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"Twelve at the Divine Transformation Stage, this may be a bit difficult to fight," said Lu Yang, difficulty on his lips, but the smile on his face couldn’t be concealed no matter what.

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In Great Xia, it was rare to encounter anyone who dared to battle him, especially to the death.

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It was a pity that he couldn’t make full use of his cultivation.

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Lu Yang fondly remembered the Qingzhou festival, fighting against his peers, with Golden Core Stage Cultivators reversing the situation against those at the Foundation Establishment Stage.

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With limited options in the East Sea, since Foundation Establishment Stage adversaries were not available, he would have to make do with Divine Transformation Stage Cultivators.

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Meng Jingzhou and the others were all very excited, as it was rare to have a chance to enjoy a good fight.

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"I thought they would also call upon those at the Nascent Soul Stage," Tao Yaoye said, puzzled, as this differed from her expectations.

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Lu Yang explained, "This is a secret mission. The fewer people involved, the better. Moreover, those who partake in a secret mission have to share the spoils—it’s hush money. If those at the Divine Transformation Stage can handle it, why bother involving the Nascent Soul Stage just to make up the numbers?"

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Although Lu Yang had never done such a thing before, it did not prevent him from thinking from another’s perspective.

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Out of the twelve Divine Transformation Stage Cultivators, including those at the mid and late stages, there were surely members of the Human race and the Sea Clan. Lu Yang guessed the organizer this time wouldn’t be Gao Feng, as he wouldn’t be able to command so many from the Divine Transformation Stage.

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It must be the appearance of a rare treasure that attracted distant Divine Transformation Stage Cultivators who, due to the distance, didn’t arrive immediately. After arriving later and hearing from Gao Feng about their Five Elements Sect being here, they organized this plan.

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Lu Yang didn’t care about the accuracy of his guess; he would fight first and ask questions later.

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Facing the encirclement of twelve Divine Transformation Stage Cultivators, Lu Yang dared to strike first. The Green Peak Sword reflected the moonlight above his head, startlingly bright.

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Aside from real-deal Cultivators like Master of All Laws, few noticed the sword that Lu Yang used, even though he claimed to be from the Five Elements Sect; he could still wield the Green Peak Sword.

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Sword Qi shot out like a ribbon, with the momentum of a rainbow, and the intent piercing the void. The Divine Transformation Stage Cultivators saw the Sword Qi coming and their calm expressions changed as they hastened to dodge.

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"Truly worthy of being an Immortal Disciple from Great Xia, even at the Nascent Soul Stage he can release Sword Qi that can injure us!"

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"It’s said that the Five Elements Sect is divided into Five Veins according to the Five Elements; it seems he must be a disciple from the sect’s Golden Vein!"

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Seeing the formation of the Divine Transformation Stage Cultivators thrown into disarray, Meng Jingzhou and the other four seized the opportunity to strike.

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Meng Jingzhou transformed into a Protector of Buddhism, displaying the form of three heads and six arms, and looked imposing in every direction.

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Man Gu invoked his ancestral spirit, wielding his great hammer with fierce vigor. Those like Gao Feng who encountered him were in for broken bones and torn tendons.

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Li Haoran’s body burst into flames, dividing into six identical forms attacking from different directions.

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The red umbrella opened, spreading an illusionary realm. Tao Yaoye moved with ease within the realm, continuously dragging her opponents into the illusion.

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However, these Divine Transformation Stage Cultivators were thriving in the East Sea for a reason, and they were not to be underestimated.

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They targeted Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, recognizing their superior combat abilities, and sent six Divine Transformation Stage opponents to fight them.

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Tao Yaoye and the others were forced to contend with two opponents each.

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"Bihai Tide Birth Decision!"

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The calm sea surface erupted with towering waves, forming walls of water. The sharp Sword Qi collided with the walls, splitting them in two and losing much of its force.

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"Raging Whale Suppressing Fist!"

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The Whale Clan and the Shark Clan had always been adversaries; this was a powerful fist technique developed by the Whale Clan specifically to counter the Shark Clan.

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However, to the knowledge of the three heroes, there were no Divine Transformation Stage members among the Whale Clan nearby.

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"Abyssal Chains!"

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A cultivator flicked his sleeve, revealing pitch-black, barbed chains that rattled out. Li Haoran, with his keen eye, immediately saw that these chains had been battle-hardened and were full of malevolence, clearly responsible for the deaths of many.

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The chains moved with agility in mid-air, lashing Li Haoran with numerous wounds.

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East Sea Cultivators often practiced a variety of combat techniques in secret. The moves they used tonight would not be normally demonstrated, and regardless of victory or defeat, their identities would remain concealed.

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"Ice Dragon’s Chant!" The sea surface froze over, and an ice dragon surged out, repelling Lu Yang.

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"Whale Swallowing Heaven and Earth Fist!"

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"Raging Shark Suppressing Fist!"

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"Clear Light Long Fist!"

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Three Divine Transformation Stage Cultivators dragged Meng Jingzhou into the sea, each employing different fist techniques. They secretly activated secret techniques, activating their bloodlines and momentarily boosting their combat abilities. Meng Jingzhou was caught off guard and plunged into the sea bottom.

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"So-called Immortal Disciples are merely this," laughed the cultivator who had used the Bihai Tide Birth technique, his eyes revealing a mocking smile. He was thankful he had made ample preparations and brought enough people. If only five Divine Transformation Stage Cultivators had come, they really wouldn’t be able to deal with these Immortal Sect geniuses.

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"We also don’t wish to be hostile with the Immortal Sect. Just hand over the rare treasure that has emerged, swiftly leave Fangshan Island, and we can let bygones be bygones!"

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They wanted not merely Immortal Herbs but also the fifth-grade Spirit Veins!

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Lu Yang steadied himself in the air and glared coldly at the three opponents, "East Sea Cultivators truly are remarkable; daring to look down on our Five Elements Sect—do you take us for made of mud!"

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"Where are my people!" Lu Yang bellowed.

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"Here!"

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Meng Jingzhou surged out of the sea, his body emitting steams of scalding vapor as the vigorous Yang Qi dried the seawater on his skin.

Man Gu’s eyes were blood-red; this time, they had summoned a barbarian general who had seen battle, a subordinate of the first Emperor Xia.

Li Haoran, wreathed in flames, had his wounds from the whipping chains heal rapidly.

Tao Yaoye closed her red paper umbrella as two Divine Transformation Stage Cultivators became lifeless, trapped in an illusion, and tumbled into the sea.

The Cultivators of the East Sea cultivated their powers but not their hearts, hence they were not adept at dealing with illusionary realms.

"Form up!"

The five of them took their respective positions as if they had practiced countless times.

"Is this... the Five Elements Sect’s Five Elements Battle Formation?!"

One of the Divine Transformation Stage Cultivators exclaimed in shock; he had seen Five Elements Sect disciples in action in Great Xia before—five Nascent Soul Early Stage disciples who had used the Five Elements Battle Formation and had actually defeated five Divine Transformation late-stage Cultivators!

"So there are still some who know their stuff, Arhat Fist!"

Lu Yang stood at the metal position, leading the assault. Under the enhancement of the Five Elements Battle Formation, his speed and strength increased geometrically. He moved as fast as lightning, each punch landing precisely on the abdomen, causing his opponents’ organs to revolt in pain.

Their hair was falling out in clumps.

"Stop him quickly!"

"Turbulent Sea Scripture!"

The three Divine Transformation Stage Cultivators wanted to repeat their old trick, but Lu Yang’s combat power had long since evolved, with each punch and kick comparable to the impact of mountains—unstoppable.

His Sword Qi was even more dazzling, slicing through layers of water curtains and reflecting the horrified visages of the three Divine Transformation Stage Cultivators on the blade of the sword.

"Twin Ice Dragon Chant!"

Two ice dragons burst from the water, aiming to bite Lu Yang. Man Gu used Shadow Shifting to swap locations with Lu Yang and, with a loud yell, endured the attack from the two ice dragons.

Meng Jingzhou unleashed Nirvana True Fire, causing Man Gu’s frostbite to recover rapidly.

Man Gu stood at the earth position, taking charge of defense.

Meng Jingzhou took up the water position, focusing on healing.

Tao Yaoye took the wood position, leading the changes, capable of teleporting the team instantly to anywhere within the great formation and coordinating the combat of the other four.

"Don’t think you’re the only ones who can use combination techniques, the Ocean’s Boundless Measure!"

The five Divine Transformation Stage Cultivators, having gathered strength in secret, produced a tsunami over a hundred meters high. Within it loomed ghastly faces and hands that, with sorrowful screams, lunged at Lu Yang and the others.

If Lu Yang and his companions dodged, Fangshan Island behind them would be submerged in the ocean!

"Let me handle this!" Li Haoran called out, as several types of flames appeared around him!

Three Flavored True Fire, Golden Bird True Flame, Nirvana True Flame, Six-C Divine Fire, Dayan True Fire, Samadhi True Fire, Nanming Li Fire!

Most of these flames were learnt by the five from the Fire Vein of the Five Elements Sect.

Under the boost of the Five Elements Battle Formation, Li Haoran could wield all the True Fires mastered by everyone!

Li Haoran stood at the fire position, assisting in attack!

The seven types of flames intertwined, forming a soaring fire tornado that met the ghastly tsunami with fervent heat and destruction.

Boom!

The tsunami collapsed, and the ghosts hidden within it perished in wails—the collected souls of hundreds of years from those five Divine Transformation Stage Cultivators, gone in an instant!

"Attack together!"

Twelve Divine Transformation Stage Cultivators struck simultaneously, seeking a flaw in the Five Elements Battle Formation. But how could the skills passed down for a hundred thousand years from the Five Elements Sect have any flaws for them to exploit? Not to mention Lu Yang and his team’s seamless coordination, as if they had practiced for years.

The twelve Divine Transformation Stage Cultivators fled in a bloody retreat, using skills like the Great Demonic Technique to escape in a blood-fueled dash, in utter disarray.

The Five Elements Battle Formation had overwhelming combat strength, but it was not known for speed. Catching one or two Divine Transformation Stage Cultivators was conceivable, but the remaining ten were certainly going to escape.

A smile curved Lu Yang’s lips, "You think you can just run after losing? Just right, I’ve learned a new move from my master, so I might as well practice on you guys!"

"Old Meng, lend me a hand!"

Meng Jingzhou was bewildered, not understanding what Lu Yang was borrowing from him. Then, his body tilted, and Lu Yang grabbed his ankle, lifting him up.

"Hey hey hey, what are you doing?"

"Quit your chatter, quickly use Three Heads and Six Arms, One Sword Becomes Ten Thousand Swords!"

"Why has it gotten dark?" Gao Feng puzzled, as if the moonlight above had suddenly disappeared, not forgetting to look up at the sky even in his frantic escape.

This glance chilled him to the bone.

The dense shadows blocking the moonlight weren’t anyone else, it was Meng Jingzhou!

Thousands of Meng Jingzhous, each using Three Heads and Six Arms, descended from the sky, yelling and punching as they fell, striking towards the twelve Divine Transformation Stage Cultivators scattering in all directions!