Even so, Lei Dong’s harvest this time was quite substantial. In a mere half-month, the quality of the E Gui Zhang had been elevated to that of a top-tier flying spirit artifact’s speed, albeit at the cost of 1.2 million spirit stones. However, after thoroughly processing the thirteen Tyrant Fish, the spirit stones Lei Dong received were expected to exceed his expenditure. It wasn't a loss; if he had purely hunted Foundation Establishment stage demonic beasts or cultivators, elevating the E Gui Zhang to such a speed would certainly not have been easy. As for Golden Core stage souls, they were far beyond what he could manage alone. Even if such items had a market price, they would be things that had a price but no market. Judging by the fact that the thirteen beast souls obtained by the group were purchased using funds contributed by their companions, the chance of directly buying a Golden Core stage soul in a shop would be slim, and the price certainly wouldn't be low.

Besides the souls, the inner cores of the Tyrant Fish were also highly sought after, snatched up instantly at market price. After all, the inner cores of Golden Core stage demonic beasts were not things one could buy casually. In this world, there were plenty of resources suitable for the Qi Refining stage. Upon reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, the resources suited for those cultivators noticeably dwindled. But when one reached the Golden Core stage, materials and pills suitable for Golden Core cultivators became drastically rarer. The struggle for resources among Golden Core experts would become far more brutal.

Once the tide receded, Zhang Heng rushed to the South Seventy-Six Islands at top speed. This archipelago was the closest island group to the mainland, only about seventy to eighty thousand li away in a straight line. However, the area this group occupied spanned a full ten thousand li in circumference. Lei Dong had also checked the first patrol stop, the South Seventy-Six Islands group, on the jade slip map.

They occupied but a tiny corner in the vast, boundless, and majestic East Sea. It was like a few dozen grains of sand scattered across a giant tabletop. In truth, the South Seventy-Six Islands region contained far more than seventy-six islands, large and small. According to his companions, there were no fewer than a thousand islands in this area. The reason for the name was simply that only seventy-six islands possessed spiritual veins, where cultivators settled, cultivated, and formed circles of life resembling small towns or cities. The remaining islands were mostly inhabited by mortals.

The islands varied in size, the smallest being only a few hundred zhang long. The largest stretched over three li across the sea, with a width exceeding a thousand li at its broadest point—truly a small continent—named Little Continent Island (Xiao Zhou Dao). Due to its relatively central geographic location and the abundance of spiritual veins and cultivators, Little Continent Island had become the heart of the South Seventy-Six Islands. On Little Continent Island stood one main city and seven or eight guard cities. Only that main city represented the absolute center of the entire South Seventy-Six Islands.

Lei Dong and his party piloted their flying vessel directly to the main city named Little Continent City (Xiao Zhou Cheng). When the You Ming No. 9, bearing the mark of the Yin Sha Sect, deliberately deactivated its restrictors and descended slowly in an elegant posture onto the central plaza of Little Continent City, countless onlookers followed in their wake.

After all, the design of the You Ming No. 9 was exceedingly striking and eye-catching.

Flying vessels might be rare inland, but they were quite common in the East Sea region. However, the vast majority of these vessels were junk or merely ordinary commodities. A battle vessel of the You Ming No. 9's caliber was extremely rare, achievable only by the top major sects.

The Yin Sha Sect invested heavily in equipping the Battle Hall squads with such vessels for two reasons: first, to enhance the squad's combat capability; and second, not without the intention of outwardly promoting and showcasing the Yin Sha Sect’s power [Update text from Da Mo Tou Ba]. There were many cultivators in Little Continent City, and soon the grand plaza was ringed three layers deep, with people discussing the warship from the Yin Sha Sect animatedly.

Soon, a delegation from the official forces of Little Continent City flew directly from the City Lord's Mansion—about a dozen individuals. The leader was a Golden Core cultivator. He stopped outside the plaza and announced loudly, “Han Wu of Little Continent City respectfully welcomes the Patrol Envoy from the esteemed Upper Sect, the Battle Hall of the Yin Sha Sect.”

At this moment, Lei Dong and his nine companions emerged from the You Ming No. 9, each with their hands behind their backs. Their attire was certainly not the casual wear they used while fishing at sea. Each was clad in the standard battle armor of the Yin Sha Sect Battle Hall—pitch black, intensely cold, and utterly flamboyant. Lei Dong was quite pleased with this armor. Although it weighed a hundred catties, its special design and the levitation formations used inside the armor made it feel weightless despite its defensive properties being significantly enhanced. Furthermore, its nearly perfect streamlined shape and various ingenious designs made the wearer appear exceptionally cool and imposing. Of course, the Battle Hall armor was not just about looking good; it possessed excellent defensive capabilities and could generate an energy film on its surface to form a shield defense. Vital areas were specially reinforced with thicker materials to protect life. The defensive power provided by just this suit of armor, while not reaching the level of a top-tier defensive spirit artifact, surpassed ordinary high-grade defensive spirit shields, making it immensely valuable.

Leading the group was, naturally, Captain Zhang Heng. Because he was the captain, he was not wearing the soldier-grade armor like Lei Dong and the others, but rather a more imposing and intricately designed suit, making him slightly distinct and highlighting his status as captain.

At this moment, everyone was expressionless and solemn. Of course, once the helmets were donned, they obscured most of the face, making expressions and features hard to discern, which added to their mysterious and cold demeanor. Lei Dong and the other eight stood with hands behind their backs, arrayed in an ‘eight’ formation around Zhang Heng, naturally to accentuate his captain’s status.

Zhang Heng cupped his hands with a cold voice, “Zhang Heng, Captain of Team One, Third Battalion, Battle Hall, pays respects to Deputy City Lord Han. Thank you, Deputy City Lord Han, for coming to greet us.” His tall, imposing figure, coupled with the captain-grade armor, indeed lent him considerable presence.

The mention of Deputy City Lord Han caused Han Wu’s expression to flicker slightly, but he quickly composed himself and smiled, “It is my humble city’s and my personal honor to have Captain Zhang grace us with your presence. This is hardly a place for conversation; I request the esteemed envoy move to the City Lord's Mansion.” Although he was a Golden Core cultivator, he dared not act presumptuously toward the captain of the Yin Sha Sect Battle Hall, for behind the captain stood the entire Yin Sha Sect, whom he could not afford to offend. Especially since Zhang Heng was not here for private leisure but as a representative of the Yin Sha Sect conducting a patrol inspection, meaning he was on official duty and represented the face of the Yin Sha Sect. Should any trouble arise for him here, within a month, experts from the Yin Sha Sect Battle Hall would descend and flatten Little Continent City.

Many onlookers had gathered, including not only a large number of Qi Refining cultivators but also many Foundation Establishment cultivators who came out to watch the spectacle. Seeing the imposing figures in the Yin Sha Sect Battle Hall armor, commanding a warship that clearly looked extraordinary, even Lord Han Wu, who normally held a high position in their eyes, had to speak respectfully. They were all filled with envy, wishing they too could be a part of that group.

At this moment, Lei Dong somewhat understood one of the objectives of the patrol mission. Looking at the surrounding cultivators whose eyes were filled with fanaticism and envy, he realized they would certainly exaggerate today's experience upon returning, acting as spreading agents. This clearly expanded the Yin Sha Sect’s influence and reputation in this area.

“No rush,” Zhang Heng stated coldly. “Why is City Lord Ning not present? Is he perhaps not in Little Continent City?”

Han Wu knew that Zhang Heng seemed dissatisfied that only he, the Deputy City Lord, had come to greet them. But he alone knew the bitterness of the situation. The South Seventy-Six Islands, overall, leaned towards the Yin Sha Sect. However, City Lord Ning had recently been consorting increasingly closely with people from the Tian Yin Palace, showing an inclination to pledge allegiance to the Tian Yin Palace. Although many opposed this move, it did not change Lord Ning’s resolve.

The South Seventy-Six Islands comprised over a hundred families and factions, totaling two to three thousand local cultivators. If they provoked the Yin Sha Sect, major problems were likely to arise. It should be known that Lord Ning’s current stable footing in the South Seventy-Six Islands was inseparable from the Yin Sha Sect, which had expended considerable effort and resources to support him. No sect would be lenient toward a traitor. This involved not only interests and saving face but also the very authority of the Yin Sha Sect.

Han Wu could only say cautiously, “Captain Zhang, this is not the place for discussion. Please move to the City Lord's Mansion, and I will explain the situation to you.”

Zhang Heng said faintly, “No need. I, Zhang, am merely a Patrol Envoy of the Battle Hall, responsible only for inspection and war. Specialists from the sect will naturally arrive later to understand the situation.” Zhang Heng had no desire to visit the City Lord’s Mansion; he simply waved his hand behind him and led the group of ten onto the flying vessel.

Zhang Heng immediately activated the full shield and piloted the vessel outwards. Unexpectedly, the protective barrier of Little Continent City did not open. A deep voice sounded from afar, “Captain Zhang, since you have arrived, why not disembark for a rest before departing?”

Zhang Heng snorted coldly, offering no reply. Instead, he charged up the Nether Fire Main Cannon and fired a blast from the inside out toward the restrictive barrier.

With a loud boom, the gathered cultivators below scattered in terror. The restrictive barrier, after a wave of violent tremors, displayed a small breach before quickly healing itself. Zhang Heng’s expression shifted slightly, and he hissed under his breath, “Brothers, this time I was careless. Everyone, use your strongest means to strike the barrier along with the Nether Fire Cannon.”

In the distance, a Golden Core cultivator was rapidly approaching, while simultaneously shouting fiercely, “Han Wu, you still dare to hesitate? Whether we can keep them or not, we have already thoroughly offended the Yin Sha Sect. Do you think you can escape?”