Chapter 731: An Unexpected Encounter
Above an endless ocean, a figure of radiant light darted across the sky.
Despite the figure's remarkable speed, the vastness of the sea beneath made it impossible to traverse in a short time. After a long while, Xiao Ze finally stopped mid air. As a wave of spiritual light emanated from him, he retrieved a Spiritual Map of the Great Thousand World.
This map was a crucial tool for recording the vast world's geography, a must have for adventurers and travelers. Naturally, the map Mandala had provided him was of the highest quality.
Xiao Ze tapped the map, and a slightly blurry region rippled under his finger. As he focused his spiritual energy, the area expanded and clarified until a glowing marker appeared.
"The next continent with a long range teleportation array is still so far away..."
Xiao Ze couldn't help but sigh as he gazed at the map. It had been more than ten days since he'd left Tianluo Continent, and he'd already crossed multiple other continents, many of which had long range teleportation arrays.
Even with his relentless efforts to make haste, he had only completed half the journey to the Chaotic Continent. The sheer distance left him in awe of the vastness of the Great Thousand World.
"Unfortunately, many continents don't have the need to build long range teleportation arrays. Even when they do, the arrays typically only connect to nearby lands."
Xiao Ze shook his head. The longer the teleportation range, the higher the cost of constructing such an array. Most long range teleportation arrays were equivalent to grandmaster tier spiritual arrays, and their materials alone could cost billions of drops of Sovereign Spiritual Liquid.
Only superpowers with significant resources and close relations with another continent could afford to construct them. Otherwise, spending such a fortune for convenience alone was unthinkable.
Suddenly, Xiao Ze's soul perception was triggered. He immediately heightened his vigilance a habit born of countless travels in unfamiliar territories. His spiritual senses, always active, picked up on two powerful energy signatures ahead. Both emanated the aura of Earth Sovereigns, with one seemingly chasing the other.
Xiao Ze's spiritual energy condensed, concealing his presence. Space distorted around him, shrouding him in invisibility and returning the surroundings to a deceptive calm.
Moments later, the ocean erupted as waves thousands of feet high crashed outward, stirred by a surge of boundless energy. Hidden within the spatial distortion, Xiao Ze observed the commotion.
A figure streaked across the sky at breakneck speed, pursued by a massive creature that blotted out the horizon. The colossal being closed the gap quickly despite its immense size.
"Is that a Sea Demon Jiao?" Xiao Ze murmured to himself.
The Sea Demon Jiao wasn't listed in the Ten Thousand Beast Record but was still a formidable spirit beast. According to legend, it originated from a peculiar lower plane where magical beasts, rather than humans, ruled supreme.
Despite its origins, the Sea Demon Jiao had made its mark in the Great Thousand World due to its unique traits. Possessing traces of dragon blood, its scales and flesh were highly sought after materials. After all, few dared to target a true dragon, making dragon blooded beasts an enticing alternative for many cultivators.
Although Xiao Ze had ideas about the beast's materials, he chose not to intervene in the chase. There was no need to meddle in someone else's battle, especially when he had no idea what potential threats the Sea Demon Jiao's background might bring.
However, fate often ignored one's wishes.
The fleeing figure, seemingly realizing it couldn't escape the pursuit of a high level Earth Sovereign beast, abruptly halted about ten thousand feet from Xiao Ze's position.
As its spiritual energy dispersed, the figure of a woman in a white dress was revealed. Her beauty was striking, though her face bore a faint trace of anger that disrupted her serene demeanor.
"Sea Demon Jiao, will you truly not relent?"
The Sea Demon Jiao's massive form loomed closer, its enormous body spanning thousands of feet and casting a shadow over the ocean. A rumbling voice echoed from its maw, vibrating through the air.
"You've reached the Earth Sovereign level at such a young age, which suggests you're from a significant background. I have no desire to make enemies. However, you carry something crucial to me, something that could elevate me to the Heavenly Sovereign realm.
"I cannot afford to let you go. If you willingly hand it over, I'll offer everything I've accumulated in exchange."
The woman's delicate brows furrowed deeply as she scanned her possessions, failing to recall anything that might interest the Sea Demon Jiao.
"And how am I to know what this 'crucial item' of yours is?"
The Sea Demon Jiao tilted its enormous head, its dark golden eyes locking onto her. After a moment of consideration, it rumbled.
"Then how about you lower your defenses and allow me to sense it for myself?"
The woman's eyes widened in disbelief, her expression filled with outrage at the audacity of the demand.
"How about you lower your defenses and let me locate your Sea Demon Pearl instead?"
Hidden within his spatial veil, Xiao Ze shook his head at the exchange. The Sea Demon Jiao, confident in its strength, had adopted an overbearing and unreasonable approach.
If the woman lowered her defenses, it would place her entirely at the mercy of the beast a gamble no one would dare to make, especially when weaker than their opponent.
Despite their heated conversation, both were secretly preparing for conflict. Xiao Ze's soul perception detected familiar energy fluctuations within the woman's sleeve she was readying a spiritual array. Simultaneously, the Sea Demon Jiao released its spiritual energy, subtly extending its reach across the area.
"Releasing spiritual energy so broadly... why do you have to involve me in this?" Xiao Ze sighed inwardly.
The Sea Demon Jiao's energy expanded into the space Xiao Ze occupied. Though he could mask his presence with his soul energy, direct contact with the beast's aura rendered his concealment ineffective.
"Who dares to spy on me? Show yourself at once!"
As expected, the Sea Demon Jiao immediately sensed the anomaly and turned its enormous head toward Xiao Ze's location. Its dark golden eyes burned with anger, furious that someone had been hiding so close without detection.
The sudden shift in focus startled the woman, who retracted her spiritual array with a wary expression.
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