Seven hundred li west of the Cloud Shore Continent, and roughly the same distance from Rainbow City, the deep layers of the cloud sea churned with enormous Cloud Whales, tumbling and playing within. Each one was immense; the smallest among them stretched over a hundred zhang in length.

Nearly every turn, every sweep of their bodies, sent the surrounding clouds into a frenzy and made the very air tremble.

Not far from these leviathans, a colossal ship, grander by several times the size of the whales, lay silently moored.

This Cloud Vessel spanned five hundred zhang from prow to stern and towered thirty zhang high, comprising a full thirty decks. Along both sides, every window was fitted with meticulously crafted ballistae. Giant bolts were nocked on their strings, ready to fly at a moment’s notice.

At this moment, within a grand hall aboard this Seven-Tusked Giant Ship, a silver-haired middle-aged man suddenly slammed his hand onto a nearby writing desk with a resounding bang. The desk, fashioned from precious zitan wood, instantly shattered, dissolving into dust and smoke!

His eyes flashed with barely contained fury, his expression cold and grim as he stared fixedly at the crimson-robed figure kneeling before him: “Say that again!”

If Zong Shou were present now, he would surely recognize this man as Lin Ji, whom he had met only a day prior.

The others assembled in this hall were all figures of considerable status. At the very apex sat Yue Guanyun, the City Lord of Wave Cloud City of the West Sea. Seated to his left and right were Feng Nu, the Demon King of Cloud Scar Mountain, and Xiong Ba, the Demon King of Blazing Flame Mountain, respectively.

Though positioned to the sides, they sat slightly elevated, equally enthroned upon their own seats of power. Both wore expressions of frozen resolve.

The entire hall was thick with a suffocating atmosphere. “—Three days ago. I accompanied Ren Bo to see the City Lord of Heaven’s Vault. As soon as I mentioned requesting that Heaven’s Vault Mountain yield half a province of territory, Zong Shou suddenly erupted, ordering men to strip us naked and cast us out of Rainbow City. I struggled fiercely, but was captured by Zong Yuan, utterly disgraced before everyone, and then hung outside the city walls. If not for the timely rescue by our reception party, Lin Ji would likely never have returned.”

Lin Ji’s face was a mottled patchwork of red and white, covered in bruises. His expression was a mixture of shame and rage, his teeth grinding so fiercely it seemed he wished to devour Zong Shou whole. However, in the presence of Yue Guanyun and the two Demon Kings, he dared not embellish his tale, though his words were heavily laced with provocation.

“Such sordid and humiliating matters should not have been spoken to sully Your Majesty’s ears. But at that time, my status was that of an envoy from Wave Cloud City—it was the face of our city! Yet we were insulted so deeply by the people of Heaven’s Vault Mountain. Those people simply hold Wave Cloud City in utter contempt!”

Yue Guanyun’s expression indeed flickered between dark moods, his eyes burning with rage that seemed almost visible. Finally, he clenched his jaw and let out a cold, mocking laugh: “A fine Zong Shou. Such outrageous gall! Offering respect but meeting it with insolence. He has the exact same stubborn temperament as his wretched father; neither will yield to firmness nor softness. It’s a pity this child possesses not half the capability of Zong Weiran. He fails to consider whether he even has the standing to be so arrogant.”

He glanced at the utterly wretched state of Lin Ji, first flaring in anger, then softening his demeanor: “Useless wretch! Get out now and find a Spirit Master to treat your injuries.”

Lin Ji brightened slightly but dared not show it. He bowed deeply once more and quickly exited the door.

Yue Guanyun took a deep breath, temporarily calming his turbulent state of mind, and then turned to the two men who had been watching silently beside him: “Brother Feng! Brother Xiong! What are your thoughts?”

Feng Nu, around forty, was slender and powerfully built, bearing some resemblance to Feng Yu. Hearing the question, he instantly raised his eyelids and let out a cold snort: “My son died by the hands of Zong Yuan of the Purple Thunder Spear Sect. Unless Heaven’s Vault is willing to hand Zong Yuan over to me for slow dismemberment by a thousand cuts, my Cloud Scar Mountain will pursue them to the death!”

Xiong Ba also smiled: “Demanding half a province based on empty claims—even we would not agree to such a thing. It is no wonder they were reluctant. Furthermore, Zong Yuan was at the Ruohai Strait at that time, having just crushed our forty legions and Brother Feng’s forces with three thousand Iron Cavalry. His arrogance must have been at its peak, so Zong Shou naturally could not agree. Brother Yue, you brought this humiliation upon yourself this time.”

Yue Guanyun showed no annoyance, nodding slightly: “I miscalculated this time! My initial plan was courtesy before force, but I did not anticipate Zong Shou daring to be so utterly disrespectful. Conflict follows failed negotiation. It seems we must first crush the arrogance of Zong Shou and Heaven’s Vault City before any other talk is possible—”

“That is precisely the principle!”

Xiong Ba’s thick brows shot up as he roared with laughter, a sound imbued with wild arrogance: “As far as I know, Heaven’s Vault Mountain’s reserves of Beast Crystals are already meager. If we ensure this expedition returns empty-handed, their national treasury will surely dry up. Even if Zong Shou profited handsomely last time and uses Beast Crystals and Spirit Stones to support Heaven’s Vault and quell public anger, he cannot stop his vassal cities from becoming disloyal! The ten-year foundation laid by Zong Weiran could collapse overnight!”

Saying this, Xiong Ba’s tone shifted, though a smile remained plastered on his face, his gaze now laced with an unyielding, icy coldness: “However, my two brothers, you must not underestimate this young man. Zong Shou might not be able to practice martial arts, but judging by his methods—repelling powerful enemies externally and eliminating traitors internally—he is exceptionally shrewd. What kind of man was Zong Shi? You and I both know. Ling Fa Kong, who clashed with us several times, winning fewer than he lost, was nevertheless a top-tier figure on the East Cloud Shore Continent. And Zong Ming, Zong Hao, and Zong Shiyuan are no ordinary men either. Yet Zong Shou managed to kill or capture them all in a single night, utterly wiping them out. Even the Heavenly Fox Clan Elder Zong Zheng was forced into seclusion. This man’s abilities are evident—”

Feng Nu and Yue Guanyun in the hall fell silent, their expressions grave and heavy. Though they said nothing, they clearly agreed deeply with Xiong Ba’s assessment. Feng Nu even nodded slightly: “The changes at Heaven’s Vault Mountain City that day generated too many rumors to discern the truth. The informants our three cities planted within Heaven’s Vault were all eliminated without a trace—truly formidable. Furthermore, the several decrees he issued after taking the throne reveal profound strategy and perseverance; they will certainly lead to a massive increase in Heaven’s Vault’s power. This child might truly be unable to cultivate, as rumored. But if we give him another year or two, he might truly master Heaven’s Vault, making all the heroes there bow their heads and willingly serve. It is precisely because we understand his capabilities that our three cities have joined forces this time—”

His tone shifted again, laced with deference: “No matter how intelligent Zong Shou is, his understanding of what lies beneath the cloud sea cannot match Brother Yue’s by even a fraction. This time, I estimate Heaven’s Vault Mountain can gather at most five hundred Cloud Vessels, plus Xuan Mountain City, totaling no more than a thousand. Our three cities combined outnumber Heaven’s Vault’s vessels by three to one. With Brother Yue commanding, Heaven’s Vault will surely achieve nothing and return defeated.”

Yue Guanyun smiled self-assuredly upon hearing this, making no attempt at false modesty. His eyes glittered slightly: “I have an idea. Since Zong Shou is so intractable, why don’t we send envoys again to question those vassal cities bound to Heaven’s Vault—are they joining this hunt our three cities are mounting, or not? Will they sit idly by with Heaven’s Vault until their resources are depleted, or will they hunt the Fierce Beasts with us?”

Xiong Ba and Feng Nu exchanged glances, faint smiles playing in their eyes. Yue Guanyun’s suggestion aligned perfectly with both their intentions.

※※※※

At the exact same time, seven hundred li away in Rainbow City, Zong Shou—the ‘formidable enemy’ viewed by Yue Guanyun, Xiong Ba, and the third party—was already driving Ren Bo to distraction.

The very first thing Zong Shou did after taking control was scatter huge quantities of gold, silver, and Beast Crystals, purchasing countless exquisite furnishings. He hired several merchants from Rainbow City to decorate his private chambers into a place of unparalleled luxury. He even summoned several Spirit Masters skilled in formations to install a Constant Warmth Array in this small palace, ensuring it enjoyed spring-like temperatures year-round, consuming seven or eight hundred Fourth-Tier Beast Crystals in the process.

He even intended to have a decorative rock garden moved onto this Toothless Giant Ship to create a small courtyard, but abandoned the idea only because there wasn't enough time for the complex transportation.

This extravagance left Ren Bo pale with anguish; with that much wealth, Heaven’s Vault could have recruited nearly a hundred Innate Martial Masters, yet Zong Shou had squandered it on such fripperies.

No matter how Ren Bo tried to persuade him, Zong Shou treated his advice as wind in his ears, paying no heed. If not for the lingering sentiment for Zong Weiran’s past favors and a sliver of hope he held for Zong Shou, Ren Bo would have resigned immediately.

His days were spent preparing provisions for the hundreds of Cloud Vessels, and then painstakingly pondering how to guide Zong Shou back onto the proper path.

Even Chu Xue found the situation unbearable and worried constantly. However, she had always strictly obeyed Zong Shou’s orders, making it impossible for her to formulate any remonstrance.

Ruoshui, on the other hand, was entirely unconcerned, sleeping languidly on the soft, expansive bed made from Sixth-Tier Bear Hide.

As for Xuan Yunlan, who was traveling with them, she naturally could not stomach the extravagance. Even as an outsider, she felt Zong Shou was being excessively luxurious.

“I have heard that wise rulers of the world always value thrift and simplicity. Does Your Majesty know that a single Fourth-Tier Beast Crystal could provide food and clothing for five hundred households for ten years? The money Your Majesty spent decorating the palace could support an army of ten thousand for an entire year!”

Chu Xue nodded vigorously in agreement: “Exactly! Back then, His Majesty wouldn't even spare himself a good meal, only eating four dishes per dinner.” As she spoke, she stared intently at the massive table before Zong Shou, laden with dozens of dishes prepared by renowned chefs, all emanating magnificent color and aroma, making her own mouth water.

Xuan Yunlan couldn't help but show a look of admiration, thinking that Zong Weiran, truly a founding monarch, was an exemplar. No wonder he could start from nothing and build such a vast domain. It was a pity that in the end, he was undone by his own overwhelming martial talent.

Zong Shou was momentarily speechless, then he used his chopsticks to sharply tap Chu Xue’s head: “If you don't understand, don't talk nonsense! Should I keep my Beast Crystals in my pocket until they grow moldy? Don't you know that the essence of wealth lies in its circulation? If the wealthy people of Heaven’s Vault Mountain don’t spend extravagantly, how will the poor earn a living?”

Xuan Yunlan froze, staring at Zong Shou with the look one reserves for an oddity. Just then, Ren Bo walked in. Hearing Zong Shou’s words, he too stopped dead in his tracks.

This was the first time he had ever heard such reasoning. Could it be that valuing thrift was actually wrong? (To be continued)