The island itself was not large, spanning perhaps only thirty thousand zhang from north to south. It was little bigger than the flat expanse atop the peak of Qiantian Mountain.

Yet, it was remarkably prosperous. From a distance, one could see countless cloud vessels anchored outside, numbering six or seven thousand in total. They were all towering warships, magnificent to behold.

This place was called Tongling Island, where the spiritual energy was incredibly dense, second only to the Nineteen Spirit Mansions. However, no sect had ever managed to successfully occupy it. It had become a famous gathering place for cultivators on the eastern edge of the Cloud Realm. Zong Shou stood at the prow of the Five-Tusked Warship and saw, far off, over two hundred blood-red banners embroidered with the character 'Xuanyuan' fluttering in the wind.

Hundreds of other cloud vessels were arrayed around them.

“The Xuanyuan Blood Banners! Those are the cloud vessels from Xuan Mountain City!”

Hu Zhongyuan’s thick brows lifted slightly, his expression immediately turning grim. He saw that the other several thousand cloud vessels were subtly arrayed in a ring encircling the vessels of Xuan Mountain City.

“West Sea Taoyun City, Blazing Flame Mountain City, Cloud Scar Mountain City—why do these three cities possess so many warships?”

At a glance, there were nearly four thousand vessels, ten times the number at Qiantian Mountain. The Five-Tusked warships alone numbered over two hundred. That Seven-Tusked Warship stood out like a crane among chickens.

Gu Liekong, Zong Yuan, and the others also had solemn expressions, a flicker of anger visible in their eyes.

It wasn't the sheer number of warships from the three cities that annoyed them; it was the fact that many of those vessels should rightfully belong to Qiantian Mountain City.

Zong Ling grew even more incensed, a flush rising on his cheeks. “They truly are going too far!”

Among the group, few were genuinely concerned that the warships of these three cities would start a fight here.

The depths of the cloud sea had always been the private domain of the great hidden sects, jointly governed by them.

Moreover, the fierce beasts and malevolent spirits beneath the cloud sea were a deep-seated threat to the various sects, factions, and indeed, the entire human race.

Zong Shou’s eyes narrowed slightly, but then he dismissed it with a faint smile. “Never mind them. I heard that whenever these cities descend into the cloud sea, they must report to the sects here, correct?”

Seeing Zong Ling and the others nod, Zong Shou stepped down from the ship first. In any case, they needed to get ashore and settle matters first.

Tongling Island was simply too small to berth the massive warships. The party had to transfer to smaller boats to reach the island.

The moment they stepped onto the dock, Zong Shou saw Zhu Junhou leading a group toward them, striding purposefully. Xuanyuan Yiren was naturally among them.

She was still wearing her signature tight-fitting robes, a long sword hanging at her waist. She was heroic, possessed a powerful aura, and was incredibly striking. However, her expression was somewhat gloomy. But when her eyes met Zong Shou’s, a flash of sweet tenderness appeared within them.

“Why are you two days late?”

After the two parties exchanged greetings, Xuanyuan Yiren naturally positioned herself right beside Zong Shou. Then, her gaze drifted, liquid-like, settling on Xuan Yunlan, and she asked with feigned ‘curiosity,’ “Is this the third concubine you’ve recently taken, Xiao Shou? Such a beautiful person.”

Xuan Yunlan instantly flushed a deep, shy red. Zong Shou felt a pang of awkwardness. “What nonsense are you talking of? This is my Senior Sister, the direct lineage heir of the Qingyin Gate within the Three Sects and Six Gates of the Cangsheng Dao. She is staying by my side because of urgent matters.”

Xuanyuan Yiren let out an ‘Mm,’ but offered no confirmation, appearing not particularly bothered. She merely extended her small hand and gripped Zong Shou’s tightly, showing no reservation about the onlookers.

Zong Shou then felt something was amiss, raising an eyebrow in surprise. “Yiren, you’ve advanced? To the Night Roam realm?”

He knew that six months ago, Xuanyuan Yiren only possessed innate combat power through external elixirs. Afterward, utilizing the formula for the Cold Spirit Profound Intent Pill he left her, she had temporarily resolved the hidden dangers in her cultivation technique. Both her spiritual arts and martial path had advanced to the Earth Meridian realm.

But now, after only two months, Xuanyuan Yiren had advanced again. Before reaching the True Qi cultivation stage, she was already a Martial Sovereign. Even her soul power had reached the standard of the Night Roam realm.

Xuanyuan Yiren smiled proudly, offering no explanation, only taking out several bottles of pills and shaking them in front of Zong Shou.

“Spirit Purifying Snow Pill, Fierce Cold Frost Pill, Profound Fire Extreme Pill—”

Zong Shou understood with just one glance. Typically, spiritual cultivators comprehended True Talismans by executing spiritual arts or crafting talismans, but the Alchemists of the Danquan Sect were different. They continuously grasped the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth through alchemy, condensing True Talismans and Spirit Formations.

It was often claimed that ‘the universe exists within the cauldron,’ containing the Great Dao. They possessed a complete set of formulas that allowed disciples to cultivate while refining pills.

By crafting these pills, Xuanyuan Yiren had naturally mastered the corresponding True Talismans and Spirit Restrictions.

Then, a light sparked in Zong Shou’s eyes, his divine radiance flickering. Spirit Purifying Snow Pill? How could he have forgotten? The lineage of the ‘Purify’ character might not be clearly documented in the Cangsheng Dao, but the Danquan Sect, which centered on alchemy, would certainly possess it.

And right before him was a genius alchemist whom he could consult, one who would surely enable him to achieve another breakthrough.

However, bringing up this matter now was clearly inconvenient. Just then, Zhu Junhou beside him let out a cold snort. “Taoyun City truly pushes people too far!”

His tone was identical to Zong Ling’s. Zong Shou gave a slight sneer and looked in the direction everyone else was staring. A middle-aged man nearing forty, clad in a brocade robe, was striding over with an air of elegance and poise.

Without needing confirmation, just by seeing Lin Ji following respectfully behind him, Zong Shou knew this must be Yue Guanyun, the City Lord of Taoyun City.

Two other figures walked alongside him, their faces cold and indifferent. However, the distinct characteristics of the Wind Leopard and Flame Bear tribes were unmistakable. One was immensely sturdy, the other lean and sharp.

Reaching the group, Yue Guanyun clasped his fists. “Yue Guanyun of Taoyun City pays respects to City Lord Zong. Has City Lord Zong also prepared to hunt beneath the cloud sea?”

Xiong Ba and Feng Nu standing nearby sneered, their expressions suggesting amusement.

Zong Shou didn’t wish to engage; he knew the next step would inevitably involve being ridiculed by these people, and he had no time for that. He immediately took Xuanyuan Yiren’s hand and walked toward the interior of the island.

Yue Guanyun’s face instantly darkened, and he let out a cold snort. “My envoy told me after visiting Hong City a few days ago that the new City Lord of Qiantian City is an ill-mannered person devoid of upbringing. I didn't quite believe it at first, but seeing this now, it proves true!”

At these words, the atmosphere on the dock instantly became tense, like drawn swords. Xiong Ba also let out a cold laugh and addressed a powerfully built man following behind Zong Shou. “Duke Hao, is this Young Master Chai Zhou, the eldest son of Chai Yuan? Your Feng Xiong clan is an old branch of my Xiong tribe. Years ago, due to some minor misunderstandings, a rift formed with my Yan Xiong tribe, leading to your departure. But those grudges are centuries old. Now that Qiantian Mountain is nearing its end, does your Feng Xiong lineage truly intend to follow this brat down the same dark path?”

Chai Zhou was the person who had followed Chai Yuan that night. Since Zong Shou took the position, Chai Yuan had forcefully placed him within Zong Shou’s personal guard.

Hearing this, he immediately let out a mocking laugh. “No need for your concern! My Lord’s virtue and talent surpass that of the former Lord. We shall see whose fortunes are truly declining!”

Suddenly, his expression changed, and he stared at a fifty-year-old man in the opposite crowd. “Xie Rong! You dare betray Qiantian Mountain?”

Only then did the others realize that behind the three men, there were at least a dozen individuals who should belong to Qiantian Mountain. Their gazes sharpened instantly, slicing toward Xie Rong like blades!

Yue Guanyun smiled faintly, making no move to stop the confrontation, nor did he offer any defense for Xie Rong.

Xie Rong’s expression flickered. After a moment of hesitation, he gave a wry, bitter bow. “Xie Rong pays respects to the City Lord! Our West Boundary City has had no inflow of Beast Crystals for nearly a year. The success of this Cloud Hunt is critically important. When City Lord Yue invited me, and given the circumstances, I could not refuse…”

As he spoke, Zong Ling, Zong Lan, and Hu Zhongyuan’s expressions grew icier.

Even Ling Fa Kong, listed among the group as a criminal, had murderous intent gleaming in his eyes. Xie Rong gritted his teeth. “Since the City Lord and everyone else cannot understand, then after today, my West Boundary City will no longer be a vassal of Qiantian Mountain!”

Yue Guanyun immediately burst into booming laughter, his arrogance soaring to the heavens. “Since antiquity, a good bird chooses its tree. City Lord Xie, you will surely be grateful for this choice for the rest of your life!”

Grateful for the rest of his life?

Zong Shou gave a faint, cold sneer, feeling no real anger. These three were clearly testing the waters and attempting to sow discord. If he allowed himself to be truly provoked, he would have fallen right into their trap.

Looking back, he saw that the crowd was indeed agitated, with younger members like Hu Zhongyuan resting their hands on their weapons. Zong Shou frowned slightly, then let out a sharp hum. “One does not speak the language of beasts; is it entertaining to speak with these animals? Let’s go.”

With that, he turned and left. Whether they were men of Qiantian Mountain City or Xuan Mountain City, their expressions stiffened momentarily. But upon hearing the words ‘beast language’ and ‘animals,’ smiles touched their lips, and they followed him away without uttering a word.

This left Yue Guanyun and the other two utterly astonished. While they had come to gauge Zong Shou’s strength and plant seeds of discord, they also harbored a desire to split Zong Shou’s subordinates from him.

Yet, seeing the situation, not only were the men of Qiantian Mountain City obediently following his every command without the slightest disrespect, but even the Xuanwu Sect members and Day Roam Spirit Masters from Xuan Mountain City followed with utmost deference.

Their respect for Zong Shou seemed even greater than that shown to Xuanyuan Yiren; they truly regarded him as their City Lord.

This was surprising, yet confusing.

Yue Guanyun’s face grew even more ashen. “Filthy language! Did your dead father never teach you how to speak to people?”

Seeing that Zong Shou showed no intention of looking back, he shouted again, “What my envoy mentioned the other day remains valid! If you, Zong Shou, are willing to yield half a province of land today, my Taoyun City will certainly not trouble you further, but will instead offer full assistance! If you refuse—” Yue Guanyun’s eyes filled with murderous intent, his tone instantly turning icy. “—I will ensure that Qiantian Mountain City is left without a single tile or blade of grass remaining!”

Zong Shou’s gaze flickered, his steps paused, then he continued forward with a light chuckle.

Yet, a thread of cold killing intent also flashed through his eyes. Yue Guanyun’s final statement had finally succeeded in stirring the anger deep within him, igniting a spark of murderous will.

He hated being threatened the most, and at this moment, the threat was coupled with extortion. (To be continued)