"Hehe, I'm hungry. This little fish is going to die anyway, so why not fill my stomach?"
Zhang Tongzi said this with a beaming smile, secretly covering her mouth with her little hand, giggling incessantly.
"no!"
As soon as Lingyuan Patriarch finished speaking, two purplish-black sucker tentacles suddenly shot out from under Zhang Tongzi's ribs.
Tentacles burst forth from the sky, growing countless times in an instant, like two enormous, menacing pythons that lunged far away and instantly coiled around the dying dragon-whisker fish.
With a whoosh, the enormous, elephant-like dragon-bearded fish was lifted up without any resistance and crashed heavily onto Zhang Tongzi's head.
A look of intense greed flashed in Zhang Tongzi's single eye. He tilted his head back excitedly and opened his mouth, like a puppy waiting for food to fall.
Click!
In an instant, Zhang Tongzi's small mouth suddenly swelled to five or six zhang in size, and the center of the mouth was extremely dark, like a bottomless abyss.
An immense suction force suddenly arose, and the dragon whisker fish was instantly sucked into the abyss.
Zhang Tongzi closed her mouth, stuck out her pink tongue and licked her lips, a look of lingering satisfaction appearing on her face.
"Hehe, it tastes good, but the portion is a bit small."
Lingyuan Patriarch laughed and cursed, "Bah! You've got a good deal and you're still acting innocent! How did such a shameless thing like you come from the Tyrant Sea Chapter!"
Zhang Tongzi chuckled but didn't retort.
As the Grand Elder of the Demon Ruins, a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, and the Lingyuan Ancestor who dared to use the name Lingyuan, his strength and status were far superior to those of the eighth-tier Demon King Zhang Tongzi.
Since we've already benefited, it's no big deal if he scolds us a couple of times; it's not like we'll lose anything anyway.
Lingyuan Patriarch was about to scold Zhang Tongzi a few more times when suddenly a look of joy appeared on his face, and he couldn't help but look up towards the west.
At that moment, a large patch of dark clouds appeared in the western night sky.
Dark clouds rapidly approached from afar. As they drew closer, flashes of lightning could be heard within the clouds, and occasionally, long, mournful cries could be heard.
As the dark clouds approached the reef, a huge, winding shadow appeared and disappeared within them.
Seeing this, Ancestor Lingyuan stood up and said loudly, "Now that King Mo Xuan Jiao has arrived, why not show yourself to meet him!"
As soon as Ancestor Lingyuan finished speaking, the dark clouds dispersed, and suddenly a person appeared on the reef.
This man was over ten feet tall, with a pair of short, deer-like antlers on his forehead, a wide mouth and a prominent nose, sword-like eyebrows and dragon-like eyes, his dragon eyes gleaming with a sharp light, exuding an aura of dominance.
In addition, he wore a purple-gold flying dragon crown, a black four-clawed dragon robe, and a blood-red belt around his waist, which was inlaid with twelve sea-suppressing pearls.
This person is one of the three great dragon kings of the dragon clan, a ninth-order great demon king, the Mo Xuan Dragon King, a mixed-blood true dragon who has lived for nearly five thousand years.
"Lingyuan, I have come at your invitation. Now you can speak your mind!" Mo Xuanjiao King's voice was deep and powerful, carrying an unyielding and domineering aura.
Ancestor Lingyuan smiled slightly and said, "No rush, there is still one fellow Daoist who has not arrived. We can talk about it when he arrives."
"Hmph," King Mo Xuanjiao snorted coldly, but didn't say anything more, just waited impatiently.
At midnight, a huge full moon hung high in the sky, and its bright moonlight shone down, making the sea surface sparkle.
"Aww..."
Just then, a long and desolate wolf howl suddenly came from the horizon.
"Haha, the person we've been waiting for has arrived!"
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a black dot suddenly appeared at the edge of the sea.
A few breaths later, the black spot disappeared, replaced by a magnificent giant wolf charging towards them.
Under the bright moonlight, the wolf king, as large as a divine steed and entirely silver-white, galloped across the shimmering sea.
On the back of this unparalleled white wolf king sat a small, thin old monk in a yellow robe.
Suddenly, the incomparably valiant white wolf king galloped to the foot of the reef, then leaped into the air and flew to the three of them.
As the old monk in the yellow robe climbed down from the wolf's back, he said apologetically, "This old monk is late! Please forgive me, esteemed benefactors!"
The old monk in the yellow robe was so thin that when he stood up straight, he was not even as tall as the White Wolf King's shoulder, which looked very incongruous.
However, Ancestor Lingyuan did not sense anything amiss. He laughed loudly and said, "The Heavenly Wolf Arhat is so free and natural! I greatly admire him."
"His 'reckless' nonsense! If it weren't for his drinking and lapses in judgment, I would have arrived long ago!"
At this moment, the white wolf king behind the Arhat Sirius suddenly spoke in human language, his wolf face full of disgust.
The White Wolf King had just finished his disdainful look when he suddenly turned around and roared at the creature on his back, "Get out of here, you stinky octopus!"
As it spoke, the wolf's back shook, and its fur burst forth with a large patch of white light, instantly shaking Zhang Tongzi, who had secretly climbed onto its back, off.
Zhang Tongzi rubbed his bottom, stood up from the ground, and complained, "They're all demon kings, can't they at least give me some face!"
The White Wolf King narrowed its eyes and said disdainfully, "You dare call yourself a demon king? I am a descendant of the ancient true spirit, the Howling Moon Wolf. You are nothing but a giant squid."
"You...you've gone too far! I am the Tyrant Sea Octopus, not a rotten squid!" Zhang Tongzi was furious and was about to start a battle with the White Wolf King, but was stopped by the Spirit Abyss Ancestor.
"Stop fooling around, Xiao Zhang, business is more important!"
On the other side, the old monk in the yellow robe pressed one hand on the white wolf king's shoulder, "Wolf King, if you cause any more trouble, don't blame this old monk for reciting the Imprisoning God Spell!"
Upon hearing this, the White Wolf King was startled and immediately tucked its tail between its legs.
After calming Zhang Tongzi down, Ancestor Lingyuan acted as if nothing had happened, turned around and walked to the middle, and said with a serious expression: "Since everyone is here, they must have verified the evidence I provided."
Mo Xuanjiao King nodded and continued, "That's right! There are indeed signs of a great tide of star algae in the Star God Sea. Judging from the time, it has been nearly a hundred years since the last Star God Festival, so it should be almost time for the Star God to awaken again."
"Hehe! Last time I just missed the big wave because I was advancing in my cultivation. I can't miss it this time. Leave the western offensive to me."
Zhang Tongzi chuckled, his tentacles excitedly slapping the ground wildly.
The three overlords of the distant seas would often divide into three routes to attack the Shattered Star Sea Humans whenever they launched a massive sea monster tide. In order to reduce conflict, they would attack according to their respective spheres of influence.
"Yes, it's the same as before. The central route will be attacked by the Demon Ruins, and the eastern route will be attacked by my Flood Dragon Clan. However, I can only send two seventh-tier sea beasts this time, and no more than twenty sixth-tier ones."
After listening, Ancestor Lingyuan smiled slightly and turned to look at Arhat Tianlang.
After pondering for a moment, the old monk in the yellow robe chanted, "Heaven cherishes life! Our sect does not wish to see living beings suffer, and in order to minimize the calamity, our sect will try its best to appease the people of the six islands, including Tianfeng Island, Zhi'ao Island, and Qiulong Island."
Tianfeng Island is one of the Thirty-Six Constellation Spirit Islands and belongs to the first defensive island chain, while Zhi'ao Island, Prisoner Dragon Island, and the other five islands are Dragon Scale-level Spirit Islands and belong to the second defensive island chain.
These six spirit islands are roughly in a straight line from the outside in, and all belong to the central area.
In other words, the six islands have been secretly controlled by Buddhism, which has unknowingly created a "gap" in the two defensive island chains.
Sirius Arhat originated from the Sacred Heart Temple, which is located in the Bright Snow Mountain of the Western Wilderness Continent. Its strength is unfathomable, making it a dominant sect in the continent.
Buddhism, led by the Sacred Heart Temple, has repeatedly attempted to spread its teachings in the Shattered Star Sea, but has been severely suppressed by the Star God Palace, resulting in repeated failures.
This time, the ancient Buddhist sect sent the Arhat Sirius to secretly contact the three major ocean powers. This can be seen as a test of the Star God Palace, and in a sense, it is also a form of revenge.
As soon as Tianlang Luohan finished speaking, Zhang Tongzi complained, "That's not fair! The Demon Ruins are getting too much of an advantage with the help of your Sacred Heart Temple. I want to switch places with you. This time, we'll attack from the middle."
Mo Xuanjiao King: "That's what I meant too."
Ancestor Lingyuan had anticipated this, so he smiled and said, "Don't be impatient, you two! This three-pronged attack is a feint from the east and west. If any high-ranking members of the Ba Hai and Jiaolong clans are interested, they can join the central route. Then we can all pay our respects to the Star God together. As for the spots, we can easily snatch them from the human race."
"Hey! Count me in! You old bald guy, are you coming or not?"
The White Wolf King leaped up suddenly, his wolf face full of excitement. He turned around and looked at the old monk in yellow robes with unusually serious eyes.
"Amitabha! This old monk is not greedy. This time, Sacred Heart Temple only needs five places," the old monk in the yellow robe said, bowing respectfully.
"Delusion!"
"no!"
Before the words were even finished, Zhang Tongzi and Mo Xuanjiao King refused in unison.
Each time a Star God awakens, the number of people who can communicate with the Star God is very limited, and at most no more than a hundred.
Whenever the Star God awakens, the Star God Palace, in order to monopolize all the spots, uses the name of the Star God Festival to activate the Heaven-Sealing and Sea-Locking Array to seal off the entire Star God Sea, preventing outsiders from entering.
In the struggle for a spot, the three major powers of the ocean, especially the Spirit Race, will likely unleash a bloodbath.
One reason was to temporarily break through the Heaven-Sealing and Sea-Locking Formation, allowing high-ranking clansmen to enter the Star God Sea.
Secondly, it was to please the star god in exchange for the opportunity to "enlighten" the world.
In the lower levels of the cultivation world, the Star God is an extraordinary being almost unknown to anyone, but at the Nascent Soul level, he is a well-known "secret".
The Star God is an incredible being; it is immortal, indestructible, and supremely just, comparable to the Heavenly Dao.
There is a saying circulating among the Nascent Soul Ancestors: Star Gods are omnipresent and omniscient!
Seeing the opposition from the other two major forces, Tianlang Luohan pondered for a moment and said sincerely, "In that case, I will take two guaranteed spots."
"Okay, but only two!" Before the other two could object, Ancestor Lingyuan agreed first.
Seeing this, Zhang Tongzi reluctantly said, "Alright!"
At this moment, Mo Xuanjiao King suddenly spoke up: "If we happen to encounter that bitch from the Tianyang Sect this time, I hope you all can help me kill her."
"The Dragon-Controlling Sword Immortal's swordsmanship is unparalleled. Although her cultivation is only at the mid-Nascent Soul stage, her strength is no less than that of a Grandmaster. Moreover, she is particularly skilled in sword light escape, capable of traveling tens of thousands of miles in a single leap. Killing her is difficult, extremely difficult!" Ancestor Lingyuan frowned.
"Old Dragon King, now is not the time to play around. How about I lend you a hand after the Star God Festival? As long as it's done, just send me a seventh-tier dragon whale to have a taste." Zhang Tongzi said with a grin, playing with his tentacles.
"Amitabha, this old monk has a secret method to break the sword light's divine escape, and the cloud dragon can also be dealt with by Tianlang. As long as the dragon king can return the Buddha's relic, this old monk can lend a hand."
Upon hearing the words "Light Buddha Relic," Mo Xuan Jiao Wang's expression changed, and he resolutely refused, saying, "Absolutely impossible! Light Buddha willingly sacrificed himself to feed the dragon, and in the end, he and our ancestor both ascended to rainbow body. Now, the relic is a sacred object of our clan, and it is absolutely impossible to trade it."
"Then this old monk may concede a step and ask if I may go to the noble's Holy Dragon Hall to meditate for a hundred years," the old monk in the yellow robe immediately said.
This time, the Ink Xuan Jiao King hesitated.
After thinking for a long time, he hesitated and said, "This matter is of great importance. I can only give an answer after I return and discuss it with the Dragon Emperor."
"Okay!" Sirius Arhat readily agreed.
"Alright, let's discuss how to deceive the Star God Palace and then try to break into the Inner Star Sea in one fell swoop."
Ancestor Lingyuan immediately brought the conversation back to the main topic with a single sentence.
...
The next morning, sea fog suddenly rose in the waters near Jiuzhen Island.
Sea fog enveloped the entire Jiuzhen Island, with each sub-island appearing and disappearing in the thick fog.
A gentle breeze blows, and the mist on the sea surface drifts around like clouds, making the pavilions and towers on the island look like celestial palaces.
In the quiet chamber of the seaside cave, Zhao Sheng silently circulated his profound energy, his spiritual power flowing repeatedly from his dantian through his limbs and bones, and then flowing back to his dantian along the eight extraordinary meridians.
Each time he completes a Nine-Turn Great Cycle, a large number of spiritual energy particles are ground and refined by the spiritual energy vortex, transforming into streams of pure spiritual energy that gradually enhance his cultivation.
"call..."
Zhao Sheng exhaled a long, white column of air.
This column of air was somewhat mysterious; it seemed to have solidified, lingering in the air for a long time without dissipating.
"We can't wait any longer; we must find the Primal Heavy Water as soon as possible. Otherwise, it would be a joke if we accidentally advanced to the late Foundation Establishment stage!"
Zhao Sheng stood up from the futon, sensing the emptiness within the pillar of energy with his divine sense, a solemn expression appearing on his face.
"We also need to get the Thousand-Patterned Star Algae Fruit as soon as possible. It seems we have no choice but to go to Daylight Island."
Thinking this, Zhao Sheng quickly walked out of the quiet room, left the cave, and flew on his sword through the thick fog towards a crescent-shaped island to the north.
Jiuzhen Island has eight sub-islands, one of which is called Baizhou Island, also known as Black Market Island.
This place is a melting pot of all sorts of people; it's both a den of iniquity and a place that devours people without spitting out their bones.
Daylight Island is the largest black market trading place within a radius of thousands of miles. People who come to this island are either shady characters or have goods of dubious origin.
There are rumors that Daylight Island is one of the places where the Shattered Star Sea Pirates sell their stolen goods.
The Spring and Autumn Alliance's attitude towards this statement was ambiguous; it neither denied nor confirmed it.
In just a few minutes, Zhao Sheng landed in front of Ruyi Pavilion on Baizhou Island.
Upon entering the market, he ignored the oddly shaped signs on both sides and went straight to a shop called Hongguanglou.
A moment later, he successfully met the shop owner.
Sensing the faint scent of blood emanating from the person opposite him, Zhao Sheng smiled knowingly and deliberately released a sliver of bloody light.