Starting as the heir of a marquis's mansion, I gained access to a summoning system.

East China Sea, an unnamed deserted island.

The sea breeze howled, and the waves crashed against the shore.

Half a month has passed since Yang Dingtian and his group arrived in the East China Sea.

On an unnamed, deserted island, a simple camp rose from the ground. The wooden and stone houses, though not grand, were arranged in a pleasing, staggered manner, exuding a sense of desolation.

Yang Dingtian stood atop the island, hands behind his back, gazing at the horizon where the sea met the sky.

The sea is unfathomably deep, dotted with numerous islands, and the vast ocean is a haven for hidden talents—this is the East China Sea.

"King Biancheng." Dai Qisi's figure floated in from the sea, her purple robes fluttering in the sea breeze. "The surrounding three hundred li of sea area has been explored."

"Speak," Yang Dingtian said in a steady voice.

Dai Qisi laid a rough nautical chart on the rock and lightly tapped it with her jade-like finger:

"The East China Sea is centered around three giant islands—Whale Island, Penglai Island, and Ten Thousand Snake Island. Whale Island is guarded by Whale Roar Master, a Grandmaster, who controls the shipping routes in the central East China Sea; Penglai Island is mysterious and unpredictable, rumored to be home to a reclusive Grandmaster who has never appeared in the world; Ten Thousand Snake Island is the lair of the Five Poisons Sect, and the Five Poisons Master is also a Grandmaster."

"In addition, there is Qin Zhao, the King of the East Sea, who was dispatched by the imperial court. He is a Grandmaster and is stationed in Haizhou Prefecture, where he controls the military and political power of the ten prefectures of the East Sea."

"The Sea Sand Gang, led by Grandmaster Sha Tongtian, monopolizes the coastal trade between Dengzhou and Laizhou."

"The Thirteen Great Bandits of the East Sea, led by the 'Sea Demon King,' are Grandmaster-level cultivators who have taken over Black Wind Island, committing arson, murder, and looting."

"There are also two forces with Grandmasters in charge, but they are subordinate to the King of the East Sea."

Dai Qisi paused, her tone becoming more serious: "But what truly concerns me is Qin Zhao, the Prince of Donghai."

Yang Dingtian's eyes flickered slightly: "What do you mean?"

"When I was investigating, I saw this person once from afar," Dai Qisi recalled. "He was standing on the city wall of Haizhou, and he just glanced casually at the sea... In that instant, I felt like prey being watched by a predator, my whole body stiffened, and my hair stood on end. Even though he was more than ten miles away, even though he just glanced at me unintentionally..."

She didn't continue, but her meaning was clear.

Yang Dingtian frowned slightly.

He knew Dai Qisi's strength well—the Purple-Robed Dragon King, a peak Divine Vein Realm expert, whose underwater combat prowess rivaled that of a Grandmaster. For her to feel such a strong sense of crisis from just a glance, the East Sea King's cultivation level must be...

"I'm afraid it's not just about being an ordinary Grandmaster," Yang Dingtian muttered to himself.

Dai Qisi nodded: "I think so too. The King of Donghai has been in charge of Haizhou for twenty years, and no one has ever seen him use his full strength. Anyone who has been his enemy has already... disappeared before he even makes a move. There are no corpses, no signs of fighting, as if they have vanished into thin air."

Yang Dingtian remained silent for a moment.

This world is far more complex than his previous life. On the surface, Grandmasters are already top-tier experts, but what about those hidden figures? How many unfathomable beings remain in seclusion?

His memories from his past life told him that the higher one climbs on the path of martial arts, the deeper the waters become.

And the East China Sea... this boundless sea area, who knows how many secrets it has buried.

"We'll just make a note of the people we can't afford to offend for now." Yang Dingtian collected his thoughts, his gaze sharpening again. "Continue."

Dai Qisi came to her senses and continued, "Besides the three giant islands and the five major powers, there are countless small and medium-sized islands, each occupying its own territory and not under the jurisdiction of others."

"These... are our current goals."

Yang Dingtian nodded. He was never one to aim too high. Having climbed up from the very bottom in his previous life, he knew better than anyone that if your foundation is unstable, the higher you climb, the harder you will fall.

"What about Azure Wave Island?" he asked.

Dai Qisi's expression hardened slightly: "Bibo Island is located in the southwest of the East China Sea, about 300 miles from here. It is a medium-sized island. The island's lord, Elder Bibo, is a Grandmaster at the early stage. He has ten protectors and three hundred islanders under his command, and controls dozens of surrounding small islands. He is the local tyrant of the southwest region of the East China Sea."

"They discovered our trail?"

"Yes." Dai Qisi nodded. "When Wei Yixiao was scouting yesterday, he was discovered by the patrol boat of Bibo Island. The old man of Bibo has already said that the new forces must either submit or get out of the East China Sea."

Yang Dingtian's lips curled into a cold smile.

"Submit? Get out?"

He turned around, his eyes blazing.

"Send Wei Yixiao to see me."

Bibo Island, located in the southwest sea area of ​​the East China Sea, covers an area of ​​about 100 miles. The island is covered with lush trees and babbling streams, like a paradise on earth.

In the center of the island, a magnificent blue stone hall stands tall.

Inside the hall, the Elder of Azure Waves sat in the main seat, his hair and beard completely white, his face thin, and he wore a green robe. His aura was as deep as an abyss. Although his cultivation at the early stage of the Grandmaster realm was not considered top-tier in the East Sea, he was the undisputed overlord of the southwestern sea region.

"Have you found out?" the old man asked, his voice aged yet full of energy.

One of the protectors bowed and said, "Island Lord, we have investigated. The group that occupied the deserted island consisted of about five or six people of unknown origin. The leader called himself 'King of Biancheng,' and his cultivation level was unknown. He had four subordinates, three men and one woman. One was skilled in water-based martial arts, one was proficient in Eagle Claw Kung Fu, one was skilled with a knife, and one had excellent lightness skills."

"Unsure of their level?" Old Man Bibo frowned. "Grandmaster or Innate?"

"Your subordinate is incompetent... I couldn't sense anything." The protector bowed his head. "The leader's aura was concealed, and no fluctuations in cultivation could be detected. But to be able to subdue those four experts, he must be at least a Grandmaster."

Old Man Bibo remained silent for a moment.

"So what if he's a Grandmaster?" he scoffed. "I've been operating in the East Sea for thirty years; how can I let a few outsiders break the rules?"

He had the confidence. With his early-stage Grandmaster cultivation, ten protectors, and three hundred island followers—he was the overlord of this southwestern part of the East China Sea. Even if his opponent was a mid-stage Grandmaster, he wouldn't be afraid. This was his territory, and he had the advantage of both terrain and popular support.

"Pass down the order: in three days, lead the Ten Protectors and three hundred islanders to the deserted island."

"Either submit, or... sink to the bottom of the sea!"

Three days later.

On the deserted island, Yang Dingtian stood on the shore, with the four Dharma Kings standing behind him.

On the distant sea, dozens of warships sailed in a grand procession, their banners fluttering, each bearing a large "碧" (bi) character.

On the lead ship, the old man of the Azure Waves stood with his hands behind his back, his ten guardians lined up behind him, and the three hundred islanders stood with their swords and spears, exuding a murderous aura.

As the fleet approached, the old man of the blue waves leaped into the water, walking on the waves and landing on the deserted island's beach.

"Who is the King of Biancheng?" He scanned the four people, his gaze settling on Yang Dingtian.

Yang Dingtian stood with his hands behind his back, expressionless: "That's me."

The old man with the blue waves sized him up, a hint of wariness flashing in his eyes—this person's aura was so concealed that he couldn't discern its depth.

"The master of Azure Wave Island, the Azure Wave Elder."

He announced his name in a loud voice, "This area in the southwest of the East China Sea is the territory of my Azure Wave Island. You have occupied the island without permission; do you intend to be my enemy?"

Yang Dingtian said calmly, "The East Sea is vast, with many unclaimed territories. When did it become your territory, Bibo Island?"

The old man from the Azure Waves frowned: "Boy, don't be so stubborn. I'll give you two choices—first, submit to my Azure Waves Island and pay tribute every year; second, take your people and get out of the East China Sea."

What if you choose neither of them?

"Then sink to the bottom of the sea and feed the sharks!"

As the old man Bibo finished speaking, his ten guardians stepped forward in unison, unleashing their auras—seven at the early stage of the Divine Meridian Realm, and three at the middle stage. The warriors of the three hundred islands drew their swords, their killing intent palpable.

A look of disdain flashed in the old man's eyes.

So what if there are five people, even if they are all grandmasters? He has three hundred people on his side, and he could drown them with a single spit from each of them.

Moreover—he touched the Jade Ruler in his sleeve, his signature weapon. With his early-stage Grandmaster cultivation and the Jade Ruler, he had fought against a mid-stage Grandmaster for over a hundred rounds without being defeated.

This is the foundation upon which he has dominated the East China Sea and Southwest for thirty years.

A few ignorant outsiders dare to run wild on his territory?

Yang Dingtian's lips curled into a cold smile.

"With just you guys?"

He turned to look at the four Dharma Kings.

"Let them see what it means to be outmatched."

Upon hearing this, the old man Bibo laughed instead of getting angry.

There are heavens beyond heavens? He's been in the East China Sea for thirty years, what storms hasn't he seen?

These outsiders probably don't even know how to write the word "death".

He hadn't realized that the outcome of this battle was predetermined from the very beginning.