Xu Hei didn't plan to interrogate these two people for anything; he just wanted to eliminate some hidden dangers, nothing more.
Too much curiosity is a big taboo for demonic beasts. Xu Hei didn't even intend to check their storage bags.
After cleaning up the scene, Xu Hei quietly returned to the clinic, but Xu Bai had already left, leaving only a box of copper coins.
When Xu Hei entered the room, the copper coins flew up automatically, hovering in front of him, and he reached out to catch them.
"This is Xu Bai's consultation fee."
Xu Hei looked at the copper coins in his hand, lost in thought.
Treating one person, collecting one coin, this box had about three hundred coins—was this Xu Bai's deliberate gesture?
Xu Hei felt that these copper coins were not simple and carefully put them away.
He didn't want to disturb Xu Bai's life too much. When he came yesterday, he found Xu Bai treating patients, so he didn't show himself and only observed in secret, leading to the scene just now.
As Hei Huang said, Xu Bai also had her own inheritance, a path unique to her.
Xu Hei sighed and left the clinic.
...
Before long, Xu Hei returned to his cave dwelling, which he rented. It was located halfway up a mountain, abundant in spiritual qi, well-lit, equipped with formation restrictions, and quite expensive.
Xu Hei took out eel meat, cut it into strips, marinated it with sea salt, and hung it on a drying rack in the yard.
Most of Lei Man's fish bones were integrated into the butcher's body, giving it a significant enhancement.
"Ha!"
With a low shout, countless fish spines erupted from Xu Hei's body, transforming him into a porcupine.
"Mm, this look should be enough to scare people."
With a thought, Xu Hei retracted the spikes.
A demonic beast at the Great Perfection of the Golden Core was a treasure in itself, and Xu Hei wouldn't waste it.
"Where are the storage bags of those two you killed?" Hei Huang suddenly appeared and asked.
Xu Hei took out the storage bags and placed them on the ground.
Hei Huang stared at the two storage bags, sniffed them hard, and his eyes glowed red.
"Yes! It's that disgusting smell, no mistake!"
Hei Huang's gaze turned cold as he took out a large number of formation flags and placed them around, inscribing immortal patterns. It took him an hour to set up an unknown formation.
The structure of this formation was vastly different from what Xu Hei was familiar with, unlike the formation systems of this world.
Xu Hei watched intently, not blinking.
"Open it and see," Hei Huang said.
Xu Hei nodded and controlled the butcher to step forward and open the storage bags.
The contents scattered on the ground were all ordinary items for a cultivator, spirit stones, and magical treasures, all fitting the level of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
However, one item caught the attention of the two demons.
It was a token with a black sun pattern on it.
"Black Sun?" Xu Hei frowned.
From this token, he sensed a familiar power, the same source as the poison in Bonan's body.
"Hmph! This is the so-called emblem of the Sea God Sect!"
Hei Huang's gaze was icy.
At that moment, the token suddenly vibrated, and a sinister and evil force seeped out, turning the space pitch black. Both humans and demonic beasts could feel the extreme malevolence!
Hei Huang formed a hand seal, and in an instant, the formation activated, the scenery changed, and Hei Huang's figure vanished, while the butcher transformed into the appearance of the surviving senior brother.
At this moment, the black sun on the token rose into the air, materializing into a human shadow.
This person was entirely black, covered with hideous giant mouths full of sharp teeth, and his limbs were covered in bone spurs. From his appearance, he didn't look human at all, more like a monster born from the fusion of a human and a fierce beast.
In terms of fright, only the butcher in full form could compare.
"Ye Kong, why has your junior sister's soul lamp extinguished? Give me an explanation!" the demonic shadow asked, staring at the butcher.
Xu Hei thought things were not looking good; he had killed one of the two, leaving only one alive!
If he had known, he would have left two alive! This was indeed his oversight.
In a split second, Xu Hei's thoughts raced, and he seemed to have thought of something.
Xu Hei's eyes flashed, and he sneered, "The junior sister was more of a hindrance than a help, so I ate her!"
This response was clearly unexpected for the demonic shadow.
"Oh? You ate her?"
The demonic shadow stared at Hei Huang, eyes narrowing, and the world turned dark in an instant, with boundless fear descending, light swallowed, dark clouds pressing down, and darkness reigning.
Xu Hei involuntarily tensed up, his transformed Ye Kong figure's hair stood on end, face pale, yet he continued to meet the demonic shadow's gaze without fear.
Time ticked by, and Xu Hei was drenched in sweat, yet he maintained eye contact for several breaths without flinching.
Xu Hei's performance even surprised the demonic shadow.
"Heh, not bad, to maintain such composure in front of me, you're a promising talent!"
The demonic shadow nodded and said, "If you can form a core, I can promote you to a steward!"
Xu Hei appropriately showed a look of surprise and said humbly, "Thank you, my lord!"
In an instant, the boundless fear vanished without a trace, and the demonic shadow disappeared.
"Remember, at such critical moments, don't cause any more trouble, or else, death!" The voice faded away, and the sky cleared up.
A gentle breeze blew, and the sun shone brightly,
As if what just happened was merely an illusion.
Xu Hei slumped to the ground, drenched in sweat. Even though it was just a puppet, facing that supreme demonic shadow brought an indescribable pressure, like an ant facing the ocean, fear arising from the heart.
"Was that the Sea God Sect's leader just now?" Xu Hei asked, his face pale.
"Heh, not the leader, just one of the Sea God Sect's four guardians, the Nightmare Demon Lord, at the peak of the mid-stage Elemental Infant," Hei Huang said disdainfully.
"Mid-stage Elemental Infant..."
Xu Hei drew a sharp breath; this was even more terrifying than the ancestor of the Qin Kingdom.
If the mid-stage Elemental Infant was so frightening, what about the later stages, or even the Divine Transformation stage?
"This Nightmare Demon Lord specializes in the Dao of Fear. As long as he can induce fear, he can exert the power of his intent. It's normal for you to feel this way. In terms of fright, even some late-stage Elemental Infants can't compare to him," Hei Huang said.
"Fear..." Xu Hei mused.
At the Elemental Infant stage, it's not just about cultivation and realm; there's also intent and the Dao.
This is the fundamental measure of an Elemental Infant cultivator's strength.
With Xu Hei's current strength, facing an Elemental Infant stage was still too challenging.
"You seem quite familiar with them?" Xu Hei felt he had discovered a blind spot.
"Such tricks, anyone with a bit of common sense can see through," Hei Huang said.
Xu Hei naturally didn't believe this, but he didn't press further.
Having gone through all this, Xu Hei felt increasingly aware of his own insignificance in terms of strength.
Xu Qingzhi of the Snake Catchers Sect, Qin Xuanji of the Heavenly Puppet Sect, and now the Sea God Sect has appeared.
"Still too weak," Xu Hei shook his head silently.
In the days that followed, everything was calm, and in the blink of an eye, it was the day of the trade fair.
During this time, Xu Hei did nothing but strengthen the butcher.
Lei Man's fish bones were completely refined by Xu Hei, including a piece of whale spine, which was also integrated into the butcher's body.
Now, the butcher's physical strength had reached an astonishing level, capable of tearing apart a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator with bare hands, without exaggeration!
Compared to the original body using the Diamond Suppression Technique, it was not much different, and in terms of durability, it was unmatched.
///291///
"Let's go!"
Xu Hei left the cave dwelling, carrying his flying sword, and soared through the air towards the Sea Commerce Guild.
The trading venue for this trip was located at the center of the main island. Along the way, Xu Hei saw many cultivators, all riding their flying swords, heading towards the Sea Commerce Guild.
The mortals and low-level cultivators on Twin Islands, upon witnessing such a grand scene, quickly stepped aside.
When Xu Hei arrived, the vast venue was already packed with hundreds of people, their heads bobbing like a sea of waves. However, the venue was spacious enough to accommodate more than ten thousand people, so it didn't feel crowded.
Only those with some standing, at least at the Foundation Establishment stage, were qualified to participate in the trading event.
"Almost all the Foundation Establishment cultivators on this island have gathered..." Xu Hei thought to himself.
Above the trading venue, there were thirty private rooms reserved for Core Formation cultivators.
Xu Hei found an empty seat below and sat down, keeping a certain distance from others.
Han Te also didn't go to the so-called private rooms and sat near Xu Hei.
Keeping a low profile was a consistent style for these two.
Hei Huang, however, wearing a straw hat, swaggered into one of the private rooms, "inviting" the cultivators inside to leave. Inside were Zhao Xing and Li Yu.
"Who dares to barge in, courting death!"
"Oh, it's... Brother Hei, my apologies, we'll leave this room to you!"
The two sensibly left and found another room, with Zhao Xing limping as he walked, seemingly bitten again.
"This old dog really knows how to stir up trouble!" Xu Hei cursed inwardly.
At this moment, Xu Hei's gaze suddenly sharpened.
He saw another person entering through the main door. This person appeared young, dressed in a white robe, with a gentle and refined demeanor. It was none other than Bai Luo, the top Chosen of the Heavenly Puppet Sect.
"Why is he here?" Xu Hei frowned deeply.
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Bai Luo's cultivation had evidently made significant progress compared to before. After entering, he didn't attract attention by going to a private room but instead sat in the main hall.
However, his attempt at low profile was clearly inadequate, as many in the hall recognized him. Although no one said it aloud, their gazes were all focused on Bai Luo.
This made Bai Luo frown slightly.
In the battle at Wuyou City, he and Bai Qiushui ended in a draw, with his puppets defeated by physical techniques, which he considered a great humiliation, making it impossible for him to focus on cultivation. He vowed to find Bai Qiushui and settle the score.
Thus, he disregarded the sect's objections and ventured out to sea alone to search.
However, his lack of experience showed, as he didn't know how to conceal himself on his first long journey.
"Though I haven't encountered any danger so far, I must remain low-key. Next time, I'll wear a disguise mask," Bai Luo thought to himself.
The only trouble he encountered after going to sea was a group of ignorant bandits, whom he easily defeated.
This also boosted his confidence, making him believe no one would trouble him.
Shortly after Bai Luo entered, about the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn, a masked figure in a black robe quietly entered and sat not far behind Bai Luo.
Despite the person's concealed aura and appearance, Xu Hei still recognized him from the faint murderous aura—Lei He.
"Bringing a bodyguard on a training trip, truly worthy of a major sect," Xu Hei mused.
However, Bai Luo was evidently unaware of this.
...
As the important figures gradually entered, the trading event soon began.
Xu Hei also saw the legendary envoy from the Qin Kingdom, Xu Fu.
This person was rotund, with broad shoulders and a plump body, his face glowing with health, and a kind smile. The large "Fu" character on his robe made him look like a wealthy family's patriarch to those unaware.
But everyone knew that this person was a top expert of the Qin Kingdom, an Elemental Infant stage powerhouse, deserving of utmost respect.
"Welcome, everyone, to our Twin Islands. I will be hosting this trading event!"
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In the center of the circular venue appeared a middle-aged woman with phoenix eyes, willow-leaf eyebrows, and a touch of crimson on her forehead—a charming and graceful beauty.
One of the two island masters of Twin Islands, Jiang Ying.
This immediately caused a stir in the venue, but considering today's unprecedented gathering, with over twenty Core Formation cultivators and even an Elemental Infant cultivator present, it was only natural to alarm the island master.
"Let's keep it short; we'll start with the first round, the auction."
After some pleasantries, Jiang Ying waved her hand, and a crack opened in the ground, from which a giant conch emerged.
"A specialty of the Dolphin Clan from the East Sea, Fishman Drunk. One drop can intoxicate a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and one cup can intoxicate a Core Formation cultivator."
As Jiang Ying spoke, a wisp of wine aroma wafted from the conch.
In an instant, many in the venue had flushed faces, feeling slightly tipsy, which greatly shocked them.
Jiang Ying raised her hand, and the wine aroma vanished.
"What a terrifying strength of the wine!"
"This wine is truly remarkable, whether for personal consumption or as a gift, it's excellent!"
The eyes of the crowd flickered, their hearts filled with excitement.
But clearly, this was a lot that only Core Formation cultivators were eligible to bid on.
"According to the seller's requirements, he only accepts top-grade spirit stones, starting at ten top-grade spirit stones," Jiang Ying announced.
As soon as she finished speaking, someone shouted, "I'll bid twenty!"
"Thirty!"
"Fifty!"
In a matter of moments, the price reached fifty top-grade spirit stones.
Xu Hei exhaled and reclined in his chair.
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This conch of Fishman Drunk was his auction item, placed first to set the mood.
Although he didn't drink, he gladly accepted the wine gifted by the Dolphin Clan to sell.
Of course, he kept a gourd for himself as a backup.
"Sixty!"
"Sixty-five!"
"I'll bid eighty!"
When the price reached eighty, the room fell silent for a moment, clearly hesitating.
This price already satisfied Xu Hei, as he had spent only a hundred to activate the Dragon Shatter Roar.
"I'll bid one hundred top-grade spirit stones!"
Suddenly, as a voice rang out, everyone turned to look.
The bidder was Bai Luo.
"Him?"
Xu Hei's eyes widened. What's this kid buying Fishman Drunk for?
Bai Luo's bid was too high, leaving no competition, making him the center of attention.
"Alright, congratulations to this fellow Daoist for winning the Fishman Drunk."
Jiang Ying waved her hand, and the conch flew to Bai Luo, who stored it away, while Bai Luo promptly handed over a hundred top-grade spirit stones with his storage bag.
Auction items were bought and received on the spot, and one could leave at any time after the transaction.
Bai Luo sniffed the Fishman Drunk and carefully stored it away.
"Before I came of age, Uncle Lei He protected me for over ten years, working hard. I heard he likes to drink, so this Fishman Drunk will be a gift for him," Bai Luo thought to himself.
Behind Bai Luo, not far away, the black-clad figure sighed deeply.
If not for his mission, he would have bid just now, but Bai Luo bought it, leaving him with a wry smile.
He had no hobbies, living a solitary life, with only drinking as a pleasure besides fighting. Bai Luo's purpose for buying the wine was obvious.
The auction continued.
The subsequent lots were mostly around the second tier, contested by Foundation Establishment cultivators, with few above the third tier.
Apart from buying a compass to identify directions, Xu Hei didn't make any more bids.
////292///
The reason for buying this compass was because Hei Huang bid once, but was quickly outbid by someone else.
Xu Hei, curious, bought it at a higher price.
Once he got the compass, it was only palm-sized, plain and unremarkable, with nothing unusual about it. Xu Hei shook his head and put it into his storage bag.
...
Time flew by, and before he knew it, two hours had passed.
To speed things up, Jiang Ying brought out over a hundred auction items at once, placing them in front, each marked with a price for the cultivators present to choose from.
These low-level treasures were quickly swept away.
Xu Hei also sold quite a few magical treasures, all spoils from previous killings, which were useless to him.
As his realm improved, many magical treasures became too low-level for him, and rather than letting them gather dust, he decided to sell them for spirit stones.
By the end of it, Xu Hei had gained a total of 350 top-grade spirit stones.
Including his previous stock, Xu Hei now had over 500 top-grade spirit stones!
"The next dragon clan technique requires a thousand top-grade spirit stones, still half short, damn it," Xu Hei sighed inwardly.
His current wealth was unmatched among Core Formation cultivators. Most of his fortune came from the "gift" from the Snake Catchers Sect, that time when the entire sect besieged him, making him rich in one go.
"The next treasure is called the Minor Annihilation Talisman. Its power speaks for itself, being one of the rare talismans capable of tearing space! If used well, it can threaten cultivators at the Great Perfection of the Core Formation stage, and even Elemental Infant stage cultivators must retreat!"
Jiang Ying brought out three gray talismans, placing them in the void, emanating destructive waves.
"Minor Annihilation Talisman!"
Xu Hei's eyes narrowed. This talisman was precisely what he had seized from Xuan Yangzi, used to deal with Zhou Qing, forcing him to swallow the Longevity Pill.
Having used it once, he knew its power could tear open space, ignoring any defenses below the fourth tier, making it a formidable weapon.
Not only Xu Hei, but everyone's eyes were also filled with fervor.
In terms of sheer power, the Minor Annihilation Talisman even surpassed the Thunder Tribulation Pearl, and it was easy to activate, requiring only the infusion of spiritual qi, much more convenient than some high-tier magical treasures.
Of course, low-tier cultivators dreaming of using this talisman to kill high-tier cultivators was wishful thinking; the opponent wouldn't just stand there and let you kill them.
"There are three Minor Annihilation Talismans in total, auctioned separately. Now, for the first one," Jiang Ying announced.
"I bid 30,000 spirit stones!"
"I bid 50,000!"
"60,000!"
The price climbed rapidly, soon surpassing 80,000 spirit stones. Of course, these prices were in lower-grade spirit stones, the common currency, as only a few possessed top-grade spirit stones.
Ultimately, the first Minor Annihilation Talisman was sold for 90,000 spirit stones, which was the entire fortune of an ordinary Core Formation cultivator.
The second one sold for a high price of 100,000, bought by Xu Hei.
The third one also went for 100,000, purchased by Bai Luo.
"Made a fortune, nearly 300,000 spirit stones, haha."
Han Te grinned.
Xu Hei glanced at Han Te curiously, wondering why this guy seemed happier than anyone else.
Moreover, since entering, he hadn't placed a single bid; could he be here just to sell things?
After the Minor Annihilation Talismans, the level of the auction items rose significantly, all above the third tier, with transaction prices often exceeding 100,000.
Xu Hei placed a few bids, but only tentatively. Even if he fancied a magical treasure and had the means to buy it, he would back off if someone competed with him.
He really didn't want to draw attention.
"The next magical treasure is one of the highlights of this auction, the Ancient Pill Refining Insights!"
Jiang Ying clapped her hands.
In an instant, a sealing formation rose from the ground, enveloping a space, within which appeared an ancient jade engraved with countless runes.
On the jade was a symbol—a small cyan cauldron.
The moment Xu Hei saw the small cauldron, his pupils contracted sharply.
This small cauldron looked so familiar, it was identical to Xu Bai's medicine cauldron!
Xu Hei's breathing became rapid, and he suppressed his inner turmoil, listening intently.
"This ancient jade was discovered by my husband and me in an underwater ruin. The jade is extremely ancient, from a period even older than the ancient times. Despite this, the jade still contains a powerful seal. We have spent a hundred years deciphering it, yet have only managed to unlock less than ten percent of its content."
"And this ten percent is the insights of an ancient pill refiner, including three ancient pill recipes."
Jiang Ying's words caused an uproar in the audience.
The insights of an ancient pill refiner, including three pill recipes, were undoubtedly treasures for a pill refiner.
Moreover, according to Jiang Ying's description, the jade held enormous hidden value, which was the remaining ninety percent of the content.
If even Elemental Infant cultivators couldn't decipher it, what kind of heaven-defying secrets could the remaining content hold?
Of course, the people present weren't fools. Since it couldn't be deciphered, buying it would be useless and might even bring disaster.
"Island Master Jiang, we naturally trust your words, but could you tell us what those three pill recipes are?"
At this moment, a gentle voice came from a private room, it was Xu Fu speaking.
As an Elemental Infant cultivator and a pill refiner, he could gauge the value of the jade just by the pill recipes.
Jiang Ying replied, "Qing Tian Pill, Nine Yang Powder, and Five Poison Heart Devouring Pill."
Xu Fu squinted his eyes, nodded, and said, "They're all third-tier pills, nothing particularly valuable. I'll offer 200,000 spirit stones to buy it and take it back for research."
Hearing Xu Fu's words, the crowd calmed down.
If it only contained third-tier pill recipes, it indeed wasn't very valuable. 200,000 spirit stones was quite reasonable.
Even among Core Formation cultivators, few had assets exceeding 200,000.
Xu Fu glanced around the quiet hall and smiled, "If any of you fancy it, feel free to compete. I'm not a petty person."
Despite his words, no one dared to compete.
Xu Hei's expression was grim. He certainly wanted to buy it, but risking offending an Elemental Infant cultivator wasn't worth it.
Xu Fu appeared amiable, but who knew what he was like behind the scenes?
"200,100."
Suddenly, a voice came from the box above.
It was that dog, Hei Huang, speaking.
This immediately drew everyone's attention. Raising the bid by just a hundred, was this a deliberate challenge to Xu Fu?
"Oh?"
Xu Fu was taken aback. He had anticipated competition, but not in this manner. He chuckled, "I'll bid 250,000."
"300,000!"
This time, it was Xu Hei who spoke up. With someone leading the charge, what was there to fear?
At this moment, the entire audience was in an uproar, all eyes on the tall giant wearing a straw hat. This person had previously bid a few times, always backing off, showing caution. But what was with him now? Had he gone mad?
300,000, the highest price since the auction began!
Han Te shuddered, quickly moving two seats away, sitting far off.
Xu Fu squinted his eyes and said, "350,000."
"350,100!" Hei Huang said.
"400,000!" Xu Hei continued to raise the price, clearly going all out.
To hell with Xu Fu, I want this treasure, so what? Try and kill me if you can!
////293///
Everyone was wide-eyed and breathless, stunned by the sudden turn of events.
Was someone actually competing for something Xu Fu had his eyes on? Were these two courting death?
Xu Hei was understandable, at least it was fair competition, but the person in the private room was clearly just trying to annoy the other party.
Everyone here had at least reached the Foundation Establishment stage, and the minimum bid increment was set at a hundred spirit stones, designed for Foundation Establishment cultivators.
As a Core Formation cultivator, no one would shamelessly increase by just a hundred at a time; this person was clearly doing it on purpose.
Xu Fu squinted his eyes, about to raise the bid again.
Hei Huang shouted, "Four hundred thousand and one hundred."
Xu Hei cursed inwardly and called out, "Four hundred and ten thousand!"
Hei Huang: "Four hundred and ten thousand and one hundred."
Seeing Hei Huang's stance, Xu Fu fell silent and reclined back in his chair.
Xu Hei coldly said, "Fellow Daoist, are you here to cause trouble on purpose?"
This was exactly what Xu Fu wanted to ask, but someone else had beaten him to it.
"The minimum bid increment is a hundred spirit stones, I'm following the rules, why not? If you have the guts, kick me out!" Hei Huang sneered.
Han Te looked at the two with a bewildered expression, then suddenly realized something and cursed inwardly at their shamelessness, playing a double act.
Xu Fu's gaze lingered on Xu Hei for a moment before he withdrew it and closed his eyes to rest.
"Four hundred and twenty thousand," Xu Hei said.
This time, Hei Huang remained silent.
Time ticked by second by second.
Moments later, the price was finalized at four hundred and twenty thousand spirit stones.
With a wave of Jiang Ying's hand, the ancient jade, surrounded by layers of seals, was sent to Xu Hei, who caught it in one swift motion.
The four hundred and twenty thousand lower-grade spirit stones almost depleted all of Xu Hei's reserves.
But he didn't feel any regret, believing it was worth every bit.
Xu Hei's divine sense probed into the jade, immediately obtaining a tenth of the deciphered content, insights on pill refining, and three pill recipes.
Over ninety percent remained sealed.
"This item is crucial for Xu Bai, it must be kept safe."
Xu Hei had a feeling that while others might not be able to decipher this ancient jade, Xu Bai might just be able to.
The jade was incredibly dense, and what was sealed inside might not just be information; there could be other items as well.
Through the dark green exterior, a faint light could be seen flickering inside. Xu Hei stored the jade in a Void Stone.
There were two more highlight auction items to come.
The first was a treasure of unknown grade, named the Giant Demon Battle Axe. It was said to be an ancient relic unearthed from a meteorite, devoid of spiritual power but incredibly heavy, even Core Formation cultivators couldn't wield it, and it was bought by a mysterious cultivator.
The second treasure was a Nine-Turn Rebirth Pill, a fourth-grade pill. It was said to bring the dead back to life, snatching people from the hands of the King of Hell, and was purchased by Xu Fu.
The prices of these two highlight items, one at three hundred thousand and the other at five hundred thousand, were no less than the ancient jade Xu Hei acquired.
"The auction process ends here, now begins the acquisition phase!"
Jiang Ying took out a large number of jade slips, waved her hand, and they lined up in mid-air, each marked with requirements, clearly visible.
Everyone immediately focused their attention.
"Seeking entry qualification to the Penglai Sea, willing to offer fifty thousand spirit stones as a reward."
"Seeking a life-saving magical treasure, bell-type, capable of withstanding a Core Formation stage attack, reward five thousand spirit stones, plus a Qingyuan Pill."
"Seeking offensive talismans, mid-stage Foundation Establishment and above, one thousand spirit stones each."
"…"
Xu Hei's gaze swept over the jade slips, most were left by Foundation Establishment cultivators, with few from the Core Formation stage.
If someone could meet the requirements, they could retrieve the jade slip from a distance and provide the item listed.
Before long, half of the jade slips were taken.
Some people, unafraid of exposure, contacted buyers on the spot to trade. More preferred to go through Jiang Ying to conceal their identities.
Xu Hei also noticed some people poisoned by the sea god, seeking antidotes at exorbitant prices. Although tempted, Xu Hei could only shake his head and sigh, as he couldn't help with detoxification.
At that moment, a strange phenomenon occurred.
The remaining jade slips either had harsh requirements or low offers, attracting no interest.
Yet, all these unattended jade slips were taken by Xu Fu!
"Fellow Daoists, meeting at Twin Islands is a fate in itself. If someone is in trouble, why not lend a hand if I, Xu Fu, am able?"
Xu Fu smiled warmly, exuding a spring breeze-like charm that made it hard for anyone to harbor ill feelings.
He took out a large number of treasures, fulfilling the requirements on the jade slips, and handed them to Jiang Ying, who then passed them to the buyers.
Those who received the treasures were all stunned.
Someone immediately cupped their fists and bowed to Xu Fu: "Thank you, Senior Xu!"
"Thank you, Senior!"
"I will forever remember Senior Xu's kindness!"
Once someone led the way, the remaining people were all visibly moved, bowing to Xu Fu.
Xu Fu's generosity helped many, earning him a great deal of goodwill.
Especially a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator, who spent fifty thousand spirit stones to acquire breakthrough pills, a price almost impossible to achieve, yet Xu Fu provided it.
The person was just trying their luck, who knew there would be such a generous benefactor.
But this cultivator dared not show any disrespect, quickly bowing in gratitude.
Even the jade slips of those poisoned by the sea god were taken by Xu Fu, who provided pills to suppress the poison, leaving Xu Hei dumbfounded.
In a short time, all the jade slip requirements were met, no matter how harsh, Xu Fu could handle it.
"Alright, since everyone's needs are met, it's time for mine." Xu Fu announced loudly.
He stood up, walked out of the private room, and came to the center of the hall.
Jiang Ying also stepped aside.
This trade fair was secretly orchestrated by Xu Fu, with the well-known purpose of acquiring Longevity Pills. Xu Fu had publicly sought them multiple times.
At any cost, with the power of a nation, this was Xu Fu's confidence.
"What I, Xu, seek is well known."
"Fellow Daoists, even if you don't have Longevity Pills, any treasure with life essence, I will purchase at triple the price, from second to fourth grade, all are welcome."
Xu Fu surveyed the room, laughing loudly.
His words elicited a chorus of agreement.
"Of course, I came prepared."
"Please, Senior Xu, have a look!"
Most cultivators present took out prepared items, sending them to the center of the hall.
Various spirit medicines, magical treasures, spirit plants, and spirit springs, all containing life essence, flew over, landing before Xu Fu, filling the hall with rich life energy.
These treasures varied in grade, dazzling the eyes.
Everyone had heard the news, so they were well-prepared, showing full sincerity.
Xu Fu inspected each one, then handed out spirit stones to those who provided spirit medicines.
Xu Hei intended to offer the Longevity Pill but suddenly held back, his eyes flickering, and instead, like Han Te, he took out a thousand-year-old spirit medicine and offered it to Xu Fu.
A thousand-year-old spirit medicine, though rare, had been offered by others earlier, so Xu Hei's wasn't unique. Cultivators with some wealth at the Core Formation stage could usually obtain such spirit medicines.
"Excellent!"
Xu Fu accepted the spirit medicine, nodding in satisfaction, and handed over a storage bag containing two hundred and forty top-grade spirit stones, surprising Xu Hei as it was indeed three times his expectation.
...
The process wasn't long, lasting about the time it takes two incense sticks to burn, and no one else offered spirit medicines.
With the transaction complete, Xu Fu nodded in satisfaction, his smile as bright as a chrysanthemum.
"Today's trade pleases me greatly. Does anyone else have treasures with life essence?"
Xu Fu scanned the room again, smiling broadly.
Most people shook their heads; what they had to offer had already been given, they wouldn't wait until now.
Xu Hei did have ten-thousand-year-old spirit medicine, but he would never offer it, as even Elemental Infant cultivators coveted such items.
"Oh? Truly nothing more?"
Xu Fu asked once more, still smiling.
By now, some had already left the trade hall, reducing the number by a fifth.
Xu Hei also planned to leave, rising to depart, with Han Te having left a step ahead.
As Xu Hei reached the entrance of the hall, about to step out, he suddenly stopped.
He stared at the vast, empty street outside, his heart tightening with a sudden sense of foreboding.
Han Te's expression also changed dramatically, retreating back inside, panting heavily, his face drenched in sweat.
////294/////
"What happened?"
Xu Hei quickly asked.
Han Te's face was pale, and it took him a while to catch his breath before he said, "The people who went out just now, they've all disappeared, not even a trace left!"
His words were almost trembling.
Previously in Haiya City, Han Te had experienced this scene and was on guard. The moment he sensed something was wrong, he used a teleportation talisman to retreat instantly, narrowly escaping disaster.
Xu Hei stared at the empty street outside, his Divine Sense shot out like a sharp sword, but he couldn't find a single shadow. The area was completely empty.
By this time, others had also noticed something was amiss and stopped at the entrance, looking at each other and observing their surroundings.
"Do none of you truly have any life-rich treasures left?"
Xu Fu spoke again, asking for the third time, his tone still gentle, his smile still kind.
At this moment, another group of three flew out, stepping on flying swords, clearly unaware of the situation.
Xu Hei held his breath, his Divine Sense locked onto the three.
When the three flew thousands of feet away, about to exceed the range of Xu Hei's Divine Sense.
Suddenly, they vanished.
Under Xu Hei's Divine Sense, they disappeared without a trace, not even ashes left! It was impossible to tell how they vanished!
"What?" Xu Hei's heart surged with a tidal wave of shock.
He had heard Hei Huang mention such a situation before; it had happened in Haiya City, disappearing into thin air without warning!
Xu Hei immediately thought of one person—the Nightmare Demon Lord!
Creating fear, using fear as a realm, the more frightened people are, the stronger the Nightmare Demon Lord becomes.
Looking at Han Te's pale face, trembling body, and stammering speech, it was clear he was overwhelmed by inexplicable fear, precisely the realm of the Nightmare Demon Lord.
"Whoosh!"
Suddenly, another person vanished into thin air, not far from the venue.
Everyone saw this scene, their faces changed dramatically, expressions filled with horror, and some even screamed.
"Ah!! What was that just now!"
"Someone disappeared into thin air!"
"This technique, it's the Sea God Sect!"
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In an instant, chaos erupted, screams echoed, and some people, out of fear, fell to the ground, trembling all over.
At this moment, the sky darkened, as if an invisible cloud covered the sun, casting a shadow over everyone's heart.
"Enemy invasion, the whole city on alert!"
A loud shout echoed from the sky, like thunder, reverberating in everyone's ears, awakening them.
It was the voice of Island Lord Jiang Chong.
"Swish, swish, swish..."
Countless city guards rushed toward the trading venue, all elite, at least at the late Foundation Establishment stage, with ten Core Formation stage cultivators leading.
This group of city guards controlled the protective formation of Twin Islands, capable of contending with Elemental Infant stage opponents!
Jiang Ying also rushed out of the trading venue, a delicate pagoda appearing in her hand. With a wave, the pagoda flew into the sky, emitting a hazy light, forming a giant defensive shield covering a hundred miles around the venue.
Golden light poured down, dispelling the gloom, as if returning from hell to the human world.
Facing the Sea God Sect's invasion, the two island lords quickly responded.
"Everyone, stay within the pagoda's range, don't act rashly!" Jiang Ying said sternly.
"Yes!"
Under the pagoda's light, the crowd's fear subsided somewhat, but their breathing remained rapid, faces pale.
Jiang Chong appeared beside Jiang Ying, his gaze scanning the sky, eyes growing more solemn.
He couldn't see, couldn't see at all!
He didn't even know where the enemy was, nor where the disappeared people had gone.
This crisis was unprecedented for Twin Islands, but as one of the three major islands of the East Sea, Jiang Chong and Jiang Ying were no ordinary figures.
"Who are you, esteemed one? Please show yourself!"
Jiang Chong held a thunder spear, shouting in a deep voice.
The sky remained dark and silent, with no response.
"All troops, heed my command!"
Jiang Chong waved his hand, about to issue orders.
But at that moment, he froze!
The city guards he had summoned, over a hundred people, had all vanished without a trace.
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He didn't know when they disappeared, as if they had evaporated in an instant!
"When... did they disappear?" Jiang Chong's voice trembled slightly.
"I don't know."
Jiang Ying shook her head, her palms sweating.
The opponent's methods were too bizarre, making people disappear without a trace, like a powerful figure far beyond them toying with them.
Under this invisible pressure, a trace of fear inevitably arose in both their hearts.
This fear stemmed from the unknown, and once it appeared, it spread uncontrollably.
"Damn it!!"
Jiang Chong gritted his teeth, holding the spear, stabbing his palm fiercely, the intense pain bringing him back to clarity.
"Too late!"
A sinister voice echoed from the distant sky.
In an instant, Jiang Chong's world was filled with countless illusions, the distant deep sea like a giant mouth devouring the sky, biting toward him, the gloomy sky seemed about to collapse, hideous eyes emerged from the dark clouds, black tentacles sweeping in, trying to penetrate his body.
Countless bizarre scenes appeared in his mind.
These scenes stemmed from the cultivator's inner fears, the more one feared, the more they appeared.
This was the Nightmare Demon Lord's Divine Ability!
Facing this person, once fear arose, even a trace, one would fall into endless nightmares.
In just one encounter, Jiang Chong, the city lord of Twin Islands, at the mid-Elemental Infant stage, was unable to withstand it.
The other city lord, Jiang Ying, under the pagoda's protection, also fell into darkness, her body trembling, eyes filled with terror, also suffering from nightmares.
Just as Jiang Chong was about to be swallowed by endless fear.
A bright light suddenly lit up within him, bringing him back to clarity.
"Kill!"
Jiang Chong let out a low shout, thrusting his thunder spear into the void, piercing the sky, instantly tearing a hole in the dark clouds, and most of the fear-born monsters vanished.
Taking this opportunity, Jiang Chong took out a pill bottle and threw it toward the trading venue behind him.
"Daoist Xu Fu, please lend a hand!"
Jiang Chong shouted, the pill bottle landing accurately in front of Xu Fu. Facing such an opponent, he couldn't hold back, he had to go all out!
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Then, he charged into the dark void ahead, spear in hand, eyes devoid of fear.
Xu Fu caught the pill bottle, opened it, and smiled brightly, "Oh? Isn't this the Longevity Pill? I've seen it before, it's very effective."
"But this alone isn't enough!"
He put away the pill bottle, looking at the panicked crowd in the trading venue, and said with a smile, "Earlier, I extended a helping hand, assisting all of you, but you refused to repay me, which is quite disappointing!"
Xu Fu's actions greatly surprised everyone. They had thought his kind appearance meant he would help them through the crisis. But who would have thought he would remain indifferent, still thinking about collecting his life materials in such a dire situation.
"Senior Xu Fu, we really have nothing left!"
"All life-rich treasures have been given to you, there's really nothing left!"
The crowd lamented, beginning to plead.
"Lord Xu Fu, these are the treasures from our Sea Commerce Guild, I wonder if they are enough!"
The head of the Sea Commerce Guild also appeared, an elder at the peak of the Core Formation stage, offering the guild's treasured items, all rich in life energy, to Xu Fu.
Xu Fu took a look and still shook his head.
"Not enough! Not enough! Not enough!"
Xu Fu said "not enough" three times, his eyes flashing as he looked at the crowd in the trading venue, smiling, "I said I need materials rich in life energy, life energy!"
"So much life energy, yet no one is willing to offer it, how disappointing!"
With these words, the venue fell silent, the crowd stared wide-eyed in horror at Xu Fu, who wore a harmless smile, looking at everyone.
Life energy! Was Xu Fu referring to them?
This trading event, Xu Fu promised to buy treasures at three times the price, and with various promotions, he attracted almost all the Foundation Establishment cultivators on Twin Islands!
It was a rare gathering.
Over a thousand Foundation Establishment stage, more than twenty Core Formation stage, so many cultivators gathered in one place, wasn't it perfect for a catch-all?
This might not be a benefit at all, but a trap, a complete conspiracy!
Many clever individuals immediately realized the logic behind this, their faces turning pale with shock, but still unwilling to believe the truth, looking at Xu Fu, trembling, "Senior Xu Fu, you must be joking."
They all knew Xu Fu was collecting Spirit Medicine for the Qin Emperor to make Longevity Pills, to prolong his life.
But what did that have to do with their lives? Killing them would make the Qin Emperor live longer? How could that be possible?
Besides, this was the Sea Commerce Guild, there were so many of them, and there was a formation. Even if Xu Fu was an Elemental Infant cultivator, he couldn't possibly oppose thousands of people, right?
"Joking?"
Xu Fu chuckled and said, "I'm not joking. What I need is you, all of you!"
"Boom!" "Boom!" "Boom!"...
Suddenly, several private rooms in the trading venue erupted with explosions, figures rushing out, attacking the crowd.
These people were shrouded in gloom, filled with ghostly aura, their eyes glowing with demonic light, a black sun appearing on their foreheads.
They were the followers of the Sea God Sect!
So many Sea God Sect members had infiltrated Twin Islands, even entering the trading venue, yet no one knew!
////295////
In just a brief moment, the entire trading venue descended into chaos. Shouts of killing, cries for help, and screams of escape echoed incessantly, blood splattered everywhere, and the screams were piercing.
Xu Hei suddenly noticed that both Li Yu and Zhao Xing had a black sun symbol on their foreheads, indicating that they were also members of the Sea God Sect.
No wonder so many outsiders had infiltrated Twin Islands; even those responsible for inspections had been bribed.
After killing several people, the two exchanged a glance and simultaneously charged toward the box where Hei Huang was.
Clearly, these two held a grudge against Hei Huang and seized this opportunity to exact revenge and wipe away their humiliation!
"You filthy beast, still daring to bite? Today, I'll stew you and eat black dog meat!" Zhao Xing's eyes were cold, and the long knife in his hand gleamed with a chilling light, exuding a bloodthirsty killing intent.
Having been bitten twice, he had long harbored a deep hatred for Hei Huang. If it weren't for the task at hand, he wouldn't have tolerated it until now.
Li Yu remained calm, producing countless talismans in his hand, which he hurled toward Hei Huang's box, intending to seal it first and then capture him like a turtle in a jar.
Compared to the chaos in the hall, this small detail went unnoticed by anyone.
The slaughter began, and in just a moment, nearly a hundred cultivators were slain out of a thousand.
Every deceased person's body emitted a red glow, and then the corpse turned into a dried husk, its life essence completely drained.
Without exception, the floating red glow was absorbed into Xu Fu's body, causing his already plump figure to swell even more.
Xu Fu patted his belly and laughed heartily, "Haha, this is true life essence. What you provided before doesn't count at all!"
This scene terrified everyone, filling their hearts with intense fear, prompting them to turn and flee.
Panic spread among the crowd; no one expected such a terrifying attack on Twin Islands, one of the three major islands of the East Sea, and even the trading venue of the Sea Commerce Guild had fallen!
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However, they had nowhere to escape!
Once they left the trading venue and the range of the pagoda's light, they would disappear into thin air, meeting the same fate as those who left earlier.
"Activate the formation!"
Suddenly, a loud shout echoed through the venue.
An elderly man in luxurious robes appeared, holding a formation disk in his hand, which he slammed into the ground. Instantly, a towering formation emerged within the venue, and the phantom of a sea flood dragon appeared, coiling in the void and letting out a deafening roar.
Each branch of the Sea Commerce Guild had a fourth-tier formation spirit underground, capable of holding its own even against Elemental Infant stage cultivators.
This elderly man in luxurious robes was Hong Yuan, the branch president of the Sea Commerce Guild's Twin Islands branch, whose cultivation had reached the Great Perfection of the Core Formation stage, having long been in sync with the formation spirit.
"Fellow Daoists, we are a thousand strong; how can we fear mere dozens? Channel your spiritual power into this formation and help me slay the old thief Xu Fu!"
Hong Yuan shouted, pointing forward, and the phantom of the sea flood dragon charged, opening its massive jaws to bite Xu Fu.
"Fight, we have no retreat!"
A mid-stage Core Formation cultivator also shouted, joining the resistance.
With someone leading, the other cultivators quickly steadied themselves, eyes fierce, no longer fleeing but instead attacking the evil faction cultivators within the venue.
"We cultivators cannot bow to the evil faction!"
"That's right! We have the numbers; we need not fear them!"
"Kill! Fight our way out!"
More and more people joined the resistance, either channeling spiritual power into the formation or attacking the evil faction cultivators.
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Rather than fleeing the venue and disappearing into thin air, it was better to turn back and fight to the death for a chance at survival!
Xu Hei also joined the resistance, blending in with the crowd, not standing out, which was his usual style. Of course, he remained vigilant, knowing things wouldn't be so simple.
Xu Fu's smile grew even brighter, "Fellow Daoists, I, Xu Fu, have always repaid kindness with kindness. I gave you gifts before, and now it's time to return them!"
Xu Fu clapped his hands.
At this moment, a pitch-black demonic mark appeared on his forehead, a symbol of flames.
"Sow the seed, reap the fruit; good and evil have their rewards, blessings and misfortunes are intertwined..."
Xu Fu chanted, pointing forward.
Suddenly, the phantom of the sea flood dragon froze mid-air, and its illusory form began to burn.
Not only the formation spirit but also the charging cultivators were engulfed in flames.
"Ah!!"
"No, save me!"
"Ahhh!"
In an instant, the hall was filled with horrific screams. In just a moment, most of the thousand present were engulfed in flames, turning into firemen as the flames consumed their bodies.
All forward-charging figures halted, their faces turning pale, lips white, eyes wide like copper bells.
Xu Hei was stunned, his heart in turmoil.
He had always been attentive to details.
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If observed closely, it could be seen that those engulfed in flames were precisely those who had received Xu Fu's favors.
The greater the favor received, the fiercer the flames! Especially the mid-stage Core Formation cultivator who had bought a Qingyuan Pill needed for a breakthrough with fifty thousand spirit stones; now, the flames within him had turned deep purple, burning him to the point of heart-wrenching agony.
Even the magical treasures and spells mid-flight were engulfed in flames, consumed entirely.
Xu Hei also felt a discomfort, as if flames were igniting within him, but they extinguished in the blink of an eye.
"Did I also receive a favor?"
Xu Hei thought of the two hundred and forty top-grade spirit stones, the price for selling his millennium spirit medicine.
However, he didn't consider it a great bargain, as it was obtained from Wuyou City and was inherently more valuable.
What surprised him was that Han Te remained completely unaffected, not a single spark igniting. Previously, he had sold several millennium spirit medicines to Xu Fu, making a significant profit, so why was there no reaction?
Similarly, a few other cultivators present, who had also received Xu Fu's favors, were unaffected by the flames, only showing slight discomfort.
"How... could this happen?"
Hong Yuan's face turned pale, panting heavily, drenched in sweat, and even the formation spirit was engulfed in flames.
"Hong Yuan, during my time on Twin Islands, you've received quite a bit of care from me, with profits exceeding the sum of the past ten years. So, where's your return?"
Xu Fu smiled, looking at Hong Yuan.
Hong Yuan trembled all over, the pallor on his face growing stronger, and suddenly, he spat out a mouthful of blood, which ignited in flames.
He too was attacked by flames, even more intensely than others, tenfold!
More terrifyingly, the few evil faction cultivators who had been killed in the previous battle stood up again, their injuries healed, as if they were immortal.
This plunged everyone into the depths of despair, completely losing hope.
Bai Luo stood in a corner against the wall, clutching a pile of escape items in his hands, such as void talismans, teleportation talismans, and divine travel shuttles, all used to no avail.
"What do we do? What do we do?"
Bai Luo broke out in cold sweat, his body trembling uncontrollably.
He was afraid, experiencing fear for the second time in his life.
////296////
Leaving the Heavenly Puppet Sect and the Qin Kingdom, Bai Luo ventured far overseas. Although Bai Luo was powerful and lived up to his genius reputation, without allies or backing here, he was no different from an ordinary rogue cultivator.
The evil faction cultivators had no fear of the forces behind him and would kill him without hesitation!
Especially now, it seemed Xu Fu had set his sights on him, making Bai Luo feel a chill down his spine, as if thorns were pressing against his back.
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."
Countless cold glints shot towards him like a downpour. Bai Luo, without hesitation, summoned a giant mechanical puppet behind him. It raised its palms, and flames surged from the nozzles in its hands, incinerating the incoming needles to ashes.
Suddenly, among the needles, there was a Thunder Pearl that exploded upon ignition. It detonated instantly, blasting the summoned puppet into pieces. The terrifying shockwave swept across, even blowing a huge crater in the venue's sturdy walls. Bai Luo was also caught in the blast, spitting blood as the light of his magical treasures shattered, sending him flying backward.
"An External Incarnation?!"
Bai Luo's face changed dramatically as he saw an assassin with Xu Fu's face, moving like a ghost, wielding a curved blade aimed at his neck.
Bai Luo summoned a large number of mechanical puppets to block behind him, but they all fell with a clang under the sweep of the blade's glint, the cold light heading straight for his face.
"It's over."
Bai Luo's heart sank to the bottom. The opponent was an Elemental Infant cultivator, and even if it was just an incarnation, it was not something he could resist!
A sense of despair welled up in his heart. The opponent knew he was Bai Luo and would never let him leave.
"Clang!!!"
Suddenly, a deafening clash sounded ahead, metal against metal, weapons colliding, and the shockwave swept across the ground.
A black-clad, masked cultivator stood in front of Bai Luo, holding a war halberd, intercepting the curved blade in front.
With one clash, the shockwave spread from the center, cracking the ground and sending sparks flying, forcing the black-clad cultivator to retreat several steps, blood oozing from the corner of his mouth.
"You are..."
Bai Luo was shocked, looking at the masked figure ahead.
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The faint killing intent emanating from him was not something an ordinary cultivator could possess. It was more like that of a general who had experienced countless battles and killed many!
At this moment, the masked man also removed his mask, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and with a cold gaze, stared at the assassin ahead, his eyes showing no fear, only a fierce killing intent.
A resolute face, a tall silhouette, familiar scars on his face, and a rough beard, like a towering mountain, stood in front of Bai Luo, bringing an endless sense of security.
It was Lei He, General Lei, who had protected Bai Luo for over a decade!
"Uncle Lei?"
Bai Luo's voice trembled.
At this moment, all eyes in the venue were focused on them.
A peak Core Formation Stage cultivator, who would have thought there was such a hidden expert in the auction house!
"Xu Fu, you collude with the evil faction, disregard human life, and plot against the Chosen of my Qin Kingdom. Aren't you afraid of the Qin Emperor's wrath, exterminating your entire clan?" Lei He shouted sternly.
"Hahaha!" Xu Fu laughed upon hearing this and said, "General Lei, are you joking? This is the East Sea! In the Qin Kingdom, he is the supreme Human Emperor, but outside the borders, without the support of national fortune and the dragon vein, what can he do to me?"
These words made Lei He furious.
He couldn't believe Xu Fu would betray the Qin Kingdom, colluding with the Sea God Sect to harm so many people.
Even collecting these life spirit medicines was probably not for the Qin Emperor but for himself.
"Xu Fu, your crimes are monstrous! Today, according to the laws of the Great Qin, I sentence you to death!" Lei He shouted, producing a golden decree and pressing it to his forehead.
In an instant, a towering crimson figure appeared behind him, holding a long halberd, its eyes opening, and an overwhelming killing intent spread out, engulfing the entire trading venue, even affecting the outside space, turning the sky crimson.
Elemental Infant intent, slaughter intent.
This was Lei He's strongest trump card, the God of War Avatar!
And it was fully activated, its power far surpassing the last battle with Xu Qingfeng!
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As the God of War Avatar appeared, Lei He's skin began to crack, blood flowing out, as if unable to withstand the terrifying backlash, but there was not a hint of hesitation in his eyes.
"Uncle Lei!" Bai Luo shouted, his eyes red.
Xu Fu's eyes also flashed with a hint of surprise.
Only an Elemental Infant intent could counter an Elemental Infant intent. If Lei He was willing to risk his life to stop him, it could indeed cause some trouble.
"Bai Luo, this is a mechanical teleportation array left by Qin Xuanji. It can only be used once, but regardless of any restrictions outside, it can take you thousands of miles away, but it requires three breaths of preparation time."
Lei He tossed a complexly shaped array disk to Bai Luo, landing in front of him.
Bai Luo took the mechanical teleportation array and was about to activate it, but his body suddenly trembled, looking at the tall figure he had been with day and night.
"Uncle Lei, you..."
His eyes were red, and he felt as if struck by lightning, frozen in place.
Three breaths of preparation time, then, these three breaths...
Lei He said nothing more, his expression remained calm, only asking slowly, "Do you have wine?"
At this moment.
Bai Luo could no longer hold back his emotions, tears streaming down his face like rain.
"I have wine! Yes, I have!"
Bai Luo hurriedly took out the Fishman Drunk he had just acquired at the auction and handed it to Lei He.
Lei He took the conch, raised the cup high, and drank it all in one go.
"Clang!"
The conch shattered on the ground, turning to dust, and Lei He's entire body turned crimson, the surging alcohol in his body making his blood even more vigorous, his killing intent becoming tangible.
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"Hahaha! Good wine, good wine! To drink this wine, I have no regrets in this life!"
Lei He laughed wildly to the sky, his laughter like thunder, and even the God of War Avatar seemed to laugh along.
The deafening laughter echoed in the hall, spread beyond the sky, resounding through the heavens, infecting everyone's emotions, filling their hearts with hot blood, fearless!
The next second, Lei He's figure moved, carrying overwhelming killing intent, with an unshakable divine might, charged towards Xu Fu.
Good wine, the goodness was not in the wine, but in the person!
He had protected Bai Luo for over ten years, and this was the first time he received a return. Unknowingly, the little master from back then had grown up.
Mission accomplished, no regrets in this life!
Bai Luo's emotions had already broken through the dam, but he suppressed the grief and endless hatred in his heart, activating the mechanical teleportation array disk in his hand.
"I, Bai Luo, swear to the heavens, today's events will be repaid a thousandfold in the future!"
In a flash of formation light, Bai Luo gritted his teeth, countless complex patterns activated, the light enveloping him, space tearing apart.
One breath!
Flames ignited on Lei He's body, countless vengeful spirits surrounded him, all those he had killed, roaring as they pounced on Lei He, but were swept away by the long halberd of the God of War Avatar behind him, disappearing without a trace.
Lei He's aura weakened, his gaze fierce, advancing once more.
Two breaths!
"Truly worthy of the God of War Avatar, even karma can be blocked!"
Xu Fu murmured to himself, raising his hand to point again.
This time, the number of vengeful spirits reached a hundred thousand, stacked together, their sheer number making one's scalp tingle, capable of completely devouring Lei He.
"Boom!!"
"Ah!!"
Suddenly, a heart-wrenching scream came from afar.
The sound originated from the sealed box.
Earlier, Li Yu, Zhao Xing, and an evil Core Formation Stage cultivator had rushed in, seemingly to join forces against a spirit beast, never to return.
Until now, there was finally a commotion from inside.
////297////
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Lei He pushed the God of War Avatar to its limits, his entire body covered in cracks, even his skull seemed about to split.
With a grim smile, amidst the roars of countless vengeful spirits and his own wild laughter, his body exploded with a thunderous boom.
"Boom!!!"
Lei He self-destructed.
His body shattered, releasing the surging true essence within, sweeping across the hall. The Golden Core exploded, transforming into an endless, overwhelming force, concentrated in one direction, charging towards Xu Fu's avatar.
Even though the latter was an Elemental Infant stage cultivator's avatar, under such terrifying impact, it was blown backward, its form completely shattered, along with several evil cultivators, reduced to ashes.
Three breaths!
As a general of the Qin Kingdom, Lei He had long disregarded life and death since stepping onto the battlefield.
Obeying military orders, exterminating evil spirits, protecting the king, safeguarding the Dao heart, even if burdened with sins, he was worthy of the title of general.
Bai Luo's gaze was fixed on Lei He's dying figure, on Xu Fu's true self, whose indifferent eyes and smiling lips etched this scene forever in his heart.
"Xu Fu, I will remember this, I, Bai Luo, will spend my life avenging this!" Bai Luo swore to the heavens.
"Buzz!"
The light of the formation flickered, and Bai Luo's figure disappeared.
However, Xu Fu paid no attention to Bai Luo's disappearance; his true self's gaze was locked onto the box over there, indifferent to Lei He's self-destruction.
With a mere wave of his hand, the terrifying self-destruction that could have destroyed a hundred miles was mostly dissipated, like a breeze, causing no ripples.
Xu Fu even concealed his strength.
...
At this moment, the box shattered, revealing the scene within the seal.
The three who had just entered let out heart-wrenching screams as their bodies melted, disintegrated, and vanished inch by inch, as if being erased from existence.
After being killed, evil cultivators could revive on the spot, but these three were completely erased, not even leaving a trace.
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"Master Xu Fu, save me, save me!"
"I don't want to die!"
The three screamed simultaneously.
Without needing a reminder, Xu Fu raised his hand, an invisible hand grabbing the three, swiftly pulling them back.
"Hehe, go ahead and save them, if you can save them, I'll admit defeat."
Hei Huang sneered inwardly.
Suddenly, Zhao Xing's leg wound rapidly festered, emitting overwhelming black energy that swept out, affecting the two beside him, who turned to ashes without even a scream.
The black energy spread too quickly, even affecting Xu Fu, whose face darkened as he retreated rapidly, still getting slightly contaminated.
His contaminated arm rapidly melted, and he decisively severed it, the fallen hand turning into a pool of blood.
"What!?"
Everyone was shocked.
The black energy came and went quickly, disappearing before anyone could take a closer look.
What was this gas? Even Xu Fu, at the Elemental Infant stage, lost an arm to it?
No one knew what it was, but the shock it brought was unparalleled.
Xu Fu squinted his eyes, coldly saying, "Demonic energy?"
Demonic energy, existing only in legends, was said to be possessed only by the most evil demons in the world.
Hei Huang had seen through Zhao Xing and Li Yu as members of the evil faction a week ago, and his bite wasn't simple; he had left a seed of demonic energy within them.
Once the time was right, the demonic seed would erupt, rapidly generating demonic energy, affecting others, with no one spared.
Unfortunately, Xu Fu reacted too quickly, avoiding it in time, otherwise, he could have been severely injured.
Xu Fu hadn't expected that in trying to save people, he almost got tricked, his face darkening, his smile disappearing.
"This old dog had discovered it long ago, why didn't he say anything earlier!"
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Xu Hei cursed inwardly.
What surprised him even more was that Hei Huang, instead of fleeing as usual, stood his ground. The difference in strength was significant; where did he get the confidence?
Xu Hei's eyes flickered as he made up his mind.
In the past, he would have prioritized escaping, but now, since even the dog was fighting, there was no need to hide. He decided to go all out. With Hei Huang's nature, he wouldn't risk his life without confidence.
"Xu Hei, this is my personal vendetta, you don't need to get involved!" Hei Huang transmitted secretly.
The voice was extremely serious.
"Personal vendetta?"
Xu Hei was taken aback, the answer was unexpected.
"Then this is my personal vendetta too." Xu Hei responded with a cold laugh.
Hei Huang fell silent.
Xu Fu looked at Hei Huang for a long time, asking, "You have a scent on you that I find repulsive, who exactly are you?"
Hei Huang mocked, "I'm your ancestor!"
Xu Fu was momentarily stunned.
Such a master, yet cursing like a child, was truly speechless.
"Yehuo Demon Lord, you don't even recognize your ancestor, truly rebellious!" Hei Huang sneered.
Xu Fu initially felt disdain, but then surprise flashed in his eyes.
"Yehuo Demon Lord?"
Everyone was puzzled upon hearing this name.
The half-dead president of the Sea Commerce Guild, Hong Yuan, gasped upon hearing the name.
"Yehuo Demon Lord, one of the four guardians of the Sea God Sect!"
Hong Yuan exclaimed, as the branch president of the Sea Commerce Guild, he was well-informed about the Sea God Sect and had heard of this figure.
But no one expected that Xu Fu was actually the renowned guardian of the Sea God Sect!
"Silence!"
Xu Fu raised his hand, and Hong Yuan was immediately engulfed in karmic fire, his sins descending upon him, burning him to nothing.
Yehuo Demon Lord specialized in punishing sins with sins, creating karma; if caught by him, one would die a terrible death.
Like the Nightmare Demon Lord, he was a cultivator who killed using rules.
"Hehe, I didn't expect to be recognized! Since that's the case, I don't need to hide anymore!"
Xu Fu glanced around, a cold smile on his face, his aura suddenly rising, skyrocketing to the limit.
His cultivation broke through the early Elemental Infant stage, reaching the mid-stage, then the mid-stage peak, similar to the Nightmare Demon Lord!
To deal with the Twin Islands, the Sea God Sect actually dispatched two guardians! An unprecedented move!
No wonder Xu Fu had such terrifying combat power; he had joined the Sea God Sect long ago!
"Nightmare, I've been exposed, let's end this quickly!"
Xu Fu looked towards the sky outside the trade venue, speaking to the clouds.
"Oh? There's a twist, interesting!"
A cold laugh came from the gloomy sky, like a demon from hell, just the voice instilling fear.
Countless thoughts flashed through Xu Hei's mind.
Facing Elemental Infant cultivators, what could he do?
The Heavenly Demon Mirror, once used, was still unusable.
The Minor Annihilation Talisman? It could threaten the Elemental Infant stage, but the opponent was at the mid-stage peak, a Sea God Sect guardian! Even if it could hit, would it work?
Blow the conch, call for help? Let Bonan come to die?
"Xu Hei, you don't need to do anything, you have a more important task, listen to me, you won't go wrong!" Hei Huang transmitted again.
"What task?" Xu Hei asked urgently.
"Stay where you are, do nothing!" Hei Huang said.
Xu Hei: "..."
At this moment, Hei Huang soared into the sky, flying out of the venue, into the air.
His claws moved rapidly, casting various complex, unseen spells, unknown what technique it was. Gradually, a long-dormant power within Hei Huang seemed to awaken.
Sensing that power, both the Nightmare Demon Lord, who was about to unleash a massacre, and Xu Fu, had their expressions change drastically.
/////298////
Earlier, they had sensed a nauseating power emanating from Hei Huang's body. Now, that power was expanding wildly, growing stronger and causing them intense unease.
This kind of unease, they had only ever seen in one person—the Sea God.
They all thought of the Sea God at the same time!
For the thousand cultivators on Twin Islands, the Sea God Sect had made thorough preparations, laying plans in advance, deploying two protectors, and bribing insiders, ensuring a foolproof operation.
Even if the defensive forces on Twin Islands doubled, it would be to no avail.
However, with the unexpected variable of Hei Huang, both of them felt a heavy weight in their hearts and dared not hold back any longer, immediately unleashing their full power.
The Nightmare Demon Lord unleashed the Devouring Sky Black Curtain, transforming into a ferocious, devouring maw that lunged toward the trading venue. But Jiang Chong and Jiang Ying immediately sensed the situation. Ignoring their injuries, they advanced instead of retreating, attacking the Nightmare Demon Lord together.
Jiang Chong wielded a thunder spear, its energy piercing the sky, transforming into a roaring thunder dragon, purple lightning coming from the west! Meanwhile, seven jade beads appeared on Jiang Ying's bracelet, radiating a seven-colored light, transforming into a seven-colored phoenix, with dragon and phoenix in harmony, striking the Devouring Sky Black Curtain.
The Nightmare Demon Lord had already figured out the tactics of these Twin City Lords.
These two, their lives were interconnected, endlessly regenerating. As long as one of them remained alive, the other would resurrect even if their entire physical body was destroyed. They had to be killed simultaneously in a single breath, or they could never be killed.
Their concept was twin birth, twin death.
The reason the Nightmare Demon Lord had been delayed for so long was due to the bizarre tactics of these Twin City Lords.
"Two mere mid-stage Elemental Infants trying to stop me? Courting death!"
The Nightmare Demon Lord transformed into fear, countless bats appearing in the clouds, forming a black wind tornado that crashed into the two. The dragon and phoenix harmony scene was instantly shattered. Both spat blood, their bodies enveloped in shadows, their minds plunging into an endless deep sea, about to be overwhelmed by the terror within the trench.
On the other side, Xu Fu raised his hand and pointed swiftly, igniting karmic fire on everyone present. As long as they were cultivators, they had some degree of karmic hindrance.
At this moment, those hindrances materialized into flames, emerging from the void, devouring everyone.
Xu Hei saw the people he had killed before, transformed into surging karmic fire attacking him, many of them still bearing parts of the butcher.
Members of the Iron Mountain Gang, disciples of the Snake Catchers Sect, people from the Heavenly Dragon Casino... even the giant octopus he had taken down appeared in the void, hideous and terrifying, with fierce flames rushing toward Xu Hei.
"Karmic fire?"
Xu Hei had no idea what these things were. The target of the karmic fire seemed not to be the butcher but his true self—the sword!
Of course, his true self was bound to the butcher, and no one could distinguish them except himself.
"Whoosh!"
Xu Hei instantly dashed out of the trading venue, the Ever-changing Fish and Dragon fully activated, but the flames followed him like a shadow, never leaving.
Xu Hei immediately realized that appearances were born from the heart. These karmic fires were not summoned by outsiders but were born from within him. Xu Fu couldn't possibly see through his memories.
"Wait, why do I have demonic beasts here, while others don't?" Xu Hei's eyes flickered as he noticed something unusual again.
He could see the karmic fires on others, all of them human cultivators, but he had demonic beasts on him, which was different.
Han Te's karmic fire was rather strange, consisting of piles of spirit stones, gold, and silver jewels.
Xu Hei's mind raced, and just as the karmic fire was about to reach him, something in his storage bag suddenly trembled.
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."
A string of copper coins flew out, quickly assembling into a money sword before Xu Hei's eyes, radiating brilliant light!
"Is this... the copper coins Xu Bai left me?" Xu Hei's expression changed.
At this moment, the money sword's size matched Xu Hei's true self, three feet long, almost overlapping.
The butcher held two swords, looking at the endless karmic fire coming at him, and a bold idea formed in his mind. Without changing his expression, he raised the sword and slashed forward!
"Slash!"
The money sword and Xu Hei's true self swung simultaneously, cutting into the vast sea of flames.
In an instant, the karmic hindrances emitted a mournful scream, wisps of smoke rising from their bodies, turning into clouds and dissipating.
With just one slash, he severed the cause and effect, cleansing himself!
Xu Hei was filled with shock.
Looking around, among the nearly thousand people present, he was the only one who had broken through the karmic hindrances. The others were burned beyond recognition, each consumed by the karmic fire, dying a miserable death.
Some cast pleading glances at him, but Xu Hei had no time to spare, nor any intention of helping others clear their karmic hindrances, as Xu Fu had already set his sights on him.
"Daring to be distracted, Yehuo Demon Lord, you don't know the meaning of death!"
Hei Huang sneered coldly, changing his hand seals, and slammed a palm into the void.
"Gate of Hell!"
In an instant, space cracked open, void spreading, and from the other side of that void world, a massive shadow emerged, coming from another world, descending upon this realm.
The eyes of the two protectors immediately turned toward this place, their hearts surging with tidal waves.
From that cracked space, a pitch-black door slowly descended, its surface burning with demonic flames, demonic energy surging, carved with scenes of hellish Asura, hideous and terrifying. Even though only a small part was exposed, just one glance was enough to draw one's mind in!
"Ah!!"
Xu Fu's eyes suddenly burst with two streams of blood.
The Nightmare Demon Lord suffered backlash, forcibly retracting his thoughts, and the two city lords, who were about to be consumed by fear, narrowly seized a chance at survival.
As the space continued to crack, the door from beyond the world was about to descend upon the world, the heavens and earth seemed on the verge of collapse, trembling endlessly, the world shaking, sun and moon losing light.
"Retreat!"
The two protectors simultaneously thought of one word.
The Nightmare Demon Lord spat out a stream of black blood, performing a mid-air transformation, his indescribable demonic body shrinking by half, as if activating some life-burning secret technique!
In the next moment, an invisible ripple swept across the entire venue, and those cultivators burning in karmic fire vanished one by one, being teleported away. The evil cultivators retreated in droves, rushing out of the trading venue, disappearing into thin air.
Xu Fu also tapped his brow, his corpulent body shrinking, rising into the air, about to escape into the void.
But his gaze was locked onto Xu Hei, reaching out to grab him, Xu Hei's body was immediately locked in place, about to be taken away with him.
"Trying to leave?" Hei Huang snorted coldly.
At this moment, the demonic flames on the exposed corner of the Gate of Hell suddenly rose into the air, transforming into a tornado, burning toward the escaping Xu Fu, touching the hem of his garment.
The demonic flames quickly spread upward, burning from his feet to his chest, and in an instant, most of his body was gone.
"Ah!!!"
Xu Fu let out a blood-curdling scream, the remaining small portion of his body escaping into the void, disappearing without a trace.
Xu Hei broke free from control, just letting out a sigh of relief, but was immediately locked by a teleportation force.
"Whoosh!"
A demonic flame swiftly swept toward Xu Hei and the Nightmare Demon Lord in the sky.
The Nightmare Demon Lord spat out black blood, his demonic body shrinking again, pointing forward, a strong spatial fluctuation flashed by, and Xu Hei uncontrollably escaped into the void, disappearing in an instant.
The Nightmare Demon Lord followed closely, but he was a step slower, burned by the demonic flames, leaving a large blank space in the gloomy sky.
With a muffled grunt, the Nightmare Demon Lord slipped into the space rift, vanishing completely.
The dark and gloomy sky dispersed, light returning, sunlight once again shining on Twin Islands, illuminating every survivor.
/////299/////
The sun shone brightly, the blue sky stretching endlessly.
The trading venue of the Sea Commerce Guild had collapsed, reduced to ruins.
The formation guarding the place was also destroyed, its spirit burned to ashes.
With Xu Fu's retreat, the karmic fire extinguished. Over a thousand cultivators had died, with more than seventy percent perishing, and a large number being teleported away, leaving only a hundred behind, wailing in agony amidst the charred remains.
It wouldn't be long before this group succumbed to their severe injuries, with even fewer surviving.
Fortunately, it was over!
The invasion of the Sea God Sect had finally ended.
Twin Islands did not end up like other invaded islands, where everyone vanished without a trace; many survived, becoming rare witnesses to the evil faction's invasion.
Previously, no one knew the true faces of the evil faction's protectors, because the Sea God Sect left no survivors each time they struck. The fearsome aura of the Nightmare Demon Lord and Xu Fu's identity were mysteries.
But this time, they made an unprecedented breakthrough, revealing the true faces of the two protectors.
In the sky, the dark, boundless gate of hell had disappeared, returning to the other side of the spatial rift. Hei Huang's body had shrunk significantly, turning into a skinny old dog, falling from the sky to the ground.
Han Te crawled out from the pile of corpses, poked his head out, glanced around, then closed his eyes and lay back down.
On the coast, Jiang Chong and Jiang Ying supported each other, flying out from the deep sea, returning to Twin Islands, landing at the trading venue.
Their eyes were blank, and upon closer inspection, they had lost consciousness, falling into a deep coma. Yet, an inexplicable force was supporting their advance.
Supporting each other, they staggered to the venue, Jiang Chong looking at the vast expanse of corpses on the ground, at the cultivators in agony, whose lives were nearing their end.
Suddenly, a flash of sorrow appeared in his hollow eyes, a glimmer of consciousness emerging.
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With a thud, Jiang Chong knelt on the ground.
"I have failed Twin Islands! Failed all the islanders!"
Kneeling on the ground, Jiang Chong kowtowed heavily to the deceased cultivators, gritting his teeth and growling, "I, Jiang Chong, swear to the heavens, one day, I will personally slay the Sea God Sect and avenge this hatred!"
"I, Jiang Ying, swear to slaughter the Sea God Sect and avenge this hatred!"
After shouting these words, the two collapsed to the ground, unable to move.
In the distance, a woman in white with white hair, as light as smoke, rushed over, landing in front of the venue within a few breaths.
She looked at the severely injured crowd before her, without hesitation, she produced a pill and injected it into a critically injured cultivator.
The nearly exhausted heart vein of the cultivator immediately regained vitality, starting to beat again.
Though the frequency of the beats was a bit high.
From her sleeve flew out a green medicine cauldron, suspended in mid-air, emitting waves of emerald light. Xu Bai took out spirit medicine, placing it under the light, which quickly decomposed into specks of green light, falling on the severely injured, keeping them from dying.
"Senior Cauldron Spirit, why didn't you act earlier?"
Xu Bai asked while saving people, her tone always indifferent, devoid of emotional fluctuation.
A crisp sigh came from within the medicine cauldron, "My soul is incomplete, missing three souls. Even if I had one more soul, such a tragedy wouldn't have occurred."
Xu Bai nodded at these words, saying nothing. Her hands never stopped moving, scattering spirit medicine, refining it into pills, saving lives one by one.
With Xu Bai's help, more and more people on the brink of death were saved, life reappearing within them.
Even the two City Lords, though unconscious, were injected with spirit medicine. Although their lives were no longer in danger, their divine senses were severely damaged, and their cultivation might decline, but with such treatment, there was a chance of recovery.
Although Xu Bai's pills had side effects, as long as they could survive, what did those side effects matter?
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In fact, it was precisely because the medicine cauldron was missing three souls that these strange effects occurred.
"Thank you, divine healer!"
"Your great kindness, I will never forget!"
"A living Bodhisattva!"
Some who had the strength shed tears of excitement, sincerely thanking Xu Bai. In the face of disaster, having survived, they had no other thoughts, only gratitude in their hearts.
Suddenly, a pile of corpses was pushed aside, and Han Te jumped out, joining the rescue efforts.
Although he wasn't skilled in healing, as a cultivator, he could perform the simple task of injecting spiritual power to sustain life.
"Don't rush to thank me; I charge for saving lives!"
A cultivator was about to express gratitude, but Han Te's words left him speechless.
And those who received treatment, upon waking, took a deep breath and joined the ranks of rescuing others.
Soon, the injured but not dead cultivators were mostly treated, stabilizing their vital signs, ensuring no more deaths.
This crisis, from the moment Xu Bai arrived, was resolved in just a few breaths.
Only then did everyone realize someone was missing.
The black dog that fought fiercely with the two protectors, making the Sea God Sect flee in defeat, the hero who saved Twin Islands, had disappeared without a trace.
No one knew when he left.
"Where's that black dog, did anyone see?"
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"Not sure, it was just there, then vanished in the blink of an eye."
"Sigh, this senior is indeed a peerless expert, unwilling to show his face, understandable."
"To make the Sea God Sect so embarrassed, he's the first."
"We don't know his name, let's call him Senior Hei."
Everyone discussed, deeply admiring Hei Huang's deeds.
No matter what, today's events would surely spread, the Sea God Sect's defeat was a cause for celebration for all.
The evil faction was not invincible, it could be defeated!
Especially having exposed the abilities of the two protectors, this was of great significance to the cultivators living in the East Sea.
Many cultivators bowed and worshiped in the direction where Hei Huang disappeared, expressing heartfelt gratitude.
...
In the depths of the East Sea, on an island of unknown distance from Twin Islands.
The island wasn't large, entirely pitch black, made of black mysterious iron rock, indestructible, ordinary artillery couldn't penetrate a single stone.
At the center of this island, complex patterns were engraved, countless top-grade spirit stones buried underground, and a spiritual vein buried a thousand feet below.
These patterns connected together, linked with the spiritual vein, forming a long-distance teleportation array.
Only a spiritual vein could support such a distance for teleportation.
"Buzz!"
Suddenly, the teleportation array lit up, space cracked open, and one by one, human figures were transmitted over, landing on the island.
At the same time, figures burned by karmic fire fell from the void, but shortly after landing, the flames extinguished, the screams ceased, and all those people died.
These cultivators were all those captured from Twin Islands.
Besides the Foundation Establishment cultivators from the auction, there were also a large number of Qi Refining stage cultivators, over a thousand in number, but compared to previous times, the number captured this time was more than ten times less.
The harvest from Twin Islands was not even as much as some ordinary small islands.
Among them, Xu Hei's butcher was also in the crowd, carrying his true form on his back, his eyes vigilantly scanning the surroundings.