As the sun began its ascent over the horizon, Yitian Mo guided Shi Yan rapidly toward the central domain of Snow Dragon Island.

Sweeping his divine sense through the whistling wind, Yitian Mo could cover the entirety of Snow Dragon Island, discerning precisely where populations were dense and where the martial families were concentrated.

Shi Yan’s Sea of Consciousness remained active; the Five Demons were poised for action, and his main soul maintained a vigilant defense.

Diving his spirit into the Blood Patterned Ring, he had already established a connection with the Ten Thousand Year Earth Core Fire, ready to unleash the Heavenly Fire's power should any anomaly arise.

He was guarding against Yitian Mo.

Though Yitian Mo had sworn an oath, Shi Yan remained uneasy, uncertain if the commitment was genuine or masked by ulterior motives.

This expedition into Snow Dragon Island was to survey the situation.

Bringing Di Shan or Yu Rou along was clearly inappropriate—both possessed powerful backing, and their alien features were too pronounced; revealing themselves would inevitably invite needless trouble.

He had no idea how long he had been away from the Boundless Sea, nor the current state of affairs.

Before clarifying several matters, he dared not act rashly.

The objective of this trip was Henda’s family; he wished to see Linda.

Through Linda, he intended to grasp the current landscape of the Boundless Sea and ascertain whether the Demon People and Nether People had begun a full-scale invasion.

Since he couldn't bring the Winged Clan and still needed speed, he had to select someone from the Shadow Charm Clan.

He chose Yitian Mo, recognizing the risk, but having studied the profound mysteries of the Shadow Charm Clan's soul arts for so long, he possessed a degree of leverage and confidence, feeling Yitian Mo couldn't instantly execute him.

As long as instant death wasn't guaranteed, his possession of the Heavenly Fire provided the means for retaliation.

Maintaining a subtle vigilance, Shi Yan felt the slight fluctuations within his Sea of Consciousness, making him somewhat nervous.

Suddenly, Yitian Mo halted, coming to a stop amidst the forested mountains.

Shi Yan started, growing even more cautious, secretly sensing the minute changes in Yitian Mo’s aura, directing all his attention toward him.

“Master, there is a group of martial artists ahead.

Their cultivation is extremely low; the strongest among them is only at the Status Realm, posing no threat,” Yitian Mo stated impassively.

His ashen-grey pupils fixed on Shi Yan’s face for a moment before he abruptly asked, “Master suspects me?” Shi Yan felt a pang of awkwardness but nodded frankly.

“I don't know if you will strike.

Your mastery of soul arts is too profound.

If you truly intended to kill me, I would find it hard to defend myself.

That’s why I’ve been very careful, meticulously guarding against it.” Yitian Mo paused, momentarily speechless.

“I apologize.

It’s not a lack of trust, but the gap between us is simply too vast.

Being alone with you now, I truly don't know if you harbor other thoughts, so I must be cautious,” Shi Yan explained with a wry smile.

“I understand,” Yitian Mo nodded.

“If I were the Master, I would never associate alone with such a dangerous individual.

I am already quite surprised that the Master dared to come with me alone.

I know Di Shan and Yu Rou were also deeply concerned.

Before we left, they secretly warned me: should anything happen to the Master, those under my command would face their bloody retribution.” Shi Yan blinked.

“I was unaware of that.” Hearing Yitian Mo say this gave Shi Yan a better impression of Di Shan and Yu Rou; they seemed genuinely well-intentioned, and perhaps there were no further issues.

With Di Shan and Yu Rou suppressing the Shadow Charm Clan from the rear, Yitian Mo, even if he had ulterior motives, likely wouldn't dare act rashly.

“Master truly need not worry,” Yitian Mo smirked.

“You mentioned earlier that you held no intentions toward our two clans.

At the time, I considered it seriously; I genuinely considered breaking away from you.

However, I ultimately decided to remain with Di Shan and Yu Rou.

Does the Master know why?” Shi Yan shook his head.

“I don’t.” “Just as Di Shan and Yu Rou said: the Master possesses potential—immense potential!” Yitian Mo’s eyes gradually brightened.

“The Master is young, possesses keen comprehension, exquisite cultivation, and harbors many mysteries within his body.

Furthermore, the Master is the person foretold in the Ancestor’s decree.

When these factors align, I know the Master is the hope for the future of our two clans.

Although the Master is currently weaker, I am equally confident in the Master's future.” Shi Yan was astonished.

“Therefore, I sincerely look forward to the Master’s rapid growth,” Yitian Mo stated solemnly.

Shi Yan remained silent, pondering for a long moment before slowly nodding.

“Understood.” Yitian Mo’s expression eased, and he pointed ahead.

“There is a squad of martial artists over there.

The Master likely has questions for them.

Shall we proceed?” “Very well.” This time, Yitian Mo did not carry Shi Yan but walked alongside him toward the group.

Soon, they saw about ten martial artists, armed and mounted on spirited horses, heading toward the interior of Snow Dragon Island.

In the forest where Shi Yan and Yitian Mo traveled, some areas hosted Tier Three and Tier Four demonic beasts.

For these martial artists, the resources derived from those beasts were highly valuable.

Based on their attire, Shi Yan guessed these individuals were mercenaries exploring those regions.

“Pardon the interruption,” Shi Yan suddenly emerged from behind a tree, planting himself squarely in front of the group with a smile.

“May I ask in which direction the Koller family lies?” The family Linda belonged to was the Koller family, a name she had made Shi Yan commit to memory when they parted.

Shi Yan’s sudden appearance startled the group.

The expressions of the ten or so martial artists shifted, and they pulled their horses up short, glaring at Shi Yan with ill-will.

One particularly skeletal old man sneered, “Kid, where did you spring from? On our Snow Dragon Island, few haven't heard of the Koller family.

You must be an outsider, right?” Shi Yan smiled and nodded, glancing at the old man, realizing he was the strongest among them, a martial artist at the first level of the Status Realm.

“Correct, I came from another island.

I have urgent business with the Koller family.

Could you tell me the way?” “Information isn't free,” the old man sneered arrogantly.

“Bring something to exchange for intelligence.” “No problem.” Shi Yan tossed out a crystal.

The crystal shot out like a streak of light, landing directly in the old man’s hand.

The old man’s expression, initially indifferent, transformed into ecstatic joy upon inspecting it; he shrieked, “High-Grade Crystal!” “Now can you tell me the Koller family’s location?” Shi Yan, knowing how precious High-Grade Crystals were to martial artists of this caliber, smiled.

“I’m in a hurry; could you tell me quickly?” “Old Tie, is that really a crystal?” a handsome young man on a spirited horse nearby asked delightedly.

The old man, referred to as Old Tie, nodded repeatedly, stroking the crystal Shi Yan had given him with uncontrollable pleasure.

While his greedy thoughts intensified, Old Tie coughed lightly and suddenly demanded, “One crystal isn't enough, kid.

Bring three more!” Hearing this, the dozen or so martial artists on horseback instantly understood.

They fanned out, surrounding Shi Yan, all letting out cold, sneering chuckles.

Shi Yan’s brow furrowed, and his eyes instantly turned frigid.

Before they could utter another word, he struck.

His movement was lightning fast as he lunged toward the old man, his arm thrusting like a sharp sword directly toward the greedy elder’s abdomen.

“Pffft!” A bloodied hole, as thick as an arm, tore open in the old man’s stomach.

Shi Yan shifted his momentum, dispersing his attack flow, and immediately surged toward the surrounding martial artists.

One minute later.

The ten-odd martial artists lay one by one in pools of blood, their vital essence absorbed by Shi Yan.

Shi Yan also managed to extract the exact address of the Koller family from the lips of a dying martial artist.

Yitian Mo made no move, merely observing from the side—watching Shi Yan unleash slaughter without a word of warning, eradicating all ten unfamiliar martial artists, leaving not a single survivor.

To an outsider, Shi Yan’s actions might appear excessively ruthless, but Yitian Mo secretly nodded, his eyes filled with admiration.

He suddenly felt that Di Shan and Yu Rou’s judgment was indeed sound.

When Shi Yan was in the Abandoned Lands, he had always been honest and docile.

Although he displayed astonishing talent, he hadn't revealed merits in other areas.

Yitian Mo had always worried that Shi Yan possessed only astonishing talent without the corresponding temperament to match.

But witnessing Shi Yan's ruthless methods now, he finally felt a sense of relief.

Only at this moment did he truly acknowledge Shi Yan from the depths of his heart—this young Master whose cultivation was not yet high.

Wiping the blood from his hands, Shi Yan walked toward Yitian Mo with an expression of calm indifference.

“Let’s go.

If there’s no one nearby, we continue flying swiftly.” “Understood.” Yitian Mo replied, his tone now laced with a sincere reverence.

He then took Shi Yan and soared into the sky once more.

At the base of the rolling snow-capped mountains lay numerous villages and towns, frequented by martial artists in their cultivation journeys.

Snow Dragon Mountain was the most significant feature of Snow Dragon Island, hosting many rare medicinal herbs and shrouded in spiritual energy, making it ideal for martial cultivation.

Consequently, all martial artists cultivating on Snow Dragon Island gathered on the plains at the mountain's foot.

Shi Yan and Yitian Mo passed through village after village, town after town, moving toward a cluster of elegant buildings situated at the foot of Snow Dragon Mountain.

The Koller family, one of the three great families of Snow Dragon Island, resided year-round at the mountain base.

They were devout followers of the Three God Sect, essentially an outer force of that religious entity.

When Shi Yan and Yitian Mo reached the Koller family entrance, Shi Yan stood before the stone gate and smiled, stating he wished to see Linda.

The two guards, hearing he sought the Young Mistress, sized Shi Yan up from head to toe, seemingly attempting to see right through him.

After a long pause, one of them said coldly, “Kid, who are you? Our Young Mistress is very busy.

If you have no business, don't invite trouble.” “Tell her my name is Shi Yan.” “Come back tomorrow.

The Young Mistress is likely in the main hall now, discussing important matters with people from the other two families; she shouldn’t have time to see you today,” the guard frowned.

“Come early tomorrow morning, and I will report it, but not now.” Yitian Mo frowned, quietly consulting Shi Yan’s wishes: “Shall we…?” Shi Yan nodded.

The two guards suddenly looked vacant, a flicker of confusion passing through their eyes, and they froze in place.

Shi Yan raised his hand.

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