The Emergence of the Five Elements Sect

Swish!

Elder Liu was instantly dumbfounded!

A single sentence had drained the color from his face, and a premonition of being scapegoated surged in his eyes—shock and disbelief warring within him!

"Island Master?!"

Before he could finish speaking,

Island Master Sa fixed him with a stern gaze, his eyes brimming with disappointment!

"This old man has been in seclusion for merely a few days, yet you’ve already tarnished the island’s reputation? At this point, why don’t you confess the truth?!"

A terrifying aura filled the grand hall.

Elder Liu, unable to withstand the pressure of the island’s ancestral formation, immediately felt his mind unravel, a metallic taste rising in his throat.

Faced with the threat of death,

Elder Liu dropped to his knees and spilled everything.

"Spare me, Island Master!"

"I—I was momentarily blinded by greed! I secretly altered the cultivation technique to speed up the fishing of the Flowing Sands… Please, show mercy!"

His trembling voice echoed as Island Master Sa’s expression twisted into one of contempt, as if he’d expected this all along.

Without waiting for others to speak, he coldly ordered,

"Guards!"

"Seize this disgrace!"

Once Elder Liu was dragged out of the banquet, Sa Donglai—now having successfully shifted the blame—turned to Yi Feng with an apologetic smile.

"Forgive this unsightly display, Master Yi."

"It’s all due to my lax governance!"

Faced with such stern yet humble words, Yi Feng could only clasp his fists in a daze.

"You’re too harsh, Island Master…"

Before Yi Feng could say more, Sa Donglai addressed the crowd.

"Master Yi, esteemed guests."

"For ten thousand years, I’ve unworthily held the title of Island Master. To maintain stability, I’ve had no choice but to employ… certain deterrent measures. I hope you won’t hold it against me!"

His words painted him as some kind of benevolent figure, forced by circumstance to act ruthlessly.

Ten thousand years of rule, countless lives extinguished—

What a saint he was!

The crowd seethed inwardly but dared not speak out, forcing smiles as they echoed praises.

"The Island Master’s dedication to peace is truly admirable. How could we fault you?"

"Everyone knows the Island Master is a kind soul!"

"You’re too humble, Island Master…"

Hearing the flattery and witnessing Sa Donglai’s "righteous" punishment of his own subordinate, Yi Feng couldn’t help but glance back in confusion.

"So… Island Master Sa has his own hardships?"

Xu Baichuan and Luo Pengfei, barely keeping their composure, nearly dug their toes into the floor at the question.

Hardships?!

Sa Donglai ruled the island like an iron-fisted tyrant, a damned emperor in all but name! What hardships could he possibly have?!

But under Yi Feng’s gaze—and Sa Donglai’s sharp, warning glare—the two sect masters swallowed their words.

They were no fools. With the old monster’s murderous eyes on them, honesty was suicide.

Without hesitation, they plastered on smiles.

"Ah, yes, yes! The Island Master does have hardships. His fearsome reputation is all for the island’s peace! In truth, he’s warm and hospitable!"

"Indeed! Sunshine Island is full of good-natured folk. Aside from Lu Renkuang’s arrogance, we’re all like family here!"

In terms of cultivation, they might not match Sa Donglai, but as fellow sect leaders, their ability to lie through their teeth was second to none.

Their words flowed smoothly, as if spoken from the heart.

Yi Feng blinked, sensing something off but unable to pinpoint it.

He turned to Lu Xinlan—only to see the beautiful woman nodding earnestly, her face utterly straight.

"It’s true…"

"The Island Master’s position demands strictness. Without firm laws, misunderstandings like today’s would be common, and villains would run rampant."

Confronted with such unanimous agreement, Yi Feng reluctantly accepted it.

Well, it made sense.

An island this large, teeming with all sorts—without a fearsome front, maintaining order would be impossible.

Though inwardly disappointed, Yi Feng gave a slight nod.

"I see."

The moment he relented, the banquet’s tension dissolved.

Sa Donglai’s taut nerves finally loosened, as if he’d narrowly escaped the gates of hell. Returning to his seat, he raised a toast and ordered a fresh batch of ten-thousand-year Snowbrew, reigniting the festivities.

Three rounds of drinks and countless dishes later,

Even without finding the death he sought, Yi Feng felt somewhat appeased by the hospitality—though the alcohol was weak, leaving him frustratingly sober.

Sa Donglai, however, was awestruck. Gritting his teeth, he waved grandly.

"More wine!"

By the time the guests were flushed and tipsy, Yi Feng remained perfectly composed, as if he’d been drinking water.

The two sect masters were beyond impressed, nearly bowing in admiration—

Until Sa Donglai’s icy glare silenced them.

He preemptively clasped his hands with a laugh.

"Master Yi, your tolerance is unmatched!"

Yi Feng returned the courtesy, promising to host a return banquet.

Only then did Sa Donglai’s smile reach his eyes, the pain of losing dozens of treasured immortal brews replaced by pride. Today’s sacrifices were worth it.

Amid the revelry,

The two sect masters played along, unbothered by their stolen spotlight.

What could they do? They couldn’t compete.

Besides,

Sa Donglai had paid dearly—Divine Dao Sturgeon, priceless wines—so hogging the chance to suck up was understandable.

As flattery flowed freely, the banquet grew livelier, the atmosphere genuinely familial, laughter echoing late into the night.

Meanwhile, in a distant temple,

The sealed formation finally dissipated—the disciples of the Five Elements Sect had emerged.

Within the grand hall,

Two generations of sect masters sat in silence, listening as reports of the island’s upheaval poured in.

"Reporting to the Sect Master—the Mad Blade Sect has been disbanded!"

"Reporting—Lu Renkuang has left Sunshine Island!"

"Reporting—the island trembles! The elders of the Mad Blade Sect have all defected!"

The expected fall of a rival sect curled Guo the Divine Calculator’s lips into a smirk.

His expression radiated the confidence of one who’d foreseen all, as if he’d mastered fate itself—avoiding calamity and seizing fortune with a single thought.

No matter how the world changed, it was all but smoke to him.

Beside him, the current sect master, Tong Guihai, gazed at his master with reverence.

"Master’s divine calculations never fail. The Island Master’s faction is indeed ruthless—even the Mad Blade Sect has fallen. Our Five Elements Sect’s rise is imminent!"

"Surely, we’re the only major sect left intact on the island!"

Guo the Divine Calculator exhaled slowly, his demeanor inscrutable.

"Heh. The heavens’ will cannot be defied. By following the tides, our path to greatness is assured."