"I have been suppressing the Demon Cave beyond the sect for sixteen years without returning, and now that I’m back, why do I see this air filled with filth and corruption? It seems I must meet with the Sect Leader and Ancestor Master to restore discipline among the younger disciples."
A cultivator with an unusual appearance and dual pupils in his eyes hovered a hundred meters high in the sky, gazing downward.
He wore a Purple Gold Daoist Robe, holding a fresh green bamboo branch in his right hand, which slanted against his shoulder. At his feet lay a languid spirit beast, neither fully resembling a cat nor a tiger, covered in striking golden-red mottled patterns.
After glancing for a while and memorizing Zhang Yan’s appearance, he flew off.
On Spiritual Paper Island, Zhang Yan waved his hand, instantly lifting twelve bamboo baskets filled with Black Stone Shrimp into the air and transferring them onto his Flying Boat.
After gathering the Fish Demon Beauties back, he soared into the air, casually shutting down restrictions as he drove the Flying Boat at full speed toward Yingluo Island.
Within an hour, the massive green stone wall had come into view. Scanning briefly, he noticed the island was now desolate, and the disciples who originally sat to listen to the teachings had all been dispersed, leaving only two elders and their accompanying Daoist boys seated there.
A knowing smile appeared on Zhang Yan’s face. No wonder these two had sent him off—they clearly had such schemes in mind.
Although he had defeated Feng Ming in person, the ownership of the Star Sword Ball had not been confirmed. After exchanging some words with Elders Chen Xun, he had hurried to capture the Black Stone Shrimp, leaving ambiguity about the outcome and effectively minimizing the negative implications for Feng Ming.
As for the disciples in the future, if Zhang Yan wished, he simply needed to take another sword ball for Feng Ming and find a casual opportunity to display it in front of others, ensuring no one would belittle him.
Seeing Zhang Yan return so soon, Elders Chen Xun exchanged a glance on the stone platform, both revealing a trace of surprise in their eyes.
Originally, they had intended to give Zhang Yan a hard time, but now it seemed—had he truly succeeded?
Zhang Yan directed the Flying Boat to descend slowly from the sky. Even before reaching the ground, with a push of his sleeve, a surge of Spiritual Energy erupted, tipping over all twelve bamboo baskets, causing over a thousand lively Black Stone Shrimp to rain down like a torrent onto the stone platform before the two elders.
At the same time, he said in a clear voice, "Elder Xun, can you verify the count?"
Elder Xun laughed heartily, his deep voice resounding through the skies. His towering figure swayed as he stepped forward, saying, "Such delicacy cannot be missed."
He tilted his head back, opening his mouth wide, and conjured a massive white tornado from thin air. Before the Black Stone Shrimp could touch the ground, they were swept inside. Within the vortex, countless tiny green whirlwinds seemed to dance and swirl, intermixed with fiery red star fire darting everywhere.
The Black Stone Shrimp spun once in the tornado, their scale armor stripped clean. On the second turn, the tender white fish flesh began to sizzle, as if invisible flames were searing them until a golden hue emerged, releasing an enchanting aroma. By the third turn, the fish meat separated cleanly from the bones, which were ultimately devoured into Elder Xun’s endlessly deep mouth.
When the heavenly fish feast ended, a towering pile of fish bones had formed at Elder Xun’s feet. Every single bone was perfectly intact, with no trace of leftover flesh—so polished and pristine that even the tiniest pieces shimmered like gems, as if meticulously refined by the most skilled craftsmen.
In the air, only the rich aroma of roasted fish lingered.
Zhang Yan understood that Elder Xun was showcasing his mastery over the Qi of Elixir Evil. Unspoken yet deliberate, it was also a warning to Zhang Yan not to overstep boundaries.
Yet Zhang Yan remained completely unfazed. On the path of cultivation, one must compete when necessary and seize what is rightful. As long as he adhered to sect rules and followed clear logic and regulations, no one could fault him, nor could they do anything about him.
At this moment, the Flying Boat landed on the ground. Zhang Yan stepped off, raised his hand, and cupped it in greeting, "Elder Xun, may I know if the count of Black Stone Shrimp is accurate?"
Elder Xun chuckled coldly and replied, "A total of one thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine pieces. Not only is the count correct, but it even exceeds expectations. Zhang Yan, I underestimated you. Well..." He turned back with a laugh, saying, "Junior Brother Chen, what is his should remain his. What isn’t his, he won’t be able to take either."
Elder Chen cleared his throat and said, "Zhang Yan, this is your opportunity. Keep this Star Sword Ball well, and may you use it wisely." With a flick of his finger, a hint of blue light shot out.