"Please, stop!"
A protective shield soared into the air, blocking the sky covering dragon claw.
The commander of the Sun Moon Soul Tool Navy activated his flying soul tool, nine soul rings flickering around him, and arrived before Wu Yan and Chen Junting.
But upon seeing Chen Junting, his body jolted violently!
Ever since Chen Junting had set up the Heavenly Tribulation Array before Kong Deming and escaped using that opportunity, his portrait had been circulated throughout all the Soul Tool Master Legions of the Sun Moon Empire, warning them to be wary of such peculiar methods.
Never did they expect to encounter him first today.
Moreover…
The Navy Commander glanced at Wu Yan.
There was actually a Fire-attribute Super Douluo here as well!
Although this area belonged to the ocean's domain, if a real fight were to break out… once both sides engaged within the scope of this volcanic island, it would undoubtedly favor the Fire-attribute soul masters.
Considering this, the Navy Commander said, "Are you also here for this island?"
"Indeed." Wu Yan calmly gazed at the Navy Commander and said, "This volcanic island belongs to our Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!
They're actually from the Tian Hun Empire!
Oh no! We Sun Moon were ultimately one step too late.
Wu Yan's voice carried without restraint, allowing the Tian Hun Empire Navy on the other side of the island to hear clearly. They were immediately overjoyed.
Thus, the Tian Hun Navy Commander ordered, "Advance!"
Since they were all from Tian Hun, they naturally had to seize the opportunity.
At once, the Tian Hun Navy advanced, pressing steadily toward the island. The Sun Moon Navy could only watch, daring not to move rashly.
The Sun Moon Navy Commander watched this scene, his fists clenching and unclenching repeatedly. If it were only one side—either the two from the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect or the Tian Hun Navy—the Sun Moon Navy would not fear them.
But once both sides joined forces…
The scales of victory would undoubtedly tip in the other side's favor.
Thinking of the empire's recent losses and Wu Yan's watchful gaze, the Sun Moon Navy Commander gritted his teeth and reluctantly issued the order, "All units, heed this command: Retreat—"
Everything was done to preserve the empire's strength.
Even though this island was important! But right now, this elite Soul Tool Navy was more important! After all, even if they sacrificed everything, they only had a twenty percent chance of achieving results.
Not worth it!
"Your Excellency, the green hills remain unchanged, the clear waters flow forever. Until we meet again!"
The Sun Moon Navy Commander turned into a streak of light, returning to the retreating navy warships. Upon seeing this, Wu Yan led Chen Junting down toward the island to meet with the Tian Hun Navy.
"Your Excellency."
The Tian Hun Navy Commander personally came ashore. With Soul Douluo cultivation, he bowed respectfully to Wu Yan.
Wu Yan nodded and said to Chen Junting, "You go attend to your matters. I'll handle things here. Any problems?"
"No issue."
Chen Junting waved his hand, indicating no problem, then chose a direction and, protected by a soul tool barrier, flew toward the volcano.
After withdrawing his gaze, Wu Yan began discussing business with the Tian Hun Navy. "Our Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has always conducted business with complete honesty. How about a 30-70 split for the island's rare metals?"
"Of course, of course."
The Tian Hun Navy Commander's heart leaped with joy, nodding repeatedly. "Then the thirty percent of rare metals will be our gratitude to your sect…"
"Thirty percent? What are you thinking?"
Wu Yan raised a hand to stop the commander from continuing, then said, "Seventy percent is ours, thirty percent is yours. Of course, this island also belongs to you."
"Huh!? This… is acceptable."
...
At this moment, Chen Junting arrived at the foot of the volcano.
Using a soul tool barrier to withstand the splashing magma, he strolled leisurely around the volcano's base, adjusting stones here, digging pits there, placing an array rune soul tool in one spot, and swiftly inscribing runes on the ground in another direction.
After about half an hour, he returned to the starting point.
"Completed."
Chen Junting let out a long sigh of relief, wiping away nonexistent sweat. Then, with a sudden movement of his hand, he slashed through the void.
Instantly, the volcano on the island trembled. Countless array runes spread across the entire mountain body like a net, trapping everything beneath the mountain, as if locking a dragon to seal the earth vein.
"Since it's like this, let's begin." The Eye of Fate opened and closed, locking onto the connection point between this branch vein and the main vein. The dense array runes not only bound that location but also began contracting, seemingly intending to completely sever the connection between the branch and main veins.
The next second, "Sever!"
The word fell, and the array runes shimmered brilliantly.
As the great formation circulated, the branch vein was instantly cut off from the main vein.
Instantly, the island shook violently, as if about to collapse.
The Tian Hun Empire Navy, seeing this, thought the volcano was about to erupt again. But Wu Yan stopped them, saying it was merely a trivial interlude. With the credibility of a Titled Douluo, he calmed the unrest, allowing Chen Junting to carry out his methods with peace of mind.
After completely severing the relationship between the branch vein and the main vein, Chen Junting proceeded in the same manner. Just as in the secret realm of the Earth Dragon Gate before, he used the formation to continuously extract the fiery energy and vital energy from the earth vein.
At once, fiery energy filled the sky like morning clouds obscuring the sun.
The extracted dense fiery energy and vital energy gradually recombined and evolved externally, forming a dragon vein, which was then… locked by Chen Junting into the mountain range of the Netherworld Demi-Plane.
Once all this was done, everything was finally settled.
"With both required earth veins now secured, upon returning to the sect, we can set up the sect-protecting great formation—Ice and Fire Two Heavens."
Watching the no-longer-erupting magma, Chen Junting let out a long sigh of relief and walked back toward where he came from. By the time he returned to the shore, Wu Yan had also finalized the agreement with the Tian Hun Empire Navy.
This island and thirty percent of the rare metals would belong to Tian Hun, while the remaining seventy percent of rare metals would go to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Of course, the Tian Hun Empire could also exchange them for rare metals of equivalent value.
Note: No intermediary fees will be charged.
Anyway, regardless of the details, both parties were extremely pleased with the discussion. Except for the Tian Hun Empire side feeling regretful that the quantity of rare metals was too small, they did not feel they had suffered a loss.
After all, if not for the sudden intervention of the two from the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, they probably wouldn't have gained even this much. The Tian Hun Empire Navy was well aware of their own capabilities.
Therefore, without a doubt, this was a win-win situation!
...
Later, on the way back.
High in the sky, strong winds rushed past their ears.
Even so, it did not hinder their conversation.
Wu Yan smiled and said, "The gains from this island expedition are quite substantial. Not only did we obtain seventy percent of the rare metals, but we also secured an earth vein. Moreover, after receiving thirty percent of the rare metals and the island, the Tian Hun Empire did not hesitate and agreed immediately."
"Actually, this is normal."
Hearing this, Chen Junting expressed understanding.
"After the island's situation stabilizes, the island's strategic significance will be more important than the metal ore veins. Both navies are well aware of this. It's just that the Sun Moon Navy was truly forced into a helpless situation. If they had waited a few more days, once Xu Tianran learned of the news, he would definitely send reinforcements. By that time, the Sun Moon Empire Navy would never have abandoned this island under any circumstances."
Hearing this, Wu Yan couldn't help but sigh.
"Fortunately, the Sun Moon Empire is currently pursuing peace and won't make a move. Otherwise, without the defensive fortifications being built yet, the Tian Hun Empire would most likely be unable to hold this island."
Indeed.
While Chen Junting silently agreed in his heart, he also began to ponder. The Sun Moon Empire indeed wouldn't act openly in the coming years, but if they resorted to underhanded tactics, then when the war arrives, even if the Tian Hun Empire builds defensive fortifications, will they be able to hold it?
And other places…
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)