The thick, viscous ambient energy, like the faint mist of early morning, shrouded and coiled around the base of Snow Dragon Mountain in a vast expanse of white.
Tendrils of spiritual energy, visible to the naked eye, continued to erupt from the fissures splitting the body of Snow Dragon Mountain, swirling and diffusing until they gradually permeated the area, enveloping a hundred-mile radius around the mountain.
This boundless white mist of spiritual energy resembled smooth, pure white jade silk, occasionally flashing with faint, ethereal light under the sun. The tribesmen of the Winged Clan and the Shadowed Spectre Clan gathered at the mountain's foot looked around, secretly astonished yet filled with elation, utterly bewildered by the sheer magic of it all.
The bone-chilling cold that had once permeated the air had silently vanished. While the peaks and slopes of Snow Dragon Mountain remained fiercely frigid, no more of that biting cold seeped from the mountain's cracks, nor did any chill surge down toward the base.
As a result, the alien tribesmen who had been forced to temporarily retreat from the foot of Snow Dragon Mountain due to the severe cold began to return from other regions of Snow Dragon Island.
Upon their arrival, they were immediately struck by the astonishing transformation: not only was the spiritual energy incredibly dense, but the entire mountain range seemed to be brimming with vibrant life force.
Owing to the pleasant spiritual atmosphere, lush, verdant vegetation began to sprout at the foot of Snow Dragon Mountain, including several saplings of rare medicinal herbs that even Cao Zhilan found noteworthy.
Di Shan, Yu Rou, Yi Tianmo, and the others redoubled their efforts, hurrying to construct various formations and barriers imbued with specialized effects. Many of these unique barriers and wards, which required the ambient spiritual energy for their materialization, became effortless with the aid of the Holy Spirit God.
Before long, the entire Snow Dragon Mountain seemed to be enveloped by layers of restrictions and formations. The arrays, large and small, were as numerous as the stars. Shi Yan hadn't yet tested their true power, but the sheer quantity startled him.
As the gathering date for the various factions of the Three Gods Sect drew nearer, Shi Yan sought out Yi Tianmo one day, intending to leave with him and have Yi Tianmo guide him toward the sect’s headquarters.
Among the five leaders of the Winged and Shadowed Spectre Clans, Yi Tianmo possessed the fastest travel speed.
Snow Dragon Island was already within the Three Gods Sect’s sphere of influence, and the distance to the main sect was not overly far. Flying with Yi Tianmo would ensure their arrival before the major assembly began.
However, just as Shi Yan was preparing to depart, Snow Dragon Island welcomed another unfamiliar guest.
It was Sun Ming, an envoy from the Penglai Holy Land, holding the rank of Nirvana Stage. Having learned from Gu Xiao and Wu Qin that Pan Zhe was imprisoned on Snow Dragon Island, he arrived bearing a stack of official documents, signifying the sincerity of the Penglai Holy Land, ready to exchange ten islands in the Azure Sea region for Pan Zhe’s life.
The moment he landed on Snow Dragon Island, Sun Ming was profoundly shocked by the density of the spiritual energy saturating the atmosphere.
When he reached the base of Snow Dragon Mountain and witnessed the rich spiritual energy swirling like a slow-moving current, and observed the white, ribbon-like mist coiling around the area, the shock within Sun Ming was utterly inexpressible.
Sun Ming had never visited Snow Dragon Island before, yet he had often undergone arduous cultivation on Penglai Island. By his expert measure, even Penglai Island was less suited for cultivation, less abundant in spiritual energy than this place.
This realization stunned Sun Ming. He immediately transmitted detailed accounts of the sights he witnessed and the spiritual fluctuations he perceived back to Penglai Island.
Initially, those on Penglai Island harbored some disbelief. Only after hearing Sun Ming’s detailed report were they genuinely astonished.
Soon, a reply arrived from Penglai Island, instructing Sun Ming to maintain an extremely respectful attitude, under no circumstances provoking the decision-makers of Snow Dragon Island, ensuring he brought Pan Zhe back alive, and absolutely avoiding any conflict with the current lords of Snow Dragon Island.
Furthermore, the two utterly mediocre islands originally listed in Sun Ming’s documents were quietly upgraded to two fertile islands belonging to the Penglai Holy Land, renowned for their abundant production of various rare ores.
When Shi Yan finally met Sun Ming, he found the envoy bowing and scraping like a grandchild, his demeanor so friendly it bordered on servile flattery.
Sun Ming’s face was fixed in a perpetual smile. He respectfully presented the documents ceding the islands first, and only then voiced his request to take Pan Zhe away.
Shi Yan was quite surprised. After carefully observing Sun Ming and confirming he harbored no ulterior motives, he nodded and called out toward Pan Zhe in the distant building, “Someone’s come to redeem you.”
Pan Zhe’s face darkened. His lip twitched momentarily as he stood up, visibly humiliated.
“See you around, perhaps,” Cao Zhilan murmured with a soft smile. Dressed in a gown of snow velvet and wearing a small cap adorned with various feathers, she leaned against the window sill, waving dismissively at him. “Remember to ask that brute to lift the restrictions on your soul, or your elders will berate you for your incompetence when they see you.”
Pan Zhe’s expression grew even gloomier, filled with frustration and helplessness. Gazing across at the impassive Shi Yan, he couldn't summon even a flicker of vengeful thought.
He knew that if he merely entertained an impulse for revenge, Shi Yan would sense it instantly and might even enact some means to completely neutralize him.
The experience with his soul in the Forbidden Land was a scar that would never fade in his lifetime. As the future leader of the Penglai Holy Land, he had been at a disadvantage against Shi Yan from their very first encounter, completely suppressed, never able to hold his head up.
Shi Yan had inflicted a profound wound upon his spirit, one that would not heal quickly.
Pan Zhe’s expression was desolate, laden with powerlessness. Head bowed, he slowly descended the stairs.
“Alas, such a promising young man, ruined by Shi Yan just like that,” Cao Zhilan sighed, shaking her head lightly with an air of regret. “Shi Yan struck a heavy blow deep into his arrogant heart, leaving a scar on his sea of consciousness. He might never overcome this hurdle in his life. In martial cultivation, a lack of self-confidence in the heart is a great taboo. Pan Zhe is probably finished.” He Qingman looked moved, her eyes narrowed into crescents as she stared at the departing Pan Zhe, suddenly asking, “What about Gu Linglong and Cui Yanqing?”
“They are different.” Cao Zhilan smiled sweetly, lightly biting her red lower lip as she let out a low curse, “That scoundrel defiled both those girls. That bastard touched every part of them that shouldn’t be touched. He utterly muddled their feelings, likely instilling in them a twisted hatred for men that might last a lifetime. That damned killer!”
He Qingman looked surprised, hesitating for a moment before asking with a peculiar expression, “It seems she didn't do anything to you, though? I watched you… you seemed jealous and resentful? Are you perhaps blaming him for not touching you? That’s what it felt like to me…”
Cao Zhilan’s cheeks instantly flushed scarlet, her beautiful eyes brimming with shy indignation. She shot He Qingman a sharp look before retorting, “I heard you and Xia Xinyan are close sisters. Haven’t you considered fighting your own sister for a man? Although that’s hardly honorable, when you encounter a truly fine man, sometimes you just have to be shamelessly bold. What do you think?”
He Qingman’s delicate body trembled slightly, her gaze suddenly flustered. She quickly realized Cao Zhilan’s words were sharp and immediately fell silent.
“Shouldn’t you let me leave easily?” Downstairs, Pan Zhe glared coldly at Shi Yan, feigning composure while harboring deep resentment.
Slapping his forehead, Shi Yan suddenly seemed to recall something. “My apologies, I almost forgot.”
Pop!
A faint sound, like a bubble bursting, suddenly resonated within Pan Zhe’s mind.
The next moment, Pan Zhe felt a profound loosening in his soul, as if the heavy weight binding his core spirit had suddenly been lifted. He immediately felt refreshed, and his vision seemed clearer.
“Your Penglai Holy Land shows great sincerity. Very good, very good,” Shi Yan declared, clearly pleased. He pondered for a moment, then suddenly turned to Sun Ming, inquiring, “What is the situation with the entrance to the Abyss Battlefield? Have you sent anyone there? What are the current conditions? Also, are there any anomalies in the nearby Demonic Beast Mountain Range? In your sea domain, have you encountered Yang Mu and his group?”
Sun Ming’s expression immediately became serious as he respectfully replied, “The Abyss Battlefield remains as it was, with no changes, and no one has emerged from it. We have not sighted any of your Yang family members in the Azure Sea region. As for the nearby Demonic Beast Mountain Range, it is overrun with ferocious demonic beasts, some incredibly powerful. It is their territory, and we dare not venture in rashly, so we are unaware of the situation within.”
Shi Yan frowned, nodded after a long pause, and then waved his hand. “You may leave now.”
Sun Ming looked toward Pan Zhe.
Pan Zhe took a deep breath, studying Shi Yan intently for a moment before saying gravely, “We shall meet again!” With that, Pan Zhe nodded to Sun Ming, and the two departed together toward the docks of Snow Dragon Island, vanishing from sight shortly after.
“He Qingman, and you? Are you staying here, or returning to the Heavenly Evil Cave Heaven?” Shi Yan fell silent for a moment, then suddenly looked up toward the nearby pavilion and called out loudly.
He Qingman’s expression was wistful, her charming face etched with bitterness. “The Heavenly Evil Cave Heaven has become the domain of the demon race; what meaning is there for me to return? I only wonder about Fire Cloud Island. Alas, I hope my kin have managed to flee the Galuo Sea region.”
“You intend to stay on Snow Dragon Island for the time being?”
“Yes.” Shi Yan nodded, remaining silent for a moment before adding, “Very well. I must travel to the Three Gods Sect. You stay here on Snow Dragon Island and take care.”
“Wait a moment,” Cao Zhilan cried out softly. Her lithe body twisted like a supple water snake on the window sill before she elegantly swooped down, landing gracefully right in front of Shi Yan. She then smiled enchantingly and said, “Take me with you.”
“You?” Shi Yan looked momentarily stunned, then shook his head. “Your Cao family has yet to present an acceptable price. You cannot leave. Therefore, any faction participating in opposing me and seeking to ransom their people should learn from the Penglai Holy Land. I appreciate their attitude. Only when your Cao family sends someone and offers ransom terms that satisfy me will I consider letting you leave.”
“The only reason no one from my Cao family has come is because I stopped them,” Cao Zhilan chuckled lightly. “I wish to remain here, to engage in further exchange with you and discuss the possibilities of deeper cooperation. That is why I sent word back to the family, telling them not to worry about me. Furthermore, I have full authority within my family structure; they will not seriously object to my decisions, so there is no need to send extra personnel.”
Shi Yan frowned. He knew Cao Zhilan possessed a unique secret communication artifact. He hadn't deliberately restrained her, so it wasn't unexpected that she could contact her family. What puzzled him was the Cao family’s complacency. Did they truly trust her that much?
“Can you genuinely represent the Cao family’s full interests?” Shi Yan inquired after a moment of thought.
Cao Zhilan nodded affirmatively.
“Very well, you can accompany me to the headquarters of the Three Gods Sect.”