Tainted by Sha

The South Sea, near the coast, above the sea surface.

The dragon prince, with his imposing stature and two horns on his forehead, clapped his hands and laughed.

The old cultivator beside him, whose body was brimming with Blood Qi, also smiled ingratiatingly.

Another middle-aged cultivator, dressed in black and with a menacing look in his eyes, remained expressionless.

In front of the three people were three broken life tablets, corresponding to the whale demon, the Blood Young Master, and Heba Yansi respectively.

Simply by probing with one's Divine Sense, one can sense the images left behind by the owner of the life tablet before their death.

Sea monsters are servants and food of dragons.

No matter how many die, the dragon prince won't care.

[Blood Qi] has Secret Method to induce the birth of offspring and continue the bloodline, so the death of one or two descendants is not a big deal.

However, the cultivation of the [Sha Qi] lineage is difficult and extremely costly.

Heba Yansi is a true [Foundation Establishment] seed.

Now that he is dead and his family has perished, the Heba Household has suffered a devastating loss.

The Daoist Blood glanced at Heba and chuckled, "Your Highness's plan has succeeded smoothly; you should be happy! Why are you looking so gloomy, Fellow Daoist Heba?!"

The dragon prince naturally understood the provocation.

He just felt that what the Daoist Blood said did make sense, glanced at the Heba Household head, and snorted coldly.

Despite his fear of the dragon's power, the head of the Heba Household did not fawn over the [Foundation Establishment] dragon prince. He calmly said, "Yansi is my eldest son and the Dao Child of the [Sha Qi] lineage. It is his blessing to serve Your Highness to the death."

"My Heba Household has spared no effort in planning for Your Highness, and we have a clear conscience."

"But after thinking it over and over, I still feel that the ending isn't quite satisfactory."

"If Fellow Daoist Xue's descendants are more capable and directly lead that [Kan Water] cultivator into demonic possession, then the mission will truly be accomplished."

The Dragon Prince had his own methods for managing his subordinates and was pleased to see the two Devil Cultivator fighting amongst themselves. He turned his dragon eyes toward the Daoist Blood.

"Your Highness, Blood Robe Island has done its utmost." Upon hearing this, Daoist Blood hurriedly explained, "Retrieving the [Confluence Water] Pearl is also of paramount importance. My grandson even sacrificed his life for it. I beg Your Highness to see the truth and not listen to slander!"

"Enough!" Seeing that the argument between the two was about to become public, Long Zi immediately stopped them, shaking his head and saying, "The fortune of Supreme Mystery Mountain has not yet run out. How could that [Kan Water] cultivator easily fall into demonic possession?!"

He paused, then sneered, "However, with Wu Daolin's evil deeds, Li Chengxuan's corrupt practices, and now the next sect leader Liu Zhijian tainted by evil, three generations of sect leaders have strayed from righteousness and turned to evil. The fortune of the [Mystery Mountain Devil-Suppressing Dharma Lineage] should be almost exhausted."

"We only wait for the [Kan Water] to stain and purify the mountain, finally flowing eastward into the sea, bringing the fortune of Supreme Mystery Mountain with it into the dragon's mouth."

"As a member of the Dragon clan, I'll remove this thorn in my side and vent my anger!"

"My father will reward me then!"

The Daoist Blood's eyes flickered, and he said with a worried expression, "But Li Chengxuan, he entered the Dao with [Mundane World Qi] and was able to [Foundation Establishment] so quickly. It's clear he has Fate. In addition, Supreme Mystery Mountain has a deep foundation, so I'm afraid there might be some changes."

Li Chengxuan was able to reach the Foundation Establishment, but isn't it all because that great man had to fall at this particular moment of all times?!

It actually revived Supreme Mystery Mountain, which was on its last breath.

The dragon prince hesitated, but since he wasn't in the Dragon Palace, he dared not speak ill of his lord. He only said, "That Li Chengxuan entered the Dao by absorbing the Mortal World Turbid Qi energy of the mortal world. Even if he is fortunate enough to achieve Foundation Establishment, his Dao Path is ultimately limited. Furthermore, his chief disciple cultivates the Kan Water, which means that the fate of Supreme Mystery Mountain is destined to end."

"All that's happening now is just a final burst of energy before the storm ends."

"Even the rivers of the Central Continent flow into the sea, let alone those of the Southern Reach?!"

"Your Highness is insightful and far-sighted, with flawless strategies," the Heba Household head praised repeatedly, then cautiously inquired, "I wonder what taboo Supreme Mystery Mountain has violated to incur the wrath of Your Highness and the Dragon King? I need to restrain my clansmen and learn from this."

"I don't know the specific reason either." Long Zi shook his head and added, "However, it's something from at least a thousand years ago. It seems that the Supreme Mystery cultivator acted recklessly and ruined the plans of that lord of the East Sea."

Upon hearing that the Dragon Lord was involved, the head of the Heba Household immediately fell silent and dared not ask any more questions.

"It's hateful that my father has strictly forbidden me from going to the Southern Reach." The Dragon Prince frowned and sighed, gazing at the Southern Reach Cliff land in the distance. "If the three of us could go ashore together, why waste our energy plotting from afar? We might just flatten Supreme Mystery Mountain directly."

The Heba Household head and the Daoist Blood remained silent, pretending not to have heard.

Even if the Dragon King permitted it, he would never set foot on land.

Not to mention the profound foundation of Supreme Mystery Mountain, even the Xue Household of Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain would not sit idly by.

That's true immortal bloodline, the legacy of the [Human Emperor], maintaining the Old Method for a thousand years—it's not something to be trifled with!

Moreover, with the revival of the Old Method, it's likely that many Child of Fate have been created.

Rashly landing on the shore might become a stepping stone or a resource for Child of Fate's spiritual practice.

"Huh?!" The dragon prince's eyes welled up with tears as he gazed into the distance. "Why is a Rainbow Rosy Clouds rising in the west?! Wasn't it said that this lineage had been severed?!"

The Daoist Blood, having cultivated for a long time and possessing more knowledge, glanced at it and solemnly said, "Your Highness, that's not a glow, it's fire! It's that [True Fire Foundation Establishment] cultivator heading towards Mirror Moon Lake!"

Mirror Moon Lake.

Looking at Liu Zhijian, whose Sha Qi was so intense it made him unstable, Hu Yueqiu asked with concern, "Senior Brother, are you alright?"

"It's alright." Liu Zhijian coughed a few times in a low voice, and black Sha Qi spewed out of his mouth, which looked very frightening.

Hu Yueqiu wanted to ask more, but then she heard a flash of fire in the western sky, followed by a whooshing sound.

Boom!

A bright flame crashed down.

As the firelight gradually faded, a human figure came into view.

Xue Yang, having anticipated this, immediately stepped forward and said, "Xue Yang of Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain pays respects to Senior Shouyan."

"Hmph..." High Person Shouyan disliked Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain and was unwilling to make things difficult for a junior. He simply snorted and ignored him, turning his gaze directly to Liu Zhijian beside him, his eyes burning like fire.

Judging from Xue Yang's demeanor and imposing presence, Liu Zhijian could easily guess that he was a high-ranking cultivator from the Immortal Alliance: "Liu Zhijian of Supreme Mystery Mountain greets Senior."

Hu Yueqiu, standing to the side, also respectfully said, "Hu Yueqiu of Supreme Mystery Mountain greets Senior."

"Heh..." High Person Shouyan chuckled, nodding slightly in response. His gaze lingered on the black fishing rod in Liu Zhijian's hand, lost in thought. He asked, "Although the Old Method of the Southern Edge Continent are showing signs of a resurgence, Foundation Establishment cultivators are still rare. I see you've clearly already obtained fortuitous opportunity, one foot already across the threshold of Foundation Establishment —an opportunity many would kill for. Why have you retreated and failed to advance?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhijian smiled, shook his head, and sighed, "To be honest, senior, this [Foundation Establishment] fortuitous opportunity came about in a very strange way, as if someone had forced it upon me. I really have no intention of relying on Child of Fate; everything that happened before was just a coincidence. After thinking it over, I think it's better to take a step back and seek peace of mind."

High Person Shouyan remained noncommittal before revealing his identity and purpose. "My Daoist name is [Shouyan]. I cultivate [True Fire] on Flame Mountain in the west, and I have some connections with Old Daoist Wu, the acting head of your Supreme Mystery Mountain."

He paused, then looked at the black fishing rod in Liu Zhijian's hand. "I saw that a new golden lotus had bloomed in the fire pool on the mountain, and I thought Child of Fate for [True Fire] had been born. I didn't expect it to be a cultivator of [Kan Water] who had obtained a [True Fire] Law Artifact."

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhijian apologized, "I've disappointed you, senior."

"I knew all along that the [True Fire] would be difficult to ignite, so I can't say I'm disappointed." High Person Shouyan glanced at Liu Zhijian and Hu Yueqiu and slowly said, "You two, one tainted by evil and the other by blood, I'm afraid you will both face calamities that will hinder your path in the future."

"Why not come back to Flame Mountain with me, slay demons and monsters, and turn this calamity into a victory?"