Not far from the Mo family fishery lay a small town.
The town walls were not particularly high, but at this moment their protective formations were fully activated. Squads of Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment cultivators patrolled atop the ramparts with halberds and sabers in hand, maintaining grim and solemn discipline.
Leading them was an emaciated old man.
He stood quietly on the city wall, worry written across his face, his eyes flickering with boundless dread from time to time.
A cultivator stepped forward cautiously behind him.
"Old Patriarch, are we really not going to help?"
The old patriarch of the Mo family did not turn his head, merely barking in a low voice, "Help? How can I help! A battle of that level isn't something I can meddle in at all."
The clansman said worriedly, "But the Wu family and our Mo family have been in-laws for three generations, close as can be. That rogue cultivator Luo Hai killed three of their Core Formation cultivators; he's their sworn enemy through and through. Now he has fled into our Mo family fishery. If we sit by and do nothing..."
"Then what?"
The old patriarch whirled around, glaring fixedly at the middle-aged man.
Under his stare, the middle-aged man fell silent.
The Mo family patriarch gave a cold snort. "Old Three, I know you married a daughter of the Wu family, but you must remember that our Mo family is only their in-laws. We have not been reduced to their vassals!"
Hearing this, cold sweat broke out across the middle-aged man's body.
Without realizing it, he had been influenced by his wife into thinking the Mo family was subordinate to the Wu family.
Now, the old patriarch's words, driven home by his divine sense, rang like a great bell that jolted him awake.
"You must understand that whether I participate in this battle or not makes no difference whatsoever."
"I am only an early Core Formation cultivator, after all. Even if I joined that fight, I couldn't be of much help."
"On the contrary, if I were unfortunate enough to perish in it, the Mo family would completely lose its Core Formation cultivator and be reduced to a Foundation Establishment clan. When that time came, even if the Wu family didn't hold us accountable, our family would still plunge into an abyss."
"Besides..."
The speech was thoroughly reasoned.
It cleared the mind of Mo Laosan, the Foundation Establishment True Cultivator with the best hope of ascending to the Core Formation stage in their clan.
The Wu family could bear the loss of three Core Formation cultivators, but the Mo family, possessing only a single one, could not afford the slightest attrition.
When it came to the clan's future, three generations of marital ties meant nothing!
Hearing the lingering implication in the patriarch's final sentence, the newly awakened Mo Laosan inquired, "Is there another concern?"
The old patriarch's expression grew solemn, his gaze shifting toward another direction.
"Besides, when even experts far beyond my reach can only look on without daring to intervene, what right do I have to butt in?"
...
Atop a low hill, several silhouettes of immortal cultivators stood clustered together.
The foremost figure wore fluttering sleeves and skirts, exuding an air of elegance and noble grace.
It was none other than Luo Yuqing, Sect Master of the Hanli Sect!
At this moment, she stood ahead of the crowd, utterly silent.
Behind her, Core Formation cultivators from various other factions on Lengguang Island buzzed with discussion.
"This rogue cultivator Luo Hai is truly formidable. Six Core Formation cultivators joined hands and still couldn't take him down, only to be slain one by one instead."
"Six? The Mountain Master of Baizao Mountain, who is at the eighth layer of Core Formation, made a move as well—didn't you see?"
"Aye! I thought that once the Mountain Master stepped in, it would be an effortless capture, yet who would have thought he'd be blasted away without being able to resist at all? Looking at that trajectory, he's probably hundreds of li away by now. Rushing back will take him some time."
"More importantly, does he even dare return?"
"Just what is this Luo Hai's background? At the fourth layer of Core Formation, he battled five peers and even two Great Cultivators. He also commands two demon beasts with obviously boundless potential. Among us Core Formation cultivators, he definitely counts as one of the topmost powerhouses."
"Didn't you hear? Master He Yuan called him Demonic Lord Qingyang."
"Who is Demonic Lord Qingyang anyway? I only know that years ago, some low-tier disciples of the Yuan Demon Sect liked refining living beings into a kind of Qingyang Demonic Fire. Could this man be a disciple of the Yuan Demon Sect as well?"
"Who knows? All I know is that Wu Qi of Wushen Island spent some time secretly searching for Demonic Lord Qingyang. He even caused a huge blunder over it, angering He Yuan, a true disciple of the Yuan Demon Sect, right at the docks."
"Rumor has it that back then, Wu Qi mistook He Yuan for Demonic Lord Qingyang."
"Heh heh, which means the two key players are now meeting face to face. No wonder Master He Yuan ordered that no one is allowed to touch Luo Hai, leaving all of our scheming completely helpless."
Murmurs of discussion continued ceaselessly behind her.
Luo Yuqing looked calm, yet a strange glint flickered in her eyes as she silently repeated the name "Demonic Lord Qingyang" in her heart.
No one knew what she was thinking.
At present, however, everyone's attention was fixed upon the two figures not far away.
In their eyes, another titanic battle was likely about to unfold.
And this time, would He Yuan of the Yuan Demon Sect prove more skilled, or would Demonic Lord Qingyang, riding the momentum of his sweeping victory, triumph over him?
Everyone watched in eager anticipation!
...
Amidst the fishery, where spiritual energy churned in chaos and monstrous waves surged:
A lone boat floated serenely upon the sea, completely unaffected by the tempest.
Luo Chen struggled to remain standing in midair. As his divine sense swept through the surroundings, his expression could not help but change.
Noticing his shift in expression, He Yuan chuckled lightly from the solitary boat. "This seat didn't deceive you, did he? In your current state, if those people swarmed you all at once, what odds of victory would you have?"
Luo Chen took a deep breath, focusing all his attention on He Yuan.
"In that case, it seems I truly ought to thank you."
"No need for thanks. After all, you belong to our Moluo Stream to begin with."
Luo Chen frowned. "I do not!"
"You can!" He Yuan reined in his smile and spoke seriously, "You possess a Blood Nightmare Token. If you declare it, everyone will acknowledge you as a subordinate of Stream Master Blood Nightmare."
Seeing Luo Chen remain silent, He Yuan explained patiently, "In this battle, you have offended far too many people. The Qian family, the Wu family, the Lianfeng Firm, and Baizao Mountain—none of these forces will ever let you off. Furthermore, there are plenty of cultivators eyeing you hungrily, waiting to play the fisherman and reap the spoils. If you don't submit to me, do you truly believe you can walk away unhindered?"
Luo Chen seemed somewhat swayed, hesitance written on his face.
After a long pause, he asked, "What did you... Stream Master Blood Nightmare take a fancy to about me? My alchemy?"
He Yuan, acting as the representative of Blood Nightmare Moluo, smiled once more.
"Alchemy is one part of it. Or rather, if all you had was alchemy, you would merely count as a talent—useful, but dispensable. After all, with the foundation of my Yuan Demon Sect, even if only a fraction remains, cultivating an outstanding alchemist isn't that difficult."
"What truly made up my mind was your performance in this battle!"
"Your spells are exquisitely refined, your body-refining techniques domineering beyond compare, and your illusions strike when least expected. With no shortcomings in body, qi, or spirit, even back when my Yuan Demon Sect still stood and prodigies emerged in droves, you would have held a place of honor."
"Currently, our Moluo Stream wishes to restore the glory of the demon sect, but we lack far too much across all areas. If you join us, you could perhaps serve as a banner for our Moluo Stream among Core Formation cultivators."
"Qingyang, this seat truly thinks very highly of you!"
Faced with this speech, Luo Chen fell silent once again.
Elsewhere, the many Core Formation cultivators listening in held their breath.
Upon careful reflection, Luo Chen's earlier display in battle was indeed awe-inspiring.
In fact, it wasn't just the spells, physical combat, and illusion arts He Yuan mentioned.
This man was also remarkably accomplished in arrays and beast taming, not to mention his natal magic treasure.
And then there was the alchemy He Yuan had brought up!
No one had anticipated that Demonic Lord Qingyang was actually a remarkable master alchemist whom even Blood Nightmare Moluo regarded with favor.
Seen in that light, one could easily understand why Wu Qi had gone to such lengths to investigate his whereabouts.
Everyone knew Wu Qi had been stuck at the sixth layer of Core Formation for years, failing repeatedly to break through to the late Core Formation stage.
If he had the help of medicinal pills, perhaps breakthrough would take only a single night.
He Yuan gave Luo Chen plenty of time to consider.
He naturally noticed that Luo Chen was doing everything he could to recover his magic power, and that his aura was briefly rebounding.
Yet He Yuan paid none of this any mind.
He was brimming with confidence, holding everything firmly in his grasp.
After a while, he finally asked, "Have you reached a decision?"
"This seat can promise that once you join, I will quell the vendettas of those lesser factions on your behalf."
"Not only that, I can grant you a separate Rank 3 island for your cultivation, bestow countless subordinates upon you, ten cauldrons, and put nearly half of Moluo Stream's forces at your beck and call!"
Luo Chen looked up. "And the price?"
"Fight across the world for me and carve out renown for Moluo Stream!" He Yuan replied without hesitation.
The corner of Luo Chen's mouth twitched. "Don't you think sending an alchemist onto the battlefield is a waste of talent?"
He Yuan laughed heartily. "In our current circumstances, the Dao of Alchemy is merely a minor craft. Only through contention can we secure a foothold. Besides... isn't what you just did an alchemist going to battle?"
Luo Chen was rendered speechless.
Seeing him lapse into silence again, He Yuan grew somewhat impatient.
"Qingyang, my patience is limited!"
Luo Chen drew another deep breath, summoning the meager remnants of magic power left within him.
"One final question for you."
"Speak."
"Are these terms your idea, or Perfected Person Blood Nightmare's?"
He Yuan replied without thinking, "Naturally it is this seat's... No, it's Stream Master Blood Nightmare's... Wait, that's not right either, it's my idea... Just what is wrong here..."
A bizarre spectacle suddenly unfolded.
Through this exchange, Luo Chen had finally probed out the strangeness he had felt ever since laying eyes on He Yuan.
This man was contradictory!
His words, actions, thoughts, and reflections all contained contradictions.
It gave the impression of one person speaking with two voices.
At first glance, his words aligned well with He Yuan's identity as a representative of Stream Master Blood Nightmare.
Yet the terms he offered sounded as if Blood Nightmare Moluo were speaking in person.
What ordinary Core Formation cultivator would dare boast of putting nearly half of Moluo Stream at Luo Chen's beck and call?
Furthermore!
Under the brutal intensity of the previous battle, Luo Chen had already demonstrated immense strength.
Never mind that He Yuan was currently only at the fourth layer of Core Formation; even a late Core Formation Great Cultivator would have treated Luo Chen with caution right now. How could anyone be so brazenly careless and arrogant?
There was only one answer.
This He Yuan was not that He Yuan!
"Forget it. We can talk when you've figured it out. I won't keep you company any longer!"
Leaving behind those words, Luo Chen turned and left.
Upon the sea, the lone boat swayed. He Yuan, who had been mentally confused a moment ago, darkened his expression.
"You want to leave?"
Just as he was about to strike, Luo Chen, who had turned to leave, abruptly whipped around, his eyes shining with an uncanny light.
He Yuan bared his snow-white teeth. "That illusion art again? That trick worked on the Mountain Master of Baizao Mountain, but it won't work on me."
However, before that strange light bloomed, an invisible ripple emerged from the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, overtaking it to arrive first.
As the sea wind howled and robes snapped in the gale, He Yuan stood on the lone boat, initially disdainful, only to feel as if he had been struck by a hammer the next instant.
A sharp sensation breached his soul defenses, plunging straight into the depths of his sea of consciousness.
Within that consciousness, which resembled a blood-red ocean, tumultuous waves suddenly surged.
A hazy silhouette trapped sitting within the sea of blood sluggishly raised its head.
At that exact moment,
He Yuan's eyes met Luo Chen's gaze without hindrance.
Mirror Flower, Water Moon activated once more!
In a flash, the hazy silhouette shuddered violently. Dense black light erupted from its soul form, violently pushing outward.
It forcefully dyed more than half of the blood-red ocean black!
"Old scoundrel, get the hell out of me!!!"
Inside He Yuan's sea of consciousness, half was crimson and half pitch-black, locked in fierce opposition!
"Dammit!"
A furious roar exploded within the sea of consciousness.
The next moment, a bloody silhouette condensed from the sea of blood.
As he took step after step forward, the blood sea surged frantically, suppressing the previously surging black light layer by layer.
Seeing this, the black silhouette knew he had missed his final opportunity to struggle.
He glared resentfully at the blood silhouette.
"Old scoundrel! You defied the ancestral teachings and committed heinous treason! When our sect's old ancestor returns, he will cast you into the Avici Hell, never to be reincarnated!"
"He Yuan, stop daydreaming. The Soul Transformation ancestor will never return!"
The blood silhouette barked in a low voice and flung up his hands.
Monstrous waves crashed down.
In the end, the endless sea of blood enveloped the black silhouette once again.
Now the blood sea calmed, and the sea of consciousness united.
Endless bloody light coalesced into a blood robe draped over the blood silhouette, rendering his body increasingly solid.
He cast a glance around the sea of consciousness before his mind returned to the outside world.
When "He Yuan" opened his eyes again, Luo Chen was nowhere to be seen in the Mo family fishery.
He muttered in a low voice, "No wonder that lad felt so contradictory to me at the auction. I initially thought he was tainted by monster qi, possessing a half-demon body. Now it appears he clearly conceals the Nascent Soul of a Nascent Soul cultivator."
"A single lapse in vigilance nearly caused this avatar of mine to suffer a grievous setback."
"Indeed, only that explains why my Blood Nightmare Token had its perception blocked. Only a fellow Nascent Soul Perfected Person could possess such methods."
Right at this moment, a gust of violent wind swept across the sea as someone rushed back without stopping.
The moment he arrived, he roared at the top of his lungs, "Where is Luo Hai?"
Before his roar faded, the man's expression shifted, his gaze reflexively falling upon He Yuan.
He Yuan looked at him, frowning at first, but then breaking into a smile.
"It wasn't a wasted trip after all!"
"You are the Mountain Master of Baizao Mountain, are you not? From this day forth, you shall submit to my Blood Nightmare branch of the Moluo Stream!"
The Mountain Master of Baizao Mountain's face changed, and he instinctively drew back.
"Our Baizao Mountain has always maintained Lengguang Island's neutral stance. We never interfere in the struggle between orthodox and demonic factions."
He Yuan smiled faintly and reached out toward him from afar.
"It's different now!"
"From today onward, whether Feileng City or Lengguang Island, all will belong to my Moluo Stream. Baizao Mountain will be no exception!"
An earth-shattering blood hand extended from He Yuan's body.
Its momentum was immense, reeking with a pungent stench.
The Mountain Master of Baizao Mountain waved the miniature mountain in his hand, causing the towering mountain to expand once more.
Yet as the blood hand clawed down, the colossal mountain crumbled inch by inch. Just as the Mountain Master attempted to unleash another technique, a chilling, eerie voice reached his ears, halting all his resistance.
"Do you want to die?"
In his vision, shadows flickered as He Yuan's face alternated between his own features and the visage of Blood Nightmare Moluo.
In a daze, He Yuan had already appeared right beside the Mountain Master of Baizao Mountain.
With hands clasped behind his back, He Yuan glanced at him and casually tossed back the miniature mountain he had just seized.
The Mountain Master swallowed hard, bending his waist in lingering terror.
"Liang Baizao pays respects to the Stream Master!"
He Yuan gave a slight nod, gazing toward the far north.
"I have a task for you. That Demonic Lord Qingyang is heavily injured and his magic power is depleted; he lacks the strength to fight again. Go and capture him for me!"
Liang Baizao opened his mouth, hesitating, "Just me alone? That man possesses extraordinary methods and numerous trump cards. I fear..."
"No matter. You are merely worried about that illusion art. Once I cast a spell upon you, it will have no effect on you whatsoever."
As he spoke, He Yuan made a grasping motion with one hand.
From the sea below, a shrill wail suddenly rang out.
A phantom was dragged out from heaven and earth.
Liang Baizao was stunned. With a single glance, he recognized the phantom's origin.
It was none other than the Core Formation cultivator of his Baizao Mountain who wielded a giant warhammer, who had fallen earlier in the great battle.
Holding the soul, He Yuan formed a rapid sequence of hand seals with both hands, before abruptly slamming a palm into Liang Baizao's body.
"Go!"
"With this scapegoat soul, it will ensure you can take three illusion attacks from Demonic Lord Qingyang head-on. Three chances are more than enough for you to capture him. Oh, and this seat can accept a corpse as well."
Liang Baizao drew a deep breath. As he felt the discomfort in his body gradually dissipate, fear lingered in his heart.
Was Blood Nightmare Moluo not rumored to be an elder of the Blood Sea lineage of the Yuan Demon Sect?
Why was he also proficient in the techniques of the Soul Refining lineage?
After Liang Baizao took his leave upon receiving the order, He Yuan gazed in the direction of Luo Chen's flight and gave a cold snort.
"Making me suffer such a silent loss—you two will have to pay a price as well!"
Chapter 586