Chapter 719: Hunter and Prey

After one strike, the group continued to gather their attacks.

After three consecutive rounds of concentrated fire, the palace gate finally opened a crack amidst the tremors.

"The gate is open, continue the attack!"

Xiaoyue Daoren's eyes lit up, and he spoke again.

After more than a dozen combined strikes, the palace gate finally opened completely.

The group reined in their Spiritual Power and ceased their attacks.

Wang Jianqiang stood at the very back of the Beast Taming Sect's formation, looking out past the palace gate.

Outside the gate lay a boundless space.

This space was empty, and the ground was a vast, endless Sea of Sand.

The yellow sand churned, rising and falling like ocean waves, as if it were a true sea.

The Alchemy Emperor Secret Realm lay beneath this Sea of Sand; one had to cross the sea to reach it.

"Everyone, our Tianlang Hall will take the lead."

After the gate was fully opened, Xiaoyue Daoren laughed aloud, waved his hand, and led the people of Tianlang Hall in a dive, submerging into the Sea of Sand.

Yaoguang Xianzi glanced at the Beast Taming Sect and Jade Cauldron Sect teams respectively, then beckoned to the Sacred Palace cultivators behind her, "Let's go."

As soon as she finished speaking, she was the first to leap into the Sea of Sand.

The people of the Sacred Palace followed closely behind.

A moment later.

Only the Beast Taming Sect and Jade Cauldron Sect teams remained in the entire Ancient Palace.

The Beast Taming Sect cultivators, led by Yuan Xiuya, stared intently at the Jade Cauldron Sect group, their expressions guarded.

"Yuan Xiuya, have you thought it over? This is the last chance Xuan is giving you."

Xuan Che looked at Yuan Xiuya and spoke indifferently.

Yuan Xiuya let out a cold snort and did not respond.

"Is this your decision?"

Yuan Xiuya smiled, his gaze sweeping over the Beast Taming Sect group before finally resting on Wang Jianqiang.

The moment Xuan Che's gaze fell upon him, Wang Jianqiang suddenly sensed a highly concealed force drilling into his body.

He sneered inwardly, offering no resistance, and allowed that force to brand itself within him.

A moment later.

Xuan Che withdrew his gaze and looked at Yuan Xiuya again, "I hope you do not regret your decision."

Having said that, he waved his hand at the Jade Cauldron Sect cultivators.

"Let's go."

With that, he led the Jade Cauldron Sect group and leaped into the Sea of Sand.

Seeing the Jade Cauldron Sect team depart, Yuan Xiuya let out a long sigh of relief.

Although this Xuan Che was only an Eighth-Order Will Stage cultivator, the pressure he exerted was far greater than that of an ordinary Ninth-Order Will Stage cultivator.

Previously, he had not fought with all his might.

But judging by the battle situation at the time, even if he had gone all out, he likely could only have fought the opponent to a draw at best.

He turned his head to look at Wang Jianqiang, "That Xuan Che has already targeted you. Here in the Ancient Palace, with all of us present, we can still protect your life."

"But if we enter the Sea of Sand, we will likely be separated. If you encounter the Jade Cauldron Sect cultivators, you will surely die."

"For you, the best way to save your life is to remain in this Ancient Palace."

Wang Jianqiang shook his head, "Thank you for your concern, Senior. This junior entered the Secret Realm this time specifically to assist the Eldest Young Miss."

"As for the danger to my life, this junior's life is cheap and not worth mentioning."

Hearing Wang Jianqiang's calm words, Yuan Xiuya was stunned.

He looked deeply at Wang Jianqiang.

Such a loyal servant was indeed a rare sight.

However, he had no personal friendship with Wang Jianqiang, and seeing Wang Jianqiang's persistence, he did not continue to persuade him.

He nodded, then looked at the others, "The Sea of Sand is filled with a Suppress force; it not only suppresses a cultivator's power but also restricts Spirit Sense and perception, making it very easy to get lost."

"You must all be careful after entering the Sea of Sand."

"Now, let us depart."

Having said that, he jumped directly into the Sea of Sand.

The remaining Beast Taming Sect Disciples followed suit.

A moment later.

Only the four figures of Wang Jianqiang, Zhou Yun, Wan Guiyuan, and Yang Yuntian remained in the Ancient Palace.

"Little brother, why don't you come with the two of us?"

Yang Yuntian looked at Wang Jianqiang and said after a moment of hesitation.

Wang Jianqiang shook his head, "Thank you for your kindness, Senior, but this junior must stay by the Eldest Young Miss's side."

Upon hearing this, Yang Yuntian looked at Zhou Yun.

Then he nodded.

"In that case, take care."

Having said that, he and Wan Guiyuan jumped into the Sea of Sand together.

"Wang Daniu, Senior Brother Yuan Xiuya is right; you should stay in this Ancient Palace."

Zhou Yun looked at Wang Jianqiang and sighed.

He also did not expect that Wang Jianqiang had actually made an enemy of a Jade Cauldron Sect prodigy.

If he had known, how could he have brought Wang Jianqiang in to seek death?

What a pity.

By the time he knew, it was already too late.

Wang Jianqiang shook his head, "Eldest Young Miss, even if I stay in the Ancient Palace, can you be certain that the first person to return to the Ancient Palace before the Secret Realm closes won't be a Jade Cauldron Sect Disciple?"

"With my strength, if any Jade Cauldron Sect Disciple returns first, they could behead me."

"Since staying in this Ancient Palace is not absolutely safe either, it would be better to enter the Alchemy Emperor Secret Realm together with you."

Hearing Wang Jianqiang's words, Zhou Yun pondered for a moment and nodded, "Fine, since that is the case, then you shall enter the Secret Realm with me."

As she spoke, she waved her palm.

A ribbon wrapped around Wang Jianqiang's body, while the other end was grasped in her hand.

"It is easy to get lost in the Sea of Sand; using this ribbon tied to your body will allow you to stay by my side at all times and not get lost in the Sea of Sand."

Having said that.

A surge of Spiritual Power was released from her body, enveloping Wang Jianqiang.

Immediately, she took Wang Jianqiang and jumped into the Sea of Sand.

The moment they entered the Sea of Sand.

A heavy pressure struck instantly, causing the Spiritual Power covering Wang Jianqiang's body to tremble violently.

This pressure was quite powerful; if a Cultivator who had not manifested a Will entered, they could at most hold on for a few breaths.

Although Zhou Yun was a Sixth-Order Will-Level Cultivator, she had to help Wang Jianqiang resist the external pressure while protecting herself.

Under this dual consumption, she also bore a tremendous burden.

Besides this.

The Sea of Sand's shielding effect on Spirit Sense was also surprisingly powerful.

The Spirit Sense of Zhou Yun, a Sixth-Order Will-Level Cultivator, was shielded by more than ninety percent.

Although Wang Jianqiang had a deep foundation, his Spirit Sense was far beyond that of Cultivators at the same level.

But after all, he only had Nascent Soul Late Stage cultivation; his Spirit Sense was suppressed tightly within his body and could not extend even a fraction.

He raised his eyebrows, secretly activated his Fiery Eyes and Golden Gaze, and then the corners of his mouth curved slightly.

The Fiery Eyes and Golden Gaze were not affected.

The Sea of Sand seemed bottomless; the two of them dived for an hour, and looking downward, it was still vast yellow sand.

At the same time.

In another direction of the endless Sea of Sand.

Dozens of figures were divided into two sides, confronting each other.

"Xuan Che, do you really think you are invincible?"

"There are only a dozen of you, yet you dare to intercept so many of us?"

Yuan Xiuya stared at the handsome young man in front of him, his expression ugly.

After entering the Sea of Sand, under his deliberate search, dozens of fellow sect members had already gathered around him.

The number of people was more than three times that of Xuan Che's side.

Under these circumstances, Xuan Che actually took the initiative to attack them.

Such contempt made him feel a surge of anger.

Xuan Che smiled lightly and ignored Yuan Xiuya.

He flipped his palm, took out a Jade Pendant, and handed it to Kong Yu beside him, "Junior Sister Kong, I have already planted a mark on that servant; by relying on this jade, one can sense his location."

"Go find him and take revenge yourself."

Hearing Xuan Che's words, Kong Yu's eyes lit up, and she hurriedly took the Jade Pendant, "Thank you, Brother Xuan Che."

She thanked Xuan Che in a naive and charming manner and was about to leave.

"Wait."

Xuan Che suddenly called out to her, then looked at the two figures behind him, "Qin Chen, Xiao Che, you two go with Junior Sister Kong; you must ensure Junior Sister Kong's safety."

"Senior Brother Xuan Che, rest assured, we will definitely protect Junior Sister Kong well." Qin Chen and Xiao Che nodded.

Afterward, the three of them broke through the yellow sand and left quickly.

When Xuan Che spoke, his voice was not concealed in the slightest; seeing Kong Yu and the others leave, Yuan Xiuya laughed in extreme anger.

Not only did they discuss dealing with people from his Beast Taming Sect team right in front of them.

They were already at an absolute disadvantage in numbers, yet they still dared to send people away halfway!

This Xuan Che was simply too arrogant.

"Three Junior Brothers, you go and intercept those three."

Yuan Xiuya said to the three people behind him with a dark face.

The three nodded, left the team, and were about to pursue.

Just as the three of them left the team.

Xuan Che's gaze turned cold.

The next moment.

His figure suddenly disappeared.

Seeing this, Yuan Xiuya's expression changed, and he immediately became alert.

However.

He could not detect any abnormality in the surroundings.

Immediately after, he seemed to have thought of something and hurriedly looked toward the three fellow sect members who were chasing Kong Yu and the others.

"Three Junior Brothers, watch out!"

Hearing the exclamation from behind, the three stopped their movements instinctively and enveloped their entire bodies in Spiritual Power.

The next moment.

An icy whirlwind suddenly appeared, sweeping the three into it.

The defenses on the three shattered after holding for only a moment, and they were immediately sent flying while spitting blood.

The icy whirlwind dissipated, and the figure of Xuan Che was revealed.

Seeing this scene.

All the Beast Taming Sect Cultivators, including Yuan Xiuya, were shocked.

Those three fellow sect members were no ordinary people.

They were the eighth, ninth, and tenth ranked top powerhouses among the Beast Taming Sect Core Disciples.

All were Eighth-Order Will Stage Cultivators with formidable combat power.

However.

Facing Xuan Che, the three were like clay chickens and pottery dogs, having no power to resist at all.

"Kill!"

Yuan Xiuya quickly regained his composure.

With a wave of his palm, the Beast Taming Ring flew out.

Amidst a flash of Spirit Light, an ape-like demonic beast, slightly taller than a normal adult, flashed out.

Together with him, it charged to kill Xuan Che.

At the same time.

The other Beast Taming Sect Disciples summoned their demonic beasts one after another and charged toward the remaining Jade Cauldron Sect Cultivators.

The great battle erupted instantly.

Amidst the yellow sand, undercurrents surged.

Waves of undercurrents continuously struck Wang Jianqiang, only to be completely blocked by the Spiritual Power enveloping his body.

A colored ribbon was wrapped around his waist, and pulled by the ribbon, he followed closely behind Zhou Yun, continuously diving deeper.

At a certain moment.

Wang Jianqiang suddenly looked toward his lower side.

Within his eyes, a faint golden luster permeated.

The endless yellow sand became illusory, and his vision extended out, seeing three figures dozens of miles away, who were constantly breaking through the sand and approaching them.

Kong Yu, Qin Chen, and Xiao Che.

These three had actually all come.

Wang Jianqiang smiled in his heart and looked at the colored ribbon around his waist.

With Kong Yu and the others about to arrive, he had to find a way to temporarily break away from Zhou Yun's sight.

Otherwise, it would be difficult for him to act.

Just as he was planning how to break away under Zhou Yun's nose, the yellow sand not far away suddenly surged violently.

His expression shifted, and he looked toward the direction the movement came from, then was stunned to discover that within the sea-like yellow sand, a fish-type demonic beast resembling a tuna had appeared.

That fish-type demonic beast was like a fish in water within this yellow sand, unimpeded in the slightest.

Its speed was astonishing.

In the blink of an eye, it appeared less than ten zhang away from the two.

Only then.

Did Zhou Yun discover this demonic beast.

"It's a Sand Fish!"

Zhou Yun's expression changed.

Whoosh!

The moment Zhou Yun discovered the Sand Fish, a light flashed on the Sand Fish's spear-like sharp head.

A sharp force shot out.

Wherever it passed, the yellow sand seemed to disperse consciously, not causing the slightest depletion to this attack.

In the blink of an eye, this sharp force appeared in front of Zhou Yun and Wang Jianqiang.

Zhou Yun's expression changed, and she hurriedly pulled the ribbon, intending to pull Wang Jianqiang away with her.

However.

At this instant.

The suppression force of the Sea of Sand on the two seemed to have suddenly surged.

With this pull, she failed to pull Wang Jianqiang away completely as expected.

The two only shifted horizontally by less than one zhang, and the ribbon between them was pulled taut.

Zhou Yun was startled and wanted to pull with force again.

But it was too late.

The sharp force arrived, grazing their bodies and shooting past between them.

Zhou Yun was stunned, then revealed a look of pleasant surprise.

What good luck.

The positions the two had just been standing in had, quite unexpectedly, been perfectly placed to avoid the sand shark's attack.

Immediately following.

She suddenly realized with a start that the pulling force on the palm she was using to tug the ribbon had inexplicably vanished.

She hurriedly looked toward the other end of the ribbon.

Her expression changed drastically at once.

The ribbon she had been using to pull Wang Jianqiang had actually been severed by the sand shark's attack.

Wang Jianqiang's figure had already disappeared into the Sea of Sand.

An expression of urgency immediately appeared on her face.

Her Spirit Sense spread to its limit in an instant.

But in this vast Sea of Sand, her Spirit Sense was too heavily restricted, and its extension distance was limited.

She failed to discover Wang Jianqiang's figure.

Just as she was about to set off to search, the sand shark attacked again.

Although anxious, she had no choice but to gather her strength and resist this sand shark with all her might.

……

Zhou Yun was a Sixth-Order Will-Level Cultivator; although her strength was significantly weakened in the Sea of Sand, dealing with one sand shark was not a major problem.

After using the sand shark's attack to sever the ribbon, Wang Jianqiang quickly put distance between himself and Zhou Yun.

He broke free from Zhou Yun's range of perception.

Afterward, he used his Fiery Eyes and Golden Gaze to lock onto the direction of Kong Yu and the other two, and as Golden Light surged over his body, he broke through the sand currents and approached their direction.

……

In the Sea of Sand.

Kong Yu extended Spiritual Power outside of their body, forming a protective barrier to push the sand currents away, constantly breaking through the yellow sand ahead and moving forward rapidly.

Qin Chen and Xiao Che were positioned on either side of Kong Yu, following closely behind.

In front of Kong Yu, a Jade Pendant was suspended.

The Jade Pendant glowed with faint Spirit Light, guiding the way for the three of them.

Suddenly.

Kong Yu was startled, then a look of joy appeared.

"That servant seems to be approaching in our direction."

"I can feel that the distance between him and us is already very close."