Legend of the Great Sage

surroundings stood like skyscrapers, their leaves woven together like the clouds and their roots gnarled together like snakes and dragons.

The mist was thick like milk, receding backwards as they advanced, which added quite an ethereal, otherworldly feeling to the place.
However, if any mortals tried wandering through it, they would be reduced to a pile of bones immediately.
The roars of daemons rose and fell inside as shadows paced around through the fog.

Li Qingshan could conceal his presence and existence perfectly, like a spirit turtle diving into the depths of the sea, while Xiao An’s Path of White Bone and Great Beauty had always been about the principle that life and death, form and emptiness, were the same thing.
She was only a set of white bones, so what was there to sense?

Even if regular second heavenly tribulation cultivators could withstand the Fire Devouring King’s “Spark Explosion”, they would still be heavily injured, but Li Qingshan practised the Phoenix’s Scripture of Nirvāṇa.
He was extremely resistant towards fire, leaving him basically unscathed.

However, he was not bold enough to take the Fire Devouring King lightly because of this.
The attack was a probing strike at most.
It could not even be considered as a proper attack.
When it came to an actual battle to the death, it would be impossible for him to neglect the flames of the Fire Devouring King unless he reached the fourth layer of the Phoenix Transformation, not to mention the skill in battle and bodily strength that Zhu Yan had demonstrated through that thrust.
It left him with a very deep impression of Zhu Yan.

“No wonder he’s so arrogant.
When it comes to an individual battle, I’m probably still not his opponent just yet.
Thankfully, you reminded me, so I prepared a Great Shifting talisman, or we really might be in a bit of trouble.
I need to collect a few more somehow in the future.
It’s just a pity that I don’t have an innate ability like Mo Yu’s, or I’ll be able to go wherever I’d like in this world.”

Li Qingshan told Xiao An in some pity.
He had tried learning how to move through space from the asura Yin Qing, but even in the Asura realm, there were not a lot of people who knew this move.
Not only did it require control over the spatial environment, but it also took up a great deal of time and effort too, so all he could do was give up.

“Not right now, but who knows about the future?” Xiao An smiled.
Her hair that was long enough to reach the ground dragged behind her like seaweed floating on the surface of the sea.

“Hopefully.
Fire devourers really do deserve their reputation of possessing a horrible temper.
I definitely can’t just forget about this matter.
I wonder if this bastard will go to Savage mountain or not.”

“Otherfolk have never been tolerated, viewed with hatred by humans, while you’re a White Hawk commander.
The Great Xia empire has passed orders to cull fire devourers numerous times in the past, which was all carried out by the Hawkwolf Guard, digging out their hearts as evidence for their feats.
Though, I do hope he can come to Savage mountain,” said Xiao An.

“Oh? Why?”

“As long as we sacrifice the ten cave masters, there should be someone who’ll deal with the problem of Fire Melt mountain for us,” said Xiao An.

A king of otherfolk would be attacking a blessed land of cultivation, slaughtering human cultivators en masse, all of which were second heavenly tribulation cultivators too.
Were they supposed to be preparing to re-establish their divine kingdom and carry out revenge? How could the Great Xia empire allow that to happen?

Li Qingshan was taken aback slightly before smiling.
“Everything is in your plans.” He never thought the Blood Oath Scroll could serve a purpose like that.
“Actually, there’s no need for all ten of them.
Just sending the Marquis of Serene Sea to die is enough.”

“Fair enough, but he probably won’t come.
He hasn’t been taking us seriously.”

As soon as Xiao An turned around, Li Qingshan pinched her delicate nose and smiled.
“You’ve been expecting the Fire Devouring King to respond like this the entire time! And you still told me to negotiate with him! Letting me be turned down right in my face, even wasting a violet talisman.”

“Nothing is absolute.
Perhaps he really might have put out a request that we could accept and not demand the Merfolk King’s head.
Moreover, you have to see the divine wutong tree for yourself before you can decide whether it’s worth the effort or not!” Xiao An pouted and said nasally.

“It’s worth it.
It’s very much worth it.
I’m basically determined to obtain it.
Tell me what other fantastic plans you have!” Li Qingshan rubbed her head.

“Haven’t you thought of it already?” Xiao An said.

“That’s right.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
If I want to take Fire Melt mountain, I need assistance from the Merfolk of South sea.
A lot sure goes on in that little head of yours.”

Li Qingshan nodded.
If they could undergo the third heavenly tribulation, then trampling through Fire Melt mountain by working together would be nothing difficult.
However, they still did not possess that strength, so they needed allies.

If they did not possess the Blood Oath Scroll, then they would probably be shut down in their faces yet again if they went to the South sea and told the Merfolk King, “We’re willing to help you out and annihilate Fire Melt mountain.” However, the two of them combined with the ten cave masters under the blood oath were twelve second heavenly tribulation cultivators.
That was an important chip that could shift the balance between the two races.
Perhaps they could even drag the South Sea Sword pavilion into the mess.

However, even with all the preparations they had made, how they were supposed to get these allies on their side was still a problem.
They would definitely be cautious of him, and if he were careless, he could end up as an expendable.

“The most important part is how to motivate the Merfolk King to join our side.
Merpeople aren’t as ill-tempered, but they’re unrivalled when it comes to being cut off from others.
Merpeople hide in the South sea.
The information the Hawkwolf Guard has on them is far less than the information on the fire devourers, so it’s really difficult to make a judgement.
Hmph, if that rock fishwoman still doesn’t help us out, I’ll eat her,” said Xiao An.

“Rock fishwoman?” Li Qingshan was taken aback.
He smiled.
“You’re talking about Ru Xin! Don’t worry, she’ll definitely help me.”

At this moment, Li Qingshan’s expression changed, and he exchanged glances with Xiao An.

“Someone is attacking Savage mountain!”