Deep within Snowfall Island, thick black smoke billowed like countless great pythons slithering across the sky, blotting out the sun.

On closer inspection, the black smoke was actually composed of volcanic ash and other impurities.

"Submit to me," Zhang Ye said coldly. The Molten Crocodile illusion behind him roared at the sky, its menacing scales shimmering with fiery light.

"ROAR—" Startled by the command, the Fierce Beast—the Molten Crocodile—trapped in the lava by the Array, struggled furiously, stirring up rolling waves of magma in defiance.

Judging by its appearance and size, this Fierce Beast, the Molten Crocodile, had only just begun to absorb Primordial Qi and walk the path of cultivation.

As a Fire Dao Alien Species capable of swimming through great rivers, or even lava, the Molten Crocodile clan’s potential was in no way inferior to that of the Frost White Flying Stallion clan.

Not to mention, their nature was tyrannical and cruel.

Not even two of their own kind could coexist in the same body of water.

And now, a mere Molten Crocodile illusion expected it to submit? That was easier said than done.

"Hmph! The weak have no right to choose!" Zhang Ye stomped his foot.

To the astonishment of his clan uncle and cousin, Zhang Ye actually charged into the lava. He entered the Array alone to compete with the Fierce Beast, the Molten Crocodile, in a contest of physical strength.

Shock filled the Molten Crocodile’s eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a cruel glint. It lunged at Zhang Ye with a vicious grin.

But the next moment, the Molten Crocodile let out a wretched cry. It was sent flying backward, a fist imprint now visible on its head.

Before long, the Molten Crocodile had obediently submitted to Zhang Ye.

’Might makes right...’

’Indeed. As long as I don’t confront Fang Yang head-on, no one can suppress me.’

Zhang Ye stood atop the Molten Crocodile, riding it through the Sea of Fire and lava.

His black hair whipped wildly about him. He was full of vigor and pride, leaving his clan uncle and cousin deeply shaken.

To have such might and presence at only the Tier One Peak realm... he was truly a man of divine talent.

But in the next instant, their mood soured.

If even a man like Zhang Ye had to temporarily avoid a direct confrontation with Fang Yang, just how terrifying was Fang Yang?

*Hiss...*

...

CRACK!

At night, a serpent of lightning split the sky.

Before long, a soft rain began to fall.

In the air, swirling clouds and mist made the Flying Boat carrying Fang Yang, Elder Hua, and the others seem to flicker in and out of sight, as if concealed.

They had already left Green Willow Cloud Island and were now rushing toward Rainy Cloud Island to handle important matters.

"A dark and stormy night, a time for murder and arson."

Inside the Flying Boat, all was quiet.

Second Uncle Fang suddenly spoke, breaking the silence and causing Fang Yang’s heart to clench.

Sure enough, the next moment, the sounds of weapons clashing arose from an adjacent room.

It turned out Elder Hua was summoning everyone to prepare for battle.

’We’re essentially imperial envoys now. I can’t believe these rebels would dare try to pull a ’burn the envoy’ stunt so quickly. They’re outrageously bold!’

Fang Yang’s gaze was profound.

He was clad in silver-robed battle armor, his right hand already gripping his spear.

And within his Void Acupoint True Essence Sea, the [Fierce Flame Pill Cauldron], the [Thunderous Pill Cauldron], and the Fire Eagle Illusion were all gathering power, ready for him to activate the [Celestial Eagle Cross Spear]’s killing move at any moment!

The night rain fell in sheets. The surroundings were pitch-black, enough to make one’s hair stand on end.

BOOM—

Suddenly, lightning flashed and thunder roared across the sky as a gale began to rage.

Immediately after, nine Flying Boats streaked through the sky, completely surrounding Fang Yang’s vessel. Killing intent filled the air.

In an instant, ten thousand arrows were loosed. Countless waves of Primordial Qi light washed over them with terrifying might.

The great battle had truly begun.

Not only that, but the nine Flying Boats linked their auras, their Primordial Qi connecting to form a great Array.

A moment later, towering torrents of blood-qi shot out from the nine Flying Boats, soaring into the clouds. They converged high in the sky, forming a blood-red heaven that pressed down over dozens of miles.

"SCREECH!" "YELP!" "MOO!"

Nine different cries roared from the blood-red sky, and then nine majestic-looking flying blood-beasts lunged out.

A Fire Eagle, a Griffin, a Six-winged Python...

Every single blood-beast possessed the power and presence of a Tier Five Peak expert!

With all nine beasts unleashed, streaks of crimson lightning flashed and thunder shook the heavens. A bloody mist enveloped the area.

’This formation is too grand. Anyone less than a Dao Seed Level prodigy would surely be crushed.’ Fang Yang’s expression was grave, but he wasn’t overly anxious.

He believed that a wily old fox like Elder Hua would definitely have a card up his sleeve.

More importantly, Fang Yang’s gaze turned to the unwavering ball of light in his mind—the [Seek Fortune, Avoid Misfortune] talent. No words appeared.

"You... have disappointed me greatly."

A benevolent, sighing female voice suddenly rang out, completely freezing the world and bringing everything to a standstill.

Immediately, a speck of white light appeared in the void.

The white light expanded, revealing a holy, pure-white avenue of light.

Upon this avenue of light, Frost White feathers of light drifted down one after another, like falling snow.

Each Frost White feather emanated a cold and terrifying aura, powerful enough to cause the nine blood-beasts to disintegrate one by one.

"NEIGH—"

Accompanied by the neigh of a horse, a female general riding a silver unicorn and clad in pure white battle armor emerged.

She was tall and slender, with a face beautiful enough to topple cities. The six wings on her back further demonstrated her extraordinariness. She was the very picture of valiant, holy, and noble elegance!

It was none other than the Dao Seed—Dongfang Mobai!

"Mobai, what are you doing here?!" Panicked cries erupted from within the nine Flying Boats.

"I may be soft-hearted, but I am not... stupid." Dongfang Mobai’s gaze suddenly intensified.

She abruptly swung her silver spear, and multiple silver-white halos materialized. A rain of lightning immediately fell from the sky.

This part of the world had already transformed into an ocean of lightning, freely punishing the mortals within.

Screams echoed one after another as the nine Flying Boats disintegrated in succession, a rain of blood pouring out from them.

Against Dongfang Mobai, this group of ambushers didn’t even have the strength to resist!

"So this is the power of a Dao Seed... it’s like a Saint," Second Uncle Fang remarked with a sigh.

’Perhaps only a prodigy like her can overcome the tribulation to ascend and become a Saint.’

"A Dao Seed..." Fang Yang watched this terrifying destructive power, and the lightning that had been gathering in his fist promptly dissipated.

’The gap is too great.’

’There’s simply no comparison.’

「A quarter of an hour later.」

The wind and rain dispersed, and everything returned to tranquility.

Fang Yang’s Flying Boat continued toward Rainy Cloud Island as if nothing had happened.

Meanwhile, in a secret chamber of the Flying Boat unseen by Fang Yang, Elder Hua was hunched over with a pen, writing on a sheet of white paper: "Fang Yang remains composed in the face of danger, showing not a trace of fear. His courage and spirit are both first-rate..."

...

With the precedent of Dongfang Mobai personally striking down the rebels, the speed at which Elder Hua implemented his policies grew faster and faster, resolving the issues of nearly one Cloud Island per day.

Finally, with only the last nine Cloud Islands remaining, Elder Hua stopped.

He wanted Fang Yang to take charge, push the policies forward, while he himself would observe and record.

"Divide the surrendering members of the Changkong clan into a five-tier status system. Adopt a system of military meritocracy to gradually break up the old powers of the Changkong clan..."

Elder Hua asked with a smile, "My Enforcer, of the remaining nine Cloud Islands, which do you plan to visit first?"

Just then, the [Seek Fortune, Avoid Misfortune] talent in Fang Yang’s mind flickered, and words appeared:

[Policy Implementation. With the Pavilion Elder’s backing, it is best to be decisive. Avoid dawdling.]

Then, three fortunes flew out:

[Average-Good Fortune: Return to Green Willow Cloud Island. You will display supreme intelligence, but it will cause people’s hearts to become unpredictable, hiding a crisis. You may obtain a Tier Four opportunity. Auspicious.]

[Average-Good Fortune: Head immediately to Snowfall Cloud Island. You may obtain a Tier Three opportunity. No risks, no future worries. Auspicious.]

[Neutral Fortune: Proceed according to the original plan. Go to Wind Carved Cloud Island first, then to Snowfall Cloud Island... Nothing gained, nothing lost. Neutral.]