Chapter 526: Chapter 524 Guild Master (Subscribe Request)_1
Jade Island.
Inside a cave residence.
Zhong Hongyu, Hai Danaiu, Zheng Shan, and other high-ranking members were present, facing two fairy-like figures with ethereal auras.
One of them was none other than Liu Xu!
However, the one facing them had already succeeded in forming a Golden Core, stepping into the early stages of Core Formation!
This woman was a genuine Immortal Seedling from the Cultivation World of the Three Kingdoms, possessing a Heaven Grade Wooden Spirit Root. After being selected by Jade Island, she was taught the "Green Wood Longevity Skills" by Fang Xi.
Since there was no bottleneck in forming a Golden Core for someone with a Heaven Grade Spirit Root, she cultivated diligently for decades and finally achieved the Grand Accomplishment of Golden Core!
The other fairy turned out to be the disciple of Huang Yungong—Ling Shu!
This woman had already reached the late stages of Core Formation and, for reasons unknown, was now mingling with the people of Jade Island.
Perhaps because she knew Yun Jiezi was actually the Lord Master of Dragon Fish Island...
"So frustrating, just too frustrating..."
Hai Dan’aiu spoke in a deep voice, "Those foreign cultivators are bullying us too much, who does Jade Island belong to after all?"
Zhong Hongyu forced a bitter smile, "Nowadays, almost all the remaining Nascent Soul old monsters from both the righteous and demonic paths are here... If it weren’t for the protection of the Supreme Elder from Ruyi Gate and that Transforming Turtle Demon, I’m afraid we wouldn’t even be able to maintain our current marginal status..."
She felt, deep down, that even if the young master returned, he would probably have to swallow this indignity and suffer in silence.
"Everyone need not worry too much. The spells and divine abilities of the Lord of Dragon Fish Island are exceptionally amazing... He should be unharmed."
Ling Shu spoke up, her voice carrying a unique rhythm.
"When will the Island Master return...?"
Liu Xu looked dazed.
She was once almost an apprentice to Fang Xi, but the Island Master left behind a secret manual and hadn’t shown up for decades...
It was quite speechless.
Now, when Jade Island is in such a precarious state, will the Island Master return?
Or, just as the rumors say, will he wisely protect himself and use the ancient teleportation array to leave without returning?
Just then, a thunderous explosion from the outside world echoed through the air.
The terrifying fluctuations of a Nascent Soul level magical battle caused the complexions of these Core Formation cultivators to change drastically, as they flew out of the cave residence.
...
Moments earlier.
Amid the skies above Jade Island, leagues of cloud sea converged, revealing splendid palaces and lofty cloud platforms.
The Unfettered Duke performed the "Heavenly Dome Cloud Sea Skills," laughing heartily as he entertained several Nascent Soul old monsters, "... My friends, please drink up this cup!"
"Many thanks to the Unfettered Duke!"
Facing this individual who was almost the first among great cultivators, the Nascent Soul old monsters paid him great respect and drained their cups in single gulps.
"This Jade Island has such wonderful scenery, it’s a pity..."
Suddenly, a Nascent Soul cultivator with red whiskers resembling a middle-aged man let out a sigh.
He was the sect leader of the "Fire Refining Sect" of the righteous path and had now become a dog that had lost its home.
Seeing the foundations of Jade Island, he too was somewhat tempted.
At the gathering, the Nascent Soul old monsters became stormy with emotion, many cursing the Lord of Dragon Fish Island as a coward for not even taking them along when fleeing!
Although they intended to destroy the ancient teleportation array after escaping, to cut off any possibility of the Heavenly Phoenix pursuing them...
"It’s long been rumored that Lord Dragon Fish built his foundation on one word—’lurking.’ Now it seems his reputation is well-deserved."
Another Nascent Soul old monster, dressed like a scholar, spoke.
"Haha... at this moment, enjoying the banquet is what matters..."
The Unfettered Duke still wanted to say something, but his expression suddenly changed.
From the direction of the Evergreen Hall, a blue Escape Light surged, with overwhelming waves of magic power bearing down, causing every Nascent Soul cultivator’s face to instantly change.
When they saw who it was, they couldn’t help but exclaim, "Lord Dragon Fish? You... you’ve advanced to the late Nascent Soul stage?"
By now they all knew that Lord Dragon Fish was Yun Jiezi.
And this man was only at the early Nascent Soul stage during the great battle against the Monster Clan, wasn’t he?
How much time had passed since then?
How did he become a great cultivator?
The Escape Light converged, and Fang Xi, in a green robe with his hands clasped behind his back, landed on the Cloud Platform, looking expressionlessly at the Unfettered Duke, even making this peak mid-Nascent Soul cultivator feel uneasy.
"You uninvited guests, how comfortable you seem drinking and making merry in the home of the master, eh?"
His eyes narrowed slightly, carrying a hint of cold murderous intent.
The Unfettered Duke wore a white robe, with three wisps of long beard, and possessed an air of immortal grace. Now, he seemed to have used some secret method or elixir to replenish his lifespan, appearing even younger than before. He stood up, cupped his hands and said, "This old man has used your precious place for a banquet and indeed, it was somewhat impolite. I will send a generous gift later on, and I hope Lord Dragon Fish will..."
As he silently cursed in his heart, he was also somewhat expectant and eager.
After all, if Lord Dragon Fish had returned, didn’t it mean there was an ancient teleportation array they could use to escape?
Compared to evading the Greater Monster Calamity, what was a mere fourth-order spiritual island worth?
’Do they take me for a soft persimmon?’
’Or is it that there’s safety in numbers?’
Fang Xi, driven to the limit of his patience, began to laugh in anger, deciding to pick one to punish severely.
"So much nonsense!"
He uttered a light cry, his right hand clawing through the air, and five streaks of Taiyi Green Wood Divine Light shot out, streaking towards the Unfettered Duke!
The Unfettered Duke’s complexion greatly changed, as he transformed into a drifting white cloud, retreating backward. In a thought’s turn, myriad seas of clouds gathered, forming rows of soldiers armed with white shields, long spears, and other weapons.
Thud!
With a flash of blue light, those cloud soldiers instantly dissipated.
This person’s "Heavenly Dome Cloud Sea Skills" might be well-known throughout the South Wilderness, but compared to Fang Immortal Taoist Master’s Celebrating Cloud, it was nothing!
Seeing the Heavenly Dome Cloud Sea Skills easily broken, the Unfettered Duke waved his hand, sending out a brocade white handkerchief, densely covered in cloud patterns and sparkling with spiritual radiance—clearly a rare defensive spirit treasure.
But the next moment, five streaks of blue light swept past the handkerchief, slicing it into countless pieces, their momentum undiminished, circling around the Unfettered Duke.
The defenses around the Unfettered Duke, like wisps of cloud fog, instantly collapsed, revealing his figure behind them.
Muttering under his breath, he seemed to want to say something more, but his body abruptly came apart in pieces.
Amongst the myriad fragments of corpses, there was a flash of white light.
A pure white Nascent Soul, employing the Cloud Escaping Skill, transformed into a white smoke, soaring upward, with an astonishing escape speed.
But in the next instant, a grayish-white little pagoda descended upon the Nascent Soul, and a ring of radiance fell down upon it.
The Nascent Soul of the Unfettered Duke, holding up a pure white cloud ornament high, turned it into a column of brilliant white light falling upon the grayish-white light screen, yet it silently dissolved without a trace.
The strength of this "Devil-locking Tower" clearly exceeded the Unfettered Duke’s expectations.
"Stop!"
At this moment, Tian Xingzi’s transmission arrived belatedly; outside Jade Island, two streaks of black and white Escape Light rushed over, both pulsating with the magical fluctuations of late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators.
"Hmph!"
Fang Xi uttered a cold snort, and the Sky Demon Chant emerged in response, striking the Unfettered Duke’s Nascent Soul heavily. His form stumbled, and immediately after, he was absorbed by the "Devil-locking Tower."
He held the small tower in his hand, turned around, and saw the Demon Lord Tian Du and Tian Xingzi arriving together, their expressions both shocked and frantic.
’That’s the Unfettered Duke... Even if I personally took action, I might not be able to retain him.’
Demon Lord Tian Du couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, then immediately put on a face as if he were watching an interesting show, standing aside, indicating he was only there for the excitement.
The Tian Xingzi, who had just shouted to stop, seemed a bit embarrassed.
He could have never imagined that Lord Dragon Fish could breakthrough to late-stage Nascent Soul, and that the Unfettered Duke would not even withstand two or three moves against him.
At this moment, the Confucian scholar and the Nascent Soul cultivators from Fire Refining Sect wished they could slap their own faces.
How much had Lord Dragon Fish’s Divine Consciousness actually heard?
Swish! Swish!
At this time, the remaining few late-stage Nascent Soul old monsters also arrived flying rapidly, and Fang Xi even spotted Nangong Li from Ruyi Gate.
This charming and seductive female Nascent Soul gave him a big eye roll, clearly expressing her displeasure at being deceived for so long.
He touched his cheek and decided it was better to ignore her.
Now that Tian Xingzi also understood the situation, his fear of Fang Xi increased even more.
He vaguely knew that the other party was a descendant of the Green Emperor Mountain, and now that he had advanced to late-stage Nascent Soul and effortlessly captured the Unfettered Duke, he was certainly no match for him.
Tian Xingzi bowed first: "Lord Dragon Fish, now that you’ve returned, none other than you is suited to steer us through this crisis... this old man is not talented, but I ask Lord Dragon Fish to accept the position of the Grand Alliance Leader of both the Righteous and Demon Paths, to lead us in standing against the Monster Clan!"
Demon Lord Tian Du glanced at Tian Xingzi with a hint of surprise but soon sneered inwardly and spoke out: "I would fully support Lord Dragon Fish being the Grand Alliance Leader of both paths."
This turnaround left the watching Nascent Soul old weirdos nearly dumbfounded.
But recalling how Lord Dragon Fish had ruthlessly eliminated the Unfettered Duke, they dared not voice any opposition, even if they wanted to.
"Grand Alliance Leader?!"
Upon hearing this, Fang Xi revealed a hint of a smile: "Well then... I shall accept the position."
After searching the souls to understand the current situation, he felt greatly assured, and vaguely had a grand plan forming.
Since Tian Xingzi was so cooperative, why not accommodate him.
"Greetings to the Grand Alliance Leader!"
Tian Xingzi immediately bowed down, and the other late-stage Nascent Soul old weirdos exchanged glances, having no choice but to follow in paying their respects.
Once Fang Xi plainly accepted, Tian Xingzi finally smiled and said, "Grand Alliance Leader... Although the Unfettered Duke was at fault, his crime doesn’t warrant death. Please release his Nascent Soul so he may atone and contribute, considering his significant cultivation level..."
"You’re suggesting... the greater good matters most?"
Fang Xi’s face bore a smile that was not quite a smile, clearly very averse to this kind of moral high ground approach.
Tian Xingzi’s eyes lit up: "Exactly, the greater good takes precedence!"
"Heh, if I agree to this, then next, for the greater good of resisting the Monster Clan, should I also donate the Spirit Island for you all to recover and multiply?"
Fang Xi scoffed: "By the order of the Grand Alliance Leader... all Nascent Souls and their disciples, except for Ruyi Gate, have one day to leave Jade Island completely, otherwise... the Unfettered Duke can serve as a cautionary tale!"
Seeing this, Tian Xingzi’s eyes slightly widened and he could only heave a helpless sigh in his heart.
Fortunately, he wasn’t dead set on rescuing the Unfettered Duke. Now that Lord Dragon Fish had accepted the mantle of righteousness, he probably wouldn’t hold on to past grievances anymore, right?
The smiling Demon Lord Tian Du bowed his head slightly: "I shall carefully follow the order..."
The people of Departure Demon Palace had been restrained long ago and had always used the Seven Treasure Building Boat as their dwelling, so they really had nothing to fear.
...
Half a day later, numerous Escape Lights, like refugees, painfully vacated Jade Island.
Inside the Evergreen Hall.
Fang Xi stood with his hands behind his back as one Core Formation cultivator after another entered the hall.
Upon seeing Fang Xi, Hai Danaiu immediately bowed deeply, his voice carrying a sobbing tone: "Master... you’re finally back! Without your presence, look at the state Jade Island has fallen into because of those outsiders..."