Chapter 520

"Is it you who arranged this?"

The imprisoned Wuxiang Jianjun lowered his head, his voice weak.

Outside the prison, a figure in black robes emerged from the darkness. As soon as it appeared, all the prisoners inside the dungeon seemed to freeze, forced to stop whatever they were doing.

"He's just an accident. However, he is more suitable than anyone else."

After the black-clad person finished speaking, the two fell into a brief silence.

Although Wuxiang Jianjun didn't know how Yunhe had become this way, it was obvious that after he was captured by the Sea Clan, many things had happened.

He also didn't realize that Yunhe already had the ability to single-handedly oppose a late Nascent Soul cultivator! This was something he couldn't believe at first.

During the time he was imprisoned, although he miraculously survived, he lost contact with the outside world, not even knowing that the Vermilion Bird Secret Realm had opened.

He also didn't know if Ziyi was still okay; his sudden departure without a word must have put great pressure on her!

"Why aren't you willing to believe us if we help you?"

Wuxiang Jianjun spoke slowly, hoping to form a deeper alliance with the black shadow.

"Enough! In order to let you leave here, I have already gone further and further down the wrong path; I will never do the thing of colluding with foreign tribes to kill my sea clan compatriots!"

"The black shadow, however, seemed to be angered, and it interrupted the Wuxiang Sword Lord's question."

"\"When he finds an opportunity, you can leave this place. \""

"After saying that, the black shadow left the dungeon. Seeing this, the Wuxiang Sword Lord could only helplessly raise his eyes, and then fell back into a wait with no known end."

"Since his last unauthorized intrusion into the dungeon, Yunhe has frequently sought opportunities, hoping to make contact again with the Wuxiang Sword Lord."

"Now he has Late Jie Dan Stage Cultivation Base, and can already muster the mana to mobilize spiritual treasures."

"Yunhe recounted, with some selectivity, his encounters with the sea tribe during the Vermilion Bird Secret Realm expedition, his battles with the Daoist of Mysterious Void, and even the calamity of the 'Heavenly Corpse Gu'."

"These dangerous encounters left the Wuxiang Sword Lord finding them hard to believe; he could not imagine that this man before him, using only half the time it took him, had achieved such glorious achievements."

"But now is still not the best opportunity to strike."

"After Yunhe bade farewell, the Wuxiang Sword Lord struggled to raise his body, took a deep look at the young cultivator who was about to disappear from sight, and the corners of his mouth slightly rose."

"——————I am the dividing line——————"

"Two days later, Yunhe had already used this time to explore the city thoroughly."

"This city is called Sea Amber City, the largest town under the Qihun tribe, because it has long been located beneath the deep sea and can only sustain life by relying on the bright light of the sea god."

"In order to successfully rescue the people and then use the formation to leave safely, one must beforehand know the location of another formation."

"If the destination is still in the deep sea, Yunhe and the Wuxiang Sword Lord would likely end up buried in the bellies of sea beasts."

"Just as he was calculating, the black-robed attendant who had been missing for a long time finally reappeared."

"Only see that behind him followed two attendants, each holding a white brocade box; it seemed that these were exactly the materials Yunhe had mentioned."

"The group once again arrived at the teleportation formation on the plaza; unlike the previous pretense, this time Yunhe genuinely repaired the teleportation formation more or less, though he left a hand in the most crucial place."

"\"Where is the endpoint of the formation? It might need some adjustment. \""

"Yunhe stood up and said, but his gaze remained fixed on the mysterious operating lines of the formation."

"\"Senior, what you say is absolutely correct, but we haven't used the formation for too long, so we also don't know where the endpoint is. \""

"Hearing the attendant's reply, Yunhe did not rush to respond, after all, if it weren't for good luck before, he wouldn't have been able to pass through the formation to reach the Cloud Middle Realm."

"But now, being under the sea with the endpoint uncertain, using the teleportation formation is extremely dangerous; what if it sends us to an even deeper place?"

"These ancient teleportation formations truly have no idea where they are hidden!"

"However, fortunately the attendant did not make things difficult for Yunhe; he simply waved his hand and ordered that the two prisoners pulled from the dungeon be placed on the teleportation formation."

"Those two prisoners at first were not concerned, and even willingly walked onto the formation themselves."

"Yunhe looked at the prisoners before him, who still wore arrogant gazes, and activated the teleportation formation with a blank expression."

"Only see that the markings underfoot suddenly began to emit blue light, instantly enveloping the two people."

"At first, the two prisoners laughed curiously at the bizarre, variegated scenery, and continued the transmission with their eyes wide open."

"However, just halfway through the transmission, an unexpected scene occurred."

"Only see that after one prisoner's body had completed half of the transmission, it instantly became stiff, even trembling continuously. 'Pa!'"

"A large portion of the severed limb fell to the ground, and the other prisoner's situation was no better; although he still had some ability and smoothly arrived at the opposite teleportation formation, he soon lost contact as well."

"\"It seems the other side of the formation is not safe. \""

"Yunhe looked at the attendant before him, secretly thinking."

"But this was also because Yunhe had dismantled the protective formation originally used to safeguard the transmission recipients within the teleportation formation, and had not fully reinstalled it, which led to the bloody scene just now."

"The attendant fell silent for a moment, then took out a palm-sized exquisite seashell. After saying something into it, not long later Qihun Lili brought people to the plaza."

"Qihun Lili first gave Yunhe a few suspicious glances, then had people carefully inspect the teleportation formation; after confirming there were no traps, he entered the formation."

"The group, led by Qihun Lili who is a mid Nascent Soul cultivator, together with five early Nascent Soul sea tribe cultivators, prepared to go to the formation's endpoint. As they were about to leave, Qihun Lili gave Yunhe a fierce glare, as if saying, 'If I find out you're behind this, you're dead.'"

"However, Yunhe remained expressionless; after seeing Qihun Lili off, he was also sent back to his residence."

"\"Young master, what should we do now? I see that snake woman has no intention of letting us go. \""

"Lao Hulu said with some worry."

"\"I know. \""

"Yunhe had already sat cross-legged; his face indeed showed a light breeze and calm clouds, as if he already had a countermeasure."

"\"Young master, have you already thought of a plan? \""

"Seeing Yunhe's expression, Lao Hulu also relaxed a bit; Yunhe was not at all anxious, it seemed he had found a solution—'No.'"

"The other end of the teleportation formation was not safe; Qihun Lili and the others only returned to the city after a month, covered in wounds, to report the outcome of the expedition to the city lord."

"\"I never expected that this teleportation formation is actually located on the territory of the ancient sea tribe under the sea. \""

"\"Ancient sea tribe? \""

"Listening to Lao Hulu's muttering, Yunhe asked, puzzled. After Lao Hulu's vivid explanation, it turned out that the sea tribe of old did not entirely live in the sea bottom; they built their cities on the steep cliffs of the coastline."

Although they already bore the sea tribe's traits at that time due to their belief in the sea god, the sea tribe back then could still live on land for a long time.

Afterwards, a catastrophe befell the sea tribe, causing the loss of their greatest royal city, and the sea tribe's royal family all perished in the war turmoil within a single night.

Thereafter, other forces on land also took advantage of the situation, completely driving the already endangered sea tribe into the ocean.

Under pressure, part of the sea tribe relied on their sea god to survive in the deep sea, even evolving into various tribes and clans. However, I have heard that the three major clans today are closely related to the sea tribe's rebellion back then.

"I didn't expect the sea tribe to have such a history."

Yunhe said, looking at the old gourd, indicating for it to continue.

Although a faction of the former royal family was abandoned by the sea god for unknown reasons and could only eke out a difficult existence in the deep sea abyss, and what happened afterward I do not know; hardly anyone has seen them survive and leave afterward. After hearing the sea tribe's history, Yunhe suddenly felt uneasy—he never expected this teleportation array to lead to such a dangerous place. With his current strength, bringing along a heavily wounded Formless Sword Monarch would be like delivering food to the enemy's door.

It seems leaving via the teleportation array is unrealistic; what should we do now? If the other side of the teleportation array is unsafe, and if the Qihun clan abandons the array, wouldn't I be in danger? "Your Highness, the other side of the array can no longer be relied upon; why keep that person?"

Inside a palace, Qihun Lili appeared somewhat anxious; when she returned from the other end of the teleportation array, she hurriedly reported to Qihun Ruolan.

"He still has use."

Qihun Ruolan said calmly. At this moment she was staring blankly at the seabed map before her.

"Your Highness, he killed my brothers and sisters; please grant me a chance to avenge them!"

Qihun Lili's eyes were slightly red; these days she could only see her enemy before her, unable to personally take vengeance, making her hate so much her teeth itched.

"Now is not the time."

Qihun Ruolan said, still maintaining her calm demeanor.

"Your Highness!"

"Enough!"

Seeing Qihun Lili still not relenting, Qihun Ruolan's azure eyes seemed to have ripples spreading outward.

Qihun Lili instantly felt a choking sensation: "Your Highness. Cough. Your Highness I know. Cough. Wrong."

Looking at the disobedient Qihun Lili before her, she also felt a great headache; although she also felt pity for Qihun Lili's plight, the plan still required Yunhe to complete the crucial step, so she could only wrong her for now.

"Senior, the city lord invites you to come."

A black-robed attendant stood before Yunhe, inviting him to go to the city lord's palace.

Facing several early Nascent Soul stage sea tribe guards before him, as well as an increasing number of sea tribe soldiers of unknown origin, Yunhe could only follow the attendant.

After all, to kill him, such a grand display was unnecessary. Seeing the sea tribe woman before him, Yunhe couldn't help but sigh: how could the disparity among the sea tribe be so great? The Qihun clan's great elder before him had skin like congealed fat, exquisite features, and a fiery figure; although she wore only a few strips of sea tribe clothing, she gave off an aura of dignified aloofness that could only be admired from afar, making one feel no desire to profane her.

"I have seen the Great Elder."

Yunhe spoke first.

"Do you know your crime!"

Yunhe also didn't expect that Qihun Ruolan would come out and accuse him right away; if he admitted guilt now, wouldn't he be easily controlled by her?

"I, Yun, am unaware; may I ask, Great Elder, what crime have I committed?"

Yunhe showed no hesitation, his gaze fixed straight on the beautiful woman before him.

Although his current strength is inferior to before, Yunhe is quite certain that it is precisely because his strength is lacking now that Qihun Ruolan spares his life.

"You have killed my Qihun clan cultivators and still intend to steal our sea tribe's supreme treasure; why don't you quickly confess your guilt?"

Only saw Qihun Ruolan rise from her seat, her face like cold frost, bearing a queen's majesty as she looked down on Yunhe.

"May I ask, Your Highness, what crime should be ascribed to the sea tribe's wanton encroachment upon human lands?"

"What crime for the sea tribe's wanton slaughter of my people, causing millions of my compatriots to be displaced?"

"What crime for the sea tribe's wanton plundering of human treasures, destroying sects and razing cities?"

Only saw Yunhe's eyes bright, his upright posture standing in the midst, utterly fearless! "You"

Upon hearing this, Qihun Ruolan was also momentarily speechless; indeed, if spoken thus, the sea tribe is the chief instigator of the war, and although she leans toward peace as a conservative, she cannot refute the sea tribe's guilt.

Seeing Qihun Ruolan lose her composure before Yunhe, Qihun Lili at her side instantly transformed into a serpent woman; all the previous grudges and her present fury, seeing her enemy right before her eyes, she could not suppress for a moment.

"Stop!"

Seeing the situation turn bad, Qihun Ruolan hastily spoke to stop it, but she was still too late.

Qihun Lili's claws were about to pierce Yunhe's chest.

Qihun Ruolan could only leave it to fate for the moment, already thinking about how to change the subsequent plan—"ding".

However, the scene of the claws piercing his chest did not appear; instead, Qihun Lili's claws scraped against Yunhe's Five Elements Thunder Sword, producing a few sparks.

Seeing the claws lunging at him, Yunhe sidestepped and raised his sword, barely dodging this fatal blow.

After all, Qihun Lili had underestimated Yunhe at this point, thinking he was still the earlier Yunhe who could be easily handled at the Foundation Establishment stage.

"You!"

In shock and anger, Qihun Lili prepared to strike again.

"Enough! Retreat!"

Only saw Qihun Ruolan slam down her trident divine spear, a blue torrent wrapping around Qihun Lili and flinging her aside.

"Today I didn't come to discuss the grudges between our clans with you, Yunhe; do you want to live?"

Qihun Ruolan looked down arrogantly at the man before her, clearly having victory in her grasp; Yunhe gazed calmly at the queen before him.

"I, Yun, naturally want to live, but if you want me to bow and scrape as a lackey of the sea tribe, you've mistaken the person!"

"You!"

Seeing Yunhe so unyielding, even to the point of being reckless, Qihun Ruolan laughed in anger; evidently she hadn't expected him to be so bold and foolhardy, unaware of what he had endured, his cultivation base completely lost.

But seeing him still possess such confidence now, he likely has a good grasp of restoring his own cultivation base. However, at present, only he is most suitable and most likely to help her achieve her goal. For a moment, neither yielded, and the atmosphere on the scene grew somewhat solemn.

(End of chapter)