https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-560-Endless-Troubles-Ambush-and-Assassination/12942265/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-562-A-Commoner-s-Innocence-A-Crime-of-Possessing-Treasures/12942281/
Chapter 561: Returning to the Swallow Archipelago, Blood Nightmare's Visit
Chapter 561: Returning to the Swallow Archipelago, Blood Nightmare's Visit
Perched atop a Sarala Tree, Luo Chen gazed towards a distant location.
Here, he had reached the Heavenward Sea.
With full speed, it would only take two to three days to reach the Swallow Archipelago.
The reason he stopped here was mainly because this was where he had landed after being teleported from Cangwu Mountain years ago.
After so many years, he had no idea what condition that teleportation array, which he had damaged, was in.
"Are you going back to take a look?"
A voice entered his ears.
Luo Chen's expression remained calm, and he slowly shook his head.
He wasn't some criminal who, after committing a crime, would habitually return to the crime scene to observe and then get caught.
Although he was indeed curious about the state of the teleportation array, Luo Chen suppressed his curiosity.
His gaze slowly shifted downward.
"I plan to wait here for a few days."
"Wait?" Han Zhan was perplexed.
After some thought, he mused, "Are you worried that there might be an ambush in the Swallow Archipelago that's unfavorable to you?"
Luo Chen nodded.
That was indeed his thought.
Although the Swallow Archipelago was his base, before him, it was nominally a part of the Canghai Alliance, controlled by the loose cultivator Yan Nantian.
Since he had killed Yan Nantian, and more than a decade had passed, it was possible that the Canghai Alliance might send people to check on the situation.
If they were displeased with his actions and set up an ambush to trap him, it would be troublesome.
Moreover, Wu Qi from the Mo Luo Sect had once invited him to join, but Luo Chen had refused. He wasn't sure if there would be any follow-up to that.
Six years had passed!
With the ten-year period Wu Qi mentioned approaching, it was easy for something to happen.
Therefore, he planned to send someone to check on the situation first.
"Tianxuan!"
"What are your orders, Master?"
"Follow the guidance of this jade pendant and go to that island to observe the situation. Remember not to land on the island; there's a large array there, and if it's fully activated, you won't be a match for it..."
The Swallow Archipelago had the island-linking array passed down by the Canghai Alliance, which Luo Chen had observed once.
When fully activated, its power was indeed extraordinary. Even if a demon beast didn't understand array paths and was a whole realm higher, they could easily be killed.
So, he only ordered Tianxuan to patrol around the Swallow Archipelago for a day.
In one day, without any concealment, if there were truly Golden Core Stage or higher experts lying in ambush on the island, they would personally take action to drive Tianxuan away or kill him.
If that happened, Luo Chen would also sense it.
With the order given, Tianxuan flapped his wings and flew towards the Swallow Archipelago.
Meanwhile, Luo Chen descended and pointed his fingers like swords at the tall and lush Sarala Tree's trunk.
As his spiritual power surged, he quickly dug a large hole in the trunk.
He calmly entered the hole and quietly waited.
Although there were many demons in the Heavenward Sea, they weren't primarily sea demons. A group of albatrosses inhabited this place.
These demons had gentle temperaments and wouldn't attack unless provoked.
Of course, if one did provoke them, the flock of albatrosses wouldn't be easy to deal with.
After entering the tree hole, Luo Chen didn't just sit idly.
He took out a pearl from his storage ring.
This was the original body left by Yuan Yin, the Sand Pearl Spirit.
In the years since Luo Chen had arrived in the Northern Sea, he hadn't abandoned his habit of reading books, so he was somewhat familiar with some of the common materials in this cultivation world.
The Sand Pearl Spirit, also known as the Pearl Demon or the Sea Demon Child, was called a demon mainly because they were born with spiritual intelligence and cultivated by parasitizing the flesh and blood of bivalve demons like giant clams and oysters, thus earning the name 'demon'.
This material was extremely common in the vast Northern Sea.
Even some strong mortal warriors could dive into the sea to find first-stage Sand Pearl Spirits.
After all, these creatures had virtually no combat ability, and first and second-stage ones could only hide. Once discovered, they were at the mercy of others.
Getting sidetracked.
Because of their commonality, the uses of this material had long been figured out.
It could be used for medicine, artifact refinement, array setup, talisman making, and even ground into powder and sprinkled on spiritual soil to nurture spiritual plants.
Its versatility was unmatched by any other material!
Luo Chen had a few recipes that used the Sand Pearl Spirit, but they were all low-grade.
Especially!
"This Sand Pearl Spirit is of the third stage, a perfect-stage demon. Even in major shops, it would be a top-grade item, surpassing even fourth-stage materials."
"Using it to refine low-grade pills would be a waste of its potential."
Looking at the Sand Pearl Spirit, Luo Chen felt a bit helpless for a moment.
He had a treasure in hand but no suitable use for it, a bit of a happy dilemma.
"Senior Han, do you have a suitable method to utilize this Sand Pearl Spirit?"
Within the Ten Thousand Souls Scepter, Han Zhan spoke in a low voice, "My understanding of this demon is limited to mere recognition. If you ask me how to use it, I truly have no idea."
Luo Chen furrowed his brows, temporarily storing away the Sand Pearl Spirit, which was almost perfect in terms of its grade.
Later, he could exchange ideas with fellow Golden Core Cultivators from the North Sea. Perhaps they would have more suitable methods to utilize the Sand Pearl Spirit.
If all else failed, he could refine this thing into a treasure! The final move the opponent unleashed before dying seemed somewhat similar to the Jade Scepter Waste Pearl he used during his Qi Condensation Stage. If he were to refine a treasure using a Sand Pearl Spirit of this quality, its power would surely be formidable.
...
Swallow Feather Archipelago!
This remote area, after experiencing several upheavals, finally gained a brief period of tranquility with the arrival of the Celestial Fire Demon Lord.
However, beneath this tranquility, a disaster was brewing.
To obtain the Celestial Fire Demon Lord's Golden Core Secret Technique, the various clans went crazy, consuming their own resources.
In the short term, it was manageable, but as time passed, some clans began to struggle.
Especially the Celestial Fire Demon Lord, whose demands were immense, like an insatiable abyss. It was unclear why a Golden Core Cultivator's cultivation required such a vast amount of resources.
No one had heard of other Golden Core Cultivators requiring so many resources! Fortunately, this frenzy subsided gradually after the Celestial Fire Demon Lord left six years ago.
With the main person of interest no longer on the island, no matter how they tried to please him, it was all in vain.
This was why the Swallow Feather Archipelago had been peaceful for six years.
However, this tranquility was recently shattered.
A Celestial Whirl Sea Gull of Demon King level had, for some reason, wandered into this sea area. The opponent seemed to have taken a liking to the Swallow Feather Archipelago and was circling around, refusing to leave.
Under the overwhelming pressure of the Demon King, the archipelago's cultivators felt like they were facing a formidable enemy.
Even the leaders of the various clans immediately reached a consensus and activated the island's protective array.
If the Celestial Whirl Sea Gull attempted to land on the island, they would show no mercy and eradicate it!
But strangely, the Celestial Whirl Sea Gull seemed intelligent, only circling around the island and refusing to land.
Due to its incredible speed, the archipelago's cultivators dared not activate the array's killing move, fearing that if they failed to kill the demon, they might anger it and bring about disaster.
Black Swan Island.
Over thirty Foundation Establishment Cultivators gathered to discuss the current predicament.
"That bird demon has been circling for almost a day. What does it want to do?"
"Could it be that something in our territory is attracting it?"
"That shouldn't be the case! The Swallow Feather Archipelago is resource-poor, with only a third-grade spirit vein worth mentioning. But this spiritual land's aura is concealed by the array set up by the Celestial Fire Cultivator, so such a Demon King shouldn't have discovered it."
"Then what does it want? It doesn't advance or retreat, just circling around, glaring at us."
Amidst the heated discussion, an elderly and experienced cultivator suddenly directed his gaze towards a palace-robed female cultivator seated in the main position.
"Moonlit Fairy, what do you think we should do?"
Among the crowd of clan leader-level cultivators, Moonlit Fairy was considered a rising star.
But no one dared to underestimate her.
Aside from her terrifying talent, reaching the fifth layer of Foundation Establishment within just a few years, the most crucial factor was the powerful force she represented in the background! Moonlit Island, the Celestial Fire Demon Lord!
At this moment, under everyone's gaze, Cheng Hai heart smoothed her hair and revealed a bitter smile.
"Fellow cultivators, you are giving me too much credit. For such a powerful demon, how could a young girl like me have any means to deal with it?"
Seeing her refusal, the others showed suspicion on their faces.
"Could it be that the Celestial Fire Cultivator didn't leave you any means of attack before he left?"
"Even if he did, how could I waste it on a Demon King? Moreover, the opponent hasn't attacked us." Moonlit Fairy spoke, avoiding their questions.
She was well aware that they were testing her.
Whether the Demon Lord had left behind any means was the most intriguing question for these clan leaders.
With the Demon Lord gone for so long, Moonlit Island was like a land without a master, and everyone wanted a piece of it.
Especially since there was a stele there that recorded the Celestial Fire Alchemy Scripture!
Someone in the crowd sighed, "If only our Swallow Feather Archipelago had a native Golden Core Cultivator of our own."
"Indeed, it's a pity about Cheng Dou. He was the most promising to achieve Golden Core, but at the last moment, he failed and perished on the spot."
"I heard he was in a hurry?"
"Cultivating the Celestial Fire Alchemy Scripture for only ten years and hastily attempting Golden Core, he must have been in a rush. That's why he suffered backlash, right?"
"Then it seems that the Celestial Fire Alchemy Scripture might also have flaws?"
Seeing the discussion veering off-topic, Cheng Hai's expression grew increasingly gloomy.
Over the years, the various clans had become increasingly dissatisfied with the Black Swan Cheng Clan.
Before the Celestial Fire Demon Lord was around, no one dared to show a hint of defiance.
But the Demon Lord left and has been gone for a long time.
Their own Foundation Establishment master, who had reached the peak of the Great Circle, failed in his Core Formation and died on the spot. Such a large Cheng Clan no longer had a late-stage Foundation Establishment master to preside over it.
Over time, the dissatisfaction that had been building up in their hearts gradually began to surface.
They tested whether the Demon Lord had left behind any means of control, discussed their late brother's affairs in front of them, and even began to doubt the Celestial Fire Alchemy Scripture. All of this was a form of provocation.
If only the Demon Lord were still here!
Taking a deep breath, the woman spoke in a cold voice, "Everyone, let's discuss how to deal with that Celestial Whirl Sea Gull!"
She forcefully steered the conversation back on track.
"Having a Demon Overlord lingering nearby is not good for the daily operations of our major families."
"Whether it's managing the clan, working at sea, or conducting business outside, none of it can be done."
"If we don't resolve this issue, it's as if we're all trapped in a prison!"
The expressions of the crowd turned grim.
Finally, someone suggested, "Why don't we activate the array and forcibly kill the Demon Overlord?"
This was their last resort.
Once they did that...
Just as the crowd was hesitating, a cultivator walked in.
"He's gone!"
"That Demon Overlord suddenly left!"
The crowd was momentarily stunned.
Then, everyone left together, flying into the sky above Black Swan Island and looking around. Indeed, the giant demon's shadow was nowhere to be seen.
How strange!
They looked at each other in bewilderment.
But even though the Demon Overlord had left, the clans still didn't dare to let their guard down.
They didn't immediately lift the ban, and the restriction on clan members leaving remained in place. The array was always ready to be triggered.
If the Demon Overlord was doing this intentionally, letting them lower their guard before returning to launch an attack, they could at least react in time.
But it was clear!
This state couldn't be maintained indefinitely.
No one could afford to wait it out.
It was under this oppressive atmosphere that on the third day...
Above the dock, a bird's cry suddenly rang out.
The sharp cry echoed in all directions, startling the numerous Foundation Establishment cultivators who were already on edge.
Over a hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Swallow Feather Archipelago took to the skies.
The Demon Overlord had returned, and this time, they feared there was no escaping a battle!
Moreover, the Celestial Whirl Sea Gull was the best and most formidable among the sea birds. Once the battle erupted, they were bound to suffer heavy losses.
Just as everyone was filled with apprehension, the leader, Cheng Haixin, suddenly brightened and exclaimed in surprise.
"That's..."
Before the crowd could react, she leaped out of the array's defense range and headed towards the Celestial Whirl Sea Gull.
"Haixin welcomes the senior's return!"
It was only then that everyone noticed a white-robed man standing on the back of the giant demonic bird.
The man's aura was well-concealed, like a withered tree, drawing no attention.
If one were to look at him during ordinary times, they might mistake him for an ordinary mortal.
But it was clear that for a Demon Overlord to bow down and offer itself as a mount, the rider couldn't possibly be an ordinary mortal.
The cultivators were astonished!
After just one trip, the Demon Lord had tamed a Celestial Whirl Sea Gull as his mount. Such means were truly beyond their imagination.
It seemed that the man's cultivation had advanced significantly.
For a moment, the cultivators, without a second thought, flew to welcome the Celestial Fire Demon Lord.
Amidst the voices welcoming the Demon Lord's return, Luo Chen's expression remained cold.
"Disperse!"
As he spoke, his spiritual power surged, lifting Cheng Haixin, and riding the Celestial Whirl Sea Gull, he flew straight to the Ten Mile Lake in the center of the archipelago.
Upon arrival, he flicked his wrist.
The Primordial Cauldron unfolded, and a black dragon swam out.
As demonic energy surged, the black dragon grew larger, stretching its body and letting out a roar of satisfaction.
"Roar!"
He seemed to be enjoying himself.
Watching the Black King swim into the Ten Mile Lake, the Celestial Whirl Sea Gull landed on the Moonlit Island, preening its feathers. At this moment, Luo Chen's heart finally relaxed.
Finally back! Cheng Haixin watched this scene, her eyes darting wildly.
A Celestial Whirl Sea Gull was already shocking enough.
The Demon Lord had even tamed a dragon! The former leader of the Dragon Gang, Kun Jiao, also had a black dragon, but it was of mediocre strength, and even their late brother, Cheng Dou, didn't fear it much.
Unlike this one, with its massive body and powerful aura, it looked like a formidable opponent.
Just as Cheng Haixin was pondering this, Luo Chen turned around.
"Have there been any major events on the island these past few years?"
Cheng Haixin's expression turned solemn. "No major events, but someone came to visit you."
"Who?"
"That person claimed to be the Blood Nightmare. I don't know their exact cultivation level, but I dared not look directly, as they seemed incredibly powerful!"
Blood Nightmare! Luo Chen's expression changed slightly. Such a powerful being had taken the initiative to visit, which was somewhat beyond his expectations.
(End of Chapter)
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