Chapter Forty-Two: Long Batian

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In the city of Linhai Commandery, within the Profound Qi Sect.

The grand elder, Huang Jiaren, slowly unclenched his tightly gripped right hand.

In his palm lay a transmission talisman.

He had already memorized the message it carried.

The words were few, but they had left him deeply shaken.

"Southwest Sea Territory—mobilize the entire sect, urgent reinforcement!"

He murmured under his breath, "The Southwest Sea Territory must be the scene of fierce battle with the demon cultivators. To require the full force of the sect, the enemy must be formidable beyond measure. They can't hold out any longer!"

The distance from the Southwest Sea to Linhai Commandery was a mere hundred thousand miles, yet the talisman could not span such a distance alone.

Along the way, disciples had been assigned to relay the message, passing it hand to hand until it reached the sect.

The disciple outside, as usual, had delivered the talisman into his hand, evidently unaware that though he remained the grand elder, he was no longer in charge.

Suddenly, his right hand clenched once more.

No longer in charge!

The Profound Qi Sect—a colossus ruling four or five hundred thousand miles—was no longer under his command.

Pain and resentment twisted in his heart.

He could apologize!

He could repent, even relinquish his position as clan master—he could accept that.

But why was he stripped of authority?

So be it, then!

He muttered inwardly, his right fist clenching tighter still.

With a soft hiss, a wisp of white smoke slipped through his fingers as the transmission talisman turned to ash.

Let them die! All of them would be better off dead!

And Su Yizhao—he must die as well!

His family, the Profound Qi Sect where he was born—

Anyone connected to him must die!

Southwest Sea Territory.

Su Yizhao checked on Li Xiyue, cradled in his arms.

He gently wiped the blood from her face.

Her complexion was ghastly pale, yet her breathing was steady—she should be fine.

Relieved, he looked up toward the distant black specks on the horizon.

They were a thousand miles away, yet he could hear their conversation—what level of cultivation was this?

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He felt that the events of these past days had already far surpassed his understanding.

No sooner had the black specks appeared than the people themselves arrived.

The newcomer was an elderly cultivator with white beard and kindly eyes, who gazed at the three—Xuan Wuji and his companions—with a broad, sincere smile.

All three cupped their hands and greeted him, "Greetings, Eldest Senior Brother!"

Eldest Senior Brother?

Su Yizhao nearly lost his composure in shock!

This old cultivator was their senior brother? Did that mean the three were fellow disciples?

Had their desperate battle just now all been an act? Such masterful acting!

"To see the three of you in harmony, how rare and precious! Hahaha!" The old man’s white beard fluttered as he laughed heartily, clearly delighted from the heart.

Xuan Wuji managed a wry smile. "Over the years, we've reflected much. It's clear now that we were too reckless back then!"

Bai Zhankong and Qu Tiancheng wore similarly rueful expressions.

The elder’s face glowed with health as he laughed, "It's not too late to realize this now. It's time for us brothers to reunite!"

The three nodded their agreement.

Standing aside, Su Yizhao felt this scene was utterly surreal.

Were it not for the soft, real body of Li Xiyue in his arms, he would have thought himself dreaming.

And yet, it was all real.

Suddenly, the old cultivator's expression turned stern as he gazed downward. "Who dares bully my junior brothers? What race dares this? Today, I, Long Batian, will tear them apart, to celebrate our reunion!"

As he spoke, a massive pressure seemed to descend; the sea a hundred yards below churned, waves surging in all directions.

Within the span of a breath, the sea surface for a hundred miles around had sunk more than thirty feet under the force.

Was this even a human being? A hundred miles in all directions!

Su Yizhao watched, his mind shaken speechless.

Xuan Wuji's eyes shone with admiration as he bowed. "Eldest Brother, it was the Divine Turtle Clan. There is a spirit stone vein here; our disciples discovered it first, but then they tried to seize it. In the chaos, their Crown Prince was slain!"

Long Batian turned his gaze to Su Yizhao.

That piercing look seemed to bore straight into his mind.

Su Yizhao, holding Li Xiyue, bowed deeply. "Greetings, Senior!"

"The Divine Turtle Crown Prince—he was slain by you?" Long Batian seemed to see straight through him, asking in surprise, "The Divine Turtle Crown Prince had reached the Five Divine Realms—he should have had two pieces of divine armor protecting him. How did you manage to kill him?"

"Perhaps… perhaps it was his carelessness," Su Yizhao replied softly.

Long Batian dismissed it, "With their prince dead, the Divine Turtle Clan will be out for your blood. They must have gone to report back!"

"Exactly. We protected this young man, so they had no choice but to retreat and report," Xuan Wuji answered.

"So, he is the so-called number one genius of Xuanzong in Vast City? Ha! What nonsense! If those so-called geniuses find out, won’t they come looking for him?"

Su Yizhao was speechless.

"In that moment, there was nothing for it but to bluff the old turtle. Still, he really was formidable!"

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Long Batian waved his hand. "You've been away from Vast City too long. Your idea of genius is three centuries out of date. At his age, there are at least three others who've reached the Six Divine Realms; the most talented are already about to advance to the Seventh Void Realm!"

Su Yizhao felt a jolt of awe.

Geniuses! Those were true prodigies!

Eighteen years old and already at the Six Divine Realms, some even approaching the Seventh Void Realm—how could he possibly compare?

Without the Profound Qi Creation Art, he would at most be in the early Fourth Profound Realm—unworthy even to look up to such people.

Xuan Wuji was stunned. "Seventh Void Realm? Surely not just in name?"

"Hmph! They’ve cleared the Tower of Life and Death, comprehended divine powers, cultivated qi, body, and spirit together—what do you think?"

Xuan Wuji was utterly shocked. "To clear the Tower of Life and Death by eighteen—is that even possible?"

Long Batian mocked, "Do you think the geniuses of your generation are still the standard? Such complacency will only hinder your own progress!"

The three were left red-faced with embarrassment.

"Enough. The Divine Turtle Clan dare not start a war across land and sea, but they will certainly retaliate against the coastal cultivators. All we can do now is wait for them to come and subdue them with force. Let me collect this spirit stone vein first!"

Long Batian’s white beard fluttered as he shot down into the deep sea.

Su Yizhao was overjoyed.

Not only could Long Batian collect the spirit stone vein, but he was also responsible, refusing to let the demon cultivators rampage unchecked.

Long Batian instantly disappeared into the sea. Moments later, the waters began to churn violently.

Su Yizhao wanted to see how the spirit stone vein would be collected, but the sea was too deep—nothing was visible.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Long Batian burst from the depths and stood before them once more.

Had he already finished?

Su Yizhao was puzzled—so quickly?

But Xuan Wuji and the others showed no doubt. "Eldest Brother’s cultivation is truly profound!"

"Your talents are by no means inferior to mine."

Su Yizhao, eager to learn Long Batian’s realm, held his breath to listen, when suddenly, fierce gales erupted and the sea below surged wildly.

Long Batian snorted coldly. "The Divine Turtle Patriarch has arrived. You all, withdraw to a distance!"

Su Yizhao’s heart sank. He quickly scooped up Li Xiyue and soared into the clouds.

Xuan Wuji and the other two did not dare tarry, leading the remaining cultivators high into the air.

The deep sea roared, waves piling ever higher.

Long Batian called out, "Friend, why such rage? Let me help you cool your fury!"

With those words, he raised a single hand and, from a hundred yards above, struck down toward the raging depths below...