Chapter 3041: The War of 3023 Ends

An uninhabited island, over a hundred miles in size, and a subterranean cave.

Inside the cave was a teleportation array spanning over a hundred zhang. The array suddenly trembled, and a blinding spiritual light shot skyward, revealing the figures of Sword Sage Sze Hoi and Xie Ying.

They were covered in dust and looked somewhat disheveled.

Sword Sage Sze Hoi flicked his right hand, and a vast expanse of blue sword energy swept out, shattering the teleportation array.

Sword Sage Sze Hoi had led three Integration Stage cultivators to attack the Purple Sparrow tribe, expecting a smooth operation with the help of an insider. However, the Purple Sparrow tribe had long discovered the mole and were waiting for them to fall into the trap.

Relying on his formidable strength, Sword Sage Sze Hoi managed to kill one Integration Stage cultivator from the Purple Sparrow tribe, but he was also heavily besieged. Two of their own Integration Stage cultivators were killed, one of whom was from the Profound Green Sect. Despite this, they also eliminated four Integration Stage cultivators, making their combat achievements quite significant.

“If I had known this, we would have attacked the Grey Quail tribe instead,” Xie Ying said with regret. To escape, she had to sacrifice two mid-grade Spirit Treasures, incurring heavy losses.

Chen Yueying had given them the choice between the Grey Quail tribe and the Purple Sparrow tribe. Since the Grey Quail tribe was stronger, Sword Sage Sze Hoi chose to attack the relatively weaker Purple Sparrow tribe, never expecting the Purple Sparrow tribe to have set a trap.

In addition to the two fallen Integration Stage cultivators, over twenty Void Refinement Stage cultivators were also lost.

“Their reaction was incredibly fast. I wonder how Fellow Daoist Zhao and the others fared.” Sword Sage Sze Hoi frowned, stating that if Zhao Yunxiao and his group didn't suffer significant losses, he would strongly suspect the Zhenhai Palace of setting them up.

As the saying goes, it's not scarcity but inequality that causes distress. If both sides suffered considerable losses, then it could only be attributed to Sword Sage Sze Hoi and his group's bad luck.

“Let’s go! We need to leave this place first.” Xie Ying and Sword Sage Sze Hoi departed.

Over an endless expanse of sea, a dazzling silver lightning bolt shot skyward, standing out prominently.

A brilliant yellow light flashed, and the lightning quickly flickered out, revealing Chen Yueying. She wore black armor, and a wisp of black smoke emanated from her body. With another flash of yellow light, her armor swiftly transformed to yellow.

A colossal wave, over a thousand zhang high, towered on the sea surface. Yin Qing and Yuan Gang stood atop it. Yuan Gang was pale, his aura weak, and he looked severely depleted.

He had used the Blood Essence Great Law to boost his cultivation from the mid-Integration Stage to the late-Integration Stage, consuming a significant amount of vital essence. He was then trapped for a period by Chen Yueying using the Nine-Bend Spirit-Breaking Sand, which severely depleted his energy.

Had Yin Qing not arrived to assist, Yuan Gang would likely have perished.

After this battle, Yuan Gang lost more than half of his vital essence. He would need at least ten thousand years to recover. If he had an eighth-grade pill to replenish his vital energy, his recovery would be faster; a seventh-grade pill would not be as effective.

Yin Qing had sent Yuan Gang to confront Chen Yueying, preparing for both outcomes. If Yuan Gang could defeat Chen Yueying, that would be ideal. If not, she would provide support and test Chen Yueying's divine abilities and treasures.

Through this probing, Yin Qing learned that Chen Yueying possessed the Nine-Bend Spirit-Breaking Sand, which was immune to petrification abilities. Throughout the entire fight, Chen Yueying did not reveal a second treasure, indicating she was still wary of the Three-Eyed Giant Ape's petrification ability.

“Fellow Daoist Chen, do you wish to continue this fight? There’s no need to escalate a conflict caused by a few junior Void Refinement cultivators!” Yin Qing said with a frown.

“Hmph, you were the ones who troubled our human race. How dare you speak such words?” Chen Yueying sneered.

“Trouble? The feeling is mutual. Why didn’t you say that when you annihilated the Lizard tribe? If you want to fight, then let’s continue. At worst, it will lead to a full-scale racial war.” Yin Qing said with a cold expression.

Chen Yueying’s defenses were formidable, and Yin Qing was not confident she could keep her. After all, Ye Yuhuan had attended Chen Yueying’s Mahayana celebration, so who knew what powerful treasures Chen Yueying might have acquired? It was a pity Yuan Gang couldn't force Chen Yueying to use other artifacts.

Most importantly, Ye Yuhuan was still on the Profound Spirit Continent!

Yin Qing was willing to fight Chen Yueying to the death for high-grade treasures for overcoming tribulation or miraculous elixirs to improve cultivation. However, she wasn’t so foolish as to risk herself to clean up the mess of the Firefinch tribe.

“Let’s end this matter here! The Green Oyster tribe will henceforth be a vassal tribe of our human race. If you trouble them, you will be troubling our human race.” After saying this, Chen Yueying put away the Nine-Bend Spirit-Breaking Sand and departed as a streak of light.

“She actually possesses a treasure that counters petrification abilities. This is no coincidence; it's likely a precaution against flesh and blood spiritual puppets,” Yin Qing analyzed. “The Three-Eyed Giant Ape commanded petrification abilities, and coincidentally, Chen Yueying had a treasure that countered it? It couldn't be a mere coincidence.”

“Senior Yin, I’ll need ten thousand years of recuperation to replenish my depleted vital essence. If I had late-Integration stage cultivation, controlling a flesh and blood spiritual puppet would also be easier,” Yuan Gang said with a bitter smile.

Yin Qing naturally understood Yuan Gang's unspoken meaning. In the short term, Yuan Gang would be unable to control the flesh and blood spiritual puppet. She needed to find miraculous elixirs to replenish his vital essence, ideally ones that would also help him improve his strength.

“Understood. Let’s go back! I won't mistreat my own people.” Yin Qing departed with Yuan Gang.

Upon Chen Yueying’s return to the Skysea Market, Lin Tianlong immediately informed her of good news: Zhao Yunxiao had obtained a page of the Heavenly Void Jade Tome. However, all accompanying Void Refinement cultivators were wiped out, making the losses significant.

“Issue orders to withdraw our forces, and strengthen precautions against the Silver Shark tribe. Have Yunxiao and Tianxue come here,” Chen Yueying commanded.

Lin Tianlong acknowledged and left to carry out the orders.

Not long after, Zhao Yunxiao and Qin Tianxue appeared before Chen Yueying.

“Master, this is the page of the Heavenly Void Jade Tome that your disciple acquired.” Zhao Yunxiao took out a spiritual light-flickering page and handed it to Chen Yueying.

If the restriction were broken, he could also cultivate the secret techniques within. Submitting the Heavenly Void Jade Tome was a great merit, from which he would also benefit.

“You’ve done very well, and you’ve worked hard,” Chen Yueying praised them, in high spirits.

After giving a few instructions, Chen Yueying dismissed them. She then needed to find a way to break the restriction on the Heavenly Void Jade Tome and examine its contents.

On Snow Clam Island, in a secluded courtyard, Wang Changsheng, Wang Ruyan, and Wang Qingshan sat in a stone pavilion. Wang Ruyi stood nearby, recounting her experiences.

Wang Qingshan and Wang Ruyan had attacked Golden Flood Dragon Island, acquiring much wealth, some of which they shared with Xiao Wentian.

To Wang Changsheng’s delight, Wang Ruyi had returned safely.

“He asked you about Qing Xiao? He didn’t mention his name or background?” Wang Changsheng asked, perplexed. The Void Refinement cultivator who rescued Wang Ruyi resided within the Silver Shark tribe’s territory and was likely not a human cultivator. If it was a non-human, Wang Changsheng couldn't guess who it might be.

“No, he just told me to leave quickly,” Wang Ruyi replied truthfully.

“In any case, it’s good that Ruyi returned safely,” Wang Ruyan said with a smile.

Wang Changsheng took out a blue communication disk and cast a spell. Xiao Wentian’s voice then sounded: “Junior Brother Wang, Senior Sister Chen has ordered us to withdraw. The war is over; you can arrange for your clansmen to retreat.”

“Understood, Senior Brother Xiao.” Wang Changsheng acknowledged.

“Excellent! Qingshan, you and Ruyi should return to Azure Lotus Island first. We will temporarily remain here and withdraw last,” Wang Changsheng instructed.

Wang Qingshan acknowledged and departed with Wang Ruyi.

Human cultivators withdrew from the front lines, retreating to the rear.