Chapter 218: Aquarium! Huo Ling’er Drowns!
The Elder remained in a devastated state.
Although her injuries had already been healed with the giant turtle’s help, she was in a similar situation to Luan Yi. Her foundation had been damaged, causing her aura to fluctuate.
Under normal circumstances, she should have immediately gone into seclusion to recover from such injuries. Otherwise, even if the wounds themselves healed, they might leave behind hidden dangers that could affect her cultivation in the future.
Yet surprisingly, she didn’t.
Instead, after commanding the other native cultivators to leave, she personally took Chen Xuan and his disciples with her, guiding them through the Goddess’ Island.
As they walked, Cai Yu occasionally glanced at Chen Xuan from the corner of her eye. The shock in her eyes was still difficult to conceal.
She couldn’t help but wonder inwardly.
Could it be that this person’s Law Mark was also a Heaven-Grade one?
Moreover, how had he managed to create two different bodies with exactly the same strength?
Was it the result of some extraordinary technique?
Or perhaps an extraordinary Physique?
Countless thoughts raced through Cai Yu’s mind, though she didn’t voice any of them aloud.
The more she thought about the previous battle, the more difficult it became for her to understand Chen Xuan.
His cultivation was clearly only at the Middle Stage of Soul Formation.
Yet his combat power had far exceeded what should have been possible at that realm.
Even more strange were his two clones.
Two bodies.
Two Soul Formation cultivators.
And both possessed the same terrifying Law Mark.
Such a method was something Cai Yu had never heard of before.
Compared to the indifferent attitude she had previously displayed, she now looked considerably more approachable, perhaps partly because she had witnessed Chen Xuan’s strength firsthand.
"Be careful. The Goddess’ Island has existed for millions of years, while each generation of Elders has been a Soul Formation expert."
"Even I don’t know how many formations and secret places exist here. If you happen to stumble upon one of them, I won’t necessarily be able to save you."
Her words sounded both like a threat and a reminder.
Either way, Chen Xuan and his disciples simply nodded their heads.
The former’s gaze swept through his surroundings.
He hadn’t had the time to properly observe the island before. It was only now, after the battle was over and he had personally entered it, that he could finally take a closer look.
The result was somewhat surprising.
A giant city could be seen at the center of the island, surrounded by high walls hundreds of feet tall.
Around this city were several sects and other organizations, each possessing strongholds that looked quite impressive.
Yet what attracted Chen Xuan’s attention was not these structures.
He was already accustomed to such scenery.
Instead, what piqued his interest was the large number of beasts scattered throughout the island.
Land beasts. Sea beasts. Flying beasts.
Everywhere one went, there seemed to be beasts.
However, they were not the wild creatures one would encounter in the Nine Origins Seas.
Rather, they were domesticated, seemingly serving as companions or even battle partners for the cultivators living here.
Some beasts lazily rested beside the roads, while others followed their owners obediently.
There were even several enormous flying beasts circling above the city.
Seeing Chen Xuan’s gaze linger on these creatures, Cai Yu took the initiative to explain.
"It seems that you’re not very familiar with the Goddess of the Sea’s abilities. Heh. It’s only the Mortal World, after all."
She sneered lightly.
"The Goddess used to be famous for her ability to contract beasts. At her peak, millions of beasts were under her command."
"She could practically be said to have possessed an army of her own!"
Cai Yu’s eyes flashed.
Admiration and expectation appeared on her face, as though she could imagine this near-omnipotent cultivator surrounded by a boundless sea of beasts, each one willing to fight at her command.
"The Goddess’ Island is obviously far from achieving that level. Still, every cultivator here will contract a few beasts."
"It could be said that this is what sets our combat power apart from mortal cultivators like you."
Chen Xuan ignored Cai Yu’s contempt.
Although he was curious how she could remain so confident despite being beaten black and blue and nearly dying within a matter of seconds, he was wise enough not to ask this aloud.
After all, there was no point in provoking someone who was already cooperating with him.
The group continued onward.
Wherever they went, the cultivators around them would stop and observe them.
The younger ones stared at them with curiosity, obviously having never seen people from outside the secret realm before.
The older ones, on the other hand, stared at Chen Xuan and his disciples with hatred.
It was as though they had personally killed their family.
With a single glance, Chen Xuan understood the reason.
Part of this was because they were outsiders and were therefore discriminated against.
The other part was because of the Elder’s current state.
The news that Cai Yu had been defeated had already spread throughout the island.
Yet they didn’t blame her for being weak.
Rather, they blamed Chen Xuan for being too insidious and using tricks to defeat her.
Yes.
In the minds of the native cultivators, Chen Xuan must have cheated to defeat their Elder.
There was simply no other explanation.
After all, how could an outsider from the Mortal World possibly defeat the strongest cultivator of their island in a direct confrontation?
Had it not been for Cai Yu’s orders and the might of the Guardian, they would have long since rushed forward and torn him apart.
Chen Xuan felt somewhat speechless under their gazes.
However, since no one actually did anything, he didn’t bother commenting on it.
Soon, their group reached the center of the giant city.
The moment they arrived...
"Master! Look!"
Huo Ling’er’s excited voice rang out as she pointed forward.
Chen Xuan did not need her reminder.
He already understood why she was so astonished.
Even he was slightly surprised.
Originally, he had believed that the Elder’s residence would be a pavilion, a palace, or something similar.
Yet all these guesses were proven wrong—at least on the surface.
Cai Yu’s residence was indeed a beautiful azure palace.
However, it was surrounded by a giant formation that functioned like an enormous aquarium.
Yes.
That was the best way to describe it.
An enormous body of water defied the laws of gravity and remained suspended in place, stretching for several miles.
Within it were animals, beasts, and even plants, looking almost exactly like an ordinary ocean.
Fish swam between the aquatic plants, while larger creatures moved leisurely through the seemingly boundless water.
The sight was extremely strange.
Even Chen Xuan couldn’t help but take a few extra glances.
"This place was specially created by the previous generations of Elders. Be careful. You can’t fight against the water."
"You’ll need other methods to go through it."
As Cai Yu finished speaking, several small blue scales appeared on her skin.
The lower half of her body began to change.
Her two slender, fair legs gradually transformed into a mermaid’s tail.
Then, with a single thrust, she entered the suspended "ocean" and began swimming through it, heading straight toward the palace at the center.
As she did so, she glanced back and motioned for the Master and disciples to follow her.
However, the faint smile on her face, accompanied by the look of disdain in her eyes, fully demonstrated that she didn’t have any good intentions.
Chen Xuan immediately realized why.
Faced with Cai Yu’s words, Huo Ling’er seemed to become dissatisfied.
After stomping her feet, she charged head-on into the body of water.
Then...
"Worlbl..."
She was drowning.
Her arms flailed back and forth as though she were desperately struggling to breathe.
Chen Xuan reacted in time.
He caught her by the feet and pulled her out.
Thump!
Huo Ling’er landed heavily on the ground, with both her body and clothes completely soaked.
She tried to breathe, only for a fish to suddenly fly out of her mouth and drop onto the ground.
Chen Xuan was speechless.
It was already difficult to explain how a cultivator didn’t know how to swim, but he could accept that.
However, when had she found the time to swallow so many fish?
Watching his disciple struggle to catch her breath, Chen Xuan was truly confused.
It was only several seconds—and several fish—later that Huo Ling’er finally recovered.
"Master. I’ve already checked. Just like that woman said, it is impossible to use Spiritual Energy to resist the water. You can only swim like an ordinary person."
"However, even that is somewhat difficult. During this time, I sensed an invisible force descend upon me, trying to interfere with my Dao Heart."
"I think this is the mechanism protecting the final inheritance."
Huo Ling’er spoke seriously, showing no embarrassment at all.
For a moment, Chen Xuan couldn’t help but wonder whether this disciple of his wasn’t as stupid as she seemed.
Perhaps she had deliberately rushed into the water to investigate the situation for him.
After all, she had actually discovered something useful.
Yet the moment that thought arose in his mind...
"Worlbl..."
The sound of drowning echoed once again, accompanied by that of someone struggling.