Chapter 455: This Seat 'Gu Yan

At the border between Wu State and Yuan State.

Black as ink clouds like dense black velvet, raindrops the size of beans like broken pearls, the heavy, gloomy atmosphere presses the surrounding vegetation into silence; only the occasional flash of lightning can barely tear through this solemnity.

Above a surging and turbulent wide river, huge spray rolls up to several zhang high.

On the wave crests, three sea clan cultivators stand firm, their expressions solemn.

On the opposite bank, there are likewise two Golden Core cultivators, their bodies surrounded by domineering magical power, forcing rain and water currents not to approach even a bit.

From the current situation, it is clearly unfavorable for these two Golden Core cultivators.

Because opposite them are three third-level sea clan cultivators, enough to rival Golden Core cultivators among humans.

However, judging from the momentum of both sides now, those three sea clan cultivators are actually at a disadvantage.

The riverbank.

Furthermore, with the formation laid down by the female cultivator, these three sea clan cultivators—who ought to have dominated the battlefield unchecked in the absence of a Yuan Ying cultivator—were swiftly slaughtered like rotting stalks by the burly man.

Bang!!

Although this female cultivator appears to be merely at the early stage of Golden Core, she possesses profound attainment in formations; the formation she set up, if not limited by materials and her own cultivation base, would likely reach the Fourth Level Tier.

Seeing these three scales, the female cultivator smiled, looking somewhat elated.

Formation!

Bang!

The burly man who had swiftly ended the battle landed beside him, his body speckled with a few bloodstains, yet he revealed a simple, honest smile and shouted in a muffled voice:

"Sister."

Nevertheless, even so, the formation trapping those three sea clan cultivators is at least a third-level supreme formation; combined with the burly man whose cultivation base has reached Golden Core perfection, it naturally and easily slays those three sea clan cultivators.

The leading sea clan cultivator cried out in alarm.

On the shore outside the formation, the female cultivator who had completed activating the formation exhaled lightly, patted her chest, and shouted:

"Brother."

At the place where they had previously stood, a huge ice-crystal snowflake exploded, its sharp spikes destroying everything around.

Because of the Shen siblings' peculiarity, their process of breaking through to Yuan Ying is also much more difficult than that of ordinary cultivators.

"Oh no! Quick, don't let the formation finish forming!"

Hearing this, Shen Xingrui seemed to understand what he meant, and she said with a hint of pride: "Yes, young master, you've become impressive now; we must seize the chance if we hope to catch up to his footsteps again."

Upon seeing the formation appear, the three sea clan cultivators' expressions changed drastically.

The two are actually a pair of siblings, and they also show great tacit understanding; indeed, without waiting for the female cultivator to speak, the burly man had already moved.

And as the patterns on the compass changed, strange patterns suddenly appeared on the wide river surface.

Speaking, he handed over three scales unique to the sea clan, which could serve as proof that they had successfully slain three sea clan cultivators.

Shen Mu nodded solemnly, grabbed Shen Xingrui's hand, and prepared to leave.

Boom!!

"Brother! I've told you many times, don't just wipe it on your clothes!"

The ground beneath his feet burst open, the burly man's muscles bulged all over, and with his strength surging, he charged straight into the formation.

He had just been about to set up an escape technique, had just risen, when his expression suddenly changed drastically; he grabbed Shen Xingrui and leapt toward the river's center.

The female cultivator's snow-white, jade-green fingers moved back and forth over the compass, accompanied by a "click-click" sound, as the concentric, intricate patterns on the compass turned.

And they have already slain many sea clan cultivators, all for the purpose of exchanging for a treasure that can assist Shen Mu in breaking through to Yuan Ying!

Shen Xingrui hastily took out a silk handkerchief and handed it to him, saying at the same time: "Brother, we should go."

The sea clan cultivators' physiques are considerably stronger than those of human cultivators, yet against the burly man they show little effect.

"I heard about the young master," Shen Mu also appeared quite happy, but it seems he thought of something else.

Of course, the formation set up by the female cultivator also played an extremely crucial role.

It is quite evident that Shen Xingrui and Shen Mu appearing on this sea clan battlefield is, like most cultivators, to earn merits, which they then exchange for cultivation resources.

"Mm!"

"With these, it's enough to exchange for what we need!"

Shen Mu wiped the bloodstains from his hands.

Just that.

Before the three sea clan cultivators could act, a formation had already stood upon the river surface, completely enveloping the three of them.

Only regrettable.

"Huh."

This pair of siblings are precisely the Shen siblings known to Yunhe: Shen Xingrui and Shen Mu.

"This way, it's enough!"

Although this process is dangerous, it is also much easier than painstakingly searching and seeking on one's own; after all, many things that one might run oneself ragged for still cannot be found or accessed.

Standing there is a burly man of stalwart build, seven chi tall with knotted muscles, and a woman who appears rather frail, holding an exquisite compass in her hands.

And as the formation rose, the three sea clan cultivators immediately discovered that the water-attributed magical power and arts they prided themselves on were greatly hindered, their power greatly diminished!

At the same time.

A soft "eh" sounded.

Whoosh—

The water currents surged.

A figure emerged from the tumultuous waterfall, appearing and disappearing, walking out with tense yet slow steps.

"Fourth Level Sea Clan!"

Seeing this person, Shen Xingrui's pupils constricted sharply within the formation, and she cried out in alarm.

The Shen Mu beside him also now had his whole body tense, emitting from his body a series of low, beast-like sounds.

How could a Fourth Level sea tribe appear?

Shen Xingrui once again took out the compass, suspending it before her, her hands constantly forming seals and casting hand signs; as the compass kept turning, the surrounding formation had already been operated to the extreme.

Although there is no rule forbidding Fourth Level sea tribes from appearing on the battlefield, this is practically an agreement reached between the human cultivators' side and the sea tribe's side.

The sea tribe temporarily does not wish to expand the war further; moreover, because Qi Lin Changlan is injured, and additionally the human side has dispatched many powerful cultivators, they are forced to switch from offense to defense, while the human side, having a surprise plan, is not in a rush to take down the sea tribe.

Shen Xingrui naturally does not know these things, but the tacit understanding between both sides' Yuan Ying Cultivators and the Fourth Level sea tribe is something all cultivators on the battlefield are well aware of.

They dare to hunt the sea tribe in this way precisely because of this.

"You two are the human cultivators who have killed quite a few of my sea tribe, right? A brother‑sister pair?"

That Fourth Level sea tribe looked at the Shen siblings and said lightly.

"The ninth elder of the Qi Zhou clan, Qi Zhou Bingxuan?" Shen Xingrui recognized this person.

Qi Zhou Bingxuan raised his eyebrows slightly, somewhat surprised, "It seems you are that human female formation master."

Huh?

Shen Xingrui startled.

Was it that I had been targeted by a Fourth Level sea tribe?

Qi Zhou Bingxuan paid no attention to Shen Xingrui's change in expression, merely watching the flickering formation, his expression involuntarily turning a bit more solemn.

Indeed, there was the shadow of a great formation.

After muttering to himself, he fixed his gaze tightly on Shen Xingrui.

"Human formation master! I give you a chance: follow me back to the sea tribe, and my sea tribe will honor you as an honored guest."

Then his gaze turned cold, and he spoke in a deep voice:

"But if you do not agree."

His surrounding spiritual power surged violently, the wide lake surface quickly froze, and brilliant, fierce ice‑snow blossoms burst forth in clusters.

Even the formation barrier that Shen Xingrui had constructed became covered with frost.

Upon hearing this, Shen Xingrui's pretty face showed a bitter expression.

It seems she really has been targeted.

As for the reason, it is obviously her attainment in formation arts.

To be more specific.

In fact, she had also guessed as much.

On the formation she commanded, there were traces of the sea tribe's "Dragon Fish Vast Sea Grand Formation"; it was precisely by relying on this formation that she could launch a surprise attack on the sea tribe cultivators on the river the sea tribe considered safe.

But she never expected that, as a result, she would be targeted by a Fourth Level sea tribe!

Roar—

Upon hearing that the sea tribe cultivator actually intended to take away his sister, Shen Mu's eyes flashed with a hint of scarlet, and he let out a low growl.

Even though the opponent was a Fourth Level sea tribe, he showed not the slightest fear.

Hmph, obstinate and ignorant.

Seeing the attitude of the Shen siblings, Qi Zhou Bingxuan gave a cold snort; his appearance this time also entailed considerable risk, and since the other side was so oblivious, he could not afford to waste more time here.

As his words fell, he turned his wrist, the ice crystals in his hand quickly condensed into a clear, translucent ice spear!

He thrust it straight forward!

In an instant.

A huge ice spear suddenly appeared.

Boom!!

The entire ground shook violently, and upon the formation a thunderous roar erupted; the formation barrier shook violently, yet it condensed again amidst wave after wave of ripples.

Sensing the turmoil of the formation, Shen Xingrui's expression became extremely solemn, and the hand signs in her palm continued without cease.

As her hand signs changed, the surrounding formation also changed accordingly, as if it were constantly adapting and strengthening in response to the attack.

In fact, Qi Zhou Bingxuan was also somewhat surprised by this.

Although this woman's formation attainment is not bad, she managed to block his strike, and the formation continues to adapt and grow stronger.

This caused Qi Zhou Bingxuan's killing intent to grow ever stronger.

Although this woman's Cultivation Base is not high, her talent in formation arts is truly outstanding; if given enough time, and with her Cultivation Base continuing to rise, it is not impossible that she could "unravel" the sea tribe's grand formation!

Crack—crack—crack—

As Qi Zhou Bingxuan's spiritual power circulated, the temperature here kept dropping, to the point that even the air seemed to condense into tiny ice flowers.

Even though your formation attainment is not bad, your Cultivation Base is too low; no matter how you change it, it remains at most a third‑level formation.

Qi Zhou Bingxuan raised his hand and pinched.

Break!

Crack!!

One could see that the formation, frozen like an eggshell, shattered beneath the massive hand formed of condensed frost.

Roar!!

Suddenly.

A figure burst forth from the frost, a huge fist slamming hard toward Qi Zhou Bingxuan.

Bang!!

The sudden attack was such that even Qi Zhou Bingxuan could not react in time, and he was struck directly in the face, his body flying backward violently.

It was none other than Shen Mu!

"You are courting death!!"

The blown-away Qizhou Bingxuan immediately halted his figure.

Although he was hit by Shen Mu's surprise attack, Shen Mu was merely at Golden Core perfection, and compared to a Fourth Level sea clan the gap was enormous.

Being struck and even sustaining minor injuries was unacceptable for him, an early Fourth Level sea clan.

He backhandedly threw an ice spear.

Whoosh—

The ice spear swiftly tore through the air, cold light radiating in all directions.

Pfft!

Shen Mu sensed the threat and tried to dodge as best he could, yet the ice spear still pierced his shoulder blade.

"Brother!!"

Seeing Shen Mu injured, Shen Xingrui immediately came to his side, grabbed his shoulder, and at once unleashed an arcane treasure to prepare to flee.

However, how could the already furious Qizhou Bingxuan let them leave so easily?

"Condense!!"

The surrounding frost condensed again, a piercing cold enveloping both of them.

Shen Mu broke free of Shen Xingrui's hand, his muscles bulging once more, a vigorous wood-colored aura emanating from his whole body as a massive hammer appeared in his hand, which he slammed down fiercely toward the rapidly spreading ice crystals that resembled tentacles.

But this merely delayed their freezing by a moment.

Suddenly—

As Shen Mu moved, Qizhou Bingxuan not far away seemed to sense something, snapped his head back, and let out a low shout:

"Who?!"

Hum—

Yet he saw

A demonic beast shrouded in black mist, its form indistinct, suddenly appeared, the red light flashing from within the mist betraying its ferocity.

"Roar!!"

Next, the beast soul of a land mountain turtle surged forth, slamming a palm toward Qizhou Bingxuan.

Feeling the pressure of that early Fourth Level land mountain turtle beast soul, Qizhou Bingxuan's expression shifted slightly; he swiftly swept his hand before him, and a thick ice wall instantly appeared before him.

Boom!!

The land mountain turtle beast soul's claw was blocked by the ice wall.

This let Qizhou Bingxuan breathe a little easier; he immediately sought out the attacker.

Based solely on this early Fourth Level land mountain turtle beast soul and the dense ghostly qi entwined with it, he could conclude that the attacker was definitely a Yuan Ying Cultivator!

"I found you!"

Soon, with a sweep of his divine sense, Qizhou Bingxuan detected the newcomer.

He immediately formed seals without hesitation, countless ice crystals of various sizes rapidly condensing into a sky-full of ice needles hanging in the air, which then shot wildly toward the newcomer.

Bang bang bang!!

Amid the incessant collisions were flying shards of ice and scattering ghostly qi.

However

The newcomer, however, seemed unaffected, slowly emerging from the mist.

Gazing at the emerging figure, his whole body enveloped in a wide, special black robe reeking of demonic and ghostly qi, he grasped a banner about a zhang long, from which beast souls of various forms surged forth.

Beast Soul Banner

Although Qizhou Bingxuan did not recognize the newcomer, he instantly identified the arcane treasure in his hand as the Beast Soul Banner commonly used by demonic cultivators among humanity.

Moreover, possessing a Fourth Level beast soul together with such dense ghostly qi showed that this Beast Soul Banner was at least a mid-tier Fourth Level arcane treasure, putting considerable pressure on Qizhou Bingxuan.

But the newcomer seemed not to mind him, instead first turning his gaze toward the Shen siblings, his hoarse, low voice sounding out:

"How coincidental."

Only then did he look toward Qizhou Bingxuan, giving a low chuckle.

"I originally just wanted to collect some sea clan arcane treasures and pick up some merit, but I never expected to encounter a 'big fish'—not bad."

"Who are you?" Qizhou Bingxuan's expression tightened; as a cultivator, the threat he felt grew increasingly grave.

"Who."

After the newcomer let out a low murmur, he lightly swayed the banner in his hand, and immediately a multitude of beast souls surged from the gray-white standard, including not only the land mountain turtle beast soul but also numerous Third Level demonic beast souls.

However, what truly changed Qizhou Bingxuan's expression was his sensing the beast soul of a mid Fourth Level demonic beast!

Moreover, there was more than one!

He immediately turned to flee without hesitation, but the surging beast souls blocked his escape.

In less than a breath's time, he was already surrounded by countless beast souls.

"Telling you is no problem; I am 'Gu Yan'."

(End of chapter)