I Am Your Natural Enemy

In the South Sea region, everyone is aware that this matter couldn’t have been stirred up by people from the Divine Land.

It’s purely a hole they dug themselves, and now with the explosion, they’ve fallen into their own trap.

The more Yan Zhikong thought about it, the stranger he found it; finally, he simply gave up the idea of continuing to the next stop.

He decided to just watch the drama unfold, given the current situation, he feared he wouldn’t be able to snag any advantage.

Meanwhile, on the Dahlia, Wen Yan had already traveled south, reaching the southern region of the Nanyang Union.

He opened his eyes, stretched lazily. After three hours of sound sleep, the surroundings were perfectly temperate, neither cold nor hot, and free from the glaring sun, making it seem ideally suited for rest.

Surveying the surroundings, he noted the dense presence of Yin Qi and fog; ah, no wonder there wasn’t any glaring sun, the overcast weather was fitting for a nap, he nearly forgot.

Looking at the deck crowded with Lost Souls, Wen Yan checked his phone for location updates. The device’s positioning suffered significant interference, reducing precision, now usable within only a few kilometers.

But at sea, that’s still acceptable.

He climbed to the bridge for a better vantage point; suddenly, a gust of sea breeze cleared the fog somewhat, revealing traces of land. He saw the peak of a mountain emerging above the sea, likely nearing his next target.

Just then, several messages came through on his phone.

Feng Yao informed him that people from the Nanyang Union awaited on the island ahead.

The next message indicated that his calls couldn’t connect due to heavy interference.

Another message conveyed that those on the other end wondered whether he could approach and send four Sorcerers to sea, perhaps aiding against the Lost Souls’ landing.

Wen Yan returned a call to Feng Yao.

"The interference was a bit much earlier, what’s up?"

"It’s already handled over there, or rather, they’ve captured eight Sorcerers and Head Teachers.

Currently, four have been sent to the island ahead of you.

Their original statement, hmm, is to have the people judge them.

The implication is handing them to the Lost Souls, and you’re asked to mediate.

The big island ahead is the largest locally, with the native wealthy elite and industries there.

If nearly ten thousand Lost Souls land, local tourism might immediately crumble before them."

"Uh, is that what they’re worrying about now?" Wen Yan found it somewhat unbelievable.

"I don’t understand it either."

"I can’t control those Lost Souls. They’re out for revenge, and I’m not that influential. Too much pressure and I’ll leave immediately."

"I’m just relaying a message, the rest has nothing to do with me.

Also, weren’t you investigating which Nanyang industries and companies recently faced abrupt profit declines?

Based on the timeframe you pointed out, I found one.

There’s a group primarily dealing in agricultural products, with its industries mainly on the island ahead.

The unfavorable weather this year, marked by climate shifts typical of Minor New Year, explains their decline.

However, we’ve managed, through their intricate shareholding and cross-shareholding practices, to trace potential links between this company and a local mining firm.

And that mining firm also began experiencing profit and revenue declines.

Recall that I mentioned someone from the South Seas intended to invest in Nanwu County?

This individual’s represented group has connections to people behind this mining firm.

Their equity structure is exceedingly complex, constantly nesting. Currently, it’s confirmed the real controllers aren’t those publicly identified individuals or companies.

Moreover, the Kali Island ahead has territories from three Nanyang Union member states, complicating matters further.

This slightly diverges from our previous speculations.

The pawnbroker might prefer tangible assets..."

"Oh, got it."

"Hmm?" Feng Yao seemed surprised: "What did you understand?"

"Many industries secretly controlled by the pawnbroker are on that island, I’ll take a stroll."

Feng Yao was silent for a while, unable to pick any faults.

"Do as you see fit..."

Wen Yan ended the call, gazing at the distant island, the largest he’d encountered en route, appearing indistinct from the mainland.

Peering to either side, his sight couldn’t discern how far they extended.

Checking the phone’s location, reaching here essentially marked complete departure from the Divine Land’s central region.

A lighthouse beaconed from afar, as the Dahlia gradually approached the harbor. Once docked securely, the endless swarm of Lost Souls began disembarking.

The harbor was virtually deserted, save for a few Sorcerers bound like mummies, obviously badly battered and laid on the pier.

One Sorcerer appeared close to death, likely tended with certain methods, forcing him into Immortality.

A mass of Lost Souls rushed from the Dahlia, poised to shred the Sorcerers, when the first small Lost Soul Wen Yan had helped emerged gently drifting downward.

The child’s soul was riddled with wounds, its right arm a skeletal form, persistently puzzled. Seeing one Sorcerer then, his perplexity intensified.

He knelt before the Sorcerer, his slight upward gaze containing a hint of plea amidst bewilderment.

The Sorcerer bound like a mummy, shaking violently, tried uttering something but to no avail.