Uncle-Master, Save Me!

Looking at the three jade boxes that remained, Shi Yu began wondering which one he should give to that uncle-master...

Soon, an image appeared in his mind: a haggard-looking, worry-filled middle-aged Daoist...

"No, no~"

"If I go to the West, wouldn't that be like a crane flying into a tiger's den..."

After much hesitation, Shi Yu decided to give it to him anyway. He was still his uncle-master, after all. It could never hurt to build a good relationship!

Thus, he silently recited the name of Mount Sumeru and followed the guidance westward. After flying for who knew how long, he entered the western territory of the primordial world.

"Holy crap!"

"Is this still the West?"

"Damn it, are you sure this isn't Mars?"

The Tai Xu Water Cloud Crane circled above the western sky. The spiritual energy here was chaotic and thin,

After the Dragon-Han Tribulation, the western ley lines had exploded, leaving behind a scene of desolation and ruin...

The sky was obscured by thick tribulation clouds mixed with sand and dust. Not a ray of sunlight could be seen.

On the ground, dried-up riverbeds stretched everywhere. The sand and stones within them had melted under the intense heat before hardening again, taking on bizarre shapes.

"Hiss~"

"The Dragon-Han Tribulation really did tremendous damage to the West. No wonder the Dao Ancestor had to give away two Saint positions..."

The Tai Xu Water Cloud Crane flew swiftly through the clouds, passing through layer after layer of thick cloud. After a long while, Shi Yu, exhausted from flying, landed on a mountain peak to rest.

"Whoosh~"

A massive boulder flew up from below and shot toward the resting Shi Yu.

"What cultivator is there? Dare to come out and show yourself!"

No one answered. A moment later, a blood-red arrow tore through the air and shot straight at Shi Yu, boundless killing intent coiling around its shaft.

Shi Yu turned around. The razor-sharp arrowhead skimmed past his chest. After a thunderous boom, the mountain peak in the distance exploded.

"You attacked first!"

"Fan, come!"

With a twist of his wrist, the Cloud Void Water Fan appeared in Shi Yu's hand. A light sweep of the fan sent several water dragons surging from the ground and sweeping in every direction, forcing several figures out of the void.

"A cultivator from the East?"

"Sure enough, he's wealthy. A supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure!"

"Too bad it's going to belong to me!"

A hunched old man greedily stared at the Cloud Void Water Fan in Shi Yu's hand,

"Don't attack yet. Let this old man go first. This spiritual treasure is fated to be mine~"

A blood-red immortal sword appeared in the old man's hand, while a demon wolf filled with vicious fiendish energy condensed behind him.

"Do Western cultivators all like claiming that other people's spiritual treasures are fated to be theirs?" Shi Yu shook the Cloud Void Water Fan.

"Boy, your cultivation is at the late Grand Unity Golden Immortal stage, and this old man is at the same level. But unlike you Eastern cultivators, this old man has survived in the barren West by licking blood from the edge of a blade!"

"How could I possibly be compared to you Eastern cultivators, who spend your days living in comfort!"

When he reached the height of his indignation, the old man actually tossed aside his armor, revealing scars covering his body. This particular scar had been left by a battle with Zhu Yan...

Before the old man could finish introducing himself, a blue-glowing fan flew over and struck him directly in the face before dropping limply downward.

"If you want to fight, then fight. Why take off your clothes?"

"Are you trying to discuss philosophy?"

A moment later, a sky-piercing wave of demonic aura surged up from below. Such vicious fiendish energy would damage the primordial spirit of any low-cultivation cultivator who encountered it.

"Let's attack together and kill him. We'll split the treasures!"

The old man, his forehead bright red, glared viciously at Shi Yu. The group surrounded Shi Yu,

Each released the phantom of their true forms behind them. They bared their fangs and claws as blood fiend qi soared into the sky,

"Together, is it?"

"Not only will it save me trouble, but I can also earn some merit. That's a win-win!" Shi Yu swept his gaze around, then tucked the Cloud Void Water Fan behind his neck,

"Hahahaha, why did you put away your spiritual treasure? Could it be that you're afraid of us?" one of them sneered.

"No. I'm afraid I won't be able to kill you all in one blow!"

"Hong Meng Liang Tian Chi, manifest!"

As soon as he spoke, a translucent jade ruler appeared in Shi Yu's hand, overflowing with dense merit power.

"Not good! It's a Houtian Merit Supreme Treasure!"

"Fall back! The target's too tough!"

The old man leading them frowned, then immediately turned and ran. This fellow could actually produce a Houtian Merit Supreme Treasure. It was said that only Taiqing of Kunlun Mountain possessed such a treasure. Could he be Taiqing's legendary first disciple...

"You think you can come and go as you please?"

"You've got to be kidding!"

Shi Yu pursued him with the Hong Meng Liang Tian Chi in hand. He tossed out the ruler, raised two fingers in a sword gesture, and suddenly swung them down. The ruler rose and fell, killing one man.

These monsters were all wrapped in vicious fiendish energy, making them natural enemies of treasures formed from merit.

As Shi Yu closed in, frantic voices rang out: "Stop! We're members of the demon race!"

"That's right, that's right! We belong to Demon Saint Shangyang!"

"Don't be rash! You won't get away with killing us!"

Shi Yu sneered. "So what if you belong to Demon Saint Shangyang? You attacked me without cause and even tried to seize my spiritual treasure. If I hadn't been strong enough, I would already be a corpse beneath your blades. Even if she came here personally today, I would still demand justice."

With that, the Hong Meng Liang Tian Chi shone even more brightly. He prepared to finish them off. There was no helping it—the primordial world followed the law of the jungle. It was either you died or I did!

Despair appeared on the faces of the remaining people. Just then, a clear cry rang out from the horizon,

Delight immediately appeared on their faces, and they shouted, "The Demon Saint is here! Demon Saint, save us!"

Shi Yu looked up and saw a massive Shangyang bird flying over with its wings spread, powerful aura radiating from its body.

Demon Saint Shangyang landed nearby and transformed into a woman. She glanced at the Hong Meng Liang Tian Chi in Shi Yu's hand, her eyes shifting slightly, and said, "Fellow Daoist, please show mercy. I apologize to you on their behalf!"

"Do you think a light apology will make this useful?"

"Fellow Daoist, don't push me too far!"

Demon Saint Shangyang's brows furrowed slightly. She wore a moon-white brocade dress whose hem fluttered like clouds, with a pale-blue sash around her waist that moved despite the absence of wind.

"Little friend, don't blame me for crushing you with my cultivation!"

"I truly don't wish to fight you. I'm a dignified Quasi-Saint. It wouldn't look good for me to bully a Grand Unity Golden Immortal!"

"Wind Cloud Banner, come!"

Demon Saint Shangyang waved the Wind Cloud Banner in her hand, summoning a violent storm.

"Thank you, Demon Saint Shangyang, for setting the stage!"

"Then I'll loosen my muscles and warm up with Senior Shangyang!"

The phantom of the Tai Xu Water Cloud Crane condensed behind Shi Yu. With the rain empowering it, his aura rose steadily. He pulled the Cloud Void Water Fan from behind his neck.

The Hong Meng Liang Tian Chi was in his left hand, and the Cloud Void Water Fan in his right.

"Then I'd like to see what you're capable of!" Demon Saint Shangyang frowned and raised the Wind Cloud Banner.

"The difference in cultivation is too great. I can only catch her off guard. Hopefully, I won't end up killing myself instead!"

The first move determined everything! Shi Yu attacked first. With a wave of the Cloud Void Water Fan, several streams of water shot toward Demon Saint Shangyang like spirit serpents.

"Boring!"

Demon Saint Shangyang snorted coldly and swung the Wind Cloud Banner even faster. The gale swept up the rainwater, forming a shield that easily blocked the serpent-like streams.

"Senior Shangyang, there's more!"

Shi Yu immediately threw out the Hong Meng Liang Tian Chi. Carrying majestic merit power, it shot toward Demon Saint Shangyang.

"A Houtian Merit Supreme Treasure! What's your relationship with Taiqing?"

Feeling the pressure, Demon Saint Shangyang summoned wind beneath her feet and dodged the strike with a flash.

"My master is Taiqing!"

However, Shi Yu had already expected her to dodge. The Cloud Void Water Fan waved again, this time unleashing a bitterly cold wind toward Demon Saint Shangyang, who had just stabilized her body,

Demon Saint Shangyang had not expected Shi Yu's attacks to come one after another, leaving her somewhat flustered. Although her cultivation far surpassed his, his spiritual treasures were simply too powerful...

But she was a Quasi-Saint after all, and quickly recovered. The Wind Cloud Banner fired several bolts of lightning toward Shi Yu.

The phantom of the Tai Xu Water Cloud Crane behind Shi Yu spread its wings and soared, carrying him constantly through the bolts of lightning.

"From the heavens, the waters of the great river descend!"

Seeing that he could not defeat Demon Saint Shangyang, Shi Yu was already preparing to flee. He only needed to stall for a few seconds and was confident he could escape. Don't ask why—confidence was all he needed.

The Azure Water Spirit Pearl flew out, and the Cloud Void Water Fan shone with azure light. In an instant, an azure crack opened above the battlefield.

Countless vast seas poured down from the sky, flowing wildly without end. A colossal curtain of water separated Shi Yu and Demon Saint Shangyang.

"What?"

Demon Saint Shangyang froze slightly. The next second, she could no longer see Shi Yu through the curtain of water.

"You're only a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, yet you think you can escape my grasp? That's the greatest joke under heaven!"

Demon Saint Shangyang slowly closed her eyes. The next instant, she locked onto Shi Yu's position, raised the Wind Cloud Banner, and tossed it gently.

The Wind Cloud Banner pierced through the curtain of water and transformed into a streak of light that shot into the distance. It seemed to tear through space itself, striking Shi Yu ten thousand miles away.

"You think you can escape my grasp? What a joke!"

Demon Saint Shangyang flew in the direction of the Wind Cloud Banner. When she found it,

she discovered that her spiritual treasure was in the hands of a middle-aged Daoist with a withered yellow face. Shi Yu stood behind him, gasping heavily.

"This item is fated to belong to the West!"

The middle-aged Daoist raised his hand slightly, turning his palm into a blade and striking the Wind Cloud Banner. Demon Saint Shangyang's connection with her spiritual treasure was severed just like that...

"Uncle-Master Jieyin, what a move!"

"Eldest Nephew, you flatter me. I cultivate the Great Dao of Karmic Connection. I merely ended her karmic connection with this treasure."

Upon hearing this, Shi Yu hurriedly put away all his spiritual treasures...

"Give me back my spiritual treasure!"

Demon Saint Shangyang burned with rage. Her spiritual treasure had been snatched away just like that. How outrageous! Today, she would fight this man to the death!

"Fellow Daoist, I see that you, too, are fated to belong to the West!"

As soon as Jieyin finished speaking, Demon Saint Shangyang tore open space and fled...