Chapter 3916: Marriage Alliance Gains an Island

On Jin Hu Island, lived the Zhou family.

The Zhou family had a legacy stretching back over a million years. During its peak, the family boasted more than fifty True Immortal cultivators. The Nine Immortal Sect frequently conscripted Zhou family True Immortals for missions to the Chaotic Continent. During one particular surge of Chaotic Beasts, all of the Zhou family's True Immortals perished in battle.

The Zhou family had also formed a deadly feud with a rogue True Immortal cultivator. This rogue cultivator relentlessly ambushed Zhou family members. The Zhou family dispatched numerous masters to encircle and eliminate him. They eventually succeeded, but at the cost of several more True Immortal cultivators. From then on, the Zhou family began its decline, their power steadily waning. They eventually relocated from the resource-rich Ziwei Archipelago to the Zishan Archipelago.

Upon their arrival in the Zishan Archipelago, the Zhou family was initially the strongest. However, the Deng family formed a marriage alliance with the Meng family, securing their backing. As a result, the Zhou family was ostracized and suppressed at every turn, hindering their development significantly. Outmatched, the Zhou family sought assistance from other factions, but upon learning that it involved opposing the Meng family, everyone refused to help. Consequently, the Zhou family had no choice but to endure.

Currently, the Zhou family possesses five True Immortal cultivators, but their overall strength is vastly inferior to that of the Deng family. Even with this disparity, the Deng family was not satisfied. Whenever the Nine Immortal Sect conscripted True Immortal cultivators, the Deng family would bribe the inspectors to ensure the Zhou family had to send more of their members, thereby continuously weakening the Zhou family's strength. As a result, the Zhou family could not develop at all. Particularly over the last two hundred thousand years, the Nine Immortal Sect had conscripted twenty True Immortal cultivators from the Zhou family, all of whom died on the Chaotic Continent. At this rate, it was only a matter of time before all of the Zhou family's True Immortals perished.

At a spacious estate on Jin Hu Peak, a spry elder in a green robe and a one-armed, gold-clad man were seated in a blue stone pavilion, deep in conversation.

“The Deng family is getting more and more outrageous,” the gold-clad man said, clearly displeased. “This time, they directly attacked our island, claiming we harbored evil cultivators. They’re just looking for an excuse, aren't they?” He was Zhou Yunhe, an early-stage True Immortal.

“Forget it, let them have it,” the elder in green sighed. “It’s just an eighth-rank ore vein. We are simply no match for the Deng family right now. All they want is to force our True Immortal cultivators to show themselves, just like last time when they used the pretense of a sparring match to severely injure Yun Ting.” He was Zhou Yushan, a mid-stage True Immortal and the Zhou family patriarch.

“They won’t give up until they get what they want,” Zhou Yunhe frowned. “We’ve already yielded to the Deng family multiple times. What makes you think they’ll ever be satisfied? Give it a little more time, and they’ll just come up with more trouble for us.”

“Don’t you think I know that?” Zhou Yushan said, a hint of helplessness in his voice. “But we are no match for them! If we recklessly engage them in a direct confrontation, our losses will be even greater. Yun Ting was severely wounded by a Deng family cultivator and still hasn't fully recovered.” The Zhou family's situation was dire. If they defeated the Deng family's True Immortals, the Meng family would intervene. If they lost, they would suffer. And if they continued to yield, the Deng family would only become more egregious.

“The Nine Immortal Sect is truly worthless,” Zhou Yunhe complained. “We’ve shed blood for them, yet they can't even bother to intervene. They just let the Deng family oppress us like this. If I had known this, we should have just joined the Bright Moon Alliance.”

“Silence!” Zhou Yushan rebuked. “If those words got out, our entire clan would be in grave danger.”

Zhou Yunhe pursed his lips and said nothing more.

Just as Zhou Yushan was about to speak, he pulled out a pale gold communication disk, activated a spell, and a respectful male voice sounded from it: “Patriarch, Senior Wang from Qinglian Island is here. He says he’s come for a marriage proposal. What are your instructions?”

“The Wang family from Qinglian Island? A marriage proposal?” Zhou Yushan paused, slightly stunned. The Zishan Archipelago was very far from the White Deer Archipelago, and the Zhou family had no previous dealings with the Wang family. Why would they suddenly come proposing marriage?

“Quickly, escort them to the reception hall. I’ll be right there,” Zhou Yushan instructed.

“Yes, Patriarch.” Putting away the communication disk, Zhou Yushan's face showed a pensive expression.

“Could it be that the Wang family’s True Immortal who rescued Yisheng has taken a liking to Yiying?” Zhou Yunhe asked, curious.

“Which True Immortal isn't an old monster who has lived for many years?” Zhou Yushan said. “Do you think they'd be so smitten by a woman that they can't even walk? We'll know once we meet them in the reception hall.”

They proceeded to the reception hall and waited quietly. Before long, Wang Changming, Wang Yi'er, Wang Yong'an, and Wang Zongyun entered. They had investigated the Golden Radiance Jade ore vein on Yunmeng Island and indeed found anomalies. However, they lacked absolute certainty that it was the secluded cultivation dwelling of Immortal Chi Meng. Their plan was to seize the island, establish powerful formations, and then thoroughly explore the Golden Radiance Jade ore vein. Directly seizing Yunmeng Island would undoubtedly draw the Meng family's attention. The best approach was to form a marriage alliance with the Zhou family. The Wang family could then secretly support the Zhou family in reclaiming Yunmeng Island, allowing them to investigate at their leisure.

“I am Wang Changming. Greetings, Fellow Daoist Zhou,” Wang Changming said courteously.

“Fellow Daoist Wang, I hear you've come to propose marriage?” Zhou Yushan asked, still puzzled.

Wang Changming nodded and replied, “We've heard that your Zhou family has suffered considerable oppression from the Deng family. A marriage alliance with us can resolve your current predicament. As for the cultivation resources produced by your family, you can also sell them to our Wang family's trade guild, and we will handle their sale.”

“Is your Wang family truly so benevolent, Fellow Daoist Wang?” Zhou Yushan said. “We are not children. Please, tell me directly what you truly want!”

“The right to use Yunmeng Island, Yunlang Island, Yunyue Island, and Yunguang Island for one hundred years. This matter must not be divulged to outsiders. As for what we do there, you need not concern yourselves,” Wang Changming stated. He clarified that all four islands he mentioned had been seized by the Deng family. Requesting the usage rights for three additional islands was merely a smokescreen to conceal their true interest in the Golden Radiance Jade ore vein.

“Fellow Daoist Wang, are you not afraid of offending the Meng family?” Zhou Yushan frowned.

“The Meng family has backing within the Nine Immortal Sect, and so do we,” Wang Changming replied. “Of course, you are free to refuse. The Zishan Archipelago doesn't only have your Zhou family. Given the current trajectory, it wouldn't be surprising if the Deng family attacked Jin Hu Island any day now.”

“Fellow Daoist Zhou, if not for yourself, then consider your entire clan,” Wang Yi'er added. “Are you content to let the Deng family oppress you indefinitely? Will you only retaliate when they've utterly destroyed you? With our Wang family’s support, reclaiming your lost territories will not be an issue.”

Zhou Yushan pondered for a moment before saying, “Very well! I accept this marriage proposal, and I hope you will uphold your promises.”

“As in-laws, we certainly won't stand by and watch you be oppressed,” Wang Changming said with a chuckle. “Here is a True Immortal-stage puppet beast for you. First, reclaim the four islands I mentioned, then release the news of your alliance with our Wang family. Regarding the usage rights for those four islands, I trust you will keep that information strictly confidential and not speak of it. Our Wang family will prosper, and we won’t mistreat our in-laws. But if you betray us, do not expect us to be merciful.” As he spoke, Wang Changming produced a gleaming golden metal orb and handed it to Zhou Yushan.

“Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Wang, we won't jeopardize our own livelihood,” Zhou Yushan promised.

With the Wang family's support, the Zhou family's confidence significantly increased. They immediately organized forces for a counterattack and simultaneously spread the news of their marriage alliance with the Wang family. Perhaps wary of the Wang family's involvement and the volatile situation, the Deng family withdrew their forces. The Zhou family reclaimed some of their lost territories but did not press their attack further. The main force of the Wang family then arrived in the Zishan Archipelago, openly demonstrating their support for the Zhou family.