Three months ago Author: Xun Chun Xu Zhou
Chapter 72: The Storm Rises and Waves Surge
A long solitary life has made one overly sensitive and accustomed to suspicion and uncertainty.
At this moment, that demon fish had just been drawn into the Mountain River Cauldron, where water and fire swirled within.
The fierce storm transformed into a grinding wheel, yet the form of the demon fish remained condensed, not yet refined into a scattered state.
Threads of demon beast blood essence had been refined first, re-melting into the intertwining water and fire.
Meanwhile, Chu Weiyang took out a thin, round mirror made of alchemical materials with a flick of his hand.
Upon closer inspection, it was not merely a mirror; it was inscribed with intricate tadpole-like patterns, a symbol array capable of executing the Secret Art of Communication.
At this time, with the infusion of Chu Weiyang's magical power, the Communication Mirror shone into the Mountain River Cauldron, releasing wisps of gray smoke along with the dark red demon beast blood essence.
In an instant, this gray smoke began to coalesce before the Communication Mirror, taking on a shape that resembled a demon beast.
This was precisely the guidance that Chunyu Zhi had imparted to Chu Weiyang in his mind.
For truly cultivated demon beasts, those that had genuinely nurtured spiritual intelligence, their physical shells contained the essence of their souls.
Moreover, since they originated from livestock, the memories they harbored were not as chaotic, allowing even slight emotional fluctuations to be much purer.
If one were to truly delve into oneself, perhaps the souls of such demon beasts would be the best choice.
Blinking in confusion, shaking off the water from his face, Ding You Nian was left with only a hoarse cough.
An indescribable scene unfolded before Chu Weiyang, as if he were witnessing a great mountain—no, a continuous mountain range—suddenly rise from the vast sea! Yet he understood clearly that it was neither a mountain nor a mountain range.
It was indeed a strange sight.
Centered around Ling Fu Island, the island was already shrouded in a thick layer of mist.
However, outside the mist, due to the storm's onslaught, the sky was filled with water vapor that not only condensed from the clouds to fall into the sea but was also swept up from the surface of the sea by the raging winds, swirling wildly.
In the next moment, Chu Weiyang's voice burst forth like spring thunder, resonating throughout Ling Fu Island! Upon closer inspection, within the poisonous aura, the swirling illusion of water and fire could be faintly seen.
Further scrutiny revealed a ghostly light containing five colors, which then transformed into a pitch-black hue, resembling the Dao rhythm of the Five Qi Xuan Ming.
With the demon fish's soul sealed, Chu Weiyang hesitated no longer.
He stepped forward, treading upon the azure spiritual light, and with a few leaps, he had already reached the edge of the thick mist.
In an instant, Chu Weiyang suddenly withdrew, feeling slightly dazed, causing the azure spiritual light to slow for a moment before catching up to him.
Counting the initial test, this was already the third time Chu Weiyang had used the Heart Erosion Talisman.
In just a few blinks, the body of Ding You Nian was already a bloody mess, and even more shockingly, one could still see the pale bones through the rolling flesh.
Dense magical power surged toward the compass.
However, this time, the technique in Chu Weiyang's hands had undergone many changes.
Clearly, it had just been bright for a moment, still noon, yet the sky darkened as if dusk were approaching.
Immediately afterward, his neck thickened significantly, and from his throat upward, a purplish hue gradually emerged beneath the reddened skin.
This was indeed the phenomenon of "one fish, three eats."
With such thoughts in mind, Chu Weiyang crossed that dark light, gazing with all his might at the boundless dark sky behind the curtain of water vapor.
Until the coughing transformed into a low moan, and that moan eventually turned into a weak gasp.
In a moment of uncertainty, it seemed to become a scene where the robust physical vitality and magical sword energy of the cultivators were in a tug-of-war.
This oppressive sight seemed to suffocate one with just a glance.
Nearby, the sea surface had begun to swell gradually.
He seemed to want to say something, but at the moment he opened his mouth, a beam of sword light shot up into the sky!
The dark light leaped from the surface of the sea before him.
This was also the edge of the island's protective formation.
Steeling his mind, Chu Weiyang raised his hand, using the poisonous aura as ink, and once again inscribed the rough talisman in mid-air.
Amidst the swirling bright light, a sword pellet spun in the air, and in an instant, the sharp sword energy transformed into a torrent, sweeping toward Shi Yuting from all directions.
As he strained to look, behind the layer of white water vapor, there lay a dark, gray, boundless sky.
On the spot, the Mountain River Cauldron continued to spin beside him.
Chu Weiyang's hand was already reaching toward the soul of the demon fish, and at that moment, the changes in the formation were vividly transmitted to his senses.
Simultaneously, amidst the colorful glow, a handprint of murderous aura descended, grasping the sword pellet within it.
As the spiritual light swirled, the vibrant flames erupted, and in an instant, the sword pellet was covered in mottled cracks.
That was the endless water vapor coalescing, the fire essence from beneath the earth's crust wanting to soar into the sky.
Half-suspended in the air, Ding You Nian's form swayed unsteadily, and in an instant, the sword energy and spiritual light swirling around him flickered unpredictably.
The roaring waves echoed with the sound of thunderclaps.
Yet on the spot, Shi Yuting showed no signs of surprise; she merely pinched the lotus seal and raised her hand.
There was no need for a second test.
Each exertion that nearly shook her entire body caused crimson blood to seep from her wounds, and as the blood nourished the ground, it seemed as if threads of spiritual light, resembling flower threads, flickered in and out of Ding You Nian's flesh.
Perhaps after this bout, there would be no other occurrences.
In the vast sea, anything could happen; it was merely a matter of chance.
Soon, his face turned red.
As the words fell, Ding You Nian on the spot managed a difficult smile.
Chu Weiyang had indeed struck hard; the life of the demon fish was naturally within his grasp.
This was, in the truest sense, a towering wave! Before this majestic celestial phenomenon, Chu Weiyang opened his mouth wide but completely lost his voice.
Amidst the surging white foam, when Chu Weiyang looked down, he could clearly see the overlapping demon fish swimming beneath the surface of the sea, forming a vast torrent!
And that demon fish in the Qi Refinement stage, which had suddenly entered the dark water, was not far from Chu Weiyang.
Looking again at the talisman, it seemed to brew a sword intent within the iron brush and silver hook, yet upon closer inspection, that roughness clearly bore the essence of a demonic cultivator's brutality!
A dark light sped away.
Something unusual must be afoot!
Thinking this, Chu Weiyang suddenly smiled, focusing on the demon fish that was rapidly approaching him amidst the storm.
The protective formation's energy was activated by Chu Weiyang.
Then, Ding You Nian's neck twisted unnaturally, as if some strange itch tormented him.
Before long, he began to tear open his collar, scratching at his withered chest.
In the dimness where the sky and sea blended, he saw a different color emerging, a deep black gradually rising, followed by some deep blue cold light.
In the blink of an eye, the clash of sword energies even drowned out the raging winds and rains.
The swirling water vapor danced wildly, resembling a white scripture entwined into a heavy curtain, then crashing down upon this vast sea.
It should have been a moment of wild joy, yet Chu Weiyang's face was filled with solemnity in the face of the impending disaster.
In the outer sea, at extreme depths.
Immediately afterward, the howling winds swept the water vapor, hitting him squarely.
Chu Weiyang let out a sigh of relief.
In an instant, layers of spiritual light surged from the ground of Ling Fu Island.
As if forgetting the pain, soon, streaks of blood appeared on the dry skin of his chest, and the swollen neck bore claw marks that seemed to have completely torn through the outer skin, followed by dark red blood continuously seeping out, staining his robes.
Once, twice, thrice...
He gasped violently, a tearing, hoarse sound emanating from his throat.
Soon, Ding You Nian seemed to be suffocating, having to open his mouth wide to breathe deeply.
Then, Chu Weiyang flicked his fingers, and suddenly, the soul of the demon fish condensed inward, transforming in the blink of an eye into a pure gray spiritual light, which then vanished into the Communication Mirror, within a tadpole-like pattern.
Yet even at this point, he continued to cough violently.
All words were pale in comparison.
Through the thinning mist at the edge, Chu Weiyang peered outside the formation.
In a few leaps, he had already stood on Ling Fu Island.
Then, a golden elixir decree filled with harmonious spiritual light hung high, illuminating with the murderous aura of a hundred flowers.
As it spun in mid-air, any sword energy was suppressed, instantly transforming into the crystalline dew upon the layers of blooming illusory petals.
Raising his hand, he tossed the Communication Mirror onto the ground before him, while the Mountain River Cauldron and the法剑 hovered beside Chu Weiyang.
With another flick of his hand, the compass was cradled in his palm.
Suddenly, Chu Weiyang's previously relaxed brow furrowed once more.
In the end, Ding You Nian seemed almost mad, coughing painfully while using sword energy at his fingertips to scratch at himself.
Amidst the swirling winds and rains, Shi Yuting's inexplicably clear laughter suddenly rang out.
Last time, it had been like a sharp arrow; this time, it was as swift as thunder!
As the sword pellet shattered, Ding You Nian spat out a mouthful of dark blood.
When he looked again, his eyes were vacant, and he gazed at Shi Yuting in disbelief.
On the spot, Shi Yuting's figure was obscured beneath a heavy hood, and only her teasing voice could be heard.
ps: First update!
Xun Chun Xu Zhou
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