CHAPTER 282: CHAPTER 277: ENTERING THE ISLAND

The people on West Emperor Island were in a state of panic, with many wanting to leave the island, but now the ports connecting West Emperor Island to the outside world have been blockaded by demons, making it impossible for ordinary cultivators to get out.

Even cultivators at the Condensed Core Realm who wanted to leave by air would find it dangerous, as there was now an army of demons stationed outside.

"Young master, the demons have surrounded the island, and now, we cannot return." At the entrance of a courtyard, a cultivator at the Condensed Core Realm spoke to a young man.

Wenren Qiu glanced around, noting that the atmosphere on the island was different from usual, increasingly tense.

"Lord Governor must have already received the news and might come to fetch you," the cultivator at the Condensed Core Realm added.

"The demons surrounding the island this time are likely acting under the orders of a Great Demon, even my father coming wouldn’t help, unless the court sends top-level great cultivators," Wenren Qiu said quietly, not expecting to encounter a storm of this magnitude on his first visit to the West Sea.

At this moment, a commotion erupted around them as many people looked skywards, which made Wenren Qiu reveal a peculiar expression as he too lifted his head to gaze at the sky.

A spectacular sight unfolded in the distance: a figure soared through the air, sword in hand, with an ancient sword on his back, his white robe fluttering gracefully. What truly caught people’s attention was the fact that in his left hand, he was carrying an almost dead evil flood dragon, its blood dripping down from the sky.

"What a graceful sword cultivator," Wenren Qiu praised.

"A Sword Cultivator at the Mid Stage of the Condensed Core Realm, and that evil flood dragon is also a demon at the Fifth Realms, and probably of the late stage," remarked the cultivator beside Wenren Qiu. "Could this person have entered the island from the outside, and even killed a peak Fifth Realms flood dragon? Such dominance."

"He doesn’t seem too old, yet he already possesses the cultivation of the Mid Stage of the Condensed Core Realm," Wenren Qiu marveled. "He seems to be another descendant of a noble clan, I wonder which Great Sword Cultivator’s disciple he is."

He couldn’t help but marvel, recognizing that there is always someone better out there.

The West Sea is vast, with many reclusive cultivators; his father had previously mentioned that on the uninhabited islands of the West Sea, top-level Great Sword Cultivators practice in solitude, indifferent to the outside world.

This grand spectacle aroused much discussion, with many exclaiming over how such a dazzling sword cultivator indeed exuded dominance.

Li Fan, who was cultivating in another courtyard, looked up and saw this scene.

"Such elegance," Luo Qingyan, from the roof of a neighboring house, looked up at the sky with a smile, and involuntarily glanced in the direction where Li Fan was.

However, Brother Qingshan is still more handsome.

"A top-tier evil flood dragon at the Fifth Realms, this sword cultivator has formidable combat power," Meng Hong also commented. "I wonder which Great Sword Cultivator’s disciple he is."

The figure continued forward, heading in the direction of the West Emperor Palace.

The West Emperor Palace also became aware of the news, with many heading outside, waiting beyond the palace grounds. Song Siyu and Nan Zhengchuan were among them. Being a sword cultivator at the Condensed Core Realm herself, Song Siyu felt a subtle intimidation from the Sword Intent emanating from the stranger. As the Heavenly Pride Girl of the West Emperor Palace, she found herself feeling somewhat outmatched.

"Song Siyu of the West Emperor Palace greets you," Song Siyu said, cupping her hands in greeting.

"My master heard of the demon havoc besieging West Emperor Island and sent me to slay demons. As I entered the island, I slew a rampaging evil flood dragon along the way," the sword cultivator spoke indifferently, his aura of composure shining through with just a few words.

"Who is your master?" Song Siyu asked.

"West Flame Island," the young man replied casually, causing Song Siyu’s heart to skip a beat. Looking at the young man, her eyes changed as she cupped her hands again. "Please."

Soon, news spread across West Emperor Island that the sword cultivator came from West Flame Island. Hearing this, an elder of the West Emperor Palace personally went out to greet him.

However, many on West Emperor Island had not heard of West Flame Island, as if this island were merely an unknown one. But a few, upon hearing of it, felt ripples in their hearts.

Li Fan and the others naturally received the news and couldn’t help but curiously ask, "Brother Meng, what is the background of West Flame Island?"

"Among the thousands of islands in the West Sea, many are little known, and West Flame Island is one of them. From what I’ve heard, on West Flame Island resides a top-level Great Sword Cultivator, and has been there for many years. It’s rumored that the Palace Master of the Sun and Moon Palace once personally visited the island, though this is only hearsay. The West Emperor Palace should have more concrete information," Meng Hong replied.

Li Fan was somewhat surprised; even Meng Hong, who was at the Condensed Core Realm, wasn’t very informed, indicating that common people would be even less likely to know.

The world is vast, filled with countless extraordinary individuals.

With the demons blockading the island, Li Fan found it hard to venture into the sea to hunt demons and train, so he focused on cultivation. The sea demons did not act rashly either, only maintaining the blockade.

The West Emperor Palace had sent people to the sea, clashing with the demons several times, causing casualties on both sides, but no large-scale battles had taken place, as both sides were apprehensive.

Yet, the prolonged encirclement made the cultivators on the island increasingly anxious, as this vast island now felt like an isolated isle while the sea demons only gathered in greater numbers.

The West Sea is endless, hiding an unknown number of demons.

One day, while Li Fan was cultivating, Sword Intent swirled around him, resembling a sword cocoon.

"Brother Yang’s cultivation is improving quickly; at this rate, he might soon reach the Condensed Core stage," Meng Hong remarked softly from afar, observing Li Fan’s cultivation.

"This guy is a monster; even at the Foundation Establishment stage, his battle prowess is already like this. If he condenses a core, what kind of scene will that be?" Luo Qingyan said with some anticipation.

"Lately, the movements of the sea demons have been increasing. I’m afraid they might take action soon. If the demons invade West Emperor Island, I worry that the demons from Jiao Demon Island will come seeking him for revenge," Meng Hong said softly.

Li Fan mentioned he killed the young master of Jiao Demon Island. How could Jiao Demon Island let him go unpunished? The only reason they hadn’t acted was due to the fear of the West Emperor Palace, not daring to forcefully storm West Emperor Island.

"I couldn’t tell, Meng Hong, are you worried about him?" said Luo Qingyan.

"Such a genius Sword Cultivator, with limitless prospects," Meng Hong replied. If he were to die at the hands of demons, it would be too much of a waste.

"Since you know this, you should understand his origins are extraordinary. This guy is mysterious and unpredictable, never mentioning his background to us, yet always acting as if he has everything under control. Do you think he has some life-saving trump card?" Luo Qingyan said with a smile.

"Your thoughts make sense," Meng Hong nodded.

"If this demon horde does invade, don’t count on him. Think about your own life first. Anyway, I’ll stand by my brother Qingshan, through thick and thin, sharing in both hardships and happiness." Luo Qingyan smiled brightly.

"A cunning and deceitful woman," Meng Hong remarked.

"That’s called wisdom," Luo Qingyan said disdainfully. "You’re a gentleman. Don’t follow my lead, or you’ll waste my good intentions."

"Hmm?"

Just as they spoke, they saw the distant sky filled with terrifying demon energy, dark clouds covering the heavens. Looking up, they saw a grand array of demons entering the island, advancing forward.

On the ground, the crowd was in chaos, but no one dared to act rashly, just watching as the demons in the sky moved forward.

However, this group of demons wasn’t an army, so it shouldn’t be a large-scale invasion.

"These might be the demons going to the West Emperor Palace for negotiations," Meng Hong whispered.

Li Fan glanced up, then continued to meditate.

On West Emperor Island, many people headed towards the West Emperor Palace to see what might happen.

"I’m going to take a look," Meng Hong said, moving swiftly, leaving the area.

However, it wasn’t long before Meng Hong returned.

"Weren’t you going to watch the excitement? Why did you come back?" Luo Qingyan asked.

"I’ve heard that demons are continuously entering the island, moving among the crowd. Some demons even don’t hide and blatantly enter the island. Now, the people on the island are in a panic," Meng Hong said.

"Demons are on the island," Luo Qingyan furrowed her brows. It seems that the sea demons are about to act.

At that moment, Li Fan, who was meditating, suddenly opened his eyes, which turned a golden color. He glanced into the distance and saw powerful demon energy appearing in various directions on West Emperor Island.

Many of the demon energies were converging towards this direction.

Are they coming for him?

"Be careful, demons are coming this way," Li Fan turned his head and warned. Meng Hong and Luo Qingyan both looked surprised. Are they already here?

The others also came out one after another, gathering beside Li Fan.

The demon energy continued to approach, and Li Fan quickly realized that demon energy was appearing in different directions around the area.

"It’s here."

Li Fan murmured softly but didn’t seem overly worried. No Great Demons have appeared.

Just then, the ground not far away suddenly shifted, as if something had burrowed underground.

The tremor steadily approached.

"Be careful," Li Fan warned.

"Boom..." Li Fan’s body soared into the sky, and at the spot where he had been sitting, a sharp blade burst from the ground, piercing straight towards him.

Others also leapt into the air, seeing a dense array of blades emerging from the ground below, like countless tentacles.

"Courting death."

Li Fan hovered in the air, and with a thought, the Heavenly Essence Sword Formation appeared around him. With a thought, the myriad swords rained down, fiercely stabbing towards the ground.

At that moment, figures of demons advanced from various directions, no longer hiding their tracks.

Leading them was a human-shaped demon with two horns on its head, a Jiao Demon, with fierce eyes exuding a violent aura.

Its gaze fixed on Li Fan. This human dared to kill the Young Master of Jiao Demon Island. Now, it’s his time to die.

In the distance, many people saw the sudden uprising of demons. Some figures flickered towards this side, but more stood watching. All appearing demons without exception were from the Fifth Realms.