Nascent Soul Appears

Qiongqi let out a cold snort, exuding an irresistible pressure.

Feng Yang and Lin Hong bore the brunt of it, their spiritual energy burning as they resisted with all their might. Blood trickled from their lips. Although Shen Yi was protected by two Golden Core cultivators, he was still in a dire situation, like a candle flickering in the wind, liable to be extinguished at any moment.

Suddenly, the runes on the Rune Egg began to flow, releasing a gentle power that neutralized Qiongqi's pressure. Golden light then erupted, and a crack appeared on the eggshell, the light growing brighter and illuminating the entire world.

"Crack!"

A golden silhouette broke free from the shell and appeared before Shen Yi.

"Yiya!"

A familiar sound echoed through the heavens and earth. As the golden light faded, a creature in the shape of a black cat appeared – it was Little Black, radiating specks of divine radiance, its form more solid than before.

Qiongqi's eyes burned with fervor as it watched Little Black, its body trembling with excitement.

"Yiya!"

Little Black leaped onto Shen Yi's shoulder, grabbed a piece of eggshell, and began to crunch on it, while its chubby paws beckoned Shen Yi to join.

Qiongqi watched this, its expression darkening. It was about to reprimand Little Black but was stopped by a single glance from the creature. Qiongqi fell silent, its gaze towards Shen Yi filled with a sense of deep, unresolved grievance.

Shen Yi didn't refuse. He also grabbed a piece of eggshell and stuffed it into his mouth, looking at Qiongqi with a smile. Seeing Qiongqi's exasperated expression, he felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction.

Feng Yang, Lin Hong, and the Nine Nether Sparrow, who were already greatly surprised to see the King-level young beast and Shen Yi so intimate, were even more dumbfounded by Shen Yi's deliberate actions to anger Qiongqi.

Qiongqi's face was a mask of dark lines. Since its birth, no one had dared to provoke it like this. At that moment, it desperately wanted to swat the detestable brat to death, but considering its future relationship with the Demon Emperor, it could only suppress its rage and stare at Shen Yi indignantly.

"Hic."

Shen Yi deliberately let out a burp, looking at Qiongqi's expression, which was like trying to swallow bitter herbs and swallow gall. He felt a secret thrill. However, he knew his limits and didn't continue to fight with Little Black for the remaining eggshells.

Witnessing the scene before them, both sides in the battle had long since stopped fighting. Everyone's jaws had dropped in astonishment. Looking at Shen Yi's retreating back, they silently marveled: What a fierce person!

Shen Yi analyzed the situation. With Little Black's relationship to him, a battle was unlikely to break out again. He then took Little Black back into the city to begin refining the energy within his body. As for what came next, with Feng Yang around, he wouldn't suffer any losses. However, he vowed to avenge Dean Chen Chong sooner or later.

As expected, Qiongqi, Feng Yang, and the other two showed smiles, though each held their own hidden intentions.

"Return the Royal Beast, and my race is willing to cease hostilities. Let us make peace."

Qiongqi spoke first, stating its demand directly: it wanted to take Little Black away. Feng Yang and Lin Hong exchanged glances and were about to refuse when a deep voice cut them off.

"The Royal Beast was obtained by our Human Race and naturally cannot be returned!"

"Nascent Soul mighty one!"

Everyone was shocked. The Human Race cultivators were even more invigorated. With a Nascent Soul mighty one present, they had no fear of Qiongqi's King-level strength, and their spirits soared.

In an instant, a figure appeared before them. His beard and hair were snow-white, but his voice was full of vigor. He wore a Taoist robe with the characters "Azure Cloud" embroidered on the chest.

"Azure Cloud Sect?"

Feng Yang was somewhat puzzled. The Azure Cloud Sect was far from Ninghai City. Why would a Nascent Soul elder from the Azure Cloud Sect appear here? Was it a coincidence or a premeditated plan?

"Greetings, fellow cultivator. I am Duan Chengtian, the Seventh Elder of the Azure Cloud Sect. I heard Ninghai City was in trouble and came to offer assistance."

"Hmph!"

Qiongqi let out a cold snort, clearly displeased with Duan Chengtian's refusal. Even Feng Yang and Lin Hong showed only superficial respect, their hearts filled with suspicion.

"Fellow cultivator, you just said you wish to take the Royal Beast before ceasing hostilities. I do not find that acceptable."

Duan Chengtian spoke with arrogance, his tone dismissive even when addressing Qiongqi.

"Then what do you propose?"

Qiongqi retorted, its voice icy, its full power suppressed but palpable.

"The Royal Beast is being nurtured by my Azure Cloud Sect. You should all retreat now and never step foot out of the Yunluo Mountain Range again. Otherwise, you may find yourselves unable to leave safely!"

Duan Chengtian's words were aggressive, bordering on a threat.

"If that is the case, then let us fight!"

Qiongqi's powerful, ferocious aura swept out. With a command, the beast horde let out roars, standing ready for battle.

"Is that all?"

Duan Chengtian sneered and waved his hand. Over a dozen flying boats appeared in the void, each emitting a chilling aura.

Feng Yang's expression turned grim. The Azure Cloud Sect's arrival was clearly not just for rescue; it seemed more like a long-planned invasion.

"Uncle-Master Duan, all disciples have arrived."

Wang Shangren's appearance further confirmed Feng Yang's suspicions.

"Dean Feng Yang, it has been a while. Our Qingxuan Sect is new here, and we will rely on Dean Feng Yang greatly in the future."

"Indeed. In the future, please cooperate sincerely with Dean Feng Yang and the Qingxuan Sect under the Azure Cloud Sect to jointly protect Ninghai City."

Wang Shangren and Duan Chengtian sang in harmony, completely oblivious to the expressions of Feng Yang and Lin Hong. Wang Shangren's eyes betrayed no hostility, and his tone was extremely sincere, as if he had forgotten Feng Yang's grudge over his severed arm. Yet, the more he acted this way, the more uneasy Feng Yang felt.

"To speak of invasion so righteously, I doubt anyone in this world but you two could manage such a feat."

Qiongqi had intended to watch coldly, but seeing the faces of Duan Chengtian and the other couldn't help but utter a sarcastic remark, and the atmosphere immediately tensed up again.

Just then, a fluctuation emanated from within Ninghai City. Shen Yi had finally broken through to the Ninth Level of Qi Refining, just one step away from Foundation Establishment. Wang Shangren's eyes held a sinister glint as he whispered something into Duan Chengtian's ear. Feng Yang's expression grew solemn, and he moved closer to Qiongqi's direction, on high alert.

"The Royal Beast is the future of our race. No one can profane it!"

The Qiongqi also noticed the commotion from the two and was prepared. Seeing Duan Chengtian make a move to control Shen Yi and Little Black within the city, it also confidently attacked to stop him.

The spiritual energy collided, shooting straight into the sky, exploding among the clouds and tearing open cracks in the sky, as if about to break apart. Duan Chengtian, enraged, glared at the Qiongqi and then attacked it. The Qiongqi let out a long roar, showing no fear, and met the attack.

Feng Yang watched the cracks in the sky gradually dissipate, lost in thought. He scanned his surroundings and saw Wang Shangren and the Nine Nether Sparrow also locked in a standoff. He immediately made a decision.

He suddenly attacked, sending spiritual energy surging into the sky towards the cracks. The powerful attack finally shattered the area, creating a black hole that flickered with dark, chaotic currents. Then, he stepped forward, appearing before Shen Yi. With affection in his eyes, he threw Shen Yi and Little Black into the air.

As Shen Yi and Little Black were about to enter the black hole in the sky, the Qiongqi and Duan Chengtian both cried out in alarm. In a flash, Duan Chengtian struck at Feng Yang. The Qiongqi saw that Feng Yang's chest had already been pierced, yet he still looked at Shen Yi with a smile, his eyes filled with complex emotions, and shot a stream of spiritual energy towards Shen Yi's direction.

"Your future path is up to you now."

The black hole vanished. Feng Yang watched in the direction Shen Yi had disappeared, smiling as he fell.