Chapter 401: Hidden Threat
Peculiar items and wonder items were the results of natural resources and spiritual energy. Hence, it wasn't surprising that they were more likely to be found in places with a higher concentration of spiritual energy, such as spirit veins and spirit mines.
This was also one of the factors that the sects had considered before calling in the Great Ancestors to Ice Frost Island. The resources on the island had actually exceeded the sects' expectations; in less than a week's time, the sects had already discovered three peculiar items and three wonder items on the island.
However, because the sects hadn't agreed on a distribution method, they gathered these resources in an array formation that was collectively set up by them. At this stage, only the Great Ancestors had enough authority to make decisions given the overall value of the resources on the island.
Since the array formation was a collective effort, no sect could do anything to it without alerting the others. Hence, the sects were able to maintain a relatively peaceful situation until today.
In the morning, two of the three disciples in charge of looking after the array formation were silently killed. Shortly after, the array formation was tampered with and the sects were immediately alerted.
When the sects arrived at the scene, they quickly noticed that the two dead disciples were from the Hai Yan Sect and Cang Lang Sect, with the only alive disciple being Enlightened Master Xuan-Xing from Zhen Ling Sect. Naturally, all fingers pointed towards him.
Although the Zhen Ling Sect tried to explain, the other sects refused to listen. In addition to Xuan Ling Sect's incitement, Hai Yan Sect and Shui Yan Pavilion sided with Xuan Ling Sect and attacked the Zhen Ling Sect.
However, the Late Core Forging Realm representatives from the sects weren't idiots and could tell that something was not right. For starters, Xuan-Xing was not powerful enough to kill two other Enlightened Masters without making a scene. Hence, they only stood in a stalemate while the others fought with each other.
At the same time, the other Enlightened Masters noticed their leaders not making a move, so they didn't attack too forcefully. Even so, Zhen Ling Sect was still outnumbered and at a disadvantage.
Hence, when Lu Ping rushed back and saw his sect at a disadvantage, he didn't think much and immediately struck with his full power. The Enlightened Masters were shocked by his entrance and didn't dare to take his full power attack; they all chose to evade the attack, exposing the array formation.
Sure enough, Lu Ping's full power attack destroyed the array formation setting the peculiar items and wonder items free. As a result, the items were all scattered out in different directions.
The stalemate between the ten Late Core Forging Realm representatives was broken apart as they quickly chased after the escaping items, sending out attacks to stop the others from reaching for these six treasures.
Enlightened Master Xuan-Sen was calm and decisive; he immediately asked Cang Lang Sect, Yu Jian Sect, and Chong Ming Sect's Late Core Forging Realm representatives to work together. The four of them would separate into two pairs and seize a treasure each. This way, they would be able to make sure they secured two treasures.
Xuan Ling Sect's Lu Xu-Heng initially wanted to take the same approach with his ally sects, but Ling Gu Sect's representative had already rushed out and spoiled his plan. Although Lu Xu-Heng wasn't happy, there was nothing he could do, so they all acted on their own without any teamwork.
Shui Yan Pavilion's Late Core Forging Realm representative was Enlightened Master Shui Wu-Huan. As an ice-element cultivator, Ice Frost Island's condition was perfect for her. The island's condition enhanced her flying skills, allowing her to outrun the rest and seize one treasure for her sect. After that, she continued to travel towards a second treasure.
However, Ling Gu Sect's representative had caught up to her this time. Enlightened Master Shui Wu-Huan looked back and sneered coldly, confident that no one would be able to match her on this island. Sure enough, all it took was a mini divine ability and she had already created a great distance between them.
Just as Shui Wu-Huan was close to obtaining her second treasure, a golden light flashed in the gap between her and the treasure.
Lu Ping hadn't thought that his intervention would cause the situation to worsen even further. The Enlightened Masters had stopped fighting, but the Late Core Forging Realm representatives were now fighting instead.
At least Lu Ping was fortunate because one of the items was headed his way, allowing him to secure it for the sect. But, the Shui Yan Pavilion's representative was coming after it as well. 24062
Although Lu Ping clearly saw Shui Wu-Huan's enhanced strength, he didn't want to lose the treasure. Most importantly, Lu Ping was confident that he could snatch it from Shui Wu-Huan, even if he wasn't sure he could hold his ground against her after doing so.
All these thoughts occurred in the blink of an eye as the Golden Scale Sword slashed out and held back Shui Wu-Huan!
Shui Wu-Huan saw Lu Ping reach for the second treasure; she hadn't thought that a Mid Core Forging Realm junior would dare to step forward and fight her. She casually cast a roll of silk cloth that wrapped around the Golden Scale Sword.
Layer after layer, the silk cloth wrapped around the Golden Scale Sword, rendering it almost powerless. No matter how many layers the sword cut through, more layers would wrap around it.
Lu Ping turned solemn. If this went on, the Golden Scale Sword would lose its momentum and risk being taken away from him. Late Core Forging Realm Enlightened Masters sure were powerful!
Little did Lu Ping know, Shui Wu-Huan was even more surprised. She didn't think that this Zhen Ling Sect junior would be so strong either. The Water Smoke Silk was her best spirit emerging mystic treasure, and yet, it still barely held back this junior's sword attack!
How is this possible? The silk cannot go on forever; being able to cut through it means this situation can't last. Just who is he?
Eventually, Shui Wu-Huan's Water Smoke Silk couldn't keep up with the Golden Scale Sword anymore and she was forced to slow down. She blew a white mist on the mystic treasure enhancing the mystic treasure, while Lu Ping seized the chance and grabbed the treasure.
Immediately, the Water Smoke Silk released a bone-chilling breath that not only froze Lu Ping's true energy in the sword, but also his divine revelation that linked him and the sword together.
Lu Ping's expression changed slightly. He raised his hand and swiped it in the air.
Shui Wu-Huan exclaimed in surprise and abruptly stepped to the side.
A faint specter sword stabbed towards Shui Wu-Huan's previous location and quickly faded away, while Lu Ping took the chance to try and free the Golden Scale Sword from the Water Smoke Silk.
A hundred feet away from Lu Ping, Shui Wu-Huan reappeared at her previous location. She looked at Lu Ping, and asked, "Zhen Ling Sect, Lu Xuan-Ping?"
Lu Ping didn't reply. Instead, he raised his hand and pressed down again. The Golden Scale Sword that was fully wrapped up inside the Water Smoke Silk quivered violently as if an explosion had just happened inside.
Shui Wu-Huan's expression changed. Just as she was about to enhance the Water Smoke Silk, the Golden Scale Sword poked a hole through and slipped out.
Lu Ping heaved a sigh of relief. The gap in strength between the Mid and Late Core Forging Realm was too big. If he were an ordinary Mid Core Forging Realm Enlightened Master, he would have stood no chance against Shui Wu-Huan.
After Lu Ping recalled the Golden Scale Sword, Shui Wu-Huan launched another round of attacks. This time, Lu Ping actually saw a hint of excitement on her face.
Little did he know, he was already widely regarded as the most prominent young talent in the North Ocean. Rumor had it that he was the one with the highest chance of becoming the Zhen Ling Sect's third-generation Great Ancestor.
Hence, in the eyes of the other sects, Lu Ping had already become a hidden threat to them. It was natural that they didn't want to see him grow up to that stage.
After confirming that this Zhen Ling Sect junior was indeed Lu Xuan-Ping, Shui Wu-Huan had already made up her mind to kill him right here.
Meanwhile, Lu Ping gauged the power gap between them and determined that he was no match for Late Core Forging Realm representatives like Shui Wu-Huan. Hence, he was already retreating back to the group of Zhen Ling Sect Enlightened Masters on the ground.