"Hiss..."
After escaping a considerable distance again, Bai Zihe heard no further movement from behind him and instinctively turned to look.
That glance…
Left him deeply shocked.
The monster, with its gaping maw, had just swallowed the octopus-like body in one gulp.
Instantly, the surrounding seawater was dyed red.
To the extent that…
It had become a sea of blood!
"Screech..."
Another bite.
The octopus completely fell into the monster's belly.
"Sizzle..."
"Crunch..."
The monster chewed with satisfaction, making extremely loud noises that made Bai Zihe’s scalp tingle and his stomach churn with revulsion.
So.
Bai Zihe prepared to turn and leave.
But the moment he turned, a flicker of… dark energy caught his peripheral vision.
Dark energy?
Bai Zihe immediately turned back, staring intently.
However, there was nothing.
Only the blood-red seawater, only the satisfied monster.
Did he see it wrong?
Bai Zihe muttered to himself, but at that very moment, the monster seemed to have seen Bai Zihe, and its eyes actually emitted a strange glow.
"Swish..."
Although Bai Zihe was certain he wasn't even enough for the creature to chew on, he still left the scene immediately.
This creature…
While not comparable to the monsters of Dragon Island, it was still not something he could contend with at his current level.
On land, he might have been able to fight.
But in the sea, Bai Zihe couldn't move it.
Leaving was the best choice.
"Splash..."
A moment later, a wave rippled on the surface of the sea, and Bai Zihe burst forth from it.
Finally out.
Bai Zihe looked back deeply.
The last monster had left too profound an impression on him.
Likely…
Only upon reaching the Integration realm would he have the strength to fight that thing.
However, thinking of the dark energy that had appeared at the end, Bai Zihe narrowed his eyes slightly, a trace of unease lingering.
As a cultivator, it was extremely difficult to experience hallucinations.
Unless, one was in an illusion.
It was even difficult to fall ill.
Since it wasn't a hallucination, what he saw must have been real.
If that were the case…
What exactly was this dark energy?
"Young Master!"
"Brother Bai!"
At this moment, several voices came from a distance.
It was Elder Liu Yuan and Zhuge Sheng from the giant ship. Seeing Bai Zihe emerge, they couldn't help but call out.
"Swish..."
Bai Zihe didn't hesitate, stepping on the waves and flying towards the giant ship.
In a moment, he rose from the water and finally landed on the deck of the ship.
"How was it?"
"Did you kill the octopus?"
"Young Master, that octopus killed many of our brothers. Did it die?"
Everyone asked with curiosity, their eyes shining with anticipation.
"It died."
Bai Zihe grinned.
Although it was eventually eaten by the monster, it was no different from him killing it.
This octopus, while it wouldn't affect them thousands of miles away in the future, was a nagging worry.
Killing it was a great morale booster for everyone.
Bai Zihe had expended some energy after a fierce battle.
He returned to his room, preparing to rest.
At this time, Zhuge Sheng also followed him in.
"Brother Bai, after returning to Great Xia, what are your plans?" A flash of light flickered in Zhuge Sheng's eyes.
Bai Zihe was slightly stunned.
Plans after returning to Great Xia…
He hadn't really thought about it before. At most, he would resolve the蛊虫 in his little sister's brain first, to avoid any unforeseen events.
As for other matters…
There seemed to be none.
He had no enemies now, and he had heard many rumors of a "great change." His main focus was cultivation.
However, Zhuge Sheng's words clearly held deeper meaning.
So Bai Zihe said, "Your Majesty the Emperor, what are your thoughts?"
"After this return, Great Xia will likely be in turmoil."
Zhuge Sheng did not answer, but spoke with extreme solemnity, his eyes showing obvious worry.
"Turmoil?"
Bai Zihe frowned, puzzled, and said, "Now that the false emperor is dead, as long as I help you regain the throne, there shouldn't be any major changes, right?"
"Brother Bai…"
Zhuge Sheng gave a wry smile, "It seems you truly don't know."
Bai Zihe's brow furrowed even deeper.
"Do you know who the sword master that Liu Wen summoned before his death was?"
This question stumped Bai Zihe.
He was also a little puzzled.
Qin Changsheng's strength was astonishing.
At least, he was more powerful than many opponents Bai Zihe had encountered so far.
Bai Zihe even had a thought.
Even Qin Changsheng would have the strength to fight the monster in the deep sea.
Such a master clearly did not appear out of thin air.
And he had remained low-key before…
This could only mean.
The waters of Great Xia were deep, and he had only seen the surface layer.
Bai Zihe took a deep breath and asked in a deep voice, "Who is he?"
He had a feeling.
This person's identity would likely uncover some secrets.
"An elder of the Heavenly Mountain Sword Sect!"
Zhuge Sheng uttered the words with a hoarse voice.
Bai Zihe's pupils suddenly contracted.
Heavenly Mountain Sword Sect…
He had never heard of it before.
And yet, there was such a master within it, clearly extraordinary.
"I suspect…"
Zhuge Sheng said with a wry smile, "After returning to Great Xia, these longevity sects will emerge one after another and enter the mortal world."
"This will be a great disaster for ordinary people."
Zhuge Sheng's worry was clearly not unfounded.
Ordinary people were defenseless. A cultivator at the Core Condensation realm could destroy a city, practically a walking weapon of mass destruction.
Their destructive power was unparalleled.
And Zhuge Sheng did not have corresponding masters under his command. Even if he regained the throne, it would be of no avail.
At that time.
Great Xia would very likely fall into dire straits.
"Can these longevity sects be made to check and balance each other, to fear each other, and thus not attack the people of Great Xia?"
Bai Zihe asked.
The best solution would be to have a powerful organization, like the Ancient Martial Arts Association, to restrain everyone.
And preferably, this organization would be controlled by them.
But unfortunately.
Bai Zihe and his group did not have the strength to suppress those longevity sects at the moment.
"Young Master!"
At this moment, Elder Liu Yuan suddenly rushed in, holding a mobile phone.
This was the only phone they had left before leaving for Dragon Island.
The purpose was to facilitate contact with Great Xia as soon as they came out, to avoid getting lost in the vast ocean.
"It's the Pavilion Master's call."
Fifth Senior Sister?
Bai Zihe immediately took the phone, "Junior brother, you should leave that giant ship immediately, run as far as possible, quickly, you must be quick!"