Arc 5The Water Mansion and Dao Foundation

Zhao Yi strengthened Linghua Island, fought in the market-share duels, and led Wang Qing and Li Hai through a dangerous Water Mansion expedition. After Guiwu advanced and the island prepared for new threats, Zhao Yi left to establish his Dao Foundation.

  • Zhao Yi brought Chen Yichong and Chen Feng back to Linghua Island, organized the island’s affairs, and established support for its disciples.
  • Zhao Xinghe asked Zhao Yi to accept Jin'er as a disciple and gave him a body-refining technique, then Zhao Yi prepared to fight for Linghua Island’s market share.
  • Zhao Yi killed Qin Wuya in the Dharma Combat, and Zhao Xinghe awarded the Zhao Family a twenty-percent share while warning Zhao Yi of Daoist Liefeng’s revenge.
  • Zhao Yi helped Liu Yu advance to the Spirit Attraction Stage, then reached perfection of spirit drawing himself and went to Azure Cloud Island to find Wang Qing and Li Hai.
  • Zhao Yi rescued Wang Qing and Li Hai from their attackers, and the three entered the Water Mansion, where Zhao Yi was badly wounded while securing spirit trees.
  • Zhao Yi, Wang Qing, and Li Hai escaped the Water Mansion and killed a Dao Foundation cultivator who ambushed them, while Guiwu was gravely wounded and later recovered through advancement.
  • Li Hai and Liu Yu defended Linghua Island’s market share, and Zhao Yi returned with Guiwu, now a powerful Black-Shelled Horned Turtle, before ordering the island’s disciples to cultivate.
  • Zhao Yi visited Zhao Xinghe, learned that the Han, Feng, and Xu Families had moved into the region, and left for his undersea cave abode to establish his Dao Foundation.
Chapters 102–126 Vol. 2 Read

Ch. 102Three at the Spirit Attraction Stage

After punishing cultivators who broke the market rules, Zhao Yi returned to Linghua Island and brought Li Hai and Wang Qing to the Undersea Cave Abode to attempt their breakthroughs. Li Hai and Wang Qing both reached the Spirit Attraction Stage, while Guiwu advanced and revealed signs of a stronger bloodline.

  • Wang Qing publicly executed eight cultivators from Three Rivers Island and Bright Moon Island for violating the market rules, then Zhao Yi arranged for Xu Changwang and his wife to manage the shop.
  • Zhao Yi left Xu Feiyu in the care of Wu Xiuzhu, Zheng Ji, and Zheng Tong on Jade Pearl Island, then took Li Hai and Wang Qing to the Undersea Cave Abode.
  • Li Hai entered secluded cultivation with Profound Origin Pills and successfully advanced to the Spirit Attraction Stage; Zhao Yi gave him two flying swords, and Li Hai passed his breakthrough notes to Wang Qing.
  • Zhao Yi and Li Hai fed Demon Cores to Guiwu, whose body changed as it advanced, while Wang Qing used their blood contract to begin his own breakthrough.
  • Wang Qing emerged having successfully advanced without using the Profound Origin Pills, and he identified Guiwu’s new traits as signs of a partial Black-Shelled Horned Turtle bloodline.
  • Zhao Yi gave Wang Qing defensive and flight artifacts, then Li Hai and Zhao Yi took Guiwu hunting while Zhao Yi planned to teach Li Hai to fly.

Ch. 103Journey to Azure Cloud Island

After Wang Qing and Li Hai advanced to the Spirit Attraction stage, Zhao Yi sent Li Hai to Azure Cloud Island to keep Linghua Island’s strength secret and help him find opportunities. Zhao Yi escorted him there, explained how to survive on the island, and helped him enter its market.

  • Zhao Yi told Liu Yu, Wang Qing, and Li Hai that Li Hai should leave for Azure Cloud Island, and Liu Yu agreed while Zhao Yi offered to escort him.
  • The next morning, Liu Yu gave Li Hai spirit stones, and Wang Qing gave him a low-grade magic artifact before Zhao Yi and Li Hai departed.
  • Wang Qing told Wang Ping that he had advanced to the Spirit Attraction stage and explained that Li Hai had gone to Azure Cloud Island after failing to advance.
  • During their voyage, Zhao Yi advised Li Hai about Azure Cloud Island, its demon-hunting corps, and the dangers of its market and patrols.
  • After reaching Azure Cloud Island, Zhao Yi and Li Hai entered the market, renewed their waist tokens, and changed Chen Yihua’s name to Zhao Hai.

Ch. 104Biyun Market

Zhao Yi guided Li Hai through Biyun Market, taught him how to navigate its stalls, and rented them a protected courtyard. He told Li Hai to prepare to go out to sea while he planned to visit their martial uncle, Chen Yichong, the next day.

  • Zhao Yi explained Biyun Market and its dangers to Li Hai as they explored the streets and West Market.
  • Li Hai frightened a stallholder with his murderous aura, and Zhao Yi led him away before they continued haggling at stalls without buying anything.
  • Zhao Yi took Li Hai to the Immortal Cloud Restaurant, then rented a five-year lease on a small courtyard with abundant spiritual energy.
  • Zhao Yi told Li Hai to refine his mask, suppress his cultivation, and find a demon-hunting ship the next day.
  • Zhao Yi explained that Chen Yichong lived on Azure Cloud Island and planned to visit him alone, keeping their relationship secret.

Ch. 105A reunion within the lineage

Zhao Yi visited the Liu family to find his martial uncle, Chen Yichong, and learned that the family was struggling and preparing to leave the market town. Their reunion revealed that Zhao Yi and his junior brother had both reached Spirit Attraction Stage, renewing Chen Yichong’s hopes for their Linghua Island lineage.

  • Zhao Yi bought gifts and asked for directions to the Liu family residence, where he learned the family planned to move away after financial troubles and failed breakthroughs.
  • Zhao Yi entered the Liu family hall during a dispute over dividing the household and told the family he had come to visit his martial uncle.
  • The Liu family summoned Chen Yichong, and Zhao Yi reminded him of their meeting more than ten years earlier.
  • Chen Yichong recognized Zhao Yi and rejoiced when Zhao Yi revealed his Spirit Attraction Stage cultivation and said his junior brother had reached the same stage.
  • Zhao Yi took Chen Yichong outside to talk, leaving the Liu family and Mistcloud Rogue Person astonished.

Ch. 106Returning to Linghua

Zhao Yi persuaded his martial uncle Chen Yichong to return to Linghua Island, while preparing Li Hai for the voyage and selling Fubo Pavilion information about Raging Wind. The next day, Zhao Yi left Azure Cloud Island with Chen Yichong and Chen Feng to return to Linghua Island.

  • Zhao Yi urged Chen Yichong to return to Linghua Island, and Chen Yichong decided to go with his grandson, Chen Feng, though his son Liu Zhifei stayed behind.
  • Li Hai told Zhao Yi that a demon-hunting ship would sail in three days, and Zhao Yi bought him a defensive Dharma artifact at Fubo Pavilion.
  • Zhao Yi sold Fubo Pavilion a rumor that Raging Wind had formed a middle-grade Dao Foundation, then used the payment to buy Li Hai a six-restriction jade pearl.
  • Chen Yichong visited Zhao Yi with Chen Feng and Liu Zhifei, who asked Zhao Yi to look after his father on the journey.
  • Zhao Yi took Chen Yichong and Chen Feng back to Linghua Island, where Liu Feng would restore his original surname and become Chen Feng.

Ch. 107Returning to the Island to Discuss Affairs

Zhao Yi returned to Linghua Island with Chen Yichong and his grandson Chen Feng, then arranged roles for them and discussed establishing stipends for the island’s fourth-generation disciples. The group agreed to provide the younger disciples with a modest monthly allowance and daily food while leaving higher-level stipends for later.

  • Zhao Yi brought Chen Yichong and Chen Feng to Linghua Island, where Liu Yu, Wang Qing, and Wang Ping welcomed them.
  • Chen Yichong offered incense in the Ancestral Hall, and Zhao Yi explained that Chen Feng had a low-grade earth spiritual root and had come from Azure Cloud Island.
  • Zhao Yi assigned Chen Yichong to teach Wang Ping to make talisman supplies and planned to send Chen Feng to Jade Pearl Island to study the Daoist Scriptures.
  • Chen Yichong described the Tide-Subduing Sect’s stipend system, and Liu Yu proposed a smaller version for Linghua Island’s fourth-generation disciples.
  • Zhao Yi and the others agreed to give disciples below the Meridian Opening stage one Low-Grade Spirit Stone, Origin-Nourishing Soup, and Spirit Rice, postponing higher-stage stipends until a disciple advanced.

Ch. 108Assigning duties

Zhao Yi assigned duties for Linghua Island and reviewed its finances, prioritizing Liu Yu’s advancement to the spirit attraction stage. Chen Yichong offered to expand talisman-paper production, and the group agreed to keep building the island’s prosperity.

  • Zhao Yi established a General Affairs Hall and assigned Liu Yu, Wang Qing, Wang Ping, Wu Xiuzhu, and Zheng Ji their island duties, while Chen Yichong continued making talisman paper.
  • Wang Qing revealed that Guiwu had subdued a group of Black Armored Turtles, and Zhao Yi agreed that one spirit awakening stage turtle could help Wang Ping patrol the seas.
  • Liu Yu reported the island’s income and expenses, leaving a balance of 198 spirit stones.
  • Zhao Yi said he and Wang Qing would cover their own cultivation needs and directed the island to save for a Marrow-Cleansing Pill for Liu Yu.
  • Chen Yichong described the talisman paper, brushes, and ink he could make, and Liu Yu revealed that Jade Pearl Island had three purple jade bamboo plants.
  • Chen Yichong agreed to look into transplanting purple jade bamboo, and the group welcomed his efforts to help Linghua Island prosper.

Ch. 109Visitors Arrive

Zhao Xinghe visited Linghua Island to thank Zhao Yi for supporting the Zhao Family and to explain the Blood Cloud Bandits' peace terms. He also asked Linghua Island to take a child as a disciple and gave Zhao Yi a body-refining technique, leaving Zhao Yi to welcome the new student and consider the gift.

  • Zhao Yi and Wang Qing finished sparring, then Zhao Yi sensed visitors and took Wang Qing to greet them at the docks.
  • Zhao Yi and Wang Qing welcomed Zhao Xinghe and the child accompanying him, then brought them to Linghua Hall.
  • After the others withdrew, Zhao Xinghe thanked Zhao Yi for supporting the Zhao Family and revealed that Daoist Liefeng had negotiated peace by demanding five islands and half the market proceeds.
  • Zhao Xinghe asked Zhao Yi to accept the child as a disciple, and Zhao Yi agreed.
  • Zhao Xinghe gave Zhao Yi half of a body-refining technique as his grandson's apprenticeship gift, and Zhao Yi accepted it.

Ch. 110Dharma combat for a share of the profits

Zhao Yi learned that the Yunsha Sea Region’s share of the marketplace profits would be decided by Dharma combat and studied a body-refining art to prepare for his bout. Short on time and resources, he left Linghua Island to borrow what he needed, arriving at Peach Blossom Island to speak with Wu Yuying.

  • Zhao Xinghe left his disciple Jin'er in Linghua Island’s care and departed after agreeing to settle marketplace profits through five individual bouts between the Blood Cloud Bandits and the Yunsha Sea Region.
  • Zhao Yi agreed to fight for Linghua Island’s share, studied the Bear-and-Tiger Mountain-Breaking Art, and realized he lacked the time and resources to cultivate it fully before the Dharma combat.
  • Zhao Yi sent Wang Qing to Black Wind Island to have Yang Yan improve his battle halberd and forge a bow and arrows, while Liu Yu checked which cultivation supplies they lacked.
  • Zhao Yi left Linghua Island to borrow the needed supplies, traveling first to Peach Blossom Island and meeting Wu Yuying there.
  • Wu Yuying told Zhao Yi that she had not been doing very well lately.

Ch. 111Seeking alms far and wide

Zhao Yi traveled among the islands to borrow spiritual resources and recruit a disciple for Linghua Island, then visited Barbarian Mountain Island to trade royal jelly for body-refining supplies and learn its techniques. He left with a booklet of cultivation insights and a promise to deliver more royal jelly later in the year.

  • Wu Yuying declined to duel Zhao Xinghe, agreed to send her niece Wu Xiuzhi to Linghua Island, and lent Zhao Yi spiritual resources in exchange for royal jelly.
  • Zhao Yi brought Wu Xiuzhi to Jade Pearl Island, entrusted her to Zheng Ji, and gave Zheng Ji and Zheng Tong three mid-grade Talismans.
  • At Wind Howl Island, Zhao Yi borrowed a thousand jin of Spirit Attraction Stage demon beast flesh, and Li Yufeng offered to accompany him to Barbarian Mountain Island.
  • Zhao Yi met Zhou Zhong and arranged to trade a hundred drops of royal jelly for body-refining resources and instruction in the Meridian Opening stage.
  • Zhou Zhong taught Zhao Yi and Li Yufeng body-refining methods and gave Zhao Yi a booklet of cultivation insights; the three drank together until dawn before Zhao Yi and Li Yufeng departed.

Ch. 112Winds rise and clouds surge

Zhao Yi completed eight months of body refinement, returned to Linghua Island, and prepared to attend the spell combat contest with Wang Qing. On the journey, he learned that two new Spirit Attraction Stage factions had emerged and that Linghua Island still lacked several cultivation methods.

  • Zhao Yi gathered body-refinement equipment and supplies, then spent eight months cultivating the Bear Black Mountain-Cleaving Art until he reached its sixth level, tempered all 206 bones, and opened seventy-five apertures.
  • Zhao Yi returned to Linghua Island, where he admired Yang Yan’s middle-grade Dharma Artifact battle halberd and tested it in the courtyard; Wang Qing also showed him a longbow made from a Spirit Attraction Stage sea snake.
  • Liu Yu told Zhao Yi that the spell combat contest would begin at Yunsha Market on October 30, and Zhao Yi decided that he and Wang Qing would attend while Liu Yu and Senior Uncle guarded Linghua Island.
  • On October 28, Zhao Yi and Wang Qing departed by flying boat, and Wang Qing reported that Zhou Zhong and Wan Chengyun had both advanced to the Spirit Attraction Stage.
  • Zhao Yi learned that Linghua Island had methods for all five elements at the Meridian Opening Stage but still lacked metal-, earth-, and fire-attribute methods for the Spirit Attraction Stage, leaving him frustrated about finding a cultivation method of his own.

Ch. 113Heaven Would Not Grant His Wish

At the Yunsha Market, Zhao Yi learned that the Blood Cloud Bandits had become the Han Family of Black Star Island and joined the other Spirit Attraction Stage cultivators to watch the duels. He drew Qin Wuya as his opponent and, after a fierce exchange, stood against him with Qin Wuya already injured.

  • Xu Changwang told Zhao Yi and Wang Qing that all but the Zhao Family of Little Wave Island had arrived, three new Spirit Attraction Stage factions had emerged, and news of the Zhao Family’s peace with the Blood Cloud Bandits had spread.
  • Wang Qing visited Fubo Pavilion’s merchant ship while Zhao Yi received island leaders and learned that gambling houses had begun taking bets on the duels.
  • On October 30, the Spirit Attraction Stage cultivators gathered as the Han Family of Black Star Island arrived to face the Yunsha Sea Region’s representatives.
  • Zhao Yi drew Qin Wuya’s name, stopped Zhao Changqing from taking the first bout, and challenged Qin Wuya himself after Yang San’er came forward.
  • Zhao Yi and Qin Wuya traded powerful attacks, and Zhao Yi’s Battle Halberd and Bear-Bear Battle Roar injured Qin Wuya while their clash harmed nearby Rogue Cultivators.

Ch. 114Like Splitting Bamboo

Zhao Yi killed Qin Wuya in the duels, helping secure a share of the marketplace for the Yunsha Sea Region, though Daoist Liefeng threatened him afterward. Zhao Xinghe gave Zhao Yi a Jade Slip pointing to a cultivator’s cave abode and warned that Liefeng would eventually seek revenge.

  • Zhao Yi used the Boiling Blood Art and his Mountain-Breaking halberd technique to kill Qin Wuya, then challenged Yang San'er, who refused to fight.
  • Daoist Wu stopped Daoist Liefeng from retaliating and insisted that the duels continue under the agreed rules.
  • Wind-Thunder Rogue lost his match but survived after Li Yufeng intervened; Zhao Changqing was badly wounded by Yang San'er, while Qingli Rogue won and Blood Orchid Rogue lost.
  • The Yunsha Sea Region won two of five matches, and Zhao Xinghe announced the marketplace shares, granting the Han Family thirty percent and the Zhao Family twenty percent.
  • Daoist Liefeng threatened Zhao Yi before leaving, and Zhao Xinghe warned that Liefeng would eventually try to kill him.
  • Zhao Xinghe gave Zhao Yi a Jade Slip leading to a cave abode where the Bear-and-Tiger Mountain-Breaking Art had been found, and told him to prepare for Liefeng's revenge.

Ch. 115The aftermath

After installing Linghua Island’s defensive formation, Zhao Yi took Liu Yu and Wang Qing to the Undersea Cave Abode so Liu Yu could attempt to advance to the Spirit Attraction Stage. Liu Yu succeeded through an unusual moment of sudden enlightenment, comprehended a powerful water spell, and Zhao Yi prepared to test it.

  • Zhao Yi used the gambling winnings to buy a formation inheritance, and Wu Yuying installed the Vast Origin Golden Light Formation on Linghua Island.
  • Zhao Yi took Liu Yu and Wang Qing to the Undersea Cave Abode, where Liu Yu refined a Marrow-Cleansing Pill and prepared for his breakthrough.
  • While Liu Yu cultivated, Zhao Yi sorted Qin Wuya’s storage bag and found the Black Metal Divine Wind Scripture, which he suspected Daoist Liefeng practiced.
  • Liu Yu advanced to the Spirit Attraction Stage without a visible disturbance and explained that studying Daoist script had led to a sudden enlightenment and a water spell.
  • Zhao Yi urged the disciples to study Daoist scriptures, gave Liu Yu the storage bag and artifacts, and planned to test the spell’s power.

Ch. 116Return to Azure Cloud Island

Zhao Yi took Wang Qing to Azure Cloud Island, where they bought supplies before returning to Linghua Island, and Zhao Yi began a long period of secluded cultivation. Meanwhile, the Han Family and two allied lineages established footholds in the Yunsha Sea Region, and the Zhao Family gained a new Spirit Attraction Stage cultivator at the cost of Zhao Changyu’s life.

  • Zhao Yi and Wang Qing traveled to Biyun Market, bought a spirit beast bag and spiritual items, and sold several dharma artifacts to cover part of the cost.
  • On their return, Wang Qing defeated bandit cultivators attacking a merchant ship, and Zhao Yi found an earth-attribute cultivation art among their possessions but chose not to switch to it.
  • Zhao Yi returned to Linghua Island, arranged for Liu Yu and the others to use Bee Queen Jelly after their debts were repaid, and entered secluded cultivation to advance his cultivation and refine his blood and qi.
  • The Han Family established itself on Black Star Island, while the lineages of the second and third Blood Cloud Bandit leaders occupied two nearby islands.
  • Zhao Xingyu advanced to the Spirit Attraction Stage, while Zhao Changyu failed his breakthrough and died in seated meditation.

Ch. 117Li Hai sought help

After five years of seclusion, Zhao Yi reached perfection of spirit drawing and returned to Linghua Island, where he learned that Li Hai and Wang Qing had gone to investigate a Core Condensation cultivator’s undersea cave abode. He set out for the outer seas to find them after hearing that demon cultivators had ambushed the expedition.

  • Liu Yu finished refining a formation disc and learned that Li Hai had returned to Linghua Island for help before leaving with Wang Qing to investigate the undersea cave abode.
  • Zhao Yi completed his seclusion, reached perfection of spirit drawing, and flew back to Linghua Island.
  • Zhao Yi learned from Liu Yu that Li Hai and Wang Qing had been gone for over half a month, then took the Jade Slip marking the cave abode’s location.
  • Zhao Yi traveled to Azure Cloud Island and heard that demon cultivators had ambushed the expedition and that human and demon cultivators were facing off.
  • Zhao Yi declined Liu Yifeng’s invitation to join an expedition and left the market to search for Li Hai and Wang Qing using the child conch.

Ch. 118Undercurrents Stirred

Yang Qicheng tried to recruit the Chen family into a campaign to redistribute Yunsha Market’s profits, while Zhao Yi traveled toward the Undersea Cave Abode and reached Wang Qing and Li Hai as they faced a deadly ambush. Zhao Yi killed two attackers and engaged their perfected Spirit Attraction leader, while Li Hai fought another assailant.

  • Yang Qicheng urged Chen Jinde to support changing the market’s profit shares, but Chen Jinde refused to get involved.
  • Yang Qicheng left Greenfish Island, intending to make Linghua Island, Xuanli Island, Wind Howl Island, and Bamboo Sea Island pay for their shares and for his father’s murder.
  • Zhao Yi killed three cultivators who attacked him on his journey, then followed the child conch toward Wang Qing and Li Hai.
  • Zhao Yi found Wang Qing and Li Hai surrounded by six cultivators, with Guiwu apparently dead and Wang Qing and Li Hai badly outnumbered.
  • Zhao Yi killed two attackers and fought the perfected Spirit Attraction cultivator, while Li Hai intercepted one of the remaining enemies.

Ch. 119Opportunities were hard to come by

Zhao Yi rescued Wang Qing, Li Hai, and Guiwu from their attackers and escaped a pursuing demon cultivator back to Azure Cloud Island. After discovering a cultivation method that could form a superior-grade Dao Foundation among the spoils, he resolved to return with Wang Qing and Li Hai to explore the Undersea Cave Abode and seek his own Dao Foundation method.

  • Zhao Yi killed the cultivators attacking him and Li Hai, then used a Supreme Spring Return Pill to stabilize Guiwu and helped Wang Qing recover.
  • A shark-headed demon cultivator pursued Zhao Yi, Li Hai, and Wang Qing, but they reached human waters and returned safely to Azure Cloud Island.
  • Zhao Yi treated Wang Qing's injuries and examined the nine Storage Bags, finding the Heavenly Sea True Scripture, which included methods for forming a superior-grade Dao Foundation.
  • Li Hai decided to switch to the Heavenly Sea True Scripture, while Wang Qing recovered and reported that Guiwu had nearly healed.
  • Zhao Yi proposed that Wang Qing and Li Hai return to Linghua Island, but they insisted on reentering the Undersea Cave Abode; Zhao Yi agreed to go with them to seek a Dao Foundation method.

Ch. 120Entering the Water Mansion

Zhao Yi, Wang Qing, and Li Hai entered the Water Mansion and looted several courtyard residences before stealing three scarlet essence fruit trees from a spirit medicine garden. After a Dao Foundation cultivator struck them down, they carried the badly injured Zhao Yi deeper into the mansion at his command.

  • Zhao Yi, Wang Qing, and Li Hai disguised themselves and waited with other cultivators for the Water Mansion to open, while a shark-headed Demon Cultivator watched them with killing intent.
  • When the Tide-Subduing Sect opened the human entrance, Zhao Yi and his companions fought their way into the left whirlpool and entered the Water Mansion.
  • Zhao Yi led Wang Qing and Li Hai to side courtyards, where they broke formations and collected spirit medicines, magical artifacts, books, spirit stones, and a green jade pear tree.
  • Li Hai spotted scarlet essence fruit trees in a spirit medicine garden, and Zhao Yi uprooted and stored all three while his companions fought off rivals.
  • A Dao Foundation cultivator attacked them with a giant hand of vital energy, leaving Zhao Yi badly wounded as the three escaped the garden with the trees.
  • Despite Wang Qing and Li Hai wanting to take him out of the Water Mansion, Zhao Yi ordered them to carry him deeper inside.

Ch. 121A life-or-death crisis

Zhao Yi and his junior brothers escaped the Water Mansion, only to be ambushed at sea by the wounded Dao Foundation cultivator they had seen at the vortex. After Zhao Yi killed the attacker, the badly injured group fled underwater toward Azure Cloud Island.

  • Zhao Yi, Wang Qing, and Li Hai searched the Water Mansion, found something in its beast garden, and left after Zhao Yi chose not to investigate the mansion's center.
  • At the vortex, a tall cultivator escaped through it after a Sword Cultivator wounded him, and Wang Qing gathered Storage Bags from the cultivators killed in the clash.
  • The three hid underwater to recover for two days, then set out for Azure Cloud Island and spotted a black-clothed ambusher demanding their Storage Bags.
  • Zhao Yi, Li Hai, Wang Qing, and Guiwu fought the Dao Foundation cultivator; Wang Qing poisoned his Flying Sword, and Zhao Yi beheaded him after Wang Qing fell into the sea.
  • Zhao Yi fed Guiwu essence blood from the dead cultivator, and Li Hai and Zhao Yi took the injured Wang Qing and Guiwu underwater to escape pursuers.

Ch. 122Chapter 122

After returning to Linghua Island, Zhao Yi and Wang Qing tried to save Guiwu with a bloodline-tempering formation while Li Hai reported their dangerous trip to Liu Yu. Zhao Yi examined the slain Dao Foundation cultivator’s spoils, found three earth-attribute cultivation arts and a pearl containing sword techniques, and waited to learn whether Guiwu would recover.

  • Zhao Yi and Wang Qing prepared a formation with water spirit stones and turtle Demon Cores, then placed the gravely wounded Guiwu inside it to recover on his own.
  • Li Hai returned to Linghua Island, told Liu Yu how the three had fought and survived a Dao Foundation cultivator, and handed over their spoils, including three scarlet essence fruit trees and a green jade pear tree.
  • Liu Yu, Li Hai, and Wu Xiuzhu hurried to the Spirit Spring to plant the four spirit trees.
  • Zhao Yi opened the slain Dao Foundation cultivator’s Storage Bag and sorted through spirit stones, damaged artifacts, pills, old spirit medicines, and cultivation records.
  • Zhao Yi found three earth-attribute cultivation arts and favored the Wu Earth Profound Spirit Treasure Art, which could form a superior-grade Dao foundation.
  • Zhao Yi discovered that a Spirit Pearl held four sword techniques from the unfamiliar Heavenly Sea Sect and decided to leave it for Li Hai before waiting for Guiwu’s outcome.

Ch. 123A farce

Liu Yu and Li Hai attended Yunsha Market’s annual profit-sharing meeting, where Yang Qicheng challenged Linghua Island’s share and the dispute nearly turned into Dharma Combat. The shares remained unchanged after most challengers withdrew, and Liu Yu later refused Xu Changwang’s request to visit his daughter on Linghua Island.

  • Liu Yu brought Li Hai to Yunsha Market, where Li Hai objected to the high prices before Liu Yu explained that the market’s prices were deliberately set higher.
  • At the annual meeting, Yang Qicheng challenged Linghua Island’s fifteen-percent share, and representatives of Xuanli Island and Wind Howl Island defended their shares too.
  • Li Hai proposed settling the dispute through Dharma Combat, but Chen Jinde and several other island representatives relinquished their shares and left.
  • Li Hai and the other island leaders offered to fight anyone who wanted their shares, prompting the remaining challengers to withdraw without a contest.
  • The profit shares stayed unchanged, and Liu Yu later refused Xu Changwang’s request to visit Xu Feiyu or send her a bundle, following Zhao Yi’s instructions to sever disciples’ former ties.

Ch. 124Ambush on the Return Journey

Liu Yu and Li Hai were ambushed on their return from Yunsha Market, where Li Hai’s swordsmanship drove off the Han Family cultivators but Liu Yu was injured. Li Hai left for Azure Cloud Island to buy pills and formation materials, while Han Chen learned of the failed ambush and Daoist Liefeng prepared to act against Linghua Island.

  • Liu Yu and Li Hai left Yunsha Market, and six black-robed cultivators ambushed them over the sea.
  • Li Hai killed one attacker and used Azure Sea Tide-Rising Sword Qi to defeat another, forcing the remaining four to withdraw after Liu Yu offered a truce.
  • Liu Yu returned to Linghua Island injured and identified the attackers as members of the Han Family, who had been testing their strength.
  • Liu Yu gave Li Hai five thousand Spirit Stones for Purple Cloud Spirit Pills and additional funds to buy supplies for a formation and other pills, then sent him to Azure Cloud Island.
  • Han Chen praised Li Hai’s swordsmanship, promised resources to help the Yang Family produce another Spirit Drawing cultivator, and learned that Daoist Liefeng planned to deal with Linghua Island personally.

Ch. 125Guiwu's soaring strength

Zhao Yi and Wang Qing witnessed Guiwu’s successful advancement into a Black-Shelled Horned Turtle, then returned with it to Linghua Island. Zhao Yi welcomed the growing group of disciples and arranged support for several members to advance to Spirit Drawing.

  • After months of cultivation, Zhao Yi reflected on the Wu Earth Profound Spirit Treasure Art and the cultivation requirements for establishing a sect.
  • Wang Qing reported that Guiwu’s advancement had succeeded, and two days later Guiwu awoke as a powerful Black-Shelled Horned Turtle with much stronger cultivation.
  • Zhao Yi tested Guiwu’s spells and defenses, confirming that its shell could withstand attacks from a middle-grade dharma artifact.
  • Zhao Yi and Wang Qing returned to Linghua Island, where Liu Yu, Li Hai, and the others welcomed them and celebrated Guiwu’s advancement.
  • Zhao Yi ordered that the island support Wu Xiuzhu, Zheng Ji, Wang Ping, and Zheng Tong in advancing to Spirit Drawing, and learned that Linghua Island now had nine fourth-generation disciples.

Ch. 126Visiting Zhao Xinghe

Zhao Yi gathered with the disciples on Linghua Island, arranged cultivation plans and defenses, then visited Zhao Xinghe to ask him to protect the island during his seclusion. Zhao Xinghe gave Zhao Yi a communication talisman and Dao Foundation insights, and Zhao Yi departed for his undersea cave abode to attempt a breakthrough.

  • Zhao Yi shared a feast with the disciples and ordered them to focus on cultivation while Liu Yu developed Linghua Island’s spirit acupoint into a spirit vein.
  • Liu Yu and Li Hai gave Zhao Yi cultivation pills bought with bandit spoils, and Zhao Yi instructed several disciples to switch to stronger cultivation arts.
  • Zhao Yi set the disciples’ generation character as “Yuan” and named Wang Qing Wang Yuanqing.
  • Zhao Yi visited Zhao Xinghe on Little Wave Island and asked him to watch over Linghua Island while Zhao Yi entered seclusion.
  • Zhao Xinghe warned Zhao Yi that the Han, Feng, and Xu Families had moved into the Yunsha Sea Region, then gave him a communication talisman and insights into Dao Foundation cultivation.
  • Zhao Yi returned to Linghua Island, left the talisman with Liu Yu, and departed for his undersea cave abode to establish his Dao Foundation.
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