"Old Clan Leader, these Ji-grade Spiritual Herbs are for you."
Ye Yunfei took out a spatial ring and handed it to the Old Clan Leader.
"No!
Young Master Su, you harvested these herbs yourself by venturing into that dangerous terrain. I didn't contribute at all; I can't accept them."
The Old Clan Leader hurriedly declined.
"If it weren't for your presence, I probably couldn't have dealt with those experts from the Beast Taming Sect on my own.
I won't hoard all these herbs. Please take them."
Ye Yunfei offered the spatial ring to the Old Clan Leader, smiling as he spoke.
"In that case, I won't stand on ceremony.
Young Master Su is truly a sincere man!"
The Old Clan Leader accepted the spatial ring, his voice filled with gratitude.
These Ji-grade Spiritual Herbs were extremely valuable. He could bring them back to aid the cultivation of experts within his clan, making them excellent cultivation resources.
"This island is riddled with danger. Everyone, follow behind me. I'll lead the way."
With a wave of his hand, Ye Yunfei sent the Measuring Earth Plate flying. It hovered before him, unleashing rolling yellow radiance. Immediately, the earth qi beneath the surrounding ground began to react, resonating with the plate.
Simultaneously, over a hundred Red Dragons, under Ye Yunfei's control, burrowed underground, clearing a path ahead.
"Young Master Su, are you really an Earth Master?"
The Old Clan Leader finally couldn't help but ask.
"Yes, I am an Earth Master."
Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Young Master Su, despite your youth, your talent in martial cultivation is exceptional, and you possess profound mastery in multiple fields. I am truly impressed.
One day, your name will surely resound across this continent!"
The Old Clan Leader couldn't help but sigh with admiration.
"You flatter me, Old Clan Leader.
Let's go."
Ye Yunfei pointed a finger. The Measuring Earth Plate emitted a humming sound, continuously expanding until it transformed into a giant disc covering several acres of land in the blink of an eye, then surged forward.
Boom boom boom…
Underground, over a hundred Red Dragons also sprang into action, moving forward in a powerful tide.
Just as the Old Clan Leader and the Mermaid Clan members were about to activate their movement techniques to follow, several Red Dragons emerged from beneath the earth. Each carried one of them, charging ahead.
Ye Yunfei stood with his hands behind his back, riding one of the Red Dragons by controlling it from its head.
"In the water, our Mermaid Clan can ride the waves. On land, Young Master Su can ride the earth.
Haha…
It is truly a delight to befriend Young Master Su!"
Standing on the broad back of a Red Dragon, the Old Clan Leader clicked his tongue in admiration and burst into laughter.
At this time, more and more people were landing on the island one after another, all heading toward its central area.
Cangmang Island was treacherous everywhere. Those who had ventured in soon encountered various dangers. The sounds of miserable screams, angry shouts, clashes of battle, and the roars of energy and magic treasures filled the air incessantly. The entire island was boiling with activity.
"Danger ahead! Let's take a detour!"
The Measuring Earth Plate ahead suddenly emitted a buzzing sound. Ye Yunfei's expression changed slightly as he shouted softly.
Following Ye Yunfei's hand seals, all the Red Dragons immediately changed course, skirting around a patch of grassland that appeared peaceful and serene.
Hehe…
A huge, ghastly red eye suddenly emerged from within that grassy area. It was the size of a house, glaring at Ye Yunfei's group with a sinister, malicious gaze.
The Mermaid Clan members secretly felt fortunate. If they hadn't avoided it in advance, entering that grassland would surely have led them into contact with something terrifying.
Next, Ye Yunfei's group detoured around danger after danger, heading swiftly toward the island's center.
"Young Master Su, we're fortunate to have you leading the way. Otherwise, even if we could reach the island center, we would suffer heavy losses."
The Old Clan Leader couldn't help but sigh.
Not long after, they finally began approaching the center of the island.
At a glance, the area appeared desolate and barren, with not a blade of grass growing.
Furthermore, the air was thick and gray, with a mist spreading through it, making everything look somewhat dim and gloomy.
What made everyone even more alert was the absence of any plants, insects, or living creatures. It seemed all life ceased here.
"So many dried bones!"
Advancing a little further, everyone saw snow-white dried bones scattered densely across the ground, piled upon each other like a thick layer of white snow.
Individual snow-white skulls rolled on the ground with the wind, making a gurgling sound—a thoroughly unnerving sight.
Caw…
Suddenly, a black grotesque bird appeared on a large gray rock in the distance. It resembled a crow in shape, but was exceptionally large, with a fierce, devil-like avian face. Its body was wreathed in wisps of black mist.
"That's a Soul-Eating Bird!"
Before Ye Yunfei could speak, Huang Shang had already appeared beside him, exclaiming in surprise.
The Old Clan Leader and the Mermaid Clan members were somewhat startled to see Huang Shang, whose presence teemed with ghostly energy.
"Yes, this is a Soul-Eating Bird. It specializes in feeding on the rotting corpses of living beings and their Soul Bodies. It is extremely yin in nature, making it one of the most sinister creatures in the world."
Ye Yunfei nodded.
"If I can capture it and devour it, it would greatly benefit my strength."
Huang Shang stared at the Soul-Eating Bird, his gaze burning with desire.
The Soul-Eating Bird fed on Soul Bodies, thus containing massive amounts of soul energy—a potent supplement for Huang Shang.
"Huang Lao, if you wish to catch it, take the Netherworld Yin Blade with you. It should be able to counter it.
But you'd better act quickly. The Flying Sky Yin Monkeys have probably also arrived on this island.
Once you use the Netherworld Yin Blade, those Flying Sky Yin Monkeys will surely follow its aura.
Those Flying Sky Yin Monkeys aren't easy to deal with."
Ye Yunfei said to Huang Shang.
"Alright, I'll give it a try."
Huang Shang nodded.
Thus, Ye Yunfei handed the Netherworld Yin Blade to Huang Shang.
Huang Shang's figure flashed, disappearing into the ground.
Ye Yunfei willed with his mind. Over two hundred Red Dragons also burrowed underground, following Huang Shang to protect him.
In the distance, the Soul-Eating Bird stared at Ye Yunfei and the Mermaid Clan party with a weird gaze. Its avian body emitted billowing yin-cold energy, causing the rock beneath it to frost over with black ice.
It had marked Ye Yunfei and the Mermaid Clan members as its prey!
"Young Master Su, that bird is very sinister. It would be wiser to avoid provoking it."
The Old Clan Leader frowned and said.
"Don't worry, Old Clan Leader. Huang Lao is also no benevolent figure."
Ye Yunfei laughed.
"Young Master Su, is Huang Lao perhaps… the legendary Ghost Cultivator?"
Having lived a long life, the Old Clan Leader knew many of the world's secrets and had once heard of Ghost Cultivators.
"Yes, Huang Lao is a Ghost Cultivator."
Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Let's continue forward."
Ye Yunfei pointed his finger. The Measuring Earth Plate buzzed noisily, leading everyone on a detour to avoid the area ahead littered with snow-white dried bones.
Crackle crackle…
The snow-white dried bones covering the ground suddenly began to stir violently, rising into the air like a blizzard of white.
Then, a snow-white humanoid creature slowly walked out from amidst the swirling dried bones.
"Hurry! Get away!"
Ye Yunfei's expression changed slightly, realizing that a terrifying existence intended to attack their group.
The Red Dragons beneath them abruptly accelerated, shooting away in an instant.
One hour later.
They finally arrived in the central region of the island.
This area was barren—no plants grew, nor were there any animals. Even snakes, insects, rats, and ants were absent. An Ancient Fortress stood alone here.
"That's the fortress!"
The Old Clan Leader exclaimed excitedly.
By now, many people had already arrived. They gathered around the fortress, observing it cautiously.