Chapter 1431: A Drop of Water Burns Flowers

"Such a degree of concealment... Zhongli Yan? Wuling? Unlikely. Dou Zhao travels alone, even more impossible. Then is it the lost Nine Chapters Jade Disc?"

Qu Shunhua clearly valued Master Yue Chan's opinion greatly. After a moment of contemplation, she said, "Let's follow and see."

Master Yue Chan extended her hand, her wide sleeves falling. Her skin had a faint bronze sheen.

With a single hand pressing down, a precious pearl suddenly appeared, suspended in mid-air.

Flowing light swirled around, constantly expanding outwards.

Amidst the sounds of clicking mechanisms, a majestic and solemn great bird appeared.

Its entire body shone with golden brilliance, its eyes held a dignified might.

Its feathers were sharp as blades. When its wings spread out, they spanned over a zhang (about 10 feet).

The precious pearl was embedded on its head, its radiance contained within, like a growth of flesh.

The bird let out a soft cry, its sound profoundly sorrowful, almost bringing tears to one's eyes.

Although it was lifelike, real, and tangible, like a living mythical creature, when Master Yue Chan landed on its back, her boot sole emitted a clear tapping sound—

It was clearly a puppet creation.

The Mechanical Garuda of Washing Moon Monastery!

Qu Shunhua flew and landed beside Master Yue Chan without any idle words. With a flap of its wings, the Garuda pierced the sky and pursued forward.

At this moment, to truly begin tracking the Kui Bull, and with people of unknown origin near the Kui Bull, they naturally needed to conserve their strength to deal with any potential combat, and not expend energy on the journey.

Hence, the appearance of the Mechanical Garuda was very necessary.

The Kui Bull controlled lightning, traversing the Mountain and Sea Realm, treading on ten thousand zhang of electric light. The thunderous roar echoed for a thousand li, startling more than just one or two people.

It was just that people like Jiang Wang and Zuo Guangshu immediately concealed their presence and waited for the Kui Bull to fly past.

People like Zhongli Yan and Fan Wushu confidently chose to get close and "watch the excitement."

Then they were struck by a few random bolts of lightning from the Kui Bull and ended up looking disheveled.

Zhongli Yan, after recovering, angrily chased after it.

Qu Shunhua and Master Yue Chan, after confirming the lost Nine Chapters Jade Disc, decided to investigate further.

Different people have different personalities, and make different choices. But this time, by chance, they all began to chase the trail of the Kui Bull.

"Many times, people's choices are determined by their personalities."

This was a floating mountain covered in gemstones.

On the mountain path, a person stood with their hands behind their back.

They had a pair of deep eyes, a pair of indifferent lips. In short, their facial features were somewhat distant from the world, yet strangely possessed a quality that made people feel very close to them.

At this moment, they raised a finger and placed it beside their ear: "Listen. The roar of the Kui Bull, rumble, rumble, it travels so far. Many people must be attracted by it, and then they will collide. So why am I here, and you are here?"

A harmless smile hung on their lips: "Because we are a type of people, we both have our own unwavering pursuits."

The person below the mountain path had a full forehead, a gentle facial contour, bright eyes, and wore a red-based, gold-edged martial robe, which flapped in the mountain wind.

The entire person was incredibly radiant.

"Don't block my path, people will die," he said.

And he walked slowly upwards, showing no intention of stopping for anyone or anything.

Clearly, he was not someone who was used to bringing warmth to others, despite his radiant and bright demeanor.

"I am not your enemy, Dou Zhao. This path is open to you at any time, I will not stop you," the man on the mountain path said. "I am here only to tell you a better choice—if we join forces, we can obtain more in the Mountain and Sea Realm."

Dou Zhao chuckled softly: "Have you always been this confident, or did you just start today?"

The man on the mountain path did not get angry because of this disregard, and still wore a smile: "You probably think I'm a bit blindly confident. But how to say... I respect your strength, I acknowledge that among those who entered the Mountain and Sea Realm this time, you are probably the strongest. However, do you remember Jiang Wang? After the Yellow River Meeting, he fought and killed four great demonic individuals. Could you have done that when you were in the Inner Mansion Realm? Now he has also established an Outer Building. Do you think he is not a problem? Do you understand Yue Tiannu? She is a highly skilled disciple of Washing Moon Monastery, always hovering in the Outer Building level, just because she—"

His words came to an abrupt halt.

Because a flash of saber light swept past.

Dou Zhao held the bloody head in his left hand, glanced at it slightly: "Still haven't remembered who you are."

He tossed it behind him casually, and continued to walk up the mountain nonchalantly.

The head rolled down the mountain path with a thud. After a while, the headless body began to spurt blood wildly and fell heavily.

There are also mountain ranges under the sea.

Stretching like a dragon lying prostrate on the ground.

Naturally, some places are occupied and dangerous, while others are desolate but safe.

In a certain dark cave, Chu Yuzhi stood with his arms crossed.

He was never a particularly prominent figure, and when he was with other prodigies, he didn't stand out much either.

His personality was not distinct, his behavior was not eccentric, and his demeanor was not special.

But at this moment, when no one else was around.

He stood there, as if merged with the undersea mountain range.

There was a sense of heavy power.

After a short while, the stone sculpture beside him moved. After cracking open, a face with indifferent features was revealed. Then light and color appeared, and the details of the face gradually became vivid.

It was the very person who was beheaded by Dou Zhao on the mountain path!

At this very moment, standing with Chu Yuzhi, he was naturally Xiao Shu, the prodigy from the Dan Kingdom invited by Chu Yuzhi to assist him.

He had participated in the Yellow River Meeting, but unfortunately Dou Zhao did not remember him.

"How is it?" Chu Yuzhi asked without much hope.

Xiao Shu had just had his head cut off, but at this moment he was still smiling.

Smiling, he shook his head and said, "Dou Zhao is Dou Zhao after all, not easy to fool. He didn't even wait for me to finish speaking. You say, if everyone in the world were like this, would there still be a way for strategists to survive?"

He was making lighthearted jokes about himself, but Chu Yuzhi's tone was a little heavy: "You also wasted a puppet body for nothing."

"It's not a waste, after all, I've understood him a little more." Xiao Shu looked at Chu Yuzhi, and smiled: "Among so many groups of people in the Mountain and Sea Realm, we are the weakest group. How can we not understand the mindsets of the strong?"

Among the various prodigies of the Chu Kingdom, the strong assistants invited by others were basically at the Outer Building level.

Even when Zuo Guangshu invited Jiang Wang to assist him, Jiang Wang had not yet established his Star Building. But he was still the top figure of the Yellow River Meeting in the Inner Mansion Realm, and certainly not the same as others.

With such a long preparation time, only Chu Yuzhi invited Xiao Shu.

His cultivation and origin were not as good as others.

This did not show that Xiao Shu was inferior to others. It showed that Chu Yuzhi's network was far inferior to others.

If it were someone else, facing such a topic. It would be difficult not to be discouraged.

But Chu Yuzhi instead smiled: "I have already seen our first advantage—at least others won't think of targeting us first."

Xiao Shu clearly understood Chu Yuzhi's character. A single sentence made him change his mood. At this moment, he also smiled: "Very good! Then let's strike while the iron is hot, and now go find the second advantage. Accumulating little by little advantages becomes a winning situation."

Chu Yuzhi followed him out of the cave without hesitation: "Can we find it?"

"Who knows? But it won't get any worse anyway."

"Hahahaha, I apologize, Brother Xiao! It's really not easy to drag you into such a game of chess!"

"It should be said that Brother Chu, you have keen foresight. A disadvantageous chess game is precisely what I am good at. If Dou Zhao had invited me, I really wouldn't know where to place the pieces!"

Both of them said they were not as good as others, but their steps were more determined than anyone else's, and they talked and laughed freely.

But after all, the sound was only in the seabed and did not travel far.

Just like when they entered the Mountain and Sea Realm, their first action was not to explore, but to find a place to hide.

Low-key, calm.

The Recollection Grass pointed the direction. Jiang Wang flew quickly, only chasing the traces and not the person, thus minimizing the risk of being detected.

Of course, if they were detected, it would just be a battle.

The worst outcome could be fully faced, so Jiang Wang chased without hesitation.

It was fine if Zhongli Yan and Fan Wushu had no gains, but once they had any gains, they would immediately try to snatch them.

"If we have to make a move later, don't hesitate, and don't move rashly. Move after I move. I'll find Zhongli Yan, you find Fan Wushu. It's best to be able to take care of one with a sneak attack."

"Why don't we team up and sneak attack one of them? Like Fan Wushu. Wouldn't that be more certain?"

"In an environment like the Mountain and Sea Realm, sneak attacks are actually very difficult to succeed. They won't let down their guard."

"Then what is the meaning of a sneak attack?"

"To make them subconsciously think that we are still choosing a one-on-one approach. I think Zhongli Yan won't be afraid to face me, and Fan Wushu won't be afraid to face you. I will look for an opportunity in the fight with Zhongli Yan. When I turn towards Fan Wushu, you also have to unleash your strongest methods. We will simultaneously unleash our maximum killing power on Fan Wushu to take care of him, and then Zhongli Yan will be easier to deal with... By the way, do you have any suitable restraining methods? Preferably something that can hold off Zhongli Yan for a while. I have the super-grade Daoist technique Dragon Tiger, and the Legalist Prisoner Chain here, but I don't think they will be very effective against a martial artist like Zhongli Yan."

"If it's a sneak attack, I can first use the Mirage to block Zhongli Yan. No matter how strong his physical body is, it's useless if he can't find his bearings. The key is Fan Wushu. I only found out today that he is skilled in ice Daoist techniques. In that case, his defense in a short period of time might be astonishing..."

"Before my Life-Taking Nail, no defense is astonishing."

"Then... as long as the strength of his ice does not exceed ten times the strength of the one we just fought, I can create an opening in the shortest amount of time. To create an opportunity for your Life-Taking Nail."

"That would be the best! But we also need to be prepared for failure, after all, the opponents are not weak."

"Of course. I think our second plan is still to prioritize killing Fan Wushu. If Zhongli Yan is not trapped and comes over immediately, my side first needs to..."

During their rapid flight, the Smoke Armor duo actively exchanged opinions, discussing how to ambush their opponents when they seized the treasure later.

Zuo Guangshu was discussing with great excitement, both nervous and thrilled, completely forgetting his principle of "harmony is precious," only thinking about how to fight alongside Brother Jiang and cut down people, regarding Fan Wushu's head as something within his grasp.

Seeing his younger brother's growth, Brother Jiang was also very pleased.

He had no intention of holding back, pouring out all the valuable experience gained from years of wilderness combat. How to sneak attack, how to plan, how to ambush...

This made the little marquis of Great Chu, who rarely traveled far, his eyes sparkle and filled with admiration.

But the so-called extreme joy begets sorrow, or perhaps it is the envy of heaven for talents.

The two brothers were in a heated discussion when suddenly their vision turned completely white.

Jiang Wang felt his ears were almost deaf!

He couldn't hear any sound at all.

This change was too sudden.

It happened in an instant, and even with Jiang Wang's keen perception, he couldn't react in time.

He only subconsciously pressed out the Fire Domain, protecting himself and Zuo Guangshu within it.

After about two seconds, sound returned to his ears—

Rumble!

Rumble!

Thunder rolled across the heavens and earth.

Only then did the brilliant and lively Fire Domain appear in his vision, with its flame flowers and flame sparrows. And outside the world of fire, he saw lightning!

It was a distorted, dragon-like streak of electric light, but it was too enormous, too powerful, containing terrifying power.

Connecting to the high sky above and the vast sea below.

It was expanding and spreading at an astonishing speed.

Enveloping everything around!

It was like a gigantic column of lightning, as if propping up the sky and the sea.

And it was still expanding, as if to cover the entire world.

Such terrifying might, for that Kui Bull, must also be its strongest method.

What happened to that Kui Bull? Who was it fighting against?

These questions appeared in his mind, but there was simply no time to think.

Because the most important question now was how to protect himself in this unreasonable impact.

In the Mountain and Sea Purgatory built by the Zuo family, there was the Purgatory of Thunder, where Jiang Wang and Zuo Guangshu had cultivated many times. But that so-called extreme environment was nothing compared to this terrifying lightning.

The gigantic lightning expanded, and the outer edge was a curtain of light composed of lightning.

Of course, saying "curtain of light," its thinness was only relative to this realm.

The so-called thin curtain, for cultivators, was simply a roaring wall of lightning!

On that wildly expanding curtain of lightning, countless lightning snakes were devouring power. Baring their fangs and claws, they wanted to destroy everything.

What was heard, seen, and perceived, all of it would be shattered in such lightning.

And Jiang Wang's defensive Daoist techniques were never among the top tier.

He was good at using offense as defense, and he resolutely chose to do so.

He only glanced at Zuo Guangshu, then frantically urged his Dao Yuan, pouring more power into the Fire Domain.

To make this realm of fire more vibrant, and also to breed more surging energy.

Cultivating in the Mountain and Sea Purgatory was not only about adapting to various extreme environments, but also about their tacit understanding.

Jiang Wang hadn't even looked over yet, when Zuo Guangshu had already reached out and pressed downwards.

Under his slender palm, a drop of water fell.

This drop of water was clear, transparent, and as beautiful as a precious gem.

Splash! A sound of water.

The mighty Li Dragon pulling the River Master's divine chariot suddenly leaped out. In an instant, a drop of water expanded into a world.

In the clear waves, big fish swam.

Water plants swayed, crabs and shellfish lived together.

The Water Domain was born!

Similar to the Fire Domain, but also with distinctly different creations.

A creation unique to Zuo Guangshu.

And also boiling with Zuo Guangshu's vitality.

At this moment.

The Water Domain was exactly below the Fire Domain.

The fiery red world and the azure world complemented each other.

The worlds created by the two divine abilities shone in the Mountain and Sea Realm, where the sky was dark and the lightning snakes stretched for thousands of li.

Looking from afar, it was like a flame flower burning on a drop of water.