The earlier unpleasantness was brushed aside with polite courtesy and easy laughter, as if both sides had completely forgotten the discord at the banquet.
Whether in speech or demeanor, the white-robed youth before them was somewhat different from the Yun Liu they had met at the Sea Alliance, but they had no time to dwell on it. For some reason, the three Fortress Masters all felt that this white-robed youth seemed different from the Yun Liu they knew.
“What a coincidence, Fortress Master Wu is also passing by?”
On the Chain Docks side, Fang Hua sneered.
Qin Xiang curled her lips. Whether they were just passing by or not, everyone knew the truth. Who knows how long they had been lying in ambush here.
“Long time no see, I’ve missed you. Coincidentally, I’ve found some clues about the Mirage City mystery that I can share with you, sir. So many riffraff at Shipwreck Bay, why not come to the Sea-Severing Alliance’s treasure ship for a chat?”
Fortress Master Wu beamed, not even glancing at Fang Hua, and directly extended an olive branch, tempting an old friend to board the pirate ship again and bolster his own strength.
Xu Lao’er also chimed in, “Exactly, exactly! Mr. Yun is our honored guest of the Sea-Severing Alliance. We must not neglect him.”
Unfortunately, this certain Yun wasn’t falling for it. At most, it was just some hearsay scraps of quest fragments—held no appeal for him at all.
Now Yun Liu was indifferent even toward the Maze Water Essence Treasure of Mirage City, leaving it to Ji Shiyu to do as she pleased. His greatest concern was still that Demon Ancient Tortoise Shell.
“Hmph!”
Old Master Fang had also come for this. Seeing that Fortress Master Wu completely ignored him and treated him as a nobody, he directly interrupted.
“I, this old man from Chain Docks, also have different insights on Mirage City, and I’m willing to share them with Mr. Yun and Young Master Ji, holding nothing back. You’ve seen what happened to those who trusted the Sea-Severing Alliance last time, I believe, sir.”
“What does Old Master Fang mean by that?”
Fortress Master Wu narrowed his eyes.
Fang Ya sneered, “Nothing much. The Sea-Severing Alliance goes back on their word and loves to stab you in the back. Mr. Yun and Young Master Ji absolutely cannot trust them.”
“You can eat whatever you want, but you can’t just say whatever you want. Watch your tongue—misfortune comes from the mouth!”
“Is Fortress Master Wu threatening me? Fang Hua has roamed the Inner Sea for so many years and has never been afraid of anyone!”
Both sides looked hostile. The familiar cross-strait verbal battle had begun again, with tensions at a breaking point.
When the strange beast descended from the sky, the Chain Docks fleet bore the brunt first. The Sea-Severing Alliance watched for a long time with no intention of helping, until they themselves were affected by the thorns.
When settling scores later, the already fragile verbal alliance fell apart the moment they went to sea, and the two sides couldn’t stand each other.
Now the rogue cultivator pirates of Howling Fjord were considered the weakest faction among the Five Islands, yet they were still fighting among themselves. Everyone wanted to ally with the East Pole Pavilion Master to gain more assurance when entering Mirage City.
In the way of the Elixir Cultivation Heavenly Dao, Fourth Grade and Third Grade were completely different concepts, enough for Fang Hua to swallow his pride and resolve old grudges for the sake of his juniors.
Needless to say, the level of cultivators that Penglai Island’s Canghai had befriended. From now on, those willing to form ties with Yun Liu under his tutelage and as guest elders would only be stronger, no less than the three masters of Beluga Island.
Yun Liu rubbed his brow and muttered, “The Kunpeng couldn’t have come at a worse time. Why didn’t Yinglong just strike those two blabbering bastards with lightning?”
“Been looking down on the Fang family for a long time, huh?”
“Mm-hmm.”
Qin Xiang snickered teasingly.
The most annoying bunch in the First Peak lineage were these land-grabbers full of bandit spirit. However, the Grand Elder recruited regardless of background.
To be precise, they didn’t have the right to be picky. Before Junior Sister Ji and Junior Sister Xiao, the disciples of the Outer Sect Academy were getting worse year by year. They were grateful if anyone was willing to join the sect.
Players interested in the “Pirate King” gameplay could also join to farm reputation and become an island overlord. The two giants were more like recruiters for opposing factions.
Just as Yun Liu was about to refuse, a sinister wind quietly swept in. The demonic energy was so fierce that it forced both sides back.
“Greetings to the East Pole Pavilion Master. This subordinate has been ordered by Soul-Seizing Banner Master Ling Tong to invite you, sir, to Evil Spirit Port!”
In an instant, Shipwreck Bay was filled with ghostly shadows. Pairs of crimson eyes lit up from the darkness, directly encircling both sides.
“Ling Tong!?”
“Banner Master Ling…”
Fortress Master Wu and Old Master Fang’s expressions changed slightly as if facing a great enemy.
The attitude of the Demon Sect people was completely different. Unlike the Chain Docks and Sea-Severing Alliance, who humbled themselves, their tone was arrogant.
Ling Tong?
‘Is it the real Ling Tong, or the thousand-faced demoness Nuo Nuo?’
Regardless, there was no way he could openly associate with the Demon Sect.
“What if I refuse?”
“Then don’t blame me for being rude.”
The newcomer sneered and emerged from the ruins’ shadows, clad in a blood-threaded black robe like a nocturnal bat.
“Nascent Soul Demon Cultivator!”
‘Her breakthrough had indeed brought unnecessary trouble for Xiao Yun, perhaps also related to that remnant of the Book of Pills.’
Qin Xiang’s heart sank.
The two Deity Transformation rogue cultivators who had been so aggressive just moments ago didn’t even dare to breathe heavily in front of the Demon Sect, angry but afraid to speak. Offend Evil Spirit Port, and they would find it difficult to move an inch in the Boundless Sea from now on.
With the Five Islands aligned, the strongest were Cold Chant Sect and Evil Spirit Port. Even Chain Docks and Sea-Severing Alliance combined might not be their match.
The dark demonic energy rose and fell one after another. There were no less than a dozen demon cultivators, mostly at Foundation Establishment and Golden Core levels. They had already scouted: no one from Penglai Island was present. Yun Liu only had two Golden Core kids and one Early Nascent Soul stage beside him, all sword cultivators from the Divine Radiance Sect—nothing to fear.
Yun Liu glanced at the eager Little Yellow Hair, as if saying, ‘Crow’s mouth.’
“Then let me see how you’ll be rude!”
As soon as he finished speaking, Qin Xiang struck first. A green light shot from her sleeve like a flying needle probing a cave, piercing straight through the demon cultivator approaching via earth遁 from the sandbar!
One sword strike, and the Golden Core shattered—dead as dead.
“Seize them!”
The demon cultivator’s voice was icy cold. Several beams of blood light immediately struck from the shadows.
Ji Shiyu licked her lips, unable to hold back any longer. Gripping Seven Stars, she shot into the sky, knocking down those strange artifacts, instantly transforming into Star Princess Star Explosion Dash, faintly remembering not to use the Falling Cloud Sword Canon.
The Seven-Star Sword rolled up a brilliant stream of light, like a cyclone slicing through the blood web above. The sword intent was extremely sharp!
“Nice skills.”
Old Master Fang couldn’t help but praise. Even Fang Ya, the most outstanding in the clan in the same sword path, might not be a match.
Qin Xiang’s eyes were cold. She moved with lotus steps, her flying sword threading like needlework, as if embroidering.
Though her divine sense was greatly restricted, and the flying sword was only controlled within her immediate area, its killing power was still astonishing, reaping several lives in an instant.
There was an old saying in the Sea of Clouds: Beyond ten steps, among all the myriad techniques, the flying sword is fastest.
But within ten steps, the flying sword is both accurate and fast!
“Brother Wu!”
Sea-Severing Alliance’s second in command, Xu Qihua, gritted his teeth. They had already lost Mr. Yun’s trust. If they wanted to win him back, now was the best chance—they couldn’t hesitate any longer.
Fortress Master Wu, however, was still hesitating.
‘Was it worth offending Ling Tong and Evil Spirit Port for this youth?’
That Nascent Soul demon cultivator was greatly surprised, having clearly underestimated the opponent’s strength. He flickered and dove straight for the main target.
But the white-robed youth just smiled, as if he had no intention of fighting back.
“Don’t you dare hurt our Senior Brother!”
A Divine Robe girl with a blank expression stepped in front of Yun Liu, silently guarding her god.
She held a yellow chicken in one hand and carried a long, broad sword case on her back—a stark contrast to her petite frame.
“Looking for death?”
“Pin Tiaotiao, bite him!”
The girl said so. The small wooden sword hanging at her waist, which looked like a toy, seemed to come alive, playfully hopping and drawing a circle to imprison.
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