everyone, clearly considering them beneath notice.

Su Ping also remained silent, his teeth clenching so hard that he bit his lip slightly, perhaps for the first time in his life.

"Enough. My patience is limited. I'll say this one last time: hand over the Flame Sovereign's divided soul!"

The impatient voice seemed to indicate that her patience had reached its limit.

This scene was like something out of a melodramatic TV drama, with the second male or female lead threatening the seemingly destined official couple.

Unfortunately, reality is not a romantic drama, and this kind of pressure was something Su Ping had never experienced before in this life or his previous one.

At this moment, it seemed as if the entire Heart of Ten Thousand Spirits was watching Su Ping.

Voices seemed to echo in Su Ping's ears, originating from deep within his heart.

'Why bother enduring this? Xiao Huo Yan isn't even my soul contract companion beast.'

'This little thing won't submit to me or form a soul contract. There's no point in enduring this.'

'What's more important than my life?'

'Don't waste time...'

The voices seemed to come from within Su Ping's heart, urging him to make a decision.

He was just a Beastmaster with good luck, but with the Ten Thousand Spirit Ledger, he was destined to become a powerful Beastmaster in the future. Revenge could wait until then, right? There's still a chance at the Legendary rank, isn't there?

Wasn't this the 'thirty years in the east, thirty years in the west' scenario he had envisioned before?

But...

Su Ping glanced at the old dog, Lao Sha, who had come to stand by his side at some point.

In the moonlight, Lao Sha's fur resembled old tree branches, exuding an air of weariness and decay.

What had Lao Sha given up to obtain that 'thirty years in the east, thirty years in the west' scenario?

Su Ping didn't know, but he understood that such a scenario wasn't easily achieved.

It required sacrificing a fresh, vibrant life and enduring inner turmoil.

"Sizzle..."

Xiao Huo Yan let out a sound, seemingly resigned to its fate, as it couldn't find a reason for Su Ping to keep resisting.

However,

"Woof..." Lao Sha's massive head gently rubbed against Su Ping, and then its eyes became determined as it looked at the figure in the water.

At this moment, Lao Sha's gaze was uncertain—was it looking at the figure in the water, pressuring its young master? Or was it remembering its father, the unapproachable Tian Lang Tian Wang, who had bitten its ordinary mother to death after confirming it couldn't awaken the Heavenly Wolf bloodline?

The young Lao Sha had lacked the courage to stand before its mother. It had been expelled from the great plains like a stray dog, left to fend for itself. But this time, Lao Sha's steps were firm and unwavering as it stood before Su Ping.

It slowly positioned itself in front of Su Ping, silently facing the seemingly invincible enemy.

At that moment, voices began to echo.

"Caw!" Xiao Wu Ya Ya had arrived at Su Ping's head at some point, seemingly comforting Xiao Huo Yan while also reminding Su Ping of the promise he had made to it on New Year's Eve.

The branches of the Life Ancient Tree spread out, silent, and many of the plant-type companion beasts also remained quiet.

Even the Long Wen Zhu, which Su Ping had previously looked down upon, followed, forming a circle around the shore of the Water Core.

As for Qian Yi, at some point, it had donned the Five Elements Paper Diagram cloak, with a condensed sword sheath on its back and an additional sword in its hand. The Ace of Hearts symbol on its cheek was clear and distinct.

The next moment, a summoning light appeared, and Xiao Qing's body, along with its several clones, also emerged.

Except for Fei Fei, who was frantically calling Ray Saint, most of the Heart of All Spirits' Companion Beasts with intimacy levels meeting the standard appeared at this moment.

Su Ping finally took a deep breath and spoke, "Senior, I'm sorry, but I can't fulfill this request! No matter what, I will never hand over Little Flame to you!"

"Little guy, do you really think these ants like you can stop me?" Water Venerable said disdainfully.

At this moment, Su Ping suddenly revealed a smile, "I want to give it a try."

"Humans are truly foolish ants! But I'd like to hear your reasons for doing this." Jiao Ji asked calmly.

"The reason is simple," Su Ping replied. "Has Water Venerable's strength fully recovered?"

"Hahaha, foolish ants, it's too laughable. You truly don't understand what the legends in your human mouths represent!" Water Venerable laughed, "If it's because of this reason, then I can tell you, you're thinking too much."

Su Ping paused before continuing, "Of course, Water Venerable's strength has not fully recovered, and it's beyond my imagination. But you used special means to block Ray Saint's perception. Does that mean that if Ray Saint were here, you couldn't do anything to me? Is your strength unable to affect a Holy Spirit rank? So, at most, it's between the Holy Spirit and Emperor ranks?"

"It's just that your higher cultivation realm allows for more complex methods, so you can block Ray Saint's perception."

Upon hearing this, Jiao Ji was slightly taken aback.

Su Ping continued, "So, you've used a lot of energy to interfere with Ray Saint's perception, preventing him from sensing what's happening here. This must have taken a considerable amount of strength."

"Secondly, although my Companion Beasts are ants in your eyes, their strength is not bad. They believe I won't abandon any of them, and I shouldn't doubt them, right?"

"Moreover, I also have an ace up my sleeve."

"Of course, the most important reason is that Water Venerable, with so many little guys watching, if I hand over our family to you, they'll be very sad, and I'll lose face, won't I?"

"Family?"

However, at this moment, Water Venerable didn't rush to attack. After chewing on these three words, she finally smiled, "If that's the case, I might privately ask you, and you'll just go along with it and hand over the Flame Sovereign's clone to me?"

"It's possible. Why don't you wait a bit longer, Water Venerable?" Su Ping smiled, but his eyes were cold without a trace of laughter.

"Forget it. As you said, this little guy has a high status in your human realm. If another powerful character comes to protect him, it'll be more trouble!" Jiao Ji said calmly, and the next moment, the air became icy cold. Her arms, like white jade, rose, and in the water, a giant ice-encrusted water python with bared fangs and claws lunged towards Su Ping.

Su Ping's breathing became rapid.

"Lao Sha! Qian Yi! Xiao Qing!" Su Ping shouted.

Xiao Qing's clones positioned themselves in four directions, while Lao Sha's body glowed with the fully activated Sun Heart. Qian Yi had already started the cycle of the Five Elements, holding a long sword as the main attacker, blocking Su Ping.

Jiao Ji watched calmly as countless plant-type Companion Beasts on the shore, especially the Life Ancient Tree, extended its branches towards her.

However, Jiao Ji showed no surprise, calmly observing the scene and quickly said, "This human isn't your contract master. Why are you fighting so desperately? You lowly ants, if I wanted to, I could wipe you out with a flick of my hand."

But no one paid attention to her. All the Companion Beasts of the Heart of All Spirits acted in perfect harmony as if they had rehearsed countless times.

Unfortunately, as the spreading energy and branches approached Jiao Ji, they instantly froze into ice blocks within the Water Core, unable to get any closer.

The next moment, endless ice spread, and the water flow turned into giant pythons, entangling with all the plant-type Companion Beasts and the flying Ya Ya in the sky.

Jiao Ji slowly swayed her fish tail and approached the shore of the Water Core, then slowly stepped onto the land.

In front of her, only Xiao Qing, Lao Sha, and Qian Yi, who blocked the shore, remained by Su Ping's side.

The terrifying energy surge caused Jiao Ji to lock her gaze on these three Companion Beasts, or more precisely, on Xiao Qing: "Interesting, this clone skill... quite fascinating..."

Undoubtedly, this made Qian Yi, who was at the forefront, furious:

"Woohoo! (Damn... don't underestimate me...)"

Qian Yi's anger made the Five Elements energy in his body surge, and he slightly lowered his waist, grasping the sword hilt in his sheath.

The poker face seemed to become incredibly serious at this moment:

"Woohoo! (I... can also protect... this family... because a swordsman's belief... is to protect companions!)"

"Woohoo! (This is my... swordsman's path!)"

In an instant, a crystal-clear sword cry, almost echoing throughout the Heart of All Spirits, burst forth from Qian Yi's body! A terrifyingly sharp sword aura spread out with Qian Yi at its center.

At this moment, even Water Venerable turned her gaze towards Qian Yi.

Su Ping, at this moment, realized something.

Was it the basic super-rank skill Sword Intent that Su Ping had been longing for after Qian Yi's evolution?

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end