Cultivation begins in the endless sea.

Using a knife as a medium to transmit lightning and electricity?

This was Lin Qing's first reaction.

Unfortunately, even if you understand the principle, it's hard to change the situation. After all, with Lin Qing's water-attribute technique, there's not much he can do against lightning techniques!

Lin Qing immediately activated his black shield, which hummed as it appeared in front of him.

At the same time, with a slight shift in movement, the Five Elements Water Escape technique instantly moved to another location.

Gu Lei narrowed his eyes, and a burst of lightning flashed around his body. In an instant, he used an ancient treasure on his body to disappear with a ray of lightning.

"Danger!"

Lin Qing's heart skipped a beat, and the hairs on her body stood on end.

In an instant, he broke free from the still-developing Five Elements Water Escape technique, his face ashen as he looked at Gu Lei not far behind him.

The latter remained calm and unleashed another "Entangling Silk Thunder Blade" strike!

Left with no other choice, Lin Qing unleashed his magical power and threw out the Yuan Yi Cauldron.

"Boom—thump—"

As the thunder blade was scooped up, the cauldron itself began to tremble violently.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Lin Qing made a hand seal, and the meteor blade rushed straight towards Gu Lei's face like chasing stars and the moon.

Sensing the chilling aura of the opponent's sword, Gu Lei remained calm, took out a misty bead from his sleeve, and tossed it gently.

A mist emanated from the bead, enveloping the space in front of him like a swamp.

The meteor blade immediately slowed down.

Before Lin Qing could change his moves, Gu Lei pressed his advantage and gave another light shake, causing a series of thunderous sounds to crackle and pop in the mist, clearly indicating that he was unleashing another thunder magic technique!

Just then, Lin Canglan sent a telepathic message into my ear, indicating that there was no need to rush in head-on and expose too many of his trump cards.

Lin Qing knew that the lightning technique had subtly suppressed his own water technique, so he did not hesitate:

"I give up!"

Gu Lei was surprised; he hadn't expected that Lin Qing hadn't been forced to reveal any of his trump cards.

But now that he has admitted defeat, there's not much more to say.

Just as the two were about to put away their spells and magical artifacts, a terrifying pressure suddenly swept over them!

The hazy, precious light and the trembling meteor blade seemed to be frozen in place, unable to move an inch.

Both Gu Lei and Lin Qing wore expressions of disbelief.

All the cultivators in the Second and Third Layers trembled, their breath caught in their throats.

On the high platform, Su Mangxia and the others suddenly stood up and bowed deeply in unison:

"Welcome, Ancestor!"

Ancestor?

Su Qing, a late-stage Purple Mansion cultivator!

Within the clouds, white clouds churned and surged, and soon emerged a man with a handsome face, bright eyes, a high nose, and a dignified and imposing figure. He wore a jeweled crown and a pale yellow robe, and his entire body radiated a faint golden light, making it impossible for anyone to look directly at him.

Su Qing nodded slightly, and with a leisurely wave of his sleeve, a jade-green spirit boat suddenly appeared, and it grew with the wind, transforming into a colossal boat tens of feet long in the blink of an eye.

With another flick of his sleeve, the many Qi cultivators, who were involuntarily swept up by a gentle yet immense force, were instantly drawn into the spirit boat.

"Fellow Daoists, please aboard the boat for a chat."

Su Qing was relatively polite to Foundation Establishment cultivators. He spoke from afar, then took the first step and disappeared into the spirit boat.

The remaining Foundation Establishment cultivators looked at each other, their expressions filled with surprise and uncertainty.

"Is this the power of the Purple Palace?"

As Lin Qing looked up, he murmured to himself.

After a short while, Gu Yuanqi, the head of the Gu family, spoke first, with a hint of caution: "Fellow Daoist Su, what is the purpose of our ancestor's sudden appearance?"

Su Mangxia gave a wry smile and shook her head, saying, "To be honest, I didn't know either."

He paused, then added meaningfully, "However, I think the Ancestor must have something important to discuss; perhaps there will be an opportunity?"

It was difficult for the crowd to discern how much truth and falsehood was in his words.

After exchanging telepathic messages, Lin Canglan and Lin Qing had no choice but to fly into the spirit boat with the others.

Su Mangxia led everyone into a spacious hall on the spirit boat.

Inside the hall, jade pillars stood tall, surrounded by spiritual energy.

Su Qing sat upright in the main seat, his expression calm. He had completely suppressed the pressure emanating from his Purple Mansion, yet he still instilled awe in the hearts of all the Foundation Establishment cultivators in the hall, who dared not sit down or make a fuss.

Led by Su Mangxia, the heads of the families sat on large chairs on both sides, while the others stood behind their respective heads.

After a short while, Su Qing's gaze swept across the entire room, and he said in a slightly deep voice, "It was a bit presumptuous of me to summon you all to the ship today. I hope you patriarchs will forgive me."

The heads of the families dared not utter a word; at least on the surface, who dared to voice their opinion?

"Indeed, I have an important matter to discuss with you all."

After he finished speaking, the hall fell silent.

Su Qing didn't mince words, stating directly, "I have visited the Starry Constellation Sect several times, and according to the Sect Master's prediction, the sea monster tide will definitely arrive ahead of schedule!"

"At that time, the vast sea will be devastated, and all the islands and cities will suffer a catastrophe."

He paused, looked around, and continued:

"Therefore, I have decided to set off immediately to a nearby Purple Mansion Sea Demon territory to preemptively clip one or two wings of the sea demon beast tide, thus averting some disaster in advance for the future catastrophe!"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall felt a chill run down their spines.

No one expected that the Su family would launch their demon-slaying operation ahead of schedule at this crucial moment!

Su Qing remained expressionless and continued, "During the last battle at Wanfu Market, our operation was inexplicably leaked. I investigated secretly afterward, but to no avail."

"I imagine that even my nine clans are not a united front, and with so many people and so much power, it would be easy for news to leak out."

"Therefore, I have used this Nine Clans Alliance as a pretext to gather you all here, keeping you completely confined within the spirit boat. Only in this way can we maximize the prevention of any unrest and achieve our goal in one fell swoop!"

It turned out to be the case.

Lin Qing and Lin Canglan exchanged a glance, remaining silent.

It seems that the Su family patriarch had planned this all along, and his forced gathering of everyone was a double-edged sword.

"The Purple Mansion's scheming is indeed profound."

Thinking of this, Lin Qing felt a chill run down her spine.

A short while later, Gu Yuanqi stood up again and bowed deeply in respect:

"Ancestor Su, may I ask what the cultivation level of that Purple Mansion Sea Demon is? If we, a group of Foundation Establishment cultivators, join forces, do we have any chance of victory?"

Su Qing gave him a deep look and said calmly:

"With me personally overseeing the operation, the sea monsters of the Purple Mansion will be kept in check by me."

"You may assist from the sidelines, blockade the sea, and eliminate the lesser demons!"

As he finished speaking, his gaze swept over the crowd:

"Without further ado, the spirit ship shall set sail immediately. Everyone, prepare yourselves for battle!"

No one in the hall dared to object; they could only exchange glances furtively.

Just as Lin Qing, Lin Canglan, and Lin Shenglei were preparing to regulate their breathing, Su Qing suddenly transmitted his voice to Lin Qing and Lin Canglan.

"Two patriarchs of the Lin family, please forgive us for the suddenness of the matter."

"Following precedent, I will still compensate the Lin family with a Foundation Establishment Pill! I hope that you two fellow Daoists will spare no effort to help us."

"Especially Clan Chief Lin, I observe that your cultivation technique is profound and pure, unlike that of an early-stage cultivator. You are indeed a high-grade Foundation Establishment cultivator with a limitless future."

Upon hearing this, Lin Qing and Lin Canglan were taken aback. They looked up and saw Su Qing with his eyes slightly closed. It was unclear whether he was communicating with other families at the same time or simply reminding the Lin family.

However, Lin Qing's next words made Lin Canglan break out in a cold sweat!

"Elder Su, Lin Qing has a request!"