Chapter 268 : Feng Yichen — Old Monster Situ【Please Vote with Your Monthly Tickets】

Ji ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Yuan did not slow his pace in the slightest, nor did he exchange a glance with Feng Zhi Tao.

Because ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍he knew that since Yun Qianzai had told him, he would naturally tell the other two as well.

“So, ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍these missing people were most likely Li Yuan's doing?”

Feng ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Zhi Tao's voice sounded once more in Ji Yuan's mind.

“Not ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍necessarily, but it most likely has something to do with Li Yuan.”

Yun ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Qianzai continued.

The fellow disciples communicated through voice transmission, as though they had created a simple “group chat.”

Ran Kui, walking at the very front, listened to the discussion among his Junior Brother and Junior Sisters before finally unable to resist transmitting his own voice.

“From my many years of experience traveling the cultivation world, don't be in such a hurry to draw conclusions.”

“This is the cultivation world. Many times, even what you witness with your own eyes may not be the truth.”

“For example, when I was on Shang Mountain, I once encountered a Big-Mouthed Toad Devourer eating the corpse of a fellow Daoist from the Spirit Beast Sect. Another fellow Daoist saw the scene and, without a second thought, killed the Big-Mouthed Toad Devourer.”

“But afterward, we learned that the Big-Mouthed Toad Devourer was actually that Spirit Beast Sect cultivator's uncontracted Spiritual Beast. When it saw its master die, it had only wanted to carry him home, but the result...”

Ran Kui wanted to use his own experiences to impart some lessons to his Junior Brother and Junior Sisters.

Hearing those words, Ji Yuan inexplicably fell silent.

Moreover, he had also noticed that something seemed off about the elders of Black Dragon Island. If he had been given the chance earlier in the main hall, he would have wanted to activate the Eye of Divine Truth and take a look.

Because the relationships among those elders indeed seemed rather strange.

Each of them appeared to know something.

Yet none of them dared speak.

The one who had transmitted a message to Yun Qianzai was probably genuinely on good terms with him and knew exactly what kind of person this “Yun Family Patriarch” was. Otherwise, he would never have dared say such things.

“In any case, everything about Black Dragon Island feels strange. Stay with me and don't split up. Be careful above all else.”

Among the four fellow disciples, Ran Kui possessed the richest experience. Coupled with the fact that he was the Eldest Senior Brother, it naturally fell upon him to protect his Junior Brother and Junior Sisters.

Although he had only been here a short while, he had already sensed that something was amiss.

Since his Senior Brother and Senior Sister had spoken, Ji Yuan also transmitted his thoughts to the three of them.

“At a time like this, Li Yuan still dared let only those two elders guard the Black Dragon Stone... That's indeed rather strange.”

“If the Black Dragon Stone were truly that important, he should have stationed several more elders there.”

“Instead of leaving only those two there.”

“That was practically sending them to their deaths.”

Feng Zhi Tao immediately transmitted her own thoughts.

“And haven't you noticed? Our Water Dragon Sect has arrived as the superior sect. A Pseudo-Core cultivator is leading the way, and there are four Core Formation disciples.”

“With such a lineup, even the other five immortal sects would have sent out a Core Formation Cultivator to receive us.”

“Yet Black Dragon Island's Real Person Black Tortoise hasn't even shown himself.”

“He's showing very little respect to our Water Dragon Sect.”

“Li Yuan already explained that.”

Ran Kui replied,

“He said Real Person Black Tortoise's lifespan is nearly exhausted and that he's currently in life-and-death seclusion. Otherwise, they wouldn't be in such a passive position.”

“I still think Real Person Black Tortoise is the one secretly killing people.”

“Perhaps his lifespan is almost over, so he cultivated some demonic technique that steals Essence Blood to prolong life. That's why he's been murdering people.”

Yun Qianzai stubbornly insisted on his opinion.

Ji Yuan also felt it made some sense.

After all, his Second Senior Brother's analysis was quite logical.

However, Ran Kui no longer paid attention to him.

Without concrete evidence, everything was nothing more than wild speculation.

Besides, the actual mission Real Person Xuanshui had assigned them was to guard the Black Dragon Stone.

As for Black Dragon Island's affairs, they were not part of the mission.

After Ji Yuan and the others left the main hall, they each summoned their Flying Boats and headed toward the cliff.

However, before they had even left Black Dragon Island's buildings, Ji Yuan saw a Magical Boat bearing the Water Dragon Sect's banner rise from the island.

It then flew toward the western mainland.

“Hm?”

Ji Yuan noticed it.

Naturally, Ran Kui, who was leading the group, noticed it as well.

He slowed his Flying Boat and cupped his hands toward those aboard.

“May I ask which fellow Senior Brother is present? I am the Master of Wudao Island.”

Meanwhile, Ji Yuan transmitted to Feng Zhi Tao,

“Does our sect have others carrying out missions here as well?”

“Martial Uncle Sect Master never mentioned it. I don't know either. Let's see who it is first.”

Everyone came to a stop, and Li Yuan took the initiative to explain,

“This is the fellow Daoist from your sect who comes to collect Dragon Saliva from our island. He comes once every three months.”

As the Magical Boat drew closer, Ji Yuan finally saw who had arrived.

With just a single glance, he realized this matter was far from simple.

Because standing at the front of that Magical Boat was none other than...

Feng Yichen!

The man who had once been acknowledged as the number one Qi Refinement cultivator, who had clearly died inside the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven yet somehow returned alive...

Back then, he had indeed been called Feng Yichen.

Now that his body had been possessed...

He should be called...

Situ Feng.

Han Feiyu had once told Ji Yuan the true name of that old monster who specialized in body possession.

Ji Yuan had always remembered it.

He had never expected to run into him here.

Ji Yuan narrowed his eyes as he looked at this old acquaintance.

When they had left the Nine Nether Grotto-Heaven, Feng Yichen had only been at Peak Qi Refinement.

Yet only a few years had passed, and he had already reached Mid Foundation Establishment.

Even after spending all his wealth and taking a Core Formation Cultivator as his master, Ji Yuan's cultivation speed still couldn't compare.

You're not even trying to hide it anymore!

Ji Yuan saw him.

Naturally, he also saw Ji Yuan standing at the back of the group.

Standing at the very front of the Magical Boat, Feng Yichen first cupped his hands toward Ran Kui.

“I am the Master of Yellow Maple Island, Feng Yichen. Greetings, Senior Brother Wudao.”

Situ Feng.

Bearing the title Master of Yellow Maple Island.

“So it's Junior Brother Huangfeng. I never expected you to be carrying out a mission here. You've worked hard.”

Ran Kui wore a courteous smile.

Feng Yichen spread his hands helplessly.

“It can't be helped. Shang Mountain needs manpower, and the sect also needs people to handle affairs. To be honest, Senior Brother, I've been working nonstop for several years... Brother Ji behind you and I are old friends. He knows me.”

“Oh?”

Ran Kui turned to look at his Little Junior Brother.

Ji Yuan appeared to take a step forward atop the Wind Locust Flying Boat, though in reality he hardly moved.

He cupped his hands toward Feng Yichen with a smile.

“Long time no see, Brother Feng. Your bearing remains as elegant as ever.”

“You flatter me, Brother Ji.”

Feng Yichen smiled as well.

He then glanced at Black Dragon Island's Sect Master, Li Yuan, standing behind them before slightly furrowing his brows.

“May I ask whether all the Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters have come because of the missing cultivators?”

Ji Yuan remained silent.

Ran Kui also remained silent.

Only Li Yuan maintained a smile, though it was inappropriate for him to speak.

He also understood that although they all belonged to the Water Dragon Sect, certain matters had to remain hidden.

Just like missions.

They had to remain confidential.

Seeing this, Feng Yichen smiled awkwardly.

“It's like this. I've been here for a few days and happened to discover something. I was just about to report it to Senior Brother.”

“What did Fellow Daoist Huangfeng discover?”

Li Yuan hurriedly asked.

Feng Yichen looked at him before ultimately turning his gaze back to Ran Kui.

Only then did he say,

“The one secretly abducting people is a Third-Tier Demon Beast.”

“A Three-Eyed Dark Beast.”

“It walks through darkness and kills without leaving a trace.”

“All of you Senior Brothers and Junior Brothers should be careful.”

“I still have a mission to complete, so I'll take my leave first.”

After speaking, Feng Yichen cupped his hands toward everyone before steering his Flying Boat around and departing.

“A Three-Eyed Dark Beast? How could it be that thing?!”

Li Yuan's face instantly turned pale.

If it really was that creature...

Forget him.

Even if the sect's patriarch personally came, he wouldn't survive more than a few exchanges.

...A Three-Eyed Dark Beast?

Could such a creature truly exist here?

Ji Yuan had once needed one to upgrade a building.

Countless thoughts flashed through his mind.

Finally, he glanced at the departing Flying Boat before suddenly releasing Divine Sense comparable to that of a Core Formation Cultivator.

His Divine Sense caught up to Feng Yichen, and he transmitted,

“Fellow Daoist Situ, are your words true?”

Feng Yichen, who had been leisurely piloting his Flying Boat away, suddenly froze upon hearing those words.

The relaxed expression on his face instantly stiffened before quickly returning to normal.

“Oh?”

“Which brother might this be?”

“I never expected our Water Dragon Sect to be so lively.”

“Everyone's crowding in here.”

Feng Yichen slowed his Flying Boat and replied within his sea of consciousness.

Ji Yuan had no idea who else belonged to the Merchant Court, so he simply answered honestly.

“I'm working under Master Mei.”

“True Lord Crimson Thunder? Fellow Daoist White Crane? Or... Daisy? It shouldn't be Daisy.”

“Are you Fellow Daoist White Crane or Fellow Daoist Crimson Thunder?”

Feng Yichen immediately questioned him.

Ji Yuan silently memorized those three Daoist titles before calmly replying,

“Names are merely titles.”

“Fellow Daoist Situ, perhaps you should answer my question first.”

“Is there really a Three-Eyed Dark Beast here?”

“We can discuss everything else after returning to the sect.”

“No.”

“It's fake.”

“I made it up.”

“I just wanted to scare a bunch of little kids.”

“How could a Three-Eyed Dark Beast possibly appear here?”

“Haha, I was just joking.”

Feng Yichen laughed it off.

By the time he finished speaking, Ji Yuan had already left the range of his Divine Sense.

With the voice transmission finally cut off, Feng Yichen quietly let out a sigh of relief.

He looked back at Ji Yuan and the others as they departed and smiled inwardly.

A Three-Eyed Dark Beast?

Was there one?

Perhaps.

Who knew whether that old fellow still had one or not?

As far as he was concerned, why should I, Situ Feng, tell you the truth?

Had you forgotten?

Back in the Merchant Court, everyone called me...

Old Monster Situ!

'Interesting.'

'If I stayed here, I might get to watch quite a show.'

'Unfortunately, I have something even more important to do.'

'Looks like I'll have to miss this performance.'

“...”

“Don't trust what Feng Yichen says.”

“Some of it is true, some of it is false.”

Ji Yuan first transmitted that sentence to his Senior Brother and Senior Sisters.

After thinking for a moment, he continued,

“He was possessed long ago by an old Nascent Soul monster from the Merchant Court.”

“Now that he's appeared here, something major is probably happening.”

“I don't think this matter is nearly as simple as it appears.”

“What?! He was possessed by someone from the Merchant Court?!”

Ran Kui reacted first.

He hurriedly transmitted,

“Junior Brother, are you certain?”

“If that's true, we must immediately report this to Master and Martial Uncle Sect Master!”

“No need.”

“They already know.”

“It even seems they intentionally kept that member of the Merchant Court within our sect.”

Ji Yuan had already learned this from Hua Yaoyue.

He had also received confirmation from Kong Xifeng.

“But why?”

Feng Zhi Tao asked in confusion.

“I don't know.”

“In any case, Feng Yichen's words can't be trusted.”

“I can't confirm whether there's truly a Three-Eyed Dark Beast.”

“But I can say for certain that something is wrong here.”

Ji Yuan said decisively.

There wasn't a single decent person in the Merchant Court.

“Then according to Junior Brother's opinion, should we return to the sect first and report everything to Master and the Sect Master?”

“...If it were me, I would.”

After hesitating briefly, Ji Yuan still voiced his true thoughts.

Working for the sect was one thing.

Giving his life for the sect...

That was another matter.

“Let's observe the situation first.”

“After all, I've already formed my Core.”

“Even if the sect dispatched another Core Formation Cultivator, they might not necessarily be stronger than I am.”

Ran Kui, as the Eldest Senior Brother, made the final decision.

Ji Yuan naturally said nothing further.

Not long afterward, the group arrived beneath the cliff.

There stood an entrance outlined with formation talismans.

“The Black Dragon Stone is inside.”

After speaking, Li Yuan took the lead and entered.

Ji Yuan and the others exchanged glances.

Finally, Ran Kui transmitted,

“Follow me.”

“I'll take the lead.”

“I'll guard the rear.”

Ji Yuan immediately transmitted.

Feng Zhi Tao and Yun Qianzai had no objections.

Both released their Divine Sense while summoning their offensive Spiritual Artifacts.

Ji Yuan formed a hand seal with one hand.

He first summoned the Upper-Grade Protective Spiritual Artifact, the Dragon Beard Shield.

Then he had the Froststream Flying Sword hover beside him.

Of course, the most suitable Spiritual Artifact was naturally the Five Venoms Serpent Staff gifted by Crippled Taoist Mourner.

Unfortunately...

He was worried that if he took it out, Ran Kui might mistake him for a Demonic Path cultivator and arrest him...

At the same time, he observed his Senior Brother's and Senior Sisters' equipment.

At the very front, Ran Kui wielded a massive halberd.

Its appearance was even more imposing than Ji Yuan's Mountain-Shattering Halberd.

Feng Zhi Tao held a crimson feather fan crafted from fiery bird feathers.

As for Yun Qianzai...

He held a Yin-Yang formation disk.

As Spiritual Energy flowed into it, the formation disk emitted a faint glow.

At the same time, a Protective Light Barrier enveloped his body.

Indeed...

When it came to style, Yun Qianzai never lost to anyone.

The passageway was deep.

Fortunately, torch brackets lined both sides of the cave walls.

As Ji Yuan carefully examined everything with his Divine Sense, he discovered traces showing that talismans had once been attached there.

Judging from the residual aura...

They had all been Demon-Suppressing Talismans.

Ji Yuan naturally lowered his right hand.

Several dozen Second-Tier Demon-Suppressing Talismans quietly appeared inside his sleeve.

At the same time, he transmitted this information to Ran Kui and the others.

“It's fine.”

“Little Junior Brother, just take care of yourself.”

Seeing that Ji Yuan had been thinking about the three of them all along the way, Ran Kui couldn't help offering a word of reassurance.

Before long, the group reached a massive stone chamber at the end of the passage.

Torches bearing talismans were mounted on the walls.

Under normal circumstances, they could burn for an entire year without needing replacement.

At the center of the chamber stood a strange stone vaguely shaped like a Flood Dragon.

It wasn't an exquisitely carved sculpture.

One could only roughly make out the dragon's form.

The black stone Flood Dragon had its mouth slightly open.

Sweeping it with his Divine Sense, Ji Yuan discovered that the inside of the dragon's mouth was indeed damp, almost as though morning dew had condensed there.

Beneath the dragon's mouth sat a black bowl of nearly the same color.

“This is the Black Dragon Stone.”

Li Yuan stepped forward and stood beside it as he introduced it.

“The two elders had been guarding the Black Dragon Stone here before mysteriously disappearing.”

Ran Kui said nothing.

He silently took a formation flag from his Storage Pouch and planted it into the ground.

Instantly, thick vines as wide as an adult's arm burst forth from the earth, climbed upward, and eventually covered the entire stone chamber.

Holding the formation disk, Yun Qianzai circled the Black Dragon Stone several times.

The formation disk in his hand spun continuously while arcs of white light spread outward.

Before making many rounds, he had already understood.

“It gathers the spiritual essence of the surrounding seas around the island.”

“No wonder it produces Dragon Saliva that aids cultivation.”

After speaking, he once again transmitted to Ji Yuan and the others, explaining in detail,

“This place is a natural geomantic treasure formed by heaven and earth.”

“The sect has probably already investigated it thoroughly.”

“They intend to move the Black Dragon Stone back and place it beside the Falling Star River.”

“It would produce the same effect there.”

Ji Yuan could understand a few of the principles.

But only a few.

Unlike Yun Qianzai.

Pretentious though he was, he truly possessed genuine skill.

“Well?”

“Have any of you found traces of the Three-Eyed Dark Beast?”

Li Yuan finally couldn't help asking.

Ran Kui slowly shook his head and sighed.

“That creature is quite cunning.”

“It won't be resolved in such a short time.”

“Brother Li should hurry back and focus on protecting the remaining disciples.”

“As for the Black Dragon Stone...”

“Leave it to us.”

“No.”

Li Yuan's expression changed slightly.

“Brother Wudao, shouldn't we be searching for the Demon Beast instead?”

“Heh.”

“Brother Li, do you truly believe those words?”

“Whether the one harming people here is human or Demon Beast...”

“Does Brother Li truly know nothing at all?”

Ever since arriving on Black Dragon Island, Ran Kui had realized Li Yuan had not been telling the truth.

Naturally, he no longer wore a pleasant expression.

“This...”

“That person's true target is our Water Dragon Sect.”

“In that case, we'll simply wait here for him to come.”

“If Brother Li doesn't wish to be caught in the crossfire, you'd best leave immediately.”

After saying that, Ran Kui sat down where he stood.

Li Yuan glanced once more at Ji Yuan and the others.

Finally, he cupped his hands before turning and leaving.

As soon as he departed, Ji Yuan and the other two exchanged glances before gathering around Ran Kui.

“A Demonic Path cultivator.”

“Even if there truly is a Three-Eyed Dark Beast, it would merely be one raised by that Demonic Path cultivator.”

“And it hasn't fully matured.”

“Otherwise...”

“There would be no need for all this trouble.”

“Every living creature on Black Dragon Island would already have become nourishment for that Three-Eyed Dark Beast.”

After speaking, Ran Kui pointed toward the passage they had entered through.

“There were many traces of Demon-Suppressing Talismans along the way.”

“Li Yuan and the others most likely knew about that Demonic Path cultivator long ago.”

“If they had ever imprisoned him, he was probably confined somewhere within this cave.”

Ji Yuan could detect those traces.

Naturally, Ran Kui had noticed them as well.

“So what do we do now?”

Feng Zhi Tao frowned slightly.

“That Demonic Path cultivator has most likely already targeted us.”

“Killing those two elders this time was simply to intimidate us.”

Yun Qianzai glanced back at the vine-covered Black Dragon Stone.

“If you asked Little Junior Brother...”

“He'd definitely say we should remove the Black Dragon Stone right now and head straight back to the sect.”

...Second Senior Brother, you really do know me well.

Seeing everyone looking toward him, Ji Yuan simply smiled without speaking.

No matter what he said, the authority to make decisions during this mission rested with Ran Kui.

Yet just as Ji Yuan thought Ran Kui would act out of misplaced compassion by remaining here to guard the Black Dragon Stone and wait for the Demonic Path cultivator to come...

The Master of Wudao Island suddenly spoke in a deep voice.

“Second Brother, you're proficient in formations. Remove the Black Dragon Stone and take it away.”

“Third Sister, get ready.”

“In a moment, follow me and storm their headquarters.”

“We'll capture that fellow Li Yuan first!”