Chapter 173: Journey to the Immortal Island, the Long Dragon Transforms!

December 23rd.

Under the nonstop efforts of Fang Xu, Tieshan, and the two personal disciples of the Divine Armaments Hall, three thousand sets of armor were finally forged.

The appearance of these armors was determined by Fang Xu, the actual forging was overseen by Tieshan, and after being forged, they were all uniformly collected by Fang Xu into his Cosmos Sack.

As for the contribution points needed to forge these armors, I don't know what Xu Changqing told Tieshan, but Tieshan never came to Fang Xu again to ask for them.

Carrying the forged armors, Fang Xu came to the mountain-foot annex.

At this time, the Ghost-Faced Army had already been living around the mountain-foot annex for quite a while.

The winter snow had dyed the surroundings white, and simple tents were arranged in standard military camp formations.

On the snow, Fang Xu had Shatianrui gather them all together, then took out these three thousand sets of armor.

These armors, due to being mixed with the crocodile skin of the Radiant Light Giant Crocodile and the so-called life metal Xuanliu Blood Gold, are a kind of extremely special armor.

According to Tieshan's meaning, he, relying on some ancient forging inheritances, aided by the life-metal property of Xuanliu Blood Gold and the life essence contained in the skin of the Radiant Light Giant Crocodile, forged this batch of armor into a kind of treasure that can fuse with a martial artist's flesh and blood.

But the specific effects of the armor are still unclear to him; everything will have to wait until the Ghost-Faced Army personally tests them to find out.

Fang Xu thought for a moment and replied: "Just these two days, I'll go ask the Sect Master."

In front of the bamboo pavilion, Fang Xu saw Jiang Feng.

After returning from the mountain-foot annex to the Ascension Immortal Assembly, he directly came to the front of the bamboo grove where Jiang Feng lives in seclusion.

Gazing at that small path, Fang Xu's brows slightly furrowed.

"Young Master, when will we depart for the Immortal Island?" Shatianrui asked.

Accompanied by a slight movement of his mind and spirit, these armors can turn into black liquid, gradually seeping into the body.

Biological armor?

After the armor is donned, the properties of Xuanliu Blood Gold begin to manifest.

"This is a new kind of treasure; the armor can fuse into your flesh and blood, accompanying you for life!"

Following his command, all the Ghost-Faced Army soldiers put on the armor in their hands.

"Ready, I have a matter to report to the Sect Master."

With another stir of mind and spirit, the Ghost-Faced Armor can instantly appear on one's body surface.

"Sect Master."

"It is a weapon..."

But I forgot to consider the matter of weapons.

As more and more spikes pierce through flesh and blood, the Ghost-Faced Army soldiers gradually feel that the armor on their body surface begins to establish a connection with their consciousness.

"Is everything ready?"

According to Tieshan's description, he couldn't help but associate these forged armors with the high-tech biological armor seen in sci-fi films and TV shows from his past life.

Upon hearing this, Fang Xu couldn't help but freeze for a moment.

At this moment, he was gazing at a secluded small path to the left of the bamboo pavilion, wondering what he was thinking about.

At this moment, the armor is no longer like clothing; it is gradually becoming part of their bodies.

Having received the Ascension Immortal Command, he now counts as a half-core disciple.

Fang Xu suddenly realized!

Fang Xu is also very satisfied with the appearance and imposing presence of the Ghost-Faced Army.

"I hereby name it Ghost-Faced Armor; now everyone shall don these armors!"

The two disciples guarding outside the bamboo grove did not block him, directly letting him pass.

But at that time, he dared not investigate, and also did not know what lay at the end of the small path.

Shatianrui slowly said: "The weapons of the Ghost-Faced Army are somewhat mixed."

He has some impression of that small path; when he first came to the rear mountain bamboo grove to find Jiang Feng, he once vaguely heard mournful sighs and qin sounds coming from the end of the path.

However, there is no more time now for him to forge weapons for the Ghost-Faced Army; everything will have to wait until they reach the Immortal Island to figure out a solution.

"General Sha, distribute these armors downwards."

As a general, being able to command such an army in his lifetime, he feels he can surely be invincible!

"It seems something is still missing..."

Having Shatianrui distribute these armors to each Ghost-Faced Army soldier, Fang Xu looked at them and said: "These armors were specially commissioned by me from the steward of the Ascension Immortal Assembly's Divine Armaments Hall for you!"

Fang Xu clasped his hands; Jiang Feng came to his senses, but did not turn around.

Three thousand individuals clad in black armor, wearing ghost faces, stood silently together; the terrifying pressure made Shatianrui's heart surge with excitement!

Too strong!

This Ghost-Faced Army is too strong!

Their faces covered with black, ferocious ghost faces, their bodies clad in sets of pitch-black battle armor!

In an instant, these Ghost-Faced Army soldiers directly transformed into death gods who had slaughtered their way out of the Nine Underworlds!

This process is not very painful; all the Ghost-Faced Army soldiers merely felt a tingling, numb sensation.

After several attempts, the Ghost-Faced Army soldiers successively summoned their ghost faces!

But still felt that something was missing a bit of meaning.

Numerous fine and sharp spikes grew from within the armor, then slowly pierced into the martial artist's flesh and blood.

"Disciple, for this journey, I wish to bring more people; I don't know..."

Jiang Feng slowly turned around, his face bearing a faint smile as he looked at Fang Xu and said: "You want to bring all those people of the Ghost-Faced Army with you?"

Fang Xu nodded.

The three thousand members of the Ghost-Faced Army have been staying in front of the mountain-foot annex during this period, not far from the mountain gate of the Ascension Immortal Assembly.

Furthermore, during this period, I have been continuously working with Tieshan to forge the Ghost-Faced Armor.

As the overseer of the Ascension Assembly, Jiang Feng knowing of the existence of the Ghost Face Army is no surprise.

"The Ghost Face Army is an ancient royal guard, loyal to the holder of the Yu Prefecture Order."

"Although the Immortal Island does not permit disciples outside the Ascension Assembly to set foot on it, there are indeed many sea islands around the Immortal Island occupied by ferocious beasts." Jiang Feng paused before saying: "At that time, you could first arrange them there."

Upon hearing this, Fang Xu quickly clasped his hands: "Thank you, Overseer."

Jiang Feng waved his hand, looked at Fang Xu, hesitated for a moment, then said: "This time, I will accompany you to the Immortal Island; along the way, I will have some other matters to attend to, and you may need to proceed to the Immortal Island on your own."

"Is the Overseer going to look for those missing core disciples?" Fang Xu asked.

A flicker of surprise crossed Jiang Feng's face, then he laughed and said: "Was it your master who told you?"

"Your master truly spared no expense for you."

"Indeed, it is for those missing core disciples."

With his hands behind his back, Jiang Feng paced before the bamboo hut, his face actually showing a trace of solemnity.

"The Immortal Island is besieged; the strong ones on the island cannot leave."

"Now, only I can do this."

"Every core disciple of the Ascension Assembly is extremely precious; losing even one is enough to cause heartache."

Fang Xu nodded to indicate his understanding.

The Ascension Assembly occupies the northern twin islands of the Tianxuan Realm, and these years its focus has always been on cultivating its disciples.

Core disciples are the top priority of the Ascension Assembly; each core disciple is hard-won.

According to Chu Ren Di, this time more than one core disciple has gone missing; for the Ascension Assembly, this is a considerable blow.

"Fang Xu, I now wish to seek your opinion."

Jiang Feng suddenly spoke.

"Hmm?" Fang Xu was somewhat curious; as the overseer, Jiang Feng, what matter still requires seeking his own opinion?

Meeting Fang Xu's gaze, Jiang Feng said: "These days I have pondered long; since the enemy dares to capture the Ascension Assembly's core disciples, they must have anticipated my intervention."

"Therefore, to deal with me, they should have made thorough preparations."

"I want to ask you and Old Ape whether you can accompany me to find the whereabouts of those core disciples."

The great battle at Zi Yang Mountain allowed Jiang Feng to see Fang Xu's strength, which is not inferior to that of a half-step Elemental Martial realm cultivator.

With his and Old Ape's help, Jiang Feng feels the success rate of this core disciple rescue operation will be much higher.

But after all, this matter is not something Fang Xu should bear; Old Ape is now not a member of the Ascension Assembly, so this can only be considered his personal request.

Fang Xu thought for a moment and said: "Then the matter of the core disciple examination..."

From Chu Ren Di's mouth, I learned that among the missing core disciples this time is Gu Qiu; considering our acquaintance, Fang Xu also wants to help find him.

But after all, I am to go to the Immortal Island to participate in the core disciple examination; if delayed because of this, missing the core disciple examination would be a great loss.

Jiang Feng laughed and shook his head: "If you can help me find the missing core disciples this time, you need not take the examination at all and can directly become a core disciple."

"Furthermore, even if you fail, I still have a bit of influence to allow you to take a separate examination, and you can still become a core disciple."

"Simply put, with your current strength and talent, as long as you reach the Immortal Island, becoming a core disciple is almost a certainty."

Upon hearing this, Fang Xu also felt reassured in his heart.

"Then it's settled; the disciple is willing to go with the Overseer."

Seeing Fang Xu agree, Jiang Feng nodded and said: "Since this matter was not petitioned to the Immortal Island, it does not count as an Immortal Island task."

"I can only grant you some rewards in the name of the Yu State Branch."

"Tell me, do you want to contribute points, or something else?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Xu thought for a while and seemed momentarily unsure what he wanted.

Cultivation techniques, secret arts, and the like—I seem not to lack them now.

As for contribution points, I seem not to need them recently.

"I know you have considerable fortune and should not lack ordinary things; so then..."

Seeing Fang Xu seemed to lack nothing, Jiang Feng directly said: "I observe you have three thousand Ghost Face Army under your command; I will give you two battle formations."

As he spoke, a flash of light appeared in his hand, and he directly took out two ancient scrolls.

Battle formations?

Fang Xu looked somewhat curiously at the two scrolls and said: "Overseer, this is..."

Jiang Feng said: "In ancient times, martial arts flourished, and the Tianxuan Realm also gave birth to many prosperous dynasties."

"The ancient masters took martial artists as soldiers, utilizing the formations from geomantic secrets to design some battle formations suitable for martial artists and soldiers."

"These two battle formations were obtained by me by chance from an ancient relic; currently they have no use, so I simply give them to you."

"With the aid of these battle formations, the overall strength of the Ghost Face Army should still be able to increase by fifty percent."

That strong!?

Upon hearing Jiang Feng's words, Fang Xu felt somewhat startled.

With the Ghost Face Armor, the individual strength of the Ghost Face Army should be around the seventh level of Martial Master.

Due to the Ghost Face's enhancement, the three thousand Ghost Face Army united can contend with a fifth-level Martial Venerable strongman without problem.

If the battle formations can increase the Ghost Face Army's strength by fifty percent, adding the leadership of Wu Tian Rui, a sixth-level Martial Venerable, it seems they could match some eighth-level, even ninth-level Martial Venerable strongmen.

Not bad, not bad!

"Overseer..." Looking at the two battle formations in Jiang Feng's hand, Fang Xu's mind stirred, he laughed and scratched his head, saying: "There is one more thing..."

"Speak." Jiang Feng said.

Fang Xu hesitated a little, somewhat embarrassed, and said: "During this period I have been busy forging armor for the Ghost Face Army; only today did I realize I forgot to forge weapons for them..."

He recalled that when he participated in the Ascension Assembly examination earlier, those puppet mechanisms seemed to hold a kind of stone long spear.

Since the Ascension Assembly can give such hard stone long spears to puppet mechanisms, they should have considerable stock.

"I don't have that many weapons." Jiang Feng shook his head.

Fang Xu was unwilling to give up: "The stone spears held by those mechanism puppets in the assessment barriers..."

Jiang Feng heard this and laughed helplessly: "You brat, you were actually eyeing those things?"

"But your calculation is wrong."

"Those things are only suitable for mechanism puppets to use; martial cultivators cannot use them."

"Because aside from being hard, they have no other use."

Hearing this, Fang Xu felt somewhat disappointed.

Seeing this, Jiang Feng spoke again: "However, since you mentioned it, the matter of the Ghost Face Army's weapons, I will help you resolve it when we reach the Immortal Island."

"In that case, adding the battle formations and weapons, I will give you an extra five hundred thousand contribution points as a reward for this mission—how does that sound?"

Fang Xu quickly clasped his hands: "Thank you, Chief!"

As the Chief, Fang Xu believed Jiang Feng would not be too stingy.

The value of three thousand weapons is not insignificant; these two battle formations should also be quite rare and valuable.

Adding the five hundred thousand contribution points, the reward for this mission is already quite generous.

"Chief, when do we depart?"

"The day after tomorrow." Jiang Feng thought for a moment: "These two days, you should settle the matters you need to arrange."

"Also, have those of your family living in the mountain-foot courtyard move to reside within the sect."

Fang Xu did not understand.

Jiang Feng explained: "Recently, you stirred up a massacre for revenge, and Li Cangwu came to see me, declaring that he would have me hand you over."

"This time, my departure from the Ascension Immortal Assembly will certainly not escape his notice, and I worry he will act against your friends and family."

Hearing this, Fang Xu's expression flashed with a hint of anger.

This Li Cangwu's confidence is truly somewhat inflated.

Never mind; once I return from the Immortal Island, I will certainly find a way to deal with him!

Whether for Yun Wan or Li Cangwu's inheritance, I must find a way to kill Li Cangwu.

"Go." Jiang Feng waved his hand.

After leaving the bamboo grove behind the rear mountain, Fang Xu came again to the mountain-foot courtyard, informed Ning Xiang of Jiang Feng's arrangements, and told her to move into the Ascension Immortal Assembly immediately after Lu Zhiyuan and Tong Tong return.

After giving the instructions, he went to the Hundred Herbs Hall and instructed Chu Mu to take care of Ning Xiang and the others when the time comes.

Having finished everything, he then came to the Administration Hall.

At this moment, Yun Wan was cultivating.

Seeing the red lantern on the door, Fang Xu directly chose to ignore it and pushed open the courtyard gate.

Inside the house, when the room door was pushed open and he walked in, Yun Wan was sitting cross-legged on the bed.

Fang Xu silently looked at her, and also said nothing.

After about an hour had passed, Yun Wan seemed to sense someone nearby.

The Autumn Chilong Sword suddenly sprang from its sheath, pointing directly at Fang Xu.

"Murder your husband?" With the sword pointed at him, Fang Xu smiled faintly.

Yun Wan was slightly startled; upon seeing clearly that it was Fang Xu, a hint of joy appeared on her face.

Then, recalling Fang Xu's earlier words, the Autumn Chilong Sword was directly placed against his neck as she coquettishly snapped: "What nonsense are you spouting!?"

Fang Xu reached out and pushed the Autumn Chilong Sword aside, stepped forward to stand before Yun Wan, and gently embraced her.

Yun Wan's body tensed, instinctively wanting to push him away, but then thinking of something, the Autumn Chilong Sword in her hand fell directly to the ground, and her pair of soft arms tightly wrapped around Fang Xu's waist.

Her head rested against his chest.

"Are you leaving?"

Hearing the deep reluctance in Yun Wan's words, smelling the fragrance of her hair in his embrace, Fang Xu said nothing.

"Wait for me on the Immortal Island."

After a long while, Yun Wan spoke.

Fang Xu nodded: "Perhaps I will return soon."

"Really!?"

Yun Wan suddenly lifted her head and asked.

Looking at her exquisite pretty face, Fang Xu smiled and nodded: "As long as there is an opportunity, I will definitely return."

Yun Wan also smiled, facing Fang Xu's smiling face, she somewhat shyly buried her head again into his chest.

"Let's go out for a walk." Fang Xu said.

"Mm~" Yun Wan softly hummed, following Fang Xu out of the courtyard gate.

The two strolled leisurely within the gates of the Ascension Immortal Assembly.

Fang Xu wore a sky-blue embroidered gold long robe, tall and upright, with a resolute face; Yun Wan wore a cloud-white long dress, holding in her hand the Autumn Chilong Sword forged as if from cold ice, her black hair loosely tied at the back of her head.

The two walked like immortal companions within the mountain gate of the Ascension Immortal Assembly, encountering many new outer disciples who had joined in the past two years, who all cast envious glances.

At this moment, the meaning of cultivation seemed to be reinterpreted once again.

The advancement of realms, the extension of lifespan—aside from being able to explore the pinnacle of martial arts, it also seemed possible to remain with one's beloved for even longer.

As the sky gradually darkened, Fang Xu brought Yun Wan to the mountain-foot courtyard.

Upon seeing his arrival, Ning Xiang hurriedly ran to the Zhongzhou Imperial City to buy much food and wine.

In the revenge battle, the treasuries of the great clans were swept clean by Fang Xu, and the untold gold, silver, and treasures were sent here.

Ning Xiang found some craftsmen, who specifically constructed a huge underground treasury within the courtyard, storing all these treasures inside.

"Ning Xiang, when you return, please also invite the Slain General and the Princess of Yan Yang to come in."

Fang Xu spoke.

"Yes!"

Ning Xiang responded with a sound and then left.

In the courtyard, Fang Xu and Yun Wan sat quietly with the old ape.

"Ape Uncle, going to the Immortal Island, we might have to follow Elder Jiang to carry out a mission." Fang Xu thought for a moment and still decided to tell the old ape.

"Just arrange it as you see fit." The old ape said indifferently.

To him, going directly to the Immortal Island was fine, following Jiang Feng to carry out a mission was also fine; wherever Fang Xu went, he would go.

"Ape Uncle, you trust him so much, aren't you afraid he'll sell you out?" Yun Wan beside him joked rarely.

The old ape laughed after hearing that.

"Yun girl, you're not afraid, what do I, an old man, have to fear?"

Yun Wan pursed her lips, her gaze toward Fang Xu full of tenderness.

"Fang boy, how old are you this year?"

The old ape suddenly spoke.

Fang Xu was stunned for a moment: "Twenty-five, what's wrong, Ape Uncle?"

The old ape laughed and shook his head: "Nothing, just remembering that many humans, twenty-five-year-old kids are running all over the place."

"When are you and Yun girl preparing to get married?"

Eh!

This sudden question left both Fang Xu and Yun Wan stunned.

Afterwards, Yun Wan blushed slightly, stood up, glared at the old ape, and went to stand nearby.

Fang Xu also helplessly looked at the old ape and said: "You came here and still bother with this?"

"After becoming a great demon, your lifespan still has several hundred years, is there such a rush?"

Hearing this, the old ape became displeased.

"What's wrong with a few hundred years?"

"Even a few hundred years won't delay my wish to hold a grandson!"

Fang Xu couldn't argue with him, so he could only plead: "Okay, okay, okay, you're right, old one!"

Seeing him yield, the old ape nodded satisfiedly, then softly said: "When are you preparing to marry her?"

Fang Xu glanced at Yun Wan, who had perked up her ears not far away, smiled faintly, and said: "Anytime, as long as she's willing to marry. I'm willing to marry!"

His voice was neither loud nor soft; Yun Wan happened to hear it clearly.

Pfft!

She, hiding nearby, flashed a hint of sweetness on her face, then couldn't help but laugh.

"Young master, the food and wine have arrived!"

"Young master."

Ning Xiang's voice came from outside the courtyard; behind her, Sha Tianrui and the Yan Yang Princess also slightly bowed in salute.

At this moment, the Yan Yang Princess had already taken off her luxurious attire and put on martial artist's vigorous clothing.

Although her cultivation was only at the seventh level of Martial Master, she usually didn't neglect practice; she looked unlike the gentle royal princess, instead having a bit more of the spirited air of a martial world woman.

"General, Princess, please be seated."

After greeting the Yan Yang Princess and Sha Tianrui to sit down, the Yan Yang Princess glanced at Yun Wan hiding nearby and smiled: "Young master, what's wrong with Miss Yun?"

"Have you fallen out?"

"Shy..." the old ape laughed, opened the wine jar, poured himself a bowl of wine, and said to himself.

Shy?

The Yan Yang Princess was slightly startled, then approached Yun Wan's side; not knowing what she said, Yun Wan lowered her head even more.

The two whispered a few sentences and then returned together to the dining table.

During the meal, Fang Xu took out the two battle formations and handed them to Sha Tianrui.

"This is..."

Sha Tianrui was somewhat puzzled.

"Battle formations." Fang Xu spoke.

Upon hearing they were battle formations, Sha Tianrui was so startled he could barely hold his chopsticks, both hands trembling as he held the two scrolls, his face full of excitement.

Seeing this, Fang Xu curiously asked: "General, have you heard of battle formations?"

Sha Tianrui gently stroked the two scrolls; his careful manner made even the Yan Yang Princess beside him a bit envious.

"Battle formations come from the hands of ancient masters of the School of Military Strategy."

"When I previously followed the Great General, I had heard him mention more than once the marvelous uses and terror of battle formations."

"As far as I know, the Mu Yun Kingdom once mastered a battle formation called 'Trapping Dragon'; relying on that formation, the Mu Yun Kingdom's soldiers caused considerable trouble for the Yu Kingdom's army."

"Unfortunately, after the Mu Yun Kingdom was destroyed, that battle formation scroll also disappeared, and the Great General regretted it for a long time."

Sha Tianrui's understanding of battle formations seems somewhat deeper.

Fang Xu had little interest in the Mu Yun Kingdom's battle formation; what intrigued him was Sha Tianrui's mention of the ancient School of Military Strategy.

This thing feels somewhat similar to the Hundred Schools of Thought of ancient Huaxia, doesn't it?

"General, in ancient times, besides the School of Military Strategy, do you know of other schools?" Fang Xu asked.

Sha Tianrui shook his head: "As for the others, this junior general doesn't know; I am a military officer, only concerned with marching and fighting."

His words had just finished when they provoked the Yan Yang Princess's resentful gaze.

"Had it not been for your stubbornness and dullness back then, how could we two have endured so many years of longing sorrow?"

Kill Tianrui glanced at her awkwardly and said in a low voice: "What's the point of saying this, the young master is here..."

Princess Yan Yang glared at him and didn't say anything else.

"Young master, where did you get this battle formation?" Kill Tianrui continued to steer the topic toward the battle formation.

"It was a gift from Elder Jiang, who said he obtained it from a ruin."

"He also said the battle formation could increase the Ghost Face Army's strength by fifty percent, General, you should ponder it carefully when you return."

Kill Tianrui nodded and placed the two scrolls beside him.

At the end of the hai hour, after everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, Princess Yan Yang went to help Ning Xiang clear the bowls and chopsticks. Yun Wan also wanted to help, but the two pushed her out.

Helpless, she could only pull Fang Xu outside to look at the moon.

On a large rock behind the annex, the two sat quietly.

As the ancestral sacrifice approached, the weather turned cold, but neither of them were ordinary people, so this chill was naturally nothing.

"Did you kill the Blood Floating Pagoda?"

Yun Wan tilted her head and asked.

Fang Xu nodded: "On Zi Yang Mountain, he and the Crown Prince went to stop my revenge, and I killed him in passing."

"Only Li Cangwu remains..." Yun Wan looked up at the moon and said: "To kill Li Cangwu, Princess Yan Yang's side..."

Yun Wan's face showed a hint of worry.

Kill Tianrui now pledged allegiance to Fang Xu, and Princess Yan Yang is Li Cangwu's daughter.

If I were to kill Li Cangwu in the future, how would I face Princess Yan Yang?

"Don't worry about these, she'll figure it out herself." Fang Xu spoke.

Princess Yan Yang knows Li Cangwu's nature well in her heart, and she must have heard about the Yun family's affairs in Huangzhou long ago. Moreover, given the forced marriage incident back then, even if Fang Xu and Yun Wan really killed Li Cangwu in the future, Princess Yan Yang would likely let go of her grudge.

"After I leave, you need to be more careful." Holding Yun Wan in his arms, Fang Xu said: "Li Cangwu and Zhao Wuji have already had unpleasant dealings with the Ascension Immortal Society due to my revenge."

"And now the imperial family has come into contact with another force not weaker than the Ascension Immortal Society, which is very likely to act against the Ascension Immortal Society."

"Is this true!?" Yun Wan looked at Fang Xu in disbelief.

As for the matter of the Ming Hun Dao, only Chu Ren Di, Jiang Feng, and Fang Xu know about it. As for the Tian Xuan Realm, very few people know about it.

Fang Xu does not want to tell Yun Wan too much; some things are better left until she reaches a certain realm, otherwise it would affect her state of mind.

"In short, try not to go out on missions."

Fang Xu said, taking out several herbs from his Qiankun bag and handing them to Yun Wan:

"If you need to use contribution points for cultivation, just sell these herbs at Bai Cao Tang. Each of these herbs is worth no less than one million contribution points."

"Also, Ning Xiang and the others will move to live inside the Ascension Immortal Society later; for now, let them stay in my small courtyard. When you have time, take care of them more."

……

Fang Xu, like a woman, kept giving instructions and advice.

Yun Wan listened with a face full of happiness.

……

Time quickly came to the morning of the third day.

After waking from cultivation, Yun Wan carefully groomed herself, applied light makeup, and came to the mountain gate.

At this time, Fang Xu and Old Yuan and others were waiting for Jiang Feng's arrival.

Yun Wan walked up and gently embraced Fang Xu.

Seeing this, the others tactfully turned their heads away.

Whoosh!

A figure flew from deep within Huayang Mountain.

After Jiang Feng appeared, seeing the two's appearance, a hint of a smile appeared on his face.

Yun Wan hurriedly let go of Fang Xu, slightly shy, and bowed her hands to Jiang Feng: "Greetings, Sect Master."

Jiang Feng nodded, looked at Fang Xu and said: "Enough? Let's go if we're ready."

Upon hearing this, Yun Wan instantly blushed like a flower. She hadn't expected the usually stern Jiang Feng to say such a thing.

Fang Xu smiled faintly, gently took Yun Wan's hand, gazed at her pretty face, and said: "I'm leaving."

Yun Wan nodded: "Be careful on the road."

Under her gaze, several people and the three thousand Ghost Face Army marched straight toward the eastern sea coast.

After leaving Zhongzhou, the soldiers of the Ghost Face Army came to Fang Xu to report, saying they had discovered several sneaky individuals in the rear.

Fang Xu was not at all surprised by this.

Nowadays, in Yu State, the major clans have nearly been wiped out by him in one sweep. At this point, besides the imperial family, no one else would dare to send people to spy on him.

"Sect Master, after we leave, if the imperial family wants to act against the Ascension Immortal Society, what should we do?"

Seeing Fang Xu's worried expression, Jiang Feng smiled faintly and said: "No problem, I have a backup plan."

Backup plan?

Upon hearing this, Fang Xu was somewhat surprised.

Currently, the Yu State's imperial family openly has three experts at the Yuan Wu Realm.

Although Zhao Wuji and Li Cangwu are newly broken through to Yuan Wu Realm, the Ming Hun Dao's Jie Yuan is an old expert at the Yuan Wu Realm.

If the three join forces, what kind of backup plan has Jiang Feng left to deal with them?

At this moment, Fang Xu again thought of the mysterious person at the end of the small path behind the mountain bamboo forest.

He guessed that Jiang Feng's so-called backup plan is very likely that hidden expert dwelling deep in the bamboo forest.

Without paying attention to the tailing spies, the group quickly arrived at Canghai City.

Here, the Ascension Immortal Society's outpost in Canghai City had already prepared ships in advance.

Fang Xu and the others arrived and directly boarded a treasure ship.

After boarding, Jiang Feng took out a Ascension Order from his Qiankun bag and handed it to the disciple steering the ship.

Fang Xu looked and felt it was strange: "With the one in charge present, why is an Ascension Order still needed?"

Jiang Feng nodded and said: "The location of the Immortal Island cannot be found by anyone except those who possess an Ascension Order, even for someone like me who frequently travels back and forth to the Immortal Island."

"Alright, we will be sailing at sea for over a month; I will go cultivate."

Jiang Feng returned to the cabin, chose a room, and directly began closed-door cultivation.

The old ape stood at the ship's rail on the deck, gazing at the sparkling sea surface, drinking a little liquor, enjoying the sea breeze, feeling very content.

"Fang Xiazi, where is that big long worm?"

The old ape suddenly asked.

Upon hearing this, Fang Xu suddenly recalled the long dragon.

"I'll go look for it."

From the treasure ship, a small escape boat was tied, and Fang Xu alone drifted on the sea surface.

"Long Dragon!"

A loud shout echoed, the sound reverberating across the sea surface.

But for a long time, there was no movement at all.

Seeing this, Fang Xu felt somewhat puzzled—could the Long Dragon have left this sea area?

"Long Dragon!"

Another loud shout; Fang Xu prepared to wait a bit longer, and if the Long Dragon did not come, he would return to the treasure ship.

After all, the boundless sea is truly vast, and the Long Dragon very likely has already left this sea area.

Time quickly passed a quarter of an hour, and the surrounding sea surface remained completely still.

Seeing this, Fang Xu prepared to row the small boat back toward the treasure ship.

But just then, the old ape standing on the treasure ship, who had just brought a wine jug to his lips, suddenly put it down, his gaze turned toward the distance, and his expression grew somewhat solemn.

"Fang Xiazi, hurry back!"

The old ape shouted loudly.

Upon hearing this, Fang Xu frowned and looked toward the distant sea surface!

Although the sea surface was calm, his powerful soul force clearly felt a terrifying pressure rapidly approaching him!

Within this terrifying pressure, he also sensed the aura of the Long Dragon!

However, the Long Dragon's aura at this moment was very chaotic, clearly indicating it had suffered a serious injury.

Splish-splash!

Splish-splash!

Accompanied by the rapidly approaching terrifying pressure, the distant sea surface showed faint ripples.

The next moment!

Boom!

A huge black jiao suddenly flew out from the sea surface!

It is the Long Dragon!

Upon seeing the black giant serpent, Fang Xu immediately recognized it as the Long Dragon!

However, at this moment the Long Dragon was not flying out from beneath the sea surface on his own; he was struck from below by a tremendous force and blasted out of the water!

"Fang Xu, run quickly!"

The Long Dragon's body was in mid-air, yet despite his injuries, he immediately shouted loudly!

Fang Xu ignored him, his eyes fixed firmly on the surging undercurrents of the sea surface!

Suddenly—

He stepped down hard with his foot, and his figure shot directly into mid-air!

At the instant his body left the small boat, a huge shadow appeared beneath his small boat!

Immediately after, a gigantic tentacle suddenly shot out from beneath the water surface, directly piercing the small boat and shattering it into fragments!

At this moment, Fang Xu finally saw clearly what creature emitting the terrifying pressure was!

Octopus!

A huge octopus!

One of its tentacles alone is larger than the Long Dragon by several times!

The tentacle is covered with dense suckers, each sucker's center actually grows something resembling a blood-red eye, looking extremely eerie!

After smashing the small boat with one blow, that huge limb flailed wildly in mid-air a few times, then directly sank into the seabed.

Meanwhile, the Long Dragon's body had already fallen into the sea, and Fang Xu and the arriving old ape both stopped upon his body.

"Long Dragon, how did you provoke a great demon?"

The aura on the giant octopus's body is even more terrifying than when the old ape erupts with full power; it is clearly a great demon.

Although the Long Dragon has awakened intelligence and his strength has surged forward, he still remains on the verge of dragon transformation.

Only after fully transforming into a dragon and growing dragon claws can he become a great demon.

"That is an existence about to become a demon king..." the old ape said solemnly: "But he is near death, his qi and blood are somewhat depleted, which makes his aura seem similar to that of a great demon."

Demon King!?

Although Fang Xu does not know which human cultivation realm corresponds to a demon king, a demon king is undoubtedly a higher realm than a great demon.

"He has taken a fancy to the dragon blood on my body." The Long Dragon said angrily: "This fellow doesn't know from where he barged into this sea area."

"He should have sensed the trace of dragon blood aura in my bloodline, and has been hunting me for several months already."

"Fang Xu, he is very strong."

In the voice of the long dragon, there was a hint of faint fear; clearly, during these months of being hunted, he had suffered many losses at the hands of the giant octopus.

"Yuan Bo, we must find a way to kill him." Fang Xu spoke.

He could feel that the giant octopus had not gone far, always lingering in the deep sea beneath them.

With this near-demon-king giant octopus present, they dared not return to the treasure ship.

After all, on the entire chartered ship, the three thousand Ghost Face Army, once this giant octopus attacks the treasure ship and sinks it, they would all be drowned in the sea.

The old ape said solemnly: "This is the sea; even I find it hard to deal with him."

"Fang Xiaozi, if you want to kill this big fellow, you still need to let Jiang..."

Before his words finished, Jiang Feng's figure flew directly from the treasure ship and landed steadily on the back of the long dragon.

"Besides what?"

"Why do I sense a terrifying demon beast aura?"

Fang Xu clasped his hands: "Master, it is a giant octopus whose strength is close to that of a demon king."

"Demon king?" Jiang Feng sensed carefully and said: "The blood and qi are declining; its strength is not that great."

"Yuan brother, let us go down for a trip."

"Fang Xu, you and this black flood dragon guard the sea surface; if the giant octopus tries to flee, do your best to hold it back."

After speaking, Jiang Feng jumped directly into the sea.

On his body surface, a shield formed by Blood Qi Power appeared, squeezing open the surrounding seawater.

The old ape, however, was not so particular; he directly revealed his true form and sank toward the seabed.

On the calm sea surface, a huge Towering Sword Bamboo suddenly appeared!

The emerald Towering Sword Bamboo rose from the seabed and shot straight into the horizon!

Around it, vast amounts of bamboo leaves, like countless swords, emitted terrifying sharpness, shaking the surrounding seawater into mist!

Roar!

From the seabed, the old ape's roar came!

Immediately afterward, the long dragon sensed an extremely terrifying danger, taking Fang Xu and darting to a distant place!

Boom!

The seawater ahead suddenly exploded upward!

A colossal figure flew out from the seawater!

It was the old ape!

However, at this moment, the giant octopus had already tightly entwined his body!

Six terrifying tentacles kept contracting, trying to strangle the old ape alive!

But the old ape, after all, is a Earth Fiend Magic Ape of the Great Demon realm; though his strength is not as great as the giant octopus's, he is certainly not someone who can be easily slain!

The old ape, two zhang tall, kept tearing at the giant octopus's tentacles with both hands, while his murderous aura gradually condensed!

The two thus wrestled in midair!

Hum!

The Towering Sword Bamboo emitted a humming sound; Jiang Feng's figure slowly rose from beneath the sea surface and then directly stood atop the Towering Sword Bamboo.

With his index and middle fingers together, Jiang Feng had a bamboo leaf appear in his hand.

Whoosh!

A light swing of his arm sent the bamboo leaf flying like a sharp flying dagger, shooting straight at the giant octopus's head!

The bamboo leaf was extremely sharp, precisely embedding itself in the base of one of the giant octopus's tentacles.

Jiang Feng reached out and plucked another bamboo leaf; the next moment, he flung it out again.

Thus, accompanied by a bamboo leaf with a condition, it was driven into the giant octopus's body.

The giant octopus was frightened!

Directly, Fang Xu and the old ape prepared to flee beneath the sea surface!

Seeing this, Fang Xu's eyes flashed with a streak of purple-black flame!

The next moment, flames ignited on the giant octopus's tentacles!

Just as Fang Xu hoped the Divine Flame fire could help Jiang Feng gain some time, his head suddenly felt a sharp pain!

Soul power was in urgent need!

Fang Xu hurriedly extinguished the Divine Flame fire on the giant octopus, his face deathly pale as he stood on the long dragon's back, his steps somewhat unsteady.

"Fang Xu, what's wrong with you?"

The long dragon asked, puzzled.

Fang Xu gave a bitter smile; he had actually forgotten that the Divine Flame fire is a technique that harms the enemy by one thousand and damages oneself by eight hundred.

Previously, he could use the Divine Flame fire to scorch those Martial Lords precisely because his soul power far surpassed theirs.

But now, facing this giant octopus before him, its soul power far exceeds his.

As soon as the Divine Flame fire began burning, it instantly drained a large amount of his soul power.

Fortunately, the pain in his soul caused the giant octopus's movement to pause slightly.

The old ape, having reacted, directly grabbed one of the giant octopus's tentacles!

The giant octopus struggled violently; meanwhile, Jiang Feng seized the opportunity to summon his Towering Sword Bamboo behind him, which suddenly trembled, and vast numbers of bamboo leaves instantly transformed into countless emerald-green flying swords!

These emerald-green flying swords flashed with sharp cold light, pointing directly at the giant octopus held in the old ape's hand!

Go!

Jiang Feng pointed with his hand!

Countless dense bamboo leaves flew like swords toward the giant octopus's body!

Not only that, a blurry figure emerged from Jiang Feng's body!

This figure held a long sword formed from the Heaven-Reaching Sword Bamboo, directly crossing space to slash at the giant octopus's body!

The phantom flashed and vanished, passing through the giant octopus's body, then turned into a stream of light and disappeared into Jiang Feng's body.

In the old ape's hand, the giant octopus's struggles intensified.

Seeing this, Jiang Feng was somewhat puzzled.

With his Yang Spirit technique, he slashed the giant octopus's spirit with one sword, enough to kill it directly.

But at this moment, the giant octopus seemed to have suffered little harm.

His Yang Spirit clearly felt that the giant octopus's spirit had been severed in half by his sword—why is this?

"Jiang brother, again!"

The old ape grabbed another tentacle swung by the giant octopus and shouted loudly.

Although Jiang Feng's Yang Spirit sword failed to directly slay the giant octopus, the old ape sensed the giant octopus's fear.

"Ape brother, you overestimate me."

"The Yang Spirit attack, I can barely perform it once."

Speaking, he reached out and grasped the void; behind him, the Heaven-Reaching Sword Bamboo instantly transformed into a huge azure-green long sword!

Swish!

The sword descended, and the surrounding seawater was pressed into a deep indentation by its might, with huge waves surging on both sides!

This sword directly split the giant octopus's other tentacles along with half its head!

The imagined scene of blood flowing freely did not appear.

Instead, large amounts of foul-smelling black liquid gushed from its wound!

After these black liquids spilled out, the seawater below quickly turned black, and then the black seawater seemed to evaporate, with vast black water mist enveloping the surrounding sea for dozens of li.

"Not good, this substance can obstruct vision and spirit, and it's poisonous!"

The Long Dragon cried out in alarm, immediately thinking of taking Fang Xu to flee.

"Wait!"

Fang Xu called out to him, and directly above his head appeared a dignified and solemn bronze treasure vase!

The moment the treasure vase appeared, a terrifying suction force was generated!

Together with the surrounding black water mist and black seawater, it was directly absorbed clean by the treasure vase!

Vision restored, the old ape and Jiang Feng launched another attack!

At this moment, Fang Xu also recovered some spirit power; light flashed in his hand, and he summoned the strange sapling from the aperture space.

This sapling was transformed from the strange staff; after absorbing the flesh and blood of Yushan Tianyi and the Radiant Light Giant Crocodile, it had already grown four tender leaves.

As soon as the sapling appeared, its roots directly plunged into the seawater.

Subsequently, vast roots rapidly spread through the seawater, instantly filling the surrounding sea area!

Beneath Fang Xu's feet, the Long Dragon watched the sapling's roots wandering beside him, his body trembling involuntarily.

His intuition told him this thing was terrifying, comparable to the Immortal Carved Stone Boat!

After the vast roots occupied the surrounding sea surface, the sapling's roots directly stretched toward the giant octopus in midair!

Fierce and violent, the giant octopus, facing two Existences of the Elemental Martial Realm, showed no fear despite being outnumbered.

But upon seeing the sapling's hair-thin roots, it revealed terror!

Bang!

Bang!

The giant octopus struggled violently, even willing to break off the two tentacles grabbed by the old ape to escape this place!

The sapling's dense fine roots seemed unwilling to let go of the food now at its mouth!

At the moment the giant octopus fell into the water, the fine roots previously hidden underwater instantly activated!

Root by root, fine as hair, fiercely pierced into the giant octopus's body!

The giant octopus went mad, struggling nonstop, stirring up heaven-shaking waves in this sea area!

Fang Xu, the old ape, and Jiang Feng, fearing to be hit by the waves, fled to a distance.

In the turbulent seawater, the sapling floated up and down, but its fine roots firmly held the giant octopus in control!

Gradually, the giant octopus's movements grew weaker and weaker.

Until finally, the sea surface returned to calm.

"Long Dragon, come over and take a look."

Fang Xu spoke.

A flicker of fear passed through Long Dragon's eyes, as if he dared not approach the sapling.

But thinking this sapling seemed to be summoned by Fang Xu, he gathered courage and swam toward where the giant octopus had died.

In the seawater, the sapling slowly emerged from below.

The tip, originally with only four tender buds, now sprouted another tender green leaf.

Seeing this, Fang Xu felt curious.

A near Demon King-level great demon's entire flesh and blood essence absorbed by the sapling, yet it only grew one leaf.

If one wanted to make the sapling grow large, what price would have to be paid?

Moreover, what species is this sapling exactly, why did Long Dragon and the giant octopus fear it so much upon seeing it, while the old ape felt little?

Upon seeing Fang Xu arrive, the sapling's roots slowly extended from who knows where, holding a dark green, round and smooth demon pill to Fang Xu's face.

After taking in the demon pill, Fang Xu again retracted the sapling into his own body.

When he returned to Jiang Feng and the old ape's side, Jiang Feng gave him a meaningful glance, opening and closing his mouth as if he wanted to ask what the little sapling from earlier was.

But considering it involved Fang Xu's privacy, Jiang Feng ultimately remained silent.

The old ape, on the other hand, seemed to have thought of something, gazing thoughtfully at Fang Xu without speaking.

"Chief, shall we head back?"

Fang Xu spoke, and Jiang Feng nodded, immediately flashing toward the treasure ship.

At the edge of the treasure ship, Fang Xu took out a jar of orange-yellow Creation Immortal Fluid from his Qiankun bag and handed it to Chang Long, saying: "Drink this Creation Immortal Fluid and see if you can transform into a dragon."

Chang Long glanced at the orange-yellow Creation Immortal Fluid in the large jar, and his single eye instantly widened!

He had drunk plenty of the green Creation Immortal Fluid in the Immortal Inscription Stone Boat, to the point that the green Creation Immortal Fluid no longer had any effect on him.

This time, Fang Xu had brought this orange-yellow kind.

He could feel that this orange-yellow Creation Immortal Fluid was far superior to the green one.

"Fang Xu, how do you always manage to get this stuff?"

Chang Long asked curiously.

Creation Immortal Fluid is an extremely rare heavenly treasure; ordinary people would struggle to see even a single drop.

How come with Fang Xu, it's jar after jar?

Fang Xu shrugged and smiled: "Maybe I'm just lucky."

"Hurry up and drink it—if it lets you transform into a dragon, you can also take human form."

Chang Long nodded and directly swallowed the wine jar.

The terrifying energy of the Creation Immortal Fluid spread through his body, healing his injuries before beginning to drive his cultivation upward.

Already at the peak of Martial Sovereign strength, with the aid of the Creation Immortal Fluid, Chang Long's aura began to rise steadily.

Fang Xu simply stood quietly on him, feeling the changes in his body.

The treasure ship remained stopped not far away, preparing to wait for Chang Long's breakthrough before continuing onward.

As days passed, the aura emanating from Chang Long grew stronger and stronger.

Within this powerful aura, Fang Xu faintly sensed a trace of vast, ancient power slowly awakening!

This was the power of the ancient dragon bloodline within Chang Long's body!

Pop!

Pop!

That day, the morning sun rose!

Beneath the coiled, corpse-like body of Chang Long on the sea surface, several crisp sounds suddenly rang out!

Immediately after, a powerful aura erupted violently from within his body!

Roar!

A clear, resonant dragon cry rang out from Chang Long's mouth!

The next moment!

The Chang Long coiled on the water surface shot straight up into the sky, facing the rising sun!

His massive body glided through the sky; beneath it, four slightly immature dragon claws, bathed in morning light, appeared somewhat clumsy and adorable.

Roar!

Between the clouds, Chang Long excitedly let out bursts of dragon cries, carrying Fang Xu as they soared freely through the heavens!

After a long while, he finally dove downward, rushing toward the treasure ship below on the sea!

Just as the people on the treasure ship worried he couldn't stop in time and would smash the ship to pieces!

A flash of light—two figures appeared directly on the deck of the treasure ship!

One was naturally Fang Xu; the other, a handsome, one-eyed boy of about fourteen or fifteen, was Chang Long transformed into human form.

At this moment, Chang Long wore a black long robe, with a black dragon mark resembling a birthmark on his forehead; his youthful face actually bore a faint resemblance to Fang Xu.

Looking at his appearance, Fang Xu couldn't help but wryly smile: "You transformed into human form—just do it, why copy my looks?"

Chang Long scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly: "It's not my fault—you helped open my wisdom, and afterward, it was also your help that allowed me to transform."

Fang Xu helplessly nodded: "Alright, let me introduce you."

"This is Jiang Lao, the Chief of the Yu State Branch of the Ascension Immortal Association, and Yuan Bo—you've met him before."

"This is Sha Tianrui, the Slaying Heaven General, and Princess Yangyang."

"The rest are my Ghost Face Army."

Chang Long nodded, clasped his hands toward Jiang Feng and the others: "Chang Long pays his respects to all of you!"

Jiang Feng nodded: "Chang Long, I represent the Ascension Immortal Association in inviting you to join. Like Yuan Bo, once we reach the Immortal Island, I will strive to secure a Mountain Lord position for you."

Upon hearing this, Chang Long did not rush to agree, his gaze turning toward Fang Xu.

(End of Chapter)