In the desperate moment, Lin Feng frantically searched his spatial ring while formulating a plan. The only viable idea was to give An Xiyue a few powerful talismans. However, given her low cultivation base, even high-grade talismans might prove insufficient against two Nascent Soul cultivators. Yet, it seemed their only option…
Hmm? What's this…?
While rummaging, Lin Feng's brows suddenly shot up as he discovered something unexpected. He swiftly retrieved it — a dull gray bead. It was the communication bead obtained from Hu Sha not long ago!
Hu Sha had mentioned he would linger around the Dragon Current Sea for a while. Calculating the time, he likely had just stabilized his cultivation breakthrough. Meaning, there was a high probability he was still nearby. Moreover, the massive commotion here would surely draw his attention if he was within range…
A flicker of hope ignited in Lin Feng's heart. He immediately prepared to crush the bead to summon aid. Normally, the bead's range was a thousand li. Crushing it would instantly amplify the signal, sending an 'urgent distress call'.
Huh?!
Just as Lin Feng clenched his right fist to shatter the bead, he froze. A peculiar vibration emanated from the bead — a sensation he recognized instantly. It meant the paired bead was within communication range!
Elated by this discovery, Lin Feng abandoned the idea of crushing it. Instead, he channeled his true essence into the bead, sending a rapid series of urgent distress pulses.
Buzz…
Almost instantly, the bead vibrated faintly in his palm. This ordinary communication bead couldn't transmit thoughts or voice, but the response was unmistakable. The pattern of the vibration indicated Hu Sha was close!!
Relief washed over Lin Feng's face. Concentrating briefly, he turned to An Xiyue and urged, "Head this way!! Reinforcements are coming!"
An Xiyue had witnessed Lin Feng retrieving the bead and guessed his intent. Hearing his words, hope surged within her. She instantly adjusted their course, speeding toward the direction Lin Feng indicated.
However, this directional shift allowed their pursuers to close the gap further. The distance shrank to less than three hundred meters. At this rate, they would be overtaken within moments — assuming their enemies didn't attack outright…
Tsk! "Miss An! Take these talismans! Use them if necessary!!"
Lin Feng's anxiety spiked. He thrust three talismans into An Xiyue's hand: a mid-grade fourth-tier Golden Light Talisman, a low-grade fourth-tier Water Prison Talisman, and a mid-grade fourth-tier Hundred Thunder Talisman. He possessed stronger talismans, but An Xiyue's cultivation limited her ability to unleash even a mid-fourth-tier talisman's full power; higher grades would be equally ineffective.
"Mm." An Xiyue, frantic herself, accepted the talismans. She glanced back at their pursuers, clenched her silver teeth, and forcibly surged her true essence. Her speed increased noticeably — she was pushing herself beyond her limits, placing immense strain on her body. Lin Feng opened his mouth slightly, wanting to stop her, but swallowed his words, his expression darkening further.
Whoosh!!
A sharp tearing sound erupted from behind. Both their faces paled as they spun around. A streak of azure light tore through the water toward them!
"Look out!!" An Xiyue cried out, shoving Lin Feng aside while twisting her body. Her right hand shot forward as a golden talisman — the Golden Light Talisman Lin Feng had given her — exploded in her grip. A golden barrier, several meters wide, instantly encased them both.
BOOM!!!
The next instant, the azure light slammed into the golden barrier. Violent energy erupted outward, churning the surrounding seawater into massive whirlpools. The golden barrier flickered violently once before shattering completely. An Xiyue grunted, staggering backward several steps before Lin Feng caught her. Her face was deathly pale, a trickle of blood sputtered from the corner of her mouth. The muscles on her face twitched subtly — the injury preventing her from maintaining her disguise art, revealing her true features.
"Are you alright?" Lin Feng asked urgently, supporting her.
"I'm… fine…" An Xiyue shook her head weakly, wiping the blood away. She looked up, a bitter smile touching her lips. While they had blocked the attack, it had forced them to stop. Now, their enemies had caught up, hovering just tens of meters ahead. Only one stood directly before them; the other had already circled around, blocking their escape route…
Lin Feng saw the predicament clearly. His face grim, he scanned their position fore and aft, then stole an almost imperceptible glance at the communication bead still clutched in his hand. Unmistakable anxiety filled his eyes as he silently prayed, Brother Hu Sha… please hurry…
Meanwhile, the two Nascent Soul cultivators scrutinized Lin Feng and An Xiyue with cautious eyes. Thoroughly confirming Lin Feng's extreme weakness and An Xiyue's mere Golden Core cultivation, they both inwardly sighed in relief. Exchanging a look, naked excitement and greed flickered in their gazes.
They had witnessed Qin Huangtian 'instantly kill' their master before fleeing in panic. Only after escaping some distance did realization dawn: logically, Qin Huangtian shouldn't have let them escape. With the power he'd used to kill their master, eliminating them should have been effortless. The fact he hadn't could only mean one thing… he had been utterly spent!
This understanding ignited ambition within them. Unable to resist the immense benefits promised by finishing off a depleted Divine Transformation cultivator, they cautiously doubled back. To their astonishment, upon returning, they witnessed Lin Feng slaying Qin Huangtian…
That sight had terrified them, nearly sending them fleeing again instantly. But then, the situation shifted dramatically once more: a fifth-tier demon beast appeared! They watched, dumbfounded, as Lin Feng proceeded to slay that beast as well…
During the chaotic battle, they recognized Lin Feng's identity from the unique flames (Heavenly Starlight Flame) and the Blood Demon Blade.
The legendary treasures Lin Feng possessed, the belongings of two Divine Transformation cultivators, plus the corpse of a fifth-tier demon beast… Each prize fueled their greed. Coupled with the clear observation that Lin Feng was completely drained and powerless, their restraint vanished. They gave chase immediately.
However, Lin Feng's fearsome reputation and the recent spectacle of him dispatching a Divine Transformation expert and a fifth-tier beast made their pursuit extremely cautious. They remained ready to flee at any sign of danger. This wariness gradually faded during the prolonged chase. Only after successfully cornering their prey and repeatedly confirming their vulnerability did they finally relax completely.
The sheer scale of this unexpected windfall left them feeling dizzyingly fortunate. Their gazes fixed greedily on Lin Feng, cold killing intent rising steadily.
Huh? Wait!!
Just as one cultivator prepared to strike, the green-robed middle-aged man facing Lin Feng and An Xiyue — a cultivator at the fifth level of Nascent Soul — suddenly raised a hand, stopping his purple-robed companion (third level Nascent Soul) on the other side. His eyes narrowed as he stared intently at An Xiyue, his voice laced with surprise, "This girl… she looks like An Xiyue from the An Family of Black Dragon City!!"
Oh?!
The purple-robed cultivator across from them blinked, then his eyes blazed with sudden recognition and delight, "Her?!"
An Xiyue was a wanted fugitive by the Great Wave Alliance; they were certainly familiar with her. Yet, upon recognizing her, their first thought wasn't of the Alliance's bounty, but the Blue Moon Sect ruins! Everyone knew An Xiyue held the clearest knowledge of the ruins' location. Finding her now meant… they might still claim the Blue Moon Sect's legacy treasures!
The wave of greedy euphoria washing over them intensified even further. Had they possessed deeper knowledge of the Blue Moon Sect, they might have recognized the Blue Moon Restriction God Art Lin Feng had used earlier, deducing he already possessed its inheritance. The thought of that potential prize would likely have driven them to frenzy.
After a shared moment of avarice, they reached a silent agreement. The green-robed cultivator's voice turned icy, "Kill Lin Feng! Take An Xiyue alive!"
"Agreed!!" The purple-robed cultivator snarled viciously. Purple light flared around him as his right hand began to rise…
CRACKLE!!
Purple lightning flashed — but it wasn't the purple-robed cultivator attacking. An Xiyue had acted first, activating the mid-grade fourth-tier Hundred Thunder Talisman!
Bolts of purple lightning, thick as a man's thigh, erupted around the four figures, striking towards the enemies blocking both escape paths!
"Hmph! Futile resistance!" The green-robed cultivator sneered contemptuously. A flick of his wrist sent a barrage of wind blades shrieking forth. Each blade intercepted a bolt of lightning with pinpoint accuracy. A series of deafening BOOMS echoed as all the purple lightning bolts were dissipated harmlessly. The purple-robed cultivator hadn't even needed to move.
Hmph…
An Xiyue grunted again, the backlash from forcibly activating the powerful talisman making her face even paler. A flicker of despair entered her eyes as her attack proved utterly useless.
"Heh heh… Relying on a woman to shield you even at death's door? How pathetic…" The green-robed cultivator mocked Lin Feng, a cruel smile twisting his lips. Killing intent solidified in his gaze. He swept his hand horizontally before him. A gleaming purple flying sword materialized, poised to sever Lin Feng's head with a mere thought.
Hmm?!
Suddenly, the green-robed cultivator's expression shifted. His head snapped up, his senses locking onto a distant point. Half a heartbeat later, the purple-robed cultivator also jerked his head around in shock.
SWOOSH!!!
From the direction Lin Feng had pointed earlier, a streak of violet light, blazing like a meteor, tore through the darkness. An overwhelming, tiger-like aura surged ahead of it, carrying a furious roar that shook the sea long before its source arrived…
"WHO DARES harm my brother?!"