Star Martial Soaring Cloud

Lanyue Tower is one of the four famous towers in Yuhang.

Cultivators should aspire to reach for the moon in the heavens, and Yuhang is a famous city of cultivators, hence the name.

Another legend says that an immortal once got drunk and sang here, displaying the unparalleled supernatural power of "embracing the moon in the water," stirring up the clear light of the sky and making the place famous throughout the land. The name of the Moon-Embracing Pavilion also spread far and wide.

The truth of the old story is impossible to verify, but the reputation of Lanyue Tower has been passed down and it has become one of the most famous places in Yuhang City.

The long street was bustling with people and vehicles, with vendors calling out their wares and children laughing and playing.

Red lanterns are hung in front of every household, and New Year couplets are pasted on their doors. The rich festive atmosphere seems to overflow from every inch of the city's bricks.

On the distant Grand Canal, thousands of sails race and hundreds of boats compete, with merchant ships laden with New Year's goods forming a long, unbroken line.

The boatmen sang their work songs at the top of their lungs, the sound waves crashing across the water and echoing against the city walls.

Cultivators and mortals mingled together, blending seamlessly and becoming indistinguishable from one another.

Some people flew low across on flying swords, some rode spirit beasts through the crowd, and some cultivators set up stalls by the roadside to sell low-level pills and talismans. Customers came and went, bargaining and chatting, creating a lively atmosphere.

The common people in the mortal world were already used to this. They would occasionally glance at the cultivators passing by in the air, and then go back to their busy lives.

This is Kyushu, this is Yuhang.

In a private room by the window on the third floor of Lanyue Tower, Wang Xiao sat by the window, looking down at the endless stream of people below, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

The warmth of everyday life is what truly comforts the human heart. Though the road may be bumpy, people always return home year after year.

Having personally experienced the mountains of corpses and seas of blood on the Demon Island, and survived the near-death experience in the Void Abyss, Wang Xiao felt a sweet warmth even in the air around him when he saw the warm fireworks before him.

The table beside him was already laden with a sumptuous feast.

Chicken, duck, fish, and meat, cooked in rich, dark sauces, steaming hot, and fragrant.

At the center of the table was a braised pork knuckle in soy sauce. The pork knuckle, braised to a deep reddish-brown color, was tender and flavorful, with the skin and meat trembling slightly. The clear sauce coated the surface evenly, giving it a warm, amber sheen.

With a gentle nudge of the bamboo chopsticks, the meat and bone separate instantly. The lean meat is clearly defined, while the fat is translucent, soft, and melts in your mouth. The taste is sticky, rich, and fragrant, with a lingering sweet and salty flavor.

Beside it is a whole beggar's chicken, wrapped in lotus leaves and baked in yellow mud.

The moment you crack open the hard mud shell and tear open the verdant lotus leaf, the aroma of wine and the cool, refreshing heat of the lotus leaves rush towards you, soothing your soul.

The chicken skin is golden and crispy, and the chicken meat is white, tender, and juicy. With a gentle pull, the chicken leg falls off the bone and slides away.

With one bite, the rich juices burst on your tongue, savory and delicious, with even the bone crevice filled with a mellow aroma.

A plate of steamed sea bass is garnished with shredded ginger and scallions, and piping hot oil mixed with steamed fish soy sauce is poured over it, bringing out its ultimate freshness and aroma.

The fish meat is snow-white and tender; it easily falls apart when picked up with the tip of chopsticks. It is sweet and fresh to the taste, without any fishy or astringent taste.

A pot of braised duck is served in a clay pot, still bubbling with hot soup when it is brought to the table.

The soup is a rich, clear yellow color with a thin layer of oil floating on top. The duck meat is stewed until tender and falls off the bone, while the dried bamboo shoots, soaked in the rich broth, are crisp and refreshing.

A spoonful of hot soup goes down the throat; it's rich, flavorful, and warming, spreading throughout the body.

In addition, there are various dishes such as braised pork ribs, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, and sticky rice bowls, offering a wide variety of choices.

Wang Xiao abandoned all restraint, her chopsticks flying as she ate meat in large bites and drank soup from large bowls.

The soft, glutinous, and savory flavor melted on his tongue, and the warmth permeated his entire body, making him squint his eyes in comfort.

As he ate, he extended his divine sense to meticulously examine everything happening inside and outside the building.

Lanyue Tower was originally a restaurant exclusively for cultivators, and most of its diners were cultivators, but there were also wealthy merchants from the mortal world who came because of its reputation.

The rooftop is also equipped with a hidden array platform, which is specially designed for cultivators to land and rest.

Thanks to the efforts of great sages throughout history, cultivators and mortals have largely merged into one.

The most direct manifestation of this is that cultivators settle down in the world and use the same currency system as ordinary people, which is why Wang Xiao asked Zhou Qian for silver notes earlier.

The currency of Kyushu was based on gold, silver, and copper, but over time, copper coins have long since faded from daily circulation.

The most commonly used currency in the market was silver coins, with the "yuan" as the basic unit. One hundred silver coins were equivalent to one gold coin.

When Wang Xiaozhong gambled heavily in Yuncheng, the stakes were in silver dollars, amounting to hundreds of billions of yuan.

Among cultivators, bartering and exchanging goods to meet their needs were more common; if neither party had an equivalent item, they would use eight-element stones as a medium of exchange.

The Eight Elements Stone not only helps cultivators open their sea of ​​primordial energy, but it is also a core material for setting up formations and refining artifacts. It is recognized as a top-tier hard currency in the cultivation world.

The building was bustling with noise, with diners chatting in small groups, all discussing the recent anomaly on the Demon Island.

The Demon Island had disappeared; Wang Xiao discovered it when he approached Yuhang.

He was not surprised by this.

With the fall of the true dragon, the link between the Demon Island and Kyushu was completely severed, and it will naturally drift back into the void.

He just didn't expect that the ripples caused by this matter would be far greater than he had imagined.

"Truly, life is unpredictable! I thought the Demon Island Trial would last a whole year, but it ended abruptly in just half a year. It's really strange!" A middle-aged cultivator at the next table put down his wine glass and shook his head with a sigh.

"That's right," the young cultivator at the table chimed in. "What's even more tragic is that it's said the major powers suffered heavy losses on this trip to the Demon Island. Of the five hundred elite disciples who entered the island, only a dozen or so came out alive!"

"More than ten people?" A diner nearby couldn't help but gasp. "That means..."

"That's right, more than 90% were killed or wounded." The middle-aged cultivator's expression was solemn. "The young talents carefully cultivated by the major forces have been almost completely wiped out."

"The Arctic Immortal Palace suffered the most severe losses," the young cultivator said in a low voice. "More than thirty core disciples all entered the island, and none survived. Now, the Arctic Immortal Palace Master, Qiu Baihe, has personally gone to the capital, insisting that the Great Qian Imperial Court give an explanation!"

"It's not just the Arctic Immortal Palace. I've heard that the leaders of all the major sects have gathered in the capital and jointly petitioned the court to thoroughly investigate the Demon Island massacre." The middle-aged cultivator picked up a peanut and put it in his mouth, slowly saying, "I have a distant relative who works in the capital. It's said that the sect leaders were so emotional in court that they almost came to blows on the spot."

"It's really that serious?"

"How can it not be serious? They were the next generation of pillars nurtured by various sects and factions with all their resources. It's hard for anyone to let go of the fact that they've all died in one day."

Wang Xiao paused slightly in the wine glass, her face calm and expressionless, but a bitter feeling welled up in her heart.

More than thirty disciples of the Arctic Immortal Palace perished. Their deaths were caused by natural disasters, man-made calamities, and some... were the very seeds they themselves had sown.

"Hmph!" A cold snort suddenly rang out from across the table. The voice wasn't loud, but it was full of disdain and resentment. "In the end, it's just that these aristocratic disciples are spoiled and their strength varies greatly! If it weren't for the sects and aristocratic families monopolizing the trial slots, and if there were fair competition based on strength, who would enter Demon Island would be uncertain! This crushing defeat wouldn't have happened, it's a complete disgrace to the cultivators of the Nine Provinces!"

Wang Xiao turned his head and saw that the speaker was a middle-aged rogue cultivator with a gloomy face. He was wearing a dark blue silk robe and had a poor-quality jade pendant hanging at his waist. He had obviously failed to get a spot in the Demon Island Trial and his resentment had not dissipated even now.

"Your words are too harsh!" The young cultivator at the next table suddenly stood up, glaring angrily at him. "Hundreds of cultivators from the Nine Provinces perished on Demon Island; they were all fellow practitioners. How dare you speak so mockingly?"

"Did I say something wrong?" the rogue cultivator retorted with a sneer. "These scions of noble families, pampered and relying on their family background to seize opportunities, are utterly useless trash in the life-or-death trial, ruining the entire trial!"

"you--"

"Enough, all of you, say less." The middle-aged cultivator quickly pulled back the enraged young man and whispered, "Private fights are strictly forbidden in Lan Yue Tower. Don't break the rules and cause trouble for yourself."

The young man suppressed his anger, sat down, tilted his head back, and downed the strong liquor in his glass in one gulp, his emotions still unsettled.

Wang Xiao withdrew her gaze and gently shook her head.

Wherever there are people, there is a world of its own.

"I heard it was the remnants of the Tianyi Sect who were responsible, secretly breaking the Demon Island's restrictions, resulting in several Fusang cultivators at the Dragon Gate Divine Realm appearing on the island." Another table of diners opportunely changed the subject, their tone full of fear, "Dragon Gate versus Fish Leap, isn't that just a one-sided massacre?"

"These major powers have deep foundations; surely they haven't prepared protective treasures for their disciples?" someone wondered.

"To hone the disciples' character and strength, the Demon Island Trials have always had rules: those who enter the island are strictly prohibited from bringing powerful treasures." An elderly cultivator at the table slowly explained, "Moreover, most treasures require divine sense to control. The disciples who enter the island are all at the Fish Leap Realm and have not yet cultivated divine sense. Even if they bring treasures, they are just useless decorations."

"Not only Japanese cultivators, but I've also heard that an even more terrifying being has awakened on the island." A young man lowered his voice, cautiously looking around with a mysterious expression.

"How terrifying?" his companion asked hastily.

"Your cultivation level is at least at the Divine Sense Void Realm!" The young man lowered his voice even further.

"The Divine Sense Void Realm... isn't that an entire realm higher than the Dragon Gate Divine Realm?"

"That is why those who managed to escape the Demon Island alive are all incredibly fortunate."

The rogue cultivator who had previously mocked him angrily was now silent, his expression changing several times. He raised his hand and took a big gulp of strong liquor, remaining silent.

"How exactly did that cultivator who managed to escape from that desperate situation?" someone asked curiously.

"No one knows the exact details." The older cultivator shook his head and sighed softly, "But to survive such a certain death situation and protect one's companions to safety, one must be an extraordinary person, a genius of unparalleled talent. Such character and strength are enough to impress the world."

"Who exactly are they? Shouldn't their names be known?" the crowd kept asking.

"This matter has been sealed off at every level, and no one knows the details." The older cultivator gave a bitter smile. "It is said that the moment everyone escaped, they were taken away by the God of War Li Guang and the Dean of Jixia Academy. Lord Li Guang tried to pursue the fleeing demon island, but it had already sunk into the void and could not be found. The identities and origins of all the escaping cultivators have been strictly sealed off by the imperial court, and there is no way to find out."

"Is that Li Guang, the God of War?" A young boy asked, his eyes shining with reverence.

"Which Li Guang could it be?"

"I've heard that these surviving cultivators can be directly admitted to the Jixia Academy without having to take the entrance exam," the young cultivator said with envy. "This is an unparalleled honor that countless cultivators throughout the Nine Provinces dream of!"

"This is an opportunity they earned by risking their lives, and they truly deserve it." The middle-aged cultivator nodded solemnly. "To survive such a perilous situation is the strongest proof in itself; why should they undergo further testing?"

"That's right!" the diners all agreed.

"No wonder the entire Kyushu is now engaged in a full-scale manhunt for the remnants of the Tianyi Cult," someone suddenly realized.

"This hatred is irreconcilable!" The elder cultivator said solemnly, "The Tianyi Sect is a remnant of an evil cult. How dare they collude with foreign enemies from Japan to harm the new generation of cultivators in the Nine Provinces? This blood feud is something that the entire Nine Provinces can never forgive."

"Now, anyone with even the slightest connection to the Tianyi Sect has been arrested and thoroughly investigated. Not only individuals, but any sect or stronghold that has ever been involved with the Tianyi Sect has been subjected to swift retaliation from major powers. Some small sects have been razed to the ground simply because one of their disciples had met someone from the Tianyi Sect once or shared a drink with them."

"Isn't this too harsh?" someone questioned in a low voice.

"Strict?" someone immediately retorted. "Think about it, what would their masters, fellow disciples, parents, and families think of those disciples who died on the Demon Island? The fact that they waited until today to take action is already a great show of restraint."

Wang Xiao lowered her eyes, her fingertips gently swirling the wine in her glass, her mind heavy with emotion.

"By the way, the Ai Xin family didn't send any disciples to participate in this Demon Island trial, and they narrowly escaped this catastrophe." Someone suddenly brought it up.

"Ai Xin's family? Could they possibly be prescient? Or perhaps..." Before he could finish his sentence, his suspicion was palpable.

"Don't make wild guesses or speak ill of the aristocratic families." Someone quickly stopped them. "I heard that after the Lishan Trial, the Aixin family took the initiative to give up this Demon Island Trial, citing the need to rectify family traditions and cleanse the sect's atmosphere. They even reported this to the Imperial Court in advance, and there is evidence to prove it. This time, in the purge of the remnants of the Tianyi Sect in the Nine Provinces, the Aixin family has been at the forefront every time and has contributed a great deal of effort."

"I see, I was overthinking it." The man smiled sheepishly and said no more.

Wang Xiao's eyebrows twitched slightly.

"What about Fusang?" someone asked, raising a question that everyone was concerned about. "Fusang has harmed the cultivators of our Nine Provinces, forging a blood feud. Will the Great Qian Imperial Court launch a military campaign and start a national war?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire room fell silent.

"Difficult." The elder cultivator sighed, his face showing helplessness. "The Nine Provinces and Fusang are separated by the Forbidden Sea, where storms rage and dangers lurk. Even cultivators at the Dragon Gate Divine Realm may not be able to cross safely. Large-scale armies simply cannot pass through. Even if we were to form a cultivator expeditionary force, we would be taking great risks. A national war is no easy task."

"Is this blood feud just going to end like this?" The young cultivator was filled with resentment.

"Of course not." The older cultivator's eyes flashed coldly. "I've heard that the major powers have secretly selected elite cultivators to form groups and cross the seas to Fusang, determined to repay blood debts with blood! If open conquest doesn't work, then they'll resort to covert extermination. If Fusang can infiltrate Kyushu and cause chaos, then the cultivators of Kyushu can also trample their land to avenge them!"

"Great!" The diners cheered in unison, their excitement palpable.

Wang Xiao tapped her fingertips lightly twice on the table, her gaze slightly lowered, as if deep in thought.

"Speaking of which, the infiltration and planning of the Tianyi Sect and Fusang are truly unfathomable." Someone started a new topic again, "This time, the chaos on the Demon Island has even dragged in the old prime minister Situ Hong, a veteran of three dynasties and the imperial tutor."

"Is this true? What's the reason behind it?" Everyone's attention was immediately drawn, and they all asked.

"It's said that neither the late Prime Minister Situ's confidante nor his concubine, whom he married twenty years ago, are from Kyushu!"

"How could this be!" The crowd gasped in shock.

"There's no way around it. I heard that the Tianyi Sect has been planning this scheme for fifty years, even going so far as to sacrifice their lives to prove their loyalty and infiltrate the sect layer by layer. It's impossible to guard against them."

Wang Xiao's wine glass stopped, his mind reeling.

Situ Hong was Mulan's biological father.

On the Demon Island, he witnessed Jun Guo's primordial spirit attaching itself to Mulan's body; that wisp of primordial spirit must have been lurking within Mulan's body for a long time.

Now everything matches up!

"It's lamentable," someone sighed. "Thirty years ago, during the great battle to wipe out the Tianyi Sect, Prime Minister Situ made outstanding contributions." "This turn of events is likely a long-planned revenge by the Tianyi Sect!"

"No one knows the truth." Everyone shook their heads. "The current emperor did not investigate further, but the old prime minister Situ felt guilty and imprisoned himself in Xiangguo Temple in the capital. He also dismissed the entire prime minister's residence, releasing all servants and guards without leaving a single one behind, determined to atone for his sins for the rest of his life."

"It seems that a great storm is about to break out in the imperial court."

Wang Xiao was increasingly alarmed as he listened. He never imagined that a catastrophe on the Demon Island would trigger a series of chain reactions, affecting sects, the imperial court, and the political landscape of two nations.

Each and every one of these events seemed to be secretly pulled by an invisible thread, tightening step by step, enveloping the entire land of Kyushu.

But Wang Xiao had already heard the news he most wanted to know.

Everyone is safe; they are all alive.

The other disputes and entanglements are beyond his current ability to intervene.

Wang Xiao breathed a sigh of relief, picked up his wine glass, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp.

"I'll go back to Qixing Mountain first," he thought to himself, "and then I'll go to the capital."