‘I’m… I’m not dead?’ Duan Ling Tian finally regained consciousness. He felt heavy in his head. ‘I remember… I was sucked into a whirlpool that suddenly appeared in the ocean.’
‘The whirlpool was really strong. I couldn’t resist it even though I’m powerful enough to defeat those below the Mortal Shedding Stage… The strength of the whirlpool is definitely above the Mortal Shedding Stage.’
‘I think I passed out from the beating of the waves from the whirlpool…’ Duan Ling Tian shook his head, trying to recall what happened before he lost consciousness.
‘Where’s this place?’ Duan Ling Tian regained his senses and took a good look at his surroundings. He discovered he was on a small and barren island, surrounded by the vast ocean.
“Where’s my Spatial Ring?” Soon after, Duan Ling Tian noticed his Spatial Ring was missing. It caused his expression to change drastically.
At this moment, a cold voice resounded from above, and a big silhouette appeared before him. “Are you looking for this?”
It was a middle-aged man dressed in black. He was big, tall, and muscular. He looked like a tower as he stood there. More importantly, he was holding the Spatial Ring in his hand.
Duan Ling Tian was, naturally, familiar with the Spatial Ring. It was his Spatial Ring after all.
“Bastard!” Duan Ling Tian could not help but frown as he shifted his focus from the Spatial Ring to the black-clad middle-aged man’s face. “Why are you here? Also… Why’s my Spatial Ring with you?”
The black-clad middle-aged man was none other than Di Yong who had left Half Moon Island of the Overseas Saint Islands a while ago. To be more precise, it was Wang Ba who had taken over Di Yong’s body.
Wang Ba was the soul remnant of a Devil Cultivator who had stayed inside Duan Ling Tian’s body back then. He once saved Duan Ling Tian’s life with the intention of using him to look for a suitable body for himself.
Di Yong did not reply Duan Ling Tian. Instead, he asked him in his deep voice, “Kid, where’s the pagoda?”
After removing the Blood Ownership Claim on Duan Ling Tian’s Spatial Ring with his Spiritual Energy at the Mortal Shedding Stage, he took ownership of Duan Ling Tian’s Spatial Ring… However, he did not find the exquisite pagoda in it.
He realized Duan Ling Tian had hidden the exquisite pagoda somewhere else, and he was certain it was somewhere around Duan Ling Tian.
Although he had no idea where Duan Ling Tian had hidden the pagoda. Due to its flexibility in size, it must have been hidden somewhere inconspicuous.
“How did you remove the ownership on my Spatial Ring?” At this moment, Duan Ling Tian discovered he had lost connection to his Spatial Ring, and his expression changed drastically again.
“Spiritual Energy above the Mortal Shedding Stage can easily remove ownerships of Spatial Rings below the Saint Weapon Stage,” Di Yong said calmly, “I know the pagoda must be with you… Tell me where did you hide it? I can’t believe I can’t find it.”
Duan Ling Tian took a deep breath, trying his best to calm himself down.
He only looked at Di Yong after a while and smirked. “Seems like you’ve claimed ownership of my Spatial Ring… What? The Devilseal Tablet didn’t do anything to you?”
He felt a little regretful at this moment. If he knew this day would come, he would have upgraded his Spatial Ring to the Quasi-Royal Grade… If he had done that, his Spatial Ring would be a step closer to the Saint Stage. He could have avoided someone removing his ownership of the ring.
“Hmph!” Di Yong’s face turned solemn when he heard Duan Ling Tian’s words.
Naturally, the Devilseal Tablet had almost gotten to Di Yong… The second he claimed ownership of Duan Ling Tian’s Spatial Ring, the Devilseal Tablet had stirred when it noticed his presence. He had removed his ownership of the Spatial Ring as soon as he discovered the pagoda was not in there. He was really worried the Devilseal Tablet would suppress his soul again.
Just like the saying went, ‘A child that had been burnt dreads fire!’
“Where is Xue Nai?” Duan Ling Tian asked in his deep voice after he calmed down.
He knew the reason why Di Yong was here. He was here for the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda.
Di Yong must have noticed how extraordinary the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda was and became greedy.
However, he did not impulsively snatch it away since the Devilseal Tablet and Han Xue Nai were always with Duan Ling Tian. That was why he had waited until today.
When Duan Ling Tian passed out, he had removed his Spatial Ring and claimed ownership of it so that he could no longer use the Devilseal Tablet.
Without the Devilseal Tablet, Duan Ling Tian knew very well that he was like a tiger without its teeth. Di Yong was not afraid of him at all.
“I’m guessing the little girl has people looking everywhere for you at this moment,” Di Yong smirked and said confidently, “However, they won’t be able to find you!”
Duan Ling Tian was relieved to hear that Xue Nai was safe.
Duan Ling Tian looked at Di Yong coldly. It was not difficult for him to figure out what had happened. He had connected the dots after he had calmed down. However, he wanted confirmation from Di Yong so he asked in his deep voice, “There was a whirlpool in the ocean before I passed out, did you do that?”
“That’s right.” Di Yong admitted immediately. “The whirlpool was caused by a Sea-Engulfing Beast… I gave the Sea-Engulfing Beast an enslavement brand, and it went to that part of the ocean under my command.”
“I’ve done so much to avoid that little girl and obtain your Spatial Ring! Good things really come to those who wait. I’ve finally done it,” Di Yong said as he smiled charmingly.
Soon after, the smile on Di Yong’s face disappeared, and he said to Duan Ling Tian solemnly, “I’m warning you, you better hand over the pagoda obediently! Just tell me the way to not be repelled by it, and I’ll spare your life!”
“Do you mean… You’ll kill me if I don’t hand over the pagoda?” Duan Ling Tian’s voice turned deeper as he stared at Di Yong.
“I won’t kill you. I’ll torture you into telling me where the pagoda is and its secret. But I’ll kill you eventually if you make me torture you to spill the secret!” An eerie smile appeared on Di Yong’s face again when he spoke.
“I’ll kill you first!” Duan Ling Tian’s eyes gleamed ferociously when Di Yong finished speaking. At the same time, he seemed to have turned into a cannonball as he shot up into the sky. Subsequently, a bow and arrow appeared in his hand.
Aerolite Strike!
When he pulled the bowstring into a full draw, Duan Ling Tian quickly released the arrow in his hand. The arrow shot toward Di Yong like a bolt of lightning.
“Child’s play!” Di Yong lifted his arm slowly. He did not seem bothered by Duan Ling Tian’s unexpected attack.
All of a sudden, invisible energy with a majestic aura came toward the arrow Duan Ling Tian had shot out.
Moreover, the air above Duan Ling Tian’s head began to rumble at the same time.
Duan Ling Tian felt as though a gigantic palm had appeared and was pressing down on him forcefully. He felt his strength being suppressed.
Bang!
A deafening explosion reverberated in the air.
Duan Ling Tian was caught unprepared. He was pressed down to the ground by the force, causing him to feel lightheaded.
‘So this is the strength of someone at the Mortal Shedding Stage?’ Duan Ling Tian thought to himself. He felt pain all over his body.
At this moment, he was left with just one thought.
He was just an ant in Di Yong’s eyes… An ant that could be stepped on as Di Yong wished!
Naturally, he knew very well this was because of the difference between his strength and the Mortal Shedding Stage.
‘Although I’ve comprehended the Ninth Level Emperor Stage Fused Profundity that makes me undefeatable when it comes to people below the Mortal Shedding Stage, I’ll still be defeated when I encounter someone at the Mortal Shedding Stage!’ Duan Ling Tian thought to himself at this moment.
‘Too bad I’ve just comprehended the Ninth Level Emperor Stage Fused Profundity not too long ago and have yet to step into the Mortal Shedding Stage… Otherwise, I wouldn’t have to go through this now,’ Duan Ling Tian thought to himself.
“Brat, my patience is limited… If you’re unwilling to tell me, I have my way of making you tell me everything! Don’t forget, I’m a Devil Cultivator. Moreover, I was once a Saint Stage Devil Cultivator!” Di Yong threatened impatiently.
“Xue Nai’s right… This is what Devil Cultivators are like. They shouldn’t be underestimated. Too bad I didn’t take her words her seriously,” Duan Ling Tian said coldly, “I regret not using the Devilseal Tablet to suppress you back then to spare all future troubles!”
“There are no pills that can cure regret in this world,” Di Yong said calmly, “I’ll give you the span of ten breaths… You either hand over the pagoda and tell me its secret or you prepare yourself for the ‘gift’ I’ve prepared for you.”
“At that time, there’ll be no way for you to take back your words… I have at least a hundred ways to get you to hand over the pagoda and tell me its secret!” Di Yong’s tone was getting colder as he spoke. It was so cold that it could give rise to goosebumps. It was as though his voice came directly from hell.
Duan Ling Tian’s heart sank when he heard Di Yong’s words.
“Elder Huo, do you have any idea what I should do?” Duan Ling Tian inhaled deeply and took the initiative to contact Elder Huo, the Three-legged Golden Crow, in the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda. He knew Elder Huo would not be aware of what was happening outside if he did not contact him.
Although Elder Huo was powerful, he could not leave the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda. Even his energy could not be sent out from the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda. The only thing that could be sent out was his voice.
Duan Ling Tian contacted him not to ask him to attack… He wanted to ask Elder Huo if there was any way for him to escape his predicament.
“Do what he said, give him the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda… Also, tell him the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda’s secret,” Elder Huo responded to Duan Ling Tian soon after.