Rumbling noises that sounded like the ground was splitting apart came from below, from the oasis where the Water God Cult was located.
In fact, that was exactly what was happening.
The Water God Cult built their base in the oasis and after centuries of development, they had grown into a force no one in Arid Continent could compete with.
For them to grow to this size and tyrannize the whole of Arid Continent, the Water God Cult attributed their success to their founder, Black Water Taoist.
He was the first generation cult leader.
Over the centuries, they were now at their third generation with thousands of members, and undoubtedly a couple of experts among their ranks. Most of them were fugitives, bandits, and people with nowhere else to turn to, so they came to the Water God Cult where they were all accepted without discrimination.
Needless to say, the cult was filled with murderers so whatever they did could never be labeled as good. They were willing to resort to underhanded tactics to achieve their goals, and Arid Continent being in such a terrible state after all these years was the Water God Cult’s doing.
All this while, it was the Water God Cult who bullied the innocent inhabitants of Arid Continent.
Today, this sudden earthquake stunned the people of the cult. It wasn’t long before they knew that an enemy had come to attack them.
This was too much!
“There are people in the sky!” one of the cult members shouted as they pointed at the sky.
Immediately, those who knew flying spells rose up to meet the intruders.
“Quick, inform the leader!” Those who couldn’t fly immediately took action. In fact, their third-generation leader, Red Water Taoist, had already been alerted of the attack.
Not only him but the two preceding leaders who were in seclusion were also startled.
The second leader was Ghost Water Taoist, and the last one was the Water God Cult’s founder, Black Water Taoist.
Both these individuals had chosen to retreat from the world and enter seclusion. Why? It was because they were researching a treasure. This treasure was the reason why Black Water Taoist could display his prowess back then and establish the Water God Cult.
Today, just like any other day, both cult leaders were cultivating in a secluded area inside the cult base, where there was a pond. On top of the pond floated a gourd.
This gourd seemed to be crafted from a translucent piece of crystal, or ancient ice, as it glistened vibrantly in the air.
The gourd’s mouth was open, from which an endless stream of water flowed. Like a spiritual water dragon, the water flowed into the pond below, and while the pond didn’t look huge, it was bottomless. In fact, it had a hidden undercurrent which was also the reason for this oasis’s prosperity.
Several hundreds of years ago, Five Palm Mountain was just like any other part of Arid Continent – desolate and dry as a bone.
This precious gourd could produce water out of nowhere, and because of this, the Water God Cult was able to grow to the size it is today.
Without understanding the supernatural powers it possessed, one could absorb the endless flow of water spirit energy just by staying beside the gourd. It was even used to prolong one’s life.
The founding cult leader, Black Water Taoist, was now five hundred and thirty-one years old. In terms of age, he was comparable to the demi-immortals of ancient times. These beings were below immortals, as they possessed a mortal body. Unless they practiced unique secret arts, they couldn’t possibly have lived this long.
Black Water Taoist’s lengthy lifespan was a result of possessing this precious gourd.
Black Water Taoist was also a prodigy. After a hundred years, he actually created a phenomenal spirit absorbing technique that helped him absorb the water spirit to prolong his life.
Even still, Black Water Taoist was very old. Perhaps in a few more years, his life would cease even if he had the gourd with him.
For this reason, in the past decade, Black Water Taoist had never left the gourd’s side. Day and night, he used the gourd’s water spirit energy to nourish his body. Should he leave its side, even for a few hours, he would lose the energy nourishment and turn into a dry corpse.
Sitting beside him was the cult’s second leader, Ghost Water Taoist. He was a disciple that Black Water Taoist accepted two hundred years ago. He also looked considerably aged. While his cultivation level was good enough, he still couldn’t compare to Black Water Taoist. He too was being kept alive by the gourd.
Now, the Water God Cult’s affairs had been passed down to the disciple Ghost Water Taoist had taken in eighty years ago, Red Water Taoist. His predecessors both went into seclusion to research longevity.
Just moments ago, this supposedly stable gourd started glowing brightly before it started vibrating.
Black Water Taoist and Ghost Water Taoist were shocked.
After being here for centuries, it was their first time seeing something like this. Their eyes widened as they wondered what was going on.
Ghost Water Taoist flung his sleeve and a flying snake fish darted out.
It was a rare beast of water attribute that could live on land, and even fly in the air. These creatures were savage and loved feasting on beasts like tigers, leopards, and the like, but they were insanely hard to find.
This creature was Ghost Water Taoist’s pet beast. One that had been with him for more than two hundred years and was currently at Rank 5.
“Calm down, Ghost Water!” Experienced in the way of life, Black Water Taoist knew that he must maintain his composure. He stood up and performed a spell to strengthen the restraints.
He had placed many formations in this place so Black Water Taoist was confident that even if someone were to invade them, they couldn’t come inside.
As for why the precious gourd was acting strangely, they would slowly research it later on.
However, a human voice boomed inside the space.
“Four oceans into one, water of the universe. Magic treasure, return!”
It was Lin Jin reciting the incantation.
When the incantation reached the Four Ocean Gourd, its mana was activated. Two flashes of brilliant light clashed and the gourd began to move, gradually breaking the restrictions Black Water Taoist had placed.
“Ah!” Black Water Taoist exclaimed. “Someone’s trying to steal the gourd!”
Black Water Taoist would never panic over other matters. After all, having lived for five hundred years, his mind was strong enough to handle most things. However, when it came to the gourd, he could never stay calm.
This was his life source and he couldn’t allow any mishaps to happen under his watch.
Anxiously, he continued performing his spells.
But it was too late.
They heard a thunderous rumble and the Four Ocean Gourd shone brilliantly, breaking through all the restrictions Black Water Taoist had placed on it in an instant. Then, it burst through the ceiling of the cave and flew away.
“Come back!” Black Water Taoist shrieked. Right now, although shocked, he was also furious.
Who was it?
Who was the one trying to steal his treasure?
Over the centuries, Black Water Taoist had seen the Four Ocean Gourd as his personal possession and allowed no one to touch it.
Not only him but Ghost Water Taoist was just as infuriated.
He too had been surviving on the gourd’s powers. Now that the treasure was gone, he couldn’t live for more than a few years.
The two old men immediately flew out in rage to search for the Four Ocean Gourd.
To their dismay, the Four Ocean Gourd was so powerful that it moved beyond the speed of sound. Like a rocket, it glowed as it rose into the clouds before finally dropping into Lin Jin’s hand.
