Nine Evolutions of the True Spirit
chapter-231

In the following few days, Lu Ping had Dabao quietly search the island, and discovered five spirit-gathering fields in the process. He led the island cultivators to till the fields, plant spiritual grains and harvest the spirit herbs on the island.

Lu Ping also separated the cave-dwelling into two layers, an inner layer that was exclusive to him, and an outer layer for the Blood Condensation Realm cultivators. This arrangement had won Lu Ping their appreciation.

Additionally, Lu Ping was also generous and provided guidance in their cultivation. With his level of insight and experience, he could naturally point out their flaws and shortcomings.

Hence, within a short time, the cultivators began to truly acknowledge him.

…

After leaving Wave Listening Island, the Three Clans Alliance emissaries flew towards the next island.

"It seems that the previous island masters, Liu Guo-Wei and Liu Guo-Wai, have been killed. I heard that Brother Zhang had some friendship with those two brothers. Don't you want to avenge your friends?"

"Friends? We're not that close yet. Rules are rules, I certainly don't have the guts to break them. The Liu brothers were only servile because of the mini spirit vein on the island. I heard that they had a secret technique which could speed up the maturation time of a mini spirit vein. I think the mini spirit vein should be matured by now, and could be the very reason that brought about their deaths."

"I wonder what will happen if we spread this news out?"

"Good idea! No matter their intentions, the Liu brothers still served me well. This can be considered payback for them. This will be fun!"

Innkeeper Li smiled bitterly, as he listened to the two young and talented cultivators who had obviously ignored him.

Lu Ping had no idea that he was being schemed against.

Right now, he was racking his brain to try and find a way of sneaking through the Three Clans Alliance's patrols, and enter the middle layer. After all, the Three Clans Alliance had three Core Forging Realm Enlightened Masters stationed in the territory.

The next day, whilst Lu Ping was cultivating, he was suddenly disturbed by an explosion on the island.

Wu Yan hurriedly rushed over to report that the Crimson Shadow Island, which was also under the Three Clans Alliance, had come to challenge them.

"The Crimson Shadow Island is one of the strongest amongst the 27 islands. The Crimson Shadow Island Master had a good relationship with the two former island masters. He’s in the Ninth Layer Blood Condensation Realm and has four Late Blood Condensation Realm subordinates known as the Four Champions. They are definitely enemies, not friends!"

The Crimson Shadow Island Master was a brawny man with a big beard. Upon seeing Lu Ping, he laughed, and said, "So the new guy is a gentle-looking young brat? Brat, you're the one who killed my friends? You kill my friends, I kill you, sounds fair, right? However, I'm not a bloodthirsty killer, so I’ll let you live if you give your position to me and 100,000 spirit stones."

After Crimson Shadow Island Master finished speaking, a dozen Blood Condensation Realm cultivators who had followed him here, began clamoring for Lu Ping to hand over the spirit stones and spirit vein.

On the contrary, the seven Blood Condensation Realm cultivators behind him kept a certain distance from him, as if to show their stance.

Lu Ping didn't mind them. After all, it had been less than three months, it naturally wouldn't be possible for him to truly gain their loyalties.

Lu Ping looked at the cultivators from Crimson Shadow Island who were flaunting their strength in front of him, and smiled slightly, "Yes, I am the new island master. In fact, I've been planning to pay the nearby island masters a visit. I didn't expect Crimson Shadow Island Master to come visit me first. I wonder if the island master has come to congratulate my succession and welcome me?"

His tone was slow and calm, yet every word could be heard clearly despite the loud shouting.

The Crimson Shadow Island Master was surprised for a second. Then, he pointed at Lu Ping, and said mockingly, "Brat, you have no idea what you’re stepping into. Fine, fine, since you’re not willing to comply, then we’ll have to come and take it ourselves. Guys, claim this island! From today onwards, we own two islands!"

Although the Crimson Shadow Island Master looked reckless, he was actually shrewd. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to survive in the Fallen Rift.

The Liu brothers were strong, so, if Lu Ping could kill them, he must be stronger.

However, the Crimson Shadow Island Master had the Four Champions who were all in the Late Blood Condensation Realm, so he definitely wouldn't fight Lu Ping on his own.

Lu Ping casually raised the Verdant Dawn Sword and slashed five times in front of him. Each time, there would be nine spiritual sword lights that formed an Enneagon Sword Array, attacking one of the incoming cultivators.

"Sword intent, this is sword intent!"

The Four Champions were horrified and shouted in shock. They used all their means to defend against the sword lights, while the Crimson Shadow Island Master quickly retreated in terror.

When he saw the spiritual sword lights, the Crimson Shadow Island Master immediately knew that not only had Lu Ping cultivated sword intent, his attainment in the State of Frame was also incredibly deep.

The Four Champions did their best and managed to survive the sword lights, but they were severely wounded, with their clothes torn revealing several bloodstains.

On the other hand, the Crimson Shadow Island Master was quick to retreat and so was not injured. However, he was shocked by the vast arcane energy in the sword lights that pushed him back many times.

The Crimson Shadow Island Master finally had a taste of Lu Ping's power. He opened his mouth to say something, but Lu Ping didn't give him a chance.

Streams of water weaved into a tight water net in mid-air, trapping the five men inside. Then, the Verdant Dawn Sword quivered, shooting out hundreds of sword lights towards them.

"Get into formation!"

The five of them formed a simple Five Elements Formation, following the Crimson Shadow Island Master's command. They cast a spell together which formed a five-colored disc that blocked the sword lights.

Lu Ping's expression turned solemn. The Verdant Dawn Sword thrust out with the [Stormy Waves Crashing Shore Sword Art], creating hundreds of sword lights that turned into six huge waves which pounced on the five-colored discs.

The five cultivators obviously knew that the next attack wouldn't be easy to block, so they immediately exerted their full strength into the five-colored disc, causing it to shine brightly.

The first three waves of sword lights bombarded the five-colored disc leading it to lose its luminance; the fourth wave made a crack on the disc; the final wave shattered the disc completely, resulting in the five cultivators spitting blood and the array formation being disarmed.

Sensing that a sixth wave was approaching, and the water net compressing the space around them, the Four Champions cast up their mystic instruments and were ready to fight to the death.

Suddenly, the Crimson Shadow Island Master shouted, "We surrender! Have mercy on us!"

Lu Ping didn't expect the Crimson Shadow Island Master to surrender. Fortunately, his swordsmanship was much stronger than before, giving him full control over his sword attacks. Hence, he was able to disperse the sixth sword wave with just a swing of his hand.

The Four Champions noticed Lu Ping's casualness during the battle. Their faces turned pale and they let out a sigh, as they turned their heads to look at their island master.

At present, the Crimson Shadow Island Master had lost his brash and bold manner, with beads of cold sweat rolling down his pale face. He was panting heavily, and a second later, he said, "No more fighting. The Crimson Shadow Island is yours to command. We surrender, all we ask is that you don’t take our lives."

Lu Ping remained vigilant, as he still remembered the lesson he had learned from the Liu brothers. With the Verdant Dawn Sword pointed at them, he asked, "Oh? Crimson Shadow Island Master, what's the matter? If I'm not wrong, you still have some trump cards up your sleeves, why surrender so easily?"

The Crimson Shadow Island Master sat down on the sand and cursed, "It's very unlucky for me to run into someone like you. Of course, I still have trump cards, but so do you. It's one against five, and our arcane energy is already running low, yet you’re still fine as if nothing has happened. We can't beat you, we can't run, what else can we do other than to surrender? Are you sure you’re just an Eighth Layer Blood Condensation Realm cultivator?"

The Four Champions initially thought that surrendering was just a ruse, so they were waiting for the signal to attack. But when they heard the explanation, they quickly turned silent.

Lu Ping wasn't bewitched by the flattery. He smiled softly and pointed at the Crimson Shadow Island Master.

Unbeknownst to everyone else, Lu Ping had cast the [Shapeless Sword Art] on the two Emerald Blood Divine Needles and sent them to rest at the Crimson Island Master's throat.

When the Crimson Shadow Island Master saw the needles gradually appearing in front of him, he instantly jumped to the side, while a chill was sent down his spine. His eyes were filled with terror as he looked at Lu Ping.

Lu Ping recalled the needles, and said, "You’re not wrong. It's truly not difficult at all to kill the five of you. However, what makes you think I will believe your surrender?"