Chapter 466: Next Time, Just Say It Directly (6K6, I'm Running Out of Time, Posting First)

Chapter 466: Next Time, Just Say It Directly (6K6, I'm Running Out of Time, Posting First)



A majestic bronze lion, capable of accommodating over a hundred people, soared through the sky.

Shen Yi sat cross-legged on the lion's head, flipping through the register compiled by Li Qingfeng.

The three Chen family elders and the group from Qinghai Prefecture, all dressed in Nanyang Executive Robes, stood quietly behind him.

Only Jing Jing Song, the one with the highest cultivation, seemed to have remembered something, and his face showed a hint of unease.

Oh no... In my excitement just now, I completely forgot about other matters.

He cautiously approached Shen Yi and said, "Senior Shen, I have something to trouble you with."

"My surname is Shen."

Shen Yi didn't particularly like being addressed as 'Senior Immortal' and glanced back, "Go on."

As long as they don't ask to borrow something, everything else can be discussed now that they have returned to the Nanyang Sect.

"Senior Shen, it's not really a troublesome matter. After being under the Nanyang Sect for so many years, we, as vassals of Nanyang, have maintained close ties through our ancestors' connections."

Jing Jing Song smiled awkwardly, "So, we've been doing business for the Water Moon Trading Alliance. They engage in cargo escort services among various sects, and we help them deliver valuable items. I forgot about it just now, and I hope the Nanyang Immortal Sect can issue an edict to inform them. Qinghai Prefecture will refund the deposit as soon as possible."

This matter didn't need to be so complicated.

Qinghai Prefecture was busy handling affairs for the Nanyang Sect, which was why they couldn't spare the time, and it wasn't a case of breaking a promise without reason. Even the Water Moon Trading Alliance was a vassal of the Nanyang Sect, so there was no need to inform them, and they didn't even have to refund the deposit.

However, Jing Jing Song didn't want to give the impression of being unreliable, always feeling embarrassed. That's why he wanted Shen Yi to help vouch for them.

Shen Yi paused for a moment, considering.

Jing Jing Song added, "They are quite well-established, and their tributes are the highest among their peers."

"..."

Shen Yi glanced at him, wondering if he really looked that greedy.

He nodded, "Alright."

His silence earlier wasn't due to hesitation but because, at his current cultivation level, he couldn't use the Imperial Edict technique.

Forget it, there wasn't anything urgent anyway.

Might as well go there directly.

If he remembered correctly, he had indeed seen the name Water Moon Trading Alliance on the previous gilded register.

Their scale was an entire level higher than the Puppet Sect.

With this in mind, Shen Yi manipulated the Spirit Puppet, turning it around and swiftly heading towards the direction recorded in the register!

Soon after the lion puppet disappeared, the calm water surface below suddenly stirred.

Several figures emerged from the water, wearing armor but with their identity markings deliberately removed using axes and knives.

They took out conch shells, their voices hoarse, "The news is true; he is indeed here."

It was unclear what response came from the other end of the conch shell.

Several water creatures nodded slightly, their eyes filled with killing intent, and then they submerged back into the water as if they had never appeared.

...

Amidst the vast ocean, there was a massive floating island.

It was adorned with intricate formation arrays, adding a touch of mystery to the island.

Above, an octagonal tall building stood tall.

A steady stream of people came and went, and various treasure ships were docked around the island.

Water Moon Trading Alliance.

Backed by the Seven Sons Celestial Sect, they conducted business throughout Southern Hong.

At that moment, in a luxurious room at the top of the building, a tall and thin man dressed in plain clothes sat with no adornments, except for a plain bead bracelet on his wrist.

However, those who knew their stuff would recognize that the beads were unique to the Dragon Palace.

While they might not be rare within the Dragon Palace,

wearing them on a human cultivator's wrist was proof of their wealth and connections.

Water Moon Trading Alliance, Wen Qiujin.

As long as the price was right, even items from the Dragon Palace could be acquired through his means.

At that moment, Wen Qiujin closed his eyes, feigning sleep, while listening to the whispers around him.

Occasionally, he would nod.

"Master, the situation is as follows: the Nanyang Sect has returned and has already inquired with the Southern Hong Seven Sons. It's true that we have been reassigned as vassals of the Nanyang Sect. Their first appearance was at the Puppet Sect."

"However, according to our information, the current Nanyang Sect... might still be in a state of decline, which contradicts the news from the Zhao family. I'll send someone to investigate further in the coming days."

"Regarding the next tribute, should we continue to give it to the Heavenly Sword Sect, or..."

Wen Qiujin raised his hand, stopping the person's words.

He opened his eyes and said calmly, "Prepare two portions, one for each side. Increase the Heavenly Sword Sect's portion by fifty percent and deliver it under the name of another power as compensation."

The Wen family was in the business of trade, and their biggest taboo was offending others.

Moreover, they rarely needed the Southern Hong Seven Sons' assistance; they just wanted to maintain their association with them. It didn't matter to whom they paid the tribute.

After all, in the eyes of outsiders, the Seven Sons were considered one entity.

"Understood, Master," the guard bowed and was about to exit the room when he suddenly paused, taking out a jade slip.

After a moment, he looked up in surprise, "The trumpet signal just came in. We've spotted the Green Lion Spirit Puppet from the Puppet Sect heading towards us. It's highly likely that it's an executive from the Nanyang Sect."

"They're in such a hurry!"

The Water Moon Trading Alliance had just been reassigned, and these people were already rushing over to claim this juicy opportunity. After all, the tribute had just been paid once.

"..."

Wen Qiujin smiled helplessly, then slowly stood up, patting his robe.

His eyes remained calm as he said softly, "Arrange to receive them."

Even if it's the Nanyang Immortal Sect, they must follow the rules.

The Water Moon Trading Alliance's business is open for discussion, but they can't just do as they please.

If the seven sects take turns coming to collect tributes,

it won't take long for the Wen family's vast business to be consumed by the Southern Hong Seven Sons.

Wen Qiujin took slow steps down the stairs.

As the guards beside him picked up the jade slips, a group of graceful female cultivators quickly gathered in front of the eight-sided tall building. They then rose into the sky, standing on either side.

They all took out their jade flutes.

Soon, crimson clouds filled the sky, and a peaceful atmosphere enveloped the area.

As the immortal music began to play, a majestic bronze lion puppet appeared in the clouds.

Wen Qiujin ascended without the slightest arrogance, followed by eighteen guards, and said, "We welcome the arrival of the Nanyang Immortal Sect to the Water Moon Trading Alliance! Please forgive me, Upper Immortal, for not coming to greet you earlier."

In an instant, all the cultivators in the alliance looked up in surprise at the bronze lion puppet.

For the leader of the Water Moon Trading Alliance to personally welcome them, this was a grand display of respect... But why didn't they recall much about the Nanyang Immortal Sect?

Chen's family and the Qinghai Prefecture cultivators had never received such hospitality.

Looking at their Nanyang Executive Robes, they all straightened their backs with pride, their faces glowing red.

Shen Yi sat calmly in the lion puppet.

His expression was serene.

It seemed that today's autumn wind would not be blowing.

Since they had tracked his group's movements, they must have had excellent information. If they truly wanted to offer something, they wouldn't have made such a grand display, offending the other Southern Flood Seven Sons.

But it didn't matter.

Their gesture at least indicated a willingness to submit and follow the rules.

With this in mind, Shen Yi urged the spirit puppet to fly straight towards the floating island.

"Please, Upper Immortals, let's go upstairs."

Wen Qiujin descended once more and, amidst the flute music played by the female cultivators, personally guided the Nanyang executives: "Give me a chance to express my sincerity."

The Water Moon Trading Alliance was highly efficient.

From the moment they received the news to the landing of the Green Lion Spirit Puppet, a feast of delicacies and fine wine was already prepared.

"You've worked hard," Shen Yi said, lightly nodding. Since he couldn't gain any advantage, he wasn't that interested.

He had only come to discuss the Qinghai Prefecture matter.

But since they were so polite, staying for a meal wasn't a problem.

"Upper Immortal, you're too kind. It's what I should do," Wen Qiujin said, dressed in plain robes, respectful yet not obsequious. As he led the group upstairs, he immediately discerned their ranks.

Unobtrusively, he guided Shen Yi to the main seat.

Then, he summoned a group of female cultivators to pour wine and serve dishes for everyone.

Although Shen Yi was unaccustomed to such treatment, he didn't say anything.

Several guards stood behind Wen Qiujin with their hands behind their backs.

Their eyes quietly scanned the crowd, secretly recording information.

The leader was at the Fourth Layer of Returning Void, while the oldest cultivator was at the Sixth Layer, and the rest were at the Fifth or Fourth Layer.

This matched the pomp of an Immortal Sect executive's inspection tour.

However, apart from the youth, the others seemed a bit older...and they resembled the Qinghai Prefecture cultivators.

Wen Qiujin clearly recognized their identities but didn't expose them. He raised his cup to Shen Yi: "I heard that you passed through Qinghai Prefecture. The Water Moon Trading Alliance has also had dealings with them, but compared to our small business, the Immortal Sect's matters are more important."

Shen Yi responded by raising his cup and nodding slightly.

He wasn't good at this kind of thing, so next time, he would bring Li Qingfeng along.

But the other party was obviously quick-witted, which saved a lot of trouble.

As they drank and chatted, one of the guards suddenly walked up to Wen Qiujin and whispered, "Leader, our ship has been sunk by the water tribe, but we don't know their identity."

Wen Qiujin paused for a moment, glanced at Shen Yi, but didn't interrupt him.

It was the Nanyang Sect's first visit to the Water Moon Trading Alliance, and judging by their cultivation levels, they weren't prepared for any conflict.

There was no need to put the Nanyang Sect in an awkward position.

He replied using sound transmission, "Send a letter to inquire about the reason. If we unintentionally offended them, don't skimp on the proper etiquette. Don't let this escalate today."

After saying this, Wen Qiujin forced a smile and toasted Shen Yi again.

"If you're interested, Upper Immortal, I can show you around the Water Moon Trading Alliance. After all, we haven't had contact for many years, and some distance has grown between us."

He hadn't planned to offer another tribute today, but letting the Nanyang Sect understand the current scale of the Water Moon Trading Alliance would help them know how much respect to show in the future, preventing misunderstandings.

"That's a good idea," Shen Yi thought, as he wanted to use this opportunity to learn more about the outside world.

At the same time, in the busiest part of the floating island, an old man was arguing with someone, spitting as he spoke: "A broken-down place like this, and you want me to pay this much? Are you crazy?!"

"Old Zhang, be polite. We're all from the Water Moon Trading Alliance. Don't you know the price yourself?" The young cultivator rolled his eyes and glanced at the man behind Old Zhang, who clearly had an extraordinary status.

The man's face still bore newly healed wounds, and his aura was weak.

He was obviously a refugee cultivator, desperate and in a hurry. If they missed this opportunity, they might be struck by lightning.

"Sigh," Xiao Yuanlin looked at Old Zhang helplessly. The price offered by Treasure Flower Fairy was enough to buy two of those lands.

However, considering the risk the man had taken to bring the people of Xiao Family Fortress here, it was understandable that he wanted to make more.

"I..." Old Zhang's face turned furious, and he grabbed the young cultivator's collar: "Don't go too far!"

At that moment, his peripheral vision caught something.

His anger instantly faded, and without the pretense, he became dazed.

Xiao Yuanlin, noticing the change in his expression, also looked curiously to the side and saw Wen Qiujin in plain robes, but his gaze quickly shifted to the tall figure in the black robe beside him.

"Hey! The leader is here, are you scared now? Are you buying or not? If you don't, I have other matters to attend to."

A young cultivator let out a cold snort.

Yet, Zhang Ye released his hold on himself and stared intently at the direction where the Alliance Leader was located.

Then, his fingertips trembled as he spoke to Xiao Yuanlin, "It... it... is him!"

After their previous parting, the thing that Zhang Ye regretted the most was losing track of Shen Xian. He didn't even know the other party's identity.

He had guessed many possibilities, but he never thought that the other party would have a connection with the Water Moon Trading Alliance!

It was simple logic; how could someone who made the Alliance Leader personally accompany them need to use teleportation techniques to travel and personally go to the Treasure Flower Sect to seek medicinal pills?

"..."

Xiao Yuanlin remained silent and took a step forward, walking to the edge of the path that had been cleared by the guards.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, he suddenly knelt down with a thud and forcefully knocked his head several times towards the back of the black-robed figure!

Without saying much, he continued until the newly healed wound on his forehead reopened.

Only then did he take a few deep breaths.

For Shen, it might have just been a transaction between him and the Treasure Flower Fairy.

But for Xiao Yuanlin, it was a matter of life and death for his wife.

"This..."

Wen Qiujin heard the commotion, glanced back, and then turned his gaze towards Shen Yi.

"It's an old acquaintance."

Shen Yi didn't pay too much attention; he just indicated to Jing Jingsong with his eyes.

Earlier, he had wanted to earn more from the Treasure Flower Fairy.

But he found it too troublesome.

Unexpectedly, the opportunity came to him, and the Nanyang Treasure Land lacked nothing but space.

"Huh."

Zhang Ye watched as the senior cultivator at the sixth layer of Returning to Emptiness silently walked out, leading Xiao Yuanlin to a quiet place. He immediately understood and turned back with a grin, saying to the young cultivator, "Keep that broken land of yours for breeding, I'm not interested!"

He took out the reward given by the Treasure Flower Fairy and quickly ran towards the direction where Xiao Yuanlin had left.

This was just a minor farce, insignificant and unworthy of attention.

Wen Qiujin quickly steered the conversation back on track and continued to guide Shen Yi through the Alliance.

At this moment, the cultivator who had left earlier hurried back.

His face looked even worse.

He walked up to Wen Qiujin's side and continued to transmit his voice, "The letter we sent hasn't even reached the water, and it was torn to shreds. Another treasure ship has been sunk. It seems they have surrounded the Water Moon Trading Alliance."

"This doesn't seem like a friendly visit; they clearly came with hostile intentions."

"..."

Wen Qiujin listened quietly, and his palms in the sleeves of his robe slowly clenched.

He pondered for a moment but still couldn't figure out why the Water Moon Trading Alliance had offended the water race recently. Such a significant matter would never be concealed by his subordinates.

Moreover, the fact that they didn't even receive the letter clearly indicated a hint of unyielding determination.

The Water Moon Trading Alliance was large, but its strength was not particularly strong. It had recruited many powerful cultivators at the late stage of Returning to Emptiness, but they were all at the seventh layer.

Compared to living cultivators, Wen Qiujin trusted inanimate objects more.

He had invested a large portion of his family's assets into the formation array on the floating island. Without the strength of a perfect cultivation in Returning to Emptiness, it was impossible to break through the grand formation.

But with the water race surrounding the area, business could not be conducted.

"First, ask them to stop the ships, and let the third brother go and take a look."

Wen Qiujin retracted his gaze, but this time, he couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed.

He had already searched himself for the reason.

But he couldn't figure it out.

If the Water Moon Trading Alliance was excluded, then the remaining possibilities...

He stared intently at Shen Yi.

The other party's sudden visit to the floating island was already somewhat abrupt, and during the meal, he hadn't even mentioned the matter of tribute, rendering the excuses he had prepared in advance useless.

Everything in the world had a reason.

The other party couldn't have come for no apparent reason.

Perhaps they had caused trouble and set their sights on the formation array of the Water Moon Trading Alliance.

"Is there something you need?"

Shen Yi glanced at him sideways.

After all, he was a guest, and he didn't intend to eavesdrop on their conversation, nor did he have the means to do so for the time being.

"Nothing."

Wen Qiujin smiled and shook his head.

To use someone's name to gain influence, one must pay a price. Although they had paid tribute, it seemed absurd that they now had to protect the other party.

But in the Southern Flood region, there was no logic to speak of.

However, his smile lasted for less than an hour.

Just as Wen Qiujin was guiding Shen Yi and the others through the Alliance market, the guard hurriedly arrived for the third time.

This time, his eyes were filled with crimson.

Without even using sound transmission, he said, "I report to the Alliance Leader that the third brother has been captured."

The moment these words were spoken, the Southern Yang Sect members had no time to react, but the cultivators of the Water Moon Trading Alliance had already turned pale.

The so-called third brother was one of the seven venerables invited by the Water Moon Trading Alliance at a high price.

They were all powerful cultivators at the seventh layer of Returning to Emptiness.

They had reached the late stage of cultivation.

They were renowned figures in the entire Southern Flood region.

"..."

Wen Qiujin clearly hadn't expected the matter to be this serious.

Involving cultivators at the late stage of Returning to Emptiness, how could there be no signs at all, and they directly displayed such an attitude.

As if sensing his doubts, the guard glared at the Southern Yang Sect members and then took out a crudely written letter from his sleeve.

There was no signature on the letter, only a line of blood-red words.

"Hand over Shen Yi, or the Water Moon Trading Alliance will cease to exist in the Southern Flood."

After reading the letter, Wen Qiujin closed his eyes and reopened them, now with a hint of anger.

He looked at the young man beside him again, "I don't remember such a person in the Alliance, may I ask, Immortal, do you know Shen Yi?"

Merchants hated trouble, but they also disliked being taken advantage of.

To be so brazen in the territory of the Southern Flood Seven Sons, there must be either a deep-rooted grudge or overwhelming strength.

No matter what kind of trouble it is, it is not something the Water Moon Trading Alliance should bear.

"I know him."

Shen Yi nodded and turned to walk towards the edge of the floating island.

Several Southern Yang Sect executives stood in a daze, then spoke out, "Senior Shen, don't be impulsive!"

They weren't inexperienced either.

Although they didn't consider things as comprehensively as Wen Qiujin, they could still guess a thing or two.

On this island, with the protection of the formation array, the best choice was to notify the sect for reinforcements. There was no need to argue over a momentary display of anger.

Even if the Dragon Palace itself came, would they not give the Southern Yang Sect some face?

"Senior Shen?"

Wen Qiujin had been addressing him as an immortal, and it was only now that he realized that the person mentioned in the letter was indeed the youth before him.

So, was he really hiding the news and coming here for refuge? He suppressed his anger and regained his composure, "What I said earlier was too much. Please inform the Southern Hong Seven Sons, send for reinforcements, the Water Moon Trading Alliance's formation array can still hold for a while. If they could break it, they wouldn't just be shouting outside."

Where were the reinforcements?

The strongest of the Southern Yang Sect, aside from that wooden-headed recluse, were all here.

Shen Yi, surrounded by the crowd, slowly left the area of the octagonal tall building.

As he reached the edge of the floating island, he looked down at the surging waves.

Since leaving the Southern Yang Sect's territory, if there was truly a life-and-death grudge that hadn't been settled, it was actually only with one power.

The only question was how they had obtained his information, which was quite intriguing.

With Shen Yi's appearance, Wen Qiujin followed closely behind, also gazing out at the vast ocean.

Perhaps sensing something, his expression changed abruptly, and he used a jade slip to notify the guards. In the next moment, a dense light screen enveloped the entire floating island.

Six more figures emerged, hovering in the air above the floating island, their faces grave as they looked ahead.

Almost simultaneously, the surface of the water suddenly churned with giant waves. As the wave crests dissipated, twelve figures quietly appeared.

They were all clad in armor, covered with marks of sword slashes and axe chisels, leaving no trace of anything that could prove their identity.

They were completely different from ordinary aquatic creatures.

Not a single shrimp or crab soldier accompanied them, yet their eyes were cold, and they were here solely for slaughter.

The one with the lowest cultivation was at the sixth layer of Returning to Emptiness, and they only made up half of the group.

The rest were all seventh-layer water tribe demons of the Returning to Emptiness realm.

Among them was a fish demon with horns, who coldly grabbed a cultivator's neck and strode through the waves, facing the crowd, "Hand over Shen Yi, and this person can live."

"..."

Wen Qiujin, known for his composure, couldn't help but clench his fingers until they cracked.

As a subordinate of the Southern Hong Seven Sons, when had he ever suffered such humiliation?

But he couldn't really push out the immortal sect cultivator. If he committed such a heinous act, the Water Moon Trading Alliance would truly be finished.

"Senior Shen, let's go back and discuss this further."

He took a few deep breaths, his voice slightly colder, and if one truly understood the Alliance Master, they would see that he had already reached his limit.

Watching the life and death of the offerings, he wondered how much more it would cost to stabilize the hearts of the other offerings.

Before he finished speaking, he suddenly heard the roar of a ferocious beast.

A huge shadow suddenly appeared on the surface of the ocean.

A massive object descended from the sky,

crashing into waves over thirty zhang high! The fish demon who had spoken earlier vanished without a trace.

"..."

The remaining water demons hadn't reacted yet.

when they suddenly saw a shadow streaking across the sky and slamming into the floating island.

In an instant, the water surged again, and a stifling sense of oppression erupted from below.

A robust and majestic figure slowly emerged from the water.

Its body was like that of a green jade rhino demon.

With a sinister smile, its fingers tightly gripped the fish demon's neck, and the armor on the demon's body had already shattered, leaving it to frantically struggle with its limbs.

But no matter how the fish demon struggled, it couldn't budge the green jade palm at all.

With the infusion of the demon's origin, after over two hundred thousand years of torment,

it appeared in the world once more.

The green jade rhino demon sneered at the many demons before it.

After receiving the master's divine soul command,

it opened its mouth, revealing its cold, sharp fangs, and its fingers exerted tremendous force.

It crushed the fish demon's head into a pulp.

The formidable aura, comparable to the eighth layer of Returning to Emptiness, instantly silenced the surroundings, plunging them into dead silence.

"Next time, if something like this happens again..."

Shen Yi turned to Wen Qiujin and said calmly, "You can tell me directly."

It wasn't always so fortunate to have such a lucky chance and still be able to rescue someone.

"They... they are..."

Hearing this, Wen Qiujin was a bit taken aback. Could it be that he had misunderstood?

It wasn't a deliberate act by this immortal, but just a coincidence?

And why would this rhino demon fight for the immortal sect?

No, that wasn't right.

Wen Qiujin took a closer look and noticed something amiss.

This wasn't a demon at all, but a powerful spirit puppet, its lifelike appearance and cultivation level far surpassing anything the Puppet Sect could create!

It was almost indistinguishable from a living being.

What kind of divine craftsmanship was this, rivaling heaven and earth's creation?

"..."

Shen Yi withdrew his gaze and looked back at the group of demons.

Coincidentally, he also didn't want to expose their identity.

After all, with his current foundation, he wasn't yet capable of confronting the Dragon Palace.

There should be more coming today.

That elder dragon fish hadn't shown itself yet.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end