204: Chapter 204 Taking Control of the Wood Dragon Island Lord! The Two Deputy Island Lords Submit!

Chapter 204: Controlling Island Master Mu Long! The Two Vice Island Masters Submit!

"I've long suspected you had ill intentions for this treasure hunt, and it seems I was right."

Lu Qiu stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his aura profound and boundless like an abyss and a sea, the pressure of the Late Core Formation Stage fully unleashed.

The pressure felt almost tangible, pressing down until the surrounding air grew stagnant, and ripples spread across the sea surface below.

His gaze was calm as he looked at the three, a faint smile playing at the corner of his mouth.

"You three, This Lu now offers you a chance to live."

He paused, then enunciated each word clearly. His voice wasn't loud, yet it reached everyone's ears distinctly:

"Hand over one-third of your Primordial Spirit, and your lives will be spared."

Upon hearing this, Wood Dragon's expression changed drastically!

Handing over one-third of one's Primordial Spirit meant placing one's very life in another's hands!

From then on, life and death would no longer be in their own control. It meant losing their freedom forever, becoming another's Puppet—a fate more cruel than death!

"Impossible!"

Wood Dragon shouted sternly, his eyes filled with rage and unwillingness.

He glared fixedly at Lu Qiu, gritting his teeth as he said, "Lu Qiu, don't get too arrogant! Even if you are at the Late Core Formation Stage, so am I! We are of the same rank. Even if I can't defeat you, do you think you can stop me if I want to escape?!"

He was very confident in himself.

Having Cultivated for over a hundred years, rising from a mere Loose Cultivator to become the master of Kuixing Island, how could he willingly become another's Puppet?

Although Lu Qiu's pressure felt more profound, how great could the gap be between Cultivators of the same rank?

If he wanted to escape, who could stop him?

Moreover, he was an outer island master under the Star Palace, part of their official hierarchy!

No matter how bold Lu Qiu was, he wouldn't dare actually kill him, would he?

Killing a Star Palace island master meant making an enemy of the entire Star Palace!

In the Chaotic Star Sea, who would dare offend the Star Palace?

That was tantamount to seeking death!

Seeing Wood Dragon take such a firm stance, the fear in the hearts of True Person Yuan Jun and True Lady Kan Qin lessened slightly.

Indeed, Wood Dragon was right.

With the three of them joining forces, even if they couldn't win, they should at least be able to escape, right?

The two exchanged a glance and stepped back beside Wood Dragon, their expressions resolute.

True Person Yuan Jun took a step forward and said solemnly, "Fellow Daoist Lu, we were in the wrong today. But if you insist on us handing over our Primordial Spirit, that is absolutely impossible! At worst, it will be mutual destruction! With the three of us united, you may not come out unscathed!"

True Lady Kan Qin didn't speak, but she had already placed her emerald-green jade flute to her lips, ready to strike at any moment.

Her cool gaze was filled with determination; she was clearly prepared for a fight to the death.

Seeing the three of them presenting a united front, Lu Qiu couldn't help but laugh.

That laughter was full of mockery.

"Mutual destruction?"

He shook his head, a hint of pity in his tone. "You three think too highly of yourselves."

The next moment—

With a thought from him—

Two streaks of light shot out from his sleeves!

One was crimson like blood, the other dark gold like iron!

Bloodline Flood Dragon! Golden-Backed Demonic Mantis!

Two behemoths abruptly appeared in mid-air, their terrifying Demonic Qi instantly spreading everywhere!

The Bloodline Flood Dragon was a hundred zhang long, its entire body covered in dark red scales, each as large as a basin, reflecting a heart-palpitating cold light under the sun.

Several ferocious golden Bloodlines ran along its belly—a mark of its pure Bloodline.

At this moment, it raised its head and roared. The Dragon's cry shook the heavens and the earth, even churning the seawater below into towering waves!

The Golden-Backed Demonic Mantis was over thirty zhang long. Dark golden carapace adorned with flowing crimson patterns, it resembled a killing machine from ancient times.

With a mere flick of its razor-sharp forelimbs, it left several lingering spatial tears in the air, as if it could even sever space itself!

Two Level Six Yao Beasts!

The Bloodline Flood Dragon belonged to the flood Dragon Yao Beast category.

The Golden-Backed Demonic Mantis was a rare and exotic insect species.

Both possessed combat power equivalent to a human Cultivator at the Late Core Formation Stage!

The anger on Wood Dragon's face instantly froze!

His eyes widened, fixed unwaveringly on the two behemoths, filled with disbelief and terror!

"T-two... two Level Six Yao Beasts?!"

His voice trembled, laden with deep despair!

True Person Yuan Jun and True Lady Kan Qin turned as pale as paper, their figures involuntarily retreating several steps!

The Magic Treasures they had summoned trembled in their hands, as if they might slip and fall at any moment!

Two Level Six Yao Beasts!

Plus Lu Qiu, a Late Core Formation Stage Cultivator, and Heisha, who was at the Early Core Formation Stage.

This was no evenly matched battle; it was a one-sided slaughter!

Countless thoughts flashed through Wood Dragon's mind in an instant.

Who exactly was he?

How could he have two Level Six Yao Beasts as spirit pets?

These were Level Six Yao Beasts!

How could one person possibly subdue two?!

"You... who exactly are you?!" Wood Dragon asked tremulously, his voice full of fear and resentment.

Lu Qiu smiled faintly. "It's too late to ask that now."

He raised his hand and gave a light wave.

The gesture was casual, as if merely swatting away a fly.

But the Bloodline Flood Dragon and the Golden-Backed Demonic Mantis moved simultaneously!

The Bloodline Flood Dragon opened its bloody maw and spewed forth a scorching Dragon's breath!

The breath was as searing as magma. Wherever it passed, the air ignited, transforming into a sea of flames!

That sea of flames blotted out the sky as it swept toward the three!

The Golden-Backed Demonic Mantis transformed into a dark golden afterimage. Its forelimbs, like scythes of death, tore through the air, aiming straight for Wood Dragon's head!

Its speed was astonishingly fast—so fast that even its afterimage was hard to discern, leaving only the shriek of tearing air!

Wood Dragon's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly activated the cracked ancient treasure, the purple alms bowl, trying to block!

But the purple bowl had just risen, its light dim and flickering unsteadily—

Right at that moment!

Lu Qiu swung his right hand upward!

A dark bronze, ancient-looking small mirror shot into the sky, suspended in mid-air, and suddenly erupted with dazzling light!

space locking mirror!

The light, tangible as substance, instantly enveloped the space for several li around!

Wood Dragon felt the surrounding space solidify into an impenetrable wall. His figure abruptly stalled!

He wanted to dodge but found he couldn't move at all!

He wanted to escape!

He held a Talisman in his hand—a life-saving trump card obtained years ago from an ancient Cultivator's Immortal Cave, capable of instantly teleporting him hundreds of li away!

He had always kept it close to his body, never used it, precisely for a desperate situation like today!

He frantically activated the escape Talisman!

The Talisman erupted with a dazzling golden light, forming a radiant shield that enveloped him!

The golden light was brilliant and dazzling, seemingly capable of penetrating any obstacle!

However—

The golden light collided with the space locking mirror's air-restricting Domain, merely stirring up ripples before dissipating into nothingness!

The golden light of the escape Talisman dimmed, turning into specks of light that vanished into the air!

Wood Dragon was stunned.

He looked down at the escape Talisman, now reduced to ashes in his hand, his eyes filled with disbelief.

"An ancient treasure that restricts flight?!" he exclaimed in shock, his voice full of despair!

An ancient treasure that restricts flight!

That was a rare treasure capable of sealing space and preventing escape!

Priceless, something one could only encounter by chance, not seek!

How could Lu Qiu possess such a thing?!

At that very moment—

A sharp glint flashed in Lu Qiu's eyes!

Five Divine Sense thorns, refined to an extreme, formless and intangible yet sharp and fierce, shot forth from his Sea of Consciousness!

Spirit Shocking Thorn!

Five thorns unleashed together!

Those five Divine Sense thorns ignored all defenses, instantly piercing through Wood Dragon's protective spiritual light and viciously stabbing into his Sea of Consciousness!

"Ah—!!!"

Wood Dragon let out a shrill, agonized scream!

The scream was so piercing that it sent chills down the spines of True Person Yuan Jun and True Lady Kan Qin!

He clutched his head with both hands, plummeting from mid-air and landing with a heavy "thud" on the ground. He rolled frantically amidst the rubble, his hands clawing desperately at his head as if trying to dig something out!

Blood gushed from his seven orifices!

That terrifying, Soul-rending pain instantly robbed him of all ability to resist!

"Ah! Ah! My head! My head!"

He screamed hoarsely, his voice full of agony and terror!

His eyes were bloodshot, his face twisted, veins bulging—he looked utterly deranged!

True Person Yuan Jun and True Lady Kan Qin stared dumbfounded at this scene, their bodies icy cold as if plunged into an ice cellar.

They hadn't even seen how Lu Qiu attacked before Wood Dragon was already on the ground screaming!

What kind of technique was this?!

Could it be the legendary Divine Sense attack secret art?!

Just then, Lu Qiu moved.

In a flash, his figure appeared before Wood Dragon. His movement was ghostly fast, silent and soundless.

He flipped his right hand, and a small, pitch-black insect with silver patterns on its back appeared in his palm.

It was precisely the god-controlling gu he had painstakingly refined at the risk of damaging his Divine Soul!

The small insect wriggled in his palm, its mouthparts opening and closing, emitting faint hissing sounds as if craving something.

Lu Qiu flicked his finger, and the insect transformed into a streak of black light, drilling into Wood Dragon's brow!

"Ah—!!!"

Wood Dragon's screams grew even more shrill!

The sound was so piercing it hardly seemed human!

Wood Dragon rolled frantically on the ground, his hands clawing desperately at his head, nails digging into his flesh!

His eyes rolled back, foam spewed from his mouth, and his entire body convulsed!

"No! No! Get out! Get out!"

He screamed hoarsely, his voice full of pain and terror!

His Primordial Spirit was being devoured bit by bit, eroded, and controlled by that Gu insect!

Watching this, True Person Yuan Jun and True Lady Kan Qin felt a chill shoot from the soles of their feet to the tops of their heads, their blood seemingly freezing!

What kind of technique was this?!

To forcibly invade a Cultivator's Primordial Spirit?!

Having lived for over a hundred years, they had never seen such a terrifying method!

The two exchanged a glance, seeing deep fear in each other's eyes.

That fear was even more intense than when facing the two Level Six Yao Beasts!

Because it meant that if they resisted, they would meet the same fate!

Time passed second by second.

Wood Dragon's screams grew weaker, more feeble.

The intensity of his rolling on the ground also diminished until it finally stopped completely.

He lay sprawled on the ground, gasping for breath, his entire body drenched in sweat as if just pulled from water.

His eyes were vacant and blank, as if he had lost his Soul or was undergoing some terrifying transformation.

A moment later—

That vacancy was gradually replaced by an eerie obedience.

His gaze softened, turned respectful, became... like that of a dog.

He slowly got up, knelt before Lu Qiu, lowered his head, and spoke in a hoarse, respectful voice:

"Master."

There was not a trace of unwillingness or resentment in that voice, only pure submission.

True Person Yuan Jun and True Lady Kan Qin shuddered violently!

They stared dumbly at this scene, their hearts roiling with shock!

Wood Dragon, the esteemed master of Kuixing Island, a Late Core Formation Stage Cultivator, an outer island master under the Star Palace, was now kneeling before Lu Qiu like the most loyal servant!

What kind of technique was this?!

The two exchanged a glance, deep fear reflected in each other's eyes.

That fear instantly shattered all their will to resist.

The next moment—

Both of them knelt simultaneously!

"Thud!" "Thud!"

Their knees struck the rubble heavily, but they seemed unaware.

"Lu... Senior Lu! We are willing to hand over one-third of our Primordial Spirit! We beg for our lives!"

True Person Yuan Jun's voice trembled; where was the dignity of a Core Formation True Person now?

He kept his head bowed, not daring to meet Lu Qiu's eyes, his entire body trembling slightly.

True Lady Kan Qin didn't speak, but her body also trembled slightly.

Her usually cool face was now full of fear.

She bowed her head, hands flat on the ground, her posture utterly humble.

Lu Qiu turned and looked at the two kneeling before him, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.

That smile was calm and light, yet it only deepened the fear in their hearts.

"Those who understand the times are true heroes," he said mildly, his voice gentle yet carrying an unquestionable authority. "Since you are willing, then hand it over."

True Person Yuan Jun and True Lady Kan Qin didn't dare delay. They quickly sat cross-legged and began forming hand Seals.

This was an extremely painful process—splitting off a strand of Primordial Spirit Origin from one's own Sea of Consciousness. The pain was no less than tearing one's own Soul apart.

But the two gritted their teeth and endured it.

A moment later, two faint golden light clusters floated out from their brows, hovering in their palms.

The clusters were only the size of a fingernail, yet they contained the very foundation of their lives and Cultivation.

From then on, whoever held this strand of Primordial Spirit held their life and death in a single thought.

Trembling, they offered the strands of Primordial Spirit to Lu Qiu.

Lu Qiu accepted them and sealed them using a secret method. The two strands transformed into specks of golden light that vanished into his palm.

"Rise," he said.

True Person Yuan Jun and True Lady Kan Qin felt as if granted amnesty. They quickly stood up, standing to the side with hands at their sides, not daring to breathe heavily.

They kept their heads bowed, their eyes fixed only on their own toes, not daring to look at Lu Qiu or Wood Dragon.

Lu Qiu looked at Wood Dragon.

Wood Dragon remained kneeling on the ground, his expression respectful, his eyes full of obedience.

The god-controlling gu had completely taken over his consciousness. From now on, he would be Lu Qiu's most loyal servant, even more loyal than Heisha.

"Mu Long," Lu Qiu said.

"Your subordinate is here," Wood Dragon replied respectfully, looking up like a dog awaiting its master's command.

"You remain the master of Kuixing Island. Everything proceeds as usual," Lu Qiu said. "What happened today stays buried. Do what you need to do; don't let anyone grow suspicious."

"Yes," Wood Dragon nodded without the slightest hesitation.

Lu Qiu then looked at True Person Yuan Jun and True Lady Kan Qin.

"The same goes for you two."

He continued, "From now on, you are still the Vice Island Masters. Do what you need to do. As long as you remain loyal, This Lu will not treat you poorly. Medicinal Pills, Cultivation Techniques, resources—you will lack for nothing."

True Person Yuan Jun and True Lady Kan Qin nodded repeatedly, not daring to voice any dissent.

Lu Qiu stood with his hands behind his back, looking down at the three, a surge of exhilaration welling up in his heart.

Wood Dragon—Late Core Formation Stage.

True Person Yuan Jun—Early Core Formation Stage.

True Lady Kan Qin—Early Core Formation Stage.

Now, the lives of these three were in his grasp.

The entire ruling hierarchy of Kuixing Island had completely fallen under his control!