The Jade Slip's glow slowly dimmed. Qing Chen's fingers abruptly tightened, crushing the low table to pieces.
Xu Jiuling watched clearly from beside him and saw battle intent flickering in the Hall Vice Lord's eyes, with a faint trace of excitement.
"Send word back to Ye Wushang. Tell him my secluded cultivation has gone smoothly. Once the time is ripe, I will certainly honor our agreement to fight again.
"As for the Nanhua Continent..." Qing Chen gazed into the distant void, his voice gradually lowering. "I will give him my answer after our duel."
Qing Chen knew perfectly well that Ye Wushang would wait for this fight with him.
With his pride, once defeated, he would certainly seek to even the score.
Otherwise, how could he still call himself the Shushan Sword Chief?
"As you command, Hall Vice Lord!" Xu Jiuling hurriedly replied.
Qing Chen continued issuing orders. "Furthermore, convey my command: the External Affairs Hall, Battle Hall, and Attendant Hall are to dispatch their disciples and members immediately;
"Devote every effort to gathering more information on the Heavenly Illumination Archipelago, focusing on the Eight Serpent Sect.
"The External Affairs Hall will take the lead in this operation. Gathering intelligence is their specialty, so let Deputy Hall Master Xue Yubing oversee it.
"At the same time, have Deputy Hall Vice Lord Shang Shan, who also serves as Hall Master of the External Affairs Hall, direct the overall operation and find a viable route across the Sea of Storms into the Heavenly Illumination Archipelago;
"Alternatively, establish cooperation with the Lesser Cold Temple in the Cold Mountain Archipelago, but do not reveal our purpose."
Xu Jiuling nodded repeatedly as he listened and replied respectfully, "Understood."
After receiving Ye Wushang's agreement, Qing Chen felt increasingly impatient;
He privately considered that certain matters would