"Soul Search!"

Shen Mo slightly flexed his fingers, grasping the Flood Dragon's soul, and performed the Soul Searching Spell on it.

With his current cultivation and soul intensity, he could have forcibly searched Shen Gao's soul even if it were still alive. However, this Evil Python had devoured two Inner Door disciples of the Riverside Sect, as well as three cultivators from other immortal sects. Even Liu Qing had nearly ended up in its belly… How could Shen Mo allow it to continue its wretched existence? There was no need to risk soul damage by searching its soul while it was alive!

As a multitude of memory fragments surfaced before Shen Mo's eyes, his expression grew increasingly grim.

Shen Mo had been puzzled earlier. This Evil Python is the son of the Class III great demon Shen Lei. Why would it so brazenly devour and hunt Human Cultivators while the two races were negotiating an alliance? Even the cultivators who came to Dingbo City to slay demons received warnings from the Demon Slaying Hall not to clash with the demonic beasts claiming to be of the Marine Race at this time! He had flown all this way without witnessing any battles between cultivators and sea demonic beasts. Both sides probably maintained their distinct boundaries and did not interfere with each other!

Only now, from Shen Gao's soul memories, did he learn that things were not so simple. This Evil Python had indeed attacked Liu Qing and her group to satisfy its gluttonous appetite. But the root cause was that this demon, from its father Shen Lei's words and attitude, had guessed that Shen Lei had already sided with the Heavenly Demons. Therefore, Shen Gao had paid no heed to the alliance between the two races. Once its appetite was whetted, it unscrupulously devoured the Human Cultivators who had come to slay demons.

This wasn't the first time it had eaten people. Besides Liu Qing's five companions, Shen Gao had devoured at least sixteen Qi Gathering Realm inner disciples from the Five Great Sects, elders of minor immortal sects, members of Cultivating Families, and rogue cultivators! It was just unlucky this time to run straight into Shen Mo's sword.

"Senior Brother Shen…" Liu Qing called out worriedly, seeing Shen Mo's somber face.

Shen Mo returned to his senses and used the Soul Locking Spell to seal the Flood Dragon's soul into a Soul Nurturing Bottle, a vessel specifically for preserving the souls of living creatures.

Then, he slowly said to Liu Qing, "The remains and belongings of our two fellow sect members, and those of the three fellow daoists from other immortal sects, should still be within this vile creature's belly! Once I've cut it open, you can collect their remains and then return to Dingbo City. I have urgent matters to attend to right now and cannot escort you back."

As he spoke, Shen Mo brandished the Demon Slaying Sword, unleashing a burst of sword Qi that sliced open the headless Flood Dragon's corpse. The gushing blood dyed a vast expanse of the sea crimson.

Liu Qing had witnessed far bloodier scenes and wouldn't be terrified into a stupor by this. However, when she collected her friends' remains, seeing their tragic conditions, her face still turned deathly pale. She fiercely suppressed her emotions, barely managing to gather all their remains and belongings.

Shen Mo wasn't unwilling to help; at that moment, he was communicating via Sound Transmission Talisman with Yuan Chengshan, the Hall Master of the Immortal Welcoming Hall, and Yu Yan, the third core disciple.

"Hall Master Yuan, Senior Brother Yu, the Marine Race's great demon, Shen Lei, has very likely defected to the Heavenly Demons!"

"Junior Brother Shen, what do you mean by that?" Yu Yan transmitted, asking.

"About half an incense stick's burn ago, I was heading to Golden Turtle Island, our appointed meeting place, when I unexpectedly encountered…"

Shen Mo quickly recounted the incident of meeting Liu Qing and slaying the Flood Dragon Shen Gao, emphasizing what he had seen during the Soul Search.

After a brief silence, a transmission came from Yuan Chengshan: "Bring the corpse and soul of this vile creature here. With its soul as evidence, Shen Lei will surely have no defense!"

This matter was of utmost importance. Yuan Chengshan and Yu Yan naturally believed Shen Mo. However, the Spirit Sea Realm cultivators of the other Four Great Sects, as well as the Class III great demons from the Marine Race, would not simply believe his word alone. Only if Shen Mo delivered Shen Gao's soul for their inspection could they use it to question Shen Lei! Once suspected of defecting to the Heavenly Demons, Shen Lei would undoubtedly be apprehended immediately unless he was willing to open his soul for all parties to search.

Shen Mo put down the Sound Transmission Talisman.

Seeing Liu Qing had finished collecting the remains, he took out a spare Universe Bag and put Shen Gao's head and corpse into it. Then, he gave her some Grade II Elixirs and talismans.

"The journey from here back to Sea State is not known to have any formidable Heavenly Demons. However, there are always exceptions. Take these Elixirs and talismans for self-defense. Do not linger over the Immortal Burial Sea. I fear a great upheaval will occur on the seas soon!"

Seeing Shen Mo's solemn tone, Liu Qing took the Elixirs and talismans and nodded heavily in understanding.

Watching his fellow sect member depart, Shen Mo activated the Soar Cloud Immortal Method, transforming into a streak of light and speeding towards Golden Turtle Island.

「At this time.」

Golden Turtle Island was so named because the sandstone composing the island was golden yellow and, when viewed from above, the island resembled a turtle.

Magnificent buildings had already been erected on the island for the fifteen Spirit Sea Realm experts from the Five Great Sects to rest and recover their Mana. All materials were sourced from the seabed, primarily Crystal Stones and coral, adorned with shells, Gold Sand, spiritual algae, and Shark Pearls. As the Marine Race was not particularly skilled in the method of forging, every structure exuded a primitive and rugged beauty! These meticulous arrangements also made it clear that the demonic beasts of the sea truly placed immense importance on this alliance summit.

On the flattest southern edge of Golden Turtle Island stood a grand hall, half submerged in seawater and the other half built on the island. This hall was the venue for negotiations between the Human Cultivators and the Marine Race. The Class III great demons in the Immortal Burial Sea could leave the ocean entirely and move about on land without hindrance. However, staying in seawater made them more comfortable and allowed them to exert their full strength, hence the construction of such a peculiar hall.

The Spirit Sea Realm experts from the Five Great Sects had already held several discussions with the Class III great demons of the Marine Race. The general tone and main points had been settled on the first day. However, when it came to specific issues, the two sides argued incessantly. In particular, matters concerning which side would take the lead, the number of forces each side would contribute, and how cultivation resources would be shared, remained unresolved.

The Five Great Sects demanded that the demonic beasts in the Immortal Burial Sea, like other minor immortal sects, Cultivating Families, and similar powers, fully submit to their command and be at their disposal. At the very least, as a concession, they were willing to consider the Marine Race as another immortal sect, with the six major powers then jointly resisting the demonic calamity in Sea State and the Immortal Burial Sea.

The Marine Race, however, demanded that the Five Great Sects and other human factions be considered a single entity, placing the Marine Race on equal footing with them. They also insisted on the right to independently deploy and manage their demonic beasts in the war. This point alone had been repeatedly negotiated for a long time, yet no headway had been made.

"Twenty years ago, during the demonic calamity, no Heavenly Demon passage appeared in the Immortal Burial Sea. You people have no idea how to deal with Heavenly Demons! Instead of making your own arrangements, it would be better to follow the dispatch of the Five Great Sects, including our Heaven Sword Sect! Only then will there be a greater chance of driving the demon heads out of this realm!" an Elder from the Heaven Sword Sect declared, his voice resonant and powerful, like the ring of a sword!

Yuan Chengshan and Yu Yan of the Riverside Sect, along with Spirit Sea Realm experts from the other major immortal sects, all voiced their agreement.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.