Upon reaching the Nascent Soul Realm, one may be called a True Master, with a lifespan spanning a thousand years. Every motion is accompanied by mana, and one possesses unparalleled might. Earlier, Xiao Mousui had not regarded Lu Junbai and the others as worthy opponents, casually deflecting their actions. But now, seeing their audacious attempt to swallow an elephant as a snake, he became furiously amused and released his newly-formed Nascent Soul.
As soon as the Nascent Soul appeared, it stirred the spiritual mechanism within a ten-mile radius. The seawater churned, the winds surged violently, and amidst the cloud layers, radiant hues shimmered like dyed sunsets. Its presence exuded unmatched dominance, instantly suppressing the aura of the three attackers.
Among the three, Yue Jun Demon King had the highest cultivation. Though her appearance seemed delicate, she had mastered a Powerful Dao Skill, her body honed like a single iron block that was impervious to ordinary techniques. Therefore, she stretched her jade-like arm, gripped the tail of the Silver Spear, shook it with a sharp motion, and with a loud explosion, the spear shot forth like a venomous serpent, once more thrusting toward her opponent.
Xiao Mousui gazed upon her with faint contempt. His Nascent Soul raised its hand slightly, gently brushing the horsetail whisk, effortlessly deflecting Yue Jun Demon King along with her spear.
Yue Jun Demon King felt a resilient force pulling her sideways uncontrollably. She staggered a few steps, and as she was about to retrieve her spear, the Nascent Soul suddenly hardened its expression, its tongue bursting with thunder, and let out a resounding shout.
Yue Jun Demon King felt her mind thunderously reverberate, as if struck severely, leaving her utterly disoriented. Her grip on the Divine Weapon faltered, and her body swayed uncontrollably. Before she could stabilize herself, the Nascent Soul pointed a finger, unleashing multiple streaks of Purple Thunder.
Yue Jun Demon King desperately raised the Silver Spear in her hands to block several bolts of lightning, but her body trembled violently. Fresh blood spurted from her eyes, ears, mouth, and nose. At last, with a deafening crash, her Divine Weapon was struck flying. She herself was blasted tens of meters away, her footing precarious, teetering on the brink of falling off the clouds.
Just as more Purple Thunder appeared to seal her fate, a black shadow emerged atop the Nascent Soul. Lu Junbai descended with outstretched wings, aiming his sharp beak at the eyes of the Nascent Soul.
The Nascent Soul’s expression remained stoic. With a flick of its horsetail whisk, it transformed into countless threads of silvery strands, wrapping Lu Junbai tightly. No matter how he struggled, he couldn’t break free.
Xiao Mousui snorted coldly and said, "It just so happens that I need a Spirit Bird to guard my Cave Mansion. Otherwise, I wouldn’t spare you."
The Nascent Soul extended its hand, pressing down on Lu Junbai’s head, then tossed him upward into the clouds, stripping away his consciousness. Xiao Mousui flicked his hand, storing him inside his sleeve.
A thunderous roar echoed from the sky as a White Ape tore through the smoky barrier created earlier by the Nascent Soul, charging forward with brute force. Yet before it could close in, resonant thunderclaps exploded overhead as snaking Purple Lightning crackled chaotically. In a mere blink, the White Ape was shredded, its dispersed Essence Qi also disintegrating under the illumination of Clear Light.
The Nascent Soul flipped its palm, unleashing multiple Hand Palm Thunder strikes toward Guo Lie. Even with his Protective Talisman, he couldn’t withstand the onslaught and retreated a hundred meters while wailing tragically.
Meanwhile, Yue Jun Demon King finally managed to recover. She rotated her Mysterious Skill, immediately healing her injuries. Raising her head, she glared angrily at Xiao Mousui, her delicate lips parting to emit a piercing cry that tore through the heavens. She revealed her Great Demon original form.
A Golden Crowned Pheasant, its body stretching over ten meters, soared into the sky. Its fiery plumage burned vividly, its blue back and brown feet gleaming fiercely, while its splendid, vividly-colored tail swayed, casting entrancing streams of smoky light. With powerful flaps of its wings, it crossed dozens of meters of void space, its sharp, dark claws clawing at the Nascent Soul.
Seeing her magnificent feathers, Xiao Mousui was not alarmed but delighted, exclaiming, "Excellent! Elder Qiu bestowed me with a Demon-suppressing Circle, but I still need a mount. You’ve delivered yourself to me!"
From his sleeve, he retrieved a shimmering, dazzling circle and cast it into the air. The circle spun in midair, its Golden Talisman flashing in chaotic patterns. Emulating an intuitive pathfinder, it descended with uncanny precision onto Yue Jun Demon King’s neck. Contracting swiftly, it tightened another notch. Yue Jun Demon King let out a mournful cry, crashing down and curling at Xiao Mousui’s feet, unable to move anymore.
As the fierce battle unfolded, Zhang Yan supported Lu Mei Niang from the side, observing the clash. Having the Beiming Dutian Sword avatar in his possession, he had already formulated a strategy against Xiao Mousui. Nonetheless, caution guided him. Faced with a Nascent Soul cultivator, he dared not act arrogantly; should he fail to land a decisive strike, it might cost him his life. Therefore, he first ensured he had an escape route prepared.