Chapter 758 536: Miao Quan

East Sea.

Li Qinghong rode upon the water veins, returning all the way from Zhu Lu Sea. Only upon reaching the coastal waters did she break through the surface, then flew for a few days more, the sky above gradually becoming lively.

Li Qinghong had traveled but a few miles riding thunder when she sensed mana surging from all directions, spirit mechanism highly unstable. She swept her gaze about—everywhere dharma light flowed, dazzlingly bustling.

"They've really fought it into this state…"

With the commotion at hand, Li Qinghong could only restrain her radiance, lower her speed, fly a little higher, and continue westward. Along the way, she witnessed many battles.

There were immortal cultivators locked in combat, their brilliance vivid and intense; there were also demon cultivators clashing, a scene of utter chaos. She even glimpsed familiar sect silhouettes.

She flew over an island, the seawater below dyed a deep red, and happened to encounter a man in black riding the wind, clutching a severed head in his hand.

Li Qinghong sensed trouble; she quickly veered her escaping light, tilting her direction. Yet unexpectedly, the black-clad man frowned and glanced at her, then rode his dharma wind to approach.

"Hmm?"

Alarm blazed in Li Qinghong's heart, and she also took a closer look at the man. His garments seemed to be of Great Owl Sunflower View, black and gray interwoven, adorned with countless talisman scripts.

They sized each other up. The man seemed to confirm many things; he stared directly as he flew closer. Forced to face him, Li Qinghong cupped her hands and spoke:

"May I ask what brings senior here?"

The man had just killed someone, still holding the severed head, yet his expression was courteous and gentle. He spoke softly:

"You must be Qinghong?"

"Senior is…?"

Li Qinghong was certain she'd never seen him before; doubt filled her heart. The man explained:

"I am Lin Chensheng. I've seen portraits of you before. I share some acquaintance with your second uncle."

The reputation of Great Owl Sunflower View was not altogether bad. Li Qinghong half-believed him, then heard him say:

"Best not go forward—take a slight detour. Ahead, my sect is attacking Red Reef Island's market. If you blunder in, beware taking injury…"

Having said his piece, the man pocketed the head, not caring whether Li Qinghong believed him, bid her farewell, and turned to ride the wind away.

She pondered a moment; the name seemed one she'd heard from second uncle Li Xuanfeng's mouth. She changed her direction, suppressed her presence, flew onward, and soon found more and more devil cultivators crossing her path.

The East Sea is Dragon Kind's boundary, not famed for Devil Cultivators like the South Sea. The great powers are all Zifu Golden Core Path—currently counted as immortal cultivators. Normally, one would never see so many devil cultivators.

Yet, before her eyes, devilly clouds rolled thick—Li Qinghong flew on for several breaths, when suddenly ahead thunderbolts clashed and rumbled; streaks of thunder light interwove among the clouds, emitting violent booms.

'It truly has devolved into such chaos! Avoid one spot, only to run into another!'

"Miao Quan! You… you've truly grown bold…"

A cold and melodic female voice rang out. Li Qinghong was just about to evade, but the voice made her pause briefly. A wave of familiarity arose within her—she thought to herself:

"Seems to be someone I know…"

She looked closer, and saw in the clouds a female cultivator standing, fine brows and charming eyes. Instantly, realization dawned upon her:

"So it's her…"

Sure enough, another muffled boom erupted from the clouds—thunderbolt dispersed, and a male voice echoed:

"Yanqing, Taoist Fellow… I have no wish to take your life, only to request that Xuanlei Heavenly Stone… I merely hope to barter for the object in your possession. Fairy, just name your terms…"

This was Shen Yanqing—back when Li Qinghong visited Ziyan Sect, she had met her. She too cultivated Thunder Dharma, and her background was illustrious: not only born to Zifu Immortal Clan, but also a direct disciple of Ziyan Sect. That time, she had been very courteous to Li Qinghong.

Now, the expression on her face differed much from when she'd met Li Qinghong; icy cold, she replied:

"Xuanlei Heavenly Stone? What Xuanlei Heavenly Stone… I've only ever heard of such an object—it's quite rare. How could I possibly have such a treasure on hand?"

The man gradually revealed himself—bare-chested and robust, bearing a thunder axe, bold in bearing. His tone, though still courteous, said simply:

"Fairy Shen, you jest. With your noble family heritage, surely that Xuanlei Heavenly Stone is in your hands."

'Xuanlei Heavenly Stone…'

Thunder roared—Li Qinghong sighed lightly in her heart. Since she was passing through, this matter would be hard to avoid. She wondered if those in the sky had noticed her, but could only remain silent.

Shen Yanqing's manner grew steadily colder. She said:

"Taoist Miao, please make way."

Miao Quan stared intently, schemes flickering in his heart:

"Ziyan Sect's Perfected Person is busy preparing for breakthrough—absolutely no time to supervise. Xiuyue has sealed the mountains; Yu Ming Perfected Person is hard-pressed to defend herself… this truly is an opportune moment…"

"I won't kill her… just force her to hand over the spiritual object. As long as I obtain the item, even if Yu Ming Perfected Person objects… my elders will be able to shield me. If I let the chance slip by, I'll have no hope for the Xuanlei Heavenly Stone again!"

He was silent for a moment, lifting the long axe in his grasp and spoke quietly:

"I've heard that several thunder cultivators have emerged recently in the sea—all Toaist lineages of thunder and lightning—but never have I had a chance to test myself against one."

"It is a rare occasion to meet a Taoist Fellow here. Why not spar a bit? It would surely benefit us both."

These words caused Shen Yanqing's expression to shift, a cold smile even playing on her lips:

"You—a Foundation Establishment Late Stage, renowned nearly at Zifu level—want to spar with me, a junior just in Foundation Establishment Early Stage?"

Miao Quan refused to quibble further; he silently raised his thunder axe, gathering white thunder light. Shen Yanqing also summoned her thunder.

"BOOM!!"

Miao Quan brought his axe down, shattering Shen Yanqing's thunder spell completely, feeling considerable force in his hand, and silently nodded to himself: