Chapter 131: King Yu's Decision

"Junior sister! Junior sister!" With purple lightning and blazing sparks still lingering around his body, Lin Feng searched frantically through the chaotic crowd for a glimpse of Chen Yuhi.

When the purple heavenly thunder crashed down, he had unleashed all of his Flaming Heart Qi, instantly condensing the Scarlet Lotus Karmic Fire around his entire body. Back then, he had already prepared himself to fight to the death, blasting out a technique of "Dominating the World" to collide head-on with that heavenly thunder!

*Buzz, buzz, buzz*—The electric light pierced through his fist strength. At that critical moment of extreme peril, the radiance of the Scarlet Lotus Karmic Fire flared intensely. The purple lightning entered like butter into water, instantly splitting into dozens of strands that wound their way down along the flames surrounding his body, yet they did not cause Lin Feng the slightest bit of harm. The electric arcs gathered beneath his feet, unleashing a concerted strike straight toward Foundation Stone Island, as if intending to release all this unyielding resentment. That was what created the terrifying spectacle just moments before.

A single bolt of heavenly thunder shattering half an island exceeded the common sense of anyone present. The panicked crowds were deeply shaken, leaving them with no spare attention for slaughter.

"Second Sister!" Fifth Kang looked around anxiously, only to see a pool of blood welling up from beneath the sea where the fierce battle had just taken place. A corner of a garment was then drifted up by the ocean waves, turning his complexion instantly green.

It was indeed Fifth Yang! After deploying the Purple Lightning Running Thunder True Formula, she had never expected that Lin Feng would launch a counterattack, resorting to such a mutual destruction tactic. How could she possibly withstand the full-fledged onslaught of the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formula with the fragility of a reed? She died on the spot instantly and plunged into the ocean.

"Second Sister..." Fifth Kang abruptly whipped his head around, hurtling off into the distance.

"Do you take my Linhai to be devoid of people? You come as you please and leave as you wish?"

Accompanied by this angry roar that sounded like a resounding bronze bell, an arc of light suddenly materialized upon the surface of the sea. Without a sound, with just a single strike, it cleaved the fleeing Fifth Kang into two halves, which then exploded inch by inch, sending a flurry of bloody rain flying through the air.

"Celestial Machine Master, accompany me to see the King at once!"

The old Daoist Celestial Machine Master, who had been supported by his disciples, finally snapped back to his senses. He gave his Daoist robe a violent shake, pushed aside the crowd, and whipped up a gale as he fled toward the direction of the Sea-Covering Palace.

"Junior sister, let us go as well!"

With a single leap, Lin Feng scooped up the unconscious Chen Yuhi, flew into the starry clouds, and retreated into the Yinke Palace.

...

Inside the spacious Golden Chuang Palace of the Sea-Covering Palace, numerous protectors and stronghold leaders of Linhai stood in neat rows on both sides of the imperial path.

The Lord of Linhai, the God-Whale King Yu Baili, who possessed a delicate and youthful face, sat upright with his eyes closed amidst a curling wisp of rising blue smoke. Most of the people in the hall communicated with one another via divine sense transmission, occasionally casting a glance toward the vaguely visible throne.

"Reporting to the Wang, Lord Guanghong and True Person Celestial Machine have arrived outside the hall."

"Proclaim their entry into the hall." King Yu's weary voice penetrated the great hall, echoing crisp and clear among the beams and pillars like that mysterious blue smoke, lingering for a long time.

Guanghong strode into the hall without saying a word, standing beside Fairy Lingyun. The soul-sundered Celestial Machine Master walked forward tremblingly, just about to say something when King Yu's voice came over once again: "The Mysterious Mechanism Pavilion has now turned its blade against this King, deliberately destroying the Sea-Breeding Nine Palaces Cauldron on our Foundation Stone Island. In your view, how should we respond?"

The God-Whale King's tone was calm and waveless, yet it exuded a profound and heavy coercion, along with anger and dissatisfaction.

Celestial Machine Master trembled all over, just about to express his opinion when he was preempted once again. The speaker was Guanghong, who had entered the hall together with him.

"Wang, the Mysterious Mechanism Pavilion is unrighteous. We should act as the vanguard for Linhai, slaughter our way into Erhai, and conquer the islands of the Mysterious Mechanism Pavilion. Firstly, to crush the enemy's morale; secondly, to display the might of our Sea-Covering Palace. We must never emulate that old thief Xibing, enduring humiliation in silence only to be mocked by the entire world!"

The affair of Lihai had spread across the four seas as early as last month. Not to mention that the four sons of the Shark King had been killed, the marriage had also been temporarily canceled, reducing him to the laughingstock of all cultivators—humiliated to the absolute extreme.

The subordinate officials lined up on both sides of the great hall were led on one side by Hua Lingyun and Guanghong, totaling three people. These three were precisely the Supreme Protectors of Linhai. Except for Lu Danyang, who was in secluded cultivation to recover his health, all the experts were present. On the other side were the stronghold leaders of the three bays and four domains, as well as the generals guarding various sea regions, totaling twenty-one people.

"What the Supreme Protector said is entirely correct. Our East Wind Stronghold is willing to join forces with the Supreme Protector to conquer the Mysterious Mechanism Pavilion. Let us also bomb and sink a few of their islands to vent the hatred in our hearts!"

The speaker was naturally the leader of East Wind Bay. The seven stronghold leaders had arrived at Gongga Bay outside the Sea-Covering Palace a few days prior to participate in the annual Sea-Worship Ceremony. When such a major event occurred at this time, they naturally had to come and discuss it.

"Bomb and sink a few? In my opinion, we must uproot all seven of their main islands together! The Mysterious Mechanism Pavilion is simply a malignant tumor. Old Hawksbill fears them, but we do not. These practitioners must be taught a lesson!" Yan Honglie, the leader of Chaotic Reef Bay, stepped out in agreement, and after speaking, he specifically nodded and gestured to Guanghong and the others.

Yu Baili did not utter a sound, whether in agreement or opposition, and the great hall suddenly fell silent.

"Ahem, in my view, we can secretly dispatch people to thoroughly investigate and find out who is instigating them to do this. Every debt has its debtor, and the Mysterious Mechanism Pavilion is merely a chess piece. The mastermind behind the scenes still remains to be verified..." The old man among the three Supreme Protectors broke the silence, expressing a different viewpoint. This old man, dressed in a red silk robe, had a round, beard-less face, and his two small eyes constantly radiated sharp and piercing brilliance.

"What Elder Bai said makes great sense. I wonder if the thieves who ambushed our Foundation Stone Island left any survivors?" another stronghold leader asked.

Guanghong had just wanted to retort when he was stumped by this question. Both the person who destroyed the artifact-reforging arena and Fifth Kang had been slain by him, and by now, not even fragments of flesh could likely be found.

"They are all dead, all dead. They destroyed our island; how could I let them off?" Guanghong argued with bold justification, defending himself.

"Lingyun, what are your thoughts?" The God-Whale King suddenly called out by name.

"For the Mysterious Mechanism Pavilion to dare do this, they must be relying on powerful backing. In my opinion, we must step up our precautions. It is best that the stronghold leaders and generals do not leave the Sea-Covering Palace in the coming days. We do not know their next move; we can only wait and watch developments while maintaining high vigilance." Hua Lingyun's tone was brisk, yet it made the hearts of everyone present tremble.

Celestial Machine Master finally found an opportunity to speak and said in shock, "Does Fairy's meaning imply that Linhai will also face the same plight as Lihai? The last time Fairy and Lord Lu made a move, it was at the invitation of that scoundrel Le Zhengqing. Could this sneak attack on our Foundation Stone Island merely be a prelude? Just who is plotting against Linhai?"

Guanghong roared angrily, "It must be that old turtle! That undying old bastard! Having occupied such vast waters in Erhai, he is still not satisfied! He wants to invade our Sea-Covering Palace—not a chance!"

The people in the hall began to discuss animatedly. If this were truly the case, warfare was likely not far off. Although Erhai possessed vast forces, numerous troops, and a gathering of experts, if a massive war were to break out, they would not necessarily secure the upper hand. After all, the God-Whale King's reputation stood right here; he had not personally made a move for several centuries, and no one could say for certain what realm Yu Baili's cultivation had reached. On the other hand, although the Hawksbill King had lived the longest among the twelve demon kings, it was said his methods were not brilliant and he was not adept at combat. Comparing the two, the people of Linhai felt full of confidence, casting their gazes toward the God-Whale King on the throne, awaiting his final decision.

"Starting from today, all stronghold leaders and protectors are forbidden from leaving the Sea-Covering Palace. Misan, Shoushui, Qiuliang, the three of you are to mobilize ten thousand God-Whale Guards, three thousand Heaven-Patrolling Generals, and two hundred thousand naval soldiers to strictly guard these eighty thousand miles of sea territory. Without this King's personal written decree, no one is allowed to enter!"

King Yu finally made his resolute decision, but this order was completely unexpected to anyone. Would this not be an appearance of showing weakness and fear of bullies?

"Wang, I am willing to personally travel to Mysterious Mechanism Island to take the life of that Pavilion Master, without needing a single soldier!" After a momentary silence, Guanghong suddenly said in a deep voice.

"We are willing to follow Lord Guanghong!" Three other stronghold leaders stepped forward to petition.

"Hmm? This King has already issued his decree; you need not say more. Act according to my instructions! Left and right guards captains, arrange accommodations for the various stronghold leaders and commanders." King Yu's gaze pierced through the blue smoke, seeming to see right through everyone's thoughts. Wherever his gaze passed, everyone lowered their heads.

"Guanghong, Lingyun, Baitong, the three of you stay behind. The rest of you may withdraw." The God-Whale King waved his hand feebly and closed his eyes.

The stronghold leaders took their leave, and the three remaining protectors exchanged glances, unaware of what medicine was sold in King Yu's gourd.

"Tell me, why did they destroy our Foundation Stone Island?" King Yu descended from the throne, revealing a solemn expression.

"Foundation Stone Island is covered everywhere with our artifact-reforging cauldrons, serving as the foundation for manufacturing magic treasures. By doing this, they are definitely plotting to leave us without the means to sustain ourselves when a massive war breaks out in the future, rendering us unable to expand our forces." Guanghong cupped his fists, furrowing his brows as he cast occasional triumphant glances at Lingyun and Baitong.

"You have only guessed a small part of it." King Yu walked a few steps calmly, raised his head to let out a breath, and stretched out his hand in a gesture pointing across rivers and mountains, saying in a deep voice: "The Sea-Breeding Nine Palaces Cauldron was established on Foundation Stone Island entirely because the spiritual energy beneath it is abundant, ranking at the head of Linhai's primordial spiritual veins. Apart from this place, there is nowhere else capable of forging top-grade spiritual artifacts. Their destruction of our Foundation Stone Island is to sever the root of Linhai's magic treasures—that is the first reason. Secondly, the Sea-Breeding Cloud Chart gathers terrestrial spiritual veins into the nine cauldrons, which has long altered the direction of Linhai's primordial spiritual stone veins. Now that it is destroyed, within a year, our three primordial spiritual stone veins will completely shift, and we must re-survey them. As for the third reason, it is simply unfathomable. You might as well consider this: given Xibing's personality, he has actually gone into secluded hiding—is that not strange? The mountain rain is coming, and the wind is sweeping through the tower. Among the four seas, who is the next? This King? Old Hawksbill? Or Zuimo?"