547: The owner of Phantom Island

Chen Yue sighed and said, "What Your Excellency, True Immortal said is absolutely right, but we are now in a dilemma and truly don't know what to do."

Zhao Xuan also echoed, "Yes, Your Excellency, True Immortal, if we don't fight, there are too many Cultivators on Illusory Spirit Island, and we won't be able to pay enough tribute."

Lin Feng's gaze swept over the two, and he slowly said, "I have a plan that might resolve your current predicament. You two sides should first stop fighting and unite against external forces. Since that external force has backing and uses ruthless methods, if you continue to fight individually, you will eventually be defeated one by one. It would be better to unite and integrate your strengths; only then will you have a glimmer of hope."

After hearing this, Chen Yue and Zhao Xuan both showed a glimmer of hope in their eyes.

Chen Yue hesitated for a moment, then said, "Your Excellency, True Immortal's plan is excellent, but we have been suspicious of each other for a long time, and truly uniting will likely not be easy."

Zhao Xuan also nodded and said, "That's right, Your Excellency, True Immortal, the grievances between us run deep, and resolving them will certainly not be an overnight task."

Lin Feng smiled slightly and said, "I naturally know the difficulty involved. However, since I am not currently taking action, I will assume the position of Island Master of Illusory Spirit Island, and you two will serve as Vice Island Masters."

As soon as Lin Feng uttered these words, Chen Yue and Zhao Xuan were both stunned, then their faces showed expressions of pleasant surprise.

They hadn't expected this Your Excellency, True Immortal, to intervene so directly in this matter, and even propose such a bold idea as becoming the Island Master.

Chen Yue was the first to react, and he quickly bowed and saluted, saying, "That Your Excellency, True Immortal is willing to serve as Island Master is a blessing for our Illusory Spirit Island! We will certainly assist Your Excellency with all our might."

Zhao Xuan immediately followed, saying, "Your Excellency, True Immortal is brilliant and mighty; with Your Excellency overseeing Illusory Spirit Island, that external force will surely not dare to act recklessly again!"

Lin Feng nodded with satisfaction and continued, "Since that is the case, then you two shall immediately go and inform both sides to cease hostilities and convey my message. From today onward, Illusory Spirit Island will be united in heart and mind, jointly resisting the external forces. As for the matter of tribute, I will personally negotiate with the True Immortal Alliance of the First Line Sea Region, and I will certainly not let you suffer such heavy pressure again."

Chen Yue and Zhao Xuan departed to carry out their orders, and before long, the sound of a cease-fire horn echoed across the battlefield.

Although the Cultivators on both sides were somewhat puzzled and confused, under the orders of the two Great Ascension Ancestors, they all stopped their actions.

Lin Feng, accompanied by Murong Xue, arrived at the central location of Illusory Spirit Island, summoned the two Vice Island Masters to his side, and instructed them to establish an Island Master's Hall.

Lin Feng declared himself the Island Master, and subsequently, he would personally negotiate with the True Immortal Alliance of the First Line Sea Region regarding the tribute matter.

For Cultivators, the Cultivators of Illusory Spirit Island quickly erected a magnificent and grand Island Master's Hall in the center of the island. The hall was constructed from exotic Spirit Stones, emitting a faint glow, and its roof was adorned with carved Dragons and painted Phoenixes, seemingly imbued with spiritual essence.

After the hall was completed, Lin Feng sat upon the Island Master's throne, with Chen Yue and Zhao Xuan standing on either side, and below them were the numerous Cultivators of Illusory Spirit Island.

Lin Feng's gaze swept around with an imposing air, and he spoke, "Now that Illusory Spirit Island is unified, unity must be paramount to jointly resist external enemies. As Island Master, I will certainly ensure the safety and integrity of Illusory Spirit Island."

Upon hearing this, the Cultivators below all showed excited expressions and responded in unison, "We await the Island Master's command!"

Subsequently, Lin Feng began to arrange the defense matters of Illusory Spirit Island. He ordered Chen Yue to lead a portion of Cultivators to strengthen patrols around the island to prevent sudden attacks from external forces; he also tasked Zhao Xuan with integrating the island's resources to make full preparations for potential future battles. As for himself, he began to inquire about the so-called True Immortal Alliance, this force.

The First Sky Sea Region has countless islands, and the True Immortal Alliance is the largest force in the vicinity of Illusory Spirit Island, an Alliance composed of True Immortal Cultivators from the surrounding area.

As a True Immortal, Lin Feng naturally had the qualifications to join, but he was not in a hurry. Instead, he chose to wait until the True Immortal Alliance sent an envoy to collect tribute before negotiating.

Several years later, the envoy from the True Immortal Alliance arrived as scheduled.

The envoy was clad in a luxurious Daoist robe, exuding a powerful Qi around him; one look and it was clear he was a master who had undergone long periods of Cultivation.

He walked haughtily into the Island Master's Hall, and upon seeing Lin Feng seated on the Island Master's throne, a hint of disdain flashed in his eyes as he spoke, "Where is the tribute from you, Illusory Spirit Island, this time? Do not delay, or else if you anger the True Immortal Alliance, you will suffer greatly."

Lin Feng's expression was calm as he slowly rose and said, "Envoy, hold your anger. I am Lin Feng, the new Island Master of Illusory Spirit Island. I called you here today precisely to discuss this matter of tribute."

The envoy sneered and said, "Discuss? What is there to discuss? As per custom, not a single part of the tribute that Illusory Spirit Island is supposed to hand over can be less; otherwise, it will be a violation of the True Immortal Alliance's rules, and don't blame us for being impolite then."

Lin Feng smiled slightly and said, "May I ask Your Excellency your esteemed name?"

The envoy raised an eyebrow and said proudly, "I am Zhang Yuan, the envoy of the True Immortal Alliance. Since you know I am an envoy, do not speak further and quickly hand over the tribute."

Lin Feng's expression remained composed as he unhurriedly said, "Envoy Zhang, for many years, Illusory Spirit Island has been under immense pressure to pay tribute. Furthermore, I am a True Immortal Cultivator. I recall that if an Island Master possesses the True Immortal Realm, they can be exempt from tribute. Is there such a rule?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yuan's face changed slightly, but he quickly reverted to his arrogant expression, snorting coldly, "Hmph, even if you are in the True Immortal Realm, this Illusory Spirit Island does not belong to you alone. Can other Cultivators also be exempt from tribute? Moreover, while the rule is as such, it also depends on whether the True Immortal Alliance acknowledges it."

Lin Feng's eyes narrowed slightly, a cold glint flashing in them as he said, "Envoy Zhang, your words are a bit unreasonable. As the Island Master of Illusory Spirit Island, I naturally must seek the welfare of the Cultivators within the island. If this matter of tribute remains so harsh, how can the Cultivators of Illusory Spirit Island Cultivate in peace, and how can they serve the True Immortal Alliance?"

Zhang Yuan sneered and said, "Stop your glib talk here. If you don't pay the tribute, you are an enemy of the True Immortal Alliance. You had better think carefully."

Lin Feng's expression darkened, and the Qi around him suddenly changed. A powerful pressure permeated the air, and he coldly said, "Envoy Zhang, do not think that having the True Immortal Alliance to back you up allows you to act recklessly here. I will state it clearly today: this matter of tribute must be renegotiated; otherwise, Illusory Spirit Island will not hesitate to break ties with the True Immortal Alliance."

Zhang Yuan felt Lin Feng's powerful pressure and was startled, but he still spoke defiantly, "You... you are so bold, daring to threaten the True Immortal Alliance."

Lin Feng snorted coldly and said, "This is not a threat, but a statement of fact. If the True Immortal Alliance insists on its own way, then Illusory Spirit Island will have no choice but to seek another path."

Seeing Lin Feng's firm attitude, Zhang Yuan felt a bit apprehensive. After pondering for a moment, his tone softened slightly, and he said, "Alright, alright, I will take your words back to the True Immortal Alliance today. As for the final decision, it will depend on the opinions of the high-ranking members of the Alliance."