A towering ancient tree appeared in mid-air, as if real, and Dao Lord Lingxi stepped out from within it, his eyes devoid of emotion. He stretched out his hand and gave a light wave. An ancient tree abruptly crashed down, blocking a Great Wave Technique cast by one of the Demon Cultivators.
The surrounding Demon Cultivators were growing more numerous by the moment. Initially, the sea beast army had only sent these Demon Cultivators to block them while the sea beasts themselves continued their advance. Later, because they couldn't be killed and were instead being held back, many Demon Cultivators turned back, intending to annihilate them all first.
Their situation was relatively good, with not many reinforcements. However, over at Qin Xi and Jing Xingzhi's side, they could see many Demon Cultivators charging towards them.
Mo Tiange felt both anxious and regretful about having taken out the Xumi Sea token earlier. How could these Demon Cultivators recognize an item belonging to the Xumi Sea's ruler? Upon discovering these Demon Cultivators had a grudge against the Xumi Sea and were likely targeting it, she had wanted to use the token given to her by Third Princess Xuanmiao to call for help. She hadn't anticipated these Demon Cultivators were so familiar with the Xumi Sea that they even recognized such a token—did this mean the Xumi Sea and the Guixu Sea had been fighting for a long time? The Nascent Soul cultivator guarding the small island had only said the sea surface was somewhat unsettled, with frequent Demon Cultivator activity, but he didn't know the relationship between the two seas had deteriorated to this extent.
"Junior Sister Qingwei," Dao Lord Lingxi's voice sounded in her ear. "Let's rendezvous with Senior Brother Shoujing as soon as possible."
Hearing this, Mo Tiange immediately calmed down. Fluctuating emotions were of no use in breaking out of an encirclement. Besides, even if she could delay things here temporarily, what good would it do? Qin Xi, Jing Xingzhi, and the others were already engaged in battle. Seeing this, the Demon Cultivators here wouldn't let them go either.
"You go ahead, I'll cover the rear," she said. Although they had numbers, their strength was uneven. The four spirit beasts were all Eighth Rank; their cultivation was slower, and their strength didn't increase quickly. Although Dao Lord Lingxi's strength was decent, he was still only at the early stage.
"Don't worry, Mistress," Xiaofeng said. "Master's side can hold out for now."
"I understand. Let's go quickly, no delays." Her gaze shifted. "Wushang, you and Senior Brother Lingxi take the vanguard."
Nie Wushang wasted no words, nodding before punching away an Eighth-Rank Demon Cultivator blocking the way, tearing open their formation.
Dao Lord Lingxi followed closely behind. Though his temperament was gentle and he cultivated wood-attribute techniques, his combat style was crisp and efficient, even somewhat fierce. Even if a Ninth-Rank Demon Cultivator stood in his way, he would fight with all his might, even at the risk of mutual injury.
As for these Demon Cultivators, because they had been frightened initially by the various Divine Monarch auras, they didn't dare to go all out. Even now, they were only trying to trap them.
Seeing their intent to flee, the Demon Cultivators grew restless. Unconsciously, they formed a battle formation, blocking their escape route.
Mo Tiange's expression turned cold. A box that resembled ice crystals, shimmering with a cold light, flew out silently.
Several Demon Cultivators blocking Nie Wushang's path saw this object and each deployed their Magical Treasures—a pitch-black longsword and a sharp spike glowing with an eerie light—to meet it.
However, the box suddenly halted mid-flight and opened. The Demon Cultivators were startled, instinctively striking first, slashing down at the box.
Unexpectedly, the box was empty when opened. Only a strange aura faintly appeared within, seeming to encompass all things—as if anything could be drawn into it—yet also seeming to destroy all things—as if anything that touched even a little would vanish.
A soft "hiss" sounded. The black longsword and spike that struck the box seemed to touch something, rapidly dissolving at a speed visible to the naked eye.
"Ah!" The Demon Cultivators controlling these two Magical Treasures cried out in shock, as if severely wounded.
"What is this thing?" In just one encounter, two life-bound Magical Treasures were dissolved and destroyed. It was terrifying! Life-bound Magical Treasures were connected to their master's mind and spirit. If the treasure was destroyed, the master was injured. Even if they didn't perish on the spot, their cultivation would plummet.
For a moment, the Demon Cultivators were terrified of getting close. If it were just the Magical Treasures being damaged, they could slowly nurture them back over time. But direct dissolution? What was that about? Could they even reforge them? Or was it beyond recovery?
The Chaos Heaven-Transforming Box, once deployed, cowed them. Seizing the chance, Mo Tiange shouted, "Go now!"
Nie Wushang didn't hesitate, transforming into a streak of Escape Light and flying away, followed by Dao Lord Lingxi and the four spirit beasts.
Once they had all escaped the encirclement, Mo Tiange also flew out. Fearing the Chaos Heaven-Transforming Box, the Demon Cultivators didn't dare to block her forcefully, only surrounding her from a distance.
At that moment, a white streak of Escape Light shot over at incredible speed.
It was extremely fast, arriving before them in an instant.
Mo Tiange, her speed hampered by the many Demon Cultivators, was quickly blocked.
The Escape Light dissipated, revealing a woman in white standing in mid-air, looking at Mo Tiange with composure. "Fellow Daoist, it's been a while. Are you well?"
Mo Tiange was taken aback. "You are?"
"What, don't you recognize this humble one?" The woman in white smiled. She was at the Tenth Rank. Compared to the surrounding Demon Cultivators, her human transformation was extremely perfect, with not a trace of her original beast form remaining. She was even dignified and elegant, surpassing many human women.
"That's right. When we first met, this humble one hadn't undergone the heavenly tribulation and wasn't very good at transformation, so I must have been rather unsightly." Her smile was as warm as a spring breeze, yet faint flashes of lightning flickered around her hands.
An image surfaced in Mo Tiange's mind. She spoke slowly, "You are... that Fellow Daoist Lao Bai?"
The woman in white smiled and nodded. "This humble one is Bai Ling. May I ask how Fellow Daoist is addressed?"
"My surname is Mo, my Daoist title is Qingwei." Mo Tiange had no mood for idle chatter and got straight to the point. "May I ask why Fellow Daoist Bai is blocking my path? What advice do you have?"
"That's something I should ask Fellow Daoist Mo," Bai Ling said, her gaze sweeping over the Chaos Heaven-Transforming Box floating before Mo Tiange, a flicker of wariness in her eyes. "As a human, what are you doing in our Sea Clan's territory?"
These words made Mo Tiange couldn't help but curl her lips into a mocking smile. "Fellow Daoist Bai, that's a strange thing to say. The ocean is where your Sea Clan lives, but the islands in the sea are where humans dwell. Since ancient times, humans have lived on sea islands. When did it all become your Sea Clan's territory? Furthermore, I haven't seen you Demon Cultivators leaving the mainland. Why shouldn't humans set foot in the ocean?"
Bai Ling frowned at her words. The next moment, the imposing aura of a Tenth-Rank Great Demon abruptly pressed down. "So, you're unwilling to leave?"
Mo Tiange replied calmly, "We have no intention of interfering in Sea Clan disputes. We came here for important business. Once it's done, we will naturally leave. But if you try to force us out... that won't be easy."
Who knew if all the clues here would be erased after the Guixu Sea and Xumi Sea's great battle? Having finally found this place, they absolutely would not give up easily. If they truly had to face the entire Guixu Sea's hundreds of Demon Cultivators, they might temporarily retreat due to inferior strength. But the information these Demon Cultivators had revealed was enough to indicate they were fighting the Xumi Sea. If she could borrow the Xumi Sea's power, she wouldn't hold back. Besides, would these Demon Cultivators really let them leave? Probably not. If they attacked from behind while they were leaving, wouldn't they be at a disadvantage?
"Important business?" A trace of ruthlessness flashed across Bai Ling's face. She asked in a low voice, "Is it to steal the Divine Monarch's aura?"
Mo Tiange was inwardly startled, but her expression remained composed. "Fellow Daoist Bai, what makes you say that?"
Bai Ling snorted coldly. "Do you think we why we are constantly in conflict with the Xumi Sea? It's because they claim to be descendants of the Qilin Divine Monarch and intend to seize the Divine Monarch's aura within our sea territory!"
Mo Tiange was inwardly shocked. So the Breath of the Qilin in this place had long been noticed by the Demon Cultivators? Thinking about it carefully, it made sense. The Breath of the Qilin was scattered throughout the sea. How could the sea beasts not know? In that case, if they wanted to enter the Qilin Sacrificial Temple, wouldn't they have to compete with the Demon Cultivators of the Guixu Sea and Xumi Sea?
But upon second thought, it probably wouldn't come to that. In the Six Paths Palace, Amber had instructed Xuanmiao and the three Qilin that if they ever needed help in the future, to assist them in finding that secret as much as possible. Since the Qilin Sacrificial Temple was related to this, and they didn't want to compete for the Breath of the Qilin, they probably wouldn't turn hostile. They could cooperate with them when the time came.
Thinking this, Mo Tiange's mind settled. She spoke with calm composure, "Fellow Daoist Bai Ling, I have no desire to meddle in your Sea Clan's affairs. However, hearing your words, I can't help but have a question. Could Fellow Daoist answer it?"
Bai Ling raised an eyebrow. "Say what you have to say quickly, Fellow Daoist. I'm afraid in a little while, you won't have the chance."
Mo Tiange cupped her hands, her tone quite humble. "I recall that several decades ago, this was not a sea region but Yunzhong. South of Yunzhong was the Guixu Sea, north of Yunzhong was the Xumi Sea. Now Yunzhong is no longer here, so this place can't be considered part of the Xumi Sea, nor part of the Guixu Sea, can it?"
After she finished speaking, Bai Ling narrowed her eyes, her gaze sharp. "Could it be Fellow Daoist believes the Divine Monarch's aura here should belong to you humans?"
"I wouldn't dare." Suddenly, Mo Tiange brought her palms together. A sacred, vast aura erupted from her entire body.
Bai Ling and the surrounding Demon Cultivators abruptly changed expressions. "This is... the Qilin Divine Monarch..."
Mo Tiange smiled and lowered her hands. "Fellow Daoist Bai, to be frank, this aura of mine comes from a gift bestowed by a Divine Monarch senior. For us humans, the Divine Monarch's aura is indeed incredibly powerful, but we cannot use it like you to change our physical constitution and evolve a higher bloodline. For me, regarding the Breath of the Qilin, what I have is already enough. What you are competing for holds no interest for me."
After hearing her words, Bai Ling remained silent for a long moment.
This group of people was indeed difficult to deal with. They had originally planned to annihilate them in one go, but up until now, they hadn't succeeded. Instead, a large portion of their Eighth-Rank Demon Cultivators were tied down. This was fatal for their upcoming decisive battle, so the main army had stopped, intending to annihilate these humans first. But if what she said was true, did they really have an unavoidable reason to be enemies?
"Don't believe her!" Many Demon Cultivators stared at Mo Tiange with intense hostility. One among them shouted loudly, "Humans are the most cunning! And she just crippled Chang Ba and Lao Xia! We can't let her go!"
After this Demon Cultivator spoke, others immediately chimed in. "Right, we can't let her go! Her Magical Treasure is so terrifying, what if she ambushes us from behind?"
With the crowd's emotions running high, for the moment, Bai Ling couldn't say anything.
She sighed, spreading her hands. Lightning coalesced into a sphere, light swirling within it, its aura profound and mysterious. "I'm sorry. We cannot trust humans."