229: Chapter 229 The Black Wind Messenger and the Art of "Taxation"

Wumeng Island, Island Lord's Hall.

The originally gloomy and terrifying hall, after several months of renovation, now looked... incredibly high-tech.

The floor was paved with alloy plates recovered from the wreckage of the 'Noah's Ark,' and the walls were lined with rows of blue-glowing crystal screens (Tiezhu's peripheral displays). In the center of the hall, the original skeleton throne had been replaced with a comfortable leather sofa (Xiang Zhili Collector's Edition).

Zhou Wannian lounged lazily on the sofa, holding a cup of 'Ten-Thousand-Year Black Soul Tea' freshly ripened using the heaven seizing bottle, savoring it slowly.

At his feet, the former island lord, Earth Ghost, knelt on the floor like an obedient servant, wiping the tiles.

'Earth Ghost, this tile isn't shiny enough yet.'

Zhou Wannian pointed near his feet.

'Yes, yes, yes! Master, please don't be angry! This servant will wipe it right away!'

Earth Ghost trembled all over in fear. Over the past few months, he had truly witnessed the methods of this terrifying star.

Not only was his Physical Body invincible, but he also knew a horrifying punishment called 'Electrotherapy' (high-voltage electricity released by Tiezhu). By now, he had been thoroughly tamed and subdued.

'Beep—'

'Warning. Unidentified flying object approaching. Energy level: Middle True Immortal. Identification signal: Black Wind Sea Region Patrol Envoy.'

Tiezhu's voice echoed through the hall.

Zhou Wannian set down his teacup, a slight smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

'He's here.'

'The delivery guy is here.'

...Above Wumeng Island.

A pitch-black flying vessel, as if condensed from Black Wind, slowly passed through the island's protective formation.

On the vessel stood a man in black robes, with a gaunt face and eyes as sharp as a hawk's. A black skeleton token hung at his waist, emanating a heart-palpitating immortal aura.

Black Wind City Patrol Envoy—Li Feng (Middle True Immortal).

'Hmph, so this is Wumeng Island?'

Li Feng looked down at the barren island below, his eyes filled with disdain.

'How could Earth Ghost stay in this godforsaken place for thousands of years?'

'If I hadn't heard that the black soul stone production here has skyrocketed recently, I wouldn't have bothered coming.'

The flying vessel landed.

Li Feng, accompanied by two Early True Immortal Stage Attendants, swaggered into the island lord's mansion.

'Earth Ghost! Where the hell are you?!'

Li Feng shouted as soon as he entered.

However.

He didn't see the groveling Earth Ghost.

Instead, he saw a young man in green robes sitting on a sofa, legs crossed, drinking tea.

As for Earth Ghost, he was kneeling at the young man's feet... polishing shoes?

'Hmm?'

Li Feng frowned, his gaze instantly locking onto Zhou Wannian.

'Who are you?'

'Where's Earth Ghost? Why is he kneeling on the ground?'

Zhou Wannian didn't stand up, just pointed at Earth Ghost.

'Let me introduce you, this is my... janitor.'

'As for me...'

Zhou Wannian smiled.

'I am the new island lord of Wumeng Island.'

'You can call me... Li Feiyu.'

'New island lord?'

Li Feng sneered, his Divine Sense sweeping over Zhou Wannian without restraint.

'No immortal spiritual energy fluctuations? A Mortal Body Cultivator?'

'Earth Ghost, you've really gone downhill! To be overthrown by a Mortal?'

Earth Ghost kept his head down, not daring to speak, but inwardly screaming: Mortal? Your whole family are Mortals! This guy is a primordial Vicious Beast in human skin!

'Enough nonsense!'

Li Feng waved his hand impatiently.

'I don't care who the island lord is.'

'Black Wind City's rule: taxes are paid once every hundred years.'

'It used to be fifty percent.'

Li Feng greedily glanced at the pile of Supreme-Grade Black Soul Crystals in the corner of the hall.

'But because you changed island lords without permission, violating Black Wind City's Public Security Management Regulations,'

'This time, you'll pay... ninety percent!'

'The rest will be my 'hard-earned fee'!'

This was outright robbery.

In the Black Wind Sea Region, might makes right.

'Ninety percent?'

Zhou Wannian set down his teacup, the smile on his face gradually fading.

'Esteemed Envoy, leave some room for others, so we can meet again in the future.'

'I have a big family to feed.'

'Feed?'

Li Feng grinned viciously, a Black Wind blade appearing in his hand.

'If you can't pay the tax, then eat my blade instead!'

'Earth Ghost! What are you waiting for? Kill this kid! I'll spare your life!'

Earth Ghost remained kneeling on the ground, not moving an inch.

He looked at Li Feng with the eyes of someone looking at a dead man.

Kill him?

Are you even worthy?

'Stubborn fool!'

Li Feng roared in anger, swinging his wind blade.

'Black Wind Slash!'

Whoosh—

A black hurricane transformed into a sharp blade, instantly tearing through space and shooting straight toward Zhou Wannian's face. This was a furious strike from a Middle True Immortal, enough to level a mountain.

Facing this certain-kill attack.

Zhou Wannian sighed.

'Why do people always think...'

'That having no immortal spiritual energy means I'm weak?'

Zhou Wannian sat on the sofa, slowly raising his right hand.

This time, he didn't use his fist.

Instead, he flicked his finger.

'Clang.'

A crisp metallic clang.

That Black Wind blade, capable of killing an Early True Immortal Stage cultivator, shattered three inches from Zhou Wannian's brow, broken by an invisible finger.

'What?!'

Li Feng's pupils contracted sharply.

Shattering an immortal technique bare-handed?!

'This Physical Body... are you at Body Refining Perfection?! Or a Half-Step Golden Immortal Physical Body?!'

Li Feng finally realized something was wrong.

'This guy's tough! Retreat!'

Without another word, he turned into a Black Wind and tried to flee.

'Since you're here, stay and keep us company.'

'My Mine could use an Overseer.'

Zhou Wannian spoke calmly.

'Tiezhu, close the door.'

'Release the hounds.'

'Hum—'

The crystal screens around the hall instantly lit up, a blue energy force field sealing off all space.

At the same time.

The spirit beast pouch at Zhou Wannian's waist opened automatically.

'Woof!'

A roar that sounded nothing like a dog, but more like some terrifying Vicious Beast, echoed.

A flash of golden light.

It was the recently awakened, Ma Liang's True Immortal Origin-absorbing, palm-sized Gold Devouring Insect King.

Its current speed was so fast that even a Middle True Immortal's Divine Sense couldn't catch it.

'Ah—!!!'

Li Feng, who had fled to the entrance, suddenly let out a piercing scream.

Clutching his neck, he fell from mid-air.

His Protective Immortal Light and Life-Bound Immortal Armor were like paper before that little golden insect, instantly bitten through.

The Gold Devouring Insect King burrowed into his body, beginning a Gluttonous Feast.

'No... don't...'

'I'm from Black Wind City... the City Lord is a Golden Immortal...'

'Spare me...'

Li Feng writhed in agony on the ground, his voice growing weaker.

Zhou Wannian walked over and stepped on his chest.

'Golden Immortal?'

Zhou Wannian looked down at him, his eyes cold.

'Even if a Golden Immortal comes.'

'If they try to steal my money...'

'They'll have to leave their life behind.'

A moment later.

Li Feng stopped moving.

The Gold Devouring Insect King flew back to Zhou Wannian's shoulder, satisfied, and let out a golden burp.

A Middle True Immortal's Nascent Soul tasted pretty good.

Zhou Wannian picked up the Storage Bracelet and the black skeleton token Li Feng had left behind.

'Not a bad haul.'

He scanned them with his Divine Sense. Inside, besides a large amount of immortal yuan stone, there was also a Black Wind Sea Map and a Black Wind City Tax Ledger.

'So that's how it is.'

Zhou Wannian flipped through the ledger, a glint of insight flashing in his eyes.

'This Black Wind City controls all the Teleportation Arrays and Trade Routes in the entire sea.'

'To leave here for more prosperous continents, you must pass through Black Wind City.'

Zhou Wannian closed the ledger and looked at Earth Ghost, who was kneeling nearby, trembling.

'Earth Ghost.'

'Yes! What are your orders, Master!'

'You know Disguise Techniques, right?'

'I... know a little.'

'Good.'

Zhou Wannian pointed at the skin left behind by Li Feng (specially preserved by the Insect King).

'Put it on.'

'From today on, you are 'Envoy Li Feng.'

'And I...'

Zhou Wannian straightened his robes, a gentle, scholarly smile appearing on his face.

'I am your Attendant.'

'We're going to Black Wind City.'

'To... pay taxes.'