The gray ocean, like ink mixed with water, churned with waves, and the wind and clouds before them became turbulent like seawater. The wind howled, the waves roared, and through the gray mist, all mythological beings could see wisps of divine charm drifting between heaven and earth.
These divine charms were sometimes as hot as fire, sometimes as soft as water, and sometimes as sharp as blades... It was these strands of divine charm, diffused and drifting in the heavens and earth, that collided with each other, making the surrounding area seem restless.
And this was merely a trace of power revealed unintentionally by the mythological beings as they asserted their presence.
"So many, so many myths!"
Iluoxi gazed out, and unyieldingly released streams of fiery red divine charm, thinning the surrounding gray mist.
Xing Jinglei and Qian Qiu were much more discreet but were also astonished by the number of mythological beings in the distance. They had never seen so many mythological beings before!
Let alone them, Fang also hadn't.
Their own organization possessed more than ten mythological beings, which was definitely far beyond any ordinary super oasis. But as for mythological beings outside of the 'Xin Huo', Fang You stated that he had seen fewer than ten.
Did it make sense that their own mythological beings outnumbered those they had seen?
Today, they finally got to witness the vastness of the outside world and the powerful beings of various factions. They wondered how powerful the mythological beings truly originating from top-tier factions were.
With anticipation, Fang You prepared to grant himself half a day off, his gaze following the three of them.
Soon, the flying ship sailed out of the thick fog and entered the oasis territory.
Outside, the wind was rising and the waves were surging, but the moment they entered the oasis, they felt as if they had stepped into a secluded paradise. The wind had stopped, the sun was bright, and its warm light fell upon this undeveloped land, covered only with wild grass and scattered trees and shrubs of varying heights.
The oasis was monotonous, the most ordinary and least valuable kind. Apart from a certain mineral vein in the distance that seemed to be a natural resource point, there was only the beacon placed to the side, emitting a straight, brilliant beam towards the sky, which was somewhat special.
But at this moment, many factions had already arrived at the oasis, their presence rendering the entire area exceptionally mysterious.
There were floating islands suspended in the sky, with an area comparable to two football fields. Each was covered with profound runes, woven together to form a barrier like a giant inverted bowl. Through the barrier, one could still vaguely see countless flowers and plants cultivated within, along with a few exquisitely constructed buildings.
There were warships inscribed with runes, with cannons extending from both sides, looking both ferocious and majestic.
There were dozens of meters tall towers standing on the barren grassland, their spires entwined with specks of starlight.
And there were all sorts of imposing war chariots, warships, airships, and so on, making it truly like a 'grand exhibition of vehicles'.
Compared to these, the Silver Moon Type II flying ship piloted by Iluoxi and the other two was rather unremarkable.
...
...
"Another faction has arrived."
"A Silver Moon series flying ship from the Ancient Moon Dynasty. Is it a super faction under Ancient Moon's jurisdiction?"
"I don't know. The emblem on the flying ship is unfamiliar. Perhaps it's a newly rising faction from the last few decades."
Some mythological beings exchanged divine thoughts, chatted for a bit, and then paid it no further mind.
As more and more factions arrived, the atmosphere was far from lively, only feeling stifled. Factions arriving at this island each occupied a space and waited in silence. Only a few factions, whose mythological beings were on good terms, gathered together.
This left Xing Jinglei and the other two somewhat disappointed.
They had expected to see many mythological beings. However, there weren't many; only a few mythological beings showed themselves throughout. They almost all remained within their own war chariots or airships, fully displaying their aloof nature.
Under such circumstances, it was impossible for the three of them to approach.
Iluoxi disdained to, she only wanted to be more aloof.
Xing Jinglei didn't bother with it. It would be better to seize this time for more training. After this mission, he intended to formally challenge Black Blade.
Qian Qiu... Qian Qiu was a bit bored, hoping for someone to chat with. He couldn't get along with Iluoxi or Xing Jinglei. However, he didn't know any of the mythological beings around him. Not to mention not knowing them, he couldn't even recognize many of their faction emblems.
He looked around, some emblems appearing vaguely familiar, as if he had seen them somewhere but couldn't recall.
At this moment, a dark green warship flew closer to them, and then a mythological being wearing a robe of the same color, with a mask, boarded the Burning Fire Merchant Association's flying ship with several attendants.
This mythological being introduced himself as the founder of Shadow Island, a super faction in the Great Mi Chaos Archipelago region.
Qian Qiu had heard something about this faction. It was also an assassin organization, previously second only to Hidden Kill Pavilion in scale. Their assassin business was primarily concentrated in the eastern part of the Shattered Sea.
However, with Hidden Kill Pavilion compensating the Burning Fire Merchant Association with a large number of strongholds and their Mission Guild not accepting many assassination requests, Shadow Island had gradually risen, tending to surpass Hidden Kill Pavilion and become the number one assassin organization.
"Lord Qian Qiu, I have long heard of your name. You defeated that Hidden Kill fellow in a one-on-one battle. Remarkable, you are indeed a formidable young talent."
"It was just luck, just luck." Qian Qiu cupped his hands. "The Pavilion Master of Hidden Kill Pavilion is a very powerful opponent. I only narrowly won by a single move, and that was after giving my all."
He was not being humble.
At that time, the overall strength of the Pavilion Master of Hidden Kill Pavilion was still above his. He used the legendary skill 'Illusory Bubble', taking advantage of terrain and intelligence, and it took him 486 deaths before he truly defeated the Pavilion Master.
Of course, that was more than half a year ago. He was still a novice mythological being back then, with few skills. And now...
Qian Qiu pondered.
Influenced by the other diligent individuals in the Garrison, he had also been exceptionally hardworking during these seven or eight months. Besides occasionally reading novels and playing the storyteller, he had been practicing almost all the time.
And it was practice as if he had cheated!
Having been a mythological being for over half a year, he was still a newly promoted one. However, during this period, he had already learned thirteen skills, including 'Phantom Clone', 'Gluttony Body Tempering', and 'Void Meditation'. Among them, the basic 'Blade Cut' had long been cultivated to the extraordinary level, and the more advanced Gluttony Body Tempering had also been cultivated to master level, greatly increasing his physique.
His innate skill, 'Illusory Bubble', had also broken through to the expert level two months ago. Now, not only could this skill instantly trap enemies in a real illusion, but it could also, to a certain extent, manipulate the ratio of internal and external time flow.
Previously, no matter if a day or ten days passed within the Illusory Bubble space, it was only an instant in the outside world.
Now, a day of fighting inside could allow three seconds to pass in the outside world.
If it were a one-on-one duel, forcing the adjustment of time flow would be meaningless. But with team cooperation, this move would be a divine skill that could control enemies for three seconds!
If he were to have another real duel with the Pavilion Master of Hidden Kill Pavilion now, Qian Qiu was confident that he could dominate that Pavilion Master within the illusory space. Thinking of this, he somewhat missed the old Pavilion Master.
He looked around, but did not find the familiar divine charm of the Pavilion Master of Hidden Kill Pavilion, which was a bit regrettable.
Of course, despite the great improvement, he had also put in a lot of effort. On the surface, he had only cultivated for seven or eight months, but in reality, if he counted the mandatory training time in the 'cultivation space', he might have been cultivating for several years or even over a decade.
Terrifying!
He had unknowingly become so diligent, yet he didn't feel tired. What was going on?
While Qian Qiu was somewhat lost in thought, the Island Master of Shadow Island observed the "youngster" in front of him. He had made several inquiries before learning the news that the Pavilion Master of Hidden Kill had been defeated by a newly promoted mythological being, and he was quite surprised.
Regarding Qian Qiu's claim of a "narrow victory by a single move," the Island Master of Shadow Island firmly believed it and at the same time suspected that the Pavilion Master of Hidden Kill was just a fraud – after all, the Pavilion Master of Hidden Kill did not have many victories, and his defeat by Qian Qiu might become a notable entry on his record.
"However, whether it's Hidden Kill or us, we are just minor supporting roles this time. The true protagonists are only the Four Hegemons, and this time, there might be some exceptionally important figures from the Four Hegemon factions appearing."
The Island Master of Shadow Island sighed.
Like his Shadow Island, the Burning Fire Merchant Association was an edge faction within the super faction circle, with no backing or foundation. This was why the Island Master of Shadow Island chose to seek out the Burning Fire Merchant Association for mutual support.
However, considering that the Burning Fire mythological beings had limited knowledge of the Shattered Sea, he said, "The Shattered Sea is much vaster and more powerful than other great domains. Even giants like super factions are divided into first-class, second-class, and third-class."
He chuckled self-deprecatingly,
"Factions like us, with no roots, no backing, and no Level Seven oasis, are merely the most ordinary super factions. Although we can converse with the mythological beings of hegemonic factions, everyone knows that our status is not equal. We are just third-class within the super faction circle."
"Second-class super factions are those that possess Level Seven oases, vast lands, resources, and populations. The wealth they control is far greater than ours. More importantly, although we don't want to admit it, mythological beings who possess super oases are indeed stronger."
Hearing this, Qian Qiu became somewhat perplexed.
"Isn't the strength of our mythological beings solely based on accumulation? I admit that super oases have a long history and deep foundations, possibly possessing many places for skill inheritance, but it doesn't necessarily mean they are stronger than other mythological beings, does it?"
The Island Master of Shadow Island glanced at him in surprise and thought for a moment,
"Skills do affect combat power. I heard that your Burning Fire Merchant Association obtained some ability fruits from ruins?"
Before Qian Qiu could answer, he continued, "But compared to the number of skills, realm is the fundamental basis for strength. And you must have experienced how difficult it is for us mythological beings to cultivate, right?"
"If we cultivate continuously without interruption, it takes several years to condense a single particle of divine nature. However, in reality, there are all sorts of situations, and we occasionally have to use some divine power, so mythological beings like us might never be able to construct a second strand of divine nature in our lifetime."
"It's different for mythological beings who possess Level Seven oases. Level Seven oases are very special. Their Heart of the Oasis can generate a bit of world power, and using world power to assist cultivation can increase the speed of condensing divine nature particles several times over, perhaps condensing a strand in half a year."
"Two mythological beings, one from an ordinary faction and another from a super oasis. The difference might not be significant when they first ascend, but after a hundred years, the gap between them will be clearly evident! Even possessing one or two more skills cannot compensate for the fundamental difference in power."
"Moreover, super oases are inherently wealthy. In reality, their strength is greater than ours, and they possess more skills as well."
The Island Master of Shadow Island was truly extraordinary.
He came from an ordinary wealthy family and climbed his way up with his talent and intelligence. After paying an unimaginable price, he finally ascended to godhood.
He had indeed entered a new realm and seen scenery that was previously inaccessible. But after entering the mythological being circle, he realized that this circle also had differences in strength and status, and scattered mythological beings like him, with no money or backing, were just insignificant edge mythological beings.
Why did his Shadow Island always fail to compete with Hidden Kill Pavilion? Wasn't it because Hidden Kill Pavilion had connections with the Seven Star Alliance!
...
Qian Qiu listened, occasionally chiming in with a few words, babbling whatever came to mind. Perhaps his questions were not sensitive information, so the Island Master of Shadow Island seemed very amiable and answered everything.
Fang You was also listening, nodding as if he suddenly understood.
"So, there are so many intricacies within the super faction circle."
He found a benefit in viewing things from Qian Qiu's perspective. Qian Qiu spoke a lot, and he would ask about many things Fang You wanted to know. Even things Fang You didn't intend to inquire about, Qian Qiu would ask.
This wasn't because Qian Qiu possessed the qualities of an intelligence agent; it was purely because... he was too bored and was looking for something to talk about.
For example, now: ...
"The leader of the White Lotus Sect is called the White Lotus Madam. May I ask if that Madam is married?"
"Look at the emblem of 'Earth Screw Mountain'. Doesn't it look like a pile of poop?"
"Why are the airships of the Karen family and the Tulip Principality so far apart? Don't they belong to the Red Lotus Empire?"
Qian Qiu's questions became more and more numerous, gradually causing the Island Master of Shadow Island to show a constipated expression.
He didn't know how to respond!
How could there be such... such an indescribable mythological being?!
Fortunately, at this moment, magnificent divine light spread from the horizon. The Island Master of Shadow Island exclaimed, "Look quickly!" and fell silent.
In the distance,
As the faint divine light appeared, the gray mist seemed to be swept away, revealing a vast, endless road of starlight.
Along the sparkling track, several colossal starships slowly sailed in.
From another direction, the gray mist also scattered violently, as if a blazing sun had risen. A spherical fortress with countless cannons slowly flew out from the flames of the sun. It possessed a ferocious beauty!
Immediately after, moonlight descended, and a beautiful symphony spread across the sky and the earth. An ancient and magnificent palace, shrouded in moonlight, also slowly flew out.
The Four Hegemon factions had arrived simultaneously!
And in an instant, one after another majestic figures appeared, with four noble and supreme beings at the forefront.
One was a burly figure wearing a steel mask, only revealing his mouth, and dressed in robes that resembled a steel shell.
He was like a scorching sun that was about to incinerate the earth. Gazing at him, one could seemingly see the disaster of the sun striking the earth. It was majestic and terrifying, and even the mythological beings who looked at this being involuntarily lowered their noble heads.
"This one is the 'Sunfall Sovereign · Wheel of Glorious Steel' of the Red Lotus Empire! His name is unknown, you can call him Lord Sunfall or Lord Glorious Steel. He is... above godhood!"
The Island Master of Shadow Island whispered.
The second one wore a silver-gray cloak and carried a spear on his back.
He was as sharp as the harsh winter and as silent as a frozen lake. Looking at this being, the Island Master of Shadow Island's voice became even lower.
"This one is the 'Silent Crown · Pillar of Heavenly Cold' Lord Xi Guang of the Ancient Moon Dynasty, also above godhood."
The third one looked much more ordinary. He was a refined middle-aged man wearing blue robes and a single-lens monocle.
He did not seem to exert much pressure beyond godhood. If one had to describe him, it would be mysterious!
"This one is the third Island Master of the Seven Star Alliance, 'Starry Sky Gazer · Ancient Secret Seeker · Favored by the Stars' Lord Mu Xing. It is rumored that for the past few thousand years, Lord Mu Xing has remained in his astrology tower and rarely appeared. I didn't expect that the Seven Star Alliance would send this Lord this time."
The fourth one, a demigod from Great Mi Chaos City, his figure was hidden in the mist, making him unclear.
His fame also seemed much shorter. After gazing for a while, the Island Master of Shadow Island couldn't recognize which one it was.
As the Four Hegemon factions arrived and the four supreme demigod beings appeared, the mythological beings present could no longer maintain their aloofness and came out one after another, bowing respectfully towards the four Lords positioned higher up.
The demigod of the Red Lotus Empire, 'Sunfall Sovereign', who was leading this operation, spoke.
"According to the clues, the source of disaster is located hundreds of thousands of meters deep beneath the surface of the nearby Sea of Filth. Our purpose for this journey is to find and destroy them!"
This Lord looked around, seeing the flying ships, carriages, and pavilions that resembled jewel-adorned treasures. He paused for a moment and said,
"The Sea of Filth can easily contaminate the body. Those below godhood, if not necessary, should not follow us down."
"Additionally, the Red Lotus Empire, Ancient Moon Dynasty, Seven Star Alliance, and Great Mi Chaos City... we will form four arrowhead teams to explore in four directions. Everyone, choose one team to follow, and that is all."
With that, the Sunfall Sovereign returned to the spherical fortress.
He then looked at the list handed to him by his follower and couldn't help but let out a cold snort, "What do these mythological beings think this operation is! A child's play?!"
"Either they are completely unprepared and treating it like a sightseeing trip, or they are finding excuses to not come!"
A terrifying aura suppressed him, but at a certain moment, it suddenly weakened.
"This faction..."
"The Burning Fire Merchant Association, a rising faction with three mythological beings in its combat strength. All three of their mythological beings have actually come! This..."
The Sunfall Sovereign was stunned and silent.
After a long while, he sighed, "If every faction were like the Burning Fire Merchant Association, why would we worry about not being able to eradicate disasters!"