"Island Master! Those Xiantian experts are already heading this way," a commander of the Silver Flood Dragon Army rushed over to report.

"We shall go and meet them."

Gu Yong, clad in golden robes, smiled as he stood up. The other eleven Xiantian experts also rose simultaneously. This time, the other eleven elders had changed their attire to the standard cyan robes worn by the Law Enforcement Elders. Gu Yong stood in the center, flanked by the eleven robed Xiantian experts.

Behind the twelve of them followed a considerable number of high-ranking Silver Flood Dragon Army officials, including Gu Shiyou.

"Father," Gu Shiyou kept pace.

"Shiyou, go see if the banquet is ready," Gu Yong commanded coolly. Gu Shiyou immediately stopped. "Yes, sir."

...

The cold wind blew, causing the tall, erected banners of the Silver Flood Dragon Army to snap loudly in the wind.

At the very front of the encampment, rows of elite Silver Flood Dragon Army soldiers, gripping long spears, were arrayed in a square formation. Behind the spearmen stood the archer formation—a massive, imposing line... At the very forefront of the camp alone, there were eight thousand soldiers. The troops within the camp were also prepared to fight at any moment.

Gu Yong and the twelve stood at the head of these eight thousand soldiers.

After waiting for the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, figures finally appeared in the distance.

Far off, the mountains were dense, and figures were indistinct, hazy. When this group reached the open ground before the military camp, even the Silver Flood Dragon Army soldiers could clearly count the incoming numbers—

Forty-nine!

Forty-nine Xiantian experts walked forward, casually spread out side-by-side, maintaining a remarkably relaxed and nonchalant gait. The number 'forty-nine' was vastly dwarfed by the Silver Flood Dragon Army's 'thirty thousand.' Yet... in terms of sheer presence, these forty-nine Xiantian experts advancing from afar completely suppressed the Azure Lake Island contingent.

The forty-nine walked abreast, like a surging, roaring torrent of floodwaters pressing down, causing the thousands of Azure Lake Island forces to tremble.

...

"Damn it, the Mani Temple sent twelve, the Ying Clan brought nine. Even that monster, the Beast King 'Wu Hou,' has arrived," Zhao Danchen muttered under his breath, while the faces of the other Xiantian experts were grim. They were at a distinct disadvantage in terms of momentum. Even with the support of a massive army behind them.

Gu Yong maintained a cold, impassive face, waiting quietly.

Behind the twelve Xiantian experts, the vast numbers of Silver Flood Dragon Army soldiers felt a distinct tremor of unease.

"Are those all Xiantian experts? Forty-nine of them?"

"Why so many? If they all gather, what the Island Master asks us to fight would be sending us to our deaths."

"Forty-nine..."

The Silver Flood Dragon Army soldiers inwardly prayed that there would be no fighting! Because forty-nine people could easily divide into two waves, engaging common soldiers in rotation. Arrows would be ineffective against them. Attacking heavily armored soldiers would be like mowing grass; even if they exhausted their Xiantian True Essence, other Xiantian experts could simply take their place.

Forty-nine people could sweep through them like a steamroller!

Teng Qingshan and the other forty-nine continued their advance.

"Brother Qin Lang, look, the Azure Lake Island Master 'Gu Yong's' face has turned ashen. Haha... I, Liu Xiu, have never seen Gu Yong look so embarrassed. We certainly made an impression today," the white-robed youth 'Liu Xiu' said proudly with a laugh. Teng Qingshan merely offered a slight smile.

Merely being included among these forty-nine was, in itself, proof of strength.

Without sufficient ability, how could the various major sects allow them to join this coalition?

"It is rare to see the masters of the great sects gathered like this," Gu Yong boomed with a hearty laugh. "Esteemed guests, I have prepared some humble wine and cuisine."

"Master Gu, we would be impolite to refuse," the disheveled 'Beast King' Wu Hou laughed loudly. Led by Wu Hou, the forty-nine Xiantian experts walked right up.

Immediately, Gu Yong and the twelve, along with the forty-nine Xiantian experts mixed from the various sects, walked toward the camp.

"Hoo, at least there was no fighting."

"We escaped a disaster."

The Silver Flood Dragon Army soldiers breathed a collective sigh of relief. If the Island Master had given the order, they would certainly fight to the death without fear. But not fearing death didn't mean they wished to die! No matter how formidable these soldiers were, they had no desire to clash with forty-nine Xiantian experts.

...

Inside the camp, eight lavish banquet tables had been set up, and everyone took their seats.

"Many of you here, I haven't seen in years. There are also some whom I, Gu Yong, do not yet know," Gu Yong said with a slight smile. "Of course, after this occasion, we will all know each other."

"Gu Yong, we didn't travel this far to exchange pleasantries. Speak plainly: where is the Emperor Yu Treasure?" A stern voice cut through the air, issuing from the tallest among the nine black-robed enforcers of the Ying Clan. Gu Yong glanced over, smiling. "That must be Brother Haojiang from the Ying Clan, correct?"

Teng Qingshan, seated nearby, knitted his brows slightly.

Ying Haojiang?

Ranked nineteenth on the Heaven Ranking, his spear techniques were renowned.

"Whatever the matter, everyone, please be seated first. Let us drink, and we can discuss things slowly," Gu Yong offered warmly. "Brother Haojiang, wouldn't you agree?"

"Master Gu," the long-browed old monk said calmly. "The Mani Temple, along with many other sects, and these Xiantian masters like Wu Hou, did not travel thousands or even tens of thousands of miles just to eat a meal here. Let's speak openly—where is the entrance to the Emperor Yu Treasure!"

The long-browed old monk of the Mani Temple kept his eyelids habitually lowered, occasionally sparing Gu Yong a placid glance. Yet, Gu Yong most deeply mistrusted this old monk.

"Master Gu, where is the entrance to the Emperor Yu Treasure? Just tell us," Wu Hou smiled lightly.

"Could it be, Master Gu, that you wish to spar with us?" the robust man wearing a round metal cap from Hongtian City boomed with laughter.

"Master Gu!" The five experts from the Sun Shooting Divine Mountain, clad in scale armor, also fixed their gaze on Gu Yong.

A large crowd of Xiantian experts surrounding them, including Teng Qingshan, all stared at Gu Yong.

Under the scrutiny of so many eyes, Gu Yong merely raised his wine cup, took a slow sip, and looked at the surrounding Xiantian experts. "Esteemed guests, I, Gu Yong, have hosted you warmly... However, regarding this so-called 'Emperor Yu Treasure' you speak of, I genuinely know nothing. To be frank, the rumors circulating outside are truly laughable."

"I swear!"

Gu Yong stood up, his gaze sweeping over everyone. "This news must have been deliberately spread by those who hold a grudge against my Azure Lake Island! If the Emperor Yu Treasure truly existed, my Azure Lake Island would have long since spirited it away quietly. Why else would we remain camped here for so long? Let me tell you the truth... Azure Lake Island is here to mine resources! Not for any Emperor Yu Treasure. Even if there were boundless treasures, could the people of Azure Lake Island move them all in half a day?"

"Master Gu, you certainly spin a convincing tale," sneered the rugged man from Northeast Youzhou.

"Gu Yong, if you harbor any false hopes, do not blame us for losing our patience," Ying Haojiang, the leader among the nine black-robed enforcers of the Ying Clan, said coldly.

Gu Yong’s face hardened. "Gentlemen, I have told you, we know nothing of the Emperor Yu Treasure! If you do not believe me... you are welcome to search! My vast encampment, you may search anywhere; I absolutely will not obstruct you."

"Shiyou, issue the order!"

Gu Yong proclaimed loudly. "Wherever these honored guests wish to search, let them search freely; they are not to be hindered!"

"Yes!" Gu Shiyou’s voice echoed from the distance.

Teng Qingshan’s gaze swept over, his eyes narrowing: "Gu Shiyou..."

Gu Yong turned back to the crowd, speaking loudly: "Gentlemen, surely I, Gu Yong, have shown you enough respect." The forty-nine Xiantian experts present looked around at the dense sea of military tents—there must have been thousands of them. And whether the entrance to the Emperor Yu Palace was even inside a tent was uncertain.

Search?

How long would it take forty-nine people to complete the search?

"You don't believe me when I say there is no Emperor Yu Treasure... I can only ask you to search yourselves. I trust that after searching, you will realize... it was merely a rumor. The Emperor Yu Treasure hasn't appeared in several thousand years. How could it suddenly manifest now?" Gu Yong swept his gaze across them and chuckled. "Furthermore, haven't you noticed? Of the eight great sects in the world today, only the people from the Emperor Yu Sect are absent! Why?"

The Xiantian experts from the Mani Temple, the Ying Clan, and the others all paused.

Indeed.

The Emperor Yu Sect was located in Yuzhou, very close to Yang Prefecture. If they were coming, they would have arrived long ago; why hadn't they?

"The Emperor Yu Sect is the sect founded by Emperor Yu," Gu Yong said with a gentle smile. "As for the Emperor Yu Treasure, perhaps no one knows more about it than them. They probably know... that the news of the Emperor Yu Treasure is entirely false. That is why they are not wasting their energy coming here."

This line of reasoning caused many present to waver in their certainty.

Perhaps... it really was just a rumor.

Quite a few Xiantian experts exchanged glances. The white-robed youth 'Liu Xiu' also looked toward Teng Qingshan: "Brother Qin Lang, what do you think?"

"Gentlemen!"

A clear voice rang out, drawing the attention of many Xiantian experts, even Gu Yong and his group turned to look.

It was Teng Qingshan, who had stood up!

"Master Gu believes there is no Emperor Yu Treasure, yet he invites us to search," Teng Qingshan stated, looking around and speaking loudly. "However... I firmly believe there absolutely is an Emperor Yu Treasure!" Many Xiantian experts present brightened; this 'Qin Lang' daring to say 'absolutely there is' suggested he was nearly certain.

In such a setting, few people spoke carelessly.

"Who are you?" Gu Yong's expression darkened.

"Qin Lang," Teng Qingshan replied, "a nobody!"

Teng Qingshan smiled at Gu Yong: "Master Gu, what, you don't dare let me search?"

"Gu Yong, what, are you afraid?" The nine black-robed enforcers of the Ying Clan stood up.

"Master Gu," the twelve Arhats of the Mani Temple also rose.

The Beast King 'Wu Hou' and a large contingent of other Xiantian experts stood up; without question, Teng Qingshan was one of their forty-nine, and naturally, they stood with him at this moment.

Gu Yong’s eyes narrowed, as if trying to burn Teng Qingshan’s appearance into his memory.

"Search then," Gu Yong said calmly.

Teng Qingshan immediately strode toward the southeast, and the other forty-eight Xiantian experts followed suit.

"Island Master," Zhao Danchen and the others looked toward Gu Yong. Gu Yong's face was tight, and he gazed at the backs of the forty-nine figures. "Rest assured, among thousands of military tents, even if my Silver Flood Dragon Army soldiers circle around inside, they wouldn't know which tent is special, let alone outsiders. Let's go... we will follow them." Still unsettled deep down, the twelve from Azure Lake Island also followed.