65: Blue Water Toad

The speedboat barely stabilized at the edge of the turbulent whirlpool, like a leaf struggling in a storm.

The roar of the water was deafening, and the splashing waves drenched everyone on the boat.

Martial Uncle's gaze was like lightning as he scanned the treacherous waters, shouting in a deep voice, "Set up the 'Lesser Five Elements Formation'! Everyone, to your positions!"

Upon the command, Shi Poyue, Di Moyu, Liu Ruyan, and Zhao Linger immediately maneuvered their small boats and quickly spread out.

The five small boats, with the main boat carrying Martial Uncle and Zhao Zheng as the core, were distributed in a plum blossom pattern, echoing each other and faintly sealing off the vast water area around the Turtle Back Stone.

This was a military Formation; though it lacked mysterious radiance, it possessed a stern Aura, like an invisible giant net enveloping this dangerous place.

Chen Linsheng stood close to his Master, Zhao Zheng. His eyes were slightly closed, and the Divine Effects of "Wind and Clouds in My Heart" and "Omen of Fortune and Misfortune" from his Major Achievement in Celestial Phenomena were pushed to their limits.

The violent flow of water vapor around him, the faint fishy scent carried by the wind, and even the obscure Aura hidden beneath the water that was out of place with the natural environment, all formed clear lines in his mind, sketching an invisible map.

Suddenly, he snapped his eyes open and pointed to a dark green deep pool below the side of the Turtle Back Stone that seemed no different from other whirlpools, his tone decisive:

"Master, Senior Martial Uncle! That thing is hidden three zhang beneath that whirlpool. Its Aura is cold and stagnant, completely different from the surrounding current!"

Zhao Zheng had long since placed absolute trust in his disciple's intuition. Hearing this, he did not hesitate and immediately used the technique of Telepathic Transmission to send the information precisely into Martial Uncle's ear.

A sharp light burst from Martial Uncle's eyes. Without wasting any time, he shouted, "Good!"

He raised his arm, and the "Dragon-Trapping Formation Plate," made of neither metal nor wood, turned into a streak of light, plunging into the water area Chen Linsheng had pointed out with a "splash."

As the Formation Plate entered the water, the countless silver patterns engraved upon it suddenly lit up, and an invisible force field instantly expanded!

"Buzz—!"

A low hum seemed to rise from the riverbed. Visibly, the turbulent flow in that area suddenly stalled, and the speed of several crazily spinning whirlpools sharply decreased, as if forced down by an invisible giant hand.

A pale silver light membrane, composed of countless fine runes, flickered briefly underwater, quickly enveloping an area of over ten zhang!

The Dragon-Trapping Formation was complete!

Almost at the same time the Formation took effect, Martial Uncle and Zhao Zheng exchanged a look, a silent understanding born between them. Both took a deep breath simultaneously, their internal blood and Qi erupting as they revealed the terrifying power of the Jiaojin Realm Peak without reservation!

"Boom! Boom!"

The two of them struck out with four palms together. Their vast and majestic palm force was like two mountains, ruthlessly smashing into the core water area enveloped by the Dragon-Trapping Formation!

The Striking the Ox Across the Mountain of the Hunyuan Palm and the explosive ferocity of the Python Dragon Strength merged perfectly, the palm force penetrating the water surface and striking straight to the riverbed!

"Ribbit—!!!"

A dull, thunderous croak, carrying a sharp tearing sensation, suddenly exploded from the bottom of the water!

It was as if a prehistoric giant beast had been startled from its slumber, filled with rage and pain.

In the next moment, the murky river water churned as if boiling, and a massive creature suddenly burst through the surface, bringing with it a sky full of spray!

It was indeed the Jade Water Toad!

Its body was as large as a house, dark green all over, and its skin was covered in dense purple pustules of varying sizes. These lumps were still pulsing slightly, looking disgusting and terrifying. A pair of giant eyes, like wheels, were blood-red, locking onto Martial Uncle and Zhao Zheng, who dared to provoke it.

"Watch out for its poison!" Martial Uncle warned sharply.

Before his voice had even faded, the purple pustules all over the Jade Water Toad's body suddenly contracted, and then abruptly sprayed out large clouds of thick, purplish-black mist!

This poison mist had a foul, fishy stench and spread extremely quickly. Wherever it passed, the river water actually made a "hissing" sound of corrosion, and even the air became distorted!

The poison mist spread rapidly. Several small boats at the forefront were brushed by the edge of the mist, causing their hulls to shake violently. Even though the old boatmen controlling the vessels were experienced, they were forced back repeatedly by the toxic gas and the agitated currents, causing the edge of the Lesser Five Elements Formation to fluctuate.

"Hold the Formation!"

Shi Poyue roared, swinging the long saber in his hand to create a gust of wind, attempting to disperse the approaching poison mist.

Di Moyu held hidden weapons between his fingers, his gaze sharp.

Liu Ruyan's palm winds were fierce, slapping away the poison mist drifting toward them.

Although Zhao Linger had only recently entered the Flesh Refining stage, she gritted her teeth and persevered, protecting her position on the boat.

Seeing this, a flash of determination crossed Chen Linsheng's eyes.

He possessed the effect of Immunity to All Poisons, so this toxic mist posed the least threat to him.

"Master, I'll go underwater to restrain it! Its movements in the water will definitely be affected by the Formation!" Chen Linsheng spoke very quickly.

Zhao Zheng knew that the opportunity for battle was fleeting. Although he didn't know what Chen Linsheng was relying on, he knew his disciple never spoke without reason. He nodded heavily: "Be careful in everything, do not force it!"

"Understood!"

Chen Linsheng took a deep breath and performed the "Walking on Waves" technique from his Mastery of Water Nature. He tapped his foot on the gunwale, his body gliding out several zhang like a light swallow, before diving silently into the murky river water slightly shrouded by the poison mist.

The moment he entered the water, the Domain of the Hunyuan True Body naturally circulated, isolating the encroaching toxic gas. Underwater Vision and Five Senses Clarity allowed him to clearly perceive his surroundings even in the low-visibility water.

He saw the Jade Water Toad's massive body crashing wildly within the pale silver light membrane formed by the Dragon-Trapping Formation. Each impact caused the light screen to vibrate violently, but its movements were clearly sluggish, far from being as comfortable as before. The Formation disrupted the water flow and further limited its innate talent for water-based escape.

Chen Linsheng was like a cunning fish, using the cover of underwater rocks and torrents to quickly approach. Finding an opportunity, he activated the "Glimmering Light and Passing Shadows" of the Startled Swan Spear, the spear tip turning into a cold star as it stabbed rapidly toward the toad's relatively soft belly!

"Puchi!"

Although the toad had thick skin and tough flesh, and this strike didn't cause a fatal wound, it successfully pierced several inches deep. The sharp pain made the Essence Spirit even more frenzied, and it violently twisted its body, sweeping its thick, pillar-like hind leg toward Chen Linsheng with ten thousand catties of force.

Chen Linsheng had anticipated this. He naturally performed the "Lightweight Footwork" and "Body Shrinking and Force Deflection" of the Spirit Monkey Hundred Changes, his body sliding away along the riverbed like a loach, narrowly avoiding the lethal blow. At the same time, he struck back with another spear thrust, hitting the joint of the kicking hind leg.

Above the water, the Jade Water Toad's attacks became increasingly violent due to pain and anger.

It opened its massive mouth, and instead of a spreading poison mist, it spat out dozens of condensed, arrow-like bolts of purplish-black venom, firing them at the surrounding boats like heavy crossbows!

"Watch out for the venom arrows!"

Liu Ruyan shouted, her palms flying as her palm winds dispersed and deflected the venom arrows shot toward her and Zhao Linger. Shi Poyue directly swung his long saber, the blade light like a streak of silk, crushing the venom arrows. Di Moyu's hidden weapons precisely intercepted any that slipped through.

However, that wasn't all.

The Jade Water Toad puffed out its cheeks and emitted a series of rapid and eerie "ribbit" sounds.

In an instant, countless fist-sized, pitch-black small toads with red-glowing eyes leaped out of the river water around it!

These small toads were like summoned soldiers, fearlessly Throwing themselves at the boats. They could also spit weak venom, which, while not fatal, was numerous enough to greatly interfere with everyone's ability to maintain the Formation.

The scene was momentarily chaotic!

The Lesser Five Elements Formation was in jeopardy under the onslaught of venom arrows and small toads.

"Don't panic! Hold your positions!"

Shi Poyue's voice was like a booming bell, stabilizing morale.

His saber strikes were wide and sweeping, knocking away the approaching small toads in swaths.

Di Moyu's hidden weapons seemed to have eyes of their own, specifically picking off the small toads trying to jump onto the boats.

Liu Ruyan protected Zhao Linger, her palm shadows forming a curtain, preventing any threat from getting close. The old boatmen also demonstrated remarkable Skill, desperately maneuvering the small boats to maintain stability amidst the wind, waves, poison mist, and attacks.

Underwater, Chen Linsheng sensed the intense battle above and knew he had to put more pressure on the beast.

He stopped his hit-and-run tactics, and the Python Dragon Strength within him erupted. His Minor Achievement in "Dragon Force" gave him a moment of terrifying explosive power!

He kicked hard with both legs in the water. The power-generation technique of the Eight Steps Catching Cicada actually produced amazing speed even underwater, propelling his body toward the toad's head like a cannonball!

At the same time, the long spear in his hand vibrated. The ultimate principles of Throwing Perfection were integrated into his spear technique, focusing all his essence, energy, and spirit into this single strike—Rainbow Piercer!

"Swoosh!"

The long spear broke through the water, carrying a tragic Aura of absolute determination, and stabbed straight toward the Jade Water Toad's massive, scarlet left eye!