Chapter 1074: Island Owner

“Either you possess a mastery of space-time laws, enabling you to predict future events to some extent, or you have a special divine ability that I’ve never witnessed before.”

Little Mushroom, without concealment this time, widened his large eyes, brilliant as sapphires. For a fleeting moment, a star-like glint appeared in his pupils before vanishing. Xu Yang was utterly astonished.

“Heavens, it’s the legendary Eyes of Eternity! To think I searched for so long, only to find eyes of infinite colors right here on Yingzhou Continent!”

It was known that Xu Yang’s soul was an eternal entity, inherently imbued with various colors. Now, he had discovered the possessor of perfect eyes, which seemed entirely out of place in the current world system.

In the depths of the unknown, it seemed to be guiding Xu Yang in some profound way, yet he was still unable to grasp the ultimate truth.

According to Xu Yang’s estimation, all these mysteries would only be unveiled after he opened the Gate to Heaven, found Yun Wangji, and obtained the Mirror of Reincarnation.

The Mirror of Reincarnation, in turn, concealed all the supreme secrets of the entire myriad worlds’ rule system.

“Unbelievable,” List mused, “after all that maneuvering, he ended the battle by self-destructing!”

List swirled the red wine in his glass, sighing with a sense of wonder. He genuinely hadn’t anticipated that the pirate leader, so protective of his own life, would ultimately make such a decisive and complete sacrifice.

“Perhaps for him, a miserable existence was far less appealing than unleashing his final power in such a spectacular fashion,” Cher remarked meaningfully.

Cher, Guglar, and the others, having advanced to the Purple-tier realm ahead of time, had undeniably undergone a profound transformation in their demeanor. They now exuded a newfound calmness and composure, far surpassing their previous selves. Their inner radiance was more restrained yet undeniably more dignified.

This was quite normal. For cultivators, each individual held a distinctly different attitude towards their chosen path and their own life.

Everyone would make what they believed was the right choice at the opportune moment. Even if his actions didn't manage to defeat King Kong, I’m certain he harbored no regrets about his decision. The unfortunate truth, however, was that his sacrifice ultimately proved to be of no value.

With the demise of their pirate leader, the remaining thousand or so sailors on the island’s periphery knelt, chanting the name of the Glory Squadron, and surrendered without hesitation.

They understood clearly that their leader’s death meant the collapse of the banner they had pledged allegiance to.

Rather than continue fighting to their deaths, it was far better to decisively beg for mercy. If they could secure even a slim chance of survival, it would be an unexpected boon for everyone.

However, King Kong did not press his attack further. Instead, his gaze shifted to Xu Yang.

He knew very well that his current role was no longer the true leader of Skeleton King Island, but rather Xu Yang’s personal attendant. All final decisions and commands now fell to Xu Yang.

With just a glance, all the surrendering cultivators understood that their fate was no longer in King Kong’s hands, but in those of the terrifying individual named A-Yang standing before them.

“From this moment forward, as the leader of the Glory Squadron, I am inviting you to join our ranks. However, due to your past records, I cannot extend full trust to you, at least not for now. Therefore, those who choose to surrender and join the Glory Squadron will have a portion of their soul essence taken, serving as a pledge of the Glory Squadron’s absolute control over you. If you choose to refuse, this is your sole opportunity. Otherwise, should I personally intervene, you will lose even the slightest right to reconsider.”

True to his words, among the thousand, several dozen hotheaded individuals immediately chose to refuse.

“A person’s soul essence is both their life and their dignity,” one of them boldly declared. “It’s simply impossible to surrender it so easily. Otherwise, what desire would we human cultivators have to continue our practice? Even if we reached the highest realms, our lives could still be effortlessly taken.”

Xu Yang merely offered a slight smile to the outspoken individual, not even sparing him a glance. From behind, Uzumaki Goro instantly launched a flying knife, striking down the defiant man in front of everyone.

While speaking boldly was generally a virtue, it required discerning the proper context. With the Glory Squadron now in complete control of the battlefield’s outcome and the fate of every surrendered individual, there was no room for such an arrogant display.

Making an example was always the most effective method for deterring such individuals.

As expected, with the demise of the outspoken individual, the others immediately retreated timidly back into the crowd, kneeling respectfully on the ground and resuming the suffocated posture of initial surrender.

Xu Yang was pleased with the turn of events. He ascended into the air, and an incredibly pure golden light swiftly coalesced in his palm.

This, however, was not the purest form of angelic power known as “Glory’s Descent,” but rather a unique ability capable of altering a person’s soul configuration.

Soon, the power of this totem enveloped every corner of the battlefield.

The surrendering individuals, having been exposed to this unique manifestation, each contributed a fragment of their soul essence, which converged in Xu Yang’s palm.

Xu Yang then entrusted the authority for this decision to Uzumaki Goro.

“From this moment forward, you will be the leader of this core stronghold of the Glory Squadron on Skeleton King Island. You will control their destinies and be responsible for safeguarding this most vital base of our squadron. I understand, Uzumaki Goro, that you’re not particularly keen on continuing with us to Demon Dragon Island, and it wouldn’t be the most suitable place for you. Besides yourself, there are also the attendants of each core member of the Glory Squadron. Although you are not official members of the Glory Squadron, we have always fought alongside each other as comrades-in-arms. I also do not wish for you to pay the price for our perilous journey to Demon Dragon Island. Therefore, you, along with Uzumaki Goro, will assist him in governing all of Skeleton King Island—the Glory Squadron’s most crucial stronghold in the Endless Sea. This is the most vital mission you are to undertake next.

“As for the subsequent expedition, I will only proceed with the core members of the Glory Squadron and King Kong’s siblings. Currently, only they possess the necessary strength to accompany me to Demon Dragon Island. Anyone below the Purple tier who enters Demon Dragon Island will face certain death.”