The azure waters lapped against the shore, a jade sash cinching the waist of Glass Island, making the scenery exquisitely beautiful.

The moment the great ships returned to Glass Island, the entire harbor erupted in excitement.

On board, mountains of sea monster corpses were piled high, and trailing behind the massive vessels were even larger, dead leviathans from the deep.

The shell of the giant sea clam, stretching over fifteen zhang in length, was particularly eye-catching.

Though the fleet dispatched by Glass Island was substantial, it was still impossible to load the bodies of all these Saint Beasts onto them.

Consequently, a significant portion of the Saint Beast carcasses were placed atop the giant clam shell and towed back to Glass Island.

When the dead clam Saint Beast shell was separated, it floated on the sea like two enormous, unpowered barges; only by doing this could they manage to transport such things back so easily.

Upon arriving at Glass Island, others naturally took over the remaining tasks, while the Venerables merely clapped their hands and departed.

This was the renowned Glass Island; Jin Zhanyi and the others trusted that Li Jiangfeng and his group would ensure that once all valuable parts of these Saint Beasts were extracted, everyone would receive their fair share.

Entering the Glass Cave, everyone immediately dispersed to rest. The events that transpired on Star Island had been utterly shocking.

Although they hadn't directly engaged the newly ascended Venerables from the West, the mental and spiritual toll exacted was far from small.

Moreover, the battle against numerous sea monsters and Saint Beasts on the return journey had left them utterly exhausted. Thus, as soon as they reached this relatively safe haven, the tension eased, and the overwhelming fatigue set in.

Only He Yiming remained vibrant and energetic; having displayed his might on the sea and felled so many Saint Beasts, the gloom that had been weighing on him had completely dissipated, leaving him refreshed and clear-headed.

If Franklin had appeared before them at that moment, He Yiming would likely have actively challenged him to a fight.

Of course, in such a battle, riding Lightning on his white steed would have been a given.

In that instant, he even began to understand why the Totem Tribe insisted on the so-called fair combat of "one-on-one." With such a formidable Saint Beast at his command, not using it would be utter foolishness.

Shortly after returning to his room and settling down, He Yiming’s ears twitched almost imperceptibly.

He detected three faint, almost undetectable footsteps approaching directly toward his location.

Two of those sets of footsteps were intimately familiar—Hua Ruijin and Li Jiangfeng—but the third was entirely unfamiliar, at least to his past experience. Yet, this person’s steps were the lightest, and their life force seemed the strongest of the three.

He Yiming’s heart stirred. Since arriving at Glass Island, he hadn't met any Glass Island Venerable masters other than Hua Ruijin and the Li father and daughter. Could this newcomer be the true powerhouse of Glass Island, currently deep in secluded cultivation?

Soon, a few light taps sounded on the iron door sealing the cave. He Yiming simply waved his hand, and an unseen wave of Zhenqi gently pulled the iron door open.

Outside stood Hua Ruijin and Li Jiangfeng side-by-side, and before them stood an amiable-looking elder, appearing to be around fifty years old.

“Brother He, this is Great Venerable Zhuang Munan of our sect. He heard of your magnificent deeds at sea and specifically emerged from seclusion to meet you,” Hua Ruijin said, bowing respectfully.

Just over a year ago, Hua Ruijin could still adopt a seniority posture toward He Yiming, but now, facing him, he was remarkably courteous. The disparity in strength caused a palpable shift in demeanor, a change vividly demonstrated in Hua Ruijin.

He Yiming returned the gesture with a smile, cupping his hand: “Brother Zhuang, please come in.”

Zhuang Munan wore a blue robe and possessed a kindly, approachable expression; if not for the occasional flash of sharp light in his eyes, few would associate him with the rank of a Five-Qi Great Venerable.

The Great Venerable of Glass Island laughed heartily and entered the cave He Yiming occupied.

Glass Island had gone to great lengths to accommodate the numerous Venerables arriving from the mainland, selecting and meticulously arranging each cave dwelling to ensure everyone felt perfectly at home. In this regard, the Southern Border’s Glass Island certainly surpassed the faction of Northwest Heavenly Lake.

After they settled down—host and guest taking their respective places—Zhuang Munan turned serious. “Brother He, that Jiangfeng and the others managed to return safely is entirely thanks to you. I, Zhuang, thank you here.”

He Yiming gently waved his hand. “Brother Zhuang is too polite; it was just lifting a finger, not worth mentioning.”

Zhuang Munan gave a wry smile, then abruptly asked, “Brother He, you have met the two Nine Heavens experts from the West. Do you know what their next moves might be?”

Only then did He Yiming grasp the true purpose of their visit. Beyond offering thanks, their primary goal was learning the subsequent actions of Franklin and the others.

This was, after all, the territory of the Southern Border, and Glass Island’s influence here was undoubtedly paramount; no one dared challenge their hegemonic status in the region.

However, upon discovering the arrival of two Human Path peak experts in the Southern Border, the strong figures within Glass Island could no longer remain unconcerned. If the Old Ancestor of Glass was still in the Southern Border, they would not be so worried. But the problem was that the only top-tier powerhouse in the Southern Border capable of contending with Franklin and the others had departed for the Northern Border—a situation that entirely changed the dynamics.

He coughed lightly and offered, “Brother Zhuang, given the status of Franklin and Garfield, they likely would not come to Glass Island to cause trouble for you all.”

Zhuang Munan offered a bitter smile. “If it were before, I would possess that same confidence.” He paused, his expression filled with emotion. “With their status in the West, they certainly would not engage in such blatant bullying of the weak. But things are different now.”

Hua Ruijin nodded repeatedly from the side, concurring, “What Senior Brother Zhuang says is true. Since Franklin was willing to shatter the rules of the Venerable Martial Competition, which has been passed down for thousands of years, what is there they wouldn't dare do?”

He Yiming hesitated slightly. Bai Lingba had reported their conversations truthfully, but He Yiming could not reveal this openly. If these people knew he possessed the ability to overhear conversations right under the noses of three Human Path peak experts, it would be too astonishing.

“Brother Hua, why do you think Franklin dared to bear the infamy of the world to break that millennia-old tradition?”

Hua Ruijin seemed momentarily startled. After a long pause, his gaze flickered toward Li Jiangfeng before he finally stated, “Millennium Ice Island.”

He Yiming nodded slightly, adopting a serious expression. “Millennium Ice Island is their only hope for advancing from the Ninth Heaven to the Divine Path. And now, that hope is in danger of being extinguished. Therefore, Franklin, regardless of the immense scorn, is willing to break the rule spanning millennia to show Lord Bing Xiaotian and the others that they will stop at nothing for Millennium Ice Island.”

Zhuang Munan and the others fell into deep contemplation. He Yiming was the only one who had traded blows with the Western experts; his opinion naturally carried greater weight among them.

He Yiming smiled thinly. “If this were not the reason, then why would Franklin and Garfield personally travel to the Southern Border? They could have easily dispatched their Five-Qi Great Venerables to detain Brother Li and the others. The fact that they came in person is to declare their resolve for an unending fight.”

A look of relief finally spread across Zhuang Munan’s face. “I understand now. Since they have made their resolve clear, whether they choose to detain Jiangfeng and the others is no longer the crucial point.”

He Yiming nodded with a smile. “Brother Zhuang is correct. The most important task now is to convey this matter to your sect’s Old Ancestor and invite the Ninth Heaven Lords to deliberate and decide upon the course of action.”

Zhuang Munan burst into laughter, the initial flicker of worry completely gone from his expression. Having divined the purpose of the two Human Path peak experts’ arrival in the Southern Border, he felt a great weight lift from his shoulders.

He Yiming offered a couple of polite laughs, noticing two peculiar gazes fixed upon his face.

Li Jiangfeng murmured softly, “Brother He is truly remarkable. Had we not received your guidance, we would still be worried that those two might directly assault Glass Island.”

He Yiming modestly shook his head, thinking internally that the Nine Heavens of the Dark Council had indeed proposed that course of action, but Franklin had rejected it. However, it was precisely because Bai Lingba had overheard their conversation that He Yiming appeared so confident. Without that intelligence, He Yiming’s own anxieties would have been no less than theirs.

Zhuang Munan smiled for a moment, then seemed to recall something. “Brother He, Jiangfeng mentioned that you have an interest in the Way of Forging and have successfully refined divine weapons.”

He Yiming managed a slightly embarrassed smile. “I have merely studied it slightly; there’s nothing much to call an achievement.”

Zhuang Munan chuckled, “Brother He, since you are here in Glass Cave and enjoy the art of forging, why not spend a few days beneath the Ten Thousand Zhang Volcano Crater? You could refine whatever interests you.”

He Yiming’s eyebrows shot up, his heart stirring with excitement. The Ten Thousand Zhang Volcano Crater was the very core of Glass Cave. Legend held that forging divine weapons there drastically increased the success rate and elevated their quality further. Although He Yiming possessed the Divine Artifact Nine Dragon Furnace, he held an intense curiosity for that world-renowned Ten Thousand Zhang Volcano Crater.

He bowed deeply to Zhuang Munan. “Thank you, Brother Zhuang.”

Zhuang Munan returned the gesture, issued a few casual instructions, and then took his leave. Although He Yiming’s counsel had convinced him that those two peak experts would not directly attack, the matter was too vital. He had to send word to the Northern Border to report everything that had transpired here accurately. As for what choice the Old Ancestor of Glass would make, that was beyond his speculation.

After Zhuang Munan departed, Li Jiangfeng let out a long breath, his former heroic bearing seeming to return. In the presence of the only Great Venerable in Glass Island, Li Jiangfeng dared not display any impetuosity. Now that Zhuang Munan was gone, Li Jiangfeng naturally reverted to his true nature.

“Brother He, I will show you the greatest secret place on Glass Island.”

He walked out of the room with an air of pride. He Yiming smiled slightly, nodded toward Hua Ruijin, and then followed closely behind Li Jiangfeng.