Chapter 960 - Three Parties Joining Hands

Boom, boom, boom!

Underwater, the berserk fluctuations generated a terrifying, water dragon-like undercurrent that swept out in all directions.

At the center of the gathered figures lay an azure mass of water: the Herbaceous Water Spirit, a treasure they all coveted.

Before Chen Fan stretched an underwater mountain range, its gorges sprawling.

Chen Fan’s gaze swept across the chaotic battlefield ahead. With a flicker, he hid behind a submerged reef, refraining from joining the fight.

After observing them, he quickly grasped the situation—three different forces were involved.

Each faction had a powerful leader, all at the eighth-level Manifestation realm, supported by sixth and seventh-level experts.

They were currently locked in a chaotic melee, but none could overpower the others, turning the battle into a deadlock.

Chen Fan was puzzled. Herbaceous Water Spirits were precious natural treasures of heaven and earth. So, why was there no ninth-level Manifestation realm expert here?

The answer soon became clear. When he had arrived at the Underworld Mountain Stream, he sensed many powerful auras—all in the ninth-level Manifestation realm.

It seemed these factions had sent subordinates to seize the treasure, ready to intervene the moment they emerged from the cold pool.

“So, that’s how it is. It looks like all ninth-level Manifestation realm experts are waiting outside. They would provide support after their subordinates leave with the spirit.”

Chen Fan’s eyes flickered as he bided his time.

The absence of ninth-level Manifestation realm experts was good; unfortunately, he was no match for even the ones fighting for the Herbaceous Water Spirit. He did not wish to risk death again.

Three eighth-level Manifestation realm experts, backed by nearly twenty sixth and seventh-level cultivators—if he tried to snatch the treasure, he’d be swarmed and killed instantly.

For now, he could only wait and see if an opportunity arose.

The Herbaceous Water Spirit, having long since developed spiritual wisdom, thrashed wildly within the encirclement, trying to break free. However, even as the three factions fought one another, they instinctively blocked its escape.

After all, the cold pool was incredibly vast. If they allowed the spirit to escape, finding it again would be as hard as searching for a needle in a haystack.

Boom!

Suddenly, shocking pillars of water solidified into ice spears that cut through the sky. They instantly broke through the water current, covering the area and shooting towards the crowd that were engaged in a chaotic melee.

Poof, poof, poof...

Many experts failed to dodge and were impaled by the ice spears—frozen solid before they could even scream. As the undercurrent surged, their icy remains shattered into countless pieces.

“Who is it!” a middle-aged man dressed in white robes with a golden hem roared furiously at this time. His aura erupted like a storm. With a sweep of his hand, he shattered the oncoming ice spears.

From Ma Rufeng’s memories, Chen Fan recognized him—Chu Chong, the first vice city lord of a major city in the Dead Region, a powerhouse whose strength reached the sky.

𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

The other two eighth-level Manifestation realm experts were Zheng Song and Zhao Mingkun, also vice city lords.

The sudden ambush forced the battling factions to pause, their gazes turning wary.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, a berserk undercurrent swept crazily from not far away. Next, a huge black silhouette emerged.

“

Roar

!” A deep, draconic cry reverberated through the water. Only now did the crowd finally see the creature in full.

It was actually a peak eighth-level Manifestation realm Vicious Flood Dragon.

The so-called natural treasures of heaven and earth were always fiercely guarded.

The Vicious Flood Dragon had been guarding the Herbaceous Water Spirit, waiting for it to grow before devouring it to advance its cultivation.

“Oh boy, it’s actually a Vicious Flood Dragon!” Chen Fan’s eyes also went wide when he saw this ferocious Vicious Flood Dragon, feeling somewhat speechless.

Although genuine divine dragons had long since disappeared from this world, becoming mere legends, the flood dragon species still existed. It possessed a trace of the real dragon’s bloodline.

Since these beasts possessed an ancient bloodline, they were very powerful and were born with strength far surpassing the human race. They could be called overlords of an area. In the same cultivation level, the human race was simply no match for such beasts.

Though its cultivation was only at the peak eighth-level Manifestation realm, this Vicious Flood Dragon could fight a ninth-level expert to the death.

Its black scales emitted a horrifying light in the water waves. Its icy eyes that were like a pair of red lanterns gazed icily at the crowd.

“Human, scram!” The flood dragon’s steel-like fangs flashed as it let out a thunderous roar, its foul breath polluting the water. A ferocious aura swept outward.

Dragons were revered as divine beings in legends, though some turned wicked. But flood dragons—sub-dragons by blood—were infamous for their brutality.

“I’ve been guarding the Herbaceous Water Spirit for over a thousand years. Get lost, all of you, or none of you will make it out alive!” With a furious bellow, its massive body surged forward, unleashing a tidal undercurrent—a wave so vast it could shatter a hundred-thousand-foot-tall mountain—crashing toward the intruders.

Chu Chong and the others immediately unleashed their cultivation, calming the terrifying undercurrent sweeping toward them, their expressions grave.

Their cultivation was nearly on par with the Vicious Flood Dragon, but it carried an ancient bloodline. At the same level, it would be hard to find someone who was a match for it. Against it, none of them stood a chance in a one-on-one fight.

“Everyone, we are all in this together. None of us can take on the flood dragon alone. Our only option is to join hands and get rid of it first. What do you think?” Chu Chong said to Zheng Song and Zhao Mingkun.

Everyone was well aware that the flood dragon was very difficult to deal with. Arrogant as they were, none dared face it one-on-one.

The Vicious Flood Dragon wasn’t blind to the threat of their alliance. Otherwise, given its incomparably savage nature, it would have gone on a rampage long ago.

“Let’s join forces and slaughter this beast first before talking about anything else.” Zheng Song, a square-faced man with an aquiline nose and a piercing gaze, made his stance clear.

Zhao Mingkun, a burly middle-aged man whose bulging muscles seemed ready to burst, nodded. His deep voice rumbled. “I agree. Let’s join hands for now and get rid of this beast. Afterward, we’ll fight for the Herbaceous Water Spirits with our own means.”

The three factions that had been at each other’s throats just moments ago united in an instant.