Tianya Island, inside the Council Hall, a somber and oppressive atmosphere filled the air.

The two Island Masters of Tianya and Mingyue sat deep within the hall, facing the crowd.

On the eastern and western sides of the hall were two rows of seats, where a group of restless Sea Realm Island Masters sat, constantly discussing something.

At this moment, it had been several minutes since Xue Fengchen of the Ran Sect began his breakthrough, and a large part of Mist Rain Lake was now shrouded in white mist.

The central area of the lake, where Tianya Island stood, was also enveloped in a faint fog.

"Island Master Tianya!" A middle-aged woman with long hair pinned high on her head wore a worried expression. "The Divine Power here is so intense. Is someone from the Ran Sect trying to break through the Great Realm?

If this continues, we may be misunderstood, and those dogs from Thunder Mountain might attack our Thousand Boat Alliance ahead of time!"

"Second Flower Island Master is correct." Another middle-aged woman stood up from her seat. "We haven't even prepared for war yet."

The two middle-aged women who spoke were Island Masters from the Chenghua Sect.

The names of the seven islands of Chenghua were easy to remember, as they were simply numbered from One Flower to Seven Flower.

The noble temperament and elegant demeanor of these two Island Masters, coupled with their worried appearances, made them particularly endearing.

"Indeed."

"Is war really inevitable now?" A murmur of discussion echoed from below the hall.

Island Master Tianya pondered for a moment, looking at the two women. "Second Flower Island Master and Fifth Flower Island Master, what do you propose?"

The Second Flower Island Master opened her mouth but held back.

The Fifth Flower Island Master, however, spoke up. "The Ran Sect is powerful; they can break through anywhere. Doing so here might actually cause disturbances.

If they leave, it would surely ensure a smooth breakthrough and wouldn't bring disaster upon our Thousand Boat Alliance..."

"Heh." A cold sneer suddenly echoed.

The Fifth Flower Island Master's expression darkened as she turned her head. "Red Lotus Island Master, do you have any insights?"

Unlike the Chenghua Sect, the seven Sword Lotus islands were named after colors.

This particular Red Lotus Island Master, dressed in a bright red robe, was Pei Hong, the Island Master who had once been saved by the Ran Sect.

He cast a sharp glare at the noble and untouchable middle-aged woman, speaking with undisguised hostility:

"Fifth Flower Island Master, what a clever scheme you've devised!"

"What do you mean, Red Lotus Island Master?" The Fifth Flower Island Master's tone turned cold as she interrogated him.

Pei Hong's expression was equally stern. "Master Lu helped us selflessly and without asking for anything in return! When the Ran Sect stationed themselves on the islands and protected us, you had no complaints.

Now, when one of them is advancing and needs protection, you jump out to demand they leave?"

"How dare you!" The Fifth Flower Island Master's delicate brows furrowed as she snapped back. "Don't slander me! Is that what I meant?

Allowing the Ran Sect to relocate for their breakthrough would actually be to their advantage!

There's no need for them to endure Thunder Mountain's interference here!"

"You..." Pei Hong pointed at the Fifth Flower Island Master, but before he could say more, a woman beside him intervened.

"Red Lotus, please hold your tongue," the woman urged, pressing down Pei Hong's arm.

Pei Hong stared in disbelief at the Blue Lotus Island Master from his own sect. "You... you think the same way?"

The Blue Lotus Island Master's gaze flickered as she smiled to ease the situation. "The situation is urgent. The Thousand Boat Alliance could face an enemy invasion at any moment. Everyone, please speak calmly and avoid conflict."

Pei Hong: ???

Listen carefully, discern the implications.

The woman's words sounded flawless when taken at face value.

However, at this critical moment, saying such things and stopping Pei Hong...

Most people could understand her true intent.

"You... unreasonable!" Pei Hong flung his sleeve violently, shaking off the woman's hand.

The hall fell into a brief silence.

The Fifth Flower Island Master broke the quiet, this time with sharper words. "Our forces are limited; we should remain at full strength to protect Alliance Leader Yun Qianzhou!

If we wear ourselves out here, what will we do once the Alliance Leader ascends the Heavenly Realm?"

"Hmm... Indeed."

"That does make sense."

"Although it doesn't sound good, having the Ran Sect breakthrough elsewhere does seem like a mutually beneficial solution."

On the main seat, Tianya and Mingyue silently listened, exchanging a glance.

The Sky Phoenix Sect members were generally kindhearted.

The two had followed Alliance Leader Yun Qianzhou for many years, being chosen as his trusted aides due to their compatible natures.

From the bottom of their hearts, they were reluctant to drive out the Ran Sect.

"Whether we stick our necks out or pull them back, the knife still falls, doesn't it?" A clear female voice suddenly rang out.

The lively tone of a young woman froze the hall.

Everyone turned to see a stunning young woman, seemingly twenty-six or twenty-seven years old.

She wore a pale yellow gown, her hair styled in an intricate ancient updo, looking as if she had stepped out of a classical painting.

In a group dominated by middle-aged and elderly Island Masters, a woman under thirty naturally stood out.

The Fifth Flower Island Master felt irritation rise within her. "Third Flower, what do you mean by this?"

In the Sword Lotus Sect, there was a Blue Lotus Island Master who sided with outsiders.

Now, was there one in her Chenghua Sect as well?

The Third Flower Island Master, with her charming peach blossom eyes, gently glanced at the Fifth Flower Island Master, smiling. "Thunder Mountain is bound to attack eventually, isn't it?

What difference does it make whether we fight now or later?"

The Fifth Flower Island Master frowned. "The more time we have, the better prepared we'll be! Besides..."

She paused, hesitating briefly before continuing. "Besides, the Ran Sect can gradually weaken Thunder Mountain's forces!

The later this war begins, the better."

The Third Flower Island Master laughed, her peach blossom eyes glinting mischievously:

"So, Sister acknowledges that the Ran Sect is whittling down Thunder Mountain's strength?"

Such a tone immediately darkened the Fifth Flower Island Master's expression.

The Third Flower Island Master elegantly crossed her legs, playfully kicking at her pale yellow skirt's hem with her embroidered cloth shoes.

"The Ran Sect first annihilated Lingfeng Hall, then Tiger Whisker Hall—accomplishments hard to overlook.

Master Lu, ever magnanimous, even invited the Great Powers from Wuji Peak to jointly safeguard the islands against our enemies.

And now, Sister wants to drive the Ran Sect away? Isn't that a bit too heartless?"

"Heh." A hoarse laugh disrupted the tension, prompting everyone to turn.

The aged and frail Withered Lotus Island Master stood on unsteady legs with the aid of a cane, her murky eyes sweeping across the crowd. "Island Masters, don't overestimate Master Lu's patience.

And don't take Lu Tianjiao's unwavering assistance for granted.

If he can destroy Lingfeng Hall, and Tiger Whisker Hall...

He can also take down the islands of our Thousand Boat Alliance, one by one."

The hoarse declaration plunged the hall into an eerie silence.

With a gathering of a hundred people, one finds all kinds of characters.

Not everyone understands gratitude.

Those who overstep boundaries are even more commonplace.

Lu Ran's presence within the Thousand Boat Alliance had indeed taken on a somewhat "saintly" connotation.

He seemed to demand nothing in return?

Upon hearing of the Thousand Boat Alliance's difficulties, he immediately offered his full support!

He directly contacted Wuji Peak and, for the Alliance's safety, led his Ran Sect soldiers in repeated life-and-death struggles against Thunder Mountain.

In the brutal Holy Spirit Mountain, someone like him... well.

The crowd could only attribute it to Lu Ran being a "genius of Da Xia," possessing a strong sense of purpose and responsibility.

Or perhaps, they considered, he sought to curry favor with Alliance Leader Yun Qianzhou at the cost of offending Thunder Mountain?

But the Withered Lotus Island Master's words served as a wake-up call for some: Lu Ran may be an ally, but he is also an exceedingly dangerous entity!

He was young and amiable, but could Master Lu truly be so easily manipulated?

Do you think that's possible?

Do you dare to try?

Treating him as someone who comes when called and leaves when shooed?

If you attempt such arrogance, you had better seriously consider the consequences!

"Ahem." The Grey Lotus Island Master, leader of the Seven Islands of Bi He, stood up. "The Ran Sect gaining another Sea Realm Great Power benefits us greatly.

The individual in question has already begun their breakthrough and entered the body-nourishment stage. Forcing a relocation now would risk undoing all their efforts!

Island Masters, would you truly want to lose such an ally, or bear the wrath of the Ran Sect?"

The resounding words were met with continued silence in the hall.

"Indeed," the Wind Lotus Island Master spoke from her seat, her gentle eyes gazing softly at the two leaders. "If Alliance Leader Yun were here, he wouldn't permit us to drive away our benefactors."

"That's right!"

"Absolutely." The Golden Lotus Island Master and Rain Lotus Island Master chimed in.

Compared to the Sword Lotus Sect or the Chenghua Sect, the Bi He Sect was clearly more united.

"Very well." Finally, the Tianya Island Master broke the silence. "We will adhere to our original defense plan. All islands will coordinate with one another, protecting the Ran Sect as we would protect Alliance Leader Yun!"

"Island Master Tianya..."

"This matter is decided; there will be no further discussion!" The Tianya Island Master's firm gesture left no room for dissent. "Thunder Mountain will inevitably clash with us. Dispel any illusions of avoidance.

This is a battle for survival; it might as well begin now!"

"Hmph." The Fifth Flower Island Master snorted internally, sitting back in her chair.

"Hehe~" A charming laugh suddenly rang out.

The Fifth Flower Island Master's anger flared. For someone of her status as a Sea Realm Great Power, being publicly contradicted was infuriating enough.

Now someone dared to mock her?

She turned her head, and, as expected, it was that little vixen!

Always dressing flamboyantly, constantly switching hairstyles and accessories.

And those bewitching peach blossom eyes—how many men's souls had they stolen?

The Third Flower Island Master's mischievous eyes winked playfully, her gaze lingering on the flustered middle-aged woman. She chuckled:

"Fifth Flower Sister, you must be careful to maintain good relations with everyone~"

The Fifth Flower Island Master's face turned stony.

The Third Flower Island Master stifled another laugh, her tone teasing: "If your suggestion today reaches Master Lu's ears..."

The Fifth Flower Island Master's expression froze in an instant!

Indeed, she was a Sea Realm Great Power, capable of dominating life and death at her realm's rank. Most people on Thousand Boat Island had no choice but to kneel before her authority.

But ever since Lu Ran's arrival at the Alliance, how few Sea Realm Great Powers had he killed?

And the ones he had slain were all disciples under the Second-class God·Dong Ting Sect!

The Divine Masters of the Chenghua Sect followed the Third-class God, a supporter of defensive and auxiliary techniques...

"Send for Hall Master He and Master Lu to meet us on the island," the Tianya Island Master ordered decisively, ignoring the ongoing bickering. "Each faction leave behind one representative while the rest return to their islands immediately and enter high alert mode!"

"Understood!"

"Understood..."

...

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.