Chapter 113: Hostile Visitors, the Lion Makes an Audacious Demand for Land

“Have you heard? There really is an immortal island overseas, and people have arrived.”

“We’ve known for a while. They say these newcomers are very domineering—they even injured the Lesser Celestial Master and the others.”

“Right. It seems only the Ice Fairy was released, and then they sent out intelligence. The higher-ups are urgently discussing the matter.”

“The official side has also received news. Apparently, these people intend to seize certain areas on the mainland to use for cultivation and evolution.”

“But they shouldn’t be harming people, right? That’s too arrogant. By the way, who exactly are these people? Could they really be immortals?”

“Immortals? No, they’re just like us—Awakeners—but stronger.”

“Stronger? No matter how strong, are they stronger than the Land King?”

The authorities had never intended to conceal the news.

Moreover, aside from the Bohai Sea, the matter of the three Immortal Islands had been a hot topic, attracting countless eyes.

Thus,

After the Ice Fairy left and contacted Elder Ji and others, the situation became public knowledge.

Some Awakeners had suspected there were people on the Three Immortal Islands, but they never expected it to be true.

Judging by the circumstances, these people were not easy to deal with.

Not only did they attack first,

but they also demanded a piece of land outright, which naturally ruffled many feathers.

For a time, many people wanted to go to the shores of Bohai Sea to take a look. Some even rashly planned to unite with Awakeners and launch a surprise attack. At the very least, they wanted to rescue the Pure Yang Lesser Celestial Master and the others.

However, the authorities had anticipated this and dispatched troops to temporarily seal off the area, forbidding unauthorized access.

They also issued a public announcement stating that senior officials had rushed to the Bohai shores

to negotiate with the people from the three Immortal Islands,

urging the public to remain calm.

There was no choice.

Even now, the authorities had yet to fully understand the origins of the Three Immortal Islands.

They only knew from the Ice Fairy that the leaders were at the Shackled Realm, and there was a so-called sect involved—implying the presence of Golden Body Realm practitioners.

Given this,

they had to treat the matter with utmost seriousness. Even if they had to become enemies, they needed to understand their adversaries first.

After seeing the announcement, the public calmed down somewhat, understanding not to cause trouble.

Yet, as a result, the interest in the Three Immortal Islands only grew.

Meanwhile,

Elder Yun took some time and headed straight to the Bohai shore.

Fortunately, he had been at the Taishan Trial Institute before, so the distance to Bohai was not far.

A few days later, he arrived and gathered information about these people along the way.

He also reviewed ancient texts and concluded that the Three Immortal Islands might have existed as far back as the Pre-Qin era.

Of course, this didn’t mean these people had lived for thousands of years, but rather they were descendants.

He also predicted that the three islands differed from the mainland, preserving conditions for cultivation and evolution, so those inside might indeed be stronger, having advanced further.

As for why two different environments existed within the same world, it was unclear.

But none of that mattered now—the important thing was that the visitors from the Immortal Islands came with ill intent.

Eventually, Elder Yun and others arrived at the Bohai shore,

and, as hoped, met with disciples from the Three Immortal Islands.

According to them, they were emissaries of their sects, which were akin to ancient martial clans.

The Three Immortal Islands were divided into the Penglai, Fangzhang, and Yingzhou sects.

Through conversation, it became clear they still adhered to ancient customs,

and were mostly unfamiliar with modern technology.

The three who had struck before were elite disciples.

On this day, at the Bohai shore,

a group of senior officials led by Elder Yun appeared.

Before them stood Zhao Yuan and other disciples from the Three Immortal Islands.

“Speak. What do you want?” Elder Yun asked. Though known for his irritable temper, he restrained himself now, especially since the Pure Yang Lesser Celestial Master and others were still in their hands.

“We come under orders from our sect to the mainland solely to find places for cultivation—three great sects, each requiring one site,” Zhao Yuan said with a smile as he looked at Elder Yun. “Surely this is not difficult for you to arrange?”

“Not difficult. It is negotiable,” the elder nodded calmly.

“Furthermore, these sites must have populations,” Zhao Yuan continued. “Since some matters cannot be handled personally, we require no more than a hundred thousand people per site.”

At this, some senior officials’ expressions darkened, eyes flashing with anger.

Beside them, the Ice Fairy stepped forward, ready to protest.

By their account,

three sites meant three hundred thousand people.

It was an outrageous demand.

What they wanted the people for was unclear, but it easily evoked images of ancient forced labor.

However, all anger was quelled by Elder Yun, who narrowed his eyes and asked again, “Anything else?”

Zhao Yuan nodded. “Of course. From now on, if any wonders appear on the mainland’s famous mountains and rivers, our disciples from the Three Immortal Islands must be allowed to freely investigate. Of course, you may assist; those who contribute will receive a share.”

Arrogant.

Unbelievably arrogant!

The accompanying officials could not help but show cold expressions.

But Elder Yun remained composed. Finally, he said, “What about those we captured? When will they be released?”

“Released? After you’ve discussed it,” Zhao Yuan said, sensing the anger but indifferent. “We’ll give you time to consider. Remember, we are only the vanguard—our masters will arrive soon, and then decisions must be made.”

With that, he took a man and a woman beside him and returned to the ship.

What had been said felt more like a notification than a negotiation.

“Elder Yun, what shall we do?” the Ice Fairy asked, her face grim. She hadn’t expected such arrogance and blatant disrespect.

In truth, with modern technology, they were fearless against these people, but they could not risk the lives of the Pure Yang Lesser Celestial Master and the others, so they were cautious.

“First, report this to Elder Ji and the others,” Elder Yun said after some thought.

Not to mention the wonders of the mainland’s famous mountains and rivers, the demand for three hundred thousand people was absolutely unacceptable.

Why had they worked so hard to build their foundation if not to protect more lives? How could they give this away just because of a single demand? If it came to a break, they might as well fight openly.

“Junior Sister Zhang Yun, do you think these mainlanders will agree to our terms?” Zhao Yuan asked the woman in blue at the ship’s prow.

“They have no choice,” Zhang Yun sneered. “The world has only recently begun to revive. Even if the mainland’s conditions are better than the islands, the best they can reach is the Shackled Realm.”

“And among our three islands, which sect doesn’t have one or two Golden Body Realm guardians? That alone makes them incomparable. As for their weapons, they won’t matter. Once our elders arrive, everything will be settled.”

Zhao Yuan nodded and added, “We must spread the news, too.”

“The life force on the islands is nearly depleted. We must finalize this quickly.”

Indeed, their return to the mainland from the three islands was firstly because the world had completely unsealed.

The path back was no longer restricted.

Secondly,

islands were still islands. After thousands of years, the resources for evolution had nearly run out.

But with the world outside undergoing change and the path of evolution reopening—much like ancient times—

they could leave the islands for the mainland.

Here, no longer imprisoned, the world was gradually reviving, with countless wonders emerging. Why stay confined to three islands?

Knowing that everything was just beginning, and that no powerful beings had yet appeared on the mainland, it was natural to make demands,

to seize more resources and concentrate power to accelerate evolution.

Those from the Three Immortal Islands were also aware

that beings from beyond the domain might arrive.

They wanted to take advantage of the time gap to grow stronger quickly; returning later would still be possible.

Thus, Zhao Yuan and Zhang Yun both believed their plan was sound and feasible.

As they exchanged a smile,

it seemed everything was under control.

Soon after,

Elder Yun and others returned and reported to the higher-ups.

The response was unanimous.

They would never agree.

Some even advocated a more aggressive stance, suggesting missile strikes on the Three Immortal Islands to show that modern technology was not weak.

But they soon discovered the islands were shrouded by some force, making missile targeting impossible.

Firearms were presently useless. For a time, all fell silent.

The most powerful means were ineffective.

How to deal with the people of the Three Immortal Islands?

Their demands were absolutely unacceptable.

But the problem was that the three leaders were at the Shackled Realm, and the elders of their sects would be even stronger.

They could deploy weapons and missiles around to prevent landings, but could that last indefinitely? Obviously not, especially since there was no Golden Body Realm existence among humans yet.

Compared to alien beasts, their power and destruction would be tremendous and impossible to resist if forced to fight.

After all, it was a single individual; while firearms were powerful, the enemy would not stand still.

Elder Ji and the senior officials were at a loss.

The Three Immortal Islands were supposedly human—sharing the same Huaxia bloodline—so why such arrogance?

Did they truly believe themselves to be immortals?

No one knew.

But the problem had to be solved, even without knowing when their masters would arrive.

News of the negotiations naturally spread online.

Instantly,

the public and Awakeners who had been following the matter erupted in outrage.

“Are you kidding? Three sites and three hundred thousand people?”

“They’re far too arrogant. Absolutely no agreement! I say launch missiles and the strongest firearms!”

“I heard modern technology can’t fully lock onto those three islands. Officials are helpless for now.”

“How can that be? Their demands trample all over us. Can we just stand for it?”

“Exactly. We may not be strong, but we won’t tolerate such humiliation.”

“Yes, if necessary, we’ll risk our lives.”

Nearly everyone who knew the news was furious.

They didn’t care what existed on the Three Immortal Islands;

the demands were excessive—territory, people, and even a hand in the mainland’s natural wonders. No one would accept such terms.

Yet everyone knew there were even stronger beings on the islands,

possibly reaching the Golden Body Realm. If they arrived here,

a great battle was inevitable.

And now,

there was no one in the country with such strength. How to fight?

Firearms alone couldn’t intimidate them, as the enemy could come and go freely, only needing to enter their islands.

For a moment, not only the officials,

but the entire populace felt powerless.

At this moment, nearly everyone thought of the same name: Lu Yuan.

They believed,

only the Land King’s intervention could resolve everything. Only the Land King.

(End of chapter)