Chapter 1018: Chapter 1017: The Army Arrives

A terrifying bloodstorm, centered on that blood cocoon, swept wantonly across the bottom of that blood sea. From within, it seemed as though thick blood streaks extended from all directions, all connecting to that blood cocoon.

Within the blood cocoon, there was clearly an extremely fearsome energy brewing, as if nurturing a strong embryo.

Ling Chen activated his Gold Sword Pupil to its limit, and he could vaguely see a huge, indistinct dark shadow behind the blood cocoon. The aura of this shadow was ancient, dark, and sinister. Just one glance at it made Ling Chen’s soul tremble, and he felt that a portion of his Vital Energy was invisibly drained, which greatly startled him.

This is the power of the Witch God, so terrifying.

An indescribable and astonishing oppression permeated from within the blood cocoon.

Ling Chen knew that Xia Yunxin was currently slumbering in that blood cocoon, recovering her strength in such a terrifying way.

This place, at the bottom of the Blood Sea, could only serve as a cultivation ground for the Witch God. If it were him, his body would soon be crushed and exploded.

"It seems she still has some time before she’s successful."

Seeing the state before him, Ling Chen estimated that Xia Yunxin still had quite some time before she would emerge. For now, she wouldn’t be coming out.

Upon this thought, Ling Chen did not stay any longer at the bottom of this blood sea; the pressure here was no joke. For Ling Chen, every minute spent here exacted a significant toll.

Activating his True Qi, Ling Chen swiftly swam towards the surface of the blood sea.

The bottom of this blood sea was still surging, continuing that terrifying influx.

...

Outside, Spirit Snake Island.

After more than ten days of preparations, all the traps, mazes, and defensive formations around Spirit Snake Island had been activated. The entire Witch Fiend Sect entered a state of first-level combat readiness. Numerous powerful members of the Witch Fiend Sect scattered outside rushed back to Spirit Snake Island, preparing for the imminent battle.

They had long received word that the Ling Family’s army was on its way. This time, the Ling Family appeared to be coming with full force, undoubtedly intent on completely annihilating the Witch Fiend Sect.

Thus, this is a battle of life and death.

Almost all the powerful members of the Witch Fiend Sect were on edge, including top officials like the Left Guardian Law, who were all in a state of high alert, not daring to be at ease for even a moment.

At the center of Witch Fiend Sect, atop a high tower.

The Left and Right Guardians of the Witch Fiend Sect, along with Thousand Ghosts Saint, Bone You Insane Saint, and others, were all at the top of that tower, gazing out at the seas beyond Spirit Snake Island. It seemed calm, but the quieter it appeared now, the more violently the storm was expected to come.

"This time, the Ling Family comes with an overwhelming force. Many powerful members who were outside have been urgently called back to their families, joining this expedition against our Witch Fiend Sect."

"Not only the Ling Family, but the Lan Family, Fang Family, and Ouyang Family, these Saint Families from Xuzhou, have also almost mobilized their entire families to march with the Ling Family."

"This time, the battle will determine the life and death of our Witch Fiend Sect. Relying solely on ourselves, it would be difficult to withstand it. We have no choice but to place our hope on the Witch Goddess."

A group of high-level members of the Witch Fiend Sect looked at each other.

"More than half a month has passed, and we still don’t know how the Witch Goddess’s progress is going?"

The Left Guardian furrowed his brow; whether or not Xia Yunxin could restore her strength and how much of it she could recover would determine the outcome of this battle.

"According to reports from Ghost Spirit Evil Saint, there’s still no movement in the blood sea. Not only has the Witch Goddess not come out, but even Ling Chen remains in the blood sea, yet to emerge."

Thousand Ghosts Saint said.

Hearing this, the Left Guardian couldn’t help but be surprised, "It’s been more than ten days; it’s understandable that the Witch Goddess could stay so long in the Witch Mountain Blood Sea, but Ling Chen, how could he also endure so long in the blood sea?"

The Witch Mountain Blood Sea is filled with extremely domineering Ancient Witch Energy. They practiced the cultivation techniques of the Witch Fiend Sect, allowing them to absorb this energy, but Ling Chen, a disciple of the Ling Family, whose True Qi is fundamentally incompatible with Ancient Witch Energy, how could he stay so long in the blood sea?

"The boy didn’t run into some accident, did he?" the Right Protector suddenly said.

"There is likely no problem. Ling Chen is exceptionally powerful and very cautious. If he found himself unable to hold on, he would have exited of his own accord by now. It seems he’s just not ready to come out," the Left Guardian pondered aloud.

"If that’s true, the boy is a real freak."

The Right Protector twitched his mouth slightly. The blood sea is such a terrifying place. Although Ling Chen had the Ancient Witch Jade Marrow given by Xia Yunxin, it was still incredible to have cultivated within for more than half a month.

Fortunately, such a person is not currently an enemy, but still on their side.

Rumbling sounds!

Just then, the sea within everyone’s view abruptly erupted in turmoil, like an apocalyptic storm brewing. Vast waves rolled and surged. Behind these towering waves were gigantic ships, each at least a hundred meters wide, numbering in the hundreds, surging through the waves toward Spirit Snake Island.

In the sky above, dark clouds billowed, thunder rumbled, and suddenly, the dark clouds parted open. Three massive flying warships, each a hundred meters long, pierced through the mist, traversing the sky like three ancient desolate behemoths.

Seeing this scene, the Left Guardian’s expression abruptly changed, though he wasn’t too surprised.

"What must come, still comes."

The Left Guardian took a deep breath; scouts had long reported that the Ling Family army’s arrival was approximately on schedule.

"According to the set plan, prepare to meet the enemy."

The moment the words fell, continuous rushing wind sounds echoed, and the Right Protector, along with Thousand Ghosts Saint and Bone You Insane Saint, each dashed out to their assigned areas to oversee the Array Formation.

As for the Left Guardian, he naturally was responsible for central command, acting as a firefighter, responding wherever issues arose.

At this moment, aboard the largest flying warship in the sky, there were several exceedingly strong figures present. The high-level members of the Ling Family, such as Ling Tingfeng, Ling Lie, and Ling Zhen, were all there. Besides them, there were two even more terrifying figures, appearing on the deck of the warship.

If the aura of a Saint is like a vortex, then these two figures were akin to black holes.

One of them, if Ling Chen were here, he would recognize as the Great Elder who had previously hunted him. The other, also an elder, had an aura not inferior to the former. He was blind in one eye, but the other eye emitted a sharp gaze like a sharp sword, radiating extraordinarily intense fluctuations.

"Ling Yi, Ling Tianzun, I didn’t expect these two ancient elders from the Ling Family, who had long stopped concerning themselves with worldly matters, to have both come."

Seeing those extraordinarily powerful figures, the Left Guardian’s eyes narrowed slightly, and his face turned gravely serious.