The Green Emperor's singing wasn't just bad — it contained a bizarre, mesmerizing power, one that compelled those who heard it to unconsciously mimic strange and absurd actions.
Take now, for instance — the pursed lips.The Green Emperor was puckering his lips, and countless surrounding sea beasts, unable to resist the pull of the melody, also began puckering up.
Can you imagine it? A sea surface filled with countless sea beasts, all simultaneously making pursed-lip faces?That sight was more terrifying than being struck by divine lightning — a nightmare so bizarre, you'd pray for it to end immediately.
Even the mighty Kui Niu, against its will, began puckering up. The sight was terrifying. Even Kui Niu's own eyes flashed with a trace of fear.This song, was simply too terrifying.
For a time, the entire ocean surface was engulfed by the Green Emperor's mesmerizing voice.
Pucker... Pucker!!
Suddenly, Kui Niu let out a strange cry. It then gave the Green Emperor a terrified glance, spun around, and dove headfirst into the ocean, fleeing desperately into the deep, trying to get as far away as possible.It didn't even care about the ancestral remains it had come for. If it could've been born with three fewer legs, it would've welcomed it.
It refused to become a puckered-lip monster.If that happened, it was sure its mother would cry.
The Green Emperor, meanwhile, was completely oblivious, lost in the thrill of his performance. His whole being was immersed in this act of musical sacrifice, each puckered-lip note a tribute to the greatness of his art.
This wasn't shameful — this was art.
No one knew exactly when the song ended, but when it did, one could see the sea beasts — densely packed across the waves — all with puckered lips, trembling violently.Even the Green Emperor's body was quivering.
Without hesitation, the sea beasts turned and fled into the ocean, utterly terrified.
They had never heard such a soul-breaking, cognition-shattering sound.
Their very souls were shaking.
"Ah, that was so satisfying,"
"It's been too long since I sang with such abandon. I've recently learned quite a few brand-new songs. To keep them to myself would be a travesty — everyone should get to experience the cleansing of art!"
"I can't hold back — I must sing another!"
The Green Emperor's face was filled with bliss, his entire being basking in joy. With such an appreciative audience, he naturally wanted to keep performing. After all, he was the Green Emperor — the very embodiment of hospitality.
"GREEN EMPEROR — GET BACK HERE!!"
From a distance, Yi Tianxing's voice rang out. His face twitched, blood churning within him from that nightmarish song. The puckered lips had pushed him to the brink of collapse. Now that he heard the Green Emperor was about to sing again, he simply couldn't endure it any longer.
"Oh no… It's Master…"
The Green Emperor turned around, eyes narrowing. His body instinctively wanted to flee. His high spirits were instantly crushed, and a deep sense of injustice flooded him.
His first thought was:
"Master isn't trying to rob me again, is he?"
If so, that was absolutely unacceptable. He would resist to the death.But when he remembered the binding contract, and Yi Tianxing's means, he sighed in resignation and gloomily flew over on his magic carpet.
"Master, if I had known you were here, I would've sung with even more emotion! Truly, you deserve only the best!"
"Spare me," Yi Tianxing said flatly, lips twitching. "I can't take it."
"Alas, true soulmates are so rare… Only Sister Qing understands me. Everyone else — false appreciators. Ah, the loneliness of an artist…"
"Sister Qing — please, come out and pucker up with me!"
Just then, several figures arrived.
"Sikong Zhaixing greets His Majesty."
"Liu Qu pays respects to Emperor Yi."
Seeing the Green Emperor get dragged back, they witnessed the scene of dozens of massive Heavenly Warships suspended over the sea — their hearts shaken, but they did not flee. Upon realizing this was the Great Yi Dynasty's army, they had even less reason to run.
Having left Yi Prefecture, they'd experienced firsthand the countless dangers of the Boundless Sea — death lurking in every wave. If not for their formidable abilities, they would've died many times over.It made them appreciate even more the peace and prosperity of life under Great Yi.
Compared to the chaos of the world, Yi Prefecture was a paradise.Seeing the Great Yi army was like seeing long-lost family. A strange warmth spread through them.
"Since we've crossed paths, you have a choice: return to Great Yi, or continue with us," said Yi Tianxing calmly.
Sikong Zhaixing, being a Consecrator of the Tongtian Pavilion, was one of his own. Liu Qu was a citizen of Great Yi. Because of their past history — especially that shady "black-eating-black" encounter — he was willing to give them some preferential treatment.
Returning to Great Yi could be arranged later, via Teleportation Arrays in the Celestial Cities. But staying on meant embracing the unknown and facing the perilous expedition ahead.This wasn't a child's game.At any moment, terrifying beasts beyond imagination might appear.
"May I ask, is Great Yi truly setting out on a campaign of conquest?" Sikong Zhaixing asked, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Indeed. The Great Yi Dynasty cannot remain confined to just Yi Prefecture," Yi Tianxing replied.
"Then I, Sikong Zhaixing, am willing to follow Your Majesty — to expand our lands and bring glory to Great Yi!"
This was a rare opportunity. Success in such an expedition would etch one's name into history — a shining entry on any resume. Not to mention the countless opportunities and fortunes such campaigns could offer.It was far more promising than being a pirate.
"I will join the expedition as well," said Liu Qu resolutely, eyes flashing.
Yi Tianxing then turned to the black-robed figure beside them — the Invincible General, a warrior of the undead — and asked:
"What of you? Will you join us?"
The Invincible General, with his deathly aura, was able to summon a legion of undead at will. Combined with his weaponized Perfume of Nightshade, he was a truly formidable existence.
Such a being would be an excellent addition to the ranks.
"Very well," came the hoarse reply.
His gaze fell on the Heavenly Warships, and one could sense a ripple in his soul fire — curiosity, even awe.
These warships were unlike anything he had ever seen, yet he could sense the immense power within each one. They were not just ornaments, but weapons of war.
"That Great Yi possesses such might… Unbelievable," he muttered.
The last time he'd seen Great Yi, it had been a mere village. Now, just a few years later, it had become a terrifying giant — like something out of a dream.
With the sea beasts completely demoralized by the Green Emperor's "performance," the army advanced unimpeded.The blue warships glided swiftly across the waves, heading straight for their destination: Python Island.
They soon arrived at the island's shore.
There, they found a coastal town, with human villagers fishing and collecting seashells. But their faces were sallow and thin — clearly suffering. The shore reeked of blood. Severed limbs and corpses were scattered about.
But the villagers moved with cold indifference.They were used to it.
Among them, a girl in coarse linen carried a basket, picking up crabs and shells washed up by the waves.Despite the abundance of seafood, there were too many people scavenging. Her haul was meager.
Looking at the few crabs and shells in her basket, the girl sighed, her face full of sorrow.
"There's less and less food... It's not enough for Pearl and Mom. I don't know what we'll do…"
"The mayor is a good man, but the island is full of pythons. They eat people every day. Who knows when it'll be our turn…"
"If only a hero would come save us…"
Though her heart yearned for salvation, her eyes betrayed no hope.
The name "Python (Mamba) Island" wasn't an exaggeration. According to legend, the island was formed from the corpse of a giant python, and as a result, it was home to an immense population of giant serpents — dominant, prolific, and terrifying.