The sword light was razor-sharp and incredibly fast. This had clearly been planned in advance—they had seized the moment just after Li Su's fierce battle, while his aura had yet to settle, to forcibly seize the treasure!
Li Su was furious. His bamboo branches struck out in rapid succession, and several Star Spirit Bamboo Leaf Blades launched later yet arrived first, precisely slashing the side of the sword light and knocking it off course!
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sword light collided with the bamboo leaf blades, producing the sound of clashing metal before both dissipated.
A figure emerged. It was a young cultivator in luxurious brocade robes, his face arrogant. He was also a late-stage Earth Immortal, holding a radiant flying sword as he stared coldly at Li Su, surprise and greed in his eyes.
Two burly guards followed behind him, both at the peak of the Earth Immortal realm.
"What do you mean by this?" Li Su's divine sense turned cold as it locked onto the brocade-robed cultivator. The other party was clearly a Human Race cultivator, yet he was resorting to such opportunistic robbery.
"What do I mean?" The brocade-robed cultivator sneered and pointed his sword at the dark yellow stone. "Heavenly treasures belong to those fated to obtain them.
I've taken a liking to this thing. If you know what's good for you, step aside obediently. Otherwise..." The threat in his words was unmistakable.
Several nearby cultivators noticed the conflict, but most did not dare interfere.
Someone whispered, "They're from Yingzhou Island..." "Yingzhou Island's young master, Zhao Sheng? That guy has always been arrogant and domineering, relying on the island lord's favor..." "That bamboo spirit is in for trouble..."
Yingzhou Island? Li Su remembered the name, but there was no way he would give up the object that resonated with the Bedrock Rune!
"I found this object after killing the demon ape. It should rightfully belong to me."
Li Su's tone was firm. The radiance of Star Swirl Body Protection lit up around his bamboo body once more, and his aura locked onto Zhao Sheng and his guards.
Zhao Sheng's face darkened. "You refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit! A bamboo that gained sentience dares fight this young master for treasure?
A'Da, A'Er, take him down! Dead or alive, I don't care!"
The two peak Earth Immortal guards behind him immediately obeyed. One produced a black banner, and with a shake, it released streams of filthy black light that coiled toward Li Su;
the other wielded twin hooks, his body flashing forward like a ghost as he struck directly at the vital points of Li Su's bamboo body!
The two worked in perfect coordination, their methods ruthless and seasoned. They were far beyond that simple-minded demon ape from before!
Li Su did not dare relax. Star Swirl Body Protection resisted the erosion of the black light, while his bamboo branches flung out bamboo leaf blades and Soul-Devouring Dark Light to meet the twin-hooked guard. At the same time, his bamboo roots quietly began setting up another formation beneath his feet.
However, his opponents were ultimately a full level stronger, and there were two of them against one. Li Su was immediately forced onto the defensive. The light of Star Swirl Body Protection flickered violently, and the twin hooks carved several shallow marks into his bamboo body.
Zhiwei watched anxiously from the side, but she had no way to intervene.
Seeing this, Zhao Sheng revealed a smug expression and once again sent his sword light sweeping toward the dark yellow stone.
At that critical moment!
"Stop!"
A cool, sharp female shout descended from the sky!
Immediately afterward, a pure and majestic Jade Clarity Celestial Light fell like a ribbon, striking Zhao Sheng's sword light with perfect precision and knocking it aside!
A graceful figure drifted down, standing between Li Su and Zhao Sheng.
She was a female cultivator dressed in moon-white Daoist robes, an ancient sword strapped to her back. Her features were exquisitely beautiful, and her aura was pure yet powerful. She was actually an Early Stage Celestial Immortal! A tiny "Jade Clarity" sigil was embroidered on her robe cuffs.
"The Jade Clarity Sect is conducting business. Who dares brazenly seize treasure here and bully a guest of our sect?!" The female cultivator's gaze swept toward Zhao Sheng like lightning, her voice carrying unquestionable authority.
"J-Jade Clarity Sect?" Zhao Sheng's expression instantly changed. His arrogant bearing vanished at once, and he hurriedly put away his flying sword before cupping his hands with a placating smile.
"So it is an immortal maiden of the Jade Clarity Sect. A misunderstanding, it was all a misunderstanding! I am Zhao Sheng of Yingzhou Island. I did not know this fellow Bamboo Daoist was a guest of the Jade Clarity Sect. I have offended him greatly; I ask the immortal maiden for her forgiveness."
The two guards also stopped immediately and retreated behind Zhao Sheng, lowering their heads in silence. They were clearly deeply wary of the Jade Clarity Sect.
The Jade Clarity Sect was one of the foremost powers of the Mystic Sect, its strength unfathomable. It was far beyond what a mere overseas immortal island like his could afford to provoke.
The female cultivator gave him a cold look. "Since it is a misunderstanding, take your men and leave immediately."
"Yes, yes, yes. We'll leave at once, at once."
Zhao Sheng repeatedly agreed. He shot Li Su a vicious glare, as though committing his appearance to memory, then quickly departed with his guards in disgrace.
Only then did the female cultivator turn to Li Su, curiosity and scrutiny in her eyes. "You must be Fellow Daoist Mo Xing?
I was sent by Martial Uncle Yu Hengzi to meet you. Martial Uncle calculated that you would arrive at the Wall of Sighs in the coming days and might encounter trouble, so he specifically ordered me to come assist you."
Li Su was taken aback. Yu Hengzi? The one from the Jade Clarity Retreat? He had actually calculated Li Su's journey? And even specifically sent someone to receive him? This was no small favor.
He withdrew his aura, his bamboo body bending slightly. "Thank you for your assistance, Fellow Daoist, and thank Fellow Daoist Yu Hengzi for his concern. May I ask the immortal maiden's name?"
"My name is Yun Yao." The female cultivator's tone softened slightly. "Fellow Daoist Mo Xing, you are indeed as extraordinary as Martial Uncle described.
Just now, I saw you, a late-stage Earth Immortal, fight a Celestial Immortal demon ape alone and slay it with your formation. You even nearly forced back two peak Earth Immortal guards from Yingzhou Island. It is truly astonishing."
"You flatter me, Fellow Daoist Yun Yao. I was merely fortunate," Li Su said modestly. At the same time, his bamboo roots swept out and drew the dark yellow stone into his grasp.
The instant it touched him, an incomparably heavy, resilient, ancient Dao aura flowed into his body. It resonated intensely with the fragment of the Bedrock Rune deep within his primordial spirit, even making it grow slightly stronger and more solid!
It truly was a good thing! As for its specific purpose, he would have to investigate it slowly in the future.
Yun Yao glanced at the stone. She did not seem to see anything particularly unusual about it and merely said, "This is not a place to talk. The beast tide may rise again at any moment."
"Since Fellow Daoist Mo Xing intends to go to Kunlun Mountain, why not accompany me to the Jade Clarity Sect's camp behind the defensive line for a short rest? I can also tell you about the recent situation."
Li Su needed to learn about the conditions ahead, so he nodded in agreement. "That would be excellent. I'll trouble you, Fellow Daoist Yun Yao."
He called Zhiwei over and followed Yun Yao as they flew toward the rear of the defensive line.
Along the way, Yun Yao told Li Su that the recent Fierce Beast tides had been unusually frequent and violent. It seemed as though some force was driving them from behind, and many rare high-level Fierce Beasts had even appeared, placing immense pressure on the defensive line.
Kunlun Mountain had ordered every sect to send more disciples to provide support. Furthermore, just as the Witch Clan elder had said, some secretive "shadows" with strange auras had appeared beyond the defensive line. They seemed to be watching something, which was deeply unsettling.
"Master believes this beast tide is likely no ordinary event and may be connected to certain ancient secrets."
Yun Yao's expression was solemn. "Fellow Daoist, your journey to Kunlun Mountain at this time will likely be even more perilous than before."
Li Su listened in silence. Though his heart grew heavier, his resolve only hardened. No matter what lay ahead, he had to go to Kunlun Mountain.
Very soon, they arrived at a Jade Clarity Sect camp behind the defensive line. The camp was heavily guarded and covered by formations. Many Jade Clarity disciples rested, treated their injuries, and exchanged supplies there.
Yun Yao arranged for Li Su and Zhiwei to rest in a secluded tent and brought them some pills to heal injuries and restore spiritual power.
"Rest for now, Fellow Daoist. Tomorrow, I can arrange for a patrol squad to escort you through the most chaotic area," Yun Yao said.
"Thank you again, Fellow Daoist Yun Yao," Li Su said.
After Yun Yao left, Li Su set up an isolation restriction and took out the dark yellow stone to study it carefully.
Meanwhile, Zhiwei curiously observed the orderly Jade Clarity Sect camp outside the tent, her eyes filled with longing for the orthodox Mystic Sect.
Just as Li Su was studying the stone, a burst of commotion suddenly rose outside the tent. It seemed that some important figure had arrived at the camp.
Before you continue