Cloud Island

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Thousand Clouds Island.

This was where the Market of the Demon Sigil Sect was located.

Within the vast seas spanning hundreds of thousands of miles under the Demon Sigil Sect’s domain, amidst billions of islands, hundreds of cultivation clans, countless itinerant cultivators, and the endless flow and exchange of immortal goods, all converged at this place.

Thousand Clouds Island stretched eight hundred miles from north to south, and a thousand miles from east to west, vast in its expanse. The island’s terrain was undulating, covered in lush rainforests.

A peculiar phenomenon occurred on this island.

Every afternoon, without exception, rain would fall.

For tens of thousands of years, it had always been thus.

After the rain, the sky would clear, the sun shining brightly, white clouds drifting and curling, presenting a breathtaking vista along the horizon.

Many cultivators would ride carriages, spirit beasts, auspicious clouds, or magical artifacts, floating above to admire the scenery and leisurely discuss the Dao—a distinctive feature of Thousand Clouds Island.

The island was dotted with immortal dwellings, spiritual edifices, treasure towers, and jade pavilions; tens of thousands of businesses thrived here, and the annual taxes alone contributed vast amounts of spirit stones to the Demon Sigil Sect.

The Xu family also owned a shop here.

On this day,

Pang Yue rode an auspicious cloud, flying in from the edge of the sky.

Above Thousand Clouds Island, lights of various colors flickered and streaked across the sky—an image of bustling prosperity.

Guided by the memories of his predecessor, Daoist Xu, he made his way to the southwestern part of the island and found a towering ancient tree.

This tree soared over a thousand zhang high, magnificent and robust, its crown alone spanning several dozen miles, resembling a verdant, imposing mountain standing sentinel over the island.

Compared to this giant tree, all surrounding trees appeared insignificant, like mere blades of grass.

“The Divine Tree of Thousand Clouds…”

Pang Yue gazed at the tree, awestruck by its overwhelming presence.

Within the crown of the Divine Tree were countless shops and businesses—one of the island’s more prestigious trading centers.

As he approached, a rich wood-element spiritual energy washed over him.

To cultivate wood-element techniques here would surely yield twice the result with half the effort.

Rows of houses were built along the massive branches of the Divine Tree, forming unique and eccentric “streets.”

Pang Yue moved in and out of over a dozen shops, selling off all his spoils from the outer seas.

The Five Friends of Bamboo Mountain, Zheng Peng, Long Yanzi, and others…

All the magical artifacts, treasures, and even large quantities of demon beast corpses that he no longer needed—he sold them all, exchanging them for over two million spirit stones.

At the same time, he acquired eighteen qi-consuming puppets, which could later be used to cultivate Yuan Yang Rice in the Mountain River Vessel.

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Regrettably, he did not encounter any materials needed to forge the nine supreme spiritual treasures from his previous life.

For now, he had enough Heavenly Dust Pills, so he need not worry about alchemical supplies for some time.

Once home, it was imperative to devote himself to cultivation and raise his strength to the sixth level of the Dao Foundation as soon as possible.

Atop the Divine Tree of Thousand Clouds, a snow-white jade pavilion perched upon a bough, shimmering with radiant light—an extraordinary sight.

A plaque hung at the entrance, inscribed with three characters: Joyful Gathering Hall.

This was one of the ten great spiritual restaurants on Thousand Clouds Island.

Every year, many powerful cultivators of the Golden Core realm would host banquets here. The standards were so high that ordinary cultivators could only look on in awe.

Today, Pang Yue was to host a female cultivator here.

As he entered the restaurant, he was suddenly struck by the uncanny feeling of attending a blind date, as he once had in his previous life…

…

Pang Yue had reserved a private room.

He had just sat down when a streak of light descended from the sky and entered the restaurant.

Moments later, a beautiful woman in a silver gown, led by a waiter, entered Pang Yue’s private room.

She was tall and willowy, with long, elegant brows that held a hint of menace.

Her face was exquisitely beautiful, yet the cold, aloof aura she exuded diminished its charm somewhat.

At first sight, Pang Yue felt his hair stand on end, as though he had been targeted by a fearsome beast.

Without betraying his intent, he swept his gaze over the woman and discreetly activated his unnamed ocular art—at once, he glimpsed an endless sea of blood and countless wronged souls drifting behind her.

“What a murderous aura!”

Pang Yue’s heart stirred—she had surely slain many cultivators and demon beasts.

Why did Xu Wentian introduce me to such a bloodthirsty woman as a Dao companion…

The woman in the silver dress took her seat without ceremony and, with practiced ease, began ordering, “Emerald Feather Fire Rhinoceros… Violet Ice Gold Demon Tapir… Sublime Spirit Immortal Mushrooms… Monkey Wine…”

This restaurant boasted over three hundred dishes, all prepared by Dao Foundation cultivators from spiritual meats and plants. Not only were they delicious, but they also replenished spiritual energy and refined magical power—a great benefit to cultivators.

Pang Yue remained silent, watching as the woman ordered dishes totaling five or six thousand spirit stones in one breath.

An ordinary Dao Foundation cultivator could never afford such extravagance…

Clearly, she intended to fleece him.

Her name was Ran Yunxin, an inner disciple of the Primordial Demon Hall, with a cultivation at the sixth level of Dao Foundation. She had little background, had cultivated less than ninety years, yet possessed pure and formidable demonic power—so much so that even Xu Wentian praised her highly.

“Brother Xu, a pleasure to meet you!”

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After ordering, Ran Yunxin offered a faint smile, her beautiful eyes boldly sizing up Pang Yue.

“The pleasure is mine!” Pang Yue cupped his hands in greeting. Gazing at Ran Yunxin’s graceful figure, he praised, “My uncle has spoken of your talents many times, and meeting you today, I see your reputation is well deserved.”

Ran Yunxin replied indifferently, “You flatter me, Brother Xu. I heard you recently defeated Qu Ziyang of the Ice Demon Hall in a contest—your skills are impressive, and I have long admired you.”

“Ran Daoist, you overestimate me. It was mere luck that I managed to win by a move or two—hardly worth mentioning…”

After these polite exchanges, the two found themselves at a loss for words.

Ran Yunxin’s face regained its composed, cool expression; she ate the delectable spiritual dishes with poise, showing no trace of awkwardness.

Pang Yue smiled lightly and asked, “Daoist Ran, there is something I do not understand. Given your qualities, why would you agree to such a match?”

Ran Yunxin took a sip of Monkey Wine, her bright eyes meeting his as she smiled, “For those who walk the Dao, wealth, companionship, methods, and land are all essential. You possess astonishing talent, peerless swordsmanship, and an extraordinary background… In short, you are a fine match.”

“Was it my uncle who pressured you?”

Pang Yue shook his head and asked with a smile.

Given Xu Wentian’s position in the Primordial Demon Hall, likely no one below the Golden Core dared defy him.

Ran Yunxin fell silent for a moment, then answered calmly, “Senior Brother Xu has done me a great favor. I once promised to join the Xu family and protect them for a hundred years.”

Pang Yue paused, then said, “If that is the case, Daoist, should you be unwilling, I will not force you.”

“No need,” Ran Yunxin waved her hand. “I am not one to go back on my word. But if you wish to win my heart and body, you must work harder at your cultivation. I prefer men like Senior Brother Wentian, who dominate their peers. Though you have some skill, I’m afraid you’re not yet my match.”

“How can we speak of victory or defeat before crossing swords?” Pang Yue replied.

Ran Yunxin’s eyes shone; arching her brows, she said, “I hear you won a Demon Hall Talisman. Why not take me to the outer realms? There, we can spar. If I lose, I will be at your disposal.”

Pang Yue sighed, “Why go to such lengths? I have no plans to visit the Demon Devouring Hall for now.”

“Are you afraid, Brother Xu?” Ran Yunxin sneered, a look of disdain on her face.

Pang Yue calculated briefly and said, “Very well. The Demon Devouring Hall will open again in nine months. When the time comes, we shall go together.”