The fishing rod cast not for fish, but for the very clouds in the sky.
Upon hooking, a patch of white cloud was pulled down from the air, hurtling towards Bai Ye.
Unfazed, Bai Ye's body transformed into lightning, charging towards the cloud.
In the next instant, Bai Ye's heart leaped in surprise.
The cloud, which should have been formless, felt like colliding with a small mountain the moment Bai Ye struck it.
Not only did Bai Ye feel its solidity, but the cloud's weight was also unimaginable, exuding immense pressure.
However, Bai Ye's three sets of attacks – the Thunder Dragon, Thunder Beast, and Thunder Bird – could also manifest physically, and lightning itself was not supposed to have substance.
Thus, Bai Ye was somewhat accustomed to such phenomena, and besides…
Bai Ye's lightning was equally ferocious.
With a resounding boom.
After holding firm for a moment, the cloud was suddenly shattered by Bai Ye. However, the lightning entwined around Bai Ye also dissipated, scattering as arcs of electricity from the sky.
The Turtle Rider did not cease his actions, swinging his fishing rod once more.
A bizarre event recurred. The hook missed its target, and ripples appeared in the air, as if cast into a lake.
Then, with a powerful tug from the Turtle Rider, a Golden-Winged Great Peng was pulled from the ripples.
As the Golden-Winged Great Peng materialized, it immediately unfurled its wings, sending countless golden feathers flying towards Bai Ye.
"You think I can't do that?"
Behind Bai Ye, crystalline wings, resembling burning flames, unfurled, clashing head-on with the attack.
The sky was filled with deafening roars.
Red, gold!
Feathers from both sides collided incessantly, and the sky seemed to explode, shattering the surrounding clouds.
After a brief clash, Bai Ye's figure flickered, transforming into a streak of lightning. He appeared above the Golden-Winged Great Peng and unleashed a punch downwards.
A pillar of fire erupted, striking the Golden-Winged Great Peng's back with immense force.
"Flame Burst!"
Bai Ye roared, and the flames that landed on the Golden-Winged Great Peng's back detonated.
A massive fireball exploded in the air, and the ensuing shockwave sent the Golden-Winged Great Peng crashing down from the sky, plunging directly into the sea.
The Golden-Winged Great Peng was no match for Bai Ye. The Turtle Rider immediately raised his fishing rod, intending to hook something else.
But Bai Ye clearly had no intention of allowing him to do so.
Earlier, Bai Ye couldn't comprehend the fishing rod's capabilities, but now, seeing that it seemed capable of fishing anything, he realized that if the Turtle Rider continued to use it unchecked, the trouble would only escalate!
The best course of action was to prevent him from casting it.
*Zi la!*
Bai Ye flashed forward, transforming into lightning. In an instant, he was before the Turtle Rider. Just as the Turtle Rider was about to cast his rod, Bai Ye seized his wrist.
Without a word, the Turtle Rider lifted his leg and swept it sideways, his knee connecting with Bai Ye's waist.
Bai Ye felt a searing pain, his body being knocked askew.
Bai Ye cursed inwardly.
This guy, besides his mechanical giant turtle, a hoard of magical treasures, and mastery of Taoist arts, could also fight in close combat?
Where did this native from which district even come from?
As Bai Ye cursed, he watched the Turtle Rider move to kick again and swiftly raised his right leg.
*Bang!*
Their shins collided, each blocking the other's attack.
The Turtle Rider attempted to pull his fishing rod free, but Bai Ye held firm. Both of them, gripping the fishing rod, refused to let go.
The Turtle Rider's wings behind him slashed forward, but as they descended, Bai Ye also closed his own wings!
A violent collision ensued.
Accompanied by the impact, waves of energy rippled outwards in concentric circles.
Seabirds flying nearby, upon being touched by the disturbance, instantly exploded, turning into scattered chunks of flesh that plummeted from the sky.
Bai Ye gritted his teeth. This opponent's physical attributes were not inferior to his own; in fact, in terms of strength, he might even be slightly weaker.
The Turtle Rider, however, appeared calm, though Bai Ye suspected it was a facade. While this guy's strength might be slightly superior, it wouldn't exceed his own by more than thirty to fifty points, not enough to suppress him.
As their strength intensified, their wings trembled, and their arms gripping the fishing rod began to shake.
At this moment, a change was needed.
Something to break the stalemate.
Bai Ye gritted his teeth and declared, "Gengar!"
A light screen appeared before Bai Ye's eyes, and a Beast Ball rolled out. It then opened in the air, and after a flash of white light, Gengar materialized in mid-air.
Shadow Ball!
Gengar raised its hands, condensing a Shadow Ball and hurling it towards the Turtle Rider.
*Boom!*
The Shadow Ball struck the Turtle Rider's back.
Gengar's power was certainly no match for the Turtle Rider, and the Shadow Ball's might was insufficient to inflict significant damage.
However, the impact of the Shadow Ball's explosion caused the Turtle Rider's body to stagger, which was enough for Bai Ye.
Seizing the opportunity, Bai Ye exerted his strength, flinging the Turtle Rider towards the sea.
Then…
*Boom, boom, boom!*
The surface of the sea erupted repeatedly, with geysers of water shooting skyward, continuously assaulting the Turtle Rider.
The Turtle Rider formed hand seals and struck downwards.
With each palm strike, a massive talisman seal descended, shattering the water currents.
But Bai Ye was still there…
The moment Bai Ye sent the Turtle Rider flying, he transformed into lightning and pursued him closely. As the Turtle Rider was occupied fending off the water columns…
"Sea Breaker!"
Bai Ye unleashed a halberd strike downwards.
As the golden halberd light swept across, a terrifying bloody gash erupted on the Turtle Rider's back.
Large amounts of blood splattered out, his body nearly cleaved in two by Bai Ye's halberd.
Blood trickled from the Turtle Rider's lips. Instinctively, he turned around, but at that moment, Bai Ye's Angry Sea Scale Golden Halberd struck again.
*Pfft!*
The halberd descended, piercing the Turtle Rider's chest.
The Turtle Rider's face instantly turned pale, looking extremely grim.
The Turtle Rider, gripping the halberd shaft, coughed up blood repeatedly. For the first time, he spoke to Bai Ye, saying, "Can't... enter..."
Bai Ye gave him no chance to finish. He yanked the golden halberd back, drawing a spray of blood.
The Turtle Rider's corpse plunged into the sea, its body bobbing with the waves, the surrounding water gradually turning crimson.
Bai Ye took a deep breath, resting the golden halberd on his back.
He had succeeded!
After gazing at the Turtle Rider's corpse for a moment, Bai Ye turned his attention back to the island shrouded in mist.
"Fanghu?" Bai Ye scoffed, "I'd like to see what's so peculiar about this island."
As he spoke, Bai Ye waved his hand.
The sea surface below churned, lifting Bai Ye's body before he strode across the water towards the front.
…