Chapter 2358: Xuan Qing Zi

On Cloud Island, tens of thousands of disciples rushed out of their residences, their expressions tense.

Since its establishment, Sea Suppressing Palace's main headquarters had been attacked by alien races multiple times, but each time they managed to turn the tide. This time, however, the situation was grim; the invading force remarkably included twelve Integration Stage cultivators.

Song Yiming, Chen Yueying, Yang Qinglong, and a young woman in a golden dress with delicate features floated high in the sky, their expressions grave. The young woman wore her hair in a high bun, her oval face lightly powdered, and her captivating eyes added grace to her slender figure. This was Li Jingjing, a Mid-Integration Stage cultivator and Yang Qinglong's Dao companion.

The sixth-generation Grand Elder of the Sea Suppressing Sect in the East Fence Realm was obstinate and self-serving. He led a large group of elite disciples into the Heavenly Void Grotto-Heaven to seek treasures, suffering heavy losses. However, he also acquired part of the Ice Moon Immortal Lord's legacy, which allowed him to refine two of the sect's core cultivation techniques, transforming them into complementary arts. The sixth-generation Grand Elder's divine abilities greatly improved. After ascending to the Profound Sun Realm, he imparted these cultivation techniques to the disciples of Sea Suppressing Palace. Consequently, the Ascension Faction grew strong and began to contend with the Local Faction. Yang Qinglong and Li Jingjing cultivated these complementary arts. Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan, having chosen to establish their own lineage, naturally could not continue practicing the subsequent techniques.

The alien races were advancing fiercely. The Essence Fire Race and the Yaksha Race, two major powers, attacked border cities. With additional harassment from the Golden Roc Race and over ten other species, Sea Suppressing Palace had dispatched multiple Integration Stage cultivators to confront the invaders. Chen Yueying had passed the Great Heavenly Tribulation less than ten years ago, so her vitality had not fully recovered, and her strength was significantly weaker than before.

All four were Mid-Integration Stage cultivators, with tens of thousands of disciples at their command. On the alien side, the force was formidable, comprising two Late-Integration Stage cultivators, five Mid-Integration Stage, and five Early-Integration Stage cultivators.

"Junior Brother Shi, as a human, you have actually defected to the alien race and become their accomplice!" Song Yiming's gaze fell upon a handsome young man in a green robe, who had striking red lips, white teeth, lively eyes, and a tall stature.

The green-robed youth was Shi Haotian, an elite disciple originally from Sea Suppressing Palace and a member of the Local Faction. He later changed to cultivating Blood Dao techniques, practicing by sacrificing cultivators, which significantly advanced his cultivation. After his deeds were exposed, Chen Yueying personally intervened, severely injuring Shi Haotian, but he managed to escape using a secret art. Shi Haotian hadn't appeared for several millennia; they had presumed him dead. Unexpectedly, he was not only alive but had also cultivated to the Mid-Integration Stage.

"An accomplice? It's merely a matter of who wins and who loses. Senior Sister Chen, you failed to kill me last time; this time, I've returned specifically for revenge," Shi Haotian chuckled, his gaze cold and sinister.

"Hmph, you brought this upon yourself by cultivating Blood Dao techniques. Your survival last time was pure luck; this time, you won't be so fortunate," Chen Yueying snorted coldly, her face contorted with murderous intent.

"I'd like to see how you'll manage to kill me this time," Shi Haotian sneered.

"Be careful," Song Yiming transmitted, his voice heavy. "This traitor knows many of our Sea Suppressing Palace's secrets, including our cultivation techniques and secret arts. As the saying goes, 'Know yourself and your enemy, and you will win a hundred battles.' Since Shi Haotian has defected to them, the alien races undoubtedly know our divine abilities, but we are unaware of theirs."

"Attack! Leave no one alive," Jin Zhuan commanded, his expression hardening. He produced a continuously shimmering golden feather fan, its surface adorned with a lifelike golden crow pattern, emanating astonishing fire spiritual energy fluctuations.

"The Golden Crow Fan! You actually brought this treasure," Song Yiming exclaimed in surprise, his face darkening further.

The Golden Crow Fan is one of the Essence Fire Race's seven great clan-suppressing treasures. It was refined with the natal feather of an eighth-tier Golden-Eyed Golden Crow, making it a top-grade Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasure capable of scorching the sky and refining the earth. Jin Zhuan had brought the Golden Crow Fan, clearly demonstrating his unwavering resolve to conquer Sea Suppressing Palace.

With a gentle flick of the fan, accompanied by a clear, resonant cry, the Golden Crow Fan blazed with golden light. Innumerable golden flames surged forth, causing the void to twist and deform, unable to withstand the intense heat, and tearing open. The golden flames suddenly condensed, forming a golden crow over a thousand zhang in size, which then swooped towards Cloud Island. Wherever it passed, the void ripped apart, and vast quantities of seawater evaporated.

Shi Haotian and the others either unleashed their treasures or activated their Dharma Idols to attack Cloud Island. Song Yiming snorted coldly. With a flick of his right hand, a blue light flashed, and a misty blue banner appeared in his grasp. Blue light continuously flowed around it, exuding astonishing spiritual energy. This was the Sea Suppressing Flag, one of Sea Suppressing Palace's seven great palace-suppressing treasures.

Song Yiming gently waved the Sea Suppressing Flag. The previously calm sea surface suddenly churned violently, unleashing towering waves over ten thousand zang high. After a momentary blur, these waves transformed into blue water dragons, each over a thousand zang long, lunging towards the gigantic golden crow. Chen Yueying and the other two either activated their magic treasures or unleashed their Dharma Idols to attack the enemy.

Simultaneously, the cultivators of Sea Suppressing Palace stood in neat formations, either casting high-level spells or activating treasures to attack the enemy. Protected by the sect's grand formation, the alien Integration Stage cultivators could not harm them. The sea surface churned violently, and a blue whale, a thousand zhang long, was vaguely visible. The blue whale continuously moved beneath the sea, creating a massive whirlpool fifty thousand li in diameter on the surface, which generated a powerful suction force. This was a seventh-tier mid-grade Spirit Devouring Whale, the palace-protecting spiritual beast of Sea Suppressing Palace. Sea Suppressing Palace had been established for many years, possessing deep foundations and a heritage far surpassing that of minor sects.

On a bluestone plaza covering a thousand mu, Song Yuchan stood within a formation over a hundred zang in size. She took out a pale golden pill, its surface marked with nine silver points of light, and swallowed it. It was the Nine Revolutions Divine Cultivation Pill, a seventh-tier medicinal pill capable of increasing a cultivator's divine sense several times over in a short period. She then summoned a golden, glittering metal sphere, its surface covered in profound spiritual patterns. After injecting a magic seal, the sphere suddenly erupted with dazzling spiritual light, transforming into a golden roc with a wingspan of over a thousand zang, its body pulsing with countless golden electric arcs.

This was a seventh-tier puppet beast, which Sea Suppressing Palace, whose overall strength was second only to the Profound Azure Sect, had acquired at an exorbitant price from the Seven Stars Merchant Alliance. Song Yuchan, merely a Mid-Void Refinement cultivator, could not normally control a seventh-tier puppet beast. However, having consumed the Nine Revolutions Divine Cultivation Pill, she could naturally command it, though the pill's effects would only last for three hours. The golden roc spread its wings and, with a gentle flap, countless golden electric arcs surged forth, causing it to vanish from its spot.

The next moment, the golden roc reappeared high in the sky, where lightning flashed and thunder roared. A colossal golden thundercloud formed, and after violently churning, released golden lightning orbs, each a hundred zang in diameter, which hurtled towards Shi Haotian and his allies. A series of deafening explosions rang out, accompanied by towering waves and rolling air currents.

At the Profound Azure Sect, in a secret chamber, Profound Azure Sect's sect leader, Qin Yufeng, was reporting the situation to a rosy-faced elder. The elder had a square face, a tall build, and wore a green python robe, his eyes bright and piercing. The green-robed elder was none other than Xuan Qingzi, a title bestowed upon the highest-cultivated cultivator of the Profound Azure Sect.

"Martial Uncle Lin, Sea Suppressing Palace has used a large communication formation to inform us that twelve Integration Stage cultivators are attacking their main headquarters on Cloud Island," Qin Yufeng spoke cautiously. Since Sea Suppressing Palace had submitted Profound Heaven artifacts to the Profound Azure Sect, the latter was obligated, both officially and personally, to protect Sea Suppressing Palace from being annihilated by alien races.

"Since they've come, we won't let them leave. Immediately dispatch reinforcements. Furthermore, send people to heighten our vigilance. That old demon Yan Que wouldn't cause such a commotion just to harass Sea Suppressing Palace; it's highly possible that our Profound Azure Sect is their true target." As Xuan Qingzi finished speaking, his expression grew solemn.

"They have such audacity? To send Integration Stage cultivators to confront our Profound Azure Sect?" Qin Yufeng questioned, her voice filled with doubt.

"This is not for you to worry about. Go and execute the orders! With me here, no one can shake the Profound Azure Sect," Xuan Qingzi stated with full confidence.

Qin Yufeng repeatedly affirmed, bowed, and withdrew.