Chapter Four Hundred and Seventy Three – Fatal Blow
Tian Ye felt the situation was terrible. He didn't know what talisman the black mist had been forged from but it was extremely thick obscuring their vision. In front of him was a black expanse so thick he could not even see his fingers, but he could clearly sense the nervousness of the guards that were next to him.
The attack that followed definitely would be ferocious.
The attack wave constructed from countless sword energies caused him to feel deep worry, even though he had only managed to take a glance. His battalion was strong offensively and weak defensively. The defensive formation they usually practiced, the [Sky Sunflower Guard Formation], was not an outstanding defense formation. He was doubtful about how long the [Sky Sunflower Guard Formation] could hold up under such a strong charge.
He already prepared himself for losing his soldiers, if it wasn't for this black mist ... ...
Even though there would still be losses, this situation would lead to many more than he previously expected. He had absolute confidence in his command, yet what shocked him and surprised him was that the Sky Ray Treasure Lens was completely ineffective against this black mist!
The Sky Ray Treasure Lens was the most important talisman on his body and was his only sixth-grade talisman. It could see through illusory spells and techniques, could view things outside a thousand li and could be called a wondrous treasure. The Sky Ray Treasure Lens was the top reason that they had managed to survive in Blood Sky Metropolis Jie.
Yet this talisman that never failed him before was ineffective today. Because of the island formation, he had been unable to view the island from the outside. The Sky Ray Treasure Lens was also non-responsive against this black mist, and had made Tian Ye suspect that it was broken.
This black mist was probably a special talisman!
Tian Ye thought about this but more of his attention was placed on the sword energy wave that was soon to arrive! After roaming in Blood Sky Metropolis Jie for a long time, he had seen many strange talismans, ones stranger than even this, and naturally did not feel great wonder.
Suddenly, a light grunt came from beside him.
However, this did not attract Tian Ye's attention. The howling of the sword energy wave was like thunder in comparison and the entire sky seemed to be trembling from its approach!
Under this terrifying wave of sound, no one paid attention to the occasional grunts that sounded from inside the black mist.
Everyone's nerves were stretched tight, and [Sky Sunflower Guard Formation] was channeled to its maximum!
The first to detect something was not right was Tian Ye. His face suddenly changed! Not good! There was a plot!
The tang of blood was faintly discernable in the black mist seemed to prove his speculation. Unafraid of anything, Tian Ye's face was ashen. His expanded pupils were full of disbelief and also had deep terror!
[Sky Sunflower Guard Formation]! It was [Sky Sunflower Guard Formation] that was telling him!
As the main commander of the battalion, every change in the battle formation would be reported to him. He has just noticed that the power of the [Sky Sunflower Guard Formation] was slightly less than half its usual strength! This discovery almost stopped his breathing, this wasn't possible!
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He was not an useless person and he had relied on his actual skills to obtain this position. In just an instant, he understood everything and was dumbstruck!
In this short period, only two-thirds of the combat xiu were left in the [Sky Sunflower Guard Formation]!
How was this possible?
He almost didn't dare to believe this result!
This battalion's members had been handpicked by him. He had taken them to Bloody Sky Metropolis Jie and gone through many hardships to bring them back to Cloud Sea Jie! These subordinates that were unwaveringly loyal to him, he understood them better than anyone. They definitely would not make such a fatal mistake at such a crucial time!
The only possibility was that one third of the combat xiu had been assassinated unknowingly!
He suddenly realized that the black mist wasn't used to just obscure their vision! It hid a murderousness plot!
At this time, one of his personal guards slumped over without any strength.
"A Yong!" Tian Ye shouted in shock. For the first time, he felt terror. The black mist that was almost tangible in front of his eyes seemed to hid a vicious beast that could not be seen and would consume lives at any moment.
Tian Ye's shout did not attract the attention of other combat xiu because of the sword energies!
The howling of the sword energy great wave drowned out everything, like the howling and barks of countless yao beasts. They charged like a tide, furious and bloodthirsty!
Bam bam bam!
Facing this terrifying wave of sword energy, the light of the defensive formation was as fragile as glass and upon contact, it turned to powder in the black mist!
The collapse of the battle formation undoubtedly signaled the fate of this group of combat xiu!
In battles between battalions, when their formation was shattered, especially their defense formation, that meant failure. The talismans on the soldiers bodies were not any different than paper mache in front of the vast expanse of sword energies!
The combat xiu that lost the protection of the battle formation didn't even have time to wail before they were torn to pieces by the flood of sword energies!
The moment the battle formation shattered, Tian Ye knew that they had lost this battle.
Lost completely!
His terror disappeared, and he showed the rebellious smile he usually had.
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Dying under the sword of such an opponent, it was a worthy death!
———
Flee! Flee! Flee!
The three jindan were like homeless dogs, hating that their parents hadn't given birth to them with a pair of wings. In their frantic retreat none of them displayed the usual composure of a jindan.
They had originally prepared to flee towards the Tian Ye Battalion as it was the top battalion of the Tian Family and was very strong. If they could run there, they should be safe. The three of them were jindan cultivation and Tian Ye would definitely recruit them.
If they could help Tian Ye get some combat service, then they would find it easy to return home. They were different than those others that were recruited from the outside, they were born Tian Family members and their own family members were in the clan. If they were not forced to, then they would not leave the Tian Family.
Who knew the Tian Ye Battalion that they put their high hopes on couldn't even stand up under one encounter and had turned to ash!
The three completely lost of their courage!
That was Tian Ye Battalion! The true top battalion of the Tian Family! A battalion that could rank in all of Cloud Sea Jie!
Ow ... .. how could it be destroyed just like that?
Terror was like a powerful poison that spread to every corner of their body and ate at every one of their nerves! There was only one thought in their minds, stay far from this ghastly place! Farther!
They flew furiously!
Yet what they had not expected was that because their speed was much faster than other combat xiu, they were extremely eye-catching and had attracted Lil' Pagoda's attention.
Before, Ma Fan's plan had been to bolt the door and beat the dog. They were to lure the Tian Family into the island, and then close the large formation to destroy all of them on the island. Yet no one had expected Tian Ye Battalion to not advance with the others, and not enter Turtle Island as they had expected. Due to this, Lil' Pagoda still had not received the order to close the island formation.
But when Lil' Paogda saw the three jindan about the escape from the island formation, it became panicked and instantly closed the formation without a word!
In a blink, black clouds appeared in the sky. Thunder roared in the cloud layers, and silver snakes arced. The black clouds came extremely quickly as though it appeared out of everywhere.
The expressions of the three jindan changed dramatically. They were not dumb and understood what the other intended!
To kill them all!
Among the thick black clouds, the curving electric snakes caused their hearts to tremble. The terrifying power was like a storm that blew against the weak mental barriers of the three! Yet the last straw that broke the camel's back was the azure light that was faintly discernable.
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The three felt themselves frozen and all of them had hopeless expressions.
When had they ever been pushed to such a hopeless state? After becoming jindan, failure and setbacks seemed to distance themselves, and they were forever the objects of admiration!
But right now ... ...
The hopelessness on the person leading gradually turned to viciousness. His face was twisted, his eyes full of uncaring frenzy as he shouted, "Brothers! Kill one to break even ... ..."
His harsh and hopeless voice suddenly stopped, his expression freezing on his face as though he became statue in a flash.
He dropped down from the sky, bam, and hit the ground heavily. There wasn't a thread of life on his body.
Following the fall of their fellow, the jindan seemed to see a ghost.
There was a wooden faced young female and a large bird silently standing near his body. The young female did not have any expression on her face, her eyes empty and without emotion. The large bird beside her was staring with a vicious expression at them!
Was it this seemingly lifeless young female that had just attack?
The found it hard to believe. This young female did not seem to be exceptional in any regard, and they were even unable to feel any ling power vibration from her body.
No one told them the answer!
Endless terror consumed their minds, other than terror their eyes could not hold anything else! The bravery to drag others into death with them was erased by this eerie attack!
This was an eerie place!
Everything was so eerie. Otherwise, why would they have been defeated? Why did Tian Ye Battalion get defeated so quickly? Why did they have to die here? Why was not one person able to escape ... ...
Everything was like a nightmare in front of them. Their gazes were scattered and their presences became chaotic.
They heard a clear chirp among their blurriness and it seemed to have a thread of disdain.
What followed was a pain in their chest and then they did not know anything.
———
Looking at the black clouds that shrouded the entire Turtle Island, Li Shu showed a serious expression.
At his side, Feng Bai's expression was shocked. "Is all of Tian Family going to die here? I hadn't expected that this Turtle Island's strength was so, it isn't bad."
Li Shu did not speak. Feng Shixiong said that Turtle Island wasn't bad but it could be heard from his tone that he was indifferent. This was very normal. Feng Shixiong was just passing through Cloud Sea Jie and did not understand the Tian Family's strength so he would be like this.
But Li Shu understood the Tian Family's strength and deep worry entered his eyes.
Translator Ramblings: Li Shu is the person that persuaded Ning Yi to take the job of killing Zuo Mo and the others.
On another note, Tian Ye really got dragged down by his family. He only came because he was ordered to do so and failed because the family patriarch's brother was not a good commander.
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Chapter Four Hundred and Seventy Four – A Visit from Liao Qi Chang
After victory of the battle at Turtle Island, Lil' Miss did not hesitate and instantly retaliated against the Tian Family. Their battalions killed, the remaining Tian Family forces were not a match for Vermillion Bird Camp and quickly collapsed. Even the Old Master Tian that was in seclusion in hopes of breaking through to yuanying had to come out to save them.
Yet Zuo Mo and the others had returned by this time. With all of the experts in attendance, even though Old Master Tian had jindan third stratum cultivation, he could not stop Zuo Mo and the others from ganging up on him and was killed.
The battle that occurred between Turtle Island and the Tian Family astounded all of Xu Ling City. The Tian Family's instantaneous destruction was a great blow to many people, especially those businesses that had allied with the Tian Family to work against Turtle Island. They were terrified and many of them even fled Xu Ling City during the night.
What was worthy of speculation was Xu Ling Sect's attitude. Xu Ling Sect had not reacted to such a significant event, as though they did not notice it had occurred.
Having taken over the Tian Family's territory and ling fields, Turtle Island jumped to become the second power of Xu Ling City and its reputation shot up.
The news that followed after pushed Turtle Island's reputation to even greater heights.
Someone found had Yuan Xin's bones.
Yuan Xin was found on a desolate island. His fleshly body had been destroyed only leaving behind pale white bones. If it was not his personal effects and artifacts that proved he was Yuan Xin, no one would connect this pile of white bones to the top ranked expert of Cloud Sea Jie.
Yuan Xin was dead, Ning Yi and Gu Ming Gong had disappeared.
The businesspeople of Xu Ling City entered a period of unprecedented terror. The businesses that could escape Xu Ling City all ran, while many the remaining businesses could not leave Xu Ling City, due to various reasons, could only await their fates. The news of the Tian Family, were nightmares that did not allow them to rest at night.
Xu Ling City was full of terror.
———
At this time Turtle Island was full of joy and cheer.
This battle had been a dangerous one but they had achieved victory in the end. Starting from yesterday, everyone was inventorying the spoils, and all of them couldn't help but smile.
The richness of the harvest this time surpassed everyone's predictions. The Tian Family was very rich, as would be expected of a family with a long history. It dazzled Zuo Mo's eyes and caused him to drool. He finally knew that he had underestimated these local families.
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In just jingshi, there were thirty six sixth-grade jinghsi, and the talismans of various types were innumerable. There were two sixth-grade talismans. Other than the Sky Ray Treasure Lens, the other was a rare sixth-grade ling plant talisman, Earth Spirit Matter Conveying Stone. He had taken the Earth Spirit Matter Conveying Stone from the body of the Old Master Tian. He didn't know what this stone was forged from, it could continuously release ling power, and nurture all substances, it was a wondrous treasure!
Even Zuo Mo had never seen such a wondrous talisman before.
There were also many fourth and fifth-grade talismans but they no longer interested Zuo Mo. He gave them as rewards to the members with outstanding accomplishments in battle.
What were the most numerous was the Tian Family's ling fields and ling mines!
The Tian Family had started out as ling plant farmers and even Xu Ling Sect could not compare to them in terms of ling fields. The Tian Family also had the largest number of ling plant farmers. Under the soft and hard tactics from the Tian Family, these ling plant farmers had signed death contracts. Now that the Tian Family was defeated, they also became Zuo Mo's spoils of battle.
However, Zuo Mo had decided not to reveal the formations on the ling fields of Turtle Island to these ling plant farmers. He wasn't ignorant and understood this method that completely upended the traditional ling farming methods, and would create endless trouble for him if it was revealed. Before he was strong enough, there could only be one outcome.
With so many ling plant farmers, he didn't need to worry at all and only needed to send a few people to supervise the production.
This was a hen that would continuously lay golden eggs.
———
"Island Master really is powerful!"
Outside the island, Liao Qi Chang's voice passed over the distance.
Zuo Mo leapt into the air and welcomed him. He saw Liao Qi Chang and Xu Zheng Wei come together and raised his folded hands in a greeting, "Mister Liao, Elder Xu, long time no see!"
Xu Zheng Wei hurriedly returned the greeting and his tone held a thread of awe. "Island Master, long time no see!"
If it was said he had just been shocked at the power of Zuo Mo and the others, now he really felt awe. The enormous Tian Family had been turned to dust in the blink of an eye. The power of this Turtle Island wasn't just awe inspiring, it was terrifying!
Liao Qi Chang laughed brightly, "Island Master's fight tactics are uncanny and will be a classic!"
"This is just good luck! Luck!" Zuo Mo pretended to be humble as he spoke, but he still felt proud inside.
Liao Qi Chang shook his head and said, "Luck? Island Master is incorrect! Who can destroy the Tian Family based on luck? Only people with great charisma and skill can do it! Even that battalion ranking can't stay still. Thirty two, a rank that even the Xu Ling Battalion has never held. It seems the name of Turtle Island is going to spread through the entire Cloud Sea Jie!"
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Zuo Mo tried to act humble but he still couldn't help but smile, these were clearly the mannerisms of a lowly person that had accomplished their dream.
However, it had not gone to his head. He hurriedly said, "That doesn't count, doesn't count. What have you come for this time ... ..."
He saw Liao Qi Chang say with a smile , "This one has come this time for three matters."
Zuo Mo replied, "What three matters?"
"The first matter is to congratulate Island Master for your great victory!"
Zuo Mo's expression did not change. He asked, "Many thanks, Mister Liao, then the second matter?"
"The second is about the azure aether. This one has remembered the azure aether matter that Island Master mentioned and has searched around. This one finally found it recently and is delivering it personally, as to not distract Island Master from your affairs." When Liao Qi Chang finished speaking, he took out a transparent glass bottle. Inside the bottle was a ball of azure substance that was like cloud or mist but not that slowly flowed.
As expected, this was azure aether!
Zuo Mo couldn't help but show joy. The Meridional Azure Aether Formation on the island only lacked the azure aether and it would then be perfect. In the battle this time, the power of the Meridional Azure Aether Formation had showed itself. If it wasn't for the Meridional Azure Aether Formation, and there was only the Yinyang Thunder Cloud Formation, the enemy would have managed to breakthrough long before Vermillion Bird Camp had fully prepared.
"What is the selling price of this azure aether" Zuo Mo's eyes were burning.
Liao Qi Chang smiled slightly and said, "This is hard to find but its price is not high. This bottle of azure aether is a present for Island Master, it is this one's gift of congratulations for Island Master's victory."
Finishing, he gently handed the glass bottle to Zuo Mo.
Zuo Mo received it and it disappeared in a flash. There was no shame on his face. "Then many thanks, Brother Liao!"
Liao Qi Chang smiled slightly, "The bottle is Crystal Clean Light bottle, it is a bottle that is good for capturing substances such as clouds, mist and flowing it. So this is for Island Master as well!"
"Many thanks, Brother Liao!" Zuo Mo was slightly moved this time. To say of nothing else, just this mannerism of gifting was not something normal people could afford to do.
"Then the third matter?" Zuo Mo asked proactively. He also knew the other wouldn't give him talismans for no reason. He must have a request for the third matter. As long it was not a difficult matter, he would consent.
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"This third matter is this one wants to ask Island Master for mercy," Liao Qi Chang said slowly.
"Mercy? Mercy for what?" Zuo Mo did not understand.
Liao Qi Chang sighed lightly, "When this one heard that some businesses had allied with the Tian Family to scheme against your island, this one knew it was not good. Yet my warnings did not carry weight, and they did not listen to this one's urgings. With Island Master's great victory, they are fearful and cannot rest at night. Originally, this one did not plan on interfering in this matter, one needs to pay their debts, but they have some connections to this one, and have plead to me for days. This one really cannot bear it, and has come with a thick face to ask for a favor from Island Master. Please, spare them!"
Zuo Mo's face turned dark. He hadn't expected Liao Qi Chang to ask for mercy on behalf of those people.
Those businesses had allied with the Tian Family to suppress him from the beginning. He opened cultivation classes, they tried to stop it by using their power. Then they had a share in hiring Ning Yi, Yuan Xin and Gu Ming Gong.
Zuo Mo was never a generous person. It was the opposite. He was vengeful and would settle his debts, he would repay favors and take revenge! From the beginning, he had noted it down and waited to settle the debts later!
Liao Qi Chang actually was asking for mercy for these people!
Liao Qi Chang knew that this request was one that difficult. Even though the battle between Ning Yi's group and Turtle Island was a mystery, but it was possible to see the life threatening danger involved from the death of Yuan Xin! No one would easily spare those that had almost killed them!
"They are extremely regretful and know it is not possible to escape their crime. Every family is willing to give their leader to Island Master to determine their fate. Also, Island Master, please accept these ten pieces of sixth-grade jingshi. They only hope to preserve some part of their family, Island Master, please spare them!" Liao Qi Chang took out a yellow little bag and handed it to Zuo Mo.
Zuo Mo's expression eased slightly but he did not immediately take the jingshi. He looked at Liao Qi Chang and said, "Those that were responsible for starting this matter need to take responsibility."
Liao Qi Chang understood that Zuo Mo's words were a death sentence for these people. Those clans would definitely deliver the heads of these people for the sake of their families and to calm Turtle Island's anger.
He nodded crisply and said, "Alright!"
Zuo Mo now took the jingshi and said, "This time, I will spare them because of Brother Liao. If they have other thoughts in the future, then do not blame this one for being impolite!"
"That is natural." Liao Qi Chang smiled as he was relieved of a great burden. He hadn't wanted to take this hot potato, but they had slowly ground down his resolve, so he had forced himself to come. However, the success of this negotiation was also beneficial for him. His reputation among the businesses would grow and no one would openly contend with this businesses.
Zuo Mo was also very content. The ten pieces of sixth-grade jingshi was a great surprise and by executing those responsible, it would intimated the businesses of Xu Ling City.
This was the best result.
Turtle Island had just swallowed the Tian Family and did not have a stable foundation. Even though he did not know why Xu Ling Sect had not made a sound this time, the other definitely was paying attention in secret. It was not hard to make trouble for those little businesses. But for Zuo Mo and the others that had recently come to Xu Ling City, it was not a wise decision to make enemies everywhere.
Rampaging and charging everywhere was something only a rash person would do. How could the cunning Zuo Mo do such unprofitable business?
Since the other side had given Zuo Mo enough to show their respect, Zuo Mo was naturally willing to take a steps off the stage.
Getting rich without a lifting a finger was the best plan!
After all, the fat piece of meat, the Tian Family, could not be digested in a short period of time.
Translator Ramblings: The "Establish in New Territory" arc has now ended. I'm sure it is a great letdown for most of you that there was no epic fight between the Tian yuanying and Zuo Mo's group but let the wealth of the Tian Family comfort you. On another note, Zuo Mo doesn't care so much for lower-grade talismans. Maybe this is a sign that he is progressing on his path to recovery from his obsession with jingshi.