97: Clean up the battlefield and discuss the matter comprehensively.

Song Shuyao transformed into a flowing shadow of moonlight, arriving first at the low cliff battlefield where Li Changyun and the two others were located.

Her toes lightly tapped the ground as she landed amidst the devastation, her cool gaze quickly sweeping across the entire area.

They saw three shallow pits blasted into the ground, the surrounding vegetation scorched black and withered, and viscous dark green fluid and shattered scales splattered everywhere.

Li Changyun stood leaning on his spear, his face pale, the light of his Scarlet Flame Battle Body significantly dimmed, and a trace of blood remaining at the corner of his mouth.

Li Changxuan leaned on his saber, his breathing ragged, his right arm holding the saber trembling slightly, and the web between his thumb and forefinger already split open from the impact.

Stone Iron Ox, who was the most heavily injured, knelt on the ground, his massive "Immovable Rock Body" shield actually split open with several cracks and completely devoid of Spiritual Light.

He himself was even more miserable; his upper leather armor was shattered, revealing his bronze chest covered in fine, dense cracks, like dry earth, and blood foam constantly spilled from his mouth, clearly indicating severe internal organ damage.

"Brother Changyun! Brother Changxuan! Iron Ox!"

Song Shuyao cried out softly, and with a flash of her figure, she was already beside Stone Iron Ox.

Immediately following, Song Shuwen also arrived, controlling the True Fire of the Sun; the scorching aura immediately cleared the foul stench in the area.

Almost simultaneously, another streak of golden-red light swept over, and Li Changxing arrived.

Seeing this scene, the muscles on his handsome face tightened, and a trace of violent emotion flashed in his eyes.

"We're fine... cough, cough..."

Li Changyun tried to straighten his back but aggravated his injuries, coughing up a little clotted blood.

"These damned things... detonated their demon cores just before death..."

Without a word, Li Changxing immediately pulled several jade bottles from a beast-skin pouch at his waist and poured out three pale green Medicinal Pills, the size of longan fruit, which emitted a rich, exotic fragrance:

"Quickly take them! These are the 'Azure Wood Marrow Pills' given by Aunt Qingzhu, they work wonders for internal injuries!"

Since he often fought sea beasts, injuries were common, and he always kept these Medicinal Pills on him.

Li Changyun and Li Changxuan took the Medicinal Pills, swallowed them immediately, and sat cross-legged to circulate the medicinal power.

Song Shuyao had already crouched down in front of Stone Iron Ox.

Her face was placid as water, and a layer of cool radiance appeared in her eyes, like two pools reflecting the moon; the Supreme Yin True Qi circulated around her like a thin mist, gathering in her palm.

Threads of Supreme Yin Radiance, extremely Yin and soft, yet containing vibrant vitality, passed through her palm and slowly seeped into Stone Iron Ox's body.

This was completely different from the gentle nourishment of ordinary Wood or Water element healing techniques; it was more like moonlight shining down, silently infiltrating, capable of rapidly calming surging Qi and blood, smoothing out tears caused by violent energy, and using its unique meaning of "generating life within silence" to stimulate the injured person's own life potential and accelerate healing.

Stone Iron Ox groaned, the pain on his face slightly lessening, and the horrifying cracks on his body gradually stopped bleeding under the cover of the Supreme Yin Radiance.

"Brother Iron Ox's injuries are the most severe; the evil power from the detonated demon core has invaded his internal organs and Meridians."

Song Shuyao's voice was cool:

"I have temporarily sealed his injuries with Supreme Yin True Qi and dissolved some of the heterogenous demonic power, but he needs several days of rest, aided by Medicinal Pills, to completely eradicate it."

Seeing this, Li Changxing took out another "Wutu Pill," specifically for strengthening the foundation and cultivating vitality, and handed it to Stone Iron Ox to help him refine it.

A moment later, Li Changyun and Li Changxuan caught their breath, and their complexions recovered a hint of color.

Everyone gathered together, looking at the devastation on the ground and the fragments of non-human, non-fish wreckage, their faces showing solemnity and confusion.

"Shuyao, how was the situation on your side?"

Li Changyun spoke first, his voice still a little hoarse.

Song Shuyao briefly replied:

"On the north side, three Sea Demons controlled a Bone Cauldron, summoning three evil creatures: one Bone Spur Demon Shark, one Shadow Wraith, and one Tentacle Abomination. Song Shuwen and I have completely annihilated them all."

Her tone was calm, as if she were talking about a trivial matter.

Li Changxing interjected, his voice carrying a trace of unspent ferocity:

"There were five on the east side, shaped like sea pythons, covered in bone armor, extremely vicious, and possessing formidable close-quarters combat strength. I tore them all apart."

He spoke lightly, but everyone could imagine the brutality of the scene.

Li Changxuan spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva:

"The six damned things on the west side were extremely slippery, skilled in Water Evasion, Clone techniques, and poison mist sneak attacks. They had thick skin and tough flesh, and in the end, they actually detonated themselves! If Iron Ox hadn't withstood the majority of the impact, we would have been done for!"

"Different types, yet attacking together..."

Li Changyun frowned deeply:

"We have spent a considerable amount of time overseas, hunting countless sea beasts, but we have never encountered Sea Demons like these—humanoid, organized, and possessing such strange and wicked methods!"

Song Shuwen pondered:

"Judging by their appearance and methods, they are definitely not benevolent creatures, and they seem to harbor deep hostility towards our Immortal Island. Where did they come from?"

Everyone shook their heads; no one could identify the origin of these demonic creatures.

Song Shuyao stood up, surveyed the surrounding damaged terrain and the residual evil Qi, and decisively said:

"This place is not suitable for lingering, nor is it a place for detailed discussion. First, let's take the injured back to the outpost, report to Aunt Qingzhu, gather everyone's wisdom, and then deliberate."

"Shuyao is right."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Li Changxing, however, said:

"You all head back first. I'll clean up the battlefield. I have a few Sea Demon corpses that are still intact; taking them back might reveal some clues."

No one objected.

Li Changyun and Li Changxuan helped Stone Iron Ox up, while Song Shuyao and her brother guarded them on the side, and the group cautiously returned toward the outpost.

Li Changxing went back and quickly bound the relatively intact Sea Demon corpses together with tough sea vines, hoisting them onto his shoulder.

Although the corpses had been drained into mummies by the strange power within him, their weight was still considerable, but he was immensely strong and carried them as if they weighed nothing, striding quickly behind the group... Inside the outpost, the pale green protective light screen had already been retracted.

Li Qingzhu had already brought Li Changyue, Thunder Frost, Zhao Mingyuan, and a group of new Disciples to anxiously wait at the entrance.

Seeing everyone return, most of them injured, and Stone Iron Ox particularly severe, everyone was startled and rushed forward to meet them.

"Aunt Qingzhu!"

Li Changyun stepped forward and quickly provided a concise report detailing the attack, the enemies' characteristics, and the situation at the three battlefields.

After listening, Li Qingzhu's delicate brows furrowed, and her eyes were filled with solemnity:

"Such a thing happened?! Mingyuan's Formation warning was timely, and your response was extremely fast; otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable!"

She felt lingering fear; if these strange Sea Demons had managed to sneak into the outpost and attack these newly initiated Disciples, it would have been a devastating disaster.

She immediately commanded:

"Changyue, quickly fetch the best wound medicine and foundation-strengthening pills! Thunder Frost, take people to guard the surroundings, keep the Formation in a semi-activated state! Mingyuan, check the Formation carefully again to see if there are any omissions or signs of damage!"

Everyone accepted the order and immediately took action.

When the new Disciples saw their Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters return covered in blood from battle, although there was lingering fear in their eyes, there was more reverence and relief.

Several bolder young men and women had already stepped forward voluntarily to help support the injured and offer clean water, their eyes shining with admiration.

"Senior Brother Changyun, you are all incredible!"

"Senior Sister Shuyao, Senior Brother Shuwen, thank you!"

"Senior Brother Iron Ox, please rest well!"

This pure and fervent gratitude and admiration sent a warm current flowing through the hearts of Li Changyun, Li Changxuan, and the others who had endured a fierce battle, making their injuries seem slightly less severe.

Stone Iron Ox also managed a small smile on his honest face.

Li Changyun and Li Changxuan looked at Song Shuyao and Song Shuwen, who were virtually unharmed and whose auras were profound as an abyss, as well as Li Changxing, who returned carrying the demonic corpses, vigorous as a Dragon and a tiger, and then compared their own messy appearance, feeling a silent determination rise in their hearts.

In the past, they considered themselves the best among the Family, but today they learned that there were always people stronger than oneself.

A strong sense of urgency and a desire to catch up spontaneously arose, making them resolve to cultivate even harder in the future and absolutely refuse to fall behind others!

Soon, Li Changxing threw the few withered Sea Demon corpses he carried back onto the open ground in the center of the outpost.

Their hideous and bizarre appearance drew gasps from the new Disciples, who watched from a distance, both fearful and curious.

The first generation Disciples gathered around for a closer inspection.

Li Changxing pointed at the corpses and said:

"The stench and the cold, evil Qi emanating from these fellows are very similar to those most powerful sea beasts I fight in the deep ocean daily! But sea beasts are mostly animal-shaped; this is the first time I've seen creatures that are half-human, half-beast, capable of using wicked techniques, and coordinating tactically!"

Zhao Mingyuan squatted down, holding a twig, and carefully prodded the damaged scales and structure of the corpses, the light of calculation flashing in his eyes:

"Their structure... is somewhat similar to the Human Race, but more distinct, closer to marine Vicious Beasts. Their bone density is extremely high, and although their muscle fibers are withered, one can still discern immense explosive power contained within. The path of their Meridians... seems better adapted to circulating evil power underwater."

Li Qingzhu pondered for a moment, then slowly said:

"The Major Thousand Worlds holds all kinds of wonders. This Immortal Island beneath our feet has been slowly expanding since the Clan Chief discovered it, its Spiritual Vein growing stronger day by day, and the surrounding environment has profoundly changed subtly. Perhaps... it is this change that has touched the boundaries of certain older, more terrifying regions in the deep sea that we were previously unable to reach..."

She paused, her tone growing heavier:

"These Sea Demons likely originally inhabited deeper, farther sea territories where the Spiritual Qi is more bizarre and violent. Due to the expansion of the Immortal Island and the abnormal movement of the Spiritual Vein, they sensed this place, or perhaps their habitat was disturbed, causing them to track the changes and come here, viewing us as invaders, or... coveting the Spiritual Vein resources of this place?"

This speculation was reasonable, and everyone felt a heavy weight in their hearts upon hearing it.

If this were true, it meant that the future development of the Immortal Island would inevitably be accompanied by conflict with these unknown deep-sea races!

"This matter is not trivial."

Li Qingzhu finally decided:

"Our knowledge is limited, making it difficult to determine their true origin and intentions. We must immediately report this to the Clan Chief and ask him to make the final decision!"

She immediately turned to Li Changyu and said:

"Changyu, immediately use a Green Shadow Falcon to write a letter, detailing today's attack, the characteristics of the Sea Demons, and our speculations, and swiftly send it to the Family headquarters in Linhai City to be presented to the Clan Chief!"

"Yes! Aunt Qingzhu!"

Li Changyu accepted the order and immediately turned to prepare.

Li Qingzhu's gaze fell once again on the few terrifying Sea Demon corpses, her eyes deep and profound.

The secrets of the Immortal Island were far more profound than imagined.

The path of the Family's rise was destined to be fraught with turbulence.