Chapter 784: New Order on the Island

Lu Changsheng withdrew the Sun-Moon Yin-Yang Mirror into his embrace, and the ancient, unadorned Da Luo Sword Embryo appeared in his hand.

With a mere thought, a pure white pill shot forth from his head, transforming into a handsome youth whose aura mirrored his own.

Next, his Life-bound Treasure – the Yin-Yang Chart – materialized, swirling behind his head.

With a light flick on the Storage Ring, he tossed a purplish-green gourd to the Three Treasure Incarnation.

This island was home to a Fourth-Rank Shapeshifting Demon King, so Lu Changsheng dared not be even a bit careless.

Before he could fully prepare, the island began to rumble, shaking violently and trembling, causing the surrounding sea to churn like roaring waves.

Roar!!!

A piercing, mighty roar erupted, like thunder crashing overhead.

A colossal silver-blue beast, measuring tens of zhang, soared upward into the sky.

Between its coldly gleaming scales flowed a silver-gray surging wind. Its wings unfurled fiercely, creating an endless torrent as swirling sand and jet-black wind blades cut through the air.

Five arcs of rainbow light fled in all directions – they were the five cultivators who had once helped the Wind-Splitting Beast refine treasures.

Yet they had underestimated the terrifying power of the Fourth-Rank Shapeshifting Demon King.

Even though the beast had been ambushed and severely injured, the gap between Third and Fourth Rank was an insurmountable chasm.

The island’s raging winds swiftly coalesced into countless wind blades that sealed off the heavens and the earth.

The wind blades howled as they surged toward them, their slicing sound echoing like countless strings snapping in a cacophonous chorus.

Even as the five Core Formation cultivators unleashed all their divine treasures, their Protective Shields shattered under the relentless assault, leaving their faces ashen.

“Not only did you poison me, but you also destroyed my prized artifacts! You wretched humans deserve death!!!”

The Wind-Splitting Beast’s twisted visage and jade-green eyes flared with fury. Its scale-clad body and wings convulsed as if wracked by inner pain, its roar echoing like a dam bursting and unleashing torrents alongside the cries of countless colossal creatures.

Pfft!!!

The five Core Formation cultivators had expended vast amounts of magical energy earlier while assisting with treasure refinement.

Now, under the beast’s relentless barrage and booming roars, their life force churned uncontrollably – some even vomiting blood.

“Is this truly the might of a Shapeshifting Demon King?”

“It’s been tainted with Corrupted Immortal Powder, yet it still displays such terrifying strength.”

The five turned as white as paper, despair flooding their hearts as they realized they would not escape this calamity.

They had suspected this fate ever since the Wind-Splitting Beast lured them here.

Otherwise, they would never have risked such a daring, backstabbing assault.

Just as despair began to spread, a distant rumbling sound echoed.

They saw the grand array on Crackling Island split open by a dazzling burst of brilliant light that created a massive gap.

This radiant glow wasn’t scorching or flamboyant, yet it carried an ominous force that shattered countless wind blades into nothingness wherever it shone.

Thud.

In the next moment, a figure with the Yin-Yang Chart hovering above his head and holding the ancient Da Luo Sword Embryo stepped forward.

He radiated an otherworldly light, especially from his chest – like a resplendent sun rising, too brilliant to behold.

“Senior, help!”

Immediately, a cultivator cried out toward the figure, who resembled an ancient deity, his voice hoarse.

Though uncertain if the newcomer was friend or foe, in that life-or-death moment they had no time to ponder – they only wished to escape.

Clang!

Without a word, the figure charged straight at the enormous Wind-Splitting Beast, exuding an overwhelming aura.

The ancient Da Luo Sword Embryo in his hand unleashed a brilliant sword light that could outshine the sun and moon, intertwining with the blooming Nine-Colored Rosy Light on his chest to form a fearsome force that made the heavens tremble.

“Humans deserve death!!!”

The Wind-Splitting Beast, confronted by the enigmatic Lu Changsheng charging in, roared ferociously. Its massive body exuded a suffocating, ominous pressure like a heavy, dark cloud, while the silver gleam between its scales intensified and its wings trembled wildly.

Yet Lu Changsheng remained unfazed. The light on his chest grew even more radiant as dense runes emerged like a constellation, his presence as majestic as a recited scripture.

At the same time, a spectral Demon Buddha with three heads and six arms appeared behind him, swelling in size until it matched the beast, then swung a peculiar rod etched with Dao markings at the Wind-Splitting Beast.

The fearsome force shattered the air in successive explosions, with the heavens echoing with the wails of countless demons and transcendent Buddha chants that stirred the soul.

Boom!!!

Even though the beast had decades of power as a Fourth-Rank Shapeshifting Demon King, Lu Changsheng’s terrifying assault blasted it backward, its colossal body crashing onto a small hill and reducing it to ruins amid swirling dust and shattered stone.

Nearby, the five Core Formation cultivators watched in shock, astonishment, and even a hint of delight.

They never imagined that the suddenly arrived senior would possess such awe-inspiring strength.

With a single glance, he sent the Wind-Splitting Beast hurtling sideways.

Roar!!!

Yet this strike did little damage to the beast.

Its entire silver-gray body blazed as it let out an enraged roar, its wings—like heavy, descending feathers—swooping toward Lu Changsheng.

At the same time, endless wind blades erupted from all directions, slicing through the void like razor-sharp daggers.

“Run!”

Realizing that one man and one beast were locked in combat, the five cultivators saw the perfect chance to flee.

They hadn’t even considered aiding Lu Changsheng.

After all, they knew nothing of his true identity – friend or foe – or what might follow.

Thus, retreat was the obvious choice.

“Fellow cultivators, do not rush off just yet.”

But as they prepared to break the Crackling Island array and escape, they saw a figure in a cyan wide robe, holding a purplish-green gourd, advancing with a gurgling sound.

At the sight of the Three Treasure Incarnation, the five Core Formation cultivators were struck with unutterable horror – their skins crawling, throats dry, rendered speechless.

Even though Lu Changsheng had just struck, his body aglow with breaking divine light and the surging Nine-Colored Tribulation Light made his features hard to discern.

Yet as cultivators, they could vaguely tell that the man in the cyan robe closely resembled the figure battling the Wind-Splitting Beast.

This… this… a wordless terror welled up inside them.

“Fellow cultivators, since you harbor a grudge against this beast, why not lend your power now?”

The Three Treasure Incarnation looked calmly at the five and spoke evenly.

However, Lu Changsheng didn’t truly need their help.

Instead, after securing the area, he intended to assist Yun Wanshang in breaking through to Nascent Soul.

If the five fled and spread word of this, complications would surely arise, inviting unnecessary trouble.

Thus, he planned to have them stay temporarily to help guard the island’s formation array.

If their intentions were pure, he would let them go once things settled;

but if they harbored ulterior motives, Lu Changsheng was not one to show mercy.

“Yes, yes, as you say, Senior.”

The five exchanged glances, their faces bitter, then turned back to the battlefield, unleashing their treasures and incantations against the Wind-Splitting Beast.

At that moment, the Three Treasure Incarnation also unleashed the Yin-Yang Qi Great Capture, which merged with Lu Changsheng’s whirling Yin-Yang Chart to form a colossal hand that suppressed the beast.

“What kind of poison did you afflict this beast with?”

Noticing something was amiss with the Wind-Splitting Beast, Lu Changsheng inquired through the Three Treasure Incarnation.

“Senior, we mixed a bit of Corrupted Immortal Powder into the Ten-Thousand Year Spirit Milk, so this Demon King’s flesh is being corroded and his consciousness affected.”

One of the Core Formation cultivators respectfully said to the Three Treasure Incarnation.

“Corrupted Immortal Powder?”

Lu Changsheng admitted he had not heard of this poison.

After all, countless bizarre and lethal toxins exist in the world – new ones emerging every moment, beyond even the scope of the Ten Thousand Calamities Toxic Spirit Codex.

However, realizing that the Wind-Splitting Beast was suffering from a potent poison, his heart skipped a beat as his Nine Treasures Dao Bone surged, pressing for a swift victory.

Screech!!!

Just as the six combatants clashed, a distant, piercing shriek echoed.

A streak of golden, rainbow light shot across like lightning, closing in rapidly.

The five Core Formation cultivators’ expressions turned pale with terror.

They hadn’t expected that just as the battle began to favor them, another Demon King arrived.

“Stay calm,” the Three Treasure Incarnation advised softly.

Then, under their terrified gaze, the Golden-Winged Roc tore through the Crackling Island array, charging directly at the distant Wind-Splitting Beast.

Though the Golden-Winged Roc had not yet broken through to Fourth Rank,

after years of honing, it had reached a quasi-Fourth Rank level – capable of summoning heavenly tribulations and challenging Fourth Rank. Its power was not to be underestimated.

Having long battled alongside Lu Changsheng, it was accustomed to surmounting limits, and its innate divine skill ‘Tianpeng Borlong Diagram’ was honed to perfection as it engaged the beast head-on.

Roar!!!

In its peak state, the Wind-Splitting Beast might have held its ground against Lu Changsheng and the Golden-Winged Roc,

but after expending massive energy on treasure refinement and being affected by the Corrupted Immortal Powder, its flesh and will faltered under the relentless assault.

Then, brilliant Da Luo Sword light swept across the sky like a dazzling meteor, lashing into the beast and slicing through its silver-gray scales to carve a gruesome wound several zhang long, with blood and flesh splattering and scales falling away.

“Damn humans, just wait – you shall suffer a thousand cuts from me!”

The Wind-Splitting Beast roared in fury.

Under normal circumstances, it might have demanded to know why Lu Changsheng attacked.

But now, poisoned, its treasure refinement failed, and after suffering Lu Changsheng’s inexplicable assault, it was consumed by rage and had lost all reason.

Instead, it received an even fiercer onslaught.

The Brahma Demon True Form, wielding the Mountain-Moving Whip with its six arms, slammed down ferociously, making the beast howl in pain.

Huh huh huh—

The Wind-Splitting Beast, its face twisted in fury and its silver glow at its zenith, spread its wings to summon an endless hurricane. Realizing it was outmatched, it aimed to retreat and nurse its wounds before seeking revenge on Lu Changsheng.

As a demon king, it did not painstakingly cultivate a spirit meridian abode like a cultivator, so it withdrew decisively.

“Yin-Yang Qi Great Capture!!!”

Lu Changsheng would not let it escape. His Yin-Yang Dao Golden Core roared wildly while a surge of Yin-Yang Energy from above merged with the Yin-Yang Chart to form a towering hand that slammed down upon the beast.

Though the Three Treasure Incarnation was also a Core Formation cultivator at its pinnacle, there was a clear gap in strength between them.

Latest update: Check the first post of Book 69!

Especially when unleashing such divine abilities.

His Yin-Yang Qi Great Capture consumed three strands of Xuanhuang Essence, and every gesture felt as if an ancient divine mountain were crashing down – a power far beyond what the Three Treasure Incarnation could muster.

At that moment, as his divine force merged with the quasi-Spirit Treasure-grade Yin-Yang Chart, even the Fourth-Rank Demon King, the Wind-Splitting Beast, felt as if burdened by a mountain.

“Please, my dear, turn around.”

Not far away, the Three Treasure Incarnation held the Xuanmu Gourd and softly recited.

Though his words were merely for show, before he could finish, the gourd shot forth a dazzling, blade-like light.

Pfft!!!

The blade-light, as if formed from countless stars, swiftly darted into the beast’s gaping, anguished maw and plunged into its head, unleashing a Nascent Soul–level force that threatened to shatter its very mind.

The Wind-Splitting Beast let out an earth-shattering wail as its massive, silver-gray form thrashed violently, exuding a sharp, gleaming aura in a desperate bid to suppress the flying blade.

But Lu Changsheng would not give it any chance!

In that instant, disregarding his injuries, Lu Changsheng’s Nine Treasures Dao Bone erupted in unrivaled splendor, engulfing the beast and charring its scales as the Da Luo Sword Embryo and Brahma Demon True Form cleaved through it.

The Golden-Winged Roc, confronted by such overwhelming power, dared not advance directly – instead, it launched tens of thousands of feathers in support.

Fifteen minutes later, the massive Wind-Splitting Beast, after a frenzied struggle, gradually weakened until it was nearly lifeless.

Though the Fourth-Rank Demon King possessed formidable strength and resilience, it could not withstand Lu Changsheng’s relentless, unyielding assault.

Especially the Fourth-Rank Exquisite Treasure Flying Knife, which delivered a fatal blow – after a few breaths, the beast’s body stiffened, its life force extinguished, and it crashed onto the island in a cloud of dust.

Not far off, the Three Treasure Incarnation retrieved the flying knife from the beast’s head and began recharging it.

Although this flying knife was devastatingly powerful, it had one drawback.

Each use significantly diminished its potency, requiring extensive time and energy to restore.

Yet, judging by its performance on both occasions, it was undeniably worthwhile.

The first time, outside the Mirage Domain of Vast Sands, True Lord Zicang’s Nascent Soul spirit nearly disintegrated under its attack.

And this time, after years of nurturing with the Xuanmu Gourd, the flying knife’s power had soared yet higher, delivering a fatal blow to the Wind-Splitting Beast and securing a swift victory for Lu Changsheng.

Nearby, the five Core Formation cultivators watched Lu Changsheng in awe, their faces weary and respectful as they scarcely dared to breathe.

After all, this was a man who dared to stand toe-to-toe with a Fourth-Rank Shapeshifting Demon King and slay it.

The heart-stopping duel left them trembling in fear.

Moreover, the presence of the Three Treasure Incarnation and the Golden-Winged Roc left them whispering – could the two be twins?

They had never heard of such a pair of top-tier experts in the Starry Sea.

“My partner is about to undergo tribulation, so I kindly ask you fellow cultivators to hold the fort here for a while.”

Lu Changsheng turned to the five, his face tired yet calm as he spoke.

He then signaled to the Golden-Winged Roc to fetch Yun Wanshang, Qian Zhuyan, and Ti Hun.

“It is our honor to witness our senior’s partner undergoing tribulation!”

Immediately, one of the cultivators respectfully cupped his hands and said.

To have become a Core Formation cultivator and survived under a Fourth-Rank Demon King, they were far from ordinary – true masters of survival.

“Indeed! Indeed!”

“Senior, your timely rescue is an enormous debt we can never repay – we are willing to follow you loyally, at any cost!”

The others quickly echoed in agreement, fearful that Lu Changsheng might later turn on them, so they chose to submit in hopes of preserving their lives.

After all, following such a formidable figure was far preferable to serving a demon king like a lapdog.

They knew that if the Wind-Splitting Beast managed to forge the Five-Element Yuan Magnetic Mountain, it would silence them to eliminate all future threats.

Lu Changsheng paid them no heed. With a slight lift of his hand, a gleaming Bone Talisman appeared.

The Bone Talisman shone like a rising sun, unleashing myriad divine lights as a vast surge of life force rushed toward him like tidal waves.

Under this onslaught of life force, Lu Changsheng’s weary, pallid face visibly flushed back to health in no time.

In his earlier clash with the Wind-Splitting Beast, seeking a swift victory, he not only exchanged injuries but also pushed his body to its limits with his Nine Treasures Dao Bone, incurring heavy strain.

Although his Chaos Body and indestructible substance meant that a month’s rest could heal him, he now had to maintain his state.

Witnessing Lu Changsheng’s formidable methods, the five were filled with awe and respect.

After stowing away the Bone Talisman, Lu Changsheng activated his cultivation and transformed the Yin-Yang Creation Sutra into the Ten Thousand Calamities Toxic Spirit Codex. Flicking his fingers, he sent eerie light toward the five as he declared, “For now, I will impose a restriction on you to prevent any double-dealing. Once things settle, I’ll let you go.”

After speaking, his eyes shimmered with a golden glow as he surveyed the formation array on Crackling Island, intent on seizing control of it.

“Yes, we will surely heed your instructions, Senior.”

“Please rest assured, Senior.”

The five, now weakened, dared not resist; their faces showed either bitterness or strained smiles as they replied.

“This is the Starry Sea, isn’t it? Why would you aid this demon king in refining treasures?”

At that moment, Lu Changsheng voiced his suspicions, hoping to learn more about their situation.

“Senior, this is indeed the Starry Sea. As for aiding the demon in treasure refinement…”

One of them quickly stepped forward and explained that this place was deep within the Starry Sea – a convergence point for demon kings – hence also known as the Forbidden Sea.

As for why they assisted in the demon’s treasure refinement, it was simply out of necessity.

Years ago, the Wind-Splitting Beast infiltrated the Immortal City, disguising itself as a Core Formation cultivator, and claimed that it needed five practitioners of the metal, wood, water, fire, and earth techniques to break open the Nascent Soul Cave.

Only when they reached the cave did they realize it was all a trap orchestrated by the beast.

It aimed to forge a spiritual treasure called the “Five-Element Yuan Magnetic Mountain.”

However, the refinement of this treasure was extremely difficult – it required the coordinated effort of five cultivators adept in five-element techniques to unify the elements and concentrate Yuan Magnetic power.

Faced with a Fourth-Rank Shapeshifting Demon King, they had no choice but to comply.

But through years of treasure refinement, they discerned that this time the Wind-Splitting Beast harbored ulterior schemes – it would never let them leave alive.

Thus, after much deliberation, they decided to launch a desperate counterattack in the treasure’s final stage.

“We’re fortunate you appeared in time; otherwise, we would have perished at the hands of this demon.”

“Senior, your great benevolence is unforgettable to us!”

The five bowed deeply to Lu Changsheng in desperate gratitude.

Naturally so.

They had endured countless hardships to become high-level cultivators with over a hundred years of lifespan – they had no desire to die so easily.

Lu Changsheng never imagined he had arrived at the Forbidden Sea that Shen Yiren had mentioned.

No wonder he encountered seemingly unclaimed Fourth-Rank Spirit Islands right from the start.

And the Wind-Splitting Beast’s actions left him marveling.

A Shapeshifting Demon King willingly ventured into cultivators’ territory to learn, and was proficient in both array formations and artifact refining.

This was nothing short of a demon genius! Lu Changsheng reckoned that if the beast hadn’t squandered so much time elsewhere, it might have already broken through to mid-Fourth Rank.

Contemplating this, Lu Changsheng grew intensely curious about the beast’s “Five-Element Yuan Magnetic Mountain.”

The son of Shen Yiren, who possessed the superior Yuan Magnetic Body, naturally found this Yuan Magnetic power intriguing.

Soon, Lu Changsheng arrived at a ruined cave on Crackling Island.

Channeling his magical energy, he formed an invisible hand to sweep aside the piled rubble, revealing a small, five-colored mountain that shimmered faintly.

Due to the five cultivators’ betrayal at the last moment, the refinement of the treasure had failed at the crucial point.

A brief examination revealed that the Wind-Splitting Beast’s refining method was exceedingly crude – merely haphazardly piling rare materials using its wealth and force.

“No wonder it needed to lure five cultivators for help.”

Lu Changsheng surmised that it must have stumbled upon the method for refining this treasure along with an extremely rare Nine-Extreme Xuan Magnetic Crystal, but due to its limited artifact refining skills, it resorted to this crude method to coerce help.

“If it succeeds in forging this treasure, its power would be truly extraordinary.”

Even though the refinement of the Five-Element Yuan Magnetic Mountain had failed, its Yuan Magnetic power could counter five-element techniques and metal flying sword treasures.

And the Wind-Splitting Beast, as a Fourth-Rank Shapeshifting Demon King with formidable strength, would be nearly unstoppable if it leveraged a spirit treasure’s unique properties to counter cultivators’ techniques and treasures.

Its speed was especially astonishing, rendering it nearly invincible among its peers.

“Although the refinement failed, these rare materials aren’t completely wasted – they could be reattempted later.”

Lu Changsheng, with the legacy of the Divine Creation Refinement Art, believed that if he elevated his artifact refining skills to Fourth Rank, he could successfully reforge this treasure.

Then, with a sweeping motion, he channeled his immense magical energy to engulf the Five-Element Yuan Magnetic Mountain and securely stowed it into his Storage Ring.

In the distance, the five onlookers kept silent, clearly too cautious to speak.

After all, with Lu Changsheng having slain the Wind-Splitting Beast, everything on the island naturally belonged to him.