Chapter 524: Bossy and Arrogant

Chapter 524: Bossy and Arrogant

On the Eastern Sea, Xiao Nanfeng and five thousand purple-furred monsters flew toward Thousand-Spirit Island, followed by a thousand cultivators from the Imperial Court.

Ao Shuai chased after them from the back for quite a while before realizing that something was wrong. He flew up to Xiao Nanfeng's side and shouted, "Xiao Nanfeng, Thousand-Spirit Island's right ahead. Are we going to charge toward the island just like that? Are you crazy?"

"Ao Shuai, mind your manners. If you dare rebuke me like that again, I'll censure you for making light of the chain of command," Xiao Nanfeng retorted coolly.

Ao Shuai frowned, but continued patiently, "With the Martial Aspect of Silverfrost gone, there are only two True Immortals in our army besides me. As for Thousand-Spirit Island, it boasts not only an island lord of immense strength, but also almost a dozen True Immortal spirit kings that lead various factions on the island. If we charge forward so recklessly, we're going to die!"

He hadn't yet had time to contact his subordinates that were lying in ambush around the island. If they weren't able to take down Thousand-Spirit Island in one fell swoop and instead caused it to heighten its defenses, that would be troublesome. He was also worried about whether the island lord had indeed returned.

"Command of the army belongs to the commander. You're nothing but a lowly general. Why are you making such a fuss? If you don't want to accompany me, simply leave. No one will stop you."

Ao Shuai stiffened. He murmured inwardly, "Leave? As if the officials taking part in the expedition are blind! They'll record my lack of participation, and I'll surely be blamed for your death. Do you think me a fool?"

"I have no intention to become a deserter. If you wish to forge ahead, do so. Don't blame me for not warning you about the danger ahead."

"I shouldn't have been the one to tell you this, but I have no choice considering that you're the son of the Eastern Aspect, a heroic man. How could he have given birth to a coward like you? Why are you in hysterics after encountering just a small problem? If you keep this up, you'll never make a name for yourself!"

Ao Shuai's face twitched in annoyance.

Xiao Nanfeng was the commander in charge of this expedition, and he could hardly refute his words considering the power dynamics between them. If he were to start a fight, the officials around Xiao Nanfeng, in charge of records, would note the altercation down. If word spread to the Imperial Court, he was the one who would suffer as a result.

Ao Shuai could only sniff in annoyance as he retreated.

When he returned to the back of the army, he was surrounded by a group of his subordinates.

"Master, one of our spies with an avatar sent word saying that Sage Yellowbrow and the Martial Aspect of Silverfrost are fighting outside Yongding..." a subordinate reported.

"What? The lord of the Thousand-Spirit Island has headed to Yongding? Xiao Nanfeng really is malicious. He tricked the Martial Aspect of Silverfrost and sent him there as a shield!" Ao Shuai cried out.

"Right? No wonder Xiao Nanfeng's rushing toward Thousand-Spirit Island now. However, even if the island lord is gone, the island is protected by a group of True Immortal spirits. Aren't we going to die if we charge in just like this?" his subordinate replied, frowning.

Ao Shuai fumed when he thought back to his conversation with Xiao Nanfeng. "Ignore that madman. I hope he dies within the clutches of those spirits!"

"More importantly, if we charge forward at this rate, the forces we have in wait won't be able to rush toward the island in time," one of his subordinates murmured.

"It'll be fine even if they're late. At any rate, we have to let Xiao Nanfeng die first. As for the treasures of Thousand-Spirit Island, we'll claim as much of it as we can," Ao Shuai said.

"Very well." His subordinates all nodded.

At the same time, in the vicinity of Thousand-Spirit Island...

The countless islands that were scattered around the main island were home to various spirit kings and countless spirits. There were so many spirits that each island might as well have been a kingdom in its own right.

The various spirit king leaders had all gathered by the plaza in front of the Thousand Spirits' Hall on Thousand-Spirit Island.

They glanced at each other curiously and began to converse.

"You're here early, aren't you?"

"What's this?" Some of the spirit kings frowned.

"Spirit kings, there's no need to worry. Commander Mo arranged for this defensive formation to protect the island.

The spirit kings frowned. They suddenly looked around in unease, but if they were so scared they fled from nothing but a defensive formation, they'd never hear the last of it from the other spirit kings. All they could do, for the sake of their pride, was to remain and watch on.

Just then, a small spirit suddenly shouted, "King, forces are rapidly approaching us! Their leader is Xiao Nanfeng!"

"What?" The spirit kings whirled around to see Xiao Nanfeng approaching from afar with a huge army.

Sensing that something was wrong, the spirit kings attempted to flee, but it was already too late. The seventy-two pillars of light transformed into a membrane, establishing a giant blue barrier that trapped the strongest spirits of Thousand-Spirit Island within.

"Something's wrong. Break!" a spirit king roared, striking at the barrier with a palm.

The barrier trembled briefly, but didn't seem to suffer damage otherwise.

"Have we been trapped? We'll strike together!" the spirit king shouted.

The spirit kings combined their attacks in a huge explosion that caused the barrier to tremble violently—but not to break.

"Isn't this the Hall of Martial Aspects' Cursed Earth formation? When Martial Aspects from the Imperial Court are out on missions, they can borrow important relics from the Hall of Martial Aspects, which must be returned at the end of the mission. This is one of the formations that the Hall has available for public use!" one spirit king shouted, recognizing it.

"This formation has to be set up days in advance. Why did no one notice?"

"A spy! He's a spy for the Imperial Court!"

"Damn it, is the Imperial Court attacking Thousand-Spirit Island now?!"

The spirit kings were all in a fuss.

They attempted to break down the formation, but failed to do so at all. They immediately shouted to those spirits outside the formation, "Attack this foundation of this formation! Hurry!"

"Understood!" The spirits gathered outside the formation rushed toward it.

Ao Zhou frowned. He shouted into the distance, "Xiao Nanfeng, hurry up! We won't be able to guard the foundation of the formation for long!"

Ao Zhou, Croak, and Warble faced off against the gathered Immortal spirits. However, there were simply too many spirits on the island, all of whom were rushing toward the formation after hearing about the news.

From afar, Xiao Nanfeng shouted, "All forces, protect the Cursed Earth formation! Kill anyone who dares draw near!"

"Understood!" The five thousand purple-furred monsters rushed forward.

Intense fighting ensued all over Thousand-Spirit Island. A howling tempest formed, and tsunami-like waves filled the surrounding ocean.

Ao Shuai and the others gaped at Xiao Nanfeng. "You were laying out the Cursed Earth formation all this time?"

"Ao Shuai, aren't you going to make a move? If you allow those spirits to close in on the formation, I'll punish you for being in cahoots with the enemy!" Xiao Nanfeng shouted at Ao Shuai and his subordinates.

Ao Shuai and his subordinates: ...