Swish!

As soon as Chu Ming stepped out of Mukong Island, a ripple appeared in the space before him. A graceful figure emerged from it; it was the waiting Cyan Bird King.

"How did it go? Did you get the Wood Profound Fruit?"

The Cyan Bird King breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Chu Ming safe and sound, and then she inquired.

"I didn't fail!"

Chu Ming replied respectfully, then reached into his storage space with his right hand. A bright green, fist-sized fruit appeared in his palm, twirling around.

"Good, well done!"

As soon as the Wood Profound Fruit appeared in the space, the wood spirit power between heaven and earth suddenly thickened by more than tenfold, causing the Cyan Bird King to be both surprised and delighted. As long as she refined the Wood Profound Fruit, she was almost guaranteed to advance to the middle tier of the King realm.

Swish!

The Cyan Bird King grasped the Wood Profound Fruit in her hand, scrutinizing it for a moment before she promised, "I will fulfill my promise to you. If you encounter trouble in the future, I will help you twice within my ability."

"Thank you, Cyan Bird King!"

Chu Ming responded respectfully. The promise of a King was invaluable, and it could be crucial in determining life and death in critical moments.

"Let us go then!"

The Cyan Bird King tugged at Chu Ming's sleeve, causing the space to ripple away like water, and they traversed through it effortlessly.

"Where are the Profound Spirit King and Liu Shengchuan?"

In the interspace, Chu Ming did not see the Profound Spirit King, and he asked curiously.

"It seems that something urgent happened in the Beiling Alliance, and they were summoned back!"

The Cyan Bird King responded lightly, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes. When the Profound Spirit King left, he had a grave expression, indicating that something significant had occurred. After all, a King's composure would not waver even if mountains crumbled before them.

...

South of the North Sea, Beiling Alliance.

"Liu Wuxiang, hand over the Nine Herds Origin Map, or today will be the day of the Beiling Alliance's destruction!"

A malicious shout echoed, followed by a massive shadow, tens of thousands of meters long, appearing in the sea. With a splash, a huge and peculiar sea beast flew out of the sea, causing tidal waves to surge, and wind and rain to swirl in the sky, forming circular vortices of spiritual power.

"Tuntian Giant Kun, it's not within your power to destroy my Beiling Alliance."

A vigorous voice rang out, and in the sky over North Spirit Island, a middle-aged man, about fifty years old, appeared, staring solemnly at the massive sea beast before him.

The middle-aged man had his hair tied up, with a few strands of white extending from his temples. His gaze was profoundly deep, and atop his head, faint wisps of purple qi signified the culmination of his cultivation technique.

Liu Wuxiang, the Alliance Leader of the Beiling Alliance, wielded power that stood between top-tier Kings and emperors. Known as the Sword King of Impermanence, he was a prominent figure in the North Sea. Establishing the Beiling Alliance had been no small feat.

"I alone may not be enough, but I have countless subordinates. I don't believe your Beiling Alliance can outlast me!"

The Tuntian Giant Kun, with a body stretching over ten thousand miles and densely packed fine legs about a hundred meters long each, was covered in scales that reflected the chill of the sea. Its eyes were icy crimson, and its mouth filled with sharp teeth exuded a terrifying aura, as if to suppress everything in the world.

The Tuntian Giant Kun was also a North Sea Overlord, matching Liu Wuxiang in combat prowess.

As soon as its cold voice fell, countless shadows swam back and forth in the sea, endless in sight. With a splash, numerous sea beasts emerged from the depths, their imposing manner and cold killing intent almost tangible.

These sea beasts were smaller versions of the Tuntian Giant Kun, similar in appearance but far less imposing. Most were Tier Eight sea beasts, with only two-tenths being Tier Nine sea beasts, and seven or eight being King-tier sea beasts.

Seven or eight King-tier sea beasts equated to seven or eight Life and Death Realm Kings. Such a force could destroy any of the four pavilions in the Central Divine Domain. Even the Beiling Alliance, with its vast resources, felt the tremendous pressure.

"The Nine Herds Origin Map is impossible to give you, but I can compensate you with other treasures."

Liu Wuxiang hesitated briefly, then said calmly.

"Hahaha, Liu Wuxiang, I respect you as a formidable hero, but I never expected you to say something so foolish today. What treasure in the world can compare to the Nine Herds Origin Map?"

The Tuntian Giant Kun laughed as if hearing the most ridiculous joke in the world, its deafening laughter mingled with a hint of mockery.

"Do you intend to be at odds with my Beiling Alliance?"

Liu Wuxiang's face darkened as he spoke coldly.

"Today, apart from the Nine Herds Origin Map, I want nothing else!"

The Tuntian Giant Kun said slowly, its eyes filled with icy killing intent. The sea beasts behind it became restless and filled the sky with furious roars.

On North Spirit Island, the Beiling Alliance experts stared gravely at the Tuntian Giant Kun in the sky. Despite the separation by a sixth-level array, they could still sense the demonic god-like aura exuding from the Tuntian Giant Kun.

"Then we have no choice but to fight!"

Liu Wuxiang sighed lightly; the Nine Herds Origin Map was crucial for his chance to ascend to emperor, so it was utterly impossible to surrender it to the Tuntian Giant Kun. To rob someone of their opportunity was akin to taking their life.

Rumble!

Thunder and lightning surged, and then a terrifying Thunder Battle Sword appeared in Liu Wuxiang's hand. With the sword in hand, Liu Wuxiang's aura underwent a drastic transformation, as if he were a god about to awaken. The terrifying Secrets of the Sword shredded the space, and the sea beasts close to the surface were torn into a bloody mist.

"Kill!"

The Tuntian Giant Kun roared, its massive body charging towards North Spirit Island with an imposing momentum. If it were an ordinary island, it would have been instantly broken apart by such an attack.

But North Spirit Island was protected by a sixth-level array, and the Tuntian Giant Kun's strike merely caused a ripple on the island's surface, without even a tremor.

...

Swish!

The Cyan Bird King and Chu Ming moved at great speed, and after half an hour's full-throttle travel, they had covered half the distance.

At this moment, the calm sea surface suddenly churned with turbulent waves, and dark clouds roared on the horizon, as if doomsday were approaching. In the interspace, the Cyan Bird King's face suddenly turned grim.

"Senior Qing, what's wrong?"

Chu Ming turned to inquire, a sudden sense of dread rising in his heart as if he were being watched by a fierce beast.

"We've been targeted by the Thousand Demon Palace's experts."

The Cyan Bird King said in a deep voice, her serious expression showing no sign of easing.

"I fear I won't be able to escort you back to the Central Divine Domain. In a moment, I'll hold them off while you find a chance to escape!"