Chapter 309: Rebellion! The Fisherman Profits!

Many Golden Core cultivators in Heavenly Azure Prefecture had suffered varying degrees of injuries.

The situation in Greedy Wolf Prefecture was much the same.

Take Sima Xiangheng, for instance. Without a day or two to recover, he could only play a supporting role.

If he didn't possess a special Dharma treasure like the Soul-Seizing Heart-Controlling Bell, he would have likely retreated far from the battlefield long ago.

The only ones truly capable of launching a full-force offensive were a few Golden Core cultivators and several hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators.

The grand array needed to be broken, but if they exhausted themselves in the process, they would only make themselves easy targets for the Heavenly Azure Prefecture cultivators once it fell.

Therefore, True Lord Heavenly Wolf ultimately decided to attack in shifts, allowing the rest of his forces a chance to rest and recover.

Inside the Cloudstream Town encampment.

Ye Fan handed the physical body of the mid-stage Golden Core demonic cultivator over to Xu Chuan.

Golden Core cultivators were highly nourishing tonics. In just a short period, the five Profound Yin Blood Corpses of the Five Spirits Blood Corpse Formation had actually grown somewhat stronger.

Refining yin souls was a bit more troublesome.

If he relied solely on the intrinsic function of the Soul-Gathering Banner, it would probably take a year or two to refine a Golden Core divine soul into a yin soul.

However, under Xu Chuan's control and supplemented by a secret method, the progress was much faster.

The battlefield was a place where life and death intertwined.

Xu Chuan's Origin Life and Death Seal was rapidly condensing.

If not for the presence of the others, Xu Chuan could have even controlled the Soul-Gathering Banner to absorb the remnant souls of all the fallen cultivators, enough to form an army of yin souls.

In addition, the three special Skulls obtained from Old Ghost Withered Bone had been nourished by Golden Core essence blood, significantly increasing their might.

Outside the grand array, spiritual light blotted out the sun, and the cries of slaughter shook the heavens.

Hundreds of Greedy Wolf Prefecture cultivators swarmed like ants to honey. Various Dharma tools, talismans, and magical arts transformed into streaks of flowing light, violently bombarding the translucent azure light screen in an endless barrage resembling a torrential storm.

The light screen trembled violently, ripples surging across its surface as a cacophony of explosions rang out incessantly, making it seem as though it would shatter at any moment.

In stark contrast, the people within the grand array were shrouded in gloom, their faces etched with grave expressions.

The Heavenly Azure Prefecture cultivators who had just retreated were mostly injured. Some sat cross-legged to regulate their breathing, their faces pale, while others bandaged each other, their bodies stained with blood.

The air was thick with the heavy stench of blood mixed with the medicinal fragrance of pills.

No one spoke. Only heavy panting intertwined with the roaring blasts from outside the array, creating an oppressive atmosphere that made it hard to breathe.

Everyone stared at the dense mass of enemy figures beyond the light screen and the constantly dimming, flickering spiritual light of the array, a layer of gloom casting a shadow over their faces.

The only silver lining was that, given the Greedy Wolf Prefecture's current firepower, they wouldn't be able to break through for at least a day or two.

If they continued to sally forth and meet the enemy in battle tomorrow, they could hold out for a few more days.

However, repeating this cycle with no end in sight inevitably bred despair in their hearts.

An hour or two later.

True Lord Green Wood consumed a high-grade Tier-3 wound-healing pill, recovering sixty to seventy percent of his injuries.

The Greedy Wolf Prefecture army's relentless assault also filled his face with worry.

"The outcome of this battle hinges entirely on Xu Chuan!"

Facing Sima Xiangheng at his peak, along with four early-stage Golden Core demonic cultivators, he had managed to slay four of them and heavily injure Sima Xiangheng, leaving him as easily frightened as a bird startled by the twang of a bowstring.

Yet he himself had found it troublesome just to face a heavily injured Sima Xiangheng and two early-stage Golden Core cultivators.

Cultivators feared nothing more than being compared to one another.

A little over a decade ago, he was still an existence that Xu Chuan had to look up to. But in the blink of an eye, the younger man had caught up from behind and now possessed the strength to slay him.

'Beneath the Nascent Soul stage, I am king. It seems Xu Chuan truly wasn't boasting!'

'But did he really suffer severe injuries?'

Filled with doubt, True Lord Green Wood pondered for a moment before heading straight to the Cloudstream Town encampment.

Because Xu Chuan's tent was protected by a divine sense restriction, True Lord Green Wood couldn't use his divine sense to probe what he was doing.

"Daoist Friend Withered Glory, this old man has come to visit. Please grant me an audience," he called out.

"Daoist Friend Green Wood, please come in," Xu Chuan replied.

Upon entering the tent, he saw Xu Chuan sitting cross-legged, regulating his breathing and nourishing his spirit.

"Daoist Friend Withered Glory, have your injuries improved?"

"Thank you for your concern, Daoist Friend Green Wood. I feel much better after taking some pills," Xu Chuan said, opening his eyes. "The people of Greedy Wolf Prefecture are still attacking outside. It seems if we don't sally forth to fight tomorrow, the grand array will eventually break."

"You speak reason, Daoist Friend Withered Glory. Do you have a good countermeasure?"

Xu Chuan shook his head. "We can only take things one step at a time."

"Then I wonder, Daoist Friend Withered Glory, can that divine sense secret method of yours be used again?"

"Divine sense recovers much slower than mana. Although this secret method is powerful, it consumes a tremendous amount of energy. Were it not for that, I wouldn't have been forced to rely on tricks and barely hold on while fleeing back into the grand array.

"However, rest assured, Daoist Friend Green Wood. Stopping one True Lord-level expert will not be an issue. You can safely leave either True Lord Heavenly Wolf or Sima Family Head to me."

"I understand," True Lord Green Wood nodded. He cast another glance at Xu Chuan's complexion before clasping his hands in a parting salute and leaving.

'His face is still a bit pale, and his aura is somewhat unstable. It seems he truly hasn't fully recovered.'

'Is he faking it, or is this the reality?'

True Lord Green Wood found Xu Chuan somewhat unfathomable. With a soft sigh, he returned to his own tent.

He couldn't exactly attack Xu Chuan to test him within the encampment.

If things went poorly, it was entirely possible that Xu Chuan would simply take his people and withdraw from the Thousand Stone Forest.

Xu Chuan's words had been half-truths. By driving multiple magic treasures, his mana naturally depleted faster than a typical Golden Core stage cultivator, and his divine sense consumption was also a factual reality.

However, after swallowing one or two high-grade Jade Void Pills, his mana directly recovered to eighty or ninety percent. Given another hour or two, returning to his peak condition would be a breeze.

As for his divine sense, between high-grade Spirit-Nourishing Pills and circulating the "Profound Heaven Divine Refining Art", his recovery speed was more than several times that of an ordinary Golden Core cultivator.

By tomorrow, he would be capable of using his divine sense secret method at full power three more times.

That being said, helping the Heavenly Azure Sect hold the Thousand Stone Forest was not Xu Chuan's objective.

Even if he accomplished that, the Heavenly Azure Sect would only become increasingly wary of the Xu family afterward, perhaps even seeking to eliminate them at the earliest opportunity.

The next day, as the golden sun first rose.

Clouds and mist steamed among the Thousand Stone Forest. Myriad rays of golden light pierced through the morning haze, dyeing the jagged, bizarrely shaped rocks into a magnificent golden-red hue.

The night dew had yet to dry, its brilliance condensing on the sharp edges of the strange stones, glittering as brightly as fallen stars.

Had it not been for the lingering stench of blood in the air, one might have almost forgotten that this place was an asura's battlefield.

An hour later, the flames of war reignited.

True Lord Green Wood issued his command, and the Heavenly Azure Prefecture cultivators moved in response.

A portion of them surged out of the array to meet the enemy as ordered, while another group hastily reinforced and repaired the crumbling grand array, the flow of spiritual light revealing their rushed desperation.

Following the previous battle, both sides had gained a certain level of understanding of each other.

The Golden Core and Foundation Establishment cultivators voluntarily sought out their respective opponents.

Xu Chuan and True Lord Green Wood appeared before Sima Xiangheng and True Lord Heavenly Wolf.

True Lord Green Wood's gaze swept over the Soul-Seizing Heart-Controlling Bell in Sima Xiangheng's hand, a flash of apprehension passing through his eyes.

Even when not at its peak yesterday, it had managed to affect him. Today, its might would only be greater.

Anyone not skilled in divine sense secret methods would only suffer against him.

He turned to Xu Chuan and said solemnly, "Daoist Friend Withered Glory, the magic treasure in Sima Xiangheng's hand specializes in affecting the divine soul.

"Among everyone present, I'm afraid only you can block it. This villain... I shall leave him to you."

Xu Chuan nodded without saying a word.

Looking at Sima Xiangheng, he smiled faintly. "Sima Family Head, I trust you have been well since we last met."

Sima Xiangheng's pupils shrank slightly. He turned his gaze to True Lord Heavenly Wolf. Seeing the lingering shadow in his eyes, True Lord Heavenly Wolf immediately sent a voice transmission: "Sima Family Head, remember my words from yesterday.

"Today, if you and five mid-stage Golden Core Daoist friends attack him together, you will definitely be able to heavily injure him!"

"Understood. This family head will give it his best try."

Then, Sima Xiangheng declared, "True Lord Withered Glory, if you have the guts, follow me."

Without waiting for a response, his figure transformed into a streak of dark flowing light, fleeing rapidly toward a spot dozens of miles away.

Xu Chuan's eyes glinted faintly as he also launched a beam of light to closely follow in pursuit.

The moment he landed, before he could even steady his footing, the sound of tearing air suddenly erupted all around him!

"Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!"

Five figures materialized from the void like phantoms, taking up positions in five directions to encircle Xu Chuan at the center.

These five men were all clad in profound black robes, their faces hidden in the shadows of their hoods. The auras radiating from them shared the exact same origin and root, completely unified as one entity.

"Raise the formation!"

The leader gave a low shout, and all five simultaneously formed hand seals.

In an instant, demonic energy surged wildly from their bodies. Eerie and ink-black, the billowing energy linked together, immediately plunging the surrounding miles into a thick, viscous darkness.

The roiling demonic energy actually condensed in mid-air to form five pale white Skulls, each ten feet wide. Emerald green ghostfire danced in their eye sockets, and their jaws snapped open and shut, emitting a chilling "clack-clack" demonic sound that directly invaded the divine soul.

This was precisely the notorious Five Children with One Heart Demonic Art of the Greedy Wolf Prefecture!

All five were elders of the Greedy Wolf Prefecture, groomed by the sect since childhood.

They ate together, lived together, and cultivated this demonic art together. They were closer than blood brothers and commanded a fearsome reputation throughout the entire Greedy Wolf Prefecture.

Each of the five was at the mid-stage Golden Core level. Individually, they weren't considered overwhelmingly powerful.

But united, and bolstered by their array, their origins intermingled and their mana connected. As those five demonic energy Skulls shrieked and flew about, the might contained within each one was comparable to a Major Success Divine Ability.

With the five demons unleashing their power simultaneously, their demonic might surged to the heavens!

Even if a Golden Core Completion Stage Cultivator were trapped in this array, they would find it difficult to resist.

It was enough to rival a powerhouse like True Lord Heavenly Wolf!

Inside the formation.

The five demonic energy Skulls emitted waves of demonic howling, shrieking as they lunged at Xu Chuan.

Xu Chuan put on a solemn expression. The Azure Dragon Treasure Umbrella hovered above his head, cascading down curtains of azure light.

"Swords, out!"

More than ten flying sword magic treasures orbited his body, transforming into streaks of startling light. They clashed fiercely with the five roaring, biting demonic skulls. The shrieking of metal on metal mixed with the ghostly howling, sending spiritual light and demonic energy splattering in all directions.

Meanwhile, Sima Xiangheng drifted along the edges of the Five Children with One Heart Formation. Holding the Soul-Seizing Heart-Controlling Bell, he periodically formed hand seals and gave it a light shake.

Invisible sonic waves struck directly at Xu Chuan's spiritual sea. Additionally, a high-grade magic treasure flying sword attacked from tricky angles, striking the azure light screen and causing it to tremble violently.

Xu Chuan furrowed his brow, seemingly forced to split a portion of his focus to control the Azure Dragon Treasure Umbrella.

His figure flickered and shifted within the encirclement, appearing to struggle as he barely fended off the attacks. The umbrella's light screen rippled continuously, and his sword light was repeatedly suppressed by the demonic energy, leaving him just barely able to hold his ground.

Half an hour later.

Seeing Xu Chuan's movements grow sluggish in the formation, his umbrella screen wavering and his sword light dimming until he seemed to have virtually no power to fight back, Sima Xiangheng felt greatly reassured. 'True Lord Heavenly Wolf truly did not deceive me!' he thought to himself.

A triumphant look washed over his face as he unleashed a sharp, long howl. "Withered Glory! No matter how vast your divine abilities are, you cannot escape this tribulation today. It is your destiny to perish here!"

However, Xu Chuan, who had appeared to be barely hanging on, suddenly raised his head, a trace of mockery flashing through his eyes.

"Sima Family Head, you're rejoicing far too early."

As soon as he spoke, his hand seals abruptly changed, and the spiritual pressure around him surged explosively!

"Sword of the Azure Dragon, condense!"

"Clang—!"

A clear sword chime shot straight into the highest heavens! More than ten additional streaks of light shot out from the ribs of his Azure Dragon Treasure Umbrella, joining the flying swords already dancing in the air, totaling twenty-four blades in all!

The myriad swords danced madly in the air, carving profound trajectories. Their sword energy linked together, condensing in the blink of an eye into an incredibly lifelike azure dragon with distinct scales and armor!

This dragon was over thirty meters long, its entire body forged from dazzling sword aura. Its eyes flashed like lightning, and its fangs and claws were chillingly sharp.

The moment it appeared, majestic sword intent swept in all directions like a tidal wave. The previously overwhelming demonic energy within the array violently churned and melted away, just like pouring boiling water on snow!

Sima Xiangheng's pupils shrank sharply as warning bells rang madly in his mind. The oppressive might radiating from the azure dragon made his very divine soul tremble!

Not daring to hesitate in the slightest, he forcefully bit the tip of his tongue and spat a mouthful of dark red essence blood onto the Soul-Seizing Heart-Controlling Bell in his palm.

"Ring-ring-ring—!"

Nourished by the essence blood, the demonic bell radiated a brilliant dark light. The demonic sound it emitted suddenly grew several times sharper, transforming into an invisible spike that ruthlessly stabbed into Xu Chuan's spiritual sea!

Xu Chuan's figure swayed slightly. He knitted his brows tightly as waves of tearing agony echoed through his spiritual sea.

However, he forcefully suppressed the intense pain and commanded the Sword of the Azure Dragon.

"Roar—!"

The azure dragon unleashed an earth-shattering roar. Its massive body swung violently as its sharp claws swiped and its tail swept across the area!

Under the matchless sword aura, the five notoriously fierce demonic energy skulls consecutively shattered, dissipating into wisps of black smoke!

"Boom!!!"

The Five Children with One Heart Formation shattered in response!

The five Greedy Wolf Sect elders maintaining the formation were struck as if by a heavy hammer. They simultaneously sprayed large mouthfuls of fresh blood, their bodies collapsing limply to the ground as their auras instantly withered.

Sima Xiangheng was also violently sent flying by this terrifying energy storm. As if taking a brutal blow, his face turned as pale as paper, his eyes brimming with horror and disbelief.

He struggled to lift his head, gazing at Xu Chuan hundreds of meters away.

Yet he saw Xu Chuan also let out a muffled groan, a trail of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. The spiritual light around him was chaotic, and his face was pale. He looked every bit like someone suffering a backlash from their divine ability, leaving them severely injured.

The violent fluctuations here drew the attention of quite a few Golden Core cultivators.

"Both sides actually suffered utter defeat?!"

"True Lord Withered Glory actually defeated the Five Children with One Heart Formation! Even if True Lord Heavenly Wolf was trapped inside and attacked, he wouldn't be able to break it easily. And that's not even mentioning the influence of Sima Family Head's Soul-Seizing Heart-Controlling Bell."

"True Lord Withered Glory is too strong!"

"Perhaps, in the lands of the Heavenly Azure and Greedy Wolf Prefectures, beneath the Nascent Soul stage, Withered Glory truly is king!"

Seeing this, wild ecstasy erupted in Sima Xiangheng's eyes!

"A perfect opportunity!"

He forcefully suppressed the agonizing pain in his body, knowing that his injuries were far lighter than those of the five elders.

Disregarding everything, he channeled a high-grade magic treasure flying sword that swirled with dark light, turning it into a startling streak that pierced directly toward Xu Chuan's heart meridian!

To be safe, he also summoned an ink-black iron shield to orbit his body, a mid-grade defensive magic treasure.

Seeing the sword beam about to strike his body, Xu Chuan seemed to struggle to lift the Azure Dragon Treasure Umbrella to block it.

'Now is the moment!'

A cold glint flashed in the depths of Xu Chuan's eyes. His boundless divine sense condensed into an invisible spike as he ruthlessly launched his secret method!

That ink-black iron shield could block the might of a high-grade magic treasure, but it could not block an attack entirely focused on the divine soul!

The spiritual sense attack instantly pierced through the defense and viciously stabbed into Sima Xiangheng's spiritual sea!

"Ah—!"

Sima Xiangheng clutched his head and let out a bloodcurdling scream. With his old wounds unhealed and new ones added, black blood seeped from his seven orifices, and his body swayed unsteadily.

Xu Chuan forcibly drew upon his mana, about to take advantage of the situation to slay him, but he suddenly spewed another mouthful of fresh blood, missing the perfect opportunity.

His face was deathly pale as paper, and the aura around him was in complete disarray.

True Lord Heavenly Wolf had also been paying attention to their situation. Seeing this scene where both sides suffered utter defeat...

...he actually did not hesitate to take a spell from True Lord Green Wood head-on. His figure slipped away like a phantom, breaking free from the entanglement. His war halberd erupted with monstrous bloody light, aiming straight for Xu Chuan's head!

This strike surged with monstrous demonic might, aiming to end everything in one fell swoop!

In his haste, Xu Chuan could only channel the Azure Dragon Treasure Umbrella again to meet it head-on.

"Boom—!"

A deafening crash shook the sky!

The azure light screen violently swayed, actually blasted with countless spiderweb-like cracks by the bloody halberd glow!

Xu Chuan was violently sent flying like a kite with a snapped string, spilling blood across the sky.

Unforgiving in his advantage, True Lord Heavenly Wolf raised his war halberd again, wanting to put a permanent end to him.

Hanging by a hair, an emerald-like Myriad Wood Ruler slashed through the air, briefly blocking the momentum of the halberd.

Immediately following, True Lord Green Wood's figure arrived, shielding Xu Chuan behind him with a solemn face. "Heavenly Wolf! Your opponent is this old man!"

He knew perfectly well that if Xu Chuan died now, the situation in Heavenly Azure Prefecture would instantly collapse. He had to protect him no matter what.

"Damn it!"

Seeing the excellent opportunity lost, True Lord Heavenly Wolf roared furiously but had no choice but to clash with True Lord Green Wood once more.

Recovering slightly, Sima Xiangheng cursed incessantly in his heart: 'That damned True Lord Heavenly Wolf pushed this old man into the fire pit again!'

'If I trust you again, I'm worse than a dog!'

At this moment, Sima Xiangheng's divine sense was heavily traumatized. Even controlling a magic treasure was extremely taxing, and he could unleash less than thirty percent of his full strength.

He shot a glance at Xu Chuan, his eyes brimming with fear.

'Is this bastard Withered Glory truly injured, or is it fake?!'

'He always manages to counterattack at the critical moment, only to suddenly spit blood and reveal an unstable aura the next.'

'Time and time again... he must be playing this old man!'

With that thought, he immediately moved far away from the battlefield without any hesitation.

"Sima Family Head, you actually dare to desert in the middle of a battle?"

"Heavenly Wolf, you set me up! This old man is heavily injured because of you. What right do you have to scold me? Or are you dead set on sending this old man to his death?

"If you want someone to charge, have your sect's five demonic elders do it!"

True Lord Heavenly Wolf gnashed his teeth. Entangled by True Lord Green Wood, he couldn't break free. He immediately shouted, "True Lord Withered Glory has been heavily injured! Whoever kills him shall be made an elder of my Greedy Wolf Sect!

"They will also receive one high-grade magic treasure, one Nascent Soul demonic art, and ten high-grade spirit stones!"

Heavy rewards always rouse the brave!

If Xu Chuan were at his peak, perhaps they would have been plagued by misgivings. But his heavily injured state instantly stoked the greed of the others. Spreading like a prairie fire started by a spark, it quickly raged out of control.

"I'll do it!"

A burst of sinister laughter rang out as a cold-faced mid-stage Golden Core demonic cultivator charged toward Xu Chuan.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Immediately following, six more streaks of light pounced forward.

A total of twelve Golden Core cultivators surrounded Xu Chuan. Watching this, the other Golden Core cultivators of the Heavenly Azure Prefecture broke out in a cold sweat, yet secretly rejoiced that they were not the ones being targeted so fiercely by the Greedy Wolf Sect.

With so many Golden Core cultivators surrounding Xu Chuan, the pressure on everyone else dropped significantly.

Xu Chuan sent a voice transmission to Ye Fan, Perfected Person Fire Cloud, and Xu Deyue, saying, "Do not trust anyone present. If the grand array cannot hold, do not hesitate. Leave this place immediately and return to Cloudstream to oversee the defense.

"I will definitely return in a couple of days."

Afterward, showing a terrified expression, Xu Chuan immediately turned and fled into the distance.

Behind him, the Golden Core demonic cultivators broke into unrestrained laughter. As they bombarded the Azure Dragon Treasure Umbrella's light screen, they sneered, "Withered Glory, you little thief, today is the day you die!"

"If you have the guts, don't run! Fight this old man for three hundred rounds!"

"True Lord Withered Glory, just obediently accept your death!"

These men were not only coveting the Greedy Wolf Sect's rewards, but they were also eyeing the treasures on Xu Chuan's person.

To be able to elevate an early-stage Golden Core cultivator's strength to such a level, one could only imagine how precious the opportunities he had encountered must be!

Xu Chuan kept spitting blood as he ran.

He strung them along like a kite, terrified they might lose their way and fail to keep up.

With Xu Chuan drawing away over a dozen Golden Core cultivators, the Heavenly Azure Prefecture's forces immediately felt the pressure lighten, and their front lines stabilized somewhat.

However, a mere two hours later, an abrupt change occurred!

Within the Thousand Stone Forest's grand mountain-protecting array, a series of heaven-shaking explosions rang out from the various core array bases without the slightest warning!

"Boom! Rumble—!"

Spiritual light shattered as the earth shook and the mountains trembled.

The pale azure light screen covering the surroundings rapidly dimmed and collapsed at a visible rate, scattering into the air like a sky full of fireflies.

"Kill—!"

Accompanied by cries of slaughter, the cultivators from the Ximen, Wen, and Luo families actually turned their blades simultaneously, ruthlessly cutting down their defenseless Heavenly Azure Prefecture comrades! The inside of the array descended into instant chaos as blood splashed everywhere.

"You old dog from Ximen! You traitors from the Wen family! How dare you!"

True Lord Green Wood's eyes were so wide the corners might tear, his furious roar filled with unbelievable shock and wrath.

He never imagined that these three aristocratic families, which had taken root in the Heavenly Azure Prefecture for hundreds of years, would secretly collude with the Greedy Wolf Prefecture to deliver a fatal blow at this critical moment!

With the grand mountain-protecting array collapsed, the Greedy Wolf Prefecture cultivators attacked with overwhelming momentum and madness.

The Heavenly Azure Prefecture forces suffered a defeat like a landslide!

As soon as the battle lines began to crumble, Xu Deyue sensed something was wrong.

Her jade-like face was freezing cold, and without a shred of hesitation, she let out a clear shout: "Go!"

The Broad Cold Sword Aura swept up Ye Fan, Perfected Person Fire Cloud, and the rest of the Cloudstream Town cultivators. Transforming into an incomparably swift, moon-white beam of light, they detached from the battlefield without hesitation and fled far away.

Catching a glimpse of that escaping light, a sinister smirk tugged at the corner of True Lord Heavenly Wolf's mouth, but he did not pursue.

In his eyes, he would sooner or later make a personal trip to the Cloudstream Xu Family to uproot them completely. There was no need to rush.

Though True Lord Green Wood wished he could tear those three traitorous families into a million pieces, the tide had turned, and there was nothing he could do to salvage the situation.

Holding back his monstrous fury, his voice echoed like ice to the remaining Heavenly Azure Prefecture cultivators: "The situation is lost. Everyone... break out on your own!"

With the order given, the surviving cultivators lost all will to fight. They transformed into various streaks of light, scattering and fleeing like startled birds.

True Lord Green Wood then led the Heavenly Azure Sect cultivators back toward their sect.

He could no longer concern himself with the troubles of the various families in the Heavenly Azure Prefecture.

Because the Heavenly Azure Sect was the true target of the Greedy Wolf Sect. If the Heavenly Azure Sect fell, the entire Heavenly Azure Prefecture would become a prize in the Greedy Wolf Sect's pocket.

They only needed to properly beat the various factions into submission and weed out the disobedient ones. In a few years, they would easily control the whole Heavenly Azure Prefecture.

"All who belong to the Greedy Wolf Sect, follow this True Lord to the Heavenly Azure Sect! The rest of the factions may act independently, or you may come with this True Lord. Once we breach the Heavenly Azure Sect, you will all get a share of its wealth!"

Hearing this, the various factions of the Greedy Wolf Prefecture looked at each other.

"We are willing to accompany you to the Heavenly Azure Sect, True Lord."

A rogue cultivator said, clasping his hands.

"True Lord Heavenly Wolf, we will first go hunt down the remnant cultivators. When the opportunity arises later, we will regroup with you at the Heavenly Azure Sect."

"Do as you please, Daoist friends."

True Lord Heavenly Wolf waved his large hand dismissively, not at all angry, and then they too scattered.

Four thousand kilometers away, in a nameless valley.

Xu Chuan's flying light abruptly halted. He turned around and hovered in mid-air, his robes fluttering in the wind. Not a single trace of his previous miserable state remained.

He cast a cold glance at the dozen or so Greedy Wolf Prefecture Golden Core cultivators who had closely followed him, his voice icy.

"You lot are like maggots clinging to a bone, pursuing relentlessly. It seems you are determined to fight until one of us is dead.

"Since that's the case, the scenery here isn't bad. I will send you all on your way, fulfilling your 'painstaking efforts'."

The leading mid-stage Golden Core cultivator forced himself to remain calm and shouted sternly, "True Lord Withered Glory! Your divine sense is wounded, and your mana is exhausted! You are already a spent arrow, yet you still dare to speak arrogantly!

"This place will be your gravey—"

"So noisy!"

Before he could finish, Xu Chuan sneered coldly and forcefully swept his sleeve robe!

"Swish, swish, swish—"

Six dark formation flags shot out, vanishing into the surrounding void in an instant.

At the same time, he formed a one-handed seal, striking streaks of spiritual light into the surrounding space. With his other hand, he channeled the Azure Dragon Treasure Umbrella, bringing down a thick azure-gold light screen to protect himself securely.

"Oh no! It's a formation! Retreat quickly!" Someone realized things had gone wrong and cried out loudly.

However, it was already too late!

Divine light explosively surged in Xu Chuan's eyes. No longer concealing his majestic divine sense, he ruthlessly launched his secret method!

Incredibly condensed silver needles of divine sense accurately stabbed toward the spiritual sea of every Golden Core cultivator!

"Ah!"

"Argh—!"

Miserable screams instantly merged into a cacophony!

If Sima Xiangheng were here, he would probably be overjoyed, exclaiming: 'Finally, someone can relate to what this old man went through!'

The highest cultivation among these Golden Core cultivators was only the mid-stage; their divine sense was nowhere near a match for Xu Chuan's. Now, they were all clutching their heads and wailing miserably, feeling as if their divine souls were being impaled by tens of thousands of steel needles.

The excruciating pain was unbearable. Their evasion lights collapsed, and their bodies swayed precariously.

Some forced themselves through the agonizing pain to break free and escape, only to see flying sword magic treasures blocking all directions. The moment they got close, they were forced back by chilling, merciless sword aura.

Only at this moment did they horrifiedly realize that Xu Chuan's earlier appearance of being "heavily injured and unable to hold on" was entirely a disguise!

His divine sense remained as vast as ever, and his mana was just as vigorous. The so-called backlash was at most a minor injury, or even just a complete sham to lure them in deep!

"Heavenly Wolf has doomed me!!"

"Withered Glory, you old thief! You're too cunning!"

For a time, endless curses and wails of regret filled the air, all venting their fury on True Lord Heavenly Wolf for his erroneous judgment of the situation.

Xu Chuan altered his hand seals again. Spiritual light soared into the sky around the valley, linking with the previously planted formation flags.

"Cloud Heaven Illusionary Array, rise!"

In an instant, clouds and mist roiled out from the void, thick as substance, instantly enveloping the entire valley.

The light from the outside world was immediately cut off. The array was shrouded in mist, confusing their five senses and making them lose their sense of direction. The dozen or so Golden Core cultivators had all become turtles trapped in a jar!

All of them were completely isolated from one another. Unable to see each other, they dared not act rashly.

Xu Chuan, meanwhile, began to subdue them one by one.

For those willing to submit, he planted a divine soul restriction. For those who were unwilling, he didn't waste time—he immediately released the Blood Fiend Ghost King and the Profound Yin Blood Corpse to quickly slay them.

The Greedy Wolf Sect's five demonic elders had all died. From their bodies, he recovered the Five Children with One Heart Demonic Art.

This was a Nascent Soul demonic art.

It could be cultivated by five people or solely by one. It contained the "Five Children with One Heart Demon" divine ability, which required five Nascent Souls as the primary materials to refine a demon head using a secret method.

Once the divine ability was completed, the five demons would strike in unison, unleashing might comparable to a Spirit Treasure, allowing the user to rival a Great Nascent Soul Cultivator.

'As expected, many of these demonic cultivation methods have their own unique aspects,' he mused.

'I'll skip cultivating the method itself, but if I have the chance in the future, I can try refining the Five Children with One Heart Demon. I might even be able to improve it by using Tier-3 yin souls as the main material to craft the demon head. It shouldn't be impossible.'

Immediately following, Xu Chuan continued to subdue the remaining Golden Core demonic cultivators.

Of the remaining seven Golden Core cultivators, five cherished their lives and submitted to Xu Chuan, while the other two were decisively slain.

After planting divine soul restrictions on them one by one, Xu Chuan gathered them together.

They looked at each other, instantly realizing that everyone present had been placed under Xu Chuan's restriction.

Xu Chuan swept an indifferent gaze over the five men before him and said in a deep voice, "If anyone questions you in the future, do you know how to respond?"

One of the mid-stage Golden Core demonic cultivators immediately bowed and respectfully answered, "Rest assured, Lord, your subordinate understands.

"If anyone asks, we will say that we grew tired of the chase and felt the risk outweighed the reward, so we left midway to seek our own opportunities.

"As for the whereabouts of the others, we know absolutely nothing."

Hearing this, Xu Chuan nodded slightly.

Then, with a sweep of his sleeve robe, five archaic-looking dark iron tokens flew in front of the five men.

"Once the war here concludes and you return to Greedy Wolf Prefecture, go to Mountain and Sea City to find Xiao Zhan. He will naturally arrange your next steps."

"Xiao Zhan? He... he is actually the Lord's subordinate as well?"

Hearing this, horror appeared on all five of their faces.

Xiao Zhan was a late-stage Golden Core cultivator in Greedy Wolf Prefecture, and his divine abilities were nearing the major success level. Though a rogue cultivator, his reputation was far louder than theirs.

In recent years, he had even begun building his own faction. They never would have guessed that his true foundation was that he had long been subdued by True Lord Withered Glory!

Thinking of this, the reverence in their hearts deepened even further.

Xu Chuan's tone was flat, yet it carried an unquestionable authority. "There is no need to ask about the rest. Just proceed with everything according to your original plans. Even if someone invites you to attack Cloudstream Town in the near future, you must not show the slightest flaw.

"When the time comes to use you in the future, orders will naturally be issued."

"Yes! We shall strictly obey the Lord's command!" The five men chorused in agreement.

With the arrangements made, Xu Chuan waved his hand to dismiss the grand array, allowing the five to transform into fleeing lights and depart.

Once their figures vanished over the horizon, he quietly concealed his aura and headed back to the Thousand Stone Forest battlefield.

He proceeded carefully at first.

But upon returning, he surprisingly found the place completely deserted. He couldn't help but sigh, "The situation changes truly fast!"

"Such a huge battlefield, they really can't do without me!"

At this moment in the Thousand Stone Forest, the bloody aura had yet to dissipate, and resentment lingered in the air.

Xu Chuan found a secluded spot, sat cross-legged, and circulated his profound art.

The rich life and death energies permeating the surrounding battlefield, as if drawn by a force, transformed into black and white airflows that endlessly poured into his body. They slowly condensed in his dantian, tempering that profound Origin Life and Death Seal.

At the same time, he summoned that Soul-Gathering Banner, letting it flutter in the wind.

Black energy surged across the banner's surface, generating a massive suction force. Countless un-dissipated remnant souls and fierce spirits on the battlefield manifested, letting out silent screams.

Then, transforming into streams of black energy, they submerged into the banner one after another, as though a hundred rivers returning to the sea.

As for the remaining corpses and broken bones, he also collected them to feed the Profound Yin Blood Corpses and the Skulls.

The blood corpses greedily devoured the flesh and blood essence, while the demonic skulls gnawed on the bone marrow and extracted the essence blood. Both produced teeth-aching sounds, and the fierce baleful auras radiating from them climbed steadily higher.

The battlefield, where the smoke had cleared, had now become a treasured land of resources for Xu Chuan alone to cultivate his divine abilities and upgrade his trump cards.

Half a day later.

Xu Chuan stood up, his gaze looking into the distance.

'There are still two other battlefields. I wonder how the battle is going right now? If I can absorb all the good fortune there in this manner, perhaps it won't take months for the Origin Life and Death Seal to completely solidify, allowing it to be used as a high-grade magic treasure.

'Furthermore, after the Profound Yin Blood Corpses digest the resources from the three battlefields as well as the Golden Core bodies I fed them earlier, they should have a chance to all climb to the peak of Tier-3.

'The Skulls are nearing the late stage of Tier-3, and might even step into it directly.'

Xu Chuan's eyes rippled slightly, and the corners of his lips curled up. Then, his figure flickered as he executed his minor success Yimu Green Light Evasion divine ability, hurrying toward the Grand Harmony Lake.

The speed of this evasion divine ability was incredibly fast. In just about thirty minutes, Xu Chuan arrived at the Grand Harmony Lake, tens of thousands of kilometers away.

He first hid himself to recover his depleted mana before quietly closing in.