Chapter 1039 - 1038: Undercurrents

Parting the mist to see the blue sky!

Countless ordinary people, peddlers and merchants, began their daily lives once more. But they were unaware that the entire Star Gathering Scattered Island had erupted overnight.

Even the most isolated islands learned of Ye Qingchen's appearance in the East Sea.

Suddenly.

Many islands, upon hearing the news, were set into motion.

"Vajra Island offers a millennia-old herb to celebrate Mr. Ye's return!"

"Li Family of Cyan Rattan Island, presents three volumes of Saint Tier Swordsmanship."

"The patriarch of Red Fire Island visits in person to kneel outside Hidden Dragon Island and apologize."

Luo Lin'an read out the congratulatory gifts sent from various islands one by one. She secretly observed Ye Qingchen, her beautiful eyes full of joyous surprise.

It must be known.

Even when Jiang Ran and others appeared, the people of Star Gathering Scattered Island were indifferent and dismissive. Yet when this young man made his entrance, he immediately attracted the respectful and fearful visitation of the island leaders.

What surprised her the most was that, aside from the eight prominent islands among the Thirty-Six Sects, there was also a hidden force like Blazing Island. However, now that Ye Qingchen publicly killed Jiang Ran and others, they naturally came to apologize.

It can be said.

The entire Star Gathering Scattered Island was thoroughly shaken.

The originally turbulent Hidden Dragon Island was almost entirely reversed overnight.

"Oh right, there are also Xingluo and the other eight islands..."

Seeing Ye Qingchen's utter lack of interest, Luo Lin'an closed the list with a clap, "With the upper echelons completely wiped out, when we sent people to take over, we only encountered a bit of scattered resistance. How do you want to handle it?"

"Just give them to your Hidden Dragon Island." Ye Qingchen waved his hand.

Luo Lin'an almost couldn't believe her ears, "Do you know what those eight islands mean?"

With Ye Qingchen's power, simply taking these eight islands would immediately attract countless strong individuals to follow him. Within a few years, he could become a behemoth among the Star Gathering Scattered Island, capable of competing with any sect in Southern Heaven.

And Ye Qingchen casually gave them to her?

"You saved Su Moran, those eight islands are just my token of gratitude." Ye Qingchen lightly tapped the armrest with his fingers, squinting.

He was merely an outsider; forcibly occupying the eight islands was not impossible, but it would certainly invite a backlash from the entire Star Gathering Scattered Island. Rather than expending great effort to manage them, it was better to simply give them to Luo Lin'an.

Moreover, Luo Lin'an had helped them before, and to Ye Qingchen, giving away the entire Star Gathering Scattered Island to her wouldn't cause him any hesitation.

"But..."

Luo Lin'an began to speak.

"Alright! Since it's given to you, just accept it." Su Moran interrupted leisurely, then turned her gentle gaze towards Ye Qingchen, "By the way, what do you plan to do next?"

"First enter the Earth Immortal Seventh Layer, figure out how to unseal the restrictions on you, then revisit the Enchanting Sea Region to take the opportunity to eliminate Flora and the others." Ye Qingchen said calmly.

Considering the reinforcements that day.

In the Enchanting Sea Region, there were still more than thirty half-step Celestial Immortals remaining; it was only a matter of time before they escaped. Once those people joined forces again, it would be another huge disaster for him.

Moreover, behind them were the Thirty-Six Sects and the entire Southern Heaven.

Should they press down upon him.

It would be another scene of massive slaughter akin to sweeping through the entire Southern Heaven.

Therefore, he had to arrange countermeasures in advance.

"By the way, many island leaders from Star Gathering Scattered Island want to meet you," Luo Lin'an suddenly spoke up, seeing that Ye Qingchen seemed uninterested. She hurriedly added:

"Although the power of Star Gathering Scattered Island appears weak, it is numerous. It's just that ordinarily it appears as a disorganized mess. If you have the capability to consolidate Star Gathering Scattered Island, you could potentially confront the entire Southern Heaven directly!"

Confront the entire Southern Heaven?

Originally planning to refuse the suggestion, Ye Qingchen frowned slightly upon hearing this. Even Su Moran looked at Ye Qingchen, seemingly expectant. But seeing Ye Qingchen shake his head slowly:

"You're thinking too simply about this!"

"Huh?" Luo Lin'an's mouth opened wide.

"When I first reached the East Sea, I slew Jiang Ran and others in a thunderous fashion. The people of Star Gathering Scattered Island merely fear my strength, they are not genuinely loyal to me. Nor do they sincerely wish to see me!"

Seeing the puzzlement in their eyes, Ye Qingchen slowly continued:

"Their desire to meet me this time is nothing more than an attempt to probe my intentions. If I truly harbored ambitions to dominate Star Gathering Scattered Island, they might immediately join forces to turn against me!"

To be an island chief, one has to have emerged from a history of bloody conflict. Would they easily relinquish the power they hold?

If it were anyone else, they might settle on an island, spend decades, even a century, slowly usurping others' territories until the entire Star Gathering Scattered Island was under their control!

But does Ye Qingchen have that patience? Does he have that time?

"So, should I just refuse these people then?" Luo Lin'an said dejectedly.

"No need, I want to see them!"

Ye Qingchen narrowed his eyes.

He knew.

Those who wished to meet him harbored their own selfish agendas and were cunning. Some were even undisclosed agents within the Thirty-Six Sects, as well as opportunists watching to see which way the wind blew.

They were like a pack of wolves, eyeing Ye Qingchen intensely, just waiting for him to show vulnerability so they could tear him apart completely.

"I want to see what they are plotting!"

"If they don't submit, I'll kill them!"

Ye Qingchen slowly closed his eyes.

...

In no time, the news that Ye Qingchen was going to meet with the island leaders of Star Gathering Scattered Island spread like a hurricane across the islands.

Of course.

Star Gathering Scattered Island, with its intertwined powers, harbored both conflicts and ties of interest.

Underneath, currents surged.

However.

Ye Qingchen had no intention of intervening. He was either cultivating or attempting to unseal the restrictions on Su Moran. Unfortunately, these restrictions were laid by Celestial Immortal methods, akin to an ironclad fortress, and with his level of cultivation, even a year or two might yield no results.

To unlock it in a short time required the intervention of another Celestial Immortal.

As for Bai Ji, although awake, she remains weak, clearly indicating that she lost her essence in the battle at Taotian Palace, requiring Heavenly and Earthly Treasures to restore it. But such treasures that can repair the essence are extremely rare and very difficult to find.

As it was, among the three of them, it was instead Ye Qingchen who seemed more likely to enter the Earth Immortal Seventh Layer with relative ease.

That day, shortly after Ye Qingchen finished cultivating, Luo Lin'an came to find him.

"Found it?"

Ye Qingchen was surprised.

"Yes, we discovered a hidden valley on Yu Mountain Island where we saw the Red Flame Fruit you wanted..." Luo Lin'an said, "But..."

"But what?" Ye Qingchen narrowed his eyes.