Chapter 113: Inviting the Guest into the Trap

"Bashak is too fast. If I don't give it my all, I'll end up captured." Lin Feng’s body possessed a formidable recovery ability; the heavy blows he had just sustained were already as good as healed. A flash of ruthlessness crossed his face as he suddenly turned and stopped, the seawater instantly coming to a standstill.

Bashak was taken aback for a moment, but then locked his spiritual sense firmly onto the target ahead and laughed wantonly. "Ha! Run! Why aren't you running anymore?"

"Why would I need to run?" Hiding within the currents, Lin Feng quietly gripped his divine bow and retrieved his final Sky-Splitting Arrow, firing it toward Bashak with lightning speed!

"Boom!" The Sky-Splitting Arrow flew like a dragon of fire; wherever it passed, the seawater retreated, and flames raged in a wild dance!

"Hiss-roar!" The giant squid let out a terrifying shriek, its nine tentacles dancing frantically. Within a radius of dozens of zhang, the seabed was thrown into chaos as water currents surged, swirling up rocks and gravel like a tornado.

"Let's see if you die!" Just as Lin Feng prepared to follow up with a sword strike, he suddenly braked, his expression one of shock. After losing three tentacles in succession, Bashak had used the suckers on his remaining tentacles to tightly grip the Sky-Splitting Arrow, his three rows of fangs biting down hard on the arrowhead, his eyes filled with venomous malice.

The two tentacles exerted force, and with a *crack*, the Sky-Splitting Arrow snapped in two. *Pfft!* A cloud of black mist erupted from Bashak's mouth, instantly covering the entire area. The many subordinates who had followed the sound began to clutch their throats, screaming as they foamed at the mouth and collapsed onto the seabed, creating a scene of utter disarray.

The giant squid’s poisonous mist! While a squid's tentacles could regenerate, the repeated injuries had driven Bashak into a fury. Disregarding the lives of his men, he had unleashed his deadly toxin in hopes of quickly dispatching this troublesome cultivator.

"Not good!" Although ordinary poisons could hardly kill Lin Feng, this highly corrosive ink was infiltrating his pores, burning his flesh and melting his skin. Just as he considered retreating, the sixteen lotus-shaped Flame Hearts within him suddenly bloomed with golden light, forcing the poison out of his body. There was a hissing sound as wisps of black smoke were instantly extinguished in the water.

With a sudden thought, the Heavenly Heart White Flame swirled around him. The moment the poison touched the fire, it ignited and spread instantly. *Boom!* A massive explosion rocked the seabed, sending huge waves surging toward the surface. The immense shockwave shattered several reefs into powder, causing the entire underwater region to tremble for a long time before it finally settled.

"Ah! You bastard! I’ll tear you into shreds!" Bashak’s roar echoed through the Seven-Mile Sea for a long time. His remaining tentacles had been blown to a bloody pulp; he had only survived by reacting quickly and using his tentacles to block the blast wave.

Bleeding from his mouth, Bashak reverted to his human form. His eyes glinted with murderous intent as he swept his spiritual sense across the sea. After searching for a long time, he moved and vanished from the grisly battlefield.

Back in the Yinque Palace, Lin Feng was still gasping for air, his heart pounding wildly. The desperate plan he had just executed was practically suicide; had he been even a split second slower, he would be the one dead.

The strength of a Golden Core cultivator was too great. Even now, he couldn't be sure if Bashak had been killed by the explosion. Improving his cultivation was a matter of extreme urgency; if he couldn't even handle one Bashak, how could he possibly fight Xi Lingbo?

He sat cross-legged, and rich spiritual energy gathered around him continuously. In his dantian, his spiritual power was condensing rapidly, the paste-like substance becoming increasingly dense. At the same time, invisible specks of light seeped into his skin, traveling along his meridians and muscles to converge on his Flame Hearts. The sixteen flame petals slowly began to divide: seventeen, eighteen…

Li Sea region. About one hundred thousand li north of the Seven-Mile Sea, a massive island stood upon the ocean surface. The entire island was built of black coral reefs and inhabited by large flocks of seabirds. Beneath this uninhabited island lay a hidden world: the Black Shark Stronghold, the de facto ruler of an eight-hundred-thousand-li sea territory.

In the exquisite and magnificent palace of the Black Shark Stronghold, only four people were seated. Several handmaidens stood respectfully to the side, all dressed in vibrant colors, beautiful and alluring, their eyes fixed on the crystal floor beneath their feet. Eight massive pillars supported the palace, which stood twenty zhang high. These pillars, each thick enough for four men to circle, were polished from solid black crystal, shining like mirrors and reflecting the glow of bright pearls throughout the hall. At the head of the table, a young man rubbed his smooth, well-defined chin, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes from time to time. This black-robed youth had black hair draped loosely over his shoulders; beneath his handsome features lay a hint of gloom. Kneeling at his feet were two women in transparent, thin gauze, smiling as they lightly kneaded his knees with their delicate fists.

"Protector Mishu, what is your insight?" After hearing Bashak’s report, Xi Lingbo tilted his head slightly toward the white-robed, long-bearded elder sitting below him.

Mishu smiled. "A few days ago, Protector Mao Cong died inexplicably, and even his Golden Core was taken. Combining this with what Protector Bashak has said, I am certain that both incidents were the work of the same person."

"Hmm, I have the same suspicion. But there is one thing I cannot understand: this person truly does not hold my Black Shark Stronghold in high regard, attacking us time and time again. For what purpose?" Xi Lingbo raised his eyes slightly and picked up a piece of fruit from the table. Just as he was about to toss it into his mouth, one of the gauze-clad women gently snatched it, held it between her lips, and shyly met Xi Lingbo’s mouth to pass it to him.

Mishu continued to smile. "Perhaps he covets the Golden Cores of us demon cultivators to boost his strength? As far as I know, within the Divine Province, taking the Golden Core of a cultivator invites the collective wrath of all sects. Even in the Myriad Demon Heaven, no one dares to openly refine another's Golden Core. This brat likely relies on some supreme magic treasure, which is why he dares to act so recklessly."

"Is that so?" Xi Lingbo said slowly, his voice laced with doubt.

A man in green robes, who had been sitting silently in the hall, sneered and picked up his wine cup, taking a quiet sip. He was a man of cold indifference, appearing to be in his thirties with a head of silver hair. Merely sitting there made one feel as if they were standing at the foot of an iceberg, a chill seeping into their bones.

"Brother Lezheng, do you seem to have a different opinion?" Xi Lingbo looked at the man in green, his eyes brightening. The two protectors exchanged glances, both filled with questions—what was the background of someone the Stronghold Master addressed as 'brother'?

"I have no 'insight,' but I am not stupid enough to fail to see through such a petty trick," the silver-haired man said without looking up, continuing to drink.

"You..." Bashak flew into a rage, about to lash out, but was stopped by a look from Protector Mishu.

Xi Lingbo, however, wore a faint smile as he looked at the silver-haired man. "Brother Lezheng, please speak freely. We are dull-witted and hope for your guidance."

The silver-haired man looked up at the agate-carved dome, let out a sigh, and spoke slowly. "If I had obtained a supreme treasure, I would certainly find a secret place to diligently improve my cultivation until I was satisfied. I would not consider anything else, unless..."

"Unless what?" Bashak pressed.

"Unless the matter was urgent and required immediate action!" Protector Mishu’s eyes flashed, and he spoke hurriedly.

"Exactly!" The silver-haired man nodded in approval and looked back at Xi Lingbo. "I heard that you in the Li Sea captured two cultivators a few months ago and that they are still being held in the Whale-Slaying Palace, right? Brother Xi, this matter is likely the reason for this person's appearance."

Xi Lingbo’s expression changed. He stood up abruptly and waved his hand, and the handmaidens in the hall immediately scurried out.

"Ha! The Xuanji Pavilion is truly worthy of being the gathering place for overseas rogue cultivators, grasping our secrets so quickly. Brother Lezheng, you aren't here to demand the prisoners, are you?" Xi Lingbo said with a smile.

Xuanji Pavilion! Mishu and Bashak exchanged glances, their expressions turning grave.

In the vast Er Sea, countless islands are scattered. Beyond the Zhenhai Palace ruled by the Hawksbill King and the Mier Domain managed by the Sea Anemone King, it serves as a gathering place for many overseas rogue cultivators. Among them, the Xuanji Pavilion is the most powerful, occupying over a hundred islands of varying sizes and maintaining intricate connections with the palaces of the many overseas demon cultivators.

The Xuanji Pavilion is said to contain cultivators, demon-path practitioners, and demon cultivators alike. It is considered the most inclusive major force in the four seas of the Divine Province. It is only because they rarely contend with others and possess profound strength that they are able to stand tall overseas without falling.

The silver-haired man chuckled and said, "Brother Xi seems to distrust me. Very well, it seems I came at a bad time; I should return early."

Xi Lingbo hurriedly waved his hand and laughed. "Brother Lezheng, what are you saying? Since my father asked you to come and assist me, I naturally treat you as a confidant. Bashak, Mishu, listen well: from today on, Brother Lezheng is the Grand Protector of my Black Shark Stronghold. Aside from the twenty thousand guards under Mao Cong, transfer another ten thousand to be under Brother Lezheng’s command!"

"As you command, Stronghold Master! Congratulations, Grand Protector Lezheng!" Mishu stood up, his face full of smiles as he cupped his fists in salute.

Bashak felt helpless and forced a smile, offering his congratulations to the silver-haired man. He had expected to be rewarded by the Stronghold Master for discovering the cultivator's tracks and to seize the opportunity to swallow up Mao Cong's forces. Who would have thought that a rival would suddenly appear and be placed above all other protectors? How could he not be seething with rage?

The silver-haired man smiled as well. His unfathomable eyes glinted with cold light as he said to the two protectors, "Lezheng Qing will have to rely on you both in the future. Being able to serve the Black Shark Stronghold is exactly what I have been hoping for."

"Not at all, not at all, Grand Protector is too polite," Mishu said with a polite chuckle. Bashak responded with a cold, perfunctory acknowledgement.

Xi Lingbo walked down from his seat and mused, "In your opinion, how should we capture this person?"

Mishu frowned, Bashak remained silent with a gloomy face, and Lezheng Qing smiled without answering. Xi Lingbo’s eyes lit up, and he quickly asked, "Brother Lezheng, do you already have a plan to capture the enemy?"

The silver-haired man nodded, crossing his arms over his chest. "Since he is here to save people, let us spread the news and lure him into a trap. When the time comes, the Stronghold Master can strike personally, and we will surely capture him!"

"Brilliant! Brilliant!" Xi Lingbo clapped. "Brother Lezheng is truly resourceful. Protector Mishu, go and handle this matter shortly, but remember: do not spread the news to other strongholds, lest others covet the prize and ruin our plans."

The cunning Mishu nodded repeatedly, casting an appreciative glance at Lezheng Qing.

Xi Lingbo thought for a moment and continued, "Bashak, in the coming days, you must send more men to patrol, but only make a show of it; there is no need to be serious. You need not participate in the hunt for that cultivator; just focus on returning to your cave to heal your wounds."

Upon hearing this, Bashak’s expression soured further. It seemed he wouldn't even get a drop of soup after all his desperate fighting. But as a subordinate, what could he say? He could only bow and obey.

"Very well, that is settled. Once we capture that cultivator, you shall all be handsomely rewarded! The two of you may leave." Xi Lingbo waved his hand, and the two protectors bowed and departed.

"Brother Lezheng, how should we set this trap..." After the two had left, Xi Lingbo and his new Grand Protector began to whisper...