Divine Brilliance

West of Donglin Cloud Continent, roughly 700 miles away from Rainbow City, in the deep layer of the cloud ocean, many giant cloud whales were playing around within. Their bodies were all humongous. The smallest one was already a thousand feet long.

Pretty much each turn, each movement would cause the cloud to flip and the air to rumble.

Not far away from these cloud whales, a majestic ship, which was several times bigger than the body of the cloud whale, was silently docked.

This cloud ship was 5 thousand feet long, 300 feet tall, and had a total of 30 floors. On the left and right sides where there were windows, with many exquisitely crafted crossbow cannons. On it was many giant arrows waiting to fire at any moment.

At this moment, within a hall of this seven-tooth giant ship, a silver-haired middle-aged man smacked heavily on a table beside him. It caused the table, which was made up of expensive purple sandalwood, to instantly break into pieces and turn into dust!

Rage flashed in his eyes. He stared coldly forwards at a half-kneeling red-robed man, “repeat what you just said!”

If Zong Shou was here, he would be able to recognize that this person was the Lin Ji that he had met with a day ago.

At this moment, the people within the hall all had exceptional identities. The one seated at the elevated platform was the West Ocean Taoyun City City lord, Yue Guanyun. Beside him, one was Yunxia Monster king, Feng Nu and the other was Blazing Flame Monster king, Xiong Ba.

Although they sat at his sides, they were diagonally facing him. Similarly, both of them were sitting on thrones. Both of their faces were extremely cold too.

The entire hall was filled with a suppressive atmosphere.

“…3 days ago, I followed Ren Bo to meet the Gantian City lord. Just as I said for Gantian mountain to give up half a province of land, Zong Shou suddenly burst out and ordered people to rip off all our clothes and throw us out of Rainbow City. We tried to resist but we were captured by Zong Yuan. After being publicly humiliated, we were hung outside of the city. If we weren’t saved by the people supposed to escort us, we wouldn’t have been able to return.”

Lin Ji’s face was a patch of green and red, filled with bruises. He was embarrassed and furious, gritting his teeth. He spoke as if he wanted to skin Zong Shou alive. However, in front of Yue Guanyun and the other two Monster kings, he didn’t want to exaggerate the situation. Only in his words, it was filled with a desire to sour their relationship.

“Such shameful matters shouldn’t be said, it polluted my ears. But your identity at that time was as the Taoyun City ambassador was the respect of our city. To be humiliated by the Gantian City people… These people don’t think we are important!”

Yue Guanyun’s expression was dark, the rage in his eyes could nearly seep out from within. In the end, he gritted his teeth and coldly smiled, “Zong Shou, how bold! I gave him respect and he didn’t take it. He is the same as his dead father, impossible to have discussions with. Unfortunately, this kid isn’t half as skilled as Zong Weiran. He didn’t even think about whether or not he had the ability to be arrogant.”

He looked at Lin Ji who was looking ragged, and Lin Guanyun was furious. Then, his expression turned gentle, “Useless thing! Scream and go find a spirit master to treat your wounds.”

Lin Ji was instantly delighted but didn’t dare to let it show on his face. He bowed and hurried backed out of the door.

When Yue Guanyun saw that, he took in a deep breath, calming his heart down. He turned to the people watching silently at the side and asked, “Brother Feng! Brother Xiong! What do you two think?”

That Feng Nu was around 40, his body was slender and well-toned, similar to that of Feng Yu. When he heard that, his eyelids raised, and he scoffed coldly, “My Son died under the hands of purple lightning spear Zong Yuan. Unless Gantian Mountain is willing to hand him out and let me slice him into pieces, we will never be done with them!”

Xiong Ba smiled, “With no action at all for them to hand over half a province of land, even if it was us, we definitely wouldn’t agree. No wonder he wasn’t willing. This is also when their spirit is high after Zong Yuan used 3 thousand cavalry to break blazing flame and Yunxia mountain’s 400 thousand army at Ruohai Straits. All the more that Zong Shou wouldn’t allow it. This time, Brother Yue was just asking to be humiliated.”

Yue Guanyun also didn’t feel annoyed slightly nodding his head, “I didn’t think it through! I originally wanted to try to be polite and then send troops. Who knew Zong Shou would dare to be so rude. It seems like the only way is to first suppress this fire of Zong Shou and Gantian Mountain City before we can discuss any other matter…”

“This is the theory!”

Xiong Ba’s thick brows raised and he smiled, revealing extreme pride,” Based on what I know, not much beast crystals remain in the Gantian mountain treasury. As long as they return empty-handed this time, we can dry up their treasury. Even if Zong Shou earned a huge amount previously and used it to support Gantian Mountain to appease the people, it can’t stop the other subordinate to want to leave. Zong Weiran’s 10 years of work can collapse within a night!”

As he said that, this Xiong Ba’s tone changed. Although he was still smiling, his eyes were filled with unmeltable frost,” However the 2 of you better not underestimate this kid. He might not be able to cultivate, but looking at how he defends against enemies and also dealt with evil within, he is a really smart person. All of us know what kind of person Zong Shi is. Ling Fakong has fought with you and me several times. Although he lost more than he won, he is still first-rate in Donglin Cloud Continent. As for Zong Ming, Zong Hao, and Zong Shiyuan, normal people couldn’t even compare to them. They were all however either captured or killed in a night, all wiped out. Even sky fox Zong family Zong Zhen was forced into seclusion. We can see how strong that person is…”

The 2 other people in the hall sat silent, their faces extremely solemn.

Although they didn’t speak, they firmly believed in what Xiong Ba said.

Feng Nu slightly nodded his head, “There are too many rumors about that day and it is difficult to differentiate true from false. The 3 of our cities have placed so many ears and eyes there and they have all been wiped out. And also the various government decrees published were all great strategies, able to greatly increase Gantian mountain’s strength. This kid might be as they say, that he can’t cultivate. However, if we give him one or two more years, he might take control of Gantian Mountain and cause the people to all willingly serve him. However, because we know about that possibility, we will work together this time…”

His tone changed once more as he said respectfully, “No matter how smart that Zong Shou is, his ability beneath the cloud ocean isn’t 1/10000 of Brother Yue. I think at most Gantian mountain can gather 500 cloud ships, along with Xuan Mountain city. Their numbers won’t exceed a thousand. With the 3 of us joining hands, just ships alone we will exceed them by 3 times. With Brother Yue commanding, we will cause them to earn nothing and go home empty-handed.”

When Yue Guanyun heard that, he smiled in a conceited manner and didn’t act humble. His eyes shone,”I do have an idea. Since this Zong Shou doesn’t know what’s good for him why not we send messengers to ask their lackey subordinate cities. That out 3 cities are hunting together whether or not they will come with us! Follow them and eat nothing or follow us to hunt beasts.”

Xiong Ba and Feng Nu exchanged glances, their eyes showing a smile. Yue Guanyun’s words were exactly what they wanted to hear.

…

At the same time, in Rainbow City, 700 miles away. Zong Shou, who was seen as a strong enemy by Yue Guanyun and the other 2 had already caused Ren Bo to shake in fury.

After breaking through to earth chakra 3 meridians, the 1st thing Zong Shou did was to splash gold and beast crystals to buy numerous expensive items. He hired several merchants to decorate his sleeping palace lavishly. He also hired several spirit masters to give this small place hall a warm formation to make it such that the place was like summer all 4 Seasons, using 7-800 grade 4 beast crystals.

He even wanted to move a fake mountain on this giant ship to make a small garden. However, as time wasn’t enough and it was difficult to move which was why he stopped.

It made Ren Bo feel heart pained and his face turned ashen white. With this money, they could hire close to hundred xiantian masters, however, Zong Shou wasted it just like that.

No matter how he persuaded, Zong Shou treated it as passing wind, not bothering at all. If it wasn’t because of Zong Weiran’s kindness to him and some hope he had for Zong Shou, he wanted to quit immediately.

Apart from preparing resources for the hundreds of cloud ships, he had to think about how to lead Zong Shou onto the right path.

Even Chuxue couldn’t take it anymore, her heart filled with worry Everyday. However, she was used to obeying his orders and to try to convince him was something she didn’t know how to.

Ruoshui didn’t care at all, lazily sleeping on the soft mattress made of grade 6 bear leather.

As for Xuan Yunlan that followed along, she couldn’t take it. Even as an outsider, she felt that Zong Shou was a little too materialistic.

“I heard that wise rulers are always prudent and thrifty. Ruler do you know that one grade 4 beast crystal can solve food and clothing problems for 500 families for 10 years? The money the ruler used to decorate the palace can raise a ten thousand men army for a year?”

Chuxue vigorously nodded her head, “That’s right. In the past the ruler didn’t even bear to eat a good meal, each meal he only ate 4 dishes.”

While she spoke she stared right at Zong Shou, at the huge table with 10 dishes which were all cooked by invited famous chefs. The dishes were all delicious, making her drool.

Respect appeared on Xuan Yunlan’s face, thinking that Zong Weiran was a true ruler. No wonder he could start a country with nothing and be able to make such a gigantic empire. Unfortunately, in the end, he failed on his strong martial path talent.

Zong Shou was speechless, taking the chopsticks and heavily smacking Chuxue’s head, “don’t speak as if you don’t know! If I don’t spend my beast crystals, should I put them in my bag to rot? Don’t you know that the path of finance focuses on the flow of money? If the rich don’t spend, how can the poor people live?”

Xuan Yunlan was at a loss, looking at Zong Shou like she was looking at an idiot. Coincidentally Ren Bo walked in, and when he heard those words, he was startled.

This was the first time he heard such logic. Was it wrong to be prudent and thrifty?