Chapter 597 449: Baili Cinnabar_2

He had no choice but to steel himself, taking to the skies on the wind, and flew towards the distant golden speck, maintaining the three remaining Jade Tokens in front of him, his hands forming seals, as myriad mercury spheres, large and small like Jade Beads, emerged from the surrounding sea.

"Treasure Talisman's End-of-the-World Escape Technique…"

The situation was such that he could neither defeat the enemy through battle nor escape without slowly being worn down to death; the only option left for the Water Ape was to use its escape skill, clapping its two huge palms, each the size of a cattail leaf, together to finally cast the spell. Li Xuanfeng, sensing something from afar, drew his bow again.

"Buzz, buzz, buzz…"

The buzzing sound in his ears reached its peak, causing blood to stream from both of the Water Ape's ears, as a streak of golden light, chasing its own tail, broke through the surface of the water and fell before him like a golden comet.

"Damn it!"

A blast of golden light erupted before the Water Ape, pushing all the Jade Tokens away, while the pervasive Clear Light Gang Qi surged and wound around them, inhibiting the spells. Following that, five streaks of light tailed one another in rapid succession.

"Boom!"

A white water spout burst from the sea surface, reaching for the skies, mixed with silver-white mercury droplets, which fell to the sea surface with a persistent pattering sound, as black-blue steam dispersed in all directions, making a sizzling noise.

"Roar, roar, roar!"

The Mercury White Jade Orders he had protected in front of him were smashed to bits with overwhelming force, his organs throbbing with intense pain as his limbs floated scattered around like shattered glass, swiftly breaking into pieces among the boiling Gang Qi.

"Splash."

The sea once again quieted down as the water that filled the sky fell back into the ocean, the only sounds those of the rain pouring down on the sea, creating a soft noise.

Li Xuanfeng didn't stop advancing but instead held his bow ready, silently waiting for something. He was experienced in killing monsters and knew well whether it was dead or alive.

As expected, in a short while, a streak of white light leaped from the sea surface, flying up high like a soaring sea swallow, aiming for the expanse of heaven and earth, but a golden light was already waiting for it, precisely racing toward it and shattering the white light completely.

"Splash, splash…"

Li Xuanfeng rode the wind closer, as rain from above poured down like a shower of red, the white light exploding into countless fragments, transforming into red mists that shrouded the world in a crimson veil.

This dense redness dispersed like blood drops in water against the backdrop of the dark clouds, spreading quickly and enveloping the sky above the sea, making the scene all the more terrifying.

"Boom!"

A bright silver flash of lightning streaked across the sky, and Li Xuanfeng extended his hand, the dark golden armor plate in his palm getting stained with that redness, turning even more ferocious.

"Cinnabar…"

The vast expanse of cinnabar powder covered a hundred li in all directions, even the market island received a good amount of the fallout, the surroundings a bright red, obliterating the sun and sky, tinting the water blood-red as countless fish leaped and tumbled continuously.

The Water Ape tried to protect its head with mana and escape using its skill, but was shot dead by his arrow, transforming into a vast sea of cinnabar that covered the sky and earth; under the influence of mana, the mercury-like Jade Beads trailed each other in the air, white and glimmering, with specks of silver light scattered among the red mist.

Li Xuanfeng paused for a moment in the midst of this strange phenomenon, moving toward the sea while contemplating:

"Calcining smoke rising, cinnabar turning to mercury… 'Secret White Mercury' dying and becoming a hundred li of cinnabar isn't beyond reason."

As he plunged into the sea, the area had turned red. A swath of crimson filled his view as he took out the "Inquiring Radiance" to inspect below. The coral reefs, precious metals, and the brilliance of gold beneath the sea came into view; he then collected the scattered artifacts from the seabed one by one.

By the time he soared into the sky again, the place was bustling. Many cultivators were riding the wind, some inflating bags to blow clouds, others holding Jade Bottles and drawing in sea water, all of them scrambling noisily.

As the Taoist in dark golden armor broke through the sea and emerged, silence fell abruptly. The crowd ceased their clamor, looking down, not daring to meet his gaze, and bowed in respect:

"Junior Cultivators pay their respects to the Taoist!"

Though the Water Ape's power was not as great as his, its cultivation level was considered profound. Upon its death, it had transformed into spiritual materials potentially of Qi Cultivation Grade, inciting a mad scramble. Li Xuanfeng didn't mind and, scanning the crowd, rode the wind away.

Immediately, the crowd erupted into action again, blowing winds and drawing water, occasionally exclaiming in awe:

"A senior monster at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, just perishing like that here!"

...…

Li Xuanfeng had engaged in a fierce battle, his mana greatly depleted, yet he was not as exhausted as last time. This demon-slaying was done at close range, within only about five or six miles, so the consumption of mana and physical energy were far less than when killing the monk over several dozen miles away.

Stepping onto the Flying Shuttle, he descended into the market square. The entire island's Cinnabar had already been divided cleanly by the people, who now respectfully gathered in the market to greet him, with only the faint red traces in the roof beams and stone pits indicating the recent scramble.

Standing at the forefront, Yuan Huye now showed genuine respect, bowing courteously as he said aloud,

"We pay our respects to the Taoist... Congratulations to the Taoist on the successful demon removal... Your Divine Ability Spell is astonishing, and we are all filled with admiration and gratitude."

Li Xuanfeng nodded slightly, motioning for people to step back, and beckoned to Zhong Qian, speaking in a grave tone,

"Everyone disperse. Zhong Qian, follow me."

From a corner, Zhong Qian quickly stepped out and hurriedly followed, showing a look of deep respect, and with clasped hands, he said,

"Thank you, Taoist... for saving my life by eliminating the demon..."

Li Xuanfeng walked slowly into the grand hall and stopped in front of the opulently beautiful Fountain Altar, observing the ceaselessly gushing Spiritual Spring, shaking his head as he said,

"What saving your life... I came here specifically to slay him. It's just your good fortune."

At this point, Zhong Qian appeared somewhat restrained, standing to one side:

"My luck has always been good... but the senior's life-saving deed is undeniable, and I'll keep it in mind... Otherwise, sooner or later, the demon would have dragged me off the island..."

'How could his luck not be good... after stealing the Foundation Establishment demon's treasures, leaving with such grandeur, and having someone clean up the mess for you...'

Li Xuanfeng waved his hand:

"I see your cultivation level... is about to break through."

Zhong Qian paused momentarily, then replied:

"The senior has perceptive eyesight, indeed I am seeking a place to seclude myself for my Foundation Establishment breakthrough."

Without changing his expression, Li Xuanfeng nodded and said,

"No need for further words. I've completed my mission here and will return to Fenkui Island to report. If you wish, you can use this island to break through your Foundation Establishment and then leave on your own."

Zhong Qian was slightly taken aback, wanting to say something more but seeing Li Xuanfeng wave his hand, he could only bow slightly and reply,

"Thank you, senior!"

With that, he quickly retreated, and Li Xuanfeng watched him leave, pondering for a while:

'Zhong Qian is cautious; this unintentional good fate that seems most reassuring when it appears unintended. If there were any talk of a life-saving grace... It would instead arouse suspicion, potentially leading to complications later on.'

The Water Ape's body had been reduced to a rain of mercury blood, its possessions scattered around; most of the Elixirs tumbled into the sea, to the benefit of the sea's demons, and many more Spiritual Objects were damaged in the process, leaving behind only various metallic objects.

A shining Zuowu Stone, several hefty chunks of Haiying Mercury, and two blue Jade Beads — all materials for crafting Magic Artifacts.

Apart from these few valuable items, the rest were inconsequential trinkets, possibly some Talismans as well, but in the critical moment of life and death, they proved useless, indicating their low grade, and were likely torn to shreds.

'Pity that the demon really didn't carry any Cultivation Techniques with him... but then again, who carries their Cultivation Techniques while traveling?'

Li Xuanfeng had slain many such demons, and this Water Ape was second to none with its Immortal Foundation full of ancient charm, balanced in all aspects, capable of Concealment and both protecting itself and killing enemies. It was even rarer that it knew many Taoist Spells, but it was a pity that he couldn't acquire them for himself.

"Such a demon didn't have a Foundation Establishment Magic Artifact to protect itself..."

Li Xuanfeng thought for a moment, suspecting it might have been stolen by Zhong Qian, which was why the Water Ape was so agitated. The youngster was too cunning; he claimed to have stolen the Precious Medicine, but what he truly took, only he and the Water Ape knew.

He then collected the items at hand, called over Yuan Huye to give him a few instructions, and only wanted to leave the area where Zhong Qian was as soon as possible, to avoid being dragged into any trouble later. He quickly set off, transforming into a streak of light as he flew southward.