Chapter 67: Assault on the Island

Several months later.

In a certain sea region.

“Roar!”

A Profound Water Turtle, its entire body a deep azure and its size like a small mountain, raised its head and roared toward the sky in fury.

The demonic aura around it was astonishing, having clearly reached Second-Tier Mid-Grade, equivalent to a Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Yet it had fallen into a trap and was now caught within a great formation, unable to advance or retreat.

Puff puff puff!

The Profound Water Turtle opened its bloody maw and continuously spat out pitch-black water spheres.

These water spheres were One-Element Heavy Water, each carrying immense force.

“Haha, getting anxious?”

Fang Qing held the Sea-Transforming Pearl, now advanced to a Low-Grade Spiritual Artifact.

A drop of Liquid True Power dissolved, and Profound Azure spiritual power poured into it.

A flash of light flickered atop the Sea-Transforming Pearl, forming a layer of azure water curtain defense that blocked all the pitch-black One-Element Heavy Water.

After its upgrade, the Sea-Transforming Pearl not only stored a vastly increased volume of water, but also gained the defensive function of a barrier-type spiritual artifact.

“Not bad.”

After testing it briefly, Fang Qing released the Sea-Transforming Pearl from his hand. It shot out like a blue meteor and smashed into the Profound Water Turtle’s head.

The turtle’s mountain-like body shook violently. A depression appeared atop its head, and the demonic aura it had been gathering scattered considerably.

Crackle!

Strands of Gui Water Yin Thunder fell instantly, striking heavily against the turtle’s shell.

Before Qin Ruxue floated two white shields. She held an array flag in her hand, continuously waving—

Half an hour later, the Profound Water Turtle no longer roared in agony but collapsed, turning into a corpse.

Qin Ruxue took out a small white jade sword and skillfully dissected the demonic beast materials. Suddenly, a trace of joy appeared on her face: “Young Master—this Profound Water Turtle condensed a Demon Core!”

“Oh?”

Fang Qing accepted the rare Second-Tier Demon Core. It was an irregular pitch-black crystal the size of an adult’s fist, emitting deep and pure water spiritual energy.

“A Second-Tier water-aspected Demon Core—good luck.”

He put it away, intending to return and refine a pool of Mid-Grade Water Origin Pills, or perhaps attempt a Second-Tier Top-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill?

With the merit Qin Ruxue had accumulated from previously slaying several Second-Tier demonic beasts, plus today’s Second-Tier Mid-Grade Profound Water Turtle, she could certainly exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill from the sect. There was no need to hand over this precious Demon Core.

“Hmm? Seems like something big is coming.”

Fang Qing habitually performed a divination, only to find that Plum Blossom Divination was issuing a warning. He immediately knew danger was approaching—indeed, even a life-and-death crisis!

“Leave at once!”

“Yes!”

No matter how reluctant she was, Qin Ruxue could only take the most valuable materials from the Profound Water Turtle, abandon the corpse, and follow Fang Qing in a rapid dash back to Small White Island.

Not long after the two entered the island’s protective formation—

ROAR!!!

A roar like that of a dragon and tiger suddenly erupted outside the island. A terrifying aura swept across the sky and sea.

The ocean overturned. Endless waves gathered like the hands of a giant, repeatedly slamming against the great formation, causing its light to flash wildly.

Within the towering waves, one could see a colossal creature like a moving island.

The Third-Tier Demon King Sea-Covering Turtle!

It roared and frantically charged the island-protecting formation.

The spiritual ships anchored nearby suffered miserably, torn into countless fragments in an instant, with streaks of crimson seeping through—

“The Demon King is assaulting the island! All Foundation Establishment cultivators proceed immediately to the formation cores—Law Enforcement Disciples patrol the entire island! Loose cultivators return to your cave dwellings! Any who cause disturbances—kill!”

A figure flew out—it was Elder Wanbao. His solemn voice spread across the island.

The protective formation of Small White Island was also Third-Tier, enough to resist the Demon King for a short time and hold out until sect reinforcements arrived!

“This old turtle is really anxious—just because we killed one Profound Water Turtle? It has so many turtle sons and grandsons. Why be so petty?”

Fang Qing sneered.

“Though it has many offspring, those with talent like that Profound Water Turtle, able to advance to Second-Tier Mid-Grade, are ultimately few,” Qin Ruxue replied with a smile.

“Haha, I’m going to reinforce the formation. Return to your cave dwelling.”

After thinking, Fang Qing added, “With this turtle appearing, the nearby sea region is no longer safe. If you exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill, you can directly undergo seclusion for Foundation Establishment in my cave dwelling.”

Previously, Qin Ruxue had planned to return to the sect for seclusion for two reasons: first, for the best environment; second, for the psychological advantage of cultivating in familiar surroundings. These were small tips for Foundation Establishment.

But now her Foundation Establishment was practically guaranteed. As long as there was Second-Tier spiritual energy in the cave dwelling, there was no need to be so particular.

“Yes, Young Master.”

Qin Ruxue knelt in salute. “If I achieve Foundation Establishment, it will all be due to your support. I will forever remember your kindness.”

Fang Qing transformed into a streak of blue escape light and landed at a formation core.

The situation was urgent. He merely nodded lightly to several nearby senior brothers and pressed his palm against the bronze pillar before him.

Crash!

A drop of Liquid True Power dissolved and poured into the formation core, reinforcing the Third-Tier grand formation.

After a short while, his face turned somewhat pale, and he moved aside to meditate and recover.

“This Fang Qing truly has the sect at heart. Supporting it for so long—he has only just established his foundation. His True Power must be nearly exhausted, perhaps even affecting his fundamentals?”

Seeing this, Elder Wanbao’s gaze softened with approval.

Little did he know, Fang Qing was inwardly thinking: I have seven drops of Liquid True Power within me. I only used two this time, leaving most in reserve in case of emergencies—

Elder Wanbao had no idea that Fang Qing’s foundation was extraordinarily deep. Upon establishing his foundation, he had already condensed three drops of Liquid True Power.

Later, after consuming Water Origin Pills to cultivate, his progress had advanced by leaps and bounds.

Rumble!

Suddenly, patterns upon the Sea-Covering Turtle’s shell lit up one after another. The patterns combined, faintly forming the divine ability of overturning rivers and seas!

Several massive water dragons emerged, causing the very formation base of Small White Island to tremble.

“Good beast!”

Elder Wanbao’s face paled as he shouted, “Everyone, give it your all! The Founding Ancestor Linghu will arrive shortly!”

“So this is the might of a Third-Tier Demon King?”

Fang Qing was somewhat shaken.

“At First and Second Tier, demonic beasts are manageable. But upon reaching Third Tier, they generally awaken their bloodline and excavate their innate divine abilities, also called natal divine abilities!”

A Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Azure Sea Sect beside Fang Qing explained with a smile. “A human Core Formation cultivator, barehanded, is no match for a Demon King of the same tier. Only by relying on the advantage of magical treasures can they contend.”

“So that’s how it is. Many thanks for the explanation, Senior Brother.”

Fang Qing cupped his hands.

“Haha, my name is Hu Fan. I’ve heard that Junior Brother not only excels in pill refinement, but also frequently goes out to sea to hunt, reaping abundant harvests. Interested in traveling together?”

Hu Fan’s eyes gleamed—he had clearly been thinking about this for a long time.

Each time Fang Qing went out to sea, he returned with gains and suffered minimal losses, making countless others envious.

“Heh—want a share of the spoils? Are you my Bright Son? And you dare to ask?”

Fang Qing had long anticipated this. After all, refining pills, forging artifacts, selling them, and registering completed missions—there were always opportunities for information to leak.

“If there’s a chance in the future, certainly. But with this Sea-Covering Turtle gone mad, I probably won’t dare venture out for a while.”

He responded perfunctorily.

“True enough.”

Hu Fan’s smile did not fade, though gloom flickered in his heart: Hmph, this newly advanced Foundation Establishment cultivator merely had good luck. Does he really think he’ll find Second-Tier demonic beasts every time he goes out? One day he’ll encounter danger!

At that moment, outside Small White Island, a streak of light suddenly flew over.

The light dissipated, revealing a cultivator with brilliant eyes—it was Linghu Jin!

“Wretched beast, still daring to act wildly?”

Core Formation–level True Power swirled around him. With a furious shout, a streak of sword light shot forth!

The sword light surged like an inverted heavenly river, mixed within it an sword-shaped magical treasure!

Slash!

The sword light descended, carving a deep gash into the Sea-Covering Turtle’s back.

The turtle roared in pain.

Under its divine ability of overturning rivers and seas, giant water dragons manifested one after another, sweeping toward the sky!

Linghu Jin chuckled lightly. A blue circular magical treasure appeared in his hand.

—

The treasure spun rapidly, growing immensely large. An endless suction force seemed to emanate from within, swallowing all the water dragons and turning them into a torrential rain that poured down.

Crash!

Amid the downpour, the Sea-Covering Turtle had already vanished.

“It ran quickly.”

Linghu Jin sighed.

This was the Sea-Covering Turtle’s usual trick. Before each attack, it would notify the Zhong Family of Taibai Island. This time, Zhong Xuanli had desperately left the formation to harass the Azure Sea Sect’s forces, forcing the Founding Ancestor Ruan to remain behind. Thus only he had come.

Otherwise, if he and the Founding Ancestor had joined forces and paid some price, they could have slain the Sea-Covering Turtle here.

“The Founding Ancestor Linghu has arrived—haha—we’re saved!”

On the island, the cultivators celebrated.

Fang Qing also showed a trace of relief: As expected, just like my divination result—danger but no disaster—

Still, the Azure Sea Sect is truly wealthy. Founding Ancestor Linghu only formed an External Pill, yet he possesses one offensive and one defensive magical treasure—

This must be the legacy of predecessors.

That former Sect Master Linghu clearly had no intention of summoning the Foundation Establishment cultivators. Fang Qing thus returned to his cave dwelling.

“Young Master!”

Inside the cave dwelling, Qin Ruxue had long been waiting. She respectfully handed over a strange dark fragment. “This is a fragment of the Sea-Covering Turtle’s shell. It was shattered by Founding Ancestor Linghu’s strike, and some pieces fell into the sea. The sect’s artifact refiners have already appraised it—the spiritual essence and demonic aura contained within are limited, making it unsuitable for artifact forging. But if boiled, it is quite suitable for body-refining cultivators to consume—”

“This isn’t really turtle shell. It may only be encrusted residue atop the shell. Only a complete set of shell would be a true Third-Tier material.”

Fang Qing’s expression turned somewhat strange, yet he still placed the fragment into a jade box and affixed several sealing talismans.

Though this fragment might merely be accumulated seaweed and rock upon the Sea-Covering Turtle’s body, long soaked in demonic aura, it was still a decent spiritual material.

Most importantly, it carried demonic aura, serving as a basis for casting hexagrams!

If I perform divination and secretly allow the sect’s two Founding Ancestors to free their hands, the Sea-Covering Turtle would surely die!

But I came to the front lines to slay demonic beasts and accumulate materials—better to delay a few years first.

Such opportunities are rare; there may not be another in the future—