81: Repel the enemy

Immortal Master Lan Tao was severely injured and on the verge of death, lying limp like a rag among the distant rubble, his aura so faint it was barely perceptible.

The sea-overturning seal let out a mournful cry as it shrank and fell beside him, its spiritual light dim.

In the blink of an eye, the battle situation had undergone a heaven-turning, earth-shattering reversal!

The sneer and composure on Immortal Master Qing Bo's face had long since vanished, replaced by a livid complexion, undisguised shock and rage, and a trace of... coldness stemming from the bottom of his heart!

He never imagined that this newly ascended Purple Lightning Flood Dragon would be this formidable!

Not only did its strength far exceed his estimations, but the ruthlessness and decisiveness it erupted with in a desperate situation were truly heart-stopping.

Trading injury for injury, at the cost of damaging the Formation, it had forcibly created an opportunity and, with a single strike, nearly crippled his nephew.

At this moment, although the Formation had been weakened by the spirit sealing stake, it was not completely shattered.

And he had to face this Purple Lightning Flood Dragon alone—one that was surging with Evil Qi and, despite being injured, possessed an even fiercer Battle Intent!

"Demon Flood Dragon! You are courting death!" Immortal Master Qing Bo, both shocked and angry, shouted sharply, attempting to suppress the unease in his heart with sheer volume.

The azure whisk in his hand danced wildly. The thousands of heavy water threads no longer dispersed to erode the Formation but instead suddenly converged, transforming into several hideous heavy water giant pythons. Carrying the power to churn rivers and bind all living things, they lunged at Gao De from different directions!

Simultaneously, he formed hand seals with his other hand, and a condensed Green Wave Sword Qi silently hid within the water flow, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Gao De's massive jiao pupils were icy cold, devoid of any fear.

He knew well that his Demonic Power had been heavily depleted and he was injured; he had to end the battle quickly!

Facing the roaring heavy water giant pythons, he did not choose to clash head-on but instead pushed his Lightning Evasion Technique to the limit!

His massive dragon body transformed into an elusive streak of purple electricity underwater, maneuvering at high speed within a confined space, narrowly dodging the pythons' lunges every single time.

The Power of Thunder inherently had a certain restraint over water-element Spells. With the Purple Lightning Thunder Aura surrounding his body, those heavy water giant pythons emitted "sizzling" burning sounds upon touching the lightning, their forms slightly dissipating, and their speed faltering.

"Roar!"

Gao De seized an opening and suddenly opened his mouth. He did not unleash a lightning Spell but instead invoked the residual power of the Water Mansion's Formation along with his innate Divine Ability—Summon Wind and Rain!

Although the Spiritual Vein had been disturbed and the Formation's power greatly reduced, its Foundation still remained.

Now forcibly invoked by him, the water flow throughout the entire Water Mansion instantly became incredibly violent. Countless undercurrents, like invisible arms, coiled around and pulled at Immortal Master Qing Bo, greatly restricting his movement and spellcasting.

Simultaneously, dense water vapor condensed, transforming into countless razor-sharp water blades that shot toward Immortal Master Qing Bo like a torrential rain!

This was not a lethal finishing blow, but aimed at interference and suppression!

Immortal Master Qing Bo snorted coldly, and a clear water barrier automatically appeared around his body, blocking most of the water blades and emitting a dense sound like rain hitting banana leaves.

However, his focus on controlling the heavy water giant pythons and the hidden Sword Qi was inevitably distracted by this large-scale harassment.

This was the moment!

The opportunity Gao De had been waiting for had appeared!

He keenly captured the extremely minute flaw Immortal Master Qing Bo exposed due to his distracted defense—the spiritual light of his protective water barrier had fluctuated for an instant while dealing with a dense volley of water blades from a certain angle!

"Thunder Smite Spear!"

Gao De did not hesitate and condensed lightning once more!

Although his Demonic Power was not at its peak, this strike, which condensed his remaining strength and unyielding will, was still terrifying!

A Purple Lightning spear, slightly thinner than before but more condensed and faster, seemed to traverse space, ignoring the heavy water giant pythons obstructing its path. The lightning spear pierced directly through, instantly causing a portion of the giant pythons to collapse, and shot with pinpoint accuracy toward the fluctuating spot on Immortal Master Qing Bo's protective water barrier!

"What?!" Immortal Master Qing Bo was shocked, never expecting that Gao De could still unleash such a precise and swift lethal strike in his current state!

He hurriedly mobilized all his mana to reinforce the water barrier and manipulated the remaining heavy water giant pythons to return for support, while the hidden Green Wave Sword Qi was also triggered prematurely in an attempt to intercept the lightning spear.

"Boom!"

The Green Wave Sword Qi collided with the lightning spear and was instantly annihilated by the thunder! The returning heavy water giant pythons were a step too slow!

The lightning spear slammed fiercely into Immortal Master Qing Bo's protective water barrier!

"Hum——!!!"

The water barrier let out a violent, mournful cry, its brilliance flickering chaotically. With the point of the lightning spear's impact as the center, dense cracks instantly spread out like a spider web!

"Pfft!" Immortal Master Qing Bo's body shook violently, his face turned pale, and a trace of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.

Although he had forcibly withstood the strike by relying on his profound mana and had not been severely wounded like Immortal Master Lan Tao, his protective Magic Treasure was damaged, he had sustained significant internal injuries, and his mana circulation had become much sluggish.

The look he cast at Gao De now carried terror! This Flood Dragon was too terrifying!

Not only was its strength formidable, but its combat talent was astonishing, and its grasp of timing was perfect to the finest detail!

Having succeeded with one strike, Gao De did not linger in battle. With a flick of his massive dragon tail, lightning flashed, and he instantly retreated to an area where the Formation's protection was relatively intact. His icy vertical pupils locked tightly onto Immortal Master Qing Bo as he gasped for breath, swallowing the recovery Medicinal Pill he had previously purchased to take the opportunity to restore his Demonic Power, while simultaneously exerting invisible pressure.

Immortal Master Qing Bo's expression fluctuated uncertainly. Looking at his nephew Immortal Master Lan Tao in the distance, whose life or death was unknown, feeling the injuries within his own body and the less than half of his mana remaining, and then looking at that menacing Purple Lightning Flood Dragon that seemed ready to pounce again at any moment... a strong desire to retreat surged into his heart.

Today, he had truly suffered a defeat!

Completely defeated!

He had underestimated this Demon Flood Dragon's strength, and even more so, its ruthlessness and decisiveness.

If he continued to fight, even if he could barely manage to kill or repel the opponent by relying on his heritage, he would inevitably pay an extremely heavy price and might even be dragged to his death here!

The current situation in the three kingdoms was turbulent, and the Sect was in a period where it needed manpower. If he were severely injured or even fell here, the Green Wave Sect would be in danger!

"Demon Flood Dragon! The Green Wave Sect will remember today's grudge!"

Immortal Master Qing Bo gritted his teeth and left a harsh threat. With a flick of his robe sleeve, a stream of water scooped up the dying Immortal Master Lan Tao and the damaged sea-overturning seal, while simultaneously recalling the spirit sealing stake that was deeply embedded in the ground.

He took a deep look at Gao De, as if to carve his image into his Soul, before transforming into a blue streak of escape light and fleeing rapidly, without looking back, from this water territory where he had suffered such a humiliating disgrace.

Gao De did not pursue.

He was also at the end of his strength; his Demonic Power was nearly exhausted, and he was not lightly injured. Forcibly pursuing carried too great a risk.

He hovered within the dilapidated Formation, watching the direction in which Immortal Master Qing Bo had disappeared, cold light flickering in his massive dragon eyes.

"Green Wave Sect... this matter will absolutely not end here."

He knew clearly that although he had shocked and repelled a formidable enemy today, he had also forged a mortal enmity with the Green Wave Sect.

However, through this battle, he had also fully displayed his fangs and strength to the entire Dongting Lake, and even to the forces secretly watching this place!

In a situation of one against two, one Core Formation Cultivator was severely injured and on the verge of death, and one was lightly injured and retreated in defeat!

This battle record was enough to make any force carefully weigh the consequences before setting their sights on him.

"The most urgent priority is to recover as soon as possible, repair the Formation, and improve my strength! The Green Wave Sect's retaliation, as well as this turbulent situation... greater storms are likely still to come."

Gao De slowly sank into the depths of the Water Mansion and began to heal and recover.

This battle was tragic yet glorious, establishing his fierce reputation as the Purple Lightning Flood Dragon King and giving him nominal ownership over the area near Dongting Lake.