Chapter 685

Chapter 685: Landing on the Island

"It truly is a creature with human-like instincts." Ye Yun gazed with satisfaction at the coiled Water Spirit Python, a smile spreading across his face.

"But Ling’er felt like Senior scared it earlier, which is why it didn’t dare move." Golden Ling’er tilted her head in confusion as she glanced between Ye Yun and the serpent.

"That’s a misunderstanding. Someone of my stature wouldn’t bully an underdeveloped creature." Ye Yun chuckled, his eyes lingering on the Water Spirit Python nestled within the golden bell. "Taming it will take time and effort, Ling’er. Don’t rush."

Watching Golden Ling’er treat the serpent as her own spirit beast, Ye Yun felt a flicker of resignation. Though puzzled by its swift submission, he reminded her, "Even if it chose you, stay cautious."

Ye Yun’s spirit perception now spanned a thousand zhang—far exceeding typical Nascent Soul stage limits, rivaling even Seventh Level experts. Yet it paled against the Ancestor of the Sword Path, whose soul’s origin could probe ten thousand miles… at great cost. Soul’s origin held immeasurable value, equivalent to hundreds of soul-aligned heavenly materials and earthly treasures from the black forest. Waste was unthinkable.

"The island’s within reach. Strike now if you want first claim—assuming it’s unoccupied." The Ancestor’s voice held amusement as Ye Yun prepared to manipulate spatial laws.

"My stance’s clear: peace if they yield, force if they resist." Ye Yun’s tone turned cold. Mercy here bred vulnerability, and unknowns demanded ruthlessness.

"Ling’er, how’s your new companion?" The Water Spirit Python had shrunk to a finger-sized serpent coiled around Golden Ling’er’s hand, playfully flicking its tongue. "If refined into your Immortal artifact’s spirit, it might elevate the weapon to supreme grade."

"Really, Little Water?" Golden Ling’er gasped, eyeing the serpent. It responded by spraying a jet of water, churning the sea into a whirlpool. Ye Yun smirked. The creature’s eagerness to please amused him, though he still remembered its earlier defiance.

_Still too weak._ He recalled the mighty Dragon Tortoise and eight-armed leviathans he’d failed to capture—beasts worthy of supreme Immortal artifacts. Trapped by the Xumi Treasure’s laws, this realm’s spirit beasts stagnated below Nascent Soul despite eons absorbing the essence of sun and moon. Their accumulated power, however, dwarfed most artifacts. Only the legendary Water Spirit Dragon, per the Ancestor’s tales, matched his standards.

His gaze fell on the Mysterious Crescent Blade, its glow dimmed. Even without a spirit, its edge surpassed top-grade weapons. _Someday I’ll restore its intelligence._ For now, the Fire Dragon Whip sufficed. Once they left Xumi, selling the blade with a new spirit might fetch a fortune—though his Thunder Sound Metamorphosis ring already overflowed with Immortal Spirit Stones.

Plans churned. Yue Lengxuan sought the Moon Soul Essence in the second layer, offering the Sun Soul in exchange. Lies, he knew. The Sun and Moon Dual Souls’ combined power rivaled his fused thunder-fire-ice energies. He’d claim both.

"But why did her group skip the first layer’s treasures?" The Ancestor’s question echoed his doubts. Yue Lengxuan’s trio of Sixth Level Nascent Souls could’ve challenged Du Jianyin and Jun Ruolan. Yet they’d hidden, conserving strength.

Du Jianyin’s Myriad Sword Tribulation loomed in his thoughts. "Any counters?"

"Overwhelm him before he unleashes it," the Ancestor advised. "Use the reverse time array to slow his strike, then close in."

Ye Yun grimaced. With Jun Ruolan and Zhang Yanhua also threats, time was scarce. His hand brushed the Purple Shadow Divine Sword—then slashed downward. Three sword arcs ripped through the sea, scattering beasts in panic.

"Enough." The Ancestor’s mark flared on the blade, suppressing its aura to a mere mortal sword’s. Ye Yun sighed, reining in his frustration.

"Rest here tonight. Tomorrow, we find Yue Lengxuan." The Dual Souls would bolster his physique, bridging the gap to his Nascent Soul breakthrough.

As white light teleported them, an island shaped like a sea beast appeared. But sneers greeted their approach: "Three top-quality Immortal Spirit Stones per day, Golden Core runt."

Nine stones materialized at Ye Yun’s feet. "Outrageous!" Golden Ling’er protested.

"Bigger fists make the rules." A leering cultivator eyed her. "Though we’ll take more… and her."

Jin An’s golden aura erupted. "You dare?!" His top-quality Immortal artifact gleamed, poised to strike.