Shocked by the Divine Beauty

Black Island.

Several days passed in the blink of an eye, yet Yi Feng hadn’t seen so much as a single hair drift ashore from the sea. Though his days were comfortable with good food and drink, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of emptiness.

At this moment.

He sat quietly on a grand chair, gazing absentmindedly beyond the hall.

Meanwhile, Island Master Shi Tianchuan and the others grew increasingly composed, their confidence swelling by the day. Seeing the unfathomable presence of Yi Feng seated so steadily, many among them even began to whisper with swelling pride, convinced of their impending victory!

"Why hasn’t the Heavenly Dragon Merfolk made a move yet?"

"Hah, they must have heard of Yi Feng’s divine might and dared not stir trouble on the island again!"

"Surely not. The Heavenly Dragon Merfolk is filled with formidable experts—how could they be so cowardly?"

"What else could it be? With Yi Feng slaying over a thousand fishmen in a single strike, who would dare come here to die?"

"Tsk tsk, seems the Heavenly Dragon Merfolk aren’t so fearsome after all!"

The group grew increasingly boastful, their words brimming with arrogance.

The Black Island’s top figures overheard and shook their heads in silent exasperation.

Only a few days of peace, and they’ve already grown this conceited? Though the island stands united, most are shallow-minded. Without Yi Feng’s presence, this ragtag bunch would never accomplish anything!

Shi Tianchuan’s aged face darkened further.

For ten thousand years.

He had clashed with the Heavenly Dragon Merfolk time and again, expending great effort to secure stability for the islands—often enduring humiliations under dire circumstances. While others remained ignorant of the Black Island’s true horrors, he knew them all too well.

If the terrifying truths were revealed, every islander would be struck with terror!

These fools.

Riding high on a minor victory against mere fishmen, they’ve already grown this arrogant?

This is no good omen!

To rein in the situation, Shi Tianchuan swept a stern gaze across the hall.

"Everyone, we must not underestimate the Heavenly Dragon Merfolk just because of a small victory!"

His tone was grave, as though the Heavenly Dragon Merfolk were far more terrifying than the world could imagine!

Instantly, the hall fell silent, all eyes fixed on him.

The atmosphere grew tense!

Even Yi Feng was intrigued, turning his gaze toward the island master.

"Island Master, what do you mean by that?"

Shi Tianchuan clasped his hands respectfully, his expression unwavering.

"Esteemed Yi Feng, please understand."

"The Heavenly Dragon Merfolk are—"

Just as he was about to explain, urgent news came from outside!

"Reporting to the Island Master!"

"Three reclusive grandmasters seek an audience!"

The crowd was stunned.

At such a time, reclusive grandmasters had come to Black Island?

Shi Tianchuan and Yi Feng exchanged a glance, both equally surprised.

After a brief pause, Shi Tianchuan turned his cold gaze toward the messenger.

"What are their origins, and why have they come to Black Island?"

The messenger bowed, his face filled with reverence.

"Reporting to the Island Master!"

"Those three elders possess extraordinary bearing—this subordinate couldn’t discern their origins. But they are unfamiliar faces, certainly not from any of the East Sea islands. They claim to hail from the Central Continent, having secluded themselves for tens of thousands of years!"

"Hearing of the impending bloodshed in the East Sea, they’ve come to offer their aid!"

His voice echoed through the hall, stirring awe.

"Tens of thousands of years?!"

"Good heavens, they must be ancestors among ancestors!"

"Since they’re from the Central Continent and call themselves cultivators, they must be our human kin. To think we’d have the honor of meeting such lofty figures!"

"First Yi Feng’s assistance, now these three recluses—who dares say our human race lacks mighty experts?"

"Perhaps they’re old friends of Yi Feng, here to lend their strength!"

Excited chatter spread, filling the hall with fervor.

Yi Feng, however, felt a pang of frustration.

Just when things were going smoothly, three old men had to show up and complicate matters!

Shi Tianchuan was also slightly taken aback but remained cautious. He leaned toward Yi Feng and whispered respectfully.

"Esteemed Yi Feng, these three seem to be figures of great stature. Shall we meet them?"

Hearing the question, Yi Feng could only nod slightly.

"Let’s see them."

They’d crossed vast oceans to help—even if they were unwittingly causing trouble. These elders, having lived for millennia, surely possessed profound knowledge. Perhaps he could glean some high-level insights from them.

With Yi Feng’s approval, the messenger hurried off.

The entire hall buzzed with eager anticipation, though some, like Shi Tianchuan, eyed the newcomers with suspicion. The atmosphere grew subtly charged.

……

Outside the hall.

Three figures waited patiently, all dressed plainly, exuding the air of reclusive masters. Even under close scrutiny, none could detect the faint unease hidden in their eyes.

They were none other than the three great rulers of the sea clans!

The North Sea Emperor now wore a gray robe and a scholar’s headband, resembling a refined teacher. The Sturgeon Dragon Emperor was clad in luxurious human attire, like the patriarch of a wealthy family.

As for the eldest, the Crab Emperor, his disguise was even humbler.

With silver hair, a walking stick, and coarse linen robes, he could easily pass for a retired woodcutter.

After a tense wait with no response, the North Sea Emperor grew restless. He leaned toward the Crab Emperor and whispered.

"Crab Emperor, do you think we’ll be exposed?"

The Crab Emperor frowned and quickly hissed back in a hushed voice.

"My surname is Xie. You must have mistaken me for someone else!"

The North Sea Emperor snapped back to his senses, silently chastising himself.

After steeling their nerves, the three cast aside their sea clan identities entirely. In their hearts, they were now human—every trace of their past glory severed.

Just then, the gatekeeper approached with a bow.

"Esteemed elders, please follow me!"

The three strode forward with measured steps, their anxiety mounting. Yet, drawing upon millennia of experience, they maintained an air of unshakable calm.

Upon entering the hall.

Their extraordinary composure immediately drew the eyes of all present!

Even Shi Tianchuan couldn’t gauge their cultivation, leaving many in silent awe.

The three, in turn, were stunned by Yi Feng.

The young lord sat alone at the head of the hall without objection—his prestige undeniable. His star-like eyes held depths of tranquility, his entire being so still it seemed fused with heaven and earth!

Such bearing was no less imposing than the Skeleton Lord’s!

Truly terrifying!

Compared to him, the feeble human cultivators in the hall were like dirt and weeds—unworthy of sharing the same space!

With just one glance, the three rulers were awestruck.

This man.

Was undoubtedly the Skeleton Lord’s master!

The answer was clear, yet they dared not voice it, fearing the slightest misstep would spell their doom!

Only when Shi Tianchuan clasped his hands respectfully did they respond.

"Esteemed elders, your righteous aid moves us deeply. May we know your honored names and origins?"

Though the question came from a mere human, the presence of that figure demanded their utmost caution!

The three promptly returned the gesture, their manners impeccable.

"This humble one is Xu Kun!"

"This humble one is Xun Moran."

"This humble one is Xie Shuilai."

After introducing themselves, the Crab Emperor at the front recited their prepared tale.

"The three of us have secluded ourselves in the Central Continent for many years, long detached from worldly affairs."

"Tens of thousands of years ago, this old man had a friend who once took refuge in the East Sea. He often lamented the oppression our kin endured here, but back then, my cultivation was too feeble to help—I could only seethe in silent fury."

"Recently, word of the East Sea’s coming battle reached us. Our blood stirred, and now that we’ve attained some modest skill, how could we stand idly by? Thus, we’ve come to lend our strength!"

The righteous heart still beats today, this old man shall indulge in youthful fervor once more!

What a stirring tale of passion!

These words immediately drew cheers and applause from many in the crowd!

Even at first glance.

The white-haired Crab Emperor had already earned numerous gazes of reverence—his plan was proceeding flawlessly!

Amid the resounding cheers, he seized the moment to bow respectfully toward Yi Feng in the seat of honor.

"Long have I heard of the Black Island's Lord Shi Tianchuan, a man of extraordinary bearing and a paragon among our human cultivators. Yet, to think he would be so remarkably accomplished at such a young age! This old man is truly overjoyed to meet you today!"

A masterstroke of feigned ignorance—utterly brilliant!

Not only did it flatter Yi Feng with praise, but it also skillfully lauded Shi Tianchuan in the same breath. To feign obliviousness while covering all bases like this—such finesse could only be honed over tens of thousands of years!

As expected.

Beside them, Shi Tianchuan clasped his hands in acknowledgment, his expression softening considerably.

"You honor me too much, Elder Xie!"

"I am Shi Tianchuan, merely a man of modest reputation—such praise leaves me ashamed!"

"This gentleman here is Master Yi. Our Black Island's narrow victory in the recent contest was entirely due to his righteous assistance. Compared to him, I am truly unworthy of mention!"

Hearing this, the Crab Emperor feigned surprise and bowed once more toward Yi Feng.

"So it is Master Yi! My respects to you, sir!"

Yet.

After his courteous gesture, Yi Feng responded with indifferent politeness.

"Kind words, kind words."

Instantly!

The Crab Emperor and the other two men felt their hearts sink, tension gripping them in an instant!