Chapter 1530: Jade Smoke and Flying Stream

‘Snap!’

The sound was heard, and the sword talisman disintegrated, its physical form shattering. Yet, the talisman’s light remained condensed, not dispersing.

Upon closer inspection, a green talisman could be seen within the green light, seemingly etched into the void, shaped like a single green eye, watching Qin Sang.

“The Eight Views Pavilion?”

Content from Xiao Xiangzi’s jade slip flashed through Qin Sang’s mind. Xiao Xiangzi’s writings were spontaneous, not intentionally recording the powers of Middle-earth. He only mentioned them when they related to anecdotes. The jade slip did not mention the Eight Views Pavilion.

The green talisman locked onto Qin Sang, its threat undisguised. Judging by its posture, if Qin Sang dared to cross the line, he would surely face disaster.

“Clearing the area, huh…”

Qin Sang scoffed inwardly, deeply perplexed. Since they had found him, they must have sensed the fierce beast’s power. Seeing the beast still daring to appear nearby and then issuing a sword talisman warning indicated their cultivation was definitely not weak. The Eight Views Pavilion was likely very famous in Middle-earth.

Could they be intentionally luring the fierce beast away to save someone? If they were saving someone, why issue a sword talisman warning? Was it because he had inadvertently brought the fierce beast to collide with their cave abode, forcing them to act, thus their unfriendly attitude, or…?

“It couldn’t be that…”

Qin Sang suddenly thought of a possibility that he found rather preposterous.

Just then, the fierce beast’s roar suddenly grew shriller. Immediately afterward, Qin Sang saw a pillar of blood-red light shooting up from the depths of the storm. Having failed to hunt its first blood meal, the fierce beast was clearly impatient. Pursuing the long-bearded Daoist, it saw the man fleeing swiftly, its fierce eyes widening in fury. The dazzling blood-red light almost connected its four eyes, as if splitting into a gaping bloody maw.

‘Pfft!’

A blood-red pillar of light pierced through the void.

This was precisely the scene Qin Sang had just witnessed. Only this time, the target had become the long-bearded Daoist, and Qin Sang was merely an observer. To evade the fierce beast, Qin Sang had repeatedly fled, and coupled with resisting the beast’s attacks, his true essence was severely depleted. Yet, he didn't want to leave just like that.

He glanced at the green talisman, hesitated briefly, but didn't act rashly. He remained in place, commanding his Skyeye Butterfly to fully activate its Skyeye Divine Ability, peering into the distant battlefield.

At this moment, the long-bearded Daoist’s figure was gone, replaced by a crane with snow-white wings. Undoubtedly, the crane was the long-bearded Daoist’s transformation. The crane spread its wings, flapping gently, and instantly appeared at the edge of the void. With a few flashes, it vanished into the depths of the storm zone, a highly advanced escape technique. Though not as fast as Qin Sang’s Lightning Escape, it was not far off. However, since even Qin Sang couldn't avoid the fierce beast’s attack, the crane naturally couldn't escape either.

The blood-red light rapidly approached. The crane’s figure suddenly stopped. Its wings snapped back, its white feathers becoming almost transparent. Then, a plume of white smoke rose from the ground, transforming back into the long-bearded Daoist’s true form. The long-bearded Daoist, seeing the fierce beast attack from afar, understood that the blood-red light’s power was not as simple and brute as it appeared; it contained strange transformations within. The previous person had nearly fallen victim. He couldn't be overconfident; taking the initiative was the correct path!

The long-bearded Daoist snorted coldly, flicked his sleeve, and a wisp of light smoke flew out. The light smoke seemed ethereal, as if it would dissipate with a wave. Only upon closer inspection could one discern that it wasn't actual smoke, but a fine net. How much power could a net as fine as smoke possess? In truth, this was precisely the long-bearded Daoist’s renowned magic treasure, with a rather ethereal name: Jade Smoke Torrent! Still as jade smoke, dynamic as a raging torrent.

“Go!”

The long-bearded Daoist clenched and then released his hand. The Jade Smoke Torrent contracted inwards, moved from extreme stillness, and shot forth. At this moment, its previous lightness completely vanished without a trace. Wherever it passed, it left a white streak in the void, truly resembling a flowing river, majestic and surging. Before the long-bearded Daoist was engulfed by the blood-red light, the Jade Smoke Torrent intercepted it, a large net suddenly unfurling, its threads transparent as jade and fine as hair. Shimmering with myriad illusions, vast as rivers and seas.

A fierce roar erupted. The blood-red light showed no pause, fully submerging into the shimmering illusions conjured by the Jade Smoke Torrent. Space twisted. The blood-red light, like a sharp sword piercing through a hall, exploded at the center of the shimmering illusions, fierce and formidable. Its astonishing impact caused the illusions to continuously ripple. The Jade Smoke Torrent became taut, emitting a ringing clang like a sword's cry. The giant net connected with heaven and earth, firmly ensnaring the blood-red light, astonishingly curbing its momentum.

However, there was no hint of ease in the long-bearded Daoist’s expression, as the fierce beast’s true killing blow had not yet arrived. Just as he expected. A blood-red vortex appeared before the giant net. The killing move hidden within the blood-red light finally emerged. But this time, as soon as the blood-red vortex took rudimentary shape, its form changed, transforming into a scarlet sharp horn that pierced through the shimmering illusions, about to penetrate the Jade Smoke Torrent. The long-bearded Daoist’s expression drastically changed. He formed a hand seal with one hand, striking it towards the Jade Smoke Torrent mid-air. This treasure could be both soft and hard! The shimmering illusions shattered into countless fragments. The giant net, with a flash of spiritual light, concealed its form.

In an instant, clouds and mist filled the sky, locking down the void, immensely thick and heavy, completely different from its previous form.

‘Pfft!’

The sharp horn plunged into the clouds and mist. A muffled roar, like thunder, echoed. Half of the clouds and mist immediately turned blood-red, showing signs of dispersing. With a loud boom, a streak of light burst out from the clouds and mist; it was precisely the Jade Smoke Torrent, curled into a ball. The long-bearded Daoist, however, turned pale, as if struck by a heavy blow. He flew backwards, his feather crown askew, almost swept away by the hurricane. Forcing himself to stabilize, he gasped for breath, grabbed the Jade Smoke Torrent, and fled rapidly without looking back. The man seemed disheveled, but in reality, neither he nor his magic treasure suffered any damage. He had effectively neutralized the fierce beast’s long-range attack.

In the distance.

Qin Sang watched the entire process, witnessing various phenomena. “The aura of the clouds and mist… a pseudo-spiritual treasure!”

Qin Sang’s expression was solemn. Without a doubt, the person fighting the fierce beast was a grand cultivator. No wonder he dared to issue a warning with a sword talisman; he indeed had the authority for his words to become law. He had encountered a grand cultivator before even entering Middle-earth, and one who had already refined his vital magic treasure to the level of a pseudo-spiritual treasure. Qin Sang realized that the ‘Essence Offering Art’ or similar secret arts might not be a secret in Middle-earth. After obtaining the ‘Essence Offering Art’, Qin Sang had tried many times to use this secret art to refine his Cloud Roaming Sword, hoping to accelerate the process of nurturing a true spirit, but each time he failed in the end. His divine sense already met the secret art’s requirements; the difference lay in his cultivation. After all, he had only recently entered the Mid-Nascent Soul stage. He had obtained some elixirs from the Profound Heaven Palace, and his cultivation had improved after refining them, but he hadn't had time for quiet cultivation. Having now found the Buddhist bone relics, Qin Sang decided to find a place to settle in Middle-earth and cultivate in seclusion until he broke through to the Late-stage. As for a cave abode, Qin Sang still had no clear target. He planned to try and find one with the help of the secret anecdotes mentioned by Xiao Xiangzi, after understanding the general situation of Middle-earth.

As his thoughts turned.

The fierce beast roared wildly, gradually moving further away as it pursued the long-bearded Daoist. That Eight Views Pavilion cultivator was certainly no match for the fierce beast. However, the direction he chose to flee was not towards the cultivation world; he seemed not in a hurry to escape. Something was odd! Qin Sang hesitated briefly, glanced at the green talisman, and did not act rashly. Yet, he didn't want to leave just like that. He circled far away, following the fierce beast’s roars. He dared not get too close, only observing from a distance. Considering the various actions of that Eight Views Pavilion cultivator, Qin Sang suspected that the other party might be luring the fierce beast away to hunt it! Hunting a Soul Transformation stage fierce beast was truly astonishing and world-shaking. Having just arrived in Middle-earth, the cultivators here immediately taught Qin Sang a lesson. Xiao Xiangzi's praise for Middle-earth was indeed not exaggerated in the slightest.

Qin Sang dared not approach the fierce beast; he could only judge its Soul Transformation stage strength by its attacks. But what if it was Mid-Soul Transformation or even Late-Soul Transformation stage? Since they dared to hunt such a fierce beast, they must have made thorough preparations. It wouldn't be just one person acting. Qin Sang even suspected that there might be Soul Transformation cultivators waiting ahead! The thought of having a chance to observe a Soul Transformation battle made Qin Sang, who was usually cautious, somewhat unable to restrain himself. After weighing his options, he decided to stay and watch. He understood the taboos of the cultivation world—neither side was easy to provoke. He wouldn't get close to the battlefield. He would be satisfied just by sensing the power of a Soul Transformation battle from a distance, and would leave before a victor was decided. With this thought in mind, Qin Sang slowed down.

As expected.

Qin Sang didn't have to wait long. From the depths of the storm, the fierce beast’s scream echoed, its voice distorted by rage, unlike thunder. But then, true thunder rumbled, shaking heaven and earth! Even from such a distance, Qin Sang felt a tremor in his heart, and his vigilance and caution increased.

Not long after, Qin Sang saw the sky in the depths of the storm dyed red by blood-light from afar. He could sense the fluctuations of the battle from a distance, so he stopped.

At this moment.

A fierce battle was unfolding at the ambush site set by the Eight Views Pavilion cultivators. The long-bearded Daoist lured the fierce beast, and the purple-robed elder immediately activated the Sword Jade Thunder Sound Array. The cultivators activated the grand array. Golden swords, like heavenly pillars, stabilized the eight cardinal directions. Purple lightning rained down, devastating heaven and earth. Unexpectedly, though the fierce beast was ferocious, its instinctual perception of danger was extremely sharp. It reacted incredibly quickly at the last moment and was not trapped by the grand array. The fierce beast showed no intention of retreating, launching an attack defiantly. The blood-red light intensified to its extreme. Around them, there was no color other than purple and blood-red. Continuously bombarded by the purple lightning, the blood-red light not only showed no signs of dispersing but actually surged against the current, as if intending to engulf the purple lightning. For a moment, the surrounding golden swords trembled violently, and the grand array became unstable, terrifying the cultivators.

“Not good! Quickly form the Vajra Demon Subduing Array!”

The purple-robed elder’s expression drastically changed. He forcefully threw a golden bead from his left hand. With a flash of golden light, the golden bead hovered above the fierce beast, spinning rapidly. At the same time, in the eight directions around the golden bead, the void twisted, and golden light flickered, manifesting identical golden beads that were incredibly solid. The Qi mechanisms between all the golden beads were connected. The cultivators raised their palms, facing the golden beads from afar, assisting the purple-robed elder. Within the grand array, it was as if a Vajra had descended. Buddhist chants, demon-subduing sacred sounds. Each golden bead continuously trembled, bursting forth with golden light, shooting out golden rings that flashed with immense thunderous power, striking the fierce beast one after another. Each golden ring that descended left a golden halo on the fierce beast’s body.

Qin Sang observed the battle from a great distance, able to judge only through the phenomena and his senses. “No Soul Transformation stage cultivators?”

Qin Sang’s eyes narrowed slightly, feeling a hint of disappointment. The Eight Views Pavilion side was likely using spiritual arrays or similar methods. Although powerful, without a Soul Transformation stage cultivator overseeing them, it would probably be difficult to trap and kill the fierce beast. Moreover, this was the storm zone, where heavenly secrets were chaotic, inherently disadvantageous to cultivators. Thinking of this, Qin Sang felt increasingly pessimistic about the Eight Views Pavilion’s prospects. After waiting a while longer, still seeing no Soul Transformation stage cultivators make a move, Qin Sang hesitated, then slowly retreated. He certainly didn't want the fierce beast to come looking for him again.

Just then.

A layer of golden light had already permeated the fierce beast’s body, forming large golden halos, swaying like water ripples. Seeing that the time was right, the purple-robed elder shouted, “Collect!” The previously illusory halos suddenly solidified, becoming a massive golden ring that tightly bound the fierce beast, rapidly constricting. At the same time, the Sword Jade Thunder Sound Array was also activated to its maximum, purple lightning descending from the sky, targeting the fierce beast’s four eyes. After the fierce battle, they discovered that the eyes might be the fierce beast’s vital weakness!

The fierce beast shrieked, attempting to dodge, but it was restrained by the golden ring. It went utterly berserk, its slimy, blood-red skin showing strange undulations. Then, its skin suddenly shriveled, revealing the jagged skeleton underneath. A sword-like bone spur was exposed on its spine. It detached from the fierce beast’s body, its tip striking the golden ring directly. A bloody hole appeared on the fierce beast’s body. The pain made its roars even more frenzied, filled with astonishing killing intent. The purple-robed elder had a bad premonition and tried to activate the Vajra Demon Subduing Array further, but it was too late. With a clang of metal, the bone spur erupted with a bloody halo—a strange fluctuation they had never seen before—and the Demon Subduing Golden Ring snapped in response. The bone spur’s momentum was unabated. It pierced through the void, heading directly towards the Sword Jade Thunder Sound Array.

“Watch out!”

The purple-robed elder roared sternly.

‘Clang!’

One golden sword couldn't evade in time and was struck directly by the bone spur. A horizontal crack immediately appeared on its blade, nearly breaking it. A muffled grunt was heard, and a figure tumbled out from above the golden sword. It was the female Daoist, her face pale and bloodless, apparently suffering from serious injuries. Seeing this, the purple-robed elder drew a sharp breath, “Retreat!” He raised his hand and forcefully tossed the purple handkerchief he had been holding. It unfurled in mid-air. The cultivators, cooperating tacitly, quickly gathered around the purple-robed elder. In just this short time, three golden swords had already been damaged, and it was clear that the Sword Jade Thunder Sound Array could no longer be maintained.

‘Boom!’

Thunderous light erupted, engulfing everyone. At the last moment, they did their best to retrieve the array artifacts. When the thunderous light dissipated, everyone had vanished from their original positions, leaving only the fierce beast’s shrieks behind. Having lost its target, the fierce beast became utterly enraged, causing turmoil nearby and wantonly destroying everything it saw. If not for being in an uninhabited storm zone, it would surely have caused a catastrophe. Ultimately, the fierce beast failed to find its enemies. After venting its frustration, it left resentfully.

On the small island.

The restrictive spell was sealed, and it was pitch black. The cultivators of the Eight Views Pavilion held their breath, daring not to make a sound, until the fierce beast’s roars gradually faded into the distance. Only then did they sigh in relief, glancing at each other, utterly shocked.

“This fierce beast is even more terrifying than the previous one!”

The female Daoist’s voice was weak, still lingering with fear. “Indeed, this fierce beast’s physical body is clearly stronger. Although the power of the Vajra Demon Subduing Array we wielded is not comparable to true Buddhist cultivators, its being broken so quickly was still somewhat unexpected,” the purple-robed elder sighed softly, looking at the long-bearded Daoist, “Did you record the process of the earlier exchange?”

The long-bearded Daoist nodded, revealing a crystal where light and shadow shifted, showing the scene of the fierce battle. It was only then that they realized, having lost half of the Sword Jade Thunder Sound Array and with several people injured, suffering such great losses, they still hadn't even clearly seen the fierce beast’s full appearance.