Chapter 123: Level Nine Sea Soul Beast

Master Qingxu nodded and said, “What the Immortal Lord says is absolutely right. In order to enter the ancient ruins smoothly this time, we must avoid unnecessary conflicts with other unforeseen beasts from now on, preserving our strength so that we can accomplish our mission without fail.”

“Exactly!” Immortal Maiden Jiuxiao immediately agreed. “Unless absolutely necessary, we will not waste any true energy, so that we can devote ourselves fully to breaking the ‘seal’ of the ancient ruins.”

“Hm!” Master Qingxu nodded firmly, his tone resolute. “No matter what, this journey to the mysterious island must be a complete success!”

As he spoke, Master Qingxu raised his hand and beckoned to Yan Chixia, who floated gracefully from the “Ruyi Golden Lotus” to stand beside him.

Seeing this, Immortal Maiden Jiuxiao silently chanted a spell, causing the blooming “Ruyi Golden Lotus” to shrink into a golden speck, which she then stored in the “Storage Space.” She said in a deep voice, “Let us set off for the mysterious island immediately. To conserve energy, Meier, summon the ‘Ruyi Divine Boat’ now; we will travel together by boat.”

“Yes, Master,” She Meier replied brightly, swiftly reciting a spell to summon the “Ruyi Divine Boat” from the “Storage Ring.”

Master Qingxu’s eyes brightened at the sight of the exquisite “Ruyi Divine Boat” before him. Admiring its craftsmanship, he exclaimed, “Excellent! Immortal Lord Jiuxiao truly has remarkable methods! This ‘Ruyi Divine Boat’ is crafted with such clarity and intricacy, extraordinarily exquisite—a masterpiece beyond compare, inspiring awe and envy alike!”

“Heh heh…” Jiuxiao laughed softly. “Qingxu, you flatter me! If we speak of skill, your ‘Paper Painting Talisman Technique’ that conjures from nothing is truly transcendent and peerless.”

As they spoke, the cabin door of the “Ruyi Divine Boat” opened, and She Meier, smiling brightly, invited Master Qingxu in, “Please take your seat, Honored Qingxu.”

“Good, very good!” Qingxu responded enthusiastically, stepping aboard the boat with great excitement.

Following him, Immortal Maiden Jiuxiao, Yan Chixia, and She Meier entered one after another. The cabin door closed, and the “Ruyi Divine Boat” gently lifted off, accelerating steadily as it sped toward the mysterious island.

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A quarter of an hour later, the “Ruyi Divine Boat” soared above the sealed ancient ruins on the mysterious island. Looking down, they saw the island, once hidden beneath the azure sea, now faintly revealing jagged reefs.

“Ah! The mysterious island is appearing!” She Meier exclaimed excitedly, then turned to Immortal Maiden Jiuxiao. “Master, what shall we do now? Should we land the ‘Ruyi Divine Boat’ or wait in the air until the island fully emerges?”

Jiuxiao, surveying the surrounding area of the ancient ruins, replied, “Remain aloft and wait for the right moment.”

She Meier nodded and promptly cast a spell, ordering the “Ruyi Divine Boat” to halt. The boat hovered steadily about thirty zhang above the sea level—an ideal height for observing the island as a whole.

Master Qingxu, Immortal Maiden Jiuxiao, Yan Chixia, and She Meier sat silently, attentively watching.

As the tides surged and receded, the fish and various marine creatures hiding among the coral reefs around the island grew restless, darting about in search of shelter.

Suddenly, a wind arose.

Across the boundless ocean, fierce sea winds howled, stirring the deep blue waters into a tempest. Towering waves crashed relentlessly against the reefs with thunderous roars—wave after wave, like charging armies, stirring sprays of foam in a deafening uproar.

Yan Chixia, witnessing this unprecedented spectacle, was captivated, when suddenly Immortal Maiden Jiuxiao cried out sharply, “Danger! A Sea Soul Beast!”

“Where?” She Meier asked instantly. “Master, I didn’t notice it.”

Neither Master Qingxu nor Yan Chixia saw any trace of the beast. They both turned to Jiuxiao, who casually pointed downward and said, “There…”

Following her gesture, they saw beside a massive reef on the island’s edge a Sea Soul Beast lurking beneath the water. It resembled a seal, with a stout, rounded body about two zhang wide and five zhang long. Its head bore a single jet-black horn. Its scales shimmered with dark blue tinges, and its four sturdy limbs supported it—no tail to be seen. It remained motionless, blending with the reef as if it were a great stone.

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“Ah!” She Meier gasped in wonder. “Such a huge Sea Soul Beast... Master, didn’t you say these beasts dwell in the deep ocean? How is it here on the mysterious island now?”

“Perhaps it’s related to the tidal surge,” Jiuxiao answered thoughtfully.

Master Qingxu observed carefully and remarked, “This Sea Soul Beast’s body is enormous, and its scales faintly glow... Judging by this, its soul power cultivation must be very high.”

“Indeed,” Jiuxiao nodded gravely. “This is a ninth-level Sea Soul Beast—very dangerous.”

“Really?” She Meier was startled. “Master, you said a ninth-level Sea Soul Beast’s soul power is equivalent to a human cultivator at the ‘True Immortal’ stage! But you and Honored Qingxu are both ‘Scattered Immortal’ cultivators—far weaker. What shall we do?”

“Yes!” Yan Chixia quickly interjected. “Immortal Lord Jiuxiao, you and my master just said that to enter the ancient ruins smoothly, we must not waste any true energy. But now a ninth-level Sea Soul Beast has appeared on the island—if it stays, it will surely affect our plans. What then?”

Master Qingxu remained silent.

Jiuxiao glanced at Yan Chixia, smiling faintly. “Yan Chixia, no need to worry. Although it’s a ninth-level Sea Soul Beast, it poses little threat to us now. There’s still time; the island hasn’t fully emerged. If the beast remains when the time comes, I will deal with it personally—no mercy.”

Though she spoke confidently, Jiuxiao hoped the beast would leave soon to avoid unnecessary trouble. Yet she had prepared for the worst: if the Sea Soul Beast lingered, she would not hesitate to drive it off, even at great cost to her true energy.

Master Qingxu said nothing but shared the same resolve—they were perfectly aligned in their thoughts.