The " Head-Seizing Society's" lair is located on a remote island in the ocean called Sword-Sharpening Island. This island is extremely large, surrounded by jagged reefs, and has no buildings except for a single towering peak.
Hidden atop this solitary peak is a cave called the Blood-Stained Grotto, the lair of the " Head-Seizing Society."
At this time, before dawn, deep within the blood-stained secret cave of Sword-Sharpening Island, there was a stone chamber that had been transformed into an extremely luxurious room. In the center of the room hung a glass lamp, and there were four more lamps in the four corners. The room seemed to have no shortage of light, but when reflected against the four rock walls, it had an unusual sense of golden splendor.
This was clearly a secret room, yet it was furnished very comfortably, with tables and chairs, and all the furnishings were extremely luxurious. On the east side of the secret room was a huge jade bed. On the jade bed was a futon, and sitting on it was a tall and thin monk dressed in a red robe. This monk was Zangling.
Beneath the futon where Zangling sat, there were several figures, all of whom were invited guests. To the north sat a burly man with a bushy beard, dressed as a seafarer.
To the south was a withered and thin old woman. She must have been a descendant of overseas Chinese, and her attire did not resemble that of a person from the Great You.
The old woman had long, disheveled hair that cascaded down her back, giving her an eerie aura. Her face was sallow, and the wrinkles on her face were loose and layered like goosebumps. She held a dove-headed iron staff in her hand, her face expressionless, and a string of earrings dangled from both ears, jingling softly.
To the west, directly opposite Zangling, stood an old man with a ruddy complexion, long white hair that was tied into a small braid. He wore a dark ice-colored silk robe and had a somewhat gloomy expression.
" Zangling, speak! What is the purpose of your summons?"
The white-haired old man stroked his white beard and said in a cold voice, "Don't tell us you invited the three of us here to have tea and reminisce. You don't think the three of us have that much free time..."
The burly man with the bushy beard and the old woman also turned their gazes toward the Zangling, who was sitting on the futon.
"That makes some sense. Zangling, our three families Head-Seizing Society. What is your purpose in coming to see us?"
The burly man with a thick beard, dressed as a seafarer, spoke calmly. His voice was sharp like metal, and he was surrounded by Sword Qi, clearly a master of flying sword techniques.
This man, named Xie Shidi, was a Daoist master who occupied the overseas Yama Island. He was originally a disciple of the Dao Xuan Lineage within the Great You Kingdom, but due to a certain incident, he had a falling out with his fellow disciples and hastily killed someone with a sword, committing a grave mistake. This led him to betray the Dao Xuan Lineage, flee overseas, occupy the Yemo Island, and become a powerful force.
" Zangling, two years ago, I took on a Registered Disciple named Fuchenzi. He went to sea to protect merchant ships and was attacked and killed by a group of pirates. Wasn't he killed by your men?"
The old woman gave a cold laugh.
"You've come to my door, are you planning to give me an explanation?"
" Yama Island, Granny Sangling, and Ice Soul Old Demon," Zangling smiled slightly and said, "Although we had some unpleasant encounters in the past, it wasn't anything deep-seated hatred."
He glanced at Granny Sangling again and chuckled.
" Granny Sangling, I was initially unaware of your Registered Disciple matter. But it's easy to handle. Those who killed your disciple, I'll entrust their lives to you afterwards. If that's still not enough, coincidentally, I've recently taken on a few disciples myself. You can choose a few to take back as a sacrifice to your disciple. As for whether you want to dismember them or torture them, that's up to you, Grandma..."
Granny Sangling frowned, thinking that she had underestimated the Zangling and the Head-Seizing Society.
"Leaving aside Zang Ling, those corrupt cultivators live a life of debauchery, not even valuing their own lives. Even if a hundred or a thousand of them die, it wouldn't be worth the life of one of my personal disciples! Heh, this man is quite the schemer!"
She naturally wouldn't easily agree to this deal, but secretly noted it down.
"Cough cough!"
Zangling coughed lightly twice, feigning nonchalance, and said, "Let's put that aside for now and talk about something important. I think you've all heard that rumor recently. After all, your disciples from Yama Island, Mulberry Wood Palace, and Dark Ice Hollow are all close to that sea area, so I imagine the events on that island couldn't have escaped your notice."
After speaking, he drew a circle in the air with his finger and cast a Round Light Technique. The circular light was as clear as a water mirror, and a Volcano Sea appeared on it. The island was sometimes covered with dark clouds, and sometimes it was filled with bright light and rising clouds. High in the sky, it supported a celestial palace, with all kinds of precious light and divine energy soaring straight to the heavens.
The three Yama Island, Granny Sangling, and the Dark Ice Old Demon narrowed their eyes, staring intently at the scene emerging from the circular light, each harboring different thoughts.
'This is bad! The intelligence has been leaked!'
'When did this old man find out about this?'
Has news of what happened on the Volcano Island reached the ears of Zangling?
These three individuals are all prominent figures, standing out among the many independent Rogue Cultivator in the outer seas. Their secluded island and base are located relatively close to that Volcano Island, which is why they have already received this news.
The Yama Island, Granny Sangling, and the Dark Ice Old Demon had all been involved in the cultivation world for many years and were considered seasoned veterans. Seeing the situation on the Volcano Island, they knew that either a treasure had appeared or some strange event had occurred...
"Perhaps it's the unsealing of cave abode left behind by a predecessor, or maybe it's a magical Law Artifact crafted by a master from a long time ago breaking free from its restrictions, or perhaps some heavenly materials and earthly treasures is about to be born. In any case, if you encounter something like this, you can call it ' fortuitous opportunity '!"
These three masters immediately began preparations and ordered their disciples to keep the news under wraps to prevent more outsiders from getting wind of it and arriving here.
The three of them had planned to monopolize all the benefits, but who could have predicted that the Hidden Spirit Daoist of the " Head-Seizing Society " would also interfere? Upon seeing the Volcano Island illuminated by the Round Light Technique, his intense killing intent was immediately directed at Zangling.
Zangling has been in charge of the Head-Seizing Society on Sword-Sharpening Island for many years. He has used various powerful methods to control a group of corrupt cultivators under his command who live a life of debauchery, lawlessness, and recklessness. Putting aside his skills and abilities, his Law Power level alone is unfathomable. He is also extremely cunning, and the overseas forces are unaware of his true identity and origin.
However, the Yama Island, Granny Sangling, and the Dark Ice Old Demon all have their own backgrounds and are not afraid of Zangling and the parasites under his command.
As if he could see right through the three men's minds, Zangling didn't hesitate. Instead, he smiled slightly and said calmly, "Please don't be angry, gentlemen. Let me ask you first: do you know the reason for the commotion on this Volcano Island?"
Upon hearing this, the Dark Ice Old Demon let out a cold snort.
"Zang Ling, just say what you want to say, don't keep me in suspense!"
"Hehe, Yama Island, Granny Sangling, and Dark Ice Old Demon, I know you all possess great Law Power and profound cultivation, and you also intend to seize the affairs of this Volcano Island. It's just a pity that you know nothing about what is happening on the island."
Zangling continued, "But I know that no treasures have been found on that island, nor are there any cave abode left by our ancestors. The reason why there are such great disturbances and strange phenomena on that island is because someone on that island is practicing magic!"
"Refine techniques? What kind of techniques?"
Granny Sangling looked puzzled.
"Have you ever heard of the Sanyuan Devil Palace? I dare say that what happened on this Volcano Island is probably related to the Sanyuan Devil Palace's legacy..."
Zangling grinned.
"I've come to discuss this with you for the same reason, but I'm seeking cooperation. I hope the four of us can work together. You probably don't know this, but the person on this Volcano Island has likely received the inheritance of the Sanyuan Devil Palace and is currently building an altar to cultivate techniques. To master these Great Cheng, he needs to go into seclusion for forty-nine days to refine a powerful Daoist cultivation method. This is a great fortuitous opportunity for us, three of you. If we handle it properly, we can obtain the Daoist cultivation method without shedding a drop of blood."
"Entering the Dharma?!"
Upon hearing this, the Yama Island, Granny Sangling, and the Dark Ice Old Demon were all slightly taken aback. A strange light flashed in the eyes of the Yama Island, Xie Shidi, Granny Sangling's eyes were filled with a burning intensity, and even the Dark Ice Old Demon's breathing became somewhat rapid.
" Zangling, stop hiding your true intentions. What exactly do you know? Tell me quickly!"
Granny Sangling spoke up in a shrill voice, "If it's a righteous path to enlightenment, then there really is room for cooperation among the four of us!"
Xie Shidi and Dark Ice Old Demon also turned their gazes to Zangling, and Zangling's gaze met theirs. Greed gleamed in everyone's eyes.