Sea Cultivation: Giant Ships and Heavy Artillery Knock on the Door to All Races

Chapter 278: The Murder of Chu Junhao, Shifting the Blame Eastward!

Lin Qianfan, who had been making a high-profile appearance in Baishazhou for about ten days, felt that the time was about right. He was sure that the details of Tianji Wheel and himself had been conveyed to Chu Junhao, and he was just afraid that Chu Junhao would not come.

The first day of autumn,
As the storm receded, the Tianji ship, laden with goods from the Northwest Region, bid farewell to its new companion on Baisha Island and set off towards the Western Regions.

"Let's traverse the dangerous and uninhabited area of ​​Wan'ao this time, so we can hurry to Lingji Island and attend the Heavenly Sea Banquet."

"Thirteenth Master, the Bay Ao Demon King has a record of attacking merchant ships three times. Isn't it too risky to go through the perilous Bay Ao territory? Although it could save two days, there's no need to take the risk..."

The crew member in charge of taking over the helm should remind the captain.

“It’s alright! I’ve checked the navigation records for the last hundred years. The Wan’ao Demon King is likely no longer in the Wan’ao dangerous land or has fallen into a long slumber. Even the beast tide has not made any move for ten years.”

Lin Qianfan deliberately chose this dangerous route, which has the shortest distance and the least time, but is also the most likely to be attacked.

Three days later,
Following Lin Qianfan's plan, the Tianji ship sailed into the perilous Wan'ao land.
Although this route is a shortcut, there is a very small chance of encountering the Bay Demon King, so ordinary merchant ships rarely dare to force their way in. Only powerful warships dare to cross it.

However, there are not many powerful ships in the four inland seas, and they rarely come to this remote and impoverished area. Therefore, this route has been deserted for a long time, and one might even encounter sea monsters along the way.
Ordinary sea monsters are no match for the Heavenly Pivot Wheel; even without third-tier attack methods, dealing with them is effortless.

This trip has given me a clear understanding of the route, so I can use it again in the future. It was definitely worth the trip.

"Will he come?"

A plan is just a plan. Newly promoted Golden Core cultivators shouldn't go out and wander around easily; they should hide during their vulnerable period.

"Maybe. Even if they don't come this time, it's fine. We can just follow this route every time, and eventually we'll catch something."

The Heavenly Pivot Wheel was in the light, while the Blood Dove Demon King was in the dark. The pace of their movements was neither too fast nor too slow, just waiting for Chu Junhao to take the bait.

Hundred miles away,

Chu Junhao, who had been hiding and waiting there in advance, confirmed through his informants that the Tianji Wheel was approaching. He was eager to sink it, as the opportunity was too good to pass up and he couldn't afford to wait even a day longer.

"You have a path to heaven but you refuse to take it, and you barge into the underworld when there's no way out. Do you really think that becoming a disciple of the Martial Might Hall will resolve our feud? You dare come here? You're courting death!"

After Chu Junhao formed his Golden Core, he publicly claimed that he needed to familiarize himself with the abilities of the Golden Core stage and went into seclusion for a long period of time. In reality, however, he was closely monitoring the movements of the Tianji Wheel.
If his nineteenth uncle impersonates him and openly causes some trouble in the Chu family's Chaoji Immortal City at the time of the crime, that would be the perfect alibi.

No one would bother to investigate where his nineteenth uncle is, otherwise that would be a great disrespect to the Chu family. As for this matter, it can be completely attributed to the Wan'ao Demon King. Anyway, this is a no-man's land, and the Wan'ao Demon King has long since disappeared without a trace, leaving no way to verify the truth.

"coming!"

As the Tianji Wheel entered the heart of the perilous Wan'ao land, it also entered Chu Junhao's observation radius and gradually his kill radius.
goo~
Just as Chu Junhao was waiting for the two sides to get closer and try to break through the Tianji Wheel's conventional defense with one strike, suddenly, a blood-red gust of wind launched a sneak attack on Chu Junhao's location. It was the Blood Dove Demon King, who had been hiding in the shadows, who had locked onto Chu Junhao in advance.

clang~
Chu Junhao's magic weapon barely blocked the sneak attack, but he was still blasted far away, clearly indicating a difference in strength between him and the Blood Dove Demon King.
Why did you ambush me? Who are you?

"You who will kill you! Prepare to die!"

Without offering any explanation, the Blood Dove Demon King revealed his true intentions and went straight for Chu Junhao's life, forcing him to fight with all his might.

"Arrogant scraggly bird, I recognize you! You were sent by Cangxia Mountain to assassinate me, weren't you? You're no match for me! Demonic Flame Purple Transformation!"

Just as he was about to avenge his great enemy, he was interrupted by a sudden turn of events. Enraged, Chu Junhao summoned his beast fire to fight with all his might.

The Chu family's forceful entry into the Northwest Region will inevitably squeeze the living space of other Golden Core forces. Although their location is in the far west, quite far from Cangxia Mountain, it is an undeniable fact that they have weakened Cangxia Mountain's influence and actual benefits.
The pot in the Northwest Region is only so big. If a big eater suddenly squeezes in, everyone else will go hungry. All the slightly decent forces have conflicts of interest with the Chu family.

"You're not stupid either! Blood Feather Storm! Die!"

Although the Blood Vulture Demon King at the early stage of the third rank wasn't particularly powerful, suppressing a newly promoted Golden Core cultivator at the first level shouldn't be a problem, especially since Chu Junhao wasn't yet proficient in many of his Golden Core techniques.

The sudden commotion ahead quickly reached Tianji Wheel. The fire giant and the blood-red behemoth were too conspicuous, and the waves stirred up by the aftershocks of their battle even reached Tianji Wheel.

"Turn around immediately! Avoid the area ahead! A battle between Golden Core cultivators has broken out in the sea ahead! Use high-grade spirit stones to activate! Quickly!"

The Tianji Wheel, naturally unable to get involved in such matters, immediately turned around.

"Such a commotion, such power, are they two demon kings?"

"No, it seems like a Golden Core cultivator is fighting a third-tier demon king. Could someone be wiping out the Bay Turtle Demon King? That makes sense, that bastard is hiding in the inner sea and still not behaving himself, he deserves to die!"

Powered by high-grade spirit stones, the Tianji Wheel's speed increased dramatically. It turned around to avoid the center of the battle and activated its defensive formation before emerging to observe the fight.

"I don't know, it could be another demon king. The Bay Turtle Demon King should be a water-attribute demon king, but it has nothing to do with us!"

The raging torrents of water and crimson gales pushed out from the center of the battlefield aided the Tianji Wheel, accelerating its retreat. Unfortunately, the original plan to take a shortcut failed, and it had to take a detour.

In the battle between wind and fire, although fire was powerful, it was at a disadvantage.

"Fellow Daoist, we have no grudge against each other, how about we call it quits?"

Chu Junhao had just been annoyed by the fact that his assassination plan had been discovered and had fought back, but now he realized that he was no match for the monster in front of him and began to speak politely.

Especially when he saw the Tianji Wheel gradually fading from view, he was afraid that Lin Qianfan had really run away and that he might not have another chance in the future.

"No enmity? Your Chu family is powerful and domineering, constantly gathering small Golden Core forces around you. This has shaken the very foundation of my Cangxia Mountain's survival. Die!"

The Blood Dove Demon King's apparent identity is that of a guest elder of Cangxia Mountain. If he kills Chu Junhao, Cangxia Mountain will definitely have to take the blame.

"The Chu family's focus is on developing the Silent Sea, and they haven't encroached on much of the interests in the Northwest Region. Fellow Daoist, you must be clear-headed!"

"I don't care about you!"

The Blood Dove Demon King was quite familiar with human combat styles, and he was able to suppress Chu Junhao with ease while protecting himself from injury.

"I, Chu Junhao, will remember this grudge, and in the future..."

Just as Chu Junhao was at a disadvantage in every way, his magical power was gradually waning, and he was planning to use the escape trump card prepared for him by his family to retreat, a sudden, violent blood-red rune invaded his sea of ​​consciousness.

"Damn it! They have backup..."

The timing of this soul attack was perfect, coinciding with Chu Junhao's weakened state, his desire to retreat, and his focus on multiple tasks.
Xinglan, who had been observing from the shadows, made her move! "No! I don't want to be controlled! I want freedom! I..."

Chu Junhao's will to resist was quite strong, but after all, he was only a newly promoted Golden Core Stage 1 cultivator who had only been at the stage for a little over a month, and his abilities were limited. Under Xinglan's domineering invasion, he quickly lost the ability to resist.

"…Owner!"

"Fight to the death and never retreat!"

Xinglan did not appear in person, nor did she take any of his belongings; she only issued a single command via telepathy:

Let him fight the Blood Dove Demon King to the death!

"As ordered!"

Then, the human and the demon fought to the death under Xinglan's control. Even though Chu Junhao was seriously injured, he did not retreat until they ran out of ammunition and food.

"Pfft~"

With his magical artifact shattered and his magic power depleted, Chu Junhao was caught off guard and struck. The Blood Dove Demon King seized the opportunity to tear open Chu Junhao's dantian and extract his golden core, thus ending the battle.

"So...this was...a trap...targeting me...what a...vicious...tactic...I...regret it so much..."

In his final moments, Chu Junhao regained his senses, and images of his short life flashed before his eyes:

A young prodigy, enjoying a life of success and triumph, before his family suffered a devastating tragedy.
During his studies abroad, he provoked Lin Qianfan, and afterwards, everything went wrong, leading to his unsatisfactory Core Formation and his impending death. Scenes from the past flashed by rapidly. Although he was unwilling, he was powerless.

If you ask me if I have any regrets, deep down I do!

The main reason for the feud between Lin Qianfan and the Chu family was that Lin Qianfan failed to adjust his mindset after the Chu family's downfall, and his arrogant attitude led him to harm others. Later, he himself reviewed the whole story of how the feud between the two began.
But the feud had already been formed, and it was difficult to resolve. His pride prevented him from truly humbling himself to try and resolve it. The only thing he hadn't expected was that his luck would be so bad.

He sneaked out to kill someone, but unexpectedly encountered someone who came specifically to kill him. He could only lament his bad luck and unfortunate fate!

In terms of cultivation, the Blood Dove Demon King was much stronger than Chu Junhao, but he didn't have as many tricks up his sleeve. Although he killed him, it took a lot of effort, but obtaining Chu Junhao's golden core was still a great gain.

After swallowing Chu Junhao's body and golden core, the Blood Dove Demon King immediately fled towards the Silent Sea with all of Chu Junhao's belongings.

All that was left was a scene that couldn't be properly dealt with!
Lin Qianfan naturally couldn't let him follow secretly anymore, otherwise there would be too many things that couldn't be explained. Now, the guest elder of Cangxia Mountain, the Blood Dove Demon King, attacked and killed Chu Junhao, and then fled to the Silent Sea to become a wild demon out of fear of punishment. It had nothing to do with Tianji Wheel.

As for why the Blood Dove Demon King and Chu Junhao secretly sneaked here, that's left to others to speculate. All Tianji Wheel can provide is a brief glimpse of the Shadow Stone.

Chu Family Tide Silent City
This is a third-tier immortal city that the Chu family is currently building. The Chu family has many Golden Core cultivators, so naturally they need many profitable industries. Since the Chu family moved to the Northwest Region, they have been constantly expanding their territory, integrating resources, and building industries.
From now on, Chaoji City will be the training ground arranged by the Chu family for Chu Junhao and his nephew. They will not only have to rely on this immortal city to support themselves, but also continuously earn money to support the Chu family.

Boom boom~

The purple flame spell launched from the garrison into the sky was quite a spectacle, but the cultivators who were building the immortal city seemed to have gotten used to it and did not react in any special way.

Starting a month ago, several such fire spells have been cast every day, seemingly by a newly arrived Golden Core cultivator.

The garrison is located inside the government building.

Chu Yunjing, who impersonated Chu Junhao and helped him perfect his alibi, suddenly felt a sharp pain in his heart for no reason; it was a deep, inexplicable sorrow.

"What happened? What happened... Could it be Junhao?"

This feeling rarely occurs to Golden Core cultivators unless something major happens that is closely related to them. Within the entire Chu family, only Chu Junhao truly shares the same bloodline as Chu Yunjing.
Chu Yunjing contacted Chu Junhao immediately, but received no response.

He immediately contacted the Chu family's territory, wanting them to check if there was a problem with the Chu Junhao spirit tablet left in the ancestral hall, but before he could ask, he heard some terrible news from the other end.

"...Supreme Lord Junhao's spirit tablet just... shattered!"

"What? Are you sure?"

Chu Yunjing's brain froze on the spot. He couldn't believe it. He had only gone to assassinate a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator. How could this have happened?
"Just now, the soul tablet of Grandmaster Junhao suddenly shattered. He must have encountered a very strong opponent and had no chance to weaken."

The fact that the soul tablet did not show any signs of weakness indicates that the battle between the two sides was not long and that there was an objective gap in their strength. They were even unable to escape, a level of strength that most early-stage Golden Core cultivators do not possess.

"Who is it? Could it be the Lin family? That's impossible. I'm sure there's only one fake Core Formation cultivator on that ship. They couldn't possibly do that. Could it be a deliberate attack on my Chu family? No, I have to go check it out!"

Chu Yunjing had always treated his nephew Chu Junhao as his own son. Now that he had been murdered, he was in a state of utter turmoil and immediately left Chaoji Immortal City to go to Wan'ao Xiongdi, the ambush site that Chu Junhao had set up.

"Huh? Where is Elder Yunjing rushing off to in such a hurry?"

"Why would a Golden Core expert, sitting high above the clouds, be in such a hurry?"

"Yes, I must have misread it. Sigh, if only our lineage had a Supreme Elder, we wouldn't have to do such menial work and could just relax..."

"Stop dreaming. We're just using the name of the Chu family as a cover. What's the difference between us and ordinary people? Golden Core? Wishful thinking! Ordinary branches will never have Golden Core cultivators!"

"Dude, you're going too far!"

"No! It might have been possible before, but now that the family has declined, resources are all concentrated in the main branch, and it's impossible for the smaller branches to rise to prominence!"

"Cultivating immortality is all up to human effort!"

"Daydreaming! Get back to work, brother!"

The Chu family wasn't too far from the perilous Wan'ao land, at least not at all, given the full-speed flight of a Golden Core cultivator.
"This is…"

Because the battle scene had not been carefully cleaned up, Chu Yunjing easily found some blood feathers that were mostly burned.

"Blood Feathered Dove! Very good! The guardian spirit beast of Cangxia Mountain has come to my Chu family's doorstep to kill my Chu family's Golden Core cultivators! This is outrageous!"

Chu Yunjing suppressed his rage, but his face was contorted.

"Our Chu family has always been humble and peaceful, and has tried to avoid any conflict with you all this time. But now you are going too far!"

(End of this chapter)