Chapter Seventy-Nine: Killing the Turtle

Compared to the new cave’s protective array, things like sofas were trivial matters, hardly worth mentioning. If lost, she could simply conjure up another. But the protective array—that was a different story. According to the jade slip, the array was called the Four Directions and Eight Unions Array, requiring eight array stones and four demon crystals of second rank or higher as its components.

The array stones were easy enough—just ordinary rocks. Generally, the larger the array stones, the greater the power of the protective array. Grand arrays often used entire mountains as array stones. However, for this modest cave of only a few dozen square meters, such extravagance was unnecessary; eight stones weighing about a hundred pounds each would suffice.

The second rank demon crystals, though, posed a challenge. A second rank demon beast was the equivalent of a human cultivator at the Core Condensation stage. Demon beasts, with their simple minds and bodies far superior to those of human cultivators at the same level, often possessed greater combat power. Cultivators usually hunted demon beasts below their own level. For example, someone like Feng Ke’er, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, most often hunted white-rank demon beasts. First rank demon beasts were typically hunted by groups, rarely solo.

The massacre in the Myriad Ant Forest? Best forgotten. Not every lower realm cultivator had her luck. Never mind the personal transmission of some profound technique by the Master of Heaven, even the “Purity Heart Incantation” and, especially, the Azure Edge Sword were enough to drive cultivators of the three realms mad with envy. In short, within the three realms, Feng Ke’er was a true anomaly—a prodigy, if not a monster.

Yet, even Feng Ke’er had never hunted a demon beast of second rank or higher. To suddenly go after a second rank beast in unfamiliar territory—if she claimed not to be nervous, she’d be lying.

Nonetheless, she had no choice. In this desolate place, opening a new cave without a protective array was no better than sleeping under the sky and on the bare earth. How could she sleep at night? Besides, the second rank demon beast known as the Gold Coin Carp dwelled right there beneath the waterfall in the cold pool—a neighbor, so to speak. Who knew if it would leave her alone? Best to strike first.

With these thoughts, Feng Ke’er dismissed all concerns about the missing sofa, drew her Azure Edge Sword, and leapt out of the cave. Standing atop the waterfall, she surveyed the enemy below.

Earlier, when Feng Jiu mentioned the Gold Coin Carp, she hadn’t paid much attention. What was a Gold Coin Carp, after all? Just another kind of carp. How formidable could a carp be? Surely, it was just meat waiting for the pot. She assumed the second rank Gold Coin Carp was only larger than usual. Thus, when she saw the cold pool covered in green matter, she felt repulsed and only glanced briefly, not bothering to inspect the pool closely. She was determined—no matter how special the carp, in such dirty water, she would not touch it. But now, for the sake of the protective array, she had no choice but to meet her new neighbor.

Soon, Feng Ke’er’s views changed completely.

It was late afternoon, the sun slanting westward and less fierce than before. Creatures from the cold pool began crawling onto the stones along the bank to bask in the sun.

From her vantage point, Feng Ke’er could see the entire pool.

She waited for over half an hour yet saw no sign of any carp. Instead, more and more turtles crowded the banks.

Yes, turtles—large ones, seemingly hybrids between alligator turtles and green-haired turtles. The adult turtles weighed over a thousand pounds each. Their heads, tails, and limbs were covered in dense, foot-long green fur. Their shells were brown, with patterns resembling those of alligator turtles, but with a distinctive feature: each shell bore a row of huge barbed ridges. Feng Ke’er counted carefully; the largest turtle, occupying the grandest stone, had nine barbs rising from its back. The others had at least five. Many juveniles had climbed up as well, much smaller, though the tiniest was still about a hundred pounds. They, too, had long green fur, but their shell patterns were indistinct, and the central barb had not yet formed—just a slight bulge.

Apart from these, Feng Ke’er spotted some spindle-shaped black fish in the pool. The largest were only a foot long, the smallest no bigger than her finger. These black fish showed no sign of spiritual energy—plain ordinary fish.

The hybrid turtles seemed oblivious to their observer. They lounged lazily on the stones, basking comfortably in the sun, occasionally shooting a thin green strand from their mouths into the water to catch fish.

They swallowed their prey whole, bones and all, wasting nothing. After consuming a fish, they would stretch their necks and exhale a ring of white vapor into the pool, which instantly condensed into green micro-particles. The black fish fed on these particles.

Feng Ke’er observed that the turtles' accuracy was impressive—they caught fish effortlessly, even with their eyes closed.

It was highly probable these were the Gold Coin Carps. Firstly, they emanated clear spiritual energy; secondly, Feng Ke’er’s current cultivation couldn't discern their rank—which meant they were stronger than her.

How infuriating! Clearly turtles, yet called carps. Feng Ke’er spat and began pondering how to kill a turtle.

These creatures were wrapped in thick, hard shells and could attack from a distance with their green strands. Close combat was out of the question.

Perhaps ice spikes would work.

Given their rank, she worried about striking from too far away, so she took from her storage pouch a long, flexible eight-pronged rope made from the antennae and legs of fire ants, hooked it to a large tree on the bank, and carefully descended to the middle of the waterfall. She had considered using Wind Riding Technique to fly down, but spellcasting would inevitably cause spiritual energy fluctuations, which the Concealment Talisman couldn't hide. Since it was her first encounter and she didn't know her adversaries’ strength, she decided caution was best.

She selected a medium-sized adult turtle, took a deep breath, and launched an ice spike at its head.

The ice spike shot through the air, but before it could strike, the turtle sprang up, flicked its head, and its mouth’s green strand snatched the ice spike, pulling it in and swallowing it whole. Its beady green eyes shone brightly, neck extended, and it exhaled a large ring of white vapor, its green fur trembling with excitement.

Another one that regarded ice spikes as supplements! Feng Ke’er rolled her eyes and quickly tugged the rope to retreat.

Sure enough, the others, alerted, responded fiercely—turning in unison and spitting long green strands toward her.

Fortunately, she dodged quickly. These creatures could shoot strands over two hundred meters! Her previous position was well within their range.

Still, the effort wasn’t wasted. She now saw clearly what the green strands were—tongues, thin and forked like a snake’s, with barbs at the tips.

No wonder they could catch fish with their eyes closed. Like a snake’s tongue, theirs could sense prey directly and prevent escape.

What sharp reflexes these cursed turtles had! Feng Ke’er wiped cold sweat from her brow atop the waterfall.

Fine, since close combat was impossible, she’d try fishing for turtles—seriously this time.

The bait was ready—her ice spikes; the fishing line, the long rope with eight-pronged hooks, was perfectly suited.

She hooked a large ice spike and slowly lowered it below the waterfall.

Yet, the turtles showed no interest in the “delicacy” delivered to their mouths.

How odd—just moments ago, one was eagerly eating! Feng Ke’er was baffled.

Could their eyes be mere decoration? She jerked the line, swinging the ice spike above their heads.

Bingo! That did it.

Instantly, they sprang up, shooting out their super-long tongues.

The largest had the best position and reflexes, decisively snatching the ice spike and swallowing it. The others, unwilling to compete, withdrew their tongues.

Feng Ke’er smiled wryly—this one must weigh nearly two tons, if not more. Too big for her purposes.

She wasn’t greedy; she just wanted a medium-sized specimen for study.

Luckily, the fire ant antennae rope was strong and reliable. Feng Ke’er yanked the line, and the eight-pronged hook firmly caught the creature’s throat.

The turtle resisted, writhing and trying to escape into the pool, but couldn't free itself.

Feng Ke’er wouldn’t let it succeed. She took a deep breath and shouted, “Retract!” Her rope, though only a mid-grade magical tool, responded smoothly.

A flash of violet-black light, and the rope, still hooked to the creature, whisked it to the top of the waterfall in a blink.

With a flick of her wrist, Feng Ke’er hurled the creature onto the massive rocks below the cliff.

Like all turtles, once out of its element, it withdrew its head and limbs, leaving only a brown shell rolling among the stones.

Was this really a second rank demon beast? It was embarrassing for demon beasts everywhere! She shook her head disdainfully and drew her Azure Edge Sword to kill it.

But as she drew near, a sudden “snap” sounded, and black smoke burst from the shell. Through the smoke, several brown objects shot toward her.

Ah! It could use hidden weapons!

Startled, Feng Ke’er spun her sword in a defensive pattern, shielding herself completely.

She intercepted nine hidden weapons.

As the smoke cleared, the shell lay still on the rocks. All nine barbs atop its shell were gone—it seemed they were the hidden weapons just thrown. Had she not reacted quickly with her powerful sword, most Core Condensation cultivators would have fallen victim.

Feng Ke’er snorted, flipped the shell over with her foot, pinned it underfoot, and prepared to strike with her sword—nothing could withstand the Azure Edge Sword.

Suddenly, the shell’s edges gleamed coldly, expanding rapidly.

“Not good!” It was about to self-destruct!

Shocked, Feng Ke’er abandoned the shell, pushed off with both feet, and combined Wind Riding and Swift Step techniques to shoot skyward like an arrow.

Even clay has its temper. With a thunderous boom, blood burst beneath her feet—the turtle self-destructed, dissolving into dark red powder. Droplets splattered onto nearby stones, which smoked violently as if doused in strong acid.

Such a fierce creature! Fortunately, Feng Ke’er was alert and quick, escaping unscathed. A surge of warmth entered her abdomen as she steadied herself, though cold sweat drenched her back—the upgrade results showed this highly toxic beast was merely a first rank demon beast.

Her careful testing revealed the blood spray had no effect on the sand shell encasing her Phoenix Jade Pendant. The compendium confirmed the creature’s scientific name was Green-Haired Turtle, water element, indeed a first rank demon beast whose weakness lay at the root of its long tongue.

As for the Gold Coin Carp, that was something else entirely.

(To be continued)

Heavenly Compendium, Chapter 79—Slaying the Turtle, update complete!