Nine Evolutions of the True Spirit
chapter-435

Shifting his gaze to Shui Xiu, Lu Ping smiled. “So, how should we split the spirit veins amongst ourselves?”

Before Shui Xiu could speak, Yang San-Yang stepped out and interrupted. “That’s simple. There are six spirit veins and six of us. A spirit vein for each of us.”

Shui Xiu’s expression darkened, while Lu Ping wore an indescribable expression. Qiao Wei-Jie smirked, and Han Fei glanced at Yang San-Yang in confusion.

Qian Shu couldn’t stand the awkward atmosphere and hurriedly dragged Yang San-Yang to the side. Qian Shu cleared his throat, and said, “The Perilous Ocean Sect is not the same as the ten great sects. We’ll be satisfied with one basic spirit vein.”

Yang San-Yang’s expression was awful; he was displeased by what Qian Shu had said. However, Qian Shu was firmly grabbing him, preventing him from committing any foolish acts. Unlike Qian Shu, Yang San-Yang did not realize that the Perilous Ocean Sect was not qualified to stand alongside the top ten sects. It was foolish of him to think that both of them would be able to acquire another portion of the rewards.

If Yang San-Yang was too arrogant and insisted on his suggestion, both Yang San-Yang and Qian Shu would be kicked out by Lu Ping and the others.

The top ten sects were the only ones that sat at the top of the food chain in the North Ocean. Despite the Zhen Ling Sect and Xuan Ling Sect fighting with each other ferociously for the top position, and despite there being no unison among the remaining eight sects, their presence and might could not be challenged in the region.

In fact, the Perilous Ocean Sect was being shown grace and mercy by being allowed to participate in this exploration. If they got greedy and tried to push their limits, they would immediately be shown reality.

Qian Shu clearly knew this. Hence, he quickly stepped in and stopped Yang San-Yang. He didn’t dare to disobey the combined will of the ten greatest sects and figured that securing a spirit vein for their sect was of utmost importance. With that, the Perilous Ocean Sect could also remove themselves from the fight.

With the Perilous Ocean Sect realizing their fault and stepping down, the group stopped dwelling on the matter.

“Surrender one more spirit vein. It’s not good to be so greedy, Lu Ping.” Qiao Wei-Jie smirked.

Lu Ping burst out laughing, and replied, “I suppose you only managed to shake off the Water Shuras and weren’t able to eliminate them?”

“Water Shuras? The cultivators that were very good at stealth? Are they all from the same organization?”

Lu Ping immediately understood that Qiao Wei-Jie had no knowledge regarding the Shuras. Han Fei and the others were also the same. Shui Xiu was the only exception, given how she sunk into her thoughts, indicating that she was at least somewhat aware of the Shuras’ existence.

Lu Ping did not try to explain. Instead, he smiled, and said, “Ask about the Shuras once you return to your sects. What you should pay attention to now is whether or not the Water Shuras tailed you?”

His words caught Qiao Wei-Jie and the others off guard and caused their expressions to contort. Qiao Wei-Jie shrouded himself with his aegis energy. Then, with a flip of his palm, he created a blade made of blazing fire and hacked it forward, causing the entire palace to tremble.

The attack did not land on anyone. Instead, the blazing fire spread to the side. Two shrieks sounded out as a couple of Core Forging Realm Water Shuras revealed themselves before jumping to the side and trying to vanish into thin air again.

Shui Xiu took a step backward, blocking off the exit, and with a wave of her hands, she sent a white mist forward that covered the entire training chamber.

Shui Xiu started paying close attention to the surroundings. Suddenly, she abruptly pointed to her left, and shouted, “There!”

Han Fei clenched his fist, stirring the white mist, and landed an attack on an invisible Water Shura. A painful cry was let out, leading Han Fei to immediately follow up with a second attack in the same direction. Unfortunately, when the attack arrived, the Shura was already gone.

“Over there!” Shui Xiu pointed to the top of the chamber.

Without a word, Qian Shu flicked the tree branch in his hand. Three thorny vines extended out from the branch and immediately pounced toward the direction that Shui Xiu had pointed out. The vines latched onto something and started shaking vigorously, causing hisses to be heard.

“I caught it!” Qian Shu shouted happily.

Beside him, Yang San-Yang, who was only slightly injured, let out a grin. He shifted his gaze toward the direction of the vines and sent out a slash with his jade ruler.

The vines suddenly split apart, and water splashed around, indicating that the Water Shura had been cut down.

However, before Yang San-Yang could indulge in his successful kill, Lu Ping shouted, “Behind you!”

Yang San-Yang’s heart skipped a beat.

“Be careful, Yang San-Yang!” shouted a nervous Shui Xiu.

Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Yang San-Yang hurriedly backed away. Three different colored flames emerged from his body, shielding him from the incoming attack. Qian Shu was standing close by, but his stance and position denied him the opportunity to aid Yang San-Yang. Qiao Wei-Jie was further away, but he was in pursuit of the Water Shura he locked onto and did not even bat an eye at Yang San-Yang’s situation.

The fiery barrier only lasted for a second. A figure emerged, holding a dagger in his hand and stabbing it toward Yang San-Yang’s chest.

In that split second, Yang San-Yang decided that he would let fate decide the outcome of his life. Suddenly, he heard the familiar sound of a sharp blade piercing into an object. However, unlike the sound of a blade being driven into flesh, the noise was rather odd.

After taking a closer look, Yang San-Yang noticed a small water wave in front of him, stopping the blade from stabbing into his chest.

Although he was a spoiled brat from a wealthy family, he could be ferocious when the situation called for it. After realizing that he had escaped the clutches of death, he angrily slammed his jade ruler into the Water Shura’s head, smashing it into pieces.

Thinking it was Shui Xiu that lent him a helping hand, Yang San-Yang turned around, but he saw her staring at the air above him in awe. Yang San-Yang traced her gaze and saw a black banner returning to Lu Ping.

Surprised yet unwilling to accept the truth, Yang San-Yang forced himself to thank Lu Ping and continued to ignore him after that. His lack of gratitude did not bother Lu Ping in the slightest.

The Water Shura that had been injured by Qiao Wei-Jie was trying to run away when a groan was heard. Han Fei was surrounded by two Water Shuras that Shui Xiu failed to detect in time. Han Fei’s aegis energy barrier was destroyed by a Water Shura after a sneak attack. He was sent flying into the air while the two Water Shuras closed in on him dangerously, trying to take his life. Han Fei could barely hold himself together against the combined might of two Water Shuras.

Qiao Wei-Jie glanced at Han Fei, who was not far away from him, before hurling out three fiery blades. However, none of these blades were sent out to try and save Han Fei. Instead, the three fiery blades landed on the injured Water Shura and took its life.

When he turned around and prepared to aid Han Fei, Shui Xiu had already saved Han Fei from the two Water Shuras attacking him.

With Han Fei rescued, Qiao Wei-Jie turned toward the Water Shura he killed. The Water Shura had dissipated into a puddle of water, seeping into the ground and leaving behind a unique and extraordinary bright pearl.

Qiao Wei-Jie immediately bent down and picked up the pearl. However, in his happiness, he failed to notice Han Fei’s dissatisfaction.

As Qiao Wei-Jie was about to pick it up, the ground beneath the pearl split apart. The pearl ended up rolling into the crack before the ground closed up. Qiao Wei-Jie could only watch helplessly and roar angrily.

Lu Ping smiled, but quickly restrained his amusement after seeing anger get the better of Qiao Wei-Jie, sending him into an uncontrollable rage.

“This is bad! The Water Shuras are coming from the pool we passed before entering this palace. We can’t linger here anymore. The longer we stay, the more enemies will come our way. We should immediately split the spirit veins amongst ourselves and leave quickly. We risk losing our lives if more Water Shuras arrive.” Shui Xiu had come to the same realization Lu Ping had arrived at earlier.

Qiao Wei-Jie was unwilling to accept her suggestion, but there was nothing he could do. Before he could even turn down the suggestion, Han Fei had already implanted a Migration Formation Chassis onto a spirit vein, directing it toward the Swift Plume Sect.

After he was finished, Han Fei immediately took over the responsibility of fending off the Water Shuras from Shui Xiu, who, in turn, looked at Lu Ping, who was also helping to fend off the Water Shuras. Lu Ping smiled and signaled her to proceed with what she needed to do. With that, Shui Xiu picked a spirit vein and started planting a Migration Formation Chassis. As she completed her task, she let out a sigh as she finally realized that she was never Lu Ping’s match and that the Zhen Ling Sect had gained the upper hand once again.

Yang San-Yang also planted a Migration Formation Chassis into a spirit vein. Qiao Wei-Jie’s initial plan was to force Lu Ping into surrendering one of the two spirit veins he had marked. However, with the sudden interruption, everyone was too occupied by the Water Shuras, diverting their attention away from Qiao Wei-Jie’s suggestion. With that, he had no choice but to plant a Migration Formation Chassis into the last spirit vein. Internally, he was cursing angrily because the others had already taken the better ones. When it came to his turn, he was left with the worst spirit vein. The Xuan Ling Sect would have to spend a great fortune on nurturing this spirit vein, or they would risk it being ruined or degraded into a mini spirit vein.

Right as Qiao Wei-Jie was about to question them, he was welcomed by the sight of Lu Ping and the others retreating toward the entrance of the training chamber, forcing a way past the Water Shuras. Qiao Wei-Jie’s expression twisted, and he ground his teeth. He didn’t dare to stall anymore. He hurriedly completed the Migration Formation Chassis and caught up with the group. If he were slower, he would have been left behind to deal with the Water Shuras alone, which he wasn’t strong enough to do.

After expending a great effort to escape from the Water Shuras, the group emerged from the water’s surface and sent a message to their respective sects before parting ways.

Lu Ping messaged both the Frozen Mist Palace on Nucleus Island and Huang Li Island.

After the others left, Lu Ping toured the area to ensure no one was tailing him before diving back into Qing Jian’s residence.