Return to Mingdu, White Mist over West Mountain

The sea churned as if it were boiling.

Before long, the red silk caught up to Sea Dragon.

The surface exploded, and Sea Dragon was forcibly dragged out of the water.

Its enormous body twisted in midair, its scales gleaming with a cold, dark-gold light beneath the sun.

"Damn it, let me go. The Sea God will curse you."

Sea Dragon roared, hysterically hurling abuse at Yin Hongye.

Yin Hongye walked through the air and reached Sea Dragon in a single step. He pressed a hand against the dragon's back, his fingers hooking like claws as they pierced between its scales.

Sea Dragon struggled violently, its tail lashing the sea and raising towering waves.

"Don't worry, dizziness is normal. It'll be over soon," Yin Hongye reassured it.

Sea Dragon's body trembled violently, already regretting that it had gone looking for trouble with humans.

Its dragon sinews were pulled out inch by inch. Dark-red blood streamed through his fingers, dripping onto the sea and spreading into a scarlet haze beneath the waves.

Sea Dragon's roars gradually weakened, eventually turning into whimpers.

Its dragon bones were pulled out as well—a gleaming white spine. Yin Hongye casually gave it a swing, finding it rather satisfactory.

Sea Dragon's body hung limply, utterly silent.

Na'er clung to the ship's railing, her face pale. Panic showed in her eyes, though she had no idea where that inexplicable fear had come from.

Her back also felt chilly. She had the feeling she had boarded a pirate ship, the kind she could never escape from.

Qian Renxue stood at the bow, covering Na'er and Yuanen Yehui's eyes. Watching the scene, her pupils suddenly contracted.

That dragon killing was a little too bloody.

Far too inappropriate for children.

Di Tian, the Silver Dragon King, and Zi Ji, watching the Heavenly Screen, all felt a chill creep down their backs. Was there something seriously wrong with this human?

Did this even count as a human?

Underage dragons should not be watching this!

Yet the commander of the Eastsea Legion, who was watching the scene, looked perfectly calm and even let out a long sigh of relief.

"Thank you for taking action, Your Excellency Yin. This beast has been tormenting us for days. Should you ever have need of us, the Eastsea Legion will never refuse."

"No need for that." Yin Hongye put the dragon bones into his storage Soul Tool. "Just don't come bothering me when there's nothing wrong."

The legion commander hurriedly nodded and ordered the helmsman to turn the ship around.

The warship slowly turned, leaving a white wake behind its stern. The last trace of blue blood on the sea was swallowed by the waves, while the hundred-thousand-year Sea Dragon's flesh was hauled back aboard to serve as an extra meal.

The warship slowly entered Skysea City's harbor. The gangplank was lowered, and everyone stepped ashore.

The Eastsea Legion's garrison was not far from the harbor.

The moment they entered the garrison, they heard wave after wave of shouted commands—it was the soldiers drilling.

Dust filled the training grounds, and the lights of Soul Rings rose and fell. Martial Souls of every kind appeared in turn—blades, spears, swords, halberds, birds, beasts, and countless other varieties, dazzling the eye.

But beyond the Heavenly Screen, Bo Saixi on Sea God Island fell increasingly silent as she watched.

Through the Heavenly Screen, she swept her gaze across rows of drilling soldiers, her eyes passing over every one of their Martial Souls. There were all kinds of Martial Souls, but pitifully few Sea Soul Masters.

In the vast Eastsea Legion, an army that lived off the sea, there were barely a handful of Soul Masters truly capable of fighting in the water.

The navy should have been where Sea Soul Masters could shine.

Yet there were so few of the Sea God's people.

Bo Saixi clenched her scepter without speaking, but the light in her eyes dimmed a little further.

Her heart was already filled with killing intent toward Tang San.

The Titled Douluo of the Seven Sacred Pillars stood behind her, equally silent. Sea Dragon Douluo gritted his teeth, seemingly wanting to say something, but ultimately only let out a heavy sigh.

How had Sea Soul Masters declined to such a state?

"Let's go. We're heading straight back to Mingdu."

Yin Hongye stood at the entrance to the garrison, glancing at the sweat-drenched soldiers on the training grounds before looking toward the warships docked in the distant harbor. His expression remained blank.

"You've got another new experiment?" Mu Hongchen raised a brow. "You're not doing the old one anymore?"

"Of course I am. It's only showing some initial progress." After speaking, Yin Hongye tilted his head and asked, "What about your artificial intelligence? How's that coming along?"

Mu Hongchen sighed. "Don't mention it. The algorithm model is working, but the server room keeps catching fire. Not one has lasted seventy-two hours under full load."

"If it keeps burning like this, I think we can secretly take some of the Tang Sect's money in the bank."

"Why do it secretly? Just take it directly. When have you ever been caught? If the Tang Sect dares to keep money in a bank, doesn't that make it your money? A gentleman loves wealth, but acquires it by proper means."

"I'm not you. I still need an excuse. Anyway, if they don't keep it in the bank, you can help me burn the Tang Sect's cash."

"That works." Yin Hongye nodded. "The Federation's money gets robbed if it's kept in banks, cash isn't safe either, and fixed assets aren't safe. When will I ever be able to pay back what I owe?"

"No idea. How about buying Tang Sect insurance and having them pay it back for you? I have connections. I can help you alter the dates, paper records, surveillance footage, whatever."

"Sounds great. I'll give it a try later."

"Oh, right. The Tang Sect has a shipment of rare metals in the East Sea. It's about to dock. Grab it and bring it back later; I need it." Mu Hongchen looked at the shipping notice on the screen.

Yin Hongye nodded. "Fine. It's not like I'm short on debt anyway."

The two discussed it casually, but Qian Renxue, listening from the side, felt her scalp tingle. Neither of these two was a good person.

What did they mean, other people's money was your money?

And what the hell was this all-encompassing economic sanction?

Mu Hongchen would rob banks directly, Yin Hongye would burn cash, and real estate would be bombed...

The Federation had only managed to develop this far because the two of them had been born late, hadn't it?

Before long, the East Sea trip came to a temporary end.

The Flying Soul Tool traced a golden arc through the high sky, leaving the salty sea breeze and rolling waves far behind.

When the clouds beneath them finally parted, they first saw the white mist in the direction of West Mountain. Then Mingdu came into view.

The heart of the Federation, the city of technology, unfolded directly before their eyes.

Soul Tool towers rose into the clouds, metal and glass reflecting a cold brilliance beneath the sunlight. Countless Flying Soul Tool cars darted through the air in orderly streams like swarms of bees.

The Flying Soul Tool slowly descended onto a secluded landing platform in western Mingdu.

Yuanen Yehui stepped off the platform and looked up at the skyscrapers that seemed ready to pierce the clouds. Her eyes were filled with astonishment. She had never seen buildings so tall, nor so many Soul Tool cars.

Neon lights reflected in Na'er's eyes. Her lips parted slightly, but she could not say a word.

Qian Renxue, meanwhile, was curious about that layer of seemingly miraculous cloud and mist.

Mu Hongchen took a deep breath and stretched, his joints cracking. "Finally back. Mingdu's air really is better—"

"Do you believe that yourself when you say it?" Yin Hongye lifted a foot and walked forward, the hem of his clothes fluttering lightly in the wind.

He looked around. There were still as many Evil Soul Masters as ever. Sure enough, when he was gone, these people would reorganize themselves and return on their own.

Tomorrow, I'll casually kill a few Evil Soul Masters for fun.

After handling Na'er's new identity, Mu Hongchen led everyone back to his residence.

Calling it a residence was generous. It was actually a three-story building he owned in western Mingdu, close to the Central Legion.

The first floor was piled with half-finished Soul Tool parts and assorted clutter. The second floor was a workshop, while the third barely counted as a place fit for living.

"The conditions are rough. Make do with it," Mu Hongchen said bluntly.

Qian Renxue's mouth twitched. Pointing to the white mist outside the window, she asked, "By the way, when we looked down from the sky earlier, there was a stretch of white mist in that western valley. What place was that?"

"That is Heaven-Earth Valley of Love. Speaking of which, there's also a legend about gods connected to it."