Outside the barrier. Di Shan stood there, aloof and impassive, coldly observing the two figures opposite him. Wu Qin and Gu Xiao whispered together, their expressions shifting rapidly, their eyes flickering with a complex light, occasionally furrowing their brows deeply, clearly showing signs of agitation.

Inside the barrier. Yi Tianmo was utterly astonished, fifty meters away, watching the breathtakingly beautiful young woman inside the tower hold forth, his gaze filled with disbelief.

Within the tower floors. Hua Meng, Huang Nan, Gu Linglong, Pan Zhe, Shi Yanqing, and He Qingman all wore strange expressions, staring blankly at Cao Zhilan—this figure ranked third on the battle roster, the renowned new generation leader of the Cao family in the Endless Sea—as she casually uttered those earth-shattering words.

Was she... was she serious? The new generation's leader of the Cao family, at the pinnacle of the Realm of Supreme Status, unrivaled in allure, the goddess who haunted the dreams of countless young elites in the Endless Sea, was proactively proposing a marriage alliance with Shi Yan?

Hua Meng, Huang Nan, and the others stared at each other, wondering if they had misheard. Pan Zhe's face was exceedingly bizarre; he kept shaking his head slightly, as if unwilling to believe his own eyes. Shi Yan was also stunned, frowning deeply, lost in thought.

“Cao... Cao Xiaojie?” He Qingman’s heart was a tangle of emotions, her tone oddly hesitant. “What... what are you doing?” “Sister Lan, did I hear that correctly?” Gu Linglong clenched her fist and raised it, making a hammering gesture. “Did that brat place some kind of restriction on your soul? Otherwise, how could you be speaking such nonsense?” Shi Yanqing and the others’ eyes lit up, nodding in fervent agreement, their gaze toward Shi Yan now full of vigilance and contempt.

“He’s not that bored,” Cao Zhilan smiled sweetly, her small mouth curving up, her beautiful eyes rippling with strange, wonderful light. “Shi Yan, what do you think of my proposal?” Shi Yan remained silent, his expression extremely peculiar.

“In the Endless Sea, the Martial Soul Palace, your Yang Family, and our Cao Family, along with the Three Divine Sect, are the most highly ranked powers. Although our Cao Family hasn't made any grand moves in recent years, no one dares deny our strength. The standing of our Cao Family in the Tuota Sea Region is similar to what your Yang Family once held in the Jialuo Sea Region. If you marry me, the Cao Family will become the most steadfast ally of your Yang Family. Moreover, I believe that as a wife, I should be far more capable than that Xia Xinyan. In terms of the influence behind me or my own abilities, I should surpass her slightly. Additionally, I trust my beauty is not far behind hers either.” Cao Zhilan gazed at Shi Yan with a smiling, luminous gaze. “What do you say? Consider it carefully; you will find this proposal highly advantageous to you.”

“Miss Cao, are you throwing yourself at me?” After a long silence, Shi Yan suddenly grinned, a strange light flashing in his eyes. “I’d like to ask why. Why are you showing me favor? I believe there are plenty of younger cultivators in the Endless Sea with higher cultivation than mine. My Yang Family is in decline now, and my status is hardly worth mentioning. Why this proposal now?”

“I believe in you,” Cao Zhilan pursed her lips in a light laugh, her beautiful eyes radiating brilliance. “You believe that your future will be more dazzling and vibrant than any youth I have ever seen in the Endless Sea. I think life with you would be wonderfully colorful. In short, I have high hopes for you.” Shi Yan was startled.

Hua Meng and the others inside the tower were dumbfounded, their expressions strange; they all thought Cao Zhilan must have gone mad.

“Sister Lan, you—you truly disappoint me!” Gu Linglong stomped her foot, practically exploding with anger. “That brat is a despicable villain, utterly repulsive, selfish, and arrogant! How could someone like that be worthy of you?” Zhai Yanqing also shook her head gently, clearly failing to understand.

Only He Qingman pondered for a moment, recalling Xia Xinyan’s earlier assessment of Shi Yan, and gradually began to sense something. She vaguely felt that Cao Zhilan’s boldness must have a reason. She knew that Cao Zhilan was famous in the Endless Sea not only for her martial prowess but also for her admirable wisdom. For such an astute and intelligent woman to cast aside shame and boldly extend an olive branch to Shi Yan—had she truly gone insane?

Thinking this, He Qingman secretly scrutinized Shi Yan. She suddenly realized that before he entered the Abyss Battlefield, he was only at the Hundred Calamity Realm. Now, in just two short years, he had reached the peak of the Supreme Status Realm. Such rapid breakthroughs were nothing short of world-shaking.

A cascade of thoughts flashed through her mind. The more He Qingman analyzed, the more astonished she became, and the more she felt she was getting closer to the truth. Looking at Cao Zhilan again, she actually began to feel admiration. She admired the woman's decisive courage, admired her insight, admired her mettle in handling major affairs. Sister Xinyan, where are you? Someone is trying to steal your man, and it’s an incredibly formidable opponent. You need to be careful... He Qingman thought privately.

“Shi Yan, do you think I’m beautiful?” Cao Zhilan swayed her graceful figure, turning lightly before him. Her full chest was proud, her willow waist slender and boneless, like a stunning, vibrant flower that made one unable to awaken just by looking.

“You are exceptionally beautiful.” Shi Yan smiled, his gaze nakedly fiery, roaming wantonly over her marvelous physique. “Among the women I know, your beauty can only be matched by Xinyan... However.” Shi Yan paused, his expression playful. “However, I have no plans for marriage or starting a family yet, nor do I intend to tether my marital choices to any grand family matters. Who I like, I like, irrespective of the power behind her or whether she can offer me assistance. It is purely based on my subjective preference, nothing else.” With that, Shi Yan ignored the looks of confusion and surprise from Cao Zhilan and the others, stepping down directly and heading outside.

Over there, Gu Xiao and Wu Qin had stopped whispering; their expressions were grim, restless, and dissatisfied. Shi Yan appeared quietly and smiled faintly. “Gentlemen, have you considered my terms?”

“We agree to your conditions,” Gu Xiao inhaled sharply, forcibly suppressing the anger rising in his chest, and barked, “Release them!” “No problem.” Shi Yan agreed readily, suddenly raising his hand and making a gesture in the void. “Release the people.” The barrier shattered instantly, permeated by a force, much like the moon reflected in a well being disturbed. Hua Meng, Gu Linglong, and the others inside the barrier materialized immediately, still lost in contemplation of Cao Zhilan’s audacious proposal, not yet recovered.

“You may leave now,” Shi Yan pointed to Hua Meng and the others, then turned back to Gu Xiao and Wu Qin, saying lightly, “Send people to hand over those ten islands to the Xia Family. I know the Xia Family is surviving on Cloud Wind Island, located between you two. You understand what I mean?” Gu Xiao snorted coldly and nodded angrily.

“That’s good then,” Shi Yan smiled. “You can take your people and leave. I guarantee that while you fight the demon race, we will only sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight; we won't interfere.” Gu Xiao and Wu Qin were fuming, harboring other plans. They nodded toward Gu Linglong and Zhai Yanqing and were about to leave Snow Dragon Island.

At that moment. The heavens showed an anomaly. A peculiar demonic beast, spewing fire all over its body, slowly descended from the sky. The beast was the size of a small mountain, resembling a lion and a tiger, with a sturdy physique and an imposing aura.

“Fire Qilin!” Gu Xiao gasped, his expression shaken. “Tang Yuanhan has arrived.” The cool Snow Dragon Island gradually grew scorching hot due to the beast's arrival. The thick snow on Snow Dragon Mountain began to melt, and dense white mist billowed out, gathering toward the sky. The Rank Eight Demonic Beast, the Fire Qilin, was the mount of the current leader of the Three Divine Sect, Sun God Tang Yuanhan.

Di Shan snorted coldly, looking up at the slowly descending Fire Qilin, his face showing displeasure. Gu Xiao and Wu Qin were startled, suddenly seeming to gain some confidence. Seeing the Fire Qilin appear, they prepared to say something, but noticed that no one seemed to be riding it.

“Hmm?” Gu Xiao and Wu Qin were surprised. They released their divine senses and, after a brief probe, realized only the Fire Qilin had come; the current leader of the Three Divine Sect, Tang Yuanhan, was nowhere in sight.

“Who is in charge here?” Deep, rough voices echoed from the Fire Qilin. This Rank Eight demonic beast actually spoke human words, flames burning fiercely in its massive eyes, its entire being radiating heat condensed like sunlight.

“I’ll be going then,” Shi Yan smiled up at the sky.

“Did you send the message to the Three Divine Sect headquarters?” the Fire Qilin asked. “Yes,” Shi Yan nodded.

“The Sect Leader has agreed to your demands and is willing to cede five islands. Furthermore, the Sect Leader wishes for you to visit our main headquarters, as there are important matters to discuss. This is an invitation.” The Fire Qilin’s majestic voice reverberated across the island, and then a sheet of golden script slowly floated down from the sky, landing on the stone ground before Shi Yan.

“Understood. Tell your Sect Leader we will make a trip to the Three Divine Sect headquarters,” Shi Yan grinned, turning to the utterly stunned Gu Xiao and Wu Qin. “Tang Yuanhan is gathering strong cultivators from various factions at the headquarters. You should be among those invited, too. Hmm, we’ll meet again in a few days.” Gu Xiao and Wu Qin exchanged glances, seeing deep bewilderment in each other's eyes.

“Seven days from now, the forces and experts from all factions will gather at the headquarters. Don't be late,” the Fire Qilin transmitted its final message, then slowly ascended, preparing to leave. Shi Yan nodded with a smile and said lightly, “No need to see me out.”

“You even contacted Tang Yuanhan?” Gu Xiao asked in astonishment. “Did you threaten Tang Yuanhan too?”

“Threaten?” Shi Yan shook his head. “It wasn’t a threat; it was a collaboration. He is far more sensible than you two. After I explained the benefits, and since he didn't have anything in my hands, he readily gave up five islands to me. Compared to Tang Yuanhan, you two are indeed too stingy. No wonder you aren't as powerful as the Three Divine Sect; there’s a clear reason for it.”

Gu Xiao’s face darkened. “Alright, we’ll meet again at the Three Divine Sect in seven days,” Shi Yan muttered to himself. “When we do, if you have any thoughts, you can bring them up. However, if you go back on your word, hehe, you’ll find out that when I get desperate, I’m capable of anything.” Gu Xiao and Wu Qin were furious, looking at Shi Yan with annoyance. They snorted coldly and then flew away with Gu Linglong and the others. “Go safely, won’t see you out.”