Yang Cheng nodded slightly, showing his approval.
Since these people were brought by Lin Shu, it meant they could be trusted—at least for now.
Song Mu felt a wave of relief and immediately began giving orders decisively. "Take control of all warehouses, medicine gardens, and scripture pavilions at once.
"All members of the Huang Clan who surrendered are to be rounded up and guarded closely. To prevent any thieves or spies from sneaking in, reactivate the Mountain-Protecting Grand Formation. Keep only the defensive functions—seal the mountain and cut off all contact with the outside world."
As the patriarch of the Song Clan, his ability was beyond question.
Those inside the formation control pavilion didn't dare defy him. They quickly reactivated the formation base.
A yellowish earthen light rose again, forming a giant barrier that shimmered across the mountain. But this time, it wasn't to ward off enemies—it blocked outside eyes from seeing in, protecting the ongoing change of power and resource takeover inside.
Over the next three hours, the Song Clan and the elites of the Blood Shadow Tower worked together like a well-oiled war machine, efficiently seizing everything the Huang Clan owned.
All treasures and stored goods were counted and sealed. Every deed and ownership scroll of the Huang Clan's industries was confiscated.
Every Huang clansman who surrendered—young or old—was forcibly branded with an irreversible spiritual imprint by the experts of the Song Clan and Blood Shadow Tower.
Those who showed hatred, tried to resist, or attempted to send messages outside were mercilessly eliminated.
When the first light of dawn pierced the darkness and spilled across Banyan Mountain, the once-glorious Huang Clan estate had already changed hands completely.
"Your Highness, shall we announce the Huang Clan's destruction to the public?"
Song Mu bowed respectfully.
Yang Cheng's gaze swept over Banyan Mountain, where a faint scent of blood still lingered in the air. He shook his head slightly. "Seal it off for now. There's no wall in the world that can keep out the wind forever, but a short delay will give you time to digest the Huang Clan's assets. Until then, keep the gates shut—no contact with the outside world."
"Understood."
Song Mu responded immediately. He knew how critical this short sealing period was for the Song Clan to absorb such a massive fortune.
Even if word of the Huang Clan hadn't spread yet, the deaths of Lu Canglan and He Tianfu were already enough to set off a storm in Lin City and throughout the entire Southern Domain.
The few Lu and He family Insight God experts who had escaped that night quickly spread the truth.
The truth was this: Yang Cheng had been ambushed by three Yin God experts—Huang Guinian, Lu Canglan, and He Tianfu. Yet, the outcome was shocking—He Tianfu and Lu Canglan were slain on the spot, while Huang Guinian was severely wounded and fled in disgrace.
That news hit Lin City like a splash of ice water thrown into boiling oil, exploding instantly and spreading through the Southern Domain at incredible speed.
Everywhere—from the streets and alleys to teahouses and taverns—people were talking about the same name: Yang Cheng.
One man alone had killed two long-famous Yin God experts and heavily injured a third. How terrifying was that strength?
When leaders of various factions heard the report, their first reaction was disbelief.
Yang Cheng's age—he was said to be only thirteen years old—and from the Wasteland Realm, no less.
Yet this boy had fought against three top Yin God experts, killed two, and wounded one.
The survivors even claimed Yang Cheng possessed a Three-Star Fist Domain, Three-Star Blade Domain, and Three-Star Sword Domain.
During the battle, he had even broken through—from half-step Insight God to a full Sixth-Level Insight God in one leap.
It sounded utterly impossible.
But aside from this explanation, no one could understand how Yang Cheng had survived that siege.
The Lin Clan of Lin City had once been connected to the Lu Clan—but not that Lu Clan. They were just a branch that split off from the main family.
Lu Lingyi was in her mansion at that very moment.
When she heard the explosive news, her fingers tightened slightly around her teacup, trembling enough that tea spilled over the edge.
She had always known Yang Cheng was extraordinary—but she hadn't expected his power to blaze so brightly, so soon.
Compared to that, all her little schemes from before now seemed downright laughable.
The news didn't stop at the Horn Constellation Realm. It quickly spread, as if sprouting wings, all the way back to the Wasteland Realm.
Not long ago, the Great Yan, Great Zhao, and Western Luo empires had all been defeated by Great Zhou. Some factions had been stirring restlessly again, encouraged by growing support from the Horn Constellation Realm.
But once they heard this news, their ambitions were doused like flames under a bucket of ice water—extinguished instantly, leaving only a deep, chilling fear in their hearts.
For those weaker nations, if they still dared to stir trouble against someone as terrifying as Yang Cheng, the fate awaiting them would truly be annihilation.
But for the citizens of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the news ignited their entire empire.
Worship and fanaticism spread like wildfire across the land, and Yang Cheng's reputation in Great Zhou soared to an unprecedented peak.
Three days later, Yang Cheng and Lin Shu passed through the realm gate and calmly returned to the Wasteland Realm, arriving at the Myriad Phenomena Dao Academy.
Along the way, every disciple they met lowered their heads and held their breath in reverence, bowing respectfully.
Many of their eyes burned with admiration and awe.
Clearly, even within the Dao Academy, Yang Cheng's fame had shaken countless hearts.
When Yang Cheng returned to his courtyard deep within the academy, he noticed someone waiting inside.
Dongfang Sheng was standing in the courtyard, speaking with a broad-shouldered, imposing middle-aged woman whose expression was cold and firm.
"Young Master, Miss Jiang Li has been waiting at Snow Moon Manor for quite some time. For the sake of the White Fish Society's greater interests, I hope you can depart as soon as possible."
The woman's tone was steady, but her authority was unmistakable.
Dongfang Sheng's face was tight and unsmiling.
Seeing that, the woman didn't press further. She gave him a polite bow, her sharp eyes briefly sweeping across Yang Cheng as he entered through the courtyard gate, before she turned and left without another word.
It was obvious she recognized Yang Cheng. But even with his current fame that echoed across realms, she showed little respect.
After the woman's figure disappeared from sight, Dongfang Sheng turned around, forcing a faint smile. "Master Yang, you've returned. I've already heard of your exploits in the Horn Constellation Realm—facing three Yin God experts alone, slaying two and crippling the third. Truly admirable."
His tone was sincere, but the shadow of worry in his brows couldn't be hidden.
Yang Cheng stepped into the courtyard, his calm gaze settling on Dongfang Sheng's face. "You're troubled by something?"
Dongfang Sheng opened his mouth, wanting to speak, but hesitated.
Yang Cheng sat down by the stone table in the middle of the courtyard. Lin Shu stood quietly behind him like a shadow.
He said evenly, "Yu Zhongxu helped me in Lin City of the Horn Constellation Realm, breaking the siege. So, between us, there's no need for formality. Just speak directly."
Dongfang Sheng gave a bitter smile, sighed deeply, and sat across from him. "It's about my marriage."
He paused, then continued, "Master, you probably already know I'm the Young Master of the White Fish Society. Since childhood, my father arranged a marriage for me—with the Jiang Clan of the Middle Domain of the Horn Constellation Realm. The bride is their family's pearl of this generation—Jiang Li."
Yang Cheng nodded slightly. "The Jiang Clan is a major overlord in the Middle Domain. Their influence even surpasses your White Fish Society in some areas. This marriage should be a powerful alliance for both sides."
"An alliance?"
Dongfang Sheng's bitter smile deepened. "That's only because you don't know what kind of person Jiang Li really is."
He drew in a long breath, as if even mentioning her name required courage. "She's a true venomous beauty—a woman born with cruelty in her bones."
"When she was only eight years old, she had already killed more people than I can count. I once saw her personally skin a man alive, pulling his tendons out one by one, all while smiling like an innocent child beside him. Master, that wasn't childish mischief—that was bloodlust and cruelty carved deep into her soul."
He lifted his head and looked at Yang Cheng, his eyes filled with undisguised dread and disgust. "Since that day, every time I hear her name, my scalp goes numb. How could I ever possibly marry a woman like that?"