On the sea, two factions stood in confrontation. Shen Minggu, however, remained rooted amidst a haze of yin energy, overlooking the scene below.
This yin energy was neither fog nor cloud but rather the Sword Qi emitted by the "Yin Slaughter Saber" he carried. It served to conceal his presence and suppress his aura, making it difficult for even a Nascent Soul True Master to discern his form without meticulous scrutiny.
Cultivators who practiced the Leaving Origin Yin-Yang Flying Saber technique were known for their fierce attacks but lacked defense capabilities. However, with this saber, he could traverse hundreds of miles in an instant and come and go freely.
At present, his cultivation was not sufficient to fully control the saber’s Sword Spirit. When his realm advanced, the spirit within the blade would heed his command, rendering his peers insignificant. However, in order to unleash the saber’s maximum power, it had to feast on fresh blood—only then could the True Spirit within the blade be reluctantly summoned.
For now, he dared not provoke Hua Dan Cultivators and could only select a Xuan Guang Practitioner to sacrifice to the saber. His predatory eyes swept the surroundings, searching for prey.
On the sea boat, Zeng Han, Xin Chanzhen, Qiu Ju, Chu Jiu, and other disciples of Xuan Guang cultivation stood in a group, pointing at the figures within the formation ahead and commenting on them.
"So that man is Zhang Yan?" Zeng Han glanced over and nodded in appreciation. "Indeed worthy of being a disciple of a Great Sect. Such a demeanor is beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators."
Xin Chanzhen also looked over. Zhang Yan stood atop the sea boat, his imposing figure exuded an ethereal and otherworldly aura. His Mysterious Robe fluttered in the wind as if he were ready to ride the breeze. His stature was a full head taller than others, making his exceptional presence impossible to ignore wherever he stood.
His image matched perfectly with the description given by the disciples from Chenxiang Hall, leaving her convinced that he must be the one who had taken the Seven Absolute Piles.
Though she had come to retrieve the treasure, upon seeing Zhang Yan, she felt that he was a rare and worthy rival. If she could duel with him, it would undoubtedly sharpen her skills. With her hand resting on her sword hilt, she quietly declared, "This man is my opponent."
Zeng Han chuckled nonchalantly and said, "Since Junior Sister Xin has chosen her opponent, we shall certainly give way. However, this person appears quite formidable—you ought to be cautious."
Xin Chanzhen nodded lightly.
Zhang Yan had just witnessed the dispute among the five True Masters. He pondered to himself, if True Master Tao could suppress the four Nascent Soul True Masters, all would be well. However, if even one of them broke rank, it would spell trouble for his faction.
Suddenly, a thunderous roar came from ten miles away, followed swiftly by an arc of radiant light that dyed half the sea and sky crimson in moments.
The crowd on the sea jolted with tension. Yet, the booming sound did not cease, resonating like war drums beating in defiance. One explosive strike followed the next. Within the span of a cup of tea, a deafening blast echoed like mountains collapsing and seas overturning—its force so immense that even the heavens seemed to tremble.
Golden light bathed the sea as waves surged violently before parting to either side. Beneath the waves, celestial music arose, accompanied by spiraling spiritual clouds. From the depths, forty-nine majestic Immortal Palaces slowly emerged onto the surface of the water. Each palace was adorned with copper pillars and gleaming golden roofs, their domes covered in glazed tiles. Long corridors and bridges connected them, glimmering with golden and crimson hues that illuminated the skies. Purple mist and auspicious energies supported the Jade Stairs, while the ridge-top auspicious beasts breathed streams of radiant haze. Amidst this breathtaking scene, a delicate token talisman appeared faintly, shimmering with brilliant golden light.
Whoever could obtain this token talisman could refine the palace and claim it as their own. None of the cultivators present could resist the fervent greed that this sight ignited within them.
However, despite the overwhelming allure, the five Nascent Soul True Masters sat unmoving, seemingly indifferent. This caused the other cultivators to hesitate, rendering none brave enough to act.
The forty-nine Immortal Palaces were enshrouded in Immortal Spirit Qi, appearing virtually identical from the outside, making it difficult to discern any differences.
Yet Zhang Yan, having previously received secret guidance from True Master Tao, knew that only one palace among them was the master of the group and the rightful central sovereign.
Scanning the scene intently, his gaze eventually fixed on an inconspicuous palace in the southeastern corner. His eyes narrowed slightly.
At this moment, True Master Tao rose to his full height. A child at his side handed him a horsetail whisk, which he took and brandished, pointing toward a specific palace. He shouted, "Fellow Daoists, among the forty-nine Purple Jade Immortal Palaces, Qingyu Sect shall claim but one. The rest are yours to take as you please."
As his voice fell, disciples under his command, led by Zhao Zhengcheng, bowed deeply in salute. Shortly after, they activated their tunneling light and chose a palace, settling upon it. Behind them, Wang Yingfang and hundreds of streaks of sword light followed in unison.
The movement of Qingyu Sect’s disciples stirred the six Demon Kings in the formation. Unwilling to be outdone, they led their followers into the field, each staking claim to a palace.
The loose cultivators on the sea could also no longer restrain themselves. They surged forth from all directions, vying to seize a palace, creating a loud and chaotic commotion.
True Master Tao had prearranged terms with these Demon Kings and loose cultivators, which allowed for relatively organized action on his part. In contrast, the loose cultivators were frenzied and disordered, causing many to start fighting prematurely among themselves.