The Discernment of an Ancient Monster

Following Elder Liu's lead, Yi Feng and the group passed through several courtyard gates until they arrived at a magnificent hall.

The hall was lavishly furnished, with wine tables arranged on both sides. Several elders were already waiting at the entrance, and a subtle tension hung in the air. Yi Feng grew increasingly excited, sensing that he was about to step into a deadly trap. The others behind him also grew more nervous.

Especially the two sect leaders—seeing the meticulously prepared setup before them, they could already smell a conspiracy. Even if Yi Feng's cultivation was extraordinary, it might not be enough for him to escape unscathed today.

For tens of thousands of years, successive island lords had controlled the inheritance grand formation, with its core located in the island lord's residence. Hosting a banquet here meant the island lord held an absolute advantage—his intentions were all too clear!

This was a classic "invite the enemy into a trap" move, and once they were inside, trouble would surely follow!

Just as the two sect leaders were feeling uneasy, a deep voice announced:

"The Island Lord has arrived!"

Everyone turned to look.

A white-haired old man strode forward with steady steps. Though advanced in years, he was still vigorous and spirited, dressed in a black brocade robe. His face bore a seemingly amiable smile, yet an aura of natural authority radiated from him.

At first glance, the four behind Yi Feng visibly tensed under the pressure.

Sa Donglai had held the position of island lord for over ten thousand years—truly a man worthy of the title "ruthless overlord." Now, having emerged from seclusion with even greater dominance, his presence was more imposing than ever. The two sect leaders couldn't help but feel a pang of trepidation!

Instinctively, they almost clasped their fists in salute!

Noticing their reactions, Elder Liu couldn't resist a smug smirk.

For a moment, he felt the borrowed authority of a fox parading as a tiger, as if his lost dignity had been restored—his face didn't even hurt anymore!

Stepping forward, he bowed to Sa Donglai with flattery dripping from his tone.

"Island Lord."

"This is the renowned Yi Feng, whose fame has spread far and wide!"

With a smile, Elder Liu stepped aside to introduce him, his eyes gleaming with triumph. It was as if the words "looking for trouble" were practically carved into his gaunt face.

Seeing the sycophantic way Elder Liu was reporting the matter, Yi Feng was thoroughly pleased.

Then he turned his gaze to the imposing old man approaching—he had the aura of a gangster boss straight out of a Hong Kong movie, exuding dominance like no other!

Yi Feng grew even more delighted.

To ensure his death-seeking plan succeeded, he suppressed his smile and instead crossed his arms with a cold stare, deliberately provoking hostility.

"Indeed!"

"I am Yi Feng!"

His unyielding demeanor only made Elder Liu's smirk widen.

This fool…

Even now, he refuses to back down? He’ll surely suffer later!

Sa Donglai, however, showed no obvious reaction as he approached. He merely gave Yi Feng a slight nod, his expression unreadable.

"I have long heard of your reputation, sir. Please, join us for the banquet."

His voice was calm, his eyes lowered in a polite smile, but his sidelong glance at the others sent a shiver down their spines.

Instantly!

A terrifying pressure weighed down on the two sect leaders, chilling their backs.

This wasn’t just the intimidation of cultivation—it carried the dominance of a supreme ruler. Even with their improved strength, they couldn’t withstand it!

Only now did they truly experience Sa Donglai’s overwhelming power!

As Sa Donglai took his seat at the head of the hall, Yi Feng and the others followed, settling at the wine tables on the right. The elders of the residence sat opposite on the left, with Elder Liu relegated to the last seat.

A brief silence settled, thick with tension.

Sa Donglai sat alone on his grand chair.

A single man, a single seat—yet his presence alone silenced the entire hall.

Watching Lu Xinlan and the others sit stiffly, Elder Liu’s smirk deepened.

His smug expression radiated a sense of superiority, as if the outcome was already decided. Before the main event had even begun, he could already picture Yi Feng kneeling and begging for mercy.

But when his gaze shifted to the seat of honor…

Yi Feng sat there completely unperturbed, as if utterly unaffected!

Elder Liu’s eyes widened slightly.

So this man really does have some skill, to withstand the Island Lord’s pressure? Pity—in the Island Lord’s residence, even a sixth-rank expert wouldn’t stand a chance!

The others were only mildly surprised, not overly concerned.

But Sa Donglai, seated at the head, couldn’t remain so calm.

Over the years, he had met countless mighty cultivators and received innumerable ruthless figures on the island—yet never had anyone so blatantly ignored his intimidation!

This pressure was infused with the power of the inheritance grand formation!

And it had no effect at all?!

Sa Donglai observed Yi Feng with a faint smile, stroking his beard as he tested the waters.

"I’ve heard that you’ve caught quite a few Dao-Transforming Sturgeons?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, an even denser pressure spread through the hall. Three-tenths of the inheritance grand formation’s power surged toward Yi Feng—whether he truly had the strength would be revealed now!

Having ruled the island for over ten thousand years, Sa Donglai prided himself on his discerning eye and unmatched experience. No one could deceive him!

This was the insight and confidence of a ten-thousand-year-old monster!

The direct question carried immense momentum.

Everyone seated on both sides, even if they couldn’t sense the pressure, felt their hearts tighten!

Starting with such a blunt accusation—

The situation was escalating far too quickly, teetering on the edge of chaos!

While the hall was steeped in tension, Yi Feng was inwardly overjoyed.

Straight to the point—finally, a proper villain!

Playing along, he met the challenge with a cold glare, stoking the hostility.

"Indeed! I caught them!"

The moment his deep voice echoed—

The pressure infused with the inheritance grand formation, before it could even take shape, dissipated like smoke in the wind.

Hiss—

Sa Donglai stiffened in shock, momentarily speechless.

To dispel his pressure so effortlessly—this level of skill was extraordinary. No fifth-rank Heaven Tier cultivator could achieve this, and even a sixth-rank expert wouldn’t stand a chance.

Had this man been hiding his true strength all along?!

Sa Donglai was no fool. A single exchange told him something was amiss!

He immediately probed with his divine sense—only to freeze in even greater horror!

His divine sense vanished like a clay ox drowning in the sea, unable to approach at all. Staring intently for several breaths, he detected… nothing.

No cultivation at all—?!

This!

Sa Donglai’s shock deepened, his mind thrown into turmoil!

At the Heaven Tier level, even if there was a gap in cultivation, one should at least sense traces of Dao power.

But to his eyes, Yi Feng seemed like an ordinary mortal?!

This bizarre sight was far more shocking than the overwhelming disparity he had felt when paying respects to the Black Island’s lord. This wasn’t just a difference in strength—it was a fundamental gap in realms!

Overwhelmed by terror, Sa Donglai sat frozen in his chair, four words flashing through his mind:

Return to Simplicity!

Yes…

It had to be!

Only those who had reached the pinnacle of "Return to Simplicity" could appear as ordinary mortals.

If so…

This man’s cultivation had already ascended to an unimaginable level?!

Shock!

Utter shock!

Drawing on tens of thousands of years of experience, he barely managed to piece together this conclusion—yet it only deepened his dread, leaving him completely speechless!

In his eyes, the coldly staring Yi Feng was no longer a seemingly young, refined scholar.

But a super-ancient monster who had lived for a hundred thousand years—

Or even longer!

Not even the Black Island’s lord could compare!

Damn it…

What cursed luck to provoke such an existence?!

Before his shock could settle, Sa Donglai felt a fear unlike anything he had ever known. Struggling to maintain his composure, cold sweat trickled down his back!

Just then—

Yi Feng’s cold voice rang out once more.

"Not only did I catch them—I caught over a hundred Dao-Transforming Sturgeons. What are you going to do about it?"

The icy challenge reverberated through the hall.

Lu Xinlan and the Nine Paths Venerable One tensed up, their hearts in their throats, while the two sect masters clenched their fists inside their sleeves, sensing the tension thick as drawn bows—a calamity seemed imminent.

An overwhelming sense of crisis left their faces pale.

Their subtle expressions did not escape the notice of Elder Liu and the others seated across from them. A smug smile curled at the corner of Elder Liu’s lips, already anticipating the island master’s thunderous fury.

Unconsciously, his face brimmed with satisfaction.

The others, though not as overtly triumphant, wore confident smiles, their gazes dripping with pity as they looked on.

The contrast in moods was stark as all eyes quietly turned to the head seat.

Just as the outcome seemed all but decided, Sa Donglai suddenly burst into laughter!

“Fishing—what excellent fishing!”

Instantly!

The previously divided expressions of joy and dread unified into sheer bewilderment, eyes widening as if they’d seen a ghost!