475: stunned

Western part of the Chaotic Sea.

On Xi Wu (West Crow) Island, the towering mountain of flames in the center burned endlessly.

Outside the Flaming Mountain, within a magnificent fiery red palace.

A figure, dressed in luxurious robes embroidered with flame patterns, arrived from outside and went straight into this magnificent fiery red palace.

Inner court of the palace.

"Palace Master."

The fiery red figure who entered from outside bowed to the stern man seated on the throne in the inner court.

"Xi Heng, what is it?"

On the throne, Great Expert Xi Mian, the Palace Master of Xiwu Divine Hall, raised his eyes and looked at the bowing figure below.

"Palace Master, this is a rumor recently circulating within the Alliance, related to Gui Zhou Island."

Below, Xi Heng, a Soul Transformation Venerable of Xiwu Divine Hall, respectfully presented a Jade Slip with both hands and replied.

Xi Mian waved slightly.

He drew the Jade Slip before him, and with a thought, characters appeared in the air above the Jade Slip.

"Thousand-year Dao Integration... Mid-stage Void Refinement..."

"Where did this news come from?"

On the throne, Great Expert Xi Mian, the Palace Master of Xiwu Divine Hall, gently waved his hand, making the characters disappear, and then asked Xi Heng below.

"After this rumor spread, Gui Zhou Island submitted a report stating that several months ago, Zhou Xiutong encountered people from Dark Moon Palace in a deep-sea ruin discovered within the Alliance."

"According to her, this news originated from the Dark Moon Palace."

Xi Heng bowed and then explained the matter of Zhang Haichao and Zhou Xiutong leading young Disciples from the Alliance for training several months ago.

"I have inquired, and this matter is unrelated to us."

After speaking, Xi Heng added.

After learning of this news, he sent letters to other Void Refining forces belonging to his faction, asking if the matter was related to them.

"Oh? Dark Moon Palace..."

On the throne, the Palace Master of Xiwu Divine Hall showed a pensive expression.

"Palace Master, could it be the work of Cen Ling Island?"

Below, Xi Heng guessed.

"That's possible, but it's also possible that this Dark Moon Palace, whose origins are unknown, wants to muddy the waters and hide its own tracks."

"However, this saves us the trouble of personally investigating Gui Zhou Island's background."

"Xi Heng, go investigate information about the Dark Moon Palace and Cen Ling Island."

The Palace Master of Xiwu Divine Hall did not make a simple judgment.

"Yes, Palace Master."

"Also, where is Zhou Xiutong now?"

As Xi Heng assented, the Palace Master of Xiwu Divine Hall spoke again from the throne.

"She returned to Gui Zhou Island several months ago."

Before coming here, Xi Heng had already completed all preliminary work, and thus he was highly regarded by the Palace Master within Xiwu Divine Hall.

"Palace Master, should we do something?"

"If this rumor is true, it might be disadvantageous to us after a thousand years."

Xi Heng finished, a hint of worry on his face.

"Hmph, Dao Integration, how can it be so simple?"

The Palace Master of Xiwu Divine Hall scoffed lightly, evidently not truly believing the rumor.

All Cultivators who could reach the Void Refining Realm were geniuses chosen from millions.

But even figures like them were trapped in the Void Refining Realm.

If Dao Integration were so easy to achieve,

How could the vast Chaotic Sea only have two Dao Lords?

How could Dao Lords become the true supreme powerhouses under this heaven and earth?

"However, there's no smoke without fire, it's highly possible she will reach the Void Refining Realm within a thousand years."

"Xi Heng, after Xi Hong comes out of seclusion, go to Gui Zhou Island."

After a moment of contemplation, the Palace Master of Xiwu Divine Hall instructed Xi Heng.

"Yes, Palace Master."

"If Xi Hong comes out of seclusion, the title of Foremost Genius may not necessarily fall to Zhou Xiutong."

Xi Heng smiled, nodded in agreement. Xi Hong was the First Holy Son of Xiwu Divine Hall, an unworldly Genius of Xi Wu (West Crow) Island, who had entered seclusion more than ten years ago to prepare for breaking through to Soul Transformation.

"Go."

The Palace Master of Xiwu Divine Hall said no more, simply waving his hand, signaling Xi Heng to withdraw.

Xi Heng did not linger, bowed, and turned to leave.

After Xi Heng left, the stern man on the throne's gaze deepened.

"Mid-stage Void Refinement, not weak in strength... It would be difficult to eliminate her silently..."

...At the same time.

Central Chaotic Sea, Cen Ling Island, within Cen Ling Dao Palace.

"Palace Master, are these rumors the work of Xiwu Divine Hall?"

In a grand hall, Venerable Yuan Chen bowed and asked an old man with white hair, dressed in a black and white interwoven Daoist robe, who was seated at the head. In front of the white-haired old man was an illusory chessboard. When Venerable Yuan Chen entered, Palace Master of Cen Ling was playing chess against himself.

"Whether it is or not, just investigate it."

Palace Master of Cen Ling waved his hand, returning the Jade Slip to Venerable Yuan Chen's hand, and replied casually.

"I have personally seen Zhou Xiutong; her talent should be excellent."

"This talk of thousand-year Dao Integration..."

"We must be prepared."

Venerable Yuan Chen took the Jade Slip back into his hand and said softly.

"You personally pay attention. If there's an opportunity, act to eliminate her."

At the head, Palace Master of Cen Ling spoke calmly.

"Yes, Palace Master."

Venerable Yuan Chen accepted the command and withdrew.

"Although there's a suspicion of exaggeration, it's better to kill by mistake than to let one go."

"If not for certain concerns back then, how would Xi Wu (West Crow) Island have reached its current state?"

"Truly raising a tiger to cause trouble..."

After Venerable Yuan Chen left, Palace Master of Cen Ling, seated at the head, looked at the illusory chessboard where two sides were entangled in battle, and his expression turned cold.

"The Chaotic Sea cannot accommodate a third Dao Lord..."

...Within the Chaotic Sea, rumors spread rapidly.

As the rumors spread, Gui Zhou Island's influence grew significantly.

However, as more and more Cultivators learned of Zhou Xiutong's title as the Foremost Genius,

Zhou Xiutong herself never reappeared in the Chaotic Sea.

At the same time.

Among other Void Refining forces of the Thousand Island Alliance.

One after another, the Genius Disciples from various clans, startled by the title of Foremost Genius, successively appeared.

Some came to challenge Zhou Xiutong to a battle, some to see Zhou Xiutong with their own eyes, and others appeared to seek Zhou Xiutong's hand in marriage.

However, ever since Zhou Xiutong returned to her clan, she had entered seclusion.

These Genius Disciples from various clans all found nothing, unable to meet her.

But after these Genius Disciples from Void Refining or Soul Transformation forces successively appeared, encounters among them were inevitable, and news of clashes occasionally spread.

Furthermore, Genius powerhouses who did not accept Zhou Xiutong's reputation galloped across the Chaotic Sea, hunting down ruthless individuals hidden in various parts of the sea, attempting to compete with Zhou Xiutong from afar.

Piece after piece of news continuously spread.

The Chaotic Sea suddenly became lively.

One after another, Geniuses began to continuously display their talent, strength, and achievements.

Attracting countless supporters, who spread and praised them.

Under such changes,

Zhou Xiutong's reputation, which was originally at the center of attention, was overshadowed.

And among them,

The title of White-Haired Sword Lord of the Qingyang Zhou Clan on Gui Zhou Island, due to Zhou Xiuyuan's several clean and decisive actions, was not weak among these Genius Cultivators.

In the Chaotic Sea.

New stars rose in the distance, attempting to compete with the rumored foremost individual.