“What was… that…”

A labored voice finally emerged from Mo Yuanxing’s throat.

The Kun and the figure standing upon it.

What was it?

Who was it?

It seemed no one knew.

The wind calmed, and the rain stopped.

The dark clouds on the horizon finally dispersed.

The sea surface gradually returned to calm, golden light shining down through cloud gaps. The overturned reef no longer existed, and the previous sky-reaching waves seemed like merely a dream they’d experienced.

Only Qu Zhengfeng’s proud standing figure and his numerous old wounds reminded them of what had occurred here.

Trembling filled Jiang He’s voice: “Was that a Kun…”

He’d seen this in ancient books—such enormity, such majesty, what else could it be but “Kun”?

Qu Zhengfeng narrowed his eyes slightly.

That huge shadow was indeed a Kun, but what was it that rode the Kun away?

Looking back, everyone’s faces carried the state of being immersed in the previous scene, not yet recovered.

The myriad ghost patterns on Jian Chou’s Ghost Axe slowly absorbed the evil spirits floating and wailing in the air.

She stood on the axe, still gazing into the distance.

“Splash…”

A sound of water finally broke the eerie silence here.

Wu Duan, who had been smashed into the sea surface by Qu Zhengfeng, finally struggled up from the water.

His body was stained with blood. He wiped his face and lifted the White Bone Dragon Sword from the water. A glaring sea-blue crack on the sword blade deeply stung his eyes.

Wu Duan had also sensed everything that had just occurred.

Not long after being smashed beneath the surface, he’d already awakened, but after receiving such a heavy blow, his entire body was powerless, only able to drift with the waves. Now that wind and waves had calmed, he finally recovered some strength.

Looking up, Wu Duan didn’t know what to feel anymore.

Qu Zhengfeng heard the sound and looked down at him.

Wu Duan almost gritted his teeth: “Without asking right from wrong, striking ruthlessly, truly worthy of Yashan’s former chief disciple. But today you severed my White Bone Dragon Sword and injured me, Wu Duan. How could Kunwu let this pass in the future?”

“So what?”

Qu Zhengfeng smiled faintly.

Nearby, Jiang He, very perceptive, quickly took out a wide robe from his Qiankun Bag, shook it out, and then handed it to Qu Zhengfeng.

Qu Zhengfeng casually took it and draped it over himself, once again concealing the hideous scars on his back.

The Qu Zhengfeng reappearing before everyone seemed once again a gentle, refined gentleman—he’d never sneered contemptuously, never caused waves to surge with a gesture, never brazenly injured anyone or made enemies of Kunwu.

Wu Duan coughed twice, and a layer of glaring blood floated on the sea surface.

The blood-red color mixed with seawater became deep purple.

He wanted to gather strength to rise but found his meridians throughout painful, barely able to move.

Hearing Qu Zhengfeng’s “So what?” Wu Duan couldn’t help but laugh.

“So what? In the reef’s underground palace, I only accidentally injured you because I didn’t know who was before me…”

“Qu did not accidentally injure Junior Brother Wu, so that’s fine.” Qu Zhengfeng didn’t wait for Wu Duan to finish speaking, directly interrupting without courtesy: “Between you and me, there’s no misunderstanding.”

“You!”

Wu Duan never expected Qu Zhengfeng to say such words!

His accidental injury to Qu Zhengfeng in the underground palace was minor!

But after emerging from the sea, Qu Zhengfeng directly demanded that he draw his sword without discussion, then fought a battle where every move was lethal. Though he was inferior in skill and deserved today’s misfortune, Qu Zhengfeng’s words made anger rise from his heart!

Such unreasonable Yashan disciples!

Even Jian Chou heard something wrong in this.

She looked at Qu Zhengfeng in surprise, seeing mockery flash across his lips, yet appearing unwilling to acknowledge Wu Duan’s anger further: “If Junior Brother Wu feels wronged, just return to your Kunwu and seek justice from Yashan.”

“…”

Wu Duan was completely speechless.

He hadn’t expected that this Western Sea trip would encounter such unimaginable events…

Yashan, Yashan—so arrogant?

Qu Zhengfeng directly turned around, looking at Mo Yuanxing, who was carrying three people.

Tao Zhang had finally awakened faintly at this moment, seeming barely alive, apparently seriously injured. Being carried by Mo Yuanxing, he glared at distant Qu Zhengfeng. When Qu Zhengfeng broke through the ice earlier, he’d thrown him and the three people down like dumplings, as if they were worthless things.

Such a contemptuous attitude!

Moreover…

Thinking of what Qu Zhengfeng had taken in the underground palace, his teeth itched with hatred!

Qu Zhengfeng’s gaze lightly fell on his face.

“Fellow Daoist Tao Zhang, something to say?”

Something to say?

Say what!

Though he hadn’t obtained that thing completely, Qu Zhengfeng had given him a small piece—such calculation was infuriatingly precise!

If he revealed that matter, Wangjiang Tower would immediately interfere, letting Mo Yuanxing, who’d been coveting it, take advantage. Not only couldn’t he expose this matter completely, but he even needed to rely on Yashan’s power to escape Wangjiang Tower.

So Tao Zhang gritted his teeth, endured and endured, finally forcibly suppressing the impulse to rush up and strangle Qu Zhengfeng, saying: “Now that Wangjiang Tower’s two disciples have been rescued, facts prove they were trapped beneath the reef due to their incompetence, having nothing to do with me, Tao. Wangjiang Tower’s false accusations and arbitrary judgments are one thing, but continuing to detain me—what’s the reasoning?”

Mo Yuanxing was stunned, instinctively about to speak.

Unexpectedly, Qu Zhengfeng had already turned directly, his voice indifferent, saying to him: “The two missing disciples have been found, and Tao Zhang bears no fault in this matter. We came here on our master’s orders to handle this affair. Since the truth is clear, please release Fellow Daoist Tao Zhang, Elder Mo. As for the matter’s details, Elder Mo’s two disciples should be clear about everything.”

With Qu Zhengfeng speaking, who dared say otherwise?

This sounded like the most normal request possible.

Mo Yuanxing knew something must be hidden beneath this reef, so he wanted to control Tao Zhang. If Tao Zhang didn’t speak, he’d borrow Yashan’s power to force his help. When Wangjiang Tower’s influence grew, if they finally discovered something, Yashan would remain aloof and surely wouldn’t compete with them. How could a small Wuyi Sect’s Tao Zhang compete then?

Even if the Wuyi Sect wanted to interfere, they were far away and couldn’t quench the immediate thirst.

This wishful thinking had continued until now, but even Great Dream Reef had collapsed…

No one could say what the underwater situation was now. Both Tao Zhang and Qu Zhengfeng seemed to have no abnormalities, presumably having discovered nothing underwater.

After careful consideration, Mo Yuanxing finally released his grip reluctantly, letting go of Tao Zhang.

“Since this matter is concluded, naturally, Wangjiang Tower won’t make things difficult for young friend Tao Zhang. I only hope young friend Tao Zhang won’t engage in such villainous behavior in the future—it ultimately disgraces Wuyi Sect.”

Tao Zhang swayed unsteadily, a green light emerging weakly from his sword.

Seeing Mo Yuanxing’s frustrated expression, Tao Zhang finally felt a breath of resentment leave his chest and couldn’t help but laugh loudly three times, making everyone look at him in surprise.

Then Tao Zhang’s expression changed, and he blurted out: “Whether I disgrace Wuyi Sect or not is none of Wangjiang Tower’s damn business!”

He’d had enough!

Tao Zhang considered himself a very hypocritical, good actor, but at times like this, he felt he was still that carefree beggar boy who laughed and cursed as he pleased.

Swearing felt extremely satisfying!

Mo Yuanxing was a Wangjiang Tower elder—if not revered in status, at least a respectable figure.

Being directly cursed at by Tao Zhang like this truly made his face turn blue with anger.

“You, you, you, you bastard…”

“Old fool…”

Tao Zhang sneered, directly scanning around, unhesitatingly turned around, and despite his injuries, rode his sword, cutting through the sky, speeding away!

“When I achieve Nascent Soul, that’s when you die, old fool!”

His voice filled with hatred and madness echoed across the sea surface.

Tao Zhang’s figure flashed and vanished, instantly far away.

Mo Yuanxing, standing in place, had an extremely ugly expression, wanting to chase and directly kill this person with one sword to eliminate future troubles, but he hesitated due to Qu Zhengfeng’s presence, not daring to pursue.

Jian Chou vaguely sensed something, hesitantly examining Qu Zhengfeng.

This Tao Zhang seemed to be relying on Qu Zhengfeng’s presence, calculating that Mo Yuanxing wouldn’t dare kill to silence witnesses or vent anger in front of Qu Zhengfeng, so he hastily escaped at this moment…

Had to say, Tao Zhang was very villainous but also very clever!

Qu Zhengfeng’s eyes seemed to flash with amusement as he directly cupped his hands to Mo Yuanxing: “This matter is concluded, and Elder Mo has found his beloved disciples. We don’t have much time, so we won’t delay further. Farewell.”

Mo Yuanxing opened his mouth wanting to ask something, but finally didn’t speak, awkwardly cupping his hands: “Thank you, Senior Qu, for your assistance. Wangjiang Tower is extremely grateful.”

As he spoke, the Wangjiang Tower disciples previously saved by Jian Chou and Qu Zhengfeng all bowed to them.

“We juniors are extremely grateful!”

These people’s eyes held sincere gratitude.

Jian Chou didn’t know why, but suddenly smiled.

Nearby, little fatty Jiang He also wore an indescribable pride…

This was Yashan.

Ahem, tricking people yet still being looked up to—such was Yashan.

Wei Xiang over there was quite reluctant, looking at Qu Zhengfeng, staring at the muscles and scars faintly visible under his loosely draped wide outer robe, as if wanting to strip him with her gaze…

Then, having barely pulled her gaze away, she looked at Jian Chou again.

Her eyes were bright enough to be hair-raising.

Axe, axe, long legs—Yashan’s senior sister was truly the type she’d dreamed of…

Was she leaving just like this?

So reluctant… wuu wuu wuu…

This gaze made Jian Chou feel her scalp tingling.

She pretended not to see as usual. Seeing Qu Zhengfeng had already bid farewell to Mo Yuanxing, she quickly followed, not even changing to her Liwai Mirror, directly riding her axe and rushing out.

The three Yashan members, having handled the matter, directly walked away without caring, all speeding eastward together.

Behind them, Mo Yuanxing’s expression was uncertain.

On the sea surface, Wu Duan had just swallowed a pill and looked far at those three departing shadows with a complex expression.

From Qu Zhengfeng to Jiang He to that Yashan senior sister…

Jian Chou sped forward but suddenly thought of something, looking back.

At this moment, her gaze met Wu Duan’s exactly.

The feeling in that instant became incredibly strange.

In Wu Duan’s eyes, that scrutiny hadn’t disappeared.

Jian Chou recalled his words upon first meeting—

What kind of person was Xie Buchen in the Kunwu disciples’ eyes? What kind of foundation did she, who seemed comparable to Xie Buchen, possess?

No answer.

Perhaps she could only wait for the next encounter.

Though Wu Duan had lost to Qu Zhengfeng, Jian Chou’s impression of this person wasn’t bad.

Riding the wind all the way, the sea surface was brilliant again, just like when they’d first arrived.

From here, changing direction and heading toward Deng Tiandao, they could see the small island’s shadow from far away.

A string of islands from west to east, spanning the entire Western Sea, dividing north and south—these were the Thirteen Immortal Path Islands connecting the mortal world to Shijiu Zhou.

Jiang He also looked back once at where Great Dream Reef had been, but could see nothing there now.

“Second Senior Brother, I saw someone on that Kun earlier…”

“When demons and evils appear in the world, strange phenomena must arise.”

Qu Zhengfeng also sensed that difference in the mysterious.

After so many years, Shijiu Zhou had long extinguished the legends of the Northern Dark’s Kun. Now the Kun fish appeared in the world with someone standing on it…

However, one looked at it, this was a major variable for Shijiu Zhou.

Qu Zhengfeng could even deduce that this was Wu Duan’s purpose in coming to the Western Sea.

Strange events?

This was a strange event.

Jian Chou was also pondering and didn’t interrupt.

Little fatty Jiang He, seeing Deng Tiandao from afar, immediately cheered: “Though this trip didn’t involve fighting successfully, we saw Second Senior Brother fight! This time, Kunwu lost face. I’d long heard Kunwu’s Wu Duan was an expert among experts, but didn’t expect Second Senior Brother to defeat him so easily. Hahaha, we’re closer to our Yashan disciples being invincible throughout Shijiu Zhou… hahahaha…”

Easily?

Hearing this, Qu Zhengfeng shook his head.

“Wu Duan was injured and hadn’t used his full strength.”

“Injured?” Jiang He was surprised: “How could that be?”

Kunwu’s third disciple was injured?

Jian Chou was also extremely surprised, but then she thought…

“Second Senior Brother knew he was injured, yet still…”

Qu Zhengfeng stopped, turned to look at Jian Chou, his eyes light: “Even if he were just a cripple today, I would still give my all.”

“…”

Jian Chou couldn’t understand Qu Zhengfeng—he seemed to have tremendous hatred, yet also seemed honorable and upright, out of respect for opponents…

Qu Zhengfeng was truly mysterious.

She inexplicably laughed: “Junior Brother Qu is magnanimous.”

Qu Zhengfeng also laughed, but directly looked down and flipped his hand, producing two green fruits, throwing them directly to Jian Chou and Jiang He.

“From beneath the reef, accidental gains in the underground palace—consider it small compensation for this mountain trip.”

“What are these?”

Jian Chou caught it, somewhat surprised.

“Earth Spirit Fruits.”

As for their exact use, they could research that after returning.

Qu Zhengfeng didn’t elaborate, only saying: “Tao Zhang went down precisely for these things. After I followed him, I discovered these in the reef palace—four total. I directly snatched three from his hands, leaving him one.”

“You deliberately left him one, right?”

Jiang He looked at the round, lovely, jade-like fruit in his hand, practically drooling.

His eyes glowed, wanting to pounce on Qu Zhengfeng!

“So Tao Zhang remained silent earlier, not revealing what happened below. Once he spoke, Wangjiang Tower would interfere, and he wouldn’t get any. Hahaha, Second Senior Brother, you’re amazing—consistently ruthless and black-hearted as always hahahaha… Earth Spirit Fruits—this mountain trip struck it rich!”

Jiang He was endlessly excited.

But Jian Chou…

Looking at this Earth Spirit Fruit for a long time, only felt her spine grow cold.

She glanced at Qu Zhengfeng, who seemed unaware he’d done anything, then recalled her earlier assessment of him as a gentleman, her mouth twitching as she suddenly felt extremely sympathetic toward Tao Zhang.

Yashan…

The former chief disciple.

Possessing devastatingly insane combat power, and also possessing—

A heart black beyond black.

“What’s wrong with Senior Sister Jian Chou?”

Seeming to notice Jian Chou’s expression, Qu Zhengfeng asked lightly.

Jian Chou coughed and shook her head: “Nothing…”

Looking ahead, she finally breathed relief and quickly changed the subject: “Deng Tiandao has arrived…”

The island’s population had thinned considerably now, sometimes more, sometimes less.

The teleportation array was on that flat ground. Looking down from above, Jian Chou’s first notice wasn’t the teleportation array but the small stone pool beside it…

The serene stone pool, surrounded by rocks covered with moss.

Cold springs bubbling from the clear, transparent bottom.

The grass had just been washed by rain, seemingly clean.

The air was also crystal clear…

In Jian Chou’s memory, the mayflies that originally flew around the grass and moss seemed to have been washed away by this sea storm—not one could be seen.

Landing, Jian Chou looked up.

On the ground beside the small stone pool, a three-zhang-long depression was revealed. The “Chao” character broken stele that had originally lain inverted on the ground, covered with moss, had disappeared without a trace.

In her mind again appeared that tiny figure riding the wind and breaking waves for thirty thousand li. Jian Chou’s lips curved in a slight smile.

A mayfly that wanted to live through one day.