"Seventh Elder, are we truly going to let that thieving bird get away?"
In the profound depths of the ocean, three demon crabs gazed upward toward the sky. Their gaze seemed to pierce through endless seawater to perceive the scene outside.
The three demons were grotesque in appearance.
Compound eyes covered their bodies, thin white markings wound across their carapaces, and their prostrate pincers bristled with sharp, menacing hairs.
They were textbook examples of Demon Spider Crabs.
Though not massive in size, the powerful aura radiating from them was genuinely intimidating.
They were unmistakably Tier 3 demon kings!
Nor had they shrunk their bodies without reason.
This entire endeavor had been deliberately orchestrated against the Tianxuan Battle Gull!
Over the past five years, within the Xuanyan Sea Domain where the various demon crab clans had long reigned supreme, Tier 2 demon crabs had vanished time and time again.
Investigations later revealed that an outsider evil flood dragon had been preying on demon crabs to sustain itself.
To combat this, the Qingdi Crab clan had struck several times, and even the Overlord Crab clan, led by Great Elder Jin Ao, had attempted to hunt and kill the vicious beast.
It was precisely that incident which revealed the evil flood dragon was not acting alone.
Bizarrely, it had allied with a Tianxuan Battle Gull, forming an offensive and defensive pact.
One had to understand that Tianxuan Battle Gulls were natural predators of black-scaled flood dragons!
From then on, hunting down the black-scaled flood dragon grew increasingly difficult, as their targets became noticeably craftier.
At the same time, their actions grew more rampant. Not only the flood dragon, but even the gull joined in the reckless hunting of demon crabs.
The two operated like ghosts across the Xuanyan Sea Domain, running amok without restraint. One flood dragon and one gull dominated sea, land, and sky, leaving the crabs utterly powerless to guard against them.
Such wanton atrocities would have provoked the five royal clans into joining hands to eradicate them in years past.
Yet strangely enough, the Overlord Crab clan—the strongest among them—never bothered with the flood dragon and its ally again after their single failed operation.
As for the Qingdi Crab clan, which had suffered the heaviest losses, they had inexplicably sealed their tribal grounds and restricted their clansmen's movements.
Of the remaining three clans, the Red Rock Crabs dwelled in undersea volcanic trenches and rarely ventured into shallow waters.
The Nine-Clawed Poison King Crabs paid the matter no mind whatsoever, since the flood dragon and gull had never once laid a finger on their kind.
Instead, it was the notoriously wicked Demon Spider Crab clan that had been targeted by the vicious dragon and the thieving bird!
Not only did they hunt Tier 2 clansmen, they did not even spare Tier 1 crabs!
Such outrage flew in the face of all natural order—none could endure it.
Thus, three demon kings of the Demon Spider Crab clan had mobilized together to lay an ambush and slaughter the pair!
Yet the world was fickle, and plans rarely kept pace with change.
After sacrificing a clansman as bait to lure the Tianxuan Battle Gull into the trap, an unexpected variable arose.
Before they could even make their move, a group of human cultivators suddenly arrived in this stretch of the sea.
The instant these human cultivators laid eyes on the Tianxuan Battle Gull, they struck without hesitation.
Deep beneath the sea, the leading Demon Spider Crab wore an uncertain expression.
Watching the battle on the ocean surface, he blinked and said, "That battle gull won't escape."
The two demons beside him failed to understand his meaning.
"That is merely an early Golden Core cultivator. He might tangle with it for a while, but slaying the Tianxuan Battle Gull is likely beyond his ability!"
The Seventh Elder shook his head. "No. Your cultivation is too weak to perceive the truth. They do not intend to kill the gull—they wish to capture it alive."
Capture it alive!
Hearing this, the two companions exchanged bewildered looks.
An early Golden Core cultivator dreaming of capturing a formidable, blisteringly fast Tianxuan Battle Gull alive? Pure delusion, surely?
Seeing their confusion, the Seventh Elder explained in a low voice, "That great ship is shrouded in a powerful formation, and even stronger figures reside within. The fact that they have not acted yet means they are entirely confident. Forget the gull; even if the three of us intervened, we would likely gain nothing."
The other two demons were dumbfounded.
Though the two of them were lesser, the Seventh Elder was a genuine mid-Tier 3 demon.
With the innate talents of the Demon Spider Crab clan, if the three joined forces, they could contend against any human cultivator—famed as they were for myriad methods and endless cunning—so long as the opponent was not late Golden Core.
Could it be...?
The two demons looked at each other, a guess forming in their minds.
The Demon Spider Crab clan was already renowned for its keen senses, and the Seventh Elder had experienced a fortuitous encounter in his youth that made his perception even sharper.
In all likelihood, he had sensed an existence aboard the great ship that inspired fear even in him.
"Then what do we do now?"
The Seventh Elder hesitated as well. After pondering for a moment, he said, "Let us wait and observe a while longer. If the Tianxuan Battle Gull truly escapes, it will not be too late for us to pursue it. If it is captured, its fate will be no better—either slain for materials or degraded into a cultivator's mount. That would still accomplish our goal of borrowing another's blade to avenge our lower-tier clansmen. Furthermore, once this gull is gone, the evil flood dragon will be left without support, making it effortless for us to kill it."
His words were delivered methodically and logically.
Anyone listening might have mistaken him for a human cultivator famed for wisdom.
Convinced, the other two demons readily accepted the Seventh Elder's plan.
If nothing else, the Seventh Elder was known throughout their clan for his intellect, frequently devising strategies for the tribe's growth.
Had these human cultivators not intervened, they would have smoothly executed the Tianxuan Battle Gull.
Following his lead could not go wrong!
***
On the surface of the sea.
A colossal vessel sprawled across the water.
Sails hung half-furled, and figures bustled across the decks.
Even with a formation concealing them, several figures leaked astonishing auras that struck awe into onlookers.
Six people stood at the fore of the crowd.
Among those six, the central man and woman were subtly the focal point.
Surrounded like stars circling the moon, the young female cultivator watched the airborne battle between man and bird, faint worry surfacing across her lovely face.
"Big Brother, can Sixth Senior Brother truly capture this Tianxuan Battle Gull?"
The man in opulent robes beside her chuckled softly. "Though Sixth Junior Brother possesses good talent, he has not cultivated for very long. Pinning down this beast is the limit of his abilities. To take it alive... hehe..."
His unvoiced meaning was clear to everyone.
Hearing this, the young woman said worriedly, "If so, why not have him stop, lest he injure himself?"
The man looked dotingly at his little sister; she was simply too soft-hearted.
"Sixth Junior Brother wishes to use this battle to hone his newly mastered methods, so I naturally gave him the chance. Besides..."
At this point, he ruffled her hair.
"Since you formed your core, Little Sister, I have been busy attending to Father's affairs and have yet to give you a congratulatory gift.
"This Tianxuan Battle Gull is of fine stock, and its bloodline must be quite pure. Gifting it to you upon your core formation—whether as a ceremonial steed for travel or a Dao-protecting spirit beast—would be splendid."
The young woman paused, surprised that her elder brother intended to capture the demonic beast alive as a gift for her.
A wave of warmth immediately washed through her heart.
Beside them, four Core Formation cultivators spoke up with smiles.
"Junior Sister Xiaolian, do not worry about Sixth Junior Brother. With us here, nothing can go wrong."
"Indeed! Even if you doubt Sixth Junior Brother or us, you can always trust Eldest Senior Brother!"
"Across the vast Demon Sea, who does not know that our Eldest Senior Brother, Gu Shaoshang, possesses extraordinary talent and is one of the chosen geniuses most likely to ascend to the Nascent Soul realm? Forget an early Tier 3 Tianxuan Battle Gull—even if a late Tier 3 great demon king stood before him, Eldest Senior Brother could take it alive!"
"Eldest Senior Brother, will you intervene?"
These compliments indeed soothed Gu Xiaolian's worries.
Unable to resist, she turned to her brother. "Big Brother, are you going to step in?"
In recent years, Gu Shaoshang's cultivation had progressed rapidly; after advancing to the seventh layer of Core Formation at the age of two hundred, he had rarely displayed his prowess.
Recalling his impressive string of battle accomplishments during the century of upheaval following the Yuan Demon Sect's collapse, everyone wondered: after advancing to late Core Formation, had his methods grown even more terrifying?
Faced with the admiring gazes fixed upon him, the corners of Gu Shaoshang's mouth curled slightly upward.
His purple robes fluttered in the sea wind.
He slowly raised a hand.
"This Tianxuan Battle Gull has already proven its mettle.
"Our purpose on this journey is to gather a large quantity of Ring-Headed Turtle carapaces for Father. The Seven Cultivators of Feiyun mobilized in full for this task; we cannot afford to tarry here.
"In that case, let us haul in the net!"
The moment the words left his mouth, his hands clenched tightly together.
Simultaneously, threads of silk abruptly manifested between heaven and earth.
They spanned over a hundred li in every direction, encompassing sky and sea, with his spiritual power lingering with plenty to spare as it wove through the void!
At the sight of those threads, hundreds of cultivators aboard the massive monster-hunting ship bearing the emblem of Feiyun Ravine burst into cheers.
It was the Heavenly Silk Cloud Thread!
One of the magic treasures that had made Feiyun Ravine's ancestor, Feiyunzi, famous in his early years.
Its grade was high rank!
After ascending to the Great Dao of Nascent Soul, Feiyunzi had bestowed this treasure upon his biological son, Gu Shaoshang.
Nor had Gu Shaoshang tarnished its prestige.
Along his path, this magic treasure had shone brilliantly in countless battles.
Watching this, Gu Xiaolian could not help but gaze at him with admiration.
*No wonder Big Brother was so calm earlier. He had already laid an inescapable snare with the Heavenly Silk Cloud Thread.*
*This combat philosophy aligns perfectly with Father's occasional teaching: always plan ahead in all things.*
*Now that I have formed my core, I cannot rely on Father and Big Brother to shelter me forever. On this hunt for Ring-Headed Turtles, I must hone my combat skills and make a name for myself!*
While she made her silent vow, Gu Shaoshang unleashed a surge of boundless spiritual power, his hands guiding the endless Heavenly Silk Cloud Threads as they converged.
As the net swept past a middle-aged man, an opening formed to leave him outside.
It enclosed only the massive bird in the center, spanning over a dozen zhang wide.
*Skreeee!*
A piercing cry echoed through the clouds as razor-sharp wind blades erupted from the bird, attempting to sever the net's threads.
Yet wherever they struck, the Heavenly Silk Cloud Threads proved incomparably resilient.
Seeing this, the Tianxuan Battle Gull beat its wings frantically. Whirling vortices of wind spawned beneath them, coalescing into a towering tornado.
Gu Shaoshang gave a cold snort. "A turtle in a jar, resisting stubbornly!"
Instantly, waves of spiritual light erupted from the Heavenly Silk Cloud Threads, slicing the sky-reaching tornado to shreds as the tightening encirclement advanced irresistibly.
*Boom!*
Upon the massive deck, a majestic azure bird, soaked in blood, lay slumped in defeat.
Cheers erupted instantly.
Shouts extolling Eldest Senior Brother's might rose one after another.
Gu Xiaolian looked on with admiration as well, though a hint of pity flickered across her face as she beheld the battered Tianxuan Battle Gull.
"Big Brother, since we have captured her, why not loosen the net a little? Her beautiful feathers have been cut to pieces."
Gu Shaoshang shook his head with a smile. "My little sister is simply too kind-hearted. That will make navigating the cultivation world difficult!"
Even as he spoke, he reeled in the Heavenly Silk Cloud Threads.
The Tianxuan Battle Gull tried to struggle on the deck, but a talisman fluttered down onto its forehead, freezing its demonic power so completely that it could not muster a shred.
Having done all this, Gu Shaoshang said casually, "If you wish to subdue this demon as a mount, forcing it will only make it an attack dog. If you want it to share your thoughts and feelings, you must tame it yourself. Little Sister, I will leave this Demon-Suppressing Talisman in your care for now."
Gu Xiaolian excitedly took another yellow talisman—an exact match to the one affixed to the gull's forehead.
Just at that moment!
Gu Shaoshang's expression shifted drastically. He thrust a palm fiercely toward a black cloud in the sky.
"Who is hiding there, skulking in the shadows?
"Come down here!"
Amid his harsh bark, no answer returned from above.
There was only ghostly qi swirling through the air and black clouds bearing down upon the sea!
Over a thousand ghost generals surged forth.
Two colossal, illusory figures standing a hundred zhang tall stepped forth from the black clouds, stomping down toward the palm strike Gu Shaoshang had unleashed.
The collision erupted in a deafening, thunderous rumble.
"The Ten Thousand Souls Banner!"
"It's the remnants of the Yuan Demon Sect!"
"Fellow disciples, beware of ambush!"
In an instant, Gu Shaoshang recognized the assailant's methods and barked warnings in rapid succession.
Yet the black cloud techniques moved too swiftly, engulfing the monster-hunting ship entirely the moment they erupted.
Beneath the billowing black mist, ghostly figures swarmed.
The seven Core Formation cultivators of Feiyun Ravine struck out one after another, slaying Tier 2 ghost generals left and right.
Gu Shaoshang displayed immense prowess, repeatedly shattering the two ghost-king-tier primary souls of the Ten Thousand Souls Banner.
High in the heavens, Han Zhan watched this unfold, a look of approval in his eyes.
*He truly lives up to his reputation as a great Core Formation cultivator who made a name for himself in the Demon Sea; he possesses genuine skill.*
*In a fight to the death, with my current methods, the odds would probably be fifty-fifty.*
*A pity, however, that this old man's goal is not slaughter.*
Murmuring to himself, he issued a command.
In the next breath, a massive shadow surged forward from the deep ocean.
Opening its gaping maw toward the colossal ship above, a terrifying devouring force erupted.
This maneuver came with staggering abruptness, catching everyone completely off guard.
Vast sections of the deck splintered and were swept into the sea, with the force threatening to drag the entire vessel into the depths.
Yet its target was clearly not the great ship.
It was the demon bird on the deck.
*Plop!*
The demon bird plunged into the sea, swept up by the shadow and whisked away into the ocean depths.
The instant it made good its escape, the vast black mist enveloping Feiyun Ravine's monster-hunting ship vanished completely.
Under clear skies and gentle breezes, the azure sea stretched boundless, looking as if nothing had ever happened.
Gu Shaoshang landed back on the ship, his face grim as his divine sense swept across every direction.
"What audacity!"
This time, all his efforts had truly drawn water with a bamboo basket—all for naught.
***
On Tianxuan Island.
One flood dragon and one gull made a disheveled landing.
A soul banner drifted gracefully toward the island's interior.
Before the black-scaled flood dragon could even mock Tianxuan, a ghostly figure materialized before them.
Looking up, it saw fluttering white robes and an indifferent countenance.
A terrifying aura surged and receded around him, seemingly not yet fully stabilized.
It was none other than its master—Luo Chen.
"Master, I..."
Before it could finish, Luo Chen raised a hand to cut them off.
Facing the shallow reef-strewn waters ahead, Luo Chen spoke coldly.
"Fellow Daoists, arriving uninvited is hardly good manners for guests!"
*Splash...*
The seawater parted, and three figures came into view!
Compound eyes, spider silk, pincers, white markings.
They were none other than the Demon Spider Crabs!
Chapter 545