Chapter 477: When the Snipe and the Clam Fight

A few days later.

Spring Wind Island.

Shen Xuan’s Cave Mansion, reception hall.

In the light of the Luminous Pearl, two shadows were cast upon the Jade Wall, swaying with the wind.

Shen Xuan was calmly drinking tea.

Opposite him, Zhuang Xueqin’s expression was urgent.

"Senior Brother Shen, if we don’t act now, it will be too late!"

"Just five pirate cultivators, they are nothing more than clay chickens and pottery dogs in front of us!"

Shen Xuan sighed lightly.

Indeed, when you’re in the midst of the situation, wealth can move hearts.

The more it concerns personal interests, the easier it is to lose your cool.

This Zhuang Xueqin was originally a shrewd person.

Yet under the temptation of the main material for the Golden Transformation Pill, he gradually lost his reason.

"Five pirate cultivators, if you and I join forces, naturally there’s nothing to fear."

Shen Xuan said lightly, "But what if Sea Dragon King, King of Tranquil Seas, or Chang Sheng Ship Master are present, can you deal with them?"

"That’s why we have you, Senior Brother Shen!"

Zhuang Xueqin blurted out.

After speaking, he felt somewhat regretful.

"Senior Brother Shen, I didn’t mean it like that. What I mean is, as long as you can hold them off for a few breaths, I have confidence to snatch those main materials for the Golden Transformation Pill!"

"You think too highly of me!"

Shen Xuan sipped his Spirit Tea, tapped his fingers on the table, and fell into contemplation.

After a while, he raised his head.

"These three, are all Fake Pill True Masters. I’ve cooperated with Sea Dragon King for many years, he might give some face. The other two, however, aren’t so easy to deal with."

"However, on the sea, holding them off for a few breaths is not too difficult."

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Xueqin sighed with relief.

"That’s good. Senior Brother Shen, rest assured, you don’t need to trouble yourself with the remaining five pirate cultivators, I can handle them alone."

Shen Xuan laughed, "I didn’t expect it. Both at Foundation Establishment Perfection, yet Senior Brother Zhuang is confident in taking on five by himself!"

"How about we switch?"

"You go deal with those Fake Pill True Masters, and I’ll go snatch the main materials for the Golden Transformation Pill?"

Zhuang Xueqin’s face reddened.

"Don’t tease your junior, Senior Brother Shen! I got intelligence, the five of them have made arrangements. They chose a neutral island, Blood Snail Island, to bring out each of their Core Formation treasures and compete in magical combat to decide the winner."

"The one ranked first takes all the Core Formation treasures, hides away to attempt Core Formation. The other four unite to resist pressure from the Fake Pill True Masters."

"They’re not stupid, knowing how to form alliances for self-protection. Unfortunately, it’s ineffective!"

Shen Xuan shook his head.

The biggest problem with these five pirate cultivators is that there’s no trust among them.

Even if the results of the magical combat come out, the other four won’t accept it.

Allowing the first-placer to take the Core Formation treasures away.

"That’s what I think. Once they produce results, I’ll rush in, snatch, and run away!"

"It seems your Earth Escape Technique has improved!"

"Not at all! Can’t compare to Senior Brother Shen; your Daoist Techniques are profound. I only have this one move for safety."

Zhuang Xueqin gazed earnestly at Shen Xuan.

"Senior Brother Shen, even if I owe you a massive favor. Regardless of success or failure, I will repay it. I’m willing to swear an oath under Heavenly Dao."

Shen Xuan waved his hand.

"Let’s put this matter aside for now. Let me ask you, if we really snatch the Golden Transformation Pill’s main materials, how will we divide them between us?"

Zhuang Xueqin was initially stunned.

Then, he took off the Storage Pouch from his waist and placed it on the Jade Table.

The bag opened, spilling out Spirit Stones, Talismans, and Pills inside.

"Senior Brother Shen, I’ve put everything on the line!"

He stared at Shen Xuan, his eyes fervent, "I only need one Golden Transformation Pill. I don’t want any other treasures, they are all for Senior Brother Shen."

"This is my entire fortune, worth about eight hundred thousand Spirit Stones. I offer it all to Senior Brother Shen."

"Other than my Lifebound Magical Treasure and the Golden Transformation Pill, I want nothing else!"

Shen Xuan glanced at the Spiritual Objects on the table.

"Put them away for now."

"These things are of no use to me."

After collecting the Spiritual Objects on the table, Zhuang Xueqin, wearing a smile, said, "Senior Brother Shen stands as a paragon of trust and honor, with a courageous and generous heart, something your junior has always admired!"

"The Golden Transformation Pill concerns my Daoist path; success or failure rests on this, I hope Senior Brother Shen will lend a helping hand!"

Zhuang Xueqin naturally understood, things aren’t so simple.

If it’s only dealing with those five pirate cultivator leaders.

Some mighty cultivation clans within the Starry Sea possess equivalent capabilities.

Yet, they haven’t made any moves.

These local tyrants know the waters are too deep and prefer not to get involved.

Shen Xuan chuckled deeply, "Senior Brother Zhuang, do you think, by snatching the Golden Transformation Pill’s main materials, you’ll successfully refine the Golden Transformation Pill and seamlessly advance to Core Formation?"

"Have you prepared for Core Formation Spiritual Land, Core Formation Spiritual Objects, Soul-Protecting Pill?"

"Even if you have everything ready, it won’t work!"

"Because you won’t have the opportunity!"

Shen Xuan flicked his sleeve, sending an Intelligence Jade Scroll flying to Zhuang Xueqin.

"See for yourself."

Zhuang Xueqin’s Divine Sense swept through the scroll, and his face instantly turned ashen.

The Intelligence Jade Scroll made it clear.

The Lord of White Cloud Immortal City, True Pill True Master Lu from the Lu Family, Lu Xingze, has been secretly orchestrating all along.

Utilizing the emerging pirate cultivators to coerce the Sea Dragon King, King of Tranquil Seas, and Chang Sheng Ship Master not to break free from the Lu Family’s control, nor to side with the Sect from Yan Country.

True Master Lu intends to select one person from these five to help them form a Fake Pill, replacing one of the Sea Dragon King, King of Tranquil Seas, or Chang Sheng Ship Master.

Thus, Zhuang Xueqin’s attempt to snatch the main materials for the Golden Transformation Pill has True Master Lu hidden in the shadows as the real opponent.

"This..."

"How could it be so!"

Zhuang Xueqin was devastated.

Against Fake Pill True Masters, he can still ally with Senior Brother Shen to withstand somewhat.

Facing True Pill True Masters, his previous actions amount to seeking death.

"Senior Brother Zhuang, you must think clearly."

"If you fail, it will lead to eternal devastation, body lost and Dao vanished!"

Zhuang Xueqin’s eyes scattered, cold sweat dripped down his forehead, his body began to tremble.

He was intensely nervous.

This decision concerned his life.

After a long time.

Zhuang Xueqin gradually calmed down.

He picked up the Spirit Tea on the table and drank it in large gulps.

"Senior Brother Shen, I’ve made my decision!"

"As long as Senior Brother Shen is willing to assist, I, Zhuang, am willing to risk everything!"

...

On Blood Snail Island, a fishy wind whipped the waves, evil qi surged into the sky.

Five pirate cultivators at the peak of Foundation Establishment gathered here.

Zhang Tieshi, Zhao Chongfeng, Canglang Guest, Mo Qianchou, and Tie Daoist, the five of them agreed to decide the winner through magical combat.

All of their Core Formation treasures were taken out and put into a storage pouch.

The one who won the magical combat would take the storage pouch.

The other four were not allowed to stop them.

The five of them set up three layers of killing arrays around the combat arena.

Even a Fake Pill True Master couldn’t break through them immediately.

The five of them made a Heavenly Dao oath, no matter who obtained the first place, the other four were willing to become their subordinates and assist in forming their Core.

An hour later.

Zhang Tieshi stood proudly in the arena, looked around at the other four, and said with a smile, "Brothers, thank you for letting me win!"

As per the agreement, he took the storage pouch containing the Core Formation treasures and became the leader of the five pirate cultivators.

However, as he reached out to take the storage pouch hanging on the flagpole.

"Do it!"

Zhao Chongfeng suddenly attacked, a flying sword darting towards Zhang Tieshi’s back!

From behind, Canglang Guest also shot a flying sword, aiming at Zhang Tieshi’s back of the head.

On the other side,

Mo Qianchou launched a myriad of poisonous needles at Tie Daoist beside him.

At this moment, Tie Daoist let out a roar, punching towards Zhao Chongfeng’s dantian!

All four acted simultaneously.

"Courting death!"

Zhang Tieshi roared in anger, brandishing the Blood Shadow Saber, the blade light pouring down like a river of blood, blocking Zhao Wufeng’s flying sword.

A hundred breaths later.

Zhang Tieshi bled from the corners of his mouth, using the Blood Shadow Saber to prop himself up, forcing himself to stand.

All around were severed limbs and remains.

The other four had all perished.

"As expected. Pirates never believe in cause and effect, even placing the Heavenly Dao oath lightly in their hearts!"

Zhang Tieshi, his energy flagging, silently walked to Tie Daoist’s side.

This was the only one in the previous melee who upheld the Heavenly Dao oath, helping him.

Of course, it was also prearranged, promising generous rewards.

Zhang Tieshi took the storage pouches from the four and swallowed several healing spirit pills.

Not even a hundred breaths had passed.

The killing arrays outside suddenly rumbled with thunderous sounds.

"Someone is forcibly breaking the arrays!"

Zhang Tieshi’s heart shook violently.

He quickly refined the medicinal power to recover as soon as possible.

At this point, he could only rely on the Blood Shadow Saber in his hand.

Half an hour later.

The three layers of killing arrays were completely breached.

Two robust figures appeared before them.

"It’s you?"

"Why are you here to compete for the Core Formation treasures, when you’re not even spirit cultivators!"

Zhang Tieshi asked in a deep voice.

It was the famous body refiner brothers nearby, Yuan Big Leopard and Yuan Little Leopard.

"Heh, Fellow Daoist Zhang, Core Formation treasures are for the capable to acquire."

Yuan Big Leopard grinned, his whole body covered in leopard spots, transformed into a shadow and lunged forward.

Zhang Tieshi’s pupils contracted, not daring to confront head-on, he crushed a Blood Escape Talisman, his figure turning into a blood shadow and swiftly escaping.

Behind him, the Yuan brothers closely pursued, displaying the "Leopard Shadow Pursuing Soul Steps," never widening the gap.

After all, Zhang Tieshi had suffered severe injuries.

When the Blood Escape Talisman’s time ran out, he was surrounded by the Yuan brothers.

The Yuan brothers’ body refining technique was quite extraordinary, not only was their physique as hard as iron and stone, but their speed was also exceptionally fast.

The two of them attacked jointly, Zhang Tieshi couldn’t manage, and soon found himself at a disadvantage.

"No!"

In a cry of surprise, Yuan Big Leopard’s surprise attack landed, shattering Zhang Tieshi’s head with a punch.

Yuan Little Leopard reached out and took the six storage pouches from Zhang Tieshi’s waist.

However, just as the two were overjoyed.

"Amitabha."​

A gentle voice echoed.

A short-haired blue-clad cultivator walked over slowly.

It was none other than Li Mingjing, who had chanted Buddha’s name in the Ghost Market earlier.

Yuan Big Leopard asked, "Li Mingjing? Why have you come?"

Li Mingjing smiled slightly, his aura suddenly surged.

He was shockingly at the peak of Foundation Establishment!

"True Master Lu sent me to collect the corpses for him."

His words hadn’t finished when Li Mingjing released eighteen poison talismans from his sleeve.

Nine Silver Hook Poison Talismans and nine Stonefish Poison Talismans.

All were exquisite poison talismans, instantly enveloping the Yuan brothers.

A poisonous mist spread!

"Not good!"

The Yuan brothers were shocked.

They were body refiners, their flesh bodies fortified, their poison resistance also high.

Their bodies emitted a golden light, swiftly retreating.

However, these exquisite poison talismans sold by Shen Xuan were too potent.

The Yuan brothers only got slightly contaminated by the poison mist.

They began to have difficulty breathing, headaches, and their consciousness started to blur.

Their "Leopard Shadow Pursuing Soul Steps" just stalled.

Li Mingjing recited a Buddhist chant, raising a Treasure Mirror.

Pointing his finger.

The Treasure Mirror emitted several golden flames, shooting at the Yuan brothers.

In just a few breaths.

The Yuan brothers, who were impervious to blades and spears, immune to water and fire, let out a miserable cry, their bodies pierced through by the golden rays.​​

Li Mingjing was about to collect the Yuan brothers’ storage pouches.

At this moment, the ground suddenly cracked open, and a yellow figure rushed out, flashing past the Yuan brothers’ corpses.

"Leave it to me!"

Li Mingjing’s fingers formed a sword, pointing at the yellow shadow.

The yellow shadow was extremely fast, disappearing into the ground again before the Treasure Mirror’s golden light could reach it.

The Treasure Mirror’s golden light shot several deep holes, each over ten zhang deep, into the island’s ground.

But it was useless.

The yellow shadow vanished without a trace, leaving no trails behind.

Li Mingjing stood dazedly on the spot, his expression changing unpredictably.