Longevity starts with choosing Hextech enhancement

Chapter 380 Earth Vein Qi - Can You See Me?

In the blink of an eye, more than half a month has passed.

Early that morning, Xiao Chen went to the bow of the boat to enjoy the breeze and clear his mind.

I happened to see a large patch of pink and white lotus flowers blooming on a small island I was passing by.

Before we knew it, June had quietly arrived.

"So fast?"

Xiao Chen remembered that when they set off from Yuntao Sword Lodge, it was the end of March, and the chilly spring breeze was blowing apricot blossoms like rain.

Before we knew it, summer had arrived.

In an instant, he couldn't help but feel a sense of how quickly time flies.

"What so fast?"

Gangyuan Zhenjun happened to come out for some fresh air and, upon hearing this, couldn't help but ask curiously, "Fellow Daoist Xiao, have you noticed anything unusual?"

He sounded tired as he spoke.

Over the past few days, they have encountered a total of eight fourth-tier defensive formations and dozens of monitoring formations.

In order to study the intentions of the sea race and to reverse-engineer the sea race's array formation, True Lord Gangyuan spent almost all his time immersed in that huge pile of array bases.

Xiao Chen shook his head: "It's not really anything unusual."

"It just suddenly dawned on me that more than two months have passed since we set off, but we haven't made any significant progress yet."

During this period, he did not even see the figure of the sea monster.

As they were talking, Iron Fan Zhenjun also came over: "Hey, you can't say that."

"We've cleared out so many fourth-order arrays these past few days; we haven't been wasting our time."

“I can completely understand Fellow Daoist Xiao’s feelings right now. Thinking back to when I was young, I also had thoughts like ‘time flies.’”

"Especially at the beginning, when I took turns with my senior brother to cultivate in seclusion, I felt that a single seclusion would last for three to five years. How could it be so long?"

"Doesn't everyone feel bored or annoyed?"

"I gradually got used to it."

"Fellow Daoist Xiao may think two months is a long time now, but after a few years of seclusion and cultivation, he will definitely not think that way anymore."

For Nascent Soul True Monarchs, two months is not exactly a blink of an eye, but it is certainly not a long time either.

"Fellow Daoist Xiao is right!"

Gangyuan Zhenjun suddenly shouted, "It's been more than two months since we set off!"

Ok?
His shout caused not only Iron Fan True Monarch and Silver Hair True Monarch, but also several Golden Core disciples nearby to turn their heads and look over.

Everyone looked at him with the same question, not understanding what he meant.

Even Xiao Chen was taken aback.

"Thanks to Fellow Daoist Xiao's reminder, I think I understand why the sea race has set up so many fourth-order defensive formations."

Gangyuan Zhenjun slapped his forehead, looking as if he had just realized something: "Because they want to delay us!"

"Junior Brother Hanchuan sent over intelligence the day before yesterday."

"They also encountered a total of seven fourth-tier defensive formations, and not only were they placed in the same strange locations as we were, but they were also completed within the last six months."

"Not only that, according to the information provided by Fellow Daoist Iron Fan before."

"Before the sea creatures learned of our departure, they had already significantly reduced the frequency of their attacks, only launching an attack once every two or three days."

"So what did they do in between?"

"Did they go to rest?"

Gangyuan Zhenjun answered these two questions himself: "No, I now have reason to suspect that the fourth-order defensive array we have encountered recently was set up hastily by the sea race at that time."

"Let's all think about this."

"If it weren't for so many powerful formations blocking our way, we should have already reunited with Junior Brother Han Chuan and the others by now."

"But now, because we need to deal with so many fourth-order arrays, we've only managed to clear about half of the sea area together."

"If things continue as they are now..."

"It will most likely take us another month or so to get rid of these strange defensive formations."

"In other words, we've already wasted two months of our time before the battle in Asakusa has even begun."

They had actually considered this conjecture of Gangyuan Zhenjun before.

It was just rejected at the time.

For the same reason as before, setting up a fourth-order formation is extremely costly. Wasting so many formation plates just to delay for a few months is simply not worth it.

Therefore, Iron Fan Zhenjun asked curiously, "But is it really worth it for the sea tribes to do this?"

Gangyuan Zhenjun, however, was already full of confidence: "If you ask me, it's definitely not worth it!"

"But over the past few days, we've discussed all sorts of possibilities, and other reasons are clearly not worth it."

"If it's to hide traps in the formation base, or to lure us into splitting our forces, the sea creatures have no reason to pay such a high cost."

"all in all."

"After eliminating the impossible possibilities, the remaining explanation, however improbable it may seem, is very likely the truth!"

to be frank.

Even though Gangyuan Zhenjun has said this, the explanation still sounds very unreliable.

However, after he finished speaking this long string of words...

He turned to Xiao Dao and asked, "Fellow Daoist Xiao, the anomaly you just noticed must mean this, right?"

Ok?
I?
Xiao Chen was stumped by his question. "Is that what I just meant?"

However, before he could explain that he had simply seen lotus flowers and felt a sudden surge of emotion, he did not explain.

Iron Fan True Monarch chimed in, "Since it's Fellow Daoist Xiao's speculation, it should be pretty close to the truth."

"These petty tricks of the sea creatures will certainly not escape Fellow Daoist Xiao's discerning eyes."

Yinhao Zhenjun nodded in agreement: "That's right, I also think Fellow Daoist Xiao's conjecture is very reasonable. After eliminating those impossible situations, this should be the reason."

Oh?
Seeing that everyone agreed, Xiao Chen suddenly felt that this guess made some sense.

It's important to know that no new True Lords have emerged this time.

The three veteran True Lords present have lived for nearly two thousand years and are extremely experienced in life.

Since they all think it's okay, then it really should be okay.

So, the question that had been bothering everyone for a month finally had a corresponding answer.

"Although we don't yet know why the sea creatures want to stall for time, what the enemy is doing is exactly what we should do to stop them."

Gangyuan Zhenjun immediately suggested, "Next, we need to speed up the cleaning process."

"I already have a lot of core array bases of the sea race. If I add Junior Brother Hanchuan's resources, it should be enough to break through them."

"If we encounter any new defensive formations later, we'll enter them together with Fellow Daoist Xiao."

"A swift and decisive battle is needed to disrupt the sea creatures' plans."

For the next five days, the group held nothing back and brute-forced their way through the ten defensive formations they encountered.

They cleared the entire central area and successfully joined forces with Han Chuan Zhenjun and others.

The human race's overall defensive line also advanced 60,000 miles forward, facing the sea race's final chain formation from afar.

Only five thousand li remained between the two sides, enough for them to see each other's battle flags fluttering in the wind.

This distance is already very close, even for a Golden Core cultivator.

"Ahead lies one of the only two spiritual vein clusters in the Shallow Sky Sea."

Iron Fan True Monarch spread out a map, on which three red circles and seven blue circles were marked, representing three third-tier spiritual veins and seven second-tier spiritual veins, respectively.

"Before the war, sixteen small cultivation families lived together here."

"Including some independent cultivators, there are over ten thousand cultivators and about sixty million mortals living here year-round."

"According to the more than one hundred survivors we rescued before, one of the third-tier spiritual veins is in a very good location, and its end can connect to the earth veins."

"If the sea creatures can successfully guide the earth's energy, it will be equivalent to having an additional pseudo-fourth-tier spiritual vein to use."

"Therefore, what we are likely facing is a super-linked array built with a fourth-order spiritual vein as the core and two third-order spiritual veins as the fulcrum."

"Theoretically speaking, its power is no less than that of a top-tier mountain-protecting formation."

Gangyuan Zhenjun then added, "In addition, we now have both good news and bad news."

"Let me tell you the good news first."

"If the sea creatures want to utilize the earth's energy, they can only set up formations that are heavy and defensive."

"This means that their formation likely lacks particularly powerful attack methods."

"In other words, when we break through the formation, we can focus more on fighting the great demon, and we can even consider asking Junior Brother Liekong and the others for help."

He was referring to an attack method similar to the "Illuminating Divine Light" that Xiao Chen had encountered before.

Normally, such an attack, almost equivalent to the full power of a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, would greatly deter those who dared to challenge the formation. Moreover, this time, the sea race also had a fourth-tier great demon guarding the formation.

If we don't need to worry about this, then everyone's safety when charging into battle will be greatly improved.

"As for the bad news, that's also the reason."

Gangyuan Zhenjun explained, "With the protection of the earth's vein energy, the restrictions and foundation of the entire formation will become more solid and harder to damage."

"We may be facing a tough battle ahead."

"The key issue is that it's hard to say how much time this will take."

I had just guessed that the sea creatures might be intentionally stalling for time, and now I have to face this bad news.

It can only be said that they were somewhat unlucky.

"So now all we need to do is break through this last great formation, and then we can advance unimpeded, right?"

Xiao Chen was quite confident: "Since they're all holed up here, let's try to surround them and wipe them out in one fell swoop."

Although it is a complex and interconnected formation, it is not complicated to break through it once the key points are identified.

"Well, this is probably the last one."

Gangyuan Zhenjun reminded them, "The sea race has also set up an illusion array in front of the linked array to conceal the true situation inside and prevent detection."

"Of course, strictly speaking, the illusion array is just a trick and cannot be counted."

Actually, there are two more large formations.

"Oh, so that's it."

After all, this was Xiao Chen's first time facing such a large-scale battle, so he inevitably lacked experience.

However, he didn't care much about that. Instead, he humbly asked for advice: "Fellow Daoist Gangyuan, you have more experience in this area. How should we proceed?"

It's not shameful to ask questions if you don't understand something. Once you learn it, you'll understand next time.

However, even the True Lord Gangyuan had no good solutions in this regard: "Right now we are almost completely in the dark, and it's not easy to analyze the specific situation."

"Our top priority is to deal with that illusion array so that we can obtain more intelligence."

"But now that we've arrived here, there's a high probability that a powerful demon is stationed inside the illusion array."

"We currently know neither the other party's background nor whether there are any hidden secrets within that illusion array."

"I wonder which fellow Daoist would be willing to step forward and try to find out their true nature."

No sooner had he finished speaking than True Monarch Qian Shu volunteered, "Since we are facing an illusion array, let me send a puppet to try it out."

Thousand Machine Valley excels in puppetry and is particularly adept at countering illusions and deceptions. After all, even the most powerful illusions are difficult to work on inanimate objects.

Of course, advanced illusions can bypass puppets and directly bewitch the puppeteer behind them by following their consciousness.

However, that would create an additional layer of separation, making it difficult for the puppeteer to fall for the attack if they were prepared.

The group then set off together and stopped about a hundred miles from the sea tribe's formation.

Standing here, you can clearly see that thick fog is surrounding the area ahead, blocking everyone's way.

"Fellow Daoist Qian Shu, then it's up to you."

Iron Fan True Lord took out a large iron fan and prepared it in advance, covering his head like an umbrella: "We will be here to cover you."

The others also took out their magical artifacts and prepared them.

In an instant, everyone was surrounded by a dazzling array of colors.

"It's easy to talk about."

Qian Shu Zhenjun smiled slightly, took out a sachet, and gently sniffed it.

Then, he reached down to his waist and pulled out a white jade doll about the size of a little finger.

He muttered incantations and tossed the object into the air.

In the blink of an eye, the puppet swelled to the size of a real person, revealing itself to be a handsome swordsman.

Even more amazingly, it seemed to come alive.

First, he turned his neck, then reached out and drew the sword from his waist to examine it.

Finally, he turned around, gave a sword-wielding salute to True Lord Qian Shu, then turned solemnly and stepped into the illusion array.

To be honest, although I don't know how powerful this puppet is, it looks pretty useful.

After the sword cultivator puppet fell into the illusion array, True Monarch Qian Shu closed his eyes and began to concentrate on manipulating the puppet to break the array.

Soon, his expression tightened, and his chanting became much more rapid.

At the same time, strong fluctuations of spiritual energy emanated from within the illusion array, indicating that a battle had already begun.

"Found it! It was a stone fish causing the trouble."

A moment later, True Monarch Qian Shu smiled slightly and immediately used a secret technique to amplify the puppet by forming hand seals.

Immediately afterwards, a loud sword cry rang out from within the great formation.

Although the crowd couldn't see the specific situation inside, they could still sense a sharp sword intent flashing by through the thick fog.

However, after waiting for a while, the fog did not diminish in the slightest.

This puzzled Qian Shu Zhenjun: "Hmm? Why hasn't the formation been dispelled?"

So he manipulated the puppet and began to try to destroy the array base.

Another quarter of an hour passed quickly.

A thin layer of sweat had already formed on the forehead of True Lord Qian Shu.

It seems to be going through some difficulties.

Suddenly, a strong surge of spiritual energy erupted from within the illusion array ahead.

The next instant, True Monarch Qian Shu trembled.

A string of small bells hanging from her waist suddenly began to shake violently, producing a loud, clear ringing sound.

Those around who heard this felt instantly calmed and composed.

Qian Shu Zhenjun also opened his eyes abruptly with the help of the bell: "Oh no, my white jade sword."

But immediately afterward, he reversed the hand seal without hesitation.

With a loud 'boom' from within the illusion array, the puppet was destroyed.

He then opened his mouth and coughed up a mouthful of blood, his face visibly paling.

The result is already quite clear: the human race has had a bad start.

The powerful demon guarding the sea creature's illusion array seems quite formidable.

"Fellow Daoist Qian Shu, are you alright?"

Gangyuan Zhenjun immediately asked with concern, "Do you need to go back and rest?"

Qian Shu Zhenjun waved his hand, paused for three breaths, and then replied, "I'm fine."

"I was just caught off guard and fell into that beast's illusion. Luckily, I knew in advance that I would have to go through the illusion array, so I used the Mind-Clearing Incense to refresh myself, and I also had the Calming Bell to protect myself."

Upon hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief for him.

However, this makes the illusion array in front of them a big problem.

It should be noted that even True Monarch Qian Shu, separated by a puppet, needed spiritual objects and artifacts to break free from the illusion's influence.

Wouldn't the others be at an even greater disadvantage if they went in?

The crucial point is that right now, everyone is still completely clueless about what's going on inside, and has no idea what's happening.

Thinking of this, everyone's expressions turned rather unpleasant.

Unexpectedly, a mere illusion array has stopped everyone here, preventing them from even seeing the interconnected arrays behind it, let alone breaking through them.

Fortunately, True Monarch Qian Shu carefully recalled what had just happened.

However, he took the initiative to speak up and provide information: "Fellow Daoists, although I was just caught in that beast's illusion, with the help of Mingxin Incense, I was able to see its true appearance."

"It's not a stone fish inside, but a mutated ice crystal jellyfish."

Upon hearing this, True Lord Crane Cry's eyes lit up.

He immediately asked, "Fellow Daoist Qian Shu, is that a jellyfish with many tentacles, each about ten feet long, and small blue ice balls at the end of its tail?"

“There was a beast like this that harassed my junior brother and me many times before at Tingtao Sea.”

Qian Shu Zhenjun nodded quickly: "That's right, both characteristics match, so it should be the same demon beast."

So it was a powerful demon I'd seen before.

Gangyuan Zhenjun hurriedly asked, "Since that's the case, does Fellow Daoist Heming have a way to deal with it?"

However, True Monarch Crane Cry frowned: "This... I'm afraid it's not so easy to say."

"Fellow Daoists, you may not know this, but that beast not only has the cultivation of the mid-Nascent Soul stage, but it is also different from a normal ice crystal jellyfish."

"Not only is his bloodline mutation related to illusion magic, but he also possesses extremely high intelligence and has cultivated an additional, very powerful illusion magic."

"At that time at Tingtaohai, I relied on the ancestral spirit-awakening tablet to protect myself, but even so, I almost fell victim to it several times."

"Now that the illusion array is added, his illusion magic should be even more advanced."

"If we charge straight into the formation, even the Awakening Talisman might not be effective."

After he said that, everyone finally understood.

No wonder even though Qian Shu Zhenjun was separated by a layer, he almost fell for it. It turns out that this was a special great demon that had cultivated illusion magic.

Such powerful demons, whose bloodline mutations and magical abilities are perfectly compatible, are often more difficult to deal with than human cultivators of the same cultivation level.

There's nothing you can do; they're simply ahead of you in terms of talent and ability.

"It's alright, at least we've figured out the powerful demon guarding the illusion array today."

Gangyuan Zhenjun promptly spoke up to encourage them: "I'll go back and do some research, and then create some array flags that can suppress the illusion array."

"Let's all brainstorm ways to counter illusions."

"We can start over once we're all ready."

His suggestion was the safest; now that they knew the situation of the great demon inside, it was only a matter of time before they could be dealt with.

The only problem is that it will take more time.

"No need to make another trip!"

Xiao Chen took the initiative to speak up: "I also have some experience in dealing with illusions. Please wait a moment while I go and give it a try."

He originally thought that since True Monarch Qian Shu had taken the initiative to speak, there was no need for him to compete with him.

But given the current situation, we still have to rely on the veil of divine protection.

Of course, nominally, it was because he had cultivated a secret technique to counter illusions.

As a rumored successor of a reclusive Taoist lineage, it's quite normal for him to possess some secret techniques, right?

“Fellow Daoist Xiao, this illusion array also has four levels. The combination of the two can be said to be extremely difficult.”

Gangyuan Zhenjun asked with concern, "Are you absolutely certain?"

"Actually, it doesn't take much time to make the flags."

The others also spoke up to advise against it, saying there was no need to rush.

But Xiao Chen smiled slightly and said, "Don't worry, everyone. I'll be right back."

Having said that, he flashed and entered the illusion array in a few breaths.

Strangely enough, the mist surrounding this illusion array, of unknown origin, caused even a tiny bit to weigh a ton when it touched a person.

With this thing blocking the way outside the illusion array, it undoubtedly adds another layer of challenge for intruders.

The key issue is that you don't know if it has any other effects besides being heavy.

Xiao Chen opened the Four Symbols Mountain-Suppressing Shield and tried to activate the Vermilion Bird Spirit Pattern, but he couldn't burn away the mist.

However, he didn't linger and went straight to the innermost part.

For others, entering the illusion array means entering the most dangerous place.

But for Xiao Chen, it felt like coming home.

He spotted the jellyfish floating on the sea surface at a glance.

The elaborate illusions designed by the other party to mislead them had no effect whatsoever.

"Azure Wave Penetrating Needle!"

Xiao Chen didn't waste any words with it and threw three flying needles.

The ice crystal jellyfish, seeing that another human cultivator had broken in, was already working hard to weave an illusion.

Suddenly, it became clear that the other party seemed to be coming directly at them.

Ah, you can see me?

No, no, no, it must have been a fluke.

Caught off guard, it had no choice but to temporarily activate its demonic energy to condense a barrier on its body surface.

Then he tried to move his body to create some distance.

In the blink of an eye, it had taken the best possible measures to deal with the situation.

But it's still far from enough.

The hastily constructed barrier was as fragile as paper, easily pierced by the Azure Wave Penetrating Needle.

Although its movements are not slow, they are certainly not fast enough in the face of magic.

What's even more outrageous is.

After the spell was cast, the ice crystal jellyfish was surprised to see that Xiao Chen completely ignored the layers of illusions and restrictions.

It charged straight toward where its main body was.

Despite the numerous pre-set illusions being triggered along the way, it remained completely unmoved.

Holy crap, you can really see me!

(End of this chapter)