And the First Grade is just a small transformation before entering the True Transformation. He dared not imagine how powerful someone who has truly completed the True Transformation would be.

...

Yanyun Island is six thousand miles offshore of Jizhou. Strictly speaking, this is the boundary between Jizhou's near sea and the outer sea. Beyond Yanyun Island, it's truly venturing out to sea.

The island is named Yanyun Island because it has a massive volcano that continuously spews lava, making it impossible for clouds to form over the island.

Rumor has it that in the depths of the Void Realm corresponding to the volcano, there dwells an extremely terrifying Void Beast. The volcano itself is the manifestation of this beast's influence on the present world. Some say the eruptions are just the beast's breathing or turning over.

At this moment, Xu Guang stood in front of this terrifying volcano with his own eyes.

It stretches eight thousand miles from the seabed; Yanyun Island was formed by the cooling of lava from the largest volcanic crater.

The massive volcanic mountain range almost turned the surrounding sea area of Yanyun Island black, as if some terrifying colossal creature was lurking beneath the surface.

The volcano's crater on Yanyun Island is ten thousand meters high. The scorching heat was immediately felt the moment he set foot on the island. The cloudless sky starkly outlined the vastness and grandeur of the crater, which resembled a gigantic Pill Furnace, wrapped with dense iron chains, as if sealing off the entire crater.

'The moonlit path on the sea ends here at Yanyun's severed land.'

This was an inscription left by a Saint from the Arctic Six Institutes on Yanyun Island's crater, naming the terrifying beast lurking in the Void Realm as Yanyun.

Not many people live on Yanyun Island, and those with significant strength are even rarer. It's unbelievable for an outer sea port of Jizhou. However, because of Yanyun's existence, cultivating here is exceptionally difficult.

"Luckily, that Yanyun Void Beast is a Chaos Void Beast. Its growth is extremely arduous due to having too many void cores within it. Although its bloodline is tremendously powerful, the conflict between its numerous void cores forces this beast into eternal slumber, or else its threat would be no less than that of an Ancient God."

Jin Buhuan said while standing by.

Xu Guang nodded. He had read materials about Yanyun Island and knew Jin Buhuan's words were true. Yanyun is formidable. Saints can't breach its defenses, and Saint Kings can't slay it. Its number of void cores is immeasurable. Frankly, if Yanyun could be slain, at least thirty Exotic Beasts capable of ascending to the Saint Realm could be crafted.

"These chains are the result of the Sea-Calming Saint King's unsuccessful attempt to kill Yanyun. They are a creation personally made by the Saint King as a seal, also known as a Saint King artifact. Because of this, Yanyun Island can be safely landed upon and serve as Jizhou's port."

Jin Buhuan continued speaking.

While they spoke, a middle-aged man with a sorrowful appearance walked forward.

"Could it be Brother Zhuge and others?" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

There aren't any powerful individuals on Yanyun Island, but due to its crucial geographic location, the defensive strength here isn't weak. There are five Second Transformation Inspection Envoys on the island.

Zhuge Wuliang took a step forward and respectfully said, "May I ask if you are Brother Ku Xuan from the Demon Slaying Institute?"

Xu Guang raised his eyebrows upon hearing this.

This Inspection Envoy's Taoist name matches his appearance. Whether it's his innate look or due to guarding Yanyun Island, it's uncertain.

Despite its critical location, Yanyun Island is resource-poor, making cultivation cautious and meticulous. Few target this island, and disciples from the upper five institutes often avoid duty here. Offending disciples might be punished with guarding Yanyun Island.

Xu Guang didn't know if Ku Xuan was punished, but judging by his sorrowful look, it seemed possible.

Ku Xuan nodded, "The island is isolated, with only a small street where you all can wait for three days. After three days, the Wang Family has a great ship setting sail."

"Thank you, Brother."

Sailing isn't a simple matter. Hongze's sea is vast, and the ocean is perilous. Nearshore, one might manage without a ship, but beyond the outer sea, even a Second Transformation Venerable might not arrive safely at their destination.

After Ku Xuan spoke, he led them to the street where some people did business, mostly sons of prominent inland Jizhou families and Warriors accompanying disciples from the Arctic Six Institutes.

Prices were steep.

Zhuge Wuliang rented six rooms in an inn, spending three hundred void crystals.

"We'll wait here for a few days. Jiang Hong should arrive soon."

Then he turned his gaze to Jin Buhuan, "Brother Jin, this matter is unrelated to you. You needn't have come."

Jin Buhuan gently shook his head, "The previous incident at the mining site implicated you two because of me. Consider this compensation, and the Golden Bull Chamber of Commerce is somewhat known in the outer sea; I might be of assistance."

Zhuge Wuliang nodded, saying no more.

They were given a task under the guise of slaying demons.

Due to sailing and being Saint's Disciples, naturally, Guardians accompanied them, though Yuan Shuang didn't travel with them; she would likely arrive in three days.

Gongsun Wang remained silent throughout. In Li Taizhou, he was a genius, proud and aloof.

Upon arriving in Jizhou, he truly realized the disparity between himself and top talents.

Since he learned of Xu Guang's breakthrough into the First Grade Realm, he's been reclusive.

Ten years ago, when they met, Xu Guang was merely of the Fourth Grade cultivation, now surpassing him.

The sense of disparity isn't easy to soothe.

Night.

Xu Guang visited Zhuge Wuliang's room.

"Brother, how are the Helian siblings? What are your plans?"

"You finally asked; I thought you intended to leave everything to me."

"This matter is troublesome." Zhuge Wuliang said, frowning.

Taking out a letter, he handed it to Xu Guang.

It bore no signature, the author unknown.

"The Helian sister was captured by Liu Chuan. Liu Chuan isn't entirely malevolent; at least they're trustworthy. I contacted them through certain channels, and they want me to handle some affairs for them."

"What affairs?" Xu Guang asked, frowning.

Trading with pirates naturally evoked some distrust.

Zhuge Wuliang slightly shook his head, "I'm not sure yet, but I heard it's the eight thousand pirates gathering recently, a day of pirate revelry in the outer sea. They might want us to settle their foes."

"If it's that simple, it won't be too bad."

Agreeing to a condition from Liu Chuan would let them take the Helian siblings, repaying a favor to Purple Dipper.

Something crossed Xu Guang's mind, prompting a question.

"Brother, there's something I've been unclear about. Why do you know about the Helian siblings, and how does Liu Chuan know we'd agree to their terms for them?"

After a pause, Zhuge Wuliang spoke softly, "They joined a secret organization named Wujian, which has people in the Northern Emperor Institute, contacting me several times."

He continued after a brief pause.

"In truth, I harbor suspicions about Wujian and even suspect Liu Chuan pirates are Wujian people. Their styles are somewhat similar. They likely intend to exploit our identities to stir some matters."

Conveying his suspicions, Zhuge Wuliang looked at Xu Guang, seemingly waiting for his choice.

Xu Guang smiled, "We're simply repaying Purple Dipper's favor; the safety of the Helian siblings means everything can be negotiated."

This implied he wouldn't back out.

Zhuge Wuliang smiled appreciatively.

...

Meanwhile.

High on Yanyun Island's volcano, a few massive caves are hidden, reserved for Inspection Envoys guarding the island.

Inside the cave,

a middle-aged man was drinking tea while a young man sat beside him.

The young man looked conflicted, "Do you really think it's right for us to scheme against them like this?"

The middle-aged man set down his teacup and softly said,

"It's not scheming, merely mutual need. Our identities are sensitive, meddling in matters deep in the clouds can cause many issues, while they... as Saint's Disciples, returning a past favor, it's only reasonable."

"Ah."