Chapter 1014: Emperor's Heart Island

As the saying goes, one lives off the land or sea depending on their location. Given the immense temporary resources now available, it would be a terrible waste not to utilize them.

What Xu Yang didn't expect, however, was the immense purity of the spiritual energy provided by the spirit stones. In just three days, the members of the Glory Team discovered that cultivating by absorbing the spiritual essence emanating from these stones boosted their efficiency by more than tenfold compared to normal training.

These peaceful days of cultivation were expected to continue for quite some time.

However, half a month later, the Black Pearl sailed near an island within the inner reaches of the Endless Sea, where the Glory Team finally encountered their first true opponents since entering this domain.

The island was not small, but from a distance, it didn't appear to have many people gathered.

Notably, three distinct standard banners were planted in the center of the island. Each banner clearly represented a top legion that had previously dominated the Endless Sea.

"Boss, what was destined to happen has finally arrived! These are remnants of the Ten Great Legions; this island hosts three of their factions."

Plancius had Guglass investigate the identities corresponding to the three banners.

Soon, Guglass revealed the forces represented by these three banners. All three belonged to the Ten Great Legions, with two being lower-ranked. However, the banner in the very center belonged to the Imperial Heart Legion, ranked second among all Ten Great Legions.

"Boss, according to our intel, the leader of this Imperial Heart Legion is Di Shishen, the younger brother of the renowned leader of the Imperial Soul Warband from the Western Regions of Yingzhou Continent.

It's said that his cultivation talent was no less than his elder brother's. However, for unknown reasons, he was later forced to relinquish his core position within the Imperial Soul Warband.

Legend has it that due to fraternal discord, he attempted to take over the entire Imperial Soul Warband. However, his own brother removed him from the core leadership. Out of desperation, he then assembled a powerful legion and ventured into the Endless Sea in search of treasure.

Centuries passed quickly, and this lineage of powerful cultivators remained in the Endless Sea, never returning to the Western Regions."

It was unexpected that Xu Yang, leading the Glory Team, would, through a series of circumstances, once again cross paths with the Imperial Soul Warband and their lingering issues.

"Hahaha, I never imagined we'd encounter the Imperial Soul Warband again, and on the Endless Sea at that! How interesting! This time, let's eliminate Di Shishen first!"

Perhaps because this group was linked to the Imperial Soul Warband, every member of the Glory Team was brimming with fighting spirit. They were eager to land on the island and unleash their power.

"No rush. My orders are to first anchor the Black Pearl at the edge of the island. We will then land and properly confront them!"

Xu Yang surmised that since this group comprised three core teams from the Ten Great Legions, the island must conceal a vast array of rare and exotic treasures, along with the supreme artifacts they would undoubtedly carry in dire situations.

If they managed to clear out this island entirely, it would undoubtedly yield another substantial haul.

More importantly, by occupying this island, they would have a strategic stronghold for deployment and maneuver, should their subsequent journey toward Dragon Devil Island encounter unforeseen difficulties.

After sealing the Black Pearl's control cabin, Xu Yang ordered everyone to disembark. All core members of the Glory Team, along with their respective retainers, landed on the island.

Little did they know that at that very moment, scouts on the island immediately sprang into action, promptly reporting the arrival of the Black Pearl, the Glory Team, and Xu Yang's contingent to the leadership of the three major legions, spearheaded by the Imperial Heart Legion.

"Those bastards! They're finally showing themselves! Brothers, follow me, and we'll tear them to pieces!"

One bald, muscular man flew into a rage, smashing the stone tables and stools around him. He was about to lead his subordinates out to charge off the island when he was stopped by the middle-aged man in the center, who was wearing a brocade hat and sable fur.

"Why the panic? Our three legions are now united. As a second-in-command, should you be so reckless?

Those individuals possess the power to utterly destroy one of the Ten Great Legions of the Endless Sea. Do you truly believe they are ordinary people? They are certainly not inferior to us in terms of strength or intellect.

Furthermore, the resources they now command are not to be underestimated. To confront them head-on so rashly would be akin to an egg striking a stone."

Di Shishen, after all, proved his leadership by maintaining his composure.

Even when faced with such a powerful enemy invasion, he remained as unperturbed as Mount Tai.

"Little Liu, how are the protective formations on the outer perimeter of the island progressing?"

"Don't worry, Boss, everything is prepared. The illusory demon spirits we imprisoned earlier are now almost all ready for deployment."

"Hehehe, good. We've accumulated considerable resources over the years. Let's give them a taste of what we have, one by one. If these fellows truly know when to retreat in the face of difficulty, that wouldn't be a bad outcome. But if they're genuinely planning something bigger, then we'll simply have to teach them a harsh lesson!"

During this time, Xu Yang also led the Glory Team deeper onto the island. The island had a peculiar aura; despite abundant spiritual energy fluctuations, not even a single fly could be seen.

This was, in fact, the greatest anomaly. Upon noticing this, Xu Yang immediately shared his assessment with the team.

Everyone remained on high alert, proceeding cautiously.

Not long after, an unnerving spiritual fluctuation suddenly appeared!

Immediately afterward, countless mysterious banshees, glowing with a purple aura, materialized from thin air.

Each banshee had a unique aura, emitting a refreshing fragrance. Even the seductive melodies they released could disorient listeners.

"Everyone, be careful. These banshees likely don't act alone. They probably coordinate with some special formation or device nearby, and their laughter creates a resonance that constantly amplifies their mental interference."

Being experienced and knowledgeable, Xu Yang quickly discerned the unusual nature of their surroundings.

The next moment, Xu Yang stomped his foot. The powerful Law of Earth swiftly took effect, causing the earth's energy veins to surge wildly in a very short time. The entire island began to tremble violently.

"Damn it, how is this happening?"

The headquarters of the Imperial Heart's three great legions also shook violently, and the faces of their leader-level experts turned exceptionally grim.

"Bastards! I never thought one of them would be proficient in such powerful techniques, capable of altering the leylines single-handedly.

I haven't seen such a method in quite some time. They truly are a force capable of toppling the powers of the entire Endless Sea. This warband is indeed not to be underestimated."

The third-in-command couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, only to be mocked by the bald second-in-command.

"What's the point of talking nonsense? You should be figuring out how to respond! If we delay any longer, I'm afraid they'll completely dominate us!"