Chapter 287: What Has Been “Bound”?

Beyond the vast and boundless Northern Huangtian, a hidden oasis lay like an otherworldly paradise. At its center sat a uniquely shaped immortal island, resembling an exquisitely crafted yin-yang jade pendant, seamlessly merging lake and land into one.

The island was a perfect circle—one half submerged in the clear, rippling waters of the lake, while the other half rose into the air, forming a lush, verdant isle.

The lake’s crystal-clear surface shimmered under the sunlight, reflecting the azure sky and drifting white clouds, painting a breathtaking scene.

Fish swam freely in the water, occasionally leaping above the surface, sending gentle ripples outward.

Along the shore, a fine, soft beach met a stretch of emerald grassland. Wildflowers swayed with the breeze, releasing a faint, pleasant fragrance.

A woman, dressed in a flowing green gown, sat cross-legged by the lake. Her beauty was like the first bloom of spring, delicate and radiant. Holding a fishing rod made of emerald bamboo, she quietly cast her line into the water.

Suddenly, as if sensing something, her clear eyes lifted toward the sky.

“Soul Restraining Technique…”

“Such a powerful surge… coming from within Northern Huangtian…”

“Who is Flood Dragon Emperor dealing with?”

Her expression remained indifferent, yet within her eyes, two streams of black and white light intertwined, chasing each other in an endless cycle—forming the image of yin-yang swimming fish.

At that moment, an elder with an ethereal, daoist air arrived, riding a cloud from the horizon. In the blink of an eye, he landed beside the woman.

Draped in a wide-sleeved daoist robe of deep green, embroidered with mountain and cloud motifs, the elder exuded an aura of carefree transcendence. A gentle breeze caused the hem of his robe to flutter slightly, adding to his immortal presence.

“Junior Sister Ling Xi, did you see anything?” the elder asked casually.

The woman, known as Ling Xi, flicked her fingers, and the surface of the lake rippled upwards, forming a water mirror. The reflection began to swirl, gradually displaying a scene she had just witnessed.

At first, the mirror remained clear, but after a moment, an image surfaced.

In the image, Flood Dragon Emperor stood gripping a massive, silver-glowing net. Opposite him was a figure entirely enshrouded by the net’s mystical radiance.

The person’s features were obscured, their silhouette barely discernible beneath the net’s light.

Ling Xi’s delicate brows furrowed. “Senior Brother Ling Xuan, it seems to be a human cultivator. Should we intervene?”

Ling Xuan narrowed his eyes slightly, flicking his horsetail whisk. “Let’s observe a little longer. Once Flood Dragon Emperor’s Soul Restraining Technique is fully cast, there will be little we can do.”

“Besides, the one being bound appears to be just a wisp of divine sense, not their true body within Northern Huangtian. This may not be as urgent as it seems.”

Hearing this, Ling Xi remained silent, her gaze fixed on the unfolding events.

Meanwhile, Flood Dragon Emperor realized he had underestimated this Mr. Gu standing before him!

Earlier, when Gu Ning’an had hidden within Lustful Ghost, his failure to detect him immediately could be attributed to the profound nature of the other’s concealment technique.

But now, as he cast the Soul Restraining Technique, attempting to capture this wisp of divine sense—he was shocked to find that he could not pull it in!

Unwilling to admit defeat, he immediately channeled more power into the net, tightening it further and locking Gu Ning’an’s divine sense firmly within.

Under the net’s shimmering glow, Gu Ning’an’s figure seemed smaller and smaller, while the net itself grew increasingly radiant.

Yet, no matter how much Flood Dragon Emperor exerted his power, he could not move this divine sense even an inch!

It was as if a colossal mountain weighed upon it, rendering it completely immovable.

Seeing the stalemate, a thought flashed through Flood Dragon Emperor’s mind—he would directly locate Gu Ning’an’s true body through his divine sense!

If he couldn’t pull the divine sense, he’d simply target the main body instead!

At the same time, Gu Ning’an’s true body sat calmly in a small inn in Tianshui County, his index finger lightly tapping a white feather.

In truth, he had many ways to break free from Flood Dragon Emperor’s restraints.

However, out of curiosity about Flood Dragon Emperor’s true capabilities, he had deliberately allowed the other party to trace his location through his divine sense.

After all, Flood Dragon Emperor himself had claimed that this Soul Restraining Technique could transmit damage from the divine sense directly to the main body’s soul…

How could he not test such a soul attack that ignored distance?

This was also the first time he had ever fought against a great demon, so naturally, he wanted to enjoy it.

“Good, good, good! Your main body remains still—you really are arrogant!”

Having located Gu Ning’an’s true body, Flood Dragon Emperor naturally saw his utterly unconcerned demeanor, as if he were offering himself up without resistance!

Faced with such indifference, Flood Dragon Emperor immediately touched the center of his brow, drawing out three drops of golden blood and merging them into the net before him!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Above Tianshui County, where Gu Ning’an’s body resided, deep, resonating “booms” suddenly echoed through the sky.

The sound was low and muffled like distant thunder—yet at the same time, strangely akin to a heartbeat.

Seated in his inn room, Gu Ning’an heard this drumming and immediately felt his body grow light. As the “booms” continued, his soul was on the verge of leaving his physical form.

Rather than suppressing it, Gu Ning’an simply let it happen. Since Flood Dragon Emperor was trying to draw his soul out, he decided to lend a hand, relaxing his mind and actively driving his soul from his body!

Ever since his “returning to silence”, this was the first time he had deliberately separated his soul from his body. That floating sensation unexpectedly brought him a strange sense of comfort.

“So this is all?”

Seeing Gu Ning’an’s soul exit his body, Flood Dragon Emperor was overjoyed, preparing to strike a decisive blow against it!

In an instant, a vast golden net unfurled, its threads igniting with faint golden flames as it descended upon Gu Ning’an’s soul!

However, just as the net firmly ensnared his soul, Flood Dragon Emperor suddenly realized—

Gu Ning’an was gone.

No, that wasn’t quite right.

More precisely, his soul could no longer be “seen.” Yet, through his control over the golden net, Flood Dragon Emperor could still sense that he had definitely captured something—or rather, he had ensnared something.

At this point, Flood Dragon Emperor no longer cared what technique Gu Ning’an had used to make himself “invisible.” He simply pushed his Soul Imprisonment Technique to its absolute limit, intending to drag Gu Ning’an’s “invisible” soul straight to Northern Huangtian!

And yet—

At the very moment he pulled the net tight with all his strength, Flood Dragon Emperor suddenly became aware of what, exactly, he had caught.

Though it was beyond belief, a profound instinct told him—

He had ensnared the very heavens and earth.

Pu!

Flood Dragon Emperor coughed up a great mouthful of fresh blood.

The golden net in his hands instantly shattered, collapsing into countless golden fragments that scattered and dissolved into the void.