Chapter 948: Preparing to Leave P8

The grand hall fell silent as everyone tried to process the severity of Aksai’s words.

However, Aksai wasn’t done.

"Before anyone asks—no. There’s no way to avoid this crisis. At least not while remaining on Emerald Cove. But look at the bright side—we will not be the only ones affected by the chaos.

"In fact, the mainland is already a mess because of the imperial invasion. We at least have some time to prepare. Isn’t that a good thing?"

Aksai said this with a mild smile, but there was no joy in it.

Nobody could tell whether he was being serious or grimly sarcastic.

Ruan, who stood among the Seven Stars, remained silent for a second or two.

He was still in the initial stage of the Foundation Establishment realm, having made no progress for many years because of his peculiar condition. Despite being a cultivator, his appearance had continued to age over the years, and he now looked like an old man in his early sixties.

However, after hearing Aksai’s warning, Ruan could no longer remain wordless. He hesitated for a moment before finally stepping forward and cupping his fists.

"My Liege, we... We already know about the chaos currently spreading across the mainland. The forces of the Shinayin Empire have invaded in order to subdue the regional sects in the name of the royal faction.

"We also know that this chaos is going to continue for quite some time, and sooner or later, it will probably spread to the sea and across the Dadangar Archipelago as well."

Ruan’s voice carried a trace of unease.

"However, the seas are different from the mainland. The various islands aren’t directly controlled by the sects of the mainland. The cultivators of the seas have their own ways of governing their fiefs under the direction of their island masters."

He swallowed and glanced at the others before looking back at Aksai.

"So... why would the imperial side target someone like us?"

His brows furrowed, and the worry in his voice became more apparent.

"I mean... What justification would they have for overthrowing the island masters? We have never interfered with the affairs of the mainland, and Emerald Cove Island is so remote. If they truly intend to seize our resources, shouldn’t it take them quite some time to settle matters on the mainland first?"

Ruan’s expression tightened.

"Why would they come to regions like ours so soon?"

He paused before adding in a quieter voice,

"My Liege... is there something else we don’t know?"

His final question caused the atmosphere in the grand hall to become even heavier.

Several cultivators exchanged uneasy glances.

Ruan had voiced the doubts that many of them had been holding in their hearts.

They knew the Shinayin Empire had become involved in the affairs of the subcontinent for their own ambitions and greed. They even understood that Emerald Cove Island could eventually be affected.

But eventually and soon were two very different things.

As far as they knew, Emerald Cove Island was merely one remote island among countless others scattered across the Dadangar Archipelago.

There should have been no reason for the imperial forces to prioritize them.

All eyes turned toward Aksai. The Island Master remained seated on his throne-like chair, his expression calm as he listened to Ruan’s questions.

Aksai then shifted his gaze toward the two lady Lords sitting on either side of him.

He looked at Naisha and gave her a small gesture.

Naisha immediately understood.

She rose from her seat and turned toward the gathered cultivators.

"A few days ago, Emerald Cove Island was attacked by four imperial cultivators," Naisha began.

A murmur immediately spread through the hall.

Naisha continued before anyone could interrupt.

"They came with the intention of taking control of the island. However, Lord Aksai dealt with them using the island’s protective formation."

Her explanation was short and on point. She didn’t feel the need to explain the details to the crowd present. Her tone remained calm, but her next words caused the atmosphere to become noticeably heavier.

"Of course... all four imperial cultivators were killed."

The hall fell silent.

"Lord Aksai has already anticipated that their deaths will eventually attract attention from the imperial factions. And judging from the circumstances and the special identities of the imperial cultivators who have fallen here, he believes the resulting blowback could arrive much sooner than we expect."

Naisha stepped back after finishing her explanation.

The silence that followed was heavier than before.

Everyone now understood why Aksai had called them here.

It was at this moment that Jasmine finally stepped forward.

She had listened to Naisha’s words without saying anything, but her aged face had gradually become tense.

After so many years, time had finally caught up with her. In fact, it had caught up with her a long time ago. However, she was blessed with having a druid for her master.

Jasmine had failed to break through into the Foundation Establishment realm and remained permanently stuck at the ninth stage of Spirit Refining. She had already crossed one hundred years of age, an age at which her life force should have been nearing its natural end long ago.

Yet she was still here.

She could still walk around the island, perform chores, assist with the island administration, and sit down with others for a conversation.

All of that was because of Aksai.

Whenever he had the opportunity, Aksai would use his druidic powers to restore some of her fading life essence.

But Jasmine understood better than anyone that such methods could only delay the inevitable.

They could not give her a new life. She probably had less than a decade left. And she had already made peace with that fact.

She had no great ambitions left.

She had failed to enter Foundation Establishment, but she had still lived longer than she ever expected. More importantly, she had watched her daughter grow into someone she could be proud of.

Her daughter Violet had become Lord Aksai’s personal maid and one of the Seven Stars of Emerald Cove Island.

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AN: Jasmine is from the very first volume of the book. She is the same person who said no to Aksai’s marriage proposal when it was pitched by Aunt Reta (mother of one of the Seven Stars Ruan).