The three human Spirit Kings finally emerged from the choppy waves of the Gulf of Giant Tortoises. A formation of over twenty Spirit Lords greeted them with serious expressions. The ones in the lead of this group were the direct subordinates of the three of them.
Immortal Scarlet Sea Hai Dan waved her hand and beckoned one of her people over, "Hai Dafu, come here."
The fattest of the bunch, Immortal Melancholy Sea Hai Dafu, drifted over and bowed respectfully, "Palace Master."
"From this day forth, this location and the area within a radius of one thousand kilometers is a forbidden zone. Members of the Seven Seas Sacred Palace are not allowed to explore it or even pass through it." She said firmly.
Her thoughts were still on that deepwater tortoise. She had no doubt that it could wipe out her sect with a single breath if it wanted to. She had no intention of bothering it any further.
"Yes, Palace Master, it will be so." Hai Dafu replied seriously.
While Hai Dan gave out some more orders to her people, Huang Wuji floated forward toward a man who was carrying a figure in his arms. It only took a glance to realize that it was a still unconscious Su Tan.
Gong Liyun watched the scene with a raised eyebrow. That man holding Su Tan was one of Huang Wuji's countless sons. She forgot what his name was but the more interesting fact was that he was holding her like that even though he wasn't Su Tan's husband. His hands were placed intimately on her body. His expression was one full of concern. He would even glance down at her face constantly as if it was the most interesting thing in the world.
Gong Liyun covered her mouth to hide a giggle. She wasn't bored enough to pry into the Huang Family's affairs but this one was surely one filled with intrigue. She was almost tempted but ultimately hid her curiosity. Such a talented and naturally beautiful female Spirit Lord like Su Tan was bound to have countless admirers. It wouldn't be uncommon if a few of them would start fighting over her.
After a while, the various parties returned to their provinces and sects. Huang Wuji and Gong Liyun were the last ones left. The two of them hovered high above the western coastline of the subcontinent and observed the serene Gulf of Giant Tortoises that hid a fearsome emperor beneath. Neither of them could have predicted that events would play out this way. They had been prepared to sacrifice a lot to kill or capture those two demon Spirit Kings but it had all been for naught.
"Those two demon Spirit Kings will be tricky to deal with." Huang Wuji said, "An ancient shade that can travel effortlessly through the night and through darkness… A shuimu that can hide in all forms of water including the clouds in the sky or water underground… If they don't want to be found, we won't able to find a trace of them even if we tried."
"For us, maybe. But I'm sure there are plenty of cultivators within the main continent that would be greatly interested in these two demons… Who will gladly pay a hefty price to learn of their existence from our mouths." Gong Liyun said.
"Perhaps, but that would mean that more eyeballs will be on the subcontinent and more people meddling in our affairs." Huang Wuji retorted, clearly not happy about that prospect.
Gong Liyun snorted, "Old Huang, what if those two demons come back and kill the remaining Spirit Lords of the subcontinent as some kind of perverted revenge, are you going to beg the higher-ups for help then? I, for one, and unwilling to let this subcontinent fall into ruin like that."
"Fine, fine. You don't have to say anymore. I already know what you really want. You are worried about your little Blue Dragon. The demons certainly won't let him go since he managed to escape from their trap. Even if they don't kill anyone else, they will try to kill him."
"Are you jealous? My little Chen is a once-in-a-millennia talent. I believe he has the potential to become a Spirit King."
Huang Wuji laughed mockingly.
Gong Liyun frowned, "You don't believe me? Do you want to bet whether or not he will be able to reach the Spirit King Realm?"
"Nonsense!"
"If it's nonsense, then why don't you bet? Are you scared?"
Without answering, Huang Wuji quickly flew away. Gong Liyun chased after him so that she could berate him some more.
---
On the other side of the subcontinent, Chen Wentian flashed across the sky while clad in a cloak of blazing blue spiritual flames. He didn't bother hiding his presence as all the Spirit Kings were preoccupied and no Spirit Lord would be able to sense his true realm if he chose not to wield his true strength.
It also helped that the blue dragon soul was still at the Spirit Lord Realm. Almost all of the soul power he received from the death of over twenty human Spirit Lords had been used up during the breakthrough. Because of this, his divine flame was still at a lower realm but this suited his current situation just fine. He didn't have to worry about much while traveling like this. His spiritual aura would not raise alarms as he crossed province after province.
As he flew, he reflected on the events of the past few days. He wasn't too surprised that the human Spirit Kings and the forces they organized came back empty-handed. He didn't know what happened in the depths of the ocean but he had faith that Qin Shui'er could escape. She was so cunning; she was on par with him in terms of trickery and even more vicious.
She would probably try to find him for revenge. He welcomed the challenge and looked forward to the day when they could fight again. He still owed her for the last two times and he promised himself that he would settle their debts the third time.
As for the possibility of the demons eyeing his sect and his disciples, there was still Jasmine. She should be able to wake up soon, in another two months or so if things went well. Ten Thousand Flower Valley would then have a hidden Spirit King and there would be nothing to worry about.
He smiled as he thought of her. He missed her dearly. He hadn't been able to hold her small but alluring body for almost a year. He hadn't been able to stroke her fluffy tails until she squealed with delight.
He wondered how she would react when she found out that he had managed to break through before her. He imagined her angry little face, her cheeks puffing out like a chipmunk, her pink lips quivering with emotion.
A surge of desire filled his heart. It really had been too long. He yearned to hold her like never before. He was her mate and she was his.
While Chen Wentian was busy imagining the things he would do to her when Jasmine finally awakened, several streaks of light flew in his direction. They were emergency message talismans keyed to his spiritual energy.
His expression hardened. The only people given these talismans were the guard troop captains and core servants of Ten Thousand Flower Valley. It meant one thing.
The sect was under attack!
---
Thank you to all my patrons!
Support me and read ahead by 70 or even 140 chapters!
p atreon.com/kigreenwriting
Join my discord for updates, delays, and my ramblings :)
d iscord.gg/dY5UApw