Chapter 184: The Might of the Five Elements Thunder Sword

Several streams of light flew out from within the restriction, without pausing for a moment, and then flew outward from the secret realm.

Soon everyone arrived at the previously agreed-upon desolate cloud island.

However.

Before anyone could begin inspecting the spoils, the tension between Fei Ling and Yunhe erupted again.

Only to see.

Fei Ling, who had not yet landed from the air, unhesitatingly unleashed his vast expanse of rolling black sand.

In an instant, amidst the howling sound, the rolling black sand blotted out the sun, almost instantly enveloping this desolate small island.

Upon seeing this, everyone's faces changed drastically, thinking Fei Ling intended to seize the treasure after leaving the secret realm, and each solemnly prepared to unleash their magic weapons to resist.

"Fei Ling, what are you doing?!" Fairy Qingling exclaimed, her expression grave.

As the sole Mid Jie Dan Stage cultivator among them, Fei Ling exerted considerable pressure on them.

But they quickly realized the black sand was not aimed at them, but at Yunhe!

Yunhe had actually long been prepared, his eyes flashing coldly, his robes fluttering as he lightly opened his mouth and spat out a flying sword.

He formed the sword seal.

Hum—

The sword blade trembled and hummed, the flying sword instantly becoming four, with faint golden arcs flickering upon them.

Seeing this flying sword, Fei Ling showed a deep hue of apprehension.

In that earlier scene, other cultivators might have been preoccupied with dealing with the tree demon or gathering the Wood Extension Pill, so they didn't see much, but he had personally witnessed it: this sword not only fears no corrosion from the corrupt toxic scale snake's viscous black water, but seizes the opponent's moment of hesitation and in one strike slays the corrupt toxic scale snake!

Although part of this is due to his having exhausted the corrupt toxic scale snake's strength and ability, and launching a surprise attack, the ability to inflict such damage is sufficient to show this sword is extraordinary.

Now seeing the flying sword instantly become four, he couldn't help but snort coldly, activating his spell tactic, and the rolling black sand surged to engulf the flying sword.

Yunhe was not surprised by this either; he swiftly withdrew while shifting his sword seal.

In an instant.

The four flying swords actually shot out from four completely different directions, tracing four golden threads in the air as they lunged at Fei Ling.

Seeing this, Fei Ling's eyes turned icy.

He knew that among these four flying swords, three were false, mere illusions, but he could not tell which one was real, forcing him to treat each with extra caution.

As his magical power surged, the rolling black sand split into five; four parts went to block the flying swords, while another portion condensed into a pitch-black arrow, nocked like a bow, briefly gathering power before shooting straight at Yunhe.

Ding—dang—ding—dang—

Abruptly.

A clear silver bell rang out suddenly, and a string of bells hung in midair, continuously vibrating and emitting waves of sound that enveloped Yunhe, Fei Ling, and all their techniques.

The emitted sound seemed clear, yet like a demonic melody ringing in the ears, making one involuntarily feel spiritually uplifted yet dazed, with nausea rising in the abdomen.

At the same time.

The black sand controlled by Fei Ling, as well as Yunhe's flying sword movements, all became sluggish.

Seeing this, Fairy Qingling slightly relaxed her breath, about to speak, but she gazed at the flying sword in the air with a hint of astonishment.

Zizz—

Faint golden arcs flickered, and Fairy Qingling clearly felt that her ancient treasure bell's control over this flying sword had failed!

Nevertheless, the flying sword, under Yunhe's control, continued shooting toward Fei Ling.

Seeing this, Fei Ling's heart tightened; he immediately disregarded the nausea induced by the bell's sound, clapped his hands together and expelled a mouthful of yellowish vital energy, while some of the black sand also restored itself at that moment, under his control swiftly gathering before him into a small black shield that rapidly expanded to block the flying sword.

Ding!!

An extremely clear sound followed.

Then came a terrifying surge of turbulent air waves.

Fei Ling's eyes widened, filled with disbelief.

Because he clearly saw that the shield formed from the black sand merely hindered for a moment, then, as the five-colored light on the flying sword flashed, it was shattered!

"Impossible!"

Fei Ling could not accept it.

For you must know, the Fei Clan of Jade Balance Island is most renowned for its earth-attribute cultivation method, and this sand-manipulating technique can be said to be the clan's signature art; moreover, this box of black sand of his is no ordinary sand, but the 'Wu Earth Black Sand' he painstakingly refined with great effort and devotion.

And yet it was shattered like that by a single flying sword?!

However, Fei Ling, being at least a Mid Jie Dan Stage cultivator, after a brief shock immediately felt a bone‑chilling cold rise from his tailbone, and he no longer paid heed to the bell's interference from Fairy Qingling, driving his internal magical power to the limit as he swept his hands outward from both sides toward the center.

The dim, earth‑attribute black sand surged with spiritual light, quickly gathering at his sides like piled earth, condensing into the shape of a black mountain that shielded him.

"Fellow Daoist Yunhe!"

On the other side, Fairy Qingling cried out delicately.

One saw that the flying sword, shimmering with five‑colored flashing arcs, halted a short distance outside the black‑sand mountain and hovered there.

Yunhe let out a soft sigh.

With his sword seal in hand, the flying sword flew back and was finally swallowed by him.

It was not because he stopped due to Fairy Qingling's shout; rather, the heavenly thunder and five‑element powers on the Five Elements Thunder Sword were nearly exhausted, knowing he could not break through Fei Ling's black‑sand mountain that protected him, he had no choice but to retract it.

After all.

After forging this sword, although he had continually refined it with his primordial spirit and magical power, the refining time was ultimately too short; moreover, he had expended much of it while slaying the corrupt toxic scale snake, and now he had reached his limit.

In fact, even if he still had spare strength, Yunhe would still withdraw here.

Could it be that he intended to slay Fei Ling in front of all these Jie Dan cultivators?

Leaving aside whether he could do so smoothly.

For you must know, behind Fei Ling stands the Fei Clan of Jade Balance Island; it is said that their ancestor is a Late Jie Dan Stage cultivator, and there are rumors that he may have already reached the False Infant Realm, with the possibility of advancing to Nascent Soul!

Such is the cultivation clan that enjoys some renown throughout the Cloud Upper Realm.

Moreover, behind the Fe family is the greatest power in the Yunshang Realm, the Yunshang Hall!

It would be better to seize the chance to give Qingling a face.

At the same time, after Yunhe retracted his Flying Sword, the black sand that had been swirling around Fei Ling also dispersed completely at that moment, but Fei Ling did not retrieve the black sand; it continued to hover at his side.

A pair of eyes full of resentment and murderous intent stared fixedly at Yunhe for a long while.

"Fei Ling, Yun Daoist, what are you doing?" Qingling furrowed her willow‑like brows and asked in a deep voice.

But neither Fei Ling nor Yunhe gave an answer.

It was the lightning‑fast duel scene between the two earlier that made Li Yuanfan, Fan Sanjin, and Yu Ying—three Golden Core cultivators—watch in silent alarm.

Especially Li Yuanfan and Fan Sanjin.

The two had previously suspected that Yunhe was not merely an early Golden Core, but Yunhe had never displayed any special techniques or abilities; the "Vermilion Bird Ring" he used against the tree demon was only conventional, which made them doubt their own conjecture until they saw that scene just now.

They instinctively met each other's gaze.

Both saw surprise and sudden realization in the other's eyes.

He could suppress Fei Ling, who is at mid Golden Core cultivation, in such a short time?

That is the ability they "recognize" Yunhe should possess.

After a brief hesitation, the two seemed to make a decision, their bodies turning into flowing light as they approached Yunhe.

As for why Fei Ling acted, they did not know the exact reason, but even free cultivators who have reached the Golden Core are all talented individuals, and they could guess something, more or less.

Earlier, the shock of the Mu Yan Elixir had stirred his heart so that he could not react; now looking back, Fei Ling voluntarily demanded to single‑handedly block the sub‑team's Scale Snake, which should have been easily suppressed, yet he was slain by Yunhe, which in itself was very odd.

Qingling is a sect cultivator, Fei Ling is a family cultivator, and the three of them are all free cultivators.

Sure enough, when it came to dividing the spoils, forming a group was inevitable.

Seeing that neither of them offered an explanation, Qingling exhaled lightly, showing a hint of helplessness, but still said:

"This time we have obtained five Mu Yan Elixirs in total; according to the agreement, Qingling will take two, and the remaining three Qingling will bring to the auction in Yun Palace City for sale, and once exchanged for Spirit Stones, they will be evenly distributed among all Daoist friends."

The others still trusted Qingling more.

If she had ill intentions, she wouldn't have been the first to rescue Li Yuanfan earlier.

She also wouldn't have intervened to block the duel between Yunhe and Fei Ling, let alone join in and, together with Fei Ling, take down Yunhe; that would have been the best choice.

Because anyone with eyes can see that between Qingling and Fei Ling, the relationship seems to be more than just familiarity.

Having said that, Qingling directly took out five secret contracts from her storage bag, swore without hesitation and left a mana seal, then handed the contracts and a communicating Jade Slip respectively to each person present.

"If that is so, I shall take my leave now."

Yunhe took the items, glanced at Fei Ling, whose expression had already settled, then turned and vanished far away by sealing a technique.

Li Yuanfan and Fan Sanjin each paid their respects and left together with Yunhe.

Yu Ying smiled gently, also put away the secret contract and Jade Slip, her beautiful eyes sweeping over Qingling and Fei Ling, and said:

"Qingling sister, Fei Daoist, I will not meddle in your family affairs."

Having said that, her dress fluttered as she vanished toward another direction.

Here.

Only Fei Ling and Qingling remained.

At this moment Fei Ling finally spoke, "Cousin, that cultivator named Yunhe could very likely have taken the items from the thatched hut amid the chaos, you and I, as brother, should join forces, we together.

Before he could finish, Qingling furrowed her willow brows and interrupted:

"Brother!"

She pressed her lips together and let out a light sigh.

"Qingling needs to return the Mu Yan Elixir as soon as possible, so I will take my leave first."

"Wait a moment!"

Fei Ling stopped her again, his eyes flashing, "Cousin, would giving this Elixir to Aunt be wasteful? If we give it to the Ancestor for forty years, perhaps the Ancestor could successfully achieve Nascent Soul! Then the Fe family and your Shen family would no longer have to live under others' roofs."

It turned out that Qingling came from the Shen family of Yuheng Island, and she was searching for the Mu Yan Elixir for her mother, a Foundation Establishment cultivator with little remaining lifespan.

The Fe family and the Shen family are closely linked; Fei Ling's father and Qingling's mother, strictly speaking, could be considered siblings, though perhaps not of the same bloodline.

But in Fei Ling's view, an Elixir like Mu Yan that can extend lifespan, giving it to a Foundation Establishment cultivator—even if they later reach Golden Core—is not as good as giving it to the Fe family Ancestor, which could perhaps grant the Ancestor more chances to achieve Nascent Soul.

She should understand the weight of this crucial stake.

Hearing this,

Qingling's expression turned cold, and a surge of mana rose.

The reason she avoided the sect and fellow clan cultivators was precisely to prevent such a situation.

Fei Ling had previously promised her, swearing an oath, and Qingling felt a mid Golden Core cultivator was needed to hold the position, which is why she finally agreed to act together.

The rest, whether Yunhe obtained the items inside the thatched hut or not, or who gained any benefit, it was none of her concern!

Her mother's remaining lifespan is very short!

Seeing her anger, Fei Ling was not startled; instead, he said with some hidden meaning:

"Aunt's lifespan left only one year? Two years? I don't know if cousin can make it back in time. If cousin is willing to accompany me on a trip, it should be possible, right? I can't say, but I could also help cousin obtain some Golden Core treasures from the Ancestor or Yan Yue."

When the name Yan Yue was mentioned, Fei Ling's eye corner twitched, showing some discomfort.

Qingling, who also heard the name, tightened her expression, but quickly showed a hint of mockery and said softly:

"It seems, brother, that your relationship with Yan Yue is indeed far from shallow."

On the other side.

"Friends, we part here; let us reconvene at Yun Palace City."

Yunhe bowed his hands to Li Yuanfan and Fan Sanjin, bidding farewell.

"Yun Daoist, thank you for your assistance this time," Li Yuanfan said sincerely.

If it were not for Yunhe and Qingling intervening, his old Taoist might not have survived this time.

Yunhe smiled and waved his hand.

After all, they had merely met; the other party had never shown him any malice, but instead had always been respectful. He was not a bloodthirsty person, and lending a hand was hardly any trouble.

After bidding farewell to the two, Yunhe descended onto a cloud island.

Watching them leave, killing intent rose in Yunhe's eyes as he fled in another direction.

(End of chapter)