The Sea Race's Confidence, the Buddhist Sect's Trump Card

"Master Jing Hua, that's a good idea. I was thinking the same thing."

Upon hearing Gang Yuan True Monarch didn't waste any time and immediately took out a jade bottle. "It just so happens that I brought a bottle of Sun Melting Yuan Guarding Pill with me this time."

"After taking it, it can generate a surge of Yang Qi in the meridians."

"It will be able to resist the invasion of foreign true essence, including Demonic Essence, within the next two hours."

"This medicine works best when taken in advance. Everyone take two pills; that should be enough to get through the night."

The two together make up four hours.

By then, it should be dawn, and the final battle should be over.

"Yes, I can also allocate three Black Tortoise Soul Guarding Pill."

Xiao Chen also took out a jade bottle. "Within three hours of taking it, a protective film will form around the sea of consciousness to resist external Divine Sense invasion."

"In such a chaotic situation, it's advisable to take it in advance, just in case."

Actually, he only had three in total, and once he distributed them, they were all used up.

Fortunately, with the Divinity Veil, Xiao Chen didn't have much of a problem even if he didn't eat it.

Um?

Seeing everyone taking out elixirs beneficial to the battle, Zhang Shouquan suddenly felt somewhat embarrassed.

Heaven have mercy, he's just a rogue cultivator who recently broke through to the next level, he has neither the time nor the place to prepare elixirs.

In this situation, there really wasn't anything worth sharing.

Therefore, they could only watch helplessly as everyone shared the elixir, with the promise of double compensation after the good deed was made.

I regretfully missed such a great opportunity to double my losses in reimbursement.

Ugh, how awful!

Zhang Shouquan sighed inwardly; for him, this was a huge loss.

Watching Xiao Chen and Gang Yuan True Monarch earn cultivation resources was even more painful than losing them himself.

However, this is the nature of independent cultivators; lacking sufficient capital, opportunities to make money are right in front of them yet remain out of reach.

Ouch! It hurts so much!

However, at this point, everyone knew he was Newly Promoted True Monarch, so they didn't pay attention to that.

Instead, they quickly distributed the pills and then stepped forward to meet the invading Sea Race Great Demon.

Objectively speaking, the defensive forces allocated by Purified Nature Zen Master were quite reasonable.

The Sea Race Great Demon, who had a relatively larger number of powerful demons, left the left side to their own people, while the relatively smaller right side was given to the trio.

However, although their numbers are relatively small, there are still a full twelve Great Demon on the right side.

This means that Xiao Chen and the others each have to deal with an average of four.

As the saying goes, two fists can't beat four hands.

The greater the number of enemies, the more difficult the battle becomes.

Especially after discovering that someone was coming to defend, the Great Demon who were already clustered together became even more tightly packed together, acting as a group.

This undoubtedly makes them even more difficult to deal with.

So much so that Xiao Chen dared not let his guard down, and he released the Four Symbols Suppressing Mountain Shield, activated the Fire Avoiding Spiritual Light, and unleashed the Wave Dividing Sea Stabilizing Spell in advance.

Only after making proper preparations did they tentatively approach again, attempting to restrain the other party.

"Sky-rushing Palm!"

From a distance of about 500 feet, Xiao Chen struck the bighead fish that was closest to him with a palm strike.

He planned to personally experience just how much of a suppressive effect the Fifth-Order Grand Array had on these Sea Race Great Demon.

Then consider whether the next tactic should be more aggressive or more conservative.

Unexpectedly, the blazing flames engulfed the entire Bighead Fish, turning the surrounding area within a hundred feet into a sea of fire.

It was immediately engulfed in flames, rolling around on the spot and letting out a loud scream.

"Ah?"

Xiao Chen was stunned for a moment; the Sky-rushing Palm had caused far more damage than he had anticipated.

Although the big-headed fish on the other side wasn't particularly strong, roughly equivalent to the Nascent Soul Early Stage.

But it is, after all, a Fourth-Order great demon.

Surprisingly, they were powerless to resist even such a straightforward Law Technique and were directly injured.

If that's the case, then it seems Xiao Chen could also be considered a war god.

The two sides' actual combat capabilities are simply not on the same level. Let alone one against four, even four more would be easily defeated.

"This isn't right, is it?"

Xiao Chen wasn't proud of this; instead, he subconsciously sensed something amiss. "Could it be that this big-headed fish is simply countered by Fire Element Spell?"

To be on the safe side, he decided to try a different target.

So he changed direction and struck the other starfish with a palm strike.

"Boom!"

Flames shot through the air, followed immediately by a deafening explosion.

The Spiritual Power Barrier created by the giant starfish and the Green Shrimp behind it shattered into a pile of fragments in less than half a breath.

Immediately afterwards, flames engulfed its body, igniting its flesh and blood.

It was immediately in pain and spun around in place, trying to shake off the approaching flames.

"Ah?"

Although Xiao Chen had anticipated this, he still couldn't hide his surprise.

With the assistance of the Fifth-Order Grand Array, he was virtually invincible.

He easily injured two Fourth-Order great demon right from the start, as easily as an adult disciplining their child.

"Is this all the quality you've got?"

Xiao Chen almost wanted to shout, "I want to take on ten of them!"

He wasn't even in a hurry to continue the fight.

Instead, he first turned his head and glanced to the left to observe the overall situation.

In fact, it wasn't just Xiao Chen who felt that the Sea Race Great Demon was utterly vulnerable after being suppressed by the formation.

The other Human Race cultivators were experiencing similar feelings at this moment.

With a single kick, Gang Yuan True Monarch sent an eel flying over a hundred feet.

Zen Master Jing Hua wielded a demon-suppressing pestle with great force, chasing after the four Great Demon in front of him.

Zhang Shouquan had originally prepared two spirit shields, but he withdrew one and instead drew a Flying Sword.

Everyone played very easily.

If things continue like this, it's estimated that the Human Race will be able to prepare Celebration Banquet in less than half an hour.

However, the situation seemed to be looking very promising.

Xiao Chen was not happy at all; instead, he was filled with doubt and confusion.

All the Great Demon of the Sea Race collectively charged into the Fifth-Order Grand Array, launching a decisive battle despite such an exaggerated suppression of combat power. Didn't they realize this problem beforehand?

So, if they dare to do this, what is their reason?

Or rather, since the Sea Race dared to launch such a desperate attack, what exactly gave them the confidence to do so?

Surely you can't just impulsively decide to risk everything?

Before finding the answer to this question, Xiao Chen not only did not relax, but instead became vigilant again.

He used the Sky-rushing Palm and Azure Wave Piercing Bone Needle to harass them from a distance, maintaining a proper distance from the four Great Demon.

This allows us to proactively avoid potential new variables.

In fact, Xiao Chen wasn't the only one waiting for the answer to this question.

Purified Nature Zen Master Jingxing stood alone in front of the Great Hero Hall, contemplating the problem as he looked at the chaos before him.

He didn't believe the Sea Race were there to die, but where could the problem lie?

"Gurgle~!"

Suddenly, the sound of flowing bubbles rang out from the very center.

Deep blue runes lit up one by one on the shell of the Giant Nautilus, rippling with Spiritual Qi energy in the air.

Immediately afterwards, strings of translucent light blue bubbles appeared around it.

It appeared light and airy, yet it caused the surrounding air to distort slightly.

"Pop!"

The outermost bubble burst, instantly shattering a nearby layer of restrictions and causing a loud 'boom'.

"Pop!"

Another bubble burst, further damaging the second layer of protection.

"Pop!" "Pop!" "Pop!"

Immediately afterwards, a series of explosions rang out.

Centered on the Nautilus, a large number of defensive barriers around it were cleared in the blink of an eye.

Moreover, a wisp of Sea Blue Ice Mist dispersed from the spot where the bubble exploded, slowly freezing the surrounding Spiritual Qi.

This prevented the great formation from restoring its restrictions in those areas.

Within a few breaths, the central barrier was almost completely destroyed, and the dozen or so exposed Normal Array Foundation were also blasted into rubble on the spot.

With the sudden loss of more than ten Array Foundation, the flow of Spiritual Power within the entire array came to a standstill for a moment.

Its suppressive power over all the Great Demon has also weakened somewhat.

Only then did the Sea Race reveal their fangs.

The first real attack was launched by this giant Nautilus.

Xiao Chen, standing on the far right, was almost unaffected.

Moreover, from his vantage point, one can get a complete view of the situation in the middle.

After the restrictions were lifted in the first half, the Nautilus's speed noticeably increased.

It rushed straight along the central axis towards the Worry-Free Empty Gate).

The Buddhist Sect Zen Master were originally responsible for blocking the way were instead held back by more than a dozen remaining bubbles and were unable to stop the attack immediately.

If the Nautilus were to rush in first, it would damage the Core Array Foundation.

Without the protection of the Fifth-Order Grand Array, the Human Race would lose all chance of victory.

"Hiss~, no way?"

Xiao Chen immediately gasped, his left hand already gripping the Mechanical Grappling Claw.

If Buddhist Sect truly cannot stop the Nautilus, then he will have to take immediate remedial action.

Fortunately, Universal Salvation Temple was not to be underestimated; at least it wouldn't be thrown into disarray by a sudden attack from the Nautilus.

Zen Master Jing Chi Jingchi realized that it was too late to stop him.

He simply stopped where he was, raised the Dharma Flag behind him high, and shouted, "Junior Brother Fa Zhao, Master Ting Hai, activate the Nine-Nine Demon Subduing Array!"

The other two were originally chasing the Nautilus.

Upon hearing this, they all stopped in their tracks and raised their Dharma Flag in response.

In an instant, dazzling white light burst forth from all directions.

Immediately afterwards, all eighty-one White Jade Pier around the island were illuminated with a Buddha-like light.

The Sanskrit Script characters on each of the Vajra Warrior Statue on the dock floated up and quickly assembled into chains.

The next moment, the statues pointed their Demon Subduing Pestle at the air.

Then eighty-one chains made of Sanskrit Script rushed in from the outside.

Midway through, one branch might split off and attach to a Firefly Shrimp, or two might split off and be tied to a saury.

But nearly half of the chain reached the center in the blink of an eye, firmly binding the Nautilus.

These chains are no ordinary chains; once they are put on, it's like being crushed by Mount Tai.

Even though the Nautilus was three thousand feet tall and possessed immense strength, it was still incredibly powerful.

However, once entangled by forty or so chains, he was immediately trapped in place.

Even with its desperate struggle, it couldn't move an inch, and its excessive weight even damaged a large area of the bluestone slabs on the ground.

"Wow, they even have such methods!"

Gang Yuan True Monarch exclaimed in surprise, "Even Nascent Soul Great Perfection might not be able to handle this alone!"

He couldn't help but feel a little envious, as his own Heavenly Dipper Sect didn't have such powerful methods, or even World-Crossing Puppet.

A hint of surprise and wariness flashed in Zhang Shouquan's eyes.

When he was marveling at the magnificent scenery of Universal Salvation Temple, he had no idea that the White Jade Pier on the outskirts would serve such a purpose.

Fortunately, this time they were dealing with Sea Race; otherwise, given his current situation, he might not have been able to escape if he suddenly encountered such a situation.

As for Xiao Chen, he silently put away the Mechanical Grappling Claw.

Not bad. It seems that Universal Salvation Temple, as the largest sect in the Compassion Sea, is not just all show and no substance.

It seems he's no longer needed to put out the fire.

To be honest, whether we can defeat the Sea Race this time depends entirely on how well Universal Salvation Temple performs.

This is not Xiao Chen being modest.

He might be able to take down a few Great Demon on his own, and then find a good opportunity to help with the Mechanical Grappling Claw, but that's pretty much all he can do.

After all, he was a Newly Promoted Nascent Soul had only recently broken through to the next level, and he didn't even have a Custom Spirit Tool.

Even if one had the ambition to single-handedly withstand an army, the objective conditions simply didn't exist.

Although he possesses the ability to protect himself, one cannot expect him to kill both Nautilus and the Venerable One.

In the end, it all depends on whether Universal Salvation Temple can live up to its own expectations.

If they can hold out, that's fine; if they can't, then Xiao Chen can only help them avenge themselves in the future.

Fortunately, Universal Salvation Temple seems to be performing reasonably well so far.

With the participation of Fourth-Order Puppet in the defense and the trump card of the Nine-Nine Array, they successfully blocked the initial offensive of the Sea Race.

"Gurgle~!"

Unable to break free, the Nautilus resorted to its old trick, attempting to break the chain by soaking it in water.

Unfortunately, when designing its defenses, Pudu Temple had taken a different approach.

The purpose is to ensure that if one method fails, the others can still be effective.

Therefore, the second wave of water only damaged three chains, Nautilus remained trapped in place, unable to move.

Furthermore, using such a Innate Spell weakened him even more.

Not only it, but the other Sea Race Great Demon, although they were bound by fewer chains, were also not very powerful.

As a result, almost everyone found it difficult to move, and their movements became significantly slower.

If this continues, they will essentially become sitting ducks.

"Tsk, what a pity."

The Venerable One sighed softly, "Even with Little Snail's Innate Spell, it couldn't interfere with the Core Array Foundation."

"However, forcing out another trump card from Universal Salvation Temple isn't entirely a wasted effort."

On the surface, he had already charged into the great formation along with Nautilus.

But in fact, neither the Human Race nor the Sea Race noticed that he was silently observing the battle situation ahead from outside the Fifth-Order Grand Array, thanks to his superb Concealment Methods.

As the strongest among the Sea Race, he would not easily enter the Fifth-Order Grand Array.

However, when the Venerable One observed that even the Nautilus could not escape its Innate Spell again, and that the other Great Demon were also severely affected, he realized that...

He frowned and sighed softly, "Sigh, it seems we have to act sooner rather than later."

If he had a choice, he wouldn't want to do it himself.

Although, in total, His Venerable One has been recuperating for a full six years, and has also obtained a considerable amount of Wood-element Spirit Liquid in the last two years.

However, given his current condition, he can only unleash his full power three times at most; any more than that would worsen his injuries.

In other words, he only has three opportunities to intervene in the battle.

If you cannot win the fight within three rounds, you will lose the bet.

"First, we need to get rid of these annoying chains."

Even at this moment, His Venerable One still strived to remain calm, and softly proclaimed, "The Chi Dragon Controls Sea, Myriad Waters Obey."

Then he gestured with his hand and said, "Abyssal Trap!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Spiritual Qi within a radius of hundreds of miles suddenly seemed to have a unified direction, converging almost instantly.

A huge whirlpool suddenly formed on the sea surface, centered on the island where Universal Salvation Temple is located.

Initially, this whirlpool only appeared on the seabed and was very small.

No one even noticed it at first.

However, the whirlpool beneath the sea quickly absorbed the replenished Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, and its coverage area rapidly expanded.

Within a few breaths, it had stirred up the entire sea, as if a giant beast lurking underwater was gradually revealing itself.

Xiao Chen, who was on the far right, was the first to notice.

At the edge of the island, a pitch-black shadow appeared, causing the surrounding seawater to begin rotating counterclockwise around the island.

"Huh, what's going on?"

At first glance, Xiao Chen thought it was some kind of Heaven and Earth Phenomenon that had appeared underwater.

However, he soon noticed the unusual flow of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi and discovered that the suddenly appearing vortex was heading towards Universal Salvation Temple.

"What?"

Zhang Shouquan quickly noticed the abnormality as well.

He stared wide-eyed at the colossal vortex that stretched for thousands of miles and was larger than the entire island, his expression one of disbelief.

"Boom! Boom!"

The violent waves crashed against the edge of the island, one higher than the next.

It gives the impression that it's about to devour the entire large island.

"This is bad! If this continues, a portion of the island might sink!"

Gang Yuan True Monarch immediately realized the seriousness of the problem.

If any problems arise on the island, the Fifth-Order Grand Array it supports will naturally be affected.

Purified Nature Zen Master also realized the crisis.

However, what surprised and puzzled him even more was how such a sudden change could have happened.

It should be understood that neither Nascent Soul True Lord nor Fourth-Order great demon could possibly create such an astonishing disaster.

Theoretically speaking, only a fifth-level Venerable can use their own Method Formula to manipulate the surrounding Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, thereby borrowing the Might of Heaven and Earth to fight against enemies.

"Could it be that the Sea Race suddenly launched a decisive battle because Demon Venerable has personally arrived?"

Purified Nature Zen Master Jingxing was startled by his own conjecture.

However, he quickly dismissed the idea.

The reason is not complicated—if there really were Demon Venerable, why would they need to go through so much trouble when facing their own formation, which barely reaches the fifth rank?

They already made their move and sealed the deal.

Since the opponent did not choose to attack directly, but was forced to counterattack only when the situation became unfavorable.

That means it's very likely something like the Thirty-Six Revolving Cold Smoke Golden Talisman.

If that's the case, then it's essentially a matter of both sides exchanging cards, and our side isn't without a fighting chance.

"Whew!"

Purified Nature Zen Master Jingxing let out a long breath, calming his overly tense mood caused by the term "five stages".

Without further hesitation, he stepped onto the Bodhi Altar.

They took out one wooden box after another that they had previously stored in their Storage Ring.

He commanded, "Junior Brother Jing Chi, quickly dismantle the Nine-Nine Demon Subduing Array and replace it with the Nine-Nine Sea Suppressing Array."

"You all retreat to the Worry-Free Empty Gate and leave the rest to me."

When Universal Salvation Temple originally designed the White Jade Pier, it had planned for two layers of variation.

Those Vajra Warrior Statue were originally responsible for guarding the coast and calming the storms; suppressing demons was an additional function.

Now that it has been replaced with the Sea-Suppressing Formation, its original effect has been greatly enhanced, immediately calming down the raging waves.

Suddenly, a rare and spectacular sight appeared around the island.

A hundred feet away from the shore, a fierce wind raged and towering waves surged, creating a series of tsunamis like a rising tide.

However, within a hundred feet, the sea was calm and the surface was almost completely still.

Unfortunately, at this moment, hardly anyone had time to appreciate such a spectacular sight.

Only Xiao Chen was relatively close, could spare a moment to glance at it.

After all, he was probably the most relaxed person in the room, and also the one with the least pressure.

The rest of the people, including the disciples of Universal Salvation Temple, whether or not they were qualified to participate in the battle, were watching the Abbot's battle with the Sea Race with bated breath.

Because the Nine-Nine Demon Subduing Array was proactively removed.

The Nautilus and other Great Demon, freed from their restraints, returned to their previous state.

After escaping its predicament, it almost without hesitation activated its Innate Spell, once again resorting to its old trick and using the bubbles as cover to try to rush into the Worry-Free Empty Gate.

"You beast, how dare you!"

Purified Nature Zen Master had finished his preparations and sat cross-legged on the Bodhi Altar, letting out a furious shout.

Eighteen boxes had already been arranged around him in a specific order.

At this moment, with his loud shout, the first box opened by itself, revealing a box full of neatly arranged Spirit Stone.

The next moment, those Spirit Stone turned into a pile of powder.

An exceptionally powerful and pure Spiritual Power erupted, directly triggering a strong Spiritual Power fluctuation that covered the entire Universal Salvation Temple.

Then, guided by the Bodhi Altar, it transformed into a thick, golden rainbow that shot out.

"Sizzle!"

With a wisp of smoke and a faint cracking sound, the rainbow pierced straight through the Nautilus's body, leaving a hole ten feet in diameter!

It then continued its momentum, making slight adjustments in mid-air, and hit and pierced through another bread crab.

The Nautilus is large enough.

Even though he was pierced through with a ten-zhang-wide gash, he was still only injured and not in immediate danger of death.

But the bread crab wasn't so lucky.

It was instantly killed on the spot, and the Demon Infant didn't even have time to escape before it was evaporated by the rainbow light.