The giant purple-black fish drifted slowly in the air, its massive eyes staring at the hazy sword aura and the four portals ahead with a hint of hesitation.
Within the killing array, as the giant purple-black fish approached, Lin Qian and Ye Xin could finally feel its immense and terrifying aura up close.
"What kind of power does this creature possess? It's unnerving," Ye Xin murmured, trying to calm her heart as she stared at the approaching fish.
Lin Qian swiftly downed four bottles of potion, uncorking them and gulping the contents. He was desperately absorbing the medicinal energy, trying to recover to his peak condition as quickly as possible.
Ye Xin, watching him in disbelief, asked, "Xiao Qian, aren't you afraid of overdosing and your body exploding with how you're drinking all that?"
"No worries. Potions are different from pills. The effects compound but are absorbed faster, without the risk of exploding all at once." Lin Qian wiped his mouth, his gaze locked on the giant fish. "Now, let's just hope it charges into the killing array."
"Woo!" Just as Lin Qian finished speaking, the giant purple-black fish roared and aggressively rammed straight into the Immortal Execution Sword Formation.
"Retreat!"
As the massive creature plunged into the sword formation, Lin Qian's eyes brightened. Grabbing Ye Xin, they swiftly retreated, leaving the array behind.
In the blink of an eye, both of them had exited the Immortal Execution Sword Formation. Meanwhile, the giant purple-black fish had crashed fully into the formation, becoming trapped.
Instantly, the formation erupted with radiant sword energy, accompanied by a relentless barrage of wind, fire, lightning, and killing intent. The terrifying power of the formation filled the air with destructive energy.
Inside the array, the giant purple-black fish twisted and struggled. Purple energy rose from its body, clashing against the sword formation's power.
"It worked, Xiao Qian!" Ye Xin exclaimed excitedly, watching the scene unfold from outside the sword formation.
Lin Qian nodded but remained serious. Although the Immortal Execution Sword Formation had managed to trap the giant fish, his current cultivation level couldn't unleash the formation's full potential.
Would it be enough?
"Woo!" The fish's piercing cry echoed from within the formation. The air around them rippled violently, and the ground began to collapse as countless spirit trees were shredded into splinters.
Lin Qian and Ye Xin braced themselves, shielding their bodies from the wild winds and the resulting shockwaves.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Suddenly, four loud bangs echoed in the air as the formation's portals shattered, and the four Immortal Execution Swords were sent flying back toward Lin Qian, carrying the remnants of the sword array.
Lin Qian quickly retrieved the swords and the formation diagram, storing them back in the Xuanzhen Star. His face darkened as he stared ahead.
The giant purple-black fish, now bleeding profusely, floated in midair. Its entire body was riddled with wounds, and Lin Qian and Ye Xin could even see its internal organs and bones through the gashes!
Even a creature that appeared stronger than an Entering Sage Realm expert had been grievously wounded by the sword formation. Ye Xin couldn't help but marvel at the power of the Immortal Execution Sword Formation, even though it had only been operating at a mere fraction of its strength.
The giant purple-black fish's eyes glowed red with fury. "It's enraged! Xin'er, be careful!"
Before Lin Qian could finish his warning, the creature lunged toward them, thrashing its colossal body in their direction.
"Supreme Nine-Five!"
Lin Qian's face changed drastically as he channeled his soul power, summoning it before him. Golden dragons soared into the sky, coiling around him, imbuing his body with their strength.
A towering golden figure, the Supreme Nine-Five, enveloped Lin Qian, encasing Ye Xin within its protective aura.
The next moment, the giant fish slammed into the golden shield, triggering an earth-shaking collision.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the air as the fish collided with the golden figure repeatedly. However, the fish was already severely wounded, no longer at its peak.
Still, Lin Qian's situation was dire. The golden shield cracked, and he spat out blood, his body sent flying from the force of the collision.
"Xiao Qian!" Ye Xin cried out, rushing forward to catch the injured Lin Qian. Her eyes hardened with determination.
"Azure Phoenix Star Dance!" Ye Xin's soul power ignited, her eyes glowing blue. High above, a resplendent blue phoenix formed from her soul power, dragging a river of stars behind it as it sped away.
Its speed was breathtaking.
The purple-black fish, now shaking its head and regaining its senses, locked its bloodthirsty gaze on the blue river of stars and gave chase.
"Xiao Qian, are you alright?" Ye Xin asked, her voice filled with worry as she looked at the injured Lin Qian.
Lin Qian felt as if all his bones had been shattered, his body limp like mud. "Not dead yet… but that fish is insanely powerful!"
"Your Majesty, that creature clearly has strength surpassing the Entering Sage Realm!" Zhuge Ming's voice echoed in Lin Qian's mind, his tone urgent. "Please, Your Majesty, retreat into the Xuanzhen Star to protect yourself!"
"If I retreat, what happens to the Empress?" Lin Qian instantly rejected the idea. "If I activate my Super Hua-Xia form and burn my essence, what are my chances of killing this beast?"
"At most twenty percent, Your Majesty. Please, do not act rashly," Zhuge Ming responded, his voice filled with concern.
Shaking his head, Lin Qian reached for another potion, drinking it down as he gave Zhuge Ming an order. "Prepare to increase the output of spiritual energy. I refuse to be defeated by a mere fish!"
"Xiao Qian, don't do anything reckless," Ye Xin urged, sensing the resolve in Lin Qian's eyes. She was afraid he might do something drastic.
"Xin'er, I—" Just as Lin Qian was about to explain, a strange, ethereal voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
"Chosen One, the Clear Profound Chaotic Universe is requesting a spatial communication. Will you accept?"
"Chosen One…"
The ethereal voice repeated the phrase three times before falling silent. Lin Qian's Imperial Eyes activated on their own, and a communication request screen appeared before him, offering options to accept or decline.
Lin Qian was momentarily stunned, unsure of what to make of this situation.
Spatial communication? Clear Profound Chaotic Universe?
What in the world is this?
After hesitating for a moment, Lin Qian made his choice and accepted the request. The communication window expanded, forming a display similar to a video call from his previous life.
The last time this ethereal voice addressed him as "Chosen One" was when the system had first activated. This time, it seemed just as significant, and it had appeared when he was in the midst of danger.
The dark screen flickered like static, and moments later, an image began to clear up.
On the other end of the call was a lush, verdant valley filled with strange, unknown plant life. Standing there was a young man, handsome and refined, whose appearance could rival Lin Qian's own.
"Ah, this is—" The young man hadn't even finished speaking when a curious, youthful-looking alien girl appeared next to him, peeking into the frame. "This is weird! Why do you keep staring at the air like that?"
Before she could continue, the young man pushed her out of the way with a hand. "Don't mess around right now. Go stand over there."
Clearing his throat, the young man waved at Lin Qian. "Hey there, brother from the Chaotic Universe. I received a mission prompt to initiate communication with you and offer assistance. Seems like you're in a bit of a bind. Let me help you out so I can complete my mission and get the reward."