He looked at Yinji. "Fellow Daoist Yinji, the Blissful Union Tower handles intelligence, and its black markets stretch throughout the Gouwu Sea. Tell us about it."
Yinji nodded, rose, and walked to the center of the hall.
She waved a hand. Spiritual light flashed, and a huge sea chart appeared in midair inside the hall.
The Gouwu Sea had three sea regions.
In the Sun and Moon Sea Region, over a hundred archipelagos were packed as densely as stars.
In the Star Sea Region, thirteen archipelagos stood isolated. Beyond them lay the endless deep sea.
"Everyone, please look." Yinji pointed at the sea chart. "The Sun and Moon Sea Region has one hundred and seventeen archipelagos. Since the Golden Scale Alliance was founded, fighting has decreased by eighty percent, and the situation is currently stable. Of the eight major powers, all seven besides Mystic Yin Island have joined the alliance. Though friction remains between the islands, it is all within controllable limits."
Her finger moved toward the Star Sea Region. "The problem lies here."
"Of the thirteen archipelagos in the Star Sea Region, six currently belong to Jiaogu Island, and four belong to other powers in the Golden Scale Alliance. The remaining three are occupied by rogue cultivators, sea bandits, half-demons, and-the Demon Race of the Outer Sea."
At those words, the atmosphere in the hall immediately tightened.
True Lord Dingxu frowned. "The Demon Race of the Outer Sea? The true Demon Race is at least ten million li from the Star Sea Region. Have their hands reached this far?"
"Heh." Yinji looked at him, her gaze somewhat teasing. "Dingxu, some of your Guixu Sea Tower's caravans have been roaming around the Star Sea Region all this time. You didn't know?"
True Lord Dingxu's expression stiffened.
Yinji continued, "As far