Shi Yan and Tang Yuan Nan stood five meters apart, their bodies simultaneously undergoing strange transformations, as some kind of esoteric connection quietly germinated between them, influencing both their Martial Souls.

This was their first encounter; they had yet to see each other's faces, yet the Martial Souls within their bodies resonated, unleashing miraculous signs in tandem.

Clutching his chest, Shi Yan trembled slightly, teeth gritted in silent curses.

He knew nothing of the Star Martial Soul and couldn't harness its power in the slightest. Now, the erratic throbbing of his heart threw all the power within his body into chaos, causing his various internal energies to tangle and collide—a torment beyond measure.

Tang Yuan Nan, however, showed no abnormality, seeming rather to enjoy the situation. The rings of light radiating from his body grew more willful, subtly spreading out to envelop Shi Yan.

"Damn it!"

Cursing inwardly, Shi Yan's face hardened, and countless streams of negative power surged violently from his acupoints, erupting like a volcanic blast.

In an instant, his imposing frame began to wither, and an intensely evil energy streamed forth from every aperture on his body. This malevolent force, with an unparalleled might, fiercely suppressed the pounding in his chest, subduing the troublesome stellar energy entirely.

Breathing lightly, he subtly retreated three steps. His body, once as clear and bright as a cold star, gradually returned to normal.

"Oh?"

Tang Yuan Nan uttered a soft sound and finally turned, looking at Shi Yan with astonished eyes—his gaze shone like twin miniature suns, dazzling and soul-capturing.

Under those sun-piercing eyes, Shi Yan felt a subtle sting in his own eyes, initially daring not to meet the gaze directly.

Only when the icy coldness of the Profound Ice Cold Flame permeated his entire being and slowly gathered in his pupils did he gradually adapt to the blinding brilliance of Tang Yuan Nan's eyes. He met the gaze calmly and steadily, saying faintly, "Greetings, Great Cult Leader Tang."

"We are all family here; no need for formalities," Tang Yuan Nan smiled casually, the solar radiance around his body vanishing instantly, not emitting even a trace of probing energy.

Shi Yan relaxed completely, and the Star Martial Soul immediately settled down, as if finding no worthy opponent, deeming the provocation tedious, it ceased its agitation.

"Family..." Shi Yan let out a strange laugh, shaking his head, not dwelling on the word.

Qing Ming, the Cult Leader of the Corpse God Sect, looked at Tang Yuan Nan with suspicion, then glanced at Shi Yan, his gaze filled with conjecture. After a pause, he sneered, "I didn't expect this brat to have ties with the Three God Sect. No wonder Brother Tang arrived so quickly; it seems you've come to defend your own."

"Defend my own?" Tang Yuan Nan seemed amused. He turned, glanced at Qing Ming, spread his hands, and chuckled, "Even if I hadn't intervened, you think you could have handled him easily? Brother Qing Ming, don't blame me for not reminding you: the power behind Shi Yan is far greater than what you see now. Weigh that carefully."

Qing Ming’s eyes suddenly brightened; he genuinely began to consider the strength backing Shi Yan.

"I came only to tell Brother Qing Ming not to recklessly employ the Corpse King's power," Tang Yuan Nan stated indifferently, adopting a strictly professional demeanor. "My island cannot withstand too much violent disturbance. I trust Brother Qing Ming will grant me this face."

He then turned back to Shi Yan, his smile filled with hidden meaning. "Boy, can you manage to behave yourself for a little while? You've only been on Day Island for an hour, and five Earth Realm martial artists have already been killed. Three factions have lodged complaints with me, and now you're clashing with Cult Leader Qing Ming. What exactly are you trying to achieve?"

Shi Yan was taken aback.

"Do not stir up any more trouble before the council begins," Tang Yuan Nan sighed helplessly. "Do it as a favor to me, can you?"

"Have you managed to ascertain the situation regarding the Seventh Layer of the Netherworld?" Shi Yan asked, momentarily stunned, frowning.

"We can discuss that in detail at the council; it's too early to speak of it now." Tang Yuan Nan’s expression was complex as he nodded slightly, then added, "After the council concludes, you must stay behind. We need to visit Moon Island together; there are things I must discuss with you privately."

Shi Yan understood immediately and nodded his assent.

"Whatever it is, discuss it properly with them, understood?" Tang Yuan Nan hesitated for a moment, frowning. "Counting the time, you are practically half-master of this island..."

Yin Hai and the other elders of the Corpse God Sect instantly changed countenance upon hearing this, horror flashing across their faces.

Qing Ming's expression also became strange. "Half-master, eh..." Shi Yan let out a dry chuckle. "Very well, I will restrain myself somewhat; I won't continue fooling around. However, if someone seriously irritates me, I won't care about any master status—after all, the Yang family's blood runs in my veins."

"It's enough that you are aware," Tang Yuan Nan nodded, saying no more. A blinding flash of sunlight swept past, and he vanished into thin air once more. "What exactly is your relationship with the Three God Sect?" Qing Ming took a deep breath. "As far as I know, the Yang family and the Three God Sect have been adversaries for hundreds of years. While there haven't been major battles in the last decade or so, I have never heard of any marriage alliance between the Yang family and the Three God Sect."

Shi Yan snorted dismissively, offering no reply.

He knew clearly that Tang Yuan Nan made no secret of counting him as half-master of Day Island precisely to win him over. Perhaps Tang Yuan Nan intended, through the Corpse God Sect members, to reveal the nature of his relationship with the Three God Sect—to let all the martial artists of the Endless Sea know that Shi Yan, besides being a Yang family member, was also the successor of the Star God of the Three God Sect.

Possessing the Star Martial Soul, nominally speaking, his future ascension to Star Island and becoming the Star God of the Three God Sect was an entirely logical progression.

Especially as the Yang family had retreated into the Demon Domain, their power drastically diminished, leaving Yang Qing Di unable to make any grand gestures.

Shi Yan understood that the key factor behind Tang Yuan Nan's open goodwill, besides his possession of the Star Martial Soul, was the friendly attitude shown by the Yin Charm Clan and the Winged Clan towards him.

The combined strength of the Yin Charm Clan and the Winged Clan was not inferior to any single power in the Endless Sea. By winning over Shi Yan, Tang Yuan Nan was effectively courting the Yin Charm Clan and the Winged Clan. This man certainly had a brilliant scheme in mind.

"The Corpse God Sect and you do not share any deep-seated hatred," Qing Ming suddenly backed down after a long silence. "If you are truly interested in these two Heavenly Corpses, I can decide to yield them to you as an apology for our sect's rash actions at Burial Site Ninety-Three. The reason our sect treated you as material for Corpse Refinement back then was entirely due to the trading by the Yin-Yang Cave Heaven; it had nothing directly to do with us—would you not agree?"

Yin Hai and the others were dumbfounded.

"The two Heavenly Corpses, in exchange for writing off the feud between the Corpse God Sect and you—how about it?" Qing Ming stated gravely.

"Cult Leader!" Yin Hai exclaimed anxiously. Those two Heavenly Corpses originally belonged to him.

"Shut up!" Qing Ming roared coldly.

Yin Hai immediately quieted down.

"Two Heavenly Corpses..." Shi Yan frowned, pondering for a moment. "That could work, but you must completely remove the restrictions placed upon these two Heavenly Corpses, and also... you must eradicate the Corpse Soul Seeds that Yin Hai left behind."

"Naturally," Qing Ming readily agreed. "To completely cleanse everything within these two Heavenly Corpses will require a bit more time—three days, perhaps. After three days, I will have Yin Hai deliver the two Heavenly Corpses to your residence. How about that?"

"It's settled then," Shi Yan grinned, bowing to Qing Ming. "Senior Qing Ming is indeed a magnanimous hero; I have learned much today. I shall see you at the council."

With that, Shi Yan turned and walked away.

Yi Tian Mo and the other two followed swiftly, descending the stone steps and quickly disappearing from sight.

"Cult Leader," Yin Hai murmured with lowered head, clearly dissatisfied. "Why?"

"You do not need to know," Qing Ming's viridian eyes held flickering, unusual light. Thin, strange light points arranged themselves into some esoteric array. Within that minute formation, a faint, eerie green flame wavered, gradually morphing into a sickly green little face.

"That person also carries Heavenly Fire," a strange notion crossed Qing Ming's Sea of Consciousness. "He must possess something exceptionally extraordinary, otherwise, two types of Heavenly Fire would not willingly submit to him. For now, do not engage him directly. Observe for a period before making any moves."

Qing Ming nodded silently, and the viridian color in his eyes gradually dimmed, his gaze returning to its normal grayish-brown.

"Master," Yi Tian Mo bowed slightly, pointing upward, and said softly, "There have been soul probes from Divine Realm martial artists."

Shi Yan looked up at the sky and smiled. "Don't mind them. Those people are too arrogant and meddlesome; they won't truly reveal themselves over a mere Earth Realm martial artist like me. I suspect that only after the council will anyone truly pay attention to me. For now, I'm not yet qualified."

"Shall we return now?" Yi Tian Mo inquired again.

Shi Yan paused, thought for a moment, and then suddenly said, "The three of you return. I'll wander around the base of Mount Sacred Light casually. If I return to my residence, some irrelevant people might actively seek me out to say things, which I'd rather avoid. If you follow me, I’m sure we will draw attention along the way. Heh, I also want to relax a bit."

"Might it be dangerous?" Ka Ba expressed concern. "How about letting Yi Tian Mo follow you, and we two return first?"

"No need," Shi Yan shook his head. "You all return together. The true powers on this island care more about you. In their eyes, I am just a messenger. Don't overestimate how much attention they pay to me; I know you can communicate with my soul transmission at any time while on this island. So, if any real trouble arises, I will send you a soul transmission. While this island is large, it’s not vast for you. If you exert your full speed, it won't take long."

"Very well, we shall leave first then," Yi Tian Mo nodded, bowed slightly to him in salute, and then quickly vanished.

Shi Yan proceeded alone towards Mount Sacred Light. Along the way, figures bustled past—many young martial artists heading the same direction, all clad in radiant attire, gathered in small groups of three or five, smiles playing on their lips, showing none of the tension of an impending demon invasion; they looked more like visitors seeking pleasure on Day Island.

Although Shi Yan had killed five Earth Realm martial artists upon arrival, very few people had actually witnessed the deed.

Thus, along this stretch, the numerous martial artists from various factions did not recognize him; they whispered and laughed softly, paying him no mind.

Mount Sacred Light was the sole peak on Day Island, soaring ten thousand zhang high, piercing the azure sky like a heavenly pillar.

The Great Sun Temple of Day Island sat atop Mount Sacred Light, shrouded in swirling mists, bathing daily in the scorching sunlight and enduring the illumination of the Holy Sun Light. The entire temple was reputedly constructed from various rare ores capable of absorbing solar energy, granting it all manner of miraculous effects.

At the base of Mount Sacred Light were numerous hot spring bathhouses, the spring water supposedly originating from the mountain's mid-slopes and possessing various mysterious benefits—making a woman's skin smooth and lustrous, invigorating a man's spirit, and refining the physical body within the waters...

Besides the hot springs of varying temperatures, the foot of Mount Sacred Light housed a dedicated trading ground for material exchange, numerous tavern-style bathhouses supplying gourmet food and fine wine, and dedicated practice rooms for martial artists to undergo specialized cultivation.

For these very reasons, the base of Mount Sacred Light attracted many talented youths from various factions. Many young martial artists who accompanied their elders converged there with diverse objectives, lingering and seeking excitement, hoping to stumble upon something they desperately coveted.

A sky-blue bath area was enveloped in warm mist rising from the waters. The pool was divided into channels carved from azure crystal stone, forming a complex network, with a large, oval central area nearly the size of a football field.

In the misty bathhouse, many martial artists soaked and rested.

Several young maidens, clad in thin veils, submerged their exquisite bodies into the spring water. Because thick mist perpetually hovered over the water's surface, their appearances were blurred; even their faces were indistinct, making it impossible to see the graceful figures submerged beneath the water. Outside the bathhouse, several structures of green wood stood, many martial artists leaning against the railings, gazing lecherously at the pool. Though they could see nothing clearly, they all appeared energized and highly enthusiastic.

Shi Yan arrived at the edge of this domain and glanced from afar, realizing that under the dense mist, the faces of the young women were indeed incredibly difficult to discern, let alone see through the water to their captivating forms.

He entered a large green-wood pavilion aimlessly. Listening to the lively chatter of the martial artists inside, smelling the fragrance of wine and food, he immediately recognized this as the unique bathhouse-tavern of Day Island, selling various delicacies exclusive to the Yuan Luo Sea Domain.

He smiled, suddenly feeling quite relaxed. After watching the tavern area from a distance for a while, Shi Yan lifted his head and walked inside.

"Miss Gu, try this. This is Crescent Crab meat, unique to Moon Island of the Three God Sect; the flesh is tender, naturally fragrant, and extremely delicious."

"Miss Qu, try the Flowing Cloud Flying Spring. I hear this wine is brewed using water from a divine spring on Mount Sacred Light. It's rich but not intoxicating."

"..."

Five or six strikingly dressed, handsome youths were smiling obsequiously towards two girls seated at a window table.

Those girls were Gu Linglong and Qu Yanqing. Although Qu Yanqing wore the mask that made her appearance utterly ordinary again, her inherent temperament remained, and since everyone knew her true face was exceptionally beautiful, many were still captivated by her.

As Shi Yan stepped up, not yet finding a spot, the clamor from that table reached him, causing him to let out a wry chuckle.

Shaking his head, he said nothing further. He casually selected a spot near the window, leisurely watching the mist-shrouded hot spring pool below, searching for any graceful figure that might catch his eye.