Immortality Begins With The Alchemical Master Chapter 552: Breaking the Formation and Fishing in Troubled Waters - Novel Cool

Chapter 552: Breaking the Formation and Fishing in Troubled Waters

Chapter 552: Breaking the Formation and Fishing in Troubled Waters

"So this is the Huan Shou Gui?"

In an obscure underground cave, Luo Chen gazed at the creature lying before him in amazement.

It had a turtle's body and a snake's head, with a slender neck.

When Luo Chen stimulated it with his mana, the beast was forced to stretch its neck, and its elongated form could even wrap around its entire body.

"Is it a turtle or a giant snake!"

Luo Chen was surprised, and in his perception, this Huan Shou Gui seemed to have some resemblance to the mythical divine beast 'Xuan Wu' from ancient legends.

The difference was that the image of Xuan Wu in the legends was a black tortoise coiled with a black snake, with both existing together.

This Huan Shou Gui, however, had a turtle's body and a snake's head, which seemed quite incongruous.

Black King, who had shrunk his body, spoke up at this moment, "Master, the lower-tier Huan Shou Gui is like this. Only upon reaching the third stage will there be a difference."

"Oh? Will there be changes after the third stage?" Luo Chen became interested.

The Huan Shou Gui in his hands was a first-stage one that he had secretly captured recently. Its rank was low, and its spiritual intelligence was minimal.

He had thought that the demon beast clans might have cultivation level gaps, but he hadn't expected there to be changes later on?

Black King flicked his tongue and replied, "Unlike ordinary demons with mixed bloodlines, the Huan Shou Gui is a true ancient demon with traceable ancestors. According to the elders of my Hei Lin Jiao clan, the Huan Shou Gui possesses the bloodlines of the Xuan Gui and Cliff Snake, and although diluted, their concentration is far superior to that of ordinary demons like us."

"As their cultivation level increases, they refine their bloodlines with their demon power, gradually purifying one of the bloodlines to the extreme, thereby gradually approaching the appearance of their ancestors."

"The third stage is a watershed. At that time, the Huan Shou Gui will truly determine their path of cultivation and prepare for the Transformation Stage."

After following Luo Chen for several years and being influenced by him, Black King's human language skills had become quite proficient.

At this moment, his clear and logical explanation gave Luo Chen a sense of clarity.

Luo Chen listened quietly, nodding from time to time.

Purifying bloodlines and tracing back to the ancestors' might—this indeed conformed to the cultivation methods of the demon beast lineage.

Xuan Gui and Cliff Snake were both ancient and renowned demons in the Sea and Sky Realm.

With the bloodlines of these two as a guide, the cultivation path of the Huan Shou Gui lineage was indeed clearer than that of the Hei Lin Jiao, Demon Crabs, and other demons with mixed bloodlines.

Stroking his chin, Luo Chen spoke thoughtfully, "So, it seems that when the rumored Xuan Yan Gui Huang transformed, his body had probably already purified his bloodline to the extreme, taking on the form of the Xuan Gui."

As he muttered to himself, Luo Chen's gaze fell on the turtle shell of the Huan Shou Gui.

He wondered if this shell could be used to refine Black King Ointment and what the results would be. But soon, this thought was dispelled.

Refining Black King Ointment from Demon Crab shells was something he had prepared in advance and had experimented with various auxiliary materials to achieve near perfection.

If he were to change the main ingredient, the auxiliary materials would also need to be changed, which would be too troublesome.

His current focus was not on these trivial matters.

"Black King, Tian Xuan, what's the situation outside now?"

"Reporting to the master, the Five Great Demon Crab Clans have gathered around Obsidian Island, with one million soldiers, seemingly intending to completely annihilate the Huan Shou Gui clan," Black King replied.

Hearing this number, Luo Chen couldn't help but feel a chill.

He knew that the Demon Crab clan had a massive population! After all, their reproductive abilities were astonishing, even surpassing humans, who were renowned for their prolific reproduction.

This was also one of the main reasons he had come to the Obsidian Sea to hunt Demon Crabs.

You've produced so many crabs, and I'm just catching a few for refining medicine. Surely, it won't attract attention! But he hadn't expected the number to be so high.

One million soldiers! Even if ninety-nine percent of them were insignificant first-stage Demon Crabs, their sheer numbers could still overwhelm their opponents.

With the Five Great Demon Crab Clans joining forces, the Huan Shou Gui clan was in grave danger!

"Master!"

A crisp voice came from Tian Xuan's mouth, and she gave Luo Chen a piece of news that left him somewhat bewildered.

"I've discovered something. Those human cultivators seem to have joined forces with the Demon Crab side."

...

In the vast sea, the sounds of battle shook the heavens and the sea.

Luo Chen, who had activated his Concealment Array, hid in the surging depths without leaking a trace of his aura.

His keen eyes shone with spiritual light, and he looked through the blood-stained seawater to observe the situation in all directions.

Countless Demon Crab soldiers, led by third-stage Demon Crab Kings, launched an assault on numerous large and small islands.

On the islands, the Huan Shou Gui clan's powerful members defended their territories, determined to fight to the death.

Although there was a significant numerical disparity, these islands had been under their control for many years and had already merged with the formation. Thus, the Huan Shou Gui clan's experts could borrow the power of the array to draw upon the spiritual energy within, allowing them to take turns in offense and defense.

For a while, there was a balance.

However, in Luo Chen's eyes, this balance was gradually tilting towards the side with more force as the number of living beings decreased.

After observing for a while, Luo Chen's face showed a look of regret.

"These three islands will likely fall as well."

He could clearly see that the Huan Shou Gui clan had a grand formation, but there were very few experts who could wield the array as if it were an extension of their arms.

Due to the absolute numerical disparity, their downfall was inevitable.

Unless the Xuan Yan Gui Huang sent reinforcements from their ancestral island, there was little hope.

But reinforcements?

Luo Chen dared not release his divine sense, fearing it might attract the attention of beings with stronger soul foundations than him.

However, his excellent eyesight allowed him to see very far.

In his line of sight, several massive demon clouds were flying towards the Obsidian Island.

To ride the Demon Cloud and fly, one must be at least a Second Stage Demon Beast.

And to control such a massive Demon Cloud, there must be a Third Stage Demon King stationed within.

The Ringed-Head Turtle Clan has dispatched a Third Stage Demon King to provide support.

However, before even approaching the three islands under attack, over a dozen escape lights suddenly flew out from nearby, surrounding and besieging the massive Demon Cloud.

The battle between the two sides was about to erupt!

And within just half a teacup's time, the battle's situation had already reached a conclusion.

The five great Demon Crab clans, taking advantage of their superior position, would never allow the reinforcements to easily enter the formation.

In no time, the few escape lights that had survived the battlefield outside the islands were forced to retreat towards the Obsidian Island.

Meanwhile, on the battlefield of the three islands, the sounds of slaughter gradually diminished.

Suddenly, a loud shout rang out, and several escape lights simultaneously flew out from the three islands, attempting to break through the encirclement.

But this time, the strong ones from the Ringed-Head Turtle Clan couldn't retreat so easily.

Several Demon Crab Kings nearby acted in unison, thoroughly suppressing them and pushing them back into the internal battlefield of the islands.

"How many times has this happened?"

Such a scene, seemingly familiar yet not, felt like a deja vu from yesterday.

Luo Chen watched in secret astonishment.

The alliance of the five great Demon Crab clans didn't surprise him; he thought that once they started fighting, they would swarm in and finish the job.

However, he never expected the array-breaking methods to be so well-organized.

Divide and conquer, surround and attack the reinforcements, advancing from the outside in.

The so-called Nine Palace Trigram Formation, under the constant erosion of the Demon Crabs, had already lost nearly thirty islands, almost half of them!

Once they take over half, it will likely be the time when the formation collapses.

At that time, the Demon Crabs only need to march straight in, and they can invade the Inner Thirty-Six Islands and directly attack Obsidian Island!

"This is absolutely not the way Demon Beasts fight!"

Luo Chen took a deep breath, and a name popped into his mind.

The information Tian Xuan gave him was very clear. The Demon Spider Crab Clan's Demon King had personally boarded the Flying Cloud Gorge Demon-Hunting Ship. When he left, Gu Shaoshang accompanied him.

When he returned, he was alone, but without a scratch.

Moreover, after that, the communication between the two sides became quite frequent.

What does this mean?

The Flying Cloud Gorge and the Obsidian Sea Demon Crabs have joined forces!

Together, they target the Ringed-Head Turtle Clan of Obsidian Island.

In his opinion, to command such a massive number of Demon Crabs and organize them so neatly, breaking the formation calmly and steadily, could only be accomplished by Gu Shaoshang.

Thinking of this person, a trace of distress appeared on Luo Chen's face.

With this, he couldn't easily fish in troubled waters and quietly capture a few heavily injured Third Stage Demon Crab Kings.

If things continue like this, it's very likely that he will watch the royal Demon Crabs return with a full load, while he comes back empty-handed.

Thinking of this, Luo Chen couldn't help but mutter that name again.

"Gu Shaoshang..."

What kind of conditions could make Cultivators and Demon Beasts work together?

Moreover, doesn't he fear that the Demon Crab side might go back on their word?

With an absolute power gap, the seven, no, six Golden Core Cultivators from Flying Cloud Gorge can't possibly stir up any waves.

...

On an island.

Five Demon Crab Kings, each exuding a powerful aura, gathered together.

Suddenly, an escape light pierced through the sky.

"It's Jin Jia!"

Thud!

A corpse, as huge as a small mountain, was thrown to the ground.

Jin Jia grinned maliciously, "Reporting to the Clan Leader, the Longevity Three Islands have been captured, and the body of the main array master, Huan Shou, is here."

Looking at the massive turtle corpse, Jin Hun nodded in satisfaction.

"Well done. You can go and rest first. We'll need your strength when we break into the Inner Thirty-Six Islands later."

"This corpse?"

"You killed it, so naturally, it's yours."

Jin Jia chuckled, his gaze sweeping over the other four demons with a hint of pride.

As his provocative gaze passed by, the expressions of the four Demon Crab Clan leaders changed involuntarily.

After he left, Chi Yan coldly smiled, "Jin Hun, your clan's Jin Jia is getting more and more rampant!"

Nine Claws also let out a cold snort, "Ignorant brat, do you really think that we, the older generation, are no match for him?"

The Demon Spider Crab Clan's Zhu Xiang remained silent, but as he watched Jin Jia's departing figure, there was a hint of envy in his eyes.

The Tyrant Crab Clan produced exceptional individuals.

This Jin Jia's strength was almost on par with the five clan leaders.

It could be said that he was the designated successor of the Tyrant Crab Clan, while the Demon Spider Crab Clan, in comparison, seemed to be struggling with a lack of successors.

Xiao Qi...

Jin Hun didn't respond to the provocation of the two demons but spoke with a hint of melancholy, "The Outer Thirty-Six Islands have basically been captured. Next is the Inner Thirty-Six Islands, which will undoubtedly be a tough battle."

Green Sleeve nodded, "The essence of the Obsidian Ringed-Head Turtle Clan is all concentrated in the Inner Thirty-Six Islands, so a fierce battle is inevitable. However, with the help of that Daoist friend, Gu, breaking the formation and destroying the islands is just a matter of time. Jin, you don't need to worry so much."

Jin Hun shook his head, "I'm not worried about that. I'm thinking about something else."

As he spoke, his gaze met with the Demon Spider Crab Clan leader, Zhu Xiang, in silent understanding.

"Zhu Xiang, if it gets out that our Demon Clan has joined hands with human Cultivators to fight against the Ringed-Head Turtle Clan, I'm afraid the reputation of the Obsidian Demon Crabs will stink in the Northern Sea."

Zhu Xiang remained silent.

The other three demons also reacted at once.

Using Gu Shaoshang's hands to break the Nine Palace Trigram Formation, and obtain the treasures of Obsidian Island, was for the future of their five great clans.

But if the reputation of the five great clans stinks among the Demon Clans, even if a true Demon Crab Emperor appears in the future, their days won't be easy.

In an instant, all eyes turned to Zhu Xiang.

After a long pause, an aged voice emerged from Zhu Xiang's mouth.

"Cooperation is merely a means to achieve mutual needs."

"When we attack Xuan Yan Island, that will be the end of our collaboration."

"By then, there will be no ally in Gu Shaoshang, only an invader of the Xuan Yan Sea who mercilessly slaughters our demon kin."

"We must join forces to eliminate this traitor!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's faces broke into satisfied smiles.

Just then, a sword light tore through the air.

A flying sword message?

Jin Hun reached out and caught the small sword, from which a message was conveyed.

Before he could finish reading, his face turned to a mix of shock and anger.

"Human cultivators are indeed deceitful and despicable!"

...

A demon-hunting ship, riding the strong winds, swiftly departed from the Xuan Yan Sea.

Looking back at the sea, the young girl, Gu Xiao Lian, asked the young man beside her.

"Big brother, isn't the collaboration still ongoing?"

Gu Shaoshang smiled and said, "I've already taught them how to break the formation. As for the subsequent implementation, it's up to them. After all, it's not feasible for me, a single human cultivator, to command them indefinitely."

Indeed, it was a matter of propriety.

Gu Xiao Lian suddenly understood.

But when her gaze fell upon the pile of Ringed-Head Turtle corpses on the demon-hunting ship, towering like mountains, she still felt perplexed.

"In these few months, we've collected over a hundred second-stage Ringed-Head Turtle corpses and five third-stage ones. Although this is still far from the nine turtles required by Father, how can I face him with such a shortfall?"

Gu Shaoshang's smile gradually faded at this concern.

"Don't worry, I'll personally take care of the aftermath."

Gu Xiao Lian was startled.

"Big brother, are you..."

Gu Shaoshang nodded, "That battlefield is too dangerous, and we're isolated and unsupported. There's no guarantee they won't betray us. You all go ahead; I'll return to collect the goods as agreed upon in our collaboration."

"But it's just you, big brother?" Gu Xiao Lian's expression turned worried.

Gu Shaoshang let out a cold laugh, "It's no problem. Even if I'm not their match, with the means bestowed by Father, they can't stop me from leaving."

Gu Fei Yun, the master of Fei Yun Gorge, was a genuine Yuan Ying True Monarch!

With the means bestowed by him, an ordinary third-stage Demon King wouldn't dare to challenge.

This was the source of Gu Shaoshang's confidence.

After instructing several of his junior disciples to take care of Gu Xiao Lian and transport the goods back to Fei Yun Gorge, Gu Shaoshang leaped and transformed into a ray of light, diving back into the Xuan Yan Sea.

...

Half a month later.

On a massive island, slaughter and battle were the only melodies.

Countless low-level Demon Crabs emerged from the sea, surrounding the island from all directions.

The seven Crimson Rock Crab Kings led the charge, attacking the Ringed-Head Turtle experts stationed on the island.

The battle intensified, reaching a fever pitch.

Perhaps sensing the life-and-death situation, the Ringed-Head Turtles' resistance grew fiercer, as they desperately drew upon the Earth Pulse Essence.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, the support of the formation allowed them to hold their ground against the powerful Crimson Rock Crab Clan.

A stalemate?

Indeed, from the initial disarray to the current equilibrium.

This bizarre shift was due not only to the Ringed-Head Turtles' desperate resistance but also to the chaotic command on the Demon Crabs' side.

Initially, they had fought as allies, but now, the Five Great Demon Crab Clans had reverted to single-clan combat formations.

To prevent being backstabbed, they had no choice but to fight as separate clans.

However, this separation meant the loss of the combined strengths of the Five Great Demon Crabs, making the battle increasingly challenging.

The scope of the battle began to expand.

From the island to the sea, demonic energy surged, overwhelming and spilling in all directions.

This scene wasn't limited to just this large island; similar situations unfolded in several other directions.

On the sea's surface!

Boom! With a deafening explosion, a colossal Crimson Rock Crab plummeted into the ocean.

It had fallen.

Killed by a third-stage Ringed-Head Turtle.

As soon as its corpse entered the water, clusters of fire ignited.

Seeing this, the third-stage Demon King of the Ringed-Head Turtle Clan couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

"They actually wanted to self-destruct... Thankfully..."

Beneath the sea, Luo Chen stirred up Fiery Poison Mist, obscuring external perception, and reached out to touch the corpse of the third-stage Crimson Rock Crab.

"What luck!"

"The previous two times, I had to ambush them, but this time, I got one directly. Although it's dead, the shell of a third-stage Demon King can still be used for medicinal purposes."

Delighted, he stored the corpse in his storage ring.

Looking up, he saw the Ringed-Head Turtle with its thick turtle shell through the Fiery Poison Mist.

"A Ringed-Head Turtle Demon King who cultivates the Xuan Turtle Path, and it's heavily injured... Should I..."

Just as he hesitated, a figure suddenly appeared in the void, gripping a tangle of silk threads from all directions, instantly killing the unprepared Ringed-Head Turtle Demon King.

As the figure collected the remains, its gaze also fell upon the sea below.

For a moment, the person's eyebrows furrowed slightly.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end

Report