Chapter 109: Expansion Goal
The silence lingering above the floating islands did not disappear immediately.
The surviving cultivators of the Azure Cloud Sect remained kneeling beneath the heavens while countless emotions battled inside their hearts. Humiliation remained. Regret remained. Fear remained. Yet above all else, there was disbelief.
Only a short while ago, they had arrived carrying the pride of a powerful sect from another continent.
They had mocked the Silent Sword Sect.
They had looked down upon its disciples.
They had questioned its Protector.
Now they found themselves bowing before the very existence they had dismissed.
The contrast was so extreme that several cultivators still felt as though they were trapped inside an illusion.
Above them, Clayne watched the tiny kneeling figures.
To him, the entire situation looked amusing.
A few moments ago they had been shouting about conquering continents and challenging ancient inheritances.
Now they looked like children waiting for punishment after being caught doing something stupid.
The thought made him chuckle.
The sound rolled through the heavens once more.
Immediately, the Azure Cloud cultivators became nervous.
Several lowered their heads even further.
Some even started sweating.
Then Clayne spoke.
"Are all of you absolutely sure about this?"
The question sounded casual.
Almost playful.
Unfortunately, to the Azure Cloud cultivators, the words carried an entirely different meaning.
Their hearts immediately tightened.
Several faces turned pale.
Liang Feng’s expression changed dramatically.
The giant was asking if they were sure.
What did that mean?
Did it mean he was dissatisfied?
Did it mean he wanted to test them again?
Did it mean their sincerity was being questioned?
Countless possibilities flashed through Liang Feng’s mind.
The more he thought about it, the more frightened he became.
He immediately bowed deeper.
"This junior absolutely does not dare joke about an oath witnessed by heaven and earth. Since this junior has already acknowledged defeat, then this junior shall naturally honor every promise made before Senior Deity."
The others hurriedly followed.
"We absolutely do not dare deceive Senior Deity."
"We absolutely do not dare violate our oath."
"We absolutely do not dare joke about such matters."
The voices echoed throughout the floating islands.
Meanwhile, Clayne simply blinked.
He had only been teasing them.
Nothing more.
The reaction made him realize these cultivators seemed far more frightened of him than he originally thought.
Before he could say anything, Liang Feng suddenly raised his head.
His expression became determined.
"Senior Deity, this junior wishes to prove his sincerity."
The giant looked down.
Liang Feng continued.
"The Azure Cloud Sect possesses numerous Ascendant Realm elders. Although their strength is insignificant before Senior Deity, they are still respected figures within our homeland. This junior is willing to personally return and explain everything that has happened."
The surrounding cultivators immediately understood his intention.
Several widened their eyes.
Others became excited.
Liang Feng’s voice grew louder.
"We shall bring them here."
The declaration echoed throughout the floating islands.
Several Azure Cloud disciples immediately nodded.
"That is correct."
"We shall bring our elders."
"We shall explain everything."
"We shall inform them about Senior Deity."
"We shall inform them about the Silent Sword Sect."
The more they spoke, the more enthusiastic they became.
Many seemed determined to prove their loyalty.
One cultivator suddenly clenched his fist.
"Senior Deity’s greatness should not remain hidden within a single continent."
Another nodded vigorously.
"Senior Deity’s authority should be known throughout countless lands."
A third raised his head.
"Our elders will definitely come."
The disciples of the Silent Sword Sect exchanged stunned glances.
Several moments ago these people had arrived as invaders.
Now they were discussing bringing their elders to join them.
The situation felt surreal.
Above them, Clayne considered their words.
Then he remembered something.
The Silent Sword Sect was still weak.
Very weak.
Compared to the cultivators arriving from distant continents, the disciples beneath him barely possessed enough strength to protect themselves.
That needed to change.
The thought made him straighten slightly.
Immediately, the heavens seemed heavier.
Every person present instinctively became attentive.
Then Clayne’s voice descended.
"If all of you truly intend to remain here, then stop thinking about your own pride and start thinking about your future."
The Azure Cloud cultivators immediately became serious.
The disciples of the Silent Sword Sect also listened carefully.
The giant continued.
"This place will not remain peaceful forever."
The floating islands became silent.
"More cultivators will come."
The disciples exchanged nervous glances.
"More sects will arrive."
The Azure Cloud cultivators nodded unconsciously.
"More continents will eventually discover this region."
The atmosphere gradually became solemn.
Then the giant’s voice became firmer.
"Therefore, every one of you must become stronger."
The words echoed throughout the heavens.
"I do not care whether you originally came from the Azure Cloud Sect."
"I do not care whether you originally belonged to the Silent Sword Sect."
"I do not care where you were born."
His voice carried undeniable authority.
"What I care about is whether you can survive what comes next."
The disciples felt their hearts tremble.
Even Liang Feng became serious.
Then the giant continued.
"Most of you are still weak."
The statement immediately embarrassed many cultivators.
Yet nobody dared deny it.
Not after everything they had witnessed.
"You will expand."
The giant’s voice echoed throughout the world.
"You will establish influence."
"You will strengthen yourselves."
"You will spread throughout this continent."
"You will gather resources."
"You will recruit."
"You will grow."
The disciples listened silently.
Then came the final command.
"Because the next people who arrive may not be as reasonable as I am."
Those words immediately sent chills down countless spines.
The giant slowly looked across everyone.
Then he finished.
"Prepare yourselves."
The heavens gradually became quiet.
No one spoke.
No one moved.
Every cultivator present silently absorbed the command.
Meanwhile, somewhere far beyond the floating islands, Liang Feng and a small group of Azure Cloud disciples had already begun making preparations to leave.
Compared to the hundreds who had arrived originally, only a handful departed.
Their mission was simple.
Return.
Report everything.
And bring back those capable of understanding the true significance of what they had witnessed.
As they disappeared into the distant horizon, Liang Feng looked back one final time toward the floating islands hidden beneath clouds.
His expression remained complicated.
Fear.
Respect.
Disbelief.
All mixed together.
Then he finally turned away.
The small group accelerated into the distance.
Their destination was clear.
The Azure Cloud Sect would soon learn that the world they thought they understood had just become far larger than they ever imagined.