Three demon kings had attacked: one wounded, two dead.
What followed was simple enough—merely sweeping the battlefield.
The living Demon Spider Crab was easy to deal with. Though it was a Tier 3 demon king, the process differed little from how he handled Tier 1 and Tier 2 specimens.
Then came the two dead ones.
One had been detonated through the chest by Luo Chen's fist, yet it still left behind spoils: two colossal crab pincers and a Tier 3 water-attribute demon core.
Zhu Qi had met a much grislier end.
Luo Chen's Hunyuan Cauldron was forged from exquisite materials. Even if its impurities were not yet fully purged, hurling it with the might of his Desolate Ancient physique still unleashed earth-shattering force.
Furthermore, years of continuous refinement and frequent pill crafting had elevated his mastery over the cauldron to sheer perfection.
Under that single strike, Zhu Qi was obliterated without an intact corpse left behind. Even his demon core had failed to survive.
However, the compass that served as the array's core and the eight severed crab legs used to anchor the formation were preserved in one piece.
This was a rather substantial harvest.
Leaving the black-scaled flood dragon to scour the battlefield, Luo Chen quietly reflected on the battle that had just transpired.
Without resorting to spells and similar methods, the combat power unleashed purely by his physical body was remarkably evident.
Facing demon beasts that also prided themselves on formidable bodies, he could overwhelm an early Tier 3 opponent without the slightest suspense.
Even a mid-stage Tier 3 demon beast was clearly no match for him.
The reason he had been temporarily trapped within the array was merely a touch of carelessness.
After all, few would imagine that demon beasts would employ an array—a crystallization of human cultivation science.
It served as a reminder to Luo Chen that he could never afford to drop his guard against any foe.
*My Convergence of Myriad Paths, now at Great Perfection, has unlocked the ability to undergo localized body transformations, nicely covering any weaknesses in purely physical brawls.*
*This means that even without assuming the complete Heavenly Roc True Form, I can unleash a portion of my body-refining strength.*
*And if I undergo the full transformation into the late stage of Desolate Ancient Tier 3...*
Luo Chen pondered, recalling his battle against the Golden Wolf King back on the Tiangu Plain.
Looking back now, if he assumed his full transformation today, he might very well withstand the other's full-power frontal charge without suffering a scratch.
In other words, his present strength was sufficient to hold his own against the vast majority of late Tier 3 great demon kings.
And once his cultivation at the fourth layer of the Golden Core realm was thoroughly stabilized...
He would possess ample means of self-preservation even against late-stage Golden Core great cultivators at the seventh layer.
"Perhaps with adequate preparation, I could even fight and defeat one?"
Luo Chen murmured softly.
He still could not precisely gauge his true limits.
Yet no matter how uncertain he felt, he held absolute confidence that he could forcefully triumph over someone of Wu Qi's caliber.
*This physical body of mine has plenty of cultivation, but not enough tempered combat experience. I sense there is still immense room for development.*
*Moreover, with the aid of the Black Emperor Paste, there is a very high probability of advancing to Tier 4. When that day comes, it will likely herald a true qualitative leap!*
As Luo Chen summarized his thoughts, the black-scaled flood dragon swam over with great care.
"Master, here are all the spoils."
Luo Chen stored the items into his storage ring and cast a series of Cleansing Arts across the surrounding sea.
Yet after sweeping the area, he shook his head with a quiet sigh.
Much of the lingering battle aura was no longer something a low-tier spell like the Cleansing Art could thoroughly wipe away.
It could only provide temporary concealment.
Surveying his surroundings, Luo Chen made up his mind and led the black-scaled flood dragon back to Tianxuan Island.
First, he cast a glance at the Tianxuan Battle Gull lying sprawled on the ground, his brow furrowing.
"What happened?"
The Tianxuan Battle Gull replied in a subdued voice, "A late-stage Golden Core great cultivator placed a Demon-Suppressing Talisman on me. My demon power has been completely sealed."
A Demon-Suppressing Talisman!
This was the most widely circulated talisman throughout the cultivation world of the Northern Sea, ranging anywhere from Tier 1 to Tier 4.
Its function was singular: to suppress a demon beast's inner core and lock away its entire reservoir of demon power.
The reason such talismans existed was that certain cultivators enjoyed capturing living demon beasts to tame and subdue as spirit beasts.
Moreover, many liked to bestow them as gifts upon junior disciples of low cultivation.
To facilitate the subduing of demon beasts, Demon-Suppressing Talismans often came in pairs of master and subordinate talismans. A junior holding the master talisman could effortlessly command a beast whose realm far surpassed their own.
Luo Chen released his divine sense, thoroughly inspecting the gull's body.
Meeting no resistance, he quickly detected the Tier 3 Demon-Suppressing Talisman, which had already seeped deep into her demon core.
Without the caster actively unraveling it, such a talisman was exceptionally difficult to purge—unless one obtained the master talisman.
Luo Chen examined it closely, then gave a slight nod.
"No great problem. Even without the master talisman, given a bit of time, I can undo it."
His calm confidence left both the Tianxuan Battle Gull and the black-scaled flood dragon slightly stunned. Their master could even break a Demon-Suppressing Talisman?
"Rest and recuperate for a moment, both of you. You will depart with me shortly."
The black-scaled flood dragon froze. "We are leaving?"
Luo Chen gave no answer, turning to enter the cave dwelling alone.
The moment he stepped inside, he saw the black Soul Refining Banner planted beside the entrance.
Han Zhan's voice drifted out at just the right moment. "Congratulations to young friend on your advancing cultivation!"
Luo Chen waved a dismissive hand. "A mere breakthrough to the fourth layer of the Golden Core; nothing worth mentioning."
"I speak not merely of the fourth layer of Golden Core, but of that formidable physique of yours! Besieged by three demon kings—one of whom even commanded an array at the mid-stage—yet you slew them with such effortless ease. Looking across the entire Golden Core realm, you certainly count among the preeminent."
The corner of Luo Chen's mouth twitched. He asked abruptly, "Compared to Gu Shaoshang of Feiyun Ravine, how do I fare?"
On the journey back, he had learned the full details of the previous clash through the black-scaled flood dragon.
He had also learned the origins of the cultivators aboard that vessel and the name of their leader: Gu Shaoshang, the Eldest Senior Brother of Feiyun Ravine.
Han Zhan gave a faint laugh. "I clashed with him for a mere few breaths, and the Ten Thousand Soul Banner is not my signature treasure, making it difficult to judge. But in my estimation, he should be inferior to you."
Luo Chen chuckled as well.
"According to Senior, he is inferior to me. Yet at the seventh layer of the Golden Core, he fought Senior to a standstill, while in front of Senior, I still perceive your remnant soul to be as unfathomable as an abyss. Heh..."
Han Zhan fell silent.
Luo Chen paid him no further heed and walked straight into the cave dwelling.
His magic power surged, condensing into crimson hands that gathered up miscellaneous herbs, manuals, wooden racks, and prayer mats, storing them into his storage ring one by one.
The commotion from battling three great demon kings of the Demon Spider Crab clan had been far from quiet.
Now that he had killed three of their kings, the clan would certainly not let the matter rest.
These were no Tier 1 or Tier 2 tiny crabs!
Tianxuan Island was thoroughly exposed.
Abandoning this stronghold was an absolute necessity.
This was precisely why human cultivators seldom chose desolate mountain ranges or the territories of demon seas for long-term cultivation.
A single clash or two would easily draw the prying eyes and ferocious attacks of countless demon beasts.
Under such circumstances, quiet cultivation was utterly impossible.
Had it not been for the two spirit beasts he had subdued, he could never have enjoyed five years of such undisturbed peace.
Their departure had to be now.
After packing everything away, Luo Chen looked at the cave dwelling, which possessed a modest Tier 3 spirit vein, feeling a slight twinge of reluctance.
"A pity."
Murmuring softly, he gave a wide flick of his sleeve.
The Spirit Gathering formation flags buried deep underground turned into streaks of light and flew back to him. Crackling crunches echoed from the roof of the dwelling as thick showers of shattered stone and gravel rained down.
He turned and walked away.
Passing the entrance, he recalled the Ten Thousand Soul Banner with a thought.
***
High in the sky, a wisp of pale white cloud drifted leisurely forward.
Luo Chen held the array compass left behind by Zhu Qi, turning it over in his hands.
It was a water-attribute array plate.
With his current, reasonably accomplished mastery over formations, he could see that no fewer than thirteen arrays were inscribed upon its surface.
Ten of them were common Tier 1 and Tier 2 formations.
The other three, however, were formidable Tier 3 grand arrays.
The Sea-Sealing Bagua Array was among them.
The strength of this formation lay in its ability to draw ceaseless water vapors from the vast ocean, forming a binding cage. Once trapped inside, unless the intruder possessed overwhelming burst power, the array master stood almost invincible.
After all, human strength had its limits, but the boundless ocean had none.
Luo Chen had only broken it through sheer violence by relying on his late-stage Desolate Ancient Tier 3 physique and the high-grade Hunyuan Cauldron, which he had tempered over many years.
Any ordinary cultivator would have been sealed alive inside and strangled to death by those blood-red silk strands.
Aside from the Sea-Sealing Bagua Array, there was also a Billowing Cloud Dense Mist Array designed for stealth and concealment.
As for the final Tier 3 grand array, Luo Chen could not discern its origins.
While studying the array plate, his brows suddenly lifted.
With a flick of his wrist, the Ten Thousand Soul Banner materialized before him.
"Does Senior have something to say to me?"
From within the banner, Han Zhan let out a long sigh. "I merely wish to tell you that the soul essence remaining in this remnant soul of mine is exceedingly scarce. It is the crucial foundation for my future physical reconstruction and renewed cultivation. Unless pushed to the absolute brink, I cannot afford to expend my source essence over insignificant enemies."
A smirk touched Luo Chen's lips.
As expected, Han Zhan had held back.
When dealing with Wu Qi back then, he had used the heavy loss of low-tier souls as an excuse for failing to hold the man off, forcing Luo Chen to step in personally to prevent Wu Qi from making a forceful landing on the Flying Swallow Archipelago.
Yet over the past several years, Han Zhan had drawn the souls of every Tier 1 and Tier 2 demon crab Luo Chen hunted into the Soul Refining Banner.
This artifact had long since restored its quality as a true Ten Thousand Soul Banner!
In fact, when Luo Chen had slain Yan Nantian years ago, the numerous Foundation Establishment souls within the banner had devoured Yan Nantian's soul, endowing over a hundred Foundation Establishment spirits with Tier 3 foundations.
After replenishing vast quantities of low-tier souls, one spirit who had been at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment in life had gradually advanced to the level of a Tier 3 ghost king through devourment and fusion.
That was why a second ghost king had appeared alongside the original when Han Zhan drove the banner earlier.
Under such conditions, it was an authentic Ten Thousand Soul Banner in every sense!
With Han Zhan, a Nascent Soul cultivator, commanding it, how could a mere seventh-layer Golden Core cultivator possibly be his match, no matter how diminished his state?
And yet, while barely checking Gu Shaoshang, Han Zhan had still forced the black-scaled flood dragon to unleash its innate demon art just to drag the Tianxuan Battle Gull back alive.
He had even brought disaster right to their doorstep in the process.
It was clear that Han Zhan had been consciously holding back, concealing his true capabilities all along.
Recalling how the man had fought Wolf Emperor Aoxiao on the Tiangu Plain and his history at Mount Cangwu, it was evident he was a cunning old fox who loved keeping a hidden card or two.
Hearing his stated justification now, Luo Chen could only sneer faintly.
"Whether your words are true or false, I have no way of knowing. But since Senior has chosen to travel with me through the Sea of Demons under the binding constraints of the Great Dao oath, I believe sincere cooperation remains our best path forward."
Han Zhan countered with a question: "By sincere cooperation, do you mean going all out on the other's behalf?"
Luo Chen pondered for a moment, weighing the gains and losses, before saying placidly, "I would hope so."
Han Zhan let out a soft chuckle. "Then allow this old man to speak plainly. What I desire is something you might not be able to accomplish even if you gave your all."
"Speak plainly, then!"
"Recovering my Nascent Soul cultivation through arduous bitter cultivation alone is already an impossibility for me. And were I to possess a Golden Core cultivator, I could never survive the Nascent Soul heavenly tribulation in a borrowed vessel. Therefore, I require the physical body of a Nascent Soul cultivator—specifically a human cultivator—for me to reconstruct my form and rebuild my Dao foundation. Luo Chen, can you accomplish that?"
The placid ease vanished from Luo Chen's face.
***
*Splash!*
Across the ocean surface, layers of bubbles burst. As the ripples dispersed, calm settled over the waters once more.
Beneath the surface, two silhouettes dove deeper and deeper.
At last, they arrived at a cavernous trench nestled in the deep sea floor.
The black-scaled flood dragon halted and said respectfully, "Master, this is the most secluded location among our three backup strongholds."
Luo Chen surveyed the trench, which stretched for thousands of zhang into the distance without an end in sight. Along both sides of the chasm swayed gorgeous, vivid red corals.
Blood Coral!
A Tier 2 spiritual plant—sentient and fiercely aggressive.
Because of its radiant exterior, it frequently lured marine life close, preying upon them.
Consequently, this place was considered a perilous zone, one that ordinary low-tier demon beasts dared not approach.
He nodded in satisfaction.
The compromise of Tianxuan Island had been well within his expectations.
That was why he had instructed Tianxuan and the black-scaled flood dragon long ago to scout out backup sanctuaries.
This was one of them, and by far the most hidden.
The black-scaled flood dragon hesitated, then spoke up: "Master, the spiritual energy here is only at the density of a Tier 2 spirit vein, and it is water-attribute to boot. I fear it may not suit your cultivation. Why don't we head to Huagu Island instead?"
Luo Chen waved his hand dismissively and strolled toward the coral trench.
"Huagu Island is far too dangerous. Though it has a Tier 3 spirit vein, vast amounts of Concealed Dust Sand linger there, and it sits adjacent to the Nine-Clawed Poison King Crab."
"Better to avoid unnecessary trouble."
"Besides, I have already advanced to the fourth layer of the Golden Core. For the near future, my priority is stabilizing my realm. I have no urgent need for an exceptional spirit vein."
Stepping into the coral trench, Luo Chen scanned left and right before finally stopping beneath a rocky cliff face.
"Right here will do!"
Before he could draw the Profound Fire Sword to carve out a cave dwelling, the black-scaled flood dragon swam over eagerly.
"Master, let me! Let me!"
"How could such a trivial task be worth exhausting your precious magic power?"
As he spoke, he slammed his massive form into the rock face. Demon power erupted from his body, forming sharp blades that sheared through the dense stone.
Watching his sycophantic display, Luo Chen could not help but smile.
"Big Black..."
The moment the words left his lips, Luo Chen recalled how the dragon had disregarded his depleted demon power earlier, stepping up to fight for him at all costs.
He also thought of the dragon's tireless toil over the past few years.
Even if driven by servitude and the promise of Emperor's Flowing Syrup, he had still rendered distinguished service through hard work!
Calling him Big Black felt a bit too casual.
After all, even the battle gull was dignified with the name Tianxuan.
At this thought, Luo Chen asked, "Speaking of which, do you have a name?"
The black-scaled flood dragon paused in his digging, looking back in mild surprise. "When I was small, my clan called me Xiao Tao, saying I was a glutton. Later, as I grew stout, they called me Big Black. That Kun Jiao called me that too."
*Xiao Tao, Big Black...*
The corner of Luo Chen's mouth twitched. No wonder the fellow had never found anything amiss when addressed as Big Black.
That truly was his name!
Still, it was far too pedestrian.
"Allow me to grant you a name!"
The black-scaled flood dragon froze in his tracks, staring at Luo Chen with wide, expectant eyes. "Master wishes to bestow a name upon me?"
Luo Chen nodded. He looked at the dragon horns atop the creature's head, which were already revealing an imposing sharpness. The beast had also awakened an innate demon art of immense potential, capable of devouring foreign matter and utilizing ferocious digestive power to temper its own body.
Provided he did not perish along the way, he was bound to achieve great things in the future, perhaps even exuding the aura of a sovereign.
With that in mind, Luo Chen said warmly, "You shall be called Black King, then!"
"Black Turtle?" The black-scaled flood dragon blinked, not quite understanding how on earth he resembled a turtle.
Luo Chen burst into laughter and repeated clearly, "*Black King*!"
This time, the dragon heard him distinctly.
"Black King? Black King!"
After murmuring it twice, wild ecstasy flooded his features.
"Thank you for the name, Master!"
Luo Chen shook his head with a smile. "Carry on, then."
Walking nearby, Luo Chen observed the terrain for a moment before settling on a plan.
Relying endlessly on magic power to resist the crushing pressures of the deep sea and repel the surrounding water was never a sustainable strategy.
Originally, he had intended to erect a Tier 2 Water Repelling Array.
Now, however, he had a vastly superior alternative.
With a thought, he retrieved the newly claimed array compass from his storage ring.
First, he channeled his formidable divine sense to erase the residual spiritual brand left by Zhu Qi.
Demon beasts excelled in physical might but lagged in soul cultivation.
Though Zhu Qi had been a mid-stage Tier 3 demon king, his soul foundation was barely on par with early Tier 3.
While Luo Chen had not deliberately trained his divine sense over these past years, it had naturally expanded with his breakthrough, growing to rival an ordinary late-stage Golden Core cultivator!
Moreover, he was well-versed in Obscuring Restrictions, one of the seven foundational pillars of array mastery.
Once he initiated the purge, it took a mere three to five breaths to wipe away the lingering mark of the compass's former owner.
Next, he poured his magic power into the artifact.
The three interlocking tiers of the compass began to turn slowly. The surrounding earth pulses and water vapors were drawn into its rhythm, undergoing a gradual transformation.
Streams of water began to swirl and orbit in concentric rings around Luo Chen.
The nearby Blood Corals swayed nervously, exhibiting an instinctive tremor of dread.
Gradually, a curtain of water expanded outward, pushing back the surrounding sea. At the same time, billows of dense mist rolled outward.
It was precisely the Billowing Cloud Dense Mist Array!
It offered superb concealment and blended seamlessly into the native environment.
After billowing outward for several ripples, the expanding mist tinted into streaks of crimson light, mirroring the deep red of the Blood Corals. Anyone looking upon it would simply assume it was the natural gleam reflected from the coral forest.
Witnessing this, Luo Chen gave a satisfied nod.
"With this, we can move about without worries."
"It does consume quite a bit of magic power, however. In ordinary times, it would be wiser to fuel it with spirit stones."
While he was setting up the array, Black King had already carved out a rough-hewn cave dwelling.
Luo Chen entered, praised the dragon with a brief word, and embedded the compass into the center of the dwelling while laying out a Spirit Gathering Array.
Only after completing all these steps did the site take the preliminary shape of a livable sanctuary suitable for short-term seclusion.
Next, Luo Chen summoned the Hunyuan Cauldron.
*Clang!*
The heavy cauldron settled onto the ground. Forming a hand seal, he shook the Tianxuan Battle Gull out from within.
"Now then, let us remove that Demon-Suppressing Talisman from you!"
As for how to undo it?
To Luo Chen, it presented little difficulty.
The talisman's binding power stemmed primarily from the magic power imprint stamped upon it by a high-tier cultivator, which was why the subordinate talisman could rarely be peeled away without the master talisman.
All he needed to do was sever that magic power imprint with his Tier 4 Dragon Slaying Art.
What a stroke of fortune!
Over the past years, to strip away the intense pill fiend aura of the True Flame Pills, he had cast the Dragon Slaying Art day in and day out. His mastery had long since advanced to the Grandmaster level, standing just a step away from Great Perfection!
Severing the magic power imprint of a seventh-layer Golden Core cultivator was well within his capabilities.
In less than half a day, the imprint dissolved entirely.
The original form of the Demon-Suppressing Talisman surfaced upon the Tianxuan Battle Gull's forehead.
Luo Chen reached out and plucked it off. The talisman fluttered to the ground, its spiritual luster completely extinguished.
With the talisman gone, an overwhelming sense of freedom rushed back!
The Tianxuan Battle Gull circulated her demon power, feeling refreshed from head to talon.
Prostrating herself upon the ground, she chirped with delight, "Thank you for casting your spell, Master!"
Luo Chen smiled faintly. "You are my spirit beast. It was only right."
At this point, the smile on his face abruptly vanished.
One had to look at the master before beating the hound. Someone had dared attempt to claim his spirit beast; this matter could not be swept under the rug so easily.
Particularly when the culprits had refused to release her even after Han Zhan intervened—that was an offense compounded upon offense.
"Do you still remember the scent of the people aboard that ship?"
Hearing the question, the Tianxuan Battle Gull paused for a heartbeat, then hissed venomously, "Tianxuan remembers it down to the marrow!"
The Battle Gull clan was renowned for nursing grudges.
Indeed, it was their unforgiving vindictiveness that had earned them their notorious reputation for ferocity.
Remembering the scent of an enemy was an instinct carved into their very bloodlines.
Luo Chen nodded. "In that case, take a brief rest, then go track down that ship. Find out where they are and what they have come here to do."
A realization dawned upon Tianxuan. Was Master planning to avenge her?
At the thought of being toyed with, captured, and suppressed, an uncontrollable hatred burned within her.
If she could have her revenge, nothing would be more gratifying!
And yet...
"Does Master intend to seek vengeance on my behalf?" Tianxuan asked hesitantly. "There were numerous Golden Core cultivators aboard that vessel. Two were mid-stage cultivators like yourself, Master, and there was even a great cultivator at the seventh layer of the Golden Core. This..."
A cold sneer touched Luo Chen's lips. "You need not worry. Go scout them out first. Take care not to alert the enemy; just obtain a general picture of their movements."
Seeing her master's unshakeable resolve, the Tianxuan Battle Gull raised no further objections.
Moreover, ill-suited to the deep ocean environment, she departed the coral trench without delay.
Watching her retreating silhouette, Luo Chen let out a soft harrumph.
He wanted to understand why an entire vessel packed with cultivators—boasting seven Golden Core experts—had traveled so far across the demon sea to enter the perilous Xuanyan Sea Domain.
If they were merely passing through, well and good; he could swallow his anger.
If, however, they intended to carry out some grand scheme within the Xuanyan Sea Domain, that threatened to disrupt his overarching plan to refine the Black Emperor Paste.
When the time came, should the need arise, he would not hesitate to divert disaster toward them—borrowing the claws of the five royal demon crab clans to exact his retribution.
Amidst the chaos of battle, he could also seize the opportunity to hunt down more demon crabs.
In recent years, demon crabs had grown increasingly scarce, leaving him with an insufficient harvest to refine and stockpile enough Black Emperor Paste for his cultivation plans once he eventually departed.
Having thought through every angle, Luo Chen sealed the entrance of his cave dwelling.
His fourth-layer Golden Core cultivation had only just been breached and still required stabilization. He could not allow trivial distractions to jeopardize the realm he had labored so hard to attain.
A rhythmic, measured cadence of breathing slowly resonated within the cave dwelling nestled deep in the coral trench.
Changing locations seemed to have left Luo Chen utterly unfazed.
Chapter 547