Chapter 338 – Seems Like an Ending, But a New Beginning

“Old Di, what kind of riddles do you think Junior Brother Lu and Peak Lord Sikong are exchanging?”

“Isn’t your innate divine ability eavesdropping? Why not share what you just heard with your old brother here?”

“Don’t worry, I promise not to tell them it was you who told me. How about it?”

Diting looked at the curious Meow King, hesitating for a moment before saying, “Brother Meow, it’s not that I don’t want to tell you, but I simply can’t hear the inner thoughts of Boss Lu and Peak Lord Sikong.”

“Eh?”

Meow King was stunned, never expecting there to be inner thoughts in this world that even Diting couldn’t hear.

After all, when Diting first arrived at the Azure Cloud Sect, he had managed to overhear nearly eighty to ninety percent of the cultivators’ inner thoughts throughout the sect.

If not for the fact that he was brought by Lu Chen and his rare ancient beast bloodline was truly exceptional, Diting might have been beaten black and blue by the enraged cultivators of the Azure Cloud Sect.

If Diting couldn’t hear Lu Chen’s inner thoughts, Meow King could still find that reasonable.

But even Sikong Ming’s thoughts were beyond his reach?

Meow King felt that Diting was just making excuses.

With that thought, Meow King sighed and said, “After all, our bond has faded. Fine, I won’t press you anymore.”

Seeing that Meow King didn’t believe him, Diting couldn’t help but say, “Brother, it’s really not that I’m unwilling to tell you—I genuinely can’t hear them.”

“Let’s not even talk about Boss Lu. When I first met him, I couldn’t hear his inner thoughts.”

“As for Peak Lord Sikong, when we first met, I could indeed hear some of his thoughts.”

“But later, when we met again, for some reason, Peak Lord Sikong’s heart seemed to be wrapped in something, and I couldn’t hear anything at all.”

“I suppose Peak Lord Sikong must have figured out the principle behind my eavesdropping and created corresponding talismans to counter it.”

“Ten Thousand Talisman Peak has always emphasized using one talisman to manifest ten thousand methods. As the Peak Lord of Ten Thousand Talisman Peak, it’s not surprising that Peak Lord Sikong has such skills, right?”

Hearing this explanation and seeing Diting’s earnest expression, Meow King felt that he might have misunderstood Diting.

It seemed he truly couldn’t hear the inner thoughts of Lu Chen and Sikong Ming.

But this only made his curiosity about why the two were so certain that the East Sea Gate would soon come to give them an answer even stronger.

After all, they had been together all this time.

Any clues Lu Chen could uncover and any information he could gather, Meow King had access to as well.

Yet he felt completely out of sync with Lu Chen and Sikong Ming.

In front of these two, he felt as foolish as a little wild cat that had never seen the world.

They say curiosity killed the cat.

Although Meow King always considered himself a tiger, not a cat, aren’t tigers still part of the feline family?

But no matter how much Meow King scratched his head in frustration, he just couldn’t figure out the key to the mystery.

In the end, Meow King had no choice but to give up.

After all, he only needed to wait a while, and the answer would come to him on its own.

By then, he should be able to understand the reason behind it all.

Meanwhile, in a guest room at Jade Void Mountain, not far from where Sikong Ming and Lu Chen were:

“Saintess, during this time, it’s best if you don’t wander around outside.”

“The Sect Leader sent you out to gain more experience and enrich your life experiences.””But the current situation at the East Sea Gate is rather peculiar. I worry these fellows are secretly plotting something.”

“If you wander outside carelessly now, you might easily get caught up in it.”

“Although this old man possesses Nascent Soul Stage cultivation, within the East Sea Gate, there aren’t just Nascent Soul Stage cultivators—there are even several Great Divine Power experts at the Deformation Soul Stage.”

“Once you provoke them, even I cannot guarantee your safety. Please understand.”

Upon hearing Huo Yunzi’s warning, Shangguan Yunmeng’s first thought wasn’t about her own safety.

But rather about Lu Chen and the Azure Cloud Sect next door.

“Elder Huo, if what you say is true, then wouldn’t the Azure Cloud Sect and Lu Chen be in great danger?”

Huo Yunzi watched as his sect’s Saintess showed concern for another sect before her own.

He couldn’t help but think of their unreliable Sect Leader.

Their Sect Leader still had feelings for the Azure Cloud Sect’s Sect Leader Gu Liqing.

Yet these two—one was the current Sect Leader of Jade Void Mountain.

The other was the future Sect Leader of Jade Void Mountain.

Was it really wise to entrust Jade Void Mountain to them?

Would Jade Void Mountain become part of the Azure Cloud Sect in a few thousand or tens of thousands of years, transforming into the Sixth Peak of Azure Clouds?

Though these thoughts crossed his mind, Huo Yunzi didn’t voice them aloud.

He looked at the anxious Shangguan Yunmeng and calmly said, “Saintess, there’s no need to worry. Even if we gave the East Sea Gate a hundred times the courage, they wouldn’t dare lay a hand on anyone from the Azure Cloud Sect—especially when Azure Cloud Sect members are currently on their territory.”

“In fact, they’re more concerned than anyone about anything happening to Azure Cloud Sect members on their watch.”

“Because if that happened, the East Sea Gate could never clear their name, even if they jumped into the Yellow River.”

“From my perspective, although the East Sea Gate is quite peculiar, they’re definitely not at the point of challenging the Azure Cloud Sect.”

“Moreover, to expedite our departure, they should soon produce the murderer of Ao Lie—whether it’s the real culprit or not, they’ll claim it’s the true perpetrator.”

“Because only then will we lose our justification for further involvement.”

“Ah?”

Shangguan Yunmeng looked at Huo Yunzi with a confused expression, clearly not understanding what he meant.

Shangguan Yunmeng possessed remarkable talent in cultivation.

But in other areas, she was rather slow.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t constantly get lost.

Although she didn’t comprehend why Huo Yunzi was so certain the East Sea Gate would quickly resolve the matter,

She trusted his words completely.

After all, he was the guardian specifically assigned to her by Jade Void Mountain.

While Huo Yunzi’s cultivation wasn’t the strongest in Jade Void Mountain,

His experience and interpersonal skills were among the finest in the sect.

Previously, with his assistance, Shangguan Yunmeng had resolved many troubles.

Therefore, upon hearing Huo Yunzi’s advice, she decisively chose to follow it.

After all, only those who heed advice can prosper.

Three days later, East Roam Island.

Although many outsiders had recently arrived on the island, East Roam Island hadn’t changed much because of it.

They maintained their usual routines,

Largely unaffected by the visitors.

But this peace was soon to be shattered…

Boom!

When a thunderclap tore through the sky, the formerly tranquil East Roam Island was immediately enveloped by dark clouds.Before long, raindrops as large as beans began falling from the sky, quickly blanketing the entire East Roam Island.

As if sensing something, the Jiaolong People of East Roam Island who had been resting indoors excitedly rushed out of their rooms and began praying toward the sky overhead.

Soon, a massive Flood Dragon emerged from the clouds.

Its sheer size was enough to cover one-third of East Roam Island, stretching for several kilometers.

Though only its head was visible, the Jiaolong People below still felt immense pressure.

Accompanying this giant Flood Dragon were numerous smaller ones, each dozens to hundreds of meters long.

These smaller Flood Dragons soared up from the sea, eventually gathering around the largest one.

The sight of hundreds of Flood Dragons dancing across the sky was truly magnificent.

Both spectacular and overwhelmingly oppressive.

Not long after these Flood Dragons appeared,

Cultivators from the Azure Cloud Sect and other schools, who had been in their chambers, seemed to sense something and stepped outside.

Sikong Ming looked up at the enormous Flood Dragon in the sky and the smaller ones surrounding it.

A faint smile curled at the corners of his lips.

A show of force, is it…

As he thought this, a golden Talisman suddenly appeared in Sikong Ming’s hand.

The moment it materialized, those around him felt an intense heat.

Even the raindrops falling toward Sikong Ming began evaporating mid-air.

In an instant, though merely holding the Talisman, Sikong Ming had created a rain-free zone over a hundred meters in diameter around himself.

“Go.”

Sikong Ming tossed the Talisman from his hand.

Once released, the Talisman emitted a tangible bird-like cry.

Then, amidst a golden glow, it transformed into the form of the ancient Three-Legged Golden Crow.

Though this Three-Legged Golden Crow was born from a Talisman,

its lifelike appearance and the terrifying power it radiated

made it feel not like a Talisman creation, but the genuine Three-Legged Golden Crow.

As the legendary symbol of the sun, its emergence immediately altered the heavy rain over East Roam Island.

Wherever the golden light of the Three-Legged Golden Crow reached, not only did the clouds begin to disperse, but the rainwater on the ground started vanishing at a visible rate.

Vaguely, it seemed to be contending with the massive thunderclouds overhead.

“Hmph.”

Ao Yu snorted coldly and immediately swiped a claw toward the Three-Legged Golden Crow.

Though it was a simple movement of his enormous dragon claw,

it stirred the surrounding clouds.

Making the already violent rain even more ferocious.

Soon, the claw seized the ascending Three-Legged Golden Crow.

Witnessing this, the Jiaolong People below and the Flood Dragons in the sky wore expressions of triumph and pride.

But this pride was short-lived.

Countless golden rays burst from the gaps between Ao Yu’s dragon claws.

These rays were so terrifying that even a slight graze caused the Dragon Scales of some Flood Dragons—comparable to Magic Treasures and Magical Artifacts—to melt away like ice and snow, forcing them to retreat in pain.

A perfect illustration of “when gods fight, little devils suffer.”

A simple exchange between Sikong Ming and Ao Yu

made it difficult for Flood Dragons below the Golden Core Stage to even spectate.

If they were to truly battle,

the entire East Roam Island might be flattened.Fortunately, both Ao Yu and Sikong Ming exercised considerable restraint.

After holding the Talismans Golden Crow for a brief moment, Ao Yu ultimately released it.

Clearly, he was unable to suppress the terrifying solar power of the Talismans Golden Crow.

Freed from its restraints, the Talismans Golden Crow swiftly soared into the clouds.

The previously dense, overcast sky was instantly torn open, revealing a vast expanse of twinkling stars.

Though it was only a single exchange, Ao Yu had undoubtedly been at a disadvantage.

However, Ao Yu paid it no mind.

He immediately dispersed his Flood Dragon form, revealing his middle-aged appearance.

Seeing this, the surrounding Flood Dragons also reverted to their true forms.

They then descended from the sky and approached Sikong Ming and the others.

“Sikong Ming, isn’t your Azure Cloud Sect overstepping its bounds? You even dare to meddle in the internal affairs of our East Sea Gate.”

In response to Ao Yu’s accusation, Sikong Ming smiled and said, “If your actions weren’t so domineering, our Azure Cloud Sect naturally wouldn’t intervene.”

“After all, the Central Province isn’t home to only your East Sea Gate among the Schools.”

“Hmph.”

Ao Yu let out a cold laugh, seemingly provoked by Sikong Ming’s words.

He then waved his hand, and several Disciples of the East Sea Gate escorted someone forward.

The person being escorted was none other than Luo Hong, the East Sea Gate Disciple who had once told Ao Lie about the ancient ruins and deceived him into exploring them.

“Sikong Ming, we will handle the affairs of our East Sea Gate ourselves.”

“I closed the Sect for a period precisely to root out the traitors within our School.”

“And the result is clear—though this scoundrel hid well, we still caught him.”

“My beloved son Lie was bewitched by this man into venturing into a dangerous ancient ruin.”

“The matter is now resolved, and the rest is not something outsiders like you should meddle in.”

“Sikong Ming, surely your Azure Cloud Sect doesn’t intend to interfere even in this?”

“If that’s the case, I would have to suspect that your Sect is using this as an opportunity to plot something unfavorable against our East Sea Gate.”

Faced with Ao Yu’s attempt to shift blame, Sikong Ming remained remarkably calm.

He cast a deep glance at Luo Hong, as if assessing whether the man was truly the one responsible for Ao Lie’s demise.

After a moment, Sikong Ming spoke.

“It is good that the matter has been resolved. However, this should also mean your East Sea Gate will now act more reasonably, shouldn’t it?”

“Moreover, since the true culprit has been found, shouldn’t your East Sea Gate offer some form of restitution to the Schools you previously wrongfully accused?”

Ao Yu’s expression darkened, his eyes turning fierce and menacing.

It seemed as though he wished to strike Sikong Ming on the spot.

Yet, in the end, he restrained his inner fury.

After taking a deep breath, he said, “Naturally, I will soon provide an explanation to those Schools.”

“I suppose those Schools will be even more grateful to your Azure Cloud Sect in the future.”

“After all, without your intervention, no one would have been able to uphold ‘justice’ for them, isn’t that right?”

“However, there is one thing I must remind you—being the ‘good guy’… isn’t as easy as it seems.”

“Those people may not necessarily remember your kindness in the future.”

In the face of Ao Yu’s sarcastic remarks, Sikong Ming appeared entirely unperturbed.”Who can predict what the future holds? Focus on the present.”

With these words, Sikong Ming turned and flew toward East Roam Island.

Seeing this, the others quickly followed suit.

This scene unmistakably conveyed to the East Sea Gate members that they would no longer interfere in the School’s affairs.

However, East Sea Gate couldn’t use this as an excuse to take action against other Schools.

Though the surface appeared harmonious, undercurrents were swirling ominously…

(End of Chapter)