After seeing the two off, Nuwa edged up beside Qing Xuan. "Little Gourd Vine, when are we going to find the Two Other Immortal Islands?" She blinked. "I can hardly wait."
Houtu also looked at him expectantly. She had made considerable progress cultivating on Fangzhang Island during this time, but she was still full of curiosity about the Primordial Great Land.
Qing Xuan pondered for a moment. "Once Ao Gan and the others have arranged things for the Dragon Sons, we'll set out." He gazed toward the horizon. "Though I fear this trip won't be peaceful."
Fu Xi made a quick calculation, his brows knitting together. "There is indeed some entanglement of Karma." He looked at Qing Xuan. "But opportunities often come with risks. Younger Brother, have you made up your mind?"
Qing Xuan gave his fan a leisurely wave. "We'll meet whatever comes our way." He smiled calmly. "As long as a Saint doesn't intervene, what place in the Primordial Wilderness could the four of us not go?"
As they spoke, a shadow suddenly fell over Fangzhang Island. Everyone looked up to see a Giant Peng sweep across the sky, its wings spread wide enough to blot out the sun.
The Giant Peng circled Fangzhang Island three times before abruptly diving down. As it neared the island, it transformed into a man and landed before them.
The newcomer wore a golden robe. His expression was stern, and his eyes appraised them coolly. "I am Kunpeng." His voice was icy. "I heard Qing Xuan Daojun obtained the Pure World White Lotus, so I came to take a look."
Nuwa immediately stepped in front of Qing Xuan. "How arrogant! You think you can look just because you ask?" The Mountain River Society Map faintly appeared in her hand.
Kunpeng's gaze turned cold. "Little Girl, I'm speaking to your teacher. What makes you think you have the right to interrupt?" Demonic Qi surged around him; he was at the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal peak.
Qing Xuan gently drew Nuwa behind him and faced Kunpeng. "If you wish to see the lotus, you should have asked politely." His expression remained calm. "The way you're acting, you seem more like you've come to snatch it."
Kunpeng sneered. "Spiritual Treasures belong to the virtuous. You're only a Mid Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal. Are you worthy of the Pure World White Lotus?" He reached out, and a phantom giant claw lunged straight for Qing Xuan.
The sound of Fu Xi Qin rang out, and Houtu brought forth Wu Tu Divine Light. But Qing Xuan was faster than either of them.
He unfurled his Folding Fan. Mountains and rivers flowed across its surface. The phantom claw fell into the painting like a mud ox disappearing into the sea, vanishing without a trace.
Kunpeng's expression changed. "An Innate Spiritual Treasure?"
Qing Xuan closed his fan. "You can still leave while you have the chance." His tone was even. "If you attack again, don't blame me for showing no mercy."
A flicker of hesitation crossed Kunpeng's eyes. He could sense that a great formation covered Fangzhang Island. If they truly fought, he might not come out ahead.
"Hmph. I'll let it go for today." He transformed into a Giant Peng and soared into the sky. "But I'll remember that Pure World White Lotus!"
Watching Kunpeng disappear over the horizon, Nuwa stamped her foot in anger. "That Feathered Beast! Next time, I'll pluck every last one of his feathers!"
Houtu asked worriedly, "Brother Qing Xuan, will he come back?"
Qing Xuan shook his head. "Not anytime soon." He looked north. "But this clash has reminded us of something."
Fu Xi chimed in. "We shouldn't delay our search for the immortal islands." His expression was grave. "If Kunpeng could find us, other Great Beings might have their eyes on Fangzhang Island too."
Qing Xuan nodded. "We leave in three days." He looked toward the direction Ao Gan and the others had gone. "As for the island, I'll leave it in their hands."
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
At dawn that day, the four stood at the edge of Fangzhang Island. Ao Gan's Eight Brothers arrived with the four young dragons to see them off.
"Rest assured, Teacher. We'll keep watch over the island. Nothing will go wrong," Ao Gan said solemnly.
Qing Xuan took out four formation flags and handed them to Ao Gan, Ao Kun, Ao Li, and Ao Kan. "If you encounter a powerful enemy, you can set up the Four Symbols Great Array. No one below the Quasi-Saint realm can break it."
He then turned to the four young dragons. "Cultivate diligently. Don't let down your Father King's hopes."
Ao Jia and the others respectfully agreed. Their eyes held less arrogance now and more composure. Clearly, their three days of training had already begun to pay off.
Once he had finished giving his instructions, Qing Xuan swept out his sleeve. The Hong Yun Magic Treasure flew out and transformed into an Auspicious Cloud thirty feet across.
The four climbed onto the cloud and flew toward the depths of the East Sea. Bai He stood at the island's edge and waved, her eyes full of reluctance.
The Auspicious Cloud flew at incredible speed, covering a thousand miles in an instant. Standing on the cloud, Nuwa let the sea breeze tousle her hair. "Little Gourd Vine, which way should we go first?"
Qing Xuan took out the Jade Mirror. Chaos Qi swirled across its surface, pointing faintly to the northeast. "According to the mirror, Penglai Island should be in that direction."
Houtu leaned closer to peer at it. "Can this mirror really find the immortal islands?"
Fu Xi explained, "The Three Immortal Islands were originally one, but Pangu split them apart. They still have a natural connection to one another, and this Jade Mirror is a treasure that can sense it."
As they spoke, the sea below suddenly burst open. A Giant Python a hundred feet long shot out, jaws gaping as it lunged at the Auspicious Cloud.
The python was pitch-black from head to tail, and a single horn had grown on its head. It was a Primordial Wilderness exotic species on the verge of transforming into a Flood Dragon.
Qing Xuan didn't even furrow his brow. He pointed his Folding Fan down, and Purple Heaven Divine Thunder came crashing from the sky, striking the python squarely on the head.
The python let out a shriek and plunged back into the sea, sending up enormous waves. A swath of the water turned red. It was clearly dead.
"The depths of the Primordial Wilderness really are full of danger," Nuwa said, sticking out her tongue. "We haven't even flown that far, and we've already run into such a vicious creature."
But Qing Xuan stared at the bloodstained water, and his expression suddenly changed. "Move, quickly!" He urged the Auspicious Cloud higher at full speed.
The next moment, countless dark shapes surfaced beneath the waves. Thousands upon thousands of black pythons emerged, each with a cultivation level of at least Heavenly Immortal.
The one at their head was a thousand feet long and had already fully transformed into a Flood Dragon. It spoke in a human voice: "You killed my child and still think you can leave?"
The Flood Dragon opened its mouth and spat out Black Poisonous Fog, which instantly covered an area a hundred miles across. Everywhere the fog passed, even the seawater sizzled as it corroded.
The sound of Fu Xi Qin rang out, forming a barrier of sound waves that blocked the poison fog. Houtu also summoned Wu Tu Divine Light to protect the Auspicious Cloud.
Furious, Nuwa brought out the Mountain River Society Map. "A little snake dares to run wild!" Countless golden rays flew from the map, turning into chains that wrapped around the Flood Dragon.
The Flood Dragon roared, its scales flaring out. The golden chains shattered under their impact. It whipped its tail, raising a ten-thousand-foot tsunami that crashed toward them.
Qing Xuan knew they couldn't afford to get bogged down in a fight. He brought out the Purple Gold Gourd and pointed its mouth at the Flood Dragon. A powerful suction force surged forth.
The Flood Dragon wavered but managed to steady itself. "An Innate Spiritual Treasure?" Greed flashed in its eyes. "It seems this treasure is destined to be mine!"
It opened its mouth and spat out a Black Bead filled with overwhelming resentment. This was the Vengeful Poison Bead, which it had refined by devouring countless living beings. It specialized in corrupting Spiritual Treasures.
Qing Xuan sneered and brought out the Water Fire Gourd with his other hand. A stream of Samadhi True Fire burst out, scorching the Vengeful Poison Bead until it squealed.
At the same time, the Purple Gold Gourd's suction grew stronger. The Flood Dragon finally couldn't hold on and was dragged inch by inch toward the gourd's mouth.
"No!" It struggled frantically, but to no avail. At last, it turned into a streak of black light and was sucked into the Purple Gold Gourd.
With their leader captured, the other black pythons fell into disarray and fled into the depths of the sea. Before long, the water was calm again, leaving only a faint fishy smell.
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