Volume One: The Youth Enters the World Chapter Ninety-Four: Reunion

Over the sea, the spirit vessel raced forward at full speed. In order to rendezvous with the people from the other two islands, it pushed on as swiftly as it could. There was also not much time left before the Hundred Islands Assembly began. Although the head of Clear Stream Sect and Fu Cang had considered dealing with the pirates after the assembly, they also knew that if they did not seize the chance now and eliminate them, then once the pirates learned the news and fled their island, the opportunity would surely be lost.

Before the incident, they had not been without thoughts of removing this band of pirates. Yet every time, the pirates had slaughtered everyone aboard the spirit vessel, leaving no survivors and no clue as to where their lair might be. Worse still, the pirates seemed able to learn the news in advance. Whenever a spirit vessel from an island set out to sea, if there was no expert of sufficient strength on board, they could always swallow it whole with uncanny precision. Thus, in many cases, whenever the islands sent ships out to trade, they would appoint a cultivator of no less than the eighth rank to oversee them.

The spirit vessel that had suffered disaster from Clear Stream Sect had in fact carried someone of the eighth rank, and yet the pirate could still not be defeated.

One could only blame them for not paying enough attention. The pirate ambushes had only happened occasionally before, so they had not thought to eradicate the threat, choosing instead to take precautions. But now it seemed that precautions were useless. Given time, those pirates might even strike directly at the islands themselves.

The leaders of Green Wood Island, Blazing Fire Island, and Ice Spirit Island had likewise sensed the danger. That was why, when Clear Stream Sect proposed a purge of the pirates, none of them objected. Instead, their opinions aligned with astonishing unanimity.

They believed that this band of pirates was becoming increasingly formidable. If they were not dealt with soon, then by the time the pirates had fully grown in power, the calamity they would bring would be endless.

The spirit vessel continued on. Fu Cang told everyone that the uninhabited island where the three islands would meet was still about three days away, and instructed them to rest whenever they could, making preservation of strength the priority before reaching the pirates' lair.

He then related further information learned from the surviving disciples. Everyone listened with rapt attention, for these details might well concern their very lives, and it was best to remember them carefully.

After hearing it all, Fang Tian learned where the pirates' stronghold was located. It turned out that the island occupied by those pirates lay even farther north than the three islands. The island was called Goldstone Island. According to Fu Cang, it had once been a mine in ancient times, but as the excavation continued, the ore on the island was entirely exhausted. Later, the people living there had no choice but to leave in order to survive, taking spirit vessels to other places.

Using their ample wealth, they transported people in wave after wave by spirit vessel, and in the end established themselves on another island, where they continued to live.

And the island they had migrated from was, to Fang Tian's surprise, Ice Spirit Island.

Goldstone Island had once belonged to the Zhao imperial dynasty. No wonder Ice Spirit Island was filled with cities and teeming with people; it turned out that the Zhao imperial dynasty had possessed such enormous wealth that it created that prosperous scene.

He had been on Green Wood Island for some time, yet he had not found any town that could compare with those on Ice Spirit Island. At first he had wondered why the difference between island and island could be so stark. Now, hearing Fu Cang's explanation, everything became clear.

Thinking again of the ice crystal stones on Ice Spirit Island, Fang Tian could not help but marvel that the Zhao imperial dynasty seemed to find mineral deposits waiting for them wherever they went. Could it be that they possessed some sort of treasure-seeking art? If not, then one could only say their luck was too extraordinary.

After a brief sigh, Fang Tian knew there was nothing he could do for the moment. He closed his eyes and feigned rest while, in truth, using his consciousness to discuss matters of cultivation with Elder Tian. Compared with speaking to others, he preferred exchanging insights with Tian about the path of cultivation. Coincidentally, he had recently had many unresolved questions in his heart regarding cultivation, and through this chance he could slowly sort them out.

Some people on the spirit vessel were talking, while others, like Fang Tian, sat with eyes closed in quiet recuperation. In this manner, the vessel sailed on for three days.

Three days later, they arrived at the uninhabited island. Everyone stood up to loosen their limbs and awaited Fu Cang's arrangements.

Fu Cang stepped forward and said to everyone, "After you disembark, find a place to settle for the night, and also check whether anyone from the other islands is nearby."

With that, the group descended from the spirit vessel in an orderly fashion and began scouting the surroundings. Fang Tian was no exception, following the crowd toward the center of the island.

The island was small, and the group quickly searched through it entirely. They also found an excellent place to spend the night. Since the people from the other islands had not yet arrived, they would certainly have to pass the night here.

At the highest point in the middle of the island stood a large natural stone platform. Fu Cang thought it was a good place, one from which the whole circumference of the island could be seen even from afar, with an exceptionally broad field of vision. He then looked up at the sky full of stars and confirmed that rain was unlikely.

He summoned everyone to gather there. When all had arrived, he made further arrangements, placing most of the Clear Stream Sect disciples there, while only a very small number were left to guard the spirit vessel.

In all, Fu Cang's arrangements were cautious and prudent, for no one knew whether anything else might happen. After assigning everything he could think of, he led the others to wait on the island for the arrival of the remaining islands.

He had those with spatial treasures take out food and distribute it to everyone.

By evening, the people from the other islands still had not arrived. Fu Cang ordered everyone to light a fire for illumination.

At that moment, someone seemed to grow puzzled by the delay and asked Fu Cang, "Uncle-master Fu Cang, what is going on with the other two islands? By this hour, they should not be so far away, should they?"

"Perhaps something delayed them on the way. Do not be anxious. Just wait patiently."

"All right."

A long while passed, and it was already deep night. Just as the resting crowd was dozing, they were suddenly roused by a disciple on night watch, who shouted, "They've come! They've arrived!"

Everyone sprang to their feet and looked toward the beach not far away. Several spirit vessels were approaching slowly, their lanterns blazing brightly. Seeing figures descending one after another from the ships, Fu Cang knew that they had arrived, and he brought several disciples forward to welcome them.

The remaining disciples stood up and watched.

Fang Tian also looked toward the shore. The spirit vessels seemed strangely familiar to him, as if they were the very ones he had used when sailing out from Ice Spirit Island.

They were simply too far away to tell whether anyone he knew was aboard, but he would know once they came ashore.

When they did, he intended to avoid them if possible. He absolutely could not let anything slip, lest they notice something amiss.

Last time he had concealed himself so well, and still they had discovered him. If they were to see through him again this time, things would be terribly troublesome.

After about fifteen minutes, Fu Cang led a group of people to the open stone platform and said to the Clear Stream Sect disciples, "Allow me to introduce everyone. Standing beside me are the master of Blazing Fire Island, Lord Huo Chen, and the Grand Elder of the Enforcement Hall of the Zhao Imperial Dynasty. Come forward and pay your respects."

All the Clear Stream Sect disciples stood up; Fang Tian naturally did the same, cupping his fists and saying in unison, "Greetings, Island Lord. Greetings, Grand Elder."

The Grand Elder and Lord Huo Chen nodded, indicating that Fu Cang need not be so courteous.

Fu Cang raised a hand for the Clear Stream Sect disciples to sit, then arranged a patch of open ground for the group and had them sit to rest.

Seeing that they merely sat to rest and did not speak much, Fang Tian surmised that Fu Cang had already discussed the extermination plan with them during the journey. Now everyone was simply waiting for dawn before setting out.

Fang Tian leaned back slightly. He had not expected Ice Spirit Island to send the Grand Elder of the Enforcement Hall this time. Beside that Grand Elder stood several young people, among them the familiar Wu Jie, the Third Prince, and also Ying Tianwu, the lord of Wufeng City.

This surprised him somewhat. To encounter so many acquaintances at once was one thing, but the crucial point was that his appearance could easily be recognized by them. Though Fang Tian was not afraid of trouble, he was wary of those people making a scene and preventing him from participating in the Hundred Islands Assembly.

Fortunately, there were so many people here that they would not easily notice him for the moment. As long as he was careful, that would be enough.

Fang Tian shifted backward a little, but in his carelessness he stepped on Mu Qiaoqiao behind him. Enraged, Mu Qiaoqiao blurted out loudly, "Ah! What are you doing?"

This was bad. Mu Qiaoqiao had just caused a major disaster.

"Shh..."

"Shh what? Fang Tian, you stepped on me, do you know that?"

"Why are you shouting so loudly? Are you afraid people won't hear you?"

"You stepped on me and still won't let me say anything? I've never seen anyone like you."

"Fine, fine, how about I apologize to you, all right?"

"What? Do you have some shameful secret or something?"

"Ah, you've really ruined me with that one shout." Fang Tian sighed, thinking that now he truly could not hide even if he wanted to. How had he been so careless as to step on Mu Qiaoqiao? It was maddening.

"After stepping on me, you're still acting so domineering. You've truly opened my eyes."

Mu Qiaoqiao crossed her arms, emphasizing her figure, while puffing out her cheeks as if she were genuinely angry.

"All right, all right, it was my fault. I apologize to you," Fang Tian said softly.

"That is more like it." Mu Qiaoqiao looked pleased by his concession.

Fang Tian shook his head and sat down beside her, his mind already preparing for what might come next.

He had originally intended to lie low without drawing attention, but now Mu Qiaoqiao's shout had broadcast everything. The people from Ice Spirit Island would certainly know who he was now.

As expected, Ying Tianwu, who sat behind the Grand Elder, thought for a moment and then looked at Fang Tian's face. He was instantly shocked, thinking that this was the person who had killed his subordinate and was wanted by him. Why would he be here?

He leaned close to the Grand Elder's ear and whispered a few words. The Grand Elder's eyes widened, and in an instant he thought of who Fang Tian was.

So Fang Tian was Tian Yu, and Tian Yu was Fang Tian.

Although he had guessed that Fang Tian was somewhere in Clear Stream Sect, he had never imagined that this boy would mix himself into the extermination force. It was too coincidental, so coincidental that it sent a chill through him.

The Grand Elder slowly rose to his feet and said in a measured voice, "Long time no see, Fang Tian. No, that is not right. It should be Tian Yu."

Fang Tian knew that what was coming had finally come, and could only stand and say, "Greetings, Grand Elder."