Sensing the violent churning of the pool, Ye Ling's expression turned serious. She knew that the Tongxuan Realm demon beast had finally been provoked and was about to show itself.
She tossed the boulder she had picked up onto the shore. The moment it hit the ground, it smashed a deep crater, sending dust flying in all directions.
The pool churned even more violently, and in the next instant, the dark-green water erupted with a loud bang.
A giant, strange fish as large as an elephant leaped out of the water into the air, its towering, majestic demonic qi instantly enveloping the surroundings.
This demon beast looked very much like an anglerfish, yet it was a hundred times larger.
Its entire body was covered in dark black scales, and from the front of its flat, massive head hung a glowing, translucent white fleshy lure.
Its gills continuously exhaled a freezing mist, and a light sweep of its broad tail whipped up a fierce gale. The heavy pressure unique to the Tongxuan Realm bore down heavily.
Seeing the demon beast appear, Ye Ling was about to step forward with her sword to test the strength of her physical body when the giant fish suddenly opened its massive maw.
“Human junior, who gave you the audacity to trespass into the highest reaches of the second layer and disturb my peace?”
Ye Ling was not surprised in the slightest. Once a demon beast broke through to the Tongxuan Realm, it could refine its vocal cords and speak human tongue. This was common knowledge.
“The resources in the lower areas of the second layer are depleted. Naturally, I had to come to the upper reaches to search for opportunities.”
Upon hearing this, the giant fish did not restrain its anger; instead, it threw its head back and laughed wildly.
“Hahaha! Human junior, do you have any idea that this entire territory is occupied by Tongxuan Realm demon beasts?”
“You, a mere mid-stage Xiantian Realm cultivator, dared to venture here alone. Are you not just seeking your own death?”
Ye Ling's right hand gripped the Qinglan Sword as she slowly unsheathed it, her gaze steady. “Since I dared to step foot here, I naturally have the confidence to protect myself.”
Before her voice could fade, she channeled the immense strength of her physical body and swung her sword in a horizontal slash. A majestic wave of energy imbued with One Layer of Sword Force tore through the air, heading straight for the giant anglerfish.
Watching the incoming sword light, a hint of surprise flashed across the giant fish's crimson slit pupils. It then barked loudly.
“One Layer of Sword Force? A mere mid-stage Xiantian Realm junior can actually comprehend One Layer of Sword Force? When did the Qinglan Sword Sect produce such a genius?”
“Among the sect's True Disciples, I have never heard of your name. Could you be a newly appointed True Disciple?”
It had been dormant at the bottom of the pool for years and had not encountered a True Disciple training here in a very long time, so it had absolutely no knowledge of Ye Ling's existence.
Even though it was shocked, it did not dare to completely underestimate her. It immediately circulated its demonic energy to condense a protective barrier over its body.
With a deafening, metallic screech, the Sword Force slash forcefully tore through the demonic energy barrier and hacked heavily into the giant fish's dark scales.
Sparks flew in all directions as several hard, thick scales were sliced off, fluttering down into the pool.
The giant Tongxuan fish was utterly shocked. It was a genuine Tongxuan Realm demon beast with an indestructible physical defense, yet it had actually been injured by a Xiantian Realm cultivator.
Seeing this from the shore, Ye Ling sighed inwardly. As expected of a Tongxuan Realm demon beast, its physical defense is indeed terrifying.
Her previous slash had cleanly sliced a peak Xiantian Realm Horned Wood Snake in half, yet it had only managed to knock off a few scales from this beast.
However, she had no intention of backing down.
On the other side, the giant anglerfish flew into a rage, its roar shaking the surface of the water.
“Since you were the one to strike first, do not blame me for showing no mercy!”
Its thick, massive tail slapped the surface of the pool, violently whipping up a towering wave several yards high that crashed down toward Ye Ling.
Just as Ye Ling was about to step on the air to dodge, dozens of sharp water swords condensed from the pool suddenly manifested in the air around her, completely sealing off all routes of escape.
The giant fish let out a smug sneer. “Let's see where you can hide now!”
Ye Ling's pupils contracted. Since her escape routes were completely blocked and there was nowhere to hide, she would simply meet it head-on with her physical body!
She immediately ran the True Dragon Unfettered Art with all her might, and a layer of pale gold dragon-patterned aura flowed around her body, firmly protecting her skin, flesh, and bones.
Seeing that she was not running but instead bracing herself on the spot, the giant anglerfish in the air immediately sneered.
“Ignorant fool! Since you insist on taking it head-on, I will let you witness the true power of a Tongxuan Realm demon beast!”
Though its words were fierce, it secretly held back thirty percent of its demonic power.
Having lived in the secret realm for hundreds of years, it had never seen a cultivator who could master One Layer of Sword Force at the mid-stage Xiantian Realm.
With such peerless talent, she was bound to be a heavily nurtured genius within the Qinglan Sword Sect.
The sword sect had long-standing prohibitions against killing such disciples, so it did not dare to actually inflict severe injuries on her.
The towering wave, carrying dozens of sharp water swords, crashed down violently, striking Ye Ling squarely.
The impact of the raging torrent sent her sliding backward dozens of meters. A rain of water swords slashed repeatedly at her back, producing a continuous clatter of metallic clangs.
Floating above the water, the giant fish thought to itself that after this round of attacks, this Xiantian junior would surely be heavily injured and lose the strength to fight back.
It would just find a convenient excuse to stop and let her leave.
But in the next moment, its massive eyes contracted sharply, filled with utter disbelief.
As the waves dispersed, Ye Ling's figure was clearly revealed.
Her clothes were completely soaked, and the fabric on her back was riddled with dozens of tiny holes pierced by the water swords.
Yet her skin was pristine and unharmed; not even a single faint scratch could be seen.
“This... this physical strength... is probably not inferior to my own!”
“Just what is this girl's background?” A tempest of shock raged within the giant fish's heart.
Ye Ling stomped, shattering the ground beneath her feet, and shot forward like a streak of green light, using her movement technique to charge straight at the giant fish.
The giant fish did not attack. It stood its ground, intending to test for itself just how powerful her physical strength was.
Ye Ling gripped the Qinglan Sword with both hands, pouring all her physical strength into the blade. Augmenting it with her sharp Sword Force, she slashed down with all her might.
The giant fish channeled its demonic energy to wrap around its scales, taking the blow head-on. The sharp blade hacked viciously into the dark armor.
With a harsh cracking sound, the giant fish's massive body was knocked back several yards through the air by the impact.
Dozens of hard, dark scales broke off and fell into the pool below.
Staring at its damaged scales, the giant anglerfish thought to itself, This girl's physical defense and strength are actually on par with mine.
No wonder she has the confidence to venture into the highlands of the second layer alone.
Since that's the case, there's no need for me to hold back anymore.
On the other side, Ye Ling watched the giant fish get knocked back by her sword. Instead of feeling proud, she felt a trace of suspicion.
Having fought it, she felt that this Tongxuan Realm demon beast's power was far less terrifying than the rumors suggested.
Reflecting on the exchange, she realized what was off—the beast was clearly holding back on purpose.
She fell into silent contemplation, wondering about the hidden reason behind this.
The giant fish suddenly let out a long roar, causing the pool water to churn relentlessly.
“Human junior, your physical body is indeed powerful. But now, I am going to get serious!”
It then raised its pectoral fins slightly, and the dark-green pool water beneath it began to churn rapidly.
Streams of water rose into the air, condensing into twelve heavy, several-meters-long ice blades around its body.
The twelve ice blades pointed directly at Ye Ling, their bone-chilling light glinting as they hovered silently in the air.
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