Chapter 2996

As the words fell, the Floating Life Blade burst forth with dazzling golden radiance!

This is the light of the rising morning sun.

Upon hearing this, the sea of clouds instantly churned into a great vortex, its center like a colossal funnel, the turbulent cloud streams surging like ten thousand steeds, charging toward the vortex's heart. The mountain wind finally ceased, no longer questioning him.

He had already brandished his blade in resolve, his spirit platform clear and still.

He had died once, then shattered the void from the Nine Abysses, surged back to the mortal realm, slain gods and demons—truly deserving of the title Nine Abysses Great Emperor!

"He Lingchuan" is who? No longer matters.

He must break free from the vicious cycle of severed causality!

He Lingchuan leapt from the perilous cliff, one man, one blade, striking toward the dark firmament. It suddenly swelled, transforming into a black colossal beast, shaped like a giant tiger, eyes glowing red, yet bearing three tails, each tip sharper than a blade's edge.

From any angle, he appeared to be throwing himself into the tiger's jaws—insignificant, not worth mentioning.

But suddenly, seven or eight chains shot out from the sea of clouds, like agile dragons and serpents, binding the karmic black tiger, then yanking it hard downward.

At this moment, He Lingchuan arrived with blade in hand, head-on, and slammed it into the sea of clouds!

The entire sea of consciousness world heard a dull thud.

Here, it seemed as if a moment had frozen—even the clouds ceased rolling, as if time had been pressed on pause.

After an unknown span, a point of golden light suddenly appeared where they had struck the sea of clouds, instantly illuminating the entire heaven and earth!

￥￥￥￥￥

West Sea, Yada Archipelago.

Today, cloudless for ten thousand li, standing on the beach, one sees only sea and sky as one, gulls and egrets soaring.

The Yada Archipelago spans vast, composed of nearly a thousand small isles. Here, hidden reefs are countless, subterranean currents surge fiercely—truly a graveyard for human vessels. Originally inhabiting this place, the sea clans obeyed the Sea Emperor Xuandu, continually harassing Cangyan's West Sea routes. Cangyan, unable to endure further, deployed troops from the Earth Mother Plains to conquer the Yada Archipelago, sweeping clean the dozen or so sea clan nests once entrenched here.

Cangyan's methods were remarkably ruthless, showing no mercy.

Several years have passed; no longer do sea clans gather in lush profusion here, and the isles have grown much lonelier.

Yet, due to the sea clans' departure, sporadic human structures began appearing on the outermost isles of the archipelago, gradually forming several small towns, dedicated to providing modest convenience for passing vessels along the sea lanes.

On this day, a colossal vessel flew in from the horizon, docking at Liangliang Town, the outermost isle of the Yada Archipelago.

Disembarking from the great ship were several people, led precisely by the Frost Leaf State Preceptor and the Jin Du Holy Mother.

To concoct the Rejuvenation Elixir, they had rushed nonstop from Lingxu City to this place.

They came not by sea, but by air—this alone drew particular attention. Moreover, the town actually hosted several merchant caravans' travelers resting here; from inns to eateries, all necessities were present, though conditions were somewhat rudimentary.

Jin Du Holy Mother walked, frowning. The archipelago had just rained; the road was muddy and slick, her shoes making squelching sounds with each step. Having been in the mortal realm less than a month, Chi had grown fond of Lingxu City's cleanliness, warmth, leisure, and attentive service.

"This damned place." Chi complained, "Where is the contact you mentioned?"

The predator Chi had spawned was indeed spirited. The complex herbs and materials on the Rejuvenation Formula—ordinary cultivators might spend a lifetime seeking and still fail to gather them all. Yet Frost Leaf needed only to move his lips, and within days, someone would have prepared them for him.

Likewise, the ingredients he would need after rejuvenation had already long filled his storage ring to the brim.

This could not be achieved merely by having money.

Jin Du Holy Mother also once again sighed inwardly, having power and status is indeed wonderful.

Even better, such good days had finally come to Chi's turn to enjoy—unlike before, when other deities suffered while Chi watched.

Frost Leaf pointed toward the tavern in the town: "The other party should already have arrived."

This small tavern had a thatched roof; upon entering, everyone discovered the interior was still leaking.

Only one table of guests sat there, by the window, reading.

It was a young woman, dressed in apricot-colored robes, her features like a painting.

She sat there, cheek resting on one hand, slowly turning pages; morning sunlight streamed through the small trees outside the window, casting dappled shadows on the table. Time seemed to freeze then; the old inn gained a touch of tranquil serenity.

In such a remote backwater, suddenly appearing a great beauty—whoever passed by would glance twice.

As the crowd just entered, she set down her scroll, waved at Frost Leaf, and smiled:

"Frost Leaf State Preceptor, I've waited long for you."

She recognized Frost Leaf at a glance; others were ignored by her.

Frost Leaf strode forward, cleared his throat lightly: "How should I address you?"

This woman's bearing and appearance truly exceeded his expectations. Even Frost Leaf could not associate her with the legendary figure spoken of. Could it really be her?

"My surname is Sun." The young woman turned her gaze to Jin Du Holy Mother, glanced at Chi twice, but said nothing.

Instead, Jin Du Holy Mother looked at her, then at Frost Leaf: "What is your relationship?"

The woman smiled: "I am merely a donor, delivering a magical artifact to Frost Leaf State Preceptor on behalf of another."

"Oh? Who?" This woman was somewhat strange; Jin Du Holy Mother always felt she did not belong here.

This naturally was Sun Fuling.

"An old friend of Frost Leaf State Preceptor's—over twenty years of acquaintance." Having said that, she plucked a silver hairpin from her bun and placed it on the table. Only then did everyone notice the hairpin was actually shaped like a trident, exquisitely crafted.

"What is this?" Jin Du Holy Mother asked.

"This is the trident of the West Sea Patrol Yaksha King." Sun Fuling said lightly, "Three years ago, the Yada Archipelago was a major habitat for sea clans; artifacts like this were commonplace. Now, however, one must exert effort to find such a thing."

Jin Du Holy Mother reached out and seized the hairpin-trident; Sun Fuling did not stop her.

"This is……" Jin Du Holy Mother's expression shifted abruptly, before she could finish a sentence, she flung the hairpin back onto the table.

Chi could not hold it. As soon as the silver hairpin entered his hand, he felt a surge of mighty, domineering power!

It was as if one stood on a cliff's edge, feeling the tremors of furious waves battering the cliff. If not released soon, this force would surge into Chi's very body. So powerful, so vibrant a magical artifact!

Though some magical artifacts are powerful, they are not active. Occasionally, such treasures appear at the Bei Jia auction; ordinary people may touch or wipe them—their artifact spirits lie in semi-dormancy for various reasons.

Ordinary people cannot touch active killing artifacts.

This indicates the treasure follows a powerful master, receiving meticulous care, and above all, it is frequently used.

Jin Du Holy Mother's gaze toward Sun Fuling also changed; this woman bore weight lightly, unlike her seemingly pure appearance.

Earlier, Chi had asked Frost Leaf, who only said he would borrow a sea clan artifact to better enter the Sea Trench Convergence Lantern Tower Jellyfish.