125: The Feast at Tingtao Pavilion

Qiyuan Island, Tingtao Pavilion.

This pavilion, built atop a cliff, is the highest-specification venue for the Six-Link Palace to entertain distinguished guests. Normally, only Golden Core Stage Old Ancestors are qualified to enter, but today, it was bustling with noise as all sorts of characters gathered together.

A grey-green flying boat slowly landed on the jade plaza.

Ling Yunxiao, dressed in luxurious silk robes and holding a folding fan, strode at the very front with his head held high. After this period of experience, the playboy air of a noble Young Master had faded considerably, replaced by a nouveau-riche-like confidence and flamboyance.

Behind him to the left followed a tall, burly man entirely shrouded in a large black robe—that was "Tie Zhu."

To his right followed a stooped, wrinkled old servant—that was Zhou Wannian wearing an Appearance-Altering Talisman.

"Yo, isn't this that Green Robe Tower that collects junk?"

As soon as they landed, a sarcastic, mocking voice came from the side.

A group of bare-chested burly men with sea beast totems tattooed on them were surrounding the entrance. The leader was a one-eyed man with a Late Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation, carrying a Ghost-Head Greatsword and looking fierce.

"Mad Wave Squad, Zhao the One-Eyed."

Ling Yunxiao paused, the intelligence gathered by Zhou Wannian immediately surfacing in his mind. This was a hunting squad originally ranked in the top five on Qiyuan Island; they had always been subordinates of the Six-Link Palace and were notoriously overbearing.

"What? Can even trash-pickers enter the Six-Link Palace's Hero Assembly?"

Zhao the One-Eyed blocked the path with his subordinates, his eyes greedily scanning the magical robes on Ling Yunxiao. "Kid, do you know the rules? If a newcomer wants to enter this door, they have to crawl through Grandpa's crotch first, or... pay a thousand Spirit Stones as 'tribute' money."

Other nearby forces stopped in their tracks, watching the scene with schadenfreude.

This was a show of force.

Everyone knew the Mad Wave Squad was a dog kept by the Six-Link Palace. Jumping out at this time was clearly done under instructions to test the depth of the Green Robe Tower.

Ling Yunxiao's expression changed slightly, and he subconsciously reached for his Storage Pouch.

"Don't move."

An aged voice entered his ears. "Young City Lord, you are now the Master of the Green Robe Tower, not a fat sheep to be extorted. If we can't kick this first obstacle aside, we'll be begging on our knees in Qiyuan Island from now on."

"Then..."

"Let Tie Zhu go. Destroy that blade of his."

Ling Yunxiao's gaze sharpened, and he instantly gained confidence.

He snapped his folding fan shut and looked coldly at Zhao the One-Eyed.

"A good dog doesn't block the way. Scram."

"What did you say?!"

Zhao the One-Eyed was furious. Having run rampant on Qiyuan Island for years, he had never been so humiliated by a newcomer.

"You're looking for death!"

Boom!

Zhao the One-Eyed's spiritual power erupted, and the Ghost-Head Greatsword in his hand whipped up a pale white blade light, slashing mercilessly toward Ling Yunxiao. If this strike connected, let alone a person, even a rock would be split in two.

Ling Yunxiao didn't budge.

Just as the blade light was about to hit him...

The burly black-robed man standing behind him suddenly moved.

No fancy Spells, no spiritual power fluctuations.

Only a large hand covered in dark red metal, flashing with a cold glint, reached out as fast as lightning.

Clang—!!!

A piercing sound of metal clashing rang out across the plaza.

Everyone's eyes widened.

The Ghost-Head Greatsword, sharp enough to cut through metal and stone, was actually caught bare-handed by that black-robed man!

"What?!" Zhao the One-Eyed's pupils shrank. He tried desperately to pull back the greatsword, only to find the iron hand unmoving, as if it were cast onto the blade.

"Shatter."

Standing behind, Zhou Wannian's lips moved slightly.

Crack!

The black-robed man (Tie Zhu) clenched his five fingers.

The top-tier Magical Artifact-grade Ghost-Head Greatsword was snapped into pieces like a brittle biscuit!

Immediately after, Tie Zhu sent a kick flying.

Bang!

Zhao the One-Eyed didn't even have time to scream before he was sent flying dozens of yards like a ragdoll, smashing heavily against a pillar of Tingtao Pavilion, spitting out a mouthful of blood, and fainting instantly.

The entire field was dead silent.

"Peak Late Foundation Establishment Stage... no, is this a False Core level Body Refiner?!"

The sound of people gasping for air came from the crowd.

Even several Six-Link Palace Deacons watching from the second-floor window of the pavilion showed expressions of shock.

A merchant house that collects junk actually kept such a terrifying guard?

"Does anyone else want to teach me the rules?"

Ling Yunxiao brushed off non-existent dust from his sleeves and surveyed the surroundings.

No one dared to meet his gaze.

"Let's go."

With a wave of his hand, he led Tie Zhu and the "old servant" Zhou Wannian, stepping over the fragments of the Magical Artifact, and walked grandly into the main hall on the top floor of Tingtao Pavilion.

The hall was already filled with the leaders of various major forces on Qiyuan Island, about twenty or thirty people.

In the main seat sat an elderly man with a sinister Face, wearing a purple-gold daoist robe. Though he just sat there quietly, the surrounding air seemed frozen, and a suffocating Golden Core Stage pressure enveloped the room.

The Third Elder of the Six-Link Palace, Gu Yunmo. Middle Golden Core Stage.

"Green Robe Tower, such heavy Evil Qi."

Gu Yunmo slowly opened his eyes, staring at the three people walking in like a venomous snake. "Injuring someone at my banquet, doesn't Tower Master Ling owe me an explanation?"

"Elder Gu has misunderstood."

Ling Yunxiao cupped his hands neither humbly nor arrogantly. "It was that dog who bit first. We were just... acting in self-defense."

"Hmph."

Gu Yunmo snorted coldly and didn't dwell on the issue. He had seen the scene just now; the muscle shown by the Green Robe Tower indeed qualified them to sit here.

"Since you're here, take a seat."

Once everyone was settled.

Gu Yunmo's gaze swept across the room, getting straight to the point.

"I have gathered everyone here today for only one thing."

"Recently, there has been a riot of Yao Beasts in the Outer Sea. My Six-Link Palace's Law Enforcement Team suffered a misfortune in the Misty Sea. This is a loss for the Human Race and a provocation by the Yao Beasts against us."

"To maintain the peace of Qiyuan Island, the Six-Link Palace has decided to form the 'Demon Slaying Alliance'."

"Everyone present is a pillar of the Outer Sea. I hope you can sign this 'Offensive and Defensive Alliance Decree' and jointly deploy troops to clear the Yao Beast strongholds around the Misty Sea."

With a wave of his hand.

Dozens of Jade Slips of contracts, shimmering with blood-red light, flew in front of everyone.

Zhou Wannian stood behind Ling Yunxiao with downcast eyes, sneering in his heart.

What offensive and defensive alliance? This was clearly a "cannon fodder conscription order."

The terms in the contract were extremely overbearing: all major forces must follow the Six-Link Palace's commands, the Six-Link Palace would take 70% of the spoils, and casualties were at one's own risk. This was practically daylight robbery.

Sure enough, many of the force leaders present looked troubled, but under the pressure of a Golden Core Elder, no one dared to be the first to speak out.

"What? Does everyone have an objection?"

Gu Yunmo's eyes turned cold, and a grim Killing Intent spread out. "Or do you all wish to follow in the footsteps of the Blood Shark Squad?"

This was a blatant threat.

Just then, Gu Yunmo's gaze suddenly fell on Ling Yunxiao.

"Tower Master Ling, I heard your Green Robe Tower has been doing a brisk business as guides recently. You should be very familiar with the nearby waters, right?"

"In that case, the task of 'scouting as the vanguard' will be given to you. How about it?"

All eyes instantly focused on Ling Yunxiao.

Vanguard? That was going to one's death!

In a place like the Misty Sea, where even Golden Core cultivators had fallen, sending Foundation Establishment cultivators like them to scout was like throwing meat buns at a dog.

Ling Yunxiao's back was instantly drenched in sweat.

Just as he was about to refuse, Zhou Wannian's voice reached his ears.

"Agree to it. But change the wording."

Ling Yunxiao took a deep breath and stood up.

"Elder Gu, slaying demons and defending the Dao is our duty."

"However..."

He changed his tone. "The depths of the Misty Sea are a dead zone. Charging in to scout would only increase casualties. Although we at the Green Robe Tower are familiar with the sea routes, we don't want our brothers to go to their deaths."

"Oh? So you want to defy orders?" Gu Yunmo narrowed his eyes, his fingers lightly tapping on the table.

"I wouldn't dare."

Ling Yunxiao took out a Jade Slip.

"It's just that while organizing ancient texts recently, I accidentally discovered a secret navigation route to the 'Black Wind Abyss'—a hidden navigation route."

"As far as I know, although it's not in the center of the Misty Sea, it's an important supply point for Yao Beasts. Moreover... there seems to be an unharvested 'monster-accompanying grass' medicinal garden there."

"monster-accompanying grass?!"

Gu Yunmo's gaze instantly changed.

monster-accompanying grass was one of the main ingredients for refining "Dust-Settling Pills" and was extremely scarce in the Outer Sea. If there really was a wild medicinal garden... the value would be immeasurable!

"Are you sure?" Gu Yunmo leaned forward.

"The Green Robe Tower guarantees it with our reputation."

Ling Yunxiao spoke eloquently following Zhou Wannian's instructions. "Instead of going head-to-head in the Misty Sea, it's better to wipe out their nest and cut off their supplies. We at the Green Robe Tower are willing to lead the way, as long as..."

"As long as what?"

"As long as we get... 30% of the spoils."

"30%?"

Gu Yunmo laughed, a sinister and terrifying laugh. "Tower Master Ling has quite an appetite."

"However..."

He changed his tune. "If what you say is true, I'll give you 30%. But if it's false..."

"If it's false, everyone in the Green Robe Tower will be at your disposal."

Ling Yunxiao bit the bullet and made the Military Pledge.

"Good!"

Gu Yunmo slapped the table. "Splendid!"

"In that case, the operation is set for three days from now. The target: Black Wind Abyss."

"The Green Robe Tower will be responsible for leading the way."

"However, for everyone's safety, I will send my eldest Disciple 'Li Gu' to accompany you and protect Tower Master Ling closely."

He said "protect," but it was actually surveillance.

Zhou Wannian stood in the shadows, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.

They took the bait.

The Black Wind Abyss did indeed have monster-accompanying grass; the internal sea chart stated it clearly.

But there was also a tiny note on the sea chart:

[At the bottom of the Black Wind Abyss, there is a sleeping Grade 4 'Poison Flood Dragon' that loves to eat monster-accompanying grass and has an extremely violent temperament. It is not an opponent for anyone below the Nascent Soul stage.]

This map was a top secret left by the previous Palace Master of the Six-Link Palace. A mid-way appointee like the current Elder Gu had no idea.

"Want to use us as cannon fodder?"

"Then let's see who ends up leading whom into a pit when the time comes."

Zhou Wannian lowered his head, his fingers hidden in his sleeve lightly stroking the Heavenly Secret Dao Disk.

This move was called—leading the wolf into the house, then closing the door to beat the dog.