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nThe giant octopus’ carcass floated on the surface of the ocean.

nShen Tian stood there with his sword. In the eyes of the crowd, he looked extremely dashing and regal.

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nEven Qi Shaoxuan, who was seeing this sword technique for the second time, still felt the same astonishment.

nNot to mention the others who had never witnessed it before. They were completely awed.

nThis was the true indomitable sword technique.

n“Emerald Cursed Sword” of the Black Snake race? Compared to this, it was like child’s play.

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nThe disparity was just too great!

n“Divine Firmament Saint, can you give me the inner core of this octopus?”

nThe White Prince of the Silver Octopus race gazed at that giant octopus. His eyes sparkled.

nThis giant octopus possessed a powerful bloodline. Even though it had no self-awareness, its battle prowess alone was as high as a Heavenly Venerable’s.

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nTo the White Prince, if he could refine and absorb this inner core, it would greatly enhance his powers and even his bloodline.

nThe White Prince stared at Shen Tian with glittery eyes. He took out five Sea God’s Star Tears. “I am willing to give you five Sea God’s Star Tears in exchange for it.”

nThe Sea God’s Star Tear was valuable but consuming three was enough. Any more than that, and the effects would be negligible.

nThus, he would rather exchange them for the inner core of that octopus. Anyway, that inner core was not as beneficial to others as it would be for him.

n“Since Brother White needs it, just take it. You don’t need to give me any Tear Stars in exchange.”

nShen Tian smiled. He sliced open the octopus carcass and carved out the massive inner core.

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nMmm, I suddenly feel that the size of my own Golden Core is quite normal.

nShen Tian tossed the inner core to the White Prince. “Here’s the core. Brother White, just keep your Star Tears for yourself.”

nShen Tian glanced at the inner core in the White Prince’s hands and smiled.

nI have over 200 Star Tears. Who cares about your five tears?

nSeriously, man…

nOf course, if you insist, I won’t stand on ceremony then.

nThe White Prince was in intelligence-gathering. People in this industry usually had very high EQs.

nThe White Prince might not be that good at fighting, but EQ-wise… Haha, Qi Shaoxuan, Ao Wu, and the rest could not compare!

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nThe White Prince kept the inner core and shoved the five Star Tears in Shen Tian’s hands. “The Saint fought so hard to kill this octopus. How can you let me take advantage of this just like that? That is just unacceptable.”

nWith that, he took out another Star Tear and handed it to Qi Shaoxuan. “Brother Qi also fought hard to help kill that octopus just now. Please accept this small gift as a sign of my gratitude.”

nThe White Prince only had 15 Sea God’s Star Tears on him. Having offered six in one go, he now only had nine left.

nBut in return, he had gotten Shen Tian and Qi Shaoxuan’s respect.

nAfter all, for goodwill to last, one had to give and take.

nIf one just thought about how to take advantage of others all the time, others’ goodwill toward you would quickly dissipate.

nYeap, it was Li Yunfeng who had told the White Prince this. And Li Yunfeng had heard this from Liu Taiyi.

nThe White Prince felt that Li Yunfeng’s words were right. One must give a reward after benefiting from that person.

nOtherwise, people will think that demons don’t have any manners.

n…

n“Brother White, you are really too generous!”

nSince the White Prince was being so sincere, Shen Tian didn’t want to reject his gift.

nHis storage ring glimmered as he stored his sword and the five Sea God’s Star Tears.

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nAi, who said that demons and humans couldn’t get along? Aren’t we all getting along very well now?

nShen Tian felt that the prejudice that humans had against demons was like a huge mountain. One just had to move it aside.

nAfter killing the giant octopus, the island was completely exposed to Shen Tian and the rest.

nBut it wasn’t accurate to say “completely exposed”. This was because the island was still enveloped in a thick layer of chaotic aura. They were unable to enter.

nOnly a small bevy of cays surrounding the island was not covered by the chaotic aura.

n“I think we still need to wait for a period before we can enter this island. Let’s wait!”

nShen Tian’s wings sparkled as he landed on a cay.

nQi Shaoxuan and the rest followed close behind.

nAfter being on the road for such a long time, everyone had expended quite a bit of energy. They needed a chance to recuperate.

nBut suddenly, the chaotic aura around the island emitted a humming noise. It was opening right at that moment.

n“Brother Shen is indeed the Son of Providence. We just arrived in front of the island, and it is opening.”

nThe White Prince had just sat down on the huge inner core with his eight tentacles stuck firmly to the surface. He was just about to refine and absorb it!

nAfter all, the thicker the chaotic aura around an island, the longer one had to wait for the aura barrier to open.

nIt was very common for one to wait 10 to 14 days without seeing any changes to the aura barrier.

nThe White Prince was prepared to spend several days absorbing that inner core’s energy to strengthen his powers first. He never expected that just as he had settled down and was prepared to do so, the chaotic aura barrier would start to split open.

nThis was awkward…

n“Wait for me. Everyone, wait for me!”

nThe White Prince struggled to stuff the inner core back into his body as he huffed and puffed to squeeze himself into the opening of the aura barrier.

nHe was not the only one.

nThe Shark Prince, Crab Prince, Turtle Prince, and Ao Wu were all also trying to squeeze in.

nThe suppression exuded by this chaotic aura barrier was far greater than the earlier island where they had found all those Sea God’s Star Tears. Everyone found it hard to move.

nLuckily, Qi Shaoxuan and Shen Tian were ahead clearing the way for them, helping to reduce the pressure. Otherwise, they might not be able to enter the island even though it was now open.

n…

nRumble!

nEveryone was already about halfway through the aura barrier when Yu Pianxian’s face changed. “Something’s not right. Danger!”

nUpon hearing Yu Pianxian’s warning, the faces of all the North Sea prodigies turned pale.

nThere were two types of aura barriers in Chaotic Star Island. The first type was those that opened normally. This type of barrier enveloped the entire island, with a massive opening that would remain open for seven to ten breaths.

nUsually, this amount of time was more than enough for a person to enter the island.

nEven if one was unable to enter due to the massive pressure, there would still be adequate time to retreat in one piece. There was no danger in this case.

nBut for the second “wave” type of barrier, things were not that simple. This kind of aura barrier remained open in short waves lasting only two to three breaths.

nIt would start to close up again after one was only about halfway through.

nBy then, you would be trapped in the center and in extreme danger. You would be engulfed by the chaotic aura in the blink of an eye!

nEven a top prodigy would find it difficult to react fast enough when faced with such danger.

nBehind them, the outer part of the aura barrier was already starting to close up.

nThis meant that there was no way back out now.

n“Everyone, charge forward, don’t look back!”

nShen Tian’s face darkened. His golden wings erupted in a dazzling burst of light. He had enhanced his speed to the maximum and had morphed into a beam of golden light.

nAt the same time, jade-green vines shot out of Shen Tian toward his companions, binding them.

n“Go in now!”

nShen Tian’s hair turned golden, and he burned with a golden divine flame all over. His speed had been raised to maximum levels.

nSwoosh!

nSwoosh, swoosh!

nSwoosh, swoosh, swoosh!

nJade-green vines shot out, binding his companions and tossing them straight into the island.

nYu Pianxian, tossed inside.

nAo Wu, tossed inside.

nThe Crab Prince, Shark Prince, Wu Wudi, all tossed in.

nAs for the powerful Qi Shaoxuan, he managed to successfully penetrate the aura barrier with his own abilities. But he was drenched in cold sweat by the effort.

nThe worst was the White Prince. He had just stuffed the huge inner core into his body.

nNow the aura barrier was closing up, and the swirling chaotic aura was right behind his buttocks.

n“Help! I am not ready to die yet!”

nThe White Prince’s eight tentacles waved wildly, like eight legs sprinting.

nShen Tian sighed in resignation. He morphed into a shadow and appeared in front of the White Prince before tossing him in.

nThe all-encompassing chaotic aura had already surged right up to Shen Tian, bringing with it the intense feeling of death.

nIt’s been really tough to earn those five Sea God’s Star Tears of his. He needs to compensate me more later!

nShen Tian grumbled on the inside, but his wings never stopped flapping.

nYou want my life? A pity this chaotic array is still not good enough!

nFull speed ahead!

nHis golden wings morphed into countless wing afterimages as Shen Tian sped through half the opening. The chaotic aura behind him also sped up.

n“Faster! Faster!”

n“Don’t stop, don’t stop!”

n“Give it your all!”

nThe Mermaid Princess gazed at Shen Tian with teary eyes.

nIf Shen Tian hadn’t thrown her with his Divine Devouring Vine, she would never have been able to escape.

nThe others shared the same thought.

nApart from Qi Shaoxuan, who was already at the Nascent Soul stage, the others’ cultivation levels were only at the Golden Core or Golden Body stages.

nEntering this kind of island hidden within Chaotic Star Island’s deep regions was just too much for them. A normal opening was fine, but it was certain death for them to encounter this type of “wave” opening.

nShen Tian had saved all their lives!

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n“Brother Shen, please don’t let anything bad happen to you!”

nThe White Prince’s eight tentacles were all clenched tightly. He had given Shen Tian those Sea God’s Star Tears to curry favor with him.

nBut now, his goodwill and respect toward Shen Tian were completely genuine.

nThose five Sea God’s Star Tears might be valuable, but could anything be more valuable than one’s own life?

nShen Tian not only saved the White Prince’s life, but he had also done so under such dangerous circumstances and with significant risk to his own life.

nIt should be pointed out that the White Prince was closer to the chaotic aura than the rest of the group. Shen Tian’s risk in saving him was far greater than when he saved the rest.

nWhat will I do if anything happens to Brother Shen because he tried to save me? He must make it back!

nAt this moment, the White Prince finally knew why the carefree Li Yunfeng would become so passionate whenever he talked about Shen Tian.

nThis human Saint was a natural-born leader, one who had the ability to make others trust and respect him!

nNot only was he handsome, but he also made his teammates feel very safe!

nHe must make it through!

nEveryone was executing all sorts of techniques, trying their best to stop the aura barrier from closing up.

nBut all their moves instantly dispersed and were absorbed the moment they made contact with the chaotic aura.

nMeanwhile, the chaotic aura barrier wasn’t hindered at all by their attacks. Instead, the barrier appeared to be enraged and started moving even faster.

nRumble!

nJust as Shen Tian was about to burst out of the aura barrier, it completely closed up.

nShen Tian was entirely covered up by the chaotic aura. All everyone could see now was the endlessly roiling aura. It was an extremely depressing and melancholic sight.

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n“No!”

nThe White Prince fell heavily to his knees. His elegant, scholarly face was now full of extreme anguish. He felt very guilty.

n“How could this happen? All because he tried to save me. If I had not lagged behind, Brother Shen would not have died!”

nAo Wu and the rest also looked very grim. They were demons, but they were also self-aware intelligent beings. Their understanding of the concept of repaying a good deed was even better than many humans.

nThe Divine Firmament Saint had sacrificed his own life to save them.

nWhat kind of mindset was that? It was a selfless and altruistic mindset. The kind that would make all demons start crying.

nIn ancient times, there were kings who carved up their own flesh to feed the eagles. Now, there was Brother Shen, who had sacrificed his life to save some demons. Touching, just too touching!

nThis was a true human partner. The bridge between demons and humans!

n“From now on, I am willing to take care of Brother Shen’s family on his behalf.

n“I will treat Brother Shen’s parents as my own. Brother Shen’s siblings as my own. Brother Shen’s wife… as my own.

n“Witness my solemn vow now, in honor of Brother Shen’s sacrifice for demons. If I ever violate my promise, may the heavens kill me.”

nThe White Prince raised four of his tentacles in the air as he swore.

nTo a cultivator, a vow was something very serious. This was especially so for cultivators of the Golden Core stage and above. They always kept their vows.

nOf course, this excluded sneaky, devious vows.

nIf you swore to “treat your cultivation partner well or your cultivation path will go smoothly”, the heavens would completely ignore you.

nThe heavens might even strike you for making such a vow.

nAnyway, the White Prince’s vow was indeed genuine and from the heart.

nHowever, Yu Pianxian couldn’t help glaring at him. Shouldn’t she be the one who made such a vow?

n“From now on, I am willing to take care of Brother Shen’s family on his behalf.

n“I will treat Brother Shen’s parents as my own. Brother Shen’s siblings as my own. Brother Shen’s wife… as my sister.

n“Witness my solemn vow now, in honor of Brother Shen’s sacrifice for demons. If I ever violate my promise, may the heavens kill me.”

nAfter finishing her vow, the Mermaid Princess’ face was flushed red.

nWu Wudi, Ao Wu, the Crab Prince, and the Shark Prince all raised their hands and made the same vow.

n“Me too.”

n“Me too.”

n“Me too.”

n“Me too.”

nYeap, they didn’t repeat the vow word for word again.

nThe main reason was that there was already enough water around Chaotic Star Island.

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nJust as Shen Tian suddenly gained a few pious subjects, something strange was happening within the aura barrier.

nA dazzling beam of sword light shot through the chaotic aura!

nThe chaotic aura, which was immune even to a Sage-level attack, split open.

nYes, it was split open by that beam of sword light!

nIt was a splendid sword light, looking as if it was cutting through ancient time and space. It even managed to split apart the chaotic aura.

nIt was an extremely familiar sword light. Not long ago, everyone had witnessed Shen Tian executing this sword technique.

nCould it be?

nHope rose in the hearts of everyone.

n“Sky-Smashing Palm!”

nA holler echoed through the skies like an earth-shattering thunder.

nWhite, green, black, red, yellow. A five-colored light shot through the opening.

nFollowing that, a massive multi-colored palm reached out and pried open the aura barrier.

nOne could see the aura barrier churning crazily, trying its best to corrode that palm.

nBut the corrosion of that multi-colored palm was much slower than the usual corroding effect the aura had on other techniques.

nA golden figure flew out of the opening.

nYes, it was Shen Tian!

nHis face was somewhat pale and his wings a little dim. He must have expended a lot of energy to escape.

nNonetheless, he still managed to charge out of that powerfully restraining chaotic aura. If news of this were to get out, it would shock the entire five regions.

nAfter all, since ancient times, Chaotic Star Island was famous for being a forbidden area. And the chaotic aura was widely known as the “Aura of Death”. It could dispel all types of elemental energies. Even a Sage-level attack would be instantly swallowed up.

nNevertheless, Shen Tian’s sword light and giant palm technique managed to split open the chaotic aura.

nAlthough they were also soon corroded by the chaotic aura, his techniques lasted much longer than what a Sage could conjure.

nWhat did this mean?

nHad Shen Tian’s powers surpassed that of a Sage who had undergone tribulation?

nWhat a terrifying thought!

n…

n“Brother Shen, you are alright!?”

nEveryone rushed forward with concerned expressions.

nBut Shen Tian gestured for everyone to back off while he sat cross-legged on the beach. “Don’t come over!”

nFollowing that, wisps of white and grey smoke swirled around his body. It exuded an extremely forbidding aura.

nChaotic aura!

nThe chaotic aura had tainted Shen Tian!

nThe initially relieved crowd became extremely anxious again.

nIt must be known that if the chaotic aura seeped into one’s body, it would be even more dangerous than fending against it while it was still outside.

nIts ability to disintegrate and engulf everything could not be stopped, no matter what technique was used.

nIf the aura was still on the outside, one could still hide from it.

nBut once it entered the body, it would taint the body, the Golden Core, the Nascent Soul, and the soul.

nThe person would be completely crippled, and their soul might even disintegrate.

n“Don’t worry, this bit of chaotic aura will not harm me!”

nShen Tian’s face was pale, but it held no fear. This was because he discovered that the chaotic aura inside his body did not harm him at all.

nAfter swallowing the power of the five extraordinary items in his body, the chaotic aura settled down into a harmonious balance with the items.

nOf course, its appetite was terrifying.

nIt was just a small wisp of chaotic aura but managed to swallow about 30% of the power of the five extraordinary items in his body.

nBut Shen Tian discovered that after engulfing that 30% of power, the aura stopped acting up. It burrowed into Shen Tian’s dantian and curled up into a tiny ball of air. There it stayed, unmoving.

nIt was like it had just eaten a big meal and was taking a nap. It would not cause any trouble or bother anyone.

nEven when Shen Tian tried to provoke it, it did not react at all.

nSo I ended up inviting a big boss into myself?

nShen Tian had never felt so aggrieved.

nA ball of chaotic aura now dominated his big, healthy seven-foot body.

nWhat the hell is this? Who can I talk to about this?

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nHuff!

nShen Tian spat out a gust of tainted air before slowly standing up.

nSeeing the curious gazes of the group, Shen Tian forced a smile. “I managed to control it after expending some effort.”

nThere was a myriad of expressions on everyone’s faces. They knew very well just how scary the chaotic aura was. It held the ability to disintegrate everything.

nIf Shen Tian really managed to control that ball of chaotic aura inside him, he must have paid an unimaginable price for it.

nAn unlucky person might suffer some adverse backlash some days later. He might even be in mortal danger.

n“Brother Shen, don’t worry. I will ask my father to do all he can to help you!” Ao Wu clenched his little fists. “Black Dragon Island has countless treasures. Whatever Brother Shen needs, just tell me. I will get it for you!”

nYu Pianxian also nodded. “The Mermaid race does not have as many treasures as the Black Dragon race. But Brother Shen saved my life. Just tell me if you have any requests.”

nThe others all expressed similar sentiments. Shen Tian just had to ask, and they would try their best to help him overcome the chaotic aura.

nEven Qi Shaoxuan also reluctantly tilted his head to the side as he offered to give him half of the Nirvana Immortal Imperial Sutra.

nYeap, everyone was being just too warm and enthusiastic.

nSo much so that Shen Tian felt rather awkward getting a reward for saving them.

nAll this talk about feelings and relationships was indeed hurting his bottom line.

n…

n“Everyone, don’t worry. My body is tainted by the chaotic aura, but my soul isn’t.” Shen Tian smiled. “In the worst-case scenario, I can just ditch this body and change to another.”

nUpon hearing this, everyone heaved a sigh of relief.

nYes, the Divine Firmament Saint was only at the Golden Core stage, but his battle prowess was astounding.

nShen Tian’s strange Golden Core was so big—Qi Shaoxuan was sure that Shen Tian was just as capable as he was.

nIf Shen Tian was willing, he should be able to crack his core to form the Nascent Soul any time he wanted.

nAnd the moment Shen Tian did that, all he had to do was to find a suitable physical body to be reborn in.

nBut it was a pity that a body as perfect as Brother Shen’s would be extremely rare!

nFor a moment there, everyone appeared rather dull and listless. Even their desire to find treasures was not as intense as before.

nHowever, Shen Tian did not mind at all. He was even looking forward to trying it.

nUnder Shen Tian’s lead, everyone started to explore this island.

nIt was worth mentioning that this island was enclosed by a thick chaotic aura for thousands of years. No one had ever stepped foot inside.

nThe island had many priceless spirit herbs growing all over. Every single one of those herbs was enough to tempt a Heavenly Venerable on the outside.

nSome of those herbs could even add hundreds of years to one’s lifespan. Even a Sage who had undergone tribulation would be tempted.

nBut considering the fact that Shen Tian’s life was now hanging by a thread, they gave half of all the herbs they gathered to Shen Tian.

nNo matter how Shen Tian tried to reject them, everything was shoved into his arms.

nQi Shaoxuan felt both envy and respect as he watched this scene. Shen Tian was truly a good representative of mankind.

nBrother Shen, you are indeed my one and only worthy opponent!

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