This was humiliation

Just as Lin Yi resumed his fighting on the Frontline the Black Mist Sea...

Mist Sea City, Rui Family Floating Island.

The atmosphere inside the main conference room was so heavy it was almost palpable.

Ten people sat around the oval-shaped table; they were all core members of the Rui Family.

Ruizhan, dressed in a dark gray robe, sat in the main seat. To his right sat Ruituan, whose face was ashen. In front of them floated more than a dozen light screens, on which dense data and charts scrolled.

"... In the last Epoch, all three of our transport ships on the third route lost contact, including the clan elder leading the expedition, one hundred clan guards, and raw materials for the fusion ingots, worth hundreds of thousands of Eternal Cosmos Crystal."

Ruituan's voice clearly suppressed anger, "Including the fifth and seventh routes that had accidents before, four of our family's only six remaining raw material supply channels have been cut off."

He waved his hand to bring up another set of data.

"Regarding inventory, we can maintain our Silver Crystal supply for two thousand Epoch, and our Molten Ingots for a maximum of one thousand Epoch, but our Dark Crystal is almost depleted. If we can't replenish our stock next time, we won't even be able to guarantee the minimum supply to our long-term customers."

A middle-aged woman sitting at the end of the long table spoke up, "How about we talk to our long-term clients and ask them to postpone the delivery for a while? They've been working with us for so long, they should have some consideration for us, right?"

"Friendship?" Ruituan said with a wry smile, "The Huo Family offered a price 20% lower than ours, and several old customers are still willing to buy our goods, which is already out of consideration for our years of cooperation."

Ruizhan nodded slightly upon hearing this.

He tapped the table, drawing everyone's attention, and then slowly began to speak.

"So the current situation is that our transport fleet has been attacked one after another, multiple raw material supply channels have been cut off, and our current inventory is about to run out. We have already lost several sales channels, but we haven't been able to poach some of our long-term customers."

He paused, his voice growing even deeper.

"But now, they're not just content with taking away our sales channels, they're also cutting off our supply chains."

Upon hearing this, Ruituan sighed deeply and said solemnly, "Our Rui Family is currently barely surviving on the sales from these few old connections. But if we can't supply the goods, even the oldest connections are useless! And once our source of income is cut off, our leased Nine Molten Marrow River, the salaries of the skilled craftsmen we employ, and our equipment will all have to rely on the family's emergency funds to keep us running."

The conference room was deathly silent.

We can't afford not to maintain it.

It's conceivable that if the Rui Family cuts off the lease on the Nine Molten Marrow River, it will be difficult for them to lease it from the City Lord's Mansion again, and those craftsmen will also be poached.

Although some have already been poached, the Rui Family has treated them well, and most of them are used to staying with the Rui Family, so they chose to stay.

But if you can't even pay salaries, you can't expect others to work based on passion.

These skilled craftsmen have been poached, and it will be difficult to find them again.

In addition, there are the costs associated with the operation of the floating island, the cultivation resources for family members, the salaries of guards, and various maintenance expenses, among others.

Ruizhan was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "I will visit the Huo Family to see if there is any room for negotiation."

"Reconcile?" Ruituan suddenly stood up. "What room is there for reconciliation! When the Huo Family arrived in Mist Sea City, all the families in Mist Sea City held a welcome banquet. What did their patriarch, Huo Wen, say then? He said that since they were newcomers, they hoped everyone would take good care of them and that they would all work together peacefully to make money!"

He became more and more excited as he spoke, his voice echoing in the conference hall.

"But what about now? They attacked without a word, stealing our customers, cutting off our supplies, and even hiring pirates to attack our transport ships! What is this? They've clearly got us cornered! Obviously, the Huo Family, relying on being a branch of the Eternal Source Family, doesn't take our Mist Sea City families seriously at all!"

Ruizhan looked at his younger brother's angry face and sighed softly.

"The opposing clan leader, Huo Wen, is already close to the High Order of the Eternal Source Realm." His voice was calm, a calmness that sent chills down one's spine. "They are strong and have powerful backing. Even if you know they don't take us seriously, what can you do?"

He walked back to the long table and brought up a light screen.

The screen displayed a map showing the power distribution of the major families in Mist Sea City, with the Huo Family's territory marked in striking red, expanding at a visible speed.

Meanwhile, the spheres of influence of the Rui Family and several other smaller families were squeezed smaller and smaller.

"And haven't you noticed yet?" Ruizhan pointed at the light screen, "The Huo Family has clearly done some thorough research recently. Their targets are families like ours that don't have much of a background, or rather, their background isn't strong enough."

His finger swept across the light screen, pointing out the names of seven or eight families.

Ruizhan withdrew his hand and looked at Ruituan.

"They've got us cornered."

Ruituan opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end he slumped down and sat down.

He knew, of course, that what his older brother said was true.

Mist Sea City isn't particularly large, but it's not small either. Which family that can establish a foothold in the city doesn't have some kind of background?

However, backgrounds can vary in strength.

With the backing of the Eternal Source Family, the Huo Family can do whatever they want, not just in Mist Sea City, but throughout the entire Silent Cosmos Domain.

What does Rui Family offer?

There were only the three siblings and some good-for-nothing younger generations.

The only thing worth mentioning is the channels and connections I've built up over so long in Mist Sea City.

But now, even those are being taken away.

"In that case," Ruituan's voice lowered, "What's the point of your visit, brother? They're clearly trying to swallow us up. Do you think they'll reason with you?"

"Of course it's meaningful," Ruizhan sighed. "I'll try to see if we can establish a cooperative relationship."

"Cooperation?" Rui Dan was taken aback.

"Become their secondary distributor," Ruizhan said calmly. "Although the Huo Family is powerful, they are outsiders after all. They are not as familiar with the specific situation of Mist Sea City, the details of each shipping route, and the needs and preferences of their customers as we are. We have been operating in Mist Sea City for many years and still have some value. If they are willing to let us be secondary agents, at least our family can survive."

A murmur rippled through the conference room.

Being a secondary distributor means handing over all the channels you've worked so hard to build, earning only a meager profit margin, and having to be subservient to others.

To put it bluntly, it's surrender.

But looking at his elder brother's calm face, Ruituan suddenly understood something.

Faced with an absolute disparity in strength, dignity and face are luxuries.

There is hope only if the family can be preserved.

"But..." Ruituan couldn't help but say, "The Huo Family doesn't follow the rules and even keeps pirates. It might be dangerous for you to visit them, brother. Why don't I go instead? You're the clan leader; you can't afford to get into trouble."

Ruizhan shook his head.

"As the clan leader, my visit will show sincerity." He looked at Ruituan and reassured her, "Don't worry, there are rules in Mist Sea City. If I formally pay a visit within the city, they won't do anything to me. No matter how arrogant the Huo Family is, they wouldn't dare to openly break the rules of Mist Sea City, otherwise they wouldn't be able to explain it to the City Lord's Mansion."

He spoke with great certainty, but Ruituan still felt uneasy.

The Huo Family hiring pirates to attack transport ships is already a violation of the rules.

Who knows what else they might do?

Ruizhan seemed to sense his younger brother's worry. He remained silent for a few seconds, then took out a dark gold seal from his pocket.

The seal was small, only about the size of a thumb, and its surface was engraved with the Rui Family family crest.

Ruizhan pushed the seal in front of Rui Tuan, "Keep this safe."

Ruituan stared at the seal, his pupils contracting slightly.

"Brother, what's wrong with you...?"

"Just in case," Ruizhan said solemnly, "If anything happens to me, you will be the new patriarch of the Rui Family."

"Big Brother!" Ruituan suddenly stood up.

"Sit down."

Ruituan gritted his teeth and sat down again.

Ruizhan continued, his voice as calm as if he were stating something perfectly ordinary. "If the situation changes, do not act rashly. Immediately activate the family's highest emergency plan, completely scale back operations, shut down the floating islands, and activate the protective shield."

"No matter how arrogant the Huo Family is, they wouldn't dare to openly attack the floating island within Mist Sea City. The City Lord's Mansion will not allow such a thing to happen."

"At the same time," Ruizhan paused, "Send a message to Lin Yi. Tell him about the current situation of the family, and send him some more treasures. Tell him to be careful, to cultivate diligently in the army, and not to rush back."

When Ruituan heard the name "Lin Yi," his eyes lit up for a moment, but then dimmed again.

Lin Yi is a genius, that's beyond doubt.

But he is still young.

The True Source Realm is nothing special in a place like Mist Sea City.

"Then," Ruizhan looked into his younger brother's eyes, "All you have to do is wait patiently."

"Waiting for what?" Ruituan asked instinctively.

"We'll gamble," Ruizhan said, uttering a single word. "We'll gamble that our emergency resources are enough to last until Lin Yi grows up."

The conference room was silent.

Everyone understood the clan leader's meaning.

The Rui Family is now facing a dead end.

The Huo Family was like a giant beast, its jaws wide open, ready to devour them whole, skin and bones.

A direct confrontation is a dead end; begging for mercy might allow one to prolong their life, but that depends on whether the other side gives them a chance.

The only variable is Lin Yi.

But this will take time.

What the Rui Family lacks most is time.

"I understand." Ruituan took a deep breath and reached out to take the clan leader's seal.

He clutched the seal tightly in his hand, then looked up at Ruizhan and said, word by word, "Brother, you must come back."

The meeting ended in a somewhat somber atmosphere.

Other core members left one after another, leaving only Ruizhan and Ruituan in the end.

Ruituan looked at his elder brother, wanting to say something, but Ruizhan waved his hand and said with a smile, "No need to be so nervous, it's just to be on the safe side. By the way, you have to return the seal to me when I get back. I know you've wanted this thing for a long time."

Upon hearing this, Ruituan glanced at Ruizhan speechlessly, then turned and left.

After Ruituan left, Ruizhan stood alone in front of the French windows, looked at the floating islands outside for a while, and then returned to his residence, where he changed into a formal dark blue robe.

Then, he gently exhaled and walked towards the edge of the floating island.

The protective shield opened a crack, and he stepped out, his figure hovering in mid-air.

Without using any flying vehicle, Ruizhan flew directly towards the larger and higher floating island in the southeast direction.

As he passed the floating islands of other families, several Soul Power swept over him, but quickly withdrew after recognizing his identity.

Ruizhan ignored him.

He simply kept his gaze fixed straight ahead, flying calmly.

Soon, a huge floating island came into view.

The Huo Family's floating island was more than six or seven times larger than the Rui Family's, and its surface was covered with complex energy patterns that flowed slowly, like living things breathing.

Ruizhan stopped outside the floating island.

He hovered in the air, straightened his robes, and then spoke in a loud voice.

"Rui Family, Ruizhan."

"I request a visit to the head of the Huo Family."

After the sound faded, the floating island fell silent.

Ruizhan remained expressionless and waited quietly.

Deep within the Huo Family's floating island, in a luxuriously furnished cultivation room.

Energy patterns flow gently across the four walls, adjusting the indoor lighting to the most comfortable warm tone.

Huo Wen sat cross-legged, meditating with his eyes closed.

Soon, a virtual figure appeared beside him, "Master, Elder Huo Han requests an audience, he is outside the quiet room."

Huo Wen slightly raised his eyelids. "Oh? Let him in."

As the words fell, the door to the quiet room opened automatically, and a Huo Family elder dressed in black robes, whose aura had reached the initial stage of the Eternal Source Realm, strode in.

He stopped a few steps away from Huo Wen, then bowed and said, "Clan Chief, Ruizhan, the patriarch of the Rui Family, has come to pay a visit. He is currently outside the floating island."

Huo Wen's heart stirred slightly as he recalled the information about the Rui Family: "The Rui Family? That's the small family... with three early-stage Eternal Source Realm who make levitation shuttles?"

"Indeed." The elder in black robes nodded.

Huo Wen's lips curled into a faint, mocking smile, "They were clueless at first, but now that they're feeling the pinch, they finally come looking for us." He looked at the elder, "Tell me, haven't these small-town families been living comfortably for too long?"

The elder in black robes chuckled, "After all, it's a rural area; people there are limited horizons."

"The Rui Family was the first to come knocking," Huo Wen shook his head. "The other families are probably still clinging to illusions, hoping the City Lord's Mansion will uphold justice for them. Heh..."

He pondered for a moment, then ordered, "Here's what we'll do: let him in, then detain him. Tell everyone he suddenly experienced enlightenment here, and to protect his safety, we have no choice but to keep him here temporarily. Let the Rui Family come and take him away."

"Yes," the clan elder bowed in response.

But he didn't leave immediately. Instead, he hesitated for a moment before speaking again, "However, clan leader, there is something I need you to know, and it concerns the Rui Family."

Upon hearing this, Huo Wen raised an eyebrow. "Tell me."

"Clan leader, during your seclusion, something happened that relates to the Rui Family."

"A genius has emerged in the Imperial Army of Mist Sea City, named Lin Yi."

"

The elder in black robes quickly gave a brief report on the information he had gathered about Lin Yi, concluding, "This man's reputation has already spread throughout Mist Sea City. Lin Yi has clearly stated that the Rui Family has been kind to him, as Rui Family gifted him a mid-grade Cosmic Clam when he first arrived in Mist Sea City, and helped settle his clansmen."

"So that's what happened..." Huo Wen frowned slightly. He was silent for a moment, then said, "What do you think should be done about this?"

The elder in black robes, clearly having considered this beforehand, immediately replied, "Judging from Lin Yi's growth trajectory, he's at most at the level of a genius from the outer islands of Constant Island. However, he's already a centurion and has obviously gained the favor of the Lanming Army Lord, so he'll inevitably hold a high position in the Mist Sea City Imperial Army in the future. We'll have to deal with the Mist Sea Imperial Army quite often in the future, so why don't we... meet with Ruizhan? Say a few words, and send him on his way. It'll be a way to give Lin Yi face and establish a good relationship."

"Is this what you think?"

Huo Wen chuckled.

"Madness!"

He sat up straight, staring at the black-robed elder before him, and slowly said, "Don't forget our goal: to completely absorb the foundations of these families and use them as our basis for survival!"

"These families have deep-rooted influence in Mist Sea City. Which one can't find one or two mid-level Eternal Source Realm experts to befriend? Now that Song Yi has given Lin Yi face, shouldn't we give face to the other powerful figures as well? Besides, it's just a mere mid-level Cosmic Clam, how much friendship can there be?"

As he spoke, Huo Wen's voice grew increasingly stern. "Therefore, we must make our stance clear from the very beginning! Let those powerful individuals who want to interfere give up any hope!"

The elder in black robes looked somewhat embarrassed, and he quickly said, "The clan leader is right; I was too naive."

Seeing his expression, Huo Wen's tone softened a bit. "However, what you said makes some sense. Although Lin Yi's talent is just so-so, he has after all gained the favor of the Lord of Lanming Army, so there's no need to go too far."

After a moment's thought, he made a decision. "Let's leave Ruizhan outside the floating island for an Epoch. Then we'll send him packing."

"In this way, everyone in Mist Sea City should understand our stance."

"Yes, Chieftain is wise!"

The elder in black robes understood Huo Wen's intention, bowed in response, and then turned and quickly left.

Outside the floating island.

Ruizhan hovered in the air, maintaining the composure befitting a clan leader, when he saw a portal open in the floating island's protective shield.

A powerful expert at the Eternal Source Realm, dressed in black robes, flew out and stopped in front of him.

Ruizhan recognized the visitor as Huo Han, an elder of the Huo Family family and a beginner in the Eternal Source Realm.

"Clan Chief Rui," Huo Han said with a formulaic smile, "I'm truly sorry, but our clan chief is currently in a crucial period of seclusion and cannot receive guests at this time."

Ruizhan's heart sank.

But he remained calm on the surface. "I understand. I wonder when Chief Huo will emerge from seclusion?"

"Well..." Huo Han looked troubled. "Who can say for sure about cultivation? Perhaps Clan Chief Rui could wait here for a while? I'll inform you as soon as you emerge from seclusion."

Ruizhan was taken aback.

Wait a moment?

here?

A surge of anger welled up from the bottom of his heart.

As the head of the Rui Family in the Eternal Source Realm, he personally paid a visit, but the other party wouldn't even let him in, leaving him to wait outside the floating island!

This is blatant humiliation!

Ruizhan's fist clenched silently inside his sleeve.

But he stubbornly held back.

He took the initiative to visit, so turning around and leaving would certainly be convenient, but it would be tantamount to directly breaking off relations.

What is Rui Family's current situation?

What is the strength of the Huo Family?

The Rui Family cannot afford the consequences of a complete breakdown in relations.

Circumstances are beyond our control.

Ruizhan took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the surging anger in his chest.

A smile returned to his face. "It's alright, cultivation is something everyone understands. I'll wait here and won't disturb Clan Chief Huo's seclusion."

A hint of surprise flashed in Huo Han's eyes, but he quickly concealed it, then smiled and said, "Then I'll have to trouble Clan Chief Rui."

After saying that, he turned and flew back to the floating island.

The protective shield closed again.

Ruizhan floated alone outside the floating island, his long robe swaying gently in the breeze.

He began to wait.

Time slips away, bit by bit.

The surrounding floating islands were bustling with people, and all kinds of floating shuttles shuttled back and forth like glowing ribbons, weaving the entire airspace into a busy scene.

People were constantly coming and going from the Huo Family's floating island.

Every time the protective shield of the floating island is activated, whether someone inside flies out or someone outside enters, they will see the figure hovering outside the floating island.

The news spread like wildfire.

"The head of the Rui Family is waiting outside the Huo Family's floating island; he's been waiting for a year."

"The Huo Family didn't even let us in the door?"

"Isn't this just a blatant attempt to intimidate us?"

"The Rui Family has truly been driven to a dead end this time."

"Who told them to be weak? The Huo Family is a branch of the Eternal Source Family..."

"

Whispers drifted quietly among the floating islands.

Ruizhan could feel those gazes and guess the content of their discussions.

But he simply hovered there quietly, his back straight, his gaze calmly fixed ahead, as if everything around him was irrelevant.

Rui Family Floating Island.

The atmosphere in the main conference room was even more oppressive than before.

A young clan elder suddenly stood up, his face flushed. "The clan leader is still waiting outside? The Huo Family won't even let us in?"

This is absolutely outrageous!

Another elder sighed, "The news has been confirmed. The Huo Family family elder asked the patriarch to wait a moment outside the floating island."

"Wait a moment?" The young elder laughed angrily. "This is humiliating the Rui Family!"

"No, we must send a telepathic message to summon the clan leader back! No matter how down on our Rui Family is, we cannot suffer this humiliation!"

"Enough!"

Ruituan, who was in the main seat, suddenly slammed his hand on the table.

The conference room fell silent instantly.

All the elders' eyes were focused on Ruituan.

Ruituan slowly stood up.

"Aren't you all in enough chaos already? Why is the clan leader enduring humiliation and hardship outside? Isn't it because our Rui Family isn't strong enough!"

Ruituan walked up to the young elder, stared at him, and slowly said, "If you truly feel humiliated, then go and cultivate diligently! Improve your strength! Regain the face you've lost! Instead of making a scene here and causing trouble for the clan leader!"

The young clan Old Zhang his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately slumped down.

Ruituan took a deep breath, calmed himself down, and sat back down in the main seat.

"Disperse, everyone." He waved his hand. "Go back to what you were doing. No one is allowed to make any rash moves until the clan leader returns."

The clan elders left one after another, leaving only Ruituan in the meeting hall.

He sat alone at the long table, watching the sky darken outside the window, his fists clenching silently under the table.

Time outside the floating island seemed to stretch on endlessly for Ruizhan.

One year, one hundred years, ten thousand years...

He was like a sculpture, silently suspended there, neither eating nor drinking, neither sleeping nor resting.

His cultivation at the Eternal Source Realm allowed him to do this easily, but the mental anguish was unavoidable.

Every time someone enters or leaves Huo Family Floating Island, those gazes feel like needles pricking him.

Each time he heard the distant chatter, the fire in his heart burned even brighter.

But he couldn't move, couldn't walk, and couldn't even show any dissatisfaction.

Because he represents the Rui Family.

Because he came to surrender.

Time flies, and the cycle of life continues.

Ruizhan just watched, watching the lights of the floating islands gradually light up and then go out.

An Epoch has passed just like that.

On this day, the protective shield of the Huo Family Floating Island was opened again.

Huo Han flew out again, wearing the same formulaic smile as before.

"I apologize, Clan Chief Ruizhan." Huo Han stopped in front of Ruizhan. "We've kept you waiting. Our clan chief has just emerged from seclusion and was quite surprised to learn of the Rui Family's visit."

Ruizhan's heart skipped a beat.

finally...

But before he could speak, Huo Han changed the subject. "However, the clan leader has been in seclusion for a long time and has many urgent matters to attend to, so he is temporarily unable to receive guests."

Huo Han paused, his apology deepening, but his eyes remained cold. "So, please leave."

Ruizhan's smile froze.

He stood there, motionless.

The surrounding air seemed to freeze, and even the airships traversing the distant shipping lanes appeared to slow down.

Ruizhan felt as if all eyes were focused on this place.

He slowly raised his head, his gaze passing over the Huo Family elder in front of him, and took a deep look at the Huo Family floating island.

Then, he withdrew his gaze and looked at Huo Han in front of him.

A smile returned to his face, gentle and polite, just as when he first arrived.

"Excuse me," Ruizhan said calmly. "Farewell."

After saying that, he turned around, his long robe drawing a crisp arc in the air as he flew towards the Rui Family's floating island.