Starting with the titmouse, seventy-two transformations

Chapter 198 The Magnetic Spirit Boat Crosses the River

From the southwest, a spirit boat shrouded in azure light sped towards them.

On the deck, the Prince of Jin stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm and composed.

Behind him, Dugu Ba stood with his arms crossed, like an iron tower, guarding him on both sides.

The boat was crowded with people, no less than twenty or thirty, mostly Qi cultivators and human martial artists under their command.

I don't know what method they used, but they managed to gather so many people in such a short time.

On Black Wind King's side, including Abbess Jingyue who was taken prisoner, there were only nine (one of the eight demons).

Including the dozen or so large monsters and spirits that had just arrived at the riverbank, the numbers on both sides were roughly the same.

However, compared to the grandeur of Prince Jin's entourage, the demons were deeply shrouded in evil, covered in fur and horns, and extremely ferocious, resembling a group of uncivilized wild beasts.

It can't be said that it's inferior, but it's a very obvious difference between "human and demon".

A moment later, the spirit boat landed on the shore, and the group disembarked.

Liu Sheng then realized that the people on the boat were actually divided into two groups.

One group consisted of the Prince of Jin's mansion and its subordinate forces, led by the Prince of Jin's heir.

Another group consisted of nearly ten Qi cultivators and martial artists from the imperial court. They were taken prisoner and were covered in wounds.

In addition, there were two demons and three or four spirits, who, like the court officials, became prisoners.

"They're all acquaintances."

Liu Sheng glanced at it, and his brows furrowed slightly.

Among the captured Qi cultivators of the imperial court were Li Mu, the Sea-Overturning Sword, who came on behalf of County Magistrate Cai Baimao, and Situ Qianhu, the Director of the Suspended Mirror Division.

The rest were all demon-slaying captains, constables from the yamen, and disciples from the Seven Clouds Sect and the Crimson City Sword Sect.

The two sides met, sized each other up, and had subtle expressions.

Especially when Abbess Jingyue met Li Mu, Commander Situ, and others, her expression was extremely unpleasant.

Back when they were in Shanyang County, they were all high and mighty, their words carrying weight. Now, when they meet again, they are all prisoners.

"Master Jingyue is of a strong and unyielding nature and is well-versed in Buddhism. I, the young master, have tried to invite her for a chat many times, but she has always refused. I never expected that she would be captured by the Black Wind King..."

The Prince of Jin spoke, his folding fan twirling rapidly in his hand, and chuckled lightly:

"My mother has a past with Shuiyue Nunnery. Could you release her? I am willing to pay the price for her. You may choose from elixirs, precious pills, or weapons."

“This nun was captured by my brother Eagle. How to deal with her is up to him.”

Black Wind King, leaning on his staff, turned to look at Liu Sheng:
"Brother Eagle, it's up to you. Change it if you want, or don't if you don't. Nobody can force you!"

This was a blatant act of supporting Liu Sheng and a warning to the heir apparent of the Prince of Jin.

"No need!"

Unexpectedly, before Liu Sheng could even speak, the nun resolutely refused, her attitude firm.

After saying this, she lowered her head and silently recited Buddhist scriptures, offering no further explanation.

Liu Sheng shrugged, guessing that it was related to their sect's stance.

In this conflict, Shuiyue Nunnery sided with the imperial court.

If it falls into the hands of the Prince of Jin's heir, then it'll be like mud falling into his pants—there's no way to explain it.

Didn't you see Li Mu and Situ Qianhu looking dejected and gloomy?
However, you old nun have no awareness whatsoever of being a prisoner!

If it weren't for the sake of my second wife, I would have tormented you until you begged for mercy.

Liu Sheng looked at Black Wind King with a deep gaze and shook his head, indicating his refusal.

"Haha, Brother Eagle is unwilling, so let's drop this matter."

Black Wind King, holding his staff, chuckled and said:
"Your Highness, does the previous agreement still stand?"

As it spoke, it twisted its neck, its gaze seemingly tangible, exuding an air of solemnity.

Fierce, domineering, and untamed, yet it also exudes a sense of Buddhist Zen.

Even the Rakshasa Sect Master, Dugu Ba, was slightly inferior. As for other Qi Refiners and Martial Masters, they were as insignificant as ants in front of them.

Only the heir apparent of the Prince of Jin, with his lineage and the magical artifacts he carried, could barely manage to stand on his own.

"of course."

The Prince of Jin nodded, gave Liu Sheng a deep look, and pointed with his folding fan at the large island in the vast ocean:
"There is sweet dew on that island. We just need to cross the Weak Water River to reach the island."

"That sounds nice, but the Weak Water River is so deep that anyone who enters it will sink, not even a feather can float, and no one can fly over it..."

Recalling the bat demon's miserable state, King Black Wind scratched his ear and looked suspiciously at the Prince of Jin's heir:

"How do we cross the river?"

Even though it is a great demon that can blow a black wind, it is not confident that it can cross this Weak Water River and reach that big island.

"Weak water can destroy metal and stone, and it can also overcome all fire. Only those belonging to water and wood or the elemental magnetic field have a sliver of hope of crossing the river."

The Prince of Jin took out an object, which turned out to be the very spirit boat they had been riding in earlier.

At this moment, the spirit boat shrank to about a foot in size, resembling a ship model, and he held it in his palm, introducing it as follows:

"This Azure Cloud Boat is made from Magnetic Wood and can cross the Weak Water..."

Yuan Magnetic Spirit Wood grows in places with strong Yuan magnetic fields. It is not subject to the Five Elements and is itself a spiritual wood.

It fits perfectly.

However, the space on this spirit boat is limited, and it may be difficult to accommodate all the people and demons.

Of course, these are secondary.

The key question is, it's at least a hundred miles from here to that island, can this spirit boat really arrive safely?
If something goes wrong halfway through the journey, and all the people on board fall into the water, they will likely die!
Looking into the distance, Liu Sheng made a quick assessment and a bad feeling welled up in his heart.

But how can we cross the river without the help of this spirit boat?

Perhaps, spiritual materials such as water, wood, and magnetic elements can survive in the weak water for a while?
He pursed his lips, then suddenly a thought struck him, remembering his newly upgraded Yin Water Dragon incarnation.

The description says that this incarnation can travel through the underworld, and the "Four Evil Yin Waters" that he is blessed with also grant him the ability to walk through the underworld.

No matter how strong this Weak Water is, it still originates from the Yellow Springs.

If one can travel through the Yellow Springs, then one can surely also travel freely in the Weak Water.

However, these are all just speculations, without any practical application.

Perhaps we could give it a try?
"I see there's limited space on your boat, what's the explanation?"

At this moment, the Black Wind King spoke, mentioning the key point.

"This matter is easy; I, the Crown Prince, have decided..."

The Prince of Jin was confident and quickly came up with a distribution plan.

The purpose of this trip is to obtain the mango pomelo sago on the island; it would be of little use for ordinary martial arts masters.

If the martial artists and spirits on both sides are abandoned, there will be enough space to accommodate all the Qi cultivators and demons.

Moreover, to activate this spirit boat, one needs "Qi," and only demons and Qi cultivators have the opportunity to use it.

Of course, this kind of "boatman" job naturally fell to the captured Qi cultivators.

This allocation method is quite reasonable, and the monsters have no objections.

Soon, the Qi Refiners from both sides, along with a few top True Form Martial Masters, boarded the spirit boat.

No one knows what the Prince of Jin said, but Li Mu, the Overturning Sea Sword, was unwilling, but in the end he still went to the ship's wheel and poured his true energy into it.

"Om~"

In an instant, the spirit boat burst into azure light and shot out with a "whoosh," landing on the Weak Water River like a dragonfly skimming the water!

At the bottom of the spirit boat, numerous magic arrays emitted rings of magnetic energy, which landed on the river surface and gradually left marks on the stagnant, weak water.

Meanwhile, the spirit boat had already carried everyone out and headed straight for the big island.

(Adding a picture of the Silver Horned Thunder Ox. The picture of the Yin Water Flood Dragon will be in chapter 200.)
(End of this chapter)