Chapter 449

Among the Sea Clan there are three major groups: Qilin, Qizhou, and Qihun.

Translation: Among the Sea Clan there are three major groups: Beautiful Scale, Beautiful Armor, Beautiful Soul.

Check: "Among the Sea Clan there are three major groups:" -> "Among the Sea Clan there are three major groups:" Good.

Each tribe is mutually independent yet maintains a certain connection.

Translation: Each group is independent yet maintains certain connections.

Based on what Yunhe knows about the Sea Clan and the visitor's appearance, one can quickly determine.

Translation: Based on what Yunhe knows about the Sea Clan's information and the visitor's appearance, a judgment can be made quickly.

Based on Yunhe's understanding of the Sea Clan's information and the visitor's appearance, a judgment can be made quickly.

This person is the great elder of the Qilin clan, a late Fourth‑level Sea Clan cultivator, Qilin Changlan.

Translation: This person is the Great Elder of the Beautiful Scale clan, a late Fourth Level Sea Clan member, Beautiful Scale Chang Lan!

Check: "late Fourth Level Sea Clan" means "a late Fourth Level Sea Clan member". Good.

"It's actually Qilin Changlan, the great elder of the Qilin clan—what should we do?"

Translation: "It's actually Beautiful Scale Chang Lan, the Great Elder of the Beautiful Scale clan—what should we do?"

Not only Yunhe recognized the visitor; after all, nowadays most Sea Clan cultivators at the Fourth Level and above have been recorded by human cultivators, and even the opponent's strength and abilities are also recorded there.

Translation: Not only Yunhe recognized the visitor; after all, most Sea Clan cultivators at Fourth Level and above have already been recorded by human cultivators, and even the opponent's strength and abilities are recorded there.

Recognizing the visitor is not only Yunhe; after all, nowadays Sea Clan cultivators at the Fourth Level and above have mostly been recorded by human cultivators, and even the opponent's strength and abilities are also recorded there.

We'll translate: "Recognizing the visitor wasn't just Yunhe; after all, most Sea Clan cultivators at Fourth Level and above have already been recorded by human cultivators, and even the opponent's strength and abilities are recorded there as well."

When cultivators of similar Nascent Soul level engage in combat, how well they understand each other's strength and abilities largely determines the final outcome.

Translation: When Yuan Ying-level cultivators of similar strength duel, how well they know each other's strength and abilities largely determines the outcome.

Everyone unconsciously looked up at Yunhe hovering in the air.

Translation: Everyone unconsciously looked up at Yunhe hovering in the air.

Not only because he is the strongest human cultivator here, but also because Yunhe is the true master of the Bingxian Pavilion, controlling its formations.

Translation: Not only because he is the strongest human cultivator here, but also because Yunhe is the true master of the Ice Immortal Pavilion, controlling its formations.

Whether one can survive in the hands of Qilin Changlan, the Bingxian Pavilion's mountain‑protecting formation is of great importance.

Translation: Whether they can survive Beautiful Scale Chang Lan's hands, the Ice Immortal Pavilion's Mountain Guarding Grand Formation is crucial.

However.

Translation: However.

However, as Qilin Changlan's following words were spoken, the seemingly friendly atmosphere between the two quickly changed.

Translation: However, as Beautiful Scale Chang Lan's following words came, the seemingly friendly atmosphere between the two quickly changed.

Not only do human cultivators investigate Sea Clan cultivators, but Sea Clan cultivators do the same.

Translation: Not only do human cultivators investigate Sea Clan cultivators, but Sea Clan cultivators do the same.

This reason is likely because his strength and abilities cannot yet be ascertained.

Translation: This reason is likely because his strength and abilities cannot yet be understood.

Watching the rapidly accumulating massive torrent, Yunhe narrowed his eyes.

Translation: Watching the rapidly accumulating massive water flow, Yunhe narrowed his eyes.

This is an existence comparable to a late‑stage Nascent Soul grand cultivator!

Translation: This is an existence comparable to a late Yuan Ying great cultivator!

Upon hearing this, Yunhe was not surprised; he smiled and said, "To have the great elder of the Qilin clan know my name, I am truly fortunate."

Translation: Hearing this, Yunhe was not surprised either, smiling and saying: "To let the Great Elder of the Beautiful Scale clan know my name, I am truly fortunate."

Others may not know how great the gap is between an ordinary mid‑Nascent Soul and a late‑Nascent Soul cultivator, but as a mid‑Nascent Soul cultivator himself, he understands it very clearly.

Translation: Others may not know how great the gap is between an ordinary Middle Yuan Ying cultivator and a Late Yuan Ying cultivator, but as a Middle Yuan Ying cultivator himself, he understands it very clearly.

However, Zhang Dingtian also noticed this.

Translation: However, Zhang Ding Tian also noticed this.

But once one reaches the Nascent Soul stage, the gap between each minor realm is like a huge chasm.

Translation: But upon reaching the Yuan Ying Stage, the gap between each minor realm is like a huge chasm.

It is said that the Sea Clan cultivators' stronghold is on the sea surface; once they leave the ocean for land, their strength is inevitably greatly reduced.

Translation: It is said that Sea Clan cultivators' main battlefield is on the sea surface; once they leave the ocean for land, their strength is inevitably greatly reduced.

In fact, when Yunhe first left the Bingxian Pavilion, its mountain‑protecting formation had only been restored to the level of a quasi‑fourth‑tier formation.

Translation: In fact, when Yunhe first left the Ice Immortal Pavilion, its Mountain Guarding Grand Formation had only been restored to the level of a quasi-Fourth Level formation.

What does that mean?

Translation: What does that mean?

Listening to Old Devil Yun's words, it seems he wants to confront Qilin Changlan head‑on.

Translation: Listening to Old Devil Yunhe's words, it seems he wants to confront Beautiful Scale Chang Lan head-on?

Not to mention early Nascent Soul cultivators; even mid‑Nascent Soul Zhang Dingtian was surprised by this.

Translation: Not to mention early Yuan Ying cultivators, even Middle Yuan Ying Zhang Ding Tian felt surprised by this.

He could sense that whoever first detected his divine sense earlier came from this person.

Translation: He could sense that whoever first detected his divine sense earlier came from this person.

And Qilin Changlan merely smiled, saying, "As the 'number one under the grand cultivators' among human cultivators, Fellow Daoist Yun, don't sell yourself short."

Translation: Beautiful Scale Chang Lan also just smiled, saying: "The human cultivators' 'Number One Below Great Cultivator,' Yun Daoist, do not underestimate yourself."

But he inexplicably had a feeling that both of them had their own reasons.

Translation: But he inexplicably had a feeling that both of them had their own reasons.

Zhang Dingtian and those with some knowledge of formations understand that it would probably be difficult.

Translation: Zhang Ding Tian and those with some knowledge of formations understood that it would probably be difficult.

"However, I would like to see just how strong this 'number one under the grand cultivators' really is."

Translation: "However, I would like to see just how strong this 'Number One Below Great Cultivator' really is."

"That's somewhat interesting."

Translation: "Somewhat interesting."

In the span of a single breath, a small patch of ocean seemed to appear around him.

Translation: In the span of a single breath, a small patch of ocean seemed to appear around him.

After the three women worked together, they barely managed to restore this mountain‑protecting formation to the early fourth‑tier level.

Translation: After the three maidens' joint effort, they barely restored this Mountain Guarding Grand Formation to the level of an early Fourth Level formation.

With beings like the Vast Sea Spirit Turtle assisting or even defecting to the Sea Clan, there are naturally cultivators who secretly communicate with the Sea Clan, exchanging information from the human cultivators' side for treasures that aid their cultivation.

Translation: With beings like the Vast Sea Spirit Tortoise assisting or even defecting to the Sea Clan, there naturally are cultivators who secretly communicate with the Sea Clan, exchanging treasures that aid their cultivation for human cultivators' information.

"'It seems only Qilin Changlan has come?'"

Translation: "'It seems only Beautiful Scale Chang Lan has come?'"

"'Are you Old Devil Yun?' Qilin Changlan asked slowly."

Translation: "'Are you Old Devil Yunhe?' Beautiful Scale Chang Lan slowly opened his mouth."

The two seemed not to be opponents at all, but rather old friends who hadn't seen each other in a long time, chatting and laughing.

Translation: The two seemed not to be opposing sides at all, but rather old friends who hadn't seen each other in a long time, chatting and laughing.

Although he didn't understand, he also felt fortunate that his earlier warning to everyone not to leave the Bingxian Pavilion recklessly was very wise.

Translation: Although he didn't understand, he also felt fortunate that his earlier warning to everyone not to leave the Ice Immortal Pavilion recklessly was so wise.

Do you really think that the torrential downpour is just ordinary rain?

Translation: Do you really think that torrential downpour is just ordinary rain?

If anyone among them leaves the Bingxian Pavilion's mountain‑protecting formation, that rain will likely become a most deadly lethal weapon.

Translation: If anyone among them leaves the Ice Immortal Pavilion's Mountain Guarding Grand Formation, that rain will likely become the most deadly lethal weapon.

Yet now, upon seeing Qilin Changlan and the water he has condensed, he feels that the supposed drastic reduction in strength is merely self‑deception by human cultivators.

Translation: But now, seeing Beautiful Scale Chang Lan and the water flow he has condensed, he feels that the so-called strength reduction is merely self-deception by human cultivators.

Relying on the Bingxian Pavilion's spiritual veins, this formation can barely block an early Nascent Soul cultivator; against a mid‑Nascent Soul it appears strained, and against a late Nascent Soul or a Fourth‑level late‑stage existence it would be insufficient.

Translation: Relying on the Ice Immortal Pavilion's spiritual veins, this formation can barely block an early Yuan Ying cultivator, but when facing a Middle Yuan Ying cultivator it shows signs of being strained, and against a Late Yuan Ying or late Fourth Level existence

We need to complete the sentence; line 42 ends abruptly? Actually line 42: "Relying on the Bingxian Pavilion's spiritual veins, this formation can barely block an early Nascent Soul cultivator; against a mid‑Nascent Soul it appears strained, and against a late Nascent Soul or a Fourth‑level late‑stage existence". It seems incomplete; maybe line continues in 43. We'll translate as is.

Therefore, Qilin Changlan didn't even take the Nine Palaces Condensing Ice Formation seriously; instead, he fixed his gaze on Yunhe.

Translation: Therefore Beautiful Scale Chang Lan did not even regard the Nine Palace Condensing Ice Formation, instead fixing his gaze on Yunhe.

Later, Binggui Fairy, Dong Ning Xuan, and the three Pearls went to Taixuan City to find Yunhe, who then informed them of some methods and details for repairing the formation.

Translation: Later, after the Ice Osmanthus Fairy, Dong Ning Xuan, and the Pearl Three Maidens went to Grand Mystery City to find Yunhe, Yunhe also told them some methods and matters regarding restoring the formation.

Why?

Translation: Why?

Zhang Dingtian does not really understand this.

Translation: Zhang Ding Tian did not really understand this.

He doesn't know why Yunhe chose to fight Qilin Changlan.

Translation: He did not know why Yunhe chose to fight Beautiful Scale Chang Lan.

If the Sea Clan truly wanted to wipe out all the Nascent Soul cultivators inside the Bingxian Pavilion, shouldn't they have sent a large force of elites?

Translation: If the Sea Clan truly wanted to wipe out all Yuan Ying cultivators inside the Ice Immortal Pavilion, they should have dispatched large numbers of elites, shouldn't they?

If the "Dragon Fish Vast Sea Grand Formation" were formed again, probably fewer than a handful of cultivators would be able to leave the Bingxian Pavilion today.

Translation: If the Dragon Fish Vast Sea Grand Formation were formed again, probably fewer than a handful of cultivators could walk out of the Ice Immortal Pavilion today.

Zhang Dingtian's scattered thoughts quickly gathered, for the aura released by Qilin Changlan at this moment startled him.

Translation: Zhang Ding Tian's scattered thoughts quickly gathered, for the aura released by Beautiful Scale Chang Lan at this moment startled him.

"Quite a coincidence; I also want to see just how great the gap is between me and a late Fourth‑level cultivator, or a late Nascent Soul grand cultivator."

Translation: "Quite a coincidence; I also want to see just how great the gap is between me and a late Fourth Level cultivator, and between me and a late Yuan Ying great cultivator."

This gap is even larger than that between early and mid Nascent Soul cultivators—and much larger!

Translation: This is greater than the gap between early and middle Yuan Ying, and much greater!

If one says that during the Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, or even Core Formation stages, a difference of one minor realm might still allow a fight, the gap isn't that large.

Translation: If one says that during Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, and even Golden Core stages, a difference of one minor realm might still allow a fight, the gap isn't that large.

The already torrential rain became even more turbulent, and beside Qilin Changlan it condensed into a massive amount of water flow.

Translation: The already pouring rain became even more turbulent, and beside Beautiful Scale Chang Lan it condensed a large amount of water flow.

Otherwise.

Translation: Otherwise.

Within his divine sense, he no longer detected any other Sea Clan cultivators.

Translation: Within his divine sense, no other Sea Clan cultivators were detected anymore.

Rushing—

Translation: Splish-splash——

As soon as these words were spoken, Qilin Changlan showed no reaction, while the Nascent Soul cultivators behind Yunhe all widened their eyes.

Translation: Upon hearing this, Beautiful Scale Chang Lan had not yet reacted, while the group of Yuan Ying cultivators behind Yunhe each stared wide-eyed.

Because the Bingxian Pavilion's mountain‑protecting formation is not strong.

Translation: Because the Ice Immortal Pavilion's Mountain Guarding Grand Formation is not strong.

For cultivators with truly top-tier cultivation base, whether human, sea, or abyss race, striving to avoid environmental influences as much as possible so that they can constantly exert their utmost strength is nearly an essential ability for every cultivator.

He voluntarily flew out of the Ice Immortal Pavilion's protective mountain array.

This array was clearly insufficient to block Qi Lin Changlan; rather than casting inside it and eventually breaking the array and having to repair it later, it was better to cut out and fight him directly.

Yunhe did not tell a lie.

He indeed intended to use Qi Lin Changlan's power to test his own current strength.

"Quite confident."

Seeing this, Qi Lin Changlan sneered.

He truly thought that bearing the title "the foremost under the Great Cultivator" would let him spar with late Nascent Soul or late Fourth Level cultivators?

He would make Yunhe understand how vast the strength gap between them is.

Even if he is "the foremost under the Great Cultivator," he is still beneath a Great Cultivator!

With a single hand gripping a secret, his body suddenly surged upward.

At the same time, from his brow a thread of azure qi emerged, mixing with the surrounding water, spontaneously coalescing into a beast's face spanning several acres!

"Sss!"

The beast opened its mouth, spitting a long blue ribbon of plasma.

After a brief acceleration, it somehow leapt a thousand zhang and appeared just inches from Yunhe, then surged straight down.

Yet Yunhe was already prepared; his body unmoved, three Five Elements Heavenly Thunder Swords circled him, and amid the sharp humming, a dense sword aura enveloped him.

But a scene that left him both surprised and shocked unfolded.

The blue ribbon struck the sword light hard, and tens of thousands of sword rays seemed corroded by a powerful toxin, sizzling, and turned to nothingness.

Using the ribbon's explosion, countless scattered blades enveloped Yunhe, eventually forming a blue water sphere that imprisoned him.

"So this is the technique of a late Fourth Level Sea Clan cultivator? Truly bizarre."

Yunhe, inside the water sphere, felt a drowning, weightless sensation swirling in his mind.

At this moment, he was like a mortal tossed into a raging sea, feeling the helplessness of a human before an endless ocean.

If not for a thin layer of sword aura shielding him at the end, the successive water pressure would have ground him to mince.

This was only part of the water sphere's power display.

Within the blue sphere, countless invisible tiny insects seemed to exist, continuously devouring his mana, Spiritual Power, and even sword aura.

"Elder Yun (Dao Friend Yun)!"

Seeing Yunhe subdued in a single move, the cultivators inside Ice Immortal Pavilion were shocked.

They had just witnessed Yunhe's divine abilities, and his displayed strength was enough to earn their deep respect.

Yet a Yunhe of such power could not block Qi Lin Changlan's strike?

"Stay calm!" Zhang Ding Tian barked low.

He stared intently at Yunhe; through the transparent sphere he could see Yunhe trapped inside, whose face showed no hint of panic.

"Sss—"

Suddenly.

Five‑colored light shimmered on Yunhe's body, with faint Spiritual Patterns swirling in the halo.

The glow formed by the Five Elements Spiritual Pattern silently nullified the water‑element mana within the sphere.

"Pop!"

The water sphere shattered with a sound!

"Not bad, you've got some skill."

Seeing Yunhe break his technique, Qi Lin Changlan raised an eyebrow, let out a light laugh, then showed a serious expression.

The previous move was merely a test; seeing Yunhe dispel the spell, Qi Lin Changlan at least confirmed he indeed had the right to duel him.

He raised one hand in midair, grasped, and a fiercely sharp aura surged forth.

A long spear as black as ink, radiating cold light, materialized.

Spear Star Light, thrust outward!

"Bzz—"

The surrounding rain and water seemed to coalesce into a thousand‑zhang spear, bathed in terrifying sharp aura, locking onto Yunhe and piercing forward.

Having dispersed the water sphere, Yunhe's expression was now very solemn.

He noticed Sea Clan cultivators seemed to favor long spears, just as human cultivators favored flying swords.

However, Qi Lin Changlan's strike was no simple matter.

Yunhe did not dare to underestimate it.

Earlier, Qi Lin Changlan's test of him was also Yunhe's test of him.

Both sides gained a preliminary understanding of each other's strength.

The difference was that Qi Lin Changlan began to value Yunhe, while Yunhe had valued Qi Lin Changlan from the start.

Facing such a fierce spear, he dared not any contempt.

With a single hand gripping a secret, his entire mana surged wildly.

Golden arcs suddenly appeared on the Five Elements Heavenly Thunder Sword, intertwining with sharp Five Elements Sword Qi; with a "bang," they exploded outward, turning into countless sword threads across the sky.

"Screech—"

A long roar, endless sword threads formed a sword formation!

Five Elements Sword Formation!

The spear, equally sharp, faced the Five Elements sword formation with its flowing Five Elements mana and Heavenly Thunder power, showing no intent to dodge, colliding head‑on with force.

"Boom!!"

The spear's erupting aura and the sword formation's sword qi collided terrifyingly in the air at that moment.

It was as if a gigantic meat grinder had appeared out of nowhere, grinding the entire sky and everything around it to oblivion.

In an instant, space trembled, and numerous fine spatial cracks appeared in midair; the vegetation on the ground and the clouds above vanished abruptly, and even the surrounding spiritual energy showed a vacuum zone.

Merely the ripple from this collision's shockwave caused the Ice Fairy Pavilion's mountain-protecting formation to ripple, making all the cultivators inside tremble with fear.

And Qilin Changlan seemed not at all surprised by this; seeing the scene, he merely flicked his wrist, and the spear in his hand thrust out like a storm of pear blossoms.

The spear light from before was actually just an inconspicuous thread among the countless spear shadows filling the sky now!

Qilin Changlan made it clear that he intended to forcibly break Yunhe's sword formation in the most overpowering way, so that he would realize just how great the true strength gap between them was.

But how powerful Yunhe's divine sense was!

Even those endless spear lights were laid bare under his divine sense, down to the finest detail.

Such overwhelming spear light cannot be blocked by sword qi alone.

So Yunhe raised his palm without hesitation, and a earth-colored small shield appeared out of thin air; with a rapid infusion of mana, it instantly transformed into a huge, heavy shield.

Demon-Subduing Armor!

Boom!! Boom boom—

Spear sounds like rain, vermilion plate shattering jade.

Feeling the tremendous forces transmitted from the Demon-Subduing Armor, Yunhe, who kept retreating, wore a solemn expression.

The Fourth Level late-stage sea clan is indeed far stronger than a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator or a mid-Fourth Level demon beast.

"A Fourth Level top-grade magic treasure?"

Upon seeing the Demon-Subduing Armor, Qilin Changlan narrowed his eyes, twisted his wrist, and the spear trembled lightly; the spear light it thrust out not only did not wane, but grew even more overpowering!

He snorted coldly, "Hmph, the number one below great cultivators, merely..."

Swish swish swish—

Before he could finish speaking, a gust of air flashed past his ear out of nowhere, exploding with sound.

A succession of five flying swords had, unbeknownst when, already closed in close!

Qilin Changlan's expression changed slightly.

"Condense!"

Yunhe's low shout rang out from afar.

Upon those five flying swords, lightning blazed, and in an instant they transformed into a vivid five-colored phoenix clothed in five-colored feathers.

With the vibration of its wings, countless feathers scattered downward.

Qilin Changlan had to cease his action, waving his hand to summon a circle of azure light shield.

Zzz—

Those falling feathers repeatedly brushed the shield, bringing continuous ripples.

The five-colored phoenix's eyes flashed with spirit; it folded its wings and plunged straight down at great speed.

In an instant, lightning blazed!

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

The spot where Qilin Changlan stood was instantly engulfed by golden lightning and endless sword qi; amidst the roaring, a figure flashed and burst backward.

Surely it was Qilin Changlan!

At this moment, he actually bore a hint of embarrassment.

Moreover, a extremely fine bloodstain appeared on his cheek, accompanied by a trace of scarlet that slowly trickled down.

Qilin Changlan's expression turned extremely grim.

He had actually been wounded.

Even if it was unexpected, even if he wasn't prepared, even if he still looked down on Yunhe, this could not hide the fact that he had been injured by accident.

Opposite, Yunhe turned his palm, and the Demon-Subduing Armor shrank again to palm size, hovering in his hand.

He gazed at Qilin Changlan opposite him, suddenly smiled, and said lightly:

"A Fourth Level late-stage sea clan elder—nothing more!"

(End of chapter)