Chapter 524 - 493: The Fisherman Behind

Chapter 524: Chapter 493: The Fisherman Behind

This sudden turn of events not only shocked the Cultivators on Jinghai Island Reef but also left Chen Che and Xiao Chan utterly stunned. The two of them couldn’t fathom how so many Golden Core Cultivators had been hiding right under their noses.

’Luckily, these people aren’t here for us.’

However, Chen Che had no time to reflect, because the group of Cultivators who had just appeared were brazenly using Xiao Chan’s name:

The Spiritual Boat was ensnared and dragged toward the Black Tortoise Calm Sea. Amidst the towering waves, Great Protector Ye Shaoqiu stepped forward and bellowed in a resonant voice:

"Who goes there? How dare you plunder a Spiritual Boat of the Primordial Sect?"

"I am Xiao Chan!"

As he answered, the leading Golden Core Cultivator unfurled a Soul-Calling Banner. With a flick, thousands of Divine Souls billowed out like black water, pressing down like a dense cloud as they surged toward the Spiritual Boat.

"The Primordial Sect oppresses the virtuous, and its leaders protect one another! It is an affront to heavenly justice!"

An uproar erupted—

Over Jinghai, gasps of shock immediately broke out.

They were clearly astounded that this "rebel disciple" was so audacious, daring to openly plunder a Spiritual Boat belonging to an Upper Sect.

Hearing the cries from all around, the real Xiao Chan, who was standing off to the side, felt the corner of his mouth twitch.

"Who are these people?"

Chen Che knew, of course, that this group was fake. But they were all disguised, and he couldn’t discern their origins. Besides, assembling so many Golden Core Cultivators was beyond the means of any ordinary faction.

’The Star-Picking Sect?’

Chen Che had his doubts. ’After the battle at Celestial Ghost City, could the Star-Picking Sect even muster such a lineup anymore?’

"I can’t make out any of their features. Could it be the Mist Rain Tower?"

Xiao Chan was also speculating.

Just then, Chen Che saw several more figures shoot out from the Spiritual Boat. More Golden Core Cultivators. These, however, belonged to the Primordial Sect. Including Great Protector Ye Shaoqiu, Tu Zhenxi, and He Gaohang, who were already present, the numbers on both sides were suddenly even.

Immediately, the dozen or so Golden Core Cultivators transformed into multicolored Escape Lights and shot into the sky. To an outside observer, it looked as if countless rainbows were streaking across the air, each flash and collision producing a deafening boom.

The entire Black Tortoise Calm Sea trembled, as if dozens of Flood Dragons were present, stirring up a storm of blood and gore.

"Quick, raise the Shield!"

Zhao Changping’s shout came from the island reef.

Although the battle was miles from the island reef, a fight between Golden Core Cultivators was no child’s play. The constantly rising and falling waves crashed ashore like a stampeding army, threatening to submerge the entire island at any moment.

"Both groups planned this long in advance."

Seeing the Array rise to protect the island reef, Chen Che turned his attention back to the battlefield.

"Indeed."

Xiao Chan had noticed it too.

Three Spiritual Boats had lain in wait, hidden beneath the sea, striking the moment Ye Shaoqiu and his men set sail. And while Ye Shaoqiu’s party appeared panicked and desperate to flee, who would have guessed they had several Golden Core Cultivators hidden aboard their own Spiritual Boat?

They were constantly scheming against each other.

However, the ambushers, despite having struck first, did not have the upper hand.

The three Spiritual Boats that had emerged from the sea activated an Array, trying to drag away the cargo ship. But a flash of light emanated from the cargo ship, raising an azure Shield that forcibly pushed away the chains. Then, nearly a hundred Foundation Establishment Cultivators swarmed out from the vessel.

Some used Sword Control, others ran along the chains, and some became Escape Lights, all rushing toward the three enemy Spiritual Boats.

It was clear that these Primordial Sect Cultivators were all valiant and skilled fighters. They even had uniform Magical Artifacts. Black chains were coiled around their bodies, and the longswords in their hands exuded a slightly sinister aura.

"The Law Enforcement Disciples of the Xingtang Hall."

Xiao Chan recognized these Foundation Establishment Cultivators with a single glance. He turned and explained to Chen Che, "In the entire Primordial Sect, only Law Enforcement Disciples dress like this. When they were hunting me, many of them were Law Enforcement Disciples."

Within the Primordial Sect, the disciples of Xingtang Hall are divided into two types: ordinary disciples and Law Enforcement Disciples.

The former are not worth mentioning, but the latter are all elites handpicked from the Xingtang Hall. Hunting down sect traitors, quelling rebellions, capturing rogue Cultivators, annihilating other sects—they handle all the most difficult assignments.

Their Cultivation Realms aren’t necessarily high, but every one of them is an expert at fighting against overwhelming odds. Each one is as tough as nails.

"I mostly understand..."

Chen Che nodded slightly.

’He figured the Primordial Sect must have gotten wind of the plan to plunder the cargo ship, which is why they set this ambush. They weren’t guarding against us, but against this other group.’

While Chen Che was still piecing things together, the ambushers’ luck ran out.

In just a few breaths, the hundred-plus Law Enforcement Disciples had already stormed the three enemy Spiritual Boats and immediately began a ruthless slaughter. At the same time, dozens of massive Crossbow Beds were set up on the cargo ship.

These Crossbow Beds were not the shoddy, hastily made ones from Celestial Ghost City. Each one was crafted by the Primordial Sect’s master artisans, and every Crossbow Arrow was forged from Exotic Copper and Iron.

As the bowstrings were drawn, tens of thousands of Magic Patterns burst forth, swirling in hundreds of overlapping layers. The sight was as spectacular as countless colorful butterflies taking flight!

WHOOSH—

Dozens of Crossbow Arrows flew from their strings. With a devastating CRACK, they tore straight through the ambushers’ three Spiritual Boats. Under the concentrated volley, one of the boats was blown to smithereens on the spot.

Any Cultivators on board who failed to evade in time were shredded by the force of the passing arrows.

The Primordial Sect’s preparations were far too thorough. The outcome of this battle had been decided from the very beginning.

The ambushing party consisted of eight Golden Core Cultivators and several hundred other Cultivators. They had thought that taking a cargo ship guarded by only three Golden Core Cultivators would be more than enough. But who knew that their opponent’s strength would actually exceed their own.

"Who exactly are these ambushers?" Chen Che frowned.

"It’s highly likely they’re from the Mist Rain Tower."

Xiao Chan clicked his tongue. "But no matter who they are, they’ve really hit a wall this time."

Chen Che nodded.

’He figured there was a high probability it was the Mist Rain Tower. After all, a number of their Golden Core Cultivators had shown up at the battle of Three Rivers Peak. With the Star-Picking Sect keeping the Primordial Sect busy on the front lines, they were free to plunder resources from behind.’

"I don’t know if the two sects are colluding, or if the Mist Rain Tower is just trying to fish in troubled waters," Chen Che said, his gaze sharp. "If it’s the former, we’re in big trouble..."

"Yeah."

Xiao Chan also had a bad feeling. If it was the former, it meant they would have to face two Major Sects at the same time.

As the two were discussing, the battle was already nearing its end, turning into a one-sided slaughter.

Great Protector Ye Shaoqiu’s strength was truly terrifying.

He was like a human siege engine, unleashing all sorts of spells with ease. The Golden Core Cultivator who had called himself "Xiao Chan" and wielded the Soul-Calling Banner was instantly reduced to dust by dozens of Ye Shaoqiu’s spells.

Third Protector Tu Zhenxi, though he wore a smile, was a true smiling tiger; with his Ring-Headed Saber, he cleaved the heads from two Golden Core Cultivators.

The short and stout He Gaohang was even more unexpected—he was actually a Body Cultivator. His physical body withstood the bombardment of Magical Artifacts without a scratch. He was just like a humanoid Fierce Beast and even shattered a Spiritual Boat with his bare hands.

Of course.

To annihilate these people, the Primordial Sect also paid a price: one Golden Core Cultivator heavily injured, and the lives of over a dozen Law Enforcement Disciples.

The seawater miles from Jinghai Island Reef had been dyed red with blood.

Chen Che and Xiao Chan watched the entire process with great interest. The Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining Cultivators on the island only saw a vague and confusing outline of the battle. It wasn’t until the fighting stopped that they realized the Primordial Sect had won.

Most of the low-level Cultivators had no idea what the appearance of this group of strange Cultivators truly meant.

They just looked at the blood-red sea, unable to contain their excitement—the flesh and blood of Cultivators were a great temptation to the Aquatic Race. For some time to come, large schools of the Aquatic Race would gather around the island reef.

"The battle is over."

Xiao Chan glanced at the scene. The Primordial Sect’s Cultivators were already starting to clean up the battlefield. He turned to Chen Che. "Should we..."

Nodding slightly, Chen Che took out a mask and placed it on his face, then changed into a black robe:

"Now it’s our turn to take the stage!"

...

After the battle, the Black Tortoise Calm Sea had barely returned to peace.

However, the Aquatic Race, with their extremely keen sense of smell, were already showing signs of gathering. Even in the air, large flocks of seagulls were circling, but they didn’t dare to descend, intimidated by the Golden Core Cultivators present.

Just when everyone thought the matter was over.

SWOOSH—

Two Escape Lights shot out from Jinghai Island Reef, heading straight for the battlefield. They moved like crashing thunder. Although there were only two of them, their presence was even more imposing than that of the previous ambushers. For a moment, all the Island Reef Cultivators were stunned:

"What’s going on?"

"More robbers?"

"So many people just died, and now two more show up? These two have some serious nerve. Who are they?"

On the battlefield, aboard the cargo ship, Ye Shaoqiu, who was standing with his hands clasped behind his back, watched this scene with a stunned expression. ’There are still more? Are they reinforcements for the enemy, or a different group altogether?’

While he was still thinking, He Gaohang beside him had already stepped forward and shouted:

"You insolent rats, state your names! Once I’m done with you today, I swear I’ll wipe out your entire bloodline!"

"I am Xiao Chan!"

Xiao Chan responded in a clear voice.

"..."

As his voice fell, everyone, from the Cultivators on Jinghai Island Reef to those of the Primordial Sect, fell into an indescribable silence...