Tang Yuan Nan and several elders of the Three Gods Cult stood on the slender branches of wild pines, swaying in the wind, their bodies seemingly weightless.

The elders of the Three Gods Cult looked down at the stone path leading toward Xia Xin Yan with slight surprise and confusion, muttering softly amongst themselves.

"Although the Yang family's Undying Martial Soul is formidable, in the earlier stages, it only serves for recovery and self-healing; it doesn't add much actual strength to the physical body," remarked one elder, whose face was covered in pockmarks. After a moment of distraction, he suddenly added, "As far as I know, the Undying Martial Soul only becomes truly terrifying in its later phases. With every breakthrough, its might multiplies tenfold. Before then, it primarily ensures physical recovery and strengthening, with only a minor effect on sinew and meridian resilience."

The other elders nodded in agreement.

"But the brute Gu's 'Ancient Savage Body' is different; his might is rooted directly in physical power. Even without utilizing essential energy, the strength derived from his 'Ancient Savage Body' is comparable to the full force of an ordinary Status Realm warrior's strike. When this brute Gu goes all out, even Nirvana Realm martial artists must retreat. Facing him head-on, I truly cannot fathom how he was defeated."

That elder paused, then continued, "Neither of these two employed any secret treasures. Brute Gu's defeat simply makes no sense."

Tang Yuan Nan’s expression was placid. "This young man indeed possesses something peculiar. I have been paying close attention and noticed that the power within his body is quite chaotic, as if several distinct forces reside there."

"Cult Master, this child is clearly not one to be confined to a small pond," the elder mused, finally nodding to affirm Shi Yan's potential.

Everyone expressed their assent.

Tang Yuan Nan smiled faintly. "He still doesn't know how to utilize the Star Martial Soul."

The eyes of the listeners brightened further.

"The Martial Soul inherited from the Star God carries his spiritual imprint. Once Shi Yan learns the secret method for its activation from us, then..." Tang Yuan Nan let the sentence trail off.

However, the elders of the Three Gods Cult felt a tremor in their hearts, displaying expressions of deep contemplation.

"Once this matter is concluded, we shall all travel to Moon Island to convene the religious assembly and decide whether to name him the next Star God," Tang Yuan Nan stated after a moment of silence, before issuing a soft command.

The group nodded, their faces a mixture of complex emotions.

...

In a secluded trading area, a damp-clothed Linda stood, her hair hanging by her cheeks, gazing with rapt adoration at the magnificent figure across the way.

Beside her, a female disciple of the Three Gods Cult also had shining eyes, filled with inexpressible excitement.

"Linda, you really know him? He’s incredible!" This girl, named Jiang Li, had a flushed face, nervously rubbing her hands, urging Linda, "Go on, go talk to him!"

Linda's delicate frame trembled, a trace of bitterness lingering at the corner of her mouth as she shook her head gently. "No."

"Why not?" Jiang Li’s face was full of bewilderment. She clenched her fist and said resentfully, "Since you know him, you absolutely must hold onto him tightly. I wish I had that chance. Linda, let me tell you, this man will undoubtedly become a major figure. If you don't seize him now, you'll never get another opportunity."

"There’s too wide a gulf between us," Linda sighed, her expression turning bleak. "Only beauties like Cao Zhi Lan or Xia Xin Yan, whose status rivals their allure, are truly worthy of him. I am not."

"That's true enough," Jiang Li conceded, momentarily silenced before nodding glumly. "This guy is too outstanding. Ah, being with someone like that truly isn't easy. But if it were me, I'd be content even as a concubine, as long as I could just be near him. I’m just afraid he wouldn't even spare me a glance."

As she spoke, Jiang Li pulled out a small bronze mirror and meticulously began counting the blemishes on her face. After a while, she completely lost heart, sighing mournfully, "Forget it. This lady isn't thinking anymore."

Linda stared ahead blankly, watching the commanding figure bathed in the attention of the crowd. In the end, she never gathered the courage to step forward, choosing instead to watch Shi Yan secretly from a dark corner, sensing an almost divine light clinging to him.

...

Beside the bathing pool, Cao Zhi Lan’s eyes held a strange quality as she tightly pursed her lips, silently observing Shi Yan's retreating back as he walked toward Xia Xin Yan with a faint smile.

"Refusing to compromise yourself for power, refusing to accept me due to the influence of my Cao family—Shi Yan, I truly am starting to like you..."

Cao Zhi Lan murmured softly, her captivating red lips trembling slightly. A mesmerizing smile bloomed across her face once more.

It seemed only at this moment did a spark of genuine affection for Shi Yan ignite within her.

All her previous actions had been rational transactions. She harbored no personal feelings, viewing Shi Yan merely as a future ally, intending to bind him through marriage without the entanglement of any other private emotion.

However, after Shi Yan coldly rejected her in front of countless witnesses, his ruthless words acted like a strange seed, falling onto the lake of her heart and stirring a marvelous ripple...

"It seems I need to take you seriously now."

Cao Zhi Lan smiled enchantingly, her beautiful eyes shimmering with excitement and renewed confidence.

Under the gaze of the crowd, she continuously patted Brute Gu's body, working the powders from dozens of small vials into his flesh.

Several hulking men, clad in animal skins, suddenly emerged from nearby and lined up stiffly behind Brute Gu.

"When he wakes up, feed him all the elixirs in these jade bottles," Cao Zhi Lan declared, standing up and stretching languidly. The surrounding radiance faded, replaced by a light-blue dress that draped over her curves. As she stretched, her chest outlined a breathtaking silhouette.

The large men from the Savage Ancient Sect beside her suddenly gasped, their faces flushing crimson, yet they dared not harbor any impure thoughts.

As factions within the Tu Ta Sea Region, these men were acutely aware of the Cao family's formidable power, and they knew this woman's esteemed position within it. Though the Savage Ancient Sect was strong, against the Cao family, they could only yield.

People from other sea regions knew the Cao family was powerful, but they couldn't grasp just how much more terrifying their true influence was than imagined!

Yet, these warriors of the Tu Ta Sea Region understood perfectly: even if Brute Gu was injured because of her, they dared not entertain any thought of reprisal.

"Watch Brute Gu closely. His physical body is damaged, but with my herbs, given his constitution, he will certainly recover within seven days," Cao Zhi Lan instructed calmly, exhibiting the air of treating the Savage Ancient Sect members as her mere subordinates before she gracefully walked away with light, measured steps.

The members of the Savage Ancient Sect, who had been arrogant toward other factions, repeatedly nodded their heads, seemingly accepting their status as servants of the Cao family without a flicker of anger.

...

"Ha, you rogue, you're actually quite capable,"

Ye Chang Feng held up a jar of wine, a roguish smile plastered on his face as he greeted the approaching Shi Yan. "I've been keeping an eye on your woman; she's completely unharmed. You don't need to thank me, ha."

Xia Xin Yan blushed slightly and shot him an annoyed glance.

Ye Chang Feng paid her no mind, continuing his teasing. "Don't be shy. Weren't you quite forward when Miss Cao was trying to claim you? Now that the dust has settled, are you going to deny it? Ha, you women are so hypocritical; I know it."

"Shut up!"

Lin Ya Qi cursed him. "Can't that broken mouth of yours be quiet for a moment? They finally meet after so long, about to exchange sentimental mushy words, and you jerk ruin the atmosphere! How am I supposed to enjoy the show?"

"Enjoy the show?" Ye Chang Feng scoffed. "Senior Sister, you should see less of scenes like this. You’re still young; I worry you won't be able to control yourself and might start yearning. If Master blames me for it later, I can't afford that burden. Just save it. I know you also long for a pure love, but your ability to make blood pump will only attract beasts."

"Little White, I think it's been a long time since we sparred," Lin Ya Qi said, her eyes narrowing into crescent moons, the chill within them profound.

Ye Chang Feng's expression flickered slightly. He suddenly looked up at the sky and muttered to himself, "Hmm, the sky is getting dark; the stars should be out soon. Time to find a place to rest."

Lin Ya Qi watched him coldly, snorted, and then refocused her attention on Shi Yan and Xia Xin Yan, her face alight with expectation.

"Let’s go," Shi Yan said, offering a slight smile to Xia Xin Yan. "I need to speak with your grandfather; there are a few matters I must discuss with him."

Xia Xin Yan smiled and nodded. "Alright."

With that, she bypassed those standing near her and headed straight out.

Lin Ya Qi looked disappointed, gnashing her teeth in frustration. "It shouldn't have been like this..."

"Did you really expect a romantic scene?" Ye Chang Feng chuckled slyly, and before Lin Ya Qi could lash out, he quickly added, "It will happen, Senior Sister. Since you’re bored anyway, why don't you come with me to watch?"

"Hmph, I need to keep an eye on you," Lin Ya Qi declared proudly before impatiently urging him on. "Hurry up and follow them!"

"Of course, of course," Ye Chang Feng replied with a strained grin, quickly chasing after Shi Yan and calling out, "Good brother, wait up for me!"

...

In a corner of the trading area.

Gu Ling Long bit her teeth until they ached, her delicate body trembling, her eyes practically spitting fire. Her mouth continuously spat out curses: "Shi Yan, you bastard, you’ll meet a terrible end! I curse you, curse you to be sliced into a thousand pieces, curse your soul to be utterly annihilated!"

While cursing, she scrubbed at the filth covering her body. Her damp, exquisite curves were visible, but the clinging, sodden gauze was coated in grime, making her look utterly wretched.

Before the teahouse she was occupying collapsed, she had been waving her arms vigorously to cheer on Brute Gu, making her escape slightly delayed. When the building fell into the water, she happened to land right in the center of a pool covered with spilled food and wine, leaving her miserably messy.

She, as was her habit, laid the entire blame on Shi Yan. Seeing him walking away surrounded by beauty, she trembled uncontrollably with rage.

"Stop shouting. He’s already gone."

Qu Yan Qing, by contrast, was clean. She watched Shi Yan leave with complex eyes, then suddenly remembered something. She turned to look at the young elites who had been shouting and boasting about protecting them earlier. Seeing their disheveled, miserable state, contrasted with Shi Yan’s cold ruthlessness, she felt an inexplicable wave of annoyance.

Even if he was a scoundrel, he was still infinitely better than these spineless weaklings!

Qu Yan Qing thought to herself, a strange glint suddenly flashing in her eyes, contemplating some unknown course of action.