The next day.
Fang Qing was pondering a pill formula when he suddenly felt his cave abode tremble.
“It’s here.”
His heart stirred. He walked out of the cave abode and into the outside world.
Rumble!
Above the firmament, layer upon layer of fish-scale black clouds gathered, lightning flickering within them, bearing an unfathomable pressure.
“So this is… the Core Formation heavenly tribulation?”
Fang Qing murmured inwardly, “To have reached the point of drawing down a heavenly tribulation… that second-rank qiu serpent must have succeeded in advancing, then? Only, after forming its core, undergoing the tribulation is the most dangerous moment.”
Sensing the immeasurable spiritual power within the heavenly tribulation, many Qi Refining cultivators trembled uncontrollably.
“Roar!”
A roar came from the deepest part of the mountain gate, like dragon and serpent alike, carrying a stern, awe-inspiring might!
Splash!
The Seven Profound Azure Wave Formation began operating at full speed. Emerald light suddenly flared, enveloping and protecting every part of the sect.
“Today, this seat’s spirit beast is undergoing its tribulation. All disciples of our sect are to stand guard where they are and are not to move rashly!”
A pleasant female voice rang out, like jade pearls falling onto a platter. A powerful divine sense swept across several li, making Fang Qing feel his hair stand on end.
“We respectfully obey the Ancestor’s command!”
On the main island, Sect Master Linghu was the first to fly out, saluting a Core Formation female cultivator in midair who seemed like a goddess from the lake.
She wore a pale blue ruqun, her temperament like a secluded orchid in an empty valley. Her features were exquisite, carrying the charm of a refined young beauty.
If one were meeting her for the first time, it would likely be difficult to imagine that this woman was the Core Formation Ancestor of the Bihai Sect—Fairy Bibo, “Ruan Zhixuan.”
At this moment, Fairy Bibo paid little attention to the situation within the sect. Her beautiful eyes shifted toward the main island.
From a lake within the island, a qiu serpent abruptly crawled out. Its body was as thick as a vat, and the blue-green scales upon it were as large as palms.
Even more astonishing was that the large bump on its head had vanished, replaced by a sky-blue single horn!
This represented that its bloodline was no longer that of a qiu serpent, but of the third-rank “Sea-Churning Flood-Serpent”!
“Hiss, hiss!”
At this moment, that Sea-Churning Flood-Serpent overflowed with nearly tangible demonic qi. Its serpentine body coiled into a circle, its head raised as it gazed at the dark clouds in the sky. Within its vertical pupils was both a trace of fear and a hint of eagerness to try.
Crack!
A bolt of lightning fell, bright white in color and bearing an awe-inspiring might.
The Sea-Churning Flood-Serpent spat out an inner core to block it. Having successfully evolved to the third rank, what was within its body was no longer a second-rank demon core, but a true third-rank demon core!
Puff!
That blue inner core was the size of an infant’s fist. Within it, there seemed to surge ten thousand hectares of azure waves, transforming into layer upon layer of light screens.
Sizzle!
The first heavenly lightning shattered all the light screens and fell upon the demonic qi, causing nearly half of it to collapse.
Immediately afterward, the second and third bolts of lightning crashed down!
Just then, a sudden change occurred!
“Zhong Xuanli… you dare?!”
Ruan Zhixuan shouted sharply. The Seven Profound Azure Wave Formation blazed with light, illuminating a figure.
He had the body of a youth, hair white as frost, and eyes filled with the weight of vicissitudes. A strand of Ice-Soul Mystic Light protected him so completely that not even a drop of water could seep through. It was none other than the Zhong clan Ancestor—Zhong Xuanli!
“What would I not dare?”
The youth let out a long howl. “If your spirit beast is allowed to advance, then my Zhong clan will be facing annihilation!”
He formed hand seals with both hands. Beneath the radiance of the Ice-Soul Mystic Light, a cold air capable of freezing magical power spread in all directions, seeming as though it meant to drag heaven and earth back to the ancient age of ice and snow.
Crack!
Heaven and earth turned frost-white, and all the lake water froze over.
Even the light screen of the Seven Profound Azure Wave Formation seemed to become much more sluggish.
“Such courage. Unfortunately… if it is only you alone, with me guarding this third-rank great formation, you will find no opportunity whatsoever.”
Ruan Zhixuan’s divine sense swept through the surrounding void. “Where is Wanderer Yuyao? Come out as well!”
Wanderer Yuyao of the Tianxin Linked Islands!
This person was likewise one of the three Core Formation Ancestors of the Little Huan Sea, and was especially skilled in the art of puppetry.
“Hehe… Fellow Daoist Ruan, Brother Zhong… this old Daoist has merely come to mediate. We are all close neighbors and ought to live in harmony…”
Light flashed in the void, revealing an old Daoist with a face full of wrinkles. Beneath him, he rode a winged tiger puppet whose aura was unfathomable, seemingly possessing the might of a late Foundation Establishment cultivator as well.
“Hmph!”
Ruan Zhixuan said nothing.
For Wanderer Yuyao to come at this moment, even if he merely stood there, already placed far too much pressure on the spirit beast undergoing its tribulation.
Not to mention… there was the suppression of their auras, and even all manner of interference.
Needless to say, there was also the Zhong clan Ancestor attacking the great formation with utter disregard for consequences.
Ruan Zhixuan had no doubt that if she revealed even the slightest flaw, Wanderer Yuyao might very well tear off all pretense and make his move!
Crack!
While the three Core Formation Ancestors faced off, the lightning tribulation in the sky did not pause in the slightest. It fell in a continuous barrage, giving the Sea-Churning Flood-Serpent no opportunity at all.
Rumble!
At last, the sixth bolt of heavenly lightning came rolling down. Within the incandescent thunderbolt, there were actually specks of green light.
This lightning crashed down fiercely, carrying an aura of extinction, striking the Sea-Churning Flood-Serpent until its entire body was charred black!
Bang!
The Sea-Churning Flood-Serpent let out a mournful cry. Its corpse fell to the ground and twitched, its aura rapidly dissipating.
“Haha… An orthodox Core Formation heavenly tribulation has nine bolts. Your spirit pet only endured until the sixth. It seems its foundation was lacking…”
Zhong Xuanli laughed loudly. With Ice-Soul Mystic Light protecting his body, he drifted away from the battlefield. “Truly a false alarm… This old man takes his leave!”
He had come only to prevent the Sea-Churning Flood-Serpent from successfully advancing.
Now that his objective had been achieved, he naturally had to leave.
Otherwise… perhaps Wanderer Yuyao would turn around and attack him instead!
Here in the Little Huan Sea, all words were empty. Only strength was real!
The Tianxin Linked Islands were the weakest of the three factions, so between the other two, they would aid whichever side was weaker, all to maintain a balance of power!
Now that the Zhong clan had attacked all the way onto Biyu Island, while the Bihai Sect’s Sea-Churning Flood-Serpent had failed in its advancement, the balance of strength had reversed! No matter what benefits had been promised to the Tianxin Linked Islands before, there was the possibility of reneging, so they had to guard against it!
“Hmph. Zhong, I will surely repay today’s humiliation!”
Ruan Zhixuan watched the Zhong clan Ancestor leave, yet did not pursue him. She then looked toward Wanderer Yuyao, her tone teasing. “Wanderer, are you still not leaving? Could it be that you wish to come and drink a cup of spirit tea?”
“Hehe, that would not be impossible…”
Wanderer Yuyao nodded with a smile, secretly transmitting his voice. “Fellow Daoist… the Zhong clan revealed far too much strength this time. And that Zhong Lingxiu truly does have the bearing of Core Formation… In dealing with this child, our two families may be able to join hands.”
Ruan Zhixuan’s expression did not change. She secretly transmitted a few words in return, then watched Wanderer Yuyao leave.
Only after finishing all this did she lower her escaping light and arrive beside the Sea-Churning Flood-Serpent’s corpse.
Puff!
A deep blue radiance appeared, transforming into a blade. It cut open the Sea-Churning Flood-Serpent’s abdomen and retrieved that third-rank demon core.
“Ancestor…”
A blue-robed cultivator appeared behind Ruan Zhixuan. It was Sect Master Linghu, with his clear, lean features.
“What a pity. In the end, it was still lacking by a hair…”
Seeing the charred snake corpse, he revealed a look of regret.
“The flood-dragon bloodline within this spirit beast was still somewhat thin. Even with the sect’s full assistance, it could only withstand five bolts of heavenly lightning… Even without outside interference, eight bolts would likely have been its limit.”
Ruan Zhixuan, however, was extremely calm, without the slightest sense of rage or frustration.
“Sigh… the chasm of Core Formation is truly difficult to cross.” Sect Master Linghu sighed, then fixed his eyes on the inner core in Ruan Zhixuan’s hand, his gaze burning.
“We always leave ourselves a margin when we act. It would have been best if the Sea-Churning Flood-Serpent could have crossed the lightning tribulation. If it could not, it would still be useful…”
Ruan Zhixuan suddenly gave a cold laugh. “In truth, this is fine as well. Otherwise, if he saw it successfully overcome its tribulation, Wanderer Yuyao would absolutely have abandoned all face and joined hands with Zhong Xuanli to attack the Seven Profound Azure Wave Formation…”
“Now that it failed its tribulation, he naturally withdrew. Before leaving, he even transmitted a message asking whether I had any intention of joining hands against that Core Formation seed, Zhong Lingxiu. How impartial of him…”
After Sect Master Linghu finished listening, his expression did not change in the slightest. Clearly, this matter had long been within his expectations. “That Zhong Lingxiu condensed divine sense while still in Qi Refining, and even cultivated Ice-Soul Cold Light, a second-rank method that only Foundation Establishment cultivators should be able to practice. If he is not eliminated, he will surely become a great calamity in the future! The Tianxin Linked Islands are unwilling to see our family produce a second Core Formation battle force. Could they bear to see the Zhong clan produce one? This matter… I actually think we can cooperate.”
“Forget it… You are the sect master. You may decide.”
Ruan Zhixuan toyed with the inner core in her hand, then suddenly smiled alluringly. “The Sea-Churning Flood-Serpent failed its tribulation, and the other two families have relaxed their vigilance against us. This is a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity… I will use the ancestral master’s secret ‘External Core Art’ to refine this water-attribute demon beast inner core into an external core, the ‘Tide-Rising Pearl.’ Your attributes align with it. After refining it, you will possess Core Formation battle strength, and can catch them unprepared and destroy Zhong Xuanli and Wanderer Yuyao… This account must be properly settled!”
“The ancestral master’s External Core Art is truly profound and marvelous!”
Sect Master Linghu had only recently learned that such an ingenious method existed, and could not help but praise it in admiration.
“Ancestor Bihai was indeed astonishingly talented… Unfortunately, the external core in his possession, refined from the demon core of a peak third-rank azure flood dragon, mysteriously vanished. Otherwise, my Bihai Sect would long ago have unified the Little Huan Sea.”
Ruan Zhixuan sighed somewhat, then suddenly looked toward Sect Master Linghu, her expression becoming solemn once more. “This matter of the external core must be kept secret. It cannot become like the matter of this flood-serpent.”
At the mention of this, Sect Master Linghu’s expression immediately turned stern. “The matter of the Sea-Churning Flood-Serpent was leaked last time… There must be a spy within our sect. Although we kept it hidden from most of the Foundation Establishment elders, back when the Sea-Churning Flood-Serpent was advancing, several special pills it required, as well as the supply of spiritual energy and blood food, all needed quite a few people to handle… It was indeed possible for someone to discover clues.”
“Therefore… the matter of the external core will be known only to Heaven, Earth, you, and me.”
After giving this final instruction, Ruan Zhixuan transformed into a streak of light and vanished.
Sect Master Linghu bowed deeply all the way to the ground. In the depths of his eyes, there seemed to be a trace of fervor, but in the blink of an eye, his face turned grief-stricken as he said to the Foundation Establishment elders Wanbao, Tianxing, Tianding, and the others, who had arrived late, “Our sect’s Spirit Venerable failed its tribulation and unfortunately perished…”
“Damnable Zhong clan!”
Elder Tianxing looked at the Sea-Churning Flood-Serpent’s corpse, his eyes nearly splitting with rage.
“Enough… The Ancestor has already taken the most important materials from the Sea-Churning Flood-Serpent. Wanbao, Tianding, the rest will be left to the two of you… Properly replenish the sect’s stores, and prepare the rewards for the disciples…”
Sect Master Linghu once again returned to his usual shrewd manner. “The Zhong clan has already achieved its objective. Presumably, they will withdraw their troops before long… The great war is over!”