Chapter 766: Turning Hostile

In a purple bamboo forest, Fairy Ziyue, Tian Jiong, and a man in a golden robe with a single horn on his head and golden scales on his arms were locked in fierce combat.

Fairy Ziyue and Tian Jiong hadn't expected the demon race to enter so quickly. A sixth-layer Core Formation demon had actually teleported right in front of them. Fairy Ziyue was a seventh-layer Core Formation cultivator, and Tian Jiong was an eighth-layer Core Formation cultivator, while the man in the golden robe was only at the sixth layer of Core Formation. He was no match for them.

A golden giant ape over ten zhang tall and a black giant eagle three to four zhang in size continuously assaulted the man in the golden robe. Tian Jiong, holding a red banner about a zhang wide, continuously unleashed large swathes of crimson flames towards him, causing the golden-robed man to struggle.

With a clear cry, the black giant eagle unleashed hundreds of black wind blades that overwhelmingly struck the golden-robed man. The golden giant ape stomped its right foot on the ground, causing dozens of thick yellow earthen spears to emerge and pierce towards the man in the golden robe. The golden-robed man, wielding a golden long blade about a zhang in length, shattered the black wind blades and yellow earthen spears. The sharp horn on his head emitted a golden light, scattering the incoming crimson flames.

With a whooshing sound, countless yellow earthen ropes, as thick as an adult's arm, burst from the ground and quickly entangled his body. The golden-robed man let out a loud roar. Countless golden scales appeared on his body, and his physique expanded, breaking free from the yellow earthen ropes.

Seizing this opportune moment, Fairy Ziyue drew a symbol in the air above her head with both hands. A large expanse of purple light flew out, transforming into a purple mirror. With a flash of purple light, a vast wave of purple radiance shot out, precisely enveloping the golden-robed man. This was the spiritual technique, "Purple Moon Profound Light." Enveloped by the Purple Moon Profound Light, the golden-robed man instantly became immobile.

Tian Jiong extended a finger, and a dazzling crimson fire light shot out, heading straight for the golden-robed man. Wherever the crimson fire light passed, the very air seemed to tear apart. The golden-robed man's face changed drastically. The sharp horn on his head glowed intensely, and a golden light shot out to meet the crimson fire light.

A thunderous boom echoed. A tremendous roar erupted as the crimson fire light and golden light obliterated each other. Flames scattered, and a powerful shockwave rapidly spread, kicking up vast amounts of dust. Tian Jiong's right fist, engulfed in a large swath of crimson flames, slammed down violently onto the ground. With a loud crash, a vast expanse of crimson flames spread out, engulfing an area several tens of zhang in radius. The flames quickly reached the golden-robed man, swiftly consuming his body, and a piercing shriek emanated from within.

Fairy Ziyue flipped her delicate hand, and a fist-sized purple seal shot out, rapidly expanding. It flew above their heads and plummeted downwards. A golden light flew out from the sea of flames, blocking the enlarged purple seal. Tian Jiong slammed his fists towards the air, and two crimson fiery fists, several zhang in size, shot out, aggressively smashing into the sea of flames.

A thunderous roar sounded again. The flames intensified, and shrieks filled the air. The purple seal glowed brightly, shattering the golden light and smashing down into the sea of flames. The ground shook violently, accompanied by another scream.

Fairy Ziyue retrieved the purple seal. A massive crater now marked the ground, and the golden-robed man was undeniably dead.

"The demon race entered so quickly. I wonder if there are any Nascent Soul stage demons," Fairy Ziyue muttered to herself, her brows furrowed.

"It's useless to think about that now. The treasure vault is just ahead. Let's pick up the pace!" Tian Jiong flew down into the crater, collected the golden-robed man's belongings, and they continued on their journey.

After about a quarter of an hour, they emerged from the bamboo forest. A thousand-zhang-tall colossal peak appeared before them. At its base stood a silver stele several zhang high, its inscriptions too blurred to be deciphered clearly. Tian Jiong took out a cyan seashell, his expression a little excited.

"That's right, this is it! This is the location of the Zhenhai Sect's treasure vault. I wonder how much wealth the cultivators from the Sun Moon Palace took."

"Great-uncle, with just the two of us, can we break through the restrictions and retrieve the treasures?"

Tian Jiong pondered for a moment before saying, "It should be possible. A formation without anyone to maintain it for hundreds of years, it's already impressive that it's still running. It will take some time, but we can break through the restrictions. Don't worry!"

"A treasure vault, huh? Heh heh, we should have a share in witnessing this!" A somewhat mocking voice suddenly rang out. No sooner had the voice faded than Huang Yuxu and Li Xin emerged from the bamboo forest. Huang Yuxu held a glowing yellow short ruler in his hand, radiating powerful spiritual energy.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, you've been following us all along! Didn't you go to search for the Scripture Repository?" Tian Jiong's gaze darkened, and a hint of killing intent flickered in his eyes. The Zhenhai Sect's treasure vault was right before them, and he wouldn't allow anyone else to lay a hand on it. Even if their ancestors were from the Zhenhai Sect, who knew how many Nascent Soul-forming spiritual treasures were in the vault? Besides those, there were also many other valuables: magic treasures, refining materials, spiritual herbs, and so on. If they acquired the contents, Fairy Ziyue would have a high chance of advancing to the Nascent Soul stage. His lifespan was dwindling, and all his hopes rested on Fairy Ziyue. Even if Wang Changsheng and his wife were here, Tian Jiong would still turn hostile.

"Fellow Daoist Tian, we weren't following you; we merely stumbled upon you by chance. We are all descendants of the Zhenhai Sect. How about we split the treasures evenly? If the opportunity arises in the future, we could even rebuild the Zhenhai Sect." Huang Yuxu's tone was sincere, making it seem like he wasn't lying.

"The demon race has also entered. Further delay will benefit none of us, only the demons," Li Xin added, her tone indifferent.

A fierce glint flashed in Tian Jiong's eyes. With a flick of his wrist, two Crying Infant Beasts shot out, each spewing a stream of crimson flames from its mouth towards Huang Yuxu. Fairy Ziyue released two third-tier puppet beasts to attack Li Xin. Huang Yuxu gently shook the yellow jade ruler in his hand, and a large expanse of yellow ruler shadows flew out, shattering the two streams of crimson flames. The two Crying Infant Beasts lunged at Huang Yuxu from both sides, their enormous bodies capable of crushing him to death.

Huang Yuxu, unhurried, took out a palm-sized yellow mirror. The mirror had an ancient design and appeared quite ordinary. The yellow mirror lit up with countless yellow spiritual patterns, and a surge of yellow mist poured out, forming two enormous yellow palms that slammed fiercely towards the two Crying Infant Beasts. Tian Jiong formed a hand seal, and the two Crying Infant Beasts each spat out a thick stream of crimson flames towards the two yellow giant palms. With a tearing sound, the two yellow giant palms were pierced by the two streams of crimson flames. Simultaneously, the yellow giant palms slammed heavily onto the two Crying Infant Beasts, which visibly petrified, turning into two massive statues.

"The Profound Yellow Mirror! This is True Monarch Huanglong's Natal Magic Treasure. How do you possess it?" Fairy Ziyue exclaimed, her gaze fixed on Huang Yuxu.

Huang Yuxu tapped a yellow jade pendant on his chest. The pendant glowed intensely, and as the light dissipated, Huang Yuxu reverted to his true appearance.

"Young Master Yuxu, it's you." Fairy Ziyue's face turned grim upon seeing Huang Yuxu's true appearance. Previously, she had thought Huang Yuxu was approaching her for her beauty. She had never imagined that Huang Yuxu was actually right in front of her.

"Heh heh, Fairy Ziyue, you didn't see this coming, did you? At this point, there's no need for you to conceal your appearance. I've known your identity all along. Did you really think I was approaching you for your beauty? Hmph, once I advance to the Nascent Soul stage, I won't lack women throwing themselves at me!" Young Master Yuxu sneered, a playful expression on his face.

"So, you knew my identity all along? In that case, when I visited to celebrate your grandfather's birthday, why didn't you try to keep me there?" Fairy Ziyue questioned, slightly curling her right hand, her palm facing away from Huang Yuxu, as a pale silver talisman appeared in her hand.

"If I hadn't wanted to avoid alerting you, I would have detained you long ago, Fairy Ziyue. I'm not afraid to tell you, my grandfather is already on his way. If you join our Huanglong Island, we can retrieve the treasures and split them evenly. What do you say?" Huang Yuxu's tone was filled with temptation.

Tian Jiong's face turned grim. He looked at Li Xin and said, "Fairy Li, does this mean you're also a cultivator from Huanglong Island?"

"That's right, Fellow Daoist Tian. We don't wish to make things difficult for you. If you're sensible, join us in retrieving the treasures. Elder Huang is already on his way. A wise person knows when to adapt to circumstances. If you're wise, lead us to the treasure. Our Huanglong Island can offer you protection. If the Sun Moon Palace finds you, you know the consequences."