Immortality and cultivation begin with full comprehension.

Chapter 747 Deploying Troops to the East China Sea, Breaking Through the Enemy's Camp to Rescue (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
Xu Xun appeared at the palace gate, his armor still damp with dew, clearly having rushed there.

"Vice Sect Leader Li!"

Xu Xun's voice was unusually urgent, "Something has happened to Elder Lei Jie!"

"what's going on?"

Li Yunjing's eyes suddenly turned cold. "Tell me slowly."

The people from the "Enforcement Hall" went to investigate Wei Henian on their own orders. Could it be that the people who went there encountered trouble?

The people of the "Enforcement Hall" knew that Wei Henian was accompanied by three True Immortals, so they couldn't afford to be careless. Why did something still happen?
And it happened so fast!

It seems that Wei Henian is already on guard against the sect's investigation?

"Elder Lei Jie was ambushed."

Xu Xun said urgently.

"My subordinates, together with Elder Lei Jie, led twelve elders of the 'Enforcement Hall' to the South China Sea for reconnaissance as planned."

Xu Xun took a deep breath, trying to calm his rapid breathing, and said in a deep voice, "We arrived at 'Mist Bay' at noon yesterday. It was originally a secret stronghold of our sect, but it has been occupied by the Merfolk."

"Elder Lei Jie sensed something was wrong, so he ordered his subordinates to lead men to guard the perimeter while he personally infiltrated to investigate."

"Half an hour later, a black and red mist suddenly erupted from the direction of the stronghold, mixed with the howls of countless living souls!"

Xu Xun's voice carried a hint of lingering fear: Xu Xun's Adam's apple bobbed as he continued, "Hundreds of merfolk emerged from the black mist. The Supreme Elder Lei Jie's 'Purple Lightning Barrier' was corroded and breached as soon as it was opened. We heard him shout in the communication jade slip, 'Blood Skull Island's secret 'Soul Devouring Array'!"

"When my men rushed in, the entire coral reef was bleeding."

“Our strength is insufficient to rescue Elder Lei Jie. We can only rush back to Wanghai City. Wanghai City will send reinforcements to rescue Elder Lei Jie. I will use the ultra-long-distance teleportation array to return and report the news as soon as possible.”

Li Yunjing's fingers clenched tightly, causing the files on the jade table to rattle under the invisible pressure. The bronze brush washer at the corner of the table overturned with a "clatter," spilling water onto the "Dispute over the Mining of Lingyuan Mine in the South China Sea," spreading ink stains.

Blood Skull Island?

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes. "Isn't that the evil cultivation sect that was wiped out by the righteous alliance three hundred years ago? How could it be colluding with Wei Henian?"

"My subordinates don't know either."

Xu Xun lowered his head and said, "But the message from the Supreme Elder of Thunder Tribulation said that the core of the 'Soul Devouring Array' is the 'White Bone Banner,' the sect's evil artifact of Blood Skull Island. It is integrated with Wei Henian's aura, making it several times more powerful than when activated alone."

"The coral reef is bleeding..."

Li Yunjing tapped his fingertips lightly on the table quickly. "It uses living people as sacrifices to the array base. Wei Henian not only has to refine the 'Soul-Devouring Banner,' but also cultivate the evil arts of 'Blood Skull Island.'"

He suddenly stood up and asked coldly, "How many True Immortals are in the reinforcements from 'Wanghai City'?"

Three people were dispatched.

Xu Xun hurriedly said, "But the 'Misty Bay' has been sealed off by the merfolk with a 'Sea-Locking Array,' making it impossible for ordinary ships to get close. I'm afraid it will be difficult for reinforcements to break through in a short time..."

"They might become the second batch of sacrificial offerings."

Li Yunjing interrupted him, turned to look outside the hall, and said, "Wei Henian has calculated that we will deploy troops in accordance with common practice. This is a delaying tactic."

"Then...what should we do now?"

Cold sweat beaded on Xu Xun's forehead: "Elder Lei Jie..."

"Why are you panicking?"

Li Yunjing glanced at him sideways, his tone cold yet reassuring, “The ‘Nine Heavens Thunder Gang’ cultivated by the Supreme Elder of Thunder Tribulation is specifically designed to counter evil spirits. As long as your primordial spirit isn’t directly struck by the ‘Soul Devouring Banner,’ you should be able to hold out until tomorrow.”

He walked to the palace gate, reached out and grasped the "Yin Yang Five Elements Heavenly Evolution Sword" at his waist, and said coldly, "Go and convey my order immediately to mobilize a 'Black Tortoise Army' to accompany me to the South Sea to slay demons and evil spirits."

"Yes!"

Just as Xu Xun was about to turn around, Li Yunjing called him back.

"Also, tell Yu Yunyi and the others that the three of them will go along as well."

Li Yunjing paused, then added.

"My subordinate understands!"

Xu Xun accepted the order and quickly withdrew, leaving only Li Yunjing in the hall.

He walked to the window and looked at the horizon in the direction of the South China Sea.

"Blood Skull Island...Wei Henian..."

He chuckled coldly, "You think you can turn the world upside down just by gathering two remnants of the evil sect, you sea monster?"

"Just right!"

A cold glint flashed in Li Yunjing's eyes. "New and old grudges, we'll settle them all at once!"

Half an hour later, near the teleportation array of "Shenxiao Peak".

A fierce wind howled, dark clouds loomed overhead, and the entire mountain was shrouded in a chilling atmosphere.

Around the teleportation array, a hundred elite "Xuanwu Army" soldiers stood solemnly, their black armor imposing, their long spears like a forest, silent and dignified.

This time, Li Yunjing did not select any ordinary cultivators.

He planned to bring only Golden Core cultivators, all in order to wipe out all the enemies in one fell swoop.

Standing beside Li Yunjing were four top experts: Jiuyou Zhenren, Dan Ding Peak Master, Xiao Chenyu, and Zhi Qiao Zhenren.

These are all experts who have returned from the East China Sea!

As for the Five Elements True Man, he went into seclusion to cultivate, while the other five were each transferred to "Youyue Kingdom", "Hengyue Mountain Range", or even other places.

The end of the East China Sea battle brought many benefits to the "Shenxiao Dao Sect".

The abundance of high-end combat power is one of them.

Xu Xun strode over, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Vice Sect Leader Li, esteemed elders, the 'Xuanwu Army' has been fully assembled, and the teleportation array has been properly tested and is ready to be activated at any time!"

Li Yunjing nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the crowd before finally settling on the three women at the front of the group.

Yu Yunyi, Lü Ruoxi, and Zhao Qi, the three women, also went with him this time.

"set off!"

Li Yunjing raised his hand to signal everyone, and strode onto the lightning-patterned hub in the center of the teleportation array.

It was a formation eye carved from "Nine Heavens Thunder Pattern Stone", about ten feet square, with its surface covered with dense ancient seal script, which upon closer inspection turned out to be the basic thunder incantations of the "Divine Firmament Dao Sect".

Immediately afterwards, the four Supreme Elders took the lead, and Yu Yunyi, Lü Ruoxi, Zhao Qi, and Xu Xun of the "Xuanwu Army" also stepped onto the teleportation array and stood in place.

The ninety top-grade spirit stones in the center of the teleportation array suddenly lit up.

"Om..."

A deep hum pierced through the clouds as a hundred Xuanwu soldiers simultaneously raised their hands and placed them on the shoulder armor of their comrades in front of them. Mysterious tortoise shell patterns appeared on the surface of the black armor, twisting the aura of the hundred men into a torrent.

"Teleport!"

Li Yunjing gave a deep command and flicked out a spell from his fingertip, injecting it into the array's core.

A blinding light suddenly erupted from the teleportation array, distorting space. The figures of the black-armored cultivators were engulfed by purple lightning and disappeared from the teleportation array in the next second.

South China Sea, "City overlooking the sea".

The sea breeze, carrying a heavy stench of blood, swept over the city, casting a pall of oppressive gloom over it.

Outside the teleportation array, several cultivators from "Wanghai City" stood solemnly. Upon seeing Li Yunjing and the others appear, they immediately stepped forward to pay their respects.

"Vice Sect Leader Li!"

The leading cultivator's voice was hoarse, "The changes in the South China Sea are intensifying, and the 'Sea-Locking Formation' is expanding. Our reinforcements that came to support us are trapped outside the formation and cannot break through!"

Li Yunjing's gaze darkened as he looked up at the distant sea...

At this very moment, deep in the South China Sea, 30,000 miles away, the once azure seawater has turned dark red. Amidst the towering blood waves, countless merfolk swim and roar. A massive blood-red barrier shrouds the entire "Misty Bay," with swirling black mist and flashing lightning faintly visible within.

"I hope Fellow Daoist Thunder Tribulation can hold on!"

Nine Netherworld Immortal narrowed his eyes, his body shimmering with yin energy. "Let's set off immediately!"

"It can't be delayed any longer."

Li Yunjing said coldly, "Go directly to 'Misty Bay'!"

"Black Tortoise Army, form ranks!"

Li Changfeng, the commander of the "Xuanwu Army," shouted sharply, and a hundred Golden Core cultivators instantly formed a battle formation. Their spiritual power converged and transformed into a huge black spear, the spearhead pointing straight at the boundless sea!
The "Sky Patrol Ship" flew out from Li Yunjing's sleeve, and everyone boarded the ship in turn.

With a roar, the giant ship shot off like a sharp arrow.

As for the cultivators in "Wanghai City", Li Yunjing did not transfer any of them!

After all, three Supreme Elders of "Wanghai City" are already trapped in "Misty Bay," so if the rest are taken away as well.

This giant southern city no longer has any experts to guard it.

If a hidden enemy were to lure us away, we'd be finished.

Li Yunjing naturally wouldn't draw upon the cultivators from "Wanghai City".

The "Sky Patrol Ship" flew extremely fast, and with Li Yunjing sparing no spirit stones to continuously use teleportation, the time was reduced by half.

Four hours later, as darkness fell, the "Sky Patrol Ship" finally arrived at "Misty Bay".

The billowing gray fog, like solidified turbid waves, enveloped the entire sea area completely.

At the edge of the fog, three "Divine Firmament Warships" hovering on the sea were entangled by countless dark green tentacles. The defensive array covering the ship's hull flickered with a faint light, as if it might collapse at any moment.

"Vice Sect Leader Li!"

On the warship were the first batch of reinforcements from "Wanghai City" who had come to rescue Elder Lei Jie.

Upon seeing Li Yunjing and his group, the cultivators on the warship's eyes instantly lit up with hope. The leader of the cultivators shouted in a hoarse voice, "Vice Sect Leader Li! The 'Sea-Locking Formation' is strangely powerful. Our spiritual energy dissipates upon contact with it, making it impossible for us to even get close to the coral reef!"

"You all hold your ground for now! I'll study this great formation."

Li Yunjing's gaze swept over the dark green tentacles that were wrapped around the warship. The surface of the tentacles was covered with a sticky fluid that was constantly corroding the warship's defensive light barrier.

With a slight twitch of his fingertips, the Yin-Yang Five Elements Heavenly Evolution Sword hummed as it was unsheathed, a sharp golden sword aura piercing through the air and precisely striking the thickest tentacle.

"Shoot..."

The moment the sword energy sliced ​​through the tentacles, a gushing stream of foul-smelling black blood spurted out, landing on the sea surface and rising in plumes of black smoke.

The tentacles writhed wildly, but withered rapidly under the residual sharpness of the sword energy.

"Nine Netherworld Immortal".

Without turning his head, Li Yunjing said, "Please clean up this mess."

"a piece of cake."

As the Nine Netherworld Immortal's sleeves fluttered, a dark green aura of death from the underworld surged forth like a tide.

Wherever it passed, all the tentacles seemed to be scorched by invisible flames, melting away at a speed visible to the naked eye. Even the low-level merfolk hiding in the mist let out shrill screams, turning into wisps of black mist that were swallowed by the death aura.

In a short while, the outer formation was destroyed by the strong attack, and the three warships regained their freedom.

The cultivators on board quickly maneuvered the "Divine Firmament Warship" to a safe distance, forming a new fleet with the "Sky Patrol Ship".

Before long, three True Immortals from "Wanghai City" flew over and landed on the "Sky Patrol Ship." They bowed to Li Yunjing and the others, saying, "Thank you, Vice Sect Leader Li, for helping us out of this predicament!"

"You have worked hard."

Li Yunjing gave a deep order, then turned to Xiao Chenyu and Zhiqiao Zhenren, "The key to the 'Sea Locking Formation' is on the seabed. Can the two of you work together to find its location?"

"Give it a try." Xiao Chenyu took out a water-patterned bronze mirror. As he poured spiritual energy into it, ripples spread across the mirror's surface, reflecting the churning undercurrents beneath the Misty Bay.

"The array's energy is chaotic, but there are three extremely strong restrictive fluctuations at its core, which should be a master of the Merfolk presiding over the array's core."

He pointed to three points of red light flashing in the mirror, saying, "These three restrictions must be broken simultaneously for the 'Sea Locking Formation' to loosen."

"I go!"

Lü Ruoxi stepped forward, and the jade flute at her waist emitted a clear and melodious sound. "My 'Cloud Piercing Flute Sound' can penetrate water and disrupt the operation of the restriction."

The Peak Master of Dan Ding nodded in agreement: "I'll go too."

"Nine Netherworld True Man, follow me in a frontal assault to draw their attention."

Li Yunjing nodded in agreement: "Master Xiao, Master Zhiqiao, and Peak Master Danding, you should secretly infiltrate the seabed and try to find the array's core."

“Vice Sect Leader Li, I do not doubt the combat strength of my three old friends, the Peak Master of Dan Ding.”

Just then, Master Hailong of "Wanghai City" spoke up, "It's difficult for them to kill a mermaid expert in a three-on-three fight. If they get entangled in the battle, it will be disadvantageous for us! Why don't the three of us go down as well, making it six against three, and sweep them away in an instant?"

"Great idea! That's a good one!"

The other two Supreme Elders of "Wanghai City" also nodded in agreement.

"Three venerable ones, your injuries..."

Li Yunjing smiled slightly, looked at the three of them, and tentatively asked.

He certainly hoped so, but seeing the three of them in such a sorry state, he felt bad about putting them in the most dangerous position without giving them a chance to catch their breath.

At this moment, the fact that these three took the initiative to offer this made Li Yunjing feel much more at ease.

"Vice Sect Leader Li, we only used up some of our magic power and suffered minor injuries."

Master Hailong paused for a moment, then said, "The three of us are not at our peak, but if we work together, we should have no problem dealing with two merfolk experts!"

"Alright! Let's do as Master Hailong says!"

Since the other party insisted on taking action, he naturally had no reason to object.

As for the sea, were he and the Nine Nether Immortal alone and isolated?
He didn't have that concern.

Not to mention Li Yunjing's own invincible combat power, even the Nine Nether True Man is not someone to be trifled with!
As the True Person who presides over sacrificial rites in the "Shenxiao Dao Sect", True Person Jiuyou is not someone to be trifled with for nothing, possessing the Dao of Death!

In terms of combat strength, dealing with two or three real people is no problem!
"Yes!"

The moment everyone received their orders, True Person Jiuyou transformed into a streak of dark light and rushed into the mist. Behind her, the deathly aura of the underworld condensed into a huge ghost face, which roared deafeningly at the light screen of the "Sea Locking Formation".

As the demon roared, countless ghostly figures emerged from the deathly aura, crashing against the light screen like a tidal wave, creating ripples.

While they were at it, the other six real people flew out of the "Sky Patrol Ship" and dived into the sea.

"Well done!"

From the depths of the mist came the roar of the Supreme Elder of the Merfolk. Three thick columns of water shot into the sky from the sea, crashing down on the "Sky Patrol Ship" with the force to shatter mountains and split rocks.

"Black Tortoise Army, form the Black Tortoise Shield Formation!"

Li Yunjing shouted in a deep voice.

A hundred Golden Core cultivators instantly formed a line, their spiritual power coalescing into a massive, dark black shield that protected the "Sky Patrol Ship" from behind.

Three jets of water slammed into the shield with a deafening roar, causing the shield to tremble violently, yet it remained standing.

"interesting."

Li Yunjing smirked and leaped into the air, wielding the "Yin Yang Five Elements Heavenly Evolution Sword." "Nine Nether True Man, let's play with them."

"Right on my mind."

Nine Netherworld True Man's figure flickered, transforming into a streak of dark light that followed closely behind.

The two of them, one on the left and one on the right, rushed into the depths of the mist.

Li Yunjing pointed his sword at the sky and chanted incantations. In an instant, the clouds in the sky changed color, and five spiritual lights of gold, wood, water, fire, and earth intertwined to form a net, which fiercely covered the light screen of the "Sea Locking Formation".

"Boom!"

The light screen shook violently, and countless runes appeared on it, attempting to resist the attack of the Five Elements Spiritual Light.

However, these runes quickly dimmed under the influence of the aura.

At the same time, True Man Jiuyou summoned a jet-black bone banner. As the banner fluttered, countless ghostly figures roared out and rushed towards the light screen.

These ghostly figures greedily devoured the energy on the light screen, making the light on the screen increasingly dim.

"act recklessly!"

From the depths of the mist came the roar of the Supreme Elder of the Merfolk. Immediately afterwards, dozens of giant sea serpents emerged from the sea, opening their blood-red maws to bite at Li Yunjing and the Nine Nether Immortal.

"Little tricks."

Li Yunjing scoffed disdainfully, and with a wave of his longsword, a golden sword aura shot out, instantly slicing several sea serpents in two.

The Nine Netherworld Immortal then commanded the ghostly shadows to surround the remaining sea serpents.

The ghostly figures frantically tore at the sea serpents' bodies, and before long, the sea serpents were reduced to a pile of bones.

Just then, a violent tremor suddenly came from the seabed.

Li Yunjing's heart skipped a beat, realizing that it was Xiao Chenyu and his group who had made their move.

"Work harder!"

Li Yunjing roared, his magical power surging wildly within him, and the Five Elements spiritual light grew even more intense, launching an even fiercer attack on the light barrier.

Not to be outdone, the Nine Netherworld Immortal unleashed an even greater barrage of ghostly figures on his bone banner, which nearly enveloped the entire light screen.

The light barrier of the "Sea Locking Formation" was on the verge of collapse under the combined attack of the two, and it was covered with cracks.

Meanwhile, at the bottom of the sea, Xiao Chenyu and the other six cultivators have found the three key points of the "Sea-Locking Formation".

Each key point of the array is guarded by a powerful merman, surrounded by complex runes that continuously supply energy to the light screen.

"Do it!"

Xiao Chenyu let out a low shout and charged towards one of the array's cores.

The water-patterned bronze mirror in his hand shone brightly, and a thick water arrow shot towards the merman expert guarding the array's core.

"kill!"

Zhiqiao Zhenren then unleashed a cyan longsword and launched an attack on another key point of the formation.

Her swordsmanship was agile and graceful, as elusive as willow catkins.

"Take care of them quickly!"

The Dan Ding Peak Master and the three True Immortals from "Wanghai City" also launched a fierce attack on the third array eye.

"not good!"

“A master from the Shenxiao Dao Sect has arrived.”

"Stop them quickly!"

Upon seeing this, the merfolk experts guarding the array's core roared in anger, unleashing their respective magical treasures and engaging the six True Immortals in battle.

In an instant, the seabed shimmered with light, and all sorts of magical spells and supernatural abilities emerged.

The seawater was churned and rolled endlessly, forming huge whirlpools.

Xiao Chenyu fought fiercely with the merman expert guarding the array's core for dozens of rounds, gradually gaining the upper hand.

She seized an opening, and the water-patterned bronze mirror suddenly shot out a beam of white light, striking the mermaid expert squarely in the chest.

The merman expert screamed and flew backward, crashing into the array's core behind him.

The runes on the array's core immediately dimmed considerably.

"good chance!"

Xiao Chenyu was overjoyed and was about to press his advantage and completely destroy the array's core when the merman expert suddenly took out a black bead from his pocket and crushed it.

In an instant, a dense black aura surged out of the bead, enveloping the mermaid expert.

His body began to expand rapidly, and his strength grew stronger and stronger.

"No, he's going to blow himself up!"

Xiao Chenyu's expression changed drastically, and he quickly retreated.

However, it's too late.

"Boom!"

The mermaid expert let out a deafening roar, and his body exploded.

The enormous impact spread outwards, causing Xiao Chenyu's blood and qi to surge, and he was sent flying backwards.

The core of the array was also reduced to fragments in the explosion.

Meanwhile, the battles at the other two key points of the formation have also reached a fever pitch.

With her exquisite swordsmanship, Master Zhiqiao successfully killed the merman expert guarding the array's core and destroyed it.

The Dan Ding Peak Master and the three True Immortals from Wanghai City joined forces to kill the last Merfolk expert and destroy the third array eye.

As the three key points of the array were destroyed one after another, the light screen of the "Sea Locking Array" instantly became dim and then shattered completely with a "crack".

"Success!"

Upon seeing this, Li Yunjing on the sea surface smiled.

Wei Henian, who had trapped Lei Jie Zhenren in the coral reef, suddenly changed his expression and turned around to look at the slowly dissipating "Sea Locking Formation".

"It's over! The reinforcements from the 'Divine Firmament Dao Sect' have arrived!"

He glanced at the dying Thunder Tribulation True Man, gritted his teeth, and turned to leave.

As for the merman expert next to him, he was stunned. Why did Wei Henian run away?

"Fool! Are you keeping him as a live target for the 'Divine Firmament Dao Sect'?"

Wei Henian's voice came through the black mist, carrying a hint of exasperation.

He made a hand seal with one hand, and the black and red mist around him suddenly boiled, actually raising the "White Bone Banner". Countless living souls on the banner roared and rushed towards the coral reef, forming a temporary barrier.

This is the "Blood Escape Technique" of Blood Skull Island, which uses the essence of living souls and blood as a catalyst to gain the speed of instantaneous teleportation.

Upon seeing this, the faces of the merfolk experts instantly turned ashen.

They had originally agreed with Wei Henian to share the spiritual veins of the South China Sea after the deed was done, but now they were being treated as pawns.

The leading merman elder roared, his fishtail slamming against the sea, creating huge waves in the dark red water: "Wei Henian! You dare betray my people!"

With a furious roar, he led his clansmen toward Li Yunjing and the others, his eyes blazing with murderous intent.

Since there's no way to retreat, we might as well fight to the death and maybe even take a few others down with us.

"Want to go?"

A cold glint flashed in Li Yunjing's eyes. The "Yin Yang Five Elements Heavenly Evolution Sword" flew out of his hand, transforming into a five-colored stream of light. Surprisingly, it struck the barrier formed by the white bone banner before it could reach the target.

(End of this chapter)