Chapter 1680: The Island and the Sea Beast

“Why go to such trouble? With the combined strength of the three of us, as long as we don’t encounter any true beasts of the realm, we can easily protect ourselves. Although we won’t be teleported back for another year, we still don’t know where we are. Finding the restricted area where the ruins are located, along with our own cultivation breakthroughs, may already stretch our time thin. Why add unnecessary complications?” Shi Kun, a burly man with skin as gray as stone, shook his head dismissively.

“Fellow Daoist Shi, this combined attack technique using primordial magnetic light was painstakingly devised by my master specifically for today’s mission many years ago. Its power far exceeds ordinary imagination. I insist we practice this technique first. Otherwise, if we encounter a formidable enemy, regret will come too late.” Liu Shui’er beneath her cloak sounded displeased, her voice turning cold.

“Is that so? I still believe that reaching the restricted area as soon as possible and focusing on breaking through our bottlenecks is the priority. I’ve never practiced any combined attack techniques before, yet I’ve still achieved what I have today.” Shi Kun let out a strange laugh, equally unwilling to yield.

“Fellow Daoist Han, what’s your opinion?” Liu Shui’er’s gaze beneath her hood grew even colder as she turned to Han Li.

“My suggestion is this: since the two of you disagree, yet neither can be omitted from this mission, why not compromise? Let’s spend half a month practicing this combined attack technique. Regardless of how well we master it, we’ll then immediately set out to find the restricted area. This way, we can familiarize ourselves with the technique without wasting too much time. I trust Fellow Daoist Shi can spare half a month.” Han Li pondered for a moment before offering his proposal.

“This…”

“Fine, I’ll agree to Fellow Daoist’s suggestion.”

After hearing Han Li’s words, the cloaked woman hesitated briefly, while Shi Kun only thought for a moment before decisively agreeing.

“If you both feel this way, I have no choice but to comply. Let’s proceed as suggested.” Liu Shui’er reluctantly nodded.

“In that case, let’s first find a place to settle before discussing the practice.” Han Li smiled.

Shi Kun and Liu Shui’er naturally had no objections. The trio immediately increased their speed, releasing their spiritual senses as they streaked across the void like meteors.

They had assumed they would quickly find a small island, but to their surprise, after flying nonstop for a full day and night, they finally spotted a tiny island about ten miles wide in the distance.

It was sunset, and the sky above the island was bathed in crimson clouds, while the surrounding sea was pitch black, shimmering faintly like a vast sheet of oilcloth.

Upon seeing the island, the three slowed their approach, materializing a few miles away as they scanned the area ahead.

“Something’s odd. My spiritual sense can’t penetrate deep into the island, and the sea below reeks of demonic aura. It seems a demon beast has claimed this place,” Shi Kun said with a frown, speaking first.

“Indeed. There’s a sea beast below, but its cultivation isn’t high—about the same as ours,” Han Li added, his pupils flashing with blue light.

“Fellow Daoist can sense beneath the island?” Liu Shui’er sounded surprised.

Like Shi Kun, her spiritual sense had also blurred upon touching the sea near the island, as if the waters suppressed spiritual probing.

“I happen to have cultivated a special technique that grants me enhanced perception. It’s not through spiritual sense,” Han Li replied frankly.

“That’s excellent! With such an ability, Brother Han, we can avoid many dangers,” Shi Kun exclaimed joyfully, now addressing Han Li as “brother.”

Han Li merely smiled faintly.

“Indeed, Fellow Daoist Han’s ability increases our chances. Since the island is occupied, perhaps we should find another place. It’s not worth wasting energy on a temporary shelter,” Liu Shui’er said, her eyes brightening.

This time, Shi Kun didn’t oppose the cloaked woman’s suggestion and nodded in agreement.

But after a moment of thought, Han Li shook his head.

“I’m afraid any other place we find won’t be much better.”

“Oh? What do you mean, Brother Han?” Shi Kun asked, puzzled.

Liu Shui’er also looked over, equally confused.

“How would you describe our speed earlier?” Han Li countered instead of answering directly.

“Decent. Not our full speed, but about sixty to seventy percent,” Shi Kun replied without hesitation.

“Exactly. At that pace, flying for a full day and night, we’ve likely covered millions of miles, all while scanning our surroundings with spiritual sense. Yet, this is the only island we’ve found. Doesn’t that strike you as unusual?” Han Li sighed.

“If you have something to say, just say it plainly. I’m not one for riddles,” Shi Kun grunted impatiently.

Han Li’s lips twitched slightly, though he certainly didn’t believe Shi Kun’s claim of being slow-witted.

“Fellow Daoist Han, are you suggesting that the seas of the Moon Realm are peculiar—either islands are scarce, or any we find will already be occupied by sea beasts?” Liu Shui’er interjected.

“Precisely. This island may have a sea beast, but it’s not some ancient monstrosity. We can easily deal with it, which is better than wasting time searching for another,” Han Li explained calmly.

“That does make sense. Fine, let’s follow Brother Han’s suggestion. With the three of us working together, a sea beast of our level won’t pose any problem,” Shi Kun agreed, cracking his neck with a fierce grin.

“I also find Fellow Daoist’s proposal more prudent,” Liu Shui’er conceded after a moment’s thought.

“Since we’re all in agreement, let’s proceed. To ensure nothing goes awry—or to avoid alerting other sea beasts—I’ll set up a temporary formation to mask our actions,” Han Li said calmly.

Shi Kun and the cloaked woman naturally had no objections.

Han Li flipped his hand, producing a stack of formation flags. He tossed them into the air, formed hand seals, and began chanting.

Dozens of multicolored streaks shot toward the sea, vanishing in a flash.

Moments later, thick beams of light erupted from the waters around the island, coalescing into a nearly transparent white barrier that enveloped the entire landmass.

“To be thorough, I’ll lend a hand as well,” the cloaked woman said, raising a delicate finger.

A pale yellow disk-shaped artifact flew out, hovering a hundred feet above the white barrier. With a point from Liu Shui’er, the disk spun, releasing a yellow glow that spread outward, encasing Han Li’s formation in another layer.

“With this barrier, even if we turn the place upside down, no one will notice,” she said coolly.

“Haha! Then I can fight without holding back!” Shi Kun laughed heartily.

Yellow light flashed around him as a deep yellow battle armor materialized, covering most of his body. Without another word, he plunged through the barriers toward the island like a falling meteor.

With a thunderous crash, he landed in a small grove at the island’s center. A shockwave of yellow energy radiated outward, reducing everything it touched—rocks, trees—to dust. In an instant, the island was flattened.

Standing in a crater several feet deep, Shi Kun retracted his glowing fist, clearly pleased with his display.

Witnessing this, the cloaked woman shuddered slightly, while Han Li narrowed his eyes. It seemed Shi Kun’s confidence in his own strength wasn’t unfounded.

“I’d heard the Stone Cocoon Clan was renowned for their physical prowess, but for an upper cultivator to possess such power… Fellow Daoist Shi’s techniques must be extraordinary,” Liu Shui’er murmured, almost to herself.

Han Li showed no reaction, as if he hadn’t heard.

Below, Shi Kun, about to boast to his companions, was interrupted as the island trembled violently. The black waters around it began churning.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Eight thick, black pillars shot up from the sea, towering hundreds of feet like monstrous spires. Their grotesque, writhing surfaces sent chills down the spine.

Squinting, Han Li realized these weren’t pillars at all—they were enormous, grotesque tentacles.