Ancient Monster

Lu Xinlan was visibly startled, her voice filled with shock and doubt.

"Elder Chen, are you saying Master Yi intends to replace the island lord?"

Chen Jiudao nodded gravely, his tone growing even more severe.

"Exactly."

"Now that both major Heavenly Sects have submitted, and Lu Renkuang has fallen, the island's power balance has shifted entirely. Master Yi's maneuvers are truly astonishing!"

"To display such transcendent fishing skills, nearly depleting the Dao-Transforming Sturgeons in Snow Lake—all to provoke Sa Donglai—I can think of no other reason than to seize the island lord's position."

Lu Xinlan trembled at his words.

"Master Yi dares to act so boldly. His courage and methods far exceed expectations. But Island Lord Sa is no pushover. If the two clash, the outcome is unpredictable."

Chen Jiudao frowned and raised his eyes.

"Master Yi’s cultivation may have already reached the Sixth Rank. Could he still lose to an outer-island lord?"

"Lady Lu, as a scion of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, you’ve seen much since childhood. Your words must carry weight. Is Sa Donglai truly so formidable?"

Lu Xinlan paused for a few breaths, her eyes flashing with wariness.

"Elder Chen, you may not know this."

"On these outer islands, holding the position of island lord for long requires the backing of the Black Island. Yet, to my knowledge, Sa Donglai has never relied on any external force."

"This man is extraordinary. Even in the treacherous Black Island, he navigates effortlessly among its factions, his cunning and insight unmatched. Here on Sunlight Island, he is further protected by an ancestral grand formation, having held his throne for tens of thousands of years."

"A tyrant entrenched for millennia, yet remaining low-key—his ambitions must be vast!"

"In all my life, I’ve rarely met anyone who could compare."

Hearing this assessment, Chen Jiudao was equally stunned.

"To think Sa Donglai’s schemes run so deep..."

"In that case, he is no ordinary island lord. Even in the inner islands, he would have the strength to claim a place."

"This conflict’s outcome is uncertain, and the Five Elements Sect remains hidden. Deciding our stance is no small dilemma!"

Chen Jiudao rarely felt so troubled.

After long contemplation, he still refrained from hasty words.

On one side stood an outsider who had gifted Fifth-Rank Soul-Calming Grass, already incurring significant costs. On the other was a millennia-old monster entrenched on the island, not to be provoked lightly.

The situation was murky, and rashly picking sides would be unwise.

Lu Xinlan bit her red lip lightly, her eyes brimming with tension.

Yet, within moments, the peerless beauty with profound backing rose resolutely.

"Elder Chen, later, accompany me to visit Master Yi. If conflict arises between him and the island lord, we must protect him at all costs!"

Chen Jiudao was taken aback.

But seeing the determination in her gaze, he could only nod in acceptance.

"My lady’s decisiveness is admirable!"

Lu Xinlan smiled faintly, offering a courteous bow before striding out.

Watching her unwavering figure, Chen Jiudao sighed softly.

The situation was complex.

Even he struggled to make a swift decision.

Yet this young lady could discern the path forward in moments—such decisiveness surpassed ordinary minds a thousandfold.

Even if this were a gamble, how many in the Eastern Sea would dare take it?

He could only hope Lady Lu would have some luck.

With another quiet sigh, Chen Jiudao followed her down the pavilion.

Meanwhile, Sunlight Island lay eerily silent.

Apart from the major powers currying favor with Master Yi over the Dao-Transforming Sturgeons, none dared act—lacking either the courage to seize opportunity or the audacity to face the island lord’s wrath.

Beyond the two visible Heavenly Sects, the rest lurked in the shadows, observing.

Among them, the most deeply hidden was the Five Elements Sect, which had yet to stir.

In the city, within a secluded Taoist temple—

No plaque adorned its gate, its doors tightly shut, surrounded by barriers that masked all presence. Even up close, one would sense no life within.

The three-courtyard temple was deathly still.

In the rear hall, behind closed doors, a pair of eyes opened in the darkness.

The faint movement went unnoticed but drew a whisper from the old man beside him.

"Why is your mind unsettled?"

Tong Guihai, sect master of the Five Elements Sect, bowed slightly.

"Respected Master."

"This disciple suddenly felt a disturbance in my heart, an ominous premonition. I couldn’t calm my spirit. Forgive my weakness."

The old man beside him never opened his eyes yet perceived everything in the dark. Sensing his disciple’s guilt, his tone softened slightly.

"Guihai, you’ve been sect master for a century now, haven’t you?"

Hearing his secular name, Tong Guihai bowed deeper.

"This unworthy disciple has led the Five Elements Sect for 167 years. Yet I still haven’t deciphered the Heavenly Derivation Tome. My divination skills pale before yours..."

Guo Yutong smiled, his wrinkled face like aged bark.

"No need for blame. The heavens’ will is vast—not something mere cultivation can unveil."

"Just wait patiently. Once these ten days pass, our sect will flourish. Ruling Sunlight Island may well be within reach."

Tong Guihai was stunned but hesitated to speak further.

The heavens’ secrets were not to be pried into.

His hesitation didn’t escape Guo the Divine Calculator’s notice.

After a silence, Guo Yutong sighed.

"Enough."

"If I don’t explain, you’ll remain unsettled."

"Days ago, Lu Renkuang came seeking a divination. I foresaw bloodshed for him—and glimpsed a great upheaval on the island. Before we secluded ourselves, rumors of Soul-Calming Grass spread. That was the omen."

Tong Guihai’s pupils trembled.

"Even Sect Master Lu would face calamity? What could happen here?!"

The blindfolded Divine Calculator shook his head slightly.

"This master cannot divine the details..."

"But having sensed the upheaval, we can avoid misfortune. By ordering our disciples to seal their senses and cultivate—steering clear of this conflict—we evade disaster."

"Given Lu Renkuang’s ill fate, a storm of blood will sweep the island. We need only wait for the skies to clear, then reap the rewards and dominate Sunlight Island!"

Tong Guihai was awed, his eyes alight with reverence.

"Master’s wisdom is peerless!"

"No wonder you commanded the sect to seclude itself—to escape this tribulation! With your guidance, our sect will surely rise to greatness."

"This disciple vows to cultivate diligently and seize this once-in-an-era opportunity!"

As Guo the Divine Calculator nodded faintly, master and disciple withdrew their auras entirely.

The Five Elements Sect remained utterly silent.

Meanwhile, the island lord’s manor—the most opulent place in the city—began radiating a terrifying pressure!

In a treasure-filled chamber, a pair of turbid eyes slowly opened, their gaze weathered by countless years.

The aged face of the waking elder was lined with time, yet his spirit burned fiercely. Without a word or gesture, an overwhelming aura spread, only receding with a deep breath—like a waking tiger, exuding menace without anger.

This was Sa Donglai, Sunlight Island’s lord, its unchallenged ruler for millennia.

His expression betrayed neither joy nor fury, only a hint of tension—as if, since returning from Black Island, an unfamiliar urgency had taken root.

His seclusion had just ended.

Before summoning anyone, Sa Donglai first took out a jade slip to send a message.

The four great heavenly sects were all called to discuss important matters!

Yet after several breaths, neither Lu Renkuang nor the Five Elements Sect responded, as if they had deliberately ignored his summons.

Sa Donglai's eyes narrowed slightly.

After a long wait, only two replies finally came—from Luo Pengfei and Xu Baichuan—both excusing themselves under the pretense of seeking enlightenment!

How audacious!

After just a few days apart, the four great heavenly sects had grown so insolent!

What schemes were these slippery foxes plotting behind his back?

Sa Donglai's fury surged, his low voice rumbling through the surroundings.

"Attendants!"