dì wǔ bǎi liù shí qī zhāng xuán guī
第五百六十七章玄龟
Chapter 567: The Profound Turtle
dà shī liǎn sè yī biàn jiān tóu wēi yáo ， nà huī bái sè de guǐ qì huàn huà chéng :> de jù mǎng ， zhēng níng fēi cháng ， pū shàng qù duì zhe tiě zhù yī zhèn sī yǎo 。
大师脸色一变肩头微摇，那灰白色的鬼气幻化成:>的巨蟒，狰狞非常，扑上去对着铁柱一阵撕咬。
Master's expression changed as he slightly shook his shoulder. The grayish-white ghostly energy transformed into a massive python, ferocious and menacing, lunging at the iron pillar to tear it apart.
zhuǎn yǎn ， yī zhǎn chá de shí jiān guò qù le ， nà tiě zhù yī rán méi yǒu bèi hàn dòng fēn háo 。
转眼，一盏茶的时间过去了，那铁柱依然没有被撼动分毫。
In an instant, a tea time passed by, but the iron pillar remained unshaken.
zhè huí ， bù jǐn shì liǎng gè níng dān qī de xiǎo bèi liǎn sè cǎn rán ， kǔ dà shī zhè wèi yuán yīng qī de lǎo guài xīn zhōng yě kāi shǐ dǎ qǐ le gǔ lái 。
这回，不仅是两个凝丹期的小辈脸色惨然，苦大师这位元婴期的老怪心中也开始打起了鼓来。
This time, not only did the two condensation core stage juniors look grim, but even Master Kǔ, who was an advanced spirit body cultivator, began to feel anxious.
shén me jìn zhì rú cǐ lì hài ， nán dào zì jǐ zòng héng yī shì ， jìng yào bèi kùn sǐ ？
什么禁制如此厉害，难道自己纵横一世，竟要被困死？
What kind of restriction could be so formidable? Could he really be trapped and die here?
“ zhǎng lǎo ， bù jí ， wǒ men màn màn shāng liáng rú hé pò chú zhè dào jìn zhì 。” gěng xìng xiū shì qiáng zuò huān yán ， gān xiào zhe dào 。
“长老，不急，我们慢慢商量如何破除这道禁制。”耿姓修士强作欢颜，干笑着道。
"Senior Elder, don't worry. We can slowly discuss how to break this restriction," thehonest or frank cultivator forced a smile, chuckling.
“ shì a ， kǔ dà shī ， zǒng yǒu bàn fǎ 。” hóng yī nǚ zǐ yě zài yī páng bāng qiāng ， tā men suī duì zhè lǎo guài wù méi yǒu hǎo gǎn ， dàn rú jīn kě shì yī tiáo shéng shàng de mà zhà ， zhè shuǐ láo kàn shàng qù zhe shí guǐ yì ， lián yuán yīng qī xiū shì dōu gǎn jué jí shǒu ， tā liǎ zì rán gèng méi yǒu pò jìn ér chū de xī wàng 。
“是啊，苦大师，总有办法。”红衣女子也在一旁帮腔，他们虽对这老怪物没有好感，但如今可是一条绳上的蚂蚱，这水牢看上去着实诡异，连元婴期修士都感觉棘手，他俩自然更没有破禁而出的希望。
"Yes, Master Kǔ, there must be a way," the red-robed woman chimed in from the side. Though they had no fondness for the old monster, they were now in the same boat. The water prison looked genuinely strange and even an advanced spirit body cultivator found it troublesome; thus, their hopes of breaking free were slim.
kǔ dà shī liǎn sè nán kàn wú bǐ ， bìng yǒu lǐ huì liǎng rén de hǎo yì ， kǒu zhōng yī shēng qīng chì ， yòu jiāng nà yuān hún rén gǔ bàng jì qǐ 。
苦大师脸色难看无比，并有理会两人的好意，口中一声轻叱，又将那冤魂人骨棒祭起。
Master Kǔ's face was unusually displeased, but he ignored their well-meaning words. With a light hiss, he raised thevengeful spirit bone club again.
guǐ yǐng chuò chuò ， jiù xiàng zhe jìn zhì dǎ qù 。
鬼影绰绰，就像着禁制打去。
The ghostly figure moved as if striking at the restriction.
“ hēng ， jiù píng nǐ ， yí gè yuán yīng chū de xiū shì ， yě xiǎng cóng zhè kǔn xiān láo zhōng chū qù ， chī xīn wàng xiǎng ér yǐ 。”
“哼，就凭你，一个元婴初的修士，也想从这捆仙牢中出去，痴心妄想而已。”
"Hmph, with just an initial-stage spirit body cultivator like you, wanting to escape from this Restraining Immortal Prison? Pure delusion."
qià zài shí ， yī yǒu xiē dī chén de shēng yīn xiǎng qǐ ， dài zhe jī fěng zhī yì 。
恰在时，一有些低沉的声音响起，带着讥讽之意。
Just then, a low voice echoed, dripping with mockery.
“ hé fāng kuáng tú 。 gǎn xì nòng lǎo fū ？”
“何方狂徒。敢戏弄老夫？”
"Who dares to mock me? How dare you toy with old man?"
kǔ dà shī mǎn liǎn nù róng 。 rán ér xīn què dǎ qǐ le gǔ 。 cǐ kōng jiān bù guò bǎi yú zhàng ér yǐ 。 tā yǐ jīng yòng shén shí sǎo guò 。 míng míng méi yǒu fā xiàn shēng wù 。
苦大师满脸怒容。然而心却打起了鼓。此空间不过百余丈而已。他已经用神识扫过。明明没有发现生物。
Master Kǔ's face was filled with anger, but his heart was uneasy. This space was only about a hundred feet in size; he had already used his divine sense and found no signs of life.
“ hēng 。 bù yòng fèi xīn sōu suǒ 。 yǐ nǐ dì xiū wèi 。 hái kàn bù pò lǎo fū dì huàn shù 。” yī jiù shì gāng cái nà ge shēng yīn 。 màn tiáo sī lǐ 。
“哼。不用费心搜索。以你地修为。还看不破老夫地幻术。”依旧是刚才那个声音。慢条斯理。
"Hmph, there's no need for you to search. With your cultivation, you can't penetrate my illusion," the same voice continued, slow and deliberate.
tīng le duì fāng dì tiǎo dòu zhī yán 。 kǔ dà shī yǎn zhū yī zhuǎn 。 liǎn shàng dì nù róng què fǎn ér yǒu suǒ shōu liǎn 。
听了对方地挑逗之言。苦大师眼珠一转。脸上地怒容却反而有所收敛。
Hearing the other's taunting words, Master Kǔ's eyes flickered, but his anger seemed to subside.
“ dào yǒu hé bì gù nòng xuán xū 。 nǐ bù yě tóng yàng kùn zài cǐ dì 。 ruò yǒu bàn fǎ chū qù zěn huì hái dài zài zhè lǐ 。 bù rú xiàn shēn chū lái 。 nǐ wǒ yì qǐ tóng zhōu gòng jì 。”
“道友何必故弄玄虚。你不也同样困在此地。若有办法出去怎会还待在这里。不如现身出来。你我一起同舟共济。”
"Friend, why play games? You are also trapped here. If there were a way out, wouldn't you leave this place? Come out and let's work together."
nà shēng yīn gā rán ér zhǐ 。 chén mò le xià qù 。 kǔ dà shī què yì diǎn yě bù jí 。 rán ér àn dì lǐ 。 què fàng chū le quán bù dì shén shí 。
那声音嘎然而止。沉默了下去。苦大师却一点也不急。然而暗地里。却放出了全部地神识。
The voice abruptly stopped, leaving silence. However, Master Kǔ did not rush; he secretly released all of his divine sense.
zhǐ jiàn nà yuán běn píng jìng de xiǎo hú ， tū rán bō wén dàng yàng ， míng míng méi yǒu fēng xiān qǐ le shù zhàng gāo de jù làng 。
只见那原本平静的小湖，突然波纹荡漾，明明没有风掀起了数丈高的巨浪。
Suddenly, the calm lake began to ripple, as if stirred by wind, but no wind was present, creating waves several feet high.
jiē zhe zài hú shuǐ de zhōng xīn wèi zhì ， chū xiàn le yí gè dòu dà de xuán wō 。
接着在湖水的中心位置，出现了一个斗大的漩涡。
Then, a massive vortex appeared at the center of the lake.
jīng rén de yāo qì cóng lǐ miàn mí sàn ér chū ……
惊人的妖气从里面弥散而出……
Terrifying demonic energy spread from within...
“ tiān nǎ shì shén me ！” hóng yī nǚ zǐ yǎn kǒu jīng hū 。
“天哪是什么！”红衣女子掩口惊呼。
"By heavens, what is it!" The red-robed woman gasped in shock.
“ xuán guī ？ bù …… bù kě néng ， zěn me zhè me dà ， hái yǒu de wēi yā 。” gěng xìng nán zi de liǎn shàng yě mǎn shì bù néng zhì xìn zhī sè 。
“玄龟？不……不可能，怎么这么大，还有的威压。”耿姓男子的脸上也满是不能置信之色。
"A Profound Turtle? No... impossible. How big and how formidable," thehonest or frank man's face was filled with disbelief.
zhǐ jiàn xuán wō zhī shàng ， yī zhī shù zhàng dà de shí guī gù pàn ér lì ， jiāo bù kě yī shì ér cóng shēn shàng de yāo qì lái kàn ， fēn míng yǐ dào le huà xíng zhōng qī 。
只见漩涡之上，一只数丈大的石龟顾盼而立，骄不可一世而从身上的妖气来看，分明已到了化形中期。
A stone turtle, several feet in size, stood proudly above the vortex. From its demonic energy, it was clear that it had reached mid-transformation stage.
biàn shì kǔ dà shī yě sǒng rán dòng róng suī rán tā yě cāi dào zhè shuǐ láo zhōng de guài wù fēi tóng xiǎo kě ， què méi xiǎng dào bǐ zì jǐ de xiū wèi hái yào shèng shàng yī chóu 。
便是苦大师也耸然动容虽然他也猜到这水牢中的怪物非同小可，却没想到比自己的修为还要胜上一筹。
Even Master Kǔ was visibly moved. Although he guessed this water prison's monster was no ordinary one, he didn't expect it to surpass his own cultivation level.
yóu qí shì xuán guī …… zhè yě tài lí pǔ ！
尤其是玄龟……这也太离谱！
Especially not a Profound Turtle... This was too outrageous!
zhòng suǒ zhōu zhī ， yāo shòu xī shōu tiān dì jīng huá ， tóng yàng kě yǐ xiū liàn jìn jí 。
众所周知，妖兽吸收天地精华，同样可以修炼晋级。
It was well-known that demons and beasts could absorb the essence of heaven and earth to cultivate and advance.
rán ér jiù rú tóng xiū shì yǒu zhe líng gēn zī zhì dì chā yì ， yāo shòu yóu yú zhǒng zú xuè mài de bù tóng ， xiū liàn jìn jiē de nán dù yě shì tiān chà dì bié de 。
然而就如同修士有着灵根资质的差异，妖兽由于种族血脉的不同，修炼进阶的难度也是天差地别的。
However, just as cultivators had varying spiritual root qualities, demons and beasts due to their different racial bloodlines faced vastly different levels of difficulty in advancing.
ná kǒng què lái shuō shēn wèi yuǎn gǔ shén niǎo de hòu yì ， cóng chū shēn xiū dào huà xíng qī bù guò jǐ bǎi zài de guāng yīn ér yǐ 。
拿孔雀来说身为远古神鸟的后裔，从出身修到化形期不过几百载的光阴而已。
For instance, a peacock, an offspring of ancient divine birds, only took a few hundred years to reach mid-transformation stage. Centuries for humans was but a blink of an eye.
yào zhī dào yāo zú de shòu mìng bǐ rén lèi zhǎng dé duō bǎi nián duì men lái shuō ， bù guò shì dàn zhǐ yī huī jiān bà le 。
要知道妖族的寿命比人类长得多百年对们来说，不过是弹指一挥间罢了。
But most demons lived for hundreds or even thousands of years before failing to advance beyond the transformation stage and exhausting their lifespan. Demons were not immortal; in other words, due to bloodline differences, unless there was special fortune, many demons could never reach the fourth stage.
dàn gèng duō de yāo zú shuō jǐ bǎi nián ， jiù suàn shì xiū shàng shù wàn nián wú fǎ kuà rù huà xíng qī de mén kǎn ， ér zài cǐ zhī qián ， men yǐ shòu yuán hào jìn ， bì jìng yāo zú yě bú shì kě yǐ yǒng yuǎn cháng shēng ， huàn jù huà shuō ， xiàn yú xuè mài de chā yì ， chú fēi shì yǒu tè bié de jī yuán ， hěn duō yāo zú ， zhōng qí yī shēng ， yě bù kě néng dào dá sì jiē de 。
但更多的妖族说几百年，就算是修上数万年无法跨入化形期的门槛，而在此之前，们已寿元耗尽，毕竟妖族也不是可以永远长生，换句话说，限于血脉的差异，除非是有特别的机缘，很多妖族，终其一生，也不可能到达四阶的。
The Profound Turtle wasn't a divine beast's offspring but had an extremely low bloodline. If compared to cultivators, it would be like having no spiritual root at all.
ér xuán guī kě bú shì shén me shén shòu hòu yì ， qià qià xiāng fǎn ， de xuè mài dī dé lí pǔ ， rú guǒ yòng xiū shì de qíng kuàng zuò bǐ yù ， jiù xiāng dāng yú méi yǒu líng gēn 。
而玄龟可不是什么神兽后裔，恰恰相反，的血脉低得离谱，如果用修士的情况作比喻，就相当于没有灵根。
Both Master Kǔ and the two condensation core stage cultivators were well-traveled, but they had never heard of a second-stage Profound Turtle, let alone one in mid-transformation. Could this be a mistake?
bù lùn kǔ dà shī hái shì liǎng míng níng dān qī de xiū shì dōu suàn jiàn duō shí guǎng rén ， dàn èr jiē de xuán guī yě wén suǒ wèi wén ， gèng bié shuō huà xíng qī zhè me lí pǔ ， nán dào shì nòng cuò ？
不论苦大师还是两名凝丹期的修士都算见多识广人，但二阶的玄龟也闻所未闻，更别说化形期这么离谱，难道是弄错？
All three faces showed shock as they re-released their divine sense to examine the monster closely; it was indeed at mid-transformation.
sān rén liǎn shàng mǎn shì jīng zhī sè ， chóng xīn fàng chū shén shí ， shàng shàng xià xià dǎ liàng yǎn qián de guài wù ， què shí shì huà xíng zhōng qī méi cuò 。
三人脸上满是惊之色，重新放出神识，上上下下打量眼前的怪物，确实是化形中期没错。
"Enough looking, I am truly a fourth-stage demon cultivator," the Profound Turtle raised its head, speaking with a deep and heavy voice.
“ bù yòng kàn le ， běn lǎo zǔ què shí shì sì jiē de yāo xiū 。” nà xuán guī áng qǐ tóu ， shēng yīn dī chén ér hòu zhòng 。
“不用看了，本老祖确实是四阶的妖修。”那玄龟昂起头，声音低沉而厚重。
Then, a flash of light appeared, and the turtle's body began to change. It shrank visibly, even retracting its shell into its body. When the light subsided, an ugly but robust man stood before them.
jiē zhe líng guāng yī shǎn ， de qū tǐ kāi shǐ fā shēng yì biàn ， yǐ ròu yǎn kě jiàn de sù dù suō xiǎo ， lián guī ké yě suō rù dào le shēn tǐ lǐ miàn ， dāng líng guāng shōu liǎn ， yí gè róng mào chǒu lòu ， què shí fēn zhuàng shí de dà hàn chū xiàn zài le sān rén de miàn qián 。
接着灵光一闪，的躯体开始发生异变，以肉眼可见的速度缩小，连龟壳也缩入到了身体里面，当灵光收敛，一个容貌丑陋，却十分壮实的大汉出现在了三人的面前。
"Is your true form really a Profound Turtle?" Despite seeing is believing, Master Kǔ still looked incredulous.
“ dào yǒu de běn tǐ zhēn shì xuán guī ？” suī shuō yǎn jiàn wèi shí ， dàn kǔ dà shī cǐ shí de biǎo qíng yī jiù shì bù néng zhì xìn 。
“道友的本体真是玄龟？”虽说眼见为实，但苦大师此时的表情依旧是不能置信。
"Hmph, it’s genuine."
“ hēng ， rú jiǎ bāo huàn 。”
“哼，如假包换。”
"That's rare indeed. Looks like you either have exceptional talent or some special divine fortune," facing a mid-transformation stage demon, even Master Kǔ showed no arrogance. The other two condensation core cultivators quickly bowed respectfully.
“ nà hái zhēn shì xī hǎn ， kàn lái dào yǒu bú shì tiān fù yì bǐng ， jiù shì lìng yǒu shén me xiān yuán 。” miàn duì yī huà xíng zhōng qī de yāo zú ， biàn shì kǔ dà shī yě bù gǎn yǒu sī háo de jiāo hèng zhī sè ， lìng wài liǎng míng níng dān qī de xiū shì ， gèng shì lián máng gōng jìng de xíng lǐ 。
“那还真是稀罕，看来道友不是天赋异禀，就是另有什么仙缘。”面对一化形中期的妖族，便是苦大师也不敢有丝毫的骄横之色，另外两名凝丹期的修士，更是连忙恭敬的行礼。
"You needn't probe my background; I simply lived longer than others of my kind without any special fortune," the turtle demon grinned, his expression ambiguous.
“ dào yǒu wú xū dǎ tàn lǎo fū de dǐ xì ， shí huà gào sù nǐ ， wǒ bìng méi yǒu shén me tè shū de jī yuán ， zhǐ bù guò bǐ qí tā tóng lèi huó dé gèng jiā jiǔ ér yǐ 。” guī yāo liě zhe zuǐ jiǎo ， sì xiào fēi xiào de dào 。
“道友无需打探老夫的底细，实话告诉你，我并没有什么特殊的机缘，只不过比其他同类活得更加久而已。”龟妖咧着嘴角，似笑非笑的道。
Everyone knew that among demons, Profound Turtles were considered lowly, but they had one advantage: longevity.
zhòng rén zhǐ zhī dào zài yāo zú zhī zhōng ， xuán guī shì shǔ yú hěn lā jī de yī zhǒng ， què bù zhī dào zhè zhǒng guài wù suī rán zī zhì dī liè ， què yě yǒu yī xiàng cháng chù ， huó dé jí jiǔ 。
众人只知道在妖族之中，玄龟是属于很垃圾的一种，却不知道这种怪物虽然资质低劣，却也有一项长处，活得极久。
The lifespan of a demon was different from that of a cultivator and did not increase with cultivation level; it was determined by their race at birth, ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of years!
yāo zú de shòu mìng yǔ xiū shì bù tóng ， bìng fēi suí zhe xiū wèi zēng zhǎng ér zēng jiā ， ér shì gēn jù zhǒng zú ， yī chū shēng xià lái jiù dìng le 。
妖族的寿命与修士不同，并非随着修为增长而增加，而是根据种族，一出生下来就定了。
But the Profound Turtle could easily live for over a million years.
tōng cháng yóu shù qiān nián zhì shù wàn nián bù děng ！
通常由数千年至数万年不等！
Of course, this was an ideal state. Imagine a first-stage demon with extremely poorqualifications, at the bottom of the food chain in the competitive cultivation world, living only a few centuries before dying. There would be no chance to advance.
ér zhè xuán guī ， zé kě yǐ qīng yì huó dào bǎi wàn nián yǐ shàng 。
而这玄龟，则可以轻易活到百万年以上。
However, this one was different; trapped in this sealed space, isolated from the outside world, the water prison became its haven. With no enemies and no dangers, it could focus on cultivation undisturbed.
dāng rán ， zhè shì yī zhǒng lǐ xiǎng zhuàng tài ， shì xiǎng ， qū qū yī jiē de yāo zú ， yòu shǔ yú zī zhì jí chà de nà zhǒng ， zài ruò ròu qiáng shí de xiū xiān jiè ， shǔ yú shí wù liàn de zuì dǐ céng ， néng huó gè jǐ bǎi zài jiù shāo gāo xiāng ， zì rán méi yǒu jī huì jìn jiē le 。
当然，这是一种理想状态，试想，区区一阶的妖族，又属于资质极差的那种，在弱肉强食的修仙界，属于食物链的最底层，能活个几百载就烧高香，自然没有机会进阶了。
Though itsqualifications was poor, time made up for it. After a million years, it finally achieved an unprecedented miracle in the cultivation world: mid-transformation stage Profound Turtle!
rán ér yǎn qián zhè zhǐ bù tóng ， zài zhè fēng bì de kōng jiān zhī zhōng ， yǔ wài jiè wán quán gé jué de shuǐ láo ， què chéng le de ān lè wō ， méi yǒu tiān dí ， méi yǒu wēi xiǎn ， kě yǐ xīn wú páng wù de xiū liàn 。
然而眼前这只不同，在这封闭的空间之中，与外界完全隔绝的水牢，却成了的安乐窝，没有天敌，没有危险，可以心无旁骛的修炼。
After reaching full cultivation, this monster naturally couldn't content itself with staying in the water prison and wanted to venture out. However, while the Restraining Immortal Prison wasn't as mysterious as its name suggested, it was indeed where Yu Xuan Sect imprisoned major criminals. An advanced spirit body cultivator had once been confined here.
zī zhì suī chà ， dàn shí jiān kě yǐ mí bǔ ， bǎi wàn nián guò qù ， zhōng yú chéng jiù le xiū xiān jiè cóng suǒ wèi yǒu de qí jì 。
资质虽差，但时间可以弥补，百万年过去，终于成就了修仙界从所未有的奇迹。
Although the Profound Turtle's cultivation techniques were not low, they still couldn't escape.
huà xíng qī xuán guī ！
化形期玄龟！
And by chance, the three from Sword Obscuring Palace were transported here.
xiū wèi dà chéng yǐ hòu ， cǐ guài wù zì rán bù gān xīn wō jū yú shuǐ láo ， xiǎng yào qù wài miàn yī chuǎng ， rán ér zhè kǔn xiān láo suī rán méi yǒu míng zì shuō dé nà me xuán ào ， dàn què shí shì yù xuán zōng guān yā chóng fàn de dì fāng ， céng jīng yǒu yuán yīng zhōng qī de xiū shì bèi yōu jìn yú cǐ ， zhè zhǐ xuán guī suī rán dào fǎ bù dī ， dàn tóng yàng méi yǒu bàn fǎ tuō kùn chú qù 。
修为大成以后，此怪物自然不甘心蜗居于水牢，想要去外面一闯，然而这捆仙牢虽然没有名字说得那么玄奥，但确实是玉玄宗关押重犯的地方，曾经有元婴中期的修士被幽禁于此，这只玄龟虽然道法不低，但同样没有办法脱困除去。
While there was no harmony between demons and cultivators, cooperation seemed their only hope.
ér wú qiǎo bù qiǎo ， jiàn yōu gōng de sān míng jiā huǒ bèi chuán sòng dào le zhè lǐ 。
而无巧不巧，剑幽宫的三名家伙被传送到了这里。
"Oh, so you live here. Then, I must ask where exactly this place is?" Master Kǔ bowed politely, trying to gather information with a friendly smile.
Chapter 567: The Profound Turtle
Master's expression changed as he slightly shook his shoulder. The grayish-white ghostly energy transformed into a massive python, ferocious and menacing, lunging at the iron pillar to tear it apart.
In an instant, a tea time passed by, but the iron pillar remained unshaken.
This time, not only did the two condensation core stage juniors look grim, but even Master Kǔ, who was an advanced spirit body cultivator, began to feel anxious.
What kind of restriction could be so formidable? Could he really be trapped and die here?
"Senior Elder, don't worry. We can slowly discuss how to break this restriction," thehonest or frank cultivator forced a smile, chuckling.
"Yes, Master Kǔ, there must be a way," the red-robed woman chimed in from the side. Though they had no fondness for the old monster, they were now in the same boat. The water prison looked genuinely strange and even an advanced spirit body cultivator found it troublesome; thus, their hopes of breaking free were slim.
Master Kǔ's face was unusually displeased, but he ignored their well-meaning words. With a light hiss, he raised thevengeful spirit bone club again.
The ghostly figure moved as if striking at the restriction.
"Hmph, with just an initial-stage spirit body cultivator like you, wanting to escape from this Restraining Immortal Prison? Pure delusion."
Just then, a low voice echoed, dripping with mockery.
"Who dares to mock me? How dare you toy with old man?"
Master Kǔ's face was filled with anger, but his heart was uneasy. This space was only about a hundred feet in size; he had already used his divine sense and found no signs of life.
"Hmph, there's no need for you to search. With your cultivation, you can't penetrate my illusion," the same voice continued, slow and deliberate.
Hearing the other's taunting words, Master Kǔ's eyes flickered, but his anger seemed to subside.
"Friend, why play games? You are also trapped here. If there were a way out, wouldn't you leave this place? Come out and let's work together."
The voice abruptly stopped, leaving silence. However, Master Kǔ did not rush; he secretly released all of his divine sense.
Suddenly, the calm lake began to ripple, as if stirred by wind, but no wind was present, creating waves several feet high.
Then, a massive vortex appeared at the center of the lake.
Terrifying demonic energy spread from within...
"By heavens, what is it!" The red-robed woman gasped in shock.
"A Profound Turtle? No... impossible. How big and how formidable," thehonest or frank man's face was filled with disbelief.
A stone turtle, several feet in size, stood proudly above the vortex. From its demonic energy, it was clear that it had reached mid-transformation stage.
Even Master Kǔ was visibly moved. Although he guessed this water prison's monster was no ordinary one, he didn't expect it to surpass his own cultivation level.
Especially not a Profound Turtle... This was too outrageous!
It was well-known that demons and beasts could absorb the essence of heaven and earth to cultivate and advance.
However, just as cultivators had varying spiritual root qualities, demons and beasts due to their different racial bloodlines faced vastly different levels of difficulty in advancing.
For instance, a peacock, an offspring of ancient divine birds, only took a few hundred years to reach mid-transformation stage. Centuries for humans was but a blink of an eye.
But most demons lived for hundreds or even thousands of years before failing to advance beyond the transformation stage and exhausting their lifespan. Demons were not immortal; in other words, due to bloodline differences, unless there was special fortune, many demons could never reach the fourth stage.
The Profound Turtle wasn't a divine beast's offspring but had an extremely low bloodline. If compared to cultivators, it would be like having no spiritual root at all.
Both Master Kǔ and the two condensation core stage cultivators were well-traveled, but they had never heard of a second-stage Profound Turtle, let alone one in mid-transformation. Could this be a mistake?
All three faces showed shock as they re-released their divine sense to examine the monster closely; it was indeed at mid-transformation.
"Enough looking, I am truly a fourth-stage demon cultivator," the Profound Turtle raised its head, speaking with a deep and heavy voice.
Then, a flash of light appeared, and the turtle's body began to change. It shrank visibly, even retracting its shell into its body. When the light subsided, an ugly but robust man stood before them.
"Is your true form really a Profound Turtle?" Despite seeing is believing, Master Kǔ still looked incredulous.
"Hmph, it’s genuine."
"That's rare indeed. Looks like you either have exceptional talent or some special divine fortune," facing a mid-transformation stage demon, even Master Kǔ showed no arrogance. The other two condensation core cultivators quickly bowed respectfully.
"You needn't probe my background; I simply lived longer than others of my kind without any special fortune," the turtle demon grinned, his expression ambiguous.
Everyone knew that among demons, Profound Turtles were considered lowly, but they had one advantage: longevity.
The lifespan of a demon was different from that of a cultivator and did not increase with cultivation level; it was determined by their race at birth, ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of years!
But the Profound Turtle could easily live for over a million years.
Of course, this was an ideal state. Imagine a first-stage demon with extremely poorqualifications, at the bottom of the food chain in the competitive cultivation world, living only a few centuries before dying. There would be no chance to advance.
However, this one was different; trapped in this sealed space, isolated from the outside world, the water prison became its haven. With no enemies and no dangers, it could focus on cultivation undisturbed.
Though itsqualifications was poor, time made up for it. After a million years, it finally achieved an unprecedented miracle in the cultivation world: mid-transformation stage Profound Turtle!
After reaching full cultivation, this monster naturally couldn't content itself with staying in the water prison and wanted to venture out. However, while the Restraining Immortal Prison wasn't as mysterious as its name suggested, it was indeed where Yu Xuan Sect imprisoned major criminals. An advanced spirit body cultivator had once been confined here.
Although the Profound Turtle's cultivation techniques were not low, they still couldn't escape.
And by chance, the three from Sword Obscuring Palace were transported here.
While there was no harmony between demons and cultivators, cooperation seemed their only hope.
"Oh, so you live here. Then, I must ask where exactly this place is?" Master Kǔ bowed politely, trying to gather information with a friendly smile.