Chapter 282

Chapter 282: I, Li Yingjun, Have Returned!

“Damn it, which Jin Tian Sect girl is Chen Tiange?” The golden shuttle turned to leave, but before going, it unleashed a massive bolt of lightning that struck the Wave Breaking Cone.

The final blow was not so simple; amidst the golden lightning, a gold needle flew out, transforming into a flickering shadow that aimed at Li Hui. Such a strong opponent actually tried to ambush him—quite impressive!

As the golden lightning raged, the Wave Breaking Cone disintegrated in mid-air, with pieces scattering into the sea.

Li Hui was not new to dealing with the Hongmo Sect; he knew these guys were despicable. He accelerated to an eighteen-fold time flow to stay alert.

His caution proved wise as the gold needle shot towards him, fast enough that he couldn’t react in time, even at eighteen times speed. He could only adjust the big knife and use the blade as a shield.

In an instant, the gold needle pierced the blade. Although the speed slowed down slightly, it continued to force its way through the knife, aiming for his forehead.

At this critical moment, Li Hui raised his hand to block with the silver snake bracelet. Previously, the Dalong princess Cheng Yuyan had used this trick with needle-like artifacts. It could penetrate the Golden Silk Ring Knife but would never penetrate the silver snake bracelet.

Surprisingly, with a “clang,” the silver snake bracelet bit down on the gold needle, allowing it to vibrate while firmly holding on and gradually crushing it, chewing it very carefully.

At the same time, a scream echoed from the golden shuttle.

“Ah! Impossible! Who destroyed my Golden Cicadas Soul Binding Magic Needle? It didn’t pierce that brat’s forehead, so it couldn’t infiltrate his body and ambush that crazy woman from Jin Tian Sect!”

Unexpected, far too unexpected!

This Golden Cicadas Soul Binding Needle was connected to the mind. Because of its unique material and crafting method, they had never worried it would fail. Yet today was different; something managed to destroy it.

With no time to ponder, the golden shuttle sped away.

As Li Hui fell into the sea with the ship’s wreckage, he surfaced and saw a sword light approaching. Surprised, he said, “Is the Hongmo Sect chasing you, little girl? Not bad, you possess an innate constitution and an acquired spirit body. I haven’t seen such talent in nearly a hundred years. If you became a demon, you would be a great one. Come with me; I’ll recruit you in time.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Su Qing’er flew into the air, captured by the person who controlled the sword light and disappeared.

“Wait, oh come on! Who is that foolish woman? Did she get cataracts or something? The Hongmo Sect is clearly after me, what does this have to do with Qing’er? Come back…” Li Hui wished he could jump up and chase them, but he couldn’t catch up; the sword light had already vanished without a trace.

“Cough, cough, boss, are you okay?” Chef Zhao surfaced, calling out loudly.

“Quick, go find Qiniang; she seems to be injured!” Li Hui released Ao Chongguang to rescue the crew members. They had all fallen from the sky and were surely hurt. Those who made it this far were trusted brothers; he hoped nothing had happened to anyone.

Before long, Ao Chongguang returned, carrying the crew members on his back. Most were unconscious, and Huo Qiniang was seriously injured. Li Hui quickly took out precious spirit pills for healing.

“Is everyone alive?” Li Hui asked.

“Everyone’s alive!” Chef Zhao nodded.

“Hahaha! We’re alive, we made it back!” Li Hui laughed, looking up and striking the water, causing countless droplets to rise, nearing the Condense Essence Stage of body refinement, something even esteemed disciples from major sects couldn’t achieve.

“Hahahaha! We’re back, we can still make it back…” Chef Zhao took out a kitchen knife from his storage ring, raised it high, and cried, “Masters, the kitchen knife dodged a great disaster, thank you for watching over us from the heavens! I will definitely make the best dishes!”

Having survived a disaster, how could they not celebrate? How could they not laugh?

In joyous tears and reflecting on the obstacles they had overcome, words could hardly capture what Li Hui felt at this moment. Everything he experienced in the Hongmo cave and Wan Nest Island, how many times he danced between life and death, how many times he hovered at the Ghost Gate, feeling certain he would die yet holding on through grit.

The cultivators from Linggui City, disciples from the Three Sects and Four Sects, including everyone from the Jade Symbol Sect, none escaped their calamity. Many likely still lived, but to survive, they had to join the demonic sect. That was not the path he wished to take, so he did everything possible to break free.

“Let’s find an island and ask for the exact location,” Li Hui patted Ao Chongguang’s neck. The ten-zhang-sized figure dove into the water, stirring demonic energy that rippled and cleared the sea, moving swiftly forward.

By evening, Chef Zhao carried Huo Qiniang, and everyone helped one another, barely managing to reach the island.

Though Li Hui’s appearance was poor, it did not dampen his spirits; he got back his life today, a tremendous gain. Yet he remained highly focused, knowing fatigue was inevitable; what he wanted most now was to sleep.

After walking a hundred zhang, everyone was too exhausted to continue and leaned against a big tree, falling into a deep sleep.

“Boss, you sleep first; I’ll keep watch!” Chef Zhao looked back and saw Li Hui leaning with his head lolling, already dozing off. The Yin-Yang Nine Heads manifested and slowly sank into the ground.

This was the way of the cultivators who survived countless calamities; no matter how fatigued, vigilance and defense were indispensable. Fighting had seeped into their very bones, transcending the realm of combat, prioritizing life and death over cultivation.

The night was cool, and after Chef Zhao set up the talisman device, he fell into a deep sleep, more profound than anyone else.

Before midnight, Li Hui suddenly opened his eyes and looked out at the sea. Although he seemed to have only slept for two hours, in the nine-fold time flow, he had already rested for eighteen hours.

A ship was riding the wind and waves toward them. Through the magical dragon eyes, he spotted the Dalong royal flag and couldn’t help but wonder, “Hey? Which prince from Dalong is bored enough to come to this remote island?”

Voices grew noisy; Li Hui perked up his ears and soon got the news.

It turned out that after the incident at Linggui City, coastal states like Dalong received orders to strengthen their maritime defenses, building a loose defense line along the coast.

Other nations may have taken it lightly, but Dalong could not afford to be careless, as Linggui City was right on Dalong’s coast. Heavenly knows when another incident might occur. Besides, top-tier sects from above were watching, and they needed to present a solid facade, so they dispatched many royal relatives to monitor the sea.

What princes, princesses, and grandsons of princes! Royal relatives weren’t popular on land anymore; they were all sent to sea to exploit maritime trade. Consequently, in less than two years, trading volumes in the coastal markets of Dalong plummeted while the inland regions prospered more and more.

Li Hui wandered casually around the island, collecting five sea charts. Comparing them, he found they were only three days away from Giant Shell City. It was in Giant Shell City that he originally purchased the poison dragon eel, which led to Ao Chongguang, the half-demon he had now.

Normally, it would take three days and nights to travel by ship; however, with Ao Chongguang carrying them, it would only take three to four hours. Looking at everyone sleeping like dead pigs, he smiled slightly and used the Cloud-Brush Dragon Claw Technique to take them into the sea. Moments later, a ten-zhang long shadow dashed away.

As the sun rose over the horizon, they could see the silhouette of Giant Shell City from afar.

Ao Chongguang popped his head out of the water and found the place familiar. When his gaze fell upon the wind-milled copper cage atop the tide barrier, a fierce look spread across his face, and he let out a roar that startled everyone awake.

“Hahaha!” Li Hui stood proudly on Ao Chongguang’s head, laughing wildly, “Dalong, I, Li Yingjun, have come back! Grateful for grace, and repaying enmities!”