Chapter 117: Secret Collusion in the Shadows

Qin Ming pondered for a moment. His Moonwatch Island lay far to the extreme north, and under ordinary circumstances, news reached him only through Wu Jiang’s deliveries. Yet now, such a momentous event had unfolded. He wondered whether it might affect his Moonwatch Island. Deciding to understand the situation firsthand, Qin Ming resolved to go in person.

“Then let’s go,” he said.

With that, Qin Ming and Wu Jiang mounted their flying magical devices and set off toward the scattered alliance of the Seventy-Two Islands.

Several hours later, the two arrived at Phoenix Perch Island, the seat of the alliance. This spiritual island lay at the very center of the Lingqi Archipelago, its area five or six times larger than Moonwatch Island. Moreover, the island was blessed with a second-tier superior spiritual vein.

As Qin Ming and Wu Jiang approached the nearby airspace, they saw many cultivators hurriedly maneuvering various magical devices, darting past them. Numerous magic boats belonging to spiritual island families were moored nearby. It was clear the massacre had caused a significant stir within the Lingqi Archipelago’s cultivation community. Almost every spiritual island family able to come had done so.

They landed near the outskirts of Phoenix Perch Island, queuing to present their invitations for inspection.

Just then, several young cultivators clad in the Yu family’s attire from Azuregreen Island approached. Among them was a lean young man at the ninth level of Qi Refining, who mockingly jeered at Qin Ming and Wu Jiang, “Well, if it isn’t Master Wu, the great spiritual agriculturist! Heard you slunk back from Yunze Wilderness empty-handed and then hid away somewhere to learn farming.”

“Ha ha ha!”

Wu Jiang’s face darkened upon seeing them. “Yu Tao, don’t overstep!”

“What’s wrong? Can’t even exchange a few words anymore? If you really can’t farm, why not come learn to catch spirit fish at my place?”

Yu Tao glanced casually at Qin Ming before him and pointed, “So this is the one teaching you farming? Doesn’t look too promising.”

“Ah, no future at all!”

With a shake of his head, he led his group inside.

Wu Jiang clenched his teeth, grinding them audibly as he watched them leave. Qin Ming paid little mind to these petty clowns and calmly asked, “Does the Yu family of Azuregreen Island have any connection to you?”

“Yes, our island neighbors Azuregreen Island, so there are occasional minor disputes, but we've always maintained peaceful relations,” Wu Jiang nodded honestly. “But recently, the Yu family patriarch, Yu Wanhé, who had been at the peak of Qi Refining for over ten years, somehow obtained a Foundation Establishment pill and broke through to that realm. Ever since, the Yu family has grown arrogant and aggressive, targeting surrounding spiritual islands.”

Qin Ming nodded thoughtfully at this news.

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Half an incense stick later, Qin Ming and Wu Jiang entered the alliance’s designated meeting hall. Inside a vast chamber, the space was already crowded with people. Only spiritual island leaders who had received invitations were permitted to sit; other scattered cultivators stood at the back, merely listening without participating.

Soon, over a hundred representatives from various Qi Refining families across the Lingqi Archipelago had gathered. The highest cultivation among them was peak Qi Refining. Possibly shaken by the massacre, they whispered anxiously, each feeling threatened.

“Alas, the Lin family of Kongtong Island suffered terribly. I heard the night of the incident, they were holding a birthday banquet for the elder.”

“Even those family members on missions far away returned, yet none survived.”

“I heard from a witness at a distance that this massacre was the work of a vicious group of rogue cultivators.”

“Rumor has it, there was even a Foundation Establishment realm rogue among them.”

“What? Could they still be here?”

“Sigh, I fear that is indeed the case.”

Qin Ming gleaned the general outline of the incident from the murmurs.

Not long after, several cultivators entered from outside, led by an elder in his fifties. Yu Tao, who had mocked Wu Jiang earlier, respectfully followed behind, along with Yu Pinghai, who had previously fled from Qin Ming near Dragon Scale Island.

“That man is Yu Wanhé, Island Lord of Azuregreen Island,” Wu Jiang whispered to Qin Ming.

At that moment, Yu Pinghai spotted Qin Ming in the crowd. Their eyes met briefly; his gaze was cold and fierce. He hurried forward and whispered something to Yu Wanhé, who then fixed his eyes on Qin Ming for a moment before taking a seat in the front-center.

Once most had arrived, three Foundation Establishment cultivators entered from the left aisle, sitting in the front seats. They were the alliance’s three principal leaders, including Vice Leader Li Yuanqing.

On the right sat a frail old woman at the early Foundation Establishment stage.

In the center was a square-faced middle-aged cultivator exuding mid Foundation Establishment power—none other than Huo Qianqiu, the alliance’s chief leader.

As the three approached, a heavy spiritual pressure swept through the hall. The gathered cultivators immediately ceased their chatter, wary of speaking out of turn.

Huo Qianqiu’s sharp gaze slowly swept the room before he spoke solemnly: “I believe everyone is aware of last night’s incident.”

“I can confirm that the destruction of the Lin family on Kongtong Island and the Tian family on Yushui Island is not as simple as you might imagine.”

“Now, our alliance intends to unite all spiritual islands present here to cooperate in a thorough investigation and to defend against external threats.”

At this, a cultivator in the front row raised his hand. After Huo Qianqiu’s nod, he asked, “Senior Huo, could you disclose the origins of this incident?”

“Although we do not yet have sufficient evidence, current intelligence suggests that the rogue cultivator massacre was orchestrated by the Zhao family, one of the seven great powers,” Huo Qianqiu said gravely.

At once, the hall erupted in uproar.

“What?! The Zhao family ordered the rogue cultivators!”

Many Qi Refining families and scattered cultivators never imagined such a ruthless group would be backed by the Zhao family.

“Alliance Leader Huo, allow me to speak,” said Yu Wanhé from the center front. “Your claim seems exaggerated. After all, this is only speculation from your alliance without concrete proof.”

“Perhaps those rogues only targeted those two islands and have already left.”

Huo Qianqiu frowned, his gaze fixed on Yu Wanhé, surprised by his dissent.

Others in the hall found Yu Wanhé’s words somewhat reasonable.

“Haha, if the Yu Island Lord wishes not to join the alliance, he may leave. We do not compel anyone,” Huo Qianqiu said coldly.

Yu Wanhé responded with a forced smile, “Alliance Leader Huo, you jest. I was merely asking. Since we all agree to stand united, Azuregreen Island will join as well.”

Huo Qianqiu’s expression softened at this.

“Those willing to join the Seventy-Two Islands Alliance may sign the spiritual contract.”

“For those unwilling, let me warn you now: if the rogue cultivators strike your island, don’t expect help,” the old woman beside him added solemnly.

Trays bearing spiritual contracts were then distributed.

When it was Qin Ming’s turn, he looked up to see the burly middle-aged man who had accompanied Li Yuanqing to recruit him on Moonwatch Island presenting the tray.

Most families, pressured by the rogue threat and seeing their peers sign, quickly sealed their contracts and joined the alliance.

Almost no Qi Refining family present left without signing.

Qin Ming casually glanced at the contract. Its clauses were numerous and burdensome, and it required them to obey the alliance’s summons at any time.

His interest immediately waned.

“Zhao family’s doing?”

“Or perhaps it’s the alliance pulling the strings as well?”

Qin Ming stood and stated bluntly, “Moonwatch Island has no intention of joining the alliance. I take my leave.”

At once, all eyes in the hall turned to him.