203: Chapter 203 A Complete Turn of Events! The Shock of the Wood Dragon Island Lord!

Chapter Two Hundred and Three: Completely Falling Out! The Shock of Island Master Mu Long!

Three Puppets lunged from three directions; their speed was so fast and their Aura so fierce that the entire mountain cave was instantly filled with a murderous chill.

Wood Dragon bore the brunt of it.

A Tiger Puppet transformed into a black afterimage, its sharp claws tearing through the air with a piercing shriek as it aimed straight for his head!

A cold light flickered on those claws, clearly coated in a deadly poison; if struck, the consequences would be unthinkable.

Wood Dragon's expression remained unchanged as he raised his right hand, and a purple-glowing, bowl-shaped ancient treasure flew out from his palm.

The Purple Bowl expanded rapidly against the wind, instantly becoming ten feet in diameter and enveloping him within it, with purple light flowing to form a solid barrier.

"Clang—!"

The Tiger Puppet's sharp claws struck the Purple Bowl fiercely, producing a deafening metallic clash!

Sparks flew in all directions, but the Purple Bowl remained motionless, its surface flowing with purple light as it easily blocked the strike.

The Tiger Puppet seemed to be enraged, letting out a low roar and striking again and again with its claws, the "clang clang clang" sounds echoing incessantly.

Wood Dragon stood inside the Purple Bowl, his expression calm.

With a flip of his left hand, a Small Silver Sword shot out, its sword light like lightning, leaving deep sword marks on the Tiger Puppet's body!

Although those sword marks could not completely destroy the Puppet, every hit caused its figure to pause and its offensive to be hindered.

Lu Qiu caught a glimpse of this scene from the corner of his eye, and his heart tightened slightly.

With his eyesight, he naturally saw that the two items Wood Dragon had summoned were ancient treasures.

This Wood Dragon actually had such a deep foundation!

That Purple Bowl ancient treasure had incredible defensive power, while that Small Silver Sword had a sharp attack; the offense and defense coordinated perfectly.

With the combat power he displayed, he was actually able to handle a Puppet of the Late Core Formation Stage with ease on his own.

"It seems this old fellow hasn't lived all these years in vain," Lu Qiu thought to himself, though his hand movements did not slow down.

He and Black Fiend were facing a Giant Python Puppet.

That giant python was over a hundred feet long, its body covered in green scales, and its head was held high, as large as a small hill.

Its bloody maw opened, spitting out clouds of green poisonous mist!

The poisonous mist spread out, even causing the air to sizzle with corrosion; when a bit of it touched the rocks on the cave walls, they immediately turned into green smoke!

Lu Qiu's face "changed drastically" as he retreated repeatedly, while simultaneously pulling a stack of Talismans from his Storage Pouch and throwing them out as if they cost nothing!

Fireball Talismans, ice cone talismans, Golden Blade Talismans, Lightning Light Talismans... various low-to-mid-tier Talismans shot out like scattering flower petals, exploding into bursts of brilliant spiritual light in front of the Giant Python Puppet!

"Boom boom boom!"

Explosions continued one after another, spiritual light flashed wildly, and air waves surged.

The Giant Python Puppet's figure was halted by the explosions; although those Talismans could not harm it, the violent explosions and blinding spiritual light left it momentarily confused.

Its eerie green snake pupils flickered as it emitted an angry "hissing" sound, and its tail swept across, carving deep gouges into the cave walls!

But immediately after, it lunged forward again; the power of those Talismans could not harm it in the slightest, only slightly delaying its attack!

Lu Qiu "appeared" to be struggling greatly, throwing Talismans while retreating, and cold sweat even seeped from his forehead.

His face was pale and his breathing hurried; he looked as if he were struggling for his life.

Black Fiend stayed by his side to protect him, occasionally striking out to block, and also "appeared" to be inadequate, several times nearly being hit by the snake tail, a narrow escape each time.

"Fellow Daoist Lu, hold on!" Wood Dragon shouted, his voice carrying a hint of concern.

While dealing with the Tiger Puppet, he occasionally glanced toward Lu Qiu, but in his gaze was hidden a trace of imperceptible indifference and calculation.

Time passed minute by minute.

The attacks of the three Puppets became more and more violent, and the entire mountain cave was trembling.

The Giant Python Puppet seemed to be enraged by Lu Qiu's Talismans, its attacks becoming increasingly ferocious; its tail swept across, carving deep gouges into the cave walls and sending crushed stones flying!

Lu Qiu was in "constant peril," nearly being hit several times, only avoiding disaster thanks to Black Fiend's desperate rescue.

He had already thrown out dozens of Talismans, and his Storage Pouch had flattened by a layer, looking as if he had exhausted all his trump cards.

Just then—

"Fellow Daoist Wood Dragon! Help!"

True Person Yuan Jun's cry of alarm suddenly rang out!

That voice was full of terror, piercing through the roaring sounds in the mountain cave.

Lu Qiu glanced over and saw that True Person Yuan Jun and True Lady Kan Qin were struggling to hold on, their situation even more miserable than his!

The Giant Bear Puppet they were facing was simply a monster!

It was forty feet tall, like a small mountain, its body covered in earthy-yellow metal; every punch it threw caused the ground to shake and the mountains to sway!

True Person Yuan Jun's Flying Sword struck its body, leaving only shallow marks, unable to cause any substantial damage.

True Lady Kan Qin's Ancient Zither strings were already pulled tight, her sound wave attacks manifesting as physical force, but the Giant Bear Puppet only paused slightly before lunging forward again!

"Bang!"

The Giant Bear Puppet threw a punch; True Person Yuan Jun could not dodge in time and was caught by the wind of the punch, sending him flying backward to crash heavily against the cave wall!

He spat out a mouthful of blood, his face instantly turning deathly pale!

True Lady Kan Qin's expression changed drastically as her fingers flicked rapidly, sending out sound waves that transformed into sharp blades to slash at the Giant Bear Puppet!

But the Giant Bear Puppet did not dodge or hide at all, allowing those sound blades to strike its body, producing "ding-ding-dang-dang" metallic clangs!

"Fellow Daoist Wood Dragon! Quick, save us!" True Lady Kan Qin also cried out, her voice full of anxiety.

Wood Dragon's expression shifted slightly.

He looked at Lu Qiu, who was still entangled with the Tiger Puppet, and then at the precarious Yuan Jun and Kan Qin, a trace of struggle flashing in his eyes.

But immediately, that struggle vanished, replaced by a cold decisiveness.

Gritting his teeth, he activated the Purple Bowl ancient treasure; with a flash of light, it enveloped True Person Yuan Jun and True Lady Kan Qin!

The Purple Bowl expanded instantly, protecting the three of them together!

Meanwhile, Lu Qiu and Black Fiend were left outside!

Lu Qiu's heart sank, but his face showed a look of shock.

He shouted loudly, "Island Master Mu Long! There's still me! Please, help me!"

His voice was full of panic and despair, exactly like a pitiable creature who had been abandoned.

Wood Dragon turned his head and looked at Lu Qiu.

In that gaze, there was no longer the previous concern, but naked indifference and calculation.

"Fellow Daoist Lu."

He spoke slowly, his voice terrifyingly calm, even carrying a hint of a smile: "If you want this old man to help, then throw your Storage Pouch over."

Lu Qiu's face "darkened," and his voice carried suppressed anger: "Island Master Mu Long, what is the meaning of this?"

Wood Dragon sneered, his smile full of smugness and mockery.

He stood with his hands behind his back, the Purple Bowl's light flowing around him, protecting him along with Yuan Jun and Kan Qin, like a high-and-mighty deity.

"Fellow Daoist Lu, to tell you the truth, this old man never intended to let you go back after coming here this time."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Lu Qiu and Black Fiend as if looking at two lambs waiting to be slaughtered.

True Person Yuan Jun and True Lady Kan Qin stood by his side, also looking at Lu Qiu with cold sneers.

Their smiles were full of schadenfreude, as if watching a good show.

"Of course."

Wood Dragon continued, his voice carrying a tone of charity: "If you are willing to hand over one-third of your Primordial Spirit for this old man to control, this old man wouldn't mind saving your life. After all, you are a talent; it would be a pity to kill you. From now on, following this old man is better than dying here."

Lu Qiu's gaze swept over the three faces, and the last trace of luck in his heart dissipated.

"So, the three of you have been in league for a long time?" His voice was very calm, calm to the point of being unusual.

Wood Dragon laughed loudly, feeling extremely proud: "Fellow Daoist Lu is indeed clever. Did you think this old man was really so kind as to invite you to search for treasure? That was merely a pretext. This old man had long set his sights on the secrets you possess. The items in that Jade Box—you must have already opened them, right? Otherwise, you wouldn't have rejected this old man so bluntly."

He took a step forward, his eyes fixed on Lu Qiu, filled with greed: "This old man doesn't know what was in that Jade Box, but something that this old man brought out from an ancient Cultivator's Immortal Cave back then will definitely not be an ordinary item. Hand it over, along with one-third of your Primordial Spirit, and this old man will spare your life. Otherwise..."

Before he could finish his sentence, the Giant Python Puppet lunged forward again!

The snake head smashed down like a meteorite, bringing with it a whistling gale!

Lu Qiu's figure flashed as he dodged the strike by a hair's breadth, but a strange smile appeared on his face.

That smile caused Wood Dragon's heart to turn inexplicably cold.

"Island Master Mu Long."

Lu Qiu spoke slowly, his voice as calm as water, a completely different person from the panicked state he was in just moments ago.

"With just you, you cannot control This Lu's life."

Before his voice had even faded, he raised his right hand!

A crystalline light shot out from his palm!

It was an exquisite little boat that was originally less than three inches long, its entire body crystalline like jade and beautifully carved.

After leaving his hand, it expanded rapidly against the wind, transforming in the blink of an eye into a simple and ancient flying boat about ten feet long with smooth lines!

The flying boat hovered three feet in the air, and around its hull, there were faint ripples of distorted space, even causing light to warp and deform around it!

void escape boat!

Lu Qiu grabbed Black Fiend and his figure flashed, having already entered the boat!

The next moment—

The flying boat transformed into a blurry green phantom, as if it had penetrated the spatial barrier, and instantly vanished from its spot!

Not even a trace was left behind, as if it had never existed!

The smugness on Wood Dragon's face instantly froze!

His eyes widened, staring fixedly at the place where Lu Qiu had disappeared, his eyes full of disbelief!

"Spatial ancient treasure?!" he cried out in shock, his voice trembling!

True Person Yuan Jun and True Lady Kan Qin were also stunned, staring blankly at the empty space, momentarily forgetting to react.

Their mouths were wide open, but they could not make any sound.

The Giant Python Puppet's strike hit nothing, and it looked around blankly.

Its eerie green snake pupils rolled before turning toward the three of Wood Dragon, letting out an angry hiss!

It could not find its target, but there were still three living people in front of it!

Wood Dragon's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly pulled himself together, activating the Purple Bowl to prepare for a new round of attacks.

But in his heart, a stormy sea had been stirred up.

A spatial ancient treasure!

That was a treasure from legends that could travel through space, its value immeasurable!

How could a mere Early Core Formation Stage like Lu Qiu have such a thing?!

And his panicked appearance just now—could it be that it was all an act?!

...

Outside the mountain cave.

A green phantom flashed, and the figures of Lu Qiu and Black Fiend appeared outside the Earthen Mountain.

The sunlight was blinding and the sea breeze blew gently, forming a sharp contrast with the gloomy horror inside the cave.

Lu Qiu took a deep breath, a refreshed smile appearing on his face.

"Spatial ancient treasures really are useful," he murmured, his satisfaction with the void escape boat growing a bit more.

He looked back at the dark cave entrance, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

Wanting to plot against him?

Then let them taste the feeling of being plotted against.

[part:gemini-2.5-flash-lite]

He took out more than ten Talismans from his Storage Pouch, all of which were mid-to-high-tier Talismans he had painstakingly refined over the years—Thunder Fire Talismans, Profound Ice Talismans, Golden Shield Talismans, Demon Breaking Talismans... each one possessed considerable power, enough to threaten a Core Formation Cultivator.

With a surge of his magic power, those Talismans shot out like a swarm of locusts, sticking to the rock walls surrounding the cave entrance, forming a tight blockade.

"Seal!"

He let out a low shout, forming a hand seal.

The Talismans simultaneously erupted with dazzling spiritual light, beams of light intertwining to form a massive net of light that completely sealed the cave entrance!

This was not enough.

He took out several Formation Flags and a Formation Plate from his Storage Pouch—it was the new Formation that Xin Ruyin had researched based on the Inverting Five Elements Array: the Five Elements Profound Light Array!

This Array was based on the principles of mutual generation and restraint among the Five Elements, possessing the abilities to trap enemies, create illusions, and attack.

Xin Ruyin once said that when this Array was fully activated, it could trap a Late Stage Core Formation Cultivator for more than several days!

Lu Qiu formed a hand seal, and the Formation Flags transformed into five streams of light.

The green one belonged to Wood, the red one to Fire, the yellow one to Earth, the white one to Metal, and the black one to Water.

The five Formation Flags were inserted into five corresponding locations around the cave entrance.

The Formation Plate was driven into the ground by him, corresponding with the Formation Flags to form a complete Formation.

As he cast the final magic formula, an invisible five-colored light shield quietly rose, enveloping the entire cave entrance.

The light shield was flickering, almost imperceptible unless one inspected it carefully.

Lu Qiu clapped his hands, stood with his hands behind his back in mid-air, and waited quietly.

Hei Sha stood silently beside him.

...

Half an hour later.

"Boom—!"

A huge roar came from inside the cave!

The entire earthen mound trembled violently, cracks appeared on its surface, and gravel rained down, as if it could collapse at any moment!

Mixed within the roar were angry roars and desperate cries!

Immediately after, three battered figures rushed out of the cave!

They were True Man Mu Long, True Person Yuan Jun, and True Lady Kan Qin!

All three were covered in wounds, their clothes tattered, completely lacking their previous spirited appearance!

True Man Mu Long's Purple Bowl ancient treasure was covered in cracks, its light dim, as if it could shatter at any moment; his silver small sword was nowhere to be seen, only the hilt remained.

His left arm was dripping blood, a wound deep enough to expose bone stretched from his shoulder to his wrist, the flesh turned back, a shocking sight!

True Person Yuan Jun was even worse off; his Flying Sword was broken in two, and there was a deep claw mark on his chest that nearly ripped him open.

His face was as pale as paper, his Aura weak, clearly suffering severe injuries.

True Lady Kan Qin's Ancient Zither was completely ruined, all its strings snapped, and the body shattered into several pieces.

Her hair was disheveled, blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, and her usually cool eyes were filled with terror and exhaustion.

As soon as the three rushed out of the cave entrance, before they could even catch their breath—

"Bang!"

The three slammed into the light shield of the Five Elements Profound Light Array and were violently repelled!

True Man Mu Long, caught off guard, was sent flying backward and crashed heavily onto the ground!

He scrambled up in a sorry state, his expression drastically changing, and immediately unleashed a beam of sword light at the light shield!

But the sword light only stirred up a ripple of five colors on the shield before vanishing without a trace!

True Person Yuan Jun and True Lady Kan Qin also attacked, bombarding the light shield with various Spells, but the light shield remained motionless, instead causing their Qi and blood to surge backward!

"This is... a Formation?!" True Person Yuan Jun's face turned pale, his voice trembling.

"Someone set up a Formation outside!" True Lady Kan Qin gritted her teeth, despair filling her eyes.

True Man Mu Long's face was terrifyingly gloomy. He took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the shock and anger in his heart, and swept his gaze around.

A moment later, he looked up and called out into the Void Realm:

"Fellow Daoist Lu, please show yourself for a meeting!"

His voice was hoarse and tired, yet he deliberately maintained his composure.

In the Void Realm, a figure slowly materialized.

Lu Qiu stood with his hands behind his back, looking down at the three trapped within the Formation, a faint smile on his face.

That smile was light and casual, as if he were merely watching a good show.

"Three impressive skills."

He spoke slowly, his voice calm as water, "To be able to escape from the hands of three Late Core Formation Stage Puppets, This Lu admires you."

True Man Mu Long stared at him, his gaze flickering uncertainly. He gritted his teeth and said word by word, "Fellow Daoist Lu, Old Man has lost this time. Old Man was blind and offended you. I ask that you show mercy."

He paused, then added, "Old Man is the Island Master of Kuixing Island under the Star Palace, belonging to the outer island sequence of the Star Palace. If Old Man dies here, the Star Palace will certainly investigate to the end. At that time, you will also be implicated. Why don't we each take a step back and pretend today never happened? How about that?"

Lu Qiu smiled.

His smile was full of mockery.

"Star Palace?"

He said lightly, "Although the Star Palace is powerful, if This Lu finds a place to hide, what can the Star Palace do to me? The Chaotic Star Sea is vast and boundless; finding one person is not that easy. Moreover, if the three of you die here, who will know it was me? Those three Puppets are the best scapegoats."

True Man Mu Long's expression changed.

He gritted his teeth and then said, "Old Man is willing to offer an ancient treasure to exchange for the lives of the three of us!"

Lu Qiu shook his head, his tone flat, "Not enough."

True Man Mu Long's face grew even uglier, "Then what does Fellow Daoist want?"

Lu Qiu looked at him, his gaze as cold as water.

"Hand over your Storage Pouches."

He said word by word, his voice devoid of any emotion, "Hand over the Storage Pouches, and This Lu will keep his promise and let you go alive."

True Man Mu Long fell silent.

True Person Yuan Jun and True Lady Kan Qin exchanged a look and also remained silent.

Handing over their Storage Pouches meant that their lifelong savings, Magic Treasures, Medicinal Pills, Spirit Materials, and Cultivation Technique Jade Slips would all fall into someone else's hands!

This was more painful than killing them!

But not handing them over...

They looked at the five-colored light shield surrounding them. The shield was flickering, yet it gave off a feeling of being indestructible.

They then looked towards the dark cave entrance in the distance, where the three Puppets could rush out at any moment!

In their current state, let alone three, even one could cost them their lives!

True Man Mu Long wrestled with his decision.

A moment later, he let out a long sigh and said dejectedly, "Fine, Old Man agrees."

He took the Storage Pouch from his waist; it was bulging, clearly containing many items.

He gritted his teeth and forcefully threw it toward Lu Qiu.

Seeing this, True Person Yuan Jun and True Lady Kan Qin could only grit their teeth, take out their Storage Pouches, and throw them over.

Lu Qiu took the three Storage Pouches and swept them with his Divine Sense, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.

In these three Storage Pouches alone, there were over one hundred thousand Spirit Stones, along with several Magic Treasures, Medicinal Pills, Spirit Materials, Cultivation Technique Jade Slips... the harvest was quite rich.

"The three of you are indeed trustworthy."

He nodded, "Since that is the case, This Lu will also keep his promise."

He formed a hand seal, and a magic formula was cast into the Formation.

The light shield of the Five Elements Profound Light Array slowly cracked open a gap.

True Man Mu Long and the other two exchanged glances, a fierce look flashing in their eyes.

Their figures flickered, and they rushed out through the gap!

However—

They did not flee.

As soon as they broke free, the three instantly turned around, surrounding Lu Qiu in the middle!

The dejection on True Man Mu Long's face vanished, replaced by a cold, sinister smile. He stared at Lu Qiu and said word by word:

"Lu Qiu, you are truly foolish."

He stepped forward, and the Aura around him suddenly surged!

The pressure of a Late Stage Core Formation Cultivator was released without reservation!

That pressure was almost tangible, causing the surrounding air to stagnate slightly!

"A mere Early Stage Core Formation Cultivator, who gave you the confidence to covet Old Man's treasures?!"

True Person Yuan Jun and True Lady Kan Qin also sneered, each summoning the Lifebound Treasure they nurtured in their Dantians.

Although their Storage Pouches were taken, as Core Formation Cultivators, their Lifebound Treasures were hidden within their Dantians.

True Person Yuan Jun held a Flying Sword as red as fire in his hand; fire light flowed across the blade, emitting a scorching Aura.

True Lady Kan Qin took out a verdant jade flute; the flute was crystal clear, with faint runes flickering within it.

The three formed a triangle Formation, surrounding Lu Qiu in the center, their magic power surging, their Auras menacing!

True Man Mu Long stared at Lu Qiu, his eyes full of triumph, "Even though Old Man is not in his best state right now, killing an Early Stage Core Formation Cultivator like you is still within easy reach. Hand over what you just obtained, and then hand over that spatial ancient treasure, and Old Man can spare your life!"

Lu Qiu floated quietly in mid-air, watching the three surround him.

His face showed no fear, no anger, not even a slight fluctuation.

Just a faint smile.

That smile inexplicably sent a chill down True Man Mu Long's spine.

The next moment—

The Aura around Lu Qiu suddenly changed!

A pressure far more profound, more solid, and more domineering than True Man Mu Long's erupted from his body like a volcanic eruption!

The strength of that pressure caused the surrounding air to emit a low hum!

It caused the seawater below to churn up layers of ripples!

Late Core Formation Stage!

A genuine Late Stage Core Formation Cultivator!

The smile on True Man Mu Long's face instantly froze!

He stared wide-eyed at Lu Qiu, his eyes filled with unbelievable shock!

"How... How is this possible?!"

His voice was trembling, laced with deep fear and disbelief!

"How can you be a Late Stage Core Formation Cultivator?!"

True Person Yuan Jun and True Lady Kan Qin were even more ashen-faced, involuntarily stepping back a few paces!

The Magic Treasures they had summoned were trembling, as if sensing their owners' fear!

The three of them joining forces, they thought they had secured victory—after all, Lu Qiu was only an "Early Stage Core Formation Cultivator," and Hei Sha was only a pseudo-Core Cultivator at the "Early Stage Core Formation."

Among the three of them, True Man Mu Long was Late Core Formation Stage, while Yuan Jun and Kan Qin were Early Stage Core Formation; taking down Lu Qiu should have been easy!

But now—

Lu Qiu was Late Core Formation Stage!

A true Late Stage Core Formation Cultivator!

Moreover, that Spiritual Pressure was even more profound and domineering than True Man Mu Long's!

Countless thoughts flashed through True Man Mu Long's mind.

How could this be?

He was clearly only Hei Sha's junior martial nephew, clearly only Early Stage Core Formation, how could he be Late Core Formation Stage?

When did he achieve the Breakthrough?

Why did he not know anything about it?

He had lived in seclusion all these years; wasn't he supposed to be in seclusion?

"You... You have been hiding your strength?!"

True Man Mu Long gritted his teeth, his voice full of unwillingness and despair.

Lu Qiu looked at him, his gaze as calm as water, as if looking at a jumping clown.

"Now you know."

He said lightly, "It's too late."