~CRACK~CRACK~CRACK~

Several of the barriers that were shielding Daoist Chu shattered from the explosion, leaving only a single barrier protecting him. This was a calculated risk he had taken and he was fine with it, other than the fact that the impact of the explosion had launched him nearly three hundred meters away.

"After him!

" The five remaining Black Fin Island members quickly went after him, upon seeing that their companions were killed.

~WHOOSH~

One of them threw out a spear that released copious amounts of grey energy that then transformed into the head of a maggot.

Another one hurled a hatchet that turned into a large jagged tooth of a maggot, ready to pierce into the Daoist Chu.

"No, you don't!

" A voice was heard, before a sword slash tore through the air.

~SHING~

The maggot head and jagged tooth were cut apart by the sword slash, while the weapons themselves were sent flying from the impact.

~ROAR~

Then in the next second, the roar of a beast was heard that shook the Black Fin Island members. But before they could even turn to look at it, they felt a scalding air coming from the back.

"AHHHHHHH!

" A second was all it took for their robes to ignite despite the defenses that were cast onto them.

~SPLATTER~

A pair of claws then slammed into them, tearing two of the Black Fin Island members into pieces while a Sword Slash decapitated the third one.

"HA! DIE!

" the last remaining Black Fin Island member that had managed to get close to Daoist Chu struck out with his own fist, trying to kill him as the last act.

Grey energy covered his fist too and transformed it into the gaping maw of a maggot, that threatened to eat everything in its path.

"Right where I want you!

" Daoist Chu said as he took out a shining talisman. He held it between his fingers and chanted a word, before the talisman transformed.

"Spirit Severing Sword Talisman!

" Daoist Chu activated it.

~HUALA~

The Talisman turned into a long sword that was double edged and had nefarious characters charred onto it. The sword slashed at the Black Fin Island Member's chest and passed through it as if it were air.

~THUD~

No blood or flesh was spilled, but the Black Fin island member simply fell down like a rag doll and died.

For his soul had been severed!

"Huuuu!~

" With that, Daoist Chu took a breath of relief and wiped away the sweat on his brow.

~SHUA~SHUA~SHUA~

Lin Mu, Monk Hushu and Ziran came to a stop in front of him, while Little Shrubby did circles around the area to look for any more enemies.

'Go to Lady Kang if you don't find anything.' Lin Mu informed the beast through their link.

"Yes!

" Little Shrubby replied with a roar and quickly sprinted away to provide back up.

~ROAR~

"Are you okay?

" Lin Mu asked Daoist Chu with concern.

"I'm mostly fine…

" Daoist Chu said while grabbing his shoulder.

"

Lin Mu looked at it finding his robes at the shoulder to have been torn and a grey patch to be present on his skin.

"Did the maggots bite you?

" Lin Mu questioned.

"Yes, one of them did, but I managed to resist the others.

" Daoist Chu answered.

"Where the heck did they even come from?

" he asked, feeling a bit angry.

"Looks like they had been waiting for us,

" Monk Hushu spoke.

"They might have even been tracking us for a while,

" Ziran guessed.

"They even let us split up so that they could outnumber us.

" He added.

"Hmm…

" Lin Mu furrowed his brows, as he understood the fight against Yao Changying had officially started now that they had come across the Black Fin Island members.

"Monk Hushu can you take care of Daoist Chu, I'll go check on the others.

" He stated.

"I'll wait here too, no idea if more might come.

" Ziran suggested.

"Yes, do that.

" Lin Mu nodded before flying away towards Crown Prince Feng Shun's position.

The Crown Prince was roughly a hundred and fifty kilometer away which was a bit far than what Lin Mu had gone.

'Did they perhaps move while fighting?' Lin Mu wondered.

~RUMBLE~

A couple minutes later though, he heard the sound of thunder before a bright flash caught his attention.

"There they are,

" Lin Mu quickly reached there and saw that the fight was already over.

All that was left was a few corpses and body parts that were scattered. Most were burned badly while some looked like they had been cut apart by sharp blades. It didn't take much to know that this was the work of Crown Prince Feng Shun's Storm King Immortal Arts.

The land was also not unscathed, with tens of small craters as well as scorch marks spread everywhere. The rocks and boulders in the area also had several cut and slash marks having been made from the sharp winds.

"Looks like I was a bit late.

" Lin Mu spoke as he landed next to Crown Prince Feng Shun.

"You didn't have to come, we handled it.

" Crown Prince Feng Shun replied.

"Though it was good, since we don't know if there would be a second ambush.

" Crown Princess Shang was grateful.

"Any of you injured?

" Lin Mu asked.

"Thankfully, no.

" Qiao De said holding a bloody javelin in his hand.

"This was possibly a targeted effort.

" He added.

Lin Mu nodded in response before speaking.

"All of us were attacked.

"

"How's Lady Kang?

" Crown Prince Feng Shun inquired.

"I've sent Little Shrubby over. So she should be fine.

" Lin Mu answered.

"Let's regroup… we've already found our target.

"

"Indeed.

" Crown Prince Feng Shun said, and the group made their way back to the Second Offering Hall.

There Little Shrubby had already returned with Lady Kang and her attendants. Lin Mu checked their condition and saw that Elder Hu had a few injuries along with another grey patch, but the women were fine.