Chapter 1193: The Centennial Deadline

In the following days, Yi Feng drowned his sorrows in alcohol. On this particular day, he was drinking with a few companions, his face filled with melancholy and helplessness. As they drank, he casually brought up a question.

"Do you think there are any terrifyingly powerful experts on Black Island?" he asked softly.

As soon as the words left his mouth, the drunken men exchanged furtive glances before bowing slightly and responding.

"No, absolutely not!"

"Sir, you must be joking..."

"Although I come from an outer island, I’ve personally visited Black Island, and it’s nothing special. In your presence, no one could possibly be called an expert!"

"In my humble opinion, as you’ve said, you could easily suppress the entire island with a wave of your hand!"

"Exactly, exactly!"

Sa Donglai and the others flushed with excitement, their eyes filled with reverence. These old foxes were eager to seize any opportunity to flatter Yi Feng. When faced with such an obvious question, how could they possibly say anything else?

Yi Feng was momentarily stunned, feeling both amused and exasperated.

Indeed, given the level of strength he had displayed, it was no wonder they wouldn’t dare suggest there were other experts. In fact, even he himself wasn’t entirely sure just how powerful he had become. While having immense strength wasn’t a bad thing—it would give him an extra layer of protection in the future—he should have been excited. But with such overwhelming power, where could he possibly find a path to his own demise?

Unconsciously, the group had already fallen into a drunken slumber, their snores resonating loudly.

"Snore... snore..."

Yi Feng shook his head with a wry smile. He stood up and walked alone to the carved railing, his eyes deep in thought.

From now on, he would have to carefully study just what level of strength he had reached. Only by understanding his own power could he accurately find a worthy opponent. Otherwise, he would likely just waste his time, at best defeating a few weaklings. Only by facing a truly terrifying existence could he confirm his own level of cultivation and perhaps finally achieve his goal of dying, completing that cursed system mission...

But where could he find such a being?

As he gazed at the sprawling, luxurious palaces in the distance, Yi Feng felt a deep sense of melancholy. The bittersweet烦恼 of being an invincible expert lingered in his heart, unable to dissipate.

After some time, the sound of light footsteps reached his ears.

Yi Feng turned his head to see Lu Xinlan ascending the pavilion, walking gracefully toward him. Her simple yet elegant dress added a touch of nobility, perfectly reflecting her status without being overly ostentatious. She already carried the air of a significant figure.

Before he could speak, Lu Xinlan approached with a smile and bowed slightly.

"Sir, please forgive me."

"Xinlan has just taken over as the Tower Master, and there are countless matters to attend to. If I have been neglectful, I hope you can forgive me."

Her words and demeanor were as courteous as ever. Despite her change in status, their friendship remained unchanged. Such a bond was truly rare and precious.

Seeing her genuine warmth, Yi Feng smiled and clasped his hands in return.

"It’s no trouble."

But as he looked closer, he noticed a faint trace of worry between her brows, and her smile didn’t seem as natural as before.

"Miss Xinlan," he couldn’t help but ask, "you seem troubled. Is something on your mind?"

Lu Xinlan was momentarily taken aback, then let out a bitter smile.

"Sir, your insight is as sharp as ever. Xinlan cannot hide anything from you."

She continued, "I do indeed have worries. It’s all due to a major event that just occurred. I lost my composure for a moment. Please forgive me."

A major event?

Yi Feng’s eyes showed surprise.

"You’re the Tower Master of the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower now. What could possibly trouble you so much?"

Lu Xinlan stepped closer and whispered, bowing slightly.

"Sir, you may not know this..."

"Although I’ve become the Tower Master with your help, it’s still difficult to have everything go my way."

"The East Sea is a remote place, and while it has taken in many foreign cultivators, giving the appearance of great power, in reality, we rely on the forces of the sea, living under someone else’s roof."

"The true masters of the East Sea are the Heavenly Dragon Merfolk, who reside in the misty depths of the ocean. They have ruled this region for generations, controlling everything, including Black Island. All seventy-two islands are territories of the Heavenly Dragon Merfolk."

"Every hundred years, we are required to pay a certain price to them."

The infamous islands of the East Sea were actually just tenants?

Yi Feng was slightly surprised.

"So that’s how it is..."

"The price must be extraordinary, for you to be so concerned."

Lu Xinlan nodded in admiration.

"Sir, you are wise."

"Indeed, as you say, we must pay a significant price. But the cultivators of the islands are not mere tenants; we are subjects under the rule of the Heavenly Dragon Merfolk. What we offer is not wealth, but sacrifices..."

"Every hundred years, the major powers must offer up a prodigy, someone of exceptional talent and beauty. Black Island then hosts the Heavenly Sea Grand Sacrifice, where this female cultivator is offered as a sacrifice to the Heavenly Sea Merfolk."

Holy...

He had thought they were paying with money, but it turned out they were offering people? And every hundred years, they had to sacrifice a prodigy? As if prodigies grew on trees! This was pure colonial exploitation, targeting the very best talents!

Even capitalists would weep at this!

Yi Feng’s eyes widened in shock.

"These merfolk actually eat people?!"

Lu Xinlan sighed, her expression now extremely grave.

"Ah..."

"Sir, you jest."

"The Heavenly Dragon Merfolk demand prodigies as sacrifices not to eat them, but to enslave and torment them. They suffer endless humiliation, a fate worse than death. If they were simply eaten, it would be a quicker end."

They specifically targeted top-tier cultivators to enslave them? What kind of superiority complex and twisted mentality did that require? They were nothing but feudal overlords!

Yi Feng’s eyes showed even greater shock.

Seeing Lu Xinlan’s suppressed expression, he had a sinking feeling.

"Don’t tell me..."

"The prodigy chosen for this centennial deadline is you?!"