Chapter 1404 - 594: Insider (Seeking Monthly Votes)

Chapter 1404: Chapter 594: Insider (Seeking Monthly Votes)

Midnight at the western harbor was shrouded in mist, the waves crashing against the rocks with a dull sound.

Lin Xuan arrived punctually at berth number three, seeing five cultivators already waiting there.

"Are you the new one?"

A burly man with a scar on his face sized up Lin Xuan, "Foundation Establishment Fifth Heaven? Hope you’re not a burden."

"Wang Hu, say less."

The only woman in the team spoke, nodding at Lin Xuan, "I’m Zhao Qing, the team’s Array Master, from ’Holy Sound Sect.’ This is Wang Hu, from ’Lake Heart Island’!"

"This is Li Mu, from ’Feiyun Sect’; then there’s Tang Qing, a Loose Cultivator, and Wang Hao, from the Wang Family!"

After a brief introduction, Lin Xuan understood his teammates’ backgrounds.

Except for Tang Qing, like himself, the others were either sect disciples or family disciples.

Zhao Qing was the leader, she briefly introduced the squad’s mission to Lin Xuan.

Whenever a patrol team disappears, they are to investigate the situation and solve problems within their capability.

Therefore the cultivators in this squad were not weak, all above Foundation Establishment Realm Fourth Heaven, with Zhao Qing and Wang Hu having the highest cultivation, even reaching Foundation Establishment Realm Seventh Heaven.

They all wore Cyan Jade Tokens at their waists, their gaze at Lin Xuan’s Purple Jade Token was rather complex.

"Alright, do you still have anything you don’t understand?"

After explaining the task, Zhao Qing asked.

"No! I’ll follow the captain’s commands!"

Lin Xuan shook his head, indicating he understood.

Having done many team tasks in the Immortal Cultivation Realm, he was naturally no novice; after Zhao Qing explained, he understood his role.

"Let’s go!"

With the order given by Zhao Qing, she relaxed internally as the six of them boarded an inconspicuous black boat.

After entering the mist, Zhao Qing took out a compass: "The last information from the missing team was sent from thirty miles southeast of ’Dragon’s Tooth Reef.’ The situation there is complex, demon beasts in the sea often appear and hurt people, so everyone should stay alert."

"Understood!"

Lin Xuan gripped the ’Cyan Nether Sword,’ feeling the icy chill from the sword’s body.

He noticed Zhao Qing setting up a Stealth Array, while Wang Hu continuously scattered some sort of powder into the sea.

"This is anti-demon powder!"

Zhao Qing noticed Lin Xuan’s curiosity and quietly explained, "It can evade the sense of smell of low-tier sea demons. Otherwise, if we encounter a group of sea demons, it will be troublesome for us."

"Okay!"

Lin Xuan nodded, indicating he understood.

Approximately two hours later, the boat stopped near a cluster of dark reefs.

Under the moonlight, Lin Xuan saw a few wooden boards floating on the sea, marked with ’East Sea Alliance’ insignia.

"It’s the investigation team’s boat!"

Wang Hu exclaimed in a low voice.

"Spread out and search, keep sound transmission talismans accessible. Alert immediately if you notice anything unusual, do not act alone!"

Zhao Qing gave the command.

Lin Xuan was paired with Zhao Qing, searching along the reefs toward the southeast.

The other four split into two groups, each patrolling in different directions.

Before long, under the moonlight, Lin Xuan noticed several fresh sword marks on the reefs.

"Is this..."

Lin Xuan squatted down, his fingertips brushing over the sword marks, "Are these the attack methods of a Fire Element Sword Cultivator?"

"How do you know?"

Zhao Qing looked at him with surprise: "Can you be sure?"

It seemed this newcomer wasn’t merely related, he did possess some experience.

This made Zhao Qing breathe a sigh of relief.

Originally, a team of six elites would be weakened if weighed down by a useless member, making future tasks difficult.

But now, it seemed the new member this time might be alright.

"I’ve seen..."

Before Lin Xuan could finish speaking, he suddenly felt a mana fluctuation, and he abruptly raised his head, "Watch out!"

A dark shadow leapt from the sea, heading straight for Zhao Qing’s face!

"Clang..."

Lin Xuan swung his sword to block, the clash of metal resounded as the shadow revealed its form.

It was a pitch-black puppet bird, its eyes glowing with an eerie red light.

"Celestial Net Dao Sect’s reconnaissance puppet!"

Zhao Qing exclaimed, "We’ve been discovered!"

"Flap flap flap..."

More puppet birds flew in from all directions, Lin Xuan’s Tier Three Treasure Artifact, ’Cyan Nether Sword,’ slashed out arcs of cyan light, continuously felling puppet birds.

"Boom..."

Zhao Qing quickly retrieved a pellet and hurled it into the sky.

The pellet exploded mid-air, emitting a bright red light!

Immediately, the other two teams of cultivators converged on this location.

Just as the two squads were about to meet, the sea suddenly surged violently.

A gigantic wave soared over ten yards high without warning, scattering the six instantly! 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ

"Careful! It’s water manipulation!"

Zhao Qing’s voice faintly transmitted from amidst the waves.

Lin Xuan was swept into the sea by the giant waves, the icy water rapidly flooding into his ears and nose.

He quickly activated Turtle Breath Technique, while gripping the Cyan Nether Sword tightly.

The sword’s body suddenly glowed faintly, forming a thin shield in the water.

Taking advantage of the sword light, Lin Xuan saw several black shadows approaching rapidly in the depths of the sea.

Using the sword light, Lin Xuan discerned the black shadows.

It turned out to be seven black-clad cultivators, their waist tokens bearing the mark of ’Celestial Net Dao Sect’!

In the ’Holy Sound Sea Region,’ the main forces of ’Celestial Net Dao Sect’ had never appeared, but skirmishes between the two sides had never ceased.

Spies from both factions infiltrated every nook and cranny, constantly opposing each other and probing for information.

Encountering scouts from the ’Celestial Net Dao Sect’ here, Zhao Qing and the others showed no change in expression, seemingly accustomed to it.

"There’s an ambush underwater!"

Lin Xuan quickly used a sound transmission to warn, simultaneously retreating quickly.

But it was too late, the leading black-clad cultivator formed a hand gesture, a water tornado suddenly took shape, trapping Lin Xuan inside.