Within the central grand hall of Haotian City, an elder with effeminate features but a face wreathed in smiles descended the steps, repeatedly cupping his hands in greeting.

Zhan Hongtu and Zhen Wanqing returned the courtesy simultaneously. "Brother Lin, it has been many years; your martial cultivation is even greater than before. A joyous occasion indeed."

He Yiming observed coldly from the side. All three of them were calculating their opponents, yet not the slightest clue was visible on the surface. To describe the three of them as old foxes would be entirely accurate.

After conferring atop the mountain, the three Venerables—He Yiming included—had descended together, entering the sphere of influence of the Haotian Sect, where they openly declared their identities.

The disciples of the Haotian Sect naturally dared not be negligent, serving them meticulously along the way and escorting them into Haotian City.

Lin Yiwu's gaze swept over He Yiming. He had initially assumed the young man was a junior or a disciple of the other two, but after a second, closer look, he realized something was amiss, and his eyes immediately grew serious.

Zhan Hongtu smiled faintly, knowing it was impossible to hide anything from him. "Brother Lin, this is Venerable He Yiming from the mainland. He heard about the Haotian City Grand Gathering and wished to witness it."

Lin Yiwu laughed heartily, his expression instantly returning to normal, and he ushered them all into the grand hall.

Upon entering, everyone immediately noticed three elders seated quietly on the left side of the hall. Behind one of these elders, a six-legged monstrous beast, over two zhang long, lay prostrate.

Zhan Hongtu and Zhen Wanqing’s faces changed simultaneously. Zhan Hongtu spoke in a deep voice, "Old Devil Gu, Madman Dai."

The three elders rose in unison. One of them stepped forward and smiled, "Brothers Zhan, Venerable Zhen, please be seated."

Zhan Hongtu snorted coldly. "Brother Lin, Brother Chen, what is the meaning of this? Why associate with these two? Have you forgotten the joint pact of our three Immortal Islands a century ago to issue a joint warrant for the arrest of these two?"

Zhen Wanqing retreated a small step. "Venerable He, the yellow-haired elder calls himself Madman Dai, and the elder next to the six-legged monster is Old Devil Gu. The cultivation techniques they practice are forbidden demonic arts, lost to the world for a millennium. To enhance the power of their demonic arts, they massacred countless people a century ago. The three great Immortal Islands joined forces, and several Venerables were dispatched to search until they finally vanished. The largest sects among the three islands had an absolute agreement: they were never to be allowed onto the Three Immortal Islands."

Though Zhen Wanqing’s voice was soft, it was not intentionally suppressed. Everyone present was a Venerable and naturally heard every word clearly.

Lin Yiwu shook his head, speaking earnestly. "Venerable Zhen, what you say is correct. However, have you forgotten that the Xianling Mountain lineage, which represented Penglai Immortal Island, dissipated over forty years ago? That agreement is naturally void."

Zhen Wanqing coldly snorted. "The Xianling Mountain lineage was annihilated by your Haotian Sect. Now that the Haotian Sect is the premier sect on Penglai Immortal Island, you should honor that agreement."

Lin Yiwu chuckled slyly. "Venerable Zhen, there is one thing you might not be aware of: Brother Dai and Brother Gu have both accepted my invitation and become guest elders of the Haotian Sect. Tell me, will our humble sect still adhere to that agreement?"

Zhan Hongtu took a deep breath. "So that is how it is. Hmph. Brother Lin, since you invited us here this time, what guidance do you offer?"

Lin Yiwu smiled conspiratorially. "This old man invited the two of you here because there is indeed a matter to discuss." He paused, slowly letting his smile fade. "Penglai Immortal Island is home to numerous sects, each governing itself, entangled in endless chaos. This bodes ill for the future of the Island."

Zhan Hongtu’s face darkened. "Then what is your plan?"

Lin Yiwu’s face flushed with vigor, his spirit soaring. He declared loudly, "For the future of the Island, I have decided to unify all the powers upon it. Only when everyone works together can Penglai Immortal Island secure the paramount position in the Eastern Sea."

Zhan Hongtu snorted coldly. "Unify the Island? Does this mean, Brother Lin, that you intend to exterminate my Qianshan Sect and Venerable Zhen's Lingjiu Valley?"

Lin Yiwu repeatedly shook his head. "Brother Zhan misunderstands. My intention is to invite the two of you and your respective sects to join our humble sect. From this day forward, there will be only one sect on Penglai Immortal Island, and we shall join forces to grow stronger together. Would that not be splendid?"

Zhan Hongtu said coldly, "Brother Lin speaks very nicely, but unfortunately, I hold not the slightest interest in the matter. I shall simply acknowledge Brother Lin’s good intentions."

Lin Yiwu’s face slowly began to darken.

Madman Dai suddenly burst into loud laughter. "Zhan Hongtu, since you have come, I’m afraid you no longer have a choice."

Zhan Hongtu sneered disdainfully. "Madman Dai, are you planning to overwhelm us with numbers? Hmph hmph, do not forget that we are all Venerables; you may not necessarily catch me if I flee."

Old Devil Gu chuckled sinisterly. "Gentlemen, thirty years ago, I ventured far from the Eastern Sea, deep into the Southern Frontier, and found a Companion Holy Beast." He patted the six-legged monster beside him. "If you two wish to flee, perhaps you can test whether the speed of the Six-Legs will allow you a safe escape."

A layer of frost seemed to settle on Zhan Hongtu’s face. They had not anticipated that Lin Yiwu had not only invited two notoriously famous demonic masters but also secured a Holy Beast. Judging by Old Devil Gu's tone, the speed of this Holy Beast far surpassed what ordinary Venerables could manage.

This was not entirely unexpected, however; generally, the speed of a Holy Beast was indeed far greater than that of a human Venerable of the same tier.

The two Venerables exchanged a glance. If they too possessed hidden countermeasures, their confidence now truly wavered.

He Yiming, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke. "Gentlemen, I have a compromise that should satisfy both sides."

All eyes instantly focused on him. Old Devil Gu and the others had not truly taken him seriously at first, as no one expected this baby-faced young man to be an expert of their own rank.

However, when He Yiming spoke in this setting, everyone regarded him with seriousness, and their complexions subsequently shifted slightly.

Lin Yiwu spoke in a deep voice. "This is Venerable He Yiming from the mainland. Brother He, what suggestion do you have? Please speak."

He Yiming announced loudly, "Brother Lin's compassionate heart, devoted entirely to Penglai, is admirable. Since Brother Zhan refuses to let the Qianshan Sect sever its lineage, why not simply have the Haotian Sect join the Qianshan Sect, obeying Brother Zhan's command from then on? This way, Brother Lin’s wish can still be fulfilled." His face was wreathed in smiles. "Brother Lin, what do you think of my suggestion?"

A sharp glint flashed in Lin Yiwu's eyes. He said in a low voice, "Is this Brother He's suggestion?"

"Indeed. Since Brother Lin is acting for the greater good, you should be willing to make a small sacrifice. As long as your ambition is fulfilled, everything is worthwhile," He Yiming said with grave sincerity.

Zhan Hongtu and Zhen Wanqing exchanged a look, spotting a trace of amusement in each other's eyes. This Venerable He truly possessed a formidable ability to twist black and white.

Old Devil Gu laughed loudly, and the six-legged Holy Beast beside him opened its massive jaws, unleashing a world-shaking roar.

"Brother Lin, I told you these few are stubbornly obstinate! They refuse a toast only to demand a penalty. Let me send them to the netherworld, and I shall use the blood of their sect disciples to temper my demonic art!"

Lin Yiwu’s gaze was exceedingly grim. He spoke slowly, "Gentlemen, you should be able to assess the situation. This is your final chance; I implore you both to reconsider carefully."

Zhan Hongtu shook his head without hesitation. "Brother Lin, there is no need to say more. Unless, as Brother He suggested, the Haotian Sect merges into my Qianshan lineage, do not mention this again."

Lin Yiwu laughed in fury. "What an overconfident fellow! Our Haotian Sect is the premier power on Penglai Immortal Island. Do you have the strength to swallow us whole?"

Just as Zhan Hongtu was about to speak, a long, piercing cry suddenly rang out.

The expressions of everyone present changed, their reactions varied, but within them was an undeniable sense of astonishment.

The cry came from the distant sea. The immense power contained within the roar sent a faint tremor through even those gathered here.

Lin Yiwu and Chen Wo’s faces turned both shocked and enraged. They inwardly lamented their terrible luck; after being away for over forty years, this person chose this very day to return. Decades of painstaking planning might all come to naught.

"Lin Yiwu, get your rear end out here!"

Following the howl came a booming roar like a thunderclap, which seemed to shake all of Haotian City. Those with lesser cultivation covered their ears as their minds buzzed incessantly.

He Yiming’s eyes widened, filled with disbelief.

This voice—he was intimately familiar with it. It was Chu Haozhou, who had left the desolate island without saying goodbye.

At that moment, countless thoughts flashed through He Yiming's mind like a revolving lantern.

Brother Chu had lived on the desolate island for forty years, and the former leading lineage of Penglai Immortal Island, Xianling Mountain, was destroyed by the Haotian Sect over forty years ago. The instructing master of Venerable Chen Wo of the Haotian Sect was Venerable Lin Yiwu.

Connecting these facts, He Yiming suddenly realized the truth. Brother Chu was from the Xianling Mountain lineage, and his enemies were Venerable Lin Yiwu and Venerable Chen Wo, leading the Haotian Sect.

With this realization, a profound and inscrutable smile appeared on He Yiming's face. Heaven itself had guided him to Penglai Immortal Island at this very moment, leading him into Haotian City, to encounter Brother Chu under such circumstances. If he were to stand idly by now, that would truly be defying the natural order.

"Rumble..."

Following a tremendous explosion, the East Gate of Haotian City collapsed, and then a figure descended like lightning and thunder, carrying an overwhelming, furious momentum that pressed down like an avalanche!