Chapter 182: Resurgence of Danger
Ten days later, in a hall in Taiqing Island, Zhao Tianheng was staring at a map before him, deep in thought.
"Division Leader, you said that this was a map of the Eastern Sea Draconic Palace? Have they really managed to unseal it?" one elder asked curiously.
"That's right. Mr. Wen passed by Taiqing Island not too long ago and provided me with this map. It describes some of what they've discovered through the excavation," Zhao Tianheng replied.
"Division Leader, if we can already enter the palace, why don't we head in and fight for the opportunities that are present?" the elder continued.
Zhao Tianheng paused. "Don't be blinded by green. The Eastern Sea Draconic Palace boasts great opportunities and simultaneously great danger. We have to be prepared before heading in to avoid ignominious deaths."
"You're right, Division Leader. Do you mean to acquire the Immortal's Destruction beforehand?"
"The Draconic Palace contains draconic veins, and the Immortal's Destruction can augment our strength considerably. We must acquire the Immortal's Destruction," Zhao Tianheng replied.
"Yes!"
"What has Xiao Nanfeng been up to recently?"
"After the three thousand Taiqing disciples that accompanied him consumed draconic aether and experienced a big boost to their cultivation, they've been praising him nonstop. A large group of Taiqing disciples now heads to the Isle of Xiao regularly to help Xiao Nanfeng instruct his posse."
"Xiao Nanfeng's making use of his status as seniormost disciple to have Taiqing disciples cultivate his own forces? This is an abuse of power," Zhao Tianheng replied, frowning.
"The Taiqing disciples are doing it voluntarily," the elder added, a strange look on his face.
Zhao Tianheng: ...
"Division Leader, Xiao Nanfeng has remained on the Isle of Xiao since his return to Taiqing Island. It would be particularly dangerous for us to attempt to steal the Immortal's Destruction from him, considering our identities," one elder added, frowning.
"We don't have to do it ourselves. Someone will do it for us," Zhao Tianheng replied.
"Oh?"
On the Isle of Xiao, Xiao Nanfeng stood atop a vantage point high above and looked down toward the massive schoolyard where a large group of Taiqing disciples were teaching the ten thousand orphans of the Xiao Academy.
"Benefactor, although these children didn't receive any draconic aether, the sea serpent meat is itself very nourishing. Their cultivation has all improved by a significant margin."
"How much of the sea serpent meat remains?"
"Because there are so many orphans, and because they've been working hard on cultivation, they have large appetites. They've consumed about half the meat we have," Zheng Qian reported.
"That's acceptable. Have them eat all they want if it'll let them grow more quickly."
Zheng Qian nodded solemnly.
Suddenly, Xiao Nanfeng saw a black figure flash by. He immediately continued, "Mr. Zheng, go tend to your duties. I have something to take care of."
Zheng Qian nodded and departed.
Xiao Nanfeng quickly walked toward a secluded valley on the island, where a man in black awaited him.
"Why have you come back, You Jiu?" Xiao Nanfeng asked curiously.
"Sir Xiao, you had me keep an eye out on the Thousand-Serpent Island. You were right," You Jiu reported.
Xiao Nanfeng listened attentively.
"After you left, the Pestilence Sage was the first to arrive on the island. He and Tang waited for five days until the serpent king and five golden serpents returned to the island. When the serpent king learned about what had happened, it attempted to take revenge immediately, but the Pestilence Sage stopped him."
"Oh?"
"Last night, they conspired to deal with you, Sir Xiao. Because I was worried about being caught, I didn't dare approach too closely. All I heard was the Pestilence Sage saying that he had come up with a plan and had discussed matters with others to nab us all in one fell swoop."
"One fell swoop? The Isle of Xiao might be a little distant from Taiqing Island, but it's under its purview. If there's a commotion, the elders of Taiqing Island will surely come support me. Do they intend on attacking us?"
"They made their move this morning. The last thing I heard was that they were headed toward a so-called 'town of Desolation'. The serpent king sensed my stealth and searched around for me, but I left quickly enough that I was not discovered."
"The town of Desolation?" Xiao Nanfeng raised an eyebrow.
"You know of this place, Sir Xiao?"
"Zhao Yuanjiao has been ferreting out the spies among the blackguards, and most of them have been caught by now. A few days ago, the spies revealed some unexpected information. Zhao Yuanjiao, intending to take them down in one fell swoop, secretly left Taiqing Island." Xiao Nanfeng's face turned dark.
"Could he have gone to this Town of Desolation?"
"That's right."
"So this is a trap targeting Zhao Yuanjiao?" You Jiu exclaimed.
"From the looks of it, yes. Before he left, he told me that, even though it might be a trap, it would be a rare opportunity to claim full control of the blackguards for good. He said he would be careful, but I hadn't expected the trap to be so dangerous. Even the serpent king, a Wingform-realm spirit, will be present..." Xiao Nanfeng trailed off.
"Sir Xiao, should we inform the elders of the Taiqing Sect?"
"Without any proof, the elders would hardly believe us. Furthermore, it's very likely that Zhao Tianheng is in cahoots with these enemies. If I report the news, it might startle them and worsen Zhao Yuanjiao's predicament."
"In that case, what should we do?"
"Inform Croak and Warble immediately, then set off for the town of Desolation. Aid Zhao Yuanjiao if you can, but prioritize your own safety."
"I understand, Sir Xiao!"
Xiao Nanfeng retrieved a map and pinpointed the location of the town of Desolation for You Jiu. He believed that, considering You Jiu's caution, he would surely be able to bring Croak and Warble there and back.
After You Jiu left, Xiao Nanfeng raised his head to look at the formation of red fog that surrounded the island. "This won't be enough to deal with the serpent king. I'll need to make further preparations."
The town of Desolation was a small town by the seaside within the Tianshu Empire, and there was a small storefront run by nominal Taiqing disciples in town.
That evening, however, the town was covered by a huge white fog. Within the fog, all the buildings of the town had been leveled; the place was a mess of corpses and ruins.
By the outskirts of the town, a sixty-meter long purplegold serpent was giving off tremendous killing intent as it stared at the ruins of the town. Behind it were countless giant golden serpents, along with the Pestilence Sage and his group of demonic disciples.
"Come out here, Zhao Yuanjiao!" the giant purplegold serpent thundered.
The shout caused the ruins of the town to shake, but no one responded.
"Has this Zhao Yuanjiao reached mid-Spiritsong? He wouldn't have been able to escape from your grasp otherwise, serpent king," the Pestilence Sage murmured.
"Has he already run off?" the serpent king asked the Pestilence Sage.
"As a precaution, I set up a formation around the area before we struck. The formation will alert me if any living being leaves it, but I haven't received any such alerts. Zhao Yuanjiao must still be around," the Pestilence Sage replied confidently.
"But we've already searched the town a few times over, cutting apart every living being we've encountered. He's nowhere to be found," the serpent king's voice seethed.
"My formation can't be misled. He must be hidden within a pile of ruins, or perhaps some pit, with a treasure that can shield him from our spiritual senses."
"Even if he can hide now, he won't be able to get away forever. I've poisoned him with my venom, and he'll die within two days even if he were to continue suppressing it without receiving treatment. If he were to consume the antidote, we'd be able to sense him. I'd like to see him try to get away," the serpent king spat out.
"Two days? That's far too long! We've already promised Zhao Tianheng to destroy the Isle of Xiao today. He'll cover for us. We can't miss this opportunity," the Pestilence Sage replied.
The serpent king's eyes narrowed in anger. "You're right. Zhao Yuanjiao's only an accomplice to the destruction of my island. Xiao Nanfeng's the mastermind, and he's the one I'll kill at any cost. Everyone on the Isle of Xiao will die."
"In that case, what are we waiting for? We'll depart immediately."
The serpent king glared at the Pestilence Sage. "I'll safeguard the Immortal's Destruction once we acquire it."
The Pestilence Sage frowned, as if to argue.
"The matter's settled," the serpent king replied brusquely. It turned to its subordinates. "The five of you will stay and guard this area. Once Zhao Yuanjiao appears, kill him immediately."
"Yes, king!" the five serpents roared in reply.
"Let's go. We'll kill Xiao Nanfeng now, destroy his Isle of Xiao, then return and continue searching for Zhao Yuanjiao," the serpent king stated.
The Pestilence Sage nodded.
"Sage, might I come with you? I'm very scared. Xiao Nanfeng's far too sinister!" Tang begged.
"Your subordinate complains about this day in and day out. Are you sure he's not a spy that Xiao Nanfeng dispatched? Why not let me eat him," the serpent king hissed.
Tang blanched, not daring to speak.
"There's no need to worry. He won't betray me. Among my subordinates, he's the only one who dares to contradict me, and he's very important to me as a result. He keeps me on my toes, and I admire him."
Tang gave the Pestilence Sage an odd look, murmuring to himself, "So why don't you ever listen to my warnings? How many times have I said not to provoke Xiao Nanfeng? You never took what I said into consideration, and you expect me to die along with you!"
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