Chapter 194 - 123: Treasure Armor
His keen perception, a gift from the Spirit-Attracting Fishing Technique, worked in tandem with the perfect concealment of the Origin-Returning Breath-Sealing Art. Even underwater, he could clearly detect the subtlest disturbances in the current.
Although the whirlpool’s power had waned, the lingering, chaotic trail of the current served as a guide.
He followed the unique rhythm of the water as it was blocked, split, and swirled by the reefs. Combining this with his observations of the nearby reef distribution, he quickly pinpointed the most likely direction Liu Han had been swept.
It was a hidden shoal, formed by several massive, jaggedly interlocking reefs.
Chen Qing approached the reef-filled area, his body pressed against the rough rock wall as he slowly surfaced.
The wind and snow battered the reefs with a mournful cry. The surroundings were deathly silent, save for the splashing of waves against the shore.
Half an incense stick’s time passed. The crevices between the reefs were empty, aside from some floating debris and ice shards.
’Did he really not die and just drift away with the current? Or was he dragged off by an Exotic Beast in the river?’
Chen Qing’s suspicion grew. ’With the Azure Wave Profound Flood Dragon Armor protecting his body, and Liu Han’s own foundation as a Late-stage Embracing Pill expert, it’s not impossible that he survived with a breath of life left and washed up on some shoal... Could he really be a son of destiny, his luck not yet run out?’
He patiently expanded his search area.
Time trickled by. The night grew darker, and the chill deepened.
Just as Chen Qing was about to give up and return to the waterway...
...from the depths of a narrow gap formed by two huge reefs, he felt an extremely faint trace of a life force!
Chen Qing swam over silently.
Parting a few clumps of seaweed swaying with the current, he saw a figure curled up at the bottom of the gap, most of his body submerged in the icy water. It was Liu Han!
His face was ashen, his lips purple, and his eyes were shut tight. His breath was as faint as a candle flickering in the wind.
The Azure Wave Profound Flood Dragon Armor on his chest had protected his vitals, but Zuo Feng’s Blood Evil Astral Qi had clearly invaded his entire body and was continuously eroding his life force.
If not for this Top-Grade Treasure Armor, he would have been dead long ago.
Without the slightest hesitation, a cold glint appeared in Chen Qing’s eyes. He silently placed his palm an inch above Liu Han’s heart.
Through the tough scales of the Treasure Armor, his Cyan Wood True Qi, sharp as an awl, penetrated the gaps in the armor and pierced Liu Han’s heart meridian.
PFFT!
A barely audible muffled sound echoed underwater.
Liu Han’s body shuddered violently, and his last, faint breath was completely extinguished.
Chen Qing quickly stripped off the deep blue Inner Armor, which shimmered with a hidden light. It felt slightly heavy in his hands, was incredibly tough, and its scales were as fine and dense as if they were organic.
He dragged Liu Han’s body out of the crevice and let it sink into the deeper, darker river current. It was soon swallowed by the darkness, leaving no trace behind.
Having done all this, Chen Qing silently swam back to the waterway he was assigned to defend, just as he had come.
Only after returning to his cabin on the Treasure Ship did the tension in his heart finally ease.
He sat down cross-legged and took out the Azure Wave Profound Flood Dragon Armor to examine it closely.
The Inner Armor was woven from some unknown, deep blue metal thread and the sinews of some Exotic Beast. Fine scales covered its surface. It was cool to the touch but not piercingly cold; instead, it had a gentle, smooth feel.
The scales looked soft, but they were exceptionally tough. Chen Qing channeled thirty percent of his strength and flicked one with his finger, producing a light clang like metal on metal and leaving only a very faint white mark.
A faint, water-like radiance flowed along the inside of the Armor.
"What a treasure!"
Chen Qing was overjoyed, his eyes flashing. ’If not for this Top-Grade Treasure Armor, how could Liu Han have clung to life for even a moment after facing that old demon Zuo Feng? With this armor protecting me, I’ll have another ace up my sleeve to save my life when facing Late-stage Embracing Pill or even Astral Force experts in the future!’
He wrapped the Treasure Armor that had belonged to Liu Han in a layer of specially made cloth before putting it on against his skin.
Unless someone could strip him naked and search him, they would never discover such a great treasure.
’Why did that old demon Zuo Feng appear on Nine Waves Island? What was the purpose of his trip?’
Chen Qing pondered this secretly, murmuring to himself, "I’d better be careful if I run into the Demon Sect from now on."
For the Demon Sect to remain at large despite being hunted by the Four Great Sects, their strength must be extraordinary.
The next morning, the wind and snow had subsided slightly, blanketing the world in silver.
Chen Qing ate a simple meal of dry rations, then stood at the bow of the ship, facing the biting wind. Holding his Cold Chiyi Spear, he began to practice the Mountain Prison-Suppression Spear technique.
The Spear Momentum was heavy and solid. Every move carried the force of a toppling mountain. His Perfection Realm spear technique held its power in reserve, subtly harmonizing with the desolate, frozen landscape.
Just as he was about to complete his set of spear forms, a large, multi-decked ship flying the Xuanjia flag broke through the thin ice in the main waterway and slowly approached.
The ship’s hull was thick and sturdy, exuding an air of stability.
Several people stood on the deck at the bow.
The man in the lead was a tall, burly elder with graying hair and a beard. What was especially eye-catching was the long spear in his hand!
The shaft was jet-black, neither metal nor wood. The tip glinted with a sinister, cold light, and its tassel was as red as blood.
Although the elder did not intentionally release his aura, his mere presence was like the legendary Stabilizing Needle. He stood as deep as an abyss and as imposing as a mountain, naturally exuding a vast power as solid as a mountain.
The newcomer was none other than Elder Du Lingchuan of the Xuanjia Sect.
Behind him stood several young men also dressed in Profound Armor and Martial Attire. Each had a steady aura, clearly elite disciples of the Xuanjia Sect.
The young man leading them was about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with a square face and a calm gaze. His aura had already reached Mid-stage Embracing Pill Power.
The multi-decked ship slowly approached the junction of the waterway that Chen Qing was guarding.
The spear-wielding elder’s gaze fell upon Chen Qing, who had just finished his practice and was standing at the bow with his spear.
From a distance, he had seen Chen Qing’s opening stance and the intent behind his spear practice, and his heart skipped a beat!
’The style of the Mountain Prison-Suppression Spear? Could he be that old coot Peng Zhen’s new closed-door disciple?’
Du Lingchuan’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
He and Peng Zhen, the Dean of the Wutai Sect’s Kun Earth Institute, were the two publicly acknowledged masters of the Spear Path in Yunlin Prefecture. Their cultivation levels were similar, but their spear technique styles were vastly different.
Peng Zhen emphasized Momentum, focusing on being as immovable as a mountain, then striking with the force to shatter the earth and sky. Du Lingchuan, on the other hand, emphasized breaking through, pursuing unstoppable power capable of splitting mountains and piercing clouds with a single strike.
From sparring and competing in their youth to debating the principles of the spear later in life, and now to comparing the achievements of their disciples, the two were constantly at loggerheads. Neither would yield to the other, making them famous "old rivals."
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