by Translator: Pokka; Author: 我本纯洁 (I Am Pure); Licensed From: Migu
The two coiled around each other and tore at each other repeatedly. They clashed again and again while their demonic auras rippled outward, causing the sea to churn and turn. Above the sea, the blue-scale jiao held the upper hand. Its water manipulation allowed it to deal great damage to Money, whereas Money himself was unable to harm the jiao much.
At this time, Money finally grew furious. He roared and summoned a rain of silver lightning bolts, forming a sea of lightning to attack the blue-scale jiao. The blue-scale jiao was aware it couldn't face the attack head-on, so it dove back into the sea.
Rumble! Rumble!
The lightning bolts bombarded the sea, blasting it apart, creating numerous waves dozens of meters in height. The waves rippled everywhere. Money did not stop attacking. He dove into the sea as well, aiming only to capture the blue-scale jiao.
Looking at Money furiously fighting, Xiang Shaoyun smiled and said, "Money is already strong enough to hold his own. I wonder if he can beat this blue-scale jiao into submission. This jiao definitely knows Lonesoul Island's location. After all this is over, I need to visit the Hundred Beast Mountain Range. I wonder how Little White has been. Does he still remember his boss?"
Under the sea, the seawater continued churning as two powerful figures clashed repeatedly. The sea's surface was absolutely chaotic, a clue to the underwater battle's intensity. After an indeterminate amount of time, Money was forced out of the water. He hovered in the sky, his body covered with wounds. Blood endlessly dripped from them. Evidently, he had sustained heavy injuries.
A part of the sea had been dyed red. It was unknown if the blood belonged to Money or the blue-scale jiao.
"Stupid bitch, get up here if you have the guts! I'll tear you apart!" shouted Money.
It's actually a female jiao? Xiang Shaoyun exclaimed inwardly.
A jiao heat came out of the water. Staring at money, she replied unyieldingly, "Come down here if you have the guts. This princess will swallow you alive!"
"This is infuriating! I refuse to believe I won't be able to do anything to you, bitch!" Money was so furious he started trembling. He roared and dove right back into the water.
After yet another intense round of battle started, the fight lasted much longer than the previous round. Numerous lightning bolts rained down from the sky, but they were greatly weakened after entering the sea.
After all, Money specialized in lightning and not water. The sea was now his battle site, and he could display neither his full strength nor speed. Thus, he was completely helpless as the blue-scale jiao held the complete upper hand against him.
Unsurprisingly, Money flew out of the water again after a while. Many new wounds appeared on his body, and he had again failed to capture the blue-scale jiao.
"Money, you can't deal with her?" Xiang Shaoyun asked.
He wasn't worried about Money's wounds. After all, that fellow had an insane recovery speed. In fact, Xiang Shaoyun was more than happy to see Money suffer some hardship since it would be beneficial for his growth.
After taking a short breather, Money dove into the sea for the third time. Alas, he still returned in defeat.
The blue-scale jiao floated to the surface of the sea and challenged smugly, "You dare create trouble on this princess's turf? You must be tired of living. If you annoy this princess, nowhere on this sea will be safe for you!"
The blue-scale jiao was quite arrogant, as though she ruled the entire sea.
Her words further provoked Money, and just as he was about to dive into the water again, Xiang Shaoyun said, "Princess, we only want to ask for directions. We didn't intend to offend you. My apologies."
"Laughable! You are shouting and roaring on my turf, and you dare claim you didn't intend to offend me? You really think the jiao can be bullied easily?" berated the blue-scale jiao.
"Of course not. So long as you tell me the location of Lonesoul Island, we will leave. We will not disturb you a second longer. I will even offer you a gift," said Xiang Shaoyun courteously.
"Who cares about your gift? When my clan's army arrives, I will eat all of you!" said the blue-scale jiao proudly.
Money said unhappily, "You think I really can't do anything to you, bitch? Come, come into the air. See if I can make you sprawl on the ground."
"Come down here again if you're so great. I won't let you escape this time," replied the blue-scale jiao unyieldingly.
Money wanted to dive down, but Xiang Shaoyun stopped him and said, "Enough, we can't keep wasting time. The jiao army will be here soon. Things will be troublesome if we're still here. Aikai, finish this quickly."
"Yes, young master," replied Aikai before he streaked into the sea.
Aikai was already a Sovereign, so he should probably be strong enough to deal with the blue-scale jiao. However, Xiang Shaoyun had obviously underestimated the blue-scale jiao. When Aikai was diving down, a massive wave rose up and blocked his advance. The blue-scale jiao took the chance to swim away. Aikai was furious and attacked fiercely, sending a rain of feathers toward the sea, creating numerous massive waves.
The blue-scale jiao lived up to the jiao's reputation of being the overlords of water. Her strength was comparable to a Demon Sovereign. No matter how Aikai attacked, he could not harm her. In fact, he was endlessly furious due to her ceaseless provocations. However, he did not dare to enter the sea because he couldn't fully display his strength underwater.
At this time, Xiang Shaoyun sensed a large jiao army in the distance. He had to finish this as soon as possible, or they would be further delayed.
"Move aside and watch. I'll deal with her," said Xiang Shaoyun as he finally decided to move personally.
Chapter 925: Capturing the Blue-Scale Jiao Princess
"Human, you won't cut it," jeered the blue-scale jiao.
"Is that so? Just wait until I catch you. I'll make you my brother's wife," said Xiang Shaoyun with a smile.
"Boss, you can't do that to me. This bitch is too cruel. I reject her," Money hurriedly said.
"What a coward. Back then, the fiercer the tigress, the more Little White liked it," said Xiang Shaoyun as he found Money too soft. He then shot toward the sea like a bolt of lightning.
The blue-scale jiao could sense that he was an extraordinary human. He wouldn't have been able to make a powerful Demon Emperor and feathered beastman his followers otherwise. Without any hesitation, she dove deep into the water.
Instead of diving underwater, Xiang Shaoyun stopped at the surface and grabbed at the water. Two massive blue palms swept through the sea, causing the sea to split before a powerful force wrapped around the blue-scale jiao and fished her up.
"Roar! Roar!"
The blue-scale jiao roared furiously. She repeatedly struggled, trying to break free of Xiang Shaoyun's grasp, only to find that the force wrapped around her was too powerful. Apart from hardness, there was also a soft force around her. No matter how she struggled, she couldn't escape.
Xiang Shaoyun tossed the blue-scale jiao high into the sky. His clone walked out of his forehead, and a powerful Sovereign aura wrapped around the blue-scale jiao and fixed her in midair. She was completely helpless and felt greatly threatened. It was as though the human could erase her anytime he wanted.
Xiang Shaoyun had released his clone because he did not want to waste any time on the blue-scale jiao. Without the clone, he would need to waste some effort to make her yield. In any case, he had already decided to capture the blue-scale jiao and make her Money's wife.
The blue-scale jiao finally sensed how dreadful Xiang Shaoyun was. No matter how she struggled, she couldn't break free. Furthermore, Xiang Shaoyun's killing intent seemed to be getting thicker, causing her to be even more fearful.
"Take me to Lonesoul Island, and you'll have your freedom back. Or you'll just die," said Xiang Shaoyun as his sixth-stage Sovereign aura wrapped around the blue-scale jiao threateningly.
The blue-scale jiao was not some animal with low intelligence. She was as intelligent as a
human, and she knew that Xiang Shaoyun wasn't negotiating. If she dared to refuse, she would die immediately. Thus, she had no choice but to say, "I'll bring you there."
"Excellent. To show your sincerity in working with us, send your clan's army away," demanded Xiang Shaoyun.
Xiang Shaoyun could sense beings capable of threatening him within the army. He had to be careful. The completely helpless blue-scale jiao roared and communicated with the army using their exclusive language.
The army stopped advancing, but one of them transformed into a handsome middle-aged man. Walking on water, he strode forward, a heroic bearing about him.
"Release the princess, or you won't be able to leave this sea alive," said the middle-aged man. His voice was calm, but his sharp eyes were filled with a fierce glint. Evidently, he would start killing if Xiang Shaoyun refused.
Xiang Shaoyun met the middle-aged man's gaze and said, "We meant no harm and were only trying to get to Lonesoul Island. However, we had a misunderstanding with this princess, and we only need her to bring us there. This whole thing will end after that."
The middle-aged man was strong, but when Xiang Shaoyun learned that he had the blue-scale jiao princess as his hostage, his worry lessened. He was confident the other party wouldn't fight him to the death with his hostage.
"Uncle, swallow all of them!" shouted the princess eagerly.
"Before he swallows us, you will die," said Xiang Shaoyun as his clone focused completely on the princess. The moment the other party tried anything, he would kill.
The middle-aged man's pupils constricted before his figure swept forth like a gust of wind. He moved at an incredible speed that regular sixth-stage Sovereigns would be helpless against. However, Xiang Shaoyun's gift of instincts was working at full power. He saw the middle-aged man's movement clearly and moved away before the middle-aged man arrived. He then unleashed a powerful burst of force as he roared, "Kill!"
The endless killing intent leaking from Xiang Shaoyun indicated that he wasn't joking around. The blue-scale jiao princess could feel her entire body being crushed, tormenting her with an intense pain that caused her to wail.
The middle-aged man did not expect Xiang Shaoyun to be so fast. When he heard his niece wailing, he quickly said, "Stop! We'll take you to Lonesoul Island!"
He wouldn't care about any other blue-scale jiao, but this was his niece. He had no choice but to care about her.
"Swear an oath with your identity as a noble. Otherwise, I don't mind letting all hell break loose," demanded Xiang Shaoyun with his gaze locked on the middle-aged man.
"Ok. On my race, I vow to take you to Lonesoul Island. If I break my vow, may my bloodline be severed, and may I suffer the death of being devoured by 10,000 worms," swore the middle-aged man without hesitation.
Finally, Xiang Shaoyun released the princess and said apologetically, "My apologies, but I have no choice. I will give the princess a proper apology when all this is over."
"Hmph. I hope you're a man of your word," snapped the middle-aged man after pulling his nice behind him.
"Uncle, have your subordinates tear them apart," demanded the furious blue-scale jiao princess.
"Enough. This will end here. I will have my subordinate take you to Lonesoul Island. May you die on it," said the middle-aged man indifferently.
He then returned to the sea with the princess. A different blue-scale jiao was called over to show Xiang Shaoyun's group the way.
"Many thanks," said Xiang Shaoyun with his hands cupped together.
With a blue-scale jiao showing the way, Xiang Shaoyun's group started rushing toward Lonesoul Island.
Looking at the departing group, the princess gnashed her teeth and asked, "Uncle, are we really letting them go so easily?"
"What else can we do? I already swore on it," said the middle-aged man. A pampering look was apparent in his eyes when he looked at the princess.
"But others of our race have made no such vow! Let me bring a group over to swallow all of them!" said the princess. She was obviously someone who would hold a long grudge.
She had already assumed her human form. She was beautiful, tall, and charming. Clad in blue armor, she looked incredibly noble.
"That young human is rather special, so we can't try anything against him recklessly. In any case, heading to Lonesoul Island is the same as suicide. That place is now the territory of the furred claw crabs. The young human's group won't do well there. We don't have to waste any effort on them," said the middle-aged man with his eyes narrowed.
Chapter 926: Xiang Shaoyun's Arrival
Before Lonesoul Island were the massive ships of the four academies that had arrived from different directions. Each ship was filled to the brim with people. It was fortunate that these ships were large enough, each capable of carrying at least 200 passengers without issue. This was purely a competition between the new generation. Each academy would send its top 100 disciples, two elders, and several overseers.
The elders leading the Dragon Phoenix Academy's group were Shadowflash and Feng Huosuo. Shadowflash was a powerful high-level elder, while Feng Huosuo was an ordinary elder. His severed arm had regrown, a product of a flesh-growing saint medicine he had consumed.
Behind them were the geniuses of the Dragon Phoenix Academy. Baili Yixiao, Zhan Wushuang, Yu Caidie, Ouyang Chuanqi, Yu Ziyang, Ye Linshan, Huang Tianji, Xiao Xie, and the others were all present.
Members of the Overlord Legion such as Han Chenfei, Tang Longfei, Xuan Yuantian, and Yuan Xuefen were present as well. Their cultivation levels had all grown, with the weakest of them being a sixth-stage Dragon Ascension Realm cultivator. Xuan Yuantian had reached the seventh stage, and he had obviously grown quickly after consuming some spiritual treasures and the draconic aura Xiang Shaoyun had gifted him.
The two elders from the True Martial Academy's side looked much younger but didn't seem any weaker than Shadowflash and Feng Huosuo. In fact, they seemed even stronger. This was proof that the two had broken through into the Heaven Battling Realm at a much younger age than Shadowflash and Feng Huosuo, which was how they had maintained their youthful looks.
The two looked to be around 30, as though they were at the prime of their lives with plenty of room to still grow. Standing behind them were 100 young geniuses in high spirits. The men were extraordinary and handsome, while the women were charming and beautiful.
Their overall strength was incredibly shocking, as all of them had reached at least the sixth stage. Not one of them was a fifth-stage Dragon Phoenix Academy cultivator, and 18 of them had even reached the ninth stage. Their number of ninth-stage Emperors was definitely double what the Dragon Phoenix Academy had. The True Martial Academy lived up well to its reputation of being the first ranked academy among the four ancient academies.
The Nine Palace Academy also had a similar number of people present, but something about them stood out from the rest. Their men were all dressed in martial uniforms with nine palaces embroidered on their backs. The women weren't dressed uniformly, but they all had the emblem of nine palaces pinned to their chests. From this, one could conclude that the Nine Palace Academy had incredibly good unity.
As for the Sacred Deer Academy, the majority of them were women. In comparison with the other academies, they had far fewer male disciples. Each female disciple had outstanding looks, causing the male disciples of the other three academies to look at them with burning eyes. At this moment, they were filled with envy toward the Sacred Deer Academy's male disciples.
The disciples of the four academies were the best of the young throughout the dominion. Thus, the competition between them had naturally caught a lot of attention. The elders of all four academies flew to the air and started briefing the disciples about the competition. Basically, they had to rely on themselves to get through the furred claw crabs on the island and reach the island's center.
There, they would have to find a secret space that would serve as their final battleground. Numerous treasures awaited the
m in the final battleground, and the disciples would remain there for half a year. After six months, the disciples would leave the space, return to the island, and battle each other for the final rankings to determine the strongest disciple.
Anything could happen during the competition. The disciples had only themselves to rely on if they wanted to stay alive. No outside help would arrive.
"We've told you all you need to know. True Martial Academy disciples, ready yourself!" said the True Martial Academy elder.
"Nine Palace Academy disciples, ready yourself!"
"Dragon Phoenix Academy disciples, ready yourself!"
"Sacred Deer Academy disciples, ready yourself!"
The disciples' battle intent surged; each of them wanted nothing more than to be the first to charge to the island and reach the secret space. But just as they were about to set off, Xiang Shaoyun's group arrived.
"Who dares approach Lonesoul Island? This place has been placed under lockdown by the four ancient academies," snapped one of the elders.
The disciples also looked over, and the Dragon Phoenix Academy disciples exclaimed in surprise when they saw who the newcomer was.
"Isn't that Xiang Shaoyun? I thought he had been expelled? Why is he here?" exclaimed a Dragon Phoenix Academy disciple.
With that exclamation, the disciples of the other academies also learned of Xiang Shaoyun's identity.
Someone said with derision, "So it's an abandoned disciple of the Dragon Phoenix Academy? What is he doing here? Is he here to stir trouble?"
Most of the disciples remained silent as they believed the Dragon Phoenix Academy elders would give them an explanation.
When Ouyang Chuanqi saw Xiang Shaoyun, an odd look covered his face as he muttered, "This fellow slipped off before fighting me. What is he doing here? Is he here to slap the academy's face?"