Chapter 467: Are You Panicking Yet? (5K)

Chapter 467: Are You Panicking Yet? (5K)



"Heh!"

The sudden appearance of the Azure Rhino Demon caught the group of aquatic elites off guard.

Reaching the Eighth Layer of Returning Void required an enormous amount of heavenly resources and treasures, and the territory occupied by such a powerful being would certainly be vast.

It was rare for someone to suddenly emerge without anyone knowing about them beforehand.

The fact that even the Water Moon Trade Alliance, a powerful force with influence across Nanhong, had failed to hire a single Eighth Layer cultivator, spoke volumes.

These aquatic demons had somehow kept their presence a complete secret, and that was deeply unsettling.

However, despite losing one of their strongest fighters right at the start, these aquatic yaomo showed no signs of retreat.

Instead, their eyes turned even colder.

They fixed their gaze on the ink-clad figure within the grand formation.

After a moment, the remaining eleven yaomo suddenly and simultaneously dove beneath the churning waters, disappearing from sight.

They came and left in a flash.

In an instant, the entire floating island was enveloped in silence.

"Are they leaving?"

The many cultivators from the Water Moon Trade Alliance gazed out, bewildered and still shaken by the recent events.

Two ships had been destroyed in quick succession, and some hearts were filled with trepidation.

"..."

Wen Qiujin was carefully examining the injured Alliance Elder, ordering others to send him back to the Alliance with the best medicinal treasures for treatment.

Seeing this, his brows furrowed, and he shouted to Shen Yi, "Xian, quickly recall the Spirit Puppet!"

He was adept at reading people, and the expressions on those yaomo before they dove into the water did not seem like they were giving up.

Even the Chen family and their allies remained on guard, having guessed the identities of these aquatic demons.

Dragonfish Palace!

The same aquatic force whose lady leader was killed by Sect Master Shen back when they visited the Chen family.

Knowing that the Seven Sons of Nanhong were involved, they still dared to attack with their entire clan, clearly prepared for an all-out war!

Indeed, just as the Azure Rhino Demon coldly surveyed the waters below.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Dozens of thick columns of water shot into the sky, their momentum earth-shaking, nearly overturning the entire floating island.

The Azure Rhino Demon stamped its hooves, and its formidable cultivation burst forth. Amidst the perilous waves, it stood like a majestic mountain of blue jade, unmoving and unwavering.

Fighting over a dozen powerful demons on its own, it showed no signs of being at a disadvantage!

This was the dual suppression of realm and bloodline.

However, just at that moment, over a dozen silvery-white chains shot out from the water columns, their tips familiar to Shen Yi—cone-shaped, but clearly made of far more precious materials than the one used to bind Xiao Yuanlin previously.

Crackle!

These exquisitely crafted cone-shaped artifacts slammed into the Azure Rhino Demon's body.

Its skin cracked, revealing a stony texture beneath.

"Roar!"

The Azure Rhino Demon bellowed, its massive hand flipping over to entangle the dozen or so chains in its armpit. With a swift turn, the chains tightened with a crisp sound, yanking the figures within the water columns out, stumbling and off-balance.

This dramatic scene unfolded before the eyes of those on the floating island below.

Hearts pounded, and even Wen Qiujin's usually calm expression changed as he exclaimed, "The Dragon Palace's Mystery Binding Rope!"

This item didn't necessarily represent the Dragon Palace itself.

But whoever possessed it was at least on good terms with the Dragon Palace, with the qualifications to pay them a visit.

The Water Moon Trade Alliance, which relied heavily on water-based businesses, had somehow ended up in a standoff with such a force.

As he spoke, a massive figure burst out from the turbulent waters—a golden fish with a hideous bump on its forehead, resembling a carp yet with a dragon's beard.

It rammed into the Azure Rhino Demon's chest with overwhelming force.

Under that colossal power, the Azure Rhino Demon's sturdy, mountain-like body was sent tumbling backward.

The Dragonfish Elder instantly transformed into an elderly human form, his hands filled with countless Mystery Binding Ropes, which he viciously drove into the Azure Rhino Demon's body.

Crackle! Crackle!

The Azure Rhino Demon's indestructible stony body was shattered, pierced through by the ropes that bound its limbs and abdomen.

Both were at the Eighth Layer of Returning Void.

Yet, the Dragonfish Elder had bided his time, hiding his presence even when his subordinate was crushed, all for this decisive strike.

The remaining dozen or so aquatic demons unleashed their innate divine abilities, their auras surging once more.

Wielding the Mystery Binding Ropes, they slowly dragged the Azure Rhino Demon into the water!

The elderly Dragonfish Elder's long beard fluttered as he pressed his palm against the rhino's forehead, pushing it underwater while his eyes locked onto Shen Yi on the shore.

His gaze was calm, his voice devoid of emotion. "This is just a little interest. As long as you remain here, not a single person from the Water Moon Trade Alliance will be able to leave...Heh...I know that no one will come to save you."

"Xian, stay calm!"

Wen Qiujin stepped forward, gripping Shen Yi's wrist tightly.

As a businessman, he understood the situation clearly. No matter how precious the Spirit Puppet was, it wasn't worth losing their lives over.

"Please, esteemed ones," he said, looking up at the six cultivators in the air. "Help it escape its binds. Qiujin will be forever grateful and offer a generous reward!"

As the Alliance Master of the Water Moon Trade Alliance, Wen Qiujin's promise of a 'generous reward' would undoubtedly be rich enough to astonish even late-stage Returning Void cultivators.

However, the six cultivators in the air hesitated.

They were hired hands, tasked with protecting the Alliance, but that did not include antagonizing the Dragon Palace.

To be clear, even the Seven Sons of Nanhong would have to give the Dragon Palace some face.

In the face of such a colossal force, their Seventh Layer of Returning Void meant very little.

"..."

Wen Qiujin seemed to understand the thoughts of these cultivators and could only sigh. He quickly changed the subject, "If you're unwilling, then please, stop the South Yang Sect's Xian from acting!"

Young cultivators like Shen Yi, with their high realms and solid foundations, tended to be impulsive and prideful.

Now, they had to give him a way out to avoid making the situation irredeemable.

"We will obey your command."

Several Returning Void Late Stage acolytes turned their gazes towards the figure below, "Upper Immortal, please heed Master Wen's advice."

"......"

Shen Yi quietly stared at the Azure Rhino Demon being dragged into the water, only its head remaining above the surface.

It was only at this moment that a trace of barely perceptible urgency finally flashed across Old Dragonfish's eyes.

Catching that fleeting moment of urgency, Shen Yi finally took a step forward. They truly wanted him to leave, and if they had any more tricks up their sleeve, they would have attacked the floating island by now.

This indicated that only the Dragonfish Palace had come today.

In an instant, right under the gaze of the six acolytes, the ink-clad figure vanished from its original spot.

As they stood there, bewildered and instinctively searching for Shen Yi's whereabouts.

The next moment, all the cultivators on the floating island witnessed a sudden, vast golden inferno engulfing the sky!

Like a heavenly phoenix's cry, it carried endless malevolence.

Summoning forth a 500-yard-tall palace of blood, four stories high, with a profound purple aura, making the Nine Demons appear like celestial beasts, indifferently overlooking the world.

With a slight wave of the crimson-robed figure's dusting brush, seated on the meditation pillow.

Three strands of primordial purple qi descended upon the mortal realm.

The fiery sky resembled a sunset, with gold and purple intertwining, creating an otherworldly landscape.

The tall, ink-clad figure strode out from the inferno.

His eyes shimmered with purple and gold hues.

With each step, he vanished and reappeared.

"Heh."

Wen Qiujin's complexion changed for the second time; this was not the kind of vast aura that a fourth-layer Returning Void cultivator should possess.

And that purple qi, tinted by the sunset, unadulterated by any other color, all stemming from the heavenly palace, was a scene he had never witnessed in his life.

The remaining six acolytes were also stunned into place.

Blocking this Upper Immortal's path seemed even more difficult than helping the Azure Rhino Demon escape its binds.

From the moment Shen Yi took that step forward to now, only a few breaths had passed.

The group of aquatic demons pulling on the mysterious ropes had their expressions turn solemn, but they still couldn't pinpoint Shen Yi's true location.

Just as they were exerting all their efforts to search for him.

One of the Returning Void Seventh Layer old demons suddenly felt a chill down its spine.

It turned around hastily and saw a handsome face mere inches away, those emotionless purple-gold eyes seemed to contain the Dao, blessed by the heavens, incarnated in the mortal realm.

Unable to find where he had vanished.

The moment it raised its palm, it was as if its demise had been declared.

Although it seemed like only a single palm strike.

The old water demon felt as if its entire body had been struck by a heavy blow, exposing all its weaknesses.

Puff puff puff—

Before the old water demon could loosen its grip on the mysterious rope, its armor exploded with a boom.

It was worth noting that even if they removed the identity marks on this armor, they would still choose to wear it, which proved its immense value. If it were an ordinary cultivator, just breaking through this silver armor would take a lot of effort.

The old demon felt its body tearing apart, and blood gushed out of its demon body.

It instinctively loosened one hand from the mysterious rope and tried to fight back, exerting almost all its strength to strike forward, but it only slapped at thin air, as the ink-colored robe slowly dissipated.

Only a mocking laugh remained in the air.

Like a tiger toying with a lamb, the laughter carried an additional layer of cruelty.

"......"

In that laughter, the old demon's vigilant eyes suddenly became confused.

It seemed to see countless figures, all calm and collected, and when they raised their palms together, they filled its entire field of vision.

Where was its chance of survival?!

The old demon stimulated its demon body with its essence blood, causing its figure to swell by six feet. The powerful force behind each of its punches was enough to split the ocean, and its demonic energy raged wildly.

Until it was completely drained.

The figures in its eyes did not decrease; instead, they continued to increase, and those purple-gold eyes carried a hint of pity.

Then, they uniformly transformed into a ruthless gaze.

A pale hand reached out from behind it and calmly slashed its throat with the edge of the palm.

As the old demon fell downward, Shen Yi's face was finally revealed.

"Huh."

Shen Yi curled his fingers and gently rubbed his brow, where the golden flame resided.

He felt a bit helpless about the laughter that resounded in his mind.

Although it didn't affect him much, it was still annoying.

However, his expression made everyone fall silent, and only the sound of the ocean burning under the golden flames could be heard.

Unintentionally, the demon blood on his fingers smeared onto the golden flame on his brow.

Adding a touch of malevolence to that immortal aura.

Hence, when he turned to look at the second demon, that equally experienced water demon suddenly felt its heart racing, and it instinctively threw away the mysterious rope in its hand.

Originally, there were twelve great demons, but now, with one demon holding the rope and two others gone, there were only nine left.

The Azure Rhino Demon, which had already sunk into the water, suddenly rose several feet.

"......"

The Dragonfish Palace Master's expression changed from joy to deathly stillness.

It had indeed lured Shen Yi out, but the situation seemed a little different from what it had anticipated.

As the Old Dragonfish exerted its strength again, trying to forcibly suppress the Azure Rhino Demon, the sixth-layer Returning Void demon was clearly far weaker than the previously fallen water demon.

One could even say it had no power to resist and was instantly slain.

"Old bastard, are you panicking yet?"

The Azure Rhino Demon sneered as it looked up, turning the tables, and suddenly clamping down on the dragon-bearded elder.

"Damn you!" The Dragonfish Palace Master, whose cultivation and bloodline were similar to the Azure Rhino Demon's,

It wanted to break free, but for a moment, it was at a stalemate and couldn't help but feel furious.

It watched helplessly as the ink-clad figure, like a death god, swiftly reaped the lives of the water demons.

In an instant, it seemed as if Shen Yi was everywhere, filling the sky and covering the earth.

With the enhancement of the Tianyan Forty-Nine, the numerous water demons couldn't truly harm him.

This was the overwhelming dominance of a heaven's pride over ordinary cultivators.

It was a fundamental difference in their understanding of incantations.

In their eyes, cultivation was an entirely different concept.

Since they couldn't inflict any harm... it was only a matter of time before they were all annihilated, whether quickly or slowly.

What was even more terrifying was that Shen Yi was different from other heaven's pride. While their incantations were awe-inspiring but highly consuming, Shen Yi didn't bother to use them at all and didn't care about the speed of his kills. He simply relied on his spiritual body to crush his opponents, and even now, he still seemed to have strength to spare.

"Let go of me!"

The Dragonfish Palace Master finally panicked. He could no longer tell who was restraining whom.

He revealed his true form once more.

His massive fish tail wildly slammed into the Azure Rhino Demon.

However, when he saw the falling rubble, and the Azure Rhino Demon's sinister and mocking face, he suddenly remembered... his opponent was just a spirit puppet!

The Azure Rhino Demon's displayed emotions had caused the Dragonfish Palace Master to overlook this fact.

He was actually fighting a puppet and still wanted to scare it off; how absurd!

"This..."

The many venerables on the floating island had already seen through the situation and were about to lend a hand.

But witnessing the scene before them, they felt superfluous...

One man and one puppet were enough to suppress this group of powerful water demons, leaving them helpless.

"Glug."

Zhang Ye and Xiao Yuanlin, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, stood stunned at the sight before them.

They suddenly remembered Shen Yi's calm demeanor during their previous encounter.

No wonder he was so calm... Given his strength, the previous incident was probably just child's play to him, a mere opportunity to earn more Treasure Petals from the Water Moon Trade Alliance.

Senior Shen really knows how to do business.

Zhang Ye recalled how he had pretended to be angry with the young cultivator, and he suddenly felt ashamed.

All these years, he had been wasting his time.

Finally, as the sea turned crimson with blood, the group of water demons, who had exhausted themselves trying to surround and kill Shen Yi, fell one after another into the water, only to be easily captured and stored in his finger ring.

Until only one remained in the air.

"Roar!"

Free from the restraints of the Xuanji Rope, the Azure Rhino Demon flipped itself over and leaped onto the dragonfish, which was churning up the sea. With its shattered arms, it mercilessly pounded the bump on the dragonfish's head.

The countless illusions in the sky vanished.

Shen Yi turned back, his expression slightly fatigued. The purple in his eyes dimmed, and the golden flames flickered, as if a gentle breeze could disperse them.

The consumption of his spiritual body wasn't actually that great. With his experience in killing demons, every bit of strength was used with utmost precision.

However, the Primordial Purple Qi was not infinite.

It also needed time to recover.

Without the enhancement of the purple qi, he was just a cultivator comparable to the sixth layer of the Returning Void, and even with the Tianyan Forty-Nine, fighting a typical seventh-layer water demon would be challenging, let alone facing ten of them.

Fortunately, he had managed to keep it under control this time.

Shen Yi took another step and reappeared in front of the old dragonfish.

The Tianyan Forty-Nine was once again unleashed to its full potential.

The Dragonfish Palace Master leaped high, trying to avoid Shen Yi, but he found no escape route ahead.

Its two fish eyes bulged.

The scales all over its body shone with golden light, making its eyes seem like two precious jewels.

The purple and gold in its gaze gradually faded.

It rammed headlong into the void in front of it, and just as the bump on its forehead was about to collide, a white and powerful hand appeared, blocking its path.

"..."

Shen Yi silently watched the dragonfish before him.

Under his wide sleeve, his entire arm was shattered, the bones ground to dust. Only the power of the Phoenix of Heaven was sustaining him.

For the first time, the Tianyan Forty-Nine had been broken.

"Still daring to block! I'll teach you to block me!"

The Azure Rhino Demon went berserk, using its fists like hammers to pound relentlessly on the bump on the dragonfish's head. "I'll hit you! It's your honor, you old bastard! Block! Come on! Block!"

It paid no heed to its open and bleeding fists, presenting a fearless and relentless front.

Under those hammer blows that could split mountains and seas...

The Dragonfish Palace Master was focused entirely on Shen Yi and had no chance to react. Its fish head split open, and crimson blood and white bones splattered in all directions.

"Still going to block?!"

The Azure Rhino Demon's eyes burned with killing intent as it relentlessly rammed its horn into the dragonfish's head.

Until the sea turned dark red, and the dragonfish's massive body fell powerless into the water.

The Azure Rhino Demon grabbed its scales and demanded, "Speak! I order you to speak! Kowtow and thank me!"

"..."

Shen Yi stood in mid-air, looking at the dragonfish, which had already breathed its last breath. Even the system prompt had appeared, indicating that it was probably unable to speak anymore.

Obviously, the Azure Rhino Demon was still young, and with the infusion of over twenty demon origins, its mind had become a little unstable.

Shen Yi didn't bother with pleasantries and directly stored the Azure Rhino Demon's soul-securing stone in his brow, using the Dao Palace to nurture its shattered body.

He also stored the corpse of the Dragonfish Palace Master and the dozen or so Xuanji Ropes in his finger ring, leaving nothing behind.

After doing all this...

Shen Yi turned and landed back on the floating island.

The scent of blood permeated the Water Moon Trade Alliance.

The golden flames faded.

Once again, he revealed his handsome and calm face.

However, everyone around him, regardless of who they were, now looked at Shen Yi with a hint of strange fear in their eyes.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end