Huo Yun Island, He Family.

A magnificent hall was filled with an abundance of exotic fruits and delicacies, fragrant wines poured one after another onto the long tables.

Inside, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement as He Luo grinned from ear to ear, constantly offering wine to Mo Duanhun.

Other martial artists' leaders on Huo Yun Island also appeared euphoric - each time they presented a toast to Mo Duanhun, they would stand respectfully, their postures dripping with deference.

Mo Duanhun sat motionless at the head of the hall, his expression unreadable. When someone offered wine, he merely nodded slightly before downing it in one gulp.

Shi Yan sat beside him, a faint smile on his lips as he silently observed everyone present. These once-mighty figures on Huo Yun Island had all become meek and fawning in the presence of Mo Duanhun. When the man showed even a hint of approval by nodding slightly, they would react with exaggerated gratitude - a sight Shi Yan found amusing.

As He Family's guest of honor, Mo Duanhun was not just any figure. As head of the Yang Clan and Supreme Demon King among the three major sects in Jialuo Sea, his presence here alone granted unprecedented prestige to He Family. Those gathered for crucial negotiations all benefited from this association. While these local elites might be influential on Huo Yun Island, they were worlds apart from Mo Duanhun - none even possessed the qualification to enter Immortal Island.

Until today, most had only heard of Mo Duanhun's legend without ever meeting him in person. Now that their chance had come, these self-proclaimed "talented speakers" scrambled to ingratiate themselves with flattery, hoping for a favorable impression from the great man.

Though Huo Yun Island technically fell under Tianxie Celestial Domain's jurisdiction, the Yang Clan held actual power over Jialuo Sea. These local factions needed to operate within those waters - should their actions inadvertently displease the Yang Clan, even a few well-placed words from Mo Duanhun could mean salvation or annihilation for their entire operations.

This explained why they were now so eager to please - though unaware of Shi Yan's true identity due to an earlier slip-up by Mo Duanhun, they still maintained careful courtesies toward both men, offering frequent toasts to both guests equally.

Shi Yan accepted every offering without pretense or hesitation, finishing each drink in one gulp. The island's tropical fruits - sweet and unique due to the region's intense heat - were also met with his full appreciation as he sampled them all with casual enjoyment.

Midway through the banquet, He Luo signaled a command. A group of scantily clad beauties emerged through the hall's entrance, their translucent silks revealing glimpses of smooth skin. With musical instruments in hand, they danced across the floor in fluid movements, their eyes trained on Mo Duanhun and Shi Yan with deliberate coquettishness as they performed a calculated seduction.

The seven young beauties were all strikingly attractive, their figures accentuated by the swirling motions of their dance that revealed subtle curves and tantalizing silhouettes. More importantly, each seemed fully aware of her role - these weren't mere performers but carefully selected assets trained to recognize high-value targets. Their choreography ensured they would pass directly in front of both guests, subtly highlighting their most alluring features while maintaining the illusion of offering themselves freely.

Mo Duanhun's eyes remained cold and uninterested as he watched through half-lidded gaze. Shi Yan maintained his indifferent demeanor but allowed himself to observe with a slight smile as he sipped wine, appreciating the spectacle without overstepping boundaries.

He Luo watched closely for any sign of interest from either guest - if either showed even mild appreciation, he would immediately arrange private meetings that night where these beauties could demonstrate their more exquisite talents in greater detail. However, after careful observation, he noted Mo Duanhun's consistent disinterest. The Supreme Demon King had long been known throughout Jialuo Sea for his indifference to feminine charms, a fact He Luo now confirmed firsthand.

His focus thus shifted entirely toward Shi Yan, who while maintaining composure, openly displayed appreciation through his eyes as he watched the dancers' movements. Encouraged by this reaction, He Luo began preparing arrangements for all seven beauties to accompany Shi Yan after the banquet ended.

Before long, the seven women vanished into shadowy corridors, stealing glances backward at Shi Yan with suggestive winks before disappearing completely.

"Ha ha! These seven girls are our island's Seven Golden Flowers - all still virgins and extremely selective in their affections. Usually they perform a dance and then vanish without a trace when guests arrive. Today, however, it seems the young gentleman has captured their hearts with so many lingering glances toward you!" He Luo chuckled as he spoke casually after the dancers' departure.

Shi Yan smiled faintly but shook his head gently.

He understood perfectly both what was being offered and why these women remained untouched - He Luo reserved them for truly prestigious guests when it mattered most, not wasting such treasures on ordinary visitors. The implication was clear: if Shi Yan merely nodded in agreement, the seven beauties would likely appear at his quarters immediately after the banquet ended.

Under normal circumstances, Shi Yan might have accepted gracefully given his nature - but now with Xia Xinyan still unconscious due to her injuries sustained saving him, a heavy stone of worry pressed against his chest. This wasn't a time for pleasures of flesh and blood, hence his quiet refusal to He Luo's offer.

He Luo blinked in mild surprise. He had expected the younger man to succumb easily - after all, these seven beauties were carefully selected from hundreds of candidates. Each possessed not just beauty but also perfect figures and unmatched virginity. Even he himself felt a stirring desire when watching them perform earlier. Judging by Shi Yan's reactions before - the way his eyes had lingered on their movements - he should have accepted readily.

"Dad," came an unexpected voice from behind. "This fellow would sacrifice anything to achieve his goals, even if it meant giving up these Seven Golden Flowers!"

The words were followed immediately by the arrival of He Qingman herself, her entrance causing a sudden hush to fall over the hall as all present turned toward her.

Dressed in a form-fitting crimson gown with embroidered floral patterns at its hemline, she moved forward gracefully with silk-like hair cascading down her shoulders. Her almond-shaped eyes sparkled with allure while her exposed skin - smooth and pale like jade - shimmered under candlelight. The sheer elegance of her posture combined with the feminine power in every movement made her a breathtaking vision.

Even Mo Duanhun looked up from his apathy, surprised by the sudden wave of beauty. Shi Yan's own eyes briefly brightened despite his distaste for this woman - he couldn't help but admire her presence objectively speaking. Qingman was indeed Xia Xinyan's equal in terms of absolute feminine perfection though their styles differed: while Xia Xinyan embodied regal elegance, He Qingman exuded seductive charm.

"This is my daughter growing more beautiful by the day," He Luo laughed heartily as he watched his daughter approach. "I wonder which poor soul will be lucky enough to claim her one day!"

A red-faced man named Wu Mu couldn't help but comment, "Qingman's truly the brightest star in Jialuo Sea! Alas, my son lacked talent and wasn't chosen by Tianxie Celestial Domain - I doubt he'll ever have a chance at all."

"Ha ha," another man snorted with mockery. "You dare compare your son to Qingman? Even if other clans' sons from Xia or Yang families had designs on her, Tianxie will never agree! We should give up dreaming already!"

"Yes indeed," someone else added solemnly. "Qingman is Tianxie's most precious asset - only young talents like Xie Kui from Tianhu Celestial Domain could possibly earn approval to pursue her."

He Luo beamed with pride, "You all just need to work harder! Perhaps one day you'll produce a fine son of your own!"

While speaking, He Luo deliberately ignored his daughter's accusation against Shi Yan. Though unaware of the man's true identity, he knew better than to anger Mo Duanhun's companion - especially given how highly the Supreme Demon King regarded Shi Yan.

Shi Yan merely frowned slightly at this, ignoring her words completely while casting a cold glance toward the stunning but unwelcome woman standing before him.

"It's time for business," Mo Duanhun finally straightened up and spoke in his usual detached tone.

These people were insignificant even to Tianxie Celestial Domain in his eyes - he had only been making polite appearances at this banquet. Qingman, however, was different: as a prodigy nurtured by Tianxie with both Wind and Water dual soul fragments, her future potential was limitless. That's why he had shown slight interest when she appeared, allowing the conversation to finally shift toward actual matters after her arrival.

"Of course," He Luo smiled and stood up, glancing at all the martial artists in attendance before adding cheerfully, "It is getting late - shall we take our leave?"

Everyone quickly caught on that their presence was no longer needed. With polite bows to Mo Duanhun and Shi Yan, they departed without hesitation, leaving the hall empty within minutes.

The servants soon cleared away all food remnants while other attendants vanished completely from sight. Only He Luo father-daughter pair remained with the two guests now seated opposite them.

"Why did you come to Huo Yun Island? Why seek out Eternal Fire Mountain?" He Qingman's bright eyes fixed on Shi Yan as she asked curiously.

"I need to save Xinyan," Shi Yan frowned, his tone grave but direct.

"Eternal Fire Mountain can awaken her soul?" She shook her head in disbelief, scoffing, "I've never heard of any connection between spirit revival and volcanic energy!"

"There are many things you haven't heard before," Shi Yan replied coldly without emotion. "If I say it works, then it will work! Care to make a bet?"

"A bet? How so?" Qingman's eyes suddenly gleamed with renewed interest...