119: Going out to hunt monsters

The cultivator surnamed Xiong, the Elder surnamed Huang, and the young cultivator surnamed Zhao from before were all lined up in the queue.

The line moved forward slowly. The Four Seas Association Disciple responsible for registration sat behind a jade desk, a smile on his face as he nimbly recorded everyone's information and distributed participation tokens one by one.

When it was Lin Feng's turn, the Disciple didn't even look up. He asked for his name and cultivation level, then shoved a cold, black iron token into his hand: "Three days from now, at the chen hour, gather at the city's east wharf. We won't wait for latecomers."

Lin Feng strolled through the streets of Profound Ice City, intentionally paying attention to news related to the "Four Seas Association" and the "Sea Hunting Grand Assembly."

On both sides of the street, besides the common shops for Medicinal Pills and Magical Artifacts, there were even more shops buying and selling various sea beast Materials, coral spirit crystals, water-avoiding beads, and the like.

The Cultivators' attire was also diverse, with some dark-skinned Cultivators said to be "Tide-Riders" who lived permanently on sea islands.

He sat down in the corner of a crowded teahouse, ordered a pot of the local specialty "Sea Spirit Tea," and listened as various discussions drifted into his ears.

"I heard the Four Seas Association is going all out this time, even bringing out the 'sea condensing gold core pill' just for a few fourth-rank Thunder Flood Dragons?" a lean Cultivator at the next table whispered.

"Hmph, when has the Four Seas Association ever made a losing deal?" his companion opposite him sneered. "The nests of those Abyssal Thunder Flood Dragons are near the 'Fire Abyss Sea Eye.' That place is incredibly sinister; how many have gone there and never returned? In my view, that pill won't be easy to get."

"Sigh, that's true, but the difficulty of forming a core is harder than climbing to the heavens. Without a great Opportunity, how can Loose Cultivators like you and me succeed?" the other person sighed.

"I heard Elder Zhao of the Four Seas Association is personally leading the team; he's an Early Core Formation Stage expert. With him holding the line, what's there to fear?"

"I hope so... I just feel like the commotion this time is a bit too much."

Lin Feng sipped his tea in silence. The tea was slightly astringent, but it held a unique Spiritual Qi that nourished his Meridians. These discussions confirmed the suspicions in his heart. The rewards were indeed too generous, and the destination, the "Fire Abyss Sea Eye," sounded like an even more dangerous place. Why would the Four Seas Association mobilize such a large force just for a few fourth-rank Yao Beasts?

His fingers rubbed the black iron token, the icy feeling seemingly penetrating to the depths of his heart.

He visited several larger material shops, feigning interest in a few auxiliary medicines found only in the deep sea while subtly inquiring about the situation at the Fire Abyss Sea Eye. The shopkeepers were either vague or stated outright that it was a land of death that even ordinary Core Formation Cultivators were unwilling to enter lightly, let alone Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye. The enthusiasm in the city grew higher, and the Four Seas Association's promotion was everywhere, as if hunting the Abyssal Thunder Flood Dragons was already a certainty and the "sea condensing gold core pill" was within reach.

As the chen hour approached, the east wharf was already bustling with people. A massive, tower-ship-style spirit boat was moored in the deep water area, its hull inscribed with complex Formation runes emitting powerful spiritual energy fluctuations, with the words "Four Seas" on the sail fluttering in the wind.

Lin Feng stood in the crowd, looking at the massive spirit boat and that Elder Zhao with his composed aura, his gaze calm and rippleless.

He tightened the black jade bracelet on his hand. Inside, besides the water-avoiding talismans, there were several high-grade water escape talismans purchased at a high price and a one-time protective jade talisman. These were preparations he had specifically made based on the information gathered over the past three days.

Hundreds of Foundation Establishment Cultivators boarded the ship in sequence under the guidance of the Four Seas Association Disciples. Lin Feng boarded the spirit boat, found a spot by the gunwale, and stood there observing silently.

On the deck, Cultivators were in groups of three to five, some discussing Daoist arts, some polishing Magical Artifacts, and others sitting quietly alone to adjust their breathing.

He noticed that besides loners like himself, there were several groups clearly traveling together, wearing uniform clothing, likely Disciples of some small Sect or Family, talking in low voices among themselves.

After a while, Elder Zhao walked to the bow. He didn't intentionally release any pressure, but the composed aura belonging to a Core Formation Cultivator still caused the noisy deck to gradually quiet down.

"Fellow Daoists," his voice was calm yet clearly reached everyone's ears, "this old man is surnamed Zhao, and I am responsible for this dragon-hunting expedition. The Abyssal Thunder Flood Dragon is a fourth-rank Yao Beast that favors Yin Thunder and often dwells near deep-sea volcanoes..."

He paused and continued: "The environment near underwater volcanoes is extremely complex, with surging undercurrents and dense hidden reefs. Therefore, everyone needs to work together; do not act on your own and be sure to follow orders."

After speaking, Four Seas Association Disciples brought up several jade boxes and began distributing the so-called "lightning-attracting incense." The incense sticks were about half a foot long, dark purple in color, with fine silver thunder patterns flowing on the surface, feeling slightly numb to the touch.

Lin Feng took one and quietly probed it with his Divine Sense, but he couldn't distinguish its specific components. The structure of this incense was complex, definitely not as simple as ordinary monster-attracting incense.

He noticed that when the Elder surnamed Huang next to him took the incense, his fingers trembled slightly and his brow furrowed, while the burly man surnamed Xiong grabbed it carelessly and stuffed it into his Storage Pouch without a second look.

The spirit boat slowly started, the Formation light screen rose, cutting through the waves as it sailed toward the vast deep sea.

When the spirit boat arrived at a sea area where the water appeared dark red, the outline of a massive underwater volcano was faintly visible in the distance. Waves crashed against the exposed black reefs, making a dull roar.

"Everyone," Elder Zhao shouted from the bow,

"We are nearing the Thunder Flood Dragon's nest. From this moment on, everyone must hold the lightning-attracting incense and use your own spiritual energy to slowly activate its scent. The scent of this incense can simulate the mating call of the Thunder Flood Dragon, drawing it out from the depths of its nest.

Remember, only by holding the incense can the scent be concentrated to avoid disturbing the entire dragon group too early. After the Thunder Flood Dragons appear, wait for my command before attacking with full force."

Hearing this, everyone took out the dark purple lightning-attracting incense, held it in their hands as instructed, and injected a sliver of spiritual energy. Lin Feng did the same. Once the incense was activated, it emitted a strange and increasingly thick fragrance.

Lin Feng's brow furrowed slightly. He keenly sensed that this fragrance was not simply spreading outward; instead, a significant portion was continuously seeping into the incense holder's spiritual energy fluctuations and even their flesh and blood aura.

He immediately sacrificed the xuanming heavy water bead, forming a subtle barrier around himself to block the penetration of the fragrance. He noticed the Elder surnamed Huang beside him also had a change in expression, seemingly sensing something was wrong as he quietly moved the incense stick a bit further away.

"Roar!"

Just then, a low roar came from the direction of the deep-sea volcano, shaking people's blood and Qi. Several flood dragons, over ten zhang long and wrapped in blinding lightning, burst from the water, staring fixedly at the many Cultivators.

"The Yao dragons have emerged. Fellow Daoists, follow me and kill!" Elder Zhao gave the order, but he and several Four Seas Association Cultivators retreated slightly.

Attracted by the fragrance, the Thunder Flood Dragons pounced frantically on the Cultivators holding the incense sticks. Meanwhile, the Cultivators used their various means, with sword light and Magic Treasures flying together, clashing with the Thunder Flood Dragons.

While Lin Feng maneuvered his sword to deal with them, he observed coldly. After he intentionally suppressed the fragrance surrounding him, the Thunder Flood Dragons attacking him were clearly not as frantic as those attacking the other Cultivators. Furthermore, the people from the Four Seas Association remained on the periphery of the battle circle.

Lin Feng vaguely felt that something wasn't right. With every block or dodge, he used the force of the collision to drift back several zhang.