Chapter 204: Filled with Immortal Relics
Xiao Nanfeng's skiff floated toward the side of the fog, where countless boats and ships had already gathered. They were visibly hesitating about whether to enter its midst.
Xiao Nanfeng's small skiff drew little attention; there were far too many similar ones already present.
Just then, a bloodied man emerged from the fog, holding on to a jeweled pagoda shining with radiant light. The treasure was pitted and pockmarked from age, but it was clearly no ordinary relic.
"Master, there really are treasures within the draconic palace! This is a jeweled pagoda we just retrieved. However, it's exceptionally dangerous within. Some of my junior and senior brothers have been injured, and others were separated from us," the bloodied man cried out, raising the jeweled pagoda up high.
"An Immortal relic? Hand it over!"
"Immortal relics should be the possession of the virtuous. You have no right to it!"
Dozens of cultivators flew toward the bloodied man, intending to snatch the corroded pagoda away.
Just then, a frightening aura descended from the heavens, suppressing the dozens of cultivators that had tried to steal the relic. They raised their heads with shock. A white-robed man floated in the air, radiant with multicolored light, giving off an aura of such strength that none of the cultivators could move.
"An Immortal!" cries rang out from all over.
Xiao Nanfeng himself gaped. Did the draconic palace boast treasures of interest even to Immortals?
"Insolence!" the Immortal shouted.
With a wave of his hand, the cultivators were sent flying into the sea in a series of splashes. They spat out mouthfuls of blood as they struck the water at speed, but none dared to go against the Immortal.
The bloodied man sneered at the crowd as he flew toward the Immortal.
"Master, this is the Immortal relic." He handed over the pitted, pockmarked pagoda.
The white-robed Immortal inspected the pagoda carefully. "The legendary jeweled Immortal pagoda? I saw it once three centuries ago within the draconic palace. How could it have corroded to such an extent?"
"I don't know, Master, but more and more strong cultivators have been entering the palace. I even saw countless sea spirits as well. They were all fighting over the Immortal relics."
The white-robed Immortal considered this information. "Over the past few days, I saw a few Immortals sneak into the draconic palace. Did you see them make a move?"
"I didn't see any other Immortals. The draconic palace was too large, and we were chased by others almost as soon as we entered. We spent the majority of our time panicking and trying to escape, and were lucky just to have found this relic."
The white-robed Immortal sighed, then sucked in a deep breath. "Everyone, accompany me into the draconic palace."
"Yes, Immortal!" Calls of assent came from many of the ships present.
As the white-robed Immortal stepped into the fog, he was accompanied by a large number of ships.
The temptation of these Immortal relics was massive. In addition to the white-robed Immortal's faction, many of the other forces charged in as well, unwilling to lose out against those that went before them. Of course, many of the ships, even the largest ones, still remained motionless as though worried about something.
Xiao Nanfeng stood in his skiff as he considered what he had learned. "The situation at the draconic palace is growing more and more chaotic... I wonder how Master and the others are doing?"
After a moment's contemplation, Xiao Nanfeng joined the other boats and ships as he sailed into the fog. He was slow and didn't fight to take the lead; even so, someone noticed him.
There was a rather large, unassuming ship that had anchored by the edge of the fog. Three figures flew out of the fog and landed on it, one of whom was Nalan Feng.
The fact that Nalan Feng was able to fly unaided through the air was a clear sign that he had reached Spiritsong.
Before Nalan Feng stood a thin, tall man. His features were graceful, almost feminine, and his aura weighty. He looked toward Nalan Feng. "I'll drop you off here, Feng'er. Have Mr. Qi bring you back to the Taiqing Immortal Sect."
Behind Nalan Feng was a man in black, Mr. Qi.
"Uncle, why can't I stay in the draconic palace? I'm a Spiritsong-realm cultivator now, and I'd be able to help you," Nalan Feng asked, unwilling to leave.
The man shook his head. "Mr. Wen noticed something amiss. Something is about to unfold in the draconic palace. We won't be able to guard you if you stay."
Nalan Feng sighed in exasperation. "Alright, Uncle. It's past time I settled my score with Xiao Nanfeng."
The thin, tall man turned to Mr. Qi. "Mr. Qi, you must protect Feng'er at any cost."
Mr. Qi bowed. "With me around, no one will be able to harm the third prince."
"Relax, Uncle. I'm a Spiritsong-realm cultivator with an Immortal relic now. I could hardly be harmed," Nalan Feng replied confidently.
The thin, tall man nodded, then flew back into the draconic palace.
The large ship on which Nalan Feng and Mr. Qi sailed hovered around the edge of the fog, then steered away from it.
They quickly saw a man leaving the palace with a pitted jeweled pagoda in hand, arousing the white-robed Immortal's attention. The white-robed Immortal and a large group of cultivators headed into the fog.
"Do they think it's that easy to obtain these Immortal relics? They must not be aware of the dangers within," Nalan Feng commented with a disdainful look.
"My teacher's planning is truly without flaw. The strongest cultivators of the sects of the Eastern Sea are raring to enter the draconic palace, not realizing that they would only serve to further my teacher's aims," Mr. Qi replied, smiling.
"Mr. Wen is truly amazing to have caused such a commotion and transformation to the draconic palace. It's all thanks to him that my cultivation has grown so rapidly, and that I acquired two Immortal relics besides." Nalan Feng took out a mirror with a smirk on his face.
"Your Highness, there are too many cultivators gathered here. It's better not to reveal any treasures needlessly," Mr. Qi warned.
"Worry not. This Immortal relic, the Mirror of Truth, dispels all illusions and displays no manifestation when its power is used. Let me see if anyone's sneaking an Immortal relic out. If their cultivation isn't up to snuff, we can intercept and kill them to gain more relics ourselves." Nalan Feng's eyes flashed with anticipation.
He shone the Mirror of Truth at everyone in the vicinity. Many who were shrouding themselves in fog appeared in plain sight in the mirror, and their treasures and weapons shone with mysterious light.
"It's a pity. There's no one hiding an Immortal relic," Nalan Feng spat out, somewhat dissatisfied.
Suddenly, his eyes widened. "Him!"
"Who?" Mr. Qi asked.
"Xiao Nanfeng! He's rather full of himself, isn't he? Daring to approach the Eastern Sea Draconic Palace alone... why, he's asking to be killed." Nalan Feng smiled fiercely.
Xiao Nanfeng was on a small skiff that blended in with the crowd. Although he was veiled, the Mirror of Truth revealed his appearance plainly.
"That's Xiao Nanfeng?" Mr. Qi exclaimed in surprise.
"Mr. Qi, accompany me to take him down," Nalan Feng commanded.
"Third Prince, there's no need for this. The draconic palace boasts tremendous danger; his life is already at risk. Furthermore, my teacher has specifically sent us out because of the imminent upheaval." Mr. Qi frowned.
"Xiao Nanfeng humiliated me. I'd grind his bones to dust and dismember his corpse if I could. I won't be satisfied if he just dies within the draconic palace. I want to end his life myself! What's more, he possesses the Immortal's Destruction, an Immortal relic of uncommon strength. If it were to be left in the draconic palace, someone else would get lucky instead," Nalan Feng spat out.
Mr. Qi's eyes brightened. "It might not take us too long to take him down if we work fast. Fortunately, I know some special techniques for torture that will aid you in playing with him before his death, Your Highness."
"Haha, very good, Mr. Qi! Let's go!" Nalan Feng nodded in satisfaction.
The two cultivators flew back into the fog as they chased after Xiao Nanfeng.
In the distance, as Xiao Nanfeng sailed into the fog, he discovered that the seawater was morphing into rapids. A huge whirlpool dragged at all the ships and boats in the vicinity, like a mouth about to devour them all.
"Master, that whirlpool is the entrance to the draconic palace!" a voice rang out from behind. The white-robed Immortal swung his robes and sent their ship careening through the fog and into the mouth of the whirlpool. The other boats and ships were caught up in its wake and sucked in as well, including Xiao Nanfeng. He felt as though the whirlpool were dragging him toward the depths of the sea. Countless cultivators were spun around and around in a daze as they screamed.
It took an interminable amount of time for the teleportation to end.
With a huge crash, everyone and their ships were sent seemingly crashing into the floor of the sea before stopping sharply.
Xiao Nanfeng spat out a mouthful of blood from the impact, as did many of those around him.
They stood up to discover that there was no water here at the seafloor; the silty ground beneath their feet was pitch-black and covered with ruined ships. It was apparent that all the ships entering the draconic palace were annihilated in this manner.
Above them was a large barrier shining with light, illuminating the space that had been shrouded by endless fog. Beyond the barrier was roiling seawater.
"That's the underwater barrier protecting the draconic palace. We've entered!" Many cultivators let out excited smiles.
More and more cultivators sank toward them, as though having been transported in out of nowhere.
The white-robed Immortal, led by disciples who had mapped out the area, quickly flew into the thick fog.
The forces in the vicinity, on the other hand, mutually wary of each other, tried to group up.
Xiao Nanfeng chose not to form an alliance with anyone. He rushed into the fog and left the area.
Just then, Nalan Feng and Mr. Qi appeared.
"Where is he? He ran into the fog?" Mr. Qi shouted.
"Don't worry. With the Mirror of Truth, he won't be able to escape," Nalan Feng replied confidently.
He held the mirror up to his surroundings. The thick fog surrounding them vanished in the glass, and he quickly found Xiao Nanfeng in the distance.
"He's right there. Chase after him!" Nalan Feng cried out.
"He won't be able to get away." Mr. Qi smiled in a sinister fashion.
The two cultivators rushed off in Xiao Nanfeng's direction.
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