The Confucian and Taoist Sages of Mortal Cultivation

Chapter 125 Underwater Palace

Two streaks of light rushed over and hovered a hundred feet away from the black dragon, revealing four figures: two men and two women.

The leaders were a middle-aged couple, both exuding an aura that indicated they were in the mid-stage of the Core Formation realm.

Behind the two Core Formation stage cultivators stood a bald, burly man and a cold, beautiful Daoist nun, respectively.

The bald, burly man and the aloof, beautiful Daoist nun, both at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, were stunned upon seeing Yang Qingyuan. Their expressions changed drastically, and they stared in disbelief.

"It's you!"

"Yang Qingyuan, you've actually reached the Core Formation stage!"

"How is this possible!"

Upon seeing their faces clearly, Yang Qingyuan recognized them as the two Foundation Establishment cultivators who had joined the Six-Linked Palace in attacking the ghost ship years ago. He immediately cupped his hands in greeting and said, "So it is Fellow Daoist Zhang and Fairy He."

"It's truly a case of coincidences."

"It seems that both of you escaped unscathed after being attacked by vengeful ghosts back then, which is truly commendable."

Seeing that their disciple seemed quite familiar with Yang Qingyuan, the middle-aged couple, who were at the Core Formation stage, instructed, "Disciple, why don't you introduce him to your master?"

"Don't be impolite."

"That should be 'generation'."

"Back then, we all received an invitation from the Six-Linked Palace to go and destroy a ghost ship."

"I never imagined that Senior Yang would successfully form his core after only four or five years."

Then she introduced him to Yang Qingyuan, "Senior Yang, this is my mentor, Master Yuan, who is also the deputy island master of Kui Xing Island."

"This is my master's wife, Master Kan, who is also the deputy island master of Kui Xing Island."

Upon hearing this, a glint flashed in Yang Qingyuan's eyes. He couldn't understand why the two deputy island masters of Kuixing Island would come to the outer sea.

Duan Lang, who was standing nearby, stepped forward and introduced, "Senior Yang, my ancestor previously joined forces with Senior Yuan and Senior Kan to explore the Water Mansion."

"Senior Yuan once reached an agreement with my ancestor to prepare lightning-avoiding treasures and explore this Thunder Abyss again in two years. Judging by the time, it's about time."

Upon hearing this, Yang Qingyuan suddenly realized what was going on. Without changing his expression, he cupped his hands in greeting to the two Core Formation cultivators and said, "So it is Fellow Daoist Yuan and Fellow Daoist Kan. I have long admired your names."

The deputy island owner and his wife also cast scrutinizing glances their way.

Seeing that Yang Qingyuan seemed to have only recently formed his core, the two initially didn't pay him any attention, focusing their gaze more on the black dragon.

"Huh?" Deputy Island Master Kan was slightly moved when he realized that the Ink Dragon was actually a Level 5 demon beast. He parted his lips and said, "I didn't expect that Fellow Daoist Yang, who has just formed his core, could subdue a Level 5 dragon as a spirit pet. He is truly highly skilled."

"Our Wood Dragon Island Master on Kui Xing Island only keeps one level-five wood-attribute dragon."

Meanwhile, Vice Island Master Yuan, standing to the side, sized up Xue Chanzi, but was surprised to find that he couldn't discern the other's cultivation level. Filled with doubt and uncertainty, he simply withdrew his gaze and turned to Duan Lang, saying, "I remember you."

"Two years ago, you also participated in the exploration of the Water Palace."

"Could it be that Fellow Daoist Yang was invited by you?"

Upon hearing this, Duan Lang dared not lie and hurriedly explained, "That's right, it was indeed this junior who invited Master Yang."

The deputy island lord beside him revealed a meaningful smile and chuckled, "So it seems that the rumors about your Duan family patriarch's life being on the verge of death over the years are mostly true?"

Upon hearing the other party mention his ancestor, Duan Lang's face immediately turned extremely ugly, so gloomy it was almost dripping with water.

"Hehe." Deputy Island Master Yuan sneered, not pressing the matter further. He simply looked at Yang Qingyuan and said, "I don't care what kind of agreement you reached with the Duan family."

"But once inside Thunder Abyss, everyone has to rely on their own abilities."

"Whoever finds the treasure first, it belongs to them."

"However, I must advise you not to even think about competing with us for the treasure."

"With your newly formed Core Formation cultivation, you probably haven't even had time to refine your natal magic weapon."

"Even with a level 5 spirit pet by your side, you are no match for us. Don't try to kill yourself."

After speaking, Vice Island Master Yuan flicked his sleeve, releasing a blue water-repelling bead that enveloped his Daoist companion and two disciples before diving underwater.

Duan Lang breathed a sigh of relief after seeing the other party leave, and then advised, "Senior Yang, once we enter the Water Mansion, please be sure not to have any conflict with Master Yuan and his wife."

"Both of these two are cultivators who have reached the Core Formation stage for over a hundred years, and they are renowned on Kui Xing Island."

"You are probably no match for them. If you can avoid them, then find my ancestor first."

Upon hearing this, Yang Qingyuan remained fearless and replied, "Alright, I know the consequences. Let's go."

As soon as he finished speaking, the black dragon twisted its body, condensing a cloud of light black mist that covered Yang Qingyuan, Xue Chanzi, and Duan Lang above its head. Then it plunged into the sea and dived towards the seabed.

The clouds and mist had a water-repelling effect, isolating them from the external seawater and allowing Yang Qingyuan and his group to move freely.

As the black dragon continued to dive, the light in the seawater became increasingly dim until it was completely submerged in water where one could not see their own hand in front of their face.

The surroundings were eerily silent, save for the sound of the black dragon's body cutting through the seawater.

About half an incense stick later, the situation finally changed.

But then they saw a bright blue light emanating from the seawater ahead, illuminating the seabed.

"Senior, that's Lei Yuan." Duan Lang's spirits lifted, and his face lit up with joy.

Yang Qingyuan then focused his gaze on the seabed ahead, taking in the situation.

But then a thousand-foot-long crack appeared on the calm seabed.

The fissure was bottomless, but the seawater inside emitted a deep blue light, illuminating the surroundings.

Clusters of blue lightning orbs of varying sizes floated in the abyss, densely packed and layered upon each other.

Yang Qingyuan released his divine sense and swept it across the lightning ball. He could clearly sense the terrifying power contained within it. In terms of power, it was in no way inferior to his full-force attack when he used the "Lightning Summoning Technique".

"So this is the Water Divine Thunder?"

"Even a Nascent Soul cultivator would likely face certain death if surrounded by so many divine lightning bolts."

Yang Qingyuan's expression turned solemn. With a thought, he urged the black dragon to approach.

On the cliff face on one side of the abyss, there was a luxurious water palace.

The Water Palace occupies an area of ​​about 100 acres, half of which is exposed to the sea, while the other half is within the range of the Water Divine Thunder.

At this moment, Vice Island Master Yuan and his wife, along with their disciples, skillfully slipped into the palace gates.

Upon seeing this, Yang Qingyuan pondered for a moment, then rode the black dragon and followed, passing straight through the palace gate.

This palace also has the effect of being waterproof, and its interior is very dry.

Yang Qingyuan entered the hall, put away the ink dragon, and stood on the white jade floor with Xue Chanzi and Duan Lang, looking around.

But the main hall was empty; there was nothing there.

Duan Lang then introduced, "Senior Yang, the treasures in this hall were taken away by my ancestor and Master Yuan last time."

"Thunder Bamboo is one of them."

Then, he pointed to the two stone doors in front of him and continued, "Behind these two stone doors lies a world filled with Water-based Divine Thunder."

"Therefore, last time, Master Yuan and his wife stopped here."

7

"My ancestor led his people through this stone door on the left and never came out again—"