The island, the Golden Jade Pavilion.
"Little girl, what's the reason you've invited us all here?"
"Get on with it, I have things to do."
"Exactly, the Sea Market only opens for this short period each year. Wasting time is wasting wealth!"
Numerous Gu Masters had gathered inside the Golden Jade Pavilion, all staring at the blue-scaled young woman, Xia Lin, and speaking up one after another.
They were already growing impatient from the wait.
Xia Lin glanced around the room, a faint smile on her face. "All of you present here are prominent figures. I'll keep it brief then. From now on, this island is my territory, under my control. If any of you have trade or business to conduct, you are very welcome, but you must pay taxes and cannot stay on this little island for extended periods."
"As for who can remain here and live long-term? That would be those who join and pledge allegiance, becoming my subordinates."
The room fell silent for an instant.
Then, the Gu Masters erupted in commotion. Was this a joke?
The leading Third Transformation Gu Masters all wore displeased expressions.
"Little girl, your courage is far too great."
"The younger generation these days, tsk tsk, truly don't know the height of the heavens or the depth of the earth."
"Do you really think that just because you killed a Third Transformation Gu Master, you can run your mouth like this? Don't forget, you're only a Second Transformation Gu Master yourself."
Facing the collective doubts, Xia Lin's heart was also apprehensive. But thinking of this being Master Chu's instructions, she could only force a smile and press on, her voice steady. "Everyone need not have any misgivings. Shortly, you will understand what my backing is."
"What is it?" someone immediately asked.
Xia Lin continued to smile, for even if she said that, she didn't know what it was.
But at that moment, the ground began to shake.
"What's happening?" someone shrieked, as the tremors grew increasingly violent.
"An earthquake?!" The Gu Masters cried out in alarm and confusion, thrown into a panic.
Fortunately, the Golden Jade Pavilion was a Gu House, which possessed a degree of defensive capability.
But outside, chaos had already erupted. Screams and shouts were everywhere.
"No, I have to rush back and guard my shop!"
"I'm leaving first!"
The Gu Masters began to scramble toward the exit, but then the ground suddenly surged with a thick, golden light.
The golden light enveloped the entire island, naturally blocking the doorway of the Gu House.
No matter what methods the Gu Masters used, they couldn't break through the golden light. They were utterly horrified. "What on earth is going on?"
"This is absolutely no ordinary tremor."
"Xia Lin! You must know something!!"
Someone, seeing Xia Lin still smiling, had a sudden flash of insight and screamed.
Instantly, every Gu Master in the room fixed their gaze upon Xia Lin.
Xia Lin was also shocked, but at this moment, Fang Yuan's voice reached her ear, guiding her on how to handle the situation. "Everyone, do not panic. This anomaly is beneficial, not harmful, to all of you. More words are pointless. Just watch carefully; this change will not last long."
Xia Lin was still being cryptic, but the Gu Masters no longer dared to underestimate her.
This was obviously no calamity, but something man-made.
What person could achieve something of this magnitude?
Certainly not a mortal!
A single name arose simultaneously in the minds of all the Gu Masters — Immortal!
This was indeed the work of an Immortal.
To be precise, it was Fang Yuan working to repair the immortal formation on the seabed.
He took out various immortal materials from his blessed land, cast them into the formation, and then activated diverse killer moves to mend it.
On the island, the golden light surged, spreading outward in all directions.
New stretches of land took shape within the golden light around the island. The ships that had previously surrounded the island's edge were all run aground. People on the ships shouted and screamed, frozen in place by the golden light, unable to move an inch.
The golden light gradually dissipated. The total area of the island had expanded by more than double.
At the new edge of the island, massive waves surged, churning into towering tsunamis. Countless fish, shrimp, and sea beasts revealed themselves.
This was Fang Yuan, having repaired the main earth-formation, now beginning to adjust the water-portion.
Finally, when he completely finished restoring the immortal formation, the colossal waves on the sea surface slowly subsided.
But Fang Yuan did not stop.
Upon the foundation of this great formation, he added a small, subsidiary immortal formation.
After constructing the small formation, he waved his hand, transferring control of it to Xia Lin.
A beam of white light descended from the sky, enveloping Xia Lin, and then the light completely merged into her body.
Xia Lin had no attainment in the Dao of Formations, but this small formation designed by Fang Yuan was exceptionally user-friendly. Xia Lin instantly felt she had gained many instincts.
These instincts were as natural as breathing or moving her limbs, allowing her, according to her will, to manipulate the island's land and the surrounding seawater.
Rumble, rumble, rumble…
Amid deep, resonant sounds, the entire Golden Jade Pavilion began to expand, growing larger and larger, transforming rapidly from a small building into an exquisite and magnificent palace.
This, too, was Fang Yuan's doing. He had enlarged the Golden Jade Pavilion, forging it into a formation eye, covertly linking it to the grand formation deep beneath the sea.
This series of astonishing changes left every Gu Master in the room dumbstruck, frozen on the spot.
Xia Lin had a smile plastered on her face, but in truth, she was also extremely shocked.
Once again, Fang Yuan's voice reached her ear.