Starting at the Nascent Soul stage, a rogue cultivator is incredibly poor.

Qingyouzi took off his bamboo hat, put it into his storage bag, and flew swiftly towards Zhenhaiguan.

Having flown a thousand miles, the edge of his divine sense suddenly detected dozens of chaotic auras fleeing in panic. Among them were Foundation Establishment cultivators and several Golden Core cultivators, all with disordered auras and terrified expressions.

He frowned, accelerated his flight to a Golden Core cultivator, and a blue silk thread suddenly appeared from his sleeve, stopping him.

"What are you doing?" Qingyouzi's voice was icy. "Deserting yourselves in the face of battle?"

The Golden Core cultivator was suddenly stopped and was startled at first, but when he saw that it was Qing Youzi, his eyes immediately filled with wild joy.

"Senior Qingyou! The front lines... something terrible has happened at the front lines!"

He was breathing heavily and speaking very quickly.

"Gu Canglan summoned us and three Nascent Soul seniors from the neighboring island to Zhenhai Pass, saying that he wanted to discuss a strategy to deal with the demon race's surprise attack and also hold a small trade fair to exchange what we had."

"But who knew... Gu Canglan suddenly betrayed us! He led two transformed demons and a Nascent Soul cultivator from Beiting in a sneak attack! Senior Wen Tao, three seniors from the neighboring island... one of them was killed instantly, and even the Nascent Soul cultivators couldn't escape!"

The Golden Core cultivator's voice trembled.

"The three seniors are trapped in a defensive formation and are engaged in a fierce battle. Senior Wen Tao ordered us to scatter and escape to seek help. We tried to contact Tianxian City via the communication jade slip, but there has been no response... Senior, please lend a hand!"

Qingyouzi's pupils contracted slightly.

He loosened the silk threads, and the Golden Core cultivator staggered to his feet.

"No response from Heavenly Immortal City?" Qingyouzi asked in a deep voice.

"No response! All messages have disappeared without a trace!"

Qing Youzi said no more, his figure transforming into a blue rainbow, shooting swiftly towards Zhenhai Pass. As he flew, he transmitted his voice to the fleeing cultivators behind him, the echo reverberating across the sea:

"You all must quickly investigate the situation in Tianxian City. If you cannot seek help, this matter is beyond your control. Disperse as soon as possible to save your lives!"

Before the words were even finished, the person had already disappeared into the distant horizon where the sea meets the sky.

Zhenhaiguan, on a giant island.

A pale golden array, like an inverted giant bowl, enveloped the entire island. High within the array, seven figures were locked in fierce combat, their magical and demonic powers clashing and erupting in thunderous roars.

Wen Tao spat out blood as a crimson-scaled demon slammed into his protective magic treasure, the "Vast Ocean Pearl," sending him flying backward. He crashed heavily into the barrier of the trapping formation and then slid to the ground.

He struggled to his feet, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and stared intently at the four people opposite him.

"Gu Canglan...you despicable traitor!" Wen Tao hissed. "Your uncle is the Second Elder of Tianxian City. What will he think if he finds out you betrayed Nanxuan?!"

Gu Canglan flicked his silver-white battle robe, his face as cold as iron.

"ridiculous."

He took a step forward, his voice suppressing a twisted hatred.

"What kind of bullshit uncle is he... Back when the beast tide besieged the city, if it weren't for my father risking his life to save him, he would have been reduced to ashes long ago! How could he have the cultivation and status he has today?"

Bloodshot veins appeared in his eyes.

"My father died for him! The power, resources, and cultivation he possesses now... should all have belonged to my father! He gave me cultivation resources and helped me cultivate, which was merely repaying a debt. These things should have rightfully belonged to me!"

Another trapped Nascent Soul cultivator roared, "So you colluded with the demon clan's Beiting and betrayed Heavenly Immortal City?!"

"Betrayal?" Gu Canglan sneered. "Nanxuan and Beiting will inevitably clash. I merely chose the right side beforehand. Once Demon Zhou Mountain emerges, Nanxuan's high-end combat forces will be tied down in the Boundless Sea. This sea area, and even the entire continent, will change hands!"

He turned to look at the three people beside him: two transformed demons and one Nascent Soul cultivator from Beiting.

"Brother Cang, Brother Yun, Fellow Daoist Tian, ​​let's finish this quickly. Once we've dealt with them, our men should be arriving soon."

In the distance, in a hidden crevice in the reef.

A handsome young man who looked to be in his late twenties was hiding there; it was Lu Zhou. He was stroking a black necklace around his neck, his brows furrowed.

"Master, are you sure that Demon Zhou Mountain will appear here?" he asked in a low voice. "It is said that the Heavenly Mystery Elder predicted that Demon Zhou Mountain would appear in the depths of the Boundless Sea, and even the Nascent Soul elders of Heavenly Immortal City rushed there... But I have not sensed even a trace of demonic energy in this Boundless Sea."

The necklace gleamed with a faint black light, and an aged voice emanated from it:

"The rumors circulating are all things someone wants you to hear. You really think... those old guys aren't around?"

Lu Zhou was taken aback: "What do you mean by that, Master?"

Before he could finish speaking, the old voice suddenly became urgent:

"No! A Nascent Soul cultivator is approaching! Quick, I'll help you conceal your presence!"

Lu Zhou's heart tightened, and he instantly scanned the area with his divine sense, but found nothing unusual. However, he trusted his master completely and did not hesitate. His figure slid into the deeper crevice like smoke, and his aura was completely concealed by the black light emanating from the necklace.

Less than half an incense stick's time.

A figure in blue landed silently at the spot where he had just been hiding.

The newcomer was dressed in green robes and had a handsome face; he was none other than Qing Youzi.

He stood atop the reef, his divine sense spreading like a tide, sweeping across the entire sea, instantly locking onto the seven people locked in fierce combat within the formation. However, he did not act rashly, but instead focused his mind and calmly observed the situation.

Deep within the rock crevice, Lu Zhou peered through the tiny gap, a slight stirring in his heart.

"It's him... Qingyouzi."

An aged voice rang out from within the necklace: "Do you recognize this person?"

"I thought I owed him nothing, but I learned from a jade talisman in the secret chamber left by my father that he had helped my father once before," Lu Zhou said in a low voice. "Master, if possible... please don't hurt him."

The aged voice paused for a moment, then said:

"Don't worry. Once I obtain the Dragon Stone and Dragon Flower and regain some of my strength, I will borrow your body again... Those who harmed your father back then will not escape."

Lu Zhou clenched his fists and remained silent.

Just now.

The heavens and earth suddenly trembled!

From the depths of the boundless sea, dozens of giant flying ships broke through the waves, their hulls pitch black, banners fluttering in the wind, bearing two large, blood-red characters:

North Pavilion.

After the flying boat, the sea boiled! Countless demonic beasts surfaced, creating towering waves. High above, a dark, oppressive mass of flying demonic beasts swept towards this sea like a dark cloud!

Beast Tide!

A real, organized, massive beast tide!

Trapped in the formation, Gu Canglan's lips curled into a cold smile.

He had quietly grasped a blood-red jade talisman in his hand, his fingertips releasing a slight surge of magical power, as if ready to crush it at any moment.

Qingyouzi quietly put on his black hat again to conceal himself. He suddenly turned his head and stared at a certain spot, where he sensed a familiar presence.

"I see."