"This situation simply cannot continue!"

Xia Ruixing stood gravely, slightly stooped atop a barren peak, addressing the Xia Family Patriarch, Xia Shenchuan. "These few isolated islands possess no mineral veins, no spirit herbs, and the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy is thin. They are entirely unsuitable for martial cultivation. Living here, our progress in cultivation will halt completely."

Surrounding Xia Shenchuan were about a dozen experts from the collateral branches of the Xia Clan, most of whom were at the Nirvana Realm. Every one of them wore an expression of deep agreement.

"Our Xia Family is, after all, one of the fifteen major powers of the Boundless Sea, yet to be reduced to such a wretched state is truly humiliating," stated one collateral expert solemnly. "Patriarch, the Xia Family is currently at its most perilous juncture. We implore the Patriarch to make a decision swiftly."

"Trading Xin Feng's lifelong happiness for the stability of our Xia Family is an extremely favorable bargain," Xia Ruixing affirmed with a nod. "Patriarch, as children of the Xia Family, we should make sacrifices for the clan. Xin Yan is qualified for this role and should accept it without hesitation! If I had a daughter as useful as her, I would offer her up without a second thought for the sake of the family's grand endeavor!" Xia Ruixing’s declaration was resolute and final.

Five venerable elders of the Xia Family, all at the Heaven Rank with snow-white hair and beards, stood silently behind Xia Shenchuan.

"Nirvana Realm..." Xia Shenchuan's expression darkened. He swept a cold gaze over the assembled crowd, finally turning back slightly to bow towards the five elders. "Elders, Xin Yan is the future hope of our Xia Family. Based on her current progress, her future cultivation is certain to surpass my own. As long as she remains within the Xia Family, our clan is bound to rise again. If we allow her to marry into some malicious faction at this critical moment, her entire life might well be ruined."

"The situation in the Boundless Sea changes by the moment, and the Fiendmen have invaded en masse. We may not have the luxury of waiting that long," Xia Ruixing responded, equally deferential, addressing a short, plump elder whose face was a map of wrinkles. "Great Elder, if the Xia Family does not make a clear stance, I fear our clan will soon decline. Given the current circumstances, we must ally with other powers, otherwise, we will either be wiped out by the Fiendmen or sacrificed by other factions."

"Ruixing does make a valid point..." The Great Elder nodded slightly.

Xia Shenchuan’s expression shifted subtly.

Whoosh! A streak of azure light suddenly flashed in from the distance, instantly materializing before the group.

"If you are determined to sacrifice me, then I will sever ties with the Xia Family." Xia Xinyan's face was icy, adopting a stance ready for irreparable rupture.

"Nonsense!" Xia Shenchuan roared coldly, impatient. "Family matters are not for you to interfere with. Whatever the family decides, you are forbidden to have any objections!"

"Father!" Xia Xinyan’s expression was fiercely indignant. "This is about my entire life! I will not allow you to arbitrarily make decisions for me!"

"Is this all because of that brat, Shi Yan?" Xia Ruixing sneered coldly. "Xin Yan, you should see things clearly. I recall you being willing to sacrifice everything for the family before. Why have you changed since meeting that boy? The Yang Family is finished; the Galuo Sea Domain is gone. Shi Yan is unlikely to escape death in that Abyss Battlefield. Why cling so stubbornly to a dead man?"

Xia Xinyan's eyebrows shot up, her bright eyes flashing with killing intent. "Who said he’s dead?" Hmph. She added, "Even if you were dead, he wouldn't be!"

"Insolence!" Xia Ruixing exploded in fury. He then turned to the five elders. "Elders, you have all seen it. This girl has become completely unruly, showing no respect for us elders anymore. If this continues, no one will be able to control her. Rather than let it escalate, it’s better to marry her off sooner rather than later."

The five Xia Family elders exchanged glances, their expressions showing contemplation at his words.

"If someone must marry, then you marry them!" Xia Xinyan couldn't be bothered to argue further. She cast a deep look at Xia Shenchuan, then suddenly declared, "Father, I’m leaving."

"Stop making trouble," Xia Shenchuan frowned, displeased. "The matter hasn't been settled clearly."

"Allow me to offer a word," at that moment, Zhou Yu suddenly bowed slightly, paying respects to the five elders. He then spoke, "Although Emperor Yang Qing is trapped in the Fourth Fiend Domain, no one has yet confirmed his death there. Everyone knows the power of Yang Qing Di’s bloodline; as long as he lives, the Yang Family can easily stage a comeback. We all know Yang Qing Di’s temperament, so perhaps we should consider the implications..."

"Consider?" Xia Ruixing scoffed. "It is highly unlikely Yang Qing Di will emerge alive from the Fiend Domain. Even if he does, he wouldn't cross our Xia Family over a mere Shi Yan, would he? That brat was just an abandoned infant picked up from the desolate lands by the Yang Family. How much influence could he possibly wield?"

"That is also true," several Xia Family elders nodded quietly after reflection.

The situation reached a stalemate. Xia Shenchuan and Zhou Yu’s faction insisted on their stance, while Xia Ruixing’s group continuously clamored for Xia Xinyan to make the sacrifice.

For a time, the members of the Xia Family on the island were noisy, showing no sign of ceasing. Xia Xinyan attempted to leave several times but was restrained by Xia Shenchuan. Thinking of their father-daughter bond and fearing her father would be outmaneuvered, she reluctantly remained for the moment to observe how things developed.

"Someone is coming."

Half an hour later, with the discussion yielding no fruit, Xia Shenchuan suddenly sensed something. He looked up at the sky, his face etched with confusion.

Whoosh, whoosh! The sound of rapid movement through the air quietly approached from afar. While the Xia Family members were entirely perplexed, Gu Zhengyang of the Gu Family and Yue Feng of the Heavenly Pool Sacred Land suddenly appeared before them.

The Xia Family instantly fell silent, staring oddly at Gu Zhengyang and Yue Feng.

The last time, these two, accompanied by Gu Yu and Feng Hai, had come seeking a marriage alliance with the Xia Family, only to return defeated. After only three days, their return made the Xia Family secretly vigilant, unsure of their purpose and filled with unease.

"Gentlemen, what business brings you here again?" Zhou Yu asked with a furrowed brow.

Gu Zhengyang and Yue Feng also wore strange expressions. They walked straight to Xia Shenchuan, bowed, and each produced a document from their sleeves, respectfully handing them over to Xia Shenchuan with both hands.

Xia Shenchuan, full of doubt, took the documents and glanced at them. His face instantly grew grim.

"What is the meaning of this?" Xia Shenchuan snorted. "Is this a betrothal gift? I don't recall agreeing to anything. Five spirit-rich islands for one family? If this is a betrothal gift, you are indeed generous in your offering, but..."

"Five islands for one family!" Xia Ruixing's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but gasp out, a look of delight spreading across his face. The five Xia Family elders were also secretly moved, and the way they looked at Xia Xinyan suddenly held a different connotation. Xia Xinyan vaguely sensed something was wrong, silently cursing, and prepared to flee at any second.

"Patriarch Xia has misunderstood," Gu Zhengyang shook his head, offering a wry smile. "These islands are being designated to you under orders from my father; there is no other meaning attached." Yue Feng nodded as well, indicating the Heavenly Pool Sacred Land held the same intent.

"Why have your two families suddenly developed such great consciences?" Xia Shenchuan scoffed. "I dare not accept this easily. I don't know what consequences might follow if I accept these documents. You should take them back."

Gu Zhengyang and Yue Feng exchanged a look, their faces quite awkward. They wanted to explain but felt embarrassed, so they forced strange, stiff smiles.

"What exactly is going on?" Xia Shenchuan noticed the abnormality, his brow knitting even deeper. "From what I know of your two leaders, they would never willingly give up these islands without reason. If I recall correctly, these ten islands are the resource hubs of your two factions. If it were me, I wouldn't give them up easily either."

"Can you not tell us the reason?" Yue Feng grimaced.

"If you don't explain the reason, I absolutely dare not accept them," Xia Shenchuan shook his head.

"Very well..." Yue Feng sighed helplessly. "These islands are being returned to the Yang Family by our Holy Mother and the Gu Family Patriarch. They should have been received by Shi Yan, but he insisted they be given to your Xia Family. That is why we had to come."

The entire Xia Family froze.

"You, what did you just say?" Xia Ruixing's face was a mask of disbelief, his mouth hanging open. "Are you mistaken? If I understood you correctly, you are saying Shi Yan coerced your two factions into giving up five islands each? What did he use to threaten you? How could he possibly have coerced you?"

Xia Shenchuan also sucked in a sharp breath, shaking his head repeatedly, clearly finding it hard to believe.

"Our Holy Mother and the Gu Family Patriarch both traveled to Snow Dragon Island and met with Shi Yan of the Yang Family," Yue Feng said, looking dejected. "Afterward, they issued this order: to cede the islands to your Xia Family." He paused, then added, "It's not just us, the Heavenly Pool Sacred Land, and the Gu Family; word is, even Tang Yuannan of the Three Gods Sect agreed to his terms and ceded five islands belonging to the Three Gods Sect..."

The Xia Family members were utterly dumbfounded.

"Xin Yan..." Xia Shenchuan stared at Xia Xinyan with an expression of utter shock and bewilderment. "That boy... does that boy truly possess that much influence?"

Xia Xinyan looked around in confusion, shaking her head slightly. "I haven't seen him for a long time. I... I don't know either."

"Xin Yan, Uncle Zhou admits defeat," Zhou Yu sighed deeply. "It appears that no one in our Xia Family has possessed better foresight than you." The five Xia Family elders nodded secretly, all looking at her with approval and beaming smiles.

"That is all, then," Gu Zhengyang bowed, his attitude exceedingly friendly. "We hope you can relay the news of receiving these islands to Shi Yan as soon as possible, so he doesn't misunderstand anything. My father instructed that he must not harbor any misunderstanding, so you must make it clear we did not coerce you in any way."

Xia Ruixing nodded mechanically, feeling a sense of profound unreality.

"You must pass the message to Shi Yan quickly; we don't want him to be mistaken," Yue Feng also urged before they departed.

Xia Xinyan was lost in a daze, her expression blank. She had no idea what methods Shi Yan had employed in the short span of two years to bring the notoriously stingy Gu Xiao and Wu Qin of the Boundless Sea to submission.

PS: Apologies for only one chapter today; I will make up the deficit tomorrow. I encountered a very upsetting matter that has ruined my mood all day. I am sorry. Also, at the request of a friend, I have changed the name of the Three Gods Sect Master from Tang Yuanhan to Tang Yuannan. This was corrected in the last chapter, so I will not explain it again here. (To be continued)