Chapter 234 - 161: Shaking the Martial World! A Yama Gathering?

Chapter 234: Chapter 161: Shaking the Martial World! A Yama Gathering?

What was even stranger was that every night, an eerie crying sound could be heard on the island.

It was impossible to tell which direction it came from; it felt as if it were coming from every corner at once.

After several consecutive days of this, Elder Wuu was mentally and physically exhausted.

He had even returned to headquarters to investigate specifically.

It turned out the island was indeed restless. A strange event seemed to occur every ten years, and the elders who had guarded the island during the previous occurrences had all died suddenly...

And each one had died a gruesome, horrifying death.

By his calculations, the ten-year mark for this cycle was just a few days away...

Elder Wuu was a nervous wreck, unable to even sleep soundly.

As soon as night fell, he would stick firmly to the side of that Inner Realm elder.

No matter who reported what to him, he ignored them all. His main strategy was simply to be a coward who clung to life...

For several days in a row, this left the Inner Realm elder rather speechless.

However, it was clear he was someone who knew the inside story.

Under these circumstances, he didn’t criticize him too harshly.

’By my calculations, Elder Chen will be here soon. I really don’t know what the Alliance Leader was thinking, stationing Elder Chen here. Although his strength is indeed extraordinary, the decennial [Dark Mist Night] is just too dangerous.’

This Inner Realm elder, Zhao Qianyue, sighed softly. ’A talent like this should be kept at headquarters and carefully protected.’

"Senior Zhao, the Human List... the latest news from the Human List!"

Elder Wuu had a shocked expression as he ran over, holding a list.

It was broad daylight, so he was much braver now. He even dared to lead a search party around and had just happened to see someone posting the new Human List, so he quickly copied it down.

"Oh?"

Zhao Qianyue’s brow twitched. He took the list from the other man’s hand, his eyes sweeping over it.

Soon, his expression changed to one of utter shock.

Chen Xuan, killed Jiang Longyang, the [Nine-Yang Holy Body]!

Injured Dong Biao, an Inner Realm master!

’How is that possible?’

"Could Elder Chen have reached the Inner Realm? How else could he injure an Inner Realm master?"

Elder Wuu, also completely stunned, asked from the side.

"The Inner Realm?"

Zhao Qianyue’s expression changed dramatically.

’This is too absurd!’

But now he understood even less why the Alliance Leader would station such a prodigy on such a dangerous island.

’Shouldn’t a prodigy like this be kept at headquarters, with ten or twenty elders assigned to protect him at all costs?’

’He’s practically the next Heavenly List!’

’Any faction that had him would surely mobilize their strongest forces to protect him with layer after layer of security.’

’No!’

’I have to protect Chen Xuan!’

’I absolutely cannot let a monster of a talent like him take any risks!’

...

...

「On Canglong Lake.」

On a spacious small boat.

Chen Xuan stood on deck, his brow slightly furrowed, as he looked out at the vast lake.

’I’ve only been gone a few days, and sure enough, things have started to change at Canglong Lake.’

Even the lake water had turned much darker.

The lake’s surface was covered with large boats from the Martial Alliance. Disciples who were strong swimmers were jumping off the boats and swimming toward the bottom, as if they were salvaging something.

"What’s going on here?"

Chen Xuan casually asked the Martial Alliance disciple who was rowing the boat.

"Reporting to Elder Chen, some strange things have been happening on the island recently. A number of people have gone missing. Elder Wuu personally ordered us to search every inch of the place, not even sparing the lake bottom," the rowing disciple said.

"Missing?"

A glint appeared in Chen Xuan’s eyes.

’It’s finally happening.’

’It seems the date the Alliance Leader mentioned is indeed approaching.’

"When did this happen?"

"Within the last three days or so."

"So, after I left?"

Chen Xuan pondered for a moment, then asked, "Have you found anything?"

"This humble one wouldn’t know. You’ll have to ask Elder Wuu. Oh, right, one of the Alliance’s grand elders is here as well," the rowing disciple said.

"Understood!"

Chen Xuan nodded.

Beside him, Mr. Zhuo couldn’t help but look solemn as he gazed toward the black market on the island.

For some reason, he kept feeling a sinister aura permeating the island and its surroundings.

His gaze inadvertently flicked to the water’s surface, and he saw a hideous, terrifying face at the bottom of the lake. It stared at him with venomous hatred, its mouth twisting into a savage grin.

But when he looked closely again, he found that the lake water was just a deep green, with nothing out of the ordinary.

This sent a chill down his spine, a cold fear rising within him.

...

...

「On the island.」

There were numerous stalls.

The black market’s business had not stopped because of this.

After all, the Martial Alliance was only responsible for maintaining order. The one who actually brought the goods was second on the Heavenly List, so they still attracted a large, endless stream of customers.

At this moment, inside a certain shop.

A group of seven or eight figures was gathered here. They wore black robes, their faces were indifferent, and each of them exuded a peculiar aura.

In their very center stood a statue.

It was about a foot tall, with three heads, shaped like a vicious demon and pitch-black all over.

"The Dark Mist Night is getting closer. Truly something to look forward to."

The leader, a man who looked to be in his early sixties, had a goatee, brown eyes, and a pointed chin. He held a pipe cast from pure iron, took a light puff, and slowly exhaled a stream of white smoke. "Ever since Chen Xuan snatched away the Fire Python Inner Core last time, Elder Feng’s injuries have been getting heavier and heavier.

"It’s now reached a point where they can barely be suppressed. Fortunately, we obtained a Life-Extending Pill, which bought him another thirty days. This mission must succeed. As long as we can hold out until the Dark Mist Night arrives and that ’thing’ emerges, we might be able to use it to completely heal Elder Feng’s injuries. For the next few days, no matter who it is, I don’t want anyone leaving here carelessly. Stay here and maintain the Array’s operation at all times. Do you hear me?"

His gaze swept over the remaining figures.

"We hear you!"

"We all understand!"

The six people before him nodded in unison.