Stranger Danger

"Don't worry, we're not part of the Profound Alliance."

As if she could guess their thoughts, Feng Qingyou said, "We're both from other places. Our journey just happened to bring us here. We have nothing to do with the Profound Alliance."

"Profound Alliance? Rakshasa Kingdom?" Ye Qing rubbed his nose. The Profound Alliance was probably one of the major forces of this region and the one responsible for protecting these people. However, it looked like the Profound Alliance wasn't doing a particularly good job. These people definitely respected the Profound Alliance, but there was also a clear undercurrent of resentment.

He had never heard of the Rakshasa Kingdom before, but judging from the name, it probably had something to do with the Rakshasa King.

He did not ask the Profound Alliance or the Rakshasa Kingdom directly though. Instead, he said, "You do not have to worry about the Willow God anymore. I have killed him once and for all. He will never harm another person in his life."

"Killed him once and for all?"

"Are you sure?"

"You're not lying to us, are you[1]?"

"Do you mean what you say, senior?"

Even Hai Feng could not seem to believe his ears.

Ye Qing asked indifferently, "Is there a need for me to lie to you?"

Hai Feng hurriedly explained himself, "I'm not doubting you, senior! I just... I just find it a bit difficult to believe, that's all."

It was the truth. Although he had seen Ye Qing killing the Willow God and sinking the island with his own eyes, although it was a grand sight he had never seen before until now, he subconsciously thought that the Willow God was unkillable. After all, not even the lofty, powerful, and invincible elites of the Profound Alliance could end the Willow God thoroughly. And yet, this young-looking, kind-faced man was saying that he had killed the Willow God once and for all. How could he not be stunned? How could he not be suspicious?

"The reason the Willow God is difficult to eradicate is because he has roots spread across the entire island and deep into the underground. If you only eliminate what is up top, of course you couldn't kill him permanently. One must eliminate all the roots spread across the entire island to do so."

Ye Qing explained, "Previously, I have eliminated all of the roots of the Willow God. I have even sunk the island that was his foothold. Therefore, there is no longer any chance the Willow God might revive. Therefore, there is no need to doubt me. There is no longer a need to worry or fear of the Willow God as well."

"If what you say is true, then you are everyone's benefactor in Flying Stream Islands, senior!"

"Please accept our kowtows, senior! It is the only way to convey you our thanks!"

Hai Feng and the others were speechless at first. Then, they flew into a wild cheer. They looked happier than when they were rescued from death's clutches.

It was because the Willow God had tormented the Flying Stream Islands for a very long time, and no one was able to do anything about it. By killing the Willow God once and for all, Ye Qing hadn't just saved their lives, he had freed everyone at Flying Streams Islands from the Willow God's oppression. No longer would their children and future descendants suffer in the hands of the Willow God as well. To say that his favor was difficult to repay would be an understatement.

The group tried to bend the knee and touch the floor with their heads, but once again Ye Qing stopped them.

"I told you. There is no need to act like this. If you truly wish to repay the favor, simply tell us about the Rakshasa Kingdom and the Profound Alliance. We came from foreign lands, and we are quite curious about your region."

"We will tell you everything we know, benefactor!"

Hai Feng hurriedly saluted him and began, "I'll start with the Rakshasa Kingdom. Fifteen thousand kilometers from here at the center of the Southern Sea, there exists a land that is covered in fire that blazes for seemingly eternity. Many people thinks that it is hell on earth, and they are not wrong. They call themselves Rakshasas."

"The Rakshasas have a kingdom called the Rakshasa Kingdom. It is a kingdom for Strangers and is ruled by Strangers. It has its own civilization and culture. In essence, it is no different from a human dynasty."

"In the Rakshasa Kingdom, there is Stranger called the Rakshasa King. He is the king of the Rakshasa Kingdom and the lord and master of all the Strangers living there. The Rakshasa Kingdom feeds on humans and captures humans to use as livestocks. They are brutal, barbaric, and one of the biggest enemies of mankind."

"The Rakshasa Kingdom is powerful. In fact, it used to reign over the Southern Sea. The twelve nations, thirty six islands, and seventy two islets of the Southern Sea were all but livestocks at the time."

"Over a thousand years ago, our kind finally could not endure the humiliation any longer and fought back. Led by the 7, we formed the Profound Alliance and dealt a severe blow to both the Rakshasa Kingdom and the Rakshasa King. We were able to push them all back to their core region, the Rakshasa Land, and save countless lives from being enslaved and shamed."

Everyone wore proud expressions on their faces when Hai Feng told the story. However, it was at this moment Hai Feng let out a sigh. "Unfortunately, the Rakshasa Kingdom's roots were deep and entrenched even though we managed to deal them a grievous blow. A hundred-legged insect remains nimble long after it is dead. Since then, the Strangers hunkered down on the Rakshasa Land and continue to threaten humanity to this day. Of course, we're not afraid. We have fought against them for one thousand years under the Profound Alliance's leadership."

"I see." Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou exchanged glances with each other. They never thought that a Stranger Kingdom would exist in the Southern Sea, and for over a thousand years no less. It was even more surprising that they had never heard about it their whole lives.

It was probably a sea region that was far away from the central continent; far away even from the sea region ruled by the Southern Sea Dragon Palace. Otherwise, they should have heard of the Rakshasa Kingdom.

Their theories were confirmed to be true. Ye Qing purposely mentioned the four empires—Yan, Chu, Qi and Wei—during the latter part of their conversation, and everyone shook their heads saying that they had never heard of them. It wasn't until he mentioned the Southern Sea Dragon Palace that a glimmer of recognition finally appeared in Hai Feng's eyes. Hai Feng said that he had read about the dragon palace in an ancient book, and that it was supposedly located untold thousands of kilometers to the north of their twelve nations, thirty six islands, and seventy two islets. They knew that that sea region, vast and boundless, was ruled by the Southern Sea dragons. However, they had never interacted with them before.

This confirmed to Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou that they had arrived at the Overseas. Yan, Chu, Qi and Wei addressed the sea regions beyond the rule of the dragons of the four seas as Overseas. They did not fall under the four empires' jurisdiction, and the four empires did not care about them either. That was why they were relatively unknown.

Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou would proceed to ask the group a little more about the Profound Alliance and the Rakshasa Kingdom. They also inquired into the Profound Moon Dynasty, the Southern Sea Sword Sect and other dynasties and sects. Thanks to Hai Feng, they were able to gain a rough understanding of the geography and power structure of this region.

To put it simply, this region was under the control of two superpowers. They were the Rakshasa Kingdom and the Profound Alliance.

The Rakshasa Kingdom was a kingdom of Strangers and the sworn enemy of humans. Although they suffered a grievous blow a thousand years ago, a dead camel was still bigger than a horse. Not only were they powerful, they were showing signs of resurrecting as of late.

The Profound Alliance was a human superpower and the main force that stood against the Rakshasa Kingdom. On the surface level, they were definitely stronger than their Stranger counterpart. However, as their name implied, they were an alliance of many large factions. Everyone had their own differing interests, and they were extremely fragmented on the inside. In the past, they were united in their purpose to take down the Rakshasa Kingdom, but that was a long time ago. Now, they were far busier plotting, killing, and crippling each other. That was why they failed to wipe out the Rakshasa Kingdom completely, and why the Rakshasa Kingdom were even showing signs of resurrecting as of late.

The top five factions in the Profound Alliance were the five Hai Feng had mentioned earlier: The Profound Moon Dynasty, Sun Worship Divine Kingdom, Southern Sea Sword Sect, Xixa Abode, and Floating Light Celestial Island. They all had Sages manning their quarters.

The five factions were equally matched with each other. The Profound Moon Dynasty and the Southern Sea Sword Sect were allies, the Sun Worship Divine Kingdom and Xixia Abode were allies, and the Floating Light Celestial Island was neutral.

It was thanks to the balance between the five factions that the Profound Alliance was at least maintaining the facade of peace and harmony. Of course, it was impossible to say how much longer it was going to last.

The Flying Stream Islands Hai Feng and his group belonged to was one of the thirty-six islands. Although they were a a part of the Profound Alliance, they were the bottom feeders. Their island lord was just a measly Trueman.

This was why the Willow God was able to do as it pleased.

1. The idiot who said this should be killed on the spot to prevent him from lowering everyone else's survival chances. ☜