Chapter 703: 斗兽

Endless majestic mountain ranges stretched out, with pavilions, towers, and magnificent palaces visible on their lush, verdant peaks.

In the center of the island, a magnificent azure palace floated in mid-air. Parts of it were shrouded in dense mist, obscuring the view within.

Several colossal waterfalls cascaded down from a great height like silver chains, stirring up a vast expanse of mist.

A procession of azure carp flew through the sky, each carrying an immortal cultivator. The men were dignified and imposing, and the women had delicate features; their expressions exuded profound confidence. An azure rainbow bridge spanned a thousand miles, connecting the eastern and western parts of the island, where a group of young cultivators strolled leisurely.

"This must be the Cloud Bridge, one of the ten great sights of the Scarlet Moon Sea!"

Wang Qingshan's tone carried a hint of envy. This was truly worthy of a major immortal cultivation clan. He believed that as long as the Wang clan members worked together, their clan would also achieve such prominence one day.

"Indeed, this Cloud Bridge was constructed using formations to facilitate the enjoyment of our guests," Zhang Zhiyang said with a touch of pride. The Cloud Bridge was the pride of the Zhang family of Azure Carp Island. The Zhang family had invested immense effort and resources to build it. Of course, the Cloud Bridge was not built solely for the convenience of guests; it was merely one of the restrictions within the island's grand protective formation.

Led by Zhang Zhiyang, it wasn't long before Wang Qingshan and his companions arrived at the entrance of a secluded courtyard. Dozens of tranquil courtyards surrounded them. Three emerald peaks encircled a vast open area in the center, where numerous cultivators could be seen moving about.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, are you satisfied with this Wutong Courtyard?" he asked. "If you don't like it, I can arrange a different residence for you."

Wang Qingshan shook his head and replied, "No, this place is perfectly fine. Fellow Daoist Zhang, are there any taboos or sensitive areas in your clan? Please inform us, so that our Wang clan members do not inadvertently cause offense."

"All guests attending the birthday celebration reside here," Zhang Zhiyang explained. "Before the celebration officially begins, you are restricted to this area and should not wander off. When the celebration officially starts, designated personnel will escort you to the Azure Carp Hall to extend birthday wishes to our Ancestor."

Zhang Zhiyang pointed to the open area as he spoke. After giving a few instructions, he departed.

"None of you are permitted to wander off; stay within this area," Wang Qingshan instructed gravely. "Do not make enemies or get into conflicts with anyone, understood?"

Wang Qingshan said earnestly. This time, Zhang Wuchen's birthday celebration had invited an unknown number of major powers; the Wang family was merely going through the motions.

"Yes, Seventh Brother (Seventh Uncle)," Wang Qingling and the others agreed in unison. She then led her clan members towards the open area down the mountain.

The open area was bustling, featuring restaurants, elixir shops, magic artifact shops, talisman shops, magic robe shops, and several arenas.

The arenas were not for cultivators, but for spirit beasts.

Upon seeing the spirit beasts, Wang Qingling immediately grew interested. She pushed her way to the front of an arena to watch a beast fight.

A colossal blue octopus was fiercely battling a massive red crab. The blue octopus had thick skin and flesh, and the crimson flames spewed by the giant crab struck its body but caused little damage.

The blue octopus let out a strange roar. An invisible sound wave shot out, sending the red crab flying.

No sooner had the red crab landed than a dozen thick blue tentacles descended from above, slamming heavily onto its body.

With a *crack*, several fine cracks appeared on the red crab's shell.

The blue octopus's tentacles seized the red crab's body, seemingly trying to tear it in half.

The red crab contorted in pain and spewed a thick pillar of crimson flame towards the blue octopus. The blue octopus emitted a blue light, which transformed into a blue water curtain, blocking the crimson flame pillar.

The blue octopus's tentacles waved wildly, flinging the red crab high into the air before smashing it heavily onto the ground.

*Boom!*

With a thunderous crash, the cracks on the red crab's shell widened.

The blue octopus flung the red crab into the air once more, about to smash it down again.

"Stop, quickly, stop! I surrender!" a red-robed youth in his early thirties urgently shouted.

The blue octopus placed the red crab on the ground, its tentacles releasing their grip.

"You're truly formidable. Here's the Spirit Cultivation Pill as agreed."

The red-robed youth took out a white porcelain bottle and tossed it to a blue-skirted woman. He then put away his spirit beast and departed.

"Fellow Daoist, what are the rules for these beast fights?" Wang Qingling asked a Foundation Establishment cultivator, feeling somewhat eager to try.

"Anyone can participate," the cultivator replied. "Both parties put up an item as a stake, and the winner takes the stake. Beast fighting is popular in the Zhang family. If the immortal maiden is interested, you can go on stage and fight against others."

"Is it limited to spirit beasts?"

"Not at all. Spirit beasts, spirit birds, or spirit insects are all acceptable."

Wang Qingling nodded thoughtfully and thanked him.

She watched several beast fights and finally understood the process.

Depending on the spirit beast's attribute, there were different arenas. Arenas for spirit birds were larger, while those for insects were smaller. There was even a lake serving as an arena for water-attribute spirit beasts to battle in.

After the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, a yellow-robed youth in his early thirties stood on an arena, cupped his fists, and said, "I wish to engage in a beast fight with my Tier 2 Fire Eel Beast. Which fellow Daoist is willing to offer guidance?"

Wang Qingling's eyes lit up, and she quickly stepped onto the arena. She smiled and said, "I am willing to compete with you, Fellow Daoist. What are you willing to put up as a stake? I can offer a Tier 2 mid-grade demon core."

"I will also offer a Tier 2 mid-grade demon core. Please enlighten me, immortal maiden."

Wang Qingling released her Ice Wind Python, while the yellow-robed youth released a spirit beast that resembled an eel. This spirit beast had a pair of red sharp claws under its belly, was entirely crimson, and had some azure patterns on its head.

As soon as the match began, the Ice Wind Python opened its gaping maw, and dozens of crystalline white ice cones flew out, striking towards the Fire Eel Beast.

The Fire Eel Beast, without hesitation, spewed out a vast sheet of crimson flames to meet them.

The crimson flames collided with the white ice cones, creating a powerful blast of air and a vast expanse of white mist.

The Ice Wind Python burst out of the white mist without warning, opening its gaping maw as it lunged at the Fire Eel Beast.

The Fire Eel Beast remained unfazed and spewed blazing flames from its mouth, instantly engulfing the Ice Wind Python's body.

Its long tail swept towards the sea of flames, intending to knock the Ice Wind Python away.

From within the sea of flames, countless white cold currents emerged, extinguishing the flames. A bone-chilling cold energy shot out, forming a white ice wall that blocked its path.

*Boom!*

The white ice wall shattered into pieces. The Ice Wind Python had already charged in front of the Fire Eel Beast, opening its gaping maw and biting onto the Fire Eel Beast's head.

The Fire Eel Beast struggled violently, spewing a large sheet of crimson flames from its mouth. The Ice Wind Python's body swiftly coiled around the Fire Eel Beast.

At first, the Fire Eel Beast could still struggle, but as the Ice Wind Python tightened its grip, the Fire Eel Beast's head began to bleed.

"Stop! I surrender! Quickly release my spirit beast!"

The yellow-robed youth hastily spoke. Wang Qingling smiled sweetly and instructed the Ice Wind Python to loosen its bite.

The Fire Eel Beast sustained some injuries, but they were not severe, which made the yellow-robed youth sigh in relief.

He took out an azure wooden box and handed it to Wang Qingling, who thanked him and accepted it.

"Are there any fellow Daoists willing to offer guidance?"

Wang Qingling smiled sweetly, her face full of anticipation as she looked at the other Foundation Establishment cultivators.

The reward itself wasn't much, but the sense of satisfaction from seeing her own spirit beast defeat another's was something outsiders could not truly comprehend.

"This junior sister cultivates spirit insects. Is Fellow Daoist willing to engage in an insect fight?" A blue-skirted woman in her early twenties walked onto the arena and asked with a smile.

Her clothes bore an azure carp pattern, the symbol of the Zhang family disciples.

Wang Qingling hesitated briefly, then agreed.

She released hundreds of Golden-Spotted Flame Insects, while the blue-skirted woman released a swarm of crystalline white scorpions. The two types of spirit insects immediately clashed fiercely.