Dominator Emperor

Hearing this from Peng Zhuang, Li Qiye now had a solid grasp of the situation. It was exactly as he had suspected, so he could finally put his mind at ease. As long as he opened the First Evil Tomb, he would surely find the Lost Divine Island.

"Haha, Brother Li, don’t listen to Peng Zhuang’s bragging. When the sky turned dark, there was nothing, let alone any stars, sun, or moon. We all saw a pitch-black sky. I heard from Elder Zhi and the others that even they couldn’t see through it with their Celestial Eyes, so where would any stars come from?" one of the disciples said, shaking his head with a smile.

"But what I said is true!" Peng Zhuang became flustered and protested loudly.

Li Qiye smiled and said, "I believe Peng Zhuang. In the Great Thousand Worlds, nothing is too bizarre. Strange things happen every day, so it’s not that surprising he saw something strange."

"See? Even Brother Li believes me, unlike you bunch of little kids," Peng Zhuang said smugly.

The other five disciples laughed. The female disciple among them chuckled softly and said, "Brother Li was just being nice so you wouldn’t be embarrassed. You actually believed him?"

The few of them were from the same clan and had grown up together. They were very close, so it didn’t matter what kind of jokes they made.

"Are you all trying to make an enemy of me?" Peng Zhuang’s eyes went wide. "Are you itching for a beating? Want me to thrash you all?"

"Hah, you against the five of us? You think you can handle that?" another disciple scoffed.

Peng Zhuang put on a fierce expression and grinned. "What’s the big deal about one against five? Today, I’ll let you all get a taste of my power."

Watching the six of them bicker, Li Qiye couldn’t help but break into a smile. ’It really is a wonderful thing to have friends you’ve grown up with since childhood.’

"Well, well, if it isn’t a group of country bumpkins from the Snow Shadow Clan. You all dare to come here?" A mocking voice suddenly rang out.

A group of more than a dozen young men and women walked over. They all exuded a cold aura, and a small black cloud hovered over each of their heads.

"Hmph, so it’s just a bunch of brats from the Black Cloud Ghost Clan. You think the Night Sea belongs to you now?" Upon seeing the newcomers, the expressions of Peng Zhuang and his five companions turned grim. The atmosphere between the two groups instantly became tense.

These youths were from the Black Cloud Ghost Clan, which bordered the territory of the Snow Shadow Ghost Clan. The two clans were not on good terms. Furthermore, the Black Cloud Ghost Clan was slightly more powerful, and the Snow Shadow Ghost Clan had suffered minor losses in several previous conflicts, leaving its disciples filled with pent-up anger.

The leader of the group was the Young Master of the Black Cloud Ghost Clan. He led his disciples forward, glanced disdainfully at Peng Zhuang and the others, and said arrogantly, "The Night Sea doesn’t belong to our Black Cloud Ghost Clan. However, with your pathetic, third-rate skills, you dare come to Fengdu City? Heh, here’s a word of friendly advice: scurry back to your hole. Otherwise, if you die in Fengdu City, I’m afraid there won’t even be a place to bury your bodies."

"None of your damn business," Peng Zhuang sneered. "We’ll go wherever we please. Heh, you should worry about your own safety!"

The group of youths roared with laughter, their stance full of provocation. Young Master Hei Yun looked at Peng Zhuang’s group of six, then at Li Qiye, and shook his head with a smile. "Peng Zhuang, we have the advantage in numbers. If we were to fight you here, word would get out that we’re bullying the weak with our superior numbers."

"So what if there are sixteen or seventeen of you? Is that supposed to be impressive?" Peng Zhuang said irritably. "The seven of us can take you on all the same. Each of us fighting three of you won’t be a problem."

"Seven people?" One of the Black Cloud Ghost Clan disciples glanced at Li Qiye, then burst out laughing. He pointed at Li Qiye and said, "You’re including this human brat? Heh, Peng Zhuang, your Snow Shadow Ghost Clan must be getting desperate, hanging out with the weak Human Race. You’re a disgrace to our Ghost Race!"

"So what if he’s human!" a Snow Shadow Clan disciple snapped. "You think being from the Ghost Race makes you so special? If you’re that amazing, go challenge the Qianli River of Nanyao Yun, or the Yu Shan Old Immortal Kingdom!"

"Heh, what’s wrong? Got a problem?" Young Master Hei Yun sneered. "Barely two sentences in, and you’re already defending a human brat. What, can your Snow Shadow Clan no longer survive in our Netherworld? Are you planning to run to Yao Yun and seek refuge with the Human Race?"

Li Qiye merely smiled at the provocations from Young Master Hei Yun and his lackeys. He couldn’t even be bothered to lift an eyelid, too lazy to concern himself with juniors of their caliber.

"Pah! Little Black, if you have any guts, come out and fight me one-on-one!" Peng Zhuang was a hot-headed and straightforward person. The Black Cloud and Snow Shadow Ghost Clans were already mortal enemies, so after Young Master Hei Yun’s repeated provocations, Peng Zhuang flew into a rage and leaped out, ready for a duel.

"Heh, Peng Zhuang, you think I’m afraid of you? If you want a fight, you’ll get one! I’ll have you on the ground in three moves," Young Master Hei Yun stepped forward with an overbearing aura and sneered.

"This is not the place to settle the grudges between our two clans." Just then, a cool, pleasant voice rang out. Qiu Rong Wanxue had returned.

Upon seeing Qiu Rong Wanxue, Young Master Hei Yun’s expression changed drastically. Although she was from the younger generation, she was the Clan Leader of the Snow Shadow Ghost Clan, and her strength was comparable to that of his clan’s elders.

"If the Black Cloud Ghost Clan wants to settle the score, my Snow Shadow Clan is ready at any time," Qiu Rong Wanxue said slowly, her expression grave. "I won’t bully you juniors. Go get your Clan Leader."

"Once we’re out of Fengdu City, our Clan Leader will come to seek your guidance, Clan Leader Qiurong." In the end, Young Master Hei Yun left this parting shot before scurrying away with his disciples.

"Hmph, cowards," Peng Zhuang grumbled, still fuming. If his Clan Leader hadn’t been there, he would have definitely given that pretty boy a harsh lesson.

"Let’s go. I’ve found a Ferry Boat," Qiu Rong Wanxue said to the group.

Li Qiye and the others followed Qiu Rong Wanxue to a corner of the shore where a Ferry Boat was moored. A Ferryman sat on board. He was as tall and thin as a bamboo pole and wore a wide-brimmed straw hat, sitting silently at the stern.

As Qiu Rong Wanxue and her group drew near, the Ferryman’s sinister eyes swept over them. The moment his gaze fell upon Peng Zhuang and the other disciples, they couldn’t help but feel their skin crawl and a chill run down their spines.

"One drop of Longevity Blood per person, per day. Payment is due daily. We set sail once there are five people," the Ferryman said. His voice was like grinding stone, cold and emotionless, sending a shiver down the spine of anyone who heard it.

"Each of you offer a drop of Longevity Blood," Qiu Rong Wanxue instructed. As she spoke, she produced a drop of her own.

Peng Zhuang and the others followed their Clan Leader’s example, each producing a drop of their own Longevity Blood. For Cultivators, Longevity Blood is incredibly precious. However, Peng Zhuang’s group was still young and would accumulate more in the future. They were unlike older Cultivators, whose Longevity Blood would dry up as their Blood Qi diminished with age.

To take a Ferry Boat out into the Night Sea, one had to pay the Ferryman. The required payment was not the Essence Jade commonly used among Cultivators, nor was it the Night Sun Fish used as currency in Fengdu City, but Longevity Blood.

After everyone presented a drop of Longevity Blood, the Ferryman opened his mouth and swallowed them all. Watching this scene, the six young disciples, including Peng Zhuang, felt their hair stand on end.

Watching the Ferryman swallow the Longevity Blood, Peng Zhuang and the others finally understood why ferrymen looked different from the other residents of Fengdu City. The city’s natives seemed to have no Blood Qi whatsoever, but the ferrymen possessed a faint trace of it. It turned out this was because they consumed the Longevity Blood of Cultivators. No wonder they had it.

Having received the Longevity Blood, the Ferryman permitted Qiu Rong Wanxue’s group to board.

"Miss Qiu Rong, it’s been a while." Just as they boarded, another group of young men and women rushed over from the distance.

The group arrived at the shore in the blink of an eye. Their Blood Qi was incredibly vigorous, marking them as skilled practitioners. Their leader was a young man in a Dragon Robe. A faint, moon-like radiance shimmered around him, making him look strikingly handsome. Moreover, his own Blood Qi was immense, proving he was an absolute expert.

The young man was clearly delighted to see Qiu Rong Wanxue. He quickly clasped his fist and said with a beaming smile, "Miss Qiu Rong, you’re heading out to sea as well? What a coincidence, so are we. Why don’t we travel on the same boat?"

Qiu Rong Wanxue glanced at them and shook her head gently. "Prince Yin Yue, our boat can only hold seven or eight people. Your Highness should find a larger Ferry Boat."

However, the Prince was persistent. He looked at Li Qiye and said with a smile, "My friend from the Human Race, I’m in a hurry to get out to sea and catch some Night Sun Fish. How about you give your spot to me? I can offer you compensation."

Li Qiye glanced at the Prince, then back at Qiu Rong Wanxue. Perfectly composed, he shook his head gently and said, "I’m afraid I’ll have to decline. I’m also in a hurry to set sail."

The Prince was clearly displeased by Li Qiye’s response, but he restrained himself from lashing out.

"Prince Yin Yue, we’ll take our leave now." Not wanting to get entangled any further, Qiu Rong Wanxue bid him farewell and instructed the Ferryman to depart.

Although the Prince was reluctant, he had no choice but to clasp his fist and bid them farewell.

The Ferryman, seated at the stern, began to gently row the Ferry Boat, which slowly glided into the Night Sea.

"Who were those people just now?" Li Qiye, sitting next to Peng Zhuang, asked with a smile as he glanced toward Qiu Rong Wanxue at the bow.

"The Prince of the Yin Moon Ghost Clan. In the Netherworld, the Yin Moon Ghost Clan is considered a second-rate sect, but their power is quite impressive." At this point, Peng Zhuang glanced at his Clan Leader, who was sitting at the front of the boat. He then lowered his voice to a whisper. "The Prince of the Yin Moon Ghost Clan has a huge crush on our Clan Leader. He’s been pursuing her for a long time..."