"Li You, Zhang Tong, Lü Guo, Feng You, Nie Yuanting, Zhu Ziyuan, Liu Qing, Huang Jiuzhou, Sun Fei…"
Mao Sui stood before nine exceptional young cultivators, each wearing a proud and confident expression.
"You nine are the outstanding disciples I've selected for this mission," he said calmly."Within the School of Diplomacy, you are the top of your class.Your task is to venture into the Caribbean Realm and persuade the island and land-based factions—especially the human forces—to support us."
"Whether or not you rise to greatness will depend entirely on your own skill."
In the School of Diplomacy (Zonghengjia), the most crucial attributes were courage, eloquence, and insight. Their ultimate goal?To make others accept them, trust them—and ultimately help them achieve their objectives.
Diplomatic results were measured by stages:
Hostile, Indifferent, Neutral, Friendly, Trusting, Submissive.
How far each could go depended on the power of their words—whether they could use their tongues like blades, wielding logic, emotion, and charisma with surgical precision.
"Rest assured, Dean," said Li You confidently."We're fully prepared. We'll deliver a perfect performance this time."
"Exactly," added Zhang Tong."Before we arrived, we studied the Caribbean Realm.The rampant presence of pirates has long caused resentment among all local races.Anyone attempting to build something is eventually attacked and plundered—there's no peace, no stability."
"Even if factions exist, their power remains limited.Most barely qualify as city-states or tribes—at best the level of small dynasties.They're disorganized, isolated, and constantly threatened."
"In such conditions, our Great Yi Sacred Court's fame and authority are immensely attractive.Once we make our intentions clear, most human forces will surely submit. The difficulty of persuading them has already been halved."
"If we still fail under these circumstances," said Liu Qing, laughing lightly,"then everything we've learned over these years would have been for nothing."
All nine young disciples radiated confidence.With Great Yi now ascended to the Sacred Court, its prestige was unmatched.Its reputation was magnetic to countless struggling human clans and nations.To diplomats, this was the best leverage imaginable.
The School of Diplomacy had developed its own unique divine arts, such as:
"Silver Tongue": the art of persuasion.
"Righteous Cause": aligning others under shared ideals.
"Weak Overcomes Strong": exploiting psychology and momentum.
Through these abilities, a diplomat could turn enemies into allies, unite the weak, and stand firm before armies—all with a few well-placed words.And the most powerful thing? It didn't seem forced or manipulative. It was natural, seamless, and incredibly effective.
"You already possess a tremendous advantage," said Mao Sui."If you fail despite this, I will be deeply disappointed."
He continued:
"Split up. I will act separately as well.This way, we'll cover more ground quickly and maximize efficiency.In the end, we'll compare results and rank your performances."
"There are still more students from the Academy of Diplomacy preparing to deploy.But this region—the Caribbean—is your stage."
He stepped aboard a skyship and sailed away alone into the waves.
"We won't embarrass the Zonghengjia!"The nine students saluted in unison, secretly vowing to make their mark.
As he stood on the deck, watching his students scatter, Mao Sui narrowed his eyes.
"Let this be the stage where the School of Diplomacy makes its name across the Caribbean.Let the world know our power to influence all under heaven."
In Great Yi, where a hundred schools flourished and talent from all walks was nurtured, the only thing that mattered was:
Could you deliver?
His next target was already clear:
Coconut King Island – The Zheng Clan.
Coconut King Island – Zheng Clan
It was nighttime, but Coconut King City remained lively.Everywhere, massive sea-glass pillars stood tall—each one hollow and glowing faintly from within.
Inside each pillar floated bioluminescent jellyfish, casting soft colored light across the streets.It wasn't harsh, but ethereal, painting the entire city in a surreal, dreamlike hue.
City defenses were tight.Heavily armored guards patrolled nonstop, and the walls were lined with elite warriors—clearly hardened by real battle.
Inside the City Lord's Manor, Zheng Zhilong sat with Zheng Chenggong and several other key family members.Zheng Zhilong had taken many wives and concubines over the years—his descendants were numerous.
Zheng Chengren, Zheng Chengde, and Zheng Chengyi sat nearby—seasoned sons who had spent years sailing with the clan's fleets, engaging in trade and, at times, plunder.
They weren't incompetent.Each had real capabilities and helped Zheng Zhilong maintain a firm grip over Coconut King Island.
"According to reliable sources," said Zheng Zhilong, frowning,"Great Yi is about to expand. They've announced only four target realms, and this one is first.You've all grown up now. The future of the Zheng Clan is at stake."
"What do you think we should do?"
It was a heavy topic.
The Zheng Clan walked the line between commerce and piracy.If they surrendered, would Great Yi punish them?If they resisted, could they even survive?
They didn't know—and that uncertainty was dangerous.
"Report! A middle-aged man has arrived outside the city. He requests an audience and has sent a formal letter."
A guard rushed in with a visiting card and handed it to Zheng Zhilong.
"A middle-aged visitor?" he murmured, curiosity piqued.
But when he opened the letter, his face changed dramatically. He shot to his feet.
"Open the gates—immediately! Chenggong, you go and greet the guest in person. Show no disrespect whatsoever!"
"Prepare a banquet! Bring out all our best wines and ingredients! This guest is to be treated with the utmost honor!"
The entire mansion was thrown into a flurry of activity.Zheng Chenggong raced to the city gate without delay.
"Father… who is this man that warrants such treatment?" asked Zheng Chengren, stunned.
"A Great Yi envoy," Zheng Zhilong replied gravely.
The name alone made everyone freeze.
Not long after, a lone figure entered the main hall.Though the Zheng Clan was experienced and powerful, all present felt a heavy pressure settle on them.
It was Mao Sui.
"City Lord Zheng," he said, his tone calm but sharp as a blade,"Are you aware that your clan stands on the brink of disaster?"
His voice carried an invisible force that struck everyone like a hammer to the chest—suffocating, oppressive.
"And what does that mean, Mister Mao?"Zheng Zhilong's tone was cautious.
"Our Great Yi intelligence network has already penetrated the Caribbean Realm," Mao Sui declared."And rumors abound that your Zheng Clan… may be pirates."
"Not long ago, billions of pirates assaulted our Iron-Blood Great Wall.The Sacred King himself was enraged, and issued an imperial decree:All pirates—wherever found—are to be executed without mercy.Pirates will not be tolerated in Great Yi's territory. Not a single one."
"Mister Mao, please understand," Zheng Zhilong replied, trying to maintain composure,"Our Zheng Clan has nothing to do with those pirates. We are traders, merchants.The rumors are baseless, slanderous. I beg you not to believe such unfounded claims."
His heart was heavy.
He had seen that battle—when countless pirates failed to breach the Iron-Blood Great Wall, and Great Yi retaliated with terrifying might.
That scene still haunted his dreams.
If the Zheng Clan's connection to piracy was confirmed and publicized…They would be wiped out without even the chance to resist.