Volume 1 Volume 7 Chapter 33

Volume 7 Chapter 33: Building Up Power (Part 2)

"Should we assist them?"

A Tianji Camp cultivator asked.

With this cultivator’s question, all the Tianji Camp cultivators, who had just calmed down from the terrifying strength shown by the Yaoguang Camp and Chou, fell silent once again.

From the moment Tianji Camp and Yaoguang Camp appeared, both sides had looked down on each other. Although both camps were going to the Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands to help, when the Tianji Camp saw Yaoguang Camp suffer such a great loss, they couldn’t help but feel a bit of joy in their hearts.

If it were the other five camps, like Tianshu Camp or Tianquan Camp, even knowing they would suffer great losses in helping, the members of Tianji Camp would rush to assist without hesitation. But now, it was Yaoguang Camp that was in trouble…

Since its founding, Yaoguang Camp had always remained isolated on the mysterious Yaoguang Island, never interacting with the other six camps. Most members of Yaoguang Camp were chosen from ordinary people, and the members of Tianji Camp did not know them at all. Yaoguang Camp members were proud and cold, making them very unpleasant. Compared to the loyalty to Xu Qingfan shown by the other six camps, the members of Yaoguang Camp seemed to be more loyal to Chou.

Especially now, the members of Yaoguang Camp didn’t even look like humans…

In short, compared to the other six camps, Yaoguang Camp had always been on the outskirts of the structure of Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands. Deep down, neither the other six camps nor Yaoguang Camp itself seemed to consider Yaoguang Camp as a member of Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands.

Even Xu Qingfan, at the core, saw Yaoguang Camp as a sacrifice. In the future, when dealing with the Zhong family, Zhang Xusheng, or Shura Clan, Yaoguang Camp would definitely be useful. However, the existence of Yaoguang Camp was not tolerated by humanity. When Yaoguang Camp reached its peak strength, that would also be the time they were destroyed.

Those who would eliminate them could be the Shura Clan, the Human Alliance, or even Xu Qingfan himself taking action.

This point was clearer to Chou and Yaoguang Camp than anyone else, because these words were spoken by Xu Qingfan himself.

The key to the problem is that, although Tianji Camp deep down does not agree with Yaoguang Camp, Yaoguang Camp is still one of the Seven Star Camps.

At this moment, is there a way not to save them?

However…

"It turns out that the true strength of Yaoguang Camp is like this. Although they look neither human nor ghostly, after transforming, their power is indeed very strong. Even if one day we fight against them, while we could protect ourselves, the chance of victory would only be about thirty or forty percent."

Zhang Bo’s eyes sparkled with a thoughtful look as he spoke slowly.

After hesitating slightly, Zhang Bo said, "That’s assuming there is no Chou involved. If Chou joins in, then we might have a hard time escaping."

Zhang Bo is the leader of Tianji Camp. After a long silence, he finally spoke, but he only commented on the comparison of strength, without mentioning anything about support.

Upon hearing Zhang Bo’s words, all the members of Tianji Camp looked relieved.

Everyone has a dark side in their mind. Although Tianji Camp should support Yaoguang Camp for moral reasons and their position, deep down, Tianji Camp is unwilling to rescue Yaoguang Camp, especially when they see that Yaoguang Camp is still stronger than them.

Everyone has this thought, but after all, Yaoguang Camp is an ally. Watching them die in front of them makes the cultivators of Tianji Camp feel guilty, so no one says anything. At this moment, Wang Bo makes the decision for them, and everyone feels a bit lighter.

It is not that I don’t want to help, but that Wang Bo doesn’t want to, and he is the one in charge.

Everyone comforts themselves this way.

For a moment, everyone forgot that they should be rescuing Yaoguang Camp and began to discuss Yaoguang Camp’s strength instead.

"Yes, we used to think that Yaoguang Camp could only match us when we were not using our powers. Now it seems that Yaoguang Camp has hidden more strength over the years."

"That Huangquan Baigui—I always thought his strength was just about the same as mine, but now…"

"Where is Shier Daluo? They say his strength is even greater than Huangquan Baigui."

"Chou’s strength must have reached at least the Nascent Soul Stage, right?"

"What kind of cultivation method did the members of Yaoguang Camp practice? They have become like this? Although the Island Master understands both the righteous and the wicked paths, these people’s appearance does not seem to be a result of these three cultivation methods… It looks more like Zhang Xusheng’s transformation magic."

"It is not Zhang Xusheng’s cultivation method; Zhang Xusheng’s transformation secret technique would not create such a terrifying aura, and the changes would not be so great."

"Why did the Island Master only teach this cultivation method to Yaoguang Camp?"

"It is probably not taught by the Island Master. The Island Master often teaches us at Tianji Camp alone; other five camps are occasionally taught as well, but when have you seen the Island Master summon a cultivator from Yaoguang Camp? The members of Yaoguang Camp have all been trained individually by Chou. Just look at how Chou looks right now… It seems that the members of Yaoguang Camp were all taught individually by Chou."

"So, Chou’s background is also a mystery. The Island Master has only taken him as a disciple for a short time, yet his strength now might surpass that of the other six masters combined."

"Indeed, such a cultivation method is destined to not be accepted in the world. Even if it were taught to us, we would not dare to practice it. The Island Master not teaching us is actually for our own good. And these people from Yaoguang Camp, in order to take revenge, will truly do anything."

Hearing the discussions of the members of Tianji Camp, Wang Bo revealed a strange smile, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he held it back.

"Every member of Tianji Camp can be considered an unnamed disciple of Xu Qingfan. After ten years of being taught by Xu Qingfan, they are extremely loyal to him. At this time, sowing discord could indeed raise their suspicions about Xu Qingfan, but once Xu Qingfan starts to investigate, I might also be exposed. The task given to me by my master is to lurk in Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands and learn about Xu Qingfan’s movements; I should avoid adding more trouble. However, over the years, I have shared all kinds of news from Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands with my master, except for that mysterious Yaoguang Island. Yaoguang Camp has guarded Yaoguang Island for all these years, yet their strength is so formidable. What other secrets does Yaoguang Island hide? If I do not investigate clearly, it could lead to my master’s misjudgment."

Wang Bo thought quietly, a look of contemplation flashing in his eyes, then he turned to the cultivators of Tianji Camp and said, "Dear Taoist friends, let us not delay any longer. Let us continue our actions. Although we have killed all the low-level demon beasts below Earth level around the east, south, and north sides of Rainbow Spirit Island, Yaoguang Camp has already killed most of the mid-level Earth beings to the west, and many high-level Earth beasts have also died at their hands. We cannot lose to them."

Hearing Wang Bo say this, the members of Tianji Camp nodded in agreement. Under Wang Bo’s leadership, they quickly flew in another direction, and this time their target was to surround the earth-level middle-class demon beast attacking Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands!

While flying, a few Tianji Camp members felt uneasy about just watching Yaoguang Island fall. They exchanged hesitant glances and then rushed to Wang Bo’s side, asking, "Wang Bo, my friend, are we really going to let Yaoguang Camp be destroyed like this? Won’t this…?"

Wang Bo’s face showed a hint of a bitter smile as he explained, "We didn’t understand Yaoguang Camp’s transformation ability before. From what I estimate, only the Island Master knows about it in all of Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands. You also saw how those people looked earlier. They may not fear death, but they definitely fear others discovering their rare abilities that cannot exist in this world. Even if we saved them, they might not be grateful; instead, they could hold a grudge against us. In the future, we would have to be cautious of Yaoguang Camp’s schemes, which would lead to more trouble than it’s worth."

After hearing Wang Bo’s words, the Tianji Camp members looked at each other and sighed silently, unable to argue, but they did not bring it up again.

…

Elsewhere, Xu Qingfan on Yuheng Island was also sighing quietly.

"It is sensible for Tianji Camp not to save Yaoguang Camp, but although they are right, they lack a bit of compassion. Have I made some mistakes in how I have trained Tianji Camp over the years?"

At this time, Xu Qingfan’s second effort to seal the "Qi of Demonic Death" within himself was complete. The life and death energies inside him finally balanced. Although there are still many hidden dangers, for the next forty to fifty years, he would not face the risk of being disturbed by the "Qi of Demonic Death."

Slowly opening and then closing his eyes again, Xu Qingfan continued to think, "Yaoguang Camp is one of our secret weapons against Zhang Xusheng in the future; Zhang Xusheng can’t know about it. That Wang Bo cannot be allowed to live any longer. What a pity, I had hoped to use him to send false information to Zhang Xusheng."

"Moreover, again and again, every time I am about to be controlled by the ‘Qi of Demonic Death’, it suddenly weakens. Once or twice, I can explain it as the ‘Qi of Demonic Death’ lacking power for the moment, but again and again, it becomes strange…"

Suddenly, Xu Qingfan’s body shook, and he turned his head towards the direction where Ting’er and Dongfang Qingling were.

After hesitating for a moment, Xu Qingfan stood up and walked towards Ting’er’s room.

Upon arriving at Ting’er’s room, he saw Dongfang Qingling calmly watching the battle outside Yuheng Island while comforting Ting’er, seemingly afraid that Ting’er would panic because of the loud chaos outside.

However, Ting’er was not affected by the external chaos; she was instead deeply watching the battle outside the island alongside Dongfang Qingling. At this moment, the strength of the demon beasts’ attacks had weakened greatly compared to the beginning, but Dongfang Qingling still appeared vigilant. In contrast, Ting’er seemed indifferent, as if she had nothing to do, completely unconcerned about the countless East Sea Demon Monsters charging towards them.

Ting’er seemed to have a special and inexplicable connection to Xu Qingfan. With Xu Qingfan’s current level of cultivation, even a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator would have a hard time noticing him when he was near. Additionally, as Xu Qingfan’s inner energies balanced each other, his aura became concealed. Those who could discover Xu Qingfan’s actions and presence, even counting the Shura Clan, numbered no more than twenty in the world.

But clearly, Ting’er was one of those twenty people.

When Xu Qingfan reached the door of Ting’er’s room and was about to push the door open, Ting’er had already sensed his arrival. When Xu Qingfan entered and looked at Ting’er, he found her quietly gazing at him, her eyes filled with a clean and confused expression, just as always.

Yet, perhaps sensing something deeper, Xu Qingfan always felt that beneath Ting’er’s confused and pure gaze, there was something more profound hidden.

The creaking sound of the door caught Dongfang Qingling’s attention. She shivered slightly and looked warily towards the door. When she saw Xu Qingfan come in, a look of relief and surprise flashed in her eyes.

"Senior Brother Xu, have you finished your retreat?"

Dongfang Qingling asked with concern.

For so many years, no matter what Dongfang Qingling was doing, her heart was always with Xu Qingfan. For example, at this moment, countless demon beasts outside Yuheng Island roared and seemed ready to rush in at any time. Yet, upon seeing Xu Qingfan, Dongfang Qingling forgot all of this and first asked about Xu Qingfan’s situation.

Hearing Dongfang Qingling’s caring question and recalling how she had sacrificed her own progress to help him take care of Ting’er and handle various matters over the years, a warm light flickered in Xu Qingfan’s eyes.

He felt increasingly indebted to Dongfang Qingling, but Xu Qingfan was not the kind of person who spoke about gratitude openly. At this moment, after hearing about the situation, he simply nodded and said, "It’s finished. At least for the next forty or fifty years, my body won’t have any setbacks. Also, if my next plans succeed, I might be able to completely resolve the hidden dangers in my body."

Hearing Xu Qingfan’s words, joy flashed in Dongfang Qingling’s eyes, and she smiled warmly.

Xu Qingfan then walked over to Dongfang Qingling, naturally pulled out a chair, and sat down beside her. He reached out and gently touched Ting’er’s hair. Ting’er squinted her eyes like a little kitten, showing a comfortable expression, and her bright eyes reflected happiness.

"How has Ting’er been lately?"

Xu Qingfan quietly asked Dongfang Qingling.

At the same time, Xu Qingfan focused more on Ting’er. He noticed a flicker of interest in Ting’er’s eyes as he spoke.

"Ting’er has been very well-behaved lately," Dongfang Qingling said gently, as if evaluating her daughter. Her gaze towards Ting’er was full of tenderness. "Since that incident fifteen years ago, she rarely gets angry, and it seems she can understand us now, but when she will completely regain her intelligence, we do not know."

Xu Qingfan sighed, deeply looked at Ting’er, then slowly stood up and gazed out at the East Sea Demon Monsters attacking Yuheng Island.

Their questions and answers were ordinary, but carried a feeling of warmth and familiarity, like parents sharing their thoughts about their child’s growth. Dongfang Qingling lost herself in this moment until she recalled that Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands was being attacked by countless East Sea Demon Monsters when she saw Xu Qingfan looking out at the demon beasts.

"Senior Brother Xu, how is the situation now?"

Dongfang Qingling asked.

Although Xu Qingfan and Dongfang Qingling were both stationed on Yuheng Island, Xu Qingfan, as a master at the Astral Projection Stage, could sense movements within thousands of miles, and his understanding of the situation was not much less than those cultivators at the heart of Tianshu Island.

Hearing Dongfang Qingling’s question, Xu Qingfan nodded gently and said, "The ‘Disaster Cloud Formation’ has been activated. Tianji Camp and Yaoguang Camp are also engaged in battle. Although they do not have us stationed there, they are doing well. Yaoguang Camp and Tianji Camp have eliminated all Earth level low-level demon beasts and have also killed some Earth level mid-to-high-level demon beasts. The ‘Disaster Cloud Formation’ has taken down all the aerial strong birds and severely injured some Earth level mid-to-high-level demon beasts within thirty miles of Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands."

As he said this, Xu Qingfan smiled and continued, "To be honest, while the current situation is something I planned, I didn’t expect them to perform so well. However, although we have dealt a heavy blow to these East Sea Demon Monsters, in just one night we have defeated most of the demon beasts. But among those demon beasts, very few of the strong ones, those above the Earth level, were seriously injured. Though they were hurt badly, their life force remains unharmed. This battle is far from over."

Dongfang Qingling nodded thoughtfully and turned to watch Xu Qingfan walk outside. She was stunned and asked, "Are you going to take action?"

Xu Qingfan turned, smiled, and nodded, saying, "Over at Tianshu Island, they are reaching their limit. If we don’t act now, the ‘Sunglow Formation’ and ‘Disaster Cloud Formation’ will collapse due to their exhaustion, which would be a huge loss. Besides, I have already achieved several goals with this experiment."

Dongfang Qingling quietly nodded. Although she didn’t understand what Xu Qingfan meant by "experiment," she didn’t ask further. Xu Qingfan’s expression told her that his so-called "experiment" was the "intrigue" he had been trying hard to keep her away from all these years.

So Dongfang Qingling only reminded him, "Senior Brother Xu, please be careful."

Xu Qingfan smiled and nodded, then stepped outside.

At the same time, as he walked farther away, a shimmering colorful light began to glow in his left hand, while a faint black mist started to rise from his right hand.

As Xu Qingfan reached the edge of Yuheng Island, a three-foot-long sword appeared in each of his hands.

The colorful long sword in his left hand was a recently acquired heavenly level top-quality magic weapon, named "Qixia Sword." Its name was exactly the same as the Rainbow Spirit Sword held by Tianji Camp, and even the materials were quite similar. It was crafted using two corals over two hundred thousand years old that Xu Qingfan had obtained in the cave of "Quitting Snake," along with several sea pearls over a hundred thousand years old. Coupled with numerous precious materials from Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands, it became a powerful weapon.

The long sword in Tianji Camp, although also called the "Qixia Sword," was made by Xu Qingfan using coral sea pearl crystals collected from the "Quitting Snake" cave. However, those materials are only about ten thousand years old and cannot compare to the "Qixia Sword" in Xu Qingfan’s hands. Yet, with those "Qixia Swords" in their possession, they can guarantee a one-hit kill against earth-level middle-class demon beasts that are a whole level stronger, not to mention the one Xu Qingfan holds.

However, the greatest function of this "Qixia Sword" is not in attacking, but in its ability to absorb and harmonize with all types of Spirit Qi after being nourished by Water Spirit Qi for many years. To forge this sword, Xu Qingfan spent nearly a third of the precious materials from Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands and was scolded by Old Beggar for a whole year as a wasteful child, all to develop this function to its fullest.

In fact, this "Qixia Sword" is also a very important part of Xu Qingfan’s future plans, even holding his hopes for the battle against Zhang Xusheng.

The other long sword shimmered with a faint black demonic energy. Though Xu Qingfan simply held it with ease, its murderous aura surged skyward. Since this long sword appeared in Xu Qingfan’s hands, his presence changed greatly, becoming calm yet cold, and it is indeed the magical treasure "World Defying Sword."

"Tonight is quite eventful."

Xu Qingfan’s figure vanished into the vast night, and he turned to glance at Tianshu Island and Yaoguang Island, murmuring to himself.

…

Meanwhile, Liu Ziqing, who had already arrived at the heart of Tianshu Island to provide support, was secretly shocked.

In the circle of light summoned by Old Beggar, the situation of both sides, the number and strength of the demon beasts attacking Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands, and the remaining offensive and defensive capabilities of Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands were all clearly visible.

After Liu Ziqing entered the cave, he helped Shen Gang and the others control the various formations outside Rainbow Spirit Island while closely observing the situation inside the circle of light. As the situation changed, his thoughts also quietly shifted.

At this moment, Liu Ziqing looked seriously at the light within the circle, where the colored lights representing the attacking East Sea Demon Monster were quickly decreasing.

The faintest lights on the outer edge, which represented Human Level demon beasts, had completely vanished two hours ago, even though they were the weakest and the most numerous.

The lights representing the primary Human Level demon beasts were brighter than those of Human Level demon beasts, but there were only one-tenth as many. They also disappeared completely half an hour ago.

Half an hour ago, within a forty-mile range outside Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands, the various colored lights representing earth level middle class demon beasts were slowly decreasing. Although they disappeared much more slowly than the earlier Human Level and primary Earth Level demon beasts, their disappearance was very steady.

This represents that since Tianji Camp and Yaoguang Camp went out, they have been continuously hunting the East Sea Demon Monster. The difference in strength between the two sides is great, and these cultivators are skilled in stealth techniques, so in just one night, they killed more than half of the demon beasts gathered within three thousand miles. It is likely that it took only a moment to kill each demon beast, and except for Yaoguang Camp, the actions of Tianji Camp have not been discovered yet.

As for the western area managed by Yaoguang Camp, it was eventually discovered, and the number of demon beasts killed was far less than that of Tianji Camp. However, Tianji Camp only targeted the weaker ones and has only just begun to attack earth level middle class demon beasts, while the number of earth level middle class demon beasts killed by Yaoguang Camp was already ten times that of Tianji Camp. As for the strong earth level advanced demon beasts, Tianji Camp has not killed any, but more than thirty earth level advanced demon beasts have already died at the hands of Yaoguang Camp and Chou.

If we rewind the time to three hours ago and fast-forward, we would see a dense circle of demon beasts about a hundred miles thick, rapidly weakening. What once seemed like a powerful and dense encirclement is now also thinning quickly. Three hours ago, this encirclement was a hundred miles wide, but now it is only thirty miles, and within those thirty miles, under the control of the "Disaster Cloud Formation," the most powerful demon beasts were in a very sorry state, suffering many injuries and deaths.

At this point, less than one-tenth of the demon beasts attacking Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands remained.

"Tianji Camp and Yaoguang Camp have only been established for ten years, and their strength has become so strong already? Tianji Camp is understandable, as their original skills were all above Lingji Stage. Most members of Yaoguang Camp were just ordinary people ten years ago. How could they become so powerful in such a short time?"

Although Liu Ziqing has been a part of Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands for ten years, he finds its mysterious nature has only increased.

As Shen Gang said before, only passive defense can lead to failure through continuous passivity. At this moment, as Tianji Camp and Yaoguang Camp have eliminated all the outer forces of the East Sea Demon Monster that were about to attack, the powerful demon beasts launching a frontal assault not only lack support but are also restricted under the attack of the "Disaster Cloud Formation." Moreover, out of the six most threatening heavenly level demon beasts, four have already been held back by the "Disaster Cloud Formation" and Chou. At this time, the pressure on the "Sunglow Formation" has greatly reduced, and while Shen Gang and the others are on the defensive, they even have the capacity to repair and recharge the Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands.

With Rainbow Spirit Seven Islands turning the tide, Liu Ziqing’s earlier thoughts of taking advantage of the situation quietly faded, as he waited for the situation to become clear before making a decision. After all, although the East Sea Demon Monster suffered huge losses, the six heavenly level demon beasts had not yet shown their full power, and the losses of the Earth level high demon beasts were not severe either.

Suddenly, Liu Ziqing, who was staring at the halo, shook his body and his expression changed subtly.

Shen Gang, who was also watching the reflection inside the halo, turned pale.

Inside the halo, among the countless dots representing the East Sea Demon Monster and the cultivators from Yaoguang Camp and Tianji Camp, seven dots stood out, representing the six heavenly level demon beasts and Chou.

At this moment, under the attack of two huge green dots, the black dot representing Chou suddenly vanished.

"Martial Brother Chou, has he been killed?"

Shen Gang exclaimed.