“Truly, utterly mad!” Chu Mi blinked, finding himself at a loss for words.

Initially, he’d assumed this was a clueless lamb, flaunting wealth he didn’t know how to protect. Later, he suspected a noble scion with unfathomable backing.

After hearing about Jiang Wang’s feat of battling nine opponents single-handedly, he even wondered if the man was a hidden scion of the Qi royal family.

He’d heard rumors of royals hiding their offspring to ensure the continuation of the bloodline, a secret lineage – baseless, of course, but such whispers never ceased.

At least, that’s how Chu Mi saw it now!

How many cultivators dared to declare they would surely reach the Divine Transformation realm? How many dared to look down upon the White Elephant King, let alone the Blood King?

This was no ordinary prodigy!

Faced with the arrogance of a low-level human cultivator, the White Elephant King didn’t fly into a rage. Instead, he gazed intently at Jiang Wang through the island’s protective barrier. “I hope you live to see that day.”

He didn’t deny Jiang Wang’s hubris, didn’t promise retribution upon reaching the Divine Transformation realm… He practically wanted Jiang Wang to be even more audacious, cementing his image as a peerless talent. It would make his own accomplishments seem all the more impressive.

Ding Jingshan simply stated, “We human cultivators stand tall and take responsibility for our actions. Jiang Wang, you dared to slay the Blood King’s son, drawing the Sea Clan’s army…”

His tone suddenly shifted. “Such audacity!”

“Deserves reward!”

With a flick of his finger, a wine cup spun out, hovering before Jiang Wang.

“This cup of Soul Jade Elixir, unseen in a century, is granted to you! As reward for your great service!”

Soul Jade Elixir! A treasure for nourishing the soul, beneficial even to Divine Transformation experts! Chu Mi’s eyes gleamed with envy.

Jiang Wang reached out and grasped the cup. The mere scent of the wine seemed to soothe his severely damaged soul.

He heard Ding Jingshan’s secret transmission: “Ten taels of Mazy Crystal, or the equivalent in Source Stones. Have your elders deliver it to Yanggu afterwards. Short even a fraction, and you’ll regret it!”

So expensive!

Jiang Wang shivered inwardly, though his hand remained steady. Too expensive, he couldn’t afford to falter…

Gritting his teeth, he said nothing and drained the cup in one gulp.

He was already in debt to countless individuals. One more debt wouldn’t matter!

Ding Jingshan was clearly using this incident to assert his unwavering stance and strengthen the unity of the cultivators on Dingwei Floating Island. But the Soul Jade Elixir wasn’t a genuine reward; it was a half-sale, half-gift. Ding Jingshan saw Jiang Wang as someone who lacked for nothing. His storage ring was probably even fuller than his own. He was used to meticulous calculations in the Mazy Sea and wouldn’t be a foolish benefactor.

Nevertheless, Jiang Wang had to accept this favor. Ding Jingshan had sensed his soul’s injuries and offered this Soul Jade Elixir as a targeted remedy.

Though he felt the heavy weight of the debt, in this critical moment of impending war, he needed to restore himself to peak condition.

So he drank with relish.

It felt as though an unseen hand – though he hated the comparison – like a mother gently caressing his forehead, setting the kindest, most unwavering beacon in the world for him when he was delirious with fever.

Jiang Wang couldn’t remember his mother’s appearance. She had passed away when he was very young, and his memories seemed to hold only the figure of his father. But that warmth had always vaguely lingered.

He didn’t remember when it happened, but he remembered that it had existed.

His soul was nourished, rapidly recovering. Soul-Suppressing Serpents slithered out one by one, gradually returning to their full count of three thousand. Even more profound changes were taking place.

Jiang Wang’s eyes blazed with divine light, flashing briefly before fading.

“Return the Warm Jade Cup,” Ding Jingshan transmitted again.

Jiang Wang was speechless. He’d spent ten taels of Mazy Crystal, a thousand Source Stones. They weren’t even throwing in the cup? This Ding was too stingy!

Clearly, he was too busy complaining to realize that he’d only incurred a debt, yet he was already acting like a valued customer…

He casually pushed the Warm Jade Cup back, saying, “Thank you for the General’s reward!”

Ding Jingshan gave him a deep look and said, “Go down and recuperate. When it’s your turn to fight, someone will call you.”

Jiang Wang wanted to say he’d already recovered, that he was ready for battle at any time, but Ding Jingshan’s gaze silenced him.

So he bowed respectfully. “I await your command.”

He turned and withdrew.

Behind him was Ding Jingshan confronting the White Elephant King, the Floating Island’s cultivators busily erecting defensive spells, the neat formations of soldiers, the united front of the human cultivators.

Jiang Wang walked against the tide, heading towards the inn alone.

Most of the cultivators on the island looked at him with respect. Because of the remarkable achievements he had accomplished, because of his confident defiance in the face of the White Elephant King.

The cultivators who fought against the Sea Clan day in and day out knew their power best, and they also knew Jiang Wang’s prowess.

At least for now, few wanted to hand him over.

Courage was a beautiful quality that could be passed on.

Ding Jingshan had undoubtedly taken the lead in conveying this quality.

Avoiding the chaotic environment outside, he had just stepped into his room when a figure separated from his shadow. It was Fu Yanqing, whom he’d met once before.

Unsurprised, Jiang Wang asked directly, “What does Island Master Ding want me to do?”

Fu Yanqing glanced at him with surprise, carefully considering his words before stating bluntly, “If the White Elephant King goes all out this time, Dingwei Floating Island is likely to fall. You have two choices. First, join the battle. This war started because of you. Dingwei Floating Island needs to fight this life-or-death battle to protect you. All the cultivators on Dingwei Floating Island are fighting for the human race, but after all, you are the cause of this war. So you must stay on the front lines. When the island is breached, you must be the first to die.”

Jiang Wang nodded. “That is only right. I am willing to fight on the front lines.”

“Aren’t you going to ask about the second choice?” Fu Yanqing asked.

“Please speak.”

“Break through,” Fu Yanqing said. “The White Elephant King doesn’t really want to conquer Dingwei Floating Island. This island, which we’ve cultivated for so many years, can at least knock out a few of his teeth and inflict heavy casualties on his direct forces. Maintaining the status quo is the best situation for him. But because of the Blood King’s son, he must hold you accountable. And for us, maintaining influence in the Dingwei area with a small force is also the most cost-effective option. We are also unwilling to start a life-or-death battle.”

“So if you are no longer on the island, this war will still have room for maneuver, and the White Elephant King will not invest too much.”

As he spoke, Fu Yanqing watched Jiang Wang’s expression. But he didn’t see even a trace of resentment on the youth’s face.

Jiang Wang certainly didn’t think that Ding Jingshan wanted to hand him over. If he had wanted to do so, he would have already done it. There was no need to go to such lengths.

So he only asked, “How can I break through?”

He did have a Cloak of Invisibility and Form, but it wouldn’t fool the White Elephant King. Moreover, with the Sea Clan army surrounding the island, they must have locked down space. It was still difficult to say whether there was room to escape.

“The Island Master will create an opportunity for you,” Fu Yanqing said. “I will also help you.”

At this point, he suddenly turned around. “Who is it!?”