Chapter 30

"Indeed, that Yin Shell must have come from the Yingyun Shell Field." Zhang Yan cautiously hid his body behind the cave entrance, pondering the events, "Du Bo came here, likely for Du You's meridian opening."

"What do you plan to do?" Luo Xiao's beautiful eyes glanced at Zhang Yan, "I observed that person just now; he is a third-stage Xuan Guang realm expert, a cultivator who has comprehended 'Xuan Guang Thoroughness.' His cultivation is no less than Ning Chongxuan. With him here, the Xuan Pearl will surely fall into his hands. You have no chance of winning. In my opinion, it would be better to retreat."

"Retreat?" Zhang Yan shook his head, his face resolute, "I am determined to obtain this!"

Luo Xiao frowned slightly, sighing, "If I were at my peak, I could also fight Du Bo. But now..." She shook her head, clearly lacking confidence.

"Why force a confrontation? Have you not heard of the fable of the clam and the stork?" Zhang Yan pointed downward, his expression showing no fear, "Currently, both the Yin and Yang Shell Kings are here. They will fight to the death to protect the Xuan Pearl. Although Du Bo is brave, it won't be easy for him to subdue them. This is our opportunity!"

Luo Xiao countered, "Although the Shell Kings are intelligent, they are still beasts with undeveloped wisdom. With this person's skills, it won't be difficult to devise a plan to kill them. What you say is merely wishful thinking!"

Zhang Yan smiled confidently, saying with certainty, "Du Bo cannot kill them."

"Why?" A hint of confusion flashed in Luo Xiao's eyes.

Zhang Yan patted the cave wall, smiling, "Has Daoist Luo forgotten that this Shell Field originally belonged to the Ling Cang Sect? If the Shell Kings die, the Shell Field will surely collapse. Du Bo will not dare to kill them; he can only try to capture them, which is even more difficult than killing them."

Luo Xiao nodded in realization, "That's true. In that case, we do have a chance!"

Zhang Yan's gaze swept past the two Shell Kings, looking at the cave behind them, thinking, "A great opportunity is right before me; how can I retreat? Although the path ahead is fraught with danger, if I don't try, how can I be content?"

For him, as long as there was a sliver of hope for success, he would never give up.

He stared at the two Shell Kings, which seemed to be made of crystal, and suddenly turned to ask, "Daoist Luo, are you familiar with the Shell Kings' combat techniques?"

"Not familiar, but I know a little."

Zhang Yan bowed, "Please share your knowledge without reservation."

Luo Xiao nodded, not asking any more questions, and recounted everything she knew. She also wanted to see how Zhang Yan would obtain the Xuan Pearl.

Zhang Yan closed his eyes in deep thought. After a while, when he opened them, a faint light flashed in his eyes.

From what Luo Xiao had said about the Shell Kings' combat techniques, he realized they were not without a chance. There was a perfect moment to act, and it was up to him to seize it.

Elsewhere in the cave, Du Bo returned with a joyful expression, describing the situation of the two Shell Kings. Du You was also overjoyed, praising him repeatedly.

"Listen well. The Shell Kings will use all their strength to protect the Shell Eggs. You must give it your all, but remember, these are the Sect Leader's private possessions. Do not harm them; just subdue them!"

Du Bo gave further instructions to his subordinates and then led them into the cave.

The two already uneasy Shell Kings immediately sensed danger. They spread their shells, ready to attack.

Inside the cave, the Shell Kings could use the true dew they exhaled to multiply their strength several times, but outside, their abilities were halved. However, during the Shell Egg's gestation, entering the cave would disrupt the earth essence that nourished the Shell Eggs, so they had to stay outside.

Du Bo walked forward calmly. He spread his hands, and a blue, watery light burst from his body, enveloping the two Shell Kings, immobilizing them. As planned, ten strongmen and two Ming Qi realm disciples rushed forward, surrounding the two Shell Kings and holding them tightly.

Du You, overjoyed, rushed into the cave without a word.

The two Shell Kings chirped frantically, struggling fiercely, but the blue Xuan Light could not hold them down.

A powerful force came, and the ten strongmen were thrown to the ground. The two Ming Qi realm disciples, though they did not let go, felt their internal energy churned by the force.

Du Bo frowned, shouted, and the Xuan Light on his body emitted a sound like flowing water. The blue light became as thick as seawater, and the Shell Kings were pressed to the ground with a "thud."

Seeing Du You about to enter the cave, a layer of gill-like structures on the Shell Kings' shells suddenly opened.

An indescribable whistling sound spread in all directions. The two Ming Qi realm disciples' faces turned pale, and they lost all strength. The ten strongmen were shaken, feeling dizzy and nauseous, unable to move.

Du You fell straight to the ground, his mind clear but his body unresponsive.

"Miraculous Shell Sound?"

Du Bo took a pill from his body, chewed it, and swallowed it. Soon, the blue Xuan Light turned deep blue, as if solidified. His face turned purple, veins bulging, and he shouted, "Listen well. I will drag the Shell Kings into the cave's depths. Wait for the right moment to block their escape."

He turned to the fallen Du You, "Nephew, do not panic. This sound can only subdue, not harm. It only travels a few dozen feet. Once I drag the Shell Kings far away, rush in and swallow the Xuan Pearl!"

He took a step back, and two blue lights, like large hands, grabbed the Shell Kings, dragging them along.

Luo Xiao, watching from above, was impressed, "This man is truly formidable. He can still speak while using Xuan Light, clearly having reached the stage of absorbing and controlling objects. He is about to enter the Dan Formation realm. Human cultivators indeed progress ten times faster than our demon race in cultivation!"

She couldn't help but look at Zhang Yan. In terms of determination, Zhang Yan was the best she had seen. She wondered how far he would ultimately go.

Zhang Yan watched intently, sensing the opportunity he had been waiting for.

Sweat poured from Du Bo's forehead, clearly under pressure from the Shell Kings, but he moved steadily, dragging them into the cave. Despite their struggles, they could not break free.

As Du Bo's figure retreated into the cave, about twenty steps in, the pressure on the ten strongmen and two Ming Qi realm disciples eased. They rushed in, blocking the Shell Kings' escape.

Du Bo's voice echoed from the depths, "Nephew, hurry, what are you waiting for?"

Du You, feeling the strange pressure disappear, struggled to stand and ran into the cave.

Now, only Du You remained at the cave entrance, while the others had entered to subdue the Shell Kings. Luo Xiao and Zhang Yan exchanged a glance, both seeing the excitement in each other's eyes.

The opportunity!

They both leaped, following Du You into the cave, unnoticed by the others.

Du You broke through the cave entrance sealed by true dew, saw the Xuan Pearl hanging from a stalactite, shimmering with silver light, and grabbed it, shouting, "Uncle Bo, I've found the Xuan Pearl."

A faint voice came from outside, "Good, good, good. Do not waste the true dew in the cave. Swallow the Xuan Pearl quickly, refine the true dew, and break through your meridians. I can hold on for three days, so you must complete it within three days."

Without hesitation, Du You brought the Xuan Pearl to his mouth, about to swallow it, when he suddenly sensed something. Reaching into his sleeve, he was struck heavily on the back of his head, blacking out and falling to the ground.

The Xuan Pearl rolled out of his hand but was caught by Zhang Yan, who felt a warm sensation spread through his body.

Luo Xiao urged, "Daoist Zhang, we have the Xuan Pearl; let's retreat quickly."

Zhang Yan smiled, "Why retreat?"

He gazed at the Xuan Pearl in his hand, which glowed with a radiant light, and said calmly, "Outside, there is a third-stage Xuan Guang realm expert guarding, and inside, there is the Xuan Pearl and true dew. This is an excellent place for meridian opening."

"Are you saying..."

Zhang Yan pointed at the unconscious Du You, "As long as this person doesn't leave, Du Bo won't dare to let the Shell Kings move. He said he can hold on for three days, so let him hold on a few more days to wear him down."

Luo Xiao pondered, "Your plan is good, but if Du Bo becomes suspicious or sends someone to check, what then?"

"The first three days should be fine. With Du You in our hands, we can force him to lie to Du Bo for a few more days. If he refuses, we can kill him and leave."

Zhang Yan had already made his plans. Du You was a valuable asset, and he intended to use him to the fullest.

Luo Xiao thought for a moment, finding the plan feasible, "If so, please swallow the Xuan Pearl and refine it quickly. I will guard you."

Zhang Yan nodded, "Thank you, Daoist Luo."

He no longer hesitated, swallowing the Xuan Pearl in one go.

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