Splash... splash... splash...
Waves surged violently, their crashing echoes reverberating across the sky.
At that moment, the entire Thousand Island Water City had fallen into complete silence only the ceaseless sound of rushing water remained.
Dead... he's dead?!
A false Golden Core cultivator was killed instantly by a single strike?!
The cultivator army from Jiuding Valley felt as if the sky had collapsed. Some were plunged into despair, others driven to madness.
With no Golden Core cultivator leading them, absorbing the brunt of the grand formation's power, they were now like fish in a barrel within this third-grade formation!
Whoosh whoosh whoosh
The black waters surged forward, engulfing the mutilated head and corpse of Jiuding Master. Under the corrosive power of the black waters, it took only moments before the body bloated and deformed, all life extinguished. Both his corpse and the golden cauldron were absorbed into the body of the Blackwater Giant.
To the eyes of the onlookers below, it looked as if this terrifying entity had devoured even Jiuding Master's body without mercy utterly ruthless, his fearsome presence grew all the more terrifying.
The remaining Jiuding Valley cultivators immediately suffered another devastating blow to their morale. Most had already given up resistance entirely.
Some were driven to a final frenzy, charging desperately through the formation, seeking even the slimmest chance to escape with their lives.
After all, who could say this Blackwater Giant wouldn't turn his attention to the next, devouring them as he had Jiuding Master?
Their chaotic retreat made them little more than lambs to the slaughter.
Though the cultivators of Thousand Island Water City were equally shocked, their fear quickly turned to fury and bloodlust eager to exact revenge on the enemy.
Just moments ago... they had truly believed death was their only fate!
Seeing this turn of events, Li Ye had no intention of holding back. He immediately manipulated the formation, further dividing and trapping the Jiuding army, creating more openings for Thousand Island Water City's counterattack.
"Se–senior..."
Ou Cha tried his best to remain calm as he called out to the Blackwater Giant.
"This is the Frost Condensate Water you wanted... Senior, you've lifted this great crisis from our city. We are all endlessly grateful!"
"We humbly thank Senior for your immense kindness!"
As he spoke, Ou Cha respectfully offered the frosty jade vial containing the Frost Condensate Water, while he and the other cultivators who had rushed over bowed deeply in mid-air, their attitudes as sincere as could be.
At that moment, the pitch-black orb and the nine black-water dragons spiraled back around, coiling once more around the Blackwater Giant.
Its golden core-level aura remained undiminished, and the full control over the Mystic Water Tidal Formation was still clearly in his hands.
It might appear that Thousand Island Water City belonged to the disciples and descendants of Bihu Sanren, but in truth, this entire place was now under the control of this mysterious Blackwater Giant!
To possess such formation access, such deep understanding of its mechanisms, and that mysterious orb above his head...
Ou Cha and the others strongly suspected that this very orb might be the Blackwater Pearl, the life-bound treasure of their late master, Bihu Sanren. Could this person truly be the heir of their master's legacy?
But inviting a god is easy, sending one away is hard!
Though Jiuding Master had been slain, and the city's crisis resolved, this man's threat was even greater than the enemy's!
If he desired to claim Thousand Island Water City for himself, then with Uncle Black Flood Dragon gravely injured and unable to fight, every soul in the city was now at his mercy. Ou Cha and the others couldn't resist him in the slightest.
None dared to show even a hint of emotion, nor did they dare to ask about Bihu Sanren. They simply offered the treasure in grateful submission, praying this mysterious senior would take it and leave peacefully.
Once the frosty jade vial was accepted into the Blackwater Giant's body, his life-bound puppet briefly examined it confirmation was made.
Then, Li Ye cast a sweeping glance over the bowing cultivators below and suddenly chuckled.
"You need not worry. I have no interest in this Thousand Island Water City. Once I retrieve one last item, I will be on my way..."
As he spoke, the Blackwater Giant's form suddenly dissolved into a surging river of water, flowing straight toward the deep lake at the heart of the city.
"The final item? That's..."
Ou Cha cautiously lifted his head to glance in the direction the water surged his expression instantly changed.
"Not good! Uncle Black Flood Dragon!"
The gathered disciples and cultivators were struck with panic at once. Some looked ready to move but hesitated.
But it only took a moment once spiritual light burst forth from Ou Cha's body and he moved without delay, the others gritted their teeth and followed close behind.
If that man took Uncle Black Flood Dragon's demon core, then what was the point of driving off Jiuding Master?
Aside from the city itself, their most precious treasure would still end up in someone else's hands!
Even if it meant risking their lives, they had to try and stop him!
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh
Streaks of spiritual light shot through the air, chasing after the Blackwater River as it surged rapidly toward the deep lake at the center of the city.
Crash, crash
The black water surged like something solid. Part of it restrained Black Flood Dragon, while another portion gathered at his reverse scale, churning furiously.
"Senior, please show mercy! We're willing to pay a heavy price just to spare Uncle Black Flood Dragon's life!"
Splurt!
Blood sprayed from Black Flood Dragon as he let out a shrill and miserable cry, nearly drowning out Ou Cha's voice.
The next moment, Black Flood Dragon's body suddenly relaxed and collapsed on the chaotic shoreline of the central island completely motionless.
"No! Uncle Black Flood Dragon!"
Seeing this, Ou Cha's eyes instantly turned red. The other disciples behind him were stunned for a moment then surged forward, their expressions ferocious.
Spiritual tools appeared in their hands, and they looked ready to fight to the death.
Just then, a weak and irritated voice rang out:
"What are you shouting for? I'm not dead, damn it!"
It was Black Flood Dragon himself.
He lay sprawled on the ground, his aura gradually stabilizing, clearly beginning to recover.
A Golden Core stage demon beast, if it wished, could refine the bone in its throat and gain the ability to speak human language.
Black Flood Dragon had been raised by Bihu Sanren, so speaking the human tongue was nothing unusual.
At that, Ou Cha and the others were briefly stunned, halting their actions mid-motion.
Crash, crash
The black waters surged, absorbing a thick, vicious wooden spike still stained with the blood from Black Flood Dragon's reverse scale into the Blackwater Giant's body.
"This fellow here helped me remove that damn Dragon-Subduing Spike. What are you all screeching about?"
Black Flood Dragon spoke again, eyes subtly signaling them.
Ou Cha and the rest awkwardly froze for a second, then quickly caught on and bowed toward Li Ye.
"Senior's great kindness in removing the hidden danger for Uncle Black Flood Dragon we are deeply grateful!"
They sure changed their expressions quickly.
Li Ye shook his head with a smile.
"Since I've helped resolve your crisis today, we're now even for the favor I once received from Senior Bihu."
"No need to thank me. Just know should we ever meet again in battle, don't expect me to show mercy."
Ou Cha hurriedly stepped forward:
"Please, may we know Senior's name? If we or our disciples ever encounter you again in the future, we'll make sure to steer clear. We would never dare stand against you!"
But the Blackwater Giant gave no reply.
His form suddenly collapsed, dissolving into the lake below, and disappearing in an instant.
Just as he'd arrived without a trace so too did he vanish, leaving not a single clue as to where he had gone.
"A true dragon seen at the head but never at the tail... This Senior is truly extraordinary…"
Ou Cha murmured as he stared into the water. The next moment, he quickly took out a command token and checked the formation.
Finally… the access authority that had been suppressed earlier had returned!
"Don't just stand there like idiots!"
At that moment, Black Flood Dragon's roar echoed out, "Get me my medicine already! I'm badly injured who knows how long I'll need to recover!"
"Oh right! Right away!"
The group of disciples hurried to respond.
Some rushed to fetch medicine for Black Flood Dragon, and others scattered throughout the city to clean up the remaining Jiuding forces opening escape routes to allow some to flee and relieve the pressure.
For a while, it was utter chaos.
This catastrophe one that nearly destroyed everything their master had built over a lifetime had finally, at long last, passed.
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