The heaven-earth ominous phenomena when the Nirvana Crimson Flame Sword and Creation Universe Wok were born not only shook the entire Penglai Immortal Island but also, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, created huge waves throughout the overseas cultivation world. In several hidden sea areas ten thousand li away, multiple pairs of eyes hidden within shadows were gazing through water mirror techniques at the auspicious clouds and ethereal qi still not completely dispersed above Penglai.
"Quasi-immortal artifacts... and two emerging simultaneously..." A hoarse voice echoed in the depths of a dark sea trench, the voice carrying irrepressible greed. "If presented to the Demon Lord, it would certainly help him break through the seal sooner."
Another cold voice continued: "According to information from our insider, this kid named Tang Xiaoqi only has Nascent Soul cultivation. Parading around with two quasi-immortal artifacts is like a child walking through town displaying gold."
"Do not be careless." A third voice appeared more cautious. "This youth has earned the recognition of both Dragon and Phoenix Clans, so he must have extraordinary abilities. Besides, that old thing Ouyezi is still on Penglai..."
The first voice sneered: "Ouyezi's refinement caused too much damage; he's currentlyin seclusion recovering. As for the Dragon and Phoenix Clans... they cannot always be protecting this human boy. Issue the order—initiate the 'Divine Hunting Plan.'"
At the same time, in the guest courtyard of Penglai Immortal Island, Xiaoqi was meditating with closed eyes. The Nirvana Crimson Flame Sword transformed into a crimson-gold stream of light circling around him, while the Creation Universe Wok quietly floated at his dantian position, inhaling and exhaling heaven-earth spiritual energy. Although the newly acquired divine artifacts greatly increased his strength, forty-nine consecutive days of mental exhaustion also left him feeling somewhat tired.
"Brother Tang." Ao Qin pushed open the door and entered, his expression grave. "I just received a Dragon Clan classified report with several not-so-good pieces of news."
Xiaoqi opened his eyes, indicating for him to continue.
"First, news of you reforging the divine artifacts has spread throughout the overseas region." Ao Qin spoke heavily. "Now countless eyes are secretly watching this place. Additionally... we discovered traces of Shadow Snake Pavilion remnants' activity."
"Shadow Snake Pavilion?" Xiaoqi's brow slightly furrowed. "Didn't they disappear without a trace after the battle at the Ten Thousand Poisons Marsh?"
"It seems they only went underground." Ao Qin took out an image-preserving pearl and activated it, showing several blurry figures. "These people appeared at Penglai's outer sea three days ago, their movements secretive. Though well disguised, the Dragon Clan's unique sensing discovered the residual demonic qi on them."
In the image, several people dressed as ordinary overseas cultivators were discussing in secret on a deserted island. Though the specific content could not be heard, when one person raised his hand, a black snake tattoo was vaguely visible beneath his sleeve, confirming their identity.
"It seems they came for the divine artifacts." Xiaoqi's expression was calm, as if he had anticipated this long ago.
Feng Qingyin appeared at the doorway without anyone noticing when she arrived, her cool voice coming through: "Not only Shadow Snake Pavilion. I sense at least three different forces have laid ambushes around Penglai's periphery. Among them... one carries a nauseating bloody qi."
The three looked at each other, all understanding what this meant. The temptation of two quasi-immortal artifacts was truly too great, enough to make many forces hiding in the dark take desperate risks.
"What are your plans, Brother Tang?" Ao Qin asked. "Do you want to stay on Penglai for a few more days and wait for the attention to die down?"
Xiaoqi shook his head: "What must come will come eventually. Besides... Ijust want to test the power of my new divine artifacts."
He spoke lightly, but the cold light flickering in his eyes made Ao Qin involuntary shiver.
That night, Penglai Immortal Island held a small celebratory banquet. During the feast, many overseas cultivators implicitly expressed their desire to view the divine artifacts, all of which Xiaoqi politely declined. Halfway through the banquet, a person dressed as a servant quietly approached Xiaoqi and handed over a jade slip.
"Someone asked me to deliver this to Tang True Lord."
The jade slip had no identification, but when Xiaoqi's divine sense swept over it, he immediately sensed the faint demonic qi contained within. He calmly accepted the jade slip and did not open it until he returned to his quarters.
"At midnight tomorrow, the Solitary Star Island awaits your presence. If you wish to know Xu Zhan's whereabouts, please come alone."
The message in the jade slip was short, but the two characters "Xu Zhan" made Xiaoqi's pupils suddenly contract. His father's whereabouts had always been a thorn in his heart. Though reason told him this was likely a trap, but what if...
"What's wrong?" Mu Xue's voice came from behind him. She had emerged from seclusion without anyone noticing, her aura even more condensed than before, clearly her cultivation had advanced again.
Xiaoqi handed her the jade slip. After reading it, Mu Xue's brow slightly frowned: "Obviously a trap. But... are you going?"
"Going, of course going." A determined light flashed in Xiaoqi's eyes. "But not alone."
He took out the Creation Universe Wok. With a slight movement of his heart, the taiji pattern at the wok's bottom slowly rotated and projected a detailed sea chart. Several red dots were particularly prominent—precisely the suspicious locations Ao Qin and Feng Qingyin had mentioned earlier.
"Since they set a trap, let's turn the tables." Xiaoqi's fingertip traced across the sea chart. "Here, here, and here... these are all excellent ambush locations. But..."
A cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth: "In the end, who ambushes whom is not necessarily certain."
Mu Xue looked at his confident appearance, a hint of a smile appearing in her eyes: "It seems you already have a plan."
"That's right." Xiaoqi nodded. "But I need your cooperation, as well as Ao Qin's..."
Just as they were discussing, on a deserted island three hundred li in the outer sea of Penglai, several black shadows werespeaking in low voices in the dense forest.
"The message has been delivered; that kid will definitely come."
"Are you sure Ouyezi won't interfere?"
"Rest assured, that old fellow's refinement caused too much damage; now he can't even crush an ant."
"And the Dragon and Phoenix Clans..."
"Sent people to create disturbances; enough to hold them off for some time."
The leading black shadow raised his head. Moonlight illuminated his fierce face, which bore the scar left by the Crimson Flame Sword. He was one of the Silver Mask Emissaries of Shadow Snake Pavilion who had escaped from Qingxu Temple in years past. Touching the scar on his face left by the Crimson Flame Sword, his eyes were full of resentment and hatred.
"Tang Xiaoqi... This time I will make you pay in blood for your debts!"
The sea wind howled, stirring up thousand-layered waves. Beneath the calm sea surface, undercurrents surged violently. A storm surrounding the two quasi-immortal artifacts was about to erupt in this overseas land. And at the center of this storm, that young man in green robes was quietly wiping the newly born Nirvana Crimson Flame Sword. The sword blade reflected his determined gaze.
Tomorrow was destined to be anything but peaceful.