Nine Evolutions of the True Spirit
Chapter 461: The Four (2)

Dao-Sheng glanced at Tian-Ling and said, "Although you have achieved an Eighth Grade Golden Core, you did so by consuming three sets of low-Heaven Class wonder items, giving you the worst quality Eighth Grade Golden Core. Your core is not as good as Jiang Tian-Lin’s. Without the Core Forging Pellet, you would probably be standing on equal ground to Feng Xu-Dao. Anyway, you’re still stronger than Feng Xu-Dao by a certain margin, regardless of the process.”

Liu Tian-Ling's expression remained unchanged as she replied, “How observant and sharp, Senior Dao-Sheng.”

Dao-Sheng had seen through the husband and wife’s strength with just one glance. Standing beside him, Dao-Yan’s expression was no longer calm. Deep down, Dao-Yan knew that while Dao-Sheng was trying to apply pressure on the Zhen Ling Sect, Dao-Sheng was also trying to point out that the husband and wife’s combined strength could contend with him.

In the past, Dao-Sheng and Tian-Xiang were the only ones that had achieved the Eighth Grade Golden Core. However, the second-generation disciples of the Zhen Ling Sect had now achieved the same feat. They also happened to have mastered the secret technique of their sect, granting them the strength to challenge those above their level. With that, the Zhen Ling Sect would be able to hold off Dao-Xuan, giving the Zhen Ling Sect the grounds to compete with the Xuan Ling Sect. If the husband and wife duo advanced into the mid-Core Forging Realm, the Xuan Ling Sect would be entirely overwhelmed. Additionally, Jiang Tian-Lin had showcased talent far greater than Dao-Sheng when he was in his prime. If he advanced into the late-Law Avatar Realm, there would be no place for the Xuan Lin Sect in the North Ocean.

Dao-Sheng nodded and looked at Tian Fan. "Tian-Xiang is not here today, so it seems that the Zhen Ling Sect is under your leadership now. Let me say this. Thanks to the splendid work of your sect’s disciple, Dao-Shi is heavily injured. Although his injuries are much lighter than Tian-Kang’s back then, it will still take him more than a couple of centuries to recover. With Dao-Shi’s talent, while it was extremely unlikely that he could enter the next level, there was still some hope. However, with the injuries he has sustained, the glimmer of hope he once had has been completely destroyed. I am here today to demand justice for him.”

Before Tian-Fan could say anything, Tian-Xue had already gone wild. She cursed, “Dao-Shi is merely injured. Look at my pitiful Junior Nephew Xuan-Yin! He’s already dead! If you’re here to seek justice, then the Zhen Ling Sect will be doing the same! We demand justice for Xuan-Yin!”

“Nonsense! How can you compare a puny little Core Forging Realm cultivator to a Law Avatar Realm cultivator?” refuted Dao-Yan.

However, his words appeared more than a little unreasonable. After all, with a Seventh Grade Golden Core and his talents, Xuan-Yin’s achievements were bound to be greater than Dao-Shi’s. From the Zhen Ling Sect’s perspective, Xuan-Yin’s actions were a big loss to them. Of course, the culprit was still the Ice Wyrm, Ao Yu.

Tian-Xue raised her eyebrows at Dao-Yan’s remarks. She could no longer suppress her anger, pointing at Dao-Yan and cursing, “Bullshit! Dao-Shi is the one that murdered Xuan-Yin’s wife. Don’t you realize how unforgivable that is? It’s only reasonable that Xuan-Yin sought revenge for her”

With a cold grin, Dao-Yan mocked, “He’s just a clown! Dao-Shi did you a favor by removing his existence! How could you not appreciate his efforts and even repay his kindness with enmity? Hmmm… Is the Zhen Ling Sect plotting something with the Monsters? After all, he married a Monster lady and they even gave birth to a half-breed dog! I suppose that half-breed dog is now hiding in your sect, right? Let’s see. If I’m not wrong, this half-breed’s name is Yin Xuan-Chu, a talented cultivator of your sect. Most cultivators in your sect don’t know about his identity. Am I correct?”

Tian-Xue’s expression instantly turned dark. Just as she opened her mouth and was about to offer a rebuttal, Dao-Sheng interfered, “The Monsters and Humans are eternal rivals. I assume you know what must be done. Xuan-Yin’s death resulted from his own weak will, allowing him to be seduced and charmed by the Monster lady under the instigation of the Monsters. He is the only cause of this tragedy. However, that can’t hide the fact that he is a disciple of the Zhen Ling Sect. Your sect will have to bear the consequences of your idiotic disciple.”

At this point, the smile on Tian-Fan’s face was no longer visible. In a low and deep voice, he asked, “What do you propose?”

Dao-Sheng calmly replied, “Surrender Huang Li Island and the area around it to us. That is originally the territory of our sect. It is only right for the island to be under our care.

Huang Li Island was an important strategic location. In addition to all the other minor islands under its jurisdiction, Huang Li Island also held an important status close to that of an intermediate-sized island.

Tian Fan's gloomy expression suddenly turned into a smile. He said, "Very well, let's fight and see what level you have achieved these last few years, Senior Brother Dao-Sheng.

As soon as he finished speaking, Tian Xue, Tian Fan, and Dao-Sheng vanished into thin air. Soon after, a rumble louder than thunder resounded in the skies above Heaven Forge Mountain. Darkness descended, waves surged tens of meters high, and the clouds thickened. The waves slammed toward the mountain, slamming fiercely onto the protective formation before shattering into streams of water.

Dao-Yan stepped forward and sneered, "Let’s see what tricks an Eighth Grade Golden Core Law Avata Realm cultivator has!”

Dao-Yan’s words were filled with jealousy. He was jealous because he could not achieve what they had accomplished despite being much older.

Jiang Tian-Lin smiled at Liu Tian-Ling, but the latter still wore a cold and indifferent expression. Liu Tian-Ling waved around nine slender and graceful blue water streams like silk, wrapping them around Dao-Yan.

Dao-Yan chuckled as a black portal suddenly appeared behind him. He took a step back, disappearing entirely into the portal. Liu Tian-Ling snorted and then vanished, leaving behind an awkward Jiang Tian-Ling, who then quickly disappeared without a trace.

Feng Xu-Dao took the initiative and darted toward Tian-KJiang. Instead of warping away like the previous groups, these two fought head-on.

Dao-Li looked at Tian-Lu standing in front of him and let out a sigh. "We were once best friends, competing in alchemy, learning from each other, and studying all sorts of arts and techniques together. Who would have thought that we would rise so high in our respective sects and endanger our friendship? The world is truly unpredictable.”

The Tianlu Patriarch's face revealed a hint of nostalgia, but he quickly concealed these emotions and said, "We have different paths and cannot work together. Today's battle will be the end."

Tian-Lu also indulged himself in the past. He quickly brushed his thoughts aside and replied, “This is our destiny and we can’t avoid it. Today’s battle will indeed be the end of everything.”

Dao-Li nodded and spoke seriously, "We know each other well. Cultivation-wise, you are no doubt stronger than me, but with the Ocean Burner Cauldron in my possession, I have a large advantage over you.”

“We’ll see about that.”

Returning to Lu Ping, after waiting for several days in the cave, Lu Dagui finally returned. Unfortunately, he brought bad news with him. According to Lu Dagui, the Monsters had formed search teams to discover Lu Ping’s whereabouts. Ao-Yu had offered an advanced Earth-Class wonder item as a reward to whoever killed Lu Ping.

Lu Ping found the situation quite amusing. After all, the only living member in the Ice Wyrm Clan was Ao-Yu, yet he still displayed the demeanor of a patriarch. Regardless, Lu Ping had to acknowledge that the Ice Wyrm Clan deserved its reputation as a top-tier Monster clan. Even on the verge of extinction, their heritage remained wealthy, as seen by their reward. This bounty was enough to drive the Monster cultivators in the region into a frenzied state.

Lu Dagui also reported that the Zhen Ling Sect and Xuan Ling Sect were extremely close to waging war against each other over Xuan-Yin’s assassination of Dao-Shi. Lu Dagui reported that the Monsters were celebrating over this news and were plotting a surprise attack.

The rumors specifically mentioned Huang Li Island, making it a primary target for the Monster's attack. Rumor had it that the assault would be led by a late-Core Forging Realm Monster cultivator.

In the eyes of the Monster cultivators, Huang Li Island was a humiliation, especially after it had existed for more than a decade. Its strategic location was a great annoyance to the Monsters, and it was far more threatening than it appeared to be. Furthermore, countless Monster cultivators had lost their lives around the island, including more than five Core Forging Realm Monsters.

After hearing about the major offensive on Huang Li Island, Lu Ping could no longer maintain his composure. Suppressing his urgent desire to return, he said, "Dagui, have you identified the best route back home? Are you confident?

Lu Da-Gui nodded, "Master, rest assured. I will blend in among the Monster cultivators and rush back to the island.”

Lu Ping nodded and handed a formation disk to Lu Dagui along with a message-transmitting item. He said, "When you reach the vicinity of Huang Li Island, don't reveal yourself to avoid being discovered and killed by cultivators. Send out a message first, and wait for either Senior Sister Hu or Senior Brother Chen’s arrival. After that, hand this formation disk to Senior Sister Hu and let her handle the rest.”

Lu Dagui nodded, "Master, please rest assured. I will hurry back as soon as possible."

Lu Ping smiled, "No need to rush. You've just advanced to the Core Forging Realm. Your safety is the most important in this journey. It doesn’t matter when you return. This cave is hidden and won’t be quickly discovered by the Monsters.”

That said, Lu Ping’s mind was already focused on the affairs of the island.