Chapter 614: 猜疑

Chen Yilong implied that many minor clans occupy unnamed desolate islands, and the three major powers simply feign ignorance, allowing them to develop or perish on their own. However, once a spiritual vein is upgraded to a third-tier spiritual vein, they dispatch personnel to demand exorbitant fines or assign the island's resident cultivators a perilous task. If neither option is fulfilled, the major powers will, at best, reclaim the island, and at worst, eradicate the clan.

It must be said that the three major powers play this strategy brilliantly; by leveraging the efforts of others, they effortlessly acquire islands that possess third-tier spiritual veins.

This island leasing system has been implemented in the South Sea immortal cultivation world for over ten thousand years and is now very well-established.

Wang Changsheng did not believe he could exploit any loopholes. Being overly clever would only bring him trouble.

"It's open for leasing now, Fellow Daoist Wang," Chen Yilong said. "I contacted Fellow Daoist Xu from Lengyan Gate some time ago. He is the Deputy Hall Master of Lengyan Gate's General Affairs Hall, responsible for island leases. He informed me that an island with a third-tier spiritual vein is still available, though its location isn't ideal, as it's situated at the border between Lengyan Gate and Huanglong Island."

Wang Ruyan was somewhat puzzled and asked curiously, "Fellow Daoist Chen, didn't you say that all islands with third-tier spiritual veins were already occupied?"

"That island was formerly an outpost of the Qingyun Sect," Sun Hongyu explained. "However, five years ago, the Qingyun Sect was annihilated by an unknown power, which is why the island is now vacant. We actually don't recommend that you lease that island, as there's no such thing as a free lunch."

"An unknown power?" Wang Changsheng cupped his hand towards Sun Hongyu and asked politely, "Madam Chen, could you elaborate?"

Sun Hongyu gave a wry smile and said, "It's likely Huanglong Island. In recent years, Huanglong Island and Lengyan Gate have been in constant conflict. When powerful factions clash, it's minor forces like us who suffer. Lengyan Gate and Huanglong Island, despite their friction, won't directly engage in combat themselves. Instead, they assign their subordinate forces to contend with each other. One day, you annihilate one of our forces; the next, we annihilate one of yours. This has created a climate of widespread fear. It's even rumored that a subordinate force of Huanglong Island was recently destroyed."

The immortal cultivation resources in the South Sea are exceptionally rich. It is a paradise for cultivators but also a haven for bandits. Murders and treasure seizures are rampant, and the destruction of sects and clans occurs regularly.

"Fellow Daoist Chen," Wang Changsheng said, "we are not very familiar with this area. Since you are more acquainted with the circumstances here, please offer us some guidance."

Chen Yilong pondered for a moment and said, "To be honest, our Wooden Dragon Pavilion is also preparing to lease several islands this time. Three months ago, I had drinks with Fellow Daoist Xu, and he showed me the islands available for external lease. A few of them are quite good: Qingxia Island, 300 li long and 250 li wide, possesses a mid-grade second-tier spiritual vein; Juxie Island, 537 li long and 232 li wide, also has a mid-grade second-tier spiritual vein; Huangyue Island, 334 li long and 135 li wide, has a low-grade second-tier spiritual vein; and Haishen Island, 378 li long and 115 li wide, has a high-grade second-tier spiritual vein. Here's a map; take a look."

He took out four blue seashells and handed them to Wang Changsheng.

Wang Changsheng injected spiritual power into one of the shells. The shell glowed brightly, and a blue light shot out, forming a mirror over ten feet in size. Displayed on the mirror was an island shaped remarkably like a giant crab.

The situation on the island was clearly visible. In the center of the island stood a large cluster of buildings.

"The leases for these islands have expired," Chen Yilong explained. "The original forces were unable to complete Lengyan Gate's assigned tasks and have since been expelled. These islands are relatively close to our Wooden Dragon Pavilion, so if we encounter enemy invasions, we can support each other. It's quite chaotic now, so it's best that we help each other."

"How many islands can be leased? What is the maximum number of islands we can lease?" Wang Ruyan's bright eyes shifted as she asked.

"The quantity is unlimited," Chen Yilong replied. "However, the more islands you lease, the more perilous the tasks required and the higher the rent."

Wang Changsheng pondered for a moment and then asked politely, "Fellow Daoist Chen, would it be convenient for you to take us to Lengyan Gate and introduce us to Fellow Daoist Xu?"

"No problem," Chen Yilong replied. "You've had a long and tiring journey. Rest well tonight. Tomorrow, I will take you to Lengyan Gate. What island you manage to lease will be up to you."

Chen Yilong readily agreed. For him, this was not a difficult matter at all.

Wang Changsheng expressed his thanks and then inquired about the specific details of island leases. Chen Yilong answered each question in turn.

"Alright," Wang Changsheng said, "it's getting late. We won't disturb your rest, Fellow Daoist Chen. Tomorrow, we'll proceed to Lengyan Gate together."

Chen Yilong then said to Sun Hongyu, "My dear, please take Madam Wang to the guest quarters. I have some words to discuss with Fellow Daoist Wang."

Wang Ruyan was slightly surprised. Without thinking too much, she followed Sun Hongyu and left.

"Fellow Daoist Wang," Chen Yilong asked, "have you and Fairy Ziyue known each other for a long time?"

Wang Changsheng paused for a moment, then shook his head and replied, "No, if it weren't for your introduction, Fellow Daoist Chen, I truly wouldn't have known Fairy Ziyue. Why do you ask? What prompted this question, Fellow Daoist Chen?"

Chen Yilong wore a peculiar expression and said, "Fairy Ziyue has frequently visited Wooden Dragon Pavilion in recent years to inquire about your whereabouts. She came so often that my wife suspected I had a secret affair with her, and she was present every time."

"She often asked you about my whereabouts? Anything else besides that?" Wang Changsheng said, frowning. He couldn't understand Fairy Ziyue's true intentions.

"No, that's all. She wouldn't tell me much more," Chen Yilong said meaningfully. "Fellow Daoist Wang, we are all men, and let your elder brother remind you: 'the wild flower often seems sweeter than the one at home.' However, too many people are eyeing those wild flowers. If you pick one, you will incur the jealousy of others." Fairy Ziyue has many suitors, the most prominent being Young Master Yuxu, a descendant of True Monarch Huanglong. Huanglong Island and Lengyan Gate already have friction, and Chen Yilong didn't want Wang Changsheng to get too close to Fairy Ziyue.

Wang Changsheng smiled faintly, and nodded. "Thank you for the advice, Brother Yilong. Your younger brother is a bit tired, so I'll head back to rest now."

Back at their lodging, without Wang Ruyan needing to ask, Wang Changsheng frankly told her everything.

"Could this Fairy Ziyue have taken a fancy to you, husband?" Wang Ruyan said with a half-smile.

Wang Changsheng smiled, embracing Wang Ruyan's slender waist, and said gently, "My dear, you're overthinking it. Having you is enough for me. Fairy Ziyue is the foremost beauty of the Coral Sea Region, and we've only met twice. How could she possibly take a fancy to me? More likely, she discerned the cultivation method I practice. What I don't know now is whether she is a disciple of the Zhenhai Sect or a bait sent by the Sun Moon Palace."

"She might not necessarily be a bait from the Sun Moon Palace," Wang Ruyan mused. "Assuming she were, with the power of the Sun Moon Palace, there would be no need for probing; they could simply send someone to arrest you directly. Torturing you for answers would reveal everything, wouldn't it? I'm more inclined to believe she is a disciple of the Zhenhai Sect. But what is her purpose in approaching you? To rebuild the Zhenhai Sect? That's impossible! That's a pipe dream. The Zhenhai Sect has been destroyed for so many years; even if it somehow could be rebuilt, once discovered by the Sun Moon Palace, they certainly wouldn't allow the Zhenhai Sect to develop and grow."