Chapter Forty-Seven

Gu Liuyun departed from the desolate island with Ye Manman and Chen Jiaojiao, their hearts brimming with hope and anticipation.

They stood upon the shore, gazing out over the vast, endless sea. The salty sea breeze caressed their faces, refreshing their spirits.

Gu Liuyun’s gaze was resolute, as if he had already fixed upon a target.

“This fragment… it seems to be…” Gu Liuyun murmured, eyes scanning the distant horizon.

Ye Manman and Chen Jiaojiao exchanged a glance, each seeing unwavering determination reflected in the other’s eyes.

“Liuyun, where are you heading?” Ye Manman asked gently, a trace of worry lacing her voice.

“We’re going to search for that piece of the seven-colored stone,” Gu Liuyun replied, a confident smile curling at his lips.

The three boarded a small boat, and Gu Liuyun steered it into the unknown expanse of the ocean.

Waves surged turbulently, crashing against the boat with a roaring sound.

A shadow of gravity settled over Gu Liuyun’s brow; he sensed an unusual fluctuation, a peril drawing ever closer.

“Liuyun, I feel danger,” Chen Jiaojiao’s brows furrowed tightly. Her spiritual senses, sharp as ever, had already detected the unsettling atmosphere.

“Indeed. Be cautious,” Gu Liuyun nodded, narrowing his eyes with a hawk-like sharpness.

Suddenly, a dark silhouette appeared on the distant sea, several figures rapidly closing in.

Each of these individuals was exceptionally skilled, radiating an imposing aura—clearly masters among masters.

“They’ve been sent by Ye Qingqing!” Ye Manman’s expression shifted, anger tinging her tone.

“I didn’t expect her to find us so quickly,” Gu Liuyun murmured.

“Prepare to fight. I’ll protect you both,” Gu Liuyun declared decisively, his movements growing lighter and more fluid.

He inhaled deeply, gathering his spiritual energy as if drawing the very essence of the ocean into himself.

The approaching masters closed in swiftly, one sneered coldly, “Gu Liuyun, this time you won’t escape!”

A faint smile played upon Gu Liuyun’s lips.

Around them, the sea breeze grew harsher, waves pounding against the boat with fierce intensity.

Ignoring all else, Gu Liuyun’s eyes locked solely on his adversaries, and in their eyes, he saw only despair.

“Liuyun, be careful!” Ye Manman and Chen Jiaojiao shouted in unison, clutching their weapons tightly, ready to provide support at a moment’s notice.

Gu Liuyun smiled slightly as a dazzling light suddenly appeared in his hand.

Softly chanting, his entire body seemed enveloped in radiant light.

“This time, it’s your turn to regret,” he declared.

With that, Gu Liuyun leapt forward like a streak of lightning, charging into the masters. The sea erupted into tumultuous waves.

His figure flickered, vanishing like a phantom, evading the fierce attacks hurtling toward him.

“Is that all? Daring to show off before me?” A disdainful smile tugged at his lips. The battle experience of a former celestial sovereign was no trivial matter.

To him, these opponents were mere buffoons—flashy but ineffective.

The masters’ strikes missed their mark, leaving them bewildered and exchanging glances—they never expected Gu Liuyun to be so elusive.

They unleashed every technique, blades flashing with lethal precision, yet none could grasp even the hem of Gu Liuyun’s garment.

He moved like the wind, weaving through the storm of steel with leisurely grace, as if strolling in his own garden.

Even carefree, he winked at them with a playful charm.

Ye Manman and Chen Jiaojiao watched anxiously from the sidelines, fists clenched tightly, yearning to rush in but restrained by their own limitations.

They knew rash interference would only hinder Gu Liuyun.

They could only watch nervously, praying silently for his safety.

Noticing their worry, Gu Liuyun glanced back with a reassuring smile, sending them a gaze that said, “Everything is under control.”

That look was a balm to their anxious hearts.

Suddenly, a gleaming longsword appeared in Gu Liuyun’s hand, shimmering with icy light. Thunder crackled faintly along its blade.

“They say speed isn’t everything, but swift victory is unbreakable. Today, I’ll open the eyes of you narrow-minded frogs,” Gu Liuyun chuckled lightly, vanishing again in a blur, leaving behind a trail of afterimages.

The masters felt their vision blur. In the next instant, Gu Liuyun’s sword was pressed against their throats.

“Is that all? Pathetic,” he taunted, the sword radiating a chilling aura of deadly intent.

At that moment, the masters shifted formation, intertwining like phantoms. Each brandished a dagger shimmering with eerie light.

The air thickened with a suffocating, murderous tension—as calm before the storm.

“Heh, interesting,” Gu Liuyun’s eyes narrowed, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

The masters’ speed surged, encircling Gu Liuyun like specters.

Their ghostly daggers carved sinister arcs through the air, the cold aiming straight for Gu Liuyun’s vital points.

He dared not be careless, swinging his sword to parry. Blades clashed, metal rang harshly, sparks flying.

The surrounding sea churned violently, like boiling water, the oppressive atmosphere suffocating.

Gradually, Gu Liuyun felt the strain. Though formidable, he had yet to regain his peak strength; facing these well-trained masters was still a challenge.

“Damn, these guys are tough!” he cursed silently but remained vigilant.

The masters pressed relentlessly, their attacks growing fiercer. Gu Liuyun was drawn into a grueling struggle.

His stamina rapidly dwindled; breaths came short and sharp.

Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, stinging as the salty sea breeze brushed his skin.

Suddenly, Gu Liuyun’s gaze sharpened; a plan formed.

Feigning a flaw, he pretended to be struck by one, staggering backward with a muffled groan.

“Haha, Gu Liuyun, you’re nothing special!” The masters cheered, thinking victory was certain. Relaxing their guard, they closed in to finish him off.

At that moment, a cold smile curved Gu Liuyun’s lips.

His eyes snapped open, brilliant light bursting forth as he shouted, “Just waiting for you to take the bait!”

Before the words faded, his longsword transformed into a lightning bolt, striking the nearest foe.

The man was caught off guard, flung violently onto the sea’s surface, a massive splash erupting.

The others were stunned, hastily retreating to widen the distance.

But Gu Liuyun’s speed was unmatched, weaving like a ghost among them. His sword swung like the Grim Reaper’s scythe, reaping their lives.

Screams pierced the air; blood stained the sea crimson, the metallic stench thickening.

In a blink, all the masters lay defeated, sprawled on the water, barely clinging to life.

Standing at the bow, Gu Liuyun gazed into the distance, eyes sharp with vigilance.

He knew Ye Qingqing would not relent; this battle was only the beginning.

“Seems I need to hasten my pace…” he murmured, his gaze profound, as if able to pierce all illusions.

The sea wind howled, waves surged, and Gu Liuyun’s silhouette appeared especially solitary beneath the setting sun.

Turning to Ye Manman and Chen Jiaojiao, he said, “Let’s go.”

The small boat cut through the waves, sailing toward the unknown horizon…