Shi Yan spent the journey pestering Mo Duanhun, extracting a wealth of information about the Galuo Sea Region from him. He Qingman, riding her Wind and Thunder Flying Lion, maintained a steady, measured pace ahead, keeping a careful distance from the Azure Blood Demon Bat.
Time slipped by swiftly, and half a month later, the Azure Blood Demon Bat officially entered the Galuo Sea Region. Six more days passed before they finally reached Fire Cloud Island.
The moment the Azure Blood Demon Bat soared above Fire Cloud Island, a wave of intense heat washed over them. The island's expanse was comparable to Monroe Island, dotted with numerous volcanoes, resulting in scorching temperatures.
Yet, this island was rich in resources, boasting peculiar ores and rare medicinal herbs that thrived in high heat. Furthermore, the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy here was significantly more potent than that of Cloud Haze Island.
Consequently, Fire Cloud Island was home to a large number of martial artists and several established martial power factions.
However, these local factions were considerably weaker than powerhouses like the Yang Family, Heavenly Evil Grotto, or the Xia Family. The most formidable among them was the He Family. He Luo was the Island Lord of Fire Cloud Island and the most powerful figure, a fact acknowledged by all the other martial factions on the island.
Besides the He Family's inherent strength, there was another key reason for their dominance: they were already affiliated with the Heavenly Evil Grotto. All the islands in this sector fell under the Grotto's sphere of influence. With the He Family aligned with the Heavenly Evil Grotto and having produced He Qingman—a pillar of the Grotto—it was almost impossible for them not to reign supreme here.
Under the blazing sun, Fire Cloud Island resembled a colossal steamer, with waves of heat rolling off it; even the very soil seemed infused with fire.
Once overhead, Shi Yan finally understood why He Qingman was dressed so lightly. Given the extreme heat, wearing heavy clothing would surely lead to drenching sweat.
He Qingman, perched on the Wind and Thunder Flying Lion, slowed her mount slightly, as if awaiting something.
Not long after, the Azure Blood Demon Bat beneath Shi Yan gradually drew closer to the Flying Lion.
He Qingman on the Wind and Thunder Flying Lion regarded Shi Yan with a cool, impassive gaze, clearly still holding reservations about him. However, when addressing Mo Duanhun, she showed marked respect, calling out sweetly, "Lord Mo, now that you have arrived at Fire Cloud Island, please accept our invitation to rest at the He Family residence. We can discuss matters later."
The Azure Blood Demon Bat was a distinct emblem of the Yang Family's Asura Blood Guard. Its appearance on Fire Cloud Island was bound to alert many local factions. If the Bat were to land at the He Family estate, allowing the Asura King Mo Duanhun to rest there for even a night would be an immense honor for the He Family.
If the island's martial forces learned that Mo Duanhun was staying with them, their reverence for the He Family would only deepen.
The Yang Family’s standing in the Galuo Sea Region mirrored that of the He Family on Fire Cloud Island. If Mo Duanhun patronized the He Family, it would greatly elevate their status, commanding even greater respect from the local martial artists. He Qingman was keenly aware of this, which is why she extended the invitation, unwilling to forfeit an opportunity to bolster the He Family's prestige, even if she disliked Shi Yan.
Mo Duanhun remained expressionless, seated firmly upon the Azure Blood Demon Bat, making no immediate reply. Instead, his gaze shifted to Shi Yan.
He Luo, despite being in the Nirvana Realm, was considered a mere footnote by Mo Duanhun, even though he was the sovereign of Fire Cloud Island. Mo Duanhun had effortlessly slaughtered countless families in the Endless Sea, many far more powerful than the He Family.
His current journey was solely for Shi Yan. Based on Shi Yan’s talent and mysterious nature, Mo Duanhun recognized that this youth was destined to become a pivotal figure within the Yang Family. Thus, he looked to Shi Yan for direction.
Seeing Mo Duanhun look at Shi Yan, He Qingman’s expression instantly chilled. She inwardly scoffed, sensing her intentions were about to be thwarted.
"Very well, since we are on their territory, it is only proper to meet the host; otherwise, it would be quite rude," Shi Yan said, surprising He Qingman. He smiled and nodded in agreement. "There is no rush anyway. A brief rest will allow us to inquire about the volcanoes here, which could prove useful for my future movements."
"Hmm." Mo Duanhun finally nodded, turning to He Qingman. "Lead the way."
He Qingman paused, then pivoted, urging the Wind and Thunder Flying Lion toward the center of Fire Cloud Island.
Riding the Azure Blood Demon Bat, Shi Yan looked down and noted the striking resemblance between Fire Cloud Island and Monroe Island, with its many volcanoes and tropical flora.
The Azure Blood Demon Bat sliced through the heat waves, and after half an hour, they arrived at the island's core. It descended slowly into a sprawling estate featuring hundreds of pavilions, linked by winding streams and abundant shrubs. The pavilions were constructed of wood, not towering structures, yet they exuded an air of refined elegance and poetry.
Before the Azure Blood Demon Bat had even landed, a group of martial artists emerged, their expressions filled with astonishment, gathering in a vast training ground and looking skyward.
As the Bat settled, He Luo, who led the group, looked even more surprised and somewhat at a loss for what to do.
"Father, this is Lord Mo. We are visiting Fire Cloud Island on business, and he has graciously stopped by our He Family residence," He Qingman announced smoothly, gracefully dismounting the Wind and Thunder Flying Lion. She walked directly toward He Luo, calling out sweetly, "Lord Mo and I are quite tired from our journey back from Cloud Haze Island. Father, please quickly instruct the servants to prepare a banquet."
He Luo was slender, with a few wisps of beard, possessing an exceptional handsomeness and a refined bearing that spoke of a mature man’s unique charm.
Beside him were several He Family experts, along with the leaders of various factions from Cloud Haze Island who had gathered there for a meeting. They had been thrown into a panic by the sight of the Azure Blood Demon Bat flying overhead, unsure why the Asura Blood Guard had appeared over Cloud Haze Island, and had rushed out together to observe.
Upon learning that the visitor was Mo Duanhun, He Luo’s face lit up with ecstatic joy. He hurried forward, bowed deeply, and said, "We greet Lord Mo. Your presence brings unparalleled glory to the He Family."
The name of the Three Asura Kings of the Yang Family was renowned across the Endless Sea. This was He Luo’s first time meeting Mo Duanhun, and he was filled with both elation and nervousness, greeting him with the highest form of respect.
Mo Duanhun frowned slightly, offering nothing more than a brief nod. He Luo didn't mistake this for arrogance; given Mo Duanhun’s status, a simple nod was a profound sign of acknowledgment.
Indeed, He Luo observed expressions of envy flicker across the faces of the other Fire Cloud Island leaders beside him.
"Lord Mo, please come inside, please do!" He Luo exclaimed, deferentially bowing and calling out loudly, "Prepare a feast! Bring out the finest wine and cuisine. It is an honor for Fire Cloud Island to host Lord Mo; we must not show any slackness!"
"Lady Mo, I shall excuse myself briefly to change and freshen up," He Qingman said, offering a slight curtsy to Mo Duanhun before disappearing with the Wind and Thunder Flying Lion. "Lord Mo, this way please," He Luo led the way himself, his attitude exceedingly amicable.
Mo Duanhun wrinkled his brow slightly, turned, and looked toward Shi Yan. Shi Yan smiled calmly and nodded softly.
Only then did Mo Duanhun agree.
He Luo and the other leaders of Fire Cloud Island were shrewd observers. Their eyes immediately brightened, and they all fixed their gaze on Shi Yan, filled with surprise.
Though Mo Duanhun's gesture was subtle, they all noticed it. The supreme leader among the Three Asura Kings was actively seeking the opinion of this youth. Who was this person?
He Luo’s expression shifted slightly, a hint of apprehension surfacing. Fearing he might have slighted a crucial guest, he quickly tried to recover: "Lord Mo, might I ask who this young brother is? This Fire Cloud Island is but a small place, and it is rare to receive such distinguished guests. I am truly inept; I almost offended a VIP."
Shi Yan looked slightly taken aback.
He Luo possessed cultivation in the second layer of the Nirvana Realm. The men beside him were also richly dressed, most of them in the Nirvana Realm as well. Standing there, they exuded an inherent, imposing aura without needing to actively display anger, clearly men accustomed to giving orders.
Yet, these individuals treated Mo Duanhun with such fawning deference, as if a simple nod from him were the greatest honor imaginable. Through this small detail, Shi Yan easily grasped the sheer magnitude of the Yang Family's prestige in the Galuo Sea Region.
"Shi Yan," Mo Duanhun replied plainly, yet with a dismissive air that precluded any further explanation.
He Luo and the others visibly started, their eyes wide with astonishment.
Although He Luo and the others had never met the celebrated young talents of the Yang Family, they knew their names and were familiar with the formidable figures among the younger generation. However, they had never heard the name Shi Yan. Since his surname was "Shi," was he perhaps not a member of the Yang Family?
If he wasn't Yang Family kin, why would Mo Duanhun consult his opinion? What right did some boy surnamed Shi have to command such attention from Mo Duanhun?
He Luo and his entourage were utterly baffled, filled with questions but daring not to press further. They managed forced, dry laughs. He Luo refrained from asking more and quickly urged, "Please, come inside."
"My Lord, the Azure Blood Demon Bat requires sustenance," a Blood Guard suddenly spoke softly.
Mo Duanhun nodded slightly and instructed He Luo, "Prepare some meat."
He Luo nodded repeatedly, smiling, "Rest assured, My Lord. We guarantee your satisfaction." He then called out loudly, "For the pride of our Galuo Sea Region, ensure the Azure Blood Demon Bat is well attended to."
From the rear of the He Family estate came the cries of wild beasts. Soon, various fierce creatures were led out from the back and brought into the training ground by He Family servants.
These lions, tigers, wolves, and leopards were all notably large and fierce, but before the Azure Blood Demon Bat, they trembled in profound fear. "Let's go eat somewhere else. Don't make this place too bloody," Shi Yan said with a smile to the Blood Guards.
They immediately nodded, each warning their mounts. The Azure Blood Demon Bats suddenly took flight, snatching the beasts and soaring away toward the distance. Under the Demon Bats, the captured animals dared not resist and were docilely carried into the sky, vanishing moments later.
Shortly after, faint roars of dying beasts echoed from afar. "Lord Mo, Young Brother Shi Yan, please, come inside," He Luo said, still smiling broadly and bowing deeply. Shi Yan’s expression remained unchanged as he followed Mo Duanhun alongside He Luo toward the rear courtyards of the He Family residence.