"Brother Weifeng. What kind of bond do we share after so many years? Don't you trust us, these fellow disciples? This matter is known only to us cultivators; it will never be spread. Brother Weifeng, just tell us, which native tribe is the Heavenly Dao Alliance preparing to campaign against this time?"

"Indeed. Among us cultivators, aside from you, none of us truly knows these inside stories. Brother Weifeng, please tell us."

A woman of considerable beauty asked somewhat anxiously.

Yu Weifeng hesitated for a moment, but unable to resist the earnest pleas of the assembled cultivators, he finally revealed some valuable information.

"The Heavenly Dao Alliance has long intended to expand towards the Eastern Sea region. The island cluster where this large native tribe resides is in a crucial position, exceedingly important—it is the linchpin of this eastward expansion. I heard the Heavenly Demon Alliance is also preparing to strike at this Wuyu Archipelago. The Sect Master has already issued a relocation decree for the entire area, demanding the island be yielded. However, this native tribe is resisting the order, unwilling to move."

The Golden Core cultivators were filled with surprise and joy. "So, another war is coming? If negotiations fail, war will be the only way to resolve this. Brother Weifeng, which islands are they exactly?"

Ye Qin, standing nearby, began to grasp the situation upon hearing this.

These Golden Core cultivators were discussing the Heavenly Dao Alliance's eastern push and matters related to the native tribes.

He found it strange. Since arriving at the East Sea, everything he had heard suggested the Heavenly Dao Alliance held an absolute advantage; he had never heard of a native tribe daring to openly oppose the Alliance. He hadn't expected a native tribe would actually refuse a Heavenly Dao Alliance directive.

"There are still native tribes that dare to defy the Heavenly Dao Alliance?"

Ye Qin asked in confusion, turning to whisper to Zhou Yi.

Zhou Yi seemed to possess some inside knowledge and chuckled softly. "Brother Ye has only recently arrived at the East Sea and is unaware of the current situation here. The native tribes of the East Sea once controlled the entire East Sea Archipelago, comprising numerous tribes with immense power. It was only with the appearance and rise of the cultivators that the native tribes gradually declined, and the most significant islands of the East Sea Archipelago were occupied by us cultivators. But even now, there are still many native tribes that have not been completely conquered, residing on remote island clusters surrounding the East Sea Archipelago."

"The number of native tribes now daring to defy the Heavenly Dao Alliance's orders is indeed very small. However, although the native tribes have somewhat declined, there are a few extremely powerful tribes that have consistently stood against the cultivators. The Plundering Sea Tribe, one of the Ten Great Native Tribes, is one such example. The Plundering Sea Tribe is among the fiercest of all native tribes. Since the cultivators arrived in the East Sea, countless Golden Core cultivators have perished attempting to eradicate this tribe. Given the stubborn nature of the Plundering Sea Tribe, which has never submitted to the Heavenly Dao Alliance's rule, it is no surprise that their relocation order was rejected. It seems this battle is unavoidable."

Ye Qin nodded slightly. Plundering Sea Tribe—a strange tribal name.

Zhou Yi paused, then muttered to himself, "However, although the Plundering Sea Tribe is stubborn, it seems disproportionate to defy the Heavenly Dao Alliance over a small cluster of islands. They would rather risk annihilation than move from that area. There might be something strange afoot. Though I am a core disciple of the Zhou Clan within the Violet Sword Palace, I am not privy to many of the deep secrets. Perhaps the Ancestor knows more."

If even Zhou Yi was unclear about certain matters, Ye Qin naturally knew even less.

He wasn't concerned with the Heavenly Dao Alliance conquering native tribes or similar affairs.

It was just that if the Heavenly Dao Alliance and the native tribes went to war, many cultivators might become involved, and Golden Core cultivators would not be exempt. If he was to cultivate in the East Sea, he must be aware of the shifts in the East Sea's situation to avoid being caught unprepared.

He patiently continued to listen.

The several dozen Immortal Palace Golden Core cultivators in the hall seemed somewhat excited.

"Campaigning against a native tribe—that is certainly a lucrative assignment. After this war, not only can we capture a large number of strong slaves, but also the vast amounts of precious wealth accumulated by the native tribe. I wonder which cultivators will qualify to lead the expedition against that native tribe?"

"We Immortal Palace cultivators should be able to lead the teams. I worry that the Heavenly Demon Alliance's Golden Core cultivators will compete with us; this endeavor might not go smoothly."

Zhou Yi suddenly turned to Ye Qin and asked, "Brother Ye, are you willing to lead a team to campaign against the Plundering Sea Tribe on those islands?"

Ye Qin was momentarily stunned. "Me? A mere early-stage Golden Core cultivator like me leading an expedition against the natives? Shouldn't that be one of the Palace Masters from our Immortal Palaces?"

Zhou Yi smiled and shook his head. "The Heavenly Dao Alliance's campaigns against the native tribes have always been led by us Golden Core cultivators, executing the mission alongside Foundation Establishment cultivators. Unless we are fighting the Demon Race, Nascent Soul Ancestors rarely mobilize. Therefore, any cultivator at the Golden Core stage is qualified to participate. Are you interested?"

Ye Qin fell silent for a moment. "Without cause, why should I campaign against a native tribe? Besides, Brother Zhou mentioned that the Plundering Sea Tribe's strength is considerable; quite a few Golden Core cultivators have died by their hands. They might not be easy to provoke. I fear I might not gain much benefit even if I go."

Zhou Yi chuckled. "The Plundering Sea Tribe is indeed formidable, and cultivators are generally unwilling to provoke them lightly. However, the Plundering Sea Tribe possesses an extremely famous sacred artifact, the Sub-Nether Lotus. Has Brother Ye heard of it? Ah, I heard that Brother Ye was once from the Azure Pill Sect in the Spirit Mist Realm. You must be familiar with countless spiritual medicines and should recognize this spiritual object. Even for this single spiritual medicine alone, countless cultivators would willingly rush into the fire. Going to conquer the Plundering Sea Tribe—how could a disciple of the Azure Pill Sect not be moved by such a spiritual medicine?"

Given Zhou Yi's status, investigating Ye Qin's background was a simple matter.

Ye Qin’s expression froze. Of course, he knew about that object. Because refining the Spirit Root Potential Pill required a single tenth-tier spiritual herb ingredient—the seed of the Sub-Nether Lotus. This was a tenth-tier spiritual medicine, sought after by many cultivators...

"When will the Heavenly Dao Alliance's expedition decree be issued?"

Ye Qin's face was calm, betraying none of the shock and wild ecstasy bubbling within him.

Seeing that Ye Qin had finally shown interest, Zhou Yi smiled. "The Heavenly Dao Alliance's campaign decree has actually already been issued, but the specific Immortal Palace Golden Core cultivators leading the conquest have yet to be confirmed. This time, both the Heavenly Dao Alliance and the Heavenly Demon Alliance are eager to seize those geographically critical islands, involving major vested interests. The two Great Immortal Alliances will likely argue over this for some time. Moreover, the various Immortal Palaces under the two Great Immortal Alliances will probably compete amongst themselves to ensure their own cultivators can participate and secure greater benefits. If the leading cultivators are confirmed, the expedition should depart within this year."

Zhou Yi said this, then turned serious. "Brother Ye, are you willing to join my Violet Sword Palace? My Violet Sword Palace will certainly participate in this campaign against the natives. If Brother Ye agrees to join, I can recommend Brother Ye to lead an expeditionary team against the native tribe."

Ye Qin couldn't help but smile wryly. After all this talk, Brother Zhou's true goal was to recruit him into the Violet Sword Palace. The Palace Master of the Violet Sword Palace had just advised him a few days ago, and now Brother Zhou was at it again after only a few days.

"The Violet Sword Palace won't gain much by adding one more Golden Core cultivator. Brother Zhou, why are you so insistent that I join the Violet Sword Palace?"

Ye Qin asked with a hint of helplessness.

Zhou Yi sighed. "I have no choice, Brother. Although I am a disciple of the Zhou Clan, I possess a single wood spiritual root. I can only exert the maximum power of wood-elemental primordial spirit artifacts; artifacts of other elements are weaker. Brother Ye happens to have the five-elemental root, something unheard of among tens of thousands of Golden Core cultivators. Since we have met, I cannot let you go. Although the Great Five Elements Sword of my Violet Sword Palace is famous throughout the East Sea, no cultivator has performed this powerful sword formation in a long time. Our Ancestor gave me a strict order: I must persuade Brother Ye to join the Violet Sword Palace. It is well-known in the Heavenly Dao Alliance that our Ancestor values talented cultivators. Originally, I was supposed to lead this campaign. If Brother Ye is willing to join the Violet Sword Palace, I am prepared to yield this leadership position to you."

With Zhou Yi having laid his cards on the table, Ye Qin found it difficult to refuse. "The campaign against the native tribe is still over a year away. I will return to consider it and give Brother Zhou an answer another day."

"I eagerly await Brother Ye's good news."

Zhou Yi appeared composed and faintly smiling, possessing the bearing of the Violet Sword Palace Master.

Ye Qin, preoccupied with his thoughts, wandered casually through the exchange fair but found nothing else he required. He then left the Violet Sword Palace, preparing to return to Fire Mist Island.

"Brother Ye, please wait a moment!"

A woman dressed in yellow emerged from the Violet Sword Palace, following him.

"Miss Liao, what can I do for you?"

Ye Qin turned back, somewhat surprised to see Liao Xiaoxin alone, without the presence of Zhou Yao or the large, stout cultivator, who were usually inseparable from her. He held a favorable impression of this gentle lady who resembled a younger sister, unlike the overbearing Zhou Yao.

"I have a small matter I wish to inquire about from Brother Ye. Brother Ye is a cultivator from the Spirit Mist Realm, so you must know: are there any direct descendants of the Broad Speech Liao Clan still in the Spirit Mist Realm?"

Liao Xiaoxin stared at Ye Qin with bright, hopeful eyes, eager to receive an affirmative answer from him.

Ye Qin pondered for a moment and nodded. "True Master Guangyu was one of the Eight Great Ancient Rogue Cultivators of the Spirit Mist Realm and held great prestige there. I happen to know that in the Southern Liang Kingdom, there are indeed clansmen of the Liao family's Guangyu lineage. However, Miss Liao, the Liao family's Guangyu lineage in the Spirit Mist Realm has dwindled. The few remaining clansmen only possess Qi Refining cultivation and have achieved little. The status of the Liao family in the Southern Liang Kingdom has been supplanted by the Lu family of the Ancient Artifact Sect."

Ye Qin found it somewhat difficult to continue at this point. Because the Lu family of the Ancient Artifact Sect had deep ties with the Violet Sword Palace—the Ancient Artifact Sect inherited the Great Five Elements Sword of the Violet Sword Divine Monarch. The situation was rather complex.

"Thank you, Brother Ye. This situation was within my expectations. Large families naturally decline over long periods. Among the Eight Great Ancient Rogue Cultivators of the Spirit Mist Realm, only the Violet Sword, Treasure Gathering, and Broad Speech lineages remain in the East Sea today. Although my Guangyu Palace maintains the prestige of an ancient immortal palace, its strength is far inferior to what it once was; we are the weakest of the three ancient immortal palaces from the Spirit Mist Realm. Only the Violet Sword Palace has retained immense prestige and strength."

Liao Xiaoxin seemed slightly disappointed and sighed with a low expression.

"Oh, right. Actually, I hoped that a Golden Core cultivator who came from a rogue background like Brother Ye might join the Guangyu Palace. Although my Guangyu Palace is not as prosperous as the Violet Sword Palace now, we possess numerous ancient immortal texts that are extremely beneficial for cultivation. Brother Ye might consider it; if you do not join the Violet Sword Palace, please come to the Guangyu Palace."

Liao Xiaoxin broke into a smile.

Ye Qin was momentarily stunned.

He remained silent for a long while. To know what happens next, please log in to Ji. For more chapters, support the author. Support genuine reading!