A few days later.
A massive cyan flood dragon suddenly appeared on the distant sea horizon.
It howled as it charged over from afar, and wherever it passed, the sea surface churned and surged, carrying an extremely pure wood-attributed spiritual energy that dyed the surrounding heavens and earth a blue-brown hue.
That aura pressed down from the heavens, and low-level cultivators within several hundred li all trembled in their hearts. They looked up one after another, their eyes filled with shock.
"W-What is that?"
"That's at least a Nascent Soul level escape technique!"
As the crowd marveled.
The cyan flood dragon flew directly above an island not far from the desolate island where Jiuyou and the others were located. It plunged sharply downward and crashed onto the ground with a thunderous roar.
Cyan light exploded, and wood spiritual energy surged outward like a tidal wave.
That originally barren and lifeless small island was instantly revitalized. Withered trees sprouted, wild weeds grew wildly, and hundreds of flowers bloomed in mere moments, as if a spring breeze had swept through overnight.
Within that surging cyan spiritual energy, a figure slowly emerged.
It was an elder with black hair, his eyes gleaming brightly. He wore a light cyan brocade robe, and his aura was as deep as an abyss. He was unmistakably at the Early Nascent Soul stage as well.
Jiuyou, Blood Sea True Person, and the other three naturally sensed this aura. They all flashed to the edge of the desolate island and looked across.
Jiuyou’s gaze condensed slightly. He recognized the identity of the cyan-robed elder, and a cold sneer curled at the corner of his mouth.
"Old ghost Qingshan... This old bastard still hasn't died."
No sooner had he spoken than two more streaks of light flew over from the distant horizon.
One white and one red, one ahead and one behind, moving as fast as shooting stars. The pressure was undisguised—two more Early Nascent Soul cultivators.
The two streaks of light each landed on the green island where the cyan-robed elder stood.
As the white light dissipated, a middle-aged man in a white robe emerged, his garment embroidered with white crane patterns, giving him an ethereal aura.
As the red light faded, a red-robed elder appeared, his face gaunt and his eyes glowing with restrained brilliance.
The three stood together, chatting amiably, clearly old acquaintances.
Blood Sea True Person narrowed his eyes and immediately recognized their identities.
"White Crane Child, Gao Tianshan... All Nascent Soul cultivators from the Righteous Path Alliance. It seems the others should be arriving soon."
Jiuyou let out a cold snort, his gaze sweeping over the three figures across the way.
As if noticing their attention, Old Ghost Qingshan abruptly turned his head, and from across several hundred zhang of sea, his gaze shot over like a blade.
When he clearly saw Jiuyou’s face on the island, his expression instantly darkened.
His voice crossed several hundred zhang, directly transmitting to them, his tone filled with hatred.
"You old demon Jiuyou! Two hundred years ago, you ambushed me and tried to take my life. I still remember this debt to this day!"
Jiuyou’s expression remained unchanged upon hearing this, but a mocking smile tugged at his lips.
"Heh, back then, I heavily injured you in one strike. I thought that with your limited lifespan and severe wounds, you would have long since passed away in some corner. I never expected you to still be clinging to life—this old man is quite surprised."
He paused, and his voice suddenly turned icy cold, murderous intent leaking out.
"You're weak in strength and can't defeat me, yet you dare spout nonsense here today? Say one more useless word, and watch me refine you on the spot!"
No sooner had he spoken than a cluster of deep blue flames suddenly ignited in Jiuyou’s palm.
The temperature around them plummeted, a bone-chilling cold spreading. The blue firelight illuminated his face in flickering shadows, eerie and terrifying.
Across the way, Old Ghost Qingshan narrowed his eyes, his breathing becoming heavier, his killing intent undisguised. But he did not speak, only staring fixedly at Jiuyou as if trying to etch that figure into his bones.
Beside him, White Crane Child and Gao Tianshan’s expressions were equally grim.
Especially after seeing Blood Sea True Person standing beside Jiuyou. That was a Mid-Nascent Soul existence—a powerful figure they would normally never provoke.
Both of their eyes involuntarily showed a hint of anxiety. They kept glancing toward the distant horizon, as if waiting for something.
Just then, a resonant voice rang out from the heavens and earth, like a bell tolling and a drum beating, shaking the clouds.
"Little old demon Jiuyou, you really have quite the big mouth."
"Who do you want to refine? Why not refine me as well, how about that?"
In the distance, a flash of golden light appeared!
A massive golden light sword materialized in the sky. The blade was hundreds of zhang long, suffused with flowing golden light. Wherever it passed, the void trembled, and its pressure was overwhelming.
That momentum was stronger than anyone present.
Low-level cultivators within several hundred li all looked up, some shocked, others reverent, their eyes filled with terror.
"Daring to speak to Soul Wraith Ancestor like that... Could it be a Mid-Nascent Soul cultivator!?"
"The Heavenly Net Sword Technique... That's the Great Elder of Heavenly Sword Island!"
"Fang Wuji!"
An experienced old cultivator exclaimed in shock, hurriedly pulling his companions back several li to avoid being caught up in it.
Jiuyou looked up, the wrinkles on his face deepening.
He snorted coldly and turned his head away, no longer looking in the direction of that golden light, remaining silent.
The Righteous Path Alliance cultivators across the way immediately broke into smiles upon seeing this.
"Brother Fang, you've finally arrived! Hahaha!"
No sooner had Old Ghost Qingshan spoken than that golden light sword landed on the green island.
The sword light dissipated, and a figure stood with his hands behind his back.
It was a middle-aged man with a gaunt face, wearing a golden brocade robe, his gaze like lightning. Golden light swirled around him, his aura oppressive. He nodded slightly, then swept his gaze toward Jiuyou’s side, pausing briefly on Blood Sea True Person, a flicker of surprise passing through his eyes.
Blood Sea True Person met his gaze, snorted coldly, raised his chin slightly, and looked askance at him.
Behind him, the phantom image of a blood-colored Kun whale faintly appeared, its surging blood energy rolling like a tide, showing no sign of weakness.
"I didn't expect Great Elder Fang to come as well." Blood Sea True Person’s voice was not loud, but it carried clearly across the surroundings.
"I've heard that Great Elder Fang's 'Heavenly Net Sword Technique' has reached the pinnacle of mastery. I'd truly like to find an opportunity to test it and see if your sword technique or my 'Blood Kun Great Technique' is superior."
In the distance, Fang Wuji did not respond.
His gaze swept over Jiuyou, Blood Withered, Senior Blood Vine, and Blood Sea in turn, finally stopping on Jiuyou.
A slight smirk curled at the corner of his mouth.
"Blood Sea, Blood Withered, Senior Blood Vine, Jiuyou..."
He paused, then stretched out a finger and pointed it directly at Jiuyou, his face full of mockery.
"None of your names have the word 'blood.'"
"But—every disciple on your Soul Wraith Island is your blood."
As soon as he said this, Old Ghost Qingshan, White Crane Child, and Gao Tianshan all burst into laughter, their voices filled with ridicule.
"Hahaha—"
The laughter echoed across the sea, piercing and harsh.
Jiuyou naturally caught the mockery in their words. His brow furrowed deeply, his face ashen, and his fingers clenched tightly, the knuckles turning white.
He took half a step forward, stomping hard on the ground, shattering the hard rock beneath his feet.
But he did not speak.
He only stared coldly at the opposite side, his gaze as venomous as a snake.
Canfeng stood far in the back, his legs weak, cold sweat beading on his forehead. He stole a glance at his patriarch, seeing that gaunt, stooped figure motionless, yet seeming ready to erupt with earth-shattering fury at any moment.
And farther away, those low-level cultivators watching had long fallen silent in terror.
Demonic Path Alliance Nascent Souls facing off against Righteous Path Alliance Nascent Souls, with two Mid-Nascent Soul greats clashing silently in between.
Such a scene—they had never witnessed anything like it in their entire lives.
Some quietly retreated, others held their breath, and most were simply stunned. Just watching that aura from afar made it hard to breathe.
Just then.
On the distant horizon, several more streaks of light appeared.
Some cyan, some purple, some black, some red—each carrying astonishing pressure.
Not one, not two—
But a full seven or eight!
Those streaks of light came from different directions, moving at great speed, all heading toward this sea region.
Some landed on the Righteous Path Alliance side, some on the Demonic Path Alliance side, and others stopped on more distant desolate islands, their attitudes ambiguous, as if they were watching.
Nascent Soul cultivators.
All of them were Nascent Soul cultivators.
One, two, three... Canfeng tried to count frantically but found he couldn’t keep up.
He felt his scalp go numb.
This was no mere secret realm competition—this was clearly the prelude to a Nascent Soul battle!
Jiuyou’s gaze swept over those streaks of light one by one, his expression growing darker and darker.
He knew that those who were meant to come had all arrived.
And the true slaughter had only just begun.