Bai Sha and the others didn’t have to wait long.
Not long after, a figure arrived beside them.
“Bingning, I’m here!”
Accompanied by the sound of a greeting, Bai Sha and Yin Sha’s gazes also fell upon Bingning’s friend, sizing her up.
The newcomer’s appearance was roughly similar to a sea anemone.
Sea anemones are creatures of the sea whose brains lack the ability to process information. Like plants, most remain in place and do not move, with only a few that will relocate.
But once they gain sentience and become Demon Beasts, the situation changes.
The anemone before them was no ordinary sea anemone. It was golden all over, and each of its kelp-like tentacles seemed coated with a layer of golden light.
This was a Sun Anemone!
Seeing the Sun Anemone arrive, Bingning first said to Bai Sha and Yin Sha, “This is the friend I’ve been waiting for. Her race is Sun Anemone, and her name is Xiaokui.”
After speaking, Bingning also introduced Bai Sha and Yin Sha to Xiaokui.
“Very pleased to meet you two! My name is Xiaokui, Xiao from Xiao, Kui from Kui,” the Sun Anemone said cheerfully. (TN: Xiaokui is introducing herself in a playful/tautological way, literally “The Xiao of Xiao, the Kui of Kui,” which is difficult to translate directly without losing the childish tone.)
“I’m also very pleased to meet you,” Bai Sha replied with a smile.
At the same time, she formed a preliminary impression of Xiaokui in her mind—she seemed like a cute and lively girl.
Bingning now said to Xiaokui, “Xiaokui, after hearing about Lost Island, Yin Sha and Bai Sha also plan to join our group. What do you think?”
Xiaokui said without hesitation, “Of course, that’s no problem! A larger number of Demon Cultivators means greater strength. Quite a few Demon Cultivators have their eyes on Lost Island. With just the two of us at Late Qi Condensation, our competitiveness is indeed somewhat lacking.”
Upon hearing this, Bingning said, “Alright. Since that’s settled, let’s move out.”
No one had any objections.
They immediately set off, with Bingning leading the way as they swam out, and Bai Sha and the other Demon Cultivators following behind.
As they followed, Bai Sha asked Xiaokui, “Xiaokui, in your exploration of Lost Island, what do you hope to obtain the most?”
Xiaokui’s tone was slightly expectant. “If possible, I want to obtain a suitable Dao Foundation.”
Another one seeking a Dao Foundation?
Bai Sha nodded in understanding. It seemed that for Demon Cultivators at the Late Qi Condensation stage, a Dao Foundation was the absolute priority, the thing they cared about most.
However, regarding Xiaokui’s Dao Foundation…
A strange expression came over Bai Sha’s face. As a Sun Anemone, Xiaokui’s attribute was different from ordinary sea Demon Cultivators; she leaned more towards a Yang nature.
Simply put, something like Fire Jade Stone would actually be quite suitable for Xiaokui.
The sea stretched boundlessly, its waves surging.
Seabirds wheeled back and forth with long cries. Occasionally, a fish would cautiously poke its head out above the sea surface, take a look at the vast world outside, and then shrink back into the sea.
Splash…
Amidst the splashing water droplets, a snow-white dolphin poked its head out on the sea surface.
Whoosh!
At that moment, a seabird instinctively swooped down, wanting to hunt for food.
The dolphin raised its head, opened its mouth, and a blast of cold air was belched forth, causing the diving seabird to be frozen solid into a block of ice. With a smack, it fell into the seawater and sank down just like that.
Without a doubt, this snow-white dolphin was precisely Bingning.
Near Bingning, the figures of Bai Sha, Yin Sha, and Xiaokui all surfaced.
After getting her bearings, Bingning swam in one direction. “It’s this way. Let’s hurry over.”
Bai Sha and the other Demon Cultivators continued to follow.
After traveling like this for a short while, they could distantly see an island looming ahead.
When that island appeared, Bingning spoke up again. “This location never had an island before. It’s an island that only appeared recently. Inside, there will be opportunities, but there will also be dangers. Everyone be careful.”
“Have you explored this island before?” Bai Sha asked.
“No,” Bingning shook her head. “Actually, this is my first time too. What I know about Lost Island, I’ve all heard from others before.”
“I’ve heard some rumors about Lost Island too,” Xiaokui said, her tentacles swaying, her tone full of interest. “Many Demon Cultivators say that Lost Island was originally concealed by an array, which is why it wasn’t visible. But it was actually always there.”
This statement made both Bai Sha and Yin Sha nod. An island appearing out of nowhere—indeed, only the explanation that it had previously been hidden by an array made sense.
“There are other Demon Cultivators up ahead,” Yin Sha said at that moment, narrowing her eyes.
“Everyone, be on your guard,” Bingning’s expression also turned serious.
They stopped communicating further and just continued to draw closer.
As they approached, Lost Island became increasingly clear. From outside the island, the scenery on the island could be seen.
The sight presented to their eyes was very primitive. Lush mountain forests were everywhere. Beyond this, there didn’t seem to be anything else particularly noteworthy.
In comparison, the individual Demon Cultivators appearing outside the island were far harder to ignore.
These Demon Cultivators were grouped up, one group after another, a full dozen or so groups, all staying outside and communicating.
“Why aren’t they entering Lost Island?” Bai Sha asked, observing this.
“I don’t know. Let’s get closer and take a look,” Bingning shook her head.
“Be careful. I see two Foundation Establishment Demon Cultivators,” Xiaokui lowered her voice as she spoke.
Foundation Establishment Demon Cultivators?
Hearing Xiaokui’s words, Bai Sha and the others were inwardly shaken and all became alert.
Bai Sha asked in a low voice, “Which two are Foundation Establishment Demon Cultivators?”
Xiaokui explained, “First, that group of birds over there. The leader is called Lei Ke. He is a Foundation Establishment Demon Cultivator.”
Bai Sha looked in that direction.
Lei Ke was his name, and his race was Thunder Controlling Sea Eagle, a race extremely attuned to the lightning element. The feathers covering his body were all purple, looking from afar as though surrounded by flashing lightning. He was as large as a single-room house, appearing exceptionally mighty and extraordinary.
Circling around Lei Ke were several other bird-type Demon Cultivators.
There was the Emerald Elder, seemingly formed from jade.
Off-String Swallow, with a slender body and extremely fast flight, colored black.
And Cloud-Shading Bird, whose wings were especially large, disproportionate to its body.
After Bai Sha had sized up the Demon Cultivators on Lei Ke’s side, Xiaokui signaled in another direction. “And over there. That Star River Tortoise who goes by Xingxing, he’s also a Foundation Establishment Demon Cultivator.”
Bai Sha looked over again.
The Star River Tortoise called Xingxing was also the size of a house. His shell was like a condensed river of stars, full of a mysterious feeling, looking dazzlingly beautiful.
Xingxing also had several followers by his side.
A Diamond Turtle, whose shell was like diamonds, crystalline as a work of art.
A Sea-Swallowing Turtle with a very large mouth.
A Mountain-Coiling Turtle, earthy yellow in color and as tall as a three-story building.
And a Profound Mechanism Tortoise, whose shell bore a Bagua pattern, possessing an innate talent for Arrays.
“These are just the Demon Cultivators I recognize. I can’t guarantee there aren’t more Foundation Establishment Demon Cultivators among the others,” Xiaokui added after introducing the two Foundation Establishment Demon Cultivators.
Bai Sha and her companions were all very solemn. The presence of Foundation Establishment Demon Cultivators meant that the difficulty of obtaining benefits had just increased significantly for them.
