These tentacles were not only covered in black-green patterns, but their surfaces were also studded with wheel-sized suction discs, presenting an exceptionally grotesque and terrifying appearance.
Upon seeing this, Shi Kun wasted no time. With a stomp of his foot, his figure shot forward like a giant crossbow bolt, flashing to the vicinity of one of the tentacles in an instant. Swinging his arm, he unleashed a blade-like yellow light over ten zhang long, which slashed out in a flash.
With a *squelch*, the yellow blade proved incredibly sharp, effortlessly severing the tentacle in two. A torrent of green blood sprayed from the wound, raining down in a foul-smelling green shower.
Shi Kun let out a triumphant laugh and, with a flicker of movement, lunged toward another tentacle.
But at that moment, a thunderous roar erupted from beneath the island, shaking the surrounding sky with a deafening hum.
The burly man paused mid-motion, his expression shifting slightly.
The severed half of the tentacle suddenly lashed out, and the bleeding wound instantly stopped gushing blood. Instead, thick plumes of noxious green gas spewed forth, reeking of decay.
Shi Kun, a veteran of countless battles, reacted without hesitation, retreating over thirty zhang away to avoid any potential danger from the eerie green gas.
But this move proved to be a miscalculation.
The green gas surged upward, coalescing in mid-air and reforming into a complete tentacle, identical to the original.
Shi Kun’s face darkened, but he wasted no time in countering. With a backhand slash, another yellow blade several zhang long shot forth.
This time, however, the newly formed tentacle reacted—its suction discs contracted and expanded rhythmically, spewing streams of black radiance.
When the yellow blade struck, a metallic screech rang out. Though it managed to pierce part of the black light, the blade dissipated mere inches from the tentacle.
Meanwhile, the roars from beneath the island grew even louder. The tentacle abruptly descended like a collapsing mountain, crashing toward Shi Kun with overwhelming force.
Before it even landed, a violent gust of wind erupted, nearly knocking Shi Kun off balance.
With a fierce snarl, Shi Kun roared and swung his arm, launching a massive yellow fist toward the sky.
This time, Han Li and Liu Shui’er, watching from above, clearly saw Shi Kun’s fist swell like a balloon mid-strike, expanding five to six times its original size. Several yellow runes flickered across its surface before exploding in a dazzling burst.
A deep yellow halo emerged, radiating concentric waves of light.
The moment the colossal tentacle touched the yellow light, its surface twisted violently as if torn apart by an invisible force. It began crumbling segment by segment, its flesh and green blood disintegrating under the light waves until nothing remained.
This punch seemed even more powerful than Shi Kun’s earlier strike on the island, causing even Han Li’s eyelids to twitch in surprise.
But this attack thoroughly enraged the unknown sea beast beneath the island. With a furious roar, the remaining tentacles lashed out simultaneously, transforming into countless shadows that swarmed toward Shi Kun like a dense net.
The sheer size of these tentacles stirred up a gray hurricane, engulfing the entire island in chaos.
In an instant, Shi Kun was completely swallowed by the storm of shadows and wind.
“It seems we won’t need to intervene. Fellow Daoist Shi alone is enough to handle this sea beast,” Liu Shui’er remarked, exhaling softly as she observed the scene below.
“Indeed. Brother Shi’s physical prowess is extraordinary. Even if this beast has some tricks, it will ultimately meet its end. However, it seems to possess an ability akin to an indestructible body. It might be better for us to dive beneath the surface and deal with its main body directly. Prolonging this battle isn’t ideal,” Han Li mused before responding.
“That makes sense. Coincidentally, I cultivate water-attribute techniques. I’ll handle the beast’s main body,” the cloaked woman said after a brief consideration, nodding in agreement.
“Since you’ve offered, I won’t argue,” Han Li replied with a faint smile.
Without further words, Liu Shui’er formed a hand seal, her body shimmering with blue light before transforming into a streak of azure radiance that shot downward. In a few flashes, she vanished beneath the waves.
Almost simultaneously, a series of deafening explosions erupted from the island, still engulfed in the hurricane and shadowy tentacles.
Han Li turned his gaze downward. Amid the chaos, blinding bursts of yellow light tore through the storm, accompanied by a surge of scorching heat that even caused the two-layered restrictions in the sky to tremble slightly.
Amid the thunderous noise, Shi Kun’s wild laughter faintly echoed, as if he were thoroughly enjoying the battle.
“Could he be one of those rumored battle maniacs? I’ve only heard of such people, but now I’ve witnessed one firsthand,” Han Li muttered wryly before flicking his sleeve toward the sky.
A wave of light swept forth, merging into the milky-white barrier. The trembling restrictions stabilized instantly, standing firm once more.
Thus, Shi Kun wreaked havoc on the island, repeatedly shattering the tentacles, only for them to regenerate swiftly from the green gas they spewed.
The stalemate lasted briefly before the sea beast’s roars beneath the island turned shrill. The surrounding waters churned violently, conjuring waves over a hundred zhang high that surged toward the island from all directions.
If these monstrous waves struck, they could easily submerge half the island.
Han Li’s expression darkened. Without hesitation, he extended a jade-white hand from his sleeve, fingers splayed as he clawed at the void below.
A sharp whistling sound pierced the air as five-colored cold flames erupted from his fingertips, merging into the milky-white barrier enveloping the island.
The barrier shimmered, its hue shifting to a faint multicolored glow.
As the colossal waves crashed against it, the seemingly fragile barrier suddenly radiated swirling five-colored light. The seawater froze instantly, transforming into crystalline ice.
Thus, under the barrier’s shimmering glow, an eerie sight unfolded—a massive ring of pale blue ice walls encircled the island, blocking the relentless waves while leaving the island unharmed.
Satisfied, Han Li withdrew his hand.
After a few futile strikes against the ice walls, the waves mysteriously subsided, and the sea calmed abruptly.
Just as Han Li’s eyes flickered with contemplation, a loud *boom* echoed as a figure shot up from the island, hovering mid-air.
“What’s going on? Why has the beast stopped attacking? Hmm… Could Fellow Daoist Liu have made her move?”
The figure was none other than Shi Kun, who cast a puzzled glance toward Han Li.
Han Li smiled faintly, about to respond, when a massive black whirlpool erupted from the sea beside the island. Churning violently, it disgorged the corpse of a mountainous black beast—a gargantuan octopus with a vaguely humanoid, savage face on its head.
Besides its massive tentacles, it also possessed two thick arms, each gripping a crimson spear-like weapon.
With a *whoosh*, a streak of blue light shot up from beside the corpse, circling once in the air before materializing near Han Li. The radiance faded, revealing Liu Shui’er’s graceful figure.
“So it was Fellow Daoist Liu who struck. Impressive—to dispatch the beast’s main body so swiftly,” Shi Kun remarked, his expression shifting slightly.
“It was nothing. Without you occupying most of its attention, I wouldn’t have succeeded so easily. Fellow Daoist Han’s abilities are remarkable as well, freezing such vast amounts of seawater into ice walls,” the cloaked woman replied nonchalantly, her gaze lingering on the towering ice barriers encircling the island.
“Haha, no need for modesty between us. Now that the beast is dead, let’s lift the restrictions and head to the island,” Han Li interjected with a chuckle.
Neither Shi Kun nor Liu Shui’er objected.
Shi Kun descended directly onto the island, while Han Li and the cloaked woman dispelled the aerial restrictions with a wave of their hands.
“Brother Han, we can’t leave these ice walls standing. They’re far too conspicuous,” Liu Shui’er pointed out, gesturing below.
“Naturally. I’ll dissolve them now,” Han Li replied calmly, as if he’d already considered the matter.
He opened his mouth, expelling a silver fireball that spun rapidly before expanding into a foot-long silver firebird.
With a flick of his sleeve and a low command, the firebird spread its wings and dove downward.
Upon touching the ice wall, the frozen barrier began melting from the point of contact, reverting to seawater that cascaded back into the ocean.
Within moments, all the ice walls had vanished.
Han Li beckoned, and the silver firebird streaked back, disappearing into his sleeve after a few flashes.
“Fellow Daoist Han wields both ice and fire—a rare duality indeed!” Liu Shui’er remarked, her eyes gleaming with astonishment after witnessing the spectacle.
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