When Lu Zhou carried the floating island on his palm, he had already killed an elite. Even if there were more elites, they would not be able to change the situation much.
Within the Formation, the Penglai Island disciples had the upper hand. The ornamental veins on the umbrellas seemed capable of resisting the suppression from the Formation.
The Seven-leaf Li Jingyi gracefully and calmly tore through the cultivators who trespassed on Penglai Island. Although she was a woman, her aura, after being in the army for many years, was stronger than the others.
Madam Huang hovered in the air, transfixed by Li Jingyi’s movements.
This was how the cultivation world operated. It was a dog-eat-dog world.
Some of the cultivators, still in shock, seemed to have gone insane as they laughed before jumping into the water. “Old Villain Ji! He’s truly Old Villain Ji…”
In the waters, Luo Yu did not care about the circumstances of the swimmers. With a flash of movement, it killed them.
“The Taixu Academy caused us too much trouble!”
“Curse that Taixu Mirror! It’s getting us killed!”
Under extreme circumstances and with a strong will to survive, humans could erupt with terrifying power. A couple of Nascent Divinity elites burned their sea of Qis and charged toward the barrier above.
Lu Zhou raised his palm and launched a palm seal to his left. He raised his other palm and sent one to his right.
The palm seals seemed to have eyes of their own as they chased after their flying targets and shot them down!
Thud!
Thud!
They crashed onto the island’s hard rock ground. Their heads were the first to touch the ground and splattered like watermelons, spilling their contents all over the cold surface.
Lu Zhou did not mind using his extraordinary power. Whenever he saw a target taking flight, he sent a palm seal his or her way. When he had firm control over the skies, everything became deathly still. He looked down from his high vantage point and swept his gaze at the land below. ‘Who’s next?’
Madam Huang was not young or inexperienced. She was well prepared for Penglai Island’s huge crisis. The hearts of men were often unpredictable. It was rare to have an exchange of benefits fairly, let alone receiving help with no demand of repayment. She knew how furious Old Senior Ji was. His youngest disciple had been harmed. Could the Taixu Academy still hope for a peaceful end? It was relatively easy for the Taixu Academy disciples on the island. The problem was solved once they were all killed. However, the other members of the Taixu Academy might be dragged into this mess.
Meanwhile, Li Jingyi showed no mercy. As a former genius disciple of the Penglai Sect, she displayed a mighty commanding power at this moment. Starting from the eastern island, the four islands were gradually cleared.
The struggling cultivators registered looks of despair on their faces when they saw the wax paper umbrellas blotting out the sun as they flew toward them. Many fell on their knees and begged for mercy. As for the Taixu Academy disciples, begging for their lives made no difference. Many cultivators tried to fly out of the barrier as well, but they were repelled by the barrier and fell into the sea.
Luo Yu was king in the water. It killed them as they came.
When the smell of blood from the water had dispersed considerably, Luo Yu leaped out of the water with a school of fish in its wake. Tens of thousands of fishes broke the surface of the sea. It was a breathtaking sight to behold.
If Old Senior Ji had not propped up the floating island with a single hand before this, this display alone would have been unforgettable.
The fish let out a collective deep cry, like that of a mandarin duck, that reached Conch’s ears.
Conch waved at the fishes. “Goodbye.”
Madam Huang regarded Conch with an expression of shock. She said softly, “I didn’t expect this little girl to be capable of communicating with Luo Yu. Luo Yu is no ordinary beast. It lived in Penglai for a century. Over 100 years, the Penglai disciples didn’t dare to enter or approach the water. I’m surprised to learn that Luo Yu was living right under the floating island.”
Lu Zhou said, “When I dove into the sea, the Formation was already damaged. With Luo Yu’s wisdom, why would it smash its own foot with a rock?”
“You’re saying, Senior Ji, that someone else damaged it?” Madam Huang was shocked.
“That’s your problem, and none of my concern.”
“Thank you for the reminder, Old Senior Ji.”
A moment later, the cultivators who tried to take advantage of the situation were practically cleared away.
As expected of an elite who experienced killings on the battlefield, Li Jingyi was not stained by a single drop of blood after taking care of her enemies. If one did not know her background, it would be difficult to imagine her as a warrior who had served in the army for many years.
Lu Zhou could not have cared less about the condition of the others. This was Penglai Island’s matter. He had obtained the Penglai Heavenly Scroll and kept the floating island up. They were now even. The Lantian jade was a welcome surprise.
At this moment, Lu Zhou suddenly remembered Luo Yu. He turned to look at Conch and asked, “Conch, can you understand Luo Yu?”
Conch nodded lightly and said, “Mhm. It said that its child is right below.”
“How did you make it follow your orders?” Lu Zhou asked, puzzled.
A vicious beast of the sea such as Luo Yu had cultivated far longer than humans. It had at least cultivated for 100 years or up to tens of thousands of years. Although they were less talented than humans, they accumulated experience over the years. Up until now, humans had not figured out how expansive the seas were.
There was once an Eight-leaf cultivator who tried to cross the Endless Ocean to reach the shore on the other side. However, due to the long flight, his Primal Qi was depleted. He fell into the sea and was devoured by the oceanic beasts.
Many oceanic beasts could fly for short spans of time. It was too dangerous for cultivators to fly too near the surface, and it was a waste of Primal Qi to maintain a high altitude. Hence, no cultivator had successfully crossed the Endless Ocean yet.
Conch shook her head, seemingly at a loss, as she said, “I… I just told it what to do and it listened.”
Luo Yu had considerable wisdom, after all. Surely, it did not wish for the floating island to destroy this place.
Madam Huang said with a sigh, “From now on, we’ll treat Luo Yu with kindness.”
Lu Zhou said, “Once bitten twice shy. Perhaps, Luo Yu will leave this place.”
It leaped out of the surface to bid farewell to Conch earlier. That was a clear sign of its departure.
Madam Huang nodded with a helpless expression on her face.
At this moment, Li Jingyi had finished cleaning up the stragglers. She leaped into the air, bowed, and said, “Senior Ji, the Taixu Academy cultivators have been eliminated.”
Lu Zhou nodded, pleased.
Madam Huang said at once, “Come with me, please.”
Lu Zhou glanced at Conch and Little Yuan’er. Little Yuan’er was injured. She needed to rest here. Hence, he followed Madam Huang and landed on the eastern island.
The Penglai disciples from the other islands, excluding those on the floating island, were already gathered on the plaza outside the great hall.
Ma Qing led the QIngyun Sword Sect as they stood in neat rows outside the great hall as well.
The people were arranged on two sides.
The Penglai disciples, regardless of their strengths, were all looking at the sauntering old man with fearful respect.
In line with Penglai’s rules, the disciples bowed in turn to welcome them. It was also a show of respect.
“Welcome, old senior!”
On the steps before the great hall, Madam Huang turned around. She waited for Lu Zhou to walk up the steps. Then, with a deep voice, she said, “Kneel.” Her voice resounded across the plaza.
The Penglai disciples, including Li Jingyi, who had left the sect a long time ago, fell to one knee. Their movements were synchronized, and they kept their eyes on the ground.
“Ding! Received devout worship from 2,805 individuals. Reward: 28,050 merit points.”
Everyone was sincere in their worshipping.
With a clear voice, Madam Huang said, “Senior Ji kept the island afloat with a single palm and saved Penglai while we were in crisis. Please allow me to salute you.” This time, she formally and respectfully saluted him.
Lu Zhou waved his hand, a surge of energy stopped her.
“There’s no need for this,” Lu Zhou said, “It won’t do for the great Penglai Island’s mistress to kneel before another.”
“You’re right, senior.” Madam Huang was moved.
At this moment, Lu Zhou suddenly said with a stern voice, “Well? Aren’t you going to show yourself?”
The others were shocked! They looked to their sides.
The Penglai disciples got to their feet hastily and searched the area. They thought there were still stragglers hiding amongst them.
“No, no, no…” Behind the door of the great hall, a figure flitted out. The man held a sword in one hand and raised the other as he walked out of the great hall with a smile on his face.
The others focused their gazes on him.
Many Penglai disciples tightened their grips on their weapons tighter, filled with the urge to charge at the newcomer.
However, Madam Huang exclaimed in shock, “Liu Chen?”
“Mistress, that name sounds awful. Call me Aijian… The Ai means ‘love’ and Jian means ‘sword’. In other words, Sword Freak or greatest sword under the heavens…” Jiang Aijian shamelessly said.
Madam Huang frowned slightly.
When he said this, the Penglai Island disciples seemed to stir with emotions.
“Eldest Senior Brother?”
“Is it really Eldest Senior Brother Liu Chen?”
Jiang Aijian raised his hand again and waved at the crowd. He said, “That’s right. Back by popular demand, I’m the Penglai genius cultivator, the handsome and cool sword path Eldest Senior Brother Jiang… Ai…Jian!” He emphasized his name.
Lu Zhou said in a deep voice, “Had enough fun?”
Jiang Aijian stumbled. He bowed with a chuckle. “Nothing escapes you, old senior. I’ve been observing for a long time. I’ve even taken care of several elites who wanted to attack the little girl… Little girl, don’t give me that look. All in a day’s work.”
Little Yuan’er bit back the pain and spat on the ground.
Conch followed suit and spat on the ground as well.
Jiang Aijian. “???”
Lu Zhou said, “I had to hold up an entire island with a single hand while you seem to be having a good time watching the show in the shadows.”
“Old senior, that’s unfair and untrue!” Jiang Aijian waved his hands frantically. “I killed several of their members in secret. They were all first-rate elites. Look at my arm, there are wounds from swords.”
“Hm?” Lu Zhou frowned.
Jiang Aijian no longer dared to retort. He hastily said, “You’re right… You’re completely right.”
Lu Zhou remembered that Li Jingyi had displayed some powerful umbrella cultivation techniques during the battle at Liang Province and Upper Prime City. However, he did not relate those to Penglai back then. In hindsight, it was not surprising for the two of them to be Penglai Island disciples at all.
“Jiang Aijian, you cultivated Dao Invisibility and love sword techniques. Penglai is known for its umbrella cultivators. How did this work out?” Lu Zhou asked as he stroked his beard.
“An umbrella is not fit for a man… I like the sword better,” Jiang Aijian said as he hugged his sword close to his chest.
Madam Huang stepped forward and grabbed Jiang Aijian’s ear. “You bastard.”
“Ow… that hurts! Mistress, let go, let go…”
Madam Huang pushed him away and reprimanded him, “Penglai was in danger, and yet, you remain stubborn and rowdy.”
“I came as soon as I could… Junior Sister Jingyi came after me, you know?” Jiang Aijian covered his ear and retreated.
Madam Huang gave it some thought. Penglai had survived this crisis anyway. Jiang Aijian’s personality had been this way since the beginning. He must have expended much effort in secret that they did not know about. In the end, she sighed and said, “I’m grateful for all of you.”
Jiang Aijian shook his head and said, “I don’t dare take credit. It’s thanks to Old Senior Ji for the island afloat. It wasn’t even this exciting when Old Senior Ji defeated the ten great elites! This is even more exhilarating to watch!”
Propping up the island with a single palm was indeed magnificent, but it used up nearly all of Lu Zhou’s extraordinary power. If it were not for Luo Yu’s magical power, he could not have maintained it.
At this moment, a faint green light glowed at Lu Zhou’s side.
Madam Huang, Jiang Aijian, and Li Jingyi looked to the side at once. They were looking at Conch’s palm.
“The Lantian jade?”
