A World Worth Protecting

The Green Fire Island was located northwest of the main Vast Expanse Dao Palace island. It was surrounded by seven to eight smaller islands and could be considered a greater island in the region. A spirit meridian rested within the island. In addition, it produced Green Fire Grass. That was why it counted itself as one of the top twenty out of hundreds of outer islands belonging to the Vast Expanse Dao Palace.

The top ten islands were run by the Vast Expanse Dao Palace’s Nascent Soul realm cultivators. The remaining islands, like the Green Fire Island, were mostly run by the three Elders as well as disciples of Nascent Soul realm cultivators. None would easily allow others to intrude into their territories.

This was why when Feng Qiuran proposed to allow Wang Baole monopoly over the Green Fire Island resources, that her proposal had been met with Mie Liezi’s vehement opposition. They finally came to a compromise to allow Wang Baole and Liang Long to share the island.

No one openly disclosed their intentions, but both Mie Liezi and Feng Qiuran intended for the two to battle it out. Mie Liezi was confident of his disciple’s skills. Once Liang Long obtained the high ground and overpowered Wang Baole, it would serve as an advantage to Mie Liezi’s plans in fighting against Feng Qiuran in the future.

Similarly, Feng Qiuran wanted fervently for the Federation’s disciples, especially Wang Baole, to showcase their abilities. This would ease the pressure on herself and boost the confidence of the members in her faction. In the past few days, the situation had taken a turn. Those in her faction who seemed to follow her orders without protest were beginning to have secret doubts.

Wang Baole might not understand the details of the conflict between the two, but he had read the high officials’ autobiographies since he was a child. Having experienced the Federation administration and its internal political conflicts and infighting, he was hardly a stranger to such tensions. After some careful contemplation, he was able to see what was going on as well.

He didn’t display any strange behavior during the journey. He followed the Foreign Affairs Pavilion’s Pavilion Head in front of him and sped through the heavens. This was Wang Baole’s first time leaving the main Vast Expanse Dao Palace island. Waves of heat surged in his face as he traveled. The lands were boiling molten lava. There were occasional eruptions of flames, like waves splashing, that both alarmed and terrified. The dark maroon skies and the multitudes of islands cast a strange light in Wang Baole’s eyes as he gazed upon them.

It was clear that this was an extremely hostile environment. It was drastically different from the Federation. If not for the rich Spirit Qi, Wang Baole would have thought this place to be the hell that was depicted in the legends of Earth.

Liang Long threw a glance at Wang Baole. His eyes once again showed his open condescension and contempt, and he snorted. He eyed the head of the Foreign Affairs Pavilion in front of them and decided not to openly mock Wang Baole. However, he had already made up his mind. Once they landed on the island, and after the members of the Foreign Affairs Pavilion left, he would teach this lowly creature a good lesson. The title of cultivator was not something anyone could have!

The thought of losing never even crossed his mind. The resources and techniques he possessed gave him full confidence. Most importantly, he had advanced from the early-stage to the mid-stage Core Formation realm a few days ago.

It’s not possible to kill this lowly creature, but I should be able to break his limbs, render his cultivation useless, and maim him completely! At that thought, a cold light began to burn in Liang Long’s eyes.

Wang Baole glanced at Liang Long. He snorted inwardly as well. The head of the Foreign Affairs Pavilion in front of the pair was naturally aware of the tensions between the two, but he could not be bothered with them. He quickened his pace, and they dashed through the heavens and finally reached their destination after an hour.

Before them, in the vast ocean of fire, was a large island. It was one-tenth of the size of the Martian special regional city. The land was black, and almost half of the island was covered in purple grass.

The island had three mountain peaks. The middle was the tallest, like a sharp blade that pierced the heavens. The peaks on its left and right were its secondary peaks that protected it on both sides.

Even before they drew near, Wang Baole could immediately sense the immensely rich Spirit Qi exuding from the island. The intensity of the Spirit Qi was almost as strong as that of the main Vast Expanse Dao Palace island.

They approached the island. There was a public square on the middle peak on Green Fire Island. A dozen or so cultivators awaited there respectfully. Amongst them were five Foundation Establishment realm cultivators, while the rest were at the True Breath realm. They appeared to have waited for quite some time. They were cultivators from the Vast Expanse Dao Palace who were training on this island.

Amongst them was a middle-aged man with a mustache. His cultivation was at the perfected Foundation Establishment realm. He was clearly the leader of the group. When he saw Wang Baole and the others in the sky, he hurriedly took a few steps forward and extended a bow heavenward.

“Disciple Zhou Biao greets Pavilion Head Li!”

The other cultivators hastily extended their greetings after he had spoken. Their voices rang out. The head of the Foreign Affairs Pavilion led Wang Baole and Liang Long forward and landed in the public square before everyone.

He ignored Zhou Biao. He turned and looked at Wang Baole and Liang Long, then said coolly.

“This is Green Fire Island. From now on, the two of you are the Island Lords of this island. You are both equal in rank and status!”

“Alright. I’m only responsible for bringing you here. I won’t get involved in other matters. Farewell!” The head of the Foreign Affairs Pavilion seemed unwilling to stay a moment longer. He turned and transformed into a rainbow, dashing off into the distance in an instant.

As soon as he departed, Zhou Biao and the other cultivators’ eyes flashed and swept across Wang Baole and Liang Long. It was at that same moment that Liang Long turned around suddenly. His eyes were filled with murder as he stared at Wang Baole.

“Lowly…”

“Lowly your ass!” Wang Baole didn’t give Liang Long a chance to finish what he was saying. He yelled and, with a sudden burst of speed, appeared before Liang Long, leaving an afterimage of himself where he had stood originally. He raised his right hand and drove it forward in a punch!

It was Supernova!

Powered by a Core Formation realm cultivation, his Supernova unleashed a power that surpassed what he had unleashed previously. His punch landed with the force of an avalanche. The skies thundered, and bolts of lightning appeared around Wang Baole. They surged outwards and transformed the surrounding area into a pool of lightning.

Everything happened too quickly. Shock and alarm flashed across Liang Long’s face. He had intended to say a few words before striking. He hadn’t expected Wang Baole to be so decisive. He hurriedly raised his right hand and waved it before him, a mid-stage Core Formation realm cultivation erupting from his body, transforming into a hurricane that attempted to stop Wang Baole.

A moment had barely passed since he had swallowed the rest of his taunting words and hastily countered Wang Baole’s attack. Wang Baole’s fish landed on Liang Long’s defensive hurricane, and a thunderous boom shook the skies. Alarm colored Liang Long’s face. He seemed shocked and incredulous and felt as if he was being crushed by a mountain. His body shook violently as his organs felt like they were being crushed. The hurricane he had summoned as defense seemed unable to withstand the force of Wang Baole’s attack. It twisted and warped, and appeared on the verge of collapse. He was forced to stumble backward and retreat.

What kind of physical body does he have? He’s so strong!

The backlash from their collision swept outwards like a mindless tornado. Zhou Biao and the others gasped and retreated hurriedly.

They had originally rooted for Liang Long. Wang Baole, after all, was an outsider. At that moment, however, the ferocity that Wang Baole had unleashed was enough to make them question their decision. It seemed that… the law of the strongest prevailed no matter where one was!

The head of the Foreign Affairs Pavilion hadn’t gone far. He paused in mid-air, lowering his head and glancing below. He didn’t attempt to stop the fight, but simply picked up his pace and left.

The fight hadn’t ended. Just as Liang Long stumbled back clumsily, Wang Baole twisted his neck to the left. A loud cracking sound rang out. With a stomp of his right foot, he dashed out. A large megaphone appeared in his right hand as he flipped his hand over, and a fierce grin split his face wide. He charged towards the shocked Liang Long, yelling.

“I’ve wanted to kick your ass since that day in the Heavenly Questions Hall!”

The augmented power of a seventh-grade Dharmic Armament megaphone was mind-blowing. It transformed Wang Baole’s words into aural shock waves, so loud they were like the thunderous roars of a god. The force of the aural attack sent the Sea of Fire around the island erupting outwards. Zhou Biao and the others almost went deaf as their eardrums shook violently. Blood spilled from their mouths.

One could imagine the fate that Liang Long, who faced the attack head-on, suffered. Terror colored his face. He felt reality distorting as the aural shock waves traveled through the air. A force that shook the heavens and earth, that struck terror deep into his heart, was surging towards him with an intensity and power that threatened to level mountains and part oceans!

At that exact moment when the aural shock wave exploded, Wang Baole formed a series of hand seals with his left hand. Bolts of lightning shot towards Liang Long. Wang Baole’s right leg shot upwards with stunning speed, ripping through the air and igniting a series of aural explosions. Its target… between Liang Long’s legs!