Chapter 85: Residual Shadow

Either Huang Tian was being reckless, or he had a hidden advantage and wasn't afraid of the five at all.

"Another daredevil who isn't afraid to die," the black-clad figures said, exchanging amused glances.

"Today, I'll see what you're truly capable of, to make us unable to handle the consequences," one of the five declared. Suddenly, a fist shot out, aimed directly at Xu Yang.

Xu Yang didn't dodge or move; instead, he looked towards Huang Tian.

Huang Tian bared his old teeth, clucking, "I admire your courage! Since you're so eager to die, I'll reluctantly grant your wish!"

A flash of white sword light streaked past. Before the Cave Heaven Realm cultivator could even react, a bloody hole appeared in his neck...

With a look of disbelief, he clutched the bloody hole on his neck and slowly collapsed to the ground.

Thud...

The other four Cave Heaven Realm cultivators stared at Huang Tian in disbelief, then looked at their companion's corpse on the ground.

"You're a Soul Formation Realm expert!?" It was now the Cave Heaven Realm cultivators' turn to be terrified.

Although a Soul Formation Realm cultivator was only one level higher than a Cave Heaven Realm cultivator, that slight difference was like heaven and earth.

A single Soul Formation Realm cultivator could effortlessly crush a thousand Cave Heaven Realm cultivators without breaking a sweat.

If Huang Tian truly was a Soul Formation Realm cultivator, what was the point of resisting? Slitting their own throats would be their best option.

Xu Yang shook his head and said, "He isn't a Soul Formation Realm cultivator. He's a Cave Heaven Realm cultivator with a special constitution."

Huang Tian smiled upon hearing Xu Yang's words. "Young friend, you are indeed extraordinary, to see through my true cultivation level with a single glance."

With that, Huang Tian turned his head back towards the Cave Heaven Realm cultivators and said:

"Did you not hear what my young friend just said? Quickly put down that Deep Sea Blue Heart, or I'll make sure you stay in this place forever."

The Cave Heaven Realm cultivators were on the verge of tears. After twenty thousand years of arduous searching, they had finally found it, only for an unexpected obstacle to appear out of nowhere.

They felt like crying then and there.

There was nothing they could do. Although Huang Tian wasn't a Soul Formation Realm cultivator, he could still instantly kill them. Faced with the choice between the Deep Sea Blue Heart and their lives, they unhesitatingly chose life.

They immediately dropped the Deep Sea Blue Heart and fled in utter panic.

Zhao Peng stood up, clutching his lower back which felt as though it had almost been broken, and swayed unsteadily towards Xu Yang.

At this moment, Zhao Peng was speechless.

Zhao Peng had initially believed he was the strongest among them, but now he realized he had been far too naive.

Xu Yang was unfathomable, Huang Tian was unfathomable, and even Ling Qingshu, a Core Formation Realm cultivator who had been by their side, felt unfathomable to him.

"Senior Xu Yang, about this Deep Sea Blue Heart..." Zhao Peng began awkwardly, trailing off.

"What is it? Is something wrong?" Xu Yang asked calmly.

"Well, I... I was hoping for a leaf from the Deep Sea Blue Heart, I don't know if..." Zhao Peng whispered.

Xu Yang wanted to help Zhao Peng, but his request for a leaf from the Deep Sea Blue Heart was simply delusional.

"You don't need to think about that. I'll be direct with you: if you truly intend to take a leaf from the Deep Sea Blue Heart, I will ensure you sleep in this place forever."

Xu Yang's words were undoubtedly a heavy blow to Zhao Peng. Seeing the serious expression on Xu Yang's face, he knew Xu Yang wasn't joking.

"Well, that's how it is then..."

At that moment, Zhao Peng felt like crying but had no tears left.

"However, I know of other methods that could save your wife's life. If you trust me, you can let me try."

Zhao Peng's eyes, which had just dimmed, brightened once more. He asked Xu Yang in surprise, "Is what you're saying true?"

"What benefit would I gain from deceiving you?" Xu Yang calmly retorted.

Hope, which had just died in Zhao Peng's heart, flickered back to life.

Xu Yang ignored Zhao Peng and carefully communicated with the Deep Sea Blue Heart using his spiritual sense.

Then Xu Yang was overcome with ecstasy.

The Deep Sea Blue Heart truly contained Bai Lianxue's soul!

But what deeply worried Xu Yang was that Bai Lianxue's soul was barely clinging on, on the verge of complete dissipation.

"Oh, my disciple, I have wronged you..." Xu Yang sighed softly.

Fortunately, Bai Lianxue's soul resided within the Deep Sea Blue Heart. As long as the Deep Sea Blue Heart remained undamaged, her shattered soul would be safe.

"Since we've obtained the Deep Sea Blue Heart, let's go up now," Xu Yang said calmly.

Huang Tian was indifferent, but Zhao Peng's face was dark and grim.

"Zhao Peng, don't worry. I have other ways to save your wife."

Xu Yang understood Zhao Peng's feelings, but it was clearly impossible for him to give the Deep Sea Blue Heart to Zhao Peng, so he could only comfort him.

***

Next, the group prepared to fly out of the whirlpool.

Xu Yang took out a spirit boat, boarded it, and slowly began to ascend.

Seeing this, Huang Tian's mouth twitched involuntarily.

He truly didn't understand.

Xu Yang was too good at pretending, still feigning Qi Condensation Realm cultivation.

Could a Qi Condensation Realm cultivator be like this?

He couldn't help but doubt reality.

The group quickly flew out of the whirlpool and saw the azure sky.

Just then.

Suddenly, two Cave Heaven Realm cultivators flew in from the side and snatched Ling Qingshu.

Then, they blurred into an afterimage and vanished...

These Cave Heaven Realm cultivators were the same four from earlier, who had been beneath the whirlpool.

Xu Yang stared in the direction they had vanished, looking utterly dumbfounded.

"Damn it, quickly chase them!" Xu Yang roared in alarm.

As soon as he spoke, Xu Yang immediately piloted the spirit boat in pursuit.

While the spirit boat's speed was very fast for Nascent Soul Realm cultivators, it was snail-like compared to Cave Heaven Realm cultivators.

The speed of those four Cave Heaven Realm cultivators was even a few points faster than other cultivators at the same level.

"Young friend, I think it's time you stopped pretending to be weak," Huang Tian couldn't help but say.

"What are you talking about? I genuinely can't fly!" Xu Yang retorted angrily.

"Quickly go and catch them for me! I'll cook whatever you want to eat from now on!" Xu Yang shouted.

He couldn't let anything happen to Ling Qingshu. He had just found the shattered soul of his disciple, Bai Lianxue, from twenty thousand years ago; he couldn't afford to lose Ling Qingshu too.