502 A Difference in Opinion (1/2)
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.