"Thousand Island Water City offers congratulations to Realman Li on achieving the Golden Core!"
The Black Flood Dragon's long roar echoed across the entire Chidi Mountains, its overwhelming draconic might barely restrained, causing many cultivators to appear flustered, some even on the verge of falling from the sky.
"Friends from Thousand Island Water City have arrived..."
A calm voice rang out, carrying with it a mysterious sense of vitality, like the flourishing of grass and trees.
As the voice sounded, the countless giant trees on Pingyang Mountain trembled and swayed, parting to the sides to reveal a pathway.
At the same time, they sent out gentle ripples of pale green energy, which spread outward.
Where the ripples passed, the cultivators struggling under the oppressive aura immediately felt as if a spring breeze had brushed past them.
Bathed in this green spiritual energy, their disrupted powers quickly realigned, allowing them to recover from the flood dragon's pressure and regain stability.
Such a technique, instantly aiding so many cultivators at once, was truly profound and unfathomable.
The Black Flood Dragon, who had intended to make a show of force, couldn't help but narrow its eyes in alarm.
Standing atop the dragon, Oucha's expression also changed slightly, an uneasy feeling creeping into his heart about the strategy they had set for today's mission.
It was clear now that Li Ye, despite being a newly ascended Golden Core cultivator, was no less capable than any of the previous Golden Core masters of the Four Nations.
At that moment, a tall figure appeared atop Pingyang Mountain a man clad in a simple green robe, his long black hair casually tied back with a twig, his demeanor relaxed yet striking.
His youthful, jade-like face carried an inherent vitality that left a deep impression on all who saw him.
On one of the flying boats, Yu Xiaoshan and the strong man and young girl behind her were all left dazed.
"Is he a god?" the young girl murmured, her eyes sparkling with awe.
The gathered cultivators were momentarily stunned at the sight, but then quickly bowed deeply.
"We pay our respects to Realman Li and congratulate you on your Golden Core achievement!"
The tide of congratulations rose like a thunderous wave.
Whether it was the cultivators among the crowd or those busy preparing for the banquet atop Pingyang Mountain, all felt a surge of emotion, an almost trembling reverence toward the figure at the heart of it all.
This was likely the first time in the history of the Four Nations' cultivation world that a Golden Core advancement had been celebrated with such grandeur. Even if a Nascent Soul True Monarch were to appear in the future, the scene might not be as magnificent!
Only because of the chaotic times of the demon tide and the absence of strong leaders could Li Ye receive such unmatched honor.
The overwhelming cheers made the representatives from Thousand Island Water City feel even more uneasy. It seemed unlikely that their plans for today would succeed... and they might even suffer significant backlash.
Li Ye calmly accepted the congratulations, smiling lightly.
"I, Li Ye, thank all my fellow Daoists for your kind wishes!"
Then he turned his gaze toward the awkwardly hovering Black Flood Dragon and said in a clear voice:
"Friends from Thousand Island Water City, bringing such abundant waters with you has saved me quite a bit of trouble... Allow me to borrow it for a moment!"
Without waiting for a reply, he raised his hand and formed a spell seal, sending out a flash of spiritual light.
Immediately, formations hidden around the outskirts of Pingyang Mountain activated, resonating faintly with the main mountain array and drawing on the heavy water vapor brought by the Black Flood Dragon. The pale green wood energy expanded once again, merging with the water element.
Even the Black Flood Dragon itself could feel its control over the surrounding water's spiritual energy slipping away, siphoned off by the formations linking together.
It was deeply startled.
The clouds overhead thickened, turning a verdant green, and in the blink of an eye, strands of light green spiritual rain began to fall.
From the cores of the various formation nodes, saplings broke through the ground, rapidly growing thicker and taller, transforming into towering trees.
Their lush canopies intertwined, forming floating platforms in the sky, seamlessly linking with the formation array of the banquet halls for the celebration.
This transformation, accomplished in mere moments, though not showcasing destructive power, was enough to leave the crowd of cultivators utterly shaken.
Even the third-rank Black Flood Dragon had to restrain itself somewhat.
Li Ye had yet to reveal any true combat techniques; just from this display of formation mastery alone, it was clear he could easily entrap and subdue the dragon if he wished.
He was not someone to be trifled with!
"Thank you, Realman Li, for providing seats!"
Amid their awe, the cultivators quickly selected nearby tree-top platforms to land on, marveling at the natural chairs and tables that had formed.
Such divine craftsmanship Li Ye truly lived up to his reputation for excelling in both alchemy and formations. He was nothing short of extraordinary!
The Black Flood Dragon, which had come flaunting its might, had now been completely neutralized by Li Ye's effortless maneuver, its initial intimidation tactic turned utterly useless.
Oucha and the others, who had been filled with anger over Yu Kun's current miserable state his cultivation sealed, his life worse than death quickly cooled down, realizing the situation was beyond saving.
They had already begun preparing a contingency plan: to sincerely offer congratulations, then later apologize and compensate privately, hoping to resolve the matter and lift the techniques afflicting Yu Kun.
But just as they were ready to smooth things over, Li Ye had no intention of letting them off easily.
Their disciples had spoken recklessly, even openly declaring their intent to seize his Chidi Mountains.
Even when he was merely at the Foundation Establishment stage, Li Ye would not have tolerated such provocation let alone now that he had stepped into the Golden Core realm.
And just moments ago, the Black Flood Dragon had brazenly unleashed its full oppressive aura, nearly humiliating the gathered cultivators at Pingyang Mountain.
That was an unmistakable act of intimidation!
Since they had come with such hostility, why should he show them any courtesy?
He had already more or less repaid his debt to Bi Hu Sanren when he had helped Thousand Island Water City survive its near-destruction...
Now, disciplining their spirit beast and disciples a little was only proper.
Li Ye cast a cool glance toward the Black Flood Dragon and the people atop its back, then smiled slightly.
"Before inviting you all to take your seats, I have a question to ask..."
"Not long ago, your Daoist friend Yu Kun dared to summon me out of seclusion outside Pingyang Mountain, under the pretext of coordinating forces against the demon clans, disturbing me during a critical breakthrough."
"And even after my followers refused, he threatened to mobilize troops to seize my Chidi Mountains!"
"Since you have come today, I wonder have you brought an apology?"
As his words fell, the once lively Chidi Mountains were suddenly plunged into silence.
All eyes immediately turned to the Thousand Island Water City delegation atop the Black Flood Dragon, filled with complex emotions.
Many among the crowd had already heard rumors whispers about how one of the three sects' representatives had been disrespectful during a visit to Chidi Mountains and had been punished by Li Ye.
But they hadn't imagined it had been this serious!
For a cultivator, even a minor breakthrough must not be disturbed let alone a pivotal breakthrough to the Golden Core realm!
If Yu Kun had been allowed to act so recklessly, disrupting Realman Li's breakthrough and causing him to fail…
Wouldn't the Four Nations' cultivation world's only hope have been destroyed along with it?
The Thousand Island Water City contingent instantly felt like they were sitting on pins and needles. The third-rank Black Flood Dragon, under the intense scrutiny of the surrounding cultivators, began to show its feral side, its killing intent stirring.
Oucha hurriedly stepped forward, his posture humble and cautious. "We naturally"
"Enough!"
Li Ye suddenly waved his hand.
"Judging from the way you paraded in earlier, it seems you weren't the least bit apologetic."
"In that case, I'll deal with this Black Flood Dragon first and then we'll talk!"
As his voice echoed, the crowd of cultivators gasped in shock.
Oucha's face turned pale.
The Black Flood Dragon let out a low growl.
And Li Ye raised his hand brilliant green light burst forth, dyeing the heavens in a sea of emeralds!
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