https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-637-Array-Formation-to-Kill-Demons-Controlling-the-Flower-Island/12942486/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-639-You-Have-No-Choice-I-ll-Let-You-Die-With-Some-Dignity/12942494/
Chapter 638: Fishing at the Abyss, Luo Chen's Bewilderment
Chapter 638: Fishing at the Abyss, Luo Chen's Bewilderment
A great battle was about to erupt!
The demonic beasts here, secluded in the outer sea, had almost no chance to interact with humans.
Even though they had reached the fourth stage, they couldn't speak human language after refining the horizontal bones in their mouths.
In their recklessness, they roared incoherently, not knowing what they were saying.
Luo Chen and the others had no intention of wasting words with them.
In this battle, speed was of the essence!
They needed to finish it quickly, minimizing the spread of the battle's aftermath to avoid affecting the island's terrain and the future growth environment of the Purple Monkey Flowers.
Therefore, as a massive beast tide of over a thousand creatures surged towards them, Luo Chen and the four others, along with the serpent wyrm, didn't hesitate to take drastic measures.
Duan Li wielded the jade ruler, creating countless illusions to trap large groups of demonic beasts. Each time the ruler descended, a huge burst of blood mist exploded.
Sang Jiugong struck the ground, and instantly, hundreds of black vines burst forth, directly binding three Purple Qi Poisonous Monkeys. This method was somewhat similar to Luo Chen's use of the Vine Manipulation Technique to control the Thorny Poison Vine during the Foundation Establishment stage, but the power was far greater. The three initial fourth stage demon kings, entangled in the black vines, frantically roared but couldn't break free, and their bodies slowly began to shrink, almost to the point of being torn apart. Furthermore, Sang Jiugong took out a stone tablet and pressed it into the ground, turning the earth into a muddy swamp, trapping countless low-level demonic beasts.
Lu Shan Jun, on the other hand, was much more carefree. She controlled a blue flying sword, moving swiftly and freely. Holding a whisk in her left hand, she didn't seem to use it, but the white silk that fluttered around her exuded a powerful killing intent.
As for the sword light in the air, it was the technique of Hei Wang, who controlled the Yin Lu Yang Jue, two intermediate magical treasures. However, it was evident that his control over these treasures was rather rough, and their power in his hands fell short of Duan Li's. Eventually, Hei Wang grew impatiently opened his mouth wide and began devouring the low-level demonic beasts with his innate talent.
Among these individuals, the most domineering was undoubtedly Luo Chen, who moved with great speed and power.
He didn't seem to use the Moon Wings, but his speed remained incredibly fast.
Especially when the void exploded with sound, he would teleport dozens of zhang in mid-air, landing on top of a fourth stage demon king's head, and then slamming down with a hammer.
Each time he attacked, the demon king would either be injured or killed.
In a short time, three or four Purple Qi Poisonous Monkeys fell under Luo Chen's Flame Hammer.
"Shriek!"
In the sky, a sharp bird cry rang out.
Luo Chen looked up with a cold gaze. This was one of the many fourth stage demon kings that Duan Li had mentioned in her previous investigation, the only bird-type demonic beast.
Observing its appearance, it was the powerful Golden Crown Hawk.
"Hmph!"
Luo Chen snorted, and nine chains of mana suddenly emerged, flying towards the sky.
The Golden Crown Hawk, upon seeing this, stretched out its giant claws to grab the chains.
However, the nine chains of mana coiled upwards, entangling half of its body.
"Get down here!"
Luo Chen shouted, and a surge of immense power propelled him upwards.
The Golden Crown Hawk, overwhelmed by the force, felt its demonic energy disrupted as it plummeted, letting out a panicked bird cry.
In its golden eyes, it saw a figure leap over its head, followed by a hammer strike.
Boom!
In the sky, blood and flesh flew, and feathers filled the air.
This series of actions, swift as a rabbit, ended in an instant.
From the moment the group heard the eagle's cry to Luo Chen's attack, only a few breaths had passed.
When they saw each other again, only a rain of blood remained.
Hei Wang, upon witnessing this, couldn't help but drool, thinking, "What a waste, master!"
The other three, while fighting, still had strength to spare, and they all felt a sense of awe at Luo Chen's incredible speed and violent resolution of a tricky fourth stage flying bird.
Duan Li said, "Brother Luo Hai Dao's battle technique has improved significantly, and it carries a sense of returning to simplicity and truth."
Sang Jiugong, is this the skill of the Azure Sun Demon Lord? I haven't seen him use that rumored giant cauldron magical treasure yet, and he's already this powerful."
Lu Shan Jun blinked, and her heart was filled with astonishment.
"Wasn't he just fighting an eighth-layer Golden Core Cultivator on Seven Stars Island last night? How is his mana still so powerful?"
In the sky, Luo Chen, having dealt with the Golden Crown Hawk, turned his gaze to the ground, taking in the full extent of the battlefield.
His eyebrows furrowed.
Under the combined attack of the four and the serpent wyrm, the group of demonic beasts occupying Purple Spirit Island had no resistance.
At this moment, they were already showing signs of defeat.
The demonic beasts' instincts kicked in, and they fled in all directions.
It was easy to imagine that once the beasts scattered, they might be easier to deal with, but it would also be more challenging to contain the impact to other areas.
Luo Chen's thoughts raced, and he shouted, "Everyone, don't hold back! Finish them off quickly and don't let them escape back to their lair!"
Upon hearing this, everyone sped up their actions.
Duan Li's mana output intensified, Lu Shan Jun's whisk swept across, and wherever the flying silk passed, demonic beasts were torn apart. Sang Jiugong struck the stone tablet in front of him, causing it to expand, and then with unstoppable force, it rumbled forward, crushing everything in its path.
Hei Wang was even simpler, his body expanded, and he charged into the demonic beast horde, his serpent wyrm tail sweeping across, clearing a large area.
Luo Chen wasn't idle either; he put away the Flame Hammer and stood in the air, his ten fingers rapidly firing.
Fireball techniques rained down like shooting stars, resembling a fiery downpour.
Those below the fourth stage were instantly transformed into huge fireballs, screaming and wailing as they were incinerated to ashes.
Luo Chen didn't spare the few remaining fourth stage demon kings either.
The Qingyang Great Palm Seal frequently emerged, turning them into flesh and blood.
There was an exception!
Luo Chen's gaze paused, landing on a giant crocodile that was frantically fleeing.
"Is this the fourth stage Abyssal Crocodile? Its defensive ability is indeed exceptional, able to withstand my Qingyang Great Palm Seal."
With a thought, Luo Chen dove towards the mountain-like giant crocodile.
Sensing the pursuit, the Abyssal Crocodile didn't want to sit and wait for death. Its hideous tail lashed out, smashing the rocks in front of it like clay.
The crocodile's tail swept across, aiming for Luo Chen.
"Hmph!"
Luo Chen snorted, and his palms suddenly expanded, gripping the crocodile's tail in the nick of time.
His feet sank into the ground, unmoving as a mountain.
A low roar emerged.
"Lift!"
With a surge of strength, Luo Chen, to the crocodile's horror, lifted the giant beast into the sky and then slammed it down.
Boom!
The ground shook, and the wilderness trembled.
From a distance, Sang Jiugong exclaimed, "Qingyangzi, be careful!"
He was afraid Luo Chen's brute force would destroy this not-so-large Purple Spirit Island.
Luo Chen's eyes flashed with a fierce glint, and his figure suddenly surged towards the top of the giant crocodile, his giant palm slamming down.
Mountain Splitting Stone Shattering Palm!
Powerful mana surged forth, overwhelming the crocodile.
The crocodile, like a heavy blow, rolled on the ground without stopping.
But its formidable defense, under this palm strike, still protected its life.
This was no ordinary crocodile, it was clearly a ferocious beast!
Luo Chen's eyes trembled, and the Mirror Flower Water Moon Technique was instantly activated, causing the crocodile to stiffen and lie rigidly on the ground.
Seizing this opportunity, Luo Chen's palms struck repeatedly, from the crocodile's head to its tail, at intervals of three zhang, covering a distance of several dozen zhang.
One palm! Two palms! Three palms... After nine palms, Luo Chen's hands transformed into claws, grabbing the crocodile's sturdy scales, and he roared.
"Overlord's Armor Removal!"
Ssss! The sound of flesh and bones detaching filled the air.
A gruesome sight of blood and flesh met their eyes, shocking and appalling.
Following the sound, the crowd saw a horrifying sight on the ground—a crocodile stripped of its scales, leaving only its bloody flesh, writhing in madness.
Rocks and dirt fell onto the bloody flesh, making it even more grotesque and nauseating.
The Crimson Robe Daoist merely stood there, holding an empty shell.
As the flesh crocodile rolled, threatening to damage a patch of Purple Monkey Flowers in their prime, he casually struck out with a palm, ending its life.
After finishing this, Luo Chen breathed heavily, his expression slightly relieved.
Lu Shan Jun had just finished dealing with the demonic beasts on her side, and when she looked over at Luo Chen's relaxed expression, she couldn't help but frown.
Qing Yangzi is a bit twisted!
Only Luo Chen himself knew why he had been so violent earlier.
The battle at Withered Wood Ridge, where the might of the Nascent Soul stage, left him feeling powerless.
The battle at Seven Stars Island, where he was ambushed, restrained, and beaten throughout, further added to his frustration.
Arriving at the Northern Sea, where he had always been smooth sailing, he felt incredibly stifled.
Therefore, he vented his anger in this battle.
Using the Bursting Empty Step, he relied purely on brute force, crushing the demonic beasts bewitched by the Purple Monkey Flowers, releasing the anger in his heart.
It was only after peeling off the crocodile's scales that he finally vented his anger.
Noticing Lu Shan Jun's displeased gaze, he casually tossed aside the crocodile's shell.
"Sorry, I lost control for a moment."
Lu Shan Jun forced a smile and nodded without speaking.
He had lost control, but it also showed the dominance and strength of his methods.
If these techniques were used on her, she might not last more than a few exchanges.
"Such a powerful person can only be befriended, not made an enemy!"
Luo Chen didn't care about her thoughts at the moment, and casually cast a cleansing technique, removing the bloody aura from his body.
He surveyed the surroundings.
The battle situation had long been decided.
Duan Li and the Black King were chasing down some small groups of fleeing demonic beasts.
Sang Jiugong was collecting the broken bodies of the beasts, gathering them into a pile, which was related to the ripening technique he was about to perform.
Overall, this battle could be considered a very easy victory.
It was as Luo Chen had expected, as he had calculated every step in his mind.
And the next steps would be even simpler.
...
Three days later.
Duan Li and Lu Shan Jun bid farewell to Luo Chen and left together.
On Purple Spirit Island, only Luo Chen and Sang Jiugong remained.
The Black King roamed the nearby seas, hunting low-level sea beasts and bringing their corpses back to the island.
In the valley on the island, which resembled a heavenly pit, Luo Chen and Sang Jiugong squatted on the ground, carefully plucking three Purple Monkey Flowers that resembled monkey brains.
"With the one on the cliff, these four fourth-stage Purple Monkey Flowers are now in my possession."
Luo Chen carefully preserved them in jade boxes.
Then, he watched as Sang Jiugong buried the broken bodies of the beasts into the heavenly pit, including the flesh of the third-stage Abyss Crocodile.
He had already taken the valuable parts from these beasts.
Whether it was demon cores, scales, or wings, he had taken them all.
But he didn't touch their blood, muscles, or bones.
As Sang Jiugong buried the large number of beast corpses and covered them with soft soil, Luo Chen watched as he took out a jade bottle and poured out a bowl's worth of green liquid onto the soil.
After finishing this, Sang Jiugong heaved a sigh of relief.
"The spirit vein on Purple Spirit Island is of average grade, and with four fourth-stage Purple Monkey Flowers absorbing its energy without restraint, it has long lost its potential for advancement. Now, it can be considered as waste utilization."
"By taking the blood and flesh of countless beasts, along with my unique Golden Mulberry Green Liquid, this place can become the most fertile environment for Purple Monkey Flowers to grow within ten years."
After listening to Sang Jiugong, Luo Chen showed a look of confusion.
"Ten years, is it enough?"
Sang Jiugong smiled slightly, "Of course, it's not enough. Wanting to ripen these third-stage Purple Monkey Flowers, saving them a thousand years of effort, is not that easy. Rest assured, I have some auxiliary methods to increase the soil's fertility to its maximum, enough to last for several decades!"
Luo Chen's eyes lit up, "Oh, then Luo Chen will wait and see!"
Sang Jiugong wasn't lying.
In the following days, he indeed displayed many high-level Spirit Plant Farmer techniques that Luo Chen had only heard about in rumors.
He took countless seawater, refined Luo Chen's million spirit stones, and used a formation array to set up a cyclical rain technique, causing a spiritual rain every three months.
A raging fire burned across Purple Spirit Island, turning countless ancient trees into ashes, which were piled into the heavenly pit. This was the Fire Transformation Technique, most effective in enhancing soil fertility.
Even the Black King was used as labor, diving deep into the sea to collect shells for Sang Jiugong, which were then crushed into powder and evenly scattered in the heavenly pit.
Various other methods, all sorts of techniques, left Luo Chen feeling overwhelmed.
It also made him realize that any skill, to reach a high level, might not necessarily be more difficult than pill concocting or artifact forging.
After nearly half a year, the "growth base" for Purple Monkey Flowers in the heavenly pit was finally ready.
At this point, Sang Jiugong began the formal transplantation of Purple Monkey Flowers.
He intended to transplant all the Purple Monkey Flowers on the island.
Using the strength of the entire clan, they would nurture over a hundred third-stage Purple Monkey Flowers, allowing them to advance to the fourth stage ahead of their natural growth time.
Luo Chen, in the beginning, assisted Sang Jiugong with the Fire Transformation Technique using his Origin Fire. After that, he didn't interfere anymore.
The Black King became the laborer, summoned and dismissed by Sang Jiugong.
For a while, Luo Chen found himself with some free time.
It wasn't entirely idle, though. He roamed Purple Spirit Island, examining the terrain and setting up suitable defensive arrays to protect the island from powerful demonic beasts that might invade and destroy the spirit plants in his absence.
During this process, Luo Chen began to reflect on the shortcomings of his current combat methods.
Although he was skilled in spells, the low-level ones he cast still possessed considerable might.
However, as his cultivation level increased, the limitations of these low-level spells became apparent. Their effectiveness against peers, and even higher-level foes, significantly diminished.
Mountain Collapse and Fiery Sun Technique, once his signature killing moves, no longer guaranteed a decisive victory, despite his constant refinement and optimization.
His trademark Qingyang Great Palm Seal remained usable, but its wide-area advantage became a drawback against advanced enemies, revealing a flaw in its lack of concentrated power.
Unless facing equally massive targets, the palm seal was of little use against agile human cultivators or formidable defensive treasures.
At a cold pond, a giant creature's crawling traces were visible, likely the former habitat of the Abyss Crocodile.
It was more of an abyss than a pond.
Luo Chen planted an array banner, then gazed into the bottomless, shadowy pond, lost in thought.
"Third-level spells have become lackluster for me."
It wasn't that third-level spells were weak; with his diligent study and practice, combined with systematic deduction, a Grand Perfection third-level spell could still unleash formidable power.
This level of might was quite effective against early and even mid-stage Golden Core cultivators.
But it was clear that Luo Chen no longer feared such enemies.
His imaginary foes were now late-stage Golden Core great cultivators, or even potential Nascent Soul True Monarchs!
In his calculations, fourth-level spells might become his new trump card.
However, fourth-level spells were rarely available, and only Nascent Soul True Monarchs could master them.
He currently knew only two fourth-level spells: Dragon Slaying Art and Essence Core Technique.
Neither was an offensive spell, and even though the Dragon Slaying Art could sever souls, it was limited to Luo Chen's Sea of Consciousness and couldn't be projected outward.
Essence Core Technique was extraordinary; the essence core he refined provided him with a "second hidden energy source."
After a stalemate with the Mountain Lord Bai Zao on Seven Stars Island, he went on a killing spree on Purple Spirit Island, all thanks to this second essence core.
His current magical power was no less than that of a late-stage Golden Core cultivator!
The Mountain Lord Bai Zao shouldn't have been so overwhelmed in the battle of cultivation depth; managing the Northern Dipper Seven Mountains Array while simultaneously controlling seven Intermediate Magical Flying Swords to form a sword array was a taxing task.
In contrast, after Luo Chen displayed various techniques, his Mystic Dust Armor could absorb stray earth-attributed spiritual energy and earth vein essence.
That's why he ultimately won with ease, and still had energy to spare.
"But these are ultimately foundations, unable to directly manifest powerful destructive force!"
Luo Chen painfully realized he had hit a bottleneck in his most proficient path: spells.
Even with his extensive knowledge, creating new spells would inevitably result in lower-tier spells with less potent might.
This wasn't limited to spells; it applied to treasures as well!
He possessed numerous treasures, including the Primordial Cauldron, Moonbreak Wings, Treasure Money, and Flame Hammer, all of which were top-notch.
Additionally, he had the extraordinary and mysterious Go pieces, Withered Chess and Dragon Nurturing Basin.
But ultimately, these treasures leaned more towards auxiliary and defensive functions.
Flame Hammer had decent offensive power, but its slow speed made it less effective than Luo Chen's bare-handed strikes.
As his Lifebound True Artifact, the Primordial Cauldron had immense potential and was effective in multiple aspects, except for offense.
Luo Chen had anticipated this situation; comprehensive development often led to mediocrity. The Primordial Cauldron's depth ensured it wouldn't be ordinary, but it couldn't be his go-to offensive weapon, at least not in the short term.
In fact, most Golden Core cultivators faced a similar dilemma.
Lifebound True Artifacts, being objects of dual cultivation, were valued by Golden Core cultivators for their depth and versatility, often lacking in offensive capabilities.
Thus, many Golden Core cultivators, upon advancing in cultivation and accumulating surplus magical power, would strive to master a second offensive treasure.
For instance, the Old Fisherman's Lifebound True Artifact was unknown to Luo Chen, but the Mystic Golden Pole, Sound Bell, and Heaven Wounding Line were a set of combination treasures he specifically refined to compensate for his offensive shortcomings.
Similarly, the Mountain Lord Bai Zao, whom he encountered not long ago, had the immensely heavy Hundred Artifacts Mountain as his Lifebound True Artifact but chose the Seven Stars Sword, which was infused with chilling killing intent and unmatched sharpness, for offense.
Luo Chen had followed a similar path, with the Primordial Cauldron as his Lifebound True Artifact, emphasizing versatility, and the Mystic Dust Armor for full-body defense.
He had the Xuanhuo Sword for offense and the Flame Hammer for defense.
In the past, he felt it was sufficient, and it was, given his numerous techniques and lack of weaknesses, always having a countermeasure against enemies.
However, facing late-stage Golden Core foes, he discovered a significant gap.
"I lack a purely offensive treasure!"
At the shadowy pond's edge, Luo Chen sat cross-legged, uncovering a previously overlooked issue.
Finally, through the water's reflection, he saw his robust physique.
"My physique is evidently powerful, surpassing third-tier demonic beasts, and even comparable to true wild beasts!"
"Yet, my utilization of it is too crude, seemingly unable to unleash its true potential."
In the battle on Seven Stars Island, Luo Chen was suppressed from start to finish, managing only one counterattack.
This situation resulted from both the Mountain Lord Bai Zao's Northern Dipper Seven Mountains Array and Luo Chen's underutilization of his physical prowess.
He believed that if Wang Yuan, with such a physique, encountered a similar situation, even without various spells and formidable treasures, he wouldn't be so passively battered.
A memory surfaced of Wang Yuan's evaluation upon seeing the Heavenly Peng Transformation manual: "How can a quasi-demon transformation compare to my human true body?"
"Is the Heavenly Peng True Body unsuitable for frontal combat?"
When space and speed were restricted, the Heavenly Peng True Body seemed like a mere target.
What if it were Wang Yuan's Gigantic Spirit Transformation?
Luo Chen addressed each issue, feeling like buckets of cold water were being poured over him.
After years of cultivation and continuous progress, revered by many and respected by peers, the once triumphant Luo Chen suddenly awoke at the shadowy pond's edge.
At this moment, he realized that as he grew stronger, his flaws became more apparent.
"This shouldn't be..."
The Daoist sat by the pond, muttering to himself, a hint of confusion in his eyes.
(End of Chapter)
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